OLD VERSION OF ATR – PLEASE READ CHAPTER ONE NOTES FOR THE EXPLANATION ON WHY.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters; they all belong to Stephenie Meyer. I am simply borrowing them for my own amusement and hopefully yours as well.
A/N: ALICE POV
All That Remains
Chapter Twenty Five – The Lead Up
Edward relax, you know she is fine. Carlisle is with Tehya and you have already seen in my head that everything is going to be fine. I tried to ease the stress he felt from what is happening in the next room.
"I am relaxed!" he snapped
"Yeah, I can tell you are and I am sure the finger imprints in the wall where your hand is right now are... Help me here Edward, what are they?" Bella teased him.
"You are just as concerned as I am, don't think I can't hear your thoughts Bella" Edward was getting irritated and seeing the damage he had done to the wall where he had unintentionally dug his fingers into the plaster wasn't helping his mood.
"Of course I am concerned Hun, we all are. You don't have to be a mind reader to know that with the looks on everyone's face, well everyone except Alice here." Bella laughed softly.
"How's Charlie going in there, does he need my help yet?" Jasper asked Edward. He filled the room with more of his ability to try and calm Edward down further but in reality nothing was really going to help him until it was all over.
"No, I think he is okay but he may soon. Yes it is really close now. Do you see it Alice?" Edward asked me as his mood eased slightly.
I let my mind focus on Tehya to see how things were progressing. Nothing had changed in the last hour to change the timing of her life being changed permanently. "No, as you see Edward everything is going as planned."
"Oh No, Jasper now!" Edward yelled as he nearly doubled over in pain just before a shrilling cry came from the next room. Bella quickly protected him from Tehya's mind, I could see it nearly killed her seeing him react that way.
I have to admit that even though I had seen this coming I had not been prepared for the emotional pain I would feel hearing Tehya scream out like that. Poor Edward was hearing and feeling everything she was going through and poor Jasper was feeling the emotions of her as well. His eyes were wide...
"How do they do this willingly? She is in agony!" Jasper hands were clenched as he tried to soothe Tehya's pain.
"You want me to help your as well Jasper?" Bella asked.
"No, I won't be able to assist her if I can't feel her emotions. Thank you anyway Bella" he replied.
"I don't leave the shield on Edward for long; it is only while she is in pain." She clarified.
"I know, but Edward doesn't have to know what she is feeling where as I do to gauge how to help her." Jasper explained.
"Can't Carlisle give her something for it, why would she do this to herself?" Rosalie frightened face said it all for what we felt.
"She wanted it to happen naturally" Bella stressed voice had none of the humour that was there before.
"Look, I don't like hearing her in pain either but it is what she wanted and it won't last long, two hours at the most." I tried to reassure everyone.
"I can't stay here and listen to this" Emmett said clearly upset.
"We are a disgrace to the Vampire world, don't you think Emmett." I tried to ease the mood.
"How so?" he took the bait.
"Look at us!" I said laughing "How can one human being throw the seven of us into such a state that we all want to run from the first scream coming from that room"
"Yeah, we are nothing but softies. I mean look at what we did when Bella came into our lives, we all went to mush over her, not just Edward." Jasper laughed.
"I don't think I could ever have made you turn into mush Jasper" Bella chuckled.
"No I would say it was mush" Rosalie joined in "Emmett into putty and Edward well there are no words to what you did to him" She was quite proud of her analogy over what Bella did to the Cullen family males.
"What did I do to you Edward?" she snuggled into his arms as he kissed her head.
"I could tell you love but are you sure you want me to say it in front of everyone?" Edward teased.
"Mmm maybe not, show me instead" Bella twisted round in his arms so she was able to reach his lips. Edward didn't resist her charms as always and had her pressed against a wall in moments doing exactly what she suggested.
Jasper hooked up on their emotions flooding everyone with it.
"Oh Man! Not again!" Emmett tried to resist the urges flooding him like the rest of us were but it was useless. He had no ability to suppress the need to have Rosalie nor did she want him to by the way she flew into his arms.
"That is not helping Jasper!" Carlisle yelled out from the other room making everyone burst into laughter.
"You two need to have some sort of proximity restrictions placed on you" Emmett complained letting go of Rosalie then literally pulling Edward away from Bella.
"I wasn't done yet!" Bella laughed.
"Oh you are done if I have anything to say about it" he looked back over his shoulder while he pushed Edward further away from her smiling. "It isn't right the rest of us have to suffer while you two are... At it!"
"I do believe we endured you and Rosalie for a decade, if not longer wouldn't you say Esme?" Edward looked over to her. .
"Yes it was a long time but we didn't have Jasper's ability back then either." She frowned as best she could but I knew she couldn't hide how much she was more overjoyed than anything with how Edward and Bella's relationship has finally settled into the happiness she always wanted for him.
"Here we go again" Edward warned moments before we heard Tehya's pain filled cry which brought us all back to the anxious feelings we had earlier.
"Charlie?" Bella asked Edward.
"He doesn't like hearing her in this pain; it probably wouldn't hurt Jasper for you to throw him a little cushioning to soften his stress now."
"And Tala?" I could see Bella biting her lower lip which she did when she felt worried.
"She is fine Bella; I would tell you if I saw anything for you to worry about." I said.
I knew Bella would be worried about her little sister, especially being human. When you become one of us you get this appreciation of how fragile humans are and even more so for the ones who have not been born yet. But this was more than any human we cared for. As soon as I saw Tala having a possible existence if Charlie and Tehya got together as a couple, the Cullen family set to work and became the ultimate match makers to ensure Bella got her little sister.
This baby has already changed us all so completely and a welcomed addition to our family. For Rosalie and Esme, they are being given the chance of being involved with the raising a child once more which is the closest they will ever be able to attain again in their life time. For Emmett and Jasper, they have developed a close friendship with Tehya and Charlie with them being in our lives so much and are keen to become big brothers and protectors of Tala as she grows in life. Carlisle is probably the oddest reaction, it is like he is assuming the role of a grandfather in many respects even though in age he is younger in appearance than Charlie and Tehya but in actual years of course he is over three hundred years old.
My take on Tala coming into our lives is different to all of them. I do not share the same need as they do for a child in my life but I am looking forward to becoming like a best friend or aunt type role. Of course I am all over her clothing needs and have had styles coming out of my ears for her. I have already seen Tala in the future, as has Edward. But to me it is easy to see what type of personality she has fashioning everything to her style.
The biggest change though is for Bella and Edward. The moment Edward saw in Bella's thoughts how she would have loved to have had a child with him, just to see what it would have looked like even has had Edward in turmoil. This was one of the reasons he wanted Bella to be human because he knew he could never give her a child of their own, and as much as he would do anything to make that happen it is physically impossible for female vampires to have children. This was one thought of Bella's so I can only imagine if she pinned for a child as Rosalie and Esme do.
I think this is why Edward has become nearly obsessed with Tala; it will be the closest thing he can see for Bella in ever experiencing motherhood. Bella on the other hand is just so delighted her father has found the woman of his dreams and they are now giving her a sister in the bargain. We have talked about children once but Bella is not upset at never having a child, Edward has given her what she wanted and that is himself, he is all she ever needed. Though she is a little concerned how her one errant thought has affected him so greatly.
When Tehya came back from her honeymoon pregnant, she had this passion in her to find out everything she could about the Quileute tribe and werewolves. After she had satisfied her need for that Tehya focused on us, anything about us fascinated her and Carlisle was more than willing to show her the history he has collected. It was amusing to watch her face drop over things like how long we live; when he told her he was over three hundred years old I was glad she was already sitting down. It was Edward that told her about female vampires not being able to have children. I am not sure if he did it deliberately in hopes she would be open to sharing her unborn child's life with Bella, well more than the average family would do, but if it was it worked perfectly.
She informed Charlie about Bella's situation and it hurt him. I almost stopped her from telling him about it but at the same time I didn't want to deprive Bella of the happiness I have seen she will have with Tala, she will in effect become a second mother to her and in turn our family will be involved as well. I haven't told anyone yet how involved we will be and Tala is going to be a handful and she will need watching over even more than Bella needed when she was human.
I say this not because of any outside dangers but because Tala is going to live her life the same way as she is going to be born, always in a hurry and won't be happy unless she is going Mac three with her hair on fire. I actually admire and like Tala's personality but it will make her a little vulnerable to having accidents and it is that we will have to watch over her closely with. Other than that I foresee us having nothing but a blast of a time with her.
Carlisle made the biggest change in his life for us all to stay here in Forks to be close to Tala and her family. He knew he couldn't go back to working at Forks hospital without raising suspicion for the family, so he offered the Quileute Elder's his services as a doctor. With this he would supply new medical equipment if they would agree to him building extensions on to their current medical centre. Billy Black was the biggest supporter of this offer knowing it had more benefits than possible downfalls. He knew we are quite capable of being more than civil provided no one was trying to kills us, not really a hard concept for anyone to follow.
Sam Uley was a surprise in supporting Carlisle's working there. Werewolves are self healers like us and would rarely need medical treatment but there have been times when bones needed to be re-broken for them to set properly which Carlisle had helped with in the past and enables the wolves to keep their secret. Our relationship has dramatically improved with them especially since Jacob has adjusted to Bella being with Edward.
"She is in her own little world right now" Edward said to Bella bringing me out of my thoughtful state. I quickly looked into Tehya's future to find that Tala is almost with us.
"Not so much that I am not all over what is happening" I said trying to hide my lapse of concentration.
"I think I could have messed your hair up without you knowing it you were so far gone." Emmett teased.
"Hardly" I poked my tongue out at him which he laughed at.
I saw his eyes flick to Bella. "You wouldn't!" I wasn't asking it as a question, it was more of a statement knowing full well Bella could shield his thoughts preventing me from seeing in my mind his decisions of what he was going to do. Ever since Bella learnt how to shield people my hair has become like target practice for them. Even Jasper has enjoyed the odd joke on me from time to time.
"Wouldn't what?" Bella looked at me with her 'I'm too innocent, holy than thou' look.
"You know what; I saw that look Emmett gave you!" I warned her.
"What look? He didn't give me a look" she laughed. "Did you give me a look Emmett?"
I didn't even see Edward's hand until it was too late. "BELLA!" I shouted at her as everyone burst out laughing. If he had been brave enough he would have really messed it up but as it was he chose to only get the top a little.
"Hey you said nothing about Edward" she offered in her defence.
Edward standing up suddenly hushed everyone instantly. His jaw was tight and hands made into fists, it wasn't long before he nearly doubled over from the thoughts he was getting from Tehya. Bella reacted quickly and shielded him from her thoughts fully understanding what was going on.
"It's time" I said as Tala was only moments away from being born.
Emmett POV
It had been a week of having Tala in the house with her parents as well of course. She had everyone wrapped round her cute tiny little fingers and we were at her beck and call. Billy Black and his son were on their way around to meet the little Swan addition to the family. Alice had let us know she had no idea what was going to happen of course with Jacob coming, this made her anxious. Not because of Jacob, the resentment the family felt for him was gone and forgotten and he had adjusted to Bella being with Edward. But Alice being Alice, she had to know what was going to happen before it did and felt blind when she couldn't.
I would tease her but she is rather protective of Tala just like the rest of us and if truth be told with her ability she would outwit me in any fight without the help of Bella shielding my thoughts. Now is not the time to test her patience.
"They will be here in one minute" Edward announced as their thoughts would have entered his mind. He and Bella went outside to greet them. There was one thing about Billy and Jacob, we could be ourselves around them and I for one did appreciate that.
Tehya had come to know the Black family very well and knew of the history between Billy and Charlie and of course between Jacob and Bella. She sympathised with Jacob but not enough to encourage anything to be different. Tehya was so taken with Bella and Edward and I imagine she would be a force to reckon with if anyone tried to separate them.
No sooner they entered the house Tala was placed in Billy's arms courtesy of Charlie. It was totally hilarious to see Charlie Swan behave this way, he showed his daughter off proud as punch. I could feel a chuckle itching to escape me and looked at Rosalie trying to suppress it. She could only smile at me and I knew she was thinking what I was. Great, there goes my defence.
"Emmett" It was when I heard Esme's quick reprimand of her usual one word of warning that stopped me from letting out a hearty belly laugh. If Alice stomped her foot down hard on me I would still want to laugh, soon I will have to leave the room or I am just going to bust.
"Oh Charlie, she's adorable.... Just like her mother of course. We can only be thankful she has no visible features of yours to spoil her picture perfect face." He teased.
"Yeah I can push you out the door you know." He bit back laughing.
"Tehya, you have done yourself proud. You must be happy."Billy smirked at Charlie but then focused on her.
Any moment I am going to lose it, I know I am. I looked over to Jasper and he was having a hard time of it keeping a serious look. It occurred to me that what Billy said was really weird, apart from carrying the baby for just over eight months, what else was Tehya to be proud of exactly? Their quirky sayings were just weird.
"Oh I don't know, I think Charlie is in our little angel through and through." She smiled at her husband proudly.
Come on now, she is the smart one out of the two, please don't tell me she is going to go all mushy as well?
"What do you think Jacob?" Billy asked his son.
It was then that I noticed Edward was almost glaring at Jacob and had his teeth clenched as well as his hands curled up into fists.
"What the hell?" The mood changed so quickly I had to do a double take on Edward as I saw him crouch in his hunting stance.
Jasper jumped in front of Edward pushing him back
"Don't touch her!" Edward said firmly through his gritted teeth yelling over Jasper's shoulder.
"What?" Bella was frightened and stepped in front of Jacob blocking his path to Tala "What is it Edward?" she demanded.
"She is beautiful... she is..." Jacob said like he was possessed but not aggressively.
"I don't know, but Jacob has lost his grip on reality or something. I don't want him anywhere near her" Edward said urgently.
Tala was surrounded by us with speed so fast Charlie and Tehya were pushed back from the air we displaced so violently. Whatever was going on with Jacob he had just lost any ability to even touch her. But what was weird was that I could see he was concerned he could no longer see her, no it was more than concern, he looked anxious.
"What is going on!" Charlie demanded.
Tehya was so focused on Jacob watching him intently. She wasn't as anxious as we were but it was clear she needed answers.
"Billy, look at him!" she said annoyed. "What is wrong with him?" Billy studied his son as best he could through the us blocking his sight but didn't seem alarmed.
Charlie tried to move Jacob back but he was not really registering anything that he was being moved. "Come on Jacob, move it till I know what is going on" his tone was terse.
"What... I don't understand his thoughts?" Edward jaw was still tight.
"What is he thinking about?" Tehya pressed.
"Tala, he is fixated with her but..." Edward's was clearly frustrated.
"But what?" Tehya wasn't happy with the answers she was getting.
"I don't know, he is just focused on her, not to harm but possessive I think" Edward shook his head trying to get a handle on Jacobs's thoughts.
"Imprinting" Billy finally spoke.
Tehya gasped "No!"
"Now hang on a minute, if that is what has happened you know he can't help it Tehya" Billy said firmly back.
"Not a chance!" Edward nearly yelled. I wish I knew what they were talking about, it was confusing as hell. Was Jacob a threat or not? The way Edward is behaving I would say yes, Tehya seemed angry but obviously not to the point she needed to take Tala from Billy and then there is Jacob, the way he looked, something was messing with his head.
"Anyone want to explain what is going on?" I didn't like being kept in the dark like this, especially where Tala is concerned.
"Wait, you said 'Imprinted' Billy, you mean he has chosen Tala as his mate?" Bella said alarmed as she obviously seemed to understand.
"To a point yes. He hasn't chosen her though like you think. It is when two mutual spirits select each other as partners. However, Jacob here won't see her as a partner until she is of age and she is ready." Billy explained. "Tala's spirit has picked Jacob equally as his for her."
"She is too young, she is a baby!" Tehya's anger was getting worse and now she did take Tala from him.
"Of course she is too young, he doesn't see her as his mate or anything, he will see her as a child to be cared for and nothing more but he will want to care for her as much as possible making sure she is happy." Billy knew that this was not the best time to explain this with eight vampires and two nervous parents ready to end this right now.
"I don't care what you think he will be or not be – he is not coming anywhere near Tala while he believes she is going to be his... No, I won't allow it!" Charlie stepped in trying to make his opinion clear on what has happened.
"He can't help it Charlie" Tehya said quietly. "But I don't like it"
"I don't care. Edward would not behave this way unless there was a reason to protect her." Charlie stated shocking me that he would take Edward's lead in this. It would have to be a first.
"Say something Jacob!" Bella urged.
"What do you want me to say, I can't help the way I feel. Bella I am no threat to her! Please believe me; I just want what is best for her." Jacob said with a sad tone.
"I think for the moment that would mean you may need to leave while this is sorted." Bella suggested.
"If you think it is necessary. Tehya, you know our tribe and what can happen I hope you can accept this as I cannot change." Jacob was almost begging her.
"I don't know, she is only a baby Jacob, it isn't right." Tehya wasn't about to back down.
This is all crazy, I would love someone to explain this a bit better. How can Jacob be attached to a baby... to Tala! This is just sick!
"You should speak with Quil, his situation is no different with Claire." Jacob suggested. "But I will leave; I don't want Tala upset with everyone so tense right now."
I'll be! Would never have pegged Jacob to back down like that with the way he is behaving.
"I think that is best until we can discuss this as a family." Tehya said reasonably calmly.
"What do you mean as a family?" Jacob went on the defensive all of a sudden.
"Bella and Edward are like her second parents Jacob, if anything happened to Charlie and I, Tala will be left in their care so this decision will involve them as well." She stated firmly.
Jacob's eyes flew to Edward hearing this and I could see he was very tense.
"I will try to be as impartial as I am capable of" Edward's words were not friendly.
"Yeah sure you will be." Jacob was not happy with Edward's statement.
"Don't push your luck" Edward warned him.
"Enough both of you!" Bella put her hand on Edward's chest to make him back down. It is impressive how she can control Edward so well. I suppose though Rose has just as much pull on me, she knows I will do anything she says. And Jasper is like putty in Alice's hands.
Sheesh! How long has this been going on? I wondered. How long have the males been so under the thumb? Now this is something we really should be discussing. As for Jacob, it is easy, put a leash on him and tie him to the fence till he gets over Tala. Problem solved!
"Come on son, we should head out while they let this news sink in." Billy said unconcerned about it all.
"I'll walk you both out" Carlisle offered. He is the peacemaker of the family and I just know that Jacob will get his wish if Carlisle thinks it is justified. The only difference this time is Tehya, she is a strong minded woman and maybe not so easy to be convinced into whatever is going on.
No sooner they started to leave Tala started crying grabbing everyone's attention. She hardly ever cried.
"What is wrong, is she okay?" Jacob spun around panicked for Tala.
"Oh this can't be happening..." Edward said angrily.
"What is it?" Tehya asked.
"She wants Jacob!" Edward spat out.
I laughed out loud hearing this. "Well that settles it, Tala is out and out a Swan, how typical she would want a non human" I laughed again "Good luck with trying to keep them apart Tehya" I moved away before I got smacked over the head by several members of the family. They can dispute this all they want, but those Swan girls are not ones to budge once they have decided on something. Edward should know this more than any of us. Fun times ahead!
Jasper's POV
Tala was two months old now and was enjoying her first trip to Edward's meadow with Tehya and Bella in tow of course. Charlie and the rest of my family were at the Reservation helping with the construction of the medical extension. It was all going smoothly even though Jacob wanted to be with Tala. It was amusing to watch how he fretted over Tala's well being; he behaves like a mother hen over her.
This was slow go for us vampires as we were not able to use our strength to put things in place as a number of the workers were not from the pack and had no knowledge of our abilities. They had heard of the stories but it was dangerous to expose ourselves so openly to ones who didn't and shouldn't know about us.
It was a little after lunch when Alice's emotions changed suddenly. There was fear in her that I hadn't felt since... Victoria attacked Bella. It felt my heart lurched forward.
"What is it" I demanded.
"Jacob... Tala, go now!" she said urgently.
He phased into his wolf form and was gone with the remainder of his pack seeing what happened and phased as well in pursuit.
"What is it?" I took her by the shoulders trying to get her to answer.
"There are two newborn vampires; they have picked up on Tehya and Tala's scent. We have to go or we will lose Tala, Bella will be hurt badly"
"WHAT?" Charlie
"Stay here Charlie we will handle this!" Carlisle demanded.
"No! If my daughters are in danger I am coming"
"Esme stay here and sit on him will you" Alice said with panic in her tone.
Esme complied without hesitation much to Charlie's shock that she was so strong. We left as Billy tried to explain to Charlie in his frantic state why his girls are in excellent hands.
Edward's POV
"Yes, I use to come here with Bella when we were dating. It doesn't have all pleasant memories for her but I think you will agree it is a stunning place." Bella didn't feel the pain she once did from the memories of Victoria's attack here, it still was the first place I brought her to and she loved it for that reason alone.
There are two of them. We could take them on easily; neither will have the strength we have.
Keep down wind so they won't detect us.
Hearing the thoughts of these intruders I hissed in response.
"What is it Edward?" Bella said breathing in deeply trying to pick up on scents to give her an idea of my fear.
"Take Tala, I will protect Tehya" I said instantly going into my hunting crouch. Bella had Tala in her hands that same second.
"I can't smell anything, what is it." She questioned nervously.
"Newborns, two of them"
"WHAT? WHERE?" Bella was her only reply but her mind was reeling. She knew all too well the strength of newborns and there were two of them. She worried I will take on both, which I will of course but I won't frighten her with this. Her mind closed off to me as she focused harder to locate the intruders.
"BELLA! Open your mind now – I need to know you are safe!"
She tried but she felt too frightened to do so.
"Try harder, you must or I will be too distracted." I demanded.
Bella took a deep breath then her mobile phone rang.
"It's Alice"
"Come quick" she paused "You do, and the pack. How soon?" then she hung up. To hear that reinforcements were on the way was enough to open her mind again.
"Thank you, please keep it open Love" I begged.
"Do I want to know what is going on?" Tehya had tears streaming down her face but not one sound of her crying. She was such a strong woman, I admired her greatly.
"Its fine, the wolves and our family are on their way, we can hold the vampires off till they arrive."
"You are sure?" Tehya didn't want to question us but the fear she felt was beginning to overwhelm her.
"One hundred percent, Tehya, stay behind me at all times and Bella will be by your side the entire time." I told her.
"Shouldn't I hold Tala?" she asked, her voice trembling.
"No, if by chance one get's by me, I don't want to risk them taking Tala out of your hands. You won't be able to see them move Tehya; Bella has a better chance of protecting her than you do."
"Of course" she replied but inside she was crumbling as any mother would when their child was in such danger.
"I won't let anything happen to her, I promise you!" Bella held her hand for a moment. Besides this will be child's play for Edward, as you know he can read their thoughts."
"Then why are you so worried, I see your face Bella, you can't hide your fear."
"Yes I am worried Edward will get hurt but he is our best chance, I trust him."
"Here they come, prepare yourselves." I warned as the two male newborns made themselves visible.
Tehya gasped seeing their red eyes. She could not accept these beings were real and her fear for Tala exploded within her mind.
I could sense her mind change, she was... "OH GOD NO!" I dare not turn around but I knew what was happening, she was turning into a werewolf.
"Bella quickly move away from her she is phasing into a wolf"
"What! Bella turned back to see Tehya shaking as she was losing herself in her transformation.
"MOVE!" I prompted Bella which she did.
This had our uninvited guests halt their approach which was good for us but not good for what was happening to Tehya. Charlie was not going to like this... At all!
"Will she want to harm Tala?" Bella asked anxiously.
"I have no idea?" I didn't know, this was as new to me as it is to Bella.
"Should I run for it with her?" she asked.
"No that may provoke her more and make her come after you" I wasn't sure but it might.
"Once she transformed into her wolf being I was hoping she would be connected to the packs mind and I would see how far off they were."
Bella's phone rang again. It was Alice of course.
"Alice" she paused
"She is transforming into a wolf. How far are you away or more importantly the pack?" Bella grimaced.
But I heard Alice's answer in Bella's mind. They were at least three minutes away. Anything can happen in three minutes. Okay I had to focus on the newborns. They had not come any closer and if we were in luck they would back away and maybe Tehya will stop changing into a wolf. Or was it too late? Ugh! I don't know what to do. Her instincts would be to kill vampires, would she go after me first? I couldn't break my defensive stance as the newborns would probably take that as a sign for them to attack her. But I knew how quickly she could kill me and it is possible while she is attacking me the newborns will go for Bella and Tala.
Snap decision time... but I couldn't do it, it was a lose-lose situation.
Too late! The popping sound behind me signified her transformation being complete. Tehya was snarling and as I thought may be the case, she was snarling at me.
The pack was in her mind but she was disorientated and confused. They were closer than Alice estimated being a minute at most away. I could survive a minute without hurting her too badly, plus she will heal but it was Bella and Tala I was frightened for. Sam was desperately trying to reach her to back down but it was no use.
"Bella take Tala and meet the pack, they are coming up on the east side away from the newborns. It is your only chance."
"NO! I am not leaving you!"
"You must it is the only way to keep the newborns off of you both, you can out run them easily but I can't fight all three Bella."I could hear her fears. "You are faster than they are, you must do it."
"YOU PROMISED ME EDWARD!" she yelled so frightened.
"I know. I will be fine Bella please trust me. Go, GO NOW!" I begged of her. It was so hard for me to do this to her, I heard her thoughts; it felt like the past all over again for her. It took every ounce of my will power to not break my concentration and take her in my arms. I wanted to but I knew if I did it would be the end of us all.
Bella cried out her pain with an almighty roar bellowing from deep inside her stunning the newborns again. They watched her closely. She left as I instructed and so I turned to face Tehya in her wolf form.
She lunged for me but I was able to move out of her way from hearing her thoughts. The problem with this is that it enraged her more and her thoughts became even more confused in her mind which made it harder to hear her plans.
Bella was flying like the wind with the newborns in hot pursuit; she was faster than them as I thought and now she just had to keep a level head. Not easy for Bella to do when she was overwhelmed with fear for me. My family were going to be able to take on the newborns with ease but who will be hurt until that happens, the wolf pack have no experience with newborns except with Bella and she never put up a fight so to speak. I had no idea if they had the skills to kill them or not.
The pack picked up on Bella's scent and that of the newborns. As soon as they were within earshot she screamed out to them desperately. "Help Edward!" Some of the pack stayed behind with Bella and took on the newborns and some came after to help me.
As I thought, the newborns were so different in their fighting abilities it threw the pack off. I heard bones crushing and arms being ripped off in the fight. My mind in too many places at once I was taken off guard. Tehya sunk her teeth into my shoulder tearing my arm off with ease. The pain of this I have had before from Jacob and Paul's attack but it isn't something you can get use to. I cried out from the agony searing through me as I sank to my knees. I was vulnerable for her to end me like this and she would not hesitate in doing so in her being so confused right now. My teeth clenched hard together, I forced myself to get up and try and defend myself as best I could till the others arrive. It wasn't easy with the pain overtaking most of my minds ability to think. I couldn't even hear Bella's thoughts right now but had to trust she had enough wolves protecting her and Tala for me. I didn't want to hit Tehya but she came for me again and I had no choice now if I was going to live.
Tehya yelped nearly shattering my ability to do it again if needed. I knew she would heal but to cause her pain especially when it wasn't her fault was something that I couldn't endure. I had hurt her leg enough though that she wasn't able to move freely and made her hesitant on how to attack me again.
I was given a few glimpses of my family and saw they had reached Bella and Tala; they helped the pack kill the newborns with ease and were on their way to me.
The pack arrived then and Sam used his ability as leader to stop Tehya attacking me further.
"Thank you. I had to hit her I am sorry, her back leg... I think I broke it." I felt ashamed for hurting her so badly.
You did what you had to Edward, she will be fine but we will also have to take her away with us until she is calm enough to transform back for your safety. You will need to stay off the reservation for a while. Please explain this to Charlie; it won't be safe for him or Tala to be around her for a while. Sam explained in his mind as the wolves literally herded her off away from me and my family who would arrive any moment.
"I will, he won't be happy, you know this but we will do what we can to help." I said through my gritted teeth as the pain pulsed through my body wishing me to scream out in agony.
"EDWARD!" Bella screamed out for me seeing that I had been injured. It nearly broke me hearing her thoughts – I never wanted this to happen again, for her to be in such pain over me.
"You said you would be fine, you promised Edward" her tearless sobs broke through as she fell to her knees next to me and my severed arm.
"I am fine. You know this can be fixed in no time Bella" I lifted her chin to meet my eyes. Tehya is one tough cookie. I smiled hoping to ease some of her pain.
"Yeah, just a flesh wound" Emmett laughed
"Not funny!" she spat back at him.
"Let me take Tala, Bella you will crush her in your state" Rosalie said taking the infant in her arms and not giving Bella a choice in the matter.
"Emmet your shirt and Bella your belt, we will strap this together as we always do. Please be calm Bella he will be fine." Carlisle said gently.
"Where is Tehya?" Jasper was concerned something had happened to her.
"The pack had taken her away, Sam said she won't be able to be around us or Charlie and Tala for a while" I explained as Carlisle set to work on me. "And said we should stay away from the reservation as well."
"Charlie won't like this one bit!" Alice said looking into the future for him "You could say it is going to be a huge speed bump in their marriage."
"We will have him stay with us and care for Tala until Tehya can return but you and Edward should be the one to explain what has happened to her alone. I think all of us around will overwhelm him when this will already be a difficult situation." Carlisle advised us.
Once I was strapped up we headed back to the house and Carlisle phone Esme while we were moving. He explained what happened and got her to drive Charlie back to our house where Bella and I somehow will have to make this okay for him.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"Where is Tehya?" Charlie was frantic with worry.
"Please dad come in and we will explain everything" I tried to encourage him.
"Tala?" I could see nothing was going to work on him.
"She is right here Charlie and sleeping so please keep your voice down." Rosalie said with my little sister in her safe arms.
"So is anyone going to tell me where Tehya is?" He wasn't going to sit down so I began.
"She is with Sam Uley for the moment Dad. Please listen, Tehya is a descendant of Ephraim Black as you probably know. And while we were out we came across some intruders" I put my hand on him; he looked pale.
Edward, is he okay? I asked in my head.
Edward shook his head and I wondered how I was going to make my father understand without bringing on a heart attack or something.
"Please Dad, come sit down, you don't look well at all" I pulled him along not really giving him a choice to move. My family left the room so it was just Edward, Charlie and I here.
"You are hurt Edward" Charlie's tone was flat.
"Yes but don't worry about it, I will be fine in a few hours or so." Edward tried to ease Charlie's concern but I could see on his face that he knew what Charlie was thinking and wasn't sure how to answer him.
"How did you get hurt? Where is Tehya, is she going to turn up looking like... Like Bella?"
"NO!" I didn't mean to yell like that. "Dad no, she is safe I promise you, she is with the Quileute wolf pack right now."
Charlie got up straight away backing away from us... Edward was by his side immediately stopping Charlie from tripping over the furniture.
"Where will you go Charlie, you can't go and see her for a while, it is too dangerous." Edward said quickly holding him in place.
"She has turned into one of them hasn't she?" He demanded.
"Yes" I answered softly "Please Charlie come and sit down and let's talk about this" I begged standing up myself to guide him back to the couch.
"I don't want to sit down Bella" he snapped.
"Fine we can stand" I compromised.
"It isn't as bad as you think, actually it is better, a lot better. She just needs time to adjust. Young werewolves are dangerously unpredictable and once she gets a hold of that she will be fine to be with you and Tala again." I tried to explain.
"How will this change her? I mean..." he wasn't able to work out what he was trying to say.
"She will be just like the rest of the pack Charlie, able to transform at will and have an extended life." Edward informed him.
"What do you mean extended life?" he questioned.
"To answer you this, you will have to know a lot more about werewolves Dad but I think it is time you did just that. Especially considering that it is quite probable that Tala will become one, when she is in her teens or older that is."
Charlie's breath caught and fear for his daughter made him even paler. I guided him back to sit on the couch again.
"I know this is a lot to take in but you really have no choice now. This is your family."
"Extended life, for how long exactly?" he asked.
"There is no limit on their life, as long as they keep transforming into wolves they can exist like that for as long as they want." Edward explained.
"What are you saying, an extra fifty years or something, surely they get too old?" Charlie was finding it hard to imagine.
"They don't age Dad that is the point; their bodies are sort of suspended in time. She can live to centuries or longer if she chooses to remain a wolf."
"I don't believe it!" his face expressed the same disbelief.
"It's true, Jacob will be that way I am sure of it, especially with Tala having the same genes as her mother and will be able to do the same." I tried to explain.
"Why would anyone want that?" This was so foreign to him.
"Because if you have the choice of living with someone for Eternity dad, to be with the one you love and they never change in appearance, wouldn't you want that?" I questioned.
"It's not the order of things, it shouldn't be so" he disputed.
"Agreed Charlie, it isn't but only a few being's in this world are offered this and I for one use to be opposed to the idea but now I wouldn't want it any other way." Edward admitted.
"You talk as if you are the same?" Charlie was slowly coming to understand this but at a snail pace.
"We are Dad. Edward is around one hundred years old and trapped in the body of a seventeen year old." I explained.
"I don't believe it, you are not like the werewolves" Charlie quickly replied.
"No we are not werewolves Charlie and you know what we are; I have heard you say it with your suspicions" Edward was trying to get him to accept the truth.
"Enough!" he said standing. "You know nothing of my thoughts"
"Yes he does and it is time for you to not be so blind Charlie. It is nothing to be afraid of." I stood, equally being stubborn.
"You have married into a family that is well at best unique and your daughter is also married into a different kind of family that is just as unique. I would have spared you the details but it appears fate has dealt you this hand and it is time you came to terms with it. I'm sorry this frightens you Charlie but you must listen."
"I don't have to do anything of the sort"
"So what are you going to do, turn your back on your wife, on both your daughters?" I reprimanded him.
"NO!" he retorted.
"Then you must understand what your family is about, who they are, don't you think?" I was not about to back down but was still concerned for his health.
"You can't keep burying your head in the sand Charlie, Tala may need you one day to understand her and wouldn't you want her to feel she can talk to you about anything?" Edward tried the parent card to see if he will respond to that. Nicely done I thought.
"Of course, she can talk to me about anything." He was annoyed with Edward for baiting him like that but it had to be done.
"Not if you keep ignoring on who we are, your family Dad, please understand this." I pressed. "I know you won't like it but surely understanding is better than not having a clue and your family having to have secrets from you, is that what you want?" I tried to make my point clearer.
"You were not going to tell me about what happened to you."
"That is because it was just me, now you have a wife and another daughter who is different and well to have three family members who are not 'normal' don't you think the time for games has passed?" My words I thought were quite persuasive but with Charlie being so stubborn I wasn't sure if they had just fallen on deaf ears.
"I am not playing games Bella" he was a little offended by my choice of words and fair enough I suppose.
"Look, I am just saying you need to understand that you are in a family where... for lack of better words, supernatural capabilities and you have to deal with it or walk away. I hope you don't choose the later!" I said firmly.
"Of course I won't walk away, I am not that kind of person" he argued.
"Well I thought so as well but you are putting up such a fight about knowing who your family really are and so I had no other option than to think it was something you would consider." I retorted.
"Okay I see your point Bells, I don't like it though" he conceded.
"I know Dad but it will get easier as time goes on." I hugged him for finally understanding.
"Tehya, do you understand that you can't see her for a while?" Edward asked in a gentle tone.
"Not exactly" he replied.
"When a member of their tribe first turns into a werewolf, their moods are unbalanced. They have super natural strength and when you put the two together bad things can happen. But in time Tehya like the rest did, will adapt and then will be able to be with you and Tala again."
"What sort of bad things?" he questioned.
"You know Emily don't you, Sam's lady?" I asked
"Yeah" he answered.
"Her face was not the result of a bear attack Dad and she got off lucky compared to what could have happened." I explained.
"What are you saying?" he questioned.
"When Sam had just become a werewolf, Emily was in too close when he turned one time and her face is the result of what happens when you are too close. Remember what happened to you when you were at Billy's place and they all turned into werewolves, you got hurt and that was with controlled werewolves around, you must see that an uncontrolled one can be dangerous as Emily found out. Can you imagine what Tehya would feel like if she did that to you or accidently injured or possibly kill Tala. How do you think Tehya would cope if that happened?" I asked.
"I don't think she would" he conceded.
"Exactly, so that is why you need to give her time away from you and Tala. Just remember she will hate being parted from you just as much." I said hoping this offered him comfort.
"Does she have to become one of them?" he asked and a fair question.
"My understanding is they have no choice initially but then they can choose later if they wish to remain a werewolf or not. It is a matter of not transforming when they have control over themselves to decide." I answered.
"You know there is a chance she will want to remain a werewolf, it has its benefits, what will you do if she does?" Edward asked. I was surprised that he did, it is not like him to pry like that.
"You say she will remain the age she is?" he questioned.
"Yes" Edward replied.
"I doubt she will want to stay with me when I am old and grey." He said sadly.
"I was prepared to stay with Bella, Tehya may as well." I could see where he was going now with his questioning.
"You were?" he paused "You would have stayed with Bella while she grew old and you didn't?" the concept was foreign to him.
"Without hesitation Charlie, I love her that much. But that doesn't mean that Tehya will, I cannot speak for her." Edward said pulling me into his arms.
"I am glad he didn't though, I wanted this life but Edward didn't want it for me. He like you wanted to me to have a natural progression of my life. It would have broken my heart to have to endure life like that, to know I could have been just like him and spent eternity with him as we are now."
He scoffed when I said eternity.
"We do not die Charlie unless we are torn apart and burned or so I found out recently have no ability to regenerate without assistance." I was glad Edward left out the details of what he meant.
"You are serious?"
"Very" Edward replied.
"Damn!" this shocked Charlie considerably.
"So when Bella died you would have the rest of time without her?" This wasn't something he could understand very well.
"That is a different story but the short version is I would not. I had every intention of finding a way to join her into the next life."
"You were going to kill yourself" Charlie was shocked to hear Edward say this.
"Let's not talk about that please, that is a life time ago and nothing we need ever discuss again!" I interrupted.
"I'm sorry my love, I didn't mean to upset you." Edward said stroking my cheek to try and take my angst away.
"The point he is making Dad, is that Tehya may choose to be a werewolf. You on the other hand can never become one. So you and Tehya will have to discuss this when she returns."
"It doesn't sound like I have a choice does it." His resigned tone was heartbreaking to hear.
"There is one Charlie but not one I would recommend." Edward said gingerly.
"There is?" I asked Edward then it dawned on me "No Way!" I snapped "It would never work, a werewolf and vampire"
"Vampire?" Charlie gasped "You are a vampire?"
"Yes and very happy." I tried to soothe his surprise, I could hear his heart thumping way too fast.
"Jasper" Edward called.
He was with us in seconds and used his ability on Charlie again.
"Thank you" I said as I heard Charlie's heart rate slowing down. Jasper nodded his head but kept quiet.
"As in drink blood TV show horror movie stuff" Charlie said trying to get a grip of this news.
"We don't drink human blood Dad; we are vegetarians of our kind. But others do and can be just as gory as what is portrayed in the movies."
"What do you mean about vegetarians" he questioned but I could see the alarm in his eyes.
"Tala is safe with us; she will never be harmed or any human for that matter by us." Edward made this clear to him.
"How did you know I was thinking of her?" again he was stunned.
"Because I can read minds, anything you think I can hear." Edward knew that Charlie already knew this but had suppressed it so much that it was like this was hearing it for the first time.
Charlie's brow furrowed and I could tell he was testing out Edward's claim.
"Fifty five and one thousand buckles in a rodeo" Edward said repeating what Charlie was thinking in his mind. "Please Charlie, I can keep going but it can't all be coincidences." He sighed.
"That is..." Charlie was lost for words.
"Yes it is incredible so just keep in mind you can't hide anything from Edward" I said reassuringly or at least I hoped it would be.
"Can you read minds as well?" he asked me.
"No Dad, only Edward can." I put my hand on his shoulder as to try and bring his attention back to the discussion.
"Edward is thinking of offering you our way of life if Tehya chooses to remain a werewolf so you can stay together. But there is something you should know before you even think about this as being something to consider. Werewolves and Vampires are normally natural enemy, which is why Tehya attacked Edward when the other vampires were around today." I could have bit my tongue ritght then and there when I realised what I just told him.
"Other vampires!" he was alarmed again. Though I suppose I couldn't have expected this to go any other way.
"Yes one's not like us, ones that do feed on humans and they were after Tehya and Tala today. That is why she transformed into a werewolf; it was a natural instinct to protect Tala. She attacked Edward because he is also a vampire, and in her current state though she wouldn't be able to distinguish between the good vampires and bad ones."
"She attacked you, she did that to you?" Charlie said glaring at his arm in a sling.
"Yep, clear ripped it off, it hurt considerably I can tell you." Edward tried to make a joke of it to ease Charlies mind.
"Ripped it off?" He nearly yelled and probably would have if Jasper wasn't keeping him calm.
"Yes, we have similar healing powers, we are able to mend. That is how I survived Jacob's attack."
"But it doesn't look like... Jacob... he..." he said gaping at Edward's arm.
"I know Dad, but that is not the point. Please focus! Vampires and werewolves are not natural friends. I am not sure if you became a vampire that your relationship would survive it, you may end up killing each other." I tried to stress this point out to him.
"Me a vampire... What are you saying, I have no intention of becoming one of you!" he paused "I don't mean to offend you but it's not natural"
"No offense taken and it was just an option for you to consider that is all if Tehya decided to remain a werewolf. But if you change your mind you must be warned, there are rules and it is a very painful process." Edward concluded.
Edward's phone rang. He looked at the caller id "It's Tehya"
"Hi Tehya, how are you feeling?" he paused "Please calm down, I am fine and so is Tala. She is here with us and so is Charlie." He listened "We were just explaining to him why you will be away for awhile and what happened. No I am fine please stop apologizing, you did what was natural I do not hold any ill feelings for what happened." Edward looked at Charlie. "He is taking it well now Jasper is helping to keep him calm." Tehya was talking again. "Why would you say that? He is very supportive for your condition and understands perfectly. Charlie will be here when you are under enough control to be around him and Tala, don't fret please, it will make your progress take longer."
"Be very supportive Dad!" I warned him quietly so Tehya couldn't hear me over the phone.
He just scoffed at me.
"He is right here Tehya, ask him yourself" Edward handed him the phone. Charlie stood up and walked away as he began talking to her.
"Tehya, are you okay, I have been so worried about you." He said caringly. "Tala and I are fine, it is you I am worried about" he said convincingly "Of course I love you, this doesn't change anything" hmmm nice touch Dad I thought "Yes I understand, Bella and Edward have been explaining to me what happened." He turned and looked at Edward's arm. "It is in a sling but honestly I couldn't see any damage what so ever, I thought maybe he had sprained his wrist or something. He looks great to me."
Edward moved his fingers and his arm around enough for Charlie to see that there was no permanent damage. "He just moved his fingers and arm, it looks normal to me Sweetheart. Please don't worry." He turned away again. "I think I am staying here so they can help me look after Tala while you are away." He listened "Yes, I am aware they are vampires now." He chuckled "I think they would have killed me long ago if I was on the menu, no I feel as relaxed as I can be under the circumstances." He chuckled again "I think the fact that Tala has a doting sister and her family to care for her I won't have much to do for our little girl but I am sure I will be allowed to hold her every now and then." It was good to see Charlie trying to make her feel at ease. "I will give her a hug from you. You just take whatever time you need Sweetheart, we will be here for you when you come back and you can call me any time, you know that don't you." His breath hitched "I love you to. Bye"
Charlie held the phone for a while before he turned.
"You did brilliantly Dad; she will be back to her old self before you know it." I hugged him.
"She sounded the same" he questioned.
"Of course she did, Tehya hasn't changed her personality that way, just her ability to change into a werewolf." I wasn't sure what he was expecting but obviously something.
"Just... You make it sound like it is perfectly normal." Charlie tried to joke.
"Well for us it isn't out of the ordinary and you know yourself when you see the others transform you are not as frightened as you once were." Edward explained.
"That is true. What did Tehya look like, when she was a wolf?" Charlie's curiosity got the better of him.
"She is stunning Dad. Her coat is mostly a beautiful silver grey except the top of her back and tail is black as the night. She has some black on her muzzle as well; it is so cute, come to think of it I have never seen a wolf quite like her."
"Tail..." Charlie was finding it hard to think of his wife with a tail.
"Yes a tail as all wolves have" I couldn't help a little giggle coming out.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
A good month went by before Tehya was confident enough to see Charlie again. She didn't want Tala around in case something went wrong. Edward and I went with him to the reservation where she had been all this time.
She had been staying with Sue Clearwater because Leah was the only other female werewolf in the pack and it was decided that it would be easier for her to adjust with Leah.
As soon as we got out of the car I saw Jacob and Sam were here as well and I could detect some other wolves in the area from their scent. But I knew it was for Tehya's sake and not as an offensive to Edward and I being here.
"Charlie" she said not wasting a moment to hug him as soon as he got out of the car.
"Hey there" He said wrapping his arms around her without hesitation. He had done well adapting to her being what she had become.
"Tala?" she asked
"She's fine but missing her mother a lot. This lot have done a great job though caring for her." He soothed.
"Thank you Bella, Edward – for taking care of Tala and Charlie for me. I am so sorry." Tehya felt neglectful for not being with Tala especially, it had come out in the phone conversations we had had over the past month.
"Enough of that Tehya, there is to be no apologizing. Everything is completely fine." I stated clearly.
"Your arm?" she asked Edward.
"Wouldn't know anything happened, see" Edward said moving it freely.
Tehya finally took a deep breath. "Wow" she said as she let it out.
"So, are you ready to come home?" Charlie pressed.
"I am not sure. I want to see what happened today first. I just don't want to take any risks with Tala around." She explained.
"Do you like being a wolf?" Charlie was curious, I could tell with the tone he took.
"It is amazing, I won't lie to you Charlie, it has it's upside" she confessed.
"Tell me" he pressed.
"The speed I can run. To hear the packs mind is like no other. That is just a few of the things that are truly wonderful about all this."
"Does it feel strange to form into an animal?" he asked.
"Not really, at first it did but now it seems as natural as changing clothes." She told him.
"I bet you are magnificent to see" he smiled.
"You want to see me as a wolf?" Tehya was surprised to hear him say that as was everyone else. Little did they know that we had been working hard with Charlie to get him to be as comfortable as possible around supernatural beings.
"Jacob, what do you think, should I show him?" she asked
"Sure, why not. We are all here to help you if things get out of hand Tehya but I am sure you will be fine.
Tehya took several steps away from us all then with the traditional pop sound of them phasing into their wolf forms she transformed into hers. As I remembered, Tehya was a stunning wolf.
"Woah!" Charlie eyes were wide but I did not see fear in them, it was in awe. "You are one stunning wolf love."
"Thank you" Edward replied for her. Charlie spun round a little confused.
"Remember Dad, he can read minds. Tehya cannot answer you in wolf form so he will read her mind and do it for her." I explain and he relaxed immediately.
"Of course. Thank you Edward." He said appreciatively. "Can I touch you Tehya?" Charlie kept still waiting for her response.
"Yes of course you can" Edward said for her.
Charlie raised his hand and then ran his fingers through her fur on her neck.
"Tehya I won't say that" Edward chuckled "Charlie she likes that" he smiled
"Won't say what?" Charlie turned towards Edward.
"Fine" he sighed and nearly laughed "Behind her ear is... Look it is like most dogs that like to be scratched behind the ears" he tried to explain a bit better and everyone burst out laughing. "Yeah thanks Tehya" he laughed also.
Tehya laughed as well but of course in wolf form it sounded almost like she was coughing.
"Are you okay" this noise startled Charlie a bit.
"She is fine dad that is the sound they make in wolf form when they are laughing." I explained.
"I have to say Charlie, I am impressed. I thought this would throw you and cause problems for you both. The fact that Tehya has adjusted so well is a sign of how supportive you have been for her throughout the process." Jacob said very pleased with how things have occurred.
"Yes, I imagine that we have the Cullen family to thank for that?" Sam questioned.
"Completely I would say Sam. I have to say at first I was..." Charlie was a little lost for words.
"Overwhelmed" I offered
"Yes overwhelmed but now I am fascinated – maybe even a little jealous." That part stunned me; I would never have imagined my father to say that.
"Well that is good to know." Sam said cheerfully.
"I would like to see how fast you can run, I understand it is a sight to see." He pressed.
"I wouldn't be able to show you that here I'm afraid" Edward said for her.
"Bella take him up to the forest near the beach. We will meet you there and Charlie can see her in action then." Jacob offered.
"Okay, sounds good to me. Come on Dad; let's go I know where he is talking about." We left in the car. I would offer to carry him but we were not up to that level just yet between us. I remembered how I felt motion sickness when Edward would carry me when I was human, it is not a good feeling to have.
Once we got to the spot I picked up the packs scent. "Here they come, from over there" I pointed so he knew which way to look. "Don't blink Dad or you will miss them" I laughed.
Sure enough they came and left in seconds. "Did you see them?" I asked
"Briefly but I couldn't really be sure" he replied.
"Tehya you were too fast, slow it down" I spoke out into the forest knowing she could hear me with her sensitive hearing.
"Okay Charlie, they are coming back from that direction" Edward pointed out.
Tehya was in front this time and she had slowed her paced down for him to see her run. She was so graceful, stunning and vision to see. It was hard to believe this lady is the mother of my sister, it was incredible and I couldn't be happier.
After that run by Tehya padded her way over to us and nuzzled Charlie without hesitating.
"Did you see me?" Edward asked for her.
"I did, you are amazing to watch, and I could do it all day." He said putting his hand back on her neck stroking it.
"I wonder who is faster you or I?" I challenged Tehya. "Jacob, do you think it would be safe enough to find out?"
"She has remarkable control and we would run with her of course. I think it is safe enough." Edward answered for Jacob.
"Cool! Let's go Tehya" I laughed and she followed without hesitating.
Moments later we ripped passed where Charlie and Edward were sitting. I could tell Charlie's eyes were not able to keep up but saw enough of us and be in shocked at the speed we could move. I won of course.
"Did you see Edward, I am faster unless Tehya was holding back" I boasted.
"She wasn't and she is impressed with your speed." He laughed at my need to challenge her.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
The life of Swan's and Quileute and Cullen's settled in nicely in a very happy way of existing for everyone after that day for the next seventeen years before the next major event occurred. Tehya did choose to remain a wolf and Charlie kept to his ways and did not want to be turned into a vampire. Tehya accepted her decision but worried when Charlie eventually died and how she would cope. He didn't once begrudge her decision and was grateful she wanted to stay with him regardless over his own decision to remain human.
Tala grew up in a very strange environment; she understood everything and like me kept the family secrets hidden well.
Once she was in High school we paid for her to attend a private school that had no knowledge of the Cullen family so we could keep watch over her. For a long time we simply kept within range of Edward hearing her or Alice seeing what was going to happen. She was never alone. Jacob of course was very much a part of this.
When Tala turned seventeen Edward, Alice, Jasper and I all enrolled in the same year as her. Our first day attending the school was going to be a little bumpy to say the least. We took the same classes as she did making sure either Edward and I had been with her or Alice and Jasper. Tala loved having us with her in class, it was so much better than sneaking off during breaks to spend time with us. Human's bored her and she was so clever that her mind always thrived on the family tutoring her.
The day we arrived at the school the heads turned our way of course and whispers galore followed where ever we went. Naturally we made a new friend instantly, in their eyes anyway, that being my little sister Tala but they didn't need to know that. Edward hissed.
"What is it?" I could see he was not enjoying the thoughts of the humans.
"It is the male's lusting after you Bella, what else?" Alice giggled.
"Hold on, I am sure they are doing the same for you Alice and the females after Edward and Jasper." I snickered "I remember how it was when I first met you at Forks" I said quietly so as the humans couldn't hear us.
"There are several actually after you Bella, and yes Alice as well. But I don't like what they are thinking." He hissed again.
"Like any of them would be brave enough to approach us." I giggled.
"I wouldn't be so sure of that with David Ashen not being brave Bella; he is some piece of work that guy." Tala warned.
"Really?" I questioned her.
"Yes, he doesn't understand the word 'No'. He gives me the creeps." Tala said with a tone in her I had not heard before.
"You never mentioned him before. Has he given you trouble that I am not aware of?" I asked pointedly not understanding how this could happen with the family watching her so closely.
"It was dealt with Bella, don't be alarmed" Jasper added.
"Did you know about this Edward?" I was annoyed at being kept in the dark.
"Thanks Jasper" Edward nodded "Yes Love, Emmett scared him off by pretending to be Tala's boyfriend."
"How did he pretend?" Did I really want to know the answer to this question? Emmett can be quite creative when he wants to be and just thinking of the possible ways he may have chosen.... Ugh! I don't want to think about it!
"He put his arm around me that is all Bella." She was laughing at me so it was obvious I was not hiding my concerns well.
"Not even a little" Edward teased me as he caressed my cheek. His eyes locked on mine and I could feel that ever so dream state he can put me in so easily.
"Not that you are listening anymore but I pointed David out and Emmett went over to him. What he said I don't know but the creep has never bothered me since. End of story." Tala was not one for drama so if she is happy I am happy.
"I am listening" I sighed gazing into Edward's eyes. He had that crooked half smile going and I have to admit, even after all these years he can still turn me into mush while he dazzled me. I could hear him chuckle.
"Yes, we all know how much you two love each other but please, less of the dazzling at school. Please!" Tala begged.
"Is that what I am doing to you Bella, am I dazzling you" Edward teased.
"Hmm?" Was all I could do to answer his question. But in my mind I was not as tame. I began recalling our intimate moments.
"Bella stop!" Jasper said urgently.
Edward's eyes rolled back a little flickering. "Yes Bella, you should stop..." he struggled to get his words out.
"Bella, this isn't going to end well" Alice said pinching me.
"Owie!" I cried out pulling me away from my dream state.
"Sorry but you were not going to stop" Alice wasn't really sorry, anybody could see that.
"I would have done it if I was able to, Bella please don't embarrass me. Maybe it is too soon for you two to be here at school." Tala questioned.
"Nonsense, we are doing these years together at school like we planned and no amount of Edward's dazzling is going to prevent me from enjoying this with you Hun." I wasn't going to miss out on this time with her. Tala and I are so close and although I am like a second mother to her we are also as close as sisters can be.
"It is my fault, I will try and not distract her. Please don't be angry Tala" Edward apologized.
"I am not angry, just worried that you haven't finished your honeymoon yet." She laughed.
"I hope our 'honeymoon' is never over!" I declared laughing with her.
"See what I mean!" Tala tried to look horrified at me but I knew she was teasing me.
Edward hissed.
"What is it?"
"That boy, David, he is going to make a play for you Bella, he already is plotting it in his mind" Edward said with his teeth clenched.
"Don't worry about it and I am sure there are plenty of females swooning over you as well." I didn't want Edward getting so distracted over one boy.
"I don't care about them." Edward's eyes were fixed on the boy and I was a little worried that he was going to lose control.
"Maybe Edward needs a little help?" I asked Jasper.
"I already am, he is pretty angry Bella" he replied.
Fantastic, our first day back at school and Edward is already set to kill a wannabe boy.
"What is a 'wannabe?" Edward asked distracted for a moment.
"It is a person who thinks they are cool but aren't." Tala explained for me.
Edward nodded and then turned back to the boy.
"Great, how did you handle it Alice when you were approached at the other schools?" I asked
"I didn't have to, any hint of a guy near me and Jasper here nearly ripped their heads off" she laughed.
"Okay I don't want Edward doing that" I laughed nervously, I wasn't sure if Edward was capable of restraining himself by the way he was looking.
The day went reasonably well considering and I have to say it was a lot of fun being in class with Tala. I did notice a lot of the guys checking her out and smiled. If only they knew how her heart belonged to Jacob. It won't be long now before their relationship will change and I am sure they will get married soon after. Maybe another year at most, all the signs were there but Jacob was in no hurry for her to change, he was happy for them to be best friends.
The imprinting is a strange thing; he has not once made any advancement on her even though Tala would love him to now. In her head she was ready for a relationship with Jacob but something had to fall into place first, I don't know what that is but Tala had no intentions of deviating from Jacob, he was hers and that was all there was to it. I don't think she has ever thought of another guy in that regard. So time will tell I guess on how their relationship will grow.
It was our second day at school and no sooner we pulled into the parking lot Edward's frustration over the onlookers took hold again.
"Edward, I am fine, maybe you should stay home if you are not able to be calm." I suggested.
"You are not going anywhere without me!" In all this time we had not be apart for more than an hour and that was purely when the girls went shopping. Even then I knew Edward was close by but keeping his distance.
"Okay..." I knew there was nothing I could say to make him change his mind and really I didn't want us to be parted anyway, I was just concerned he would hit someone in anger.
The morning went by incident free but as the lunch break approached Edward became sullen. We headed for the cafeteria and I saw the David boy walk towards me. I wondered if he was just plain brain dead as I had made it obvious Edward and I are together. This was for my benefit as well as Edward's. He wasn't the only one who had fits of jealousy; the only difference is I didn't know who the female's were that lusted after my husband, for all I knew it could be the whole world of females.
Jasper took hold of Edward discretely to stop him from killing the boy. "Keep calm Edward, please" I begged him.
"Hey Sugar, David's the name I hear you are called Bella." He slimed up to me. The moment he grabbed my arm my mood changed as did Edward's. Even I could feel the threatening vibes rolling of him and so it must be as I thought, this David boy was in need of some brain cells to think he could do this without some sort of reaction.
"I would remove your hand on me if I was you, unless you have a death wish." I warned almost letting slip a snarl.
"You're not one of those stuck up cow's are you?" he said laughing.
Dumb move boy! I thought as I saw Edward's fist make contact with the David's nose. It was so fast no human would have seen it. At least the boy let go of me.
"Insult her again and it will be more than your nose broken" Edward hissed.
The boy was so in shock that he wasn't able to respond. A moment later the pain registered in his brain, it was amusing to see how slow it took to make the connection. He covered his bleeding nose staring at Edward in disbelief.
"Touch me again and I will have you in a wheel chair for life" I threatened him and took his arm in my hand and squeezed it till he buckled onto his knees. "I hope I have made myself clear" I added for good measure. I didn't like making threats like that but he didn't seem like the type to back down easily.
My eyes flicked to Alice to see if she could see this boy's future. She knew what I wanted instantly. "It has done the trick" she said smiling brightly at me.
I let go of him and as I straighten up I felt a bit weird, like I was passing out or something. I instantly looked at Edward; he was staring at me weirdly. My world began to change I didn't understand the sensations coming over me as everything began to swim in my mind.
My eyesight failed me as everything went black "BELLA COME BACK TO ME, DON'T GIVE UP" Was all I could hear.
What was he talking about? Why do I feel like I am...