Pixie in Training
Disclaimer: The only thing I own is Ali-Rose, but you already knew that.
AN: Sorry it took so long to update. Hope you enjoy this chapter as well as the third installment of the lead-in, Danger is my name. I might post the first chapter or so of the actual Danger story in the next couple of days.
Ch. 10: Phone Call and the Sprite's Kryptonite?
EsPOV
Bella and I shared a meaningful look which we then directed at my pixie like daughter and granddaughter. Alice's eyes lit with understanding while Sprite's were confused, so I explained for the child's benefit.
"Once Momma Barbie time is over you, your mothers and I are going to have that talk about moderation," I told her. It was obvious she had never heard the term before, but she would learn soon enough.
Leah and Rose sat on the floor recording everything and I sat on the edge of the bed while we watched the two diminutive supernaturals play dress up. Bella stood off in a corner as she gazed at them with pure love and adoration. Joy spread through me as I thought how my family was almost complete. When Angela returned home tomorrow, everything would be perfect, the family would be whole.
The thought that my family could ever be complete without Edward should have pained me, but it did not. As I looked back on his time with us, I realized just how spoiled, inconsiderate, demanding, manipulative and arrogant he was. We had wanted him to belong so badly that we put him up on a pedestal and convinced ourselves Edward was the Golden Child. For the better part of a century, he had been with us and now that he was gone, it was as if he never existed.
Bella's cell phone went off, which made both her and Leah huff. The two shared a moment of silent communication as my sons and husband joined us. With an annoyed flick of her wrist, she opened her cell phone then brought it to her ear.
"Hello Aro, how may I serve you this time," Bella asked all hint of annoyance was gone from her voice.
"Ah, Bella, Dear One, I am so glad I was able to reach you. While I know you have only recently reunited with your mate and family, there are two orders of business that must be attended to. One requires only your recommendation and the other, your unique skill set," the ancient vampire chirped gleefully.
"Very well," my daughter replied.
"During a recent fishing expedition, Heidi came across a pregnant woman. She screamed just before the child ripped itself out of her. It appears that we have another hybrid on our hands. I wondered if you might be willing to accept responsibility for it. Now, as to the second piece business; Edward went insane when his mate left him and he attacked several humans. Our new telepath wants to admit him to Sefton in the hopes of treating him," Aro explained. With our vampire hearing we had all heard and were shocked.
Bella gave both matters some serious thought before she responded. Her words would change our family yet again.
"Alice and I have our hands full with Ali-Rose at the moment, but our sister Rosalie and her husband are more than capable of raising the child. As to Edward, the vampires at Sefton are docile which is why there is minimal security. In my professional opinion, he would only escape and cause more problems. It's best to put him down now and save ourselves the trouble later," she said the first part with joy and the last with sadness.
Aro agreed with Bella and informed her that one of the Volturi jets would be sent for Rose and Emmett. He also admitted, with reluctance, that Edward had already been taken care of but he wanted the telepath to hear a third party explain the dangers. The conversation ended so Bella closed her cell phone. For the longest time, she refused to look at us. Finally, she looked each of us in the eyes and this time it was her turn to be shocked. When she saw nothing but love and understanding in them, she sobbed a couple of times but recovered quickly.
Rose flashed across the room with Emmett and they pulled her into a massive hug. They thanked their sister repeatedly for letting them have the chance to raise a child. The three broke there embrace then Bella apologized about Edward. Every one of us had known my former son and knew what she had recommended was correct.
"I suppose I've got more explaining to do," she stated with a shy smile.
Ali-Rose realized that Momma Barbie time was over before it began then gave a little annoyed huff as she followed everyone down into the family room. Once we were all situated in the abundant seating, she explained how Eleazar had thought it best to tell the Volturi about her pregnancy. They really became interested in her when they learned of her power. Bella went on to tell us about the deal she, Jasper and Leah struck with them to keep all of us safe.
The three donated their talents to assist the Volturi in dealing with insane vampires. This was normally done through Sefton Asylum, a gothic stone building in the heart of the English Moors, which was run by the Italian Coven. Carlisle was interested in learning more about Sefton, so he and Bella went off to his office. Rose and Emmett rushed upstairs to pack, while Jasper and Leah cuddled together on the love seat, lost in their own world. Alice and my granddaughter attempted to sneak away.
"Not so fast, you two. Have a seat at the table," I called out to them sternly. The tiny twosome cringed but dutifully sat down at the table. I joined them after I had retrieved both of their purses. It was time for a little tough love.
"I believe we have a discussion about moderation scheduled but I think we need to go beyond that," I intoned with authority. Almost immediately, everyone else was in the family room listening while Bella joined us.
"We shall start with you, Carmen Alisme Rosalie Cullen. Four-year-olds should not have credit cards, you proved that when you ordered a car online. You Mommy took away that card and yet somehow you obtained another. As of this moment, both cards are gone and you will not get another until you are at least sixteen. Instead, you will receive an allowance of twenty dollars a week. For that, you will keep your room clean and help me around the house and garden. You need to learn that you cannot shop everyday and when you do, you do not need one of everything," I told the small girl as she watched in horror while I cut up her credit cards.
"As for you, Mary Alice Brandon Cullen, you need to start setting a better example for your daughter. Like her, you will learn that it is not necessary to shop all the time, nor need to purchase one of everything. In order to help you learn this lesson, I have taken the liberty of freezing all but one of your bank accounts for the next ninety days and cancelling all but one of your credit cards. The remaining credit card has been set at a five thousand dollar limit. You will also need to learn that clothes may be worn more than one time. If you must sate your fashion obsession, then I suggest you invest in a sewing machine and some fabric," I chided while Alice looked down in contrition.
My granddaughter tried to bewitch me with her puppy-dog eyes and pouting lip. When it didn't work, she let tears pool in her eyes and made the lip quiver slightly. As that failed, she let the tears flow freely and brought her little lip to a full tremble; her mothers would have cracked under the strain of that look but I held my ground. Her expression was replaced by confusion.
"Your cuteness is still superior, but you will find that that look does not work on your Nana or me," I explained to the little one gently.
She nodded sadly then whispered in a broken voice, "I love you Grandma…sorry you don't love me any more."
It broke my heart when she said that and flashed over to comfort her. Her sobbing got worse as she choked out how all she wanted to do was buy some toys and clothes for the new baby. I soothed her until the sobbing stopped then told Alice to take her to the Mall to pick up a couple of things for the baby. When the two had left, the snickers of the others made me realize what just happened.
Sprite had found the chink in my armor and used it to get what she wanted. The child was as much an evil genius as her mother. Next time, I will be better prepared. Sure, and Ali-Rose will just find a new chink to use, I thought with a chuckle. The girl was good.
Danger is my name
*Cargo plane en route to New York City; December 18, 1935*
BPOV
I had made it to the airstrip just as Algie finished loading the postal bags. He nodded as soon as he noticed me then asked me to start on the pre-flight check. No discussion was needed; the fact that his normal co-pilot was nowhere to be seen had spoken for him. Obviously, the story of my Dad's disappearance had reached him and he figured I was on my way.
The pre-flight went quickly, hell, Algie was the one that taught me to fly when he was still the best bushpilot in the Congo. Dad had dragged the entire family off with him to find some Lost White Race. I'd been twelve at the time and already known for being the most adventurous of my siblings. Within minutes of Algie getting into his seat, we were airborne. I suddenly felt exhausted and decided to go in back and get some shut eye on some of the mail bags.
Once I was comfortable, sleep was instantaneous. For the past two years, I had made a point of not thinking about my family. In the space of a couple of hours, it was all I could do. Images from my past flashed through my mind until they stopped on the ones from that fateful night that I was forced to flee the only home I'd ever known to seek refuge with a father that had only learned of my existence a short time before.
Like some love struck fool, I'd fallen for both Alice and Rosalie, my foster sisters; and they had fallen for me. Where Alice was my age, Rosalie was two years older. Our little triangle brought a lot of grief into the Cullen household and I need to choose. After much soul searching, I realized that I was hopelessly in love with pixie like Alice. The night of my epiphany, I told Rose. To say she hadn't taken it well would be an understatement.
I watched the blonde goddess walk toward me with deliberate slowness. Every movement of her body was hypnotic and kept me standing there dumbfounded. Mom and Dad thought they stopped her just in time, but when we learned the horrible truth, they ordered me to go to Charlie's. I wasn't even allowed to say goodbye to the petite pixie that had stolen my heart.