Chapter 34
Charlie's choice.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: I'm sorry for this short absence. I was overwhelmed with work. Good reading.
His eyes don't hold as much fear as I imagined, there's more expectation and restraint. I do not hide my surprise.
"Are you okay Edward?"
- Yes, but according to your face, I shouldn't react like that.
- That's not quite the reaction you had in my vision.
- So you knew you would get pregnant… he said, suspiciously.
- I knew it was a possibility, but I didn't expect it so soon and especially under contraception... I correct him.
- Should I assume from this that you had already had a vision of pregnancy when you first met me?
- Yes, I confess to him, sheepishly. But I thought that by taking the pill, we could take the time to really get to know each other and then I would have talked to you about the possibility of having a baby together. I wasn't going to hide it from you. I just wanted to keep you from freaking out like...
- Like in your vision, right? »
I nod my head. He runs his hand through his hair and sighs.
"Let me guess: I behaved like a moron again in your vision…
- You want the truth ? I ask, hesitant.
- You don't need to tell me. I know exactly how I would have reacted if this had been a surprise pregnancy for both of us.
- And there, you're not panicking?
- Bella, you are neither suicidal nor irrational. I imagine that your visions gave you clues to survive this pregnancy, otherwise you would not be so serene. So for now I'm waiting until I have all the information before I allow myself to make a decision about how I feel.
-Okay, so you need to know that the baby in my belly is a hybrid. So he has needs that mix those of vampires and humans... And the first need...
- Are you saying he needs blood? Edward asks worriedly.
- Actually, I'm the one who has to drink it, the baby will just take mine...
- Bella, you skipped the blood type test class, Edward says, raising an eyebrow, skeptical.
- Yes, I find it weird too, but I swear to you that I found it good in a vision…
- Good ? What are we talking about blood here?
- In fact, I was struggling to keep my stomach content down and my anemia was increasing. Jacob joked about the leech in my belly needing blood, so you and Carlisle thought I'd give it a try… But I wasn't in great shape at that point, so you gave me blood human that you kept to give me a transfusion.
- Jasper must not have liked it.
- He was leaving the room, but anyway, he and Alice weren't there often. Not being able to see the baby gives Alice a headache.
- And after that ? How was your condition?
- I have regained my strength and so has the baby... He may give me blows powerful enough to crack my ribs..."
I didn't dare look at him while saying the last sentence. I hear Edward inhale loudly. He takes my hand and squeezes it lightly. I take that as encouragement.
"Delivery begins after a month and a half of pregnancy.
- Pardon ? Edward exclaims.
- That's why it's hard on my body, I explain. It will also be complicated to follow the pregnancy, because the ultrasound does not allow you to see the inside of the amniotic sac. It's quite sturdy and will take your teeth to open it. »
I see Edward breaking down. He must imagine the scene. It's my turn to shake his hand.
"You manage to give birth to me.
- Carlisle…
- Carlisle is away, it's just you, Jacob and Rose. She takes care of the baby and you inject your venom into the heart with a syringe and bite my limbs to help.
- Bella… it's…
- Quick, I interrupt him. The transformation only lasts two days. Carlisle thinks it's from injecting venom directly into my heart. »
Edward looks overwhelmed. He blinks several times while looking at me, then stammers.
"How can you take it so calmly?!"
- I had almost a year to get used to this possibility…
- You saw me kill you…
- I saw you save me... save us... our child and me.
- Bella, I'm happy that the fruit of our love is in your womb, but I'm scared, so scared for you. I'm terrified of losing you.
- I know, I tell him, putting my hand on his cheek.
- By your look, I see that you want to keep it…
- Edward, it's a choice that belongs to both of us. We made this child together. If you don't feel ready to go through all these challenges, I will listen to you.
- Would you have an abortion if I asked you? he said, amazed.
- I trust you. If I accepted the idea a long time ago, you didn't and that's a lot to take in... So I'll leave it up to you to make this decision, because I know one thing for sure: I I couldn't do it without you. »
The moment the words left my lips, I knew I had said the right thing. The love, trust and pride I saw in Edward's eyes convinced me.
"You are right, my love," he said to me with emotion. We'll get there together. I won't let you down.
- So… That means…
- That means I'm going to be a dad, he replies with a smile from ear to ear. »
I laugh, kissing her passionately. We spend a few minutes cuddling and whispering sweet nothings to each other. I think I'm lucky to have a man like him by my side and to be able to start a family. I had never considered having a child... In fact, it was just that I hadn't met the right person. My life seems more complete with him by my side. An idea then occurs to me.
"Edward?"
Yes my love ?
Could Rose become our child's godmother? »
He looks at me, quite surprised.
"Well, I'm sure she'd be happy… But why…
She was the first to give me support earlier. I know she would have liked to have a child. She will make a wonderful godmother.
Do you know that that also means accepting Emmett as godfather? sneers Edward.
Look on the bright side, our child will have a playmate of his age! I respond in the same tone. »
Edward bursts out laughing.
"That's okay, let's go tell him." »
He takes my hand, we go out and he carries me to the campfire. All eyes are on us. We explain our decision, as well as the baby's diet. My father almost vomits when I mention the idea of drinking blood. I specify that contrary to my vision, I would like to drink animal blood. Emmett offers to have my meals brought to my home, pretending to be a waiter taking an order. These antics relax the atmosphere and I hear a few sneers.
The difficulty of childbirth hasn't been hidden either, I'm just omitting the few gory details. The Quileutes wince when I tell them that becoming a vampire is a possibility at birth. Emily then defends me by explaining that childbirth has always been complicated and that many women have died in childbirth, even with modern means. My father shouts that these women didn't have a monster in their stomach...
I felt like I had been stabbed in the heart. Tanya glares at Charlie and tells him that the "monster" will now sleep at the Cullens' house. His eyes widen, instantly regretting those words. He looks at me, sorry, but I look away, hurt by his reaction, too.
"I support your decision, Rose intervenes, looking very serious. It's very brave of you, Bella, to want to have this child despite the risks. I will help you as best as I can.
That's good Rose, I tell her as I approach her. Edward and I have something to ask you and Emmett.
What ? she asks, puzzled.
Do you want to be our child's godmother? »
I leave her speechless, her eyes wide, then a broad smile lights up her features and she takes me in her arms, unable to contain her joy.
" YES ! Rosalie shouts, hugging me against her. I will be honored. Thank you Bella for this wonderful gift.
Please Rose. You will make a wonderful godmother. »
"Quest validated: Rose smiled happily at your words. Your reward will soon be given to you. »
"Complicity with Rosalie +100"
"Complicity with Emmett +25"
"Empathy +2"
She ends up releasing me and the happiness I see in her eyes confirms to me that she will do everything she can to support me through this ordeal. Emmett hugs her and smiles at his brother. Edward nods. I decide not to pick up on this silent exchange and turn to the Quileutes.
"I know that our decision is not unanimous and if I could remain human, I would like to remain so. But I refuse to leave behind my companion and my child by agreeing to die, when there is another possibility. It would be irresponsible and in fact, it's not even a choice, it's obvious! If you can't tolerate that, then we'll go away from Forks.
- No ! Charlie shouts, panicked. Stay… My baby… Don't go…"
His pleas break my heart, but I prefer to have the answer from the elders first before dealing with my father. Old Quil then speaks:
"It seems you've thought about it carefully, young lady.
- Yes.
- Are you ready to give up your life, your family, for this child? At the risk of becoming an uncontrollable newborn?
- I risk my death, but I know that Edward's family, which is also my family, will not let me die, nor hurt other people.
- You're going to become a leech, Jacob intervenes. »
Until then he was silent, arms crossed listening to our exchanges. He then advances in order to be seen by all.
"A few months ago, I would have gotten angry and done everything I could to remove what's in your stomach. »
I shiver and Edward groans as he steps in front of me.
"But I've met other vampires in Brazil," Jacob continues, looking at his tribesmen. Female vampires with red eyes! The very people who were said to be barbarians and bloodthirsty in our legends. Yes, they feed on human blood but they are far from having barbarian ways. They love their forest, their tranquility and only hunt to satisfy their hunger, moving as far away from civilization as possible. From our rare contacts with vampires we have made generalizations, although each of them has their own personality and values. »
He expresses himself with eloquence and force of conviction. Everyone drinks in his words and no one seems to want to interrupt him, not even my father or the elders. Edward stands up and hugs me.
"The Cullens and the Denali are pacifists. It's a safe bet that they'll do what it takes to prevent Bella from becoming an out-of-control newborn.
- I swear it, declares Edward.
- Sat ? Dad ? What do you think ? Should we destroy the relationship of trust that we have built in recent months, out of fear of the unknown? And if it's Bella's choice to become one of them, do we have the right to force her to give up having this child?
- You spoke well, my son, then declared Billy. I don't think I'm wrong when I say that the council, though reluctant out of fear for Bella's safety, will not oppose your decision Bella.
- Billy, call my father.
- Charlie, Billy replies. You have a strong daughter, who handles all difficulties with determination and maturity. It's time to trust her and let her make her own decisions. »
Charlie closes his mouth and looks down. He then walks towards his car with a haggard look and drives off without looking at us again. My heart is heavy, his too. I turn my gaze to Tanya who has a closed face, but she looks like she's about to cry.