Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or any of the characters. There may be new characters created of which will be mine!
Chapter Eleven
Gift
BPOV
As Edward and I descended the stairs, we sent one quick glance to one another. Our entire family had gathered around the table in the dining area. This only happened when there was something to discuss as a whole. I had thought perhaps Rosalie had wanted to talk to just the both of us regarding her earlier reactions of running away. I lifted my shield. Edward, did you know about this? He shrugged his shoulders as to say no. It was nice having a husband for a mind reader on occasions like these when we could have silent conversations without anyone knowing. Since we had discovered my shield, I had perfected its ability and use for moments just like these. Edward took my hand and gave me a slight squeeze as he cradled the small of my back in his hand. Edward still took care of me as I was still the fragile human I had once been, even though now as a newborn, I was stronger then he and all of my Cullen family.
I looked at the faces of all my family. All were anxious, including Emmett. Apparently Rose had not even told Emmett was coming. Alice's face was trying to hold the same composure as the rest but my future telling sister had apparently foreseen this even and was smiling privately at Rosalie. Rose waited till everyone was seated and comfortable. She was sitting at the head of the table. I looked to my left as Esme came and joined my side. Esme took my hand in hers and gave a squeeze of reassurance. "Family, I know you are wondering why I wanted all of us to be together tonight and what it is I have to say," Rose began. She looked to her husband as he was about to say something. "Don't interrupt, dear. Let me talk." Emmett sulked back in his seat. I'm sure he was about to say something smart. "I want to first say that I am sorry to all of you for leaving so abruptly without any explanation or warning. Bella and I have talked and everything is okay." Rose shot me a grin and I returned it with a nod. "But what I want to say to you is something that came as a revelation tome while I was wandering."
Rose stood and paced along the floor for a few minutes. My family were exchanging glances and nobody made a move or a sound. Rose came back to the table and took her chair once again. "I have thought about how everything that is happening now and what it means. I believe I have made a discovery or at least I have recognized what we have all missed. We know our family is gifted. And we know Bella's gift, her shield. But I believe, that isn't the only gift Bella possesses. Bella has a second gift, a gift her shield protects. Bella can procreate. That is a second gift to Bella. It's the only explanation for this to be happening again."
The room grew eerily silent. I looked to Edward who was listening intently on the thoughts around the room. "Do you think its possible, Carlisle?" I asked. My father in law would know if this was a possibility. I would think.
Carlisle was in deep concentration and my words broke it. "I…I truly have heard nothing of the such, but no two gifts are the same. Eleazer had said you were special and that your shield kept everyone out, and that it was impossible to know the capabilities of your gift. Perhaps, perhaps Rosalie is correct. Procreation is your gift and your shield is secondary to protect you and the infant. But even then, you could only procreate for so long from a medical standpoint, as you can no longer make eggs, as you are frozen in your state." The room grew silent. "But then again, your abdomen has grew a few centimeters during the course of the pregnancy which should be impossible for vampires. I don't know. There's no way to know."
I leaned in to Edward and looked at his face. "Love, we will be fine," he reassured me before he began to speak to everyone. "I believe Rosalie that you could be right. Carlisle and I had discussed her abilities in the past and wondered if the shield was more than we knew. We will have to go into this as a family."
Carlisle began to smile. "Family, we knew from the beginning that Edward chose his perfect mate. Bella has proven from the beginning she was an asset to the family. But now we have a beautiful gift that is part of us. A gift unlike any other."
Esme jumped from her seat and threw her arms around Edward and I. "Bella, you are giving the opportunity to Rosalie and I to be somewhat of a mother, allowed us to have the feelings with Nessie, and now you are going to be able to give us more than we could have ever imagined. We will always be here to support you and Edward and any bundle of a blessing that you bring into our existence."
Alice squealed as she came out of her seat. She hugged Jasper and smiled coyly. "Shopping trips!" she exclaimed.
Emmett was his usual timing, "Well, Bella, you have another reason to not keep you hands of my brother." He guffawed loudly.
I gave a cursed look to my favorite big brother. The room filled with everyone discussing and talking about future Cullens. Then Jasper spoke, "I hate to interrupt the happy thoughts, but I believe this great gift is also a wary gift."
Edward shot Jasper a look and a growl came out of his throat. Edward was reading Jasper's thoughts. I could sense it. I lifted my shield. Edward, what is it? Edward looked to me and said, "Love, I think Jasper is right and he needs to share his thoughts."
Jasper looked around the room and a sense of calm came through the room. He knew his words were upsetting but he needed to speak of what was worrying him. "Carlisle, we need to think about this gift. Bella can procreate. We already know that male immortals can procreate as we have the proof of Edward and Joham. We've all heard the stories of the males who impregnate human women. Bella is the first female immortal that we know has reproduced after her change. Aro made it very apparent not long ago that he wished to have Bella with him as well as Edward and Alice. This gift would be worth more to Aro than any other."
The room fell silent. Nobody moved or said a word. "Jasper," Carlisle began. "I know what you are saying and you are right. This gift is not safe from Aro. If he reads any of us, he will know what Bella is capable of. He would want you to join him more than ever." Carlisle nodded in my direction.
"NO!" Edward exclaimed. "That will not happen. Bella, it will not happen."
Alice leaned toward me, putting a hand on my forearm, "I have not seen Aro or the Volturi coming close within distance to us. There's not an immediate concern for us for them. They are still scared."
Esme shook her head. "Carlisle is right, children. Aro would want Bella. He would be afraid that Bella could create and would create an army to destroy him. Even though he knows our thoughts and how we want to live, he would not care. We have to protect this gift, make it a complete secret. We cannot tell anyone outside of our family. No other coven can know our Bella's gift."
Emmett came to his feet. "We will fight to protect you, Bella. Edward, you know that. We will keep this gift our family's secret."