Alice's hands shook as she looked at the pregnancy test in her hand. For the first time in her life, she'd seen actual proof that there had been a child in her future. She couldn't tell how far in her future it was, though, she was sure now that it wasn't a coincidence that her appetite for meat had surpassed that of her husband's.

Jasper noticed how she stiffened at the drive through. Though he tried to press, she kept saying that she was not herself, and she just wanted to eat, then go home and throw it all up. Alice wanted to be excited, but she wouldn't let herself be, because it was all too uncertain. She made an excuse to stop at the closest open pharmacy, saying she wanted to pick up something to settle her stomach. Jasper didn't question the box in the small paper bag.

When they got home, Jasper watched, his eyes wide as she devoured that burger and french fries, as though she hadn't eaten in days.

"You were hungry," he said. His smile was even a little irritating to her because it seemed like she was caving in to eating meat, becoming more like him. That was so not what she wanted.

She'd rushed to the restroom and took deep breaths, willing herself to go throw up the mound of animal flesh she'd just eaten, but no, the meal settled happily in her tummy.

This had to be it, she thought, and opened up the package.

A few minutes later, Jasper's knock at the door made her jump, as though she was in on this big, terrific secret. Whether it was 1 or 2 pink lines that showed up in the little window right now, Alice had the certainty she would become pregnant at some point. The vision left her with the residual feelings — the fatigue and the bliss that went with having a young one to care for.

Her fingernails bit into her palms as she waited for the timer on the phone to go off. Alice didn't want to jinx it, which she also knew was silly because if it was time, it was time, and no amount of hoping was going to change it.

"Hey, babe, are you okay? You've been in there for a while."

"Yeah," she said, clearing her throat. Her nerves left her chest tight. "I'll be out soon."

"Okay."

Alice waited by the door to see if he was gone…listening for his footfalls as he walked away, because she just wanted, needed to process this by herself.

The tune from the timer caught her attention, and Alice's eyes filled with tears as the two pink lines on the display appeared, as proud as a flag to show its truth, to be the future, to change her life. Because now, nothing would ever be the same again.

"Babe!" Alice sat on the lid of the toilet, now sobbing. "Come in here."

Jasper burst inside and knelt in front of her. "What's wrong, Alice?"

She angled the stick towards him so he could see it. "Nothing is wrong. Everything is perfect."

His look of surprise grew to shock and then fell into a grin that covered his face. "Yes! I knew it."

"You knew it?"

"Of course. You said you haven't eaten meat since you left Mississippi. Now, this baby is telling you what it wants."

"Oh my God, Jasper, we're having a baby!"

"Yes! I'm going to be a dad. A real dad, this time."

She knew what he meant. Jasper still hadn't met Maria's son and hadn't known about him up until a few weeks before. Now, here was this new experience…for both of them.

"I have to tell Bella! Oh my God! What is she going to say? She's going to be Auntie Bella!"

"And you, you're going to be Mama."

Her eyes clouded. "I'm going to be a mama."

Jasper

He had a feeling about it. Sure, he'd only known her for just over 6 weeks, but the connection they shared burrowed way below the surface; Jasper seemed to sense Alice's emotions more so than anyone he'd known.

Now with the proof of her pregnancy in his hands, he couldn't believe his good fortune. Jasper imagined it would have been nice to spend the time alone together for as long as possible, but beggars couldn't be choosers.

This was big picture, legacy stuff—more important than his accomplishments in the military. This baby —and Alice—were the only things in his life that truly gave it meaning.

Then the enormity crawled in like a black widow spider, his future uncertain, as he'd not taken the next step to confess his crime from so long ago. Then there was the other thing — what kind of father would he be? He'd definitely be the opposite of his own father, who's way of caring was tough love. His old man had never hugged him or told Jasper he'd loved him. This troubled Jasper because he knew that so often offspring repeated patterns of their parents. He refused to be that way. Jasper had also grown up in a house of smokers, and he'd hated it, but when he was old enough, the stress had been too much to bear. Maria had convinced Jasper that the cigarettes were a legal way to calm him—even when he was too young to buy them. He still had plenty of ways to procure his own stash. Maria wasn't wrong that it helped calm him, but now, he regretted ever picking up that first cigarette.

No, he was not going to repeat his father's mistakes.

A baby— this new life—was Alice and Jasper. He had to do right by this baby. Jasper was going to be the father and the man that he needed to be. They'd decided to wait until the show was done airing to seek legal counsel, but now more than ever, Jasper wanted resolution. There were other things to consider: online, he'd already begun a computer information systems class, since technology had always come so easy to him. He wasn't sure yet what direction to go whether it be IT or coding. Many opportunities were available in the field, and this type of work would help support them as he took more classes to pursue his teaching credential. But first things first, he had to know what he was up against. Was he going to spend time in jail? This made him even more distraught; was this how his child was doomed to see his father— behind bars? It was almost too much to bear.

"Alice, what are we going to do?"

"We are having a baby."

"I mean, about the show."

"We'll give them the happy news." She must have caught the troubled look on his face. "It is happy news."

"Yes, absolutely. I am so happy, Alice. I didn't think life could be this way for me…the thing is I don't know if it can be."

"What? Oh, is this about the hit and run?"

"It's about everything. It's about being the man I want to be, the father the baby deserves, the husband that you need. What if I can't, Alice?"

"We agreed we were putting that away until after the show's over."

"I don't know if we can wait. If we should."

"Nothing is going to change, Jas. The only difference now is that we're under a magnifying glass. Remember I told you I was recognized the other day at the store? We have to wait until it's all over. It will work out. You'll see."

The after show was in about 4 weeks, and then after that he would feel he could finally breathe. It was a strange sort of freedom they'd been given, like being free to roam but tethered to an invisible leash. Sure, cameras didn't follow them but they were at the whim of the public. When Alice had been recognized at the store recently, she had allowed a lady to take a selfie with her. While the lady hadn't been mean-spirited or meant any harm, it was a reminder that an audience existed outside their little bubble; eyes were watching…and judging. Jasper made sure they stayed away from social media, and they tried to go back to what would be a normal life. There were so many concerns that gnawed at him. While Alice's news filled him with joy, there always seemed a price to pay for it, almost like he was not entitled to happiness.

Alice waited until the following week to tell Bella, and they'd gone to her place to watch the following show with Edward and Bella. The two, as Alice had predicted, seemed happy and content in each other's arms and behaving as a new couple would. Jasper had never seen Bella so happy, or Edward smiling so much. Jasper had to give it to his wife's intuitive ability.

"Who's ready to watch?" Alice asked as Bella opened the door.

Edward stood behind her and waved to them. "Hi. Good to see you again."

Jasper observed the grin on his wife's face as Alice's gaze darted to Edward and back to Bella. Alice had done good—even if Jasper had believed that she'd been pushy.

"How have you two been?" Jasper asked as he shook Edward's hand.

"Very well."

Bella had gone into the kitchen to help Alice, and the crashing sound of a dish breaking drew their attention.

"Shut up!" Bella said. "You're pregnant?!"

Edward chuckled and patted Jasper on the shoulder. "Wow. That didn't take long."

"Well, it will be revealed on the show…Alice didn't think she could get pregnant."

"What a blessing."

Bella limped over to Edward but it was less noticeable now. "Can you believe it?"

"Such happy news," Edward said, his arm around Bella.

"How's it going here?" Jasper asked.

Edward and Bella beamed at one another but her eyes darted down. "We had our first argument."

Edward spoke up, "Well, not an argument. More of a disagreement. I can't stay here forever…as nice as that sounds. I have a life and decisions I have to make back home."

Alice held a tray in her hand, and she already had a rolled up slice of prosciutto sticking out of her mouth.

"I don't think I can get used to seeing you eating meat," Bella said.

"Oh, it's great," Jasper said, "I have someone to stuff myself with."

Alice elbowed him. "I hate it, but the baby has preferences."

"Completely normal," Edward said. "Just listen to your body."

Bella turned to Edward. "See? Maybe you can start a practice here…"

"Well, it's a lot to think about," Edward said. "It's tempting, but I have a lot to consider."

"How long are you on leave from your job?" Jasper took the tray from Alice and set it down on the table.

"2 more weeks. But I have to make a decision."

"What are you leaning more towards?"

"I don't know yet. I've been debating for a while leaving the medical field—going another way."

"Which he could totally do," Bella said. "You should see how he helps me with my editing. And he plays the piano, and I'm sure he can do just about anything," she continued. "Even law school, if that interests you."

Edward shook his head. "No. That was my dad's path. Not mine."

Jasper looked at him. "Your dad's a lawyer?"

Alice shot him a look.

"He is, but it's never been my thing. And besides my family is in California, and I don't know if I want to leave there. I keep telling Bella she could come see if she likes it."

"I've been to California," Bella said. "I like it here in Arizona."

"Well, it's something to figure out, for sure."

The jingle of the show came on, and everyone seated, except this time, the four sat comfortably squished against one another.

"Are you ready to watch?" Alice asked.

"No," Bella said.

"Ready or not," Jasper breathed as the recap from the week before played on the screen. They were about to watch the episode where they moved to their new homes, and it seemed so long ago. "Here we go."

A/N: I'd like to give a thanks to my beta AnakinsMom, who had this chapter ready for me before I was ready to post it. I've been having issues at my house with a leak, needing major plumbing repair and we have no running water! I'm still behind on my editing, and I appreciate your patience and you all for reading, reviewing, and your follows.