Chapter Four - Change of Plans
I clicked the phone shut on the fly. I made good time, but it seemed like it took hours to get close to the cabin. I parked the rally car in a little cove right off the trail and ran the rest of the way. I made a wide circle and smelled no wolf stench. I found cover as close to the cabin as possible and listened. I heard only sounds that were supposed to be there.
I snuck up and slipped into the cabin. My eyes darted around the room and all my senses were sharp. Emmett was hovering over Rosie. A huge smile spread over his face when he saw me. In that moment, I knew there were no wolves.
My body froze as my mind began to race. A rollercoaster of emotions swept through me. Protectiveness for Rosie clashed against my need for a child of my own. My anger for what Emmett had done fought against my gratitude for his thoughtfulness. A war was waging inside me when I realized Emmett was shaking me. He was calling my name, but he sounded so far away.
"What have you done?" I whispered the question, but I already knew the answer.
The smile returned to his face and he beamed, "Ever since you saved me so long ago, I have wanted to return the amazing gift. Then you loved me and gave me another just as amazing gift. I love you so much Rose, and I have finally found a way to give you your hearts desire."
My heart softened and swelled with hope as he continued, "I figured Rosie was going to be changed anyway so a few weeks wouldn't make a difference. She looks so much like you, and she is actually related to you. Other humans do the surrogate thing all the time. I don't know if it took because the reproductive medicine stuff I read hurt my head, but I think I got the gist of it."
"It took alright," I could not help but smile, "Alice's vision disappeared."
"Excellent!" Emmett exclaimed.
"But Alice and Jazz are on their way here," I stated, "Alice thought there was a wolf pack here in Montana."
"Right on," Emmett said and smiled bigger if that was possible.
"This isn't good news Em," I scolded.
"What's done is done," Emmett still beamed, "I have been planning this since I first saw her at that home, and Alice didn't see a thing. I am the man!"
"I wish I could be as confident as you are love," I sighed, "But Bella wasn't in a coma. I'm going to need another generator. I want to get a heart monitor on her, and we are pushing the max on the one that's here."
"We could unplug the frig," Emmett offered.
"No," I dismissed, "We are going to need that for the blood."
"Oh right," he said and gave me a quick kiss, "I'll be back."
I stood for only a moment after he left. I first checked her vitals manually. Her breathing staggered at my cold touch. Then I slowly and methodically did her physical therapy. With that done, I rested my hand on her stomach.
"I wish with all my heart," I sighed, "That I could carry this child. I know you didn't agree to this, but I hope someday you can forgive us. Emmett can be so impulsive sometimes, especially when it comes to my happiness. I am going to do everything in my power to make this easier on you. My sister-in-law Bella blazed the trail for us so I know what to expect. I am going to start by doubling your feedings because Bella's appetite grew almost immediately. Edward claims she went through a gross of eggs in just two weeks."
I also planned to start feeding her blood as soon as I could get my hands on some. It would save her some of the discomfort that my sister-in-law had to endure. I chose to hold off on telling her about the blood until it was necessary.
A generator started up outside so I knew Emmett had returned. He came in and informed me that he had wired the generator into the cabin. He helped me set up the heart monitor and finally realized something.
"Hey, where's my little buddy?" he asked.
"The Helena Police are holding him for questioning. They are convinced he had something to do with Rosie's disappearance. They questioned his father and before she lost her vision, Alice said they would have likely questioned me as well."
"I wouldn't be surprised if they held him for a couple weeks," Emmett said laughingly, "They are still ruled by old west justice here in big sky country."
"That would not be good," I said not wanting to think about it, "I still can't believe that you got around Alice."
"I've got it all babe," he said and grinned, "Brains and brawn."
Emmett convinced me to hunt before Alice and Jasper arrived. The hunt didn't do much to distract me, but it made me realize that we were surrounded by blood. I remembered that Nahuel's mother Pire had fed from animals and their blood. I wondered if I could use our surplus of animals to feed Rosie. I decided it was worth a try. It would save stealing blood that a human might need.
I froze. I actually cared that a human I did not even know might need the blood. Just a week ago, I would not have given it a thought at all, and here I was-caring. Something was happening to me, and I did not know if I liked it or not. As I got close to the cabin, I could hear that Alice and Jasper had arrived.
"When I saw you stealing a generator, I knew there were no wolves," Alice complained, "I already have a headache."
"You really didn't see me making preparations?" Emmett asked delighted.
"No I was watching Rosalie so closely because I expected it from her, but not you Emmett," Alice was almost whining.
"Thanks for the vote of confidence Alice," I said as I opened the cabin door.
"Sorry Rose," Alice said sheepishly, "It's just that Rosie is so important. I had to..."
"Protect her," I interrupted and Alice nodded, "That's all I've wanted to do since I found out she existed and even more after I saw her. Emmett did not do this maliciously. He just wanted to give me what I desire most. You want to know what's funny? It never crossed my mind."
"What if something happens?" Alice squeaked, "I can't see a thing."
"Have a little faith," I soothed, "I was with Bella nearly every moment of her pregnancy. I forgot nothing. It was trial and error so now we know what to expect. I've already doubled her feedings and will soon introduce blood."
"Did you forget that if it weren't for Jake you would have attacked Bella," Alice said primly.
"That won't be a problem with Rosie," I replied confidently, "Smell her."
Alice hesitated then sniffed the air. She shook her head and crossed the room. Jasper followed her with a bewildered look on his face. Hovering over Rosie, she breathed deeply.
"She smells like potting soil," Alice gasped.
"We think it's because she has been a Vegan her entire life," Emmett said making vegan sound like a swear word.
Jasper gasped and Alice asked, "What is it Jasper?"
"You said she has no brain activity?" Jasper inquired still looking bewildered.
"No nothing," Alice answered, "Why?"
"Her emotions are strong," Jasper said in awe, "She was hurt when Emmett commented just now."
"I'm sorry Rosie," Emmett said sincerely, "I am an inconsiderate kinda guy. Ask anyone here."
"Whoa," Jasper said in awe, "Forgiveness and….amusement."
"How is this possible?" I asked confused, "Neither her heart rate nor her breathing changed at all. But when I touched her earlier, her breathing accelerated at my cold touch."
"I think she wants to answer you," Jasper stated, "Now she's frustrated."
"Maybe her physical and emotional minds have disconnected somehow?" I said thinking aloud.
"Yes," Jasper sighed, "Relief and….love."
"Love?" I choked and my mind raced.
"Yes," Jasper confirmed, "Definitely love."
"I love you too Rosie," I said full of emotion.
"If I would have known, I would never," Emmett spit out.
"Forgiveness again," Jasper translated, "And love for you too."
"Thanks Rosie," Emmett said and smiled.
"So she doesn't feel any pain?" I asked and then pinched the back of her arm.
Her heartbeat accelerated, but Jasper said, "No."
"Amazing," I sighed in awe and looked at the angry red spot I left.
"Now I'm confused," Jasper said sullenly, "She is flipping between romantic love and loss."
"She's asking about Jason," Alice beamed.
"Relief," Jasper said and mirrored relief, "I think I'm getting the hang of this.
And it went on like that. We explained everything that was happening, and Jasper translated. Jason was right; she was excited to become a vampire. I told her how my human life came to an end, and about my current desire to have a child. My story was missing the part where I killed Royce and his friends because I did not want to scare her. We all told her about Carlisle, Esme, and the rest of the family. I explained the change and about the bloodlust. She was unhappy about drinking human blood and just as unhappy about drinking animal blood.
As midnight approached, Jasper let us know that she was nearly emotionally drained. Alice and Jasper went out to hunt while she rested. As I sat with Emmett and watched Rosie sleep, I felt so much hope for the future. Emmett and I spoke quietly about our plans. If the baby was a boy, we planned to name him Carty. Which was Emmet's human last name shortened from McCarty. If we were blessed with a girl, her name would be Haley for my last name. Then there was the issue of the baby's room. Emmett said I could have our room's closet. Our sitting room that had been converted into my closet could easily be converted into a nursery as it had ample space and a large window. Then in a year or so, our little one could talk Jasper out of his study.
The sun was coming up when Alice and Jasper returned. I had not realized they were gone that long. Alice explained that she had had a vision about Jason's release. He was to be let loose later that day, and the police planned to follow him. Therefore, Alice had snuck into the holding area and told him not to go to the cabin. She promised she would get him this evening when it was safe.
"What pray tell did you tell him about me?" Alice asked us with her hand on her hip.
"Just the basic stuff," I replied confused, "Why? What happened?"
"He just seemed terrified," she said equally confused, "He was super polite. But when I smiled and tried to put him at ease, he just about jumped out of his skin."
"Em?" I asked and he burst into laughter, "What did you do?"
It took several minutes for him to calm down enough to answer, "I told him that of all of us, Alice was the most dangerous."
"And?" Alice inquired impatiently.
"Then I said," he continued in an ominous tone, "She is a tiny thing, but her temper is lethal. And when she smiles her sweet little smile at you, your dead dude."
"Not funny Emmett," Alice pouted.
Jasper chuckled softly, and Alice shot him a sharp look. I do not know if it was Jasper's influence, but I suddenly found it funny. I giggled and both guys laughed.
"If he wore plaid and stripes together, I could totally see you ripping his head off," I said and giggled again.
"Ha ha," she said sarcastically.
"Thank you," I sighed, "It has been a long time since I've laughed like that."
"Well anyway, I called Carlisle on our way back and he was very disappointed with you Emmett," Alice said seriously as Emmett dropped his head to stare at the floor.
I gave his hand a reassuring squeeze and asked, "Was?"
"I explained that Jasper could sense her emotions, and that she seemed to be fine with everything. He more than softened to the idea of having another grandchild. He then suggested I call Edward."
"No," I hissed and shot her a terror filled look.
"It's okay," she reassured, "It was for the best. I explained everything to him, and he insisted he talk to Bella. So about an hour later she called back. They decided that honesty was best and told Jacob."
My blood ran cold at the thought of my future being in that mongrel's hands. Somehow, Bella and Renesmee had worked their magic with Jacob, and he had given his permission to change Rosie and only Rosie. Jacob would let Sam know that he had amended the treaty.