21

Bella

I can feel my heart rate slowly come back to normal as Edward and I, hand-in-hand, ascend the Cullen's staircase back down into the dining room. Esme sits by the window in the front room reading and Alice sits at the dining room table staring at massive amounts of paper sprawled out all over the table.

I take a closer look and notice they're seating arrangements for the wedding reception. Thank god it's her and not me.

"Ugh!" Alice tosses one of the sheets across the table. She looks up and notices we've entered the room. Her and Edward exchange glances quickly. "Well, now I have to rearrange the seating charts again." She gets up from her chair and walks around to where the tossed paper lies.

"What's going on?" I wonder.

Edward answers for Alice, who is muttering very quickly under her breath. "Apparently the rest of the Denali coven left. Once they heard about Tanya, they didn't want to get involved, so they traveled back to Alaska."

"Wow, some family they are." I can't believe they would just leave Tanya here.

"Bella, you have to understand that our family and theirs are much different. Theirs is all women, firstly, and it's very rare to see vampires come together in large groups such as ours. By nature, vampires are extremely independent and selfish. If they all had mates, however, I would assume that they wouldn't leave her so lightly. But their instincts are to run when danger calls. Every man, well woman in this case, for herself."

A different voice enters the room. "And at any rate, they wouldn't be able to help her." Carlisle has joined the three of us in the dining room. "Her fate is up to the Volturi. They decide what becomes of her. Speaking of the Volturi, Edward and Bella, can I talk to you in my study once more please?"

I look up to Edward's face and for a moment he looks worried. He notices my gaze and gives me an instant smile.

Alice chimes in. "Good it's about time you tell them what I saw. I'm going to get Jasper. I need a break from all this wedding stuff." She gets up and prances out the front door, to the river.

Carlisle holds out his arm for us to enter the study. I enter first followed by Edward and Carlisle who shuts the door behind him.

"Bella," Carlisle begins, "Alice saw a vision of the Volturi here in Forks." My heart skips a beat. "She said that it was soon. Possibly tomorrow even. At any rate, we do not know the meaning of their arrival. My guess is either to check up on Tanya, or you." Okay now my heart stops beating all together. I feel Edward squeeze my hand, sensing my fear. I calm down slightly. Now would be a great time to have Jasper here.

I take a deep breath. "So what do we do?"

Carlisle starts pacing around the room. "We just wait. We've given them a promise and I know Aro trusts my word more than many others'. But what we can do is keep Tanya here for now and tell them what happened with her. We have to tell them everything. Edward, do you remember how she did it?"

"Yes, for the most part. I can at least describe it for them."

"Good, that will suffice."

I can't help but think of Tanya's fate. "Will they kill her?" I ask Carlisle.

Carlisle shakes his head, "I don't know. They might. Sometimes they give the fate of those who break minor laws into the hands of another vampire, or a group of them, a jury, of sorts. We don't know the full story yet, so we'll just have to wait and see what they decide."

Both Edward and Carlisle's heads jerk up and look at the door. Their eyes become wide and bodies still; something's at the door. I open my mouth to ask what's wrong when I hear faint footsteps running away and the front door slamming.

Edward's voice chills the room. "Tanya. She heard everything. She's running now. We must stop her!"

Carlisle grabs his arm before Edward can move. "No! She cannot hide from the Volturi. She knows this. Plus, Alice has a hold on her as well. She found a way to become immune to her powers, like you have Edward. She's not running away."

"How do you know that?" I stand in between Edward and Carlisle, both faces determined and hard.

"I made her…a deal of sorts. She knows how much trouble she already is in. I made sure that she would get the lesser of the punishment possible if she didn't run away. Plus, Edward, did you hear where she was going?"

"No," his face softens slightly, defeated. "Just that she needed to get away…to think is what I heard. Then she was gone."

Carlisle moves to the door, opens it and calls out for Alice. But she is already in the dining room, Jasper in tow. "Did you see her running?"

"Not until just now." Alice closes her eyes, visualizing Tanya. "She's just thinking. She's at Olympia Park. She plans on returning before dawn."

Edward and I step out of Carlisle's study and into the dining room with the rest of them. He pulls me closer to him, an instinct to protect me. His arm drapes across my chest, holding me tight.

I can feel a low rumble deep in his chest. "Good," Edward says. "Is she staying there?"

Alice closes her eyes once more. "I don't know. She doesn't really know what to do. I'll keep an eye on her though."

Carlisle rubs Alice's shoulder, "Thank you Alice. We don't want to cause her any more damage than what's already been done."

Edward lets go of my body, and this time his low rumble turns into a deep growl that escapes as he talks. "You're protecting her? After what she's done?!"

"No Edward." Carlisle's voice is now a booming authoritative force. "I'm only trying to help her. She is a part of us, after all. She doesn't know better. She was acting on pure instinct and had nothing else to go by. She was heartbroken and didn't know what to do. Without her, Edward, I doubt you would be the man you are today, with Bella especially, you know that." Edward's stance relaxes and he nods his head. "Good." His voice returns to the normal sultry sound. "Now, it's getting late. Bella should probably be getting back home. Alice will keep an eye on Tanya."

I see Edward nod to Carlisle then exchange serious glances with Alice. She nods her head once and Edward takes me by the hand, leading me out of the house.

"Wait!" Edward stops mid-step by the foyer. I turn around back to Carlisle, Alice, and Jasper. "What does this all mean? Am I in danger?"

Carlisle speaks. "No. Tanya knows what she's done. And I doubt she would want to do any more harm."

Edward interrupts him. "And I'll be with you too Bella." His smile is so seductive and sweet. I ease up a bit and feel my body become warm and comforted. I give Jasper a little smile and he nods back.

"Thanks. I'll see you guys later." I wave good-bye to the Cullens and Edward and I walk outside to his Volvo.

The drive is quiet. Edward holds my hand the entire trip and we exchange glances every now and then. My heart flutters every time I catch his eyes. We pull up to my house and I can see Charlie's cruiser parked in his spot.

"He's not worried." Edward informs me. "He's just a bit hungry."

I laugh and kiss Edward good-bye. "See you in a bit."

"Less than a bit, I promise." He squeezes my hand and kisses the top of it. I can feel myself blushing. He laughs quietly to himself as I step out of the car. I walk up to the door, turn around and see Edward pulling out of the driveway back onto the street. His engine becomes a faint hum as he speeds back to his house.

I step inside and see Charlie sitting comfortably in his chair in front of the tv. He looks up and sees I've come home.

"Hey there Bells! How was your time with Alice?" He only looks up for a brief moment before returning back to his baseball game.

"Great! Just what I needed actually."

"So glad to here it kiddo. Did you do anything about what we talked about?" This time he's fully acknowledging me, intrigued and anxious.

I nod. "Yup. Edward was there." His eyes grow wider. "But it's okay. He just needed some time for himself." I can see Charlie's not buying it too much. "Here, why don't I cook you some dinner and we'll talk about everything."

"Sounds good. I'm starving!"

I laugh and say to myself, "I know."