The Way it Could've Been

SophomoreMe

Summary: If the Cullens came five years later, how would that night in the alley in Port Angeles turned out differently? This is Bella's life meeting the Cullens five years later.

Chapter 11 Past Memories

Bella's Point of View

It had been a week, and everything had pretty much returned to normal. I was officially moving Vanessa's stuff and mine to the Cullen's and saying goodbye to the house that held so many memories, both good and bad. One of my favorite and least was when I found out I was pregnant.

After throwing up for a week straight and missing two periods, I knew that something was wrong. And I was pretty sure I knew what. I heaved myself out of the bathroom and into my room and got dressed. I drove to a pharmacy and picked up some tests and made my way back home.

The results terrified me. Three positives. I knew that this was serious. I had only had one sexual experience (and what a horrible one at that), and I knew what this meant. I counted the weeks back to my attack and knew that it was too late for an abortion, not that was an option, but I knew Charlie would bring it up.

I was a nervous wreck all day. I had to speak to Charlie tonight when he got home from work. I cooked his favorite fish dinner and prepared dessert. The dessert would be for after my announcement. I knew we would both need comfort, and Charlie and I were a lot alike. Food was the perfect comfort.

I heard the door open, and Charlie walked in and set his things down.

"Bells? Smells good in here."

"Thanks dad," I said, as I finished setting the table..

"So, what did you do today?"

"Not much. I actually need to talk to you."

He looked up from eating, and he nodded his head.

"I'm…I'm pregnant." I burst into tears, for no apparent reason, except for maybe nerves.

Charlie was silent as he took in the information. "Shit," he muttered. "Don't they like, give you a pill or something to prevent this kind of thing from happening?"

"I think so, I'm not really sure. I don't really remember what all I got," I said looking down.

"Oh, Bells." Charlie said, moving over to my side of the table. He brought me into his arms as I sobbed.

"We'll…we'll figure this out don't worry." I nodded, believing the words of my father.

It had been a struggle those nine months. Telling my mother, going to school, and dealing with the rumors. Fortunately, Jake, Billy, and Charlie were very supportive. They helped me with everything. Charlie had obviously not remembered a lot from when mom was pregnant….he hovered and panicked. But, I loved him for his care and concern.

"Bells?" I heard Charlie yell through the door of the bathroom as I vomited again. "Are you ok in there?"

"I'm fine," I croaked out. My morning sickness was no longer morning sickness but

afternoon sickness. I was a lucky one as the doctor had said. Yeah, lucky. But I guess I

appreciated not being thrown out of bed in the morning due to nausea. I was just

incapable of doing anything between the hours of two and five.

"All right, if you need anything, just call me. I'm going to run to store real quick. Do you

need anything?"

"Can you get some saltines?"

"Sure."

An hour later, Charlie still wasn't back, which was weird. The trip to the store should

have taken thirty minutes at most. I stood up, getting ready to call his cell phone, but I stopped when his car pulled in.

Charlie entered the house with about fifteen bags from the local grocery store.

"Dad, what is all this?"

"I started looking around the store, and I got to the pregnancy aisle, and they had all this stuff that you're mother never had when she was pregnant with you. I figured some of this might help a little with what you are going through."

He was right. Eleven of the bags were filled with pregnancy items like lotions, juices, vitamins, and crackers. There were snacks and a few books.

"Dad this wasn't all necessary…"

"It's fine, just use what you need. We can, um, donate the other stuff you don't use."

I laughed, while shaking my head.

I smiled thinking about the doctor appointments Charlie went to with me.

I was around six months pregnant and I was heading to see my doctor for a check up. Today, Charlie was going with me. He wanted to offer me some support, so whenever he could, he would take me to the hospital and then to lunch.

"Ok, Bella. I just want to do a quick exam, make sure everything is doing ok down here."

The doctor immediately began my exam. I looked at my dad, and thought he was going to pass out.

"Ok, so everything seems fine down here. Let's take a look at your baby."

As always, the pictures were breathtaking. My baby. I loved my baby so much. I had decided not to find out the sex of the baby.

"All right. Let me print some pictures and you'll be good to go. But, I would like you to schedule an appointment to get some blood work done."

I nodded.

"Why does she need blood work? Is something wrong?" Charlie asked in a panic.

"Everything is fine, Charlie. We just want to make sure everything is at the right level. It's routine."

He nodded, while I snickered.

The best part was probably when I went into labor. I never thought three men could panic so much.

I was in the kitchen making dinner for Charlie, Billy, and Jake when I felt another cramp come on. The baby kicked a lot, so I didn't think anything of it.

"Ok, dinner is ready." The men lumbered into the kitchen and served up their dishes. I smiled. This is what I wanted, a family, no matter how unconventional.

We sat down and ate and watched television, while my cramping was still persistent.

I stood up, wanted to go shower and then head to bed, but those ideas were short lived.

"Bella?" Jake asked. "I think you pissed yourself."

"I….um…" I looked around at the guys in the room. "I think my water just broke."

Immediately, Charlie panicked. "What! I'm not ready for this. The nursery isn't fully finished; you're bag isn't by the door; I don't have anyone on standby to fill in for my shift tomorrow. What are we going to do?"

"I think we need to start by going to the hospital," I said through clenched teeth as a contraction crashed through my body.

"Right, right. Jake, can you get a bag packed and meet us at the hospital?" Jake nodded and began going up the stairs.

"Ok, Bells. Let's get you into the car." Charlie helped me carefully move through the house and out to the cruiser.

"No lights, dad. We don't need to create a panic in Forks because I am going into labor."

"Bella," Charlie sighed. "You're going into labor, if there was ever a time to use my lights and sirens it would be now."

"Dad, who is going to pull you over? Let's just go."

I began breathing, like I was taught, but the pain was still getting stronger.

Once we arrived at the hospital, Charlie rushed in and back out with a wheel chair. The entire E.R. was in a mad rush as I was wheeled in.

The entire process was ridiculously long, and I was kind of freaked out that Charlie was in the room with me when it all happened. The proud grandpa that he was even cut the umbilical cord. We both cried tears of joy when we heard her cry and when she was announced healthy and a girl.

I smiled at the memory. I looked around Vanessa's room and smiled at the marker that was now permanently scrawled on the inside of the closet door.

Vanessa was three. She and Jake had been imprinted for a year and a half and they were inseparable.

"Mommy," Vanessa whispered.

"Yeah, baby?" I looked up and saw here alone. "Where's Jake?"

"He's sleeping. I want to show you something."

I smiled and wiped my hands dry and walked out of the kitchen.

"What do you have to show me?"

"A picture." We ventured up the stairs and into her room, where a sleeping Jake lie on the floor next to all of Vanessa's stuffed animals.

"Ok, where is your picture?"

"It's right here," she said, as she moved the closet door open. On the bottom was a picture of a poorly drawn wolf and little girl. I knew it was Jake and Vanessa, and I couldn't help but smile.

"Ness…" I trailed off. "You know that you are only supposed to color on paper."

"I know, but I saw on the T.V. a boy was painting on a wall so everyone could see."

I smiled. She was just so darn cute. "Ok, but you have to tell Grandpa, and you need to tell him sorry."

She nodded. "Ok, Momma."

Charlie was not even mad. He thought it was a beautiful picture.

"You all packed?" Charlie asked, as he walked in to my now empty room.

"Yeah. It's a little weird," I said, looking around. It was emptier than it was when I moved in almost 6 years ago.

"You got all of Vanessa's things?"

I nodded. I glanced at Charlie, who had a stone face, trying to hide his emotions.

"I just want to let you know that this will always be your home. No matter where that boy of yours takes you. Whether you are human or not," he said. "It's home."

I gave him a watery smile. "Thanks, dad. For everything."

"No problem, Bells." He pulled me into a stiff hug, and that was all that we needed. I heard the door open and shut, and then I heard Vanessa talking to Edward. "I love you, kid."

"I love you, too." We walked down the steps and saw Vanessa and Edward making a sandwich, most likely peanut butter and jelly. I smiled.

It had been a few days, and I was still sorting through all of my things. I got Vanessa all unpacked two days ago, and she was now with Alice and Esme shopping for more stuff. More stuff….I couldn't imagine a four-year-old needing more stuff. I smiled as I pulled out Vanessa's baby book. I had meticulously filled every blank and filled all the blank pages. I wanted to remember every detail.

I opened it up to the beginning.

Name: Vanessa Carlie Swan

Date of Birth: October 23, 2005

Weight: 6 pounds, 4 ounces

Length: 19 inches

First Words: Yes (August 7, 2006), Momma (October 2, 2006), Pa (October 18,

2006)

Roll Over: March 25, 2006

Crawl: June 29, 2006

Steps: December 3, 2006

I smiled at all of the little milestones.

"Hey," Edward said, coming behind me.

"Hi."

"What are you looking at?" He peered over my shoulder and stared at the book.

"Vanessa's baby book."

"I wish I could have been there to see her grow."

I smiled and kissed his cheek. Sometimes he felt guilty and regretful that he had entered our lives later than he would have liked, even though he didn't know me. Strange vampire.

"So, I have a question. I'm curious. How did you find out about he wolves and the imprint?"

"Well, It wasn't a walk in the park that's for sure.

Vanessa was one year old. She and Jake had always been close. Then one day, he just disappeared. It was weird, but he was finishing up his senior year of high school, so I thought he was just stressed and busy.

"Momma?"

"Yeah, baby girl?" I was busy going over some bills, and not really paying attention.

'Are we going to see Jake soon?"

"I don't know."

"'Cause I miss him."

"I miss him too."

"Maybe Grampa can take me," she was babbling about seeing Jake.

"Maybe. You'll have to ask him."

"Ok, momma. Are we going to the store?"

"Yep, in just a few minutes. Why don't you get ready."

She ran off to get her shoes. She brought everything to me, and I helped her put it all on.

"I love you, momma."

I smiled. This was one of the many reasons I was so grateful for my baby. "I love you, too, Nessa."

We arrived at the small grocery store and started our shopping for the week. About twenty minutes into our trip, Vanessa spotted a very familiar man.

"Is that Jake?"

I looked up from the canned goods and saw a huge looking Jake. He had changed…a lot.

"Jake?"

He looked up, shocked. "Oh, hey Bella." He was awkward and uncomfortable.

"How is it going?"

"Good. I've been a little stressed, lately."

"I'm sure with senior way wrapping up."

"Yeah…" he laughed nervously.

"Jake!"

"Hey Nessa." He looked at my little girl and froze.

"I miss you. Are you gonna come play with me soon?"

"Um…yeah. Soon, I'll call your mommy and set up a plan."

"Ok." She smiled hugely, instantly happy that Jake had planned to come spend time with her.

"I gotta go. It was good see you girls.," he said shakily and walked away quickly. He was acting very strange.

"Ok, sweetie, let's finish up shopping."

Later that night, after I had put Vanessa to bed, I was reading a book, when I could hear some sniffling.

I got out of bed and headed down the hall to my daughter's bedroom.

"Ness?"

"Momma, it hurts," she whimpered.

My heart sank. Vanessa was a very healthy child, only being sick twice in her short life.

"What hurts, baby?" I asked, sliding onto her bed, next to her.

"Right here." She touched her chest above her heart.

"Come here." I pulled her into my arms and began rocking her back and forth.

"I want Jake."

Weird. The two of them had be close, but she had never asked for him with she didn't feel well. She either asked for me or her grampa Charlie.

"Ok, well, it's late. How about we wait until morning and call him."

"No, momma. I want, I want Jake now." She began sobbing. I felt so helpless for my daughter.

At this point Charlie had heard Vanessa and came to her room to investigate. "What's going on?"

"I don't know. Can you see if you can get a hold of Jake? She keeps asking for him. Maybe he can calm her down over the phone."

He nodded and went to the phone. I heard someone knocking on the door downstairs. Who was here this late at night?

A few minutes later, and very ragged looking Jake walked into Vanessa's room.

"Jake?"

"Hey, we need to talk." He held his arms out to hold Vanessa. She instantly calmed down once she was in his arms.

That night, the Swan family was introduced to a whole new world.

"It was definitely a shocking night."

Edward nodded. "Ok. I was just curious."

I smiled and kissed him. "I love you."

"I love you, too." He pulled me close to him squeezed tightly.

So this was a bit of a filler chapter with a lot of background. I thought maybe you'd like to see some of Bella and Vanessa's life. Also, Jake became a wolf very late. The friends that I refer to in an earlier chapter would be Sam, Jared, and Paul. The transformation took a while to make its way through the tribe because the Cullen's weren't there. Does that make sense? LOL. My goal is to have the next chapter out by July 15. If it is not out by then, feel free to harass me continuously until I update. :D Next chapter will have some more drama. I welcome any ideas and suggestions. Reviews make me happy.