Jasmine Pearl Chapter 1: Thanksgiving, a twilight fanfic

Disclaimer: While the attempt has been made to be medically accurate, some artistic license has been taken, and statements made by Dr John Uley are not to be regarded as authoritative.

Do not post without permission. Do not copy/print without including the above disclaimer in its entirety.

A/N: I had originally intended "Choices" to be my last Twilight story (chronologically); I liked the final scene as a series ending (though I don't think the writing did justice to the picture in my mind!). But then I started thinking about Winnie's children, and I couldn't resist! Oh, well; I like my current last story (which I'll be posting after this one) as an ending, too. Barbie

Chapter One: Thanksgiving

November 2047

Carl three, Esme Renée six months

Winnie

I fastened Esme Renée into her car seat and straightened slowly, clinging to the door as I fought off a wave of lightheadedness. I had been feeling lightheaded since yesterday morning, and it seemed to be getting worse.

Getting into the front seat, I reclined it slightly and leaned back, closing my eyes.

I felt Justin's eyes on me as he got into the driver's seat. "Are you feeling all right, Winnie?"

"Yes…just tired."

"Are you sure? You look pale."

"Yes. I'll sleep on the way up; I'll be fine."

It wasn't that I wanted to deceive Justin. But I knew if he knew how I felt, he would insist on staying home, and I needed to go to La Push. I still wasn't fully comfortable trusting myself to the care of a doctor who didn't know what I was; didn't have access to Uncle Carlisle's research on vampire-human hybrids. With some misgivings, I had gone to a normal human doctor for routine physicals and my prenatal checkups. But I knew if he found anything wrong, I would insist on seeing John Uley for a second opinion.

For a three-year-old, Carl did amazingly well on long car trips. He babbled constantly, sometimes directing his remarks to Justin or me, but mostly beginning them, "Look, Renée…" His mission in life seemed to be to show his baby sister everything.

Esme Renée gurgled and laughed in response to her brother's chatter; already I was sure she adored him.

I really did fall asleep, or almost; I was roused by the touch of Justin's hand on mine. "Winnie? We're here."

"Oh…" I sat up slowly, glancing across the street as I got out of the car. To my relief, John's dark blue SUV was parked beside the curb. If we hadn't been coming anyway, I probably would have called him today.

I moved to get Esme Renée out of her car seat as Justin unbuckled Carl and helped him down. Carl ran ahead while Justin waited for me to make my way to his side.

In the flurry of greeting, I willingly handed Esme Renée into the first pair of arms that reached for her. If I fainted, which was feeling increasingly likely, I didn't want to do it holding the baby.

My murmured question about John Uley brought a laughing response that he was hanging around the dining room. I thought vaguely that it wasn't Uncle Seth; he wasn't a werewolf, so why were they teasing about him wanting dinner?

I found him standing at the big picture window, his hands tucked in his back pockets. "John?"

He turned toward me as I made my way to his side. "Hello, Winnie." He frowned as I got closer. "Winnie, are you feeling all right?"

I reached to grip his arm. "No. My head…it's… John!"

"Winnie!" His voice was the last thing I heard as blackness washed over me.

oOo

I woke lying on a sofa, John's concerned face bending over me. His fingers were pressed to my pulse, his stethoscope draped around his neck. Justin hovered anxiously in the background. "She's coming around," John said quietly. "Winnie, can you hear me?"

"Yes," I breathed. I swallowed hard, clutching desperately at his hand. "John — I'm going to be sick!"

"Justin, hand me that wastebasket," John ordered in a low voice. He pulled me to lean over it, holding my head as I retched violently and vomited into the papers the wastebasket held.

"Easy, Winnie," John soothed as my stomach clenched again, giving back everything it held. "Just take it easy. Are you done?"

I nodded breathlessly, and John eased me back down. "Justin, put this outside and bring a glass of water." He picked up a damp washcloth that was lying on the end table and gently sponged my face.

"Here," Justin said, hurrying back into the room with the glass of water.

"Thanks. Here, Winnie; just sip."

"What's wrong with her, Uley?" Justin demanded.

"Take it easy; give me a chance to check her over. Winnie, before you fainted, you were telling me that you felt…?"

"Lightheaded."

"How long had you been feeling that way?"

"Since yesterday morning…it was getting worse."

"You told me you felt 'fine,' Winnie!" Justin growled.

Tears stung my eyes. "I had to — I had to see John!"

"We have doctors in Port Angeles, Winnie," Justin said almost harshly.

"Justin, calm down or leave the room," John ordered quietly. "Upsetting her now isn't helping."

Justin bit his lip and turned away.

"How are you feeling now, Winnie?"

I swallowed. "Thirsty," I whispered.

He reached for the glass of water he had set on the end table, but I shook my head, desperate to make him understand. "No, John, I'm thirsty."

Understanding kindled in his eyes. "Ah. Am I in any danger, Winnie?" He had dropped his voice; Justin couldn't possibly have heard.

"No," I whispered. I didn't think the level of thirst was even as strong as what my vampire relatives lived with every day, but it was more than I was used to feeling.

"Are you still feeling lightheaded?"

"Um." I sat up cautiously, John's hand at my arm. "Yes…a little." I lay back down, and John turned to get something from his bag.

"I think she's anemic," he explained quietly. "I'm giving her an iron supplement for now; I want her in the clinic first thing tomorrow for a full medical workup." We were planning to stay the night here; Justin preferred not making the hour-long drive twice in one day.

Justin crossed his arms, his eyes cold. "Thanks, Uley, but I think we'll head home tonight and see a doctor in Port Angeles tomorrow."

I whimpered softly, and John laid his fingers reassuringly over mine. "I'm fully capable, Justin…Indian or not."

Justin flushed. "It isn't that. But this little clinic doesn't compare to a state-of-the-art hospital."

"I have full hospital privileges in Forks and Port Angeles, if she needs it. Besides, you don't even know for sure that you could get her seen tomorrow…not unless you take her to the emergency room. It's far simpler — and more restful for her — just to let me check her at the clinic tomorrow."

Justin sighed. "Is that what you want, Winnie?"

I nodded.

"All right. We'll do it your way."

There was a light tap on the door, and John went to open it. Aunt Mandy stood there, my son in her arms. "Is she awake?" she asked quietly. "Carl's asking for her."

"Yes; come in." John hadn't smelled what I could; blood.

Aunt Mandy set Carl down, and he ran toward me. "Mommy, I scrapeted my knee. Kiss it an' make it better!"

I blinked; faster than I had thought humanly possible, John was standing between me and Carl. He reached to pick my little son up. "Mommy can't kiss your knee right now, Carl. Why don't you let Uncle John put a nice bandage on it for you?"

"Then Mommy kiss it?" Carl asked anxiously.

John glanced at me. "We'll see." Turning, he carried Carl out of the room.

Of course, I wouldn't have hurt my son…I wouldn't. But I appreciated John's caution; his unwillingness to let an admittedly thirsty quarter-vampire kiss a bleeding wound. So much for choosing humanity, I thought vaguely. I could ignore my heritage, try to deny it…but it was still there.

oOo

Neither John nor Justin wanted to let me join the family around the big dining room table. But I was so disappointed that John compromised, having Uncle Seth carry me down to the sofa they pushed into the doorway. John brought me a plate of carefully selected food, and I frowned at it. "No turkey?"

John shook his head. "Sorry, Winnie; I don't think you'd better."

"John, I've been looking forward to a turkey dinner for a week," I begged. "Just a little piece?"

"Winnie, you were quite violently sick. I realize it was likely a reaction to having fainted, but I still don't want to risk having you eat anything too heavy. You can have leftover turkey heated up tomorrow."

"Right. Like there's going to be any leftovers with Uncle Seth around."

Aunt Mandy jumped up. "I'll put some aside for you right now, Winnie. Seth, don't you dare come down at midnight and make a sandwich of it!"

Uncle Seth laughed, and I smiled. "Thanks, Aunt Mandy." She really was my actual aunt; Dad's younger sister — though by now she looked older than he did. But we children of the wolves referred to most of the pack members and their mates as uncle and aunt anyway.

John kept an eye on me as he ate, making sure I wasn't pushing myself too much. He allowed me only a small sliver of apple pie for dessert, though I insisted my stomach felt fine; I was actually hungry. "Take it easy for today," was all he would say.

Before leaving that evening, he brought his supplies in and drew a sample of my blood. "I'll drop it by the lab in Forks; I should have the results by the time you come in tomorrow." He hesitated a second before putting the needle in my arm. "Maybe you should hold your breath a minute, Winnie…"

"I'm fine." But I breathed through my mouth, and stared fascinated at the vial of red blood, swallowing a sudden pool of liquid in my mouth. John quickly secreted the vial out of sight in his bag.

"Winnie. Whatever you do, don't bite yourself. At any time tonight, if you feel the thirst is getting to be more than you can stand, call me and I'll find a way to get you some blood…maybe Uncle Seth would be willing to donate." His eyes twinkled.

I smiled slightly. Getting Uncle Seth to donate would be the easy part; it would be keeping what we were doing from Justin that would be more difficult. But I was sure John would find a way if he had to. "I'll be all right," I insisted.

"Well, I'll be getting this to the lab, then, and see you in the morning."

"Nine o'clock, right?" Justin confirmed.

"Yes. Take care, Winnie. Good night!"

Next chapter coming next week!

A/N: See my profile for the explanation of Aunt Mandy's relationship to Jacob. John Uley is Sam Uley's son; I tell a little of his story in "Veterinarian." Barbie.

I proofread all my stories at least once before posting, but if you see any mistakes I might have missed, please let me know!

Please note that I have internet access only once a week, and may not have time to respond to all reviews/messages. If you have questions regarding my Twilight alternate history, check my profile first to see if they're answered there. Thanks for your understanding! Barbie