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The discussion over Edward's new situation lasted for another hour, including a great deal of arguing over what each person thought was best. In the end, the decision remained up the Emmett and Rose. They valued the pack's insight and support, but they weren't technically asking them to step in. Emmett wanted nothing to do with anything that could prove detrimental to the tribe, and no one wanted another war. He feared that if Edward really had lost his mind, Billie's impending death could make him a danger for all of them. Edward claimed to be adamantly in love with Billie. Even more so than Edward had been in love with Bella.
"We should probably be heading back to Port Angeles," Rose explained, "Jasper is over at the house with Edward. He is doing his best to keep Ed and Billie both calm. Now that they have been discovered, they know we will not leave them alone. We need to fill in the rest of the family on what is going on. We also need to figure out how in the hell Alice never saw any of this coming. I know we promised to leave and let the tribe have peace. I think as long as this situation persists, the family might need to be here. Especially Carlisle so he can monitor Billie's health until this is over. I hope she will suffer as little as possible through this ordeal. It will be excruciatingly painful in the end for her, either way. The child is already stealing her vitality. She's damn near skin and bones as it is. I know Edward said that he only planned to be here for a few days, but I believe he intends to stay here until she gives birth."
"It's best if he thinks we support him for now, even if we don't. It's the only way to ensure everyone's safety and keep an eye on them both," Emmett said.
"Won't he know your thoughts?" Sam asked.
"We're pretty used to controlling our innermost thoughts around Edward by now," Emmett said. "Sometimes things slip, but when it's important like this..."
"Let us worry about this situation. I hope we won't need your help, but knowing the support is there is comforting in itself," Rose said as she stood, pulling Emmett with her.
"We will keep you guys informed. I'm sure we'll see you all around if we'll be here for a couple of weeks," Emmett said.
"Weeks? Don't you mean months?" Leah asked.
"No," Rose said. "Weeks. Renee was right about one thing. The child grows unnaturally fast. She's only about two weeks along, but she is already showing and can feel the baby moving. If this persists, she'll be ready to give birth around the same time as Bella."
"Wait a minute, you're just now telling us this?" Jared asked.
"I'm sorry, I assumed you knew since Renee had told you guys about it before," Rose said.
Oh my god. "I think I need to call Renee. If there's any more information she has, we need it," Bella said sadly. There was a collective nod of agreement around the room.
Emmett and Rose bid everyone goodbye, and the pack left soon after.
Bella used the bathroom and brushed her teeth before crawling back into bed, where Jacob had already begun to snore. Her mind was still racing as she lay down next to him.
This situation is insane. Had the loss of our relationship been enough for Edward to snap? It had been for me. Who is to say it was not for him? She had wanted him to find love, to find the person he was meant to be with at one point in time. Had he done that, or was he simply recreating the future he had lost? Bella sighed and reached down to rub her belly.
It doesn't matter. What's done is done. All we can do now is hope for the best outcome for everyone, she thought.
The Cullens would be moving back collectively. Though it would be temporary, it threatened to trigger the phasing again. The more vampires there were in the area, the more wolves would turn. The pack believed Jacob's cousin Collin was showing signs. He had gone through a significant growth spurt over the last week, gaining inches in height. With Edward being back in the area consistently, the sudden change now made sense. Bella closed her eyes and prayed that even if Collin ended up phasing as a result, that no other Tribe members would need to be affected. More than that, she prayed that the consequences of Edward's rash decisions didn't end up on their doorstep.
The following morning, Bella was up and busy when Emily arrived. She went over to place a peck on her friend's cheek.
"Bella," Emily said, looking her over. "I heard you passed out last night. You sure you're up for all the cooking today?"
Bella was still stocking Billy's freezer with frozen dishes. He was more grateful than ever since Rachel didn't cook and Paul was a walking bottomless pit.
"I'm going to do what I can from the island so I can sit," Bella said. "If I can get my fat ass up on the stool, that is."
"She does look lower today," Emily said.
"I thought so, too," Bella said, grinning. "She actually let me sleep last night."
"She's settling," Emily said, smiling. "I wonder if you'll make it to your baby shower."
"I have to," Bella said. "For her lungs." So don't get in too big of a hurry, there, baby.
"Sam filled me in on the current situation," Emily said sadly. "I feel awful for that poor girl. He probably played her one song and had her dazzled."
"Without a doubt," Bella said. "How did the doctor's appointment go?" She was really in no mood to talk about Edward and his dying bride.
Emily beamed at her. "You can't say a word. Sam was dying to say something last night with all of you together."
"Are you pregnant?" Bella asked her. Emily grinned and nodded. "Finally. God, Bella, I'm so excited. We don't want to say anything until we know for sure that this one will stick. The others don't know it, Bella, but I've already miscarried twice in the last year. The doctor made us wait a few months to try again so my body could heal. So keep your fingers crossed for us, okay?"
Bella hugged her friend tearfully. "I will, sweetie. This is kind of crazy, though. Paul said it's my fault. He says I started something. I hope he has twins," she said.
"Is Rachel pregnant?" Emily asked.
"Nope, but she's got the baby fever," Bella chuckled.
"Well, we can raise them together. It takes a village," Emily said, laughing.
"I need to call Renee," Bella said and sighed. "I really don't want to."
"Let's do it now," Emily said, sitting next to her and snatching Bella's phone. "Get it over with, and if you get frustrated, you can take it out on the cutting board." She turned on the speakerphone, laying it on the tabletop.
To her surprise, Renee answered on the second ring.
"How are you, Bella?" Renee greeted her happily, "Don't tell me she's here this early."
"No, she has a few more weeks," Bella said and chuckled. At least she's in a good mood. "I was actually calling to ask you some questions."
"What can I help you with, Baby," Renee asked her affectionately.
Well, this is … pleasant.
"I wanted to ask you some more questions about the whole vampire pregnancy thing," Bella said.
"Oh. Well, I believe I told you what I knew, but what are you wondering about?" Renee asked.
"You said the babies grow really fast. Like, how fast? Weeks? Months?" Bella asked her.
"I don't know the answer to that, Bella. Just that they are supposed to be fast-growing. They rip their way out of the mother. That's why they die," Renee said.
Bella was grateful she was already sitting down as she swayed in her seat. She looked up at Emily, who was staring at Bella's phone in horror.
"That's … absolutely horrifying," Bella said. "Do you know if these children grow up?"
"I don't know the answer to that, either. My mother told me very little, and as you know, I was still a teenager when she died. How is everyone doing up there?" Renee asked.
"Good. Really good, for the most part," Bella said.
"So, how many of your friends are pregnant now?" Renee teased. Bella and Emily gaped at each other in surprise.
"Wh-why would you ask that?" Bella asked, unable to stop a nervous laugh from escaping.
"You're a singer, baby. You're pregnant with another singer. Have you noticed that most of the Pack are just a bit younger than you?" Renee asked.
"Well, of course, but …"
"The pack will get bigger, Bella. To protect you and Sarah. If new ones have to be born to do that, then that is what will happen," Renee said.
"So you knew this would happen? The imprints all have baby fever," Bella huffed. To her further annoyance, Renee chuckled.
"It was just a theory, but I'm pretty sure I'm right, aren't I?" Renee asked. "By the time I left with you, it was as if that family had its very own baby boom. I assumed that with you there, it would happen again."
"Well, two others are pregnant. What would happen if there was another singer in the area?" Bella asked.
"A third singer? Oh, Bella. Tell the pack to put stock in trojan? Honey, I don't know," Renee said laughing. "Whoever it is, though, will need to be protected."
"It's a little late for that," Bella said. "She'd Edwards new mate. She knows what he is and wants to be like him."
"Ugh," Renee groaned. "Well, it's her decision, I suppose. She'll be a danger, Bella. Newborns are hard to control."
"Believe me, we know that far too well around here," Bella mumbled.
"I imagine that you do," Renee said. "It's unfortunate he chose another human life to end. I know it seems terrible, but I have to say, Bella, I'm grateful it wasn't yours."
Bella tried to blink back tears. Renee's words did not affect her as much as contemplating the terrible fate of a defenseless human with a similar appearance and name.
"That could have been me," Bella admitted. "It almost was."
There was some yelling in the background and the sound of laughter. "Bella, Phil is hollering for me. Call again soon, okay?"
"Sure. Are you flying here for the baby shower?" Bella asked.
"I'm going to try, but Phil is out with a shoulder injury right now. I'm not sure we can afford it for me to fly back for the birth, too. And, I want to meet my granddaughter." Renee explained.
"Well," Bella said, surprising herself, "You'll have to come and stay for a couple of days when she gets here, then."
There was a long pause before Renee choked out, "That sounds wonderful, Baby."
Both said goodbye and hung up the phone. Emily stared at Bella, grinning.
"That was a brave offer to make someone you can't stand," she said.
"I told her I wanted to give her a chance. She wants to meet Sarah, and as long as she stays sober, I will let her," Bella decided. "It will probably determine how we go forward, I suppose."
"Without a doubt," Emily said, smirking. "But, since your fingers are already crossed for me, I'll have to keep mine crossed for you when the time comes."
"Sounds like a plan."
(JPOV)
Jacob was surprised when Rosalie walked into the garage at 10 am in her coveralls.
"Please, point me in the direction of something to do so I don't go back home and kill my brother," she said, forcing a polite grin. Jacob yanked her into a hug, which she returned eagerly.
"What did he do now? You want me to do it for you?" He teased, chuckling.
"All the baby talk. I can't take it." Rose grumbled.
"Amen, sister," Leah said from the doorway and handed Jacob a list of return calls he needed to make.
He scowled at them. "I hate this part," he said and chuckled.
"Gimme a car, mongrel," Rose said. He laughed again, pointing out the next vehicle on the schedule. She threw open a window, received a cheerful greeting from Sam, and got to work.
"I gotta say, she's pretty hot for a vamp," Leah whispered, watching Rosalie slide under the car.
"Changing teams?" Jacob teased, chuckling.
"Gotta play to pick a team, Jake," Leah laughed and headed back toward the front desk.
I guess that answers whether she and Quil worked things out yet or not, he thought.
After making his calls, he got back to work. He and Sam were grateful for Rose's help, despite worrying about the whole reason she was back in town. She chattered a little bit while she worked about how odd the situation was. At the end of the day, Sam was bustling around grinning, ready to head home.
"What you so happy about, Alpha?" Rose teased him. Sam chuckled and walked over to where she and Jacob were standing.
"I'm not sure you want to hear today," he said.
"Sure we do, don't we?" Rose asked, nudging Jacob with her elbow.
Sam laughed. "Well, I'm not supposed to tell anyone yet."
"Em's pregnant, isn't she?" Jacob asked, grinning. Sam nodded, looking happier than Jacob had ever seen him.
"Congratulations, Sam," Rose said. "Truly. That's great news." She turned to smirk at Jacob, "Way to steal his thunder."
They all turned in alarm as the garage door slammed open, revealing an angry Paul.
"What the hell?" Jacob asked.
"Dude," Paul said as he strolled up next to Jacob, "I can't. I can't take it. Your sister is driving me nuts."
"You're already there. What she do now?" Jacob asked, rolling his eyes.
"Everything. Rach is on a roll about everything today. She is crying at the drop of a hat. She cried because she found a piece of tinsel left over from Christmas on the fucking stairs."
Jacob laughed. "Sounds like my sister."
"She called me a dick earlier and threw a lampshade at my head. I was literally sitting there watching TV with your dad. I hadn't said a word." Paul said.
"She needs anger management," Sam chuckled.
"Or medication?" Rose offered sincerely.
"Yeah. And that's pretty bad coming from one of us," Paul said.
"I'm going to the house, guys. You can all come if you want," Jacob said, shaking his head as he headed out the door. Sam headed home to be with Emily, but Rose followed Paul and Jacob, grinning in amusement as Paul ranted over Rachel.
Bella and Angie were chatting at the kitchen table when they came in and crowded around next to them.
"So," Jacob asked, "Did you call Renee today?"
"I did," Bella said, biting her lip. "Found out a few interesting things." She glanced up at Paul worriedly.
"What?" he asked. "What did I do?"
Rose laughed and said, "Don't mind him. Rachel's on the warpath today."
"She is," Paul said and huffed.
"Is she pregnant?" Angela teased. Bella shot her an annoyed glance, and Angela laughed. "Spit it out, Bella."
"So, Renee said that because I am a singer and Sarah will be a singer, that the pack will grow. Even if new ones have to be born to accomplish that," Bella explained.
"So what does that mean, exactly?" Rose asked.
"Basically, that Paul is right," Bella admitted sheepishly. "My pregnancy is triggering the other imprints to have babies. And, my guess is, they'll be mostly boy babies to form the next pack."
Jacob sighed heavily. "So it will continue with our kids," he said glumly. "Well, that sucks. What else did she say?"
"That the reason half-vampire babies kill the human mothers is that they rip their way out of the womb when they are ready to be born. If she carries that baby too long, Rose, she won't have any chance at being saved. As soon as it's big enough, it has to come out if she wants to live. Carlisle is going to have to physically remove that baby for her," Bella explained.
"I will let them know," Rose said, nodding. "Thank you for calling her, Bella. I know that's not easy for you."
Jacob smiled at Bella, squeezing her hand. God, I love her.
"It wasn't a bad conversation. She wants to meet Sarah. She and Phil can't afford to travel for the baby shower, too, so she is going to come and stay a few days when Sarah is born," Bella said. Rose shot Jacob a wink so quickly, he wasn't sure if he'd actually seen it.
"That sounds great, honey. I hope it all goes well when she gets here," Jacob said. "I gotta head out on Patrol in a few minutes. Where the hell is Embry anyway?"
"Sleeping. I have to go wake him up," Angela said, standing.
"Enjoying his day off from the garage, is he?" Paul asked, snickering.
"Sleeping through it is more like it," Angie said and left the room.
"Did you ever talk to her about waitressing?" Rose asked Paul. "She's nineteen now, you know?"
Paul grinned. "Excellent. I need someone else. We open next weekend," he said.
Rose rolled her eyes and stood to leave. "I'm going to go get the grease out of my hair," she grumbled, winking at Bella as she left.
"You know she means the dog smell, right?" Bella asked. "You better get a snack, or you're going to be cranky when you get back."
Jacob grinned at her and walked over to raid the refrigerator. Jacob couldn't believe how good their lives seemed to be. How many people could claim they already have everything they want out of life. Especially at eighteen?
One person couldn't, that was for sure. Is Billie even eighteen? Jacob wondered what kind of life this poor girl had lived to choose to abandon all she knew to marry a man she'd just met. A century-old vampire, no less.
Does Edward specifically prey on girls like Bella? Girls who already had mental illness difficulties from the abuse they suffered at home? Girls that spent most of their time alone? Girls that are so desperate for a family that they latch on to the first person that offers one? Were female singers all destined to have such difficult lives?
Not for our Sarah, Jacob determined. Never for our Sarah.
Jacob was more curious about what Billie looked like than ever. He would have the advantage of nightfall tonight to sneak a closer peek into the house. Embry came into the kitchen in only his sleep pants, rubbing his face. He yawned and stretched, grinning at Bella before looking up at Jacob.
"Ready to go, Jake," Embry asked playfully.
Jacob finished off his sandwich, nodding, and Paul left as they headed out for patrol.
If Rachel is pregnant, he's in for a rough nine months, Jacob chuckled to himself, grateful he wasn't Paul. Bella's mood swings had been trying enough at times. At least she didn't throw shit at his head.
Dude, where are you headed? Embry thought. Jacob had already darted off course toward the Cullen house.
Shhhh. Please be super silent. I wanna get a glimpse of this Billie chick," Jacob chuckled. He sniffed at the air, checking for the possibility of Edward lurking around in the woods. He'd already taken Jacob by surprise twice this week, which wasn't a good thing.
Jacob crept closer to the brightly lit house. The entire family had indeed returned, each room busy with some sort of activity. Jacob suddenly felt as if he were staring into a wide-open dollhouse, the lives of the occupants on full display.
"Jake," Emmett whispered, making him jump. Jacob spun on Emmett and choked out a laugh. He phased, yanking his shorts on.
"Damn, bro. My virgin eyes," Emmett said.
"Why are you looking?" Jacob asked, laughing.
"What you doing out here, anyway?" Emmett asked, grinning.
"Would you believe me if I said I wanted to check on you and Rose?" Jacob teased. Emmett laughed.
"No, fucker, I don't," Emmett said. "Come on. This is dumb. We're going inside."
"Yeah, not a good idea," Jacob hesitated.
"If she makes it through this shit, you'll meet her eventually anyway. Come on," Emmett said. A door slammed from Edward's corner of the house. The moment Jacob and Emmett reached the porch, Edward was in Jacob's face.
"Dogs stay outside," Edward snarled. He pushed Jacob backward a step.
Well, that's one way to instantly piss me off. He took a deep breath and attempted to slow his trembling.
"Ed, you need to knock off the bullshit," Emmett said sharply. "Jake's basically family here now. He has no bad intentions."
"Bullshit," Edward said. "I've seen enough of his mind to know better."
"Look in my fucking head right now, blood-sucker," Jacob said. "Emmett invited me inside. Me being here has nothing to do with you."
"Do you honestly think that after watching you rip Mike's head off, that I should believe that you wouldn't attempt to do it to me when you hate me as much as you do?" Edward asked. Jacob was taken aback by his words.
"You need to stop picking and choosing the thoughts of people around you, dude. If I wanted you dead, believe me, you would be," Jacob said, glaring at Edward. "You had no problem ripping the rest of Mike's limbs off, either. Do not ever mention his name to me again."
"Why are you here, Jacob?" Edward yelled.
"I was curious," Jacob said calmly. He was determined to remain level-headed when Edward so obviously expected him to attack. "And, like Emmett said, if you manage to keep this one alive, I'm sure I'll meet her eventually. Might as well be now."
Edward threw up his hands in exasperation as a dark-haired young woman shoved her way out the door. She looked up at Jacob, and he gasped. She looked more like Renee than Bella. A very young Renee with a baby bump much too large for the length of time she'd been pregnant.
"Edward, who is this?" she asked nervously. She was much too thin, emaciated from the creature inside of her. Her hair hung down her back, long and lackluster. There were dark circles under her eyes. She reminded Jacob of the way Bella had been during her deep depression after Edward had left her.
"You must be Billie," Jacob said, forcing a smile at her. "I'm Jacob. I'm Emmett's sister's fiancee." He shot Edward a smirk.
"Oh," she said. Her voice was soft, velvety like Edwards. "I've heard you mentioned, but I didn't think we'd ever meet." She glanced at Edward nervously, and he put his arm around her, tucking her against his side. He kissed her forehead tenderly, glaring at Jacob all the while.
"I'm glad to see Edward has someone," Jacob lied smoothly. "I hope everything works out for you both."
Jasper stepped outside with them, grinning as he patted Jacob on the shoulder. Edward took advantage of the opportunity to lead Billie back inside and away from Jacob and his curiosity. A minute later, he came back outside much calmer, though he was still angry.
No. Not angry. Anguished. Does he truly believe he loves this girl?
"Yes, Jacob, to answer your question. I do," he snapped.
"For her or because she looks like Bells?" Jacob asked him, scowling.
"Bella was never who I was supposed to be with Jacob. You know that, and I know that. I don't think it was ever supposed to be Bella in Alice's visions. Her visions started before Bella ever moved here. Her being a singer was only a coincidence. The similar appearance, similar names … it confused everything. Billie is who I'm supposed to be with. She has brought me more peace than you could ever imagine. So, please, just go and leave us the fuck alone," Edward said. "When my child is born, I intend to take them both far from here."
"What the hell are you going to do if she dies?" Jacob asked. "Huh? You'll kill her."
"Keep your voice down," Edward hissed. "I am going to do everything I can to make sure that doesn't happen."
The sound of vomiting came from Edward's corner of the house. He cursed under his breath and darted for his room.
"She can't keep anything down, man," Emmett said. "Everything comes back up."
"At this rate, she won't live long enough to give birth," Jasper whispered. "She'll starve first."
Maybe it's just looking for something to stick its teeth into, Jacob thought.
"Jacob just had an idea," Edward said loudly. Esme and Carlisle followed him out onto the top balcony as he stalked back outside.
"It wasn't an idea. It was a snide comment," Jacob said, chuckling. Edward surprised him when he smiled back at him.
"The baby wants blood," he said to Carlisle.
"It's worth a try," Carlisle said. "Nothing else has stayed down."
"You want Billie to drink blood?" Jacob asked and mumbled, "I think I'm gonna be sick. Let me know how it turns out."
"See you later, Jake," Emmett yelled as Jacob ran back into the woods to phase.
Embry, Sam, and Paul were all phased, and Jacob showed them what had happened.
She looks like Bella's mom. Any chance they're related? Paul teased.
Just a crazy coincidence, Jacob said decidedly. Bella was the only child of two only children. If Billie was related to her somewhere, it would be distant cousins at most.
Still uncanny as hell, Embry thought. So what do we do now?
Nothing, Jacob told them. We go home, mind our own business, and wait to see if we're needed just like we planned.
I agree, Sam said. Rose will find us if she needs us.
Jacob thought about the green-eyed girl he'd just met and hoped like hell that whatever it was they were planning to save her would work. Not just for Billie's sake, but for everyone. He could see that Emmett and Jasper were already beginning to care about the girl. He ran home that night, eager to put his arms around Bella and listen to Sarah's heartbeat. As much as he hated to admit it, he could understand the love that Edward already had for his child.
Maybe he was right. Maybe, this was what was supposed to come to pass all along.
So, what do you guys think might happen next? Are you happy with the way this is developing? Let me know your thoughts, as they only help me improve.
Please Review XO