Chapter Four

Bella

I'd avoided Lisa for a few weeks but she was getting concerned and she wanted to tell me the good news. Garrett and she were officially a couple although he hadn't told her everything yet. If she saw me now she would know something very strange was going on, I was beginning to resemble a beached whale. I had put on so much weight although I found it very difficult to eat, not because I wasn't hungry or the food revolted me, just because I felt so sick all the time. Jasper was getting concerned but there was little we could do but weather the storm, after all I could hardly pop into the local hospital and announce I was about three months pregnant with a vampires child. That was a one way ticket to the funny farm plus our child would become a lab specimen, All we could do was feel our way forward with Charlotte's help, after all she was the only one of us who had any experience with birth and that only human. I spent most of my time on the couch trying to read or watch TV between the frequent bathroom breaks. I could keep drinks down so I got through a lot of milk and diet soda. We tried some soup which was a partial success, I managed to keep it down for about an hour and some drinks made especially for people who found eating difficult but they were a disaster and made me feel much worse.

"Bella you look so pale, so weak. I don't think we can let this go on much longer."

I looked at Rose in shock, what exactly was she suggesting?

"I don't see any alternative Rose. I only have to hang on a little longer. I think baby Whitlock is almost ready to greet the family."

"Do you think Charlotte will be able to deliver it? I've been looking it up on the internet but I have to tell you it scares the crap out of me. Aren't you scared at all Bella?"

I took her hand which felt less cool today but then my own temperature fluctuated so much, one minute I was hot the next freezing and squeezed it,

"Rose I trust you and Charlotte to do whatever needs doing but I want you to make sure that Garrett is close by for Jasper. If its as traumatic as I think its going to be then he'll need help."

"Yeah, if he hears you scream he'll be in like a rocket to protect you."

"Then I wont."

I sat back and closed my eyes taking a sip of cold milk and feeling a twinge in my lower back. Was it starting already? Was our baby developed enough to survive out in the world? I tried not to panic and took a few deep breaths glad that Jasper had gone to hunt with Garrett leaving us girls here alone for a few hours. I felt Rose stiffen and opened my eyes as her head whipped round,

"Damn its Lisa. What do we do now? I'll tell her you've gone off with Jasper and Garrett and get rid of her."

I wasn't so sure Lisa would believe her, I'd heard the growing concern in her voice the last few times we spoke on the phone but all I could do was wait and hope. I couldn't hear the words just a murmur of voices then footsteps in the hall and Lisa peered in,

"Bella I thought you were here. Why don't you want to see me I've bee..."

Her voice tailed off as she saw my condition and her eyes stood out in amazement then she ran over and dropped to her knees taking my hands in hers.

"Bella are you OK? Why didn't you tell me? I knew there was something strange going on, I asked you about Garrett and Jasper didn't I."

Rose came in behind her, a face like thunder.

"Well now you know Lisa. Satisfied? You can run home and tell everyone that Bella is married to a freak and you're going out with one."

Lisa looked up at Rose and shook her head,

"I don't think you are freaks Rose but I know you aren't human in the strictest sense. Garrett had hinted that you are different from me but not freaks or monsters."

Rose looked confused at Lisa's words and she turned back to me,

"So Bella, you are going to be a mum eh? How long have you got left?"

"We have no idea. This is a first for all of us."

"Scared?"

"Yes but excited too. I wanted to tell you but I didn't know how to explain it all."

"Don't worry about explaining, I'll learn what I'm supposed to in time I'm sure. In the meantime can I get back on the guest list? I'd really like to be here for the big event."

She looked up at Rose again,

"If I wont be in the way that is."

Rose sighed and nodded slowly,

"You might even be helpful especially as birth is such a messy affair with lots of blood involved or so it would seem".

"Squeamish Rose? What about Charlotte?"

"She's not so bad, she helped Bella last time."

Lisa squeezed my hand even tighter,

"Last time?"

"Yes, was pregnant before, when we disappeared but I lost it."

"I'm so sorry Bella. But it's looking good this time?"

"Yes at least so far."

I put a hand to my mouth and Rose grabbed a bowl and jug of water left ready for me as I retched, Lisa still holding my hand while Rose rubbed my back."

"This is a normal routine?"

"Yes Bella doesn't seem to be able to keep anything down for long."

"No wonder you look so thin and weak. Can I suggest something? Peppermint tea is supposed to help, ginger too, even ginger ale. I read about it when I was at college, for an assignment."

"We'll try anything Lisa, thank you and thank you for not asking questions."

"Hey we all have our secrets Rose, you'll tell me if you can."

Jasper

I couldn't relax away from Bella so as soon as I'd hunted sufficiently I left Garrett and ran back to the house to see Lisa's car parked up outside. I slowed to a walk and went in quietly hoping to hear what was going on. Something smelled different, the air was scented with peppermint and ginger, not terrible smells but not particularly appetising either. I could hear voices including Bella's and she sounded better. Putting my head around the door I saw the four girls sitting on the floor by the fire playing cards and Bella had a smile on her face and a little colour in her cheeks. She turned becoming aware of my presence and gave me the most beautiful smile holding out her free hand to me and putting her cards down.

"I'm out girls. Its time for my nap. Will you still be here when I get up Lisa?"

"Is Garrett coming back soon?"

The question was aimed at me and I nodded,

"He'll be back in a couple of hours."

"Then I'll be here. Good nap Bella"

I helped Bella up off the floor then picked her up and carried her upstairs, they were too much for her to manage these days and I didn't want her falling or hurting herself.

"You look better."

"Lisa suggested a couple of things and they worked. I still feel sick but I'm managing to keep soup and a little scrambled egg down so that's an improvement."

I was relieved, I'd been worried she wouldn't be strong enough to carry our baby to full term. The thought of her pain if she lost this one too was just too much to contemplate.