Chapter 11: The Moment of Truth

Edythe lay on her left side, one arm around Lucas' back, making sure he stayed upright on the exam table beside her. Carine stood behind her, working on a laptop with electrodes plugged into the unit, the wires running to the table and adhered to Edythe's bare hip and pelvic region. Carine played with the program for a moment, adjusting the spots on Edythe's skin once, before telling Edythe she was going to start.

"If it gets too painful, tell me," she instructed quietly. Edythe nodded silently, keeping her eyes on Lucas. She felt the sensations immediately, but kept her mouth shut, enduring the discomfort, even as it grew more intense. Though she was trying not to react, Carine could see the tension in her shoulders and the lock in her jaw; though she didn't want to cause her any more pain, she needed to see how bad the damage was. She upped the electrodes up slowly, but when Edythe finally inhaled and her hand bunched into a fist, Carine couldn't bring herself to go any further. She turned down the impulses, watching Edythe's body gradually relax. Carine removed the white electrode adhesives, wiping away the gel with a cool cloth while keeping her hand against the spots, hoping to ease the aftershock of the nerve pain with her chilly touch. Neither spoke, and Edythe didn't volunteer anything, just hoping the exams were over and they could leave.

"This started after the birth?" Carine's quiet question caused a ripple through Edythe's spine and she squeezed her eyes shut, as if she could block the memories from that time. After a moment though, she nodded unwillingly. Carine sighed quietly; again, the guilt lanced through her. She had read the medical reports from the hospital in Jacksonville, detailing the events surrounding Edythe's time there. The doctors were mediocre at best, not concerned for a young mother and baby and more invested in more interesting and radical cases, causing Edythe to suffer for it. Hyperemesis gravidarum, anemia, migraines, all untreated throughout her entire pregnancy, in addition to the abuse she had endured by the nurses throughout her labor.

"I'm so sorry. I should have been there," she murmured quietly, almost too low for Edythe to hear. Edythe twisted slightly to look at her; she could see the pain in her amber eyes, how much she was tearing herself apart. She reached out to grip her mother's hand tightly, comfortingly.

"It's not your fault. You couldn't have known," she told her. Carine shook her head.

"We should have never left. You both wouldn't have gone through all that," she said.

"What's done is done. It's over now. All that matters to me is that you're here now," Edythe told her. "You came back when you knew we needed you. That makes everything else forgivable." Carine couldn't help a small smile; reaching out, she brushed her fingertips against Edythe's cheek.

"You're too kind to me, Edythe," she said. It was Edythe's turn to shake her head.

"I love you all too much to allow any negative emotions I might have had to affect me." Just then, Luca let out a giggle, shaking the plastic keys excitedly as they sang once more. Both women laughed, entertained by the toddler's antics. Unsurprisingly, Carine already completely adored her grandson, letting him completely destroy any semblance of organization there was in the exam room, playing with models on the counter, her pager, her stethoscope, whatever he managed to get his little fingers on.

"How did you decide on Lucas?" Carine asked suddenly, the question abruptly coming to mind. Edythe looked up at her, surprised, before falling to her son's face. Letting him play with her fingers, she answered.

"Beau named him. It means 'light' or 'bright'. We thought it was suitable, because Luca was the light in all the darkness." Carine nodded to herself, deeming the name fitting. Though she had never thought of the potential baby names Edythe and Beau would select should they have kids, when she saw Lucas, she was little thrown. With Edythe being such a traditional woman of the early 20th century, combined with Beau, she would guessed a different name. But, given the circumstances, she understood; every time they spoke Luca's name or thought of him, they would be quite literally thinking 'light', from the Italian root luce.

"His middle name, of course, is my biological parents' surname. When we married, Beau wanted to take the name Cullen, rather than the other way around. He knows me too well, and didn't want me to give up my maiden name. I was only too happy to oblige, but I also did not want the Mason name to die. So it seemed a decent middle name for Luca." Edythe continued absently. Carine smiled slightly, proud that her name that was given to her by her father so long ago would have lasted so long as to be passed on to the next generation of Cullens. As if Edythe could read her mother's mind, though it had been years since that were true, she looked up with a slightly teasing expression.

"How does it feel to be a grandmother?" she asked, her smile cheeky, and Carine couldn't help but laugh good-naturedly.

"I don't know. I only found out a little over twenty-four hours ago," she replied. "But it's about time. I am three hundred and sixty-eight," she teased back. Edythe laughed and Carine joined in for a moment before she grew more serious.

"I am amazed, and my heart is fuller than it ever has been before. I not only have you back, but also my son and now a grandson. I can't ever thank you for the gift you have given me," she told her, her golden eyes sparkling. Edythe looked down, blushing slightly in embarrassment, and Carine chuckled softly, brushing her hand along her cheek softly, only causing her to flush deeper.

They were brought out of their moment by Lucas' little cry. Immediately, Edythe was alert, her eyebrows furrowing as Lucas continued to whine. She sat up quickly, ignoring the burning feeling in her right side and pulled him to her chest. Lucas continued to fuss, small sounds coming from his mouth, almost like hiccuping. Carine grabbed paper towels just as Lucas moved to throw up. Edythe held him securely as white fluid rushed out of his mouth; Carine gently cleaned his mouth, her quick hands wiping the vomit from his lips as it came out of his system.

"That's it, Luca, get it all out," Carine murmured quietly as she worked, her eyes watching the infant struggle and logging more symptoms to Lucas' growing list. Edythe held her son helplessly, her face twisted with pain at watching him suffer. Finally, Lucas calmed, his stomach empty of the milk he had been fed earlier that morning. He slumped back into Edythe, his eyes slipping shut, exhausted from the effort. The breath choked in Edythe's lungs, and she couldn't speak. Her chin rested on top of Lucas', and her eyes flicked up to meet Carine's.

"Do you know I'm so scared for him that I've had the most ludicrous ideas to try to save him?" she asked her. Carine didn't speak, put off by the intensely anxious and even slightly wild look in her eyes. Carine slowly asked what she meant, not knowing if she really wanted to hear the answer.

"The doctors told us there was no help for him, that even if the chemotherapy was successful, he would never grow up. I was so scared, in a frenzy to try to save his life, that I have even debated the idea of having him changed," Edythe admitted. Carine's eyes widened slightly in shock, not expecting that response. Edythe knew as well as Carine did the consequences and risks involved with turning a human before a mature age; immortal children were beautiful beyond belief, and enchanting to be around. But they were volatile, their undeveloped mind unable to control their strength and thirst, and unable to learn to hide from the human world. A single tantrum could disimate an entire town; thus, creating such a being was punishable by death, in addition to the execution of the child. The Denali sisters, close friends and almost family of the Cullens, the only other coven that shared their passion for saving human lives and committing to the blood of animals, understood this consequence better than anyone else; their mother created such a child, and she paid the price.

Edythe knew the stories behind it perfectly, yet she had even considered doing such a thing to try to save Lucas' life. Carine could see it in her daughter's eyes, the pain and the fear; she could see that Edythe was not incompetent or ignorant, because she knew the consequence but the instinct to protect her child outweighed everything else, and Carine couldn't help but feel her own bout of pain for her suffering. Edythe stood, her arms supporting Lucas as she moved to sit in the chair in the corner of the room. She had not meant to admit such a cowardice and blasphemous desire, but she needed to get it out, to confess, to tell someone, and if she were to tell anybody, it would be Carine. Carine knelt besides Edythe, wanting to get a better look in her eyes when she tried to duck her head.

"I know how you must have felt entertaining that decision, Edythe," Carine began. "But I know looking at you that you know I can't do that. The venom would save his life, cure the tumor, but it would only cause him a different kind of pain, one he would have to deal with for the rest of his existence, not to mention the risk to him by the Volturi." Carine's words were soft, gentle, not wanting to upset Edythe, but wary of her reaction. Edythe nodded though; she understood all of this, and thinking logically, she wouldn't have gone through with it. But the draw, the longing for relief, did not leave from the back of her mind.

"However, you now know that there is a chance of help for him, that he can have his life back. And it doesn't require venom," Carine continued, reaching up to get Edythe to look at her; when she did, she kept her gaze, wanting to convey the message. "I will not allow any more harm to my family, and that includes Luca." Neither spoke for a minute after Carine's declaration; finally though, Carine spoke, her gaze on their hands held together rather than Edythe's face.

"I did not want to ask you, because I don't want you to think I feel a certain way, one or the other, but after hearing what you have told me, I feel as if I need to know…."

Edythe waited, wary and cautious of the hesitancy in her mother's expression. Finally though, she continued.

"Have you ever thought of switching back?" Edythe didn't respond immediately, and Carine finally looked up at her face. Her daughter's face was surprisingly stoic, calm, and Carine knew Edythe had thought of it. Edythe confirmed it after another long moment of silence.

"I have thought about it, but…." Edythe took a breath before she finished.

"I don't think it would help anyone, least of all Beau and Luca. If I was changed, I'd be a newborn again. Besides the fact I don't relish the idea of living like that again, if I woke up and caught Beau's scent, I know I wouldn't be able to stop myself. And I don't know if anyone else would be able to stop me from killing him, especially if I have the same newborn strength and speed as I did the first time. And if Luca smells anything like his father, it would put him at risk as well.

"And even if I could be restrained, I'd have to live away from them for a long time before I could stand to be near them, and I won't do that to them. And even if Beau was changed with me, Beau wouldn't want to risk Luca like that either; he says he wouldn't trust himself to not hurt him, and we would have to stay away from him. Neither of us want to watch him grow up without us. I want to watch my son grow up, and I won't risk either of their lives." Edythe's explanation hit home, and Carine felt a pang of emotion, brought on by the amount of time and thought Edythe must have put into that decision. Carine couldn't help but agree, remembering the times she and the family had had to deal with a newborn and knew, objectively, what would result. She wanted to know what mentality Edythe was in regarding the subject and was glad and calmed to find she was thinking properly.

"I agree, sweetheart, and none of us would ever force you into that decision again. I just wanted to know where your head is at. I know how you think, but it's been a long time," Carine meant to be joking but it deepens halfway through. Edythe understood though, and she squeezed her mother's hand, a gesture which Carine returned. Neither spoke for a moment, just enjoying the silence and companionship, but Carine broke it with an amused smile as Lucas, who still slept soundly against Edythe's chest, began to babble unintelligibly in his sleep.

"He sleep talks?" she asked, and Edythe's face split into a giggle as she nodded.

"He's so much like Beau, though Beau will contest that he's more like me," she said as she adjusted her grip. There was a knock on the closed door of the exam room and Edythe looked up in surprise and wariness. Carine, having heard the approaching footsteps, was already at the door, opening it to reveal a nurse in the doorway.

"Hello, Dr. Cullen, sorry to bother you, but I'm just dropping off the meds you requested," the young nurse smile shyly. Carine returned the gesture, not wanting to startle her, and thanked her. Edythe stood up, Lucas' head falling to the curve of her neck as she faced Carine. Carine stopped in front of her and held up the bottle for her. Edythe's eyes narrowed suspiciously, untrusting, and Carine sighed.

"Please take it, sweetheart. I don't want to see you in pain," she murmured. Edythe's gaze moved from the medication to her face, seeing nothing but pleading and resounding fear. Edythe sighed then reached out and took the bottle.

The next few days passed in a blur; the Cullens quickly fell into step with Edythe's and Beau's routine, as if they had never left. Beau worked regular hours in the city, though he coordinated with his wife so that they left for work at earlier times to both be home earlier. Lucas was originally dropped off at daycare when Edythe had to work; though she worked less than eighteen hours a week, not having Lucas with her made Edythe very nervous. Thankfully, her family quickly jumped into take on the role; each of them took turns caring for Luca at home, feeding and changing him, playing with him. They all adored their little grandson/nephew, and he loved their attention. Lucas was a happy baby, considering everything he had gone through in his short life, but the effects of the tumor were weighing on him. Though none of the Cullens other than Carine had practiced medicine in their lives—though Royal had gone to school for a medical degree once or twice—they immediately were struck by how bad the disease was getting.

The first time they had really saw the difference was the day after Lucas and Edythe went to the hospital; Edythe was working a few hours to cover a coworker and Jessamine, Eleanor, and Earnest were in charge of Lucas while both of this parents were gone. Edythe and Beau had graciously taught them all how to take care of a toddler, unable to hold in their laughter at times as the vampires adjusted to how much work a human baby was. Eleanor's face was scrunched, her nose plugged, as Jessamine worked to change Lucas' diaper.

"For someone so small, he smells so bad," she muttered as she flitted with the plastic keys Archie had bought Lucas, enticing the toddler away from what his aunt was doing.

"You're telling me," Jessamine agreed as she disposed of the dirty diaper. Lucas wiggled on the changing table as she wiped him clean, and even the two vampires couldn't help smiles at his antics. Earnest was downstairs, preparing a bottle of formula and cutting some carrots into tiny pieces. Carine was adamant that they continue to try to get Lucas to eat human food, if only a small amount at a time. As Jessamine lifted Lucas' bottom to place a clean diaper under him, the child cried out. Both girls froze, Jessamine's eyes raking over Luca's body to see for injury, feeling the sharp wave of pain from him. Earnest was there a half moment later, his amber eyes concerned.

"What happened?" he asked, trying to stay calm. Lucas was seemingly distracted once more, as if whatever had hurt him was gone.

"I don't know," Jessamine said. "I was just putting another diaper on him." Carefully, Jessamine moved to put the diaper in place. As she made to secure the tab on Lucas' left side, putting slight pressure as she did so, Lucas cried out again, his small voice a loud wail and crystal tears forming in his eyes. Eleanor hushed him gently, her normally teasing voice low and soothing and her eyes serious as Jessamine finished up the job, barely brushing his skin to redress the toddler. Lucas calmed under their hands and voices, a few tears falling but no more formed. After she was done, Jessamine hesitantly lifted Lucas into the crook of her arm. He didn't react, looking around until he saw Earnest in the doorway. He reached to his grandfather immediately, making small babbles that made it clear what he wanted. Jessamine moved toward Earnest and he reached out to let Lucas grip his hand. As Luca seemed content to play with Earnest's fingers, the three vampires looked between each other, their faces unfathomable.

Though Carine was a new doctor at Rochester General, her influence in the hospital, as well as the direness of the situation, resulted in her being able to book an operating room and full staff for Lucas' nephrectomy within days of joining. She requested the best nurses, the best anesthesiologist, and the best attendings to assist her in the surgery. She was given full access to everything the hospital had to offer, and she was going to use it. Within a week, the day of Luca's surgery came. Both Beau and Edythe didn't go into work, too stressed to leave Luca alone for a moment, and the Cullens watched as the young parents became more and more apprehensive, though Beau hid it better for Edythe's sake.

Luca was prepared in the pediatric ward of the hospital; he was curious about all the equipment and wearing a little gown and sitting on the big hospital bed. Being hooked up to machines made him all the more curious, though he held onto Beau when they put the IV in. Edythe and Beau were besides him the entire time, talking to him, playing with him, so much so he didn't notice what was happening until they arrived at the doors to the surgical ward, the stopping point for both parents. Carine stood off to the side on the other side of the doors, dressed in surgical scrubs, her long light blonde hair tied back already. Edythe took a moment before she had the strength to let go of Lucas, stepping back and turning into Beau's arms. Beau ran down his hands down her shoulders in what little comfort he could provide, her forehead under his chin. When his mother was out of sight, Lucas began to cry. Edythe squeezed her eyes shut, as if she could expel the sound from her mind, and her fingers tightened over Beau's upper arms, fighting against the urge to take Lucas away from there, to hold him and protect him for all the strangers he didn't know and didn't trust.

Instead, though, she held strong, turning slightly as her son's cries quieted as he passed through the door. Carine stepped to the side of the bed, her fingers brushing the tears from Lucas' cheek. The toddler calmed slightly at her presence, but still called out for his parents. Carine looked up toward Beau and Edythe, where they stood just on the other side of the door, gazing at the bed and her with identical panicked and anguished looks. She smiled at them, reassuring. Her gentle golden eyes conveyed what she wished she could tell them and they nodded ever so slightly at her, giving her permission to take Lucas away. Carine turned, keeping one of her hands down so Lucas can hold on to it, softly speaking to the staff as they pushed the bed through the next set of doors and out of sight. Edythe exhaled sharply, her voice cracking. Beau tightened his hold on her, trying to protect her from the fear that raged inside her.

"He'll be okay," he told her. She didn't respond, still watching the door where Lucas and Carine had disappeared. Suddenly, she felt a hand on her back, and turned to see Earnest standing there. She looked up at her father as he wrapped an arm around her comfortingly. He leaned down to kiss her hair then rubbed his hand along her shoulder.

"Let's go into the waiting room," another voice said, and Edythe looked to find Archie besides their little group, with her siblings standing a few feet away. "It will be a little while before we hear anything." No one moved, waiting for her decision. She nodded and Beau and Earnest gently led her to the small waiting room down the hall. She settled down in a chair directly in front of the door, Beau sitting to her left. His arms never left their circle around her, and Earnest sat on her other side. Her siblings took up spaces next to her, huddled in a corner of the room.

There was nothing left to do now but wait, and hope.

Hello again! Another pretty quick one done!

This is the point where I must know: do you want me to continue? If not, I only have one chapter left prepared. But I do have a secondary story that can be added, which goes more in depth in horror of what Edythe went through when she had Lucas, and when she forced to face that fear again.

Let me know what you guys would like! Love you all!

~Melinda