This story is turning out so much longer than I had originally planned. I thought it was only going to be twenty chapters!

XXXVII

(EPOV) Six weeks of painful stress and exhaustion later . . .

Long hours of strategy and we were barely getting anywhere. Nothing could be made that didn't have some flaw with it. I ran my hand wearily through my hair, aware of the night. The King's men looked just as tired.

I sighed, "We can deny it no longer. We need rest, my friends."

"You're right," agreed a senior.

"Why don't we risk breaking for a day?" suggested another, "Scouts report a cease in the French actions. Our only real push is the King's impatience."

I chuckled, feeling like I was going to drop any moment, "I agree with the day off. The weather is getting warmer and day and night are changing. Take tomorrow to rest and tour the city. Reconstruction is almost done and the scenery becoming quite calming."

They all agreed and we dispersed. I dragged myself out of the barracks with nearly closed eyes. Crickets and the ocean's waves greeted me as I stepped out into bitter night. So close to the water, we were going to be cold for a while longer.

My weary steps soon earned my feet an encounter with a rock that forced me to trip unexpectedly. I nearly hit the ground but, instead, fell against a warm body I recognized.

She giggled, "And I thought I was clumbsy."

I chuckled, "Thank you, love."

She helped me stand and guided me to the bench. We sat on it (well, I slumped on it) and relaxed. I leaned my head back and let out a breath.

Bella's hand touched my cheek, "You've been working so hard lately. I know it's important but, don't over exert yourself Edward. You look horrible."

I chuckled, "I won't." I turned my head to look at her and sucked in my breath a little, "What about you? You look so tired."

"I'm okay," she said, rubbing her eyes, "It's nothing."

"Are you sure? You look as though you haven't slept in months."

"I'm fine, Edward. Really. It's probably just a small cold. I'll recover."

She looked as though she could barely keep her eyes open. I drew her against me and forced her head on my shoulder, "You can't make me stop worrying."

She sighed, "I know."

We cuddled together for a while. I thought about the strategizing. I still had a feeling that I would have to leave Bella to fight but I desperately didn't want to do that. She suffered through loneliness after her father died. I didn't want to put her through that again.

I looked down at her and saw that she had fallen asleep. I smiled wearily, and picked her up in my arms. I brought her into the castle and somehow made it to our room. I tucked her into bed and crawled in next to her. Sleep overtook me as I watched her snuggle into the sheets.

(BPOV)

I woke up immediately and groaned. I felt so sick. I got up, careful not to disturb Edward and hastily left the room. I crept out onto the large balcony and made it to an out-of-the-way flower bed before I couldn't hold it in anymore. I became sick and soon emptied my stomach of everything.

I couldn't stop for about five minutes. When I was done, I was left panting and weak.

What's wrong with me? I wondered putting my hand to my head and closing my eyes.

Suddenly, I heard someone else vomit. I turned, worried my display had made someone sick. I gasped when I saw Rosalie. She had her back to me and was vomiting in another flowerbed.

I wiped my mouth with the sleeve of my dress and walked up to her. She had her hand on the wall and was panting.

"Rosalie?" I asked, "Are you alright?"

She spun around, "What?"

I looked at her, "Looks like we're both ill."

She nodded, not looking at me. We never seemed to get along.

"Listen," she said, "I'm . . . I'm sorry I was so rude to you. When Emmett told me he used to know you, I guess I got jeleous."

I offered a smile, "That's okay. I would feel the same way with Edward."

She smiled a little and we sat down on the benches.

"I wonder what's wrong with us," she said, "I've been so tired."

"Me too and now I'm getting sick."

She nodded, "I haven't bled in a while either."

I nodded, to tired to really think straight.

"Have you bled lately?"

I shook my head, "No. Not for a while." Then, I stiffened and my eyes widened when I realized the truth in my words.

"Bella?"

I shuddered, "Neither of us have bled yet, we're sick, we're tired . . . It all points to one thing."

She shook her head slightly, then understood. She looked down and put a hand to her stomach. I laid my hand on mine as shock and fear gripped me. I had never thought about this before.

"How can we tell them?" Rosalie asked quietly, "I mean, they would worry and fall apart."

I nodded, suddenly panicking. I couldn't tell Edward. He was still partly shaken due to his war dream, "M-Maybe we should talk to Esme and Elizabeth."

She shook her head, "N-No! We're not married! People will look down on us!"

I realized she was right and became reluctant to say anything to anyone, "W-What are we going to do then?"

"L-Let's just stay quiet for a bit. U-Until we can figure something out."

I nodded. It seemed like a good plan to me.

I'm pretty sure everyone knows what the problem is. Sorry, it's hard to be subtle when writing about something like that.