Chapter Thirteen

Bella's POV

To say I'm shocked at Daniel's words would be exaggerating. If I'm being completely honest – and I always am, I'm a terrible liar – I can't find it in me to give a damn.

I appraise him as if I'm seeing him for the first time. "Cool. Am I getting out of here?"

"Yes, Bella. Alice, Edward and their family are headed here as we speak. I have to get you outside, though. We have to go now!"

I narrow my eyes, looking him up and down as I step back. "How do they know where I am?"

"I used Alice's gift to contact them. Bella, we have to go."

"Hah!" I shout, jumping away from him. "Alice wouldn't be able to see you! She has a theory, you know. She can see vampires, because she is one. She can see humans, because she was one. But she can't see things like Jake or you, I bet, because she's never experienced anything like it! You're a dirty liar and you only want to take my baby from me!"

He approaches me with palms up as if in surrender. I snort. "I have gifts of my own, Bella. I have the ability to block other's gifts. Like you, like a shield. The difference in my gift and yours is that it works two ways. I can block their gifts, or I can strengthen them, no matter the distance between the person. Bella, please, we must go. Your child is in danger if we stay here."

I rub my belly methodically, tracing circles around the small bump. "What are we waiting here for, then? Let's go."

"Change your clothes, Bella. In the back of the wardrobe, there should be something more comfortable for you to wear. Something durable."

I hum to myself as I pull open the doors, swinging clothes to the side and searching through drawers. Daniel helps me, briefly making me wonder how long I was taking by myself.

He produces a pair of yoga pants, though thicker than a normal pair, and a tight fitting long sleeved shirt.

I lay the clothes on the bed and strip off my pajamas.

"Bella!" Daniel groans, turning to face the door. "You could have warned me."

I shrug, tucking legs and arms into clingy fabric. "I'm ready." I announce, flouncing over to him.

He looks down, perplexed. "Shoes, Bella."

I'm happy to find my old sneakers in the bottom of the armoire. I'd thought they would have gotten rid of them.

"Now I'm ready." I smile once my shoes are on my feet. Much better than heels.

I let him pull me into the hall and giggle quietly as he stops to look around corners. After several minutes of this, I start humming the Mission: Impossible theme song. He tells me to "Stop that," and I giggle again.

I see the large doors now, the ones I was brought through, and I sigh.

A sharp sounds echoes throughout the stone chambers. A tongue clicking against the roof of a mouth. Daniel whirls us around and we see Lucian, flanked on the right by Susanna, staring at us with malice.

"Let us leave in peace," Daniel speaks with authority. "Or this will not end well for you."

Susanna feints to the right, coming closer to us. Daniel matches her light steps.

"Come now, Daniel! We're all family here! Let us talk about our issues calmly, reason with each other. Surely there is no need for violence."

"You kidnap this girl, impregnate her by her unsuspecting fiance, and try to tell me to be calm? You're sick. You're worse than my father, Lucian, and that's saying something. Let us go before she gets hurt."

The old man – I forget his name now – raises an eyebrow. I giggle, thinking that eyebrows look like fuzzy face caterpillars. His eyes flash to me.

"It looks as if she is in need of medical attention, Daniel."

He scoffs. "Try psychiatric. You think such a frail human, already on the precipice of losing her mind, would take so kindly to what's happening here?"

"She is stronger than she looks."

"Don't talk about me like I'm not here." I grumble. "Daniel, when can we leave? I'm hungry."

The old man's eyes brighten. "Would you like something to eat, Bella? Carlotta will make you whatever you desire."

I lick my lips in satisfaction, taking a few steps toward him.

Daniel grabs my arm, jerking me back. "Bella. Remember Edward? He's waiting for you. He wants to see you."

Everything happens at once then. I'm tossed lightly to the corner by the door as a dark mass descends on my friend. I pay close attention, wrapping my arms around my midsection and pulling my knees up.

Daniel and the old man spin around, circling each other, a wide space between them. Each step brings them closer together. I giggle as the old man's cloak billows out around him like a dress.

Daniel swings, fists up like a prize-winning boxer. The man swipes with sharp claws, much like a mountain lion finding it's prey.

The dance continues on. After a few minutes I find myself wondering if the Marquess of Queensberry rules applies here.

"You're violating the rules!" I bark out, giggling again to myself. "No wrestling, no hugging! I'll be the referee! Round One is over!"

No one seems to be listening and that upsets me. I get to my feet and turn to the large doors, pulling at the handle to open them. Bright light assaults my eyes and I feel cool air blow on my face.

A tint of bronze catches my eye, but before I can discern what it could possibly be, I'm swept off my feet. Stone arms wrap around me, a sweet scent assaulting my sense of smell.

"Bella," An angel voice breathes in my ear.

I look up into the face of my savior, my love. "Edward." I sigh, curling close to him.

My little nudger bumps against his stony chest. His eyes tighten, his mouth forming a thin line.

"It's a baby, Edward." I say happily. "Our baby."

Daniel's head whips around and he screeches out a firm, "No," just as Edward's lips pull over his teeth in a grimace.

"It's a monster, Bella."

The words leave me with a cold, empty feeling. They make my skin crawl.

I scramble away from him, his eyes wide with confusion and fear. I run straight into Lucian's arms.

"They all want to hurt my baby!" I wail, tears spilling down my cheeks.

He pats my back. "You're darling little one is safe as long as you are with me, dear Bella."

I nod against his chest.

"Bella, no, please. I won't hurt it, Bella, I won't hurt the baby." Edward's voice is still that of an angel, but this time, it's an angel of death. His lies are silken and light, but they're still lies.

"Where is Rosalie?" I demand, looking about the room with piercing eyes as I move away from Lucian.

"She's outside, Bella. Waiting on us to bring you out."

"Go and get her. I won't leave with you until I've spoken with Rosalie."

Edward gives me a wary glance and then disappears out the door. He's back, with Rosalie in tow, before I have time to blink.

I grab her hand, noting the grimace on her spectacular lips, and lead her into a corner.

"I'm pregnant," I start. "And I know that no one will support my decision to keep this baby. It might not have happened the right way, but it's happened. The baby belongs to Edward, to me, and I won't give it up. I don't want them to hurt my baby."

Her eyes are softer than I've ever seen them. For once, she isn't glaring daggers at me. "What would you like me to do?"

"I know this is asking a lot, Rose. I know you dislike me for my blatant lack of respect for mortality. But, if you were in my shoes right this moment, would you let anyone tear your baby away from you?"

She raises one perfect brow before shaking her head. "No, I wouldn't."

"I need you to protect him, Rosalie. Protect this baby from everyone and everything. I'm too fragile to keep this little one safe, but I know his Aunt Rose will cherish him like he is her own. What do you say?"

She places her hand delicately on my stomach. "Is it a boy, then?"

I blush. "Well, I'm not sure. It's just that in my dreams he is a boy."

The baby gives a little kick, prodding Rosalie's hand gently. Her eyes go wide with shock and a glorious smile stretches across her face.

"I know that if he's given a chance, everyone will love him just like I do. Will you help me?"

She nods, determination clear on her face. "Let's have us a baby, Bella."

Sorry I've been MIA for a while. Real life, and all that. Hope you enjoy the chapter, and I will continue posting from now on. Hugs and kisses - Roslyn