Carmen Denali hummed as she put the cinnamon rolls in the oven. These were Isabella favorites, and it was her secret recipe, she was the only one that could make them. It was Monday morning and the Cullen coven plus her own should be walking through the door any minute. The women of both covens had agreed to meet at the Cullen's so that they could discuss wedding plans. It had been no surprise when Garret asked Kate to marry him. Now she only hoped that all her sisters would get married. However, there was a flaw in her dream. Irina.

Carmen's face scrunched up as she thought about the latter.

Irina once had a mate of her own but… Carmen sighed. She couldn't even finish the thought.

AS soon as Laurent joined their coven, Irina had been head over heels. And Laurent had been just as attached…but it seems his love for his former coven outweighed his love for Irina. He was quick to leave her and make his own plans.

So, when Carlisle showed up with Laurent's head in a bag, Irina had refused to believe her lover had caused such turmoil, however, everyone else did. While they all had cared for Laurent, they could see how the animal diet was a struggle for him and creating a newborn army didn't seem so farfetched. Feeling betrayed Irina had left the coven for a while and she had a grudge against their cousins. Even now she was still sour, but she had returned home. She couldn't stay away forever. She just hoped Irina's bitterness didn't ruin the happy atmosphere of wedding planning. The Day Carlisle had showed up had created a small rift between them. It wasn't that they didn't believe him but… seeing Irina in so much pain caused Tanya and Kate pain. It had been bad enough that they refused to fight in the war Laurent started. So, when Alice called cheerfully saying she would love to help Kate's wedding, it was an olive branch to help restore there relationship. Of course, Eleazar and Carmen had restored those bonds as soon as the Cullen family moved to Canada. Without the sisters knowing, they had come down and helped there cousins move in. not only that, but they had also wanted to meet Isabella. Eleazar had become fascinated with the human girl that Carlisle boasted about. And Isabella was everything their friend had said she was. The girl had been quiet at first but as soon as Carmen got her alone, the girl had opened. Carmen soon found she had extraordinarily strong maternal instincts toward the human. They grew even stronger when she aw the bite marks on the girls arms, she had been so angry she stormed up to Carlisle still unpacked office demanding answers.

Flashback:

"Carlisle! What in heavens name is going on! Why is that girl covered in bite marks! What have you done to her! Is this some sick experiment the volturi put you up too!" she hissed.

Carlisle who was in conversation with her husband became surprisingly cold. She had never seen him look that…. that…dangerous and it frightened her. Sensing the danger in the air Eleazar crouched in front of her, ready to strike.

"what is going on Carlisle! what have you done!" Eleazar accused.

To both her and Eleazar surprise Carlisle got into a defensive crouch as well. He quickly mumbled something they couldn't hear and before they knew it their good friend had Eleazar pinned to the wall his eyes black as night.

"I suggest you talk to your mate! The fact that both of you would accuse me of such disgusting atrocities! THE FACT THAT YOU WOULD ACCUSE ME OF HURTING MY FAMILY! MY DUAGHTERT!" he roared.

Carmen trembled as she watched cracks form on her husbands face. She never knew their old friend had such strength. Out of all of them he seemed the tamest. The least to act on his instincts.

As soon as her mate exposed his neck, Carlisle let him go and went to sit back in his chair, his eyes still black and hair disheveled.

"…do not make assumptions without the full story. I would have simply answered your questions. But the fact that you accuse me, accuse my family of torturing humans, of torturing my daughter… and as much as you don't like them, the volturi have been nothing but helpful..." he said as he addressed her.

There was an odd feeling of calm in the air, as all three of them suddenly relaxed.

"Thank you, jasper..." Carlisle whispered.

There was a brief silence before he gestured both to sit.

"please sit, we have been friends far too long for such things to get in the way… let me explain..."

End flashback

Carmen shook her head at her mistake. She and her mate had jumped to conclusions without much information. After Carlisle explained everything, Carmen maternal instincts grew even stronger toward the poor girl. Losing her parents and two men whom she thought loved her. It was devastating.

She had no clue how the girl was still standing. Thinking of the latter, it was now around ten thirty.

"doesn't she have class?" she wondered out loud.

She would of thought the smell of her famous cinnamon rolls would have-

"CARMEN! Is that you!" Bella's excited voice called.

"it is sweetheart!"

"I knew I smelled your cinnamon rolls! They have a distinct orange scent. I will down in a fee minutes!"

"take your time querido!" carmen replied.

Thirty minutes later, Isabella appeared in the kitchen doorway, wearing a long red robe and a laundry basket at her side.

"my, my, my, that is a lovely robe. What's the occasion? From the looks of it, I would say you had a male guest?"

Bella blushed as she quickly shuffled to the laundry room.

Carmen let out a laugh as the girl ran out of the room.

"don't worry, querido, your secrets safe with me..."

"carmen! Its nothing! It's just a robe!" Bella explained again.

"uh huh, you keep telling yourself that. When is class?" she asked?

Ever since Carlisle bit her, it seemed Bella had gained some vampire abilities. Such as cooler skin and sensitive hearing. So, carmen didn't have to follow the girl around for them to hear each other.

"they canceled class for the next two days. We just write a few comments on a discussion board. Pretty easy work. Im glad. Gives me a few days of more rest. So, what's going on?"

"what do you mean honey? "

"carmen, as much I enjoy surprise visits. I'm not as oblivious as you guys think. Now tell me what's up?"

Carmen wiped her hands as she turned around.

"well, garret asked Kate to marry him. She said yes, of course and we have all agreed to meet here for a few days to plan the wedding. But me being as selfish as I am, I wanted to come spend time with you before we are all whisked away."

Bella smiled but it didn't reach her eyes.

"that's true, but you also wanted to check to see how I was feeling about Tanya and Edward being together, and you wanted to see how I felt towards Irina because she would be showing up here too. Did it get it right?"

Carmen sighed.

"so perceptive as always. Yes. All those points are true…"

Bella shook her head.

"I swear, you all can be just as stubborn as I am. Carmen, I just want Edward happy. A happiness that doesn't include me. I just want to be friends nothing more. And two, if Irina is civil then I will be too. I know she is still grieving Laurent's death and I understand that. But he tried to kill me, and he had my parents killed. That's not someone just gets over within a year and four months. While I have forgiven him, it still hurts. But I will not project that hurt onto other people. I dont blame Irina or you guys for not coming to the battle you all were hurting too. Besides, and please dont tell anyone this, they will just be a tad overprotective and overbearing but…. I've met someone. And im taking it slow. So me taking Edward back and hurting Tanya is a no…"

Carmen squeezed Bella hand.

"I just want to see you happy. You look so different from when we first met."

Bella blushed at Carmen's gaze, but she was right.

Bella was different. Four months ago, she weighed ninety pounds, had dark circles under her eyes and barely spoke. She had been a walking disaster. But now, she weighed a healthy 125, and had glowing skin. She was sleeping a little better but there was always room for improvement.

She went to speak but jumped as booming voices and the sound of a crash interrupted her.

"WHERE IS OUR BEAUTIFUL BABY SISTER!"

Bella jumped from her stool as she walked to the doorway.

"GARRET! EMMETT!"