MOVING FORWARD AGAIN

Disclaimer: The Cullen's, the Swans, and most of the characters mentioned in the story that are known from Stephanie Meyer's beloved Twilight Saga, are all hers and hers alone. I neither have nor wish to pass them off as mine. I do appreciate the fact that she did bring them to life and allows us to play with them in our imaginations. The only thing I will claim is the current storyline.

This chapter has been beta'd by the best, dowlingnana.

As Alec opened his mouth to explain the phone rang again, he looks down to see the number and then answers with a smile on his face and a raised hand for everyone to wait for a moment while at the same time putting the call on speaker.

"Bella, you and I need –"he starts at the same time as Bella is saying "Alec, you and I need to talk." They both chuckle together and then Alec tells Bella to go ahead to state why she was calling, but, he expects her to listen to what he has to say afterwards. She agrees with that.

"Alec, can you tell me why from time to time I keep hearing Edward's voice on your phone?"

CHAPTER 14: CHANGES ARE COMING

"Moma! Moma, you need to come and see. Marc is trying to jump the fences." Marie came rushing in yelling about her brother and the feat that he is trying to do. She wants her mother to witness it, but, she didn't realize that Bella was on the phone at the time she came into the room yelling.

Right behind her comes Roger Madison and as he starts to speak to Bella, also, never realizing that she is trying to conduct a phone conversation, he swings Marie upon his shoulder and begins, "That son of yours is one hard headed little cuss. He is determined to conquer jumping in a big way."

"Okay, the both of you go on and I'll be there in a minute. Tell Marc I said to wait. Let me get through with this call." And with that both man and child exit the room leaving Bella alone once more to finish her conversation, but, before she can utter one letter of a word a lot of shouting could be heard coming from outside.

"Moma said to wait!" Marie could be heard screaming at her brother.

"Damn, Alec, hold a minute." Bella speaks into the phone as she rushes towards the door. Then on the other end of the phone Alec along with everyone else gathered can hear, "Marc Anthony Cullen, if you can't wait as instructed then you can get your butt off that horse this instant. Do I make myself clear?"

"Bella, I'm sorry, but, he is in one of his moods today and no matter what anyone says he is determined to do the opposite." Charlotte informs her.

"Don't worry; he's like his father in every way that the imagination can conceive." Bella didn't hear the chuckling that was happening as the people holding overheard the comments being made by Bella and others.

"That I can agree to, but, then Marie isn't lacking in that area, either." Charlotte commented with a light chuckle along with Bella as they think about some of Marie's adventures.

"So true. So true, but, at least, we have been able to make sure they are as normal as they can be considering they are without their father. I know he would be proud to see how well and normal they are." Bella spoke with a slight catch, and the sound of tears in her voice, being fully unaware that said father along with his family are listening into the conversation.

Suddenly, Bella remembers that she has an open line with Alec holding on and able to hear all that is being said. As she steps back in to finish the call she tells her children to wait for just a moment as she will be out to see what is going on. "Alec, sorry about that and as you can hear right now isn't going to be a good time to discuss what I started to ask. So, with that in mind I'm going to need for you to come here so we can talk. I will expect to see you within two days. We are located in a little town called Silver Springs that is located in Montana. Once you arrive I'll have someone meet you and bring you out to the Lazy C. I don't think I need to say that I'm trusting for this information to be kept quiet from everyone, especially James Cunningham."

"Bella, I need to te-"Alec started to say, but, was interrupted as Bella told him that she had to go and hung up. After she did hang up she took the time to dismantle the phone used in preparation to dispose of it the same as she does with all of the others as a precaution to keep the family location safe and undetected.

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As Alec slowly, but, quietly without saying a single word to anyone present, hits the end button on his phone, he is in just as much stunned shock as the rest of the people in the room seem to be. However, it doesn't take him long to snap back to reality enough to turn and say, "Edward, go pack. It seems we have a destination and an appointment awaiting our arrival."

With that statement it seemed that was all that was needed to release the halted movement amongst the other occupants. Everyone was excited with the information that was just received. They all began to speak at the same time to quit at the same time. Finally, they all just began to laugh and the more they did the tears started to fall. They now knew where Bella and the children were and that the twins were being normal children. Bella had been doing a good job of helping them adjust to the many changes in their lives as she has been doing ever since Edward had disappeared.

"Well, son, you better get to moving. Don't forget to call in ill to help cover the fact you aren't going to be available at work. That way no attention will be drawn to your absence, if for some reason it might be commented upon by a member of the board.

"Also, I notice that you are chopping, as the saying goes, at the bit, Alice, but, I don't think that it would be a good idea for you to show up. It is likely to do more harm than good. At this point, Alec is taking Edward since he is more or less the reason for the discussion that was interrupted. You weren't part of that discussion.

"I also think that it would be a good idea for Merriweather to go with you. He is directly involved in the investigation, and, can fill her in better firsthand as to its progression; as well as ask any questions that he might need answers from her in regards to everything that had taken place up to this point that she was immediately handling." Carlisle said speaking to everyone in the room.

Alec and Merriweather, both, began moving towards the door, but, Alec stopped just as quickly as he had begun moving and turned to face Edward and the rest of the family, "Edward, how long will it take you to get ready? Do you want me to pick you up here or wait for you at the airport?"

"Pick me up here and we'll leave together. If it is at all possible to get a private plane at this point it might be better and not draw any attention. The last thing we want to do is alert anyone as to what is happening and then lead them to where Bella and the children are living now."

"I agree with that. I'll see what can be done about the plane." And with that Alec and John Merriweather turned back around and left.

During this whole time Alice had been quietly stewing after Carlisle had spoken about her not going to her cousin. After all this time and worry about what was going on and what was happening to Bella and the twins; to be admonished by her father in law for wanting to go be with Bella was upsetting. She wasn't happy about that in the least. Alice felt like she should be included in the party that was going, after all she was blood family to Bella.

Jasper was acutely aware of his wife's various moods and reactions to things, he understood how she thought and knows that she was close to blowing at the moment. So, to head off any upset he quietly walked over to put his arm around her waist and maneuvered her out of earshot of the others. "Honey, I know you want to go, but, stop and think. How would it look if you went when she doesn't even know about Edward as yet? What would you be able to contribute to help get all of this mess with Cunningham finished? And, then if anyone happened to see you heading out it just might give them reason to follow and then find Bella and the twins."

"I didn't think about that last part. I guess you're right. None of us wants him or his filthy gang of thugs anywhere near them."

"That's right. Besides only one person is supposed to know where she is at the moment and that person is her attorney. So, imagine how she is going to react with Edward showing up and then the third person, John Merriweather. Do you think Alec is going to have an easy time explaining before she launches an attack against him or certain parts that might need protection before he faces her?" And with that thought both snicker at the thought of Bella attacking Alec and the pictures that come to mind of the areas she might be targeting.

Two hours later Alec and John were back to pick up Edward and heading out towards the plane that would be taking them to Bella. Alec explained after they were underway that he would be driving to a private airfield two hundred miles away so no one would be able to notice they were together to catch a plane. Also, that the flight plan filed didn't take them directly to Bella's location, but, an entirely different state away from her. They would rent a car and then drive to the appointed location where she was arranging for someone to meet them, or, rather Alec.

Alec further explained that they would all have plenty of time to plan how they would handle things once they arrived at their destination. Arriving ahead of schedule would give them time to check things out and make sure no one was following them as well. Once arriving Alec would be able to let Bella know that he was early as he was sure that she would be contacting him again with final arrangement plans. That was just her way of doing things; never leaving anything half finished or not under some sort of control.

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She was disappointed that she hadn't been able to discuss the issue about imagining hearing Edward's voice during her phone conversations with Alec. But, Marc was being his father's son by wanting to do things his way at his time. This was a situation that had to have priority over her own personal desires. Her children came first at all times.

There was a bit of discomfort about giving out the information of where she and the children were living now, but, she trusted Alec. He hadn't ever given her a reason not to do so.

All of those thoughts quickly ran through her mind as she watched Marc performing with what he had learned riding his horse. That had been a moment or two that fear gripped her heart as he looked as if he was about to lose his seat during small, low jumps, but, his excitement at what he was accomplishing was tangible and brought a smile to his mother's face. He was doing well.

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Sitting and relaxing later in the evening after the children had been put to bed, Bella thought back over the brief conversations she has had with Alec over the last bit of time and the hearing of Edward's voice.

She was a little uncomfortable about bringing Alec to the Lazy C, but, she needed answers and this seemed the only way to get them uninterrupted.

"Oh, well, it's time to move forwards again and deal with what seems to be happening and find out why." She mumbled aloud as she got up, turning out the lights as she went throughout the house heading for her bedroom and needing to get a good night's sleep.

A/N: It seems as if a big surprise is heading Bella's direction. How do you thing she is going to react?

Hope you enjoy this as much as you all have my other stories and will take the time to let me know. Looking forward to reading and answering your comments and reviews.

This story will update about every two to three weeks since I have so many stories all going at one time.