AN: All characters belong to Stephanie Meyer! I just like to borrow them for fun. :) Thanks to my awesome Beta ACEMCKEAN for all her hard work. She has three great stories to read The Protectors, The Cullen Brothers and Marital Bliss? as well as our combined story INTERVIEW WITH A VAMPIRE which will have a new chapter up this week! Also my one shot The Perfect Doctor's Wife, will be turned into a serial story with a new chapter this week. Please note - it is rated M for a reason!!!! The next chapter of Searching is also on it's way. It's been a busy week but I am so excited to write that I have been getting a lot done.
Once again I look forward to all your reviews. They inspire me to keep going when I find myself lagging. Thanks to all my awesome readers and reviewers! I never thought I'd have over 800 reviews! You guys amaze me. Cyber cupcakes for everyone!!!
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CHAPTER 52
EPOV
Sitting on the couch in Charlie's house was certainly not where I expected to be the morning after my wedding. But after all that happened between then and now, I couldn't be happier.
You see my Bella was here; in my arms. Snuggled as close too me as possible. As close as you could get with fourteen other vampires in the room. Not to mention the six wolves and our two little angels. They were nestled close together in Bella's arms, with my arms wrapped around them all.
Charlie was still sleeping in his room, a fact that many vampires felt was hilarious as Charlie snored like a buzz saw.
We were putting the final touches on our plans. According to Alice, the battle was going down today, shortly before dusk.
One of my many worries, other than the safety of Bella and our children, was what knowledge Victoria had of our current situation.
Did she know that Bobby and Riley were dead?
Did she know that we had Bella and the children back, safe and sound with us?
Did she know about the Denalis' involvement?
Or about the wolves?
They say knowledge is power and right now we had so little knowledge about Victoria, I was beginning to feel powerless.
"Eleazar, did you get a read on Victoria? Could you sense if she had any powers?" I asked.
"Actually, Edward, I didn't. You see I have quite a short range for my sense to kick in and Victoria, somehow managed to keep just outside my range," Eleazar explained.
"Why do you ask, Son?" Carlisle asked, looking at me.
"It just seems like she is one step ahead. I mean at the house, Bella should have sensed them in the nursery. A sound or her scent. And Esme too. I just can't make sense of it. It isn't adding up," I said.
"But we found trace of her afterwards. We found her scent. I think Bella and Esme were just caught up in the day," Carlisle explained.
"There's no way. When it comes to the twins' safety, both Bella and Esme would have known. I know it, Dad," I explained to him.
"I agree, Carlisle. It makes perfect sense. I think there is something at play here... and it circumvents Bella's shield too," Eleazar agreed.
"Maybe she's the vamp that has been around here," Jacob added. "We've come across a scent many times, but never found it's source."
"Alice, grab the twins' old clothes. They should have her scent on them," Bella said.
Alice dashed up to Bella's old room and grabbed the clothes, tossing them to Jacob as she came down the stairs. Jacob grabbed Arriel's outfit and tossed the other outfit to one of the other wolves, Sam.
I watched as they sniffed the clothes. Sam passed Jace's outfit around for the other boys to smell but Jacob held on to Arriel's clothes. His mind was an absolute jumble and I watched as he sniffed the clothes again and again. Almost like a drug addict with his latest fix. I didn't have time to figure it out.
"That's the scent," Sam said. "We've come across it many times in the last few months. Even before you guys left."
"She's been around here then," Bella grimaced. "Why the hell can't she leave us alone?!"
"It seems like she wants to avenge James. I would never have guessed she was that attached. It always seemed like a relationship of convenience," Laurent mused. "They were never what one would call exclusive."
"Mate for a mate," Bella said, shaking her head.
"Never, Love," I promised her. "It's you and me together always." I dipped my head to kiss her lips, just soft and sweetly.
She sighed against my lips and leaned her forehead against mine. I looked down at the twins who were now sleeping peacefully in between us.
"I love you," I told her. "All of you."
"And we love you, too," she told me, quietly.
We could all hear the changes in Charlie's breathing. He would be awake soon. I could see concern radiating from her eyes and she sat up, addressing the room.
"How are we going to protect him?" she asked quietly.
"I got this, Bells," Jacob said. "We'll get him down to the rez. He'll be safe there."
"How, Jake? If you guys are all here?" she asked.
"Bells, we didn't leave the rez unprotected. There are more wolves there. Charlie will be safe there," Jake said.
"Why didn't you tell us?" she demanded.
"I didn't think it was that important," Jake defended, but his mind betrayed him, he was keeping his knowledge a secret in case any of us got out of hand.
"Jacob, are you sure the other five wolves will be enough to protect everyone, including Charlie?" I asked, I admit I was a little smug while doing so.
Jacob growled and clutched Arriel's outfit, his eyes darting between me and little Arriel. His mind chanted one thing over and over, "I can't kill her father. I can't kill her father. I can't kill HER father!!"
What the hell?
I was about to question him on his apparent obsession with my infant daughter when I heard Charlie's bedroom door open. Everyone fell silent as he made his way down the stairs.
"Good morning," he said. "Did you all manage to get somewhere to get some sleep?"
"Charlie," Alice said softly. "We don't sleep. We don't need to."
"Oh," he said, looking around the room before his eyes settled on Bella, me and the twins. "But they sleep, right?"
"They're half human, Dad. They do need sleep," Bella said.
"Oh," Charlie said again, as he made his way to the kitchen. "I guess nobody wants coffee then..."
"I'd love some coffee, Charlie," Jake said. "So would my pack, I'm sure."
The wolves followed Charlie to the kitchen and Eleazar decided to speak up.
"I think everyone should hunt now. We all need to be at top strength for the fight today. It should be easy.... but you never know," he said.
It was decided that we'd go hunt six at a time. Bella and I would go with the second group, after she had fed the twins.
Rosalie, Emmett, Tanya, Connor, Irina and Garrett were in the first group. Bella stood as they left and handed me our sleeping children.
"I'm going to talk to Charlie for a minute," she said to me before turning and walking towards the kitchen. I couldn't help but to follow her. It was like she was a magnet, pulling me along.
She noticed of course but just shook her head and smiled at me.
As she entered the kitchen, the wolves moved to the side, giving her a wide berth. Charlie was on the far side of the kitchen fighting with the coffee maker.
"Did you forget how to use it again, Dad?" she asked him, patiently.
"I've been drinking a lot of instant coffee," he said, by way of an explanation.
She walked across the kitchen and had the coffee maker set up and ready to go in under a minute. She turned toward the fridge and I watched as all the wolves seemed to move away from her, as if they would be burned by her presence. If she noticed, she didn't let on.
She stopped at the fridge and opened the door, looking inside, for God only knows what reason. She smiled slightly and took out three cartons of eggs, two packs of bacon and an onion before opening the freezer and taking out two loaves of bread.
She silently set to work, making breakfast. I watched in fascination as she moved through the kitchen. I had seen her do this as a human, but human memories are supposed to fade. She really shouldn't have been able to do this so well.
I mean even the simple act of cracking an egg should have been near impossible for her. With her newborn strength and lack of control, even holding a delicate egg should have been impossible, let alone controlling it and making it into something. I shook my head, my Bella was surprising me again.
I felt the the others come behind me, watching Bella work. By the time the coffee was brewed, she had a mountain of scrambled eggs, two large piles of toast and a plate full of bacon.
Charlie and the wolves commented on the delectable smell, but by the slight wrinkle in her nose, I knew she found the scent as offensive as I did. She placed all the food on the table and stepped out of the kitchen as Charlie and the boys attacked the food she placed there.
Nobody said anything, not even a simple thank you. But I heard their thoughts and it made me smile.
"Dang, who knew a leech could cook."
"Bells always made the best breakfast!"
"I wouldn't eat it if I didn't know for certain she hadn't spit in it."
"She cooks better than Emily... and faster too."
"If I finish this helping fast, I can get more before the others."
"What are you listening to Mr. Cullen?" she asked me.
"Charlie and the wolves like your cooking abilities, Love," I told her. "I must admit, even though the smell was atrocious, I quite enjoyed watching you do it,"
"It just seemed like the right thing to do. I remember when those foods brought me comfort... although they smelled like dirt now. To each its own I guess," she smiled.
"Dad, we'll be in my room again, feeding the babies," Bella called as we made our way to the stairs.
We walked up, slow human pace and entered her small room. The twins were still asleep, not needing anything yet. I laid them carefully on her small bed, right next to each other, as they preferred.
As soon as I had put them down, my Bella pulled me to her. I had her in my arms in less than a human heartbeat and pressed my lips firmly to hers. We kissed passionately, our lips moving in unison, for a few minutes. Her legs left their place on the ground and she wrapped them around my waist, pulling my body tightly to hers.
We couldn't go any further.
We shouldn't go any further.
I brought my hand to her waist and reached it under her shirt, feeling the soft creamy skin of her stomach and side.
She groaned into my mouth. I started to remove her shirt when they first made a noise. Turning slightly, I saw that both of our children had their eyes wide open and huge grins plastered their little faces. Total mood killer.
"Good morning, My little Angels," Bella cooed, unwrapping her body from mine, and going to their sides.
I followed her, unable to resist the magic of our children. I could wait a little longer to be with Bella... maybe.
She sat on the bed and grabbed the diaper bag. Time to change them again. We quickly tag teamed them again, with me taking Arriel this time. When she was completely fresh and clean, I kissed her little cheek and handed her back to her mother so she could feed the both, and I sat back to watch the show.
It was not the view of her breasts that I enjoyed so much, although they were pretty fantastic, it was the intimate act of nourishing our children. I could truly watch that all day, far better than watching her sleep had ever been, even though that was a very close second.
She concentrated all her attention on setting them up to feed and soon they were both in perfect position and getting down to the business at hand. I watched intently as she stared at them, running her hands over their little heads, brushing the small amounts of hair on their heads away from their eyes.
"Maybe if you start that now, they won't have to deal with this later," I said motioning to my hair, which could never be tamed or controlled.
"I like you hair," she said smiling. "A lot... and just the way it is."
"Yeah, but you're biased," I told her.
I moved from my vantage point across the bed to a spot right next to her, pulling them into my arms.
"I could sit like this forever," I whispered into her ear.
"Me too," she agreed before we were interrupted by a soft tap on the door.
"Come in," I called out.
Alice danced into the room, a second later, and sat gracefully on the end of the bed.
"Hey, Ali," Bella greeted her.
"Bella, we need to make plans to get Charlie to the reserve. He wants to drive alone in the cruiser, but I would feel better if he were accompanied. What do you think?" she asked Bella.
"He shouldn't be alone. Victoria cannot be trusted," Bella said.
"The wolves still don't want us on their land so I was thinking, what if he took the cruiser with one or two of the wolves. We could have Emmett and Jazz run alongside in the woods as a guard, until the treaty line, then the wolves can take over from there," Alice suggested.
"Sounds good, Alice," I said. "Do you see any issues?"
"I see Emmett and Jasper coming back safely, but I can't see Charlie at all, so I have to assume he is safe with the wolves," she said.
"I like it. How do the others feel?" Bella asked.
"Jake and Sam like it. Our family thinks it's adequate and Charlie thinks it's completely unnecessary," she smiled.
"So then, let's do it," Bella said.
"Alright, we'll get planning and get Charlie on the road," Alice said.
"Just wait until we get downstairs. I want to make sure I say goodbye.... just in case," Bella said.
"Bella, everything will be fine," Alice said. I just held her close and snuggled in. I understood her feelings.
Alice went back downstairs and joined the others. Arriel and Jace seemed to be finished their meal, so I took them while she adjusted her clothes. Then she took Jace and burped him while I burped Arriel. After some very non dainty burps from both children, we went downstairs and joined the others.
The hunting group was back and the pack had made their decisions on their course of action. Jake, Sam, Embry, Jared and Quil would phase and patrol their way back to the reserve before Charlie came in his cruiser with Paul, in human form, and escorted by Emmett and Jasper.
Bella seemed content that Charlie would be safe. I was sure he would be.
"As soon as Charlie leaves we will head out to hunt with Carlisle, Esme, Laurent and Irina," I whispered in her ear.
Rose, of course, had heard what I'd said and was front and center to take the twins from us. Bella and I leaned in and kissed their little heads and handed them to Rosalie. As soon as they were in her arms, they linked hands and smiled at us. I grabbed Bella and let the feelings wash over me. I had a family, a true family.
I loved Bella and my children with everything I had.
I didn't know love like that existed.
"Let's get my dad in the car and go hunt," Bella said, turning in my arms.
The wolves had left about five minutes earlier, clearing a path to LaPush, making sure Charlie was safe.
We walked Charlie to the cruiser and he wrapped his arms around Bella, completely unconcerned with her changes.
"I love you, Bells. Be safe!" he said to her.
"I will, Daddy. I love you too. You stay safe, too," she said to him, tears in her eyes.
He let her go and climbed into the cruiser with Paul in the front passenger seat. As he backed out, Jasper and Emmett took to the forest, guarding the cruiser's passage.
"Ready to go, Love?" I asked her.
"Yup! Can we get something bigger? I'm not really in the mood for herbivores right now," she said, causing me to laugh. She looked at me, kind of perturbed.
"Sorry, Love," I said, "I guess it's just the context. Standing in front of your old house and..."
"Talking so calmly about hunting?" she asked.
"Exactly!" I said pulling her up in my arms and spinning her around.
"Then let's head for the mountains," Carlisle said from behind us.
Damn!! Didn't hear him coming.
Esme, Carlisle, Eleazar, and Carmen all joined us as we headed off. I couldn't wait to watch Bella hunt again, and the thoughts of the others mirrored mine exactly. I held her hand as we dashed through the trees and I was surprised at the fact that I didn't really have to slow down for her. I turned to her and watched her smile as she dashed through the trees, no sign of discomfort at the speed we were traveling, no apparent stress about the coming battle. I saw every day of my future looking at her, and every one would be perfect.
ChPOV
I was not used to being the weak link. I had spent my entire adult life as a cop, most of it as Chief of Police, and even if it is simply in Forks Washington, it is a position of power. Suddenly becoming aware of beings more powerful than I was an eye opener.
The fact that my daughter was now one of these beings, was both terrifying and empowering.
I was used to having to protect her from everyone, including herself. Apparently her co-ordination had gotten better with her other changes. I was thankful for that.
I glanced around as I drove, watching the same scenery pass, that I had seen many times before. Somehow, today it looked different.
I had never been one for small talk, but as I sat here next to the young man that was supposed to be protecting me, I suddenly felt the urge to talk. The question was, about what?
"So..." I started.
"Yeah," Paul said.
This wasn't going to be easy.
"So you're as strong as the others?" I asked.
"Depends on what others," he said, rather grumpily I might add.
"The Cullens," I said.
"The Cullens are freaks," he said.
"I beg your pardon?" I asked.
"You heard me. I said they are freaks, so is your daughter and her little bastards," he said.
I slammed the brakes on my car, sending us swerving for the side of the road.
"What makes you any better?" I yelled at him.
"They are unnatural! An abomination! They shouldn't even exist! Stupid fuckin' leeches!" he yelled. "They made me what I am! And I will hate them forever for that!"
"Get out of the damn car!" I yelled.
"I am protecting you, Charlie. Not that I want to, but I don't have the choice, thanks to Black and his stupidity," he yelled back.
"If you won't get out then I will!" I said as I wrenched the door open. I looked at the young man still sitting in the car. He was trembling with anger and I just wanted to be away from him.
I climbed out of the car and started walking towards the small community.
I didn't remember the last time I had been so mad.
"Leeches," I muttered to myself. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
I took a few more steps before I heard an ungodly sound behind me. I turned to see my cruiser almost explode and a giant wolf stood where I had last seen the hot headed young man.
I didn't have time to register the shock of that when I felt strong arms grasp me from behind.
The wolf dashed towards me but before he could get near, two white streaks dashed from the bushes and knocked him to the side, with a sickening crunch.
What the hell was going on?
The wolf was on the ground, not five feet from me, with two young teens on top of him. He howled in pain as one of the teens, a small girl, sunk her teeth into the flesh of his shoulder. The howl broke off with a sickening choking sound, from deep in the wolf's chest. His head dropped to the ground and he lay motionless as the two teens disconnected themselves from his huge body. They looked at me then, their red eyes gleaming and approached me slowly, almost as a hunter stalking it's prey.
"NO!" roared the person holding me against their chest. The voice was that of a woman and as soon as it was said, she threw me behind her back, so she was between me and the red eyed teens.
"Get to the clearing now!! My back up plan is in full gear now!" she yelled to the teens.
They ran off in the opposite direction and she turned to face me. She was beautiful. Long red hair surrounded her face which was flawless, with the exception of her bright red eyes. Her lips turned up in a little smile as she looked at me.
"Well Charlie, that was easier than I expected. Sorry to do this, but I need you unconscious for now," she said to me, before bringing her hand across her body to smash into the side of my head.
I felt myself falling towards the ground, and my last thought was of my little girl. I may not live through this, but my little girl had to. My Bella.
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