Inevitability

3


Wren's Point of View


I knew that I wasn't making things any easier with my attitude, but I wanted - no I needed - Jacob.

Since my parents had found out about what happened – an event that I shall mention happened over three months ago – they had refused to let me down to La Push, or for Jacob to come back up here. I could hear his agonized howling at night. The sounds would make me curl up on my superfluous bed – I only needed about three hours' sleep every night – and stare into space. Only in my imagination could I be with him.

His face constantly plagued my thoughts and, though my parents remained adamant, I knew that my forced separation from him was taking its toll on the family. My Dad flinched whenever his face came into my thoughts, and they did this quite often. Similarly my mother would look between us sadly. Sometimes she would mutter about something, and Dad would glare at her. I couldn't imagine why, but I had an idea that it had something to do with the separation that they had gone through earlier in their relationship. It pained them to talk about it, I knew. How could they not see that this was the same thing with me and Jacob? We were destined to be together, and they were making us stay apart. It was physical torture sometimes.

Speak of the Devil. I forced Jacob's face, along with the longing that I felt, to come foremost in my thoughts. Edward flinched as he walked past, heading towards his piano. My interest was piqued – he had only really played a few times since I had been born. I joined him, sitting on the floor next to his piano bench as his fingers flowed over the keys, filling the room with a beautiful melody. It was dark and lifting at the same time. I felt my eyes begin to droop a little, overcome by the feelings that coursed through me.

The music stopped, and awareness came to me. I looked at him questioningly.

He was looking back at me, his famous half-smile adorning his face.

"I composed this for your mother," he said, fingering the piano keys lightly, without conjuring any sound. "Before I even knew that I loved her. Her face haunted my every thought, action, word. She was burned into my memory, almost as soon as I met her. I never knew that I was capable of such emotion." He looked away, gazing absentmindedly about the room. "But I was permanently changed after my encounter with her. Nothing would be able to be done for me. I was completely intoxicated by her." He half-smiled again. Happier, this time, and looked back at me. The piano began playing again, this time a more painful melody – haunting and full of unreleased angst. It was weird to hear anything that coarse coming from the instrument. "I never thought that I would be in this situation, Renesmee. I never thought that I would have a child, you must understand. It was impossible for me, seemingly. But you came, and then a whole new range of concerns were for me. When that dog imprinted on you…" I bristled a little at the derogatory term, but he ignored me. "I knew that the day would come when your relationship would evolve…grow into the physical aspects. You must understand angel that I know I have no excuse for my actions, but I love you, and I don't want anything to happen to you."

"Jacob would never hurt me. You know that, father."

"But you don't know that. You are just like your mother." He sighed, running his hands through his hair in his habit of exasperation. "She never understood the danger that I posed to her. She would let me lay by her side, inches away from her fantastic scent, even in the earlier days, when I was still not quite used to it, and she would trust me completely. It drove me mad. She had no idea what I could…what I might do to her. With one wrong move, I could lose the control I possessed, and she would be dead in seconds. You don't understand. Jacob would never hurt you intentionally, I know this. But you are still part human, Renesmee. You can break, you can bleed, and you can die. Jacob could crush you as easily as I could have crushed your mother. I couldn't bear it if that happened."

"But it didn't happen, father, and now you are only hurting everyone with your insane paranoia."

"When and if you have children, Renesmee, perhaps you shall understand the concern I feel."

"May that day come swiftly; I hate not knowing your thoughts."

He smiled a little. "I have spoken that phrase many a time, but be careful what you wish for, Renesmee. Now," he rose, holding his hand out to me, "I am going to hunt. Would you like to join me?"

I rolled my eyes. "You won't let me enjoy the company of my werewolf lover, but you'll come with me to eat mountain lions. Yeah, that makes sense."

He grinned, a smile that reached his eyes this time. "Humor me."

I rolled my eyes once more, before taking his hand and letting him pull me to my feet. We walked out of the back door, where Jasper and Emmett were wrestling, Rosalie and Alice watching on with thoroughly bored expressions. Dad extended the invitation for hunting to everyone else, but only Jasper agreed to go, leaving a very disgruntled Emmett, who I knew would have vowed to rematch my empathy uncle as soon as he returned.

We took off running. I was a little annoyed that Dad and I couldn't just let ourselves go, but we would be able to; once Jasper took off to find his own quarry. Since Dad and I both had preference for the mountain lion, we often took off on our own. This also worked out because Dad was still paranoid while I was hunting, and didn't like me being left alone. I was also the only one who could keep up with him. It was so exhilarating to be racing him through the trees, feeling the wind blow our tresses – both the color of sun-touched bronze – back behind us and fill us with the scents of the forest and its treats.

Jasper soon found a scent to his liking, and Edward and I could finally let ourselves go. The forest flew by, even as we flew through the trees, finding our own preferred scents. The lions were close. Very close. I let the need for the blood overtake me, the severity of it surprising me. I needed to hunt more often, I guessed. I tracked down the beasts, my father at my side, and we moved into a crouching lope as we neared the sleeping forms of the animals. There were three of them. I hissed in anticipation, flexing my fingers as my eyes took on their blackened hue, taking in the blood pulsing through their veins in the lions' necks. Though I had no venom, I could feel the pooling sensation that would replace it, if I were male or a full vampire.

Unable to wait longer, I launched myself at the nearest cat, my father behind me, flying at the next one. The animals had barely the time to yowl as we sank our teeth into their tender necks. Their warm blood pulsed hot and thick into my throat. It was so satisfying that I let out a soft groan. I drained the first one dry, already having my eyes trained on the third, which had not woken due to our quiet hunt. I climbed over the prone form of the first kill, leaping onto the third. My father watched me with a mixture of confusion – something I had barely ever seen him wear – and intrigue. I couldn't imagine why, but my mind was once more lost in the dizzying scent of blood as I drained the second cat dry also. Still I was not satiated. I rose, blood staining my jaw in my careless attempt to fill myself, and as I was about to head into the forest once more, I felt the oddest sensation in my abdomen. The feeling wasn't one of pleasure, but nor was it pain. It was simply like…like something was making itself known. The casual acknowledgement of a presence in my stomach. But it made the newly warm pool in my stomach churn. I fell to the ground, clutching my torso with a groan. Edward came up behind me, a hand on my shoulder, as I emptied the contents my recently-full belly onto the ground. I groaned again, and he knelt down beside me, taking my face in my hands. I didn't want to look at him, didn't want to move. I felt sick. Everything in me felt like…like it shouldn't be there. Sort of like an out-of-body experience.

"Nessie, are you okay?"

What a stupid question. I obviously was not okay. He smiled as he read my thoughts, but it was brief. His expression was concerned.

"What do you need?"

He obviously had no idea. But neither did I. I didn't want food. Or drink. Or air. I wanted…I needed…I…

Jacob. I needed Jacob.

I was on my hands and knees now, breathing heavily and trying – in vain – to keep my churning stomach from releasing contents that it did not have. Jacob, Dad, get me Jacob.

He nodded, just as Jasper came out of the trees, probably sensing our distress. I dry retched again, groaning and clutching my stomach, which I noticed was a little swollen now. Something occurred to me. Something that I had been led to believe would never happen. It…was impossible…I hadn't shown any signs of pregnancy…and it had been three months. Wasn't I supposed to have had signs by now? Didn't it take less time to start swelling, and morning sickness?

I didn't hear the conversation between Edward and Jasper, but my uncle ran off into the trees again, leaving me with my father, who remained by my side as time passed agonizingly slowly, for me at least. I had no idea what was happening.

I felt people arriving. I recognized the four-beat gallop of my lover as well as the faster two-step pace of Jasper. The russet wolf appeared in the trees, and Jacob fazed as soon as he saw me, not even bothering with the trivial concept of modesty. He knelt beside me, taking me into his arms while my body was racked with dry heaves. I heard his chest vibrate as he spoke, and made an effort to listen, though it cost me all I had.

"What the hell is wrong with her?" That was Jacob.

"I don't know." My father. He sounded distressed. "None of this makes sense." His thoughts were obviously along the same line as mine. "This is too late for her to be showing anything. Things aren't happening right. She's…I need to get her to Carlisle."

I felt the flexing of the tendons in Jacob's neck as he nodded, and he scooped me into his arms, running by my father through the trees. The rocking made me nauseous. I wanted to throw up so badly, but there was nothing to relieve. I curled up closer to my love's chest, trying not to make a sound.

"Shh, love, it's alright." His voice was a huge comfort to me, but I was beyond consolation. I wanted…I didn't know what I wanted! I let out a distressed moan as he laid me down, quickly pulling on his cut-offs. I smiled a little at the gesture; he was so cute sometimes.

"So, Edward, what's wrong?"

I had heard the tires dragging up the driveway, crunching the gravel. Carlisle had come through the door the next minute, all business.

"Well…I'm not sure, Carlisle." Edward stood behind the couch that I found myself on, while Jacob knelt beside me, holding my hand in his. I felt hot. My stomach was in knots.

"Alright, well let's see." Carlisle came into my vision, kneeing beside Jake and took out several instruments from a case. I flinched away from the coldness of his touch. I didn't want cold. I wanted hot. I wanted Jacob. I threw myself from the couch into his arms. I went from hot to shivering in seconds. Everyone was staring at me, stunned. Jacob wrapped his arms around me, a reflex reaction. I instantly felt better. His warmth surrounded me, closed me in. I curled up close to his chest and smiled a little, already feeling relaxed and less ill.

"Renesmee, are you okay?" Carlisle's concerned voice followed my movements, his eyes focused on my shivers with parental and doctor-like anxiety. He came towards me again, and I flinched away. I could feel his icy skin from way over here. It terrified me. I didn't want the vampires, I wanted the werewolves. I wanted heat, warmth, sun.

"Carlisle, perhaps we should…leave her be?" Edward looked at me with concern, reading my thoughts. I flinched away from him too. His voice was too sweet and musical. It hurt my ears. I wanted the deep huskiness of Jacob's voice.

Encouraged by my father's warning, the Cullens that were now assembled began to back away, dispersing in various directions. Carlisle and Edward stayed though. I couldn't relax around them. They were radiating cold. I was still shivering. I hated this. I felt Jacob shift under me, his grip loosening. I clutched him tightly, my nails digging into his shoulder.

"Stay," I ordered. He stared at me, and I watched in horror as blood ran in rivulets down his shoulder. I pulled my hands away, covered in his blood while the cuts slowly healed, and stared at them. My hands clenched. What was happening to me? What was this child doing to me? Was I even pregnant?

I shot out of Jacob's arms and out of the back door. No one followed me, not even my father, because my choice been spontaneous. I was out of the door before anyone could react. I heard my father and Jacob following me, but I had a head start. They couldn't run after me. I would outrun them. They wouldn't catch me. They couldn't catch me. I would outrun them, and I would outdistance them. I needed to run away. I needed to…get away.

I head a familiar agonized howl and my heart wrenched. I had been separation from him for so long, and then to have him near me for so short a time, only to be the one running away now. I couldn't do it. My body ached for the warmth of my love. I fell to my knees, holding my stomach. Sobs swept through me, uncontrolled and uninhibited. I felt the icy sting of tears on my face, could taste the salt on my skin. I needed Jacob so much. I needed warmth. I felt like I would freeze without him. Become cold and numb. I was hungry…thirsty. I wasn't while without him. My heart and mind begged for him, but my body replied to neither. I couldn't move, so I lay frozen at the base of a great tree, waiting as the footsteps came closer and closer until I could feel the waves of frozen aura that was my father, as well as the beautiful heat of Jacob. I curled up into myself, trying to preserve my body heat, though I had barely any. Sine I hadn't retained any of the blood that I had ingested, there was nothing left for me now. I needed nourishment. I felt so tired, but so edgy.

"I don't know what to do!" I cried out to the forest, screaming my agony at the trees and sky so that several creatures around me scattered.

The lope of the werewolf came closer. Jacob had, once more, fazed to chase after me, since he couldn't even hope to keep up with a vampire as a human. I let my mind wander, to shut myself down in the onslaught of the contrasting heat and cold of the two most important men in my life came to help me.

Was I pregnant? Was this some weird side effect of being a vampire-human child? The other half-human that had come when my family faced off the Volturi hadn't mentioned anything like that happening, but of course he could have edited. To help us. But wouldn't father have picked that up, and warned me? Or at least prepared for it?

"I swear to you, angel. Nothing bad is happening to you." Edward knelt before me, taking my hand in his. I shivered at the touch, but he ignored it. I knew that I would thank him for this comfort later. He had a gentle smile on his face, and I let myself relax. "Can you hear it?" He held our hands to my stomach, and tilted his head to the side. I listened too. I frowned as I couldn't hear anything out of the ordinary. I heard the wind in the trees, the animals living in the surrounding forest area. Jacob caught up with us then, staying as a wolf. He had heard our conversation, or so I guessed, by the way his head cocked to one side, his ears twitching around towards me. He came forward as well, sitting on his haunches with his head down, meeting my eyes. I reached out the hand that was not in my father's and touched the fur on his neck. He closed his eyes and bowed his head.

I returned to listening to the lack of anything. What was I listening for? Edward obviously heard something, but Jacob shared my apparent deafness.

Suddenly, his head shot up, his ears pricked. He let out a surprised whine, and Edward's smile grew. Okay, now I was really annoyed. What could they hear that I couldn't? Jake had a huge wolf grin on his face, and he snickered at my expression.

"What are we hearing?" I asked, annoyance finally getting the better of me.

My father smiled. "Listen, angel. Listen really hard." He didn't open his eyes when he spoke, and nothing of his moved but his lips. I sighed in annoyance and closed my eyes, leaning against the tree. What was I listening to? This was stupid.

Then, I did hear it. A soft, rhythmic thumping coming from somewhere very close to me. I must have been close to the mark, for Edward squeezed my hand. I heard the rhythm increase in tempo, and then slow when his hand relaxed. What was that?

"It's the heartbeat." I opened my eyes. Jacob had fazed and dressed while I had been preoccupied. I stared at him in open shock. I was…but I couldn't be! Was it even possible?

"But…three months…" I was beyond coherent thought.

He understood though. "I don't understand it either, love, but you are my imprint, and therefore the best chance to pass on the werewolf gene. So why shouldn't you become pregnant?"

It made sense, I suppose, but this was scaring me. I'll admit, I didn't know much about pregnancy, and the effects and suchlike of it, but I did know enough to know that this wasn't normal. I was so afraid. I looked at Edward with wide eyes, begging him to explain things to me, to make me understand anything.

His look was sympathetic, and he looked like he was afraid as I was. Was Bella like this when she was pregnant with me? What would happen to me? The fear was building up inside me like bile. I couldn't breathe, or speak. The heartbeat in my abdomen sped up until it was frenzied, and the males around me began to panic too. Jacob tried to calm me down, and I did try to help myself, if only for the sake of my unborn child, but I couldn't. I tried to slow and deepen my breathing, but I only ended up taking in frightened gasps of air. My hands clenched and unclenched around my stomach. I was going to be sick.

I leaned to the side, ignoring when my hair fell across my face as I hurled. How strange; I thought that I hadn't had any more left to lose. I felt Jacob's warm hands pulling my hair back from my face, and I waved absentmindedly to him in thanks. I felt the ice-cold presence of the vampire leave, and I sighed in unknown relief as I felt warmth return to me. I hadn't realized that I was shivering until then. Would I have to avoid my vampire family? I had felt so cold, frozen. It terrified me. Would the cold hurt the baby? I had no idea. Everything was strange and unknown to me.

I had imagined that when I did have children with Jacob – for I had no doubt that I would – I imagined the whole affair to be a pleasant thing. Pleasant thoughts were far from my mind right now. All that filled my thoughts was possibilities of what could go wrong. Where would I live anyway? With Jacob? I couldn't even stand the presence of my own father for very long. I flinched at his touch. Would I eventually flinch at Jacob's too?

What would this child do to me?


Author's Note: So this is the third chapter. I hope you like it, and that I didn't make anything too weird or whatever. Let me know of any mistakes, since I sometimes have to read it multiple times to see it. Love you all and Review!

HigherMagic x