Chapter Twenty

Kerri

I wasn't happy about any of this, no one seemed to know anything about the dog guardians yet they were going to rely on Lucky to keep them safe and keep Adam's secret from Aro. I knew if they failed then my baby might be the next target, but I couldn't find it in my heart to regret becoming pregnant with Emmett's child. We'd survive somehow and if the worst happened maybe we might learn a valuable lesson that would protect our own baby. I intended to keep my fingers crossed for my friends, and in truth, I sent up a prayer every night for their safe return.

Emmett

We all assembled to see Jasper, Bella and Lucky off hoping for the best but fearing the worst as Adam clung to Bella and Jasper as if afraid he might never see them again. I knew he was feeling our apprehension through Jazz but we couldn't help the way we felt.

When it was time Bella picked him up and after kissing him one more time, handed him to Peter.

"You be a good boy for Uncle Peter and Auntie Charlotte and enjoy your adventure. I want to hear all about it when we get back and I promise we'll be back very soon. Remember that we love you more than anything in this world."

Jasper kissed his son for what might be the very last time and then shook hands with me but I needed more and I pulled him into a bear hug. "You better get back here real soon Major. My kids gonna learn how to fight from the expert."

Jazz nodded without speaking and I knew he was already distancing himself from us so he could concentrate on the problem ahead. He kissed Kerri on the cheek absently then took Bella's hand in his and led her to the car.

"We'll see you soon."

Lucky came over and gave each of us a long stare before putting his front paws on Adam's shoulders and licking his face then he jumped into the back of the car and they drove off.

Carlisle

I watched them drive off and hoped fervently I would be welcoming them back soon. If not, then all that was left of our once extensive family were Emmett and Rosalie, both of who were standing beside me now. As the car drove out of sight Rose turned to Adam,

"Come on Titch, let's go for a last ride on the motorbikes before you leave with Peter and Charlotte".

He wriggled out of Peters grasp and ran off to the barn with Rose while Peter turned to look at me,

"Carlisle I don't like this one fucking bit. You've never heard of this guardian group yet The Major is putting his life in the mutts paws."

I nodded,

"For once I agree with you Peter but what can we do? I can't leave Kerri and you have the responsibility of keeping Adam safe."

He looked at me and kicked a huge divot out of the ground in frustration. "There must be something we can do. Is there anyone who could check on it for you?"

I thought for a moment,

"Well if I can get in touch with Alistair he might know something. He's studied these groups over the centuries."

Peter threw me his cell phone,

"Well, what are you waiting for Doc?"

Jasper

As we drove out of the yard I knew I was leaving a group of very unhappy and suspicious people. Bella felt the same suspicion of Lucky, but like me, she knew it was the only option we had. She took my hand in hers and squeezed,

"We will be back soon, Jazz."

I glanced over and nodded, wondering if it was a statement or if she was looking for some reassurance. Lucky who had phased once we were out of sight of the others sat in the back quietly, watching us then he smiled,

"You still don't trust me do you?"

Bella turned,

"Why should we? We know nothing about you or your group but we are putting our lives in your hands."

He nodded,

"Fair comment, but I am also walking into the line of fire with you, impersonating your son."

I turned,

"We only have your word for that, you could turn on us as soon as we get to Volterra."

Again he nodded,

"Yes true, but what have I gained? Your friends wouldn't give up Adam to save you now, would they? And Bella wouldn't work for Aro anyway. So you have to ask yourselves what would I gain from double-crossing you?"

I looked at him,

"Oh I'm working on that, and if you do try to double cross me I will kill you."

Bella

I listened to the exchange between Jazz and Lucky but I had to admit I couldn't see Lucky's angle either. Adam was safe with Peter and Charlotte and that was the most important thing to us, everything he said made sense but it was weird looking at the face of our son and talking to a stranger.

Jasper turned back to watch the road, we were nearly at the airport now and in a couple of hours, we would be on our way to Italy. I looked out of the window at the countryside flashing past as if I were saying goodbye. Then a problem struck me,

"Hey, how do we get you on the plane? Are you traveling as a dog or as a boy?"

He grinned,

"You use Adam's passport of course. I never liked the cargo hold, too cold and noisy."

I couldn't tell if he was joking or not, but then it didn't really matter as long as he could keep his side of the bargain.

The flight was on time and we sat together in silence each lost in our own thoughts and the flight attendant, after her first attempt at offering Bella and me refreshments got the message and left us alone, concentrating on our little boy instead.

"Don't you ever get bored with not eating, drinking, sleeping, all the usual things you did as humans?"

Lucky was obviously enjoying the attention as well as the meal and I wondered once again what his true form was. Jazz couldn't be bothered to answer his question but I was prepared to chat, to learn a little more about him.

"Not really, it just makes things awkward sometimes. Like now, when we are close to lots of humans who might notice."

He nodded spearing another piece of chicken.

"Yeah. I can see that might be difficult."

His eyes flickered to Jazz,

"So, do you still dislike me, Major?" "

Jazz looked at him coldly.

"I don't like or dislike you Lucky, I just don't trust you."

He smiled at that,

"Can't say I blame you. I guess I'm like the Quileutes, a necessary evil under the circumstances."

Jazz closed his eyes to show the conversation was over as far as he was concerned and I guided his head onto my shoulder.

"That's nice, I like to see a couple who are really devoted to each other. One day soon I'll see my mate again."

Lucky had a mate? Then he was much older than I had thought, maybe as old as Jasper or even Carlisle. I guess seeing him only as a dog or the mirror image of our son I had imagined him being very young.

"You have a mate? How do you cope being away from your mate for so long?"

He smiled,

"Oh yes Bella I have a mate, or rather an imprint to be more accurate and we've been together nearly a hundred years. We miss each other when we're parted but it's great when we meet up again."

I had to smile at that.

"When will you be seeing her again?"

He looked at me with a little smile,

"Soon I hope, as soon as this little affair is over, Bella. So you see I have a vested interest too although I admit I will miss Adam. He's a great kid, he has all the best qualities of his mother and father."

Once he'd finished his meal he reclined his seat, closed his eyes, and was asleep in seconds.

It was like he had an inbuilt clock, he woke just as the "Fasten seat belts" sign lit up.

"So, not long now and we'll be back on a flight out of here again."

I looked at him skeptically,

"You think so?"

He smiled, "Tell you what, if I'm right you get to explain to Adam why I didn't come back with you. After this assignment, I have a vacation due and I don't plan on missing it."

I glanced at Jazz who looked into his eyes but I could tell he couldn't feel Lucky's emotions. He laughed at Jasper's attention,

"I don't think so, Major. Do you honestly think I'd let you wander around my emotions? Just remember you are my natural enemy as much as you are to the wolves or the guardians. I'm only helping you because this is the lesser of two evils. You'll just have to wait and see how reliable I am."

He was right of course and we would both watch and wait, but if he betrayed our family we would take him down with us.

I guess the question we had never asked even ourselves was how Lucky had known he would be needed before Adam was even born. He had alluded to futures he was not following so could he tell the future? If so why hadn't he foreseen Adam's arrival and the trouble it would bring? He could have warned us and we would have ensured they never heard of Adam's existence.

I felt him studying me as we walked from the gate to pick up our luggage, could he read my mind as he and Adam read each others?

"I can feel your thoughts to an extent yes, Bella but unfortunately we cannot communicate silently. As there are likely to be enemy ears on our conversations once we leave the airport this is the last time I will speak to you as other than your son. To change the future is a very dangerous undertaking. After all, changing the future may also change the past, I'm sure you are aware of such philosophical debates among the humans. We could have killed you while you carried your son in your womb or Adam when he was a baby but we are not monsters, much as you may think of us as such. We prefer to guide the present if we can."

Jasper didn't speak although he had heard every word of our whispered conversation and I wondered how he felt now about our strange companion.