Disclaimer – This is Stephenie Meyer's universe. I'm just playing in her world for a bit. Any names and characters not found in Stephenie Meyer's books could be mine or Liljenrocks creations though.I'm so sorry for the delay. The longest delay ever, wasn't it? My uncle is still in a coma, no change, and there's always a stream of out of town relatives popping over for a meal or a place to stay when they come to visit him. So basically that's why I've been busy and that's why my imagination sort of dried up. I've gone for a few interviews too, but I've not yet found something that I would like and some people are saying I'm too choosy. Oh well…Anyway, I received a few PMs from my fellow readers, some of you were concerned if I was somehow affected by the earthquakes and the tsunami. I'm not, but thanks for all the love and prayers. Then some of you wrote to me saying that some writers were having problems uploading the chapters due to some problems with FanFiction and they sent me the workaround steps. I'm so touched! I didn't even know there was a problem. Wow! You guys really care and I thank you from the bottom of my heart. And please know, this was the reason I forced myself to write this chapter. It's not my best work, but I made myself do it for all of you. I hope you guys like it.
I want to thank Jen too, for being the awesomest beta in the world. Thanks for listening to all my grouching and still maintaining that cheerfulness. Thanks for listening to all my horrible confessions and not judging me badly…hehehe. I'm sad that Love You for Always is over, now woman, get a start on that Quil/ Claire story!
I have an idea for a Paul story. A collection of one-shots that I'll write as and when ideas strike me. Then, for some reason I had this idea for a short Emmett/ Rosalie story that would fit into my universe to add on some drama. I was just wondering, if I was to write it, a vampire story, would you read it? And review it? Should I?
Now, before my AN gets longer than the actual chapter, I give you Chapter 25. Hope you like it.
How the Mighty Fall
Chapter 25 : We Are Who We Are
Embry
A lot has happened in my life. Growing up without a father, with a mother who never really showed any affection, then turning into an oversized wolf and being shoved head first into a secret that had to be protected and upheld for all time. Searching, always searching for something, someone to make all the pain and loneliness go away, mostly the loneliness I guess. It was ironic really, having the ability to live forever if I kept phasing and didn't get killed, then meeting and marrying my soulmate, also an immortal and wishing for a chance to have the happily ever after that I've always dreamt about, expecting a raging father to come tear my head off and instead coming face to face with an enemy from the past, one that just might be able to get the best of me even with my enhanced strength. The shortest married life and honeymoon in history…the story of my life!
The bastard sniffed the air, no doubt catching the intoxicating scent that was Petra and he exhaled with an "Interesting" comment. The growl came out of me unbidden but his body language was more of a taunt. He wanted me to attack, he welcomed it but he couldn't seem to be able to look away from her, whatever he could glimpse of her from where she cowered behind me. "Hey leech, you don't get to look at her," I ground out.
"Leech?" he asked, a smile playing about his lips. "I have been called worst. There is something very familiar about your companion. Tell me Miss, are you Italian? Russian?"
"Whatever she is, it isn't any of your business." It was staring to occur to me that perhaps he didn't know that I was wolf. It would explain his body language, casual, very, very casual and loose as if he was in control. The amount of self-confidence he had was hard to miss. I guess with his size he must almost always get his way—almost always. It was not going to happen today. I heard Petra jabbering into the phone and I smiled. As scared as she was, she was still doing what I had asked her to.
"That's rude," he grinned as he sort of slipped a little to the left to get a better view of Petra. I fought the instinct to move myself. He was trying to herd us away from the second door to the ballroom. Not going to work asshole. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am here visiting family and—"
"Try another one bloodsucker! You're a Volturi puppet and you're way out of your hunting grounds. It's within my rights to kill you!" His name was floating at the back of my mind. He was the big one, a possibly dangerous one. More than twenty years ago, I remembered the Cullens and the other vamps on our side were pinpointing the ones deemed the most dangerous during the standoff that day in the clearing. There had been a blond male with this giant, that guy was supposed to be a damn good tracker. There had been a small female, she could cause pain, same with the slim male with her. I remembered the battle plan of that day. Those key Volturi figures had to be put down no matter what. They escaped that day, but today was another day…I smiled.
Realization came flooding in his red eyes. "Children of the Moon," he hissed taking a half step back before he checked himself.
Jake slipped into the room then, followed by Sam. Sam stepped up to my side and stood beside me, shoulder to shoulder, showing me without words that he was ready to protect my wife, my mate, my imprint, with everything he had. But I did not turn to look at him or acknowledge him, my attention remained on Jake. His face was thunderous. He was so pissed that I could see the wolf in him showing itself on his human face. He looked frighteningly fierce or fiercely frightening, I was not sure which described him best.
"Wrong asshole. They only change during the full moon, we phase at will," he said as he placed himself in front of Sam and me, the vampire instinctively taking two steps back. Self-preservation and all that jazz.
"Cullens," the giant hissed when he noticed Edward and Jasper at the doorway. "I should have known."
"Felix," Carlisle acknowledged. They were all here, all the Cullens except for Nessie and the kids. "You're a long way from home."
Now I remembered his name. I relaxed a little as Alice slipped into the room and headed straight for Petra. I let her brush past me as Petra explained softly. The Volturi vampire stood back, his posture one nonthreatening as he held his palms up. "I mean no harm, Cullens."
"What brings you to this part of the world, Felix? I believed Aro when we agreed on not interfering on each other's territories," Carlisle spoke up.
"It still stands. My descendents live here. I periodically come over to check in on them. I am not here on Volturi business, merely my own."
"Your descendents?" Jake demanded. "You expect us to believe that?"
"Yes, I did manage to trace my family, the human ones. They do not know of me, but I like checking on them, ensuring that they are alright. My youngest great-great-great grandson plays ice hockey." He ended his explanation in a rush.
Carlisle and Jake turned to Edward who nodded. "Corey Fontaine just signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs."
"He's fed recently," Jake claimed.
"This is Canada. I did not cross into your country!"
"He has a point, Jacob," Carlisle said softly and Sam, Jasper, Emmett, Jacob and I turned to give Carlisle a look of disgust.
Felix's eyes slid back to Petra who was now a little braver with everyone surrounding her, she was no longer cowering.
"Hey! Stop staring at her!" I snapped.
"You have to tell me, how did Demitri manage to get her to you?" There were a few murmured 'huhs?' throughout the room and the Volturi vamp looked surprised. "She is Gianna and Demitri's child, isn't she? The resemblance is uncanny, the scent too."
"She isn't Gianna or Demitri's 'child' as you put it," Jasper said.
Jake automatically looked to Edward and that prompted me to look at him too. Edward looked thoughtful as he watched Felix, no doubt reading his thoughts as he too stole peeks at Petra. I noticed Bella staring at Petra, a small frown marring her brows.
"She looks just like Gianna, except she's a little shorter. She has Demitri's mouth, and that is Gianna's locket. She wore it all the time."
Petra gasped and brought a hand up to clasp her locket to her chest.
"Where did you buy that locket from Embry?" Alice demanded from me.
"Me? I thought you gave it to her!" I retorted.
"I always thought it was a gift from you. Petra, dear, where did you get that locket?"
"It's mine," Petra said softly, her eyes huge and scared as she held the locket in her fingers.
"Hey," I murmured as I pulled her close to me. I no longer feared that I'd phase. I was calmer now, especially since I had backup and I strongly suspected Jasper. "It's okay, baby. Don't be scared."
"It's my locket, Embry," she whispered.
"Yes, it is, and I'm not gonna let anyone take it away, okay? But can you tell us where you got it from?"
"I found it," she whispered as her eyes filled with tears. "Near the farm, some ways down the mountain, I found a burnt car with lots of plants and things grown over it. It was inside. I used to pretend that they were my parents. Papa looks a little like the man in the picture with his hair like that."
With trembling fingers she opened the locket and there, preserved in time, were two faded photographs, one of a woman who looked very much like Petra, and another of a man, a blond man, the blond vampire Demitri that I remembered from so long ago. It looked like this Felix knew what he was talking about after all. Alice looked over Petra's shoulder and gasped as she noticed the picture and she looked at Edward and Bella and nodded before she looked at Jasper, telling him something with her eyes. I was more interested in my wife, as she struggled with something.
"Embry? What's going to happen to me?" she asked softly.
"She's Demitri's daughter. She belongs to the Volturi, she belongs with us!" Felix snapped.
"She's my daughter. She's a Cullen," Jasper responded.
"She's Demitri's daughter, she is a Kobyla. He was my friend, I will take her. I will do right by her like Demitri would—"
"Sorry, guys, she's a Call. She's my wife and she doesn't belong to anyone."
"Embry? What do you mean? I belong to you!" Petra said fiercely.
I grinned down at her before I confirmed it to everyone. "She belongs to me, with me."
"Emmett, please see someone and book a suitable room for all of us to gather and have some semblance of privacy," Carlisle murmured no doubt when he sensed someone coming, and Emmett and Rosalie took off.
In a short while, we were all gathered in a little private chalet by the waterfall. It was a little cramped, but we made do. Carlisle and Jasper were most eager to get Felix to talk and the huge vampire, although outnumbered, seemed very determined that Petra belonged to the Volturi. Well, he could dream.
"She is Demitri's daughter, Carlisle. She is Volturi. You are interfering with what is ours. We left you Edward and Bella's daughter. You should rightfully return Demitri and Gianna's daughter to me."
"She belongs with her husband. Tell me, Felix, is the Volturi ready to battle the wolves for her?" Jasper asked.
Felix sucked in a harsh breath. "You mated her to a dog! How could you? Gianna deserved better than that. Demitri came from a royal line. He was a Kobyla! And you do this to their child."
I opened my mouth to defend myself, bite his head off, something but Petra beat me to it. "Embry is my husband and I chose him. He loves me and we are very happy together. Your Demitri and Gianna were never there for me when I needed them the most. But I have my papa now and Alice and, and my new family. I don't need or want you or the Volturi. Please leave us alone."
"Oh, then why do you wear Gianna's locket? Why?" Felix thundered at Petra and she shrank back with a whimper.
But that little sound was enough to push me into action. I had Felix by the throat and up against the wall in seconds but my body shook as I fought the desire to phase and rip him apart. Jacob was there immediately as he grabbed my shoulder and pulled me away from the vampire. In hindsight, I guess he could have retaliated immediately, he wasn't a newborn still learning of his strength and limitations. This Felix was probably centuries old and he was huge. It was stupid of me, but he threatened my wife.
"Embry? Embry, are you okay?" Petra cried out as Sam held on to her, not letting her come to me. I was thankful that Sam stepped in but I nodded at him and he understood and let her go. She came into my arms immediately and just having her there helped me to get myself under control.
"Child, Demitri died to protect you," Felix rumbled softly now. "When he couldn't lead us in the wrong direction anymore, he destroyed himself before Aro could get to him. For you. If Gianna had birthed you amongst humans, she would have died at childbirth. Ask them, ask the Cullens. They know I speak the truth."
Then room fell silent for a moment before Carlisle stepped up. "Felix, perhaps it would be pertinent for you to tell us what transpired in Voltura with Demitri." He went on when he noticed the reservations on the Volturi vampire's face. "You won't be betraying any secrets I'm sure."
We all watched as Felix struggled with himself for awhile, then he turned to stare at Petra again. "You look just like your mother. She was beautiful, so beautiful," he said, his tone of voice almost reverent. It said a lot, his words, his voice. I had no doubt he must have loved this Gianna once upon a time."She was beautiful and she was only human. I'm not sure if she would have had a gift had she been turned, but to be turned and be a guard, you need to have a gift that Aro could sense. I think he was still waiting to sense what she would have," he turned to Petra then, to watch her with those red eyes and she inched closer to me. "She caught my eye and she caught your father's eye too."
Petra shook her head and her eyes filled with tears. A part of me wanted to tell everyone to go to hell and take Petra away from there but I knew, she needed to hear this. She needed to know about her parents. I knew she questioned her identity. I know she was thrilled about being my wife, she loved being with the Cullens, but this she needs to know.
"I think she was in love with Demitri from the day she first saw him. Every decision she made, good or bad, was always in hopes of getting closer to him but he stayed away. He had to, he was with Heidi."
Petra gasped and her gasp was echoed by Rosalie and Esme. "He lied then? He was dishonest?"
"He had to, child, you have to understand. It's not easy being alone for hundreds of years. He drifted to Heidi out of loneliness and he remained faithful, always faithful until he met your mother. He fought the attraction, he always did but I think he fell in love with her the day he met her. We used to ask each other what love was. I loved once before, I had a wife and children of my own, but not your father. For Demetri, he never knew what love was until he met your mother. But he could not leave Heidi for your mother. Heidi is possessive and vindictive, and Gianna would have been no match for a scorned vampire, especially not when she was still human. He had to wait, you see, for Aro to give the go ahead to turn her. But I think you happened before that." Felix turned to Carlisle then, "It isn't us, the Volturi that you need to beware of. Aro has experimented and there really isn't anything remarkable with a hybrid. They're stronger than humans, yes, but they're still no match against a full vampire. They make the human race stronger, but they do nothing for the vampire race. But Heidi, once she learnt of Demitri's infidelity, she went a little crazed. She went on trying to trace Gianna long after we gave up. If she finds out about her," he said, pointing at Petra, "she won't rest until she's killed her. That's why I think I should have her under my care. I'm stronger than Heidi."
"Her husband is stronger than Heidi, Felix. My daughter remains with him where she is safe. News of her would only spread if it was you sharing the information," Jasper drawled. It surprised me. I was so sure he would be ready to rip my head off my shoulders and here he's already referring to me as Petra's husband.
"There's only one way to ensure that the news doesn't leak," Emmett interjected as he cracked his knuckles.
"I am not a threat to her," Felix said.
"You would be the minute Aro touches you."
"I'm high on the list of trusted guard. Aro does not subject me to tests anymore."
"I'm not leaving Embry!" Petra cried out suddenly.
"No one is making you leave him Petra. Don't worry," Alice chirped as she clasped Petra's hand and Jake slid a sideways look at me with a small smile.
"Your father was my friend. I still miss him. He would have been happy with how you turned out but I'm not sure how he would have reacted to your choice of a partner though. You deserve better. I can give you better if you give me a chance."
"Thank you. But I have already found everything that I need and more. I'm staying with Embry," Petra answered immediately. I didn't know where her bravado was coming from. Jasper? Me?
"May I know, how did Gianna get to you so fast? When we saw her when we returned to Voltura after our little visit to you all those years ago, she looked ready to deliver," Felix turned to Carlisle.
"Petra only came to us a little over four years ago. We never knew Gianna," Carlisle explained.
"How was your life before that little one?" Felix asked Petra. "Would you tell me please?" he asked gently.
She shrugged. "I grew up on a farm on the mountains, I think somewhere in Italy. I never knew Gianna. I found this locket and I used to pretend that they were my parents," two huge drops of tears fell from her eyes and I reached out to brush them away. "I didn't know that they were really my parents, Embry. I just played pretend that they were and that they cared about me."
"Your pretends were real, sweetheart," I whispered. "I always knew that had your parents been alive, they would have looked for you. I would never give up on you, baby. You're too special to everyone who knows you."
Petra buried her face into my chest for a while as she struggled to pull herself together, then she turned to Felix. "Then one day I left the farm and wandered around until I met someone who brought me to Papa. I've been with the family ever since until I married Embry. Now I'm his wife and I'm staying with him." She was candid and gave no extra information.
"Demitri was your papa. He would have found you had he been alive. He was the best tracker we had ever. He died child, for your safety."
"How?" came the teary question from Petra.
"Gianna's pregnancy was noticed immediately. There were a few of us who knew how Demitri felt about her but we all kept his secret. Love is so rare and not everyone is lucky to find it. But she disappeared almost immediately and he was told to track her and he did. He led us all the way to Spain before we were summoned back. Aro knew by then, I don't know how he knew. Demitri did not show anything, or give anything away. He was nonchalant really and even I did not suspect anything, as he walked into the room where we house an incinerator and stepped into it before anyone realized what he was doing. He died protecting your mother. He died to protect you. Please, come back with me. Let me give you the life he wanted you to have."
Felix's story moved me. If it were my child, I would die to protect it too and this Volturi vampire, this Demitri did just that. He died to protect his child, who is now my wife. And now if Petra chooses to return with him, what would I do?
"De—Demitri, my father, he, he died to get me away from there. I shouldn't go back. He would have died for nothing then. I want to stay with Embry. He is my future. I need to stay with him."
Felix nodded. He accepted her decision. You could just see the defeat in his posture and all of a sudden, I didn't want to kill him anymore. "What is your name child?" he asked.
"Petra," she whispered softly. "Petranella."
He nodded once more. "Petranella Kobyla," he said.
"No," Petra shook her head. "Petranella Call."
He smiled gently at her. "Petranella Call. It is my pleasure to make your acquaintance. I am Felix La Fountaine at your service."
I watched as they shook hands carefully. "Demitri and I had this flat we shared. Heidi never knew about it. No one on the guard knows about it, your mother didn't either. It was our private place. He would sit there and pour his thoughts and feelings out into these journals. I still have them, a whole library of them. I could have them sent to you if you like?" he offered and I watched Petra nod.
Petra
I snuggled closer to Embry's side as we waited for the carousel to bring out our bags. We'd left for the Niagara Falls with just one small bag each but we were returning with more luggage. My wedding dress, Embry's new suit, new shoes, all my souvenirs and gifts that I had bought and also my collection of photographs and my precious DVD.
I felt Embry brush his lips over the top of my head and I looked up to smile at him and a flash went off somewhere. I turned to look with a gasp. It was a reporter. It wasn't new, it wasn't the first time we were photographed like this. Every once in a while, when Embry and I went out together, we'd get photographed and our picture would come out in the newspaper the next day. I never understood why people would be interested to read about Embry and me going out or what I was wearing and if I'd worn it before. I figured our return trip would also be documented in the papers tomorrow.
The family had left earlier, having no luggage to wait for and knowing that they might be photographed or recognized if they stayed, they left for Forks immediately after landing in Seattle. I watched from the security of Embry's arms as Sam said a few words to Paul and Rachel who were here in the airport to greet us, then he accepted the keys that Jacob handed to him and he walked out. I felt a little sad about that. Sam hadn't spoken a word to Embry since Felix walked out of the room in Niagara Falls. Just like Papa hadn't said a word to me. I pushed the sad thoughts away as Rachel came up to me to hug me and congratulate me. I smiled and said my thanks as Paul gave me a hug too.
"It's about time," he smiled. "Hey beautiful bride, you're supposed to be smiling like a loony. Come on, be merry now that you're married!"
I couldn't help but giggle a little at that. Paul was funny and very nice, even when he hit Embry lightly at the back of his head. "Thanks for not inviting us to the wedding, dumbass. Saves us from having to get you a gift."
"Winters," Rachel said in a warning tone as she hooked her arm with mine.
"What?" he replied in an innocent way that reminded me so much of Keegan. "I'm just saying."
"Whatever," she said. "I'm sure the wedding was romantic and beautiful and something that was very Embry and Petra."
I watched as Embry shot Rachel a look of gratitude and a lump settled itself in my throat. He was suffering and it was all because of me. It occurred to me then, that I had a hold of some sort over Embry. I had the ability to make him do whatever I wanted. A part of me felt thrilled and riding on the tail of that feeling came a sense of shame. I made him do what I wanted and now Sam and Paul and papa were upset with him. He did it for me knowing from the start that this might happen. Oh Embry. He cares for me so much. I knew then that I would never do this to him again. I would never make him do anything on my impulse. He knows better than me and I should at least discuss things with Embry and listen to what he has to say. I wanted to apologize to him as I watched as Paul and Embry wheel our luggage trolley out of the airport.
"Are you okay?" Rachel asked me softly.
"Rachel, I didn't think, I didn't realize that making Embry marry me like this would upset so many people."
"Oh sweetie, don't let that bring you down, okay? The thing is, you have lots of people who wish you all the happiness. Embry is a part of a pack and the guys are like a great big happy family. There are some hurt feelings running around but like in all families, those feeling are soon forgotten. But honey, you should talk to Emily. Embry's like a son to her, talk to her and tell her what happened and I'm sure she'd feel better and then you'd feel better, okay?"
I nodded. Rachel knew Emily very well and Rachel was smart. She understood what happened and she has always been nice to me. "I'm sorry, Rachel."
"Hey, don't be sorry, Petra," she said gently. "Please don't be sorry about what should be the happiest day of your life. It's the first day to your happily ever after. So smile and be happy. It's a must."
I had to give her a watery smile. She made me feel a little better. Soon Embry and I were in Embry's car and we were following Jacob's car as we made our way back to La Push. Sam was riding with Jacob.
"Embry, I'm sorry I made you marry me like this. I—I'm sorry."
"Hey, I wanted to marry you, okay? I wanted to tie you to me and declare it to the world. The how of it was up to us, let's not let anyone make us feel bad about it, okay?"
I nodded but then I remembered the look of pain on his face when Sam had snubbed him. "Sam is angry and that makes you sad."
"Well, I'll talk to him. He…he," Embry shrugged and then fell silent.
"He's your brother and he should have been there for our wedding. I didn't think things through and now Sam is angry and Papa is angry. I just messed everything up. I'm so sorry, Embry."
"Hey, stop saying sorry, baby. We'll talk to everyone and explain it to them. You have to remember, we have a secret weapon."
"We do?"
"Oh, yes, we do. As angry as everyone may be with us, the thing is, they also care about us and want us to be happy. So they'll give in, eventually. So baby, don't worry okay?"
What could I do but nod and agree. But my heart was heavy throughout the drive and finally when I couldn't hold it in any longer, a sob broke out.
"Petra, hey what's wrong?" Embry asked gently as he clasped my hand and brought it to his lips.
"Papa and Alice are angry with me, Embry."
"They'll forgive you Petra. You know they will. Come on, stop crying, please."
It took a while, but he finally managed to help me stop my tears. We had a plan, we were going to get Alice to plan a huge big party for us to announce to our friends and family that we were married. She loved planning parties and papa loved it when Alice was happy. Hopefully it would help get everyone to not feel slighted and I clung to that. Embry and I had a plan, and it made me feel better. This was how decision are made, I realized now. The first decision Embry and I made together, as husband and wife. I just knew our plan would work.
A/N : Lemme know what you think. The story isn't over yet..