Chapter Twenty-six

Agony

Margarete's POV

"Edward, help," I scream. At least I thought I was screaming. My voice was barely a whisper. The baby was trying to get out. Trying anyway she could. Clawing, biting… I knew I would die giving life to my daughter. Edward's daughter.

Carlisle was here, now. Shouting commands at everyone. Rosalie stayed by my side. I could hear her using a soothing voice. It wasn't for me though. She was trying to sooth the unborn monster. No, not a monster. My baby can't be a monster. She's so innocent. She doesn't know any better.

Edward was fighting with Emmett, who was holding him back. Edward wanted to do anything he could to keep me alive. Emmett just didn't want Carlisle to be distracted.

I tried to concentrate on anything but the pain. I saw Esme. She looked so sad. Why did she look so sad?

"Get it out!" I scream again, clawing at the blankets that were around me.

There was a terrible tearing sound. My stomach felt warm. So warm. Now it's hot. I'm burning. I can't see Esme anymore or hear Edward. It hurts too much.

Closing my eyes, I'm greeted by my angel. Perfect in so many ways. She's laying in the middle of a meadow, wrapped tightly in a soft pink blanket. I walk over and pick up the bundle. I smile, unwrapping the blanket to see more of her. I want to count her fingers and toes. I need to know she's alright.

Before I can touch her baby soft skin, Aro appears, hands out, "Give her to me, Margarete. Everyone will be safer if you do."

I hold her tightly to my chest, stepping backwards, "She's just a child. An infant. There is no danger."

"You stupid, stupid girl. Are you that blind? Look at her. Take a good look."

I hold her out in front of me, finally able to look at the life Edward and I created. Her skin is so pale. So fragile. Her eyes open and they're Edward's. Exact match. Except the whites of her eyes are black. Pure black. I feel her hand wrap around my wrist, much too strongly for an infant. Her nails are like razors. I feel them digging in to my skin.

"She's hungry," Aro says softly.

I look up at him, the pain in my wrist getting worse, "She's a vampire?"

"Not quite."

"Then what…" I look down at her, horrified.

"Evil. Worse off than us. Well, not us. You're no longer a vampire. I can help with that. Change you back. Just give her to me."

I shake my head, "I can't. I can't just give her up."

I hear Edward's voice, pulling me from my dream. "Margarete, please. Please, wake up."

I open my eyes, feeling so much lighter, "Where is she?"

He looks over his shoulder, then back to me, "Margarete, it isn't… Rosalie took her. After Carlisle delivered her. She went for Rose's throat."

"And that's a problem? Maybe she doesn't like stuck up bitches," I hissed, trying to sit up.

He sighs, helping me sit up against the pillows, "Aro is downstairs."

"I didn't ask who was here. I asked where our daughter was. Where is she?"

"Alice and Jasper's room. Jasper is keeping her calm. Alice is trying to see anything she can."

"I want to see her. Now. I need to. My dream… What does she look like?"

"Like you said. My eyes. Your hair… But, there's more…"

I cut him off, sighing, "Razor sharp nails?"

"Yes."

I look down at my wrist, it was bandaged, "She did that?"

He nods.

"I dreamt that. It was part of the dream. She was holding on to me, and then Aro said she was hungry."

"He was in your dream?"

"Yes. He was. He was trying to take her. He said she was evil. Worse than vampires."

He hands me a glass of water, "There is something not right with her. She's not human, not vampire. Margarete, we need to discuss what we're going to do."

"Raise her. She's ours. We're not just going to hand her off to the Volturi!" I slapped the glass away, slowly making my way to the edge of the bed. "I really thought that once you saw her, you would change your mind."

"Once you see her, you will change yours. She isn't some cute little baby."

"So she's a little different. We're different. I was different when I was human, too."

"You were human! She's not even that."

I sigh, standing up slowly, "Then we'll leave. I'll have Rosalie change me. She'll do it. Then Amelia and I will go."

"Amelia? You've named it?" He asks, not bothering to hide his disgust.

"No. I didn't. The name just came to me. I think she picked it."

He sighs, "And that's normal, right? All babies just name themselves before they can even talk."

"Please. Just, let me see her. Take me to her."

"Fine," he wraps an arm around my waist and slowly we make our way out of the bedroom and down the hall. It wasn't easy. I felt so weak. I knew Edward could easily just carry me. I think he was trying to prolong this for as long as possible.

Walking in to the room, I wasn't sure what to expect. The nails, the eyes. Those stood out in my mind the most. Alice was sitting on the bed, looking in to a cradle. Jasper was staying close by, but keeping his distance. He was only there to make sure Alice was safe. I knew that. Alice looks up at me, frowning slightly, "I'm glad to see you're awake."

I smile at her, "How is she? Have you been able to see anything?"

She shakes her head, frustrated, "No. Just everything I've already seen. Maybe she'll let you see something."

I nod, closing the distance. I look in to the cradle, Rosalie must have done some shopping. Everything was soft pink and frilly. Amelia cooed, her shocking eyes staring right at me.

"Hello, Angel," I whispered, lifting her up from the cradle and into my arms. "Amelia. Sweet Amelia."

Alice sighs, getting up and walking out of the room. Jasper following soon after. Edward stays in the doorway, watching us, "Be careful."

"She's just a baby, Love. She just needs to know what's right and wrong." I rub my thumb over her chubby cheek and her hand grips my wrist. I remember my dream and my body tenses. Her eyes widen, watching me. I shake my head, "Don't hurt Mommy. We don't hurt the people who love us."

Her hand loosens, but I still feel her nails against my flesh. I try to concentrate on her, but her guard seems to be stronger than mine. Mine took centuries to build and hers, after only a few hours of being born is perfectly protecting everything.

Edward growls and he turns, his back to us. Protecting us, or at least me. Aro and his guard are approaching the room. Carlisle and Emmett weren't able to hold them back any longer. Aro wants to see Amelia and try to convince me to hand her over. Edward is the barrier between myself and Aro.

Aro smiles, "Relax, my friend. I'm not here to cause any harm. I'm only here to offer your companion a compromise."

"I will not except anything from you, Aro. You should know that by now," I hiss, holding Amelia closer to my chest.

"At least hear what I have to offer. It might be something you want. Need."

Edward looks back at us, then slowly steps aside letting Aro in to the room.

"Edward! What are you doing? You know what he wants!" I yell, backing up.

"I never once thought you were stupid, Margarete. When you turned down our offer to join us, I accepted it. You weren't the first. We got use to the rejection. You've always been the type to stand alone. And now here you are, with the Cullens and your own child."

"I won't give her to you. She's not a danger."

Aro sighs, "Blinded by a mother's love. Protected, too."

"You are so lucky I'm not a vampire anymore, Aro," I threaten, timidly.

"You think you would be able to take me as a vampire? You're even stupider than I thought."

"Just leave. Leave Forks. Leave Washington. No one wants you here!"

Edward, still standing at the door, keeping the Guard out, "Margarete relax. You're freaking out Jasper. He thinks it-- Amelia, will react to you getting upset."

I sigh, taking a deep breath, "Sorry." I look down at Amelia, she stares back.

Let me see.

Aro steps back, one hand over his heart or rather, where his heart would be. I've never seen or heard of Aro being frightened. He definitely was now.

"Margarete, how can you protect that? Can't you see the horror? It's written all over her. Yet, you name her. Hold her. Love her?"

Edward's head was lowered. I didn't see any horror on her face. Yes, her eyes were a little off. Her nails could be cut. I tried to object to Aro's words but before I could, he was crouched over, a look of pain on his face.

The Guard pushed past Edward and tried helping him. Edward stares at Amelia, then looks up at me, "Margarete. She's doing that. And she's happy about it. Look at her. She's thrilled over causing pain."

I look down at her and I see the big smile on her face, her eyes never leaving Aro. I spin around, blocking her from him, "Amelia, no!"

I hear her think and I turn her so her back is against my chest, both arms wrapped around her, keeping her close to me.