𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑 | 𝐉𝐀𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐑 𝐇𝐀𝐋𝐄

𝟕 | 𝐌𝐘 𝐁𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐅𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐍𝐃 𝐖𝐀𝐒 𝐆𝐎𝐍𝐄

WHILE THE REST OF THE FAMILY HAD GONE OUT HUNTING, IT WAS JUST ME, ROSALIE, AND ALICE WITH BELLA. Jasper stayed in our shared bedroom, keeping away from the scent of blood that filled the air.

Jacob and Edward approached, tension thick around them.

"This is important, Bella," Rosalie said gently. "Why don't you tell Jacob what you decided?"

"What, now?" Jacob asked, frowning.

"Rose is trying to talk Bella out of her baby names," Edward said softly.

"She hates them," Bella admitted as Rosalie and I helped her to her feet.

"Well, I'm on your side, no matter what," Jacob said.

Bella's voice was steady. "If it's a boy... E.J. Edward, Jacob."

Rosalie blinked. "Okay, fine. That's... not awful."

I shook my head. "I really hate that one. Why pick that? The two boys who were head over heels for you almost fought over you too."

Bella shot me a look. "Shut up, Delilah."

Laughter rippled through the room.

"Then what about the girl?" I asked.

Bella's eyes softened. "I was playing with our mothers' names, Renee and Esme. I thought... Renesmee."

"Renesmee," Jacob repeated, testing the sound. Edward chuckled.

"Too weird?" Bella asked nervously.

"Not too weird," Edward said, smiling. "Beautiful, unique... it fits."

Rosalie handed Bella a cup of blood, but when she reached for it, her hands trembled. The cup slipped, spilling across the floor, and Bella lost her balance. She fell to her knees, her back cracking painfully.

Edward was at her side in an instant, catching her before her head hit the floor. He carried her swiftly to the room prepared for her delivery.

Rosalie grabbed the morphine and handed it to Edward. He injected it into Bella's thigh. Then, ready to cut, Rosalie's hand went to the scalpel.

Edward's grip stopped her. "Let the morphine spread."

"There's no time, he's dying!" Rosalie argued.

"Get him out now!" Bella shouted, her voice raw with pain.

Edward let go, and Rosalie carefully made the incision. Bella screamed, a sound that shook the walls.

Rosalie froze, the scent of blood overwhelming her. Her gaze flicked to Bella.

"Rosalie, don't!" Edward shouted.

I lunged, grabbing Rosalie's neck to steady her. "Control yourself, Rosalie, please!" I begged, pulling her toward Jasper, who waited outside.

"You have to save her! Do something!" Jacob yelled.

"I can't not while he's still in there. I have to get him out first," Edward replied, his eyes fixed on Bella.

The scalpel refused to cut through her skin it was as if her body had turned to stone. I moved to her side and held her hand. She gripped mine tightly, her nails digging into my palm.

Her screams echoed through the house. This wasn't just labor it was a nightmare brought to life.

"Stay focused! Keep your heart beating!" Jacob shouted encouragement.

I had no medical experience. All I could do was hold her hand, whispering what little comfort I could. And then... the first cries of a newborn pierced the room.

"It's Renesmee," Edward said, relief breaking through his tension.

"Bautiful," Bella whispered, gazing at her daughter. Edward placed Renesmee gently on Bella's chest.

"You can finally pass down that hair clip from your wedding day," I said with a small smile. Bella chuckled weakly, tears in her eyes.

For a moment, everything seemed to calm. Bella and Renesmee, mother and daughter, together at last. But Bella's body remained fragile. She handed the baby to Edward, her strength fading. Her face went pale, lifeless almost like she had exhaled her last breath.

"Bella!" I shook her, panic clawing at my chest. No response.

Edward tried to transfer Renesmee to Jacob. "Take her!"

Jacob recoiled. "Keep that thing away from me!"

Rosalie approached. "Edward, I'm okay now." Hesitantly, he handed Renesmee to her. She disappeared from the room with the baby, leaving Edward and us with Bella.

Edward moved to the drawer, pulling out a syringe filled with his venom.

"What's that?" Jacob asked.

"His venom," I said quietly.

Edward injected it into Bella's heart. We all held our breath. Nothing. No reaction.

Bella was gone. My best friend, my heart was gone.

"Why isn't it working? It's supposed to work!" I shouted, panic gripping me.

Jacob stood frozen, staring at her lifeless form, anger and grief battling across his face. He turned to Edward, voice shaking with fury.

"I won't kill you. That would be too easy. You deserve to live with this." He spat, then walked away.

Edward continued chest compressions, desperate, refusing to let go.

I placed a hand on his shoulder. He looked at me, silently understanding. We had lost her. Bella was gone.

My face went numb.

"The wolves... they're coming," Edward said quietly, looking from Bella to me. He nodded, and we left the room together, leaving Bella on the bed.