Ok, so I know it's been a little while since my last post. So I give you all...THREE chapters! This one is entirely in Jasper's POV and gives a new take on Vampella :-) Enjoy!
Chapter 29
Jasper's POV
Same shit, different day. Sometimes being immortal was so monotonous. Who the hell was I kidding? It was more often than sometimes…
Edward snickered from his seat beside me. I rolled my eyes, this time at him for eavesdropping, since the last five eye rolls had been at the women in our house who were once again engaged in a very heated argument with Carlisle. It had been the same discussion we'd been subjected to for the last four months. Whether or not Bella was ready for us to finally move back into a more populated area and live like humans.
Her newborn years had literally flown by. It was almost three years to the day since she had completed her change and even I was impressed at just how well she had taken to our way of life. It was a little touch and go for a while, especially after the 'incident' with the delivery guy that had shown up three hours early without planning to. Alice had almost been too late. But we didn't talk about that. All of us had had our share of…mistakes. Especially me, so who the hell was I to judge. To be quite honest I had been astonished at her ability to change directly so abruptly and take off into the woods at top speed. Needless to say she completed decimated the first animal she'd happened across which a fully grown male Kodiak was, much to Emmett's chagrin. I thought Edward was going to have a stroke as he watched her wrestle with an animal that was easily five times her size.
"Pfft," Edward scoffed next to me. "Let's see how you would have handled it had Alice been human for a while before she was changed. Old habits die hard you ass."
Our side conversation was interrupted when Bella gave an exasperated and very exaggerated groan. I could feel the frustration building within her, but beneath that there was disappointment, sadness, and much to my surprise and bewilderment, shame. I quirked an eyebrow at Edward as he read what her feelings were from my musings but he simply frowned and shook his head.
"Carlisle, we've been over and over this now. It's time," Esme said gently. "She's been doing so well. Our last few outings have been one hundred percent successful. I don't understand what the problem is."
Bless her, our mother was always trying to placate everyone and keep the family running smoothly and harmoniously. This wasn't the first time she had gone to bat for Bella, but even Alice had been able to see that it didn't matter who had spoken up, Daddy Dearest wasn't going to cave. He never said why in the past and had been very careful with his thoughts so that Edward didn't find out, but I could feel the doubt, fear, and protectiveness that radiated from him. I just couldn't make sense of it. This time though, Alice thought there was at least a chance. So here we all were again, just listening the same exchange that we'd heard, almost verbatim, a month ago.
"I'm not convinced it's the best idea for us to head back into the big wide world yet. Why don't we wait until after the holidays? It will be less crowded and we'll draw less attention to ourselves if we wait," Carlisle tried to sound confident in his idea but we could all tell that the holiday crowds weren't what was holding him back. I was just about to voice my opinion when I saw Alice shake her head ever so slightly and give me that look that just said, 'shut your yap Mr Whitlock'. So I did just that, assuming it wouldn't go well if I didn't heed her warning.
Bella huffed, rolled her eyes, and crossed her arms and legs tightly in annoyance. It was almost comical; she looked just like she did when Edward told her 'no'. This was her version of a temper tantrum these days, which I have to say I was completely grateful for. The ones she had thrown within the first six months after her change were brutal. By the end of it she had bitten me, Edward, Carlisle, and Rose, removed Emmett's limbs…twice…and completely decimated half of their little cottage courtesy of Alice getting her a new wardrobe without proper notification. Alice had shrugged when it happened, claiming that it could have gone either way and there had been a fifty percent chance that Bella wouldn't have minded.
Edward chuckled quietly next to me as he saw my memories and shook his head. I was sure that he had stories of his own about how his mate had behaved in the last few years and damned if I wanted to hear them. But he refused to give up the goods. Probably for the best. Bella would probably rip him a new one…literally.
"Dude, you have no idea," he muttered and shook his head with a wry grin.
I so do not want to know.
"Carlisle, what's this really about?" Bella asked with surprising kindness in her voice. I could tell she was still aggravated by the discussion but she also felt concern.
"My control has been flawless, I've perfected my human mannerisms and my eyes have been gold for quite some time now. So forgive me but I don't see what the hold-up is. Are you…are you afraid I will slip up around people and put the family at risk?" She whispered the last part so softly that we all had to strain to hear her.
Suddenly her shame made sense. She would be worried that she was holding us all back because she still thought that we lacked faith in her to keep our secret convincingly. It was something that Carlisle had discussed with her at length the first time she asked when we could return to "the real world" almost two years ago. At the time I was in full agreement with him, since Alice had said that it wouldn't be a good idea no matter where we went and since I could still feel her emotional stability slip when something hit her particularly hard.
Bella and I had become remarkably close in the last three years. I felt a bond with her that I didn't share with the others and that was entirely different than that of the one I shared with Alice. She was like a true sister to me in every sense of the word. We hunted together, spent days talking about the past – mine and hers – the future, how she could better control herself, just anything. Emmett had joked once that I should just let her braid my hair and be done with it. That was one of the comments that had resulted in the loss of his hand. It seemed that Bella had become quite attached to me as well and didn't appreciate me being made fun of, even it was just by Emmett. I found the notion endearing if not slightly amusing. I'd never had a sister before and I discovered that I was truly enjoying the newfound companionship that I had never felt with Rose or anyone else for that matter. It was different, but it was comfortable.
Because we had become so close I felt confident in speaking up for her now. I crossed the room and places and hand on her shoulder, wrapping her in love and confidence before Carlisle could get over his shock at her question. I could tell that he truly didn't feel any doubt in her, but there was something lingering in him that I couldn't wrap my head around.
"No Bella, that isn't my concern at all. You are more than trustworthy and have done beautifully. I am so proud of you and how well you have taken to this life," he said with genuine warmth and love radiating from him. I transferred it straight to her and I had taken to doing when I knew no one – except Edward – would ever know the difference and I felt it gave her the assurances she sometimes needed so desperately.
Everyone one of us had our flaws, immortal or not. Emmett was exceptionally childish at times, Rose was pigheadedly stubborn, Alice – God love her – was so hyper at times I wondered if there was such a thing as Vampire Hyperactivity Disorder, Esme was wonderfully naïve, Carlisle exceptionally optimistic (but not always realistic), Edward had his moody brooding crap, and me…well, let's just say that my control isn't always what it should be and leave it at that. But Bella, she still carried with her the insecurity that she never truly belonged with us. It was the only thing I had ever really fought with her about because really, she could never truly belong anywhere else.
"You have no idea how right you are," Edward murmured with a soft smile. Then he frowned and muttered something about how he didn't brood anymore and that his moods were always even. I snorted.
Yeah, my ass Sybil.
Bella sucked in a deep breath and I felt her steady her nerves before she looked up at our father figure.
"Does this have anything to do with the Volturi?"
Everyone, me included, was filled with surprise. Why on earth she would even consider them as a factor in where we live was beyond me. Carlisle's confusion came to the forefront.
"Why would you ask that, Bella?"
I instantly went on alert. He hadn't denied it and he hadn't been completely honest, I could tell from the twinge of guilt that started when both Edward and I locked eyes on him. Next to me Alice went very still before she relaxed again.
"It was something I remember from when I rescued Edward from Italy," she started with a small frown. Of all her human memories that one was the clearest. It disturbed her a great deal, but Edward more so.
"He said that Aro wanted him to join and also…Alice. When we talked about it later he said that Aro was known for going to great lengths to get what he wanted. I was wondering if that was the reason you were keeping us so secluded. I know he won't exactly forget us but it may take him ages to track us down if were out in BFE you know?" She had begun fidgeting with her hands like she had as a human. It was one of the few traits she had taken with her into immortality. "Anyway, I wondered if that was why we were still up here in Alaska and you were so hesitant to move back…since you say it's not because of me," she finished and looked down at her hands.
Carlisle hesitated for a moment and when he seemed to contemplate something both Alice and Edward sighed…simultaneously. Ah yes, the annoyance that is a psychic wife and telepathic brother. All I could feel was uncertainty from Carlisle, annoyance from Edward, and this strange mix of mischief and anger coming from Alice.
"You may as well just tell her what it is. She's going to figure it out tomorrow anyway," Alice finally chimed in with her two cents.
"Why Alice, what happens tomorrow?" Emmett asked with unmasked concern and curiosity.
"Carlisle first, then I'll fill you in," she replied with a tone that said 'this is non-negotiable'. I knew that tone all too well and it wouldn't do anyone any good to argue.
"The Volturi aren't really my concern per se, but I am not exactly naïve when it comes to Aro's desire to have part of my family at his side. With his interest in Edward and Alice based solely on their gifts I am worried that he will take an avid interest in you as well, since you still possess the ability to block Edward. Then there is the matter of Maria, and to a lesser extent, Irina. We haven't heard one thing about either of them since we left Forks and I do not relish the idea of any further run-ins with either." His eyes darkened and I immediately felt the anger, hurt, and protectiveness that flowed from within.
I had to steal myself against the urge to fall into a defensive crouch in front of Alice. Rationally I knew that Carlisle was the last person on the planet that would ever do any one of us any harm, but the seasoned soldier in me recognised a skilled opponent when I was faced with one and Carlisle was just that. I was truly thankful that we were on the same side because if faced with the possibility of ever having to fight him I really wasn't sure who would come out the victor.
"This is where I feel the need to add something," Alice piped up nonchalantly. "I've recently had a vision and we should expect the Denali coven early tomorrow morning. All of them."
The news went down like a lead balloon. It became eerily silent as no one even dared to breathe. Bella's anger was the first I felt ripple through me since I still had my hand on her shoulder. It was powerful but she had it fully contained. Almost everyone followed suit in the seconds that followed. All but Emmett, he remained completely unruffled by the news.
"Ok, so they are all coming here and Irina is back with them. Do you see a fight breaking out?" he asked casually.
"Not exactly," Alice answered, being deliberately oblique. She was up to something, I could tell. Edward nodded minutely in agreement with my thought and turned to glare daggers at my wife. I had a feeling it was about to get interesting.
"Has she gone back to our diet?" Rose hedged carefully.
She was more angry than she outwardly showed and I could feel that she was practically itching for a fight. In fact, between her and Esme I was doing well to keep a brawl from breaking out in the living room what with all the unrestrained anger vibrating through them. They even rivalled Edward, which I thought was pretty impressive, but Bella was still undeniably the queen of pissed off right now.
"Yes, her eyes are gold in my vision," Alice answered simply and revealed nothing else.
"Ok, so what time should we-," Emmett had started but was immediately cut off.
"You can't seriously be ok with them coming here?" Bella practically spat at him in challenge.
I tried to reign in her anger but it had taken on a life of its own. I went to soothe her but felt Alice's little hand gently stroke my arm. I turned to see her shake her head and mouth the words 'trust me'.
"What's the matter? She's back to normal. She obviously is coming here to apologise or some shit. Don't you want that?" Emmett cocked his head in confusion.
"NO!" she practically screamed. "She killed people Em! She helped to kill friends of mine and was part of a plot to kill me! She is responsible for so much pain and sadness and loss-,"
"Whoa, whoa, Bells! She was part of it yeah, but we all know who the mastermind was and it sure as shit wasn't Irina. She's got the IQ of a pigeon, she couldn't have come up with anything that original or complex on her own! For Christ's sake she didn't even realise she was being used until WE pointed it out!" Emmett argued emphatically waving his arms around like he did sometimes when he didn't understand something and it frustrated him.
"SO WHAT?" she bellowed back. "Just because she was someone's puppet I am supposed to let her off the hook? Well no fucking way! They were my friends she hurt, MY friends she killed!"
I was starting to worry about Mt. Saint Bella blowing up the house but my wife remained relaxed next to me and even a little…smug? What the hell was she up to?
"We all have done things that aren't so brilliant, Bella, you know that! What the hell do you want? A bloody battle between us and the only other coven that we know of that live-," he stood up and threw his arms up in exasperation but was never given the opportunity to finish his rebuttal. Two things happened simultaneously that prevented that from happening.
The first was that Bella balled up her fists and shook with ire as she screamed, "I WANT YOU TO GET FUCKING MAD!"
The second was a shift in the atmosphere that almost felt like some invisible force field of fury swept across the room and bowled right into Emmett. And then…all hell broke loose. Bella got her wish. Only Emmett was beyond mad, he was fucking homicidal. His eyes went pitch black and the rage that radiated from him was so strong that it damn near crippled me. I had to fight with everything I had to keep myself from being dragged under so I was left with no ability to alter his emotions in any way. Thank God for Edward's mind reading and the others quick reaction time. As soon as he heard my and Emmett's thoughts he was right in front of him, restraining him from causing damage to himself or anyone in the room. Rose practically leapt onto his back and began whispering soothing words into his ear while Carlisle assisted Edward and Esme came to see if I needed anything. Between her panic and the guys trying to contain and snarling and snapping Emmett it was like the vampire version of Jerry Springer right in our own living room.
The only one who remained unaltered was Alice. She was the sole source of calm in this whole debacle. I had never doubted Alice in all of our years together and I still didn't now, but she had some serious explaining to do. I turned to her, removing my hand from Bella's shoulder to get a slight reprieve from at least one person's anger and suddenly Emmett's anger dissipated into nothing.
His struggles ceased almost immediately and he blinked a few times as if to clear is perfect vision. Edward cursed under his breath as he released our now calm albeit confused brother while Rose and Carlisle looked at him like he had just sprouted a third arm. Esme sat next to Bella and wrapped her up like a small child in her embrace while she just sat there slack jawed, staring at Emmett in shock and slight trepidation.
Despite our ability to think faster and about more than the human mind could ever focus on at once I felt like I was reeling. I had no idea what the hell had just happened here but I DID know that Alice felt ridiculously giddy and proud.
"I'll tell you in a minute, Jazz." I rolled my eyes at her response before I had even asked her to explain anything. Witchy woman.
"What the hell bro? I knew how pissed she was just by looking at her, you didn't have to SHOW me!" Emmett growled at me from his new perch on the sofa. Rose too was glaring at me and I could feel the animosity more from her than Emmett.
"I didn't do anything of the sort, I swear. What do you think I am, suicidal?" I countered. It wasn't that I was afraid of Emmett; I could take him any day. It was Esme that terrified the shit out of me, and she would have been undeniably pissed had I been ultimately responsible for the destruction of her prized home that she had just finished redecorating.
Edward snickered and nodded in agreement as he made his way over to a very bewildered Bella. She wasn't the only one confused by the events that had just unfolded. He sat on the other side of her, taking her hand as Esme continued to stroke her hair and tell her everything would be alright.
"Well no one else it able to make me go postal like – except you baby," he added to Rose with a wink. She rolled her eyes but smiled.
"Until now," Alice chimed in from next to me. She wore the biggest shit-eating grin I had ever seen.
"Huh?" was all Emmett could manage he was so perplexed.
At this point Alice was practically vibrating with joy and awe that I couldn't help but chuckle as her feelings swept over me and lightened me considerably.
"Really, you all are so dense it's absurd." She huffed and rolled her eyes but inside she was so pleased that I knew she was just drawing out the suspension for fun. Hers, not ours.
"Explain, Alice. I grow tired of your games," Edward snapped.
I frowned at him and his growing irritation but said nothing because concern and even fear were what propelled him right now. I wondered if he was still being blocked by Alice or if he had seen something that still required further explanation.
"It's her gift," she answered simply as if that said it all. Edward's irritation peaked and I felt Bella's alarm before I decided it was time to intercede.
"Could you elaborate darlin'? I think she's getting nervous," I asked gently.
"Well, from what I could figure out from the visions I've been having it's complicated to say the least. She still blocks Edward but I have the feeling that something different will come out of it. It's kind of like what just happened here. It's like she adapts someone else's gift and is able to use it herself. Cool huh?" She was bouncing by the time she finished. Bella, on the other hand, looked absolutely horrified.
"You mean what happened with Emmett…him getting so pissed…was because of me?" she squeaked. Alice nodded emphatically.
"Yup! It's like you were able to project your emotions onto Emmett and make him feel the exact same way. Similar to what Jazzy does. I am curious though, could you feel what he was feeling? Or what the rest of us where feeling?"
"Uh…no, not that I am aware of. I was just so…infuriated and his lack of response incensed me. It was all I could feel and I just wanted him to get it. To feel…the same," she faded out at the end as her eyes got impossibly wide and she began to feel panic. I calmed her as much as she would allow.
"I had no idea…how did I even do that?" she gasped.
"Who knows? How does Eddie read minds? How do I see the future? It's a gift, Bella!" she said enthusiastically with a wide grin.
"So, I have a gift like Jasper?" she asked with a slight frown. She felt worried and when I chuckled in response she ducked her head in embarrassment and guilt.
"Don't feel bad darlin'. I wouldn't wish this 'gift' on anyone," I said with a laugh but inside I was dead serious. But Alice shook her head.
"Not quite. I see other things happen too. Things that have nothing to do with manipulation of emotion," she spoke for the first time with a hint of uncertainty. Bella sighed and massaged her temples.
"Alice, stop with the cryptic crap already and just tell me – us – everything," she muttered.
"Well, it's just snippets really. A conversation you and I have about you able to read Edward's mind and how he found it annoyingly inconvenient." She didn't bother to hide her smirk. "And then there was a moment where you became insanely pissed off while you and I were shopping in Chicago because a person that had been following us and hitting on you turned out to have a very violent past towards women and he had intended you to be his next victim."
Edward and I growled simultaneous but the girls just rolled their eyes and Alice continued.
"There's more moments like that, with our family, with the Denali's, and I can't pinpoint the timeframe in all of them but some are years from now. I think your gift is vast but very dependent upon one very important detail," she paused here and I knew it was for more than just dramatic effect. She was giving Bella a second to think and come up with answer on her own. And she didn't disappoint. I had figured it out about halfway through Alice's rundown of incidents involving Bella.
"It depends on the gift of the person I am with," she said without hesitation. Alice smiled but shook her head.
"Almost. Yes, it has to do with our gifts but it's more than just being around us. There was one thing that was consistent in every vision. Physical contact," she said with a small smile.
Then suddenly it made sense, and not only to me. I felt it click into place and everyone calm slightly at an explanation being provided. Even Bella had relaxed and I could tell she was trying to come to terms with her newfound ability.
"So that's why Emmett calmed down when Jasper stopped touching me." It was a statement that didn't require a response but Alice nodded anyway. Next to Bella's gradual acceptance there was a strong feeling of awe coming from Edward, but you didn't need my gift to see that. It was shining plainly in his eyes as he stared unabashedly at his mate.
"You will never cease to amaze me, love," her murmured and leaned over to brush a very soft kiss against her temple.
She smiled weakly but I felt how his words encouraged her and made her feel more at peace with herself. She gave Esme one last squeeze and then climbed into Edward's lap, solace and love the only thing that resided within her now.
"Awesome!" Emmett boomed unexpectedly making everyone jump, except Edward of course. And Alice. The pair of them irritated me sometimes.
"How can you think it's awesome? I just messed with your emotions without even realising it," she muttered with a scowl.
"You'll get it, they all do eventually. It's awesome because you can finally tell us what the hell HE'S thinking all the time! HA! Know you know what it feels like to have someone invade your head, jackass!" Emmett laughed and pointed like a twelve year old. Edward shook his head, thoroughly amused.
"Except there isn't anything that I wouldn't want Bella to know anyway, so it doesn't bother me in the least that she will now be privy to my thoughts if she so chooses," Edward lied smoothly.
I could feel the slight anxiety from him at the thought and tried to muffle my snicker but it burst from me when Bella rolled her eyes and muttered 'liar' under her breath. He looked at her with mock hurt in his eyes to which she just stuck out her tongue.
"If any of you had paid any attention to what Alice said, you would realise that it doesn't just apply to Edward. It could be whoever she chooses," Carlisle reminded us with a smirk. That shut everyone up real quick. Except Rose of course.
"No touching Edward when you're around me," she said with a glare she didn't mean and a smirk she couldn't conceal. Bella laughed.
"Even if I read your mind, I promise on the binds of sisterhood to keep it to myself. Girl power," Bella joked and raised her fist. Rose rolled her eyes and snorted indelicately but reached across and bumped her fist with Bella's.
"So how do I control it and use it when I want instead of going all psycho puppet master on those around me?" Bella turned to Alice with a million questions lighting her eyes but I could tell by the hesitancy in my girl that she had none.
"The way all of us learned to hone our abilities. You have to practice and it just takes time," Alice offered kindly and shrugged.
"Well, it's a good thing we have plenty of that," Bella remarked with a slight frown. Her frustration was back.
"We'll help you darlin'. Me and Edward and the mighty pixie here, we've managed to tame our talents and you will too," I said soothingly. The words had the desired effect as she relaxed again and nodded with a smile.
"Oh!" Alice gasped suddenly and froze beside me. Her eyes went wide and faraway as a vision took hold of her. Edward stiffened next to Bella and then grumbled a curse under his breath.
"What?" Bella asked as she looked between Alice and Edward.
"Change of plans. Apparently they decided to cut their hunting trip short and come see us right away. The Denali's will arrive within the hour," he said curtly.
Bella tensed and I felt her anger well up all over again. I looked cautiously over at Alice who smiled a little and nodded at me. A wave of calm settled over Bella before I leaned forward and placed both my hands on her shoulders to intensify the effect. She relaxed immediately and sagged into Edward's side. He nodded at me in thanks before wrapping both arms around her and leaning in to whisper softly in her ear.
"It will be fine love, I promise. Alice hasn't seen anything that would cause alarm," Edward assured her.
"Yeah Bells, we got your back no matter what. If you want to take her apart a few times then I will help you. I will even bury parts of her miles apart so it takes longer to reassemble the bitch if it makes you feel better," Emmett offered with a very serious gleam in his eye. The concept of payback was invented by Emmett McCarty.
"Thanks, Em. I'll let you know if I need anything," Bella whispered as she tried to keep control over her emotions.
The next hour was tense to say the least. Not only did I have Bella's continual emotional rollercoaster but Esme's maternal side had kicked in full force along with Rose's sisterly devotion and Edward's undying protectiveness of his mate. I had to leave the house twice just so I could sort out which feelings were mine and which belonged to someone else. And I knew it was only going to get worse when the Denali's arrived.
Five minutes before Alice said they would be there we all went outside and waited in front of the house. I secretly wondered if Alice saw someone getting too worked up to control his or her strength and breaking something beloved of Esme's. We stood in pairs, making a small arc in front of the house. Bella and Edward stood between Alice and I and Carlisle and Esme with Rose and Emmett on our other side.
Carmen and Eleazar came first, hand in hand with nervousness, uncertainty, and sorrow wrapped around them like a tight blanket. Carlisle stepped forward first and though I had expected Esme to join him in greeting our old friends but when she didn't budge from Bella's side I could tell that come hell or high water Esme would protect Bella to the death, without hesitation.
"Hello old friend," Carlisle said kindly as he reached forward to embrace Eleazar.
"Carlisle, it's good to see you, even if it's under such deplorably circumstances," he replied with a small smile.
"We can't even begin to tell you…" Carmen began before her voice wavered and she placed a delicate hand over her mouth. Her eyes went immediately to Bella and her breath caught.
Without any regard for her personal safety she glided up to us and stopped directly in front of our little cluster, pain, shame, and regret apparent on her lovely features. What she showed on the outside was entirely congruent to the turmoil that she felt within and I, for one, appreciated her honestly. From the way that Edward relaxed his stance I could tell that he felt the same.
"Isabella," she said with her Latin accent caressing her name sadly, "please allow me to extend our deepest and most heartfelt apologies. Had we been informed of Irina's decisions, of her intentions, I can assure you that all of us, her sisters included, would have done everything in our power to stop her and to warn you. I know it was your intention to join us in this life in order to stay with your wonderful mate here, but I never would have wanted your decision taken from you in such a way. I am truly, deeply sorry for what you had to endure and all of those you lost."
Bella was immediately moved and it was hard not to be given the level of sincerity Carmen exuded. She nodded her head slowly and then stepped forward, away from Edward and Esme ever so slightly.
"I appreciate your apology. I hold nothing against you or Eleazar. I have heard so much about you both and am so glad to finally meet you," she said kindly and leaned forward to embrace Carmen.
Everyone, me included, was in awe of Bella at that moment. She was handling this far better than we had ever anticipated – except maybe Alice – and the kindness that poured out of her was so deep that we were all choked up by it. Emmett most of all. What could I say, the guy was a pansy. When she stepped back Carlisle and Eleazar had joined us and Bella extended the same greeting to him as well. She then took a deep breath and turned towards the treeline they had emerged from.
"I know you are there, Irina. You may as well come out and face me," Bella said with a strong but calm voice. There was no anger in her, just determination. Edward on the other hand needed a bit of assistance in keeping him from pouncing the minute the sisters emerged from the woods.
They were the picture of contrition with Irina looking and feeling so guilty and desolate that my family and I all felt a twang of pity for her. She looked so broken and her sisters were practically attached at her hips in their show of support. They stopped a few feet behind Carmen and Eleazar and I was hit with the overwhelming feelings of sorrow, fear, and above all, desperation.
Irina stepped forward looking at the snow covered ground with her hands trembling slightly and stopped directly before Bella. When she looked up into her face her lower lip was trembling and there was so much sorrow there that I felt it seep through Bella and cause her to step back slightly.
"Bella, I am so sorry. For all the people who were hurt because of our plot, for all the fear and damage I helped to cause, for being part of a plot that was ultimately not about you in the long run at all. I can't even begin to tell you how much I regret everything, not that I would expect it to matter. When I realised…what Maria…what was really going on…I want you to know that I was so, so wrong." She turned to me and pleaded with me in her eyes and her emotions. "I can't even begin to express how sorry I am. I let myself get carried away by my grief over Laurent and…well, there is no excuse. If you never want to see me again, I will respect your wishes and my sisters and I will leave you in peace. You won't ever have to see us again unless you choose to. But if…if you can find it in your heart to ever forgive me…all of you…then I will spend the rest of my existence proving myself loyal to your family."
I could feel Esme and Carlisle moved by her words, but there was uncertainty and indecision in Bella. She looked straight at Irina for a long time and never flinched under the stares of her surrounding family or ours. But then to my utmost surprise she turned to me and raised her eyebrows.
"This was more about you than it was about me. What do you think?" she asked before biting her lower lip nervously. I could tell making such an important decision was too much for her and uncomfortable.
But I never had a chance to answer her. In the moment that I began to consider our options we all were hit with a very distinctive scent that was carried on the strong southerly gusts. Edward stiffened and muttered a very colorful string of expletives under his breath that caused Bella to turn around and look at him with her eyebrows raised.
"What is that…" she started to say before her head whipped around and the sound of someone loudly crashing through the trees and five separate heartbeats. Her jaw dropped when the owner of all that racket stepped into the sunlight directly in front of the treeline.
So who likes my twist on Bella's gift? It gets better, trust me ;-)
