A/N - As you know all rights belong to SM on this one!

I hope you liked the last chapter – it was one of my favorites to write and read. Please let me know

Hang on – we're going in . . .

"So now you've gone and tied your life around your wife and baby so that I can't see your future either?" Alice's frustration at having her talent handcuffed was obvious when she came into the front glass door, following Jasper, both of them carrying supplies.

With none of the wolves around to deaden her headache, Alice would only spend a few minutes with us before she banished herself to her room.

"Alice, I couldn't help myself." I was as confused as she was regarding her blurred vision. What did it mean? Was our existence dependent on the baby? Or was the baby able to control our future?

Yeah, I know you all can't help loving the strange little half human -- tell me something I don't already know? It really doesn't matter anyway, I can only see a few minutes ahead. She twirled toward the stairs and took the packages to the second floor. We continued to talk-- well I talked and she thought, just as we had communicated for over fifty years.

"Well, you'll be able to meet the cause of your headaches tomorrow. Bella's agreed to a c-section, if Carlisle approves."

Tomorrow? Edward you've been so difficult, now we've only got a few hours!

"What's wrong with that?" I wasn't sure why Alice would be so upset that we were planning the delivery for the next day. All this stress and angst will be over, I couldn't understand her concern.

Bella was suddenly interested in my one sided verbal conversation with Alice, apparently the confusion was in my tone. "What's Alice upset about?" She murmured.

"I'm not sure, she isn't thinking specifically about it, she says there's not much time." Knowing Alice, I was sure whatever she had planned would be pretty bad though – especially for Bella.

Soon Alice lilted down the stairs with clothes and a camera, it's time for a family portrait, she thought.

"She wants to take pictures of you pregnant." I tell Bella.

"Ugh." Bella moaned. As I thought, Bella would not like Alice's plans.

"Bella, we need at least one picture pre-birth." Alice softly twitted. She came right up to Bella and placed the back of her hand to her face and smiled.

"I don't think so Alice, I look horrible: the bruises, my hair and I'm huge!" My head snaps up because I'm amazed at how she describes herself. I begin to shake my head ready to disagree, but Alice intercepted.

"You look gorgeous and we don't have to make a major production, just change into these clothes and whatever doesn't work – we'll photo shop it later." Alice countered.

Ultimately it was Rosalie's reflection that convinced Bella, "It will be your last portrait human and your only pregnancy." Rosalie said it with such sweetness that Bella could not resist.

Bella nodded her head and before I knew it, Rosalie had Bella swooped up in her arms and in the bathroom. When they returned Bella had on a simple soft pink button down cotton shirt and a white calf length pants, it was a simple ensemble, yet extravagant on Bella's pregnant body.

"You all were prepared for this?" Bella asked incredulously.

"Of course. We want to memorialize everything and with Edward no longer being so stubborn, we can get started. You look amazing in the pink, Bella." Alice trilled with a smile.

Even Rosalie smiled and it was the first time I'd seen her relaxed enough to show how much she actually cared for Bella. She's beautiful.

Rosalie passed me a similar shirt in white and a pair of khaki pants. "Go get changed Dad." She ordered in her gentle bell tone with a false annoyance. I looked at her with a raised eyebrow, Rosalie was no longer a hostile psychopath blonde bent on the destruction of Bella in order to reap the rewards of a baby.

Rosalie was actually pleasant. Kind! My mouth was agape and my expression change to utter disbelief, so much so that all three of them stopped and stared at me.

"Bella you should tell him." Rosalie turned to Bella, was that sympathy I saw in her eyes?

"It does seem only right." My wife answered a bit chagrin.

"Tell me what?" I asked incredulously.

"You've got to promise not to be angry with me." Bella said rubbing her belly.

"Never." I promised. She was the mother of my child, my wife and lover. I could not imagine why she would consider that I'd be mad at her, frustrated yes, but not mad.

"And you won't be mad at Rose either." She took in a large gulp of air, causing her side to shiver.

"I'm not sure I ever really was mad at her." Furious, livid, irate maybe, but not exactly mad, I thought. And I wasn't sure what Bella had to do with the way I had felt about Rosalie.

Bella grimaced in unbelief, "Well, I'm only telling you now because—well I don't want you clashing with Rose, she's done me . . . us --"

Rosalie interrupted Bella's speech, anxious to get to the point and in perfect soprano pitch spoke. "Edward, you know I've spent years keeping you out of my most private thoughts, but these last three weeks have been the hardest. So rather than tell you, I think it would be easier to let you see."

I'm sorry Edward it was the only way, we could keep you focused on something other than . . . She stopped her thoughts and looked at Bella. "I'll start with the phone call?"

Bella nodded and put her hand on my arm, "Don't be annoyed. It was the only way." She gave me a pensive grin and rubbed my arm soothingly.

I then heard Rosalie's thoughts. She showed me her hotel room in New York, probably when she and Emmett visited right after my wedding. She had her cell phone to her ear and she was looking out onto the city skyscape.

"Rosalie, it's Bella. Please. You have to help me."

"Bella?"

"I'm pregnant and he doesn't want me to have it."

"What?"

"Edward thinks it'll kill me, that I'm not strong enough; so we're leaving the Isle, so Carlisle can . . . I won't be able to stop them, please, Rose."

"What idiots, men can be. He's overreacting; of course, he always does when it comes to you. What can I do to help?"

"Don't let them kill my baby, protect me."

"Of course."

"And we'll have to keep him distracted, unfocused, otherwise he'll find a way to stop me."

"I'll have to wag the dog." There was a pause. "He'll hate me, you know that? He'll absolutely despise me."

"I'm sorry. It should be me instead, but you know he'll never see me as the enemy."

"No, he won't. Actually, it's better this way, I already know how to push his buttons. I'll have to do and say some ruthless things. Can you handle it?"

"I don't want you to harm him. I can't stand to think of hurting him."

"I won't hurt him, but I'll have to rattle him, nothing that you won't be able to smooth over. He has to see me as the major obstacle."

"He's going to be pretty unreasonable and I don't want you to get hurt either."

"He won't, he's more bark than bite."

"How will you keep him from reading your thoughts and knowing our plan?"

"I've only slipped once in the last ninety years to let him hear something I wanted private, I can keep this from him even when he's unbearable. It's a small price to pay for a child. I'll be at the airport when your plane arrives." Rosalie pressed the end button on the phone.

It was hard to hear my wife begging for protection-- from me, but it was just as discomforting to understand that I'd been bettered. I'd never so completely lost a fight. The monster within was defeated long before his first battle. Bella was absolutely spectacular, a consummate general - never firing one shot, never seen as a threat and commandeering the enemy's weakness for her strength. The monster never had a chance.

I saw Rosalie through her sacrifice. I would never see her as unyielding, spiteful or mean. Bella's strength and bravery had unalterably transformed Rosalie. She had a new tenacious love for something more than her own reflection and desires. A child.

Mine and Bella's child.

"Rose, it seems," I walked towards her; chagrin faced at the sister I'd always thought was more trouble than her pretty face was worth and kissed her cheek, "-- it seems you make a commendable adoring godmother—try not to overindulge."

There were soft chuckles as I dodged into the bathroom to quickly change into the wardrobe they'd given to me. When I came out, Bella was standing barefoot leaning her back on the glass wall, both hands hugging her stomach and her head looking at the bulge in her middle. There was a smile barely noticeable smile on her face and her eyes shined brightly. An uneasy air was coming from her mouth. As if in labor, she was breathing through her pain, but her face showed none of the stress.

I halted.

I'd seen Bella kind, good, self-less and brave; now she was a mother and there was nothing more beautiful, more precious. Even breathless with pain and fatigue, there was a sparkle -- a dazzle that besieged everything around her. The sun seemed to shine more brightly, the air was crisper and my dead heart was impossibly more alive.

Another surreal sensation came over me and I wasn't sure if it was related to Bella, the baby or both. The feeling was something more than adoration. It was difficult to recognize at first, I'd seen it in human's thoughts but not recently in this new generation of open relationships. Yes, it was exactly what many humans missed during a pregnancy made on a honeymoon by first lovers as they gaze lovingly into one another eyes, something those in the vampire world never experience. I recognized it then. Triumph. She not only married me, she was carrying my child.

I wanted to gloat, strut like a peacock and give a knee bending fist pump. Yes, I did that! I was ten feet taller. Mine. Oh, the glory of it all. I was man and that was my woman, pregnant with my child. I could feel a lion's growl roar in my chest.

In awe, with chest uplifted and head held high; I went to her, placed my hands on either side of her face, and leaned her head up so that we were nose to nose. I kissed her with a husband's pride. I then took a step backwards, bowed and placed gentle kisses to the top of her stomach. Oh yes, I'd won. I stood up and held her eye to mine and her hands. The tears in her eyes told me she was just as proud.

"Mrs. Cullen you are by far the most majestic attraction in the universe."

"You're far too biased." The color rose in her cheeks making her even more appealing to every part of my being.

Alice interrupted us, "Enough you two, turn around Edward." She took several more quick pictures and exited to the third floor leaving the camera with Rosalie. See you when the wolf comes back. I have another outfit. You'll make a wonderful father.

"Thanks Alice." I called. Bella walked to the couch—well, I mostly carried her, her feet barely touched the floor. On the sofa, she curled her legs up under a blanket and began rubbing her stomach.

"You cold too little one?" She crooned.

I bent down on my knees in front of the couch and rested my arm on the sofa edge and my other hand gently on the mound, "He or she is sleeping."

"I hope he looks like you, with no interference from me; amazing green eyes, a crooked dazzling smile and perfect coordination."

"Silly. I am curious though, how are we going to explain this to Charlie?"

"Oh," a crinkle formed above her eyebrows. "Do we know how long this … growth spurt will last?"

"Not yet."

"Adoption is what I'm thinking, he'll never believe I was pregnant—the timing won't work."

Bella took a sip of her drink and closed her eyes. It was getting dark outside, the cloud cover hastening nightfall. She leaned down onto the sofa and soon began to snore lightly and contentment filled the air.

Unfortunately, so many things could cause our fragile happiness to dissipate. Would the delivery be successful? Would the baby be okay? What do we tell Charlie when he calls? Would the Quileute wolves attack?

My will could not prevent what the fates controlled. I could, however, sabotage their designs. Once again, I'd have to enlist the help of Bella's best friend, Jacob.

I slipped outside to the garage when I heard the Ashton Martin turn off the highway. I listened to Jacob's thoughts and he wasn't as hostile as he had been when he left earlier.

I made sure my expression wasn't mournful; the way it was the last time Jacob walked into a room and found me. Jacob pulled into the garage and I stood waiting for him. He characterized my expression as hopeful, which disturbed him to no end.

His feelings toward the baby hadn't changed, and neither had his feelings toward Bella, but he wasn't going to let that ruin the time he had left with her. I knew he was still drawn to be with her, regardless of how much it hurt. He fleetingly remembered his search for his 'imprint' and how everything he'd hoped to find was what I had. I would not be cruel to him.

"A few things, Jacob," I said as soon as he cut the engine.

He held his breath and slowly got out of the car and threw the keys to me. I caught them and absently placed them in my pants' pocket.

"Thanks for the loan," he said sourly as if he was obligated to me because he borrowed the car. He mistook the purpose of my presence and Esme's promise. "What do you want now?" I was unsurprised that he would make our discussion difficult.

"Firstly… I know how averse you are to using your authority with your pack, but . . ." He interrupted me with a growl.

"What?" Sore spot and you should know it!

"If you can't or won't control Leah, then I—"

"Leah? What happened?"

Fury and frustration came over me. "She came up to see why you'd left so abruptly. I tried to explain. I suppose it might not have come out right."

"What did she do?"

"She phased to her human form and—"

"Really?" He sounded amazed. Leah letting her guard down right in the mouth of the enemy's lair?

"She wanted to…speak to Bella."

"To Bella?"

He was making this much harder than necessary, he usually did.

"I won't let Bella be upset like that again. I don't care how justified Leah thinks she is! I didn't hurt her—of course I wouldn't—but I'll throw her out of the house if it happens again. I'll launch her right across the river—"

"Hold on. What did she say?" He asked incredulously.

I was taking my annoyance out on Jacob, I took a superfluous breath and calmed. "Leah was unnecessarily harsh. I'm not going to pretend that I understand why Bella is unable to let go of you, but I do know that she does not behave this way to hurt you. She suffers a great deal over the pain she's inflicting on you, and on me, by asking you to stay. What Leah said was uncalled for. Bella's been crying—"

"Wait—Leah was yelling at Bella about me?" He shook his head in disbelief.

I quickly dipped my head. "You were quite vehemently championed."

"I didn't ask her to do that."

"I know."

He rolled his eyes, exasperated that I'd read his mind, while he deliberated on Leah's actions. Leah walking into the bloodsuckers' place human to complain about how I was being treated. Unbelievable, maybe she's not as bitter, self-centered and hateful as we thought.

"I can't promise to control Leah," He said. "I won't do that. But I'll talk to her, okay? And I don't think there'll be a repeat. Leah's not one to hold back, so she probably got it all off her chest today."

I puffed air through my nose, "I would say so."

"Anyway, I'll talk to Bella about it, too. She doesn't need to feel bad. This one's on me." He was conciliatory.

"I already told her that."

"Of course you did. Is she okay?"

"She's sleeping now. Rose is with her."

Jacob's thoughts were loud, the psycho was "Rose" now. Edward's completely crossed over to the dark side.

I was used to staying on track with verbal conversations rather than being side tracked by thoughts. I continued replying to his question. "She's… better in some ways. Aside from Leah's tirade and the resulting guilt."

Better. Because you can hear the monster and everything is all lovey dovey now. You all have a fantastic little family.

"It's a bit more than that," I lowered my voice hoping it would calm Jacob. "Now that I can make out the child's thoughts, it's apparent that he or she has remarkably developed mental facilities. He can understand us, to an extent."

In shocked surprise, his mouth fell open. "Are you serious?"

"Yes. He seems to have a vague sense of what hurts her now. He's trying to avoid that, as much as possible. He…loves her. Already."

He was astonished, and grasped what he believed to be a critical factor. That I couldn't hate what loved Bella. It was probably why he thought I couldn't hate him, either.

My own amazement at his reasoning made my face gentle. He was wrong. I loved the baby not just because he loved Bella, but because he loved me as well. But even more than the baby's love for us, I had no choice but to love him because he was a part of both me and Bella, a tangible, real and vital demonstration of our love.

Jacob's thoughts were also flawed regarding my feelings for him. It wasn't only based on his love for Bella. It was founded on the incontrovertible fact that he was a better man for her in so many ways than I would ever be. She would never have to change or sacrifice to have a life with him. But more than that, we had fought on the same side, faced the same enemies, for so long that he was something more than an ally, a friend.

Unfortunately he still believed that the baby would kill Bella, and I wouldn't be able to change his beliefs easily.

"The progress, I believe, is more than we'd judged. When Carlisle returns—" He interrupts me again.

"They're not back?" He cut in sharply. Sam and Jared were watching the road when I came back. They're probably still out there, your family will have to be careful.

"Alice and Jasper are. Carlisle sent all the blood he was able to acquire, but it wasn't as much as he was hoping for—Bella will use up this supply in another day the way her appetite has grown. Carlisle stayed to try another source. I don't think that's necessary now, but he wants to be covered for any eventuality."

"Why isn't it necessary?" Is she that bad? "If she needs more?"

Unable to prevent the hurt that I was about to inflict on him, I made my face more understanding, thoughtful and concerned, and explained. "I'm trying to persuade Carlisle to deliver the baby as soon as he is back."

"What?" His eyes began to glisten.

"The child seems to be attempting to avoid rough movements, but it's difficult. He's become too big. It's madness to wait, when he's clearly developed beyond what Carlisle had guessed. Bella's too fragile to delay."

I watched as Jacob reasoned through the ultimate conclusion there was hours left not days. I understood. I'd felt the same punch to my system just hours earlier when I served her last human lunch.

His grief was stretched out before him, like the endless ocean. He tried to catch his breath. I wanted to comfort him, but he would not have allowed it. He thought he could count on my hatred of the baby to save her life and the four days he'd spend with her. I can't believe I wasted time away from her when in just hours, the woman we both love will be gone. How did everything change so quickly?

"You think she's going to make it," he whispered to dazed to speak loudly.

"Yes. That was the other thing I wanted to talk to you about."

I waited for him to accept the fact that Bella would survive.

"Yes," I repeated. "Waiting, as we have been, for the child to be ready, that was insanely dangerous. At any moment it could have been too late. But if we're proactive about this, if we act quickly, I see no reason why it should not go well. Knowing the child's mind is unbelievably helpful. Thankfully, Bella and Rose agree with me. Now that I've convinced them it's safe for the child if we proceed, there's nothing to keep this from working."

"When will Carlisle be back?" He asked, still whispering trying to catch his breath, visibly upset.

"By noon tomorrow."

And now the scene was reversed and the tables turned. Just days earlier, I the perceived champion fell broken before the upright defeated Jacob. I found no glory as Jacob's knees buckled and he grabbed hold of the car to steady himself before me, the erect victor. But I no longer considered that there was a contest, a battle, a campaign for anything but her survival. We could both become triumphant. I reached forward and his eyes held me, there would be no physical support between the two of us today.

"I'm sorry," I whispered. "I am truly sorry for the pain this causes you, Jacob. Though you hate me, I must admit that I don't feel the same about you. I think of you as a…a brother in many ways.

"A comrade in arms, at the very least. I regret your suffering more than you realize. But Bella is going to survive"—my voice was fierce, even violent, he had to believe me—"and I know that's what really matters to you."

I hadn't convinced him. He didn't know what to believe. His thoughts were all over the place, vacillating between what used to be true and what I was telling him was now true. I didn't have time for him to sort through his confusion.

"So I hate to do this now, while you're already dealing with too much, but, clearly, there is little time. I have to ask you for something—to beg, if I must."

"I don't have anything left," he choked out.

He believed he was broken and yet that was far from the truth. I wanted to grab his shoulder -- show support-- as I'd done for Jasper numerous times, when he was unable to control himself. I wanted to remind him of the truth that Bella would live and he could still be a part of her life. I lifted my hand forgetting that Jacob was not my brother. I let it drop like before and sighed.

"I know how much you have given," I said quietly. "But this is something you do have, and only you. I'm asking this of the true Alpha, Jacob. I'm asking this of Ephraim's heir."

His mind went blank, frozen. But I had to pursue, press forward my request.

"I want your permission to deviate from what we agreed to in our treaty with Ephraim. I want you to grant us an exception. I want your permission to save her life. You know I'll do it anyway, but I don't want to break faith with you if there is any way to avoid it. We never intended to go back on our word, and we don't do it lightly now. I want your understanding, Jacob, because you know exactly why we do this. I want the alliance between our families to survive when this is over."

He was unable to speak. Sam. He thought. It's Sam you want.

"No. Sam's authority is assumed. It belongs to you. You'll never take it from him, but no one can rightfully agree to what I'm asking except for you."

It's not my decision.

"It is, Jacob, and you know it. Your word on this will condemn us or absolve us. Only you can give this to me."

I can't think. I don't know.

"We don't have much time." I glanced back toward the movement I see in the house through the glass wall, wondering if Bella was awake.

No, there was no time. My few days had become a few hours.

I don't know. Let me think. Just give me a minute here, okay?

"Yes."

Jacob was sure footed again and started walking to the house, I followed. Neither of us felt uncomfortable or unsafe, even though we were mortal enemies. He was familiar. Our mutual distaste for one another's smell bothered him more than me--I didn't have to breathe.

There was a movement in the brush at the edge of the big lawn, and then a low whimper. Seth shrugged through the ferns and loped over to us.

"Hey, kid," Jacob muttered. "S'all cool, I'll tell you about it later. Sorry to take off on you like that."

Seth was happy to have Jacob back safely.

"Hey, tell your sister to back off now, okay? Enough."

Seth nodded once.

He shoved against his shoulder this time. "Get back to work. I'll spell you in a bit."

Seth leaned, shoving back, and then he galloped into the trees.

"He has one of the purest, sincerest, kindest minds I've ever heard," I commented. "You're lucky to have his thoughts to share."

"I know that," He grunted, a little riled that I invaded Seth's private thoughts too. Jacob would never allow an easy conversation.

We started toward the house, and both of our heads snapped up when we heard the sound of someone sucking through a straw. I darted up the porch stairs and was gone, appearing at Bella's side in mere seconds, Jacob lagged behind.

"Bella, love, I thought you were sleeping, I'm sorry, I wouldn't have left."

"Don't worry. I just got so thirsty—it woke me up. It's a good thing Carlisle is bringing more. This kid is going to need it when he gets out of me."

"True. That's a good point." I agreed. She was much more reasonable about our separation than the last time I'd left her, unfortunately she broke a rib then.

"I wonder if he'll want anything else," she mused.

"I suppose we'll find out."

Jacob walked through the door. He'd composed himself from his distraught self and looked more like a calm cheerful teenager.

Alice trilled, "Finally," and came downstairs for headache relief.

Bella's eyes flashed to him and she smiled gladly. Jacob's heart skipped as he saw the joy he brought her. Then he madden as her smile turned to sadness at the hurt she'd caused him. A hurt the extent of which he never would have shared, but Leah who shared his thoughts in the pack, knew and released them.

"Hey, Bells," He said quickly before she could cry or become overwhelmed. "How ya doing?"

"I'm fine," she said.

"Big day today, huh? Lots of new stuff."

"You don't have to do that, Jacob."

"Don't know what you're talking about," he said, going to sit on the arm of the sofa by her head.

I didn't move from my place, facing my wife pregnant with my child was the happiest spot in the world for me, even during this tense moment between her and Jacob.

"I'm so s—" she started to say.

He pinched her lips together between his thumb and finger stopping her from an apology. I took a deep breath, preventing an overreaction on my part.

"Jake," she mumbled, trying to pull his hand away. He didn't release her, and my head snapped up at him, I held my temper.

He shook his head. "You can talk when you're not being stupid."

"Fine, I won't say it," she mumbled.

He pulled his hand away and I turned back to admire my wife.

"Sorry!" she finished quickly, and then grinned.

The baby was repeating Jacob's words differently than he'd repeated mine or Rosalie's. It wasn't only that he or she felt the same happiness from the sound but that the baby was listening to the meaning.

We were all quiet for awhile, long enough for the baby to gently readjust and fall asleep. I surveyed the room.

Rosalie focused on a red Testarossa go-cart. She estimated the time it would take to retrofit the Ferrari and the baby's growth. The baby will need a way to get around our yard and fields. It'll be a nice Christmas present.

Alice was on her laptop computer, editing the photographs we'd taken earlier. Through her mind, I saw one I hadn't known was taken, it was Bella sitting on the couch, her belly showing—the bruises removed. The baby's foot was clearly visible punching through the skin. It was a bitter sweet picture. The wonderful, joyful expression of the baby's vitality was marred by the pain experienced by Bella through the kick.

Jasper continued the research of myths and legends, focusing on the South American Icunas. He had found a sociologist in Boston, who had spent several years with the tribe, and was instant messaging with her.

At the forethought of my attention was Jacob's mind, he hadn't resolved the situation enough to answer my request. He was reflecting on his failed attempt to imprint while he was away. He believed everything he searched for was sitting on the couch, married.

He weighed the options.

She'd still know me better than anyone who didn't have full access to the inside of my head.

Leah might be an interesting companion, maybe even a true friend—someone who would stand up for me. But she wasn't my best friend the way that Bella was.

Aside from the impossible love I feel for Bella, there was also that other bond, and it ran bone deep.

Sam and the Quileute elders had said that Bella's informed decision would not violate the treaty. But if I, the rightful leader decided otherwise, caused Sam and the other wolves to obey my stronger Alpha command and attack then, it would be done.

She'd be his enemy. Or she'd be his ally. And, he accepted that the distinction was his.

He sighed.

Fine! He thought, feeling hollow by giving up and accepting that she would be changed.

Go ahead. Save her. As Ephraim's heir, you have my permission, my word, that this will not violate the treaty. The others will just have to blame me. You were right—they can't deny that it's my right to agree to this.

"Thank you." I said so low that Bella didn't hear anything.

You thanking the baby? Jasper thought as he came into the large great room and sat beside Alice.

"Jacob," I said oblivious to Bella as I slightly shook my head.

This is the first time in weeks, tranquility has filled this room without my help. Glad to see your misery is over.

I smiled. He was right. My only plea was to keep that ugly hag, fate from yielding its murderous desires.

"So," Bella asked, working to be casual with Jacob. "How was your day?"

"Great. Went for a drive. Hung out in the park."

I heard the baby's voice, he was repeating Jacob's words with great vigor. The movement caused Bella to make a face. "Rose?" she asked.

"Again?" Rosalie chuckled.

"I think I've drunk two gallons in the last hour," Bella explained.

Jacob and I both got out of the way while Rosalie came to lift Bella from the couch and take her to the bathroom.

"Can I walk?" Bella asked. "My legs are so stiff."

"Are you sure?" I cautioned, knowing a clumsy accident should be avoided at all costs.

"Rose'll catch me if I trip over my feet." Bella understood my concern and then jokingly said. "Which could happen pretty easily, since I can't see them."

Rosalie set Bella carefully on her feet, keeping her hands right at Bella's shoulders. Bella stretched her arms out in front of her, wincing a little.

"That feels good," she looked over her large belly and sighed with surprise. "Ugh, but I'm huge."

Wow, she is huge, Jacob thought. Contrarily, I saw the splendor of her expectant body.

"One more day," she said, and patted the baby inside her womb.

Jacob's thoughts yelled from his hurting heart, but he vowed to hide his pain for another day.

I will cuddle my godchild on tomorrow, Rosalie smiled. His growth hopefully will be sluggish, unhurried, once he is born. And thankfully, tomorrow Bella will become my sister for life—ending her torturous scent. Her throat burned with the thirst of having not fed for over two weeks. She buried her desire, turning her thoughts to the baby.

Alice considered the situation. Edward, I hope you will separate yourself from the baby when Bella delivers—it has been a literal pain having my visions blocked. I nodded my head, certain that my life—existence was tied more to Bella than the baby.

"All righty, then." Bella chuckled as she readied herself to walk. The cup Bella had left on the sofa tumbled to one side, the dark red blood spilling out onto the pale fabric.

"Whoops--," She squealed as she reached to stop the spill, but Rose, Jacob and I beat her to the cup. —"oh, no!"

But Bella was already in motion, too late to impede her direction. Then the worst tearing, shearing sound was heard. It came from the center of her body.

"Oh!" she wheezed as she passed out flaccid, falling toward the floor.

Thankfully, Rosalie's reflexes were pristine and she caught her in the same instant, preventing a fall. I moved at inhuman speed to face Bella, my hands around her waist and the swell of the baby.

"Bella?" I called and saw that she was unable to answer, her eyelids open but her eyes had rolled back into her head. For less than a tenth of a second, I was unfocused. Rosalie, seeing my panic, secured her hold on Bella.

It was Bella's agonizing scream in that instant that refocused me. It was a scream so ghastly, spine-chilling that no one could doubt the torture behind it. The awful screech was silenced by a gurgle in Bella's throat. Unconscious, her body jerked, a crunching sound could be heard, then her back arched with a sharp snapping noise, a fountain of O positive blood shot out of her mouth and onto my clothing.

The thoughts in the room, Jacob's pain, my stained clothes and the blemished couch were all forgotten. Bella was dying and so was the baby, he had to get out.

E/N - I'm winding down and it looks like this story will only be twenty chapters, because after that point, there's not much Edward without Bella, which makes the story hard to hold my attention. I'm willing to add a few one-shots down the road, so let me know if you have any specific chapters or scenes you'd like me to write, cause I aim to please;-)

E/N2 - I'm really excited about my own Edward story which I will post sometime within the next two weeks, so make me a favorite – the story is going to be a fun read, full of mystery, angst (probably make you want to throw something at me) and a few lemons – I'm lost in that world trying to get to the happy ending that I know is out there and you're welcome to join me.

E/N3 - Thanks for all your comments, I answer them all. I really write for the pleasure of you the reader, so your comments help to make me want to give you something worthwhile to read, even though you already know the story.