The Phantom Wolf

Chapter 64 (Questions)

*3rd Person POV*

Over the next few days tensions within the coven rose significantly. Bella's condition had continued to worsen, which caused Carlisle to try and monitor her more closely. But Rosalie and Bree made that slightly more difficult for the coven leader, as they had become fiercely protective of the unborn child and the human.

Edward, Emmet and Pearl spent more time together. Edward just couldn't understand Bella's actions and needed to vent his frustrations to someone. Emmet offered to be that person, as he too, wasn't particularly supportive of this potential child. He understood his wife's view, he did. But, the uncertainty of it all was quite unnerving. Which was why he leaned more on Edwards side, with the coven's division. Pearl stuck close to the two, as she was not yet ready to face Bree. She wasn't willing to admit it to anyone other than Emmet, but everything that was said, had hurt her quite a bit. She tried to be understanding, but she didn't understand their choice either. Bella's actions, were incredibly questionable in her mind. She wanted to understand her, but found difficult to do so.

Pearl eventually came to the conclusion that she needed to speak with Bella alone. Without all the hostility and tension around, perhaps she'd finally be able to get to the bottom of this. So, Pearl waited for the perfect opportunity to talk to the human.

That opportunity came when Rosalie was talking to Emmet and Bree left the room Bella was in to go and do something. Pearl slipped into the room the human was sitting in, and addressing her kindly.

"Bella? Can I talk to you please?" Pearl gently asked.

Bella looked to the hybrid and nodded. Gesturing to the chair that stood opposite her. Pearl took the invite and sat down opposite the human.

Taking a moment to collect her thoughts, Pearl sighed. When she spoke, her words were carefully planned and her tone was soft. "I want to know what you're thinking. I'm not trying to judge you. I just want to understand your viewpoint."

Bella was cautious at first, but seeing the sincerity in Pearl's eyes made her smile softly. She answered quietly, yet determined. "I know this is crazy. But... I feel them inside me... and I just know, that they're not bad."

Pearl hummed, acknowledging the humans words, but remained quiet. She stared at her, lost in thought, until she eventually asks in a cautious manner. "What about Edward?"

Bella looks at her, confusion evident on her face. "What about him?" She asked.

Pearl sighed. "Bella. I don't think any of us, totally understand how you feel. But we're trying to. However, the way you've been behaving as of late, makes me think that you're not attempting to show Edward the same courtesy. You aren't hearing him out."

"What is there to hear out?" Bella got defensive. "He wants to kill our child."

"He doesn't see, this baby, as his child." Pearl spoke carefully, trying to keep Bella calm so that she could get her point across.

"Why not?" Bella remarks snidely.

Pearl took a deep breath in, before finally speaking her mind. "You believe that this child will be safe to be around. This child is growing in your body. You have every right to protect them. I'm not saying that what Edward and Carlisle tried to do was right. But I am saying that they have a right to their own opinion. Just like you do. And while you may be optimistic about this, that mindset is the complete opposite to Edward's." Then she quietly added, "As well as mine."

"You're against me keeping them?" Bella questioned under her breath. Pearl had not yet made her stance on the subject known to her, so Bella was slightly taken aback. Although Pearl hadn't actively defended her in front of the coven, she hadn't attacked her either, so Bella was of the belief that the hybrid was indifferent to it all.

"This is your choice. I didn't want to impose my view on you, especially when it was unnecessary to do so. Instead, I'll ask you the questions that have survived inside my head rent free since this whole thing started." Pearl spoke in a reassuring, yet firm tone.

"Okay..." Bella mumbled, willing to listen.

"Ignoring the situation of you, for now. If this baby was to be born, what would they be like? How would the vampire DNA affect the human cells? Will you give birth to an actual vampire baby? A baby that was frozen in time? Never aging past the new born phase? On the contrary, will it never stop aging? Will they grow and grow, until they become old and disheveled, eventually turning into dust? If that's the case, how long will they have on this earth? Will they have control over their thirst? Their strength? Their speed? Can we teach them? Will they be able to learn normally? Fit in, amongst humans and vampires alike? What dangers will come our way because of this child? Will we, be safe around this child? Would they pose a threat to us?" Pearl spoke calmly, never raising her voice, her tone only showing genuine concern and worry for the future.

Bella sat in silence. Taking in what Pearl was saying, and found herself wondering about those questions as well. She could see the concern. The path that she was on, was full of uncertainty, but she already loved her child, and she still believed deep down, that it would all work out.

"Now, what about you? With the rate your body is growing sicker, in conjunction with your growing pregnancy, you're unlikely to survive the birth. The chances of you meeting your child, is slim. Now, I know that their are members in this coven, that would gladly try to raise this child in your place, but would that make you happy? Bringing this child into this world, and not being able to see it through. Is that something you're okay with? And aside from that fact, you're 18. You've not exactly lived yet. You've not reached the age of 25, which is officially, the age that your body's cells start to deteriorate. Well, not deteriorate, but, more like slow down. The point is, you're still young. You're not gonna get a chance to experience a lot of things. At least, not with the way this is going." Pearl continued in a serious manner.

"You're hardly old enough to be telling me this, miss forever 16 years old." Bella said while smirking, forcing out a laugh at the end. Completely brushing off what Pearl had said.

Pearl ignored Bella's comment and proceeded to continue speaking her mind. Now broaching the other topic she believed needed to be highlighted. "Edward married you. He did that because he loves you. He wants to spend eternity, with you. As far as he's concerned, you've just spit on that promise by doing this."

Bella moved to interject, but Pearl put her hand in front of her, gesturing the human to wait until she was finished.

"You have a connection to this child. A bond, that already runs so deep that you are willing to give your life for them. But right now, Edward doesn't feel that bond. He doesn't feel connected to this child. He's only connected to you. And while you're willing to die for your baby, he's not willing to loose you. Bella, you mean the world to him. And as far as he's concerned, this child, is taking you away from him. And he doesn't like that." Pearl finishes.

Unsure of how to respond at first, Bella remained quiet. She could see why Edward was upset, but this baby was a miracle, why couldn't he be happy about the prospect of being a dad?

Seeing that Bella wasn't going to speak, Pearl said in a kind tone, "He wants his wife Bella. Just like Alice wants her best friend. They're acting out of character because they are so scared, to loose you... We all are."

Bella nods her head numbly at Pearl's words.

Realising that she had gotten through to her, Pearl stood up and started to walk away, wanting to leave the human with her thoughts. But Bella called out to her in a meek voice, stopping Pearl in her tracks.

"What do you think I should do? Whose side are you on?"

"I will support whatever decision you make, even if I don't agree with it. This is your body, your baby, and your choice. But in terms of what you should do, consider Edward's opinion. Taking his thoughts into consideration is a necessary step for the two of you. No matter what his opinion is Bella, it still matters. He is the father after all." Pearl said calmly.

Once Pearl finished speaking, she walked out of the room, leaving Bella alone with her thoughts. With the hybrid's own thoughts occupying her head, she failed to notice a certain vampire in the hall way, who had been listening in on their entire conversation.