Freedom of Choice 23
Amelia and Bella were standing in the sparing circle, it had been a long 3 months. It had been a full 7 days before they were allowed to be in the same room, it was amusing that they took so many precautions when introducing them. Amelia couldn't help but laugh at the whole situation. Amelia couldn't help but think back on the first meeting.
*FLASHBACK*
Sitting in the living room Amelia was watching the fire burn, today was the day that she would be able to be in the same room with Bella. Amelia couldn't help but be excited, she missed her friend, looking down the hallway she was anticipating her friend walking out of her room.
She didn't have to wait too long, soon enough; Bella and Garrett's door opened, and out walked a vampire Bella. Her hair was long, down to her waist, she was easily a few inches taller, her slender frame had more curves, her breast was fuller, her lips had a pink hue to them, and obviously red eyes.
The girls studied the other intently. Instinct told them to be careful around a new vampire, but the feeling of friendship brought them to the center of the room within arms reach of the other.
Amelia looked over at her friend, "You look good. How are you adjusting to this new life?" She asked.
Bella smiled at her friend. "Thank you. You look great too. I'm adjusting OK, so far I haven't rampaged, I feel the urge to, but I guess my shield keeps me balanced. What about you? Feeling the urge to maul a village?"
Laughing. "Yeah, the urge is there, but I guess my gift keeps me controlled too. I'm happy that I haven't yet, but I guess it's a matter of time before we snap." Amelia said.
Bella took the time to human pace walk towards the chair, Amelia mirrored her, taking the seat opposite her, they talked for a couple hours, soon enough, Jasper and Garret came in.
Garrett greeted his mate as did Jasper.
Jasper kept his hand on Amelia's shoulder, looking over at Bella, "It's good to see you Bella, becoming a vampire suits you." Taking a moment to feel the emotions of the room, he focused them on his mate, she was calm, happy, and excited. Turning his attention towards Bella, her emotions were calm, excited, and a little hungry.
Garrett mimicked Jasper's stance, putting his hand on his mate, "Snowbird, you looked good. Glad you're finally one of us." Grateful to not feel his mate get upset because he spoke to another female.
Amelia couldn't help but watch the men, they were really nervous about this meeting. Looking over at Bella, "Doesn't it feel like they are trying to introduce two cats for the first time? Do you have any desire to fight me at this time?" she asked.
Snorting at her friend, "No I don't want to fight you. But keep your hands off Garrett, and I'll keep mine off Jasper, then I think that we will be good."
Both girls laughed. But Amelia had to agree, while she knew that Bella is not a threat to her mate, and she could smell Garrett infused with her scent, and she was sure that hers was infused with Jasper, but that didn't mean she was ready for a female to touch him. Even Char, she's been around Jasper, but any contact that was given by her to him, she always asked permission. It helped. But being so young, either one wouldn't always have forethought to ask.
Getting up, Amelia walked over to her friend. "Wanna go for a run? I'm getting hungry." Turning towards her mate. "That would be OK, right?"
Jasper only nodded. Soon enough all four of them were heading out towards the bunker, enjoying the breeze through their hair.
Amelia was thrilled to be able to enjoy this with her friend and mate.
*END FLASHBACK*
Shaking her head, Amelia needed to focus on the art of fighting. Jasper was adamant that while she has a powerful gift he wanted to make sure that if she ever came across someone that maybe able to circumvent her gift that she would be able to handle herself.
Taking an unnecessary breath, she looked over at Bella, who looked determined. Nodding at her opponent they began the first sequence of a take down. It was Bella's turn to practice her moves on the other newborn. After about a minute Bella had her in a death grip.
Amelia tapped Bella's forearm to end the practice. As she felt Bella release her neck, Amelia gave her a high five. "Good job Bella."
Bella couldn't help but smile, she was finally learning skills that could one day help protect her mate and family. "Thanks, you are doing great as well." Stretching her arms over head, she looked around and she could see that the Whitlocks were sharing a look. "What are you guys planning?" she asked. Feeling Amelia come up to her side. Also sharing a look.
Jasper laughed, Bella had always been observant, but her natural shyness as a human always kept quiet, but now as a vampire, Bella did not have the same awkwardness. Looking over at the two women, he couldn't help but appreciate all the hard work that they have put in the last 3 months. "Well, it's time to head to Portland, we need to start testing you around humans, both of you have amazing self control, walking around humans is just another way to test yourselves." He could feel their excitement, but also their apprehension. "It's OK to feel nervous, but don't worry, we are all going to be there with you. So go get dressed and come back. We leave in 15 minutes."
With that both women ran off towards the house to get cleaned up.
Amelia showered and dressed quickly, she put her hair up in braided buns. Walking into the closet, she grabbed her favorite sweater and jeans, pairing it with some booties. Once she was dressed she zipped downstairs just as Bella zipped out of her room. "You ready?" she asked.
Bella looked at her friend, "Oh hell yes." Linking arms they headed out towards the truck where Jasper and Garrett were waiting. Peter and Char were in their mustang.
The drive to Portland took about 1 hour. It was a peaceful drive, Amelia couldn't help but smile, while they could have ran faster to the city, but doing things sometimes at human pace made you feel normal.
Entering the city, Jasper opened the windows just enough to start getting the smells to enter the car. "Take slow, deep breaths, if at any moment that you need the windows up let me know." Looking at his mate, he could feel her excitement, he tapped into Bella's feelings as well, she was happy, and content. Checking the rear view he could see that Peter pulled the car into a garage, he and Char were going to hit a couple antique stores while they drove around letting the girls get accustomed to the smells of multiple humans.
Several hours and many circles later, Jasper gaged that they were doing well with the smells coming through the windows, it was time to get out of the car. As he pulled over he had the girls put on some sunglasses to cover the red eyes.
Amelia held Jasper's hand, taking in the sounds and smells of the city. It took a second for her to focus, but once she felt her gift lock her in place, she knew that she would be able to walk around the city for hours. Looking behind her, she could see Bella centering herself. "You ready, Bella?" she asked.
Smiling back at her friend, "Yup." Taking Garrett's hand, she wanted to head to the nearest bookstore.
Jasper waved his friend on, and took Amelia towards the clothing district. He knew that she wasn't a huge fashion person, but she did like to look at all the high end fashion. "Let's go look around my love." Leading her downtown he took her to a small art museum.
Walking around Amelia couldn't help but notice the renaissance art that was hanging in the bigger hall, it reminded her of that painting that was in Carlisle's office of the Volturi. "Jasper, when are we going to be heading towards Volterra? I'm assuming that is something that has to be done at some point." she stated.
Leading her to a bench, wrapping his arms around her waist. "That was something that we had been discussing, today was a test run, if you guys didn't struggle too much today we were going to make the trip out there within a month. As long as you and Bella were comfortable."
Amelia took a moment to process this. She knew it was important to keep the Volturi on their side as Allies not as their enemies, but she was nervous. Going in front of the kings as a new vampire was intimidating. Upside, she would be able to visit with Esme. "Well, while it makes me nervous to meet the Kings, however, I understand the importance, so if you think we are ready, why wait the month, let's just go and get it over with?" she asked.
Leaning in to kiss her. "That's one of the million things I adore about you, that you trust my judgement." Kissing her lips, he looked down at her, "OK, I'll make the arrangements we will fly out at the end of the week."
Enjoying the rest of the museum, Jasper explained all the work of art that he was familiar with, he was especially knowledgeable about Civil War Era pieces. She could tell that when he spoke of this, it made him feel connected with his human past.
Taking the long way around the city, Amelia heard screaming down an alleyway, her eyes darted down and she could see that there was a young girl that was hit by a big man, she looked unconscious. "Jasper, can I kill that man?" she asked. She knew that they were not out on a hunting expedition, so she figured she'd get confirmation from her coven leader.
"Of course, grab him, take him to that rooftop, drain him, and dispose of the body with your venom in the dumpster." Jasper was floored that she was asking his opinion before reacting. Perhaps archaic, it pleased his inner beast that her natural state was to seek out his approval. He watched in fascination on her first real hunt, her eyes focused, with one last look at her, she darted off.
Amelia grabbed the man by the back of his shirt and jumped onto the roof. As she descended back down onto the roof, she dropped the man on the roof, with a resounding thud. Carefully standing on the edge of the building she watched as the man below her tried to get his bearings, watching him stagger around and try to focus his eyes. Amelia could smell his fear, it was intoxicating. His eyes focused on her, they were dilated, looking around he turned his attention to her, "WHAT THE FUCK? What are you?" his voice was shaking.
Tilting her head, she couldn't help the smile that graced her face. "I am a vampire. You are my dinner." With that, she launched herself at him quickly snapping his neck, as her teeth sank into him the blood poured into her mouth she drank him dry. All too soon she finished, looking over the edge she could see an open dumpster; jumping down with this body she quickly placed him in and set it on fire, making sure that the body was completely destroyed she looked towards Jasper, he stood at the edge of the alleyway, she could feel his pride leaking all over her. "Pride? What are you proud of, my love?" she asked, taking her time to walk over to him.
He watched her approach, his eyes filled with lust, "I'm proud of you for completing your first hunt, it was quick, efficient, and you disposed of the body correctly so it will not attract attention. You've done well my love." With that he tossed her over his shoulder and zipped them towards their home. It only took 15 minutes before they rushed through their front door, and headed straight to the bedroom.
Several hours later, Amelia laid in their bed, her body relaxed, "You know, if this is what I'm going to get every time I hunt, I think I might use the newborn excuse for a while, because that was fantastic."
With her head laying on his chest, Jasper gently stroked her hair, "Well if you're claiming newborn, then we will have to move to a much bigger city. Perhaps we can head towards Boston."
"Boston? Damn, and now I'm a vampire, and I can't enjoy a cold hot dog or a warm beer at Fenway." She remarked.
"I'd say I'm sorry my Dove, but that would be a lie. I'm glad that I don't have to be so gentle."
"Well, besides never getting tired, and your animalistic tendencies, I'd have to agree, I'll do without the hotdogs." Tracing her fingers across his chest, her curiosity peaked. "How come I don't react to your scars the way another vampire would? Is it because you're my mate?"
Taking a moment, "Probably, if we weren't mated or close like you, Char, and Peter, they would scream danger to you. While you aren't a normal newborn, you would exhibit caution." Letting her hand rub the largest scar on his chest. Jasper couldn't help but purr.
Amelia couldn't help but smile, staying in bed for another hour or so, they eventually heard the rest of the family come in. Sharing a look, they both got dressed quickly and headed downstairs. Rounding the corner she could see that Peter had the look on his face. "Pete? What's up?" she asked him. Immediately feeling comforted by Jasper's presence.
Peter looked over at his friend. "Nothing is wrong per say. But I got the feeling we need to head to Volterra. The sooner the better." Taking a moment to look at Bella. "I was hoping to let you finish your newborn year, but my knower is saying we all got to go."
Keeping her head down, Bella chewed on her lip, a very human trait that seemed to carry over. Taking a quick second to calculate her thoughts, she analyzed everything that she felt about the Volturi, the last time she was there and why, and knowing that this time would be different, she had family and friends that would support her. "Let's go, the sooner we go, they know that we honored their request for my and Amelia's human life so at least they won't have any reason to bother us on that front. If there is something that we need to do while we are there, Amelia and I have been training with you all since day one into this life we can hold our own in a straight on fight. So I vote to leave as soon as possible." Turning her head towards her mate. "What do you think, my heart?" she asked.
Putting his arms around his mate, "I'm with you baby. Always." Garrett would walk through fire for her.
A quick kiss on his lips, she turned back towards her family, her eyes landing on Jasper, he was their leader.
Sharing a look with his second in command, he could see that it wasn't something too dangerous yet. The basic instinct to protect his mate wanted to keep her away from any potential danger, however, he knew that if he attempted to keep her too sheltered she'd remove one or more of his fingers. "Peter, make the arrangements, we leave in 3 days. I'll contact the Kings to let them know. Char, I need you to have our secondary arrangements made if we need to make a quick exit. Garrett, you're going to be in charge of reaching out to friends overseas to see if there is anything bubbling up from the depths so we don't get caught with our pants down. Ladies, pack regular clothes, and a few formal dresses, the Volturi are known for their parties, better to be prepared." With that the house was buzzing with activities, everyone getting their assignments done.
Soon enough they would be on the plane heading towards Volterra. It was time the vampire world met the Whitlock Coven.