I do not own Twilight or New Moon. Stephenie Meyers does.
Authors Note: Thank you for all of your wonderful reviews. I will update as fast as I can write them. I'm also open to suggestions…
Family Tree Chapter 3
EPOV
I felt so much better. Not only had our hunt been successful, but Alice had assured me that Bella wasn't interested in Jacob in that way. Even though I already knew that…something tugged at me. I wanted Alice to tell me more…more than I really had a right to know, but I was torn. I didn't want to invade Bella's privacy. Even if she had wanted him at some time…she wanted me now, and forever, as she would have me believe. I contemplated that as I slipped a jazz number on and lay on my leather sofa. I moved my foot to the music, but my mind was focused, as ever, on Bella.
What an amazing creature. She never did or said anything I expected. She kept me on my toes and I loved that about her. I let my thoughts drift into the forbidden zone…
What would it be like if I did change her? What would her abilities entail? I wondered what kind of prey she would hunt. Mountain lion, like me, or perhaps something more subtle…like deer? I didn't think her appearance would change much…her complexion was so like ours already. I knew that she would stay the same height and build…we all did. But she would be strong and swift…and safe.
All of these thoughts were so trivial. I just wish…that I was human. I wouldn't put her in danger. I wouldn't be responsible for damning her eternally. Once the change happened…she could not come back from it. She would have to leave all those who knew her, family included. I'd never get to see her blush again…or hear the musical beating of her heart. She would be cold and hard…and soulless.
I couldn't change her.
Knowing that I always ended at the same conclusion didn't stop the argument inside from happening time and again. As much as I wanted what was best for her…I couldn't imagine living without her. Life was pointless unless she was a part of it. I'd lived for nearly a century and hadn't been truly happy until she came into it. To have her by my side for eternity would be the greatest gift of all…but to have it…I'd have to destroy her humanity.
I thought back to the "discussion" in which Bella had called for a vote to be changed. I'd been out voted. I felt betrayed by my family…because I knew they weren't only thinking about her…they were thinking about me. They wanted me to be happy, and they knew I couldn't be happy without her. It was messy. But…it had already been decided, and I had promised to change her if she'd marry me. I knew that she would hesitate in that area and I had her mother to thank for that. Still, Carlisle had promised that after graduation…he would do it for her. I sighed. I glanced at my watch and saw that Bella would be going to bed soon. I got up, donned a clean shirt, and hopped into my car.
JPOV
"You're kidding! Bella shares our bloodline? That's impossible!" I yelled at my father.
He sighed softly.
"She's only distantly related…very distantly Jacob. Why does it matter? You know that you cannot be around her, not now. There are more important worries at hand. You need to get over Bella. She's a terrific girl but she clearly has made her choice. She chose your mortal enemy over you. Sam would agree with me, I think."
I eyed him ferociously. "I don't care what you think! I've been staying away from her but every time I start to drift too far, it's like she's a magnet, pulling me in. I feel like I have no control! Not over her, not over my own body! I hate this! I hate those bloodsuckers! It's their fault that I am what I am! Their fault that Bella and I can't be together!"
"Jacob, calm down son."
"Everyone keeps telling me to calm down, but you know what? I feel like I could explode! Every damn time I think about my life, knowing that it's over…I could just crush something! I'd love to find that Edward and rip him to shreds. Maybe then I could get some peace!"
I watched my father shake his head sadly. For some reason this infuriated me even more. Great shivers ran down my arms and I bolted from the house, morphing just as I got through the door. I ran through the trees, quick as moonlight, darting between them at breakneck speed. I howled out my frustration and raced toward the cliffs.
Suddenly, I froze. I smelled them. That sickening sweet smell that radiated like poison from their skin. I tensed and sniffed the air. The scent was relatively fresh. I knelt to the ground, sniffing…and I found the trail. If they were on our land, then the treaty was broken.
I felt happy for the first time in months.
BPOV
I waited anxiously by the window and rocked myself slowly forward, and slowly back. The icy wind swirled around me, and I had to pull my hair back from my face. Where was he? I was truly worried. He should have been back from hunting a long time ago. I eyed the dresses now hanging in my closet. They were a mistake. I knew I'd never have occasion to wear one of them.
I sighed.
Whenever Edward left, even for a few minutes…it was like I'd never see him again. There was this anxiety inside me that couldn't be reasoned with. I tried really hard not to panic but inside I was screaming. I knew that I worried too much, but knowing that only caused me to worry some more. There were times when I felt paralyzed with fear. Afraid that Edward would break his promise and leave again, afraid that Victoria would find a way to get to me, afraid that I'd made some terrible choices and that Charlie would never trust me again. I felt like I was on the precipice of something dangerous.
I forced my thoughts in a different direction. I thought about school. I thought about my history project. I knew I couldn't keep what I knew from Edward. Inwardly I groaned. It would not be a pleasant conversation. He would assume the worst, and I would have to convince him that it didn't have any significance. It would be exhausting.
I decided to check my e-mail. I finally got a letter back from my mom.
Bella,
How are you darling? How you holding up? It's been really warm here in Florida, a bit humid for my tastes, but oh well. Things are great with Phil. He's become a real important member of the team. I miss you! I was so happy when I saw that you'd written me back. I have the information on our family tree…it's actually a lot of information, so I've enclosed a couple of attachments. My parents were suckers for all that genealogy stuff, but I never much cared. Hopefully this stuff will help you!
Love,
Mom
P.S. How is your dad doing? How are things with Edward?
I smiled. She always managed to put a smile on my face. The list of attachments seemed endless and I wondered how long it had taken for her to send such a big file. I opened the first one and was beginning to scan through it when I felt two warm arms grab me from behind. I began to scream but a large hand covered my mouth.
"Shhhh Bella, it's ok." I heard Jacob say.
I nearly jumped out of my skin. He lowered his hand and turned me so that I was facing him.
"Jacob! You scared the crap out of me! What are you doing here?" I demanded.
He looked into my eyes intently.
"I followed a trail that I picked up down at La Push. It led here Bella."
"What kind of trail?" I stuttered.
"A bloodsucker left their scent and I followed it. It ended on the tree outside of your window."
"Well…Jake…I often have vampire visitors."
"That isn't what I mean Bella. I mean that this was not one of your bloodsuckers. This was Victoria."
My heart froze and I felt panic seize my throat.
"Bella, are you ok?"
I looked up into his warm, beautiful, and caring eyes and I burst into tears.
He hesitantly let his arms fall around me and I sank into them, sobbing. I knew that she would find me sooner or later…find a way around the pack. It was my fault. I stifled my hysterics, knowing that Charlie was asleep. True terror seized me and I stiffened.
"Is she…is she still here?" I whispered.
"No. I would be on her in two seconds if she was. You know I'd never let anything happen to you." He said softly. I snuggled into his embrace. It felt so good to have him hold me.
I looked up at him gratefully but pulled back a little when I saw the way he was looking at me.
"Jacob…" he placed a finger to my lips.
"Bella…" he said hesitantly. "I…need…something."
"What?" I asked.
"Just once, I need to know…please." He begged.
I didn't understand just then what he was asking.
"Anything Jacob. I'll always be here for you."
"Oh, Bella."
Before I even knew what he was thinking, it was happening. I felt his warm lips capture mine and I was momentarily stunned.
EPOV
I parked a block away, in case Charlie decided to take notice of my car parked on their street. I walked quickly toward the house but stopped as I that disgusting smell stung my nostrils. It hung in the air like toxic waste and I ran forward, terrified. If he had hurt Bella…
I swung up into her tree and landed lithely on her window sill. What I saw caused my eyes to go black instantly. I was going to kill him.
BPOV
"Jacob, no! What were you thinking?" I stammered and pushed him away.
"I don't know, I'm sorry…" he answered pathetically.
"Step away from her dog." I heard a velvet voice demand.
Jacob whipped around and I saw Edward, crouched in the window, his teeth exposed, his eyes, black as midnight. I saw Jacob begin to shiver uncontrollably and I backed away until I hit the wall.
"Not here you idiot, you could hurt her!" Edward hastened.
Jacob looked at me forlornly, all sense of nostalgia gone, and strode forward. Edward jumped to the ground and Jacob followed. I stood frozen and then, realizing what was happening, I forced myself to move forward. I flung open my door and ran down the stairs, skidding as I opened the front door, only to be hit with a blast of icy wind. The night was silent and they were nowhere in sight. I felt bile rise in my throat. I fell to the ground, and was sick.
Hours passed by and I couldn't do anything. I felt so helpless. I tried calling the Cullen's, but no one answered their phones, and I tried calling Billy but again, no answer. I was scared to death for both of them and I felt like my heart was shattering. Even worse…I was terrified that Victoria would find her way to me, especially now that the two boys I loved the most were distracted, hurting one another.
"Bella?" a soft female voice whispered.
I looked up, expecting to see Victoria…but Alice was standing there instead.
"Alice!" I cried out and ran to her. She embraced me warmly.
"How is he, where are they, are you? I'm…such a mess…"
"Shhh…its going to be ok. Relax Bella. Jasper! Get in here!"
Jasper trotted in and upon spotting me, emitted waves of calm. Without wanting to, I felt my heart beat begin to get back to its regular rhythm.
"Bella, we need to go to La Push, right now."
"What? I don't understand, what happened!" I cried.
"Relax, they're both going to be ok…but they both were…hurt."
"No!" my low cry was barely audible. I was drowning in misery. I closed my eyes and all I could see were flashes of light and spatters of blood. I retreated into the darkest corners of my mind. I knew that I was slipping away…
APOV
"Jasper, get the car started, I'm going to carry her out."
I looked at Bella, who had slumped to the floor in misery, her eyes completely vacant. I didn't explain things right…but now, I needed to take her to La Push. I picked her up easily and trotted out to the car. I buckled her into the backseat and Jasper hit the gas.
"Why is it that humans always faint?" Jasper asked.
"She didn't faint, but she feels so guilty right now that she's left us momentarily."
"I seriously don't understand that girl. When will she stop putting herself down? She blames absolutely everything on herself. She walks around with the weight of the world on her shoulders. I'm going to have to talk to both of those idiots and get them to help her. It isn't right Allie."
"I know Jazz, I know. Can this thing go any faster?"
"Let's find out."
JPOV
I groaned in pain. I tried to sit up but was too dizzy.
"Steady there…" I heard Sam say.
"Sam?"
"Yeah Jake, we're here."
"What happened?"
"That's what I'm trying to figure out."
"Why does it smell so bad?"
"You're bleeding."
"That can't be the only thing."
"No…the bloodsucker's here."
My head spun. Bloodsucker? EDWARD!
"Sam!" I tried to holler but felt myself choking on water.
"Here you go…it'll be all right Jake, I won't let anything happen to you. Drink up." Emily said softly.
I gulped greedily. Slowly the light was returning. Everything was so fuzzy though. I felt like I'd hit my head.
Last thing I remembered was his flashing teeth and his fingernails, digging into my stomach…
EPOV
BELLA! Where are you? My darling! My love! Bella…please…please.