✓ | ESCAPE → alec volturi

Chapter Twenty One

Jumelle waited in suspense for everyone's reactions. The entire room was silent. Jumelle held her breath as she waited. Carlisle's face fell as he realised nobody seemed to share his excitement. Esme threw her granddaughter a reassuring look, telling Jumelle that it just took a few minutes to sink in.

"Are you sure?" were the first words from Alec's mouth as he rushed to Jumelle's side. He grabbed her hand.

Jumelle grinned. "Positive."

He grinned and laughed heartily. "You're pregnant. With our baby."

Jumelle nodded. "I am."

She turned away from Alec as she met the judgemental looks of my family. Emmett, of course, was the first to speak up.

"Well ... I never saw that coming," he grumbled. "It doesn't sound like a pleasant experience in my head, but what do I know? I've never been in this situation. Congrats, little niece."

Jumelle laughed. "Thanks, Em."

Alice was next.

"Well, unlike this doofus, I saw it coming," she chirped. "Can I help with names? Pretty please?"

Jumelle laughed at Alice's typical attitude. "I don't know about that. It's way too soon, and besides, I'd rather let Alec help me out, since he's kind of the father."

Alice's face fell. "Fair enough," she said, somewhat deflated. Jasper chuckled at his wife's attitude as he wrapped his arm around her waist.

"Congratulations, Jumelle. Alec."

Jumelle nodded. "Thanks, Jazz."

He nodded and led Alice back to their loveseat.

Jane walked over and stood before the couple, her lips pursed. Alec tensed, seeming to not want Jane's reaction most of all. She opened her mouth to speak but seemed to change her mind at the last minute as she closed her mouth again.

"Well, I'm thrilled," Carlisle spoke up as nobody else seemed to be registering it very quickly. "I'm going to be a great-grandfather!"

Jumelle chuckled. "And you said I make you feel old. You're doing this to yourself, grandpa."

He grimaced again. "Alright, stop it. I feel exceptionally old now."

Esme chuckled at her husband.

Jumelle waited with baited breath as Jane opened her mouth once more.

"I'm happy," she said simply.

Alec's eyes widened. "I'm sorry, what?"

"I'm happy," she repeated. "I'm glad. I've been waiting for you two to actually get something out of this relationship. It was killing me back in Volterra."

"Yeah, I've been waiting too," Jumelle chuckled. "But it never happened."

Alec bit his lip. "Sorry, but I kinda have no control over this sort of thing, Jane. It's kind of out of my hands."

Jane nodded. "I understand fully," she said quickly. "I'm just voicing my opinion on the matter, and I'm happy for you, brother." She clapped him on the back.

"I'm pretty much the same as she is," Renesmee spoke up.

"Me three," Rosalie murmured from the corner she was standing in next to Seth. Jane walked back over to the pair and stood beside Seth. Seth nodded, giving Jumelle a knowing look. Jumelle nodded in return with a small smile.

"Don't think I forgot what we had, Seth," she said quietly. "Because I assure you, I remember everything. Memory of a vampire, remember?"

Seth nodded as he frowned. "Why, Elle?" he whispered. He sounded pained.

Jumelle shrugged. "I really don't know. But I figured out it was Marie the whole time. It wasn't on purpose, Seth, I would never--"

"I know," he cut me off. "I know." He nodded again. Jumelle sighed in relief.

She turned to my parents, who looked thoughtful. They shared a look, clearly sharing thoughts. Edward nodded and took a deep breath as he stood up. He walked over to the couple agonisingly slowly. Jumelle waited with baited breath.

"Well," he sighed finally. He ran a hand through his hair. "I really have no words to offer you."

"Dad, I swear, we didn't--"

"I know," he cut me off. "I know you, Jumelle, and you never would've done something like this on purpose. But it is what it is, and I have to say that I'm glad."

Jumelle blinked. "I'm sorry, what?" she repeated Alec's earlier words.

"I'm glad," Edward repeated.

"Are you the same dad as when I announced I was pregnant?" Renesmee spoke up. "Because I swear this was not the reaction I got."

"Yes, well, the father of your child tried to steal my reason for existing once upon a time," Edward snapped in response. Renesmee clenched her jaw, not saying another word. Edward turned back to Alec and Jumelle.

He sighed, running his hand through his hair again. "I just ... I don't want to lose you. This isn't the same as your mother. You aren't a full human. You can't be changed." His voice cracked at the end.

Jumelle opened her mouth. She paused. She never thought about the cons of this situation. What if she didn't make it? Like her father said, she couldn't be changed because the venom would most likely kill her. The child would most likely be either three-quarters vampire or more.

"Dad," Jumelle said quietly. "I know this seems bad. But look on the bright side. Please," she added as her father opened his mouth. "I know you're scared. I am too, now that you've pointed out the morbid truth for me. But trust me when I say this: I am strong. I will make it. I promise."

Edward shook his head as he pulled his daughter into a hug.

"Don't make promises you can't keep, Jumelle."