Previously…

"Of course not. But do you think you'll be able to keep it a secret for the rest of eternity? All someone has to do is see your immortal baby and all of us are dead! I won't let you kill us Edward, and I'll die before you touch your teeth to that little girl's skin."

Bella's POV:

"Don't be ridiculous, Rosalie," he glared at her and the look he gave her had me scared for my life, even though Rosalie was clearly the one in trouble with him.

"I'm not, I'm being honest," she was dead serious and we both knew it. I looked back and forth between the two of them and they were both absolutely up for a fight if it came to that.

"She's not your daughter, Rosalie. It's not your decision to make," for a second she flinched but then returned too furious, determined expression she wore before.

"She's not your daughter, either," and now I was angry. Edward was the only father Aurora had ever had.

"He's her father in every way that counts, Rosalie. The only father she's ever had, and don't you ever say otherwise," I'd never sounded so scary, I even scared myself. But they were vampires and they probably weren't scared at all. Her eyes flashed to my face.

"You know Edward really needs to stop lying to you, if you were really good mother you would have let her off life support a long time ago," I choked on a breath and the endless stream, no waterfall, of tears started flowing. And suddenly I was on the floor sitting on my butt. And Rosalie was being pinned to the wall by her neck; thank god she didn't have to breathe, because she'd be dead.

"SAY IT AGAIN! I DARE YOU! SAY IT! SEE WHAT HAPPENS!" Edward was shouting at her, her hands were at his arm trying to pull him off.

"EDWARD! LET HER GO!" I was off the floor faster then I thought possible and trying in vain to get him off her.

"NOT UNTIL SHE TAKES IT BACK!" I'd never seen him so angry, or so deadly. He had Rosalie by the neck! I was surprised Emmett wasn't here yet to tear him to pieces.

"IT DOESN'T MATTER, EDWARD! I DON'T CARE! SHE'S RIGHT, ANYWAY!" my voice was thick with tears and my hands slipped from his stone arms. Suddenly Rosalie was sitting on the floor with her hands at her throat and Edward was facing me. He took me gently, more gentle than I thought possible in his state, into his arms and murmured in my ear.

"Don't ever let me hear you say that again. How many times do I have to tell you that you're a good mother, a wonderful mother, the best in the world? When will you listen to me?" his voice was pained suddenly.

"I'm not," my voice cracked and it made the words more pathetic than they already were.

"Yes. You are," his voice was fierce and I wanted nothing more than to believe him. I shook my head and whimpered like a pathetic dog.

"Oh, stop lying to her, Edward. You know she should have taken her off life support months ago," Edward tightened his hold on me as she spoke, I imagine trying not to attack her again.

"Rosalie, stop, right now. I don't have a problem with tearing you to bits," he was dead serious, no pun intended, but it would appear so was Rosalie.

"That's enough! Rosalie, go home now! Edward, I don't ever want to hear you threaten your sister again!" my head turned so fast is gave me whiplash. Standing in the doorway was a very livid looking Carlisle, which was odd, because I'd never seen Carlisle angry before, and to tell you the truth it was quite scary. He might have even been scarier than Edward right then.

"Carlisle, she-," Edward was cut off. Somehow Carlisle had managed to make him angrier.

"That's enough, Edward. We'll discuss this at home," suddenly I was angry. I glared at Carlisle. I was about to speak but Edward beat me to it.

"We're not going anywhere Carlisle. I refuse to leave my daughter here alone in a hospital," Carlisle's gaze held the agony of an immeasurable amount of time on this Earth and he sighed.

"Edward, listen to me. I know your reluctant to-," he was cut off suddenly by an irate Edward.

"Reluctant? Reluctant?! Carlisle, I'm a little bit more than reluctant to leave my dieing daughter by herself! I absolutely refuse!" Carlisle waited patiently for him to finish, not even blinking.

"Edward, I need you to calm down-don't interrupt me son," he scolded after Edward tried to cut him off. "I realize you're upset, I also realize upset is a gross understatement, but you can't help her if you're not thinking straight. I will support you in any decision you make, you're her father and it's your job to determine what's best for her at this point, but only after I trust you've thought through that decision thoroughly. So please, this shouldn't take long, come home and have this discussion with your family, I know they'll stand by you to," he glared at Rosalie as he said this.

"Speak for yourself, Carlisle," she said, not looking at him. "I won't risk my life if he wants to break the law."

"What do you mean, "break the law"? What, is there a, like, a rule or something?" I spoke up finally. Rosalie looked up at me, smug and all knowing.

"You bet your ass there is, sweetheart. I'm not sure if Edward's explained the Volturi to you, but the creators of immortal children, and the children themselves, when caught, are murdered. The Volturi will kill Edward and Rora, and anyone who stands with them," she smirked when my eyes widened. She really couldn't win could she? She just couldn't. And I couldn't bear the thought of Edward dieing. Or any member of my new family. Not even Rosalie. I loved them all, and though they'd kill me, too, the thought of Edward ceasing to exist killed me.

"Bella, look at me," Edward stared straight into my eyes and into my very soul. "I won't let them touch her. They won't ever know, I promise you that. She'll be safe, if it means we have to be evasive and secluded for the rest of eternity that's what we'll do. If this is what you want, I promise, we'll keep her safe," my vision was starting to blur as my eyes teared up.

"I love you, Edward. I love you so much," I buried my face in his chest and he held me as tight as possible without hurting me.

"I love you to, Bella. God, I love you. So much, so God damn much," he breathed shakily into my hair.

"Edward, Bella, we really need to discuss this with the family," I turned to Carlisle and his face was grave. Then I turned to look at my baby. She looked so small in that big ol' bed. Tiny, and broken, with tubes everywhere. I didn't want to leave her; it would cause me physical pain to walk out the door. But I knew I had to, if I ever wanted a chance to see her out of here. Home, happy, I needed to leave her for a little bit. I untangled myself from Edward's arms and let go of all but his hand, I needed him there. I walked over to the side of her bed and with my left hand I stroked her cheek, and her little nose. I kissed her forehead softly and touched my head lightly to hers.

"Baby, mommy's gonna leave for a little bit, but I'll be back soon," my voice cracked and it took everything I had and then some not to cry. I wanted to be strong. "So soon, so soon you won't have time to miss me. I'm gonna leave you here with one of the nurses, okay? Susan, remember her, she gave you the lollipop one time? I'll be back soon, baby, I promise you. I promise," I kissed her cheek and pulled back and Edward leaned down to kiss her little forehead.

"Daddy's going to go with mommy but I promise, we'll be back real soon. Really, really soon. Daddy's going to try and make everything better, okay? My Princess Ballerina Sleeping Beauty. I love you baby girl, daddy loves you so much. You mean the world to me, you and your mommy and your baby sister," he kissed her again and as he stood up we watched for an immeasurable moment. Then when Susan walked in (Carlisle had gone to go get her) we reluctantly turned our backs and walked away.

The drive here had been a blur. Edward drove slower than normal but the trees still blew by, not because he was driving fast, but because I was numb. I held his hand in my lap and I clutched it with tenacious fingers.

Rosalie drove her red BMW behind us and in his determination to make sure she'd have this discussion with the family, Carlisle drove behind her.

We pulled up to the house and there stood Alice and Jasper on the porch. Jasper had Antoinette in his arms and when she saw her daddy's car her face lit up and her hands reached out to us. I was out of the car and up the steps before even Edward could get my door for me.

"Oh my baby!" my voice cracked as I took her into my arms. She squealed happily, the sound was so bizarre, and yet so familiar at the same time. I'd recognize her voice anywhere, but happy was so far from where I was, from anything I'd been or been around that the sound seemed alien to me.

"Mmmmy!" her arms went around my neck and she gave me a wet kiss on my cheek. I almost chuckled, but then I remembered that Rora had taught her that, and I wanted to cry all over again. "Dadeeeeeeeeeeee!" her arms reached out to Edward and he smiled softly at her. He took her from my arms and pulled her little body to his chest. She gave him a kiss, too.

"My baby girl," he whispered and placed a kiss on the top of her head. "Daddy missed you, I'm sorry we've been gone so long, but we'll be home soon, I promise."

We stood on the porch for I'm not sure how long, but for a little while it almost seemed things were not as bad as they were. And I all but forgot the little girl lying in the hospital with tubes down her throat. I guess Antoinette was tired because Edward began humming my lullaby in her ear, and she eventually dozed off.

We all walked inside and I followed Edward up to the nursery to lay her down. Since Edward and I had met Alice had taken it upon herself to add a room here for the girls. Once we both kissed her and wished sweet dreams we went back downstairs to the music room where everyone was assembled. Carlisle stood in front of the big window and Esme and Alice sat on the couch to his right. Jasper sat next to his wife with his arm around her as she tried not to break down into tearless sobs. Emmett was sitting and then getting up again and then sitting down in the armchair across from the couch that Esme, Alice, and Jasper sat on, (have you ever seen a vampire so jumpy?). And Rosalie stood in the far corner of the room, looking like she wanted to kill us all. Edward sat down in the free chair and pulled me onto his lap. Carlisle waited a moment before he began.

"I know you all know why we're here. Someone we love dearly is dying, she will not make it. Not unless we act, and you all know of what I speak. The choice is of course up to Edward and Bella, but I think we all know what they'll choose, despite any turn this discussion may take," he almost smiled, almost. "I imagine that you all want Aurora to live, but if anyone has any opinions, please voice them now," he looked like he winced as he threw a wary glance in Rosalie's direction.

"You already know what I think Edward," Rosalie's whisper was blank and monotone.

"Oh for god's sake, Rosalie!" the voice was not Edward's, or mine even. It was Alice's. "She's my niece! I don't care how much you hate this life, or how jealous you are of Bella and Edward, but how can you not at the least have enough compassion to let her live?! Are you really that cold hearted?! Do you really not care about her?!"

"Of course I care, Alice! It's because I care I won't let this happen!"

"WON'T?! DON'T YOU THINK FOR A SECOND YOU HAVE A SAY IN THIS DECISION! YOU'RE NOT HER MOTHER! BELLA IS! AND UNTIL THE DAY YOU ARE A MOTHER OF A SICK AND DYING CHILD DON'T PRETEND YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT! OH, BUT WAIT, YOU'LL NEVER BE A MOTHER!" Rosalie's face was a mask of pain and horror as Alice restated what all of us already knew. Vampires could not have children; therefore Rosalie could never be a mother.

"Alice, don't," my head turned wildly to Emmett as he defended his wife. "I don't agree with her right now, but I understand what she means," Edward growled suddenly. "Dude! Let me finish! Just because I understand doesn't mean I condone it, I love that little girl, I think it's safe to say everyone in this room does, but I know Rose, and I understand why she'd think that letting her die would be the best thing, we all know she has the hardest time with this life," he talked as if she wasn't in the room with us, he wouldn't even look at her.

"Understand, Emmett? You understand me? My ass you understand me! If you really understood you'd be trying to convince them not to do this to her!" Rosalie was livid as she walked toward us. I could feel cold energy radiating off her in waves, so much so that Edward's cold skin seemed hot.

"Rose, I know you love her. I know it's hard for you, I know you want a baby, and you know I wish I could give you that more than anything in the world, I wish I could give you a baby, but that's just not possible for us, but don't condemn them just because they have what you want, don't let jealousy-,"

"THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH JEALOUSY!" she seethed.

"Stop lying, Rose," Jasper spoke now. "You have your legitimate reasons for your thoughts and opinions but jealousy is a big part of it," he didn't look at her as he spoke.

The room was suddenly very quiet. Not a single sound was made except for my uneven breathing, because no one else had to breath, and I imagined at the moment it was easier not too. But someone had to say something.

"I do understand, Rose," she looked at me startled. Then looked like she was about to protest. "Wait, I don't mean about the vampire thing, how hard this life must be. I don't understand how you could wish for humanity above all else, not when you have someone who loves you so much," I looked at Emmett, who was staring at Rosalie. "How you could give him up. But I understand how you could want a baby so badly, want motherhood so badly. There's not a feeling to compare it to, it's completely unique, it's its own world. One of the most beautiful places you'll ever be. The love you feel for your children can't be put into words, it's all consuming, that feeling, that instinct, takes over, and there's nothing in the world that matters more than that child, and you'd do anything for her, be anything for her. And maybe I am being selfish, no, I know I'm being selfish, but I can't let her die. Motherhood is a place you never leave, a place that once you're there there's no turning back, and you will forever be there, forever living for your baby. That child becomes your reason for everything, the very reason you exist. Aurora and Antoinette, they were the only reason I had, it wasn't my mother, it wasn't my father, it wasn't my writing or my friends, it was them. And even though now I have three reasons instead of two, if I were to lose Edward for whatever reason, I'd still have to be strong for them, I wouldn't be able to let them now how miserable, how hopeless I would be, because they're my children, and they are ultimately more important than myself, therefore I would still have a reason to be strong. But if I were to lose one of them, what is to keep me from being a miserable wretch? As selfish as I am? Especially when Edward is to be just as miserable? Do you see now? Just a little bit? Do you see why this is my only option?" tears were running silently down my face though my voice was strangely calm.

"You'd still have Antoinette, you'd be just fine," her voice was harsh, but there was an undercurrent of something. I heard Esme sigh.

"For someone as wise as you are you'd think you'd stop being so immature," Esme spoke for the first time.

"What are you talking about?" Rose snapped.

"Yes, they'd have Antoinette, but while you, Rose, have never been a mother, though it is something you want above all else, you have not experienced the feeling, to lose even one child is enough, I am evidence of that, I hadn't man I loved as much as I love Carlisle now or how Bella loves Edward, but you can not imagine the feeling. It is as sharp as the pain of transformation is in my mind, worse even. And we both know that Bella will need to be with Edward as he will need to be with her, therefore she will eventually be immortal. And what about Edward? Can you do that to your brother? No matter how unfeeling you are for your sis-Bella?" apparently Esme thought that Rosalie would not want me to hear me called her sister. I agreed with her.

"This is isn't about Edward or Bella! This is about Aurora!"

"Rosalie, you're not thinking about anyone but yourself right now," Jasper's voice was ice and he refused to meet Rosalie's eyes.

"THAT'S NOT TRUE!"

"Maybe not entirely," Edward looked up at her. "You're thinking about her, too. And I realize that in some ways you're right, maybe completely right," my breath caught in my throat. He's only agreeing with me so that I'll be happy, he knows this isn't best for Rora. "But I'm a selfish creature, Rosalie, and I won't give up my daughter, and she is my daughter. I may not be her biological father, but I love her as any father loves his child. Please, please Rose, you don't have to stay and risk your life with me, no one does, but I'm doing this, as long as Bella will agree to it, I'm doing this," his eyes revealed all the pain he was keeping out of his voice.

"Fine," she whispered, "but I'm staying," her eyes were hard again.

"That's your choice, Rose."

"I think it's now safe to say everyone is staying," Carlisle looked at Edward. It was quiet for a long time. But I knew I had to speak.

"I want you to change me first," it was but a whisper, but everyone heard.

"Why?" Edward asked me.

"Because otherwise she won't be able to be around Aurora, and she wants to be there for the change, too," it was Rosalie who spoke.

"I'm not sure that's a good idea," Carlisle looked at Edward questioningly.

"It'll be fine, Carlisle, I can see that much," Alice whispered, but her eyes looked hopeful almost.

"Well, then, how are we going to do this? When?" Everyone looked at me. But I held Rosalie's gaze.

"The sooner the better," and she nodded in agreement.

Alice wanted to be there, and Edward wanted her close so she could keep an eye on how long my transformation would take, but Jasper seemed to be the only one Antoinette would go with right now besides me and Edward, and we definitely didn't want her in the house. And though I quite trusted Jasper with her Edward was still a bit jumpy, so Alice was going with him, and he'd just have to call for updates. Rosalie refused to go anywhere, and Emmett and Carlisle would be in the room, Carlisle to administer the morphine to me, he and Edward were hoping the pain would be less intense that way, and Emmett there just in case Edward lost control. I didn't think he would, he just loved me too much, but of course as self-loathing as he was he has no faith in himself whatsoever.

I was currently upstairs in Edward's room. I was wearing pajama shorts and a tank top, Alice said it would be hot enough without my usual jeans and a long sleeve t-shirt, Carlisle said it really wouldn't make a difference but Edward wanted to do anything that might help me. Carlisle was readying the shot of morphine he was going to give me, and I don't think I've ever seen a needle that big.

I didn't even feel it when he put the needle in, but Edward lay next to me while he waited for the morphine to take affect. He was humming my lullaby softly, as if I wasn't already falling asleep.

"Edward, it's time," I looked up sleepily at Carlisle. I felt Edward move from off the bed, Emmett was standing in the corner, and he shifted slightly when Edward moved. He was standing over me, he cupped my cheek with his hand and rubbed his thumb across my lower lip, his other hand ran through my hair.

"I love you, Bella. I won't hurt you, I promise," his voice was strained.

"I never thought you would," I whispered. He lowered his lips to my forehead, and tilted my head back slightly, exposing my neck. His arms moved down to hold my arms at my sides, and he lowered his lips to my throat, kissed it once, and bit down.

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