Bella settled into the kitchen, finding comfort on the couch positioned conveniently near the balcony door. Rosalie stayed close by her side, offering silent support. Meanwhile, the rest of us gathered in the small library of the house, poring over every book and text we could find about vampire children, seeking any clue that might shed light on Bella's predicament.

I heard Jake return and engage Bella in conversation, but he eventually left, unable to sway her from her decision about the baby. I admired her unwavering strength and optimism, holding onto hope that she would pull through and be turned at the last possible moment.

By now, I've pored over my Grimoire countless times, flipping through pages filled with spells, yet none seemed applicable or beneficial. Every spell within was meant for good, with none intended to cause harm. I needed a spell that would keep someone from death, to keep them alive. But I wasn't going to get my answers within this Grimoire. And getting anything from my Grams was out of the question...

An hour or two passed as I attended to Bella alongside Rosalie, who rarely left her side. There wasn't much we could do. She was barely eating, so she had to be on the fluids Carlisle recommended.

"You and Emmett seem happy," Bella remarked, causing me to glance over at her. She had my Grimoire in her lap, flipping through the pages and marvelling at the spells.

I couldn't help but smile softly at her. "We are," I responded, my gaze drifting for a moment as the smile on my face couldn't be contained.
"I can't wait to see you in twenty years, and you're both still together and in love," Bella added innocently. But suddenly, my smile faded, and my gaze disconnected from hers. She noticed my sudden change in demeanour. "What's the matter?" she asked, her eyebrows furrowing together as I met her gaze again.

"Nothing," I said, shaking my head and forcing a smile. "Right now, my only focus is you," I replied. I didn't want to think about the future just yet. Not until it was unavoidable. Even then, I wasn't sure I'd be ready to face it.

"Save some for yourself," Bella responded quickly, offering me a knowing smile. She understood the kind of person I was and how far I would go for her.
All I could do was nod, watching as she lowered her head and flipped the crisp page of my Grimoire to the next spell. Suddenly, I noticed Jacob and Edward rushing into another room together, which piqued my curiosity. Excusing myself, I got up and followed them.

I followed Jacob's rough voice and found the rest of the Cullens scattered around the room minus Rosalie and Alice. Carlisle and Esme sat on one couch, with Jacob in an armchair facing them. The roaring fire crackled behind him. Edward occupied the couch opposite Carlisle and Esme, while Jasper and Emmett stood nearby, their expressions serious.

Jacob explained what had happened between Sam and the pack and laid out his plan for Bella and the baby. Hearing it made my blood boil; why would they want to harm the baby, because it was different.

"Sam's lost the element of surprise, and he doesn't want to take you on outnumbered, so he's not gonna come at you head on," Jacob explained, his eyes flickering between Carlisle and Esme. "He's got the place surrounded and he'll wait for his opportunity."

"We won't get through without a fight," Emmett said, his devotion to his family evident in his voice. He would do anything for them, just as I would.

"No fights," Carlisle responded softly, turning to lock eyes with Emmett. "We won't be the ones to break the treaty."

"The treaty is void, at least in Sam's mind," Jacob said, reminding me of what Emmett had told me about the agreement that allowed the Cullens safety within the town as long as they didn't kill a human.

"Not in ours," Esme responded softly. She and Carlisle believed in upholding the treaty, even if the other side thought it, was void.

"Carlisle," Emmett said, taking a few steps forward, his eyes fixed intently on Carlisle. "No one's hunted for weeks," he added, referring to how all their time had been consumed by researching and watching over Bella.

"We'll make do," Esme replied, her eyes meeting Emmett's with unwavering determination. I could see Emmett purse his lips, the thirst gnawing at him, a thirst that could only be quenched by animal blood. The strain was visible on his face, a silent struggle he was willing to endure.

"You've done us a great service, Jacob. Thank you," Carlisle spoke, turning his attention to Jacob. Jake nodded, as to him it was the right thing to do, as he loved Bella, he wouldn't want her to die.

"We can't just sit here and do nothing," I interjected, feeling the urgency build inside me. All eyes turned to me; the weight of their gazes heavy. "There has to be something I can do, some way to help Bella without endangering anyone."

"Now we know Sam's plan, we can protect Bella, and they won't get near her," Carlisle said gently, his eyes filled with concern.

"Is that good enough?" I questioned, stepping further into the room. "We haven't used magic. There are spells, that could help," I insisted my voice growing strong. "I know the risks, I'm willing to take them if it means saving Bella and keeping everyone safe."

"Charlotte, you know how dangerous that is," Esme said softly, her eyes pleading with me to understand. "We can't risk you, too."

"I'm already at risk," I replied, my voice firm. "We all are. If there's a chance to save Bella, if I need to fight the pack, I will," my tone was strong and unyielding, as they could see that I wasn't going to back down from this. "I need access to my family Grimoire. There are things in there that could help to save Bella."

"Charlotte, please," Carlisle began, but I cut him off.

"I'm not asking for permission, Carlisle," I stated firmly, my resolve unwavering. "These past few weeks, you've all been tiptoeing around me, even discouraging my ideas to use magic to help Bella." My eyes flicked between each of them, making sure they understood my determination. "I couldn't give a rats-ass if the darkness consumes me, if it gives me the power to keep Bella alive, so be it,"

"Charlotte, take a breath," Emmett finally stepped forward, his voice calm but firm. I turned my attention to him, seeing the concern etched in his features, mixed with determination. "There are other ways to save Bella without letting you go down that path," he continued, his eyes pleading with mine.

I shook my head, rejecting his words. He reached out to grab my hands, but I pulled back, not wanting his touch to sway my resolve. My frustration was bubbling to the surface, a torrent of emotions I had kept bottled up—fear of the future, the uncertainty it might bring. Watching him live his eternal life while I grew old and died was a reality I couldn't face. My frustration bled into my words; the intensity of my feelings impossible to contain.

"No," I responded swiftly. "The only certain way to keep her alive, is magic. There are no other alternatives, no outcome where she doesn't die giving birth," my words were choked out, as my vision began to blur, the bottled-up emotions brimming at the surface.

"You're putting yourself in danger, and I'm not going to lose you," Emmett said, his voice firm and raised. "What is your problem, Charlotte? What is it you're not telling us? Something is clearly going on," he continued, his eyes burning into mine.

Maybe, on some level, he knew this wasn't truly about Bella. That something else was clearly bothering me. But I stayed silent and let my gaze drift away from him.

"You're like on a suicide mission... Charlotte, talk to me, talk to us," Emmett urged, drawing in his family, knowing they'd listen if I spoke. "Don't keep bottling things up."

"There's nothing going on."

"There is. I know you," Emmett interjected before I could finish, his tone insistent. "And I know something is up—"

"Emmett, stop," I interjected sharply, my words punctuated by clenched teeth as I tried to halt his probing. Suddenly, the house began to tremble around us, jars clinking and the floor shuddering beneath our feet.

I knew it was me. Crossing my arms tightly over my chest, I averted my gaze from Emmett. The tremors that had shaken the house dissipated as quickly as they had arrived, but I could sense all their eyes fixed on me.

"What's happening?" Alice's voice cut through the tense silence like a knife. I briefly met Emmett's gaze, but I shook my head and turned away, leaving the question unanswered.

I hurried down the stairs and left the house, seeking solace in the familiar place of my flower-filled meadow. Tears streamed down my cheeks, but I held back from sobbing as I walked, letting them dry in the breeze.

I reached the meadow, my eyes sweeping over the vibrant wildflowers that adorned the landscape. Thoughts swirled in my mind as I reflected on recent events. They had made it clear they opposed my approach to resort to black magic to preserve Bella's life. Yet, I couldn't simply stand by and do nothing. She was my closest friend, and anyone with the ability to save their best friend would act without hesitation.

"Charlotte," Emmett's voice echoed from behind me, pulling me out of my thoughts. I turned to face him. "I... I can't lose you," he said softly, stepping closer.

"You're not going to," I replied quickly, my eyes locking onto his dim and darkening golden ones. "Do you have so little faith in my magic, in me?" I questioned, the words spilling out in a rush.

"All my faith is in you," he responded without hesitation. "I'm not going to pretend I understand what it's like to be a witch. But I do know everything has a price in our world," Emmett said, stepping closer and reaching out to take my hands in his, and I allowed him too. "Can you be certain your spell will actually work? That it will keep her alive?" Emmett asked. I couldn't give him an answer; there was a chance it might not succeed.

"I have to try something," I replied earnestly. "To keep her safe, to keep you all safe," I said softly, he gently unclasped my hands from his and cupped my face, my tears now flowing unnoticed as I leaned into his touch.

"You are one remarkable girl, Charlotte," Emmett declared, his words melting my heart. "But for once, let me be the one to keep you safe." He offered me his irresistible dimpled smile. There was no arguing with him on this, I could see it in his eyes.

I gave him a brief nod, silently agreeing. He leaned down, pressing his lips to mine in a delicate yet passionate kiss. I melted into his kiss, finding happiness in our shared moment. As our kiss ended, his hands gently fell from my cheeks, and I instinctively wrapped my arms around him, drawing him close in a warm embrace. Despite the intimacy and comfort of the moment, my thoughts about the future lingered, but my attention was on Bella's situation.

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