I gave Bella a genuine smile. Times like this, I remembered why I liked her. She seemed to be taking this surprisingly well. I'd sort of half-expected tears and anger, especially given her condition.
I glanced over at Leah. She was wearing a smug expression that ticked me off a little bit, to be honest. She could at least try to be understanding. Then she turned to face me, and her expression was full of admiration. I softened a little bit. Leah was...Leah. She didn't pretend to feel anything she didn't actually feel. She was probably the most honest person I knew. If she felt smug that she had me and Bella didn't, she would show it. That was just the way she was. And I found that I didn't want her to give up that bare-faced honesty. If she wasn't so impulsive, she wouldn't be Leah. And Leah was who I was in love with.
"Thanks, Bella." I said, turning back to the woman on the bed. "I'm glad you understand."
Edward:
I heard Jacob's thoughts loud and clear and as much as I hated to admit it, he was right. We needed every ally we could get, and if one of them happened to be a raging bitch...well, that was a small price to pay for her werewolf powers. Even so, I didn't like the way she looked at Bella and I. Her contempt for us was utterly apparent, even without reading her thoughts. And her smugness at having Jacob while Bella did not was equally evident. My emotions were already raw from dealing with Bella and her pregnancy, and I knew that if Leah pushed things, my temper might very well snap.
But Bella was obviously trying to keep the peace. For her sake, I would try to do the same.
I took a deep breath, counted to ten. Then I spoke. "I appreciate you two coming to us with this." I said in as civil a tone as I could manage. "And I'm grateful that you are going to continue to stand with us." I turned to Leah. "I apologize for my outburst," I said grudgingly. "You are a valuable ally. And if Bella wishes you happiness, I do the same."
I was trying very hard not to look into Leah's thoughts. Judging by the expression she wore, I knew they would only anger me.