Later
Edward and me rode side by side in the back of a car.
I considered him as he gazed straight ahead.
Pulling onto the tarmac of a small airport, the car parked in front of a private jet.
Edward looked at me.
I turned away and stared out my window.
"Wait here while we load."
I continued to avoid his gaze.
With a solemn look, he climbed out of the car while the driver opened the trunk.
Through my window, I see Edward shake hands with an airport worker.
My lips pinched in an awkward frown.
I shifted my gaze inward.
I took my phone from my purse.
I made a call.
"Hello?"
"Rosalie."
"Bella?"
I saw Edward paid the airport worker.
He glanced at me.
"What's going on?"
"I need your help."
Jake
I pulled up at the house on my motorcycle.
I saw Charlie's cruiser sitting out front.
With a puzzled look, I parked and headed inside.
As I entered, I found Charlie staring out a window at the far end of the Living Room.
Dad wheeled up to me and smiled.
"Hey, Son."
"What's going on?"
"Bella called him."
I strided towards Charlie, who met me halfway.
"Hey. Haven't seen you in awhile."
We shook hands.
"You okay?"
"So, you finally heard from Bella?"
Adverting his gaze, Charlie nodded.
"They're extending their trip. Seems she caught a bug. They want to wait until she feels better before they travel."
"She's sick."
"Yeah, she told me not to worry, but she sounded... I don't know, off."
"She'll be okay, Charlie." Sue assured him.
"Come on. Let's eat." She told Charlie.
Shifting his reluctant gaze, Charlie sat at the small Kitchen table.
He eyed me as I remained standing, my brown resolute.
As I turned abruptly to go, Dad grabbed my arm.
"Jacob, let it go."
Shaking off Dad's grip, I stormed out.
Dad offered Charlie a half smile.
I arrived outside the Cullen house on my motorcycle.
I marched up to the glass front door.
Carlisle let me in.
"Is it true?"
"Hello, Jacob. How are you?"
"Listen. Just give it to me straight."
Bella
"Jake, is that you?"
He glanced towards another room.
"She's here?"
"They came home two weeks ago."
Jake marched further in.
"Jake."
Carlisle followed him upstairs.
Reaching the upper landing, he slowed to a stop.
Rosalie stood with her arms folded, blocking me from view whilst Edward brooded close by.
Alice sat by Jasper, who deliberately folded his left hand over his right as he stood by guardedly.
I peeked out from behind Rosalie.
"I am glad you came."
Jake started to approach but she stepped forward.
"Close enough."
"What's your problem?"
"Rose, it's okay."
Glowering, Rose let him pass.
Jake took a seat on the Coffee table.
He found me curled up on the sofa under my blanket that Mom gave me.
My face was pale and thin.
"You look terrible."
I gave a tight-lipped smile and lowered my gaze.
"Yeah. It's nice to see you too."
He gave a patient nod and glanced around.
"So, are you going to tell me what's wrong with you?"
"Rose, you want to help me up?"
Alice swallowed and lifted her chin.
I threw my blanket aside, revealing my very pregnant belly.
Jake sprang up at the sight of it while Esme looked on gravely.
I hurried pulled down my rumpled shirt down over the bulge.
I gave Jake a sheepish look.
He made an angry beeline for Edward.
"You did this!"
Emmett put his hand on his shoulder, stopping him.
"We didn't know it was even possible." Carlisle tried to explain.
"What is it?"
"I am not sure. Ultrasounds and needles won't penetrate the embryonic sac."
I sat back down on the couch.
"I can't see it either. And I can't see Bella's future anymore."
"We've been researching legends but there isn't much to go on. What we do know is that it's strong. And fast-growing." Carlisle told him everything they know.
"Why haven't you done anything? Take it out of her!"
"This is none of your business, dog."
"Rose!" Esme called.
"All this fighting isn't good for Bella." She pointed out.
"The fetus isn't good for Bella." Alice retorted.
"Say the word, Alice. "Baby." It's just a little baby."
"Possibly." Jasper stated, stepping up next to Alice.
Jake exhaled a heavy breath.
"Carlisle, you've got to do something."
"No. It's not his decision. It's not any of yours."
"Jacob, I need to talk to you."
Edward left the room.
Jake looked down at me.
He reluctantly followed him.
Edward
Outside, we conferred in the woods.
"I always knew you'd destroy her."
"She thinks Carlisle can turn her at the last minute... Like he did for me and Esme."
"Can he?"
"Probability is slight. And if her heart fails..."
I struggled to continue.
I helplessly shook my head.
Jacob swallowed hard.
"Look, Jacob, I need you to do something for me. For her."
He turned away.
Jacob suddenly paused.
He looked back to me.
"You have a connection with her that I'll never understand. Maybe you could talk to her, change her mind. You can keep her alive."
"And if I can't?"
"If she dies... You get what you always wanted. To kill me."
Jacob narrowed his eyes.
He turned to face me fully.
Bella
Jake marched through the Cullen house.
At the doorway, he encountered Rosalie and stopped.
She protectively looked into the room.
"Rose, I am fine. Really."
She reluctantly exited, brushing pass Jake on her way out.
He faced me and rakishly cocked an eyebrow.
Removing his leather jacket, Jake crossed to a chair close to the chair where I was sitting curled up.
He took a seat, facing me.
Jake leaned forward and offered a warm crooked smile.
"So, Edward sent you in here to talk to me?"
"Sort of. Though I can't figure out why he thinks you'd listen to me. I mean, you never have before."
We shared a smile.
As Jake grew solemn, I shook my head.
Jake jerked a thumb towards the door.
"Since when are you and blondie BFFs?"
"Rose understands what I want."
"What are you thinking, Bella? Seriously."
"I know this seems like a scary thing... But it's not. It's like this miracle or something. I can feel him."
"So, it's a bouncing baby boy. I am sorry I didn't know. Should've brought some blue balloons."
"It's just a guess. When I picture him, I see a boy. We'll see."
"You won't."
"Jake, I can do this. I am strong enough."
"Come on."
He got to his feet.
"You can spout that crap to your bloodsucker, but you don't fool me. I can see what that thing's doing to you. It's a killer, Bella."
"You're wrong."
"And when you die... What was the point? Of me loving you, you loving him. How is that right for anyone? Because I sure don't see it."
I regarded him with a furrowed brow.
A sad smile flitted on my pale face.
Jake shifted his regretful gaze.
He then sat down.
"Listen to me, Bella. Please. Just don't do this. Live, okay? Please."
"Jake, everything's going to be okay."
I took his hand.
Jake stared off sadly.
He swallowed and gave an understanding nod.
Under my pleading gaze, Jake gathered up his jacket and headed for the door.
"Jacob, don't go."
"I know how this ends. And I am not sticking around to watch."
He gave me one last look then left.
As I stared after Jake, Edward looked on from a Balcony.
I noticed him watching.
I looked away miserably and adjusted my position on the sofa.
I winced and grabbed my abdomen.
Jake
I dashed outside.
I leaned briefly against my motorcycle.
Stepping back, I threw down my leather jacket and kicked the bike across the driveway with superhuman force.
Taking a running start, I bound upward and transformed into my big russet brown Wolf.
I raced through the woods.
"Jacob! Jake, I can do this. I can do this."
"Don't do this."
"I am strong enough. I am strong enough."
"This is none of your business, dog."
"Jacob, don't go."
"You did this!"
"Everything's going to be okay."
"The fetus isn't good for Bella."
"I know how this ends. Don't you even care that it's killing you?"
I was visualizing glimpses of Bella and Edward.
I ran into the path of an oncoming pick-up truck.
I broke to avoid me and spun out.
I bound across into the woods again.
I howled.
Two other wolves appeared on a ledge.
On a boulder, two more looked up and rushed off.
Several others joined the call and raced down a slope with me.
We all dashed in the same direction.
I emerged at a Ridge and bounded down a high steep slope to a patch of shoreline heavily stocked with piles of cut logs.
"Jake! Jake! Jake! Jake! Jake! Jake!"
The other Wolves appeared and immediately surrounded me.
"Is it true, Jacob?"
"What will it be? It's growing fast."
"It's unnatural."
"Dangerous."
"Monstrosity."
"An abomination. On our land."
"We can't allow it."
"We can't allow it."
Sam arrived at the tall stack of logs.
"We can't allow it."
"We can't allow it."
"We have to protect the tribe. What they've bred won't be able to control its thirst. Every human will be in danger."
"We're ready." Quil told him.
"No time to waste." Leah stated.
"Now?"
"We must destroy it before it's born."
"You mean, kill Bella?" Seth questioned.
"Her choice affects us all."
"Bella's human. Our protection applies to her." I argued.
"She's dying anyway!" Leah argued.
Leah and me snapped our jaws at each other.
Sam roared fiercely.
"We have real enemies to fight tonight."
"Tonight?"
He stalked down the pile of logs.
"You will fight with us, Jake."
As Sam drew near, the other Wolves lowered their heads submissively and sink down in the mud.
He advanced on me as I was snarling as I defiantly stood my ground.
Sam towered over me and barred his fangs, urging my head towards the ground.
I started to sink down.
I resisted, drawing myself back up.
I broke through to my Alpha heritage.
"I will not. I am the Grandson of Ephraim Black. I am the Grandson of a Chief! I wasn't born to follow you or anyone else."
I advanced on Sam, forcing him back.
I snapped my jaws at Sam.
I bounded pass him and up the tall stack of logs.
Quil stared after me as I made my way up the rocky slope back to the woods.
The others looked to Sam who snarled furiously.
He glowered after me.
I arrived on a Ridge back in my human form and fully dressed.
As I gazed down at the Cullen house, Seth arrived behind me also in human form.
"Whoa."
As the smiling teen comes to my side, I warily scanned the woods.
"Don't worry. They're not following us."
"What do you think you're doing here?"
"I left Sam's Pack."
"Go home, Seth."
"I won't stand behind him."
"Oh, yes, you will. I am not kidding. Get out of here."
"Is that an order? Going to make me bow down too?"
"I am not ordering anyone. Look, I am just going off on my own here, okay?"
"Great, and I've got your back."
"No, you don't. If Sam comes after Bella... Are you really ready to fight your own brothers? Your Sister?"
"If it's the right thing to do."
I took in Seth's earnest gaze.
I looked back to the Cullen house.
"Whatever. I am going to go give the Cullens a heads-up. Do what you want."
I headed down a path leading towards the house.
Grinning, Seth followed.
"How cool is this? Two-man Pack. Two against the world."
"You're getting on my nerves, Seth."
"I'll shut up. Can do."
Stopping several dozen yards from the house, I eyed Edward on the Balcony.
"Get ready. They're coming for Bella."
"They're not going to touch her."
"Agreed."
We nodded to each other.
Edward went inside.
Leah trumped out of the woods and joined Seth.
"Man. I can smell them from all the way out here."
"What the hell are you doing here?"
"I am not going to let my little brother get himself killed."
"Go away, Leah! I can take care of myself."
"That you think so proves you need a babysitter."
"Okay, would the both of you shut up?"
They looked solemnly to me.
"Did Sam send you?"
"Sam doesn't even know I left."
You heard Wolves howl.
"I think he just figured it out." Seth pointed out.
"Jake. I know what his plan is."
Edward
"Sam's lost the element of surprise... And he doesn't want to take you on outnumbered... So, he's not going to come at you head on. He's got the place surrounded and he'll wait for his opportunity."
"We won't get through without a fight." Emmett stated.
"No fights. We won't be the ones to break the treaty." Carlisle told him.
"The treaty is void, at least in Sam's mind." Jacob informed.
"Not in ours." Esme told him.
"Carlisle, no one's hunted for weeks." Emmett pointed out.
"We'll make do." Esme assured him.
"You've done us a great service, Jacob. Thank you." Carlisle thanked him.
Carlisle and Esme stared gratefully at Jacob.
He returned a solemn nod.
Sam
I arrived on a high Ridge flanked by Paul and Jared.
I snarled menacingly as I peered down at the lights of the Cullen house warmly in the dark woods.
Jake
I was standing a swiftly flowing river.
Leah joined me.
We swapped turst looks.
"I know they're out there somewhere, but I can't hear them anymore. It's so quiet."
"I stopped hearing them too. The second I decided to leave. It's nice."
"You know you can't stay here."
"But I don't have any place..."
"I can't trust you with the Cullens. You hate them too much. You don't even like me."
"I don't have to. I just have to follow you."
"Look, Seth doesn't want you here. Neither do I."
Leah's brow furrowed woundly.
"Being unwanted isn't exactly a new thing for me."
As she held me in her vulnerable stare, my face briefed displayed a hint of sympathy.
I coldly turned away.
Leah maintained her insist gaze as I took a step towards the river.
I planted my hands on my hips.
She reeled around and started to leave.
Leah turned back.
"Look. I'll stay out of your way. I'll do whatever you want... Except go back to San's Pack. And be the pathetic ex-girlfriend he can't get away from. You don't know how many times I wished I could imprint on someone. Anyone."
"Just to break the connection."
I looked up at her.
Leah gave an emotional nod.
I turned back to the swiftly flowing River.
She tilted her head expectantly as I shifted my contemplating gaze.
I turned back to Leah.
"Alright. I am going to do a perimeter run. You got my flank?"
She nodded.
I broke into a jog.
Leah followed.
Edward
Emmett walked along the windows, peering out into the woods.
On the couch, Bella slept with one hand over her bulging abdomen as I watched over her.
Perched nearby, Jacob observed us.
Emmett halted.
Outside, Sam slinked into view in Wolf form, joining Embry.
They stared up at the house.
Emmett's eyes gleam like two onyxes as he returned a threatening gaze.
I was searching for more information on the computer.
The screen filled with illustrations of women, demons, and babies as I grimily shifted through the search results.
Landing on a photo of a hideous demon crouched over a virginal woman, I abruptly marched out pass Alice, Jasper, and Carlisle.
Esme
Next Day
I brought sandwiches out to the woods.
Seth took one enthusiastically.
Leah turned away.
My smile faltered.
I offered the sandwich to Jacob, who accepted it.
"Thank you." He mouthed to me.
My warm smile returned.
Bella
Carlisle faced a roll of X-Rays.
"Your rib is cracked."
I laid on an exam table.
"But there are no splinters. You haven't punctured anything."
He turned around.
"Yet." Edward added.
"Edward."
"It's breaking her bones now. It's crushing you from the inside out."
I looked over at him.
"Carlisle, tell her what you told me."
He wasn't telling me.
"Tell her."
"Carlisle, tell me. It's alright."
Carlisle gravely moved closer to me.
I looked up at him with large glistening eyes.
"The fetus isn't compatible with your body. It's too strong. It won't allow you to get the nutrition you need. It's starving you by the hour. I can't stop it and I can't slow it down."
I bit my lip and gave a brave nod.
"At this rate, your heart will give out before you can deliver."
"Then I'll hold on as long as I can, and then..."
"Bella. There are some conditions that even venom can't overcome. You understand?"
I nodded my head.
"I am sorry."
I blinked back tears.
I nodded again.
I smacked my lips.
Carlisle left the room.
I stared after him.
I faced Edward, who stood motionless in the corner.
"Edward, I am sorry."
"I can't live without you."
"You won't. You're going to have a part of me. He'll need you."
"Do you honestly think that I could love it or even tolerate it if it killed you?"
"It's not his fault. You have to accept what is."
"Because you've given me no choice! Bella, we're supposed to be partners, remember? But you decided this on your own. You've decided to leave me."
"Don't see it that way."
"Well, I have no other way to see it. Because it's me who'll lose you. And I don't choose that. I don't choose that."
He stepped away.
I stared after Edward.
My boney legs were bent closer to my body.
He wretched a door opened.
Edward stormed out.
He slammed it behind him.
My chest raised and fell.
My chin quivered fearfully.
Water streamed from a sleek modern faucet as Rosalie drew a Bath for me.
I slumped in a chair by the tub clad in a fluffy white bathrobe.
I feebly pushed myself up to my feet.
I faced a mirror.
I removed my robe, revealing my shocking emaciated frame.
As I stared at my reflection, I saw Edward standing in the doorway behind me.
I startled at the sight of him.
His black eyes met my gaze.
I covered myself back up with my robe.
Rosalie shut the door on Edward.
Jasper and Emmett were watching Football whilst Alice stared morosely taped to the back of my hand.
I pulled down the sleeve of my sweater as Esme and Rosalie watch me gravely and Edward sat at my side.
"Are you cold?" He questioned.
I nodded my head.
"I got it." Jake told them.
Sitting on the far end of the couch, Jake moved in close and laid an arm over my legs.
I gave him a weak grateful smile.
"Don't do that."
"What?"
"Smile like I am your favorite person in the world."
"You're one of them."
My frail hands gripped the cuff of his sweater.
"Feels complete when you're here, Jake."
Edward's face twitched slightly.
I winced painfully.
I sat up.
As I doubled over, Edward held a bucket out in front of me.
Jake gently rubbed my back.
"We need to find a way to get some food into her system." Esme pointed out.
Recovering, I laid back warily.
"If I could only see the fetus..."
"The baby." Rosalie cut Alice off.
"Maybe I could figure out what it wants."
Edward
Jacob wore a distant look.
"Probably looking for someone to sink its teeth into." Was in his thoughts.
Bella
Edward cocked an eyebrow slightly.
He allowed a faint hopeful smile.
"Think you might be right. Jacob just had an idea."
"It wasn't an idea. It was a snide comment."
"What were you thinking?"
"That it's probably just looking for someone to sink its teeth into."
Jasper faced him with a glare.
Emmett swallowed, his jaw clenched.
I breathed heavily, I gave a thoughtful frown.
As Jake chuckled to himself, I looked up at Carlisle.
"He's thirsty."
Emmett stared off.
"I know the feeling."
"If it's craving, it's not going to want animal blood."
"I have some O negative laid aside for Bella."
Carlisle exited.
Alice faced Jasper.
"Walk with me."
She stood, gently took his hand, and led him from the room.
Rosalie gave Emmett a meaningful look.
He left as well.
Jacob, Rosalie, and Esme remain at my side.
Carlisle returned, squeezing blood from a donor's bag into a glass.
"Wait, wait, wait. You're going to make her drink that?" Jake questioned.
"It's the fastest way to test the theory."
"Only if you're comfortable with it." Edward told me.
"I'll try anything." I replied.
"Just hold on."
Edward moved towards Carlisle.
"I think I am going to be sick." Jake expressed.
Squirming queasily, he returned to the far end of the couch.
Edward brought me a white Styrofoam cup with a lid and a straw.
He crouched before me.
"This might make it a little easier to take."
I sat up and gave him a thankful smile.
Carlisle moved in close to the sofa.
Edward sat back with Esme and Rosalie.
Carlisle knitted his brow as he watched me.
Jake hugged his arms across his chest.
I looked down at the cup in my hand.
I pursed my lips around the end of the straw.
The dark red fluid traveled up into my mouth.
I lowered the cup.
A dot of blood stained my ashen lips.
I let out a sigh.
"It tastes... Good."
Edward beamed at me.
I blinked and lowered my surprised gaze.
Jake turned, watching uneasily as I sucked down more blood.
I lifted my head and shut my satisfied eyes.
"Mmm."
Carlisle sat beside me.
He felt my wrist.
I winced, inhaling sharply.
I ran my tongue over my parched lips.
I drank some more blood from the cup.
"Your pulse is already getting stronger."
"It's working." Esme stated.
I smiled up at the others as my breathing grew steady.
Edward
I squeezed more blood from another donor bag into the Styrofoam cup.
I tossed the empty bag into the trash can where it landed on a heap of several others.
The can's lid lowered.
Bella
"Well, you sound better."
"I am. I feel much better."
"This whole thing must've put a kink in the honeymoon, huh?"
"You could say that."
"Otherwise, married life treating you okay? Edward still walks on Water and all that?"
"Yeah, but, I mean, it is different now."
"The important thing is that you're better. And that you're coming home soon, right?"
"Okay, Dad, I don't want you to freak out... But I am going to a medical center in Switzerland."
"What? No. No, you're not. You're not going to Switzerland. What are you... You said you were better."
"I am."
Charlie
Sue joined me.
Bella
"No, Bella. I am getting on a plane. No."
"No. It's really more of a spa. And I am sure that I'd be better by the time you got there anyway."
"Bells... I don't know."
"Dad, don't come. And picture me healthy... Like I am sitting on the couch with you, eating Pizza or something."
"You want me to visualize?"
"They say that it helps. Just picture me like that. Like I was. It'll make me fee better."
Edward
I hung my head.
Bella
"Dad, I got to go, okay?"
"Bella."
"I love you."
"Bella..."
I hung up.
I dropped the phone on the couch.
I pressed my fingers to my forehead.
As Edward ambled into the Living Room, I noticed him.
He sat the Styrofoam cup of blood on the Coffee table.
Edward crouched at my side.
"I am sorry I've been so angry."
I held Edward's hand.
"I would be too."
"I've left you alone in this."
I shook my head.
He adverted his shameful gaze.
"Marriage."
"Well, they say the first year is the hardest."
Edward brightened.
He glanced aside.
"Who was that?"
"What?"
"I thought I just heard..."
He touched my belly.
"Just say something else."
"Like what?"
Edward chuckled.
"Edward, what's going on?"
"He likes the sound of your voice."
"You can hear him?"
"In mind. He likes my voice as well."
"What? What do you hear?"
"It's so strange. I thought he was like me, but he's not. He's like you. Good and pure. He's happy."
I smiled and looked at my stomach.
"Of course you are. Of course you're happy. How could you not be? I love you so much. What do you hear now?"
"He loves you, Bella."
"Oh, my God."
Edward kissed my belly.