Charlotte || Jacob Black & Paul Lahote

Thirty-Three: Just a Baby

I sat at the kitchen table, a book in hand and some radio show droning on in the background. Dad was at work, Jake was on patrol and Paul was on his way over. I'd still yet to tell my dad about the whole 2 boyfriends situation, but in all honestly, he hadn't asked either so. 

The phone blaring jolted me out of my story.

"Hello," I mumbled, frustration evident in my tone. 

"Charlotte?" a fairy like voice called. I hadn't heard from the Cullens since my birthday and that was a simple note. I hadn't actually heard their voices since the wedding, but there was no mistaking who this voice belonged to.

"Alice?" I questioned. I think that's the right name.

"It's Bella." My blood ran cold. What the fuck had she done this time? I think she's the only girl in the world who could go on a honeymoon and end up falling off a mountain.

"I don't know how to explain it, it's better you come here and see for yourself," before I could even answer her, she cut me off, "alone."

"Not a chance. If Bella wants me there that bad, she can have me with the wolves," I snapped.

"Fine," she hung up. What had she done?

"You okay Charl?" Paul's voice called as the front door clicked shut behind him. He was in the kitchen a second later, a hand on my face and another one holding the phone still in my hand.

"Princess, you okay?" He spoke softly, as he put the phone back and pulled my face up to make eye contact with him. 

"Jake, you need to get Jake," I murmured, my brain moving again. He just nodded, and I followed him out to the woods, allowing him to hand me his clothing. I was not complaining. 

I watched as he shifted, staying far back as he did. His wolf form was beautiful, and I stumbled over to cuddle into his fur as he communicated with Jake. A moment later, he pushed me away with his snout. 

"He's on his way," Paul's voice called as his human form reappeared. I just nodded, my eyes fixated on something else.

"Charlotte, are you gonna stop staring and give me my clothes?" I blushed brightly, but handed his clothes back to him. Disappointment coated my features as I watched him dress.

"Fuck!" I cried as Jake's wolf form came hurtling into me.

"Oh my god Charlotte! Oh my god, I'm so sorry," he stammered, pulling me onto my feet.

"You arse Jake," Paul snapped, pulling me towards him and brushing mud off my legs. He handed some shorts and a jumper over to Jake, who growled but accepted. 

"What's the problem?" Jake turned to me, his voice serious and eyes stern. Sexy.

"I don't know. Bella, the Cullen's told me to go over," I stammered out, full sentences not forming.

The two boys shared a look. I knew what they were thinking. Bella had treated me like crap, why do I care so much? I didn't know the answer myself, I really didn't know why I cared so much. But I did. 

"Come on then," Jake's warm hand led me out of the forest to the rabbit, which Paul had driven over. 

I sat in the back, letting Paul sit in the passenger seat. I didn't look at them, but I knew they were conversing. The pack hive mind didn't exist in human form, but somehow, Jake and Paul could converse when human. 

The drive felt long, longer than it ever had. And after centuries (or what felt like it) we pulled up outside the Cullen household.

"Charlotte, Jacob, Paul," Edward's sombre tone alarmed me. He looked pale, paler than usual. His eyes were jet black, which I knew signified hunger. I stepped closer to Paul, pressing my body against him.

"Please, change her mind for me. She's dying," Edward begged, pleading with me as he led us up the stairs and into the house. I didn't know what he meant and my mind raced as I followed. My knees got weaker and footsteps heavier as he mumbled rapidly, words like "dying" and "sick" sticking out like buzzwords.

"You're scaring her," Jake snapped, a tanned hand latching around the vampire. He looked unphased, not even bothering to snarl. He just lapsed into silence as he led us into the lounge. 

Bella, on first sight, looked human. It was only when she turned to look at me, peeking her head out from behind the blonde girl that she looked less human. Her eyes were swallowed by thick black rings, her hair was thin and dull, her skin was translucent and clung to her face, looking more like paper than flesh. In complete honesty, she looked like an alien. 

"You look like shit," I grinned, but it wasn't genuine.

"Don't be so fucking rude," the blonde girl snapped, her hands already reaching for me. But Jake was faster, pushing me behind him and growling back at her. Paul growled louder, his hands already wrapped around her arm.

"Let's all calm, shall we?" Carlisle spoke softly, interrupting the tension in the room.

"Rose, it's fine. They're protecting her," Bella sighed, her voice hoarse. She growled, but turned away, standing behind Bella instead of in front of her. The other vampires, each dotted around the room, drew closer. 

"Nice to see you too," Bella smirked, but it didn't meet her eyes. 

"What's wrong with you?" I asked, my eyes scanning her skinny frame. I could only really see her neck, head, and hands - the rest of her being covered in blankets. 

"Rose, do you wanna help me up?" She reached out for the blonde,  untangling herself from the blanket nest. She stood shakily, revealing a very bruised, very swollen abdomen. I think Paul retched.

"What the fuck is that?" 

"It's your nephew!" She cheered, her eyes lighting up for the first time since I had arrived.

"It's his?" I gaped, hands gesturing to the leech stood by the doorway.

"What is it?" Jake snapped, the stern alpha-ness taking over. He pulled me closer to him, a hand wrapped around my shoulder. Paul drew closer as well, a shield between me and the vampires.

"We don't know, we didn't even know it was possible. Ultrasounds, needles, they won't reach it," Carlisle explained. I was still fixated on the bruised bump, which Bella was now hiding beneath a blanket. 

"I can't see it either, I can't see Bella's future," Alice piped up, her tone scared.

"All's we know is that it's strong and fast growing," Carlisle explained.

"Get rid of it!" Jake snarled. 

"This is none of your business dog," The blonde growled.

"It is, it's a threat to the pack and to humans," Paul snarked back. I was proud of him for keeping his cool so well, but it was faltering. I could feel the heat rolling off of him in waves. 

"Rose! All this fighting isn't good for Bella," the mother vampire scolded.

"The thing isn't good for Bella, she's on her fucking deathbed," I snapped.

"It's a baby! Just a little baby!" The blonde screeched.

"Babies don't do that!" I shouted, referring to her malnourished body.

"Carlisle, you've gotta do something," Jake argued.

"No! It's not his decision, or any of yours," Bella's words were final, unwavering. With that, we left. We left in silence, each of us thinking as we did. We didn't return to my house, instead we made the longer journey to La Push, pulling up outside the Uley residence. What usually felt like home, right now felt unsafe and scary. I already knew their answer to this beast, get rid of it now. Even whilst it's still in my sister.