A/N: Hey guys! I know this story is a bit angsty and that doesn't appeal to everyone, but judging on the favorites and the story alerts, people are liking it, and I wish that at least a couple of those people would review so I know what kind of response people have to this. I'd really appreciate it. :)
Chapter Three: Options
There was no denying it now. "Bella?" I said nervously, wanting to confirm that this was my friend.
She nodded. "Yes, Angela?"
Her voice was really hard to get used to. "Was Renesmee's story, you know, true?"
Her expression softened. "Yes, it was. I know this must be an unsettling experience for you."
"It is. But were you...human...when we met at Forks?"
She laughed. "Of course. Edward was pretty determined not to change me until after we were married. That's why I wanted to get married soon after high school was over. But I'll tell you more of that later. There'll be plenty of time." Then she got very sad. "Listen, I know this must be rotten for you. And I understand how you feel. All of us. Especially Edward, Esme, and me."
"Why only you three?"
"We were all parents at some point in time. However, I think Esme would be the best because she actually did lose her child."
"What do you mean?"
"I'll explain everything later. I promise."
""Ang," Ben pointed. I followed his finger and saw five silhouettes—three children and two adults. I knew that they were the Millers, Nathan, Natalie, and Shannon. It was the first time he'd spoken since we arrived.
"Well, Bella, I think we'll be going," I said.
"Wait," she shouted, piercing the still night air. Her left arm clamped on my shoulder. It was rock-hard and surprisingly cold. I flinched away from the contact, massaging my shoulder. There would probably be a bruise in the morning. "Sorry," Bella apologized. "Anyway, you can't tell anybody about this, about us. It's illegal to tell in our world. We broke the law by telling you. It's punishable by death."
"But you can't be killed." I was confused.
"Yes we can. It's very difficult, though, so we're considered 'immortal' anyway."
"How exactly..." I let it trail off.
"You have to rip us into pieces with vampire or werewolf teeth—they're the only things strong enough—and then burn the pieces."
I was about to ask about werewolves, but Emmett suddenly appeared next to Bella. "Bella, I know you want to tell them more, but we should really get going."
"Of course," she said softly. "Angela, Ben, come on. I'll drive you this time."
"What about everyone else?"
"They're going to run. I'm supposed to drive you, because I can answer a lot of your questions. I can also explain your options."
"Options?"
"Just get in the car. I'll tell you then."
Ben and I exchanged confused glances while we returned to the black Mercedes. Bella opened the back doors for us. Before we finished putting on our seat belts, she was in the front seat, belted in and placing the key in the ignition. "You know, I finally understand what Edward meant by saying that it was a relief not having to pretend in front of me anymore. It's so much natural to act like myself."
"What do you mean?" Ben seemed afraid. "You gonna suck our blood or something?"
"No," she laughed. "I mean not having to walk at a human pace. It's so much easier to walk like I always do."
That made sense. "So what did you mean before? You know, like, the options?"
Bella's face immediately became more serious. "This is a delicate matter, as I'm sure you can guess." I nodded and Ben placed an arm on my shoulders. "Listen, Alice saw Nicole's accident. But she also saw something else. A funeral. I know Ness told you this already. However, you have another choice. We can change her. With Carlisle, there'll be no chance of losing control. He has the most restraint, for a vampire, that we've ever seen."
Taking in our shocked and panicked faces, she added, "You don't have to decide now—you have some time."
"What do you mean?" I whispered.
"After approximately two weeks, Nicole will regain consciousness for a few hours. In this time, you can talk to her, and she'll reply normally. Close to the end of these hours, however, she'll complain of extreme pain and will black out at times. After that, she will go to sleep. In another hour, she will be dead. The decision will have to be made when she starts blacking out, so that we can be sure to have enough time." Bella turned around in her seat. "I know this is probably difficult for you."
"Of course it is!" I shouted. I normally didn't behave like this, but this was getting to be too much. "It's been ten years since I saw you. Ten years. Then we finally reunite, just for you to tell me that you're not human anymore and that my daughter is going to die in a couple of weeks, unless Ben and I give you the okay to turn her into a monster!"
Bella nodded. "I understand your pain. My own daughter was sentenced to death. Along with the rest of our family. But we managed to save ourselves. It was a very long time though. It was probably the most painful moment of my life. Including the change. I know what you are going through."
"Your daughter! You have a daughter!" I did not see that coming.
"Renesmee," Bella replied calmly.
"She's as old as you are!" Ben shouted.
"She looks as old as me," Bella corrected. "But she's only ten years old."
"What!"
"She ages fast. I got pregnant about a couple weeks after the wedding. Then Ness was born in twenty days. She grew up in seven years. Now, she is as old as me, and will remain that way forever."
"What were the circumstances under which your daughter's life was threatened?" Ben demanded suddenly.
"Remember when I said that revealing the secret was punishable by death?" Ben and I nodded. "The...you could say police of our...um...world are known as the Volturi. They're in charge of making sure that the humans don't find out about us. Although the responsibility is assumed, they still earn the respect and fear of our entire kind. They thought that Renesmee was an immortal child, a baby that was changed."
"Why is that such a bad thing?" I asked. Now that we were getting more explanations, it was easier to stay calm.
"Immortal children were impossible to control. So they had to go. Along with their creators."
This made no sense. "But wouldn't Nicole be classified as an immortal child?"
"Not exactly," Bella said. "The immortal children were infants and toddlers. They did not understand reasoning. Nicole is mature. Alice says that she would understand, if we did change her."
"If she can see so much, then why didn't she see this accident earlier?" Ben inquired.
"Alice can only see something if she looks for it. When you told her about your children, she was curious to see how they looked, and that was how she saw the accident."
There was a siren wailing behind us. It was the police. "Do you know how fast you were going?" the cop questioned.
"One hundred five," Bella replied, turning to look at him. The cop seemed taken aback, by her beauty or her honesty, it was impossible to tell.
"The speed limit here is forty," the cop said, trying to redeem himself.
"Oh, I know," Bella said seductively. "I'm just in a little hurry. Here's a little something for your trouble," she purred, as she placed a thick roll of money on the officer's palm. "Keep the change," she smiled, as she pulled off of the shoulder.
"What was that?" Ben asked.
"Something I picked up from Alice. I'll explain later, don't worry."
In a few minutes, my eyes ad adjusted enough so I could see a little more of the road. To my surprise, it was very obscured, mostly by trees. "This isn't the way to the hospital," I commented.
"I know," Bella replied. "It's the way to our house. Carlisle will take care of Nicole here. Emmett, Rosalie, Renesmee, and Jacob are going to the hospital to say that she didn't make it. That will go on the records, and the cover will be set. Edward is taking her to Carlisle. She'll be there when we arrive."
My cell phone buzzed in my pocket. It was Michelle. "Hello?"
"Hey, Angela. Listen, there's some bad news. Nicole...well...there was an accident. You should go to the hospital. We're going there now," she said softly. She couldn't go to the hospital! Nicole wasn't there!
"Wait!" I shouted. "You can't go!"
"Why not?"
I did some quick thinking. "The children. Please take care of them. We'll give you any news tomorrow morning." By then, we could come up with a suitable lie.
As I flipped the phone shut, Bella commented, "You're getting pretty good at our game already."
When she said that, I realized how empty I was feeling inside. Almost as if Nicole was gone already. I knew that she wasn't going to make it, thanks to Alice, but by lying to one of my closest friends, I felt as if I'd already given up on my daughter. Given up on her life...as if it were gone already...
A/N: Please review!!!!!