Chapter 7: Dying
Last Time:
Edward's POV
I finally made it to Italy after a few days of travelling. They granted me an audience with the Volturi. As they came in the room I said. "I'd like to make a deal with you. I'll join you for the rest of my eternity if you help me to eliminate a human who knows too much that is being protected by my former family."
Aro looked at me like I had grown another head, Caius looked amused and Marcus looked bored as usual. Aro asked me "Why would you want her eliminated and why are you no longer with your family?"
"Those are somewhat of the same reason. The human and I are in love, but she left me for my 'father'."
"And why should we help you with your revenge. I'm sure he will change her so there is no breach in the law."
"First of all we all know how badly you want me on the guard. You have been trying to recruit me since I was changed. I am now not only going to join but going to pledge you my eternity. Second of all, he doesn't plan to change her for five years. That is well beyond the point the law calls for so there is no reason not to. I know you and Carlisle had a falling out before he left so I'm sure you would like revenge." The looked intrigued and I knew I had them. Aro reached for my hand and I gave it freely. I knew he would see that I was the one who allowed Bella into our lives, but Carlisle as the leader of the coven was the one responsible for turning her.
Aro's POV
I've never been more happy than this moment for my new shield that protects our thoughts. I can see more in young Edward's mind than he wants me to though. He doesn't want her changed at all. He would rather see her dead than a vampire. I see he has never got over his ridiculous hatred of this life. He also wants to make Carlisle suffer for taking her from him. What he doesn't realize though is that my falling out with Carlisle was over centuries ago and we have remained close. Granted I haven't talked with him in a few decades, but that means little. I couldn't hurt him this way unless he broke a serious law. Unfortunately, I also saw Edward's backup plan and I couldn't allow that to happen. Not only would that destroy all of the Cullens, but half of the state and risk exposing us to the humans. This would have to be handled very carefully. "Give us two days to decide what to do. Return then." I dismissed him and explained what I saw to my brothers. We worked out a tentative plan. We just needed to get Carlisle on board.
I left the room to call my old friend. "Carlisle! How are you old friend?"
"Aro? To what do I owe this pleasure?"
"Well first off I want to congratulate you on finding your mate. She really is beautiful. You're a lucky man."
"Thank you Aro, but how did you know? Do you have a seer in your guard now?"
"No, but that brings me to my next reason for calling. I got a visit today from your intriguing son. He has pledged us his eternal service in return for...how did he put it?...'eliminating a human who knows too much'" I heard a chorus of menacing growls in the background. "Don't worry I have a plan for that. You know that five years is well outside the time limit for changing a human that knows about us so he does have a point there, but I would have let it slide for you if not for his tempting offer and his terrifying backup plan."
"What backup plan?" He asked menacingly. I could almost hear him trying not to lose his temper. Of course that wouldn't last once I told him.
"Well I'm sure you've heard of Maria in the south that raises newborn armies. She has been looking for her second in command that ran off a few decades ago. Young Edward is planning to lead her to Jasper in return for her help eliminating your Bella and your whole family. Last count she has 120 newborns and 15 seasoned fighters."
I cringed at the noises of destruction I heard over the phone. It seems that there really is something that can make Mr. pinnacle of control Carlisle Cullen lose his temper. "What are you going to do?"
"Well I cannot let him go to Maria. That would be a disaster. I also cannot kill him as he has done nothing against the law and believe me I have tried to find cause. The best option is to accept his offer and keep him here under our control and do as he says.." I was cut off by a string of profanities and threats. "Wait! Carlisle! Hear me out first. You have to turn Bella before we arrive. If she is one of us then we have no cause to do anything. I will be careful how I word my acceptance to Edward to ensure that he will still be under contract to us. I realize that this throws a kink in your plans, but I really think that it is the best option under the circumstances."
"Can we have some time to think about this and discuss it?"
"Of course old friend. Edward will be returning tomorrow evening for our decision so just call me by then."
"Thank you." I hung up. Well that went well. Part of me was surprised that Carlisle Cullen actually lost his temper, but I know that when a mate is threatened it is natural to do much worse. I'm sure that if we had that conversation in person I would be in pieces by now. I have never been so happy for the invention of the telephone.
Carlisle's POV
I could tell that Bella was terrified over my loss of temper while I was on the phone. I wasn't sure if she was afraid of me or not though. I turned to her and walked over slowly with my hands out to let her know I wouldn't hurt her. She surprised me though by running into my arms. "I'm sorry love. Did I scare you?"
"I know you would never hurt me. I am afraid of what it was that made you so angry and even had everyone else angry too. I have never seen you lose control like that so it has to be bad. I mean your eyes were pitch black."
I told her about my phone call and I could see that I wasn't the only temper going to be lost. I was right. "HE WANTS TO WHAT?! ELIMINATE ME!? JUST BECAUSE I GOT OVER HIS SORRY ASS! HOW DARE HE!? JUST WAIT TILL I'M CHANGED! I'LL RIP HIM APART AND PUT HIM BACK TOGETHER JUST SO I CAN DO IT AGAIN UNTIL I GET BORED WITH IT THEN HE WILL BURN!" I couldn't help it anymore I had to start laughing. Despite the subject she is just so adorable when she's mad. As soon as she turned around to look at me though I shut up. Big mistake. Shouldn't have laughed. "WHAT IS SO FUNNY!?"
Lie. I have to lie. Damnit I just can't lie to her. "I'm so sorry love." Hopefully that will do. Or not. She just glared at me like she wanted to rip my limbs off. "It's just that you're so beautiful when you're angry." I cringed. I knew I was in for it. I was right. She stormed upstairs and slammed the door.
I turned to look at my family. They all had looks of amusement on their faces. "Damn Carlisle. I don't think I've ever seen you with that scolded puppy look before. You're usually the one causing it." Emmett said chuckling.
"You really shouldn't have laughed Carlisle. I mean we were all cracking up on the inside, but you never laugh at a woman when she's angry." Esme said so matter of factly. Like I didn't already know that. I walked over to the couch and sat down feeling despondent. I know she will forgive me eventually, but until she does I can't help the sliver of fear that maybe she won't.
Jasper came over and sat next to me. "Don't worry dad. She'll forgive you. She's just mad right now. Soon as she calms down it'll be fine." My kids don't call me dad often, but when they do it always makes me smile. I am really grateful for Jasper's insight right now. Even though I can feel her emotions most of the time, I'm not very good at interpreting them yet.
"I hope you're right son."
We just sat there lost in thought for a while until I spoke again. "I know that this is mostly Bella's choice, but I want your opinions as well as to what we should do here. You all are at risk too."
"I don't have an opinion beyond that whatever Bella decides I'm behind her completely." Rosalie said. Everyone agreed with her.
"Ok so the ball is in Bella's court. If she decides to do this though we are all going to have to help come up with a plan to fake her death. Her father is the police chief so it has to be completely convincing and realistic."
"How about we frame Edward? He deserves it." Jasper snarled.
"As much as I would like to that would make it a legal issue and we can't risk getting involved in legal issues. We need an accident that doesn't leave a body. We don't have to decide anything now. Just be thinking on it in case we need it." Then I heard Bella's sobs come from upstairs. I raced up to my room vampire speed and was at the door in under a second. I knocked softly. "Bella, can I come in?"
She was apparently too upset to answer so I just opened the door slowly and peeked in to see if she wanted me to leave. She didn't say anything so I walked over to the bed and laid next to her. She burried her face in my chest and fisted her hands in my shirt. I rubbed her back with one hand while I ran my fingers through her hair with the other. I hummed her a soft lullaby that I had heard once and before long she had fallen asleep. I just lay there and held her while she slept. I can understand how she feels mostly. If I could cry I would be. We had a plan. A perfect plan. Now I've been betrayed by my son who is trying to kill the love of my existence. How did things get so bad?
A little over an hour later Bella woke up. "I'm so sorry Carlisle. I didn't mean to lash out at you like that. I was just so angry and afraid but you're just so wonderful. I treat you like that and you still come up here and try to make me feel better."
"Shh Bella. It's okay. You've had a lot on your plate lately and I can just imagine how overwhealmed you must feel. If you forget you're not the only one who lost their temper down there. You have nothing to be sorry for."
We just lay there in silence for a while then she reminded me "You promised remember. You promised not to wait to turn me if we were in danger."
"You realize we are going to have to fake your death for Charlie. And it's going to have to be good. He won't fall for just anything."
"I know" She looked so sad. "How should we do it?"
"I don't know. We discussed it briefly downstairs in case it was needed. As far as I got was that we needed an accident where there was no body."
"What about falling off the cliffs?"
That was brilliant. I didn't want to say so though. It wouldn't be very thoughtful. "That would work. There are more things to plan though. We need to notify the wolves of this development as well, but first I need to call Aro back and see what kind of timetable we are working with here so we can make better plans."
When she nodded I picked up my phone to call Aro back. When he answered I told him quickly. "We'll do it. How much time do we have?"
"I can give you two weeks. I doubt Edward would accept a longer delay than that."
I explained then about the wolves and the treaty we have with them and asked him how many were coming so we could notify the wolves.
"That is really an interesting story. I haven't seen shape-shifters in many years and have never heard of them existing for the sole reason of hunting our kind. I will abide by the terms of your treaty while we are there and we will hunt out of state. We will be bringing 15. We have to make it look believable for Edward or I would bring less."
"Alright thank you Aro. For your warning and your help."
When I hung up I turned to Bella. "We have two weeks. That means you have seven days to wrap up your human life before we fake your death. We will initiate your change after the funeral. I don't want to leave your side during it and we will all be expected at the funeral. You should be done with the change with a day to spare."
I went to talk to the wolves. I called Sam and asked him to meet me at the treaty line so we could talk. When I arrived he was there alone. That surprised me. He always comes with bodyguards when he is in human form. I am glad he's alone this time though. This is going to be a difficult conversation. I told him all about what Edward had done, the Volturi's offer, the alternative, what we were going to do about it and that we were planning to fake Bella's death for Charlie.
"Wow. It sounds like you have had a very eventful day. I don't know where to begin. I can't believe that he would do that. It's a good thing you are friends with the Volturi though. Otherwise we would all be in trouble. I agree that their offer is better than the alternative. I wish that she didn't have to go through the change so soon though."
"As do I. I was hoping that she could at least catch up to my age first" I saw him start to ask and told him "23."
"I think it is good that you are faking her death for Charlie. I can't imagine how difficult it would be for him for his daughter to just go missing without any word. He would never stop looking for her. If you need help with your plan just let me know. The pack will be behind you."
I invited him back to the house and we all sat around for hours discussing our plan to fake Bella's death. By the time we were finished we were all very impressed with ourselves. No one would ever be able to see through it. Not even Charlie.
Aro's POV
Edward returned as asked and I gave him my terms. "We will accept your offer. You will sign a contract to spend the rest of your eternity in the guard and we will go to Forks. We will kill the human who knows too much instead of offering to change her instead, but you will stay here. You are too emotionally involved and I can't take that chance. Agreed?"
"Only if you agree to show me what happens afterward. I want to be sure." I agreed to that. I would gladly show him that the human is no longer human so we couldn't do anything and that he just signed his life over to us for nothing. That should be adequate revenge for what he has done and is trying to do to Carlisle and his mate. This is going to be fun.
"Very well. We go in two weeks. I must wait for some of the guard to return from missions. I don't want to take any chances if they fight. Here is your contract, just sign the bottom." I waited for him to read it and then he signed. "Heidi will show you to your rooms. Once our end of the contract has been taken care of you will begin work." I dismissed him and as soon as he was gone I couldn't help but laugh. The contract was worded carefully. When we got there and Bella was no longer human our part would still be fulfilled and the only way he could get out of the contract was death.
Bella's POV
The next week passed like it was a blur. I had to keep going to school even though it was pointless, but I was in a daze a lot of the time. I tried to forget, but it would really hit me when I would get homework due next week and I realized that there was no next week for me. Alice was in most of my classes and she helped keep me focused or at least keep anyone from noticing how unfocused I was. Saturday came too fast. This was the day of our 'trip to the beach'. I made sure to be up before Charlie left for work. I told him I had nightmares and couldn't get back to sleep. I made him a special breakfast. Pancakes, Eggs, and Bacon. I put pecans in the pancakes like I know he likes.
"What are you up to today Bells?" He asked me.
"Just spending the day at the beach with the Cullens." Yeah and faking my death and breaking your heart. This was killing me. I almost wish I hadn't had this time to think about it. It just made it harder. But I also knew that I would cherish it.
"Okay, well have fun. I gotta get to work." I gave him a hug before he left. It wasn't something I did every day, but I did it often enough that he wouldn't get suspicious about it later. "Love you dad."
"You too kiddo"
As soon as he left I let the tears flow. "I'll miss you dad." I whispered to the empty house. I heard a knock at the door and found Jake standing there as planned. I put on my brave face. "Whatcha doin here Jake?"
"I was designated Bella watch today. I'm supposed to keep you company over at the Cullens while they are putting the plan in motion. They didn't want you to be alone. Thought you could use a friend today so I volunteered." He gave me a sad smile. "How are you Bells?"
"I'm okay. It's hard, but I'll manage. I'm glad I'll have company though. Just don't let me wallow k Jake?"
"Not a chance" He flashed me that brilliant smile and led me to his car. The Cullens were already on the beach getting the scene set up so Jake and I hung out in Carlisle's office, the only room in the house without a glass wall, just in case someone showed up after the 'accident'. Luckily Carlisle had put a TV in here for this occasion and Jake and I spent the day watching movies waiting for my families return.
Emmett's POV
I was one of the key players in this show. As the only person who's ever really been attacked by a bear I knew how to make it look good. We had drawn some of Bella's blood last night and were keeping it room temperature until everything else was set up. Sam was taking care of the tracks. His wolf tracks could easily pass for a bear. We had a lot of Bella's hair from her hairbrush to scatter around and a piece of one of her shirts on the ground. Then to add the blood, then I get to call Charlie.
"Charlie! There's been an accident on the cliffs. It's Bella!"
"Oh my god! Is she okay?"
"Come quick." I hung up. Now to wait for him to get here. I nodded at Jazz and Carlisle and they jumped off the cliff into the water and the girls ran down to the nearby beach. About 20 minutes later Charlie ran up "What happened? Where is she?"
"I don't know. She asked for some time alone up here to think and the rest of us were walking along the beach. We heard her scream and ran up here and found that." I pointed to the area where the supposed bear attack took place. "She fell over the cliff. Carlisle and Jasper jumped in after her because they are the only ones who can swim strong enough to even have a chance in that current. They are trying to find her, but I haven't seen any sign of her yet. I'm on watch up here to see if she surfaces. The girls are down on the beach patrolling in case she manages to make it there."
I could tell Charlie wanted to cry, but he was standing there like he was in shock. I never took my eyes off the water the entire time I was talking. I saw Charlie out of the corner of my eye walk over to the edge of the cliff and look down. "How long have they been down there?"
"Since I called you. About 30 minutes."
He gulped and took a deep breathe. "If it's been that long..." He trailed off.
"I'm not giving up." I told him. This was my part. I was supposed to throw suspicion off the family by being shocked and determined and then we would all be heartbroken after we gave up. "They'll find her. She can't be dead. I won't let her be."
Charlie put a hand on my shoulder. "We may have no choice but to accept it son."
I pretend to start choking up. "She's my baby sister. I promised to protect her. To keep her safe. I'm not giving up until they do." I pointed out at the ocean where Carlisle and Jasper just surfaced looking around. Wow they were pretty far out there. I finally saw tears start to fall from the chiefs eyes.
"They are too far out. They won't be able to get back and there aren't any boats close enough to get them in time." Charlie said clearly thinking that they were going to die too.
"They'll be fine. They are two of the strongest swimmers I've ever known. I'm just worried about Bella." They went under again while the chief and I watched. They surfaced again even farther away. They gave the arm signal and then I broke down in sobs. Charlie looked at me to find out what was going on. "They are heading back in. They couldn't find her. I'm headed to the beach to meet them" And I started running human speed down to the beach.
After what seemed like forever Carlisle and Jasper pulled themselves onto the beach panting and sobbing and the girls all broke down. Charlie apparently took that opportunity to fall apart as well. His last hope was gone. We were all hiding our faces so Charlie wouldn't see that there were no tears. After a few minutes we all regained control and Carlisle walked over to Charlie and sat next to him. "I'm so sorry Charlie. I never should have left her alone up there. She said she wanted some time alone and she liked to go up there and think sometimes and I just let her be." He acted like he was still fighting off the sobs and his face was still wet from the water so it looked real.
"It's not your fault Carlisle. In fact you and your son could have died trying to find her. I know you did everything you could. Bella has been on that cliff more times than I can count." Charlie broke out sobbing again and Carlisle put his arms around him and let him sob on his shoulder. At least the cold skin was normal after being in the cold water so long. "You should all get home. You're going to get sick in those wet clothes. I'll get in touch with you for the funeral. Thanks for being so good to her Carlisle. Your family was a blessing in her life."
Carlisle patted his knee and got up. We all followed him home. The mood was very subdued. I feel bad for Charlie. This is one act I hope I never have to repeat.
