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Carlisle and Edward had left the island to get the supplies needed to care for Alice. Jasper was beside himself with worry. He couldn't leave her side even to hunt.
Esme was concerned at the arrival of her two eldest children. They immediately demanded to know where everyone was and called Carlisle to tell him of their meeting with Dimitri. Jasper was on alert, knowing that the Volturi could have followed them to Isle Esme. Dimitri could easily know where they were if he had kept this gift locked on them. Emmett spent the time they waited for Carlisle and Edward to return convincing him that they were safe.
Carlisle was unhappy to hear of Aro's invite. He knew why he had been singled out and suspected that Aro only wanted information about his life, friends and the recent new-born attack against his family. He had wanted to find Keure in hopes of learning what she knew.
"Perhaps I should leave." He offered
All in the room stared uncomprehending at him. He offered to leave in hopes Dimitri would only search for him and the family would be safe.
"No husband," Esme
The brothers were torn. They understood knew that was a good idea but they needed him more for Alice's survival. Jasper was greatly frustrated at his helplessness.
"We should find Keure or her people and learn all we can on how to help Alice first. After that we can make a plan to avoid the Volturi until the baby is born and we are changed. " Bella insisted
"Bella, you can get changed if you want to. You don't have to wait for me." Alice offered. She wanted her friend to survive if they were caught by the Volturi while she was still pregnant.
"No Alice, then I'll be kept away from you for a year at least. I want to be here. Edward and Jasper will protect us. Carlisle and Rosalie can look after you and help deliver the baby. Then we will be changed." Bella stated with finality, making it clear what she expected of their mates and family. In that they could not fail.
"If the Volturi cannot find Carlisle they may come looking for me – us." Emmett stated. He suspected Jasper may have been right. He too was a liability.
"Where does Keure's tribe come from?" Bella asked
"From the middle of the rain forest. I saw it in her mind." Edward replied.
"Can we go there to get some answers before Alice cannot travel anymore?" She pressed impatiently.
Something in her was alive with fire and desperation to get answers and help her friend. She refused to focus on the Volturi or the fact that Alice could die. Jasper was curious about it. Edward listened to his brother's assessment of his mate's emotions. The change in Bella was clear to all in the room besides Alice. They wondered about the source of her determination.
"I agree with Bella, we should."
Rosalie was pleased to see the change in Bella and that someone shared her desperation to see Alice and the baby to safety. She didn't want to believe that Dimitri could use them to find her family as Emmett was convinced.
"Babe please, it may be better to separate from the family a little bit. We can all agree to meet every few days or alternate. Right now, with the Volturi searching for Carlisle and possibly us, it may be best to be away from them."
Emmett insisted. It was hardest for them all to hear the truth and seriousness of their situation from him. Esme kept from speaking. She was fighting tearless sobs. Bella stomped to their bedroom upset. The vampires listened while she complained to Edward, that the family was deserting them out of fear for Alice's misunderstood situation. Her words were harsh and hurtful. She was in full blown temper tantrum mode. Edward had his head bitten off for trying to make her understand why the family had to separate.
The Cullens left the island that night with heavy hearts. They had decided that Carlisle and Esme would travel for a week and return to the island. Emmett and Rosalie would search for Keure.
The next day was hard on the brothers and the girls. The mood was somber. Alice was desperate for any dream that could guide them. Edward too was disappointed, he felt like he was letting Japer down. It occurred to him that he had grown dependent on Alice's dreams since they met the girls. All of Alice's recent dreams were about her child. Bella felt hurt, frustrated, helpless, hopeful, stressed, happy, and various other emotions. Jasper kept tabs on her even as his focus was always on Alice. Edward was alarmed, unable to help her calm. She became exceedingly upset later in the day when Emmett called; they couldn't find Keure. A neighbor had said she left to go 'home.'
"We should go to the rain forest to find her people Edward" She insisted.
"Bella, I'm not sure that is such a good idea. When the Cullens return Jasper and I will go. It will be faster and easier with our abilities combined."
Edward thought Jasper needed to get up and do something to help his mate. While that was true, Jasper growled his objection at his suggestion. He did not want to leave Alice's side.
"No Edward, no. Alice is my friend and sister. Jasper is your brother. This is our problem. The Cullens are wanted by the bad vampires. They are not safe. You can't leave us with them." Bella screamed back at him, so unlike her.
'Perhaps she is right' Jasper thought to Edward.
"We don't know the dangers that we may come across there." Edward countered both Jasper and Bella.
"We don't know anything about the baby Alice is carrying either!" Bella raised her voice higher.
Edward listened to Jasper's thoughts. Bella's emotions were new to him and extreme for their situation. He would understand if fear was the dominant emotion behind her outbursts, but it was not. She was not afraid.
"Just a week Edward. Let's go there and try, that is all I'm asking. We'll be back here to meet the family in a week." She begged, tears pooling at her eyes.
'Lets' Jasper supported the idea. He would rather try before it was too dangerous for Alice to travel.
Edward sighed heavily. He agreed, gaining a smile from his wife. They left the island the next day, after the brothers made arrangements. Alice was eager to get some comfortable clothes to wear. Bella was excited, in an Alice-like manner.
