Chapter 11

APOV

After making plans with Charlie to take care of Bella, our company started to get restless with what the family was keeping from them. Carlisle tried to extinguish the whispers after the morning hunt. Carmen seemed happy with visiting, as did Kate. But Tanya, she made it a point to learn all there was to learn about Bella. It worries me.

As I was getting ready to leave for Bella's, Tanya knocked on my bed room door. "Come in."

"Hey! I was wondering what you had planned today." She asked looking around my room. "I was thinking we could go out and shop."

That was a low blow. She knew I couldn't say no to shopping. I buckled up my resolve. "I'm sorry. I can't I have to go help Bella out today. Her father is going fishing, she will be all alone. I told him I would come over and help her out. Maybe,,, tomorrow?"

"Would you like company?" Great! She wasn't gong to let me get out of this at all.

"I don't know. We are dealing with humans." I bit my lip trying to find a reason she couldn't come. "I just don't know."

"I can act human like the best of them. What's there to worry about?"

"I guess there really isn't any reason why you can't." I grabbed my coat on the way out of my room. Tanya followed. I said good bye to Esme and Jasper. Rose and Emmett were still in their room so we made our way to the car. Tanya must have noticed the Volvo missing.

"Where is Edward? He hasn't been back all night." She actually looked concerned. So she may not have the slightest clue yet. She soon would be seeing as how we were gong to be walking into a house that held Edwards scent.

"Hunting I suppose. He should be along later. Are you sure you wouldn't want to wait for him?"

"No, I am sure we will bump into each other today sometime." She smiled as if she knew something. I was yet again, worried.

"Maybe." I got into the car and out of the driveway to Bella's house in town. It didn't take long to reach her road. As we pulled up to the house, I noticed the Volvo wasn't anywhere to be seen. He must have parked it off in the near distance and ran here to cause less suspicion. "Are you ready to meet Bella?" I said getting gout and walking to the door. Tanya took a deep breath. I knew she knew who was inside.

"I told you we would bump into one another today." She giggled as she bounced, yes bounced up to the door. I knocked softly knowing my brother would hear it while Bella would not. I opened it slowly. Walking in before Tanya.

I wasn't prepared to see what I saw, and certainly Tanya wasn't either she let out a gasp louder then expected. Edward was lying next to Bella on the couch while she had her head on his chest. He was running his hand up her side and then back down. It was a very tender moment they were sharing. Tanya's gasp tore him out of his trance.

"Tanya!" He jerked up making Bella nuzzle up to him warmly. With his hands lifted in the air, while Bella adjusted herself, Edward glared at me. "Alice! What have you done?" I wasn't sure what he meant until I saw Tanya run out the front door.

"What have I done? What are you doing?" I snapped back at him. He was trying to get out of Bella's grasp without waking her.

"She had a nightmare. I was just calming her back to a restful sleep." Oh man if I had a camera. Emmett and Jasper would love me forever with that kind of blackmail.

"I see no problem with this." I answered back waving my arms up and down.

"Tanya. She knows." He got up and ran out the door. "I have to stop her." He yelled as he ran down the street after her.

"Good luck." I yelled back laughing. It wasn't like I meant for this to happen. What can Tanya do anyways? So he was snuggled up to Bella. It can all be explained. Then, the vision hit me.

Tanya on the phone with another Vampire, I wasn't sure who telling this person about Bella and Edward. Nothing but anger in her voice. "Oh no." I grabbed my cell phone, Carlisle answered.

"Carlisle. Tanya knows." That was all I had to say. I snapped it closed looking right at Bella who was watching me with interest.

"She knows?" She asked me fear filling her face.

"Yes. Edward is after her right now. Hopefully he will be able to stop all of this." I walked up to her side. "It will be okay."

"How does she know?" She asked waiting for me to find the right answer for this.

"I didn't know." Was all I could come up with. "I should have warned him she was coming with me this morning."

"You didn't know what? What happened?" She rubbed her eyes. I waited before I spoke.

"We walked in to find Edward lying next to you rubbing your arm. He said you had a bad dream, that he was comforting you."

"I know."

"You know what?" I asked confused.

"I know he was lying next to me. I heard him trying to sooth me."

"You heard him?" I was completely confused at what was going on.

"I should have told him. I just didn't want him to stop talking to me when I was sleeping." She looked down at her hands. I tested a theory of mine to better understand what she was saying.

"So you can hear?" She wasn't paying attention, she didn't look up. She was still very much so deaf. I was lost. I waited for her to continue without repeating myself.

"When I was in a coma, you know I heard what was being said in the room." She didn't look up to see my response. She knew this was old news. "What I haven't told anyone, is that every time I am asleep; I can hear everything around me." She finally glanced up to see the shock on my face. "I can feel, when some one touches me, I can hear everything around me, you have a lovely voice, by the way. The only thing I can't do is move, or respond. I can't explain it. It's like I'm trapped inside my own body. If I had said something, everything in my world would remain quiet. I hope you can understand why I haven't said anything. I didn't want it to go away. Please don't tell Edward. Or anyone for that matter. I want to hear you. I want to hear everything." She was getting upset.

"I understand." I said sitting down next to her holding her close. After some time, I looked into her eyes. "If I were in your situation, I would be doing the exact same thing." She let a tear fall.

"I should have said something. This would have never happened. What will happen? Will she tell?"

"Yes. I'm afraid that is exactly what she is going to do." I answered her.

"How do you know?" I was surprised that Edward hadn't mentioned my 'gift' before now. I guess he thought it was up to me to let her in on my secret.

"I have visions. They aren't exact, and I can't pick and choose them. I get them when someone or something has been decided. It can't be forced." She nodded her head taking it all in, I imagine. "It will be okay. I'm sure of it."

"I'm so sorry." She said again. As if this was her fault. "I should have tried harder when I heard you come in to wake up. I need to get control of this new development." She tried to get off the couch.

"Where do you think your going?" I said putting my hands on my waste.

"I have to do something." She tried to balance on one leg. I, of course, caught her on her way down.

"You aren't going anywhere looking like that." I stated as I put her back on the couch. I grabbed a bag that I brought with me. "Not until we get you properly dressed. I pulled out fabulous jeans I had made for her. They cut and hemmed up one side. Even had a zipper put in for easier dressing. I threw them to her as I pulled out her shirt. ""And of course this. Waving it up against me as I showed her today's fashion, not the 10 years ago, she constantly wore.

"Alice. You didn't have to do this. I have sweats." She said looking at the cut up pair of old, stained sweats she was in.

"I will not have my future sister in law wearing,,, that." I laughed.

"Future what?" She turned an even paler shade of white.

"All in good time." I said quickly. "Come on get dressed. We have to go talk to Carlisle." She took the hint and hurried up. I helped her with the jeans, she managed the top. "Perfect!" I said as I helped her up. "Let's get going. May I?" I asked holding my arms up to show I wanted to pick her up instead of her trying to make it to the door.

"Thank you." She said grateful for the help.

We rushed out of the house and I got her into the car. We sped out of town to my house. I had to find out if Edward got to her in time. I tried to focus on a vision, I found nothing. Damn visions. Bella needs more control? I need more control.

EPOV

I lost her scent, her trail everything I had to go on other then her direction. Instead of running around, I decided it was best I go back home and talk to Carlisle. I changed directions to where I stashed the Volvo and headed home. When I arrived, I was right behind Alice and Bella. I watched Alice help Bella get out of the car. I quickly stopped and ran to her side.

"I've got her." I said taking Bella in my arms bridal style. Alice opened up the door and allowed me to go in first. Before seeing anything I heard, as I'm sure Bella saw all the gasps in the room. They didn't come from my family.

"Hey man!" Emmett said as I walked Bella to the couch and laid her down slowly. "What's up? I didn't know we would be having someone over for dinner." He licked his lips, I growled. "Just kidding,,, Hey Bella. You're looking better." He ruffled her hair.

"Why does everyone do that?" She said fixing her hair. I laughed.

"We have to have a family meeting." Alice said walking to the kitchen table. "Carlisle has been told. He should be here shortly." The front door opened and Carlisle made his appearance.

"Was she caught?" He asked taking off his jacket on the way to the table.

"I lost her." I said dropping my head.

"It's fine, it's fine. We need to know where to go from here. Alice, did you see who she was talking to?"

"No, just that it was a male." Carmen and Kate were looking at the events with much question. They were being ignored.

"Jasper. Could you find Rose. She needs to be here." Esme asked before he took his seat. I started for the table as well. Bella grabbed my hand.

"What is going on?" She had fear in her eyes.

"Edward, could you bring Bella to the table?" Carlisle started. "She needs to be in on this as the rest of us."

"And what of us?" Kate said from the living room.

"Please, come, sit. Everything will be explained." Esme offered. They too walked to the table, deciding to stand rather then sit.

"Where is Tanya?" Carmen questioned when everyone had sat.

"That is exactly what we need to figure out." Carlisle said starting off the conversation. "Carmen, Kate, I would like you to meet Edwards girlfriend, Bella." The look of horror written on their faces said enough. I stood up to take Bella from the scene. "Edward, please. You knew this would be their reaction. Sit." I placed the confused Bella back to her seat. "AS you all know, she has found out about us, the how doesn't matter much. Edward has chosen her, and that is how it will remain. Tanya has found out, Alice had a vision of Tanya telling another vampire. We have to prevent that if it's not too late."

"Voltrui." Carmen said blankly.

"Yes. That is our problem. You and Kate can leave if you would like. I don't want to put you into any type of situation, although I might have already said too much."

"Do you love her?" Kate asked me warmly, but not with out concern.

"Yes. I do."

"Then I have made my decision. I will remain here. Carmen you still must choose." She looked at her family member.

"Love." She looked at Bella, then at me, I was watching the conversation, but staying as close to Bella as possible. "It seems the heart has won. I will stay. I will not let my extended family come to harm over love." Carlisle, Esme, even Emmett let go of the breath they all held in. Bella turned to look at me gripping my hand to say, without saying, thank you.

"Tanya is scorn. She will do what is necessary to remove the threat she see's in her way of obtaining Edward. She has no problem removing said," She glanced at Bella. "issue." I growled lower. "Don't get mad at me. She is relentless. She has had a crush, obsession, really for you since the day you two met."

"Do you know who she would call? What she may say?" Emmett broke in. I turned Bella's head so she could follow the conversation. "If I knew,,, I might be able to predict what may happen."

"No. I do not." Kate said calmly. Before I could turn Bella's head in that direction Carmen caught sight of what I was doing.

"Why are you moving her head around Edward? She is not a pose-able doll." She laughed.

"She's deaf." I answered dryly.

"Really?" Carmen said in response. "You do realize you could fix that." She snapped. It was too late. Bella had already seen her response.

"I'm fine. I'm getting by." Again she surprises me.

"Can you call Tanya?" Carlisle started again.

"No, she left her cell phone here. I wouldn't know where to begin." Kate answered.

"Why do we care? So the Vulturi find her. Big deal! They come and clean up the mess. Sounds like a plan to me." Rose piped in. I shielded Bella the best I could by not turning her head when Rose talked. Thankfully, it worked.

Alice looked blankly in front of her. "It has been done. Someone by the name, the name, James." She snapped out of it. Fear replaced the blank look. "He's a tracker."

"She stays here." Emmett got up pacing. "She doesn't leave this house. For anything."

For once, I agreed. "Oh, Hell no!" Rose snapped. "She's not bringing this on us." She said violently. There was nothing I could do to hide this from Bella. "Take her back where you found her."

"Rose, behave." Esme yelled. "We aren't sending her out without our help. She stays."

"She can sleep in my room." Alice beamed. "It will be like a sleep over."

"No." I scared myself with that answer. I got every one's attention. "She will stay in my room."

"It is settled." Carlisle said knowing I was not about to back down. "She will stay in Edwards's room where he can watch over her at all times." Alice's lip hung out.

"I think it is for the best. I don't have total control all the time." Jasper said, rubbing Alice's arm. "This way she will be protected no matter what."

"I think that we should talk to the Quileutes." Carlisle said quietly.

"Must you?" Esme answered back, almost scared.

"I don't see another choice." He took her hand. "They will help. They will protect."

I knew the pack would protect their land; we were giving them a heads up as to what was to come. I nodded along with Jasper, Alice and Emmett. Rose, just sat there funning at the fact Bella would be in the house for an undetermined amount of time.

"We are going to need human food." Jasper said watching Bella try to keep up.

"Ewe Really?" Emmett said playing. "Well, we can all go with her."

"What about Charlie?" Bella asked, always thinking of others.

"I'll take care of that. Edward, can you put her in the Jeep?" Alice asked me as she flipped open her cell, dialing Charlie's number. "Charlie? Hi, this is Alice. I just wanted to ask if it were okay if Bella could stay here with me for a few days." She nodded. "It would be easier with you at work. I could get her to school, help her shower." I knew Charlie would say yes after that. "Great. Thanks. Just call this number, I can give you an update and she can tell me what to say to you. Have a good night. Bye." She closed the cell. "All taken care of. Let's go shopping!" She bounced up from the table.

"It's for, yuck, human food." Jasper said making a gagging sound. "You are excited about this why?"

"Shopping is shopping no matter what it is for. Let's go!" She grabbed Jaspers hand. I laughed as I carried Bella to the jeep behind Jasper and Alice who already hopped in. Emmett drove; I sat in the back with Bella's leg across me. Rose decided to stay home and pout like a kindergartener.

"This really isn't necessary." She said to me loudly. Emmett laughed from the driver's seat.

"It gives Esme a chance to actually use the kitchen. She will have a blast. Trust me."

"I do."

"Oh,,, it's a moment!" Emmett bellowed. I was glad Bella couldn't see his mouth.

We got to the grocery store sticking together closely. There was no telling when 'James' would make his appearance. I carried Bella until Emmett took her from me, placing her in a cart with her cast leg up on the top of the cart she was in.

"What would you like to eat?" Alice wondered. I had to laugh at the sight of 4 vampires in a grocery store shopping for food, with 'our' food in the cart as if we were going to buy her.

After our shopping spree, and Emmett buying things he dared Jasper to eat later, we all piled into the car, heading for home. It felt weird calling our home, Bella's home. The reasons leading up to her staying with us wasn't perfect, but none the less, she and I were going home. I defiantly like the sound of that.

"What are you smiling about?" She asked as my smile couldn't be contained.

"The twisted turn of events that have led you to me, or me to you,,, however you want to look at it." I hugged her as she lay across my lap.

"Come on guys, I don't think Emmett can handle much more of this." Jasper snickered.

I spent the entire ride home starring into her eyes, as she was doing to me.