Disclaimer: I in no way claim any of these characters to be mine. They're all property of Stephanie Meyer. I'm just playing in her rose garden and fiddling with her garden ornaments.

Bella POV

It hadn't been long since my whole world shifted. It was like everything had been ripped out from under me. But at the same time, something new, something more aware was replaced. And well, there was another thing that I was just starting to maybe not hate as much. I suppose I'd have to accept the weird around me. I was part of it literally now. But I don't think I could ever forget what led us to this, moment. To this day, to this end of sorts. We'd just have to face it, with heads held high and chins jutted.

"Bella?" Alice's voice cut into my deep thoughts. "Bella, you've been standing there for hours.." She commented, moving to stand at my side. Looking out the wall-sized window I'd be gazing out. There was nothing out there I was particularly staring at. Not to say the view of the forest and river wasn't breathtaking. But my mind was elsewhere, and the sun setting was just another reminder of what was going to happen.

"I'm fine, just got wrapped up in my thoughts.." I murmured, turning away from the window. My voice still surprised me. It was Bella in my head, but out loud it was.. something else. It was.. Bella. I blinked, realizing that the men were missing. "Where'd Edward go?" I asked, turning to look at Alice suddenly.

"They said they were going to hunt before tonight.." She said, dancing over to the sofa. Before taking her place delicately beside Esme. Cooing and wiggling her finger at the adorable bundle resting in Esmes' arms comfortably. "They'll be back before the meeting, don't fret."

I looked towards the door as it opened, but sighed as I realized the scent immediatly to be dog. Seth ambled in, shaking some water from his hair onto the welcome mat. Clearly he'd just been running the perimeter, I supposed Jacob and Leah were still out there somewhere. Pursing my lips, I turned back towards the wall-sized window. It felt so odd having three wolves who seemed totally in league with us. But tonight, I figured their loyalty would be tested. Tonight had me more worried than when the Volturri had come to visit. Though it still sent a small shiver down my spine.

A smile spread across my face as I spied figures moving through the trees. The boys were coming home, more importantly, mine was coming home. Without a second though I rushed out the back door and lept the porch. Meeting Edward just as he lept the river, grinning and leaping onto his back. His laughing sent me into my own chiming laugh. It still startled me, but I was beginning to accept that it was me now.

"Someone was anxious to see me." He teased, pulling me from his back and into his arms as we walked up to the house together. Even the impending doom of what tonight was likely to be, didn't spoil any joy I got being with Edward.

"You slipped out without my knowing. You're good." I teased, kissing his nose. And planting a trail of kisses along his cheek and down to his neck. Planting a few there for good measure, before snuggling into his arms. We'd made it inside by that point, to join the rest of our family. Jacob and Leah had made it back somehow within that time. Sighing gently, I slipped from Edwards arms and moved silently across the living room. Scooping up the small bundle from her arms, who was reaching towards me since I'd walked in.

Cradling her gently in my arms, I moved to the window once more. The sun was nearly gone behind the trees. It was still awhile yet till the meeting, but it didn't worry me anyless. Smiling, I felt Renesmee reach up and touch my cheek gently. Her hand was so soft and warm, as she flitted images of her day through my head. Esme singing to her, Alice dressing her up and Rosalie cradling her as she fed her. Even with danger on the horizon, I couldn't focus on it with her in my arms. Suddenly, I realized we hadn't established something, I whirled quickly.

"Where is Renesmee going to be?" I asked, looking at everyone. I knew everyone wanted to attend the meeting. And if this had been some tricky plan to leave me behind watching her, they had another thing coming.

"We thought she'd have to come with us.." Alice admitted, moving from the couch and dancing closer to me. Offering a smile to Renesmee, before looking at me. "It wouldn't be safe to leave her here alone. Since I can't see her or the wolves.."

I nodded and looked down at her. "That's a good idea. Looks like you get to come with mommy and daddy." I cooed, kissing her forehead gently and moving back to my statue like position. Now I was listening to the thrum of her heart. As my eyes got lost in the green of the forest.

"Bella.." It was Edwards voice this time that pulled me from my chaotic thoughts. Jumping slightly, I turned to face him. He was looking anxious, it must've been time to leave. "We better get Renesmee ready.." He murmured, running his fingers down her cheek. She'd fallen asleep sometime ago in my arms. I couldn't quite pinpoint it, but I'd been aware of it. Her heart beat much calmer in her sleep. With little fuss, we slipped her into a warm outfit. Followed by a ridiculous jacket, it looked warm however. I grabbed an afghan from the sofa and wrapped her in it. To protect her from my cold, as well as the wind soon to be whipping around her. Looking at my family, I felt a sharp pain of guilt. This was my fault, anything that happened tonight, was because of me.

Without actually speaking, we all moved as one out the door. I stayed near Edwards side, despite the fact I could outrun them all. Jacob ran at the front of us all, with Carlisle and Esme. Edward chuckled, no doubt Jacob was worrying about Renesmee's well being. I even caught him peeking behind a few times. Leah and Seth ran behind us, some feet behind. Making sure no one would plan to ambush or surprise us. This was my family, a mismatched batch of tragic backstories and lives forged and fixed with love. I snorted at myself, this was no time to be gooey and romantic. It what seemed too soon, we were in the all too familiar meadow. It had been where we'd all stood, weeks before and defended our very lives. I felt betrayed, Sam had been there, he'd offered support. And now, this..

We fanned into a line, almost at least. I stood at Edwards' side, Seth on my other. Jacob moved around to crouch in front of the three of us. Leah had found her way to pacing about behind us. Occasionally moving to be visible in front, before pacing behind us again. She didn't seem to trust they wouldn't ambush us from behind. I could understand her thoughts however, this all seemed uncalled for. Carlisle stood forward from us all, Esme almost at his back. Her hand was placed on his lower back, she wore a stony mask, but I could see her fear.

Soon, six pairs of eyes were visible through the bushes. Clearly they'd left the younger wolves behind. The missing eyes caused Leah to extend her pacing a bit further. She seemed desperate to find a scent that wasn't there. Sam stepped the most forward, however he remained far behind the line. He eyed Edward, obviously he had no intention to do this as a human. His eyes fell on me and Renesmee for a brief moment. I heard the small growl rumble in his chest and it took everything I had not to snarl right back at him

Edward touched my cheek gently, before moving to step beside Carlisle. I wanted to step closer, but Jacob stepped into my path. I sighed and glared at him, but remained in my place. Tucking the afghan around Renesmee's head gently.

"Sam." Carlisle greeted, with a charismatic smile. He had to know what was coming, but he still tried to remain friendly and pleasant. "To what do we owe the honor of this meeting?"

Edward snarled and seemed to hate having to be in Sam's head. Clearly Sam wasn't controlling his distaste for us. I could tell by the way Jacob's fur was standing on end as well. "He's come to speak about the treaty.." Edward finally spat.

"And what of it?" Carlisle asked politely. "Just weeks ago we were in good terms. You understood the severity and the lack of options with Bella." He smiled and clapped his hands together. The sound echoed and caused the wolves to almost recoil. "I also recall you standing with us during the Volturri.." He was hiding his hurt and pain of betrayal well. He clearly didn't want them to see this affected him.

I snorted and shifted my weight from one foot to the other. Not that I needed to, but I almost felt like I couldn't just stand here anymore. Like I needed to move, to walk, to do something. But I remained where I was, I'd caused enough problems as it was.

"He says he understands that.." Edward began, his eyes flashing. "But after much consideration. He can't accept that we caused so many young men to spring into wolves. They now have boys who are hardly men trying to learn control they shouldn't have." He paused and a growl broke in his throat. Edward was clearly editing. "He also can't forgive us turning Jake against him. We've not just broken the treaty, we've broken his pack."

Jake was on his feet before I could react. His chest rumbling as snarls ripped through his body. He strode to Edwards side and looked up at him. His large eyes appeared to be narrowed in a glare. His teeth bared, all these actions were ment for Sam.

"Jake would like to remind you that choice was purely his. And Leah and Seth made their own choices. No one caused him to leave you. And no one caused or forced Leah and Seth to stay." Seth seemed to interject his own small growl.

The whole pack seemed in uproar now. Snarling and snapping their jaws from the dark of the brush. This wasn't going to end well. Perhaps it wouldn't end tonight, but it would end soon. And it wasn't a pleasant outcome. I didn't need to be Alice to see this.

Carlisle waited for everyone to calm down, before speaking again. His voice had a small edge to it. Clearly he wasn't liking the way the conversation was going. "If you're so opposed, we can simply leave. Then no harm done."

Sam snarled and snapped his own jaws, throwing his gaze to Edward. His face was steeled, but his eyes flashed. "Sam says that doesn't matter.. We've broken the treaty. Wherever we go, we'll be followed. They have to punish the treaty breakers."

Carlisle frowned and looked at Edward, then Sam. "So there is nothing we can do.. Well, where does this leave us now?"

"He says if we stay here.. They will act. They will hunt and destroy us.." His lip curled. "If we run, they'll follow and destroy us.. Before we can break the treaty again. Tonight was merely a warning.. There is no boundaries after tonight. There are no rules."

Emmett whooped and grinned. "It's your funeral mutts!" He called and seemed ready to act now. However, Carlisle's stern look stopped him.

"Very well Sam.. If you sincerely cannot look past this. And us running will do us no good, we'll remain here." He smiled and moved to place his arm around Esme. "But don't think we won't kill you if we need to." He nodded his head and began to move out of the meadow. The same way we'd traveled here began. However Seth and Leah lagged farther behind, being sure Sam and his pack weren't following.

In one night, death tickets were signed. Ours and theres. I couldn't bear to think of killing those who'd once been my friends. But as I held Renesmee to my chest and ran. I resolved I couldn't lose my family. And those were no longer my friends.