Prologue
Watching her fingers lightly caress the ivory keys of our piano made me realize she will never be as delicate as she appears. Bella was sitting on the piano bench next to Renesmee watching intently. Renesmee couldn't resist the challenge of trying to teach her mother how to play but now as Bella struggles to keep up with Nessie during "Chopsticks", I could see the slight frustration in Nessie's face and could hear the repeating chant in her mind, Be patient..Be patient, as she smiled at her mother. I'm sure there was more pity then anything behind that smile. Realizing her mother would never be as eloquent and graceful as her. Sitting on the long white couch, I had let the sound of the piano fall into the distance, while focusing on Nessie's thoughts and Bella's face, when I heard Carlisle's cell phone ringing. It had almost vibrated off the kitchen counter before he made it downstairs to answer it.
"Hey Tanya what an unexpected surprise, how are you doing?", his voice genuinely pleasant and positive. I decided to stay out of the conversation until I felt Jasper's presence almost instantly passing through the living room and into the kitchen. I followed him and stood by his side as we started to listen. The story Carlisle was listening to ran its course through my head. While listening I could feel the worry and urgency that was surrounding the room, it was a thick and overwhelming feeling. Jasper tried his best to ease the tension and succeeded fully once Carlisle was off of the phone. "Well boys we need to pack for a trip to Alaska, hopefully only for a short while, but we need to leave immediately". Jasper and I nodded and exited the kitchen. Jasper flew up the stairs and on my way through the living room I passed by the piano bench, kissed Nessie on the cheek then picked Bella up and held her in my arms while kissing her lips. I never wanted to leave her, although sh had the strength and speed to protect herself for the most part, but I was her protector, her guardian. Resting my forehead against hers as I stood her on the floor in front of me I told her, " My love, I must leave momentarily".
"What..why?", she backed away from me and questions not only flowed from her mouth but were written all over her face.
" The Denali clan has experienced a slight complication with a nomad clan passing through their area, they have called Carlisle requesting help to get the situation under control before the Volturi feel the need to get involved", I explained trying to be calm so she would receive the message well.
" Edward please, If something happens to you.." I let her voice trail off as I kissed her on her forehead and headed upstairs to pack my bag.
Jasper had given Emmett a briefing on the situation and the two of them and Carlisle were waiting for me in the living room once Imade it down the stairs. I tried not to dwell on my own thoughts too much for they would cause me a great deal of confusion and torn emotions. Standing with the other three men of my family in the living room I looked at Bella sitting with her head cradled in her hands at the piano with Renesmee's arms around her, Esme and Alice holding each other, while Rose stood with a scowl on her face and her arms crossed. With our last "Goodbyes" and "I Love You's" we were out the front door and racing through the woods. With my eyes focused on the sun collapsing into the horizon I finally let my own thoughts catch up to meand I suddenly wondered if leaving was the right decision. Of course it was we had Friends in need of our help and Bella understood that, so why did I have an eerie feeling consuming me?
