I woke up to Andrea's face, hovering over mine. I smiled up at her, but I was honestly expecting Nicholas's to be there. Was he back yet?
"Well, look who decided to wake up," Andrea grinned.
"Yeah…" I murmured, uninterested. I was just curious about the turnout of today and Nicholas's arrival back.
"Okay, Bella, I know I may not be able to see that well, but I can see that you're curious and…what's wrong?" she asked, staring directly at me.
"Is Nicholas back yet?" I asked.
Andrea remained silent and I wondered if she'd speak.
"Andrea…" I warned, worried now.
"No. It's fine. I'm fine. Nicholas is fine. He's not back with the others yet, no. Alexander hasn't come back with Hanna and I've been tracking them all morning. I don't even know what Nicholas is doing," she answered sadly.
"Wait…Hanna isn't back? Why? Can't she just understand that we need her and that she's as important as anyone else? Can't she get over it? What's wrong with her?" I asked, practically hissing unnecessarily at Andrea.
"I can't answer that."
An uncomfortable silence followed and I sighed.
"Well…I can try to find you some breakfast but I don't trust myself cooking," Andrea said, trying to ease my confusion.
"No. I'm good. If I do get hungry, I can do it myself." After all, how long had I been cooking for Charlie and Renee?
Andrea nodded and stood, leaving me in the tent. I understood if she was about to go off and track again, I could cope by myself.
I sat in the tent and decided to just think about everything. Hanna was rude to others, but was utterly insulted when being criticized by anyone else. I didn't get why she didn't just come back. Couldn't she manage? It wasn't that bad, honestly. Then again, was she tired of her group? Was she tired of Nicholas and everyone else? I didn't see how it could possibly be.
Then, knowing Alexander, why wouldn't he just come back and tell us what was going on? He didn't like cliffhangers and leaving people curious. He would've come back to tell us things were okay. Thinking deeper into it, maybe Hanna had given him strict orders to not tell us anything useful. They must've covered their scent if Andrea had gone to track them earlier. They flat out just didn't want to be found.
Suddenly, a commotion settled outside of the tent.
"Liam, you should've come back! I was worried sick about you all," Andrea growled.
"You're right, I should've. Andrea, dear, I just couldn't. Nicholas wants us to go elsewhere for training and we were tracking Hanna and Alexander…" Liam trailed off.
"How is that so impossible to accomplish? You should've brought us along. Bella was so anxious," Andrea said.
"Bella? That mortal girl? She's still here?" Liam hissed.
"No! I mean, yes. But you have to respect another's wishes and desires. Nicholas is in love with her and you know that Nicholas was so lost without anyone."
"You're right. I do know that. I do. But he's also in love with the idea of slaughtering the Volturi to shreds."
There was a pause and nothing more. Low whispers began to grow and then there was nothing.
I decided, after a while of thought, I'd go out and see what was going on. I pulled a wool blanket around me and exited the tent. The campsite was empty, no one in sight. Where were they? The fire in the center was about to disease. I rushed over to it, grabbing wood and throwing it in. I saw a few boxes of matches nearby and decided to light the fire again. Trying so hard not to burn myself, I lit a single match, touching it to the logs. They began to catch and I blew careful breaths on it, not wanting it to die out like the last one.
I wandered around the camp, looking for footsteps that she could follow. I needed to find someone.
I had just circled the camp twice when she found some, faint looking and hardly visible. I followed them into the forest and they lead a long ways. Then, I heard voices.
"I hope they don't find us," a familiar feminine voice murmured.
There was a silence and it sounded like someone was supposed to answer.
"What? You want to be found?" It was Hanna! Hanna was nearby. I followed the sound of her voice.
"Sort of," Alexander answered uneasily. "I mean, they are probably worried and out looking—"
Hanna snorted, laughing, "Oh, of course! Nicholas decided to send them after us to look for us! Psshh!" She chuckled some more. How rude could she possibly get? How could I create Hanna to be so heartless?
I saw them, sitting in a cavern together. It was small and ivy decorated its exteriors. They didn't see me so I said, "Actually, Hanna, he would," I growled.
Hanna turned, surprised. She climbed out with Alexander behind her. She sized me up with narrowed eyes that were in no way intimidating.
"And, I suppose you would know this, right?" she asked.
"Yes. I think I would," I answered confidently.
"Hmm…"
I sighed, "Hanna…did you ever have a purpose in destroying the Volturi? Did you ever like trailing along with Nicholas?" I asked.
Hanna paused, and then glanced at Alexander. "I don't know. It's fun being with them. I supported fighting the Volturi time and time again."
"Then why are you upset with Nicholas if you enjoy it?"
Hanna looked back at me. "He gets…on the edge sometimes. Irritating. Annoying. It's not enjoyable to be around."
"The same goes with you, Hanna. You're the exact same," I said.
She narrowed her eyes at me, "Why come here to insult? It's useless. I thought you'd come, begging me to come back."
I nodded. "I am. But you need to know the truth so that you aren't insulted in the future."
She growled, "Just go! You're no use. You're not convincing."
I looked at her, sorrow in my eyes. She shot me a meaningful look. I sighed and turned on my heels, gathering the wool blanket I still had around me. I walked off back the way I came. Suddenly, Alexander was beside me.
"What—"
"You have courage. Bravery. You know the truth," he said.
"Why would you leave the one you love?"
"I love Hanna, believe me. But she has been angry, full of hatred. It's a pain just to walk past. I saw you, standing up to her. It inspired me to walk away and help you."
"Help me? With what?" I asked.
He chuckled, "You can't be serious. I know you want to find Nicholas. I don't know where he is, but I can track him down for you."
I smiled gratefully up at him. "Thank you."
"Anytime," he grinned back at me.
He swept me up into his arms, cradling me to his chest. I liked to believe that Alexander was the brother I never had. He treated me just like his sister, and I admired that. Where had I ever come up with all of this?
He followed the scent through the forest, running with the speed that still amazed me today. We were getting close, I could feel it.
He suddenly turned, slowing down, as voices approached us. He stopped and I could sense he wanted to eavesdrop before making our appearance.
"We shouldn't have left Bella like that, Liam. It was beyond rude," Andrea said. Her voice was heavy with compassion for me.
"You could've stayed," Liam pointed out.
"I know. But I wanted to see what was going on here. You would've never let me bring her here."
"Since when did you ever start listening?" Liam asked playfully.
"I'm not. I never have. And don't be surprised; I can listen whenever I feel."
Liam sighed and nodded.
"Can you two please stop? Or help? I'd think you'd both be interested in this map," Damien butted in.
"Same here, Damien," Nicholas said.
That voice lighted up my world. Nicholas was okay. He was safe. I smiled in Alexander's arms.
"Of course, of course. Sorry, Damien," Liam said and I saw him wander over from where we were in the bushes.
"You know," Andrea said, walking over to them, "Bella would be a big help, considering she knows this place."
Liam snorted, "Can we get off the topic of Bella for at least…forever?"
Nicholas growled. "Take it or leave it, Liam."
"Please. Both of you shut up and let's finish this."
"Sorry, Damien," Andrea apologized, "that was all me."
That's when Alexander walked into their site. Nicholas, Damien, and Liam stood over a tree trunk with a map laid upon it. Andrea paced back and forth, her hands on her hips. When she saw us, she ran over, her face happy and heartily sorry.
"Oh, Bella! Forgive me! I should never have left you alone!" Andrea said, taking me in her arms and hugging me.
"Andrea, it's okay. I'm fine."
"I'm not! Oh, goodness." Andrea seemed to be fretting.
"Okay. I forgive you," I laughed.
She sat me down and took the blanket off of me, folding it up in her arms.
Liam seemed to be angry at my appearance. He squinted at me, narrowing his eyes. Why was he so rude, too?
Nicholas ran up to me, hugging my and spinning me around, "Bella!" he said so happily.
"Nicholas!" I breathed.
He sat my down and paused, letting me breathe before crushing his lips against mine heavily. I wanted so badly for him to continue, but he stopped and wrapped his arms around my waist. He looked at me evenly in the eyes. "Are you okay?" he asked.
"Are you okay?" I asked.
"Then we must both be doing well."
"Well, now I am."
The dream faded and I woke to Edward's arm wrapped around my shoulders. He watched the television as he flipped through the anonymous channels. When he saw me wake, he looked at me with a small smile.
"How did you sleep?" he murmured.
"Like a baby," I answered. He just stared at me, not laughing along with me.
He sighed, seeing my disappointment, and looked away, back to the television.
"Edward, can I ask you something?" I asked.
"Anything."
"Why are you and Jacob both anticipating my death because of our baby?" I asked.
He winced. Maybe my choice of words wasn't good.
"Sorry," I murmured.
"No, no. But we're not anticipating it. Know that. We're more…fretting the day you…" he stopped and gulped.
"I understand."
"Yes. Well…Carlisle and I have been doing research and…most mothers don't survive this."
"By 'most' you mean 'none.'" Rosalie said, trampling down the stairs and then coming to sit on the floor in front of me.
Edward hissed, but it was weak and I could see this hurt him.
"Rose," I warned.
"Sorry, Bella. I know that you will make it, though. You've been doing so well," Rosalie said.
"Thank you," I managed to say. I could feel Edward's pain and sorrow as I watched his face cloud.
Rosalie sighed and handed me a cup as she watched Edward's face. I took it and sipped out of the straw. Rosalie rolled her eyes at Edward and turned to the television that flipped through channels still.
"I'm sorry, Edward. I shouldn't have asked. I should've known…"
"Don't apologize for being curious," Edward said more strongly now.
I nodded and took another sip.
Suddenly, a pain hit me in the stomach hard. I gasped and gritted my teeth, closing my eyes tight. Edward was leaning over me when I opened my eyes, Rosalie right behind him, peering over his shoulder.
"Carlisle," Edward called, his voice low and heavy with worry for me.
Carlisle was down in a minute, his eyes wearily watching me. He took me into his arms and hurried me up the stairs.
"Ow!" I gasped, trying to take deep breaths. It wasn't working too well, but I was managing.
We made it up the stairs safely, Rosalie and Edward trailing behind obediently. Edward's face accented his worry for me. I hated seeing that. He shouldn't have to worry. No one should have to.
Carlisle laid me on the medical bed again, quickly going over the new X-rays.
Edward murmured aloud, "I heard a crack. Did something else break?"
"I didn't hear anything," Rosalie mumbled beside him.
Carlisle shrugged, then glanced down at the photos. Carlisle beckoned Edward over to see the X-rays and I heard Edward murmur, "Not her pelvis."
Carlisle nodded sadly and Edward stepped back as Carlisle grabbed the cloth he had been using the whole time throughout every crack.
Rosalie grabbed the photos of my pelvis and signaled Carlisle over once he was done with me. She pointed out something on the photos and handed them back to Carlisle. She flitted over to Edward's side with a smirk.
"See, I told you I didn't hear a crack. You need your ears checked, Edward."
"So…what? What happened to my pelvis?" I murmured weakly, still trying to breathe but they came out shallow and harsh.
"Not entirely, Bella," Carlisle answered, still glancing down at the photos. "It seems that it was close to cracking…but it didn't. It might, so I'm going to keep a heavy eye on it. If there's any pains in that area, make sure you tell someone."
I nodded as Edward grabbed me from the bed. He walked calmly down the stairs, trying to hide his earlier scares for me.
It still hurt badly. I knew it wasn't broken, but it felt like it could at any moment. It was very fragile now.
I saw Jake sitting on the floor by the door with Alice next to him.
"Jake," I whispered, smiling through the pain.
He just stared, saying nothing.
Edward placed me carefully on the couch and sat on the floor in front of me as I lied down.
Carlisle came down slowly, the last one, his face creased with worry.
Jacob and Alice followed in after him. Jacob stood near Carlisle and Alice headed to a chair near Jacob.
"Carlisle," Jacob said, "We went halfway to Seattle. There's no sign of the pack. You're good to go."
"Thank you, Jacob. This is good timing. There's much that we need." It was just then that I noticed everyone's eyes. Carlisle's eyes were black, hardly amber anymore. Rosalie's looked better, her eyes still hinting on the amber well enough to be made out. Alice's were dark, and it looked evil on her pixie face. I lastly looked at Edward's who were completely shadowed. There was no life there. Even if there was, it would remain invisible to me.
I picked up my cup from the table where I had left it and began to sip.
"Honestly, I think you're safe enough to take more than three. I'm pretty sure that Sam is concentrating on La Push," Jacob said. Her voice was sure enough to trust.
Carlisle nodded in agreement. It surprised me how willingly he took Jacob's advice. "If you think so. Alice, Esme, Jasper, and I will go. Then Alice can take Emmett and Rosa—"
"Not a chance," Rosalie hissed. "Emmett can go with you now."
"You should hunt," Carlisle said in a gentle voice.
However, his tone didn't soften hers. "I'll hunt when he does," she growled, jerking her head toward Edward and then flipping her hair back.
Carlisle sighed.
Jasper and Emmett were down the stairs in a flash, and Alice joined them by the glass back door in the same second. Esme flitted to Alice's side.
Carlisle put his hand on Jacob's arm. I was surprised to see Jacob not flinch away from the contact. Maybe he was trying to be good.
"Thank you," Carlisle said again, and then he darted out the door with the other four.
Jacob watched them flit and fly across the yard. I could see they were anxious to hunt which was something that had been disable to do for a long time now.
I caught Rosalie glaring at Jacob as he sauntered over to her. He settled into the armchair next to the one she had settled in to.
"Ew. Someone put the dog out," she murmured, wrinkling her nose.
"Have you heard this one, Psycho? How do a blonde's brain cells die?"
She didn't say anything.
"Well?" he asked. "Do you know the punch line or not?"
She looked pointedly at the television and ignored him.
"Has she heard it?" Jacob asked, turning to look at Edward.
Edward didn't move his eyes from my face. "No," he murmured.
"Awesome. So you'll enjoy this one, Blondie—a blonde's brain cells die alone."
Rosalie still didn't even avert her eyes to stare at him. "I have killed a hundred times more often than you have, you disgusting beast. Don't forget that."
"Someday, Beauty Queen, you're going to get tired of just threatening me. I'm really looking forward to that."
"Enough, Jacob," I said.
I scowled at him as he walked over to me and sat down on my other side.
"You want me to take off so soon?" he offered.
I blinked, my frown disappearing. I was totally shocked that he would even come close to the conclusion. "No! Of course not."
He sighed, and I heard Edward sigh quietly as well.
"You look tired," I commented after my shock.
"Bead beat," he admitted.
"I'd like to beat you dead," Rosalie murmured from across the room. I shot her a look, not wanting her snide comments.
He slumped deeper into the couch next to me. He closed his eyes and looked so peaceful. After a few moments, I asked Rosalie for a refill.
"Did you say something?" Edward asked in a puzzled tone.
He was staring straight at me now, and I stared back. We both looked confused.
"Me?" I asked after a second. "I didn't say anything."
He moved off the couch, lurching onto his knees in front of me. His expression was suddenly intense in a whole different way. His black eyes focused on my face.
"What are you thinking about right now?"
I stared at him blankly. "Nothing. What's going on?"
"What were you thinking about a minute ago?" he asked.
"Just…Esme's island. And feathers."
"Say something else," he whispered.
"Like what? Edward, what's going on?"
His face changed again, and he did something that made Jacob's mouth fall open with a pop. I heard a gasp beyond Jacob, and I knew Rosalie was back.
Edward, very lightly, put both of his hands against my stomach.
"The f—" He swallowed. "It…the baby likes the sound of your voice."
What? The baby—
"Holy crow, you can hear him!" I shouted. In the next moment, I winced.
Edward's hand moved to the top peak of my belly and gently rubbed the spot where the little nudger kicked me.
"Shh," he murmured. "You startled it…him."
I felt my eyes widen with wonder and excitement. I patted Edward's hand where it was on my stomach. "Sorry, baby."
Edward was listening hard, his head tilted toward the bulge.
Then I knew that that was why Edward thought he heard that crack earlier. He had just heard him…
"What's he thinking now?" I demanded eagerly.
"He or she is…" He paused and looked up into my eyes. His eyes were filled with a similar awe. "He's happy," Edward said in an incredulous voice.
My breath caught. He…my nudger…was happy. I could feel big fat tears well down my face. I could feel my lips twitch into a happy smile.
I watched Edward's eyes transform in front of me. They unraveled the best thing in the world: he was marveling along with me. Finally. He saw how wonderful he was and…almost accepted this.
"Of course you're happy, pretty baby, of course you are," I crooned, rubbing my stomach while the tears washed my cheeks. "How could you not be, all safe and warm and loved? I love you so much, little EJ, of course you're happy."
"What did you just call him?" Edward asked curiously.
I blushed. "I sort of named him. I didn't think you'd want…well, you know."
"EJ?"
"You're father's name was Edward, too."
"Yes, it was. What—?" Edward paused and then said, "Hmm."
"What?"
"He likes my voice, too."
"Of course he does." I smiled at Edward, then down at my stomach again. "You have the most beautiful voice in the universe, Edward. Who wouldn't love it?"
"Do you have a backup plan?" Rosalie asked, leaning over the back of the sofa in wonder, "What is he's a she?"
I wiped my tears away with the back of my hand. "I kicked a few things around. Playing with Renee and Esme. I was thinking…Ruh-nez-may."
"Ruhnezmay?"
"R-e-n-e-s-m-e-e. Too weird?"
"No, I like it," Rosalie assured me. "It's beautiful. And one of a kind, so that fits."
"I still think he's an Edward."
Edward was staring off into space, his face blank as he listened.
"What?" I asked, my face glowing again. "What's he thinking now?"
At first, he didn't answer, and then—shocking all the rest of us again, three distinct and separate gasps—he laid his ear tenderly against my stomach.
"He loves you," Edward whispered, sounding dazed. "He absolutely adores you."
