There are moments in a person's life when they come to a crossroads. They are given two choices, in which their life forever afterwards will be affected greatly by the decision they make. They could choose left or right, up or down. They may choose to push straight through or take the long way around...but they will choose.
They will choose and they must pick the option that they will least regret.
Katerina Hale had chosen; she had made her decision and would now face whatever consequences would follow. She would embrace the coming tide with determination, for she had chosen to cause the wave in the first place.
She had chosen to court chaos; to rouse the storm that rocked their boat of safety. The small boat that housed her precious few...as well as those that had become as such to her.
Katerina Hale didn't do things by half; and if she was determined to protect her family, then not even the Devil himself could scare her away.
The sun shone down from between the partings of leaves left behind on the trees, the light kissed porcelain skin and though the warmth could not be felt, the lingering sense was much appreciated.
"I wish I could still feel it," a voice spoke calmly. "The sun, I mean. I remember loving how tanned my skin would get during the summertime..."
Long lashes fluttered before opening, revealing red eyes.
Katerina looked down at the girl laid upon her lap, strawberry blonde curls splayed across the lush grass. She ran her hands through the hair, finding the motions soothing. It was one of her favourite things to do, an action that took no thought and allowed her mind to wander.
"Me too," she murmured.
"Don't get me wrong, I'm happy the way I am – I mean, I guess not quite, but things could be worse, right?" Lillian continued her rambling and Katerina listened to her with one ear, smiling at the peaceful atmosphere her family were experiencing.
Lillian stopped talking suddenly and stared into Katerina's eyes with a troubled expression, the golden of her eyes was remarkable for it spoke of just how far the young girl had come in acclimatising herself into their lifestyle. Katerina couldn't have been prouder.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
"Your eyes..." Lillian whispered.
Her own, however...
"My eyes?"
"They're still...red."
She was right.
Ever since Katerina had chosen to turn Bella, her eyes had remained their ruby shade. She knew her family accepted her unnatural appearance, after all, Bella herself was sporting the same blood-red gaze and many of their family had slipped up in the past and consumed human blood.
Katerina herself hadn't quite gotten used to the sight whenever she looked into the mirror, however.
Jasper had comforted her when she'd first seen herself, disturbed and shocked, she had been unable to move as she'd stared at her reflection.
"They'll return to normal soon enough, love."
He'd wrapped strong arms around her waist as he pressed kisses to her neck and shoulder. Sweet reassurances muttered between kisses.
"I know. It's just...a shock, I suppose."
Jasper had locked eyes with her reflection, watching their embraced forms with a fond expression. "I still think you look beautiful as ever. We'll get through this, I promise. We'll all support you."
Katerina stared at her husband and entwined their fingers together, bringing them up to press a lingering kiss. "I love you."
"I love you too, Darlin."
"I know. It's to be expected, Isabella's blood likely hasn't left my system quite yet."
Lillian's face scrunched up in disgust at her words but nodded along. "That makes sense. It's fascinating, really. I wonder if it makes a difference depending on how much blood is drank or whether blood type is a determining factor..."
Lillian continued her ramblings, having shifted from her position on Katerina's lap and instead sat up with a finger on her chin, deep in thought.
Katerina glanced a couple of metres away, where Rosalie sat with Renesmee on her lap, playing with the giggling child happily. It was lovely to see her normally stoic sister so outwardly playful. Voices from the balcony caught her attention and she saw her brother and sister-in-law enter the room where some of her family sat.
Rising to her feet and moving towards the room, Katerina entered with Lillian not far behind. She saw Carlisle, Jasper and Emmett sat around the table, papers in front of the former two while Jacob stood beside the window, looking out at the blonde who was playing with little Renesmee.
When her gaze met Bella's, their matching stares shone a dazzling ruby. Looking into the once human's eyes, Katerina felt the phantom pain of an ache within her throat.
She remembered praying to whatever God was out there, whoever would listen, to grant her the strength necessary to carry out her plan. She'd taken barely a second to collect herself, to strengthen her resolve and focus solely on the sheer determination within herself, knowing that what she'd do next would be impossible if she faltered for even a moment.
Before she could change her mind, she sank sharp fangs into the girl's wrist.
Only, it hadn't stopped there.
Katerina had pulled back almost immediately, trying desperately to avoid swallowing any of the blood that was pooling in her mouth. Jacob had already left the room with tears pouring from his eyes, having lost all hope despite her best efforts.
Edward stood at the bedside, his entire posture screamed fear and shock. He knew he was of no help in this situation, and his inexperience would only lead to further complications should he try and attempt biting her, too. Two foreign venoms within the girl's body could overwhelm her system and clash horribly, causing her body to burn from the inside out.
He could only watch as his sister desperately tried to save the love of his life.
Katerina stared at Bella's unmoving form, the beginnings of true fear settling in her gut. She stifled a whimper and bit into the girl's forearm, hoping for the venom to spread quicker, faster. The girl's body was shutting down at a rapid speed and the venom had to spread throughout the entire body before death occurred, otherwise all their effort would be useless.
Vampire venom could bring somebody back from the brink of death, but it could not perform miracles. It could not bring back somebody who was already dead.
Truly desperate now, Katerina began littering the girl's exposed body with bite marks, stifling her own sobs of anguish between flesh that was rapidly turning paler as death approached.
Bella's body was covered in markings; littering her legs and arms and even scattered across her neck and stomach. It was an awful sight and Edward struggled to keep his stare firm, not wanting to see such a horrifying sight but knowing that he'd never be able to look away, not if this was truly the final time he may see her.
"Why isn't it working? Kat, please, why isn't it working?" Edward said in anguish, his voice dry and hoarse. He would have been sobbing if his body allowed such a thing.
"The venom needs time to spread," she muttered between bites, choking back the blood that was now smeared all across her lower face and neck. Even her hands were smeared in the stuff from where she'd tried wiping it away from her lips. "I'm biting everywhere in hopes that it'll spread faster. Cover more area."
Edward was about to speak before a shattering scream echoed throughout the house. Startled, Katerina froze in place with her fangs inches from Bella's skin, her eyes meeting Edward's own.
"Lillian..." she muttered with mounting dread. Her mind flashed back to the girl's revelation of her gift and the implications of such a scream. They'd been testing her gift for the past few months and knew that the girl screamed whenever she felt like those she cared about were in danger.
Just like now.
"Edward, listen. Lillian's scream indicates there's trouble coming our way. You need to go and see what it is-"
"I can't just leave her like that-" he began but Katerina cut him off.
"Listen to me," she commanded in a stern tone, meeting his scared gaze. "I'll handle this, okay? There's nothing you can do here, Eddy. I'll handle this. You need to trust me with her. I'll make everything alright. Do you trust me?"
Edward was staring at Bella's fragile body that was covered with bite marks and blood before meeting Katerina's determined expression. He could trust her, he knew it. He did trust her.
He glanced back down at Bella and with great reluctance, he bent down to press a lingering kiss to the girl's sweaty forehead and leaving the room quickly, before he could change his mind.
Lillian's scream rang throughout the house again and Katerina was thankful she'd had the forethought of locking the girl into their room. She was worried for the girl's sanity, knowing that screaming like this and sensing the impending danger couldn't be pleasant.
Turning back to the human that lay lifelessly upon the table, Katerina had to push away all other thoughts of the possible fight outside and concentrate solely on Bella.
She continued to bite into any available part of her flesh. It was likely overkill at this point, as despite being able to hear the faintest pulse of a heartbeat, the human body was fragile and Katerina knew the girl's life could end quicker than a second could pass by. She wouldn't let that slim chance pass by and so she wrapped her willpower around her like a shield and bit again.
And again. And once more.
Just as her brother trusted her with his wife's life, Katerina trusted Edward to deal with whatever threat lay outside. She paused momentarily to scan Bella's body, grimacing at the blood and bruising that covered her thin frame. There was dark bruising from where Edward had wrongly tried compressions on her chest and coupled with all of the bite marks that were surrounded with drying blood, it wasn't a pleasant sight.
"I'm sorry for this...if you can hear me, then I need you to continue clinging onto life. The venom should be breaking down every part of your body and if you're still aware then I know it must be agonising..." Katerina whispered softly, stroking the girl's mattered hair back from her gaunt face. "We've all been through this transformation and it's never easy...but for Edward's sake...for your daughter's sake, you need to push through the pain. You need to survive this...Bella."
With her piece said and all the effort she could afford done, Katerina picked up a blanket from the side chair and draped the soft cotton over Bella's exposed body. All she could do for now is to pray for the girl's health and hope that her venom was faster than the siren's call of death.
Walking outside and into the night's darkness, Katerina had unknowingly interrupted the end of the meeting between Sam's pack and her family, who had returned from their trip out and had helped overpower the attack Lillian had warned them of.
The wolves forms were already disappearing into the woods when she walked out from the balcony doors, but her family were made starkly aware of her appearance at the spiked scent of blood. It was overpowering the closer she moved and it was when she stepped forward to allow the moonlight to illuminate her body that they saw her blood-drenched mouth and hands.
The red was a stark contrast to her pale skin and it was made all the more obvious by the streaks that were painted across her cheeks and neck, as though she'd tried wiping it away only to make the mess worse.
The bright red of her eyes spoke volumes and they shone in both determination and guilt.
"Kat...what happened?" Carlisle asked in alarm at her dishevelled state. He, alongside the others, made to move closer but Katerina lifted a hand forward, stopping their movement.
She met eyes with her husband and brother first, wanting to reassure them that she was fine and not in any danger.
"I can explain this once we're inside. But Jasper, I need you to check on Lillian upstairs..." she trailed off while looking back towards the house. "This is Bella's blood...I think it's best you check on Lillian?"
Jasper nodded stiffly, his eyes trailing the blood that decorated her upper half with intense eyes. He made a step towards her on the instinct of wanting to be close to his wife, before realising the precarious situation and making haste toward the upstairs window, bypassing the lower portion of the house altogether.
With her husband away and her mind at peace knowing Lillian would be cared for, Katerina could focus on the rest of her family.
"Isabella gave birth," she began, knowing this point was the most important matter. "The baby is safe and currently with Rosalie inside. Isabella...I've done everything I can. Now we wait."
Carlisle's eyes shone in understanding and the man didn't hesitate to move forward and pull Katerina into a hug, speaking clearly so his words would be understood. "I'm proud of you, Kat. You were left no choice and we all know you wouldn't have done this if you didn't believe it was for the best."
"She was dying, Carlisle. Her body was shutting down and we couldn't afford to wait...I've given her enough venom all across her body in hopes that it'll make up for the limited time."
Carlisle nodded his head compassionately and smiled at her. "I understand."
Esme rushed forward and pulled Kat away from Carlisle, smothering the girl in her own hug before pulling back and cupping her face between dainty hands. The woman's face was pinched in concern but her eyes were warm and held nothing but love and concern.
"Oh, my sweet Kat. I'm so sorry we weren't here to help...I'm sorry you had to do this alone." She was pulled into another hug and Katerina let out a soft chuckle, pecking the woman's head in acceptance of her apology, even if she didn't hold any of them accountable.
Katerina met Alex's eyes over Esme's head and smiled, putting the boy at ease immediately as his stiff posture relaxed into his usual carefree slouch.
"I can't believe I'm an aunt already!" Alice's cheery voice spoke and they all laughed at her innocent comment, happy for the change in topic, the atmosphere turning lighter now that the immediate danger was seemingly over.
"I think the other aunt is going to want to battle it out to see who gets first dibs," Alex joked knowing that the chances of Rosalie giving up her hold on the newest family member anytime soon was slim to none.
"Sounds like my Rose," Emmett commented with a goofy grin.
"Well then, come inside," Katerina said and knew that if she were human, she'd likely be slouching and exhausted on her feet. But her vampiric body stood as easy as ever and it was only the dazed gleam to her eyes that told of her tiredness.
Alice ran inside with a gleeful skip and the others followed suit. Edward had already gone inside once the threat of the wolves had subsided and Katerina knew he'd be sitting beside Bella until the transformation was complete. Whether she still died from complications of said change was anybody's guess, and all they could do was monitor the situation and hope the girl was strong enough to survive.
Alex wrapped his arms around Katerina's neck, pulling her to his body and leaning his chin upon her head. "You did good, sis."
She snorted, moving her head and twisting to look up into his eyes, smirking. "A better job than you'd have done for sure."
She could only laugh at the affronted expression he made and the subsequent ramblings of grandiose he began, knowing he was simply lightening the mood in an effort to make her feel better.
Katerina smiled fondly as he continued to talk while pulling her alongside him into their home, where they would greet the newest edition to their ever-growing family.
Returning to the present and determined to get away from her lingering thoughts of the past, she averted her gaze from Bella's red eyes and instead made an obvious perusal of her form.
"Isabella, you're looking well. Almost like you're...glowing." Katerina purposely put emphasis on the last word to truly get across her innuendo. The couple had only just returned from their little getaway at the new cottage they'd been gifted and Katerina wouldn't pass up on the opportunity to tease them a little.
Emmett guffawed at the insinuation and joined in on her teasing, enjoying the tightness of Edward's face and the embarrassment of Bella. "Break a lot of stuff?"
Even Carlisle couldn't hold in his amused smile at his children's antics and tried focusing on the newspaper he had been previously reading.
"Emmett. No," Bella emphasised with an almost desperate expression. It seemed like immortality had not ridden the girl of her shy countenance.
Katerina wrapped her arms around Jasper's shoulders and pressed a kiss to his cheek, the man answering her affection with a smile and a kiss of his own in return. Lillian moved to sit beside Jasper, curiously looking over the book he had been reading, eyes lighting up as she noticed it was a historical text. The pair both chuckled fondly as she made grabby hands towards the tome.
The phone ringing brought everybody's attention to where it sat upon the table and Katerina held in a snort at Bella's wince at the noise. A vampire's senses were maxed out to one hundred and the ringing of the phone was likely similar to an airhorn.
"Is that Charlie?" Bella asked, moving closer in temptation.
"He's been calling twice a day," Carlisle admitted.
"He's in pretty rough shape," Jacob said with a guilty and sympathetic expression. He knew more than anybody how it felt to hide things from those you love.
"We'll eventually have to tell him you didn't make it..." Carlisle began with pity in his gaze. "He deserves to mourn properly."
Bella's expression was complicated, the guilt and utter despair were obvious, but underneath it sat fear and longing, too. "Okay...we'll do it tomorrow."
Emmett sighed and looked truly put out. "I'm gonna miss this place."
"We'll come back; we always do," Carlisle reassured him.
Katerina stayed quiet, watching the only wolf in the room from the corner of her eyes, gauging his reaction. She knew the boy had imprinted on her niece – and what a surprise that had been, she grimaced in remembrance of the rather...awkward conversation they'd had involving boundaries and whether the boy needed counselling for being attracted to children...thank god for the crash course she'd been given about imprinting and the innocence of his particular case–
"Wait...nobody said anything about moving," he said abruptly.
"We're moving, really? Where?" Lillian asked in excitement, oblivious to the brewing storm within the room.
"Jacob," Katerina said softly, catching the boys attention. "You have to understand our family's predicament. Nobody can see that Isabella's alive once she's pronounced dead."
The girl herself shifted uncomfortably at that thought while Jacob frowned even further, his gaze darting toward the innocent child outside. "So you just disappear? Runaway from your problems?" he asked harshly.
"Excuse me, but I would appreciate a little more appreciation for saving your imprint," Katerina said bitingly. "I didn't singlehandedly save both of their lives for this kind of tone. Watch it."
She wasn't even bragging. It was a consensus that without Katerina the birth would have been much more problematic than it already was. It was likely Renesmee may have come out of the entire ordeal with difficulties resulting from such a stressful birth, and that's not to mention managing to save Bella in time before death could claim her.
She didn't expect anything from anybody for her actions, of course, other than a semblance of respect when being spoken to, especially from somebody like Jacob who would have been devasted had anything bad happened to either mother or child.
Jacob shifted guiltily but didn't apologise, his prideful nature too stubborn to admit his mistake. Though he did offer Katerina a lingering glance that spoke of his reluctant concession.
"We don't have another choice," Edward tried to stress the importance of this decision.
Jacob seemed distant, his mind wandering and Katerina narrowed her eyes before speaking.
"There was nowhere in that discussion that stated you could not join, Jacob. I'm pretty sure everybody here understands your connection with Renesmee and as we are unaware at the possible effects separation may cause, it may be for the best if you were to come along, too."
This gave everybody pause, their thoughts running over the effects separating Jacob from Renesmee could have on both parties, especially the latter. They couldn't use the normal information regarding imprints in this case, as it was clear Renesmee wasn't fully human. They could only take this on a day by day basis.
"Kat is right," Carlisle spoke calmly. "We will be able to discuss this later, once we have dealt with the situation regarding Charlie. Of course, when Bella is ready." He said the last part while looking softly toward the newest vampire, emphasising the part where she only deals with Charlie once she was fully ready with the decision.
There was a pondering silence as the occupants in the room took in the information they'd discussed, all of them focusing on particular parts that mattered most to them. Katerina was wondering whether it would be good for her little family to take some time off for themselves...perhaps a couple of months travelling around Europe would be a good learning experience for Lillian? Besides, she and Jasper would benefit from some alone time, where they could truly relax and enjoy one another's company...
"Can we live in the Arctic next?" Lillian's innocent voice asked and the absurdity of the question sent the rest of the family into stifled laughter.
Lillian frowned in confusion, not understanding what they found so funny. Jasper ruffled her hair fondly with an amused smirk on his handsome face. Katerina giggled behind her hand, eyes dancing in mirth and turned to her grinning brother.
"Do you hear that, Em? Looks like polar bears will be next on the menu."
"My favourite," he grinned wolfishly, beginning to imitate wrestling the large bear. He winked at Lillian when she giggled at his expression.
A few hours later, while her family were instructing Bella on how to properly act human when Charlie inevitably visits, Katerina was laid mid-air as she spoke to her husband. Jasper was perusing the large bookcase that adorned their room's wall, long fingers brushing against the old spines as golden eyes took in their titles searchingly.
Katerina was floating lazily, the red mist that surrounded her body giving her form an ethereal glow. She was making random items in their room float about above her head as she spoke.
"When our inevitable move was brought up earlier, I had a thought that I haven't been able to stop thinking of since."
"What is it, my love?"
"What do you think about the three of us travelling for a while?"
"Travelling where?" he asked in interest, turning to meet her gaze.
"Around Europe, I suppose? I didn't really have anything in mind, I only thought it would be good for Lillian to be able to get away from all of this drama. Be a normal teenager and explore the world."
Jasper smiled at her in a way that sent phantom butterflies within her stomach. Katerina could spend eternity with the man in front of her and never tire of that smile.
"I think it sounds like a perfect idea, darlin. I'm sure Lillian will love it, too."
Katerina smiled in appreciation at his words and pulled Jasper closer. She allowed herself to spin in the air so she was on her stomach and able to meet his face properly, wrapping arms around his neck and pulling him into a deep kiss. She let her power retreat and fell effortlessly into Jasper's arms, the man's strength easily able to carry her weight as he held her like a newly-wed bride.
He began pressing soft kisses to her throat, nuzzling aside the neckline of her dress to continue onto her collarbones and shoulders. Katerina hummed in contentment at the feathery press of lips against marble skin.
"I'm not sure when we should go exactly, especially now that -ah! Jasper..." she ran her fingers through the wild curls of his hair as he continued his loving kisses. "Now that we aren't moving anytime soon...we can talk about it – yes, there please...hm...we can talk about it later."
Katerina struggled to continue her sentence as Jasper's lips moved further down her body, having moved one arm free from holding her form – easily holding her up with the other – and using it to pull down the neckline even further, revealing the smooth porcelain of her chest and the tantalising swell of breasts.
Paying particular attention to that area, Katerina let out a moan as the flesh was taken between sharp teeth and sucked harshly.
Jasper pulled back and looked up at her with wild eyes, his desire blatantly obvious. "Forget about everything else, for now, darlin and focus only on me."
Katerina could only nod her head desperately, pulling her husband back into her space and letting them tumble down onto the bed with fervour.
