Hey everyone, so this chapter is a bit choppy. Sorry for that. It's just that I wanted to get some things taken care of and out of the way so I could progress further with deeper plots. All right, so to answer a few questions and explain a few things.

As far as Edward's mate goes, she will not be coming along for a while.

I'm am setting things up so that the Cullens have good ground with the Volturi. The song used later in this chapter is Fallen Angel by Frankie Valli. Just to let you all know I always use songs from musicals in my fanfictions. My top five favorites being Wicked, the Phantom of the Opera, Jersey Boys, South Pacific, and Into the Heights. I finally saw the traveling show of the Phantom of the Opera today. It was amazing! I have a thing for Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons so don't be surprised if you see more of the songs in the story.

Ok so as far as Esme goes, I don't hate her but she definitely has some issues to work out. You'll notice I mention Laurent and so that can only lead to the girl beginning with a V. Not yet of course but her time with come.

All right. That's all I really have to say for now.

Enjoy and review!

Chapter Fourteen

Lessons of a Fallen Angel

"You're getting what?" Charlie gawked.

"Charlie, calm down, you should be happy for them." Sue cooed as she tried to calm her husband.

Yeah, Sue Clearwater married Charlie. Everyone couldn't believe it. No one thought that Charlie would ever remarry. Oh, and by the way, Charlie accidently found out about the werewolves when on the res one day and so he knows about vampires.

"Charlie, calm down." Bella coaxed.

"Sir, I love your daughter more than anything. She is my soul mate. I promise that I'll protect her with my life."

Charlie was trying to take in the fact that his daughter was engaged to a vampire that was over three hundred years old and that Bella was now a vampire.

"It's not that that I'm worried about, Carlisle. You're a good man. It's just Bella use to be with Edward…"

"I know that was what prevented both of us from pursuing our feelings for one another. We thought it was wrong. Then when Bella published her book she sent out the message for my family and I to come find her. When we saw each other we couldn't deny the love. Bella has known about our kind since she was with Edward."

"I love him, Charlie." Bella swooned as she leaned her head against Carlisle's shoulder.

"Well if you're happy then you have my blessing."

Bella jumped up off the couch and flung her arms around Charlie, careful not to crush him.

Then she went to hug Sue.

"I'm so happy for you, Bella." Sue chimed as she hugged her stepdaughter.

"Thanks, Sue. I'm so happy that I'm marrying Carlisle."

"Now how do you plan on explaining all of this to Renee?" Charlie asked.

"Um."

"I mean look how pale you are and you sound different."

"Yeah, I guess I didn't really think about it. I mean the cover story for when we get married is that all the wedding planning stressed me out and so I got sick and I still haven't fully gained my color back. Alice took over so that everything could get finished and I could get better."

"That's actually a decent cover story. Though they'll wonder why you didn't get a tan."

"I don't do fake."

"That works, too."

Just then there was a knock at the door.

"Oh, I forgot to tell Billy and Jake that you were coming." Charlie looked worried.

"Might as well face the music." Bella sighed.

Charlie got up to answer the door. Bella sat back down and Carlisle grabbed one of her hands. He rubbed circles on the back of her hand with his thumb.

"Hello, Charlie, ready to watch football?" Billy asked.

"Of course, come in."

Bella watched both Jake and Billy come in.

"Oh, we didn't know that you had company."

"We were just on our way out." Bella chimed. "I came to visit, Charlie to inform him of my engagement."

Bella stood up and hugged sue once more. Carlisle followed in suit and did the same. Then they walked over to Charlie and said their goodbyes.

"Bella." Jake gawked. "You're a bloodsucker!"

Bella didn't comment.

"Bella, they violated the treaty." Billy pointed out.

"To save my life, Billy. The Volturi would have killed me otherwise."

"I don't like it." Jake huffed.

"You don't have to."

Bella hugged her father one last time and then walked out the door.

Right as they were about to get in Carlisle's Mercedes Jake came out of the house.

"Bella, we need to talk."

"What is there to say?"

"Why did you do this? Was one vampire not good enough for you?"

"I love Carlisle. That's all that matters."

"Excuse me, Jacob, but I think you're only looking at this one sided. Bella is happy and that is all that should matter." Carlisle defended his mate and their relationship.

"Come on, Carlisle. Let's go. I don't want him to spoil my good mood."

"Anything for you, Love." Carlisle cooed and then helped Bella into her seat.

Not that she needed help but it was his chivalrous and gentlemanly nature to do so. He ran around the front of the car and then hopped in the driver's side. He peeled out of the driveway and headed back towards Seattle.

…

Of course their plane was delayed because it was raining. They sat in the airport waiting. Carlisle had his arm around Bella and she was snuggled into his side with her eyes closed.

"I'm really happy that we're getting married." She sighed as she nuzzled her head against his chest.

"Me too, and I'm so glad that we set a date."

"I know, June 15 is going to be my favorite day of every year."

"You're going to be the most beautiful bride that ever walked down the aisle."

"And you'll be the most handsome groom to ever get laid on the aisle."

"Very funny, Bella, I don't think that is something I want our guests to see."

"Thought so."

Carlisle lowered his head and pressed his lips against hers. She tasted so sweet. He didn't know how in the world he got to lucky to have her.

"You know I was just thinking about how good you were last night." Bella chimed as she fisted her hand in Carlisle's hair.

"Oh, yeah, last night was so good, Isabella. I didn't even know that it was possible to bend that way."

"I thought you handled my young body pretty well, Old man." She chuckled as she licked his bottom lip.

"Oh, so I'm an old man now." He growled playfully.

"Well, I did teach an old vampire some new tricks last night."

"Hey that move was not invented when I was born."

"I know. That's why I taught it to you." Bella lowered her voice to make sure that no humans could hear. "Because it felt good."

"Isabella, don't do this to me here. There are children here." He panted.

With a sigh Bella stopped kissing him and went back to snuggling into his side. She pulled out her laptop and went back to writing.

"I didn't mean that you had to ignore me." Carlisle whined.

He wrapped his arms around her and watched her write.

Then rain stopped an hour later and everyone boarded the plain. Of course Carlisle was use to traveling first class. Bella on the other hand was not. This was also her first time on a plane since the transformation. She knew that she would be fine but she couldn't help but worry a little about the smell of everyone's blood. The couple was quite content sitting right next to each other in comfy chairs. They were happily seated in the back of the cabin away from wandering eyes.

"Isabella." He whispered once they were in the air.

She moaned softly in reply.

"Please, Isabella, I need you to control yourself. I want you just as badly."

Bella sighed happily. She rested her head on his chest and smiled. He kissed the top of her head and sighed happily as well as he began to rub her back. Even as a vampire that action calmed and pleased her. Bella had always liked having her back rubbed when being kissed but now, though it may not be necessary to ease pain, it was a comfort and it felt good to her. He knew what his mate liked.

"Well isn't that sweet." He heard an elderly woman croon to her husband as they looked over at Carlisle and Bella.

Carlisle smiled appreciatively at her.

"I was just thinking, at the wedding…" Bella murmured.

"Yes, Love." He replied. "What were you thinking?"

"I want to write my own vows."

"So do I, my love."

She nuzzled his chest with her head and smiled.

"So where are we going for the honeymoon?"

"It's a secret."

"Then I'll ask Alice."

"She's sworn to secrecy."

"Darn it."

"So why don't we work on the guest list." Carlisle suggested.

Bella pulled out her computer and opened a blank word document.

"All right, let's get down to business."

Carlisle snuggled closer to his fiancé and wrapped an arm around her shoulder.

"Well Charlie, Sue, Renee, and Phil." Bella started out and typed them up.

"Eleazar, Carmen, Tanya, Kate, Irina, and Laurent."

"Laurent!" She squeaked.

"Sh. Love, he's with Irina now. He won't cause any harm. He is not interested in human blood. He has changed his ways."

Bella let out a sigh of relief.

"We should also invite the Amazon Coven: Zafrina, Senna, and Kachiri. The Egyptian Coven: Amun, Kebi, Benjamin, and Tia. The Irish Coven: Maggie, Siobhan, and Liam. The Romanian Coven: Stefan and Vladimir."

"You sure have a lot of friends. We have to invite Bree, Diego, Hope, Ryan, and my aunts and uncles and cousins. Our family is going to be in the wedding so that's taken care of. We also have to invite Aro, Caius, and Marcus. I assume that means we must expect his guards, Jane, Alec, Felix, and Dimitri."

Bella pounded away at the keyboard as she typed up all the names.

"And you're college friends." Carlisle reminded her.

Bella added them too, which made the list a whole lot longer.

"So who's your best man?"

"Jasper." Carlisle swiftly replied. "And who is your maid of honor?"

"I don't have much of a choice in this one. Alice."

Carlisle couldn't stop himself from laughing.

"She certainly had fun at Ryan and Hope's wedding this week." He commented.

Bella had to contain herself from laughing. Alice had basically almost blown up on Hope because the wedding was not up to Alice standards. Bella had to keep her hand clamped over her sister's mouth to stop her from making Hope upset.

"Rosalie, Bree, and Hope are my bridesmaids."

"Emmett, Edward, and Eleazar are my groomsmen."

"All E's." Bella giggled.

"Yes, I guess they are."

"I know how to find out where we're going for our honeymoon."

Carlisle raised an eyebrow.

"How?"

"I'll ask Edward because he can read your and Alice's minds."

"He's sworn to secrecy as well."

"But I don't like surprises." Bella whined.

"You'll like this one. Besides if you're a good girl and don't try to find out where we are going for our honeymoon I'll make extra good love to you on the beach at night after we talk with Renee."

"I'll be good." Bella giggled.

…

Esme sat in her room in Volterra, her head slumped against the wall of the window seat of the castle.

"Esme." Marcus spoke softly.

She turned her head to see him staring at her.

"I don't know what to do, Marcus. I never thought that Edward was going to stay."

Marcus chuckled softly. These predicaments where those in which Esme lacked wisdom due to her age or lack of will. Though she had possessed it in her younger years time had made her lazy. He took a few steps towards her and simply enjoyed the view out the window.

"He made his choice. Every son needs a father to look up to. Aro tried to be that for him but Aro could see that Carlisle would serve as the only father figure for Edward. Aro received a letter from Edward a few days ago. He has settled in with his family. He and Isabella have talked things out and are working on rebuilding their friendship. He feels he has made the right choice by going home for he has begun to feel like himself again. He will keep in contact with Aro for he has gained deep respect for him. He sends his best regards to you."

Marcus sighed and nodded.

"You know, Esme. I saw how you looked at Carlisle."

Esme hissed in reply.

"I do not wish to be with him. I simply wish that Bella was not his mate."

"It is not your role to decide who's mate is whom."

"But she is so young."

"You were also young when Carlisle found you. I'd advise you to not play around with their love affair. The Volturi may see others as pieces on a chessboard but that does not mean we are heartless creatures. I know that Aro killed my wife to prevent me from leaving. Though I hate him for it I do not stack my cards against him. There are rational and irrational plays in the game of chess and either way the result is the same. Someone loses and someone wins. Your time with Carlisle has come and gone and now it is simply time for him to be with his soul mate. You did love the man at one point. Where is that woman that I've known? There was a time where you acted on compassion and out of selflessness, but now you have to find reasons that benefit yourself. Now you seek to act based on outcome and satisfaction for yourself. Though I may not believe in God like your ex husband, I do believe that it is not always our role to play Him. I know that the Volturi is seen as royalty and authority but it is to protect our kind. Who are any of us to decide who loves whom? I know I am the quiet one normally but the one who says little hears everything. I was only around Carlisle and his mate for a short time and that was all I needed to see why they fit together. They are very much alike. The way she stood up for her friends was impressive. It was much like the way Carlisle stands up for others. You use to be that way but I don't know where that wonderful woman has gone. You have given me physical satisfaction but I miss the woman that you use to be on the inside."

Esme merely stared at Marcus. He was never a man of many words, but here he stood speaking words of true wisdom.

"I think I need to talk to Carlisle. Then I'll come back here sort my life out."

Marcus turned to leave and whispered under his breath.

"Some of us never learn to leave the garden even after the fruit has rotted."

…

Phil had to leave to go see a friend after picking up Carlisle and Bella from the airport with Renee. Renee hadn't known who Bella was bringing with her. She had only known that it was someone special and that Bella had big news. Bella, Carlisle, and Renee sat in the living room. Carlisle was just as nervous as Bella. Things had gone almost too easily at Charlie's.

"So what's the big news, Baby?" Renee asked as she looked at how much her daughter had changed.

She saw that Bella was as pale as well, Carlisle.

"Well." Bella said as she crossed her legs and took Carlisle's hand. "Carlisle and I are engaged."

Renee froze with a look of horror.

"You're what?" She gaped.

"Mrs. Dwyer, I love your daughter. She is the most special and wonderful woman that I have ever met. I know it seems sudden but there's no denying our love. We've already wasted so much time being apart and torturing ourselves and we want to be married as soon as possible. I know you must be concerned about our age differences but I assure you that my intentions are good and that I truly do love her."

"But Carlisle, I remember when I saw you after the accident, you haven't…"

"I know, Renee, I can't tell you everything. It's for your own good. Bella knows and is what I am. We don't change."

"I don't care about that. But she use to be with Edward, your adopted son…"

"Mom." Bella defended. "Edward wasn't right for me. We are friends now, but Carlisle is my soul mate. I have loved Carlisle from the day we met and he has loved me since then as well."

"So where you cheating on Edward with his father back then? And you, Carlisle, were you having an affair while you were still married?"

"Mom!" Bella stood up off the couch. "Don't you even… I thought you knew my judgment better than that? Carlisle and I were not having an affair."

Carlisle stood and spoke to Renee. "Mrs. Dwyer, can I have a word with you alone?" He asked.

She reluctantly agreed and stepped outside with him.

"Mrs. Dwyer, I understand your concern. This is definitely not a normal relationship. My family and I are different and you can ask Bella and she will tell you that she finally feels normal with my family and I. I love your daughter for she is my saving grace. I should have never wanted her when we knew each other back in Forks, but I couldn't help myself. I never pursued her then. When my ex wife left me I felt terrible for feeling for Bella. You see, Esme and I had been having problems long before Bella came into our lives. Esme used my growing feelings for Bella as an excuse for the timing of our divorce, but it was not the cause because she could have cared less. Bella blamed herself for the divorce I didn't know that until a few weeks ago when we saw each other for the first time in eight years. I went into depression because I thought she hated my family and I after Edward left her. Isabella is my life and she is my queen. I am the luckiest bastard to have her for I don't deserve her love. She is kind and caring. She is so selfless. Not only does she make me happy but she makes my family happy. It has been years since I saw them so animated. Jasper, Emmett, and Alice have their sister back that they have very much missed. Rosalie, who use to resent Bella when she was with Edward, and supported me during my depression, has life in her again because Bella has returned and now the two of them are like sisters. Edward is living with all of us again and the two of them are friends. I am going to spend the rest of my life proving myself worthy and worshiping your daughter. She has given me back my appetite for my life. I'm in love with your daughter and I long for the day that won't come soon enough that I can call her my wife."

Renee stood there stunned. Carlisle knew how to talk but she couldn't shake the fact that this man was the adoptive father of her daughters ex.

"I'm sorry, Carlisle, but I can't accept this. It's too weird."

Just then Bella threw the door open and if she could cry she would have angry tears streaming down her face.

"Mom, I love Carlisle and he loves me. I am so happy with him."

"But Bella, you've been back together for a few weeks. You're moving too fast and besides he's Edward's father. It's not right."

"Of course you would say that. I should have known it was too easy when Charlie and Sue were ecstatic."

"Your father actually approves of this?" Renee gawked.

"Of course. He has always been a big fan of Carlisle. When everyone would criticize the Carlisle and his, my, family, Charlie always stood up for them, even when it was against Billy. Dad couldn't be happier. He knows that Carlisle will take care of me and love honestly. And Sue was so happy."

"Sue wasn't even with Charlie when you lived in Forks." Renee protested.

"Oh don't you start with me, Mom. I spent a lot of time on the Res when I was in my senior year because of Jake. I spent a good amount of time with Sue and she knows just what a dark place I went into. She knows how not myself I was then. You weren't even there to help me through it! You just stayed with Phil and told me on the phone that time would heal things its own and that it would get better or that I would grow out of it! Everyone on the res took care of me. Even though Sue wasn't with Charlie she cared for me like a mother would. I spent so much time taking care of you when I lived with you I never got to be a kid. I love you, Mom, but you're hurting me right now. I mean, I moved from the place that I loved, Arizona, for you so that you could go off and be happy with Phil. Sure it lead me to the Cullens and I got to spend time with my father but I did it for you. Now do this for me, be happy for me. Because if you can't be I will walk out of here right now and go back home."

She gave Renee a few minutes to compose a reply.

Carlisle saw easily that his mate was upset. He took Bella in his arms and whispered sweet words of love and adoration to her but loud enough for Renee to hear. He rubbed her back and kissed the top of her head. He hated to see his love so upset. Minutes seemed like days as they waited for Renee to speak. He knew that Bella was thinking of the worst as her mother continued to remain silence. He could feel it in her.

"I'm sorry, but I just can't accept this. I need time."

That was all Bella needed to go into the house, gather her and Carlisle's things with him right on her heels and head out the door.

"I'm sorry, Renee, once her mind is made up about leaving there isn't much I can do to convince her to stay. I beg you to think this over and talk to her. There's no telling how long she'll brood over this."

Carlisle followed Bella out the door and called a taxi. They were going home early.

…

Bella hadn't spoken a word since they left Renee's. This had Carlisle extremely worried. When they got on the plane she merely sat staring at nothing. He missed the lack of contact and her tearless sobs killed him. Finally once in the air he took her hand and put it to his lips. He moved the bar up between them and loosened her belt. He pulled her over so that her shoulders and head rested on his chest.

"Love, it's killing me. Talk to me."

"I'm surprised you want me after my mother rejected us." She whimpered lowly.

He gasped in shock.

"Oh, Bella, my feelings have not changed. Nothing can waver them. It's your mother's loss if she cannot accept us. She will come around, I know it."

"It hurts so much." She whimpered again.

"Oh, Isabella, I'm right here for you. Just keep talking to me. Don't shut me out."

"Tell me something pretty." She pleaded.

He nodded and spoke the words of a famous song that he knew she would know. Though he spoke the words his voice was melodic.

"You're home again, I'm glad you kept the key

Been waiting here, it seems a million years to me

But hush now I know you're all cried out

It's all right inside, I've had no doubt

About your love for me

I can see behind the tears

I'm certain of the way we feel

And given time the hurt will heal.

You're home again so won't you close the door

Stay here with me and

We'll forget what's gone before

Just hold me tight

Our love is gonna make it right

Put shadows ways beyond recall

The ghost has almost gone.

Fallen angel, I'll forgive you anything

You can't help the things you do

Now something's gotten hold of you.

Fallen angel, got a demon in your soul

And later when the fever's gone

I'll be here where you belong."

Bella sighed and the sobs stopped. Carlisle always knew just what to do to make her feel better. He was telling her that he was here for her no matter what. She was in pain but he was going to be there for her no matter what.

"There, there, Love. No matter what, I love you."

"I love you, too." Bella replied as she looked up into his eyes and smiled.

Carlisle sealed his promise with a kiss.