Chapter 12

Carlisle was in the middle of calling the Denali's when he heard all the shouts downstairs. He surmised that Andrew had shared the big news. And that Nessie was slightly upset about not knowing sooner, but not too badly.

"Carlisle?" Eleazar said. "We'll be down by tomorrow."

"Thank you, my friend," Carlisle sighed in relief. "Thank you so much."

They said goodbye and Carlisle went to join the celebration.

The celebration froze solid when Carlisle entered the room. "Am I spoiling the party?"

"No," Andrew said. He looked at everyone. "Um? Is something the matter?"

The rest of the family looked at each other. Except Jacob, who wasn't sure of what was happening either.

"Did we miss something?" Jake asked. "Ness?"

"Um, well," Renesmee said. "I guess they thought that Clara was changing right away and that Carlisle came in to do it."

It was silent. Clara and Andrew hadn't even actually thought about when.

"When would be the best time?" Bella asked, looking around at everyone.

No one was really sure.

Except for Jasper.

"It needs to be relatively soon," he said. "Just in case of newborn madness. There's been too many good cases lately," he shrugged. "Of course, my theories have been debunked before."

Again, no one was really sure.

Except Clara.

"I agree," she said quietly. Even if the newborn madness thing was invalid, Clara would rather be used to being a vampire than not when the fight came.

Every set of eyes was now looking at Carlisle.

Carlisle was thinking it over, his eyes watching his family that remained here. Edward, Bella, Jasper, Andrew… wait. One of the newest Cullen was missing.

"Where is Alyssa? And Shayne," he added as an afterthought.

Shayne appeared at the sound of his name. "What's going on? I thought some Cullen thing was going on and stayed out of the way."

Shayne was another thing no one was sure about.

"We need to find Alyssa," Edward said. "Family business."

"I'm on it," Shayne said eagerly. He ran out of the room.

Alyssa was sitting outside by the river, shaking her head and smiling. Shayne watched from a distance. When would she give him a chance? He had barely been able to talk to him without her looking like she wanted to rip his arm off.

If only she'd just listen to him without whatever was making her hate him…

He watched as she rolled her light eyes. Hers and the others had lightened a ton faster than the stories about yellow-eyes claimed. He wondered why briefly before hearing her speak.

"Better go find them." She froze when she saw Shayne about fifty yards away. "What?"

"Carlisle said there was family business you needed to be there for," Shayne said, somewhat nervously.

Alyssa's face softened slightly. She loved being considered part of this family since she couldn't have contact with her own right now. She was growing to love all of them. "Convenient. Thanks." She took off, Clueless Aussie at her heels.

She had been talking with Kendra. Her twin had established contact.

Twin! Kendra had shouted mentally. They weren't totally connected this far apart. The closest comparison was the mental contact between Sam Uley and Jacob Black when they were in their wolf form, sharing what they chose instead of being like they were in the same pack, sharing senses and every thought.

Really, Alyssa wasn't sure which she liked better. This way was cool, but it felt like part of her brain was missing.

Yeah? What do you need?

I don't know, Maksim and I are running again, another long haul, and I was bored.

Alyssa had laughed in her head; I guess I should have known. How is the search going anyway?

Great! We are closing in on him, The Stoic Russian is certain we will get him this time.

Is this the first time he's been sure? Alyssa had asked dubiously.

Yes actually it is, and after this trip, I am inclined to believe his instincts, so how's The Clueless Aussie?

Alyssa sighed He seems to be getting better at the whole, stop talking before you get your head ripped off by the girl you are supposedly in love with.

Kendra laughed. Well that's something at least.

Yeah…well have fun with the Russian! AET signing out. AET stood for 'anti-evil twin'. That was Alyssa and ET (evil twin) was Kendra. Though they had been known to switch subconsciously sometimes.

Alyssa reached the house. "Heya." She looked around. "What'd I miss?"

Clara filled her in.

"So I guess what we're supposed to be figuring out is when I should change."

Alyssa looked thoughtful. "When are the other vampires coming? Anyone non-vegetarian might have problems with a human in the house."

"We haven't heard from anyone as far as I know." Clara looked around for confirmation.

"That's right," Carlisle nodded. "No updates except that the Denali's will be here in the morning."

"Apparently Alyssa has one," Edward said dryly.

"I was getting there," Alyssa said. "They found Alistair and he said he'd consider it. And they're closing in on Makenna and Charles, Maksim is sure of it."

"Then soon," Jasper said. "Like I said."

"And I agreed," Clara said. "I think we just need to do it. Like, today," she added when no one said anything. She looked at Andrew.

Andrew looked apprehensive. He could sense that this is what she needed but also that it would cause massive changes… not just with her powers, but with something else.

At the same time…

"Andrew?" Clara pulled him out of trying to figure out what was bugging him. "What do you think?"

Andrew took a deep breath, tasting her ocean-mist scent. "I'm good with it. Whatever you need."

Nessie and Clara glanced at each other, as did Jacob and Andrew. The Imprints and the Wolves. The Imprints knew this was a standard, but totally sincere answer, the Wolves knew that they just wanted what their girls needed and could always feel it through the Imprint.

Clara nodded slowly. "Well… no time like the present. Time isn't going to change anything." She looked at Carlisle, who nodded.

Clara turned to Andrew quickly again, stun-kissing him for the second time.

"What happened to warning?" Andrew managed.

"It was never promised," Clara teased and then hugged him tightly.

Andrew held her, wondering about what would happen in three days. Then they followed Carlisle upstairs, hand in hand.

Alyssa looked slightly worried. People had told her that her face was expressive when she was human and the trait had stayed with her. She hadn't learned to school her facial features yet.

"What's the matter?" Shayne whispered so that the sound wouldn't go upstairs. He wasn't surprised when Alyssa shrugged slightly but otherwise ignored him.

The screams started at the same time.

Clara upstairs was trying to contain it but the sting of venom was horrible even for knowing about it.

Alyssa wasn't even bothering.

Because Kendra wasn't bothering.

"NO! NO! AGHHH! MY ARM," Alyssa shrieked, clutching her shoulder. Her eyes were wild and unseeing.

She panted; taking in the scents around her on her tongue and in her nose seemed to bring her back. "NO! Her arm. Her face. KENDRA!"