I DO NOT OWN TWILIGHT!

CHAPTER 15
(Bella)
I woke up the next morning between Sue and my dad, their arms tightly around me. My eyes were dry and swollen and I had a terrible headache. "You okay?" Dad murmured.

"I just need to use the bathroom," I said softly.

He moved so I could get up. I looked like hell and felt even worse. I looked into the mirror as the dream I'd had came back full force. Did I tell Edward what Jake had said? Would he think I was insane? How did I bring up a conversation like that?

I washed my face and went to check on Jaycie. I walked into her room and she was gone, I started to panic.

"She's in my room," Dad said coming up behind me.

"I'm so sorry about last night, I didn't mean to wake everyone up," I whispered.

"Bells, don't worry about it," He said. "Do you want to talk about it?"

I shook my head remembering what he had said to Sue before we went to bed. "Um, I think I'm just going to get some coffee."

"Bella, about last night, I'm really sorry. I don't know Edward and I've judged him harshly."

"You have," I agreed.

"I really hope you never have to see your child in pain Bella, because it's the worst feeling on earth. I have felt helpless since the day Jake died and to be honest, I'm not sure if I can sit by and watch if your heart gets broken again."

"Dad, I'm scared too, I don't know how this is all going to end."

He wrapped his arm around me and led me into the living room. "I thought this would be more comfortable."

"Ok," I said softly.

"You know Bella, when your mom left you at 6 months old, you were young enough that it didn't effect you, but he has a son that is in your class and if this doesn't work out, he will be hurt and it will effect him."

"We've talked about it dad, Matt isn't going to know for awhile, at least not until we know what's going on with us."

"Seems pretty serious Bells."

"You and Sue made it work," I reminded him.

"Yes we did and you made it hell on all of us."

"That I did," I said smiling sadly.

"I don't want to see you get hurt Bella, but if you are sure he's what you want, then I will step back, you are an adult, but you're still my baby girl."

"Just like you will always be my daddy."

"Now as a dad, I must say this," He said nervously. "I know you are an adult, but you and him haven't been together a real long time, however what I saw last night made me think that you two are moving pretty fast."

"Ok," I said not sure of where this was going.

"You need to make sure you are on birth control."

"Dad!" I gasped grabbing a pillow and burying my face in it.

"I'm serious Bells, I thought you were on it once before, then you told me you were pregnant."

"We were about to get married," I said defensively.

"Just be careful Bella."

"I'm not a whore!" I exclaimed.

"I know you aren't, I'm just telling you to be careful, really get to know him before you take that step. And remember all boys will lie for sex!"

"You said that about Jake, and he never lied."

"No he didn't did he?"

I wrapped my arms around my dad. "Thank you for all you have done for us, I really appreciate it!"

"You're welcome Bells," He said hugging me back.

(Edward)
It was just after 10 in the morning, I picked up the phone and called Bella. "Hey," She answered softly.

"Hey Bella, how are you this morning?" I thought I heard her sniffle. "Honey, are you crying?"

"I'm okay," She whispered.

"Bella, what's wrong?" I asked her.

"I, um, I just had a long night, I'm alright really."

"So um, I was wondering if you would like to come over."

"What time will Matt be home?" She asked.

"6. He called me this morning all excited, he is having a great time with Alice and Jasper."

"I'm glad," She said softly. "I'd love to come over, but I don't want to ask my parents to watch Jaycie."

"Bella, she's your daughter bring her with you, I'm sure my mother would love to meet her as well."

"Your parents are there?" She asked.

"Yah," I said softly.

"What do they know?" She asked.

"Bella, I've told them everything, they want to meet you."

"Ok," She whispered.

I gave her the address and we hung up.

Something wasn't right with her, she sounded off and I wasn't sure what it was. "Is she coming over?" Mom asked from the door of my room.

"Yah, she's nervous though."

"Is she bringing the baby?" Mom asked.

"Yes her name is Jaycie," I reminded her.

"Good, I can't wait to meet Jaycie, Bella seemed like such a sweet person when I met her that day at school"

"Just be easy on her, don't give her the third degree."

"You worry too much," Mom laughed.

At 11:30, there was a knock at the front door. I got up and went to answer it, there stood Bella holding Jaycie's carrier. "Hi," She said shyly.

"Come on in," I said taking the carrier from her. She came in and I kissed her gently on the cheek. She looked really tired and I had a feeling she'd been crying.

"Where is everyone?" She asked.

"My parents are somewhere in the house or outside."

I set Jaycie down and wrapped my arms around Bella, she melted into me hugging me tightly. "Honey, what's wrong?" I asked.

"I dreamed of Jake last night."

"Do you want to talk about it?" I asked.

"He told me that you were a good guy and to be happy."

My heart broke for her, I knew how she felt, I still dreamed of Lauren, not as much, but they still snuck up on me.

"Did Lauren, ever, I mean, did she ever..." She stopped.

"What Bella?" I asked.

"Did she ever talk to you?" She whispered.

I pulled her over to the couch and pulled her down next to me. "Bella, did he talk to you?"

"Am I crazy?" She asked.

"No Bella, what did he say to you?" I asked.

"He um, told me to tell you that Lauren is okay and she is proud of you and Matt."

I sat there not sure what to say. "I shouldn't have told you," She whispered.

"No Bella, I needed to hear that."

Jaycie made her presence known. She reached down to get her. "Can I?" I asked her.

"Sure," She said smiling.

I picked her up and craddled her in my arms. "Hello beautiful," I cooed. She looked up at me and gave me a small smile. "You look just like your mommy."

Bella leaned against me and I wrapped my arm around her. "He told me to be happy, then why does it hurt?" She asked.

"Because you loved him Bella and he loved you. It just takes time."

She looked up at me and kissed me. "I don't know what I would do without you."

"I feel the same way when I'm with you." She said running her fingers through the hair on the back of my neck.

After a few minutes I looked at Bella. "Lets go find my parents."

"They aren't going to think that I'm just with you because I want a dad for Jaycie are they?"

"Why would you ask that?" He asked looking at me.

"Just something my dad said."

"Bella, no, they are concerned yes, but don't worry about that."

I handed Jacyie back to Bella and we walked out to the back deck, where my parents were. "Oh Edward, I didn't know she was here already." Mom said smiling at Bella.

"She just got here," I said. I turned to Bella. "Bella, I want you to meet Carlisle and Esme, my parents."

"Hi," She said softly.

"Welcome Bella, Edward and Matt say a lot of wonderful things about you." Dad said to her.

Bella blushed. "Matt's a great kid."

"Bella, its great to see you again," Mom said walking over and looked at Jaycie. "My my, look at how beautiful she is."

"Thanks," Bella said softly.

"How old is she?" Mom asked.

"Two months," Bella said.

"Oh Carlisle, look at her, she's precious." Mom sighed.

"She is very beautiful," Dad agreed.

"Bella, could I hold her?" Mom asked.

"Of course," She said gently placing her in mom's arms.

"She's very content, is she always like this?" Mom asked.

"Pretty much, although once in awhile she has a rough night."

"Edward was my calm one, but Alice and Rosalie were both colicy."

"I couldn't imagine, I was terrified she would be colicy since I had so much stress going on while I was pregnant."

"That must have been very hard Bella, how did you deal with that?" Dad asked her.

"My dad and stepmom were very supportive and are still there helping out."

"Who watches her while you work?" Mom asked.

"My stepmom Sue," Bella said.

"If you ever need a back up, you can call me, I'd love to watch her."

"I'll remember that," Bella said.

"Now Carlisle and I have this under control, why don't you two go spend some time together," Mom said. "Does she have a bottle or do you breastfeed?"

Bella blushed causing dad and I to laugh, she elbowed me in the side. "She just ate about an hour ago, but she had a bottle and formula in her bag."

Mom took Carlisle by the hand and led him over the the furniture on the backporch and they sat down loving Jaycie.

I took Bella's hand. "Want to go for a walk?" I asked.

She looked back to my parents. "Okay," She sighed.

We walked out through the backyard. "It's so beautiful here," She said squeezing my hand.

"So Bella, I was thinking," I said. "That if things are still going good between us, I will talk to Matt and then we can have the holidays together."

"What if he doesn't like the idea of us being together?" I asked.

"You are worrying to much Bella, he really likes you."

"Jaycie likes you to," She said.

"I must say, feelings go both ways."

Bella let go of my hand and wrapped it around my waist. "I want us to work out."

"I do to Bella," I said as we walked into the woods.

"Um, where are we going?" She asked.

"Somewhere, where I can get my mouth on yours and kiss you for as long as I want."

She blushed biting her lip, that wasn't helping me take things slow with her at all. I wanted to lean down and bite her lip for her. "Where are we going?" She asked again.

"Down to the stream," I said. "My dad takes Matt fishing down here."

We walked over to the big rock and I gently lifted her up on it. She was beautiful. I sat up next to her and turned her face so I could kiss her. Her hand came up to my face as our lips connected. Our lips moved slowly together, I took her hand and laced our fingers. "Edward," She breathed. I pulled back and looked at her. "I think I'm falling in love you with you."

"God Bella," I whispered. "I don't know how I'm not going to tell everyone."

"I do have Jaycie I can talk to," She said smiling. "She wont tell."

"At least not until she's 2 and by then I hope we are..."

"We are what Edward?"

"A little past having to tell secrets to a baby," I laughed.

"Me to."

Bella turned and snuggled in closer to me. "Do you really think my dream meant something?"

I sighed. "Yah, I think so, or at least I hope so. I love knowing that Lauren is okay, who knows, maybe her and Jake are together."

"I never thought I could handle him being with anyone else, but that's one person whom I might be okay with."

Bella laid back on the rock and put her arms behind her head. "It's so peaceful here."

I laid down on my side next to her and put my arm under her head to make her more comfortable. "It is, I love the sound of the stream."

"Edward," She whispered.

"What honey?"

"Kiss me," She said and began nibbling her lip nervously.

I leaned over her and kissed her on the nose. "Stop biting you lip."

"Sorry bad habit," She muttered.

"It's a very bad habit." I said against her mouth.

My mouth captured her, she tasted amazing. I nudged her mouth open with my tonuge and found hers, our tongues battling for dominance, swirling around. She wrapped her arm around my neck to deepen the kiss. I moved my hand slowly up and down her side, she was so warm. Bella broke the kiss, gasping for air, I moved my mouth down her neck trailing open mouth kisses from the bottom of her ear and back up. "Edward," She whimpered wrapping her arms around me. I moved my hand up her stomach and over the swell of her breast. Her breathing hitched, she arched her back into my touch. She pulled me on top of her, our mouths crashed together and she wrapped her legs around me pressing me closer to her.

"Bella," I gasped. "We need to stop."

"What if I don't want to?" She asked.

"We have to Bella," I said softly.

She released her grip. "Sorry," She gasped. "I got carried away."

"It's okay Bella, believe me, I want to, just not today and not here on this rock."

We both sat up and I leaned down to kiss her. "We should get back," She said softly.

Bella grabbed my hand as we walked back to the house. "I wonder if your parents are ready for me to take Jaycie back."

"I doubt it, they are all about babies. My mom came to stay with us right after Matt was born, she got up during all the feedings, not because she needed to, she just didn't want to miss out on him."

"There are days that I wish I could just stay at home and take care of Jaycie. I used to love teaching, but once I found out I was pregnant, I just wanted to be home with my baby."

"You'd want to be a stay at home mom?" I asked her.

"Yah, she's probably going to start walking and I wont be there."

"I remember Matt's first steps. Lauren and I had been trying to get him to walk but the stubborn boy wouldn't do it. Then my sister Rose came to visit and the minute she sat down in front of her he took off running to her."

Bella laughed. "That's really funny."

"Lauren and Rose were best friends all through school. Rose was there in the room when Matt was born and was on a flight out the minute Lauren went to hospice." I looked down at her. "After Lauren died, I pulled Matt out of preschool, he didn't understand what had happened he just wanted his mommy and started clinging to me. I enjoyed being with him though."

"I would have done the same thing," She said.

When we got back to the house dad was walking with Jaycie, who was crying. "Is she okay?" Bella asked rushing to her.

"Calm down mama bear," Dad said smiling. "Esme was fixing her a bottle."

"Oh," Bella said blushing. "Sorry, I'm really over protective."

"That's a good thing Bella," Dad said. "She's very content, you've done a great job with her."

"Thanks," Bella said. "But my dad and stepmom have helped a lot."

"Oh you're back, I was just getting ready to give Jaycie a bottle," Mom said coming into the room. "You guys go out to play, I'd like to get to know Bella."

(Esme)
While Bella and Edward had gone for a walk, Carlisle and I played with Jaycie. He was more hesitant at first, not wanting to get close, but I had a strange feeling those two were pretty serious about each other. I wasn't necessarily against the idea of them being together, I just didn't know Bella all that well.

Carlisle was sitting there watching me hold her and talk to her like I would my own child or grandchild. "What if it doesn't work out Es?" He asked.

"Then it doesn't work out Carlisle, but why not attempt to bond with her now."

He reached over and took Jaycie out of my arms. "Hey sweet girl, you really are a beautiful little girl," He cooed bringing her up to his face and kissing her cheek. She cooed back at him smiling.

Jaycie started to cry. "I bet she's hungry."

"Go get her bottle, I'll give it to her." He said standing up to rock her so he could keep her calm. "Yes angel, she's going to get you something to eat, I'll hold you until she gets back." I heard him tell her.

Once I got Edward and Carlisle out of the house, I sat next to Bella on the couch watching as Jaycie took her bottle greedily. I reached over and took her tiny fist and leaned in to kiss it.

"How are you doing Bella? I know being a single parent can't be easy."

"I never intended to be a single parent. Her dad died in a car accident not long after we told everyone we were pregnant."

"I know Edward's mentioned that."

"I lived alone from the night he died until Jayc was 2 weeks old. I just couldn't do it, Sue found me curled up on the couch crying. That's all it took for her and my dad to move us back in with them."

I looked over at this young woman, she'd been through a lot, but she was strong. "You know I'm not trying to take Lauren's place."

"Bella, what?" I asked.

"I'm not here to move in and be Matt's mom."

"My dear, what are you talking about?" I asked again.

"My dad asked me last night if I was with Edward only to give Jaycie a dad."

"Oh I see," I said.

"I talked to Edward for a long time that afternoon that Matt had an accident, we both realized how much we had in common."

"I don't know if it matters or not, but I didn't think that was your intentions with Edward. You are both adults, our concern is for the kids."

"I get that," She said softly. "And I need to be careful since I'm Matt's teacher."

"You two have talked a lot about this haven't you?" She asked.

"Yah, I'd love to go out with him one time where we didn't discuss our pain, where we could just go have some fun."

"And that's what you two both need." I told her.

"I never thought I would ever care about anyone after I lost Jake, but Edward seems so different."

"I think it's because he's been through a horrible loss like you did," I said.

Jaycie finished her bottle and Bella burped her. I watched that beautiful baby girl lay her head on her mom's shoulder and fall asleep. "It doesn't get any better than this." Bella said patting her back softly.

"Bella, don't hesitate to call me if you ever need anything."

"I will Esme thank you."

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