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Life became shockingly normal. The Cullens altered their lives to accommodate Ali. Ali was quite content as long as I was relatively nearby (I'd asked Jasper to keep an eye on that). The Cullens totally spoiled her, especially Esme and Alice. They bought her presents every other day. Ali was thrilled but I did have to tell them that there was absolutely no need for the constant gifts; they didn't listen to me.

I fell straight into the old routine. Edward rarely left my side and I wasn't about to complain. Once Ali was happy without me Edward started bringing me to our meadow or somewhere equally reminiscent. Alice started organising our wedding again, not that there was much to organising to do. I didn't protest, in fact I demanded the engagement ring back. I was all Edward's and I wanted everyone to know it.

Edward allowed me to visit Jacob relatively frequently, albeit grudgingly. Jacob was in two minds about my moving back. He was obviously overjoyed that he could be close to Ali and I But he was also livid that I was reengaged to Edward. He had no reservations about airing his views on the subject; so much so that I had to threaten not to visit again if he didn't shut up. He was a little quieter after that.

Charlie wasn't happy either and unfortunately I couldn't tell him to shut up. Well I could but I would end up getting an endless lecture about showing respect; it wasn't worth it. Charlie was constantly offering to baby-sit but I rarely availed of his services. Ali managed to ware seven vampires out; I really didn't want to see what she could do to a man who was getting no younger. I had been in touch with Renée. She was slightly anxious about what being back with Edward might do to me. She was entitled to worry, in private times when I was on my own I worried to.

To the best of my knowledge Acacia hadn't appeared yet. But my knowledge was fairly limited because the Cullens insisted on keeping me sheltered. The only time that they couldn't keep me sheltered was when they had to go hunting. I encouraged this more than I needed to but they didn't seem to mind. They tried to go in shifts so that I would never be alone.

When they did leave I would arrange to go to Seattle or sometimes a city further away. I had permission to borrow any car I wanted so distance was not an issue. I usually brought Ali with me but she founded incredibly boring. So now I mostly opted to leave her with Charlie.

I was on my way to Seattle when my phone rang. I pulled over and answered it.

"Bella" the voice on the other end greeted. I didn't recognize the voice but it sent shivers down my spine. "On your way to Seattle?"

"Um…sorry, who is this?" I asked politely.

"That really isn't an issue right now. I think that the issue is the safety of your daughter?"

"Pardon?" I was confused. I had just dropped Ali off at Charlie's and she had seemed fine. "Has Ali had an accident?"

"Not yet. But she might do if you don't follow my orders precisely."

It was then I realised who it was. "Acacia" I breathed. In horror I thought of the awful things that could be happening to Ali.

"Oh, congratulations" Acacia mocked. "So, Ali is here and if you're not here in the next two hours…" she trailed off dauntingly.

I had fallen for this once before and had nearly got killed in the process. I wasn't going to go near Acacia unless I had solid proof that she had Ali.

"I want to talk to Ali" I demanded. I knew that I was in no position to be making demands but it was worth a try.

"I'm sure she wants to talk to you too but I had to sedate her. The crying was driving me crazy. But if it's proof you need ring you father. I'm sure he will testify in my favour. So are you ready for your instructions?"

I nodded but then I remembered that she couldn't see me. "Yes" I managed to choke.

I could hear the smile in her voice as she gave me an address. I didn't recognise the street name but no surprise there. Acacia was probably in a desolate backstreet far from prying eyes. I drove to Seattle in a daze. I toyed with the idea of contacting one of the Cullens, Acacia hadn't forbidden it. But for once all the Cullens had gone hunting together leaving me no way of contacting them. I hoped that Alice had seen by now, I wished that they would come to my rescue.

I was right about the address. I pulled up outside a seemingly abandoned five story building. The paint was peeling and looked dank and disgusting. Timidly, I knocked on the door. I was barely waiting two minutes before the door was opened apparently unaided. I hesitated before I stepped inside. The dark dusty room beyond the door was anything but inviting. But then I thought of Ali, alone, scared, possibly unconscious. I had to go in.

I kept my glancing nervously over my shoulder but I tried to keep calm. Acacia obviously had theatrical leanings. There was one ray of sunlight coming into the repugnant room and it was shining onto the motionless body of my daughter. Ali was lying on a solid plank of wood, her hair spread out around her like a halo. She looked unharmed, but I couldn't trust my instincts. I quickened my pace to get to Ali.

I touched her wrist gently to find a pulse; it was weak but it was there. I gently stroked her cheek, it was warm. Now that I had surmised that Ali was okay. Now I could take on anything.

"Acacia" I called "you have company. It's rude for you not to grace us with your presence." I looked around waiting for her to appear. Her theatrical tendencies had won out again because moments later she glided down the decrepit stairs wearing a vintage ball gown. The skirt was black; the bodice was white with black sequins. She looked breathtaking, but absolutely terrifying.

"Was I meant to dress up?" I asked innocently "I thought that my execution was a semi-casual affair. My bad"

Acacia feigned shock "You think I'm going to murder you? I should probably have cleared this up. I have to hurt both you and Edward. Killing you will only hurt Edward; you won't care, you'll be dead." She paused for dramatic effect. "So I started thinking about what would hurt you. And then I got it. You live for your daughter; you need you daughter to survive. And there is a prospect that depresses Edward more than anything (apart from your death). So I decided to put these to together and what did I come up with?"

She stopped to let me finish. My brain was working overtime. I looked at Acacia suspiciously and suddenly it became clear. She was going to turn me into a vampire. If I was a vampire I couldn't trust myself to be around Ali, I could hurt her; I probably would hurt her. Furthermore I knew Edward's views on my immortality; it would hurt him. "You're going to change me?" I whispered.

Acacia laughed airily. Her laughter echoed through the empty room making my hair stand on end.

"Edward will find out and he'll come and save us" I muttered.

Again she laughed. "That's what I want you idiot. I want him to see you writhing in pain as my poison destroys your organs and systematically kills you. Most of all I want it to damage him deeply to the point where he can't recover."

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