Disclaimer: Do not own Twilight or New Moon. They are by Stephenie Meyer.

Author's Note: I have some more twists and turns ahead for you…hope you like them.

Family Tree Chapter 6

BPOV

I was swimming, alone, in a lake. The water was still and dark as ink. I looked up at the stars twinkling coldly in the heavens, and the blood red autumn moon hanging at the edge of the world. A slight breeze ruffled the surface of the water, and I shivered as the cold hit my bare skin. I was treading water as best I could, and I tried to find footing, but realized the water was much too deep.

"Bella?" the wind whispered.

I jerked around in surprise, but didn't see anything. I felt like something was very wrong…that the peace was only an illusion. I decided to swim for shore.

Stroke. Stroke. Stroke.

I propelled myself forward. At long last, I felt my feet make contact with the wet mud beneath the water. I moved forward, and pushed aside the (seaweed?) that lurked at the water's edge. I walked forward and emerged from the blackness completely nude. I looked around me, wondering what I was doing here. I looked down at my skin and gasped as I saw the long red lines on my arms, and the purplish tone of my skin. I held them up to the moonlight and traced the lines drawn deep into the skin, but surprisingly felt no pain. My fingers looked bloated and I pinched one of them. The skin split and greenish pus leaked through.

I screamed. Or at least tried to.

A bucket of water poured from my mouth and the stale taste made me feel sick. I fell to my knees with a sickening crunch. I closed my eyes…and then, I was staring down at myself. I floated over my body and scrutinized it…the colors were all wrong…the colors of dead things. My eyes…what was left of them, were staring up at me and I knew I was dead.

Flashlights broke through the line of trees across the lake and moved slowly forward. I wanted to call out to them, to tell them where to find me…but I couldn't speak. I waited and waited. Finally, a man found my body.

"Over here. Keep Charlie away. I've found her."

I woke up screaming. A white hand clamped over my mouth and I bit it, instinctually.

"Bella! It's ok. It's me." Alice whispered in my ear.

My heart thudded painfully against my ribcage. I was panicking and I didn't know how to calm down. My teeth hurt.

"Ouch." I said breathlessly.

"You really shouldn't go around biting vampires, you know. They might just bite you back." Alice retorted.

"Sorry Alice." I willed myself to stay still, waiting for the terror of the dream to fade.

"What time is it?" I asked.

"About ten o'clock."

I gasped and sat up. I'd overslept! I kicked off the covers, onto a startled Alice and practically ran out of my room to the bathroom. I took care of things as best I could and rushed back, pulling on the same jeans I'd been wearing and a green sweater. Alice watched me with amused eyes.

"What's the fastest way there?" I asked breathlessly.

"I don't think you want to know…" Alice said suggestively.

I knew immediately that she was thinking of running there. I thought of Edward and how his face had been twisted in pain when I'd left.

"Let's do it."

Alice shrugged her shoulders and made to leave through the window. I smiled and pointed at my bedroom door.

"Oh yeah. We could go that way, but where is the fun in that?" Alice poked me as we half walked, half ran down the stairs. I stopped abruptly, realizing I hadn't seen or heard Charlie.

"Oh, he left for fishing hours ago." Alice said breezily.

I wondered vaguely how she was able to read me so well, but the moment passed and we left my house.

EPOV

I stretched my arms over my head and felt only a slight twinge of pain. I looked down at my skin and save for a few notes of discoloration, everything was where it should be. The main thing was Bella's safety. I'd die to keep her safe from harm…especially from someone like Victoria.

I thought back to my last few moments with her…before I'd killed her. I was so full of adrenaline I hadn't noticed what she'd said…

"This isn't over Edward…she will never be safe, and neither will you. I've seen to that."

I hadn't taken the threat seriously at the time…it seemed like a ploy to distract me…but I wasn't paying attention to her mind.

With shocking awareness I bolted upright and cursed as pain surged through my body. Someone was coming, someone that could hurt my family and Bella as well. The details were fuzzy…I could almost see a face…

But I had given in and not sifted through her thoughts well enough before the deed was finished. I screwed up.

So what? I reasoned with myself. I had the ability to keep her safe, and if not me…well, there were a lot of people who cared about her; that dog would even lay his life down for her. I wasn't sure how comfortable I was with this knowledge. A crush was one thing…a sacrifice of one's life, another. I hadn't forgotten what I'd seen, his lips on hers…but Bella didn't want him that way. I could only hope that she would always feel the same about him…and about me.

I thought back to when I'd seen them together. I'd barely had the presence of mind to take it outside. I thanked God for those few seconds of rational thought. She was fragile, a tiny human girl, and could so easily have gotten in the way. I let a wave of anguish wash over me, and allowed myself to imagine it. It wasn't hard to picture…she so often got hurt. But this would be something altogether different.

I knew that I needed to work on my jealousy. I wasn't used to experiencing the strength of it, the sheer power that it commanded. It took over one's body like a poison, spreading through every vein, tainting every thought. It twisted and distorted reality to something unbearable and agonizing. Despite that, I needed better self control. There would always be someone else…someone trying to get into her good graces, to catch her eye. I needed to handle it better. Yet, the root of it was my insecurity, and I didn't know how to contend with that.

"Almost there Edward." Alice's thoughts rang out to me.

I couldn't help the automatic grin that took over my face. The last five hours had been torture…but she was here, and she always took the pain away. She made my life bearable and worth living. I don't know how I lived a century without her.

BPOV

I tried really hard to keep my eyes closed. But my curiosity got the best of me. I instantly regretted the decision to let Alice run me to their home. It took several dizzying minutes before I felt I could stand up. When I finally did, I noticed Esme smiling down at me gently.

"Welcome Bella. Please come in. Edward is in his room."

I gave her a warm smile which she readily returned, and then Alice took my elbow and steered me inside. Instantly I felt at ease. The house was always so inviting and warm. It instantly calmed me, but I didn't want to stand and admire it, as I normally did. I hurried my feet. I was dying to see Edward.

Alice made a great show of knocking on the door as though he wouldn't know we were here and Edward answered in an exasperated tone, "Come on in Alice, Bella."

Alice opened the door for me and I stepped inside. Edward was lying on his couch, his head propped up by a big blue pillow. I felt my heart melt and ache at the same time.

"How are you? Are you hurt? Can I do anything for you? Get you anything? I missed you so much!" I exclaimed.

In response he gave me a crooked smile and held open his arms. I launched myself across the room but had enough sense to not attack him. I knew his side had been badly injured. For once though, I couldn't hold back and I kissed his cheek.

"Mmmm…it's been ages, darling." Edward said softly.

"I know. Are you ok?" I looked up at him, worried.

"I'm fine now that you're here. It seems that someone was a sleepy head this morning."

I blushed and looked away.

"Silly Bella, I was only joking. I'm glad you were able to get some sleep."

"Well...it wasn't all that great." I admitted.

"Why not?"

"I had a really bad dream."

He looked concerned and swept a tendril of my hair away from my forehead.

"Tell me about it." He urged.

I looked down at my hands. The knuckles were white. I'd had bad dreams before, heck, I was the queen of bad dreams…but this was much worse.

"I dreamed that I was in the middle of a lake, at night. I was swimming but I didn't know why. I decided to get out of the water. Once I got out, I looked down and realized I didn't have clothes on. There were these red cuts on my arms and I freaked out. Then I was looking down at myself, and I realized I was dead."

He growled. "Bella, it was just a dream. You're not going to die."

"Yes I will. Someday." I dared to meet his eyes. They looked back at me filled with anguish.

"I won't let anything bad happen to you. You know that, right?" he lifted my chin and stared deeply into my eyes.

Inside, I quivered. I knew that he meant what he said, after all, he'd risked his life just last night, fighting Victoria. But I knew that he couldn't be around me at all times. If only he'd change me! Then I wouldn't have to need saving. But I knew this was not the time to bring it up.

"I know." I admitted reluctantly.

He caught my tone and was about to comment when I felt cold arms encircle me. I jumped but relaxed when I realized it was only Emmett.

"There ya are. We were wondering how long you could keep yourself away. This one's been moping since we got back." He indicated Edward. A genuine smile took over my features as I looked up into Emmett's face. He was really like a big brother to me and before I knew it, he had lifted me into the air like a rag doll.

"She's just a little slip of a thing, isn't she?" Emmett joked.

"I think you'll be a little slip of a thing if you don't put her down." Edward responded coolly.

Emmett hooted. "I'd like to see you try little brother."

"Emmett." Rosalie scolded, and appeared in the doorway.

Emmett put me down and I looked warily at Rosalie.

"Hi Bella. Glad you're ok." Rosalie smiled at me. I smiled back, relieved. She and I had made some big advancements in our relationship, but she was still pretty protective of Emmett. She didn't like it when he got too "friendly". Edward didn't either. But I knew that it was only friendship, nothing more. As Esme had once told me, I was a bit of a novelty around these parts.

I looked down at Edward and he sat up, patting the seat next to him. I sat down gingerly and he entwined his fingers around mine. Alice was sitting against the wall, her legs folded. Rosalie was still in the doorway and Emmett took up all the remaining room.

"It's a bit crowded in here, don't you think?" Edward said loudly.

Emmett pointed a finger at Edward. "Gotcha little bro. Let's clear out people. Give our little man some time with his lady."

Edward glared daggers but everyone cleared out. Instantly, we were alone, and the door was closed.

EPOV

I looked at her, the personification of all that mattered to me. She was like a rose in full bloom, blushing and beautiful. I reached out and put my arm around her, pulling her close and inhaling the seductive smell of her skin.

"I love you, you know."

She looked up at me, her eyes shining. I leaned closer and gently placed my lips on hers. She moaned and then her lips were molten on mine. I felt the familiar tug of anxiety hit me, but I knew I wouldn't hurt her. I forged on and opened my mouth tentatively, sliding my tongue into hers. She went rigid. I began to pull back but she whimpered and pulled me close.

I was drunk on her. Her aroma filled my being and I breathed her breath. Slowly, the desire to take her life waned and a new earthly desire filled me. God, how I wanted her.

She was pliable in my arms and I pulled her under me, leaning over her, kissing her deeply. I was careful to not place too much weight on her, but she pulled me tight against her body. I could barely concentrate, with our bodies so tightly pressed together. I pulled back, to give her a chance to catch her breath. She lay panting beneath me, her skin flushed and her eyes excited.

"Wow." She said breathlessly.

"I know." I answered.

"Edward…are you ok?" she asked.

"Never better sweetheart." I replied smoothly.

Her worry lines melted into the softness of her face. I traced the counters of her cheeks gently and allowed my thumbs to brush over her lovely eyebrows and her delicate eyelids. I traced her jaw and knelt down to kiss her forehead.

"Mmmm. That feels nice."

I took that as a favorable reaction. I kissed lower, the tip of her nose, and then kissed only her bottom lip. It was so full and tempting, raised in an unintentional pout. I pulled myself away with great force and kissed her chin, and then I kissed her neck. It arched underneath my lips and throbbed so beautifully. It was so perfect, so smooth and pale. I licked her neck and she shivered. I felt an animalistic reaction welling up within me, but chose to ignore it. Her back arched and I felt her pelvic bone press into mine. God…how could I stop…

Edward. Calm down. Now is not the time.

I jerked as Alice's thoughts interrupted. I realized that my fangs were bared and I tasted the venom dripping off of them. I pushed myself off of her and stood looking at my music collection, facing away from her. My desire for her body had changed into something else. I was filled with shame. I didn't even realize how close I'd come…I'd let myself be careless.

"Edward?" Bella questioned.

I forced myself to turn toward her and smiled apologetically.

"I'm sorry. I just…need a vampire minute."

Understanding swept her face and she pulled herself upright, smoothing her jeans and sweater.

"I'm sorry." She answered quietly.

"You have nothing to be sorry for." I responded automatically.

Her face looked stricken for a second but it smoothed over quickly.

"It's not your fault Edward. You're only…"

"Human? Hah. Hardly." I was beating myself up in front of her and I knew it was a bad idea, but I couldn't stop.

"Why is it that every time I try to test the waters, I nearly kill you? God Bella. I want you so much it hurts! AND in more than one way. I want you as a man and I also want you as a predator wants its prey. I hate putting you through this. I really do."

She looked down for a few minutes, not speaking. Finally she raised her eyes.

"Edward. I want you as a woman wants a man…and I want you forever."

I sighed. This again.

"No you don't Bella…"

"I do."

"No. I won't allow it."

"Yes. Please Edward. Please understand."

I looked at her and pleaded with my eyes. She looked back at me with equal emotion.

"I can only say no so many times…" I admitted, feeling the crushing blow to my ego as I told her the truth.

A spark of victory edged into her eyes. I wanted to crush it. She was a child, she didn't know any better…

A knock at the door caused me and Bella to jump.

"Can I come in?" Carlisle asked politely.

I realized I wasn't breathing, the intensity in the air was electrifying.

"Come on in." I answered, trying to keep my tone nonchalant.

BPOV

My heart was hammering out of control. I'd never in my life experienced something so…passionate. It left me breathless and aching in an unfamiliar way. My body practically screamed for him…and in doing so, I'd unintentionally been a siren, luring him in, playing off of his weakness as well as his strength. I was his prey and I was calling out to my predator…begging for him to make me his.

"Bella…I need to speak with you, if it's all right with Edward." Carlisle interrupted my thoughts.

I jerked and Edward sighed.

"You may as well tell her Carlisle. I already know."

"Know what?" I asked.

The next two hours were a blur. So much began to make sense. Jacob. Aro. Carlisle. Solera. Volterra. My ancestors. Me.

I was left with too much information to process.

"So," I asked, "your DNA is inside of me?"

Carlisle nodded.

"What does that mean?"

"I'm not sure Bella. I can only assume that you are drawn to our kind because of it. Well, my DNA as well as Aro's. It's the same for your relationship with Jacob. You share DNA. You feel comfortable with the wolves. It's very peculiar, my dear."

If I thought I didn't fit in with humanity, I had just been proven right.

"So, I'm a freak." I concluded out loud.

"You're not a freak Bella." Edward said exasperated.

"No…but you're unique." Carlisle responded.

"Ok, so a unique freak then. How did everything get so complicated?" I fell back on the couch and let my legs kick in annoyance. I looked over at Edward and he looked amused. I looked at Carlisle and he looked wary.

"It's ok. I'm not going to go all mental on you." I said.

Edward laughed and Carlisle and I both looked at him, surprised.

"Sorry, can't help it. Sometimes, I'm reminded of how very human you are." Edward explained.

I blushed. Damn it.

"Well…I'll let you kids work it out. I'm late. I was supposed to be at the hospital an hour ago. Are you feeling ok Edward?"

"Yeah. I'm much better, thanks to you." He responded.

"Ok, well, if you need anything, don't hesitate to call. I'll have my phone on me."

Edward nodded and Carlisle was gone in a whoosh of air.

EPOV

I watched my father leave and felt greatly relieved. Bella knew the truth now. I had to convince her it wasn't a big deal. But she broke the silence first.

"Edward?"

"Yes my love?"

"Are you mad at me?"

I looked at my angel and shook my head no.

"How could I be mad at you?"

"You seemed mad earlier."

I looked at her and realized that I couldn't hold the truth in forever.

"I was mad at myself…always myself. There are times that I feel so helpless. I'm afraid Bella. I'm afraid to hurt you. I love you with all of my heart. All I want to do is make you happy. I want to make you smile, and I want you to always be safe." I paused but decided to continue.

"I want to make you moan like that again." I looked down at my shoes sheepishly. "But most of all, I want us to be together. I never want to lose you, to anything or anyone. Death included."

She had been listening with rapt attention, and at my declaration, her eyes got misty.

"Oh Edward…"

"This doesn't mean that I'm going to change you tonight!" I said exasperated. "It just means that…when the time comes…I will make you mine. Forever."

The look she gave me took all breath from my body. Her eyes were shining with gratitude and joy. Her posture was on edge as though she was about to jump for joy and didn't even know it yet.

It broke my heart.

What had I done?

BPOV

My greatest wish was going to come true. All of the anxiety I'd been holding onto seemed to vanish. He was going to change me. I didn't know when it would happen, and I didn't really care. It was enough to know that he wanted me forever. I could never repay him for this gift, but I'd spend an eternity trying.

"You're everything to me Edward."

He took my hand and we sat quietly for several minutes, each of us contemplating about all that had happened in the last few hours.

"Bella?"

"Yes?"

"How do you feel? About…your history? Your family tree? Are you worried?"

I wrinkled my forehead. I didn't know what to make of any of it. I didn't know what it could possibly mean for me or the future.

"I don't know. I mean…I can kind of understand it. But I don't know what it has to do with me. It's in the past, right?"

He looked at me solemnly and I felt unease gather in my stomach.

"Consider this…Aro let you live. He must know something Bella. Something that Alice knows but we don't. She knows that I get upset every time she mentions changing you, and maybe that's prevented her from telling me what that is. But I think we should know, don't you? Especially if it means your future?"

I opened my mouth to say something and then closed it. I hadn't even thought of the ramifications of being tied to the Volturi. I didn't like it, that much I knew.

"It's ok. I know that a whole lot has been thrown in your lap. But I think we should find out, don't you?" he asked again.

"Yes." I responded when I was able to find my voice again. "We should get Alice."

"I'm here Bella." Alice said as she opened the door. "I can only tell you what I saw, and I hope you know that this can change. It isn't set in stone."

APOV

It was just after Bella's graduation. She was sitting in her cap and gown in our living room. Esme, Rosalie, and I came in and we changed her into soft cotton robes. We led her down to a sound proof room in the basement that we had designed for this. The room held a music player, a bed, an assortment of towels and water, and various monitoring equipment, designed to monitor her life signs. There were also two chairs that would be occupied by two members of our family at all times. She would not be left alone. Bella looked surprised at the setup, but seemed to understand.

Carlisle and Edward came down the stairs and entered the room and Rosalie, Esme, and I left.

"It will be ok Bella. Everything is going to be fine." Carlisle reassured her.

"Go ahead and lie on the bed."

Bella crossed to the bed and laid down upon it. Carlisle checked everything in the room and Edward stood over her, holding her hand, a worried look on his face.

"Now, I'm going to be right here in case anything goes wrong." Carlisle reassured her.

"Nothing is going to go wrong." Edward swore passionately.

"Very well." Carlisle retired to one of the chairs but his eyes were pensive, watching his son.

"I love you Bella. This is your last chance. Are you sure you want to do this?" Edward asked.

"Yes. I love you."

Edward leaned over her and fastened straps to her arms and then to her legs. There was anguish in his eyes.

"Forgive me Lord for what I am about to do."

Edward leaned in and kissed Bella passionately. She responded eagerly and Edward tilted her chin up. She was shaking and his eyes turned from warm amber to midnight black. He kissed her neck and she shivered in response. His fangs hung from his mouth, they were dripping with the incapacitating venom. He pulled her head up, tilting her throat so that it was completely vulnerable. He hesitated and then Bella arched her neck upward so that his fangs pierced her skin. Her body reacted to the pain at the same time that Edward's instinct took over. He sank his fangs deeply into her neck and drank of her blood. His eyes were frenzied and her body began to pale. He pulled away gasping, her blood tainting his lips and fled the room.

Bella's body twitched in discomfort, in pain.

She began to scream…

I forced my thoughts to end there, but Edward looked at me with pain filled eyes. I looked at Bella, thankful that she didn't share the same power that my brother did.

Yet I knew that I had to tell her a little of what I'd shown Aro. She needed to understand. Perhaps she wouldn't be as afraid…

"I had to show Aro what I did, to keep you alive Bella. You see…he needed a reason to keep you around. After you are changed Bella, you will be different. You will be unlike any other vampire this earth has ever seen. Your Quileute blood will keep you from becoming entirely like us…you will not thirst for human blood. Your powers, or at least the little that I saw of them…will be, for lack of another word, amazing. You have many human qualities that will come with you, and these will be your greatest strengths. Eventually you will use these powers to aid the Volturi against an enemy. Aro needs you for that."

I looked down at my hands and wondered if I'd said too much. I tried to quickly block all of my other thoughts but a few hit Edward and I saw him react visibly.

"Alice?" he questioned with panicked eyes.

I nodded toward Bella and he composed himself. I knew that I didn't need to say anything further. I quietly left the room and shut the door with a click. I headed downstairs and out the door. I needed to think clearly. I went looking for Jasper.

BPOV

I couldn't believe it, and yet, it all added up. But at least I knew that I would be changed, someday. If I had to help the Volturi…so what? I'd do anything as long as I got to stay with Edward, forever.

I was also certainly happy about my not wanting human blood. I'd never say anything to anyone, but that part really upset me. Blood was one of the most disgusting substances on the face of the earth. I didn't know why it affected me so much, but I was glad that I wouldn't be taking any human lives for lack of control.

I tried to reason out what Alice had said about my abilities. Things that I have now will be my greatest strengths? I didn't understand that. I was as weak as they come.

"You ok Bella?" Edward asked through clenched teeth.

"I don't know." I answered honestly.

"No matter what…I love you Bella. No matter what."

I looked into the eyes of the vampire that I loved and fell in.

"I love you too Edward, and I always will."