4 breaking dawn破晓-第28部分

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〃Maybe。〃　

〃Jacob？〃　Esme　asked。　I　backed　toward　the　door　as　she　continued；　she　took　a　few　steps　after　me。　〃I　left　
a　basket　of　clothes　on　the　porch。　They're　for　Leah。　They're　freshly　washed—I　tried　to　touch　them　as　little　
as　possible。〃　She　frowned。　〃Do　you　mind　taking　them　to　her？〃　

〃On　it；〃　I　muttered；　and　then　I　ducked　out　the　door　before　anyone　could　guilt　me　into　anything　else。　




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15。　TICK　TOCK　TICK　TOCK　TICK　TOCK　

Hey　Jake；　thought　you　said　you　wanted　me　at　dusk。　How　e　you　didn't　have　Leah　wake　me　up　
before　she　crashed？　

'Cause　I　didn't　need　you。　I'm　still　good。　

He　was　already　picking　up　the　north　half　of　the　circle。　Anything？　

Nope。　Nothing　but　nothing。　

You　did　some　scouting？　

He'dcaught　the　edge　of　one　of　my　side　trips。　He　headed　up　the　new　trail。　

Yeah—　ran　a　few　spokes。　You　know；　just　checking。　If　the　Cullens　are　going　to　make　a　hunting　
trip。。。　

Good　call。　

Seth　looped　back　toward　the　main　perimeter。　

It　was　easier　to　run　with　him　than　it　was　to　do　the　same　with　Leah。　Though　she　was　trying—trying　
hard—there　was　always　an　edge　to　her　thoughts。　She　didn't　want　to　be　here。　She　didn't　want　to　feel　the　
softening　toward　the　vampires　that　was　going　on　in　my　head。　She　didn't　want　to　deal　with　Seth's　cozy　
friendship　with　them；　a　friendship　that　was　only　getting　stronger。　

Funny；　though；　I'd've　thought　her　biggest　issue　would　just　be　me。　We'd　always　gotten　on　each　other's　
nerves　when　we　were　in　Sam's　pack。　But　there　was　no　antagonism　toward　me　now　at　all；　just　the　Cullens　
andBella。　I　wondered　why。　Maybe　it　was　simply　gratitude　that　I　wasn't　forcing　her　to　leave。　Maybe　it　
was　because　I　understood　her　hostility　better　now。　Whichever；　running　with　Leah　wasn't　nearly　as　bad　as　
I'd　expected。　

Of　course；　she　hadn't　eased　up　that　much。　The　food　and　clothes　Esme　had　sent　for　her　were　all　taking　a　
trip　downriver　right　now。　Even　after　I'd　eaten　my　share—not　because　it　smelled　nearly　irresistible　away　
from　the　vampire　burn；　but　to　set　a　good　example　of　selfsacrificing　tolerance　for　Leah—she'd　refused。　
The　small　elk　she'd　taken　down　around　noon　had　not　totally　satisfied　her　appetite。　Did　make　her　mood　
worse；　though。　Leah　hated　eating　raw。　

Maybe　we　should　runa　sweep　east？　Seth　suggested。　Go　deep；　see　if　they're　out　there　waiting。　

I　was　thinking　about　that；I　agreed。　But　let's　do　it　when　we're　all　awake。　I　don't　want　to　let　down　our　
guard。　We　should　do　it　before　the　Cullens　give　it　a　try；　though。　Soon。　

Right。　

That　got　me　thinking。　

If　the　Cullens　were　able　to　get　out　of　the　immediate　area　safely；　they　really　ought　to　keep　on　going。　They　
probably　should　have　taken　off　the　second　we'd　e　to　warn　them。　They　had　to　be　able　to　afford　other　
digs。　And　they　had　friends　up　north；　right？　Take　Bella　and　run。　It　seemed　like　an　obvious　answer　to　their　



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problems。　

I　probably　ought　to　suggest　that；　but　I　was　afraid　they　would　listen　to　me。　And　I　didn't　wantto　haveBella　
disappear—to　never　know　whether　she'd　made　it　or　not。　

No；　that　was　stupid。　I　wouldtell　them　togo。　It　made　no　sense　for　them　to　stay；　and　it　would　be　better　
—not　less　painful；　but　healthier—for　me　if　Bella　left。　

Easyto　say　now；　when　Bella　wasn't　right　there；　looking　all　thrilled　to　see　me　and　also　clinging　to　life　by　
her　fingernails　at　the　same　time。。。　

Oh；　I　already　asked　Edward　about　that；Seth　thought。　

What？　

I　asked　him　why　they　hadn't　taken　off　yet。　Gone　up　to　Tanya's　place　or　something。　Somewhere　too　far　
for　Sam　to　e　after　them。　

I　had　to　remind　myself　that　I'd　just　decided　to　give　the　Cullens　that　exact　advice。　That　it　was　best。　So　I　
shouldn't　be　mad　at　Seth　for　taking　the　chore　out　of　my　hands。　Not　mad　at　all。　

So　what　did　he　say？　Are　they　waiting　for　a　window？　

No。　They're　not　leaving。　

And　that　shouldn't　sound　like　good　news。　

Why　not？　That's　just　stupid。　

Not　really；Seth　said；　defensive　now。　It　takes　some　time　to　build　up　the　kind　of　medical　access　that　
Carlisle　has　here。　He's　got　all　the　stuff　he　needs　to　take　care　of　Bella；　and　the　credentials　to　get　
more。　That's　one　of　the　reasons　they　want　to　make　a　hunting　run。　Carlisle　thinks　they're　going　to　
need　more　blood　for　Bella　soon。　She's　using　up　all　the　O　negative　they　stored　for　her。　He　doesn't　
like　depleting　the　stockpile。　He's　going　to　buy　some　more。　Did　you　know　you　can　buy　blood？　If　
you're　a　doctor。　

I　wasn't　ready　to　be　logical　yet。　Still　seems　stupid。　They　could　bring　most　of　it　with　them；　right？　
And　steal　what　they　need　wherever　they　go。　Who　cares　about　legal　crap　when　you're　the　undead？　

Edward　doesn't　want　to　take　any　risks　moving　her。　

She's　better　than　she　was。　

Seriously；Seth　agreed。　In　his　head；　he　was　paring　my　memories　of　Bella　hooked　up　to　the　tubes　with　
the　

last　time　he'd　seen　her　as　he'd　left　the　house。　She'd　smiled　at　him　and　waved。　But　she　can't　move　
around　much；　you　know。　That　thing　is　kicking　the　hell　out　of　her。　

I　swallowed　back　the　stomach　acid　in　my　throat。　Yeah；　I　know。　




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Broke　another　of　her　ribs；he　told　me　somberly。　

My　stride　faltered；　and　I　staggered　a　step　before　I　regained　my　rhythm。　

Carlisle　taped　her　up　again。　Just　another　crack；　he　said。　Then　Rosalie　said　something　about　how　even　
normal　human　babies　have　been　known　to　crack　ribs。　Edward　looked　like　he　was　gonna　rip　her　head　off。　

Too　bad　he　didn't　

Seth　was　in　full　report　mode　now—knowing　it　was　all　vitally　interesting　to　me；　though　I'd　never've　asked　
to　hear　it。　Bella's　been　running　a　fever　off　and　on　today。　Just　low　grade　—　sweats　and　then　chills。　
Carlisle's　not　sure　what　to　make　of　it—　shemightjust　be　sick。　Her　immune　system　can't　be　in　peak　
form　right　now。　

Yeah；　I'm　sure　it's　just　a　coincidence。　

She's　in　a　good　mood；　though。　She　was　chatting　with　Charlie；　laughing　and　all—　

Charlie！What？！　What　do　you　mean；　she　was　talking　to　Charlie？！　

Now　Seth's　pace　stuttered；　my　fury　surprised　him。　Guess　he　calls　every　day　to　talk　to　her。　Sometimes　
her　mom　calls；　too。　Bella　sounds　so　much　better　now；　so　she　was　reassuring　him　that　she　was　on　
the　mendOn　the　mend？　What　the　hell　are　they　thinking？！　Get　Charlie's　hopes　up　just　so　that　he　
can　be　destroyed　even　worse　when　she　dies？　I　thought　they　were　getting　him　ready　for　that！　
Trying　to　prepare　him！　Why　would　she　set　him　up　like　this？　

She　might　not　die；Seth　thought　quietly。　

I　took　deep　breath；　trying　to　calm　myself。　Seth。　Even　if　she　pulls　through　this；　she's　not　doing　it　
human。　She　knows　that；　and　so　do　the　rest　of　them。　If　she　doesn't　die；　she's　going　to　have　to　do　a　
pretty　convincing　impersonation　of　a　corpse；　kid。　Either　that；　or　disappear。　I　thought　they　were　
trying　to　make　this　easier　on　Charlie。　Why。。。　？　

Think　it's　Bella's　idea。　No　one　said　anything；　but　Edward's　face　kinda　went　right　along　with　what　you're　
thinking　now。　

On　the　same　wavelength　with　the　bloodsucker　yet　again。　

We　ran　in　silence　for　a　few　minutes。　I　started　off　along　a　new　line；　probing　south。　

Don't　get　too　far。　

Why？　

Bella　asked　me　to　ask　you　to　stop　by。　

My　teeth　locked　together。　

Alice　wants　you；　too。　She　says　she's　tired　of　hanging　out　in　the　attic　like　the　vampire　bat　in　the　belfry。　
Seth　snorted　a　laugh。　　was　switching　off　with　Edward　before。　Trying　to　keep　Bella's　temperature　
stable。　Cold　to　hot；　as　needed。　I　guess；　if　you　don't　want　to　do　it；　I　could　go　back—　



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No。　I　got　it；I　snapped。　

Okay。Seth　didn't　make　any　more　ments。　He　concentrated　very　hard　on　the　empty　forest。　

I　kept　my　southern　course；　searching　for　anything　new。　I　turned　around　when　I　got　close　to　the　first　signs　
of　habitation。　Not　near　the　town　yet；　but　I　didn't　want　to　get　any　wolf　rumors　going　again。　We'd　been　
nice　and　invisible　for　a　long　while　now。　

I　passed　right　through　the　perimeter　on　my　way　back；　heading　for　the　house。　As　much　as　I　knew　it　was　a　
stupid　thing　to　do；　I　couldn't　stop　myself。　I　must　be　some　kind　of　masochist。　

There's　nothing　wrong　with　you；　Jake。　This　isn't　the　most　normal　situation。　

Shut　up；　please；　Seth。　

Shutting。　

I　didn't　hesitate　at　the　door　this　time；　I　just　walked　through　like　I　owned　the　place。　I　figured　that　would　
piss　Rosalie　off；　but　it　was　a　wasted　effort。　Neither　Rosalie　or　Bella　were　anywhere　in　sight。　I　looked　
around　wildly；　hoping　I'd　missed　them　somewhere；　my　heart　squeezing　against　my　ribs　in　a　weird；　
unfortable　way。　

〃She's　all　right；〃　Edward　whispered。　〃Or；　the　same；　I　should　say。〃　

Edward　was　on　the　couch　with　his　face　in　his　hands；　he　hadn't　looked　up　to　speak。　Esme　was　next　to　
him；　her　arm　wrapped　tight　around　his　shoulders。　

〃Hello；　Jacob；〃　she　said。　〃I'm　so　glad　you　came　back。〃　

〃Me；　too；〃　Alice　said　with　a　deep　sigh。　She　came　prancing　down　the　stairs；　making　a　face。　Like　1　was　
late　for　an　appointment。　

〃Uh；　hey；〃　I　said。　It　felt　weird　to　try　to　be　polite。　

〃Where's　Bella？〃　

〃Bathroom；〃　Alice　told　me。　〃Mostly　fluid　diet；　you　know。　Plus；　the　whole　pregnancy　thing　does　that　to　
you；　I　hear。〃　

〃Ah。〃　

I　stood　there　awkwardly；　rocking　back　and　forth　on　my　heels。　

〃Oh；　wonderful；〃　Rosalie　grumbled。　I　whipped　my　head　around　and　saw　her　ing　from　a　hall　
halfhidden　behind　the　stairway。　She　had　Bella　cradled　gently　in　her　arms；　a　harsh　sneer　on　her　face　for　
me。　〃I　knew　I　smelled　something　nasty。〃　

And；　just　like　before；　Bella's　face　lit　up　like　a　kid's　on　Christmas　morning。　Like　I'd　brought　her　the　
greatest　gift　ever。　




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It　was　so　unfair。　

〃Jacob；〃　she　breathed。　〃You　came。〃　

〃Hi；　Bells。〃　

Esme　and　Edward　both　got　up。　I　watched　how　carefully　Rosalie　laid　Bella　out　on　the　couch。　I　watched　
how；　despite　that；　Bella　turned　white　and　held　her　breath—like　she　was　set　on　not　making　any　noise　no　
matter　how　much　it　hurt。　

Edward　brushed　his　hand　across　her　forehead　and　then　along　her　neck。　He　tried　to　make　it　look　as　if　he　
was　

just　sweeping　her　hair　back；　but　it　looked　like　a　doctor's　examination　to　me。　

〃Are　you　cold？〃　he　murmured。　

I'm　fine。〃　

〃Bella；　you　know　what　Carlisle　told　you；〃　Rosalie　said。　〃Don't　downplay　anything。　It　doesn't　help　us　
take　care　of　either　of　you。〃　

〃Okay；　I'm　a　little　cold。　Edward；　can　you　hand　me　that　blanket？〃　

I　rolled　my　eyes。　〃Isn't　that　sort　of　the　point　of　me　being　here？〃　

〃You　just　walked　in；〃　Bella　said。　〃After　running　all　day；　I'd　bet。　Put　your　feet　up　for　a　minute。　I'll　
probably　warm　up　again　in　no　time。〃　

I　ignored　her；　going　to　sit　on　the　floor　next　the　sofa　while　she　was　still　telling　me　what　to　do。　At　that　
point；　though；　I　wasn't　sure　how。。。。　She　looked　pretty　brittle；　and　I　was　afraid　to　move　her；　even　to　put　
my　arms　around　her。　So　I　just　leaned　carefully　against　her　side；　letting　my　arm　rest　along　the　length　of　
hers；　and　held　her　hand。　Then　I　put　my　other　hand　against　her　face。　It　was　hard　to　tell　if　she　felt　colder　
than　usual。　

〃Thanks；　Jake；〃　she　said；　and　I　felt　her　shiver　once。　

〃Yeah；〃　I　said。　

Edward　sat　on　the　arm　of　the　sofa　by　Bella's　feet；　his　eyes　always　on　her　face。　

It　was　too　much　to　hope；　with　all　the　superhearing　in　the　room；　that　no　one　would　notice　my　stomach　
rumbling。　

〃Rosalie；　why　don't　you　get　Jacob　something　from　the　kitchen？〃　Alice　said。　She　was　invisible　now；　sitting　
quietly　behind　the　back　of　the　sofa。　

Rosalie　stared　at　the　place　Alice's　voice　had　e　from　in　disbelief。　

〃Thanks；　anyway；　Alice；　but　I　don't　think　I'd　want　to　eat　something　Blondie's　spit　in。　I'd　bet　my　system　
wouldn't　take　too　kindly　to　venom。〃　



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〃Rosalie　would　never　embarrass　Esme　by　displaying　such　a　lack　of　hospitality。〃　

〃Of　course　not；〃　Blondie　said　in　a　sugarsweet　voice　that　I　immediately　distrusted。　She　got　up　and　
breezed　out　of　the　room。　

Edward　sighed。　

〃You'd　tell　me　if　she　poisoned　it；　right？〃　I　asked。　

〃Yes；〃　Edward　promised。　

And　for　some　reason　I　believed　him。　

There　was　a　lot　of　banging　in　the　kitchen；　and—weirdly—the　sound　of　metal　protesting　as　it　was　
abused。　Edward　sighed　again；　but　smiled　just　a　little；　too。　Then　Rosalie　was　back　before　I　could　think　
much　more　about　it。　With　a　pleased　smirk；　she　set　a　silver　bowl　on　the　floor　next　to　me。　

〃Enjoy；　mongrel。〃　

It　had　once　probably　been　a　big　mixing　bowl；　but　she'd　bent　the　bowl　back　in　on　itself　until　it　was　
shaped　almost　exactly　like　a　dog　dish。　I　had　to　be　impressed　with　her　quick　craftsmanship。　And　her　
attention　to　detail。　She'd　

scratched　the　word　Fido　into　the　side。　Excellent　handwriting。　

Because　the　food　looked　pretty　good—steak；　no　less；　and　a　big　baked　potato　with　all　the　fixings—I　told　
her；　〃Thanks；　Blondie。〃　

She　snorted。　

〃Hey；　do　you　know　what　you　call　a　blonde　with　a　brain？〃　I　asked；　and　then　continued　on　the　same　
breath；　〃a　golden　retriever。〃　

〃I've　heard　that　one；　too；〃　she　said；　no　longer　smiling。　

〃I'll　keep　trying；〃　I　promised；　and　then　I　dug　in。　

She　made　a　disgusted　face　and　rolled　her　eyes。　Then　she　sat　in　one　of　the　armchairs　and　started　flicking　
through　channels　on　the　big　TV　so　fast　that　there　was　no　way　she　could　really　be　surfing　for　something　to　
watch。　

The　food　was　good；　even　with　the　vampire　stink　in　the　air。　I　was　getting　really　used　to　that。　Huh。　Not　
something　I'd　been　wanting　to　do；　exactly。。。　

When　I　was　finished—though　I　was　considering　licking　the　bowl；　just　to　give　Rosalie　something　to　
plain　about—I　felt　Bella's　cold　fingers　pulling　softly　through　my　hair。　She　patted　it　down　against　the　
back　of　my　neck。　

〃Time　for　a　haircut；　huh？〃　




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〃You're　getting　a　little　shaggy；〃　she　said。　〃Maybe—〃　

〃Let　me　guess；　someone　around　here　used　to　cut　hair　in　a　salon　in　Paris？〃　

She　chuckled。　〃Probably。〃　

〃No　thanks；〃　I　said　before　she　could　really　offer。　〃I'm　good　for　a　few　more　weeks。〃　

Which　made　me　wonder　how　long　she　was　good　for。　I　tried　to　think　of　a　polite　way　to　ask。　

〃So。。。　urn。。。　what's　the；　er；　date？　You　know；　the　due　date　for　the　little　monster。〃　

She　smacked　the　back　of　my　head　with　about　as　much　force　as　a　drifting　feather；　but　didn't　answer。　

〃I'm　serious；〃　I　told　her。　〃I　want　to　know　how　long　I'm　gonna　have　to　be　here。〃　How　long　you're　gonna　
be　here；　I　added　in　my　head。　I　turned　to　look　at　her　then。　Her　eyes　were　thoughtful；　the　stress　line　was　
there　between　her　brows　again。　

〃I　don't　know；〃　she　murmured。　〃Not　exactly。　Obviously；　we're　not　going　with　the　ninemonth　model　
here；　and　we　can't　get　an　ultrasound；　so　Carlisle　is　guesstimating　from　how　big　I　am。　Normal　people　are　
supposed　to　be　about　forty　centimeters　here〃—she　ran　her　finger　right　down　the　middle　of　her　bulging　
stomach—〃when　the　baby　is　fully　grown。　One　cen