Disclaimer: I do not own 'Twilight' or any of the chracters (except for the newest member to the Cullen family *Black family included*)!
Rating: T (for LANGUAGE and moderate childbirthing. If anyone feels the rating should go please let me know).
Pairing: JB/EC
Hello y'all! First of all I would like to start off by saying thank you! I am always thinking of you, my dear readers and insightful gurus and lovely guests! AND here's more cookies: *COOKIE* for those who did not receive any last time and because I feel you deserve them, (plus Jake didn't find these!) *the Mutt gives me the Evil Eye...* NEVERMIND! '-_- my life just hasn't been the same since he started hiding the mouse....ANYWAY! I would like to give special thanks to:
Frapanappy, Soul of Antauri, Utena-Puchiko-nyu, Scorching Roses, rebelwilla, Harlequin Jade, Pace 1818, Yersi Fanel, babycullenwinchester and so many more! Thanks so much for your input and staying with us until the end.
Also, a special thanks goes out to a very dear friend of mine who helped with the re-writing/editing process...she's really kept me going for almost a year now, promising dark things if I didn't hurry up and post and get a roll on the sequel (which I still have to get going, but its going!) She gave Leah a voice that I can count on and very much needed insight and inspiration, so thank you Ms. Blue :] (you know who you are) and share this fantastic triumph I call RISING TIDES!
No! This doesn't mean this is like...the final curtain...this isn't even the last chapter yet! Don't cry! Don't hit me either! *big smile* well, I think y'all want to get this show on the road so without further ado, please...aww heck! y'all know what to do!
Chapter 11: When It Rains
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(Jacob's POV)
I paced around restlessly in Edward's large bedroom, trying not to pay attention to the subtle rippling that was coursing through my stomach. It didn't hurt or anything but it felt weird and slightly uncomfortable. "Jacob would you please sit down? You're going to wear a hole in the floor," came the breezy request from behind me somewhere. I spun around, my large belly like quick sand slowing me down. I glared at the honey-eyed vampire, feeling anger flare up inside of me immediately. He raised a perfect brow in question, but I took it as insubordination and growled irritably, choosing not to use any words at the moment.
"Calm down would you? It isn't good for the baby for you to get all worked up like this," Edward chided, making his way to my side in a second. I swatted his hands away and crossed the room to lay on the bed he'd installed in the center of his cave. "Don't be angry with me lover," he whispered, coming to spoon me from behind, "I'm only worried about the two of you." I sighed, "I know you are. I'm just restless." It was partly the truth, give me a break.
"The baby is moving around a lot," he whispered, entranced in a way. His cold, smooth hand rubbed my stomach, comforting me and oddly distracting me from the ripples that were still quietly rolling throughout my midsection.
"You know what?"
"What?"
"For the last two months or so--"
"Yeah?"
"for the last two months or so I've been hearing a mysterious whisper."
I turned all the way on my other side to face the man I was slowly starting to trust again, concerned that perhaps vampires could go crazy after all. "What do you mean Edward?" "There seemed to be this tiny voice and…when I'd first heard it I thought I was imagining it. Then the next couple of times I was sure I was hearing someone saying something--" "Edward I'm starting to worry about you and your mental health. Let me just go get Carlisle--" "Jacob just listen. I figured out what it was…or rather, who it was."
Slowly and with a confidence I'm sure I must have imagined, Edward pushed my shirt up just enough to reveal the horrible stretch mark I'd managed to acquire, (yes it was only one but if you'd seen it you would have wanted to go blind), pressed his lips to my stomach, then started to move them to form words. I watched, confused at what he was getting at, then it all started to make sense when he said, "I asked if it was the one talking to me." He didn't have to tell me what the reply to that was because I felt a kick where his hand was placed.
"Holy--" "I know," he smiled, grinning from ear to ear it seemed. I saw the happiness in his bright eyes and imagined what our…baby, I guess, was going to look like. I didn't have much but appearance to go on, imagining that he or she would look like a mixture of me and Edward. The real question was whether or not it would be human, half vampire, or a vampire-werewolf mix. I was brought back to the present by the soft humming coming, no doubt, from Edward.
"What are you doing?" I asked, curious at the fact that it didn't sound like he was being lyrical. He didn't answer me right away, so I just let him have his fun--then a thought struck me. I sat up a little faster than I should have, causing the rippling to momentarily burst into what felt like an explosive cramp. "Oh ow," I breathed, leaning forward and grabbing my stomach. "Are you alright?" came the worried reaction I knew was going to happen. Edward was instantly trying to lie me back down and figure out what the problem was and what couldn't have been better, but worse timing, was every single person in the house coming barging through the door.
Talk about being on lockdown….
Carlisle was at my side, firing questions that I didn't quite catch, but I shook my head 'no' the entire time. Alice was implementing breathing techniques that Carlisle had taught us just incase I went into labor, which, from his educated guessing, could be at any time. I tried to convey to everyone that I was fine and that the little cramp had subsided and that I was really, really, really fine. No one was really listening…except for Jasper. "Excuse me, but I think Jake is alright. He'd just experienced a little pain in his excitement to get up," the quiet vampire said, earning every single person's attention.
I gave Jasper a meaningful look, grateful that someone understood, even a little, that I was not having a baby at the moment. Alice was the first to break the silence that had instantly shrouded the room, "Well…I guess I would have seen it coming." I nodded, very good observation.
Esme and Rosalie quietly left, going to return the towels and extra blankets back to the examination room. Emmett scowled, grumbling about missing the touchdown in a football game he'd been watching on the big screen as he also made his way out. "Are you sure everything is alright Jake?" Carlisle asked, concern evident on his smooth face. I nodded once again, "Yes. I am just fine Mr. Cullen." He chuckled, shaking his head before saying, "I don't mind if you call me by my first name Jacob. You're just as much a part of this family as everyone here." I could feel the heat creep up on my cheeks, "Thank you uh…Carlisle." It really felt strange, but I knew it would come a lot easier later.
He left without another word leaving Alice and Jasper with Edward and me. Edward had taken to sitting by the window, obviously brooding about something. "What is it now Edward? You're not angry with me are you?" His golden eyes found mine but I could tell he was holding back something, "No I'm not. I would never be angry with you."
I felt a wave of calm wash over the room, knowing exactly who it was and once again grateful that he understood. I felt lethargic all-of-a-sudden, too tired to keep my eyes open for too long.
"Are you two going to hunt?" I heard Edward ask. "Yes but…" I heard Alice's voice trail off and when I heard the door quietly shut, I knew that I was alone. Feeling something cool on my arm I brought it up to my vision. On my skin was what looked like little red beads. I ignored it though, just thinking I was seeing things. Before sleep could fully grab me, the thought that had caused a rush of worried vampires to my side, resurfaced again. Was Edward communicating with the baby by reading it's mind? I couldn't think about it any further because before I knew it, I was dreaming about sunshine and daisies, and a big black cloud quickly making it's way across the sky, bringing with it a massive storm.
(End Jacob's POV)
(Edward's POV)
Alice looked at me, searching for the right words to say. She settled on the ones she had initially thought of, "What were you two talking about before everyone came up here?" I smiled a little, thinking back to how I'd revealed to Jake that I could communicate with the baby, "I told him that the baby was…talking to me." Alice's bright smile gave away her excitement, then she was practically pushing Jasper out of the door to go hunt so they could return as quick as possible. She wanted to see me do it and hear what the baby thought of her.
I shook my head, a small chuckle escaping, "Alice is really something else." I decided while Jake was napping, to go over to the Cabin to work on the surprise that hindered him from coming near the little home. I let Esme know where I'd be, as well as not to let Jacob come to find me. "Don't worry. I'll make him something to eat," she winked, knowing how food blind sighted our werewolf to just about anything else.
Once I'd made it to the cabin, I went straight to our room. Closing the door, I set to work finishing the project I'd started nearly two weeks before, wanting it to be ready for when the baby arrived.
(End Edward's POV)
(Jacob's POV)
It was completely dark by the time I woke up. "Shit," I swore, sitting up quickly in the bed. I'd slept the entire day away. A small cramp burst in my stomach again and I realized that ones similar to it had woken me up. I looked outside to see gray clouds and heavy rain pounding the windows. I swiped a hand through my long hair, putting it in a quick braid to keep it out of my face as I slowly got to my feet and trudged across the room. It felt a little chillier than normal and as I got closer to it, I realized that the door leading to the balcony outside was wide open.
Instantly I was filled with hesitation. If my memory did me any good, then that door hadn't been opened before I'd fallen asleep. I was close enough to reach out and swing it shut but just as my hand was about to touch the door, someone grabbed me from behind and pushed me into it, causing it to slam shut and for me to crash through the glass.
The rain hit me like little bullets, soaking me almost instantly. I flinched, feeling the pain of broken pieces of glass digging into my arms and the palms of my hands. I felt a sharp jab in my stomach and realized that glass was cutting me there as well, but I felt more fear at the thought that I hadn't protected my baby from being harmed. My mind was fogged and my senses failed to alert me to the person now standing over me; one downside to being pregnant: it knocked out my superhuman senses almost entirely.
A laughing voice pierced my ears and immediately I knew who it was. "I knew I would get you again. First time, I fooled you," he leaned down closer, "second time I fooled them," he yanked me up by my shoulders, nearly dislocating them, "third time really is the charm…I fooled you all at the same time and now," he spun me around to face him, "I finally get to kill you."
Before I could register what was going on, I was soaring through midair, nearly completely over the tops of the highest trees. I yelled in terror as I fell through the trees, hitting large branches and being scratched by smaller twigs on my way down. I curled into a ball as best I could, trying to maneuver myself to land on my back. He was there, waiting for me, hundreds of feet away from where we'd started. He caught me, his malicious face contorting his beauty frighteningly, making him appear to be a true monster.
I shrieked when he threw me into the ground so unexpectedly. I heard a snap and cried out in agony when I felt the pain bursting through my spine. I couldn't feel my left arm and the cramps I'd felt in my stomach were becoming harder to ignore. Opening my eyes to look up I realized that my attacker had fled; I took the opportunity to slowly pull myself up on my feet, using one hand as it gripped a nearby sapling for balance.
Taking a deep, painful breath, I started to run. I didn't know where exactly I was, but I couldn't have been too far away from the cabin if the trip through the air had been in the right direction.
I almost cried in relief when I saw the soft glow of lights coming from a small little house just one-hundred feet away, but my momentary happiness was even more short lived when he appeared in front of me, knocking me to my feet in one swift movement of his arm. I grabbed my burning cheek, yelling as loud as I could for someone to hear me. "Your mate will come but if he gets any closer," a sadistic smile crept onto his face. "I'll rip the child from your womb and make you watch as I tear it apart!"
Tears fell freely from my eyes mixing with the rain and blood that dripped from a gash I could feel on my forehead. I saw the door swing open, "Stop!" He stopped. "Don't come any closer Edward, don't get any closer," I whimpered, pulling myself to my knees and cradling my stomach. I saw the look in Edward's eyes, the fear and the anger; the anger so primal that I thought he might attack anyways…but he could hear my thoughts, he could hear me begging him not to come closer….
My head was yanked back forcefully and I squirmed at the feeling of my neck being exposed. My attacker made his way slowly to my neck, pressing his cold marble-hard lips just at a fatal pressure point. I wondered if the venom coursing through my veins, no matter if I was human at the moment, would protect me from death. "Touch him and I will make sure to slowly rip you apart," Edward growled, exposing his teeth and crouching low to the ground.
My attacker laughed, yanking my head yet again, "Come any closer and I'll rip him apart." "Edward just listen to him please," I begged, staring into his eyes which had darkened dangerously. Thunder pounded and lightening flashed overhead. Just like in my dream everything started to go dark. "Jacob if he kills you I'll never be able to forgive myself," he growled at me, keeping his eyes firmly trained on the ones that I knew were blood red.
Suddenly things shifted and I heard the very distinct and clear voice of Alice yelling for Edward to grab me. I tried to shout to him not to move but he was in front of me in seconds, the other vampire's hands still firmly gripping my hair. I didn't see it, but I could still feel the hand in my hair when Edward ripped it from the arm it was attached to. "Put your arms around my neck, close your eyes, hold on tight," he instructed me, and then he was running. I could feel the way the air seemed to glide against the both of us, his footfalls barely making a sound.
"I'm taking you to the boundary line, Seth and Leah are waiting for you--"
"My father?"
"They know what's going on and they've convinced him and the pack to let you in."
"I'm scared…"
I maneuvered my head to be able to see his face when I unclenched my eyes, he was already looking at me. "I love you," he breathed, sweet breath gliding over my face. Tears sprang to my eyes, "You too. I love you too." I closed my eyes again, becoming dizzy at the blurs the trees made as he continued to run. Maybe ten minutes passed…when I felt him come to a stop and heard the familiar voice of Seth I knew this was the part that we'd have to say goodbye.
"Take Jake and make sure that if anyone comes across the line that they are one of us. Anyone else and they're dead alright Seth? Can you do that for me?" I heard Edward asking the boy who'd sacrificed so much for me--for us. "Yes I promise," he agreed. I turned and crushed our lips together, trying to memorize the curve of his cool mouth…incase…for my own sake. He pulled back just a little, cupping my face in one hand and wiping away at the blood on my forehead with the other. I could see the restrained anger boiling behind those eyes, "How many more?"
I had to know…I needed to know what he and the rest of the Cullens were up against. "Don't worry about it Jake, I'll be back." "How many!?" I yelled, sounding weaker than I'd intended. He didn't look at me, "Take him in, clean him up." "Edward no! Tell me! Tell me dammit!" I snarled, trying to fight against Seth's strong hold on my upper arms.
I couldn't see it, but I knew Edward too well to know that he was alright with the way I was struggling, the way I was screaming for him to come back--to tell me how many odds there were against him returning to me. "I need to know!" I yelled, struggling futilely in the iron grip Seth had on me. "It'll be alright Jake, he'll be back," he soothed, trying not to drag me completely. Finally he just gave up, scooping me up and taking me back to the place that had once been my home. I kicked and screamed the entire way, becoming hoarse, breaking down into tears of frustration.
"Stop this nonsense Jacob. Be strong, he will come back," came a deep and wise voice. I glared down at my father as Seth carried me across the threshold, spitting out a reply, "Is that what you told yourself when you sent that letter? Is that what you said when you abandoned me?"
Before I was completely shut away by Seth, I saw this look of pain cross my father's face. I crossed my arms stubbornly, thinking selfishly that he deserved to feel what I felt. Seth carried me all the way to the bathroom.
"Oh SHIT!" I groaned, unexpectedly doubling over almost right after Seth sat me down in the bathtub. "What? What is it Jake!? Jake…talk to me," he panicked, only having to turn around in the tiny space to reach my side. I was still doubled over, teeth clenched, breath coming out in ragged intervals. "Jake--"
"E-Edward! Get Edward…C-Carlisle…someone! It fucking hurts!" I screeched, gripping the sides of the tub; the bulge of my stomach seemed to be rippling tenfold now.
"Oh…okay! Um…Billy! Come here quick! I think the baby is coming! Need to go get Edward--" "Jake! Jake are you alright?" I heard my father ask, too engrossed in the pain to really care if it was him who'd have to stay with me. I just needed Edward. Then…a horrible thought struck me: how would I be having this baby? "Oh fuck just get Carlisle! I don't know how to have a baby!" I wailed.
(End Jacob's POV)
(Seth's POV)
It had all started so fast…I mean…one minute I was sitting Jake in the tub to help clean him up and the next minute he was…contracting? I didn't know how he was going to have this baby either so I left Billy in charge, praying that one of the women, preferably Emily, would be at home so that I could dispatch her on my way to rounding up the Cullens.
As I ran I noticed a lot of blood on my hands. Of course I would have blood on me after holding Jake…he'd been injured. But the blood on my hands didn't smell like normal blood either. It was like there was something mixed in with it, but I guess it could just have something to do with him being pregnant or something. It didn't really matter at the moment--I need to get to Emily and find Edward.
Just before the boundary line was Sam's house that he shared with Emily. I knocked on her door, yelling that it was an emergency. She was there quick, long dark hair thrown out of it's ponytail. "What is it Seth? Is it Billy--?" "Not Billy Em, it's Jacob. He's in trouble, he needs your help--" "Jacob?" "I know, I know, why's he here right? Long story, just go over to Billy's and see what you can do for him." She gave me a look. "Please?" I added, knowing that she had a soft spot for me. She gave in, rolling her dark eyes as she reached behind the door to grab her jacket, "All right but--hey! Where are you going!?"
I was halfway to the trees as I pulled off clothing and tied them to the string around my ankle, "To find someone! We'll be back here before you know it!" I phased, shaking and erupting into an enormous wolf, similar to my pack members. Immediately I was on the network, my head filling with the thoughts not belonging to me, but to those of my pack members. My leader was instantly nagging me, telling me to go home. "I can't Sam," I thought, "I need to find Edward. Jake needs him now." It was quiet for a moment, no one telling me anything, their thoughts all hidden simultaneously. "Would someone please tell me what's going on?"
Silence. A growl erupted from deep within me. I felt that this was too serious for anyone to be holding back from me. "What is it--?" "Seth? Seth it's me, Leah." "Hey Leah, what's wrong?" "The Cullen…Edward--" "What about him?" "he…we lost him on the cliff." "What do you mean Leah?" "The…the vampire that attacked Jake…the one who caused all this mess…took him over the edge with him. The Pixie tried to grab him but…" "No! No Leah no! He's still alive if that's what you're thinking," I yelled at them all in my head, refusing to believe that Edward didn't fight and win.
"The waves were way too high for us to see him…the Cullens did a search and rescue…the larger one came up thirty times without his brother…there's nothing we can do." I listened to them talk, letting them get it all out of their systems. When I was sure they were done I morphed back into my human self, quickly pulling on my clothes, save the shirt and shoes, and running with all my strength to the beach. I knew where he'd be when he came back to shore.
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I waited. The wind had picked up considerably and the storm from earlier was passing as another came in--stronger than the one before. I was sitting on a fallen tree trunk, becoming restless as time slowly ticked by. He would've finished the guy off by now I was so sure of it…but time passed even slower and I was worried that the doctor…Carlisle, wasn't at my friend's side. "He should have you by his side," I said into the wind, imagining that my spirit would carry the message to the M.I.A vampire I knew to be alive.
A clap of thunder boomed, startling me just as the lightening flashed. I turned quickly, surprised at the strong stench of a vampire I knew too well. "Edward!" I jumped, throwing my arms around him, earning an embrace in return. I pulled away to see his face, to assess the damages, delighted that there wasn't a single scratch on him . I blushed, realizing that his shirt was gone, but willing the embarrassing heat to go away.
"Where's Jake? Is he--?" "He's back at your place I figure, but we gotta hurry! He was…uh…contracting before I left," I swiftly explained, phasing to show just how urgent it was. We ran together, werewolf and vampire, vampire and werewolf. "How did you know I'd be there?" "Lucky guess?"
We were quiet once again, but I was dying to know-- "How did I finish him?" I glanced at him, letting him know I was listening. "I ripped him apart…set his body on fire on a little island not too far from here." Silence crept in again, both of us focusing on running all the way back to the Cullen house.
Just as the field came into view and we saw the lights of the house, he quietly told me something that would never leave my mind for as long as I lived. "He saw Jacob as something beautiful to immortalize…he knew that he was a wolf…that biting him would...have it's consequences." I could tell he was choosing his words carefully. "It was a sign Seth…he set off a chain of events that will have an outcome even greater than himself and his self-made army of newborns." I remember being afraid to ask, not knowing that it would help me see the future a little clearer…but I asked anyway, "A-and…what exactly is more dangerous than that?"
I now stood on two feet, naked, but not ashamed as we locked eyes. "The Volturi," was all he said…. I could hear it in his voice, the morbid truth about this organization. One day they'd come… our death sentence….But ironically, the approaching birth, strange and a miracle of it's own, put a small feeling of hope in my heart that wouldn't fade regardless of warnings.
"I have hope too," Edward whispered to me, his skin lighting up against the lightening in a way that seemed to show his…aw hell I'll say it, his beauty. I smiled, growing anxious and excited as we reached the house. Alice came rushing from the garage, calling for Edward to hurry up and nearly pummeling him in her joy to see him still alive, "Get in there! He refuses to push until you're by his side." "Push?" Edward asked, shocked at the information. I was shocked too. "Uh…yeah…see…apparently the wolves aren't actually werewolves…they're shape shifters," she chattered away to us. Edward looked as if he were a little green around the edges…
"…"
"Well how do you think he got pregnant in the first place?! He doesn't have a--"
"EDWARD! Oh God please someone…it hurts!" came the unexpected cry from inside
the humongous house. I was surprised that none of the other residents came running to
investigate. Then I realized that the Cullens' house was far away from much civilization
and no normal human being would be able to hear anything over the roaring thunder.
"Go on Edward…he needs you," Alice prodded. I observed that she seemed a
little tense, never mind her joking around a few seconds ago. Once Edward went in I felt
the urge to ask what was wrong. "Oh Seth…you've been really great. I saw you finding
Edward and bringing him here in time. I really don't think Jake would've held on any longer than what he did." Somehow…deep in the pit of my stomach her words sounded a little too sad…a little too final…as if she meant Jake was--
"Alice…what are you trying to say?" I asked, afraid of her answer. Just before she could rightly answer that, Leah came to the door, a look of worry painting her face like I'd never seen before. "Alice--" "I know," she said, looking down towards the ground. I didn't feel as if I were understanding anything that was going on. Where was the pack? They couldn't all be inside could they?
"Come on inside Seth. We have a new family member to greet," Leah said, her tone stony and her expression one of absolute nothingness. I was afraid but she told me not to be as I walked across the threshold, a little surprised at all the excited faces that greeted me. I met Alice's eyes, they were telling me not to say a word…as if I knew something was going on. I gulped, eyes becoming wide, tears filling them…maybe I did know. "Hey Seth! Why do you look as if you just saw a ghost!?" Quil shouted to me, the large space seeming to rattle at the boom of his voice.
I shook my head in an attempt to clear it, forcing a smile onto my face, "Oh no reason…just still a little shocked by it all." Everyone snorted, Embry drawling a, "We just found out today that our Jake was having a baby." I shrugged, trying hard not to focus on the sounds coming from a room somewhere upstairs. It sounded as if Jacob was struggling…and it seemed like I was the only one hearing it, but looking around at everyone's expectant faces…they looked like they heard it too.
"Man…I hope he's alright," Sam sighed, worriedly twisting his hands together. As the leader I knew that he felt partially responsible for the situation Jacob was in, but it really wasn't his fault. Things were supposed to happen this way. "I have to go," Alice said, rushing up the stairs in the blink of an eye. I sank into a chair, exhausted and scared for the life of my friend…of my brother. "Please Great Spirits," I prayed silently, "let him make it through this somehow."
(End Seth's POV)
(Jacob's POV)
I gritted my teeth, desperately fighting against the urges to push. Just an hour ago I'd started contractions but according to Carlisle, the little pains I'd been feeling all day were my body's signals that I'd be in labor soon. I'd held out against the awful ripping pain that had started to make itself known just between my legs, right where my…well even I didn't want to know what had happened down there. "Where is Edward? Where is he…you're all back…he wouldn't--gah--tell me how many," I sobbed, squeezing Emmett's offered hand.
As soon as Carlisle had gotten to the reservation my father had wanted to put up a huge fuss about following the treaty. It was Sam who'd allowed for Carlisle, Alice, Emmett and Jasper to come in and put me into the Hummer where Esme and Rosalie were waiting to take me back to the house. The whole entire ride back to the large Cullen home was less than smooth but I barely noticed specific details, very much concentrating on not pushing anything anywhere.
I did recall Carlisle saying some things like "bleeding out" or something but that was just a big mystery to me. That is, until the pain had subsided briefly and I looked at my skin. I was literally sweating blood! But as another mind-blowingly painful contraction hit I found it hard to care about such a small detail. I was more concerned about Edward getting there, and the baby coming, to think about having to apologize for getting blood everywhere in Emmett's car.
It was all a blur, the part when we got back home and inside the examination room upstairs. The only thing that had remained the same was the fact that Emmett's hand was still being squeezed in mine--oh yeah! And the pain was excruciating.
"Where is Edward? Someone please tell me where he is!" I sobbed once more, so hell bent on having him there with me; I couldn't do it alone. "Don't worry Jake, Seth went to get him, everything is going to be alright," I heard Alice telling me, feeling a cool hand pressing itself to my forehead and a worried, "he's burning up Carlisle." She wiped some blood from her hands but continued to try and comfort me.
"Jake we're going to prop you up and if you feel the urge to push--" "I'm not pushing anything, anywhere until Edward is here," I growled firmly, not caring if what I wanted wasn't procedure. "We can't risk the baby here Jacob, you've already been through so much," Carlisle tried to persuade me. I nodded, "Yes, and that's why he or she doesn't mind waiting a few more minutes until--oh fuck--his or her father gets here!" Contractions were hitting me so hard that they made my toes curl and in those moments, I developed a brand new appreciation for the women in the world.
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Carlisle propped me up on the bed and I started smelling cleaning product…it smelled like bleach. I couldn't really feel much more than the pain I was experiencing, but when everyone started to rush with towels and various things like that and telling me not to worry, I knew something was wrong. Alice was gone, the room was bright and my head felt as if it were spinning.
"Edward where are you? I need you so bad…."
I'd had it. He had super vampire hearing and if he loved me like he said he did, then by heaven and hell he would hear me, "EDWARD! Oh God please someone…it hurts!" A few moments passed by and I felt myself giving up, the urge to reject what was causing me so much pain too huge to ignore. Just as I was about to push for the very first time, there was yet again a cool hand on my forehead, but a different voice next to my ear, "I'm so sorry love. I'm here now, I'm here."
I felt more tears flowing down my cheeks, almost too exhausted to do much else than cry. Everything seemed to become numb, I could barely feel much pain any longer….
"Jake! Jacob stay with us, you have to push," I heard him say. "I can't." "Yes you can Jacob, yes you can." "This baby needs your help Jacob. You've gotten this far, don't give up," I heard Carlisle say.
I looked to my left, there he was, Edward Masen Cullen, his hand now in my own being squeezed to death. Carlisle had my legs propped up which I found oddly encouraging; if I wasn't meant to be in this situation then it would never have happened. Summoning up all the strength I had left, I nodded, "Okay, okay, I'll push." A nod from the doctor was my signal to go, and I pushed with everything I had. He counted to ten, I rested for only a moment until I was back at it again, cursing the Cullen name the entire time, the pain doubling in my final efforts.
"Almost there Jake…just once more," the doctor said. I could feel something seeming to make it's exit, (that's the only way it could be described), from my body and boy did it hurt like hell. I collapsed back on the bed after that final push, so exhausted but not ready to close my eyes and welcome the darkness that seemed to be just beyond the horizon. I heard a very distinct crying…more like piercing sound as I'm sure Esme was helping to clean off the baby. I couldn't see what was going on, there was a divider between where I was and where they were checking the baby.
"You did it Jake, I'm so proud of you," Edward whispered next to me. He kissed my lips, making it feel so right being there in that bed in that much pain. It still hurt like hell which had me worried because I didn't know why exactly. Shouldn't the hurting be over? A wave of dizziness passed over me and I could do nothing but fall back onto my pillow.
"Jake! Jacob! What's wrong baby, speak to me."
I moved my mouth, staring up at the ceiling and feeling paralyzed all of a sudden. I remembered vaguely that my arm was numb from being thrown onto the ground…then there was the pain. I screamed in shock, not expecting the surge of heat that seemed to electrocute my entire being. I remember voices…seemingly panicking, worrying voices. They came in snippets….
"What's wrong Carlisle?"
"…shock…bleeding…why is he…?"
"Where's Alice?"
"…in the room…baby…"
"What's going on Alice?"
"…"
"Alice!"
I couldn't see anything, only hear. The fire started to spread from my fingertips and toes throughout my entire body. I was trapped inside my mind, my heart beating faster and faster as if it were about to explode….I was dying…without seeing my baby…our baby. And I hadn't gotten to tell Edward how my life held much more meaning to it because he and his family had taken me in and even went so far as to risk their own lives to save mine…to save the baby who'd become our future.
And then…it was dark.
(End Jacob's POV)
(Edward's POV)
I looked down at him. He was still breathing but it was very faint. Carlisle was running back and forth to try and figure out what was wrong with him. Alice walked into the room with sadness etched onto her features. I tried not to notice it, I didn't want to see the future I knew was fading before her eyes. Instead I went for the obvious question that I wasn't sure even she knew how to answer. "What's going on Alice?"
She stayed silent, not looking me in the eye.
"Alice!"
We both knew what her silence meant so she didn't bother to elaborate. She went back to the baby. Instantly, I started to panic as I looked at his pale skin that had begun to seep through with blood. I'd noticed the blood, that it seemed to be coagulate and run in places where there appeared to be no wound…now it was practically draining out of him. It started seeping into the sheets, creating a blackish outline of his body.
He would die from loss of blood.
It all seemed to be happening too fast, I could feel my face crumbling into the scream I so desperately wanted to release. I turned to Carlisle, trying to maintain a grip on myself, "What's happening? Why is he bleeding like this?" I urged. Carlisle shook his head "An internal hemorrhage it would seem. We can't stop it--its not just some wound we can stitch up."
Jake's heart was beating weakly, as if letting us know he only had a few minutes left. I ran my hand over his blood soaked skin, desperately searching for a clue in the blood--it wasn't like it should have been. It was much thinner and the smell it had--the wolves' blood was never appetizing in the first place but this scent was even more familiar.
As if God were smacking me in the face, my eyes widened when the realization hit me. "Vampire venom," I breathed.
Carlisle looked at me oddly, then understanding seemed to dawn in his eyes at what I was saying. Before I could lift another finger, Carlisle left the room but was back within seconds. "We need to get him a blood transfusion. That might be the only way to save him," he stated briskly. "The bleeding should stop once all the venom is out."
I looked at him hopefully, "What are the chances it'll work?"
He turned away from me then...he didn't answer me out loud, a habit for trying to shield me from bad news rather than his private thoughts.
"Edward," Carlisle called me. I didn't need to read his thoughts to know what he was saying. This was the only chance we had and standing there was like giving up. My resolve was steel as I turned away from Jake to look at my father, "Where do we get the blood?"
In a flash Carlisle left the room again. He came back with some papers in his hand. "His blood type is B-positive and to get some I would have to go to the hospital." "What, you don't have any blood on you?" Emmett asked jokingly to lighten the mood as he entered the room. Carlisle ignored him more easily than I did--my father's focus was far from his presence.
I turned to Emmett to tell him to get out but he cut me off, "The mutts want to talk to you." To make my point clear, I turned my back on my brother, I didn't have time to talk to them. I needed to be here. "Edward, take them to my study," Carlisle told me. "Why?" I asked. Was now really the time to give them a tour of the house? "It'd be best if I could use one of the wolves' blood. They would have the same IgM antibodies as him and it would be a lot quicker," he explained ever so calmly, "to see who has B-positive blood."
I was about to protest again, but when I looked down at Jacob I could see the shallow rise and fall of his chest and how his skin was starting to clear up. He was pale and looked like death….
"Okay Carlisle, I'll do it, but I highly doubt the study is the place."
"Wherever Edward. I'll be setting up in the meantime, if we're going to save him we've got to be quick, time is of the essence."
Losing Jacob would be the end of my own life as well.
(End Edward's POV)
(Seth's POV)
I paced back and forth in the living room. Edward came from upstairs and looked right at me, then quickly diverted his eyes. Sam walked up to him with me on his tail. "How is he?" he asked, obviously worried. Edward stayed silent for just a second but that's all we needed to understand. "No," I whispered. Jake couldn't...he couldn't be--
"We still might be able to save him," Edward said quickly cutting off my thoughts. We all looked slightly more hopeful than just a few seconds ago. "He's losing a lot of blood and we'll need to perform a transfusion. It will have to be one of you." Quil seemed to go a little pale at his words. Sam asked kind of hesitantly, "Can you get enough from one transfusion?" The vampire nodded, "You can heal and regain the blood much faster than a normal human."
"I'll do it!" I yelled stepping forward. Edward gave me a look telling me he figured as much. I would be willing to do anything if it meant saving Jake. Embry looked at me as though I was forgetting something. "You don't have the same blood type," Sam said sympathetically. My face fell. That's right. Sam had made sure we all knew our blood types for whatever reason and me and Jake's were as different as ice cream and pickles. "Then who has it?" Quil asked. Sam turned around and looked at the only person in the room who wasn't up trying to sort out how to save Jacob's life.
"Leah is the only one who can do it."
"Well that's too bad," she snapped, "I'm not letting any of those bloodsuckers take my blood." Edward stiffened. I didn't understand why she was saying this. Leah wouldn't really let Jake die would she? "Leah," Sam said sternly, obviously trying to assert some authority over my sister. She just rolled her eyes.
I furrowed my eyebrows, looking at her. "How can you just sit there and say that? This is Jake's life we're talking about!" Embry stepped towards her as well. "You can't be serious," Sam joined in, "Are you saying you'd rather let Jacob die than give him your blood?" She didn't answer to that, just looked away. I grabbed her by her arm and pulled her past the pack, past Edward who looked as if he was about to lose it and outside in front of the house. I'm sure they could all still hear us but I at least wanted to pretend like we had some kind of privacy.
I looked her in the eyes, "Why are you being like this? I know you can be bitchy sometimes, but I know you care about Jake. He wouldn't think twice about saving your life if you were in his position." I cringed a little when I was done…it sounded like I was scolding her. Leah scowled at me in return, "But I'm not in his position! He chose to be with that leech and this is what happened. It was his decision," she practically growled. "It has nothing to do with me so why should I have to give my blood 'cuz he got knocked up?" There was a heavy silence after that. I honestly would've never expected Leah to act this way. Maybe if it was Sam who needed blood but not with Jake--not my brother.
I turned around, not wanting to look at her anymore. Maybe not ever if I could really help it.
Right before I walked back into the house I stopped at the door. "I can't believe how selfish you're being. You're right, this isn't about you. It's about Jake, and the one time he really needs you...all you can say is it's not your problem." I spoke softly yet with so much anger. "If you don't want to do anything, fine. Just know that Jake will die without your help." Tears started to carve their way down my cheeks, but I pressed on anyway, needing to be heard for once, "You're the only one who can save him in a room full of people who would do it in a heartbeat. Jake, our friend...our family, is going to die because you're too bitter to help anyone other than yourself…. And you and I both know how hard it is growing up without your dad around but that kid upstairs won't know the difference right?"
The others looked at me sadly when I walked back in--and Edward--he looked like he was going to be sick. I didn't think…if she didn't walk through that front door, that I could ever forgive Leah. And just as I was about to start not-forgiving, I heard a, "Fine," from behind me. Leah was walking into the house with her arms still crossed.
"I'll give the idiot my blood," she said not as disdainfully as one might have expected, she almost sounded like she really wanted to. Leah was so stubborn, I wouldn't be surprised if she just said all that so she wouldn't sound too eager to help--like we had time for that. I jumped up and gave her a hug. The others looked relieved but we definitely weren't out of the woods yet.
Edward cleared his throat, Leah sighed and followed him back upstairs while dragging me behind. "If I'm going to let vampires take my blood, you're coming with me," she muttered. I just gave her a small smile, thanking whoever was listening that my sister wasn't as much of a bitch as we all knew her to be.