I stared at the ceiling shrouded in darkness. It had to be past midnight by now. The house was quiet except for the odd flip of a page in the book Rosalie was reading across the room. I couldn't seem to fall asleep. Everytime I would begin to doze off a sharp kick would wake me back up.
Jasper had gone hunting and without him the painful kicking was nearly impossible to ignore. Instead I thought over baby names. I had looked through a book, but none had stuck out to me. Jasper had suggested Ronald after his human brother, but it didn't fit to me. I just could not picture a little boy no matter how hard I tried. The girl with the golden curls stuck in my head.
I heard the door shut across the house. Two sets of footsteps followed the noise, and I knew immediately one pair was Jasper. I waited for him to join me, but he didn't.
"Peter, tell me what I should do," Came my lover's soft, desperate voice.
Peter sighed, "She may die if that thing stays in her. You know that, don't you? If you remove it now she may have a chance."
"You don't understand. I could never take this away from her. You can't feel the love she has for it. I can't hurt her like that." Jasper's voice sounded like he was in pain. He couldn't seem to catch his breath.
There was a pause, "If you can't remove it, is there anything else that can improve her health?"
"No. It's draining her, and it's only getting stronger. She's going to die and it's all my fault."
"Don't give up, Jasper. She may surprise you." Peter encouraged softly.
"Do you really believe that?" There was another pause, "I've never felt like this before. It's so much stronger than what I felt for y-you, for Alice... for Maria. There's something that's changed in me since I've met her. I feel more human than I have in decades. I can't lose that now that I've found it. I can't lose her. I wouldn't survive." The sound he made sounded like an animal in distress; like a whimper.
"Jasper," Peter consoled, "I can see how she's changed you. I haven't missed the change in your eyes. I know the feeling well, and I would give anything to help you keep it. We'll find a way to help her and your child-"
"Don't call that thing my child. I don't want anything to do with it." Jasper spat. I cringed at his tone of voice.
There was yet another pause, "Haven't you thought about this? Even if Bella dies the child might survive, if it's as strong as it appears. You wouldn't abandon it, would you?"
There was a low growl, "Don't try to guilt me into feeling sorry for it. She's dying, Peter."
"Have hope, we can help her through this. We might be able to come up with a plan that saves them both. But, you have to think of alternatives. You don't want to go into this naïve."
"The alternative is that I die with her. That's the only way you can help me in this situation."
Peter was quiet, "Don't ask me that, Jasper. You know I wouldn't be able to do it."
"I'd find another way then."
"You'd abandon your mate's baby. A baby who she loves. One she may give her life for."
Another desperate sound came from Jasper, "Please, don't make me think about this right now. I'm so exhausted and- and scared. I'm so scared, Peter."
"It's going to be okay. I know it will. Everything will work out in the end. You just need to keep your focus. Help me brainstorm ideas." He insisted.
"Maybe in the morning," Jasper sighed.
"You know where to find me."
Another pause, "Yeah. I'm going to check on her."
I heard their clothes rustle as they moved, "Jasper you need to let her know she's loved and supported. I'll be here for you. You need to be there for her."
"I'm trying," Jasper promised.
A shadowy figure walked up to me and flicked on the lamp. Rosalie stood above me with a box of tissues in hand. I hadn't noticed the tears running down my face. I took a tissue from the box and wiped my eyes.
"Thanks," I said hoarsely.
She nodded and sat down next to me. She helped me sit up and gave me a quick hug, "You know what's right for you, Bella. Don't listen to anyone else. This is your choice, not theirs."
"She's awake," Jasper observed from across the room. He gave me a hallow look, reminding me eerily of a corpse.
"Of course she's awake," Rose snapped.
His dark eyes held my gaze, "How much did you hear?"
I shrugged my shoulders, "Enough."
"I'm sorry, Bella," He sighed.
Rosalie huffed and sat beside me. She gave Jasper a death glare through the darkness.
"Would you really leave her?" I asked, more tears cascaded down my cheeks.
"No, of course I wouldn't," He insisted.
I put my hands on my stomach, "Why not? This thing," I spat the word like venom, "Isn't your child."
"I didn't mean that, darlin'. Please forgive me. I'm just tired. I said things I didn't mean." He walked up to me and kneeled down. He rested his chin on my knee. A wave of tranquility mixed with love was forced upon me. He didn't seem to have the energy or restraint to use his gift slowly.
"This is going to work out, Jasper. I know it will." I whispered. I was determined to make him see.
Jasper closed his eyes and leaned his body closer to me, "I hope you're right."
We didn't speak, although there was a lot to say. I couldn't take much more hurt in one night and Jasper knew it. The mental, emotional and physical strain was wearing me down. Anyone could see it, but I knew I was strong enough to handle it. I wished Jasper knew.
For now his love that tingled against my skin and my child that warmed me to my core were enough. I drifted off to sleep.
It felt as if I had been asleep for only a few seconds when I was gently shaken awake. I blinked my dry eyes open and tried to focus on my surroundings. A handful of people loomed above me.
Jasper was still sat on the floor next to me, "Sorry to wake you darlin', but Peter had an idea. It might be crazy enough to work."
I glanced up at the slender figure a few feet away. Peter smiled down at me, "I was thinking. Your baby it's well... part Jasper." He chuckled, "And like its father-"
"Her," I corrected.
Peter grinned politely and rephrased, "Like her father, she might get rather upset when thirsty."
Jasper scoffed quietly, I stroked my thumb over his knuckles. I knew how much he hated his thirst being brought up. Peter didn't seem to notice his reaction, or perhaps he just didn't care.
I could put the rest of the pieces together. I understood almost immediately. My baby, not unlike Jasper, thirsted for blood. She was just hungry. They all noticed my understanding and began the next part of their plan.
Carlisle tried to approach me with a Styrofoam cup, that I assumed was filled with the blood to feed my little butterfly, but Rosalie interjected. She carried it the rest of the way to me. I took it from her and stared down at the unsuspecting container.
"You don't have to. It was just an idea." Jasper assured me.
"No," I immediately shook my head, "I should try. It could help. She's probably just hungry."
All eyes were on me as I took a small sip of the liquid. I expected to be repulsed, but I was pleasantly surprised. It wasn't terrible, and as wrong as it felt I almost enjoyed the metallic taste.
"Are you okay?" Rosalie asked, ready with a bowl for me to empty my stomach in if need be.
I nodded and pressed my hand to my stomach. I could tell my baby was much happier already, "Yeah. I feel stronger, so does she."
The room was quiet while I finished the rest of the cup. Carlisle went to get more.
"I already feel so much better. I knew it would work out, honey." I beamed at Jasper. I was on cloud-nine. My baby was healthy and happy, I was getting better, and Jasper had seemed to relax. Maybe he had even embraced the idea of being a father. It was wishful thinking, but I had faith that he would come around. "Do you know if she's happy?"
Jasper shook his head, "I don't feel anything." I tried not to be too disappointed. He gave my hand a light squeeze, "You really think she's a girl?"
I smiled at my baby bump, "Definitely."
"Have you thought of any baby names?" He asked.
"A few," I admitted, "None have stuck, though."
"We have time," Jasper said. It was the first time I had seen him really smile in days.
Psst... Hey! You should vote and comment on this chapter. I don't have a reason, but if I did you'd be like: 'yeah, that's a good reason.'
Oh? That little thing that suggested Peter and Jasper had a romantic history? Yep! Jasper is canonically bisexual in my story! If you have a problem with that (Come on, it's 2022 get with the program! What are you doing here?) than leave. I won't tolerate hate. This is a safe space.
Happy pride lads, lassies, and lassos!
Hope you enjoyed! Stay sexy!
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