We waited for everyone to arrive, stepping out into the garden to watch them approach. I could hear them all moving, one at least half a mile in front of the others.
Emmett was the first one to clear the river or should I say plough his way through it covering Edward and I in water.
"Emmett!" I yell as the sheet of water descends on us. When he makes it to the garden and he sees the state of us he bursts out laughing so hard that he collapses to the floor.
"Brilliant! You guys look so funny!" He manages to get out between laughs.
Do you reckon we will be able to hang him from as tree by his feet? I ask Edward after surveying his pissed expression.
I wanna at least try. And make it the tallest tree here, that one. He says indicating with his eyes a tree right in the centre at the bottom of the garden.
I hear Alice laughing from above and look up to see her leaning out of her open window. She gives me a wink before disappearing back to finish Renesmees makeover.
You get some rope and I'll go talk to him. I instruct
No need. Answers Edward with a wicked grin on his face as he looks at the base of the tree he picked out, I'm sure my expression mirrors Edwards as we begin to close the distance between us and the unsuspecting Emmett. We are about a metre away when we attack, me grabbing his waist clamping his arms to his sides and Edward sweeping his feet out from under him. Together we carry him to the base of the tree and tied his legs together from ankle to thigh before he even begins to comprehend what is happening to him.
"Wait! What the, Ah, no don't! Stop! I'm sorry! I didn't see the pair of you! Oh come on really? This is real mature guys! I'll get you back for this! You wait! When you're least expecting it!" By the time he is able to start forming coherent sentences, his arms are tied to his legs and we are halfway up the tree.
"Stop now and I'll forget you two ever did this to me!" He says menacingly. We exchange sceptical looks and smile, we're both still dripping.
"Yeah we highly doubt that, plus where's the fun in that?" Asks Edward causing me to laugh as we begin wrapping the rope around the tree so he is hanging by his feet. He sighs in defeat as we jump from the tree.
"How long do I have to stay up here for?" We both look up at him feigning contemplation and as if we had rehearsed it, simultaneously shrug. I hear peels of laughter from behind us and spin to see our enlarged audience in fits from our success.
"No one let's him down!" I order looking pointedly at Rose.
"Oh don't worry Bella! I'm sure he deserved it." She continues taking in our dripping clothes.
"You have no idea how satisfying it is to see him up there! He's been such a pain the entire hunting trip." Kate manages to get out in between laughs.
"Kate!" I squeal like a little school girl, dashing over to her and giving her a bone crushing hug, I hear Edward laugh as he joins me in greeting our guests. Kate returns the hug just as enthusiastically as me, as I see Edward shake Eliazars hand as he begun to greet everyone as well, I run around frantically hugging everyone, even Tanya though she seems much more reluctant to hug me back but if I'm being truly honest I'm too happy to care. Out of the corner of my eye I see Jasper begin to behave all excited and happy like me and I can't help but laugh.
"Sorry Jass." I say trying to tone down my excitement.
"It's alright Bella, it always feels so good being around you. You're always so happy, makes me happy." He says calming himself down. I smile sheepishly at him, if I was human I would have blushed at his complement. Edward then wraps his arms around my waist, resting his chin on my shoulder and I know he is just as happy as me.
"Aro understands what is happening. He will be joining us soon in the clearing Alice saw us confronting Caius. When though we are unsure. We will have to ask Alice for that one." Edward explains to everyone. "It didn't take as long as we expected and we didn't even need to show Aro." Carilise looks pointedly at us both and I automatically tune into Edwards thoughts to hear what he is saying.
Does this mean he doesn't know about Bella?
I nod slightly 'yes'.
"I take it everyone has been fully filled in on what's going on. Has Caius approached any of you yet?" Asks Edward as we all head back inside leaving Emmett in the tree.
"No, he hasn't. We think that he has more interest in getting you all to join, with your powers and everything. I think he had forgotten about us." Answers Carmen.
"You would have though he would want Kate though?" I ask as everyone takes seats in the lounge, I take my seat on the floor between Edward legs and he begins to play with the loose strands on my hair though it doesn't escape my notice that Tanya has sat next to him. I turn so my back is against one of his legs so I can sneak glances at him every so often.
"I think he would rather have you and Edward on his side than little old me." Smiles Kate.
"Yeah, Edward would be a huge help to Caius." Swoons Tanya placing her hand on Edward's leg and scooting closer, I see Edward close his eyes before looking at me with a pleading expression.
"I think Bella would be more of an asset to him. He just wants me so she will join." Edward replies not losing eye contact with me, I smile back at him, though his expression tells me he wants to talk.
What is it Edward? I ask pretending to not notice her movement.
Tanya. Ugh, will she ever get the hint! He thinks shifting himself closer to the edge of the sofa.
Let me try something.
"Renesmee?" I call, her and Alice should really be down here it's us.
"Yes?" She answers while bounding down the stairs and coming to stand in front of me. I pull her onto my lap and she rests her head against me but before she relaxes she turns round and frowns at me and reaches up to touch my cheek. She shows me the scene in front of me, more specifically Tanya's hand on Edward knee. It was quite possessive her thoughts. Only me and you should be allowed to do that! Her thoughts exclaim causing Edward to smile.
"I know baby." I say. She touches her hand back to my cheek; I'm going to do something about that! With that thought she gets up and climbs onto Edwards lap.
"Is there any space for me? I want a cuddle with you, daddy." She asks Edward.
"There's always space for you, baby, come here." He replies sitting her on his lap.
"But Daddy, I'm not a Baby! Plus you're wet!" She whines, and I hear Emmett's booming laugh erupt from outside. I make a mental note to not let him down till the morning at the earliest. "I'm a big girl and I want to sit on the sofa like a big girl." She pleads.
"There's no room for you Ness. You can't sit here." Pipes up Tanya as Nessie begins to wriggle on Edwards Lap 'accidentally' kicking Tanya's hand off of Edward's knee and I have to suppress a growl. No one tells my daughter she can't do something apart from me and Edward!
She can't tell our daughter what she can and can't do! I scream in my head causing Edward to wince and the loudness of my thoughts before giving me an understanding look.
I know Bella. He says as he reaches with his free arm to caress my cheek, I welcome the touch and lean into his hand.
"There's always room for you Baby." He murmurs moving up as far as he can into the side of the chair. "That enough space for you?" He asks as she wriggles into the newly formed gap, much to Tanya's annoyance.
"Thank you Daddy." She adds giving me a wink and a smile, causing me, Edward, Alice, Jasper and Rose to laugh.
"Oh and Tanya, I would appreciate it is you didn't tell my daughter what she can and can't do. The only people who are allowed to do that are me and Bella." He scorns, causing Nessie smirks and me to suppress a smile at my daughter's actions, not to mention the shocked look on Tanya's face. I don't think she ever expected to be told off by Edward.
"Now, Nessie. Behave." I warn though I know she can tell that I don't really mean it as I take her hands in mine and start playing with her fingers.
"Alice, have you seen anything recently?" Asks Edward turning everyone's attention back to the matter at hand.
"Yes, right after you left Aro actually. It was strange, like something was missing though, like someone is yet to make a decision. The vision was fuzzy I couldn't tell where everyone was, you know, side wise, but, the ground is marshy, waterlogged from a recent downpour. The clouds were black, like we were meeting just after it. I looked into the weather to see when the rain of that magnitude will occur, we have four days." She Replied, though it sounded like she was missing something out and from Edwards expression I guess she was guarding her thoughts.
"What aren't you telling us Alice?" He asks clearly frustrated with her.
"Edward, please. If I tell you all it won't happen and we all die, I've seen it." She warns, clearly terrified that she may slip up. I quickly wrap my shield around her and nod.
"Alice you have my shield around you. Will you be able to see when I have it around Edward as well?" I ask knowing that if I am to talk to Edward he needs to be under my shield as well, she nods and smiles appreciating the mental blocking.
"I think it would be better if Edward stayed away from Alice for these four days?" I suggest.
"That would probably be best." Confirms Carlisle.
"You don't need to leave right away though, maybe tonight, once Nessie has gone to sleep?" Esme asks. "We haven't seen you both in a while and it would be nice to spend some time with you before, you know."
"Of course Esme, that sounds reasonable and I'm sure I can keep my shield up for that long without forgetting."
"As soon as it begins to rain I want at least four people to wait in the clearing." Orders Carlisle.
"I'm going to go have a shower and get changed." I say dismissing myself.
I quickly dash upstairs and into the bathroom. I turn on the shower to hot before stepping in and allowing the water to flow over me, washing away the months of stress that I didn't know I had been building up. I stay in there for about half an hour before I decide it's time to step out, I quickly wrap a towel around myself before rummaging through the wardrobe for something to wear.
"Alice." I sigh as my gaze rests on an outfit hanging on the back of one of the many doors, one of Edward's plain white shirts, a thick black belt and a pair of five inch black heels. "Just this once." I say knowing full well she will be listening and I hear a squeal from somewhere downstairs in return. I quickly get dressed before gracefully jumping out of the open window landing at Edward's side who was laying on the grass watching Emmett's feeble escape attempt.
"Hey." I whisper while leaning in to kiss him. "You got changed." I accuse in between the many kisses he is now giving me.
"Yeah, had to dry off. Bit uncomfortable." Be breathes pulling us back to the grass. I hear someone clear their throat, Emmett.
"Get a room!" He yells causing me to grab the closest thing and hurl it at him, one of Esme's flower pots shatters on impact with Emmet's head. "Ow Bella! That hurt!"
"What was that?!" I hear Esme yell as she comes to the door.
"Sorry Esme, I'll buy you a new one." I say shyly, trying to hide behind Edward. To me there is nothing more scary than Esme when she is angry.
"Emmett was being his usual annoying self." Edward defends.
"Oh, Don't worry about it Dear, I never really liked that one anyway." She says winking at us both before returning inside.
"I think you're her favourite." Edward whispers to me so low only I can here.
"Am not!" I protest.
"That's not what her thoughts read. If it was me who had thrown that I think I would have been grounded for a month."
"Oh." Is all I'm able to say.
"I'll be back in a minute." Edward says kissing me on the forehead before shooting off into the house and upstairs to his room.
"What are you doing? I've just got down here!" I ask knowing he can still hear me.
"Just putting on some music." He explains leaning out of his open window I smile up at him before he disappears. At that point Renesmee bounds over to me and settles herself down in my lap. She brings her hand to my cheek, it shows a image of Emmett being let down from the tree, a question, when.
"When I feel he has leant his lesson." I answer with a wicked grin, she shows me another image, this time of her up in the tree with him joking and messing around.
"Yes of course you can but don't let him down."
"Don't worry Mummy, I won't." She shouts back as she skips off down the garden, at that moment I hear an alarmed voice in my head, its Edward
Bella? Bella?!
Yes? What is taking you so long? I ask noticing he has been gone over ten minutes. He opens up his mind and allows me to see exactly what's going on. He is in the corner of his room back against the glass wall and his music wall, there's a person stood in front of him, Tanya. I begin to feel the anger build within myself and quickly work to calm myself, I must play this right, we need all of the Denali's here to help us.
She is stronger than me, don't ask how, I don't know but I can't move! It's like she's stopping me. I can read her thoughts. She keeps saying just one kiss, one kiss and I will leave you alone. But I don't want to. I won't.
I know I can hear them too, let me handle this. I reply calmly I've never heard Edward like this before.
"Tanya." I say in a menacing voice causing everyone in the house to tune into our little exchange. "If you so much as touch my husband I will rip your head from your shoulders." I see her expression through Edwards eyes, total confusion.
Listen. Edward says with slight amusement as he focuses on her completely incoherent thoughts. What the. How. She couldn't have heard. What. No! Another mind reader? No. No. Ha the silly girl thinks she can harm me. Hollow threat. She wouldn't, couldn't!
"Bella and I have a special connection." He explains as she once again begins to advance on Edward, and it was true since visiting Aro it seemed that I didn't actually need my shield around him in order to hear his thoughts, I just had to be thinking about him or him me for it to work.
"Think before you move again. I may have unnatural self control but remember this, I am still a newborn and therefore much stronger than you, furthermore I am a newborn who has had extensive combat training. Think very hard for the next movement could be your last. Don't test me. Let him go." I add with an edge of superiority causing the family to gather around me including Eliazar, Kate and Carmen all of which have a very apologetic expression. I quickly wave them off by muttering something about it not being their fault, not wanting to take my focus off Edward.
"Why should you get the perfect man, the perfect daughter, the perfect life?" She asks not moving an inch.
"Tanya." I say in the most menacing voice I can muster. "Let my husband go."
"Go?" I hear Rose ask.
"She's got frozen him. He can't move." I explain. "Tanya. If I have to come up there it's not going to be pretty." I warn as I hear Alice and Edward simultaneously gasp.
"Bella." She's at my side now taking so low and fast I have to really concentrate on what she's saying.
"If you go up there, there will be a fight. She will kill you." I stood there frozen in shock.
"What am I going to do though? I can't let her." I say suddenly terrified she is going to take my husband from me.
"Rose?" She's at our side in less than a second.
"Yeah?"
"We need your help." She began talking as quietly as she had before. "I had a vision, wasn't a good one. Remember my visions are subjective? I need you to commit to helping Bella with sorting out Tanya." Rose nodded as Alice went into yet another vision seconds later she was back and smiling, this was going to work.
"I want to make this clear. You two are just here to intimidate her." They rolled their eyes but didn't push the matter. "Let's go." I said and took a running jump as I began to scale the side of the house up to Edwards room in the next second I was standing in the frame of the open window with Alice and Rose at my flanks. Flanks? Did I just really refer to my side as flanks? I must be hanging out with Jake too much, he's rubbing off on me. Focus Bella! I told myself and I heard Edward laugh, oh yeah he probably heard that, I smiled weakly at him but as my eyes took in the scene in front of me I instantly sobered up and turned my thoughts back to the matter at hand.
"Tanya." I growled, causing her to snap her head in my direction. She had ignore our entrance as she trained her attention on Edward. "Let him go." She had an evil smile plastered on her face and I knew this wasn't going to happen without someone fighting. I crouched down getting ready to attack her but just as I tensed my muscles Alice placed her hand on my shoulders causing me to spin round startled, I had forgotten they were even there.
"Your shield Bella? Is you shield around Edward?" She asked in a hushed voice, I frowned at her before shaking my head and turned back around to face him, unfortunately she hadn't missed this little exchange and just as I had my shield out and covering Edward she had lunged in a kissed him. She actually had the ordacity to kiss my husband in front of me! For the next instance all I saw was red, nothing could have prepared me for this, Edward pushed her off of him successfully sending her though his wall and before anyone could stop me I was flying through the hole and was on top of Tanya before she even knew what was happening.
"How dare you!" I screamed, as I placed my knee into her back, grabbing her head between my hands and beginning to pull.
"Bella!" I heard eight voices yell at once.
"Stop!" It was Edward, I growled at him, a deep and menacing growl I didn't even know I was capable of which caused him to take a step back and raise his hands in defense. Shock and something else written all over his face but at that moment I didn't care, all I cared about was killing this little witch in front of me.
"She kissed you! She had the cheek to kiss you and you want me to not rip her head off her shoulders?" I screamed, betrayal and anger flashing through my features.
"Bella. I'm, I'm sorry." Stuttered a terrified Tanya.
"Sorry my-" I was cut off by Renesmee.
"Mum!" I closed my eyes not wanting my daughter to see this. "What are you doing?" She screamed at me coming to stand in front of Edward. I opened my eyes and wished I hadn't, the fear that was written all over my baby's face was heart breaking and if I could cry I know I would have been, Edward wrapped a protective arm around her, pushing her behind him. Was he really protecting her from me? Does he really think I would hurt her?
She kissed you Edward. I sobbed in my thoughts, completely defeated. I didn't get a reply, why not? Had he not heard me? I knew he must have though; I even had my shield lifted. I looked directly at him but he was avoiding my gaze, he looked, hurt. He was trying to hide it but I just knew him too well, why did she have to mess everything up.
"Bella. I know what she did is unforgivable but she's family. I'm not asking you to get on with her or even tolerate her but please, do not do this. Please?" Carlisle asked and how could I refuse, it felt like I was disobeying my father and in a way I was. I sighed in defeat, releasing my grip on her I shoved her at Alice and Rose who were standing to my left who quickly but subtly grabbed an arm each sensing that I wasn't done with her just yet and they would be right.
"Esme, can you take Renesmee?" I said giving her a look that said I didn't want my daughter to see anything more. She nodded before taking her hand and dragging my baby from the hallway. As soon as they were out of sight I was back in Tanya's face.
"If you so much as think about Edward inappropriately, I will kill you. Got that?" I growled in a voice I didn't even recognize. I could barely see her though the red veil that was still covering my eyes, I was beyond furious and I hated what she had turned me into. "I will not hesitate to hear any reasoning next time." I warned as she nodded. I turned and without looking back jumped out of the window and began running the short trip back to our cottage. In less than a minute I was curled up at the back of my closet.
What have I done?
I was a mess. I just sat there unmoving, not breathing silently sobbing my heart out just replaying the entire event over and over in my head. That person wasn't me that was the monster inside me I had been trying so hard to contain, I was not monster. I didn't want to be a monster, all I wanted was to live for eternity with my family, but tonight I was, tonight I had almost killed Tanya. That was the first time since that day after my change when I had attacked Jake I had been like that and I hated myself for it. I know my family wouldn't blame me for attacking her, I mean I was provoked but I was the one who attacked her. I could have just left it once Edward had thrown her through the wall, I could have just gone to Edward's side and yelled at her or something, but no, I had to go one step further and almost kill her. I hated myself. Edward! I had growled at Edward. I had hurt him, scared him. This was it, I had finally lost him, maybe this is what Tanya was aiming for all along, provoking me so Edward would leave me. Oh, what had I done? His reaction just kept playing over and over in my mind, how he had backed away from me the instance I had growled, how he completely avoided my gaze as he spoke, him ignoring my thoughts, which he never did and finally how he had push our daughter behind him like I was a threat. How could he even begin to think I would hurt him or Ness. They were my world I would never hurt them. But I just did, I hurt them both, not physically but mentally. I wouldn't be surprised if they never forgave me, if they never spoke to me again. I didn't know what to do. In those seconds of anger I had lost everything. I didn't even know where to begin to try and fix things, would it even work, would he listen to me? I don't think I could bring myself to show my face in the main house. I had no idea how long I had been lying there for. One hour maybe two? Could have been even longer for all I knew. I needed to do something though. Without thinking about it I took my phone out of my pocket and called the one person I knew would understand, Jake. He answered on the first ring.
"Bella?"
"Oh Jake!" I sobbed. "I need your help!"
"Bella! What's wrong? What's happened? Are you OK? Is Nessie OK?"
"She's fine." I breathed.
"Then whats wrong?" He practically begged.
"I messed up." I began before swiftly filling him in on the events of this afternoon.
"I'll be right over. Where are you?" I said and I could hear the wind blowing past the phone as he began to run.
"No Jake. I need you to go to the main house."
"Bella-" He began but I swiftly cut him off.
"Please, I need you to check that Nessie and Edward are OK. Tell them I am truly sorry for my actions."
"But-"
"Jake, please." I begged. "I can't go back there, I just can't." He sighed.
"OK, look I'm almost there. Stay on the line OK?" I muttered a yes and tried to calm myself as I muted the receiver.
"Hey." Jake said moments later as he let himself into the house.
"Jakey!" I heard my daughter yell and I could just imagine her as she lept into his waiting arms.
"I know, I know. Are you OK though?" I guess she had just shown Jake what I had done.
"I'm fine, just worried about mummy, I don't know where she's gone, no one will tell me anything." She whined. Oh, she was too much like me for her own good, never worrying about herself, only about others.
"She's OK, she's just very upset with the way she behaved. She is very sorry for how she behaved. She's safe, don't worry."
"Where is she?" I froze, Edward was actually asking about me.
"Safe, upset but safe. How are you?" Jake asked trying to keep to his word.
"I'm fine. I just need to talk to her. Where is she?" He demanded. Oh no! This was it; he was going to leave me. I couldn't take it anymore, snapping the phone shut I buried myself in a pile of clothes and closed my eyes wanting more than anything for this to be a nightmare that I would eventually wake up from.
After another minute I heard the door to the house crash open.
"Bella?" A frantic voice called out, I frowned at the owner, Edward. I didn't want him to find me, he hated me, I just knew he did. The bedroom door was thrown open followed by another call of my name. I squeezed my eyes shut even tighter attempting to completely shut out the outside world, that's when I heard the closet door gently swing open and the ever so familiar footfall of Edward cross the room, stopping just inches from my hiding place, my heard sank as I felt him remove the many layers of clothes that had been my sanctuary for the past couple of hours.
"Bella." He sighed, brushing a loose stand of hair from my face. I frowned at his touch, why was he being so nice to me, I didn't deserve it, he hates me. "Jake told me where you were." He added misreading my frown as he attempted to smooth out the creases. After a long and awkward silence Edward sighed and shifted his weight it came as a surprise when I heard his breath on my cheek and his hand resting on my side.
"Bella?" He asked again, but I couldn't bring myself to talk. I just lay there clamping my eyes shut pretending not to acknowledge him. He began to rub soothing circles on my side and I felt myself begin to crumble.
"You hate me." I whispered, it wasn't a question but a statement.
"Bella, look at me please." Why was he so calm? I couldn't refuse him though so I opened one of my eyes and was startled by his proximity; he had left barely a gap between us as he crouched there with a weak smile. "I don't hate you. I could never hate you. You are my love, my life, my family. I could never hate you."
"But I growled at you. I scared you, hurt you. You felt the need to shield our daughter from me!" As I said this I replayed the event in my head, what it was like from my perspective, his reactions, pushing everything I was feeling into the memory and lifted my shield so he could see it. "See?" I murmured squeezing me eyes tight shut willing the tears to fall that of course would never come.
"Please let me explain?" He said unable to hide the pain in his voice, this caused me to frown again, what did he have to explain? I was the monster. I was the one who had ruined everything.
"Bella, you haven't ruined anything and you are certainly not a monster, do you understand me?" He fiercely told me while taking my face in his hands. "Will you please sit up so I can explain?"
I took a deep unnecessary breath before opening my eyes and sitting up. I began fidgeting with the bottom of my shirt not wanting to make eye contact while I waited for him to begin.
"Firstly I am so sorry I allowed Tanya to kiss me, I hope you can forgive me?" I snapped my eyes up to stare at him; did he really just apologize to me?
"You're apologizing to me? No Edward. You have nothing to be sorry for, that wasn't your fault at all, it was hers and no one else's. Got that? I am truly sorry for growling at you, I was angry and upset."
"Bella, please. I had no idea how my actions would look to you, it is true that I was scare of you but only because I know what you were like last time, how it was better for you to get your anger out than to try and get in your way and risk you hurting me accidentally. I knew you would never forgive yourself. Secondly when I push Renesemee behind me it wasn't because I was protecting her from you. I saw you loosen your grip on Tanya ever so slightly and I read her mind, she was thinking about her, how she wished she had a daughter. I was pushing Ness behind me as a signal to Tanya that she was mine, that she couldn't have her, or me. As for not making eye contact with you, I just couldn't. I was trying so hard not to laugh at her ridiculous thoughts and then I heard your thoughts, how upset you were and I couldn't bare it, I couldn't even bring myself to reply to you, I know you were fully just if you were to kill her and I wouldn't have blamed you but just hearing how hurt you were and it was killing me. I wasn't angry or upset with you, I never could be. I'm sorry for making you think that I was."
"I didn't even consider you were reading her mind." I say reaching tentatively up with my hand, hovering it close to his face, unsure if he wants me to touch him. He takes my hand in his and brings it to his lips kissing my palm before pressing it to his cheek.
"I love you Isabella Marie Cullen." I scowled at him playfully for using my fully name before smiling slightly.
"I love you Edward Anthony Cullen." Next thing I knew his lips were on mine with an urgency I have never felt before, as if this kiss was the most important thing at this moment. As if he was trying to convey all the love he felt for me into this one gesture, it only took me a second before I was returning it with as much force as I could.