NEW ECLIPSE

by TrillionSchiffer

Shoulda, Woulda, Coulda version of the events that took place at the end New Moon & all of Eclipse. I will be going canon where I can, but I won't be stupid about it. Things are going to change. This what it should have been. I will be leaning more towards action and away from drama. No worries, the split would be somewhere around 65/35. ***UPDATING Old chapters as of 7/2/2019***

21. Amazing

NEW ECLIPSE

***AND THE REVIEWER OF THE WEEK AWARD FOR CHAPTER 20 GOES TO: EMALA2012 ***

Her review touch on many good points yet again. But it was also her private messages that made me write the AUTHOR note at the end of this chapter. So everyone send a word of thanks to EMALA2012 for being such an outstanding contributor.

A/N: GRAMMAR ERRORS: Sorry folks about all the grammatical errors. I'm writing two stories and my Beta is a no show. RL blues has got her down. So overlook what you can, and I'll try to catch what I can. Deal?

A/N: MEMORY ISSUES: Its been 2 weeks since me last posting. If you feel lost, please feel free to go back and read the last chapter till it clicks again.

A/N: PERSONAL FEELINGS: I hope you enjoy, I made this chapter nice and long. [that's what he said, lol]

Any case, this stuff is exhausting. Writing one book redoing the first is a thankless Job. Creative criticism is my only fuel for going on. So make sure you leave some. Or else we all won't make it.

FEAR THE 'HIATUS' Muwahahahahaaaa!

Disclaimer: I don't own Jack! Nor do I own Twilight tm. That Belongs to SM.

CHAPTER 21: AMAZING

EDWARD

Bella passed out in my arms, and I panicked. My medical training instantly kicked in. Her breathing was even and her heart rate steady. She showed no damage from the vicious blows Irina threw at her. Nor did she show any increase in muscle mass, after incredible display of strength and speed. Which surprised me. She did practically drag 4 vampires like they weren't even there. But for now all I cared about was that she was unharmed.

Carlisle conclusion reached the same as mine, and said she suffering from exhaustion and would come around soon.

Alice narrowed that down to the next 12 minutes.

Esme took that as her cue to follow up on Bella's last request and went to go get some food prepared. But Rosalie already had a selection of drinks for her on hand.

With everything moving into place, and having nothing else to do but wait, I was finally able to relax enough to pay attention to world around me.

Amazing, was the first adjective that came to everyone mind, soon follow by many others.

We were all still getting over our shock of her abilities, and that crater in the wood flooring was a constant reminder that my Bella was much more than meets the eye. Some were even questioning whether or not she was fully human, or like us, a derivative sub species that only took the shape of a human.

Carlisle and Eleazar were up in his office debating this phenomenon. Carlisle explained her growing natural instincts that seem to mirror our own. Instincts such as the licking; which stunned Eleazar given her singer status, but elevated his respect for my ability to control my thirst.

Then there was the bloodlust that she expressed on occasion, and her growing acceptance of 'necessary' violence.

Thinking back, I would say her willingness to allow me to destroy all threats to our relationship was a big indication of that change. But Carlisle used her reaction to Rosalie's story for his example. He was surprised that his sweet darling daughter, not only sat there and endured such a gruesome tale, but enjoyed it and begged for every facet of it. He told Eleazar that he was momentarily concerned that her very personality was changing, but soon saw that was unwarranted, due to the way she handled Rosalie moments later.

But to me it seems even without transformation, the internal beast that was within all of us, was already growing within my beautiful girl. If this growth keeps up at this pace, it may make her a veritable monster once her change is complete. I was even of the opinion that it may be best to adjust the time table to her change sooner rather than later, locking in as much of her humanity as possible, or run the risk of it slowly dissolving away while we wait for September. But I will run the idea a by mate and Carlisle first. My unilateral decision making days are over.

Carlisle and Eleazar also talked about the possibility of her singer status playing a role. More to the point, they discussed their theories on the reason why they are so enticing to vampires. They were attempting to find some correlation between her blood and her and how Bella is able to adapt even the most intricate of our instincts on her own, without ever learning of it before hand.

Given our nature and how we act when we are threatened, they believe that reason singers are targeted to be destroyed is because they may all possesses the ability or even talent hidden within them that maybe a future threat to specific vampire. They looked at the specifics of my singer or more specifically Bella's natural ability to hide her mind from me. Carlisle believes that this theory warrants even further investigation and would like to start doing some test as soon as possible due to the limited amount of time he has left with 'human' Bella.

But one thing they both agreed on without question was that due to the amount of power we expect Bella to have after her change, it will be all hands on deck, as the saying goes. Both families will be present for her arrival into our world and will stay together to aid in keeping her under control during her newborn year. Because from Eleazar estimation, Bella will undoubtedly be one of the most powerful vampire's in our world. But Carlisle feared that power like what Eleazar was estimating, and newborn rage, would be terrible mixture. He also saw this as challenge as a parent. Because he feared that Bella's power may corrupt her good nature. Bloodlust may come and go, but her natural born power was hers too keep. And if she didn't rule it, it would rule her.

Eleazar on the other hand thinks Bella's talent could be turned into some sort of icon on our behalf. He envisions rumors of her existence blazing across the supernatural world; which was easy to do since it would be him doing the spreading. But only If she is as powerful as he suspects.

He planned on describing her talent as close to the truth as possible without giving any away that could be used against her. But no matter what he said, it all must be true to some extent, or else the only thing he was doing was making us targets. He was going to use rumors and hearsay as a defense for the family. He would build a wall of fear, mystery and uncertainty for everyone to hide behind. Just like the Volturi did.

As a former advisor to kings, even the Volturi, this was the strategy that Eleazar had use on numerous occasions, and after his enormous success with the twins, he felt this was the most practical use of her power as well; especially when considering Bella's peaceful nature. He believes with this strategy, he would eliminate a thousand battles before they were even fought, and would do so without Bella taking a single life.

Ultimately what Eleazar wanted for us was a 'shield' for all of us to get behind; and everyone except Bella knew why.

Because the truth was there was another reason why we were initially concerned when Alice told us that there were three nomads in the woods 'hunting' so long ago. And it's the reason why every 'talented' coven is secretly trying to recruit as many talented vampires as possible, or ally it's with even more powerful covens with 'talented' individuals for protection or strength in numbers.

And due to our status as the Cullen/Denali clan, possibly the second most powerful family outside of the Volturi, we have 'allowed' only three other covens to ally with us. The Irish coven, the Amazon coven, and the Egyptian coven.

Not to mention we have placed our protection on nomads we could trust, such as Randall and Marie, Charlotte and Peter, and Garret. Who I have a special fondness for since he became my successor, and is now responsible for taking out the human trash cluttered around us. They maybe nomads, but to us they are as close to us as the cousins. Especially Peter and Charlotte, they are considered our only 'red eyed' family members due to their closeness to Jasper.

And although we consider them family, we didn't bother to contact them for this matter. The addition of the Denali's was more than enough to fill the gap in power. Plus both Peter and Charlotte made a vow to live in peace for the next hundred years. They felt since their first years in a conflict that would shake a vampire to his core if he had lived it like they did, then they were due some peace and quiet. And Carlisle or Jasper would never have them break that vow in order to throw them right back into the horrors their minds were running from.

Once Eleazar let it leak that so many have allied themselves to us, and so many are under our protection or have allied with us. It didn't take long for all the 'random' incursion amongst our allies territories to stop. And none have been 'hunted' since.

But this all was a balancing act. We were the closes ones to being number two in our community, and although we had few more allies we could've named to the world, we needed to make sure we stayed number two. Because there was a gulf of power between us and the Volturi, and we didn't want them feeling that we were trying to close that gap. And therein lies another issue.

The Volturi.

If Bella was not powerful enough, the Volturi may feel that distance between us shortening due to the inclusion of another member alone. They may even wish claim Bella and I for themselves, not to mention Alice and Jasper, to secure their lead once more; and we would be powerless to stop them.

But if Bella was too powerful they may attack us in an attempt to eliminate a threat before it became something more. So Bella's power had to be just right. She had to strong enough that they wouldn't risk trying to force us to join, but weak enough that that we don't threaten their rule. It was truly a balancing act of power and politics, another dangerous amalgamation.

But this is all speculation. Once she turns and gets passed her newborn year and her abilities stabilize, then Eleazar would get a better idea of how to proceed. Her true strength will be the deciding factor on how we spread the news of our newest member. Then we will explain the real picture of the supernatural world when her mind is quelled enough to understand the politics of it all.

But for now, I personally didn't care for any estimation of strength or power. If they knew Bella past this night, they would know where her heart lies. She is not about conquest or enjoys the spotlight. She is love and charity. She would be what so many other vampires could've been. A great force for good, and that is what I and my family care most about; and Kate as well it seems. For she seem to fall for Bella almost instantly.

I had to admit, I didn't like that she was mad at me. So it's nice to know that Kate was my best friend again. She had romantic feelings for me once , just like her sisters did. But when she saw I was not interested, she backed off, and we became friends after that. She was also the one that usually helped me escape from Tanya, and It would be her and I against Tanya. We would hide out in the wilderness talk about this and that, for days. She always told it straight. But it was torture for her. She knew she was so close to me, and yet couldn't get any closer. Then Bella came along, and she thought for a second that I was all about looks, given the fact of how beautiful Bella was. But then she and Bella spoke and she fell for her as well. She was happy and relieved, because if I had settled for some confused girl, who ignored my feelings, and was all about trying to living a fantasy dream life of becoming rich and a immortal, or was just a lucky girl in the right place right time when the eternal bachelor Edward Cullen finally decided to give up his resistance to the opposite sex; then without a doubt Kate would've fried both of us on the spot.

But Bella has it all, beauty, brains, charm, loyalty, patience, humility, and apparently power to booth. Kate thought that Bella was perfect for me, and our family.

Nearing the end of our wait, Irina was brought back by Tanya and Carmen. She was healed from the damage she took from Bella, and was basically put in a corner and deliberately ignored, but as per her wishes.

Still all agreed she was foolish over her beliefs that Laurent was her mate, and her actions to defend that belief were completely unbecoming of her age and disrespectful of the courtesy Bella and I extended to correct her assumption.

Carmen and her sisters told her that she had apologies to make for her impertinent behavior, but she ignored them and concentrated on her loss.

But I didn't care for apologies, I was just glad that Bella shield manifest the way it did. Irina maybe slow witted when it came to the heart. But she was a Proven-Warrior on the battlefield. How else do you survive 980 plus years of this life.

Admittedly, I too was foolish. I knew the slap was coming, but I just decided the accept it. Because for some reason I felt guilty. Guilty that my leaving caused yet another ripple of tragedy within my family, and guilty over the fact that I ended up hurting another person I cared for. But what I did to atone for that mistake, was just another mistake, in the long line of mistakes I keep making as I try to do right by everyone.

Because thanks to me and my need to live guilt free, my human mate attacked her vampire cousin in my unnecessary defense. And I have divided the cousin's loyalty, forcing them to side with Bella, over their own sister.

She may have been wrong, but she was hurting all the same. Now thanks to me. She was hurting alone.

I'm such a fuck up

'Edward, whatever it is your brooding about now, cut it the hell out, or I will tell Bella' Jasper and Alice thought to me simultaneously.

I did as I was told, and quicky put on a brave face. Because they were right, Bella would not appreciate me 'brooding' over this or anything for that matter. She has already said so herself.

"It's time, she is waking" Alice announced.

The family began gathering once more. Bella was waking up right on schedule.

I had laid her down on the sofa. Trying my best to cocoon her from the rest of the family. Alice, pulled rank using her 'best friend' status and demanded I allow her room.

So, she was now at Bella's feet.

Rosalie made no such declaration, but dared me to try and stop her.

So now she was holding Bella's hand.

But she didn't come unprepared. She had orange juice at the ready, awaiting Bella's request.

I of course had her head in my lap staring beautiful face, and petting her hair.

The families had now gathered quietly and as almost all were watching her come back to consciousness. All except Irina. Who continued to sob quietly in the corner.

"Bella? Bella? Hello my love, can you hear me?" I whispered to her when she finally began to opened her eyes.

"Hello beloved" she responded with a small smile. Then she sat up holding her head. She took a moment to take in her immediate surroundings of all the people staring at her, and she just shook her head.

Without a word, she immediately embraced Alice and Rosalie, leaving both Alice and Rosalie confused, but appreciative of the sentiment nonetheless.

"You're all okay, I'm sorry, I…I didn't hurt anybody else did I?" Bella timidly asked as she let them go.

"What? Was that what that hug was for?" Rosalie asked with fake hurt. "No Bella we're all fine."

"Can't say the same for the floor though" Alice added smugly.

"Alice!" I said.

"Well, it true" Alice said proudly.

I just shook head.

"Oh god, Esme, Im so sorry, I'll fix it I swear." Bella said alarmed

"Bella it's okay. It's well within my monthly Emmett repair budget. Just so long as he doesn't break anything for another eight days that is" She joked.

"Heh, good luck with that mom, I'm feeling clumsier by the second." Emmett joked.

We all snorted at that, all except Bella and Irina.

Bella nodded, but still looked remorseful.

'Oh my poor sweet girl, she must feel so guilty over this' Esme thought.

'Humility good, the power didn't go to her head. This bodes well for the change.' Eleazar thought

'Okay it was only momentary.' Carlisle thought relieved.

'Strong. Way too strong. We're going to have problems when she changes.' Jasper thought

'Still sweet. Good girl' Kate thought.

'She's a protector, good this will work out well for us later' Carmen thought

'Is that?…is that an ass print?!' Emmett thought as he inspected the crater

"Love it's okay. Nobody is upset with you, I promise." I told her causing her to pinch herself to my side and place her head on my shoulder.

"Thank you, beloved. " She said in a small whisper. Clearly, still feeling guilty.

"Here you go Bella, you look like you need it." Rosalie said offering her the orange juice.

She sat up quickly and took it into her hands, and drank it down quickly.

When she was finished her face scrunched up.

"Bella?" I asked her

"Are you alright, are you still thirsty?" Esme asked "Your dinner will be ready in 10 more minutes dear"

"Yes, starving; but really thirsty as well" Bella said

We all looked at each other with a slight panic.

'Could she mean blood?' my family all thought.

Bella saw our panic and clarified

"For a soda!... I think, just not juice" she said with a smiling like she made a joke.

"Oh, I thought I had to go catch a deer for you or something" Rosalie said slightly relieved. "Well I have an assortment behind me what would you like?"

"Any will do, I think I need the sugar" Bella said.

After she drank that down without stopping, her face scrunched up once more. She looked at all the eyes in the room. Some were wary, some were in awe, other speculative, but all were curious.

"What's wrong love?"

"It…doesn't….taste like anything, Edward. I'm thirsty but… this isn't working, I still feel slightly tired." She said in a conspiratorial whisper.

We were all panicked again.

'I'll have to run some test later, but for now,' Carlisle quickly thought to himself.

"Bella this is common, you're not going to recover immediately, give yourself sometime." Carlisle gently lied, quelling most of the concern in the room, except his and my own.

"Yes, sorry for worrying everyone, I should've guess that would have been the case. " Bella said fully accepting what Carlisle just told her.

With concern off her mind, she had gazed about the room once more. Each face was more eager than the last.

Bella just shook her head with a smirk.

"Alright, let me have it" Bella said plainly

BELLA

And have it I did. I seem they all had a questions or something to say.

"Bella, did you know you were dragging us along while you were walking toward Irina?" Rosalie asked

"What? No….I…I didn't feel or see anything but Irina." I responded shocked.

Was this true? I heard them say it before right before I passed out, but still, was it true?

"Yeah not to mention you flung Esme and Jasper away like pillows at an all-girl slumber party when you turned to throw Irina down." Emmett joked.

"What?!...Oh god, I did? I'm so…"

"Bella stop!" Jasper said sternly, then calmed down and shot out calm to the room. "You're becoming like Edward now. Stop borrowing unnecessary guilt. There is no need to apologize for anything you did, you weren't yourself,"

Was he kidding me? How could I not feel guilty.

"Yes, Jasper is exactly right, you need to stop trying to take blame for any of this. Because no one blames you. Not in the least me." Esme said gently.

"But I could've hurt you" I said looking into her eyes.

Kate busted out in laughter then.

"I never thought I would see the day, when a human could say that and it would actually be true. Damn I'm old" Kate said then, laughed some more.

'heh' I broke my first honest smile, since my mad breakdown.

"Yes me neither, it almost unbelievable. They use to say it all the time, but it was always empty threats. Or at least they didn't know it was empty. But now, not so much with this one. We really have come full circle haven't we sister?" Tanya asked jokingly

"Yes we have" Kate genially replied.

Without even knowing I was, I was waiting for the Irina to say something, to chime in alone with her sister in their line of dialogue. But it didn't happen. And that notion woke me up to the fact that she wasn't even here.

My eyes swiveled around through the sea of smiling, sympathetic faces, and confirmed once more that Irina was not amongst them.

Then I spotted her, or at least a glimpse of her. She was at the far end of the room. A good sixty feet. And she was alone, and in pain.

Irina was distraught with grieve and here we all were, celebrating me, over my what? My loss of sanity? Or my throat crushing strength that I don't even have anymore? A member of our group was hurting, couldn't they see that?

The glimpse of her, practically broke my heart. Especially, with the memories that came with it. The sight of her looked so much like how I remember myself when Edward left.

It was always a reoccurring 'day'-mare when I would think that the Cullen's were off somewhere living fantastic lives, enjoying extreme happiness now that they dropped their human baggage. And with each smile I pictured, the further and further away Edward became. Because what did they or he have to go back to, if they all were so much happier where they were going?

But never did I picture this. Never did I picture or dream that they would leave me to suffer, while they enjoyed themselves only feet away. Never did I picture such coldness, and indifference from any of them.

She was just told that the person she care for the most, was dead and not coming back; and that she has no happy ending to even hope for; but here they all were, letting her suffer, all alone.

I turned my gaze to watch the faces of the people who I surrounded myself with.

I was seeing them for the first time all over again. They didn't look so magical anymore. Their smiles were bright and faces happy. They were telling me tales of my insanity. They were laughing and commenting and asking me questions about this or that, that I all but gave up trying to hear them because of the disgust growing within.

Irina was broken, sobbing, distraught, crippled, hopeless, and with no help in sight.

Then my heart broke once more when I realized what I was truly looking at. The picture became so clear.

I was looking at me.

Jasper picked up on it immediately, then of course Edward and Alice weren't for behind.

"Bella?" Jasper began, but I didn't want to hear one goddamn word.

"Excuse me!" I said rudely and loudly, and stormed away from the group. All conversation ceased at that point. But I was past caring. Edward tried to reach for me, but I didn't feel like being touched right now, so I yanked my hand away quickly, and continued to walk towards Irina.

Once there I stood next to her as she ignored me and continued to dry sob on her own. I stood there for and just watched. Watch as she broke, watched as they debated behind me whether any of them should approach us, watch until it felt like it was just her and I alone again.

She was in so much pain. So much pain that she didn't even realize I was standing there. And none of them gave a damn! They only keep on about pulling me away, or say sorry for whatever made me so upset, and not a single one mention the hurting Irina that sobbed to herself in front of me.

I turned to face them all then. My face, holding hell in it features.

They gasped at my hate filled glare. Esme slammed her hands to her mouth and shook her head in apology to any and everything. But I didn't care.

I didn't even bother to look at Edward. I didn't want to feel any emotion other than my anger right now.

I sat down next to Irina and I looked at her quietly sobbing face, then I looked at the family who just ignored it. I looked at all of them angrily once more.

But Edward couldn't keep his distance any more. He dared to take two steps towards us, till my eyes snapped to his and stopped him dead in this tracks.

"Bella?" He said in the most heartbroken tone I've ever heard from him.

That soften me right up. But not enough to let go off all my anger. But enough to feel the shame over hurting my mate.

"Listen, all of you." I said with as much temperance as I could muster. "She may have been mistaken in her belief in who she loved, but the pain she is feeling is real. To her it was love, to her he was more than a friend, to 'her' the smiles and touches 'meant' something. I didn't matter you, but I didn't need to, it was not your relationship, it only needed to matter to her, and clearly it did. Yet you leave her all alone to celebrate what? My madness, my complete fucking insanity? Is this what I should really expect? Is this the real side of all of you have been hiding? Do we abandon those who can no longer keep up the happy farce when it hurts too much? Is that what we do? Just hide our hurting family away in the corner till they become happy again? Is that it?" I asked sternly of all.

I shamed them all in some way. Especially her sisters. They all finally taking notice of what they were deliberately ignoring before.

Irina's head raised, and was looking at me now. She was dry sobbing, but she was looking at me pained eyes and a quivering chin.

It was my turn to face her now, and answer for what I've done. But it was also time for her to face herself now.

"Irina…I…I lost it. I don't know what came over me and that is the absolute truth. All I knew was that you hurt Edward, and that was all that mattered." Then I turned to look at Edward and gave him a small quick smile. His eyes instantly began looking more hopeful. Then I turned back to Irina "When that happened Irina, when you did what you did; the world and all in it meant less than ash and I swore I was going to turn you to the same. Because I can't forgive anyone who hurt my beloved, not after he tries so hard every day just to be next to me. To see him in anymore pain than he has to be was… too much. Irina, I was not wrong, and this is not an apology. Edward and I were trying to tell you the truth, we told it to you slowly and respectfully as possible, knowing full well you weren't going to like it; but hoped that you would've respected it for what it was."

Irina stopped sobbing, but was now looking at me angrily. Like an intruder, and not one trying to offer heartfelt condolences. It may have been too soon to push her, but I couldn't ignore her, not like they were doing.

So I continued on regardless.

"I know you need time to mourn your loss, it is true" Then I quickly turned to the 11 staring faces "and we as a family need to respect that, and not hold celebrations in front of you." I said, shaming them again. Then I turned back to her "But you need accept the truth when you are being told it Irina and not lash out at the family who was trying to help you."

She looked at me angrily still, I soften my features and took a chance and placed my hand on hers.

"Laurent was not a noble man or a trustworthy individual; at least not to me. But more importantly, he was not your mate, and you need to accept that." I said sternly, and she began staring daggers at me now. But I continued on "Irina I say that because, as soon you accept the factthat Laurent was not your mate and was never meant for you; the sooner you will be able to accept this one. The fact that your mate isn't dead, and he is still out there, waiting or looking for you. And he wouldn't want you wasting your time pining over Laurent. How do you think he would feel if he knew you were doing that? How do you plan on explaining your six previously mated status to him, and have him believe what you and he has now is real? How Irina, how will you let the one true love of your existence know that he is number seven?"

That shocked the sadness right out of her. She look like she was caught in the act of mourning a side lover, while her mate is out there. She look like she was caught betraying this mate that she hasn't even met yet.

"No, no, no! Please he can never know about them; any of them! If I ever find him, please no one must tell him, I beg of you all, we can never tell him. It will be too much, I've been such a fool these pass centuries, he can never know about them. He would…he would never forgive this. Please, we can't tell him, please!" Irina begged us all.

"Sure girly our lips are sealed" Emmett responded looking confused but just went along with it.

"Oh thank you, thank you." Irina thank him and everyone profusely, as they all looked upon her with confused expression, but promised and accepted her gratitude all the same.

Then she turned to me

"Isabella, thank you, thank you for making me see the truth so clearly. My sisters has always told me I was a fool for having so many mates, and told me to look at what I was doing to myself. But it was my life to live, and I didn't want it to be a lonely one. I thought if anyone gets hurt, it would be me and me alone, so I accepted the action as well as any pain that would come of it. I thought that was the most sensible way to look at things. But that was wrong; I was wrong. Now thanks to you I see now that eventually one person would hurt a lot more with what I've been doing, I see now that my mate would eventually suffer the brunt of all my actions. I've…I've been such a fool. Isabella, thank you. You really are an amazing creature." She said then hugged me , but for the first second time since James, I felt a vampires crushing tightness.

'oh crap!'

"Ow, ow, it was a fluke, a fluke, I'm not really that strong" I said in a panic.

Edward rushed over and quickly pried me loose.

"Oh my god, sorry, I did forget that. It's been 400 years since some injured me like you did. It surprised me, and I locked your threat level in my mind already" Irina.

I looked at her wide eyed.

'God, she was older than Carlisle.'

Then something else just cliqued when she mentioned, 'mind'. Then quickly I looked at Edward.

"Wait, why didn't you move out the way of her slap?"

"Yeah?" Irina added sweetly

He instantly looked guilty.

"...I… foolishly decided to accept her ire, in whatever form it took." Edward replied somberly.

'Idiot.' I thought as I rolled my eyes at him.

"God dam it Edward, you idiot!" I yelled in chastisement, surprising the families, "Would you please stop looking for ways to martyr yourself for every god dam thing?! I don't want to go on a killing spree every time you decided to sacrifice yourself and us out of guilt."

The family looked on and chuckled as I disciplined him for his stupidity.

"I'm sor..."

I snapped my eyes to his, and stared daggers at him. He knows I don't like that word.

"Okay, okay I won't ever do it or anything of the sort again. I promise" He said quickly, after being thoroughly reprimanded.

"Good! Because if there is ever a next time I'm going to choke slam you thru the floor." I said sternly tapping my finger in his chest.

Everyone laughed at that.

"Amazing, truly amazing." Carmen said proudly to Esme. Who nodded in agreement just as proudly.

And everyone agreed in their own way

They family laugh gleefully, but I wasn't done yet. This was no time to be happy and they would know it soon enough. I held my held up gathering everyone's attention; and from my hard expression, they knew I was serious once again.

"Why…Why did you do this to Irina? Why did you all go through such lengths to ignore her? She was hurting so badly, yet…you all just abandoned her to her pain. You all did to her, what you did to me all those months ago. You left me. You abandoned me to pain unimaginable, pain so wide there is was no end in sight. Pain so deep, there was nothing to standing to keep my head above it all. Pain so powerful, that it hurt to hope, and made death seemed like the only release. You left me in a dark lightless world of endless struggle, and left me to work it out on my own, to suffer alone, broken and unloved, to cry and scream to anyone to listen," I said to the sound of stunned gasped from the Denali's, and shamed faces from the Cullen side. They were finally realizing the depth of which I was hurting over this.

"That is what you did to me with your abandonment, and just now, you were doing it again, and I want to know why. This is the second time I saw that you all turned your back on someone you claimed you love, so I know now that what happened to me wasn't a passing fad. So I ask again. Is this it? Is this the real you? I this what I am sacrificing to become? Please let me know now. I promise, I won't change my mind. Because I am Edward's and he is mine, so I'm not going to run away. I think you all know that I will throw myself into the darkest of hells for him. And If you are really monsters, then I will be one as well; for you. But I need to know the truth. Is what I just witness your real selves?"

There was a long pregnant pause as everyone looked amongst themselves. Their faces expressed a myriad of expression; confusion, hurt, shock, sorrow, regret, shame, but sympathy was the most prevalent.

The Denali's looked on between Cullen's and me as I laid my feeling on the matter bare.

Truthfully, I never wanted to bring this up again, but how could I not? It seems they were all determined to do it to someone else. And if this wasn't a pattern that was going to end, then I needed to know now. So I continued.

"Well is it? " I asked more softly, and much less accusatorily "Is this is what I should expect? We had an accident and you left me for my protection, I get that, but why her? What was the reason you abandoned her? What did she do?"

"She asked, Bella" Irina said answering for herself and the group, while gently placing her hand on my shoulder.

Now it was my turn to gasp and stare in confusion.

"What? Irina…you what? You….mean…you?" I floundered around trying to get out the words.

"I asked to be left alone," Irina reaffirmed again in an attempt to assuage me of me stunned expression. "It was my condition for coming back here. I wanted to deal with my pain on my own, but they wouldn't let me. So in trade, we wordlessly agreed to just let me vent on my own. We all did."

Oh god! It was happening again. I did it again. This was Jacob, Edward all over again. I made a complete fool of myself again.

"Gods Bella," Tanya said slightly annoyed. "We didn't abandon her. She request sometime alone to work out her issues."

"Yes B, she does this every time this happens, but we never let her out of our sight out of fear that she may take comfort in human blood or worst. So we all wordlessly agreed to let her be, while pretending not to keep watch. Hence our action of gloated over you instead, pretending to distract ourselves from the pain she was suffering through." Kate more patiently explained. "So you see B, we're not monsters."

I just stared between the three sisters then over at the kind, sweet, adoring, compassionate, benevolent family I just accused of being monsters, and sat here as they all stared back at me.

Now I was no longer able to read their eyes or faces, because the mortifying guilt and humiliation that now clouded out my mind.

I sat here all dolled up in jewels and one of the priciest dresses I ever wore, and gladiator sandals, because I feared that, that this night of all nights, my long gone and almost forgotten clumsiness may make an appearance; and I did it all to make the best first impression possible.

But it was all for naught. I spent so much time worrying about my clumsy feet that I forgot about the fact that on even rarer occasion was also a klutz with my mouth as well. And what a tumble I just made.

"Oh god" I said in a whisper and threw may face into my hand, and bent over and buried my head into my lap.

'Stupid, stupid, stupid'

"Bella?" Edward said surely seeing the horror on my face.

I just shot my hand from him, and that was all it took. He knew exactly what to do. I was in his embrace and my face was pressed and buried against his chest in an instant.

"Shh, shh it okay love"

"Oh god Edward, I did it again. I'm such a fool. I jumped to some random conclusion without the full facts, yet again." I mumbled into his chest.

"Bella, it's okay love it's okay, nobody is mad at you. I promise."

Then all of a sudden I felt another hand on my back. Causing me to turn my head to find Esme on one knee in front of the love seat Edward, Irina and I were squeezing on.

"He's right Bella, no one is upset with you." Esme concurred. "What else were you suppose to think watching us carry on like that? Especially after no one took the time to explain to you why we left her to be alone. But," Esme finished looking downcast.

"But?" I prompted in a whisper.

"That story you told Bella. Oh my dear child I' am so sorry. I am unfit to be considered your mother. Because you assumption was spot on, we are monsters." Esme said as her chin began to quiver.

I launched off Edwards chest into her arms.

"No! no, I was wrong. Don't say that. I…I didn't see the whole thing. You left me to protect me, monsters don't do that."

"Yes Bella, they do. They do when they want to eat their children!" Esme said pushing off her, and staring me in the face, holding me at arm's length.

"What?! No, no you're not, don' say that!" I said, fighting to get back closer to her. To make her realize that she was wrong to punished herself over my slip up.

But she just looked away shamed.

"I'm sorry my sweet girl, but it's true Bella" Carlisle solemnly said.

There were gasps from myself as well as the Denali's from Carlisle's admissions.

"My precious daughter. I would never forgive myself for casting such darkness upon you. I don't think any of us will," Carlisle state, gesturing to the family behind him.

"No" Emmett said emptily.

"No" Rose sadly whispered.

"Never" Alice said

"I can't. And won't" Jasper stated firmly.

They all said in agreement. Then Carlisle continued.

"And sorry is too small of a word for us to ask you to accept for our actions against you. No matter what the reason," Carlisle stated dismally now kneeling on both knee next to Esme, who was still holding my love away from her like she didn't deserve every daughterly ounce of it.

Irina took this time to rise up and stand with the rest of Denali's, probably feeling like an intruder in our private inner family moment.

"But you had good reasons. I didn't even want to bring this up, Edward and I buried this already. But I thought you all were doing it again, and I wasn't about to let it happen to someone else. But I was wrong, so can't we just move on. Can't we forget about this. I don't want to talk about it anymore. I don't' want apologies, because what does it matter? I just want to move on. "

Carlisle and Esme looked to one another then back to me. Carlisle gave me a curt not, but it was Esme who spoke for them both.

"Okay, we will but not before you know the full truth about that night, and why we all decided to leave. Because I'm sure you figured out that some of us could've stayed, but we left, and you need to know why, okay?" Esme said.

I dipped my head once slowly at her, and she released me to be pulled back to Edwards arms.

"Bella the night of your accident was… Bella that night was the first time that I myself felt compelled to drink human in almost 300 years," Carlisle admitted, sobering me with his genuine honesty. "I can only imagine what it must have felt like for the others."

That's when they all chimed in.

"I wanted to drain you, plain and simple. I wanted to kill my daughter. I was…weak" Esme said meekly.

"So did I, I fought it, but it fought back harder, I barely won" Emmett said.

"Yes, It was a pain. But I knew we could work past it. But no one wanted to listen." Alice said "But I guess, what's done is done. So yeah, you appealed to me too."

"We all know what part I played, and for that I'm sorry. I was trying to resist, but when five separate blood lust hit me at the same time, resistance was no longer an option. Plus it didn't help that I was deliberately starving myself. I was embarrassed that everyone was far ahead of me with their control, that I was doing anything I could to in order to catch up to the rest of them. Carlisle is right, sorry is too small of a word, But I can promise that I will never be that weak again."

"My throat has never burned so painfully since my first thirst, but I was able to fight it because I didn't want you to end your human life the same way mine did; mobbed and betrayed by those who you thought to trust. Plus, I thought that was your way out, that it was your second chance to have the human life, the one I missed out on. So I went along with the decision I felt was right. But that decision was made with my wishes in mind. So I know it was the wrong one for you, and for that, I am sorry for what I agreed to take away from you." Rosalie said empathetically

"And you know what part I played love. But as you can see, our intentions were pure, but we were still wrong. And we all suffered for it. You most of all; and for that I'm truly..." Edward tried to say before my eyes sniped his.

He cracked a small smile, and right then and there I felt some of the tension in the room leave me.

Good. Because I was ready to leave all of it behind me.

"Okay, I'm sorry that I put my foot in my mouth for the second time, and you're all sorry you thought it was better to leave and not to kill me, rather than listen to the hearts that told you, you loved me. We're all sorry, so enough, no more apologies please." I asked of all.

"Yeah, because this sad apology circle isn't getting you guys anywhere" Kate spoke up and said.

"Exactly!" I said empathically, with a big smile on my face.

"Okay dear, but Im'….." Esme tried to say, but I crushed her with a hug.

"Mom, don't you ever say that you are not worthy to be my mother, ever. Promise me!"

Esme gasped and hugged me back tightly as well.

"I promise you, I promise my beautiful girl" Esme said, peppering my cheeks and hair with kisses.

"Heh, I know I said it once but I'll say it again. She simply amazing. What a rare find?" Eleazar proudly commented

"Quite Notable Esme, Carlisle. She really suits you both. She is merciful, like her father and compassionate like Mother.

I heard them say as Esme and I broke away from our mother, daughter embrace.

This was embarrassing, not as much as before, but still noticeable.

Were they all trying to perk me up now?

"Hey it okay guys. I made a fool of myself tonight, you don't have to trying and…"

"Still putting your foot in your mouth Bella? Tanya stated jokingly. "We're not patting you on the back silly girl. We're just calling it as we see it. Just look at what you did for Irina. In one fell swoop you finally cleared her head this fanatically dreams of novel romance."

"What she means to say is, you made it clear to me what I was doing wrong, and showed to me who will eventually suffer from what I have been doing with myself all these years… if he ever finds out, that is." Irina said in her defense.

"Yeah that's exactly what I mean" Tanya said sarcastically, rolling her eyes.

"So are you trying to say that I didn't make a fool out of myself?"

"Ha! Oh no one is saying that. You definitely put your foot in your mouth, make no mistake about that. That stunt definitely made tonight's highlight reel, and it's going to be a while before I let you forget it. But you were still impressive though" Kate casually stated.

I couldn't help but giggle. 'At least she was honest'

"Ah…I impressed you all with how I what? Eloquently put my foot in my mouth?" I asked, causing the room to chuckle.

"What she means dear girl is the loyalty you displayed." Carmen lightly clarified. "Your loyalty to this family is unbreakable."

"Yeah Bella, even when you were holding our toes to the fire, you never once mentioned or even hinted at abandoning us. As matter of fact you did quite the opposite. It seems like you would've followed us to 'red eyed' hell just as long as we gave you directions along the way. 'Unbreakable', is not enough of a word to describe the commitment and love you have for your mate and family, but it will do for now." Alice pointed out to me.

"Not only that, she was prepared to defend Irina so willingly, even after she struck her mate. She seems to be the perfect combination of mercy and compassion. I fear for anyone that tries to harm something she loves." Eleazar stated.

"Yes, she is a protector, through and through." Carmen added with a soft smile

"Yes, yes that is true Amor," Eleazar said as he began to pace the back and forth "But shields are made primarily to defend themselves. It's only after they are turned that they use their talent in the consideration of another, and most don't even do that. But she is different, she is selfless; her natural defense doesn't seem like it's for her, it's more for everyone else. Just look at the evidence tonight alone. When her mate was struck, she defended, but that is what anyone would expect. But when she thought the person who struck her mate needed defending, she immediately was at her side. Personally I have never seen the like in all my years. I thought our family would've had to keep these two apart for centuries to come, but it's clear that her natural nature would not allow it. She is defense, through and thorough. Honestly I can't wait to see what she will bring over to her vampiric form. I've never ever heard of one made with the defense everyone else in mind. It would take a lot of love for the people in your life to create the desire and power to want to protect them, instead of yourself. She is truly a rare find in almost every way."

And with that, I had a whole room of eyes on me then. I couldn't help the blush that came along with it.

"A true angel of mercy" Carlisle quietly said almost of if he was speaking to himself, but Irina replied any way.

"She is an angel of mercy sure. But if you cross her, you will know her wrath. Because death is a form of mercy as well Carlisle, remember that." Irina stated, causing the room to split its attention between us.

"Irina!" Carmen chastised

"No Carmen, Irina is right. We all saw it for ourselves. Get on her bad side by attempting to hurt anything she loves, and you will be quite finished. Not even being human or a room full of vampires could stop her when she is ready." Kate reminded us.

They all turned back to me once more. Now I was blushing for a different reason.

"Hmph, I suppose that is true too. But that doesn't make her any different than any of us." Esme light heartedly stated. Causing me to smirk at her.

And I saw that the rest of the room seem to take that as their cue too.

"Exactly, I can't imagine any of us not standing up for the other." Rosalie said.

"Plus talk about never having to worry about which side you're on Bella. You're gonna give my Rosie a real run for her money in the blind loyalty department." Emmett jokingly commented.

"Ha, I don't know about that Em, nobody is more blindly loyal that Rosalie." I lightly joked back. My giggle to spread across the room.

Rosalie just squinted her eyes as stared back and forth between us suspiciously, not sure whether or not we were making fun of her or not.

And that caused the room to burst out in laughter.

"Well Bella loyalty aside your still one badass human. It takes a lot of guts to stare down12 vampires, and made them all eat shit, and do so fearlessly. Not even most vampires could or would do something like that. If that doesn't make you amazing, I don't know what does" Tanya proudly commented.

"Damn straight!" Emmett said.

"Oh yeah. I'm with Tanya Bella, that was pretty badass" Alice proudly commented.

"Very Bold" Jasper agreed.

"All our personas combined should have put the fear of god in you, but looks we've been out of practice." Kate said wistfully

"It must be the eyes" Irina joked. And everyone laughed at that.

I turned to Edward and saw that he looked like the proudest man alive.

I reached out and clasped his hand in my own as the family continued around us.

"Thinking about it now, I'm surprised you didn't try to beat some sense into them when you thought they were up to no good or run for the hills." Irina.

I had to smirk at that.

"I'm just plain old human Bella now, so option 1, was off the table. But as per running, I know from past experience running solves nothing. It just delays issues that you will eventually have to face. Edward and I learned that lesson the hard way." I said to the room, then turned to Edward "Plus my heart is here. I don't know how far anyone can go without that."

They all nodded fully understanding my meaning. But I wasn't paying attention, I was lost in the golden loving eyes of my mate.

Edward leaned in and kissed me tenderly then, purring against each other lips. When he remorsefully pulled way, he lifted his hand and tucked my hair behind my ear.

"Hmph, I still can't seem to get past it. All that and still human. She is truly amazing."

*rumble*

"Well amazing, maybe. Hungry definitely." I said rubbing my stomach.

Everyone chuckled that.

"Sorry Bella love, you must be famished. The food in the kitchen is ready my dear." Esme said quickly. "Come get something to eat before you go meet with your father."

"Oh god, that's right. I forgot about that."

"No worries love, go eat, we still have plenty of time. Go on, the girls would like to get back to knowing more about you." Edward said prompted.

"Okay, we'll leave soon after alright?"

"Sure love, but no rush." He said standing us up, kissing my forehead, then nudging me towards Esme.

With one last peck for my, all the girls followed Esme, Carmen and I into the kitchen. The spread was amazing, and I ate while like I haven't eaten in a week. It was all wonderful.

Edward played soft and slow lounge music once more. Emmett and Jasper went to play video games, but were talking more about me than they were of the game they were supposedly playing. Carlisle and Eleazar went to his office to debate the world I guess. But it was definitely girl time in the kitchen.

Tanya got bold and told me of some of stunts she pulled trying to nail Edward down. Once I got past the fact that the main goal for the past 50 years was to take my Edward to bed, I had to laugh, he had to fight a lot off to remain celibate for me. I would have to use some of what she told me to him make up for all he passed on.

I saw that Tanya was an adventurous person once and full of life. And the only reason I knew I was able to see that was because unlike Jacob, she understood the depths of our commitment to one another; and respected it. I didn't hear a single word of protest on her behalf, not even a dirty look. As soon as we announced we were mated, the fight in her; if there ever was one, was gone. She removed him off her list as soon he was mated.

So how could I be mad at anything she was saying now? Plus it was funny as hell.

I know they say that the only law in the vampiric world is "Keep the secret", but there seems to be an unspoken law of mates that every vampire seems to respect regardless. Once a couple been declared mated, they are off limits. I would have to ask why that is one day.

After dinner, It was time to head back to Charlie's. Edward had to come and remind me, clearly I was having too much fun.

But now I had chores to do, Edward and I had to give Charlie and Sue a sendoff.

"Bell wait! I don't see you anymore once you get to Charlie's" Alice said causing a slight panic to all who didn't know.

"No worries Alice, it's probably Leah or Seth; if he's feeling better that is. They are probably hanging around doing one last night of security or helping with packing" I said trying to calm her nerves.

Leah? Seth? Who are they? Irina asked.

"Werewolves" I said casually.

"What?!" All the denali's said together. "You have werewolves guarding you father?" Kate said with pure shock.

"No, not werewolves, shape shifters" Edward clarified.

"Bella stop scaring our cousins" Alice said jokingly s.

"What's the difference?"

"There is a big difference Bella," Eleazar said walking down the stairs.

"Yes, but that explanation will have to wait, because she is running late, and we have to ask her father something before he goes, and I don't want to start out with and argument before we do. So I when the matter comes up again, I'll be sure to explain. But for now we have to go."

"For now then" Eleazar replied. "Safe Journey, we will catch up on your return." He told us both

"Yes we will" Bella replied, then clasped my hand into her own. "Come on beloved, lets go."

EDWARD

I took Bella by the hand and began to walk her towards the door. But while she was saying good night to everyone handing out hugs and kisses after her spectacular introduction to the Denali family, I was making preparation for whatever Alice didn't see. Because I was still bothered by the knowledge that eight vampires surrounded Bella home two days ago, and not a single alarm went off for either Alice or myself. Now my alert status was on high.

With that in mind, I signaled Jasper and Emmett to follow us. I wasn't taking any chances, wolves or not. Bella was endanger, and right now, she was the most vulnerable one out of all of us. As the only vampire between the two of us, I was going to do everything in my power to make sure that she made it to September tenth, and into her second life. It was all that mattered.

''Wait, wait, wait." Alice quickly called out, as we were at the threshold. "Here, give this to Charlie tell him don't open it tell he gets to Tahiti. Make him do it."

"Okay, I'm not even going to ask" Bella said " Love you Alice." Taking the gift from her hand, and hugged for it, then we were out the door.

We took my Aston Martin, and flew to her house. It was late, and the town was more or less asleep, so there was nothing for my girl feel subconscious about.

The drive was quiet and the mood was content. Looking at her, sitting in passenger seat under the light of a full moon, leaning against the door, with her cheek resting on the back of her hand, and wearing a small smile. I couldn't help the overwhelming pride I was feeling that the fates chose this beautiful girl to be my mate.

"Bella, you were amazing today. You really impressed everyone, and did it in spectacular fashion."

She quietly hummed a soft smile at me.

"Thank you beloved, but I think my shield did all the work. From what I heard, it sounds like it increased my speed and strength..." she paused as concern overtook her features "oh god, what about the floor?"

"Its of no consequence Bella. While you were in the kitchen, I heard Esme making plans in her mind to replace the floor. So I stopped what I was doing and took care of it for her. I put the order in to get replacements and I used your funds to do it. It's the least you could do" I jokingly told her, and let out a quick sigh of relief followed by an grateful ear to ear smile. "It should be here in two weeks, beautiful girl."

Then her smile all but disappeared.

"Two weeks! God Edward, every time Esme looks at that floor she is going to hate me. That's 2 weeks of hell I've just sentenced myself too. Not to mention I am moving in tomorrow. Ugh could the timing be any worse?"

I laughed and shook my head.

"What?...What? tell me Edward" She asked with a small smile, she looked like she was hoping I was about to tell her good news.

First off, Bella, we don't have wood floors that comes in a box. We have... no had the real 16x8 custom made cherry wood flooring. So repairing that is going to take some time. But like I said it's of no consequence, because if they could turn it into art work they would. They are probably making fun of Irina right now for getting her butt handed to her by a human, and for having that said butt slammed into the floor so hard it left a crater and an imprint of her bottom in it. Thanks to you we have 2 weeks of Jokes and good times ahead. Emmett and Kate are in heaven." I said laughing

"Well I'm glad you Kate and Emmett are happy, but it all seems like kind of a violent reminder of our falling out, don't you think? Like blood that was never cleaned away from a crime scene."

"Hmm, I see your point. From your perspective, you probably wonder how to walk and talk around Irina with that as a constant reminder than you put her on her bottom, am I right?" She nodded. "Well when you're a vampire, you will learn to appreciate a new perspective on violence. Meaning Irina as well as the other sisters have nothing but respect for you, and would be insulted if you didn't wear your action as a badge of honor. We all know you didn't mean for it to happen, but since it did, just go with the flow. And as for Esme, I don't think you can do anything that she won't forgive."

"Really?" Bella asked warily "Won't that be considered favoritism?"

"Not if you're 'everybody's' favorite. Then that's just a mother loving a daughter who just so happens to be her favorite person."

Bella smirked at that. "Okay, I won't be a prude about what happened. But I'm not going to act like a cheerleader either."

I just shrugged my shoulder. "Fence sitting is fine in this case. Just do what you want to do."

"Just do what I want to do huh?"

I nodded once more.

Then she looked at me longingly with her best 'I need you' look

"Hmm, in that case, I was wondering about something. Edward, um, before we get back to Charlie's, can you do one thing for me?"

"Sure love what is it?"

"I don't want to go back home just yet. I want you to take me Edward; have your way with me on the hood of the Aston, can you do that for me?" She said, now biting her bottom lips, looking at me with her large soft chocolate eyes.

Oh god she made me so hard with that phrase.

I slammed on the brakes and texted Jasper and Emmett

J: Go on ahead, Bella and I have to take care of something before we get there.

J: I feel ya, we'll scout ahead then.

Em: Don' break my sister! HAHAHA

Great, thanks for the reminder.

I quickly found a nice patch of quiet road, and I fulfilled her request. She was out the car and on the hood. she hiked up her skirt to her hips and pushed her lace panties aside inviting me in. The sight of her waiting for on top of my hood like this momentarily made me for get that I wanted to wait for our wedding night. But I reigned myself in and just threw my face into her core.

By the time it was all over, I had released in her beautiful mouth twice, as she came for me six times. I slopped up ever drop my tongue could reach.

Now with her fantasy fulfilled, she was sated and was ready to go to Charlie's.

"Thank you beloved, I needed that. I feel one hundred percent again." She breathed out to me. Still slightly perspiring from our act

"Anytime my love."

We pulled back onto the road and made the rest of the trip to her father's house. It didn't take long for me to pick up on the minds at now that they were in range. I slow

I counted three wolves and Billy and Sue. Leah and Seth were helping their mother vacuum seal some of her clothes, in order to make as much space possible.

Billy was trying to talk to Charlie, but Charlie was running the house around trying to find this or that for his trip, and was preoccupied imagining Sue in one of the barely there bathing suits, and bikini's he unintentionally witnessed her pack.

From Billy's mind he knew that this was the chance he was waiting for. He wanted to tell Charlie that Bella should come to stay on the reservation with Seth and Leah under the guise of prudence. He was going to tell Charlie that he sees where Sue's and his relationship is going to end up, and it might be a good Idea to let Bella, Seth and Leah under one roof for the next 2 months and see how they get along. Plus, it will give Bella protection while he is away.

But that was only part of it. He wanted her away vampires, and planned an intervention in the hopes of breaking her mind of our hold on in the next two months. He was planning to plying her with their tribal history about the dangers of vampires. Not to mention give her a new perspective on why wolves are good and pure, and could never do an ounce of evil.

Complete nonsense. You would just have to looking to imprinting to know that's a lie.

Then of course there was Jacob's mind. He also thought that this was an opportunity, but more to the point; he most definitely didn't want her alone with me for the next two months. Ever since he was 'commanded' to remain on his side of the line, Jacob has been chomping at that bits to find an excuse to be released and to see what Bella and I have been up to. Which is father provided when he needed Jacob to him over her this evening.

His mind kept replaying the smell of Bella and I mixed together, and he felt that she was slipping further and further away. His thoughts were constantly of rage, hurt and jealously; and they were driving his brothers mad.

When we got to Charlie's, It look like someone parked at bunch of clunkers in front it.

"What the hell is going on Edward?" Bella said looking at the cars in the drive way.

"I was listening in earlier. It looks like Leah, Seth, Sue, and Billy are in the house; but Jacob is sitting inside your truck. It seems he want to talk. However Leah and Seth came to see their mother off and Billy wants to make sure that Charlie wasn't fool enough to leave his daughter in the hands of monsters for the next two month, and wanted to tell Charlie that you could stay at Sue's till they get back."

I let Bella know that she needs to be on the defensive. That Billy and Jacob are here with an agenda, and did so for no other reason than I promised myself I would. I would let her know the situation so she could make all the choices herself.

"That's not going to happen. God what does it take?" Bella said frustrated.

"I know love, but they wanna try regardless, so let's get it over with. And even if by some miracle your father sees wisdom in their idea and rule against us, he will be too far way to enforce it." I said to her. But the truth was I wished I had earned enough trust by now that, that particular scenario would never have to be the case.

"Edward, that's were you're wrong. We're not here asking permission. We are just going to tell them what we are doing. They could pile on their two cents after that, but it won't matter in the end. We are doing what we are doing for us. I need to be with you and you with me, this back and forth shuffle was done for my dad's sake, but he's leaving and I've already outgrown it. I want to be with mate; so Billy, Sue, my dad and especially Jacob could all keep their opinions on the matter to themselves for all I care, because its going to happen."

"Heh, with determination like that I would even bet against Alice if she said other wise." I smirked given my love her favorite lopsided grin.

"Mmhm" She said as her heart beat pick up slightly. "You're damn right you should. Let's go"

We pulled up the last 30 yards to here house, the minds of those with the ability to hear us was still processing the new sound they were hearing. So I put my car in park and revved the engine. That broke Jacob out of his stupor and caused him to turn himself around in the Cab of Bella's truck and saw that we arrived.

He wasted no time at all. He hopped out of Bella's truck but was quickly side tracked when he saw my car. His resentment of me now had another level to it. It not like he didn't know that I came from a family of means, but it still felt like salt in a gushing wound to see Bella being better taking care of in a way that he felt he couldn't do anything about. I knew because he was mental comparing my things to his in his mind. And even when he and the wolves ran to our house when we were away, it made them jealous that our living room was much larger than one of their whole house.

What I don't get is, what is there to be jealous of? They have immortality if they choose it, and can slowly acquire assets over time like we have. All they have to do is start small like we did and keep building. Alice picked up change in the streets and took that and went gambling in small clubs, then bigger gaming arenas such as Vegas. Then she found us threw her pot in with ours and her and I played the market together.

It all started somewhere. 1 penny, here and a trust fund there, then add 70 years of wise investments, and what you have a is now worth tens of billions today. It's just a matter of aptitude. Don't get me wrong, they won't be billionaires; but they wouldn't be as destitute as they are now.

Simply stop running around the woods like sweaty adolescence rage fill dogs, and put a plan together.

I got out the car, keeping my eye on Jacob, and Bella got out her side. I popped the trunk so she can get Charlie's package that Alice gave her. Once Jacob eyed her, he was jealous again. But this time I did feel sorry for him. Because no amount of planning would give him her. She was mine.

'Keep calm, she doesn't like me when I'm mad.' Jacob was telling himself.

It seems he had a plan. He was trying to turn over a new leaf. He was trying to show Bella that he could be calm and respectful.

Apparently after failing numerous times to elicit a positive response from Bella, the tribe wolves were tired of him 'indirectly' asking them 'what is it I have that he doesn't?' So in their joking fashion, they let him have it. But it was Seth commentary that stuck the most.

'…He's not foaming at the mouth with rage every time he says hi. Even when he says it to you. So there's that'

'Plus, he is just an all-around keep it cool type guy, something you're definitely not. I guess that is what she is into. I guess she doesn't like hot heads'

Those responses seem to stick with him the most. He thought back on all their other interaction and couldn't help but feel like the big jerk in the room. Someone he knows shy Bella would run to the hills from. He felt like an idiot for not seeing it sooner. And was here to put on this 'show' to correct it.

Idiot

"Jacob" I said dryly

"Tick" he replied indifferently. Then looked past me to struggling Bella.

"Hey Bell…I mean Isabella. Do you need some help with that?" He asked politely over my shoulder.

I turned to face Bella and saw that she was looking lost as to what she was seeing and hearing.

"I'll tell you later love, but for now do you need some assistance?"

"Nope…its…just…being stub…born" She said before giving it one final yank. "Got it! And I did it all by my little ole self, but thanks for the offer. Both of you."

I just rolled my eyes at her. 'Don't tell me she's just as much a sucker for good manners as she is of guilt trips.'

Jacob was alight with new hope.

"So…ah, what is that anyway?" Jacob shyly asked over my shoulder.

"Don't know. Ask Edward, he probably got a better idea of what's in here than I do." Bella coolly told him, and finished with a slight mischievous smirk.

But Jacob turned and looked at me and grimaced, losing all interest in his question. After three seconds, of staring me down and grinding his jaw, he just folded his arms and looked toward the house.

"Ha, I knew it. Why the act all of a sudden Black? If you're a Jerk then just be a jerk, at least you'll be consistent. " Bella boldly told him.

'Ha ha, That rights baby Bells' Emmett thought proudly

'That's our girl' Giving Emmett a bump on his knuckle.

"But where has that gotten me? You only seem to respond to him, so clearly 'jerk' is not what you are looking for, so why not change? You think I wouldn't do it if I knew you were waiting for me at the other end? Because I would Bells, I really would. I would be anything you need me to be?"

"Well that's crap right there." Bella said cutting him off.

"No it's not, meant every word."

"You said every word, but you didn't mean a god damn thing. And that's' just another difference between you and Edward Jacob."

"Bells I…"

"Isabella! My name is Isabella to you Re. Mem . Ber?"

"Right, like I didn't know you all your life"

"No you didn't. You knew me for 2 months of the year since I was seven years old, and you were five. So giving you the benefit of the doubt that you could even remember that far back, that would mean you only knew me for about 22 months. Not even 2 full years. So cut the crap!" Bella said slamming the trunk of of the car.

"I don' want to argue, please. I just wanna…."

"Of course you don't want to argue, why would anyone want to debate a losing point. But your arguments have been full of holes all night, Black. You say it was your attitude that separated us and broke up our 'friendship'. I say it was your murderous attempt on my mates' life that did that. And I do clearly remember telling you that we will never be friends again; and I do clearly remember you telling me that you could handle this 'pain' on your own. So all these different approaches your planning on, cut them out, it's not going to work. Your days of manipulating charity out of me are over. And as per your bullshit line of being 'anything I need you to be'; the next time that phrase crosses your mind, remind yourself that the only two things I need you to be is either a stranger or a ghost. Other than that, I need nothing from you."

"Yeah, I see that" Jacob said gesturing to my car "You seem so to have everything you need now."

I growled lowly at his disgusting insinuation, that our love was some trifling thing.

"It's not about the money Black, but tell yourself whatever you need to." Bella said rolling her eyes and began walking.

'Ugh, He did it again.' Seth thought as he overheard it all from the inside.

'What the hell does he see in her? She is practically a vamp herself.' Leah thought

Then fate conspired with chaos. The wind pushed our mixed scent towards him. Through his mind I see that I smelled like me but like Bella as well. And this scent was not one you would get from just holding hands or hugging. You can only make this scent if you were doing what he 'thinks' Bella and I just did.

Then his switched just flipped. Jacob let out a murderous growl. Stopping Bella in her tracks.

'He's fucking her! Kill him. He fucked her before they came here, He's fucking 'my' girl! Kill him. She is letting him. Kill him. No she doesn't know any better, her mind is lost. Kill him. She is giving away what's mine. It belongs to me and he is fucking her, staining her over and over and over again, no, no, no! Kill him. I need to get her away from him. I need to fucking kill him. He is ruining her! Kill him. I need to get her away, get her away, get her away! Kill him. She is filthy now, will need to get everything he put in out of her.'

I growled then, interrupting his thought's.

This son of a bitch thinks by just getting her to reservation she will let him touch her, and if she doesn't, what then; rape? I should fucking kill him now!

"What is it Edward?" Bella said resting her free hand on my triceps, but wisely staying behind me.

I decided to be as candidate with her as possible. Fuck him.

"The dog caught our mixed scent on the breeze just now, and is mad that we are making love on a regular bases" I said and Jacobs rage grew with my confirmation, he was moment away from phasing. But I made no move to correct my statement let him think what he wants. "He was planning on taking you against your will to the reservation, 'for your own good' of course," I sarcastically state, "and clean out whatever I put in you, by whatever means necessary. And all done literally over my dead body and ashes."

Bella was all rage then. "What?" then she turned Jacob

"Still haven't learned your lesson have you. You're out of your fucking mind?!" She screamed at him.

That got the attention of those in the house and Jasper and Emmett changed positions to get a better view.

Jacob looked to house and was now feeling anxious. He didn't want an audience.

"No, but you are. We are in a serious situation here and you need to be protected, and you are doing is playing house with your tick. We can help you now Bella, we have more numbers than they do. You will be safer with us, with me Bella. Or is your life not important to you anymore?"

His arguments weren't even based in the reality of the situation he was in. He acknowledged nothing other than his wants. But I guess that is the wolf way. Take and destroy whatever is not freely given.

"You think by changing the subject I am going to forget that you're a psycho? I am not going anywhere with you. And this is no game you fool, I am engaged to be married but more than that, I am mated. So whatever his fate, is also is mine. Remember that next time you want him dead."

Charlie said, outside to her speech. "Hey! What's going on here? Who wants who dead? Talk. Now!"

Bella wasted no time.

"Jacob here is none too happy about my choice" she said to Charlie. "But what he fails to realize is, I made my choice, and It wasn't him. I keep telling him we were nothing more than friends, but he won't listen. So I screamed down his damn throat to make sure he got the message."

As she was speaking Jacob got wind of her breath. He smelled my semen on her breath and was disgusted and repulsed. But not enough to let her go. He was furious once again. But held in his growl time. But from his mind I could tell didn't care anymore, he wanted to phase and take me out. And he would've phased already if it wasn't for Jasper.

"And what? you want to commit murder over it now Jake? Jake, she has a boyfr...no scratch that, a fiancé. Don't you think it's more than clear that she has made her choice? Let her live her life son."

That sparked new fury. He turned to Charlie and channeled his anger.

"Son?, Son?! Wasn't that what I was supposed to be right now? Your son in law? Haven't you and my father been talking about that for years? She was meant for me! Yet she stands there with him, but call 'me' son. Why don't you help me fix this? Can't you see how wrong he is for her? Don't you remember what he did to her? Don't you remember how broken he left her? The mess we had to clean up after he was done with her and threw her away in the woods like garbage? Do you want that again?"

Charlie was only looking at me now. Concern was plastered all over his face once more. He couldn't help but think something like that might happen again, except this time Bella too far gone to be saved.

Bella looked at her father as he just stared my way.

"You've got to be kidding me with this? Dad! That part of our lives is over. We worked past it all remember? Don't let yourself be…"

"Jake is right Charlie!" Billy chimed in from atop the stoop, interrupting Bella. "I don't know what you are thinking Charlie, but that boy is no good for her." Bella stepped forward, but I held her back. "Your daughter was a living ghost and it was only thanks to Jake that she found life again. But what did you allow her to do with that second life? You allowed her to waste it yet again, that's what. Charlie, we have spoken in great detail about this arrangement. Things were going well when the 'Cullen's' left this place. Bella was beginning to depend on Jacob, you came to me in gratitude over everything he has done. So is it so shocking and wrong that he would love your daughter as much as he does? Is it wrong that he want to get her away from all the poisonous elements in her life?" He said gesturing to me "Charlie, they would be together now if the Cullen's had not returned you and I both know that. But something went wrong..."

"That something you're talking about is me, Billy. They returned because I went to go get them. Because all the only improvement you all saw was my ability to lie. To put on a smile, so that you all would leave me alone. None of it was real. It was all distractions till to keep my head above water, because the only thing I could think about while you thought I was falling for your son, was the man I'm am marrying now."

"That's a lie!" Billy barked out.

"How the hell do you know?" Bella said momentarily losing her patience with the shortsighted figurehead before here. "I told you which part was the lie, but that seems to be the only part you want to believe was true. You're becoming just as delusional as your crazy son."

'Ho, ho, this is getting good.' Leah said standing next to Bella truck.

"Bella!" Charlie chastised. He didn't like seeing Bella this way, and Billy has been there for him and her for years and Charlie feels that he is due a certain amount of respect.

"No Charlie, they need to hear it. And if you're not willing to stand up for me, then I will. Because they are doing nothing but trying to destroy my happiness. My real happiness." Bella told him then turned back to the Blacks.

"I knew where you were, but I went to go get 'him'. I made a choice, didn't you recognize 'that' part in your fantasy? The part where I made up my own god damn mind. The part where Charlie knows that he has a daughter with a mind of her own, and not a possession to be told who to marry because a drunk fishing buddy and his overly hormonal son, say so. So how about you take some time and remember we live in the real world, and not the fantasy in your head. What make me happy is my choice. Who I love and marry is my choice, and I won't have either dictated to me, understand Black! It was always Edward. And don't worry, no one is asking you to like it, but you will respect it!"

Now it was Billy's turn to turn red.

'We are trying to save your life you fool!'

"Ha, this is interesting, I should have popped some popcorn." Leah said breaking the tension.

"Leah, keep quiet" Sue reprimanded

"Right, right, no talking till the credits, gotcha ya" Leah joked. Earning her another glare from Sue.

'Hahaha, I like that one' Emmett thought.

From the thoughts I was reading Both Jacob and Billy were not deterred. Sue was on the fence and didn't' want to say anything without knowing which side of the fence Charlie was on.

Leah just wish Jake would move on. The constant barrage of Bella, all day every day was too much.

Seth just want everyone to realize how dumb they are all being. And I would have to agree. And with that I spoke up.

"Is this seriously up for discussion?" I asked of no one. Then looked to Jacob "I understand if you 'feel' a certain way about my fiancé, but your affections go unreturned". Jacob just looked at me with murderously.

'Of course they do bloodsucker, if you didn't exist, she would be with me right now'

I couldn't help the feeling that Jacob Black was a lost cause.

Then I turned to Billy. "Bella is my fiancé, and the love of my life. And just like I promised Charlie, where ever she goes, I go. So no one is leaving and going anywhere. But that aside. I don't like that you all feel like you have a say in what you think makes her happy. She is a person with a mind of her own" Jacob growled lowly at that, but I continue regardless. "She is not someone you can order about. She has made her choice. A drunken deal made in the misty hours of the morning does not constitute a marriage pact. And you forcing that thought on your son is the reason he has been acting so…unbalanced. Can't you see how slowly twisted he has become so far? If you don't clear his mind soon of this obligation he will lose his sanity. Trust me 'I' know."

'Too late if you ask me' Seth thought sadly.

'Kid got a point, the boy does seem a bit off these days' Charlie thought.

Billy took a look at a seething Jacob and he knew that I was right, but would not admit it here.

But Jacob was ready to try another angle.

"Tell me where is she staying while you and Sue 'conveniently' disappear for 2 months?" He asked Charlie

"Jake, I think what you're really trying to ask me is, if I trust my daughter in my absence. And I do, and I'll just want to leave it at that"

"So you don't think it's a good Idea that she is protected while you are away?" Jacob asked incredulously

"Jake what are you really getting at? do you..."

"Dad... Jake is right. He is making sense for now any way. I agree with his assessment. Plus this all falls in line with what I wanted to tell you anyway."

We were all momentarily shocked, Even Jacob, who just thought he won something so he was a smiling fool.

But if I know my Bella, that smile is about to disappear.

Thanks for your help Jake.

"You do?...ah Well what do you suggest kiddo?"

"Dad, I am engaged, so I will move in with my husband to be. I will be under the protection of my new family until I graduate. But the truth is Dad, I am a grown woman now, I no longer need my relationship chaperoned. I'm too old for that. Plus it's not like you can stop us from doing whatever 2500 miles away. But that's not why I'm moving in. Edward and I need to live together regardless. It's a good test for our relationship. Add that to the fact that I will be going away next year to school anyway, I don't see the point of postponing this anymore. Like you said went we told you we were getting married, you must've known this was also only a matter of time as well, right? Plus, it frees up this house for you and Sue?"

Ha, she had him as Sue. But he was still going to play the part of the dad.

"Yeah, I suppose your right Bells, but things are moving kinda fast don't you think?"

"I want what I want Dad." Bella said and left it at that.

Charlie nodded and was about to say something before he was cut off

"No! are you kidding me? Is that all the fight you're gonna put up?" Then he turned to Bella, "And you know that was not the point I was trying to make, I was..."

"We all know what 'you' were trying to say Jacob" Bella harshly told him. "Whether you said it in five words or a thousand, we all knew what you were trying to get at. But I have a fiancé, one that I will be marrying in August. So stop this. I told before, stop chasing me and turn around and look to see who is chasing you. Loved them. Love someone who loves you in return. Please Jacob, I beg of you, for your own sake let me go and love another."

"That seems pretty clear to me" Seth said. Causing Jacob sneered at him, but Seth just rolled his eyes.

'idiot' Seth thought.

And he was that's for sure.

"Yes, it seems clear to me as well who will have the best interest of my daughter. Not that it matters. Seem Bells has made up her mind."

Bella and I smiled at him.

"Charlie a moment." Billy stiffly said.

Charlie walked over to Billy and stood on the base of the stoop.

"Yeah Billy, go ahead"

"After years of friendship, will you truly trust the safety of your daughter to another family? Charlie, are really willing to you allow her to marry 'him? He doesn't deserve her Charlie, you and I both know that. And if you allow this, he will take her from you and never give her back."

Bella gasped then. "Edward" Bella said in a panicked whisper

'What the hell is that fool doing?' Sue thought.

'Oh shit, Really old man? You're gonna out us over her?' Leah thought.

"What are you talking about now Billy?" Charlie asked looking suspiciously at his friend.

Billy held his tongue. He looked around to the faces of his people to see if he had their support. But from the stern faces that he knew he didn't. Only Jacob seemed to be in his corner.

"Nothing, I was just thinking, that he will be keeping her busy and far away from Forks, her home, and from you."

That caused Charlie to look back at me once more. He had to admit Billy had a valid point. This was one of his fears as well.

Seeing that he was on the right path Billy continued.

"Charlie, you have known Jake's quality all your life. He is the better match Charlie. And he would keep her safe. Right here with us."

'Is he FUCKING joking?!' Leah thought with pure disgust. 'You want her to be locked down like the rest of us, to be a fucking breeding tool. To stand around like all the other mother''s wondering how she is going to feed the kids, that Jake keep pumping into her guts. Is that the bright future these fools are fighting for? Assholes!'

Then she turned to me.

'You better not fucking let that happened Mind Reader. Fuck them!'

I gave her a slight nod, but didn't remove my eyes off the disgusting scene in front of me.

"Charlie, You are her father not her buddy. Stand up to your child. Don't allow her to reside within those walls. Your practically giving him unrestricted access to her. Charlie... that seem like reckless parenting."

"Excuse you? Reckless parenting? Have you seen your son?" Bella called out gesturing to Jacob.

But Charlie held his hand up, and I took Bella in my arms and shook my head at her.

"Give him a moment love" I whispered to her.

Charlie was taken back. He didn't appreciate Billy telling him how to raise his child. A child legal grown, but his child nevertheless.

"First of all Billy, I do know of Jake's quality, and so does Bella, and she still chose another over him. So what does that tell you? Plus, she is right, It's her choice. As per where she stays, she is also correct. Because she is not going over to her 'boyfriends' for a night. She is moving in with her fiancé and soon to be husband and for a damn good reason. She wants to know how well they live together in a single space. So since I'm going to be 2500 miles away and won't be able to monitor a goddamn thing regardless. I can at least make sure that she is with people she trust. You heard me? that 'she' trust. This decision has nothing to do with you or me, so don't make it about us. My daughter has a life to live; 'her' life Billy. Edward is right, a drunken dream does not make a marriage pact. So for god sake let it go Billy"

"So you will allow fornication?!" Billy sneered out.

"Ugh, Billy! What my daughter and her husband do is none of your or my business" Then he turned to me 'Lord forgive me' "Just… don't get her pregnant too young, okay?"

What?!" Jacob said in a rage...he would've transformed right there again. But jasper was keeping him sedated. So he did the only thing he could, he swung at me.

I grabbed Bella and pushed her back as Charlie was yelling at him to stop. I would've ended it quickly but there was too many witnesses. Seth jumped up and tackled him to the ground

"Jake…Jake!…Calm…. the fuck down!" Seth said struggling to keep Jake under control.

"What the hell is the matter with your boy Billy?!" Charlie barked at him.

But Billy just sat there, fearing that Jacob was pushed too far and was about to change at any moment.

'I got this' Jasper thought.

Then we all felt strangely lightheaded but content.

'…the hell?' Charlie thought.

'This must be that Cullen boy, the emotion controller. He can reach us this far away? Billy thought as he looked about.

'So that's why Jake didn't change?' Seth thought as the situation finally started to make sense.

'So that's what it feels like.' Sue thought trying not to like the feeling, but couldn't stop singing its praises.

After everything calm down seemingly out of now where thanks to jasper. Billy, and Jacob, was politely asked to leave. They begrudgingly went back to the reservation. Their mission failed.

But it did provide Bella the platform she needed to broach the subject of her moving out of her father's house.

We spent the rest of the night with Charlie, Sue Leah and Seth. Seth was apologizing for this or that. Mostly everything that could've been laid at the feet of either Billy or Jacob shortsightedness on the matter.

After a while Bella was sleepy and I took her up stairs to her room. Charlie said nothing as I spent my first official night in her room.

Sue still felt Bella was a spoiled child who was destined to cause pain and suffering to Charlie with her selfish choices. But since she wasn't entirely wrong, I didn't begrudge her, her opinion.

Soon it was morning and I drove home with Bella to get Carlisle's Mercedes. We drove to pick up Charlie and Sue and left Leah and Seth at Charlie's house still sleeping.

Charlie looked like a New man even before went on Vacation.

"Oh I have a present for you dad" Bella said.

"Yeah kiddo, what is it?"

"I…Ah, I really don't know dad it was wrapped up"

"Its deep sea fishing rods. Plus it come with a 3 week private Island get away, where is will be just you Sue and the Element. No bell-hops or room service. Just you and Sue, living off the land" I explained saving my bride to be.

Both of their eyes went wide with joy. Getting served on hand and foot was not their style, this addition was perfect. Charlie thanked us profusely, now he can go on vacation and just relax. no agenda

Once we got to the private airport we were greeted by the pilot and the flight attendant on the tarmac. They confirmed Charlie and Sue destination and return trip. Then after some quick goodbyes they were off.

"What now beloved?" Bella asked me as the plane launched into the sky.

"Now, we train for war"

[END CHAPTER]

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SPECIAL A/N: THANKS TO PM CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN MYSELF AND EMALA2012

[Comments Below that]

JACOB VS DENALI's

I would say that the Denali's handled the news of Bella mated status better because they understand the permanency of it better, and didn't delude themselves into believing it to be a trick of the mind like JB did.

But you can't blame JB for his delusion. Put yourself in his position. If the one you 'think' you love is under mind control, what would you do?.

If that scenario is too unfamiliar, then Imagine your child or loved one hanging out with a bad element {Drugs, people, etc}, and every time you start you try to tell them the truth, they lash out at you, pushing you even further away; slipping through your hands like sand. Its a truly hopeless situation. And that is what JB feels he is in right now.

So he is just picking his moments and reminds Bella that he cares and that he is there for her, every chance he gets. Or at least he is trying to, before his frustration gets the better of him.

But it also doesn't help his desperate situation to hear that she is sleeping with and plans on attaching herself permanently to that 'bad' element. Can you imagine how badly that knowledge damages his psyche? It practically throws his mind into inferno of rage.

So is JB, crazy from his our perspective yes, but with this new insight, do you still believe that?

COMMENT Q'S BELOW:

What did you all think of Bella putting her foot in her mouth for the second time?

What did you all think of Bella letting the family know how she felt about her abandonment?

What did you all think about Eleazar plan to pimp out Bella's information?

What did you all think about Eleazar theory of a shield made for others? How do you think it will effect her gift?

'What do you guys suspect is REALLY going on in the Vampire world, that gifted vamps are coming together?'

What did you all think of the real reason why they thought James and his gang was there?

What did you all think of Billy's input & his almost telling of the secret?

What did you all think about the wolves financial prospects?

How did you like the chapter as a whole?