Disclaimer: I own nothing. These characters and this love story belongs to Stephenie Meyer.

English is my second language! Have that in mind...


I'll spell it demon - not daemon from now on... =)


The others were productive, studying for the big test. I had a few years of theoretical experiences with medicine—a few decades old but it was carved in my mind forever—and only used a few hours during Bella's sleep to study the specifics. Veins, arteries and blood flows of the human abdomen, fetus and placenta. And the current knowledge of medications and medical supplies.

Carlisle had set Esme and Rosalie up for the part as nurses. Emmett and Jasper did a lot of research both on the internet and in Carlisle's study. They would alongside with Alice include the miscellaneous crew, making sure the right equipment was available and functioning on the big day. I realized that they would also be guarding our strongest urge. At any sight of blood thirst Emmett would cut in. As much as I did think about it—I only visualized him and Jasper struggle outside in the hallway—since Jasper would be the only individual not prioritizing Bella and the baby in a moment of thirst.

Carlisle encouraged me to play the part as Anesthesiologist. I would also be his left hand—the surgeon's assistant. Because there would be surgery. He explained that the risks of a typical delivery were to be much more dangerous for Bella. Otherwise, in humankind it often was the other way around. A baby goes under a great amount of stress going down the birth canal, he said. And if a newborn vampire was under stress—it would react instinctive—trying to cut loose. Carlisle did not have to explain further or convince anyone that a cesarean was the right way to go.

Not even Bella who only had a vaginal vampire birth and purgatory left for an adrenaline rush.

As I left our bedroom to do some studying I passed Carlisle's office.

He was flashing through an ancient volume of leather books, looking for whatever he could find. The covers were torn but the hand-stitched binding of the book was unbreakable. Birth… Cesarean… Succubus… Vampire… Placenta…

I slowed down by the door.

"What are you going to do about this? She keeps losing weight. She is weak. She will never make this through." I wore the deadpan face I had been wearing for days.

I know… Edward. This worries me greatly too. I'm doing the best I can. You know I can't change her mind…

"Maybe—you made the wrong choice from the start." I hissed. "Congratulations, you killed my wife."

That was not entirely my choice to make. You know that. Don't be unfair. I hate watching her suffer too. I really do. With you being married—she is like a daughter to me now.

I heard her sigh and turn in the bed.

"Well, you are a lousy father figure not even arguing her best interests."

Carlisle was hurt but my accusation. I knew he was hurt about Bella's condition. But it felt liberating to blame somebody. Maybe it was unfair blaming him; he was the only reasonable vampire here. And he was the father figure. Almost the only father I had in my life…

Why did I pick him for this?

Thank you, Edward. Carlisle kept on with his book.

I stared at him. I did not have the strength to back out and apologize, that would ravage me. I couldn't let myself be emotional.

We'll keep on trying with the intravenous nutrition. We have to be careful though, her heart takes damage more and more every day. And she doesn't like the needles. The blood tests I did get from her weren't good…

"I'll make sure she approves from now on." I murmured. "Oh sorry—am I allowed to? Should I consider Rosalie's opinion first? I don't want to upset anyone by keeping Bella's health in an acceptable condition."

He sighed, looking tired. Talk to Bella. She'll give in if you tell her it's the best for the baby, which it is. Explain and she'll understand. I keep measuring and I have a pretty good idea it's just a few days left now…

A few days?

That might be all time I had left with her. Maybe even less.

I heard her sigh again with a light moan.

"I need to go to her now. She's up." I turned to walk out.

Edward…

"Yes." I said without turning around.

I know you hurt. Try—keeping it to yourself. Everyone feels bad about this. It doesn't make it easier on us—you being unreasonable.

I turned to glare odiously at him before rushing back to Bella.

My body wobbled as soon as I opened the door to the dark bedroom. I stiffened and nearly crushed the wall when I trembled to find the light switch. The thick air made my dead body produce adrenaline and fear. I left the lights off, not wasting more than a scrap of a second trying to find the switch and rushed to her on the big bed.

Blood.

"Bella! Bella!"

I obviously scared her, rumbling in at that rate. She was stunned but a few wrinkles in her face told me she was in pain.

I heard the others coming and freeze at the door.

Oh no. Not again. Not that smell. Please. Try… Jaspers thoughts were irregular as nervous breathing while he caught the crimson scent.

"Get Jasper away from this house. Emmett!" I shouted at him.

I quickly turned back to Bella. "Are you in pain!?"

She moaned again. "Some. It stings."

I ripped the sheets of the bed and saw a puddle of blood on the white sheet. It was gigantic, a few inches across.

"You are bleeding, Bella!" I shouted.

She gasped.

Could she see that in the dark?

Carlisle's words broke my paralysis. "Get her to the study." He turned to Alice. "Burn the sheets."

I lifted her carefully of the bed but moved rapidly to the study. Bella vomited on the floor by the table because of the head rush. But this was an urgent situation. I could hardly wait for Carlisle, moving too slowly to believe.

"What are you doing? Get over here!" I shouted. "We have to take the baby out—NOW!" I took Bella's anguished face in my hands. "I won't let this thing harm you anymore! Bella, listen to me. This is enough!"

Bella effortlessly tried to pull away from me.

"No..." she breathed in weakness.

"CARLISLE!" I growled with a deep voice.

He finally appeared.

"Wind down Edward, this is not the emergency room," he said as he slammed the door shut in the face of the others. She is almost certainly fine.

Bella relaxed.

"Are you kidding me?" I asked. My voice was acid.

Carlisle walked towards us, screaming. CALM DOWN! Don't upset her more than necessary! Apparently he had gained a new quality.

I murmured as he confidently sat on the chair by the bed. He and his bedside manners… He had met with patients for countless years. This was his passion. This was typical. One instance he was on my page, the next with Esme and then he was the doctor again. Impossibly curious and eager to learn about mankind.

Traitor.

Probably believes his is God himself.

"Bella. We'll not make any rushed decisions. I ought to examine you though." He seemed anxious and looked towards me. "Get Esme, you can wait outside." I don't need that temper of yours in here for this.

"I'm staying."

"I want him here," Bella pleaded.

Behave then. Carlisle looked at me as a slap on the wrist. "Of course. Esme?"

Esme came in. She took Bella's other hand and touched her hair softly and whispered calmly to her. Bella was mortified by the fact that he had to examine her private parts but did agree as soon as he told her it was for the baby's sake.

White lie.

Excellent lie.

She blushed and covered her face with her forearms as he began the examination. "This is really disturbing," she moaned.

I kept staring at Carlisle the whole time.

Not sure if it was frustration or my pain that made me hate him this bad.

He hurried through the exam to reduce her unease. The bleeding has stopped. There was a small rupture to the cervix.

"Are you in pain?" I asked tensely.

"No—for the fiftieth time," she murmured. "Are you done yet?" She was restlessly clutching my hand over and over.

"Yes." He withdrew the instruments and covered her with a towel. "There was some bleeding from the cervix. Probably from the baby kicking or from the escalating pressure from the uterus. The bleeding has stopped."

Bella lowered her arms and sighed.

"Is the baby alright?"

"Yes. This was damage to you," Carlisle said. "I have to put you on strict bed rest. We will take you wherever. You can sit down in the bathroom or when you're eating—otherwise I want you lying down."

"Fun," Bella sighed.

She was impossible with everything. Everything was a struggle.

"Would you do it for me?" I pleaded. "Look what I am going through for you. This is a small request."

"He is right, Bella," Carlisle said and he flipped the switch again—back to my turf. "And we don't want you to go into premature labor." She'll like that one…

She sighed, caressed my hand with her thumb. "Sure. I wouldn't want that."

I couldn't stand watching her.

Enough.

"I'm sorry Carlisle, for everything," I said and walked out of there. I needed to retreat to my own misery.

I know son. I know. He was dejected.


Other things than Jacob's experiences actually occurred these days...! I can't bore you with stuff you have already read.