It had been an exhausting few days. Not that he could physically tire of course, but as far as emotional exertion goes, he was certain that he was experiencing the after effects now. So, it was with a small sigh of frustration that he opened the glass door that fronted the Cullen house. Whatever Bella was hoping to achieve by this little charade, he really wished it could have waited. All he wanted was to be lying beside her, listening to her breathing and reveling in the soft steady thrum of her heartbeat. After all, he had spent the last 72 hours thinking that she was dead. At this thought, his own cold heart seemed to constrict, and he squeezed her hand minutely, reassuring himself that his love was indeed, safe and within his protection.
Bella turned her eyes to him, and for a moment he was content to lose himself in their chocolate depths, before he tore himself away and summoned the rest of the household, speaking each name in turn with a soft resignation. Like he had told Bella, he was humoring her. Whatever his family had to say, it would have little bearing on the future. The idea of Bella becoming like him, losing all that softness, all that was good and pure, repelled him. He could not, would not, steal that from her, even after facing, albeit temporarily, the grim existence that was what awaited him without her.
Within fractions of a second the family presented itself, and Edward's eyes flickered briefly to those of his creator, his mentor. He knew that his father was waiting for a moment to have his own 'conference' with him, a prospect that he had deftly avoided since the dramatic return from Europe. He didnt know how he would answer the questions that would surely be asked of him, and he would be lucky if that was all. He had a feeling that he may have pushed even the saintly Carlisle to his limits. But now, the blonde vampire merely greeted Bella, giving his errant son a cursory nod.
"Welcome back Bella. What can we do for you this morning? I imagine, due to the hour, that this is not a purely social visit?"
Bella nodded, and glanced up to Edward as she spoke " I'd like to talk to everyone at once, if thats okay. About something important" The bronze haired vampire to her left rolled his eyes, imperceptibly to human eyes, but the gesture was not missed by his coven leader, who fixed his son with a questioning gaze.
Edward shrugged it off, stepping in front of Carlisle and leading the way into the rarely used dining room and pulling out a chair for Bella. As he went to sit next to his love, he found his path blocked by his creator. Carlisle let Edward into his head for a moment
Don't think i don't realise you have been avoiding me Edward came his fathers thoughts, clear as day. I expect you to return home after dropping Bella back later, and then we will talk.
There was a slight edge of hurt in the command that made Edward's heart clench. He should have spared his father more time since he got back, but the desire to stay close to Bella, and to put off the inevitable scolding he was going to receive had made him keep his distance. Edward nodded slightly to acknowledge Carlisle, and then took his seat on Bella's left. He held her hand under the table as the rest of the family filed in, each with their own take on the situation. He scowled at Alice, who was grinning from ear to ear, already knowing their purpose. But Bella had the floor, and he could do little but listen as she began. Once she had explained her reasoning, even if it was incorrect and full of assumptions as he thought, Bella finished with her trump card.
"...taking that into account then,that i wont put any of you in danger either way, I want you to vote yes or no on the issue of me being a vampire"
Carlisle had been about to speak, but Edward interrupted, earning himself sharp looks from both Bella and his Father. He continued regardless.
" I have something to add before we vote" he spoke clearly, ignoring the pointed sigh from his right. " About the danger Bella is referring to. I dont think we need to be over anxious"
He went on to explain his theory about Bella's powers to block some of the gifts of the vampire world, his conviction growing at the support from his brothers. It was a fail safe plan. Of course, the girls and Esme were not so keen, but they were just being protective over their mates. Only Carlisle had remained silent thus far, and Edward swiveled his eyes to meet the steady gaze of the patriarch.
"Well? Surely you can see how we can exploit their weaknesses Carlisle?" Edward pressed, eager to hear the thoughts that were being so carefully blocked from him. The answer he got was not what he had hoped for, his fathers tone clipped and...furious
" I find it surprising how ready you are to make yourself and the rest of this family vulnerable AGAIN Edward. Even so soon after both Bella and Alice risked their lives to protect yours"
Edward swore he could feel himself flush. It was a very public admonishment, and it smarted. He opened his mouth to reply, but was silenced by a raised hand from Carlise.
"What Edward has proposed is not an alternative" he stated dismissively " So Bella, please continue"
Bella could feel the slight tightening of Edwards hand upon hers, but she steeled herself and began with her love, before moving around the table collecting votes. Beside her, Edward grew tenser with each positive vote. Going by majority rule, it was decided before she reached Carlisle, but everyone knew how much his vote really meant. He was looking carefully at his son.
"Edward" he began
The bronze haired vampires head snapped up and a low growl erupted from his chest. "No!"
"You've chosen not to live without her, so it leaves me no choice"
Edward's chair clattered to the floor as he dropped Bella's hand and leapt to his feet, his face a picture of beautiful fury.
" No I said! Who are any of you to have any part in this anyway" he snarled, turning to Bella he fixed her with a dangerous glare " Its not happening Bella, so you may as well come to terms with it."
Bella recoiled at his tone, her own eyes glazing with unshed tears. It was too much, another rejection from him so soon after his return. The eyes of his own family were upon Edward, shocked and angered at his apparent disregard for her feelings. Esme spoke, disapproval lacing her tone
"Edward! I really think.."
"Fuck what you think!" her son interrupted pushing away from the table. "Like I said, its not really any of your business is it? he continued, his voice escalating. " Its between me and Bella, and she knows whats NOT going to happen"
Watch your mouth Edward Carlisle silently warned. You're losing control of yourself.
Edward could feel his anger mounting, a culmination of the stresses of the last 72 hours, he felt like a tightly coiled spring, at some point the pressure would be too much and it would have to snap. Jasper obviously felt this too, and had gotten up from the table, positioning himself between Edward and Bella. The irony of it made Edward laugh bitterly, a contrast to Bella's quiet sobs.
"What? You're protecting her now? From me?"
Rosalie piped up, a disgusted look painting her exquisite features " Someone needs to, you're behaving like a complete ass. Its so good to have you back Edward.." Her voice was laced with sarcasm and it pushed her brother over the edge. With a furious snarl he leapt across the table at the blonde, hands reaching to grab her, hit her, anything...
Amongst the rest of the room, several things happened at once. Alice, seeing how this might play out, had scooped Bella up and carried her to the other side of the room. Rosalie had gotten to her feet, and Emmet was at her side, furiously protecting his mate. Esme was comforting Bella, her own distress marked by the expression on her face, all whilst Jasper tried fruitlessly to project calming emotions around the room. Carlisle had had it. Moving deftly around the table, he yanked Edward backwards by his collar, away from Rosalie, and spun him round to face him. Without really thinking or even looking to see who it was, Edward shoved him roughly away, still gripped by his rage at his sister, the situation, everything. But it didnt take much more than the sight of his creator flying backwards and crashing into the far wall to make him come to his senses.
Everyone had gone silent, shocked at Edward's actions, and Jasper was holding his head in his hands, unable to cope with the heightened emotional states of his family. As Carlisle picked himself up, Edward raised his hands in supplication, his eyes wide
"...It was an accident" he gabbered,looking around for support. He found none, not even from Bella, who's tear stained face was as horrified as everyone else's. Carlisle adjusted his shirt sleeves, and turned to inspect the damage to the wall behind him, which was cracked. He took a deep breath before speaking.
" Alice, if you would be so kind as to take Bella home..." he began, brushing plaster dust from his trousers
Edward panicked. He had only just got his Bella back, he couldnt be parted from her again so soon " But..."
Carlisle silenced him with a glare, and Edward felt his stomach curl with cold dread. He had never seen his father so angry.
"Its not safe for her to be here when you cant keep control of yourself. Edward, to your room, now. Emmet, Jasper, sort out this mess please"
It was with quiet immediacy that the family dissipated and began to do as was asked of them. Only Edward faltered, taking a step towards Bella, hating the reproach in her eyes, the scent of her still falling tears. He didn't know what to say. This had all gone so horribly wrong.
