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XXX
Alice was still snuggled in Jasper's arms and her residue fear and terror was flowing from her to him and spreading to the others and Edward could read her panic in her mind.
"Perhaps we should all go downstairs," he murmured finally and threw a pointed look at Jasper and Alice. "Give Alice and Jasper some space?"
"Of course," Rosalie nodded. "Come on Stella."
"Okay," Stella murmured and reined in her relief and excitement a little as she looked at Jasper and Alice. "I know it doesn't make up for anything I did but I am really sorry for what I did."
"We know," Jasper nodded and he could feel her honest contrition.
"We don't blame you Stella," Alice murmured.
"Thank you," Stella smiled and let Rosalie pull her from the room. Edward and Emmett followed them wordlessly and once they were alone Jasper led Alice over to the bed and they sat down together on the edge. Jasper's arm was still protectively around her and she snuggled into him as she laid her head on his chest.
"Alice, I am so sorry," he whispered.
"What for Jazz?" Alice frowned.
"Surely you know I fell for Stella's gift," Jasper sighed.
"How far did it go Jazz?" Alice whispered.
"I didn't sleep with her," Jasper admitted. "But I was close."
"It doesn't matter," Alice sighed. "I know you would never intentionally cheat on me, that is enough. I just want to forget it all."
"Consider it done," Jasper smiled and leaned down and lightly kissed her hair.
"Jazz?" Alice murmured.
"Yes sweetheart," Jasper whispered.
"Can we go away for a while?" Alice asked. "Just you and me. I want some time alone."
"Of course sweetheart," Jasper nodded instantly. "Where would you like to go?"
"Anywhere, as long as it's just you and me," Alice sighed.
"We'll leave first thing in the morning," Jasper promised.
XXX
Emmett, Rosalie, Edward and Stella were sitting in the living room silently when the door opened and Carlisle, Esme, Wyatt, Henry, Julian and Lisette walked into the house. As soon as Esme saw them she knew something was wrong and she rushed towards them.
"What is it?" she gasped. "What has happened?"
"I have something I need to tell you all," Stella sighed and got to her feet, glancing over at her parents. "Vincent and I have been causing trouble again."
"What kind of trouble?" Lisette frowned.
"Have you been using your gift?" Julian demanded.
"Yes," Stella murmured.
"Stella!" Julian scolded.
"It wasn't all Stella's fault," Edward argued for her quickly. "Vincent has been bullying her."
"Where is he?" Julian demanded as he glanced around.
"It got pretty serious," Edward explained. "Stella used her gift on Jasper and Vincent used his on Alice."
"What?" Esme gasped. "What happened? Tell us now."
"Vincent incapacitated Alice and tried to rape her," Edward sighed. "Stella knew what he was doing and warned Jasper. We all rushed back here and got here just in time. Vincent tried to freeze us all but Stella stopped him and Jasper and Emmett had to kill him."
"My son is dead?" Lisette gasped.
"Because he tried to rape my sister!" Emmett growled angrily.
"And you were in on this Stella?" Julian asked angrily.
"Yes," Stella whispered, knowing her fear and Vincent's bullying of her still didn't excuse what she had almost done.
"We warned you Stella," Lisette snapped. "We gave you a second chance and you blew it."
"I know," Stella nodded.
"You can't do that!" Edward gasped suddenly, causing everyone to look at him for a moment.
"Lisette is right," Julian sighed. "Stella, this cannot go on. I am sorry. You can no longer be a part of our family."
"I know," Stella nodded again sadly.
"You may come back to the house once more to collect your things and then you must leave us," Julian added.
"And don't bother trying to find us ever again," Lisette snapped and turned and stormed out of the house angrily.
"I am sorry it came to this Stella," Julian murmured and Stella merely nodded her head again, not trusting herself to speak. Julian sighed as he looked at her for a moment and then he turned his gaze to Carlisle.
"My friend, I am deeply sorry about the trouble my children have caused yours," he said solemnly. "I don't hold any ill feelings against your boys for what they had to do with Vincent."
"Your apology isn't necessary but it's accepted," Carlisle assured him.
"Thank you," Julian murmured and turned and hurried out after his wife, leaving Stella standing there.
"Stella, are you okay?" Carlisle asked as he took a tentative step towards her.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Stella shrugged and offered him a smile but Edward could tell it was just an act.
"Maybe she should stay with us for a while?" Edward suggested.
"I'm sorry but after everything that has happened I don't know if that would be a good idea," Esme whispered, shocking them all that she was speaking up. "It isn't fair to Jasper and Alice."
"Of course it isn't," Stella nodded. "I wouldn't ask you to have me around. I'll leave and I promise I won't come back."
"Little one, you shouldn't be alone out there," Henry said as he stepped forward and he glanced at Wyatt who nodded his head slowly. "My friend and I were leaving the Cullens from here. We prefer the nomadic life and I think if you were to join us it would make life very interesting. I know to you we are old men but you are welcome to join us if that is what you want."
"But I cause so many problems," Stella whispered.
"I would like a promise that you wouldn't use your gift but I think we can handle you," Henry grinned. "Maybe we can help you enjoy this life a little more."
"I think I'd like that," Stella nodded slowly.
"Then it is settled?" Wyatt asked. "You'll join us."
"Yes, please," Stella smiled.
"Fantastic," Henry nodded and turned to look at Carlisle. "In that case my friend we will leave you. It might be best if the little one leaves now. We'll take care of her."
"Thank you," Carlisle smiled and stepped over to embrace his two friends. As Esme joined them to say goodbye Stella glanced over at Edward and their eyes locked.
"Could you please tell Jasper and Alice I am so sorry," Stella thought, remembering Edward's gift.
"I will," Edward nodded as he spoke aloud.
"Thank you," Stella murmured and walked over to join Henry and Wyatt and as soon as they finished their goodbyes the three of them left to begin their new lives together as nomadic vampires.
XXX
Jasper and Alice were still snuggled together on their bed when there was a knock on the door and Alice grinned.
"Come in Carlisle," she called out as she winked at Jasper. He laughed as Carlisle walked into the room and he smiled sadly when he saw them.
"Everything okay with you two?" he asked worriedly.
"Perfectly," Alice assured him.
"Good," Carlisle smiled and Jasper could feel his relief.
"How is Stella?" Alice whispered and she could feel Jasper's confusion flood her.
"Gone," Carlisle sighed. "They all are. Stella left with Wyatt and Henry. I just went to the Porter house and Julian and Lisette have disappeared as well. They must have gone straight home, packed up and left. I don't think they're coming back."
"That might be for the best," Jasper whispered.
"Probably," Carlisle agreed and wandered back out of the room to find Esme.
XXX
1960
For five years life was quiet and relaxed but none of the Cullens would complain after all the dramas with Vincent and Stella. They continued to live in Grand Forks and the Porters never returned. Jasper and Alice had spent nearly a month away from the family and the time alone was exactly what they had needed to recover from everything.
Carlisle and Esme had recently bought their first television and everyone except Carlisle was gathered around it watching it in fascination when Carlisle returned home from work one evening. He laughed when he walked into the room and saw them all staring at the screen intently and he walked over and sat down beside Esme.
"Entertaining?" he murmured.
"Very," Esme grinned. "And it keeps them quiet, for hours."
"That has to be a bonus," Carlisle smirked.
"This will never get old," Edward laughed on the other side of Esme.
"Well when you can all drag yourselves away from it we need to have a family meeting," Carlisle murmured.
"We can drag ourselves away now," Esme said firmly and got to her feet and walked over and shut off the television. The room filled with groans and protests and Carlisle laughed as Esme glared in mock anger at their 'children'. "You have all been watching it all day. Surely you can go without it for an hour or two."
"No," Emmett pouted playfully.
"I won't take long," Carlisle sighed.
"Oh, I suppose we can use the change," Alice gasped when she saw what he was about to say.
"It has been a while," Edward admitted.
"Nine years," Alice agreed. "It will be a welcome change. I can see this will be a good thing for us."
"I like that idea," Edward added and Emmett stomped his foot in frustration.
"Enough," he growled. "Will someone fill us in?"
"Oh, sorry," Alice giggled and Edward winked at her. Carlisle had been able to keep up with most of it because Alice's visions and Edward's comments had been based on his own thoughts and decisions and he turned and looked at the rest of their family.
"I have had three comments this week alone on how I don't seem to be aging," he announced.
"Oh no," Esme gasped.
"Don't worry sweetheart, it is nothing to be concerned about yet," Carlisle assured her quickly. "But I think the time has come for us to move on. As Alice just pointed out we have been in Grand Forks for nine years."
"Gosh we have too," Esme nodded. "It's amazing how quick time goes."
"It is," Carlisle agreed. "I heard of an opening at a hospital in Toronto today. I know we normally avoid the bigger cities but if we could get a nice isolated place maybe the change will do us good."
"It snows a lot in Toronto," Rosalie murmured.
"So?' Emmett frowned.
"It just means we can go out and do more things," Rosalie shrugged.
"Are we in a hurry to move?" Esme asked.
"I don't think it's urgent," Carlisle replied. "I have this weekend off. I was thinking you and I could go up there and I'll apply for the position at the hospital and we can house hunt?"
"That sounds lovely," Esme grinned.
"Provided we can find a house and I can get the job we could move in a month or so," Carlisle added. "Like I said, there is no hurry."
"Good, that means we can take everything with us this time," Esme smiled.
"Yes it does my dear," Carlisle nodded.