Petal and Thorn

Part One





Ch. 1

It’s Up to Me





“Is there anyone, or anything you know of that can help?” Jacob asked the Cullens.



Edward answered, “I think there’s someone that can help...” Bella was slipping away, slowly running out of time. Something had to be done before mortal Bella was no more. I am one of the only living creatures that can fully understand the creature inside of Bella. Many call my kind a demon, but life does not turn out horrible for us. We can still be successful, happy, and accomplish many things. I am coming home from spending the past two years studying abroad to help save Bella’s life. I have barely seen my family since I left. Everything has been pretty good for them except for Victoria and the newborn army. My sister, Alice, has kept me updated. My brother, Edward has finally found his soul-mate. She is the mortal named Bella. They are awaiting the arrival of their child. Bells is not strong enough to fight the creature on her own. That is where I come in.



The creature inside of Bella is a vampire hybrid. That is a vampire that is part human. I am one too. I was born to my father and late mother who could not handle my strength. I have always felt guilty for what I did to her, before I was even me. I do not want my little niece or nephew to have that feeling. I am heading to Forks, where my family’s residing now. If they cannot save Bella and the baby, I guess it is up to me...





My plane landed in Fork’s Airport. The ride went well with no screaming babies or some fat guy snoring on me. I was on what could be seen as a gift sent from heaven, and all I could do was think about Bella. Poor Bella. She does not want to lose her child but she does not want to lose her life either. I cannot imagine how hard this is for her. I called my brother Emmett to make sure he was outside already. He was the only member of my family that would not mind leaving her side long enough to pick me up.



I know more about that child than anyone in the world. I know what Bella’s going through, not first hand, but I know even she makes it without a hair out of place the guilt will haunt the baby everyday. I place my items in the back of Emmett’s Jeep Wrangler and sat in the passenger seat. We greeted each other, hugged, and gave a peck on each other’s cheeks. “How is she?”



“It’s not good. Not at all,” he informed me.



I grew concern, “What’s wrong?”



“The thing broke most of her ribs and is slowly ripping the life out of her until she-. Sorry, I forgot,” he apologized. This was hard for me. Everyone is against the little guy who is basically defenseless. No one realizes that thing was me. I had no one on my side and I had no clue anything I was doing was wrong or harmful, neither does this little guy. He is just adapting to the conditions.



“This isn’t fair!” I cried. “There’s no one helping the baby! It’s all about Bella, like the kid doesn’t need someone there for him too!” I regretted what I had said the second I closed my mouth. I apologized, “I’m so sorry. I have no clue why I just said that.”



“It’s okay. I won’t mention it,” he agreed. That is why he is my favorite. I could let out every soul secret I had and he would never bring it up again, like a priest in the confessionals. I had only seen Bella once and that was at the wedding. It was only an in and out visit for the momentous occasion. I was only allowed to visit for a day or else I would have been kicked out of the overseas program. They did not like you going home too much for too long. They gave me two weeks here with Bella only because she is sick. If things get worse and she passes I will be given a month. If I take any more time my spot will be replaced.



I am having great opportunities in Europe. I was able to go to England and study a few medical classes at the university level at Cambridge University. Even though I am a vampire, I am still only seventeen. The school gives the study abroad in high school to students in the top ten percent of their class in their sophomore year. You may also be given the college course option in your junior and/or senior year if you are in at least three advanced placement classes.



In my sophomore year I went to India and did humanitarian work. That trip only lasted two months but it was very much worth it. The hours I spent there were also transferred over to my volunteer work needed to graduate. While in India, my class built a school, we help give a village clean water and care for people with disease.



A few weeks after I return to Europe from Forks I will be moving to Italy to study history in Rome and fashion in Milan. There is also a trip to Volterra planned. That should be especially fun for me. Hopefully I will be able to fly under the Volturi’s radar and not be questioned or discovered.



We pulled up to our house around three o’clock in the afternoon. The house was nice. It looked basically the same from the last time I was here. Esme restored the home herself and it looks very nice. It is three stories high and painted white. The house also has a deep porch that wraps around the front of the house. The back wall has three stories of glass.



I never got the chance to look around the house when I came for the wedding so everything inside was new to me. The first story had few internal walls. Their was a central staircase to the left of the front door. To the right was the dining room and kitchen. These rooms are never really used though. On a raised area there is a grand piano in the center. Behind the stair case we have the C.E.E. Inc. office. That is our personal company for managing all our business dealings.



At the top of the second floor is Rosalie and Emmett’s room. Going clockwise, next comes Jasper’s study then his and Alice’s room. Next comes Carlisle’s office with an area for Esme’s study and Carlisle’s library inside it. The room has been converted to a mix of an exam and delivery room for Bella’s pregnancy.



The top of the third floor hold Carlisle and Esme’s room. Edward’s room is on this floor also, and is facing south. My room is also on the third floor facing north. The rest of this floor is a library and used for any illegal activity. This includes forging birth certificates and hacking computer systems, which we must do to maintain our various identities.



As soon as I could I went up to the third floor and settled all of my belongings in my room. I tried delaying seeing Bella as much as I could. I emptied my drawer of all the clothes I wanted to take to Italy and unpacked all the clothes I recently had in England. This held a bunch of warm clothes for the rain in exchange for tank tops and short shorts. Once an hour went by Carlisle came in to see where I was. “I see you’re all settled in,” Carlisle stated. “If you wouldn’t mind could you join the rest of us?”



“Sure, I just, uh, need everything to be - um - organized,” I covered.



He insisted, “Good, now come with me.” We walked down to the examination/delivery room. I was bracing myself for what I was about to walk into. I saw Bella lying on the examination table. She was in pain. You could see it in her face. I believe the pain was a mix of emotional and physical. She looked worse than ever, everyone looked worse. My eyes locked on Edward. He loved her. He did not want to lose her. If there was anyone hurting more from this besides Bella it is him. Edward seemed worn out in a different way than Bella. His pain was solely emotional. I tried getting into Bella’s head then I remembered she had the mind with a steal lock around it. A reality check settled in after I realized I was not here for Bella, I was here for the creature inside her.



“Hello,” I greeted. No one had noticed I entered the room. I only got glances back, except for Bella.



“Hey, it’s nice to meet you, again. We never really got to talk much at the wedding,” Bella paused to catch her breath. This really was not good at all. Was it like this for my mother? I felt tears as I thought more and more about the situation. She needed good energy right now. I would no longer think about anything other than saving Bella and the baby. “With an exception of the circumstances, it’s nice to see you.”



“Same. What do you need me for? I’ll do whatever you need me to,” I insisted. Bella seemed like a nice, sweet girl. She was not much older than me. I cannot imagine how this is for her. There is no way I would be able to handle a child anytime soon; even if it was with my soul-mate.



Edward answered, “We need you to get inside it’s head, try and convince it to calm down.” Some vampires are blessed with supernatural abilities. Edward can read minds, Alice can see the future, and Jasper can sense and change moods. I have something like all three of those but more far-fetched. I can read minds and go deep enough into their head to see things they are planning to do. I can also go inside someones head a have mental conversations or subconsciously convince them to do something as if I am their conscience. I also have the ability to block my thoughts, thoughts of other people and/or thoughts pertaining to a certain subject.



“I’ll try my best.” I hated being relied on. It was a weight on my shoulder caused from wanting to do good. Even if I do all I can, if I fail I will hold the guilt of taking two or three lives on me. On the other hand, if I manage to save them both it will help me know I am more than a destroyer. Not just a murderer. “Do you want me to start now?”



Edward was about to speak when Bella cut in, “No, you take your time to get settled in first. I’ll be able to last until then.” I walked out back up the steps and into my room once again. I feel like I must save Bella to avenge the mother I lost. I could not be in this house. Even with my protection power I did not feel as if my thoughts were safe. I left the house and I went far away. I left out the back the door and ran far away. I ran past miles and miles of forest until I reached a run down shack. It looked abandoned. The wood was breaking, the windows were filled with dust, and there was no door. Since this place could be made of stone, collapse, and not kill me I decided to go inside. Nails stuck out from the ceiling and everything else was similar to the outside. Shelves were detached from the wall and spread out across the floor. There was a large amount of space in this run down waste land. I needed a place to be alone and call my own. I have spent most of my teenage years living life on my own. I do not think it would be a problem to live in a little club house less than a mile away from my house.



I made it my mission to have this place rebuilt and safe to live in by the time I went to Italy. Maybe, if I finished my rebuilding and remodeling my shack before I left, I would have a place to escape to once the pressure or drama becomes too much for me. My phone buzzed as I was receiving a text message, it was from Rosalie. It read, “Please get back here now.” I bookmarked my plans in my head and turned back to the house. I ran but not very quickly. Speed was not the most important thing to me right now. I wonder why I was needed so badly. Were more of her ribs broken? Was Bella still Bella? Did something happen to the baby? I went around to the front of the house to waste a few more seconds. There were three large wolf-like creatures guarding the house. I caught eyes with one. Not being completely sure what these things are I gave them a signal to shoo away and finally went inside.



I marched upstairs to the second floor to where Bella lied in pain. Another rib was broken, that is all everyone was thinking about. She flinched and cried out once again. The child would not stop. It needed a recourse. More damage than good was being done at the moment and the aftermath could be permanent and unpleasant. There had to be a way for me to let the baby know what it was doing and get it to stop. “Is there anything I can do? I know I am needed but I’m not really sure how to help,” I offered - kind of.



“I have an idea,” Edward instructed. “you can -” He was cut off by a muscular shirtless man walked in. He looked as if he was a mix between a grown-man and a young adult. Worried was painted on his face, maybe he was a friend of Bella. A mortal would not be allowed into the vampire home with the mutant fetus developing, though. There was a tattoo on his right shoulder. He was a Quileute, he must have been one of the shape-shifters; they are the only other creatures that know about vampires and our coven. They never liked confrontation with us so it was strange for me to find one in my house.



He spoke, “What’s wrong? I heard the screaming.” There was something about him. I had absolutely no clue who this person was and I already can tell there is something special about him. For a moment, his eyes locked with mine and I felt as if I was up in a trance. The worried look faded as a look of desire and emotion took its place. I have never felt this way before and was willing to experiment even though we are natural enemies. “Who is this?” he asked those around us. I forgot they were there until now. “I don’t believe I’ve met you before.”



“I guess this is hello then,” I announced. We shook hands. My heart beat was a firework bursting in the summer moonlight.



“Jake, it’s nothing, you can go back to guard,” Bella declared.



He did not listen to her and continued jabbering, “Were you recently outside? Did you tell me to shoo?” We were oblivious to anyone else in the world and only focused on each other.



“That was you?” I realized. “Sorry, I thought you were something from the forest.”



“That’s an effect of the wolf disguise.” I had no clue if this could work or not but I will do everything I can to have some light on these dark days while I am here. He seemed like a guy who knew how to work tools; maybe he could help me fix up the run down shack and let sparks fly.



“Since when was the point of those mutts to be incognito?” Rosalie counter-questioned.



Jake finally introduced himself to me, “I’m Jacob, most people call me Jake. And you are?”



“I am Vanessa, another member of the Cullen clan,” I informed. Finally, I realized we were still shaking hands and unwillingly pulled back.



“Since when? I’ve been associating with these guys for quite some time now and am pretty sure I would have remembered meeting someone so unique like you,” Jacob was putting the moves on me. I do not know if it was intentional or not, but it was working.



I added, “I just returned a few hours ago. I have spent the past few years studying in Europe.”



He questioned, “For college?”



“High school,” I corrected.



“Really? That’s sick. I wish my school did that.” At this point I could not tell if he really cared or was just pretending to be interested to be nice. His bottom took a place on the floor leaning against the table Bella rested on. “I’ll just stay in here for now. Keep an eye on this situation, Seth and Leah could handle guard outside.”



“That’s fine,” Edward agreed. Rosalie rolled her eyes. I am guessing she is a cat person. “Vanessa, can you try to get into the it’s head to find out what it’s intentions are?”



Jacob interrupted again, “Can’t you do that?”



“Yes,” Edward finished. “but I can only do so much. Vanessa’s abilities are more complex.”



“I can try,” I agreed. Even though it was not completely necessary I got closer to Bella and rested my hands on her torso. I was able to feel the baby squirm inside of her. I felt Jake reaching out to object my touch, but Edward held him back. I still did not know why Jake was here or anything about him except his name and he is one of the few tribe members that get to become a werewolf; and all he knew about me was my name and that I am one of his enemies. (Or I should be.) Redirecting my attention back to Bella and the baby I took one deep breath then worked my magic. I stretched my brain to get inside that of the fetus. Already being greatly developed the child could think and reason on it’s own. He needed blood, he needed to be released and able to hunt, he also desired the blood of his human mother. His wants and his needs are similar to that of a newborn vampire. These forms will take blood from any life that can supply, as will he. Is that why I tore my mother to shreds? Because I needed to be fed?



“Maybe, we should give Bella some blood to drink. It won’t be pleasant but I believe the baby - I mean fetus - needs it. It could calm him for a little while.” I do not care what anyone else believes, this is a child growing here and no matter what species it is he can still be something great. Definitely not a waste of life.



Carlisle joined, “We already tried that. It was efficient but not enough.”



Rosalie inspired, “Why don’t you try that mental-talking thing with it? Tell it to calm down.”



I worked my magic once again this time in a different way. Hello, you don’t know me very well yet, but I am your aunt Vanessa. Normally when I hold mental conversations I will block it from people like Edward who can overhear, today as an exception. It was his child and his wife so I decided to let him hear. It was frightened. He started kicking, viciously attacking Bella, mentally he was crying for help. Like human children unfamiliar people and situations were not comforting in the least bit. Bella cried out. I rushed to calm him before anything got worse. “It’s okay, it’s okay. I won’t let anything hurt you.” As I said it aloud it was as if it was meant to reassure Bella, really it was intended for him to calm.



I went back to our mental conversation, I know this may be scary right now but I am on your side. I have always been on your side and will always be on your side. You are hungry, aren’t you? We will have you fed and when you are born you will enter a warm, loving family; that I can promise you. You must calm down. Your mother isn’t like the rest of us, she is not strong like we are. I don’t mean for you to have remorse from this but you are causing her a great deal of pain. If you do not stop she will die and that will hurt you more than anything else in the world. I am the only other person in this state like you, maybe the world - I am not sure, but I thirsted like you and ended my mother’s life doing so. Because of that my father resented me and wanted me dead my entire existence. He tried his best to get rid of me on his own and I ended up at Carlisle’s doorstep seeking help so I did not end up dead in the street.  There is not a day that goes by where I don’t wish I had someone to warn me the consequences of my actions. You do. That part I wish Edward had not heard but it made me feel better to have someone know how this affected me.



We will get you everything you need, I’ll probably be the one to spoil you the most. Remember you are inside your mother and she is not one of us. Right now I am probably scaring you badly and I apologize for doing so, you will thank me one day. Goodbye for now. next time we meet I will either be a person to you or that creepy voice back to chat. Okay, bye. Remember you must calm down. Now I’m gone for real. Nighty-night. You may not exactly need the sleep but it’s just an expression. Now you probably hate me and find me very annoying, congratulations you get a preview of what’s to come. Alright, now I am leaving. Bye. Edward giggled at the last part and gave me a humorous grin. I have not seen a look close to that since I arrived. I removed my hands and stepped away from Bella. “Let’s see if that worked.”



“What did you say?” Rosalie voiced.



I exposed, “I explained that it needs to calm down or things would take a turn for the worse. I also said there is no need for it to be scared or alarmed by anyting that goes on and he would be entering a great family.” Bella mouthed the words ‘thank you’ to me. It made me feel good that I help hope shine through these dark-cloud days.



“You also confused the thing very badly,” Edward mocked. We exchanged a chuckle and what seemed like a smile streached across Bella’s face. “The main points were understood though.”



“Good,” Rosalie asserted. Rosalie and I were never like sisters, we barely came close to friends. She never wanted me to join assuming I was still the killer I wa born as. She sees me as a threat and believes my existance in the coven will get them all a death sentance. Rosalie was kind enough not to say anything to my face but her thoughts were loud and clear. They hurt me deeply and most say I should have blocked her mean comments out but I prefered knowing how she felt instead of the sharade she put on. No matter how hard I try to like or get alng with Rosalie I can neve look past her unchnged opinion of me. It is just another way my inner devil gets the best of me and hides it far underground in hell.



As I looked back Bella’s head was tilted back as she drifted into unconciousness. I looked at the clock and it was already after midnight. Eventhough I am a vampire I am still part human and need some sleep, not very much though. I had a long flight in today and needed a chance to adjust to the time difference. If I were still in England I would be waking up right now and here I have not gotten a chance to rest at all. As I gathered my thoughts on today I started nodding off myself. At this point I was swated on the end of the sofa with Jacob on the floor near my feet. Alice and Esme sat next to me whispering to each other. At this pont I was so oblivious I could not make out a sound in the room. Last I remebered, Jasper, Emmett, and Carlisle were standing in a doorway observing what the rest of us were up to. Edward and Rosalie were next to Bella, one on each side of her.



I was barely able to hear Jacob, “I’m going to chck on the situation outside.” Footsteps faded into he distance until a door being shut cut the rythm. At this point could not tell if I was dreaming or not.



Edward tapped my knee to get me awake. I lifted my head out of my hand in a daze. Jacob was no where to be seen and everyone was still in simmilar spots to where I remembered. Bella still on the examinaton table laid in the abiss of dreamland. I rested my cheek back on my palm too sleepy to have a reaction. “Vanessa,” he shook my leg. “go to bed. We will not be needing you until morning.” I was unresponsive. Already on the border of sleep and conciousness I decided to lay in silence, hopefully they would leave me to rest in peace. I felt arms wrap around me as I was lifted off the sofa like a balloon drifting into the stratosphere. I rested my head inbetween this person’s collarbone and neck. I raised my arm and petted his hair, it was Edward.



He always cared for me as a blood brother, he was with Carlisle the day I showed up and had sympathy for me. I was always treated like t babof the family, but I am the only one not afraid to fly solo. The boys did everything in their power to make up for the hell I came from. The only person who did not hve open arms or sympathy was Rosalie. Esme and Alice would spoil me with new clothes, shoes, and girl-talks I was deprived of.



I felt him walk up steps. Edward as probably making his way up to my room. He turned around a corner and paused. I was set down on the matess as a thin blanket was drapped over me. Everything else was bocked out as I finally fell asleep.