I don't own Twilight.
A huge thank you to Stratan for all of his advice, editing and encouragement! He truly is the best beta anyone ever worked with!
Bella sat in my lap at her kitchen table as she spoke to her mother about our upcoming visit. I was anxious to get this conversation over with. Sam Uley wanted another meeting to discuss how to go about working together to take out the monsters that would be arriving next week.
I tightened my grip on Bella and closed my eyes. I breathed in her luxurious scent to try to calm myself down. I wouldn't allow Bella to see just how much the thought of those vile creatures being close to her affected me.
I laid my chin on her shoulder, pressing my cheek to hers and listened to her mother ramble on. She explained that Phil, Bella's stepfather would soon be going on a business trip that would take him to Boston. She planned to travel with him as Boston was a city that she had always wanted to visit. She sounded extremely excited about the trip; I don't think she even took a breath in the last ten minutes.
"That's great mom! I'm so excited for you. I've got an idea. Why don't Edward and I come to Boston too?" Bella had been on the phone with her mother for almost an hour, and had only just been able to tell her our plan to visit.
"Oh Bella that would be wonderful; I can't wait to meet the boy that has stolen your heart. Oh, we could visit some historical sites and Boston Harbor. Actually, it's supposed to be overcast and rather chilly until next Thursday, so maybe we'll just stick to indoor things like the mall. Wait, don't you have school?" Renee seemed just as scatterbrained as Bella had described.
"Mom, it's overcast and chilly in Forks all the time, so the weather won't bother me. Secondly, I hate shopping, and lastly, Spring break starts the day after tomorrow." Bella spoke to her mother in a tone that one would normally use when speaking to their child. While Renee was excited about the trip before, her enthusiasm doubled when she finally realized Bella could come with her.
"Okay baby, I gotta run. Phil's ready to go eat. Say 'hi' to your dad for me, and make sure you send me your flight details so I can meet you at the airport. Love you, bye."
"I will mom. Love you too, bye!" She hung up the phone, shaking her head indulgently.
"Okay Mr. Overprotective, I took care of getting us out of town next week. Now it's time to go see the wolves about protecting everybody else." Bella giggled. She hopped up, taking my hand and pulling me to my feet and out the front door.
Bella took the news of the nomads visit and what would have happened very seriously. She asked me if I had a plan and I explained Alice's visions to her. She listened as I lamented about my family asking me to let them handle the fight.
Bella was grateful to them for suggesting I sit out, she was afraid that I would let my love for her and my need to protect her make me careless. She was terrified for the family and the wolves, but relaxed when I assured her that Alice had seen everyone after the fight and no one had been injured.
Bella was thrilled at the prospect of going away with me for a week and was ecstatic about taking me to meet her mother.
Chief Swan had been very reluctant to agree, but after I explained that Bella and I would be staying in different hotel rooms, and Bella reminded him that Renee would be there to chaperone, he gave Bella permission to go.
We had arranged to meet the wolves in a more public setting this time. Carlisle thought that if there were humans around, it would make the wolves more careful and hopefully we wouldn't have a repeat of Paul's tantrum, so we were meeting in the private banquet room of the Lodge Restaurant here in Forks.
Bella was silent all the way to the restaurant. She would look over at me and smile from time to time and occasionally squeeze my hand that she was holding. I could see that she was worried but hopeful about the collaboration between us and the Quileutes.
I could hear the thoughts of my family approaching the parking lot as I pulled in and shut off the Volvo. They weren't looking forward to being surrounded by human food for the next couple of hours.
Carlisle and Esme were excited to get to know the wolf pack better, and Em was wondering if he could get any of them to spar with him. Rosalie was just concerned with getting their scent out of her clothes; she was considering burning them once she got home. Jasper, whose only interaction with the pups had ended with Paul attacking Carlisle, was plotting ways to subdue Paul if he gave the slightest indication that he was feeling violent. Alice was just frustrated with not being able to see around the wolves in order to see how this night would end.
"Edward, Bella!" Rachel called as I helped Bella out of the car.
"It's so good to see you again." She said as she pulled us both into a hug.
"Hey Rach, I've missed you too," Bella returned her embrace eagerly.
"You too Rachel, I trust you are well," I smiled as she nodded.
"Where is the rest of your family, Edward? I was hoping to meet them, especially Rosalie and Emmett. I want to thank them for that night in Port Angeles."
I smiled and nodded towards the entrance to the lot just as Carlisle's Mercedes entered followed by Rosalie's BMW and Alice's Porsche.
Holy shit the blond is hot. Jacob.
Who knew bloodsuckers could look like that? Jared.
I hope that tonight is the beginning of a new chapter between out kinds. Surely they see that we trust them since our imprints are here and they must trust us too… well enough to bring their females with them. Sam.
I blocked the thoughts of the other Quileutes so that I had no distractions as I listened closely for the only thoughts that I feared weren't friendly, and was unsurprised by what I heard. Paul was as belligerent as ever.
I can't believe Sam and Rachel. These fuckin' leaches don't want to work with us; they brought us here to kill us. There are seven of them and only five of us, and none of us have any real experience in this kind of thing. I bet that parasite that Bella's screwing is listening to our minds trying to figure out who to kill first.
I sighed heavily. Why couldn't he just have a little faith?
After everyone had been introduced to each other we entered the restaurant as a group.
Carlisle spoke with the host, who promptly led us to the formal banquet room at the rear of the restaurant. There was a single long table in the middle of the room with seven chairs on each side and one on each end.
Carlisle and Sam took the seats at either end of the table, and the rest of us filled in the remaining seats. It didn't escape anyone's notice that the Quileutes took one side and the Cullens the other. Jasper made sure to take the seat directly across from Paul, thinking that he could better control his emotions if he could look directly at him.
"Okay, before the server gets here, I think we should take a minute discuss ordering food. Everybody here knows that I'm the only one in my family that eats, and I know from Jake eating over at my place that you guys can eat a lot. Given this, I think in order to keep up appearances, the pack should order a second meal through one of the Cullens. Edward and I will share a meal for me to eat and Alice and Jasper should share one too that way there will be five dinners purchased and no food wasted." Bella was against wasting food and other items that were human necessities.
"Great idea, Bella. I pick Carlisle as my lunch buddy," Jacob chimed in.
"Okay, then I get Rosalie," Embry said suggestively, causing Emmett to laugh out loud.
"Not happening kid, she's mine!" Em continued to laugh, picturing Rose slapping some sense into Embry.
Emmett was ordering for Jared while Esme was ordering for Sam. Alice asked Paul what he would like for his second entrée but he refused to acknowledge her.
"He'll take the rib-eye Alice, medium-well please." Rachel ordered for him. He glared at Rachel but made no move to object. I was pleased that Rachel had control over him.
Once all of the orders were placed and the food arrived, we asked the server for privacy unless we called for them.
Bella and our guests ate while we discussed the reason that we had asked for this meeting. Alice and I explained her visions of the nomads, and Jasper relayed the best way to attack a mature vampire to the pack.
Sam was amazed at the amount of information we were willing to share about destroying another vampire. He was so enthralled with Jasper's instruction that I don't think that he meant to voice his thoughts.
"Why would you tell us this? Are you really prepared to kill some of your own kind?" he sighed and smiled sadly, apologizing for being rude.
"No, you're right. Most of our kind would be very disturbed by the knowledge that Jasper is imparting to you, but it's necessary for you to know these things so that you are prepared for this fight. It pains me to take a life, even from a creature such as these, but to protect my family and the people of Forks, I will," Carlisle stated grimly.
"Yep, and these pieces of filth had the nerve to come after my little sister, and that is unacceptable." Emmett growled.
"I second that. Bella is family, and any threat against the family will be annihilated." Jasper agreed.
"I've looked at this from all angles and I see that the best way to approach this is for the pack to take out the black haired male while Em, Rose and Esme take out the female, leaving Jazzy, Carlisle and me to take out James." Hearing his name caused a growl to rumble deep in my throat.
"Don't worry, Edward. He will pay for his crimes no matter how vague they are." Alice assured me.
"Wait, you aren't fighting? I thought for sure you'd be the first one in line to take out a threat on your pet, leech," Paul sneered.
"Enough, Paul!" Rachel and Sam scolded at the same time.
"Believe me, I want nothing more than to rip apart that loathsome, vile, despicable monster and anyone else who dares to put my Bella is danger, but Alice sees that I would let my emotions get in the way and I would be careless, causing someone to possibly get hurt, so I am taking her advice and accompanying Bella on a trip to visit her mother," I told him, my voice a low menacing growl.
"It's nice to know that someone around here is smart enough to know when to step aside and keep their emotions in check." Rachel glared at Paul as she said this. "By the way, Edward… I just wanted to thank you again for saving me in Port Angeles. I don't even want to imagine what would have happened if you didn't show up when you did. I'll always be in your debt. I also wanted to thank Rosalie and Emmett for making sure those monsters got the punishment they deserved."
I explained that I was glad that I was able to help. Emmett was serious for a change when he accepted her thanks. Rose outwardly responded with a simple 'you're welcome', but I could hear the rage in her thoughts against people like the men who attacked Bella and Rachel (and those who attacked her all those years ago), as well as the pride for the fact that she was able to play a part in protecting the girls from suffering a fate similar to hers.
"Whatever. Can we go now?" Paul had had enough play time with the bloodsuckers, and was aggravated to once again be reminded that his imprint had been saved by 'filthy leeches'. His mind was so full of hatred that I held very little hope that he would ever be able to get past it and try to be civil towards us.
"We're going soon, so just calm down a minute. What time do you want to start running patrols on Thursday?" Sam wanted this joint effort to go smoothly. He was looking forward to forging a lasting bond between our kinds.
"We have school, and Carlisle won't let us skip so it will have to be sometime after three." Emmett hated waiting for anything. If he had his way, he'd be out tracking the nomads right now.
"Yeah, we have school too. Well, Embry, Jared and I do. Man, I can't imagine how tortuous it would be to go to high school over and over. You all must be masochists or something." Jacob wasn't as bad as I had originally thought. He was quite decent when he wasn't thinking about my Bella.
"You have no idea how boring it gets, but Edward meeting Bella is turning this year into the best year of my very long high school career. She is just so damn entertaining with her blushing and tripping," Em laughed, causing several of the wolves to laugh with him.
"Okay, okay… enough laughter at my expense. It's been fun talking to you all, but I'm exhausted." Bella didn't look tired; in fact she had the mischievous gleam in her eye that meant we were going to spend the night wrapped up in each other. And that's exactly what we did. I kissed her senseless for hours and she slept peacefully in my arms all night long.
The next couple of days passed by in a blur, and before I knew it, Bella and I were at SeaTac Airport waiting for our flight to Boston.
Bella was browsing through a magazine that she had picked up at the terminal's newsstand, and I was trying to block out the thoughts of the other passengers waiting to board our flight.
There was one older man who was sure that the plane was going to crash and he was hurrying to get his will written on his laptop before he boarded what he kept referring to as 'the flying death machine'.
Once we were seated on the plane, Bella snuggled into my side and quickly fell asleep. She spent the entire flight sleeping and I spent it fighting fits of laughter at Mr. Flying death machine's internal monologue.
"Thank the lord for solid ground." he mumbled as the plane began its descent into Logan International. At this, I couldn't help an audible chuckle.
"Bella love, we're here." She sighed and stretched in her seat. She began bouncing, eager to see her mother, I would say.
I grabbed our bags from the luggage carousel, smiling as I watched Bella glance around for any trace of her mother.
I smiled as I caught the edge of Renee's thoughts. She was looking just as intently for Bella. I pointed Bella in the right direction and mentally prepped myself for this meeting.
This was the moment when I had to stop being Edward Cullen the vampire and start being Edward Cullen the human boyfriend. I would be spending an entire week, day and night, with Renee and Phil.
Of course, for decades we had lived among humans and blended in, or at least tried not be so conspicuous, but we'd usually kept people at a distance, and we'd always had the option of leaving. In fact, we'd had to exercise that option more than once.
I found myself wanting to do more than pass for a human while I was here. I had an almost insurmountable desire to earn Renee's approval. It was just as important as earning Charlie's respect had been. I wanted them to like me not only for my sake but for Bella's sake as well.
I remembered how nervous Bella had been coming to my home for the first time. She had been very nervous about meeting Carlisle and Esme, and I had to wonder if she felt the way I'm feeling now.
Bella walked rapidly from the gate to the lobby; she didn't trip or even stumble as she pulled me to a stop beside her mother. Renee looked a lot like Bella, only older yet somehow not quite as mature.
She looks different. I don't know what it is but she looks confident, more grown up. Wow, Edward is just as handsome as Bella implied over the phone!
"Mom, you look great!" Bella's face was alight with happiness. Bella dropped my hand and pulled her mother into a warm hug.
"So do you; both of you." Renee released Bella, turned to me and pulled me into a hug.
"It's very nice to meet you Mrs. Dwyer," I said politely as I briefly returned her hug. Renee wasted no more time as she dragged us to her rental car.
"Oh and call me Renee, please." she said as she remembered my greeting, "Mrs. Dwyer makes me feel old. Phil's busy this evening, so I thought the three of us could just go out for dinner. I want to get to know you better Edward." said Renee as we merged with traffic leaving the airport. Her mind was still overflowing with joy.
"Do you guys want to go out after dinner? It's still pretty early. I know that this is like a vacation for you."
"It is a vacation because I'm spending time with you." Bella reached over to squeeze her mother's hand.
"You are too sweet, Bella. Isn't she sweet Edward? What do you guys want for dinner? I know… why don't you pick Edward? What's your favorite kind of food?"
Bella stepped in and saved me, saying something about me being a teenage boy that could eat anything. We ended up going to a Chinese buffet.
Renee was ecstatic since Chinese was her favorite. I sat quietly and listened as Bella and her mother chatted energetically throughout the meal. Renee's mind was full of her daughter, and she wasn't troubled by my failure to eat or drink anything.
I listened to their conversation, basking in Bella's happiness. I wanted very much to hold her hand, and had to keep reminding myself that she needed both her hands to eat. She looked over at me frequently and seemed reassured by my rapt expression. I could tell that she was feeling the same need to touch me.
Bella was sharing the two bedroom suite that his company had gotten for Phil, and I was staying in the room next door. Or at least Renee and Phil thought I was. Bella and I both knew that I would be in her bed as soon as they went to sleep.
Phil was at the hotel when we arrived. He said a quick 'hello', and then headed off to bed. He had an early meeting in the morning. Bella yawned and acted as though she was sleepy too. I found that hard to believe since she had slept seven hours on the plane, but her wink told me that she just wanted to be alone with me.
To my surprise, Bella fell asleep very quickly after I joined her in her bed, but she had a restless night. She tossed and turned more than I had ever seen, and because she slept so lightly, she woke up very early.
I kissed her lips as her eyes fluttered open. She smiled her most beautiful smile, and then covered her mouth with both hands and swiftly hopped out of bed. She ran to the bathroom, and from the sound of the water running I could tell she was brushing her teeth.
She ran back to the bed, immediately wrapping one arm around my chest while the other drifted up to tangle in my hair. I wrapped both of my arms around her waist and held her to my body. I was in heaven, immersed in a world of Bella, surrounded by her scent, her warmth and the sounds of her breathing and her heart racing. She kissed my neck, and we lay quietly like that for a while – her kissing me and me breathing in her luscious scent.
Renee had planned out our entire trip. We went to the Museum of Fine Arts and then to the New England Aquarium while Phil was in meetings on Friday, and Boston Harbor on Saturday. Bella was so tired from running around with her mother all day that she slept deeply and didn't utter a single word either night.
On Sunday, Bella and I were left to our own devices as Phil's client was taking he and Renee out to dinner. Renee decided to spend the day shopping and going to the spa. She invited Bella, but she declined, saying she wanted to explore the city with me.
I was very glad not to have them around today, Alice had texted me this morning, saying that she had seen the confrontation happening today. I wanted no distraction as I waited for word from my family. I would be a wreck until I knew that the battle was over and everyone was safe.
It was almost dark when Alice called to assure me that all was well. We had won the battle, and everyone was fine. She predicted overcast skies over Boston all week. The sun wouldn't be making an appearance until Saturday. Bella and I would be back in Forks by then.
On Monday, Bella, Renee, and I went on the Freedom Trail and then took in a play performed on Boston Common while Phil continued to work with his client. Renee spent the morning and most of the afternoon observing Bella and me. I tried to stay out of her head out of respect, but certain things slipped through anyway.
I want her to wait. I want her to do more and see more before giving her heart and soul away. No Renee! Bella is not you! My daughter thinks for herself. She is strong and very wise. She has chosen Edward and I can see that he loves her right back.
I smiled at that and tried even harder to let her have her privacy.
The rest of the week passed by in much the same manner. I didn't have a chance to get to know Phil since he was always in meetings, trying to finish up the deal he was working on. From his thoughts, I could tell that he loved Renee very much and truly thought of Bella as his daughter. This was all I needed to know to like him.
Friday morning came before I knew it, and I was packing my things and getting ready for the flight home. We left our bags in the rental so that we could leave after having lunch with Renee and Phil.
It took all week, but Phil was able to close the deal. During lunch, he told us about the deal and explained that his company was very impressed with his efforts, and that there was the distinct possibility that he might be promoted. I could tell from his thoughts that he desperately wanted the promotion so that he could provide Renee with everything that she deserved. I could very much understand his feelings on this matter – I would give Bella the world if she but asked. While he was disappointed that he didn't get to spend more time getting to know me and enjoying Boston with Renee and Bella, he was very happy to have had a successful business trip.
Renee was so proud of what he accomplished this week, and it was as she was praising him that I could see the true resemblance between her and Bella. They both loved unconditionally and selflessly, and in Bella's case, eternally.
The ride to the airport was silent and thick with emotions. I could only imagine what poor Jasper would be going through right now.
Phil shook my hand and thanked me for making Bella so happy. He explained that he had been worried about her leaving home for his and Renee's benefit. I almost chuckled when I remembered that I had wanted to thank him the first day I met Bella. I had wanted to thank him for making Renee happy enough that Bella felt safe leaving her with him.
Renee hugged me and welcomed me to the family before pulling Bella into an embrace. They held each other until Phil reminded Renee that we still needed to get through security for our flight.
Once Renee released Bella, she threw herself into my arms and I sat down in a chair near the gate pulling her into my lap. I kissed her until her tears and sniffles had completely run out.
I heard the attendant's thoughts before he spoke, so I stood up, keeping Bella cradled in my arms. I squeezed her tightly for one moment and leaned in for a kiss, savoring the tingling pleasure of her soft, warm lips on mine, and then I carefully set her on her feet.
"They're calling our flight, love. It's time to go home."