On the way back to the Cullens, Evie debriefed Sarah and Aaron about the situation and Bella’s critical state. When Evie, Sarah and Aaron finally arrived at the Cullen's house, the others were all inside, in the living room. And the moment the shifters entered, everything fell quiet. They must have all been so caught up in their conversation that they hadn't noticed the two other scents. They were all gathered around Bella, maybe discussing her future.
"Sarah!" Seth exclaimed as he rushed and tackled her into a warm hug. No one couldn't hold their smiles seeing them. Seeing such a cute and childish love was refreshing in this situation.
"They left Sam and joined us," Evie informed, going to stand next to Jacob.
Aaron immediatly joined Leah's side. He passed his arm around her waist as she slightly leaned against him. Even if she wasn't showing that much of emotions, Evie knew her older sister was relieved to see her mate. She had no desire to fight him and now that he was with her, they could be together. It was a weight lifted from her shoulders.
"Thank you for your help. It means a lot," Carlisle said, grateful.
"No problem. It was the right thing to do," Sarah said.
"The odds are turning into our favor," Esmee smile.
Now that they were more, maybe they could stand a chance against Sam and his pack. Maybe having shifters on the Cullens' would make him reconsider. But Evie knew better than that. She knew it wouldn't be that easy, that she was just having false hopes. Only a miracle would stop the upcoming battle.
"What were you doing before we arrived?" Evie asked.
"Bella is getting weaker," Esmee answered. "We need to find a way to get some food into her system,"
Bella's bones were breaking. She was in such a bad state that Carlisle wasn't really confident in her survival. He actually thought that she wouldn't even make it until the birthing. But knowing Bella she was stubornly holding into hope. It was all she had left. She wanted to deliver that baby. But considering she couldn't even eat, it was hard to believe.
"If I could only see the fetus," Alice muttered, worried for her friends.
"The baby," Rosalie corrected.
Evie softly looked at Rosalie. It was hard to believe that a few months ago, she couldn't even handle the sight of Bella. But Rosalie had always wanted to be a mother. To have a family of her own with Emmett. And that was taken away from her when she became a vampire. Because female vampire can not conceive. So to her, Bella being pregnant of Edward, vampire, must be some sort of miracle. And without knowing it, Rosalie was projecting her old dream onto Bella. She wanted Bella to have what she couldn't have. If only Rosalie could have that too...
"Maybe I could figure out what it wants," Alice ended, ignoring her sister.
Evie observed Bella attentively. She was pale and more than skinny. She was weak and her heart rate slow. No food was getting into her system. She was hardly looking human. It was as if she was drained of her blood. Maybe it was that? After all, the baby was half.
"I think you might be right," Edward suddenly said, bringing Evie back to earth. The Clearwater looked at him but the vampire was already staring at her. "Evie just had an idea,"
Then all the eyes moved to the middle child of the Clearwater family. She felt quite embarrassed to have all eyes on her. It was just a guesse, an idea. They were all so desperate for a solution, she didn't want to give them false hopes.
"Well, it's just an hypothesis," Evie saidm
"What were you thinking?" Carlisle gently asked. He was always so kind and patient. It reassured Evie.
"Well, we are all treating the baby as if it was fully human," Evie started as everyone listened to her with attention. "But that is not how genetics work. A child is half the mother, half the father. So the baby is half-human, half-vampire. And if human food doesn't work, then maybe he wants... vampire food,"
"Blood," Jacob realised.
"He’s thirsty," Bella realised too.
"I know the feeling," Emmett joked.
"If it’s craving, it’s not gonna want animal blood," Carlisle said. "I have some O negative laid aside for Bella,"
The doctor left for a few second before coming back with a blood back. Evie couldn't help but grimaced and looked away. She didn't really like the sight of blood. And as a shifter, she was immensly repulsed by the idea of drinking it. And it was even worse consedering the fact that it wasn't animal blood. It was human. Surely legally taken, but it was still human nevertheless.
Carlisle poured the blood into a cup for Bella to drink.
"Wait! Wait! Wait! You’re gonna make her drink that?" Jacob panicked. He too must be very uncomfortable by the thought of it. And looking around, Evie noticed how all the shifters were grimacing or looking away while the Cullens stood unfazed.
"It’s the fastest way to test the theory," Carlisle reasoned.
Edward took the cup from his father's hand and sat next to Bella.
"Only if you’re comfortable with it," the vampire said.
"I’ll try anything," she said. Bella took the cup and brought it her lips.
When Evie saw the thick dark red liquid sliding to Bella’s mouth, the shifter almost gaged. She couldn't help but look away and took hold of Jacob's arm. Feeling him by her side comforted her. Unconsciously, Jacob wrapped his arms around her waist and brought her towards him into a side hug. Evie leaned into the embrace and rest her face onto his shoulder. She focused onto his breathing and his touch, trying to forget the nature of Bella's liquor. Jacob's presence was doing a fairly great job on calming her down and reassuring her. Evie felt at ease, at peace. She didn't want him to let go. And she didn't want it either.
"It tastes…," Bella started. "Good,"
Edward smiled at her as Bella drunk more of the blood. Evie didn't know if she could ever get use to that.
"Your pulse is already getting stronger," Carlisle said as he checked on Bella. "It’s working,"
"You had a great idea," Esmee complimented Evie as she gently patted her back.
"I just paid attention to biology class," Evie joked as she smiled. She was happy to have been useful.
By the day, Bella’s state was already getting better. And she looked better. Not extraordinary and healthy, but better than a walking skeleton with skin on. And the improvment had a good impact also on the moral of the team. Everyone was very less worried and more confident in her survival.
The Black pack was as usual guarding the house. Seth and Sarah inside the house, probably chatting and messing around. But no one was mad or frustrated. Seeing the two yougest having fun was actually lightning everyone's mood. It was making them forget the awfully situation they were in. It was giving them a sense of normality.
Leah and Aaron were patrolling around the house, making sure no unwanted person was there. It also allowed them to have some time just the two of them.
Evie was outside the house, at the tree line. It was calm. She felt as if it had been a long time since she wasn't engulfed in calmness. Everything just shifted and happened so quickly. Everything was getting better and boom! A new supernatural unexpected and improbable situation happened. But she was used to it by now. Since she first shifted monthes ago, it had never been simple and calm. There was always something. So sometimes, Evie just enjoy calmness and the beautiful and peaceful music of nature. Thinking about it, it had been a long time since she hadn't gone cliff diving. But now she didn't really have the time. But maybe she could go after everything is settled? With Jacob? Maybe?
Their relationship had improved pretty well recently. He was present for her. But the biggest change was in his general attitude. He seemed calmer and at peace. He wasn't looking constantly bothered, or serious, or troubled. But he was looking at ease. He would smile more, talk more with the Cullens even though he would he awkward at time, and wouldn't always make snide comments. He made none even. It was pleasant to see. Evie loved seeing him like this. He was feeling better in his skin.
"Hey," she heard. Evie turned toward the house. Jacob was making his way towards her.
"Hey," she smiled at him. "Something new?"
"No," he shook his head. "But Bella called her father. She's keeping him away until it's all settled,"
"What did she told him?" Evie asked, quite worried.
"That she was going to a medical center in Switzerland," Jacob said.
"What?!" She widened her eyes. Evie sighed and leaned against a tree.
"Hey, you know she is not actually going to Switzerland," Jacob said as he took her hand, in hope to reassure her and show some confort.
"I know, I know, it's just...," Evie sighed again. "I'm thinking about Charlie, it must be hard for him,"
"You're worried for him?" Jacob asked. Evie nodded.
"Well, you know, Charlie is a very kind and great guy," Evie said. "Seth and I used to always play with him when we were younger. We wanted rides in a police car, try his police cap or jacket. And he would always let us. And after my father's death, he used to visit us a lot to check on us. He was a very great help to me through the mourning. I felt alone but Charlie was there. I used to talk with him and ask him about stories about my dad. I used to think I was bothering him but thinking about it, I think it was a good thing for him too,"
"What do you mean?" Jacob frowned, genuinely interested.
"Well, he was smiling more," Evie noticed, thinking of the many times she would converse with Charlie at the diner.
"He was before, wasn't he?" Jacob asked, confused.
"He was mostly stressed," Evie said. "The last time he was smiling so much was the days before Bella arrived in Forks,"
"Oh yeah, I remember," Jacob laughed. "He wouldn't stop talking about how his little girl was finally coming back home,"
But then, Jacob's smile slowly faded. It was indeed the last time Charlie was smiling broadly. And then it hit him.
"He feels lonely," Jacob realised. Evie nodded.
"Charlie had always been lonely, taking care of the city," Evie continued. "When Bella arrived, he thought it would change and could bond with his only daughter again. But then, you know... vampires, shifters, and everything. Bella left for Arizona, then travelled to Italy, then got married and left for the honeymoon,"
"And now she's supposed to leave for Switzerland," Jacob said. Evie nodded. "He never had a moment with her. And after Bella will be turned, I doubt he will ever see her again,"
"It's like Bella's arrival in Forks hadn't change anything to his situation and he still feels lonely," Evie continued. "I'm not saying it's Bella’s fault. She met her mate, the love of her life and wants to be happy with him. She has the right to be happy. And Charlie needs to be kept away to be protected. But since he is kept in the dark, he must feel terribly lonely. I just hope he'll be alright,"
"You are incridebly empathetic," Jacob softly smiled. "You care for him a lot,"
"Well, he was there for me when I needed it. And he will possibly become my step dad so,"
"Really?" Jacob exclaimed, shocked. Evie chuckled but nodded.
"Like I said, he used to visit us after my dad's death. But since the wedding, Charlie and my mom got a lot more closer," Evie softly smiled as she remembered the moment Charlie offered a drink to her mother. "He visits her at the hospital, she visits him at the police station, and he even calls at home sometimes. I think my mom makes him feel alive. And he makes her feel alive too. I'm happy they found each other. They deserve to be happy and have someone to love and be loved. They are getting a lot better since they started spending time together. And Charlie is a great guy, I'm not worried for my mom. The only thing is...," Evie looked at Jacob but then looked away he frowned.
"What?" He asked, confused.
"It's just- if he dates my mother, or eventually marries her... She'll have to lie to her... you know...,"
"The pack," he understands.
"And I would too. Seth and Leah too," Evie said. "I'm just worried how it would turn out. You saw how it turned out with me,"
They all distanced themselves to her to protect her and it didn't ended well.
"Then you'll tell him when the time comes," Jacob said. Evie stared at him, bewildered.
"Are you serious?" Evie asked, shocked.
"Yeah, my pack, my rules," he joked. Evie couldn't help but giggle. "Joke aside, I've leaned from past lessons. And if it’s really serious between your Sue and Charlie. If it will last, then he will be part of your family. And as such, he has a right to know who we truly are,"
"You're actually serious?"
"Yeah. We had rules but they needs to be updated,"
Evie smiled broadly as she threw herself into Jacob's arms. He chuckled and wrapped his arms around her waist. Evie was happy that thing would be different in this new pack. They had all learned from past mistakes. And they wouldn't make the same again. The Black pack would be different than the Uley one.
The Clearwater girl pulled away. But as she looked up, she froze. Her eyes looked with Jacob's. His face was incredebly closed to hers, only a few centimeters away. His nose was slightly brushing hers as she could feel his hot breath on her lips. Suddenly, Evie felt her heart missing a beat then doubled its pace inside her chest. She felt mesmerized by Jacob's brown irises. But then, they moved. His eyes traveled on her face, studying her beautiful features and then stopped on lips. Evie's eyes moved down to his lips as well. She was craving to taste them once more. She wanted to crash her lips against him so bad, to feel his touch. And as if he read her mind, Jacob leaned down, getting closer and closer at an infuriating slow pace. His lips softly brushed hers. And then-