Author's Note:

I'm back! And in less than two weeks!

I have so many thanks and things to say this time, so there's a monster note at the end, but for now I wanted to mention the following: This chapter was written by someone (me) who has read both the Bree Tanner novella, as well as a big chunk of The Twilight Saga: Official Illustrated Guide. Some of the details alluded to at the end of the chapter might make more sense if you've read them as well, however if you haven't, don't worry. I tried to make the chapter stand alone as much as possible. Just feel free to PM me if you have burning questions.

As always: Twilight, all its characters, sequels, & the Official Guide belong to the lovely Ms. Stephenie Meyer; Volvo belongs to some Chinese motor group that bought them from Ford; and the rest is just my imagination.


Chapter 27:

"Loose Ends"

Bella seemed content with my promise to make it to the wedding if at all possible and rose quickly to get ready for her flight. As it was currently Thursday morning, I knew I had roughly 36 hours to get myself on a plane to Virginia. It went unsaid that I assumed the newborns would be dealt with long before that.

Just as Bella began to close the bathroom door and take her shower, her phone started ringing. She stopped and padded back to answer it, shaking her head when she looked at the display. Apparently it was a morning wake-up call from Angela Weber, now Cheney, who was also attending Jessica's wedding and taking the same flight as Bella.

I was caught by surprise when I overheard Angela ask whether I was here and then proceeded to tell Bella to say hello to me. A fiery blush rose to Bella's cheeks in response. Obviously, she'd confided in Angela at some point recently, and although Angela seemed thrilled to hear we were together, I wondered why Bella hadn't mentioned it. Of course, when Angela sighed about how romantic our reunion was and how happy she was to see Bella well and truly in love for the first time, I forgot about my worries and simply basked in Angela's words.

An embarrassed Bella escaped back into the bathroom and turned the water on before finishing her conversation. Smiling, I went downstairs to play her grandmother's piano while she showered. Playing the lullaby I composed for her, I found myself getting to the uplifting strains sooner than usual. It was surprising but significant that Bella had told her friend about me. She was including me in her life in every way, and that made me undeniably happy.

At the same time I knew there'd be complications, like the reality of having to meet former classmates from Forks for the second time around. Angela's phone call reminded me that I'd need to ask Alice about that, but even that couldn't remove the smile from my face completely.

Bella eventually finished in the bathroom and I heard her moving around in her room for several minutes more before she opened the door and called my name.

"Edward? Can you come here for a second?"

I frowned a bit at her tone. Was something wrong?

I was up the stairs in a heartbeat and rounded the corner into her bedroom only to be met with the flash of a camera.

"What are you-?"

Her giggle stopped me short, as did another flash. "Smile!"

Bella laughed louder as I stood slightly stunned. I wasn't used to being caught by surprise.

"Come on, silly," she said, happily. "Smile. Let me see those pearly whites."

I grinned and shook my head before moving quickly to circle her in my arms. She snapped two more pictures of me before I confiscated the camera and turned the tables on her.

"Hey!" she squealed, running around her bed to get away.

"Oh, no... It's my turn now," I laughed, snapping a picture as she dove for cover behind her suitcase.

I rolled my eyes. "Bella, will you please try not injure yourself?"

She peeked up over the suitcase and I laughed as I took a picture.

"Will you please try not to take my picture?"

"You started this, love."

I snapped away, watching her cheeks turn pink.

"I'm deleting all those as soon as I get on the plane," she grumbled standing up finally.

"Well, then I'm deleting-"

"No!" she shouted lunging towards me and jumping for the camera.

I laughed loudly and pulled her into my arms, lifting her off of the ground until we were eye to eye. "Calm down, silly girl. I was just teasing."

She exhaled and relaxed. "I thought you were serious."

"I see that." I touched my lips to hers briefly and set her feet down. "Are you going to miss me?"

"Yes," she pouted.

"Is it wrong that I'm glad you will?"

She smiled softly and shook her head, reaching up to tangle her hands in my hair. "No. Will you miss me?"

"I already do."

She blushed and bit down on her bottom lip, her gaze darting between my mouth and my eyes. "But I'm still here."

I took the hint and tossed her little camera onto her bed before lowering my mouth to hers. Bella's lips met mine eagerly and opened slightly. I swallowed back the venom that flowed freely every time the sweetness of her taste met my tongue. She sighed softly and I wondered if she was trying as hard as I was to relish what was likely our last kiss for the next couple of days.

Already I was trying not to count down the seconds until she would have to leave my side. Already, I was struggling not to envision the meaningless hours that would crawl by without her.

Never mind that I was exceedingly glad Bella would be far, far away from the Pacific Northwest in this instance. As important as her safety was to me, I'd still miss her presence, her warmth, her touch, her taste.

A moan caught in the back of my throat as Bella attempted to get closer by pushing herself up on her toes and pressing against me. I didn't exactly pry her away. Instead, I lifted her into my arms and held her like the precious jewel she was. Breaking away from her mouth, I trailed kisses down her neck and had just inhaled her scent where it was strongest when there was an unwelcome interruption.

Bella let out a breathless protest as I lowered her to the floor. I apologized and reached for my phone with a sigh. I knew that Alice's timing was no coincidence. Scowling at the display, I wondered what she'd seen to warrant intervening. The thought unnerved me.

"What's wrong?" Bella asked quietly, straightening her hair and shirt.

"Alice," I said, retrieving the message and trying hard not to think about the cause of Bella's newly disheveled appearance.

"What does she want?"

I let out an exasperated breath and shook my head when I read the text on the screen.

"She says not to forget your MP3 player and if we don't leave right now, we'll get stuck behind an accident on the interstate."

Bella blinked. "Oh. That's all?"

I kept my expression neutral, but knowing my sister, there was more to it than that. I simply had no proof, nor saw any reason to worry Bella.

"I think so. You're more than welcome to ask her yourself."

She examined my face for a moment and shook her head. "That's okay. I believe you." Her smile was playful, her eyebrow arching slightly.

I grinned at her, looking deep into her eyes. "That's good to hear. "

She inhaled quickly, her pupils dilating and her heart steadily accelerating. Before she could fall over I pulled her to me, chuckling softly. "Exhale, sweetheart."

She did and buried her face in my chest. "You so don't play fair."

"I'm sorry, I wasn't aware we were playing."

"Shut up, you know what you were doing."

"And what was that?"

"Dazzling me."

I laughed. "Oh, was I now?"

"Shut up," she said, trying not to smile. "You love being able to do that to me and you know it."

I couldn't deny it. "I really do."

~(~)~

For as much as Bella complained about my "dazzling" her, my ability to elicit a similar response from others benefitted her just a short hour later.

"I can't believe you got her to do that," Bella whispered as we walked away from the US Airways check-in counter. "I mean, Business Class maybe, but First Class? I mean, I didn't think they really did that."

"What?" I asked, laughing lightly.

"Upgrade people for free. That was incredible, Edward."

"Well, I wasn't going to stand there and tolerate her being rude to you. All you did was ask whether or not you could be seated next to your friend."

"Yes, but it was just a request. She didn't have to-"

"No, she didn't. But she knew that she didn't have to and she decided to laud it over you with a superior attitude. It was inexcusable."

"You have high expectations of people."

"I see through people. It's an unfortunate side-effect of my nature."

Bella stopped and put her hand on my arm. "Edward, thank you. Angela is going to flip out when they tell her. She doesn't really like to fly, so..." Her eyes were a bit glassy as she continued, "Thank you."

"You're welcome, love. They had six seats available anyway. That woman," I gestured behind to the employee in question. "...would have had to move around four people to seat you and Angela together. Though it could have been done, this was easier for her. All I had to do was point that out."

Bella looked over her shoulder at the counter again. "She must be wondering what in the world just happened. I'd be surprised if she can remember her own name."

If I could have blushed, I might have. "She'll be fine."

Bella smiled and shook her head. "I don't know. You've never been on the receiving end of that. I have, trust me."

I looked down and shifted a bit uncomfortably. "You're the only one I care to have that effect on, Bella. I simply wanted to-"

"Hey," she stopped me, reaching up to touch my face. "I know."

I lifted my head to meet her eyes. "I'd do anything for you."

"I know, Edward. I'd do anything for you too."

My gaze bore into hers while we shared a silent moment; an exchange of emotions and desires that would be otherwise inappropriate to express in public.

"I love you," she whispered finally.

I brought a hand to her neck and ran my thumb along her jaw line before sliding my fingers under her hair. Bella tipped her chin up as I leaned down. Our lips touched ever so softly, lingering for a brief moment before parting.

"I love you too," I whispered, my forehead resting against hers.

At that moment, somewhere in the buzz of thoughts around me, Bella's face and name appeared in a mind I didn't recognize. I focused and searched, eventually finding Angela Cheney's thoughts in the multitude of others. She was saying goodbye to her husband, Ben. I remembered him as a boy, but recognized the man he'd grown into. Well that, and Angela was thinking of him quite affectionately.

I stood back from Bella and dropped my hand from her hair.

"Angela's here. She'll be in in just a moment."

Bella's mouth opened a little. She looked around and then back at me. "I... Are we... Can she see you now?"

I concentrated again on Angela's mind. "I think so. She seems fairly distracted by the fact she's about to get on a plane. You're right, she doesn't like flying."

Bella stared at the sliding glass doors. "Will she be suspicious? Did Alice warn you?"

"I don't know, and no. Either way, she'll be meeting me eventually."

Bella nodded. "Yeah, I guess so." She looked back at me with a questioning gaze.

"No time like the present."

Her face relaxed. "Okay. Where is she?"

In her thoughts, I could see Angela kiss her husband one last time and then turn around.

"Over there," I pointed just before she appeared at one of the entrances.

Bella reached for my hand. "Should we go meet her?"

"I think she'd like that," I answered honestly.

"Okay," Bella said softly, raising her chin. "Here goes nothin'."

I chuckled as she stepped forward, leading me towards the check-in counter we'd left only moments before.

We arrived just as Angela started to tell the attendant there must have been a mistake with her ticket.

"It's not a mistake," Bella said tapping Angela on the shoulder.

Angela jumped and spun around. "Oh my goodness! Bella, you scared me!"

Bella giggled and hugged her friend. "Sorry," she said, happily. "I think certain people are rubbing off on me."

Angela didn't understand Bella's comment, but smiled anyway as she looked Bella over from head to toe and back again.

She looks so good. So much healthier. Happier. Look at that smile!

Angela spoke over that last thought. "It's okay. Have you been waiting very long?"

"Oh, no. We only just checked-in a minute or two ago. Well, I did. Um, Edward," she glanced back at me and Angela's eyes flew to me as well. "Edward walked me in."

Angela blushed and smiled shyly.

"Hello, Angela," I said, using the voice I'd always reserved for not frightening humans. Well, humans other than Bella. "It's lovely to see you again."

Angela's cheeks reddened further. "He... Hello, Edward. It's..." She fumbled for words, her voice cracking.

Wow. Has he always been that good looking? I mean, he looks the same, but... wow. Go, Bella!

I fought a smile. Angela seemed to be just as kind and sincere as she'd been five years ago. It warmed my heart, at least in the figurative sense, the way she ignored her initial response to my physical appearance and instead focused on how happy she was for Bella to have someone special in her life. Or more specifically, to have me. Of course, that didn't make it much easier for Angela to gather her wits.

Intuitive as ever, Bella seemed to sense Angela's predicament and distracted her.

"Did you get your boarding pass? We're supposed to be seated next to each other," she said casually.

Angela blinked and looked at Bella, and then the boarding pass in her hands. A small "V" formed between her brows.

"Um, yeah. But there seemed to be some confusion. They have me in first class."

Bella laughed. "I know. They upgraded us."

Angela sputtered and the airline employee behind her, the same one that had checked Bella in, rolled her eyes. "I'm sure we can stick you back in coach if you prefer," she said haughtily.

I shot a look at her that flustered her at once. "That won't be necessary," I smiled, though there was an edge to it.

The woman stiffened and looked away.

"Edward," Bella hissed.

My smile turned genuine and I looked down at her, then over at Angela. "I'm sorry, but if you're all set Angela, we should get you ladies to security."

Angela was unsure. I don't know. I didn't pay for First Class.

I tried to decide how best to answer her concerns when Bella did it for me.

"It's okay, Angela. They apparently do this all the time. I thought it was only in the movies, but Edward knew just what to say to the woman to get her to move us at no charge."

Angela smiled and nodded. "Wow. Seriously?"

Bella nodded.

Angela took a deep breath and told herself it was at least one thing she had to look forward to. "Thank you, Edward. That's just... Wow. That was really nice of you."

"It was nothing," I answered. "Can I take your bag for you?" Angela had brought a wheeled carry-on.

"Oh, no. It's not heavy."

"Neither is mine, but as you can see, I lost that battle," muttered Bella, pointing to her backpack on my shoulder.

Angela giggled.

"You can have it back at security," I said, smirking.

Bella rolled her eyes. "Let's go, then."

Angela laughed again and fell in line next to Bella. "You are still as stubborn as ever, aren't you?"

"So it's not just me she's like this with?" I asked with a grin.

Angela flushed only slightly when I addressed her this time. She shook her head. "Oh no, she's like that with everyone. Well, except you got her to give in somehow. That's new."

"Angela," Bella whined.

Angela bumped Bella's shoulder and leaned in close. "He should know. You're different with him," she whispered softly.

I could almost feel the heat of Bella's blush from my place at her side. "We can talk about that later," she whispered back.

Angela nodded and glanced at me quickly.

Yep, she's got it bad. Really bad. I wonder if they've... Nope, nope. None of my business. Sheesh, I've been married less than six months and my mind goes to the gutter.

I tried to keep my expression neutral, but it was difficult. It was no surprise to me that people inevitably wondered about intimate things that were none of their concern. Even Bella's own mother had thought a great deal about what went on "behind closed doors" as she put it. Still, it wasn't a subject I enjoyed being reminded of. It wasn't possible for us and every time it came up, I only felt more certain that I was robbing Bella of a normal, happy, human life. It was for that reason that Angela's next thoughts were such a shock. And try as I might, I couldn't seem to not hear them.

Maybe she wants to wait until they get married. Except that Bella doesn't believe in marriage. Gosh, I hope she changes her mind now that she's fallen in love. I can't imagine never wanting to get married. Or not wanting to have children.

Angela's memory of Bella saying those very words brought me up short. Had I been human, I surely would have stopped dead in my tracks –as it was I slowed noticeably. In Angela's mind I saw Bella standing next to her as though they were looking in a mirror. Eventually, I realized that's exactly what Angela was remembering: Bella standing in front of a large three-way mirror in a light blue dress that hugged her body in a way that should be illegal. Angela stood by her side in an olive-green dress that was similar in cut and material.

"Just promise me when it's your turn that you will not make me wear this color, Bella." She wrinkled her nose and turned her eyes heavenward. "God, please let Jessica choose the blue. Or the pink. The pink was nice."

Bella snickered, and shook her head. "Don't worry. I'm pretty sure Jess is going to hate that. And you have nothing to worry about from me. I don't plan on taking a turn."

Angela frowned and faced Bella. "What do you mean? Of course you'll get your turn! Just because you haven't found that special someone yet-"

Bella shook her head again and stopped Angela. "No, that's not what I mean. I mean that I'm not getting married. Even if I do meet that somebody, or rather, if that somebody exists at all."

Angela was confused. "Wait... you're not getting married? Not ever?"

Bella shook her head and turned back to the mirror. "No."

"But why?"

Bella sighed. "Please don't take this the wrong way, but it's just not something I need in my life. It's a piece of paper."

Angela frowned. "It's much more than that though."

Bella rubbed Angela's arm. "I didn't mean to upset you, Ang. It's not a critique of your choices. It's just how I feel. It's what's right for me."

"What about kids? Don't you want a Care Bear of your own one day?" she asked, referring to Jessica's little girl, Caroline.

Bella's expression never wavered. "It's not something I've ever considered. And if at some point I change my mind, you and I both know that you don't have to get married to have a baby."

A flash of white organza in the mirror caught Angela and Bella's attention and they turned to face a nervous looking Jessica Stanley.

"So what do you guys think of this one?"

Angela brought herself out of her memories as we arrived at the security check-point. I was surprised by how they affected me. I felt a profound sense of loss for reasons I couldn't even fathom.

All this time I'd thought Bella was trying to convince me that marriage and family weren't what she wanted because of me –because she believed that she couldn't have those things with me. Yet months before I was even a blip on Bella's radar, she'd been firm in her decision not to marry. She was telling me the honest truth for once, and I wasn't entirely sure how I felt about this new knowledge.

"Well, I guess you can give me my bag back now," Bella said, smiling up at me when we stopped at the end of the line.

I returned her smile and reluctantly handed over her backpack. "There you go. Do you need anything before I have to leave you?"

Bella shook her head but blushed, her eyes flickering from me to where Angela stood beside her. "I'm fine. Thank you. Um..."

Angela interrupted her, guessing the reason behind Bella's hesitancy. "I'm just going to go ahead and get in line, get my driver's license out and everything. It was nice to see you again, Edward. We'll all have to get together sometime when Bella and I get back. I'm sure Ben would love to see you and we have five years to catch up on."

"I'd like that, Angela. It was nice to see you too, and give Ben my regards when you speak to him."

"I will," she said, smiling before she turned away. When I looked down, Bella was watching me with misty eyes.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"Nothing. You're just too perfect sometimes."

"Well, Pot. I'd like you to meet Kettle," I joked, tucking a piece of her hair behind her ear.

She shook her head and looked down. "Call me? As soon as anything, you know... happens. Please?"

I lifted her chin gently. "I will, but you've got to promise me something."

Her eyes widened slightly. "What?"

I smiled. "Promise me you won't worry yourself. That you'll try to forget everything else and just have fun with your friends."

"I- I can't promise that."

"Try. Bella, promise me you'll try."

She was silent, breathing softly in and out several times before nodding her head slowly.

"I'll try. But you have to promise me something too."

"Anything."

"Promise me you'll keep me up with what's going on. Don't keep me in the dark, Edward. I'm serious."

I sighed. "I know, and I won't."

"Do you promise?" she asked, her expression pleading.

"I promise."

She searched my eyes for another moment before taking a deep breath. "Okay. I guess I better go then."

"Yes, you should. Angela's waiting."

"I love you. I'll see you... soon?" she asked, hopefully.

"Soon," I smiled, kissing her cheek once more before letting her go.

~(~)~

The sun was shining over Cedar Falls when I arrived back at my family's home. Alice was sitting on Jasper's lap on the back deck, Carlisle was helping Esme tend a new flowerbed she'd started, and Emmett and Rosalie were wading across the river hand in hand. To look at all of them, you would never imagine that we had such a dire task ahead of us come nightfall.

I got out of the car and glanced around. In recent weeks such displays of togetherness had come to bother me less and less, but today was an exception.

Jasper and Alice came down to greet me.

"Missing your girl already?" Jasper asked, sensing my sour mood.

I shrugged. "Yes, of course."

I hesitated to say anything more.

"I wouldn't give up on her just yet." Alice said certainly. I tried to see in her mind what made her so sure.

"What do you know, Alice?"

"What happened?" asked Jasper, looking between us.

I sighed. "Nothing really. Bella just doesn't want to get married. Ever."

Jasper's eyes popped open wide in shock. I heard the same sentiment from the Carlisle and Esme, who'd overheard my words.

He proposed?

I had no idea... Oh, my goodness, she couldn't have rejected him. Why would she?

"Wait, you asked Bella to marry you?" Jasper inquired, echoing their thoughts.

I shook my head. "No."

"Then how...?"

You're confusing me.

I sighed and told them the entire story, concluding with Angela's remembered conversation from just a few months ago.

"If you recall, I didn't think marriage was important either. Even after Alice. I'm with her. I'll always be with her. A human institution can't change that, or make it more or less significant," Jasper said.

I nodded. "Yes, but you did eventually marry her."

"At Carlisle's suggestion."

"No, because it made me happy," Alice corrected. She smiled and thought of their wedding day.

I held my tongue. The truth was somewhere between his response and hers.

"Well, in any event," Jasper continued, glancing amusedly at Alice. "It wasn't something I needed to feel complete. But... had Ali needed to have a wedding to feel as though our bond were truly unbreakable, then I would have done it in an instant. Perhaps if Bella knew you felt a certain way about marriage, she might reconsider her own position."

I shook my head. "No. No, she's already compromising too much for me. I just didn't really know how much it would bother me..." I paused, sighing. "I didn't know that the idea of having her as my wife was so appealing to me until now. And to know that's not something she'd ever want to be to me?" I ran my hands through my hair in frustration. "I don't know, Jasper. I can't even put it into words."

Jasper looked at me thoughtfully. "Listen, Edward. The way Bella feels about marriage doesn't make the way she feels about you any less significant. She's simply from a different era. Marriage means nothing to humanity today. It's a promise too easily made and just as easily broken."

"I realize that. It will just take some time to adjust. There's already so little I can share with her."

Jasper regarded me carefully and glanced at Alice.

It doesn't have to be that way.

"No," I hissed. "I won't do that to her."

Alice sighed heavily. "You are so stubborn, Edward. Why won't you at least consider-"

"No!"

Jasper forced a wave of calm on me. I scowled at him. He backed off immediately.

"Okay, subject closed. What do you say we play some chess and talk strategy for tonight instead?" he asked.

"Deal," I nodded, breathing easier. "Maybe I'll even let you win."

Jasper chuckled. "One of these days I'm going to find a way to beat you all on my own."

I smirked halfway, thankful for the diversion he was providing. "Good luck with that."

"You'll see," he laughed. "Alice has a good feeling about it."

I looked at my sister curiously. She shook her head and began translating the Book of Genesis into Chinese.

I spent the rest of the day trying and failing to decipher what Alice was hiding from me. Despite that, the elaborate game of chess Jasper and I constructed provided ample distraction, and eventually served as a playground for us to come up with several possible strategies for dispatching the newborns Victoria left behind.

It proved to be somewhat of a challenge since Alice's original vision hadn't vanished completely when we killed Victoria the night before. Instead, it only became less certain. The potential ferry disaster, along with several other equally disturbing options, now came and went. As the hours passed, nothing held firm. The one exception was that it became increasingly obvious the newborns would be long gone from their current position before sunrise tomorrow.

The whole family eventually wandered into the house to discuss the challenge before us.

"And you can't pin it down any more than that, can you?" Carlisle asked Alice after she relayed the bulk of what she was seeing in her visions.

Alice shook her head. "No, I can't. Whoever's calling the shots now is all over the place. Add to that our indecision over how to handle them, and the wolves?" She sighed and turned to stare out the front window. "We're lucky I can see anything at all."

"You're doing your best, Al. Don't let it get to you," I said.

I'll try. The only thing I know is everything I'm seeing happens at night.

. "Alice," I said at the same time she turned back around and smiled at me.

"Oh my gosh, it's so simple. Why didn't I see that?"

Her sudden shift from deep frustration to excitement confused Jasper and he looked between us curiously as we stared at each other.

You two wanna share with the rest of the class?

I grinned. "I'll let your wife explain."

"Explain what?" Emmett, Rosalie, and Esme said almost in unison. Carlisle just chuckled at their like-mindedness.

"All of the things I've seen happening with the newborns take place after dark," Alice said, excitedly. "Which means during the day, they're staying put."

Rosalie cocked her head to the side and furrowed her brow. "Huh. So basically, if we can get to them before the sun goes down, we can stop them from doing any of the things you've seen might happen."

"Pretty much. At least I think so."

Esme stood and walked towards the window. "What about the sun?"

Carlisle joined her as we all turned our attention outside. It was a beautiful day in early June. With the sun shining over the whole of Puget Sound and surrounding area, it would prove almost impossible for us to remain unseen.

Alice concentrated on our collective future. "We can manage it, if we're careful."

~(~)~

Around five o'clock, the sun still high enough in the sky to keep us home, a tired sounding Bella finally landed in Virginia. When my phone buzzed softly in my pocket, I excused myself from the family room and sought out a modicum of privacy in the woods nearby.

"Hey," Bella said as soon as I picked up. "I'm finally here." I smiled immediately at the sound of her voice.

"Hi, sweetheart. How was your trip?"

"The first leg was fine. The second, not so much. The flight from Philadelphia was pretty bumpy and Angela got sick. Well, not sick sick, but she felt pretty awful."

"I'm sorry to hear that. How is she now?"

"Better. Glad to be on the ground."

"And you? How are you?"

"I'm fine. A little distracted. How's everything there?" I knew what she was really asking me.

"Everything's fine. We'll be leaving shortly to take care of those loose ends we talked about."

Bella sighed.

"Bella? I don't want you to worry. I want you to forget about anything else going on and just have fun with your friends. Spend time with Caroline, sleep in late, go to the beach –whatever puts a smile on your face."

She was quiet for moment longer. "Will you call me as soon as you're finished... you know, tying up loose ends?"

I smiled, picturing her expression and the slight shrug of her shoulders in my mind.

"I will. It could be late though, or more likely, really early where you are."

"I don't care about that. I won't be able to rest anyway until this whole mess is over."

I hated knowing her words were true. "Alright," I said.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome, love."

"Well, I guess I better go. Jess is meeting us at baggage claim and I'm pretty sure you don't want to hear the squealing that will ensue."

I chuckled.

"So... until later?" she asked softly.

"Until later," I agreed. "Oh, and Bella?"

"Yeah?"

"There's a new suit hanging in my closet."

"What?" she asked, her confusion obvious.

I smiled. "Alice hung a new suit in my closet. It's taupe. She seems to think that a dark color would be too formal for an afternoon wedding outdoors."

Bella was quiet for a beat and I could hear the noise and bustle of the airport coming through the phone.

"So you're definitely going to make it?" she finally asked, her voice a whisper. "You're going to be here for the wedding?"

"It looks that way," I said, my voice light. "If you still want me there."

Bella inhaled and I could imagine the flutter of her heart and the rush of color in her cheeks. I leaned my head against a tree, missing her despite the fact she'd only been gone mere hours.

"Of course I want you to come."

"Good."

Bella sighed again and I heard a feminine voice behind her. "I have to go. Call me later."

"I will, I promise."

"Bye, Edward. I love you."

"I love you too, Bella."

~(~)~

Less than an hour later, the Cullen family left the house dressed in head to toe black, while sporting sunglasses and hoodies. The snickers and jokes about our attire lasted almost as long as the drive, which wasn't exactly short. We made our way out of Seattle, across to one of the islands, and eventually to one of the state parks on the shores of Puget Sound. Once there we parked Emmett's rebuilt Land Rover and Rosalie's BMW in the deserted lot of a campground that had been closed for renovations. From this point, we were planning to swim across the Sound to the southernmost shores of Vancouver Island, and the dozen or so newborns that were hopefully still waiting for their maker's return.

Carlisle phoned Sam Uley before we made the crossing, informing him of our location and anticipated arrival time. When he hung up, he turned to us , putting an arm around Esme's waist.

"Sam informed me that they've decided six of them will cross the strait, and three will stay back. Sam's wife had her baby just this morning, so he's understandably reluctant to send the whole pack should one of the newborns escape us."

"Which of the wolves are coming?" Emmett inquired.

"I didn't ask. Jacob will be leading them though. Sam is staying with his wife and son."

"I can't blame him," Esme said, a tender look on her face. Faded memories of her own infant son flickered in her mind.

Carlisle nodded and placed a soft kiss at her temple. "We should go," he said, his sigh heavy, along with his heart.

I met his eyes, but it was Jasper who spoke up. "We don't have a choice in this, Carlisle. They've already been far too indiscreet. If we don't handle it, someone else will," he reminded him.

"I know," our father answered. "It still doesn't make me relish the idea."

I nodded in agreement and checked my phone once again before heading towards the water. At the last minute, I sent a "thinking of you" text message to Bella and then turned off the device.

"Ready?" Alice asked. I nodded and she held up several Ziploc bags. "Here everyone, for your phones, wallets, etcetera."

"Awesome," Emmett said taking his baggie. "Let's do this thing."

"Emmett," Esme admonished. "This is serious."

"Sorry, Mom," he said, shrugging before he met my eyes.

Don't tell her I said this, but unlike last night, you won't be having all the fun this time around.

"Don't get cocky, Emmett."

Spoilsport, he thought, heading to the water's edge with Rosalie at his side.

Esme followed behind them, Carlisle at her side. Jasper stood stoically, waiting for Alice. She searched the immediate future and then took his hand.

"The coast is clear. We can go now."

Together with Jasper, the three of us followed the others as they stepped into the cool water and dove below the surface without making a sound.

Skimming the pebbled bottom, each of us let the air out of our lungs slowly so as to more easily stay below the surface. The water was easy to see through at this point, enough light from the surface still available to break through the pollution and sediment that would eventually impede even our perfect vision. Any marine life we came across scattered as we continued our journey, and when I caught the thoughts of some nearby fisherman using a radar device to find schools of fish, I directed my family to swim in the opposite direction.

Only a few miles out from the shore and nearly one-hundred feet below the surface, Alice slowed and then stopped swimming as a vision hit her. Jasper felt her emotions change immediately and turned to look at her. He swam close and pulled her towards him, looking around until he found me in the murky water. I held a hand up, indicating for him to wait.

What is it?

What's happening, son?

Seriously? Now?

I frowned at Rosalie's thoughts.

Fortunately, it wasn't long until Alice blinked as the vision passed. Jasper looked into her eyes and lifted his chin towards the surface. She nodded and kicked up, the rest of us following behind one by one.

When we broke the surface, I instinctively checked around to see if we would be noticed. It was twilight now, and while the sun had dipped down behind some clouds off on the horizon, it was still light enough for seven heads to be seen bobbing in the water. Fortunately, other than some driftwood, we were completely alone at the moment.

"What did you see?" Jasper asked quietly, he himself looking across the surface of the water for any possible threat.

"The one Victoria left in charge...," Alice said in a rush, pausing only to wipe some water from her lips, "He's decided to leave the rest of the newborns alone to go find her. I'm not 100% sure how many of them are left now, but all of them are volatile even with supervision. Without it... By the time we get there, several of them will likely have gone off to go hunt and the others will have started fighting amongst themselves."

"Where are they now? Same place?" Carlisle asked.

"Yes. The house I saw before."

"Is there any chance we can still get there before they leave?" Carlisle asked.

Alice shook her head. "I don't think so. We're likely to have some stragglers to round up."

"Great," Jasper groaned.

I made a similar sound.

Rosalie turned to start swimming again. "Well then, let's get moving. You guys are wasting time talking."

"I'm with her, "Emmett agreed.

Wordlessly, we all resumed our journey with renewed speed and purpose. I pushed ahead, getting in front of Rosalie and Emmett who weren't exactly sure which way they were supposed to be going. Soon we made it within sight of the Vancouver Island and the thoughts of the wolf pack pricked my consciousness. Not surprisingly, Alice's visions seemed to disappear around the same time.

Here we go, she thought when she realized what was happening.

Ten minutes later, we found them waiting among the trees not far from where we'd just come ashore. Jacob stepped forward first, leveling us with an intense gaze. I wondered for a brief moment if we were right back to square one despite last night's events, but then he lowered his head slightly when Carlisle stepped forward to meet him.

"Jacob. I hope we didn't keep you waiting long. Unfortunately, there is no time to waste this evening on pleasantries. Alice has seen that the newborns have likely begun getting restless. We should go immediately."

Jacob's eyes narrowed and the other wolves looked at each other, some nervously, some disdainfully.

If you'd told Sam that, we could have been there by now, Jacob thought, irritated. Which way are we going anyway?

I translated Jacob's thoughts and Carlisle answered, leading all of further into the trees. The rest of the wolves gave him a wide berth.

"We're headed north, northeast. There's a house about twelve miles from here."

Jasper stepped forward cautiously. He'd already pulled his phone out and turned it back on. He held it up. "I have a map."

Jacob looked at him and dipped his head.

Jasper held the device up. "We're here. The house is here," he pointed to the small screen.

Jacob studied the phone, turning his big head back and forth several times. The others watched his thoughts carefully as well.

Got it. We can go.

"He's got it. He says we can go," I translated.

"Very good," Carlisle said. "God's speed to each of you. Be safe."

Seconds later we were running through the dense forest, avoiding the occasional road or hilltop home. Night fell over the woods as we ran, my family in front, the wolves slightly behind. Jacob eventually grew tired of this arrangement and pushed them forward.

They had a bit of fun rushing us and weaving between mated couples to get ahead of them. Jared started singing a ridiculous rendition of the theme from the television show, Cops, by substituting the word "bloodsuckers" for "bad boys" as he sang. I glanced behind me as Jacob came up on my heels and made a face.

"Can't you make him stop?"

Jacob seemed to let out some kind of amused chortle that sounded like a cough.

I could, he thought, amusedly. But it bugs you, so I won't.

"Very mature," I said, running faster now.

I heard Esme gasp as Jacob took a nip at my heels when he started to fall behind.

"Jealous?" I quipped, taking off at my full speed. Embry and Seth seemed amused by our exchange, but the other wolves along with most of my family, were not.

Edward! Slow down! Carlisle mentally shouted at me when I'd gotten quite far ahead. I slowed a bit reluctantly, but then came to a dead halt when I caught the scent of another vampire.

I searched for an unfamiliar mind, or any other sign of the vampire's location, but didn't find it.

What's up, Cullen?

What did you find, Edward?

The others could see me now, standing still amongst the trees. I turned around, just as the wolves caught the scent as well.

Vampire.

Not a Cullen!

Are you sure?

Which way did it go?

Hell, yes! At least we get to kill some vampires.

I had an urge to roll my eyes. That last thought had to be Paul.

"There's been another vampire here recently," I said instead. "I don't hear anyone outside of our family, or the wolves though, so they must have gone past here."

"The question is which way?" Carlisle said.

Quil and Jared were already searching the immediate area.

Jake, it's stronger this way, one of them called. Think it's fresh too.

"The wolves think it's a fresh trail, leading away from here."

Alice spoke up. "It could be the one that went looking for Victoria."

"If it was, maybe we shouldn't let him get too far," I responded.

Jacob trotted around in a circle, sniffing the air, and then let out a yip.

Quil, Embry, Seth, stay with the Cullens. You did good last night. Just do it again. Jared, Paul, you're with me. We're going to follow that trail. Brady?

For the first time since we'd met up with the wolves tonight, I took note of a seventh mind. He'd been so quiet all this time. It was only now I realized he was keeping tabs on what was happening with the pack for the others that had been left behind in La Push.

Yeah, Jake? the one called Brady answered.

Just checking. Tell Sam what's going on, 'kay?

Sure, sure.

Five minutes later, I could no longer hear Jacob Black directly, but his thoughts were still present in the pack mind. The dynamics of the whole situation would have been utterly fascinating had we not been approaching an area that was surrounded by the scent of multiple vampires and even the smell of blood.

"They've killed recently," Jasper whispered.

"The driver of that garbage truck?" I asked.

"More recent than that, don't you think?"

I shrugged. "Maybe."

The three wolves in our midst decided to circle around the north side of the house, while we stayed the south. Emmett volunteered to take the west or east side with Rosalie, but Carlisle held them off. We hovered just beyond the range that they would be able to hear us, which meant using my gift to gain information.

"How many do you hear?" Carlisle asked.

"Nine."

"Where?"

"One on the roof standing watch. Two are fighting on the front lawn. The other six are in the basement. It's not their turn to hunt. Riley has been strict with them. They seem to know better than to defy him."

"He must have been Victoria's right-hand man," Jasper mused.

"How are they, Jasper?"

"I need to be closer really, but what I get right now is annoyance, jealousy, fear, and even boredom. But mostly thirst. Typical newborn thirst."

I nodded. Carlisle hummed. Esme worried about Jasper's control. And Alice tried in vain to see what was going to happen.

"The one on the roof resents that he's not able to hunt when he wants to. But he's been left in charge, so he's staying put," I added. "The two fighting, both want to replace Roof Guy. If I had to guess, the others are all very new. All I get from them are thoughts of blood and killing."

I swallowed at some of the mental images flying around.

"Yeah," said Jasper, feeling the flare in my throat as well as his own.

Hey, Edward... If you can hear me, we've got a fresh trail on this side of the house too. Two different vamps.

Seth... Jacob thought from where he was. Don't separate from the Cullens. We ran into a dead end, so we'll be with you in a bit.

"Alright everybody, Seth just crossed another trail leaving the property and Jacob ran into a dead end, so they're on their way back here now. We need to move in before we're noticed or one of the stragglers wanders back."

"Okay, then. Let's move in. Edward, you'll go around to meet Seth, Embry and Quil?"

"I will."

"The rest of you. As we discussed. Three and three," Carlisle ordered.

Everybody nodded and they split up in the way we'd previously decided was most advantageous. I ran quickly, meeting the wolves on the other side of the perimeter.

"Hey, Seth," I greeted him. He gave me a wolfy grin. I smiled back and looked at the others.

"Embry. Quil."

They acknowledged me and I continued. "We're up first. There are three individuals outside of the house. Two on the lawn, one on the roof. The rest are down in the basement. Nine in total. Okay?"

They lifted their heads in a show of understanding. I led them through the trees slowly, silently, until the house was in sight. I got my first view of the vampires in question and was not surprised to see that one of them was already missing an arm. Another was missing an ear.

The fight on the lawn was picking up in intensity and a fourth vampire within the house had become curious, shouting up the stairs to find out what was going on. Roof Guy stood and jumped down. I glanced at Embry who seemed to have the same thought I did, that this was a good thing. He was distracted. In fact, all three of them were currently distracted.

"Go," I said, though they did not need my permission.

Simultaneously, they launched themselves through the trees, and in just two long strides they were already tearing apart the fighting vampires. An arm flew past my head a moment before Roof Guy landed in a heap at my feet.

He growled ferociously and got up to charge at the wolves, but I grabbed him by his coat and spun him around.

"I don't think so," I said calmly.

What the-

"Who the hell are you?" he shouted.

I didn't answer. In silence I removed his head from his body and then began disassembling the rest of him in a way that would make it impossible for him to heal before we could start a fire. He never saw it coming. His strength would have been more than a match for mine too, but he never had a chance to react to the speed of my attack.

Nice work, little brother.

Jasper caught my eye, a small smile on his face as he, Alice and Carlisle rushed the front door of the house. On the opposite side of the house, Emmett, Esme and Rosalie watched the back of the house for any signs of movement.

The screaming, hissing, and growling had begun. The rest of the coven now knew they were under attack. A wolf howled victoriously as the second of the two remaining vampires on the front lawn was reduced to pieces. Jacob, Jared and Paul pushed faster in an attempt to reach us before the fighting was over.

A black-haired male vampire, tall and lanky, emerged from the house just then. The overwhelmed newborn hissed and ran towards the wolves, not seeming to notice that Jasper, Alice and Carlisle were not his coven mates. Jasper moved first, grabbing the male and throwing him to the ground. Alice hopped on his back and wrenched his head from his neck.

Carlisle helped her up and spun around a moment later, dropping down to sweep the legs out from under the next vampire emerging from the front door. The blond female, who at second glance was likely of Asian descent, flipped over wildly only to have Jasper grab her by her arms and then remove them.

Alice helped him finish her off as I ghosted to Carlisle's side to face the hoard that was soon to come crashing up the stairs and out of the house.

"Incoming," I told him calmly, nodding towards the house. "Four are on their way out now."

"That leaves only one of them, right?" he said amongst the shouts, hisses, screams and snarls.

I nodded. "Yes, there is another around here somewhere. I just can't seem to pinpoint where. Nobody is thinking about him at the moment."

A howl sounded and the sound of heavy footfalls behind me told me that Jacob, Jared and Paul had arrived.

Mind if we join you?

Look out, the varsity squad has arrived.

I scoffed at Jared's comment even as Embry groaned and sniped back at him.

Shut it, clown. We're almost done here already. Why don't you just pop some popcorn and watch the show?

I laughed out loud to the bafflement of my father and siblings.

"Jacob's group is back," I informed them, as if that explained my outburst.

Just then, we heard the thunderous sound of the remaining newborns bursting up the stairs from the basement. One came out through the front door, the others broke through windows and walls to get out.

Emmett and Rosalie came around one side of the house.

"Dude, did you save any for us!" Emmett shouted.

That's what I want to know, Jacob thought, running up on the scene.

I might have criticized their cavalier attitude, but as it was this was shaping up to be a relatively easy undertaking.

I ducked easily when a bulky, dark-skinned vampire with bright crimson eyes charged at me. He flew over my head and rolled to a stop in front of Embry, who snapped at him. The newborn dodged Embry's attempt to ensnare him, revealing that he was quicker than he looked. He jumped up and tried to get his muscular arms around Embry's middle, but he was soon pulled off by Seth and Quil.

Jared, Paul and Jacob formed a circle around them, leaving me free to turn my attention back to my family.

To my left, Jasper weaved and ducked out of the way of two of the newborns who seemed to have come to the realization that they didn't stand a chance alone. I laughed when I saw Alice's intention to show them that Jasper was not alone either.

To my right, Emmett, Carlisle and Rosalie surrounded the final newborns that'd emerged from the basement. Seeing that they had it in hand, I began concentrating on finding the remaining member of this now destroyed coven with my extra hearing.

Instead of finding that which I sought out, I noticed the nervous thoughts of my mother instead. She was still dutifully guarding the back door of the house, but had the strangest sense of wanting to avoid something unpleasant. It wasn't fear or any other emotion, but more of a sense that she didn't want to think about whatever it was that she was thinking about.

"Carlisle!" I shouted. "Esme needs us."

He looked up at me momentarily, then turned to run.

A quick glance around told me the wolves were already gathering miscellaneous pieces of the destroyed newborns together for a fire. I left them to follow Carlisle.

"Esme, what is it? What's wrong?" I heard him ask as soon as he reached her.

In his mind I saw her image just a split second before I rounded the house. She appeared disoriented, which was definitely odd.

And then I smelled it. Another vampire.

"Where, Mom?" I asked, once at her side.

She shook her head. "I thought..." she sighed and stared into the trees. "That way, maybe?"

I saw her memories and realized, like me, all she'd caught was a scent as it blew by. She was also tipped off by the faintest feeling on her skin that something had just moved past her, but her eyes hadn't deceived her in over eight decades. Her confusion was understandable.

"Am I imagining it, Edward?" she asked.

"I don't think so. I can't pinpoint the thoughts I'm hearing, but they're definitely out there."

Carlisle looked between Esme and me, then out into the woods, concern flooding his features. "Do you suppose..." Do we really have to go after them?

I frowned. "I don't know. I'm not sure that, even if we did, we'd find him. There is something... extra preventing me from thinking about him. Which makes it difficult to decipher his thoughts."

"You mean, as in an extra ability? A talent?" Carlisle asked.

"Yes, exactly. I know there is someone out there, I can get the overall impression of a mind, but I can't focus or concentrate on it. Just like Esme couldn't see him when he got by her."

She let out a small huff.

I smiled. "It's not your fault."

"Certainly not," Carlisle agreed.

"Well," Esme said, still wanting to absolve her failure. "We should go after him nevertheless. We don't know what threat he'll pose to the humans in the area."

Carlisle looked at me. We can at least attempt to follow his trail.

I nodded. "We can try. Let's make sure the others are set first. Then we can go. We have at least three others to round up as well."

"Three others?" Esme asked.

"The one who's scent we crossed on our way here, and the two that left the house before we arrived," Carlisle reminded her.

We rejoined the others on the opposite side of the house, where Jasper was hesitantly explaining something to the wolves.

"–should make it look like a household accident. Like an electrical failure or ruptured gas line."

"We're burning the whole house?" Esme asked.

Rosalie walked out of the remains of the front window. "The damage inside is worse than this," she said, pointing to the mess around her. "If you can believe that."

"Newborns," Emmett joked, following her out and holding up something roughly the size of a large laptop. It was an odd shaped rectangle of black and silver. "I think this used to be a refrigerator," he said.

Jasper took it from him and sniffed it. "I only smell beer."

Emmett laughed. "Maybe it was a Kegerator*? And this," he lifted his prize again. "Resulted from the vampire equivalent of smashing an empty can on your forehead."

Jacob made a sound somewhere between a growl and a cough.

Can we focus, please? There are more bloodsuckers we need to track down and torch.

"Hey guys, let's move this along. We're wasting time," I said, choosing not to use Jacob's exact words. Despite that he thanked me.

Thanks, Cullen.

I looked over at him with an eyebrow raised in surprise. "You're welcome."

Yeah, yeah...

As a group, the wolves and vampires alike made quick work of taking the remains of Victoria's newborns inside the house. Rosalie volunteered to tamper with the fuse box to make it look as though there had been a short. Consequently, we stacked the stony body parts nearby in order to grant credibility to what we hoped would be deemed the source of the fire.

Once everybody else was out and any sign of the struggle that had taken place outside was erased, a single match was lit. It took no time at all for the house to become completely consumed in flames.

~(~)~


Chapter End Notes:

Well? Were you surprised to meet Angela? Are y'all still hating Jacob? Bree Tanner readers: Did you catch who the mystery vamp was at the end? Where'd Riley go? And what's up with the other two stragglers? I know... I threw a lot at you in this chapter, but I hope it was a good read. FYI- The next chapter is will be in BPOV.

* A quick note for my non-native English speakers: A kegerator is a refrigerator that has been converted to dispense beer on tap from a keg stored inside.


Mega thanks to my lightning fast betas, Katmom & Susie! Susie gets a special nod this chapter for being my insider to the airline industry. Thanks to her, Bella & Angela got to fly first class to Virginia. ;-) Muchas gracias to my pre-reader, farawaymomo, who's been with me since Chapter 2 & always gives me the most wonderful, detailed feedback even though she's in school full-time! And of course, my awesome Twilight Validation Beta, tmr- thanks for everything. I love you girls! oxox


FYI:

- - What Drives Her: Outtakes & Extras will have an update soon, so be sure to add it to your alerts if you'd like to be notified when it updates. You can find it on my profile page. :)

- - I've decided at the very last minute (like today) to contribute an outtake or extra scene from What Drives Her to the Fandom for Sexual Assault Awareness compilation. If you haven't already heard of it &/or donated, you only have until May 31st to get your donation in! So if your able to, hop on over to their website and choose one of the many worthy organizations. You can choose which organization you wish to support, and donations may be made for as little as $5. Visit: http : / / fandom4saa(dot)wordpress(dot)com /

- - I'm also signed up to contribute an outtake or one-shot to the Fandom for Storms compilation. This is a pretty cool effort because their accepting donations made to the the Red Cross, the Salvation Army, and the Alabama Governor's Relief fund, among others. The donation amount is as little as $3, and your donations will help past/future victims of disasters throughout the country. You can donate anytime up until June 20th. Visit: http : / / fandom4stormrelief(dot)tumblr(dot)com

- - Since, I've not written the Fandom For Storms piece yet, let me know if there's anything you'd like to see. I've already had one vote for an Embry POV outtake!

Thanks so much, Ginnie