Marianne Swan used to have a fascination with the fragile nature of mortality until it was her own life on the line. Marianne is not scared of much in this world, with one key exception: the name Edward Cullen. She reunites with her father - chief o...
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No real good came from the talk between Bella and Jacob. Bella was still pregnant with this rapidly growing and incredibly strong fetus - her swollen stomach now littered with black, blue and purple bruises.
We were not on good terms with the Quileutes. About two days after Jacob's unexpected visit we were yet again welcomed by the unpleasant wet dog smell, Jacob accompanied by Seth Clearwater, however this time they maintained their distance.
I watched from the living room as Edward, Emmett and Jasper stood on the porch to talk with the shifters. Edward asks, "Jacob? Seth? What's going on?"
Edward quietly translates Jacob's thoughts for the rest of us to make sense of, "Confrontation with Sam Uley who thinks the fetus is an abomination."
Without warning Edward hisses, "They want to kill Bella?"
Emmett and Jasper, on the defensive, snarl at the shifters.
"Em, Jazz - not them, the others. The pack is coming."
"What's their problem?" Emmett asks.
"The same one as mine, but they have their own plan to handle it. Get the others. Call Carlisle! He and Esme have to get back here now!"
"On it!" I respond, listening in and dialing Carlisle immediately.
He picks up after one ring, "Mary? Is there a problem at home?"
"Yes, the pack is coming they want to kill Bella. Jacob and Seth came to warn us. You and Esme need to get back as soon as you can."
"We're on our way."
I end the call just in time to hear Edward clarifying the situation, "The pack thinks Bella has become a problem... They see a potential threat and feel it's their duty to remove that danger. Jacob and Seth disbanded from the pack to warn us; the others are planning to attack tonight."
"Carlisle and Esme are on their way, about twenty minutes," I inform the group.
"We should take up a defensive position," Jasper suggests.
Edwards agrees, "Let's get inside."
Jacob and Seth go to scan the perimeter while the rest of us settle inside. Jasper pacing in the living room running through possible scenarios of what a battle with the shifters might entail. The rest of us hovered near Bella, who was asleep on the couch, unaware of the situation.
Carlisle and Esme arrive shortly thereafter. Esme standing near Bella while Carlisle gets more information from Edward. Edward stands near the window communication with Jacob and Seth quietly.
We stayed on guard all night - the entire family on edge. I struggled to reign Jasper in, especially with imminent threat to not just Bella's safety, but all of our safety, he was spiraling.
By dusk, a howl pierced through the forest and we all looked at Edward expectantly. "It's just Leah, she's also left Sam's pack to join Jacob and Seth." Everyone immediately relaxes at the news.
~ ~ ~
Shortly after the addition of Leah, Jacob switches back to his human form entering the house - Bella having slept through the entire ordeal. The rest of us have switched to activities in separate rooms to allow Bella the rest that she needs - her heart beat has become much weaker and sporadic. Carlisle had already informed us that the venom could not work miracles, if her heart were to stop, it would be nearly impossible to revive Bella.
Both Jasper and my interest were peaked when Edward mentioned that they were going to try to feed Bella blood. Of course, we had blood on hand - O negative - in case of emergency during Bella's delivery.
"Bella's drinking blood?" I would have blanched at the thought of drinking blood before becoming a vampire.
"It was Jacob's idea," Rosalie, Carlisle and Edward are huddled together in the the dining room.
"That's just..." Jasper was at a lost for words.
"Repulsive?" Jacob suggests. "What are you going to do shove a tube down her throat?"
"I can't stay and watch this," I moan.
"We can't exactly leave with Sam's pack out for blood," Carlisle reminds me.
I tug Jasper back to our room trying to not think too much about the fact that my sister looked like death and was not drinking blood to keep this mysterious, strong fetus from absolutely killing her.
"Are you alright?"
I sigh, "I will be. I just hope Bella has made the right choice..."
"What is it?"
"I just... I feel death," I frown. "But this time it is different, it's not cold cold, but it's chilled. Only when I'm around Bella."
Jasper reassuringly squeezes my hand, "There is still a chance she will be able to transition. Don't mull over things you can't control. Let's see how the blood helps her."
~ ~ ~
Bella had improved drastically with this new dietary change.
On the contrary Alice was struggling, now complaining of headaches not only being unable to see past the shifters, but now the fetus inside of Bella. Our house was frequently visited by Jacob, Seth and Leah - the smell of wet dog permeating our territory. The only positive of this was that the shifter's presence seemed to help with Alice's headaches caused by the fetus.
The topic of hunting had everyone on edge - for Jasper and I in particular it was difficult. We traveled farther - up north - in an attempt to not run in to the shifters, but we had more time between hunts which was not ideal. My throat had not been this parched since my newborn phase. We divided into groups to ensure a few of us were always at the house - Carlisle, Esme, and Alice hunted together; Emmett, Edward, and Rosalie; and then Jasper and I hunted alone.
This went on for another week... all of us were aware we were getting dangerously close to the end of Bella's pregnancy. Even though the O negative blood donations seemed to be keeping her stable, her swollen stomach and fragile frame made the danger of her situation apparent.
