Chapter 21:

Jacob POV:

Baby? Our baby! She said, "Our baby!" Oh God, no!

I drove like a mad man and pulled up to the ER door. I slammed it into park, got out and ran to the other door. I yanked it open and carefully picked up Bella. She had blacked out about two minutes before we got here and I noticed the large pool of blood as I picked her up off of the seat. I left the truck door open and ran inside the ER screaming, "Help me! SOMEBODY PLEASE HELP ME NOW!"

A nurse came running to me and pointed to a room. I ran into the room and laid her on the exam table. The nurse started shooting questions at me. I couldn't think, I couldn't talk. I looked down and saw Bella's blood smeared all over my white shirt. I finally got out, "The baby . . . she's afraid she's losing the baby!"

"Jacob?" I heard someone say my name, then, "Bella? Jacob, what happened?" I looked up and saw Carlisle. He hurried over to the table, and started shouting orders to the two nurses in the room. Then he turned to me and said calmly, "Jacob, talk to me. What happened?"

"A baby. She's pregnant, and she started bleeding. She just told me as we were driving here. I didn't know. She said she was waiting until tonight to tell me," I finished. I stood there shaking and trying so hard to keep it together. I quickly ran my hand through my hair and took a few deep breaths.

Carlisle talked to the nurses as they worked on Bella. They were hooking her up to monitors and . . . her dress. The nurses were cutting Bella's dress off of her. Her wedding dress. I watched as it fell in pieces to the floor.

I just stood there watching, wishing I could wake up from this nightmare.

"Jacob? Jacob!"

"Oh, what?" I realized Carlisle was trying to ask me something. All I could do is stare at Bella.

"Do you have any idea how far along she is?" Carlisle asked.

I shook my head. "Um, she just told me. We just got married . . . today." I remembered the day she asked me about having the wedding – she wanted it in 3 weeks. "She wanted a quick wedding, so I guess she already suspected she might be pregnant. So, I guess a couple of months or so." I noticed the flowers that Bella had clipped in her hair so carefully were now just laying on the floor beside her dress.

"Good. Is there anything else? How long ago did she show any symptoms? When did this start?"

"Uh, we were at the party after the wedding. She said she needed some air, so she went outside. I went out to find her, we were talking about leaving, and all of sudden she had a pain and she bent over. Then I looked down and saw the blood running down her leg . . ." my voice trailed off. I took a deep breath to go on, "I picked her up, ran to the truck, and came here." They were putting an IV in her arm. She was lying there in just her underwear. God, she looks so lifeless, so pale. Her underwear was soaked with blood, and it was dried all over her legs. One of the nurses finally pulled out a hospital gown and was putting it on her.

Carlisle took my arm and pulled me away from the exam table. "Jacob, listen to me. I'm going to run some tests right away and we need to do an ultrasound to see what's happening with the baby. I know this will be difficult for you, but I need you to step out into the waiting room. I will come and get you as soon as I know anything. I promise. Do you have anyone else with you? Bella's parents?"

"No, I didn't . . . I just came here as fast as I could. I guess I should go call them," I said. I couldn't move. I just stood there staring at the scene that was playing out before me. There were bright red blood drips on the white tile floor from where I carried her in and put her on the table. Bella laid there so white and lifeless, with all kinds of wires and tubes hooked to her. Her dress, her beautiful wedding dress, now laid in a heap on the floor, along with her shoes. I felt the tears roll down my face. Why couldn't I do anything to stop this? I could protect her from vampires, but I could do nothing here! Nothing! I felt so helpless.

Carlisle came back over to me, put his hand on my shoulder and said, "Jacob, listen to me. I will do everything I can to save Bella and the baby. Do you understand?"

I couldn't talk, so I just nodded.

"Alright, I need you to leave now. We are going to take her upstairs," he said as he gently guided me to the door.

"Wait," I said to Carlisle. I walked over to the exam table, leaned down to Bella and kissed her on the forehead. I left my forehead touching hers and said softly, "Bella, honey, I'll be right back. I have to go and call Charlie and Renee, OK? Carlisle promised me he will take good care of you and the baby. Please be OK, Bells. Please don't leave me." I could feel the tears running down my face.

"Jacob? Come on, let us get to work," Carlisle said gently.

I nodded and forced myself out of the room. I got out into the hallway and leaned against the wall so I wouldn't fall. I felt so weak, so tired. So empty. I stood there with my head down just letting the tears fall. Why didn't she tell me? Why did this have to happen?

"Jacob?" I knew that voice. I looked up.

"What? What the hell are you doing here?" I asked as I put my hand up and wiped the tears off of my face.

Edward stood in front of me and said quickly, "I have a break from school, so I came home to visit the family. I was here in the ER to see Carlisle. What happened? You are covered in blood . . . where's Bella? Jacob, what happened to Bella?

He was quiet and didn't ask me any more questions, so I knew he was looking in my head to find what he wanted to know. I know it was mean, but I replayed the wedding in my mind for him: Bella, so beautiful walking down the aisle . . . how she stared at me during the ceremony with so much love showing in her eyes . . . our kiss. The ride in the truck to the party – she was so happy about being Mrs. Jacob Black. Then, at the party, her doubled over in pain, begging me to save our baby, the blood, the ride to the hospital. I looked up and saw the pain on his face.

"A baby . . ." he said sadly. "How bad is it? Is she going to make it?" he asked.

I shook my head. "I don't know. They have her hooked up to monitors and IV's . . . Carlisle told me he would do everything he could to save her . . . and the baby," I answered.

He put his head down. "I need to see her," he said quietly.

Instantly, anger shot through me. "NO! There is blood everywhere in there. There is no way in hell I will take that chance." I said trying to keep my voice even. "Look, I am doing everything I can right now not to freak out here, OK? You are the LAST fucking thing I need to deal with!"

"I understand. But Jacob, I want you to think about something. Really think about it." He moved so that he was standing directly in front of me and he looked me in the eye and said quietly, "If she . . . if Carlisle knows for sure that she won't make it, I can save her. Carlisle and I can save her. Do you understand what I am saying?"

I looked at him, squinted my eyes and thought about what he just said. The realization then hit. Oh my God, he wants to make her a FUCKING VAMPIRE!

"Are you fucking kidding me? You didn't waste any time did you? Bella is in there fighting for her life, and OUR BABY'S life, and you have the fucking nerve to come in here and try to steal her away from me? ON OUR WEDDING DAY?" I knew I was getting loud, but I couldn't help it. I pulled my fist back to plant it in his face, when I felt someone grab my arm. I jerked around to see Carlisle holding onto me.

"Jacob, Edward, may I have a word with you two?" he said as he ushered us into an empty exam room, then closed the door.

"This is not the time or the place for an argument. We need to focus on Bella here. Do you both understand?" Carlisle said sternly.

Edward nodded obediently, but I lost it. "He wants to turn her into a fucking vampire! God, I can't deal with this shit right now!" I turned my back to them and ran my hands through my hair. I just want to hit something! It took every ounce of strength I had left to try and calm myself.

That's when Edward spoke up to defend himself. "I was just trying to get him to think about another way of saving her. If she dies, she is gone! Do you get that, Jacob! She is gone to all of us! If we save her, then at least she is here. I know that she is married to you. I'm not trying to steal her away from you. I just don't want . . . to lose her forever."

"Alright, Edward, that's enough," Carlisle said. He walked over to me and said gently, "Jacob, as much as you don't want to hear it, Edward does have a point. Something for you to consider. I don't know it will come to that. Bella is strong, and she is a fighter. But she has lost a lot of blood. I just ordered a transfusion for her. Jacob, I know it is horrifying for you to think about, but it is an option."

I turned around and looked at him. I knew he was right. I looked over at Edward. I just didn't know how Bella and I could make it with her being a . . . I couldn't even think it. But at least she would be here. And not . . . gone.

I looked at Carlisle and slowly nodded. "But you have to promise me that you will come to me first. I need to have the chance to say g . . ." I couldn't finish.

Carlisle nodded. "I promise Jacob. I would never make that decision without consulting you. I'm taking Bella upstairs now. We'll be closer to the OR if we need it. Please, call Bella's parents. They should be here. I'll find you when I know something." He turned and left.

I looked over at Edward. He looked at me. I knew we both loved her. And right now, as much as I hated to admit it, he was the only one of us that could save her.

Jacob POV:

Somehow I found my way out to the waiting room. I pushed open the double doors and as soon as I walked through the door, Charlie and Renee came running up to me. "Jake, where is she? What happened? Is she OK?" Charlie asked me as he put his hand on my shoulder.

"I don't know, Charlie. They just took her for tests. Carlisle is taking care of her," I answered.

Renee touched me on the arm, "Jacob? What happened? Why is there blood all over you, honey?"

I closed my eyes and hung my head. The tears were close again. "A baby. She is pregnant, and she might be losing the baby."

"Oh my God! Why didn't she say anything? Did you know she was pregnant?" Renee asked me.

I shook my head. "She said she was waiting until tonight. She wanted to surprise me."

"Oh honey, come here," Renee pulled me into a tight hug and held me for a moment. I could hear her crying as the tears rolled down my cheeks.

"When we will know something?" Charlie asked.

I pulled away from Renee, wiped my face and said, "I don't know. Carlisle said he would come and get me when he knew something." I paused and sighed. "This was the happiest day of our lives. Why is this happening? What will I do if she . . . " Charlie put his hands on my shoulders.

"Jacob, look at me. We are not going to think like that, OK? Bella is a fighter. She'll be OK. And this baby . . . well, it's part of both of you. It'll be a fighter, too. OK?" Charlie said sternly. I nodded and took a deep breath to stop the tears. I felt so damned helpless, and it was killing me!

He walked us over to some chairs by the door and he made me sit down. Billy came wheeling around the corner, Embry walking beside him. He wheeled his chair over to stop in front of me. He reached out and took my hands. "Son, what's going on?"

I filled him in on what I knew. He held both of my hands while I talked. It was all so surreal. He nodded as I finished.

"OK then. We will wait." He was quiet for a second then added, "Your sister stayed behind to help Sue clean up. She wanted me to call her. I'll go do that then I'll be back, OK?" I nodded. He rolled his chair over to the pay phone.

Embry sat down in the chair beside me. "I parked your truck, bro. Here's your keys. You left them in the ignition. I also brought you one my t-shirts. I thought you might want to change," he said quietly. He held them to out to me.

I looked down at my shirt and my hands. "Yeah, maybe I better clean up a little," I said. "Thanks." I took the shirt and keys from him.

I got up and walked over to the bathroom and closed and locked the door. I unbuttoned my bloody shirt and let it fall to the floor. Just like Bella's dress. I turned the water on, and while it was running, I looked up into the mirror. My eyes were red and I had some of Bella's blood on my neck. I looked like hell, which is exactly where I felt I was. How could the happiest day of my life turn into the worst in a matter of seconds?

I cleaned up as best I could at the little sink, then put the shirt that Embry had given me over my head and pulled it down. I bent over and picked my shirt off of the floor and looked at the blood. She lost so much blood. I stood there and put my head down. God, please, please let her live. I can't live without her. And I don't know if I can live with her if she's a . . . I couldn't even imagine it.

I walked back out into the waiting room, carrying my shirt. Renee said, "Here, honey, I'll take that," she said as she took it from my hand.

I sunk down into the chair beside Embry. He looked over and me and said, "She'll be OK, bro."

"I hope so Em, I hope so. I can't live without her."

Bella POV:

I opened my eyes and tried to focus. Where am I? I looked around. Hospital? The baby . . . I was bleeding. I slowly moved my hands onto my belly. Are you still there, little one? Why can't I focus?

I could hear some sort of machine beeping, and I had tubes in my arm, something on my face. I was having trouble keeping my eyes open. Then I saw a face. Who is it? Carlisle?

"Bella, stay still. You are in the hospital. You've lost a lot of blood, so I ordered a transfusion for you. I need you to be still for the baby. Do you understand? Don't speak, just move your head."

I nodded slightly. He smiled.

"Bella?" Edward? Edward is here?

Edward leaned over the bed so I could see his face. He smiled at me. "I'm here, Bella."

My eyes closed. All of a sudden a horrible beeping sounded.

"Her blood pressure is dropping! Get Jacob – now!" Carlisle ordered.

Jacob POV:

We all just sat there. Everyone was so quiet . . . even Embry. There was nothing we could say or do. It was hell. I needed to get up and go find out what was going on. I couldn't stand just sitting here, waiting. Carlisle said he would come and get me. Why hasn't he done that?

"Jacob Black?" I put my head up and saw a nurse standing at the double doors. I stood up, "I'm here," I said as I hurried over to her.

"Hurry, come with me!" was all she said.

We ran to an elevator and got in. "What's happening? Is she OK?" I asked.

"I was just told to come and get you. I'm sorry. I don't know anything else," she said sympathetically.

The doors opened and she led me down the hall. I saw Edward standing there. Oh God, no, please. I can't make this decision . . . I'm not ready!

The nurse pointed down the hall toward Edward, then walked away. I ran toward him and stopped in front of him.

"What is it? Is she OK? What's . . ."

Edward interrupted, "Jacob, her blood pressure dropped. They brought in a crash cart to stand by if needed," Edward explained. "Are her parents here?"

I nodded. "I want to see her. NOW," I said to Edward as I pushed past him into the room. Carlisle was reading a machine, and a nurse was covering Bella with a blanket.

"Carlisle? Is she . . ."

He looked up and walked over to me. "Jacob, her blood pressure dropped, then steadied. Right now, she is stable, but still critical."

I nodded. "The baby?" I asked.

"The baby is still there. She hasn't lost it yet. But again, it's critical. She's fighting, Jacob, but she is getting weaker, I'm afraid."

I walked over to the bed and looked down at Bella. God, she was so pale . . . even more than usual for her. They had taken the oxygen mask off of her, and she had a clear tube across her face and up her nose. Her lips had a blue tint to them. I leaned down and put a kiss on her lips. They were so cold. I reached out and took her hand gently in mine. "Bella? I'm here, honey. It's Jake. I'm here. Keep fighting, OK? I need you, Bells. Come back to me, OK?" A tear fell from my eye and landed on her face. I took a finger and wiped it away.

Suddenly some alarm went off and the beeping from the monitor turned into one long beep . . . it was like something out of the movies.

"Jacob, MOVE! She's crashing!" Carlisle yelled. Another nurse came running in. They moved this machine over to the bed. I heard Carlisle barking out orders, then he yelled, "CLEAR!" and I saw Bella's body jump. Oh God! Save her! Save her!

Edward had come in and was standing next to me. "Jacob, please, let me save her!" He grabbed my arm and looked me in the eye and yelled, "Jacob! Please!"

"CLEAR!" Carlisle shouted again. Again Bella's body jumped. The long beep continued.

"NO! WAIT!" I yelled back at Edward. "Bella, fight, baby! PLEASE BELLA FIGHT FOR ME!" I screamed at her.

"Damnit Jacob! Her heart has stopped. We CAN'T WAIT!" Edward was screaming at me. He grabbed me by the shoulders and shook me. "Jacob it has to be NOW!"

I shrugged his hand off of me. "Just give her a chance, will you?" Then I turned back to the bed. BELLA, PLEASE! I LOVE YOU! FIGHT FOR ME!" I yelled again. Please Bella . . . please don't leave me.

"JACOB!" Edward turned me to look at him. "LET ME SAVE HER!"

"CLEAR!" Again Bella's body jumped. Beep! Beep! Beep! I looked over at the monitor. It was beeping again!

"We have a rhythm!" I heard one of the nurses call out. The other one started calling out numbers.

I looked over at Edward. He put his head down and brought his hand up to his eyes. I moved closer to Bella. "Bella, I'm here . . . it's Jake. Honey, I'm here. Keep fighting, baby, please keep fighting."

Carlisle came over to me. "That was very close. We have her stabilized for the moment. We'll keep monitoring her. Give us a minute or two then you can talk to her, OK?"

I nodded and moved back out of the way. I looked over to where Edward had been standing. He was gone.