Disclaimer: All characters and copyright belong to Stephanie Meyer, but the other characters and plot are all mine!

A/N: Its been ages since I updated, I know but having got writers block on another of my stories I suddenly had the urge to update this one so here goes…enjoy I hope and stay safe in this troubled world oxoxox

Now the story continues…

Chapter 16 - Rejection

"May I sit down" Edward asked as he pulled the chair near the bed to one side and closer to the door. He couldn't sit too close to her the bedside fan had blown an unexpected hit of a scent that set his throat ablaze and it called to him in a way he had never in his entire existence experienced before. His eyes zeroed in on the juicy artery pumping beneath the porcelain skin of her slender neck

Edward was enthralled and it left him warring with a primal need to taste or run away but astounded by her beauty and the magnetic hold she seemed to have upon him he decided to risk it all and stay a few minutes more. Never had a woman had that effect on him not in all his years and yet here she was, the one he had been waiting for…then it struck him…

He couldn't hear her….

Nothing absolute silence…

Her mind was closed and he couldn't break through…

All the while Bella watched him with those big doe eyes of hers. She was sure his eyes had been golden when he had first entered the room but now…she nodded her acceptance to his request and he sat down still astounded that he couldn't "hear" her as his inner battle raged for control…already his fingers itched to claw her throat and a dark voice he despised called from a far recess of his mind…

Kill her now…no one will know…

"When can I go home?" She asked her sweet voice jolting him from his dark thoughts. Bella somehow managed to look sad and hopeful all at the same time. It touched Edwards still cold heart, stirring feelings he had long forgotten. Bella Swan was more beautiful than he had ever imagined her photos didn't even start to do her any justice, her skin… it was flawless and the colour…

He realised he had been staring a tad too long when she nervously coughed shifting under the stiff white sheet that covered her small body that was, in his eyes, he noted with distaste, grotesquely misshapen by the thing she carried, that leeched her life blood and no one was entitled to do that except him…

If Bella were his he thought, he'd never have impregnated her…ruined that perfect body… no he would treat her as his queen, offer her something far more precious…eternal life. He sniffed a laugh at that thought as his eyes drifted from her swollen stomach back to her face at least his impregnating her wasn't possible anymore, vampires once turned were no longer fertile their sperm like the rest of their body was frozen and lifeless forever…

"Now that's what I want to talk to you about Bella" He smiled at her keeping his voice even and Bella couldn't help but smile back in return dazzled by his own sheer beauty and something else she couldn't quite put her finger on, something she had seen and felt before. The notes he had placed on his lap he now lifted towards his eyes.

"I'm afraid you won't be going anywhere at least for a few days maybe more" she opened her mouth to protest but he continued "You need bed rest Bella your blood pressure is way too high and that's not good for you or baby"

Her mouth snapped shut and tears filled her eyes. He reached across and patted her hand and somewhere in her mind it registered that Edward's hands were a tad cool given how warm it was in the room hence the fan. Besides she'd felt something similar before…somewhere…. but for now, she had other things to think about like…

"I…I was hoping to return home to New York" Bella began nibbling at her bottom lip nervously and Edward tracked the movement involuntarily licking his own lips in response. He could hardly take his eyes off their pink plumpness but with supreme control he somehow managed…

"Out of the question Bella" he smiled again as he wrote something down on the paperwork "You're almost too far along now to be allowed to fly anyways, most airlines would refuse" he sighed a little as he watched her face fall a small frown appearing on that perfect creamy skin. His hand itched to reach out, longing to use his thumb to smooth out that cute little line that had appeared between her eyebrows.

"As a doctor I couldn't possibly allow you to fly Bella, not with your blood pressure the way it is" he stood placing the paperwork at the foot of her bed "If you want your baby to be born healthy and in its own time you will have to give up the notion of returning to New York until after the birth"

"I could drive…" Bella mumbled almost to herself that steak of defiance she possessed rearing up coupled with an overwhelming need to put some distance between Jacob Black and herself. He wasn't her most favourite person at this moment in time, given the behaviour of his Fiancée. If she never saw either of them again it would be too soon.

"I'll hire a car and drive to New York if I have to" she added her chin jutted out rather like Charlie's did when he was laying down the law

"Now that's being silly Bella." Edward chuckled a little she was feisty one and he liked that. "And you don't strike me as being a silly girl"

Bella said nothing but that sweet smell that had always appeared when Dr Cullen entered the room? Well it seemed to have followed her to Forks which was stupid but the smell seemed to intensify and it was making her feel a little drowsy too clouding her thoughts, she couldn't seem to think straight at all. There was something she needed to remember… but just couldn't recall.

The sharp kick to her ribs from her baby brought her mind back into focus and was quickly followed by another. She softly patted her huge bump. Her little one wasn't happy he was very restless indeed maybe they both needed rest and Doctor Cullen was right after all…Doctor Cullen…she repeated to herself but she was so confused and sleepy

"There you see" Edward began with a voice as smooth as velvet it was time to go his self-control was waning. "You can hardly keep your eyes open Miss Bella Swan." He moved towards the door his eyes still lingering on her lips when she suddenly asked

"Are you related to a Doctor Carlisle Cullen in New York?" That was the question that had somehow evaded her since Edward had entered the room but now it was out. Bella noted he didn't look too happy but whatever concern he had felt his face now seemed smooth almost emotionless

"He's my father Bella and I'm sure he will be relieved to know you are here with me safe and well." Edward replied but underneath he wasn't exactly thinking kind thoughts about Carlisle. He wasn't gonna like what Edward had in mind and was going to be a problem that was clear. "I'll call him and let him know."

"'Kay" Bella mumbled trying to force open her sleepy eyes but she was losing the battle

"Now rest and that's Doctors orders" Bella managed a little smile in return before finally taking him at his word she relaxed and surrendered to sleep.

With one last look at her sleeping form Edward left the room closing the door behind him. Then flexing his jaw moved with inhuman speed towards the end of the corridor. It was foolish he knew anyone could have turned the corner and seen but right this minute Edward Cullen didn't care a hoot. All he wanted was to put some distance between the deliciousness that was Bella Swan and the darkness that lurked within him that wanted her too, but not in a good way …it wanted her blood.

He took in a deep breath filling his cold stiff lungs with the cooler evening air as he moved towards his parked car. Sure, he had an hour or so to go till the end of his shift but he'd make up some sort of excuse. His priority now was to put some miles between him and a girl he'd only just met but whose body he desired and her blood he now craved.

As his cold hands gripped the steering wheel in a deathly hold Edward rested his forehead against the top just as his cell began to vibrate. He started the engine and pulled out of the parking space as Alice's voice filled the car

"Edward…" she began "What's happened everything was going so well then suddenly"

"Yeah suddenly…" Edward laughed low "She's beautiful Alice…" he breathed almost in awe "Angelic, stunning in every way except…."

"Except what?" Alice asked her voice cautious. She knew of course but she needed to hear it from him

"I want her Alice…she's the one I've been waiting a century for" Edward began "I want her like no one I've ever met but…" he took another deep breath he really didn't need closing his eyes slightly even though his car was speeding along in the near darkness of twilight. "I don't just desire her…" He whispered his face grave "I crave her blood…"

The gulp of air Alice took could be clearly heard through the speaker system of the luxury car he drove at twice the speed limit. She had seen this reaction and knew Edward could beat it he just had to believe he could.

"I'm not sure I can control the craving Alice…" His voice low and controlled even now as he put distance between them his dark side yearned to turn the car around and head straight back to Forks and drain her dry

"You can beat this Edward" she sighed "She is everything you have been searching for in a mate" Edward sighed loudly in response "I've seen her as one of us you just have to believe in yourself and she will be yours forever"

"I know…" his voice cracked a little "There's something else Alice…" he hesitated "She's heavily pregnant" Alice stood stunned at the end of the line

"I…I don't understand…I mean how…?" She began "…I never saw that in any of my visions"

"It's ok" He sighed a little then laughed but it sounded hollow, lifeless "I haven't even started it gets even more complicated Alice and maybe the reason behind the hole in your vision when it comes to her child"

The small vampire stood perfectly still in response whatever he was about to tell her it wasn't gonna be good news that was for sure but still she hoped for her beloved brother that all would be fine. Edward didn't let her down with regard to the bad news…

"The father is a shifter Alice and you know how that effects your vision we've lived amongst the Quileute long enough in the past to be sure of that…" His little sister narrowed her eyes at the mention of the tribe there was certainly no love lost there and that damn treaty well she wasn't about to go off on one about that well at least not yet.

"How can you be so sure?" Alice began "Did she tell you that herself Edward?"

"No, I know because she is being treated by our father in New York I've seen her file" Edward's voice sounded cold there was an edge of violence about it he was hiding something for sure. "We know for a definite that the child's father is a shifter" He continued "In fact we believe he's here in Washington State and most likely part of the La Push pack"

The breath Alice had held came whooshing out in shock things were starting to go downhill fast but she gathered her composure

"That's a lot to take in Edward" She mumbled her eyes flickering to Jasper who looked back at her with concern "But she lives in New York like you say how on earth did a wolf from La Push mate with her in New York?"

"One-night stand" Edward replied "Carlisle got that much out of her and of course we knew where she was born. We just put two and two together when her blood results came back" Alice nearly dropped the cell she held when it suddenly occurred to her

"Jacob Black and Embry Call came to New York, that night at the airport….they were searching for her now it all makes sense" She inwardly cursed her disability when it came to shifters and her gift if only she could have seen all this prevented it somehow from happening

"Exactly" Edward replied already seething at the thought that one of those two had defiled Bella. "I believe one of those two fathered the child."

"But which one?" Alice mused "Surely not Black he's about to get married or so I have heard surely he didn't play away from home"

"Agreed." Edwards voice was low as he pulled up in front of the large house that belonged to the Cullen's and switched off the purring engine

"So that leaves us with Call as the possible father" Alice trilled but Edward wasn't listening he was busy staring at the cold ebony black eyes that stared back at him in his driver's mirror.

Yes, that did leave Call as the baby's father…But maybe not for long…

"What if the she is a mate Edward?" Alice all but whispered then added almost horrified herself "What if she's an imprint…?"

The last question made Edward hiss loudly his hands already claw like continued to grip the steering wheel which creaked in response. No way was Bella going to spend her life with a dog not if he had anything to do with it and if it meant breaking Carlisle's precious treaty, he would do it

"Bella Swan is mine Alice!" His voice sounded cold and full of malice "And I'll do whatever it takes to get her"

000

Luck was on Paul Lahotes side that evening for just as Jacob was about to hunt the son of a bitch down Embry phased in

"Jake you need to get over to the hospital Cullen's turned up" Embry replayed the images of Edward entering Bella's room and was rewarded with deafening growling through their linked minds. Jakes wolf was incandescent with rage his mate and pup were in a small room with a leech and a fucking Cullen too.

"Make sure Bella is safe until I get there Em's I'm on my way." He immediately turned tail and ran for Forks. Paul could wait a little longer…

Embry phased back to human and walked from the undergrowth to where Lorna stood by the main entrance. His re appearance brought a smile to her worried face and she ran over to where he was standing and into his outstretched arms

"Did you manage to get a message to Jake?" She asked snuggling against the heat of Embry's body she hadn't bought a sweatshirt and the night air was cool. Embry nodded as he kissed the top of her head pulling her closer against his firm body

"Did you get to see Bella?" He asked in return kissing her again on the forehead as she gazed lovingly up at him. Lorna nodded in reply pleased she had been able to check on her friend

"She was fast asleep when I popped in her room and the nurse said the doctor had been and gone, she looked so peaceful I didn't want to wake her"

"But Bella was okay?" Embry asked a leech being so close to the young girl filled him with dread but there was little he could have done to prevent it not without revealing to everyone who they both really were. Lorna nodded her head she was starting to feel concerned too

"Bella's got high blood pressure and has been ordered to take bed rest I seriously don't think she will be allowed to fly home any time soon." She frowned to herself what was she gonna do now? Her plan all along was to get back on a plane with her friend as soon as they could and head to New York.

Lorna looked up at Embry his dark eyes were filled with longing and he pulled her even closer to his hard hot body. Leaving him was fast becoming an option she didn't want to take and the longer she stayed the more something deep inside tied her to Embry with steel cables, like she was anchored body and soul. He softly kissed her his hot lips moulding to hers like they had been made for that very purpose but before he could deepen the kiss Embry suddenly pulled away his eyes darting cross the road to the undergrowth

She peered into the darkness feeling Embrys body tense and out stepped Jacob Black wearing nothing but a tatty pair of cut-offs and he didn't look like he was in a good mood either. Embry must have sensed that too because he quickly moved Lorna behind him

"Well?" Jacob growled "Where is she? I don't want to have to sniff her out and please tell me that fucking leech is nowhere near" His teeth were still animalistic and sharp as he smiled down at Lorna who peeped around Embry's broad body.

"Bella is asleep" she bravely managed to say

"Doctors been and gone" Embry glanced meaningfully at Jake "Lorna said Bella needs bed rest so that means she isn't going anywhere just yet." That last piece of information seemed to calm his esteemed Alpha a little

"What about the Chief?" He asked

"Gone back to the station by all accounts but he's onto us I'd say just from the questions he was asking when he gave me a lift" Jacob merely nodded he could handle Chief Swan what mattered now was Bella and the baby their safety was paramount

"I've got to see her Em" Jake began "I need to see for myself that she is safe" Embry nodded he knew how he would feel if it were Lorna

"I'll take you around to her window…"

"No!" Jacob growled loudly "I need to go into her room"

"Do you think that's wise?" Embry asked "Chief Swan has asked that no one apart from himself can see her"

"I was lucky to get as far as I did" Lorna butted in still safely behind Embry "I don't think the nurse had been told about Bella's father's wishes" Her eyes dropped to Jakes tatty shorts "I don't think you're gonna get far wearing those and being bare chested too…"

Jake merely rolled his eyes at her he wasn't going to be deterred he needed to see Bella and so did his wolf they needed to check for themselves that everything was okay too.

"I'm still going in" He snarled but Embry laid a hand on his arm and silently prayed he would keep that hand intact

"Maybe Lorna could slip in and open a window for you Jake" He looked direct into Jacobs dark eyes something that only a few could get away with…Jake hesitated long enough for Lorna to speak up

"I'll go now Jacob Embrys right this is the best way, give me five then come to the window" Without waiting for an answer Lorna hurried back into the hospital.

Embry led the way to the room where Bella lay asleep just in time to see Lorna wave a little before she closed the door and made her way back to the exit. Embry looked at Jacob who was frozen to the spot his gaze fixed on Bella's sleeping form.

"Make it quick Jake" Embry whispered. Not needing another prompt Jake opened the window wider and with one graceful leap landed on the balls of his feet in compete silence. He crept close to the bed eyes running infantry of her body checking she was truly unharmed given the earlier escapade with Laylah.

The whole room reeked of leech and his nostrils burned with the sickly-sweet aroma. Cullen had been in here and it sickened him to the pit of his stomach that a bloodsucker had been so close to her and his pup. Somehow, he was just gonna have to get her to the rez it was too dangerous here but short of kidnapping her what could he do?

His attention was suddenly back on Bella as she started to mumble something in her sleep and he couldn't help but marvel at her beauty as she slept. Her long dark hair was spread out upon the pillow and her plump pink lips seemed to call to him to kiss them. He sighed deeply recalling that fateful night in Vegas when he had held her as she slept. If only, he had stayed and not run back to the rez without seeing her first… He bent down to plant a tiny departing kiss upon her forehead when her eyes fluttered open

"J…Jake?" She mumbled trying to force herself awake as he stepped away from the bed

"Shhh its okay honey I just came to check on you make sure you're alright" Jacob smiled at her but she didn't look very happy as she pushed herself awkwardly up

"I'm okay you didn't need to come." Yep he thought to himself she's pissed

"But I needed to Bella I…" he didn't get to finish as she interrupted

"I'm okay really Jacob I just need to rest for my own health and my baby's." Jacob noted she said "my" baby and not "ours"

"I'm worried about the baby too" He began nervously "It's mine isn't it?" Bella nodded no point in telling lies "May I?" he asked pulling the chair closer to her bed. She nodded again sighing a little. Let's get this over with she thought then he might leave me alone.

"I'm sorry that it's come to this" Jacob began and of course Bella thought he meant the baby, Pauls cruel words still ringing in her ear

"I don't need your involvement!" she blurted out somewhat startling Jacob "And I'm not sorry about him either"

"Him?" Jacob whispered he was gonna have a son and a swell of pride filled his broad chest

"Yes, my baby is a boy" Bella looked defiant. There's that my again instead of ours Jake thought to himself

"I want to be involved Bella" Jacob looked at her with dark eyes full of sorrow he couldn't bare the thought of not being involved with either of them. This certainly wasn't going to plan; he had really thought she'd be over the moon to see him again

"I…I think you should go now I'm tired" Bella could feel her resolve slipping he was so beautiful his skin glowed as he sat next to her lit by the large moon outside her window. Memories of a similar night in Vegas filled her mind with longing but she couldn't have him he belonged to someone else…

Her words of rejection stung him and the wolf howled deep within his soul. Damn Laylah and Lahote they were responsible for this

"Okay" he mumbled he didn't want to upset her any further but then she winced a little rubbing at her huge stomach. He looked at her with undisguised longing as he added "Can I feel him…? Please?" He looked so lost that Bella for some reason she simply couldn't fathom agreed. She nodded her head as his huge hot hand came to rest upon her tummy then Jacobs eyes lit up a huge grin spreading across his dark lips

"I felt him!" he announced triumphantly "He's got a kick on him too gonna be a football player Bells" For a few moments they stared at each other like any new parents to be, lost in the awe and wonder of their baby's movements. Jacob lowered his head to listen and the baby's strong heartbeat filled the wolf and himself with joy. He looked up at Bella but she looked almost tearful her fingers had been itching to run through his black hair as he listened to their son. But it wasn't right, no matter how hard it was to reject him…

"I…I think you should go…p…please go" She stuttered

"Can I come again?" he asked with undisguised hope "Please Bella I want to be involved" but she shook her head

"I think its better if you leave us alone Jake as soon as I can I'm going back to New York"

"You can't" he cried "Don't take my son away from me" but Bella was determined. It would all end in heart break any other way she was sure of it.

"You're getting married Jacob and the last thing you need in your life is an unwanted baby and me." Bella looked as sad as Jacob who was clearly reeling from her words

"I'm not getting married Bella" he quietly replied

"Don't deny it I've met your fiancée and your sister on the rez before that incident this afternoon." Jacob looked stunned could it get any fucking worse he thought

"Look I've ended it with Laylah" He began "Before I even knew you were in Forks"

"Well obviously the girl didn't get the message she was telling everyone about her forthcoming wedding and how much she loved you" Bella was feeling angry now she knew how she really couldn't trust him. Liar, liar pants on fire she thought to herself

"I don't want her Bella I want you" Jacob had grabbed hold of her hand "I love you." Bella was stunned into silence at his sudden declaration but Pauls warning was still echoing in her mind. She pulled her hand from his grasp and closing her eyes she took a deep breath

"It's for the best if you let me go Jacob, I'm an outsider your people would never accept me when they already love Laylah." Jacob went to deny that when she whispered a word, he didn't want to hear

"Hokwat" Bella began, "I'm a Hokwat and that's unacceptable to your people, you simply can't have me Jacob even if I wanted to stay." She lowered her eyes so he couldn't see the tears brimming under her long lashes

"Who the fuck told you that?" Jake demanded as Embry having climbed into the room came forward, he was concerned they needed to get out of her room the situation was bombing and fast

"You're scaring her Jake" he murmured "Bella has been through enough today let her rest" But both Jake and Bella weren't listening

"I don't know what it means" Bella was as white as a sheet and the machine next to her was buzzing with action "But I get the feeling it's not very nice." She sighed a little as she took in Jakes devastated face her own heart was beating fast but she had to do this to keep herself safe and her son too. He was a womaniser and a cheat she reminded herself. "Look we both know it was fun in Las Vegas and unfortunately I'm pregnant as a result but I don't want or need you Jacob you're free to get on with your life. I'm releasing you from all responsibility"

But Jacob wasn't listening he simply couldn't take it all in and his grasp on the wolf was slipping who was snapping and snarling at what was left of the restraints. With one last effort he asked

"Who told you that word?" He demanded "Was it Laylah?" The small sad eyed girl shook her head

"It was your friend from the rez" Bella replied as Jacobs eyes narrowed, he tried to think who would say such a thing. It had to be someone who was with them in Las Vegas to have recognised her

"Name!" he growled "I need his name"

"I don't remember!" she snapped back "Besides it doesn't matter anymore"

"Name!" he growled again "Or I'm gonna tear the Rez apart" Bella glanced with worried eyes towards Embry who silently implored her to answer

"Paul" she whispered "I think his name is Paul.

000

A/N: Uh Oh! What can I say two suiters for Bella's affections and at the moment things don't look too good for Jacob either…

Till next time….