Chapter 21 – For the Best

BPOV

The cool air touched my cheek, but it brought no comfort. The scent of fresh soil reached me as it was packed into the furrows on my arm. The cuts were on their way to being healed properly. Aidan just had to help it along a bit more. The fire of the study was warm and the couch was soft and familiar, but nothing soothed me. I stared at the floor, scared, worried and trapped within my own body. Jacques, where are you?

There was no answer. I couldn't bring myself to move until I knew he was alright. Ignoring my own pain, my hands clutched the sides of my head, reopening my wounds. What was happening to him? Why wasn't Jacques answering me? I knew he wasn't alone, but he was all that mattered to me.

Bella, he will be here soon. You must calm yourself. Aidan's healing energy returned to my arm, closing up the cuts again. The poison that was being pushed out of my body stung. I could see the grayish ooze mixed with my blood. Raven swabbed my arm with cotton and collected the sample for further study.

"Mom!" My head snapped up, taking me out of my trapped state. Emmett and Alice ran over to me and my arms wrapped around them both. Tears sprang from my eyes as I held my children. Emmett squeezed me, "Mom, I am so sorry. I didn't want to push you and I didn't mean it. She made me do it. I swear, Mom!" I couldn't speak yet, only hold my children and know that they were safe, but where was their father?

Emmett was crying into my shirt, "Please don't be mad at me, Mom. I didn't mean what I was saying." A smile tugged at the corner of my mouth as I brushed my son's hair, "I know, honey. It wasn't you. Vampires have a strong hold and can take control. You fought her off as long as you could and I'm proud of you. Not many children can keep a vampire's hold at bay. You are stronger than I gave you credit. You're just as strong as your dad."

Aidan inhaled slowly, reminding us that he was there as he returned to his body, "Your arm is healed. There was a trace of bacteria in the blood Raven collected. It was the same as the one you were infected with in the attack by the river. The vampiress orchestrated the whole attack." Alice looked up, "So she was going to hurt me?" There was a quiver of fear in her voice. Aidan stood, towering over us, "I do not know, little one, but it doesn't matter now. You're safe at home, where you belong." Alice leaned against me with tears in her eyes, "Where's Daddy? He's still gone."

My heart sunk at her question. My mouth opened, but no words came out, I wish I knew, honey. He'll be home soon. There was some comfort in what Aidan said; the greater threat is gone.

Emmett sat next to me, "She's really gone? This isn't a trick?" Alice moved to sit on my lap and I hugged her, "Yes, your aunt killed her." Raven was holding Savannah in her arms, "I did. I won't tell you how, but I did. Aidan burned the body. She's gone, trust me." Emmett sighed in relief and I could feel the tension leave his body. He was worried, the same as me. Alice was watching the glass doors, waiting to see Jacques come back. I fought the urge to do it myself. His mind was cut off from mine, but I had to remind myself that this was only temporary. There was a sense of evil lingering in the air, which told me the vampire wasn't vanquished yet. Gregori was with him, as were Emmett and Jasper. Jacques was coming home soon.

My Alice covered her ears and hummed to herself as Raven told Emmett how she killed the vampiress. His eyes lit up as she described taking off her head. I made a face, "Raven, you're going to give him nightmares." Emmett shook his head, "No, this is exciting. I want to hear."

My happy son was back. Alice and Rosalie were pacing the exterior of the house, searching for any signs of someone's return or another attack. Savannah was fast asleep in her mother's arms; completely unaware of what happened here; how I envied her. Savannah was nothing more than a content child. Raven finished up her story and Emmett was beaming from ear to ear, "That is so cool, Auntie. I wish I could have seen it."

I looked at my son, "Oh no you don't. I don't want you seeing anything like that." He rolled his eyes, looking so much like Jacques, "Mom, I see it in movies with Uncle Emmett all the time." My eyebrows shot up, "Oh really. Well, I'm going to have to have a talk with him. Make sure your Aunt Rosalie is monitoring what you two are watching." Emmett groaned and slumped back into the couch cushions. I smiled while he grumbled to himself, thinking that I was treating him like a little boy. I should let this one go; my son proved that he wasn't a little boy anymore.

Aidan stood by the glass doors, staring out into the night. He was watching and waiting. I bit my lip as we waited and it was torture. Raven was as anxious as I was. The glass doors flew open, making all of us, except Aidan jump.

Mikhail was back. His black eyes were focused, but not on any of us. His eyes immediately rested on the lounge chaise, making the chair drift across the room. It stood by the glass doors. No one spoke, only watching Mikhail whirl around to face the open doors. He rested his hand on Aidan's shoulder and nodded his head to him. Something was wrong and he wasn't telling us. Aidan stared back at his Prince, speaking on a private mental path. My heart raced as we waited; biting my tongue from asking Mikhail the question that was on my mind.

Gregori entered that room, holding Jacques's arm over his neck. I gasp, seeing Jacques's head, with his hair hanging over his face. "Daddy!" Alice jumped up and ran to her father. She was as worried about him as I was. Mikhail caught Alice in his arms, stopping her, "You cannot right now, dear one." Gregori laid Jacques down on the chaise.

Jacques groaned in pain as Gregori drifted his hand over his body. I slowly rose to my feet, walking over to my lifemate. There was the sting of blood flowing back into my legs as I moved. My chest sunk in on itself as I saw four long broken off talons protruding from my lifemate's chest, Jacques! "Daddy!" Alice screamed as she saw what happened to him. I took Alice from Mikhail's arms, but she kept struggling to get to her father, "Alice, stop. Go with your aunt." My Alice was fighting me to stay, but Rosalie and Alice came for the children.

Rosalie nodded and took Alice up into her arms. Alice didn't have the strength to get out of Rosalie's hold, but she still struggled in her arms, "No, I want to see my daddy!" Emmett was in a stunned state as Alice took him and Savannah from the room. Alice cried as the study doors closed, "Daddy, no!" I knelt on the floor, taking his hand, "Jacques, can you hear me?" Just like him, Jacques only laughed, "There is nothing wrong with my hearing." I smiled pass my tears.

Moving to sit on the chaise, my hand curved to his cheek, "What happened?" The question was immaterial, but it was all that came to mind. This was the pain I felt. I knew he was in danger. Jacques raised his hand to my face, smearing dirt and blood on my cheek, "I was careless. The vampiress was coming for you and I wanted to find you. The vampire took advantage and caught me." I whimpered, "This was my fault?" I leaned my face into his neck and cried. Jacques was hurt because I didn't listen to him.

Shh, my angel, I've had worse wounds than this. I looked at him and he smirked, Though none come to mind right now.

Despite my worry, Jacques could still make me smile. Carlisle and Edward came into the study with the lingering scent of ash on them. Edward's golden eyes looked at me while I sat with Jacques. Carlisle moved forward, "It's all taken care of. How is Jacques?" I didn't move as Carlisle began to examine the talons in Jacques's chest. They were blackened and sharp, so sharp that I was afraid to touch them. Edward was silent as he watched Carlisle. Gregori moved over to Jacques, ready to heal him. I kept Jacques's hand in mine as he closed his eyes, Do not worry. This will be over soon, my angel.

Gregori inhaled deeply and separated his energy from his body. His strength entered Jacques's body and moved towards the talons. My hand trembled in Jacques's as we waited for his healing to be completed. Gregori would be in need of blood when he completed healing Jacques. Mikhail would provide for him, so all we did was wait. Jacques's eyes bore into mine as we waited. I was worried that this would be painful for him, but that wouldn't last long.

My heart stopped as Jacques groaned loudly, almost to the point of screaming. I watched in shock as the talons move further into Jacques's chest. His fingers squeezed mine in pain as the talons continued to cut into him. I felt the pain myself, as if it were slicing through my own flesh, "Gregori, stop!" Mikhail's hand went down on Gregori's shoulder, calling him back. Gregori was snatched back into his body, breathing heavily. His eyes spun for a moment, "It is what I feared. The vampire's power is infused in the talons. If any of us try to heal Jacques, they will move closer to his heart. One has already punctured through a chamber. Jacques, you must stop your heart immediately." Jacques's eye met mine.

I nodded slowly, You have to. Honey, this could kill you.

There was a sense of hesitation in his eyes and I knew that look. Jacques, you have to.

But what of you?

I blinked once, Don't worry about me. Jacques, this is too important for you to delay this.

Jacques squeezed my fingers, pulling me closer; The separation will be too much for you. I cannot allow you to suffer like that.

I knew the separation of lifemates was the worse feeling in the world. It was much like grieving, but so much stronger. Raven told me what it was like for her when she was separated from Mikhail. He was attacked and needed a great deal of healing. Raven was in the middle of her transition from human to Carpathian, but she could feel the intense emotions we felt when we weren't with our lifemates. She compared her emotions to that of a grieving widow. She felt as if Mikhail was dead. Right now, I couldn't think about that.

I leaned into Jacques's shoulder, You need to stop your heart. I am only going to worry about you more.

His arm curved around my waist, I cannot allow you to suffer.

My throat closed as I tried to hold off from crying. His hold tightened around me. There was a part of me that didn't want to be separated from my lifemate, but I knew it was for the best. Jacques exhaled slowly, trying to mask his pain from the movement, "Could you excuse us for a moment?" Mikhail, Aidan, Gregori, Edward and Carlisle left the study. The door closed and my dam was gone. Tears spilled from my eyes. Jacques was hurt, we were going to be apart and I was scared. Everything from these past few hours finally sank in and I couldn't hold back anymore.

My love, do not worry. I am not leaving your side. We will find another way. Jacques groaned in pain and I lifted my head. His hand curved to my cheek and I looked at him, You are.

His eyes widened at me. I moved to stand up, This time, you'll do as your lifemate says. Jacques looked at me in disbelief, but that didn't stop me. Jacques Dubrinsky, you will stop your heart and allow yourself to be healed. Do not worry about me, because I will be here when you're better.

I sighed slowly and moved away from Jacques before he could counter me, "Gregori?" The study doors opened as he came inside, "You called for me?" I nodded, "Jacques will listen and you could heal him." I could feel Jacques's eyes on me. Now he knew how I felt whenever he made decisions for me. Jacques groaned, trying sit up. I dashed to his side and helped him, "You can't. You shouldn't be moving." Jacques's hand went up to his chest and grasped one of the talons, attempting to pull it out. My hand caught his, "Don't do that!" Jacques pushed my hand away, "I will not allow you to suffer. This is a small sacrifice." I looked at Gregori. Jacques was going to take them out himself, causing even more damage and pain.

Jacques's hands were moved from the talons and he was held by Gregori, "Bella is right. You would only hurt yourself more." Jacques glared at Gregori, "Release me, now. I will not see my woman suffer." Jacques was the most stubborn man I knew. He was determined to keep us from being separated. Gregori and I looked at each other, I'll talk to him. But if that doesn't work, I'm knocking him out.

Gregori shrugged his huge shoulders, He is your lifemate.

Gregori rose and left the room, Good luck, Bella. Jacques was angry with me, but I didn't care. This was far too important; this was Jacques's well-being at risk. I sat down next to Jacques, careful not to get too close to the talons. I didn't know what triggered their movement. There was a trickle of blood flowing down his lean stomach. With trembling fingers, I wiped it away and Jacques groaned. I was too close and the talon moved itself further into his body. I'm sorry! Jacques, you want me to see you in pain, knowing that you are making this choice because you don't want me to suffer. That makes no sense. I can handle this and I won't be alone. I'll have the children.

My fingers trailed over his cheek, Please,*koje. I am asking you to do this for me and the children. Would you want Alice and Emmett to see you like this? Alice was fighting Rosalie to get to you.

Jacques pulled me closer, our faces drawing closer to each other, I would have to stay in the earth for the day. You would have to stay with the children.

I nodded, I know this already. I just want you to be healed. You're a strong man and I love you for it, but now, you have to use your strength to endure this. And I will have to do the same.

Nodding once, Jacques agreed to this. I leaned my head against his shoulder, I'll miss you. Tilting up, my lips found his. I wanted to wrap my arm around him, but I couldn't without hurting him. I didn't know what the separation would be like, but Jacques needed to be healed. I remembered when I needed so much healing when Aidan brought me home from the fanaticals. Jacques never left my side and went to ground with me. Only now, I couldn't do the same thing. We had children to care for and sooth through all this. I wanted to be with Jacques, but I also had to see to my children.

The study door opened and Carlisle came inside. His golden eyes set on the two of us, "Sorry to interrupt, but Gregori and I came up with an idea." Neither of us moved, anxious to hear the idea. Carlisle continued, "I can surgically remove the talons from Jacques's body. Aidan and Gregori will heal him while he rests and put him in the earth for the day." The weight on my heart lightened for a moment. It was a wonderful idea. Carlisle would be able to move faster than the talons' slow progression and Jacques would be healed much quicker. I looked at Jacques, hoping he was amenable. He looked at me, If you trust him, then so do I.

Jacques looked up, "I thank you, Carlisle. You've given my family this comfort. I trust you completely, as does Bella. When can we begin?" Carlisle went into his doctor mode, discussing what the procedure would entail and what is to be expected. My fingers squeezed Jacques as we listened, but this was for the best and I trusted Carlisle.

*Carpathian Language Guide:

koje – man; husband; drone.