My toxic trait is saying things like "I don't know if I'm going to write the dinner with Bella and Edward," when I'm clearly going to eventually decide to write the dinner with Bella and Edward.

My other toxic trait is posting a new chapter when I haven't properly read it over and edited it. But I've been trying to edit it for weeks to no avail, only now I've had two glasses of white wine and think it's suddenly become publishable haha. Enjoy if you can.

Breaking Dawn, Chapter Nine

As she and Carlisle walked into the main suite to pick Bella and Edward up around twenty minutes earlier they were expected, Carys was made aware of two things:

- One: Carlisle knew full well that they weren't going to be late and anticipated her forgetting about the dinner;

- Two: everyone had just been talking about her, and if their sudden silence and brittle smiles were anything to go by, it had been a relatively tense discussion.

Far from upsetting, the second part made her grin and forced Jasper to turn his back on the room at large as he knew full well that she was in a humorous mood.

"What'cha talkin' about?" she asked them all, sidling across to Alice when they remained tight lipped. Leaning down, she brought her face close to that of the petite vampire and fixed her gaze squarely on the bridge of the small woman's nose. "Something... Interesting?"

Alice shook her head, affecting a grin of her own. "Nothing at all," she trilled.

"Really?"

"Yes. We were trying to decide whether you and Carlisle might let Esme and me remodel the house in Milan, that's all."

Carys glanced over her shoulder and Carlisle nodded, confirming that there was such a house. "You know about this, darling. I told you years ago."

"Mhmm," Carys hummed. Despite the partial truth of the statement, she didn't believe Alice for a second and told her as much. "Not as far as I can throw you, Mrs Hale." Whipping her head up, she turned to stare down Emmett, whose responding laugh was exaggerated; both nervous and uncomfortable. "I'm thinking you were talking about something that would get you kicked out of the little holiday party we've got going on here. What're the chances of that, then?"

Again, he laughed. This one was accompanied by a solid shake of his head. "You're getting nothin' out of me, Vale," he declared in an exaggerated version of a 1930s gangster accent.

"Oh, but I think I am, McCarthy. I think you'll break like a two penny piece of rock at Southend pier."

"That's so specific," Carlisle laughed by the door.

Emmett acted as if he'd not heard him. "You can try elsewhere, detective. I ain't breakin' for nothin' and no-one. Emmett McCarthy-Cullen ain't no snitch."

"You know what I think?" Carys queried, taking slow steps towards him. "I think you're as much a snitch as I think you are. I think you want to talk. In fact, I think I walked into a little tete a tete-"

Emmett's uncontrollable laughter interrupted what she was about to say. Somewhere between booms, she heard the words, tete a tete repeated every so often. And while she laughed alongside him for a while, she eventually grew concerned, turning to Carlisle - who was also laughing, though far less than his adopted son - to ask:

"Have I been pronouncing that wrong or something?"

Carlisle shook his head. "No, darling."

"Then why is he still laughing?"

"Who knows?" Rosalie replied, draped across a chaise lounge towards the back of the large room. "I don't mind snitching if you're interested. It'll only cost you ... Let's say ... five million dollars."

Carys sent her a benign smile. "As lovely as the thought is, Rose, I know this one. You were all talking - or some of you were talking - about the fact that there's a dhampir here and he's spilled his beans like a toddler without a bib. Am I right?"

Rosalie nodded over the sound of Carlisle's laughter.

"Alright," Carlisle said, controlling himself and curling an arm around Carys' waist. "We don't expect you not to have these conversations. You don't have to hide them from Carys, just know that nothing you say or do from hereon in will change anyone's mind. So it's worth your while to save us all the argument."

"Exactly," said Carys, patting his hand. "Which is why I said you'd be going home if you make this about the dhampir rather than me. You can still talk to me about it, but this is still me, and living in anticipation of someone potentially dying when they're surrounding themselves with every being in the world with a vested interest in their survival - and the means to affect it - it is about as stupid as half of the things that come out of Edward's mouth on a daily basis."

This last comment divided the room. There were those - Rosalie, Jasper, and Carys - who found it hilarious; those who found umbrage with it - namely Bella and Esme; those who chuckled under their breath - namely Carlisle; and those who slapped Edward across the back, causing a crack! to wrend the air, then laughed - Emmett.

Edward, for his part, didn't hide the quirk of his lips and the surprisingly good natured roll of his eyes. "I wouldn't say half of the things I say are stupid," he countered. "Perhaps a quarter at most."

"Perhaps," Carys agreed, studying him. "And from your reaction, I'm guessing you don't feel quite so worried about everything now that you've met a real life dhampir?"

"Grilled him, more like," said Emmett.

I'm still not happy about it, Edward seemed to say, his expression so clear that he might as well have spoken the words; Carys could practically hear them echoing about, and he shook his head when she made a point of thinking so.

But you won't be running around being stupid about it? Carys shot back, and seeing Edward's eyes flicker to Carlisle before his lips blurred, she realised she wasn't the only one talking to him and waited her turn.

Edward met her eye again and pressed his lips together as if to say, Sorry about that.

It's okay, she thought. But you'll be okay-ish?

He nodded, then his shoulders raised just a fraction.

We'll talk about it at dinner, she thought and he replied with an infinitesimal shake of his head. Okay, then maybe we'll stay the night in the city so we can speak once Bella's gone to bed?

"Would you two care to share your discussion with the rest of the class?" Esme cut in.

Carys scoffed. "It's nothing, we were about done anyway. Edward was about to say, 'That would be nice,' 'cause Carlisle and I are going to stay the night in the city so we can see them off when they leave in the wee hours."

"Is this true?" Esme asked, excited now.

"It's both true and spooky," Edward said slowly. "I was going to say 'That would be nice,' and now I fear I'm rather predictable."

"It took that for you to realise?" Rosalie piped up incredulously.

"Where is Raphel?" asked Carlisle, wrapping a second arm around Carys and coming to stand behind her. "I can't hear him; you haven't killed him already?"

"He said something about a bar," Esme said with a hint of disdain. "He claims it isn't fair to drink when no one else can."

"He asked Esme if she'd like to join him," said Alice impishly. "She said no because she had important things to do." Casting Esme a quick glance, she added, "Only, I haven't seen her do much since he left."

Esme settled herself onto the arm of one of the sofas while the rest of the room fell silent, and explained, "He seems quite nice overall - I'll not say otherwise. I'll simply say that his evening's plans were not to my taste and be done with it."

Alice giggled then, high and a tad malicious.

And Esme sighed. "That being said, now that I know you're going to be here until tomorrow, I suppose sitting with Raphel for one drink wouldn't hurt. We don't want to be inhospitable-oh, don't look at me like that. When have I ever been known to be rude to a guest?" She delicately shuddered. "I shudder to think that after all he's willing to do for Carlisle and Carys - for us all, really... No, no, one drink won't hurt."


"So how much is everyone betting that Esme and this Raphel are going to get together?" Carys asked as soon as Edward, Bella, Carlisle and herself were seated at their table, set within a private room at one of the city's most exclusive restaurants. She dismissed the sudden rush of embarrassment which came with knowing how much must have been spent that they could secure the reservation, to add, "And are we allowing for middling?"

"No middling," Edward said immediately. "It's either they are or they aren't. I'm betting for the latter - he's not really Esme's type." And when Carys went to argue, he held up a palm. "I understand there may be some attraction, and there are things they have in common, but I've heard their thoughts and Esme's not looking for the long-term commitment he is. She doesn't tie herself in for more than a couple of decades. He's looking for someone to settle down with for at least the next century if he can. And they'd have to deal with so much on the side of vampire/dhampir relations... I don't see it happening."

"Hmm... Who's for it?"

"Emmett is in for ten million, Jasper's against for twenty-five. Alice is holding out until she can see the options a little more clearly but Esme's playing it safe and muddling the waters there. Rosalie is for it but she won't place a bet because she thinks it's stupid, and Carlisle won't place because he doesn't agree with betting on people's affections. And you're the same!" he accused all of a sudden, reading her thoughts across the table. "You know I don't like being mined for information if you're not taking part."

"Excuse me while I cut in," said Carlisle genially, "but while I'm exceedingly glad to see the two of you put aside your differences for a little while, I seem to recall that there are four people at this dinner table and Bella and I are at risk of feeling neglected."

Carys offered him a blushing smile, and leaned in to give him a kiss on the cheek as apology. "Sorry my lovely. Sorry Bella," she added, turning to the younger woman.

"It's alright," said Bella, pulling the sleeves of her dress down over her hands. "It's been a while since I saw you two like this."

Carys smiled, trying to remind herself that she had nothing against the younger woman. At least, that's what she'd agreed with Carlisle. And frankly, the longer she went, the more she wondered whether she hadn't been too harsh on her. She was a teenager, after all. And Carys had been angry at Edward beforehand... Carys wasn't sure what to think as they ordered, and reminded herself yet again that she didn't need to think or feel anything as she was staying firmly out of other peoples' business until they made their business hers. And, as such, she settled in to enjoy dinner and pleasant conversation without letting her prejudices get in the way.

And doing so, she remembered why she rather liked Edward and Bella individually and learned why she might begin to really, really like them as a couple. They were far more relaxed without the presence of the others, and though Bella blushed whenever Carlisle gave her a compliment, Carys ignored it in favour of agreeing with him or taking another bite of her food.

The plates were cleared away and they were left alone again between main and dessert, and planting her fabric covered fists below her chin, Bella rested her elbows on the table. Taking a deep breath, she said, "There's something Edward and I wanted to talk to you about."

"You're getting married and Edward is going to change you before our dhampir is born," Carys said with a nod.

Everyone around the table drew a sharp breath and asked the same question: "How did you know?"

"I know when people are buttering us up," she joked, and then said with all seriousness, "Carlisle was overly insistent on this dinner. And it's written all over both of your faces - more Edward than you Bella, but you've been practically squirming since we picked you up. And you're both in very good moods. So if you're both triumphant, and both a little nervous, and Carlisle is waiting to let you tell me, it means you both got your way - and both getting your way means you're going to be changed quickly, Bella, and Edward's getting his marriage. Why do you think I've been eating all the most expensive food?"

"Why would that have anything to do with it?" Bella asked, genuine confusion lacing her words and creating a small furrow between her brows.

"I'm paying," Edward said, sounding resigned. "Carys is making up for the fact that this will be our last meal together for quite some time, and for the fact that she won't be present at our wedding."

"And I'm not telling Charlie for you," Carys said firmly. "I know it probably goes without saying, but I don't want to risk it; you can tell him yourselves and act like I don't know yet when you do."

"That's precisely what I said," Carlisle agreed with a chuckle. "As far as Charlie will know, you're homesick and want to go home."

"Tell him I'm suffering from the memory of the last camping trip and don't want to go back to Forks for a long while," she added solemnly. It was far more true than she wanted to admit.

"Remind me why we decided to come all the way here?" he chided, kissing her cheek.

"You insisted," Carys reminded him. "It was rather clever, I have to say - I wouldn't have guessed that this was a set-up until I walked into the suite earlier and Edward was so relaxed." Turning to Edward and Bella, she asked, "Was the talking about me all a ruse to set me off track?"

"No, we really were," admitted Bella. "Partly, anyway. Edward and I have decided against risking a child. I don't want kids; having the option has made it clear to Edward that he doesn't want to risk having one either. Announcing that we're definitely not following in your footsteps sort of set them off about you two."

"Good on you," Carys said, and she meant it.

Bella and Edward smiled, though they were confused by the ease of the situation until Carlisle finally put them out of their misery some minutes - and half a conversation - later.

"Carys is trying something interesting," he said with a crooked smile reminiscent of his eldest son. "It falls somewhere between 'minding one's own business' and 'people in glass houses.' I've decided to refer to it as the somewhat eponymous Carlisle Cullen syndrome."

Bella's lips formed a small o and she nodded sagely.

Carys smirked. "He rubs off on you after a while," she said. "He has on me, at any rate."

If Edward were able, she was sure he would be blushing. "Please never repeat that in my presence."

"Wherever not?" Carlisle asked innocently. "After three years, I'm glad to have finally rubbed-"

"Please do not finish that sentence," Edward said dully, horror-struck. "I appreciate your humour has its moments, Carlisle, but there are lines."

Bella cut in before any apologies could be made for the table, to say, "I'm sure all Carlisle wanted to say was that Carys has been rubbing off on him too."

Carys stared wide-eyed at Bella until a small nervous smile crossed the teen's pale face. "Excellent," Carys said, laughing now that she understood Bella knew full well what she'd said.

Carlisle chuckled, straightening his face when Edward looked to him for assistance. "We should be serious," he said seriously. "Moving swiftly on... Bella."

"Yes Carlisle?"

"Are you sure you're both quite prepared for what is to come?"

"Yes," said Bella, clasping her hands before her.

"Please." Waving a hand, Carlisle sat back in his chair. "Tell me more."

Never had three words been so loaded, Carys thought as the two teens shared a look and all but squirmed in their chairs. As they launched into an exceptionally detailed - and clearly rehearsed - description of the next two months of their lives, Carlisle maintained a mildly inquisitive expression, nodding every so often and giving no other outward indication of his thoughts.

Once or twice he prompted them when they went astray, but for the most part he remained silent.

Carys, for her part, watched on, making her way steadily through both Carlisle's and her desserts. She supposed she should have been concerned or upset or, well, anything. But she didn't. Carlisle almost had the right of it; she had, in some ways, made the decision to be more forgiving and accepting, but that wasn't quite the reason for her extensive geniality this evening. At some point Carlisle had shifted, tucking Carys against his side, stroking his hand up and down her arm while he listened.

It was the pause in the long sweep of his hand that alerted Carys to the fact that their conversation was coming to an end.

"... best if you were kept separate for the first few weeks after Carys' transformation, yes. At the very least."

"At the very least," Edward agreed - more like worried - aloud. "I confess I'd hoped we could make it work some other way."

"As had I," agreed Carlisle solemnly. "There's nothing for it now."

"No," agreed Bella. "I don't want to make more trouble for you all."

"I'm sure there's not much risk of that these days," said Carlisle with a kind smile.

"Exactly right," agreed Carys. "If there's trouble brewing, it's all my fault this time. Bella, you're officially off the hook!"

They laughed and Bella blushed.

"In all honesty," Carys continued, "I think I owe you both an apology. I-no, I don't mean for everything, I'm sorry"-she chuckled awkwardly-"I just mean I want us to start off on the right foot again. Not just because of all this, but I guess that's what's made me think about it... Just, I guess soon enough we're going to be making allies all over the place whether we like it or not, and I just guess I want the people who I care about to know that I care about them. And you two - unfortunately for us all-"and they laughed again"-happen to be on the list of people I care about. It's worked against us all before but this time... I want you both to know that whatever we all do from here, I don't just support you, I'm genuinely pleased to have you on our side."

Which doesn't mean you've forgiven us everything- or, really, anything, Edward's knowing expression and raised eyebrows seemed to say, and Carys ignored him in favour of smiling at Bella as best she could and then looking to Carlisle.

Carlisle widened his eyes just a little. The gold sparked and shone with amusement, and his lips quirked. Tilting his head, he examined Carys.

"What?" she asked.

"What?" he innocently replied.

"What?" she laughed.

"What what?"

"Carlisle," came her breathy chuckle. She leaned towards him, adopting a similar expression. "What?"

Carlisle leaned in, his teeth flashing between perfectly sculpted lips, to press his forehead against hers. And then, after half a minute in which Carys asked what he was doing again and he replied with a smile, he pressed his lips to her forehead and drew away. "You're very smart."

"As are you."

"Is everyone finished?" Edward asked the humans, and when they nodded, he did too.

"Come on," Carlisle said to Carys. "Up you get then. If I'm reading you correctly, we've things to do."

Carys allowed herself to be tugged to her feet. "I thought Edward was the mind-reader in the family."

"Don't warn him, but I think he has competition," Carlisle said with an exaggerated wink.

Edward rolled his eyes. "What is it they say about old married couples?"

"I'm not old," she complained as they headed out of the room. "Oh god, am I old now? You can all tell me, you know, if I am. It's better I know."

"You're positively ancient, darling," was Carlisle's laughing response.


Time flies when you're having fun, and Carys and Carlisle soon found themselves waving goodbye to the rest of the family, on their way to Northumberland. The happy couple left the next night, at the same time as the others, but would be stopping a few times along the way.

The first stop was relatively quick - five hours in New York, where they didn't so much track Garrett down as run into him three blocks from where Alice expected he would be.

Curious as ever, and faced with by far the most interesting revelation he'd encountered in quite some time, Garrett chose to travel to England first and ask the rest of his questions later.

From there, they encountered Siobhan, Maggie, and Liam in Virginia as they had been travelling through America in the few weeks following the wedding.

The newlyweds didn't quite explain the entire situation to this coven. Instead, all they said was that they were hosting an important gathering in Northumberland, that Esme would explain all when they arrived, that it had to do with something so shocking that it should wait until they were in the right circumstances, and that nothing would harm them during their visit.

While Liam wasn't too happy to hear that, Maggie accepted it as the truth and Siobhan was interested enough to agree to make a stop on their round-trip home to Ireland.

Carys and Carlisle's next stop saw them leave the heat firmly behind them. "All coats on deck," Carlisle murmured, bundling Carys up in the thickest ski jacket he could find as they passed through the airport. He fared better, dressed in a cashmere jumper and dark trousers, looking every inch the unaffected billionaire who could afford to go from heated place to heated place with barely enough time to shiver.

Carys, on the other hand, burrowed herself into her coat just in case, preferring to be overly warm when the alternative might be to freeze. She needn't have bothered; it wasn't as cold as she thought it would be. Still, Carlisle kept casting her worried glances and it was enough to make her cross her arms and thank him again for his thoughtfulness.

In the car, Carlisle blasted the warmth to the point where they might as well be on the island, and Carys shed her coat, quickly succumbing to a nap which she woke from around half an hour before their destination. When they arrived, they exited the car and their unwitting hostess met them halfway to the house.

"This is a surprise!" Tanya exclaimed. She cast a bright gold glance towards the front doors of her house, her expression about half as nervous as Carys felt. "We didn't expect to see you for quite some time."

"Is there some reason we wouldn't be welcome?" Carlisle gently inquired. Though he appeared cool and collected on the outside, Carys knew better.

Tanya refocused her attention, shaking her head. "Nothing at all, I simply... Well, it's only that Irina and Carmen are returning from a hunt soon and-"

"Irina would be unhappy about our presence," Carlisle intoned.

"No, no, of course not. Not exactly," Tanya said slowly. "We're making some headway with her and I'm..." Sighing, she passed a hand over her smooth brow. "I'm a little loath to upset her when we're so close to seeing some change. What am I talking about? Please." She smiled brightly, ushering them towards the door and on into the house as she talked. "Join us. I must confess Eleazar will be glad to see you. He has been puzzling things out since your wedding - Bella, her father, you Carys, your mother... So many abilities, such little time to give them proper-ah, the man himself! Eleazar," she greeted as he floated down the stairs to join them in the living space, "look who's come to visit. I was just telling our cousins that they should have extended their wedding for your benefit."

Eleazar let out a small breath and smiled. "Carlisle," he said in his light accent. "Carys. So good to see you both so soon. I am as surprised as Tanya."

"I'm not," announced Kate, who forwent the use of the stairs, vaulting from the top of the house to land with impossible grace beside Tanya.

"You will be," Carlisle promised. He shared a look with Carys, who was still unsure about whether this was a good idea or not - for the same reason she hadn't wanted them at their wedding. "Perhaps we might wait for the others?"

Carys nodded, turning back to the group. "You said Carmen an' Irina would be back soon?"

"They came within signal range some minutes ago," Eleazar said. "Half an hour at most."

"If you don't mind?"

"Not at all," Kate responded for the group. When they all fell silent and stood awkwardly - or as close to awkward as vampires could come - she rolled her eyes and shook her head. "Carys. Tea, yes?"

"Oh, erm... Yes please; one cup won't hurt. Black, two sugars please."

"I remember." Kate tapped her temple and grinned before disappearing into the kitchen.

The vampires took the hint and ushered Carys and Carlisle towards the sofas, where they sank down and made stunted small talk about the wedding and honeymoon until Kate returned with Carys' tea, setting it down on a coaster. She placed both objects onto the coffee table as if they were rare artifacts. Which, Carys supposed, in this house they likely were. The tea steaming in the cup in front of her was probably the same tea she had the first and last time she was there.

She hoped so, anyway. It was a delicious blend. She'd forgotten to take the name of it last time and hadn't thought to ask anyone about it. She salivated at the light scent of it on the air, and this time she wouldn't leave without asking.

Carlisle tugged at her sleeve and she looked at him in surprise, jolted from her thoughts. He tapped the middle of his chest and she smiled, talking the hint and removing her coat. The jumper she was wearing concealed her situation well and she picked at the hem, tugging it out a little before giving her coat to Tanya - who had stood up to ask if she would like it to be hung up.

Tanya waved off her guest's thanks and returned in a flash. She sat beside Kate and once again attempted to make conversation. This time it was about the difference in weather between Forks, Denali, and Rio this time of the year.

"Yes," Carys and Carlisle said in unison.

"It's a bit of a shock to the system," Carys added generously - she thought.

And Carlisle nodded before noting, "We visited London for a week and that, too, was quite the departure from the recent norm."

"You know what they say about England," Kate said, leaning back. "Five seasons in a day."

"Not always," Carys defended. She caught herself and softened her tone. "I mean, yes, it can be... Yes. More so in the Spring, I find." Taking a sip of her still too-hot tea, she murmured, "Delicious tea, this. Thank you."

Tanya clasped her hands together in her lap, glancing every so often towards the door, while Eleazar began to stare so intently at Carys that the uncomfortable feeling that accompanied his usual attempts to puzzle her out intensified. She shuddered, wishing he would stop, and shifted in her seat. He blinked, coming back to himself, his eyebrows pinching and lifting to show his confusion and interest.

Kate again broke the uneasy silence. "Have we mentioned how sorry we are?"

"Yes," said Carlisle.

"Am I allowed to assume you're not here to separate the families then?"

"I suppose that all depends on your reaction to what we have to say," he replied smoothly.

Kate's lips twitched.

Tanya, unusually subdued, caught his eye and straightened. "We want to make amends. Whatever you're here to speak to us about, we will give you anything you need."

"I wouldn't speak so soon," Carys muttered. She started and blushed when three pairs of golden eyes turned on her. "I only mean that I think you should know what's going on before you offer us your help."

"I second that," agreed Carlisle. "This is ... What would you say, Carys? Polarising?"

"Polarising," she agreed.

"It is a polarising issue."

Kate lifted one perfectly arched brow. "Do you two repeat everything you say these days?"

"Of course not," Carys said with a mock-haughty sniff. "Sometimes we finish each others' sentences instead." And then she smiled. And Carlisle smiled. And suddenly Tanya, Kate, and Eleazar were smiling.

And that was how Irina and Carmen found them a second later, when they arrived in the middle of the living room.

"You're here," said Irina, looking them over. There was a slight vulnerability to the expression in her eyes which hadn't been there the last time Carys had met her. Gone was the excited, bouncy, happy-go-lucky woman that remained in Carys' memory.

Irina's perfect face was creased now, a perpetual frown of sadness pressing between her sculpted blonde brows, tugging at the corners of her full lips. She was shorter than Carys remembered - as if she was hunching, though she likely wasn't.

Irina pushed back her blunt chin-length bob and drew a pained breath. "To what do we owe-" she hesitated for a fraction of a second-"the pleasure?" Her eyes flickered to Carys' arm and then rose, not quite meeting the human's eye.

"Irina," Carys said, shooting to her feet and wringing her hands amidst the onslaught of guilt and pain she felt now seeing Irina. She knew she shouldn't feel this way - that it was Irina who had led to the Denali not coming to their aide, and somewhat leading to the facilitation of her injury - but she couldn't hold on to her anger in the face of seeing the woman. And remembering that it was Carlisle who had sent Laurent up to visit with the family in the first place only compounded her sudden and overwhelming anguish. "I'm so sorry, I've been so–Laurent was a lying manipulative arse. I'm sorry, but I've got to say it: he was, and you deserve so much better, and whatever he told you, it's not true. Well, it might be partially true, but his power was seeking out the most powerful allies, you see? And that means you were the most powerful ally, which means a few things, but one of them is: that–well, no. I just mean that you're one of the most incredible women in history. Take the whole of history; that's you – one of the most incredible women.

"And Laurent was drawn to that, but you deserve better. And when you look at history, there's a huge, long line of women who fell for men who didn't deserve to kiss the ground they walked on, and that's what Laurent tried to do." Tears slipped from Carys' eyes, burning a path down her cheeks. "But you're here, and you're alive, and you're thinking about forgiving us, which just adds to the fact that Laurent wasn't your mate, doesn't it? And I know how that sounds – I understand that you loved him; my mum loved my dad but he wasn't what she thought he was either. What I mean is, one day it won't hurt so bad and we shouldn't have come here when you're grieving. Fuck. We shouldn't have."

Carys took off towards the front door and Carlisle caught her after a single step, wrapping his arms around her. He tucked her against his chest when she fought both him and her tears, convincing her to stay with soft words and gentle caresses. And when she stopped crying and whimpering about going too far, he addressed the room at large.

"I don't disagree with what Carys has to say. I'd go so far as to say that I agree wholeheartedly – and more, because I know you, Irina. You are wonderful." He paused to kiss the top of Carys' head. "That being said, some of what Carys said... I accept, as she does, it went a little far for this stage of our reacquaintance. It wouldn't have if we knew how you were feeling, but... Well. Jumping the gun perhaps."

"Yes," said Irina from somewhere behind Carys. "Very much so."

"It doesn't mean it's wrong, only that you're not ready to hear how right it is."

"Give her a couple of months," Carys sniffled with certainty.

Someone sighed and someone else made a strange sort of hesitant, confused sound.

"What exactly is going on, Carlisle?" asked Tanya. "What do you need our help with now?

"Because I might be considering making peace, but I'm not going to willingly do so with those wolves," added Irina tentatively - worriedly, even. "So if this is about them, you might as well leave me be. Talk to the others, that's fine. But leave me be. I can't make peace with them without a very good reason."

A/N: Ooof, I mean. I get it Irina, but still. I kind of love Irina as she's been in this story. I mean, this is going to be a lot more sympathetic to her than the novels were because come on, she did still lose someone she loved! But... I don't know. I just don't want to sit on this chapter any longer because otherwise it won't get published. Also, if you're coming here thinking Carys made no sense in that last rant, don't worry, I know she didn't - it'll all make sense in the end.

Anyway. I'll respond to all the reviews from the last chapter and this chapter in the next one because if I don't save and publish now, I possibly never will.

P.s. if anyone was wondering (which I imagine no one was - my novel is 130000 words long now and the end makes no sense! That might be why I'm so tangled in this.

Lots of love, Charlie xx