A/N: I'm so thrilled with the response to this story! So as a thank you to all you beautiful people who've reviewed, liked, and supported this story, I give you chapter 8 two days early!

Enjoy! xoxo

– Peter's POV –

Shit.

Fuck.

Shit.

First, everyone loses their fuckin' marbles and wants to protect Ice Queen Barbie. Now The Major has risen and some bastards knocked down the fuckin' door!

I mean, fuck it all! I knew he was on his way, but did he have to make such a fuckin' dramatic entrance? And why take out the fuckin' door! Damn fucker!

As soon as Garrett stepped into the house, his eyes locked with Kate's. He declared himself to be one lucky bastard, yanked her into his arms, and kissed her!

"Oh no! Not again." Bella cried, putting her hands over the twin's eyes. "Char, could you . . . oh boy . . ." she panted, ". . . take the girls . . . somewhere. Anywhere would be preferable to here . . ."

"Momma, I can't see!" Lottie complained.

"What they doin', Momma?" Jas asked, tryin' to peek around Bella's fingers.

"Nothing you two need to know about until you're fifty or I'm dead. Whichever comes first." She grumbled, handin' the twins off to my mate who quickly whipped them up the stairs. "Oh . . . Shit. Kate honey, I realize you're a bit busy . . . but . . . Oh shit!" She screamed and doubled over as another contraction hit.

Shit.

Fuck.

Shit.

Garrett and Kate were locked in a passionate embrace and then it happened. Kate was stripped naked, bent over the couch, and fucked into oblivion by her mate!

Shit.

Fuck.

Shit.

Bella panted as Kate moaned.

This wasn't good!

The Major was still tryin' to get his bearings, having been locked inside Jasper's head for the better part of the last seventy-some-odd years.

"Oh shit . . ." Bella breathed. "Oh, fuck . . . Jasper!"

As soon as she called for him, he whipped around to face his mate, a snarl leaving his lips. "What's happening, Isabella?"

"Baby's coming." She hissed as another contraction hit. "Right now!"

"Now?" He growled. "What the fuck do you mean, now? You all told me . . ."

"Yep. Well, she's decided she's done waiting, I guess." Bella hissed and then screamed, grabbing hold of The Major's hand.

"Okay. I'm here. Let's get you upstairs . . ."

Bella shook her head. "Nope. Not gonna happen." She shifted on the couch. "Coming. Now!"

Fuck.

Shit.

Fuck.

She wasn't kidding.

"Captain." The Major growled. "Hold my mate's hand."

Fuck.

I could do that.

Okay. Holding Bella's hand.

Oh shit.

Oh, fuck! Damn! That girl's got a good grip!

It was all happening today!

"Do you know what you're doing, Major?" Char called from upstairs with the girls.

"Not a clue." He said, positioning Bella so she was on the floor. I propped her up with pillows as he lifted her dress to take a look.

"It's not that hard." She gritted out. "You just stay where you are. I'll do the rest."

"Typical man. Standin' around while the woman does all the work." Char grumbled. "Do you need me down there, Sugar?"

I looked over at the matin' couple. Garrett was standing at his full height with Kate wrapped around him, ridin' his cock at vamp speed.

"Nope. Stay there." Bella panted.

"Focus, Darlin'." The Major purred, rubbing her legs. "I can see the head! Keep goin' mate. Yer doin' great!"

Fuck me.

Who would've thought this is where today would lead us? Maybe it's somethin' Char and I need to discuss. Havin' one of our own. We enjoy the nomadic lifestyle but I think Char would like to be a momma. I know I'd love to be a Daddy.

– XOXO –

Twelve minutes.

That's how long it took for the whole world to shift into pure chaos.

At four-forty-two, on December 17, two thousand and twenty-two a tiny pink bundle came into the world. She was more beautiful than I could have ever imagined. Well, once she was cleaned up and wrapped in a little pink blanket. Before that, she looked a bit gross, to be honest.

What came next, I don't think anyone could've predicted.

Twelve minutes.

Jasper and Bella basked in their growing love for one another. They gazed at their newborn daughter. They kissed and whispered sweet declarations of love.

Then, Bella cringed. "Jasper." She whispered.

His eyes went wide. "Isabella!"

Something was wrong.

The tiny bundle was placed into my arms and The Major spun to look between his mate's legs, his eyes widening at what he saw.

A barrage of curses fell from his lips as the scent of blood, a lot of blood, hit me.

At the same moment, two low, deadly growls reverberated through the room as Garrett and Kate were torn from their mating haze by the scent of fresh blood.

The Major took twenty seconds to assess them, knocked Garrett out, and turned to Kate.

"I'm fine." She promised, dartin' forward to help Bella. "Oh shit. That's not good!"

Bella was hemorrhaging. Bad.

I've never seen a human hemorrhage before. Usually, I drink it, I don't waste it. There was blood everywhere.

I hadn't seen this comin'.

Like I told Eleazar, this ain't somethin' I can predict. Anythin' could happen during labor. But I never expected this . . .

Haven't they lost enough?

Kate was shaking her head. "I can't stop this," she said rapidly. "Not here. Not without a doctor and a hospital. You either turn her or lose her, Major. I'm sorry."

He didn't hesitate.

He whispered something in her ear and then sank his teeth into her throat, unwilling to lose his mate now he'd finally found her.

Can't say I blame him. I would've done the same thing.

– Jasper's POV –

Life could change so quickly.

One minute you're holding your newborn daughter in your arms, basking in the love of your mate, wondering what you did to deserve so much happiness.

And then . . .

This isn't what we'd planned . . .

It's not what she wanted . . .

Not what I wanted for her . . .

For us.

But I don't regret my choice. I can't ever regret that. I won't.

"Why is she so still, Pete?" I asked, staring down at my beautiful mate.

She was turning into a vampire. I could hear my venom making its way through her veins. There wasn't much of her blood left. What she didn't lose when she hemorrhaged, I savored.

Isabella Swan has, possibly, the most delicious blood I've ever smelt and tasted. I wasn't about to waste one single drop.

And yes. I do plan to rub it in Edward's face.

Petty, maybe. But I never said I was above tormenting the boy with what he can no longer have.

I just hope Alice hasn't seen this.

Bella was so still. Still and quiet.

As soon as her transformation began, Kate whipped her away to bathe her and clean her up. Char and the twins helped. It kept them occupied and allowed them to ask their aunts questions about what was happening to their momma.

I think it helped.

It helped me.

When the two women were done, I found my mate on the bed looking like she was fast asleep. Char trimmed her hair and shaved her legs. Kate dressed her in a silk pajama set. The burgundy color stood prominently against her porcelain skin. She looked beautiful. Serene.

"She's a shield, Major." He reminded me. "A mighty powerful one. Right now, her shield is protectin' her mind and body."

I nodded.

I'd forgotten about her gift.

From what I know, those with shields don't experience the typical transition. Most are powerful enough that they feel virtually no pain at all. Some awake with complete control of themselves and their bloodlust. Renata of the Volturi awoke and immediately went to work guarding Aro. There was a shield in Maria's army who had no bloodlust. Chief Swan can walk in the sun without sparkling!

The extent of her shield and her control over it will determine the kind of newborn year she experiences. But, if she's anythin' like the others I've met, she might not have any problems.

Peter's hand squeezed my shoulder. "You did the right thing, brother."

"I know."

And I did.

There was no doubt in my mind that I'd done the right thing. Even in a hospital, there was no guarantee she'd survive. The hemorrhage was bad. I'd say she lost at least two pints of blood with the first gush. It came out of her like a fountain. By the time Kate was examining her, she was lying in a puddle of blood with more still coming out of her. If I'd left it any longer, she would have bled to death.

I know turning her was the only way to save her life and ensure that our children didn't grow up without their mother.

I just . . .

I sighed. "What if I hadn't been there?" I wondered.

"What's the point worrying about what could have happened?" He asked. "Fact is, you were there. You got to be with your mate for the last few days of her pregnancy. You felt your unborn daughter's emotions, felt her kick. You delivered your daughter. You cut the umbilical cord and felt all those emotions Bella said you'd feel after her birth. You may have missed the last eight months, but you were there for the most important bit. That's what matters."

"I know this isn't what you'd planned, Jay." He sighed. "I know you were lookin' forward to havin' that son you've always dreamed of, but life doesn't always give us exactly what we want. Maybe there's something bigger for the two of you. Maybe this is the way to your happily ever after."

He was right.

The fucker usually is.

I may not get to experience a pregnancy with Bella or conceive the traditional way, but these days, there's nothing to say we can't have more children in the future if that's what we want. It won't be the way we wanted, but so far our lives haven't turned out how we planned anyway!

I have three beautiful daughters. The twins are happy, healthy, and full of love and compassion. Our newest little one is perfectly healthy. My mate is in transition to join me in immortality.

I missed a lot, but Bella was right when she said in the grand scheme of things, it's not much. Our girls are immortal. There will be many more firsts. Many more birthdays. Many more holidays and fun times ahead of us.

When I think of it that way—of what I have, instead of what we've lost—life is pretty damn good.

The time for feelin' sorry for myself is over. Bella will wake in a few days. Three upset little girls are waiting for their momma to wake up. And more than half the family has gone batshit fuckin' crazy. There's a lot to do before my Belle wakes.

Time to get to it, Whitlock.

– XOXO –

Dear God Almighty! How the fuck do women do this? How the fuck did Bella manage to be a single mother for three years!

After just twelve hours alone with the girls, I'm exhausted. And I'm a vampire! We don't get tired! Fuck me. For part of the time, the girls were asleep in their momma's arms as she silently transitioned!

Cooking was a new experience. After my third failed attempt at mac and cheese—and almost burning down the kitchen!—Kate decided to take over. Thank fuck for that!

I'm not cut out for cooking!

I'd rather go to war!

When the girls were safe and the blood had been cleaned up, I woke Garrett and he reunited with his new mate. While the kids were all in bed, they disappeared to hunt and enjoy their evening together.

I took the time to get to know Bella's younger brothers: Noah, Alex, and George. As well as Irina and Laurent's two boys: Louie and Eli. They were great boys. Smart, funny, and kind. They were worried about their parents, though. I explained what had happened in as little detail as I could, and promised we'd get them back. They understood I couldn't and wouldn't leave Bella right now, though.

At bedtime, the girls were fussier. They weren't used to being away from their momma for so long. It was easier to let them crawl into bed with her while she transitioned than keep them away. They seemed to have some idea that she was becoming a vampire like Daddy, Nana, and Papa.

While the twins slept, I got to know our little newborn. I still needed to find a name for her. I had an idea, but I wasn't sure Bella would like it.

For now, Char had taken to calling her Pinky and it was beginning to stick. The twins, Kate, and even Pete and Garrett were using the new nickname. I wasn't sure Bella would be happy with it, but it was the best we could do until she woke. I won't name our daughter until my mate is awake.

The second day of her transition passed smoothly. Kate did all the cooking, which I'm thankful for. Garrett and Pete entertained the boys while Char and I took care of the girls.

The girls napped with their momma during the day. I even left Pinky with her while she napped between feedings.

While the girls were occupied with Pete and Char, I snuck away to be with my mate for as long as I could. As the transition continued, I could feel our mating bond urging me closer to her. Needing to finalize our bond.

As she slept, I talked to her. Told her stories about my life. Her life. I told her about Renee and Charlie. About Vicky. About the Denali Coven. Char and Pete. I told her all about how the girls were doing without her and reminded her of all the things she'd done in her life. I wasn't too concerned about her forgetting—shields rarely do—but she was calm and entertained as I talked so I continued.

The girls even came upstairs and told her stories about their day. They got frustrated and upset when she couldn't talk to them or answer their questions. Try explaining to three-year-olds that momma can't talk right now because she's becoming a vampire and probably feels like she's roasting alive. To a certain extent they understood, but they're three. There's only so much I can explain to them without scaring them.

When it became too much for them, Char and Kate distracted them with cookies.

By the time we reached the halfway mark, Bella was paler and her skin almost as hard as mine. Her hair was longer and thicker, but the same mahogany that I loved on her. Her belly was flat and toned. Her muscles were still feminine, but she looked more defined. And the intimate parts of her had filled out, too.

I couldn't wait to strip her bare and finally see my mate. To kiss every inch of her body. To scent her. To worship her. The way I never got to do when she was human and pregnant.

"Won't be long now, Major," Pete said softly from the doorway. "She'll be in complete control. You won't have to worry about her around the little ones, either. She ain't gonna hurt them."

I nodded.

That was good to know.

"What about her bloodlust?" Kate asked from downstairs.

"She won't have one," Pete answered.

"Shields are damn lucky." Garrett sighed from the living room, where he was watching Winnie the Pooh with the girls.

I went back to watching my mate. When Pinky began to fuss, I lifted her out of her bassinet and rocked her. Char darted in with a bottle. As she settled and ate, I softly sang to her, enjoying the quiet flowing from her and her momma.

So far, Pinky is the least fussy baby I've ever seen. Not that I've seen many babies. But I've always imagined them to be little crying machines. When she wakes, I'll ask Bella if that's normal.

– Bella's POV –

What the hell is going on?

One minute I was giving birth and basking in the afterglow with my mate and our newborn daughter. Then . . .

Then what happened . . .

Think Bella!

. . .

Oh, right! I remember. I felt a strange sensation deep within me. I heard a pop from inside my body and then . . .

Then . . .

Oh! All hell broke loose!

I was bleeding.

Blood is normal in labor. It happens. But not like this. This was . . . Hemorrhaging.

Oh, God. I hemorrhaged.

There was too much blood.

I heard Kate tell Jasper he had to turn me or I'd die.

For a moment, my mind went back to Edward and all the times he'd told me he would never turn me.

He didn't want me . . .

He told me I wasn't good enough for him or his family . . .

He left.

I was broken and alone.

Now I was bleeding to death on the living room floor.

There wasn't enough time to get me to the hospital.

I was going to die.

Edward never would have turned me. He would have let me die. I know that.

He wanted to save my soul. There was no doubt in my mind he would have let me die and left my babies without their momma.

"Shhh. I'm not him, Isabella." Jasper's voice whispered in my ear. "I love you, my mate. I will never, ever leave ya, Darlin'."

And then he sank his teeth into my throat, marking and claiming me as his for all eternity.

He didn't hesitate.

There was no regret in his voice.

He wanted me.

He wasn't Edward . . .

Jasper did what needed to be done and saved my life. No hesitation. No regret. No doubt in his mind.

I could tell he was worried. I could feel the emotion pouring off him. But I wasn't upset. There's always some risk in pregnancy. More so when you're growing baby vampires inside of you. And the baby came so suddenly and so quickly that the risks were greater.

I'm a little disappointed we can't have the life we'd been planning. But sometimes you're thrown a curveball and you have no choice but to go with it.

It's not like we can't have more babies in the future. I just won't be able to carry them. And, if it turns out we can't have more, for whatever reason, we still have three beautiful girls. That's more than some people get.

"I love you, my beautiful mate. Rest now." Jasper whispered in my ear.

– XOXO –

Gotta say, transitioning is a breeze so far.

Where's the pain everyone described to me?

The burning, torturous fires?

Edward described it as being dipped into a vat of acid and lit on fire.

Emmett said it was like burning in the deepest pits of hell.

Esme said it was like being flayed alive and thrown into an incinerator.

Nope. Not getting any of that.

I just feel . . .

Wait . . . something's happening . . . what's . . .

"It's okay, Bells, it's just me."

Ah. Kate. What are you doing? What's that I feel?

"Stay still, Sugar."

Oh. Charlotte's here, too.

Okay.

What are they doing?

"We'll get ya all cleaned up. No need to worry about a thing, honey. Most of us don't get this treatment." Char said. "I'll cut your hair for you, looks like you've got some split ends. Kate, why don't you take care of waxing her?

Waxing me?

No.

No.

I'm good, thanks.

I don't need waxing.

I tried it once. I'll never do it again!

What's wrong with a good razor?

"On it," Kate answered.

Everything went quiet for a while. Possibly I drifted off to sleep, I'm not sure. But I sure as hell woke with a start.

Geeze, what the fuck was that!

Oh. Ouch! What the fuck is happening!

"There we are, smooth as a baby's bottom!" Kate said. I felt her hand rubbing my legs. "Hmm. I wonder if I should . . ."

"Oh, yeah. All over, I'd say." Char answered.

All over?

What the fuck does that mean?

"Does The Major have a preference?" Kate asked.

What the fuck are they talking about?

"Hmm. I'm not sure." Char answered. "Should I ask?"

"Nah. Let it be a surprise for him."

Everything went quiet again as I slipped back into the recesses of my mind, forgetting whatever they were discussing. It couldn't be that important and I'm sure it doesn't involve me. How can it, I'm busy becoming a vampire.

– XOXO –

Something was happening.

My heart was racing. Oh! I think that means the end was near.

Oh, wow.

Okay. That's not pleasant.

Oh wow.

Fuck me!

Fuck me, that hurt! An ear-piercing scream ripped through me as my body bowed off the mattress with the last thump, thump of my heart.

The venom won the battle.

My human life had ended.

My body dropped back down onto the mattress and I lay perfectly still, enjoying the relief. As quick as it had started, the pain vanished. From deep inside of me, I felt my shield slip back into place. Ah. That's why I didn't feel any pain. My shield was protecting me.

The room was silent.

No.

Not completely silent.

I could feel my mate close by.

Somewhere inside the house were seven others. But they were confined to the basement.

Other than that, the house was empty.

That meant only one thing.

Before my mind registered the thought, my body moved, flipping off the mattress and landing in front of the lone, blonde vampire in the room.

With a snarl—holy crap! Was that me?—my hand flashed out, pushing the blonde against the wall, my hand around his throat.

"Where are they?" I hissed.

Fuck me. I'm making all sorts of new noises today!

"Easy, Darlin'." His voice was deep and husky, and that southern twang was sexy as hell.

I shifted closer to him, pressing myself against his chest.

He didn't submit to me or show any fear, despite my hand wrapped around his throat.

I liked that.

"Do you know who I am, Isabella?"

I rolled my eyes. "Of course, I know who you are. Major Jasper Henry Whitlock. Mate. Now answer my question!"

He frowned. "Who're you lookin' for, mate?"

Is he an idiot?

"Our children, Major. Where are our children?"

He smirked.

Damn him. Now was not the time for being sexy.

His arm slid around my waist and he pulled me flush against his chest. My hand dropped from his throat, sliding down his chest to rest above his un-beating heart.

"They're with Pete, Char, Kate, and Garrett." He told me. "Until yer fed and we've properly mated, they'll stay away from the house. Pete will know when to bring 'em back to us."

As soon as he mentioned mating my mind was reeling in a completely different direction.

For the first time I could see him, really see him. And, fuck me, he was gorgeous! I mean, he's always been beautiful to me, but now my eyes were clear . . . oh my!

"You feel it, too." He purred, leaning forward to nuzzle my neck.

I wanted him.

No. I needed him!

It was like nothing I'd ever felt before.

"Make me yours, Major." I purred.

A low, intimate growl tore through his chest as we came together in a frenzy of lips, teeth, and hands.

Our first time wasn't going to be gentle or romantic. This was mating in its purest form. It was a male marking and claiming his female and showing the world she belongs to him, only him.

A/N: So, there we have it. The baby has been born. Kate and Garrett are mated. And Bella is a vampire!

I'm a little nervous about writing a lemon, so I think I'll leave that to your imagination for now. xoxox