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𝐀𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐧, so too did the Cullens' thirst. They could hear the wolves outside, lurking in the forest's shadows, just waiting for the chance to attack. Bella was growing paler and frailer by the hour, that baby within her draining any and all life force from her. If she was sick before, she was downright gauntly now.
Emma, Carlisle, Jasper, Alice, and Edward spent every second of Bella's frequent rest and naps to research anything and everything they could about what could be growing inside of her. What it would mean for Bella's health. What it would mean for the family when it was time. They scoured countless textbooks and read timeless legends. Anything about their kind that could possibly help them save Bella, they read.
But so far, they had come up with nothing but tales of horror and strife that followed the birth of an immortal child. Edward had to take frequent breaks from researching to stop himself from falling into a spiral of despair and psychosis.
Emmett and Amari would mainly keep watch of the house with the wolves' revolving patrol outside, and Rosalie would keep watch on Bella when Edward would busy himself with research. Esme and Emma led the house in hospitality as they tried to make the wolves more comfortable. Seth and Jacob accepted Esme's help, but Leah was reluctant, only taking offered food and drink from Emma.
One morning, Bella woke up with splitting pain down her side. Carlisle and Amari quickly rushed Bella into the Carlisle's office/makeshift medical room. He quickly administered x-rays to figure out the cause, and Emma stood with Edward along the far wall, offering support in any way she could.
"Your rib is cracked," Carlisle informed them as he examined the x-rays. "But there are no splinters. You haven't punctured anything."
"Yet," Edward added the unspoken insinuation quietly.
"Edward," Emma called comfortingly, taking his hand in hers. When he met her gaze, she glanced at Bella, who couldn't even look at him at his words. Through Emma's thoughts she realized that voicing such thoughts would only stress Bella out more, and that was the last thing she needed.
If they even had a chance of saving Bella through all this, he needed to put Bella first. And while he did that, Emma would take care of Edward.
But he couldn't let something so worrying, so distressing, so deadly alone, left unsaid. "It's breaking her bones now," he told Emma before turning to his mate. "It's crushing you from the inside-out. Carlisle, tell her what you told me. Tell her."
At Carlisle's hesitance, Bella assured him, "Carlisle, tell me. It's all right."
Emma stayed back with Edward as Carlisle approached Bella's shrunken form on the examination bed. "The fetus isn't compatible with your body," he told her carefully. "It's too strong. It won't allow you to get the proper nutrition you need. It's starving you by the hour. I can't stop it, and I can't slow it down." His voice was full of regret and sorrow as he told his new daughter-in-law the terrifying news. "At this rate, your heart will give out before you can deliver."
