Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

Venom

By BetterInTexas

Chapter 30:

BPOV

I couldn’t sleep despite the warmth I felt being in Jacob’s arms. Okay it was hot. I was used to that though. Every time I drifted off I had nightmares. Not extreme nightmares. Just weird. I dreamed Irkalla hit me in the belly. I dreamed of armor covering my pregnant belly and when it receded I was no longer pregnant. I dreamed of Jake leaving me because I lost his baby.

I finally rolled out from under Jake’s arms and my feet hit the floor. The clock showed 6:45. We left for the airport at 9.

I was worried. If I told Jake he would never let this plan go forward. He would sideline me. He could get hurt. They all could. Killed even.

I couldn’t be more than two weeks pregnant. Too soon for a pregnancy test to pick up even. But it was a delicate time. Why did my sisters have to tell me this? Should I continue to take birth control? If I was, would it hurt the baby?

I needed to talk to someone.

I walked towards the kitchen and smelt coffee. Thank God someone was up. I needed to talk to someone. The only ones who could be up were Mom, Dad and Old Quil.

It was Mom.

“Good morning sweetie.”

“Hey Mom.” I poured a cup of coffee and sat down at the table.

“Mom I need to talk to you about something. I have a problem.”

“I do too Bella and I have been wanting to talk to you as well. We need to figure out a way to get Phil here. Do you think you could fly to Florida with me? Maybe show him some of your tricks? Fly or something? We have to convince him Bella. He told me to meet him on the road. He’s lonely Bella. You know how baseball is. Groupies everywhere. If I can’t get to him or get him here he may…”

I took a deep breath. Was I out of my mind? She had been trying but Mom would always be Mom. Her problems would always come first. Dad walked in and poured a cup of coffee.

“Mom we will talk about it when I get back. This is important.” I explained.

“Do what you have to do Bella. I will be here.” She sighed.

I held in the sudden rage building in me. Do what I have to?

“Bella? Can I talk to you outside?” Dad asked.

Taking a deep breath I nodded and followed Dad outside. He sat on the porch and I took a seat next to him on the porch swing.

“What can I do for you Dad?” At least I knew he didn’t have woman problems.

“What’s wrong? I heard you tell your mom you have a problem.”

---

“Uh…”

“You can talk to me Bella. About anything.”

I nodded. I did promise I would be more open with him. I should have just waited for him instead of even considering Mom.

“I think I might be pregnant Dad.” I said quietly.

Dad was quiet. He looked off towards the stables.

“Dad?”

“Had to give him shit about dandruff, didn’t you Charlie?” he mumbled under his breath.

“What?”

Charlie shook his head.

“Nothing. Why do you think you are pregnant? I assumed you two were being… safe? Chris had told me it was an issue that was taken care of.”

His face wasn’t red. It wasn’t purple. This was good.

“Why aren’t you freaking out?” I asked, curious.

“You know how many times I thought you were dead this past year. So long as you are breathing I can handle anything baby girl.”

He squeezed my hand and tears immediately formed in my eyes. I laid my head on his shoulder.

“I was on birth control Dad. I still am.”

“Then why…”

“After the fight with Irkalla, the bracelet healed my body. I learned yesterday that when the bracelet heals me it cleans my body of all drugs. Jake and I… after the battle. Plus a few more times.”

“Okay. But we are talking the past two weeks. No way you could know for sure this soon.”

“Yeah but Claire… nevermind.”

“Claire what?” Charlie asked sharply. “Did she say you were pregnant?”

“She said goodnight to my belly last night.” I admitted, wondering at Charlie’s tone.

“Fuck, you are pregnant then.” Charlie sighed.

That caught me by surprise.

“Why do you say that?”

“That little girl is a sweetheart but she is weird. You know the other night she told me that Harry said I should give it 6 months and then ask Sue out. She never met Harry! Freaked me out. Then I heard her in the barn yesterday morning having a conversation. Only no one was there. I thought she was playing make believe and watched her because it was cute. But the more I watched her… if she was having a make believe conversation she was doing a helluva an acting job. She scrunched up her face and said “I’m only three. I don’t know big words yet.” What three year old has imaginary conversations like that?”

“Yeah, I’m pretty sure she can speak to the dead.” I admitted.

“You give her some earrings or a pinky ring or something from your bracelet?” Dad asked half seriously.

“No.” I replied sharply.

“Just kidding. Old Quil told me she had he gift, whatever the hell that meant. I guess I know now what it means.”

“So what do I do Dad?”

“What does Jake say?”

I suppose the dropping of my head was enough to clue him in.

“Seriously?” he asked.

“Dad you know he will go overprotective and you know what we have to do.”

“Yeah. We have to figure out how you can help the Pack without being in danger so you can keep the little pod in your belly alive, Bella.”

“I’ve got armor…”

“That doesn’t protect your ribs from a strong vampire attack.” Dad countered.

“It does its job. I’ve just fought some really strong vampires.” I said defensively.

“You gotta tell Jake.”

“When?”

“Now.”

“Dad we are about to leave on an…” Dad got up while I was talking. I sat. A few minutes went by and he returned with Jake who was swiping sleep out of his beautiful eyes. He grinned and leaned down to kiss me on the forehead.

“Have a seat Jake.” Charlie ordered.

Jake sat in a rocking chair across from us. I looked at the other houses and noticed the Pack beginning to emerge.

“What’s up? Last minute change in plans?”

I started to answer when Charlie spoke.

“Bella learned something yesterday while she was passed out. She wanted to talk to me first because she didn’t want me upset at you. I’m not. So go ahead Bella. Tell him. It’s okay. I won’t yell.”

Wow. Thanks Dad. I wasn’t sure if I should be pissed or happy. He pretty much got me off the hook for not telling Jake immediately.

“Jake, I learned that when I am healed from an injury the bracelet cleans my body of all foreign agents like alcohol, drugs, birth control. It hasn’t been long but there is a possibility, just a poss…”

“She’s pregnant, Jake.” Charlie told him.

I stared at Dad. He mouthed your welcome and winked at me. I… I wasn’t thanking him…

Jake’s face went blank. Then he was on a knee in front of me.

“Bella, when? How?”

“Uh…”

“Oh shit. After Irkalla? But that was just a couple weeks ago. You couldn’t know for… yesterday? You learned this yesterday? If they told you, it must mean… I mean you wouldn’t bring this up… are you late?”

“I will know in a few days Jake.”

“This changes things, Bella.” Jake said softly with pleading eyes.

“I can’t leave you unprotected Jake.”

“Bella you are not fighting vampires until we know for sure.” He said firmly.

“Jake…”

“Jake I think we can figure out a way that she can be involved without coming into direct contact with any vampires. Don’t you?” Charlie looked at Jacob, daring him to disagree. “I mean the girl can fly.”

Jacob took a deep breath. Then he smiled.

“We are going to have a baby?”

I smiled back. I couldn’t help smile when he did. His whole face lit up.

“Yeah Jake. I mean if I don’t get my period in a few days I will wait a week and take a test but… let’s just say I have a feeling I am.”

“Bella…” I wasn’t sure what Jake was going to say because he picked me up and had me in his arms off the ground. He was squeezing me.

“Air Jake.” I gasped out.

“Oh shit. Sorry. I have to tell Dad. Charlie have you told anyone…”

“Jake! Let’s wait until we know for sure. For a few weeks. Please?”

“Why? The Pack is going to know. No way can I keep this secret.”

“Okay. But what if I’m not? I would feel stupid. Let me get a test first. Please?”

Jake sat back down in his chair.

“You’re okay with this Charlie?” he asked, hesitantly.

Dad answered calmly, seeming to think about the question while he was speaking.

“Not the ideal situation because of the timing and everything. I would like Bella to be older. But something like this couldn’t have been foreseen. I mean this is quite possibly the worst time for something like this to happen. With all the leeches in the world and this crazy ass plan. You two aren’t married. You’re not even eighteen for a few more weeks, Jake. Bella hasn’t even turned nineteen yet. You two are so young. You haven’t even lived together really. Now you are going to have a baby. Like I said, worst possible time.”

Dad was smiling.

“Why are you smiling then, Dad?”

“Because the timing is so horrible that it has to mean something. I’ve come to believe a lot in destiny over the past year. How everything happens for a reason. Never was much of a thinker about things like that before. I guess you could say my view on a lot of things has changed. So I got to believe if the situation is this bad, then it has to be meant to be, Bella.”

I had never really thought of this like that. All I had thought of were the potential problems. I stared at Dad for a few moments and wondered how much better my life would have been if he had been in it full time. It didn’t matter. I would take what I had now.

“I… I’m gonna go get our bags ready.” Jake blurted out.

“You’re letting me go?” I figured he would fight it.

“The bracelet, when you channel those bursts of energy it doesn’t go through your body does it?” Jake asked.

“No. I just guide the energy.” I think. Pretty sure. I never felt my body jerk when I let loose. I could feel the power running through me from the bracelet but that was constant.

“All we need is one shot Bella. One shot on film. Enough to scare the leeches. Then we can handle it. You can hover in the air. Just be careful about landing. I can stand underneath you in case the wind jars you or something. We can make this work Bella. Then we can hit them at our own time. Our own pace. Plan. We won’t have to worry about mass attacks. One shot. I’ll keep you safe. Then we can take it from there.”

I probably should have given him more credit. I thought he would be unreasonable. Charlie and Jake were showing me that I don’t know everything.

Jake stood up and then knelt before me. His lips were on mine and I was almost lost until Dad cleared his throat and I quickly came back to reality.

“Going to get the bags. Be right back.” Jake practically ran back inside. Most seventeen year olds would be scared to death about the possibility of an unplanned pregnancy. He looked like Christmas morning.

I walked inside to help Jake, when Charlie stopped me.

“”What Dad?”

“Don’t I get a hug?” he grinned.

I smiled at him and he brought me in. After a few seconds he let me go and chuckled.

“One great thing is this takes care of one of my worries.”

“An unplanned teenage pregnancy takes care of one of your worries? Isn’t this the biggest worry a Dad is supposed to have?” I asked.

“For most fathers yes. But I know my daughter. How many times have you thought about running off to take on the world by yourself so everyone would be safe?”

I froze.

“Uh…”

“Yeah, I thought so. But you can’t do that anymore Bella. You won’t be alone. You have a child relying on you. That child is going to need all the protection you can get around it. It’s never going to be about only you Bella. I got to go pack sweetie. See you in a bit.”

Charlie walked off with a smug grin.

Damn it.

Heading to the bedroom, I saw Billy smiling. A very wide smile.

“Morning Billy. So you are staying here with Rebecca and the new kids right?”

“Yes, I think some quality time with Rebecca is called for. I’m hopeful after yesterday she may have a different view of life. So I hear congratulations are in order?”

“Seriously? I asked him…”

“Bella! Could you come into the kitchen please?! Now?!”

“Yeah Mom?” I asked, walking around the corner.

“Would you explain to me why the hell your seventeen year old boyfriend who Charlie lets you sleep with for some damn reason, just ran in and told his father the two of you were having a baby? What the hell is wrong with you? Are you pregnant? Are you serious? You can’t…”

“Shut the fuck up Renee.” Old Quil said, casually strolling in.

“You can’t talk to me that way!” Renee screamed at Quil. The two had not hit it off.

“Go to Hell. You yell at her one more time and I will turn you into a toad.” Quil smiled.

Oh shit.

“You… you can’t do that.” Renee said quietly.

“Willing to risk it? You never would have thought men could turn into giant wolves a week ago.”

Renee said nothing.

“Bet it wouldn’t take your boy toy long to replace you if you had warts all over, huh?”

“Quil.” I started…

“Bella when you get back we are having a serious talk.” Renee walked out of the kitchen.

I took a deep breath.

“Quil…”

“No need to thank me. Fuck her. Now we need to take a walk before we leave.”

Quil pulled a joint out of his shirt pocket.

“Spirit world?”

“Yep. Call the proud papa and let’s go… well I’m getting high. Guess you two are just gonna have to meditate pretty hard. See you in the back. We don’t have much time.”

“I don’t even know if I’m pregnant…”

“You’re pregnant. Claire told me she was waiting for her buddy and wanted to know how long it would be. That child is touched by the spirits. She will replace me on day. Congratulations. Spirit world, then we can see your fancy airplane Charlie got us. Hope the pilot isn’t a pot head or anything.”

These guys take the suspense out of waiting for the two lines to pop up.

Jake came out of our room. I nearly yelled at him until I saw his face. He was so happy.

“So…” I started.

“Yeah. Sorry about that.”

The look on his face told me he wasn’t sorry a damn bit.

“Let’s go. We need to visit the spirit world for some damn reason.”

“Let Quil go first. I don’t want you around that second hand smoke.” Jake said immediately.

It would be a long eight months.

Jake POV

Quil was sitting cross legged in a circle surrounded by small stones. He appeared to be gone. Bella and I sat in the circle next to each other. I was not good at this. I was way too keyed up already from the news. I knew this was fast but Charlie was right. This must be meant to be.

I couldn’t clear my mind. I was about to suggest Bella go without me when I opened my eyes and we were here. In La Push. First Beach.

“How did I do that?” I wondered out loud.

“You didn’t. I pulled you in.” Bella smiled. She was dressed in her armor. Her silver armor I was glad to see. The smile on her face… I had to marry her. I knew we were young but we had to grow up fast. So many extreme circumstances had occurred in our life. No way my child was coming into this world without her being my wife.

“Took you two long enough.” I glanced at Quil and did a double take. He was young. Young and strong. As strong as any of the wolves in the pack. The physical changes had occurred a bit when he phased. Considering his age he was always in good shape. But here he looked like a warrior in his prime.

“Why are we here, Quil?” Bella asked, seeming annoyed.

“Good question. I just had a feeling we needed to be here.”

Great. I should be thinking of ways to pull this plan off while keeping Bella safe and out of the fight.

“I summoned you Quil.”

We turned at the strange voice. I had never seen him but I knew immediately who he was. Taha Aki.

I felt the need to get on one knee.

“Do not kneel before me Alpha. You are my equal. You stand beside the ones before you. You bow to no one.”

He smiled at Bella.

“Thank you for coming Bella. I am proud of how you have performed. I am also glad to see you have already started living up to your end of our bargain.”

I looked at Bella and noticed there was a slight change in her. A glow around her body that wasn’t there the last time I saw her in this world.

“Quileutes really take the suspense of pregnancy tests away.” Bella said with a smile. In all this excitement this morning I hadn’t really thought to ask her about her feelings. I assumed she would be happy but what if she wasn’t?

“So why have you called us Great Chief?” Old Quil asked.

“There is an imbalance in the Spirit World. Look at the sky.”

I looked up and saw that it appeared to be twilight. The last time I was here it was daytime.

“My sisters told me. They aren’t sure why. Irkalla is dead.” Bella told him.

Taha Aki said nothing.

“She’s dead right?” I asked, suddenly feeling very nervous.

“I do not know. Souls such as hers are not allowed on this plane.”

“What do you mean this plane?” Bella asked.

“Have you not explained the Spirit world to the witch, Quil?”

“We’ve been kind of busy.” He replied, shrugging his shoulders.

“Jacob, Bella, there are three planes in the Spirit world. The highest plane where the noble souls reside in paradise. This plane is where the souls who are not ready to let go reside. There are also souls such as mine that can traverse between the higher plane and this one to communicate with the living. Not all can do this. There are also the souls of your sisters who can leave the higher plane to visit the bracelet on your wrist and commune with you there. Then there is the lower plane. The souls of the evil who are tortured for eternity. Those souls are only let out with permission of their tormentors into this plane or the plane of the living. They always return and cannot stay long. I believe you met one on your first trip to the Spirit world Bella?”

“You did?” Bella wouldn’t look at me. I knew it felt like she had kicked me out.

“Yes. So what is the significance of the plane and the color of the sky?” Bella asked.

“This plane has the closet connection with the physical world, the plane of the living. The darkening skies mean a great evil is coming. It was nearly black before you destroyed Irkalla.” Taha Aki answered.

“So another great vampire?” I asked.

“I do not know. I have attempted to approach the guardian of the lower plane, to ask about Irkalla’s soul. It refused to speak to me.”

“Let me talk to him.” Bella said immediately.

Taha Aki laughed.

“Bella this guardian, it is from before time began for this world. It will not speak if it does not wish to speak. It is for us to figure this out. I want you to keep your eyes open on your travels. Do not seek just to destroy. Seek knowledge.”

“Irkalla is still alive isn’t she? That’s why the guardian refuses to talk. He doesn’t want us warned.” Bella said quietly.

“I don’t know. But if she is, witch, you will destroy her. Be true to yourself. That is the key.”

“True to myself?” Bella practically screamed. “Do you know what it feels like to have your ribs smashed to bone chips? To have your jaw dislocated? To be hit and wonder how your spine wasn’t pushed out of your body? Being true to myself got me nearly destroyed and everyone I love!”

“Yes.” Taha Aki replied calmly.

“Yes what?” Bella asked, shocked at his simple answer.

“I know how all of that feels. I know how you felt when your guide died. I was also beaten nearly to death once. My imprint killed herself to allow me to live and defeat the cold one. My body healed. My soul never did. I know everything you have felt Bella. I truly do not wish this on anyone. But it is necessary. We are warriors. Being a warrior comes with pain. Jacob struck a cold one with his broken hand to save another wolf while you were battling Irkalla. He sat for hours not knowing for certain if you would live. This is what we do. It is not an easy life. But if she is alive, you will defeat her. Not the bracelet on your wrist. You will defeat her. You are a better soul. A stronger soul. Who you are inside, who Jacob is, who your pack are, these are the things that determine victory. Not whatever spells you can conjure, not the weapons you form from your bracelet. You have everything you need to defeat any cold one you come in contact with. You have love. A reason to live, a reason to fight. You create life. You will always be better than those who cause death.”

Neither Bella or I said anything. Nothing needed to be said I suppose.

“It is good to speak to you again. I have been watching and I am proud. Jacob? Ephraim is in the highest plane. He wants you to know how proud he is of you.”

I was speechless.

“Taha Aki? I have to ask you a question.” Bella said suddenly before he could leave.

“Yes?”

“Jacob cannot shut up about my pregnancy. This will… I have to know. Will Leah ever be able to have children?”

Taha Aki smiled.

“Spirit warriors are frozen in time while they phase. The shifting would never allow a pregnancy to be successful. When it is her time to stop, her body will be free. She will have children, Bella. You may tell her she has my word on this.”

I realized right then why Bella asked. The news of her pregnancy would hit Leah hardest.

“Thank you.” Bella smiled in relief. Taha Aki was gone.

“So what now?” I asked. How did we find the next great vampire? Or was Irkalla still alive somewhere? I needed to go back to Forks. Look at the Cullen ruins. Maybe we missed something?

“Now we go to Colorado.” Quil said. Darkness enveloped me. I opened my eyes and we were back in Wyoming. I suppose we never really left.

We stood up. Old Quil still looked high. Great.

Walking to the front I saw the Pack standing around.

“Bella?”

She smiled and kissed me on the cheek. “Go ahead. But let me tell her first.” She whispered.

“Are you happy?” I asked, half scared of the answer. I watched her face carefully.

“I’m making a life with the man I love. How could I not be happy?”

Bella was a bad liar. I was relieved she wasn’t lying.

“Leah? Could I talk to you alone?” Bella walked up and took her hand. Leah nodded and followed. I waited until they were inside.

“What’s going on Jake?” Paul asked.

“Bella’s pregnant.”

An hour and a half later, after many pats on the back and questions about how the hell we would be keeping her from getting into a fight, we were boarding our private jet. I was concerned about leeches. Paul was concerned about bikers. The guys who had fought with her freaked out a bit knowing that she was pregnant. Still it was early. If not for supernatural intervention it would be at least a month before we knew for sure.

The plane was sweet. I had never flown before so was a bit apprehensive. This was a first flight for many of us. Charlie sat across the aisle. I wondered how Bella would take it when she realized how close to the action Charlie planned to be. Moments later Agent Levoi walked in. I had never seen him without a suit on. His clothing caught Quil and Embry’s attention as well. They started talking and then quietly laughing. I listened to the idiots I had called my best friends my entire life. Please shut up. We need this guy to have confidence in us. He was going out on a limb here.

Unfortunately Graham noticed the laughter.

“Quil and Embry right? What’s going on? I could use a laugh.”

I silently begged Quil not to do it.

“We were just impressed by your shirt Agent Levoi.” Quil grinned.

“Oh… thanks… I guess it is a pretty bright red. I graduated from Stanford. Cardinal pride and all.” Graham grinned nervously.

“You planning on wearing it to meet this leech?” Embry asked.

“I uh… I guess. It’s kind of my lucky shirt.”

“So you and Charlie are going to meet a leech and you are wearing that shirt?” Quil asked for clarification.

“Yes. Is that a problem?” Graham looked at me, seeming very confused.

It was Embry who answered.

“Nah man. You in your red shirt and Charlie and a leech. Shouldn’t be a problem. Live long and prosper dude.”