When Ends Meet (Marcus & Aro Volturi)

Chapter 21: Burn.

I waddle into the medical room with Henry supporting me. This is my second ultrasound at only seven days pregnant—but god it feels like I've been doing this for months by the look of my stomach. Henry lifts me onto the examination chair, and Carlisle repeats the procedure as he had done with me the first time and with Bella the times before. I shiver at the spreading of the gel, but instead of a long silence, the thumping of a strong heartbeat immediately sounds with only a few strokes of the device.

"Healthy—just as I suspected. Especially now that you and Bella have incorporated blood into your diets, the fetuses are growing well." Carlisle hums. "Do you want to take a look?"

My eyes are again on the ceiling. I've already accepted this—but some part of me is still scared. Henry takes my hand with a small smile. Feeling the comfort he offers, I slowly turn my head, and glance at the screen. On the black and white screen, I see this pulsing blob. I squint at it, a little taken back by the undeveloped appearance—or rather how unidentifiable it seems.

"That's your baby, Ana. Their heartbeat is strong and comparing their growth to Bella's fetus...they are close, you're just a bit behind in development, but not by much." The blonde doctor says as he continues to move around the device.

"My baby." I repeat quietly. Squeezing Henry's hand, I glance back at him with excitement...but find myself quickly disappointed when realizing that he isn't who I wanted it to be. Marcus isn't here to see this. To see his child. To spend the last few moments of us...Aro will be devastated too. I can feel myself fighting back the tears when Henry starts to wipe the gel from my stomach.

"Sorry, doctor...I think this should be the end of the session." Henry slips his arm around my back and the other under my legs, lifting me from the medical chair.

"Of course." Carlisle nods as he watches me leave the room in Henry's arms.

-

I sit outside in a lawn chair, soaking in the rare sunlight that shines over Forks. Rosalie sits beside me with a beach umbrella to shade her. I hum as I feel the warmth seeping into my skin but am disturbed when I hear Rosalie sigh. "What's wrong?" I look at her from the edge of my sunglasses.

She shakes her head lightly. "I don't want to sound offensive...but I wish it were me. You and Bella are lucky to have this experience."

I quirk a brow. "I don't think imminent death would be considered lucky." I chuckle, but Rosalie appears guilty.

"Oh—no, I didn't mean..."

"It's fine. I've come to accept it. There isn't really much for me to do besides hope for the best." I look at my swelling belly and rub it lovingly. "As a mother, I should give them their best shot at life, you know?" I look to Rosalie, who has averted her eyes. "Rose...I know that when the babies are born, you'll do great. I've asked Esme to raise my child, and I know that Bella has asked you...but I do hope that you can help nurture mine as well."

Rosalie looks at me, speechless. But begins to nod while smiling brightly. "I'll do my best—I promise." She says warmly as she grabs my hand in hers. The moment is bitter-sweet to me...the concept of organizing my child's well-being before I die...it's morbid.

"Rose? Do you think that I'm wrong for keeping this from Marcus?" I say quietly, my hand loosening from hers.

"No. You know what is best. But...are you having doubts? Do you want him to know?" She grips my hand firmer.

"No...I mean—I want him to be here and experience this with me...to spend the last few whatever days I have left with him and our unborn child, but I fear that no matter how kind Marcus is, if he were to use someone against Aro—I'm afraid my child may be the right tool." I say grimly.