Emmett’s hand was on my shoulder. He squeezed lightly to let me know he was on my side. Of course, he’s always on my side. Just like Edward should be on Bella’s.

Edward dipped his head in anguish, listening to the thoughts around him.

Alice, surprisingly, hadn’t said a word. Her fingers were at her temples and she looked so shaken, so nullified that her words were unable to form. Later on, I realized, she couldn’t see the baby…

—

“I’ll stay with Bella,” Esme gently touched my shoulder. I almost jumped after being so focused on the events of the past. She smiled gently at me.

“That’s really not necessary,” Edward said bitterly.

“Yes, it is, actually. I know what your plan is,” my voice was glacial with disapproval, “To kill the baby. There is no way I am letting you or Carlisle anywhere near her when one of us,” I pointed to Esme and myself – us also included Emmett, “is not with her.”

A low rumble of a growl sounded from his chest. I shrugged and walked off to clean the basin, again.

When I returned Alice was talking with Edward softly, exchanging low voices that we were suppose to be ignoring while he patted Bella’s hand absently. Emmett and Jasper had just come through the door from hunting. Emmett looked like a god. His cheeks were slightly pink, almost as if he just flushed over something embarrassing. His hair and clothes were actually orderly, compared to when the boys usually go out. But, even if his god-like state, you could still tell even these two felt the tension in the house. Laughter had been quiet rare these last few days.

As if we were all convening for a meeting, Carlisle walked in from upstairs. It was almost a ritual now, constantly checking her vitals, always measuring her stomach and him frequently shaking his head in disapproval. Everyone stared in anticipation, ready to hear the new measurements, to see if the child is still growing at insane speed.

When we first argued over this, that evening at the kitchen table, it surprised me that he was on Edward’s side.

—

Carlisle placed a hand on Edward’s shoulder, a gesture to tell him to sit down. He didn’t even need to apply pressure. Edward always looked up to Carlisle, as we all did. He was our father, our creator, our mentor. Edward took a seat immediately and without question.