The Twilight Saga 4: Breaking Dawn 15. Tick Tock Tick Tock Tick Tock

15. Tick Tock Tick Tock Tick TockHey Jake, thought you utter you essentialed me at dusk. How tot up you didnt overhear Leah wake me up forward she crashed?Cause I didnt train you. Im still good.He was already picking up the north half of the circle. Anything? nary(prenominal)e. Nothing just now nonhing.You did some sc bying?Hedcaught the leap of integrity of my side touch reachs. He resulted up the new trail.Yeah ran a few spokes. You know, just checking. If the Cullens are freeing to make a hunting tripGood c tot eachy. bent looped spinal column toward the main perimeter.It was easier to run with him than it was to do the same with Leah. Though she was testifying trying hard in that location was always an edge to her thoughts. She didnt want to be here. She didnt want to feel the softening toward the vampires that was t ane ending on in my head. She didnt want to masses with Seths cozy friendship with them, a friendship that was only acquiring unwaveringer.Fu nny, though, Idve thought her unfitgest issue would just be me. Wed always gotten on each others nerves when we were in Sams pack. scarce there was no antagonism toward me now at all, just the Cullens andBella. I wondered why. perchance it was simply gratitude that I wasnt forcing her to leave. Maybe it was because I unders in like mannerd her hostility go bad now. Whichever, running with Leah wasnt nearly as bad as Id expected.Of course, she hadnt eased up that much. The food and clothes Esme had sent for her were all taking a trip obliterateriver right now. withal after Id eaten my share not because it smelled nearly irresistible away from the vampire burn, barely to narrow a good example of self-sacrificing tolerance for Leah shed refused. The small elk shed taken down around noon had not totally satisfied her appetite. Did make her mood worse, though. Leah hated eating raw.Maybe we should runa sweep east? Seth suggested. Go deep, down if theyre let on there waiting.I was thinking almost that,I agreed. But lets do it when were all awake. I dont want to let down our guard. We should do it in front the Cullens interpret it a try, though. Soon.Right.That got me thinking.If the Cullens were able to get issue of the immediate area safely, they really ought to keep on going. They probably should have taken off the second wed come to warn them. They had to be able to afford other digs. And they had friends up north, right? Take Bella and run. It externalisemed alike an obvious answer to their problems.I probably ought to suggest that, but I was afraid they would listen to me. And I didnt wantto haveBella disappear to never know whether shed made it or not.No, that was stupid. I wouldtell them togo. It made no sense for them to stay, and it would be better not less painful, but curethier for me if Bella leave.Easyto say now, when Bella wasnt right there, bearinging all thrilled to see me and also clinging to emotional state by her fingerna ils at the same timeOh, I already asked Edward about that,Seth thought.What?I asked him why they hadnt taken off yet. Gone up to Tanyas place or something. Somewhere too furthermost for Sam to come after them.I had to remind myself that Id just decided to give the Cullens that exact advice. That it was best. So I shouldnt be mad at Seth for taking the chore out of my pass alongs. Not mad at all.So what did he say? Are they waiting for a window?No. Theyre not leaving.And that shouldnt sound like good news.Why not? Thats just stupid.Not really,Seth give tongue to, defensive now. It takes some time to build up the considerate of medical attack that Carlisle has here. Hes got all the stuff he needs to take care of Bella, and the credentials to get more. Thats one of the reasons they want to make a hunting run. Carlisle thinks theyre going to need more blood for Bella soon. Shes using up all the O negative they stored for her. He doesnt like depleting the stockpile. Hes going to b ar ca-ca for some more. Did you know you can buy blood? If youre a doctor.I wasnt ready to be logical yet. Still seems stupid. They could bring most of it with them, right? And steal what they need wherever they go. Who cares about statutory crap when youre the undead?Edward doesnt want to take any risks moving her.Shes better than she was.Seriously,Seth agreed. In his head, he was comparing my memories of Bella hooked up to the tubes with thelast time hed seen her as hed left the house. Shed smiled at him and waved. But she cant move around much, you know. That thing is kicking the booby hatch out of her.I swallowed hold the potbelly acid in my throat. Yeah, I know. stony-broke another of her ribs,he told me somberly.My stride faltered, and I staggered a step before I regained my rhythm.Carlisle taped her up again. Just another crack, he said. Then Rosalie said something about how caput sane human babies have been known to crack ribs. Edward asked like he was gonna rip her head off.Too bad he didntSeth was in full report mode now knowing it was all vitally inte sticking to me, though Id neverve asked to hear it. Bellas been running a fever off and on today. Just low grade sweats and then chills. Carlisles not certain what to make of it shemightjust be sick. Her immune system cant be in peak traffic pattern right now.Yeah, Im sure its just a coincidence.Shes in a good mood, though. She was chatting with Charlie, laughing and all CharlieWhat? What do you mean, she was talking to Charlie?Now Seths pace stuttered my fury strike him. Guess he calls e precise day to talk to her. Sometimes her mom calls, too. Bella sounds so much better now, so she was reassuring him that she was on the mend-On the mend? What the hell are they thinking? Get Charlies hopes up just so that he can be destroyed even worse when she dies? I thought they were acquiring him ready for that Trying to prepare him Why would she set him up like this?She might not die,Seth thought q uietly.I took deep breath, trying to calm myself. Seth. Even if she pulls through this, shes not doing it human. She knows that, and so do the rest of them. If she doesnt die, shes going to have to do a pretty convincing imsomebodyation of a corpse, kid. Either that, or disappear. I thought they were trying to make this easier on Charlie. Why ?Think its Bellas idea. No one said anything, but Edwards face kinda went right on with what youre thinking now.On the same wavelength with the bloodsucker yet again.We ran in silence for a few minutes. I started off along a new line, investigate south.Dont get too far.Why?Bella asked me to ask you to stop by.My teeth locked together.Alice wants you, too. She says shes tired of hanging out in the attic like the vampire bat in the belfry. Seth snorted a laugh. was switching off with Edward before. Trying to keep Bellas temperature stable. Cold to hot, as needed. I guess, if you dont want to do it, I could go back No. I got it,I snapped.Okay.Se th didnt make any more comments. He concentrated really hard on the empty forest.I kept my southern course, searching for anything new. I turned around when I got close to the first signs of habitation. Not near the town yet, but I didnt want to get any wolf rumors going again. Wed been nice and invisible for a long while now.I passed right through the perimeter on my way back, heading for the house. As much as I knew it was a stupid thing to do, I couldnt stop myself. I must be some kind of masochist.Theres nothing defame with you, Jake. This isnt the most normal situation.Shut up, please, Seth.Shutting.I didnt hesitate at the door this time I just walked through like I owned the place. I figured that would produce Rosalie off, but it was a wasted effort. Nevery Rosalie or Bella were anywhere in sight. I looked around wildly, hoping Id missed them somewhere, my heart squeezing against my ribs in a weird, uncomfortable way.Shes all right, Edward whispered. Or, the same, I should say.Edward was on the couch with his face in his detention he hadnt looked up to speak. Esme was next to him, her arm wrapped tight around his shoulders.Hello, Jacob, she said. Im so glad you came back.Me, too, Alice said with a deep sigh. She came prancing down the stairs, making a face. want 1 was late for an appointment.Uh, hey, I said. It felt weird to try to be polished.Wheres Bella?Bathroom, Alice told me. Mostly fluid diet, you know. Plus, the firm pregnancy thing does that to you, I hear.Ah.I stood there awkwardly, rocking back and forth on my heels.Oh, wonderful, Rosalie grumbled. I whipped my head around and precept her coming from a hall half-hidden behind the stairway. She had Bella cradled gently in her arm, a harsh sneer on her face for me. I knew I smelled something nasty.And, just like before, Bellas face lit up like a kids on Christmas morning. Like Id brought her the greatest gift ever.It was so unfair.Jacob, she breathed. You came.Hi, Bells.Esme and Edward bo th got up. I watched how carefully Rosalie laid Bella out on the couch. I watched how, despite that, Bella turned white and held her breath like she was set on not making any noise no study how much it hurt.Edward brushed his hand across her forehead and then along her neck. He tried to make it look as if he wasjust sweeping her hair back, but it looked like a doctors examination to me.Are you cold? he murmured.Im fine.Bella, you know what Carlisle told you, Rosalie said. Dont downplay anything. It doesnt help us take care of either of you.Okay, Im a little cold. Edward, can you hand me that blanket?I rolled my eye. Isnt that sort of the point of me being here?You just walked in, Bella said. After running all day, Id bet. Put your feet up for a minute. Ill probably warm up again in no time.I ignored her, going to sit on the beautify next the sofa while she was still telling me what to do. At that point, though, I wasnt sure how. She looked pretty brittle, and I was afraid to mo ve her, even to put my arms around her. So I just leaned carefully against her side, letting my arm rest along the length of hers, and held her hand. Then I put my other hand against her face. It was hard to tell if she felt colder than usual.Thanks, Jake, she said, and I felt her shiver once.Yeah, I said.Edward sat on the arm of the sofa by Bellas feet, his eyes always on her face.It was too much to hope, with all the super-hearing in the room, that no one would notice my stomach rumbling.Rosalie, why dont you get Jacob something from the kitchen? Alice said. She was invisible now, sitting quietly behind the back of the sofa.Rosalie stared at the place Alices voice had come from in disbelief.Thanks, anyway, Alice, but I dont think Id want to eat something Blondies spit in. Id bet my system wouldnt take too kindly to venom.Rosalie would never embarrass Esme by displaying such a lack of hospitality.Of course not, Blondie said in a sugar-sweet voice that I immediately distrusted. She got up and breezed out of the room.Edward sighed.Youd tell me if she poisoned it, right? I asked.Yes, Edward promised.And for some reason I believed him.There was a lot of ten-strikeing in the kitchen, and weirdly the sound of coat protesting as it was abused. Edward sighed again, but smiled just a little, too. Then Rosalie was back before I could think much more about it. With a pleased smirk, she set a silver bowl on the floor next to me.Enjoy, mongrel.It had once probably been a big mixing bowl, but shed bent the bowl back in on itself until it was shaped almost only like a dog dish. I had to be impressed with her quick craftsmanship. And her attention to detail. Shedscratched the word Fido into the side. pure handwriting.Because the food looked pretty good steak, no less, and a big baked potato with all the fixings I told her, Thanks, Blondie.She snorted.Hey, do you know what you call a blonde with a brain? I asked, and then continued on the same breath, a golden retriev er.Ive heard that one, too, she said, no longer smiling.Ill keep trying, I promised, and then I dug in.She made a disgusted face and rolled her eyes. Then she sat in one of the armchairs and started flicking through channels on the big TV so fast that there was no way she could really be surfing for something to watch.The food was good, even with the vampire stink in the air. I was acquire really used to that. Huh. Not something Id been wanting to do, exactlyWhen I was finished though I was considering licking the bowl, just to give Rosalie something to murmur about I felt Bellas cold fingers pulling softly through my hair. She patted it down against the back of my neck.Time for a haircut, huh?Youre getting a little shaggy, she said. Maybe Let me guess, someone around here used to cut hair in a salon in Paris?She chuckled. Probably.No thanks, I said before she could really offer. Im good for a few more weeks.Which made me wonder how long she was good for. I tried to think of a polite way to ask.So urn whats the, er, date? You know, the due date for the little monster.She smacked the back of my head with about as much force as a rootless feather, but didnt answer.Im serious, I told her. I want to know how long Im gonna have to be here. How long youre gonna be here, I added in my head. I turned to look at her then. Her eyes were thoughtful the stress line was there between her brows again.I dont know, she murmured. Not exactly. Obviously, were not going with the nine-month model here, and we cant get an ultrasound, so Carlisle is guesstimating from how big I am. Normal people are supposed to be about forty centimeters here she ran her finger right down the middle of her bulging stomach when the baby is fully grown. One centimeter for every week. I was thirty this morning, and Ive been gaining about two centimeters a day, sometimes more___Two weeks to a day, the days agile by. Her life speeding by in fast-forward. How many days did that give her, if she w as counting to forty? Four? It took me a minute to figure out how to swallow.You O.K.? she asked.I nodded, not really sure how my voice would come out.Edwards face was turned away from us as he listened to my thoughts, but I could see his reflection in the glasswall. He was the burning man again.Funny how having a deadline made it harder to think about leaving, or having her leave. I was glad Sethd brought that up, so I knew they were staying here. It would be intolerable, wondering if they were about to go, to take away one or two or three of those four days. My four days.Also funny remark how, even knowing that it was almost over, the hold she had on me only got harder to break. Almost like it was related to her expanding belly as if by getting bigger, she was gaining gravitational force.For a minute I tried to look at her from a distance, to separate myself from the pull. I knew it wasnt my imagination that my need for her was stronger than ever. Why was that? Because she was d ying? Or knowing that even if she didnt, still best case scenario shed be changing into something else that I wouldnt know or understand?She ran her finger across my cheekbone, and my skin was wet where she touched it.Its going to be okay, she sort of crooned. It didnt matter that the words meant nothing. She said it the way people sang those senseless nursery rhymes to kids. Rock-a-bye, baby.Right, I muttered.She curled against my arm, resting her head on my shoulder. I didnt think you would come. Seth said you would, and so did Edward, but I didnt believe them.Why not? I asked gruffly.Youre not happy here. But you came anyway. You wanted me here.I know. But you didnt have to come, because its not fair for me to want you here. I would have understood.It was quiet for a minute. Edwardd put his face back together. He looked at the TV as Rosalie went on flipping through the channels. She was into the six hundreds. I wondered how long it would take to get back to the beginning.Thank you for coming, Bella whispered.Can I ask you something? I asked.Of course.Edward didnt look like he was paying attention to us at all, but he knew what I was about to ask, so he didnt fool me.Why do you want me here? Seth could keep you warm, and hes probably easier to be around, happy little punk. But when walk in the door, you smile like Im your favorite person in the world.Youre one of them.That sucks, you know.Yeah. She sighed. Sorry.Why, though? You didnt answer that.Edward was looking away again, like he was staring out the windows. His face was blank in the reflection.It feels complete when youre here, Jacob. Like all my family is together. I mean, I guess thats what itslike Ive never had a big family before now. Its nice. She smiled for half a second. But its just not whole unless youre here.Ill never be part of your family, Bella.I could have been. I would have been good there. But that was just a distant future that died long before it had a chance to live.Youve always b een a part of my family, she disagreed.My teeth made a grinding sound. Thats a crap answer.Whats a good one?How about, Jacob, I get a kick out of your pain.I felt her flinch.Youd like that better? she whispered.Its easier, at least. I could wrap my head around it. I could deal with it.I looked back down at her face then, so close to mine. Her eyes were shut and she was frowning. We got off track, Jake. Out of balance. Youre supposed to be part of my life I can feel that, and so can you. She paused for a second without opening her eyes like she was waiting for me to deny it. When I didnt say anything, she went on. But not like this. We did something wrong. No. I did. I did something wrong, and we got off track___Her voice trailed off, and the frown on her face relaxed until it was just a little pucker at the corner of her lips. I waited for her to pour some more lemon juice into my paper cuts, but then a soft snore came from the back of her throat.Shes exhausted, Edward murmured. I ts been a long day. A hard day. I think she would have gone to sleep earlier, but she was waiting for you.I didnt look at him.Seth said it broke another of her ribs.Yes. Its making it hard for her to breathe.Great.Let me know when she gets hot again.Yeah.She still had goose bumps on the arm that wasnt touching mine. Id barely raised my head to look for a blanket when Edward snagged one draped over the arm of the sofa and flung it out so that it settled over her.Occasionally, the mind-reading thing saved time. For example, by chance I wouldnt have to make a big production out of the accusation about what was going on with Charlie. That mess. Edward would just hear exactly how wild Yes, he agreed. Its not a good idea.Then why? Why was Bella telling her father she was on the mend when it would only make him more low-spirited?She cant bear his anxiety.So its better No. Its not better. But Im not going to force her to do anything that makes her unhappy now. Whatever happens, this mak es her feel better. Ill deal with the rest afterward.That didnt sound right. Bella wouldnt just shuffle Charlies pain off to some later date, for someone else to face. Even dying. That wasnt her. If I knew Bella, she had to have some other plan.Shes very sure shes going to live, Edward said.But not human, I protested.No, not human. But she hopes to see Charlie again, anyway.Oh, this just got better and better.See. Charlie. I finally looked at him, my eyes bugging. Afterwards. See Charlie when shes all sparkly white with the bright red eyes. Im not a bloodsucker, so maybe Im missing something, but Charlie seems like kind of a strange picking for her first meal.Edward sighed. She knows she wont be able to be near him for at least a year. She thinks she can stall. Tell Charlie she has to go to a special hospital on the other side of the world. Keep in contact through phone calls___Thats insane.Yes.Charlies not stupid. Even if she doesnt kill him, hes going to notice a difference.Shes sort of banking on that.I continued to stare, waiting for him to explain.She wouldnt be aging, of course, so that would set a time limit, even if Charlie accepted whatever excuse she comes up with for the changes. He smiled faintly. Do you remember when you tried to tell her about your transformation? How you made her guess?My free hand flexed into a fist. She told you about that?Yes. She was explaining her idea. You see, shes not allowed totell Charlie the truth it would be very dangerous for him. But hes a smart, practical man. She thinks hell come up with his own explanation. She assumes hell get it wrong. Edward snorted. After all, we hardly adhere to vampire canon. Hell make some wrong assumption about us, like she did in the beginning, and well go along withit. She thinks shell be able to see him from time to time.Insane, I repeated.Yes, he agreed again.It was weak of him to let her get her way on this, just to keep her happy now. It wouldnt turn out well.Which made me think that he probably wasnt expecting her to live to try out her crazy plan. Placating her, so that she could be happy for a little while longer.Like four more days.Ill deal with whatever comes, he whispered, and he turned his face down and away so that I couldnt even read his reflection. I wont cause her pain now.Four days?I asked.He didnt look up. Approximately.Then what?What do you mean, exactly?I thought about what Bella had said. About the thing being wrapped up nice and tight in something strong, something like vampire skin. So how did that work? How did it get out?From what little research weve been able to do, it would appear the faunas use their own teeth to escape the womb, he whispered.I had to pause to swallow back the bile.Research? I asked weakly.Thats why you havent seen Jasper and Emmett around. Thats what Carlisle is doing now. Trying to decipher ancient stories and myths, as much as we can with what we have to work with here, looking for anything that might help us pre dict the creatures behavior.Stories? If there were myths, thenThen is this thing not the first of its kind? Edward asked, anticipating my question. Maybe. Its all very sketchy. The myths could easily be the products of fear and imagination. Though .. . he hesitated your myths are true, are they not? Perhaps these are, too. They do seem to be localized, linked___How did you find ?There was a woman we encountered in South America. Shed been raised in the traditions of her people. Shed heard warnings about such creatures, old stories that had been passed down.What were the warnings? I whispered.That the creature must be killed immediately. Before it could gain too much strength.Just like Sam thought. Was he right?Of course, their legends say the same of us. That we must be destroyed. That we are soulless murderers.Two for two.Edward laughed one hard chuckle.What did their stories say about the mothers?Agony ripped across his face, and, as I flinched away from his pain, I knew he wasn t going to give me an answer. I doubted he could talk.tt was Rosalie whod been so still and quiet since Bellad fallen asleep that Id nearly bury her who answered.She made a scornful noise in the back of her throat. Of course there were no survivors, she said. No survivors, blunt and uncaring. Giving birth in the middle of a disease-infested swamp with a medicine man smearingsloth spit across your face to drive out the evil spirits was never the safest method. Even the normal births went badly half the time. None of them had what this baby has caregivers with an idea of what the baby needs, who try to meet those needs. A doctor with a totally unique knowledge of vampire nature. A plan in place to deliver the baby as safely as possible. Venom that will repair anything that goes wrong. The baby will be fine. And those other mothers would probably have survived if theyd had that if they even existed in the first place. Something I am not convinced of. She sniffed disdainfully.The b aby, the baby. Like that was all that mattered. Bellas life was a minor detail to her easy to blow off.Edwards face went white as snow. His hands curved into claws. Totally egotistical and indifferent, Rosalie twisted in her chair so that her back was to him. He leaned forward, shifting into a crouch.Allow me,I suggested.He paused, raising one eyebrow.Silently, I lifted my doggy bowl off the floor. Then, with a quick, powerful flip of my wrist, I threw it into the back of Blondies head so hard that with an earsplitting bang it smashed flat before it ricocheted across the room and snapped the round top piece off the thick newel post at the foot of the stairs.Bella twitched but didnt wake up.Dumb blonde, I muttered.Rosalie turned her head slowly, and her eyes were blazing.You. Got. Food. In. My. Hair.That did it.I busted up.I pulled away fromBella so that I wouldnt shake her, and laughed so hard that tear ran down my face. From behind the couch, I heard Alices tinkling laugh join in.I wondered why Rosalie didnt spring. I sort of expected it. But then I realized that my laughing had woken Bella up, though shed slept right through the real noise.Whats so funny? she mumbled.I got food in her hair, I told her, chortling again.Im not going to block this, dog, Rosalie hissed.Snot so hard to erase a blondes memory, I countered. Just blow in her ear.Get some new jokes, she snapped.Cmon, Jake. Leave Rose alo Bella broke off mid-sentence and sucked in a sharp breath. In the same second, Edward was leaning over the top of me, ripping the blanket out of the way. She seemed to convulse, her back arching off the sofa.Hes just, she panted, stretching.Her lips were white, and she had her teeth locked together like she was trying to hold back a scream.Edward put both hands on either side of her face.Carlisle? he called in a tense, low voice.Right here, the doctor said. I hadnt heard him come in.Okay, Bella said, still breathing hard and shallow. Think its over. Poor kid d oesnt have enough room, thats all. Hes getting so big.It was really hard to take, that adoring tone she used to describe the thing that was tearing her up. Especially after Rosalies callousness. Made me wish I could render something at Bella, too.She didnt pick up on my mood. You know, he reminds me of you, Jake, she said affectionate tone still gasping.Do not compare me to that thing, I spit out through my teeth.I just meant your growth spurt, she said, looking like Id hurt her feelings. Good. You shot right up. I could watch you getting taller by the minute. Hes like that, too. outgrowth so fast.I bit my tongue to keep from saying what I wanted to say hard enough that I tasted blood in my mouth. Of course, it would heal before I could swallow. Thats what Bella needed. To be strong like me, to be able to heal.She took an easier breath and then relaxed back into the sofa, her body going limp.Hmm, Carlisle murmured. I looked up, and his eyes were on me.What? I demanded.Edwards h ead leaned to one side as he reflected on whatever was in Carlisles head.You know that I was wondering about the fetuss genetical makeup, Jacob. About his chromosomes.What of it?Well, taking your similarities into consideration Similarif/es? I growled, not appreciating the plural.The accelerated growth, and the fact that Alice cannot see either of you.I felt my face go blank. Id forgotten about that other one.Well, I wonder if that means that we have an answer. If the similarities are gene-deep.Twenty-four pairs, Edward muttered under his breath.You dont know that.No. But its interesting to speculate, Carlisle said in a soothing voice.Yeah. Just fascinatingBellas light snore started up again, accenting my sarcasm nicely.They got into it then, quickly taking the genetics conversation to a point where the only words I could understand were the thes and the ands. And my own name, of course. Alice joined in, commenting now and then in her chirpy bird voice.Even though they were talkin g about me, I didnt try to figure out the conclusions they were drawing. I had other things on my mind, a few facts I was trying to reconcile.Fact one, Bellad said that the creature was protected by something as strong as vampire skin, something that was too impenetrable for ultrasounds, too tough for needles. Fact two, Rosalied said they had a plan to deliver thecreature safely. Fact three, Edwardd said that in myths other monsters like this one would chew their way out of their own mothers.I shuddered.And that made a sick kind of sense, because, fact four, not many things could cut through something as strong as vampire skin. The half-creatures teeth according to myth were strong enough. My teethwere strong enough.And vampire teeth were strong enough.It was hard to miss the obvious, but I sure wished I could. Because I had a pretty good idea exactly how Rosalie planned to get that thing safely out.