CHAPTER 2

"Hey" said Bella sitting on the coffee table in front of the couch I was laying on.

"It's so strange" I said brushing my hair back. "We don't get tired and now I have to rest every now and then just to be able to speed anywhere"

"I know" she said playing with her hands. "Missed talking to you"

"Yeah, me too" I said reaching for her hand. "It's weird. I even feel cold now"

"Just like when we were human"

"Not exactly, it feels like… a memory of it, not quite the same"

"Things around here have been good. Reneesme's taking up the piano. She's getting good at it"

"I always loved to listen to Edward play, it'll be amazing to listen to Reneesme's music"

"It is" we laughed awkwardly.

"Bella, we never had secrets, why don't you go ahead and ask whatever it is you're thinking?"

"I just…have you thought about the Volturi? Has Luke?"

"I share everything with him. We know the peril we're in and…we've talked before coming here too, so don't worry"

"They could kill you…all of us" she stared.

"We would never let them know about Reneesme and Jacob. If it comes to that…we'll accept our fate and surrender"

"How could you have thought about that already?" asked Bella slightly shocked.

"We have. I mean…we know what we're risking, but it's worth the risk"

Our conversation was interrupted by Jacob, Luke, Edward and Carlisle coming up the stairs. Luke sat by my side, smiling.

"What's wrong?" I said feeling their anxiety.

"Nothing's wrong" said Edward.

"Don't lie to me now"

"He's not lying, Sam" said Carlisle sitting next to Bella, in front of Luke and me. "We thought it would be appropriate to let the Quileute know of the situation and they have made a request"

"What's that?"

"They want to meet you" said Edward. Jacob was awfully silent. Luke held me tighter.

"What's the problem? I'll do it" I said. Luke got up and paced around. "Luke?"

"I think it's too risky going into their turf" he said.

"She knows it's perfectly safe. We're not the ones bending the rules every time we feel like" said Jacob.

"Going into your territory unprotected is suicide" Luke shouted at him. Their rage rising.

"Calm down, you two!" said Edward.

"Jacob can come with me" I said to Luke's non-satisfaction. "We might have some problems, but I trust that he'll get me back in one piece"

"I DON'T TRUST HIM!" said Luke. Carlisle stood up raising both arms to hold them back.

"I understand your feelings, Luke, but I can assure you, you can trust Jacob" I was feeling all kind of things around the room, but I couldn't think of any words that would help so I remained silent.

We started walking through the woods, I didn't speed, just walked.

"What? Now you can't keep up?" Jacob taunted me. He had a sly smile on his face.

"Of course I can, just saving my strength"

"So weird hearing you say that. You always wanted to rip me apart and now you're…tamed"

"Nah, just had some time to think. Besides, I could still rip you apart if I wanted to" I punched his shoulder playfully.

"Yeah right" he laughed. We chatted like that all the way to the reservation. "We're almost there"

"I do remember the way" I said. "Getting there is what makes me nervous"

"They wouldn't ask you to come to get you in harm's way" he said. "It's been hard, but we respect each other very much"

"Can you say that of the rest of the pack?" I asked nervously.

"See your point" answered Jacob.

"I trust everything will be fine" I eyed him and then rubbed my belly.

"Do you really?" he said stopping for a second and staring at me with wide eyes. I felt he really cared for what I was about to answer.

"What am I supposed to worry about Jacob? The tribe? The Volturi? That my baby gets killed by them?" I was speaking very fast now. I felt that if I stopped in the slightest I wouldn't be able to answer anymore. "That he dies on its own? Or that maybe I would have to…" I had something in my throat I couldn't get it out. I choked on it for a second before Jacob hugged me.

"I'm sorry" he said patting my back like I was the dog. I smiled in spite of myself. "Come on, let's go" he said grabbing the back of my neck and pulling me forward. I had a lot of brothers when I was alive so being playfully bullied didn't bother me.

Soon enough we were arriving to a full circle of people waiting for our arrival. I took my last steps there very carefully, since none of us was really sure if they were going to be the last. It's not that I had a death wish, but… I understood I was dangling from a very thin threat.

"Welcome back" spoke Billy of course. I could feel everybody's attention and some ill unspoken stares. I took a deep breath and waved my hand idiotically. Jake was close by and I could see Sam stand uneasy behind Billy, staring at him vividly. "I merely wanted to see if Jacob's thoughts were true…so they are" Billy smiled on awkwardly.

"In the flesh" I said still looking at some shocked expressions. The sense of dread started to go down fast as Billy spoke.

"May I?" he raised his hands in the air. I was standing around four or five feet away from them all.

"Sure" I said friendly. I watched my step as I came near him. I could Sam backing away from me, he pulled Emily with him. I stood in front of Billy so he could reach. I was on my own; Jacob had stayed still and was watching just like the rest of them. For the first time since we arrived I felt alone. There was a pause and then Billy put him hands on my stomach. His face was filled with emotion, but nothing like the race of feelings rushing throughout him at the moment.

He was scared. I could understand that. The two races had been even numbers for ever and now this had no explanation to neither of us; but oddly enough…there was a hint of joy amongst all of it. It puzzled me. My mouth fell open and then his face was serious again. He took his hands off of me as if he were putting a gun down and lifted his arms ever so slowly away to rest them back on his lap.

"Our kind has been given an opportunity for us to reconcile old quarrels" he spoke loud. "We've seen it in times of need. We've welcome Jacob's mate" Jake shifted uncomfortable. He didn't like Reneesme on the spot. "This is just as big a blessing for them as it is to us….the opportunity of a link between the races" he ended absolutely.

"We'll keep an eye on you" said Sam breaking the silence. Everybody was in awe that he had talked after Billy's speech. They turned to them and then to me, no doubt waiting for my reply.

"You do that" I said staring at him. I stared as long as he did and then I backed away, back to Jacob. People started to scatter.

"Please, take a seat" Billy said offering a fallen tree trunk nearby. I did as I was told without hesitation. The battle was won after all. It filled me with joy that I would be going back with good news. "Tell me, how is it that you met? You and…"

"Luke" I filled in his name. "He was living in London when I found him.. couple years ago. He was on his own. His pack was killed off. I'm guessing he's forgotten how to get along with other wolves" I chuckled nervously and to my surprise he smiled back.

"Did you know what he was? Did he?"

"Coming from Forks, I recognized his scent, but I was surprised the smell wasn't bad to me" I told him going back myself. "I told him what I was and we kinda disagreed on that…"

"He attacked you?"

"I attacked him"

"Why?" he asked concerned.

"I was going through some bad moment on my empathy issues at that point. I felt out of control when I got to London and by then I had already managed to suppress my gift, keeping it under control"

"So, you got together. Did you know what your poison can do to him?"

"Yes, my father told me. I could have killed him"

"See my fascination here?" he said stretching his arms beckoning me to stand in front of him again. "How could the two bloods have merged into a newborn?" I gulped. I was just as lost as he was, we all were. "Not only you're together, but have created life together", his face was in awe.

"I know and I understand the risks… on everyone…but… it's our baby" I felt my voice breaking a bit. "We have to at least try"

"We take care of our own. You'll be safe here in Forks" he said, kindness reflected all over his face. I couldn't believe my ears. I was sure they would keep an eye on us but he was being way too kind. I hadn't expected this. "I do have one more request" he added.

"Name it"

"I wish to meet Luke"

"He's a bit out of control right now"

"I think we can handle it" he said and I nodded in agreement but not at all convinced. I knew they were wolves talking to wolves, but Luke had forgotten how to play nice when they took the lives of his tribe.

Once back in the house, I told Luke and he absolutely refused almost as I mentioned it.

"Come now, Luke, we must comply to keep things running smoothly with everyone. Please, think about it. The Quileute are being so great. I don't wanna jeopardize that" I pleaded.

"Forget it, we don't need them. It's just you and me, like always."

"Please, Luke. I need my family"

"Since when?" he said scandalized. "Look. I think we better go back before it's too late" he left the room without letting me say another word. I got up and paced. I knew he was afraid of losing us after being alone for so long. It broke my heart, but if we needed to leave for his sake I would do it.

I went back to the only place I knew I would get some peace of mind. I climbed onto the roof, like I used to. I sat there for about an hour, before I came down, feeling refreshed.