It's been a long time between chapters. Some of the reviews from the last chapter really made me think twice about continuing the story. It isn't turning out as I'd expected and some people aren't happy with that. I nearly gave it all up and decided not to write anymore. But the story has a life of it's own and I have decided I will give it a while longer despite what the critics among you say. With regard to the Jasper/Bella pairing and the kiddies in the back seat asking me "Are we there yet?" I can only answer - not yet. But if you're good we'll stop for ice cream soon.

It felt much better having cleared the air with Jacob. He had constantly reminded me that I didn't need to chose between him and Jasper, and I had confidently boasted to myself that it was not necessary for any choices to be made as I was not in a relationship with either of them. But when it had come time to live up to all these pretty words, I had made a choice, and Jake had wanted me to after all.

I had wanted to be with Jasper. I had wanted him to touch me and more, now that he was free of Alice, but somehow the ghost of her had been in that bed with us and I knew it wasn't truly me he was seeking, only comfort. I was still surprised at how the thoughts that had made me stop Jasper, had also consisted of Jake. I was only supposed to be having a bit of fun with him. He was by his own admission just showing me the ropes, but it had felt so wrong to cast him off like yesterdays dirty clothes and jump into Jasper's arms. I think Jake had also been surprised by the depths of his feelings. For all his declarations of independence and casual hook ups, he had been hurt when he thought I had turned away from him. This situation was getting more and more complicated. It was time to step back and get a bit of space from both of them I felt. At least that decision would be easy to follow through on. In a few short days I would be leaving for college which would take a big bite out of the time I spent with either of them. I wouldn't be home too much and when I was, I would spend the time with Charlie or at the ranch.

As I was chewing over my many thoughts I saw Emmett and Rosalie together. They were standing under the big tree at the back of the homestead and I would have been hard pressed to say I had ever seen another couple looking so dejected in my life. They had been preoccupied for the last week or so. Emmett was not his usual bubbly self making wise cracks or ambiguous references. Rosalie had been very quiet. A fallback position she reserved for only two situations: danger or disaster. I wonder which one had befallen them.

As I watched, Emmett drew Rose towards him, holding her gently and stroking her hair. His head rested on top of hers, and Rose's shoulders shook from silent tears. It took a lot to make Rose cry. It must be a disaster of some kind. I approached them quietly, giving them the opportunity to hide what was happening or to move away if they wanted. But neither of them did.

"This looks serious," I said as I drew within earshot.

"Well that would be the understatement of the century," Rose spat in my direction. I was taken aback by the amount of venom in her voice and the anger in her eyes.

"Come on Rosie, none of this is Bella's fault."

"I know Em. Sorry Bella, I'm a little overwhelmed," admitted Rosalie, softening into Emmett's arms and attempting to lift her lips in resemblance of a smile in my direction.

"You've got me worried now Rose, what's going on?" I couldn't believe the turnaround in character I was seeing here. Rosalie was usual strong to the point of ferocity and here she was, clearly emotional and clinging to Emmett like only he could save her. I had never seen Emmett without a trace of humor to his countenance. He looked older and more worried than a young man his age should be.

"You can tell her Em, she'll find out soon enough anyway. I just can't talk about it right now,' and with that Rose walked off slowly towards the building she had called home for the last week. I felt myself to be on the verge of tears from the undercurrent of stress and love between the two of them. This was something big.

We watched Rose walk away and then I turned to Emmett. "Okay big guy, I've run straight past worried and I'm homing in on terrified. What gives?" When I looked at him, I could see that he was close to tears himself.

"Well Belly Bean, it seems that Rose and I have gotten ourselves into a bit of an unexpected mess," he said as he looked at me sheepishly.

I looked at him confused, these two had planned out every second of the next ten years of their lives. What could possibly have disrupted their plans?

Emmett waited for the penny to drop with a smirk on his face. Eventually the cartoon light bulb above my head flashed as the answer came to me. "Oh my God! Rose is ..."

"Pregnant, yes."

"But I thought ..."

"So did we Bella, so did we. I guess nature had other plans."

At the ripe old age of 16, Rosalie had been told by her doctor, in far more succinct and polite terms of course, that the reason she was, in her own words, a 'raging bitch', was due to a severe hormone imbalance. This same hormone imbalance would make it impossible to become pregnant. When Rose and Emmett knew for themselves what everyone else had long suspected, that they were meant to be together for life, they had dispensed with birth control as it seemed completely unnecessary. Turns out there are different definitions of impossible.

"Wow Emmett, that's big. I know it's unexpected, and the timing isn't great, but surely it can't be all bad? I know you guys are mated for life, this is just a bonus. I'm sure once you get used to the idea you'll see it as a good thing."

"Oh Jelly Belly, if only things were that simple. There's more."

"Oh. Because being pregnant unexpectedly just wasn't enough ..."

He chuckled then and continued with his story. And it was then I realised that the world really does turn on the head of a pin, and one short moment can change the course of our lives forever. "We went back to Rosie's doctor, you know, to make sure it wasn't a false positive on the test or something like that. To say she was shocked would be an understatement. She claimed that it was a miracle... and then went on to tell us how dangerous it would be for Rose to carry and deliver the baby. Something about antibodies and bleeding and I don't know what now. Scared the life out of me. Rose will fill you in. There's a good chance that either Rose will lose the baby, or that I'll lose Rose and I don't know how I'd live without her."

"Oh Em!" my voice was nearly a whisper. "How have you two been coping with this? How far along is she? Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

"We just weren't ready to tell anyone. We could hardly take it in ourselves. And we still haven't gotten to the end of it Bella."

"There can't be more to it?"

"Oh but there is."

Over the next half hour, Emmett went on to tell me that Rose had decided she was having the baby no matter what. Something like this didn't happen without a reason. To be told you would never have kids and then wind up pregnant was not a twist of fate to be trifled with. Emmett would do whatever Rose wanted and would look after her as best he could and had just pushed the idea of losing her and maybe raising a child on his own to the back of his mind as an impossibility that would never come to pass. They had expected a little more support from their parents however. Emmett's mother and father had simply patted him on the back and told him that he had made his bed and now he would have to 'be a man' and lie in it bumps and all. As he would not be going away to college, he would have plenty of time to get a job and support Rose. They would not be of any assistance financially and had already planned to spend the next year cruising around in Europe. No potential grandchild would disrupt that.

Roses parent's had been worse.

Emmett and Rose had both known that an unexpected grandchild would not sit well with the Hales. It was not exactly the perfect society entrance or glowing career they had in mind for their only child. Their reaction was more than surprising, it was extreme. At first they strongly urged Rose to consider all her options, clearly leaning towards a quick fix to save the scandal of an unwed, pregnant daughter. But when they learned of the possible complications, they became more and more insistent. I wanted to think that their actions had stemmed from shock and from an ingrained parental need to protect their daughter, but deep down I knew that they really just wanted their own way. Emmett had known things were going badly for Rosalie at home. He had known that she was under a lot of pressure from her parents to terminate the pregnancy, but when he had arrived to collect her for their trip to the ranch, he had overheard a conversation between Mr and Mrs Hale, in which they discussed a psychiatrist friend of Mr Hale's who might be persuaded to have Rose declared incompetent so that they could have the pregnancy terminated against her will. It was nothing short of murder. Emmett had grabbed Rose and her gear and they had hightailed it to the ranch. Rose had eventually contacted her parents and told them she knew of their plan. In return they told her that if she would not comply with their wishes she was dead to them and no longer welcome in their home. So they faced their last night here with despair. No jobs or money, no roof over their heads, no family support and a baby on the way, if the baby and the mother survived.

"So," continued Emmett, "We don't really know which way is up at the moment. Rose is about 9 weeks along. Her doc says if she makes it to 12 weeks, things might be okay. They need to watch her in the last trimester but there's a chance they could both make it. The stress has been too much for her though and right now, I can't fix it. I'm trying though Bella."

"Oh honey, if there's anything I can do I'm there, count me in. We'll work something out. We'll all be there for you, I know it's not the same as family, but sometimes you choose your family for yourself. You guys will be great parents I know it."

"Let's just work on getting to that part in one piece first hey?" he said, again looking worried.

"Thanks for telling me Em," I said, reaching up to wrap my arms around him, even though they didn't even go half way round. "Just remember, I really will be here for you both, but right now, I need to go be with your lady."

He just nodded and hugged me back.

As I walked up the steps to the cabin I could see Rose sitting on the porch staring off into the distance. As I neared her, she stood , waiting, her shoulder slumped and her head down, defeated. Instinctively I folded her in my arms and held her without saying a word. What was there to say after all? When both of our tears had abated, we sat on the porch swing gently rocking.

"As long as I've known you Rose, you have been a momma bear to us all. Chewing us out when we needed it, but being there through anything good or bad for all of us. You will be a wonderful mom. You will get through this. You need to get your bitch back and fight for this baby Rose, the same way you fight for all of us. Those people don't deserve you. We're your family now."

"I know Bella," she said softly. "I just thought they would see what a miracle this is. I thought they would accept my decision and stand by me. And now I have nothing to offer this child and I've ruined Emmett's life. I just need some time to take it all in."

I was about to leap to Emmett's defence when he almost bowled me over in his rage. He was standing so close to a surprised Rosalie that their noses would almost be touching if it weren't for the height difference. I had never seen Emmett so angry.

"Don't you ever say that again! You have not ruined my life. My life is with you no matter where that is or what that brings. I have no life without you Rosalie Hale! We're having a baby. We're not going to college, there won't be a fancy house or a Caribbean holiday. But we have each other and we love each other and we'll do the best we can for this child and any other blessings we're sent. You are my life Rosalie."

"And you're mine Emmett," she whispered back to him. They stood there holding each other tightly and the world around ceased to exist for them in that moment.

Feeling like an intruder, I left them to it. Walking back to the main house with the beginnings of a plan hatching in my head. It would take some luck to pull it off, but I felt they were owed a bit of luck this time around.

Although Rosalie and Emmett had not specifically given me permission to discuss their news with anyone else, I took it on myself to bring both Jacob and Jasper up to speed, sparing no details. I would need their help if I was to pull off my plan, and I knew that if we were really to act as the family I thought us to be, they needed to know what was going on. Rose had me for the girl stuff, but I'm sure that Emmett would be glad of some guy talk too. The boys were as appalled as I was that both sets of parents had left these two young people to cope with this alone. An unexpected pregnancy is one thing, but one that came with the risk of losing mother or baby or both, needed support and they had withdrawn theirs in the worst possible way.

It kind of put things in perspective for me. Here was I stressing about which guy I would take to my bed, about which guy I might have some kind of future with, and Emmett and Rosalie's future had walked up and smacked them in the face. There were consequences for having sex. Today's revelations had made sure that the potential outcomes were as up close and personal as the act itself. I guess Jake had noticed my quiet musings and walked over to where I stood. As he took me in his arms, Jasper excused himself to make a couple of calls.

"I need to talk with you later," I called after him.

"Yeah I guessed as much. Let me see what I can do here and then we'll talk okay?"

"Okay."

I leaned my face into Jake's chest, taking in the smell of him. Trying to breath in enough of the essence of him to last the long lonely days ahead.

"We'll do what we can you know." His voice rumbled through my resting head.

"I know. I just hope it's enough."

"Bells, I have to say this. I know I reacted badly that first time we were together, but you do know I'd look after you if anything happened right?"

"I so don't want to think about that Jake. I don't know what I'd do if I were in the same predicament as they are. It's the kind of thing you think about, but don't think will happen to you, or someone you know. At least they're committed to each other. What are we?"

"I still haven't figured that out yet, but more than I thought. We don't have to get in to it all now, I just wanted you to know that I wouldn't leave you to go through it all alone."

"Thanks Jake. That means something. Not all of you guys would take that responsibility."

We held each other for a little while longer and then went off to make calls of our own.

By the time we all got together for lunch that day, it felt like a week had passed. It took some convincing to get Rose and Emmett to join us, but I knew that they needed to hear what we could offer them, and hoped that it would ease the burden a little.

When we were replete, having finished off the last of the supplies bar what we had put away for dinner, I drew in the courage to talk to Emmett and Rosalie about their situation.

"Guys, I have a confession to make."

"And here I thought you saved all that for around the fireside," smirked Jake. "Sorry, off the topic," he said and shut up again.

"I know you didn't say that I could, but I talked about what you were going through with both the boys and with Charlie today."

"Well I guess they were going to find out anyway. News always did travel fast in a small town," Rosalie grimaced.

"I didn't do it to be the town gossip," I said gently. "We all made a few calls today and we've sorted out a few things for you if you're willing to accept them." I rushed ahead here, hoping that if I didn't give them time to think about it too hard, they would see the value in our ideas and accept our help. "I talked to Charlie today. He is happy for you to stay here when we leave. Move into the main house and treat it like your home for as long as you like. We'd be glad to have a caretaker on the place again now that we've done all this work."

Jacob went next, smoothly stepping in before they had a chance to speak. "I spoke to Dad today. He was saying that Mrs Cope who owns the property next door, you know, the lady whose horses we borrowed, was very impressed with our work. She has lots more maintenance that needs doing and her son is willing to pay you a regular sum to take care of it. It won't be a lot, but if you can pick up some extra work in town, it should be enough to keep the utilities on and keep you in groceries until you can work out something better."

And then Jasper spoke up. "I spoke to my Dad today. He knows a good doctor - Dr Carlisle, who works two towns over. He will arrange for Rose to be under his care while you stay here, and they are willing to pick up any medical expenses. They agree that this baby is something special and they will do as much as you will let them til your own people come around."

We were greeted with silence.

"Look guys, I know I interfered, but I was really thinking of you. We just wanted to take the pressure off a little. To give you some breathing space while you worked out what you wanted to do from here. If I've overstepped forgive me please?" I was desperate for some sort of reaction now, wanting to know if I had ruined things again.

"You really meant it when you said that you would be our family now didn't you?" said Emmett stunned.

"I did Emmett. I can't make it easy, but I can make it easier."

When Rose finally looked up she had regained some spirit. The bitch was back. "I've only got one thing to say to you all," she said, grinning. "Thank you."

And so this new chapter of our lives began. The one where we looked after someone else instead of being looked after ourselves. It felt good, if somewhat daunting. We chatted for a little while longer, the tension broken and I was glad I had been able to bring some modicum of peace to their lives.

It didn't last long though. Jasper caught my eye and nodded his head toward the outdoor area. "You ready for that chat now?"

As ready as I'd ever be.