Disclaimer: All Twilight related characters and events belong to Mrs. Meyer.

Chapter eleven

Bella's pov

Gran shuffled into the room. She didn't look happy at all and when she looked at me and Vanessa she shook her head, looking almost disappointed. She muttered something under her breath and then came over to us and placed her hands on our foreheads.

"When I am done here, I am going to kill your father, girls. Sorry about that."

I snickered despite myself.

"Do not laugh at me Isabella. I'm serious."

She managed to keep a straight face for all of two minutes until she smiled. Vanessa and I both burst into giggles as the same time, which made Gran smile even wider.

"Gran, what are you doing here?"

She harrumphed before sitting down at the end of my bed. "Well, seeing as how you girls are still calling me Gran, I take it your father hasn't explained this side of things."

I glanced at Vanessa, who looked just as confused as I felt. "What is going on Gran?"

She sighed. "Edward, why don't you and the rest of the family come inside and listen to this as well," she said quietly.

A few minutes later the entire Cullen gang and dad walked in and took seats on the floor in silence.

"Don't worry, girls, the wolves have gone back to the reservation to regroup. They will be back in a few days after the reinforcements have arrived."

"Oookay," I drawled, feeling like more and more of my known world was spinning out of control.

Vanessa squeezed my hand. I didn't know if it was to reassure me or because she was getting more nervous, like I was, but I appreciated the feeling. I looked at Edward, trying to gauge his reaction, but he looked just as tense as the rest of us.

"First of all, let me introduce myself to you girls properly. I am the Oracle."

I gaped at her and Vanessa gasped beside me. Gran held up her hand to stop anyone from speaking. "I am going to explain some things to you and I want you all to keep your questions to yourself until I am finished, can you do that?"

She looked pointedly at Alice who was positively vibrating in place. Alice nodded with a resigned look on her face. It would have made me laugh if I hadn't suffered a particular painful wave going through my midsection. Gran's brow furrowed as she looked me over.

"You, my dear, are going to be one of a kind when this is all over."

I felt completely uncertain on whether or not that was a good thing. I had no idea what she meant exactly and it made me anxious to think about the options, so I decided to try and block those thoughts out.

"I should probably start by explaining my own history and how this ties into your lives," Gren started. "Like I said, I am the Orcale. In Roman times the position I hold was named the Oracle of Delphi. I was only one of the many instruments the Oracle used to guide the creatures on this earth. You see the Oracle is in fact the leader of a group of so called 'vessels'. Vessels are people who have certain talents that are recruited to work for the Oracle as their talents manifest."

"In ancient times it was widely accepted that any one with unusual gifts, like the gift of foresight, would report to the Oracle of Delphi and they would subsequently do the Oracle's bidding in one way or another. If you combine a vast amount of these talented people, you get a widely spread network of paranormally talented people that, if they work together smoothly, can give an outcome on practically any situation."

"But when the Roman empire fell, so did the acceptance of the Oracle. The woman who had been called the Oracle of Delphi stepped down from her position and handed me the reigns. Like angels, the one who is in the position of Oracle, we grow old and at a certain age we rejuvenate to the age we were when we took the position."

"Back when I started it was normal for Oracles to stay in position for two or maybe three lifetimes before they gave up the position to a promising vessel. But because of the turmoil in the world after the romans lost their empire, there were no vessels that were willing to take over, which means that I have been in this position for over fifteen hundred years."

"As time passed me by, I maintained a network of around a hundred vessels that were still willing to work for me, but they hid their true abilities from the rest of the world. Most of them still hide what they can do from those around them, but these days there are some that are more open about their abilities. It's slowly getting better."

"Now, as for how I got mixed up in your lives. Charles wasn't the first angel to get lured unintentionally by a siren, nor is he the first angel to get a siren pregnant, but normally speaking a siren's body would reject an angel's genes, simply because their genes don't mix. Trouble with Charles and Renee was, that she is one of the rare sirens that were capable of bearing twins, so the angel's genes were mostly concentrated in one egg, while the siren's genes went to the other."

"This explains why Vanessa had always drawn people easily, while Bella seems to deflect them. Sorry, girls, but it's genetic. So when word got out that a siren was pregnant with an angel's children, I knew I had to keep an eye on things, because you are both unique creatures. In fact, if word of this ever got out, you might find yourselves running from several mythical creatures."

Gran took a deep breath and seemed to sort out what to explain next, while the rest of us tried frantically to cope with all the things she just told us.

"Before you start asking me the things I know you're going to, I just want to address this illness the girls are experiencing."

Vanessa squeezed my hand and I squeezed back. It was nice to feel connected to her amidst all these outrageous stories.

"Vanessa, as far as I can tell you are experiencing a siren's response to a male heir. Which means you are pregnant, but you will miscarry within the next couple of days. I'm really sorry, honey."

Vanessa sighed deeply and to me it almost sounded relieved. "At least I won't be tied to Jacob for the rest of my life."

"No and the story he fed you about imprinting on you, it's a load of bull."

"What?"

"Imprinting doesn't happen to every shape shifter. It happened to Sam because he was the first of the pack to imprint. Because Jacob is the descendant of the true pack leader they wanted to make sure he fathered a son as soon as possible after his change. I know it sounds probably rather twisted, but it's the way things were done for centuries."

"So, he just slept with me to knock me up?"

"In short, yes."

"Okay. That explains his behavior of this morning."

Gran made a face that indicated it wasn't quite like that. "Well, shape shifters have a very strong sense of smell, which is why they know almost instantly that a woman is pregnant. It saves them a lot of time and effort in the procreating process. But the down side of this is that they also smell when a woman is likely to miscarry. I suspect he may have smelled that something was different about you than a normal human girl and combined with knowing you would miscarry.... Well the combination is what caused him to pull that far back."

"Okay. Well, I can live with that, I think. I just hope this pain will stop soon."

"It will, just hold on for a few days."

Gran then turned to me and smiled, but it was tight lipped and her eyes showed that she was feeling sorry for me.

"Just tell me the truth, Gran," I murmured.

"Your body is changing from Edward's venom, but because it wasn't as much as would be in your bloodstream if he had bitten you, it is going to take a lot longer for you to change. You'll suffer for nearly three weeks if we can't get more venom into your systems."

"We can do that," Edward said softly.

I smiled at him, comforted by the notion that he was there.

"You can try, but since her body is already changing, it's not unlikely that you wouldn't be able to break her skin to get the venom into her."

The room fell silent then, none of us really knowing what to say or do. I knew that everyone wanted to ask Gran questions, but I also knew that I wasn't up to it.

"Could you go to the living room to talk some more, please? I would really like some time alone with Edward to talk about what we're going to do," I whispered.

I received a rushed couple of hugs and then the room was empty save for me and Edward. He lay down beside me and gently cradled me in his arms, his smooth cool lips softly trailing kisses along my jaw and neck. It felt heavenly against my burning skin.

"Edward, I would like you to try and get more venom into my system. I know it will be too difficult for you to taste me and stop, but maybe there is another way?"

"Like what, Bella? It's not like I can put some venom in a syringe and inject it into you."

"Why not?"

"The plastic would disintegrate from the venom."

"But the needle wouldn't?"

"No, because steel is strong enough to withstand it for a longer period of time. Eventually it will also give, but it holds up a lot longer."

"Well, can you find a steel syringe and inject it?"

"We can try that. I will ask for our friends in Alaska to bring one when they come here. They said they would be leaving tomorrow morning. They can stop somewhere along the way to get a steel syringe."

"Okay, then go and call them and maybe ask them to bring a few, in case one doesn't last long enough."

"I will do that in a minute, love. Are you alright? Do you need anything?"

"No, I just need to sleep. My body is fighting your venom so hard I can hardly keep my eyes open."

"Then sleep, my love. When you wake up we'll have the syringe and hopefully we can speed this process along a bit."

"Will you stay with my until I fall asleep?"

"Where else would I be?"

"In the living room, getting all crazy scientist with my miraculous grandmother."

"Darling, you forget that I can hear every single thing they are saying and thinking. It's a win win for me."

I smiled weakly before finally giving in and allowing myself to succumb to sleep.

Edward's pov

Within seconds Bella's entire body relaxed against me and I heard her heart rate even out and her breathing become steady. If she was out this quickly, she must have been on the brink of toppling over. I once again felt guilty for not properly anticipating her needs.

With Bella nestled safely in my arms, I pulled my cell from my pocket and called Tanya. I didn't waste much time on pleasantries, instead choosing to ask her for this favor. She didn't ask questions, which I was grateful for, but I did anticipate a lengthy discussion when she was to arrive here.

Despite the fact that I had made it very clear that we were through, I worried she may try to push Bella from my life and I was determined to prevent that from ever happening. I thought about meeting Tanya a little ways from the house, but that would only make it look worse if Bella ever found out. No, I would have to tell Bella everything.

I should have done that right away, but I kept putting it off, for fear of Bella's reaction. I knew it wasn't reasonable of me, but I was afraid nonetheless.

About an hour after Bella had fallen asleep, Alice came in. She was so excited to talk to the Oracle. She had finally found someone who knew what her gift was like and how frustrating it could get when she got things wrong. I think it really helped her ease her worries over not seeing Bella clearly.

"The minister that was supposed to marry you today, can reschedule for tomorrow at five. Do you still want to do this? If you do you'll be married before Tanya arrives."

"Does that make my conversation with Bella any easier?"

"I'm not sure. I think she'll be reasonable enough, but you should tell her before they arrive, maybe even before you get married. She shouldn't be blindsided by this."

"I know. I'll tell her when she wakes up what to expect when Tanya and the rest of her clan arrive. Then I'll explain about the wedding and see if she's still willing to go through with it."

"She'll at least be feeling a bit better for a while. So she'll be okay to get married, health wise."

"Thanks, Al. I'm glad you're here with me. I don't know what I would have done if this had happened without you and Esme here to help us in the first place. I was pretty much flying blind."

"Well, the family is back together and we've got a few days before the wolves arrive. In the mean time we've got enough to talk about, don't we?"

"We sure do. I was surprised when she so readily called Aro a fool. I never realized that changing talented humans would interfere with her work."

"If Aro were to ever find out about the girls we might have a bigger problem than the wolves on our hands," Alice said solemnly.

In her mind I could see what she imagined would happen and I instinctively recoiled from the idea of Aro getting his hands on either one of the girls. "Let's try to make sure they don't find you, shall we?"

"For now they are fine."

I nodded, while I looked down at my sleeping angel. Every time I watched her while she slept I was struck by how small and fragile she seemed in those unguarded moments while she was strong and steady when she was awake. I would miss seeing this side of her once the change was completed.

"It's strange, she's still so unclear to me."

"Why do you think that it?"

"I don't know. Maybe because of the unconventional way this transformation is going?"

"Maybe."

We were quiet for a few minutes and then suddenly both me and Alice remembered Gran's earlier words 'You, my dear, are going to be one of a kind when it's all over'.

She didn't tell us everything, Alice told me in her thoughts.

I nodded.

I have a feeling she already knows that we can't put additional venom into Bella's system and something will be different about this change.

"I think so too," I murmured.

But what will happen?"

"I don't know. I've talked about it with Bella and we're going to try and push more venom into her using a steel syringe. Maybe her skin will still be weak enough for the needle to push through."

"Our teeth are sharper."

"I know, but I'm afraid I won't be able to stop."

"Carlisle could do it."

"I don't think Bella would want that. She's stubborn when she's put her mind to something."

"I guess we'll have to wait and see then."

I nodded again. Alice sat at the end of the bed and stared off into space. She was going over the things we needed to prepare for with the wedding, Bella's change, the fight. Underneath all of her rigorous planning there was a deep fear that something unforeseen may happen and things wouldn't end up like she had seen it.

I tried to block her out and just stay in my own head, but some of her fears made my own surge within me. I was not entirely sure things were going to end well for me and Bella, but I would have to try and stay positive, if only so that I could reassure Bella when she needed me to.

Bella woke up somewhere mid morning and she looked nearly radiant compare to the previous day. She told me she felt a lot better too. Vanessa had shown similar improvement, so in the morning we were all gathered in the dining room and while the humans ate, the rest of us talked to the Oracle some more.

I smiled when I realized we all had taken to calling her Gran and she seemed delighted in hearing it. It was almost like we were one big, albeit somewhat odd, family. It made me feel a lot more positive than I had during the night.

After breakfast, I took Bella outside so she could get some fresh air and I could explain about Tanya and what had happened between us prior to my moving to Forks. After I was done talking I kept my eyes glued to the tips of her shoes, scared that she would reject me, tell me to leave, but those words never came.

Instead, Bella placed her soft, hot hands on the side of my face and forced me to look into her eyes.

"Edward, she was your first?"

"Yes."

"And you are over a hundred years old, correct?"

"Yes."

"Then why do you seem afraid I might freak out?"

"Huh?"

"Well, you're acting as if having had one sexual relationship in over a hundred years is cause for me to throw a hissyfit and send you packing. It's okay, I promise. What matters to me most is that you fell in love with me. You chose to be with me, despite all the problems that has caused you. And I couldn't love you more for that. So what if there is some ex-girlfriend of yours coming over. If you had been a human man of roughly my age, it would be more than likely that there were not one but a couple of exes walking around. Really, don't stress out about it."

"So, you're not mad at me?"

"No."

"And you still want to marry me this afternoon?"

"Yes. If I hadn't been so out of it yesterday, I would have married you then."

I took her in my arms and kissed her with as much force as I dared to. Her scent had changed even more over the last twenty four hours and it was only becoming more and more alluring to me. Not in the bloodlust sense, but in the 'normal' lust sense. I wanted to feel her around me again. I wanted to make her cum again.

I felt my dick grow hard against her belly just thinking about it and the sudden thickness of Bella's smell indicated that she too was thinking about our time together.

"I can't wait for this change to be done," she murmured into my neck.

"Me too, love. I want to make love to you properly."

"Do you think my not quite human state before the change was the reason for the intensity of our love making?"

"It might have been. If I wouldn't feel like it was invading both out privacies I would have asked Carlisle or Gran about it. But as it is, it would be a little too embarrassing."

"Thank you for not doing that. I would have been mortified."

"I know, love. Me too. No matter how close I am to Carlisle, this is one department I wish to keep private. We'll see how things go after your change."

Bella looked up at me and gave me a devious smirk. "Until then we can help release some of the tension in other ways, right?"

I grinned down at her and captured those sultry lips in another kiss. I would certainly do my best to relieve her tension, while we were out of earshot from our combined family.

Bella moaned as my fingers found the buttons on her jeans and I swiftly tugged them open so I could snake my hands into her panties. Her body was still overheated from my venom slowly changing her, which made me shiver in response because it felt like an open fire licked across my skin. It was the most delicious torture I had ever endured.

With soft, but quick movements, I slid two fingers into her wet heat and started pumping them in and out within the confined space of her pants. Bella clasped her arms around my neck and held on tight, her mouth pressed tightly against the skin of my neck to muffle her moans and whimpers.

She ran her fingers from one hand roughly through my hair and I could sense she had gained a little strength over the past two days, because I could actually feel the tugging quite well now. I pumped my fingers faster in return and started murmuring dirty little words into her ear, making her squirm even more against me.

After only a few minutes, I could feel her tighten around my fingers and then her climax took over and I relished the rhythmic pulsing of her walls around my fingers and her muffled cries against my skin. Feeling Bella cum around me fingers was a good second to being inside her and it was the best we could do for the moment.

Bella offered to reciprocate, but I told her not to worry about it. She must have been beat, because she didn't fight me on it. She simply allowed me to carry her back to the house and to our bed.

She slept for a few more hours and woke just in time for Alice to get her ready for our small wedding. Where Alice managed to get a dress from was beyond me, but she did and what mattered more was that Bella loved it and was happy to wear it.

So I was sent downstairs to change into my tuxedo while the women went upstairs to help my beloved get ready. I was so focused on the happy occasion ahead of us that I didn't register her thoughts until she was inside the house and staring me right in the face.

Tanya had arrived early.

A/N: Hi guys! I am truly sorry for keeping you waiting, but I have been having trouble getting any usable chapters from my fingers. After taking a short break, I now seem to have gotten into the flow again and am writing as quickly as possible to make up for the long wait.

I hope you enjoyed this chapter and will let me know what you thought.

A big thank you to everyone who's still with me and reads this story. Any and all of you are truly appreciated.

Love,

Mo