You never know what people have up their sleeves
Ghosts from your past gonna jump out at me
Lurking in the shadows with their lip gloss smiles
But I don't care 'cause right now you're mine
And you'll say
Don't you worry your pretty little mind
People throw rocks at things that shine
And life makes love look hard
The stakes are high, the water's rough
But this love is ours
Chapter Twenty-Eight: Beautiful, Wonderful, Brilliant, Alice
Bella POV
Life has been…interesting. I am currently three weeks pregnant (ten and a half normal weeks), I am engaged to the love of my life…and he is still married to his ex-wife. How did that happen? I'll tell you how. Rosalie thought she could buy herself some time. I had known something was off…and now I know what. Rosalie was lying about having finished her obligations to submitting the papers. Of course I had flipped out when Emmett came in from getting the mail a few weeks ago fuming…but he couldn't hide it from me if he tried. I snapped when Rosalie came back from her hunt and forced it out of her that it wasn't a mistake, she had intended to send the papers in incomplete. Since then, I've been avoiding Rosalie as much as I can, leaving Emmett to deal with her. He's been begging her for just over two weeks now to sign the last sheet and she sure is taking her sweet ass time.
Of course, she knows now that Emmett and I are mates. Otherwise, I wouldn't be pregnant. She didn't take that well either. If I didn't hate her so much…I'd feel bad for her. She really seems to have just lost her way and now she can't get back. But that's not my problem. I have more important things to worry about…like supporting my fiancé and staying healthy for my unborn child.
Carlisle has been meeting with Alice and I regularly to tell us everything he knows about our pregnancies. It seems, we are progressing at about three and a half pregnancy weeks per week, which is rounded up slightly…so we should manage between 13-14 weeks of pregnancy per month…which leads to a full 40-week pregnancy over only three months. Our bodies are, of course, feeling that rush. Alice and I can't stop drinking blood, downing a good 7-9 cups a day…Alice usually managing about 12. We aren't sure why she's been craving more than I am, but it could be because she is farther along.
At this point, Alice is just over seventeen pregnancy weeks along in only five weeks. She has of course started to show and she looks just adorable, a little ball forming on her perfectly petite physique. She loves every second of it. Our bodies have grown a bit warmer to house the babies and so we are very sensitive. Everyone is particularly protective of us, but it's nothing compared to Jasper and Emmett. Carlisle said the natural primitive need to protect one's young is coming through, coupled with the instinct to protect their mates. Emmett seems to really enjoy the warmth of my belly though, every time he is close his hands are rubbing my very slight bump. Carlisle said showing at ten weeks for someone my size is normal though.
We have both been in various amounts of pain because our bodies have changed so much so fast. We are managing, however Alice was right. The peeing was annoying. It stopping though, the babies taking in all the blood they can. It stopped about one week into the pregnancy. The whole process was just odd and Carlisle usually looked perplexed when we come to him with a question, though he's been really good with finding more information than we could have hoped for.
I currently sat in the living room with Alice, me on my fourth cup or blood, her on her 7th, and it was only 1pm. I sighed, swallowing my mouthful.
"If it wasn't painful, this could be considered a vacation." I told her. She looked to me curiously. I laughed.
"Well, we do nothing but sit around all day, drinking and having people wait on us." She thought for a moment and laughed as well.
"Yea it is, isn't it?!" I laughed at her enthusiasm. Alice's emotions had been a bit shaky lately, very over the top happy, or angry…or sad. She's all over the place. I had to laugh because I wasn't there yet. I nodded. She sobered, sighing.
"Though…your predicament isn't much of a vacation." I sighed too, shrugging.
"Yea…but what can we do? Emmett just wants everything finalized before the baby is born." She nodded.
"I don't blame him. Hopefully she will come around?" I nodded.
"I hope so…I've been debating asking Carlisle to sit them both down and mediate. I know she gets under Emmett's skin…which causes him to lose his temper. Before you know it they are both screaming and nothing is getting accomplished." She took a long sip from her glass, nodding.
"Yea…the screaming is getting fucking annoying." My eyes widened at her choice of words and I laughed as she grumbled.
"Pot-ty mouth!" She snickered and took another swig.
"God…I'm so hungry today! I need another…" I looked to her, shocked that she'd already finished. I shook my head, getting up.
"I got it Alice, you rest." She smiled to me thankfully and I went to the kitchen, making up enough blood for three more cups. I knew I could go for another and she'd probably want two. I had just pulled out a pot from the cupboard when Rosalie came into the kitchen. She stopped on the other side of the island, seemingly waiting for me to acknowledge her. I sighed, knowing that being polite was the way to go when she literally held my upcoming marriage in her hands.
"Hello, Rosalie." I said with a smile, looking to her. She seemed shocked that I took the high road, her glare faltering.
"Why are you doing this to me." She more-so stated than asked. I poured the blood into the pot and turned the stove on before I turned to her, giving her my full attention.
"Look, Rosalie. I have always wanted nothing more than to get along. When I first met your family, I had no intentions of ever hurting you. I even would sit with Emmett while he spoke so highly of you and tried to give him pointers on how to make you both happy together. I supported the relationship you shared until he told me it wasn't what he wanted anymore. I am sorry for a lot of things, but I am not sorry for falling in love with Emmett. He is my mate and this is just how the chips are falling. But I am sorry that it hurts you." She looked to me, glare slipping from her features. She looked almost…helpless. Vulnerable. She shook her head, stoning up her features once more.
"Why couldn't you just disappear." She whispered, deadly quiet.
"Because Rosalie, this is how it was meant to be." I told her, trying to keep my cool. She leaned further over the island to me snapping her words at me.
"No they are how you planned it you little brat!" I slapped my hands down on the counter hard enough to make the entirety of it shake. She backed away slightly and I heard footsteps rushing to the kitchen.
"Listen here Rosalie, I've had just about enough of you and your self righteous attitude! You take and take and take until people have nothing else to give! How about you think about what your actions are doing to the people around you!" She slapped the counter too, Edward and Jasper appearing in the doorway.
"I won't give him up! I love him!" She told me, her eyes turning orange. I gripped the countertop, cracking it in my outrage at her lie.
"If you loved him, you'd let he be happy Rosalie. You'd let him file those papers and let him plan for his baby with no stress hanging over his head!" She narrowed her eyes at me and I leaned closer, my voice deadly low. I saw Emmett come into the kitchen now.
"You can't lie to me Rosalie. Remember that. I will always know." Her eyes flashed with momentary panic, she realized I knew she didn't love Emmett. She realized her mistake. It wasn't hard to tell but now I had proof and she knew I would hold it against her if need be.
"Hey now, let's relax." Emmett said, coming to my side. He gently pulled me from the counter, standing between Rosalie and I. He took my hands in his and kissed them, letting one hand fall to my cheek, and one to our baby.
"I don't want you worrying about this ok? I want you to relax and focus on the amazing task ahead of you. Don't let her get to you Little One." I closed my eyes, a tear falling from my eyes.
"I'm just so tired of this hanging over our heads." I whispered and he nodded, pulling me to his chest and into a hug. I held him tightly, his comfort a necessity at the moment. Jasper came to the stove and stirred the pot, taking the finished blood off the stove for me and Edward politely asked Rosalie to give us some space. I heard Carlisle waiting in the living room for Rosalie, asking her to come into his office.
Emmett kissed my hair and lifted my chin to give me a loving kiss.
"We have our whole existence ahead of us. We will be a family…we will get married and have this baby together…don't let her ruin it for you Bella. I will make sure I have this divorce finalized before October…I promise." I nodded sadly, giving Emmett another kiss. He led me into the living room where Alice and Jasper were sitting on the couch, Alice sipping on her straw, Edward was sitting on the chair and my cup was on the table in front of the love seat. Emmett and I sat down, him pulling me into his side as I took a long, calming sip of the blood.
"Bella, don't let her get to you sweetie." Alice told me in a motherly voice. I smiled to her and sighed.
"I know…it's just so hard when she pushes it in my face, you know?" She nodded. We sat in comfortable silence for a bit until Edward shook his head, muttering under his breath.
"So stubborn." He rolled his eyes. A moment later, Rosalie came stomping out of Carlisle's office and up the stairs to her room. I looked to Emmett sadly and he just ran his thumb over my cheek.
"She can't take what's ours Little One. Just remember that." I put my head on his shoulder, closing my eyes. Never needing to be able to escape into sleep so badly.
Emmett POV
It's the middle of August and time is slowly running out. Bella is currently about 24 weeks pregnant, which only took a month and a half…and she's got a beautiful round belly. We even found out what we are having…and I can't wait for my baby girl to come into this world. I thought for a moment as I sat on the bed about what she might look like…I kind of hope she looks like Bella, a spitting image of her beautiful mommy. When I told Bella that she shook her head with a loving smile on her face. I'll never forget what she told me.
"I hope she looks like Charlotte."
Just the memory of that moment brought tears to my eyes. Bella was…is. Amazing. Which is why I sat here, in Rosalie's room, waiting for her to get back from her hunt. Yes, I am still technically married to her, and no, I'm no closer to getting her to sign. It was wearing on both Bella and I, and the whole family really. The tension is thick…even Renee could tell when she came to visit Bella and Alice.
Of course, Renee was thrilled by the pregnancy, as was Charlie. They were surprised by the speed though. It was a lot for them to get used to. So many changes in such a small time…it left the girls lacking energy. They have even been napping! Usually no more than two to three hours at a time, but Carlisle isn't sure if that is due to the child-barng gift, or the humanistic gift. Renee has been to visit twice in the last month trying to help, though she hasn't been able to be of much help to either Bella or Alice. She just can't handle heating the blood…and there isn't much else she could do. I have given Bella a few back and foot massages, but that was because I was strong enough to push through her softened marble muscles. Bella loves having her here though, even if it is only for moral support.
Alice…she's huge! Turns out, her pregnancy is a bit different than Bella's. She's having twins. They assume twins must have run in Jasper's family, though none of them could remember. Neither Jasper nor Alice wanted to know the sex of the babies though, deciding to be surprised. I smiled as I heard Alice crying again downstairs. She is about twenty-eight and a half weeks pregnant and the poor girl just can't escape the hormones. Carlisle has, of course, warned her of early labour because she is carrying twins, claiming she is "measuring at almost thirty weeks"…whatever that means. The girls understand it…but I've just had more on my mind.
I could hear rustling through the trees outside the window and as I suspected, Rosalie tossed herself back through the open window into the room. When she saw me waiting for her, she looked momentarily shocked, throwing on a calm exterior quickly.
"Emmett. To what do I owe the pleasure?" She asked, trying to sound seductive. I looked away from her eyes and cleared my throat unnecessarily.
"Well Bella is asleep and I thought we could just talk." I said, tossing Bella's name into the mix. She still didn't know Bella's name is the trigger for her manipulation, but I wouldn't be soon forgetting it. Not when I have so much to lose.
"Ahh, the little brat is finally unclenching her talons from you, is she?" I smiled dryly, excusing the jab at my mate.
"Let's just talk Rose. You and me, civilly. I don't want to argue. I just want to understand each other." She gave me a curious look, sitting on the chair by the dresser.
"You want to talk." She echoed. I nodded.
"Yes. I'd like to know what you've been thinking about lately." I told her honestly. She rolled her eyes.
"Oh you know, how it only took a matter of hours for you to purchase an engagement ring for that bitch after signing divorce papers." I sighed. When I had taken the papers to the post office, I had gotten the ring too that I had ordered from the jeweler in town. I nodded.
"Fair enough." I told her. She huffed.
"Not to mention how unfaithful you were to me." I held up my hand to stop her.
"Watch your words Rosalie. I was never unfaithful." She scoffed, standing up and pacing.
"Oh please Emmett. You didn't give our marriage a fighting chance once that asshole came along. You pushed far away from me and the sent me packing." I shook my head, remaining seated.
"Yes. I did realize there was something wrong with our marriage when Bella came along, but that's only because she is my mate, Rosalie. It's been proven. Bella gave me a gift that can only be passed through mates. We know this is the real deal, and I'm sorry you and I were fooled by our emotions for so long, but I didn't send you away. You gave me an ultimatum that was not fair, regardless of what Bella was meant to be to me. She could have been a perfect stranger and it would have been wrong for you to ask that of me." Rosalie just watched me.
"Rose, please. You deserve someone that is made for you. You deserve someone that compliments you better than I do…that's why we never worked. Because I'm not it for you. He's out there, waiting for you to brighten his world and all I'm asking is that you let me be as happy as I want you to be. I want you to be loved and cared for…but that's not my purpose. My purpose is to take care of the two girls down there wrapped into one package. I need to be there for them in every way I can be…and I want to hold my daughter first time as nothing more than Bella's. I don't want to be married to another woman. We both deserve better than that Rose." She looked to the door, a vulnerability coming to the surface.
"She's…she's having a girl." She whispered and I nodded.
"She is. Rose, this isn't your fault. But it's also not Bellas…it's not mine either. I'm not trying to punish you or hurt you…I just want what is best for everyone involved. I want you to find your life…like I found mine." She shook her head, clearly not as cold as she had been.
"This isn't fair Emmett." I sighed, standing.
"I agree." She looked to me curiously and I continued, looking her dead in the eye.
"I know this isn't fair. It's a mess. Fair would have been us knowing we weren't meant to be before hand…or us actually being mates. Or fair would have been you meeting your mate when I met mine…I know this isn't fair Rose…and I'm sorry. But you need to stop punishing Bella and my baby girl…and stop punishing yourself." She stood there silent, and I took that as a good time to end our encounter.
"I'll give you some time to think…just…please. Sign the papers. I'll never ask another thing of you…just stop hurting me and stop hurting yourself by drawing this out." I walked out of the room, closing the door as I left. I went down to the living room to see Jasper and Alice sitting on the love seat, Bella still sound asleep on the couch. I sat in front of Bella on the floor and smiled warmly. She was so beautiful…and she's mine. I brushed her hair off her face and kissed her forehead, making her sigh in her sleep. I looked to Jasper and Alice who smiled softly to me.
"That was really nice, Emmett." Alice told me and I scratched my head, sighing.
"I just want to be there for Bella and the baby. I want to be focused…I don't want Bella to hurt anymore." Jasper nodded sadly. I looked to Bella's ring and couldn't help but smile at the night I'd given it to her. It was beautiful. Nothing but Bella and myself on the cliff…she was so beautiful in the moonlight. I felt familiar delicate fingers roaming through my hair and turned around to see Bella looking back at me smiling.
"Hello beautiful, how did you sleep?" She stretched and nodded sleepily.
"Good…feeling more energized." Alice giggled as Bella sat up and I joined her on the couch, pulling her back into my side.
"Aren't naps wonderful?!" She asked enthusiastically. I chuckled and rubbed Bella's bump.
"I assume so, you slept for about four hours today." Jasper told her chuckling and Alice sighed.
"Yea…I've been worn out lately." Bella nodded.
"You're almost there Alice, a few more weeks." Alice smiled.
"Oh, I know." She winked to Bella and Jasper did his best not to ask. It was no secret that Alice would see herself giving birth, even Bella…but Jasper didn't want to know. He wanted it all to be a surprise and Alice respected his wishes. Bella and I had wanted to know though just so we could plan for whatever we were having.
"Alice! We need to throw you a baby shower!" Bella said excitedly and Alice smiled shyly, which wasn't like Alice.
"Actually…I was thinking that we could throw a double one, once we both give birth." Bella sat up straight, tears instantly brimming her bright gold eyes. Here come the water works. I just smiled to Jasper, who looked horrified at what was to come.
"Alice…that's…that's beautiful!" Bella cried standing and walking to Alice. Alice tried to get up and Jasper had to give her a boost, but she made it, tears already flowing.
"I just w-want to share this amazing experience with y-you!" They both hugged, sobbing. I chuckled to Jasper and he just smiled. We both knew better than to poke fun… they were like savage beasts lately. We let them hug it out, until they were both hungry of course, and then Jasper and I went to get them their cups and let them chat about baby stuff in the living room.
"So…you think Rosalie will cut you some slack?" I looked to him as I was stirring the blood on the stove and shrugged.
"I don't know…I hope so. I feel like I might have gotten through to her…but I don't want to press the issue and upset her, you know?" He nodded in understanding. We heard Edward come into the living room, back from his hunt. He made a comment about them crying again and, of course, he was scared into the kitchen by angry screams. He looked terrified as he burst through the swinging kitchen door to be met by our sarcastic smiles. Jasper shook his head.
"When will you learn?" He asked with a chuckled and Edward looked at us, wide-eyed. I just smiled as I filled the cups with blood, leaving the pot still three quarters full on the stove, keeping warm. They were up to about 13 cups a day for Bella and a whomping 20 cups a day for Alice. But with twins, we now understood. I handed Jasper Alice's cup and we all went back into the living room, guarding a nervous Edward.
"I'm sorry girls, you know I think you're not crazy, right?" They shared a look at Edward's apology and looked to him smiling, as if they hadn't a care in the world.
"That's alright Edward." Bella said with a smile and Alice nodded, a big smile on her face too. Edward smiled back and gave me a worried look. I just grinned and tossed my arm around Bella. They were like fussy babies that just received their bottles. Both quiet, eating away. I didn't dare let the chuckle escape my mouth though as I kissed Bella's temple and giving her the nurturing comfort I know she needed. I smiled to Jasper as he did the same. No matter their mood, we loved them more for what they were giving us. I rubbed our little girl as Bella drank and us guys settled into easy conversation, letting the girls enjoy dinner.
Jasper POV
This is it. Today's the day! September 6th, 5pm. Alice is in labour at thirty-eight weeks pregnant. I couldn't be more nervous…or thrilled. Bella is of course at Alice's head, holding her hand while I rush to call Carlisle home. He's at the hospital but he has converted is office into a delivery room for the girls. He told the other doctor working that he has a family emergency and must go home, should be here any minute. I rushed back into the room to see Bella talking Alice through another contraction, almost busting at the seams herself at almost thirty-five weeks. I relieved Bella of her duty and Alice grabbed for her hand.
"Bella!" I shushed her lovingly and grabbed her hand.
"Bella just needs a break sweetie, she'll be back, I promise." She nodded to me, finally settling back into the bed. I stroked her hair and kissed her forehead, waiting just a few minutes for the next contraction. Everyone was in the living room waiting, except Bella. She had been coming in and out at Alice's request. I heard Carlisle pull in and calmed Alice as the next contraction started.
"It's ok sweetie, Carlisle is home. Breathe through it, you've go this." She screamed in pain and I held her hand tighter. Her massive belly heavy as she breathed fast through the contraction and soon Carlisle was in the room with us.
"Alright, let's see what we have, Alice." He did some stuff under the sheet Bella had set Alice up with and he nodded.
"Six centimeters. You're close but it will be a bit. How are you doing?" Alice finally settled again through the contraction, nodding.
"I'm…I'm ok." She breathed and called for Bella again. I had to smile. I spoke to Carlisle as Bella came back in, her own stomach protruding, and held Alice's hand, stroking her hair.
"Contractions are about four minutes apart…getting more intense." I told him and he nodded with a smile.
"Could take ten minutes, could take two hours. We will just have to push through it, right Alice?" Bella laughed and patted Alice's hand.
"No! No. He didn't tell you to push Alice, relax." She visibly relaxed and held Bella's hand tight.
"Bella.. I don't want to scare you. But it hurts so fucking much." Bella cringed and closed her eyes, clearly terrified. I patted Alice's leg soothingly.
"Hey Alice, let's let Bella go into the living room ok? We don't want to traumatize her before she gives birth." Bella nodded thankfully as Alice let her hand go.
"Alice I'll be here if you really need me but I just need to go sit…" Alice gripped my hand again as another contraction came, two and a half minutes this time. Carlisle seemed to take note. It felt like a long process but Carlisle checked Alice again fifteen minutes later and Alice was up to eight centimeters dilated.
"Shouldn't be long now Alice, I'm just going to give you two a few minutes and ill be back to check you again." She nodded and watched as I kissed her hand.
"They are coming!" I whispered happily to her and she smiled, clearly nervous.
"Yea." I ran my thumb over her cheek and kissed her forehead.
"I'm so thankful for you. You're just…perfect Alice." She smiled genuinely and we were able to have about ten minutes with a few contractions before Carlisle returned.
"Alright Alice, it's time." He told her. She looked at me wide-eyed and I smiled reassuringly. I nodded and she nodded back.
"I love you Alice." I told her. She had tears in her eyes already.
"I love you too, Jas."
I sat in the living room with our family, Alice cleaned up and on the couch 's been about three hours since the birth of our twins and she's already starting to feel better, other than the occasional burning in body. Carlisle had injected her with venom and said she should be back to her normal vampire self in no more than three days, kind of like the change.
"Alright! No more waiting. I need to know the names!" Renee said excitedly. She had come to stay for a few weeks now that Alice and Bella could give birth at any time. Alice smiled painfully as she was hit with another burning sensation of the venom. I took the baby I was holding and gave them to Renee.
"We would like you to meet little baby Liam," I started, handing his away carefully. Everyone 'awed' on cue and I smiled, taking our other baby from Alice, looking to Bella. I walked to her and handed the baby over carefully.
"And this, is little baby Sophie." Bella didn't bother wiping the tears from her eyes as she held my baby girl.
"One of each Alice!" Alice laughed, exhausted. She nodded and smiled.
"Yea! I didn't have to choose!" Bella laughed and looked down to Sophie.
"Sophie, you have a playmate coming anytime now, are you excited?" Sophie stirred a bit and we all laughed quietly. I looked to Alice and kissed her forehead. I didn't need to say anything. She knew. I was beyond proud of her…and loved her more than I ever thought possible.
And there we sat. Our family joined as one, humans and vampires alike. I looked around seeing Edward, Bella, Emmett, Esme, Carlisle, Charlie, Phil and Angela…and our new additions Liam and Sophie. Life was perfect, and looking at Bella I knew it was about to get even better with her little girl coming any day now. I smiled to Alice knowing my existence could never have been half of what it is without her. She was my one and only true love…and I'd be eternally grateful the fates gave me her. Beautiful, wonderful, brilliant, Alice.
Emmett POV
I went up to my room to get another pillow for Bella so she could sit comfortably on the couch with the family to spend time with Alice and the babies. I still couldn't believe how amazing they are…two beautiful bundles. Jasper couldn't have looked happier…and Alice did amazing. I know Bella is a bit freaked out about the whole thing but she's a strong girl. I can't wait for our time. I sighed as I passed Rosalie's room. She still hadn't signed any papers and Bella couldn't have been more down about it. I just shook my head and continued up to my room I shared with Bella. There, tacked to the door, was the manila envelope. I looked at it curiously, taking it down and opening it.
Emmett –
I'm sorry this took so long. I have done a lot of thinking over the last few weeks…I realized I was wrong. I know you told me not to punish Bella or myself…but that isn't what this is about. And I'm not even caving for you. But I want your little girl to have the family I never had. I want her to have both her parents and know love.
I hope you can forgive me for this mess. I truly am sorry. I'm not sure when I'll be back…maybe never. But I wish you all the happiness you wish me.
Rosalie
I flipped through all the sheets settling on the last one, holding an unnecessary breath. There it was. Signed and completed. I smiled in sheer relief. I could officially submit these papers and file for divorce. I could be all Bella's and my daughter's from now on. I walked back downstairs to Bella, pillow forgotten. She looked to my curiously, taking the note from my hands. As she read it, tears formed in her eyes, falling down her cheeks as she closed her eyes, holding the letter to her heart in relief. Everyone went silent, watching us. Finally Bella whispered,
"She signed them."
Only two chapters left guys! I'm sad…but I'm excited! I do warn you all, the following two chapters are quite short, so don't hate me! Hope you all enjoy!
Song: Ours – Taylor Swift
