Sulpicia's POV

'I'm sorry Aro, but I'm sure you will understand, that I really must admit to some confusion.' I could hear Carlisle's voice as it preceded him and my husband up the stairway.

'All in good time, have patience my dear friend.' was my husband's perky reply

I chuckled, even as Athenodora grimaced beside me. I could only imagine just how confused our dear friend was right now. He had once lived with us, but had chosen to go his own way, having been unable to sway us towards his strange, twisted, dietary preferences. For Aro to have demanded his presence so abruptly, after such a long period of estrangement, would have been quite a shock. And the trigger to quite an array of suspicions no doubt.

Not content for him to come alone, Carlisle's wife and 'children' – I smirked at the mere thought of the word – had insisted upon accompanying him. They, however, remained below.

Few were allowed to ascend the stairs of my tower.

Suddenly the door to my chamber was pushed open and four of the guard entered, followed closely by my husband and Carlisle. The latter remained in the doorway, frozen in shock. I followed his gaze toward the sickly woman who lay upon my bed, heavily pregnant with my child.

'Aro,' Carlisle whispered, his voice brimming with disapproval 'what have you done?'

My beloved smiled, and I with him. 'Why, I have simply given my darling Sulpicia her heart's desire'

'So you kidnapped a pregnant woman with the intent of murdering her and kidnapping her child!?'

The guards tensed and Athenodora hissed, but I waived their objections to Carlisle's rudeness aside. Nothing could fowl my mood.

'Of course not Carlisle!' I corrected 'Surely you understand that a human child could never survive in a place such as this!'

'Then why...?' He gestured toward the bed.

'We neither intend to murder her, nor kidnap the child' I answered smugly 'Of course, she will undoubtedly die as a result of the pregnancy, but then it will only be proper for the child to remain with its biological farther' I finished, inclining my head towards my husband.

'Are you aware, Carlisle,' Aro continued 'Of the myths involving the incubus?'

Realization finally dawned in Carlisle's eyes, followed closely by fascination, incredulity and revulsion.

'Why should I want a child not begot of my Lord?' I questioned. Carlisle just shook his head. No doubt the human lover was more concerned with the welfare of the woman carrying my child. Truly, he had a strange view of the world.

The doctor seemed to struggle with himself for a while. Most likely trying to formulate an argument which would reach our ears. I smiled at the very thought, nothing could dissuade me from my course.

'But....the child will be like nothing ever before it in all of creation. Surely that is a large risk to take...'

'And where better to take it than here?' interrupted Aro cheerfully 'Where there will be more than enough vampires present to deal with any problems that may arise. Surely you can see that it was only a matter of time until someone thought to try this. Indeed, these very actions may one day overt a catastrophe'

'Naturally, the child will never leave the castle,' I added, pleased with the excuse to keep my most precious treasure forever by my side.

Carlisle sighed in defeat 'clearly you have thought this through'

'Oh yes indeed!' enthused Aro 'The only question left remaining, my friend, is whether or not you will help us.'

Carlisle cocked an eyebrow.

'Oh come now Carlisle! You said yourself, that the child will be like nothing we've ever seen before. Surely you must realize the difficulties that will arise in trying to understand such a being. Half human, half vampire. And her you stand, the only doctor in the world, well versed in both the natures of vampire and human kind. It is only natural that we ask you for help!'

'-you can't honestly expect me to willingly take a part in this can you Aro?'

'Indeed I can my friend. Think of the child, it has done no wrong. Would you subject it to the harm that could be fall it simply because it was not properly understood? Would you allow that to happen knowing you could prevent it?'Aro paused to take Carlisle's hand and smiled 'No. I didn't think you would.' The proof of Carlisle's thoughts was hardly necessary. We had all known how he would react to such an argument; his iron morals made him pathetically predictable.

Carlisle sighed. 'I hope you realize that there is no way I will be able to keep this from Edward.'

Aro's face lit up at Carlisle's resignation 'Of course, of course. By all means inform your family!' I hissed. Catching onto my mood he continued hurriedly 'Although, if anyone else were to find out about this I would be most displeased....'