Chapter Twenty Six
Esme
Rose and Emmett had been very good about Charlie moving in although we kept it from his human friends for now. I hadn't said anything to Jasper and Bella either, we wanted to tell them in person. It was hard to explain that when your mate dies the ties binding you together disappear and things can go one of two ways, either you can't cope alone and you follow them into the unknown or if you are very lucky you find someone else who draws you to them. I had been extremely lucky to find Charlie, someone who knew all about me and still wanted to be with me. I had known Emmett would be less of a problem than Rose. He liked Charlie and he just wanted me happy again, he just grinned and patted Charlie on the back, "Glad you got to hang around. Want to watch the game? It's just started." I sighed and shook my head, "Well that's one down now let's try for two shall we and we went to the piano where Rose was playing quietly. "No need to say anything I heard." She looked at us very seriously for a moment before nodding her head, "Just look after her Charlie. Break her heart and I'll break your neck" then she went back to her music. Since then we'd all got on well and Jake had been let in on the secret when we invited him home for dinner one evening after the funeral, along with his girlfriend Mel. She was very nervous at first but she soon became more relaxed as she realized she was safe. Emmett had her laughing at his antics and it felt normal, like a home once more.
Rose
I had trouble with the notion of Charlie and Esme but after a few weeks even I had to admit that he looked after her well and never tried to be another Carlisle. It was good to see her laugh again and I wondered how Bella would take it when she found out. I knew that she had planned on getting Jazz to change her as soon as possible and each day I wondered if my new sister would be walking through the door a vampire at last. When we finally heard that Bella had changed it was Peter who brought the news and he wasn't here to bring the glad tidings, rather a warning that trouble was on its way, big trouble.
Charlie
As soon as I saw Peter's face I knew it was bad news and I wasn't wrong. Someone had got a message out of Volterra to the Guardians that there was serious in-fighting between the Volturi, and Marcus had soldiers on their way to kill Jasper and take Bella back as a prisoner for Edward. I was sick to death of hearing that ass hole's name, he just never gave up. I should have pulled the trigger when I got the chance but I promised myself I wouldn't hesitate if I got another chance. There wasn't time to change me without my becoming a liability now so it would have to be put off until this fight was over one way or the other. Esme tried to put a brave face on things but I knew she was terrified of the Volturi. Peter had one piece of good news though. Jasper and Bella would be here soon to show a united front to the guard. It was strange to think that the next time I saw my daughter she would be a vampire, I wasn't sure I should be here when she arrived, after all I was now her preferred meal. When Esme asked Peter how Bella was he threw his hands in the air, "She's one crazy mother fucker but she's got her shit together. I don't know how she's doing it but she hasn't attacked yet." We decided after this that I'd go back to my place in Forks and they would ring if it was safe for me to come back.
Emmett
I was really looking forward to seeing Bella again, from the way Peter described her I thought we might have some fun together. After all she'd be almost as strong as me for a while. Rose kept frowning at me, as if she could read what was in my mind. "Emmett, you leave Bella alone. Its going to be tough enough for her as it is without you winding her up. If she's as controlled as Peter says then she may well have a short fuse and we need you in one piece for the fight, so chill". As usual Rose was right and the thought of a serious fight was enough to keep me occupied for now so I just nodded and went back to my game.
Rose
I heard their footsteps as they approached the house and looked out of the window, Jazz and Bella were moving very slowly towards the door. She was drop dead gorgeous, her long hair flowing in the breeze and wearing jeans and a baggy white shirt I recognized as one of Jasper's. I smiled as I saw her stop and kiss him before starting to walk again. She was using his gift to keep herself from running. I was sure all her senses were overwhelmed with new sensations at the moment, it was a lot to take in at once and she was so new to it all. They came up the steps and I opened the door slowly so as not to startle her. I looked into her red eyes and had to admit she looked dangerous, until she smiled and spoke, "Rose." I smiled back and put my hand out to touch her face. Jazz looked apprehensive but she leaned in and touched me back. "We feel the same now" she noted. When I leaned towards Jazz to kiss him in welcome I froze, she was snarling and I stepped back looking at her again. "Sorry Bella, I was only saying Hi to my brother nothing else. I know he belongs to you." She swallowed a few times before nodding and I saw Jazz flinch as she clutched his arm even tighter.
Esme
Rose had handled things really well so I now approached them, "Hello Bella, its lovely to see you again. Come and sit down and we can talk". Jazz guided her forward to sit with him on the couch, "See Bella, you're doing great. Just relax darlin'" She looked him with such adoration it was painful but I kept smiling and slowly sat down opposite her. "Has she hunted yet?" I asked because she looked on edge and thirsty to me. "Yeah. She did really well and she's fine, just a bit nervous. Is Charlie here?" I shook my head, "We thought it might be a good idea if he waited in Forks until Bella felt strong enough to meet him." Bella turned her gaze to me. "Is Charlie frightened of me?" "No honey he just didn't want to make you feel uncomfortable." She nodded and looked around, her eyes narrowed as she saw Charlie's fishing gear by the door. "Is Charlie living here?" I nodded waiting to see how she would react. "Good. He'll be safe here with you. Are you going to change him?" That threw me, "Oh well that's his choice Bella." Her eyes stayed on the fishing gear, "If you two are going to be together I think you should go ahead and change him." I was shocked, "How did you know Bella?" She laughed, "Dad would never leave his most prized possessions here if he wasn't living here and its pretty obvious that you are feeling better. I'm glad really. It's about time he found real happiness.
Jasper
I was still on edge but Bella was handling things really well, apart from the slight problem when Rose approached me. It had been a long while since we'd had a new-born in the family and she'd forgotten how possessive they can be. Bella felt threatened by another woman approaching me. She was holding my hand so tightly I thought I might have permanent marks from her fingers. I couldn't believe how well she was controlling herself, not like a newborn at all. I thought she'd be OK around Charlie too but it was her decision, she knew what she could cope with. "Esme, I think we should get Charlie here. If there's going to be a fight then he'd be safer with us." Esme nodded and went to ring him. Bella turned to me, "You will stop me if I try to attack him won't you?" I nodded, "Yeah, if I need to but you are doing so well I don't think I will." She bit her lip and I could tell she was tense. Suddenly an arm snaked round her and she was lifted into the air by Emmett. "What the fuck...Emmett you really shouldn't" but I was too late. He was now reaping the whirlwind. Bella moved so fast she was a blur. Emmett found himself slammed up against the wall with her teeth at his throat and I didn't think she was joking, this could get very ugly. As I stood she looked over at me and I was stunned, she winked at me before looking back at Emmett. He was being held about 6 inches from the ground by her hand around his throat. "Has no one ever told you its rude to touch a lady without asking first?" she snapped.
Emmett
I thought I'd surprise my little sister but I got more than I bargained for. She was fast as a snake and I was grabbed by the throat and slammed into the concrete wall then held there dangling above the floor. When she moved her teeth from my throat I heaved a sigh of relief but she wasn't finished with me yet. I nodded in response to her question but it didn't pacify her. I was lifted higher and thrown through the plate-glass window into the trees. Damn she was strong and before I could scramble to my feet she was there in front of me smiling. "How about you wrestle me? Winner gets to live." I shook my head and backed away. "Bells I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you. Please?" I looked over to where Jazz stood, arms folded just watching. "Jazz please?" I implored him. He laughed and shook his head, "No way. You started it, you finish it." As I turned back to Bella I saw she was laughing, "Got you there Em" she shouted jumping high in the air and swinging towards me from bough to bough through the trees. When I realized I'd been played I had to laugh too and as she launched herself at me from the last branch I caught her and we dropped to the ground together in fits of giggles.