Hi! Yes I'm alive and well! I'll keep this short since I know it's been a looooong wait and I'll explain myself at the end.
I currently don't have a beta, so all mistakes are mine.
Enjoy!
Chapter 30: You Call
Your Call – Secondhand Serenade
Stripped and polished, I am new, I am fresh
I am feeling so ambitious, you and me, flesh to flesh
Cause every breath that you will take
when you are sitting next to me
will bring life into my deepest hopes, What's your fantasy?
(What's your, what's your...)
I was born to tell you I love you
and I am torn to do what I have to, to make you mine
Stay with me tonight
And I'm tired of being all alone,
and this solitary moment makes me want to come back home
… o Edward o ….
"They are coming here…" she cries.
"Who?"
"The newborns… they have Bella's red sweater."
I stand up in front of Bella and Lizzie on pure instinct, but my eyes never leave Alice's. She shows me her vision again. Twenty six vampires running through the woods, a blonde one, the very same vampire that bit Jacob all those years ago front and center, he has Bella's red sweater on his hand.
"Alice, please explain what you saw." Carlisle says in a hard, serious voice but it's me who speaks.
"The intruder, he's leading them. He's the blonde vampire that bit Jacob, the one that came to Bella's house after Laurent killed Charlie. He has Bella's sweater."
"Are you sure?"
"Positive."
I don't recognize my voice.
It's ice cold.
I'm high alert, listening to every sound and feeling every movement coming from the woods outside. I can taste every smell I'm inhaling in my tongue, my vision reddens and venom starts flowing freely around my mouth.
"Who is he?" Esme asks, as her eyes jump from Bella and Lizzie to me.
"I don't know, but I'd bet my life Victoria is behind it." I say seething.
Fuck! I was an idiot, of course!
It's so obvious now, how didn't I realize this sooner?
"We will conquer!" Raoul had said. She made an army! I don't know what stories she fed them but it's crystal clear now.
"Think about it." I say urgently to Jasper, who has been following them since the beginning "The killings started just after Lizzie came to me, then stopped a whole year when we were gone. As soon as we were back they started again. Then there's what Raoul said."
"Alice, how could you miss this?" Rosalie glares and Jasper glares back.
"It's not her fault, she's been trying to cover too much at the same time and with Seth and Lizzie around is not as easy for her." He says defensively.
"But I thought she was looking out for Victoria." She argues back.
"I was… I don't know how this happened." Alice cries rubbing her temples with her fingertips.
"Laurent must have told her how your visions work. He knew you were following her decisions." Carlisle says soothingly rubbing her back, making sure she knows she wasn't at fault.
"But how didn't I see her make an army!" She snaps her eyes open, her eyes full of anger.
"She didn't do it herself, the intruder, he is their leader he must have been the one making the decisions for her." I growl.
I can barely control the fury in my voice, I'm fighting a great inner battle between paralyzing fear and the urge to take action and set off into a hunt and find that bitch.
I'm feeling enraged, terrified and powerless all at the same time. I'm trying to keep my head as cool as possible but I cannot stop the images in my head. I cannot stop the images of those demons chasing after my girls. I want to just run away with Lizzie and Bella and put as much distance as possible between us and them but I know that won't change anything. They'll follow us, the hunt has started and there are too many for us alone. I mean, it's possible to take them down but… I stare at every member of my family, at what cost?
I feel Bella's trembling hand in my back and I take a deep breath. I can't lose it, I can tell I'm starting to lose it but I can't. I feel something warm against my leg and look down to see Lizzie staring up at me. Her big brown eyes looking vulnerable, she doesn't know exactly what's going on but she is scared. Victoria's name is enough to bring her to tears.
I reach down and pull her up to my chest. She immediately buries her face on my neck and I kiss her head. I use my left arm to pull Bella along as well. She is as white as a ghost, her hands are shaking but she is trying to get a grip of herself as well.
How can I stop this? How can I save them? I've never been this scared in my life.
I look past Lizzie's shoulder and see my family staring back at us. Would they help me? Would they risk their lives for us? Was that too much to ask? It was one thing to help me guard Bella and Lizzie against just Victoria and the occasional nomad but now… dear god. Twenty six newborns…
"Don't offend us Edward," Carlisle says "you don't even have to ask, we are a family." Carlisle says fervently, reading my mind for once.
"We'll do everything we can to protect Bella and your daughter." Esme says as she stands next to Carlisle.
"Thank you." I hear myself say in a strange voice.
Tanya looks around for her clan and after a few silent conversations with their eyes and a couple nods she faces us.
"We are in too, you are family and this is partially our fault. If we hadn't trust in Laurent this wouldn't have happened." Tanya says firmly.
"You didn't know this would have happened. It's not your fault at all." Carlisle tells her and I agree.
"Still, we cannot in good conscience just leave. We are a family and we are here for you no matter what."
"I'm in, too." Garret suddenly says, making all of us turn to him "It looks like it's going to be one hell of a fight. Don't want to miss out," He shrugs and gives us a small smile "that's what I was here for anyways."
"Yeah, but the odds are different now. You won't have the Volturi fighting with you." I say.
He shakes his head.
"Meh, they are overrated. We have little miss high voltage over here to help us anyway," He wiggles his eyebrows at Kate "what more do we need?"
Kate rolls her eyes but tries to hide her smile.
"Thank you." I say to all, lost at words.
"So, what now?" Eleazar asks "Do we have a plan?"
…
…
"I have an idea." Jasper says, staring intently at the floor. "But we might need back up" He looks up at Seth "Can you put Jacob on the phone?"
Alice's previous vision of us standing in a clearing becomes solid. All of us except for Bella, Lizzie and Seth in formation, waiting for something before we all disappear.
"The wolves?" I ask, "you think it'll work?"
"It's the only way I can think of to lure them out of cities and towns and into our territory."
"I thought we wanted them out of the way, not in our backyard." Emmett asks perplexed.
"If we run, they'll follow us no matter were we go and they can leave more damage behind. But, if we make them go to were we want them to be we can be there ready for them. Waiting."
"And how are we gonna do that." Tanya asks curiously, sitting on the chair closest to Jasper.
"Well, first I thought we could use Bella as carnage but judging by Edward's face that won't happen." He chuckles without humor and I growl at the stupidity of that idea "Jacob's pack is behind them in Washington, so maybe if we can bring the wolves in, they can herd them to us and we can all ambush them rather than they ambushing us."
"That would give us the numbers as well." I point out. "If we hide Bella and Lizzie somewhere else, and with the wolves guiding them to us we can make sure there are no stragglers around any towns nearby and more casualties."
"Exactly, we can be at the clearing we play baseball in, use Bella's stuff to fill it with her scent to help attract them there and make them crazed with blood thirst." Jasper says excitedly, his mind spinning "We add the wolves to the mix and since they have never encountered one of those before they'll be so confused it'll be even more easier to distract them and take them out."
I turn to Seth "You think Jacob will agree to this?"
"Are you kidding? They'll start the hunt as soon as you hung up the phone."
"Well, they do need to start now. The army will be moving soon if they are not already and they are still back in Washington. Alice, how much time do we have?" Jasper asks his wife and Alice closes her eyes.
"Five days, they will be moving fast but fighting along the way and for some reason their leader will ask them to wait at some point."
"Why would he do that?"
"I don't know, he disappears into the woods and comes back. If Edward is right, he must be meeting with Victoria."
"But why is Victoria not leading the Army?" Tanya asks.
"I don't think she wants to be seen by them." Alice says. "Not yet anyway."
"I think you are right, she is covering her tracks. They were doing a mess in Washington, obviously they don't know about the rules and the Volturi, which was why we were going to meet them in the first place, to explain everything." I say, suddenly putting all the pieces of the puzzle together "If her plan had failed and the Volturi would have come sooner, there would be no witnesses about her involvement. She could just get rid of the intruder and the Volturi would take care of the army and no one will be the wiser."
"That's still a risky plan, who in their right mind would challenge the Vorturi like that? They are proud and they have their ways around everything… Victoria has good surviving instincts… are we sure she is behind this?" Tanya asks skeptically "I mean, I know it makes sense but I don't want to overlook the possibility that this is unrelated and we stop paying attention to her."
"Nothing has ever made more sense to me." I say firmly "There's no other reason for an army around here. We were the only clan in Washington and now in Alberta, we don't live in big cities, we don't feed on humans so why would anyone make an army to claim a territory? There is no need."
"Edward is right, I bet she is waiting to join them at the last minute." Alice adds "She is probably expecting to ambush us at our house and while all of us are occupied at the battle she'll charge on Bella and Lizzie alone and then be gone."
"That's why we need the pack's help to stir them in another direction." Jasper finishes.
Seth takes out his phone and dials Jacob's number.
He answers after a couple of rings and Carlisle, as the leader of our family and the most patient one takes the phone, puts it on speaker and starts explaining him what's going on. He walks back to the first living room and we all follow him behind.
"Daddy," Lizzie says in a quiet voice "are we going to die?"
I freeze for a fraction of a second before answering with my most assuring voice possible.
"You are going to be just fine princess, I promise." I kiss her head.
She'll be fine, both her and Bella will be fine. I have to believe that.
"Then why are you worried?"
"Because I'm worried all the time, remember?" I chuckle and try to compose my face.
"Daddy is a little over protective sweetie, he even worries about a bee pinching you." Bella jokes and pinches Lizzie's cheek, trying to distract her.
In the background, I hear Carlisle thanking Jacob for agreeing to fight with us, and I take a deep breath in relief. This changes everything, with Jacob's help the odds are in our favor now. Everything will be fine.
I walk out of the room with Lizzie still in my arms and Bella next to me and even though my focus is on Lizzie I'm still paying attention to the other conversation in the room behind us.
"But bees cannot hurt me." Lizzie chuckles.
"Exactly, but I still worry over it."
I walk out to the back porch and sit in the rocking bench at the corner, it's starting to rain again and even though it's the beginning of summer the air is unusually humid. Bella sits next to us and takes Lizzie from me to sit her on her lap.
"Lizzie, do you understand what's going on?" I ask softly.
Lizzie nods.
"Victoria made an army of vampires, they want to eat mommy and me."
I get off the bench and kneel in front of them, Bella takes her hand and I take Lizzie's other hand in mine and kiss it chastely before looking into her eyes.
"And you understand I won't let that happen, right?" She nods "I'd never lie to you sweetie, we are dealing with an adult situation, yes, and we need to take precautions, but you'll always be safe. Ok?"
"Ok." She gives me another nod.
"There's an army of vampires coming here, but you won't be here and there are too many of us here to protect you," I explain, both to her and Bella because even if she has a brave face on, I know in the inside she is actually terrified for Lizzie "with Jacob's help now, even some of us can sit down if we want. Newborn vampires are actually quite easy to defeat if you know how, and Jasper is an expert. Emmett can't wait actually, he even thinks this is like any other game." I smile to reassure them both.
"Will you be fighting?" Lizzie asks quietly with her mind, staring at our hands.
"Yes."
She looks up to me.
"Will you be in danger?"
I squeeze her hand reassuringly.
"Not at all honey, I promise you everything will be alright and when everything is over we'll take a small vacation. What do you think?"
She perks up at this.
"Really? Where?" She asks a bit more excitedly.
"Do you want to go back to Isle Esme? You wanted to take mommy there, remember?"
"Can Seth come too?" She asks with those big beautiful eyes of her.
"Of course angel."
"Oh! Daddy it will be so fun! Mommy, you are going to loooove it!" Lizzie looks up at her mother but Bella is looking at me confused.
"I'll explain tonight." I mouth at her and she nods.
When all this is over, we still have the threat of the Volturi. They'll be coming here looking for answers since we will be the ones destroying the army. Bella and Lizzie cannot be here when that happens. So instead of taking them and half the clan to Denali to hide like we were going to do in the beginning, I'll just take Bella, Lizzie and Seth with me to Isle Esme and everyone else can stay here and cover for us.
We sit there staring at the rain, Bella and Lizzie talk quietly about Isle Esme while I now focus completely on Carlisle and Jacob's conversation inside. Twenty minutes later, I hear Carlisle and Jasper starting to wrap up their conversation with Jacob so I take Lizzie in my arms, she's starting to get to big and heavy for Bella. I tell them we need to get back inside so we stand up and join everyone inside.
"Just don't fight them yet. There are too many and without the proper training you wont be able to take them all on your own." Jasper says.
"We can take care of ourselves." Jacob responds with a snort.
"Jacob, please listen to Jasper. These are newborns, it's not the same as a mature vampire." I add as I enter the room.
"I have an idea," Seth suddenly says "Jasper is gonna train us for the fight, right?" Jasper nods. "As soon as the pack comes closer you'll be able to hear my thoughts. I can show you everything Jasper teaches me while you run behind the army, that way if one of them attacks you you'll know what to do."
"Won't that distract them?" Bella asks "Herding the army and listening to you at the same time?"
"It's not really a problem, their abilities are more enhanced as that of a regular human." I kiss her head reassuringly.
"Oh, so you think you can do that Jake? Would you listen to Jasper?" Bella pleads and Jacob sighs.
"Fine, we'll watch the tutorial on Newborns for Dummies."
"Thank you." Bella sighs in relief.
"Whatever… so is there anything else? I need to gather the pack and start mobilizing things."
"That's all, Edward will be able to hear you when you are close enough." Carlisle says "and we will be ready at the clearing."
"What about Bella and Lizzie?" Jacob asks concerned and I respond.
"We'll hide them at a camp far away from here. Seth, Esme and Carmen will stay with them just in case." Bella's head snaps towards me, she opens her mouth to say something but thinks about it and says nothing.
"What about their scent?"
"Lizzie's scent is not really a problem, but we'll need to hide Bella's." Jasper says facing me and I shrug.
"There's a storm coming up in the mountains so it's going to rain non stop for the next three days. If I take Bella with me two days before the battle the scent will barely stick and will be gone by then. Seth can carry Lizzie to camp the day before the battle and his scent will mask hers. Esme and Carmen can come along with them, they can stay there in guarding duty and I'll come back and meet you guys here."
"Good, I don't want Seth near the battle either."
"Hey!" Seth argues "I've gotten a lot better. Tell him Jasper!"
Jasper chuckles.
"I don't care about that, I care about your sister. She'll rip me a new one if I let you go into battle. Oh fuck! Leah! I need to tell her we are leaving. She is gonna be furious!"
"I'm so sorry Jacob, I would totally understand if this is too dangerous for you." Bella says heartbroken "please, don't feel obliged to do anything. You have done so much for me already."
"Don't be stupid, she'll only be furious that she will miss killing some vampires."
Bella rolls her eyes and huffs.
"Jacob, what about your baby… Leah can give birth any second now."
"Don't worry, she'll understand and she still has a couple more weeks."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes," He says impatiently "stop worrying you'll get wrinkles."
Bella frowns and I kiss her forehead.
"He's right, stop worrying. With the pack's help and Jasper's training this will be a piece of cake. I promise." I smile down at her.
"Someone might get hurt... or killed." She looks around at the faces of every member of my family. "This is too much to ask, it's not worth it. If you change me now, you'll have one thing less to worry about."
"Isabella we've discussed this. If Alice changes you now, you'll be rotting in pain for days, much easier target for Victoria and a danger to Lizzie." I plead.
"I agree with Edward, even if you are fully converted by then you'll still be a newborn and Edward won't be able to concentrate if he is worrying about you all the time." Jasper adds.
Bella's frown deepens.
"Then what can I do?"
"Well, you can help us in setting up the trap." Jasper suggests and Bella's heart skips a beat.
"Yes, whatever you need."
"Good, the morning you and Edward leave we'll take you to the clearing before. You can walk around, touch some rocks, trees and branches. Leave around the clothes you have worn the last couple of days…" He shrugs "Whatever that makes your scent there the strongest."
"What about the rain?"
"The storm will hit up in the northern mountains, that's why I don't want Lizzie to go with us just yet. Down here it'll just be a light rain by then."
"Oh, ok."
"So now that everything is clear, I gotta go. Need to track the pack." Jacob says urgently, wanting to put everything in motion already.
"Is everyone coming?" Seth asks.
"I'll leave the young ones behind."
"The young ones?"
"Yeah, with all the killings recently around Washington a couple of kids from the rez phased last year."
"So who's coming?"
"Sam, Quil, Embry, Jared, Colin, Brady and Paul."
For some reason, my jaw clenches at the mention of Paul. I know there's a story there that I haven't heard completely yet.
"Nice." Seth says "It'll be like old times!"
"Well, gotta go. See you soon and please don't do anything stupid."
"I'm telling you! I'm not a kid anymore!"
But Jacob hangs up before Seth could finish his sentence.
"Well you sure whine like one." Emmett laughs.
"Oh! Look who's talking!"
"What are you talking about?"
"You cry every time you lose in a game and won't shut up about how everyone cheated for WEEKS!"
"That's different, and you DO cheat!"
"That's enough," Esme interrupts "Emmett, stop it."
"He started it!"
Esme rolls her eyes.
"We have more important things to go over than Emmett being a sore loser." Jasper starts and Emmet grunts "So first things first… Bella, you need to pack for at least three days. We don't know how long you might be up in the mountains."
Bella nods.
"I'll pack food and supplies for you and Lizzie. We have a storm proof tent somewhere, it should hold nicely if there are strong winds." Esme says, making a list of things she needs to pack for them in her mind.
"It's in the basement, Emmet and I used it in our last hunting trip. I'll take it out and clean it for you." Rosalie offers as she disappears out of the living room.
"You guys took a tent to a hunting trip?" Jasper asks confused.
"It was raining and bear season, she didn't what to get her hair wet while I played around with my food." Emmett smiles unapologetically and Jasper chuckles shaking his head in amusement.
"You guys are the exact opposite of each other, I seriously don't know how you two are together." Tanya says laughing but there's real curiosity in her eyes.
"Easy, I'm good looking and charming as hell."
"To be fair is not like Rosalie had many options," Jasper jokes "it was either him or Edward and that would have been a total disaster." He laughs and everyone joins him.
Everyone but Bella, whose eyes are wide as saucers as she stares at Jasper. But it's not at all like Jasper is making it sound. Carlisle changed Rosalie, and Esme hoped that with time she could be a potential mate for me. But that was never going to happen, Rosalie and Emmett were meant to be and Bella was always going to be the woman for me.
I put my arm around her, pull her closer to me and explain that to her.
"I love you." I tell her.
She nods but there's still a frown on her face.
"What's the matter?" I ask.
"Why is everyone so… relaxed now. Shouldn't you guys start training or something."
I shrug.
"Everything will be fine, with the pack's help this will be done pretty quickly. We'll train tonight while you and Lizzie sleep. We need the thunders of tonight's storm anyway."
"Why?"
"Remember when I took you to play baseball with my family back in Forks?"
"Oh, that's right. You need the thunder."
I smile at her and kiss her once more before turning back to Jasper and plan then next five days' schedules.
… o Bella o ….
I can't sleep.
I don't know if it's the thunder, the laugher from outside or the sickening feeling at the pit of my stomach but I can't sleep.
I take a look at the time and see that dawn is almost here. I stare at my daughter sleeping peacefully next to me and wish I could be dreaming as well. Dreaming beautiful things, just like her. I grab her hand and my vision is filled with bright colors, water and sun. There we are, the three of us in an island far away from here. Edward and Lizzie are sparkling under the bright sunlight, beautiful and looking like they belonged to a fairytale rather than in the real world we live in. We are building sand castles, throwing rocks into the ocean and enjoying the day at the beach.
Another thunder, and Emmett's laugh follows.
They've been training non-stop for three days now. That should make me feel better but every time I hear the thunder my heart skips a beat thinking someone finally got hurt this time.
The first night I kept jumping out of bed and running to the window each time I heard that big clash, and my heart would calm down as soon as I would see Edward there, intact, soaking wet from the rain and with a big smile on his face. Even when he was filled with mud all over his clothes and face he was the most beautiful thing my eyes had ever seen. Almost as beautiful as our daughter.
Today is the day Edward and I leave to set up camp. Lizzie will stay here until tomorrow when the rains stop, and Edward will come back as soon as Seth, Carmen and Esme bring her to us.
I don't want him to come back I want him to stay with us. But, how can I ask him to stay with us when his entire family is risking their lives for us? Am I that selfish? I probably am and I know I shouldn't ask this from him but… I cannot bear the thought of him in battle. I just can't. What if something happens to him? What if he gets hurt or worse… killed? I couldn't even think about it, the mere thought gave me nausea.
As the real storm stops, the sun starts to come up. Well, kind of. It's still cloudy as hell but there's light outside.
I get up from bed and do my morning routine. Take a shower, brush my teeth and dress for the day. Just a pair of jeans and a tank top, with the summer rains the weather has been warm and nice for once. Our bags are packed, so there's not much left to do but wait. I lay back in bed with Lizzie again and wait for Edward to let me know when we are leaving.
About and hour later I hear them come back inside the house, doors opening and closing as every vampire go back into their rooms to shower and clean themselves up. I hear Kate's laugher from outside and I assume Garret is with her.
He is always following her around. It's kind of funny in a cute way. She is beautiful, like Rosalie, always perfectly dressed, not a hair out of place and Garret even though he is very handsome as well, wears shaggier clothes and moves around the place like he has no care in the world. It's a striking image when you see them together.
Garret is a military man just like Jasper, but with a bolder personality. He is a gentleman through and through and goes out of his way to please Kate and makes these big grand gestures, with everything that's going on, it's very refreshing to see them together.
There's a soft knock on the door and Edward pokes his head inside.
"Hi, can I come in?" He smiles that gorgeous smile of his at me and it takes me a second to respond.
"Yeah," I whisper and he steps into the room "she is still asleep, though. Should I wake her?"
He shakes his head.
"No, she's been having trouble sleeping. Let her sleep, we said our goodbyes last night anyway."
I nod, and with a huge knot in my throat I kiss my daughter's cheek and get out of bed. Edward comes forward sits on the edge of the bed and kisses her too, then he whispers something quietly in her ear, presses his forehead to the side of her head and takes a deep breath and of course, I fight the urge to burst into tears. Edward's world is his daughter, as it should be. And there is nothing more beautiful than Edward's eyes when he sees Elizabeth so I know leaving her behind, even if it's just for 24 hours it's literally killing him even more than it's killing me. That special bond they have is both a blessing and a curse, but I'm so grateful for it. It means that no matter what Elizabeth will always be Edward's first choice over anything, even me. And that's something that has given me a little bit of peace these past days. If push comes to shove, Edward will make the right choice.
Edward kisses her cheek one last time and stands back up. Then walk around the bed to pick up the duffle bag by the foot of the bed with my worn out clothes.
He stretches his hand out for me to take it.
"Shall we? Jasper and Alice already left."
I grab his hand and we walk out of the room together. He rubs his thumb in the back of my hand and it takes everything in me not to stop at that second and beg him to stay with us. I mean, I should be glad Esme and Carmen will be staying out of the fight but I'm a horrible person and I'd prefer Edward to be the one that stays with us.
What if Victoria taunts him into a trap? What if he gets ambushed by a small herd of newborns?
I'm feeling sick and again, I wish I was stronger. Stronger to protect my daughter, to protect him, he says he doesn't need protection but he has been hurt before. Seth accidentally injured him once and then Raoul bit him. He is not as indestructible he's vulnerable too and that terrifies me because I know, I know he would gladly give his life for us but it doesn't have to be like that. Lizzie needs him more than she needs me and I need him too. I need him to stay alive.
We are standing now next to Emmett's jeep and I reach out to open the door when suddenly I have a pair of golden eyes in front of me.
"Isabella, please stop biting your lip. You are going to draw blood."
He grabs my chin and uses his thumb to pull at my lower lip. I don't want him to see me cry so I lean forward and hide my face in his chest.
"What's the matter?" He asks quietly as he wraps his arms around me and I shrug.
"Everything is wrong."
"Not everything is wrong," he tightens his hold on me and inhales my hair "but it'll be over soon and everything will go back to normal."
"When has anything been normal?" I roll my eyes even though he can't see me.
"Touché" He chuckles.
"I just… I want…"
"What do you want?"
"Edward… if anything happens please promise me you'll take Lizzie, let me go and run away as fast as you can."
"Bella don't-"
"Just promise me, please." I don't want him to try and be a hero, I look up and put my hands at the sides of his face, forcing him to look at me directly into my eyes "This is the only thing I ask of you. If you really love me promise me that if something goes wrong, you'll take Elizabeth, you won't try to be a hero, you'll leave the country and won't spare me a thought."
"It won't come to that." He shakes his head, his jaw rigid.
"Edward." I insist, he once called me stubborn and he was damn right about that.
He takes a deep breath and looks up at the sky for a moment before looking at me again.
"I promise."
I search his eyes for any trace something that could tell me that he didn't mean it, but I only saw guilt and… annoyance.
"Thank you."
His lips form a thin line.
"You'll have to promise me something too."
"What?"
"You'll make everything you can to stay safe. You won't leave camp, you'll do what Esme says and you'll be careful, you won't try anything stupid like throwing yourself between two vampires or something."
I give him a small smile.
"I promise."
He gives me a small smile back as well before opening the door to Emmett's jeep for me and helping me inside. Then he goes to the other side and climbs behind the wheel, a minute later we are on the road.
We drive up the mountain for about an hour when he turns right in a hidden track, he drives for a few more miles before stopping the jeep.
"We are walking from here, the newborns will cross this path so you need to start making a trail with your scent to guide them to the clearing."
I nod, knowing this already. Jasper explained again every detail of the plan to us last night before we put Lizzie to bed.
"Let me know if you need a break." He says as he grabs both his backpack and my duffle bag with my worn out clothes.
"I will."
We start our hike, being careful of touching every branch I could reach, logs and rocks. Edward told me to rub my shoulder against some trees and at one point I took out a small razor and cut the tip of my finger. Edward chuckled when he saw me spreading some blood over a few leaves and trees.
"Jasper will be impressed." He says coming to a stop and putting his backpack on the ground.
"I just want to be thorough. I only have one job here to do."
"Good," He says as he pulls a small travelers' first aid kit from the outer pocket and takes a few steps towards me "but there's no need for you bleeding to death."
He takes my hand and I'm thankful Carlisle let me take off the brace, otherwise I wouldn't be able to fully feel his skin against mine. He examines my finger closely, then soaks a cotton ball with alcohol and rubs it against the miniature wound before putting a band aid on it.
He kisses mi finger, then the inside of my wrist and finally my lips with a chaste kiss.
"It doesn't really bother you anymore?" I ask, still fascinated by this and he smiles proudly at me, he looks so cute I wanna laugh despite the chaos we are going through.
"Nope."
"So my blood is not special for you anymore?" I ask playfully, feigning being hurt and he laughs at my bad acting.
"I'm sorry love, but there are other things I crave from you more."
"Really? Like what?" I ask, wrapping my arms around his neck and standing on my toes.
"You already know." He says, lowering his lips to mine and giving me a soft kiss.
"I don't think I understand." I say, my heart getting up some speed.
"Let me explain better, then." He says before giving me a long, deep kiss that cuts off every oxygen airway and leaves me begging for air.
I stand on my toes so I can have more, and I feel his hands traveling down my back and to my hips as his lips continue moving and start a dance with mine. My own hands travel up and I bury my fingers through his hair and I feel his groan at the back of my throat, suddenly I have this urgency to have more of him, I need him, I need to feel him so I press myself harder against him, because I want more, I need more.
His large hands move to my bottom, he pulls me harder against him before going lower, grabbing the back of my legs and pulling me up so my legs are around his waist now. He walks us backwards and I feel my back against something hard, maybe a tree, I don't know, I can't tell because the only thing my mind can focus on at the moment is his body pressed firmly against mine.
And dear lord, it feels so good.
So right.
I don't know what's possessing me but I tighten my legs around him bringing him impossibly closer, then I feel his cold hands go under my shirt, I shiver at the contrast of the warm weather, my body hot with need and the ice cold feel of his skin on mine.
His hands move upward, his thumbs caress the underside of my breast and I gasp, he seizes the opportunity and deepens the kiss. His tongue is inside my mouth now and I need more so I move my hips, because it's no enough, I need more. I want him so bad it physically pains me.
I feel like screaming with joy when I feel him respond to my movements and it's so glorious, so right.
Please, give me more.
"Jesus Bella." He says breathlessly and I realize I've spoken out loud.
"Please." I beg again before going for the button of his jeans.
I'm about to unzip him but his cold hands stop me. He doesn't say anything else so I look up at him and see that his eyes are closed tightly and his jaw is clenched shut.
I reach up and put my palm on his right cheek.
"Edward, please." There's urgency in my voice, and I feel like if I don't have him now I'll never will, as if this was our last chance.
He covers my hand with his and turns his head slightly, breathing me in. Then kisses my wrist before opening his eyes. My breath catches at what I see, they are dark and piercing, he looks dangerous but I'm not afraid.
I try to move my hips again, but his hands are quick to stop me.
"Isabella, don't."
"I want you." I say again, but something tells me I already lost the battle and a knot forms in my throat. "Edward… please." My voice breaks and I feel like crying again.
What's wrong with me? Why am I a mess?
"We can't Bella, you know that." He says in a strange voice, as if he was in pain.
My vision blurs and I let my head fall on his chest as I cry.
"Bella," he sighs "please don't cry… you'll be safe. I promise everything will be alright."
Is that what he thinks this is about? That I want him just because I may or may not see him again?
I'm not sure why I'm crying but the only thing I know is that I need him, and not because I may not see him again but because I love him. He doesn't know that though, he doesn't know that I love him with every fiber of my being, I cannot even remember now all the stupid reasons why I didn't tell him before, but now I don't think is the best moment. Not when he might think I'm only saying it because I want him or because I'm scared.
I'm a complete idiot. I know.
"You cannot be sure about that."
"But I am." He says, straightening himself and putting me back to the ground. He brushes my hair out of my face and makes me look up at him. "Bella if I had any doubt about this we wouldn't be here, we would be in a plane on our way to Isle Esme."
"And why can't we do that?" I cry, finally giving up.
"Because we can't hide forever, and this is our best chance to kill Victoria."
"I don't want you to go into battle." I finally blurt out, and I hate myself for saying it but I can't help it. I need him to stay with us.
His eyebrows frown and he has a puzzled look on his face
"But I have to, I need to deal with Victoria. You know that."
"Can't anyone else do it? Emmett is stronger that you, I'm sure he'll be happy to take her."
He shakes his head.
"I cannot ask my brothers to fight my battles for me. This is personal, Bella it needs to be me. I got you into this situation and I'm going to take you out of it." He says firmly and my heart falls to the pit of my stomach.
He won't change his mind.
"Stop worrying, you and Elizabeth will be safe all the time and before you know it the battle will be over and I'll be back for you the second we are done."
"But what if something happens to you?"
"Nothing will happen to me."
I clench my jaw, it's like talking to a wall.
What on earth do I have to do to make him stay with me? Maybe if Elizabeth asks him, he'll change his mind?
God, I'm truly a horrible person… using my own daughter to guilt trip him into staying. But if that's what it takes, that's what I'll do. I don't care.
Or maybe… maybe if I get past Esme and find my way back to the clearing… then I can help them. Like Jasper said, I can be the carnage. Distract them enough so everyone gets a chance! I know it's against what I promised Edward, but it's for the best… that way everyone will be safe, not just Edward.
That's it!
I immediately start forming a plan in my head.
"C'mon, Jasper must be wondering what's taking us so long." He says picking up his backpack and grabbing my hand.
We continue our hike, and I ask him to stop a couple times to catch my breath and have some water, but about an hour later we finally enter the clearing and Jasper and Alice are there waiting for us. Behind them there's a red jeep I haven't seen before but that looks much like Emmett's.
Alice's eyes are staring in the distance and she has an annoyed face.
"What's up with Alice?" I ask Jasper and he shrugs.
"With the wolves coming she has a difficult time seeing the future. It bothers her to be this blind sided." He explains "So… Bella, you ready?"
"Yes, what do I do?" I ask, eager to help in whatever I can.
"Walk around the perimeter of the clearing a few times by yourself, touch every tree and drop a few of your clothes here and there."
I nod and turn around, following his instructions.
I walk around touching everything I can reach, I even pull a few strands of loose hair and leave it around. I don't dare to draw blood from my finger again since Jasper is here and I don't know if I might get another reaction like the one from my birthday. That would be the last thing we need right now.
I can't hear what they are saying but I see Alice and Edward deep in conversation while Edward forcefully pulls my bed sheets from his backpack and drops them in the middle of the clearing. He looks furious for some reason as he later says something to Jasper.
I walk around the clearing about ten times before I approach them again.
"I think I'm done." I say.
"Good, you did a great job." Jasper says with enthusiasm and I blush.
"Well, I don't think I did much but thanks. So what now?"
"You and Edward will take the rental jeep and Alice and I will go the way you came and take Emmett's jeep back. You cannot go back the way you came or your scent will lead them the opposite way." He explains, then turns to Edward but he is still very pissed about something so when Edward doesn't say anything he continues.
"You'll go up the mountain as far a you can go in the rental so they cannot trace your scent to the camp either. Then Edward will carry you the rest of the way." He adds and I nod.
"Ok, and are you sure there's nothing else I can do?"
"This should be fine, your scent is pretty strong." Jasper glances at Edward and then back at me "But let me take a look if that'll make you feel better." He says before turning around and going around the clearing a couple times and disappearing through the path Edward and I came from.
"I'll go with him, I'll be back in a few minutes." Edward says going after Jasper, leaving Alice and me alone.
I stare after him, wondering what's up with him now. Giving up I let out a sigh and lean my back against the jeep, suddenly feeling exhausted from all the hiking and the lack of sleep. The weather is warm and it feels suffocating, I see a bottle of water on the side of Edward's backpack and I'm about to take it when Alice beats me to it and hands it to me.
"Thanks." I say, opening the cap and taking a long swig. God, I didn't realize how thirsty I was until now. I look through the window inside the jeep and see camp gear and the bag Esme made for us with food and water.
I turn back around and see Alice staring at me. Her lips pursed and an accusatory look on her face.
"What?" I ask.
"I'm sorry, but I had to. It's for your own good."
I frown, not understanding and she elaborates.
"I told Edward… about your plan."
My heart stops.
"Alice! How could you?!" I ask aghast, now understanding Edward's anger. "Damn it!"
He knows I intend to break my promise!
"Alice, you shouldn't have told him!"
"I had to."
"But it's for the best! If I come here you'll all have a better chance, it was Jasper's idea!"
Alice rolls her eyes.
"Bella, I don't see you here... I see you getting lost. Walking around in circles through the woods by yourself, breathless and pale while Carmen and Esme look for you. Do you know how dangerous that can be?!"
I bit my lip, trying to compose myself but I can't. I'm so mad and ashamed at the same time. I'm mad at Alice and furious at myself, I can't do anything right it seems.
I turn around, open the passenger door and get inside the jeep closing the door harshly behind me. Effectively shutting Alice out, I don't care if it's childish I just can't catch a fucking break.
I pull up my legs, hug my knees and bury my face in them.
Yes, it was a stupid plan. First of all because I cannot hike for an hour straight without getting winded, how on earth did I think I would make it to the clearing all by myself when I don't even know for sure where we are going?
A minute later Alice opens the door to the driver's side and gets in, puts the key in the ignition and turns the air conditioning on.
We sat in silence for god knows how long until I cannot take it anymore.
"You shouldn't have told Edward, you could have told me what you saw." I say bitterly.
"Would that have stopped you from trying?"
…
…
"No."
She shrugs.
"I knew that, I'm sorry but I had to."
"It was Jasper's idea… I thought it would help."
"It wasn't really an actual plan, he never planed acting on it he knows it's too dangerous. It was just an after thought that he tried to make a joke about. And in any case Edward would have never allowed it."
"So you agree with me, that all this is too dangerous?"
Alice rolls her eyes again.
"Dangerous for you Bella. We'll all be fine, seriously stop worrying."
"Then why are you so anxious?!"
"I'm not anxious! I'm upset."
"Why?!"
"Bella, I haven't been able to use my gift properly for weeks! Imagine if suddenly you weren't able to hear or see? Wouldn't you be upset too?"
I stare at her, not knowing what to say
"My gift is part of me like breathing is for you, I'm so used to it without it I feel like I'm not myself. Remember when you first met Edward? How upset and frustrated he was when he couldn't read your mind?"
"Still, I thought you were on my side. You did agree to change me."
"I am on your side Bella. You didn't deserve what we did to you when we left Forks and you are right, when the time is right you should be changed, but this is an entirely different thing."
"Ok, I get that. But try to see things my way too. If the situation was reversed and Jasper was in danger wouldn't you want to do something too?"
"Of course I would, but Bella sometimes doing nothing is the best you can do. We have everything under control here. If you are on that field, you'll only put him at greater risk, you have to stay away."
I stare out the windshield, not accepting this.
"Let him take care of you. He's been feeling so guilty about all this, let him fix it."
…
…
"Alice, I don't want to lose him again." I whisper.
Alice frowns at this.
"I know, but you have to trust him. He is a really good fighter, you should have seen him at the training. He's way better than Emmett and even Jasper could never defeat him, Carlisle had to keep calling it at tie." She smiles softly "He'll come back to you."
"How can you be so sure? You can't see anything right now."
"I still have a good instincts. Everything will work out in the end."
"Then why do I have this feeling in my chest, like as if something in all this is wrong?"
Alice has a perplexed look on her face.
"What do you mean?"
I don't know I wish I knew. What do I mean? Why do I have this feeling that no matter what Edward needs to stay with us. This is the very thing that has been keeping me awake for the last few days.
I just shake my head, not knowing how to explain it.
"They are back." Alice suddenly says and I look up to see Edward coming back into the clearing.
He seems calmer now, maybe the run helped him with his temper but he still has an annoyed look on his face.
"See you in two days." Alice says "And I know we already told you a thousand times but please, stop worrying." She gives me a brief hug before leaving the jeep.
She exchanges a few words with Edward and then she and Jasper are gone.
Edward opens the door to the driver's side and gets behind the wheel, puts the car in drive and off we go.
We are both silent the first ten minutes, but then he lets out a long sigh and goes for my left hand, entwines our fingers together and rests out joined hands on his lap.
I relax a little after this, feeling better that at least he is not that angry with me anymore. At least for now, we still have a long day ahead of us.
I close my eyes and exhale, feeling drained and exhausted all over again.
"Get some sleep. It'll be a long drive." He says, and I nod closing my eyes.
The last thing I feel is his soft lips in the back of my hand before everything goes black.
Ohhhh! Dear lord, what were you thinking Bella?
Anyway, just a few chapters left! So why have I been soo absent for so long? Well, last time I posted I believe I told you I graduated from university and took a job i the US, well my job has been keeping me busy and I have moved cities 4 times in the past couple of years so it hasn't been easy getting time to concentrate and write between that and my job keeping me extremely busy. But I'm back in Mexico, I finished my training and now even though I'm still full at work and travel all the time life is more stable now, so hopefully I can finish this story in the coming weeks! I have so many ideas for new stories if you wanna stick with me for a little longer =)
Anyway I'm so sorry for the long wait, hopefully you are still out there and are willing to see the end of this stiory with me =)
Cheers!
Tam