Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight; all rights belong to Stephenie Meyer.
A/N: Wow I have been M/I/A for a while as some of you know I would like to thank you for all your support. This is the last chapter of Blood Poisoning and I would like to thank everyone who reviewed. You made writing this story worthwhile.
Previously: Bella drunk some bad blood and started the transformation back into a human only to find out she was pregnant with little EJ. In the last chapter EJ felt it was time to make his appearance which put Bella in danger. Luckily Edward and Carlisle were there to deliver EJ safely but sadly Bella couldn't survive in her current state so Edward changed her once again in hopes that it would safe her.
Bella's POV:
The searing pain that once racked my body was dying down. It mostly centered on my heart, but this was usual when a vampire change was ending. The thing I hated most about having to go through the change again was missing the first days of EJ's life. I had already missed Renesmee's birth and the first days of her life, now I was repeating the same events with EJ.
Is this burning ever going to end? I sighed when I heard the quiet hum of a lullaby floating through the air.
I could feel my heartbeat booming through my chest as the change entered its final stage. Suddenly my world seemed brighter at the prospect of seeing my family in the near future. For a brief moment I let my mind wander, I wanted to know what EJ looked like. I had always imagined him to be the spitting image of my Edward.
Just then, my heart started to slow which meant it was nearly time. Part of me was scared that after the second change I would be different. What would happen if I couldn't control my bloodlust anymore? What would happen if when I woke up, I wanted to slaughter the whole town? Edward wouldn't let that happen I berated myself as I tried to push those thoughts out of my mind.
I wouldn't be a monster not when I had my family here to protect me and encourage me back into our animal blood diet, I promised myself. Before long, I felt my heart give one last thump before it stopped completely.
When my heart stopped, two things happened immediately. First, I felt cool arms scooping me up and holding me close. Seconds later Edward's velvety voice filled my ears, "Bella, please open your eyes."
Without a moment's hesitation, I focused on prying my eyes open. I needed to see Edward. I needed to know that EJ and Renesmee were all right.
It took all of two seconds for my eyes to flutter but as soon as they did, the most wonderful shade of butterscotch met them. Before I could control my emotions, I leaned further into Edward and locked my arms tightly around his neck as I tried to express the pure love that I felt for him.
"Edward," I whispered softly in confusion as his body tensed ever so slightly.
"Strength love," Edward muttered calmly, but that didn't stop the panic overwhelming my body.
I now had my newborn strength back and I dreaded learning what other vampire traits I would have now. With that thought, I separated my body from Edward's and flew backward until I was flat against the wall.
Edward must have seen the horror on my face because before I could blink he was by my side once again, pulling me tightly against his chest.
"No love, please I need you close to me," he muttered pleadingly, desperately. "I can't believe I almost lost you again."
"I know, but we have a son now Edward," I beamed happily before memories flashed through my mind and panic seized me again. I needed to voice the one question that actually mattered "Is EJ okay?" I questioned desperately.
"Of course my love, we have a perfectly healthy baby boy, a flawless mixture of you and me," Edward answered proudly.
"Really?" I all but shouted in excitement.
"Really love," Edward answered in an amused tone before leaning in, capturing my lip in his own, and offering me the world's most blissful kiss.
I couldn't help leaning further into Edward as our lips entwined and our tongues met. I wanted more, I wanted to entwine our bodies in one of the most special of ways possible, but before we could deepen the kiss further, a shrill cry rang through the house. Before I could control my reaction, Edward was flying backward and I was moving at lightning speed to get to my baby.
When I reached the front room, I noticed EJ crying on Esme's lap. I wanted nothing more than to hold him close and take away all his fears, but before I could even try, Jasper's weight was pinning me to the floor. I struggled to get up.
"Calm down Bella," Jasper ordered, attempting to project a feeling of calm through my body.
Instead of calming me down, however, it just made me frustrated and before I knew it, a menacing growl left my throat. In my mind, I was under control and Jasper preventing me from seeing my baby was really starting to tick me off.
After the growl left my throat, I closed my eyes and tried to calm myself down so that I could talk to Jasper. I was about to open my eyes and state that I was calm when Jasper's weight was pulled off my body and a fierce growl erupted through the room.
"What do you think you're doing?" Edward snarled menacingly in Jasper's face. "You could have hurt Bella with the stunt you just pulled. She was only worried about EJ, Jasper and you pounce on her like a lion. Bella is my life and if you even pull something like that again, I will not hesitate to rip you apart. Am I making myself clear?"
"Crystal," Jasper muttered in his southern accent as he walked to the loveseat to sit beside Alice.
"I'm sorry I reacted that way Edward. Are you okay?" I asked as Edward stepped closer to me.
"No harm done love, it was just your motherly instincts taking over," Edward reassured me, scanning my body with his eyes. "You're not hurt are you?"
"Edward, I'm fine," I reassured him as I looked over his shoulder to se EJ still fussing loudly. "I just want to hold EJ."
Edward heard my painfully whispered words, and within seconds, his hand grasped mine and he slowly pulled me forward toward our son.
"Bella I have absolute faith in you, but you need to remember that you have the strength of a newborn now. Do you think you can control it?" Edward questioned hesitantly as he twisted our bodies and our eyes connected. Edward's eyes searched mine for answers, his amazing butterscotch eyes connecting with my soul on so many different levels.
"I'm sure," I promised, I might be a newborn but I could control my strength around my own child. I'd proved that when we had Renesmee.
"Okay," Edward replied sincerely as his eyes left mine and his grip on my hand loosened.
My eyes wandered around the room until they met two small ones that were glistening green with streaks of red flowing through them. It was like a reminder of who we were and how someone so sweet and innocent could do so much harm if he wanted.
"His eyes will lose the red streaks when his diet changes Bella. It would seem that little EJ has picked up more vampire traits due to your being half vampire through the pregnancy and Edward being a full vampire," Carlisle explained calmly as he observed me watching EJ's eyes with intensity.
"We had to give him human blood like we did with Renesmee because he's too young to hunt animals like the rest of us and he needs blood to survive," Alice proclaimed shortly after with a sad smile.
"It's okay guys, he's perfect," I muttered as I took another step forward and EJ held out his little chubby arms to me.
With moments, I had EJ cradled against me as Esme watched happily from the couch knowing that I couldn't possibly harm my own baby.
EJ's cries settled into soft whimpers then stopped. He nuzzled my neck in contentment. All I could think about was how perfect my life had become since I met Edward. Life had gone on with him standing protectively by my side and now we had two perfect children to call our own. Our family was finally complete and more joy and happiness filled our non-beating hearts than I had ever thought possible.
A soft little snore that filled the air soon cut off my musing. I couldn't help smiling down at our son sleeping peacefully in my arms as our family looked on with soft, loving expressions.
"Bella love, while EJ's sleeping I think it might be a good idea to hunt," Edward whispered softly in my ear.
"Okay," I answered hesitantly as I slowly gave little EJ back to Esme hoping that I wouldn't wake him. I honestly didn't care about my thirst at this point, but I knew Edward wouldn't relax until I had fed, so I decided to hunt just to humor him.
Moments passed while I reviewed my thoughts and realized that I was in better control of myself if that were possible. Somehow, my thirst was just a dry ache in the back of my throat, which should be impossible since it was my first day as a full vampire again.
Lost in my own thoughts I didn't even realize that I was completely blocking Edward out until he suddenly grasped my face in his hands while his butterscotch eyes focused on mine.
"Bella, love, are you okay?" Edward asked frantically as he searched my eyes for answers.
"Yeah just lost in thought, sorry Edward," I answered breathlessly as his gaze dazzled me in ways that you couldn't imagine.
"Oh all right. Should we leave now so we can get back sooner?" Edward questioned lovingly.
"That sounds great," I whispered gently before continuing in a more serious tone, "but I want to be back within the hour. I couldn't bare it if EJ got scared," I explained as Renesmee slowly approached us.
"Wow mom you look great. Did I just hear dad say that you were going hunting?" Renesmee asked cheerfully.
"Yes," I answered pulling away from Edward to embrace our daughter, who seemed happy to accept the motherly hug.
"Would it be okay if I come?" Renesmee pleaded hesitantly.
"Of course," I replied loosening my embrace so that Renesmee could pull away from me without hurting herself.
"Let's go," I continued quietly.
With minutes Edward, Renesmee and I were making our way to the south clearing in hopes of getting a decent kill. Our speed was refreshing. It felt like I was flying and after all this time I couldn't help feeling excited by my renewed speed.
The sounds that filled my ears were all sharper and clearer to me, birds chirping in the trees and growls coming from our left.
Wait? What? I thought as I quickly spun around into a defensive crouch, willing to do anything to keep my family safe.
Edward being his overprotective self was in front of Renesmee and me before we could blink or acknowledge what we were facing.
Without a moment's hesitation, I tried to force my shield to expand so that if this thing had a mental power it wouldn't be able to hurt us that way. It seemed like forever before my shield finally complied but when it did, a smug smile appeared on my face. My powers were not rendered useless, as I feared. I had been worried that I would have to go through all the training just to be able to control and expand my shield, but it would seem that this wasn't the case.
"What do you want?" Edward snarled menacingly.
"I have come to speak with Isabella," a calm voice replied.
"That's not going to happen," Edward interrupted.
"I beg to differ, Cullen," the familiar voice answered, taking three steps closer and removing his black hood.
As soon the hood dropped, I knew whom we were facing. I hadn't seen this vampire since our battle with the Volturi over twenty years ago and I couldn't begin to imagine why he was here now.
"Why do you want to speak to me, Nahuel?" I questioned hesitantly as I took an awkward step out from behind Edward.
"You remember me Isabella. I can't tell you how much that means to me," he answered, a blinding smile crossing his face. His thoughts must have been taking a turn for the worst though, since only seconds later a snarl ripped through Edward's throat.
Not wanting Edward to get hurt I quickly spoke words that shocked us all as soon as they left my mouth, "You have five minutes."
Unfortunately, Edward didn't seem to agree with me. Before I could take a step forward, he was in front of me, blocking my path.
"You're not going anywhere with him Bella," Edward insisted fiercely.
"Edward we owe it to him. He helped us in our time of need and now all he wants to do is speak with me. Why are you denying him that?" I questioned through my teeth.
"All right, but don't go too far and leave your thoughts open to me please Bella," Edward muttered in defeat as he took a step to the side.
"I promise," I muttered.
I took three strides across the grass stopping directly in front of Nahuel.
"Okay let's go," I said hesitantly.
Before long, I was once again running through the forest, moving through the trees until we came to a complete stop a short distance from Edward and Renesmee.
"How can I help you Nahuel?" I asked getting directly to the point.
"First, I wanted to give you my congratulations on the birth of your son. Second, I came to ask you for what's mine," Nahuel answered calmly.
"What do I have that could possibly be yours Nahuel? We have nothing you want," I snarled in return before projecting my thoughts into Edward's mind.
"Dear Isabella you're such a fool when it comes to affairs of the heart. Your daughter has grown into a fine young half breed and I wish to mate with her," Nahuel responded irritated.
"She is not mine to give Nahuel and I can promise you this if she was I would never give her to someone that could never love her in return. Not that it matters, Renesmee has already given her heart to someone else and therefore has no interest in your offer," I replied through clenched teeth.
Moments later Edward was beside me with a furious expression on his face.
"Nahuel I believe my wife has made it pretty clear that you are not welcome. Now I would advise that you leave before I lose my temper," Edward snarled, his body trembling with rage.
"I cannot respect those demands Edward. I was meant to be with one of my kind and since Renesmee is the only female apart from my sisters she will be mine," Nahuel growled taking a step forward.
Edward reacted fiercely. Seconds seemed to have passed, but my world was hanging on the edge as I watched my beloved Edward jump right into the face of danger to protect our daughter. Renesmee had been in my arms the moment Nahuel uttered those words. She was sobbing uncontrollably. I would never regret risking my life to bring my perfect angels into the world. They meant everything to Edward and me, and we would happily die trying to protect them.
A long cry in pain interrupted my thoughts as Edward shoved Nahuel to the ground and whispered words that made my heart want to leap out of my chest.
"You will never come near my daughter or my wife again. This is your only chance Nahuel, so use it wisely," Edward roared in anger as he slowly pulled away from Nahuel and started walking back toward Renesmee and me.
After that, everything seemed to happen in slow motion as if something was out to destroy the life that Edward and I had created together. The moment that Edward turned Nahuel jumped to his feet and leapt forward in one bound before any of us could react.
Nahuel could have easily destroyed our family in that moment if it wasn't for Jacob. Luckily, Jacob had returned and in a flash, he was ripping Nahuel apart while Edward stood only two steps away from the fight. I knew what was racing through Edward's mind, he wanted to destroy Nahuel with his bare hands, but in a way, I glad that it was Jacob who had the honor of protecting Renesmee since it proved to me that their love was endless just like Edward's and mine.
"Edward," I whispered as I watched him pull a lighter out of his jeans pocket.
"It's okay Bella," Edward reassured me as Jacob took a step back and with a flick of his wrist Nahuel's ripped up limbs were burning and ash filled the sky above.
Renesmee was struggling in my arms only moments later in an effort to try to reach out for Jacob. Jacob whimpered and I to let her go. Seconds later, Jacob scooped Renesmee up into his strong paws as she wept against his fur.
"Let's give them some privacy my love," Edward whispered in my ear. "You still need to hunt and they're in no danger I promise."
"Okay," I said softly in reply before taking Edward's warm hand in mine. The way our hands always connected without fail caused my heart to sing. I knew from the moment that I fell for Edward that our lives would be full of love and consequences, but as long as we had each other, our family would be complete.
I guess the moral of the story is that the fairy tale kind of love that you read about in storybooks can come true. My Edward was living proof of that and we had beaten the odds together.
A/N: Wow what can I say this story has been amazing and I loved every minute of writing it ... Also I would like you to put your hands together and give a big clap to my amazing beta (Tinian I' att) who has stuck with me throughout this story and main others. I am so grateful to her and I hope that she relieves just how much she has helped me
I will be adding one last chapter as a Epilogue which will take place two years later I hope you enjoyed .