After Emmett's playful display, we made our way back to the house, laughter still bubbling between us as we walked through each room. His antics had successfully diverted my thoughts from my inner turmoil, for which I was grateful. The following day, I joined Alice, Rosalie, and Esme for a girl's shopping trip. It was a delightful outing, filled with camaraderie and the joy of doing something together. I cherished these moments spent with them.
As the days passed, it soon became the second week since Bella went on her honeymoon. I found myself wondering if she was truly enjoying her time away. Gaining the full experience of her time away with Edward. Because once she came back, it was all going to change for her.

I did spend some time at my own house with my Grams. We talked and did the normal activities we usually do. After spending half of the day with her, I made my way back to the Cullens, as Emmett and I had planned something to do tonight. The drive was peaceful and soothing. The trees grew denser, surrounding me in every direction. By now, I knew the way like the back of my hand.

As I turned up the driveway, the Cullens' house came into view, and I continued driving toward it. To my surprise, they were all outside, as if they had been expecting me. I knitted my eyebrows together in confusion, not anticipating such a welcoming committee. Once I had pulled up and parked the car, I turned off the engine and looked up to see their expressions. Concern and worry were etched into their flawless skin, and their eyes made my stomach twist into a knot. A wave of worry washed over me.

I exited the car swiftly, slamming the door shut. As I came around, my eyes flickered between them all. "What's wrong?" I questioned, my gaze briefly meeting each of theirs before finally landing on Emmett's.

"It's Bella," he began, and I stopped a few inches in front of him, arching an eyebrow.

"Is she alright?" I asked, my words rushed as concern pulsed through my veins.

"She's... pregnant," Emmett said carefully, watching my reaction. I stared at him for a moment, unsure whether to believe him. "They're on their way home," he continued when I didn't respond. I was still processing the news.

"I... I thought," I began, stumbling over my words. "I thought vampires couldn't procreate." My eyes instantly flickered over to Carlise, as he was kind of the expert on this.

"We don't know what it is," Carlisle's words hung in the air, making my stomach churn. The uncertainty in his voice was unsettling.

"I can't see Bella's future anymore either," Alice added, her voice tinged with worry. I turned to look at her, seeing the clear disturbance on her face.

"I'll call my Grams. I'll get her to come here," I said, my words spilling out in a rush. My hands trembled as I fumbled into my jeans pocket and pulled out my phone. My eyes focused intently on the screen as I scrolled through my contacts, finding my Grams' number within seconds. I pressed 'call' and held the phone to my ear, listening to the ringing sound. "Come on, come on," I muttered under my breath, spinning around to face outward into the forest, feeling my heart race against my chest. The anticipation was almost unbearable as I waited for her to pick up.

"Hello," she answered.

"Grams!" I exclaimed, cutting her off. "I need you to come to the Cullens... There's... I'll explain when you get here." The urgency in my voice was enough to convey the seriousness of the situation.

"I'll be right there," she confirmed without hesitation. She didn't need the details; if I needed her, she would always come. Then she hung up. I turned back to face the Cullens, my heart pounding. "She might know something," I said, clinging to a glimmer of hope. My Grams had a wealth of knowledge, much more than I did. If anyone had come across something like this before, it would be her. She had read countless books and accumulated so much wisdom over the years. She was our best chance at understanding what was happening to Bella.

Emmett gently guided me inside, his hand reassuringly on my back. We all convened on the first floor, where Esme had kindly prepared a glass of ice-cold water for me. I accepted it with a grateful smile and took a sip, feeling the chill calm my nerves. I settled on the sofa with Emmett beside me, his presence a comforting anchor. The others were scattered around the room, their expressions mirroring my own concern. My mind was occupied with thoughts of Bella and the implications of her unexpected pregnancy. What did this mean for her? For all of us? The unknowns were daunting, and I hoped desperately that my Grams would have some answers.

"What's wrong?" My Gram's voice cut through the air, snapping me back to reality. I lifted my gaze from the floor, noticing Carlisle moving to stand beside Esme again. My Grams had stopped just a few inches away, her eyes quickly scanning the room. She took in the sombre expressions on everyone's faces before finally locking eyes with me.

I couldn't bring myself to stand; my legs felt too weak to support me at that moment. The silence hung heavy around us, and my Grams stared at me, waiting for an answer.

"Bella's pregnant," I finally managed to say, the words heavy with uncertainty and concern.

"That's impossible," my Grams replied swiftly, her tone dismissing the idea as if it were utterly ludicrous. "Vampires can't... reproduce," she paused, searching for the right words to express her disbelief. "Are you certain?" Grams took her gaze over to Carlisle.

"Alice can no longer see Bella's future, and she swore something moved within her," Carlisle announced, his voice weighted with concern. "Charlotte thought you might have some knowledge?" he asked, the question hanging in the air, hopeful that she might provide insight.

All eyes fixated on my Grams, seeking guidance, but her expression hardened into stern resolve. "I'm sorry, but Bella will not survive this," she stated matter-of-factly.

"Grams!" I blurted out in disbelief, my voice cracking with emotion. Her eyes snapped to mine, holding a weight of certainty.

"I'm sorry, Charlotte," she started cautiously, keeping her distance. "If this is true," her gaze remained fixed on me, a warning resonating in her words, "it will kill her, and there's nothing we can do."

"Are you not even going to try?" The question cut through the air, my voice rising as I set the cup down and stood up from the table. "We have magic. We can do impossible things. So why is helping Bella with this any different from growing trees with a single word?" I took a few purposeful steps forward, closing the distance until I stood just inches away from my Grams, my voice steady and resolute. "We can keep her alive,"

"No, we can't," she asserted firmly, maintaining her stern tone. "We are not gods, Charlotte. We can't decide who lives. Nature has balance, and you know that," she scolded gently as if reminding me of lessons long taught.

"I won't stand by and watch my best friend die!" I declared, my voice rising with frustration. The thought of my Grams refusing to help was unsettling; it wasn't like her to turn away from someone in need. "Grams, please. I'm begging you," I pleaded, my voice softening with desperation. She held more knowledge than me and had access to the family Grimoire.

"I'm sorry, Charlotte," her voice softened, and I knew she wasn't going to change her mind on the matter. Tears welled up in my eyes, a dull ache spreading through my chest. I never imagined this rift between us, my heart breaking at the realisation.

"No, you're not," I jabbed at her, tears now streaming down my face freely. "My mom would have helped," I said, delivering another jab as pain crossed her face. She opened her mouth to speak, but I stormed around her and out of the room before she could say another word.

I let my feet carry me instinctively, each step heavy with emotion. The front door of the Cullens' house slammed shut behind me, punctuating my retreat. The path to the meadow I had created beckoned, a place where I could find peace. Tears continued to stream down my face, a steady cascade of emotion accompanying me as I sought refuge in that familiar, calm space.

Once I arrived at the meadow, my legs gave out beneath me, unable to support the crushing weight in my chest. It felt like the air was being squeezed from my lungs, each breath a struggle against an invisible force. Without warning, I collapsed to my knees, the soft earth catching me as sobs tore from my lips. My heart ached with a raw, unrelenting pain. She had always been there for me and always helped when I needed it, but now, when I needed her the most, she abandoned me. The realisation hit me with the force of a tidal wave, breaking me down further with every wave of anguish.

I sat in the meadow and wailed, my tears flowing endlessly. My lips quivered with the intensity of my sobs. Despite the overwhelming grief, one thought remained clear in my mind: I wasn't going to let Bella die, no matter what it took.

......................
The Cullens and Pauline watched as Charlotte left the room and heard her descend the stairs, the slam of the door echoing through the house.
"I'm sorry," Pauline said, turning her attention back to everyone in the room. "The type of magic she wants to do," she began, shivering at the mere thought. "I won't let her" Her voice was strong and resolute, as she shook her head from side to side. She would rather die than let Charlotte be poisoned by such malevolence.

"She won't be alone, and we were never let anything happen to her," Emmett's strong voice echoed through the room as he stood up from the couch, his eyes locked on Pauline.

"I know that, truly," she began, genuinely believing they wouldn't let anything happen to Charlotte. "But witchcraft isn't just one thing; it takes on many forms. What she wants to achieve by keeping Bella alive. She would have to tap into a dark place to do it. Once she opens that door, it can never be closed," Pauline explained, her eyes flickering between them all. "It will get into her heart, it will fester and grow, and change how she thinks. The darkness will consume her," Pauline said, her fear evident. The Cullens could see how deeply distressed she was at the thought of her granddaughter being consumed by that darkness.

"I don't think she'll listen," Rosalie voiced her concern, her eyes flickering between everyone. "Charlotte is selfless. She would put her own life on the line to save any of us." Her tone was firm, reflecting their shared experiences. "She's already proven it—she stayed and fought with us against the newborn army, knowing she could be killed. She did it for Bella and for all of us." Rosalie concluded.

"She got that from her mother," Pauline stated, her expression momentarily saddened as she recalled her daughter. A faint smile tugged at the corner of her lips. "And I know she won't listen to me, but she might listen to you," Pauline's eyes scanned the room, including everyone in her statement.
"What would you like us to do?" Esme's voice drifted gently through the air, her eyes locking onto Pauline's.

"Discourage her," Pauline stated firmly. "Find another way to save Bella," Pauline urged, and the Cullens nodded in agreement. They loved Charlotte as their own; she was part of their family now.

Without another word, Pauline spun around, her steps echoing lightly on the staircase as she descended. Each member of the Cullen family exchanged glances filled with concern and determination. They were torn; they didn't want to see Charlotte sacrifice her innocence to save Bella, fearing it might harm her. However, they were also willing to go to any length to assist Bella and find out what was happening to her.

****************