Author's Note: I'm truly overjoyed at the response to the previous chapter. I really love that chapter, but I was worried that people might not be pleased because it's short and it's yet another love scene. I'm so happy that people liked it.

It was nearly dawn when my phone vibrated to signal a new text message. Even before I read it, my body was on high alert.

"Emmett says hi!"

Victoria had come. As I pressed the buttons to contact Alice, powerful emotions surged through me. Searing, towering rage that she had challenged us, that she had dared to come take my love away. Gratitude that she had never had a chance of succeeding. Bella slept just a few yards from me, completely unaware of the threat. Her exquisite scent and the steady sound of her heartbeat confirmed her nearness.

I felt grim satisfaction that my family had destroyed her, eliminated the danger to what I treasured most. I felt envy that she had died at other hands than mine. I felt no anxiety about the safety of my loved ones, nor any doubt that they had killed Victoria. My brothers, my whole family, were so strong.

"We're all perfectly fine," Alice began.

"And?"

"She got away." Shock and disappointment coursed through my system, but the dominant feeling was still anger. Only now it was directed at my sister.

"How could you let this happen?" I spoke very quietly, careful not to disturb anyone. But Alice could hear the full extent of my fury.

"I know. I know you're upset. So are we. Please be careful. You're about to rip that pillow to shreds."

I looked down in surprise to discover I was gripping one of the couch pillows very tightly. I carefully uncurled my fingers. I sat up, placed the pillow gently on the floor and gave it a little pat to fluff it up.

"OK. I'm OK now. The pillow is fine. Thank you. Now tell me everything." I paced back and forth as I listened to her explanation.

"Those dogs!" I exploded when she mentioned that the werewolves were involved. My voice was too loud, but fortunately nobody in the apartment was disturbed.

"Edward, please. Let me finish, and then you can say whatever you want." She continued to fill me in on the details of the encounter.

"If it weren't for the wolves, you would have had her," I stated flatly.

"Yes, maybe, but if it weren't for us, they probably would have had her."

"They protect the community by hindering us, attacking us?"

"Be reasonable, Edward. You're angry because she's still out there. We all feel the same, including the pack. They understand how dangerous she is to humans. We are all frustrated."

I took a deep breath. I had been certain I would hear what I longed to hear-- that it was all over. But we were no worse off. She had gained nothing. "I'm sorry. None of this is your fault. I wish I could have been there. Maybe I could have heard the wolves. I don't even know if I can hear them. Maybe I could have heard her plans."

"But you were taking care of Bella. That is what you need to do, what we need you to do. She is having a good time with her mother, I can see that."

"Yes, it's amazing to be with Renee," I confided. "You know, the connections in our family are extremely strong. But a biological bond and a parent-child relationship from infancy— it's different. Very powerful. Renee and Bella are similar in many ways. They are so attached. Being here helps me understand Bella more and appreciate her even more. Alice, can I tell you something?"

"Of course."

"I can't talk to anyone else about this."

"Whatever it is, you can tell me," she assured me.

"We all know how Rosalie and Esme feel about having children. But Bella has always said she doesn't mind giving that up. And what I worried about most was her soul, not her chance to be a mother."

"That makes sense," she said encouragingly. "Sometimes human women can't get pregnant, and they accept it."

"But now I've spent more time with Renee, and I've absorbed all her thoughts about Bella. I can see, feel, hear the joy and the love. Just thinking about Bella gives her so much happiness. For the first time I really understand what Bella would be losing, and I hate the thought of taking that away from her. I'll always know what I cost her."

Alice was quiet for a moment.

"You and I have gifts that can be hard to live with," she said at length. "The things we see and hear can make our lives, our family's lives so much easier. They can also make our own lives harder. We have access to information that can be very painful for us. Sometimes we know what could have been in a way other people can't, a way that's so real. Sometimes I can see something I want so badly. Then the vision will change, and not having it is many times worse than if I'd never known it was possible. But people have to make their own decisions. Knowing the future is not the same as controlling it. Do you understand what I'm trying to say? I'm not used to speaking to you only in words," she added petulantly.

"Yes. But I don't like it."

"You'll just have to love her so much she'll never know she's missing anything."

"You know I will try." I exhaled. I hadn't known what I was missing until Alice and Jasper joined our family. It was a deep relief and comfort to be with others who had similar talents.

"We all will. Jasper wants me now, but I am still checking on you, and I'm looking out for Victoria. She hasn't decided on her next move, but Jasper thinks all of us really spooked her. She won't be back for a while."

"Thank you, Alice. Thank you for listening. Thank you for everything. I'm sorry your gift is hard sometimes. I'm very grateful for it because it kept Bella safe tonight. I owe you."

"And I'll figure out a way for you to repay me!" she laughed, and we ended the call.