Pre-Wedding Hiccups

Aurora could barely keep her dinner down. Each time she held up a forkful of lasagna to her mouth, the smell made her nauseous. It also didn't help that Carlisle had been pacing the entire house, while Rosalie, Emmett, Jasper, Edward, and Alice paced behind him, talking in low voices. Sometimes they would shoot Aurora an apprehensive glance, and quickly look away. Aurora couldn't make out what they were saying, but one glance at their faces, and she didn't have the stomach to guess. She gave up trying to eat and instead flopped down on the couch in the den, burying her face in a pillow. She felt absolutely mortified when Carlisle, though omitting details, had called and told Alice what had arrived on Aurora's doorstep that afternoon. She groaned, feeling the heat in her cheeks.

"Aurora?" came a gentle voice.

Aurora looked up, seeing Rosalie, a sympathetic smile playing on her lips.

"I think we have a plan," she said. "One that doesn't involve you having to put on a peepshow."

Aurora sat up.

"I'm all ears. Believe me, I'll try anything," Aurora sighed.

Carlisle came to stand beside Rosalie, as the others followed into the den.

"Instead of egging them on and provoking them, we will not give them the satisfaction of letting them know they got to us," Carlisle said slowly. "Aurora, you and I will leave Forks tonight and go to Alaska..."

Aurora hissed, her eyes widening.

"Leave for Alaska? Carlisle, what are you talking about? I have clients, I can't just up and leave!" she cried out. "What about everyone else – chances are whoever this is - know about Edward, Alice, Jasper, Emmett, and Rosalie."

Edward stepped in.

"We shouldn't assume that Aurora," he said. "They may just be targeting you and Carlisle. If you leave, and the photos start coming to us, then it's a safe bet to say they are targeting all of us."

Aurora stared at him.

"And what if this freak follows us to Alaska – then what?" she questioned, turning back to Carlisle.

Carlisle considered her for a moment.

"Then we'll have drawn him out, and we'll have the upper hand. It will also draw attention away from the family. He will have to choose between two places."

Aurora shook her head, trying to comprehend the plan.

"So, we go to Alaska? For how long?" she questioned. "And why Alaska?"

Carlisle opened his mouth to answer when a forceful knock interrupted his train of thought. An uneasy silence settled over everyone. The knocking came again, this time louder and more frantic. By the fourth time, it seemed as if someone wanted to bash the door in. Carlisle, Emmett, and Jasper went to the door. Carlisle grasped the handle and opened it.

"...Hi..." came the voice of Bella Swan.

Carlisle's face changed to one of utter confusion as he stared at the pale teenager. Edward immediately ran to the front door, grabbing Bella and pulling her aside. Aurora walked towards the front door, wrapping her hands around Carlisle. She watched as Edward, in hushed tones, spoke to Bella.

"Bella? What are you doing here?" Aurora asked, interrupting the two.

Bella looked up, slightly startled.

"I...Uh..." Bella began but was cut off by Edward.

"She was just leaving," Edward said forcefully, pulling Bella towards an old truck that stood parked on Aurora's driveway.

Carlisle looked sternly at the young vampire, as the others stared in confusion.

"Edward, what is going on here?" Carlisle asked.

Bella looked at Carlisle, then at Edward, then to Aurora.

"I know who took the pictures," she said in a barely audible whisper.

Aurora felt Carlisle's body tense up. She heard Rosalie snarl and Alice softly gasp. Aurora moved from the front door.

"Bella, why don't you come in before you catch a cold?" she offered.

She could feel Rosalie throwing her an icy glare as she motioned Bella to come inside. The teenager shuffled into the hallway, standing awkwardly as everyone waited for an explanation. Aurora could feel the apprehension in the air. She could tell by the way Rosalie regarded Bella, that she didn't approve of her one bit. Jasper stood off to the side, looking as if someone had stabbed him in the kidney.

"Bella, why don't you and I go inside my office to talk?" Aurora offered.

She could see Carlisle's body go tenser, as he tried to take her hand and pull her back. She gently wriggled away. As Bella nodded, looking down at her feet, Aurora shot everyone a warning glance to back off. She led Bella to the office, offering her a seat on the small loveseat. Bella continued kept rubbing her sweaty palms on the side of her jeans. Aurora smiled softly, realizing how awkward the whole situation was. She also felt sympathy for her. She knew what it felt like to be disapproved of by Rosalie - and it did sting.

"They hate me," Bella blurted out.

Aurora was surprised by the response. She sat on the edge of the desk.

"No, they don't," Aurora comforted her. "They're just concerned. It's hard living a secret all the time – thinking a single move can expose their entire world. It puts people on edge."

Bella nervously pushed her hair behind her ear.

"Yeah, but I would never do something like that - I mean I love Edward," she confessed. "I would never do anything to harm him."

Aurora nodded, she leaned over, putting a hand on Bella's shoulder.

"Bella, I need you to tell me who took the photos," Aurora said gently.

Bella took a deep breath.

"It was Mike Newton," Bella breathed. "He...He's a guy in my class."

"That little fucker..." came a soft, infuriated voice from the door.

Edward stood, his fists clenched, his jaw tense. Aurora moved to stand in front of Edward as she saw Bella's terrified eyes.

"Edward if you don't mind, this is girl talk," Aurora said calmly.

Carlisle appeared behind Edward, grasping his shoulder. She nodded towards Carlisle, as he led Edward away from the office.

"It's okay Bella, tell me, why did Mike Newton take those photos?" she asked, trying to stay calm and focused.

Bella swallowed, shaking her head.

"He... He asked me to prom a while ago, but I said I was going to Jacksonville to see my Mom. And he... He doesn't like Edward... He told me once that Edward stared at me like I was meat," She whimpered.

Aurora nodded.

"Bella," she said softly. "Those photos were taken by someone who has professional photography equipment – not exactly the kind you'd find in a high school yearbook club meeting."

Bella looked up at Aurora, her brown eyes were glassy.

"Mike's uncle – Bruce – I know he hangs out with him a lot. His uncle takes him hunting and sometimes they go bird watching. He said his uncle is big into photography," she sniveled. "He must have gotten the equipment from him."

Aurora's eyes grew wide, realizing it made perfect sense. Bruce would have access to that kind of equipment, and if he taught the boy a few tricks of the trade, it wouldn't be a far stretch to think that he could pull something like this off.

"Bella, why would Mike take photos of me and Carlisle if he likes you?" Aurora asked enquiringly.

Bella wiped her nose on her coat sleeve.

"I think...I think he suspects Edward's family is... different, so he wanted proof to show me... To scare me off," she said breathlessly.

Bella began to cry softly. Aurora moved to hug the girl as she sobbed into her shoulder.

"This isn't your fault Bella," Aurora cooed. "Don't cry."

Aurora gently rocked Bella back and forth before offering her some tea. She walked out of the office and into the kitchen. Carlisle waited intently by the kitchen island. She quietly relayed the information to Carlisle. He ran his hands through his hair, an exasperated look on his face.

"Well, it makes sense. But the note?" Carlisle questioned.

Aurora chewed her lip.

"We were reading Taming of the Shrew in Lit class," Edward spoke up, standing behind Carlisle.

Aurora caressed Carlisle's shoulder as he sighed deeply. Bella had walked out of the office, her eyes red and puffy. Carlisle have Bella a reassuring smile.

"Bella thank you for telling us this," he said serenely.

She nodded, looking hopefully towards Edward. Edward regarded her nonchalantly.

"He told me where he keeps the SD card," Bella said softly.

Edward grunted.

"How do we know he hasn't made backup copies or sent the photos somewhere?" Edward questioned coldly.

Bella looked down at her feet. Aurora realized that Bella was embarrassed to tell Edward why the photos were taken in the first place.

"Edward, I don't think he meant to expose anyone. I think he wanted to only scare Bella," she said gently.

Carlisle slipped his hand around Aurora's waist.

"We have to get the SD card and any other copies he may have Bella," he said.

Bella nodded miserably.

"I know he keeps the camera equipment in his basement, along with his laptop," she said.

Carlisle slowly walked towards Edward. He placed his hand on his shoulder. A knowing look passed between them. Edward turned to leave.

"Edward I'm sorry... I didn't realize..." Bella called after him.

Edward didn't turn back. Aurora felt terrible, seeing the girl cower.

"Bella why won't you and I have some tea in the den?" Aurora asked.

Bella looked up, biting her lip, looking to Edward's re-treating figure. Aurora walked over to Bella, taking her hand and squeezing it.

"It's going to be all right," she said. "Don't worry."

Bella looked confusedly at Aurora.

"Where... Where is he going?" she asked, panic rising in her voice.

Carlisle turned back, walking into the kitchen, putting the kettle on the gas stove.

"To dispose of the evidence," he said in a tired voice.

Aurora handed Bella a cup of steaming hot Chai tea, as the girl sat curled up on the couch in the den. She thanked Aurora, blowing on the steam rising from the mug.

"How do you do it?" Bella asked suddenly.

Aurora had been pulled out of her reverie.

"Do what?" she asked.

"This – just being so natural... so at ease with all this?" Bella asked, sweeping her hand upwards.

Aurora sighed softly.

"I guess the idea of being with a vampire or being around vampires doesn't shock me," Aurora said. "They aren't that much different from you or I really. They have hopes, dreams, fears, passions, aversions."

Bella arched an eyebrow looking into her tea.

"That's why Carlisle loves you so much. That's why they all love you so much," Bella said pensively. "It's like you're one of them, but you're still human."

Aurora laughed.

"Well maybe we all have a little vampire each of us," Aurora contemplated.

The two sat there for a few hours. Aurora got to know Bella a bit better and decided, like any high schooler she was coming into her own, still awkward, still unsure of herself, and still trying to maneuver this strange world, just as Aurora was. It was well after midnight when Edward came stomping back into Aurora's bungalow. In a large black camera bag, he carried the camera itself, the single SD card, and a laptop. Emmett made great fanfare of breaking the laptop into two, then four, then six, then eight pieces, sending debris flying everywhere in Aurora's kitchen. Aurora tugged at Carlisle's shirt, watching Emmett and Edward make bets as to how many times he could pulverize the laptop.

"Carlisle, what if this boy tells someone?" Aurora whispered.

Carlisle cocked his head to the side.

"Without any evidence, he'll sound deranged. Besides, he would be the one admitting to a crime if he would decide to tell people," Carlisle replied. "I doubt he would want to jeopardize his future by admitting to engaging in criminal activity. And if all else fails, Jasper can always try his powers on Mr. Newton, perhaps make him see the error of his ways."

Aurora realized Carlisle was right. Taking photos of someone without their express knowledge, especially the kinds of photos the boy had taken, could amount to a charge of stalking and intimidation. And of course, with Jasper's ability to alter moods, he could very well be the helping hand to make the high school lad atone – or at least feel crushing guilt. Carlisle cleared his throat.

"All right everyone, the crisis has been averted. I suggest we all get some rest. Edward, why don't you drive Bella home?" he said. "And as for the rest of us- Jasper and Emmett, you and Edward and I are being fitted for our suits tomorrow."

Carlisle turned to Aurora.

"And you – the future Mrs. Cullen – you have your dress fitting as well," he said.

Aurora stared at Carlisle.

"Dress fitting?" she probed.

Rosalie began to laugh along with Alice.

"Your wedding dress silly – have you forgotten already? It's coming tomorrow!" Alice chided her.