AN: My version of Eclipse/Breaking Dawn. It takes the whole Cullen Clan to save Bella this time! Enjoy!
Thanks to my super-star Beta reader, TwilightFan4Life, always the encourager!
Disclaimer: My goal is to write as well as SM but at this point I'm only playing with her characters. I wish I could keep them but alas they belong to another!
Chapter 6 Carlisle's Message
I woke the next morning to the sound of seagulls calling out over the still blue water.
I felt the bed rising and falling in slow rhythm with the waves outside the open balcony doors. Then, as my mind began to organize itself into consciousness, I realized the bed wasn't moving but rather it was Edward's chest beneath my cheek as he breathed in and out, habitually.
I stretched my legs along the length of his body. I could feel his exquisite sculpted form, cold, through the blanket that separated us. His body temperature didn't bother me especially in this warm tropical place. I felt blissful for a full minute before today's plan came crashing back down into my now somewhat-cognizant brain.
Then, I groaned. His soft chuckle rumbled beneath my head. I felt his fingers softly caressing the side of my face even as I refused to open my eyes to face the day.
"You really aren't a morning person, are you?" he asked apparently amused at my refusal to wake up.
"No," I muttered and considered pulling the blanket over my head.
He laughed quietly again but it wasn't a happy laugh. "Enjoy your sleep while you can, love," he whispered, a melancholy note in his voice.
I sharp stab of pain pierced me to hear him sound so sad at my impending conversion to a sleepless life. Sure, I would miss sleeping and eating and many other things about being human but it seemed like so little to give up to spend eternity with him.
My mind wandered back to Kanika and our plan for her. My heart immediately began to speed up at the thought of having to go there. Alone. I knew the Cullens would be close by but what if….
"Bella?" he had obviously heard my heart launch into its erratic race.
I didn't want him to know how scared and nervous I was, well, anymore than my body was already revealing. I had to get a grip on myself before he would decide to change the plan due to my anxiety level.
"Stay," I commanded him as I threw the blanket off and stumbled out of the bed.
"Yes Ma'am," he said his eyes following me, amused again, as I made my way to the bathroom trying not to fall on my face as I half tripped over my own feet. I hated the feel of morning breath; that would be one human thing I would never miss. I scrubbed my teeth, splashed some water over my face and ran the brush thru my hair. It helped a little.
I opened the door and he was exactly as I had left him a few minutes earlier even the same amused expression on his face. He held out his arms and I came willingly back to the bed and into his embrace. He held me for an immeasurable time, my head pressed firmly against his chest. I could hear nothing but the breath going in and out of his lungs and the pounding of my heartbeat in my own ears.
Finally, he tipped my head back and pressed his lips against mine. I felt the electric shocks, familiar now, but nevertheless exhilarating. It was so hard to be good with him. I knew I should be still and let him determine how long and intense our contact should be but as I felt my blood start to boil and the knot in my stomach start to tighten, I just couldn't help myself.
I pressed harder against him, my hands in his tousled hair, my lips more demanding. His answering enthusiasm surprised and thrilled me, as if I needed any more encouragement. His hands were in my hair and then running down my spine, molding me like Play-Doh to his exquisite god-like body. I felt my mind spinning as he released my lips and I gasped for air.
"Bella," he breathed heavily in my ear, "it is so hard to resist you." He confessed this, sounding almost embarrassed by his perceived weakness.
I kept my eyes closed trying not to faint, concentrating on breathing – in and out. I wondered briefly if he meant it was hard to resist my blood or my body. I was sure he couldn't understand how impossible it was for me to resist him.
"You need to hunt," I finally managed, my breathing still coming too fast.
His mood shifted instantly as he laughed his beautiful, musical laugh. "That's not what I meant," he said answering my earlier speculation. "It is not your blood that's tempting me this morning." He held me close for another moment and then released me rising quickly from the bed. "Your breakfast will be ready as soon as you are," he said heading for the door.
I rolled onto my stomach moaning into the pillow. As I inhaled his sweet scent which lingered fleetingly on the pillowcase, I began again, to ponder our plan to deal with Kanika. A very small part of my brain almost wished she would take me back to Aro. Waiting until the school year was over seemed like six more months of pure torture. How much worse could it be if he changed me? At least it would be over and I could go on with my new life. The rest of my brain took over and I mentally slapped myself. What was I thinking? So many things could go wrong and besides didn't I want Edward to change me? More than anything, I reminded myself. Just be patient.
I rose from the bed and dressed quickly, the smell of my breakfast already wafting up the stairs. I hoped my stomach would stop doing nervous flips so I'd be able to eat something.
"Smells good," I said trying to sound convincing as I entered the kitchen. Edward turned from the stove placing the plate of food in front of me, smiling. My stomach performed another disconcerting roll.
"You know, you really don't have to fix every meal for me," I said eyeing the food hesitantly and taking a tiny bite of the toast, to test my unsettled stomach.
"I know," he said still smiling "but surprisingly, I enjoy it."
I picked at the food and ate a little of it. It tasted good but my stomach just wasn't in the mood. Edward watched, a disapproving look on his face, but didn't say anything. We both looked up when the rest of the Cullens arrived, coming in from the beach. Carlisle wanted to review our plan once more.
"Rosalie and Alice will stay here with Bella while we circle the island in the boat," Carlisle began. "We need to make it appear that this is like any other day for us. As if we were out on another shark hunting expedition. Just before noon, Bella will drive into town. After Bella leaves, Alice and Rosalie will head into the jungle taking a circuitous route to the Island's airport. Make it appear that you're hunting," he said as they nodded with comprehension.
He turned to look at me now, "we'll already be waiting in the water before you even get to town," he assured me. "Once you enter the store, we'll surround the building. Jasper and Emmett will cover the doors while Edward and I follow you in and explain to Kanika how this is going to work. I have a special message for her to deliver to Aro," he explained, a tense grin on his face.
I nodded feeling too anxious to speak, the butterflies ramming my stomach as if on a kamikaze suicide mission.
"If for some reason, she gets you past us," Carlisle's eyes held mine, "stay calm. Alice and Rosalie will have taken care of things at the airport. She's not going to get you off this island."
As terrifying as the idea was, I knew it was imperative that I be the bait for this plan to work so I tried to control my face, masking my fear. I didn't dare look at Edward, I could feel him next to me, every muscle tensed. I looked over at Emmett instead, he was grinning wickedly.
"Don't worry Bella," he assured me when our eyes met. "There's no way she'll get past us." His confident challenge broke the tense atmosphere and everyone took a deep breath, mine was a bit ragged.
Edward turned to me, his eyes didn't conceal his torment. "Bella, I'm so sorry to put you in such a dangerous position, again," he lamented, his eyes burning with regret.
"It's not your fault," I tried to convince him. "Remember, I'm the danger magnet," I said pointing to myself. "I can get into dangerous positions with or without your help." I tried to kid with him but it failed to lighten his mood.
Ignoring me, he begged, "Please, please be careful."
"I will," I agreed, the intensity of his dark eyes disturbing my thought patterns.
He kissed me hard for a moment and then folded me into his arms holding me as tightly as he dared. Then, he was gone. By the time I opened my eyes and turned around, he was already out the back door, loping down the beach to catch up with the others. Rosalie and Alice sat at the kitchen table watching me as I stared out the door after him.
The next ninety minutes passed so slowly, I thought I might go insane. Alice tried to assure me that everything would be fine but I knew whatever insight she had could change with each action I took or anyone else took for that matter. I tried to feel confident in the Cullen's plan but I couldn't stop the gnawing fear eating away at my insides. It all just seemed too simple, too easy. I wasn't confident that Kanika would give in quite so easily.
Finally, it was time for me to go. Alice hugged me quickly and Rosalie smiled encouragingly. "We'll see you soon," Alice said in her musical, soprano voice. "Try not to worry, Bella."
I nodded and headed out to the Expedition. The drive to town was short and too soon I found myself crossing the earthen road to Kanika's shop. I wondered where the Cullen men were hiding in the water. I could see the water's edge not far from where I had parked. I realized my every nerve was hypersensitive as I jumped when a lizard scurried across the road in front of me. I took a deep breath and pushed the door open to the relative darkness inside, letting the wooden door bang shut behind me.
I stood in the gloom, letting my eyes adjust. "Are you alone?" I heard the soft voice ask quietly, very close behind me. I jumped, startled at her proximity.
"Yes," I gulped.
"Very good," she said grabbing my arm in her steely grasp. "Come on," she pulled me roughly towards the back of the shop.
I was shocked at the venom in her voice and moved as quickly along with her as my unsteady feet would allow. She shoved me through the back door and into a waiting vehicle. A dark skinned man sat behind the wheel.
"Go!" She hissed at him. He took off so abruptly that I was thrown back against the seat of the jeep. She still held my arm, her fingers squeezing me like a tourniquet and I knew there would be bruises. I looked behind us and thought I saw a glimpse of Edward's bronze hair as we whipped around the corner. We sped down the road towards the airport and I tried to control my breathing. After all, I needed to make her believe that I was going willingly. She had gotten me out of the hut so fast that the Cullens must not have had time to get out of the water and across the road before we were speeding away. I knew they could run faster than the jeep though. This thought held my escalating panic at bay.
Sure enough within just a few moments, Carlisle, Edward, Emmett, and Jasper appeared standing shoulder to shoulder blocking the road ahead of us. As hysteria threatened to take over, a ridiculous thought flashed through my head - if they had just been wearing cowboy hats and gun belts, this would resemble some sort of really bad western.
Narrowly avoiding them, the driver veered into the jungle on a short stretch of road that opened into the large field that Edward and I had found the other day. He drove out into the middle of the field and stopped at Kanika's command. Three enormous lions appeared out of nowhere and surrounded our jeep, tails to us, looking out. Now I knew what was out here, what I hadn't seen the other day but what Edward had alluded to when we walked this way. They roared as the Cullens approached.
"Let her go!" Edward thundered at Kanika.
"Get Back!" She hissed at him.
Edward didn't even seem to notice the lions only a few yards from him, snarling with large, bared teeth. He stepped closer to the jeep. "Give her to us and we won't kill your pets." Edward's voice was low and threatening now, deadly in its calm.
"Get back and I won't kill yours," she spat at him.
Edward continued to move forward and I stared in horror. The lions surrounded him but he didn't take his eyes off me. Emmett, Carlisle, and Jasper followed close behind, ready to spring on the large animals.
I could see Edward's black eyes now, flashing with anger. I could hear the growl emanating from his chest.
Kanika grabbed my hair wrenching my head back and exposing my neck. "I will bite her myself," she warned him, snapping her teeth.
He snarled and his voice was like ice. "You really don't want to make that mistake," and at that moment, he lunged for the jeep. I gasped as Kenya launched from her hiding place in the grass to sideswipe Edward while the lions all simultaneously lunged forward on top of him. Emmett, Carlisle, and Jasper dove into the pile of fur and teeth and all I could do was watch in wide-eyed terror as Kanika's teeth hesitated so close to my neck that I could feel her frozen breath on my skin.
I couldn't tell if the snarls and growls and snapping of teeth came from the Cullens or from the lions. I couldn't breathe as I watched the tangle of vampires and animals wrestling before my eyes. The lions, as large and strong as they were, were in the end, no match for the Cullens. As they pulled the beasts off Edward, I could see him grappling with Kenya. He had her by the throat and in an instant stood holding her in one hand while she struggled in vain, hissing and spitting at him.
I heard a sharp intake as Kanika watched her companion knowing that it would only take a slight squeeze for Edward to break the cat's neck. Edward's eyes were wild now, I'd never seen him like this. He looked like an animal himself and I wondered if this is what he was like when he hunted. If this was what he didn't want me to see. He was glorious as he snarled, his lips pulled back exposing his brilliant white teeth. His eyes flashed with danger and it raised the hair on my arms. He was terrifying and beautiful all at once.
Carlisle appeared, coming between the jeep and Edward. "Kanika, we just want to talk to you," he said in a soothing voice.
"I have my orders," she sneered at him.
"Yes, I know what Aro asked of you," Carlisle said, "but you will not be able to accomplish that mission today," he assured her. "Aro won't blame you. He should have known better than to underestimate my family."
"I must take her back to Volterra," Kanika insisted her voice weakening as Kenya stopped struggling, Edward's grip had choked off her windpipe and she couldn't breathe. Kanika watched her companion slowly suffocating. "Let her go," she said almost pleading now.
"A trade," Carlisle suggested.
"I can't." Kanika eyed Carlisle.
"You can't win this one Kanika. I have a message for you to deliver to Aro. Now let Bella go before your companion dies," he urged her.
Kanika released me and Emmett pulled me out of the jeep in one swift motion, holding me to him as my knees gave out.
"Let her go," Kanika begged Edward.
His eyes had calmed during the negotiation and he set the cat down on the ground more carefully than I would have imagined he could have. Kanika rushed to her ensuring she was still breathing. Kenya coughed a few times as if she had a large hairball caught in her throat and then staggered off into the jungle.
"Now, Kanika," Carlisle drew her attention back to him. "Please tell my dear friend, Aro, that we appreciate his interest but we don't require his assistance at this time. We are well aware of the agreement that was made last spring and have our own plan on when and where to execute it. You can assure him that it will be realized before this time next year. I will send word to him when it's concluded and I expect that he will honor our friendship in trusting me in this." He looked at her for a moment. "Can you remember all of that?" he asked.
"Yes," she answered, beaten now.
"Good, then please be on your way and don't bother my family again," he commanded her in a firm yet pleasant tone. Carlisle was beautiful and menacing in the same instant, his skin and teeth sparkling in the midday sun. I was awed by his grace and tact and could see why Edward revered him, striving to emulate him.
Emmett gently handed me over to Edward who cradled me in his arms like a small child, holding me tightly to him, kissing my forehead.
"Emmett, Jasper. Go get the girls from the airport and bring them back to the house," Carlisle directed as Kanika drove away in the jeep. They took off through the jungle. "Are you alright, Bella?" he asked me coming to stand in front of Edward.
"Yes, I think so," my voice cracked a little as I spoke.
"She looks a little shocked, Edward. Let's get her back to the house," Carlisle suggested noting my ashen face.
"I can walk," I said hoping Edward would let me down.
"I don't think so Bella. How about if I give you a ride? Can you hold on?"
"Yes, I think so," I said still feeling shaken from being millimeters from Kanika's razor sharp teeth and watching Edward being attacked by four wild animals at once. More nightmare material – as if I didn't have enough for a lifetime already.
He shifted me to his back and I wrapped my arms and legs around him as tightly as I could. I normally loved the feeling of Edward running but this time I kept my eyes closed and rested my head against his shoulder. I had, had enough excitement for one day. His gait was so smooth that I only realized he had stopped when there was no wind blowing the hair back from my face.
"Bella, we're here," he said softly. I lifted my head to see the villa as he loosened my hands from around his neck. He held my wrists until my feet found the ground and then he released me. He spun around in one of those lightning fast motions catching me by the waist.
"I'm okay," I said unconvincingly as I took a wobbly step forward. We walked together, arms around each others waists through the front door. Esme was there waiting for us, having brought the boat back earlier.
"Oh, Bella," she wailed rushing to me and pulling me into her embrace. "Are you alright, dear?"
"I'm fine," I said still sounding shaken.
"Esme, could you please get her some cold water?" Edward asked.
Esme released me and scurried off to the kitchen as Edward settled me gingerly on the couch. He sat next to me and took my face between his hands. "Bella, did she hurt you?" he asked the line appearing between his brows.
"No, Edward. Really I'm fine," I said and I was beginning to feel better. The images of the lions jumping on top of Edward flashed through my mind again and I shuddered.
"What is it?" he asked anxiously.
I looked at him, unharmed – not a scratch on him, but I couldn't help but feel horrified at the thought of him under attack by all those claws and teeth. I didn't answer him knowing he wouldn't understand why I would be concerned about him when my life was, apparently, the only one ever in danger.
His impatience grew, "please, Bella, tell me what you're thinking. What are you frightened of?"
I shook my head.
"Don't you trust me?" he asked sounding hurt.
"Of course, I trust you Edward. I did everything you and Carlisle asked," I said in my own defense.
"Then why won't you tell me what you're thinking?" he asked his voice smooth again trying a different tactic. He was doing that unfair smoldering thing with his eyes and I lost track of what we were talking about.
"Errr, what?" I asked my brain scrambled.
"You were telling me what you were thinking that frightened you just a moment ago," he said hypnotically.
"Oh, I was remembering how all of those lions jumped on top of you," I said slightly drunk in his gaze. "I know you think it's stupid that I worry about you but I can't help it," I admitted seeming to no longer care that he knew.
"Oh," he said realizing now why I was hesitant to tell him. "Bella," he said keeping my eyes trained to his.
"Yes," I said completely mesmerized.
"I never think you're stupid," and then he smiled his crooked smile sending my heart into wild palpatations. He laughed quietly. I'm sure he could hear my heart misbehaving. I watched as his face came nearer and as my eyes closed, I felt his sweet, cold lips on mine.
"They're Gone!" I heard Emmett's booming voice as he came through the front door. Carlisle and Esme came from the kitchen as the rest of the family returned from the airport.
"You're sure?" Carlisle asked.
"Yep, shortly after Rosalie finished reinstalling the jet's starter, they arrived and took off," Emmett explained grinning widely.
"Very Good," Carlisle said approvingly. "Everyone did an excellent job today and I'm sorry that it had to be a little more exciting than necessary Bella. We should have been able to get to you before Kanika got you out of town. Apparently, she was ready for us," he said shaking his head. "Hopefully, she'll deliver the message to Aro and that will be the last we hear from the Volturi," he added darkly.
I had my doubts, but like Carlisle, I hoped it would be the last we heard from them too.
"Hey Edward, let's go hunting tonight," Emmett said punching Edward's shoulder as he walked by the couch. "I'm not much of a 'cat kind of a guy' but that was a fun wrestling match today with those lions. I could go for another round before dinner." His laughter rang through the house.
Edward snorted, "Sure Emmett, whatever." He looked back to me, suddenly realizing that it might upset me hearing them banter about the lions but I smiled encouragingly at him. His eyes were very black. He really needed to hunt and I knew that, unlike Emmett, Edward did prefer large cats.
They took turns hunting later that evening so I wouldn't be alone. Rosalie and Alice hunted with Carlisle and Esme, not interested in the lion-hunt, preferring the smaller game on the island. When they returned, Edward, Jasper, and Emmett left on their hunting trip.
"Have fun," I called out to them as they left the house ribbing each other like any human siblings would. It made me happy seeing Edward relaxed again. I also liked that he was hunting with his brothers, considering how large those lions were.
I spent the evening talking with Alice, her eyes warm butterscotch again. We talked of what we would do for the three remaining days of our vacation. With Christmas less than a week away, there would be a lot to do when we returned to Forks. It was hard to imagine the cold, wet weather of Forks while we sat in the heat of the island. Even now after dark, it was warm but the cool ocean breeze coming through the open doors made it pleasant.
"Alice?" I said turning to her next to me on the couch.
"Yes?" she said looking over at me.
"Is everything really going to work out alright?" I asked her, hoping she knew that I meant my eventual transformation into a real member of the Cullen clan.
"Well, Bella, the future isn't written in stone as you already know. Everything we do, every decision we make, can change the course. But, yes, I do believe everything is going to work out just right," she said smiling at me, her eyes full of seemingly ancient wisdom.
