Chapter 21~ Home for the Holidays
Bella walked out of the long bustling terminal. She felt the excitement of the people waiting to be flown far away for Christmas holidays. She couldn't share their excitement. Her throat was burning of thirst, and being surrounded by hundreds of humans didn't help. Ever since she had tasted human blood, she'd found it increasingly difficult to withstand the temptation.
She stood off to the side of the tall massive glass window that early morning, leaning against the golden railing. She knew he would find her there.
Then, just as she predicted, she sensed his presence. She smelled his scent, one she could never forget. It was Edward who emerged from the crowd by the luggage pick up area, and came into plain view before her. They stared at each other from afar for a moment. His godlike demeanor dazzled her, the way the morning light just slightly reflected off his smooth, pale skin. The dark purple circles under his eyes were not as evident, indicating that he had recently hunted. His eyes were a golden topaz and his hair was the same strange shade of bronze, in it's always casual disarray. He stood tall and slender, and he was a bit more boyish in his looks than his other brothers, as he was only 17 when he was turned, but she saw the hint of his toned, strong muscles.
At that moment of clarity, Bella remembered what she had seen in him when she was human. She had not understood her feelings after she had just been turned and had lost her memories. But now she saw clearly, she remembered everything they had shared when she was still human, the night when he stayed by her side while she slept, waking up next to him, skipping classes to just be together. She remembered that she loved him.
He approached her; he looked just as dazzled by her as she was by him. He smiled that smile that she loved, slightly crooked, but perfect all the same. He looked at her as if she was the only person in the room, with his beautiful golden eyes, which could liquefy steel.
"Bella," he said as he came near her where she stood.
She didn't know what happened next, but she suddenly found herself in his arms. They were hugging, and all the fear and guilt, and the thirst went away. He made those things disappear.
"I'm sorry," she whispered as her head pressed into his shoulder.
He pulled away to gaze at her face lovingly.
"I thought that was my line," he said.
There must have been one thousand emotions that ran through Bella's eyes.
"Bella what's wrong?" he asked, the joy of the moment fading from his gaze.
Instead of telling him, she just shook her head and said,
"It's nothing."
~o~o~o~
Carlisle flew along the black asphalt, winding through forests and hills. He pressed the accelerator harder through a long straight corridor of pines. The forest was a presence hovering over the isolated road, the huge ancient trees graciously allowed his passage.
Jasper was with him; they thought it would be best, since his most recent son knew the most out of any of them, the threat they faced. He had been like Riley at one point; he was responsible for training and controlling newborns under a vampire named Maria's orders. He also controlled the emotions of others, and could make Sam and the council more understanding.
Prior to coming to La Push, Alice had a terrible vision. In it showed a tall, blonde vampire and Edward. The vampire was going to kill him. The vision stopped before he could, but the possibility made his family even more determined not to let that happen. The biggest question was, how was that vampire powerful enough be able to kill a vampire as skilled a fighter as Edward? Was it only newborns Victoria was sending?
"Do you think that once Eleazar tells the Volturi what Victoria is doing, they will destroy the army?" asked Jasper.
"Even though Victoria is breaking the law, I don't think they will take action so quickly, after all Aro's secretly wanted me dead for centuries," said Carlisle.
"I thought you were friends once," Jasper said.
"We were, at one point. When I was living with the Volturi, we spend countless hours discussing and debating just about every topic that came to mind. He might not show it, but he's always seen my level of control as something to be admired, and as a threat. I can recall a few times when he had a few bodies of humans, with fresh blood draining from their necks, placed outside the door of my room. He went to all that trouble just to get me to break my lifestyle and feed from human blood. And then when he granted me permission to leave and I went and created an entire coven of 'vegetarian' vampires that were both gifted and loyal to the coven, it drove his discomfort to it's threshold."
"So I wouldn't be surprised if the Volturi give Victoria some sort of time limit to complete her kill. I think Aro is wondering what the results will be, just to see how powerful our family really is," Carlisle said.
"Let's just hope that vision Alice had will change after we speak with the council members and the wolves," Carlisle continued.
"I think Edward knows more than he's letting on. After that battle in Denali, the way he ran into the forest as soon as the fight was over, it was like he heard someone's thoughts, like he was running to someone," said Jasper.
Carlisle replied, "I noticed too. I think Edward's gift always keeps him one step ahead, and he's secretive as usual. Hopefully he'll tell us whatever it is he's hiding before we find out the hard way."
By the saline scent and heavier pressure of air, Carlisle knew he had finally reached the ocean. He slowed as the forest cleared to open on both sides of the highway. A few scattered structures appeared. They were in La Push.
Carlisle inhaled deeply. There it was, that peculiar wolf scent. It came from every direction. It dominated every other scent, the pines, the sea, the stink of warm asphalt, and as they approached the town, that ambrosial scent of the blood of the living. The road wrapped around the east end of the village. Carlisle saw parked vehicles here and there by the houses, but there were no other vehicles running on the streets.
By the north end of the village, there was a house. It was Billy and Jacob's house. The sun shone through the coastal clouds as Carlisle and Jasper got out of the car. They would normally have sprinted to the shade but they remembered then, they didn't have to hide what they were here.
The wooden screen of the house was closed but the front door was ajar as Carlisle stepped onto the porch. The only sound was coming from the rumblings and chatter of a crowd sitting around the television. Enthusiastic male cheering erupted and Carlisle realized the living room must be full of people watching a sports game of some sort.
Carlisle and Jasper glanced at each other, for a moment they felt uncomfortably outnumbered by the home team. But nevertheless, Carlisle knocked on the screen door and called,
"Chief black?" The room suddenly fell quiet.
The door swung open and they saw Billy Black, seated in his wheelchair, Sam stood behind him.
Carlisle and Jasper now saw into the living room. At least 20 teenage boys were around the room, lounging on the armchairs and sofas. They all looked similar in their large muscle frames, black hair and eyes, tanned skin. Billy smiled in greeting but all the eyes that turned towards them did not reflect his smile. Except for Seth's of course, who's face quickly turned friendly when he recognized him.
"Hey it's the vampire doctor," he said.
"Come in Dr. Cullen, Jasper," Billy said, motioning to the screen door, which Sam held open.
They went into the crowded living room, Carlisle's expression neutral. Sam grabbed the TV remote and silenced the game
"Everyone out!" he ordered. "Game over! We need some privacy."
"Why don't you boys go to the Clearwater's?" Billy called to the group. "I'm sure Leah misses you," Laughter and rudeness erupted from the boys as they took off, away from the house.
They were now alone.
"Please sit down," said Billy to Carlisle and Jasper as he wheeled himself to the kitchen table where Sam sat.
They sat across the table from the two Quileute's.
Sam started, "Now, as Carlisle has informed me, there is supposed to be some sort of army of vampires invading Forks."
"Correct," Carlisle replied.
"New vampires?" Sam asked.
"Yes," said Carlisle.
"What does 'new' mean exactly?" asked Billy.
Jasper spoke,
"They will be unskilled in combat, but extremely strong and fast, beyond the norm. A fully matured vampire or wolf would not be able to use the same fighting technique on these vampires."
"This army was built by a vampire who wants to take her revenge on Edward-" Carlisle started.
"Edward?" Sam interceded, there was still pent up hatred in his gaze. "He is the last one I, or any of our pack would wish to help, Carlisle."
"This vampire wants to kill Bella and possibly all of us, to get revenge on him. You may not owe my son anything, but she did save you once. And Billy, you've known her as Charlie's daughter her whole life, that must mean something," Carlisle replied.
"So the vampire's intention is to kill Bella? You're asking that my pack help you defeat this army that's coming for her?"
"We are asking that you help us defend this town that has meant so much to my family and yours for nearly a century. To put aside the mistrust our kinds have shared for so many years," Carlisle said. "As allies, we are asking you to do us this favor."
~o~o~o~
Edward and Bella came upon a familiar forest on a hill, surrounded by lilacs and ancient trees. Edward drove up the hidden roadway on the outskirts of town leading to what used to be the perfectly stunning sight of the 3 story white house, shaded by cedar trees and heard the sound of the sol duc river in the distance. The house was now damaged from the battle that had occurred there. But nevertheless it was the only place the Cullen's truly thought of as their home, and it would remain that way.
Bella was greeted graciously by Esme, Alice and Emmett. Rosalie, who Bella had just remembered hated her, even showed a smile of warmth, the most she'd given Bella ever.
"Perhaps he won't sulk so much when you're around," she said.
They had been fixing up the damaged house, cleaning up remains of destroyed furniture, rebuilding broken windows and walls. They worked efficiently at vampire speed.
Alice eventually volunteered to hunt with Bella and the two ran into the deep forest, away from the others, and then slowed to a walking pace.
"Alice," Bella said. "There is something I desperately need to tell someone, but I don't want Edward to know and he can read minds, so I don't think I should tell you it."
Alice was silent for a moment and then gasped and said, "You kissed Riley didn't you!"
Bella shushed Alice and her eyes widened and she whispered, "How did you know?"
Alice looked at Bella and said,
"I had the vision a few weeks ago, but I didn't know what to make of it so I didn't tell you and I managed not to think about it around Edward. Bella… why?"
Bella stopped walking and sunk down, her back pressed against the oak tree. Alice sat down too.
"There is something else I have to tell you, but you must promise that you will do your best not to let anyone find out, especially Edward," Bella said.
"I swear," Alice replied.
"I was in a bar, in some other state, in the middle of nowhere a few nights ago and… I lost control," Bella said.
Alice was silent for a minute,
"How bad was it?"
"About a dozen people," Bella replied with a shaky voice, she was still feeling the after affects of what she'd done.
"Oh my God, Bella-"
"You have to promise not to tell," Bella exclaimed.
"And I won't but, how did you get rid of all the evidence?" asked Alice.
"Riley smelled the blood and found me, then he burnt the bar to the ground," Bella said. "But the way he spoke to me, it wasn't judgmental it was reassuring. He made me feel like I didn't have to be ashamed of losing control over my thirst. He told me I would get better at hunting with practice; and when I decided to go south with him, we spent hour's just talking about our human lives. I just felt such a connection in that moment that, the kiss… it just happened. The part that scared me was, even though I did pull away, I didn't want to."
"I know, I must sound like the weak little girl who got swept off her feet by the first handsome stranger who crossed her path," Bella said.
"No. You had just killed Bella, and you'd only recently gotten all your painful human memories back; you were vulnerable and flooded with heightened vampire emotions. Riley couldn't have had better timing. But, I guess the question in all of this is, do you love Edward?" asked Alice.
"For a while after I got my memories back, I was more confused and upset than anything else. When I was with Riley however, I didn't even think about him. But when I saw him in the airport this morning, the way he looked at me. I think I might have fallen in love with him for the third time in my life."
"The third time?" Alice cocked her head to the side.
Bella cracked a smile,
"The first was when I was human, the second was right before I got my memory back, and the third was this morning."
"Did you love Riley, before you found out about him working for Victoria?" Alice asked.
"No, he was playing a part very well that's all. He was Victoria's puppet the entire time we were together. There's no way I could love him," Bella replied.
"So then what's stopping you from being with Edward?" she asked.
"Guilt I guess, and fear. Eventually Edward will find out about everything and I'm afraid he will be angry, or reject me," Bella responded.
Alice got up, "Trust me, I know my brother and that boy is head over heels in love with you. You are a newborn, he was expecting a lot more craziness on your part than you've lived up to, actually we all were. He will forgive you, and need I remind you that he's no saint either?"
"I find that hard to believe," Bella said, getting up too.
"It was just a kiss," said Alice.
"And the murder of a dozen innocent people," Bella said.
Alice raised an eyebrow,
"Really? A dozen people? Just because our family believes killing humans for their blood is wrong doesn't mean none of us have slipped up. Emmett, Rosalie, Jasper, even Esme, have all killed before and Edward was gone for like 5 years on a murdering spree. No one will judge you."
Bella nodded, "You're right, I have to come clean with Edward about this. We'll put the past behind us, everything, including what happened when I was a human."
"Good," Alice said cheerfully. "Now we should hunt, your contacts have been burnt out by the venom and your newborn eyes are starting to creep me out. Maybe animal blood will get rid of the color."
~o~o~o~
Edward made his way up to the second floor of the house, it was his piano room. He could still feel the haunting sense this place brought him. The beautiful imperial grand piano was crushed to pieces. The keys were scattered on the floor, the headboard broken in half by the weight of whoever was thrown into it.
For some reason, this was the one thing that saddened Edward to see destroyed. Before Bella, he had spent so much time at this piano, composing pieces, getting lost in the music. Although he could get a new piano, he was still sad to see a large part of who he was, lost.
He got a bag and gathered up all the broken pieces, placing them in. Once he was finished he went downstairs to put it with the rest of the broken furniture outside. As he walked he asked his family, who were busy cleaning up the house,
"Where is Carlisle and Jasper?"
"La push, they are discussing the idea of the wolves helping us defeat the newborn army," said Rosalie.
"I hope they manage to," said Esme.
"Of course they will. Either way newborns are coming to invade their land. "Besides, I think fighting with wolves will be fun," Emmett said. "Better than fighting with mind reading brothers that cheat." He said this as he took a swipe at Edward's head, which Edward had already heard in Emmett's thoughts and dodged without even seeing his brother's hand coming towards him.
"See? He's a total cheater," Emmett said.
Edward chuckled and dodged more attacks from Emmett until he was finally grabbed hold of by his brother's enormous strength and unsuccessfully tried to release himself.
"Weakling," Emmett joked as he pushed his brother away, before Edward took the chance to attack from behind and Edward had him pinned to the ground.
"Hey!" Emmett exclaimed.
"You weren't paying attention," Edward replied.
The brothers chuckled lightheartedly with each other. Something that seemed like they hadn't done in a long time. For a moment it felt like the way things used to be, Edward and Bella's eyes caught each other for an instant. She and Alice were coming back from the woods. They must have been talking about something private because he instantly could sense that his sister was hiding her thoughts from him.
To Edward's disappointment, Bella looked away and walked into the house to help with the cleanup.
~o~o~o~
Once night had fallen and the house, not including the obliterated garage, was spotless; all damages fixed, all broken furniture taken away and disposed of, Alice and Bella sat in the living room as Esme spoke to Carlisle on the phone in the kitchen.
"Carlisle, that's good news… everything's fine here, Bella's with us… I'll see you when you return home, love you, bye."
They had all heard the news; the pack would fight when the time came for battle against the newborns. Carlisle and Jasper were still driving back to the house.
Suddenly, Alice, seeing Edward in the doorway of the living room, suddenly got up, to Bella's surprise.
"Well, you've had a long flight, it's about time we all gave you some privacy," Alice said. And suddenly Esme had vanished too. As for Emmett and Rosalie, God knows where they were or what they were doing. Edward and Bella were alone.
Edward stood there, like a God-like statue, and then he moved towards her,
"I know, all that's happened in the past couple months has overwhelmed you greatly."
"It hasn't been boring to say the least," she replied.
Suddenly Edward was at her side on the sofa, he looked at her with big sun colored eyes, in them reflected a depth she had never seen before,
"Bella," he said, he took her hand in his. This little bit of intimacy would have sent her heart into flutters if she were still human.
"I know I have no right saying this after what I've put you through, in fact it's probably one of the most selfish things I've said in my entire life. But I can't keep myself from telling you that I'm in love with you, and that's never changed since the first day we spent together in our meadow, when you were human. My feelings have stayed to same all along."
She looked away she was overwhelmed again. Edward continued,
"And though it may seem impossible to get what we had back, I am willing to spend an eternity trying. But…I need to know if you feel the same way," he paused. "that you love me too."
Bella looked back at him, she was so shocked by what he'd said. Apart of her was jumping up and down in excitement, and another part of her trembled with anxiety.
"What about what you said, about me not being good for you?" Bella replied in almost a whisper. "The day you left."
"Everything I said that day was a lie. I wanted you to forget about me, to loathe me even, so that the separation would be easier. And you believed me so easily," he said gently.
"I guess it just never made sense that you would love me, even as an awkward clumsy human," Bella said.
"Everyday I was away from you, I had to restrain myself from coming back," said Edward. "I thought, at the time, that a normal life was best for you."
So all those hurtful things he'd said had been a lie the whole time. Bella's hand, as if it had a mind of it's own, travelled up to Edward's perfectly smooth face to his cheek. Edward's hand went up to hers. The sensation between them was electric. Bella took a deep breath; she knew she would have to ruin the moment at one point or another,
"Edward there's something I need to tell you."
Bella was interrupted by the commotion coming from outside the house. Edward's face darkened and it looked as if vicious anger and rage threatened to rip right through him, but he kept under control. He must have been hearing someone's thoughts outside, thoughts he did not like. Bella and Edward went out to the front porch and saw Jasper and Emmett. They were both restraining a vampire outside the house. The vampire was barely fighting back, although his face looked stubbornly defiant and untrustworthy. Carlisle, who had gotten out of his black Mercedes, went up to the vampire and asked,
"What business of Victoria's do you have here?"
"Oh my God," said Bella under her breath. What was he doing here?
"Better answer now before you die," said Emmett, holding the vampire in an unbreakable grip.
The vampire that had been found near the Cullen house was Riley.