I want to thank you all for your comments and reviews. I think I'm clear on the directions I want to take this story now. I hope I don't lose any of you and you continue to enjoy the story. Now without further ado. On with our story.

CARLISLE

The war was now coming to an end. I've been here in Virginia for the last few years; a surgeon for the Union Army, tending to the injured Confederate prisoners of war.

I've been shipping my belongings little by little to my home in Boston. As I'm loading the last of my things onto my wagon, I see a face I haven't seen in years. Usually, he's quite the happy go lucky chap. However, as he approaches I notice he's in a state of panic.

"Carlisle! Please, you have to come… can't lose her too…been searching for three…coming to find you…save her!" He is in such a state of panic I can't make hide nor hair of what he's trying to tell me. I don't think it's possible, but I think I've just witnessed the first vampire in a state of shock. I try to bring him out of his state of panic and shock by giving him a swift slap across the face. It seemed to snap him back into his right mind. He just stood there for a brief moment blinking his eyes as if he couldn't believe I just slapped him before his face turned into a scowl, he growled and hit me back.

"What the fuck was that for, Carlisle?" I chuckled before answering him.

"Well, old friend you were in such a frenzied state, I needed some way to snap you back. Now would you like to explain again why you're here?"

"Carlisle, I don't have time to explain. You have to come with me. I fear there's not much time. I just can't lose her too. If you please just come with me, I'll explain on the way." I've never seen him in such a state. How could I not agree to help him?

After securing the rest of my belongings in storage, we took off for the woods at vampire speed. While I knew Garrett didn't sparkle, like most vampires, I had to be careful not to expose myself to the sun. I was always careful to wear long sleeves and gloves when not inside, and large brim hats to shield my face. I was also lucky, during winters in the south, most days had a thick cloud cover.

By the time we'd arrived in Savannah, Georgia, Garrett had explained how he'd fallen in love with a young Confederate officer whom he had suspected to be his mate. When he told me of the area where the young man had been missing, I was pretty much in agreement; the young man had been taken by vampires; possibly recruited for the Southern Vampire Wars. I told him how I'd heard about it during my time with the Volturi. How the rulers destroyed most of the covens involved, but I'd also heard that the war over feeding territory was still underway. If he indeed noticed the scents of a large den of vampires, he'd most likely come across one of the warlords.

He went on to tell me while he was still searching for this Major; going back to what turned out to be his hometown, he found a woman bleeding and near death. I was so impressed that he was able to stitch her wounds; having learned to do so from the young soldier he obviously loved and admired. When he told me he later learned the young woman was the wife of his young Major and that he had fallen in love with her too, I was most intrigued. I had heard of triad mating before. Never had I heard of a vampire falling in love with an already mated human couple.

"Fuck you, Carlisle! We are not one of your science experiments. She's ill or hurt, and I don't know what to do. She wanted me to change her so we can search for her husband together. I refused to leave her again to look for him. We set out to come to find you. You are the only other person I trust." I was honored that he did.

"You want me to change your mate? While I'm honored you trust me so much, I've never changed a human either," I told him.

"No, Carlisle. Neither of us wants that. She only wants my venom running through her veins. I don't trust myself not to drain her dry. Though I've been in contact with her blood, having cared for her wounds and her blood does not affect me. I don't know what would happen if I bite her and I don't want to take that chance. If I can't stop, I need you to stop me please, even if it means taking my head off. I love her Carlisle. I will not lose her too." It only took me to look in his eyes to see the love he had for this woman.

Hopefully, whatever was making her ill, could be cured with his venom. Though I'd never changed a human, I'd witnessed many transformations during my time with the Volturi. Humans can be saved from death by being transformed into a vampire unless the heart is not strong enough to pump the venom, or the brain is too damaged. During the latter, the mind is no longer functioning properly, and the vampire would have to be destroyed.

I have to admit; I envy Garrett to a degree. I've traveled a lot, mostly alone. Only during the twenty or so years, I spent with the Volturi, I've been a lone vampire, much like Garrett. Of course, I wish to one day find my mate, but just to have a companion in this existence would be a godsend. Again, I was honored Garrett thought enough of me and our friendship to ask this of me. I also wondered if he would mind if I continued to stay with them. Maybe form a coven. I could help them with their search of their missing mate if they kept me around. I even wondered if involving the Volturi would be worth mentioning if one of the warlords indeed accosted the young soldier. I would ask him about it later.

Soon, we were at the rooming house, where Garrett had asked the owner to look after his mate. The owner seemed nervous and frightened of us, which is understandable. It is in a human's nature to be frightened of vampires, even if they didn't know why.

The older woman sensed Garrett's obvious concern. I told her I was a doctor and a friend of the family she seemed a little relieved.

"Poor little thing, I've tried to get her to eat. She just can't seem to keep anything down. I've seen pregnancy take a toll on women, but nothing like this," the woman told us. My eyes became as big as saucers, and once again, Garrett went into shock.

"Oh, poor thing, you didn't know your wife was pregnant I take it?" she said with a chuckle. "Well, husbands tend to be the last to know these things. I'll let you and your doctor in to examine her. Just give me a holler if there's anything you need," the kind old woman said, then let us in the room.

When we entered, there was a black woman in with Garrett's mate. She looked at us with an angry scowl.

"Which one of you demons left his seed in this poor woman," she said walking straight up to Garrett and getting into his face.

"I reckon it was you, ya red-eyed monster. I don't know what kind of monster that piss eyed demon over yonder is, but I've seen Y'all kind b'fore. Thinking Y'all in love with a human woman, leavin' her behind with yo demon spawn, only to kill her rippin' its way out."

"How do you know of this?" I asked her.

"Done seen it happen b'fore. My mammy's mammy told us of the night walkin', blood drinkin' demons that get women pregnant, only to leave her alone b'fore the woman even knows herself she carryin' the demon's spawn. The child grows so fast within her, and kills the mama without meaning too. It feeds on the mama's blood. You done sentenced her to death," she said turning back to Garrett again. If looks could kill, Garrett would be a pile of ash right now.

"What's your name, Miss?" I asked her. Garrett was now sitting with his Bella, trying to comfort her as much as he could.

"I'm called Nan," the woman said.

"Nan, is there somewhere we can take her? Somewhere secluded. I'm a doctor. I think I know what to do for her. I think I can save both mother and child," I told her.

"You must think I'm a damned fool. Ain't no way you a doctor. And if you are, it's just to get your hands on as much blood as ya can for free," she scoffed.

"Nan, you've said so yourself. My eyes are different from his. That's because I don't drink human blood. I only drink the blood of animals. I assure you, I am a human doctor and have been so for nearly a century. I, too, have heard of this before, my kind impregnating human women. It's rare, and as you've said it results in death for the woman and most cases to the child as well. With what you have told me, and my skills as a doctor, I'm almost positive I can save her. it may mean her becoming one of us in the end.

"Nan, that man over there, doesn't just think he's in love with her. From what he's told me, they are in love with each other." Nan and I both looked over at Garrett and Bella. He had one of her frail hands in both of his, tenderly applying kisses, while her other caressed his cheek.

Nan thought about it for a moment. She finally let out a long breath. "It ain't no place 'round here. But I know of a place on one of the islands. Since the soldiers come, its all deserted over there." She told me.

"Will your Mistress spare you to come with us?" She then gave me a warm smile.

"Ain't got no Massa or Mistress no mo', I's free. She then pulled her papers from her pocket, where her Master had indeed set her free. "I work here in this rooming house for my room and board. I gets a small salary. I can tell Miss Mary, I'm gonna help you take care of Miss Bella," she told me.

"Thank you, Nan. But I do have to ask something of you. I must ask you not to tell Miss Mary of what we are." She only rolled her eyes.

"I might be black but I sure as hell ain't dumb. I like my life and my blood right here in my body, thank you very much. Besides, I go around telling these white folks what I know about blood drinkin' demons, if they don't hang me for bein' a witch, they will have me in the looney bin, sho'nuff," she said with a giggle. "Now, how we gonna get there?" She asked.

"Why don't you help, Garrett, gather their things. I need to go to a nearby hospital and get the supplies I'll need." I told her.

"There's a Union Army hospital, down on Gadson Street. It's only a few blocks from here." She then gave Garrett the side eye. "If you don't mind, I'd rather come with you."

"Oh, Nan, I promise, he's harmless," Bella said with a giggle, finally speaking for the first time. I went over to finally meet her.

"Hello, Bella. I'm Dr. Carlisle Cullen. I am so happy to meet you. I've heard a lot about you from this big lug here," I told her. She tried to sit up. It was then, I noticed the slight bulge in her belly. It was then, I also heard the tiny flutter of the baby's heartbeat.

"I've heard a lot about you too. You must be a very good man, and a fine doctor for Garrett to trust you so much," she said. I could tell she had once been a very beautiful woman. However, the child she carried in her had done a number on her already. She's lost a lot of weight. Her hair was dull and flat. Her cheeks were emaciated, and her eyes were sunken in with dark rings around them. Nan was right. The baby was literally killing her from the inside out.

"Bella, dear, I have to tell you, much of what Nan said is correct. Though humans mating with those of our kind is rare, it has happened before. I've not known of a human woman surviving, though there have been a few cases where the child does survive. But Bella, I promise you, I will do everything in my power to make sure both you and your baby make it through this.

"I trust you, Carlisle. If Garrett trusts you then so do I. But I do have to tell you, I've carried two other babies. My son was stillborn, and my daughter, I miscarried after learning my husband disappeared. That was when Garrett found me. So please, Dr. Cullen, even if I don't you have to make sure my child survives," She told me. I could tell, this woman was genuinely selfless. I wouldn't tell her that my priority was her. I only leaned forward and kissed her on the forehead, before Nan, and I set out to get the supplies I needed.

Once at the hospital, I showed my medical license and Union credentials. I told them I'd recently left the hospital in Virginia, and I needed supplies to care for a very close family friend. This was going to be tricky as the ice was scarce here in the south; shipments from the north almost coming to a complete halt. Supplies of blood were even harder to come by. But as always, money talks. I was able to bribe the administration of this hospital. I offered a huge donation to help rebuild the hospital. I also paid handsomely for all the supplies needed. They offered me a small wagon to carry the crates of ice, insulated with sawdust and hay to store twenty bottles of blood, along with other medical equipment needed.

While I waited for the wagon to be loaded, I gave Nan money and told her to buy human food, for her and Bella, and any other supplies she thought we might need. I told her I would meet her with the wagon at the general store.

After we got everything we needed, we went back to the rooming house. Garrett had their belongings packed, and Bella wrapped in a quilt. He thanked Miss Mary for her kindness and help with Bella. He was so grateful he offered her more money for the service she had provided. She refused and told him to just make sure he took good care of Bella.

Garrett got in the back of the wagon, holding onto Bella securely, Nan riding on the buckboard with me. She gave me directions to Tybee Island. She said it was one of the few bridges the Union had not destroyed, but that the island had long been deserted. She said many slaves had fled to this area when the fighting first broke out, but once they were given their freedom, most fled to the north. There were a few, like her, that found employment in town.

She showed me to a small cottage out in the woods. She quickly cleaned and made the place as livable as possible while I tended to Bella.

"Bella, this may be unpleasant, but if you can do this for me, it is the best way to get your baby the nutrients he or she requires," I told her.

"Anything, Dr. Cullen. Whatever I need to do to save my baby," she replied.

"Bella, dear, please call me Carlisle," I said as I handed her a cup of blood to drink.

"Carlisle, are you crazy? Bella is not a vampire yet. She won't be able to drink blood,"

"Garrett, shush! If it will help our baby and me, I'll do it," she admonished. Garrett then looked at me through narrowed eyes as they began to turn black with bloodlust.

"If you don't mind, I think I will step outside," He said. He got up and ran out at vampire speed.

"I imagine he won't be back for a while. I guess the smell of blood was too much for him," Bella added. She then began to drink from the cup I offered her. She closed her eyes, and a surprising 'mmmm' escaped her lips.

"Bella, you are right about Garrett. I suspect he's going off to feed. I know that your blood doesn't bother him, and I think that is only because you are his mate," I told her.

"Yes, I'm sure you are right. When he told me how he fed, I asked him why he didn't just kill me. I thought my husband was dead. I just wanted to be in heaven with my husband and children. He told me how he felt compelled to save me," she told me. She looked lost in thought as she continued to drink her blood.

"If my baby wants blood, does that me he will be a vampire?" she asked.

"Your baby will be what's known as a hybrid. A human, vampire crossbreed. While I was with the Volturi, I saw documents where they studied mating with humans and archives on the births. Bella, I do have to tell you, this will be very hard on your body. Your baby will grow at an accelerated rate, too fast for your fragile body to fully accommodate. Given what Nan has told me, and what I've read, I'm hoping I can save both you and the baby. Do you mind if I examine you, so I can figure out how soon your baby will be born?" She nodded her head.

I unwrapped the quilt that Garrett had her wrapped in. I lifted the nightdress she was wearing and saw very angry bruises starting to form on her belly, which had me very concerned.

"Bella, do you know when your last cycle was?"

"It was two weeks before we left Texas to search for you," she told me.

"And how long have you been traveling?"

"About two weeks, we stayed longer in some places than others. I'd never been outside of Texas before, and I wanted to see everything," she told me. I went on about examining her.

"Carlisle, can I ask you something?"

"Of course, you can ask me anything."

"Is it true you've never drunk from humans?" I offered her a smile. I could see the blood had already started to take effect, the color was now beginning to return to her cheeks.

"Yes. So Garrett has been talking about me,"

"Once Garrett changes me, will you teach me to hunt animals? While drinking the donated blood is fine for me to help my baby, I don't know if I will be able to kill someone to feed." My heart, if it still could beat would have lept for joy at that moment.

"So, I guess that means you kind of want me to stick around?" She then looked sheepishly.

"I mean…that is…if you wouldn't mind?"

"Bella, I would like that more than anything. I wanted to speak to you and Garrett about that. I wasn't sure how to bring it up. Once you're ready, I will even help you look for your husband. Which once Garrett returns, I would like to talk to you and him about that. For now, your baby.

"Bella, given the size of your womb, I'd say your baby will be born in about four to six more weeks. It seems he or she has been very active given the bruises on your belly. What I want to do is set up a blood transfusion so you won't have to drink the blood. Though I can tell by the color returning to your cheeks, it has helped tremendously already."

"If I have the transfusion, would it be better for Garrett to be around me? I don't like it when he's away. I feel an ache in my chest, like now, whenever he's gone." It was then Garrett came back into the cabin.

"Bella, sweetheart, I'm here. I told you I won't leave you again. You do whatever Carlisle suggests. It just overwhelmed me a little to smell the blood. For you, sweetheart, I will do whatever to keep you safe, even if I have to just step out for a bit," he told her as he brought her into his arms.

Nan prepared Bella some stew and brought it to her. After she ate and drank some water, she said she was really tired, and soon drifted off to sleep with Garrett laying beside her holding her lovingly.