First new, new chapter. It's a bit shorter than I had originally planned, but I hope the contents make up for it.

CHAPTER SEVEN

She had woken up a few minutes after Jacob had left, her breasts aching. She had noticed they had gotten larger, filling with milk to feed her baby, something that gave Carlisle a little hope that the baby's diet would be more mundane if her body was producing substances for when he was born. She hadn't started lactating yet, so she was extra sensitive and they hurt a lot. Hugging Seth and Jacob was pure hell, lucky for her her huge belly helped to keep from her boobs from pushing to much against them. Carlisle recommended massaging the nipples or to start on a breast pump to realize some of the pain of building up so much milk. The entire conversation had been entirely way too uncomfortable and had her red as a tomato for the rest of the day.

After she woke up and realized Jacob wasn't there, she felt a surge of panic inside of herself. Rosalie had been there, telling her nothing really, just that he had to run out and check something. It was when she asked her for a glass of water that she pried Alice to tell her what was really going on. She told her that some of the wolves had come to talk, and all she could think about was getting the chance to rip them a new one for the way they were acting. She was so disappointed in the pack. It might be selfish to think that way, but she believed them to be better, to be human and merciful and caring about all human life, her baby included.

So she had made a plan to get out of the house and see them. She asked to be taken out for some air, taking a seat on the deck before asking to be left alone for just a little while. It was long enough to notice Leah in the tree's, wave her down and beg her to take her to Jacob and the others. As grateful as she was to Leah, the she-wolf seemed a little too eager to help her out. She was sure the other woman was hoping her head would be torn bitten from her shoulders and spat at sometime during her conflict with the pact. Then, with Leah's speed, they were off, leaving the vampires behind to fret and freak out when they realized she was gone.

And now she was standing in the arms of one very naked and steamy Jacob Black, the moment both beautiful and incredibly awkward for a number of people.

"Bella, love," Edward whispered into her ear from behind, his hands on her shoulders his voice even more broken then Jacob's as he tried to pull her back from the naked wolf who arms she was wrapped in. She was scared to turn around and face him, knowing the expression that would be waiting for her on his angelic face. It was instinct to comfort him, to choose him, so she hadn't thought too much of it when she let go of Jacob.

Edward didn't hold her, not anymore since she started showing, not once he could feel the difference from here once flat stomach. His eyes were haunted, filled with fear and worry and she was sure if he could he would cry. He looked incredibly distraught, and a bit angry. He opened and closed his mouth a few times as if not sure what to say. She hated seeing him like this. She missed the light in his amber eyes and his crooked smile. She missed his arms around her and the feel of his cool skin against her own warm exterior. She could never deny that she would always love him. She loved him so deeply it left a pit in her stomach, a dark void. It took everything she had sometimes not to just give him what he wanted from her, so that she could be with him, so that he would smile again.

A part of her still hoped, despite everything that when the baby was born and he could see him, hold him, that Edward would change his mind and they would be a family. She wanted to believe he could get past this and love their baby. They were supposed to be forever. They had gone through so much to be together, fought and cried and struggled, going against everyone they loved to be together until everyone else had no choice to accept that the two couldn't survive without one another, that they needed each other on such a level that if one died so would the other. Two halves of one whole. But the baby had changed all that. Her priority was no longer just Edward, it was her child, a child she had been so happy to be having with him. After all it was just another part of Edward for her to love.

"I'm ok, I'm sorry I scared you. But there were things I needed to say, things only Jared could get back to Sam and the rest of them." she told him, her arms rubbing his rigid shoulders. She wanted to kiss the pain away, but that was gone.

"Please think more of your fragile state, I don't want to lose you any sooner than I have to. You could have been hurt, fallen off…" the rest fell on deaf ears. He still thought she was going to die from the pregnancy and it was ridiculous, she wanted to roll her eyes at him.

She knew the thought of her death killed him inside, but she was beginning to realize that maybe he was so obsessed with the possibility because he wanted to continue to have any other reason to hate the baby. Her heart broke a little bit more as she realized once again how much of a distance had grown between them since they came home.

"Are you kidding, Edward? That's really all you have to say?" Rosalie turned on him, pushing his shoulder hard enough to make him stumble back away from Bella. Then she turned on said woman.

"What if you hurt the baby, Bella, by riding this mongrel? We have to get you back now, Carlisle will check to make sure the baby is ok." Rosalie stepped in, grabbing Bella by the elbow and gently as she could began to pull her towards the house.

Seth whined, and Leah of all people growled as they watched Rosalie drag Bella away. Jacob too, much calmer than he had been before took a last glance into the forest before looking to Seth and Leah.

"Seth, do a sweep, just in case they've decided to linger, then come back to the house. Leah, you come with me." He said to them before jogging to catch up with Bella and Rosalie, glaring at the blonde. Edward was right beside them. Jacob didn't like the way she had talked to Bella, or the way she was touching her. But what got him really mad was that Bella wasn't fighting back, she just took it, her head down and one hand caressing her stomach. She had so much fight when it came to the pack, to others, but when she was with the Cullen's she went docile though he noticed she had gotten bolder lately with them. So where was that now?

Jacob wanted to growl right along with Leah, but he restrained himself as he followed the others back to the house as Seth took off for a quick loop around the perimeter. As they walked, Carlisle who had also come out of the house as well was asking Bella a dozen questions about how she felt. If the baby was moving more than usual since she came outside, if she ached anywhere. She didn't. In fact she felt strangely full of energy.

"Will you guys stop fussing, both me and the baby are more durable than you think." Bella said, finally putting up a fight as she swatted at Rosalie probing hands as she dared to push Bella's own hands aside to feel the baby. It was a possessive touch that didn't go unnoticed by Bella, and she clearly didn't like it.
"Stop it, Rosalie, you're stressing me out." Bella bravely spat, her temper flaring the more the vampire touched and felt at her stomach to the point that Bella slapped her hand away. Hard.

"Just...stop touching me." she snapped.

So surprised by Bella's outburst, Rosalie let go of her arm and just stopped walking. She almost looked hurt, but more than that there was a anger being concealed behind her eyes, so much so that even Jasper moved closer to Bella as if he was afraid the other might attack. The entire family stopped to stare at her, looking cautiously between Bella and Rosalie.

"I'm sorry, Rose, I….just need little space is all." she stopped to apologize. They had grown so close during her pregnancy and Bella never thought they would ever have such a relationship as they did now. She didn't want to lose that. She wanted to trust and believe in Rose, that she wasn't just using her to get her baby, but it was getting hard. Really hard.

"Of course," Rosalie gritted through razor sharp teeth. "But if you need anything, please tell me."

"I will, thanks for understanding, Rose." she tried not to feel to bad as she forced a grateful smile.

The others understood as well. Other than Carlisle, everyone else kept their distance from Bella the rest of the way to the house. Alice and Edward hung in the back just in front of Leah and Jacob. The two spoke in rapid whispers that Jacob couldn't keep up with, they spoke too quickly to make out a single word. But the others could, and more than once did Jacob catch Rosalie looking back at them with suspicious eyes. The blonde already wasn't happy, she was probably just waiting for an excuse to tear into something at that point, even her own family were open game to her rage.

Getting to the house Leah stayed phased outside, but Bella stopped, turning to walk up to Leah, Hesitantly reaching out to caress her long neck and under her jaw, The wolf didn't react but she didn't move away either which was a really good sign.

"Thank you, Leah, for taking me to them and for everything else. I know your only here to watch out for Seth, but I really appreciate it. I think you and I have more in common than you think," she gave a sad, knowing smile then.

As she turned back around to go back in the house, she felt it, the strange power in the air as Leah phased back.

"Soup," Leah said, her voice gruff as if she didn't want to say what she was saying.

"What?" blushing as she turned around, knowing the beautiful naked body she was going to see, Bella tried to steal herself and keep eye contact with Leah's face and not any part of her lower.

"You wanted to know my favorite food. It's soup." she glared at Bella, but there was something softer there, though she did her best to disguise it under a million other things.

"Oh, alright then, any specific type of soup?" this was good, this was amazing. There was still some type of dislike between the two girls, a rivalry almost, but for the time they could find a truce to tread on until everything was over.

"French onion." she told her.

"Then that's what I'll make for lunch." Bella promised her and turned around again, this time intent on going back into the house with interruption.

"And can you get, Jake some pants, I've already seen enough of his junk and ass to last me a lifetime." she could hear the smirk in her voice, envision her arms crossed, the challenge in Leah's eyes. She had said it to get a reaction out of Bella, to see if she could get her jealousy to rise to the top.

"I'm sure we can find him something." she did her best to say it flippantly, like really she couldn't care less about his impressive body, that he had a very nice and pert but or the fact that Jacob was bigger than Edward, not that she had noticed that at all.

"Great," said Leah. Jacob just glared at her.

Once Bella was inside, Carlisle was helping her to his office turned hospital room so he could do a full exam of Bella just to make sure both she and her baby weren't injured from riding Leah. Esme had also been waiting with a pair of fresh washed jeans and shirt for Jacob, so they didn't smell to much of leach except for where Esme had to touch them taking them from the dyer.

Jacob thanked her and quickly slipped the clothes on, going commando underneath, He wasn't sharing any of the leaches boxers or briefs.

"If pregnant women can have sex, doc, I don't think a little ride on she-wolf's back would hurt her. After all, she survived having sex with Edward and I'm sure that was a lot rougher." Emmett said, a perverted smirk on his face. He winked at Bella, sticking his tongue out and waggling his brows, even bumping shoulders with Edward trying to get some rise out of him.

Nothing.

"Emmett" Bella gasped in horror, her entire face red. "Just-Just get out!"

With a shrug the giant vampire did as he was told.

"Will you still be able to do the amniocentesis, Carlisle?" Bella asked, the blush still on her cheeks.

"I can't find anything wrong with you to say no," he told her with a smile. "So yes, I can still do it if you're still sure this is what you want."

"It is." she nodded, her hand hanging off the hospital bed twitching towards Jacob. He didn't hesitate to take one large step towards her and take her hand in his, twining their fingers. He could sense that despite this being what she wanted, she was a little nervous.

"I'll be right here for the whole thing." he assured her.

"So will I...that is, if you want me," Rosalie piped in, doing her best to smile despite the lingering aggravation she had felt earlier.

"Of course, Rose." Bella smile, giving Rose a soft expression, one that was too trustful to Jacob's liking. "You've been with me every step so far, I want you here until the end."

"I don't know what came over me earlier." she frowned through her own lie, knowing why she had gotten upset,

"It's alright, Bella, your hormones are all over the place with your pregnancy. I know you didn't mean it." Rosalie smiled sweetly, so much so that Jacob was sure he would get a cavity just from looking at her too long.

"Will it hurt, Carlisle?" asked Bella, watching at Carlisle began to prepare his instruments.

"I'll be giving you an anesthetic for any pain, as most you will feel a pressure, because of the effort I'm going to have to put in to piece the amniotic sack," He told her.

"If you would now please lift your top, Bella?" he asked her, his voice calming, patient and she could so clearly picturing Seth in the same position but with a much more encouraging and brighter smile on his face.

She did as she was asked.

"I'm going to inject the anesthetic now," he told her, walking back to the table after having prepared the first initial needle. "You are going to feel a pinche now, Bella"
And she did. It hurt, a lot and she squeezed Jacob's hand hard giving a little whimper. Before anyone could say anything, she assured them it was ok, that it was natural for her to flinch and feel something.

"We'll wait a few minutes for the medication to kick in." Carlisle told her, pulling back and putting away the small needle as he got the much larger one prepared

"There's no chance that this might hurt the baby, is there. That you might poke to deep?" the question was expected out of Bella or Rosalie but strangely enough it was Jacob who asked the question.

"I'm very precise and quick, I would stop the needle before it could even graze it's skin. I promise, the fetu-"

"Baby." Rosalie quickly corrected before he could even finish saying the forbidden word.

Carlisle stared at Rosalie. "The baby will be perfectly safe from any harm."

"I'm trusting you, Carlisle." said Bella, her voice and expression completely vulnerable, her eyes big and wide as she swallowed.

"I give you my word, Bella, no harm will come to your child. Not by my hand." she wasn't too happy with that 'not by my hand' comment, but she didn't bring it up and neither did the other, but Rosalie did shoot him a suspicious look.

Bella took a deep inhale and let it out, repeating over and over again as she rested her head back on the bed, holding tightly to Jacob's hand as she stared at the ceiling.

"It's gonna be okay, honey, don't think too much." Jacob said, bending over her to whisper into her temple, kissing her head. "But promise me, if it hurts too much at any point you'll tell me, ok?

"I will, I promise." she smiled, looking up into his dark eyes. "And, Jake?"
"Yea, Bells?"

"Thanks for being here with me. I can't imagine how hard this is for you." she spoke low and soft, just for him even though she knew the others would be able to hear.

"I can handle it, it's not as hard as it was when I first saw you. Plus, nothing is that bad when I'm with you." he told her, giving her that smile that she loved so much, the one that made him look his age.

"That was really cheesy, like something from some rom-com or teen romance novel." Bella giggled.

"Yea?" he asked, still smiling.

"Yea."

"Bella, if you're ready the anesthesia should have kicked in. I just want to do a quick test." said Carlisle walking over to her, needle in his hand. Pulling out a smaller needle he gently poked at the spot he would be puncturing. "Can you feel that?"

"No," she shook her head.

Putting the smaller needle down he used his gloved hands to pinch and probe at the skin as he applied and antiseptic, asking multiple times if she could feel any of it. The answer was always no, her stomach was completely numb. "Then if your ready, I'll begin."

"Go ahead, Carlisle." Bella took another deep breath as she felt the pressure of the large needle pierce her skin. So far it didn't really hurt besides the pressure of the needle pushing through her, but she still held tight to Jacob's hands, breathing in and out feeling the needle pierced through the uterine wall to the amniotic cavity.

"This is where you might feel some pain, Bella," said Carlisle, stopping the needle. "I've reached the amniotic sack, I will have to increase the pressure to pierce it."

"It's ok, I can take it." she nodded her head, taking another deep breath.

"You promised," Jacob reminded her, his hand at her head, his thumb caressing her hairline.

"I know, but I'm fine right now." she said and then looked down at Carlisle. "Please, Carlisle, do it."

Increasing his pressure, he pushed harder down on the needle, the unrelenting under the needle's tip. Pushing harder he felt it give just a little, continuously checking on Bella's pain level during the process and listening to any difference in the baby heart rate. She was beginning to have a harder time, but she insisted that he keep trying, so he did since her condition didn't seem to worsen physically, and the baby's heart rate kept even, steady as if he were sleeping.

"Talk to her, the distraction will take her mind off the pain." Carlisle advised Rosalie and Jacob, as he carefully applied more pressure.

"Have you thought about names yet?" Jacob quickly asked, cutting off Rosalie before she was just about to say something similar. "I know you mentioned Charlie before."

"Yeah, few others." Bella said, her breathing a little ragged, and she caught sight of Edward in the doorway. She quickly averted her eyes and focused on her breathing. She knew how much it hurt him to see her in any pain but she was glad he wasn't stopping Carlisle like the last time they tried.

"Well, what are they?" her pushed. He was genuinely curious.

"I like Heath for a boy, or maybe Christopher or Beau." she gave a little grunt. "That is if I don't go with Charlie."

"What about if it's a girl?" Jacob quickly asked, glancing down at Carlisle who had a look of pure concentration as he worked the needle.

"Catherine, Edythe and Vanessa. I had another name but-" Bella's hisses, tensing as she gripped Jacob's hand with all her strength.

"Carlisle!" Edward barked from the door, stepping into the room.

"I'm in." Carlisle announced almost immediately after Edward spoke. "It's almost over, Bella."

Carlisle made quick work, moving with inhuman speed as he took the sample of the amniotic fluid that he needed to finally answer their most important questions. It had been difficult and took longer than he hoped, but Bella had endured and because of it she would soon be assured of her child's health, species and even gender. After removing the needle he wiped away the antiseptic and bandaged the puncture he had made, despite the process it was a small mark, the needle thin but strong.

Jacob grinned, letting out a sigh of relief as he kissed Bella's head again, whispering praises into her hair about how great she had done, how brave and strong she was while Edward watched wordlessly from the was a sense of rightness when he saw Bella and Jacob together, even a glow around them. They had their differences, but the two shared a connection, a spark of chemistry that Bella and he never had. He could see it in the way they touched each other, the smallest gestures or the way they glanced at each other in the corner of their eyes. If Bella had never met him, she would have surely at some point found her way to Jacob, living an everyday human life filled with family and friends. She would have been happy with Jacob.

But she had also been happy with him, and he wasn't selfless enough to let her go again despite what he had promised Jacob if he was able to convince her to get rid of the thing. All he needed was her, all he wanted was her, forever for eternity until the end of this earth. And just as he could see what could have been Bella's future with Jacob, Edward could still see her future with him. They belonged with each other and to each other. They would have their forever, he knew just knew they would.

Carlisle had been surprised in the end, he had thought the amniotic sack would have been made of a harder material than what it was. It was strong, but he was relieved to know that he was able to pierce through it. If his needle could break through the sack, there was a chance that the child wouldn't have to tear through. Bella may be able to deliver naturally or through a normal c-section. And he told her as such.

"Really?" she was both surprised and relieved. She had been under the impression this entire time that giving birth might kill her, that to give her baby life it would have to take hers. And though she was willing to make that sacrifice she was relieved she wouldn't have to at the same time.

"Yes, the fact that my needle was able to penetrate the amniotic sack is incredible. From how far you seem to be along, you could give birth any time in the next week. The amniotic sack may be able to break on it's own and you can deliver naturally, if not I can induce your labor. And if their is any complications I will be able to perform a C-section." he reassured her.

"Did you hear that, Edward?" Bella looked around Jacob at her husband, hoping that this news could change things, that he would come to her side, take hold of her hand and kiss her like he used to. This was such a good thing, she wanted him to see that, to rejoice with her. But instead he seemed to stiffen, as if the news upset him.

"I did," he answered coldly, not even smiling at her before turning and leaving the room. Bella's entire face fell, and she could feel the sting of tears. All fear that this pregnancy might kill her was thrown out the window by Carlisle himself. Edward no longer had to worry or panic anymore, so why had he walked away from her?

"I thought he would be happy," she whimpered.

"Shh. It's gonna be ok, Bells." Jacob wrapped an arm around her shoulder as she struggled to sit up. "Don't worry about him, honey, I'm here if that helps at all."

"It does, it really does," she sobbed into his bare chest, wrapping her arms around him for comfort. Her heart hurt so much, a deep abyss forming in it's place. She didn't want to give up on Edward, even after she had given him his rings back she still had hope that things could change, that he would come around and see their child as the gift it was.

"I would like to start the test right away if you don't mind, I am sure you are very eager for the results." said Carlisle, labeling the vile of the amniotic fluid.

"Of course, Carlisle," Bella managed to get out. "Please, I want to know that my baby is ok."

"I'll do what I can to expedite the process. Would you like for me to test for the gender as well."

"Sure, go ahead." she nodded, as long as she knew that her baby was healthy that was what mattered the most.

"I like the names you've picked out by the way." Jacob gave her a grin, doing his best to try and cheer her up.

"You do?" she asked, her voice nasally from crying.

"I do, there good names." he said, still smiling as he leaned close to her, his nose in her widow's peak as he took in the scent of her shampoo, his lips against the warm skin of her forehead.

"I really do recommend that you use the wheelchair in this last week, Bella." Carlisle was clearly just as worried for her well being as all the others. The chair would be a precaution from overworking and stressing her body.

"It's normal for the mother to be kept off her feet during the last month or so of her pregnancy, Some even keep to their beds during this time until delivery. If you want to move around, I do recommend using the chair for the sake of the baby." he told her, making sure to use the right word in fear of irritating Rosalie and being corrected again.

"You should listen to him, Bella" Rosalie butted in, having tried to get Bella to start using the chair since Carlisle had brought it back from his last run out with Esme.

"I don't like it, makes me feel….." she shook her head, it didn't matter how she felt. What mattered was the baby. She sighed, giving in. "If that's what you think would be best, Carlisle."

I know I made you guys wait a long time, but I hope you like what I have to offer. Will be working on the next chapter and hope to have it up as soon as I can. Really hope to get some good reviews, need the confidence that I am doing a good job.