Stephenie Meyer is the genius behind Twilight!

Family Council

We were relieved to find everyone waiting in the family room when we walked into the house. It felt good to feel so... united. I could see they had been discussing it already. Alice had filled them in as we drove back from our little meeting. Edward had decided that we needed to make a family decision, so Alice conveniently prepared everyone. There was one last thing to do. Call Carlisle.

"Excuse me, do you really think I'm that incompetent?" Alice asked us, jokingly irritated when she saw Edward pull out his phone. "I've already called Carlisle. He and Esme are on their way. They should be here in a few hours." She skipped over to Jasper and jumped onto his lap. She had a smug look on her face, but she quickly grinned to show us she was joking. I felt an even greater sense of relief knowing Carlisle and Esme were on their way. The entire family would be together again. It has been several months since we were last together.

The last time we saw them was when we were in Forks for Christmas through New Years Day. Charlie had taken the day off to spend time with us before we left. We had a lot of fun. Charlie took us by surprise by suggesting we go play baseball, because he was so intrigued that Edward was able to get me excited about the game. He had no idea. So, we indulged him and played a friendly game of human baseball. It was funny to watch the others struggling to run slowly, and hit the ball gently. It was almost painful for them to restrain themselves. But, they did it for me. I think the biggest shock for Charlie was that I actually hit the ball. The look of surprise on his face was priceless. I was glad to make him a little proud. He had always worried about my inadequacies when it came to physical fitness. It was a great day.

Emmett and Rosalie were talking to each other in one corner. I could see Emmett's face was wild with excitement. Edward was watching him too, but his face looked concerned. He wasn't completely on board with helping Tristan's group. Emmett, on the other hand, was ready to jump at any chance to fight. This would be a huge decision: to go up against the Volturi. We did not know what Carlisle would have to say about it, so, we waited. Edward and I sat down together and listened to the conversations going on in the room.

Alice was telling Jasper about our last visit to Volterra. I could sense his growing anger as he remembered the fear of possibly losing Alice. She had assured him over the phone that she would find a way out, but he knew her chances were slim if Edward had exposed himself. Alice was stroking his head, trying to calm him. Once he was calm, she continued with her recollection of what happened. Edward tensed up as she described the events that transpired in the castle turret. Emmett and Rosalie were drawn in to listen to the story again. I don't think Alice realized what she was doing. As far as I could tell, the retelling of this nightmare was fueling the fire for mutiny. Even Edward was starting to think of sweet revenge. He recalled the last visit from Jane. His eyes darkened momentarily as he remembered it.

When Alice arrived at the part when we were all reunited at the airport, she and Jasper were locked in each other's gaze. Just like at the airport. Jasper seemed to have felt all the feelings he felt then, again. He was glowing with the joy he felt to be with her, safe. They only had eyes for each other. Then, all we could do was grin as Jasper stood up, Alice still in his arms, and walked up the stairs.

"Go Jasper!" Emmett hollered, before Rosalie hit him in the shoulder. Even that didn't break the spell those two were in. I watched as Emmett then turned to Rosalie and attempted to bat his eyelashes, suggesting they follow Jasper's example. It was too late, Rosalie stood irritated and walked away from Emmett. His eyes grew wide with mock anger, and he chased after her and swooped her off her feet and up the stairs in the blink of an eye. We heard a door slam, and then laughter ensue. I started laughing and Edward looked at me, bemused. All the stress and anxiety from the past couple of days compared to the irony of what just happened, seemed funny to me. I leaned my head onto Edward's shoulder and closed my eyes.

Edward said my name, and I opened my eyes. I lifted my head off his shoulder to find everyone staring at me. I looked at Edward, and he was smiling. What did I do now? I searched his mind to find out what I did. Everyone began to smile as I realized I had been talking in my sleep. Mostly about Edward. I blurted out simple phrases, like "I love you", "let's swim", and "again". I was so embarrassed, but really, what could I do? I also saw that I had expressed my love for every person in this family, so they were all rather touched, so that alleviated some of my embarrassment. Alice came and sat next to me. She put her arm around my shoulder. She was thinking that my talking in my sleep was just as entertaining as Edward had expressed when he used to come and watch me sleep in Forks.

"You probably don't want to do that in here, again. But it was entertaining!" Her smile prevented me from completely dying of humiliation. As I glanced around the room, I realized everyone was here. I stood up quickly and rushed to Esme's side and hugged her. Carlisle was sitting on the armrest next to her. He looked down at me, with pleasing eyes. I reached over and squeezed his hand, in recognition. We were all together, that made everything better. Now that Carlisle was here, I could see the mantle of leadership was passed back to him.

Carlisle began. "I have been filled in on everything that has occurred over the last few weeks. This is no one's fault." He was looking at me when he said that. "This was bound to happen, again." This surprised me, they never mentioned a previous attempt at revolt. "The Volturi are too strong. Their powers combined, made it impossible for anyone to fulfill their plans. Many have tried. You know how they deal with unruly vampires. Often, if a mate survives, they begin to spread their disapproval and build up a faction to go up against the Volturi. No one has succeeded. I don't want to put any of you in danger. I would not choose to go up against the Volturi, unless they specifically came after one of us." Once again, I thought I saw him looking at me when he said that. "It is open for discussion."

"I'm ready to fight, if someone needs help," Emmett offered freely. Carlisle nodded, accepting his comment.

"I'm with him." Rosalie hooked her arm around Emmett's as she said that. This was a little surprising to me. Rosalie had always come across as reserved and withdrawn when it came to participating in resolving conflict. Yet here she was, boldly announcing her willingness to participate. I felt proud of her, for some reason.

"I have my reasons for wanting to go up against them, but I want to know all the risks involved first." I knew the reasons Jasper was referring to. I could feel the love he felt for Alice. This same love that would fight for her, also wanted to protect her. He didn't want to become involved in a war that we had no chance of winning.

"I'll do whatever Jasper does." Alice was looking meltingly into his eyes. I saw Carlisle close his eyes and shake his head. He admired his children. He recognized our increased unity. He also felt the other excitement that seemed to fill the air. Now he waited for Edward and I to share our thoughts.

I was sitting next to Edward again. He looked at me as he placed the back of his hand up against my cheek and said "I will only fight if Bella needs my protection. I will fight for no other reason. The Volturi have given me several reasons to want to destroy them, but for our safety, it is not enough. Only one thing can make me stand up to them." I leaned into his hand, enjoying the touch that sent my mind and body soaring. I felt exactly the same way. I didn't have to say anything. Carlisle continued.

"Esme and I stand united, as apparently all of you do. For now, my conclusion is that we do not support this Tristan and his group. I do not wish them harm, but our family comes first. Hopefully this war does not come to our shores. We will have to stay alert for any signs that would put any of us in danger. Alice, you know what to do. We will stay here a few days, then return to Forks if all remains calm." Carlisle looked at me again. "For your sakes, I hope it remains calm."