ImPORTANT NOTE!: There is a birth scene in this chapter. I did the best I could to keep the grossest details out, but it's still worth mentioning. It's not fun. Just be prepared for that. ALSO! There are some.. Not so pleasant hints towards the end.
Onward.
Chapter Seventeen
While I could, I took a shower. Getting myself out of those sticky clothes and into a clean t-shirt, and a very comfortable pair of shorts. I wasn't sure who stocked this place with clothes for me, but whoever it was, I had to thank.
I felt a little better being clean, but I knew that wouldn't last. I had Mikah pile a bunch of towels on the couch, just so I didn't accidentally get the bed all messy. I had no clue what to expect so I wanted to be prepared for whatever I could.
I had no idea how much time was passing outside the room, but I was scared. Mikah spent most of his time timing my contractions for me, looking up answers for me, and studying up as much as he could while I divided my time between slowly pacing around and laying on the couch.
"This crap is like Greek to me." He sighed, setting his cell phone to the side. I should have been surprised he had an internet connection, but I didn't find it odd.
"Don't tell me that." I grumbled, pacing over near the kitchen.
"Really." He said, "How hard could it be?"
"Fuck you." I countered, and he laughed.
"No, I mean how hard could it be to help you through it." He corrected, "Your job is unbelievably hard. You wouldn't believe what your body is going through right now."
"Don't tell me." I replied, "I don't want to know."
"Noted." He nodded, "But I think I know the basics."
"Good." That actually helped. I couldn't help sobbing, "It's too early."
"Oh, don't worry too much about that." He stood up, rounding the couch to come to my side, "There's less than a month to your due date. Obviously, they want you to make to your due date, but if it's three weeks early, it's not bad. I'm actually surprised you made it this far."
"Why?" I asked. I just needed a distraction at this point.
"You ran out of room a month ago." He pointed out, "The baby will be fine. Unless there are complications, you'll be fine too."
"Complications?" Bad distraction. Bad distraction. I couldn't insist on his answer as another contraction stabbed at me. I winced hard, "Fuck."
This time, I had to sit down. Holding my breath, I carefully stepped forward and around the couch. Mikah followed, watching as I braced my weight against the armrest and lowered myself to sit down before letting out that deep breath in a whimper. I took another deep breath, slowly letting it out in an attempt to get through the pain.
Mikah sighed, kneeling in front of where I sat. I read the concern in his eyes.
"They're getting closer together." He pointed out once I was through that one. Each one lasted about a minute with about five minutes between them.
"I know." I whimpered, catching my breath, "Should it be doing that? Is that a good thing?"
"Yeah." He replied easily, "If they weren't, we'd have something to worry about. But.. That just means you're progressing faster than I thought."
"How long has it been?"
"Four hours." He said, "For your first, that's really.. That's really fast."
"How much longer?"
"It's really hard to tell." He answered honestly, "I don't think you want me digging around down there to check you."
"Not really." I admitted.
"Well, if they're this far apart, that means you still have some time." He said, "When you're really close, they'll be.. Maybe a minute apart." I nodded. That was helpful for me to know, but it also made me pretty nervous. I couldn't imagine this pain near constant like having them coming every minute.
"Where are they?" I asked, looking toward the door, "I'd feel so much better if it wasn't just me and you." I knew that that wasn't the right way to say that, but if he corrected me, I'd punch him in the mouth.
"I know." He replied, gently rubbing my arm. Despite trying to hold it back, I couldn't stop the tears. He continued to rub my arm, "They'll be here. Just hold on a little longer."
"I'm so scared." I cried pathetically. I hated that I cried. Shouldn't everyone be able to handle this? Nobody ever cried. I felt so stupid. This shit should be easy, shouldn't it? Natural?
"You can do this, princess." He assured me, reaching over and taking my other arm gently, "You're doing so great."
"No I'm not." I sobbed, shaking my head, "I'm so tired, and I'm not even close to done."
"You are." He corrected, "You are doing great. Everything you're going through is normal." I didn't bother replying. I just focused on catching my breath before the next contraction would come.
"Just breathe." He told me, his tone very soothing. After that, we were both silent as we waited for the impending contraction.
When it started, he knew by the look on my face, the way I tensed and the way my breathing changed. The silence definitely helped me through it. I focused all I had on staying calm, my eyes closed and breathing deep.
When it passed, I sighed deeply and laid my head back.
"Good job." He smiled, "See? You've got this."
"God, I'm so stupid." I started to cry more.
"What?" He asked, "No you're not."
"Why did I press him so much?"
"Who?" He frowned.
"Jack." I sobbed, "All of this.. All this is my fault."
"No it's not." He immediately replied, "Leandra, this is something he's obviously been planning for a long time. Something we never anticipated was how strong his ability has grown. He'd just been biding his time until an opportunity like this came up."
"And Edward was never there?" I asked incredulously.
"Things like this.." He gestured around the room, "Don't just build themselves. He and Bella have been working on this since we first caught him."
I didn't reply, looking around as well.
"Okay?" He asked quietly, "Don't blame yourself."
"He'll find a way." I whimpered, "I know it."
He sighed, "Don't think about that right now. Right now, it's just you and me. I won't let anything happen to you."
I frowned, confused as I felt the start of another contraction coming on. Looking to Mikah, which he understood. Concern colored his golden eyes, but he nodded. It hadn't been five minutes yet, and I was getting used to that little break.
"Something's wrong." I muttered, opening my eyes.
"No," Mikah said, "You're fine. You'll be okay."
More time passed. Minutes passed by like days between contractions, yet like seconds of dread as the contractions themselves intensified. They bounced back and forth between five minutes and four minutes apart for about an hour, then jumped to two minutes apart, really taking me off guard as my rest between them got cut in half.
The light in the room had to be dimmed, just so I could try to get a little bit of rest, and the light was bothering me. There was no way I'd be able to sleep, but I was exhausted, and I desperately needed to at least snooze.
Mikah had suggested a hot shower to help with the pain, and that did help for a bit. Walking or standing, however, made it harder, so I bounced back and forth between the hot shower and the couch. It took most of my concentration now, and I never would have guessed how tiring this could be.
I chose to snooze on my side on the couch. After the latest shower, I just left my clothes off. I knew they'd have to come off sooner or later, and it was getting too irritating to keep putting them back on, so I covered myself with a plain sheet. Just to save myself a bit of embarrassment, despite how I really didn't care at that point. I was so far beyond caring. If Mikah cared, he never let on. He stayed just as supportive as he always was, never showing an ounce of awkwardness.
I also knew I needed to stop crying, but on top of everything going on with me now in my hours of hell, I hated not knowing what was going on.
Mikah stayed with me the entire time. Not moving an inch from my side. His hand softly, soothingly smoothing my hair and gently rubbing my upper back. I appreciated his presence and his help more than I could express at the moment.
I wasn't sure how much longer I could keep going through this. My body wasn't letting up, contractions coming closer together, and getting even more painful. They varied between a minute or two. I was starving and nauseous at the same time. Cold, but also overheated.
So far, though, I had managed to avoid squealing like a dying animal, but I knew it wasn't far off. I cried, sobbing to myself, but I was pretty sure I was entitled to cry. I was out of breath almost this entire time from the slow breathing I forced myself through and the pounding of my heart at each wave of intense pain I was forced to endure. I would trade this for my final few weeks of achiness any day of the week.
However, the last few contractions, I couldn't help letting out a long whine of pain through each of them. I was being tortured repeatedly, and there was really only so much more I was able to take.
"Something's different." I whimpered, finally speaking to him as I uncurled from my position on my side and carefully rolled onto my back. Being on my side wasn't cutting it anymore.
"What's different?" He asked softly, coming around to the side of the couch.
"Me." I sobbed, "I feel different. I can't tell- Shit." I closed my eyes again, sobbing through this next contraction. The peaceful mood was so suddenly shattered, and I knew. I was just moments away. I just knew.
Seconds later, he tensed and I breathed slowly as he checked his phone.
"No way." He muttered, and he stood up, "Alice, you're brilliant." He moved to walk away, but I held onto his hand. He smiled a little at me, "It's okay. I'll be right back." I trusted him, so I whimpered and released his hand.
He walked away, and I looked over as he opened the door. He didn't have to leave, as he spoke to someone obviously on the stairs. To my intense surprise, Josh jogged into the room first. Coming straight over to me, taking my attention briefly.
"I came as soon as I could find this place." Heather's sigh had me smile a little in relief, "Do you even realize how far out of the way this place is?" Mikah closed the door behind her before she spoke again, "Alright. Details. How long has it been since her water's broken?"
"Leandra." Josh smiled a little at me, distracting me from their conversation, "How are you feeling?"
"Like shit." I cried, "That was a stupid question."
"Where is Andrew?"
"How should I know?" I asked, "He's busy." I breathed for a moment before looking over at him, "Help me up."
"Up?" He asked.
"The opposite of down." I snapped, and he immediately stood up, attempting to help me move. That was instantly a nope.
"No." I said quickly, "Nope. That's not happening." Instead, he helped me readjust how I laid. It was more comfortable for me to be more stretched out, but my shoulders propped up against the armrest behind me.
Heather, shooing Josh out of the way, kneeled on the floor beside me.
"Honey, listen to me." She told me and I nodded, "I don't know what's going on, why you're here, but I can't stress enough for you to go to a hospital."
"I can't." I sniffled, "I have to stay here. Besides, I can't move." There was no way I could just pick up and move. I couldn't even move enough to make it to the bed if I wanted to. Whatever was going to happen, was going to happen right here.
"What is more important than your health and the health of the baby?"
"Long story." Mikah offered from behind the couch, "Trust me." She fell quiet, obviously thinking.
She sighed heavily, "Okay. Just relax. I'm going to take a look, okay?" I nodded, more than allowing that. I needed her help. She spoke as she moved down the couch, "Depending on where you are.." She looked under the sheet while I waited for her to continue. She pulled on rubber gloves at the speed of light, and I felt light pressure against my lower stomach.
"Yeah," She sighed again, "I'm sorry, honey, but you're progressed too far for pain meds. You're just going to have to continue naturally."
"How long?" I cried.
"It really depends on you, sweetheart." She said, "I don't want you to push yet. It's too soon for that, but you let me know when you feel the need to."
"I want to now!"
"You'll know." She told me gently, "Just-"
"Don't tell me to breathe." I sobbed, and she kneeled next to my head again.
"I know, honey." She assured me, "I've been here twice. You're doing so well."
"Can I have some water or something?" I asked, she immediately nodded.
"Water, you can have." She stood up, "I'll be right back." I nodded this time. Breathing through the start of another contraction. Mikah followed her as she walked away, but Josh returned. Carefully sitting beside me.
He spoke, "Why are you-"
"Shut up for a minute." I mumbled, focusing on the contraction. He did as I said, gently taking my hand in his. I allowed that stiffly, focusing all I had on not throwing up. I ended the contraction with a handful of desperate sobs.
"Can I talk now?" Josh asked.
"No." I grumbled.
"Why are you down here, Leandra?" He asked, "How did they even build this place?"
"Shut up." I repeated, my tone intensely pleading, "Shut up. For the love of fucking god, shut up."
"Josh," Heather returned, "I told you if you didn't leave her alone, I was going to make you wait upstairs."
"Sorry." He murmured, sounding sincere. Mikah took my hand again, which I appreciated. He helped me sip from the small glass, which I deeply appreciated. I was shaking too hard to hold it still myself, but the cool water inside the cup was amazing.
"Do me a huge favor, though." Heather told Josh, "Go back up there, find my purse by the door, and see if my phone is in there. I need to call your dad."
"Okay." Josh easily agreed, jumping up.
"Fuck, fuck, fuck.." Those three words seemed to be all one word as I left no space between them. The pain was unbelievable, and I was so tired, but I'd never get to really rest until this was over.
"Breathe." Mikah reminded me, smoothing my hair back again.
"How do I open this thing?" Josh asked from across the room.
"It's a door." Mikah countered sarcastically, "It opens like a door."
Seconds later, I heard it open, so I knew he'd figured it out, but Mikah's hand tensed in my own.
"No." He called, "Josh-"
"Uh.." Josh spoke, "I think we have a problem.."
"For Pete's sake, Josh." Heather sighed, standing up.
"Get away from the door." Mikah walked away. I couldn't react to that as yet another contraction stole my concentration.
This one was different. I instantly knew that. An overwhelming urge to push downward toward the pressure clawed its way up my spine, but I recognized what that meant.
"Mikah!" I called, "Get back over here!" I needed to squeeze his hand. Seconds later, he was back. Thankfully. His hand returned to mine, and I used it.
A wave of intensely burning, stabbing pain squeezed my entire body, and I cried out in the effort it took not to push. Tucking my chin and sobbing. I knew no matter what, I couldn't push yet, but my body really wanted me to. It was a struggle to deny nature right then, but I had to.
I was so sure I was dying.
"Dammit." I desperately hated the sound of Mikah's dread-filled voice.
"God, it reeks in here."
"No." I sobbed harder at the sound of Jack's voice back by the door. I couldn't breathe. I was in absolutely no position to be tough. I was supposed to be safe here. This was the worst time in the history of my life for him to show up. I literally couldn't move, much less do anything to protect myself.
"Jack?" Heather was obviously stunned. I couldn't blame her. What else could go wrong? She couldn't see him that clearly, as the lights were dimmed, but I knew she knew something wasn't quite right with him. Mostly by the fact that he was here.
"I told you." Josh barked, returning to our side.
"What the hell are you doing here?" It was so strange to hear Heather curse. I really couldn't blame her for being distracted, but I was freaking out over here. I needed help.
"Long time no see, sister." Jack chuckled, "Nice to see you too."
"Leandra." My eyes bolted open and I looked over at Carlisle coming to my side. I continued to cling to Mikah's hand, though, unable to let go. He knew better than to let go of my hand, as I needed him too much. Even as Jack paced behind him, his eyes on me.
"Help me." I cried hard to Carlisle, pleading as hard as I could, "Please. Make it stop." I was shaking, trembling with the pain. It literally felt like my entire body from my upper stomach down was being ripped apart. Even between contractions. The stabbing, burning, twisting pain I could never have imagined before tensed every muscle in my body. Those 'practice' contractions held no light against this.
"Carlisle, why is he here?" Heather demanded, "Now is not the time-"
"I'm here." He assured me, ignoring Heather, and I found his calm very calming, "Breathe. I'm going to take a look, okay?" I nodded, agreeing easily. I didn't even care. It was hard to be embarrassed when I was pretty sure I was dying, and I trusted him. There was just enough room for him at the other end of the couch, but despite my trust, I couldn't watch as he flipped the sheet away.
For a moment, Heather was able to focus on me again as well. Taking Carlisle's silent direction, she ignored Jack for the time being. I appreciated that, as I was already pretty distracted myself.
"Whoa." Josh blurted out, "Dude!"
"You're naked." I vaguely overheard Mikah state. For a moment, I thought he was talking about me, but then I glanced over and saw Andrew kneeling beside the couch as well. Nearly shoving Mikah out of the way to take my hand instead. He was, in fact, pretty naked. He must not have had time to look for something to wear.
Mikah rounded the couch to stand near my head, which I appreciated. I didn't want him to leave.
Through the pain, I sobbed in relief at seeing Andrew there. Smiling the best I could as his other hand gently smoothed my cheek. Clearing my damp hair away from my forehead and neck. I was so glad he was okay. Despite knowing that the sound he made when Jack hurt him would never leave my memory.
"You're okay." I whimpered.
"I'm fine." He replied easily.
"Unfortunately." Jack grumbled, "I should have killed the fucking rat."
Ignoring him, Andrew went on, "Thanks to Carlisle."
I knew I wasn't going to be able to talk much longer, so I closed my eyes. Bracing myself and breathing deeply in an attempt to get my focus back.
I wasn't even sure what Carlisle was doing, not even paying attention to him until he spoke.
"Okay." He told me, his tone still very calming, "Everything is fine, but you're going to skip this contraction." Somehow, I knew exactly what he meant. He meant not to push, and that was really not what I wanted to hear. I sobbed in frustration, laying my head back against the armrest of the couch. This really wasn't the most comfortable place to be doing this, but at this point, I was not willing to move or be moved.
He looked over, "Heather, please go and gather everything you can from on those shelves back there."
I couldn't reply or focus on that, because my next contraction hit. Despite really wanting to be through this, I did what he said and fought the urge to push. Fighting hard. I didn't care. I just wanted this to be over.
I squeezed my eyes shut, gritting my teeth and squeezing both hands around Andrew's hand as hard as I could in my effort to resist.
"Look at you." Jack chuckled. I could only cry. Opening my eyes, spotting him standing at the other end of the couch, seeing everything, "That looks like it hurts like a bitch."
"Fuck off!" I growled at him, "What is he doing here?"
"I'm sorry." Carlisle told me, "But this is the only way he would allow me to help you. I stalled as long as I could."
"You've got this." Mikah offered, gently smoothing my hair back from my damp forehead, "Don't pay any attention to him." Andrew, still holding my hand, was busy rubbing my entire arm and shoulder in a very soothing way. Both of them easing me through the entire contraction until it faded and let me relax for a minute. All three of them were torn between being here to support me or go after Jack. Probably since Jack was keeping his distance somewhat, only standing back to watch, they chose to keep supporting me. Besides that, with Heather and Josh's presence, there was only so much they could do.
As embarrassing as it was that Jack had a front row view, everything didn't stop just because he was here. I literally had no time to stop and make him leave. I couldn't.
"Get any closer." Andrew warned, and I knew who he was talking about.
"Do it, fucking mongrel." Jack chuckled. I clung harder to Andrew's hand, hoping that would keep him here.
"Jack." Heather spoke firmly as she returned, "Really."
Jack answered, "I'm only here to watch this bitch shit out that bastard so she doesn't die in the process. Only she can fuck up something that supposed to be natural."
"Carlisle." Mikah murmured, "The others..?"
"Not now." Carlisle replied firmly, and I didn't like that, "Leandra, I know this is stressful, but I need you to focus on what you're doing." I sobbed but nodded. I would try, but with everyone talking at once, it wasn't easy. I was feeling really overwhelmed.
"Yeah." Jack piped up, "Focus, bitch."
"Everyone please shut up." I couldn't help it.
"Andrew, please support her leg for her." Carlisle requested. I wasn't sure if that was necessary, but I knew giving him a job would make him less likely to go after Jack. Pulling my leg back, though, did make the pain lessen. I wasn't using as much effort to hold it myself, and the support felt awesome.
Part of me wanted to feel very awkward, but the rest of me told me not to focus on that. All I wanted right then was to just get this thing out of me however it could be done without killing me or him. The instinct to push and the instinct to end the physical and emotional torture I was in were both the same.
"Carlisle." I whimpered. I needed to know if I could push yet because I was tumbling fast toward another contraction.
"Push when you're ready." He told me, and I sighed, "Push with all you have toward the pressure."
I made the mistake of looking passed Carlisle to Jack standing there. I struggled to catch my breath as his eyes met mine, and his small smile only grew. A solid sense of vulnerability washed over whatever resolve I had before.
I couldn't help it, "He needs to leave." I sobbed, shaking my head, "Please. Make him leave."
"Don't focus on him." Mikah told me, "Just ignore him. He doesn't matter."
"I can't." I whimpered, and I attempted to get my leg loose so I could sit up. Andrew held on, though.
"At least make him move." I plead, "Get him away from me."
"Just push the stupid fucking thing out so we can get back to business." Jack scoffed, rolling his eyes.
"Leandra," Carlisle spoke firmly to me, "I'm blocking most of his view. Don't focus on him."
"I don't care about his view." I replied quickly, "I care that he's here."
"You heard her." Josh snapped, "Back the fuck up."
Jack just laughed, "Really? That's adorable."
"Why are you even here?" Josh asked, stepping between Jack and me, "What? Last time wasn't good enough for you? Can't you just leave her alone?"
"She asked for this."
"No she didn't." Josh immediately countered, "She was asking for the opposite of this. She just wants you to go away. Just go away."
"You don't know anything about her, you little shit." Jack snapped, "You're starting to piss me off."
"Good!" Josh snapped right back, "I don't care."
"Josh." Heather looked over, "Just ignore him."
"Leandra." Carlisle took my attention again.
It took me a few seconds before I realized that I'd missed the last contraction. I honestly didn't know I could do that, but having Jack standing there was upsetting me enough to make that possible. Carlisle realized this as well when I shook my head.
With a heavy sigh, Carlisle dropped the sheet over me and stood up. Rounding to look at Jack. Josh stepped back, allowing Carlisle to step around him.
"Unless you want to cause potentially life-threatening complications," Carlisle told him, "I suggest you do as she asks." Josh came to stand beside Andrew, watching Carlisle and Jack.
"Get back over there and do your fucking job." Jack replied just as firmly, "You're lucky you're here at all. If I leave this fucking room, I'll be paying your wife a good, long visit."
"What?" I squeaked, but neither of them listened. I wasn't the only one that took notice of that, either. Heather looked over sharply.
"Jack?" She demanded, "What did you do?"
"You don't want that, do you?" Jack asked, his tone now a growl, and I could only imagine the look on Carlisle's face, "Do your job, and rip that bastard out of her, before I get in there and do it myself." He pointed at me. I sobbed hard, fighting the contraction I knew was coming.
"Jack.." I cried, causing him to look passed Carlisle and right to me.
"You don't know." He grinned, "Aren't you curious why there's not a single goddamn female here?"
"Don't talk to her." Carlisle told him.
I gasped, "Don't-"
"And the big one had to die." Jack added, "He was just too much trouble."
Heather stood up this time, but Carlisle looked back at her, "Focus on her, please. Don't let him distract you from helping her. It's what he wants."
"Are you that stupid?" Jack asked him next, "I brought you here to help the stupid bitch. I don't want her to die yet."
It took me a second to understand what he meant. I did my best to ignore the start of the next contraction. My focus was absolutely everywhere at once. I looked over at Andrew desperately, searching his expression. I knew he could see in my eyes that a contraction had started.
"He's lying." Andrew immediately told me, "He's lying. Don't listen to him. He's fine. I swear he was completely fine when we left."
"Am I?" Jack grinned.
"He's lying." Carlisle confirmed for me, "Emmett is just fine. He's only trying to upset you." I believed him a little more, but I sobbed at just the thought.
"But.." I whimpered, "Esme?"
"I have plans for her later." Jack chuckled, "I like that one." I looked back to Andrew, waiting for a confirmation. He didn't deny it this time, so I knew that that one was true. My tears only increased. Carlisle spoke to Jack, but his voice was far too quiet for me to hear what was being said. I could only hear the subtle hint of a growl in his tone.
Heather tried to talk to me again, but I ignored her.
Leaning down, Mikah spoke to me in a very soothing voice, taking my attention just as that contraction ended. I'd missed another.
"We'll figure this out." Mikah murmured, "I promise. Just please, please get through this." I laid my head back, closing my eyes. He leaned closer, pressing a light kiss to my forehead.
"I can't." I cried, "I can't.."
"Listen to me." His tone was still very quiet, still against my head, "Think about the baby. If you decide to give up right now, he won't live through it. Neither will you."
His cool fingers gathered my hair a little more, allowing the cool air of the room to reach my overheated neck. It was a very comforting gesture, and that combined with Andrew's continued arm and shoulder massage was enough to calm me down enough to pay attention to what he was telling me.
"I know." I forced my crying back, "I know you're right, but.."
"You're tired." Mikah told me, "It's been one hell of a shitty day, but this is one thing you have to do right now. Whether you're ready or not, you have to get this done. Whether you're ready or not, whether you're okay or not, it has to be done. So take your breath, breathe, and push."
Doing as he said, I took a breath and I steeled my emotions. I had no choice.
I nodded. It was easy to know exactly how I needed to push, so the second I felt the first wave of the coming contraction, I took a deep breath, and curled a little, pushing downward, right toward the pressure. Using Andrew's hand as leverage, and he held firm. Giving me the support I needed with counter-pressure.
"Carlisle." Andrew called his attention. He rounded back to me and he instantly focused on me again.
"Good, Leandra." Heather smiled.
"Good job, Leandra." Carlisle praised me, so I knew I was doing it right. I wasn't screwing this up, and that gave me the confidence I needed to push harder.
They weren't telling me to stop, so I took another breath when the old one gave up, and repeated the process. My contraction was ending at that point, so I finished up that push and relaxed for a moment. As much as I could.
Just those two pushes stole a whole hell of a lot of what energy I had left in me. I wasn't prepared for that.
Andrew leaned forward, lightly pressing his forehead against the side of my head.
"You're doing so well, Leandra." He murmured softly as I sobbed in exhaustion, tears flooding my cheeks. He knew I was tired, but there was literally no going back at this point. I was extremely grateful for his encouragement, as well as Mikah's cool hand still smoothing my forehead. The pain was still so intense, I could feel it in my bones and joints, but it was now rivaling my exhaustion. Keeping me from giving up, despite how much I really wanted to.
I did everything I could to ignore Jack's movements as he took a few steps closer and to the side to watch. Thankfully, he didn't say anything.
"A few more pushes, Leandra." Carlisle reminded me, and I realized I'd been slacking off.
"I'm so tired." I cried, unable to help it.
"I know." He replied, "I know you are, but you have to keep going."
"I can't do it." I sobbed hard, literally gasping for breath now. I felt like I couldn't breathe around the pain, but I knew it was just the massive effort my body was giving without even trying.
"You can." Carlisle told me firmly, "You're so close. You're almost done."
"You're almost done." Heather confirmed, nodding, "Come on, sweetheart. You can do this. Just a few more good tries."
I took comfort in that. They were right. I was almost done. My other hand moved from holding my leg up, to grabbing hold of the back of the couch for better leverage. Mikah reached over me and held my leg back for me, which I deeply appreciated. With so much going on, it was very hard to keep it back myself. From the corner of my eye, I noticed Josh leaning over for a look.
Sniffling hard, I sucked in a deep breath and pushed with every ounce of strength I still had in my body. Crying out in my effort. It was going to take more than I'd been giving. I had to give it all I had. I owed it to the baby to give more than I had been giving.
"Good." Carlisle told me, "Good job." I wasn't really listening anymore. I sobbed out loudly the old breath I'd used up. My sobs echoing back at me from the walls as I gasped in more breath. The pain only increased as I felt progress, gasping in another, deeper breath and pushing one more time. Glancing over for a split second at Jack.
"Get him away from me!" I cried hard mid-push through clenched teeth, but they ignored that.
"Again." Carlisle instructed me, and I followed his instruction without thinking. Giving one last hard push. As hard as I could, trembling violently with the intense effort I was giving.
Suddenly, the pressure was gone. Just like that, my pushing ended. I gasped deeply at the intense emptiness I wasn't prepared for, coughing out a cry at the abruptness of it. All at once, my entire body just relaxed. The tension I didn't realize I felt just left as quickly as the baby did, and I laid back, trying to catch my breath as I clearly heard the cough of a very new infant. The next sound I heard was a loud, gurgling wail following that cough.
I sobbed out loud at the next cry from the baby, clearly hearing Andrew's quiet laugh beside me. I wasn't sure how long I laid there, as I was pretty sure I must have passed out for a moment, because I didn't remember anything until my arms instinctively came up around the very warm weight that was laid on my chest, and that was when I finally looked down. Still very messy, but a dark pink color, a squirming and squalling baby laid face down on me.
It felt like I was in a daze. Like I literally couldn't grasp what had just happened. Looking at the baby, it was suddenly very easy to ignore the pain I was still in. I studied him. He had a lot of very dark hair, and I tried to get a good look at his face, but he was too busy squalling to really give me a good look. I fought my own emotion before carefully lifting him and pulling him a little higher and held him more securely.
"Jesus." Jack laughed, but I wasn't really listening, though. Far too busy studying the thing that had just exited me in a very weird and painful way. I vaguely noticed Jack walk away toward the other side of the room.
Heather handed me more sheets, which I accepted easily, starting to clean off the baby a little more myself with trembling hands. Carefully wiping goo and blood away from him, starting at his face. He seemed to calm down as I did that, whimpering now but his squalling had quieted down. Now and then giving a single good cry or cough.
I laid my head back once I was satisfied for now, closing my eyes and breathing. I ignored everything, too wiped out to do much of anything else. Left over emotion forced tears from behind my closed eyes, but I didn't even try to stop them.
"Mikah." Andrew spoke, "Thank you. Thank you for taking care of her."
"Of course." Mikah replied, "Are you okay?"
"Still a bit sore." He said, "But I'll be okay. I came as soon as I could." I was really appreciating their civil conversation.
Mikah spoke again, "Carlisle-"
"Not now." Carlisle replied, shutting him up yet again. I gathered that I wasn't done yet, but the hard part was over. As far as I knew, my job was done.
My attention was taken by the baby again as he started squirming once more after a moment of laying there. Seeming to poke around weakly with his face.
"W-What is he doing?" I asked.
"Are you still planning on giving him away?" Carlisle asked me.
That seemed like a very odd question for the moment.
"I don't know." I murmured hesitantly. Holding him this way, I suddenly doubted my ability to let him go.
"If not," Carlisle replied, "I suggest you feed him."
"Feed?" I asked breathlessly. Of course I knew what he meant, but I didn't know I'd have to figure this out this soon. I actually hadn't planned on ever having to do that, but the circumstances tonight had changed every one of my plans already. I knew by now just to go with it.
"It would be very beneficial for both of you." He told me, mistaking my nervousness as reluctance. Heather smiled, and stepped closer, about to help me but Mikah beat her to it.
"Here." Mikah rounded the couch, and I looked over at him. Andrew moved out of the way to give him room. Picking the baby up gently, he moved the sheet away from my chest and laid him sideways across me. Heather oversaw, probably just to make sure he was giving me the right instruction.
My arm once more came up to instinctively cradle him. Now that I had him in a more secure hold, it was almost easy to figure out what he was after, but it was far from easy figuring out how to get him on there. I was just as clumsy, it seemed, as he was. It took me a moment to get him centered, but when I did, he clamped on like he was starving, and though it didn't necessarily hurt, I jumped.
"If it hurts," Mikah said, "Take him off and try again." I shook my head, watching the baby now.
"It's fine." I replied, and he nodded. I actually thought it would be more weird than it was. It was weird, no doubt, but it also seemed natural. Like this was what I was supposed to do.
"How did you know how to do that?" I asked him, and he shrugged.
"I grew up with four younger siblings, remember?" He asked, "I saw a lot of that growing up." He reached over, very gently smoothing the baby's hair with the back of two fingers.
"Now," Mikah sighed hesitantly and I looked over, "I love you, I'm proud of you, but.. I uh.."
"Go ahead." I nodded, knowing what he was getting at. There was blood absolutely everywhere. Almost my entire lower half was splattered and smeared in it. The baby was still coated in it, as well as my arms and the sheets. He was probably in agony. "Thank you."
"No problem." He replied, smoothing my hair back one more time before making his hasty retreat. Andrew returned to my side, leaning over for a closer look. He wouldn't be able to see much, but that didn't stop him from looking and lightly touching one of the baby's tiny feet.
"You did so great, Leandra." Heather smiled again, looking at the baby as well, "Once he's done, we'll get a look at him." I nodded, accepting that.
"And where the fuck do you think you're going?" I turned my head, trying to look back at Jack's incredulous tone. Heather's smile faded as she looked over as well.
"Out." Mikah snapped in reply.
"I don't fucking think so." Jack scoffed, "Get your ass back over there. Nobody leaves this room. Nobody in or out."
"You're joking." Mikah muttered flatly, "Do you not smell that?"
"Isn't it like your job to ignore it, or whatever it is you fucks do?" Jack countered, "Don't be such a pussy and suck it the fuck up. Now that the little shit has been extracted, I got plans for that bitch, and nobody is going to fuck it up this time."
"Jack." Heather glared, "Really. I don't know what you think you're doing, but you need to leave."
"Shut up." Jack scoffed, "Nobody asked you to pipe up, Heather. Run your fucking mouth at someone who cares."
"Don't talk to her like that." I barked toward him.
"It doesn't bother me, honey." She assured me.
"You shut the fuck up." Jack barked back at me, "Focus on that fucking rat sucking on you, because you won't be able to much longer." Of course that made me nervous, and I looked back down at the baby.
Nervously, I looked over at Andrew. He stood up. Reaching over, I grabbed his hand. Completely ignoring the fact that he was still naked.
I needed him to be okay. If it came down to it, I needed him to be able to run with the baby onto the reservation. He would need to be the one to protect him, as I was nowhere near strong enough to defend myself, much less protect him. He had to be the strong one.
"And you." Jack noticed, looking over, "Put some goddamn clothes on, and sit your ass back down. Nobody asked you to stand up, rover. Put it away, because I don't want to see that shit."
"Sit down, sweetie." Heather told him, but I knew by her tone that she knew it wouldn't work.
"Does it bother you?" Andrew goaded him.
"No." Jack laughed, "It makes me feel sorry for you, and for her. I actually can't believe you managed to knock her up with that thing."
"Can we not do this right now?" I snapped, disgusted.
"Sorry to be the one to break this to you," Jack went on, ignoring me, "But she's used to something much bigger. Seriously. Did she even feel it?"
"What the hell, Jack?" Heather demanded.
"I don't need to brag to make myself feel better." Andrew countered, and before I could say anything, Mikah spoke up.
"Are you freaking kidding me right now?" Mikah asked, "Are you two seriously arguing about this?"
My thoughts started working again, and I was about to ask Carlisle what he was still doing there, until I felt something else leave me.
Oh, right. The placenta. That had to come out too. Obviously that was something that couldn't be rushed.
Once that was out of there, he looked to me.
"I'm just going to press a bit to make sure it all detached and to check for any abnormal bleeding." He told me and I nodded. He reached up, pressing on my lower stomach, searching for anything out of the ordinary. I was still rather sore, but I didn't complain much. It seemed stupid to be embarrassed now that everyone in the room had seen everything, and my part was over. All I had to do was sit there and let him repair the damage, which was perfectly fine by me.
"Shut the fuck up." Jack told Mikah, "Just because you're the one guy on the face of the fucking earth that that fucking whore hasn't slept with, doesn't mean you have to open your trap."
"What is even going on right now?" Josh, the silent observer, threw in. At some point, he had drifted back toward the other side of the room.
"She's not a whore." Andrew was getting pissed.
"That's right." Jack replied, "Whores charge money. Sluts fuck for free. Only a goddamn slut would give it up knowing she belonged to someone else."
"She doesn't belong to you." Andrew growled.
"Um.. Yeah." Jack chuckled, "She does. Ask her."
"Andrew, stop egging him on." Heather told him. I tugged at his hand, trying to force him to sit down.
"She and I both know that the whole time she was with you, she was thinking of me."
"Probably hoping you were dead." Andrew scoffed.
"Wishing it was me." Jack corrected, "Because you just weren't doing it for her-"
"Shut the fuck up!" I flinched at Mikah's shout, looking back at him again, "Both of you, for fuck's sake!"
"Mr. Jealous over here." Jack laughed, "You're just mad because she went for the fucking dog before you could get your paws on her. Well, get over it. I'm sure she'll be bouncing back soon enough. Although who knows, once I'm fucking done with her. Tell you what, I'll leave you one of her hands so you can use it-"
The sound of someone's fist hitting someone else had me look over sharply. Andrew's laughter told me it was Jack that got punched. Mikah bounded back as Jack straightened up.
"Do it again!" Josh cheered him on.
"Stop it." Carlisle called, "All of you. Heather, I need your help." That seemed to remind her. She returned to his side, kneeling back down beside the couch.
"I guess I did deserve that." Jack allowed, "Not a bad hit. Don't fucking try that again, but not bad."
Still dazed, I finally paid attention to Carlisle and Heather again.
"What are you doing now?" I asked, mostly curious.
"You have some minor tearing." He replied, "I'm adding a few stitches to help with the healing process." I didn't doubt that one bit. I had zero doubts that I was a wreck down there. I was glad, though, that he said the word 'minor'. A little bit of tearing was the least of my worries after what just happened.
"Oh." I mumbled, sighing.
"Is the baby still feeding?" He asked me, and I looked down.
"No." I replied sleepily, "I think he's sleeping now."
"Okay." He nodded a little, "Andrew, would you please take him? As soon as I'm finished, she needs to rest."
"Yeah." Andrew agreed easily, grabbing a clean sheet from the pile next to me and carefully lifting the baby away from me. I watched him closely during the whole transfer and for a moment after the baby was settled in his arms. As far as I could tell, he stayed asleep. It was the weirdest feeling now being separated from him. He was a whole separate person now.
Up until now, we'd been the same person. One in the same. It was almost scary to realize that I couldn't shield him anymore, the way I had been since he was created. He was no longer in the protective little bubble of my belly, but seeing Andrew holding him protectively made me feel better about that. I knew he was in good hands.
I laid my head back, sighing as I closed my eyes.
"Shouldn't I..?" Mikah spoke up.
"It'll keep him calm." Carlisle replied simply without looking up.
"Leandra?" I looked over as Josh approached again, almost hesitantly.
"Yeah." I said, "It's safe now. I wouldn't quite say I'm human again, but.. I'm not gonna bite your head off."
"Good." He said, and to my confusion, he reached into the back pocket of his jeans and pulled out his wallet, "Well, I'm just going to let you know now that that.. Well, watching that.. I'm scared shitless, but you need this more than I do."
Opening his wallet, he pulled out a condom and handed it to me. I looked down at it and really couldn't help laughing. Despite the pain, it was the funniest thing that he'd done in a long time.
"Ow." I laughed, "God, Josh."
"What?" He laughed a little as well, "I'm serious. Use that next time."
"It's funny that you think I'm ever having sex again." I replied, "You can't imagine how bad that sucked. If anyone comes near me with one of those again, I'll rip it off and throw it in the river."
"Ahem." Andrew muttered, turning and walking a few steps away. This time Heather laughed as well, despite her tension, shaking her head. After a moment, the laughter died down, though and I sighed.
"Thank you, Josh." I said, "Not just for this, but for always being there when I needed you."
"It's my job." He replied with a small smile, "But you're welcome." He leaned down and kissed my forehead, but he lingered there for a moment. I closed my eyes, feeling the obvious sweetness of the action.
I couldn't help smiling a little as well, looking up at him as he stood back up.
"I've gotta say, though." He said, "You're way tougher than I am. That.. Was amazing. No joke."
"I thought it scared you shitless?" I lightly joked.
"It did." He replied, "It definitely did, but I can be scared shitless and admire it at the same time. I mean.. God. You just pushed a person out of you."
"Thanks for reminding me." I countered, laughing sleepily, "I almost forgot." For emphasis, I gestured weakly to Heather and Carlisle still working on patching me up. They must have been using anesthetic or something, because I couldn't feel it. Which I was extremely grateful for.
"I just know I'm gonna be way more careful in the future."
"Good." Heather spoke up, "Keep that in mind. If only Zack could have been here."
"Last time I checked," I told her, "He still claimed virgin. Well, I don't actually mean 'check', but.."
"I know what you mean." She laughed a little, "And that is really relieving to hear."
"I'll make sure he knows." Josh nodded, "Trust me."
I was appreciating this banter. It was still my normal, but looking around, I could definitely see that everyone else was distracted. The firm look of tension never left Carlisle's eyes, and now Mikah mirrored him. Though Andrew had yet to look away from the baby in his arms, he seemed worried as well.
I reached out to him, though. Taking his attention. He looked at me as my slight smile faded, and between us, we communicated silently. It was the strangest thing.
I knew he understood me, and I knew he knew I understood him. No matter what, make sure the baby is safe. It was his job now to ensure he got to safety. I'd done everything I possibly could to make sure the baby got a chance. Now it was Andrew's turn.
But I also knew he knew what that would mean. It would mean he had to leave me behind. He couldn't carry both me and the baby at the same time, and I was in absolutely no condition to try to hold onto him while carrying the baby at the same time. I would only slow him down, so if he had to run, he would take the baby with him. He was way too important to risk him that way.
At that point, the baby whimpered, taking his attention. I closed my eyes, laying my head back again.
"Look," Heather spoke up, but I knew by her tone that it wasn't at me, "I don't know what you think you're doing here, Jack, but.. Nobody asked you to come back."
"So now I need an invitation?" Jack scoffed, "Good God, you're.. You're always like this."
"Can you blame me?" She demanded.
"Do you have any idea what I've done for you?" He demanded right back, "What I've been trying to do since you took that fucking tramp in? You should be at my feet, bitch, thanking me."
"Don't you talk to her like that." Josh barked, unable to keep it back. I opened my eyes briefly and looked back at Jack.
"You shut up." Jack pointed at him, "You're on my shitlist already. I helped raise your ass."
"You have no reason to be here." Heather ignored their small argument, "Why-"
"You don't know my reasons." He laughed humorlessly.
"I don't know what you think these poor people have done to you, but whatever happened back then was all your fault, Jack." She told him firmly, "You brought everything on yourself, and now that I can do something about it, I'll be damned if I'm going to let you torment her."
"For fuck's sake, Heather, shut the fuck up." Jack sounded bored, "You have no fucking idea what you're talking about."
"I know exactly what I'm talking about." She countered, "You're here, blaming Leandra for running away from you, and you're blaming Carlisle and his family for taking her in. I would have done the exact same thing they did, so tell me. Would you be after revenge as adamantly if it'd been me?"
"I would have been more adamant about it." He growled in return, "I told you once, Heather. You don't turn your back on me."
"Or what?" She snapped, "I'm not afraid of you, Jack."
"Heather." I whimpered, but she never looked back.
"You're testing my patience." Jack was warning her, and she wasn't listening.
"Let's test your patience a little more, shall we?" She asked, her tone unwavering, "I'm so sick of you, and what you consider your right to torment people. For reasons you pull out of nowhere, Jack. Your accusations are baseless. You have no real reason to blame Leandra or Carlisle for the things you brought on yourself. You're blaming them as an escape from the consequences of your actions. I won't have it. If you think you're going to get to her, you'll have to go through me, you son-of-a-bitch."
Hesitantly, Mikah stepped to her side, and I knew he would do his best to protect her if Jack snapped. She noticed this as well.
"Mikah, honey, go over there." She told him quietly.
My attention was taken by Carlisle gently straightened my leg out, letting me know he was done. It felt good to stretch out. I ignored Heather and Jack's heated bantering, looking up at Carlisle as he stood up.
"Now what?" I asked fearfully.
"Now, you rest." He told me calmly.
"That's not what I meant."
"I know." He assured me, "But that's the answer you're getting. Let us worry about everything else."
"Carlisle.." I whimpered, "I never wanted any of this to happen."
"I know." He repeated with a sigh, kneeling down beside the couch, "Leandra, I don't want you to think for a moment that anything he says is true. No matter what happens, we will make it right."
I really wanted to keep asking questions, but I nodded instead. I was too tired to think anymore. Just for a minute, I told myself. Closing my eyes.
I wasn't awake to hear whatever was said next. Now that everything was over, at least on my part, my consciousness just sort of shut off.
At some point, though, not long later, I was awake. Sitting up, moving, but not actually awake yet. It took me a moment to figure out why I was suddenly standing up next to the bed, when I heard the baby's cry again. At the end of the bed, sat a little white bassinet where the cries were coming from. I took brief notice of the fact that I was still naked at the chill in the room. It was very dimly lit in the room, most of the lights off aside from one near the kitchen.
I wasn't sure why they didn't think to put clothes on me, but I hated to think that it was because they didn't have time to.
I looked around myself, but couldn't find anyone else. Panic suddenly dropped my stomach, and I realized I'd have to figure this crap out on my own. I carefully stepped closer, peering into the tiny bed.
"Uh.." I mumbled over the sound of his crying, "Shit.. Uhm.." I looked around as if the answer to what he wanted would be written somewhere. I looked back down at him, and for the life of me, I couldn't find any hint of a motherly instinct in me. Wasn't this shit supposed to come naturally? God, maybe I was flawed. This stranger baby had half my DNA, yet I felt no real connection to him. Shouldn't we be like best friends already?
"Uh.." I muttered again, "Well, are you hungry? Maybe you're hungry.." I sighed, "I guess that means I have to pick you up, huh?"
I was overly aware of every movement I made while attempting to scoop him up. Like he was made of tissue paper, I made no sudden movements. Despite not having a shred of motherly instinct, I still didn't want to drop him. I at least knew dropping him wasn't very good for his overall well-being. I did inventory on what part of his tiny body to support with which finger of which hand.
"Okay.." I mumbled to myself, "That's a leg.. Gotta support the head, right? Right. No shit."
As soon as he felt himself secure in my arms, though, he stopped crying. It surprised me for a moment as I studied him for signs of him continuing to wail. He made the tiniest grunting sounds, huffing a bit as he softly wriggled in my arm. His gray eyes blinking open now and then to look up at me. He was wrapped up tightly in a blanket, and he looked even tinier than he did before with those tiny arms and legs closed up in the blanket. He was literally a little bundle.
"There." I couldn't help smiling a little, "That wasn't so hard, was it? You were just lonely." Each step was hell, but I turned. Walking slowly back to the bed, carrying him with me.
"I don't know where everyone else went," I told him, "But it wasn't the smartest move leaving someone as irresponsible as your mom in charge of you.. God, you're so small." Carefully, I laid him on the blanket of the bed, leaving room for me to painfully roll and inch myself onto the bed as well. He seemed fine now, but I picked him back up anyway. Mostly just to get myself used to doing it.
I talked lightly to him, not wanting to overwhelm him. I could imagine how weird it had to be hearing everything directly now instead of it being muffled through liquid and the walls of my stomach.
My voice seemed to calm him down, and soon enough, his breathing changed. Indicating sleep. I sat there for quite some time, just watching him. Studying his sleeping face, and recalling every uncomfortable moment I'd endured during my pregnancy and actually giving birth to him. This little creature couldn't possibly be the reason behind that amount of pain.
There was no way this little creature could possibly be like his dad, but he held the gene. In him was something not many people knew about. This little creature had protected me. Held on when most wouldn't have been able to. Adapted to having me, the worst person in the world, be the one sustaining him. His fragile, sleeping face would grow up to be something much bigger than me.
The quiet of the room was soothing. I had no idea what to do when he woke up again, but for right then, I'd just keep watching him. I'd figure the rest out when the time came.
I woke again, not having realized I'd dozed off, to the sound of the door opening again. First I glanced down at the baby still secure in my arms, before I looked across the room to see who had come.
Before I could even focus, he was speaking to me.
"Put that damn thing down." Of course it had to be Jack. I was completely alone. Even more defenseless than before, so I knew. Arguing with him would only piss him off even more.
"Okay." I mumbled, knowing that was what he wanted to hear. His focus was on me, and as much as I hated that, it seemed like he was going to leave the baby out of it. Carefully, but as quickly as I could, I scooted off the bed and made my way to the bassinet. I was now even more painfully aware of the fact that I had no clothes on. Jack watched my every move as I settled the baby down, making sure he was comfortable before I turned to look at him.
As soon as I turned, though, he was there. Gripping my throat and moving me backwards to the bed. My legs hit the side of it, and were knocked out from under me. I fell back painfully as he followed, his hand never leaving my neck as he climbed over me. Surprisingly, he kept all of his weight off of me, only kneeling over me and trapping me between his knees. Pinning me effectively, even if I had been able to fight.
"I won't beg for my life." I whimpered, knowing it would do no good.
"At this point," He replied softly, "I really don't care."
"Then just do it." I told him, "Kill me. I don't care anymore, either."
He chuckled, "No.."
"Don't you get it?" I asked, "You've won. What more do you want from me, Jack?"
"You're coming with me." He replied, "This means everything to me. I started this almost ten years ago, and I'm going to finish it. Ten years from the first night I left my mark on you, is the night your life ends."
"What are you going to do when I'm dead?" I asked through tightening breath.
"I never said you're going to die." He murmured.
"You just did."
"No." He corrected, "I said your life is going to end. Before your new one begins." My eyes widened in realization, "Yeah, you pissed me off, but.. I can't kill you. I can't, because like you said.. What'll I do when you're dead? I was going to leave it up to Aro to change you, but he was taking too goddamn long, and I thought about it. I want to be the one. Once I do it, you'll really belong to me. Forever."
"You're crazy if you think that'll work." I whispered, unable to make my tone any stronger.
"What do you think I was going to do that night before that damn dog startled me? Huh?" He asked in his own whisper. My breathing gave away my trembling as much as he felt it. He leaned down, his forehead carefully touching mine. I turned my head, unable to help the quiet sob, but he allowed that.
"You're mine." He continued in a whisper, "You've escaped me too many times."
"No." I argued as convincingly as I could.
"Yes." He replied, "You've always known. I've always been the one thing you could count on, right? Those others.. They've made promises they never kept. They promised they'd stop me, and keep you from me. Look at you now."
I just cried, so he went on.
"Think about it. This is how it was always meant to be."
I whimpered, "Carlisle will-"
"He's going to see." He cut me off, "He's fine. They all are. Well," He paused for a chuckle, "They're fine, for the most part. My goal has never been to kill them off, only to make them suffer." His whisper softened as he moved his lips closer to my ear, "And they have. They have suffered. Especially that hot little wife."
I turned my head again sharply, looking up at him. I could see the pleased expression in his dark crimson eyes. He was obviously really proud of himself. Then his words registered to me.
"You didn't." I growled at him, hating him once more.
"I did." He replied easily, "I did it well, and she has you to thank for me showing her such a good time."
"You fucking asshole!" I gave a very brief fight, trying to get him off of me, but I stopped at the intense pain that ripped through my midsection. Sobbing now in pain and frustration.
"Calm the fuck down." He pinned me harder for a moment, "I didn't hurt the bitch. She begged me for it."
"No she didn't." I spat, disgusted.
"Okay, maybe she didn't." He chuckled, "She didn't say no, though. Probably because she knew I was on my way to see you."
"Pig." I glared up at him, but he just smiled darkly.
"She has you to thank," He said, "Because you brought me into their lives. I warned you. I gave you so many chances, yet you decided to stay selfish."
"You didn't have to do that!" I sobbed up at him.
"Yes I did." He chuckled quietly, "That loud-mouthed fucking blonde was about to be next, but.. You're more important to me." I fought again as much as I could as he leaned back down, "I'm sorry, but it's just how it was supposed to happen. They've sure suffered because of you and so will you, but they'll see. I've won."
I didn't bother replying this time. The more I replied, the longer he'd hold me here. At least that's what I told myself. As I looked up at him, I began to realize that he was right. He'd won. There was no way.. No way to go against him with half of the Volturi guard on his side.
I took comfort in the fact that he didn't want to kill them, but what did that mean for me? This entire time, it was me he was after. Now that he had me, what now? Of course I knew his intention, but what would happen between now and then?
A suffocating sense of defeat washed over me, and I knew he could see it. I felt sick, but in a crushingly depressed sort of way. After what he just told me about Esme, and what he did to her, it became even more painfully obvious that he was right. He'd been right this whole time. I never should have brought them into this.
"I'll go with you." I whimpered, "I'm done, Jack. I'm done fighting." He smiled wider.
"Good." He replied, "Because you don't have a fucking choice."
"I know." I mumbled quietly, gasping through an escaped sob.
"You'll see them again." He assured me, "I want them to see you. I want them to see just how much I own your ass. How every.. Fucking.. Ounce of their effort was for nothing. How all of this was for nothing." His thumb softly rubbed my neck.
"But.." He purred, "Because you're being so good about this, I'll tell you what.. I'll let the little bastard over there live. Even though he has personally wronged me, he's just a baby." He glanced over at the bassinet, "It's not his fault who his slut mother or his fucking father is. I don't need to kill it to make you see. I think you've already learned your lesson."
I closed my eyes again, "Thank you."
"We have to go." He murmured, "They'll be here soon to check on you, no doubt."
"We're just going to leave him?" I had to voice my concern.
"He'll be fine." He told me firmly, "Don't even worry about it. There's enough people worried about you that someone is bound to find him before he even wakes up." He was right. Taking a breath, I nodded before he continued, "But let's leave them a little something. I'm done letting him help you."
My heart dropped as his free hand started on a journey. Down my side, his fingertips tickling the skin of my side, before sliding over my leg and tucking between them. I wasn't sure what he was going to do, so I braced myself for anything. He forced them apart, and I squeezed my eyes shut and waited.
I didn't feel much of anything, mostly little stinging tugs, until I realized what he was doing. He was removing my stitches.
I wasn't stupid. I knew I wouldn't bleed to death because they were taken out. Whatever tearing I had would heal on its own, but knowing he was the one to take them out would tell them all they needed to know.
I didn't fight as he climbed off of me, or as he dragged me to the edge of the bed by my hips, picking me up. I got a look at the small pile of stitches left on the bed as well as a few drops and smears of blood on the white sheet. I got one last look at the baby sleeping in the bassinet before we were leaving everything behind.
A/N: Okay. So. I know I said this would be the last chapter, but there will be one more after this one. I'm sorry this took so long, but I've been pretty busy plotting how the next story's first few chapters are going to go. The next story's first few chapters depend directly on how this story ends. That, and RL has been pretty busy as well. Eight month old Little KNeu has been busy with trying to teethe, added on to trying to figure out where we're moving to when our lease ends in a few months.
But.. Enough excuses.
The next chapter probably won't be too soon, but you never know.
THANK YOU to my reviewer of last chapter! You're awesome! THANK YOU!
I am, however, going to shamefully ask for more reviewers. I would love to know what you're all thinking, as it would let me know if it would be worth it to even continue posting.
Until next chapter, guys.