author's note: The story takes place around chapter ten of Book Two of Breaking Dawn. I'd recommend you re-read or at least skim chapters eight, nine, and ten of said book, but I won't force you. I'll try to explain everything to the best of my ability. Will be Jacob/Bella/Edward, don't like, don't read.
background information: This story is alternate universe from about halfway through BD. When Edward suggests Jacob talk to Bella about aborting her 'monster spawn' and having Jacob's child instead, Bella says yes. I promise this won't be pointless fluff or smut, rather, it will be a Team Switzeland supporter's reflection on the E/B/J relationship. Also, as Perfect!Renesmee is never born, the final battle goes a bit differently...
disclaimed.
-s a v i n g-
d a w n; --
{prelude}
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"'Why would I want to have some stranger's baby? I suppose it just doesn't make a difference? Any baby will do?'
"'I didn't mean that. Not a stranger...'
"'Not a stranger? What exactly did Edward say to you?'
"'Nothing. He just thought you might listen to me.'
"'Not that. About trying again.'
"'Nothing.'
"'Wow.'"
--
Taken from page 196 of Breaking Dawn, copyright Stephenie Meyer.
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Jacob couldn't peel his eyes away when realization donned on her beautiful features. It killed him how pretty she was, even spotted with bruises and paler than she'd ever been. Wrapped in a blanket, he watched far too closely as her chocolate brown eyes widened into saucers.
"Oh, wow," she repeated after a beat. Bella raked her fingers, the nails long and purplish, through her messy tangles of dark hair. Beautiful Bella, even then. "I can't believe..."
"Neither could I," Jacob admitted, adding a one-shoulder shrug. "Not at first." His large hands, rough and calloused, rubbed along her legs, warming her up. He took a quiet pleasure when she shivered from the sudden warmth. "I got used to it, though. Isn't that what you always wanted? 'Your whole family'?"
She answered the unspoken question so silently, Jacob could hardly hear it. Even with his enhanced hearing, he breathlessly asked her to repeat, pleasegodbella, repeat?
"Okay," she affirmed, nodding her head. Her brown eyes bore holes, like a laser beam, into the expensive-looking carpet. She couldn't stand to meet his gaze. For she knew it would be too filled with longing - lust, even - for anyone's comfort.
"Okay?" Jacob questioned. He breathed deeply, disbelief coloring his tone, his actions. He had reason for not believing her, too. Though, as far as he knew, Bella had never explicitly lied to him, her truths were like daggers to his heart, ripping flesh and tearing organs. She killed him with her words. Her compliments. Her admissions of love. And yet, the love she felt for him was never enough. It wasn't more than how she felt for Edward Cullen. It wasn't even equal.
Bella didn't speak that time. Maybe she couldn't. Instead, she feebly nodded at him. The sway of her hair around her face, catching in the corners of her pretty mouth, dared him to look up, but he didn't. Maybe he couldn't.
"So." She folded her hands in her lap, trying not to eye the burgeoning bump that was breaking so many bones and causing so much pain. Not just for her, but for everyone. For a girl who would do anything for her friends or family, she could be awfully selfish sometimes. And yet, Jacob loved her in a way he never thought possible. "Where do we go from here?"
Anywhere, everywhere, nowhere, was what his mind was screaming out to say. But instead, he stayed quiet. The only key to seeing his pure joy was the grin he gave. It seemed to light up the eternal darkness that was her life.