As the weeks past my belly grew. Progressing much faster than a human pregnancy. But that was to be expected, according to Dr. Cullen.
I tried to be friendly around him. And I did succeed. I was perfectly polite at all times. But nothing more. I let him take measurements of my abdomen and let him be part of the planning for the actual birth. Apparently something akin to a cesarean section would be much easier on my body. My body would not be able to stretch around the baby's body, so I would split open regardless of the birth methode. Edward was suffering from the descriptions alone. He dreaded my pain. And sometimes guilt crept into his head. Sometimes he had periods where he was adamant that he had hurt me by impregnating me in the first place. I always reminded him that no birth was without pain and that Irina was the one who was guilty of adding these supernatural hurdles. Not him.
The rumors in school swirled around me like one of the heavy fall storms that blew Forks into an extraordinary early winter. At the beginning of December there was first snow. And in all that time hushed conversations, the curious glances and whispers followed me down the hallways and into the classrooms.
I knew the students of Forks High School were a naturally nosy bunch, but this was different. More. It was as if no other topic existed anymore. I could feel their eyes on me at all times, their questions lingering in the air when I walked past, like a thick fog that refused to dissipate.
Jessica Stanley, with her unending enthusiasm for being the epicenter of gossip, took it upon herself to spread the most tantalizing stories. Rosalie was perpetually on the verge of lashing out at her. Her golden eyes were constantly blazing with frustration, and I could tell that she was itching to confront Jessica and the other gossips at school. She could not understand how I would let her spread lies about me and let them tarnish my reputation. I constantly reminded her that all of them were just humans, oblivious to the actual circumstances. Jessica Stanley couldn't possibly fathom the truth about my family and the miracle that was happening within me. Their opinions don't matter to me. The Cullens, Edward and I knew the truth. And that was enough for me.
But I couldn't help but feel a growing sense of unease. I despised the constant attention and the prying eyes. I forced myself to endure their curious stares, keeping my head held high. After all, I had faced worse things than their unwanted attention, and this was a mere blip on the radar of eternity.
Instead I focused on Edward. Keeping my shield around him at all times to protect him from the thoughts that would fill his head.
On the last day of school before winter break Sam Uley called unexpectedly. They wanted to meet us. Before the holidays. I found myself pacing nervously in the living room as Dr. Cullen relayed their message, wondering what they could want to discuss this time.
My hand unconsciously rested on the massive baby bump, the life growing inside me more prominent with each passing day. Dr. Cullen had planned my cesarean section for the 26th of December. And I was looking forward to it. The belly did get into my way and restricted my movements. Despite the annoyances I was grateful for every day I was carrying my baby within me.
"Why do they want to meet us?" I asked out loud, my voice tinged with anxiety.
Jasper's expression was thoughtful but he shook his head.
"Whatever it is," Dr. Cullen said, "we will hear what they have to say. We need to maintain a peaceful coexistence with them." He threw Emmett and Rosalie a warning gaze. "We will not appear to be aggressors in any way."
"You know us, Carlisle." Rosalie scoffed. "We won't cause any problems if they don't cause any trouble."
Dr. Cullen nodded.
"Bella should stay here." Edward said, rubbing my belly. "I am not sure the wolves would appreciate vampire offspring."
Dr. Cullen shook his head. "We don't know what they want to talk about. Considering our last meeting with them, it is very likely that it has something to do with the two of you."
"And hiding Bella would only raise suspicions about us." Jasper added.
Carmen and Eleazar nodded in agreement.
"Edward, I will have my shield should anything happen. None of the wolves will be able to attack me." I put my hand on his cheek, rubbing the soft skin. "There is nothing to worry about."
He nodded reluctantly. Sighing heavily.
"And all of us will protect her." Esme reassured him. "We'll meet with them and we'll make sure everything goes smoothly."
The morning of Christmas Eve arrived too soon. As soon as the sun rose above the treetops both Edward and I were on edge. Anxiety hung heavy in the crisp winter air. At noon all of us gathered in the heavily decorated living room. Alice had poured all her nervous energy into decorating the house. So every surface was covered in fake snow, fir branches and christmas baubles. There was at least one christmas tree in every room, though there were three in the living room, lighting up the whole house.
Edward stood protectively by my side, his hand resting on my shoulder as we waited to leave.
Dr. Cullen had arranged for the meeting to take place at the edge of the forest to Forks, neutral ground where both parties could meet without infringing on each other's territory.
Soon after our arrival we heard the approaching footsteps echoing through the forest. And the wolves emerged from the trees. The only human, Sam Uley, took the lead, his eyes locked onto ours with an intensity that sent shivers down my spine.
The wolves appeared more hostile than during our previous meeting, and the feeling of unease in the pit of my stomach grew stronger. Edward's grip on my shoulder tightened, a silent reassurance that we would face whatever challenges lay ahead together. That he would protect our child. Just as he promised me.
"So it is true." Sam's gaze had caught on my protruding stomach. There was no hiding my pregnancy. Even if I had tried. "Bloodsucker," He began, his voice laced with barely contained aggression. "We need to talk about this situation."
Dr. Cullen remained calm. "Of course, Sam. We're here to listen."
Sam stepped closer. Clenching his hands. "We've heard the rumors, and we thought they were just that—rumors," He said, his voice strained with anger. His eyes wide open. "But seeing it for ourselves, there's no denying it now. What is this abomination?"
Edward hissed. "Our child is no abomination."
"Edward." Dr. Cullen warned him with a look before turning back to the wolves. "We understand your concern. But the child growing inside Isabella is no abomination. Rather a rare and welcome situation. This child is not a threat to anyone. We'll ensure that it poses no danger to the treaty or to your tribe."
Sam's jaw clenched as he regarded us. "Bloodsucker, you know that our treaty hinges on the safety of our people. We can't ignore this."
Esme stepped forward. "Samuel, we have no intention of breaking the treaty. We'll make sure this situation doesn't threaten any of you. This child is innocent."
"How can this be? Are we to expect more of this? The tribe can't allow infinite additions to your covens. The treaty was supposed to prevent any growth to your coven but by the time you came back there were two more. Then Isabella came along. You have two new bloodsuckers with you. And now this. "
"Carmen and Eleazar are not here to interfere in any way. They are merely visiting, as friends." Edward interrupted him.
Sam's gaze remained, suspicious and wary. "Friends, huh? And why do they just appear out of nowhere? This situation is getting out of control. Our tribe has no reassurance that anything you tell us is true."
"We are from Alaska." Eleazar said calmly. "We will stay only until the child is born. Have no fear, we will leave after."
"They will be gone in no more than a week." Edward promised.
Sam shrugged stubbornly. "Regardless, the treaty does not cover this. This is not something our tribe ever anticipated. And it puts all of us in danger. Every human. Every wolf." Sam hesitated for a moment. "We have to protect the tribe. Protect our families. We can not allow this."
The tense silence that followed Sam's words hung heavy in the winter air. My hand softly stroked the growing bump under my clothes. I nervously glanced around at the members of Edwards family. All of them were stoney calm.
Dr. Cullen attempted to ease the situation. "Samuel, we understand your tribe's concerns, and we share the desire to maintain the safety of both your tribe and the humans of Forks. We will take every precaution to ensure there are no threats posed by this child. You should know that the child will have more human characteristics. There will be a heartbeat and it will grow and learn. In fact, children born of vampire mothers are highly intelligent. We will be able to teach it about the treaty."
Sam's eyes locked onto my baby bump. "How did this happen? Will there be more?"
"Bella was pregnant with my baby as a human. The development has been halted until now." Edward explained calmly. "None of the other women in our family were pregnant at the time of their change. There will be no more children born into this family."
He nodded and said nothing more.
I fidgeted nervously until Edward took my hands in his. Enveloping them with his. Calming me.
"My family values the peace we've had, and we don't want it to end." Dr. Cullen interrupted the uncomfortable silence that had spread.
Sam nodded cautiously. "As do we. Until this child is born and we can verify that it will not pose a threat to humans we will let it and its mother live. Should the child turn out to be uncontrollable and incorrigible we will not hesitate to kill it, though." He warned. "And we won't allow a blood drinker to hunt on our lands. No matter its age. We will have no qualms about killing this thing if it breaks the treaty."