Please find below the latest outtakes that were sent out as review replies. The promised Aro/Carlisle outtake is at the bottom, since FF is giving me fits about doing review replies with attachments...
As always...this is Ms. Meyer's world...I'm just playing.
Chapter 15 Outtake – Rosalie POV
"Em?" I called out, frankly disturbed by the unusual quietness in the house.
Placing my keys and purse on the table just inside the garage door, I moved toward the living room, having finally heard the drone of the TV. My heart seemed to swell upon finding Emmet leaned back on a pile of pillows on the couch. Ross and Emmy resided to each side of him, surrounded by the large expanses of his protective arms. All three of them were soundly asleep compliments of a night spent out under the stars. Em had already given them a bath and dressed them in their pajamas.
Unable to be mad at the big ox, I sat on a footrest to just gaze adoringly at him and our son and daughter.
What did it feel like for Bella to not know what her child looked like? I mean, honestly all she had to do was imagine herself as a teenager with Edward's eyes, but I couldn't imagine having never "seen" her. I wondered why she'd never sought to have surgery, certain there was some reasonable explanation.
Emmett stirred slightly, pulling our two children in closer. He was my other half, my soul mate, and I couldn't imagine having done the whole family thing without him. I knew I was incredibly blessed with the fact that he was such a hands-on father. He'd been there through every sleepless night, fever, and teething episode.
Had Jacob done the same for Bella? Had he held her as she cried from exhaustion, as she must have certainly done? I know I had.
Remembering the look on Carlie's face as she spoke of the Black family…her family, I knew that Jacob must have. He was an intriguing man, and it made me wonder about the boy he must have been. No wonder Edward had felt threatened, considering how he felt about himself.
Bella was an enigma. She'd been welcoming of us when she really had more reasons to spit on the lot of us and slam the door in our faces. Her actions spoke of a warm heart. She'd set limitations with Alice and had been cooly polite to Edward, which spoke of strength. To Esme, she'd been distant. At first, I'd wanted to jump in when I saw Bella's hand shaking, but a bolt of awareness had rendered me still.
Bella wasn't upset or shaken up…she was furious. The "breaks" had been when she was about to explode…not times when she'd needed protection. I recognized her reaction, because it was the way I dealt with anger as well.
She was made of strong stuff…having risen from the success of her first book to successively write several award winning childrens' stories. B. Swan. She'd been called the Black Swan for so long that it was thought it was a penname. It had actually taken me some research to find a picture of her on the internet and even that one had been of her at a book signing, and it only a side profile.
Had she intentionally remained elusive? Somehow that didn't fit with my assessment of her. I found it more likely that Bella just didn't care about the limelight, enjoying the privacy of remaining anonymous.
"Mother, where does the wind go?" the girl child asked, the ribbon from her bonnet dancing around her curious face.
"Go?" the mother asked and then smiled to the child. "It follows you everywhere, just like my love for you."
How many times had I read those lines from Bella's first book to Emmy and Ross? I'd spent many sleepless nights worrying about the horrible things that could happen to them, about the evils out in the world. Finally, I'd relied on my mother's wisdom.
"Rosalie, all you can do is show them everyday how much you love them. Then you have to let go, and let God take care of the rest."
I'd held my Mama's hand as she died from breast cancer and whispered the words between Bella's mother and daughter characters.
"Let go, Mama. My love will follow you."
She'd died less than an hour later, and then Emmett had held me in his arms…comforting me like he did our children.
Whispers in the Wind had become personally special to me, and I could quote word for word the beautifully illustrated book. Reading it, it was as if at moments I could hear my mother's voice whispering to me. Kids loved the whimsical nature of Bella's characters…adults adored the deeper messages.
I wanted to get to know Bella. She didn't need my friendship, she had plenty of individuals who loved her already, but I desired to know the woman who'd spoken to my soul long before I knew her importance in our lives.
To C. S. My Angels.
The first part of a simple dedication. I'd always wondered to whom the author felt such love and dedication and why the publishing house would have allowed the grammar error. I knew now. Carlie Swan and Charlie Swan. Two angels.
To J. B. My Sun.
Jacob Black. I could only guess that her dedication was because he'd been her warmth in what must have been a very cold world.
The dedications had remained the same from the first book to the last.
"Hey, beautiful," Em's voice called out softly, bringing me back to the present. His grin was adorable along with his sleepy eyes. "Sorry, I was just taking a cat nap."
"I'll get Emmy," I offered.
No sooner had we tucked them into their beds, Emmett snatched me into his arms, taking me to our room.
"Did you have fun with Carlie?"
"Yes. Bella invited us to dinner," I said softly and my words had him sitting into the chair before our fireplace, cuddling me to his chest.
"Wow."
"I know, right."
"Is she still as good a cook as she used to be?'
I chortled out in laughter. He always thought with his stomach…well when he wasn't thinking with his dick. "Well, I don't know what she used to be like, but the lasagna was amazing."
"Lasagna!" he groaned out. At my look, he admitted, "We had peanut butter and jelly sandwiches."
"Poor baby," I teased, before getting serious. "Bella misses you."
He grew still. "Not as much as I miss her."
"Why didn't you go looking for her?" I felt almost guilty asking the question, but it was something I'd wanted to know.
"She didn't come looking for me…for everyone else, but not me. I didn't even know what had happened until it was too late. I should have gone after her, but I just thought that maybe…I don't know…that she'd decided we just weren't worth it. I had to respect that." He looked down, and I could see the sadness in his eyes. "Bella and me…we were always so close, and when I realized she hadn't tried to contact me…I thought she was letting me know that she was letting me go. Can't say I blamed her even then. God, if I'd only known…"
Pulling his fingers apart from where they'd clenched together, I smoothed my fingers across them. "Em, did you ever believe her capable of the treachery that Tanya claimed?"
"Hell no! BB doesn't have it within her."
"BB?"
He chuckled. "Short for Bella Baby."
I smiled back at his bashful look.
"Tanya was always after Edward. I wasn't surprised that she was the root of all the problems. Honestly, I don't understand how she could have come from Uncle Eleazar and Aunt Carmen. I'm just glad we don't have to see her."
"She was awfully brave to come and admit to your family what she'd done all those years ago, and more recently to write that letter when her parents told her what was happening."
"Yeah…well…I'm not impressed. Too little too late. I thought Edward was going to throttle her when she walked in. Had she not been pregnant, I'm not so sure I could have held back," he admitted to me. "Two times too many, if you ask me," he finished in regards to the exact number of times that we'd seen the woman since she admitted to her treachery.
"What did the letter say?" I asked, uncertain if he would share because of the whole attorney privilege thing.
"Words that, like any explanations we can offer, I fear are fifteen years too late."
The silence settled around us before I said what I wanted him to know. "I love Carlie already, and I like this 'BB.' I want to be her friend, if she will allow me."
His lips gently kissed mine as he worshipfully cradled my face between his hands. "Thank you, Rosie. You'll never know what that means to me."
Chapter 16 Jacob POV
I'd screwed up and knew it as soon as I opened my mouth. Bella was pissed at me, and she had a right to be. Leah's eyes flashed dark fire at me, letting me know that I was most likely about to spend more nights than I would like to consider on the couch.
"Leah, I'm sorry!" I breathed out, hoping that my sincerity might help. When she snarled at me, I knew it hadn't.
"I know you want to keep her like a little sister, but Bella has fooled you long enough. That woman has had lovers, Jacob. She has just been wise enough to hide them from you. You aren't her father!"
"Lovers!" I roared, stuck upon that one word. "But…" Finally, I was able to form the one thing I wanted to know. "WHO!" My wife turned from me at that point and a sense of relief poured over me. "You don't even know if she has had one, you are just guessing," I growled out.
She shrugged being noncommittal. "Your response was exactly as I suspected, though. How do you expect her to be honest about her feelings or desires if you act like an overprotective fool every time she discusses a possibility?"
"It isn't as if I don't want her to date, Leah. I wanted her with Felix; he would have been good for and to her."
"So why the concern about Demetri?" she said from where she looked out the window across the way toward Bella and Carlie's.
"I don't know his heart! As you so readily pointed out, I should have protected her from Cullen, but I let her do it her way that time. Look where it got her!" I clenched my hands in frustration. "Leah, I've never claimed to be a smart man. The wisest thing I ever did was ask you to be my wife!" It was true, and it had come out of my mouth without forethought, but I saw her face change slightly…grow softer. I knew better than to think that I was free and clear.
"Leah, I'm a man, I know how to work with my hands, manipulate and build things. What do I know about the mind of a woman? You, Samantha, Carlie, and Bella keep me tied up in knots. Give me a wrench, a broken engine, and Seth any day. Those, I can work with. Anything with an X chromosome…I'm at a loss."
Her hands brushed across my cheek then. "Jake, you know more about women than most men. Go to her and let her fuss at you. She'll feel better afterward and so will you. It is how the two of you relate. God forbid the person who gets between you without your permission. For isn't that what made you so mad about Edward, that he was given a piece of her heart."
"He chewed it up and spit it out, that is what made me mad. I want for Bella what you and I have, someone who will live and die for her."
"Well, for now you're all she's got."
The steps I took between the house and the garage seemed as if I was walking a mile. "Walking the mile…walking the green mile." It did feel like I was walking to my execution. Bella was quite proficient with her fists, and if the sound I was hearing coming from the garage was any indication, she was putting her skill to good use. Shuddering, I knew what my penance was going to be.
She was already breaking a sweat when I stepped inside, the music so loud that she couldn't hear me. When I touched her shoulder, she spun and punched me in the gut, causing the air to whoosh out of me.
"Damnit, Bella!" It was hard to concentrate through the stars blinding me. "I'm sorry." My voice came out in a wheeze. Damn she was strong.
The punching started again, but at least this time, it was on the bag. Moving to steady it, I thanked God above that she could only hit my arms. I was still going to be bruised in the morning, and I could imagine the heck the boys would give me at practice, but as I profusely apologized to her over and over again, at least the strikes got softer.
"I know you can do whatever you want to do. You've proved it to me time and time again. I just worry, you know. It's what I do best. This Demetri guy…I just want to meet him okay, to know he is good guy. Is that too much to ask?"
True to form, she left me hanging to stew in the mess of my own making and see the folly of my ways.
"Love you!" I yelled out after her. "Bella!" The door shut on my pleas. God I loved that girl, she could be such a B sometimes, but thankfully she was or the world would attempt to run over her.
The next morning proved my salvation.
"Jake, we've got a problem!"
And with that, I was forgiven.
~SOMP~
"Dad," Carlie said softly as we drove back from school. I'd only had to threaten to deck one photographer to get out of the parking lot. "Will you be honest with me about something?"
Oh, hell. Looking in the rear view mirror and seeing that we were in the clear, I pulled over into Wendy's parking lot. Turning into a parking spot, I turned the Jeep off and then spun around to face her and Seth.
"Um…" she seemed embarrassed by my direct attention "…my father, what did you think of him before it all went south?"
There was no reason to not be honest. "We were very different, he and I. He was super smart, but you already know that. He loved music and was very polite. To be honest, I didn't 'dislike' him when Bella first introduced us. He was actually really cool with my Dad."
"What!" she gasped. "He's met Grandfather."
"Well, yeah briefly. We both liked sports, so that was something we had in common, other than our concern about your mother, that is. I don't know if he still watches football, but he had a good head for stats and picking the winning team."
"Okay, you said you didn't 'dislike' him, but did you 'like' him?"
What had I expected; she was going to be persistent? Again, there was no reason to not tell her the truth.
"I did." Looking up, I saw the tears in her eyes. Eyes so like his. "I liked him a lot actually. He made Bella happy. I'd never seen her the way she was with him." I knew he'd been jealous of our relationship, but he'd never been nasty to me.
"Before he became a bastard and broke her heart."
Seth and I both chuckled at her language.
"You know your mother blames me every time you use words like that."
She shrugged unconcerned. "I hear it more from Paul and Sam than you, why don't you just tell her that."
Wouldn't do any good. "I was as shocked as Bella by what happened. I wanted to kill him for what he did, but I had more important things to worry about. Namely the two of you…"
"Daddy…"
I knew where she was going. "Pip Squeak, I understand your need to get to know him. You're not being disrespectful to me in that." I knew this girl like I knew my own heart, and it was then I remembered what my brilliant wife had told me…maybe I did have a little knowledge about women. Or…at least the women in our family.
"He'll never take your place!" she said emphatically.
I leaned over the seat and patted her hand. "I know, because you're not like that. But you might find that he earns his own place. Your mom wants you to give him an opportunity. Now that everyone knows about him and you, you'll be hard pressed to ignore him completely."
"I know, but I'm just a little confused by this all."
"Who wouldn't be," I acknowledged, pulling everything out of me to make it right for her.
Bella and I'd talked on her way back from Aro's. We were going to support Carlie in whatever she decided to do. As Bella had said, "let them be the ones to mess up, not us."
I couldn't decide whether or not I wanted them to or not. If they did, it would mean that they would be the ones responsible for the chaos, but then of course, it meant there would be a mess and Carlie would be the one in the middle of it. Which was not acceptable.
"I will always love you, no matter what. Never forget that. Nothing you say or do will change how I feel about you and that is something I can promise."
She sobbed for a second and Seth wrapped his arm around her shoulder to calm her. My poor baby, so much drama for someone so little, but finally she looked up and gazed back at me with a clear and untroubled gaze. "I know, and that is why you'll always be my Daddy!"
Chapter 18 Outtake – Aro POV (first part)
"Sir, we're here," Santiago indicated softly from the front of the car, capturing my attention.
Putting the brief down that I was perusing, I looked up to see a mansion in front of me. If my information was correct, and it better be if my PI wanted to keep his job, I knew that although Garrett Martling had done well in life, he was not one to flaunt his wealth. His family was into understated elegance not brash opulence. The monstrosity in front of me with its fancy portico and overly done columns had to be at the insistence of the woman I was here to see.
Tanya Denali Martling. It would be as easy to call her Spoiled Rotten Brat, which would have been a much more appropriate name.
Over the years, I'd given little thought to the blond haired girl that Eleazar and Carmen had adopted. They'd desired a child for so long that when the opportunity finally came…a baby that could be taken from the hospital…they'd been ecstatic. The idea of denial had never entered their thoughts, showering the beauty with everything she desired. It wasn't until she'd reached her teen years that Eleazar had seen the error of his way. I think there had been the rumors of at least one abortion when she'd turned sixteen, possibly several others. It had been difficult to hear for me…knowing the desires that Sulpicia and I had for years as well. Providence hadn't seen fit to give us a child until Isabella literally stumbled through our doors. Then, Providence had been generous, giving me a child and grandchild all in one swoop.
Miracles that the vain woman ensconced in her self-made palace had harmed with her manipulations.
Edward Cullen would have to make reparations, and I would ensure that he did so appropriately…but where there was true sorrow in young Mr. Cullen's demeanor, I highly doubted that I would find such a level of regret from the young lady inside. I could be wrong, and I would be pleased to be proven so…but I doubted it. Rarely was I mistaken about human nature, call it a skill or just a sixth sense, but my reading of people had led me to many victories both personal and professional.
The door opened to my side and Santiago nodded politely. "I'll wait in the car, Mr. Velathri."
"Thank you. I don't expect I'll be long."
The walk to the door was short and sweet. She knew I was coming, having agreed, albeit reluctantly, to the appointment with me. So, I couldn't help the smirk that covered my face when she made me wait. She was attempting to establish who was in charge…foolish child. She didn't have it within her to play with me…
Finally, the door swung open to reveal a miserable looking woman. She was huge, ready to birth at any moment, and it would seem that she wasn't enjoying the last few weeks of pregnancy as most women didn't.
Without even an acknowledgement, she motioned for me to follow her. Impertinent chit.
"Look, I only agreed to meet with you so that you didn't go to Garrett. Having heard from my father what you are capable of, I knew that you would ruin my life without a care. So let's get this over with okay. I sent a letter to the Cullens to give to the girl, what more do you want of me?" Her tone was caustic.
"First, let me disabuse you of your misconception. Isabella is a full grown woman who took a very precarious situation and made a successful life of it. Girl she may have been when you last knew her, but she is now a woman fully capable of taking you out…" I grinned in a nasty manner "…even without my help. She has risen from the adversity you helped start in her life to be a successful business woman and mother." Allowing my gaze to settle on her protruding belly, I made sure my point was made before starting again. "Exactly what have you done with yourself over the past years, and who provided the money for this palatial structure?"
The twist of her eyes let me know that I'd made my point. She'd been living the life of Riley, off the sweat and determination of others.
"I am fully aware that you gave the Cullens a letter, I read it before calling to speak with you."
"Then what is the point of this visit!" she snarled and then twisted uncomfortably, attempting to find relief.
"That letter was nothing. Why would you want to see Isabella? Did you ever attempt to know her when you determined to meddle in affairs that weren't your own? I think you just want to twist it your way again. I assure you…" narrowing my eyes in warning "…you won't be allowed to do that again."
It was nice to see that I hadn't lost the touch. Her pupils dilated at the tone I'd adopted, so I took the time to smooth the soft material of my dress pants and straighten the cuffs of my shirt under the jacket. Sulpicia had pick out the suit...saying that the black one I'd selected made me look demonic. That'd been my plan, but there was still a sense of satisfaction that I could "rock" the dark grey…as Carlie would say.
"I'm growing impatient with your posturing, Mr. Velathri. You don't scare me."
Sure I didn't. The shaking of her hand belied her statement. Mere child's play. It would take more than a smart mouth to convince me. Isabella would eat this woman whole, I realized and wanted to chuckle at the realization, suddenly determined that a meeting between the two of them just might have to occur at my arrangement. It would do my heart good to see my girl tear this witch's dead one out and dance around it in glee. Maybe, just for me, she'd get a little clumsy and stomp on the offending item as she did it.
"As I said before, what do you want of me?" she growled out, bringing me back from my macabre desires.
"I want the proof you gave the Cullens that swayed them to believe your idiotic story. There is no way that just your words would have convinced them."
"I don't know what you mean?" she attempted an arrogant tone, scoffing at me.
I liked toying with individuals, the interplay of intellect to intellect. It was how I'd determined that Isabella must be the child of my heart, if not my loins. She kept up with me and often bested my attempts at cynicism. But Mrs. Martling provided little to no challenge. Not a patient man, as anyone who knew me would attest to it, I was suddenly and irreparably bored.
A bored Aro generally didn't bode well for the other person.
Chapter 20 Outtake – Aro POV (part two)
"Tanya, give me the proof, and I will allow this little meeting to remain surreptitious as you desire. If not, my first call won't be to your husband. You see, I do believe that the New England Martlings…of Mayflower fame…would find it difficult to stomach a traitorous snake within their blue blood family. I've bantered with Samuel Martling…the Boston Samuel Martling." I'd used his exact pretentious tone to say his name. "How are those family visits, by the way? Are you welcomed as you desire; feel included in the Yankee traditions?"
I could almost see her blood pressure rising, and I knew I'd hit a sore spot. But then I relented, thinking of the child; it was as innocent as Carlie had been.
"Give me what you used Tanya. My patience grows thin."
Feeling almost chivalrous enough to help her up, I resisted and remained seated as she struggled up and waddled out of the room. When she returned, the last act of rebelliousness that I would allow from her occurred when she threw the envelope at me. Sorting through them quickly I barely kept the rage from taking over. Ah…what a tangled web…
"What else?" I murmured, sliding the damning photos back into the manila envelope carefully when all I wanted to do was twist them in my fists.
"That's all there is," she attempted to convince me.
I'd had enough. Rising to loom over her, I didn't stop until she was pressed against the back of the couch, my face mere inches from hers. Now there was appropriate fear in her eyes.
"Little girl, do not test me. The only reason I have not destroyed you already is the respect I have for your father and the innocent baby within your stomach. However it is not beyond my belief that your husband can raise the child, and I can imagine that at some point I can make up to your father. There is more and I can see that in your eyes."
"I don't have it anymore."
"What do you not have?"
"A recording…I played it for his sister."
"Alice?"
"Yes!" she squeaked out.
"What did it say?"
"It was contrived. I had friends…they knew how to do stuff."
"What kind of 'stuff'?"
"That girl…"
My growl cut her off.
"Bella Swan, she read books at the libraries to kids, and they recorded them. I heard she is some book writer now…makes sense. She was always at the library…"
My hand slapping against the couch cut her evasion.
"I acquired copies of the recordings and my friend…" I was guessing he was more than a friend "…he pieced together a message to that Indian friend of hers."
"Saying what?"
"How she was in, and it wouldn't be long before their plan was complete. My words really; the recording was better."
Even still there was a sense of satisfaction on her face. Tanya was one of those humans that thrived on having more than others. She would never be satisfied. I pitied Mr. Martling and wondered what kind of relationship they had. It made me say thanks again to the heavenly father above that he'd graced me with Sulpicia.
"Where is the recording?"
"Little Alice went crazy, screaming that it couldn't be true. She was always bizarre…smashed it to pieces. To be honest, I was a little afraid of her."
Her eyes cut to the side then, and I was surprised that she'd been so honest.
"Alice is a pussycat in comparison to me. You make one move to contact the Cullens, Isabella Swan or her daughter, or the Blacks and I'll rip everything you hold precious away from you. I won't kill you, because that would be too kind. I'll make you watch as your life falls to ruins. It would seem poetic for that to be your punishment. But I do think that I'll let Isabella have a go at you first."
Spinning to leave the room, I barely heard her speak. "What?"
"I am sorry, you know. I knew they were still reeling from what had happened, and it was just too convenient. Edward…I'd loved him, wanted him since I was a child. He never looked at me, no matter what I tried. It took him getting high…"
I interrupted her. "Sad isn't it, that you were only able to garner his attentions when he was out of his mind."
Her gasp of pain was my exiting music.
"Sir," Santiago said quickly, opening the door as I stepped to the car.
Tanya's screeching voice came then from the doorway to the house. She was yelling obscenities at me, telling me that I could kiss her ass, and how dare I threaten her. Several of the neighbors across the street looked over in resignation as they walked through the yard. Her harridan behavior must be common for them to respond in that way. Had Garrett Martling known what he was getting himself into, or had a beautiful face been his downfall. Pulling away, I watched in amusement as she continued to rail at me.
~SOMP~
"Mr. Velathri, Carlisle Cullen called. He would like to meet with you tomorrow if you have time available."
"Do I?"
Geniene, my secretary hesitated only a moment. "Is he important?"
There was a reason she was paid the exorbitant amount she was.
"He is."
"Then I believe your two o'clock appointment can be rescheduled for the next day."
"Very good, anything else?"
"No, sir. Did you have a good trip?"
"It was productive."
"Well then, for you that is a good day. I will see you first thing in the morning, Sir."
A peculiar silence invaded the car when I disconnected the car mobile. Lights flashed from outside as we moved into the city and Santiago continued the trip toward home.
What a mess. I was quite certain what Carlisle wanted to discuss. Although the information he would impart would be informative, I really just wanted to watch his face in assessment. He was an open book, incapable of perfidy. He would make a horrific lawyer, but was perfect at what he did…building a super conscious company. I was quite happy to allow him to battle the social and medical ills of society while I cleansed it.
Yes…the morrow would prove interesting.
For now, I pulled the envelope to me again. The pictures required multiple viewings to really digest. Picture after picture of the utmost love and respect, support and intimacy…but between two individuals who were for all intents and purposes family…not lovers.
Aro POV outtake – Chapter 22
"Mr. Velathri, Dr. Cullen is here to see you," Geniene paged through, drawing my attention from the civil liberties case I'd been studying. It was an intriguing piece on the challenge of terminally ill prisoners' rights to hospice care. A recent documentary of such a program, at the Louisiana State Penitentiary, had roused ire nationwide, but it was an intriguing premise…prisoners who'd been incarcerated for the vilest of crimes learning compassion through the responsibility of caring for their dying cohorts. I wasn't sold just yet, having come from a time when justice meant an eye for an eye. But there were many beside me who believed in the premise of compassion…speaking of…
"Please send Carlisle in, Geniene."
I'd bantered with the idea of whether or not to stay behind my desk and conduct this formally, or greet him as the old friend he was. Finally, good sense just won out, knowing that to present an obstacle at this time would prove fruitless. I'd agreed to this meeting in order to assess him, not reprimand. That could come later.
He was dressed informally, startling so for how I knew him to convey himself in public. It was early though, his second call to me coming but an hour ago, asking for a change in appointment time. His blond hair was still damp.
"Aro," he said softly, coming forward to greet me.
I internally smirked when he kissed my cheeks in traditional greeting. He'd learned from Marcus that a handshake was for acquaintances, not friends. Carlisle was playing his version of hardball, reminding me of our affiliations. I responded in kind before waving my hand toward the informal grouping of couches and chairs.
"You and I have never been much on pomp and circumstance between us. Do you want me to be formal or just go directly to the matter?" he asked me in a polite tone.
"Your choice."
He handed me a newspaper, and I growled out seeing the picture and caption, a red haze forming before my eyes.
"Edward is furious and out for blood. However, we need your help to quash this before it spirals out of control."
"Your thoughts?"
"A show of solidarity."
"With Isabella and your son in the center as focal points?"
"It makes the most sense. However, we would bow to your wisdom in the matter," he offered sincerely.
He wasn't dumb; other than his son-in-law, none of the Cullens had experience in subterfuge. We, however, were the masters. His plan was wise, grabbing the bull by the horns so to speak. If we went on offensive instead of defensive, we could control the questioning and process. For certainly the vultures would circle, and wasn't it better for us to be the ones determining the carrion for them to feed upon.
"Hmm…I believe that your idea has merit, but I would need to speak with everyone to make sure that whatever plan we devise will harness the energy for our purposes. I want to speak with your son, Carlisle. I need to understand him before I will approve of this."
A ghost of pain flittered across his face. "Edward would jump at the chance to speak with you. He wants all pretenses put aside."
"Really…how convenient. Now that she is back with my granddaughter in tow, she is good enough for him?"
I saw a flare of anger cross his face and was actually glad it appeared. Had he not had some human reaction to my inflammatory statement I would have been more concerned.
"It isn't that way, Aro, but the intent behind your statement has basis. Bella has every right to hate us. The events of fifteen years ago haunt us to this day, but I can only imagine how devastating they were for her." He looked at my face, assessing me. "I would tell you it all if you'll listen."
And so he did, each piece of it, including some I'd not been privilege to before now. He had no way of knowing that I had the evidence from Mrs. Martling. And even though I listened to his words to make sure I didn't miss anything new, I watched him intently as I'd planned. The agony as he told of what had happened was intense even now.
"Why didn't Edward go after her after he found out about Mrs. Martling's betrayal?"
"He hired a private investigator the next morning to find her, but before the sun set on the next day, he'd called the man and canceled his request. It was only then that we found out about Charlie. The man had done a records search and found his death certificate."
Carlisle stopped then, remaining quiet for a minute.
"Chief Swan was a good man…" he shook his disquiet off. "We assumed that Bella would have gone to Florida to be with Renee."
"Why did Edward call off the PI?"
The look on Carlisle's face was one I'd never forget…anguish, confusion, and regret all converged into one. "I have no idea." He glanced out the broad planes of glass behind me as if he was searching for the answers there. "Edward refused to speak of it then, and I haven't asked in years. At the time, Esme and I believed it to be a God send. We thought that Bella was happily married to Jacob and that to find them together would destroy Edward."
I started to interrupt to point out that Isabella deserved an apology for what they'd done to her, but his outstretched hand stopped me.
"Please just hear me out before you tear a strip off my hide. Yes, Bella did deserve our apologies; I know what you were going to snarl at me about. I'll get to Bella in a moment. But let me explain my idiocy first before you rightly do that."
As long as he realized that the issue would need to be addressed, I was fine with listening to what he needed to say.
"You know we almost lost him several times." He looked to me, and I nodded that I did. "Esme and I blame ourselves, no one else. We were so busy focusing on Alice and attempting to rebuild her life that we believed him when he said he was okay. He was seeing a shrink…" ah there was the traditional disdain of a doctor about the psychology field "…and the woman said he was 'coping well.'" He spit the last words out with venom. "He was having terrible nightmares and was unable to sleep well, but it seemed to calm down when we settled in Forks. It wasn't until we met Bella that we realized the reason." He glanced down at his lap, a secretive smile on his face. I was certain he was living some memory of the two of them. What I wouldn't give to be able to read his mind and see it for myself…
"It was such a Godsend to think that he would be fine so that we could focus on Alice. Of course, Bella was helping with that too…you just can't imagine. She was actually able to touch Alice. Do you know what it feels like to watch your daughter scream in agony or cringe in fear and to know that if you touch her it would only make it worse?" His hands had tightened into fists at the memories.
No, I couldn't. It had to be excruciating.
"But back to Edward. When he thought that Bella had deceived him…it was as if the floodgates opened and every mechanism he'd used to cope were thrown to the wind. He used so much cocaine that first day, that he almost died of a heart attack. Esme found him in bed the next day when the school called. Tanya had left him there, thinking he was dead. She didn't even bother to call an ambulance for fear she would get in trouble. Of course, we didn't know this until later. When we went to call Bella, Alice erupted, saying she'd caused Edward to overdose. But when Bella's phone calls to the house started, we pulled it out of Alice."
"Aro, I won't make it pretty. My first reaction was absolute devastation. I'm not some supernaturally compassionate person; I'm just a man, and my immediate response was anger. It took me several weeks to wake up and realize that something was…not right; however, I was distracted. Edward disappeared on us, and we spent an inordinate amount of time just trying to find him. Emmett panicked us when he called from college in hysterics…but fortunately, he thought of one of Edward's old acquaintances from high school. Sure enough, it was his first supplier. Edward was at his house, overdosing on the filthy bathroom floor."
"Where was Tanya during this time?"
"Around…" he grimaced "…around for the ride."
"What does this have to do with why you didn't find her yourself?"
"It took us several years to clean him up and during that time it was a struggle to get him to complete high school and then college. There were some good semesters then bad ones…it was a potshot what we would get. Suddenly, just like a light went off in his head…he cleaned up. I could see the determination when it finally hit him. Esme still cringes about the women he dated afterward…sometimes it was the ones he chose, and sometimes it was because they were appropriate, and we knew he wouldn't form a serious relationship. It was as if that part of him was dead."
"So when the news came about Bella, I was afraid. I was afraid he would find her and Jake, and that in doing so, it would set him back on the road to destruction. I was as astonished as anyone when he just refused to go any further."
"And…" He'd told me much of this, so I was more curious to know why he, the ultimate father, leader of his family, hadn't attempted to find one of his own. For certainly Carlisle had felt that way about Isabella then.
"I thought to find her, to apologize and let her know how wrong we'd been, but when I called Billy's home I was told that Bella didn't want to hear from me…us."
"Jacob's father?" I asked, incredulously.
"No, Billy has always been a voice of reason, and I thought he would at least be willing to give me an idea of where Jacob and Bella lived or at the least convey a message. I just wanted to speak with her, to congratulate her on her family and to tell her how wrong we'd been." He stopped and looked back at me. "It was Quil. The older one, the tribe's acknowledged leader. He took my number and promised that he would give Bella the message. I waited for weeks for her to call, and when she didn't, I called again. At the time, I thought it was wrong, continuing to call like that, but I just wanted to speak with her. One of Jacob's friends answered the second time. I don't even remember the young man's name, but he was very clear that the message had been delivered and that the silence was my answer."
"I thought I was being respectful Aro, leaving her alone then. To me, it wasn't surprising that she didn't want to speak with us. I mean, who could blame her? I never told Esme, not wanting to get her hopes up."
Intriguing… The two Quileute men had probably thought they were protecting her, and in doing so, had been just one more twist in the story I was beginning to uncover. I wanted to investigate this further. Why had they thought they had to do this? Was it simply because the Cullens had hurt Isabella so much, or was it something more? My guess was that they'd just circled the wagons around a girl they'd adopted into their tribe. But before I would reveal this to Isabella, I wanted to know why they'd made the decision. It would be an exciting piece of the puzzle to discover, analyze, and put in its place.
I knew why Carlisle had made the decisions he'd made…he loved her.
"When Carlie walked into that conference room…" his hands were actually shaking "…my only thought was that God had heard my prayers. Then, I felt guilty because I thought I was praying for the destruction of Jacob and Bella's marriage. For the first time in my life, I felt ashamed of myself and elated at the same time." He looked up and grinned at me. "You are going to think I'm a horrible person, but when I realized what Jacob was to Bella…who Carlie was…I wanted to shout out in joy."
"You have a long way to go before you should feel joy." I reprimanded him.
"Ah…Aro, I know. But I have to tell you that this is the closest I've been to having true happiness in my family in a long time, and I know that I'm coming off as a spoiled rotten child, but I can't help it. It's hard containing myself, and to tell the truth, I'm not doing such a good job." He smiled bashfully. "Bella has turned into an amazing woman; she's raised an exceptional child, whom I hope to get to know…"
"And you hope that Edward will win her heart again," I interrupted.
"I would be dishonest to say differently," he admitted. "Aro, you have had the pleasure of having Bella in your life for nearly a decade now. We only had her for a year."
I snarled at him. "That was a direct result of your actions."
"Yes, it was…there is no doubt. But together we can fix this Aro, if you are willing to help. I'm only asking you to work with us to keep the newspaper from ruining the possibility. My ultimate desire would be for Bella to allow Edward back in. He is a good man, regardless of what it may seem. He loves her, you know. He never stopped."
As if that was news…it was apparent to anyone in a room with them.
"But if all we have in the end is her as Carlie's mother…we'll attempt to be happy with that."
"You can attempt to humor me with your platitudes, but you want my daughter back within your fold. Love doesn't make this right, Carlisle. "
"No, but it is a start. Will you help us?"
"An agreement to this plan has nothing to do with helping you. Call your son, Carlisle…all three of them. Have them at your facility within the hour; we'll discuss where we shall go with this."
"Aro, I don't expect you to believe this, but we won't hurt her again. It is Bella's choice if she will have anything to do with us, but I promise if she gives us the opportunity…" he stopped, choosing his words wisely "…she won't regret it again."
I left him in the room on the phone with his eldest son, the lawyer.
"Geniene, have Victoria meet me here tomorrow first thing in the morning. I have a job for her."
"Yes, Mr. Velathri. I'll call her immediately.
If there was anyone who could ferret out whether there had been a nefarious reason those years ago for Carlisle's message to be kept from Bella…it was Victoria.
"Aro, would you like to ride with me?" Carlisle asked, having come out from my office.
"I'll decline Carlisle on your offer. I have business to attend to later."
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