Council
Bella nodded her answer through the tears running down her cheeks. A wedding would be the perfect way to leave Charlie and Renee. Charlie only ever cared for her safety and happiness. Esme was just about to burst from joy. The others were surprised, especially Jasper. They all happily congratulated the newly engaged couple.
"Oh gosh, I never thought I'd get married at eighteen. Renee is going to be against this."
Bella's hand flew to her mouth in sudden realization.
"I think your mother will support us."
Edward comforted. He was aware of his brother's thoughts. Jasper was wondering whether Alice too expected to be married the human way. He had never thought the practice necessary since vampires took their mates, but his Alice was very much human. He watched her, testing her moods for any sign that she wanted the same. Unable to ascertain anything, he asked Edward of her thoughts quietly.
"We need a cover story for Charlie."
Bella had just said, sending Alice's thoughts in that direction. Edward thought not to hurry in giving Jasper an answer; perhaps Alice's true thoughts would reveal themselves in a moment or in her sleep. In their own quiet way, he told his brother to wait.
"My cousin and Dr Cullen's brother are in Forks from Europe, staying with the good doctor. You two fell in love at first sight last year when Edward visited me the short few days. You've been keeping in touch, calling and everything. Edward dragged Jasper back here to be close to you and he just proposed. Of course, Bella being the book romantic she is, said yes. "
Alice wrapped it up, answering Bella's concern. The stunned vampires stared at her with varying looks of assessment.
"Edward, your cousin is very dangerous."
Emmett commented before he laughed.
"You'll have to show him you are mature about your decision to marry even if it's sudden, Bella."
Carlisle advised.
"By the way, good work on the wolf you two. You're really Cullen material."
Rosalie complimented the girls. She had come to understand the girls'' need to do what they can to ensure their mates' safety in the coming battle.
"Yeah, how come you're all here?" Bella asked.
"To show our support and keep you safe." Esme
"To make sure Edward didn't break the treaty and kill the wolf." Emmett and Rosalie
"To make your truth more believable," Jasper smiled evilly
"To make sure you didn't overstate the truth too much!"
Carlisle winked at Alice. He had been shocked as he listened in to what she was telling Jacob.
"That boy...!" Edward growled as his thoughts returned to Jacob.
"You really threw him for a loop. He is going to do everything he can to make sure the wolves support us. They won't allow us to have more vampires in the area or risk the group in Seattle claiming the territory. He is going to recommend that they demand we leave as soon as possible; in hopes that Bella and Alice will be left behind, even if for a short time." Edward informed.
Alice and Bella didn't seem bothered by the wolf or the council's possible demands. They were secure in their relationships and knew that their mates would never leave them behind.
"Oh, I'm sorry about that. I didn't discuss us leaving with you all. I figured they might bite if we gave a little." Bella apologized.
"You did great Bella. Of all of us, you have more reason to want to stay. If you'll be ready to leave then we will all go."
Esme comforted. She was set on finding a new house for her extended family right away.
The Cullen house was happier that night. They enjoyed some family time while the Denalis were out hunting. Jacob called Bella two days later, with news that the wolves would fight alongside the Cullens. They made plans to meet under the cover of night at the treaty line to make further plans. Bella and Alice were more relaxed knowing their mates and family would have a better chance to survive the fight. Alice's dreams of Jasper getting hurt didn't return.
As expected, the Quileute council demanded that the vampires leave the area after the fight and expressed their displeasure after learning of the budding relationships with the girls.
"Leave the human girls alone, their lives are here with their fam-"
The elder, Billy Black stated. He was angry and sad that Bella had involved herself with the vampires. He hadn't known that she was now living with Alice, away from his friend Charlie's home. While they felt particularly protective towards Bella, they did not know what to make of Alice and Edward's familial relationship.
Their legends never prepared them for a vampire like Carlisle, gentle and caring towards humans. They were ill prepared to understand how Edward could have wanted to find Alice - his cousin - and why he would turn her into what he was. The wolves thought that it was cruel of him and stupid of her to want it.
"Alice is my family. Isabella is my life. We will be where they are."
Edward responded before Billy could finish what he wanted to say. His tone was harsher than he had meant for it to be. Jacob's thoughts were irritating to him. He was assessing Edward as competition for Bella's affections.
"Why did you not tell us this before?"
Old Quil enquired before Billy could reply. Of all the council, he believed the vampire's story was a lie. He didn't believe that Edward was Alice's cousin, and doubted that they loved the girls. He also knew that there was little the wolves could do to influence the situation, they hadn't broken the treaty.
"Our business is our own."
Jasper spoke up for the first time in the presence of the wolves. His answer made them more curious about the two new additions to the Cullen clan.
The wolves had informed the council of Jasper's scars, which they had noticed with their improved eyesight. He had always used his gift to unsettle them the few times they had been in the brothers' presence. This time was no exception. The brothers had decided not to let the wolves forget that they were not Cullen or McCarty. They wanted to be seen to respect human life on their own, not because of the treaty agreed to by the Cullens. This was to protect Carlisle's family too, in case anything happened that would put them at odds with the wolves.
There was silence a long moment after Jasper spoke.
The wolves were used to Carlisle's soothing tone. Jasper and Edward's quiet aggression was unfamiliar. This greatly entertained Rosalie and Emmett.
"Friends, we are gathered to discuss a more pressing matter of the storm brewing in Seattle. We will protect this area. We have four others at our home who have come to assist. Our purpose here was to ask your wolves to join us, since our enemy is also an enemy of your people and the people of Forks."
Carlisle spoke to get the discussion back on track. The council had started with addressing the brother's involvement with the girls first. After a few questions and an exchange of information, the council released the pack to fight alongside their neighbouring enemy against the greater threat.
Billy, who had planned to make the wolves' involvement a condition in exchange for the vampires leaving the area spoke up.
"We wish that you leave the area after the fight. Your presence is a great burden to our young men. Your involvement with the community of Forks is not safe." He spoke, looking directly at Edward.
"Carlisle Cullen, his mate, son and daughter can speak for themselves. You already know our answer."
Edward replied stubbornly. Jacob was pleased with this. Their numbers were greater if the brothers insisted on staying behind, and they had no treaty with them. The council expected that Carlisle would leave, taking his family with him.
"The conditions of the treaty have not been broken. My family exists in peace with you, and takes great care with the people of Forks. There is no basis for your request. However, if we do decide to leave;you must know that Edward and Jasper are valued among our kind. They would never be left alone when our natural enemy resides nearby. Others will come to take our place."
Carlisle bit his tongue as he used a play with words to twist the truth. He knew without looking at her that Esme would never leave the four children she had claimed behind. He also knew that Rosalie liked Forks. He was enjoying a new side to Rosalie that was slowly becoming known to them. He had no desire to suffer her wrath if made to leave the area by wolves.
Esme was already thinking to ask Carmen and Eleazar to stay in Forks with the brothers if they had to make a show of leaving. The wolves would meet Irina and Kate too, the next day. She hoped their presence would solidify what Carlisle had meant for the council to know; that the brothers would never be left alone unprotected. Her thoughts warmed Edward.
Rosalie and Emmett were decided on staying. Rosalie thought Carlisle too accommodating of the wolves. She respected Edward more for not bowing down to their ridiculous demands.
The council and was unhappy to hear Carlisle's declaration. They imagined the worst as their curiosity about the brothers increased. After a short deliberation, they backtracked on their demand. They would rather Carlisle and his peaceful family stay than unknowns. They did still ask that the vampires not extend their stay for very long. Jacob was unhappy.