Hi. Sorry it's been a while since my last update. School's been tough. In my chior, we're already singing christmas songs. And we started with Winter Wonderland. Then we sung Build Me Up Buttercup today...*shudders* A real nightmare. Plus there are all the quizzes! I've already had 3 and have another tomorrow! Ah well, I'll stop going on now. Enjoy the chapter! Offer for the chapter title still stands (see chapter seven or eight for details). And, for the time being, I'm going to start giving sneak peaks at the bottom of the page.

Chapter Nine: Arrangements

When we got back to the house Alice had already left. Eleazar told us that she'd had to go find Jasper and that she wasn't planning to tell him of her plans yet. Edward and I had decided it was time to make arrangements to leave on our own and that we should tell the Denalis of our plans. That night we called a meeting in the living room. It was the first time that Edward had been down in a fairly good mood. I knew he was still not completely over what had happened, but at least he was getting better. His eyes were no longer the crimson red they had been. They were more of a dark brown color now, not completely gold but getting there.

"Edward, it's so nice to see you out of the room and more yourself." Tanya exclaimed, walking forward and hugging Edward.

Edward laughed. "It's nice to see you too Tanya. Actually, Bella and I called this meeting to tell you of our plans. Bella." He nodded at me to continue. I stood and faced Tanya's family.

"First of all, we'd both like to thank you for everything you've done for us. You've proved to be true friends and we are in your debt." I looked at Edward and he nodded encouragingly. "Second, we will not be here much longer. We've decided to go off on our own. Start a new coven. I'm not sure what the name will be, but that's what we plan to do. We need to make a few arrangements first to be sure all is squared away concerning our finances, belongings, and other things. We will continue the 'vegetarian' life style, probably finding more vampires and settling down somewhere. We will try to keep in touch with you and let you know when we're settled." I finished. For a moment all we got were stares. Then Tanya broke the silence.

"But…what? You can't just go off on your own. Only two in a coven? That's very risky. And where will you settle? Why can't you stay here? We can send one of our coven with you until you find more. We can help!"

"Tanya," I said, cutting her off gently. "Don't worry. We won't be alone. At least, I don't think we will." I exchanged a glance with Edward, and then I continued. "I don't know where we'll settle. I don't think it'll be just two in our coven and if it some how does turn out that way, then we'll be fine. We can take care of our selves. Thank you again for everything. Now, if you'll excuse us, we must start making said arrangements." Just then the doorbell rang.

"Alice." Edward murmured from his seat next to me. I nodded and told the rest of the vampires in the room I'd get it. When I opened the door and looked out, I saw Alice standing there. She looked grave and happy at the same time.

"Thank you for giving me some notice, Bella. And I like this idea much better then your first one." She said quietly. I nodded and let her in.

"Will you stay true to your word?" I asked, slightly nervous of the answer.

She looked me in the eyes and spoke the fateful word. "Yes."

"Then we should probably tell the Denali coven you and Jasper will be joining us. It'll put them at some ease." She bobbed her head in agreement. We walked into the room and all went silent.

"You were worried that it would be too small of a coven," I addressed Tanya. "Here's why we aren't. Alice and Jasper will join us." All eyes turned to Alice.

"Alice," Kate inquired. "Is this true?"

"Yes it is Kate." Alice informed her. "Jasper doesn't know yet, and I don't think he'll be happy at first but, he'll get over it. We're joining Edward and Bella. I never wanted them to leave and I figure this is the least I can do to make up for not trying harder. Plus, I've really missed them and I love them." Alice moved to sit next to Edward and me.

The room was silent. No one had expected this. At first I thought she might just be joking with us, but the look on Edward's face stopped that thought in its tracks. The look was of utter shock and pleasure. I could tell in Alice's visions and mind she was sincere.

"Well," I said, breaking the silence. "We'll try to be out of here in a week. Alice probably wants to get home to tell Jasper and we need to start arranging. Thank you for your time this evening." With that all of us stood and went our separate ways. Alice left to alert Jasper and Edward and I went upstairs.

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Jasper's Point of View

I was wrestling with Emmett, using my gift to irritate him. He had become such a bore these days. Alice was out shopping, big surprise there. Not! She had spent a lot of time shopping lately. Most likely to keep her mind off of Edward and Bella's departure. I felt a surge of furry when I thought of what they had done to my Alice. She had been very chirpy and lively before they had gone. Now she was so depressed. I still felt slightly sad at the thought of Edward and Bella not in the family anymore. I suddenly realized that my anger was more from the others and the fact Alice was so sad all the time. I was jerked from my thoughts as Emmett, who I'd pinned to the floor, slipped out from under me and darted away. I snarled playfully and shot after him. Just as I was about to grab him, he whirled around and rammed into my midsection, slamming me into the wall. I gasped for breath I didn't need and struggled under his grip. Just then, Alice walked through the door.

"Jazz," she stated after seeing the position I was in. "I need to speak with you."

"Okay, dear," I gasped out. "I'd love to. But I'm a bit preoccupied at the moment." She turned and looked at Emmett.

"Emmett, Jasper wins in the end. Please give up and let him go."

Emmett snarled, but did as she asked and dropped me. "Rematch later Jasper." He growled. I grinned and responded.

"You're on!" Impatient, Alice darted forward and grabbed my hand. She began tugging me out the door. Emmett snickered and I hit him with a wave of light giddiness before walking out the door after Alice. I heard him grumbling about being too happy as I followed Alice into the woods. Once we were a good distance away she turned and faced me.

"Jazz," she spoke quietly and I could feel her anxiety at what she was about to tell me. I could also feel certainty and a stubbornness coming off her. I steeled myself and waited.

"Jazz," she continued. "I want to do something you won't like. I want you to know that I'm determined to do this. You'll be hard pressed to sway my decision."

"Alice, honey," I interrupted her. "Will you please just tell me what's going on? I can feel it; you're anxious and stubborn and certain about your decision. So just tell me, please." She took in a deep breath.

"Jazz, I was over at Tanya's place tonight and the night before that. I didn't like lying to you. In fact, I hated it. But I knew that if you knew where I was going you'd stop me. I've been visiting Bella and Edward. Tonight they made a decision that will affect the entire family. They've decided to go off on their own. They will start a new coven. I want to join them. They said it was up to me; that they were fine with it. I told them that we would both join them. I miss them and feel horrible about what happened. Don't tell me it wasn't my fault. I should have called Bella. I need to be with my brother and sister again, Jasper. They leave in a week, which should give us enough time to make the necessary arrangements."

I stood in stunned silence for a moment. Join their new coven? Leave Carlisle, Esme, and the others? A week to break the news to the family and move out to join Edward and Bella? I shook my head, trying to clear it. I can't do this. I'm ticked off at them! They are not people I want to associate with. I-. A memory stopped my thoughts in their tracks. As I was thinking I remembered that the main reason I had been mad at them was because of the family's emotions and Alice's unhappiness. It seemed that she had made the decision for me. And maybe she'd be happier with Edward and Bella. Then I thought of our parents. How would Carlisle and Esme stand it? And Emmett; he was already upset enough with Edward and Bella gone. I hated to think of what our departure would do to him. I looked at Alice and spoke.

"Alice, what about Carlisle and Esme? We can't just leave them. Esme's already so unhappy with two of her children gone. What will she do if we leave too? And Emmett, this will crush him. I-I don't know, Alice."

She looked sad but determined. "I know. I hate the thought of leaving our family in such a wreck. But I just think this is right. Edward and Bella told me that they were going to stay vegetarians and that they'd find or create other vampires to join us. They'll settle down somewhere and live like we do. I can't let them go on their own. I'm going to go with them. I know that. At least until they are settled. And I think you will too."

"Darlin', you know I'll go where ever you do. Even if I don't completely like the idea. I still don't see how we'll explain this to the rest of them." I ran my hand through my hair, trying to think.

"Well, let's go tell them, we need to get things in order as soon as possible. And you should probably apologize for acting so unfairly the last time." She stated. I nodded reluctantly. I knew what I'd done was out of line, but I still didn't really like the idea of going up to Edward and begging him for forgiveness. I took Alice's hand and we walked back to the house. When we got in, Alice called a family meeting. We met in the dinning room and Alice and I took our seats at the head of the table. Alice cleared her throat and I quickly made the atmosphere in the room calm and at ease.

"Jazz and I have something to tell you." She looked at me for support and I nodded encouragingly. She cleared her throat again. "Well, we've made a decision. I'm sorry to say it will tear the family apart, but the choice has been made." She looked at me, begging with her eyes for me to continue telling them. I nodded and worked at calming the now uneasy room before speaking.

"Alice has been keeping tabs on what Edward and Bella are doing. She found out that they are going to leave Denali and create a coven of their own. We've decided to help them."

Esme interrupted. "When you say 'help them', what do you mean? How could you help them? I mean the only way you could is to…" she trailed off realizing our plans.

"Yes Esme," I confirmed. "We'll be joining them. We are sorry to leave the family torn apart, but Alice needs them and I need her. Lastly, they need us. We will continue our vegetarian diet and when we find enough for our coven, we'll settle down somewhere."

"No," she gasped out. "No, you-you can't just leave! You're part of our family. We love you. Please, please, I can't lose two more of my children. I can't!"

Her words ripped through my dead heart like a rusty dagger. I felt her despair and tried to comfort her. I felt Emmett, Rosalie, and Carlisle's shock and confusion. Finally Emmett spoke.

"Jasper, Alice. You can't be serious. Go with them? What?"

"Emmett," Alice spoke quietly. "We are serious. We'll get our things squared away. Put in storage for now. Oh, and by the way, Bella will be calling to have her and Edward's things moved from the cottage. We want you to know, we love you. We love you all and hate knowing we're leaving you like this. But this is our future. I've seen it."

"Alice, what do you mean they plan to 'make their own family'?" Carlisle asked harshly. "Do they plan on turning innocent people, then forcing the vegetarian life on them?!"

"No Carlisle," I answered for Alice. "Edward would never do that. He and Bella will transform people like you transform. Those that are close to death. They also plan on finding any vampires out there already that want to try this life style."

"Jasper. Alice." Came a small voice. I was startled to see it was Rosalie speaking to us.

"Please," she begged. "Please, don't do this to us. Emmett and I can't stand losing another brother and sister. We…I…" suddenly, Rosalie broke down into tearless heaves. Emmett turned and hugged her, comforting her as best as he could. Esme turned to us.

"Alice, Jasper, please, please think about this. I beg you. Carlisle and I love you. Don't leave us, please." Her voice cracked on the last word as she too started to sob tearlessly. Carlisle tried to console her, but he was near 'crying' as well. I had to get out of here. The despair, the sadness, it was killing me! I felt like the saddest person on earth. I glanced at Alice, telling her with my eyes that I needed to leave. She nodded to me and we both left the room. Once out side we started toward Denali without speaking a word. While we ran, the dark sky turned slowly gray as the sun rose.

Aww. I hated having to write thier heartbreak. I like Carlisle and Esme. But it had to happen. So, tell me, who was surprised with how this ended up so far? Okay here's the sneak peak.

"Good bye, Esme, Carlisle, Emmett, Rosalie. We won't forget about you and love you." Alice was saying to them.

"If you love us, then don't go!" Esme cried out from inside the house. I heard them hesitate for a moment and held my breath.

There you go. Hope you liked it and please review!

Eminnis and Alicia