Hi and sorry again for the long wait! Life again, plus I've started with an online course that also takes up time away from writing, but again that's life, hehe. Hope you're still with me and the story. Thank you all for the reviews , follows and favs :) I really appreaciate the support.

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Chapter 9: Crisis averted and the kiss

The days seemed to pass in a blur. It was truly fascinating how fast time could pass. Edward wasn't sure how he was supposed to feel, but a part of him felt as if a burden had been lifted from his shoulders. One that he was not aware of that he was carrying. A crisis he had not much clue about had been avoided and their lives were getting back to normal. There had been nomads curious about his family's lifestyle and it had fascinated one of them enough to go to Denali and meet the family residing there. Carlisle had of course given warning and the other two had passed on and split with the other. Travis was visiting more often than he stayed with the Swan's and he knew that Esme was thinking of whether or not to give him a bedroom, though at the same time she did not want to take him away from Charlie. It seemed that Travis was struggling with something of his own. The angel sat often with closed eyes and his eyebrows pulled together. Edward had of course tried to listen in, but as always he was not able to.

Bella usually came over with Travis, and did not know the reason as to why he wanted to spend so much time there. She did not complain though, because it gave her more time with the family and not to forget, Edward. If Charlie thought it suspicious, he never made any notion to it and her new cousin had assured her that he was not suspicious at all. It made her breathe a bit easier. Her father was happy, or as happy as he could be, she assumed. She understood that the lack of another half still grieved him in part. If someone was meant for him it would happen and she would be happy for him.

She walked out of the house and a little between the trees to create some distance between herself and the family. At times it was good to be just by yourself as well. She had learned to accept and enjoy nature in a different way. She had a different view. She wondered though, summer was coming closer and soon their senior year would start. Where would they go after that? What would their life be like? She shook her head with a smile. For now she just worried about life as it was right there and then, not the future. She tried not to think about her relationship. She knew Edward still was a bit old fashioned at heart, even if his emotions ruled him a bit different now than how they had before (or so she had been told). Kissing him was a dream away so far and one that should not be hard to accomplish. She had yearnings too. Needs, so to speak. She wasn't without feeling, and it was at times hard to keep an eye on Edward's many struggles, even if he was adapting more and more to the lifestyle as a human again. Well, as human as he could be with his advantages.

She stopped an let her hand rest against a tree and she tilted her head just a bit. She breathed in and closed her eyes.

"Interesting."

The woman's voice startled her and she took a surprised step back and almost lost her balance.

"So this is what he left us for?" the female angel mused.

She was beautiful. As beautiful as Rosalie, the difference was that she had wings. She had a glow to her skin and kindness and love radiated off of her. Nothing could be wrong in her presence.

"You're Bella of course," she continued. "Now extended family I guess, since Travis – as you know him – has chosen you to be just that." A sadness seemed to cover her if only for a second and then she was surrounded by light and when it faded the sadness had gone.

"Who are you?" Bella then asked slowly.

"A sister of Travis," she answered and then looked over her shoulder to see the Cullen family come out to join them together with her brother. "I was wondering how long it would take you," she said while looking straight at Travis.

"Sister mine," he responded and held a fist over his heart in greeting. Then he embraced her and kissed her forehead, then her cheeks. She smiled and repeated the gesture to him now that they both were on solid ground. "What brings you here?" he then asked.

"I told you I would keep an eye out for you. And as you know the other side do get a bit boring in the long run." She waved a hand in dismay. "Congratulation, the future has shifted. You did it! And partly for the better I would say."

"Partly?" Carlisle then asked and took a step forward. Worry for his family clouding his mind.

"Oh, changing a few events cannot only lead to the better path," she explained.

Travis nodded. "I know, but there should only be a positive outcome for this family," he defended.

"Yes, that's true. Though now you have endangered other lives. Don't worry, our other siblings are working with that though."

"The nomads," Jasper said. Remembering their encounter.

"Yes. One of them split and went to Denali. I don't see him becoming a problem. The mates though, they are a problem. Not now in this instant future, but later. They will draw out the Volturi and when that happens you guys cannot be anywhere near, do you understand? The secret needs to stay secret until Bella and Edward are changed."

"I haven't seen anything concerning the Volturi and us," Alice then said while trying to look ahead. Nothing came except what she already had seen.

"No, it is still too far ahead," Travis explained. "Your visions are based on decisions that have been made when it comes to living creatures. I assume this is further ahead, but closer to Bella and Edward's changing date so to speak. It is nothing worth to worry over, but to keep an eye out so when the decision has been made, we are not in their path or in their way."

Bella felt herself lean against Edward's warmth. She knew that if he could he would take her far away from danger. There was nothing they could do about this except being aware. It would happen in a distant future and they had lives to live.

"Your path brother mine, it remains hidden but clear. The wolves will be a part of your future somehow. It is not set yet unless you make the decision. Your immortality is coming to an end if you choose that road, and if you do not you will join me on the other side of the divine veil and keep meddling as the meddling angel you are." She smiled if a bit sad once more. "No matter your path, I will always keep watch over you." She looked up towards the clouds. "I must go now. Stay safe." She transformed into a ball of light and disappeared in the blink of an eye.

"Thank you, sister," Travis muttered. He felt the heavy silence as if it was all their burden, not his. He had become part of the family somehow. The connection he had made. He understood her more. Why she had come close to lead a mortal life. A life with a possible ending.

"It's good that I know what to keep my visions alert for," Alice then said, breaking the silence.

"You heard her, it won't happen before they make the decision," Rosalie said and stared at Carlisle. Waiting.

"True. And we do have Travis. We all know he is more in tune to the future than any of us," Edward then said.

Carlisle then nodded and let Esme lean against him. "I am grateful for the warning, but I cannot say I appreciate it. It will always stay in the back of one of our minds. One of us will always worry, no matter what we claim to say. We do not want our future to be in danger. And suddenly being on the move, we have been through that before… for other reasons." Everyone knew what he meant. "It is not pleasant and we would not be able to return to that place for a long time. There is only so many places we can live without risking exposure."

"One crisis has been averted, and another one might come. There will always be some risk," Bella said. "You guys aren't human; the risk is always there. It doesn't stop you from living, does it? No, I thought not. Alice and Travis got this if needed. There is no point of us now living in some uncertain fear." She felt as she had steamed off a bit and felt her cheeks heating up. Travis was grinning at her and she really wondered where her tongue had decided to run away with her. Maybe a bit of hidden frustration there. Couldn't blame that either though…

Edward tried not to laugh. Bella did have a temper. Except she didn't show it most of the time. She usually managed to keep it under wraps, and he was sure it gave her some sense of control. He shook his head and rested his chin against the top of her head. They were still out and the weather had changed and drizzling rain had started to soak them. He knew his family would not be bothered by the difference, but he knew himself – and Bella – would soon get chilled. He was unsure about Travis, although he did seem ok.

"I agree with Bella," Rosalie said while Edward was in thought.

"Let's live in the moment," Emmett said with a wide grin.

"Maybe we should go inside?" Travis then suggested, seeing Bella's silent shiver.

"A great idea," Esme said softly and scooped up Bella before she could protest, Carlisle doing the same to Edward, and then they were inside the warm house.

"A warning next time?" Edward grit through his teeth.

"A thank you would suffice," Esme said, her smile still soft, though her eyes showed signs of laughing.

"Thank you," Bella said, catching her breath.

Edward took her hand and they went to sit together on the couch with a blanket covering them. The chill had seeped in quicker than any had considered.

The rest of the family had disappeared to different parts of the house, as well as Travis. It was only the two of them. As private as you could get it in a house full of supernatural beings.

He wasn't sure what made him go for it in the end, but there had been a nagging in the back of his head for a while, and he knew that if he never took the chance, it probably wouldn't happen at all. His teeth weren't sharp the same way his vampiric teeth had been and he did not have to worry about biting her and then changing her by accident – or even worse, draining her. All those thoughts had gone, as if shaken off and then he had felt a moment of clarity. This was his mate, and it was time that he acted as hers in turn.

As she was leaning against him, he had to ease his way apart from her and she turned her head looking at him as if saying 'why are you moving now?' and he smiled, trying not to laugh. He leaned in and then closed his eyes, feeling her breath against his face and he steadied her before his lips met hers. He could not describe the wonderful feeling that went through him as the electricity between them sizzled and a feeling of being whole went through him. Then as their lips moved everything flared to life again and it was as if he could feel everything between them. He was aware of her every move and feelings in that moment. How her body was positioned. How her heart reacted. How her own feelings soared with his. The electricity that had calmed flared up again, demanding more and he pulled away, nearly panting. How could he have forgotten to breathe? He wasn't the only one as she too seemed out of breath.

"Finally!" he could hear Travis say, just loud enough.

Oh, it happened then? Rosalie thought.

Crap, I need to pay Jasper, Emmett thought.

Edward hurried to close off, not knowing he had opened himself again, lost in the moment. Future notice, he thought. Make sure the house is empty, or at least we're alone.

Bella saw him pull more back, retreating back. After a kiss like that she was not going to let him. She leaned forward again, taking him a bit by surprise. Her left hand rested on his shoulder and her right on his cheek. She leaned in again and kissed him. At first he seemed too out of it and surprised to react, but then he softened against her. Their lips moved and then she slowly pulled away before he could.

She did not need to say anything for it was clear in her eyes and he saw that. He would not be foolish and risk her wrath. For he could also see her challenge. Alright, he thought. Challenge accepted.

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