Hi, y'all!

This is just something I got bored and started writing, so I figured I'd upload it somewhere to share. I've read a few of these stories and know there's many but I'm hoping mine is somewhat unique.

Just a few things to note, to save some confusion:

So I don't spend chapters repeating things we already know happen in the book, this kicks off in November.

My timeline will differ from the original novel. In my version Jacob and Bella connected much sooner, around the middle of October. This story picks up as they visit the movies with Mike. A random start, I know, but I feel like it's the main point where my plot separates from the canon. The plot is the same up to this point, albeit happening faster. So in the book Bella starts trying for Charlie in January, but in my version, that happened only a few weeks after the Cullens left.

I'll be including dates though, to help with any confusion especially as I do plan to have some time jumps throughout.

Side note: I will have some dialogue from the original novel. This first chapter has many - I do not own those parts, which goes without saying. This chapter has most of the original plot, but from this chapter onwards it will differ much more.

Any q's, let me know! I can always share a timeline for more clarity.

Chapter 1.

Friday November 4, 2005.

As Mike ran from the theater, Bella and Jacob also both stood and left. Jacob because he couldn't handle watching this god-awful movie, and Bella because she was worried about her friend… and also felt a bit queasy herself. But she put that down to anxiety, she had become good friends with nausea and vomiting these past few months.

"What a marshmallow," Jacob chuckles as he holds the door open for Bella.

"I think he's just sick," Bella starts, rolling her eyes. "It's going around."

Jacob rolled his eyes back and shrugged. Bella sighed and sat on the stairs, still feeling nauseous and now lightheaded herself.

"You good?" Jacob asked and Bella just nodded, not wanting him to worry. She was used to this by now and it typically passed. She just needed to breathe. "I'll go check on him, I guess."

He walked away, entering the gent's restroom, leaving Bella to sit on the stairs. She resisted the urge to stick her head between her knees to combat the dizziness, but didn't want to alert the attention of anyone walking by. Jacob returned not 2 minutes later.

"He's ah…" He started. "Doesn't sound great."

He took his place next to Bella on the stairs but didn't appear to notice how she felt, or how green she looked. He shifted slightly and lifted his arm over Bella's shoulder, who grimaced. "Jake," She protested and leaned away from his body. Jacob, in his easy-going ways, did not look phased and instead reached out for her right hand, holding it in his other. When Bella tried to pull away, he tightened his grip gently.

"Just…" He started. "Tell me something, Bella?"

Bella froze, feeling where this conversation was headed.

"What, Jacob?"

"You like me, right?"

"You know I do, Jake."

"Better than him in there, right?" He said, pointing towards the restroom door. Bella smirked a little, and nodded. "... Better than all the other guys you know?"

Bella sighed and nodded stiffly.

"But that's all." He stated, not questioning.

Bella felt conflicted. She wanted to be honest. But she worried he would be hurt by it, and avoid her. She couldn't imagine going forward without his friendship now. But knowing herself how much those lies hurt, she spoke her truth.

"Yes." She whispered.

"And that's fine." He said, smiling as he leaned back on the step. "As long as you like me and you think I'm good looking. I am persistent and have time."

Bella sighed. If only it was that simple.

"I'm… not going to change, Jacob." Bella muttered. "I am sorry."

Jacob's face turned thoughtful and more serious as he sighed.

"It's still… him, right?"

Bella cringed as the nausea that she was already experiencing worsened. She really didn't want to puke on his shoes. That really would scare him away.

"We don't have to talk about it, it's fine." He stated. "But… this doesn't really bother you, does it?"

He gestured down to their entangled hands, the warmth of his hand feeling nice on her skin.

"No."

"So… what's the problem?"

"I just feel… it means something different to me than it does to you." Bella stated.

"Well… that's my problem, isn't it?" Jake said, smiling and squeezing her hand softly, making her sigh again.

Mike eventually appeared from the restroom, announcing his desire to go home. Understanding completely, Bella fetched an empty popcorn bucket from the concession stand and helped lead him to the car. Jacob seemed irritated, but did help Bella guide him into the back of the rabbit.

They dropped Mike back at home, Bella wishing him well. She took a deep breath as she tried to hold back her own nausea which had been made worse from the drive. She hoped it was just the same anxiety sickness she'd been experiencing recently, and not the same virus that Mike had been stricken with.

Jacob had been quiet the whole journey and Bella hoped she hadn't scared him away with her confessions, despite him seeming confident about it all before. It wasn't right for her to lead him on in such a way. She shivered, and Jacob noticed. They were stopped at red lights when he shook of his jacket and threw it around her shoulders. She tried to shake it off.

"No, Jake." She said. "It's cold, you need it."

He frowned. "It's really not that cold. Girls are just always cold."

Bella shook her head and placed her hand on his forehead before pulling it away quickly.

"Jeez, Jacob!" She alerted. "You're burning up!"

He rolled his eyes, running his hand across his forehead.

"Your hands are just ice cold, Bella."

"Maybe."

The rest of the journey was quiet. They pulled into Bella's drive an hour before she was due to arrive home, so she turned to Jake, about to invite him inside, but he had a concerned, confused look on his face.

"I er…" He said. "I would come in, see Charlie. But I think you might be correct. I'm not feeling great."

"Oh no," Bella started. "Not you too. Do you want me to drive you home?"

"No, no." Jake said. "I'll be fine. Just feeling off."

Bella nodded, opening the door of his rabbit and turning to say goodbye.

"Call me when you get home?" She asked and he gave a small nod and strained smile before driving off.

Entering the home, Charlie's voice bellowed from the living room instantly.

"Bells?" He questioned. Bella resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Who else had a key?

"Yeah, it's me." She replied. "One sec, just gotta pee."

She didn't. She needed to puke. It had been building this entire time and she just made it to the small bathroom upstairs, turning on the sink taps so Charlie wouldn't hear, and emptied the contents of her stomach into the toilet. If this hadn't been a common daily occurrence, she would've been paranoid she'd fallen victim to the same stomach virus. Honestly, Bella doubted she'd even notice if she had, given her daily anxiety symptoms. She made note to take her temperature often as she rinsed her mouth and washed her hands, before heading back downstairs to Charlie.

"Hi, Dad." She offered, sitting on the couch.

"You're home early." He said, checking his watch.

"Yeah, Mike got sick." She sighed. "Probably that stomach flu going around."

"Are you okay?" Charlie grimaced.

"I'm fine, for now," She responded. She had time to come down with it, though.

After sitting with Charlie for a while, mindlessly watching the game he had on the TV, Bella raised herself from the couch and went into the kitchen. It had been 35 minutes now and Jacob hadn't called. She figured she'd just call herself, she was worried.

Billy picked up on the 5th ring.

"Hello?" He said, warily.

"Hi, Billy. It's Bella. Did Jake make it home, yet? He left here over a half hour ago."

"He's here." He said, tonelessly.

"Oh. He was supposed to call me." Bella replied. "He was getting sick so I was just worried."

"Yes, he was too sick to call. He's not feeling great right now." He sounded uninterested and Bella realized he probably just wanted to care for Jake.

"Ok," Bella replied. "I could come down and help, if you want?"

"No, no," Billy answered quickly. "We are fine, stay at your home."

He sounded almost rude and Bella frowned at his tone, so different from his usually welcoming character.

"Bye, Bella."

"Bye." Bella replied, but Billy had already disconnected. Bella sighed heavily, putting the phone back on the receiver. She didn't feel any less worried, but at least he was home.

Glancing at the time and seeing it was 9pm, she figured an early night would do her some good. She told Charlie she was going to bed to read and sleep, then trudged up the stairs, had a quick shower, puking again halfway through, and got into bed, hoping to get some decent sleep for a change as her body was protesting to the lack of it she'd had recently.

Any sleep she did have was interrupted when she woke suddenly at 5am, only just making it to the bathroom in time. Charlie found her there an hour later as he woke to get ready for work. Leaving her in the bathroom with a glass of water, he left shortly later.

Bella couldn't deny that this was absolutely the same stomach flu her friends had been experiencing. She was comforted by that knowledge, in a way, but also felt pretty miserable.

When Charlie arrived back home, Bella was asleep on the bathroom floor. He smiled at her fondly before picking her up gently and tucking her into bed, refilling the glass to leave on her bedside table. He'd had a call from the Newton's who informed him that Mike was feeling much better, so he had hope Bella would also feel better in the morning.

When she woke in the morning, Bella felt a little better. She forced herself into the shower and then downstairs, finding Charlie in his usual spot at the kitchen table, newspaper open on the table.

"Mornin'" He said, turning to look at her. "How you feeling?"

"A little better…" Bella muttered, filling the kettle to make some tea, hoping that would help the remaining nausea. "Still feel nauseous."

"Hopefully that passes soon." He muttered. "Apparently Mike is already asking to be back at work. Which, by the way, I think you should give it until Monday to be leaving the house at all."

Bella snorted. Mike should make the most of being able to avoid that place for a few days.

"I will." Bella said, adding sugar to her tea. "I don't feel like going anywhere, anyways."

Charlie had plans to go fishing with Harry today, so he started getting ready while Bella mindlessly watched a cooking show in the living room. She knew she probably needed to eat, but didn't trust her uneasy stomach. It had been over 24 hours now, she was frustrated she still felt so nauseous.

After Charlie left and she was sure she wasn't to spend the day on the bathroom floor again, despite her nausea, she called Jacob. This time, Jacob was the one who answered, but his voice made it clear he wasn't over it.

"Hello?" His voice was rough.

"Oh Jake." Bella groaned. "You sound horrible."

"I feel horrible."

"I'm sorry I basically made you come with us."

"Hey, I'm glad I went." He whispered. "This isn't your fault."

"You'll feel better soon, hopefully. I'm feeling fine this morning." She lied smoothly.

"You were sick?"

"Yeah, I got it too." She replied. "But I'm fine, now."

"I'm not sure I have the same thing…" His voice trailed off, and Bella frowned.

"What's wrong with you?" She asked. "You don't have the stomach flu?"

"No…" He whispered. "Every part of me hurts."

"What can I do? Can I bring you something?"

"No. You can't come here." His voice was abrupt, suddenly stronger. Bella flinched slightly, his tone reminding her of Billy the other night.

"I've already been exposed to whatever you have." She pointed out and she heard a short sigh.

"I'll just call you when I can." He said. "I have to go."

The line disconnected and the nausea in Bella's stomach returned with strength and she found herself once again kneeling in front of the toilet, emptying her stomach.

The next day, Monday, Bella decided she felt well enough to go back to school. Honestly, she wanted something to keep her mind off of Jacob and the anxiety that she felt for him. He hadn't called, but tried to reassure herself with the fact that it had only been a day since their last call. But sometimes her anxiety didn't listen.

She had left biology once to puke, feeling better for a while until lunch where she had to excuse herself from the table, pointedly ignoring Lauren's comment of "So she's bulimic now, too?"

Angela had been worried, but Bella brushed her off, explaining she was fine.

For the next few days, Bella's anxiety grew as Jacob didn't call, and nobody picked up the phone. Thursday night, she decided, invitation be damned, she would pay a visit after school. When she arrived at Jacob's house, it was empty. This triggered even more anxiety, since Bella considered whether Jacob was so sick he needed to go to the hospital. Bella didn't think she could take any more anxiety. Her sensitive stomach definitely couldn't.

When she returned home, Charlie was on the phone to Harry. She mouthed to him desperately, to ask him to ask Harry about Jacob. He did, but there wasn't much response from Charlie other than the occasional 'yeah' and 'mm'.

"Harry said there's been some trouble with the phone lines," Charlie began, after he hung up the phone. "Billy took Jake to the doc on the rez, and it looks like he has mono. Billy has asked for no visitors."

Bella resisted the urge to groan in frustration when he saw the pointed look on Charlie's face. She wanted to argue, but didn't want to push it either. She found herself upstairs online, googling Mono symptoms. They didn't seem to add up to Jacob's symptoms, but hoped she was just overthinking things. She decided to give it a week, then try to visit again next weekend.

Friday November 11, 2005.

Friday morning she felt sick once again, and wondered how she was supposed to go a week without Jake's comforting presence. Her strange, frightening dreams had taken an even darker turn, now featuring a young child which made no sense to her, but freaked her out enough that she didn't want to dwell on them too much to figure them out.

Charlie must've picked up on her mood, because he made a dig about it being her time of the month. Bella froze when he said that, biting her lip, tempted to snark back that she hadn't actually had a time of the month since early September, but knew that symptoms of her lingering depression would worry him, so she refrained.

School was rough that day. She felt increasingly nauseous, skipping gym to hide in the nurse's office, as she had done many times. The nurse never snitched on her, Bella thinks she feels sorry for her. Besides, nobody really wanted to argue with the depressed, miserable teenage girl, and the gym coach was probably relieved that she had taken to skipping that class, she was sure it made the class easier for him and the other students. She used the nurse's bathroom before leaving, using her usual trick of running the sink's taps to hide the noise of her vomiting, and then left, relieved that next hour was lunch.

She sat with her friends again, even though she was sure her presence was becoming even more unwanted as time went by. Mike was back, and was happy to converse with Bella. If you would call it that, Bella didn't really respond past the occasional nod of the head. With the loss of Jake in her life, even for such a short time, Bella was starting to feel everything she'd been repressing creeping up on her again. She found herself staring at the empty table in the corner of the cafeteria, that nobody appeared to want to claim as theirs.

She didn't know if it was the view of the empty, neglected table, or the tuna salad that Jess had just appeared with, but she suddenly felt a wave of nausea take over and excused herself silently towards the bathroom. She was thankful the bathroom was empty, and entered a stall, losing the contents of her stomach. The regular puking made her throat burn, so painfully it almost made her forget about the burning hole in her chest which took her breath away.

As she finished and took a few deep breaths, she heard the door to the bathroom open and stood up, flushing the toilet with her.

"Bella?" She heard Angela call out. Bella relaxed, she didn't want anyone to follow her and witness her like this but if there was anyone she could deal with right now, it was Angela. She unlocked the stall and stepped out, giving her a tight lipped smile. "Are you okay?"

Bella turned on the taps to wash her hands and nodded. "Yeah, thanks."

"Still nauseous from the stomach flu?" She asked. Angela was a little worried, since herself and everyone else who had the virus felt perfectly fine after 24 hours.

"I don't know." Bella whispered honestly. She wished she knew why she kept throwing up. It was getting old. "I just think I'm… I don't know, I'm stressed."

Angela nodded thoughtfully. As Bella washed her hands she studied Angela's face in the mirror, noticing how she seemed to want to say something, but kept closing her mouth as if she was changing her mind. This wasn't uncommon these days, people seemed to tread on eggshells around her and most of the time she was actually grateful for it, but she found herself growing irritable by Angela's hesitance this time, which surprised herself a little. Angela was the last person she should feel irritated by.

"What?" Bella asked, turning to face her. Angela pursed her lips and turned to lock the door to the bathroom behind her, making Bella frown. She turned back to Bella and tilted her head slightly.

"I've just noticed you seem to have been nauseous a lot," She said. "Even before you got the flu."

"I guess." Bella shrugged, not knowing what she was getting at. "I've been pretty… anxious."

Angela hummed in response and Bella frowned. What, did Angela not believe her now?

"I don't want to overstep or anything, I just want to help." Angela responded and Bella nodded, encouraging her to continue. "Do you think… is it possible you could be pregnant?"

Bella snorted. The question actually relaxed her some, at least she could brush this concern of Angela's off pretty quickly.

"Oh," Bella started. "No, Angela."

"Are you sure?" She questioned. "I only ask because I know you've been feeling sick, and that Tuna got you earlier this week. My Mom had the same thing when she was pregnant with the twins."

Bella felt sure. The only person she'd ever slept with was a vampire, for christ's sake. She couldn't tell Angela that, though. She could lie and say they hadn't even slept together, but decided to just be as honest as she could. Afterall, Edward had told her it was impossible, so she hadn't considered it as a possibility. But the anxiety grew as she realized just how many symptoms she had that could be pregnancy symptoms. No, she stopped herself, stopping her train of thought. Impossible. He's a vampire. While she was having this internal debate, Angela was still rambling and Bella could tell she felt guilty for almost prying.

"-like I said I don't want to overstep," She continued. "I mean, I don't even know if you and him even had sex, but that's not even my business and it's not my business if you're pregnant either, I just-"

"Angela," Bella replied, cutting her off. "It's fine, you're fine. I'm not though. It's impossible, he couldn't… couldn't have kids."

"Oh?" Angela questioned.

"Something to do with him being sick as a kid." Bella explained, the lie coming easily and her voice surprisingly steady considering who she was talking about. "We did sleep together but it… was only once. And I've not been with anyone else, so…"

"Okay…" Angela said quietly. She became even more hesitant as she heard the hurt in Bella's voice. But she wanted to help her friend. "You've had a period though, right?"

Bella's throat closed up. Suddenly, she wasn't so sure about things. She hadn't had a period. But it was normal for her to go without when she was stressed, and every website she'd read online said the same thing. No, it was obviously stress. She pushed the thought aside, warily.

"No," Bella responded, her voice shaky. "But you know how I've been."

"It might be… a good idea to find out for sure?" Angela questioned, her voice slightly hesitant and Bella knew she hadn't the false confidence in Bella's response. Bella looked up at her and she felt her eyes fill up, once again without her permission. Her chest ached, the hole making itself known. "Oh, I'm sorry Bella. I shouldn't have-."

"No, no." Bella started, wiping the tears quickly then pulling the hand she used back to her chest. "You're right. I really don't think I am, but you're right."

Angela smiled sadly and pulled Bella in for a hug. Bella found herself relaxing in her arms, not realising how tense her body was.

"Do you want me to help?" Angela questioned, pulling back. "I will."

Bella sighed softly then nodded.

"We can meet tomorrow?" Angela suggested. "I have work tonight, I can pick up some tests on my way home."

Bella nodded slightly, suddenly feeling overwhelmed and even more sick. She had planned to try to track down Jacob tomorrow, but suddenly she felt like that could wait. After some more reassuring words from Angela, who seemed to notice Bella's suddenly shellshocked demeanor, they created a plan.

Bella had work in the morning, so Angela would come over to Bella's place at about 2pm, tests in hand. She'd pick them up from the small pharmacy in Port Angeles, which to both their relief, had a self service check out option so nobody would witness Angela buying them.

She had convinced herself she wasn't worried, since she knew the possibility was so unlikely. A vampire causing pregnancy? Must be unheard of. But then again, she didn't really know. She had been told so many things by him and his family that were now proven to be lies, so this could just be another to add to the list.

Later that afternoon, after a brief dinner with Charlie in which she felt too nauseous to eat anything once again, she was trying to work on some homework in her room but found her mind wondering.

She had promised herself that by Saturday if she hadn't heard from Jacob, she would call again. She wanted Jacob, she wanted his comforting words, needed him here to laugh at her and joke about her new silly anxieties about being possibly impregnated by a vampire. She couldn't talk about those things with him regardless, but she wished she could. It was suffocating having nobody to talk to about things completely truthfully, and her chest constricted when she realised who she really wanted to talk about this with. Alice.

Sighing, she wrote a short email to Alice, writing down her fears, worries, and anxieties about the current predicament she found herself in. Pregnant. Possibly. Jacob. The crushing pain in her chest. The list was long and she suddenly found herself hunched over in the desk chair, crying with strong sobs that shook her body in a way she hadn't felt since being a child. It had been a while since she'd let herself have this rare show of emotion and she was grateful nobody else was here to witness it. She held her hand against her mouth, not wanting Charlie alerted to her pain. It was bad enough he was the one who had to hear her screaming from the nightmares every night.

After a while she forced herself into bed, not even removing the clothes she had worn all day. She was too exhausted and sad to care. The tears stung her eyes and her face felt sticky from the tears she'd eventually stopped attempting to wipe away.

It felt odd, admitting she was sad. But she was. She was really, really fucking sad.