Some of you had questions about certain things in the story, so I'm using this chapter trying to answer most of them. If you guys have any more, please ask!

CHAPTER 10

EPOV

I watched, absolutely helpless as Bella was getting ready to travel to La Push. I didn't want her going to those dogs. Especially not to Jacob after all this time.

"What if they're in their wolf form? How will you communicate with them?" I asked, trying to find an excuse to make Bella not go.

"Edward," Bella's goddess like voice cooed. "They can understand us just fine." She looked at my expression, knowing that did not soothe my concerns in the slightest. "Kaden can talk to animals, or have you forgotten? If there is any trouble, he can communicate."

She had thought of this before. I knew she was more than capable of handling herself, but I also knew I was not capable of living without my angel for another day.

The struggle Bella and I had undergone was ridiculous, and the pain we have caused everyone is unacceptable, I am well aware of this. I just want everyone to understand how madly in love I am with Bella, this wonderful creature who has had me captivated for years. She is the reason I live, if that is what I do.

Madison was a distraction from the emptiness I felt inside of me. I know my heart how long stopped beating two centuries ago, but when I left Bella for that second time, I was empty inside. I couldn't go day to day with a normal life. Instead I called into a ball and wallowed in my misery. I left my family for years before I returned and I tried to go on as nothing had happened, but inside there was nothing in me. I was nothing. I am nothing without Bella. So the thought of not being with her is unimaginable.

"My love?" Bella spoke softly to me.

I took her hands and put them to my mouth and kissed them both. "Yes?"

"I'll be back soon."

I wrapped my arms around her and breathed in her scent. The same scent that use to plague my existence, the very same scent that nearly caused her demise. "Please do be careful."

She nodded and kissed me lightly. "I'll see you soon."

"I love you."

"As I love you."

I watched as the others said their goodbyes.

Kaden held Laken in his arms and stroked her hair, whispering "I love you's" and kissing.

Jacey would have none of that. She looked at Harrison and smiled. "Be home soon."

"I will," he promised.

"Watch over Bella. Jacob is going to be extremely disappointed with her transformation." Harrison kissed Jacey lightly. "Don't worry your beautiful head with that."

"I'm serious." Her face turned sullen. "You don't know how much Jacob loved Bella." She brought Harrison closer to her. Please don't let anything happen to him, she was thinking. I need him. He is my universe, my entire world. I couldn't bear to live without him.

I respected Jacey enough to block out the rest of her thoughts. I felt as if I was invading her privacy.

This is going to be a challenge, Micah was thinking. I hope Bella isn't over confident when it comes to this Jacob character. Seth did take her from him 75 years ago…

At that point I had to make myself stop listening. What did he mean by that? Was Bella with Jacob before she tried to kill herself? Was he not there to save her this time?

Bella, Harrison, and Kaden said their goodbyes and without so much as a warning, they were off.

Alice and Jasper stood beside me for an hour, but after I didn't speak to either one of them, they turned inside. Alice's thoughts were running wild, but she never asked any of the questions, that I was thankful for. So everyone let me be, everyone but Laken.

"Edward?" Her velvet like voice echoed my name.

I turned to look at her, shocked she was speaking to me.

He looks so sad. Does he not believe in Bella?

"You look like you need someone to talk to."

Why was she doing this? Why would she go out of her comfort zone to make me feel better? "I'm fine."

Yeah, sure. "Bella once told me you told her that you were a good liar." She paused. I just don't see it.

I laughed lightly. "Actually I do have some questions."

"Ok."

"About Bella."

"I assumed as much."

"And Jacob."

Oh God.

"If you rather me not ask, then I won't. Because I can read your thoughts as soon as I ask them. So if you wish for me not to, then please tell me."

Should I? Bella wouldn't get upset. I'm surprised she didn't tell him. Of course with everything that has happened, she didn't have a good time to.

By reading her thoughts, I knew I shouldn't persist with the questions. "Thank you Laken."

I started to walk away until she called my name. I turned around. "Yes?"

"Please, ask."

"How did she know Jacob was still alive? She didn't ever mention it to me."

"Werewolves do not age for 50 years after the first time they phase. Jacob told her that when she was human. So Jacob is about 41. "

"Has she seen him since she's moved back?"

"Not exactly. She had a vision of some kind. Jacob was calling to her."

I felt guilty for asking these questions, so I took it upon myself to stop. "Thank you, Laken."

"I have a question of my own, if you don't mind?"

"Of course."

"Why didn't you change her?"

"I couldn't be the reason why she didn't have a soul."

"Then why come back for the second time? Why not just stay away from her?"

"I was too weak. When she came to Italy, I knew I should have simply thanked her and been on my way, but I couldn't bear to be without her."

"It just seems so cruel to do that to her. Leave and come back just to leave again."

If the Cullens really loved her, how could they let him do that?

"It killed my family," I answered her thoughts. "I threatened to go back to the Volturi and tell them I was never going to make Bella like us. They would surely have killed me for not following up on my promise. It was a horrible thing to do, I know. But I was desperate to keep believe human so she would never be damned like us."

"Weren't you afraid of them finding her?"

"No. They couldn't track her. She is immune to all of their powers. I made sure of that before I left." I paused. "I also told Jacob what I was doing. I told him to go to her, that she loved him. I was making sure she had someone."

"So you rather her be with a werewolf instead of taking her soul?"

"Of course. Jacob could give her a normal life."

"But he couldn't. You would stay 16 for 50 years. He could give her children, yes, but he would never grow old with her."

"He didn't tell me that."

"Why would he?" How could Edward be so blind? Maybe he really didn't love her that much.

"Don't you even think that," Edward hissed. "I thought I was doing what was right. I couldn't take her soul."

"I changed Kaden," Laken spoke softly. "He was my singer. His blood called to me, much like Bella's called to you. Maybe because I didn't have such of strong beliefs about heaven and hell as you did, but when Kaden asked me to change him, I only hesitated to ask permission from Micah." She paused. Those three days Kaden was changing was the hardest thing I've ever had to watch. He was in so much pain. "Micah said it was my decision, though I knew he was not pleased with it. I remember the day I told Bella how Kaden joined our family… I think the last bit of her human self she had left died. It was only then did she tell us about you." She smiled slightly. "But she did tell us all the wonderful times she had with you and the Cullens. We were all jealous of some thing or another."

"Jealous?"

"Yes. You and the other Cullens captivated her and made her believe in our kind before she was even one of us. She was such a natural. It was as if she was born to live an eternity of a damned one." I cringed at that statement. The thought of Bella being damned to this day haunts every bit of me.

"In fact the only thing that was difficult for Bella was leaving Charlie. She begged Micah to let her see him, but he wouldn't allow it, being she was a new born. We left for Alaska after Charlie was committed into an asylum. I'm glad Jacob was out of town when all his happened. Of course at the time, I had no idea about Jacob, but she later told us about him as well."

He left her? He left Bella alone?

As if she could read my mind, she said, "You left her first, twice."

"I know."

"I know this is done of my business, but… how could you leave her a day before your wedding?" I didn't want to ask, but I knew you could read my mind.

I couldn't reply. I almost had forgotten I did leave her then. "I don't know."

Alice and Jasper walked outside, Jasper's arm wrapped around Alice's small shoulders. "Laken do you mind if we talk to our brother?"

"Of course," she smiled at Alice and then looked at me. "It would good talking to you, Edward."

"As it was to you."

For what it's worth, I was rooting for you.

I nodded. "Thank you."

She smiled sweetly before walking inside.

"Emmett called," Jasper said.

"What did he want?"

"Edward!" Alice snapped.

I sighed. "I'm sorry, Alice. What did he have to say for himself?" I cracked a smile to let her know I was joking that time.

"This is a mess," Alice said softly. "Our family and the Malones' family has been torn apart.

"It's my fault." Alice hugged me, as Jasper controlled my mood.

"Edward, we all knew this would happen. Emmett called and told Carlisle that he was sorry for leaving. It really hurts him to leave us."

"I know."

"Rose wanted me to tell you that she loves you and Bella both."

"Where did she go?"

"They went after Madison," Jasper answered.

My face snapped in his direction. "Why?"

She was part of our family for over 50 years, Alice thought. "How would you feel?" Alice asked out loud.

Esme walked out and looked in our direction. "Edward, may I speak with you?" Her soothing voice asked as her graceful moments and always beautiful face made her glow.

"Of course."

Esme POV

Alice and Jasper left without a word as I walked towards Edward. The expression on his face was miserable. I hated seeing my family so torn.

"Tanya and her family are on their way. They are here to help us."

"Do you think this is going to work?"

I squeezed his hands with my own and looked up at him, his face so brilliant and handsome. "Have faith, Edward."

He looked away from my gaze, obviously ashamed with something. "I'm sorry."

"For what my dear?"

"For all this. For making Madison leave, especially."

So that was what he was so ashamed of. "I am going to miss my daughter. But I know I also missed you when you were gone those years. I know you never loved Madison, especially not in the magnitude you love Bella." I paused. "Madison knows she is always welcomed with us. I do hate that she is by herself somewhere, but she is strong and smart. She is very capable of taking care of herself."

"I couldn't turn myself from Bella."

"No one expected you to. Carlisle and I knew this was going to happen. He and I talked with Micah and Iris and they knew it as well. Of course they still thought it was not so certain, but only because they weren't there with you and Bella all those years ago."

"You all seemed to not want Bella and I to be together."

"It's not that we didn't want the two of you to be together, it was we knew it would be devastated to both Madison and Seth. We all knew it would cause something not easily cured. We did what we did to make sure this is what you wanted."

"I don't just want her. I need her."

I then pulled him into a hug. "We are a family. All of us. We will all fight for the two of you."

He wrapped his arms around me. "Thank you, mom."

I pulled back. "Of course. Now, we are being rude to our new family. Shall we go in and talk with them?"

He nodded. "Sure."