Chapter 26 – Changes

BPOV

I woke up with a start and looked around the room to figure out what had woken me. As though answering my unspoken questions, Alex's cries started again and I got up from the bed, taking a second to balance myself before beginning the walk to his nursery. When I got there Emmett and Jasper were already standing next to the crib. Jasper smiled as Emmett rocked his son slowly. "He's just hungry. I know his cries now; each one for a different emotion." Jasper smiled proudly and I leaned against the doorframe watching the two of them tend to Alex. Emmett winked at me and continued rocking him gently. "Alice is making a bottle. You can go back to sleep, babe." I yawned and nodded slowly, turning to go back to our room.

I laid down thinking about our family and everything that had happened over the past two months. To say Alex was an advanced child would be an understatement. Carlisle had been keeping detailed records of the baby's growth and development since his birth. The first sign that Alex was gifted came immediately after his birth when he smiled at me. Since then, it's been one thing after another. He's growing at a normal rate but is far more mentally developed than he should be. He recognizes voices and seems to follow conversations sometimes. Emmett and I noticed right away that when we say someone's name, Alex looks around for that person. Edward says his thoughts are jumbled and he sees in pictures more than in words like adults do, but he recognizes his bottle, his crib, and various other physical objects around him. I often walk into a room to find Edward holding Alex just staring at him; almost as though they're having a silent conversation.

Jasper has grown attached more than any of them, though. Alex's blood apparently doesn't smell the same as a normal human's blood. Emmett says he smells like a diluted vampire, which makes Alice giggle every time he mentions it. Fortunately, the things we notice about Alex's development and oddities aren't things that are easily noticed by other people. Charlie just thinks he's highly advanced and chalks it up to him being a little genius. The only thing that has raised any questions has been Alex's slightly cold body temperature. Carlisle assured Charlie this was just due to poor circulation and isn't something to worry about, but the rest of us know the truth.

To say Alex is a beautiful child now seems like an understatement. He looks more and more like his father as each day passes, only with my dark brown eyes. His curly hair is jet black and his skin is nearly as pale as Emmett's. My favorite part though, the thing that just melts my heart, is his smile. It's like looking at Emmett as a child. Alex's dimples are slightly more pronounced than Emmett's and his smile reaches all the way to his eyes every time.

I grabbed Emmett's pillow and hugged it to my body. He didn't lay with me as often since Alex had been born. During the first few weeks I had woken up in the middle of the night and gone looking for him, only to find him in Alex's nursery watching him sleep. It warmed my heart to see Emmett with his son. Even when Alex was most hard to handle, Emmett stepped up and took care of him. They already shared a bond that I knew would only grow stronger. Carlisle agreed with me, saying that he'd never seen Emmett so devoted to anyone; even me.

Alex's cries died away suddenly and I knew Alice had reappeared with his bottle. Alex ate well, but sometimes he seemed angry at his bottle. Jasper had picked up on it a few times and told us he was dissatisfied and still hungry. But when we would try to feed him again, he would only push away his bottle. We all wondered if perhaps he was having cravings for blood that had not yet fully developed. Carlisle said they would likely never fully develop if they hadn't by now. I assumed Alex's eating habits would be much like mine while I was pregnant and he would gravitate mostly to rare cooked red meats.

I sighed happily and looked at the clock before allowing myself to drift back to sleep. Aro and Rosalie would be arriving in little more than twelve hours. I wanted to be ready to greet them and introduce them to my son.

"Alice, please, no hats. It's not even that cold out and we both know Alex isn't subject to the cold anyway." Alice sighed dramatically and put the hat down on the bed. "Bella, I'm just trying to be logical. Perhaps he isn't a normal child but he should look like one. Besides, that hat is freaking adorable." I shook my head and looked down at it with disgust. Putting that damn sailor hat on my child would be a crime. I couldn't put Alex through that. "No, Alice. If you're so worried about appearances, put that little hoodie on him and put the hood up." Alice groaned loudly and stomped over to the dresser that held all the sweaters, jackets, gloves and hats. She pulled out the hoodie we had bought just days earlier and came back over.

"Fine, Bella, but you must know that someday I will put that hat on him." I rolled my eyes and ignored her, happy for today's win. We finished dressing Alex and he smiled up at me, enjoying the attention he was getting. Once he was fully dressed, I adjusted the collar on his shirt and stood back smiling. "Okay, little man. Today's a big day. You're going to meet some very important people. Be on your best behavior, okay?" He smiled again, bigger this time, and I heard Jasper laugh from the door. "He's excited. He must know something is going on." I smiled at Jasper as he walked into the room and picked up Alex, holding him against his chest. "You girls need to get ready. I'll watch Zeke." I smiled at Jasper's nickname for Alex. Everyone called him something different, but it was Jasper who had claimed Zeke as special name for his nephew.

Alice kissed Jasper briefly and then planted a kiss on Alex's head before leaving the room to begin getting ready. I stepped forward and adjusted Alex's shirt again, prompting Jasper to roll his eyes. "Bella, please. You must stop obsessing. Aro will not care what Zeke is wearing, only that he is a child with more human characteristics than vampiric. Go get ready. They should be here in less than two hours. We'll be fine until then." I smiled at Alex and laughed when he smiled back at me. I turned to walk away and Jasper's voice came softly, stopping me in my tracks. "He loves you, ya know. He loves all of us, but there's something special about his love for you." I looked at Jasper for a moment and then looked down at Alex who was resting his head against Jasper's chest. I felt a smile spread across my lips and I leaned down, kissing Alex's cool forehead. "I love you, little man." Alex laughed happily and Jasper and I both froze. "Did he just--?"

Emmett appeared in the doorway suddenly and looked at Alex with intensity. "Did he just laugh?" Jasper and I nodded slowly and Alex buried his head in Jasper's chest. Emmett started laughing and bent down, looking up at Alex. "Wanna laugh again, buddy? Just for daddy?" Alex stared at him, now chewing on his fist lazily. Emmett grabbed a stuffed animal and began shaking it in front of Alex, which shortly turned into peek-a-boo. Jasper laughed and I stepped back out of the room, watching two grown men laugh and play with a child. Alex had them both wrapped around his finger and I knew he knew it. That kid knew far more than any of us could have imagined.

RPOV

Alice pulled me into a hug while Aro, Carlisle, and Esme talked quietly. She held me so tightly I thought she may never let go, but finally she pulled back and smiled up at me. "I've missed you, Rose. I wish you weren't living so far away now." We hugged again and she stepped back as Jasper stepped forward. He grinned and hugged me, kissing my cheek gently. "You look good, Rosalie." He said into my ear as he pulled back. I smiled at them, allowing myself to relax for the first time since we got on the plane. No one was looking at me with worried or guarded eyes. I was simply welcomed as a member of their extended family. Even Aro was being more readily welcomed this time. Alice still hung back from him, but I hadn't really expected anything different.

Emmett stepped out of the kitchen wiping his hands with a towel and grinned as he pulled me into one of his giant Emmett hugs. When he set me down he kissed me on the cheek and then nodded cheerfully at Aro. It was one of the strangest things I'd ever seen. Emmett looked entirely at ease accepting Aro and I into his home as though there were no awkward history. Edward hugged me next and smiled as he stood back. We had been in touch the most out of everyone. Perhaps we felt a connection to each other as we had both somewhat removed ourselves from the family. Whatever it was, I was grateful that I could rely on him for support.

Carlisle looked up as the room quieted and he nodded at Emmett. I narrowed my eyes, sensing something wasn't quite right and Emmett stepped back. "I'd like it if everyone would have a seat in the living room." His voice was cheerful but now I sensed a little bit of apprehension in his eyes. We all filed into the room and sat down on the various couches and seats in the room. Aro and I sat together, holding hands as we always were, and Aro leaned forward a little. "Well now, I can't help but wonder where lovely Bella is hiding." Emmett laughed and ran a hand through his hair, looking between Edward and Jasper before speaking again. "Well, that's why I wanted you all in here. We have a bit of a surprise for you and Rose." Aro clapped his hands together happily before covering my hand with his again. "Oh, how I do love a surprise. Now I understand why no one was quite willing to shake my hand. I thought I sensed a resistance." Carlisle laughed in the corner and smiled gently. "Nothing escapes you, my friend."

The room quieted again and Emmett turned, looking toward the stairs. Bella appeared at the top of them, taking her time to walk down carefully. Her eyes met mine and she smiled softly before her gaze dropped to her arms. For the first time I realized she was carrying something… Something small. My hands flew to my mouth as she got closer and I heard a faint cooing sound. Aro stood up before I did, his eyes focused on Bella as she got closer. She stopped just in front of us and I was able to see the child for the first time.

"Rosalie, Aro… I'd like you to meet Alexander Ezekiel Cullen. Our son." I gasped again and turned my head sharply to look at Emmett. He walked forward and stood behind Bella, his hand on her shoulder as he gazed down at the baby. "I don't understand," I said, dropping my hand away from my mouth. "How is this possible? Do not tell me you adopted, I'd never believe it. This child is a tiny carbon copy of Emmett!" Bella nodded slowly and adjusted the baby in her arms so we could see him better as Emmett spoke. "We didn't think it was possible, Rosie. We didn't bother using protection or anything because there was no point. We thought. But now… Well you can see."

Aro stepped forward from my side and stood next to Bella, gazing down at the child. "This child has a heartbeat, but yet is descended directly from a vampire. How?" He looked at Carlisle who only shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "We don't know, Aro. We're learning as we go along. The child obviously takes after his mother more than his father. Although there is evidence of vampire DNA." Aro shook his head in amazement and looked back down at the baby in Bella's arms. "My dear child, may I?" He held out his arms and Bella hesitated for the slightest second before placing the baby in Aro's arms. Almost immediately she wrapped her arms around herself as if to keep from shaking.

I watched as Aro placed his palm on the child's forehead and closed his eyes, taking a breath as he experienced the child's memories. Emmett twitched slightly but didn't move, keeping his eyes glued on the two. Finally, Aro's eyes opened and he laughed heartily. "This child! This child is a marvel! He knows so much. I can hear his heartbeat, but yet I cannot smell human blood. He smells… He smells like one of us only--."

"Diluted?" Emmett smirked a little and Aro nodded happily. "Yes, diluted." He reached out for Bella's hand and she took it, keeping her eyes on him as he held the baby against his chest. "And you are much warmer than this child. Still, I can feel his warmth traveling up my arm. This is truly amazing." He released Bella's hand and moved his hand back to the baby's forehead. He sighed and smiled happily at Bella. "He knows who everyone is. He recognizes his mother and father, but he knows the others as well. He feels a special kinship toward his Uncle Jasper. Only, it's your face I see, accompanied by an intense feeling of affection. The child does not yet understand the meaning of words, but he understands you are important." Aro looked away from Jasper and back down at the baby. "He knows his mother is his mother; his creator. And he knows his father is his father; his flesh." Aro closed his eyes again and a laugh escaped his lips. "He wants to walk already. He is frustrated when he sees someone leave a room and he cannot follow." Jasper laughed behind me and I turned to look at him. "I had been trying to figure out his frustration for some time now. Thank you." Aro inclined his head and focused again on the child.

"There is something special within this child. I cannot pinpoint it exactly, but I daresay this child will be very powerful someday." The baby laughed and Aro laughed louder, happily. "He is advanced for his age. Rosalie, you must meet this child." He turned to me and I glanced at Bella. She smiled happily and nodded. Aro passed the baby to me and I looked down at him to find him staring up at me. His beauty shocked me and reminded me of Emmett's boyish good looks and demeanor. Immediately I felt a rush of affection for the child in my arms and knew I was falling in love with him. I looked up at Emmett and he smiled down at me. "Say hello to your nephew, Rosalie." I laughed and looked back down at the child. "Hello, Alexander." He laughed and grabbed my finger, squeezing hard enough that I could feel it.

I gasped and looked up at Emmett. "Emmett, he's strong! I felt that!" Laughter rose in the room and Alice's voice floated through the air. "He's only just started doing that recently. His grip was never firm before." Bella stepped forward and placed her hand on mine. "Rosalie, we've asked Alice and Jasper to be Alex's godparents, should anything ever happen to Emmett and I, but I'd like very much if you'd agree to help them, should that time come." I nodded slowly, attempting to absorb what was happening around me. Things had changed so much since the wedding. "Also, my understanding is I will be incapacitated for several days during my change. I'd like to ask you to stay in Forks and take care of Alex for me. Emmett will be here, but he insists on staying at my side for some reason. And Jasper will be there to help control the pain. I'm sure the others could take care of Alex without problem, but I'd like it if you would take on the majority of the responsibility."

I looked up at her in confusion and began shaking my head. "No, Bella. How could you give me that responsibility? I've never raised a child. I can't be trusted to take care of a half-human." Bella put her hand on my arm and shook her head. "Rosalie, you plan to raise a full human soon. Consider this practice. Just pretend your human child is a bike and Alex is the training wheels." Jasper snickered behind us and Bella glared at him briefly before looking at me again. "Whatever, just… Please, do this for me." I realized then that this wasn't something I was doing for Bella; it was something she was doing for me; A gift, of sorts. Alexander rocked in my arms and I looked down, laughing at his wide-eyed expression. "Of course, Bella. It would be an honor. I won't let him out of my sight, I swear." Bella smiled and Alexander laughed happily. It was the most beautiful sound I'd ever heard.

BPOV

I kissed Alex on the head and squeezed him gently before passing him to Alice. She smiled and kissed me on the cheek without saying a word. I watched as she left the room and a part of me yearned to run after her and take Alex back just to hold him for one more minute. I felt calm wash over me and turned to Jasper. He smiled gently and I put my arms around him, laying my head on his chest. "Everything will be fine, Bella. You'll see him again when it's all over." I fought the tears that were threatening to spill from my eyes and looked up at him. He brushed my hair back out of my eyes and kissed my forehead. "See you soon, Bella." I nodded and stepped back, turning to Emmett. He eyes were worried and his expression slightly pained. I smiled reassuringly and moved into his arms, wrapping my arms around his body. "Stop worrying, would you? Everything will be fine." He sighed and shook his head slowly. "The pain, Bella…" I pressed my lips against his, cutting off his words, and his arms tightened around me.

He held me against him, kissing me deeply and I got the feeling he was kissing me for the last time. I stepped back and slapped his chest lightly. "Stop that! Everything will be fine. You'll see." He laughed despite his worry and kissed me again softly. "I love you, Bella." I smiled against his lips and ran my fingers through his hair, holding onto him for a few more moments. "I love you too, but no goodbyes." He nodded and I pulled away, turning to face Rosalie. She nodded and I laid down on the bed, exhaling deeply. Emmett closed the bedroom door and I was thankful I had already spoken with everyone else. The hardest part of all of this had been saying goodbye to Charlie. He thought we were leaving and going to Alaska to begin moving into our house. We had a farewell party and he said goodbye to the baby and Emmett as well. It nearly broke my heart to see that look of pain on his face. There was no way I'd be able to keep this secret from him. One day, I'd have to see him again.

Jasper took a seat in the chair beside the bed, preparing himself for what lie ahead. Emmett sat down on the bed next to me and Rosalie stood beside the bed on my side. "Are you ready, Bella?" Her voice was barely a whisper and Jasper's head snapped up. "Rosalie, you must not have doubt. " She nodded slowly and stood up straighter, looking down at me again. "Close your eyes, Bella." I looked at Emmett just in time to see a darkness pass over his expression. I pulled his hand against my chest and held onto it tightly as I closed my eyes.

EPOV

Rosalie looked up at me and nodded, stepping away from the bed. I glanced back at Jasper and he nodded in agreement as I raised Bella's arm slowly, bringing her wrist to my mouth. I looked at the scar James had left on her and lined it up with my teeth. I refused to give Bella yet another scar and would instead replace the one James had left with my own mark. "Now!" Rosalie hissed under her breath and I bit down hard, breaking her skin. Blood flooded my mouth and I felt a cloud of determination settle around me, aiding me. Bella gasped loudly and I felt my venom begin to invade her bloodstream. "That's enough, Emmett!" Jasper's voice sounded worried and hoarse, but came so quietly I barely heard it. Bella's blood pooled into my mouth and for the second time I tasted that sweet, warm liquid I had so craved. Bella began to writhe as the venom worked its way through her and I closed my eyes, forcing myself to let go. I pulled back and was on my feet within seconds, panting from the force of my determination to stop myself.

Jasper let out a sigh of relief and then sat back again, closing his eyes to focus on Bella again. Rosalie appeared in front of me and smiled gently. "I'm not so sure I would have been able to do that. Now that I smell her blood so fresh like that, I don't know if I would have been able to pull back. I would have killed her. You were right." I only nodded, thankful that we'd had time in the morning to talk privately and change the plan. Only Rosalie, Jasper, and I would know the truth. Even Bella could never know. Her bond with Jacob would cause her such intense guilt that I could see her telling him the truth one day and breaking the treaty. Rosalie handed me a napkin and pointed at my lips. I wiped the trace amounts of blood from them and then handed it back to her. "You know the drill." She nodded, looked back at Bella and then left the room holding the napkin to her lips.

An entire day has passed with Jasper and I at Bella's side. Jasper had been forced to take breaks here and there, when the strain of his efforts overwhelmed him. But they were always short breaks and he'd be back at it, trying to override her pain with emotions of bliss. Looking at her now, it is as though she is sleeping. Every now and then her eyes twitch and her fingers jump, but generally, she is entirely still. Jasper says he can feel her distress and knows the pain is only slightly diminished by his efforts, but he refuses to give up. Never have I seen my brother so determined and heartbroken at the same time. More than once he whispers that he wishes he could just take all of the pain and seems almost guilty that he can't. Watching him watch her, I realize that their bond has grown stronger than her bond with Alice or Edward, only coming in second to the bond her and I share.

Everyone but Rosalie has checked in more than once, while Rosalie keeps Alex downstairs so he isn't exposed to what is happening to his mother. I hear Alice's familiar dancing footsteps coming up the stairs and I turn to face the door just as she bursts into the room. "They're coming!" Jasper is pulled out of his efforts and is at her side instantly. "Who?" Alice glanced at Bella and lowered her voice slightly. "Victoria and her army. They'll be here in less than two days." Edward now appeared in the doorway, looking more grim than I had ever seen him look. "We need to get Bella and the baby out of here." Jasper shook his head quickly and I saw battle plans begin to form in his head. "No, we cannot allow Bella to wake up anywhere else. And she would never want Zeke away from her. Edward, please, ask Aro to join us."

Within seconds Edward appeared at the doorway with Aro trailing behind him. Instantly his eyes fell on Bella and he nodded slightly before turning his attention on me. His eyes were now golden with only slight traces of red in them. A part of me wanted to laugh out loud at Rosalie's power over Aro, but I returned to the matter at hand. Before I could speak, Jasper was in front of Aro, speaking quickly and quietly. "The vampire Victoria, surely you've seen her in Edward's thoughts, has gathered an army of newborns and is on her way here to destroy Bella and this family. We have less than two days to be ready to face them." Without giving Aro any time to ask questions or process this information, Jasper continued. "You are the most powerful vampire among us, not because of your gift, which is undoubtedly very powerful in itself; but because you have the power to call upon others to help us."

Realization suddenly filled the room as each one of us, Aro included, began to understand what Jasper was asking. Aro nodded slowly, his face growing dark as he began to think and consider the request. "My dear boy, this family is now very important to me and I do not wish to see any member hurt. However, bringing the guard here would be very dangerous. They do not have the will power I have. They will not be able to resist the urge to feed once they are here. Your charming little town will be in danger." Jasper's expression did not change and he seemed to dismiss Aro's concerns with a single statement. "They will resist if ordered to by their master." Aro's eyes flickered and he stared at Jasper with interest and intrigue before speaking again. "I will not force them to suffer, nor will I force them to feed on the blood of animals as Rosalie has convinced me to while here. But, I can assure that they will not harm any humans in this town. Will that suit you?"

Jasper stared back, his eyes dark and determined. Finally he nodded. "If you can assure us that no one in Forks will be harmed, and that your vampires feed only enough to carry them over until they return to Italy." Aro inclined his head slightly and spun, leaving the room in a hurry. I turned to face Jasper and found Alice had already moved in front of him. She smiled slightly and nodded. "Yes, that was smart. But there are too many variables now. I cannot see past the moment Victoria's army arrives. But we will have support now, at the very least." She kissed him and then walked over to the bed, lowering herself down next to Bella. She held her hand and leaned down, whispering stories about Alex in her ear.

JPOV

Members of the Volturi guard began showing up the next day. Some came straight here, while some flew into other cities to feed first. Within 24 hours we had five extremely talented, extremely dangerous vampires under our roof. To say they were standoffish would have been a compliment. Each one muttered a curt greeting to Carlisle and Esme, but ignored everyone else. Aro and I had talked thoroughly and discussed every possible option of what would happen. We decided the best bet would be to go to the baseball field well before Alice saw Victoria and her army arriving so that there would be less chance of a human getting involved in the battle. Charlie had been showing up unannounced after his shift ended on many days, and even though he thought Bella, Emmett, and Zeke were in Alaska, we didn't want to risk him stopping by out of loneliness at the wrong time.

"What about Bella and Alexander?" Rosalie's voice was calm, but there was worry in it. Carlisle's voice was equally calm, but without worry. "Bella no longer smells like Bella. However, her scent is all over this house. That will not fade away for some time. Emmett is gathering all of Bella's clothes and will take them to the field, as well. Alice has already seen that Victoria will pick up on the scent and change courses. It will not be a problem. You, Alice, and Esme will remain here at the house with Bella and the baby. We would rather you three not be involved in the fight and this way Bella will have three strong vampires here to help her when she wakes up."

I looked down at Bella as the voices downstairs began to die away. Her change would be complete sometime the following day; either before or after the battle. Alice was having a hard time pinpointing exactly when Bella would wake up in comparison to the arrival of Victoria and her army. Still, I felt confident in our plan. Aro and I had looked at it from every angle possible and we now had five of the most powerful vampires in the world on our side. Victoria didn't stand a chance. "So what do we do now?" I recognized Jane's icy voice and looked down at Bella again. "We wait," I said softly.

A/N: Thanks for all the great reviews last chapter. I'm pleased that most everyone seems to be enjoying the story. What are your thoughts on this chapter? I've caught a cold, naturally just in time for the holidays, but still plan to get chapters up daily from here out. We're nearing the end now. Only a few chapters left. What would you all like to see happen in the remaining chapters?