With each passing day, she grew weaker.
Carlisle could not only see it, but feel it.
The fetus was eating her up.
Piece by piece, it was helping itself to her reserves and draining them. Day by day, the likelihood that Bella would survive this pregnancy dwindled.
He knew he had to be gentle with his thoughts, but it was hard not to think of the obvious, especially when he could practically see through her skin.
Edward gave him a pleading look.
Carlisle knew what he wanted, what he expected. That he was going to save her, no matter the cost. Carlisle was even tempted to do it, he would do anything for Edward. Still he felt the guilt on his shoulders. He had banished Edward to this life and now that he had finally found a purpose for his existence, he had to watch that purpose slowly slip away. And there was nothing he could do about it.
But even if they could override Bella's wishes, if they could keep Rosalie away from her and Emmett as well, Carlisle doubted that Bella would survive this procedure in her condition.
While he had no way to examine the fetus, the amniotic sac was apparently made of a material similar to a vampire's skin. Thus, it would not be easily removed.
When Edward heard his thoughts, he slumped and Carlisle's heart broke.
He couldn't even imagine how he would fare. Not even for a second. The pain of the sheer possible thought was too strong.
Immediately he felt his heart aching for her. She would arrive soon, of that he was sure. She would not leave him alone at a time like this. He could only hope that she had found what she was looking for and at the same time he felt a rage.
How could she have left him alone?
It was out of character and unfair, he was aware of that. He also knew that his anger was not directed at her adventure but at the whole situation.
His family was in danger of breaking up. They were divided, in a matter that would not easily be resolved. Alice and Jasper wanted to get rid of the fetus. Alice couldn't see him and was sure Bella would die. Jasper, who would do anything for Alice, thought the fetus was a danger. A danger he did not want to expose Alice to.
Rosalie projected her own missed fate onto Bella and refused to leave her side. She encouraged her with gentle words and Carlisle could feel the hatred with which Edward watched her do so. Emmett couldn't help but stand behind Rosalie, even though you could tell he was thinking similarly to Jasper.
If Bella died before then, which he thought was very likely with the weight she had already lost, Edward would end his existence. Alice would never forgive Rosalie and they would disappear. If by some miracle Bella carried the child to term, she would die in childbirth and the child, an immortal child, would have to be destroyed immediately. A deed Carlisle did not dare to do. Especially not since he already knew that Rosalie would defend this child with her life.
It was hopeless. But it was his family and he could not turn his back on them.
Again he stared into the forest.
The moon was hidden behind thick clouds and the forest was shrouded in mysterious darkness. Not for him, of course, he saw the bustle of nocturnal animals and watched an owl stretching with pleasure.
As he had every day since Lily's departure, he kept a lookout. It was ridiculous, he knew. Alice had told him days ago when she would come, and yet he clung to the hope that she would come unexpectedly sooner.
It was strange how a single encounter could change his whole life. He never expected the impact she would have on him. He never expected to meet his companion in general. When you were alone for more than three centuries, you slowly lost hope. It was only logical.
Although his family was about to break up, he couldn't help but still feel that joy. He felt guilty for these thoughts but he couldn't stop them. She would come back to him again. Something he had never taken for granted, no matter how many times Alice promised it to him. He hoped she had found what she had been looking for. He hoped she had chosen this life now, for him. They wouldn't stay here long, he knew Lily had no real contacts here. She wouldn't mind going with him. But what would happen next?
Would Alice and Jasper go as well? What about Rosalie and Emmett? They left the family now and then to live a few decades as a normal newlywed couple, but always found their way back. Honestly, Carlisle had to admit that their intermittent absences were a welcome change. Especially the early days with the two of them were... demanding.
He had to find a solution but which one.
Carlisle had found many things in his existence, death, a new life, friends, family, knowledge and love. But one thing had now been lost.
Hope.