Chapter Text
Bella's condition was deteriorating rapidly. Each passing day saw her growing frailer while the baby within her expanded and grew stronger. Despite Carlisle’s relentless efforts and numerous check-ups, it seemed that little could be done to halt the grim progression.
It was late in the night, as Bella lay resting, that Carlisle scrutinized the ultrasounds with renewed intensity. The familiar contours of a developing head were clear, presumably that of either Renesmee or EJ. Yet, beneath this primary outline, another curve was unmistakably visible. From Carlisle’s extensive knowledge, it was unmistakably a knee. Desperately, he rifled through the medical papers, seeking confirmation of his growing concern.
Hours later, Alice burst into Carlisle’s study, her expression a mask of urgent anxiety. Carlisle’s premonitions were confirmed by her arrival.
“What have you seen, Alice?” he asked, his voice laced with concern as she paced, her hands trembling.
“There’s a second one,” Alice murmured, her brow furrowing. “Bella is pregnant with twins.” Carlisle’s initial suspicions had been correct; there was indeed another child yet unseen.
“Yes, I suspected as much,” Carlisle admitted, running a hand over the ultrasounds once more. “I needed verification.” He gestured toward Alice, his gratitude apparent.
“Do they know?” Alice asked, her voice softening.
“I don’t believe so, but they will soon enough. I’ll inform them tomorrow, unless Bella goes into labor before then, in which case they will discover it themselves,” Carlisle resolved, organizing Bella’s test results and medical reports with a sense of finality.
“Carlisle,” Alice’s voice trembled, “do you think they’ll be happy?” The question struck Carlisle as peculiar. If they had been overjoyed by the pregnancy, why would the news of twins alter their happiness? Over the years, he and Esme had come to yearn for their own family, and this desire extended to Edward and Bella as well. Yet, something in Alice’s tone suggested deeper unease.
“Of course they will be,” he reassured, though a shadow of doubt lingered in his mind. The love he felt for his children, whether biological or not, was boundless. Yet, he couldn’t shake the feeling that Alice knew something unsettling. How could Edward, whom he had known for over a century, and Bella, who had fought so fiercely for her family, harbor any resentment or neglect towards their children?
Alice merely nodded, lost in her thoughts as she left to continue her day.
As the night descended, the family prepared to hunt. Jacob had skillfully arranged the hunt to avoid potential conflict with the pack, which could deplete their strength more than they could afford. Thus, Carlisle, Emmett, Esme, Jasper, and Alice set out, leaving Edward and Rosalie behind to care for Bella.
Inside Bella’s fragile body, the twins sensed each heartbeat from the outside world. They felt their father’s hand resting on their mother’s abdomen, heard his voice, especially directed toward one of them. The other was nearly invisible, but given their circumstances, they focused on the comfort of their parents' presence. Yet, an intense thirst overwhelmed them—a primal craving for blood that grew increasingly insatiable. The scent of blood tantalized them before fading away, leaving them with an acute, uncontrollable hunger. They acted on instinct, driven by their desperate need.
Bella’s back broke with a sharp snap as a cup fell and shattered. Jasper and the others were far enough not to be disturbed, while Rosalie and Edward, consumed with concern for Bella and the baby, could not focus on the blood. They had to induce labor quickly, for Bella’s life hung in the balance.
The delivery was harrowing. Blood and pain were abundant, their focus wavering. One heartbeat grew stronger and more resonant, while the other grew faint. As one baby emerged, bathed in the harsh light and overwhelming scents, the room fell silent.
“She’s beautiful,” Bella murmured, her eyes squinting in the light. “Renesmee.” Isabella, her strength waning, managed a faint, tearful smile.
Edward’s brow furrowed in admiration, too enthralled by his child’s birth to distinguish the faint heartbeat of the second twin. Rosalie detected the second heartbeat almost instantly. After handing the first baby to Rosalie for cleaning, he found his wife’s barely living body. The fury in his eyes sparked an animalistic reaction from him as he began biting and pleading at Bella’s body. Hidden in the shadows was the second baby—smaller, more concealed, barely alive. Rosalie clawed at his brother, trying to get him to stop.
”There’s another.” She cried, shaking Edward by his shoulders. But the man was too far gone to care. Edward left the room covered in blood and tears rolling down his eyes. Now alone, Rosalie heard only that faint heartbeat of the babe, Bella’s had already ceased, though her skin seemed to get brighter and tighter. She was in transition.
Rosalie clawed and pulled trying hard to reach for the second babe. A girl.
“You were hidden, but you’re just as beautiful.” She whispered faintly, yet encouraging enough for the baby to reach out and gently touch her cheek. As she did, Rosalie felt something spark inside her, but as fast as it had come it left.
When the family returned from the hunt, Rosalie had just put the twins to sleep. Rushing downstairs, she met Carlisle at the front door, her face a mix of excitement and gravity.
“Bella gave birth to twin girls,” she began, her smile widening as the family erupted in joyous cheers and embraces. “Both are upstairs, But I cannot find Edward and Bella is in transition.” Carlisle followed Rosalie, a silent command for her to lead him to the babies.
By the door, Rosalie whispered, “She’s gifted, I’m certain of it. I cannot say what her ability may be, but she has a unique power.” Carlisle, intrigued, awaited further details. “The baby touched me and I felt-” she quieted for a second. “I do not know, I just felt it.” Carlisle nodded before entering the room.
Rosalie cradled the babies, her smile radiating contentment. The children appeared nearly as developed as if they were months old rather than newborns. Rosalie’s heart swelled with a maternal joy she had longed for.
Jacob’s arrival was heralded by the unmistakable scent of wet dog. Rosalie, though initially skeptical, turned to find Jacob on his knees, tears in his eyes, entranced by Renesmee. His gaze was fixed, overwhelmed by the bond he felt with her.
“Jacob?” Rosalie inquired, her voice a mixture of realization and concern. “Why don’t you hold her?” Rosalie suggested, her internal conflict yielding to a deep-seated understanding of the importance of imprinting. Her own romantic memories made her sympathetic to the significance of such bonds.
Jacob stood, his hands shaking slightly. Renesmee’s eyes never left him, and her small hand rested on his cheek. Rosalie resumed her seat, holding the second baby, and smiled warmly as the child’s tiny hand explored her face.
“Twins?” Jacob’s voice broke the silence. He looked at the second baby, her features similar yet distinct from Renesmee’s. Rosalie nodded, her smile unwavering. The room filled with a serene quiet as they cherished the moment. Carlisle immediately noted Jacob’s imprint on Renesmee. Observing Rosalie’s beaming smile as she held the second child, he leaned closer to her.
“How is she?” he asked gently, captivated by the child’s beauty. Rosalie’s smile grew as the baby reached out to her, laughing and trying to grasp her.
“She’s perfect,” Rosalie hummed. “How is Bella?”
“She will wake soon,” Carlisle replied, his tone suggesting that Bella would soon join them as a vampire. “We must choose a name for you little one,” he said, his smile widening as he held the child’s hand, feeling a spark of connection. “Adreana.” He whispered to the child’s ear, earning a warm smile back from her, and when she opened her eyes Carlisle gasped at the pale es of them. Blue as the winter sky.