"Everyone loves Esme," I said matter-of-factly. That ended that specific part of the discussion. Right after I finished talking, my phone rang. I knew it was Alice calling. She was the only one who could give me news that was so important, she would interrupt my time with Bella and her family.
"Alice."
Jacob's thoughts instantly crowded my mind. Who could be calling that's more important than this? Talk about selfish…
I wanted to yell at Jacob, or tell him how immature he was being, but decided not to. There were more important issues at hand.
"Edward. Get back here. Fast. So much has happened. There's so much to think about." Her voice was thick with worry and anxiety.
Using all of my will power, I looked into Alice's mind. Usually, I wouldn't be able to do this from such a far distance, but our minds were linked in a unique way, which made listening to her thoughts from a distance easier.
Kate, Tanya… they're coming. Hurry! There's not much time! Her thoughts were so fast and jumbled they were becoming incoherent.
"Alice! Stop! Slow down. Now tell me what's happened. What did you see?" I could hear her taking a deep breath, out of habit. I could also hear Emmett and Jasper in the background. They were arguing over how to strategize the attack. What attack?
"Edward, Carmen was just here. She came to warn us-"
"Warn us about what? What is happening, Alice?" This was the first time in decades when I couldn't understand Alice. It made me furious, and my impatience was definitely showing.
Another deep breath. "Apparently, Tanya and Kate haven't gotten over Irina's death. Carmen just came to warn us that they are coming to avenge her. They both believe Bella is to blame for the death of their sister. They've decided to take action against her."
I took a fraction of a second to think over what my sister had just said. "That doesn't sound like Tanya. Are you sure she's part of this?"
"Well, I'm afraid Tanya's intentions are different. She has decided that everyone she loves is being taken from her, so she has decided to come fight Bella so she can have you. Apparently, you're the only one she's ever loved."
Bella heard Alice from the phone, and jumped up from the chair she was sitting in. This was no surprise to me. Before I picked up the phone, I knew that Jacob and Bella would be able to hear every word the two of us said.
"Edward?" Bella asked, scared, "That doesn't make sense. Tanya and Kate have always loved us. They wouldn't do that to us."
There was nothing I could sat to Bella to comfort her. We wouldn't be able to stop Tanya and Kate before they got to us; we would just have to fight them off. Of course, I knew I would keep Bella safe no matter what, but it was the rest of my family I was worried about. What if Emmett or Jasper tried to protect Bella and they were the ones who lost?
I put a finger over her lips delicately, letting her know I would answer her questions once I got off the phone with Alice.
"That can't be," I said to Alice, "They weren't even like this when their mother was killed. Why wouldn't they just go after the Volturi?"
"Simple. Bella is more vulnerable."
Bella squeezed harder on my arm.
"So all along this was Tanya and Kate's doing?"
"Yes. They've put their whole hearts into avenging their lost sister."
It took me a whole second to decide what to do next. "I'm getting Bella and Renesmee and we're leaving now," I told Alice, motioning for Bella to get up with me and go inside to get her things. "We'll be there soon."
"No!" Alice raised her voice. "Stay with Charlie. Keep him safe. If Kate or Tanya come down to get you in Forks, remember you're surrounded by the wolves. They'll protect Charlie and everyone until we get down there."
Before I could respond, I heard Jacob scoff under his breath. Don't bother asking us. Of course we're willing to help you! Psh… They couldn't care less what we think.
Alice must've sensed that those weren't the best words to use because she quickly added, "This isn't their fight to fight."
Before I could stop her, Bella grabbed the phone out of my hands. "Alice? It's me."
Bella, was all she said.
"I want to come home. I don't want you to fight for me if it's me they want."
Stop trying to protect everyone besides yourself. Trust me, we can take care of ourselves. Alice barely chuckled, clearly amused at how selfless Bella was being.
She hesitated, putting more thought into her response. "The only reason you fought for me before was because I was human. Now I'm a vampire and I can take them down."
No, Bella. Stay with Charlie. Period. Tell Edward I'll keep you updated. Bye.
Jacob stood there, silent as ever. He hadn't said a word throughout the whole conversation. Even though what he was thinking was pretty important to him, he decided to keep quiet.
My attention quickly turned to Bella. "Love, do you want to stay or leave? I
Don't really see any harm in leaving now - we still have a choice- so tell me what you want." I put my arms around her and kissed her cheek.
She looked me straight in the eye and closed hers briefly. "Let's go home." Her arms wrapped around me tightly and she didn't loosen her grip.
Embarrassed, Jacob cleared his throat. "So what are we doing? Should I tell the pack?"
"Bella, Renesmee, and I are leaving. Go let the pack know everything we just learned and make sure they're on the lookout. And if it isn't any trouble, could you have a few wolves watch over Charlie?"
I'm not leaving Nessie. I'll tell the pack what we've learned, but I'll be right behind you. There's no way she'll be put in danger without me around.
For the first time that day, my anger at Jacob spiked higher than I could control. All the events form the past few days were building up inside me and I was finally loosing it.
Nudging Bella away from me, I walked up to Jacob. He was a good foot on me, but that didn't matter. I knew that if it came down to a fight, I would have him beat.
Not caring how bad he smelled, I got in his face and breathed hard on him, knowing he wouldn't like it as much and I didn't like being close to him.
"Just because you are imprinted with our Renesmee, does not mean you have the power to get her out of danger. We can protect her far more sufficiently than you, and you know it. Don't think even for the slightest second that we can't protect her better than you. I've got a newsflash for you, dog. I could take you down in a split second. One more smart remark like that, and you'll really know what it's like to be in danger. Got it?"
Even though our chests were touching, Jacob stepped closer to me. I didn't want to, but he made me step back.
"You don't think I can see through your little act?" He breathed on me deeply to make a point. "You only act tough, but on the inside you're as sensitive as anyone else. You're mad at me because I can give Nessie things you can't," he paused, "And actually, I do think I want to know what it's like to be in danger. I'm sure you're way less of a threat than Victoria- and she was easy." He opened his mouth to grin at me. The only thing I wanted to do right then was rip out his throat and watch him bleed to death.
Bella finally stepped in between us. "Stop it!" She yelled. "You two are being so immature. Edward, let's just get Renesmee and leave."
Yeah, Edward, go home. Run away like the coward you are.
Without thinking, I let out all of my rage that I had been holding in for days. The rage toward Tanya, Kate, the human children at our school- I let it all out on Jacob. With one blow that he wasn't ready for, I had him on the ground. His jaw was out of place and he worked quickly to set it back before it set in place wrong.
"Edward! Stop!" Bella was furious at the two of us now. She was mostly mad at me for hitting Jacob first, though. I didn't have to be able to read minds to know that.
I quickly turned to her. "Bella, love, I'm sorry. It's just-"
Before I could finish apologizing, I was on the ground. Jacob was now in his wolf form and ready to fight. Even though I wanted to kill him then and there, the grief that I knew Bella and Renesmee would feel practically swallowed me and stopped me right in my tracks.
Oblivious to the events outside, Charlie and Billy were still in the house watching the game. Renesmee, however, could sense something was wrong.
Daddy? What's wrong? What are you and Jakey doing?
If not for her imprint with Jacob, I would have taken that last blow at Jacob. The hit that would leave him in pieces. He would wish he never met my Bella, and then we would die- slowly and painfully. Unfortunately, I cared too much about my wife and daughter's feelings to do such a thing.
Looking up, I saw Jacob standing a few yards away from me. Bella was standing in front of him, blocking him from getting to me. As much as I wanted this gesture to be meant for only my protection, I knew she also wanted Jacob safe.
Bella ran for me as soon as I began to stand up.
"Edward, why would you do something like that?" She was obviously furious. Even though she kept her voice calm, I could hear it shake with anger.
Instead of answering, I starred at her with a sarcastic look.
Jacob appeared behind her in his human form. Without glancing at him , Bella moved to her right so he and I were facing each other.
"I should have never hit you, Jacob. And for that, I am sorry. With everything that has happened these past few days, things have been tense for me. Please forgive me." I help out my hand to shake his.
His eyes met mine for a moment, and he pushed my hand down. Instead, he put his arms around me and hugged me. "We were both wrong. I should have just walked away and not gotten as defensive as I did. I am truly sorry."
W let each other go and looked at each other for a few seconds and then looked away at the ground. Bella walked up to my side and I put my arm around her waist.
You'd better get moving. If I know Alice at all, she'll be expecting you three as soon as possible.
Jacob was right. I turned my attention to Bella.
"Let's get Renesmee and our things. We shouldn't keep them waiting."
Bella nodded. We walked up to the house hand-in-hand with Jacob following.
I'll stay downstairs with Charlie and Billy. The second you leave, I'll have a few of my brothers down here watching Charlie. There's no need to worry about him. Just keep Nessie and Bella safe.
I nodded slightly, acknowledging his helpfulness.
Oh, and Edward… do you think I can come up later tonight? I'll stay out of the way so you can be with Nessie, if that's what you want.
By the way his "voice" sounded, I could tell he was nervous to ask me this. I turned to look back at him as we walked in the house and nodded, smiling. He smiled back.
It took us less than a minute to collect our things upstairs and then head back down the steps to face Charlie and Billy. Jacob was sprawled out on the couch next to them, more than relaxed.
Charlie took one look at us with our bags, and sprung up from his seat, clearly confused. "Bella, what are you doing with your things?"
Bella looked at me, hoping for an answer. We hadn't discussed the cover up story for why we had to go home early and she was expecting me to do the lying.
When Bella didn't answer, Charlie looked to me and raised his eyebrows.
I took a deep breath for the effect. "It's Esme. She's sick. Carlisle doesn't know what wrong with her, but he wants the three of us home in case something happens." I tried to the best of my ability to make my voice crack as I talked, as if I was going to start crying.
Charlie's expression turned sympathetic and he immediately walked over to the three of us and hugged us all.
"I'm so sorry. Is there anything I can do?"
Bella and I shook our heads at the same time.
"Well, don't let us keep you waiting. Tell her I said get well."
I nodded and shook Charlie's hand.
"I'm so sorry we have to leave now, Dad. I promise when this is all over we'll come back and visit. And it'll be for more than a day next time," she smiled and hugged her father.
There was an exchange of hugs between the six of us - I wasn't really part of the hugs - and then we were out the door and on the road.
The drive home was mostly quiet. It was quiet in a bad way, there just wasn't much to say. The three of us were all wrapped up in our own thoughts.
As soon as we pulled in the driveway, Alice and Emmett ran outside to greet us. It was just before sunrise, so the sky was still dark. The brightly lit house stuck out like a sore thumb.
"Bella! Edward! Renesmee!" They greeted us.
"Where is everyone?" I asked Emmett while Alice, Bella, and Renesmee chatted quietly.
"Esme and Rose are inside. Jasper and Carlisle just went hunting. They'll be back soon."
"Has Carlisle decided what we're going to do?" I had a few ideas of my own of what to do with Tanya and Kate, but I knew Carlisle would try a whole different set of tactics.
Before Emmett answered, a noise came from the house. All of us quickly turned to see who was approaching. We were all anxious and nervous about the attack. Esme and Rose approached from the front door of the house. Esme came running and gave Bella and I a big hug before saying anything. Rose gave us each light hugs and then everyone looked to me, as if I knew what was going on more than anyone else.
"I've been thinking about this, and I've made a decision. And I want everyone to hear what I have to say, and just accept it." Bella stood out in the middle of our circle we had formed.
Bella looked around at all of us. When she looked at Rose, she spoke up. "Shouldn't we wait for Jasper and Carlisle? If you want everyone to approve this decision, shouldn't they be here, too?"
"It doesn't matter if they're here or not. This is my decision and everyone is going to just accept it no matter what." Her voice had a certain hardness to it that only I had heard from her before. It was the tone of voice that made everyone standing in our circle shut up and listen.
What is she talking about? Both Esme and Rose were wondering.
Don't let her do it! Alice warned me. I wanted to stop and ask her what she was talking about, but a part of me told me to wait.
Just as I heard this thought from Alice, Jasper and Carlisle appeared from hunting. "Bella, Edward, Nessie. It is so nice to have you three home at a time like this." Carlisle stood by Esme's side and put her arm around her waist.
"I feel much better now that I'm home," Bella reassured him.
Alice decided to step in. "Carlisle, Jasper. Bella has something she wants to share with us. Go on, Bella."
Bella smiled. Everyone knew the topic she was going to talk about, so she decided to get straight to the point. "I'm fighting alone. No one is coming with me. End of story."
I was in shock. Did Bella really believe she could take on two experienced, aged vampires? Sure, she still had her newborn strength, but she didn't have the experience to fight as well as them. I listened to the thoughts around , she still had her newborn strength, but she didn't have the experience to fight as well as them. I listened to the thoughts around me.
Is she insane? Both Jasper and Rose thought.
Awesome! Of course, Emmett.
Just like Bella; She is so stubborn. Alice had a point. It was definitely like Bella to put her feelings aside and put her life at risk for the ones she loved.
She started to walk away and I jogged up to her and grabbed her arm. "Hold on, love. You are not doing this alone. You have a strong family here that loves you and the last thing you have to do is fight by yourself."
She turned around and looked me in the eye. She looked annoyed. "Can't you trust me on this? If it's me they're after, I'll go and fight them, and no one has to get hurt. You can stay here with Nessie and Keep her safe."
It was right then when Carlisle decided to step in. "Bella, as much as I would like to stand by your side and fight with you, I will honor your request. You and Edward need to think this out and private and then let us know your final decision. But please, do it quickly."
Esme added, "And know that whatever you choose, we will all be here to support you."
Bella smiled at the two of them. Then at the same time, the two of us took off into the forest, with Nessie in Alice's care.
