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CHAPTER 26

EDWARD

"Damn it, Emmett," Bella yelled from across the yard. "Can't you wait until my shield is up?" she asked, rubbing the spot on her leg.

True to my love's guess, Carlisle wanted to test her on deflecting objects a few days after the party. He had recruited Emmett because he felt left out of the whole "Bella training" process. Although, he was proving himself to be a pain in the ass.

"Sorry, Bells," he said, laughing and picking up another baseball. I saw in his mind what he was about to do.

"Emmett, don't," I warned, but before he heard me, he launched the ball at her.

She heard it coming this time but didn't put her shield up. She caught the ball just before it hit her face. "You little..."

She threw the ball back at him with force and ran at him. He couldn't decide which to defend himself from first. He ducked the ball, and she slammed into him at full speed. He was laughing so hard that he couldn't fight her back. She was straddling his chest, pounding on his arms that were covering his face.

Chuckling, I went over and plucked her off him. "Emmett," I said, "can't you give her a break? She just started with Carlisle on this." I set her down, but she was glaring at him, her hands balled into fists.

Carlisle, the constant diplomat, said, "Okay, Emmett, stand there with her. She can shield you from them, as well. Edward, go ahead." Aim for his head. Maybe he'll learn something, he thought to me.

I laughed, nodding.

They stood together, shoving each other. "God, I'd swear they were related," I said to Carlisle, chuckling.

He agreed, laughing.

"Okay, baby girl," I said, picking up a baseball. "Tell me when you're ready."

I watched her stare up at Emmett, place him where she wanted him, and then she said, "Don't move from that spot."

He smiled and nodded.

I watched as she stared at me, concentrating. "I'm ready," she said to me.

I threw the ball, aiming for Emmett, but a few feet before them, it shot off in another direction. I looked at her as she said to him, "Ha, he was so aiming for your head, too."

"No, he wasn't," Emmett said, his face pouting like a child. "Were you, Eddie?"

I just laughed, shaking my head at the both of them.

Carlisle piped in with, "Excellent, little one," walking to her. "Edward, again, but with the three of us."

I nodded, grabbing another ball. "Love, when you're ready," I said, tossing the ball up and catching it.

"Okay, Edward," she said, bracing herself.

I threw again, and it ricocheted a few feet from her and veered away. It was heading for the house, but Jasper was there to catch it.

"Nice one, Bells," Jasper said, throwing the ball back to me.

Jasper joined them, and soon, she was shielding the entire family.

The last time I threw the ball, it bounced off her shield and shot far past me to be caught by Tanya. She was walking up to me, smiling and tossing the ball back my way. When she saw me, she tried to keep her thoughts clean, but failed.

My family rushed to greet her – all but Bella, anyway. She snorted, shook her head, and walked up behind everyone, happy to stay in the back.

"Tanya," Carlisle said. "What brings you here?" His thoughts were running the gamut of possibilities.

"I have news, but it can wait," she said, her eyes falling on Bella. Her thoughts were green with envy, raging with it. She saw Bella's beauty and immortality as a threat. She eyed me and then her. "My Bella, I see you've...changed," she said, and the emphasis of her words did not go unnoticed.

Rose growled, and Alice moved to Bella's side.

"Yes, Tanya," my love said. "Nothing gets passed you."

Alice smiled, putting her head on my Bella's shoulder.

"Well, last I heard from Carlisle, it was supposed to be after some thing," she said, sneering.

"Wedding," Rose and Alice both growled.

Emmett smirked and said, "Well, we just decided to say 'fuck it' and do it early."

Bella snorted, shaking her head. He held his fist out to her, and she bumped it, snickering.

"Emmett, language," Esme said, frowning, but her frown was toward Tanya, not Emmett.

"Well, whatever floats your boat," she said, waving it off. "Edward, getting married, huh?" Her mind floated to a wedding night scenario where she was in Bella's place. It was crude and a little disturbing.

Is she doing what I think she's doing, Edward? Bella's mind hit me.

I looked at her and nodded. Immediately, all of Tanya's thoughts went blank. I couldn't hear anyone but Bella.

"Yes," I said, winking at my angel, who looked quite proud of herself. "The wedding is in a few weeks."

"Well, Tanya," Carlisle said, breaking up the tension, "let's all go inside and hear this news of yours."

We watched everyone go in, and I grabbed Bella's hand, saying, "Impressive, love."

She giggled, kissing me quickly. "Anytime, baby," she said, grabbing my hand. Only I can send you dirty pictures, she thought to me, laughing.

I laughed, grabbing her bottom.

She squealed and raced me to the door. Hold my hand, baby, she thought to me. If she does it again, just squeeze. I know you need to hear everyone else, but I can block her if you need me to. She held her hand out, and I took it, pulling her to me.

I stared at her for a moment, smiling. She had come so far with her shield that now, she could protect the rest of us. Me. Pride was written all over her face. "I think I'm in love with you," I teased, whispering in her ear and then kissing the soft spot behind it.

"The feeling is quite mutual, I assure you," she said, giggling.

~oOo~

BELLA

What the hell? I knew that Tanya didn't come here just to give me shit, but damn it, if she didn't do it every time. I thought that the last time she was here, we'd come to some understanding. According to Esme, Irina and Kate had torn her up over what she'd done at Christmas. They said she'd gone home humble and apologetic. Yeah, right.

I knew she wanted Edward. I had come to terms with the fact that he was beautiful and there was just something about him that made women want him, but Tanya always seemed to make him uncomfortable. Really uncomfortable. He got a look of pure disgust on his face when she stared at him. I didn't ever want to know what she was thinking, but I could sure stop it from reaching him.

We joined everyone else in the living room, sitting together on the floor. Alice was behind me and started playing with my hair. Edward had his hand firmly planted in mine.

"Okay, Tanya," Carlisle said, smiling. "What's the news?"

Tanya sighed dramatically and said, "Irina just got back from Italy...and she's brought someone home with her."

I watched as everyone in the room got a little uncomfortable, frowning.

She continued, "Apparently, Irina is trying an, um...alternative lifestyle." Her smile was condescending. "Her name is Gianna, and she worked for Aro and the Volturi, but he allowed her to leave because she fell for my sister and wanted to try our way of life."

Carlisle was who I kept my eyes on. His frown was fixed, and there was a crease in his brow that usually wasn't on his pleasant features. "Aro just doesn't let people go," he said, "and he definitely wouldn't let her go, knowing she was joining you. He knows you're an extension of our family. Our size is already a threat to him."

"Exactly," Tanya said, looking at him. "That's why I'm here. Kate and I wanted you to know. We don't trust her, but Irina is blind right now."

"Where are your sisters now?" Esme asked, looking nervous.

"On their way here," Tanya said. "I had to warn you so I told them that I would meet them here. Gianna has begged to meet the famous Carlisle Cullen that Aro speaks of so often."

"Yes, Aro and I go way back," Carlisle said, standing and pacing. "Centuries. He never understood why I choose animals over humans, but he's starting to see that it has its benefits." He looked around the room at us, smiling. "He can see that the longer we choose this way, the longer we can stay somewhere...the better our relationships are. The Volturi fight amongst themselves constantly."

I remembered the painting in Carlisle's office that Edward had shown me the first time I'd ever visited this house. The three dark brothers and the blond...Carlisle's story was long and intricate.

"Just one more thing, Carlisle," Tanya said, her eyes landing on me. "I think that she's here to see Bella. When Irina went, she was still human. I would be willing to bet he wants to know if she still is," she said, smiling. "It would be breaking the law, according to Aro, for a human to be so close to us. I heard Gianna ask about her one time, but once she saw my sisters' reactions, never again."

I heard Edward growl low and realized that there was more to it than Tanya was letting on. I opened my mind to Edward. She's lying about something, isn't she? I asked, and he squeezed my hand. Let me guess...she was hoping I would still be human, so I could be taken away...

He squeezed my hand again.

Boy, she's relentless.

I felt his lips in my hair, kissing my head. His thumb made circles on the back of my hand, a sign of his stress.

"Well, that's no problem," Alice chirped. "She's not human. But that's not the only reason this Gianna is coming," she said, pausing. We all knew Alice well enough to know when she was searching her mind for something, so we waited. "As of right now, she just wants to see Carlisle, but she can't make a decision on Bella yet; she hasn't seen her."

"Alice, how long until they arrive?" Carlisle asked.

"Within the hour. They left not long after Tanya," Alice said, playing with my hair again.

"All right," Carlisle said, looking back at Tanya. "We'll wait for them. We'll see what she really wants. Edward will tell us what her true intentions are."

I felt Edward nod, but he didn't say anything.

Everyone stayed where they were, and conversations broke out. I soon felt Edward squeeze my hand and looked up to see Tanya staring at us again. I slammed my shield down over us.

"Better?" I asked, smirking.

"Much, love. Thank you," he said, smiling.

I opened my mind to him again. So, Irina went from Laurent to a woman? I asked, raising my eyebrow.

He snickered and shrugged.

Well, a sea slug would have been an upgrade from Laurent, but I think I might be biased.

His laugh got the attention of the whole room.

I could see Carlisle smiling at us. The look on his face was like he was remembering something. If I could guess, he was thinking about what Edward looked like a year ago, compared to now. Edward was free to laugh much more now than even when I first met him.

"I thought you couldn't hear her thoughts, Edward," Tanya said accusingly.

Oh shit, I thought to him. Here we go.

I felt a squeeze of my hand, and he said, "We discovered after Bella's change that her mind was open to me." He ended it at that.

Carlisle took his lead and said, "Yes, Bella has adapted quite well." He smiled down at me proudly.

"How is that her eyes are still brown?" Tanya asked as if I wasn't in the room.

I rolled my eyes at her attitude toward me.

I sighed, giving in. If this Gianna person was coming, she was going to know exactly what I was. "Because I can change them, Tanya. You can ask me questions directly. I'm quite capable of answering," I said, smiling at her sweetly and hearing the snickers in the room. "I'm able to block out my red eyes."

"A shield?" she asked, her eyebrows raising.

I nodded, waiting for her next question.

"Is that why the baseball came flying at me? Because you were blocking it?"

"Yes," Carlisle answered. "That's a recent discovery."

I looked at Emmett, who happened to still have a ball in his hand. He was grinning like a fool. I snorted and shook my head at him.

"What else can you do?" she asked, curiosity all over her face.

Before I could answer, Alice said, "No time. They're here."

"Bella," Carlisle said, "let's not let your talent out just yet. Change your eyes. Until I can see what this woman wants, I don't want to give her any more ammunition to take back to Aro than we have to."

I nodded, lifting the shield to my eyes.

Tanya watched me for a moment and then turned when there was a knock on the door.

When Carlisle let the three women in, pleasantries were exchanged with Kate and Irina, and Gianna was introduced to everyone.

She was stunning, her olive complexion still there, even with her vampire skin. Her long, almost-black hair cascaded down her back to her waist. She wasn't tall, but she carried herself with a grace that commanded attention from everyone. Her eyes were a deep burgundy, showing signs that her diet was already changing. Her English was excellent, practiced...her accent, beautiful.

When she was introduced to me, she appraised me from head to toe with a slight smile on her face. "Isabella." My name rolled off her tongue like liquid. "I have heard all about you and Edward from Irina," she said, smiling at Edward. "Your name truly suits, you, Bella."

"Thank you," I said. "It's nice to meet you."

I got the feeling I was being studied as I sat down between Jasper and Edward. Jasper was fighting a smile, and I raised my eyebrow at him. He tried to sober up but couldn't quite succeed.

"Aro sends his greeting, Carlisle," she said, finally looking away from me. "He told me that since I was coming so close, I should make it a point to see you."

Carlisle nodded to her.

"He also wished to extend an invitation to Alice and Edward to join him."

I looked at Edward, and he smiled politely, but it didn't reach his eyes. Alice shared the same expression.

"No, but tell him thank you, Gianna," Edward said, his voice tight.

Alice said, "I'm afraid I'm too busy, Gianna, what with Bella and Edward's wedding to plan and the move...but tell him thank you."

"I certainly will. He said you would both decline," she said, smiling, "but that he continues to have hope that one day, you will change your minds."

Carlisle smiled. "I see that Aro still continues to be a collector," he said, making a point to look at Edward. I watched as Edward nodded back.

"Yes, he has a few favorite pets," she said, sneering. "Then again, they are quite powerful, according to him." She waved it away and changed the subject. "I grew tired of the way things are in Volterra, Carlisle...all the fighting, the bloodlust. I was hoping that Irina and her sisters could help me learn your ways." She looked over at Irina, and I watched as Irina's eyes darkened just slightly in response. Irina had definitely fallen for this woman.

"Well, Gianna," Carlisle said, smiling, "I'm sure that Aro tried to discourage you. He thinks this life is...less than his. But I have found that while he considers his way civilized, it is anything but. Are you planning on staying permanently in Denali?" he asked.

"Yes," she said, "as long as Irina and her sisters will have me." She paused and looked at me.

I felt Edward shift next to me. I looked up at him, and his eyes were focused on the floor, his jaw set tight. He was really uncomfortable. I looked at Tanya, but her concern seemed to be Gianna.

"So, Bella," Gianna said.

I saw Edward's eyes snap up to her.

"Are you excited about the wedding?"

The way she was looking at me, I felt naked. "Yes, absolutely," I answered, looking up at Edward.

His eyes were closed, but I saw why he was uncomfortable. When his eyes opened and landed on me, they were pitch black.

Luckily, Alice and Rose launched into a long description of the wedding details. Taking the opportunity, I slammed my shield down around him, and he jumped, looking at me. You could have let me know, Edward, I thought to him, but I could see he felt guilty about not stopping it.

Is it Tanya? I asked, frowning.

He shook his head no.

Gianna? I asked, frowning in confusion. He nodded, putting his head in his hands.

But I thought she liked women, I thought.

He looked up at me slowly, nodding, his face pained.

Oh, I snorted. It was me she was thinking about.

He nodded, his face back in his hands. He didn't move; he just sat and looked at the floor again.

I couldn't help the small laugh that escaped me. He looked over at me but kept his face blank. I wasn't offended or mad, just confused as to why he was so upset. I decided to let it go for the moment, so I lifted my shield and closed my mind to Edward.

Our visitors didn't stay long after my conversation with Edward. Kate and Irina left, taking Gianna with them. They took off north, going back toward Alaska. Kate was looking forward to seeing Carmen and Eleazar again. They were due back the next day from an extended trip to Brazil.

Tanya stayed, waiting to hear what Carlisle had to say about Gianna, but he deferred to Edward.

"She seems to be telling the truth," he said, his voice tight. "She wanted to try our lifestyle, once she got to know Irina. She was shocked to find that Bella was no longer human. She doesn't seem to care for Aro, though she plays it off like she was more important than she really is. Her mind would flicker to an evaluation that the Volturi put her through, stating that she had no special talent. That's why Aro let her go so easily. She's looking forward to a new life."

"She's made up her mind to stay, Tanya," Alice said. "Her future with Irina wavered a bit when she first got here, but when they left, it was set."

"It wavered when she saw Bells," Jasper said, snickering.

Emmett barked a laugh, giving him a fist bump.

"Shut it, neanderthals," I quipped. I could tell that Edward was still shaken, and he wouldn't look at me.

"Sorry, Bells," Jasper said, still snickering. "She was putting out some serious lust."

"Enough," I said, thinking that Gianna wasn't the only one. My main concern was still not looking at me.

I knew I had a ton of things to do, but I needed to fix this first. "Alice, what time are Angela and Jess coming over to seal invitations?" I asked, looking at her.

Alice, who always knew what I needed, said, "You have time, Bells. Go ahead. They won't be over until after class." She looked past me at her brother, frowning.

I nodded. "Esme," I started, looking at her, "I need you to run an errand with me later. Can you?"

"Sure, little one," she said, smiling.

I stood up in front of Edward, holding out my hand, and said, "Come on, love, I need to hunt."

He took my hand silently and stood.

"This I have to see," Tanya said, standing.

Just as I was about to say something, Rose said, "No, you don't. Sit back down."

I could see Tanya debate whether or not to say anything to her, but she chose wisely and sat back down.

We stepped outside, and I turned to Edward and said, "Let's go, baby."

We ran for a few miles. My intention was not to hunt, but to give us privacy.

Just outside a tree-lined area, I said, "Edward ..." I stopped and leaned against a tree. "Are you going to ever speak again?" I asked, watching him pace back and forth in front of me. He still didn't say anything. "If you're mad, don't I deserve to know why?" I asked, watching him stop and turn to me.

"I'm not mad," he said softly. "I thought you were."

"No..." I said, shaking my head. "Okay, fine. Let's start from the beginning. What happened? What did you see?"

A nervous laugh came from him. "Gianna was really attracted to you," he said, shoving his hands into his pockets.

"So I gathered," I said. "So, she was thinking about me?" I asked, and he nodded, his eyes closing. "And you liked it?" I asked, trying not to smile.

"Yes...No!" he sputtered, sitting down on a log and putting his head in his hands.

"Edward, it's okay," I told him, smiling. "I saw your eyes. You were...um, intrigued." I was trying to downplay it, but his head started to shake back and forth. "Was it the fact that it was me? Or two women?" I asked, his head snapping up to look at me.

"It's disrespectful," he said. "To like it, I mean."

I couldn't help the laugh that escaped me. "No, it's not." I said, stepping closer to him. "Everyone's opinion of what's sexy differs." I sat down beside him. "Most men find two women a turn-on, Edward. You aren't dirty for thinking so. She's beautiful, and you love me, I get it."

"You do?" he asked, his face in shock.

"You're trapped in a seventeen-year-old body, Edward," I said, laughing as he rolled his eyes. "Yeah, I get it. It's a fantasy, not always something that comes true. It's like trying something on at the store. The things that crossed my mind about you..." I said, snickering.

His face turned up in my favorite smile. Finally, I was getting somewhere. "Yeah? Like what?" he asked, turning toward me.

"Hmm," I said, smiling. "We've covered most of them and then some. The reality in this case is far better than the fantasy."

He laughed, shaking his head.

"Look, I know it shocked you, but it's okay. You've lived with Emmett forever. Surely you've seen porn, Edward." I was snickering.

"Oh, God," he said, resting his elbows on his knees and looking down at the ground. "More than my share, I'm sure of that."

"So, what makes this different?" I asked. "Just because she was thinking it, and it wasn't on DVD? It couldn't possibly be accurate. She doesn't know me."

"I don't know," was all he said.

"Hmm," I mused, trying to think of a way to stop this. "Okay, fine, Edward. Define sexy for me."

"You," he said, smiling down at the forest floor.

"Good answer," I said, laughing. "But seriously."

"I am serious," he said, looking up at me.

"Okay," I said, thinking I could work with that. "Then, isn't it understandable that if you think I'm sexy, that putting me any situation would turn you on?"

"Hypothetically," he said, taking a scholarly stance, "yes."

"You wouldn't really want her to touch me, would you?" I asked.

"No, but—" he said, his brow wrinkling.

"But nothing, Edward...fantasy," I said, raising my eyebrow. "It was hot, but it wasn't real. Yes?"

He nodded.

"Take her out of the picture. Replace her with a man."

He growled low. "No," he said, frowning.

"Exactly, Edward," I said. "People have fantasies all the time about people they don't know. You of all people should recognize that. It just shook you because it was a...um, different scenario."

"Do you?" he asked, looking at me.

It was time for humor. He wasn't going to give in otherwise. "Yeah," I said, with a faraway look in my eyes. "There's this one of you, me, and Johnny Depp..."

I heard a growl and found myself up off the log and pressed into the tree I had been leaning against. I started laughing.

"Holy hell, Edward," I said, squealing. "No one has enough hands for that much hair. I was kidding!"

He buried his face in my neck and breathed deep. I wrapped my arms and legs around him, loving the way we fit together.

"If she'd been thinking of Irina, would it have done the same thing to you?" I asked softy, playing with the hair at his neck.

"No," he said against my skin.

"Then, I love the fact that it was me that turned you on," I said in all seriousness.

"Always," he said, pulling back to look at me.

"What was she doing to me, Edward?" I whispered, running my hands through his hair.

"Her mouth was all over you," he said, his mouth back against my neck.

"Show me, baby," I whispered. "I'd rather have you any day."

I found myself pressed into the soft forest floor, my clothes being removed quickly. His mouth was on mine before I took my next breath, his tongue delving in to meet mine. I moaned when his hands were on my breasts. When his mouth left mine, he traveled down, sucking in one nipple and pinching the other.

My back arched up, and I gasped. "No one touches me but you, Edward," I told him, my eyes rolling back.

He moaned against my skin, going lower and doing illegal things to my bellybutton.

I was writhing at the feel of his tongue. "More, baby," I said, grabbing his hair.

With a quickness I wasn't prepared for, his tongue swiped up my heated core, and I just about came undone. "Jesus," I gasped.

His motions continued until I was screaming up into the trees above me.

I found myself pressed back up against the tree, sliding down onto him.

"God, you feel so good," he said, sucking my earlobe into his mouth and pounding me into the tree.

My head fell to his shoulder, and I laved my tongue all the way up to his ear.

"Only you," I groaned, biting lightly against his neck.

He growled, slamming into me harder. We both came with an echoing cry through the woods. Holding onto each other, we were a little shaky.

"I love you," he said, looking at me. "You are the sexiest thing, ever." He smiled my favorite half smile, and I giggled, burying my face in his shoulder.

We took our time heading back. "So..." He smiled. "Where are you and Esme going?" he asked, swinging our hands between us.

"It's wedding-related, baby," I said, smiling. "You'll find out eventually."

"Please?" he begged, pouting slightly.

"Not a chance, Cullen," I said, laughing and trying to ignore the face that was always my undoing.

We were still walking back, when a thought occurred to me. "Do you think Gianna will really talk to Aro?" I asked, looking up at him.

"I don't know, love," he said. "She was making herself sound more important than her mind knew she really was," he continued as we walked. "But she's starting over. Most people reinvent themselves when they move somewhere they don't know anyone."

"I didn't," I said, snorting.

He smiled, wrapping his arm around my shoulder, and kissed my head, "Yes, but you are infinitely more honest than most people."

I laughed. "I'm honest because I'm a terrible liar!"

"So true," he said, chuckling. "So, where are you and Esme going?"

"None of your business!" I said, poking his side as I laughed. "And she doesn't know, either, so don't try to pick her brain or pull the favorite son card," I scolded.

"Damn," he groaned, laughing.

We walked back in the house to find the boys playing video games and the girls sitting with Tanya at the table, looking at Esme's house plans. I tried not to groan when I saw her.

"How was your hunt?" she asked, smiling evilly.

"Um, mouthwatering," I answered with a smirk.

Edward laughed, kissed me on the head, and then joined his brothers in front of the television.

"He's in a better mood," Tanya said, her brow furrowed as she watched him walk away.

"Infinitely better," I said, winking at Rose, who threw back her head and laughed.

Alice was trying not to giggle, and Esme couldn't hold back her snicker.

I looked at her and said, "I just need to change clothes, and then we can go, okay?"

"Sure, little one," she said, turning back to the house plans in front of her.

I went upstairs and changed quickly, adding a little makeup to bring more color to my face.

By the time I came down, Tanya had moved into the living room and was watching Edward like he was something to eat.

You need me, baby? I thought to him, looking from him to her.

"Always, love," he said, smiling, "but I'll live."

I kissed him, told him that I wouldn't be long, and turned to leave.

"Too bad she didn't stay human. Aro would've have killed her," Tanya said under her breath, but I heard every word as if she'd yelled it.

Edward growled low, standing.

Jasper felt my snap before I did as my anger flamed through me. He caught me before I could get any closer to her. "Bells," he whispered, "she's jealous. It's oozing from her."

"Tanya," Esme said, "you really need to control yourself when you're in my home."

"Tanya," Rose and Alice growled together.

Tanya scoffed, rolling her eyes. Jasper wouldn't let me go, and Edward had joined him on the other side of me. I felt my shield go before I could stop it.

It launched out of me, pinning her to the chair. Her face was in shock as she struggled to move.

"I told you not to underestimate me," I growled through gritted teeth.

"Holy shit," Jasper breathed.

"Bella," Edward said softly. "Love, calm down."

I ignored them both and said to Tanya, "You know what the definition of insanity is, Tanya?" I didn't give her a chance to answer. "It's doing the same thing over and over, exactly the same way, but expecting different results." I heard snorts and snickers around me. "Sound familiar?"

"I can't help it," she growled, still pushing against my shield. "It's just the way I am."

"What? Insane?" I asked, snorting. "You'd better start trying. And don't ever fucking roll your eyes at Esme again!" Using my shield, I pushed out, knocking the chair over that she was sitting in.

"Let go of me, both of you," I growled, turning in their arms.

They loosened their grip but didn't quite take their hands off me.

I heard her stand before I even turned around, and I slammed my shield down around Edward, Jasper, and me.

"How dare you!" she hissed, running at me, but she stopped a few feet short, unable to progress any farther.

"You can't get to her, Tanya," Emmett said, smiling.

"You can hate me all you want, I don't care...but it's rude, what you do, Tanya," I said, calming down, thanks to Jasper. "It's rude to make your friends uncomfortable...your family." I lifted my shield, watching her stumble a few steps forward.

I turned to Esme and said, "I'm sorry about the chair."

"Is it broken?" she asked, smirking.

"I don't think so," I said, turning back to look at it.

"Then, no harm, no foul," she said, smiling. "Are you ready, little one?"

"Yes," I said. "I just have to run upstairs for a second."

I closed the door behind me, walked over to my laptop bag, and pocketed a claim ticket that I would need today. Sitting down on the sofa, I put my head in my hands.

"Love, are you all right?" Edward asked, kneeling in front of me.

"Yes," I said without looking up. "I hadn't felt the bloodlust you guys talk about until just then." I sighed. "It's a little overwhelming."

"Yes, it can be," he said, running his fingers through my hair.

I lifted my head, resting my chin on my hand. I looked at Edward. His face was concerned, but his eyes were bright, happy.

"I'm sorry I lost it," I said, reaching out to touch his face.

"I'm not," he said, smiling. "That was...hmm, really something." He was fighting a laugh.

I snorted, shaking my head. "I almost hurt her. I wanted to hurt her."

"You were in control, love," he said. "I was watching you."

We sat quietly for a moment, just staring at each other. I felt myself calm down just being near Edward. Taking a deep breath, I said, "Thank you for letting me cool down. How could she say that, Edward?" I asked, drowning in the love that was swimming in his butterscotch eyes.

He put his forehead to mine and answered, "She envies you too much...in more ways than you can imagine."

I sighed, looking at the main reason kneeling in front of me. "I love you," I said, kissing him quickly, "but I really have to go."

"Where are you going again?" he asked, an innocent – too innocent – smile on his face.

"Nice try, handsome," I said, laughing.

He scooped me up off the couch, tickling me. Laughing, I kicked and wriggled in his arms. "I love you, Bella," he said, kissing me and setting me on my feet.

We walked back downstairs, and Tanya said, "Bella, I'm sorry."

"Death wish?" Rose said under her breath, and I snorted.

I sighed, looking up at Edward. He tucked my hair back behind my ear, and I realized she would do this every time we saw her.

"No, you're not, Tanya," I said, rolling my eyes. "You said that last time, and you chose to act the same way. It's not me you should be apologizing to. We haven't been friends for decades." I left, not even caring what she did.

Esme and I rode in silence for a few miles, but suddenly, she busted out laughing. "Oh, God, Bella," she said, trying to talk through her giggles. "That was the best! I've been wanting to do that to Tanya for years."

"What? You're joking!" I exclaimed, joining her giggles.

"No, she's been harassing poor Edward for years," she said, sobering up, "but he's too sweet, too much of a gentleman to say anything to her."

I snorted, shaking my head.

"You are so good with each other. Like, what happened with Gianna?"

"He got upset with himself," I said, "and it wasn't necessary." I didn't want to divulge too much.

"That's what I'm saying," she affirmed. "Do you have any idea how long it would have taken him to get over it before you came along?" she asked.

I just shook my head no.

"Months, Bella. He would stew over it," she said, sighing. "Not even Carlisle would be able to get him over some things."

I didn't say anything. I just smiled at her, happy to hear once again how much Edward cared about me.

"By the way, where are we going, little one?"

~oOo~

EDWARD

I watched as my love left, listening to all the thoughts around me. Everyone was stunned into silence, including Tanya for the first time ever.

I turned around to see my brothers fighting the laughter that wanted to bust through. I looked at Alice and Rose, and they just shook their heads with giant smiles on their faces. The only one that would have enjoyed this more was Carlisle, but he was at the hospital.

I was still thinking about what she'dd actually said to set my Bella off, when Tanya interrupted my thoughts. "Edward, I..." she started.

"Don't," I said, turning around to her. "Just don't." I held a hand up to her. "I was raised to think that saying anything like what I am about to say is ungentlemanly, but you so crossed the line." I kept my voice low and even. "You wished she were dead? Do you think that would change anything?" I asked, hearing my siblings move closer and their minds grow angry.

"No, I—" she started, and again, I didn't let her finish.

"I lost her once," I said. "For two years, I lost her. It almost killed us both, but you don't care. You just want what you can't have." My heart hurt, thinking about those two years. "Then, I almost lost her again. I had to change her. There's nothing in this world to me but her. Nothing. Do you understand?"

She had given up on answering and just nodded, looking scared.

"If you wish death on her, then you wish it on me. We can't exist apart." I started pacing and continued, "The things you show me, they disgust me. I don't want them. They aren't even at all enticing. They are crude and a waste of your time, Tanya. I've tried to shut you out, not wanting to hurt your feelings, but no more. It's not you I want. Period."

I walked back and forth and said, "I won't have it anymore. If you show up again, Bella and I will leave until you are gone. We used to be friends – family – but I won't have my future wife spoken to like that ever again." I felt a hand in mine and looked to see Alice by my side.

"You wished Bells dead?" Emmett asked, frowning. The big, carefree guy was no longer laughing. "Why? She's family." His mind flashed to earlier when they were wrestling in the yard. I had to fight a smile at his memories of her. They loved each other madly.

"Jealousy," Jasper said, folding his arms across his chest and not letting Tanya answer.

"Yes," she said quietly. "Yes...okay? I'm jealous. She's fucking stunning, but it didn't even matter when she was human. Your eyes never left her. You're so in tune to each other. All of you, with each other. Even Carlisle and Esme. I want it... I look for it. I'm sorry I took it out on you." Her mind released images of times when she had watched us...all of us. The love coming from each couple almost knocked me over.

She felt alone, lost. She used human men, trying to find what she was looking for, but had never found it. "I swear I won't do it again," she said, pleading.

"I'm not taking that chance, Tanya," I said. "I'm sorry, but I can't have her hearing those things from you."

Not long after that, Tanya left, heading home. I paced in our room, waiting for Bella to come home. My phone went off with a text just as I was pulling it out to call her.

B: On our way, I promise. Home in 10.

I smiled, thinking she knew me too well.

I met them in the garage, kissing both my girls. "Now do I get to know where you went?" I teased, just happy to have her back home.

She looked over at Esme and giggled. "Yes, you big baby. Come on," she said, taking me by the hand. She dragged me up the stairs into our room. "Sit, Edward," she laughed, the whole morning forgotten.

I sat down on the couch, pulling her with me so that she was straddling my lap. "This is where I went. I had it specially made," she said, biting that beautiful bottom lip of hers. She handed me a small box. "It's your wedding band," she explained, tilting her head adorably as she watched me open it.

It was the same white gold as hers, but the outside spun. The detail around the outside band matched her ring – my mother's ring. "It's called an infinity ring," she said, turning it with her small finger. "You liked spinning mine, so... You can do your own soon," she said, giggling. "Do you like it?"

"When did you do this?" I asked, looking up into her beautiful face.

"Um, like two months ago," she said. "They took an impression of my ring to get the design right, but they had to make it. It was one of the many shopping trips with Alice."

"God, Bella, it's..." I didn't have words. It was perfect, stunning, beautiful. "I can't wait to wear this, love."

"Good," she said, smiling and touching her head to mine. "I'm glad. Esme swooned when she saw it." She giggled. "But you haven't seen the best part, baby," she said, taking it out.

Inside was an inscription: The lion fell in love with the lamb. The print was small in order for it to fit, but all thought processes for me stopped after reading it.

I wrapped my arms around her, and my mouth was on hers instantly. I poured everything into it. I wove my hands in her hair, bringing her closer and holding her there. Our tongues touched, and she moaned, grinding into me. Her arms snaked around my neck, her elbows on my shoulders, her hands in my hair.

We were so close, but not close enough. My hands snaked up her shirt, ghosting across her back and around to her stomach. She pulled back, lifting her arms so I could remove her shirt. Her bra was next. She tugged at the buttons of my shirt but gave up and ripped it open, forcing it off my shoulders. I shrugged out of it, crashing my mouth back into hers.

I couldn't get enough of her. "I want these off," I said, rubbing her jean-clad legs.

She stood up, unzipping and ridding herself of them quickly. She reached for my hand, pulling me up and removing my pants, only to pull me down on top of her on the bed.

She wrapped her legs around me, and I entered her, taking one of her nipples into my mouth. She arched up to me, gasping. I trailed my tongue up to the soft spot behind her ear and whispered how beautiful she was, that she was mine. I told her that I'd loved her the minute I saw her, and I didn't even know it. I told her that nothing could take me away from her, that I was owned by her. When I told her that she made me forget the monster inside me, she came with a dry sob into my shoulder.

I stayed connected to her, not ready to part from her. We continued to kiss, soft moans escaping us along with declarations of love. Eventually, we found ourselves making love again, coming quietly, moaning into each other's mouths.

I heard my sister's mind before the knock on the door. "Bells, the girls are here," Alice said quietly. Her mind was torn between bothering us for what she knew Bella would want and leaving us alone. "Sorry," she said.

My love smiled up at me and murmured, "Invitations."

I smiled, kissing her nose and letting her up. We dressed quickly. Bella tossed her hair up in a ponytail and headed for the door.

I was right behind her, when she stopped, turning to look at me. "So you like the ring, then?"