***Thanks for the huge response to the last chapter. You guys are really great and I appreciate all of the support on this!

***Thanks to Jasper's Darlin Kathy and TwiCarol for beta reading these chapters so fast! Sorry I'm such a pain!

Claudia's POV

I pulled up to the villa, but sat in my car for a few minutes, debating on whether to go in, or not. Carlisle was the only one in there, and probably the only one who could help me. I had so many questions that I needed answered before I could tell Edward. He was already going through so much stress, and I didn't want to add to it.

What was I thinking? Carlisle was going through so much, too. Maybe I should just wait until Cullen was found, and then I could talk to Edward. Yes, that was probably the best idea for everyone. I was ready to put the car in drive and leave, when suddenly I realized that Carlisle was standing on the porch steps, motioning for me to come inside. Of course he knew I was here, he was a freaking vampire, so he sensed me. Maybe that was the sign I needed. I stepped out of the car and headed toward him.

"Claudia," he said, as he took my hand and lead me inside. "Is everything okay?"

"I'm fine," I said. "I just wanted to talk."

"Edward called me," he said. "Is your shoulder okay?"

"It's sore, but nothing too painful."

"Please, sit down." He motioned toward the couch. "I can take a look at it, if you'd like."

"Maybe later," I said, as he joined me on the couch.

"I want to apologize for Bella, but understandably, she is not herself."

"I know," I shifted in my seat. "I shouldn't have said the things that I said to her."

"You were entitled." I was surprised he said that, because I knew he loved Bella like his own daughter. "You and Jasper have a lot in common."

"He handles their relationship much better than I do," I admitted.

"He didn't always." he said, as he shook his head. "And, wasn't Jasper responsible for that?" he asked, as he pointed to the cracked wall, where Jasper had sent Edward flying into earlier that evening.

I laughed," Yes, I guess he was."

"Edward is worried about you," he said. "Is there something that I can do to help?"

"I feel kind of embarrassed that I'm here, especially because you and your family are going through so much right now."

"Claudia," he asked. "Do you love Edward?"

"Yes, very much."

"That makes you part of my family," he smiled. "You are not bothering me. How can I help?"

"I'm unsure of something, and I want to tell Edward, but I'm not sure how he will react."

"I see," he said. "But you think that I can help."

"I was hoping that since you are a doctor and you've kind of seen this sort of thing before, that you might have some answers for me."

"Is this about Edward turning you?"

"What?" I knew what he meant, but Edward and I had never discussed that before. I knew it was an option if I wanted to be turned, but I was happy living as a crossbreed and I think Edward knew that, and that was why the topic never came up.

"Do you want Edward to change you?"

"We haven't really talked about that before," I started to get a bit nervous, and my stomach was starting to churn, the way it had been doing the past few days. "That's not why I'm here."

"Oh," he said. "I'm sorry. I just assumed that since you wanted to see me, it was because you wanted advice on whether you should become like one of us." He stared at me for a few moments, "You don't want my vampire expertise at all. You are seeking my medical opinion, aren't you?"

I nodded.

"I see," he smiled. "Were you able to confirm your current condition?"

"I don't know if there is a current condition or not." I said, almost relieved that he figured it out. "I wasn't sure a crossbreed peeing on a traditional pregnancy test stick would work."

He laughed. "I think it would work, but because of our hearing we can figure it out much faster."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, when Bella was pregnant with Cullen, Jasper confirmed it by listening to her stomach. He heard the heartbeat that way."

"Oh," I didn't think I was ready for Carlisle to do that. "Is this even a possibility for someone like me? I mean, I'm extremely old."

"Well, you're not that much older than Jasper, and he was able to create Cullen. Your body functions as an eighteen year old. Remember when you gave me the DNA sample for Cullen a few years ago?"

"Yes, so that you could learn more about him, and you were trying to establish paternity."

"Yes," he shook his head, as if he was trying to forget that fact. "I analyzed your DNA, and found out a few things about your make up. I wanted to learn as much as possible, so that I knew what I'd be dealing with for Cullen. Your body functions as a normal, healthy, fertile woman."

"I can get pregnant?"

"No one ever told you that?"

"In theory I knew it was possible, and I always took the necessary precautions." Before Edward, I had always used a condom, well, at least once they were invented, and we did in the beginning of our relationship, but as we became more serious, I switched to the pill. "I'm on birth control."

"It's not always a hundred percent effective, and because your body is stronger than that of an average human, well that might not have been the best method for you."

I sat there trying to let his words sink in, but I was stunned.

"Can I ask what makes you think that you are pregnant?"

"I'm late."

"How late?"

"About six weeks."

"You didn't find that strange?"

"No, actually I welcomed it. I've been dealing with that cycle for a really long time." I laughed, but not because it was funny. "I was hoping I was changing life."

He laughed. "You're going to be eighteen forever. The only way that's going to stop is if you become a vampire."

"Great," I said. "What am I going to do now?"

"Why don't you tell me why you came to me and not Edward?"

"I wasn't sure this was even possible," I ran my fingers through my hair, and tried to process this new information. "I figured it out the day that Bella came to Italy and I had planned to tell Edward that night, but then we got sidetracked."

"Because Cullen made that remark about Edward loving you almost as much as Bella?"

I nodded, "I shouldn't have let that bother me, but I did," I was embarrassed to admit. "And then, Cullen was taken and I couldn't spring this on him now. I'm not even sure how he'd react."

"He would want this; you don't doubt that, do you?" Carlisle asked.

"I don't know, Carlisle," I wanted to believe that this is what Edward would want, but maybe I wasn't the woman that he wanted to have a baby with. Maybe he missed that opportunity three years ago. "Edward is very complex. You never know how he would react to something like this."

"There's only one way to find out."

"I just don't know if now is such a good time."

"I understand," he took my hand. "But, in keeping this secret you will run into a few problems."

"Like?" I asked.

"Edward works really hard to stay out of your head, and he succeeds for the most part, but he doesn't work so hard to stay out of mine. I can do my best not to think about this when I'm around him, but I can't guarantee that I will be successful."

"It wouldn't be your fault." I forgot that could be a problem. I needed to be the one to tell him.

"The other problem that you will run into is if there is a baby in there," he pointed to my stomach, "and you are already a few weeks along, Edward and every other vampire you come in contact with will pick up the heart beat."

"How long will that be?"

"Soon, I have a feeling that your pregnancy will progress even faster than Bella's, because your baby will be three quarters vampire and only a quarter human. You're on the accelerated track, but we have nothing to compare this to, since the other female crossbreed was turned, and Cullen is the only other one."

"So, you're saying that I have to tell him now?"

"You probably have a few more days."

"I wanted to wait until we found Cullen."

"It's your call, but my advice is to tell him sooner, rather than later."

I instantly placed my hands on my stomach. Would Edward even want this with me? The only life we ever knew was here in Italy. We were supposed to leave here and explore our life together.

"Would you like me to confirm it for you?"

"No," I said, almost panicked. "Not yet. I'm not ready for it to be real."

"It's okay, Claudia," he reassured me. "It will all work out. I'll help you through this."

I gently kissed his cheek. "I wish Marcus could have been more like you."

"For your sake, me too, but now you have me."

I felt a bit overwhelmed. I had always been friendly with all of the Cullen's, and Alice and I had formed a friendship over the years, and I looked to Jasper as a brother, but I always figured Carlisle had enough kids to look after, and didn't need any more. "Why?" It was such a simple word, but that was all I could manage to say.

"You love my son," he smiled. "And, you helped him through an extremely difficult time in his life. He needed you, Claudia, and he always will."

"Thank you, Carlisle," I smiled. "Can you look at my shoulder now? It really hurts."

He smiled, "Actually, I'm kind of glad I have you and," he paused, and a sadness washed across his face. "Cullen to look after these days."

"They'll get him back," I smiled. "I'm sure he'll make a great cousin."

I was glad I went to see Carlisle. I could see why the rest of them all looked up to him. He was gentle, compassionate and showed true concern, but he commanded respect and had a way of keeping them all in line. I wanted to be with Edward for all of eternity, and be a part of his coven, and if my suspicions about being pregnant were correct, I would be with them forever.

EPOV

I was frustrated to say the least. Not that I was hoping that there would be a traitor in the Guard, but I had hoped that we could find someone who could lead us to Maria.

"Sorry, Felix," I said. "If it was one of your guards, they didn't let me know."

"It's okay, Edward," he said. "Actually, Alice knew that you wouldn't hear anything tonight, but I was hoping that someone made a last minute decision."

Demetri had just finished giving the Guard their orders and dismissing them when Aro and Caius walked in.

"Experiment didn't go so well, Felix?" Caius said, as he looked at me. "I know it's not because Edward couldn't do it."

"The traitor is not among them." I informed him. "And if he is, he found a way to block me."

"Impossible," Aro smiled. "Even I have a hard time maintaining that."

"Sorry, Aro," Demetri said. "I guess I was wrong when I thought someone was warning Maria. I just have to try harder."

"No one doubts you, Demetri," Caius said. "We have faith in your tracking abilities."

"Where is Marcus?" I asked, when it occurred to me that I hadn't seen him since Cullen was taken.

"Why?" Aro asked. "Are you going to ask for his daughter's hand?"

"He'd be the last person's permission I'd seek," I said. "I just haven't seen him in the past several hours. He's always with the two of you."

"He's around," Aro said. "He's working behind the scenes. He's the one who pulled the archives for Claudia on Maria."

My mind trailed off for a second, but Aro interrupted my thought process.

Don't go there, Edward.

Isn't it possible? I asked. Has he been avoiding you, too?

No, I'm going to speak to him later about my part in Maria leaving him and Claudia. I'll get into his head, but I already know he wouldn't help her.

Caius cleared his throat. "Are you two going to share your suspicions?"

"I don't know what you are talking about, my dear brother," Aro said. "Felix, what is your next move?"

"We are splitting into two groups. I'll lead one and Demetri will lead the other. Jane will come with me and Alec will go with Demetri."

"The Cullen's?" Aro asked.

"Carlisle, Jasper and Bella are with Demetri. I wanted Jasper and Bella to split, so that we could have one of Cullen's parents in each group, but Jasper won't allow Bella to be without him."

"Then you do what Jasper wants," Aro said.

"I agree," I said. "And you have me, Alice and Emmett with you?"

"Yes, and Rose and Esme will stay at the villa for this shift," he said.

"Do you know where Claudia is?" Demetri asked.

"She went to see Carlisle," I said.

Really? I heard Aro think. For what?

I shrugged my shoulders. Does it matter?

I just find it curious.

"Do you need her?" I asked Demetri, ignoring Aro's suspicions.

"She is supposed to be providing me with another list of places that Maria would frequent. I doubt it will help, but at this point I'll try anything.

"I'll go find her and meet up with you soon," I said.

I took off running up the stairs and through the corridor. Something wasn't sitting well with me, and I couldn't help but think that this list of locations that Claudia had come up with wasn't where we should be looking. It didn't make sense that Maria would go to a place where the Volturi would monitor.

"Edward," Claudia called to me, as she was letting herself into my room. "I thought you were going out to search."

"I am, but Demetri needed your list."

"I gave it to Carlisle," she said, as we walked into the room.

I pulled her into my arms and kissed her lips. "Is everything okay?" I asked. "Was Carlisle able to help you?"

"He was," she said. "I'm glad that I went to see him. You were right, my shoulder is just bruised."

"I'm sorry for that," I said. "Anything else I should know about?"

"No," she smiled, but I knew she was hiding something. I didn't have time to push her now, because I had to join the search for Cullen. I kissed her again. "I have to go."

"I'd like to come," she said. "I want to help find him."

"Are you sure you are up for that?"

"I'm fine," she said. "I heal really quickly."

"Then, by all means," I took her hand. "I'd love for you to be with me."

After a few hours of searching, I could tell Claudia was beginning to tire. I thought that was rather strange, since we had gone hiking and hunting, and she had always lasted much longer than this. We had to stop several times, and I had let the rest of the group go ahead of us.

"Edward," she said. "I can keep up."

"No," I responded. "You can't. Maybe that shoulder hurts more than you are admitting."

"No, it's fine."

"I can take you back to the castle and meet back up with them, before they even realize I'm missing."

She walked ahead of me. "Let's catch up with them," she said, but before she could do that she was hunched over a small bush, throwing up. I immediately ran to her and crouched down next to her. I held her hair out of the way. She looked up at me with horror in her eyes.

"Claudia, it's okay," I said. "You don't have to be embarrassed. Do you feel better?"

"Edward, I…" she started throwing up again.

As I held her hair and rubbed her back, I started to realize that in all the time we were together, she had never been sick. I had done so much research on Cullen, that I remembered that the venom in their bodies was suppose to keep them strong and healthy. They could physically get hurt, but they didn't get sick.

Once she was finished, she wiped her mouth and said, "I'm sorry. I just didn't feel well. Maybe I should go back."

I started to panic. Why didn't she feel well? "Is this why you went to see Carlisle?" I asked. Was she sick? Was she exceeding her life as a crossbreed? Did she need me to turn her? I couldn't stop letting my mind take control of this situation.

"Edward?" she asked. "Where did you go?"

"Claudia," I asked. "You can tell me what's wrong with you. I can help."

"I'm good," she said. "It's nothing serious."

"So something is wrong." I said. "Can Carlisle figure it out? Whatever it is, beautiful, we'll fix it."

"Edward," she took my hand. "It's not something we can fix."

"Then I'll turn you." I said. "If whatever it is can't be cured, I can make you immortal."

"I already am immortal," she reminded me.

"You know what I mean," I said. "Just tell me, before I get into your head on my own." I was frantic with worry, and I couldn't stay out of her thoughts for much longer.

"No!" she said. "I'll tell you. I just wanted to wait until we found Cullen before I told you. I know how much stress you are under, and I didn't want to add to it."

"Claudia," I said. "You are just as important to me. If you are going through something, and you need me, I'm here for you."

She closed her eyes, and I swore she was going to cry. It must be bad, because she rarely ever cried. "Edward," she said, as a tear escaped her eye. I wiped it away and she smiled at me. "I think I'm…"

Just then, we heard Alice and Felix yell for us in the distance. I looked apologetically at Claudia, but I knew we had to go. It could be about Cullen.

"Come on," she got up. "They might have found something."

I took her hand and pulled her onto my back. "I'll stay out of your head, as long as you promise to tell me as soon as we get home."

"I promise."

I ran toward the rest of the group and Cullen's scent hit me as soon as I approached them, but I knew we were too late.

"He was here, Edward," Alice said. "Can't you smell him?"

"Yes," I said. "But it's been at least two hours now." Claudia slid off my back.

We were at a small cabin about fifty miles from the castle. Cullen was that close to us and we missed him. "This is where she gave birth to me." Claudia said.

"How do you know that?" I asked.

"I read it in the files," she said. "She had been out here with her guards, and she went into labor. She had been really sick for weeks, and she was having a good day and wanted to get away from the castle, but I came earlier than expected."

"Like Cullen did," I remembered.

"She is going to her familiar places."

"She knew we were headed here," Felix said. "She's taunting us."

"How do you know?" I asked.

"She left a note for Jasper," Alice said. "He's on his way."

"Where is the rest of the group?" I asked.

"Searching the area," Felix said. "We're trying to pick up her scent. Her group is large, it shouldn't be this hard."

"It wouldn't be that hard if she wasn't getting help," Alice said.

"Here comes Jasper," I said, and judging from his thoughts, he was not happy.

"Whatever is in that note is going to really set him off," Alice said.

Jasper and Bella came running toward us, and I could see that they had picked up Cullen's scent too.

"Edward?" Bella asked, as she looked around.

"No, Bella," I said. "He's not here."

She leaned into Jasper and I could see how exhausted and defeated she was. She actually needed Jasper to hold her up. "Where is he?" she asked.

"I'm sorry, Bella," Felix said. "Maria got away before we got here."

"Stop apologizing and find him, Felix," she said. "Please." She buried her head in Jasper's chest and began to sob. He stroked her hair and tried to calm her down.

She's too upset and it's taking much more of my power to keep her calm. She shouldn't be out here searching with us.

I agreed with Jasper, but there was no keeping Bella away from this. I looked at Alice and she nodded. She pulled Bella off of Jasper and said, "Let's go in the cabin and see if we can find anything that could help us locate him, Bella."

They walked into the cabin.

"Why did you send her away?" Jasper asked.

"Maria left this for you," Felix said, as he handed him the note.

Jasper took the note, quickly opened it and read. I saw what it said in his mind.

Major Whitlock,

I'll elude you until I'm out of Italy, and then you'll never see Cullen again. You had your chance, but now it seems I've gotten a better deal. Now you'll never forget me.

Jasper squeezed his eyes shut and tightened his jaw. I could only read one thought from his mind. How he was going to tear Maria limb from limb when he found her.

"I'll help you, Jasper." I assured him.

***Just a heads up…I'm going on vacation and probably won't post until next Friday. Sorry! I'll write a J/B lemon to make up for it lol!

***Just a little trivia that TwiCarol (sayitoutloud73) shared with me. Apparently when Rob P. was young, his sisters used to dress him up as a girl and call him Claudia. Isn't that a freaky coincidence? I had no idea!