My pregnancy was quickly progressing. The bulge on my stomach had rounded into a small baby bump. The nausea had increased. I had a hard time keeping anything down at all, and I watched as my body grew thinner and thinner excluding my stomach. My cheekbones jutted out of my face like they never had. I watched as the fat in my arms and legs moved to my stomach. I was barely strong enough to move on my own now. I felt like a living skeleton, but I didn't mind. As long as my baby was healthy and happy, so was I.
Jasper almost never left my side. Every few days he would leave to hunt or bathe and change clothes, but his outings were never longer than a half hour. He stuck to my side, resting his head on my shoulder or lap. He was constantly sending out waves of comfort and love to numb my pain. I watched as he grew more and more exhausted, but he never complained. I told him to rest on numerous occasions, but everytime he politely declined.
Rosalie was always close by as well. She was on hand with a bowl whenever I was sick, and a helping hand when I had to bathe or use the bathroom. She acted like my body gaurd, being careful not to let Carlisle or Alice get too close to me. I didn't find that last part necessary. I knew they would never do anything to hurt me.
Carlisle and Alice didn't agree with me risking my life for my baby, but they didn't argue. The only thing Alice had said on the matter was that it wasn't her decision to make. She wasn't around very often anymore. Carlisle had spent his days researching human-vampire hybrids. He hadn't found anything other than strange myths that were difficult to prove. He strongly suggested we remove my baby before it hurts me. He could only see the risk of me dying. He couldn't see the chance of me surviving. He had turned Esme, Rosalie, Emmett, and Edward at the last minute, couldn't the same work for me?
Esme, Rosalie, Emmett and Jasper had all been supportive; worried, but supportive. They took great care of me. It was more than I could ask for.
Jasper was layed down on the living room couch, his head in my lap, and his eyes closed. To an untrained eye he would look asleep, but I knew better. He was concentrating.
The phone's loud chime startled us both. Charlie called nearly everyday to check on me. We had told him weeks ago, when we had first found out, that me and Jasper were moving to Alaska for school. We made sure he wouldn't be suspicious when I was gone for months. He was upset at the thought of me moving in with a Jasper, and even more so when he learned that we were dating. Despite that he didn't make me stay, so long as I promised to keep in touch.
I picked up the phone, "Hello?"
"Hi Bells," Sure enough it was Charlie's voice, "How are you doing?"
"We're good, dad. Me and Jasper are sort of just lounging around this morning."
"Good. Lazy mornings are good."
"Yeah," I responded, "How's Forks?" I asked as if I wasn't there.
"Not the same without you."
I smiled sadly at that. Jasper glanced up at me with a tortured look that broke my heart. I knew I was hurting him, but I could just as easily push him into a fire as I could kill my little butterfly.
Our conversation lasted a few more minutes before there was a knock on the door.
"I gotta go Dad. I think the couch we ordered is being delivered." I lied.
"I'll let you get to it then. Love you."
"Love you too." I hung up the phone.
Me and Jasper watched as Esme opened the door. Two vampires lingered in the doorway. One was nearly as tall as Jasper. His hair was a dusty blonde that just barely brushed his shoulders. His red eyes searched the room for threats before focusing on me and Jasper. His intense expression softened slightly. The other vampire cowered behind him. From what I could see, she was very petite, even more so than Alice. She had reddish-brown hair that was cropped to her chin. She didn't move from behind, who I assumed, was her mate.
It took me a moment, but I remembered Jasper briefly mentioning his friends, Peter and Charlotte. I decided this was probably them. I wondered why they had come.
"Oh," Esme said in surprise, "It's good to see you both. Please come in."
The man nodded his head and took careful steps inside. Jasper sat up straight looking at them both. He glanced back at me, and I knew he was debating leaving my side to greet them. I pushed against his back insisting he get up.
He was quick to stride across the room. They exchanged greetings. He gave the man a quick hug and offered the woman a handshake.
"How did you know where to find us?" Jasper asked.
Peter stole another glance at me, "Alice asked us to come. She explained everything."
"Oh," Jasper sounded just as confused as I was, "Did she tell you why she wanted you to come?"
"She told us you and your... mate needed help," He stole a glance at me, "Is it true then? Is she really-"
Jasper cut off his question with a nod of his head, "That's the only possible explanation. Have you ever heard of something like this?"
The man shook his head, "No, this is a first."
The stairs creaked behind us and we all turned our attention to the sound. Carlisle walked down the steps. Jasper looked at him searching for any new information he had gained in his time studying. Carlisle shook his head, dispelling any hope Jasper had for some sort of fix.
Everyone could tell just by the air of grievance that followed Carlisle that he was struggling. He had lost a son just weeks ago, Alice was disappearing more and more often, and now he assumed he would lose me and by extension Jasper. I felt guilty for it, in truth, but that wasn't enough to give up what I loved.
"Good afternoon Peter, Charlotte," Carlisle greeted with a sigh.
Peter inclined his head, "Afternoon Doctor. We don't mean to be a bother, but Alice invited us to stay a while."
"The bedroom upstairs to the left is yours. All I ask is you follow our hunting rules. We don't need problems with the wolves right now." Carlisle said.
"Of course," Peter promised.
Carlisle didn't respond. He walked into the kitchen and out the back door. I assumed he was hunting.
Jasper returned to my side quickly. He sat close his hand in mine. The calming emotions he was producing washed over me again.
Peter and Charlotte stepped carefully into the room. Peter hesitated a moment before beginning to move towards me. His mate pulled on his arms and rapidly shook her head.
"I'll be okay, mi amor. We just ate." He continued forward without her until he was a few feet in front of me, "I'd like to introduce myself, Bella. I'm an old friend of Jasper's. My name is Peter," He looked behind him, "That's my mate, Charlotte. We've heard a lot about you." He outstretched his hand for me to shake.
Rosalie immediately stepped inbetween us, "You don't need to come any closer." She hissed.
"Rose," I mumbled, "It's okay. They won't hurt me."
"You don't know that," She scoffed, eyeing both of the strangers dangerously. She was clearly putting Charlotte on edge.
"I've been practicing," Peter insisted.
I sent him an apologetic look, "Rose, it's just a handshake."
She huffed in irritation, but stepped aside all the same.
I leaned forward and Jasper slipped his arm around my shoulders for support. I held out my bony hand. He delicately placed his hand in mine and gave it the softest shake I could imagine.
"It's good to meet you," I grinned at him. I tried to put his nerves at ease by making a joke, "I promise I don't usually look like this."
He chuckled, "You must be something special to catch Jasper's attention. He's very picky."
Jasper rolled his eyes next to me. His face seemed to lighten for a split second before falling back into worry.
A sharp pain exploded at the top of my stomach. I grunted in pain and tried to catch my breath. Rosalie was quick with the bowl in which I was promptly sick in. I was left exhausted as everything was expelled from my stomach. The kicks were definitely getting worse. I knew that one would surely bruise, if not break a rib.
Jasper looked at me with horror in his eyes. I leaned against his shoulder, his cool skin feeling nice on my forehead. I placed my hands on my stomach.
The three of us felt right: Me, my soulmate, and our child. I had a feeling everything would work out. It had to.