»—— act four. breaking dawn, part one
☽⋅── SIX ──stop feeling guilty ─⋅☾

Eleanor had just arrived home from her classes, and as she entered the kitchen, she made a quick, deliberate about-face, her back now facing the kitchen. A wince escaped her as she spoke, a hint of discomfort in her voice: "Okay, I'm still not used to your new diet, Mom."

Eve took a glance at her nearly empty cup of blood, a mix of guilt and resignation in her eyes. "Sorry, El. I forgot you aren't comfortable around blood," she replied apologetically.

Eleanor chuckled, her voice still tinged with a slight shiver. "That, and I still can't get used to seeing you drink from cups of blood," Eleanor added her expression a mixture of fascination and repulsion.

Eleanor then asked, a touch of curiosity in her voice, "But how is it? Have the twins been craving more blood lately?"

Eve let out a weary sigh. "Yeah, Carlisle and Edward have just left to get more."

Eleanor nodded in understanding, pausing at the sound of the running sink before she turned back around to face her mother.

Eleanor made her way to the kitchen counter, her gaze flickering to Eve's belly. "Any sudden growths recently?" she inquired.

Eve looked down at her stomach and replied, "Two months." She frowned slightly, adding, "It just happened this morning, actually."

Eleanor's frown deepened, "So, you're now at twenty-eight weeks?"

Eve smiled reassuringly, "My body hasn't adjusted as well this time. I'm experiencing some pain, but thankfully, nothing's ruptured or broken."

While Eleanor initially shared a similar view to Rosalie's, her perspective began to shift as her mother started a blood diet. She slowly found herself aligning more with Alice's viewpoint.

Currently, the only ones not displaying negative thoughts about the pregnancy were Rosalie, Emmett, Leah, Seth, and Carlisle. Standing in opposition were Alice, Jasper, Edward, and lately, Eleanor.

Eleanor was increasingly anxious about how the situation would unfold, especially regarding the pack's reaction.

During a recent visit to Charlie and Bella, she had unexpectedly encountered Jacob. He revealed that the pack was eagerly awaiting Eve's story, but since she hadn't come forward to share it, Sam was growing frustrated.

Jacob continued to express concern regarding the absence of Seth and Leah, who were using various excuses to avoid shifting.

Eleanor felt guilty lying to Jacob's face, telling him that her mom was preoccupied with work and would reach out to the pack at a later time.

That night, Eleanor had shared with the family the details of her encounter with Jacob. The revelation left everyone concerned and apprehensive about the potential consequences.

Eleanor's gaze flicked towards her mother, who stood near the window in contemplation. She broke the silence, her voice expressing concern.

"Mom, we all know that the pack will eventually uncover the truth. A few days have passed since my encounter with Jake, and I'm worried about Seth and Leah," Eleanor spoke, her worry evident.

Eve turned to face her, a pensive expression on her face. She knew exactly what Eleanor was referring to.

" I know, El. Believe me, I know." Eve said, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Have you been picking up on any vibes or instincts lately?" Eleanor inquired.

Eve shook her head in response, her brow slightly furrowed. "No, not anything recently," she replied.

Eleanor let out a sigh and bit her lip as her eyes wandered to the backyard and the forest beyond. She couldn't help feeling exposed and vulnerable in this situation.

A brief pause hung in the air before Eve spoke, sensing her daughter's worry.

"I've been feeling a bit more tired than usual." She admitted, a hint of concern in her voice.

Eleanor turned back to face her mother, her forehead slightly creased in worry. "You've been feeling more tired?" she repeated, a tinge of worry in her voice, "Are the twins draining you?"

Eve nodded, her expression a mix of fatigue and resignation. "Yes, the twins are definitely taking a toll," she replied.

Eleanor couldn't help but feel a pang of concern at her mother's words. She knew the pregnancy was taking a toll, but hearing her admit to feeling tired only amplified her worry.

"Have you been getting enough rest?" Eleanor inquired, her eyes studying her mother's pale, yet beautiful face.

Eve let out a small sigh, nodding in agreement. "Yes, I've been sleeping more frequently these days," she confirmed. "I wake up, eat if I'm hungry, and not too long after, I fall asleep again."

"What does Carlisle think about it?" Eleanor inquired.

Eve replied, "He's been diligently monitoring everything. He's constantly by my side, noting any changes. After that, he goes hunting for me. I feel terrible about it all, you know? I mean, I know vampires don't get tired, but they can get overwhelmed with everything."

Eleanor couldn't help but chuckle, "Mom, Carlisle is your husband and the father of the twins. I doubt for a moment he's feeling overwhelmed."

"I know, I know," Eve responded, her tone turning lighter, a hint of a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "But he's been running around and doing so much for me and the twins. I can't help but feel guilty."

"Mom, stop feeling guilty." Eleanor gently scolded her mother. "Carlisle is doing all that because he loves you and the twins. He won't do something that he can't handle."

Eve chuckled softly, knowing deep down that Eleanor was right. "I know, I'm being silly." She replied, shaking her head slightly. "It's just a bit overwhelming, but I know Carlisle is here for us no matter what."

Eleanor smiled, relieved to see her mother's lighter mood. "Exactly. Besides, Carlisle is a grown man; he knows his limits and is here to support you every step of the way."

Eve returned the smile, grateful for her daughter's unwavering dedication. "I know. I just hate feeling like I'm causing additional stress."

Eleanor extended her hand to her mother, gently coaxing her. "Come on, let's watch something. It'll help take your mind off things and stop you from overthinking."

Eve looked at her daughter's outstretched hand, briefly pausing before taking it and allowing herself to be led. She allowed herself to be pulled over to the couch, settling down as the tiredness slowly overcame her.

"Yeah, that sounds good." Eve nodded, letting out a weary sigh.

...

As Carlisle and Edward returned, they found Eve sound asleep in the living room. Carlisle meticulously prepared the blood, securing it to keep it fresh. Once he was done, he discovered Eleanor waiting just outside the clinic. She asked him if they could talk.

Carlisle nodded in agreement, replying, "Of course, we can talk. Come in."

Eleanor winced slightly as she inhaled a waft of blood odour emanating from the clinic.

"Can we talk somewhere else?" she requested. "The smell of blood is making me uncomfortable."

Understanding her discomfort, Carlisle led Eleanor to the other side of the house, away from the clinic's vicinity. They settled in a more comfortable space, where the scent of blood was far gone.

"Thank you," Eleanor murmured, finally able to breathe without the potent odour of blood assaulting her senses.

As they settled into their new spot, a slight shiver ran down Eleanor's spine as she pondered the thought of ever becoming a vampire herself. However, she also realized that for vampires, blood was their sustenance, and it may have a different appeal to them.

Eleanor took a moment before speaking, her voice soft as she brought up a topic. "Mom mentioned that the twins have grown again."

Carlisle let out a sigh, recognizing the gravity of the situation. "Yes, your mother and I have discussed it, and we both know it's becoming increasingly hazardous."

"But what do you think?" Eleanor pressed further, her concern evident.

Carlisle admitted, his voice laced with fear and trepidation, "I'm scared, terrified. But whatever your mother wants, I will do it for her."

Eleanor's voice dropped to a whisper, her worry for her mother's safety palpable. "Even if it could hurt her?"

Carlisle closed his eyes, taking a moment to steady himself before responding, "I will do everything in my power to ensure that it does not end in injury for Eve. I will protect her with everything I have."

Eleanor felt a small sense of relief, knowing Carlisle was going to do everything possible to keep her mother safe. "I hope you can," she said, a hint of anxiety in her voice. "Because if something were to happen to her, I don't know how I would be able to handle it."

Carlisle reached out, placing a gentle hand on Eleanor's shoulder. "I understand," he reassured her. "But you must also trust in your mother's strength and resilience. She has gone through many difficult situations and has come out victorious."

Eleanor nodded, knowing that her mother was strong and determined. "I know," she conceded, "but it doesn't make it any less scary, knowing she's carrying twins and their growth is becoming a danger to her health."

Carlisle sighed deeply, running a hand through his golden locks. "It is a tough situation, a dangerous one. But I promise you, your mother is my utmost priority, and I would rather die myself than let anything happen to her."

Eleanor's frown deepened at the mention of Carlisle dying. "No, let's not go there, Carlisle. Death isn't an option for any of us, including you."

Carlisle chuckled softly, appreciating Eleanor's concern for his well-being. "I know, I didn't mean it that way," he reassured her. "I was just trying to express the lengths I would go to protect your mother."

Eleanor rolled her eyes slightly, but her expression softened. "Yeah, I got that," she replied. "But I'll prefer that no one sacrifices themselves. We'll find a way through this together."

"Of course," Carlisle agreed, a small smile playing on his lips. "We're going to figure this out, together. I can guarantee you that."

Eventually, he left, and gently lifted Eve into his arms and carefully made his way upstairs to their bedroom, taking care not to disturb her in her slumber. Once they reached their room, he delicately laid her on the bed and tucked her in. As he watched her sleep peacefully, his thoughts swirled with worry and love.

Meanwhile, Eleanor remained seated in the living room, lost in her own thoughts. She was startled when she noticed Edward quietly entering the room.

"Hey," he said softly, his voice barely a whisper. "Mind if I join you?"

Eleanor shook her head, gesturing for him to sit down. "No, not at all," she replied, her tone a bit weary.

Edward took a seat next to her, sensing her tiredness. "You look exhausted," he observed.

She chuckled weakly, "Believe me, you wouldn't need to read my mind to figure it out. My thoughts are exhausting enough."

Eleanor looked over at Edward, observing his expression. "I'm curious, how do you feel about all of this?" she inquired. "I assumed you would align with Carlisle, but it seems your feelings might be different."

Edward leaned back in his seat, his expression contemplative. "I trust Carlisle wholeheartedly, truly," he began. "But Alice's hesitancy concerns me. I usually rely on her a lot when it comes to decision-making, and her discomfort adds to the complexity of the situation."

Edward nodded slightly, listening intently to Eleanor's inner thoughts. "So you're switching sides," he stated quietly, acknowledging the shift in her stance.

Eleanor hesitated momentarily before confessing, "I don't want to, truly. I want to support my mother, but I can't overlook the danger. I can't bear the thought of losing her."

Edward understood her concern and leaned forward, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "It's normal to feel scared. We all are," he reassured her, his voice barely above a whisper. "We all want to protect your mother and the babies. But we all have different perspectives."

Eleanor looked at Edward, appreciating his words but still feeling torn. "I know, I know," she murmured, a hint of desperation in her voice. "But what if something does go wrong? What if we can't protect her?"

Edward squeezed her shoulder gently, attempting to provide her with some comfort. "We will do everything in our power to prevent that," he whispered, his voice filled with determination. "And we also need to understand that your mother is strong, and she's braver than all of us."

Eleanor sighed, knowing the truth behind Edward's words. "I know, she's the most courageous person I know," she whispered, her voice wavering slightly. "But it doesn't make it any less terrifying."

Edward's voice was soft but firm as he spoke, "Let's prioritize being there for her. We may not agree on everything, but what matters most is that we support her. All she needs is for us to stand by her side."

Eleanor nodded in agreement, a sense of relief washing over her at Edward's words. "You're right," she murmured. "No matter our differing opinions, we have to stay united for her. She's going through enough already."