Nessie fell asleep on our bed that night. Edward finally lifted her up and took her to her room. I could hear him singing her a lullaby. Nessie's song. I knew that after the song he would tenderly kiss her and whisper that he loved her. My eyes prickled with tears that they could not make. I love them both so much.
My eyes followed him as he walked back to our room. "Edward," I asked him, "what could she mean by that?" I took a breath and rushed," I'm sorry I didn't mention the dreams to you but it would only have convinced you that the baby meant me harm then."
"I've had time to think of your dreams, Bella. I've always blamed myself for all the pain you underwent for our child to be born. You fought for her and she is worth it." He slid next to me on the bed and his arms wrapped themselves around me.
"I will thank you forever for our child," he murmured as he kissed me. He then showed me just how grateful he was.
As the night turned to day, Edward and I lay with our arms around each other. We had discussed and agreed that we would consult with Carlisle on this matter. We waited for Nessie to wake up.
We were half way to the Cullen house when we met Alice. As usual she came bounding up. As beautiful as ever, her lively eyes a bit troubled.
"I was coming to see you," she said." I need to check if Nessie's grown a bit more. I would need to order some more clothes. AND, she emphasized, I need to see your closet. I don't seem to be seeing any of the clothes that I bought for you yet, "her eyes narrowed a bit," I keep seeing jeans and shirts. The one you wore yesterday was definitely one I bought for Edward."
I rolled my eyes and Edward's mouth twitched. He couldn't laugh as I glared at him. Nessie however, launched herself at Alice as soon as she saw her aunt.
"Hello Auntie Alice", she said wrapping her arms around Alice's waist. "Have you come to ask me when my brother will be born?'
"What?" Alice quickly looked at us. Edward looked at her and explained. Alice pale skin turned even paler.
"Let's go to see Grandpa Carlisle," I gently took Nessie's hand. She continued to hold on to Alice's hand. "Let's run," she said, "My Jacob may be there already."
I groaned inwardly as we ran, Great, I said to myself, another person to explain it to. Might was well explain to everyone. This can't be happening.
Nessie couldn't jump the river yet, so Edward gathered her in his arms and made the jump so smoothly. Our daughter's laughter ringing in the early morning. No, my mind kept telling me, Nessie is only a child. She may just want another child to play with. Denial - the ability to block out painful thoughts and memories were still with me in this immortal life.
True enough Jacob Black, my best friend was in front the Cullen house. Waiting for Nessie.
"Hey, how's my girl?" Jacob asked Nessie as she bounded from Edward's arms to his. Edward was still trying to get used to this arrangement - but it didn't mean that he liked it. With a sigh, he took my hand and we headed inside to meet Carlisle.
He was just coming down the stairs. Dressed for work, Carlisle, looked like a youthful actor playing a doctor rather than a vampire of 300 something years. Esme followed closely behind, her eyes lighting up with pleasure as she saw us.
"Good morning my darling! she called out to Nessie. "Grandmamma!" Nessie squealed as Jacob brought her inside. Running to Esme she cried, "Daddy and Momma need to tell you something". She was bouncing up and down now - Esme scooped her up before the floor was damaged.
"What is it?" Carlisle asked us. His eyes still smiling. He looked at our clasped hands and his brow puckered a bit. "Anything wrong, son?" His eyes looked at Edward then shifted to me. Alice meanwhile had gone upstairs. Maybe to get the others. Family discussion coming. I gripped Edward's hand - he turned and said "ow" very silently while I said "oops" very silently as well. Dang, this super strength.
"Think we better all come to the dining room", Edward said leading the way towing me along with him. I so didn't want to be the center of attention again.
So my vampire family gathered together. Esme had quickly prepared a huge sandwich for Jacob. Muttering his thanks, Jacob took his seat next to Nessie's booster chair. Rose gave Nessie her metal cup and kissed the top of her head - giving Jacob a quick low growl. Emmett pulled her down on his lap. Alice and Jasper preferred to stand - arms around each other. Another beautiful morning in the Cullen household.
"Last night," Edward began, "Nessie told us that Bella and I still have one child to be born".
Various stages of disbelief were mirrored on my family's faces.
"Not possible", Emmett guffawed, "you believe a little girl? She may just want a playmate - getting tired of playing with Jacob are you ,hon?" He raised his eyebrows to Nessie. " Teach him how to fetch and carry" Jacob glared at him while chewing his sandwich.
"No Uncle Emmett," Nessie shook her head, her curls bouncing. " I have a brother and he needs to get born".
Carlisle blinked his eyes, "Nessie, honey, that is not possible. Your father took you from your mother. No other baby. I looked after the wound myself while she was," Carlisle searched for a better word for my transformation, "recovering".
Nessie took a deep breath, much like the one a much older person makes when talking to a child. She began to explain again
"We were in Momma stomach and we were getting squished," she made a motion with her two hands clasping."EJ...", she started...
"Wait a minute, baby, "Rose interrupted, "how did you know his name is EJ".
"Momma named him so. Just like she named me," my daughter said, her clear eyes looking at all of us.
"Sweetheart, tell them what you told us", Edward touched her cheek.
Another deep breath, this time she caught Edward's hand, and held it "we were getting squished, EJ and I were talking to each other. Since Momma could only have one of us first, EJ said I should go first. I was getting larger than he was. I was in front. I remember Daddy taking me out. I remember EJ telling me that he would follow.".
"Nessie," Carlisle asked her, "how come you only told us of this now?"
"Because Grampa, we were in danger. EJ and I decided that he should stay with Momma. He helped her with her power. He could also hear Auntie Alice. He didn't even want to tell me where he went with Momma that one time before the Volturi came." She pouted.
He told me to be brave and go away with Jacob if the Volturi won. He said he would help Momma or just die with Momma and Daddy and our family. Her eyes welled with tears, " I was so happy when I didn't have to go away.".
"How do you talk to him?" I asked her. I noticed that she didn't let go of her father's hand. Edward had a strange look on his face and Alice was watching him closely.
"Every time I touch you, Momma. Remember that first time - I told you all about what happened to me while you were asleep? I was telling EJ too. Every time I hold your hand or embrace you. EJ and I would talk. He kept saying that it wasn't time yet. He talks only to me Momma. He didn't want to frighten you anymore". Nessie smiled so winningly.
"This is amazing, "Edward told us. "I could actually hear them talking to each other," he gasped," she's replaying all their conversations". My husband was shaking but Nessie continued to grasp his hand.
"But he needs to be born Daddy," she grasped her father's hand so tightly. "Please he is getting weaker. He needs donated blood. Momma needs to drink it then when he gets stronger he will be born."
OK this was definitely blowing my very roomy vampire mind. I could see Edward slowly believing Nessie. Why would my baby lie?
The family was silent. Even Jacob had stopped eating.
Why oh why can't I just live a normal eternal life?
~P.S. to the ones who wonder how Nessie hears EJ she can't read minds but she's telepathically linked to EJ since they are twins.~