Welcome Home
My ill-fated attempt to convince Renee to go back to Florida early sparked the first argument between she and I since her arrival. While I hated to even consider the truth of my own failings, Renee was very lucky I hunted earlier in the week. It was foolish for her to stay in Forks. I knew this, yet couldn't persuade her otherwise. Her opinions on staying were foolish and try as I might to persuade her otherwise, she was stubborn in her decision to stay in Forks. The fact that Phil's assignment in New York had being extended another week didn't help my cause. She insisted she remain with us, despite any possible danger. Being a newborn vampire, I knew how precarious her presence in Forks was; she, though, was clueless as to how difficult it was for me - let alone others - to have her near.
Even though Renee insisted on staying near to us, she did allow us to move her out of the main house. Half-breed or not, Desiree and the others coming were strangers to me. I couldn't afford to trust them, not with my human family. Where although a hotel would be marginally safer than the main house, it was still too risky.
The perfect solution presented itself, oddly enough, from Sue Clearwater. Thankfully, though a bit awkwardly, Sue was now living with Charlie, and with Leah still missing, the Clearwater home was mostly empty. Seth and his mother offered it to Renee as a temporary home. She would be kept perfectly safe on the reservation, surrounded by wolves.
Jacob was even able to talk Sam into allowing Renesmee across the border to visit Renee, supervised by Jacob of course. Jake was more than happy with the arrangement, considering his mild growing jealousy over Desiree, Renesmee's new playmate.
Time alone without the worry of Renee and Nessie should have left me with time to clear my head, relax by myself, or spend time with Edward. Unfortunately, Desiree was not permitted onto pack territory so couldn't go with Nessie to Renee's, and her maternal attachment toward me prevented her from sleeping well outside of the cottage. I felt as I had traded one child for another.
Despite her strange emotional grip on me, Desiree spent most of her time with Edward and Carlisle. We needed to know as much about her as possible: her past, her feelings and actions, and, especially, her growing powers. Edward was determined to help her strengthen her abilities, insisting she focus on something she could control, in hopes this would aid her emotional recovery.
While Carlisle and Edward spent most of their time helping Desiree ease into her new life with our family, the rest of us prepared for Rosalie and Emmett's return. Jasper was helping Alice fix up the extra rooms for our upcoming guests; Esme was repainting Rosalie and Emmett's room. My job was, of course, to remove the stench of werewolf from the house - something I was finding great difficulty in accomplishing.
Everything was almost perfect by the time Rose and Emmett arrived home. I could still smell wolf - and I was sure Rosalie could as well - but there was, thankfully, too much else happening for anyone to focus on the wolves.
"They're here!" Alice chimed loudly as she pranced down the stairs, leading the rest of the family out the front door.
"Where are Renesmee and Desiree?" I asked, moving down the hallway, looking in each room for the girls.
Alice called back, "Outside playing!"
Stepping outside, I looked to the gathering family members surrounding the car, each with open arms to welcome Rose and Emmett. I smiled kindly to my sister-in-law as our eyes met. She returned the gesture as she approached me, looking about for my daughter.
"Where is Renesmee?" Rosalie asked.
"Playing near the river. You'll see her soon, I promise. She is very anxious to see you two."
"We brought presents for her," Rose added as she turned around to watch Emmett lift trunk-sized luggage from the car.
Emmett grumbled, "She went overboard, of course." One of his muscled arms was wrapped around a large green duffle bag, the other held three black leather cases over his shoulder.
"I did no such thing, Emmett."
Jasper and Edward began to help with the luggage, but I couldn't help staring at our new arrivals. I watched carefully as two teenage girls stepped slowly from the car.
Edward stopped to touch my arm briefly, and spoke quietly into my ear. "You're making them nervous, Bella."
"Well, they make me nervous, so I guess we're even."
Esme welcomed the two girls and began to make introductions, her motherly arms resting lightly on their shoulders. "Girls, this is Bella."
"It is a pleasure to meet you," I said, as I stepped forward to greet them.
One of the girls was holding her arms crossed over her chest, almost as if she were holding herself together. She pulled one arm out and gently waved her hand. "I'm Aimee."
If she were completely human, Aimee would have no problem having a normal life. She looked like any other girl you would see walking around town. There was a familiar kindness and nervous sincerity that reminded me of Angela Weber, my one true human friend. Yet even though Aimee could pass for human, there were too many small things causing her to stand out. Her eyes were a beautiful dark hazel, and her auburn hair was quite lovely. It hung straight to her shoulders, shiny and rich in color, though there was something unnatural about it.
Esme was still standing between the two girls, holding them, welcoming them. It was clear Aimee was on edge, if not outright scared. She was trembling slightly, yet I could see her willingness to accept our offers of welcome and sanctuary. The other girl's stance showed no fear. Her posture was one of anger…and defiance, maybe?
Standing on the opposite side of Esme from Aimee, the other girl wouldn't look at me, averting her eyes, staring at the ground near her feet. Very quietly, I heard Aimee whisper to her, hoping we wouldn't hear.
"Don't be rude. They don't have to take us in, you know."
This sparked something within the other girl. She raised her head and looked me straight in the eye. I felt the tension instantly rise in my body: her eyes were the deep crimson I knew only too well..
With a hard edge to her voice, the girl merely introduced herself with a brief, "Natalya," and nothing more.
Seeing my distress, Jasper quietly alerted Edward. I relaxed just enough to avoid being forcibly removed from the driveway, but not enough to stop Edward from attaching himself to my side as a precaution.
"We have the one room available for the both of you right now. I hope it will be sufficient enough for now, until we can make more permanent arrangements for you." He spoke casually to the girls, trying to ease them into their temporary home.
Like a spoiled teenager, Natalya mumbled her ungrateful response, "Better than a cage."
What had happened to these girls?
Awkward silence filled the air.
Was Edward learning enough of the two girls to help us ease their transition? I needed to know more about our guests if my nerves were to calm down.
Aimee began to console the other girl. "It's going to be fine, Natalya. As long as we follow the rules, Rosalie said we would be safe."
Natalya rolled her eyes at the mention of Rosalie's name. I could only imagine why.
"She's right, Natalya. You're safe here." Even as I said the words, I wondered in my mind…. Is she safe? Are we safe?
Thankfully, Carlisle approached us, coming from the house, welcoming the girls. His strong, kind presence instantly settled the rising tension. "Aimee, Natalya, you are free to go inside and make yourselves comfortable. There is food in the kitchen, or, if you prefer, several of us will hunt with you this evening to show you the territory and boundaries."
To encourage the girls, Esme slid her arms from their shoulders to rest a palm on each of their backs, urging them forward toward the house. Aimee smiled pleasantly, walking forward close to Esme's motherly touch. Natalya brusquely pushed forward, escaping Esme's touch, and stalked purposefully ahead of the group.
A shimmer of sunlight passed through the trees and glided over the skin of our new guests. Aimee was perfectly flawless, like Renesmee and Desiree. But there were familiar markings on Natalya's skin and I found myself tensing again. Scars. Deep, though healing quickly. Crescent-shaped patterns up her left arm continuing to her near her throat.
As soon as the girls were out of sight, I turned toward Edward, beseeching him with my eyes. What happened to her?
"She doesn't know, Bella. She woke up in a cage in Volterra with no recollection of how she got there."
I muttered under my breath the answer to my unspoken question: "Alec." Horrible thoughts flooded my mind and I felt awful for judging the girl so quickly. I had never experienced Alec's power - thanks to my own powerfully strong shield - but just imagining the effects frightened me. To have all sense cut away from you. No sight, no smell, no sound, or taste. To feel absolutely nothing… only to awaken as a prisoner with torn and tattered flesh.
My thoughts returned to the present, anxiety still clouding the air around me. "Since when do hybrids have red eyes?" I asked.
"We've only met a handful of these children as it is, Bella," Carlisle offered. "Who can imagine the genetic possibilities?" His eyes were filled with concern for all those held by the Volturi. Shaking his head slowly in contemplation, he turned to head for the house. Rosalie was coming towards us, a look of harsh determination marring her beauty. As they past, Carlisle reached for her arm to slow her, and kissed her on the cheek. "Thank you, Rosalie, for bringing the girls."
Rosalie's face softened, accepting Carlisle's gratitude. We all knew this was going to be difficult for we knew nothing of the future. As she walked toward us, her face hardening as she approached, the steely determination fixed solidly within her.
Edward, sensing my worry, quickly shared what he learned. "Natalya may appear young, but she is at least a half-century old. This is quite a change of lifestyle for her."
"Don't let her get away with that excuse, Edward," Rosalie growled. "If the rest of us can abstain from feeding on humans, then so can she."
"Did you really think yelling at her was the best way to introduce yourself?" Edward snarled in response.
"Oh, please." Rosalie rolled her eyes. "I'm not going to spend effort babying them. You could smell the blood on her when we picked them up from the airport in Johannesburg."
"What? She killed someone just this week?" I felt my fingernails scrape into my palm as my fists clenched together.
"She will be fine," Edward insisted.
"How do you know that?" I snapped.
Edward reached for my hand and pulled me close, holding me against his chest. I could hear his inhalation and exhalation, alternately filling his lungs and emptying them. Cocooned in his embrace, listening to his breathing, I could allow myself to let go of my fear. After three breaths, Edward spoke again, in a calm, reassuring voice, "It will be fine, Bella. If either Aimee or Natalya struggle with their adjustments, perhaps Desiree can be of some use."
Rosalie's hears pricked at Edward's mention of the girl. "Desiree?"
"Another half-breed. Tanya and Carmen brought her." Even though Edward was answering Rosalie's questions, I could see his attention was on the house. What was happening inside?
"Desiree is off causing trouble with Renesmee, I'm sure, Rosalie. They are best friends. Edward, should we go inside?" At the thought, my nerves were on edge once again.
"You two go without me," Rosalie huffed, turning her face away from the house with her nose turned slightly upwards. It appeared she was done spending quality time with Aimee and Natalya. "I'll go find Renesmee."
I was tempted to go with Rosalie, but the intrigue of the strangers in my home was too tempting to avoid. I wanted to know everything about them. Renesmee was such a rarity, I based all my expectations of half-breeds on what I learned from her and from what Nahuel and his aunt told us. These newcomers were throwing all my preconceived ideas out the window.
Edward squeezed me to his chest, kissed the top of my head, and slowly relaxed his arms, releasing me from our embrace, but keeping hold of my hand. He squeezed it lightly, and smiled, calming me with the confidence of his gaze. We turned and walked into the house. Aimee and Natalya were seated on the couch, Carlisle in front of them in his own chair. Esme and Alice were lurking behind the girls, intently listening to Carlisle.
We moved to the stairs and found a seat halfway up the steps. Jasper was sitting six steps up from us, looking just as serious as Edward.
"What's going on?" I whispered to Edward.
"Carlisle is telling them the story of how we all came to be," Jasper answered softly. "The younger one," - Aimee - "seems very controlled. The other," Jasper paused and closed his eyes, "…is needing my assistance."
I took in a slow, deep breath, sensing everything around me. A small breeze brushed through a cracked window and I could taste the setting sun in the back of my throat. It was warm, almost liquid, and smelled like lilacs and rainwater. Even through the smell, I could taste the nearby wildlife on the tip of my tongue. I would insist on hunting with Aimee and Natalya tonight; I wanted to see them in action.
"Doesn't seem fair," I muttered. "It took me years to learn everything about you," - I smiled up at Edward - "and here they are getting the Cliff's notes right up front."
Edward answered by turning and kissing my forehead.
"This is more for our benefit than theirs, Bella," he said a few moments later, when he seemed to overhear something important.
"What do you mean?"
"As apprehensive as they are right now, it could be dangerous to question them about their lives, beliefs, abilities. They came from captivity where they were treated like slaves, criminals… pets." He sighed, knowing he could go on with the darkness they experienced. "Carlisle does not want them to feel like experiments here. So, telling our story is the easiest way for them to think about their own."
"And the easiest way for you to listen in," I said, nodding my head in understanding. "So, is there anything you can tell me?"
"Aimee is fairly young and seems to understand what Carlisle is telling her. Almost as if it was told to her before."
Like Desiree, I thought.
I sucked in a quick breath.
"Calm down, Bella." Edward once again took my hand. "She knows this is what must be done to be protected. She understands it is either adapt to life here, or return to Volterra. The latter is not something she seems to easily accept."
I had been in the presence of the Volturi multiple times. I had seen how Aro could win you over with charm - get you close enough - and sick the hounds on you. I had seen first hand Caius's hatred of anything not fitting his image of a pure vampire, not to mention humans and werewolves. Demetri, Felix, Jane, Alec - I remembered them all, though I was never forced to face them the way these others were. I knew Aro's craving for my power, as well as Edward's and Alice's, but I was protected from him. From all of them.
The scars on Natalya's body would be a constant reminder of just how blessed I was to stand in the face of impending doom, only to walk away completely unscathed.
I could hear bits and pieces of the conversation in the living room, though I was paying more attention to the contours of Edward's shoulder, tracing my finger along the lines beneath his shirt.
Jasper stood and made his way up the stairs, disappearing into the hallway. I listened as Esme encouraged the girls to get some rest, and Carlisle told them we would go hunting later in the night when they woke.
A loud, crashing noise jerked me from my concentration, and I leapt to my feet in less time than it took a human to blink. Rushing outside, I turned toward the direction the sound came from, fully expecting an attack on the horizon … ever the pessimist.
"You are not faster than me!" Renesmee's tiny voice proclaimed. I caught sight of Emmett on the ground, breaking through the earth to create a small crater. Renesmee proudly stood on his chest, the victor of an obviously rigged contest.
I felt Edward's arms wrap around my waist and I exhaled, melting into him. At the site of Rosalie my chest filled with warmth. She approached my daughter and her fallen conquest, with Desirees' hand firmly grasped within her own. Whatever strange maternal connection Desiree once felt toward me was quickly transferred. No one deserved it more than Rose.
I found it strange to discover something so horrible as what the Volturi were doing thousands of miles away somehow brought an incredible amount of joy to our little corner of the world.
"Everything happens for a reason," I whispered through my happy grin.
"Let's hope so," Edward replied.
