CHOICES MADE

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

"I think we will go with the first suggestion before considering the second. But, what about you two; do either of you have an objection to our union?"

"If it makes Dad happy and it is his choice to be with you either way, then I'm happy."

"I agree with Izzy that if Uncle Charlie and you are mates then he is entitled to the happiness Izzy and I have. I wouldn't want anything less for him."

So, with that agreement decided they all three return to the hospital waiting room to inform everyone as to what is going on and might be going to happen since help would be needed if Charlie chose to be changed.

Edward reached out with his mind to find and connect with Charlie Swan. After locating him and the connection is made, Edward quickly explains what is going on and asks if Charlie has a decision as to what he wants. Charlie informed Edward of his choice and then the connection is broken so Edward can let them know.

Margarite had stayed quiet during all of this time listening to what was transpiring. To say that she was livid that a true bloodline had been attacked would have been stating things mildly. After hearing of Charlie's conditions and what options had been put forth along with the reasoning behind them, she felt a sense of relief that Ankarra wasn't acting in a rash manner, but, had thought things through and was going in accordance to what were family wishes. She would bless the union between Ankarra and Charlie Swan when it took place.

CHAPTER 21: TIME CAN BECOME THE ENEMY

Edward looks around noticing that everyone in the room was waiting for him to tell them if he had been able to connect with Charlie and what, if anything was his decision. This was the part he hated; everyone waiting in suspense as if he was delivering a life or death sentence, which I guess you could say in a way, he was. Shaking his head he indicated for everyone to give him a moment.

"Edward, did you make the connection?" Bella asked to which he nodded yes that he had. "Okay, did he say what he wanted?" Again Edward just nodded in the affirmative without saying a word.

"Damn it, Edward, just spit it out so we know what we have to deal with." Ria said to him with an aggravated tone in her voice. "We don't feel like playing guessing games at the moment."

"All right, but, I'm not sure exactly what he means, or, if I understood correctly." Edward warns them. "He said to try the root first; just enough to see if healing is possible. If nothing, then to go with Lee's method for now. But, if worse comes to worst, then he wishes to change. He mainly wants to stay himself long enough to do right by Ankarra and the family.

"Now, do you know what he is talking about at all?"

"Yes, we do, but, it will take time for the root since it only grows in the Valley of the Whispering Winds and the healing recipe is an ancient one handed down through time. Okay, so tell me where to get it and we will be on the way while you begin mixing the rest of what you need. With our speed it shouldn't take anytime to retrieve it." Emmett joins the conversation. His concern for Charlie Swan is just as deep in care and concern as everyone else's.

"Thanks, Em, but that won't be possible. It can only be found by a true blood and only pure instinct will lead the way to it." Bella explains to him.

"I will see if I can get it for you." Margarite offered. With Charlie being a true blood even if he is male still makes he worth the effort.

"Thanks. We'll start to gather everything else that will be needed. How long do you think it will take?"

"It won't take any time. One of us will take you and bring you back. It will be the fastest way as was mentioned earlier by young McCarty Cullen." Ankarra says. "I think Lee would be the best one to do so since he has been in the family longer than the rest of us."

With a bit more discussion of what needed to be done, Lee left with Margarite. No one saw them leave other than one moment they were by one of the cars and the next they were gone. Bella and Ria told the rest of the family what would be needed so Bella could begin getting things put together at home since Ria was stuck in the hospital for a couple of days. But, first, they get it cleared with the doctor that Ankarra was going to stay with Charlie since they were engaged. The doctor saw no problem with this arrangement and let all of the staff involved know of his approval to the plan.

With the time being of the essence all things needed to be accomplished as if it was yesterday's urgency instead of today's to try to ensure a tomorrow. Lee was moving swiftly without feeling any weight restrictions due to his passenger. Margarita said not a word, probably due to being scared speechless having never moved this fast before. She was a deadly pale color except for the patches of rose in her cheeks caused by the rushing of the wind as Lee ran carrying her in his arms.

Bella stayed in constant connection with Ria while Ria was going between taking care of Ariabella and spending time with Charlie and Ankarra. At home all of the Cullen men and women were busily running to and fro collecting all of the ingredients needed to make the healing potion. All that is except for Carlisle; he was at the hospital keeping a close watch over Charlie.

But, as everything was progressing to halt the march of death taking Charlie Swan from his love ones, Ankarra was seething inside to take action against the ones responsible for her mate being in this condition. The law was clear about harming her family and it was at that point she realized that Charlie had never been included in the law. It had only been about Ria and Bella with their children. So, in a way her hands were tied, but, as this thought came to her so did the realization that her hands were tied in another way as well. With Charlie being what is referred to as 'a true blood' she had to uphold the laws concerning his species as well. How was she going to be able to achieve justice for what had been done to him? The laws of the blessing of Margarite were made very clear as to what could and would happen if a family member broke that agreement. Lives would be forfeited and she refused to be the cause of that happening. So, she would have to bid her time until none of the families could be indicted for her actions. Her actions would be her own as that of Vampire Queen.

Time passed and to those that were watching over Charlie Swan it seemed as if it crept by; almost as if it had come to a standstill. But, with the passage of time Charlie stayed stabilized. He didn't improve or lose ground. But, each person involved with rushing to get the ingredients together were feeling the pressure of time moving on swiftly marching feet with each tick of the clock and passing of the second hand.

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The two vampires that Charlie had encountered had moved on a ways into Canada, but, due to the warnings from a friend they knew to lay low for a bit. That the human they had been involved and forcing him to cause bodily harm to himself was important to some well place vampires that had connections with the Volturi. They were powerful within their own abilities, but, had influence in the vampire world to make existence most uncomfortable.

The vampire female they had called after following through with her suggestion and a promise of great rewards didn't even know where they were going to hide. Instinct told them to keep that tidbit to themselves. To say they were afraid would be laughable since no other creature but another vampire could come close to causing them any sort of harm or do any damage to them. Only the foolish or stupid would try.

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Jane had informed Alec of the phone call and what was happening in Washington State with their enemies and their coming hostages. He was pleased that things seemed to be moving in the direction they wanted them. It would keep the suspicion off of Jane and him. The gathering of their small army was even beginning to go well. The promise of rewards and riches held great sway over the fools.

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Francesca had returned to her home after witnessing the happenings in the Washington fields against Ihue. It was at that moment she gets the news of what had happened to Charlie Swan, a true blood. There was no way she could pin that attack on the crossover twins but she knew in her cold heart that they had somehow been responsible. This information did nothing more than to make her even more determined to use and then throw away the crossover twins after achieving her own goals.

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The seconds had become minutes, the minutes had become hours and the hours were fast becoming a day. Patience was starting to wear very, very thin. It was taking all the control that could be called forth for Ankarra to stay in a calm frame of mind with hope remaining in the forefront.

Everyone was waiting for Lee and Margarite's arrival to finish the potion to give to Charlie. And it was during the waiting they all had to try to help control the stress factor surrounding Bella; to make sure she didn't go into early labor.

Finally, with the rushing of wind, the front door was thrown open with Lee and Margarite coming through. She had the plant needed to finish. So, without hesitation the potion was completed with all piling into cars or running through the woods to meet up at the hospital to see how well this would work. Hopes were high, but, reality was also knocking and wanting to bash a hole right through hope to tear it swiftly asunder.

As Bella came into the room her father had been moved to, Ria ordered everyone else out while they attended to what needed to be done. After the ritual was performed and the words said they gave him the potion and it then became a wait and see situation. Time could not be measured as to when they would see a reaction of any kind.

A/N: Well, Charlie made his wishes known and everyone is trying to comply with them. But, will the root work or will they have to resort to another method? How long will it take before they have to decide?

How do you think Jason took the separation from his parents? Is Jason going to be using his gifts to help aid his mother and the rest of the family? Bella wasn't too happy that she couldn't go to the hospital with Ria, but, she tried to understand the reasoning. Do you think she truly accepted what Carlisle had told her to do?

How will she deal with the crossover twins, the vampires and the prophecy twins? How will she do away with Margarite? Will she have any chance to succeed? What are Alice, Bella and Ria seeing? How will they begin to deal with it?

Please take the time to review and let me know what you think. I'm always happy to hear from you and to reply back.

NOTE: The date for my eye surgery has now been set and will happen on June 11, 2012. I do thank all of you for the many well wishes that you have sent and don't doubt about the stories as they will be kept up to date. I just might be a little slow for a day or so.