New Beginnings
"So, you're knocked up," a familiar voice said behind her. Nikki was leaning against the doorframe, her red eyes staring at Anna coldly. "Congratulations," Nikki said sauntering into the room with Jasper in tow. He was probably there to make sure that Nikki didn't loose control and drain her. To her surprise, Nikki actually looked perfectly in control of herself but then again she could be hanging on by a thread and Anna would never know.
"Are you alright?" Anna asked her quietly, just to break the silence that had filled the room. She winced when Nikki threw back her head and laughed out loud, clearly not amused in the slightest.
"I guess stupid questions are an ice breaker of sorts," Nikki said clasping her hands in front of her. "Of course, I am not; but I will be. I'm a survivor," she said with determination. "I'm going to go out on a limb and say this is why you didn't want me to hang around Alec," Nikki deduced. "I'm keeping my temper in check," she told Jasper with a wry smile. "You could have told me," she said turning back to Anna; her voice wavering slightly. "I would never have told a soul, I would never have let on that I knew," she said taking a deep breath before clenching her hands to her sides. Jasper came up and put a reassuring hand on her shoulder; looking at her sympathetically. Anna thought she heard Jasper tell Nikki that she was doing well but she couldn't tell.
"Aro reads minds. One touch and he'd realize that I had told you and you'd have a death sentence," Anna said blinking back tears. "It's inadequate but I am really sorry," she said softly. "I didn't want this life for you," she said ashamed.
"Anna, get over yourself," Nikki said in exasperation; startling Anna. "There are worse things that could have happened to me, worse things have happened to me actually," Nikki said with a sigh. "I really don't mind. I just would have appreciated a little warning; 'Hi, I'm bringing a bunch of vampires over so try not to bleed' or something like that," Nikki said wryly. "I'm glad that you're okay too," she said slowly walking over to Anna as if testing her strength.
"I'm so sorry," Anna said noting how Jasper tensed when Nikki put her cool arms around her. "I didn't mean for this to happen," she sobbed.
"Of course not," Nikki said kissing her forehead. "I am going to be fine," Nikki said pulling away smiling. "Now, you're swelling up fast. Is that normal? You're not planning on breastfeeding are you?" she teased.
"I guess so," Anna said with a shrug. "I'm going to be changed right after the delivery. Marcus is on the phone talking to his brothers. They aren't particularly happy," Anna said wrinkling her nose guiltily.
"They'll deal or I'll mutilate their genitals," Nikki said dismissively. "See? I'm still me," Nikki assured her pulling away. "Now, I need to go hunting," Nikki said turning to Jasper who nodded at Anna before taking Nikki, who had begun to shake slightly hurriedly from the room.
"Aro?" Anna said sitting on the back deck holding the cellphone to her ear. She'd decided to call Aro while Marcus, Alec and Nikki were out hunting. If things went badly, she wanted to do what she could to ensure that Aro knew that Marcus was clearly not behind this whole ordeal. "May I talk to you for a few minutes?" she asked quietly.
"Oh, Anna; what have you gotten into?" he said sounding both indulgent and exasperated. "You've caused quite a mess for me to clean up, you know;" he said in a tired voice.
"I know. I'm sorry about that. You've done so much for me and now I bet you're wishing you never met me huh?" Anna said nervously. "I just want you to know that I don't mean any harm, despite how it looks," she said with a resigned sigh.
"Do you fully understand what you're doing?" Aro said his voice oozing concern. "This is quite a path you have decided to walk, my dear;" he added.
"Is this your way of saying that you don't want to be called Uncle Aro?" Anna said surprising herself with the ability to tease him despite her inner turmoil. "I bet Caius is a real joy to be around, right now," she went on when he chuckled.
"Oh, Caius is quite irate," Aro declared cheerfully. "But he is usually that way, the only difference is that now he has a cause," he added dismissively.
"Are you mad at me?" Anna asked swallowing hard. She was desperately trying to avoid any type of showdown because of her or her actions. Now, that Nikki was turned she would be involved and she knew that Alec's loyalty lied with the Volturi. If it came to a battle, the lines would be drawn and people would die. People she loved, people she just met and even people she hated. There just had to be a way around this, she thought.
"Worried, my dear; worried," he crooned. "Though I am appreciative of the work you've been doing with the Cullens. Marcus says that you have made quite an impression on them," he mused. He's fishing for information, she realized with a jolt.
"They are wonderful people," she said honestly. "You were right when you said that I had nothing to fear from them," she added hoping to get her point across. "Mr. Cullen has been taking wonderful care of us. I can see why you're so fond of him," she said rubbing her stomach.
"Yes, Carlisle is a very talented doctor and a gentle man," Aro agreed pleasantly. "I appreciate your calling me, Anna;" Aro said with a weary sigh.
"Will you be here for the birth?" Anna blurted out, unsure of why she had even asked. Aro paused on the other line, clearly startled. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to put you on the spot like that. Forget I said anything, I know you have better things to do," she went on with a wince.
"Would you like me to be there?" Aro asked after he collected himself. Anna was momentarily distracted by Alice's sudden urge to dance, which seemed to greatly amuse everyone in the living room behind her.
"If it's not too much trouble," Anna said closing her eyes. "I guess I'm more nervous than I thought," she said with a little laugh.
"It is perfectly normal," Aro said seeming far more cheerful. "It would be quite an experience to see how a half-vampire actually develops first hand…" he said sounding almost giddy. "I do have an awful lot of obligations here however and I think we can both agree that leaving my dear brother Caius; entirely in charge even for a short time would be a bad idea. He can be quite rash you know," Aro said with a chuckle. Alice tapped on the window and held up a sign for her to read.
"Well, I could see if everyone would be willing to go to Italy," she said following Alice's suggestion and quirking an eyebrow at her enthusiastic clapping. "I mean we still have to plan the wedding and you said you wanted the Cullens there anyway…" she suggested suddenly feeling inspired.
"Two birds with one stone!" Aro said sounding almost as enthusiastic as Alice. "What a lovely idea, my dear. Very practical, I can make the arrangements immediately. I daresay, this is quite an opportunity," he said excitedly. "I have so much to see to my dear. I'm afraid I will have to let you go," Aro added sounding quite pleased.
"Thank you. Yeah, I imagine that Caius will be ever so excited to see all of us again," she teased, relieved to hear Aro's laughter.
"Yes, he will be quite difficult," Aro agreed. "I will handle him. I hope to see you soon," he added hanging up the phone. Anna stood outside a few moments, trying to sift through her conversation with Aro; looking for any warning signs she could have missed.
"Alice, why did I volunteer your family for a visit with the Volturi?" Anna asked coming back into the house feeling incredibly confused.
"To prevent a war," she said giving a very smug smile. "Uncle Aro was a nice touch, by the way," she added seemingly oblivious to the nervous stares of her family. "It will work," Alice insisted stomping her foot with an adorable pout on her face. "Aro is a control freak but he's also very curious by nature. This is his chance to see a half vampire up close and personal; without us looking over his shoulder and on his turf. That should relax him. Also, this half vampire is the child of his co-king; murdering his kid might set Marcus off and Aro needs him. So if there is any way around it, Aro will be more than willing to explore that option. If we go to Italy, he can check in on us and see what we're doing, all under the guise of friendly hospitality. Besides, he likes Anna," Alice concluded sounding exasperated. "By the way, Jane hates you passionately. She thinks you're trying to usurp her role of Aro's favorite and in case you haven't noticed; she's the jealous type. So, watch out," Alice warned her with a sympathetic grimace.
"Is it our only way out?" Jasper asked looking at his wife thoughtfully. "Nobody here likes the idea of an extended stay with the Volturi," he added grimly.
"Yeah, unfortunately," Alice said reluctantly. "He doesn't want to fight us if it can be avoided. Even if the Volturi win a battle with us, half their coven would be decimated. More if he loses any of his main vampires like Chelsea. He's not going to want to take that risk if he doesn't have too," she said as Carlisle exchanged a wary look with Esme. "There's no other way, we'll have to be very careful but its our only way out of a fight," Alice said sighing as Rosalie came up to Anna and put her arms around her shoulders.
"I'm so sorry about all of this," Anna whispered. "You're only in this mess because you've been kind to me," she said shaking her head.
"Nonsense. The Volturi has been after us for years. This would just be an excuse," Rosalie said grimly. Emmett caught Anna's eye and gave her a wink, making her smile. For some reason he reminded her of a giant teddy bear. Edward stifled a laugh which confused Anna until she remembered that he was a telepath.
"If we have no choice, we have no choice;" Carlisle said reluctantly.
"Are you sure this is normal?" Anna heard Marcus ask outside the bathroom door. She was once again leaning over the toilet, feeling incredibly weak and sick. They were running late for the plane that Aro had chartered them and Anna couldn't really bring herself to care about the house full of vampires who were probably sighing with impatience as they waited on her to finish.
"Yes," she heard Bella say before she knocked on the bathroom door. "Anna, can I come in? I have something that might make you feel a lot better," she said. Anna tried to answer her but was unable to. Luckily for her, Bella seemed to understand and came in the bathroom giving a very concerned Marcus a small smile. "I've been there," she said gently, rubbing her back soothingly until Anna was finished. "Here, drink this," Bella said handing her a sports bottle. "Trust me, you'll be surprised how much it helps," she added raising her eyebrows for emphasis. Anna nodded and took a sip, hoping that it wouldn't upset her stomach too much.
"Thank you," Anna said as Bella grabbed a wet washcloth and began to gently wipe her forehead and the back of her neck, trying to get all the sweat off. "What is this? Its delicious," Anna said in amazement.
"Trust me, you'd rather not know," Bella said with a knowing look on her face. "We've packed several more bottles for you. We've put them in a cooler," she said kindly. "You're growing out of your clothes," she observed with a small smile.
"How much worse is this going to get? I just want to prepare myself," Anna said finishing the drink and feeling ten times better. "I can handle anything if I know its coming," she said when Bella looked reluctant.
"Well, the baby might break a few ribs; when it gets bigger," Bella reluctantly warned her. "You're going to become very, very, very tired. Your dreams might become very vivid. Think of every pregnancy symptom magnified a hundred fold," she said softly. "But it's all temporary," she said helping her to her feet and flushing the toilet. "I'll give you some piece while you finish washing up," Bella said with a smile and left the bathroom with the empty bottle.
"How can I help?" Marcus said unable to contain himself any longer and coming into the bathroom. "Surely there is something I can do for you," he said anxiously.
"Actually, I'd like some more of whatever Bella gave me. My stomach has calmed down a lot. I might actually be able to eat something," she said thinking it was best to give Marcus a mission so that he didn't go crazy.
"I will see to it that you have your drink and some food," Marcus said seeming relieved that he had a task. It helped make him feel less helpless and more in control of an out of control situation. "I will meet you down stairs," he promised hurrying out of the bathroom so that she could finish brushing her teeth.
Felix, Demetri and Jane met them at the airstrip, apparently finished with their assigned task. Jane didn't seem to know who to glare at more, Anna, Bella or Nikki; who was draped flirtatiously around her twin. Luckily for everyone, Jane had decided to keep her mouth shut. Hopefully, it was lucky for everyone, Anna thought sourly. Jane might be plotting their downfall for all she knew, catching Edward's golden stare he gave her a brief nod as if to say that she was right but that he was keeping a close eye on her. Jane kept quiet until they had all taken their seats and were ready for departure. Her crimson eyes locked with Nikki's and a smirk appeared on her lips. She's picked her victim, Anna thought with a small snort. Nikki didn't look the slightest bit intimidated but then again she didn't know how sadistic Jane could be.
"So, brother; you've brought home a stray," she purred making it clear that she was eyeing Nikki and not liking what she saw.
"She's no stray, Jane;" Alec said firmly enough that Anna felt a little better about her friend's safety. "She is mine," he added frowning.
"You're a newborn aren't you?" Jane asked with false sweetness. "You seem to be handling your thirst exceptionally well," she observed cocking her head to the side.
"It's no worse than a nicotine fit," Nikki said with a disinterested shrug. "Look, let's just cut the crap. I'm not going to steal your brother away from you. You're very close and I would never come between that. However, if you like we can light the torch for Bitch Fest but that really wouldn't accomplish anything except tormenting your brother. So, how about we find something we can like about each other so that everyone can come out smelling like a rose," Nikki said bluntly. Jane seemed taken aback by Nikki's direct nature but seemed oddly pleased by it.
"You go for the throat don't you?" Jane purred in amusement. Nikki pretended to think about it for a moment before nodding at her with a wide grin.
"I say when we get a chance you and me hang out and make Alec here wonder what we're saying to each other," Nikki suggested playfully. Alec did not look amused, Jane however looked like she wanted to chuckle. "Then we can give him knowing looks and mess with his head," she said poking him in the shoulder. "Don't be mad," Nikki said leaning her head against his shoulder and giving a playful whimper, rolling her eyes up at him pitifully.
"Knock it off," he said gruffly but he looked down at Nikki with a small smile. Perhaps Anna had misjudged him, she wondered looking over at them thoughtfully. Alec met Anna's eyes and all humor drained from his face. Maybe not, Anna thought before looking away.