Chapter 16

College Years

BPOV

I was pretty overwhelmed my first month at college.

I was glad I had my own dorm room, Charlie pulled a few strings and it was actually at the end of the hall in Jasper and Alex's building.

Jasper had decided to stay in the dorms once I said I was coming there and he and Alice were sharing his dorm with parental consent.

Everyone helped get me set up and Alice decorated my room for me.

Alex and I became very close and we'd often double date with Jasper and Alice. And he spent a lot of time in my dorm room.

We had 1 class together and it was an early class, so he always spent the night before that class.

It was now Halloween and we were going to a costume party at one of Jasper and Alex's friends Frat houses, Felix was there with his fling of the week.

Jasper and Alice had dressed up as the King and Queen of Hearts and Alex and I dressed up as Roger Rabbit and Jessica. It was Alice's idea. She did my hair like Jessica's and poor Alex was dressed as a rabbit.

Everyone was staring at me when we walked in and Alex kept a secure grip on my waist all night.

We danced and he held me close, we hadn't had sex yet, but the tension between us was so great, that I didn't know how much longer I would last.

As we were leaving the party, I asked if he wanted to stay the night.

He smiled and picked me up, carrying me to my room.

We got inside and I lit some candles and pulled out a couple of beers, turned on my iHome and switched it to love songs.

Alex wrapped his arms around my waist and we danced and kissed and slowly walked our way towards my bed, where we both fell and I giggled.

"Bella, I have something I need to say." Alex started. I looked at him and nodded.

"Bella, I have strong feelings for you and I would like to date you." he stated.

I wrapped my arms around him and pulled him on top of me. "Yes" I whispered into his ear and then started kissing up and down his neck.

He'd taken off his costume and had on shorts and a t-shirt, he had nice defined muscles, but not overly so like Emmett.

His hands slid down my side and he unzipped my dress. I stood up and let it slide down my body. Revealing only a pair of red satin panties with a little bow on the front.

He stood and smiled, running his hands up and down my arms.

"Are you sure about this?" he asked, he was so sweet.

I shook my head yes and kissed him again. We stood like that for a few minutes, until he laid me on the bed and made love to me.

It was the sweetest and best thing that'd happened to me ever. I dare say it compared to my first time.

Alex and I were the top couple in school. We were nominated for the homecoming queen and king…

And to my surprise we won, thank goodness I let Alice take me shopping for a nice dress.

It was a simple white dress and it had thick black sequined straps, that wrapped around the bodice.

I came home for Christmas my first year with Alice and Jasper.

I was constantly on my phone with Alex, this is the first time we'd been apart since school started.

Around dinner, we sat and told how our year was so far and Alice brought up homecoming and Alex and I.

Edward burned a hole through me the entire time.

I told them things were going good, straight A's so far and dad wanted to know how long Alex and I had been dating I told him since Halloween.

Edward pushed away from the table and excused himself.

We had a great Christmas and I stayed in the dorms with Alex for New Years, as he was sick.

My phone rang off the hook and I kept ignoring it, looking at the screen, it was Edward, he was pissed I'm sure because I didn't come home for New Years.

It was a while before I retuned home, dad was working with some new agency, now retired as Police Chief and did consulting or something, so he traveled a lot and Emmett was in California, him and Rosie in college as well.

Dad called and said he'd be home for Labor Day, I hadn't seen my dad since Christmas, so I was anxious to see him. Alex of course was coming as well.

We had an amazing weekend, I stayed home a rested Sunday morning, while they went fishing.

They came back laughing and looked like they had bonded really well.

Dad said Emmett and Rosalie were coming in tonight as well as Jasper and Alice and we were all going to dinner.

Alex and I went upstairs, he showered and got ready and Emmett and Rosalie had just walked in.

I ran and gave my brother a hug and Rose.

We left for dinner at The Lodge, Jasper and Alice met us there.

When we arrived, I noticed a very pregnant Jessica, she was the hostess and she was snotty towards me, but trying to be friendly toward Alex. He rolled his eyes.

We sat and ate dinner, Charlie told about his day of fishing with Alex and Alex shot him a look of nervousness, then Charlie nodded to Alex and Alex stood up.

"I just want to thank Bella's family for making me feel welcome. You've been so friendly and Charlie took me fishing, which I'm very honored. I know everyone knows my feelings for Bella, especially you Jasper.

When Bella and I had our first fight a couple of weeks ago, you blew off your plans with your fiancé to talk to me and Alice went to talk to Bella, you guys have been wonderful, Thanks! But, the real reason we're here is this. (Alex dropped to one knee) Bella gasped and started crying before he got to speak.

"Bella, I love you with all my heart. I'm so glad you gave me a chance when you came to collage and didn't keep up with your 'no dating' rule, because we wouldn't be here right now. You're beautiful, intelligent and honest, you've made me a better person as well. I only have eyes for you and I only ever will. Will you marry me?" Alex stood up and opened the ring box. It was a beautiful heart shaped sapphire.

Bella stood up and kissed him and whisper 'yes' in to his ear.

The next few months were crazy with midterms and Alex, Felix and Jasper were in the baseball playoffs, so Alice and I rarely seen them.

All too soon it was Thanksgiving, we were going back to Forks and everyone would be gathering at Alice's house, Alex and I were only staying for dinner as we needed some alone time.

After dinner we hugged and kissed everyone and said our goodbyes.

Thankfully Edward wasn't there, it would have been awkward, especially since I don't know if anyone told him or not.

Christmas came and I went home with Alex and Felix to meet their parents, they were from Arizona, so a warm Christmas was a big surprise for me.

They had cactus decorated with lights and we ate dinner outside on the patio and swam. It was very low key compared to the Christmas' I was use to having, they were very welcoming though and they even let Alex and I share a room. His mom was super sweet, she was a high school teacher and his dad was a lawyer, tops in Arizona and one look at their house, you could tell. It sat on a hill and they had an eternity pool, tennis court and basketball court, but they were very low key.

I went out with Alex and Felix and met some of their friends who'd come home for the holidays, we played pool and drank beer, it was fun.

All too soon I had to leave. I had to go to Forks for New Years, since I missed last year. I was sad that Alex couldn't come, but his dad was having some big client party and he had to be there.

I arrived at the airport, Jasper and Alice were waiting for me, we went to Alice's and she'd told me she bought my dress, we went upstairs to shower and get ready, she took pictures for me to send to Alex and he sent me a picture of him in his tux. I told Alice about Christmas with his family and she was beaming with me.

I asked if her brother was coming and she said 'no', he had a big exam, if he wants to graduation early and do his internship with his dad.

I was relieved, he didn't take the news of Alex and I getting engaged very well Alice said, he found out at Christmas when I wasn't there.

I called Alex at midnight and we kissed on the phone, he said he'd meet me at my dorm room in a few days.

I was leaving the next morning, just to have time to rest and have some me time.

The next year and a half went pretty much the same, alternating holidays and vacations between families and Alex and I as well as Jasper and Alice started to plan our weddings.

Jasper and Alice were having a Christmas wedding the following Christmas.

Alex and I wanted to get married in Arizona at his parents house, it was absolutely breathtaking.

We'd be getting married on New Years of next year.

We started our senior year, my classes were all journalism and communication.

I had started working for the paper, writing reviews of local businesses and restaurants.

I didn't need the money, it was just for the experience.

It was almost Spring Break and we were all going to Florida, to the Keys.

Alice and I were out shopping, when I felt sick, I told her I just needed to eat.

We went to the food court and ate, that helped, we finished shopping and she said I looked a little pale, I should go home and rest.

I went back to my dorm and text Alex, that I was going to be sleeping, I didn't feel well, to let himself in and to not disturb me.

I awoke around 2 in the morning, and felt a sudden urge to throw up.

I ran to the bathroom and must have spent most of the night in there, I awoke in the late morning, I had a pillow and blanket there. Alex was so sweet.

I walked out to the living area and found a note on the table with a bouquet of flowers.

He said not to worry about classes today and he'd be back to check on me at lunch time. I looked at the clock, that would be in 15 minutes. I ran and took a shower, put on some sweats and laid on the couch.

He came in with some chicken noodle soup and crackers.

I sat at the table and ate, he was behind me brushing my hair, something he loved to do.

He pushed my hair aside and kissed my neck. "I love you Bells." he'd picked up the nickname everyone else called me. "I love you to Alex."

We ended up having a wild afternoon of sex, until it was time for his last class, which was at 5 and then we were going out with friends at 8p.m.

He left and I called Alice, she was coming over to help me get ready.

"Bells, aren't we on the same track?" she asked.

"What are you talking about Alice?" I asked.

"Aren't we both on the same track, as far as periods go?" she asked.

"Um, yeah, duh we have been for years now, usually a day or apart. Why?" I asked.

"You haven't had one in 2 months, you should be on yours now." she smiled.

"Shit! No Alice, don't say something like that." I said.

"Here, do this, make Jasper and me happy." she smiled.

"What? You voiced this to Jasper as well???" I yelled.

"No, he said it to me first. He knows you better than you know yourself." she smiled.

"Shit, my dad is going to shit!" I started crying.

"Bells, just take the test and see, hurry, we've got a half hour before Alex gets home." she pleaded.

I went into the bathroom and peed on the stick.

We waited the 3 minutes, which felt like hours.

We ran into the bathroom and looked. Alice squealed and I cried.

"Oh, it'll be O.K. baby, Alex will be happy, right?" she asked.

I shook my head, "No, we had this plan, he's still got a couple years left, he's going to be a lawyer and I wanted to get my career off the ground." I sighed.

"Bells, it'll be fine, do you want me here when you tell him?" she smiled.

I shook my head no and told her I didn't think I was going out tonight after all.

She understood and told me to call her if I needed her. She kissed my forehead and asked if she could tell Jasper, I told her yes, but to tell no one else. She agreed and skipped out of the room.

I waited for Alex to get home and when he walked through the door, he asked why I wasn't dressed.

I told him we needed to talk, he sat down and I showed him the test. He lost it and went ballistic on me.

He asked how I could do this to him, we had a plan and he wasn't giving up his future for a kid.

We got in a huge fight, he grabbed a box and took all of his things with him and said we were through, he didn't want to see me ever again.

He walked out and slammed the door, so hard that it popped back open and I just sat there and stared out the door and him walking away.

Alice and Jasper must have heard and come running down the hall.

"Bells, what's the matter?" Jasper asked.

I told him and he turned bright red. "I'll be back!" Jasper growled.

"No, don't waste your time, forget it, we're over." I cried.

Alice held me and tried to calm me. She told me that everything would be O.K.

I cried myself to sleep that night.

I awoke the next morning with a sense of clam.

I knew I had to be strong.

I went to Alex's room and Felix opened the door, "What do you want?" he spat at me.

I handed him the engagement ring and told him to tell Alex to shove it up his ass, I didn't want anything from him.

Jasper cancelled our trip to the Keys and made plans to go to Forks. I had to tell my dad and work out details for after graduation.

Emmett and Rose came home as well, since Jasper called it a 'family meeting'.

We were all sitting at our dining room table and dad knew something was wrong, because Alex wasn't here, I didn't have my ring on and my face was and eyes were red and swollen from crying the entire drive.

"Dad, um Alex and I are over, before you say anything, let me finish, please." he nodded and I could see Jasper getting angry. "Um, 2 weeks ago I was really sick and then I found out it wasn't a bug, but that I was pregnant." I broke down and cried, Rose and Alice were beside me in a second. "I'm sorry for disappointing you, I know this isn't what you had planned for me, but I'll be graduating in a month and I'll be working, so I'll be fine, I just have to know that you're not upset with me." I looked up at him.

He was sitting there, kind of in shock.

"What did Alex do?" he demanded.

"He said he didn't want anything to do with me or the baby and he walked out." I cried again.

"We'll go see a lawyer tomorrow and have his parental rights taken away. If he truly doesn't want anything to do with the baby, he won't have a problem signing the papers." My dad came up and gave me a hug.

"Everything is going to be fine Bells. You've got an amazing group of family and friends to help you out." my dad smiled. "And, I'm going to be a grand pa! I'm very happy about that!" he was beaming.

"Can we just keep it between us until after graduation and my first trimester, please." I looked at everyone and they all agreed.

Then Emmett cleared his throat. "Um well, Rose and I have some news also." My dad turned white.

"No dad, we're not having a baby, but during our Spring Break last weekend, we went to Las Vegas and…" He held up his and Rose hands, "We got married! We couldn't wait any longer." he beamed.

My dad was still white and finally he spoke "Well congrats, now we need to have a party for you!" he smiled and hugged Rose as well.

I told everyone I was going to bed, I got hugs and well wishes from them all and headed to my room.

Alice woke me first thing in the morning, "Bells, come on everyone is waiting for you, we're going to the lawyer, remember?" she beamed.

I jumped out of bed, got dressed and she braided my hair.

We went to one of dads old friends and explained the situation and stated we wanted nothing form him what so ever, it'll be as if I never existed to him.

He drew up the papers and said to get them signed and returned and it would be finalized in a few weeks.

Jasper and Emmett took the papers and left for the college, they were going to serve him personally.

When they arrived, he answered the door and they told him what they were, he said he had to read them over, they said they'd wait, 45 minutes later, he signed the papers and gave them back, "No one will know I'm the father, right?" he snapped.

"Right, your name will not be anywhere on the files, the only thing you need to do is provide a full and honest medical background, starting from your grandparents and have it mailed by Monday, that gives you 5 days." Emmett said.

"Will do." and he slammed the door in their face.

They came back with satisfied looks on their faces and I hugged them both.

We enjoyed a quiet Spring Break, going to dinner and movies a few times, me being the 5th wheel, but I didn't really mind.

When we returned to campus, I passed Alex in the hall and he wouldn't even look at me, he already had a new girl on his arm.

I went into my room and cried myself to sleep that first night.

After that, I vowed to never shed another tear for him, I had to be strong for my child.

The next few weeks were pretty hard, I had finals and my first doctors appointment, Jasper and Alice took me. The doctor said everything looked good and to come back in another month.

I scheduled it right after graduation.

I had everything set up with the Seattle Times and was ready to start 2 weeks after graduation, I'd also told them of my pregnancy and were happy that I was up front about it. But I could do my job from home just as easily, so it wasn't a problem for them.

I found a nice 2 bedroom apartment. Rose and Alice decorated it for me. Of course my brothers moved everything for me.

Charlie came to visit to make sure I had everything I needed, he was going out of town for a conference and needed to see me before he left.

Everything was going great in my life, I had a wonderful job, Jasper and Alice were still on track for Christmas, I still wouldn't let them tell their family, I was too ashamed and Alice told me they would find out sooner or later, I opted for later. We went and picked out dresses for her wedding and thankfully she picked a really cute empire waist dress, so you couldn't tell I was pregnant and it was a deep rose color, so it hid it as well.

It was a couple of weeks before the wedding and Rose, Esme and I were having a party for Alice, I wasn't really showing yet, I just looked like I'd gained weight and I told them it was because of all the fast food I ate since I worked so much. They all believed me.

I wore a lot of baby doll tops and dresses to hide it.

At the party I was helping Esme in the kitchen and she put a hand on my shoulder.

"Bella, why are you glowing? You seem so happy and I thought this might be tough for you with you and Alex not together anymore, doing wedding stuff, but you're glowing. Are you pregnant?" I dropped the glass in my hand and it shattered on the floor.

I scrambled to pick it up and she stopped me.

"Bella, I'm so sorry. Is that why Alex left you?" Esme asked concerned.

I told her everything and cried on her shoulder. She held me and rubbed my back for what seemed like forever. "Please don't say anything, only my family knows and that's all I want to know, I don't want sympathy from anyone, I'm perfectly happy and even though he's signed all his rights away, I'm happy about that too." I smiled, but Esme gasped.

"What? He doesn't want anything to do with his child." she screeched.

"No, the baby will come into this world a Swan and as far as they'll know, I was artificially inseminated and that'll be the end of it." I smiled, even though it was forced.

"Bella anything you or your baby needs, don't hesitate to come to me. We'll help with whatever you need. You're part of our family always." Esme kissed my head.

That brought on a new round of tears, she got up to get me a wet towel and the garage door opened.

"Mom. You home?" it was Edwards voice and as he rounded the corner, I put my head on the table to avoid his eyes.

"Edward dear, what are you doing here, we're getting ready to have a girls party, you need to go." Esme was pushing him out the door.

"But, I needed to tell you something." Edward whined.

"Come over for dinner, 7p.m. and tell us then." she kissed him goodbye and I heard him sigh and leave.

"Thank you Esme." I smiled. "I haven't seen Edward in almost 4 years, since our first New Years, I think. I know I couldn't handle seeing him now." I shook my head.

She rubbed my back "come on dear, the guests will be here soon, we need to get you cleaned up."

She led me to Alice who took me upstairs and fixed me for the party.

A/N:

I know that could have been 2 chapters, but I couldn't stop.

The next one will be more about the baby and Bella.

Please read and Review!!!

ENJOY!!!

**I don't own anything…**