4. Bad News

Skye

Eddie and I made our way downstairs after a quick shower.

"So nice of you to join us." Emmett teased and I felt my face heat up.

"Don't start." Eddie warned.

"Damn, you'd think after four kids…"

"Shut up, Emmett!" We both yelled and everyone laughed.

"What, I'm just saying…" he smiled.

"Anyway, are you guys ready for your trip?" Rose asked interrupting and changing the subject.

"Yes, I can't wait to lie on the beach in the hot sun and swim in the warm water." I smiled.

"So when are Nessie and Jake coming up?" Esme asked.

"They'll be here in the morning," Eddie said.

"Oh good, I can't wait to see her. I miss her so."

"Mom, you talk to her everyday," he said, shaking his head.

"Well that's not the same thing now is it?"

"Speaking of your trip…" Alice pulled a bag from under the counter and gave it to me.

"What's this?"

"Just open it."

I took all the tissue paper out then pulled out pieces of shimmering gold fabric.

"Uh…I give. What is it?" I asked.

"It's a swimming suit, silly."

I laughed. "Is that what it is?"

"Where the hell is the rest of it?" Eddie growled and she chuckled.

His head snapped to Em and Jazz and his eyes narrowed at them. I didn't even want to know what they were thinking. I totally blocked them out.

"How do you put it on?" I asked holding the fabric to my body.

She grabbed it from me and held it upright.

"Hell, I might as well go naked." I laughed. "Not that I planned on wearing much anyway." I winked at Eddie and he smiled, running his tongue over his bottom lip. No doubt still tasting me on it.

Alice laughed.

"That's actually a good plan. But take it anyway. Just in case you guys go into town."

"She's not wearing that in town. I'd have to kill someone." Eddie murmured and Jazz and Emmett nodded their agreement.

"She's your wife, not your property, Edward. She can wear what she wants to." Alice sang.

"Of course she's not my property. But I do believe it's my name scribbled across her ass. Therefore mine."

"Whatever!" She rolled her eyes exhausted.

I laughed and Eddie motioned for me to come to him with his head.

I did then wrapped my arms around his waist. He leaned down and kissed my lips softly.

Yes, I could taste myself on his mouth.

"Yummy." I said.

"Yes you are." He agreed.

0~~~~~~~~~~~~0

Carlisle came in with the kids and sat at the table. Esme brought them all plates. I went to the stove and made myself and Colin one before settling down. As we ate everyone talked about nothing and everything. I loved my family and I realized in that moment that I loved my life. How could I not? I had everything I'd ever wanted.

After dinner we packed up the kids and headed home. While I showered Eddie read to the kids as he promised, then put them to bed. When he finally made it to our bedroom I was feeding Stevie.

"Is he asleep?" he asked looking over my shoulder at the babe.

"Almost." I kissed his forehead.

"Good, we have things we need to discuss."

"What things?" I asked confused.

"Mommy and daddy things." He kissed my bare shoulder.

"Oh… I thought we had that discussion earlier at your parents house?"

"Yes well I wasn't done talking."

"Could've fooled me." I smirked.

He reached down and caressed my free breast through the gown. He pinched my nipple and twisted it softly between his fingertips. I looked up at him. His eyes were dark. He wasn't kidding.

"I'm going to take a shower. Be ready for me when I get out," he said.

I lifted Stevie to my shoulder and pat his back gently as I walked down the hallway to his room. I sat in the rocking chair and sang for him and the others. I knew they were listening. They loved it when I sang them to sleep. When I was sure he was asleep I lay him in the crib. Normally he slept in our room, in the bassinet, but not tonight.

I made my way back to our room and when I entered the door shut behind me. I turned to find Eddie standing naked, wet, and at attention. Damn, he was sexy. He beckoned me over with his finger. When I finally reached him, he fisted my hair and kissed me passionately. I felt my gown tickle and caress my skin as it fell to the floor. The softness pooled around my feet.

"I need to see you…all of you." He started backing me toward the bed.

When my legs hit the edge I lay back slowly as Eddie crawled over me. He captured my mouth and spread my legs with his so he could lay between them. He licked down my neck and between my breasts. I grabbed handfuls of his hair when he sucked my nipple into his cool mouth. My body arched toward his with a need that only he could fulfill.

Finally he released my breast and worked his way back to my mouth. His tongue tasted of my milk. He grabbed my legs one at a time and wrapped them around him before breaking our kiss.

I opened my eyes to look at him. He smiled and tangled both his hands in my hair. He lay on top of me, staring into my eyes and caressing my forehead with his thumbs. I rubbed his back slowly.

"You're so beautiful," he whispered softly to me.

I felt beautiful too. The way he was staring at me and the love in his eyes spoke more than words could ever say.

"Do you love me?" he asked lining himself up with me.

"So much…" I whimpered, grasping his back as he pushed into me.

Edward

It was just past eleven and I was getting ready for my shift at the hospital when Skye's cell buzzed. I threw the towel on the vanity and retrieved the phone before it woke her up. Who would be calling her at this hour? I looked at the screen puzzled.

"PJ?" I answered.

"Ed?"

"Yes."

"Hey man, I need to speak with my sister?"

"She's sleeping, PJ. It's after eleven."

"My bad, I wouldn't have called so late if it wasn't important."

"It's okay. What's up?"

"You need to bring her home."

"Why, what's going on?"

"It's Sidney. He's in the hospital and it's not looking too good."

"What happened?"

"He had a stroke. They say his brain is hemorrhaging. They don't think he's going to make it through the week. He's on a respirator and..."

"Great." I rubbed my forehead.

"I know, and I really hate to drop it in your lap like this so if you want me to talk to her..."

"When did it happen?" I asked.

"About an hour ago. It was all so sudden. He collapsed in the bar and they called 911. Kelly called me after they called her."

"Alright, I'll get her there."

"Can you get her here by morning?"

"No, not by morning. Maybe late afternoon your time. Ness and Jake won't be here til morning to mind the kids."

"Alright, just call me with your arrival time and I'll pick you up from the airport."

"Sure." I hung up and immediately dialed the hospital.

I told them my wife's uncle had a stroke and that we had to fly to Louisiana. I told them not to expect me back until after my scheduled vacation time.

I called Nessie and Jake to confirm when they would make it in and told them about the change in plans. I had planned on spending the next few days catching up with them before we left for Martinique but that wasn't going to happen now and neither was our annual anniversary trip.

I started packing our bags for New Orleans and called the airfield where I stored my plane and asked them to fuel it up. I told them that we'd be leaving a few days earlier than expected and that the flight plan had also changed. Then I called Jazz and asked him to run us there in the morning. With everything taken care of I went back to the bed and lay down next to Skye. She sighed and curled into me. I wrapped her in my arms and let her sleep. No sense in waking her now. It would take them a least a hour to get the plane fueled and Jake and Nessie were still a couple of hours away. So I let her rest. She was going to need it.

0~~~~~~~~~~~0

I heard Nessie and Jake coming before they even hit the driveway. I got up and went downstairs. I unlocked the door and headed to the kitchen to start coffee and breakfast. I heard the door open and Ness call for me in her head.

"In here, honey," I said quietly, but I knew she could hear me.

I heard their footsteps drawing closer. Hers light and airy and Jake's heavy and creaking the floor boards. She and Jake stepped into the dimly lit kitchen. She glided over to me and hugged me tightly. Jake shook my hand and smiled as I held her.

"I've missed you, Daddy."

"Me too, honey. Me too." I stroked her back. "I'm sorry about the change in plans. I was looking forward to spending time with you and Jake before Skye and I left."

"It's okay. We'll catch up when you get back from New Orleans."

I nodded.

"How's Skye doing?" she asked as she grabbed a banana out the bowl.

"She's asleep. I didn't want to wake her until you two arrived."

"Well go on and wake her. I'll finish breakfast."

I kissed her cheek and headed to the bedroom.

0~~~~~~~~~~~0

I sat on the edge of the bed and kissed her forehead. She stirred but didn't wake. I kissed her again; this time on the lips. They were pouted out and slightly swollen from me sucking on them last night.

"Skye." I ran my fingers over her lips.

She opened one eye and tried to focus on me with it.

"Edward? What are you doing here? Didn't you have to work today?"

"Yes, but I called off."

She opened both eyes.

"Why?"

"Because something's come up." I paused. "Sidney's in the hospital and we need to go to Louisiana."

She looked at me wide eyed.

"What happened to him?" She sat up quickly.

"He collapsed in the bar, they think it was stroke."

Her head fell a little.

I lifted her chin so I could see her eyes. Tears were threatening the rims. "PJ called, it doesn't sound good, baby."

"Oh no..."

The tears flowed now and she was sobbing quietly. I pulled her to me.

"I'm sorry. I know you love him." I caressed her back.

When she quieted a little I released her.

"You should get ready. I told PJ we'd be there by the afternoon."

She nodded.

"Do you need my help?" I motioned toward the bathroom.

She shook her head and stood up.

I nodded and sighed.

"Call me if you need anything."

She nodded again already in deep thought.

As she headed to the shower I headed to toward the kitchen. The kids were up and Nessie was holding Stevie in her arms and feeding him a bottle. Everyone watched me as I walked in.

"Is mommy going to be okay?" EJ asked. He hated seeing her hurt. He was so protective of his mother. He remembered that she risked her life to save him from Damien. Thank god he didn't know the extent to which she suffered. He would never forgive himself if he did. It wouldn't matter to him that it wasn't his fault. He was much like his father in that regard.

"She'll be fine. Mommy's a strong woman. How are you guys doing?" I asked and they shrugged. This was the first time they've ever had to deal with something like this.

"Is Uncle Sid going to die, Daddy?"

I looked at Lisette. I didn't know how to answer her. I hated that my children had to deal with sickness and possibly death this early in life. I wanted to protect them from it, but that was unrealistic. Noticing that I seemed stumped, Jake stepped in. He picked Lisette up and held her close.

"We don't know yet Princess, but it's possible. Uncle Sid is old and now he is very sick. Remember, dying is a part of every humans life. And Sid has lived a good one, so don't be sad for him. He's going to a better place."

"The spirit world?" She lay her head on his massive shoulder.

"You remembered?" He smiled.

Jake use to tell the kids his tribe's stories and old legends as bedtime stories.

She nodded. "It sounds so pretty there. I want him to go there. I want him to be happy."

"Then he will." He pat her back.

"Thank you." I mouthed to him.

"No problem." He kissed Lisette's head.

Skye walked in the kitchen and the kids ran to her. They wrapped her in a cocoon and she sighed before looking at me.

"Mom, we're sorry about Uncle Sid. We hope that he's going to be okay," EJ said.

"Thanks guys." She hugged and kissed them all. "You are the best kids ever."

"We love you, Mommy," Lisette said.

"I love you too." She sniffed.

They all smiled and hugged her tightly.

"I'm gonna miss ya'll." She pulled them closer.

"We'll be okay, Mom. Sissy and Jake are here," JR said.

"Well, alright then. But I'll still call you everyday." She walked to Ness and Stevie and gently took the babe from Nessie's arms.

"Thanks for watching them, Ness. I know you were looking forward to spending time with your Dad," Skye said.

"It's okay, Skye. I understand."

Skye hugged her.

"Mommy loves you too, sweetie. Be good for your sister." She kissed Etienne.

Nessie's face flashed through his thoughts and I smiled. Then there was one of me from an odd angle. It looked like I was holding him in my arms and rocking him. Skye was next, she was sleeping and he was watching her face. The love he felt for her was overwhelming.

"I love you too, Etienne." Skye smiled.

She must've been watching as well.

His siblings flashed in his head too. One of the images was the twins looking over the side of his crib and playing with his feet. The other of Lisette showing him her race car and kissing his cheek.

"Your brother's and sister will all be here with you." Skye smiled.

I walked over to them and kissed him and Skye.

"We need to get going." I told her and she nodded. She kissed him again and handed him off to Nessie. She was missing them already.

"Call Rose or Jazz if you need anything." I told Nessie.

"We'll be fine, Daddy. Fly safe." She nodded before shutting the door.

0~~~~~~~~~~0

We arrived in New Orleans a little after eleven in the morning. We'd made good time. PJ picked us up from the airstrip and drove us to the plantation but we didn't really have time to settle in. Skye wanted to get to the hospital to see Sid.

PJ tried to warn her on the elevator what she was in for. He told her that Sid wasn't even in the body that was being kept alive by the machines. But his warnings did nothing to stop the grief that hit her when she walked into that hospital room. Her memories flooded her thoughts and therefore mine. She didn't try to block them, or me, and for some reason I couldn't block her. It was as if she were forcing them into my head. To my relief, her dad arrived a couple of hours after us and took my spot beside her.

"Go get some air, Edward. You look exhausted and that's not an easy task," he said.

I thanked him, left the room and exited the hospital quickly. I didn't do death well. Not when it was so close to home. At work I could detach, but this man had been like a second father to my wife and I wanted to protect and take away her pain. I think that's why I couldn't block her out. And it was going to get worse. I had looked at Sid's chart while Skye was tending to him, and PJ was right. The man that had inhabited the body in there was long gone.

I felt PJ behind me but didn't face him.

"Why are they keeping him alive? They have to know that he is no longer with us," I said.

"They know. And that's something I need to speak with you about."

I turned and waited.

"Skye is Sidney's POA (power of attorney), he put her in charge of his affairs. All of them. She has to be the one to give the go ahead. I can't do it."

"Aww hell, are you serious? Why would he do that?" I pinched the bridge of my nose. "She can't make that kind of decision right now. She's a mess."

"I know and that's why I need your help." I looked at him. "I need you to talk to her. He's suffering and he wouldn't want to live like this."

"Damn it, PJ!" I growled.

"You have to. I'm sure she knows it's the right thing to do medically, but she won't. I've seen it. She loves him too much."

I placed my hands over my face and sat on the concrete bench. It was times like these that I wished I could smoke or fucking drink and get a buzz.

"I don't know."

"I'm going to tell her the situation tonight. I don't want to make him suffer another day. I need you to have my back."

I groaned but nodded reluctantly.

0~~~~~~~~~0

When we got back to Sid's floor Skye and Pierre were sitting in the waiting area. She had a cup of hot cocoa in her hands and he was drinking coffee. I sat next to her and she leaned into me. PJ took a seat next to their father and across from us.

"Angel, we need to talk." I looked at him. He was giving her no time to deal with any of it.

"Not now, PJ." She groaned obviously not in the mood. This wasn't going to go well.

"Yes now, it's about Sidney. He made you his POA, so the doctors won't let dad or I make the decision to…"

"Decision to what?" she asked sitting up.

"Skye, he's suffering. You have to let him go," he said and she froze.

"You want me to kill him?" She stood up and I rubbed at my eyes.

"Angel, he's already gone. You've see him. That body in there isn't Sidney," he said calmly.

I looked up to see her tears falling.

"He may still pull through."

I closed my eyes. She saw the chart just as I had and she knew he had slim to no chance of waking up. Even if by some miracle he did…the quality of life would be terrible. He'd be an invalid. Just a shell. And even I knew that Sid had too much pride to live like that.

Pierre stood up and hugged her.

"PJ's right, honey. I've known Sidney since he was a young boy following after your mother. He hurt just as much as I did when we lost her. He knew her before I did, when she was just a girl. And he was a connection to her and her past that I wanted you two to have. And while I can't say we were the best of friends. I can say that we became friends because of your mother, and because of you and PJ. I know he is the last link you have to your mother. But sometimes petite amie (sweetheart), you have to make hard decisions and not let your personal reasons get involved with what you know is right."

"Papa, je ne pense pas que je peux (Daddy, I don't think that I can)." She cried.

"You'd be surprised what you will and can do for someone you love, honey. Sid trusted you the most with this decision. He trusted you to know what he would want because you knew him best."

"I…I need to think about it." She cried pulling away from him.

PJ stepped up.

"Angel, you need to make a decision…"

I stepped between them and held my hand up.

"Enough, give her some space. She'll do what's right."

"You're supposed to helping…"

I gave him a look that let him know I was, but Skye came first.

He nodded stiffly.

"Eddie?" she sniffed.

"Oui, amour (Yes, love)."

"I want to go home."

I nodded, placed my hand at the small of her back and led her toward the elevators. I heard PJ growl behind me. Then he and Pierre started talking to each other.

"What the hell!" PJ said.

"Give her sometime, son. Another day perhaps. This isn't easy for her."

"It's not easy for me either, Dad. And it's not right. I love him too. I don't like seeing him like this!"

"I know, son… I know…" Pierre comforted him.

In his head I could see the images of two kids crying over their mother's hospital bed. It just about killed Pierre to watch them suffer knowing he could end their pain and his with one sweet kiss to the neck. But it wasn't what Skye's mother wanted. Seeing her on her deathbed almost broke him. He was about to bite her when she opened her eyes and caressed his face.

"Please mon amour, let me go." She begged, too weak to fight him off if he tried.

"Dammit, Vie, I can't! I can't let you go!" He broke down.

"Yes you can. I've left the best of me in your loving hands. Promise me you'll take care of our babies."

"Genevieve, stay with me. Please..." he ran his hands through her soft but tightly coiled hair.

"It is my time, Pierre. I was not born to spend an eternity here as you were."

"You were born to be with me forever and I can make it so. You'll never hurt or be sick again. Please... I need you! We need you!" He pleaded.

"And I'll always be near." She coughed and spit blood in a tissue. "The spirits are calling me home. I have served my purpose here."

"But what about PJ and Skye? What about our children?" He asked trying to find any reason now to make her accept.

She smiled weakly.

"They are your children Pierre and are therefore meant to live as you do. I was not. I am human and humans die. They are special our babies, and will do many great things." She coughed again. "So promise me you'll take care of them and won't let them forget me..."

She closed her eyes and started to struggle for air.

"I promise Vie, I promise!" He wailed.

The monitors on the machines cried as well and the doctors rushed in moving him out of the way. But Pierre knew she was gone, and with her his heart. It was why he'd never had another woman in his life, and why he protected PJ and Skye so ferociously. They were all he had left of her.

I watched him as he held PJ's giant form. A new found respect forming for the man who'd fought me tooth and nail for his daughter. A man I now understood a little better. He'd lost the love of his life. Let her go when he didn't have to because it was what she wanted. He wouldn't lose her children to someone he felt unworthy of them.

He looked up and saw me watching him. I gave him a head nod which he returned in understanding. Then I gently ushered Skye onto the waiting elevator.

0~~~~~~~~~0

When we got to the plantation Skye grabbed a snack then headed to the bedroom. I followed behind her quietly.

After she ate, she came and sat on my lap.

"What do you think I should do?" she asked as she rested her head on my shoulder.

"I think you know, mon amour. I know it's hard but..."

"I can't kill him, Edward."

"He's gone already, baby. That body is holding him here and you have the power to set him free. Let him find his peaceful place. Wherever that may be." I hugged her.

She nodded in agreement, tears flooding her eyes.

I let her cry it out.

When she calmed she looked up at me.

"Will you take a shower with me?"

"Of course." I nodded and stood up with her in my arms.

We slowly peeled each others clothes off on the way to the bathroom, leaving a trail of color across the dark wood floor. Her hands seemed to be in five places at once before tangling in my hair.

"I don't want to feel or think about anything but you right now. Make love to me, Edward." She asked and I complied.

The steam from the hot shower had fogged up the room. And other than the soothing sounds of the water, and our soft moans of ecstasy, the house was blissfully silent. The air around us was moist and heavily scented with Skye's lavender and wildflower scent. Her smell alone was enough to turn me into a raging wild man, or soothe the savage beast within.

After she came undone, I carried her to the bed and made slow, sensual love to her. I touched, kissed and caressed every part of her while grinding myself deeper, and deeper, getting lost in her soft, silky, abyss. It was heaven, and I had never been more sure that she was my salvation.

Our bodies were a tangle of limbs and wet flesh that clung to one another and never wanted to part. As we both came I whispered in her hair how much I loved and needed her. And she stroked my back, trembling and nodding in acceptance and agreement.

I lifted to my elbows and looked down on her. She opened her eyes and they met mine.

"That was beautiful. Thank you."

"It was my pleasure." I kissed her lips, then her neck and smiled.

"You always know exactly what to do to make me feel better." She sighed running her fingers though my hair.

"Not always, but I try, and I'm learning." I kissed her again. "I never want you to hurt. Ever. I only want to make you happy. And I will do everything in my power to see that happen." I stroked her face.

"Forever?" she asked.

"Always, mon amour. Always."

0~~~~~~~~~~~0

I didn't open my eyes as she slipped out of bed and sat on the chaise. I heard her punching the numbers in her phone.

"PJ, it's me… I'm okay… I'm sorry too… I was calling about Sid… Go ahead and do it. Tell them to call me to confirm if they need to. I'll sign the papers when I get there… No, I don't want to be there when they do it."

She was listening.

"No, PJ, I can't. Just do it… I'll make arrangements for the services or something… I know it's for the best, but that doesn't make it hurt any less… Right, I'll see you later then."

She sat there for a few minutes and I waited for her to come back to me. She crawled back into bed and lay her head on my chest. I could feel the warm tears pooling on my skin. I kissed the top of her head.

"Shhh…baby…it's okay. I'm here." I told her softly.

0~~~~~~~~~~~0

AN: Next one should post tomorrow evenin' and an old friend of Skye's shows up. Can you guess who? LOL... So until then... SMOOCHES~ & leave me some love. La Reine Creole...