This starts the morning Rosemarie was born. That's Chapter 18 if you want to go back and see the events of the day/night before.

I woke with a desperate need to pee. I thought I was going to burst. I ran, stumbling to the bathroom. I made it though. No 'pregnant woman – my water is breaking - oh no it's actually pee,' for me. Thank you. As I was brushing my teeth, Jacob came in behind me. "You going to be okay without your morning cup? I can hunt something while you're at the Cullens, or Dr. Fang might give you some O negative?"

I stuck my tongue out. Human blood? That was even more disgusting. "I'll be okay. Meet you outside?" I asked as I squeezed past him in the too narrow hallway.

"Are we driving or running? I can just use a tree." His smirked.

I shook my head. "Gross. Drive me, please. I want you to stay with me. If you can."

"All right. I'll be right out then."

I went to change. I didn't have much of a wardrobe anymore. Jacob had found me a dress that was large and shapeless. I went with that. It was a nice change from the perpetual sweats and XXL T-shirt. I brushed my hair and walked slowly to the Rabbit. Jacob was already outside. He didn't mind wearing sweats all the time, obviously. I eased myself into the seat and belted in.

"You're sure you want to do this?" he asked once he was in the car too.

"I'm going to have to go there sometime. After all, Carlisle is going to have to cut through whatever the baby is encased in. Why not today?"

"If you're sure."

We pulled into the Cullen drive and Alice was on the steps waiting for me.

"I couldn't see," she whispered as I came up and hugged her. "You brought him, so I couldn't see. I thought maybe you'd changed your mind."

"Shhh. Alice." Her voice was ragged and I knew that if she could she would be weeping. "It's all right, Alice. I'm here, and I'm fine."

"I'm so sorry, Bella. I should have stopped them. I should have done something. I just wanted to see you. I was so scared for you." She was still shaking. It was so strange to see Alice this distraught. No wonder Jasper was on a hair trigger. It was only now that I saw him behind Alice. It was then I realized I was even calmer than I expected to be. She was this upset when he was calming her?

"Alice. I forgive you. Don't beat yourself up anymore, okay? I just wish you'd told me." I still had my arms around her and rocked her now. The baby nudged her from inside me.

"I wish I had too, Bella. I wish I'd seen more clearly. I'm sorry." She was calming down now though.

"It's okay, Alice." I gave her another squeeze before standing. She rose with me.

"Will you forgive Edward too?" she asked.

I tightened my lips. "Not as easily. I can't trust him, Alice. This isn't the first time he's hurt me because he thinks he knows what is best for me. How do I know he won't do it again?"

She nodded and her frown returned. "You'll see him though."

I tried to look at my feet. I couldn't see them, of course. "I think I need a little more time."

I didn't get it though. Edward was at the door of the house. He was looking at me with a wrinkled brow. His eyes were dead black. He looked easily as bad as he had when he came into my room in March. He had deteriorated quickly this time. "Bella?" he asked.

"Yes?"

"What are you thinking?"

Oh, he wanted to know that did he? Well, I'd be happy to let him know. "I'm thinking I can never sleep in your presence again. I'm thinking that even though I love you and hate to see you hurting, I can't trust you with my life. I'm thinking that the sooner your baby is born the sooner I can get out of here."

"You weren't thinking about Jacob?" he asked.

I looked to Alice who shrugged. Jasper was staring at Edward too. "He hasn't left his room in over a week," he told me.

"Who is thinking about Jacob?" he asked looking around.

"I think we're all thinking about you right now, Edward." I said. "And we're all thinking the same thing. Have you lost your mind?"

"Now, now you're all thinking about me."

"Dude," Jacob whispered, coming up to Edward. "Are you all right? Do you want to go out and find something to eat?"

"Eat? Yes, thirsty. Who's thirsty?" he asked.

"I am," I whispered. But it wasn't really me. I put my hand to the baby. She nudged me. "I need to see Carlisle. And Rose. Where's Rosalie?" I asked pushing past Edward into the house.

"Right here, Bella." Rose practically sang as she came down the stairs and swept me into a hug. "Are you feeling well? Need anything?"

"Just Carlisle. Well, and then something to drink," I said with a little smile.

"Of course. He's in his office. I'll bring you up something." I really didn't want donated blood, but right now, I was craving badly.

Jacob grabbed me around the waist and lifted me up the stairs beside him. I looked over my shoulder now and saw Edward, Alice and Jasper following. Esme and Emmett came down the stairs to meet us on the landing. "Hi." I said to them.

"Welcome back, Bella." Esme said as she hugged me.

"Thanks. And thank you, Emmett." I hugged him.

"Hey, anytime."

I entered the office then. Carlisle was waiting for us of course. Rosalie handed me a snifter full of blood. I looked at her with a raised brow. "Really?"

"Well, we enjoy the bouquet."

I took a short breath and tossed the lot back. I sighed as the nourishment filled me and the baby. I immediately felt better, more stable. I looked down and saw Edward muttering to himself. "What is he saying?" I asked Rosalie.

"Something about need out soon. Can't hurt mom. Where's Jacob?" Rosalie shook her head. "I don't know what he's going on about."

"I think your son may need your attention more than me soon," I warned Carlisle. "I was hoping you could perform the procedure you began last week. I think she's ready." I rubbed my tummy and the baby rolled again.

"Mom, love mom. Need out." I could hear Edward muttering now. I peeked over my shoulder and saw Jacob holding him behind me. He was reaching for me. "Jacob? Who are they? Need out. Can't hurt mom."

I felt tears sting my eyes, but I kept my eyes on Carlisle. His mouth was open slightly as he gaped at Edward. "Carlisle." I brought his attention back to me. "Do you need to collect anything for this?"

"Yes, just the epidural. I'll be back within an hour."

I nodded and he left. Esme was at Edward's side now. Holding his head and stroking his hair. He was still mumbling. "Love mom. Where are we? Howls, wolves, crying, screaming."

"Ow!" I screamed as the baby kicked violently against my already broken rib.

"Mom, hurt mom. Don't want to hurt mom. Love mom. Jacob?"

"Edward, what's the matter? What are you talking about?" Esme asked him.

I moved to stand before Edward. "Can you all leave us for a minute?" I met Jacob's eye and nodded to him. He kissed me before turning to go. The family followed. "Edward?"

"Mom, who is that? I hear a voice. Jacob? Where did Jacob go? He was here. Jacob?"

I felt the tears again. The first had fallen and new ones came now. "Edward. It's the baby." I lifted his eyes to look at mine. He was still staring vacantly and mumbling. "How could you do this to me?" I asked him, knowing he couldn't answer. "How could you try to kill our baby? And now..." The guilt of his state was wracking me. I continued to weep. I grabbed onto his shirt and sobbed into it. The baby twitched between us, but didn't kick. "Why?" I begged him. "Why? Why couldn't you trust me? Why didn't you let me decide?"

I sobbed as he continued to mutter, but he never did answer me. Finally I met his dead eyes again and pressed my lips to his. He mumbled against them for a moment. I pulled his lip into my mouth and put his arms around my hips. I willed him to remember me, to remember who he was.

Jacob opened the door. "Bella? He's not in there anymore Bella. Do you know what he's talking about? Why is he calling me all the time?"

"He's hearing the baby, Jacob. She was thirsty. She doesn't want to hurt me. She needs to get out." I ran my hand over my belly and the baby nudged.

"Mom understands. Mom can hear me? Who is that voice?"

"It's your father, bump. He – he isn't himself right now. But he can hear you. He's speaking for you."

"Father? Jacob?"

"Right here, bump. I'm going to stay with you until you're out. That's coming soon, okay. Hold on."

"Soon. Good. Don't want to hurt mom."

"You've been doing a good job, bump. You haven't hurt mom since last night."

"You squeezed me. You held me too tight. I had to kick. Sorry mom."

"I know. Your father has that effect on me."

"Father. Who is father? Edward?"

Carlisle came in then. "All set. Jacob are you staying?"

"You bet your ass."

"Edward?" Carlisle asked next, but Edward was still muttering the baby's thoughts. "Esme, can you come and get Edward." Carlisle called. The door opened as he was pulling a gurney out of a closet. "We'll be starting soon and I'd rather he wasn't near the blood. Would you keep him just outside for now. We'll bring him in when it's over."

"Of course. Come along, Edward." Esme put an arm around Edward's slumped shoulder, his black eyes still vacant.

"Soon, getting ready. Love mom. Love Jacob. Who's father?"

Esme looked over her shoulder at Carlisle. "I'll see what I can do after we're done here," he assured his wife.

"What do you think can be done?" I asked Carlisle.

"I'm hoping you'll have some ideas. Do you know what he's talking about?"

"He's hearing the baby. Isn't he, bump?" I rubbed my belly.

Carlisle chuckled. "Bump." He shook his head as he hung and IV bag. "Hop on please." He patted the gurney now.

After making it through the IV I thought the hard part was done. I'd never learned what an epidural was, just that it made birth bearable. It was a needle in my spine. I was not a happy camper.

"Hold still now," Carlisle warned.

I whimpered and cried while I squeezed Jacob's hand. After that I was pleasantly numb from the waist down. My ribs still burned, but even they weren't as bad. Carlisle put a screen up for Jacob and I. I sighed with relief. I didn't want to know what he was doing, doubly so when I heard the sound of metal grinding. Suddenly, there was a baby in my arms. "A girl."

"Hello." I said, surprised. She was very warm, almost hot to touch. She looked perfectly normal. A little too perfect actually. Her eyes were brown although I'd read babies eyes were almost always blue. She also had a tuft of bronze colored hair. Then she opened her mouth and I saw her perfect teeth for a split second before she bit through my dress.

"Ow!" I pulled her off quickly. "Here, bite Jake. He heals faster." I thrust her into Jacob's arms and he took her, startled.

Then he looked down at her and just gaped while she drank happily from his arm. He didn't even seem to notice. "Jacob. She's biting you."

"What? Oh. Bump. Shoot you need to name her Bella. Are you going with that Ren-ness-may thing or what?" He was still looking on her with longing. The mutt had imprinted on my baby. So much for spending my life with Jacob. Well I'd be spending my life with him, but not as my husband. Figured. Fate really hated me.

"No. I'm thinking Rose or Marie. Rosemarie? Maybe, maybe not."

"Rosemarie is nice. Marie is your name, right?"

"Yes, my grandmother's. And Rose because without Rosalie she never would have been born. Where is Rosalie anyway?"

"Waiting for the all clear. All clear?" she asked through the door.

Carlisle chuckled. "Yes. She's stitched up and the only blood being spilled is Jacob's."

Rosalie swept up to Jacob and peered down at her niece. "Rosemarie. Thank you, Bella." She came over and kissed my cheek then.

"Um, you're welcome."

"Can we come back in?" Esme asked from the door. Edward was still mumbling quietly.

"Sure." I said with a smile.

Carlisle was pulling away the screen and I saw the stitches on my belly. "Thank you for trusting me with this, Bella. I know it can't have been easy." He was taping a bandage over the stitches and pulling my dress back down.

I grabbed his hand and squeezed. "Not that hard. You were just a bit too easily swayed by your son. Jacob, are you still letting her drink on you? Rose? Can you bring, hehe, Rose some blood?"

Rosalie was slowly extracting Rosemarie from Jacob's arm. He was laughing as she clung to him. "She doesn't want you, blondie. I'm the hot stuff."

"You're the hot dog. Come here, sweetie. Don't spoil your appetite on him. I've got some nice donations waiting for you downstairs."

Rosemarie smiled at Rosalie and lifted her had to Rosalie's cheek.

Emmett came in with the bottle. "I heard a blood call? Whoa. That's one pretty baby, Bella."

"Thanks, Emmett."

"May I?" Esme asked me

"Ask the aunt," I said, looking to Rose and Emmett.

"Of course." Rose gave Marie to Esme along with the bottle. Then she hugged Emmett. "I was just remembering you coming to help us."

"New woman, does she know Jacob? Does she know what just happened?" Edward muttered. Then there was a gasp from Esme as Rosemarie touched her cheek. "Jacob, Jacob eyes. Pulled him. My Jacob," Edward continued to rant.

Jacob punched Edward in the jaw. I jumped up and was pushed down by Carlisle. "Jacob! What are you doing?"

"Trying to knock some sense into him. She's born now, Edward. She can express herself."

Edward sat where he had landed still muttering. "Man on floor. Looks hurt. Why did Jacob hit him? Is he all right? Who is he?"

Esme was just collecting herself. "She can express herself. Bella. Can I give her to Edward?"

"No. Not just yet. I'm, worried about him."

"Good, Jacob tastes good. This is good too. That man is still talking. Father? Edward? Is he all right?"

Carlisle helped Edward to his feet and brought him to Esme's side. He pointed him to face Rosemarie, but he still didn't seem to see her.

It hurt so much to see Edward like this. My icy angel was an empty man. His mind seemed to be completely gone. He must still be able to hear everyone else, but he had fixated on Rosemarie, the baby he would never have met. The baby he never wanted.

Rosemarie took her mouth from the bottle and looked at Edward who hadn't stopped his ranting. "Black eyes. Mom and Jacob have brown eyes. Rosalie has gold. Why black? Why does he speak for me?" She reached a hand to Edward and touched his moving lips. They stilled.

Edward blinked and then focused on Rosemarie. He reached his arms to her and Esme passed her over, keeping the bottle. "Rosemarie," he murmured. He put a hand over her head and stroked her bronze hair. He ran a finger down her nose, her belly and one leg to her five perfect toes on that foot. She kicked him. Then he pulled her closer, holding her tightly. I watched his eyes close and he sighed deeply. "I don't deserve you. And I definitely don't deserve your mother." He kissed her forehead and gave her back to Esme.

Then he came to my side and knelt beside the bed. "I'm so so sorry, Bella. I was so sure she was going to kill you. She was hurting you so badly, and Alice couldn't see you living through it. I would give anything for you to live. Even you. I knew you would never forgive me, but I had to do it anyway. I had to hurt you to save you."

I grabbed his hair in two fists. "You listen to me, Edward Cullen. You do not have to save me. I decide for me. If I decide I die, you live with that. If I decide to have a baby, you live with that. If I decide I look better with one leg, you live with that. You don't decide for me. I can't control your actions, stop trying to control mine." I had pulled his face within an inch of mine and his scent was having its usual effect on me. I closed my eyes and released my grip. I didn't want to push him away, but I wanted him to go.

"I understand." His lips were suddenly on mine and I started to sob. He was gone and I continued to cry.

Jacob put his arms around my shoulders. "It's all right, Bella. I won't let him touch you if you don't want it. I'll tear him apart if you ask me to, treaty or not." He was holding my eyes, but I couldn't really see him through the tears.

"No, it was just – too soon." I shuddered as I continued to sob.

"Bella?" Esme asked.

I tried to calm my breath. Then I looked to Esme. "Yes?" My voice trembled.

"She's finished the bottle. Would you like to hold her again. I imagine she's less thirsty now."

I smiled. "Yes. I would like that very much." Rosemarie was placed in my arms again and I held her tight. She reached up and touched my cheek. I saw myself just before she bit me. I tasted me. Now that I wasn't pregnant blood was just as gross as ever. I covered my nose and mouth hoping the image would pass. It did and I saw Jacob. It looked like he had a sun behind his head, lighting just him. She loved him. She had loved him before she was born. I knew that. "He loved you too," I told her, kissing her. Then she showed me Edward. She showed him on the floor, his empty eyes, his repetition of her thoughts. She was worried about him. "I'm worried about him too. You helped him though. He is much better now." And that's just what she showed me next. How nice it felt to be tickled. Then she showed me Jacob again. Jacob with a baby in his arms. "She wants you, Jacob."

His smile was huge as he took Rosemarie from me. "Good. Cause I want her too. We're going to be great friends, Rose."

"Maybe we should call her Marie. Just to avoid confusion."

Jacob shrugged. "No confusion. Rose," he lifted her in his arms. "Blondie," he pointed at Rosalie who sniffed.

Edward was at my side again. "Thank you, Bella."

I looked at him. "Go eat something, Edward. You look like crap." I smiled remembering the last time I told him that.

He laughed. "Only if you promise you'll still be here when I get back."

"Um, how long till I'm walking, Carlisle?"

"Tomorrow? Day after?"

"I don't think I'm going anywhere," I said with a smirk.

"Right." He bent and stopped. "Can I kiss your cheek?"

I chuckled. "Yes." And I thought the power had shifted before. "I still love you, Edward. Alice's vision was wrong. I would have forgiven you. One day."

He smiled and I saw hope in his face. "Thank you, Bella," he repeated.

Alice and Jasper came to the door as he left. "Is it too crowded in here? Or can another aunt and uncle meet their niece?"

"Of course you can. Come in, Alice. Jasper." I smiled at them and waved with my hand.

Alice gave Rosemarie a quick look and then came to my side. Jasper took a turn holding her. Alice hugged me. "I'm glad you're all right Bella. And I'm thrilled I can see you again. You're going to be walking tomorrow night. I saw you visiting Charlie."

"Great! I bet he's worried about me. I called last week, but told him I'd stop in this weekend." I looked at Rosemarie who was now being measured and weighed by Carlisle.

"How is she?" I asked him.

"Perfect. Nine pounds, large for any sort of prematurity. Head and length are both normal for a newborn as well. She is absolutely perfect." He beamed at the baby.

I smiled and turned back to Alice. "Well, I'm exhausted. Move me to a real bed?"

"Do you want Edward's?" Alice asked tentatively. "You can have ours if you'd rather."

"No, Edward's is fine. Jacob." My tone shifted to something almost growling. He flinched.

"You get your assignments from Quil and get started. You are not falling behind this early in the year."

"Yes'm." He smiled though.

I fell asleep soon after Alice laid me on the soft mattress.

I woke to find a groomed and fed Edward watching me from across the room on the couch. "What time is it?" I asked as I stretched. I felt a pulling in my abdomen and stopped. I looked down. Alice had changed me into cotton pajamas while I slept. Well I hoped it had been Alice. I lifted the shirt to see my bandage. No new blood. I hadn't pulled anything too badly.

"Four. Are you hungry?"

"Yes. I would love something to eat."

"I'll be right back."

I sat up in the bed once he was gone and looked around the room. It hadn't changed much in the time I was gone. He came back with a bowl of soup. "Here." He set the tray over my legs. "Do you mind if I stay?"

"Not really. As long as you don't mind me eating. Where's Rosemarie?" The minestrone was excellent. The vegetables were still very slightly crispy. I wondered how long ago someone had made it.

"Jacob is playing with her downstairs. She's learning quickly. They are playing peek-a-boo right now. She doesn't understand the game, but the way he says boo is making her smile." Edward smiled now too.

"She doesn't understand?" I asked.

"Well, unlike other babies, she knows things don't disappear when she can't see them. That's what makes peek-a-boo a game for them."

"Ah." I took a few more spoonfuls before his staring made me self-conscious. "Did I talk?"

"Hmm?"

"While I slept. Did I say anything?"

"Not while I was here." He said it sadly. He was hoping I'd let something slip while I slept. I smiled, glad I hadn't. I ate a little more. "Can you really forgive me?"

"I think I can. Forgiveness is actually the easier part. I don't trust you anymore Edward. I worry that you'll do something to me while I sleep. Something for my own good. Only knowing Jacob and Rosalie would stop you let me sleep at all." I frowned and pushed my soup away.

"Finished?" he asked.

"Yes. Thank you."

"Would you like me to send Jacob and Rosemarie up?"

I smiled now. "Yes! Thank you."

He kept his features smooth as he came for my tray. I stopped him and pulled his hand to my cheek. "I do still love you Edward. That's why I can forgive. It's unconditional. No matter how you hurt me. I will always love you. But I won't let you hurt me again."

He nodded and took the tray. "I will earn your trust back, Bella. Even if it takes the rest of your life."

I smiled. "Good."

Jacob came up a minute later. "I heard there's a Mommy up here?"

I chuckled. "Yes there is." My smile slipped when I saw the baby in his arms. How long had I been asleep? I started to think it must have been months not hours. Rosemarie was longer. Her hair and grown so that the curls laid down on her head now instead of sticking up. And she clapped her hands. I shook my head, sure I was mistaken. Jacob put her in my arms and she was heavier too.

"Remember, Rose. No biting." He wagged a finger at her and she pouted. "I know you think Mom tastes good, but it hurts her." The lip was sucked in and her eyes were wider. "It's all right, Bella. She just needs to remember that you don't heal as quick as I do."

Rosemarie's hand came to my cheek and she showed me playing outside with Jacob. The feel of the blades of grass on her skin. She showed me the formula Carlisle had given her that she refused to drink, but still made her wet her diaper. She showed me Rosalie rocking her until she fell asleep. "I'm glad you had such a good afternoon," I cooed to her. "And all mom did was sleep."

She smiled at me and put her head onto my chest. It felt so wonderful my heart filled and tears came to my eyes. I kissed the top of her head.

That night I slept in Edward's bed curled around the new purpose in my life. My beautiful baby girl. Her hand on my cheek melded her dreams with mine. We slept through until morning.

A happier ending? Maybe. I couldn't write more on this thread though. I tried and vampire Bella kept taking over. So, this is just an outtake. Hope you enjoyed it.