Disclaimer: I do not own any of the recognizable Characters. No copyright infringement is intended.

Author's Note: First of all, I want to send a big thanks to my beta AgoodWITCH. She's so busy with work and her own fics, but she still takes time to beta these for us all.

I'm warning you now, this is an intense chapter…so be prepared. On the plus side, I was nice and didn't leave you hanging too terribly badly. You'll see when you get there…just be prepared :) Sneak Peek will be posted on my blog later tonight, acullenwannabe dot blogspot dot com I've really enjoyed putting that together and being able to post the teasers to keep it regularly updated. Thank you to everyone who is taking the time to check it out. In the meantime, you'll see the next update either late Sunday or Monday :)

It has already been pointed out that I used the name James before. This is a different James. Honestly, most guys I know named James tend to be jerky, so I find myself writing them as Jerks, but then when I got to this point in the story, my mind instantly saw Cam Gigandet's James, and thus this is the predatory James of the books and movie. Does that make sense. I normally attempt not to use names more than once, but I couldn't resist this time around!!!!


Unpleasant Surprises

Things went rather smoothly after we returned from New York. After much debate, the girls agreed to live with me for the time being, after I suggested that it was a waste for them to have to pay rent when I had that massive house all to myself. Beyond that, I was used to having them around. It would have been very lonely to tool around that massive house with nobody but Sue to keep me company during her working hours. She wasn't a live in, so every night at six o'clock she left after checking in with me and went home to her husband Harry and two teenage children.

It was only when I mentioned that I was scared to face taking care of the baby alone after it was born, and that it would be more prudent to wait until their fiancé's came home to find a place that would suit them as a couple, that they finally relented. I was so relieved I practically did a happy dance.

Meanwhile, Carlisle closed up their home in Washington, choosing to hold onto it until the market got a bit better and moved cross country to live near us. Esme scoured the neighborhoods intent on finding a place with a yard. She hated living so far away from me, but at the same time, she kept saying that she was certain that the rationing was going to get worse before it got better. She was determined that she would have a house behind which she could grow a vegetable garden to feed her family, and in particular her growing grandchild within my womb.

After much searching, she found a small townhouse that wasn't unlike our brownstone in New York somewhere in the Lincoln Park area with a small back yard. Within a week of purchasing the place, she had managed to prepare the ground and plant, forcing poor Carlisle to live out of boxes until she was done. I tried and tried to get her allow me to help, but she wouldn't hear of it. She barely let the girls help, insisting that she felt it was her job and she really wanted to do it for herself as well as the rest of us.

She wasn't the only one treating me like glass though. I knew they had good reason, the doctor was very unhappy with my blood pressure levels, insisting I begin to step back and take it easy. Once the company was in Marcus's capable hands, that wasn't hard to do, but to be honest, I was going stir crazy. I just had to get out and do something, but every day that I went into the office, someone would send me back home before I could put in more than five hours. Marcus was the worst of them all, and it seemed he got ten times worse once my stomach began growing, creating an ever present reminder of my condition.

That's why I was home now. I had gone in that morning, feeling like a tent in my maternity dress that the girls had worked together to make for me a few days before. It was really cute with a sailor collar with a navy blue scarf that tied at the bottom of the v neck line. I was only six months along, but I certainly felt as though I should be at least eight. Everyone, including the doctor, said I was just the right size, but I felt like I was about to explode at the seams. On top of that, my ever present balance issues were ten times worse with my center of gravity shifted toward my navel.

I walked in that morning feeling chipper and excited to get out of the house for the day. We were one day away from the next board meeting and I wanted to go in fully apprised on what was going on, so I wouldn't run the risk of being caught off guard. I settled into the small office they had set aside for me next to Marcus. I sat down in the chair, feeling flustered that it, along with everything else in my life, felt as though they were shrinking around me. I shifted a few times to get comfortable before settling back and looking over the briefs Marcus's secretary, Kate, had prepared for me.

I wasn't there long when I heard a knock at my door. I looked up and smiled as Marcus came in, sitting across from me in the small seat with a sigh. "How you feeling, Mama Cullen? Little one being nice today?"

I laughed, rubbing my stomach gently. I was so shocked the first time I felt the baby move. It felt like a flutter…sort of like a butterfly was struggling against my stomach muscles. Within a few weeks the tiny flutter turned into pretty solid kicks. Edward had been so excited when I told him about the baby's movements and the changes in my body. I even started taking pictures to send him every month once my stomach started showing. He now had three snapshots that he claimed he would tuck into bottom of the bunk above him each night so that my face and the presence of our baby was the first thing he saw when his eyes opened each morning.

He called us his angels, and from that, after two months of confusing back and forth letters thanks to the delay for shipment, we finally settled on names. If it was a boy, he would be named Gabriel Garrett, after the angels I prayed were watching over him as he served his country, and his friend. It was about a month after I told him the good news that the letter came, admitting that Garrett had been shot down about a month before I had told him the news. He didn't want to upset me on the phone and it had made him feel ill to know that the same could happen to him. What finally made him break down and be honest with me was the strong desire to name our baby after his lost friend. I cried over the paper as I agreed wholeheartedly, and with that, we were decided on baby names…a boy would be Gabriel Garrett, and a girl would be Gabriella Cherie. They were both perfect names for a perfect combination of my Edward and me.

I chuckled when, at that moment, Baby G kicked my hand as though making sure I was aware he or she was listening. "Yeah, the baby's been quite calm this morning. We're both having a good day."

Marcus smiled with a nod before gesturing to the papers. "It's a nice day today, Bella. Probably one of the last we'll see this year. You shouldn't be cooped up in here all day. You should take those and go read in the park or something. Maybe you could go over and relax with Esme while she works out in the garden. It's probably your last chance at some fresh air for a few months."

I narrowed my eyes at him, shifting in my seat to lean in toward him. "I know you too well, Marcus Volturi. Why are you trying to get rid of me? What's going on?"

He sighed, rubbing at his temples. "It's nothing big, really. It's just that my father and uncle are coming in today with their lawyers, trying to fight the stipulation in the corporate guidelines that is keeping them from being part of the meeting tomorrow. I was hoping to keep you out of the crossfire. With your blood pressure issues and everything…I just didn't want him coming in here and making things worse."

I sighed, sitting back in the chair and rubbing at my own temples. It was a balancing act with this situation. On one hand, I needed to put the health of the baby first, but on the other, I couldn't let them run me off from my own company. That would just make me look weak, and I couldn't allow the Volturi brothers to think that.

I tapped my foot as I thought things over, finally deciding that the baby came first, but if they somehow got around the guidelines, I would not be avoiding the meeting the next day. I started collecting the folders with a sigh.

"Okay, Marcus. I will go for today, but they are not going to run me out of this building every time they feel the need to blow hot air. This company is important to Edward, which makes it important to me."

He sighed in relief as he got up to help me gather my things. "Thank you, Bella. I just don't want them to upset you knowing how high your blood pressure has been running already. They are certainly not worth Baby G's health. If anything is mentioned, I'll just say you had a doctor's appointment."

I nodded, as I watched him slide the folders into Edward's briefcase that I always carried with me to work. It always helped to have something of his with me. Marcus carried it for me as he led me to the elevators with a gentle hand at the small of my back. He pressed the button for me, turning with a small smile as he handed me the case.

"You have a safe afternoon, Bella. I'll call you this evening to let you know what happens."

I sighed. "Okay, Marcus. Thank you for keeping my needs in mind. You be careful and don't let them bully you."

He smiled as he rubbed at the nape of his neck. "I promise, Bella. You have a safe afternoon. I called for the car to drive you home. I didn't want to run the risk of them somehow catching you out on the street. James will take you wherever you need to go."

I nodded. "Thanks, Marcus. See you tomorrow morning."

I rode the elevator to the lobby, fidgeting with the briefcase in my hand. For some reason, I felt there was more to this meeting with the Volturis than Marcus was letting on. He was always trying to spare me the gory details. I was both touched and annoyed by it.

The driver, James, made me slightly uncomfortable. Not wanting to bother Esme, I asked to be taken home. I knew Sue would be there for me to chat with, and her husband and son were supposed to be coming over today to fix a leaky pipe under the kitchen sink. I originally didn't think I would be home in time to meet them, but this turn of events was going to allow me the pleasure.

I hesitantly thanked James as he pulled in front of the house, quickly rushing up the stairs, tripping slightly on the top one in my rush to get inside as the hairs stood on the back of my neck. I didn't know why James gave me the heeby jeebies, but he did.

I opened the door, shutting it behind me and locking it securely before walking further into the house, calling for Sue. She popped her head out of the kitchen door with a surprised smile on her face that quickly morphed into a huge grin.

"Bella! I didn't expect you home until later. I'm so glad you're here." She turned to the kitchen to call over her shoulder. "Harry! Seth! Wash your hands and come meet my little Bella!"

I giggled at Sue. I loved that Sue mothered me so. It was ironic that I would go the first twenty five years of my life having never had a loving mother figure, only to find two within the course of a few months. Edward brought so much more than just his love into my life. He brought a whole extended family that filled the holes in my heart that I never really knew were missing.

She pushed through the door, taking my briefcase and sitting it on the couch as she led me to sit down, putting a pillow on the coffee table in front of me and raising my feet to sit atop it. "You know the doctor said to keep your feet up as much as possible. Just look at those ankles! You didn't put your feet up at all today, did you?" She pressed the puffy flesh with a frown before sliding off my shoes and massaging my feet and ankles intently.

I bushed as I shook my head. "Sue, you spoil me. I'm fine. They're just a little swollen."

Sue looked up at me with a flash of annoyance on her face. "A little swollen? Have you looked at these things? You can't even tell you have an ankle. It looks like your calf just sort of morphs into your heel. You have to take better care of yourself, sweetheart. Are you thirsty? Would you like some water or lemonade?"

I smiled with a nod. "Water would be wonderful, Sue. Thank you."

She hopped up, disappearing into the kitchen as I laid my head back against the couch and closed my eyes. My head was pounding and I was really wanting to take a nap, but I knew I needed to finish the briefs first.

Moments later, Sue returned with two tall men at her side. She beamed at me as she handed the water to me before gesturing to her older man to her right.

"Bella, this is my husband, Harry."

I smiled, reaching out my hand to shake his with a nod. "Nice to meet you, Harry."

"And this is my son, Seth," Sue beamed as she wrapped her arm around the waist of the tall slender teenager who appeared to be about fourteen of fifteen.

I smiled and waved since he was further away. "Seth. It's so nice to meet you both. I've heard so much about you from Sue."

I asked them to sit and join me, but the boys declined claiming to be dirty and needing to finish up in the kitchen. I thanked them for coming to help out and promised to add a bonus to Sue's check for their help. They tried to deny me, but I wouldn't hear of it. It was lean times for everyone and they deserved the compensation for their time and energy.

Sue fiddled about me for a while longer before leaving me to my briefs in peace. I don't know how long I had been there, but I must have dozed off because I opened my eyes to find that the sun was setting outside the window, but that wasn't what had roused me.

I heard another terse comment from Sue followed by the retort of a deep voice. Sue's voice grew louder and more frantic seconds before she screamed. I pushed off of the couch and rushed to the doorway to look toward the foyer just in time to see James standing in the doorway looking ominous, gripping Sue tightly around the forearms.

"You will let me in to talk to Mrs. Cullen, or I will just push you out the door and lock it behind me. Either way, I will speak to her."

Sue screamed again as he slammed her against the wall behind her, hitting her head hard against the dark wood. I screamed, rushing forward to tug at his hand. James turned to me looking absolutely evil.

"I have a message for you from the Volturi brothers." I reached into his pocket pulling out a long stick that looked like a short bat, as he released Sue who wilted to the floor appearing dazed. I backed my way further into the house as he stepped toward me, smacking the small bat against his hand with each step. My heart was pounding and every muscle in my body felt as though it were vibrating. I backed against the wall, feeling nothing more than terrified and helpless.

He raised the bat above his head, his eyes burning with an evil fire unlike any I had seen before. Even the soulless Aro did not frighten me as much as this predator. I let out an ear piercing scream, feeling the vibration in my chest and eardrums seconds before someone grabbed the man from behind. I did not get a chance to see who it was before the world went dark.

***

My eyelids felt heavy as I tried to open them. I felt disoriented and confused. When my eyes finally opened to the light, I was even more confused, not recognizing my surroundings at all. Where was I? What had happened? I had no clue.

I lifted my head a little to look around, lifting my hand to push the hair back from my face only to find I was tethered. I looked at my right arm to find a tube coming out of it, running up to connect to a bag hanging from a hook at the top of my bed. I blinked a few times as it all started to come back to me. Home, Sue screaming, James coming at me, and then nothing. I whimpered as I looked around again to find an empty room.

The door opened and a nurse dressed all in white came in, carrying a tray of supplies. She jumped when I rasped from the bed, my voice rough and hoarse. "Where am I?"

She put a hand to her heart before she slowly began to smile. "Oh good, you are awake. We've been worried about you, Mrs. Cullen. You are at Cook County Hospital, ma'am. You passed out after a fright and were taken here for observation due to your condition and history of blood pressure issues. We were worried for a while, but thankfully your pressures are better and the doctors and your family will be glad to hear you are awake. You just missed your mother-in-law. She's been by your side since you were brought into the room. Dr. Cullen made her go eat some lunch with him. They should be back shortly."

"Lunch?" I yelped loudly, catching us both off guard by the sudden strength in my voice.

She pushed me back down to relax on the pillow as she wrapped a cuff around my arm. "Calm down, please, Mrs. Cullen. Yes, Lunch. You have been unconscious for over nineteen hours."

"So, it's lunchtime on Thursday?" The nurse nodded. I raised my hand to my forehead, feeling dizzy again as the nurse pumped the bulb in her hand, listening through her stethoscope as she released the air before she gasped.

All the while, I continued to ramble, squeezing my eyes shut tightly. "I missed the board meeting. Oh, my goodness. I hope something didn't go wrong because I wasn't there."

The nurse rushed to the door to call for a doctor as my head began pounding again. Soon three more people crowded into the room.

"I don't know. She was fine when I started talking to her. When I started to take her pressure, she began to panic, mumbling something about missing a meeting."

I felt the sting of a needle penetrating my skin as another presence moved to the head of the bed, comforting hands running through my hair.

"Bella, sweetheart, it's okay. Everything is okay. You have to calm down, sweetheart. For little Gabriel or Gabriella, you must calm down."

I looked up at the concerned blue eyes of Carlisle. I reached up to grab his hand, feeling the world around me grow fuzzy as my vision blurred with tears.

"Carlisle."

He smiled nervously as he glanced over my head as the other doctor took my pressure again before his face relaxed in relief.

"It is okay, Bella. You are safe. Everyone is fine. The board meeting was cancelled and Marcus is furious."

"What happened?" I asked feeling groggy again.

He smiled, brushing his hand across my forehead. "Sue's son and husband were working upstairs on some other project Sue asked them to do while they were at the house and heard your screams. They ran down just in time to see James stalk you into the corner. They stopped him before he could hurt you, but the combination of the stress and the high pressures made you pass out. You and Sue were both brought here by ambulance. Sue is fine, just a bruise thankfully, but you were really worrying us. We're so glad you're awake dear. Now you just need to calm down and relax."

I felt my eyes fluttering closed before I remembered something important they needed to know. I opened them wide, surprising Carlisle. "The Volturi! Right before he backed me into the corner he told me he had a message for me from the Volturi Brothers!"

I saw the pure anger burn in his eyes as my eyelids once again grew heavy. He grabbed my hand, holding it tight in his. "Don't worry, Bella. We're going to keep you safe. They're not getting away with this."

I tried to thank him, but the words died on my lips before I could get past the first syllable. I felt his warm hand, brushing my hair from my forehead a moment before a softer voice settled next to him. Smaller, cooler hand replaced his moments before sleep won out once more.