One again I cannot thank you all enough for buying a ticket and going on this ride with me. I'm sorry that I've been unable to reply to all of your reviews this week. I've got a lot going on right now and just finding the time to write and update is becoming a challenge. Please know that I read every single review and that it means to world to me that you take the time to write them.

I also want to thank my awesome team for keeping me on task; SazzleDazzled, Mullet86, Edwardsfirstkiss and 2brown-eyes, I truly appreciate everything you do for me. Thank you.

Disclaimer: SM owns Twilight and I own an iPhone with nearly 900 pictures on it. Of which, 600 pics are of Rob. That's normal. Right?


The Devil's Plan

Chapter 6

Daddy's Home

"Holy Scooby Snacks! Edward, I didn't know you had a pet dinosaur." Bella curiously turned towards the loud thumping sound coming from the hallway.

"Um, yeah. That would be my brother Emmett." Edward offhandedly pointed towards the stairs. "He's as big as a T-Rex but his attitude is worse. At least when it comes to me." He added quietly.

Bella noticed the change in Edward's expression as he spoke about his brother. The carefree smile that had been present on his face was replaced with one of sadness. She wanted to ask him what was wrong but hesitated, not sure if that would be overstepping the tenuous friendship they'd established in the last two hours.

Not wanting to delve into why his brother hated him, or that fact that he deserved said hate, Edward quickly shook off the apprehension he felt at having his brother nearby.

"You should see the size of his shoes. I'm pretty sure mom has to order them from a clown college." Edward smiled widely as Bella let out a full belly laugh

They'd just saved their work to Edward's MacBook, when Esme walked in with a tray full of table settings. "Would you two set the table for me?" She asked, setting the tray down on the table. They both happily agreed and quickly cleared their work from the table.

"Edward, do you have another sibling?" Bella asked, as she counted out six plates.

"No. Just the one. Why?"

"Your mom must have miscounted the plates. There are six. Shouldn't there only be five?"

"Um, usually there are only three. My dad rarely eats with us." His face scrunched up in thought. "I'll see what's going on." He took the plate and walked into the kitchen.

"Mom, there's an extra plate." He smiled widely as the smell of beef stroganoff wafted through the air.

"What?" Esme asked, absently turning from the oven to put the homemade yeast rolls on the counter.

"There's an extra plate."

"No, that's correct. Emmett has a friend over and your dad will be joining us." Scowling, Edward let out a deep breath. Instantly he became worried about this new information. It was bad enough that Bella would be subjected to Emmett's hatred, but if his father joined them, Bella would also have to witness the loathing for his youngest son. Not to mention that whoever Emmett had invited was sure to not be a fan of his.

Sensing her son's apprehension, Esme sought to alleviate his fears. Reaching up, she wiped the hair from his forehead. "Baby, it will be fine. You'll see."

~~TDP~~

With the table set and the food still warm, Carlisle Cullen quietly slipped into his newly acquired house through the garage door. He set his briefcase on the kitchen counter before walking over to the freezer and pulling out a well chilled bottle of Grey Goose. Retrieving one of Esme's prized Steuben glasses from the cabinet, he poured himself a healthy shot of the clear liquid and took a big drink. The cool liquid ran down his throat, coating his insides with its warming courage. As he mulled over his day as head of surgery at Forks General, Carlisle stared out of the window into a yard that was all but foreign to him. It would be several months before the roses Esme planted would bloom, yet he could already see her touch. Potted plants filled with fall blooms lined the deck where comfortable furniture, that to his knowledge had never been used, sat waiting for the expected happy family barbecues.

Happy Family. Carlisle snorted to himself at the thought. He wasn't sure what a happy family was anymore. Six months ago he'd been on his way to becoming the Chief of Staff at Seattle Memorial, a job he'd been working towards for fifteen years. When he thought of all of the butts he'd kissed, the extra shifts he'd worked to gain favor with the hospital big-wigs, not to mention the soul-stealing cocktail parties he'd had to attend, shaking hands and laughing at the lame jokes of donors, his blood pressure rose to dangerous levels. He'd done all of that and more for what? A job at a lessor hospital in a town that didn't even have a damn Starbucks? And all because his youngest son allowed himself to be used by a manipulative bitch.

A surprising tinkling of laughter filtered into the kitchen. How odd he thought. Laughter had been absent from his family for so long he'd almost forgotten what it sounded like. Sighing heavily, Carlisle raised the glass and drained the rest of the vodka, steeling himself to face the family that he'd been ignoring for the better part of three months. He refilled his glass, put the bottle back into the freezer and walked through the door to join his family.

"Bella, would you like a roll? Oh, there you are." Esme exclaimed, upon seeing her husband of twenty-three years walk through the kitchen door. Carlisle leaned down and lightly kissed his smiling wife on the cheek. "It's nice to have you home." She whispered honestly. He returned her smile and looked around the table at the four faces staring back at him.

"I heard laughing. I hope I wasn't the butt of the joke," he said half-jokingly, noticing the smiling faces of his wife and sons along with two girls.

"No. We were just reminiscing about the time when we all blamed Emmett for smelling so bad at that Fourth of July picnic when it had really been the dog." Esme explained.

"That little bugger had been following me around with poop stuck to her butt the whole time and everyone blamed me!" Emmett reminded them before falling into laughter.

"Mom even made you change your underwear." Edward added, chuckling loudly.

"Twice!" The whole table erupted with laughter.

"Casey-Jo was quite a dog." Carlisle remarked, walking to take his seat at the head of the table.

"I really miss her." Emmett's comment was laced with sadness.

"We all do." Edward added, quietly.

Esme's mother instincts kicked into high gear at the sadness radiating from her children. "Maybe we can get another dog? The yard is fenced and there's plenty of room for a dog to run."

Instantly the smile was back on her boy's faces. "Really?" Emmett inquired, his eyes dancing with the thought of getting a pet.

"I don't see why not." Carlisle conceded. "As long as you both take responsibility for all of the training, feeding, walking and-"

"We will, Dad! Right Edward?" Emmett looked to his brother for affirmation. Edward nodded eagerly at his brother's question.

"Your mother and I will discuss it." Carlisle promised as the smiling faces of his family beamed excitedly at him and each other. It's almost like the old days, he thought to himself as he dug into his dinner.

The good times continued as the boys debated over what kind of dog they'd like to have. Esme could barely contain her happiness at watching her boys have a conversation that didn't involve hateful words and veiled threats. Bella chimed in every now and again with a pro or con about a breed. Rosalie was the only diner that seemed to not share their enthusiasm or good mood.

Carlisle was halfway through his meal before remembering that he hadn't spoken to the two girls at his table. "Forgive my manners, I see we have guests."

"This beautiful lady is my girlfriend, Rose Hale. She's new to Forks, has a twin brother and a killer bod." Emmett beamed at the girl sitting beside him.

"It's nice to meet you Rose." Carlisle nodded at the pretty girl his oldest son had obviously fallen for.

"Edward, please introduce your guest." Esme prompted.

"Um, this is Bella." Edward said quickly before resuming his noodle pushing. Bella lowered her head slightly at the less than stellar introduction than the one Rosalie had received.

It's nice to meet you Bella. Are you new to Forks too?"

"No, sir. I've lived here all of my life." Carlisle resisted the urge to apologize for her misfortune.

"I assume you also attend Forks High?" Carlisle asked.

"Yes. I'm in Edward's biology class."

"Bella and Edward were working on homework this afternoon." Esme offered, while pouring herself another glass of wine.

"Ah, good, good." Carlisle remarked absently. The diners resumed their meal in happy silence.

All except the quiet blond. This happy family dinner was not going according to her plans.

"So, Em, did you and the coach get anything worked out?" Rosalie asked, barely hiding a satisfied smirk when Emmett's previous smile disappeared and was replaced with a scowl.

"No." He answered angrily.

"Emmett, what's going on?" Carlisle questioned, dismayed at his son's abrupt change in temper. Both of his parent's attention turned to their oldest son.

"It's nothing." He ground out through clenched teeth. Emmett's return to the gridiron was not going according to his plan. Every day he was in Forks his chances of being recognized as a standout by college coaches decreased exponentially. He shot an angry glare to the person he blamed for his predicament and took great delight when Edward shrank under his stare.

"Son, tell us what's wrong." Esme urged, hating to see her son so upset.

"Coach Clapp won't let me start next Friday." He spat.

"What? Doesn't he know you were All State for the last three years?" Carlisle's disbelief was clearly evident in his voice and facial expression.

"He knows." Emmett confirmed.

"Then why won't he let you play?"

Emmett glanced at his brother before answering his mother. "He said that just 'because I was a hot-shot in Seattle', doesn't mean I can come in here and take over the position from the guys who have been working for it already."

Carlisle's patience was at its end. He hated that he had to uproot his entire family, causing them all to lose so much they'd worked for. It infuriated him that Emmett was being penalized for being exceptional

"Is he an idiot?" Carlisle exploded. "You're the top rated tight end in the entire state. Doesn't that moron want to win? At the end of your junior season you already had three Division I universities looking at you? What the hell is wrong with him?"

"I don't know!" Emmett countered loudly, his face was red and his breathing had become rapid and shallow. "This was supposed to be my year! I was supposed to be able to write my ticket after this season! What scout is going to come to this God forsaken place to watch me ride the damn bench?" Emmett's voice rose with every word, culminating in a loud bang when his fist hit the thick tabletop, causing everyone but Rosalie to jump a little in their seats.

"Carlisle! Emmett! We have company!" Esme admonished, trying to keep a smile on her face as she looked on. "Calm down. It will all work out."

"Calm down? It will all work out? Do you even hear yourself anymore?" Carlisle asked his embarrassed wife. "We picked up and moved our entire lives in the hopes 'it would all work out.' And you know what? I have a job I hate, your son is about to lose his dream of playing college ball and don't you pretend for one minute you're happy puttering around this damn house like a goddamn Stepford wife! So far the ONLY person this has worked out for is the person who is the reason we're here!" Carlisle's eyes were practically emanating fire as he turned to look at his youngest son. Edward gasped and sunk farther into his chair.

"Carlisle, please!" Esme pleaded.

Carlisle's harshness startled Bella. She quickly looked up to gauge the rest of the table's reaction, her own eyes wide with surprise. Emmett's demeanor mirrored his father's. They were both staring daggers at Edward. Esme was hiding her face behind a napkin, obviously crying while Rosalie continued eating, looking mildly amused by the whole thing. When Bella turned towards Edward she saw an image that tore at her heart. His head was down with his shoulders hunched in defeat. His whole demeanor had changed when his father joined them. Bella had initially put it down to a normal reaction to authority. Kind of like the way someone would react when being pulled over by a police officer. Regardless of whether or not a law had been broken, you always seemed to become quiet as you could while you awaited their judgment. Edward definitely fit that description.

"I'll be in my office!" Carlisle stated loudly, throwing his napkin down and rushing from the room as if he couldn't stand being in his family's presence for even a second longer. Esme's red rimmed eyes followed her husband's retreat.

Esme took a deep breath, letting it out slowly, trying to regain her composure. "Boys, I think it's time for your guests to leave. It was lovely meeting you both." Her words included Rosalie but her smile was for Bella only.

"C'mon Rose." Emmett ignored his mother's order, pushing back from the table roughly, grabbing the smiling girl by the hand and rushing from the room in the same direction his father had taken.

Esme silently watched their departure. Clearly wanting to say something but knowing that it would go unheeded. Resigned to the fact that her nice family dinner was over, Esme stood up from the table, picking up her plate and wine glass.

"I think I'll get started on the dishes," she said with a forced smile, turning towards the kitchen, stopping just as she got to the door. With her back to the room, the kids couldn't see the tears of frustration and sadness dripping down her cheeks. "Bella, I hope you don't judge us too harshly, we've had a rough couple of months." Her voice wavered slightly as she pushed open the door and left the room.

Bella was left stunned and confused as to what had just happened. It appeared as if the whole Cullen family was incredibly unhappy and they blamed Edward for whatever it was that seemingly ruined their lives. All except for Esme. That poor woman looked as if she were barely holding on as she tried to keep peace between the men in her life. Bella turned to the lone Cullen left at the table. Edward's shoulders were shaking slightly with each breath. Without thinking, Bella laid a comforting hand on his shoulder, preparing to ask if he was alright, when he abruptly stood up, effectively knocking her hand away.

"I'll walk you out," he said quietly, moving to the hallway.

Sighing, Bella stood up front the table, following Edward out of the Cullen's dining room.

He helped her get her back pack on before moving to open the front door. Never speaking a word as he moved.

Desperate to help Edward in any way she could but not having a clue as to how, she threw him a life line. "So, I guess I'll write up the rest of our project over the weekend and email it to you?" Originally, Bella had hoped that she and Edward would've worked far into the night or at least need to meet once more over the weekend, but now she was willing to do all of their work if it meant she could leave the Cullen household. Edward nodded his agreement and quietly relayed his email address before moving so she could leave. His body language tore at her heart. He looked, in a word, devastated.

Bella's heart broke wide open for this boy.

"Edward, if you think of anything you want to add to the report, or if you just want to hang-out or just talk… Um, call me, okay?" Edward's eyes lifted briefly to Bella's before dropping back to the floor. Heaving a heavy sigh of frustration, Bella walked past the boy she didn't know how to help, and down the porch stairs towards her car.

Bella had just opened the driver's door when a tentative voice called out to her.

"Bella, thank you." Bella looked up when he spoke and the sight that met her tore at what was left of her heart. The front of the Cullen home had four large windows that faced out towards the drive. Every window had bright light shining through into the darkness except for the double doorway where Edward stood. It appeared as if the gloom was swallowing him. Bella gasped as she watched him close the door and disappear further into the darkness.

With shaking hands, and tear stained cheeks, Bella made the trek back through the winding road that would lead her back to civilization, but she couldn't stop thinking about what she'd observed today. Something terrible had happened to cause the Cullen family to leave Seattle and settle in Forks. And whatever that something was, it seemed that the family blamed Edward for it. But what could a seventeen-year-old boy have done to cause such an upheaval causing his brother and father to hold so much contempt for him? Bella pondered the facts as she drove home. It was apparent that Edward hadn't always been the quiet and gloomy boy he presented at Fork's High School. The family portrait and Esme's comments confirmed that something had happened, changing Edward's personality. But what? And how did it affect the whole family? Carlisle had said that whatever had happened was the catalyst for the family's move to Forks.

There were two things that Bella knew for certain about Edward Cullen: first, he needed a friend and she was going to do everything in her power to be a friend to him and second, there was a dark cloud hanging over the Cullen family that she feared if not dispelled soon, would damage the family forever.

~~TDP~~

Forcing down the bile that always threatened to erupt whenever they contacted their master, Jasper made the preparations for the impending call. He was awaiting Astarte's return before uttering the last part of the incantation that would open a line between the two worlds.

As he was lighting the candle, the door to opened, ushering in a small amount of artificial light into the dark room.

"Well, did you make progress?" He asked with an impatient tone, earning him a sarcastically raised eyebrow from Rosalie.

"Yes, I have succeeded where you failed." She mocked, flopping down onto the bed with a flourish. "He was fully reminded of where he stands within his family. All thoughts of him not being alone in this world have been dealt a deadly blow." She remarked casually while examining her perfectly manicured nails. Jasper frowned at her actions. He found it annoying that she'd taken on such human traits as getting her nails done and worrying incessantly over what clothes to wear, as well as boasting at being able to further their mission when he had failed.

"You know, you've become quite attuned to the mundane life of a teen age girl. One would almost think that you're enjoying this punishment." Rosalie glared at him with narrowed eyes.

"And why wouldn't I? Look at me." She smirked, rubbing her hands seductively down the curves of her human form, stopping briefly to suggestively cup her ample breasts. "I'm once again worshiped for the goddess I am. These human males fall to their knees at my bidding. And the females are filled with jealousy and fearfulness. I'm at the top of the hierarchy these mortals call high school. Everything is as it should be." Jasper snorted at her arrogance.

"And yet you cower like a dog whenever you hear our Master's voice?" Fire appeared in her eyes at his allegation.

She shot up from the bed to stand nose to nose with her fallen brethren. "Do not anger me. While I am at the top, the little human you seem to be so fond of is at the bottom. And life is so hard at the bottom." His anger flared at her threat.

"You will not harm Alice!" He commanded, knowing that in doing so he'd given away his feelings for the small, black haired human.

Sensing her victory, Rosalie took a step back. "Don't worry, Ba'al. Your little girl is not my concern. I have my hands full with the eldest Cullen son."

"You were able to influence him?" He asked, wanting to return the conversation back to their task and away from his relationship with the Brandon girl.

"Yes, I have him so far under my command he would sacrifice his own mother to appease me. It took very little effort to get him to turn on his brother. His father was just as easily influenced."

"And the vessel?"

"As I said before, he was suitably reminded that he is alone. Oh, and she was there." Fear gripped Jasper's heart. The prophecy hinged on The Swan, her presence was not to be taken lightly.

"What was she doing there? What did you say to her?"

"Be calm." Astarte demanded. "She is doing our work for us. She was there as his friend. She left when Emmett and his father turned on the boy. It's obvious she has feelings for him. It will make the Master's task that much easier."

"I hope you're right. Our souls depend upon this working as planned. Now, let us complete the call and tell him of our good news." Jasper picked up the chalice to begin the summons. Her bravery having fled for the moment, Rosalie quietly joined him and began the ritual.


That dinner didn't go as planned. Poor Esme, all she wanted was a nice family meal.

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ruinedbyrob