READ ME!- Has anyone else read 'Catching fire' the sequel to 'The Hunger Games'? Amazing isn't it? Anyone else been to numerous Phillies games(NL champs), I know Chase Utley is so hot. Anyone else been to the biggest state fair on the east coast this week? Gets better every year. I haven't read the Vampire Diares but I love the show (should I invest in the books?) Anyone else have a college degree, been to countless job interviews and still not a job that has to actually do with your major? This economy sucks, I know.
(Rant ends!) So anyways the point is that I'M SORRY I've been very busy with the above things amongst other things. So, anyways thank you to my beta, letempspasse.You are the best and yes I agree on the Edward crooked smile, very sexy. I'm jealous about your cross country road trip, if your mom is reading this, hi mom.
Ever series I read, doesn't have a book coming out until 2010, every fanfic is taking forever to update! So I'm looking for a good twilight fanfic to read, so if you'd like to pimp out your story (or someone else's), add it to your comment.
Ok one last note (besides the one at the bottom, it too is important so please read it) this chapter is long (21 pages people) and it starts with a tiny bit of fluff, and then lots of drama. So a quick side note, I'M NOT IN THE MEDICAL FIELD AT ALL, I AM NOT A MOTHER so please people stay calm during this chapter, I'm trying my hardest here!
BPOV (29 weeks along)
"Are you sure you want to do this, Bella? I don't want to put you or the babies in danger," Edward questioned as his long, smooth fingers encircled my wrists, stopping me mid-seduction.
I couldn't help but laugh at him.
"Well Edward, it's kind of hard to stop now," I bit my bottom lip and lowered my head to look at our naked bodies; Edward positioned at my entrance.
Finally, a release for all of that built-up sexual energy.
I'd been hinting to Edward for days now that I wanted to have sex, that it was perfectly fine to have sex. It was one last thing that I wanted to do before he left to go hunting.
It was all I wanted and yet he threw me every excuse in the book.
"My family is here and can hear everything". He'd stated one day.
"What if the kids wake up?" He'd asked another day.
He wasn't in the mood.
I looked tired after making a nice dinner.
He FELT tired after playing with Eli all day.
So today, Emmett and Rose took the twins to the park, I ordered a pizza, put the kids to bed, kicked the Cullens out, and locked the bedroom door before I all but tackled Edward.
Now I was finally getting what I wanted.
Edward released my wrists, one side of his highly kissable lips curling into that crooked smile that melted my mind and sanity as his hands slid down to my waist.
I watched as he closed his eyes then he entered only the tip of his rock hard perfection into me, a simultaneous moan escaping our lips.
"Stop teasing me, Edward," I breathed.
Edward bent his body at his waist, hugging his naked chest against mine.
He tangled his hands in my hair, and started kissing my neck; while slowly thrusting into me.
I wrapped my legs around his waist, so he could penetrate deeper. A growl escaped his lips and echoed throughout the room.
Edward's speed increased and I tried to keep up with him, the friction of our bodies pushing me over the edge. An orgasm made my whole body catch fire as Edward's gentle thrust turned into full on pounding.
His head fell back into the crook of my neck, his teeth lightly grazing my neck. His sighs escalating in volume until he was shouting my name as he came.
"Oh Bella, Bella, my Bella." He murmured as he rolled over, leaving four inches between us. Even though it was such a tiny distance, I missed him like he was on the east coast.
I just hated not having his skin against mine, my warmth and his coldness mixing together and feeding both of our needs.
Thankfully Edward scooted back over; his left side fitting perfectly with my right.
As soon as I got the feeling back into my arm, I rolled over and lifted my head.
My hungry eyes caught the planes of Edward's chest and I just had to touch them. I let my hands roam across Edward's face, shoulders and chest. I felt so high, like I was on ecstasy.
That was until Edward broke the mood.
"Bella, are you sure you don't mind if I go?"
Edward has been asking me this question every ten minutes all day. I was trying to not let it irritate me, but truth be told it was.
"Yes Edward, I'm sure. You need to eat, your honey eyes that I love are fading. Plus it's just a little stomach pain. Probably just heart burn I've been craving chocolate lately." I was trying to be reassuring but let's face it, I needed some alone time.
"Bella, how does heart burn-"
I put a finger up to his mouth to stop him. He playfully bit at it, grabbing me around the waist, pulling me into him as he nuzzled my neck.
"I just hate leaving you unaccompanied. With Jake coming to get the twins for some wedding… We don't have to go to Alaska, we don't have to see the Denali."
I rolled my eyes. "Edward you will only be gone for two days. I know you'll be back when I wake up on that second day. The sooner you leave, the sooner you will be back and the sooner we can go to the ultra sound. Oh! - And we have to start planning the twin's birthday party! I can't believe they are going to be five in just two months. They are growing up so fast."
Edward growled.
Yes, actually growled.
A low, ruthless rumble in the back of his throat.
At first I thought it was the mentioning of the twins.
"What?" I asked, wondering why he growled.
"I hate when he uses that Transvaginal ultrasound instrument." He growled out.
I tried not to laugh at him but I couldn't help it. A laugh bubbled up and out of my mouth.
"You're not the one getting something cold and long shoved into your body." I kept laughing, my face burning only slightly from the embarrassment.
"I just don't like it. It's anomalous enough that Carlisle is the one doing it," His brow pushed down in the center.
When we went to our last appointment, I tried to not think of Carlisle as a family member, but as my professional doctor.
"Well, no worries because the next ultra sound will be standard using the Doppler. Hopefully we will be able to see the little arms and legs. Oh Edward, it's so amazing I think you might even cry! I swear Jake and I bawled our eyes out!"
The words left my mouth before I even thought about it.
"Ok, so maybe you won't cry…but I will. It's so cute, trust me." I was starting to get misty eye just thinking about it.
Edward let out a sigh, "I wish I could cry. Maybe I would feel human for once."
I swatted him on the bare shoulder, knowing it wouldn't hurt him.
Edward grabbed my wrist mid slap, and kissed my inner wrist. His cold lips left a blazing trail of cold kisses.
"So I was thinking about heading down to La Push to talk to Charlie. Sue called and asked if I was still going to Sam and Emily's wedding. What do you think?"
Edward stopped kissing my skin, leaving his cold lips pursed against my skin in thought.
"Bella, what if they hurt you? What if they try to kill the beans? I don't think that's a good idea."
"You just said you don't want me to be alone!" My voice rose, as I sat up.
"I don't want you to be alone, but I don't want you in danger. Bella, you are my life. These little ones are my life! I don't want you three to be put in any danger, at all." His hands flew to my stomach, where they rubbed small, tender motions.
"Jake won't let anyone hurt me."
"That's just it, Bella; he won't let anyone hurt you. I doubt he'd stop any of his brothers from ripping them out!" Now his voice was rising, becoming dark and scary.
"The babies are part of me, part of Eli and Masen. I know he'd protect them."
I let my hands cover his, leading the way in the circular motion. At vampire speed, Edward was on his naked knees, his face on my stomach.
He lifted his hands, taking mine with his. He quickly grabbed them and put them on the bed.
With his face still on my stomach, he formed his lips into a kiss.
It was just like we were back at our first ultrasound.
A kiss then a whisper.
Hey little beans. It's me, Daddy.
Another kiss then another whisper.
Don't worry, I'll protect you from this world.
Another kiss, then another and another. Edward started to trail kisses all over my stomach, making me laugh.
The moment was lost when Edward's phone started to vibrate on the nightstand. When he didn't pick it up, it buzzed another round.
"Maybe you should get that?" I giggled.
"I'd rather do this," He smiled up at me.
I let my hand slid out from underneath Edward's and pointed at the phone. "Get it!"
Edward groaned, then reached over and put the phone on speaker.
"Yes, Alice?" His voice was polite, but had a hint of annoyance underneath.
"Hi Edward! Bella, can you please explain to me why your future is just disappeared for the next two days?!"
"She's going to Charlie's to make amends… and maybe to the dog pack's celebration." He glanced at me, giving me that warning look. That 'I'd feel better if you stay away from those flea bags' look.
"Ok, I was a little panicked, but now that we all have that situated you two can go back to being cute!" She hung up before either of us could reply.
I felt my face start to burn. I forgot that Alice can see the future.
"She blocks us out, don't worry." Edward said, laughing at my embarrassment.
"I thought you couldn't read my mind," I smiled.
"I can't, but I can read your blush. You were thinking about Alice seeing our wild animal sex acts."
My face gotten even hotter, who would have thought!
"Wild animal sex, huh? I could go for a round two you know."
Edward just laughed in my face, which irritated me.
"I think you should sleep, love." He gently pushed me down, and then wrapped me in his arms.
"Sleep Bella, dream happy dreams. You are the only one to hold my heart, it will always be yours. Sleep, my Bella" Edward murmured, while kissing my forehead and rocking me to sleep.
-:- -:- -:-
The first thing I realized when I woke up the next more was that Edward was already gone. That thought was short lived though, because an agonizing cramp ran through my stomach.
It took all the life in me to keep from screaming my lungs out. I didn't want to wake up the kids, or even worry them.
I tried to sit up, make my way to the bathroom or the phone but I couldn't move. My legs felt paralyzed and my hands were attached to my stomach, trying to keep it together.
One, two, three, sit up! I chanted in my head, but I couldn't move. Tears started to fall from my eyes, dampening my pillow and hair.
"Bella! Yo, Bella are you up there? Is it safe to come up?" I heard Jake bellow up the stairs.
I couldn't form words, though; the pain was cutting them off.
"Bella! I'm here to get the kids for Sam's wedding rehearsal! I brought the divorce papers, too!"
I heard Jake's heavy boots hitting the stairs; "Bella?" came closer.
I tried to scream, to let anything leave my mouth, as the bedroom door swung open.
"Jake. Help. Me" I thought mouthed out, barely even a whisper.
"God this house smells so bad, can you open a window or something?! The twins better not stink too!" He playfully teased, as he casually strolled in.
"Oh God, Bella, are you ok?" He was breathing through his mouth.
I wanted to ask if he was an idiot! Of course I'm not ok! I'm in pain!
Instead I growled.
"Where's Cullen?!" He shouted.
I gasped for breaths, before answering, "Hunting. Help. Me."
I pulled myself into a tighter ball, trying to breathe through the pain.
"Bella, what do you need me to do? Who's your doctor? I can call him."
"Carlisle," I managed, gritting my teeth together to keep from screaming.
"He didn't go hunting. Hospital. I need…Hospital. Oh God!" Another pain ripped through my body, causing my whole body to spasm and go ram rod straight.
"Hospital, yes. Where are the kids? I'll call Sam to come get them."
"In. Room. Sleeping. Jake!" Another pain shot through my body.
Jake scooped me up into his arms. "Oh my God! Your sheets!"
I glanced down at the sheets, a sizeable reddish brown spot forming on my side. Oh God it was blood! It was staining the sheets, staining my pajama shorts.
Just seeing it made me sick to my stomach, and I kept my jaw tight to keep from throwing up all over Jake.
Balancing me with one arm, Jake reached into his back pocket and pulled out his cell phone.
He zipped down the stairs and ran to my car since it was closest to the house. He gently putting me in the passenger seat and sliding into his; reaching under the seat to get the spare.
Sam must have finally picked up.
"Hey Sam, I know today's all about getting the wedding ready, but I need you over here at Bella's."
Jake paused, letting Sam answer.
"No, it's not the blood suckers! I think, well honestly I think she's miscarrying! The twins are still in the house, sleeping. I don't want to leave them, but I need to get Bella to the hospital."
Another pause.
"No don't send Paul, the house reeks of leeches and he will freak out! Yeah, Quil will be fine, just hurry. Eli and Masen are here alone!" He hung up before Sam could reply.
"Is there any way you can get a hold of Edward? A cell phone, email, that little psychic one?"
"He keeps….his…phone…off." I spaced each word, having to take deep breaths.
"I don't…know…why Alice." I had to stop, cold tears started to roll down my cheeks. "Oh God, I was supposed to go to Charlie's, but…you!"
"It's ok, Bella. Don't stress. We're almost there!"
Jake pushed the pedal down harder, the needle getting dangerously close to the red. What would usually take a ten minute trip was shortened to only four and a half minutes.
Jake threw the car into park in front of Forks Hospital. He carefully picked me up and sprinted in.
"Someone help me! My wife, there's something wrong with her, she's pregnant and bleeding!"
His voice was so close it rung in my ears and made me cry harder. He must have called me his wife out of habit.
I turned my head into his shoulder, missing the warmth of his skin.
Missing my friend, my Jake.
Missing what life was like before things got, well, crazy. Present also was the guilt I harbored for letting our relationship get as far as it did.
For letting things get this crazy.
I latched onto his body with all the strength I could muster.
A nurse came running towards us with a wheelchair. She stopped right in front of us, signaling Jake to put me down.
"I'll call Charlie, and wait for him here!' Jake shouted as the nurse turned the wheelchair.
"No! Stay with me! Please! Owww!" I latched onto his arm. I needed him, I needed someone.
"Who's your gynecologist, honey?" The nurse asked, hastily pushing me through the swinging doors.
"Doctor Cullen. I need Carlisle now!" Almost letting it slip that he was the grandfather of the child.
"Ok, honey." She patted my shoulder, reassuring me.
She turned to another nurse, "Please get Doctor Cullen. We'll meet him in Room Three."
A scream left my mouth before I could stop it. I was in pain and I was terrified.
Why was this happening? I needed to get a hold of Edward right away.
"Don't worry, dear, we are here. Daddy, you might have to wait here. If we have to operate, you can't be in the room."
Jacob was about to correct the nurse's assumption when he stopped in his tracks. He must have smelled Carlisle.
"Just stay here and call Charlie! I want my dad!" I screamed, as I was wheeled over the threshold of the room.
"Oh God, Bella! They didn't say it was you! It's ok, Nurse Nancy, this is a family friend I can take it from here," I heard Carlisle say.
"Yes, Doctor Carlisle, if you need anything just call for me." She swiftly hurried out of the door.
Carlisle ran around the room, picking up different instruments and papers. He attached a blood pressure cuff, a thermometer and had the Doppler in his hand, all in the blink of an eye.
"You are losing blood fast, Bella, I can smell it. You are going to need an IV now." Carlisle said, still running round the office, picking things up, putting things down, and writing things.
Every few seconds he would stop, pick up his phone and run his hand through his hair, nervously. A habit he might have picked up form Edward, or the other way around.
"Jake! Jake!" I started to scream. I don't know if it was the pain or the fact that I still hated needles, but I needed my best friend right then.
Jake came crashing into the room, breathing through his mouth. When he saw Carlisle he growled.
"Stop growling at him! Hold my hand, you idiot! I need you!" I screeched.
Jake scurried over to the table and grabbed my hand, carefully trying to not squeeze too hard.
"I called Charlie, he's on his way. Oh God, Bella, I'm so, so sorry." Jake whispered.
His thumb started to rub in a circular motion. I had a flash back to when I was in labor with the twins. This made me cry even harder.
While trying to work the Doppler with one hand, Carlisle jabbed an IV into me with the other.
"Am I losing them Carlisle?" I asked in between sobs.
"I can't lose them. I can't let Edward hate me! He'll leave me again!" I was full out bawling now.
Carlisle grabbed my IV hand and tenderly squeezed. "He could never hate you. Now calm down. I can't work when you are like this. I need to get in there and see what's happening, ok?"
He paused and glanced up at Jake, meeting his eyes.
"Keep trying to call Edward please." He tossed his phone at Jake.
He squirted the gel onto my stomach and pressed the Doppler down.
All sets of eyes darted to the screen.
"I can't see them! The placenta is too hard to see there! It's as though the fetuses have formed an outer skin…just like ours!"
"Oh. My. God." Jake and I said in unison.
"What? Why is she bleeding then?!" Jake shouted.
"The fetuses must be feeding off their blood supplies. They are…changing. They are turning into vampires."
"So they are sucking her dry, from the inside?" Jake's voice came out like he was revolted.
Carlisle glanced up, meeting my eyes and holding them.
"Jake, please try to call Edward again." Carlisle broke eye contact and looked over at Jake.
"Doc, I think I'm going to be sick!" Jake muttered, putting his hand up to his mouth.
I smacked his arm with all my strength. "You aren't helping Jake!"
"Jake, focus. I need you to keep trying to get a hold of Edward."
I doubled over in pain and began vomiting blood. "Carlisle, help me!" I screamed, gagging again.
"Bella, I don't know what to do! Oh, my! I don't know what to do." He was panicking, but managing to keep his voice low so it wouldn't leave this room.
"Can't you knock her out or something, Doc?"
"I can give her a mild sedation, but I don't know what might happen to her or the babies!"
I felt bad for Carlisle, he wasn't prepared for this. When we heard the heartbeat, he told us that he wasn't going to even bother doing research. Now I'm sure he's regretting that decision.
Carlisle stepped out into the hall, coming back moments later with a syringe and a tiny bottle full of a clear liquid.
"What are my options?" I was panicking and not just because he had a needle in his hand.
Carlisle closed his eyes and sighed. He slowly opened them and looked at me.
"You can opt out of the meds and stay in pain. I can give you bags of blood, but you could still die Bella."
He paused.
"Or I can sedate you, it will knock you out, so I can get in there and see what's happening. I'd still give you the blood, but I don't know how the fetuses will react to the medicine. It could kill them."
"Pain, I'll take the pain!" I hollered louder then I wanted.
The room went silent as my words bounced around.
All of a sudden I felt Jake's warm hands slide against my cheeks.
"Bella, think about this. Just stop and think for one second. He just said you could die! Think about Elizabeth and Masen! Think about Charlie and Renee! Think about me, I can't live without my best friend. Plus, what about Edward? I think he likes you more alive!.. Well you know what I mean."
Big fat tears formed, rolled down my cheeks and onto Jake's skin, almost forming a mist were the cold tears hit his hot hands.
"I can do this Jake; you know this more than anyone. I'm a survivor; I have been for my whole life-" My body betrayed my will, choking off my voice as more blood expelled forcefully through my mouth.
The expression 'Never speak too soon' came to mind.
"Sedate her, Doctor. She's technically still my wife, and I say sedate her." His face turned away from mine and to Carlisle.
"It doesn't work like that, Jake. It's Bella's decision. She has a-"
"I SAID SEDATE HER!" Jake yelled.
"Carlisle, don't!" I pleaded.
But it was too late. Carlisle reasoned with Jake's words over mine. Using his vampire speed, he jammed the syringe into the liquid, filling the chamber. In the blink of an eye, he stuck the syringe into my IV bag, pushing the plunger down.
"No! No! No!" I started to thrash my arms and legs. I grabbed at my IV, trying to rip it out before the liquid hit my system, hit my babies' systems.
But it was no use. Jake grabbed my arms and Carlisle grabbed my legs.
"Bella, you need to stop this!" I watched Jake's blurring face command.
The whole room was going blurry, faces becoming white blobs. The machines and medical instruments whizzed by and turned black.
My arms and legs stopped moving, the pressure of Carlisle and Jake holding me down disappeared.
"I'm going to try Edward again...."
That was the last thing I heard before I lost consciousness.
-:- -:- -:-
The first thing that came to my mind was that I heard voices.
"Sam and Emily understand, Jake."
"I know, it's just…I don't want Sam to think I chose them over the pack."
"No one thinks you did anything. Now do you need a ride home? I was going to wait for Bella to wake up, but who knows when that will be."
Ok, time to wakey wake, Bella.
I cracked an eye open.
"Jake? Charlie?" I croaked.
My throat felt dry, like I'd eaten a pound of cotton balls.
"I'm here, Bells. Jake, go on and get…Carlisle."
Charlie grabbed my non IV hand and squeezed.
"Oh God Bella, I was so worried." Charlie said with a sigh.
"Bella, I'm sorry for everything that happened. I love you and I don't want to lose you. This is all so new and…scary. But I've been talking with Sue and Billy and they've been…explaining things. They told me that no one was allowed to tell me anything," He paused and took in a deep breath of air.
"You are my daughter, my only daughter and I shouldn't have blown up like I did. I shouldn't have ignored you and acted like you just weren't there. If I would have known that you would have ended up here…I wish I could take this all back."
Now Charlie was never one for emotions, so it was unsettling that he was breaking down now.
"Dad-" I started trying to reassure him that it was ok.
"No, Bells, let me finish this before Jake and Carlisle come back. It doesn't matter what Edward is, or what Jake is, all that matters is that you are happy. I love you, I love the twins and I'm going to love these little ones, even if they come out as…vampires. God, it's still so weird to say that!"
He laughed and wiped away his tears, and I knew it was going to be ok.
I was about to comment, when Carlisle strolled in, Jake strolling behind wearing that scrunched up expression I know so well.
"It's good to see you awake, Bella." He said, grabbing a chair and sitting down.
"How long was I out for? Are the babies ok?" I asked.
"You've been asleep just a little over twenty four hours. Good news or bad news first?"
I looked over at Jake and Charlie, then back at Carlisle.
"Good first, always good first," I kept my voice low.
"The babies are fine, the sedation didn't hurt them. I can still hear them faintly moving around in there. I'm not sure yet, but I think they still have heart beats. It's all very baffling and I've been in my office looking up research nonstop."
My face broke out into a smile and it took all my strength to not jump out of bed and hug him.
"Oh! Thank you, Carlisle!" My elation was palpable.
"But-" He started. His eye brows pushed down in the middle.
"I still didn't get a hold of Edward." His eyes dropped down, from mine.
"What? He was supposed to be back today! Where is he? Tomorrow is our ultrasound, we're finding out the sex. Wait…can we still determine the sex?"
"I can't see through the thick layer they formed around themselves. I can try the Transvaginal ultrasound again, but I really don't want to do anything without Edward here…" Carlisle trailed off.
"As for the rest of my family, I'm not sure? Alice's vision must be blacking out because of Jacob's presence." Carlisle finished.
"Wait, Alice can see the future? Oh, wow. Um, what does Jake have to do with any kind of interference?" Charlie curiously piped in.
"We aren't sure, but I think it's because of the way their transformation rules their lives. They never age or change, yet at any given time you transform into a whole other species."
"Maybe I should leave so that little one can see what's going on," Jake offered.
"Want a ride, Jake? I have a shift down at the… hold on."
The standard At&T ring tone filled the room. Charlie reached into the front pocket of his old flannel shirt.
"Sorry, it's the station." He said.
He flipped it open, "Yes?"
His face scrunched up, "No I'm at the hospital."
"Yeah everything's ok; you know how uncoordinated Bella is."
Charlie frowned and his eyebrows were pushed down, causing crease to form in his forehead.
"Sure, do you think you could swing by and pick me up? Ok thanks, Brian, see you in a few." Charlie then said a bye and then hung up.
"Sorry Bells, but I gotta run. There's a fire I have to respond to."
"Where was the fire? Are people hurt?" Carlisle's voice dripped with concern.
"Brian didn't give details. He's on his way here now but I can come back later tonight, ok, baby girl?"
I felt bad about Charlie. He really did care about me; I never meant to hurt him in any way.
God, how I wished my life would be simple.
I wished the Cullens were normal humans, but they weren't, and this life would never be simple. And I couldn't change that with all the wishes in the world.
"That's fine, daddy. I love you, good luck. Don't get hurt, ok?"
Charlie kissed my forehead then left the room.
"I hope everything is fine." Carlisle said as soon as Charlie left.
"I'm sure everything is fine. If you guys don't mind I'm going to step out and call Danica. Sam and Emily are getting married tomorrow morning and I'm sure they'd want their wedding party there." Jake chuckled, and then ducked out.
"Bella, I'm sorry about earlier, with the needle, I was doing what was best for you."
The look in Carlisle's eye told me he was sincerely remorseful. I averted my eyes away, the pain too much.
"It's fine; I know why you did it." Nothing more needed to be said, and thankfully Jacob came in so it wouldn't get awkward.
"She's on her way." Jake glanced behind his shoulder at Carlisle.
Carlisle nodded his head, motioned that he'd be just outside and left.
"Bells, you know you are my best friend, right? I just wanted to-" Jake's face looked sad, yet nervous.
I interrupted him before he could go on.
"Jake, I know what you are going to say, and I just want you to know, that I'm sorry. I'm sorry I let our relationship go as far as it did when I knew that my heart wasn't fully in it. You are my best friend and I should have just kept it at that, because there was always a chance you could imprint. You are my best friend and I love you so much. I owe you my life."
Jake grabbed my hand. "I love you too Bells, always have, always will. I owe you so much; you gave me the most astonishing, beautiful children that I love more than life itself. And as my best friend, I want to ask you if it's ok, if I ask Danica to marry me."
I was a little taken back by this. Yes Jake was my ex-husband and yes I loved Edward, but to say I wasn't a tiny bit jealous would've been a lie.
Danica was the one thing I could never be for Jake, his true love.
"Is that why you finally signed the divorce papers?" I asked, a little shocked.
Jake started to rub the back of his neck, a nervous habit of his.
"I just felt like it was time. I'm sure you want to be free of me before you have these two monsters - no pun intended. And I just feel like I should get this whole marriage thing out of the way…" He trailed off, knowing this conversation was getting too awkward.
"So yeah, divorce papers out of the way, I guess next step is custody? I don't really want to talk about it right now because of the condition you are in, but yeah..."
He was tripping over his words, knowing that the custody battle might get ugly. Thankfully his phone ringing started to beep.
"Crap. This thing is gonna die. Hold on let me call Danica real quick, I want to ask her something."
He picked up his phone and quickly dialed.
"Hey baby, no, yeah I'm ok, my phone's about to die. I want you to come in and meet my best friend. Just walk into the ER, go through the doors and stop at the nurses' station. Ask for Bella Black, she's room number three. Ok, yes, I love-"
He stopped and looked at his phone, "Crap, this thing always dies! Oh well. I hope it's ok, I really want you to meet her."
All of a sudden Jake broke out into a loud booming laugh. I wasn't sure what was going on, so I just sat there watching him.
"What's so funny?"
"Oh man, it's just…I just now realized that when I brought you in here I called you my wife and told them your last name was Black. That has got to be weird to hear."
I felt my cheeks slightly burn. I was so used to being called Bella Black that I almost didn't want to give it up. Not until I could claim Cullen as my own.
"Yeah, I guess I need to change my name back to Swan, don't I? I never really liked Black as a last name, anyways. Too many B's," I joked.
Jake's hand flew up to his heart as if he was hurt. "Ouch! That hurts! What about Cullen? Aren't you going to be a Cullen soon?"
I stopped for a moment. Was I going to be a Cullen soon? Would Edward want to marry me now? Would I live through the pregnancies?
"I don't know what's going to happen now. Do we get married? Do we just stay the way we are, me human, him a vampire? We haven't really talked about it…" I trailed off.
There was a lot of questioned that neither of us knew the answer to. Awkward silence started to stretch between us, until I heard a knock on the door.
"Yes?" Jake shouted to the door.
A beautiful, oval shaped face with blonde hair and blue eyes popped in. A smile broke out along her face as soon as she noticed Jake.
"Hey, can I come in?" The face asked her voice soft and sweet. Danica I assumed.
Jake stood from his chair and walked over to the door, opening it wide so Danica could come through.
"Hey, babe." He muttered, kissing her on the cheek and grabbing her wrist.
"I want you to meet Bella." I could hear the smile in his voice. It caused me to smile. My smile felt sad though. I was finally letting go of something that I'd loved so much for so long. Something that helped me get through life when I wanted to give up. Something that gave me the two best gifts I could ever ask for.
When they walked closer I got a better look of Danica. She was wearing flip flops, but was still inches taller than me. She was skinny, one of those 'I wear double zero' girls.
Plus she was really tan; you know, the complete opposite of me. It was just funny to think about.
I was what Jake wanted for so long and for him to end up with someone who was so completely my opposite made me laugh.
When they stopped at the foot of my bed, Jake started to rub the back of his neck. I couldn't help but smirk.
"Bella this is Danica. Danica this is Bella."
I don't know what I was expecting, either she was going to be complete disgusted by me because of what was in me or she was going to be understanding, and a friend like Jake. I hoped the ladder.
"Oh, my! Hello, Bella, I'm so happy to finally meet you. Jake, Emily and Sam have told me so much about you! You are doing a very good job raising Elizabeth and Masen! They are the two most adorable kids and so well behaved. Congratulations on being pregnant also, Jake said you are having twins again, wow! I'm so sorry we have to meet like this though." She said, walking over to my right side and reaching for my hand.
I was a little taken back.
"Nice to meet you too, Jake told me all about you as well," I tried to sound as cheerful as possible. "Good thing Jake was there to bring me to the hospital. He's a great father and a great man," I smiled over at him.
Jake's face grew slightly redder as I spoke. The sight of it made me laugh, and soon Danica joined in. We were laughing like we've been friends since birth.
"Yeah, yeah laugh it up, you two," He garbled under his breath.
"Ha, ha. I guess we should get going babe, I left the twins with your dad. I think Seth and Sue are on their way down to stay with you, Bella. If you need anything, please just call me. You have Jake's number, don't hesitate to call me. Jake, I'll wait out in the hall. " Danica gave my hand a little squeeze then walked out the door.
After the door shut behind her, Jake came up to my bed side.
"I wish I could go to the wedding tomorrow. But, I guess that even if I wasn't in the hospital the pack wouldn't want me there though." I frowned.
"What?! Emily and Sam still love you, Bells. While you were knocked out I called down there to make sure the twins were staying out of trouble. Which they are, by the way. But anyways, Emily told me to ask Doctor Fangs if it was possible for you to come down still. She even suggested that you be wheeled down in your hospital bed, IV bag and all just so you could come," Jake chuckled.
"So…they don't hate me for, you know, everything that happened? For choosing the Cullens over the pack?" My voice cracked at the end. Stupid hormones.
"Bella, this isn't them versus us anymore. Not with you being in the middle of it. Not with the twins being in the middle of it. The pack still loves you, Bells, even if you do smell like a bloodsucker." He winked at that, making me giggle.
"Thank you, Jake, for everything. I love you, you big fluff ball."
Jake leaned down and pulled me into a hug and it felt good. It felt like we were finally getting closure, like we were finally all right.
"I love you too, Hells Bells." He whispered, before kissing me gently on my forehead.
-:- -:- -:-
Charlie's POV
I knew something was wrong, when Brian wouldn't give me details on the fire. That feeling just got more intensified when he picked me up at the hospital. His face was sad, like he was sorry for something. The fire must have been bad.
Maybe the whole house was gone. Maybe even lives were lost.
"So what are the details, Brian? Where is the fire? People hurt? Pets? Any chance of the place being saved? Do they know how the fire started? Electric, vandalism, another person smoking in bed?" I started, but one look at his face told me all I needed to know.
"No one was in the house, but there's no way it can be saved. A neighbor called it in when she saw smoke. No one knows how the fire got started. As for the location? Five thirty three, East Eighth Street. Home owner, Bella and Jacob Black. I'm sorry Charlie." Brian kept his eyes focused on the road, only sneaking glances to gauge my expression.
I had to keep my emotions in check; the smallest crack could show my weakness. Yet I couldn't help a solitary sob from coming out.
The house that I grew up in, the house where Bella was born, the house where she lived with my grandchildren, were she was starting her own family was…gone.
When the car got closer to the house I could still see lonely puffs of smoke, fire trucks, other police cars and a large crowd of people gathered outside to watch.
We managed to get through the crowd and to where my house once stood. Barely anything was left, just the shell of the kitchen and living room. The tree that led to Bella's window was charred on one side and some of the branches lay blackened on the ground.
Fire fighters were digging through the wreckage, every so often they would pick something up before throwing it onto a pile.
I saw broken, scorched pieces of furniture, papers with singed edges, a brand new kitchen table broken in half, broken glass. All of Bella's books with burned covers, DVD cases melted together and scattered all over the living room.
I walked over to a set of fire fighters huddled around where the fireplace stood. They were holding a couple of framed pictures that managed to survive.
As soon as they heard me approaching they all turned around and handed me the pictures. A picture of Renee and I had survived, along with a couple of pictures of Bella with Jake and the twins. A single picture of Edward and Bella from years ago when she was eighteen was on the bottom of the pile.
"Sorry, Charlie. There's not much left behind. We aren't sure how it started, but we will let you know as soon as we get the results," Fire Chief Tom informed me, clapping a head down on my shoulder.
I tried to focus on the good.
Good thing Bella wasn't here.
Good thing Eli and Masen weren't here.
Good thing it didn't happen while they were sleeping.
Good thing no one was hurt.
It's just a house, it's just a house, it's just a house. I kept repeating in my head, but it wasn't helping.
This wasn't just a house. So many things happened in this house, so many memories, good or bad.
"Thanks Tom, I appreciate it."
Tom squeezed my shoulder, before walking back to the group of guys.
"Let's wrap it up here. Give Charlie some alone time, ok boys?"
Soon the fire trucks rolled out, all the neighbors went home and every one of my fellow officers left me standing alone. No one was left but Brian and me.
"It's getting dark, Charlie. Do you want a ride home?" Brian asked, finally breaking the silence.
"No, I think I'm going to stay around for a little longer. I have to call Sue anyways, I'll make sure she comes and gets me."
"Ok, call her soon, buddy. I don't like the idea of you being here alone at night like this. Here, take my flash light."
He paused, reached into his pocket and pulled out a medium sized flashlight.
"I'll call you tomorrow, make sure you're ok. Call Sue, tell her I said hello."
Then he was gone and I was sitting by myself, sitting where my porch used to be. I found myself with my head in my hands, wanting to scream, but no sound would leave me, hard as I tried.
A sound of movement to my left made my head snap up. Adrenaline surged and I turned on the flashlight, shining it into the black and smoky forest.
"It's just us Charlie; Paul, Sam and Leah."
"How long have you guys been here?" I questioned, motioning them forward.
"I think we should wait for the Cullens to get here," Sam suggested, stepping forward, Paul and Leah following on his heels.
"Well I don't know when they're going to be back, Carlisle said they're hunting. I'm not sure where, but-"
Paul cut me off, "We can smell and hear them; they are about a mile away, driving fast. Two different cars, six of them total."
Leah started to growl and I assumed it had to do with the Cullens' approach. Seconds later, as though supporting my theory; two pairs of headlights flooded the yard. I put my head down to keep from going blind.
The sound of screeching tires and doors being flung open so hard I was surprised that the hinges didn't snap right in two filled the void. I lifted my head to see the Cullens running towards me.
"Oh, my God!" I heard Esme cry.
"Charlie, what happened? Where's Bella? Is she ok? Where are the twins? Are they ok?!" Edward was frantically charging towards me.
"Bella is at the hospital. The twins are fine; they are at Billy's house," Leah spoke up.
"Oh, my God! Why didn't I see any of this happening?!" Alice screeched, running so extremely fast up to the porch that I thought my eyes deceived me.
"Jake found Bella and took her to the hospital…he has been at the hospital with her the whole time." Sam explained.
"As for the fire? It was Victoria; she came up to the La Push border so we chased after her. We were about fifteen miles out when we got a whiff of another vampire. I had Leah, Paul and Colin follow the trail. It led us right to the house."
"The house was already on fire when we got here," Paul sneered.
"Calm down, Paul." Leah chimed in, lightly bumping his shoulder.
"We tried to get the fire out, but we couldn't control it. We managed to kill the bloodsucker that started it and throw his body into the flames that spread across the back yard. We're sorry." As Leah spoke the last part she looked at me, then Edward.
"What's wrong with Bella? Was she in the house? Smoke damage in her lungs?" Edward's anxiety had begun to exude from his very being, which, I now realized, hadn't changed much in all these years. In fact, it hadn't changed at all. Not one bit.
"No, it was the babies…" I started when a collection of gasps cut me off.
"Edward, we have to go make sure the babies are ok!" Rosalie shouted from one of the cars.
"Rose! What about Bella?" Alice hissed at her.
"I'm sure she's fine, come on!" Rose banged her fist against the hood of the car, leaving a dent.
Edward had started to jog off the porch when he turned around and looked at me.
"Are you coming?" He asked over his shoulder.
Did I want to go back to the hospital and tell Bella the fire was at her own house?
Did I want to see her face, put her and the babies under more stress?
No…but I didn't want to sit amongst the ruins of my home in the dark by myself as the stress and terror left me no recourse save tears.
"Yes, I'm coming." I shoved off the porch and ran after them.
READ ME!- Ok, so I just want to say, no flames people. I'm not a doctor ( so excuse my medical terms, or ways of solving things), I've never been pregnant, so don't get mad because I've never experienced any pregnancy problems, dont know what they feel like and are offending you. If you feel the need to say something PM me, dont leave it in a comment. I actually had a different plot idea, but upon discussing it with my beta I figured people would be really offended and turned off from this story if I went with it. So I sat back and came up with a different situation that would still fit, yet I wouldnt have to change the whole chapter and further chapters. And I'm happy that I did that, because what I had in mind was extremely sad.
On a happier note, I hope everyone liked the chapter, and that the length made up for its absence. I am about a fourth of the way down with the next chapter, so whomever leaves a comment will get a sneak peek! So please review! I love them so and they make my day! I love you guys so much, thank you for sticking with me, this story only has a couple more chapters then the end :[
Much Love!
-BB88