I drifted in and out of a black haze, feeling mostly nothing, hearing faint noises but nothing clear. The only thing that was recognizable was the sweet lull of an angel's voice. It was warm and reassuring so I clung to it. I knew I had to come out of my numbness soon. Something important was happening and I needed to be there for it.

I finally awoke to the sound of beeping and hushed voices. I opened my eyes slowly to a bright white room. I could feel the tube that ran across my face and into my nostrils supplying me oxygen, but otherwise I couldn't feel any pain. My lower half felt slightly numb, and this scared me.

"Bella?" Edward was next to me in a flash, stroking my forehead. "Oh sweetheart, are you alright? Are you in any pain?"

"Is the baby okay?" I asked frantically, since that was the only sentence my mind could formulate at the moment.

"Yes, she is fine and healthy, but there are a few complications with you," he said as he reached for my hand and squeezed it gently. His perfect face was etched with worry and fear and it scared me.

I was relieved that my baby was okay but I still started to hyperventilate a bit and the monitor gave away my racing heart.

"What it is? What's wrong?" I whispered. I had never been so scared before in my life.

Just then a female doctor came in. "Hello Ms. Swan, my name is Dr. Taylor. I'm glad you're awake. How are you feeling?"

I felt so disoriented but so alert at the same time. I didn't know how I was and I was feeling scared.

"I'm okay I think," I said a little groggily. "Just tell me what's wrong. Is my baby okay?"

"Your baby is fine. She sustained no apparent injuries. But you did. It's not too serious, but there are a few things that have to be done."

Edward squeezed my hand reassuringly. "Just tell me."

Dr. Taylor flipped through papers on a clipboard. "Well, when you slipped and landed on the stairs, you hit a nerve in your back which could have paralyzed you if you had really damaged it, but you only pinched it. We have given you medicine so you can't feel anything at the moment, but you will have 'pins and needles', so to say, and some sharp pains occasionally in your legs and hips."

I sighed. I could live with that if my baby was okay.

"Is that all?" I asked.

The doctor didn't smile. "Well, the fall caused a bit of vaginal bleeding and you may have gone into premature labor, but we can't be sure. Everything is fine, but you'll need to stay on bed rest, most likely until the baby is born."

I couldn't help the tears that welled up in my eyes. Bleeding? Bed rest? How could I have been so stupid and careless? What kind of mother was I? Clearly, I was not meant to be one.

"Sweetheart, don't cry. Everything's okay," Edward said gently as reached up to cup my cheek in his cold hand. He turned to the doctor and asked, "Is that all?"

She nodded and said, "That's everything. If something else comes up, we'll let you know. But as of now, you can take her home. I'll notify a nurse to come check her out one last time then she is free to go. She needs to stay off her feet at almost all times except when absolutely necessary, such as going to the bathroom. And make sure she gets her vitamins and eats healthily as well to help her get her strength up before the baby is born. If she has any complications, bring her in immediately."

Edward nodded and thanked her while I was incapable of speech, the tears falling freely down my face. I was so scared I had messed up and that something would go wrong when the baby was born. I was in shock.

As soon as she closed the door, Edward sat on the edge of my bed and pulled me into his cold embrace. I clung to his shirt and sobbed, with my other arm wrapped around my stomach.

"Bella, love, everything is going to be alright. You heard the doctor, you and the baby are fine. We just have to keep an eye on you. You also have Carlisle for anything you need. He wanted to be here, love, but it would have been too risky for him to come to the hospital. We can't have everyone knowing we are here. It wouldn't be safe. But as soon as you get discharged I'll take you back to him so he can examine you himself. It'll be fine, please don't worry. It's not your fault, sweetheart. It's the dog's and I will make sure he pays for his mistakes."

I shook my head. "No, no, don't hurt Jacob. He couldn't help it. And it's my fault anyway since I said stupid things to make him angry. I should have known better. I put my baby in danger, it's my fault. I'm going to be a terrible mother."

"Bella, look at me," he said seriously as he lifted my face up. "It is not your fault. Don't you dare blame yourself for this. If anyone is to blame, I am. I meant to save you from him and I didn't. I let you fall. I wasn't fast enough, I…"

Just then there was a knock on the door, stopping Edward from finishing his blatantly false speech. A nurse opened the door with a clipboard in her hand. "Is now a good time?" she asked.

"It's fine, please come in," Edward said as he disentangled me from his arms.

"Alrighty then, I'm just going to take your vitals and do a quick ultra sound and then you are free to go home," the nurse said.

Edward held my hand as the nurse took my blood pressure, listened to my heart and lungs, and finished my other vitals. I couldn't help but hold my breath as she poured the cool gel on my exposed stomach and took the ultra sound. Edward and I both trained our gaze on the screen. I needed to see for myself that my little girl was okay. The nurse moved the transducer around on my stomach for a moment until she found the most beautiful sound of my baby's fluttering heartbeat. I could see her tiny little outline on the black and white screen and she was sucking on her tiny thumb. More tears welled up in my eyes, both in relief and in sheer joy. I was overwhelmed with so many emotions at once. Edward kissed my forehead and stroked my hair.

"Everything is fine, she appears to be healthy and developing normally," the nurse said with a smile. She signed my chart. "You are free to leave, Ms. Swan. I'll bring a wheelchair to the room for you."

"Thank you," I whispered. Edward kissed my forehead again then kissed me softly on the lips, spreading warmth throughout my entire body. He stayed with his forehead leaning against mine for a few moments.

"I'm sorry," he said gently.

Before I could protest, the nurse came in with the wheelchair. I made a move to get out of bed myself but Edward stopped me with his hand. He walked around so he was on the correct side, gently and effortlessly lifted me out of bed and into the wheelchair before the nurse could say anything. He then proceeded to wheel me out of the hospital.

"How are we getting home?" I asked him as swiveled my head to glance at him.

"Carlisle and Esme came to pick us up. They are waiting at the entrance," he said.

Sure enough they were. Edward picked me up again and laid me on the backseat and then proceeded to get in the car on the other side so I could lay my head on his lap.

"Bella, how are you feeling?" Carlisle asked with the tone of both a doctor and a concerned father.

"Sore and exhausted," I answered truthfully. "But I'm just relieved that my baby is safe and fine. I can bear anything else for that."

Esme reached back and took my hand between both of hers. "Hopefully this was the worst of it. We will do everything we can to make you comfortable, Bella. You will not want for anything, I promise, sweetheart. We'll make you forget you're on bed rest. You don't even want to hear the list Alice has already made for you."

I groaned and couldn't help but smile a bit. Whatever Alice had in store was probably going to be torturous. I could already see the marathon manicure sessions planned and the food-filled sleepovers just waiting to happen. I was in for it. But I couldn't dwell on it long because I was just too tired to even think. All I wanted to do was sleep.

Edward caressed my face and hair gently. His cool hand made the fear and pain go away, and I shut my eyes to the world and slept.

When I woke up, I found myself in the Cullen's living room, sprawled out on the plush couch. The glass walls of the house told me it was nighttime and there was a certain quiet about the house. For a moment, I was scared that this had all been a dream and the Cullens had not really returned and I was alone. But before I could begin to panic, a delicate voice chimed,

"Bella, are you awake now sweetheart?"

I turned my head to see Esme gliding gracefully down the wide staircase. She came over and sat on the chair perched near my head. I can only guess that had originally been Edward's post but he seemed to have disappeared.

Esme seemed to have read my expressions because she said, "I sent them hunting, they were all so stressed out and looking a bit too pale, Edward especially. I told them I was perfectly capable of caring for you myself, but Rosalie stayed too, just in case. She's out in the garage working on one of her cars. But that's okay, it gives me a chance to talk to you. I haven't had much a chance for that since we returned."

I struggled to sit up on the couch so I could be more level, so Esme quickly retrieved another pillow from the loveseat and helped prop it behind me so I was more comfortable.

"Are your blankets warm enough as well, dear? And can I get you anything to eat or drink? We stocked the fridge for you so don't ever be afraid to ask."

I smiled, appreciating having a mother-figure back in my life. "My blankets are fine, but a glass of water would be nice, thank you."

She blurred for a moment and returned with the glass of water. I sipped it while she spoke.

"Bella, I know you must feel shaken by today's events. Hearing that something might be wrong with your child is the worst news a mother can receive. But I feel like there's something else bothering you. Will you talk to me about it?"

Here, alone with Esme, I felt so vulnerable and exposed. She was the only member of the Cullen family who truly understood what I was going through. And besides that, Esme was like a second mother to me. I missed Renee terribly, but I felt like this would be too much for her to comprehend, especially since I couldn't tell her the entire truth about the Cullens. I felt all my defenses crumbling to the ground and broke down right then and there.

I tried to talk through the sobs, but my words were drowned out by the tears and hiccups. "I-I-I am such a…b-bad mother…I almost hurt…I c-can't do this…"

Esme quickly shifted onto the couch, pulling me into her embrace so that I could lean on her shoulder. She stroked by hair and rocked me in her arms.

"Dear heart, it isn't your fault. You are not a bad mother by any means. Your baby is healthy, and all you have to do is rest. It was all an accident, these things happen."

"But it's worse than that Esme. I keep putting myself before my baby. I got Jake angry and put her in danger, and if I let Edward change me, then I will be the worst danger possible to her. How can I endanger my own daughter? I wouldn't be able to be near her and she will need her mother. I don't want to be flighty like my own mother. I love her to death, but sometimes I wish things had been different. I had to take care of her all the time. I don't want my daughter to have to take care of anyone before she has to, and I don't want her life to be at stake. But I love you all and I want to be with Edward for eternity. It just all doesn't seem feasible. I can't damn my child, Esme. Nothing makes sense anymore. I don't know what to do."

Esme held me close for a quiet moment. "You already sound like a mother, worrying about every little thing. You will want everything to be perfect for your precious daughter, but it can't always be like that, sweetheart. You can try your hardest, but nothing ever goes according to plan. I don't know what I'd do if I were you, but just know that you have my support no matter what your choice. As a mother, I know that you want to give your child the best life possible, even if you have to sacrifice things for yourself. But Bella, don't sacrifice everything. Your happiness matters too. We have suffered throughout your absence just as I know you have throughout ours. I don't want that pain to come back into any of our lives if it doesn't have to. But I understand that your daughter comes first. Everything will fall into place I'm sure, sweetheart. But for now, just rest. That's all you can do for your baby now."

I settled back onto Esme's shoulder and closed my eyes, trying to let my fears escape me for a brief moment. My heart was being pulled in two very different directions. I knew my baby had to come first, but I could not ignore the longings of my own heart. I needed Edward to survive. The Cullens were my rock. Was there a way to make it all work? If there was, it had yet to make itself known to me.

Lying there, I took one of Esme's cool hands in my own and laid it on top of my bulging stomach so that she could feel the circus going on inside.

Her face lit up and she let out a small gasp. "Oh Bella, that is remarkable and amazing. Babies are truly miracles. I remember when I was pregnant with my little boy. He had my heart from the very beginning. I still miss him to this day. I will always dream of what his life could have been like. But at the same time, without that tragedy I never would have jumped off the cliff and Carlisle wouldn't have changed me. I can't imagine my life without him or my family now. It was a difficult trade-off. But with all the love in my life, I can't say I regret what my life has been. I will always miss my baby though."

We were still for another moment, listening to the melody of the raindrops as they hit the roof of the house. I wondered what my life would have been like if I hadn't gotten pregnant, or even still, if Luke was still alive. I could have had a different family and my baby would have had her human father to grow up with. But my heart would have always been trapped in the past. It would have been hard to live with that.

It was nice to have had some alone time with Esme. She had given me a lot to think about. I didn't know where I was going just yet, but I knew I'd always have her support and that was comforting.

Our quiet peace was broken when the sliding glass door leading to the backyard was flung open. I jumped a little as the door slammed from the force of Edward's strength. He was dripping wet and looked frightened out of his mind. Before Esme or I had a chance to ask him what was wrong, the rest of the Cullens were right behind him. But what was strange was that Jasper had come in carrying Alice in his arms. Her eyes were far away from this room and her body was entirely limp in his arms.

"What's wrong with Alice?" I asked worriedly. Esme had already gotten up to go find towels for them all and blankets for Alice. "Edward what is going on?" I asked again.

But he didn't answer me. His eyes were darting back and forth like he was blind and could not see, and he was clutching the sides of his head. It was Carlisle that answered me.

"We think that Alice is having some sort of breakdown. She must be so terribly engulfed in the vision that it has put her in some strange state of unconsciousness. From what he was saying as we ran here, Edward cannot make out much of what she is seeing. He is trying so hard to make sense of what she is seeing."

"How long as she been like this?" Esme asked from behind me as she handed everyone towels to dry off with.

"It's been several minutes at least," Emmett said. "She had run off after her prey alone, and when we went to find her, she was lying on the ground moaning. We didn't wait long to bring her back here."

"Is there anything we can do?" I asked, looking from Edward to Carlisle.

"I think we can only wait and see if she comes out of this. This has never happened before," Carlisle said with an undertone of worry in his voice.

We all watched Alice as Jasper sat in the loveseat holding her close to him, whispering in her ear, trying to calm her. Nothing happened for a long moment until Edward broke out of his reverie first and rushed over to me, wrapping me in his embrace. I didn't question it but just held him to me, breathing him in. The rain made his scent intense and I was overwhelmed by its sweetness.

Finally, Alice jerked and her eyelids fluttered several times before she was truly out from her vision.

Jasper said, "Alice, love?"

But she didn't look at him; she trained her gaze on me. Her eyes were large and sad.

"Oh, Bella. Oh no," she said as she broke into dry, heaving sobs into Jasper's chest.

My heart started racing with terror. "Alice what did you see?" I asked frantically.

She just shook her head. "I'm not entirely sure, but it was bad. She's coming for you, Bella. You're not safe."

"What? Who?" I asked.

"Victoria."

Ok, so no one told me college was going to be this difficult. I have two term papers due this week alone. I'm tearing out my hair and drinking more caffeine than I ever thought was imaginable. So I'm terribly sorry for the cliffhanger and the wait, but here it is! I hope it's what you were waiting for.

Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyers owns Twilight and the characters. I'm just playing with them and mean no harm.

The lyrics and chapter title are from OAR's Tragedy in Waiting.

R&R loves!