Chapter Two
"Calm down love, it's only the Denali clan," he replied, pulling me into a comforting embrace. A wave of calm spread throughout my body with the realization that it wouldn't be the Volturri visiting us. This feeling of calm was, however, diminished when I remembered how badly Tanya had wanted Edward. Would she try anything? Was she here to claim Edward as hers?
"We need to get ready," Edward said, pulling me from the bed.
"Yeah," I replied, still consumed with my thoughts. Picking up my clothing items I pulled them on and turned to face Edward, who was already dressed and waiting.
"Ready?"
"Yes," I sighed nervously.
"What's wrong?" he said, taking my hand in his and pulling me closer to him.
"Nothing," I lied.
"Bella, you know you can't lie," he laughed. I was a horrible liar, even as a vampire.
"I'm just nervous."
"There is nothing to be worried about love."
"I know."
"But something is still bothering you," he stated.
"No."
"Bella."
"Ok, maybe I'm a little jealous," I muttered as low as possible. To human ears my admittance would have been undetectable, but to his hearing it was as clear as if I was speaking directly into his ear. He chuckled at me and I looked up at him in horror. What was so funny?
"Love, really, there's nothing to worry about. We are married and besides, I have never loved anyone but you."
"I know you're right, I'm just worried she'll try to play some tricks."
"Tanya is not like that, trust me," he said, putting his hand under my chin and directing my gaze to his.
"I trust you Edward, it's her I don't know if I can trust or not."
"Silly Bella," he chuckled.
"Edward," I growled. I couldn't believe he was taking this so lightly.
"Please, just trust me on this one, nothing will happen."
"Alright," I gave in. I would take his word for now, but I would be watching her closely.
"Ready to go?"
"Yes," I sighed. He took my hand in his and we left the cabin, locking it on our way out.
We reached the main house in approximately fifteen minutes, much to my disdain. I was hoping that it would take longer than usual, but of course luck was not on my side today. Parked in the driveway of the large log mansion was a jet black Suburban with darkly tinted windows. I grew more and more nervous as we approached our home and awaiting visitors.
"Calm down love," Edward whispered in my ear before opening the door. I nodded and he swung open the large wooden door. We entered to find the large living room full of vampires. All but two were members of our family.
My eyes were instantly drawn to whom I assumed to be Tanya. She was quite tall, with strawberry blond hair. She was smiling brightly at me. Her face was lovely. She rivaled Rosalie's beauty and was in a close second. Her eyes were the beautiful gold tone that marked all of the "vegetarian" vampires. Her frame was curvy, but not overly so. It was easy to see how she could seduce the pants off of any man, Succubus or not. Jealousy coursed through my veins as I took her in.
Next to her was one of her sisters. From what I could remember, I thought she had to be Irina. Her hair was a long beautiful golden blond. She too was gorgeous beyond words, but slightly less so than Tanya. Her frame was slight and her eyes ocher. I noticed however, instead of a smile on her face her lips were twisted into a tight line. I couldn't understand her reaction towards me.
"Hello Edward," Tanya said as she stepped forth, arms open offering a hug. Edward hesitantly let go of my hand and hugged her briefly. She then turned her attentions to me.
"So this is the creature that stole our Edward's heart," she laughed as she stepped closer to examine me. I felt as if I could buckle under her close scrutiny.
"It's nice to meet you," I said finally. Though I wasn't sure yet if she deserved it or not, I decided to be nice.
"Nice to meet you too Bella, we have heard so much about you. You are more beautiful than what I have been told."
"Thanks Tanya," I replied smiling. It was hard not to like her. She radiated a very inviting charm that I couldn't exactly explain.
"This is my sister Irina," she said, pointing to a still indifferent looking woman.
"Nice to meet you Bella," she greeted in a distant tone. It seemed as if she held something against me, but I couldn't pinpoint what it could be.
"Irina," Edward nearly growled as he stepped closer to me, pulling me to his side.
"Edward," she acknowledged him in a happier tone than what she had used with me.
"Kate will be back in moment, she was in need of a hunt," Tanya said, interrupting the awkwardness that had passed between the three of us.
"And what about Carmen and Eleazar?" Edward asked, turning his attention back to Tanya.
"They have decided to take a little vacation to Spain."
"That's too bad," I sighed. Secretly I was happy. Not that I didn't wish to meet the two of them. It was going to be hard dealing with the three sisters the next couple of days. Not being around anyone but family for a few months really hurts the social skills. I found myself having a hard time engaging in the conversations that floated around us.
"They send their greetings."
"And I send mine," I replied smiling brightly.
"I hear that you have been working on your tolerance to human blood," Irina smirked.
"Yes."
"And how is that going?" she asked, a big smile crossing her face.
"It's going well," Edward said before I could retort.
"Oh really? I'm happy for you," she said before turning her attention back to Carlisle and Esme.
"So Edward, we have a lot to catch up on. Tell me what you have been into since I saw you last," Tanya spoke. Edward and I walked to the couch and took a seat on the arm of it, with me in his lap.
"I met the love of my life, married her, changed her into a bloodthirsty vampire, and now I'm residing in Alaska," he replied summing it up.
"You make it seem so dull," she laughed.
"Not at all, it has been the best few years of my long existence," he replied as he rubbed his hand across my back comforting me.
"I see. And what about you Bella? What are you current endeavors?"
"Currently, I am, as Irina mentioned, working on my blood lust towards humans."
"It is very difficult, but you have a good teacher and I think you will do fine."
"Yes, I think I will," I smiled.
"Oh Bella! Kate and I are going shopping! I wish you could go!" Alice interrupted. I laughed at her and her enthusiasm. Honestly, I was a lot less than sorry that I would be unable to attend their shopping trip. Even as a vampire I was sure that Alice's shopping marathons would be torturous.
"That's too bad," I laughed.
"Bella," Alice whined.
"What?" I giggled.
"Can you honestly say that you don't want to ever go shopping with me?" she pouted.
"Well not ever. But right now for the safety of humanity I don't want to," I replied.
"You're going to have so much fun when we do go!" she said bouncing excitedly.
"I'm sure I will," I replied sarcastically. She rolled her eyes and turned to whisper something to Jasper.
"Did you finish your paper for English?" Edward whispered in my ear. My eyes bulged in horror as I realized I had neglected to do my assignment.
"No!" I exclaimed a little too loudly. Every eye in the room was directed at the two us because of my little outburst.
"Sorry," I replied turning my gaze to the floor.
"What is it Bella?" Esme asked in her warm motherly tone.
"Edward just reminded me that I have neglected to do my English assignment."
"Oh, well dear you may be excused if you need to do your homework."
"Thanks Esme," I replied as I slid off of Edward's lap. I was walking towards the steps when I felt him grab my hand.
"What is it?" I asked looking up at him.
"Nothing, I'm going with you."
"Oh, you don't have to do that."
"I know I don't have to. I want to," he said as he gently pulled me to the stairs. Taking them in vampire speed, we were in our bedroom in mere seconds.
"Thanks," I whispered to him as I picked my laptop up from its spot on the shelf.
"No problem," he replied grinning. Toting the computer with me, I sat on the bed and turned it on. It was much faster than the one I had been subjected to use at Charlie's. In less than two minutes I was logged in and connected to the Internet.
"What exactly are you supposed to write about?"
"An analysis on Hitler's essay," I replied.
"Oh."
"Yeah, although his ideas were farfetched and crazy, to be quite honest, he had a wonderful way of writing that made even his most unbelievable ideas seem plausible," I said.
"Yes, I agree. I would say that his pen and manner of speaking is what allowed him to become the dictator that he once was."
"Thanks Edward," I replied smiling. Without realizing it, he had given me a whole new take on the essay I was to write.
"For what?" he asked as he sat behind me.
"Helping me on my essay."
"And how exactly did I help you?"
"Your point of view allowed me to get a better grasp of what I wanted to write."
"But my love, it was your point of view to begin with."
"I still owe you thanks, I would have completely forgotten the assignment if you had not reminded me."
"Your welcome," he laughed.
"And what about your homework?" I asked. He had been attending night classes for the past three weeks and I never saw him do a single assignment. I, on the other hand, always seemed to be loaded down with assignments from my online courses.
"All done."
"I never see you doing homework," I replied, eyeing him suspiciously.
"To be honest I never really have any. It's mostly reading assignments that I have already read before."
"Oh."
"Will you be ok?" he asked as he stood from the bed.
"What do you mean?" I asked, confused as to what he meant.
"I have to go to class."
"It's Thursday already?" I asked. It was weird how time passes by when you were a vampire. With nights no longer being used for sleep, it was quite easy to get your days mixed up.
"Yes love, it's Thursday already."
"Oh, well yes, I'll be fine," I smiled.
"Are you sure?"
"Positive."
"I'll be back in a few hours, I love you," he said as he kissed my forehead quickly.
"I love you too, be careful."
"Of course," he replied as he rolled his eyes. He walked out of our room closing the door on his way out. I settled in front of my computer and pulled up Word. I thought of a million ways to begin the essay but every time I tried to put it down I found myself trapped by my thoughts of the two sisters down stairs.
I thought of how nice and inviting Tanya seemed to be while Irina seemed cold and indifferent. I just couldn't understand what I had done to make her feel so. Maybe I was mistaken thinking that it was Tanya who had wanted Edward and it was Irina instead. No matter, I definitely didn't feel at ease around her. It seemed as if she had something against me, and it was quite unsettling.
Finally, I turned back to my essay. Two hours and thirty minutes till Edward would be back. I needed to get busy. With him around it was impossible to get any homework done. He could be quite distracting.
(A/N: I'm really glad so many of you enjoyed chapter one and I have decided to continue. I really hope that this chapter is good and that everyone like it! What could Irina have against Bella? Why such a cold reception? How will this play a role in the story to come? Review please and tell me what you think! Was this a good chapter? Oh, thanks to all who reviewed chapter one, I really appreciate it! Thanks once again to my beta xedwardxloverx!)