I know I just posted an update two days ago, but I decided to get the next one out really quickly because of the mean cliffie! ;) This chapter is a little shorter, but I didn't want to leave you hanging very long. I hope you enjoy!
Thanks so much to my lovely pre-readers Jen and Traci. Love for beta work goes to Kathie (katmom) and Bridgette (A Jasper For Me).
The Key
BPOV
I had just finished saying goodbye to my departing parents, when I turned around to see Edward fall to his knees. Alice screamed out as I ran to kneel on the floor next to my husband.
His hands gripped his head, and I could only look on helplessly.
Jasper immediately pulled Alice into his arms, trying to calm her, and Carlisle and Esme were next to me before I could blink.
"Alice is having a vision." Carlisle sounded worried, and a ball of dread weighed heavily in the pit of my stomach.
A few seconds later, Edward snapped out of it. His eyes found mine, and he scooped me up in his arms. He was holding me so tight it was almost painful, but I put my arms around his neck and held him back.
"No, no, no," he chanted into my hair.
There was so much pain in his voice, it was difficult for me to contain my tears. His torment was twisting up my insides.
"Edward, please. What did you see?"
He was inconsolable, rocking me in his arms, still on his knees. I hugged him, ran my fingers through his hair, kissed his neck, trying to do anything I could think of to bring him some comfort. The longer he painfully moaned, the stronger I felt his anguish. Seeing him like this was literally tearing me apart.
Eventually Carlisle was the one to bring order to the chaotic scene. He firmly gripped Edward's shoulder, forcing him to stop his movement and look up. It seemed to take a few minutes before Edward was coherent of anything except me in his embrace, but he finally nodded at whatever Carlisle was thinking, standing up with me still in his arms and walking us over to the couch.
Edward sat down, and I pressed into his side, still in my wedding gown. A still rattled Alice took the spot on my other side, followed by Jasper. The rest of the family sat on the couch facing us or in nearby chairs. The room was thick with tension.
"Alice, Edward, I know you've seen some horrible vision, but we all need to hear it so we can figure out how to prevent it." Carlisle tried to sound composed and calm, but there was an underlying tone of fear. His hand gripped Esme's tightly.
Alice broke the silence. "Someone made a decision just before the vision hit, and I don't know who. Whatever they decided … we have to change it." She took my hand not already occupied by Edward. "I only want to describe this once, it's just too painful."
She rested her head on Jasper's shoulder and took a few breaths.
"It was a scene a month or two away. I'm not sure of the date, but Esme's tulips were blooming brightly in her garden. Bella, you just delivered—a baby girl—and were in the process of changing. Alec, Jane, Demetri, and Felix showed up, but some or all of them had been here before." She paused, a sob emerging from her throat.
Jasper's calm washed over me, and Alice nodded to him when he whispered in her ear.
"Alec used his gift to freeze Edward, Emmett, and Carlisle. Jane tortured me while the rest of them destroyed Jasper, Rose, and Esme. They slaughtered Bella in front of Edward before she completely turned, and then took the baby, me, and Edward back with them to Volterra."
Terror and sadness clouded the room, all of my vampires clutching their mates. I shivered thinking of what Edward must be going through to see them kill me in his head. It was no wonder he was so upset.
It didn't escape my notice the Volturi specifically killed off one of each pair in the vision.
"Where was I during all this?" Kate asked.
Alice shook her head. "I don't know. You weren't there from what I saw."
Edward still hadn't said a word, keeping his head tucked into my neck and looking at no one.
"Charlie and I weren't there either?" Tanya inquired.
"No, only those I mentioned." Alice's voice was small, and she curled herself into Jasper's side.
"Everyone think about what was happening just before her vision came. Try to pinpoint if you made any decisions."
There was silence after Carlisle's request, each of us locked in our own heads. Only Edward had to hear everyone's frantic thoughts.
I wished I was strong enough to block his head from being bombarded by the fear resounding around us.
But maybe I could be.
What if I changed now?
I made the decision to change tonight and looked over at Alice. Her eyes glazed over, and Edward's hand tightened its grip on mine.
A few moments later, Alice looked at me and shook her head. "No, Bella. That's not the answer. In that future, the Volturi kill Edward and take you."
"But I could protect him … all of you!"
She sighed. "I'm only telling you what I saw when you made that decision. The answer doesn't have to do with changing you now. It's something else. There's something we're missing."
It was that moment a cell phone rang, and Tanya rushed to answer it.
"Hey, Charlie. Is everything okay? I'll be over there soon."
The rest of us ignored their banter, until Alice stood up suddenly and looked at Tanya.
"What did he just say?" She flew across the room and took the phone out of Tanya's hand. "Charlie, what were you thinking as you left here tonight?"
I couldn't hear what my dad said, but Edward's head finally lifted and he stared at the phone in Alice's hand.
Alice's eyes met Edward's, and he nodded at her. She smiled for the first time since having her vision, and I felt a bit of hope shining through the despair.
"Charlie, I want you to forget about going to Alaska right now. This is urgent, and Bella's life may be dependent on this choice. I want you to decide, right now, to stay in Forks for the time being." She shook her head as if he could see her through the phone. "Stop! I promise to tell you everything, but I need you to do this for me right now. I have to see if the future changes with this decision. Make the choice that you and Tanya will remain here."
Jasper was at her side in a flash as she watched the future in her mind again. She shook her head as her eyes cleared.
"It's better, but still not enough." She looked at Tanya while still speaking on the phone. "Have you two decided on your change, Charlie?"
Tanya looked at the rest of us. "We were thinking of waiting until he'd seen some of the sights up north and then doing it up there."
Alice bounced on her heels, excited as though she'd figured out the answer. "Charlie, I want you to choose to be changed now … tomorrow or someday very soon. Decide you want to do it here."
The room fell silent again, until Edward pulled me into his lap and sighed with relief.
"He's a shield, too. Not as strong as you, but strong enough. He will be able to protect against Alec's gift and possibly Jane's. The details are not quite as clear as her first vision tonight, but you will be safe. Alice sees you changed … sees us together with our child … sees the family together."
The dam broke on my tears and sobs of relief wracked my body. My emotions flooded out as I cried in Edward's arms. I barely heard the others strategizing and discussing around me.
"Shh, my angel. It's going to work out now." Edward rubbed my back as I clung to him. "I'm sorry you had to deal with this tonight. You should only be happy on our wedding day."
"It should be the same for you," I cried into his neck. "I can't even imagine having to see the things you did in your mind. This is your day, too."
Edward gave me as much time as I needed, whispering how much he loved me in my ear. When I'd finally calmed down, I looked around the room and noticed Tanya had left.
"She went to be with your father," Carlisle told me. "She's going to let him know what happened here tonight, and as soon as your mother leaves in the morning, Tanya will bring him here."
I nodded. "So he was the key. He's going to be changed now?"
Alice came to kneel in front of me. "We're going to explain everything to him and let him make his choice."
"He'll choose this," I whispered. "Who is going to change him?"
Carlisle stood up. "Tanya has never changed anyone before, so if she's not comfortable doing it, I will turn him."
I smiled at him. "Thank you. I know you don't like the thought of changing someone who isn't close to death."
"My family comes first, and Charlie is now included with us. If he decides this is the destiny he wants, I will make sure it is done."
Alice leaned forward and hugged me. "It will work out now. I'm sorry this happened on what should have been the happiest day of your life, but at least we have the information we need." She pulled away, taking mine and Edward's hands in hers. "You two should leave. Enjoy the rest of your wedding day. Forget about all this for the rest of the night. We'll get it all figured out."
The rest of them joined in at that, urging Edward and I to leave for our cottage. I think both he and I were more than ready to get away.
After goodbyes to them all, Edward carried me off through the woods, not placing me on my feet until we were inside our little home.
EPOV
The image of my Bella—sliced and drained by Demetri—would forever be burned in my memory. Not even the tormenting fire from Carlisle's venom compared to the anguish I felt when Alice's vision hit me.
I'd tried to shut my mind off, the fear of the others only compounding my own panic. But that never worked. Terror trapped me until we realized it was Charlie who was the key.
It wounded my pride somewhat to know I wouldn't be enough to save Bella alone, but I was also relieved to see a future—however hazy at the moment—where she and I were together.
Where our family was together.
One thing I was completely sure of was that Demetri would be destroyed by my hands, and nothing on this earth would stop me from finishing that task.
"Where are you?"
I looked down at the angel in my arms, her hair spread over the pillow and eyes wide with love. The morning light streaming through the window complemented her fair skin and rosy cheeks.
As soon as we'd arrived at the cottage the night before, she'd pleaded with me to be with her, love her, make her forget the threats we'd been accosted with. We stayed up most of the night, each of us giving the other what we needed.
"I'm right here with you, my beautiful wife." I nuzzled her neck, enjoying the way her fingers swept through my hair. "I thought you were going to get some sleep?"
"I can't sleep. Too many things on my mind."
I sighed, wishing I could erase her worry. She pushed against my chest, and I obliged her by lying back on the bed. I smiled as she moved to hover over me, straddling my waist, her hair curtaining our faces.
"Hey. The reason I can't sleep is because I don't want to sleep." She brushed my cheeks with her fingers. "No matter what happens, I want to enjoy every second I have with you. I love you. I married you."
When her lips molded onto mine, I allowed myself to take pleasure in her words, the feel of her taking me in, and the scent of her arousal. Complete bliss was found as our eyes locked and our bodies moved together.
"Fill me up, Edward. I love when you come inside me."
I growled at her dirty words. She knew every one of my buttons.
"I like it when you growl at me, too," she added.
She laughed as I flipped us over, and it was the sweetest sound in the world.
I proceeded to 'fill her up'—over and over—until she was sufficiently exhausted.
A small feeling of smugness came over me when her light snores filled the air. I covered her with a blanket before getting up to check my phone.
I immediately phoned Alice when I saw her text message asking me to call.
"Hey, Edward."
"What's going on?"
"Charlie will be here at three."
I looked at the clock. Bella would at least get a couple hours of sleep.
"Well, what have you seen?"
"Charlie's decided to turn. Carlisle's going to do it tonight; Tanya doesn't want to take the risk of not being able to stop."
"Are you sure this is the way?" I didn't want Charlie to ever regret making a decision he couldn't reverse.
"Yes, Edward. This is meant to happen. I've seen him after. It's going to work out fine."
"What about the newborn bloodlust? Should we take him away to do it somewhere more remote?"
"No. He's going to be okay. He won't have quite the control Bella will, but we'll be able to handle it. He needs to be here."
"And you're sure he's ready? He's prepared to leave everyone he's always known?"
"Yes. I'm telling you, he's even more hard-headed than Bella. He's set on this path. He's even written letters to Harry and Billy, which he wants you and Bella to deliver to Jake."
I heard Bella whimper two rooms away and was at her side a second later. She clutched the blanket with her fingers, her faced scrunched in sleep.
"Alice, I need to go. I'll bring Bella there at three so she and Charlie can have a minute alone. But I'll bring her back here during the change and until we're sure he is under control."
"Of course. Take care of her. I'll see you two soon."
I placed the phone on the bedside table, getting back under the covers with Bella. Her face smoothed out as she cuddled next to me, and I was relieved to hear her whimpers turn to happy sighs.
I gently traced her parted lips, hoping our new plan would allow me to see the day when she no longer required rest.
~~~*~~~Choices~~~*~~~
Bella and I arrived at the main house at exactly three. Charlie was already there, stationed with Tanya in the living room and surrounded by the rest of the family.
His thoughts bordered on excitement for what was about to happen, and I wondered if they'd truly gotten through his head exactly how painful the next three days were going to be for him.
Bella and I sat down next to him as Carlisle and Jasper went through the process of the change in detail and what he should expect afterwards. Aside from a few cringes, Charlie never wavered in his desire to proceed.
"I'm ready. I want to do this."
Bella threw her arms around his neck, and Charlie shed a few tears as she wept.
"Let's give them some privacy," Esme said, motioning for the rest of us to leave them.
My fingers trailed down Bella's back before I rose to join my family in the dining room. I immediately sought Carlisle, who stood somberly and alone in the corner.
Am I doing the right thing? Can I end his life, even for the sake of my family?
His thoughts hit me hard. He was such a good man; more pure of heart than any human I'd ever encountered. This situation weighed heavily on him. I gripped his shoulder, and he met my eyes.
"His mind is set. He's sure of his choice," I told him, hoping it would bring him some comfort. "And you shouldn't consider it ending his life, but giving him a new one."
You surprise me, Edward. I never thought I'd hear those words from your mouth.
"I think I've come around on a few things I never thought I would since meeting Bella."
He nodded and looked down again.
I'm scared for us all. I have to be strong for them, but the thought of losing Esme, you—any of you—it shatters me. You have to help me keep things grounded.
"I will. We are going to get through this. All of us."
It really was a role reversal, me waxing optimistic and Carlisle floundering against the dark.
I heard Bella saying her goodbye, and Carlisle nodded for me to go to her.
Her eyes were rimmed red from her tears, but she wore a wide smile. Charlie stood as I neared them, leaning on one of his crutches.
"I guess I won't need these damn things in a couple days."
I chuckled, holding my hand out. He shook it, and then gave me a pat on my shoulder.
"This isn't really goodbye. We'll all see each other soon enough." He stared at me for a moment. "If anything should happen to me, I expect you to do everything you can to keep her safe."
I nodded to appease him, although we both knew she was my first priority. "You're going to come out of this fine. Alice has seen it."
"Yeah, she told me." He shook his head and smoothed his moustache. "I'm ready."
After one last hug for Bella, he waved us off. I was happy he was adamant Bella not be there during the change, and that she was complying.
I had her back in the cottage minutes later. She was quiet, but I kept her company as she fixed herself a sandwich.
"What are you thinking?" I finally asked her when I could take her silence no longer.
She reached across the table, and I took her hand. "I think I'm really lucky. I have so many people that care about me." She chuckled and looked down at the table. "Do you know what Dad made me promise?"
"What?"
She tilted her head back up and grinned. "That I would not think about anything but you for the next few days. That I enjoy my honeymoon."
I liked Charlie more than ever.
"Did I ever tell you your father has some genius qualities about him?"
She doubled over in laughter, and I joined in with her.
"Well, I'm going to take his advice." She calmed down and squeezed my hand. "You are the center of my attention for as long as we have. What are you going to do with me, Mr. Cullen?"
The ideas that ran through my head would have made me blush if it was possible.
I stood, picked her up, and set her down on top of the table. She opened her knees, and I stepped between them, pressing against her.
"I have just one question for you, Mrs. Cullen." My hands disappeared under her top, and I reveled in the feel of her warm skin.
She gulped when my lips brushed along her collar bone and neck.
"Wh … wh … what's the question?"
I smiled against her skin, loving how her heart beat faster from my touches.
"Have you ever worn pigtails?"
I'm really eager to hear your thoughts after this chapter. Do you think they've really got it all figured out?