Title: An Unkind Fate

Rating: PG (T)

Pairings: Ultimately Bella & Edward

Disclaimer: Idon't own Twilight or any of the Twilight series. They are the property of Stephanie Meyer and are not my intellectual property. There is no financial gain made from this nor will any be sought. This is for entertainment purposes only.

A/N: I apologize for misspelling Quil's name in the story. I have fixed it in Ch 36 and 37 but I'm going to wait to go back and fix earlier chapters as they would require new uploads.

Thanks to my Beta, AliceDoubtfire. Thanks to all the new followers and favorites. Thank you so much to those readers that consistently review. If you haven't left a review before, please tell me what you think. Feel free to PM me if you have any thoughts or comments. I love hearing from you guys.

Chapter 37 – Brunch & Theories

Leah had spoken to Jasper about laying the information out for the wolves today. Esme invited Seth and the rest of the boys for brunch. I could hear them as Bella and I walked in from the back yard. At first things were tense but, boys being boys, Emmett's game center broke the ice.

I had caught the family up on the wolves while Bella slept. I didn't tell them about Bella and the baby. I wanted to talk to her first. I wished I could have spoken to Carlisle but Bella deserved her privacy. I knew I crossed the line when I pushed the wolves for the information.

"I feel like I'm in an episode of MTV Cribs." Seth said in awe as he looked at Emmett's gaming set up.

Leah slapped him in the back of the head which earned him a sympathetic look from Emmett. Leah hissed, "Can you act like we let you out of the house every once in a while."

Seth shrugged and just looked at the game gadgets with lust. Before Emmett could invite him to sit and play, Esme bustled in with a plate piled high with French toast and pancakes.

"Boys, I laid out plates for you. Feel free to dig in."

They didn't need to be told twice. "Oh my god, this is delicious."

"Dude, stop talking with your mouth full."

Leah slapped Seth's hand with her fork, "Leave some bacon for Bella you mongrel."

Bella laughed and swiped a couple of pieces. I could tell she was used to fending for herself amongst these voracious eaters.

The rest of the family joined them at the table. Quil and Embry asked Jasper about what he found out on the murders and his theories on the vampire. We told the family about our visit to Lauren's apartment and her clueless roommate.

"I definitely caught the faint smell of a vampire. It didn't match Callum's scent but as we've said before he may have an ability to mask or change his scent."

Rosalie jumped in. "I don't see how Callum could be Lauren's new boyfriend. How could he spend that much time away from Kate?"

"Well, if the boyfriend isn't Callum it is definitely a vampire."

"Could he have hid what he was from Lauren?"

"The Denali women have had relationships with human men and they were able to hide what they were. You also can't discount Lauren's ability to concentrate on herself. With enough flattery and ass kissing, I could see her being oblivious."

"I don't know. I'm concerned that Lauren may not have actually gone to Forks. The note sounds a bit too convenient. "

Embry shook his head and said, "Oh, she was in Forks. Paul saw her in town two days ago. He mentioned it before we left. He was worried that she would stalk him again. Rachel would have his ass for it. She doesn't like any reminders of his man-whoring past."

"That boy is so whipped."

The women at the table glared at Seth. "Sorry."

"Well, that is a relief. Maybe he just stayed around her long enough to get the information he was looking for and then left." Esme said hopefully.

"I should call her," Bella said. "I'll try her at her parent's house since I don't have her cell phone number. Maybe she can shed some light on some of the questions we have."

Embry then asked, "Why don't you provide the information of the connected murders anonymously to the police? They could get word out to the public so girls that look like Bella could take extra precautions."

I answered Embry. "You're assuming going to the police will save more lives. However, it may cost more than what this one rogue vampire will take. Right now they have only connected two murders. If we connect the others for them this could turn into a national and an international news story. You know how much the news agencies love to ride the ratings of a serial killing spree."

Rosalie explained the issue with the attention and the Volturi.

"Imagine the Volturi guard showing up in Portland to track down the rogue vampire. They all feed on humans. Their presence would just raise the body count. Then there is the concern that they might learn about Bella." Rosalie explained the impact if they found out about Bella.

That made the wolves go quiet.

Carlisle turned to Quil and Embry. "We're sorry that we made Victoria your problem when we left Forks. If we had known she and Laurent would go after Bella we would have stayed. We thought she would be safer with us gone. We can't tell you how grateful we are for you keeping Bella safe and destroying Victoria."

Bella looked pensive and then said slowly, "Maybe, Callum is exactly what he seems." Everyone looked at her since it sounded like such a random comment based on the current conversation topic. Her voice got stronger. "Maybe it's another vampire all together."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Well, before Victoria was destroyed there was some evidence that she wasn't the only vampire that crossed the reservation."

"That's true," Leah said. "Brady caught another vampire scent on the reservation and then near Bella's house. Jake thought one of you might have come back to Forks."

My fist clenched at the sound of Jake's name. Jasper gave me a look but I just shook my head.

Bella continued, "The night Victoria tried to attack the child I told you about and I got in her way, she went into full James Bond villain mode. She couldn't resist telling me how she was able to maneuver around the wolves, capture me and planned to kill me as revenge for Edward killing James."

I hated the way she was so casual about the attack. She had mastered down playing just how close she came to dying. I wanted to shake her.

"During her recap of her 'dastardly plan', Victoria let it slip that she had found a companion that was familiar with Forks. She said his name. I think it was …Riley. If you are right, and these murders are connected to me, maybe this Riley is responsible."

"Why?" Emmett asked.

"Well the most typical motives for a vampire would be food, territory, power and revenge," Jasper provided.

Carlisle looked thoughtful and then said, "Out of those, the most logical seems revenge."

"Revenge for what?"

"What if it is the same reason that Victoria came after Bella? It could be for revenge for the loss of his mate." Carlisle speculated.

"But James was her mate," Rosalie protested.

"Maybe he didn't know that. Think of it," Alice said. "Besides her gift of eluding capture, we know she liked to manipulate others. She convinced Laurent to put his life at risk by coming back to Forks to scout for her and to try to kidnap Bella. Couldn't she have recruited another vampire?"

Bella nodded her head. "She called him a newborn. She seemed annoyed with him because he lost control and fed off hikers in the area. When the hikers were reported missing it caused a big search and rescue mission. She sounded angry because it brought out the local authorities and even some media attention. Could she have taken a page out of the southern vampire conflicts that Alice told me about and found someone familiar with the area? Someone she could change and then use?"

"If Riley was a newborn trained by Victoria, he may not have known how to identify a true mate," Alice said. "Victoria could have convinced him that they were mates so he would risk his life with his forays onto the reservation while she remained safe."

"That makes sense."

"Well, regardless of the why we need to figure out the what. Specifically, what do we do to keep Bella safe?"

"Jasper, can you see if you can find out about someone named Riley that could have been connected to Forks or Port Angeles?" Carlisle asked.

"I'm on it."

That signaled the end of the discussion. Bella excused herself 'for a human moment' and Emmett challenged the guys to a video game that hadn't been released to the public.

"How did you guys get this? I heard it wasn't due out for another three months," Brady said in awe.

"We own the company," Emmett said as he threw game consoles to the stunned wolves.

Carlisle silently asked me to join him in his office and Esme went into the kitchen to make the wolves some snacks.

XXXXX

I left Carlisle's study thirty minutes later and went out to look for Bella. I could hear Bella talking to Quil on the back patio.

"How's Claire doing?"

"She had nightmares for a while at first but she's been good the last six months. She misses you. She talks about you and asks when you are going to visit."

"That's so sweet."

"Why don't you skype her? I know she would love to talk to you. She misses reading with you and doing those art projects you did together."

"I thought her mom was going to kill me when she got glue in her hair when we made those crayon picture frames."

Quil chuckled. "She gave me that frame with her picture in it for my birthday. Bella, if what they say about the Volturi is true, you are in danger if they find out that you know the Cullen's secret."

"I know, but I'm hoping it won't matter in the long run."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, if they change me it won't be an issue."

Quil stood silent for a moment.

"Bella, do you understand what you are saying?"

"I know exactly what I'm saying."

"Do you understand what you are giving up?"

"I know exactly what I am gaining."

He was silent for a moment and then sighed, "I wish things had turned out differently. I wish I never asked Jake to take me to my aunt's that day."

"I'm not. It was fate. If it hadn't happened that day, it would have happened another day. Jake was meant to imprint on Vanessa. Maybe this is what had to happen to bring us to this point. I'm happy. Edward makes me happy."

"I don't think Jake can say the same."

"That's not my business."

"She hasn't fit in so well. I know she's my cousin but she's put a real strain on the pack. She's not used to small town living. Life on a small reservation, hours from any major city, has been a huge adjustment. Sam stopped having Jake do patrols a few months back."

"I don't know what you want me to say."

Before I could call out to her, Seth ran out to the patio.

"Bella! Charlie just called. Mom's in labor."

Bella came inside and said, "Isn't it too early?"

Carlisle tried to soothe her. "Not at all. She is only a couple of weeks early. This sometimes happens. Especially, when a woman has had more than one child."

Bella and Leah looked relieved. Bella, Leah and Seth worked out the logistics of driving back to Forks.

"I'll come with you," I offered.

The rest of the family agreed. Emmett said, "We could all come back. We could open up the Forks house."

Bella looked uncomfortable. "I would love to have you come but I haven't told Charlie about us yet. I don't think it would be fair to have you show up at the hospital or for Charlie to hear that you and your family are back in Forks until I sit down with him and tell him we are back together. Can you give me a couple of days?"

Carlisle nodded his head in understanding. "Of course, Bella." He turned to Seth and Quil. "I assume you would also need that time to talk to the rest of the pack and tell them our plan to visit Forks. Of course, we will respect the boundaries as per our treaty."

Carlisle and Jasper continued their conversation with the wolves and I followed Bella out to the cottage. She threw clothing into the suitcase that she had used for Paris. She grabbed her toiletries from the bathroom and I already felt how empty the cottage would be without her. I felt time running out and after her conversation with Quil I couldn't stop myself from blurting the question out.

"Bella, why didn't you tell me about the baby?"

She froze and looked over her shoulder at me.

"How did you..?"

"Quil."

She was silent for a long moment and then said, "Oh."

"In all the times that we talked over the last few weeks, why didn't you ever tell me about the baby? Why didn't you tell me just how close you came to dying?"

She turned around and looked sad. "At first, I didn't think it was any of your business. Then, I wasn't sure where we were going. It wasn't something I would bring up in casual conversation. It was one of the most painful moments of my life."

"I understand why you wouldn't say anything when we first started talking again but what about later? What about when we were in Paris?"

"By that time, I didn't want to ruin what we had with something that couldn't be changed. It happened. It wasn't your fault. It just was. I guess deep down, I also didn't want to remind you that you weren't the first."

"Oh Bella, I thought we put that to rest. I'm not jealous that he was your first. I'm jealous that he was able to give you something that I never could. I'm sorry he hurt you and he didn't cherish that gift."

"I think I also didn't want to talk about it because I was embarrassed. I was such a cliché. I got pregnant the first and only time I had sex. In the process I lost my best friend, the man that said he loved me and wanted a future with me. I embarrassed myself and I humiliated Charlie. I was asked to stop volunteering with a tutoring program because I might be a bad role model to the kids. And there was poor Charlie, he had to do his job as everyone in the town was talking about his daughter and 'her failed attempt to trap her ex'."

I touched her shoulder but she moved away and wiped the tears from her eyes.

"He stood by me and never let me feel like he though less of me. I think Charlie was as devastated as I was when I lost the baby. I will never forget the look on his face when the doctors told us that I wouldn't be able to have another child. He's been on egg shells with me since Sue found out she was pregnant."

"I'm so sorry, Bella. I'm to blame. My actions set off a chain reaction of destruction. I don't see how you can ever forgive me?'

She took a deep breath and slowly let it out. "Edward, I already have. I'm sorry you had to find out this way. I should have told you."

"Do you still love Jake?"

"I love the best friend that helped me when you left. He was good to me. I don't love the man that he turned into when he imprinted."

I heard Quil's words repeating in my head that Jake wasn't happy. Did that make her question whether there was still a chance with Jake?

"Did you want him to imprint on you?"

"At the time, I think I was looking for the imprinting as a sign from the universe that the relationship was meant to be. I always had doubts going into it because of my feelings for you. Jake didn't take your place, Edward. He made his own place in my heart. I guess I thought if Jake imprinted on me that it would be the cosmic sign that I was meant to be with him and I would have to let go of you once and for all."

"So you didn't let go?"

"I think you can see I didn't."

"Does this make it an easier choice to change? Because you can't have any children now? Is it a more acceptable choice that way?"

"Edward, I was willing to change when you were in Forks. It was you that wouldn't consider it. You are such an ass!"

She stormed out of the cottage with her suitcase.

"Bella!"

She whirled around and held out her hand. "Edward, stop! I don't want to talk to you right now. I don't have time to deal with your idiocy. Let me leave and I'll call you when we reach Forks. Maybe then you will have pulled your head out of your ass and you can apologize."

She stomped away without looking back.

Leah shook her head at me. "You couldn't stop yourself, could you?" She gave me a pitying look and followed Bella.

"What the hell was that?" Emmett asked.

"Edward sabotaging himself again."

This time Esme slapped me in the back of my head. Emmett ducked out of habit.

"Edward, you had better apologize to Bella. She is the best thing that has ever happened to you and I will not let you screw this up."

I couldn't believe I said that to Bella. I was an idiot. I went to go after her but Jasper grabbed my arm and stopped me. "I'd listen to Bella and wait before you talk to her. She was hurt and furious. Let her cool off and then you better grovel," Jasper advised.

"What did you say to her?" Carlisle asked.

I sat down on the couch in the house, propped by my elbows on my knees and held my head in my hands.

"Alice?" Carlisle asked.

"Don't look at me. We have been surrounded by wolves. I don't know what stupid thing came out of his mouth."

I finally looked up and sighed. "I questioned Bella's reasons for her willingness to change."

They looked confused so I explained everything I had learned yesterday and today.

"Poor, Bella."

"Edward, I can't believe you would question anything. She has suffered so much and she has been able to come through it with her compassion and ability to love intact. You should take the gift she is offering you and thank your lucky stars that she wants you in her life."

Jasper looked at me and said, "You know, I thought Bella had self-esteem issues but now I think you are the one with the problem. I don't think you believe you are worthy of love and you find a way to make that true."

I walked dejectedly back to my cottage. The silence of the empty building was deafening. I took some comfort in Bella's lingering scent. I could sense Esme thoughts close by before she came through the door and said my name.

She walked up behind me and put her arms around my waist and her cheek on my back. I took comfort from her motherly hug.

"Why didn't she tell me, Mom?"

She turned me around and sat me down.

"Edward, the loss of an unborn child is so deeply personal it is hard to explain and even harder to talk about."

I knew she knew this from personal experience. It wasn't something we talked about before.

"Losing a child is like a hole in your heart that will never be filled. There isn't a day or a moment that you stop loving that child. That can be hard for someone to understand, especially when the child was never brought to term. But Bella felt that child every day of her pregnancy. She felt that unconditional love and promise. Then, suddenly, that promise was tragically extinguished."

"Bella would have dealt with well-meaning family and friends after it happened. She would have had to suffer through their platitudes and well-meant words which can just make you angry or feel worse. I can understand why she would be reluctant to talk about it. People want you to get over it. They are uncomfortable with your grief because they don't know how to fix it. The truth is that they can't."

"It's not a moment of loss. It is a continuous loss that weaves through your life. It is a dull ache that you learn to live with that roars back into your consciousness as you are reminded of all the first that your child will never experience. The grief doesn't end because the love you feel for that child doesn't end."

"All you can do is be there for her if she wants to open up to you. Listen to her if she wants to talk about it. She is going to have to face those feelings of loss again as she tries to be happy for her father and Sue as they hold their newborn in their arms. All those lost possibilities are going to be burning through her and, Bella being Bella, will hide her grief and put on a happy front for her family so she doesn't spoil this special moment for them."

She touched my shoulder and said, "Be there for her, Edward. But don't make this about you. Your brother is right. You look for reasons to be found unworthy of love. We don't understand why because you are a good man, a bit misguided at times, but you have a good heart. Learn from Bella. She could have let her grief close her off from all the wonderful possibilities of life. Instead, she opened herself up to you and took a chance on love. Don't reward her with your self-doubts. Be a man worthy of her."

Alice called out from the main house. I hugged Esme and thanked her. We walked back to the main house to see what had Alice so excited.

The TV was on and a reporter was standing in front of an apartment that was crisscrossed with crime scene tape. The cameras caught the police walking in and out of the front door carrying evidence bags behind the young woman providing the report.

"I'm Jillian Herman in front of the Park View apartments where a gruesome discovery was made. The dead body of a Portland State University undergraduate student was found by a maintenance man this morning."

"Jillian, has the body been identified?"

"The police won't release the name of the victim until the family has been notified, Rachelle. Neighbors have told us that the apartment was occupied by two Portland State University students. The police are trying to locate the second roommate."

"Are there any suspects?"

"The police won't comment on an active investigation but a source close to the investigation told Chanel Six New that this murder may be connected to the other two women that were killed on or near the Portland State campus."

"Is it the fact that all were University students?"

"That and the state the bodies were found in. ."

"So the police suspect this is the work of a serial killer?"

"The police won't confirm that at this time. Authorities are asking the public to call the tip number on the screen or on our website if they have any information. They are also reminding the public to secure their homes and to be alert to any unfamiliar people that may seem out of place."

"Has the school commented?"

"The school reiterated their concern over their students. They wish to remind the students to use the buddy escort service to travel around the campus. They have doubled the escorts available to students on campus in the evenings."

"Well, this could be a problem," Jasper said.

"You think they will catch this?" Rosalie speculated.

"No, not yet. The Volturi have the same search parameters that we use. The bodies drained of blood is going to trigger an alert. We need to shut this down before the Volturi show up on our doorstep."

"Well at least Bella is safely away from the threat here in Portland."