Well, here it is. The improved, and finished, The Pregnancy Project. Special thanks to AnneValkyria and GeezerWench for betaing this beast for me. Typical disclaimer: Not mine, not money, etc., etc. This story is posted on other sites. Enjoy!

Chapter 1

"Hello, class." Ms. Simmons entered the classroom carrying a stack of papers. "I hope you had a good spring break. As soon as everybody takes their seats, I can start introducing what we will be working on for the next seven weeks." She paused, waiting until her students sat quietly at their desks, then she continued, "For this project we are going to immerse ourselves into the lives of teenage parents. On Friday, the girls will each receive one of these delightful devices," she held up a tan suit for inspection. It looked similar to a tack vest military and law enforcers wore, but there was a low neckline for the bosom area, then a protruding belly, "and for three weeks, you will experience what it feels like to be nine months pregnant." Gasps and muted curses sounded throughout the room. She held up her hand and waited for the chatter to die down. "The guys are not going to get away from this part. They will be 'pregnant' for a whole day."

She held up a composition book. "Each one of you will get one of these. You will start with an introduction of yourself. Who you are, your home situation, your dreams of the future. Next, you'll tell how you meet your baby mama or daddy. The time of conception is Fourth of July weekend. Without getting graphic, describe what happened, what circumstances led to intercourse, etcetera. When it comes to finding out about the pregnancy, let's say mid- to late August, early September, what were your and your partner's thoughts and feelings. How did your parents react? I want you to catalogue the full nine months. In the handouts for today, there is a list of what is common for each month. Use it. The great thing about these devices is that it simulates a baby's movements. You'll feel it, not only on the belly, but also against your own stomach as well."

She began passing out papers. "At the end of the three weeks, you'll be issued your baby. On one of these forms I want you to fill out what you would prefer; a boy or a girl, hair and eye color, ethnicity and so on. I need these before the end of class." Ms. Simmons walked back to her desk and faced the class. "A fair warning, someone here will be leaving with twins." She paused to make sure everyone was paying attention. "There is only one rule: You must wear the suits at all times, except for a 30-minute window for showers. The suit works the same way as a computer, it registers when you wear it, and if you have it off longer it will reflect on your grade. This whole project counts for 60% of your grade for the semester."

Lauren Mallory raised her hand. "What about prom, Ms. Simmons? According to this, we'll still have those things during prom."

Ms. Simmons nodded, "Yes, I'll make an exception for that night, but only for a couple of hours. But, if you do wear your belly to the prom, you'll get extra credit." An idea came to her and she paused for a moment, thinking it through before presenting it to the girls. "If you don't have a dress yet, I would recommend one in an empire style, that way you can take off the belly. This way you can have two pictures, one with it and one without.

"Ladies, tomorrow I want you to be prepared for some online shopping. Your regular clothes won't fit the bellies, so you'll need to order maternity clothes. You will need two full outfits for starters; shirts, pants, and don't forget underwear. I suggest you go shopping for the rest over the weekend. Remember, you need enough to last you three weeks."

"What about our 'partner'?" a girl named Alice asked.

"Whoever you wish. Their identity will only be in your book. That will be our secret."

Bella stared at the paper for the baby. She didn't care what sex it was; boy or girl, either was fine with her. Black hair, brown eyes. Ethnicity? The bell rang, signaling the end of class. She quickly wrote Native before gathering her books. Her cousin grabbed up her wish list on his way out of the room to turn it into the teacher. Once in the hall, he glanced down at her before shoulder checking her.

"What?" she asked.

"Was there anyone in mind when you chose ethnicity?" he asked curiously.

"No. I know everyone else in our class will choose a baby to look like them." She looked up at him. "Even you. You chose a baby with black hair, blue eyes and dimples, didn't you?"

"Of course. Who doesn't want their kid to look like them? You, obviously."

"Hey guys," Jasper drawled as he met them at the door to the cafeteria. "So, Pete said he'll be home in three weeks."

"So, he'll-"

"Yes, Emmett. He'll be your date to the prom." He rolled his eyes then winked at Bella, making her giggle.

Emmett frowned. "Nooo. I'm going stag. Peter's my partner in crime." He changed the subject. "Jas, tell her it's normal to want your kid to look you."

"Of course. Its human nature to want a 'mini-me'. That a part of you will live forever."

"And if someone picked a baby that didn't look like them?"

"Then they have somebody particular in mind."

"Ha! See. I will figure it out, Bells."

It was her turn to roll her eyes. "Just drop it, Em."

"Can't. You got me intrigued now. You working tonight?" he asked, abruptly changing the subject.

"No. I'm back on Tuesday, Thursdays, and half days on Saturday."

They finally sat at their normal table. Their friends slowly trickled in. "So. La Push on Friday?" Emmett asked.

"Eww, no," Alice whined. "We'll have the bellies by then. I'm not leaving the house at all for the next three weeks. Unless it's for school."

Angela, Bella and Jane gave each other skeptical looks. "Not even to shop?" Jane queried.

Alice paused. "Well. . ."

"We have to have at least three weeks' worth of outfits," Angela prompted.

Alice turned to the other girls. "Who's up for a trip to the mall on Sunday?"

"Count me in," Rosalie said.

"I'll go," Tanya volunteered. "Katie?"

Kate shook her head. "I've got to work."

"Lauren? Jessica?" Alice asked.

Lauren shrugged. "Why not? Count us in."

"And La Push?" Emmett probed. "Right now, it's just me and Bells."

Jasper tried to talk around a mouthful of burger, but soon gave up and settled for a raised hand.

"We'll go," Ben said, answering for both himself and Angie, his girlfriend.

Edward wrinkled his nose. "What's the big deal about La Push anyway?"

"It's our aunt's birthday," Bella mumbled before turning back to her conversation with Angela and Jane.

**TPP**

Later that night Bella started at the blank page in the journal. Her home life, her dreams, who she was. After a moment, she put pen to paper.

Introduction

I was born Isabella Marie Swan, but I like to go by Bella. I live with my father, my great-aunt Maggie, and my cousin Emmett. My dad is Charlie Swan, Chief of Police here in our fair hamlet. My parents divorced when I was young. Mom, one Renee Swan Dwyer, took me and left before their second anniversary. Before I turned five, I was back living with my father. The way that my parents tell it, my mother couldn't afford to work, pay for utilities and food, along with daycare. My dad had the support system in Forks that she didn't. I spend two weeks every summer with Mom; every year we go to a different location.

When I was 10, tragedy after tragedy struck our family. Two of my cousins and my uncle died in a fishing accident. Emmett's mother left. No note or anything. My aunt Maggie, Emmett's grandmother, fell and broke her leg. It was hard for her to keep up with me and Emmett, so a family friend from La Push came and got us after school. During one rainy day, she was in a wreck with a logging truck. She didn't make it. Our Aunt Molly started to come and get us after that. We basically lived in La Push for the next year.

When Emmett and I started high school, Aunt Maggie was diagnosis with Alzheimer's. After a few incidents where deputies had to call Dad and have him bring her home, it was decided that they would move in with us. It's hard on us all. She often calls Emmett Tucker, his dad's name. I'm either Molly or Helen, my grandmother. Dad is Geoffrey, his dad. We just go with it. We don't ever correct her or say "remember?" It just confuses her.

My dream is to have a home cooking business. I would cook and prepare dinners for one person or family for a week. All they would have to do is heat it up. I'd like to study to become a Nutritionist, but I would also like to get a degree in Business Management. Dad suggested culinary school. Um, no. I know it would help, but I have the recipes from two generations of Swan women, plus from several of our Quileute friends. I know how to cook and bake. I want to make sure I know how to run it, hence Business Management. The Nutritionist degree is for the people who have special needs, such as diabetes.

As for a wedded bliss, I'm not sure. I see my parents' failed marriage, and it makes me question the institution. But then I see our friends and family - Aunt Molly and Uncle Quil, the Clearwaters, and the Blacks. They have over twenty years together. I want that. I want a love that seems to transcend death.