Chapter 28

"Carlisle!!"

The Cullens rushed in, along with most of the wolf pack, every single pair of eyes in the room as wide as saucers.

"Jake…" Desiree whispered, blinking several times to clear her blurred vision, swallowing hard and coughed from how dry her throat was.

Instinctively, her hand instantly covered her stomach, feeling the bump, and tears of relief instantly slid down her cheeks. The baby was alive and well; she could feel it kicking against her hand, which was the greatest feeling at that moment. The first person Desiree saw was her cousin Bella and slowly turned her head to stare at everyone else.

They were all there except one.

"Jake…"

Embry was the first to recover, walking over to stand beside Bella, loving the roses in Desiree's cheeks. They proved she was alive, that she wasn't a bloodsucker, even though the Cullens were growing on him slowly. "He'll be back soon. He went for a quick run." He said softly, watching as more tears flowed down her cheeks.

Closing her eyes, Desiree just nodded once, wiping the tears away from her face. Jacob couldn't stand seeing her in this predicament and, honestly, Desiree didn't blame him. Who would be able to watch the love of their life lying prone in a bed likely to die? Desiree would've done it simply because she wouldn't be able to leave Jacob's side even if a gun was pressed to her temple.

Carlisle walked over while Edward pulled Desiree away, knowing he had to do an examination to make sure everything was running properly. He already had a cup of water in hand, having rushed to the kitchen to retrieve one, and handed it to her. "Drink slowly." He cautioned, watching as she took a small sip, nodding with enthusiasm.

He had made it to her in time.

The first drop of cool liquid on her esophagus triggered a sigh to escape Desiree's lips, proceeding to suck the rest of it down, coughing several times. It took nearly ten cups before she was satisfied, knowing the baby was more than like dehydrated. She would keep drinking as much as it took, her hand never leaving her stomach, not believing how close she was to actually ending her baby's life to save it from the bloodsuckers.

"You're safe now." Carlisle assured her, taking the cup when she finally relinquished it, setting it to the side.

"Why am I not you?" She finally asked, looking very confused, remembering briefly the bloodsucker biting her. Her hand impulsively went to her neck, covering the bite mark, swallowing hard by how cold it was. "I thought…"

Carlisle smiled, already checking her heartbeat along with the baby's; knowing a lot had to be explained to Desiree. "You were bitten, but I saved you in time." He watched the confusion spread on her features, not able to stop smiling. "I had to suck the venom out of your body before the change could take place."

Desiree slowly looked up at Carlisle, the tears never stopping, so many different emotions flashing in her eyes. "How?" That's all she could ask because Desiree was choked up, the hormones rushing through her at top speed.

"Years and years of practice." He replied with a soft chuckle, remembering when he had to tell Bella the same thing when Jasper attacked her at her eighteenth birthday party. He finished up the examination, nodding at how fast the bite mark healed on her neck. "I honestly did not think I did it in time. This is truly a miracle, Desiree."

"Why do you say that?" She asked, covering her neck, knowing she would have to leave her hair down to hide it forever.

It was a scar, just like Bella had on her wrist, and still did even after she was changed. It would never go away and be a constant reminder of what she nearly lost. Never again would Desiree take anything for granted, especially life, because of what she experienced with those bloodsuckers in Denali.

"Where you were bitten, the bleeding was excessive and I had to find a way to stop it before attempting to suck the venom out of you." Carlisle explained, knowing Caius hit the main vein, and meant to do that. He knew Aro and the others would be coming for vengeance, the Cullens and wolf pack would be ready when that time came.

"Thank you, Carlisle, for saving our lives." Desiree whispered, taking his cold hand in hers, giving it a gentle squeeze. "I'll be forever in your debt."

"There is no need, Desiree. You are family because you are Bella's cousin. There is no debt that has to be repaid." He assured her with a smile, handing her a tissue, and stood up from the bed. "You do need to rest and eat though. The baby is very dehydrated and suffering malnutrition right now."

Desiree nodded, already knowing that, and couldn't believe the baby was still alive after everything she'd been through. "Carlisle, my back…" She closed her eyes, hearing the echoing of the whips in her mind, trembling slightly.

"They will heal. I've put a special salve on them that will make them disappear." Carlisle replied, glad Jacob had ripped Caius limb from limb.

Desiree nodded, reddened jade eyes moving from her doctor to Bella, seeing how much relief was evident in her posture. "I forgive you." She whispered after what seemed like hours, wiping more tears away. "I heard every word you said."

Bella nodded with a gentle smile, walking toward her cousin, and plopped down on the bed as she wrapped her arms around Desiree's neck, hugging her tightly. "Thank you, Desi." She whispered, feeling Desiree reciprocate the embrace, being careful not to crush her.

"Don't ever do something like that again, Isabella." Desiree stated, pulling back to stare into those topaz eyes. "Because, if you do, I will find a way to kill you."

"You have my word, Desiree. I will not interfere any longer. You and Jake belong together." Bella frowned when her cousin's eyes lowered, eyebrows furrowing together. "Desi…"

"Why isn't he here?" Desiree started crying, burying her face in her hands. "H-He's the o-only p-person I've w-wanted to s-see…"

"Do you want me to go find him?" Bella asked, gently lifting her cousin's chin as their eyes locked again, handing over the tissue box Edward handed her.

"I just want to be in his arms." Desiree sounded helpless, wondering why it was so hard to just be with Jacob without any problems. "I love him so much…"

"I love you too, Des." Jacob's voice sounded through the room, everyone turning to face him, the relief clear as day on his face.

She was alive and breathing with a beating heart.

Bella instantly moved, feeling Edward's arms encircle her waist, leaning back against him as Jacob went to Desiree's side.

"Jake…" Her eyes were only for him as Desiree instantly threw her arms around his neck, clinging to him for dear life, his one hundred and nine body heat feeling divine at the moment, warming her and the baby instantly. "I-I'm s-sorry…"

Jacob closed his eyes, holding her tightly against him, pulling her to where she was sitting in his lap. He looked up at Seth; silently thanking the man for telling him that Desiree had woke up. No matter how many miles were between the wolf pack, Jacob could still hear their thoughts and Sam had phased briefly to send the message to him. Seth simply grinned, holding Renesmee close to him, and kissed her forehead softly.

"There's no need for you to be sorry, Des." Jacob whispered, already knowing what she was referring to, pressing a finger to her lips when she went to speak again. "I know you were worried about me."

In all honestly, Desiree thought Jacob was dead when she received that note. Of course, when she found out the note had been just a trick to get her to cross the treaty line; Desiree knew he was still alive. To feel him alive and breathing against her was the second greatest gift in the world, their baby being the first.

Carlisle and Sam decided to give them some privacy, ushering everyone out, but Emily wasn't having any of it. "She needs to rest and eat." Emily sighed when Sam shook his head, knowing that could wait.

"She's right." Jacob pulled back briefly to stare into those beautiful jade eyes he thought he'd never see again. "You need to eat and regain your strength, sweetheart."

"I know." Desiree whispered, snuggling further into his deep warmth. "Just don't leave me."

"I'm not going anywhere." Jacob promised, wanting her to calm down because he knew she'd been through enough trauma to last both of them a lifetime and a half.

Emily proceeded to make Desiree a salad with chicken strips and honey mustard sauce. She added a few vegetables to the mix with ranch dip alongside a glass of milk, orange and apple juice and two huge bottles of water. Desiree blinked when Emily walked in with a rolling tray, everything on it, and even Jacob had to conjecture how his fiancée would pack this all away.

"Uh…"

"I want everything ate. I don't care how long it takes you." Emily stated, kissing the top of Desiree's head, so glad that she was back with them safe and alive.

"I'll try my best." Desiree promised, already licking her lips at the sight of all the food.

Emily nodded with a smile, still peeved at Jacob for running off earlier. "That's all I ask. If you need anything, let me know." She walked out, closing the door gently behind her.

"Does Charlie know what happened?" Desiree asked, after eating three chicken strips, sighing in contentment. The baby was pleased too because it kept moving against Jacob's hand.

Sighing, Jacob reluctantly nodded. "We explained to him what happened. He knows you were kidnapped, that's about it. He doesn't know the full details; he said he didn't want to hear them. He just wanted to make sure you were safe." He elucidated, smiling as the baby kept stirring.

Desiree simply nodded; glad Charlie wasn't kept in the dark, and chomped on a piece of broccoli. Surprisingly, Desiree ended up eating everything Emily made, though she barely touched the milk. She was never a fan and sighed when Jacob coaxed her to drink at least half of it. He finished the other; both of them deciding what Emily didn't know wouldn't hurt her.

"I want to get married as soon as possible." Desiree said out of nowhere, lying in Jacob's arms, head resting on his chest, arm draped over his body. "I don't know what the future holds for us, Jake. The only thing I know is that I don't want to die or have something happen without at least being your wife."

"Nothing is going to happen." Jacob stated austerely, running his hand up and down her back, refusing to let anything else ensue with Desiree.

"How do you know that?" Desiree demanded, lifting her head to stare into his dark eyes. "Jake, we didn't expect the kidnapping. How can you be so sure nothing else will happen? You can't predict the future…"

Jacob closed his eyes, the guilt eating away at him because, if Desiree hadn't gone after him due to the note, she would've stayed safe in La Push. "I know…" He whispered, pressing his forehead against hers, resting his hand on top of hers. "I swear to you though, Des, I'll protect you with my life."

"What happened to me isn't your fault, Jake." Desiree frowned when he didn't acknowledge it, moving to straddle his lap, her lips finding his in a passionate kiss. Her blood instantly lit on fire, every part sensitive because of the pregnancy. "Look at me." She murmured breathlessly, loving the way his eyes fixated on her. "You did everything you could to protect me. It's not your fault they tricked us."

"I should've been here…"

"Stop it, Jake." Desiree sounded desperate now, cupping his face in her hands, the heat sending tremors throughout her body. She smiled as his hands instantly rested on her hips, warming her instantly. "Please, please don't blame yourself for this. I love you and I will do anything to protect you, no matter what."

Jacob growled, not liking the sound of that and rolled Desiree on her back, hovering over her. "No." He buried his face in her neck, wrapping her legs around his waist, being careful not to crush the baby. "You won't try protecting me if it means your own life, Desiree Swan."

"And if I do?" Desiree challenged, running her hands down his chest, stopping him from moving away from her. "You are just as important to me as I am to you. I know I'm not a shape shifter, but I know I've imprinted on you in a human way."

"Why are you being so difficult?" Jacob's voice was low and gruff, already caving in, knowing he couldn't deny Desiree anything. "Just promise me that you won't put yourself in harm's way again."

"I'll try." That was the best Desiree could do and smiled when Jacob nodded, kissing her fervently.

"You're such a pain." He grunted after breaking the kiss, chuckling when Desiree just shrugged, and ran his hands up and down her sides. "I love you."

"I love you too. Now I want you to do something for me." Desiree bit her bottom lip, hormones spurting everywhere it seemed, trembling as she pressed a soft kiss to his neck. "Jake…"

Low groans escaped from Jacob because he knew exactly what Desiree wanted and wasn't sure if it was the best idea with the baby. "Des…" He watched as she pulled the white nightgown over her head, tossing it to the side, leaving her chest bare. "Damn it…"

"Please?" Desiree nuzzled his neck, pressing her bare chest to his own, instantly igniting as fire spread throughout every part of her body. "Jake…"

He loved how she said his name, eyes widening when his hand trailed down, noticing she was absolutely naked. "Des…" He couldn't deny her this request even if his life depended on it, slowly guiding her back down on the bed. "You really are difficult."

"I know, now stop talking." She ordered, bringing his lips down to hers, feeling Jacob pull the blankets up over them in case someone –namely Emily- decided to walk in on them. "Ohh Jake…"

"Nice and slow." Jacob cautioned in her ear, hissing at the feeling of the warmth surrounding him, knowing he could only feel the explosions with one woman and she was currently writhing beneath him. "Tell me when you want to get hitched and we will."

"Oh Jake!" Desiree cried out, not caring who heard her, clinging to him for dear life as her head simply nodded at his statement before he completely took her for his own.

Emily and Sam bit their bottom lip, everyone else having ventured home, knowing Desiree wouldn't have to be bothered for the remainder of the night. Sam smirked, eyes moving to Emily, deciding Jacob had the perfect idea on how to make up for lost time. Hoisting a squealing Emily over his shoulder, Sam carted her off to their bedroom, deciding Desiree wouldn't be the only one screaming in ecstasy that night.