Chapter 32

Unexpected Outcomes

I can't imagine attacking him. He's my brother and my best friend and I love him. But I'm forced to defend her against him. The others could fight him better, but I'm the only one who has a hope of recognizing the lies he tells. Throwing him out the window looked horrible, but it was the fastest way to get him away from her. I hate to leave her behind, but someone has to make sure he doesn't harm himself or anyone else.

I race off after him as he runs to the west. It seems the Volturi aren't the only ones who can end us, and my friend seems bent on courting the disaster that is the Quileute tribe. I smell his trail and I'm getting closer, but will it be soon enough. I can't see him, and I should be able to spot his peach shirt in a sea of green. I need to stop him from committing suicide.

I don't see him because he is at the top of a tree. He lands on me feet first as I run by, and I'm knocked to the ground – into the ground. To call what we engage in a fight would be to give us more credit than we deserve. He stomps me into the ground, I throw him into a tree. Snarling in rage he comes for me, and once again I'm in the temple in Egypt, merely dodging him as he earnestly tries to kill me. It is his fury that makes him unsuccessful. Ground, rocks, underbrush and trees give way as we both vent the helpless frustration of her choices. Mostly I stay out of his way so he does not shred me. I would welcome death, but it would leave her vulnerable. Several times I allow him to land a furious punch or grab and throw me. It's what I deserve.

Little by little by little I realize he's not trying to kill me. I don't resist his attacks, and just like at Volterra I take an incredible beating. But Vladmir's anger is like a fierce storm and it soon blows itself out. He collapses not too far from where I lie broken and sadly mending. He wails his frustration at the trees. He screams his agony at the clouds. And I know exactly how he feels; except he is not responsible for the horror – I am.

He helps me up as bones grind back into place and wounds close. We stare at one another, knowing that soon we will once again be only two. With arms around one another we embrace in a way that American men would find embarrassing. I pour out barely articulate apologies: For finding her, for keeping her, and for not changing her when it would have been forgivable. And he gives voice to how sorry he is for his behavior.

"Are you ready to go back yet?" I ask him as he looks at the torn collar of his shirt in wonder. I'm trying to salvage my own clothes, which are ruined.

"I'm ready – I could use a shower." We both start walking slowly back to the house.

"Can I trust you to leave my wife alone?" I watch him for the telltale signs of his lies.

"No." We stop walking. "You might be able to fool the Cullens and you might even be able to fool her, but I know you want me to change her, deep down under all the promises. If you really wanted to protect her, you would have killed me. You can throw me through every window they have. I love her, and I'm not letting her go. I feel the same way for you too, you idiot! I know if she dies you're going to visit the Quileutes and follow her. I know her death means yours as well. She thinks it's just a ploy to convince her when you tell her you won't live without her, but I know you mean it.

"The only thing I haven't figured out is, will you go immediately, or will you wait until the babies are mature? This is the perfect place to give birth since there are four here who would mother them like their own." I realize he is absolutely right. Somewhere in the back of my mind I'd calculated who would care for the babies. It wasn't going to be me.

"I'll behave until the babies are born, or until she's in danger, whichever comes first. But if you decide you want to keep her human, you better be prepared to fight me harder than you did today." I know he's being honest. I also have a sneaking suspicion that If she dies, and I give myself over to the werewolves, I won't be alone. I have an image in my mind, of the two of us meeting our deaths side by side.

"Let's go back, we're wasting time we could be spending with her." I put my arm around him and we walk back toward the house. We make it about halfway when Edward meets us.

"You need to hurry. She's fallen asleep and we can't seem to wake her up. She's not unconscious, and she's talking in her sleep, asking for you."

We run.

Back in the house Edward makes sure Vladmir is going to behave before allowing him into the house. Up in our room I'm surprised to see Jasper and Emmett already working on fixing the wall. The window is boarded up and everything's been moved. Even with all the activity I'm drawn to her. She lies on her back partially turned toward the door. Her stomach looks enormous and her hand moves unconsciously over it, petting it even in her sleep. She looks oddly peaceful and calm. I hear her then, murmuring my name just under her breath. A human might have been able to hear with an ear against her lips, but I can hear her clearly even though her lips barely move. I take her hand and kiss her fingers.

"I'm here. I love you. Everything's going to be fine." I whisper against her ear. She smiles a little ghost of a smile and her fingers barely increase their pressure on mine.

Carlisle moves to stand beside me. "I don't know what to make of this. She's not asleep and she's not unconscious, it's as if she's in a deep meditative state. She responds to suggestions, like when I asked her turn to her left side for better circulation. Her blood pressure's normal and she seems calm."

"She is calm." Jasper speaks up from where he's smoothing joint compound over the drywall edge. "She's almost vampire calm. There are not many humans who can do that on their own. It's like she's hypnotized." With fluid grace he smooths the putty between the seams before setting the tools aside and stepping to the other side of the bed. "I think their singing has put her into a type of trance. I can hear it if I touch her – it's amazing." He looks down at my wife adoringly.

He turns his eyes toward me and smiles. "You don't have to be jealous of me. She's definitely got that magnetic pull Carlisle mentioned. But if one can see past her beauty and her sex appeal..." He looks down at her stomach and grins. "...it's easy to ignore the physical attraction. And of course as long as y'all are standing with her, it's even weaker. She loves you so much." The intensity of his golden gaze is too much and I bend to kiss her head.

"This seems to be a good thing." Carlisle looks down at her and shakes his head. "From what I can tell, the babies are calm and stable, she's getting all the nutrients she needs from the I.V., and the feeding tube is taking care of the babies' needs. If all pregnant women on bed rest could be like this I'm sure there would be more positive outcomes."

"Are you trying to tell me that this could all work out?" I'm stunned, and I feel a tiny glimmer of hope.

"It's encouraging. But I'm concerned about her fluid output; I don't want to have to put in a catheter. I think her body is functioning as well as I could hope. When Bella was at this point she was under so much stress and strain, every little movement caused her problems. Plus we had no real idea when she was going to deliver. Summer is going through the same physical stresses; I mean the babies are growing and stretching her body to make space. And even with the feeding tube, they're still taking a lot from her body. I've increased the nutrients I'm giving her as well as the blood. Fortunately for this purpose it doesn't matter what type we use, just so long as it's preservative free."

Before he can get caught up in the medical explanations I ask; "when will she deliver?" It's the only thing that matters to me. How long do I have until true terror sets in?

"Next week. I've cleared my calendar from here on out of course. If anything happens, we'll have to adjust, but I'm thinking seven days from now. If we had to take them now, by human standards they would have a fair chance with the right neonatal care. But I actually believe they're more like us, and they would probably have a better chance. But we do want to make sure their heart and lungs develop since they will need them."

I barely listen to what he's saying. One week. Seven days. One hundred and sixty-eight hours until my world comes crashing in on me. I can fight against so many things, but time marches forward no matter what I do to stop it.

"...if you want to be present during the delivery. I know you've got a lot of self control, but there's likely to be a great amount of blood. If you think you can handle it, I'll let you stay, but you should consider it carefully since I won't be able to fight with you and help her at the same time." He wants to know if I want to be present when he cuts her open to remove our babies before they can kill her. But he's also asking if I want to be there when she dies if something goes wrong.

"I don't know if I can safely be in the room with her. I've had her blood." He stares at me in shock. He obviously knows what it means. "It's a long story involving a Volturi punishment and... Summer trying to help me. You know how bad I want her – all the time! I should probably stay away... but I really want to be with her no matter what happens."

He looks thoughtful. "Edward delivered his own child. He was covered in blood from the delivery, but he didn't feed on her. And you of course know the temptation. How about we plan for you to be here; in the hallway with someone to watch over you. If it all goes well you can come in afterward. If there are problems, you'll be close..."

He didn't finish his sentence. I'll be close enough to say goodbye. I'll be on hand to spend the last moments of her life with her. It feels like there's a knife driving into my chest. I nod at his suggestion. I wonder who they can get to guard me who won't be tempted by her blood. I understand Jasper, Emmett, Alice, and Esme are going to a little cabin in the woods at the first sign of trouble or as soon as the preparations are made. Edward will assist with the delivery, and Bella and Rosalie will be there for the babies. I know Vladmir won't leave. He'll likely be lurking somewhere, ready to make the decision no one else wants to make.

Emmett and Jasper finish working on the wall, and clean up before they leave. One by one the room empties and I'm alone with her. I undress down to a T-shirt and underwear. I slip into bed beside my wife and hold her against me like spoons in a drawer. My hand drifts over her stomach, mimicking her own. Not since Tessa have I felt like such a monster. But it's my dreams of humanity that have actually brought us to this point. The dream that I could have love, and a family after all I've done.

If even one of the deaths I caused over the centuries caused a pain like I feel now, then I am doomed to the deepest pits of Hell.

Never again.

Never again will I feed on a human life. I think back... the thief and the pirate were the last. A fine thanks to the one who brought me the love of my life – his death. Whether she lives or dies, whether she's changed or human; I'm finished. Just the thought of causing another living soul, the kind of suffering and agony I feel, sickens me. Better I should die than to ever inflict such grief on another. I wish I could tell her of this change, only because I know it would please her. But I know there is no redemption for my past.

I rest with her, contemplating my history and my time with her. Carlisle has recommended that I have her change position every hour, but it is the only thing that distracts me. Our visitors come and go as her last hours tick by. Vladmir doesn't visit, and I know it's because he can't stand to see her so still – so close to death.

It is close to her time when Carlisle urges me to get up. "You need to hunt, you haven't fed for a week, if she goes into labor now, you'll be useless to her. In two days I'm going to deliver them. This is the best time to go. I'll stay with her while you're gone, and then I'll have to go myself."

I know he's right. I'm worried about leaving her for so long. But I'm shocked that so much time has passed without me realizing it. Two days. It pains me to leave, but I'm not going alone. Several of the others will be going with me, including Edward and Bella. Half the delivery team will hunt now, and Carlisle and Rosalie will go next. She won't be alone no matter what. I whisper my plans to her along with a promise to return as soon as I can. I pass Vladmir and let him know our plans. He's taken to sitting in the family room, just staring into space.

The hunting is different than I'm used to. It's more of a group effort, and I'm reminded this is a family. We run for several hours to the north, and track a heard of elk. We are each able to choose a large animal at leisure as the herd becomes confused at our approach. It's strangely exhilarating to hunt this way. Afterward Emmett declares he isn't going back just yet.

"I've got my cell phone, just let me know when all the drama is over. I'm going to wait for the smell of the dead carcass's to bring in the second course." He grins. "I prefer carnivores anyway."

I hurry back, desperate to be with her before anything bad can happen. With the cell phones some of us carry, I know we'd get any news of emergencies. But if she wakes up or calls for me I might not know.

Back at the house once again, it's quiet. I rush up to our room and I'm surprised to see Jasper and Vladmir sitting on opposite sides of her bed. My first impulse is to chase them out; they're both the most likely to hurt her if anything happens. But I know Carlisle wouldn't allow her to be in any more danger. I don't worry about modesty as I take off my pants and shirt so that I can slide into bed beside her. I'm sure I'm only imagining it, but it seems the babies have grown since I left. I put my arms around her and take her hand, feeling the tiny squeeze she gives my fingers as a soft sigh escapes her lips. I whisper, 'I love you' against her ear and my hand caresses over her rounded stomach as if it has a will of it's own.

Jasper moves to the other side so they both face me. "Vladmir wanted to spend time with her. I'm here as insurance that he doesn't step out of line. Not only can I sense how he feels, he knows how volatile I could become in the presence of her blood. His ability is pretty useless with a frenzied vampire." He smiles at the irony. "I don't want to see her get hurt any more than you do. She hasn't changed since you left. We made sure she changed position, and Carlisle checked her blood pressure each time."

He looks a little confused. "I know y'all can't tell it, but she's happy. It's been wonderful just sitting with her. Now that you're back she's feeling a sense of peace and joy – almost makes me wanna sing Kumbaya. And the little ones are calm. They sing almost all the time... I can hear it in my head, and it's beautiful!"

"I can't hear a thing!" Vladmir seems disgruntled at Jasper's words. "He just sat there smiling the whole time you were gone, like he knew the punchline of a joke and I didn't." Jasper puts his hand on Vladmir's shoulder only to have him shrug it off, almost angrily. "I don't need or want any of your mood altering. I told everyone I wouldn't hurt her, and I mean it!"

"Your word is not exactly trustworthy where she's concerned." Jasper's voice is low and apologetic. "A man can only suffer so much before he's willing to take drastic measures. If it's any consolation, she likes that you're here. With both of you here, I feel an almost indescribable serenity. She loves both of y'all so much." He grins, and I detect a hint of embarrassment. "Now that you're back Stefan, her emotions are not exactly... pure. A gentleman would not tell you; but I have not been a gentleman in many decades. She has a definite desire for you."

I bury my face in her hair. His words are embarrassing, and not entirely necessary. I can feel her pull, and her small movements that have brought her up tight against me. In a different situation, I would have to have her – now. But instead I hold her and caress her under the blanket. I kiss her neck, which has so tempted me in the past. It's not her blood, but her body which tempts me, even now.

Vladmir stands suddenly, as if we can read one another's mind, he knows what I'm thinking. He and Jasper leave together, closing the door tight behind them.

I touch my wife in intimate ways. Her sighs and movements bring a response in me that's unexpected considering her fragile state. I want her! I know that there are at least four ears listening for sounds of trouble, but I don't care. I move slowly, carefully freeing us of clothing. Her pull is so strong, making me want to ravish her. Instead I kiss the back of her neck and whisper 'I love you's' in several different languages, as my hands explore her womanly curves. So carefully I join with her. With my supernatural hearing I hear her breathe "I love you."

I move with her slowly, as careful and tender as I can, but her own body moves against me with an urgency that surprises me. I remember her talk about rocking the babies, and so that's the way I move with her. Her little sighs give way to satisfied moans as we are both carried into bliss. Afterward I wash her and dress her for decency again.

As I lie with her in the peaceful afterglow, I hear them. The babies are singing, and I can hear them! No need to strain my ears, because it's in my head. It's such a song of joy it takes my breath away. I know the song; it's hers and it's mine – it's a love song.

I kiss her cheek. "I hear them, Summer – I hear our babies singing. Now I know God must exist!" I want to see them... to kiss them and hold them. They haven't come to steal her away – they love her. I know this deep in my soul. My soul, which is rejoicing at the miracles within her. It's life. Out of my dead and murderous corpse, and into her fragile, dying body, there is life!

A tap on the door brings them back into the room; Jasper and Vladmir, followed by Carlisle. He tests her blood pressure and shakes his head in wonder as he declares it perfect. Vladmir looks at me in disbelief. "I can't believe you did that! Haven't you learned to control your lust yet? You could have hurt her – you could have killed her!" His anger surprises me in the face of what I can still hear.

"No." Jasper speaks up, laying a calming hand on his arm. "He didn't hurt her at all." He smiles brightly. "I'm not sure what kind of endorphins or hormones come from making love, but there's an abundance of them washing through her – and the babies. You stay calm Vladmir, I"m going to go find my wife..." He disappears and I barely catch his wink.

Carlisle finishes checking her over, and he can't seem to understand why she's doing so well. "Stefan, do you trust Vladmir in here, or do you want to make other arrangements?"

"Let him stay; Summer wants him here... so do I." I meet his eyes but his feelings are not clear. Carlisle leaves us to go back to his office to record his test results.

"Let me guess, you hear the singing too. You look like you're convinced that this is going to all work out. Am I the only one who can still think clearly? You're only deluding yourself." He looks so... hurt. He wears his anger like a shield to hide the pain.

"Pull the chair close and sit down." He reluctantly does as I ask. "Lay your head on the pillow beside her and give me your hand."

"Is this some kind of perverse séance?" He seems resistant, but he does as I ask. Seeing his head lying so close to hers makes me feel a twinge of jealousy, but it quickly dies. He pushes a lock of hair behind her ear, and offers me his other hand.

"Just relax and let go of the anger and fear." I guide his hand over her stomach, and I hear their song change. It's lovely, and somehow more complete than before. It's welcoming and inclusive and so loving I wish I had tears to cry. I hear his gasp and I know he can hear it.

"Impossible!" His eyes widen in amazement. "I've never heard anything so beautiful." His voice is hushed. "I feel like they know me. I feel like they love me... how is this possible?"

I love watching his expression transform, from anger and bitterness to awe and wonder. "Of course they love you, they're my children." Just saying that, claiming them with my words, makes them more real than they have ever been to me. They are my children. They are not parasites, demons, or monsters, come to steal her away from me. They love her; they love us all, including Vladmir. We're family, all five of us. It stuns me that she has gotten exactly what she's always wanted; love and a family. Now the trick is to make sure she lives to enjoy it.

It's almost as if we're all frozen. Summer sleeps, I lie next to her, and Vladmir keeps his vigil at her bedside. And all the while there is music. Carlisle comes to check her and make sure she turns, and he mutters in disbelief. He pulls a chair up and speaks to me.

"I've seen videos recently about midwives and doula's being trained in hypno-therapy. These professionals work with an expectant mother to help her reach a deep meditative state. In such a state, the mothers are able to deliver their babies with little or no medical interventions. In one video the mother slept through most of her labor and only woke up long enough to push the baby out. I'm beginning to suspect Summer is in just such a state. Often the hypnotist will play music or guide the patient in relaxation imagery. I've heard everyone talking about the singing of the babies, and I can't help but wonder if that's not what's happening here. Bella told of a similar connection to her baby, and I thought it was a survival mechanism of these infants – a way to take over the mothers mind and will.

"But it seems there could be a nobler purpose that I've overlooked. Bella was in such a state of stress and worry, not to mention pain, that it was hard for her to just relax and be calmed by the pictures the baby was sending her. But Summer has just let go of all the worries, and she's got absolute confidence that everything is going to work out. The singing, and perhaps even the images could very well be a survival mechanism for the hybrid baby, but not one that takes over the mother. Instead it could be that they are trying to keep her calm so she doesn't get hurt. Summer's in a deep hypnotic state, and she and the babies are all being nourished, so she doesn't even have to wake up. I really couldn't have hoped for anything better."

I look at him over her stomach. "How much longer?" I barely raise my voice.

He sighs. "Twenty-four to thirty-six hours.. I don't want to wait too much longer. The way it is now, if they get excited they could damage her organs or break bones." We all just stare at her, and she gives a little squeeze on my hand. She can hear us. I close my eyes and just daydream. The songs in my head keep me in a relaxed state just like her, and I don't even realize time has passed. When Carlisle enters the room I wonder if he forgot something the last time, but he's wearing different clothes, and the sun is up outside.

He wheels equipment into the room as silently as possible. I see Edward, Bella, and Rosalie rolling in other medical machines. I just watch, waiting for the signal that I'll need to get out of our bed and step into the hallway. I kiss her and whisper every possible endearment I can think of into her ear. I'm surprised when I figure out that the odd looking plastic contraptions are actually bassinets for the babies. Vladmir too is aware of what's happening, though he isn't anxious to move either.

I'm startled when Rosalie takes her hand from me. She slides the rings off of her finger, which has become so thin they just slip off. She hands them to me with an apologetic look. She then removes her locket, and the blue teardrop she never takes off. I'm lying beside her holding thousands of dollars worth of jewelry in my hands, and I realize it's nothing more than rocks and minerals. In my arms is the most precious thing in the world to me.

Too soon Carlisle nods to me. I don't want to leave her, but they're ready, and I don't want my distress to get the babies worked up. I leave her side and realize I haven't been dressed for days. I pull on clothes and kiss her goodbye. Vladmir and I step into the hallway, and it's still deathly quiet in the room. I'm holding her jewelry, and I thread the rings onto the locket chain and clasp it around my neck. I hand Vladmir the teardrop since it just seems appropriate that he should have it.

I smell him even before I see him, and I feel suddenly defensive. It's the shapeshifter, Jacob. He doesn't smile, but reaches out to shake my hand. I know it's rude to ignore it, but last time he visited, my wife sustained a broken rib.

"I'm not here to cause trouble, I'm just here to guard her... against you. Carlisle wanted to make sure he didn't have to fight any battles when it got bloody in there. I may not be able to take you out, but I can certainly guard the door." His smile is grim and white. Bella brings chairs into the hallway where we're waiting.

"It shouldn't be long now, Carlisle's getting her prepped." She lays her hand on my shoulder. "If things go badly, just say the word, and I'll change her myself." She gives Jacob a steely look over her shoulder. "If you think that treaty's worth killing me for, then you'll just have to make that call!"

"Bella, you can't..."

"Quiet!" I don't raise my voice, but my command stops him. "No stress... keep it quiet and calm out here. We didn't come this far to watch those babies start thrashing around in response to what's happening around her." Bella squeezes my shoulder and casts another warning glance at Jacob before stepping into the room and closing the door.

I hate that my hearing's so acute. I hear the water running, I hear the muffled conversation between the four of them, but I don't hear her. I know they're going to give her an epidural for pain, and I actually smell her blood when the needle's put in. I also smell when the feeding tube is removed, even though it doesn't bring her out of her trance. I hear sterile packets being opened, and I hear the clink of the steel instruments on a tray.

I remember how she used to sing when she went to the bathroom to cover up the sounds. I sing, low and quiet. The lullabies she remembers along with a few I remember. In minutes Vladmir adds his voice to mine. It's almost enough to cover up the wet sounds of cutting, but it can't help when the perfume of her blood washes over me. I falter on the words, and Jacob stands, threateningly guarding the door. I remember how much I love her. I remember the songs of our children, and I breath again, slow and calm. I resume the song, and it's still quiet. I smell the burning of the laser, and it makes me want to gag. It reminds me of the deaths of our kind. It reminds me of Daniel and Cecilia.

I wait, with the smell of her sweet blood mingling with the memory of my goddess and my angel. He reaches out and takes my hand; Vladmir, who must also have his own memories with the odor in the room.

I hear crying, and the door bursts open bringing a masked and gloved Bella out with a strong gust of odors. She tugs the mask off her startled face and looks my way. Vladmir and I are both on our feet, looking at her enormous stunned eyes. "You're a father! Everyone's fine!" For a second I think I must have heard wrong. I stare in stunned disbelief and she smiles. "You have a healthy baby girl and a healthy baby boy. They're tiny, but they're perfect! Summer's awake and she's asking to see you. I'd expect someone to wake me up and tell me I'm dreaming, except I don't sleep or dream.

I follow her back into the room, with Vladmir right behind me. There is blood, but I don't care. Blue eyes – still blue after giving birth, my wife looks at me and I go to her. There's a tent up to keep her from looking at the work Carlisle is still doing on her, stitching the incisions, but I put my arms around her and kiss her face.

"I love you! I can't believe you made it through this. You're amazing, and you're a mommy!" I feel so overwhelmed with joy I can't even think coherently. I want to see the babies, but I don't want to lose sight of her. Rosalie steps over to us with a baby cradled in each arm. They're wrapped snugly in little blankets, but they're both alert and looking right at me. She tells me which is which, and it hits me, I have a son and a daughter. My daughter looks just like her mother, with blue eyes and pale down lightly covering her head. My son must look like I once did with dark curls and dark eyes. They're both beautiful, though Rosalie seems particularly taken with my son.

Summer struggles to sit so she can see them, and I support her shoulders. Their eyes move from me to her at the sound of her delighted coo. She reaches out to them, wanting to hold them, and Rosalie first hands her one, and then the other. "They've got teeth, but neither one is venomous." Rosalie seems reluctant to back away

"Is it okay to nurse them?" Summer looks up at Carlisle as he finishes up his work on her.

"They may not want to nurse, but if you want to try, it's good for your own hormones." She doesn't seem to care that there is a roomful of visitors, she opens her gown and holds our son in the right position. We're both surprised to see him latch on. I have to help her with our baby girl, but she does just as well. After about fifteen minutes I hear her give a squeal and she flinches. Both babies have bitten her, and they seem happy to nurse on both her milk and her blood. I'm a little sickened by the thought, but she won't let me pull them away.

"They'll grow out of this fast. In less than a week they'll be on solid foods. I can handle this until then." They don't nurse much longer, and they both fall asleep as soon as they release her. One by one everyone who's come to see the babies drifts out. I take each tiny bundle and wipe the blood from their mouths as they sleep, then pass them up to her waiting arms. Truly they have not bitten her to cause damage, but the tiny nips barely broke the skin. As soon as they are cleaned up I realize I have unconsciously resisted her blood.

Vladmir stays with us as Carlisle continues to make sure everything has gone alright after the surgery. As soon as she is stitched and bandaged he adjusts the epidural which will keep her pain free for several more hours. There's a tap at the door, and I allow Bella to come in with a camera.

"I don't have many baby pictures of Ness – she just grew too fast." She quickly snaps pictures of the babies and then with us together. Vladmir adds his face to our family photo before she is finished. "It's digital, so you can take all the pictures you want." She hands me the camera with a smile.

"If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes I wouldn't have believed it. She didn't wake up during the whole delivery, until your little girl cried. If I had known this was possible... Ness may have had siblings. I wouldn't let them take her early, since I was scared to death they were going to hurt her." She laughs. "Truly I was scared to death." She looks at Summer cradling her babies against her. "I guess we both got what we wanted in the end."

Carlisle finishes up his work and tells me he's going to go and update his notes. Vladmir makes noise about leaving to pass out cigars, and I am left alone with my family – my family! I still can't believe she's alive. I'd gotten so used to the idea that she was going to die, I'd already started to mourn her. Now I'm here and I just can't stop looking at her – at them. She clearly looks exhausted, and I take in the way the whole pregnancy has ravaged her body. She's thin and her beautiful tan has faded. Her hair is hanging in dirty, limp strands, and her face looks somehow sunken. But still she is the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. She is the embodiment of selfless, sacrificial love, and she hasn't stopped smiling.

"We need to name them." She smiles up at me and I realize it's been so long since I've heard her voice. "I have so many things I want to do, but I want to name them first." I look at them, sleeping peacefully and I can't think of anything that fits with what they mean to me. "How do you feel about Tessa, for our daughter?" Just the name coming from her lips shocks me. I want to disagree with her, tell her that it would be wrong to name our child after my old flame. But she looks like she is serious.

"I've often felt that I owed my life to her – like you would have ended me if not for her memory. For such a long time she was your connection to your humanity. You can't find her grave and it would be a little like having a tribute to your life before the change. Besides I kind of like the name." I look at my daughter, all bundled up in the white blanket, and I'm reminded of Tessa's head covering.

"It might fit her. Let's wait a day or two before we write it down. What do you think about our son?" I want to allow her to name them.

"I was thinking Stefan Vladmir..."

"No!" I interrupt her. "Sorry, but you can't name him after me. He needs his own name, since we're going to be around for a very long time, that would be too much confusion.

"I think you should name him after me." Vladmir leans in the doorway grinning at us. "Not Vladmir of course, I stole that name."

"What name are you suggesting?" She asks before I have the chance to reject the idea.

"Tristram – or the more updated form – Tristan. I won't be using it again, and anyone who knew me then is long gone. But of course it's your choice." He looks at the little bundles she holds with longing. We've never talked about his life before the change, and now I wonder why. Had he once been a husband and father?

"I think it's a great name." I watch her face to see if she agrees, and she smiles.

"Tristan Gregory...? My dad's name was Gregory." She smiles at me. "And it works perfect with Tessa... Tessa Elizabeth... for my grandmother."

"You don't want to name her for your mother?" I'm surprised she skipped her.

"Mom's name was Jane... I don't remember her middle name." We don't have to voice why it would be so inappropriate to name one of the twins Jane. Still, I hear Vladmir chuckling.

"Now that we've got that finished, I'm hungry." She catches us all off guard since none of us thought she'd live through the birth. There's no food for her in the house. Bella leans through the door and lets us know she'll go to the cabin and bring back something. "I also want a long, hot bath, but I can see that's not going to happen for a while." She looks down at her stomach, with the bandages hidden under her gown.

"I'm sure once you're able to get up we can get your hair washed. And it shouldn't take too long for you to heal." It's starting to sink in that there's life ahead of us. I start to look ahead to returning to our own life, away from the Cullens. I wonder if she'll want to live in Romania, or if she'll want to stay in her own country. I know for certain that we won't be taking the infants onto the boat. But the fact that they won't stay infants for long makes me wonder what we will do.

Everything is so calm as I sit beside her bed, taking turns holding either Tessa or Trisan as they sleep. The blankets feel snug around the babies, and I have to loosen them since they've already grown. I'm surprised that they don't sleep for long, and they watch what's going on with eyes that miss nothing. When Bella returns with food, Summer's appetite seems to have returned with a vengeance. After eating she kisses the babies before she drifts off to sleep. I sit with Vladmir, holding my son as he cradles my daughter against him. I feel like I'm about to burst with happiness.

"Of course you know she's still going to die." His words drain the happiness out of me. I look at her sleeping form and I know he's right. So easily she could have died in these past few weeks. She looks so fragile, even though she's survived the biggest trial of her life. I look down at my son, gazing up at me with trusting eyes.

"Maybe she'll change her mind now that we have the children."

He laughs. "Don't count on it. She's more stubborn than a certain ancient Greek I know." We both sit and watch her as she sleeps.

In the next several days she recovers quite a bit. She gets her hair washed and she is up and around even with her incision healing. She tries to do everything for the babies, even though Rosalie is almost becoming a nuisance trying to help. Their growth is phenomenal; they can already sit up and I'm told they will crawl before the week is out. Tessa's hair is coming in thick and pale blond, while Tristan's dark curls are exactly like mine.

They seem to be more intelligent than normal infants, and they rarely cry. When they do, they raise their voices together in perfect harmony, creating a sound that's impossible to ignore. Not because we want to make it stop, but because it's so beautiful. Their voices have the power to turn us into their adoring servants. The little one, Nessie, has already declared Tessa to be her best friend, and she comes to visit so often I wonder if we've had a third child. She at first seemed very guarded around Tristan, but then she decided that she would never be interested in him as a boyfriend, so he was alright to play with.

We've already started talking about where we're going to go, and where we're going to live. Summer wants to compare the educational opportunities of California and Romania and make a choice based on the children's future. I'm happy to go anywhere she wants to go. Vladmir suggests we should stay relatively close to the Cullen family. Not because of the Volturi threat, but because Carlisle is the only doctor who will understand the needs of our children.

She is only three days past giving birth when my wife leaves the babies in the care of Vladmir and Rosalie. She pulls me into our bedroom and closes the door. She places three condoms in my hand and grins up at me. "I've missed you so much!" Making love to her is the furthest thing from my mind, but when she turns her attention on me, I want her! "I have the doctor's permission, so long as we're careful."

I can deny her nothing. She is love and passion and beauty and everything I've ever wanted, and I am beyond happy as we lie together after we make love. "I want to do it again." Her words shock me. I can't believe we did it the first time. "Not make love, silly..." She turns in my arms and kisses me. "...I want to have more babies – with you." I'm stunned. I feel like we've just been to Hell and back and she wants to do it again!

"No." I leave her arms and pace. "I won't do this again. Not for any reason. If it means I never touch you again..." I can't even think it, let alone say it. I sit heavily on the bed. "This was too close. It was too hard. I won't risk losing you like that ever again."

"But we can do it! I don't need a hysterectomy, and we're both still fertile. We could have a house full of children!" I can see it glowing in her eyes; the dream of being surrounded by people who love her. Her fear of being alone has convinced her that she can do this again.

"And then you'll die and leave us all behind! No Summer, I won't inflict that on one more person, especially a child I love! I'm finished – I shouldn't have even started!" I can see my words have hurt her. But the risk she wants to take tears me up inside. I was afraid she'd cry, her tears are more than I can handle, but her silence is even worse. I want to hold her, but when I try to take her in my arms she turns away. Carlisle warned me about strong hormonal reactions after the babies were born. I try to pass this off as something that will pass, and hope that we'll laugh about it later. But I know her. I know she thinks she's found a way around the death sentence hybrid babies bring with them. I know she's rationalized their fast growth with the idea that she will have time to see them grow up.

I get up and get dressed, and she sullenly pulls on her nightgown. When they bring the babies back in, she prepares to nurse them. Sometimes they bite her, and sometimes they reopen a recent wound. I know they're getting both milk and blood from her, and I usually try not to watch. They're bigger, and they look like they're three months old rather than three days. She doesn't look at me even though I have to help her reposition the babies after they've fed. She gets up with the bundles and cleans them up, changes their diapers, and dresses them in new clothes. I try to help, but she's mad at me and she won't let me help. She looks tired again, especially when she's done all she can for each twin. Back in bed again she holds them close with her arms wrapped protectively around them.

I want to get past this, but I don't know how. Every time we've disagreed, she's gotten what she wanted. But I can't do this again. I won't take the risk. I sit beside the bed as she settles down to rest. Tessa is wide awake and watching me with bright blue eyes. I pick up my daughter and Summer wraps both arms around Tristan and closes her eyes.

I wonder if everyone can sense the tension in the air. No one comes to visit, even Nessie seems otherwise occupied. Summer closes her eyes, and in minutes she's asleep. Maybe that's all she needs is a little rest and we can work through this later. I play with little Tessa, making faces just to see her smile.

I smell it, then hear it. Her blood, and sounds of feeding. It takes a second to register that my son has bitten her throat. I scoop him away from her, but the wound is deep and the blood flows freely. I call for help and sweep a blanket up from the bed to press against her to stop the bleeding. I put Tessa on the bed and hold Tristan close, with his frightened eyes and his face covered in her blood. I think she's passed out, but I can't believe he could take so much blood from her.

Vladmir and Rosalie rush in, and she promptly scoops up both babies while we try to discover what's happened to Summer, who seems unconscious. I hear Rosalie mutter "Oh no," then Summer shrieks. Rosalie's panicked voice behind me announces, "he's venomous!" Vladmir and I stare at each other as Summer convulses and her eyes roll back into her head. I can tell it's not going to be possible for me to suck out the venom to save her; not on her throat.

I look at Vladmir as my wife writhes in agony. I put my mouth against her throat, fighting the hunger. I match my bite up to the smaller one, and sink my teeth into her. My venom is stronger and faster. But I can barely remember that's why I've bitten her. Her blood is so sweet! I always knew it would be, but it's beyond anything I've ever experienced, and I feel it overwhelming my senses! Everything she is washes over me, and I hold her close and just feel her wonderful life flowing into me. Her heartbeat slows and I know that soon the amazing wonderful feast will be gone.

"I always knew you'd be the one to kill her." Vladmir's words so close to my ear snaps me out of my fog. In shock I release her and she falls back into the bed, eyes staring and the thready sound of her heart barely registering. He's right, I very well may have killed her! I don't know where he's hidden it, but he produces a needle – one huge needle filled with fluid. He stabs it directly into her heart and I remember this is how Edward changed his own wife. I watch his potent venom pressed into her and she screams. Her eyes flash open and she locks her eyes onto mine and clutches my arms as she's wracked with pain.

"Take the babies out of here!" I climb into bed with her and hold her as tightly as I can. The pain tearing through her contorts and shakes her frail body. Between waves of agony she stares into my eyes. She doesn't beg me to kill her, but I can see she wants to die to end the suffering. I do the only thing I can do; I hold her and tell her I love her and promise it will be over soon. And it is over soon compared to most. She only agonizes for an hour before I feel her precious heart stop for good.

I feel such unexpected grief! I'll never again hear it's rhythm, or feel her pulse as I hold her. I won't know where she is by the singing of her blood. I'll never see her skin once more kissed by the sun, and her blue eyes are gone forever! And I'll never feel her softness or warmth again, nor watch her move like a butterfly through my dark world. And she can never shed another precious tear! My wife has joined me in death

The room is quiet and still. Her eyes open and fix on mine. I smile reassuringly and she looks on me with horror and revulsion.

"You've killed me!" Her first words, spoken with the voice of an angel chorus. "You couldn't let me have children and you couldn't let me live a normal life!" Her eyes roll in their sockets looking for tears. "I'm a monster now just like you – I hate you, Stefan!" Her voice is the sweetest thing I've ever heard, but her words cut me open and pierce my soul.

"I love you."

"No. You don't." With an inarticulate cry she leaps from the bed. She's so fast. She pulls up the nightgown and tears the bandage from her stomach, exposing perfect white skin. She rushes for the window, and the boards splinter as she throws herself out. It's dark and she disappears before I even put my head out. Once again I make the leap from the window. I can't see her, and I can barely smell her as I chase after her. She's running west, right toward the Quileute reservation! She's newborn strong and fast.

"Summer, come back!" I use my command as I shout into the night. I give it every bit of speed I have in me, knowing I'll lose her if I don't. She's strong and fast, but newborns are easy to kill if you know how, and the Quileute wolves know how.

Out of the darkness it hits me, a solid mass of muscle and fur, snarling beneath deadly yellow eyes. I was so worried about her, I forgot I was vulnerable.