Standard Disclaimer: I do not own anything recognizable from Twilight, I just love adding my own toys to the sandbox. Any mistakes are my own. Enjoy.

Also, in case there's an issue '….' = December's thoughts 😊

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Note: Sorry for the long wait everyone. Life gets busy, you know how it goes, single, married, dating, kids, doesn't matter, life gets busy lol. Happy holidays to everyone whether you celebrate or not. Tis the season, for colds, flus, allergies, lack of snow where I live. Enjoy!

Chapter 9 – Coming to Terms

Of all the things in my life, I thought it couldn't get more interesting. Of course, I was wrong. But maybe interesting was the wrong word to use this time around.

I decided to take a walk in the woods nearby. To contemplate the chaos that was my life, vampire hunter, engaged to a vampire, MEANT for a vampire. How in the hell does that happen?!

"Ember! Quick!" came Jasper's voice from the house. Because of my special hearing, he doesn't have to shout. I ran quickly to the house.

"What, did something happen?" I stopped and looked around. Using my senses, I didn't detect anything abnormal. Since we've been out here, I've killed a few nomad vampires. Nothing unusual. They were the ones surprised however when they learned that another vampire was hunting with me. I couldn't help but chuckled then.

"It's Bella. They need us back. I've packed a bag for us already and got us a plane. We leave in 45 minutes," he said.

He locked up the house and came down the steps. "What the hell happened?" I asked as we got in the car.

"Alice didn't say, but apparently Bella's been asking for you." He put the car in gear and took off. I looked back at the house. I got a bad feeling it'll be a while before I got to see this sanctuary again. I sighed.

Jasper put his hand on mine and squeezed it. I smiled at him but didn't say anything as we made our way to the airport.

Once we landed and got off the plane, we made our way outside. For once it wasn't raining. We saw Emmett with his jeep waiting for us.

"Emmett where's the fire?" I asked as we got in his jeep. He didn't say anything but started the jeep and took off.

"Is Bella ok? Don't lie to me," I said as he continued to drive, quite fast actually.

"She's…. dealing."

That's all he said as we continued to make our way to the Cullen house. I didn't think I'd be back so soon.

As we pulled up, I could sense a lot of tension, worry, anger. Not good. I put on my game face as I stepped out of the car. Jasper was by my side and grabbed my hand. Of course, he could sense everything too. I looked at him and saw the same face reflected at me. He too, had his game face on.

Emmett led us into the house and up the stairs. We got to the archway into the living room and saw everyone standing around. Jacob was near us by the stairs, glaring at Edward, who was over by the window looking out. Alice was sitting in the chair opposite our position with Demetri by her side looking stiff. Carlisle and Esme were by the other end of the couch in the middle of the room which I assumed held Bella obscured by Rosalie standing between us. Emmett went behind the couch to stand.

"Jacob," I acknowledged.

"Huntress." He gritted his teeth. His hatred not being hidden.

I nodded to everyone else, and they nodded back.

"Rose, Bella." I said.

"Ember, thanks for coming." Bella whispered. She sounded tired.

I took a step forward and Rose growled. I put my hands up, "whoa Rose, what the hell?"

"Rose it's okay," came Bella's voice from behind Rose.

"She's the huntress, how do you know," growled Rose.

"Rose, it's me, Ember, do you honestly think I'd hurt Bella in any situation?" I stated calmly. She looked taken aback for a moment, then eased up.

"This is different Ember. I honestly don't know how you'll react. Given who you are."

I straightened up. "Step aside Rose, I'll make that assessment myself." She took a moment. Then stepped aside but looked ready to pounce at a moment's notice.

I continued to look at her and nodded. I turned my gaze to Bella. Who looked like death. I stated as such.

Bella chuckled. "Yeah, like I was a real beauty to begin with."

"Bella," started Edward but Bella shushed him.

I sighed. "So, Bella, what did you get yourself into this time, Alice said it was urgent. I can see it's something, based on how you look."

"Rose, help me up," Bella sighed as she moved the blanket that was covering her. I stepped back and as Rose helped her up, I saw.

It took me a moment to catch my breath. "I take it that that's not bread baking in there," I gulped. I looked at everyone, "what the hell?"

"I said the same thing," Jacob responded.

I looked at Edward, "you didn't take precautions?"

"I didn't think it was possible. I mean, we're dead for crying out loud!" Edward practically shouted.

I rounded on him, "Edward seriously, your body may be dead, but you have venom, which is very much alive. Didn't you ever think it'll keep some of your body fluids alive? Think about it, the most basic of any animal, human, anything between is to what?"

He looked confused.

"Survive. You feed to survive; mating is another. To have the species survive. Mating to spawn is basic. That will survive. Whether your dead, undead, whatever, it'll happen. Nothing will happen if the female is a vampire, she cannot promote the life within, nothing will take. But a human, like Bella, is alive as well as her womb, she can promote, she can evolve. Your sperm will take. This is horrible," I muttered looking at Bella. Everyone around me was silent.

"But you're fine." Edward mumbled looking between Jasper and myself.

"I pulled out Edward. I'm not taking any chances and it's a good thing I didn't." Jasper said gritting his teeth.

"I've never thought of such a thing. I should have." Mumbled Carlisle. "Ember have you heard of this?"

I thought for a second, "no. All vampires either end up killing their victim or turning them. I haven't come across this."

Edward looked crestfallen.

I looked at Carlisle. "What's the status?"

"We don't know much, nothing will penetrate. It's fast growing for sure and anything else is unknown. She can't eat." Carlisle responded, rubbing Esme's shoulders.

I nodded and sat down next to Bella. I always side glanced Rose, keeping her in my line of sight.

"Bella, may I?"

She nodded.

I put my hand on her stomach and tried to sense something. I gasped.

"What!? What is it, is he ok?" asked Bella. Everyone else moved in slightly.

"He huh?" I quirked an eyebrow.

Bella blushed, "I always had it in my mind that it's a he."

"Well, I don't know about that, I can't tell, but it is fast growing and healthy, happy even. It is a baby though, for sure." I moved from the couch and started pacing. "You said she can't eat?" I asked again.

Carlisle shook his head.

"Fluids?"

He shook his head again.

"Don't you want to destroy it?" asked Jacob.

I turned to look at him.

"It's an evil parasite. Look at Bella, she's dying, and you're contemplating what to give her to eat?! I can't believe this. You, of all people Ember, should understand this the most aside from myself." He walked toward me with a menacing face. Jasper was in front of me before Jacob could blink.

"You come any closer wolf, you'll go back to your pack in pieces." Jasper growled.

"Jacob, any harm we do now, will kill Bella. Plus," I looked at Bella and saw in her eyes the decision she's made, " it's Bella's decision. Even though we may not agree, we should respect it. It's her carrying, no one else. All we can do is be here to help where we can and decide after. I assume there's a plan in place?" I look at Edward and Carlisle.

"There is," Carlisle sighed.

"Well let me in on it," I saw how mad Jacob was getting, "Jacob let's go outside." I pushed him to the door. Jasper growled. "Jasper stay here, I'll be ok." I said as I continued to push Jacob down the stairs and eventually out the door. I knew the others were watching from the window as Jacob and I walked to the woods.

"Huntress how can you allow this," he muttered angrily.

I sighed, "because I allowed personal feelings to be involved. And so have you."

"What do you mean?" he stared at me.

I stared right back. "You know what I mean. Jacob, listen now, and listen good. Clear that wolf wax out. Bella chose Edward. She's not coming back to you. She is Edward's mate. She's always been his, and he, her's. Bella told me what an imprint is for you, well it works the same with vampires. Unfortunately, this is a consequence of their actions. I'll make sure to help where I can." I walked to a tree and put my hand on it. "I can't promise much, but you two have a deep connection as friends. So as her friend, I can promise you that I'll make sure she lives."

I turned back to look at him. "Can you live with that?"

"That's it?" he asked angrily. "How can you be nonchalant about this?" he walked toward me, and I pushed my force field out and it knocked him back into a tree.

"Don't, Jacob." I whispered. "What's done is done and I'm not going to kill Bella because you have an issue with Edward. I don't like Edward either, but this is bigger than your rejection issue. This is about Bella, not you, not Edward. And if you're threatening the baby, your threatening Bella, and I have a big issue with that." My eyes flashed white.

He gulped and got up. "Fine." He said as he went to his motorcycle and kicked it on and took off like a bat out of hell.

I sighed. I walked back to the house. Suddenly I stopped, I had an epiphany, and hurried up the stairs back to the living room. Everyone was looking at me.

"No one will say anything, how'd it go?" asked Bella as she rubbed her belly.

"I have a feeling we're going to have hurdles to overcome, but he took it as well as his mind would let him," I said sitting on the couch and pushing hair back behind her ear.

"I have an idea," I said looking at Carlisle. "Something Jacob said about the baby being a parasite." Everyone's eyes popped, "hold on, I mean it. What if the baby isn't craving food?"

"Blood." Edward mumbled.

"He's thirsty," Bella sighed. She moved suddenly and Rose brought a trash can to her. Bella heaved but nothing came out.

"We need to get something in her system." Esme said rubbing Bella's back.

"If it's craving, it's not going to want animal blood." Edward stated.

"Carlisle do you have anything?" I asked.

"I do have some set aside for Bella, I'll be back."

"Only if you want to Bella," I said.

She looked at me, "I'll try anything at this point."

I looked around at everyone who's eyes were almost black. "I suggest anyone that's feeling tempted leave the room." They all looked at each other. But no one left. "Solidarity will get you killed one day, stupid vampires," I mumbled. I heard chuckles around the room.

Edward went to the kitchen and he and Carlisle came back with a white styrofoam cup. "This might make it easier to drink." Edward stated as he gave the cup to Edward.

She sat up and looked at the cup and chuckled. She bent down and slowly took a sip.

We waited as she didn't say anything at first, but I noticed a small difference in her face.

"It tastes…. Good." She finally said.

Everyone took a collective sigh of relief as she continued to take sips. Carlisle went to feel her pulse. "Your pulse is already getting stronger."

"Oh, thank goodness," Alice said.

"A human, willingly drinking blood. I've seen everything," mumbled Demetri. Alice rubbed his hand.

I looked at him, "I'm surprised to see you here Demetri, they let you come?"

"Alice told them she wants to make a permanent move to Volterra, so naturally she needed to come back here to settle things and spend time with the Cullen's. So, to make the pull easier, I was allowed to accompany her. Mates are taken seriously in our world. As you know. So, they told her to take her time and if they really needed me, they would call. But Jane and Felix are doing just fine. Probably having fun being in charge."

"Well, that's nice of them." I looked at Bella who already looked a bit better. "That's one thing taken care of. I'm just trying to think of anything we can do to see exactly how it's developing."