We just wanted to wish everyone out there a very merry Christmas or hope that you had a happy Hanukah (which was last week)
Hopefully SM will give one of the two of us Twilight as a gift this year but until then we own nothing!
Jasper had tried numerous times on the ride to my house to apologize for what had happened on my birthday but each time I just projected my love and forgiveness to him hoping that he would understand that I didn't blame him and still loved him since my words had yet to convince him.
"Love, I know I should have asked earlier but we had other things to discuss first. Does Charlie know where you've been this week? I mean does Charlie know you're with me?" Edward asked out of the blue.
"Charlie knows that I was going to visit your family and that I had decided to fight for you but he doesn't know that I had to go to Italy to find you." I had only lied to Charlie about the destination of my trip not the catalyst for going.
"Is Charlie going to be okay with Edward showing up at his house today?" Jasper asked Alice.
"Damn it!" Alice growled and started murmuring under her breath too quickly for me to understand. She was rocking back and forth rubbing her temples.
"What's wrong? I thought that he'd be happy that I'm happy. What did you see Alice?" I was nervous now anything that would cause Alice to react this way wasn't good.
"Nothing! I'm seeing nothing!" She all but shouted in a sneer.
"What do you mean you see nothing? Is that even possible?" Jasper asked worriedly.
"Does this mean what I think it means Alice? Is he at my house? I hope so because I've got a few things to say to that-" Jasper cut my rant off before I could get wound up good.
"Is who at your house Bella? Do you know what's happening with Alice's visions?" Jasper formed this as a question but I could hear the underlining command for answers.
"Jacob Black!" I sneered the name of my former best friend. "He's a werewolf and Alice can't see him or the other pack members. Her visions go black; that's why she couldn't see my surviving my jump."
"Jacob Black is a descendant of Ephraim Black. He was the one who told Bella about us to begin with, remember? Anyway, he and Bella became friends while I was gone and he didn't like the fact that she was coming to find me. Bella is very angry at him for calling me and lying about her death," Edward responded to an unvoiced question. It had to come from Jasper since Alice had been with me and knew all of this.
By this time we had turned on to my street and I saw yet another reason to rip Jake's head off. Parked in my driveway was the motorcycle that Jake had built for me. The anger I had felt for him before doubled.
He had already committed the ultimate act of betrayal when he tried to separate Edward and me but this was even lower than that! He knew how Charlie felt about motorcycles. And he knew exactly what bringing that bike over here would do to my dad. Was he trying to give him a heart attack?
"Bella, you're going to need to calm down. I feel like ripping the doors off of the car and that's not a good thing, especially if there's a wolf at your house." Jasper was pushing serenity at me but I didn't want false emotions. I wanted to unleash every last bit of rage I was feeling at Jake.
"Bella, please don't start anything. I'm not sure that I could refrain from killing that mutt if he got snippy with you. I am already having a hard time controlling the urge to rip him apart for lying about your death." Edward's voice was calm but it was a deadly kind of calm.
The car stopped in front of my house and the front door swung wide open to reveal a livid Charlie.
"Isabella Marie Swan get in this house right now!" he shouted. His face was a strange purple color in his rage.
I started towards the door but froze as Jake's tall frame appeared behind Charlie. I felt so betrayed by this boy who had once been my own personal sun was now standing in my home wearing a smug self satisfied smirk.
I glared at him smiling menacingly when his face fell slightly. I took Edward's hand and motioned for Alice and Jasper to follow us into the house.
"I don't want an audience Bella and I'm sure you won't either," Charlie said curtly but stepped aside for us all to come in muttering suit yourself under his breath.
"Actually dad they are here to keep me from killing your friend's son," I told him matter-of-factly. And I meant it too. We all moved into the living room. Edward, Alice and I sat on the couch while Jasper stood leaning against the door frame. Charlie and Jacob sat in the two recliners across from us.
"That's not called for Isabella. Jacob only brought that bike here today because he felt guilty for hiding it from me this past week. Isn't that right Jake?" Charlie asked and moved his hands in a gesture that said 'there you have it' when Jacob nodded.
"Like hell that's the reason!" I shouted pulling away from Edward to stand. I shook my head at Jasper as I felt him trying to relief some of my anger.
"Jake brought that bike here today for a completely selfish reason, he's not the innocent little puppy you think he is. You see what Jake failed to tell you was that from the very first time I went to La Push in February all we did was reckless things. He repaired the bikes that I found for us then he taught me to ride and helped me cover up all of my injuries! You know what that doesn't even matter right now because Jacob Black performed the most heinous act of betrayal the day Alice and I left. Did you know that Jacob stole Alice's phone dad?" I paused waiting for an answer but Charlie seemed to be frozen in his chair so I continued.
"No, I didn't think so and that means that you have no idea that he called Edward and told him that I was dead, that I had jumped from a cliff to kill myself and when Edward asked to speak to you or Alice he told him that Alice was preparing me to be seen in public and that you were off planning the funeral. How's that for good intentions, dad?" I shuddered at the memory of what that phone call had done to Edward and how close he had came to death.
I didn't realize that I had tears running down my cheeks until Edward came over and wrapped his arm around me wiping my tears away with the gingers of his other hand.
He led me back to the sofa. I looked expectantly at Charlie who was staring at a vibrating Jacob.
The silence in the room was thick and I could feel the hostility that was rolling off of Jacob warring with the calming influence that Jasper was trying to force upon us all. I flinched as Jacob's gravelly voice broke the silence.
"What else should I have done, Bella?" he yelled. He was on his feet now but he didn't pace he just stood there glaring at Edward and me.
"I had to keep you away from that leech! All he's ever down was hurt you and yet you go running back to him every chance you get. I tried to reason with you. To tell you that I loved you and could protect you just as well as he could but would you listen? No, you pushed me away. I helped you to heel once he was gone, I saved you Bella! I was your best friend and you threw that away for that soulless monster sitting beside you."
"In my dictionary best friends and saviors are supposed to be supportive and selfless not acting according his own agenda." Jasper's voice was harsh but he had cut right to the heart of things.
"Shut up!" Jacob growled. Jasper smirked but made no other comments. I was surprised that Edward and Alice weren't being more vocal but I remembered Edward's earlier comment about trying not to kill Jacob and figured that Alice was trying vainly to see if he'd act on his urges while Edward worked to suppress them.
"Did you do what she said you did Jake?" Charlie whispered.
"I had to Charlie. Don't you see what he's doing to her? He's ruining Bella's life and since you weren't going to stop him on your own I had to force your hand." Jacob explained.
"What happens between me and my daughter is none of your concern Jacob Black. I think it's time for you to go!" Charlie stood from his chair and pointed towards the door.
Jake glared at each of the Cullens as he passed them but said nothing as he left. Charlie ran his hands though his hair and sighed dejectedly.
"You're grounded for three weeks Bella. School, work and home are the only places that you are allowed to go. I'll allow visitors but only when I'm home until I can trust you not to do something stupid like you've bee doing up in La Push. Now if you all will excuse me I've got to go call Billy," Charlie has heartbroken by what Jacob had done.
"Jake was acting like a manipulative child deprived of a toy he wanted, Billy. He even had the nerve to tell me that he was trying to force my hand with the bike" Charlie said into the phone.
I tuned out the rest of his conversation paying attention now to what was been said in the room I was in.
"He's waiting outside for me," Edward told me. I blanched. If Jacob tried to fight Edward I had no doubt that Edward would win but what if he got hurt?
"Talk?" I squeaked.
"Yes, love. He just wants to talk." Edward seemed sure and he could hear Jacob's thoughts so I knew that he'd know in a second if his intentions changed.
"Okay, let's go," I said ignoring the three vampires shaking their heads at me.
"I'll be right back in dad. I'm just going to walk Edward to his car, okay?" I called into the kitchen.
"Sure, Bella but stay in the yard. You're grounded remember." Charlie called back.
"My warden says I can go so I'm going. Lead the way," I smirked at Edward and Alice giggled.
Edward wrapped his arm around my shoulder and mine instantly went around his waist. I saw out of the corner of my eye that Alice and Jasper were in the same position.
We walked out side into the darkening sky. It looked like a strong storm was rolling in. 'Welcome home' Mother Nature seemed to say.
We didn't have to go far; Jacob was lounging against the back of my truck as he waited, his face twisted into the bitter mask that I hated.
He looked at me and Edward and then at Alice and Jasper. Jacob's mouth stretched into a humorless smile, and he shrugged away from the truck. He was trembling slightly were he stood so Edward stopped as soon as he saw him, leaving a wide space between us.
"I know exactly what you're going to say, Jacob," Edward began in a soft voice. "But, before you do, I need to say something of vital importance."
"Jacob raised an eyebrow in challenge, probably thinking that nothing Edward could say would be important to him. He was clenching and unclenching his hands as he tried to control the shivers rolling down his arms.
"Thank you," Edward said his voice velvety smooth, " you may have been acting out of malice but what you said to me on the phone was the catalyst that pushed me to see that I'm not a soulless monster after all but most of all I need to thank you for befriending Bella and protecting her when I was gone."
Jacob stared at him blankly, his mask slipping away completely revealing the Jake that I had cared so much for. His shaking stilled by the shock of Edward's words.
Understanding brightened Jacob's eyes before the mask fell back into place.
"I didn't do it for your benefit. So if you're done playing at the good guy can we get on wit this. I don't want to be here," Jacob kept his eyes on Edward but addressed me.
Did your bloodsucking friends ever tell you the terms of the treaty Bella? You see it's very specific in its wording. If any of them bite a human, not kill bite, the treaty becomes void and the war begins," Edward's eyes were just as hard as Jacob's now and I could see the vampire and werewolf sizing each other up.
"It's none of your business if Edward bites me Jacob Black!" I fumed. Who was he to tell me how to live my life?
"Oh, it is my business Bella! Mine, Sam, Paul, Jared, and Embry's business too since we're the ones that will hunt down and kill every last member of your precious vampire family," he sneered the word family.
Jasper pounced before I even saw him move. Edward reacted quickly but almost missed Jasper as he lunged for Jacob.
"If you even think about touching Alice again I will tear your throat out mutt!" Jasper snarled from Edward's arms.
Alice stepped in front of Jasper brushing her finer lovingly across he cheeks. I could see him relaxing under her ministrations.
Jasper's actions had sent Jacob into near convulsions. He pressed his palms against his eyes hard as he tried to control the instinct to phase and attack. His face turned horrid green color that made him look like nauseous.
Edward yanked me back behind his body with one hand keeping the other around Jasper.
"Stay behind me love, he's not under control yet," he warned me. I nodded even though he couldn't se it, the image of Emily Young still fresh in my mind.
Jacob was calming down slightly the more relaxed Jasper became. I wondered if Jasper was inadvertently projecting his emotions toward Jacob.
A wolf howled in the distance. All of us froze, listening to the silence that followed.
"Is that Sam?" I asked Jacob my voice trembling as I formed the words. Sam in his large black wolf form had stared in many of my nightmares.
"Yeah that's him. I was supposed to be back an hour ago. I'm sorry about the bike, but I had to do what I could to protect you from yourself," Jacob turned to leave without meeting my eyes.
"Just one more thing," Edward said releasing Jasper to move closer to Jacob, "we've tracked Victoria's scent as far as Canada but her most recent trail was almost a week old. Have you come across anything fresher?" Edward's tone was very business like now.
"The last time she was around here as near as we can tell was the day that you little sister, there came back. We think she caught her trail and ran off. She's not been anywhere near our land since." Jacob looked at Edward expectantly like he was waiting for him to apologize for Alice coming back or something.
"Thank you for the information," Edward nodded having seen more than Jacob had said via his thoughts.
"Stay out of my head bloodsucker! And don't think that you and you coven can just waltz in here and take over. That red haired bitch killed on our lands she's ours!" Jacob's voice was commanding and fierce but Edward's hard glare was much more impressive.
"Victoria threatened my mate. I will see to her demise personally, she's not your problem anymore." Edward growled.
"Your mate? Bella's not now or ever will be your mate," Jacob snarled and a look of anticipation brightened his eyes and he took a long stride towards us.
Edward crouched in a defensive position much like the one he had taken over me at my ill fated birthday party.
"Edward, please! I can't stand the thought of you fighting. Please!" My voice was panicked as I tugged on him. He relaxed his pose and moved to my side.
He pulled me backward slowly towards the house, always keeping his eyes on Jacob as we retreated.
"Alice, Jasper take the Volvo home. I'll be there later, "Edward said tossing his keys to Jasper we watched them until the car turned at the end of the street.
"Goodbye Bella! I hope you don't die anytime soon," Jacob sneered and took off a dead run towards the forest. I didn't see the explosion that changed him into a wolf but knew that he had phased the second he hit the tree line.
"I'll be in your room, love" Edward whispered kissing the top of my head.
I took a deep breath filling my senses with his glorious scent.
I knew I had some serious problem like my former best werewolf friend now counted me among his enemies and the psycho revenge driven vampire that was out to kill me but they suddenly disappeared the moment I saw my Edward, lying across my bed smiling my favorite crooked smile holding his arms open for me.
Okay people there you have it, our alternate ending to New Moon! We'll be posting a poll on Infinitypoet's profile asking if you think we should continue this through Eclipse and Breaking Dawn or just leave it as is!
*Note from Poet:
I just want to thank all of you for reading this little piece of my heart and for all of the reviews that we received! I've said this often and it's still true, my readers are the best! I love all of you!
*Note from Candyann:
Well, dang! Poet said all of the good stuff so I'll just say thank you and post this sucker! Don't forget to vote in the poll!