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9. Keeping It a Secret

"Well, now that that has been taken care of, we should get back to the matter at hand. Getting Thaine away from this family and my Bella."

I am really getting sick of this my Bella crap. And how dare he keep insulting Christian like this? Has Edward just completely lost his mind? What part of volatile newborn did he not understand? Had he not just seen me tear off Tanya's arm? What, he thought that since I had loved him, I wouldn't hurt him? Think again, Eddie. Hah, that seems to be the theme of the day.

My new mind really was amazing. I was thinking all of these things as I war soaring through the living room. I landed on Edward and took him down with my momentum.

I had him face down on the floor with my hands around his neck in a matter of mere seconds. I really could get used to this. Although I probably shouldn't have resorted to violence… But then again, I have the perfect excuse for the moment.

"Bella, love, what are you doing? I am trying to save you!"

"Edward, for once in your life, just shut up and let the adults handle this. And by adult I mean those of us who have reached the physical age of 18."

He growled.

"What? You are only 17. One can not assume that you have such things as proper manners. Like not insulting a guest. Especially one that has managed to save my life. I mean, you are acting like a sulking teenager Edward. Just because you didn't get your way, doesn't mean you have to act like this."

"Bella! Stop insinuating I am not a man, we both know I am. And let me up right this instant."

"I will, but only if you promise to drop this. Stop trying to get rid of Christian. And stop insisting that I am yours. I'm not."

"Love-"

"Stop that!" I interrupted him. "We. Are. Over."

He growled again. "Fine, I will no longer insist Christian leaves."

I let him up and immediately darted back to the other side of the room. Being in close proximity to Edward was not something I desired any longer.

Edward got back up. He was staring at me intently, it was unnerving me. He had this glint in his eyes… I decided to ignore him as I was hoping someone would change the subject to something other than Christian or this little fight between me and Edward. To be honest, I was a little embarrassed I had let my emotions control me like that.

Esme smiled at me reassuringly. I smiled back and pleaded with my eyes to get her to say something. Anything.

Elissa saved me.

"So, any idea what Alice might have seen before she left? Edward? You're supposed to be the mindreader here."

He gave Elissa a sharp look. "It was nothing of importance."

"So you did see it? What was the vision? It obviously was not what Alice had expected."

Edward sighed. "Like I said, not important. It was just a vision of Christmas. Well, several Christmases. Bella was not in any of them." He stared at me now. "It doesn't matter. Her visions are based on decisions. All it takes is for someone to change their mind and everything changes. I have made up my mind. Bella stays with the family no matter what."

I was so angry at the moment, I thought there would be smoke coming out my ears. But before I could respond, Emmett did.

"Would you stop it Edward. Bella decides where she will live and with who. Now I want her to stay with us just as much as you do, but I would completely understand if she decides she can't stand to be anywhere near you. It is her decision." He looked at me now. "Bells, you will always be my sister. No matter where you live."

I melted. "Oh Emmett!" I ran up to him and he gave me one of his bear hugs. "You will always be my brother to. No matter what." We were smiling these silly grins at each other when Rosalie came closer. She did not look happy, in fact she was glaring.

But not at us. I turned to see who she was upset with. Edward. He was standing there with clenched fists, gritted teeth and pitch black eyes. "Stay out of this Eddie. They're family and it has nothing to do with you anymore. You hurt either one of them, and I will make sure it is the last thing you do."

Wow, Rosalie was standing up for me. I mean… wow.

Emmett pulled her over closer to us so we were now in an awkward three person hug while still looking, or glaring as the case may be, at Edward.

He snarled.

Then he ran off. It was after all, something he was good at.

I sighed in relief.

Everyone had calmed down some. Thank god. Neither Alice nor Edward had returned to the house. While I was some what concerned about Alice, I was really hoping Edward would stay gone a little longer.

"So, Bella… Do you have any idea as to why the future changed? From what Alice said, something happened that changed everything." Esme asked me tentatively.

I squirmed in my seat. I wasn't really sure I wanted to tell everyone. What if Christian and Elissa didn't even want me to come with them?

I looked at Elissa who was sitting right next to me. She gave me one of her bright reassuring smiles and grabbed my hand.

I sighed before I answered. "Yes. I do have an idea as to why things changed. Right before Alice had her visions, I made a decision."

I looked around the room. It seemed even the Denali's were somewhat interested. I ended up looking at Christian.

Come on Bell, don't keep us in suspense any longer! What decision did you make?

He was smiling broadly at me. I didn't really get it, just a little while ago, someone was attacking him. Accusing him of being a danger to everyone here. And here he was, leaning against that wall as though he didn't have a care in the world. The accusations seemed to just not touch him somehow. I wish I could be more like that. I was in the business of making everything personal. I cared about what everyone thought of me. I was always so self-conscious…

I wave of confidence washed over me and I looked at Jasper. He was standing next to Christian but was not leaning against the wall. He was standing tall with his arms crossed and he looked completely focused. I wonder what is going on with him? His mate just ran off and here he is. He doesn't exactly seem fine, but I wouldn't describe him as heartbroken either…

Elissa squeezed my hand, reminding me that everyone was waiting for my answer.

"Uhm, well…I just… I mean it wasn't… I…" I sighed before I started over.

"You were talking about sending Christian and Elissa off on their own. And, I talked to Elissa and she didn't like being with just her brother. Because it was so much harder to stick to the diet." I rushed to add.

"And, I mean, I was standing there with the man who saved my life and the woman I consider my sister and I decided that if they had to leave, I would go with them. If they wanted me to."

Elissa squealed and hugged me so hard, if I'd still been human I would have been completely crushed.

Christian came up to us, kneeled in front of me and grabbed my hands.

"Bell, if you want to come with us, we would be honoured to have you." He looked solemn and I smiled hesitantly.

It would make us both so happy Bell. I would love to show you the world, we could go back to England, show you were Elissa and I were born! And we have to see Amsterdam. We spent decades there and it is the most amazing place. Oh, and Paris! You have to see Paris, it's-

I cut him off by hugging him. I just threw myself at him. He made an oomph sound as Elissa did the same. We ended up sprawled on the floor laughing our asses off.

"You want to leave us Bella?"

Well if that wasn't like a bucket of ice water. Suddenly the laughing stopped. I saw Esme and she was looking at me with eyes swimming with tears that couldn't fall. She looked heartbroken.

I rushed over to her. "I'm sorry Esme. I have to find my own place in this world and I don't think it is here. Edward belongs here. I don't. But I promise I will keep in touch. And visit! I promise."

"It's alright Bella. You're right. You do need to find the place you belong. I just think that it's here. With us. But if you need to run off and see the world before you realize what I already know, that's fine. One day, we will welcome you back here, welcome you home. You will always have a place with us."

I hugged her, being careful of my newborn strength. I wanted to hug her as hard as I could, but that wouldn't exactly be smart at the moment. I didn't agree with her. I didn't think this was where I was supposed to be. But who knows. It was nice to know that I could always come back here. "Thank you Esme."

Eleazar cleared his throat, completely unnecessary of course. Maybe it was a human habit?

"I'm sorry to interrupt, but I think it is time for a lighter subject. I would like to talk to you about your shield Bella."

"My shield?"

"Yes, I'm sure you still have it. You see, my gift isn't working as it should."

"Your gift? What exactly is your gift?"

"Oh, I can see the gifts in others. But with you I can't."

"Doesn't that just mean I don't have one?" I knew I did. I just wasn't comfortable with everyone here knowing this about me. Especially since Tanya was still sitting in a corner glaring at me.

Eleazar smiled at me. And again it was condescendingly. He was really starting to bug me. I am not a child, nor am I stupid. I glared at him and he looked taken aback by it.

"Well, no. It's like there is a whole. You see, if someone doesn't have a gift, there is just nothing extra to see. But with you, there is something to see, but it is like it black out what it is. There is just some kind of black whole where your gift should be."

"Huh. So I can still keep Edward out? Obviously Alice's visions work and Jasper sent me some emotions earlier and that obviously works fine. And Christian talked to me just like he did before."

Eleazar looked extremely disappointed by this. "Well, it seems your shield hasn't grown with your turn then. I really did believe it would…"

I suddenly realised that was probably the only reason he had stayed through my turn. He wanted to know what my gift was and how useful it would be. What would he have wanted with me if he knew my gift had expanded? I really don't want to find out.

I shot both Jasper and Christian warning looks. I did not want them to say anything about my gift.

Carlisle interrupted my musings. "Well, it really it too bad Bella. A shield is very valuable. One of the most sought after gifts. I know Aro has been searching the world for decades to find a powerful one. Oh well, maybe your gift will grow once you are more in control… In the mean time, we still have to deal with your turn."

I was staring at him horrified. He hadn't really said anything, but he definitely implied that Aro would want me. Especially if my gift grew. And both Carlisle and Eleazar were close with the Volturi. They'll tell them about me, and my gift. If Aro decides he wants me…

Damn it. And what was that about dealing with my turn?

"What do you mean, we have to deal with my turn?"

"Well, we should fake your death. I think that would be the safest option."

"What? I have been gone for days, and you didn't tell my dad anything? No cover story whatsoever? I was just gone?"

"He thinks you have gone to New York with Edward and Alice."

"Why would I ever go to New York?"

Rosalie smirked at me. "Shopping of course. We all know it is your favourite hobby."

"Yeah right. Everyone who knows me, know I have a severe dislike for shopping."

Carlisle got things back on track again. "It doesn't matter. We need to set up her death. Maybe a car accident on the way home? It needs to be in a way that the family is not implicated at all. Emmett, can you handle the technicalities?"

Technicalities. The technicalities of my death. I really did not want to be here for this conversation.

"Look, I'm sorry. I just can't sit here and listen to you all discussing how best to kill me. I can't actually help anyway, being a newborn and all. And seeing as I'm supposed to die. I can't be seen by anyone. So, I'm just going to go upstairs and take a shower. Hunting made me really messy and… I just really need a shower."

"Of course Bells! We'll take care of everything. You just relax little sis."

"Thank you Emmett. Thanks all of you. I'll just leave you to it."

I headed upstairs pretending I couldn't hear everything that was being said in the living room. I really didn't want to think about all of this.

A/N: Thank your for reading and please leave me a review to let me know what you think!