Kind of a late update, but I can't really sleep. Nothing going on just one of those nights where I can't get comfortable. Ugh! Oh well, you guys luck out ha-ha. Enjoy!


Chapter Thirty

Bella's POV

"Anthony," I cooed gently as I rocked him. "Handsome boy."

Rosalie smiled. "He is very handsome. He looks identical to his father."

"He does," I smiled. "All except for his tail."

I twirled my finger around the too long tail. It was much longer than his body and whipped around. It did hurt when it smacked against you, which was why Rosalie would soon be tying it down. What was strange about his tail, was its bright red coloring and yellow, cheetah-like spots. Rosalie told me that his markings would disappear as he grew and become normal.

"I will feel badly when I tie it, but he has already smacked me with it too many times," Rosalie said as she rubbed the bruise under her arm. "At least he is easier on me though. He has certainly given his father quite a few lashes the past few days." She placed her hand on Emmett's back. He was currently snoring loudly, catching up on the sleep he had missed over the past few days.

"He was not happy with Emmett," I laughed. "He wanted you. He loves his father, but a baby needs his mother."

"That they do." She smiled before looking down at him, "He is a blessing. My blessing. I am so fortunate we are both here."

"You deserve this," I smiled at her. "And so many more."

"Will I have more babies?" She asked.

I paused for a moment as I thought about this. "Yes. I don't know how, but yes, you will."

She smiled. "They will be healthy?"

"They will be." I smiled at her.

"How do you know this?"

I took a deep breath and looked up at her. "You can't tell anyone if I tell you, okay?"

"I will not say a word." She said as she leaned closer.

"Well, whenever I need to know something or do something, this strange ringing starts in my ears. It hurts, but it kind of tells me what to do. I don't know how, it's just ringing."

"And this ringing tells you that I will have more babies?"

"You and all of the other women," I closed my eyes when the ringing started again. "It is telling me now that each year you will have two weeks of a bleed. It will be the time to consummate for the purpose of making a baby. The women who do not wish to have another baby will need to be separated from their mates for the duration."

"Separate them where?" Rosalie asked.

I squeezed my eyes shut as I thought about this. "The men will need to build a small village several miles away."

"Miles away from our mates?" She gasped in surprise. "That could never happen."

I frowned. "I… if the women aren't separated from the men, then there will be too many babies. The men will have trouble controlling themselves. It's the safest option."

She frowned. "What about our children?"

"The children will stay with their mothers."

"But who will protect us?"

I groaned. "I don't know, Rosalie. It's weird. I don't know how it will work. This is what I see now, but I'm not sure if it'll change or if it's even right."

"I spoke to the goddess you know," Rosalie beamed proudly. "She was in the form of the mighty Ektixs. I knew it was her."

"What did she say to you?" I asked.

"The first thing she told me was how sorry she was about my other babies and how she wished so badly that I could've raised them. She showed them to me and let me hold them for a bit. They were so beautiful," She smiled sadly. "She also told me that you were our new goddess. That we were to look for you during the great changes to come."

"Did she mention what those changes were, by chance?" I asked.

"No," Rosalie shrugged. "Just that changes were to come."

I sighed. "Damn. I wished she would've told you. It would make my life so much easier."

"She told me to tell you to stop worrying. The fear and anger you are envisioning is a manifestation of your own fear and anger." She said. "You do not have to worry about the family."

I blinked a few times. "She told you that?"

"She did. She does not want you to continue worrying." Rosalie smiled before yawning.

"Perhaps it's time I left you," I said as I passed Anthony over. He started fussing lighting as his nose bumped against Rosalie's nipple. Rosalie chucked as she put her nipple into his mouth.

"My hungry little baby," Rosalie cooed as she kissed his forehead gently.

Before I left, I helped her lay down beside Emmett. She was still so sore, so I also fed her another flower before leaving so she'd be able to sleep peacefully. Anthony was asleep before Rosalie got comfortable, but he was still eating as he slept. I couldn't help but chuckle at him.

When I walked out of Emmett's and Rosalie's hut, I noticed that several people were watching me intently. I blushed and ducked my head down; I knew their staring at everything to do with me healing Edward. The most jacked up part was that I don't really remember doing it.

I jumped when a little hand grabbed mine. I stopped to see a little blond girl, staring up at me with wide, blue eyes.

"Hello," I smiled at her.

"Can you fix my doll?" She asked as she held up a doll that had been ripped in half.

"Oh, I'm not really a—,"

"You fixed Edward, can you fix my doll too?" She asked again, batting her eyes in a very innocent way.

"I don't think I can fix dolls. Just people," I smiled at her. "But you know who is really good at sewing? Edward. We should go find him. I'm sure he'll love to fix your doll."

"Okay," The little girl stuck her arms out for me to carry her.

She was almost as tall as Alice, but I knew she was still just a little girl. Probably no more than six or seven. The children grew fast around here, mainly the boys, but the girls did have large growth spurts even if they stayed only around 5'4.

She wrapped her legs around my waist and laid her head into the crock of my neck. She placed one of her arms around my shoulders and the over draped across my chest, her hand loosely holding my breast. She didn't seem to mind that she had a handful of my breast and I had to remind myself that in this culture, it was quite normal for children to cling in such a way. I believed it was a comfort thing.

"Where is Edward?" The little girl asked.

"He is picking berries with Esme." I smiled. "We will be able to find them."

As we walked through the village, I noticed the stares of everyone. They stared at me with wide, curious and frightened eyes. I didn't like being the center of attention, especially when I couldn't really remember what I had done to warrant it.

All I remember from the incident was running through the crowd and seeing Edward on the ground with several whip lashes against his back. After that, it was all very blurry. My back still hurt however, so I know I did something crazy.

I saw Esme and Edward through the trees long before we reached them. Edward was lounging on the ground staring up at the sky while Esme picked berries. Occasionally he would toss a berry in the air and catch it in his mouth when Esme wasn't looking.

When we were close enough to alert them of our presence, Edward sat up. His eyes widened as he spotted me and it seemed as though he wanted to jump up and hold me, but he stayed rooted in his spot.

"My friend here needs some help from you Edward," I smiled at him as I placed the little girl onto the ground.

"My doll is ripped," She told him as she held out her doll as evidence.

He smiled gently at her. "We should fix it then."

Esme took her satchel off and tossed it to Edward. The little girl slid into his lap to watch as he carefully sewed her doll back together.

I took a seat beside them on the grass. Edward couldn't place his arm around me, but his tail wrapped around me and pulled me close to him. I sighed softly because I was still mad at him and I just needed some time, but I was missing him terribly. I hated to admit that I was kind of craving his touch.

"What happened to your doll?" Edward asked the little girl, his arms around her as he worked.

"The boys," The little girl huffed as she fell against his chest, her head under his chin.

"Mmm hmm, and what did those boys do?" He asked.

"They were playing around with her and accidentally got her stuck in a tree."

"Which boys?"

The girl paused. "I do not remember."

Edward chuckled. "There is no honor is lying for the boys if they do something like this. It appears to me that they were playing rough."

"I do not want Papa to whip them like he whipped you."

Edward chuckled again. "Sweet Irina, I am fine. I broke a law and papa needed to punish me so I would remember not to do it again."

She sighed. "Still. I do not want them to get into any trouble. They were just playing around."

"But they ripped your doll in half?"

"By accident. She got stuck in the tree and Laurent got it down for me. It got stuck between some branches and he pulled it too hard. It was not his fault."

"Well, perhaps I will speak to Laurent to get to the bottom of this," Edward said as he pulled the string. "All fixed."

She smiled and grabbed her doll. "Thank you, Edward."

He smiled gently at her. "You are welcome, Irina. Now, go find your mother. It is almost dinner time."

Irina smiled widely before jumping to her feet and running back down the path. Once she was far enough away, Edward twisted his head over to me, but his eyes were cast downwards. I sighed.

"Come on," I said, giving him permission to hold me as I know he so desperately wanted to do.

He took me in his arms immediately, burying his nose in my hair and inhaling deeply. He purred contently and I couldn't help but purr in response. I had missed him too. I nuzzled my face under his chin. When I inhaled him deeply, I realized how much I had missed him.

"Are you no longer angry with me?" He asked, nuzzling against my hair.

"Shh, I'm just starting to get over it." I told him.

I heard Esme laugh. "If you two are finished becoming reacquainted with one another, I would appreciate some help with these."

I detached myself from Edward and got to my feet to help Esme. She had many baskets of berries, enough to feed the village.

"What is all this for?" I asked.

"It is for the grula drink. It takes five days to brew."

"What is that for?"

"It is for you," She smiled as she hoisted a large basket over her shoulders. "In six days', time, you will be a woman. You will be taking your first step towards becoming our people's healer and becoming a mother."

My heart skipped a beat. Six days? Was there really only six days left on that clock? I hadn't had time to process any of it, even though I thought I had. I thought I had honestly processed all of this, but from my dry mouth and drumming heart, maybe I wasn't ready.

Several Hours Later

It was very late, but sleep was the last thing on my mind. I laid on Edward's chest, wide awake staring at the wall of the hut.

I couldn't get mine and Edward's mating off my mind. It was so close. I mean I knew it was coming up, but I was just surprised it was right around to corner.

I would be a mother soon. The thought of being pregnant dug a painful hole in the pit of my stomach. I had never wanted kids before, but now I would be expected to be a mother. I'd never been good with kids. My last experience with a baby had been a disaster.

I gently pulled myself out of Edward's grasp. He moved and grumbled but didn't wake up. Before I left, I looked over at everyone to make sure they were still asleep. I crept out of the hut to sit on the edge of the deck. I swung my legs over the side and looked out.

In six days… well actually five days now, I will be Edward's mate and I will be pregnant with his child. I would be a mother.

I shuddered at the thought. A mother. I never thought of myself as mother material. I wasn't good with kids; I never had been. I mean, in short bursts, sure, I could muster up enough to nurture and be kind, but in the long term… well, there's never been a long term. I've never been around a child for a long time.

I sighed softly and placed my forehead against the wooden bar. I felt like I was going to be sick.

I nearly screamed when a large hand placed itself on my back. I looked over to see Carlisle crouching beside me. His head was cocked to the side as he looked down at me.

"Trouble sleeping?" He asked very softly.

I nodded. "Something like that."

He moved his legs, so they were hanging over the side of the deck like mine.

"I thought you were awake." He said as he looked out over the dark scenery. "I could not be sure though. You are very good at deception."

I blushed. "I don't think you realize it, but you kind of called me a good liar."

He chuckled. "It is not a bad skill to have in your position."

"I thought the family was all about honesty. You were certainly upset when you found out I'm to be the new goddess."

"I was upset that Esme had not told me and that she was allowing the information to make her unhealthy. She is not a good liar."

"Make her unhealthy?"

"Yes, she was having a lot of trouble sleeping and eating. You may not have noticed. I can only help but notice because I am her mate. She is much better now that I know."

"I'm sorry we kept it from you." I said. "It was just a lot. And I wasn't… I'm still not ready for everyone to look towards me."

He nodded. "I understand. It is a lot for Auk'ell'ieks'Ognil to ask of a child, but she was a child herself when she gave herself to our world."

I shuddered. "I don't want all that… I know I should be grateful for the opportunity but I'm not. I want to help heal the people, and I want to be Edward's mate, but… but being the people that everyone looks too… I don't know if I can do it. It sounds selfish, but Carlisle, I don't want to sacrifice myself."

He chuckled deeply. "I do not think you will have to sacrifice yourself. Auk'ell'ieks'Ognil did so because we were at war with all of our family. We are not at war now. All is well."

I sighed. "The people might not want to follow me. Maybe the knowledge of knowing what I am and what happened to Auk'ell'ieks'Ognil will cause a war."

"No, it will not," He said. "You worry too much. The people will accept you. They love you very much as it is and with the knowledge, their love will only grow."

I bit my lip. "I-I think you're lying to me."

He chuckled again. "I was trying to make you feel better. Since you are still a child, I wanted to make you feel better."

"So, you think the people will be angry? Do you think they will try to kill me?"

He shook his head. "No. I do not believe they will try to take your life. I do think that they will have a hard time looking to you for guidance. You are not from here; you do not know the land or the history. Some of the elders might have a hard time accepting your leadership, but the children really like you. That is what is important. You will be leader them more so than the elders."

My stomach clenched again, and I couldn't help but wince. I thought it had gone unnoticed, but Carlisle was very observant.

"You are stressed out about the children?" He asked.

"No. Not the children of other people," I said. "I'm worried about my children."

"So soon? You are not even with child yet," He chuckled. "There is no need to worry now."

I sighed. "You don't understand. I'm worried about being a mother. I've never been good with children. And in five days, Edward and I will be expected to consummate our mating and produce a child. Where I'm from, I'm considered very young. Having kids now is considered a stupid decision."

"You are in your prime age for child production. You are young and healthy. Your mate will also make an excellent father. Edward is a great provider. You and your child will be protected." Carlisle said. "You are fine with children. If I were in your position, I would not be afraid. I have seen you interact with the children. You are a natural."

"Maybe the older children. And in small doses, the babies. But having a baby with me all the time is terrifying. I'm not very good at keeping myself alive, how am I going to keep a baby alive?" I shuddered.

He patted my back. "You will have a long time to learn. Esme was not good with the babies either. She became an expert after Edward's birth. Your instincts will kick in and you will naturally know what to do."

"Hopefully."

"You will." He said as he got to his feet. "Come. It is time to sleep. You have five days before you become a woman, Esme will be working you very hard."

"In a moment." I said as I looked back out into the darkness.

"Now, Bella," Carlisle said in a very fatherly type of voice that made my knees buckle. "You need your rest. Come on."

I sighed and got to my feet to go back to bed like Carlisle asked. He stood in the doorway to let me pass, smiling at me as I did. He gave me a light pat on the head before letting out a purr he used for Edward and Alice. Hearing it made me blush and smile.


A sweet moment between Carlisle and Bella. I hope you guys enjoyed! Have a wonderful night!