Chapter Twenty-Seven

"Thirty-four centimeters," Carlisle read the tape measure stretched across my abdomen. Aro grinned in excitement. I didn't react at all. Only two weeks until my c-section. To my transformation. I choked back my tears. The doctor smiled reassuringly, though it didn't actually help, "Everything seems to be progressing well. Have you experienced any pain or tightening?"

I shook my head as he pushed on my stomach. And then squeezed it near my pubic bone, "Baby is head down. And quite low."

Aro frowned, "What does that mean?"

"Baby is engaging in the pelvis, preparing for birth," Carlisle looked at him, "It's nothing to be concerned about. Some babies engage weeks ahead of time, some don't engage until the mother starts pushing."

Aro nodded in understanding. He glanced at me and then back to the doctor, who stood, "As of now, everything looks good and we're set to deliver in a couple weeks. Should you feel any cramping or think you may be leaking fluid, let me know immediately."

His gold eyes moved between the two of us, making sure we heard and understood. He flashed his kind smile again, "I will check in again next week, then."

The man stood, collected his things, and left. Now it was only Aro and I again. I turned away from him. His concerned stare burned through my back, "What is it, my dear?"

"Nothing," I muttered, trying to wrap myself in the blanket. It was freezing, or that's how I felt anyway. At this point I seemed to switch from being overly hot to incredibly cold like it was nothing. Aro sat beside me, helping me to cover up, "What is upsetting you, dearest Ashleigh? Do not tell me nothing again."

His sharp tone caught me off guard and I could feel tears threatening to fall, "I don't want to do this anymore."

A sob choked me, so he pulled me into him, shushing me and smoothing my hair, "You will get through this, my dear. I promise."

I sniffled, "I'm not ready for a baby, Aro. I can't do this. I don't want to do this."

"You will do fine -"

"I don't want to be a vampire," I blurted, earning a frown from Aro. He sighed, "Ashleigh, as things are, if you don't become one of us, you will perish. There is no other possible outcome."

"Can't he c-section the baby and then just cut my uterus out? Wouldn't that work?" My crying was getting deeper now. Aro shook his head, "I don't know, my dear. But you must become a vampire at some point in your life."

"Says who?" I challenged. He sighed, "I believe we've discussed this before. Humans are not to know of our existence. Should one find out, by our laws, there are only two outcomes. Either they become one of us, or they are killed."

I shook my head. He had told me that already. The first time we really met, actually. And I was okay with it happening eventually. I just didn't want it to happen now. But I knew it had to. My words shook from me, "I'm scared, Aro."

Somehow he managed to pull me even closer, "I know, my dear. But I will stay by your side. I won't allow anything to happen to you."

I wanted to believe him. But even I knew that vampire venom couldn't fix everything.

I shifted uncomfortably. Once I was settled, Aro laid his arm across me again. Only for the process to be repeated just moments later. It had been like this for at least an hour or two now. And I could practically feel Aro frown, "What is the matter, my dear?"

With a frustrated groan, I rolled to face him, "My lower back is killing me. I can't seem to find a position that helps."

"Perhaps a warm bath will relieve the pain?"

I pushed myself upright, "Worth a try."

As usual, Aro ran the water and then waited patiently to help me in. He sat behind me, his hands on my hips. The heat did seem to make a difference, but what helped the most was when Aro dug his thumbs into my back and moved them in small circles. Now I moaned. I couldn't even remember the last time someone rubbed my back.

"Do you suppose you have that nerve issue Carlisle mentioned?" he asked. I shrugged, "I don't think it's sciatica. It's probably just from baby's head being down so far."

He hummed his agreement, "We still have not discussed names."

I sucked in a breath as he touched an especially sensitive spot, nearly bringing tears to my eyes. The breath slowly leaked back out, "I don't know, I like Logan for a boy."

"And for a girl?"

"I haven't really thought about girl names. If it does happen to be a girl, surprise me."

His confused stare burned me, "You don't wish to have a say?"

I didn't turn to face him, "There aren't any girl names that I really love. As long as I get Logan if it's a boy, you can name her if it's a girl."

"As you'd like, my dear. Has your pain improved?"

I nodded, "For the most part."

A deep yawn caught me off guard. I stretched, which also released tension from my hips. Hopefully the action didn't get Aro riled up. Though, he had gotten much better at controlling himself. I yawned again, "I'm sorry."

The man chuckled, "You apologize for displaying your fatigue? Yes, how terrible of you."

I twisted around so I could narrow my eyes at him, "You know that's not what I meant."

"I do," he kissed the side of my forehead, "but an apology isn't necessary. I assume you are ready to try and rest again?"

He didn't wait for an answer. Not that he really needed to. After helping me out, he carried me to the bed and slipped me beneath the covers. Without allowing me to dress.

"Uh, Aro," I started but he waved a hand at me, "Come now, my dear. Sleeping in the nude is a quite normal and healthy behavior."

I raised my eyebrows, "Says who?"

Aro curled up beside me, kissing my neck, "I do. Get some sleep."

Yeah, that would have been nice. My back no longer ached, but I began having very strange dreams. Although none were scary, per se, but still enough to wake me up. Often. The hours seemed to crawl by, until about four. That's when I had that nightmare again. I was bleeding, and Carlisle couldn't stop it. Baby was already crowning, so he decided it would be quicker to deliver the old fashioned way. I tried to push but, even with Aro's strong encouragement, it was fruitless. I was already too weak. Carlisle swapped places with Aro, ordering him to catch baby once he helped to push it out. A loud splatter and a cry. Aro stood alone with our child. I begged him to change me. Reminded him that he'd promised. His internal debate lasted slightly longer this time, but the result was the same.

He walked away and left me to die.

I woke up sobbing and refused to go back to sleep.