"It will only get more difficult with time."

Marcus stated from his position in a recliner book in hand. He hadn't even bothered to look up. She had been staring at her cell phone for the past ten minutes to be fair. She sighed pushing back her bangs that she'd had recently trimmed to swoop to the sides and not be in the way. It was Saturday morning.

Adley had waited two days to get in contact. He was right, she'd already flipped through the old address book she'd had and saw it was not there.

"Morning Addie,"

"Morning, Oma did you stay in contact with the Lam family?" Adley asked when she picked up.

"Yes, I do,"

Oma's response was hesitant. Adley did her best to reach forward from her position curled in the couch. Her abdomen wasn't as pliant as it once was. She huffed reaching for the pen and address book. Marcus beat her to it, handing it to her. She smiled mouthing 'thank you'.

"Would you like their number?"

"You wouldn't happen to have Jenna's?"

"Of course, Addie let me get it here one moment."

She heard the phone being placed down. Some shuffling of papers.

"Okay,"

She jotted down the number for Jenna as well as the home phone of Mr. and Mrs. Lam.

"Let me know how it goes Addie."

"Thank you, Oma, love you talk with you later."

She closed the phone ending the call as she met Marcus' merlot gaze. He was still knelt before her. Her heart hammering in her chest.

"Are you ready to do this?" He asked sitting beside her.

Adley nodded. She really had no choice at this point. She'd been awoken drenched in sweat once more this morning. The A/C was on and blasting as cold as it could go. She had been nude even laying on Marcus who was a block of ice most of the time. Yet she still was overheating from her nightmares.

"I need to face this. So, he cannot use Naomi against me. Two nights waking up screaming is too much. It's not good for me or them… It's a long time coming."

She dialed the number, her leg beginning to shake as she waited.

It rang twice.

"Hello?"

Jenna's voice upped a few octaves most likely not recognizing her number.

"Hey Jenna, it's—"

"Addie?!" She heard dropping of a few things on the other end. She cringed. "Holy shit! I wasn't expecting —I just... it's not that it's not wanted... I just wasn't..."

Jenna trailed off. Adley's heart beat into her chest. It'd used to be a lot easier than this. Naomi and her, used to tease the girl since they were young. Laughing, constantly joking around.

"I know, it's a bit out of the blue... I hope I'm not interrupting anything,"

"No! You're not. I'm not doing anything important. It's Saturday morning. I was just getting back from a morning jog."

Jenna used to hate working out. Adley bit her cheek pushing herself to continue.

"I was wondering if you were free maybe to grab a coffee?"

"Yeah, of course. Do you have time today? I'm off on weekends now. Nine to five life as you know..."

"Yeah, first jobs. Life after school." Adley nodded. "I'm free this afternoon."

"At one? Down where we used to go? I'm close to there... You're close right? God you're twenty-four... you could be anywhere... do you still live at home?"

"I'm in Olympia for now. I'm more than willing to drive."

"Great. I'll see you at one."

"See you."

The line disconnected. Adley shut her cell putting it on the coffee table. She turned to face Marcus, who had his book once more in hand. He wasn't paying much attention to it as he looked at her.

"You don't mind—"

"Never will I mind you meeting with friends little one. Especially in cases as this. I will get caught up on some paper work. I've been kept busy the last few months from it." He shrugged.

She tilted her head. "Before I entered your life, you used to have a life before this... you never really talk about what it is you do. Well beyond the trials and ruling."

"What I did before was simply exist. A shell of a man who simply did tasks that were mindless. I would gratefully give up many things to be here with you. I also was technically working when here." He reminded.

"True," she nodded. "I should get dressed then and ready to meet her."

Adley gripped the steering wheel, white knuckled. The thing anchoring her to reality. This was it. She'd parked a little way down the road from the cafe to give her some time to try and stop her building anxiety. Walking would help give her some time to get a hold of herself.

She didn't need to influence Jenna in anyway. Also, for her twins. She didn't need to be causing any more of the flutters in her abdomen. Her skirt from her dress flowed in the slight breeze. The sleeveless dress allowed for some comfort in the summer heat. She glanced down at her watch seeing she was a few minutes early.

She could do this. Adley mentally prepared herself. It'd only been 5 years... 5 long years she had pushed away. It was stupid. In hindsight. Naomi's death should have brought them together. Not sent her to hide away like she did.

A bell chimed as she reached the door to the café, people passing her exiting while she entered. She headed up to the counter. She quickly ordered a cold berry tea.

She looked around the seating area. A few tables full of people. Not crowded. Which was nice. She made her way to a table when she spotted a familiar face. Off to the right side of the café next to a window.

Jenna. Light brown hair up in a high ponytail. She'd added highlights Adley noted and layers to the waves. She looked older than she remembered. The same straight nose and oval face with dimples when the girl smiled. Her face no longer rounded from childhood. Hazel eyes crinkling with her smile. She stood a few inches taller than Adley when she stood to greet her.

Jenna didn't hesitate to embrace her. Adley gasped a little at the strength. Her stomach... Adley pulled back hands rubbing at the fluttering in her middle. She noted Jenna looked a bit concerned but did not say anything about it. She gestured to the chair across from her.

They both sat down.

"How are you?" Adley asked.

"I'm well, busy, but good. What of yourself?" Jenna replied, taking a drink from her cold drink.

"The same..." she responded before sipping from her own tea. "So, what have you been up to lately? Work, school..."

Adley saw Jenna's aura she was over all happy and excited to be here. If not hesitant with doubt along with a few more under lying emotions. She herself was scared to face this. The awkwardness of being away so long.

"I'm an accountant. I got a position at my Mum's firm. I finished my bachelor back in January. I had spent a few months travelling and working after high school graduation. I wasn't sure what I wanted to do. I was still dealing with the loss..."

There it was. Adley took a deep breath, cheeks heating in the process. She looked out the window beside them. She did her best to hold back the tears. She could sense Jenna's hurt. It didn't need probing to find the elephant in the room.

"I didn't mean to lose contact with your family. I didn't know how to face the three of you. Especially you Jenna. You were sixteen at the time. I was such a mess I didn't want to force you through it. My guilt of surviving, not Naomi. Why I didn't do more..."

Jenna took her hand on the table. "There was nothing you could've done to help her Adley. No one can see the future. You barely survived it yourself."

"Still Jenna, it's been my fear that kept me from reaching out to you. I was scared you would hate me or not want to see me. So, I removed myself before you could push me away. I was a coward. Then time just continued to pass, and it just became more shame for being a coward."

"I won't say your distance and cold shoulder didn't hurt. It did. It hurt a lot. I was facing the loss of my sister then the loss of the girl I considered to be like a second sister. I'd known you since I was a kid. I didn't get why you just stopped coming to see me, us. It made my birthdays bitter and graduation. I expected you to reach out. Then you never did. It hurt. I almost laughed at you reaching out now. My girlfriend told me I should at least hear you out."

"Thank you, for giving me the chance. I'd deserve you laughing at me for reaching out." She replied. "I was a complete ass to ignore you for so long. Not a year passes I don't think of you or Naomi. I don't have excuses for why. Life seems to continue when we wish for it to stop. It was shitty of me. I'm sorry for hurting you though Jenna, I should've sucked it up and faced you."

"I can't say it'll be easy to forgive you. It's been five years. That's a lot of time for me being angry."

"I wouldn't expect less." A tear slipped down her cheek. "God, I'm sorry. This is really hard to face."

"I have questions, though. Why now? It's not my birthday. It's not the anniversary of her death." Jenna asked.

Sorrow was curling in her aura. The anger and hurt raw rearing its head.

Adley gave a sad smile. She couldn't tell the truth. She knew it would break so many laws to do so. She couldn't tell her that, her face was being used against her by warlocks. That for the past three nights she'd had nightmares of Naomi. The hazel eyes searching her begged to be answered. She couldn't not answer.

"I didn't want to allow fear to control my life anymore. It took two years of intense therapy to be able to reach a semblance of normal. A few years of me burying my face in the sand. I became a high school teacher this year... I met someone... I became pregnant..."

Jenna sputtered slamming her drink a little too loud. She blushed seeing others stare but ignored it.

"You're knocked?"

Adley gave a small smile. The twins were part of the reason she wanted to reach out. She'd just ignored the urge to do so. "Yes, and well I've been an emotional person lately. I was thinking of making an announcement to our families... I just couldn't get Naomi's face out of my head. Because the first person I ever would've told wasn't around. She wasn't here to yell at me, cry with me, or be excited by this. She's not here to tell me I'm stupid for getting pregnant to a man I'd known less than a year. To go shopping with..."

Her tears were flowing now. She pulled some Kleenex from her purse.

"Pregnancy hormones. I've been a bit weepy these past few days."

"I don't know whether to smack you or hug you." Jenna admitted taking one of the Kleenexes to wipe her cheeks.

"I'd prefer the hug. You can smack me after I give birth how about?"

"You won't leave again, will you? I can't face being left alone again Adley. Not without warning."

"I can't promise the future Jenna. But I'll say I'm not going to lose touch without cause. Not again. Not to mention my partner is originally from Italy... his whole family is there. I'd be moving there in the next few weeks."

Jenna frowned. "Oh."

"I will be on a private jet as soon as I am needed. Heck I'll pay for you to take vacation in Italy."

Her brows raised. "Did you end up shacked up with a mafia lord of some kind?"

Adley laughed. "No Marcus is a CEO of a family company with his brothers. He was in Washington on business. Still is with one of his other brothers. We will be here for a few weeks if not until the end of summer the way this one deal is going." She phrased it so not to go into detail.

"You said you became a teacher though this past year? Was that in Olympia?"

"In Forks actually. Small town right off the west coast. I got some really amazing photos from the beaches."

"You're still into photography, cool. How good are you with hidden photo graphs?" Jenna questioned.

"I deal with wildlife and landscape type usually. I've done family and friends before. Why?"

"What is your stance on same sex relationships?"

Her voice lowered as she asked this. Adley blinked a few times. Jenna had just said girlfriend. Didn't she? Adley hadn't commented on it.

"They exist? Love is love in my opinion. Anyone who sees it as an issue can fuck off. It's not their business to give an opinion on it. Why?"

"I am planning on asking my girlfriend to become my wife."

Adley blinked a few times. "Seriously? That's amazing. Congratulations. Are you able to get married though? Or will this be a ceremony?"

"We're actually looking into the filing if we go to Hawaii. Hannah wants to honeymoon there and after the case back in 2004 thought we would investigate getting a license. We're wanting to petition the governor on making it legal here, we're thinking a lawsuit if need be."

"That's a big journey," Adley commented. "One I hope you find success in Jenna. You deserve happiness."

"Thank you, Addie." She smiled. "I never actually got to tell Naomi. Telling my parents was hard enough. You know how Mum is in church. They took a few months but eventually came around. They love Hannah even more than me sometimes."

Adley chuckled. "I'm sure they love you a lot. So, tell me about Hannah how'd you meet."

"We met in university. She was three years ahead of me. She was attending law school. She passed the bar exam a year ago. Hannah and I ran into each other on campus in an improv group. I was freshly out as a lesbian. Hannah said I should join the school's lgbtq group. Find some likeminded people. So, I did. Dated a few girls before Hannah. Used a fake ID."

"Jenna," Adley sighed. "Seriously? A fake ID?"

Jenna quirked her brow, a smirk on her face.

"As if you and Naomi didn't use them. Yeah, I know about the clubbing you two did. She didn't exactly hide it. Her diaries I was given in a will. Mum and dad didn't want to look through them."

A pang hit Adley's chest she took a sharp breath trying to calm the building tears. The weekends they snuck out. Took a cab downtown. They went bar hopping. Ended up at a dance club. It'd been so much fun. Being teens. Away from expectations. Letting the issues of their lives go away just for a while. Be in the moment. Simple rebellious acts.

Adley had used her abilities to manipulate the bouncers and the workers checking ID's. It was wrong. She knew it. But the fond memories were worth it. She wasn't aware they would be the only times Naomi and her, went clubbing together. Jenna continued drawing her back to their conversation.

"It was four times I used it. Hannah caught me using one at a bar downtown. I got cocky and went too close to the school. Instead of reporting me, she took me out for a coffee and asked me what the fuck I thought I was doing. A freshman with a fake ID. Did I want to throw my life away? She lectured me. I rebelled. Ended up in a heated argument that ended up in her apartment off campus."

Jenna finished her drink. Adley shook her head. "You're lucky she tried to talk sense into you."

"I know. Very aware. We began dating then and well here we are. I want to propose to her. I also want to capture the moment on camera without her noticing." Jenna admitted.

"I'd be more than happy to do that for you. I'm grateful you're even willing to consider speaking with me again."

"I can't remain angry at you. I was pissed for so long it already took enough out of me. If losing my sister taught me anything it's that time isn't guaranteed."

"Very true," Adley agreed. "Let me know when you would like to propose. I'll have the camera ready."

"Will you still be in town July thirtieth?"

"I will be," she nodded. "That's next weekend. I can make time. Send me where and when."

"Of course." She assured her." "Do you know the gender of your twins?"

"Not for a few more weeks."

Adley wasn't sure when Aunt Janet would be able to give a rough guess on gender. The twentieth week in a normal pregnancy. Right now, she was almost sixteen weeks along in their development. She knew it'd be either next week or the week after.

"Are you feeling ready to be a mum?"

She ran a hand over her bump. "I think so. I haven't given that aspect much thought…"

"You'll be great." She assured.

She spoke with Jenna for three hours until Hannah called asking where she was. They said goodbye and made sure to exchange emails. Adley exited to the Jeep. Her hand on the door to her passenger side.

"They are too trusting leaving you alone,"

The words sent shivers up her spine. Adley turned slightly, there in a suit in the beating sun, Hartford stood. She glared at him.

"You're brave to approach in the middle of public. In attire that doesn't fit the weather." She snipped.

"You're an imbecile approaching your friend so openly. Unaware of who watches you. I could have your friend dead all because of you." He replied with a cold chuckle.

His face twitched in his sneer. He stepped forward to come close to her his hand shot out. She caught his hand. Her finger nails had been growing like crazy with the hormones, making nice little daggers. She pushed them into his wrist. She stared up with a wide smile meeting his gaze.

"You little bitch," he snarled. "I'll have your friend dead and laid at your door."

No one was thankfully walking by them they were closer to the cafes and open stores. Adley dug in deeper, he hissed trying to pull away from her. It was of no use with her nails acting like spikes in his skin. Her powers always did work best with skin-to-skin contact.

She caught onto his aura, he was too cocky to protect himself. Even after last time.

"Touch Jenna Lam, and I will no longer allow you to walk this earth. Your brother faces a fair trial because my mate went to your community. In respect with the Accords. I am not bound to the same laws." Adley reminded, her words low.

He caught her meaning though. His pupils swallowed his irises sweat began to form on his brow while he took deep breaths. She was manipulating him, pressing fear into his aura.

"I am my own kind. I do not have Accords with your community in respect when it comes to laws and threats. I am not yet married and bound to the Volturi. So, I say this once. Interact with anyone I care for, and I will personally torture you until you are begging me for death. I am not the one with the finite life span. Do not take my pregnancy as weakness. You over stepped today. You do not scare me."

"If I did not scare you, then why are you shaking?" he challenged. "You try in vain to mend relationships you fucked up. You caused Naomi's death. You will be the death of her sister. You fear for her."

"Listen well you scum of the earth. I will personally see to it you never know the light of day. I may look sweet and innocent, you should know. I lost my sense of sanity the first time I died. You think the vampires are creatures from hell. You have not met me." She stated coolly in his ear. Her breath washing over him.

She pulled him close as if she was going to kiss him. Her eyes focused upon his. She brought her other hand to his wrist. He cried out. She pushed passed his weak responding magic in his aura. It fought, but it was too late. She'd already sent the hooks into his aura. She forced pulsing strands of fear, building it, curling in the pit of his aura and self. She made it consume him like a raging ocean. Not a sound escaped his mouth opening wide.

He started to shake the longer she held. The longer she stared. He convulsed on spot. He crumpled to his knees, eyes rolling backwards. She didn't drop his hands.

"You will not touch a hair on the heads of my family, or anyone I care for. This is nothing to what I am willing to do to you."

Adley dropped his hands, not pulling off his aura. She leant down to his thrashing head on the ground. She pressed her index finger and middle finger to his sweaty forehead sending a shock through him. He fell limp crumpled on the sidewalk.

She stepped back dropping her feelers, she took ragged breaths. The sun, too much… she groaned shaking her head. She really shouldn't do that on an empty stomach.

"You really are lucky I can make things invisible." Ibrahim sighed after a moment.

She met his red gaze. "He deserved it."

"I'm not arguing that. The fucker has been following you since the compound. Cocky bastard thinks he can taunt you on behalf of his brother." He commented. "I just wish you'd take him into an alley first. Less chances of witnesses."

"You don't care I just about killed him?" She asked crossing her arms. The sweat she felt when she moved her arms. "I just shot him with the same force I hit you with."

"Like you said, my lady, he deserved it. Also, you got the loop hole on the head if he is dead." Ibrahim cracked a half smile. "You aren't bound to the Volturi, there are no accords between you and the Magical world. You are more than justified of killing him if he threatened you."

"I'm not free of them retaliating against me though,"

"If they were smart, they wouldn't, they know you have a very powerful ally in the form of your mate. To mention there are already members of their world that like you."

Ibrahim bent down touching the neck of the unconscious Warlock. "The pulse is faint but still there."

Adley frowned as he pulled out his cell phone. He gave a kick to the man's face. "I can do it again."

"Let's not have a murder charge pending on you when you're pregnant."

"Fine." She rolled her eyes. "What do we do with him?"

"I'm calling some other guards to take him to the compound holding. There are some potions Cassandra provided to us a few months ago when she became librarian." He replied.

"I thought she was supposed to be non-partisan?"

"She is, doesn't mean she can't help those who fund the library." He shrugged before rattling off some instructions.

"I didn't do it intentionally," Adley shrugged staring down at the medical bed.

The unconscious Warlock was splayed out in the bed hooked up to a few monitors. The room was sealed with a steel door. The man wore a magic suppressing bracelet which could not be taken off of him. Aro and Marcus were in the room with her while a vampire doctor looked over him.

Aro's brow raised at her statement.

"Okay, I wanted to hurt him a little. He had it coming."

"You practically fried his brain sister,"

"He shouldn't go threatening people he knows little of. I warned him before with my powers. He brought this on himself. If you expect me to apologize, I won't do it." She crossed her arms.

"I am not asking you do, simply I request you hold off on torturing other beings we have Accords with. I understand you are not bound yet to our contracts, however you still can be punished under the magic world's laws."

He pinched the bridge of his nose. Adley dared look up to Marcus. His golden aura was rather… undisturbed beyond the normal love, and devotion she found. The lust was normal… oh… she pushed there. Well then…

Her cheeks heated as she stepped away from the man. She turned back to Aro, his aura flashed with the many split feelings he was having.

"I make no promises on how I will react to the threats from this Aster family. He threatened me three times Aro. I can see your emotions remember."

Merlot eyes met hers, Aro frowned. "I realize this sister, and I appreciate your defense of us. I request for Marcus' sake you try to not attack like this. I only ask you try, not stop. There will be many times you come across those who dislike us, we have many enemies."

Adley sighed. "You play dirty. Fine for my mate I will stay safe when in a vulnerable state like this. He's not going to die. Will he?"

"I am not certain at this point, Lady Adley. His body is shut down, his vitals are weak. His brain shows seizures and a few blood vessels threatening to pop. He could have an aneurism at any time. Only time will tell."

"Why do I feel no guilt from this?" She murmured looking over the man then to the doctor.

"He threatened you, you're very protective of those you care for, my Lady. These emotions may hit you in a few days when the adrenaline are out of your system." The doctor replied.

"Thank you, Russel, it is appreciated."

"Of course, Master Aro, I will have a magical healer take a look at him."

"Let us know how he progresses."

The three of them left the room. Marcus wrapped an arm around her waist holding her close to him. She looked over Aro.

"Am I in trouble?"

"It was in your right to react to the threat," Aro shrugged.

"It doesn't save me from consequences."

"When they find out we will proceed then." He dismissed. "Until then they will not know."

"You're not reporting this?"

"No, I have some digging I wish to do freely without his community looking for him."

Adley shook her head and followed the two out of the compound. Aro divulged off to the right saying he would see them later. She approached the elevator up to the carpark with Marcus.

"Are you mad at me?"

"Why ever would I be angry?"

"I just tortured a Warlock."

"I have tortured my own fair amount of people through the centuries." He reminded while guiding her to her Jeep.

She buckled up while he rounded into the driver seat and started up the vehicle. She tilted her head watching him. There in his aura she watched the plumes of lust, desire swirl together.

"However, I do believe we need to discuss your impulse control. Today is just show you need some, correcting."

She stared mouth falling open. "Correcting?"

"Do you have an issue with that?" He glanced over to her, dark eyes searching.

Her cheeks warmed and she closed her legs.

"Nope." Her voice cracking with her response.

"Good, once we are at the cabin you will strip and head straight for the bedroom. You will wait for instruction."

"Yes sir."