A/N Almost everyone seems to be on track, but a couple people are still expressing some confusion over the corridor that Bella is seeing in her mind. Let me see if I can clarify.

The corridor and its doors represent Bella's shield and how she can access her power. Each door (and room beyond) represents a person. Closing (locking) doors allows Bella to shield that person, either mentally or physically, or both. At this point in time she only knows how to do that, but it's instinctual and reflexive and she has very little control. It's mostly controlling her. Unfortunately, Bella isn't equipped right now to deal with this gift. As it gets stronger, she's physically getting weaker. There are, however, abundant possibilities for what she may be able to do with it in the future after her change.

Please try to keep in mind, Bella's character is confused about the corridor and how this all works, so a certain amount of confusion on the reader's part is unfortunately inevitable when writing anything in the limited first person pov style.

Hope that helps. Always feel free to ask questions. I'll do my best to answer.

Chapter is unbeta'd. Usual apologies for errors apply.


Chapter 51

Coming Back Around

Bella's POV

Esme tucks the electric blanket firmly around my feet. She's spent the last hour mothering me thoroughly, and even if I hadn't enjoyed every second of her brand of pampering, I wouldn't have been able to resist it for the pure joy it seems to put on her face.

I sip the hot chocolate she's made me tentatively. Both because my stomach is still slightly unsettled and because as wonderful as she is, Esme isn't always the best at preparing human beverages. For some reason she seems to be better with food.

The first sip confirms she's made it a little watery, but all things considered that's probably for the best.

"It's wonderful, thank you," I tell her at her inquiring look, justifying the little white lie when she smiles happily.

She settles into the sofa at my feet, her hand resting lightly on my ankle over the blanket, rubbing gently as though to help the electricity induced warmth spread faster and reach deeper. I feel relaxed and drowsy, only the lingering headache keeping me from falling asleep. She's drawn back the covers on the bed, but I want to wait for Edward to come home if I can. I'm aching to be in his arms...

"I spoke with Renee at the memorial." She regards me carefully, searching my eyes to see if I'm up for this discussion. The little but sharp stab of pain I feel in my heart is bearable though, as I reach up and run my fingers over my infinity necklace. The smooth, cool feel of it grounds me and reminds me that my sacrifices have gains. Renee being safe from the repercussions of my choices is the most important one of all.

"Did you?" My voice catches a little, and she squeezes my ankle gently.

"Your mother is a very strong woman, Bella. She's hurting, but she was filled with joy remembering you that day. She called you her greatest gift."

I'm quiet for a long minute, contemplating. There were times in my life I felt burdened with responsibility when it came to Renee, and times where I cherished every one of her silly eccentricities. The loss of her now leaves me feeling hollow with the ever present weight of guilt.

"Do you think...?" I hesitate, wondering if it's fair to ask what's in my mind. It seems selfish, the choices I've made, so perhaps I don't have any right to look for comfort.

"Do I think what, sweetheart? You know you can ask me anything, Bella."

"I was just wondering if you think she'll be okay?"

Esme is quiet for a moment, staring not at me but at the fire in the fireplace. A small smile tugs at her mouth. "Alice hasn't told you then, what she's seen?"

I shake my head. "I didn't ask her. I guess I was afraid of what she might tell me. I had to make the decision... I couldn't let that sway me...or I..." I shrug my shoulders, unsure how to explain, but Esme just nods.

"I understand." She turns her gaze back to me, the same small smile still there. It tells me that whatever Alice saw, it can't be bad.

"Would you like to know, now?"

It's my turn to stare at the fire. I ask myself if it matters in the end. I've made my choice, and I know I have to let go. Still, I can't not be curious. Especially with her smiling in a way that seems to speak volumes of something wonderful. I close my eyes and nod, resting my head against the pillow Esme placed behind my back earlier.

It's Alice's voice I hear, though, and I open my eyes, a little startled as she takes my hand. She's sitting on her knees beside me, her eyes sparkling with happiness and excitement.

"In one year's time, you'll have a brother, Bella. His name will be Isaac Anthony, named, in a fashion, after you and Edward."

I stare at her blankly, trying to comprehend while a thousand thoughts fight in furious competition in my head. At first it seems impossible, but slowly my mind catches up, and I can see the possibility through Alice's gleaming, golden eyes. Renee is only 40, not too old in this day and age to have a child. And Phil, so much younger than she is. It never occurred to me before, but why wouldn't he want a child of his own? He's a great guy; he'll make a great father.

I start to cry. Not the silent tears of misery and pain, or the sobs of panic and fear that have marked my crying jags over the last few months, but actual healing tears, punctuated by sniffles and laughter joined in by Esme and Alice. I hug Alice hard and pull at her to get her to join us on the couch.

"He's going to be strong and healthy and beautiful, Bella." She tells me, her voice gone quiet as she looks inward at things only she can see. "He's going to be a lot like you in some ways, but he won't be a klutz," she laughs and so do I, Esme wiping away my tears and stroking my hair.

"He'll love baseball like Phil, but he'll have Renee's quirky sense of humour, and he'll find joy in her, Bella. Between him and Phil, Renee will be loved and looked after, and yes, she will be okay. I promise. My vision never changes. He's set in stone, Bella, just like my vision of you and what you'd be to Edward, to us. He's as clear to me as if he was already here."

We sit then, just the three of us, quietly thinking about losses and gains. I see the shadow of Esme's loss on her face, but it's tempered with the joy I know her new family, and most of all Carlisle, has given her. And Alice, thrilled to be the bearer of good news for once, looking smug and beautiful.

I feel the tug of the bittersweet news on my emotions. Happiness and peace that Renee will be okay, and sadness at the fact I'll have a brother I'll never get to know. But like Esme's sadness, it's tempered in the family I can feel surrounding me now, and in the knowledge that even though he can never know me, I can watch out for him in my own way.

"Want to know another secret?" Alice whispers in my ear, her cold fingers brushing away the last tear on my cheek as she curls against me like a kitten, her head on my shoulder, a smile in her voice. At my nod and laugh she continues, still speaking quietly.

"Right now, as we speak, Charlie is getting ready to ask Karen, one of the secretaries at the station, out on a date. She's going to say yes. He won't know whether to wear a tie or not, but he'll eventually decide to wear one. He's going to take her to the Lodge, but it won't be a great first date." She laughs a little, linking her icy little fingers through mine.

"He's going to close a car door on her skirt, and then later he'll spill wine on her, but it won't matter. He'll think it does. He's going to think he blew it, but when he takes her home and walks her to her door, she's going to use the stupid tie he wore to pull him in close and plant one on him." She lifts her head and winks at my stunned expression. "I won't tell you what happens after she uses the tie to pull him in the house with her..."

"Oh, God. Alice, please don't," I wince even as I laugh, stunned the quiet, pretty, petite blonde at the station is obviously going to be someone significant in Charlie's life.

"She's perfect for him, Bella. She even likes fishing, which I don't understand, but Charlie's going to have to build her a new closet for all her shoes when she moves in with him, which I do understand." She grins and then puts her head back on my shoulder. "I wonder if he'll let me design it..."

My head reels, but in a good way. Nothing is perfect. I'm sad that I will miss these changes, and I feel a little worried about how my relationship with Charlie might get even more challenging if he has to hide me from a live-in girlfriend. But all of that is in the distant future. I can't know at this time what will happen, and I don't ask anymore of Alice either, though she may have answers. Some things just need to play out on their own.

"Life goes on, Bella," Esme tells me gently, as though she can read my mind. "It can be hard for us to stand on the outside looking in, but it can also be beautiful. Never forget that, my sweet daughter."

Outside, the wind picks up and the first of a few fat snowflakes stick to the glass, their feathery texture tinged by the firelight so they look more gold than white.

I rest my head on the top of Alice's short, spiky hair, smiling at Esme as she strokes my hand. I close my eyes and rest, letting the comfort of these two amazing women lull me into near sleep, though I don't let it take me fully.

I wait for Edward.

Edward's POV

The night is clear and cold. The smell of imminent snow is strong in the air. Heavy, like a palpable weight on my skin and in my lungs, promising to be more than the few sporadic and scattered flakes we've gotten thus far. I'm eager to get back, wanting to share the experience of this first snowfall with Bella.

Emmett, however, is taking forever to drain his last kill. He finally stands, wiping his mouth with a grin as though he's sensed my impatience.

"Damn," he says with a laugh. "I needed that. Rose drained me dry last ni..."

"Emmett, please," I growl, pinching the bridge of my nose as his proclamation comes with an entire host of unwanted visuals. He's unapologetic as usual, and the visuals continue with renewed vigour. I hiss and walk away at a brisk pace.

"Oh, come on!" He follows, but at least he stops the x rated video montage. "There are tons of tips and tricks in here," he argues, motioning to his forehead. "You should take advantage. I mean, I know you've picked up lots from me over the years, but I'm a perpetual student of love, always learning and more than happy to play tutor."

I snort and then glare at him while quipping sarcastically. "Thanks, I'll take it under advisement."

"Always here for you, my brother," he replies, unfazed by my tone. "Not that I think you aren't competent. I do have ears, and from what I've heard, you're doing pretty darn..."

"Emmett, if you want to keep the ears you just referred to, I suggest you shut your mouth before you find yourself picking them out of your teeth!" My snarling threat is met with more laughter, which at least this time he attempts to choke off when I glare.

We walk in silence for a few minutes while his thoughts scatter. He tries to form a less annoying way to compliment me on the restraint that has allowed me to successfully engage in satisfactory sex without breaking my fragile, human wife.

"I get it Emmett," I tell him when his last thought only comes out more insulting and condescending than his last, letting him off the hook.

"Good," he says with a grin. "So, it's easier now, the bloodlust I mean?"

"It's not even an issue any longer."

"Not at all?"

Something in his tone and the sudden illusive quality of his thoughts alerts me to the hidden meaning in his queries. "What are you asking me, exactly?"

He shrugs his large shoulders and stops walking, turning towards me so I'm forced to stop as well.

"I know her blood still technically calls to you. And look, all kidding aside, I can't help what I hear, or see for that matter. It's pretty obvious, all the broken furniture aside," he winks, "that you've overcome it, and found the crazy ass amount of restraint as well to make it good for Bella."

I'm not so ethical I don't feel pride at what he's noticed. Being able to please my wife successfully is a joy. One I'm not in the least ashamed of. I chuckle a little and shake my head, but follow it with a warning look that hopefully lets him know he's walking a fine line.

He holds his hands up in a sign of submission. "There is something I wanted to talk to you about," he says. "I'm not just trying to invade your privacy, though I admit it's kind of nice to be on your side of the fence for once."

I nod in assent to that point, unable to fault it. His many different thoughts finally coalesce into one, and I catch the tenor of them a split second before they are vocalized.

"I'm just wondering if you're still worried about your self control, at all?"

"You're referring to when it comes time to change her," I note, his thoughts clear enough now I don't need to phrase it as a question.

He nods anyway.

"I will always be worried about my self control" I admit honestly. "To allow myself to become complacent would be exceedingly foolish."

"But?"

"No buts. I'm worried and hopeful at the same time."

"Hopeful?"

"Yes. Hopeful. My worries and fears about making love with her were ungrounded and unnecessary. There is no part of me that does not abhor the very idea of hurting her, and that includes my vampire nature. I'm hopeful this will be the same and my instincts will be overruled."

He bobs his head in understanding.

"That being said," I continue carefully, "I have no intentions of taking any chances. Carlisle will be at hand to stop me if I falter. If he needs to rip my head from my shoulders to do it, so be it." I grin with forced effort in an attempt to lighten the moment. "Feel free to play kickball with it." The grin fades and becomes a grimace of agony at the thought I could fail. Despite being hopeful, there is no denying my worry. "It'll be the very least I deserve," I finish darkly.

He snorts, though the idea amuses him greatly. "Look, if it means anything, I'm not asking because I'm worried about it. I personally think you have this in the bag, without a shadow of a doubt."

His tone takes a sudden almost menacing tone and his eyes darken in clear warning. "If I thought you didn't, I'd rip your arms and legs off and bury them a thousand feet underground. It'd take you hours to chew your way down to get them back, and an hour more to roll yourself and your limbs back for Carlisle to reattach. By then, he would have the job done. Bella would already be changing, and your self control, or lack thereof, would be a moot point. Bet on it."

I don't need to 'bet on it'. His expression and demeanour are fierce, and they are more than backed up by his protective thoughts.

I hold my hand out. "I'll take that as a promise."

He grabs the offered hand and shakes it with more force than needed, grinning.

"That it is."

"Good."

We begin to walk again, and after a moment I ask him why he's brought all this up. "Surely you already knew my answer," I conclude.

"That's just it. I didn't know your answer." He looks at me like he's waiting for a response but I merely look back, waiting for his mouth to catch up with his mind. He sighs loudly. "I wondered, like you haven't already figured out, why the hold up. Why haven't you changed her yet?"

"You know what Alice said, what she saw. I'm waiting for her to be ready. It has to be Bella's choice, Emmett."

"Well sure," he answers with a decidedly 'duh' tone of voice. "But until she knows you are ready, I doubt she's going to make the choice."

Even as he speaks, I'm acknowledging and fully facing the truth of his words. For days now my inner voice has been niggling at me, telling me exactly this. I've been trying to ignore it, wanting to allow her to come to the decision on her own without undue influence. It occurred to me she might be concerned over my state of mind. I simply had no idea how to alleviate any fears she might have in that regard without having them compel her to make a choice she may be unready to make.

But now, confronted with Emmett's gentle chastisement, I see another truth as well. One far less altruistic.

The last few weeks have been a precious gift. Seeing Bella smile and hearing her laugh, her eyes alight with real amusement, is something I honestly feared I might never see again. She has been more herself, even with the burden of fake death upon her shoulders, than she has been in months. A part of me has been loath to end that and toss her into a fiery, pain-filled transformation. And subsequently, into a newborns existence of overwhelming thirst and confusing adaptation.

Even more shameful is my selfish desire to spend every last second basking in the returned light of her. It has been so long since I felt her radiance and joy. To hold her while she sleeps and be welcomed into the locked sanctuary of her mind, where finally nightmares do not have sole dominion. To feel her precious, fragile skin against my body as I tenderly love her to her release and mine, without fear of Jacob Black's miserable memory lurking in the shadows of her mind. These are gifts I have not wanted to give up.

Perhaps I cannot be faulted for that. When it comes to Bella and my emotions and needs, the term 'only human' is fitting, semantics aside. And a part of me knows she's needed this time as well.

The sheltering bubble of my happiness and justifications, however, has not been impervious to the pinpricks of reality. There is only so much time left, and in the last few days alone I've noticed a change in her. Small notices, all pointing to this small lull being only that. A lull.

There is no cure for a disease we cannot name.

As Emmett and I begin to walk again, my thoughts cement. The reprieve has been too treasured a thing to regret. I will not debase its value by bemoaning the healing power it's had on me. If she has indeed been holding off her change for me, I will thank her for the incredible gift while I cherish every memory we've made.

"You're right," I tell him. The silence between us while I've grappled with my thoughts has only been seconds. The decision made in that paltry time period easing some burden I'd barely been aware of.

"Of course I am," he laughs, bumping my shoulder. "Wait. What am I right about?"

I roll my eyes, not entirely sure he's serious or if he's just trying to lighten the mood. "I need to ease Bella's mind and ensure she's not waiting on me."

"She's waiting on you, Edward." He says. "I can assure you on that point. Jasper's felt it, Rose has felt it. And even if they hadn't, that shit is just classic Bella."

Something in my expression must show the sick lurch of guilt I feel for allowing her to go through these last few weeks believing she needed to hold out for me, because Emmett instantly clamps a large hand to my shoulder, easily fitting his stride to mine.

"Hey, man. Don't beat yourself up. I didn't bring this up to make you feel bad. I think both of you have needed this time. It's been...what's the word? Cathartic? Yeah, cathartic. You guys needed this, and I think Bella's smart as hell to recognize it. You've been walking the edge, Edward. I don't care how indestructible we might be, what happened to Bella, what you've been through, it takes a hell of a toll..."

His voice trails off as his expression turns reflective with his own memories of the time he spent trying to help Rose heal. It's only fleeting though, and quickly followed by a more common expression. Mischief. His eyes spark with it, mouth curving in amusement as he continues.

"Besides, when I think of you trying to change her even as early as two, three months ago? Well, let's just say I think it could've been disastrous, all that stress and bottled up sexual tension..."

I jerk my shoulder away as Emmett starts to laugh, rolling my eyes at him but fighting the urge to smile. It would only encourage him.

"Aw, come on, you know I'm just having fun. Things have been way too serious lately. I don't mean any harm." He sounds a little repentant, and his thoughts show his uncertainty that the humour might be too soon and out of place.

I smile a little. "I appreciate you bringing this up with me, Emmett."

"Really?" He sounds altogether too surprised.

"Yes, really. Sometimes, I may know the truth of things here," I tap my chest above my quiet heart, then raise my fingers to my temple, repeating the action, "but not always here."

"Well that was easy." He scowls. "You were already heading for this decision yourself, weren't you?" He doesn't wait for my answer, cursing loudly and foully at my vague shrug.

It's my turn to laugh at him. "Let me guess. You and Jasper had a bet?" At his chagrined look and following thoughts of having to wear one of Rose's more risqué lingerie sets, I laugh harder. "Really Emmett, when are you going to learn? Never bet against an empathic on matters of emotion."

"Well, shit. It's not like..."

Time stops, or seems to.

In unison we freeze as a familiar scent gets caught on the changing breeze, stirred up by the growing tempest of an impending snowfall.

The growl that rips from my throat is compulsion and instinct.

"Wolf," I snarl as the stench invades my nose, the sound of my growl echoed by Emmett's matching one. Instinctively I turn towards the scent, rage blocking reason so I can't even focus on attuning to thoughts. Not that it matters. They're too far from me, and I could fucking care less who it is.

They're dead either way.

I start to run only to be blocked by Emmett. "No," he barks, sending me back a full step, his face a mirror reflection of my rage. "Go home, protect your mate. There could be more of them. I've got this one. Go!"

He needs to say no more, I'm already gone, racing towards the house at the full extent of my speed, cursing the complacency that allowed me to be caught unaware and left Bella vulnerable.

If anything happens to her, anything at all…

Bella's POV

I don't know what's happening, but something is very, very wrong. One minute I'm drifting and relaxed, and the next Alice and Esme are off the couch and standing in ways that seem almost...protective.

Alice's hands are slightly outstretched, her face full of frustrated concentration. She seems like she's ready to pick me up and bolt.

Esme's stance is guarded, her eyes on the door, her head cocked to the side like she's listening to orders I can't hear. She turns her head slightly towards Alice and I see her lips move like they're trembling. Alice shakes her head, the sound out of her mouth reminiscent of a coiled snake hissing in warning.

"Nothing," she says out loud. It's gone, blank." She looks at me, and I shake my head, thinking she must be talking about her vision.

"It's not me. I mean, I don't think it is...I'm not, trying to block... What's wrong?"

"It's okay, Bella," she responds. "Everything is fine." She smiles but it's all fake, both the expression and the oddly flat tone of her voice.

I try to get up and almost trip over the blanket around my feet. She reaches out to steady me, and I see her eyes go to the window, moving me so subtly and quickly I barely even notice until she's between me and it. Esme between me and the door.

My heart begins to hammer, adrenaline rushing through me. Alice rubs my shoulder. "Breathe, Bella. Edward's here, he's coming right now. Everything is okay."

She's lying. Big time. Her jaw is nearly clenched as she tries to see with her mind, and I instantly know what's wrong. Only one other thing can block her visions.

The wolves.

My hands go wet with sweat and panic tries to ram its way up my throat. I fight it down, trying to see all sides clearly. Esme and Alice are guarded, uncertain, but if there is real danger, they aren't sure of it yet or they'd be acting.

And then Edward is coming into the room, moving too quick but not racing. I see his lips tremble as well and Esme suddenly moves. His lips tremble again and her actions slow to a more normal pace as she leaves the room, as though he'd told her to act more normal.

Carlisle comes through the door the second she's gone just as Edward draws me away from Alice. His hands are freezing from being outside, and though the cold bites through the thin cotton top I'm wearing, I don't flinch, too busy studying his guarded face to care about the sting of cold.

"What's wrong?" I demand, swallowing past the fear of the unknown that's making my heart race like a trip-hammer.

"Nothing's wrong, love." His answer is too quick, and his smile doesn't reach his eyes. He reaches up and runs a finger down the center of my forehead, right where the pain was. Or where it still is. I'd forgotten it for a second in the sudden change of mood.

"You've had a rough night." His eyes skate over to Carlisle, and again the slight tremor to their lips alerts me to the fact they're communicating while purposely keeping the slower witted human out of the loop.

The corridor in my head opens wide and the doors rattle hard. All of them.

"Bella. I have the medicine we talked about earlier," Carlisle says, extending his hand with the small pill cup out in offering. I ignore him, though I do notice the unfamiliar pink pill in the center.

"I'm fine," I tell Edward. "Tell me what's going on." I force my voice to come out steady, but it isn't completely successful. I have no idea what's happening, but the doors in the corridor seem too open, too exposed. I want to close them, lock them. The walls flutter again, like they had earlier, cracks popping up in hidden corners. Like earlier I feel the pull and wonder if I can reshape the corridor. Make it bend to my will…

I fight the pull with a sharp indrawn breath.

Edward frowns, his head tilting like he's listening to something or someone. His jaw clenches and he takes a step back from me, reaching into his pocket and drawing out his phone. His expression turns dark and utterly menacing as he looks at the screen.

And familiar.

I've seen this look. I know this look.

My blood feels like it turns to ice water.

I grab at his arm, afraid he's about to leave and then I won't know what's wrong. His expression lightens, but the action seems to take too much effort. He looks wired and on the edge, and I shove the corridor back, then back farther still. I can't risk shielding. I have to stay in control, for his sake. I have to be strong.

I keep my arms on his and pull myself closer to him, not letting go until our bodies are aligned with barely any space between us. I tip my head back to look up at him and cup his face in my hands. His jaw is so cold it feels like it's been carved from ice. Goose flesh breaks out over every inch of my skin where the cold radiates outward from his body. He smells like snow.

"Edward. Look at me," I demand softly, and with the corridor pushed as far away as I can manage, my voice regains some strength as my heart starts to steady. "I'm okay, I promise. Talk to me, don't shut me out. What's happening?"

The hand not clenched dangerously around the phone, its casing cracking slightly, reaches up and tenderly copies my touch on his face.

"Don't be afraid." It's more demand than plea. My heart tries to ratchet up its pace so I drag in air and nod, fighting the corridor and my desire to do something, anything.

"I won't let anyone harm you. You know this, yes?"

I nod again, digging my teeth into my lip to keep the panic at bay. I just manage to stop myself from yelling at him to just tell me already.

"I know. I'm not afraid. Talk to me."

His thumb gently tugs my lip from my teeth. He takes a long, indrawn breath before snapping his phone open and giving a cursory nod to Carlisle that seems to mean more than it appears. Carlisle nods back and moves to the window, his eyes scanning outside. I think I see a blur of something pass by. Maybe Jasper, but I can't tell.

Edward raises the phone to his ear, his voice dark and spoken through nearly clenched teeth. "What does he want, Emmett?"

Edward's POV

All the colour drains from Bella's face at my words, and I instantly curse my choice of using such a vague 'he'. She will know now that we have a visitor, and her immediate assumption could instantly be of the worst case scenario. Still, she stands strong, her eyes searching mine for answers, somehow keeping herself together. Surely she must know deep down that if it was Jacob Black, I would not be standing before her now. I'd be knee deep in his torn apart carcass, slick with his blood and entrails.

As it is, even with the knowledge this Pack member is no threat, I have not made the decision to spare his life. His only saving grace has been the fact I needed to get to Bella first and until this moment, had not been certain he was alone.

"Says he just wants to talk to you." Emmett's voice is calm, modulated. "He's alone, or so he says. I can't smell or pick up anyone else. How about on your end?"

I close my eyes the better to focus on the minds of the others as they rapidly scout the area. So far Jasper has ranged the farthest out, and he's picking up nothing, which seems to validate what Emmett is being told.

"Nothing so far," I tell him, letting him hear the edge of doubt in my tone. I suspect he's being told the truth, but trust broken cannot be mended so easily and I don't want Emmett to be complacent for a second.

"What does he want?" I repeat, more firmly this time. I reach out and brush Bella's hair back, hoping my touch will ease her. Keep her fears from prompting an involuntary reflex of her shield that could have devastating consequences. I'm walking a tightrope.

Something has happened to her tonight, but I only gleaned small bits and pieces from the minds of the others as I'd gotten near the house. My presence and warnings had galvanized them into actions which changed the trajectory of those thoughts, leaving me with gaping holes in my understanding. The fact Carlisle seems to be both actively warning me to be more careful than normal with her, and actively baring me from seeing the details of a conversation they'd had, isn't helping.

Emmett huffs and in the background I hear a thumping sound. "I told you to sit. Now do it and stay there or next time I'll break your damn legs." His next sentence is directed at me.

"Like I said, he wants to talk to you. No one else. He says to tell you he wasn't going to come anywhere near the house, or Bella. He's been waiting for a chance to catch you out…"

I hear arguing and Emmett growls a low warning that silences the other voice, before continuing to address me. "He wasn't trying to sneak up on you. He says he was just trying to respect boundaries and stay away from Bella, like you asked."

I pinch the bridge of my nose striving for patience. It would seem he is indeed alone as I continue to get reassurances from the others that they're encountering no trail or scent of any other wolves. I'm not eased by the knowledge.

I study Bella, trying to decide what to do. It's clear I cannot keep this from her. To do so now would require bold faced lies and unforgivable deceit.

She looks back at me with clear eyes, still on her feet. Her heart beat is too fast, but not so much that it indicates overwhelming fear. She's nervous, but in control of her emotions.

For now.

I must be exceedingly careful in my revelations.

"Keep him there, Emmett. Stay alert. I'll call you back in a few minutes."

I hang up and quickly text Jasper, telling him to join Emmett and see if he can decipher if what Emmett's being told is truth or fiction.

When I'm finished, I draw Bella closer to me. Her eyes are clear, but that little furrow between her eyebrows is present, indicating she's in the midst of one of her bad headaches.

"She's in pain. What's happened?" I ask Carlisle, keeping my voice to the level only he can hear. Clever and perceptive, she frowns as her eyes fall to my mouth.

Our discussion was private, Edward. It's her choice whether she speaks of it with you or not. As for the rest, yes she's in pain. She suffered an episode with Jasper earlier today. She's refusing any further medical tests, and I've agreed to respect her wishes so I cannot tell you what damage it may have done. She agreed to take some medications, but you saw her refuse them when you came in. This stress could not have come at a worse time. I might recommend sedating her if it wasn't afraid it will cause the very reaction we'd be trying to prevent.

The risk of that is, in my opinion, too great. If she feels attacked or forced, I have little doubt she will shield. Probably with violent force. I cannot imagine she has much left in terms of strength to recover if that happens, so I shake my head at him minutely. Then I call for Rose, again not needing to raise my voice since she's thankfully close to the house.

My conversation with Carlisle takes only a fraction of a second, my summoning of Rose and her subsequent arrival only a fraction more. In the meantime, I've drawn Bella closer still and placed a kiss between her eyebrows, rubbing her back soothingly as she relaxes somewhat against me. Despite my tension, I force my body to relax as much as it is able, striving for a place of calm that will enable me to reflect it back upon her.

Rose moves silently to Bella, already sensing what I need from her. She picks up a blanket off the sofa and comes and wraps it over Bella's shoulders like a shawl. It's only then I notice she's shivering a little and remember that my body will have taken on the outside frigid temperatures, leeching away precious warmth from her. I put a little more room between us and rub her upper arms gently to chafe some heat back into her skin.

Bella's eyes do not leave mine as Rose draws back away from her again. She's purposely kept her touch light and brief, lessening the chance Bella will feel or react to having her emotions read.

She's mildly anxious but doesn't seem close to panicking, Edward, Rose tells me. I sense a really strong determination coming from her to stay in control actually.

I tip Bella's chin up to me and smile at her, striving for even more calm and to look reassuring instead of threatening. She fists her small hands in my shirt and attempts to do the same. It occurs to me that she's as concerned over my state of mind as I am of hers. Her next words confirm it.

"I'm not going to freak out. You can all relax. Whatever it is, just tell me."

Instead of doing so, I say instead, "Love, do you remember after the wedding, we talked about what happened?"

She nods, giving me permission to continue.

"About how sometimes what you perceive to be a threat is not one at all?"

She nods again.

"Good. Because I need you to remember that now. I'm sorry I startled and worried you when I came in, but there is no danger, do you understand?"

"Okay."

"I need you to remember, to keep at the very forefront of your thoughts, that you're safe. You mustn't hurt yourself out of needless fear. Can you do that for me?" I've lowered my voice adopting the quality she once would have accused me of using to dazzle her with.

"Yes."

"Good, love, very good." I brush my thumb across her lush lower lip and flip open my phone.

Jasper answers, immediately speaking without waiting for a greeting.

"He's telling the truth. He's alone and no one else is coming either. He's scared, but right now, seems to be only of you. He's also weak and not in the greatest shape. Might want to get Carlisle out here."

"Put him on the phone."

Bella watches me closely, and I keep my eyes on hers, one arm around her gently, despite the fact I know it's making her cold. I move us surreptitiously closer to the fire. I don't think she notices.

"Don't be frightened," I tell her needlessly.

"I'm not. I'm okay."

I can see that she is. Always she is stronger even than I am. As the voice on the phone floats out to my ears, I can only think how often I've been denied revenge. Any kind of revenge, and, oh, how I still want to make someone pay for her pain. For our pain...

"Hello? Edward, is that you, man?"

"You're either very brave or very stupid, Seth Clearwater," I snarl, venom soaking my mouth as a little of my contained rage sneaks past my self control. Once again his childish recklessness is putting my mate in danger and my tolerance for his youth is past. "I warned you once that I would rip you to shreds. I'm very inclined at this moment to make that threat a very painful reality for you. Either way, you have ten seconds to tell me what you want before I decide what to do with you."

I'm not even certain I want to give him the ten...


A/N So how many of you guessed it was Seth? Lol. I kind of gave it away early. ;-)

Btw, just to clarify. Edward first threatens Seth in chapter 43 after he shows up in the meadow just following the wedding ceremony. Hopefully you all remember this and can see why Edward is thinking about taking his pound of flesh, and why he's so intolerant.

Also, Karen, Charlie's future "live-in girlfriend" may seem as though she comes from left field, but in actuality she was given a brief mention in chapter 4. She was the secretary who Charlie arranged to give him a fake emergency phone call so he could leave Bella and Jacob alone. I figured if she was willing to 'lie' for him, she might just have a crush on him. This story is full of weird little connections/plans that might go unnoticed, so I figured I'd point this one out. :)

Lastly, according to my research, Renee would have been 40 at this point in time. I could be wrong, but I'd appreciate it if you'd consider it creative license if I am. Also, women are safely delivering healthy children at 40 these days, that's a fact. Though, yes, I am aware the dangers to both mother and child increase the older a woman is.

Aleea