Let me simply say that I'm sorry for the delay in updating, however you need to know that until I'm completely healthy, I can't promise quicker updates. Hopefully healing will come quickly and everything will get right back on track. Please know that your support really fuels my desire to keep going.

I've been a total fail at responding to your reviews, but I read every single one of them and they make me so happy. Please continue to share your thoughts.

Once again I couldn't get this to you without the help of my pre-reader, Sazzledazzled and beta, Edwardsfirstkiss. I want to thank them for all of their unwavering support and advice.

SM owns Twilight but this Devil is all mine.


The Devil's Plan

Chapter 20

Brewing Storm

"Have you and Emmett been able to get past what happened?" Edward had just finished giving Felix the story behind the Thanksgiving fight.

"I have," Edward said with sincerity. "but I don't think he has."

"Have you two spoken about it?"

"No. I'm gone a lot and when we are home together, we just ignore each other."

"You said you're gone a lot. Did you get a job, or take on a new hobby I'm unaware of?" Felix asked.

"No, um, actually I've been over at Bella's house all of the time." Edward answered.

Felix didn't miss the smile that appeared on his young patient's face. "I take it that relationship is going well?"

Edward nodded as his smile grew wider. "She's amazing."

"It feels good to have a partner that understands and accepts you."

"Yes." Edward agreed. "I just wish that I could do more to help her." Felix noticed the change in Edward's voice and the concern that shown in his face.

"Is Bella experiencing a problem at home?" Felix's therapist sense started to tingle.

"Not exactly." Edward wanted to speak to Felix about what he and Bella had found in the book. But how to tell him and how much to tell him was the problem. Would Felix even believe him?

"She um, found out something and we're trying to figure out what to do about it.," Edward said, inwardly giving himself a pat on the back for keeping his answer fairly ambiguous.

Felix's gaze drifted quickly to Edward's face. But the young man wasn't giving anything away. "I see. Is it a health issue? Perhaps your father could help or there are clinics she could-"

"She's not pregnant!" Edward blurted out. Of course, that's what Felix would think. His history with Tanya already proven that he wasn't very smart when it came to protection. Still, he felt the need for his therapist to know that he had learned from his mistakes.

Edward lowered his voice and looked at the floor as he uttered his next statement. "We aren't having sex."

"You don't look very happy with that decision." Felix answered in an even and non-judgmental tone.

"Um, it was actually my decision. Bella isn't happy about it." Edward rubbed the back of his neck. "Actually, she's kind of ticked off."

"I think that not rushing into a physical relationship is a good idea for any new couple." Edward smiled at the statement he was sure therapists were required to give to all of their teen patients.

"I want to be with her, you know in that way. But I want it to mean something and I want us both to be present when it happens. You know?"

"Actually, I'm not sure I do."

Edward sighed as he gave voice to the memories. "With Tanya, it was more like a lesson. She told me what to do, and showed me how to do it. Sure, it felt good," Edward said with a slight frown on his face. Felix stayed quiet, not wanting to risk making the young man feel anxious about what he was revealing. This was the first time Edward had opened up about the physical elements of his relationship with Tanya. "but I think there's supposed to be more. I feel more just kissing Bella than I ever did having sex with Tanya. Does that make sense?"

Felix nodded. "It makes perfect sense. Furthermore, it speaks volumes regarding your feelings for Bella. May I inquire as to what it is the two of you are trying to figure out?" The smile Edward had been sporting slowly disappeared. How did you just blurt out that it appeared the Devil had been bumping off Bella's family? After the events at the Halloween party Edward had found himself questioning his own feelings regarding religion. His parents had urged him to look to less supernatural explanations, but as yet, he hadn't come up with anything. In truth, he'd managed to push that night to the back of his mind while he dealt with the ongoing problems within his own family. However, since his feelings for Bella had grown exponentially, he could no longer ignore the effects that night had on her.

"Edward, if Bella is in trouble, I can help." Edward glanced at his therapist. He recognized Felix's statement as the go-to statement for counselors and therapists alike, but since getting to know Felix, he felt that the man's offer was sincere. However, he was unwilling to spill her secrets. Especially when he hadn't the first clue how to tell someone that apparently the Devil was bumping off his girlfriend's ancestors for some unknown reason and that said girlfriend had come to believe that her dead grandmother warned her that the evil one was now after her.

"Thank you, it's just some family thing." Edward answered with a small smile that he hoped looked convincing.

"Okay, but the offer stands if you need me. So, other than Emmett and worrying about Bella, is there anything else you'd like to discuss?" Felix's eyes darted to the clock that resided on the wall behind the couch Edward was sitting on. It was the doctor's nonchalant way of letting him know their time was almost up.

"There is one thing," Edward said, looking up to meet Felix's waiting gaze. "It's been almost twelve months since…" Edward's voice trailed off as his mind wondered to a scenario that would have been his reality if Tanya had made a different choice.

Felix knew immediately what was troubling Edward and quickly moved to assuage the guilt that was building in the boy's eyes. "Tanya made that decision and forced everyone to live with the repercussions. There's no reason to feel guilty."

"But I do." Edward insisted. "No one ever talks about it. But the baby was real. And it would be here by now if she hadn't made that choice," Edward said with sadness. "I would be a father." He added in a whisper.

Felix put down his notebook and leaned forward with his elbows on his knees, mimicking Edward's position. "Have you told Bella about-"

"No." Edward interrupted. "She's already accepted so much of my past, I was afraid telling her about the baby would push her over the limit."

"What about your parents?"

"The last thing they want to remember is that their youngest son was almost a teen father." Edward scoffed.

"I'm willing to listen. I can offer an objective ear but I won't listen to you wallow in guilt that you don't deserve."

"That's not much help." Edward mocked. Felix, shrugged his shoulders as if to say, take it or leave it.

"Maybe it's enough that you remember? There's nothing you can do to change what's already occurred, but as long as the memory lives within you then you're doing all you can to atone for what happened." Edward pondered Felix's statement.

"Do you believe that?"

"Edward, there is no doubt in my mind that you are a good person and the fact that you carry the memory of your unborn child in your heart, is enough."

~~TDP~~

"How about passing your old man another chunk of that delicious cornbread? Bella? Bella, honey, did you hear me?"

"What?" Bella blinked at her father, trying to focus on what he'd said. "Cornbread, right?" Charlie nodded as she passed him the plate laden with the golden squares of sweet cornbread.

Charlie took the plate and set it aside. "What's going on?" He asked.

"Nothing." Bella answered, getting up from the table and proceeded to scrape her bowl of half- eaten chili into the wastebasket. Such a waste, she thought. These are the times she really wished they had a dog.

Charlie dusted the crumbs off his moustache and fixed his daughter with a fatherly stare. "Don't tell me there's nothing wrong. You've been quiet all week and your grandmother's chili is the one meal you eat two helpings of and tonight you barely ate any. I'll ask again, what's going on?"

Bella placed her bowl in the sink and turned to face her father. Her eyebrows furrowed in thought as she attempted to put her thoughts together. "It's just been a really long week. I'm tired." She finally said with a shrug.

Charlie eyed his daughter suspiciously. "A long week, huh? I noticed that Edward hasn't been over much these past few days. Where has he been? "

Leave it to her father to notice her boyfriend's absence. Any other dad would jump for joy to come home and not find his daughter making out with her boyfriend. But not Charlie. His first instinct is to think that something was wrong. Unfortunately, this time he might be right. The weeks following their discoveries in her family bible, had been so busy with schoolwork, she and Edward barely had time to breathe much less do any more research, yet they'd still found time to for each other. At least until a couple of nights ago. She'd been over at the Cullen's house, helping Esme put up some Christmas decorations. Edward had been lugging boxes up from the basement for a good hour when Esme found the box that contained the boy's baby ornaments. She hadn't missed the look that had passed from mother to son when Esme lifted out a red bulb with silver and green adornments. Bella could clearly see the word's "Baby's First Christmas" printed across the front. Edward had quickly lowered his head and began fiddling with the strings of lights. Esme appeared to wipe a tear from her eye before placing the glass bulb back into the box. Bella didn't say anything when Esme scooted the whole box aside and opened another one. The jovial atmosphere of only moments before had disappeared. Bella knew it had something to do with the ornament. Maybe Esme had miscarried a child? She'd all but decided to ask Edward about it later but the opportunity hadn't come up. Emmett had arrived with Rosalie in tow and that was Bella's excuse to leave. She had expected Edward to follow her, but he'd complained of a headache. As he kissed her lightly before walking her to her car, she could see that he was in pain but didn't believe it was because of a headache.

"With finals and Christmas coming up, he's just been busy." Charlie nodded in understanding.

"I know this is totally a dad thing to say, but I'm proud that you both are making academics a priority. I know all too well how easy it is to allow your social life to push everything else out of the way. But, baby, I want you to get more rest." Bella smiled and nodded at his observation. She'd been unable to hide the dark circles under her eyes. But she didn't tell him that those dark half-moons under her eyes had nothing to do with excessive studying but were a direct correlation to the nightmares she'd been having for the past week. She hadn't even told Edward about the vivid and horrifying dreams that he, or someone that looked like him but acted totally contrary to the way she knew Edward would act.

"I promise to sleep more. In fact, I think I'll go up now and go to bed."

"You do that, sweetheart." Charlie watched his beautiful girl practically drag herself up the stairs, vowing to himself to be more observant of her health.

Bella entered her room, her eyes going directly to what had become a book with more questions than answers. Ignoring the pages of writing staring up at her, she grabbed her kindle and bathrobe and headed to the bathroom. It had been far too long since she'd indulged in a bubble bath and a long soak in sudsy bliss sounded like heaven to her. The warm haze surrounded her as she climbed into the large tub. Bella leaned back into the fluffy towel she'd folded into a makeshift pillow and closed her eyes, allowing the lavender scented bubbles soothe her weary senses. As her body relaxed, Bella fell prey to the relaxing atmosphere and closed her eyes. Before long, she'd slipped into a relaxed state and she began to dream.

Behind closed lids her mind began to weave a colorful tale. She saw Edward smiling at her as they walked hand in hand towards a clearing in the woods. Bella loved this part of the dream. She and Edward would come upon a blanket set amongst the bright background of colorful wildflowers. They would sit and eat the picnic that she had provided. Before long, their hand holding would give way to more intimate touching. It was at this point in the dream where she would fall deeper into the fantasy. Her legs would become restless as Dreamward's fingers ghosted up her sun-heated flesh, her breathing would accelerate as his kisses turned deeper and his hands more insistent. Although her body was deeply engaged with the fantasy make- out session, her mind was starting to play tricks on her. Small changes were becoming evident. The sky would turn dark as if a solar eclipse had swallowed the sun. The blanket they were laying on would become hard as stone, scratching her shoulders and back. The wildflowers would disappear only to be replaced with tiki torches casting a harsh light over the area. And the sounds of the birds and wildlife would cease completely. As her fantasy changed, so did Bella's reactions. Her movements were now jolting and harsh as were Edward's touches. It felt to her that he was trying to hold her down, forcing her to accept his now harsh touch. The sounds of her gasps filled the small room, her movements causing the water to ripple and spill over the tub's edge onto the tiled floor as she fought what she knew was coming; the change. As she fought off the sudden feeling of dread, she would look to Edward for help but even though the figure looked like Edward, it wasn't him. Bella recoiled as Edward's vibrant green eyes turned cold and hard, his face would become sharp and angular causing him to appear carved from stone. As Bella struggled, she could hear voices chanting from somewhere behind her but non-Edward's grip held her in place, not allowing her to see who it was. Amongst the chanting a lone voice would gain in volume. She recognized that voice as her mother begging her to fight and not give in as the cries of a baby joined the chorus. DreamBella screamed for her mother and struggled harder against non-Edward's grip until her mind let go and she woke with a start. Her gasps echoing harshly in the room.

Bella's eyes adjusted to the bright glare of the overhead light and leaned over the side of the tub. When she saw her discarded robe, and the puddled water, she realized she'd had another dream. Bella rubbed her face with shaking hands, flinching slightly when the cool bathwater contacted her heated face. She pulled the plug and dried off. As usual the dream had wreaked havoc with her senses and she had to hold tightly to the edge of the sink as she regained her balance. After several moments, she was able to stand without assistance and finish getting ready for bed. Thankfully, her nightmare made only one appearance a night. Bella tucked herself into bed and turned out the light, leaving only the moon's pale beams to cast their shadows over her room. Bella always felt a sense of foreboding after experiencing the dream. It seemed to cast a dark and scary shadow over her relationship with Edward but she refused to take the vision at face value. She'd never been happier and the changes in Edward since they'd started their relationship bespoke of the same feelings for him.

There had to be another explanation. Her eyes darted to the book laying on her floor. The dreams hadn't started until she had begun poking around in there. Exhausted, Bella easily slipped easily into sleep. Her mind was awash in questions, but the answers would have to wait.

~~TDP~~

"I know it's rude for me to say this, but girl, you look awful." Bella chuckled darkly at Angela's comment. She did look terrible, but she didn't feel as worn out as her appearance portrayed. After her nap in the bath, she was able to sleep soundly with no more dreams.

"I'm just tired. Thanks for noticing." Bella kidded.

"I get it. Finals are kicking my butt too." Angela added.

"Ladies, how are you both this fine day?" Ben asked as he took the seat across from Angela. Bella noted with amusement that the pair shared a lingering look. She was just about to comment when Edward appeared beside her.

"Hi," he said softly into her ear. "I missed you." Bella couldn't help but shiver as his whispered words cascaded over her skin.

"I missed you too." She readily admitted, leaning her head onto his shoulder.

"You look tired. Are you okay?" Edward's brow furrowed in concern.

Bella sighed, "I've been studying a lot and trying to figure out what that book means…" Her voice faltered as he nodded in silent understanding.

"Um, I haven't been around much to help with that. I'm sorry," Edward said, lowering his head. "I've been, um, dealing with something." He swallowed quickly, forcing down the words that would be better suited for when they were alone.

Bella moved her head from his shoulder and looked at the boy sitting next to her. She'd been so wrapped up in her own world that she hadn't taken a good look at him. The dark circles that everyone from her father to Angela felt compelled to comment on, were also evident on his pale face.

"We're quite the pair." She joked, hoping to lighten the mood. It would serve no one for them to both wallow in whatever it was that was haunting them.

"I guess the old saying that misery loves company applies to us." He chuckled.

Bella pulled back to look at him. "I'm not miserable," she said, shaking her head. "tired, burned out from studying, stressed over the holidays and really freaking confused over that stupid book and the nightmares but…"

"Nightmares? What nightmares?" Edward asked, his voice slightly elevated. "Why didn't you tell me?" His first real girlfriend needed him and he'd already failed her.

"It's nothing. You've been busy, and they just started a week or so ago," she said, trying to sound casual, not meaning to cause him anymore worry than was already do evident on his face.

"Bella, please tell me. I want to be there for you."

The bell rang signaling the end of their lunch period. Bella stood up and began gathering her mostly uneaten lunch to throw away when Edward took a hold of her hand.

"Promise you'll tell me after school?" His green eyes shown with concern.

"I promise." She said quickly before leaning down to place a lingering kiss on his waiting lips. Whatever she was going through had not diminished her feelings for him and she wanted him to know that. "But you have to come clean with me too." She added quickly.

Edward sighed, but nodded his head in acceptance of her gentle demand. He knew that he owed her an explanation. Especially after the Christmas decoration debacle. Watching his mother pick up his baby ornament and then remembering that his own child should have been celebrating its first Christmas next week had been too much for him. When he saw the same realization in his mother's eyes, it took all he had to not break down in front of Bella. For once his brother's presence served a purpose. Sadness enveloped him as he'd walked Bella to the door. He knew that she had sensed something was wrong but was eternally grateful when she didn't say anything.

"Okay." He promised, gripping her hand tightly as they walked towards their next class.

~~TDP~~

"This is maddening!" Astarte exclaimed, throwing her school books to the floor in a heap at Ba'al's feet. "I understand that we must attend this daily torture in order to perpetuate the belief that we're teenagers," she sneered the word as if it were an ugly stain on her favorite frock. "But why in holy hell must we actually participate in these finals?" Ba'al lifted his eyes from the world history book he'd been reading and looked at his partner. She'd never been what one would term as scholarly. As a demi-goddess, she had been more concerned with being the prettiest in the lands and the young men who had entered her temple for prayer and devotion to her goddess. Ba'al had often interacted with his people, learning their tales and histories. As a demi-god, the only history that he had to be acquainted with was his own. But he found listening to their tales and learning their ways interesting and it helped to pass the time.

"If you didn't take these tests, how would you explain it to the man-child?" He raised an eyebrow in question.

Astarte narrowed her eyes. "He doesn't question me. Unlike your little Alice." She taunted. Alice had indeed been asking more questions lately. She wanted to meet the humans that were acting as their guardians, and had begun asking questions regarding his past, no longer content with his answer of, "I'm from down south". In fact, her questioning had become even more of a nuisance since they'd become more intimate. Ba'al's sexual tastes had never ventured toward virgins. But he had to admit a certain fondness for Alice's shy and tentative touches. He especially enjoyed her blush. He couldn't recall even one of his pasts partners blushing as he used his tongue and fingers on them. Nor did he recall them displaying a keen eagerness to use their fingers and tongues on him. Foreplay was a new concept for him. One he would admit that he enjoyed very much.

"Did you hear what I just said?" Astarte's increasingly grating voice broke through his momentary lapse.

"What do you want?" He asked sharply, growing tired of her harping. They both had roles to play, and he was becoming increasingly irritated with her constant questioning.

"I asked what preparations do we need to make for Saturnalia?"

"Here, that's called Christmas." Ba'al scoffed.

"Whatever it's called here, what else do we need to do? I want nothing more than to have our Master pleased and to be done with this disgusting business once and for all." Astarte's voice lost a bit of its normal venom towards the end of her statement. Ba'al looked at her surprise.

"I agree but, why the sudden change of heart?" Astarte looked away at his words, sighing heavily.

She turned back to look at him, her normal icy stare appeared somewhat dimmed as she spoke. "Ba'al, as much as I want to be free of that prison, even to live as a human, I cannot lie and say that what we are helping that monster achieve doesn't lay heavily within my own darkened soul." She paused, to walk towards his unmade bed, perching herself unceremoniously onto the edge. "I'm turning brother against brother, I will have a part in the taking of that child and you know full well how much the very thought of such things burn in me." Ba'al nodded solemnly at her words. As a goddess she fiercely defended a woman's right to choose a lover, routinely exacting revenge on behalf of a wronged woman. He put his book down and joined her on the bed, putting his arm around her and gently pulling her pliant body into his.

"I understand." He whispered gently.

"I think I'm developing feelings for Emmett. And I don't want to use him to hurt the boy anymore. It's no longer fun." Ba'al stifled a laugh at her admission. Leave it to Astarte to decide that she wanted to quit a course of action because it was no longer "fun". Normally he would chide her for developing feelings for these human pawns, but he found himself with more sympathy and understanding of her plight than he wanted to admit.

"We are at an impossible end. Our eternity hangs on the plot that we have begun, finds a satisfactory conclusion," he said, pausing to rub his forehead in a very human manner. "I don't see a way for us to end our participation and not forfeit our souls to eternal damnation and torture." Astarte nodded solemnly at his statement.

"Perhaps we can find a way to make it appear we're helping without actually causing more damage than absolutely necessary to the humans?" Astarte's eyes darted to Ba'al's weary face.

He regarded her thoughtfully. "The pain that all humankind will suffer if the Devil's plan succeeds will far outweigh how we feel regarding our favored of their kind. However, perhaps we can attempt to lessen our involvement."

~~TDP~~

"Edward, what are you looking at?" Esme asked, walking over to the window where her son was staring woefully out into the grey afternoon.

"Bella is coming over." He stated simply, continuing to stare out the window.

"Wonderful. It's always so nice to see her. She's such a lovely young lady. I'm so glad you two found each-"

"Mom, I'm going to tell her about the baby." Edward cringed as he watched the blood drain from his mother's face.

Esme sighed heavily. "Do you think that's necessary?" She asked quietly. The subject was never discussed within the family, yet she never forgot it either. Not as Edward's mother or as the grandparent she almost was. However, solely as Edward's mother, she hated thinking about the pain he would be opening himself up to with his admission.

Edward rested his forehead against the cool glass, he was afraid to face his mother lest she would be able to deter him from his course. "She deserves to know all of it. I want her to know everything."

Esme moved to her son, laying her head on his young shoulder. Shoulders that she'd watched bow under the weight that they seemed to carry. "I hope she can give you the support you deserve."

"I hope so too."


There's a storm coming and you should be hearing the warning sirens about now!

Until next time,

ruinedbyrob