One day.
That's how long we had until the newborns came. One day.
As we got closer and closer to the day, I got more and more scared. It was close, too close. In less than an hour Tanya would be picking me up so we could set the blood trail for the newborns to follow. Charlie had left more than an hour ago to go fishing with Billy and Harry.
Right now, I was packing a bag for my stay with Tanya in the cabin. I wasn't sure what to pack, just that I needed to dress warm. According to Alice's vision there would be snow. Lucky for me the cabin had a fireplace.
"You should go for the lingerie Alice hid in your drawer," Kate said from behind me.
I turned around and found Kate sitting in my rocking chair. "How did you know about that?" I asked blushing.
"I helped Alice pick it out," she said with a shrug. Of course, I should have known Kate was involved in picking out lingerie.
"Why were either of you picking out lingerie for me?"
"Alice had a vision, or potential vision of what could happen tonight," Kate explained. I blushed.
"Does she really have to check that?" I whined. I did not miss the invasion of privacy.
Kate scooted to the edge of the bed. "She was not looking for that Bella," Kate assured me. "She's been checking your future several times a day to make sure you're okay. She was checking to make sure nothing happened to you tonight and she happened to see it."
"Why this then?" I held up a black, lace set of lingerie that left little to the imagination.
Kate shrugged. "She wants to help." She grabbed my arm and pulled me to the bed beside her. "I know you're nervous Bella. I don't need Jasper's gift to see that. You're overthinking this. Tanya loves you more than anything. She will never pressure you into anything. But you need to talk to her. Voice your concerns."
I leaned on Kate. "Thanks Kate," I said.
I wasn't sure how I felt, or what I wanted to do tonight. I had plenty of time to figure it out. Kate was right. All I had to do was talk to Tanya. I trusted Tanya. I trusted her more than I trusted anyone. I knew she would never do anything to hurt me.
"Are you nervous, about using your blood to attract the newborns?" Kate asked. "Alice said blood used to freak you out."
"Blood hasn't bothered me since they left," I said honestly. My fingers lightly traced the scars on my arms. "I just… I don't want to make anyone uncomfortable."
"Jasper and Laurent are the only ones that would be affected," Kate said. "They will keep away from it but Alice doesn't think it's necessary. Both of them care more about you than they do your blood. That alone will keep their bloodlust under control."
"How are you and the wolves getting along?" I asked curious.
"We get along fine," Kate said with a shrug. "That one wolf, Paul, he seems to really hate us. But the rest of them… they're not so bad. Besides, if they're willing to risk their lives for you, then that's good enough for me."
"You'd let them die?" I questioned. I hoped not. I leaned against Kate.
"No, I will do what I can to make sure they survive," Kate said. "But if it's between you and one of them… you already know who I will pick. It's the same for them. They will choose their mate over one of us every time. It's how it should be. There's nothing more important than our mate, and our family."
"I was thinking about going to the University of Alaska when I graduated," I confessed.
Kate pulled away to look at me. "Is that what you want or what you think Tanya wants?"
I shrugged. "Does it matter?" She stared at me. "I want to go to college. But I don't know where I want to go. Alaska seems like a good choice. Plus, it's close to you guys."
"You hate the cold," Kate pointed out.
"How do you know that?" I asked. I don't remember mentioning that.
"Alice mentioned you hate the cold," Kate answered. "Have you told Tanya about this?"
"No." I still wasn't sure about Alaska and I needed to start filling out the application before I told Tanya. I didn't even know if I would get accepted to the University of Alaska. There was no need to get her hopes up for something that may not come true.
"Do you want my advice?" Kate questioned. I nodded. "Don't tell her unless you're one hundred percent sure that's what you want. Tanya will go anywhere you want. It doesn't have to be Alaska. Don't pick something to make her happy." Kate patted my knee. "Come on, finish packing. Tanya will be here soon."
I quickly finished my packing. I threw the lingerie into the bag though I wasn't sure if I would wear it. While I finished up Kate lounged on my bed, reading Wuthering Heights. "Why do you love this book so much?" she called while I was in the bathroom.
I walked back to my room with a handful of toiletries. "I don't love it anymore," I said. I hadn't read it since Edward left. "It used to be my favorite. I used to read it a lot when I was with Edward. I used to compare myself to Cathy."
Kate frowned. "That doesn't sound healthy."
I shrugged. After this time with Tanya I realized nothing about my time with Edward was healthy, including my thoughts. "I've moved on to better things."
Kate grinned. "Exactly. Now you're a Denali."
Once the toiletries were packed, I sat my bag by the door. I was all ready to go. All I needed was Tanya. Sam would meet us in the clearing and take me to the cabin. Tanya would meet us there.
"Alright, I'm going," Kate said climbing off my bed. "Tanya will be here in a minute. I'm meeting the others to go hunting." She pulled me into her arms. "You'll be fine Bella. Don't stress out too much." She pulled away to study my face. "Seriously Bella, enjoy tonight. Worry about tomorrow, tomorrow." She kissed my cheek and disappeared out my window.
I wasn't alone for long. Within second of Kate leaving, Tanya had shown up. "Hello Miláčik," Tanya greeted. "Are you ready?"
"What does Miláčik mean?" I asked curious. I winced at my poor pronunciation.
"It's Slovak, my native tongue, it means darling," Tanya answered.
"I remember, I remember you saying that when you first met me," I said. I didn't realize what she said at the time.
"I did," Tanya confirmed. She pulled me into her arms and kissed me. "I knew, even then, what you meant to me. I love you Miláčik."
"I love you too," I said. And I meant it. I wasn't sure at first, what I felt. But now I knew. I knew that I loved her.
Tanya kissed me again. "Come on. We need to go." She pulled me into her arms and we disappeared out the window. "You're handling the running much better."
"It's easy with you," I said, laying my head on her shoulder. "I don't feel sick."
We stopped not too far from the clearing. She sat me down and pulled a small pocket knife out. "Are you sure you want to do this?" she asked me. I nodded. She gently pricked my finger. I watched as the blood oozed out from the small cut.
I pulled my hand away and wiped some blood on a leaf. "Is this enough?" I questioned. It didn't seem like it was enough.
"All you need is a drop love," Tanya said.
She held my hand as we walked down the path. Every few feet I was let blood drip onto the leaves or the tree. An hour had passed before we made it to the clearing. "Is that it?" I asked.
Tanya grabbed my bloody hand. "That's it," she confirmed. She pulled a zip lock from her pocket. In the bag was a band aid and alcohol wipes to clean the wound. It seemed Tanya came prepared. She pulled the alcohol wipe out and carefully cleaned the small cut.
"This isn't needed," I told her.
"I know," Tanya said with a small smile. With the wound now clean, Tanya applied the band aid. "I want to."
"It's strange seeing a vampire so unaffected by my blood," I noted.
"I've never been affected by your blood," Tanya started. "Oh, you mean Edward?"
"Not just Edward, all of the Cullens. I got a papercut and they couldn't control themselves. But with you, and your family, I've bled all over and nothing."
"We don't hide from our nature Bella," Tanya said patiently. "That's the difference between us and the Cullens. They try too hard to pretend they're human."
"Sorry I'm late," Sam called jogging over to our side. "I had to talk to the Counsel before coming."
"You're right on time Sam," Tanya told him. Tanya kissed me and stepped away to allow Sam to scoop me up into his arms. "Do you know where to go?" Sam nodded. "Good, I'll be there soon. I have to make a stop first. Take care of her."
"She'll be safe with me," Sam promised. Sam looked at me. "Are you ready?"
"Yes," I said hesitantly. I had never run with one of the wolves before. I was a little worried it would make me nauseous.
"Don't worry Bella. I'm not as fast as Tanya so you shouldn't get sick. I can go slower if that will help," he offered.
"I'm fine," I said though I wasn't entirely sure if that was true. But I really wanted to get this over with as soon as possible.
Running with Sam was not as bad as I expected. He was fast but not as fast as Tanya. He was also not as graceful as Tanya. Still, I didn't get sick and that was what mattered to me. He slowed to a walk once we got closer to the cabin.
"She's not here yet," Sam said sniffing the air. "I'm going to stay with you until she comes, if that's okay."
"That's fine," I said as he sat me down.
The door to the cabin was unlocked. We stepped inside. It was a small cabin. There was no dining room. Just a small kitchen with an island and a living room with a fireplace and a couch. Off to the right was the bathroom. To the left was a bedroom with a king size bed, a night stand with a lamp and a dresser. There were no TVs but that didn't bother me. I wasn't a huge fan of TV.
Sam disappeared while I wandered around the cabin. The cabin itself wasn't new but the furniture and appliances inside were new. It made me wonder how Tanya found this cabin.
I jumped when the door slammed shut. Sam was standing there with a handful of wood. "Sorry Bella," he said. "Thought I would get a fire going for you. It's supposed to be cold tonight."
"Thanks Sam." I did appreciate his thoughtfulness. I figured as soon as we got here, he would leave. But instead he was staying until Tanya came.
Ten minutes later Sam looked proud of himself. It seemed to be a little touch and go for a while. Some of the wood was damp from a previous storm so it took time to get the fire lit. Sam stepped back and admired his handiwork.
A knock at the door startled me. Sam tensed up. He sniffed the air and relaxed. "It's Tanya," he said relived.
I threw the door open and launched myself at her. She attempted to hug me but it was difficult considering she was holding multiple bags.
"Hello Miláčik," Tanya greeted. She looked at Sam and the roaring fire. She dropped the bags just inside the door. "Thank you, Sam. I appreciate everything you have done for us."
Sam nodded. "Seth will be here at first light. Until then you're on your own. If something does happen call and the pack will come."
"Carmen and Eleazar bought everything you will need," Tanya said. I frowned. What was she talking about? "Unfortunately, they don't know much about carpentry. That was more Esme's specialty."
"The tribe is grateful for your help," Sam said. "Paul will know what to do. This will go a long way to help our tribe."
"What's going on?" I asked.
Sam turned to me. "Some of the houses in La Push are starting to fall apart. The tribe is too poor to buy the materials needed to help our people. Tanya overheard a conversation and bought everything we needed."
I was surprised by how thoughtful Tanya was. I knew she had unlimited money and was close to Sam but to pay for their remodeling was far more than I ever expected. I moved closer to her and kissed her.
Sam coughed from his position next to the fireplace. "I'll just go now," he said before sneaking out of the house.
"Not that I'm complaining but what was that for?" Tanya questioned.
"What you're doing for the wolves is amazing," I told her. I was certain the Cullens would never do anything like this. Maybe Alice and Jasper if I had asked them. The others definitely not.
She touched my cheek. "They are risking their lives to protect you," she said softly. "This is the least I can do." She leaned forward and kissed me. "Are you hungry?" My stomach chose that moment to growl. She laughed. "I take that as a yes." She pulled away and grabbed the many bags that were on the floor.
"What's in the bags?" I asked. I recognized my bag but not the others.
"Food," Tanya answered. "You need to eat. So, I got salmon, asparagus and potatoes. Does that sound okay?"
"It sounds great," I said honestly.
"Good, I've been reading recipes but I may need your help," she said.
I grabbed one of the bags from her. "Let's get started."