As Bella was dressing, I ordered her dinner. While I hadn't given much thought to human food in years, I tried to take Carlisle's advice and pick plenty of healthy items. I ordered all of the side vegetables they had on the menu and two salads, in addition to a chicken dish, a steak, pasta and lasagna. When room service arrived Bella burst out laughing, and I realized I might have overdone it a bit. I tipped the server and joined Bella at the table where she was eyeing the seven platters ranging in front of her.
"Emmett, it is a good thing you are so big, or that man would have been extremely confused. At least he can chalk this up," she indicated to the piles of food in front of her, "to your big appetite!"
"You aren't looking so slim yourself these days," I noted, looking at her sidelong. She glanced down at her belly and I saw a flush creep up her neck and into her cheeks.
"Yeah, I guess not." She agreed with a half smile.
As Bella ate, I tried to examine her clinically. Looking at her up close, I noticed the same things I had seen from a distance. Her face looked tired and drawn, with deep shadows under her eyes. Whatever had been happening in her life these past months had not been easy on her. But aside from the exhaustion, I was noticing something else: her rounded stomach and breasts, taut beneath the fabric of her tank top, her smooth skin, moist from her shower. Bella seemed to glow with new life. She was ripe with it.
I sighed, causing Bella to glance up at me. I smiled reassuringly. I couldn't blame her for this, for having the one thing that my Rosalie longed for that I couldn't give her. I loved Rosalie, with nothing short of adoration and she loved me with a profound, unshakable passion. But that was it. We could never build on that love. We could never create new life.
After she finished we moved to the living room and I settled on one of the overstuffed chairs, watching as Bella eased herself onto the end of the sofa nearest to me.
"Bella," I began, "I've been patient, but now I need you to tell me what is going on."
She looked at me, her eyes cautious.
"Emmett, isn't it enough that you've seen me, and can tell Ed—" her voice cracked. "And can tell them all that I am safe?"
"No Bella, that is not enough. First off, I don't even know if you are safe. None of this is making any sense to me, and unless you tell me what is going on, I won't leave you here alone."
"But Emmett, you have to," she said quietly. I could hear the anxiety in her voice. "After tonight you have to leave me here."
"Why?"
"They'll hurt me," she murmured, her hands returning to lock protectively around her belly.
I understood now. Bella had never been one to be concerned for her own safety, but now she was forced to be. She had to protect her baby.
"Bella," I said firmly. "Look at me."
Her eyes found mine.
"I told you before. I will not let anyone hurt you or your child. Do you understand? None of us will. If you are in danger, I am calling the house right now. We will not let you be harmed." My voice had a deadly ring.
Bella's face looked desperate. "No Emmett," she breathed. "I can't let any of you be hurt. Edward would—. They might—. Just give me some time! I am trying to figure out a solution. I know I will. I have to!" Her words poured from her, as her voice rose in pitch. Her breathing grew shallow. She was desperate and panicked. Carlisle's words came back to me, and I quickly moved to the sofa, pulling Bella into my arms. I cradled her, one hand behind her head, entwined in her damp hair, holding her gently against my chest. She struggled feebly.
"Please Emmett, just go. I need to keep them safe," she gasped.
"Shhh, Bella, calm down. None of us will be hurt. Just tell me exactly what is going on and I will figure out a plan with you. We won't call Edward, because you know as well as I do that he can't keep his cool. We'll figure this out together, okay? You just calm yourself down. With the two sharpest brains of the group," I grinned down at her, "I know we'll figure out a solution." My own words were pouring out, but I needed to sooth her, to calm her down.
It seemed to work. She stopped pushing against me, and softened in my grasp. I could feel her muscles relax and her heartbeat slow as she took deep, steadying breaths.
"You promise me Emmett? That you won't let Edward do anything stupid?"
I tucked a curl behind her ear. She was gazing up at me with such a look of tenuous hope in her eyes.
"Of course," I said, smiling faintly. "I am his brother after all. Now tell me what is going on."
"Where should I start?"
"Why not start at the beginning," I prompted.
I gently extricated myself from my position, not exactly wanting to let go when I was feeling so protective of her, but nonetheless shifting her body back towards its original spot on the couch. She straightened, a look of determination settling on her face and I returned to my seat on the chair.
