This starts after James has reacted to Bella's scent after the baseball game.
I stood frozen as Carlisle spoke in low tones that seemed to blend together in my mind. My thoughts were racing as an idea came to mind. I needed to share it with Edward but didn't know how as he couldn't hear what I was thinking. I felt myself concentrate on him and suddenly felt a connection to him. My idea flew quickly from my mind to his, I hoped. Alice had seen what I was thinking and had a vision. She winked at me as if to reassure me that things would be okay. Esme, like any mother, seemed to want to shelter me behind her. I felt protected if only Edward would react to my idea. I reached out past Esme's arm to touch Edward. He never turned around but pulled me closer behind him after I brushed his arm and hand with my fingertips.
Suddenly, I heard Edward speak lowly but at a level I could hear. "Stay put, Isabella." I had my answer, he always called me Bella. I touched his shoulder again and felt my mouth begin to open to speak.
"Edward, if we tell them, it could end this conflict safely."
"Bella, I will keep you safe."
"If they knew, it would be much clearer. It might calm things down. Prevent anyone from getting hurt because of me."
Edward turned to look at me, showing in his eyes he understood, as he pulled me behind the rest of his family. He snipped out his words angrily though, "We will not do this here."
"I know you didn't want to reveal things this way but it needs to be done, love." I said defiantly looking into his eyes.
"Bella," he said seeming to soften to me. "Ok, I give. Esme, I need to apologize that we didn't include everyone in this before but Bella and I are married."
"So you see, Laurent, it is by choice that my husband keeps me as a human being. Not due to lack to argument." I said pulling closer to Edward.
Carlisle spoke next continuing to remain calm, "So as you see James, there is a prior claim to Bella."
"There are no rings on your hands." James snapped out in frustration.
"My rings are at the house in Edward's room. I didn't want to risk something happening to the beautiful rings Edward got me or revealing anything we weren't ready for yet. Our marriage was not known to everyone yet so to wear rings would have raised a lot of questions." I said curling closer to Edward who had an arm around me but was still alert to James' action. I could feel the tenseness in his body and the readiness to strike if need be.
Carlisle spoke to Esme. "Guess we need a new pendant." He said as he pulled her close smiling slightly.
Carlisle and Esme's surprise was enough to convince Laurent and Victoria of Edward's claim to me. They calmed James down and apologized to Carlisle.
Edward, Alice, Emmett and I all turned to go to the Jeep. My fear was still strong enough that I could taste it in my mouth. I kept as close to Edward as possible hoping that my closeness to him would show the devotion I had said we shared. My breaths were starting to come faster but I didn't notice as Edward lifted me on to his back and began to run to the Jeep.
When we reached the Jeep, I finally felt my body begin to shake. Edward set me down next to the car and he began to speak to Alice. "Did they buy it?"
"I believe so but we will have to be very careful. Her absence will have to be explained when she goes home tonight."
Emmett was watching and making sure we weren't followed. "They have left with Carlisle and the others to go back to the house." He said quietly.
Hearing they had truly left was the final straw to my mind and body as I felt myself collapse, sliding down the side of the Jeep to the ground below. I felt Edward at my side as I reached the ground. "Bella, are you alright?"
I had to wet my lips and take a deep breath before I could calm my nerves enough to answer him. "I think so. My courage just ran out I think." I said as I turned my head to meet his topaz eyes.
He reached his hand out and helped me to my feet. He helped me into the back of the Jeep as Alice and Emmett took the front. I curled as close to him as I could. My mind thought if I was next to Edward the fears now running through my head, showing in my shaking hands, would go away.
Alice spoke gently understanding my fear, "Bella, we need to go back to the house. Do you think you are ready to get that courage of yours up again?"
I looked up into Edward's eyes. He nodded to me as if he knew I wondered if he'd stay at my side. "I think I'll be okay now."
As the house came into view, I grabbed out for Edward's hand and held it in mine. He squeezed it and that alone helped me calm down and prepare for going into the house with the Vampires who could have killed me earlier. As we got ready to leave the Jeep, Edward scooped me into his arms and carried me to the door. Esme held it opened as he carried me into the house. I buried my face into his shirt realizing the audience we had once we got in. I felt my cheeks get warm and the slight laugh come from Edward's chest.
He set me down on to my feet and took me quietly upstairs where Alice was waiting for us in his room. She held out two rings, one gold band with diamonds in it and an engagement ring that took my breath away. "Here, I hope these fit. I knew that once we came back we'd have to find something for you to use. These belonged to Edward's birth mother. James is going to expect you to have rings on your hand when you go back down. Edward, do you have something that you can wear?" she said as I slipped the rings on to my left hand. I was surprised at how well the rings seemed to suit my hand.
"Yes, Alice. Stay here with Bella a minute for me." He said as he gently let me go.
"Alice, did I do the right thing back there?" I whispered to her feeling the nervousness return with Edward away from me.
"Yes, Bella. Your idea saved James from deciding to hunt you. You could have very well have saved your life." She said as she placed a gentle hand on my shoulder.
I felt him return to my side. "Well, Alice. Would this work for now?" he said to her showing a ring on his left hand.
"Yes. Very believable. We just have to keep this up for a bit longer and then they should be gone and you'll be safe Bella." She said looking from the ring to me. "Let me go down first. You newlyweds should have a moment alone." She joked as she slipped away.
"Bella, I should have never brought you to the game tonight." Edward started again.
"Edward, there is nothing that can be done to change that now. I am just so glad I was able to figure out how to send you the message of what I was thinking." I said as I went into his arms needing the comfort of his presence.
"How did you do that? Normally I can't tell a thing you are thinking." He asked smelling my hair.
"I don't know. I just tried really hard to feel your mind and to pass along my idea."
He nodded as he got a thought from downstairs. "Carlisle says we need to come down so we don't appear rude."
I closed my eyes and breathed deeply as I stepped back just a little from him. "Ok, I'm ready if you are." He took my hand and I followed him as we started down the stairs again.
At the bottom of the stairs, Esme, in her motherly way, took me into her arms and pulled my left hand out to be seen. Edward watched carefully, it was if I could feel his eyes following me trying to protect me from across the room. Jasper provided a calming influence but could tell I was still nervous and smiled gently trying to aid my confidence. Carlisle must have sensed my nervousness and spoke first, "Bella, there is nothing to be nervous about. I know as long as you and Edward are happy then we are all happy for you." He held his arms out and I went to him, again seeking out ways to be away from James who still studied me carefully. Carlisle provided a protecting presence as did Emmett, Carlisle's was more a fatherly presence rather than the big burly brother presence that Emmett had.
I could see the jealousy in Edward's eyes towards James to have someone else study me as closely as he often did. Our eyes met and he smiled slightly at me. His smile drew me from Carlisle's side to him. I just felt right being close to him, it felt safe. He quickly reached out to me with his hand and guided me next to him. James walked near us and breathed deeply inhaling the scent from my hair. I shivered as he walked past, Edward was the only one who had done that before and having someone else do it was disconcerting. Edward pulled me to stand in front of him instead of at his side; just being close to him gave me courage.
Suddenly James walked out of the door with Victoria followed by Laurent. As I looked around all of the Cullens were confused but Edward was concentrating trying to hear their thoughts and what they were saying. If they were speaking I knew it was in hushed tones lower than I could ever hear. I felt shivers go down my spine as Alice gasped quietly near me as I stood clinging to Edward. I looked up to Edward's face as it hardened. "It's not over, is it?" I quietly asked as the fear rose again in my throat.
As I glanced to Carlisle, he looked to Esme who shook her head no answering my question. I felt my breathing become irregular and it was harder to breathe. Edward pulled him as close to him as I could be without being up in his arms. Those signs alone told me that the danger was not yet over. I felt the tears begin to run down my face quietly. A drop must have hit Edward's chest because he turned to face me and brushed the tears from my face with his hands. He nudged my chin up so that I looked into his eyes, "I will not let anything happen to you, Bella. I swear it. Do you trust me?" All I could do to answer him was nod my head as I tried to pull my emotions back together. He gently pulled me against him and resting my head on his chest holding me close.