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"No way."

"Edward, I'll be fine."

"No!" I stared at him in surprise, the volume of his voice making me flinch and lean back. He rarely raised his voice with me…was rarely so upset with me. He saw the slight movement away from him and sighed, deflating and reaching out, opening his arms. I stepped forward after a second of hesitation, resting my head against his shoulder and placing my hands against his chest.

"Alice said it would be okay."

"No." This time he whispered it, and I hated myself for celebrating inwardly. But I was careful to keep my face sad and pleading, lifting my gaze to stare up at him, begging with my eyes. Surely he couldn't resist if I begged.

"Please Edward." I spoke in a whisper, making my eyes large and biting into my lip. "Please." For a second, I felt a flash of irritation at this situation that disappeared as soon as it came. I should have to plead with him like this just to drive myself somewhere, but I also knew that he had every right to worry about me considering recent events. His face twisted in pain and I wanted to stop…I wanted to give in. Was it that important that I drove myself to Angela's today?

Alice had told me that I was going to Angela's for the day…that she'd planned it all out with the girl a couple of days ago, and apparently I didn't have much choice in the matter. Of course, I did miss Angela, and she was the easiest person to be around. Also, they probably would have let me stay in the house while they went to the meeting. 'But what if I have a panic attack and I'm completely alone in the house? What if I can't breathe and there's no one to help me?' That thought, more than anything, had made me decide to go along with Alice's plan…plus it would have been rude to cancel on her. And Edward had promised to call as soon as the meeting was over, regardless of how it went.

I'd been worried about Emmett, Jasper, and Edward around the wolves on Friday night as the meeting had approached. More than worried, I'd been on the verge of panicking when I thought of one of them starting a fight and being torn apart like I'd seen them do to Laurent, back when I still associated with them. But Jasper, sensing my fear as we'd all sat together in the living room, had stood and flashed over to my side, putting an arm around me. "What?" He'd asked, ignoring everyone else in the room who stared at us. "Darlin, what is it?" And then I'd let myself feel the overwhelming terror…the panic I felt when I thought of one of my brothers getting hurt…of never seeing them again. "Shh, darlin, you've got to tell me what's wrong. I can't read your mind." He'd murmured, and then Edward's hand on my back and been joined my Emmett's who'd come to stand beside me. But rather than feeling claustrophobic, I'd felt incredibly safe, surrounded by all of them. "Talk, Bella." Jasper requested softly, and I nodded a little, taking a deep breath just to remind myself that I could.

"Please don't fight with them." I'd whispered in a pained voice, and Jasper had softened, filling me with comfort and assurance that I didn't fight.

"Bella, I promise, none of us will fight with them." He told me seriously.

"Even if they attack you. Please." I begged. "Please, Jasper." Tears had slipped from under my lashes then, and any hesitation on his part had disappeared, but it was Emmett who crouched in front of me, tugging gently on my hair and looking at me in the eyes, speaking in a firm voice.

"Bella, we will not fight with them unless it is absolutely necessary to defend ourselves. We won't pick a fight. We won't antagonize them." He sighed. "We won't pull their tails." He grumbled, forcing a reluctant laugh from me. "Okay?" I'd nodded then, and Emmett had wrapped his arms around me, biceps as big around as my waist wrapping around me gently, holding me just tightly enough that I could know that I was safe.

Carlisle had assured me once again that night, right before I'd gone to bed, that he would not allow any fighting between the wolves and our family. Then Edward had wrapped me in his arms, humming softly, and I'd slept deeply, thanks to the soft music and the warm weight on my stomach as Carlie rested her head there. But this morning, when Edward had told me that he was going to drop me off at Angela's, I'd thought of my unused truck in their garage, among the shiny sports cars, and I'd longed for just a day of normalcy, of driving my truck over to my friend's house without worrying about panicking or having a breakdown or worrying my family. Of course, he'd been…reluctant. The very thought of letting me go alone seemed to torment him. But I stared into his light brown eyes, my own still pleading. "Please, Edward." I asked again, knowing he couldn't deny me when I begged like this.

He opened his mouth, maybe to deny me again, but Carlisle entered the kitchen, looking between the two of us curiously. "Is everything okay?" He asked hesitantly.

"Bella wishes to drive herself to Angela's." Edward told him, his tone telling Carlisle exactly what he thought about that idea. But Carlisle only nodded, looking at me thoughtfully.

"Of course. You have your phone?" He confirmed, and I nodded. "Turned on, on your person, charged?" I almost laughed at his question, reminded so much of a typical overbearing father, and pulled my cellphone out of my pocket and holding it up for him to see. He smiled then, reaching forward and pulling me into his arms, kissing the top of my head. I put my arms around his neck, squeezing tightly.

"I love you." I murmured, and he pulled away, touching my face gently.

"I love you too." He told me seriously, kissing my forehead quickly. "So much. Be careful, okay? If you need us, call." I nodded, and he smiled, glancing over at Edward who watched the exchange with a clenched jaw. He lifted an eyebrow, looking at his son, and I was sure he was asking him something silently. Ignoring the exchange, I pocketed my phone and squeaked when I found myself lifted in the air from behind, my brother's deep chuckle in my ear and a loud, angry bark coming from somewhere around my feet. Emmett sighed, squeezing me gently once more then dropping me carefully back on the ground where I gathered my dog into my arms, kissing her head and cooing good morning to her. Emmett rolled his eyes, ignoring Jasper's chuckle and Edward's reluctant smile.

Esme entered the room then with Alice, pulling me into her arms and kissing my forehead. "You'd better get going, sweetie." She murmured, stroking my cheek. "Be careful. I love you." I hugged her tightly.

"I love you too." She smiled, squeezing my hand and taking Carlie from my arms. Edward still looked upset, and I walked over to him, resting my head against his chest as his arms wrapped around me, and I knew that he was perfectly capable of keeping me here...if he wanted, he could keep me from leaving on my own. He was certainly strong enough. But after a few seconds, he released me, smiling faintly.

"Be careful, love. I'll call you when the meeting is over." I knew that he didn't want me to go…he wanted to be the one to take me, even if we were only going to be apart for a few hours. But he would follow Carlisle's lead here. He squeezed my hand, then let me go, taking a step back, and I felt something in my pocket. I reached in, laughing a little ruefully when I found my keys in them. Nodding my thanks, I turned and headed for the garage, pausing for a long moment beside my truck, then climbed in, putting the key in the ignition, and jumping a little when the loud roar filled the garage.

Edward watched the truck disappear around the corner, closing his eyes and clenching his jaw as soon as she was out of sight, and instead listened to the truck until she got to the highway. His father placed a hand on his shoulder, squeezing gently, his thoughts compassionate and understanding as always. Emmett's arms were crossed tightly, and Jasper stared at the floor, both listening to Bella just like he was. "Guys, she's going to be fine." Alice leaned in the doorway, her smile soft, and she showed Edward an image of Bella arriving at Angela's, then one of them watching TV, eating pizza…she seemed fine. He sighed, giving his sister a small, grateful smile.

Rosalie entered the room, tossing a set of keys to Edward and crossing her arms, leaning against Emmett. The tension in the air broken, Edward stared at the keys for a moment then rolled his eyes. "Why'd you take my car?"

"I fixed your car." She corrected, looking back at Carlisle, and, deciding to let it go, turned, with the rest of his family, to look at their leader.

"You already know this, but no fighting with the wolves. No antagonizing them, no picking fights, no rude comments…" He stared at Rosalie pointedly and she smirked a little, nodding and staring at the ground. But none of them were going to pick a fight…they wouldn't risk upsetting Bella if a fight broke out. "If they attack, get out." He told them firmly. "Do your best not to fight them. Get back to the house…they probably won't come onto our territory…if they do, then we'll have no choice. I am simply going to ask Sam if we have permission to amend the treaty to allow us to change Bella after the wedding."

"You think they'll say no." Edward confirmed quietly, and Carlisle sighed, wrapping his arms around Esme who leaned against him.

"Sam wants an excuse to attack us. I am almost certain that Sam will say no. But I believe we owe it to Bella to try. I could be wrong." He reminded Edward who nodded, although he disagreed. He didn't want to spend the day away from Bella…he didn't want to meet with the wolves when he pretty much knew that they'd never agree to this.

"We'd better go. Alice?"

"Bella is fine." She assured her mother. "She and Angela are going to have fun." She kissed Esme's cheek, then bounced back, sighing a little as she took her place by Jasper's side, taking his hand. Edward grinned, reading her annoyance at going in blind in her thoughts, and she stuck her tongue out at him.

Carlisle climbed into his Mercedes, glancing over at his wife as she sat beside him. Emmett, Rosalie, and Edward piled into his jeep, while Jasper threw a leg over his motorcycle, waiting for Alice to climb on behind him and put her arms around his waist, her chin on his shoulder. He was grateful, in a way, to Bella and her worry for them. He didn't like taking his family to negotiate with the wolves, although they'd never let him go alone…he knew his sons at least would be nearby if he tried it. Be he was glad that they'd all promised to behave and be careful. He couldn't bear the thought of losing one of his children, or, god forbid, his wife. He squeezed her hand and returned her smile. She was, out of all of them, the least experienced in combat, and was reluctant to fight. Any time it came down to a fight between his family and outsiders, usually nomads passing through, Esme was the one they strove to protect, Emmett, Jasper, and Edward stepping up to help keep her safe. Due to the size of their family, they'd never yet faced a real threat. But this pack of young werewolves may come close.

"Stay behind me please." He requested softly, glancing in the rearview mirror at Emmett's jeep, his ears picking up the sounds of Jasper's motorcycle behind them. She looked at him in surprise, starting, he was sure, to argue that she would be fine, that everyone would be, but he shook his head. "If it comes to a fight…"

"Carlisle, I'm sure…"

"Love, please." He looked over at her, ignoring the road now as he drove the car on auto-pilot. She sighed, the gesture telling him that she was listening. "If it comes to a fight, a serious fight, get Bella. Take her back to the house. If we need a safe place, that will be our best bet."

"You think it will come to that?" She asked in surprise, and he shook his head, rubbing his thumb along the back of her soft hand.

"No, I do not. But it is always better to be prepared. I wouldn't risk the lives of our children if the wolves want a fight. If it comes to it, we will take Bella and the others and run." She sat back against the seat, her gaze far away, and he squeezed her hand once more. "Honestly, I don't believe it will. Sam will probably refuse to amend the treaty, we'll have the wedding in peace, and then we'll leave." Esme nodded, resting her head on his shoulder. "The meeting is near Charlie's house…we can always 'stop by' if the wolves become hostile." He smiled a little. "They wouldn't risk exposing themselves to the sheriff."

"And if they did?"

"I suppose it would make explaining his daughter's eventual change a little easier. At least we don't turn into animals." She laughed softly, shaking her head a little.

"I guess there's that." She agreed. He lifted her hand to his lips, kissing it softly, then pulled off on the road that led to the forest across from Charlie's house, his children following closely.

He climbed out of the car, instantly taking Esme's hand once more. Jasper kicked the stand on the side of the bike, propping it up beside Emmett's jeep. Emmett and Rosalie leapt out of the jeep, and Edward followed, taking a position by Esme's other side. Alice stood beside Carlisle, with Jasper slightly behind them, and Emmett and Rosalie stood next to Edward.

Across from them, Sam stood, his arm crossed tightly. Beside him was the familiar form of Jacob Black, the boy obviously reluctant, and on his others side was another boy. Scattered around them were young men, all dark skinned and dark haired, their faces plainly confused or worried. Carlisle felt Jasper calm the air, his subtle gift spreading until the children seemed to relax a little…suddenly two people emerged from the woods, a young woman and a younger boy. Carlisle and his family all stiffened, staring at the girl who gave them a strange, half disgusted look, and the boy, who, to their shock, grinned and lifted a hand in greeting. Edward chuckled softly, nodding to the boy who seemed more excited than anything to be here. Sam rolled his eyes, jerking his head, and the boy trotted over, standing beside him, nearly bouncing on his toes. Carlisle tried to suppress a smile, nodding to the boy as well, unable to ignore Sam's irritation.

"What do you want?" The boy asked finally. Jacob glanced between him and Carlisle, his gaze hopeful.

"We are here…to make a request of you." Sam lifted an eyebrow, but was silent, and Carlisle went on. "In regards to Isabella Swan…"

"No." Sam interrupted sharply, and Carlisle paused, able to feel the hackles of his entire family begin to rise. Jasper put out another wave of calm, although it was tinged with irritation.

"Excuse me?"

"You want my permission to kill a human!?"

"No." He said disdainfully. "No, I am not asking your permission. I'm asking if it would be possible to amend the treaty. And we have no intention of letting anything hurt Bella."

"You just want to suck the life out of her…make her like you!"

"We wish to turn her so that she can join our family." Carlisle corrected coldly. "And only because this is what she wants. She made this request of me."

Sam shook his head, about to speak, but the young boy stepped forward, looking at him sideways. "Sam…if this..."

"Don't." He snapped at the boy who crossed his arms and glared at the ground. Edward's eyes widened, and Carlisle wondered what the boy was thinking. The girl scowled at Sam, but didn't speak.

"This is what she wants." Jacob spoke softly, but he was asking Carlisle, not Sam who only glared at him.

"Yes. This is what she wants." He answered. "If necessary, Sam, we can meet again and you can speak to her." Sam snorted and Edward bared his teeth.

"In private?"

"We'd be nearby." Carlisle assured them, his smile dying, his eyes growing cold, the warning clear in his tone. He wouldn't leave her alone with these children, not when one of them had already hurt her.

"Can we amend the treaty or not?" Emmett demanded, his eyes dark with impatience, and Carlisle gave him a sharp look.

"I'm not giving you permission to take that girl's life." Sam told him simply. "If you bite Bella Swan, it will be a violation of the treaty, and we will retaliate."

"So, you're going to attack us if we turn Bella?" Jasper demanded, his voice soft and furious.

"We'll have no choice. You promised never to hurt a human."

"We don't want to hurt her! We want her in our family!" Rosalie cried in frustration, and Emmett put a comforting arm around her shoulders, pulling her to his side.

"The answer is no, bloodsucker." Sam looked at Carlisle now, his tone one of disgust, and Carlisle grimaced.

"Very well. Then we'll take our leave. Excuse us." He nodded courteously, but Sam stepped forward, his eyes narrowed.

"That's it? You're just going to…what give up?"

"We're going to plan our daughter's wedding." Esme said simply. "And get her ready to attend college with Edward…not to mention make preparations to move."

"There's no geographic limit on this treaty." Sam reminded them. Carlisle took his wife's hand, taking a step back and nodding.

"Of course. Thank you for your time." For a moment, Carlisle feared that Sam wouldn't allow them to leave…that the suspicion that they would break the treaty, which of course they would, would cause him to attack. He glanced over at Emmett and then at Edward who had moved in front of himself and Esme and who were backing away with them, nodding courteously, and pulling Alice and Rosalie along. Jasper kept in front of all of them, retreating slowly, his gift obviously moving to keep everyone calm. Sighing, Carlisle started to duck back into his car, waiting for Esme to climb in, then started the engine. Emmett, Rosalie, and Edward were back in the jeep next, and Jasper led the way back to the house on the motorcycle.

"That went well." He smiled grimly at his wife's strained tone, taking her hand once more. He hadn't thought that Sam would allow them to amend the treaty…it was mostly a formality to ask regardless. They would change Bella, as promised, and leave as soon as the wedding was over.

Edward sat in the back of the jeep, staring at the trees flash by, waiting until they were back on the road to dial Bella's phone. She answered after the second ring and he found himself sighing in relief. "Edward?" She asked, obviously torn between relief and worry.

"Hello, love." He spoke softly, ignoring Emmett who turned around and glanced at him, and Rosalie who was watching him openly. "How are you?"

"Fine…is everything okay? Is it over?"

"It's over. We're all on our way home. It went fine…well, they said no, but there was no fighting." Edward heard her sigh and looked down at the floor. "I'm sorry, love." He murmured, wishing they could have done something to convince him…but he could hear the man's mind. There was nothing they could say, nothing any of them could do…even Bella wouldn't be able to convince him. He was looking forward to wiping the vampires out of Forks…of finally doing what he thought his tribe was looking to him to do. Of course, the others had varying opinions. Jacob thought it was useless…he knew they were going to change her, no matter what the pack thought. And, surprisingly, he wasn't as against it as Edward would have suspected. He knew it was what Bella wanted. The youngest, a boy named Seth, whose big sister Leah had glared at them, had been surprisingly friendly, even in his thoughts. He'd wanted to hear more about Bella and their family…he'd even thought about striking up a conversation with them. But Sam would never allow it.

"It's okay." Bella said sadly. "Thank you for trying."

"We'll do it anyway." He told her simply. "It was all a formality anyway. We're all on our way home. We should be there in a few minutes."

"Okay…should I come home too?" The uncertainty in her voice was like a knife in his chest and he forced a small smile.

"Bella, you can stay as long as you want, love. Are you having fun?"

"Yeah…it's good to see Angela."

"Good. Come home whenever you're ready."

"Okay…I love you."

"I love you too, sweetheart. I'll see you soon. Be careful." He placed the phone back in his pocket, staring out the window once more, his gaze far away.

"She's okay?" Emmett confirmed softly, and Edward nodded.

"She seems fine." He answered with a soft smile. "Alice was right. She's having a good time with her friend." Emmett grinned, turning back to the road, and Rosalie relaxed.

"So back to planning the wedding?" Rosalie asked with a small smile, and Edward nodded. "And then?"

"And then we get out of Forks."

I pulled into the driveway, shutting off the truck as soon as I entered the garage. Immediately Edward's arms was around me, his lips against mine. "I missed you." He murmured against my lips, his hands rubbing up and down my back, one touching my head. "I missed you so much."

I smiled a little, winding my fingers in his hair. "It's been a few hours." I teased, grinning when he pulled away and laughed a little.

"I know. I can barely be away from you for a few minutes, much less hours." He told me simply.

"I missed you too." I confessed, and he kissed me again, then pulled away, sobering. "He said no?" I asked quietly, confirming what I already knew.

"It was a very firm no." He told me with a sad smile. "I am sorry...but there's no hurry. For us to leave. We're going to have the wedding, and then, probably after another week or so, we'll head to England where the story will be that you are attending college."

"What, are we all going to die in a plane crash on the way there?" I asked, shaking my head sadly, thinking about Angela, and my father, two people I'd reconnected with and didn't want to lose.

"Love, you don't have to..." I gave him a cool glare and he sighed, his lips quirking a little. "Honestly, disappearing suddenly will be our best bet. It's not that strange for people to just lose contact." He watched as I dropped my gaze to the ground, sighing softly. "No one said you couldn't email Angela...keep in touch without talking to her. As long as she never saw you..." I looked up hopefully. "We can worry about all of this later. For the moment, focus on finishing your finals, and then we'll focus on the wedding. Okay?" I nodded, forcing a little smile, and he kissed me once more.

"Okay." He took my hand, kissing me one more time, then pulled away reluctantly, leading me into the house where I was met enthusiastically by a small dog who leapt into my arms, attacking my face with her tongue.

I hope you all enjoyed the chapter. Thank you for reading!