Disclaimer. All publicly recognizable characters, settings etc., are the property of their respective owners. The original characters, ideas and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended. I only do this for fun.

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A/N: IMPORTANT: I'm sorry to announce that my Co Author, VampSaxAngel had to pull out of this story. However, if there is anyone who would like to take her place, please let me know and give me a sample of your writing or a link to one (a chapter from one of your own stories). I still have a lot left of this story to write since we are not even a quarter of the way done. I plan on this being a longer story. It is, after all a Renesmee/Jasper story and she hasn't even been born yet. I wanted to show what it was like for Jasper, Bella and the rest of the family during Bella's pregnancy first, plus what happens with the Volturi since that part is going to play a major role in the future.

If you have any questions or comments, post them in my reviews and I will answer them in my next Author's Note! We hope that you enjoy the story and look forward to reading your reviews!

PLEASE READ: At the bottom in the author's note, I have a question for all of my readers and I would like your input. So, please check it out! – Bella'Xo

Chapter 15
(Alice's POV)

Emmett and I made our way through the tree line back to the house after our hunt. Carlisle and Esme had decided to go into town for more donated human blood for Bella since the baby would be born very soon. They sent us back to the house with the extra animal blood for Rose, Edward and Jasper to feed since the three of them wouldn't leave Bella's side, each of them with their own reasons, and yet, Jasper's being the most surprising. We also were able to manage to get some donated blood from Seattle for Bella, but according to Carlisle, it won't be enough.

We slowed to a walk as we got closer to the house, thankful that we were able to get back within the perimeter that Jacob's pack was patrolling without any problems. Sure, there were a few times when we went out hunting the last time where I had to stop them from going a certain way, seeing that we would run across someone from Sam's pack, or that we would be close enough where they would stumble across our scent, leading them straight to us.

The trees began to thin out as we neared the clearing that was our yard, only for me to draw up short at the scent that hit my nose.

Leah.

The pain of her rejection hurt me more than I let on and I automatically reached up to grip my chest, a look of pain clearly tugging at my expression for all to see.

Emmett looked over at me, a helpless look in his eyes. I gave him a brave face and shook my head, forcing a small smile on to my lips, though I had a feeling that it was more of a grimace than a smile. "Don't worry about it." I assured him. "I'm fine."

He just shook his head, approaching me and took the rock sack that contained the other thermoses from my hands. "Go talk to her, Alice." He encouraged me.

I shook my head, "I couldn't. She hates me." I sighed.

Emmett began leading me in the direction of her scent, his hand on my lower back guiding me. "It doesn't hurt to try."

'Yes it does, more than you could know.' I thought to myself as I looked up at him and let out a resolved sigh, "fine." I agreed.

He smiled encouragingly, "That'a girl!" He said before disappearing in the direction of the house.

I turned and steeled myself with a deep breath and started to walk off towards where I knew the she-wolf would be resting during her break.

I broke through the trees to a petite clearing next to a small river, where she stood pacing the length of it. I could practically feel the anger dripping off of her as she moved with her fists clenched at her sides and tremors racking her fame.

Her head snapped in my direction the second that she sensed me, a growl ripping through her throat. "What are you doing here? Did you come to tell me off about how I treated Bella, too? I thought at least you would be on my side, if anyone."

I looked at her in confusion, "Huh? What do you mean?" I asked her.

She quirked a brow. "Do you mean to tell me that you don't know about what happened up at the house earlier today between me, Bella and your siblings?" The way she said the word made it sound like poison spewing from her lips.

I shook my head, "If any of you wolves were there, aside from you, of course, then I wouldn't have been able to see. Also, the same goes for when I am hunting and giving myself over to my instincts. Not to mention, I just got back and haven't been to the house yet." I shrugged, easing myself in to the clearing.

Leah just let out a huff and continued her pacing.

'I sure chose a rotten time to come and talk to her,' I thought to myself.

I watched Leah make a couple more passes before I finally spoke up, "So, what happened, anyway?"

"Nothing," she sneered.

I let out a sigh, "It sure doesn't look like nothing if it's getting you this worked up." I observed with a pause. "Seriously Leah, talk to me. Maybe I can help?"

She stopped her pacing and stared at me with a blank expression, yet in her eyes shone surprise. "Why do you care?" She asked genuinely curious.

I spoke as honestly as I could, making sure that she knew that I meant every word I spoke, "Because you're my mate, Leah. You may not have accepted our bond and may not want to, but that doesn't mean that I haven't and that means that when the times get tough or when you're having a hard time, I'm going to be there for you."

The only indication that Leah had heard and understood me was the way that her eyes slightly widened in surprise. It was obvious that she hadn't expected that answer from me, but I knew that she believed me because of the honesty that she had detected when I spoke.

She raked her hand through her short black hair, pushing it out of her face. "I don't understand how you can be like that towards me when I have been nothing but rotten to you and your family." She murmured.

A small smile tugged at my lips. "It's because I care about you. Like I said, I accept you the way you are and I understand that this must be hard for you in more ways than one. Who am I to hold it against you?"

Her eyes softened slightly and she tried to hold back a smile, but I could see the way that it pulled at her lips in the gentlest of ways. "You really want to know?" She asked quietly.

I nodded, "Yes, I want to know. I think it will make you feel better to talk it out."

Letting out a breath, she trudged over and sat down on a fallen tree near where I was standing. I shifted slightly before sitting down on that same tree, though I kept a distance between the two of us, knowing that she wouldn't be comfortable with my closeness quite yet.

Hopefully, that will change.

(Jacob's POV)

I sighed big as I thought about what Leah wanted from me, because I knew now that she was going to get it. I was still pissed at her, but I couldn't ignore the fact that I could make her life easier and that once she was away from Alice, she would see that she belonged with her and to finally give in to the imprinting.

I thought of the hunt this morning, and how close our minds had been for that one moment in time. It hadn't been a bad thing. Different. A little scary, a little awkward. But also nice in a weird way. I didn't have to be alone for at least a little while.

It made me tired to think about it all. I felt like I was staring out across an ocean that I was going to have to swim from shore to shore before I could rest again.

So much time coming, and then so little time before it started. Before I was flung into that ocean. Three and a half more days, and here I was, wasting that little bit of time I had.

I started driving too fast again.

I saw Sam and Jared, one on either side of the road like sentinels, as I raced up the road toward Forks. They were well hidden in the thick branches, but I was expecting them, and I knew what to look for. I nodded as I blew past them, not bothering to wonder what they made of my day trip.

I nodded to Seth, too, as I cruised up the Cullens' driveway. It was starting to get dark, and the clouds were thick on this side of the sound, but I saw their eyes glitter in the glow of the headlights. I would explain to him and Leah later. There'd be plenty of time for that.

It was a surprise to find Edward waiting for me in the garage. I hadn't seen him away from Bella in days, though, the blonde scarred leech was way worse on that scale. I could tell from his face that nothing bad had happened to her. In fact, he looked more peaceful than before. My stomach tightened as I remembered where that peace came from.

It was too bad that – with all my brooding – I'd forgotten to wreck the car. Oh well. I probably wouldn't have been able to stand hurting this car, anyway. Maybe he'd guessed as much, and that's why he'd lent it to me in the first place.

"A few things, Jacob," he said as soon as I cut the engine.

I took a deep breath and held it for a minute. Then, slowly, I got out of the car and threw the keys to him.

"Thanks for the loan," I said sourly. Apparently, it would have to be repaid. "What do you want now?"

"Firstly… I know how averse you are to using your authority with your pack, but…"

I blinked, astonished that he would even dream of starting in on this one. "What?"

"If you can't or won't control Leah, then I -"

"Leah?" I interrupted, speaking through my teeth. "What happened?"

Edward's face was hard. "She came up to see why you'd left so abruptly. I tried to explain. I suppose it might not have come out right."

"What did she do?"

"She phased to her human form and -"

"Really?" I interrupted again, shocked this time. I couldn't process that. Leah letting her guard down right in the mouth of the enemy's lair?

"She wanted to… speak to Bella,"

"To Bella?"

Edward got all hissy then. "I won't let Bella be upset like that again. I don't care how justified Leah thinks she is or what she's going through with Alice! I didn't hurt her – of course I wouldn't – but I'll throw her out of the house if it happens again. It was hard enough keeping Jasper from attacking her on the spot. I'll launch her right across the river -"

"Hold on. What did she say?" None of this was making any sense.

Edward took a breath, composing himself. "Leah was unnecessarily harsh. I'm not going to pretend that I understand why Bella has never been able to let you go, but I do know that she does not behave this way to hurt you. She suffers a great deal over the pain she's inflicting on you, and on me, and now seemingly on Jasper, too, by asking you to stay."

"Yeah, what's up with that, anyway – the thing between her and Jas -"

Edward held his hand up to stop me, "I don't know and I can't understand it. Since Bella's pregnancy started and we arrived back from our honeymoon, they have become quite attached and can't seem to control their need to be around each other. Carlisle and I have several hypothesis, but it's almost as if they were… never mind. That's not important right now." Edward back tracked. "What Leah said was uncalled for. Bella's been crying -"

"Wait – Leah was yelling at Bella about me?"

He nodded one sharp nod. "You were quite vehemently championed."

Whoa. "I didn't ask her to do that."

"I know."

I rolled my eyes. Of course, he knew. He knew everything.

But that was really something about Leah. Who would have believed it? Leah walking into the bloodsuckers' place human to complain about how I was being treated.

"I can't promise to control Leah," I told him. "I won't do that. But I'll talk to her, okay? And I don't think there'll be a repeat. Leah's not one to hold back, so she probably got it all off her chest today."

"I would say so."

"Anyway, I'll talk to Bella about it, too. She doesn't need to feel bad. This one's on me."

"I already told her that."

"Of course you did. Is she okay?"

"She's sleeping now. Jasper is with her. Rose went upstairs to talk with Emmett since he just got back."

So the psycho was 'Rose' now. He'd completely crossed over to the dark side.

He ignored that thought, continuing with a couple more answers to my question. "She's… better in some ways. Aside from Leah's tirade and the resulting guilt."

Better. Because Edward was hearing the monster better and everything was all lovey-dovey now. Fantastic.

"It's a bit more than that," he murmured. "Now that I can make out the child's thoughts better, it's apparent that he or she has remarkably developed mental facilities. I learned that he can understand us, to an extent."

My mouth fell open. "Are you serious?"

"Yes. He seems to have a vague sense of what hurts her now. He's trying to avoid that, as much as possible. He… loves her. Already."

I stared at Edward, feeling sort of like my eyes might pop out of their sockets. Underneath that disbelief, I could see right away that this was the critical factor. This was what had changed Edward – that the monster had convinced him of this love. He couldn't hate what loved Bella. It was probably why he couldn't hate me either. There was a big difference, though. I wasn't killing her.

Edward went on, acting like he hadn't heard all that. "The progress, I believe, is more than we'd judged. When Carlisle returns -"

"They're not back?" I cut in sharply. "I thought you said they're back?" I thought of Sam and Jared, watching the road. Would they get curious as to what was going on?

"Alice and Emmett are. Carlisle sent all the human blood he was able to acquire, as well as some thermosed animal blood for Rose, Jasper and myself. But it wasn't as much as he was hoping for – Bella will use up this supply of human blood in another day the way her appetite has grown. Carlisle stayed to try another source. I don't think that's necessary now, but he wants to be covered for any eventuality."

"Why isn't it necessary? If she needs more?"

I could tell he was watching and listening to my reaction carefully as he explained. "I'm trying to persuade Carlisle to deliver the baby as soon as he is back."

"What?"

"The child seems to be attempting to avoid rough movements, but it's difficult. He's become too big. It's madness to wait, when he's clearly developed beyond what Carlisle had guessed. Bella's too fragile to delay."

I kept getting my legs knocked out from under me. First, counting on Edward's hatred for the thing so much. No, I'd realized that I thought of those four days as a sure thing. I'd banked on them.

The endless ocean of grief that waited stretched out before me. I tried to catch my breath.

Edward waited. I stared at his face while I recovered, recognizing another change there.

"You think she's going to make it." I whispered.

"Yes. That was the other thing I wanted to talk to you about." I couldn't say anything. After a minute, he went on. "Yes," he said again. "Waiting, as we have been, for the child to be ready, that was insanely dangerous. At any moment it could have been too late. But if we're proactive about this, if we act quickly, I see no reason why it should not go well. Knowing the child's mind is unbelievably helpful. Thankfully, Bella, Rose and Jasper agree with me. Now that I've convinced them it's safe for the child if we proceed, there's nothing to keep this from working."

"When will Carlisle be back?" I asked, still whispering. I hadn't got my breath back yet.

"By noon tomorrow."

My knees buckled. I had to grab the car to hold myself up. Edward reached out like he was offering support, but then he thought better of it and dropped his hands.

"I'm sorry," he whispered. "I am truly sorry for the pain this causes you, Jacob. Though you hate me, I must admit that I don't feel the same about you. I think of you as a… a brother in many ways. A comrade in arms, at the very least. I regret your suffering more than you realize. But Bella is going to survive" – when he said that his voice was fierce, even violent – "and I know that's what really matters to you."

He was probably right. It was hard to tell. My head was spinning.

"So I hate to do this now, while you're already dealing with too much, but, clearly, there is little time. I have to ask you for something – to beg, if I must."

"I don't have anything left," I choked out.

He lifted his hand again, as if to put it on my shoulder, but then let if drop like before and sighed. "I know how much you have given," he said quietly. "But this is something you do have, and only you. I'm asking this of the true Alpha, Jacob. I'm asking this of Ephraim's heir."

I was way past being able to respond.

"I want your permission to deviate from what we agreed to in our treaty with Ephraim. I want you to grant us an exception. I want your permission to save her life. You know I'll do it anyway, but I don't want to break faith with you if there is any way to avoid it. We never intended to go back on our word, and we don't do it lightly now. I want your understanding, Jacob, because you know exactly why we do this. I want the alliance between our families to survive when this is over."

I tried to swallow. 'Sam,' I thought. 'It's Sam you want.'

"No. Sam's authority is assumed. It belongs to you. You'll never take it from him, but no one can rightfully agree to what I'm asking except for you."

'It's not my decision.'

It is, Jacob, and you know it. Your word on this will condemn us or absolve us. Only you can give this to me."

I can't think. I don't know.

"We don't have much time." He glanced back toward the house.

No, there was no time. My few days had become a few hours.

'I don't know. Let me think. Just give me a minute here, okay?

"Yes."

I started walking to the house, and he followed. Crazy how easy it was, walking through the dark with a vampire right beside me. It didn't feel unsafe, or even uncomfortable, really. It felt like walking next to anybody. Well, anybody who smelled bad.

There was a movement in the brush at the edge of the big lawn, and then a low whimper. Seth shrugged through the ferns and loped over to us.

"Hey kid," I muttered.

He dipped his head, and I patted his shoulder.

"S'all cool," I lied. "I'll tell you about it later. Sorry to take off on you like that."

He grinned at me.

"Hey, tell your sister to back off now, okay? Enough."

Seth nodded one.

I shoved against his shoulder this time. "Get back to work. I'll spell you in a bit."

Seth leaned against me, shoving back, and then he galloped into the trees.

"He has one of the purest, sincerest, kindest minds I've ever heard." Edward murmured when he was out of sight. "You're lucky to have his thoughts to share."

"I know that," I grunted.

We started toward the house, and both of our heads snapped up when we heard the sound of someone sucking through a straw. Edward was in a hurry then. He darted up the porch steps and was gone.

IMPORTANT A/N (please read the whole thing): And there you have it! First, I would like to remind everyone that Jacob is still in love with Bella and she still has feelings for him as she did before getting pregnant in both the books and movies, but as you can see, there is not that 'need' that Jasper and Bella have in this story anymore.

I have some questions for my readers and I would like your input regarding what route I'm going to take in this story. I will, of course, make the ultimate decision, but in the meantime, I would like to hear your thoughts. If one idea is the most popular, then I will integrate it into the story.

Will Bella survive giving birth and stay human?

Yes

No

Who do you think Jacob's imprint should be? And who?

A vampire

A human

A new shape shifter (OC)

Please post your choices in the reviews and I will check them out and take them into consideration regarding the future chapters!

Finally, if you would like to take VampSaxAngel's place as my new co author, PM me and let me know, as well as provide me with a sample of your writing or link to a chapter to one of your stories. Thank you!

If you have any questions or comments, post them in my reviews and I will answer them in my next Author's Note!

tayaboo72: Love this story but I'm confused if this is a Jasper and Renesmee story what's Jacob's problem and why is Bella acting that way towards Jacob like he's going imprint on the baby?! What if Bella is having twin girls I think that's the only explanation that I can think of as to why Bella wants Jacob around more than usual. But great chapter and story update soon

Bellisma: Thanks for the review! To answer your question, they actually aren't acting 'weird' or any different than they had acted previous to her pregnancy in the previous books or movies. Jacob is in love with Bella to the point of almost obsession. Bella is in love with him too, but not nearly as much since she loves Edward more. Now, he is also her best friend. But if you notice, Bella and Jacob don't have that 'need' to be near each other, that instant love that they can't explain, yet know is wrong, like Jasper and Bella have. Jacob doesn't have that instinctual desire to be near her and protect her and her decisions like Jasper does. So, when it comes down to it, it's just the love that they've always felt and that best friend feeling of wanting all of the people you care about to be around. I hope this helps break it down a bit!

To see more, go to my page: Xo Bella Italiana oX

If you enjoyed this story so far, check out some of my other stories on my FanFiction page! Also, I am still accepting Stories that need beta'ing. I will accept OC characters as well as other Fan Fiction stories aside from Twilight depending on the other lead character. PM me for details!
- Bellisma -
Xo Bella Italiana oX