Hi again! Thanks to CygnusRift, leward1992, Goldielover, Nosebone, SlytherinDayDream, kouga's older woman, Vivi H88, Hstevens, Guest, catgrl, Carlisle Bella Cullen, and booklover313, for the encouraging reviews. To LunaM303, I'm sorry if you're getting frustrated (the caps-lock makes it seem that way). My pace is what it is though, and I don't want to rush it. I hope you stick with me but if you don't, I'll understand and thanks for reading what you did! Also, thanks to those who followed and faved! Hope you all enjoy the chapter!

-Parting Gift-

After finding a parking spot a block away from their Boston home and keeping his speed at a human pace, Edward finally strode through the door of the four-story brownstone, narrowly skirting past a puzzled looking Emmett and Rose who had been about to leave. The latter scowled. "What's your problem now?"

He paused long enough to toss a "Wouldn't you like to know?" over his shoulder, then took the stairs three at a time to the third floor. When he got to the second door on the right, he rapped sharply on the richly oiled, antique oak. Jasper pulled the heavy door open a mere second later, looking quite curious, likely because of the emotional cocktail rolling off of Edward. "I need to speak to Alice."

Jasper's brows inched up but he stepped aside and cordially motioned him in. Edward walked to the little sitting area they had grouped by their airy bay window. Alice tilted her head as she looked at him.

"We need to talk," he said without preamble, "privately."

Alice stood and glanced at Jasper who held up a hand while settling back into his chair with his book. "I don't even wanna know," he mumbled while paging through to find where he'd left off.

Grinning, Alice leaned down and kissed his cheek. "Be back in a bit. Love you."

"Yep, love you too," he muttered while turning another page.

Edward wasted no time heading down the stairs and out of the house. Alice followed, almost having to jog to keep pace with his long, sidewalk-eating strides. Once they reached the relative privacy of the nearby, empty park, Alice turned to him immediately, her hands on her hips. "Okay, spill."

"While hunting earlier, I received a call from Tanya."

She cocked her head. "So? Calls from her aren't usually newsworthy, Edward."

"Bella's there."

Her eyes went wide and she went off like a machine gun. "Get outta town! Our Bella? How in the world did she find them? Are you sure it's her?"

He snorted. "Without going into the long version—and believe me, it's long—yes, they're sure it's our Bella."

She blinked, staring into the middle-distance as she nibbled her lip. "Huh, I haven't seen a thing. And now that I'm trying, all I get are flashes of the Denalis, and blurs. Nothing defined. I don't see Bella at all. Weird."

"Yes, very strange," he muttered, seeing what she was seeing in real time. "I wonder why that is."

She pursed her lips and shrugged a shoulder. "Not a clue, but you of all people should know my gift's not perfect. So, is that all you wanted to tell me?"

"I wish," he grumbled.

"Huh... okay." She hopped on a swing and gently pushed off with the toe of one shoe while giving him an impatient look.

He raised both hands. "All right, I'll get on with it."

"Please do."

"Just, no matter how crazy something sounds, let me finish before you say anything. Time is of the essence."

Her brows inched up and she sighed but nodded. "Fine."

"All right, where to begin…" he muttered, rubbing his brow while pacing. Then he turned to her and pointed. "Are you aware of what happened the night of Bella's birthday?"

"I was a little busy getting away from all that blood and reassuring my husband, Edward, so aside from the obvious, I'd have to say no, I guess not."

"After stitching and bandaging Bella's wound, Carlisle…" He rubbed the back of his neck, then locked eyes with her. "Well, there's just no easy way to say this. He took her virginity on top of his desk and then he marked her."

Alice's eyes were comically wide as she gripped the chains and leaned forward. "Ho-ly shit. Keep talking, 'cause I'm finding it damn tough to keep my mouth shut," she blurted.

He nodded and resumed pacing while raking long fingers through his messy hair. "I guess just after we moved, Bella discovered she was pregnant." Alice squealed and slapped a hand over her mouth as he continued. "She probably looked for us—just an assumption on my part—and when that proved fruitless, she headed to Denali. I don't know how, but she found them, Al.

"From what Tanya and Eleazar have told me, she's about halfway through the pregnancy, and they've confirmed Carlisle's mark and scent on her."

He stopped pacing and looked at her. She was gaping at him, eyes impossibly wide and one hand still clamped over her open mouth. She looked the most stunned he'd ever seen her.

Her hand fell away from her mouth. "Why didn't I see any of this?! Holy sheep shit, this is unbelievable, and how is she so pregnant?!" she blurted. "Edward, we have to go get her. She needs Carlisle."

She closed her eyes and rubbed her temples before growling. "Nothing's clear! I can't see a damn thing!"

He let loose a disappointed sigh. "I had hoped you'd be able to. Tanya's asked me there to help Bella and it would've been nice to know the outcome. It seems Bella's… a bit upset about being abandoned after… well, you know, and she doesn't want to see Carlisle."

"She's pissed at Carlisle?! But you're the jerk who dumped her," she glared, "in the woods, no less."

He dismissed that with a flippant wave. "Technically, yes, but I'm not the one who took her virginity, marked her, and left town two days later without saying a word."

Alice gave a reluctant nod . "Valid point I guess, but does she feel any differently about you? I shouldn't think so."

He had the grace to wince. "I'm not sure. I got the feeling Tanya didn't speak with Bella about asking me to help."

Alice's brows rose. "So Bella doesn't even know you're coming? Ha, ha!"

"No, I don't think so, unless they tell her between now and when I arrive. And there's nothing funny about this."

She smirked. "So you say, but whatever. When are you supposed to go?"

He glanced at his watch and grimaced. "Now. I told them I'd be there tomorrow. I'm going to have to catch a late flight as it is, and once I get there, I'm not sure what the driving conditions will be. It might be slow going and I don't want to arrive too late. I'd rather get the confrontation with Bella, if there is one, over with as soon as possible."

"I wanna go with you," she said, hopping out of the swing and crossing her arms as she stared up at him.

"You can't, Alice. I wasn't supposed to tell anyone, but I wanted to see if you'd had any visions."

Alice frowned. "Fine, but keep me posted."

He nodded and looked at his watch again. "I need to gather some supplies and be out of here before Carlisle or Esme get back from wherever they went."

Alice rubbed her forehead. "Poor Esme, I wonder how she's going to take this."

He shrugged. "She's not as attached as you might think," he said with a tap to his temple. "She loves him as a dear friend, but has always looked forward to meeting her match."

Alice looked shocked again. "Just how many deep dark family secrets are you keeping?"

"I try not to think of it. Just know, Jasper loves you more than life, just as you love him."

She scowled. "No fair reading my insecure thoughts, brother dearest."

He shrugged. "I couldn't let that one go because it's ridiculous." He kissed the top of her head. "Keep a watch, Al. I'll call when I can."

With that, he took off at a brisk walk toward the house as Alice muttered a quiet, "Good luck."

-Parting Gift-

Bella took the stairs carefully as she made her way to the kitchen. After getting sick the day before, she'd fallen asleep and hadn't woken until morning. Now, after a shower and a clean change of clothes, she felt human again, at least. Unfortunately, she knew that could change in a heartbeat.

For now though, her goal was some dry toast and tea. It was all she could seem to keep down these days, as evidenced by the previous night's reappearance of all that chicken lo mein she'd eaten.

As she slowly descended the stairs and neared the kitchen, she began to smell something that made her mouth water so she picked up her pace.

'Gah! What is it?' Whatever it was, she wanted it. It smelled so delicious, and there were few things that smelled that way to her lately.

Finally rounding the corner into the kitchen, she stopped short at the sight of Tanya sitting at the bar counter with a metal, thermal mug in her hand. "Good morning, ptáček (little bird). Did you sleep well?"

"I did, thanks." She glanced around, not seeing any food which puzzled her. "What is that smell? I thought it was food."

Tanya raised a brow at that since all she could smell beside the scents of her family and Bella, was the blood in the cup she held. She'd warmed it for Bella, thinking to talk the girl into at least trying it, though it seemed she wouldn't have to try all that hard. She offered the covered thermal mug. "Perhaps it is this you smell?"

Bella stepped closer and took a sniff. "Mm, yeah, that's it, but what is it?"

Tanya smirked. Now came the hard part unless the girl had an open mind. "It is blood."

She watched as the girl jerked back with a grimace. "Blood. I usually pass out at the smell. Is it—is it human?"

Tanya's musical laugh filled the room. "No, Bella, I believe it is deer." Again, she offered the cup. "Would you care to try it? From what Eleazar says, you and the child need it."

Bella blanched at the thought.

Tanya's brows climbed. "The child is half-vampire, yes? We believe a lack of blood in your diet will cause a sharp decline in your health. It is also probably why you have trouble keeping your food down."

"Oh… of course," Bella said with a slow nod and a rub to her brow. She felt rather stupid for not thinking of that possibility herself. "Okay," she agreed, albeit reluctantly, "God help me but I'll—I'll at least try it. Just get ready for a freak show worthy of a Stephen King novel if I don't keep it down."

Tanya tisked and placed the cup in front of Bella who reluctantly picked it up. Despite knowing what was in it, it still smelled just as appetizing. She only hoped it tasted good as well. With a bracing breath, she lifted it and muttered, "Here goes nothing."

Tanya watched as Bella took a sip, then another and another until she'd drained the whole cup. "Well?"

Bella shrugged. "I think I can do it as long as I don't overthink it—kinda like eating hotdogs—the minute you start thinking about what's in those bitches… gah." She shuddered.

Tanya blinked and wrinkled her nose. "I will take your word for it."

Bella got up, loaded the cup in the dishwasher and began making a real breakfast with the eggs, butter and bread she found in the fridge. "How long have you guys lived here?"

Tanya flipped a page of the magazine she was browsing. "About six years now."

Bella glanced around the space, taking in the expansive, granite counters and sleek, top of the line appliances. "Why do you have a kitchen? It's not like you guys interact with humans like the Cullens do. Or… do you?" she questioned while buttering toast.

Tanya chuckled wryly and Kate strolled in, smirking as she sat by her sister and answered Bella's question, "My sisters and I probably associate more closely with humans than the Cullens do. Or at least we thought so until you arrived, marked and knocked up with Carlisle's love child."

Bella plated her eggs and blinked at the smirking vampires. "So, you guys…um, have sex with human men?"

Kate hummed and nodded. "And some women too. Depends on the mood, really."

"Huh…" Bella leaned on the counter and began eating her scrambled eggs and toast. After a few bites, she took a sip of water. "Edward always said it was too dangerous."

"Oh, it is," Tanya said, closing her magazine to focus on the human girl. "Sadly, it took each of us quite a few tries to get it right."

Kate hummed her agreement and muttered, "Shame, I really liked a few of those first ones."

"Carlisle didn't, uh, have a problem," Bella said with a hot blush.

"He is a doctor, Bella, with decades of practice handling fragile humans in all sorts of situations. Of course, he would not have a problem now, but I'm sure he did at first."

Bella shrugged, then nodded. "I guess I see your point."

She took another bite and glanced up to see Tanya watching her closely. "What?" she mumbled before swallowing.

Tanya sighed. "Look, I know you are not going to like this, so I am just going to say it, yes? I called Edward." Bella sucked in a breath that Tanya ignored. "He will arrive some time today to see you and hopefully begin managing your pregnancy and the child's eventual birth."

Bella paled, then began to flush as anger set in. "Why? Why would you do that? I thought I could trust you!"

Tanya leaned forward and snapped, "Do you want to live through this? Do you want to know your child and see him or her grow up?"

Bella glared. "Of course I do. Why do you think I came here?"

"You came here for help."

"Exactly!"

"And that's what we are doing! But Bella, not one of us is trained for anything like this. And while our control around humans is excellent, none of us can stand to be around the amount of blood that you will shed during the birth." She quirked a brow then looked up at the ceiling while waving a hand about. "Do you think trained vampire physicians are so numerous that they are raining from the sky?" She looked back at Bella. "No. They are not. Your options are limited, child. If we cannot call Carlisle, then it must be Edward in his stead."

Bella blinked and set her fork on the plate. "You really think Edward can handle the blood? I'm—I'm his singer."

Kate snorted a laugh. "Oh my God, this just gets better and better. Kind of like those cheesy daytime dramas Carmen watches on the satellite. What does she call them? Telenovelas?"

Tanya gave her sister a quelling look before addressing Bella's question. "In all honesty, Carlisle is and should be, our first choice based on his vast experience and impeccable control. But you're not exactly allowing us that option." Her brow climbed higher. "Unless of course, you are ready to see reason?"

Bella looked away, her jaw set and nostrils flared as she struggled with her pain and pride. "Edward's trained. And he'd gotten used to resisting my blood... I think he can handle it." She looked back at Tanya. "Still, isn't there someone else? Anyone else?"

Bella felt the weight of Tanya's years as the coven leader's gaze bore into hers. "Hear me, child. If you reject Edward's help, or if he determines he is unable to do this, then my next call is to Carlisle. I will not see you or the child die over something as ridiculous as an emotional grudge."

Bella's first inclination was to argue; it was her life and should be her call. But then she thought about the innocent life inside her and the fight went out of her as she nodded. "You're right, I'm being kinda stupid, but I'm just so hurt… and mad."

Tanya's eyes lit with triumph and she tried to cut in, but Bella raised a hand. "But that doesn't mean you can call Carlisle—just yet. Let's see what Edward has to say first, okay? Having him here is gonna be bad enough."

Tanya nearly growled in frustration but gave a sharp nod instead. "I had no idea humans could be so stubborn. Fine, we will see what Edward has to say."

Bella nearly sagged in relief. "Thank you."

"But…" Tanya held up a finger, "if he says we need Carlisle, then I am making that call, or Edward can. Either way, it will be done."

Bella eyed her for a moment. "Fine… Like I could stop you guys, anyway."

Tanya smirked. "This is true."

-Parting Gift-

Ice clinking against glass was the only noise heard as the waitress served the stunning couple; the man a blond while the woman's cascading curls were a unique shade of sable. They were seated at a table in a private corner at the very back of the pub and seemed to value their privacy, so she obliged as soon as she could without seeming rude.

When the waitress left to serve other customers closer to the bar, the woman stirred her scotch, took a sip, then pinned her companion with a curious gaze. "Alright Doc, are you finally ready to tell me what's been up with you these past few weeks?"

Carlisle took in her quirked eyebrow and knowing smirk before giving her a sad smile. "So you've noticed."

She took another sip of her scotch and set it down while giving him a 'Gee, you think?' look. "We've been together for how long now? Yes, darling, I've noticed. You don't usually mope so it wasn't all that difficult.

"Now," she said while crossing her shapely legs, "I'm going to sit back and sip this excellent scotch while I listen to you spill, as Alice would say." She gestured toward him. "You have the floor, Doc."

He took a drink and set the tumbler down, then met her eyes. "First, I want you to know, you mean the world to me. The years we've spent as companions have been the happiest of my life."

Her brow creased as a frown pulled at the corners of her mouth. "They've been wonderful for me as well, but that sounded like one hell of a setup for something unsavory."

He slowly nodded. "I just want you to know that I didn't do what I did out of disrespect or a lack of regard for you. What happened truly was in the heat of the moment." He looked away and pursed his lips. "No, that's not quite right because…" As he trailed off, a muscle ticked in his jaw and she cocked her head.

"Because?" she prompted, concerned because she'd never seen him so hesitant to speak.

He stared at his glass while running his index finger through the beads of condensation on the side. "Because I marked her, Esme." He met her eyes. "God forgive me but I couldn't seem to stop myself."

Esme's mouth dropped open as she stared. "Who? When? Oh my word, this is wonderful for you! You've found the one!"

His answering smile was more than a little melancholy and it gave her pause.

"Hang on. Why in the world do you look sad right now? Who is she, Carlisle? And why have you been under such a dark cloud lately? It doesn't make sense. You should be ecstatic." Her eyes filled with understanding. "Unless you're worried about my reaction. That's it, isn't it? Well, honey, you shouldn't be, we knew this day would come for—"

He raised a hand and murmured, "Please, let me fully explain?"

She exhaled and gave him a sheepish smile. "Sorry, I said I was going to sit back and let you talk, didn't I?"

His brow scrunched and he kept his eyes fixed on his glass as he slowly turned it on the cocktail napkin. "Do you remember the night of Bella's birthday?"

Her eyes narrowed as she drew out her answer, "Of course."

He nodded. "Of course, silly question. Well, by the time you all came home that night, I had showered and changed clothes."

"I remember. Carlisle, how is this relevant?"

He met her eyes. "I'd showered and changed to get the scent off."

"Of course you had. Everyone was so upset and the blood on your clothes would have—"

"It wasn't the scent of blood I was concerned with, Esme, not really."

She frowned. "Then… what… Oh… Oh, Carlisle," she whispered. "My goodness, poor Edward…" She scowled and her eyes snapped to Carlisle's. "Does he know?"

His smile was sardonic. "Me finding my 'one' doesn't seem to be such a blessing now, does it?"

Her mouth opened but her protests seem to stick in her throat, "I—I don't—"

He shook his head and took a pull from his glass then set it down and murmured, "No, you really don't need to answer that. I know it isn't. There's nothing right about it.

"She was with Edward, though he's told me he was looking for a way to end things. She's incredibly young as well, but the most egregious of all the marks against me? She's a healthy human and I shouldn't have looked twice at her, much less do what I did."

She tore tiny pieces off her cocktail napkin while nibbling the corner of her lip. "You've yet to say exactly what it was that you did."

He sighed and gave her a shamed glance. "After stitching her arm, I took her virginity on the top of my desk, then I marked her. I… couldn't stop myself." He shook his head in frustration. "No, that's complete bullshit. I didn't want to stop myself." He met Esme's narrowed eyes.

"And Bella? What were her wishes in this whole thing? Because I cannot fathom you ever forcing yourself on anyone. But Carlisle, I swear, if you did…"

He took a sip of scotch then scoffed and glared. "Good God, Esme, really? No, I damn well didn't force her. She said she wanted me, begged me." His jaw clenched and his hand that rested beside his glass clenched into a fist as he continued, "But none of that should have mattered. She's so very young and I should've had the control to turn away, to say no."

"Hmmm, not if she's your match, you wouldn't. Your potential match who'd just been under threat from another male and was injured as well." She leaned forward and laid her hand over his as she quietly reassured him. "Carlisle, any male's instinct to mate and mark would have been overwhelming in that scenario, so stop beating yourself up about it." She smiled and squeezed his hand. "You claimed your match, and that is cause for celebration, Doc, even though you screwed it up afterward."

He shook his head and chuckled. "You never cease to amaze me. And in other circumstances, I would agree with you, but I can't. She's healthy and has her whole life ahead of her and I can't take that away from her, Es, I just can't."

She rolled her eyes. "Oh yes, because this life we lead is such nothing but drudgery. Woe, woe, woe is me, I can't stand eternal beauty, mind-blowing sex, and unlimited stamina. I think I need another trip to Paris or Milan in order to face another tomorrow." She gave him that wry, knowing look again. "Let me guess. You spoke to Edward about this, didn't you?"

He exhaled and nodded. "I did."

Her lips thinned. "Mm-hm, I thought so." She took his hand again and looked him in the eye. "You know I love you." He nodded. "And I love Edward as well, but God help me… the two of you together discussing theological or philosophical topics would be enough to suck the happy out of a bus full of circus clowns." She patted his hand and sat back. "Seriously, Doc, Edward can be such a downer. And you let him get under your skin because of the guilt he heaps on you for turning him. And that causes you to buy into his views on this supposedly cursed existence we lead. I'm sorry, darling, but advice like that does not promote happiness. And he'll realize it someday when he finally gets laid."

He arched a brow and she saw the barest hint of a smirk on his lips. "I'd suck the happy out of clowns?"

"When you're all hopped up on a pep-talk from Edward, yes, you would."

He gave her a smirking, sidelong glance. "So, what do you think I should do?"

"Well, first thing's first, get your head out of your ass and go get your girl." Her brow creased. "Wow, feels so weird referring to Bella that way…" she muttered.

He snorted and took a sip of scotch. "Alright, then what? Because I'm thinking the chances are good that she doesn't like me much at the moment."

She huffed. "We picked up and left without a word, so she's likely pissed at all of us. But you most of all, I would think considering… Well, I know I sure as hell would be," she said with a rueful glare.

"So, I should probably grovel."

She scoffed a rueful laugh. "No probably to it, Doc, and you'd better get creative. I have a feeling anything cliché isn't going to cut it with Bella."

He ducked his head and smiled, then looked up at her. "I'll be sure to keep that in mind, Es. I owe you."

She crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes. "Don't think you're back on my good list yet, Doc. I'm still angry that you felt you couldn't be upfront with me about this. We've been companions for how long?"

He rubbed his brow and nodded. "You're my best friend, Es. But after I took Bella home that night and got to thinking about it, I was just so appalled by my actions…"

"And you should be in some respects. I mean, you took her virginity on top of your desk in what was probably a quickie?" She tisked. "Yeah, Doc, you have some serious groveling to do." She stood and shrugged her purse onto her shoulder and cupped his cheek when he stood with her. "You should get to it."

"Now?"

She patted his cheek. "No time like the present, considering every second that ticks by just makes that hole you're in that much deeper."

"Let me drive you home first?" he asked as he laid money on the table.

She shrugged as they made their way through the pub to the exit. "You've wasted enough time and besides, this is Boston, darling. I'll just hail a cab."

Once outside she turned to him, laid her hands on his chest, and leaned up on her toes to kiss his cheek. "Get going, Doc," she said while smiling into his eyes. "You've got a flight to catch and a broken-hearted girl to win over."

He nodded then moved to unlock the door of his car and watched as she began walking toward the main street to hail a cab. With his emotions in chaos, he opened his car door, but then looked back and called out, "Esme!"

Now a quarter block away, she stopped and turned. "Yes?"

His heart ached at the naked sadness he saw in her eyes even as she smiled brightly.

"Thank you, sweetheart," he murmured.

Her smile trembled as she tilted her head. "Anything for you, Doc." Then she turned and disappeared into the early evening crowds.

Thanks for reading!