AN and Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight but Emma and Ian are mine!!!

Ok so I know its been like what…over a month since I've updated! And I am sorry!!! I've just had a crazy month and March isn't looking any better – in all honesty things won't get better until April 26th. For those who don't know, that is the day after my little sister gets married! So yeah we're planning a wedding right now…..and yours truly has to plan the bachlorette party --- it comes with being the Maid of Honor….

I know that the rating has been moved to an 'M' – but that is for language and possible lemons later on…but we shall see about that. There is a poll up on my profile to determine what will happen later on. So please vote!!!

Also check out my newest fic, 'Let Love Lead the Way'....you're sure to notice some familiar characters besides the Cullens and Bella in it...

Anyways enjoy!!!


Chapter 31: Condemnation

Bella looked around the dining room table at the faces of her family. They all knew what had happened in Volterra and with the werewolves. They even knew what had transpired during the few days that Emma and Jasper had been MIA.

And they even knew about the deal that Emma had made with Aro in regards to Bella. Esme and Rose were horrified when they found out about Emma's deal with the devil. Carlisle was upset, but withheld his emotions quite well. But Emmett was verbal about it all – yet quit when Bella and Edward had arrived home. Ian wasn't sure exactly what to think.

Edward had immediately voiced his opinion about changing Bella and hiding Emma if and when the Volturi came to check on Bella.

'Fuck you Edward,' Emma snarled at her brother mentally as the family all sat at the table. 'It won't fucking work. There are others who have other gifts. They know me. You can't hide me. It just won't fucking work.'

'Are you certain?'

'YES! I know the Volturi better then you fucking do. Get off your fucking high horse and change Bella like she wants or my threat from September stands. I will change her myself.'

'Like hell you will.'

'It's either Bella becoming a vampire or loosing Jasper and I both.'

Bella deciding to move on with the vote, interrupted Emma and Edward's mental conversation. Edward knew that Emma was probably right in her thinking – given that she is or was a member of the Volturi. Her stance with them he still wasn't completely sure about. "Ok Edward has given an alternative choice. But now it's time to vote." Bella said taking a deep breath. She turned to look at Alice first. "Since we all know Edward's vote, let's begin. Alice?"

"Yes."

Bella smiled moving on to Ian. "Ian?"

"Yes."

"Esme?"

"You know that you've always been considered a daughter to me. Of course I want you as part of our family."

"Thank you," Bella said continuing around the table. "Emma?"

"I abstain."

Edward's head snapped to look at his sister, as did everyone else's. "It's just not fair for me to vote in something that concerns me. So I abstain." Emma said. She turned towards Edward. 'But you do know how I really feel.'

Edward growled lowly as Bella continued.

"Jasper."

"Yes."

"Emmett?"

"Hell yes! We'll find some other way to pick a fight with the Volturi!"

"Rose?"

'I'm sorry Emma…I hope you understand.' Rose said looking at Emma before looking at Bella. "No."

Everyone's heads snapped and looked at Rose. "Please let me explain. I just wish that someone had the chance to vote 'no' for me. That's all."

"I understand," Bella said without hesitation. There was just one vote left. Carlisle.

"Carlisle?"

Before he answered Bella, Carlisle turned to look at Edward. "Edward."

"No," he growled.

"It's the only way that makes sense. You've chosen not to live without her and that doesn't leave me any choice. Besides this isn't just about you anymore."

Edward quickly stood up and stormed out of the room. Emma stood up and stormed after him. She followed him into the living room, where Edward smashed his fist through the flat screen TV. "THIS IS NOT A CAUSE FOR A FUCKING VOTE!" he yelled turning to look at his sister.

"Bullshit!" Emma snarled at him. "It's what she wants Edward! Alice's vision becomes clearer and clearer every day! Figure out a way to live with this idea or loose Bella, Jasper and myself!"

Before Edward had anytime to react, Emma's fist connected with the side of his face leaving an indent. It made a sound like crushing boulders in his ears. He didn't know his sister could punch like that.

"What the hell!" he said holding the side of his face where it had cracked. Venom was seeping out of the small cracks as it began to heal.

"That's for trying to commit vampire suicide. I warned you that it wasn't going to be pretty. I would do more then just crack your face, but Bella is here and you need to heal fast. Whether you like it or not, Bella will be changed within 6 months. Get used to it. Because if you try to interfere, I will rip you limb from limb. Carlisle is promising to change her after graduation. But you know that she wants you to change her. So figure out a way to give her what she wants."

Edward stood there for a second, letting his face finish healing as he watched Emma turn and head back into the dining room.

His sister was right.

But what could he do?

Then it dawned on him. He sprinted up the stairs to his bedroom. He smiled as he opened up a drawer in his desk and took out a small box. Thank goodness it was still there. He slipped the box into his pocket and headed back down stairs. He got a sudden idea. It seemed like a good idea, but would it work?

'It'll work,' Emma answered in his thoughts. 'You get her to say yes and leave the rest to Alice and I…'


"Marry me."

"Ok what's the catch?" Bella asked a bit shocked.

"If you want me to be the one to change you, then marry me first." Edward said with a smile.

"I'm only 18!"

"And I'm 110. I figured it was a good time to settle down," he said with a smile. "In fact, Emma was 17 when she was engaged to be married as a human. She would have been 18 when she got married."

"But that was then and this is now. She's what? A 110 year old married to a 165 year old? That doesn't count."

"Then what does?"

"Renee."

"What about her?"

"I'm scared of her reaction. She has some really intense feelings about getting married before thirty."

"So you think that she would rather you bartered away your soul then be married before thirty?" he said laughing at himself a bit.

"You think you're funny don't you?"

"Bella, if you compare the level of commitment between a martial union as opposed to bartering your soul in exchange for eternity as a vampire…" He shook his head. "If you're not brave enough to marry me, then ---"

She quickly cut him off. "What if I did? What if I told you to take me the Vegas now? Would I be a vampire in three days?"

He smiled, his teeth flashing in the dark. "Well not in three days," he said leaning forward. "But sooner then I want you to be."

"How soon?"

"The night of graduation. Haven't figure out what we would tell Charlie. But I'm sure that Emma and Alice will have something worked out by then."

"You're serious aren't you?"

He nodded. "You're my life, Isabella," he whispered as he captured her lips in a deep kiss. He gently let his tongue flicker against lips, asking for entrance. He knew that this was testing their boundaries, but right now he could careless. Because if Bella accepted his proposal then he knew that she would want them to be together before she was changed. Bella willing accepted his request and their tongues began to battle it out for dominance. Eventually Bella pulled out of the kiss to catch her breath.

"Wow," she breathed.

Edward smiled gently as he kissed her forehead. "So what is your decision?" he asked.

"I'll marry you, but how are we going to get to Vegas? Charlie isn't just going to let me just walk out of the house."

'We're here! Let the plan begin!' Alice squealed into his thoughts.

Edward simply kept on smiling. "Emma and Alice have something planned and it should begin right about now…"

There was a sudden frantic pounding on the front door. Charlie could be heard mumbling something as he trudged down the stairs. Bella quickly dove underneath her covers, while Edward slipped out of the window. He wasn't exactly sure what his sisters had planned, but he knew that he needed to get out of that house.

Bella feigned sleep and struggled to listen to what was going on downstairs. It sounded almost as if Alice was in hysterics.

"…she's dying sir! Bella needs to come with us! She and Emma are best friends just like she and I are! If we don't leave now then she won't get to say goodbye to Emma!"

"But…" Charlie said struggling with his words. "It's 5am in the morning."

Suddenly Alice broke down in hysterics once again. Bella heard Charlie sigh heavily.

"Fine. I'll let her go. But you do realize that she is still in heaps of trouble when she gets back. I'm sure that she is still asleep. You can wake her up."

Alice thanked him and quickly made her way up to Bella's room. "Get dressed," she immediately ordered as she began to throw clothing into a duffle bag for Bella. "And dress warm. Lake Tahoe is cold."

"Tahoe?"

Alice nodded. "Vegas is going to be too sunny."

She turned to look at Bella, who was slipping on a sweatshirt. "OK now make sure you act sad and upset when we go downstairs. Or else Charlie won't believe you. Remember that I've just told you that Emma was in a car accident and is dying. It was the best we could come up with at the last minute."

Bella nodded. She began to think of upsetting things – Edward leaving, Victoria killing her, Jasper and Emma with red eyes as they served as Volturi Guard members for life. All of these brought tears to her eyes.

"Be careful, Bells," Charlie said hugging her as Alice lead her out of the house.

"I will dad," she said returning his hug. She was even shocked at how well she was playing off the idea that Emma was dying in a hospital from a car accident. Once they were outside, Alice helped Bella into the Edward's Volvo then went around to the other side. And without a word, Alice took off down the street.

After a few blocks, Alice stopped. Out of the shadows, Edward walked with a smile on his face. Even he couldn't believe the plan worked.

"Never underestimate a Cullen woman," she said moving to the backseat and allowing Edward to drive.

"I promise that I won't. Especially after I was on the receiving end of Emma's right hook."

Alice chuckled from the backseat. "You have Jasper to thank for that one. He taught her how to fight."

Edward simply glared at her in the rear-view mirror. "Oh get over it and drive! We got a plane to catch to Tahoe! Let's get you two love birds married!!" Alice happily said.

Edward turned and softly kissed Bella's lips before driving. In all honesty, he couldn't believe that Bella had agreed to this idea. But Bella did surprise him often. And he couldn't wait to surprise her.

AN #2: Ok seriously don't kill me!!! I decided to change a few things around and what not. But the main ideas are the same. I felt like a change was needed……I hope that ya'll enjoyed it!!!! Please let me know what you think!!