Edward's POV

Once Jasper and Nessie talked, the rest of Christmas perked up and I was surprised how easily Bella began to also trust my friend. Perhaps it was simply remembering that he had experienced horrendous abuse before being adopted by the Hale family, or perhaps it was Nessie's ease in trusting him. Either way, I was happy that the awkwardness had dropped and we were able to continue on with our celebration.

And it really was a celebration… although, I also felt that almost every day was something to celebrate and to never take for granted again. Bella was back and she was doing okay… it was slow and it was a process, but each day I saw a little bit of life return to her eyes, and it gave me hope.

As December rolled into January, Bella took another massive step when she and I took Ness to the school for a tour of the classroom that she would be enrolling in. I knew that this was hard for her, and I knew that she worried… but Nessie was ecstatic and thrilled to be starting school. She had been talking about it for so long, and both Charlie and my mom thought she was ready. Bella disagreed, but she knew that it was what Nessie wanted and she really did want to give her anything that she could, even if she herself wasn't ready yet.

By the time we came home, Bella was at least a little more at ease. It helped that one of our classmates from school, and a former friend of Bella's would be Ness's teacher. Angela was a sweetheart, and unlike most of the people who Bella interacted with, she didn't treat her differently or stare in shock at her return. She simply smiled and conversed with both her and Ness like they were anyone else.

"You love her." Alice's smug voice sang out as I entered the house and threw my jacket over the railing. I was exhausted and just wanted to take a quick nap before I had to get up for work. Charlie had moved me to nights for a couple of weeks solidly and it was kicking my ass. I was used to a rotation, not solid nights. But as tired as I was… it did mean that I had more time with Bella and Ness.

"Alice… really!" I exclaimed after I kicked my boots off and wandered into the kitchen. I just wanted to grab one of the cookies I could smell, but Alice stepped in front of me, stopping me before I could reach the chocolatey goodness.

"Okay. I won't bug you about Bella. But I need to talk to you." She looked unusually nervous and I sighed, running my hands through my hair. Alice and I were still close and we talked about almost everything… but she also was unusually good at identifying when I wasn't in the mood to talk and backed off.

Reaching around her to grab a handful of cookies, I nodded at her, gesturing for her to follow me up to my room.

Once I had flopped down on my bed, she sat in the leather chair beside my desk and looked down at her hands. Shoving another cookie in my mouth I waited for her to start.

"Jasper and I had a fight tonight…" She began and I sat up, my ears perking up. Alice was obviously upset about something and while I loved Jasper like a brother… if he had hurt my sister in any way…

"Relax. Just… we weren't expecting something and we had talked about it before and we were going to wait a while… And we haven't told anyone yet…"

"You're pregnant aren't you?" I asked and she looked up at me. She didn't need to move another muscle or say another word. It was written all over her face, and she was terrified.

"It's stupid that we fought about it really… I mean… we're both worried about it for similar reasons... so I don't even know how the fight started." She huffed out and I nodded along, gesturing for her to continue.

"Ever since finding Bella, it's brought up so much from Jasper and Rosalie's pasts and it's really been freaking Jasper out. He thought he had worked through it all, but his nightmares are back and it's been really tough for him too... and he wants kids… but he worries about repeating family history…" She told me and again, I nodded. My nightmares had also returned full-force, my own guilt at what I now knew had happened, eating away at me.

"And I guess… I took Ballet classes with Bella. Miss Vicky was my instructor as well. It could have been me. Mom and Dad didn't have a clue and Charlie had never even linked her to the case in any way… I just… I'm having a hard time with the idea of bringing an innocent baby into a world where there are so many sick people." She explained and I sighed. I didn't have the answers for my sister, but I tried my best to offer her something.

"Ally… I know the timing is kind of hard, with Bella and Ness only being back for the last couple of months. And I know the world is kind of a scary place."

"That's the other thing!" She interrupted and I sighed, letting her finish. "Bella gave birth at thirteen years old, in a bunker, by herself. And then she raised this amazing little girl on her own… and she did such a spectacular job… and yet… I'm terrified and won't even go to the doctor's by myself. How can I be an amazing mother… how can I compare to someone like Bella?" She asked, looking down at her hands. This was highly unusual. Out of everyone in the family, Alice was always the most confident… never concerned with how well she did, just always knowing that she would be fine.

"Stop it Al." Shifting again, I ran my hand across my face, feeling the stubble and realising that I would have to shave before my shift.

"You and Jasper have this miracle happening right now… whether you're both ready for it or not." I might've sounded harsh, but I knew she could take it. "You can't compare yourself to Bella and her situation with Nessie… there is nothing even remotely similar about it, aside from the fact that someone was pregnant. I absolutely agree with you, that Bella was truly remarkable in the way that she survived and raised her child. She also went through unspeakable horror and was forced to do what she could to both survive and protect her daughter.

"You and Jazz are in a committed relationship. You love each other and you have the support of your families… and that is okay. That's how it is supposed to be. There is nothing wrong with wanting your fiancé at your appointments with you, and there is nothing wrong with being worried or scared. You are bringing a person into this world… and it's a scary thing." I paused for a moment, sucking in a deep breath. My sister was tearing up, but I knew that she was hearing me.

"This world is messed up… and yes people get hurt. But all that we can do, is raise compassionate children who are aware of the world around them. We can love and cherish and teach our children and each other. We can work together to protect each other, and we can accept that while evil people exist… we can do everything in our power to stop them." I finally finished and looked at her. She was nodding her head up and down in agreement, so I hoped I had said something that would stick.

"I'm sorry Edward… I don't know what's wrong with me. My emotions are going haywire and this whole thing with the baby and then with Bella…" She stuttered out and I smiled.

"You're pregnant Al. That's what's wrong." Finally she giggled lightly.

"Thanks Eddie." She said as she stood up.

"Anytime Sis," Finally, I could close my eyes.

"Oh… and by the way… she loves you too… and so does her daughter."

By the time I turned around to throw a pillow at her, she had danced out of the room and I groaned. I loved my sister, but I didn't need her putting pressure on Bella and I. Like everything else that Bella was experiencing, I also knew that when it came to her and I… time was our best friend.