A/N Thanks so much for all of the wonderful reviews. I apologize for the grammatical errors early on in this story; I was working with no Beta, and therefore, consistently messing up. However now I have the wonderful Cullenfest to thanks for her editing. We are half a world apart, but we work to get the story chapters to you quickly. I also wanted to remind people to keep reading the stories from Daddy's Little Cannibal. She was a wonderful fan fiction writer who lost her life earlier in the year, so please don't forget her.

I also recommend stories from Megsly and from .Cantante.83, their stories are wonderful this chapter will have a new point of view, but then it will return to Edward, it helps me get all the information out. Please keep reading!

Chapter 21

Carlisle's POV

I had never felt at such a loss in my existence. I was normally able to guide my children along in their life, to offer them help in making wise choices, to aid them with living a humane existence, that contrasted with others of our kind. I had been able to see my family through decades of confusion, learning, and understanding. However, even my knowledge had its limits. Inside my very own home, was living breathing evidence, that I was failing my family. Bella was dying, and I, as a doctor who had dedicated myself to helping humans, was able to do nothing. The only thing that I could do to be sure of her surviving this ordeal was to remove the fetus that grew within her. And that was one thing that I was not allowed to do.

I had been willing to help when I thought that she and Edward were in agreement about the situation, but that had long since been revealed to not be the case. Bella was not going to give up on bringing Edward's child into this world. Her love to him was so devoted, just as it was to their child. Bella was pushing herself beyond her human limits, and I was not sure how much more she could take. Esme was fraught with worry. I hated to see her suffer, but she was a true mother, wanting to protect all the members of her family, a family that continued to grow.

Esme was wracked with worry for Bella and her suffering. Worry for Edward and the fact that he may lose the woman he loves so completely. Worry for Alice, who was upset at not being able to see what was going to happen to the family. Worry for Jasper for all of the stress he was suffering. Worry for Rosalie and the emotional upset this situation was bringing to a head.

Esme was so caring; she even worried for the wolves, as did I. They had given everything up in order to help protect our children, risking losing everything they had. When Seth had popped out from the bushes to explain his and Jacob's presence, I had been shocked that the pack had planned to attack, but so thankful for the dedication of the two young men who believed in our family. I had spent much of the day in my study, going over and over every book I owned, from medical books, to mythology. There were details of legends, but not much else, nothing concrete for me to base the treatment of my daughter on. I was working in the dark, and nothing seemed to be helping Bella. She wouldn't last much longer if the child kept growing at this rate, and she was unable to start giving it proper nourishment.

I had been thinking hard of other things, so Edward would not pick up on my worries. I had learned when he was only a newborn how to shield my mind from him, but rarely had I had the need to use the technique. The mind processes things in different ways; Edwards's ability allows him to see the thoughts in the foremost of your mind, so if you harbored something deeply in your mind, being careful to think of other things as a protective screen Edward would only sense the more fleeting thoughts. I loathed doing this as it made me feel as though I was deceiving him. I however was trying to give him and Bella what little peace of mind I could during this uncertain time.

I had journeyed downstairs to check how Bella was doing. She was awake now, I checked her pulse, noting how thread it was; her heart was pushing itself too hard. I could see the tell-tale signs that her body was weakening even further. Bella never complained through her check up, her eyes taking in each movement I made. Then after I finished checking Bella over and noticing that she was worse than a few short hours ago, I felt a sense of weariness come over me. My mind had been trying to focus on finding some sort of solution, but kept coming up empty. Edward quietly informed me that Jacob was coming. I looked at Bella, and Edward's drawn face, and I knew that he did not wish to leave her side. "I will go and see what news he has," I offered. I hoped that perhaps the change of scene might give me some much required inspiration. I was rather surprised when I found myself nearly face to face with Jacob, who had been closer than I had realized.

The poor boy looked startled, worried, and as tired physically, as I was mentally. "Are you alright, Jacob?" I asked. "Is Bella?" He asked his voice heavy with trepidation, his voice sounding forced. I thought for a moment, careful to word things in a manner that would not increase the boys stress beyond its current state. "She's… much the same as last night. Did I startle you? I'm sorry. Edward said you were coming in your human form, and I came out to greet you, as he didn't want to leave her. She's awake." I said, trying to ease the poor boys' tension. Jacob stood there glancing at the house as he shifted from foot to foot uncomfortably. He looked exhausted. Finally he seemed to give in to his weariness as he took a step forward, than he sat down on the porch steps, leaning hard on the railing. I sat down beside him, not wanting him to feel disempowered. I spoke first, trying to ease his mind somewhat. "I didn't get a chance to thank you last night, Jacob. You don't know how much I appreciate your…compassion. I know your goal was to protect Bella, but I owe you the safety of the rest of my family as well. Edward told me what you had to do…."

"Don't mention it." Jacob muttered, I think he was trying not to focus on what he had given up quite yet. "If you prefer." I answered him quietly. I sat with him on the steps, neither one of us talking. I could hear my family speaking in soft voices in the house, and I knew that Jacob could hear as well. If he heard as well as I assumed he was capable of then he must hear how erratic Bella's heartbeat was at this moment. It was working in over drive. Jacob's hands clenched into fists against his legs, even in his worn out state his worry for Bella shone like a beacon.

I was sure he felt the same helplessness that I did, and I wondered if he knew that he wasn't alone in his concerns. "I wish I could get a better idea of what exactly it is," I said quietly, wanting him to know that I too felt the frustration of not knowing what to do for the young woman who had come to mean so much to all of us."The fetus is well protected. I haven't been able to produce an ultrasonic image. I doubt there is any way to get a needle through the amniotic sac, but Rosalie won't agree to let me try, in any case." Jacob looked up at me through weary, but confused eyes. "A needle? What good would that do?" He asked. I had to explain, "The more I know about the fetus, the better I can estimate what it will be capable of. What I wouldn't give for even a little amniotic fluid. If I knew even the chromosomal count…."I drifted off thinking about how much help that little bit of knowledge would provide, until Jacob's words brought me back to the here and now."You're losing me, Doc. Can you dumb it down?" Jacob said, making me realize that I was using medical terms that not everyone was familiar with.

I chuckled, Jacob had provided me with a moment of much needed light heartedness. "Okay, how much biology have you taken? Did you study chromosomal pairs?" I asked him. "Think so. We have twenty-three pairs right?" Jacob asked. "Humans do." I replied. Jacob suddenly sat up straighter on the steps as he blinked. "How many do you have?" He asked me. "Twenty-five." I answered matter of factly. Jacob frowned at my answer. "What does that mean?" He asked looking me squarely in the eyes. "I thought it meant that our species were almost completely different. Less related than a lion and a house cat. But this new life-well, it suggests that we are more genetically compatible than I'd thought." I sighed, remembering the false sense of security I had had when talking to Edward about his wedding night. I had expected them to have concerns, but pregnancy hadn't been one of them. "I didn't know to warn them." I said to myself.

Jacob sighed then as well, but said nothing in response to my confession. "It might help to know what the count was –whether the fetus was closer to us or to her. To know what to expect." I shrugged then, and continued, "And maybe it wouldn't help anything. I guess I just wish I had something to study, anything to do." Anything would make me feel better than sitting here helplessly while Bella's body slowly failed her. Jacob seemed lost in deep thought for a moment, his brow wrinkling. "Wonder what my chromosomes are like," He said, wondering aloud.

I knew what his chromosomes were like, I had been too curious not to check, I figured that now was as good a time to tell him as any other time was. I cleared my throat, wanting him to know that he should pay attention to what I was going to say. "You have twenty-four pairs, Jacob." I said uncomfortably. Jacob looked at me, his eyebrows raising questionably at me. I was ashamed to admit that I had done something without his permission that pertained to him. "I was…curious. I took the liberty when I was treating you last June." I waited for Jacob to rage at me, I had done something to him without his permission, and most people would be angry, I waited for him to yell. Instead he shrugged it off, "I guess that should piss me off. But I really don't care." He stated simply

"I'm sorry, I should have asked." I apologized, thankful that he wasn't upset. "S'okay, Doc. You didn't mean any harm." Jacob said in a very forgiving manner, maybe he was simply too tired to be upset with me. I wasn't sure so I spoke further, "No, I promise you that I did not mean you any harm. It's just that…. I find your species fascinating. I suppose that the elements of vampiric nature have come to seem commonplace to me over the centuries. Your family's divergence from humanity is much more interesting. Magical, almost." I wanted him to understand that I only wanted to know more about them, their phasing was a part of their genetics, whereas we had to suffer though a forced change to become what we were. The fact that their gifts were built in to their DNA made me very impressed.

"Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo," Jacob mumbled back at me, and I laughed again, even in this stress Jacob was lighthearted, it was easy to see why Bella enjoyed him so much. I stopped short as I heard Edward speaking noticeably louder from inside the house, Jacob also turned to listen. "I'll be right back, Bella. I want to speak with Carlisle for a moment. Actually Rosalie, would you mind accompanying me? Had I just imagined it, or did Edward sound a bit different, his voice seemed lighter than it had been in weeks? I wondered if I had missed something, "What is it?" I heard Bella ask Edward, her voice cracking with the effort of speech. Edward's response was swift, and soothing. "Nothing you need to worry about , love. It will just take a second. Please, Rose?"

I heard Rose call to Esme, asking her to sit with Bella, she would not leave Bella unattended for even a moment. I heard then gentle tread of my love descending the staircase as she responded." Of course." I turned to watch the door with Jacob. It was barely a moment before Edward appeared followed by Rosalie. I inhaled sharply as I looked at Edward's face, his face was animated, his eyes shining, he seemed intent on something. Rosalie followed, on her guard. Edward closed the door gently, than he turned to me. "Carlisle," He said quickly. "What is it Edward?" I asked. My curiosity was piqued, I wondered what was going on in his mind. "Perhaps we have been going about this the wrong way. I was listening to you and Jacob just now, and when you were speaking of what the……….fetus wants, Jacob had an interesting thought."

I looked at Jacob in surprise, but he seemed as shocked as I was. Jacob's eyes seemed to become unfocused as if he were running over our previous conversation in his mind. "We haven't actually addressed that angle," Edward said continuing. I wasn't understanding what he meant though. Edward seemed as if he might burst with the information he was trying to convey. "We've been trying to get Bella what she needs. And her body is accepting it as well as one of ours would. Perhaps we should address the needs of the …..fetus first." Maybe if we can satisfy it, we'll be able to help her more effectively." I wasn't sure if I was following him correctly. "I'm not following you, Edward." I said slowly. I wanted more details. "Think about it, Carlisle. If the creature is more vampire than human, can't you guess what it craves-what it's not getting? Jacob did." I suddenly understood, he was saying that the growing child needed blood, just like we did.

"Oh, "I said, "You think it is…thirsty?" Rosalie hissed at Edward under her breath, her face suddenly radiant with joy. "Of course!" she murmured, "Carlisle, we have all that type O negative laid aside for Bella. It's a good idea." Rosalie didn't even look at Jacob to recognize that the idea had been his, but everyone seemed happier at the idea that we had something new to do to try and help Bella. My mind had moved onto other problematic things though, ad Edward was watching me, following my thoughts, his eyes were almost wild. "Hmmm," I thought aloud as a rubbed my hand across my chin. "I wonder …..And then what would be the best way to administer…..?" I was halfway between thoughts and speech as I tried to think of the easiest way to ask a human to drink blood.

Rosalie shook her head, interrupting my thoughts, "We don't have time to be creative. I'd say we should start with the traditional way." Jacob looked at her, his face clearly showing his disgust at the idea of what we were thinking. "Wait a minute," He spoke up in a fierce whisper, "Just hold on. Are you- are you talking about making Bella drink blood?" Rosalie finally turned to acknowledge his presence, yet was not actually looking at him, "It was your idea, dog." She said with a scowl. Jacob turned to me, his eyes searching my face for something, his lips pursed. "That's just…" He started, but seemed unable to finish. Edward finished for him. "Monstrous? Repulsive?" He suggested to Jacob. Jacob looked at Edward, "pretty much." He replied.

Edward looked at him, that maniacal spark still gleaming. "But what if it helps her?" He whispered, looking at Jacob. It was as if Rosalie and I had disappeared and it was just the two men who loved Bella, trying to come to terms to with this idea. Jacob shook his head, his face angry. "What are you going to do, shove it down her throat?" Edward shook his head at Jacob's question. "I plan to ask her what she thinks. I just wanted to run it past Carlisle first." Rosalie nodded emphatically, her long hair bobbing with the rapid movements. "If you tell her it might help the baby, she'll be willing to do anything. Even if we do have to feed them through a tube." Rosalie had a point I realized, Bella had shown herself to do whatever it took to help her child, if this could possibly help, she would probably be more than willing to try it. If my opinion was asked, I would be honest and say that this was as good an idea as any we had had so far. Now to wait and see what would be decided.

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Edward's POV

Jacob was disgusted by Rosalie commenting about the baby, I had to agree, but right now that was not my focus. I was going to do whatever it took to help Bella, and if the only way to do so was to help the thing growing inside her, then so be it. Jacob was focused on Rosalie, his thoughts wondering if Rosalie would do anything to help the life-sucking thing growing in my wife, he wondered why Rosalie was so interested in the child. His thoughts suddenly wondered about whether she was after the kid, and I subtly nodded once to answer his question as best as I could without speaking aloud, and angering Rosalie. I needed her support if this was to work, but I'd rather have everyone agreeing to make this go more smoothly.

Jacob imagined Rosalie forcing a tube down Bella's throat to make her eat if it came to that, and I could not respond except to frown slightly. Jacob watched my face intently, he knew that I was following his thoughts right now. Rosalie interrupted impatiently, "Well, we don't have time to sit around discussing this," Rosalie said. "What do you think Carlisle? Can we try?" Carlisle took a deep breath and got to his feet. "We'll ask Bella." Was his quick reply. Rosalie smiled smugly, her thoughts were victorious. She was sure that if Bella was informed about how this could help the ….fetus, that she would say yes. As soon as Bella hears this idea she will say yes. Why didn't I think of that, of course the baby needs blood, it is half vampire. That baby will get what it needs if it's the last thing I do…

I tuned out Rose's thoughts, the thing growing inside my wife was not what concerned me, My wife was. And right now we had a possible plan. We followed Carlisle into the house, first Rosalie, then myself, and even Jacob followed, though he was not sure why he was, as he found the whole idea sickening. Inside Bella lay flat on the hospital bed that we had set up the day before, she had been too weak to even sit up without help today. Her belly made the sheet protrude above her slight frame, making her seem even smaller than usual, the sight made me cringe internally, but I pushed it aside, I would only focus on this new hope that was fluttering inside me, the hope that we would get through this.

I had begun collecting my venom the day before, and had continued through the day. Due to my infrequent hunting, my venom was currently plentiful, a sign that I needed to hunt. But I would not leave her if I could avoid it. I was not sure how much venom was enough, but I was sure that too much was better than not enough, so I would gather whatever I could. I turned my attention back to what we were about to ask, letting my eyes rove over Bella's form laying deathly still on the bed. If it weren't for her loudly hammering heart, and her eyes glancing at the four of us entering the house, I would have thought her dead. Stop! I berated myself, she is not dead yet. Instead I forced myself to focus on her eyes. Even as tired as they were, they still held their usual warmth, the rich chocolate color helped me focus on the task at hand.

We moved to her side, Rosalie and I moving to the side of her head, both of us vying to be closest to her, while Jacob stood a bit further back, hesitant to get too close. "What's going on?" Bella asked her voice rising a bit as she tried to make it loud. "Jacob had an idea that might help you," Carlisle answered her. Jacob had no desire to be given the credit for his thought. "It won't be …pleasant, but," Carlisle started. "But it will help the baby," Rosalie interrupted Carlisle cheerily. "We've thought of a better way to feed him. Maybe." She added looking at Bella.

Bella's eyes fluttered open a bit wider. And she let out a weak laugh, a laugh that made her sound as if she were choking. "Not pleasant?" She whispered eyeing me, then in turn, Jacob. "Gosh that'll be such a change." She said, a poor attempt at humor, as she eyed the tube that was strapped uncomfortably to her pale skin of her arm. Then she barked that awful laugh again. Rosalie merrily laughed along with her, making me wish to reach across then bed to quiet her, there was nothing humorous about this. I forced myself to stay still. Jacob noticed the lack of humor on my face as I stepped around Rosalie. I took her frail hand in mine, noticing that her other hand was still protectively caressing her swollen stomach. "Bella, love, we are going to ask you to do something monstrous," I used the same words I had offered Jacob, I wanted him to know that I didn't think lightly of what we were asking her to do. It also let me voice his opinion without letting her know how he felt about it. "Repulsive." I added, trying to make sure she understood just how real this was.

Bella took a breath, and focused on me, her eyes tracing my face before she asked, "How bad?" Carlisle answered, saving me from being the one to talk about that thing inside her. "We think the fetus might have an appetite closer to ours than to yours. We think it's thirsty." Bella blinked as she took in what Carlisle was saying. "Oh. OH!" Carlisle continued, "Your condition- both of your conditions-are deteriorating rapidly. We don't have time to waste, to come up with more palatable ways to do this. The fastest way to test this theory-" He paused. "I've got to drink it." Bella finished for him in a whisper. Bella nodded ever so slightly, then said, "I can do that. Practice for the future right?" She smiled up at me, her lips drawn tightly into a weak smile. She hadn't even faltered against the idea for a moment, she really would do anything, as long as it would help the thing that grew inside her.

I couldn't return her smile, as much as I was happy that this could help her, it may not help, but she hadn't hesitated for even a mere second before agreeing t it. Rosalie started tapping her toe annoyingly, she was impatient to try out this theory. Jacob was ready to throw her though a wall, that did make me want to smile. "So who is going to catch me a grizzly bear?" Bella asked softly. I glanced at Carlisle, and he returned my gaze unwaveringly, we both were thinking the same thought. The creature would not want animal blood, that was something we had had years to acclimatize ourselves to, this thing would want human blood.

Bella noticed our glance, as always, she was ever perceptive. "What? "She asked. Was this the moment that she would balk at the idea? Would she realize that this thing was not like us, it was a monster. "It would be a more effective test if we don't cut corners, Bella." Carlisle said trying to clarify. "If the fetus is craving blood," I explained, "it's not craving animal blood." Would she now see that this was not a rosy cheeked innocent child she carried, but a life sucking monster? "It won't make a difference to you, Bella. Don't think about it. " Rosalie encouraged Bella.

Bella eyes widened, it was obvious that it would matter to her. "Who?" She breathed, her glanced flickered to Jacob, did she think he had offered his blood? Jacob must have thought the same as he roughly said, "I'm not here as a donor, Bells. Sides it's human blood that thing's after, and I don't think mine applies-" Jacob thoughts touched back on what he had learned about his chromosomes from Carlisle earlier. "We have blood on hand," Rosalie told her, cutting off Jacob, whose anger at her was increasing. He couldn't stand Rosalie, and I couldn't say that his animosity towards her bothered me at all. "For you- just in case. Don't worry about anything at all. It's going to be fine. I have a good feeling about this, Bella. I think the baby will be so much better." Rosalie rushed on, ignoring Jacob's angry glare.

Bella ran her hand over her belly once again. "Well, "She said in a raspy voice, "I'm starving, so I'll bet he is, too." Bella was trying to make jokes again, and I didn't find any humor in them, nor did Jacob. "Let's go for it. My first vampire act." I shouldn't have been surprised that she would be so willing, but then this was Bella- when had she ever done what I had expected of her? I watched Rosalie and Carlisle run off to get things ready, and I hoped. I hoped that this would be a turning point, hoped that this would bring about a change. It was then that I realized I was finally feeling something other than the self loathing that had been eating me alive for weeks. Hope. I embraced it, if hope was all I had left, I would give myself to it, and see what it brought.