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I hope you guys enjoy Chapter Four!
"Ah Rosalie. I knew by your thoughts that you would be the one. We'll have to warn you though brave Rosalie, it is sure to be full of pain and suffering if it is just like a magnified version of a human's pregnancy." Aro whispered, closing the ancient metal box and placing it in my hands. I cradled the box in my hands like it was a baby itself. I looked down on it and had the urge to start crying. I didn't hear what Aro had said about pain all I could see was my beautiful child running around, it's violet blue eyes like mine gleaming and its skin sparkling in the sunlight as it began smiling Emmett's smile.
"Now Aro, will my daughter be safe?" Esme asked quietly. "Will she be all right?"
"Will Rosalie live through it? Will the kid kill her like what happened to Bella?!" Emmett asked frantically. Edward and Bella flinched but Emmett paid no mind. He was already jumping ahead of course. He knew he couldn't talk me out of it even if Aro did say it would rekill me, or whatever happens to a vampire. We'd figure that out later, but all I really could think about was our beautiful baby that could now soon be born.
"Emmett, don't agonize over this. Rosalie will be all right. We don't know exactly of course, because we have never tried it, but she will be fine I assure you." Aro tried unsuccessfully to comfort Emmett, as well did I. I squeezed his hand and traced random patterns on his skin with my fingertips but nothing was working. He ripped his hand from mine forcefully stepping forward to Aro. I was shocked he did that…
"So what happens to Rosalie then if it isn't all right like you think? No offense man, but you could be wrong and I don't want to risk it." Emmett clutched me closer to him. Aro chuckled. I pulled away from Emmett in disbelief. He was supposed to be happy for me. We'd wanted this for so long and now he wasn't in for it? I looked to Bella for backup. Bella mouthed the words 'I'll help you. He'll come around. I promise' And she smiled half heartedly. I was grateful to her. I wanted Emmett to pull me into his arms and kiss me in congratulation, like they did in the movies. But well, I guess that could wait until we found out if this works. When I have an undead baby in my stomach, then we can start the celebration. What if it didn't work?! What if it doesn't work?! I immediately began to worry. It had to. It had to work.
"Emmett, Rosalie will come to no harm, I swear it. Rosalie, I do need to speak to you though." Aro said on a more serious note.
"Yes?" I whispered and shrugged out of Emmett's restraining arms and stepped forward. Emmett snarled quietly behind me. He had never been angry with me before. Then again, I never had given him a terribly good reason to be.
"If… If the child… doesn't grow, then we have no choice but to… eliminate it." Aro murmured.
"You mean kill it?!" I breathed unable to make my voice any louder than a nearly inaudible whisper.
"You have to agree Rosalie. If the child is born and it does not grow, then you have to turn it over to us." Aro ordered. I clenched my teeth and tightened my grip on the box.
"It will grow." I said stubbornly.
"We just don't want what happens with the immortal children to happen again. If it doesn't grow up Rosalie, then it will become uncontrollable, killing entire cities in one of its temper tantrums." Aro explained. "And therefore the need for destruction of the child as soon as possible is necessary." He nodded.
"I…" I knew I had to agree to be able to have the baby to begin with, I'd figure out something, if it didn't… grow. "I agree to the terms." I whispered.
"Ah good. Rosalie, you are one valiant spirit." Aro said and patted my shoulder. Emmett stepped away from me and I felt empty all of a sudden. I stuck up my nose confidently and stubbornly. "Carlisle, my friend, you as a doctor might want to keep a record of progress and growth in the pregnancy if you will, I seem to find it quite fascinating to be able to witness the new revolution to our world." Aro smiled. I couldn't help but beam at the words. My child would be one of a kind. It would be special, unique, different. It would be mine! I felt like collapsing to my knees and sobbing for joy. "Now go in peace. It's so wonderful to see you all. Rosalie, good luck. Emmett, you… You'll need it probably more than she does. Farewell. " Aro chortled. Emmett smirked and walked as far from me as possible on the way out, his expression to kill.
I felt empty and hollow all of a sudden. He had never been opposed to what I wanted before. I felt like he was suddenly the enemy. No. He wasn't the enemy, but he most definitely wasn't fighting on my side either. I gulped then clenched my teeth. Why couldn't he want what I wanted?! I stared straight ahead, refusing to look at him. It made me just so angry that he'd be so antagonistic. I couldn't believe him! He kept his expression fierce and his eyes staring straight ahead the entire walk back to the streets of Volterra. Emmett was so selfish! Why couldn't he be happy for me now?! I felt Edward's hand on my shoulder.
"Don't worry Rosalie. He's just scared for you, that is all. He loves you and wants to give you everything you want, but doesn't want to watch you self destruct because of that." Edward whispered into my ear. "Believe me. I've been there." Edward half smiled in comfort. I shook his hand off my shoulder.
"Edward, could you talk to him please?" I asked timidly. "Oh an Edward, you might want to bring Jasper with you. Emmett might need to be calmed down." I murmured. Edward chuckled thinking I was joking and headed off in Emmett's direction. I was suddenly attacked by two girls. Alice and Bella. With Renesmee close behind.
"Oh Rosalie!" Alice half squealed, half whispered and embraced me in a tight hug. Her tiny arms loosened from around me and she pulled back examining my broken expression.
"Alice, when is Emmett going to accept the fact that this is what I want and just let me do it?" I asked meekly. Almost afraid of the answer as I saw Emmett shove Edward's hand off his shoulder and turn away from Edward's advice. Alice closed her eyes but Bella and I kept a hold on her hand so we could lead her to the yellow Porshe we'd rented.
"I can't see it. But it should be soon. I promise." Alice smiled, her eyes opening. She patted my arm in comfort, but it did no good. I wanted Emmett… This couldn't last long could it? I gulped, a hollow feeling in my stomach.
"Oh Alice." I gave her a tight one armed hug, keeping the box cradled in my other arm. I turned to Bella. "Bella, I'm going to need your help." I smiled at her.
"Anything Rosalie." She answered apparently surprised.
"Thank you guys so much. I'm so excited." I grinned. I looked over to Emmett, but he wasn't looking to me. He was walking briskly and angrily as far away from me as possible. I shot my eyes down the empty feeling taking over once more. He wouldn't even ride in the same car as me. He took the ride back in Carlisle's. When we returned to the hotel, Carlisle suggested that we all meet in his and Esme's penthouse Presidential Suite. So we all hurried up the elevators. Emmett hadn't even gotten on the same elevator as I did. He pretended he had to go get something out of our room, so he wouldn't have to be trapped with me. I suddenly felt like crying. I wanted him to accept it and twirl me into his arms happily and we could go pick out baby names and decorate the nursery, make baby books, and all the stupid corny cliché first baby stuff. I opened the door to Carlisle and Esme's suite along with Alice, Bella, and Renesmee close behind me to find that Emmett was already there. He must have sprinted up the stairs while we took the elevator. I shot my eyes down away from him and he stepped farther away from me. Apparently he had been talking to Carlisle. Carlisle looked to me in a highly respected way and put a hand on my shoulder.
"Rosalie, this is a big decision that you're making, and we couldn't be any happier for you." Carlisle started. I stiffened, the hollow feeling in my heart causing it to throb painfully. Emmett could be a little happier though. "But you have to think about everything at every angle." Carlisle explained.
"I have." I lied. All I thought about was my beautiful baby girl.
"No you haven't Rosalie. Don't be absurd." Emmett narrowed his eyes and pulled out a chair from the dining table, sitting in it backwards one leg on either side and his elbows propped against the back of it.
"Don't tell me what I have or haven't done Emmett." I snapped at him surprised that I had done so. I had never snapped at him, at least not at this level…
"No you haven't Rosalie! Have you thought about what happens when it gets stronger than you?! Because if this kid thing being a full vampire and all wouldn't it be stronger?! You saw what Nessie did to Bella didn't you? And Nessie was only half a vampire." Emmett argued clenching his fists in frustration.
"Yes. But that doesn't matter. Bella's here isn't she Emmett?" I raised my voice to match his. I was breaking inside. I didn't like yelling at him…
"Rosalie! You aren't understanding! You're not thinking this through. You aren't seeing the big picture!" He threw his hands up in frustration.
"Oh and you're the one to talk. How dare you tell me how to think?! You never think anything through Emmett! You always act without thinking." I was hitting him back harder than I thought. I was a slight bit impressed. He was silent as he scowled at me.
"Rosalie, you heard Aro. You're going to get hurt." He said a bit softer.
"So?" I said like a teenaged brat. I couldn't come up with a better comeback.
"So, I am not going to sit back smiling as I watch the new thing tear you apart from the inside out Rosalie. It's going to break you. When it's growing inside of you, it's going to hit you and kick you hard. It'll hurt you. It'll be stronger than Nessie." He explained quietly.
"Bella was a human. I'm a vampire. I can handle it." I told him.
"I know, but Rose she had to be saved. She had to be turned into a vampire to be able to live through it. No one could help you Rose. You couldn't be saved if it took the life from you. I couldn't let it do that to you Rose." He argued his case well. Too well. I was silent for a long time.
"Emmett has a point Rosalie." Carlisle said. "It will be strong and we don't know just how strong." For a while I had forgotten my family was observing mine and Emmett's first ever argument. I had never fought with Emmett before and it hurt to do so…
"I don't care." I whispered.
"But I do." Emmett said standing up from the chair towering over me.
"You're so selfish! Why can't you want what I want?" I did something I had never done in all of my life. I hit Emmett. I slapped him on the cheek, really really hard too. My hand tingled and burned from what I'd just done. Everyone tried to stifle their gasps of pure shock. My entire body started to tremble. I couldn't believe I had hit him. My breathing came short and quick as I closed my fingers into a fist one by one very slowly. Emmett just looked at me, his eyes expressionless. "Emmett. I'm so sorry." I whispered and threw myself into his arms, setting the box over which this fuss was about down on the counter top. He held me in his arms tightly, and I continued my apologies. He was silent as he rocked me like a child.
"I love you Rose, and I don't want anything to happen to you." He whispered so no one else could overhear.
"I'm sorry darling." I whispered again and kissed every bit of him my lips could reach in our close embrace.
"I want you to be happy." He sighed simply giving up the fight it seemed.
"Thank you Emmett." I murmured against his skin. I took a deep breath and pulled away standing erect, with my head held high. "I'm ready." I told Carlisle.
"Rosalie, I do believe we need to talk this through a bit first." Carlisle said nodding. "The needle is made so it is durable enough to penetrate a vampire's skin. It isn't an ordinary shot like I give my patients. There should be quite a bit of pain involved in the injection Rose." Carlisle explained. "Then, along with becoming… active." Carlisle nodded to Emmett and me. "The reaction should set off the first vampire child's growth." He explained. "But, even though the science seems impossible, it sounds like it should work." Carlisle said and smiled, he seemed much too fascinated in the simple science of making the first vampire baby in the universe. "So when would you like to try?" Carlisle asked and opened the box and lifting the long, intimidating shot from it. The red liquid inside churning and moving beautifully, yet also mysteriously and menacingly. I shivered. This thing would make my wildest dreams come true. What I've wanted my entire existence was right in front of me. I looked at it for a long time then decided.
"Now." I said and pushed up the sleeve to my jacket to expose the long pale blue veins running up my forearm. Carlisle stepped forward and chuckled tilting my head back gently. My eyes widened in disbelief.
"Your throat Rosalie. It's the most reliable vein. It should spread faster." He explained. Emmett's death grip on me became harder and tighter.
"Fine." I breathed tilting my head back further and closing my eyes. I felt the protective grip on me tighten again and my eyes snapped open. "Wait!" I panted. Carlisle stepped back and raised an eyebrow.
"Darling, it's all right. You don't have to do this." Esme assured me.
"We can leave Rose." Jasper whispered and tugged gently on Alice's arm. Bella, Edward, and Nessie following behind. I could feel my nerves sparking like live wires. This was for real! I almost felt like smiling. I was about to start the first step getting closer to my own child.
"No it's not that." I whispered. I lifted my head and turned to face Emmett. "I want you to do it." I told him. His eyes widened.
"Ha! You're kidding right?" He laughed without humor. His eyes filled with panic.
"No, I want you to do it." I said again and held out my hand for Carlisle to place the shot into it. He handed it to me slowly and I took Emmett's clenched fist and tried to pry his long fingers apart. It wasn't easy. "Please Em." I begged him. I knew I was pushing my luck, but surely later he would give in?
"No Rosalie. I can't." He said fiercely.
"Tonight. Please Emmett. Please." I whispered to him and smiled. He sighed.
"I won't hurt you." He said stubbornly.
"Emmett? Please…." I murmured gently, looking up into his smoldering eyes. "I want you to do it." I begged.
"Rosalie. I. Will. Not." He murmured.
"Emmett I've wanted this for so long, and it only makes sense for you to do it." I looked up at him through mylong lashes in a way I knew would cause him to give into me.
"You always get what you want. It's not fair." He muttered under his breath stalking towards the door furiously and swinging it open, almost breaking it off the hinges.
"Tell him to let the liquid all run out before he stops." Carlisle instructed as I smiled following Emmett giddily out the door. "And don't stop no matter what you say. You might tell him it hurts, so try to keep silent Rosalie." Carlisle said solemnly.
"All right." I smiled unable to absorb the seriousness of the pain I was about to face.
"We love you Rose." Esme smiled and everyone in the room embraced me quickly, before I leapt out the door happily. I opened the door to mine and Emmett's room slowly and carefully. He was sitting on the bed just staring at the shot as he turned it, this way and that in his hands.
"Rose." He whispered not looking up to me as I slipped off my shoes and took off my hat.
"Emmett." I murmured climbing onto the bed beside him, stroking his cheek.
"This is what you've always wanted huh?" He muttered in a very melancholy way. "No matter the cost?"
"Yes." I whispered and slipped my shirt over my head and reached around his waist to begin unbuttoning his.
"You're prepared, right now?" He asked quietly as I finished with the last button on his shirt.
"Yes Emmett." I said softly. "I want to give you what I never could before." I whispered.
"Right now? You want all the consequences all the sacrifices right now?" He murmured.
"I have for so long. You know that…" I told him confidently.
"I love you Rosalie." He said and turned to face me and pressed me down into the sheets softly like I was a fragile porcelain doll. I closed my eyes and he kissed my throat. The next moment is when the first of the pain came.