A/N
OMG You guys almost 100 alerts! :D That makes my day! I think since I can't really do much as far as helping my mom out right now, I would try to get a couple more chapters out before I have to go… Also I'm starting another story, but it's still being developed. It'd be a Jacob/Bella… But here we go… Thanks for the reviews guys. If I don't get to yours I'm sorry! It's not intentional, I try to reply to each review I get. :D
Chapter 7: All in a row
JPOV
I held the phone pressed to my ear, although the line had already been disconnected. Had they really killed Edward? Was my brother really dead? Could Bella really have that much anger and hate in her system to kill her first love. As much as I didn't agree with Edward, I never wished him death…
I walked through the crowded airport, my limbs felt heavy as I made my way through security. Then I was boarding the plane to go home. It was here that I would have to think of a story to tell them. Without Edward there to confirm what I was saying, I was sure it would go a lot smoother, but I was still worried. I wanted to tell them… Bella was alive… Undead…
My mate, I still have time. I have to prove to her that we belong together. I have to bring her back from her insanity, I need to…
"Can I get you anything?" I petite blonde stewardess asked leaning a bit too close for comfort. Lust pulsing through her body.
"No, but thank you Darlin'." I smiled turning on the Southern Charm.
She smiled and backed away, but her emotions were overwhelming, especially with my own waging war against each other inside me… I sat back and closed my eyes. Letting the memories of Bella surface.
She was always so eager, the purest emotions of anyone I'd ever met. She was always so relieved when we were near her. Like she belonged. When it was time for her to go, the fear and anger bubbled but she never told us… What could have had Bella so torn up that she would be this? This angry mess of a soul?
Before I knew it the plane was landing. I walked from the plane my mind a complete fog, I wasn't expecting my family to be waiting for me. I looked to each of their faces. I couldn't tell them about Bella…
"Where's Edward?" Carlisle asked looking behind me.
The mood was tense and filled with friction.
"They denied me…" I mumbled.
"Jasper, where is Edward?" Alice asked pleadingly.
"They… Told me that they… granted…" But I couldn't finish the sentence.
I felt the guilt crush me. I fell to the floor sobbing. Esme always the loving mother came and wrapped her small arms around my frame crying as well. How I longed for the release tears brought.
"So we go to Italy?" Emmett asked apprehensive.
"We must face judgment." Carlisle confirmed.
The whirlwind of emotions were crippling. The force of the grief, despair, hopelessness. We were all feeling it. I had just left a plane in order to board another. I was exhausted, even for a vampire. I knew how things were supposed to be for Bella and I, but that thing in Volterra wasn't Bella. She wasn't the warm and soft human she once was. She was as hard and cold inside as she was outside.
BPOV
I couldn't go through with it, a romp in the hay with either of the two men I'd been toying with. My body was craving for Jasper in a way I didn't believe possible. But I couldn't do it, I wouldn't, especially for one of the Cullen Coven. But I couldn't just fuck someone who wasn't Jasper.
"Damn it!" I cursed punching a wall through the stone wall.
Frustrated I decided to go for a quick hunt. Feeding in Italy was hard, the wildlife near us were slim, but I refused human blood. I wouldn't cave now. As Edward once said, 'I don't want to be a monster.' I laughed at the irony of his words. He was the worst kind of monster, the kind that breaks the unsuspecting girls heart.
After my hunt I made my way back to the castle and into Aro's chambers.
"I sensed you wanted me?" I bowed.
"Yes, seems the Cullen's will be arriving tomorrow morning." Aro grinned.
I felt shocked, I hadn't thought it would be so soon. All the time I spent controlling myself and talking myself out of a nice hard screw so that I could somehow preserve myself for someone I had no intentions of ever being with. Now this?
Aro watched me with amusement coloring his vivid red eyes, "Demetri or Felix?" He asked causally.
He knew me well enough to know what was on my mind.
"Felix." I relented.
My tone was mostly defeated but I knew I would get the release I needed and I wouldn't have to be in control…
Aro chuckled, "I'll have him sent to your room Isabella."
I nodded and left the room quickly. My brain arguing with me.
You need to save yourself for Jasper…
Why? No one told me he was supposed to be my mate. Nothing is set in stone, how could I trust him? Any of them?
You will in time. You'll regret this later.
It's not like I'm a virgin.
That wasn't your choice…
I need this!
My inner monologue was cut off with the sight of Felix standing at my door with a wicked sexy smile gracing his perfect features.
"Good evening Bella." He smiled.
"Felix."
We spared each other the awkwardness of conversation and made our way into my room. Once the door was closed and locked. Felix's massive form had me pressed roughly to the door. His size could rival Emmett's. But his face was harder from years of living here in Italy. His blood red eyes told me he chose to feed off humans. But there was something in him that brought out the animal in me.
His face was close to mine breathing in my face.
"Tell me what you want." He ordered, his voice rough and commanding.
"I need you." I told him honestly.
"You can do better than that." He insisted.
"Fuck me." I hissed at him.
My clothes were torn to shreds and I felt him thrust into me powerfully. His thrusts were quick and precise. They were what I needed to forget, to keep my head leveled.
"Tell me you like it." He commanded.
"I like it." I panted.
I felt the coils in my stomach tighten and I knew I was close. Two more thrusts and I exploded. The stress and anguish leaving my body blissfully tingling. I zoned out and let Felix finish with me. I knew he wanted more. I could feel it. But I didn't feel the same. Instead of staying he hurriedly got dressed and made his escape. It made me feel cheap, but maybe I was now.
I wasn't the type of girl someone could love, someone they could take home to mom. I was all kinds of messed up, and I knew that. But the thoughts now stung. I'd wanted that for so long. To be with someone, with the kind of love you read about in romance novels, but that didn't exist in the real world.
I don't know how long I lie on my bed thinking about things I had wanted, things I could no longer have. About the past and future before Aro was knocking on the door. "They're here."
I stood up shocked that I was still naked. I pulled out a mint green sun dress and pulled my robe on. Perfect.
I left my room walking through the halls with a purpose. Aro led me to our barely used living areas. This one in particular had three rooms. One was the a modest room where the Cullen's were waiting. The second was more intimate and the third was the largest with the Tvs.
"The rooms are sound proof?" I asked.
"Yes."
I nodded once and stood just outside the door listening. The Cullen's were eerily silent and I swept my gift over them making them blind. They wouldn't know my voice yet…
I walked in and they were all in protective stances, all but Jasper.
"Hello. I will be conducting interviews with you all. First I would like Rosalie." I spoke clearly.
I could feel the bewilderment from Rose as I gently grasped her arm and led her into the more intimate room and sat her in a chair.
"I don't have to sit." She told me harshly.
"I know. But I want you to." I told her coldly. "So tell me about the human."
"What do you want to know?" She asked hautilly.
"Listen here Miss Priss. You might be the most beautiful Vampire on the planet. But I'm the most powerful. I'm deciding your fate today. All of you broke the rules by letting a human run amok knowing the truth. None of you changing her or offering her death. She might not have told anyone, but this family is on trial. SPEAK!" I shouted.
Rosalie's back straightened, I could feel her fear and she took a deep breath. "The human entered our lives and I had distaste for her. She was making the wrong choice. She wanted to be like us, but she didn't see she had everything. She had options. When we left, I thought it was for the best. She could have the human life she deserved, away from the controlling hand of my brother."
"If you don't mind, I would like permission to peek inside your head." I told her, I didn't want to intrude on her privacy.
She nodded once, and instantly I was thrown back through time.
Rosalie Hale was lovely, her long blonde hair piled on top of her head in elegant curls. Her brown eyes, eyes staring at her through the mirror. She pulled on a curve enhancing dress over her bodice and under garments. Her servants were helpful in getting her ready. Once she was done she walked down the stairs. Her mother was waiting in the kitchen wearing a dirty apron.
"Rose, Your father forgot his lunch. Could you be a dear and run it to the bank."
""Of course, Mother." Rose replied dutifully.
Her mother had dirty blond hair with soft blue eyes, they were sparkling mischievously.
The walk to the bank wasn't long, but Rose walked slower than neciarry. She loved the way the men would stop what they were doing and watch her walk. She loved the feeling of power with the sun shining brightly overhead. Once she arrived to the bank she spotted her fathers flaxen blond head speaking with an attractive man.
Rose paused and discreetly eyed the man. He was taller than her father, somewhere near 6''4 he was lean with coal black hair and piercing blue eyes. His trimmed goatee made him look even more handsome. Not wasting more time she timidly approached the man and her father.
Mr. Hale turned and a wide grin broke across his features, "Here she is. This is my lovely daughter Rosalie."
The man looked at her, his eyes raking over her young body hungrily, "Pleased to meet you." He greeted tipping his hat.
Rosalie curtsied and smiled at him.
Royce King was to inheret the bank, as a manager he would be making twice what her father made in a year. It was all part of a scheme her bringing her father his lunch. As expected Royce began courting Rose shortly after being introduced.
The memory faded to a small brick house where Rose was talking to a woman with light brown hair and vivid green eyes…
"Vera, I think I'm falling in love with him!" Rosalie gushed.
"Are you going to marry him?" Vera asked with as much excitement.
"I think so…" Rose trailed off smiling, "I can't wait to have my own family."
"Henry is a handful." Vera chuckled lifting a toddler no more than a year old into her lap.
His hair was dark and his eyes were blue. His dimples and impish smile were adorable. The love Rosalie felt for the infant and the envy towards her friend were shocking.
Rosalie left that night after seeing Vera with her husband and wondered mutely to herself if she was really in love with Royce? To be sure she would have more money, more fancy cars and clothes than Vera… Would she be happy.
She walked through the darkened city streets suddenly wishing she'd called her father for a ride. Young woman shouldn't be alone on any nights…
"Rose… Rosie!" A man called.
She stopped to see Royce standing under a street lamp, he was with four other men. They were all well dressed and Rose approached them apprehensively.
"There's my girl." Royce chuckled grabbing Rose around the waist forcing a hot open mouth kiss to her mouth.
"You're drunk!" Rose told him in distaste.
"Told you she was looker, eh Bob?" Royce ignored her asking a tall lean man holding a glass of scotch…
"Hard to tell with all those clothes on." He snickered.
The rest of the memory unfolded like a movie making me sick to my stomach. The five men each taking their turn pumping themselves in and out of her. The sickening sound of her head smashing into the cold damp cement as they attempted to disguise her screams… The vision was blurry as the drunk men fled, when the handsome doctor approached the broken body begging for death…
"It's not that I hated Bella. She had everything I could never have…" Rosalie's voice broke.
I felt all of her emotions and they nearly broke me. I stood up and got a tight grip on her and led her to the next room. She opted to stand in the back corner, the grief washing over her was so intense I barely made it out of the room. I took a few minutes to compose myself. Trying to wrap my brain around the information I had absorbed. Once I felt calm and collected I decided I would dive into a person that would be hard to deal with… Emmett.
I walked back into the room silently, the family stood divided and wary. "Emmett." I called as if I were a nurse at any hospital or clinic.
"Where's Rosie?" He asked. The fear and gripping pain the rippled through him, forced me to believe he thought the worst.
"She's fine. I will not pass judgment until I've spoken to everyone." I assured him taking his massive arm.
He relaxed slightly and I led him to the second room and into the seat where Rose had just been previously.
"You want to know about Bella?" Emmett asked, once I had taken my seat.
"I do." I replied.
"She was a spunky little human. She fit in with the family as soon as she crossed the threshold of our home. I could see the happiness that radiated from her whenever we were all together. She dreaded going home. I never knew why, I still don't know… I never got to ask her. She was like a little sister. She was fun to tease because she could blush, it was a dead give away that she was embarrassed." He reminisced.
"If you cared so deeply for the human girl, why did you leave?"
"You can read minds right?" He asked changing the subject.
"I can."
"Then take a look."
The family stood in the living room there was glass everywhere. Unlit candles and flowers surrounding the room. Carlisle sat on one sofa with Esme in his arms. Alice stood on one side of the room next to Edward. Emmett was presumably next to Rose, and Jasper was on the opposite end of the room. He looked so angry.
"We need to leave Forks." Edward spoke calmly.
"Edward?" Carlisle asked, gently pushing Esme off his lap and standing.
"Bella isn't safe near our kind." he explained.
"She isn't safe with you." Jasper spat.
"You're one to talk" Alice shouted her eyes flashing, "Attacking my best friend."
"I didn't attack her! I was going for Edward! He was the one…"
"Enough Jasper." Carlisle spoke clearly, pinching the bridge of his nose, "No, one blames you. You're the newest to this lifestyle…"
"You're not listening to me. Edward was going to kill her."
"Rediculous." Esme scoffed.
"We need to leave." Edward spoke to Carlisle.
"It's the best thing for her. She can have a normal human life. She'll fall in love and have babies, and she'll forget us." Alice spoke softly.
"We need to tell her." Emmett spoke up.
"Out of the question." Edward hissed.
"Like hell. Come on, she's my little sister." Emmett complained walking towards the door.
"If you go to her, don't come home." Rose spat frostily.
I pulled back, it was too painful to relive that.
"Would you have changed her?" I asked.
"Hell yeah! I just…" His emotions shifted to sadness.
"Alright. Let me take you to Rose."
I placed his hand in hers and they hugged each other tightly, and I left the room to give them a moment. Then I decided to bring in Esme.
Once she was seated I took a moment to collect my thoughts.
"You say Bella was family, but you left. Why?" I asked.
"Edward thought it was for the best." She answered immediately.
"Who's the parent in that relationship?" I asked harshly.
"I am." she answered her voice agitated.
"Then why leave someone you considered a daughter without so much as a goodbye? If you truly loved her? When she came to us she was a shell. But we'll get to that. She believed there was no one left who cared for her… As her 'mother' you sit here thinking about how much she meant to you. All lies." I spat.
Esme stiffened as if she'd been slapped.
"We didn't have a choice. Edward wanted to keep her safe from Jasper, and Alice saw her happy."
"They lied. Edward already had… well has a mate. A miss Tanya Denali. They've been mated for the past 50 years in secret. Also it was Edward who tried to lunge for Bella. His singers blood was shed and Jasper sensed the blood lust and tried to protect Bella. Who was supposed to be his mate. Alice was selfish and didn't care who she ruined in the process." I divulged.
"I didn't know."
But the look on her face and the guilt told me otherwise.
"You were in on it." I accused.
"Edward, what does this mean for you and Tayna?"
"She understands mom. It's the only way to keep the family together. To keep Alice from losing Jasper."
"I don't see how that's your business."
"I love Alice mom. She's my favorite sister. All I care about is her happiness."
"Just be careful my son."
I looked at her my heart aching. She knew all along. I felt so betrayed. I led her to the other room roughly and slammed the door. I paced the halls berating myself. I couldn't handle it. I couldn't… Next came Carlisle.
The good doctor was well in the dark and blindly followed his most beloved son. He was more likely to believe the son he created than the one with trouble with the diet. He didn't know of Esme's involvement and was shocked that she had kept it from him. He was hurting too. He did love me as a daughter. His memories weren't so much memories as perceptions of how he saw the world. He truly did believe that Edward had my best interests at heart, and knew so little about the truth. I had half a mind to enlighten him, but I decided I would do it when they were all together.
Now it was time for Alice… The pixie who claimed to be my best friend. We shall see…
She sat there a sympathetic expression while her emotions raged out of control. Fear, Anger, Resentment, Fear, Hate…
"You were the humans best friend?"
"I was, I was heartbroken when we had to leave." She told me, but it was all lies.
"You loved her as a sister?"
"Of course! I would play Bella Barbie and it was a lot of fun!" She told me with false enthusiasm.
"Her death?"
"I was… It's still hard." She choked, but her emotions were relieved.
"Then why are you feeling such relief? Why is your brain jumping for joy?"
….
"Let me tell you something Mary Alice Brandon Cullen, I can read every thought you ever had… In fact I intend to…"
"Edward after everything we've done to get Jasper to come with us and stay away from Phoniex was a waste!" Alice screeched.
"What do you mean, love?"
"I mean that we spent all that time coming here we didn't dig into her background."
"Alright?"
"Her real father lives here in Forks… Chief Swan. She's coming here Edward…"
"What does this mean for the family?"
"It means I'm going to lose Jazz and the family will split. Emmett and Rose will side with Jasper and Bella and they'll all leave…" Alice was sounding desperate.
"What happens, if… I go to her?"
"That's genius Edward. She'll fall in love with you, and you won't have to pretend forever since we'll never turn her and no one will be the wiser…"
"You went through all that trouble just to break up with Jasper right before Bella's 18th birthday… why?"
"I saw him. My true mate, Garrett. We met in the woods and have been secretly seeing each other until it was the right time to introduce him."
"So you ruined that happiness of two people and think you'll still get your happy ever after?"
"I didn't know…" She spoke numbly.
Her emotions swirled from guilt to happiness, despair and anger.
"Tell me something then, when Edward came at you wanting to leave why did you side with him? You'd already broken Mr. Whitlock's heart. Why force him to leave, why pretend you didn't know he spoke the truth?"
"I didn't want to lose him."
I hissed at her and flung her into the next room with a less than graceful hand. I then marched to retrieve Jasper. I lifted the veil from his senses so he could see again.
"Bella?"
"I'll explain everything, now come with me. I'll take you to them. I will not reveal myself until the end."
He followed me into the room where the family was huddled together with their lies and deceit hanging in the air.
"Now that you are all back together I'm going to use a power I picked up from a nomad named Nessa."
I pushed the gift outward and showed them everything that had transpired in the rooms. The answers, the memories, the visions, everything. The collective gasp as members began to draw a line. Carlisle's disgust at his family.
"Now. Here are the memories of Miss Swan."
Bruises fade father but pain remains the same
And I still remember how you kept me so afraid
Strength is my mother for all the love she gave
Every morning that I wake
I look back to yesterday
And I'm OK
5 year old Bella was huddled behind her rocking chair in the dark. The screams of Renee echoing from down the hall.
"Charlie… please." Renee begged.
"I never wanted a daughter, why couldn't you give me a son?" Charlie slurred drunkenly.
"I can't control th…"
Renee never finished her sentece, the echo of a slap and crash to the floor caused the young Bella to whimper in fear. She lived in fear everyday, never knowing what Charlie might do next… The door slamming caused Bella to shrink even farther into the corner. Her eyes were closed and her tiny body was trembling. Her bedroom door flung open, the light illuminating the toddler bed that was empty.
"Isabella!" Charlie thundered, the nightstand being overturned the glass lamp shattering.
Bella bit her tongue her thoughts were screaming out.
Make me a bird, so I can fly far, far away from here, please god make me a bird so I can fly far, far away from here.
The mantra repeating over and over in her head tears slipping silently down her red cheeks. But she was found.
Charlie roughly gripping her arm, hearing the sickening snap and the howling scream through Bella's lips.
Her through her into the hallway where she tumbled down the stairs her leg twisting unnaturally under her body. Her blurred vision as Charlie left the house. Renee running down the stair lifting the dazed child into her lap. The finger marks around Renee's throat.
"I'll get us out of here baby…"
The vision turned into the Bella growing up in Phoniex the resentment Renee threw at the young girl. Bella gracefully taking care of Renee managing the checkbooks from the age of 8...
Renee's wedding and phone call to Charlie that Bella overheard.
"Can you take her for her junior and senior year?"
"I don't know why you couldn't Charlie?"
"I didn't want her either! You're the one who knocked me up"
"She's coming. I'm done with this. I want a real family."
The pain rippling through Bella. The feeling of loss and abandonment, the fear of her father.
The thoughts she locked away. When she was with the Cullen's.
I fit in here. I have a real mom. A real Dad. The big brother I've always wanted, the sister I never knew I could have… Jasper… Edward… Rose might not like me, but her hostility is refreshing from the treatment I get at home.
The pain when Edward left, his speech word for word. Her views from her party knowing Jasper was trying to help. The knowledge that Alice had seen her real mate. The feeling of abandonment, the dark period. Charlie's sexual assaults, the hospital visits… Jacob… Jacob imprinting. Then going to the Volturi and being changed against her will being forced to live a life and existence filled with anger. Her romps with Felix and Demetri. The killing of Charlie and the girl who looked like her.
Once the images were thrust into their minds I lifted the veil to stand before the people I had once loved so much as a family.
"I've gone through so much in my life. Much more than any of you could ever comprehend. I finally found somewhere I belonged. Where people appeared to love me, but it was all a lie. How could I ever forgive any of you? How could I ever move on from this? I can't do it again. I won't do it again. Your clan has ruined me. You may all leave, knowing all the damage you've inflicted upon me and the ones you supposedly love. You know everything I know. You know about Edward, I will torture him until he's reached the pain I've felt. I won't stop, until he begs for death. Leave"
Alrgiht guys. Hopefully I did a good job for you! I'm about to go out of town tomorrow morning until Monday to visit my mom who is having heart surgery. Love you all! You're all amazing! Thank you, thank you, thank you!