Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

Venom

By BetterInTexas

Chapter 42:

The video camera sat silently on its tripod, the recording button blinking. Bella started this. For the past week, she has done nothing but meditate. Jasper was not happy. He wanted to train. She wanted to meditate. She spent every hour she was not with her babies in silent meditation. She had not gone to therapy. She did not go visit others. She stayed holding her children or sitting in her bedroom, eyes closed focusing on nothing.

This afternoon she decided she wanted to make a video in the event she died. Jake was not happy about this but she begged. She begged him to make one as well. Despite the fatalistic view, he agreed to make her happy.

Now Bella sat in front of the camera talking.

“So my life before I came to Forks was pretty typical. By that, I mean boring. Believe it or not kids, despite the stories you may hear about your mother, I’m a pretty boring person. I read a lot. At least I used too. I read books your father claims no one reads on purpose for no other reason than schoolwork. I admit he could be right. I own that.

I’m not going to tell you about my childhood. It wasn’t bad. It really wasn’t. It wasn’t great. It was what it was.

My life started though when I came to Forks. Since that time so much has happened. I’ve told your Aunt Rachel, to tell you both everything. Hold nothing back. I’ve told her to let you know what happened. You should know before you watch this about Edward Cullen. The history of the tribe. The history of the witches. You should know about what we had to do to fight Irkalla. I told her to tell you every stupid mistake I made. I want you to know me because I am not perfect by any means.

There have been many times over the past two years that I wished I had never come to Forks. Never set foot in this place. Moved to Florida and enjoyed the sunshine while staying in the shadows. I want you both to know that stopped when I became pregnant with the two of you. Because if I had not gone through everything I went through, the joy, the tragedy, the heartbreak and physical pain, I wouldn’t have you two and your father. You make it all worth it.

I don’t know at this point what is going to happen. I have a feeling something bad is coming. I know it. It’s coming soon. If you are seeing this, it means I died. I pray to the Spirits that your father is still with you. If he isn’t I know Aunt Rachel and Paul if he is there will give you the best life she possibly can. She is a lot like your father, so I know you will be happy.

I will also be there. I will never leave your side. You may not see me but know that I am right by your side… unless you are on a date or something. I’ll let you have your privacy. Just remember whether he is alive or by my side, either way your father will be watching Serena. Fair warning. Especially if he is still with you.

I want to tell you about your father. He is so sweet. He has this heart that… I don’t have the words. He is such a good man. He loves me and the two of you so much. He makes you feel safe and relaxed just by being in his presence. He is loyal and honest. He never lies. Both of you will realize as you get older how rare that is for a person.

Brave. I cannot imagine a braver man ever existed. He would and has risked his life for a total stranger. He would die for another in a heartbeat, because that’s who he is. Your father… you are lucky to have him. To share his blood. Always try to live up to that. We are Blacks. Our family… we are fighters, every one of us. I don’t care if it’s standing up to a vampire or a bully in school. We look out for those who can’t look out for themselves.

Your grandfathers are amazing men. Your aunt Rebecca is amazing as well. I’m not sure she realizes it yet but she is. You will have family around you. They love you. Love them. I know life will be difficult at times, if I’m not there. But be strong and know that there is more to this life on Earth. We are eternal.

That said I wish to God, I could be there with you. I want to help you get ready for your first date Serena. I want to see you work on cars next to your father Chris. I’m only 19. But I have been able to do two things in this life that make it all worth it. Loving your father and having the two of you. The world is a better place with you in it. That means win or lose, I made a difference.

I’ll stop now. I don’t want to but I honestly don’t know what else to say, other than repeating how much I love the two of you. I tell you softly every day, all day but you won’t remember that. I wish you would. Maybe it’s better that you don’t. That you don’t know what is going on right now. That you aren’t as scared as I am right now.

I want you to know I am going to do everything I can to stop whatever is coming. I will do everything I can to get back to you. I swear. But this is a dangerous life. It wasn’t fair of me and your father to bring you into this world but I won’t apologize. You have given me so much happiness, feeling you grow for nine months inside me and holding you in my arms for these past couple weeks since you have been on Earth.

I hope you never see this video. But if you do, know that I love you and I am by your side forever. We will see each other again.”

Bella pressed the stop button, walked to the bedroom and cried. Twenty minutes later, she emerged and took her children from Jacob into her arms. It was time to feed them.

Jacob entered the study. He had mixed feelings about this, but he agreed to do it for Bella. There was nothing he wouldn’t do for her. He sat in the chair and pressed the record button.

“Hi. I’m your Dad. Jake. Your Mom is worried so she wants me to record this in the event we die or something. You will probably never see this because there is no way I will let anything happen to her. Of course, your mother is right. If I’m not around to tell you, I will give you a hint. She is always right. If you get into an argument just assume you are wrong. I know it sounds harsh but it is true.

Bells… that’s what I call her, she wanted me to tell you about myself. There isn’t much to say. I like to work on cars… okay I love to work on cars. It’s always been in my nature. Taking something that doesn’t work and fixing it, bringing it back to life. Your Mom likes to say I fixed her. It’s not true. She has always been strong. She got sick for a while and in typical fashion for her, she came back stronger. Truth is she saved my life. If I didn’t have her I would have ran the first time I turned into a wolf. When I first phased and a few times after that, I was scared, I would never be human again. That my life was gone. It was her face that brought me back. All I had to do was think of her and I was human again. Standing on my own two feet.

I think I would rather tell you about your Mom. She says you will know the story of what happened by the time… I mean if you see this. So I won’t bore you with the details.

Your Mom would fall on a grenade for someone she never met. She can’t help it. It’s who she is. When she would come to La Push during the summers as a kid, she would hang out with Rebecca, Rachel and Leah. Still she always found time for me. She never treated me like the annoying little brother. I worshipped the ground she walked on even then. When my mother, your grandmother died, she held my hand through the entire funeral and stayed with me afterward. She was my anchor even then. When she was gone, when she stopped coming back to Forks during the summers, summers lost their appeal. I hung out with my friends, played on the beach, got into trouble. But I knew I was missing something. Her. Not a day went by that I didn’t think of her. I would dream of ways to run off to Phoenix and grab her and the two of us would hit the road. I think that was a big reason I started dreaming about cars at such a young age. Dad had an old clunker behind the shed and I figured if I could fix that car, I could get to her. Of course, the tires fell off and I never really had a chance but if I had, you can bet I would have tried.

What else? Your mom bites her lip when she is nervous or hiding something from me. She never lies to me so it’s important to ask her the right question. Because she definitely will keep things from me if she believes, I will be worried or try to stop her. She fidgets a bit when she is uncomfortable; usually talking to people, she doesn’t know. She mumbles in her sleep at night. Sometimes she has pretty bad dreams but other times she talks to her horse in her sleep. I’m not kidding. She talks to her horse in her sleep. Once she talked to a unicorn. I’ve sat up for hours listening to her conversations. She tells the corniest jokes in her sleep. She even laughs at them.

Also she made me promise not to use baby talk with the two of you. She thought it was demeaning or something and would hamper your speech. Don’t ask me. She read it in a magazine or something. But trust me, every time she talks to you, it turns into baby talk. She coos and babbles more than you two.

Before this whole magic bracelet thing happened she was the biggest klutz. I loved walking in the forest with her. She was guaranteed to trip at least every hundred feet and I was always there to catch her. Any excuse to get my hands on her. To be near her. But you are going to find out all this about her. Because I’m bringing her back to you so you won’t even see this.”

Jacob looked at the floor. His eyes were watering and he didn’t want his children to see him cry. Trying and failing miserably to casually wipe his eye, he gave his best smile.

“She is going to be here. Even if I’m not, she will be. I want you both to live in the best possible world and that isn’t possible if she isn’t in it.”

As Jacob’s voice cracked at the last word, he reached over and hit the stop button. After a moment, he turned pressed record again.

“One more thing. I love you Chris and Serena. Having her love, me was the greatest thing to ever happen to me. Her carrying my children… it was more than I ever dreamed of. No matter what happens, I will always be there by your side. Especially you Serena. So watch it with the boys, okay? I love you kids. I’m 18 and you have made my life complete.”

Pressing the stop button, he slowly walked into the living room to see Bella babbling to the children. He planned to join her until he heard Quil calling for him in the front yard.

Pulling himself away from the scene in front of him, he walked outside to get rid of his best friend.

“What’s up big dog?” Quil asked.

“Morning Quil. Shouldn’t you be painting Claire’s toenails or playing Barbie?”

“Wow. That’s funny. You’re a funny guy Jake. Imprint jokes. Classy. Real classy.”

“So…?”

“We painted her toenails yesterday and she doesn’t like to play Barbie’s in the morning. Barbie prefers to sleep in.”

“We already ate breakfast. I ate everything that was left. Before you ask Bella is not cooking more.”

“Damn. Emily is having back pain so she won’t cook. Grandpa’s been holed up with the devil box for the past week. I’m kind of in a bind here.”

“What about your Mom? She doesn’t cook for you anymore?”

“She is kind of pissed at me right now.” Quil admitted.

Jake sighed.

“What did you do?”

“Just a misunderstanding over a back massager I borrowed.” Quil mumbled.

“Never mind. I don’t want to know. Anyway, Bella has had an emotional morning and isn’t cooking anything else. Go bug Jared or Rachel. Hey, I have a great idea. Learn to cook.”

“Not gonna happen. So why is Bella emotional now? I thought the pregnancy hormones stopped when she, I don’t know, stopped being pregnant?”

Jake explained to Quil what the two had been doing that morning.

“Damn. Heavy stuff…” Quil admitted as Bella walked out pushing a stroller.

“Jake? You going to work on the Mustang? I thought we could help out.”

Jake smiled. Since the video, she did seem a bit less down.

“Let’s go Bells. Kids need to start learning. We can go over the transmission system today.”

Quil was left alone.

Five minutes later, Quil was in front of the camera.

“What’s up Black kids? You know me. I’m the bad ass wolf who has probably already saved your little asses from Zombies a dozen times. I roll around in my drop top with my four wives with incredibly huge but firm breasts. I’ve probably bailed Claire out of jail a dozen times. Maybe you little devils too. Yeah, it’s Quil Ateara the third comin at you from 2013. Papa Wolf says ya’ll won’t see this till your 18 and only if Mom and Pop are chillin’ in the great beyond. Don’t worry. As you can see, I’ll make sure you get to check it out and Mommy and Daddy will be sitting next to you. No worries.

I’m going to give you the low down on your parents. Let’s start with your Dad. Most naturally, heroic son of a bitch I’ve ever known. Chuck Norris has nothing on him. My best friend. Him and Embry. But Embry is up in Washington breaking in the Lincoln Bedroom with Leah right now. I’m serious. Like that shit don’t slip in their thoughts when they are phased. Lucky bastard. Anyway… I probably shouldn’t be talking like this… nah fuck it, you guys will be eighteen by the time you see this. Anyway, back to Jake.

The guy is a badass. He is all about two things in life. Killing leeches and loving your Mom. I’m sure you were told a water downed version about what went down at the Cullen Mansion the first time we squared off against this Irkalla chick. Let me give you a shot of reality. We are hurting right? When one of us is hurt, all of us can feel it. So Leah has her leg bent in the wrong direction, Collin has scratches exposing his ribcage, Sam and Jared have been taking more shots to the head than Rocky Balboa against Apollo Creed and your Dad has his front paw crushed. I mean that thing was just bone chips under muscle and fur. Your Mom is off blowing up the Queen vampire and Brady gets bit. So we are dealing with a lot of pain and outnumbered. We find ourselves surrounded by leeches, tired, bleeding, hurting, surrounded by enemies on all sides. So your Dad orders us into the remains of the mansion your Mom blew up, where we are surrounded by fire. Figured we could bite and maybe the leeches would catch on fire easier.

I’m not going to lie to you. Things weren’t looking good. But your Dad, he isn’t scared. He is getting pissed off by the second. He tells Sam that we fight to the last wolf. Should have scared us right? Instead, we got a dose of his confidence. I was ready to die for him at that moment. Anyway, this leech rushes us and your Dad hits him in his jaw with his broken paw, nearly taking his head off. The pain that shot through us all was unreal but it didn’t faze him. Next thing you know my Grandpa and yours are turning into wolves, your Mom is flying over trees looking like the hottest demon warrior chick I’ve ever seen, and your Dad sends us on the offensive. We ripped those bastards to shreds. Nothing but teeth, swords and flying leech parts.

Now how about your mother? I’m going to give you some valuable information. Don’t look in her eyes if she asks you to. The minute she says look into my eyes in that sweet soft voice, she has you. She’s pulled that on me a few times. Usually when I am trying to give her some information or ask her an important question. Next thing I know I’m in my kitchen wondering how the hell I got here. Yeah she can do some Jedi mind tricks so be careful. If she says, Chris look me in the eye you find a spot on the wall and stare at it or you won’t ever be able to keep a porn collection… you know what? You’re 18. I’m sure you figured this out when you were thirteen.

What else about your Mom? Incredible woman. I want a wife like her one day. She set the bar high, which is probably why I’ll have four or five wives. Good person and she has been through so much crap. But she is strong. She has had to do things that would make regular people go bat shit insane but she pulled through. I don’t know if you will ever hear this story but ask me about the time she looked the devil in the eye and told him to fuck off. I’m not kidding. The devil kids. That guy. I know, right?

Also this is going to be awkward but because of the no aging thing your friends are going to think your parents are hot. Fact of life. Sorry. They are going to be jonesing after my package too because I plan to phase forever.

Speaking of hot, Serena you probably got no worries. Your Mom was hot before all this magic stuff came into our lives. Chris, I’m not going to lie to you, Jake was a damn stick figure before he phased. If you haven’t phased yet get your Mom to bring a leech around. They are going to tell you something about having a normal life. Normal lives are boring. You run with the Pack it comes with benefits. Serena ear muff it for a second honey. Okay… Chris I swear my dick grew three inches when I phased and it was huge before. Throw in the abs and the broad shoulders and you are a chick magnet. Serious bro.

Look, you two have the coolest parents on Earth. Good people. You’re going to know this already cause I promise if that bitch pulls something we are going to be roasting her ass on First Beach or wherever the hell we find her. It’s what we do kid. I gotta get before your Mom and Dad realize I’m on this video. I’m gonna run outside and see if you guys belly buttons look any better. My grandpa delivered you two and he didn’t cut close enough I guess. Damn things are just hanging out like a puppy tail from your belly. Your lucky your heads don’t look like Stewie Griffin. Stick to one pieces Serena. Later kids.”

Quil slipped out of the house and walked to his Grandfathers. Old Quil had been holed up in his house barely leaving since that thing came back. He wouldn’t allow anyone inside for fear of the box. Quil figured the old man could use some air and give him a ride to Fork’s Diner.

Old Quil walked out to the sound of Quil’s bellowing.

“Grandson. What can I do for you?”

Old Quil looked tired. His eyes looked as if he hadn’t slept in days.

“I… I was going to ask you if you wanted to head to Forks and maybe grab some food but… you okay Grandpa?”

“I’m fine. Working. What have you been doing this morning?”

“Talkin to the Black kids. Giving them the down low on their parents.”

Quil told Old Quil about the video.

Five minutes later Old Quil walked into Jake and Bella’s home, hearing Jake banging around in the shed and Bella laughing about him hitting his head on something.

Sitting down in front of the camera, he pressed record.

“Hello. You know me. I will still be around since I plan to phase forever. I’m the guy who is going to save the world. Of course, right now I’m the guy who has been hold up on video chat with a linguistics expert trying to decipher an ancient text that predates civilization so I can save the world. Just thought I would stop in and say hi. Sorry about my idiot grandson.

I am also the guy who delivered the two of you. Serena you came into this world ass first. I’m hoping this isn’t a sign of things to come. I’ll be keeping an eye on you girl. I have a feeling you are going to like Harley’s and Biker bar brawls as much as your mother does.

Your mother doesn’t realize yet I think, how special you are. She is probably in denial, hoping you two won’t be caught up in this mess. Chris you have probably phased by now. Probably because you became pissed at something, my grandson said. But you Serena, you have the power of the Witches running through your veins. You both will have challenges dealing with these changes. But you will have your parents. I promise.

I suppose I should say a bit about your parents. How about this. Your mother has a martyr complex that makes Joan of Arc look selfish and your father inspires people to fight to the death with a single look.

Last week I follow your parents into a portal of light and step out in the Iraqi desert. Gunfire breaks out behind us. So what does your Dad do? He picks up your mother, throws her over his shoulder and runs her to safety.

Yeah, you heard me right. Instead of grabbing the old man, he grabbed the one person who was bulletproof and ran her to safety. I’m sure you have noticed she is covered in magic metal right? Yeah. So me, the old man, the guy who was minding his own business before she dragged me to the Middle East, takes a bullet in the ass. Go figure. Yeah, you’re thinking you can heal right, Old Quil? What if it hit me in the head? Do you have any idea how painful it is to have a bullet wound in your ass heal over with the bullet still in your ass? It took Anya three hours to dig that sucker out.

The thing is I wouldn’t have it any other way. Your mother is the most… I really don’t have words to describe. I love her. I had a son who died. I never had a daughter. But I claim her. And your father will always put her first. He is right to do so.

She has this idea in her head for beating Irkalla. She thinks she is going to have to sacrifice herself. She got this idea from this box, the cave, and even some of our legends. I don’t know if her plan will work. She hasn’t told your Dad. He would never let her do it. I think… I think if anyone can pull it off, it’s your mother. I also promise if I have to go to the Spirit World and break down the gates of Hell, I will, to get her back to you. Course we might both be dead. I guess that would be why you are watching this video. She has a tendency to get me caught up in her crazy plans.

But I wouldn’t have it any other way. I would follow her through the gates of hell. Your father too. You are going to have those hearts beating in your chests. Don’t let them break. You may suffer heartache. If Irkalla wins, the world you live in could be a nightmare. If it is, know that you two are the key to changing that. Never give up. You have two of the best hearts in the history of humanity beating in your chests. Don’t ever take that for granted.”

Old Quil hit the stop button and quietly slipped out, mind refocused on unraveling the mystery in his living room. He had work to do. A world to save and a witch to protect from herself.

He knew she was there but didn’t say a word. Simply nodded to her and continued down the hallway.

Rebecca Black slipped inside, sat and pressed the record button.

“Hi. It’s Aunt Rebecca. You guys are really cute. Uh… look I just want to say one thing and I will be on my way. Your Mom and Dad… I wish I was like them. I really do. I’ve always been kind of happy being me, until this wolf thing happened. But I realize being around them maybe I wasn’t happy being me. I want to be more like them. Anyway, I love you guys already. That’s all.”

Rebecca hit the stop button and walked in the hall. When she reached the living room, Jake was walking in covered in motor oil, Bella pushing the stroller behind him, barely containing laughter.

“Hey Becca.” Jake greeted her, a bit surprised. “What brings you over?”

“I wanted to see my niece and nephew.” She told him honestly.

“Good. You can watch them while Bella helps me clean up.”

“You made your own mess Jake.” Bella argued with a grin.

“Yeah, funny how an open can of oil that was placed securely on a shelf can just happen to slide off and fall on my head.”

“I told you not to put it there.” Bella smiled slyly.

“It flew six feet in the air. I saw it Bella. I was six feet from the shelf. Now you owe me a shower. I’m going to need help getting this motor oil off me…” Jake told her suggestively.

“Okay. Aunt Becca has this. Kids don’t need to hear about you two playing with oil. Go. I got this.”

Becca took the stroller and Jake lifted Bella in his arms, running her to the bathroom before she could argue further.

Becca grinned at the two.

“Yeah. You kids got lucky belonging to those two. It’s going to be okay. I’ll make sure they get back to you. Aunt Becca promises.”

Chicago

Irkalla gently caressed the face of the insane woman lying on the cot. She stopped speaking three weeks ago, now resorting to simply moaning with an occasional manic laugh.

“You poor crazy bitch. What have we done to you?” Irkalla asked with a satisfied tone. The woman who gave birth to the whore who dared stand in her way was a babbling psychotic mess.

Lizzie had drained her slowly by IV for months, keeping her on tap as it was. Lizzie had had so much fun with her. Sexual abuse, emotional abuse, making her take part in the killing of other girls, physical torture.

Lizzie had quite literally drive Renee Dwyer insane.

Irkalla wondered what was going on in the head of Bella Swan. Renee had not given her much insight into her daughter. Almost like, she really barely knew her.

Her plan to torture Bella emotionally by killing her friends only resulted in the death of her dear son Holmes. The girl never investigated the murder sites. Irkalla’s spies were waiting for her to appear. She never did. Vampires, traitors to their kind investigated, but no witch.

Irkalla wondered if she gave a damn. If she didn’t that would be bad. A witch who didn’t give a damn about her own mother.

She would make sure she gave a damn. It was imperative that bitch be on the other side of the country when Irkalla made her move.

She walked away from Renee when Lizzie began to whisper in her ear. It was pointless. Renee was gone. Killing her would be a mercy that Irkalla was not about to grant. Not yet.

She would be gutted on national television in front of her witch daughter.

The time had come. Irkalla stared in the mirror at her hideous face. She had given up hope that she would regain her former beauty. While her features remained the same, her body was wracked with cracks resembling those that run through concrete walls. Her skin was an ashen grey. Her faced belonged on a dead person, not a living goddess as herself. The witch had done this.

Still she was whole. She was strong. Stronger. Her near decimation by the witch had left her features hideous but she felt stronger than before. Bella Swan would never have her armored hand in Irkalla’s body again.

“Lizzie put Renee back in her cage. We need to talk.”

Elizabeth locked Renee gently in her cage, a five-foot long, three foot high cage, two feet wide. Later she would need to be fed and provided an IV to make sure she continued to provide the blood that had quickly became her favorite between meal snack.

“Yes Mistress?”

“The time has come.”

“La Push?”

“No! No, I want an audience. I want this to be seen by the Country. I want her far, far away from Washington DC. I want you to arrange our servants on the West Coast to move to Los Angeles. When she arrives to save her mother, you are to gut the woman and then run Lizzie. I don’t want to lose you to. Send the vampires against her. All of them. You can outrun the dogs in the ocean. But stay away from that witch, Lizzie. I don’t want to lose you as well. Holmes must have made a mistake. He went into their territory playing his games. Don’t make the same mistake.”

“I won’t Mistress. But how can you be sure she won’t come for you?”

“She won’t be able to stay away from you. Once you are on television the world will be watching. She will be on a flight within an hour. 90 minutes after you are on, I will make my move. Our East Coast forces are gathering in Washington now. Once I have the President of the United States and his daughter she wouldn’t dare to make a move. She kills vampires for him and allows him to take credit. She is obviously in league with him. The witch will surrender in exchange for his life. When she does, she dies.”

“And if she attacks you regardless?”

Irkalla smiled.

“I hope she does dear. I played with her last time. I should have killed her. She got lucky. She has power but I am stronger. I will kill her when she comes. I will have hostages, the world watching live on television and multiple vampires. I will even have my pets Jane and Alec back. No, let her come. By the time she gets to Washington, it will be too late. I will have all the advantages I need. She won’t catch me by surprise again. It is time to end this and take my place in the world as the true goddess I am.”

“Shall I leave at once?”

“Yes Lizzie. Tomorrow night I will be entrenched in the White House and the Nations of the world will tremble. The day after tomorrow we will be together. You will be feeding from the President’s daughter and I will be enjoying Jane and Alec once again. They have been bad children. Bad children that need to be punished.”

Irkalla took one last look in the mirror. She resembled a demon. It was time to show the demon to the world.

A/N coming to a head. Hold on. Like I said all bets are off.