A little over nine months after Bella is Bitten

Bella's point of view

After walking through the door, I automatically push my shield out to cover everybody, they are all gathered around the dining room table an old well-worn map is splayed out across it.

As each one enters I reacquaint myself with their distinct essence, each one having a different feel inside my shield. Jasper feels like a calm soft green while Alice is a happy yellow, Carlisle is a soft blue and Esme a warm peach color, Emmitt is a firey red probably because of his exuberant nature and monster strength and Rosily violet both regal and tenacious.

Alice steps away from Jasper's side and makes her way to us beaming at my ring. Excitedly She twirls as she approaches and says "congratulations I thought Edward was going to chicken out after my vision, it looks like he succeeds in bringing you to his side of things."

Edward elbows her while smiles affectionately at me. Alice who had no trouble dogging and is smiling uncaring about the attempt muters "nice try". A little exasperated he says, "I wasn't trying, I think you grasped the sentiment behind it nonetheless." Then he cheerfully informs, "Bella accepted my proposal without objections, I must have reacted differently in some way and changed her reaction."

The early morning rays of light begin to stream in and I cannot help but daydream about running my hand through Edward's hair. He looks so happy and unquestionably breathtaking standing here in the soft yellow glow that fills the living room and accentuates the reddish undertones to his hair. The muscles in his strong jaw tensing as a grin spread across his lips.

when his gaze turns back to me with a questioning look I break from my daydream and answer him. "I want to be with you and any concerns I had were mostly invalid after I became a vampire."

"I love you and am deliriously happy that you did say yes but I am curious for your reasons accepting me, do you want to get married, or are you doing it just for me," Edward asks looking hopeful again but also while raising an unsure eyebrow at me.

Not sure how he would take my concerns and fears about getting married, I stall. "Ask me later, we should get going soon." As he begins to protest I quickly capture his lips with mine.

His lips are so soft, I playfully bite his lower lip and then run my tung along it before kissing him again. Getting a little lost in Edwards smell, I press closer to him clutching his shirt pulling him as close to me as possible. I can't believe I went without this for a year, and as a human, it was not nearly this good.

Alice hem hems to get our attention back to her. I reluctantly pull my head back but can't help going back for one more kiss, humming in contentment as Edward chuckle at me. When I do finally turn to Alice, she hands me my bag from the jet and says, "do not forget to email your professors that you will not be in class. Your excuse works well Bella, you know the one I am talking about."

Excuse, what is she talking about? Confused I look to Edward and then remember. "Oh yeah, I was going to say you were sick and needed my help at home, that way both our absences are explained."

"Why do I have to be the sick one? How about your sick and I am the gallant husband staying home to care for you."

With a slight pout I protest, "I don't want to be sick I've always hated being sick."

"well, you're not truly going to… never mind I'll be sick." He leans down and kisses my temple.

"Thank you, and since you're sick, I'll email our professors for both of us."

Edward smiles his crooked smile, the same one I remember as a favorite from my human days. "so is it later yet?"

After biting my lip uncertain of making a joke, I say "I suppose It's mainly that I don't like lying, so if you are to be used as my excuse for being absent, we better make it official."

Edward purses his lips in a pout so I say" I am only kidding as you well know, it was mostly that I am insanely in love with you and can't bear the thought of existing without you."

Edward frown disappears and he asks "mostly?" sounding a little playful himself.

Laughing I say nonchalantly "well I have to give your good looks some credit." In all honesty, the absence of protest was due to the look he adorned after asking me, he looked so hopeful I knew it would make him sad if I said no.

A wide grin spreads across his face and he bends down to kiss me. I reach up on my tippy toes to meet him halfway wrapping my arms around his neck. I feel his arms wrap around my waist as we kiss, he stands back up bringing me with him and my feet off the ground. when he pulls away to look at my face he asks "how did I get so lucky? Your gorgeous, smart, and funny." He stresses the word funny and brings his nose down to affectionately rub mine before he kisses me once more and sets me back down.

"Well then were matched well since you're breathtaking, extremely smart, adorable, and incredibley talented "

"that's right, I am your sexy roadrunner."

I sigh regretful that I said that. "Please forget I said that, let's just say you're incredibly fast."

"I like it, but if you wish, then it will be forgotten."

Emmitt from across the room says "Edward come here for a sec" waving him over by the map.

Alice intertwines her arm with mine keeping me in place at her side. I watch Edward walk across the room to Emmitt and accept his congratulations. Alice blocks my view and energetically comments "I am just happy I finally knew something concerning you before it happened. You have kept me so off-balance I feel like I have been sitting in the dark for the past twenty-four hours."

"Sorry Alice, I don't mean to affect you this way. I just have this sense that if I don't shield everybody all the time something bad will happen to them." It may happen to them anyway I should have followed my instincts last night and went to the Volturi, none of them needed to be involved. Maybe I still can go and solve this whole thing without putting everybody in danger.

"I know, it's not your fault, I just don't like feeling blind, it is odd for me not to know at least an idea of what will happen to us at any given moment." she smiles big and lifts my ring hand. "at least I knew about this. It's like I have finally won a round between us or something." She triumphantly does a little cheer with her fist in the air looking very silly but also very happy.

I smile at Alice's dance and tell her confidently, "If you won a round it's only because I threw the match."

Her smile fades to a frown "How can my own sister be so cruel to me." Alice then feigns hurt, putting her hand to her heart as if I have broken it. She stops the dramatics quickly seeming to remember something and once again smiles at me. "I am happy you two are making it official, didn't you have something to ask me?"

Frowning unsure of what she is talking about, I look to Edward wishing I had not been shielding Alice's thoughts, I could have extracted the answer from him safely before venturing into unchartered territory. I look back to Alice a bit uneasy, biting my bottom lip. "Well, I guess you won this round too. I have no idea what you are talking about."

"You wanted to ask me to be your made-of-honor," Alice says jumping with excitement.

I look at Alice confused. "I do?" Then seeing a little sadness seep into her excited expression I quickly change my question to a statement. "I do, of course I want you to be my maid-of-honor you are my best friend, I just wasn't sure I needed one for a small wedding."

"Why would you think your wedding would be small" Alice sounds confused and looks puzzled.

Stating the obvious I sardonically say, "Alice, why wouldn't it be everyone thinks I am dead. I think a wedding invitation might frighten a few people and raise a lot of questions."

she giggles and smiles wide. "Bella your so silly not humans now that you're a vampire your wedding can also be a way of introducing you to others of our kind. Over the centuries all of us have made a lot of friends and your wedding would be an excellent way to introduce you to them. You need a wider social-circle now that, as you said, everyone you know thinks your dead. It's not great that your interactions with our kind so far have been vampires trying to kill you and us your family."

I sarcastically say "Then given my track record you understand why I am hesitant to meet more."

"I do, but it is something you will get over and I will make all the preparation, you won't have to do anything."

I resign myself to my fate knowing an argument is just a waste of time. With a pout, I tell her "okay fine if it means that much to you. I am not comfortable in large crowds so the only thing I ask is that you keep the guest list limited."

She kisses my cheek "I promise only our closet friends and family Bella, but I'll remind you it was only a few hours ago you were talking about storming the Volturi, if you dare to do that I know you can handle a wedding."

I smile at her guiltily, knowing she will think it is about my earlier declaration and not about any new plans I may be devising. Alice is right though if I am willing to face a powerful coven that wants me either dead or nabbed for my shield, then I can survive a wedding. My frustration over giving into Alice evaporates with her sound logic. It is just a wedding I will be fine. I hug Alice and ask "you'll plan everything?"

"yep, I will just need you for a single dress fitting to ensure its perfect. I'll get the boys to help with the decorations and Esme and rose to do the music and flower arranging."

"Ok, then I will leave it in your capable hands, just tell me when to show up."

Alice links arms with me and we make our way to the table. Esme comes over to hug me when we reach it, I wrap my arms tightly around her. Esme has always exuded motherly comfort and safety, I am reluctant to let her go but do.

"I am so happy Edward has found you sweetheart. You complete our family so perfectly, It has been a while since I have thought of you as a joining it."

"Thank you, Esme, that means a lot to me." looking around at everyone I continue "I love you all so much and have felt the same, you are all my family. All these months I have been so desperate to find you and I am so happy that I finally have."

Carlisle walks around the table and hugs me. "I have thought of you as a daughter for a while now, you mean so much to this family we all love you dearly, how could we not."

"Thanks, Carlile, I love you all too."

Emmitt calls teasingly, "I already think of you as my little sister but I am glad Edward is finally making an honest woman out of you."

Rosalie hits Emmitt, "Ignore my crude mate's remarks, what he means to say is we are happy you are joining our family officially." Rosalie smiles warmly at me and then glares at Emmett.

With a warm smile, I thank both of them.

Carlisle intertwines his hand with Esme and they take their previous spots at the head of the table where the map is. To their left is Rosalie and Emmitt and to there right is Jasper and Edward. Alice dances over to Jasper and excitedly jumps into his arms giving him a long hug. Jasper mouths over her shoulder "thank you Bella, you have made her so happy."

I mouth back "happy to be of service." And then turn my attention to Edward.

He quirks an eyebrow and indicates Alice with a head gesture. "we don't have to have a big wedding if you don't want to."

"I don't mind." I give him my best impression of excitement, trying to mimic Alice.

Laughing he wraps me in his arms and twirls me around once. "let me know if you change your mind and ill trough you on my back and run you to a courthouse."

"I won't, I have reasoned it to just being a large party where at some point I kiss you in front of a group of strangers and our family."

Jasper comment "Should you though, when you say it like that it sounds weird."

I laugh at myself and say I guess not but it oddly helps. Edward and Alice join me in laughing and Jasper looks on at us looking to enjoy the atmosphere.

After I stop laughing, I look around the table and ask "how's the planning going?"

Emmett points at a section on the map, he indicates a long blue curving line showing a creek or river with his finger and says "Bella this creek marks the treaty line, it runs southeast for a stretch and that's where we will all go to meet the wolves."

Edward elaborates "The wolves patrol it habitually, although they always keep to the east side the strong winds in that area will blow our scent to them and they will seek us out."

Carlisle indicates with his finger on the map a smaller section of the blue line. "When they catch our scent they will travel up this way in pursuit trying to cut us off." Then he looks to me and Edward. "we will all go in a few minutes when we are all ready." He pointedly looks at my ripped jeans and smiles warmly.

"Bella, I have left a change of clothes for you in the third-floor restroom just off the staircase." Alice is nearly vibrating with exuberance probably happy to have me out of jeans.

I nod in understanding kiss Edward goodbye and hurry up the stairs with my bag in hand. In the restroom, I sit and take out my laptop quickly emailing Edwards and my professors for both of us. I shower fast and then with a towel manage to get my hair nearly dry in just a few seconds. My hair naturally forms into soft waves down my back without the need to brush it. I get dressed and estimate the whole process probably only took me a minute and that is only because my long hair took so long to rinse out. I can't make the water flow faster.

I look over my appearance, very pleased with Alice's choice, she chose a pale pink dress with a glittery fitted sheer bodice with boning and thin spaghetti straps over my shoulders. Before putting it on I thought It would look too suggestive with the laced up back showing off too much skin but on my body type it looks rather innocent. I like to run without shoes and considering the length of the gown there not necessary but I could imagine Alice's protest if I didn't put the matching pale pink flats on so I quickly do.

It's just in time Alice softly nocks and asks "Can I come in?" I look at myself in the mirror and smile at my reflection. The dress doesn't go with my neckless, but I leave it on anyway. "Sure Alice, come on in."

Alice walks in and exclaims "It fits perfectly, better than I imagined. I bought you some clothes and stashed them in my closet last year." She puts a few bracelets on me and stands back exclaiming "absolutely perfect."

"Thank you Alice, I can't imagine picking this out myself but It is perfect. I will just have to trust your judgment more often."

she nods at me in agreement "When this is all over we can go shopping before heading back to Alaska."

She says it as if it is a favor to me and not her. I look over her elaborate eye-catching dress. She looks gorgeous in a beautiful light grey embellished long gown with a sheer sleeveless beaded bodice with a plunging neckline and an open back where at the edges of her back you can see embroidered flowers spilling over from the front forming a diamond shape. The gray dress has a silver glitter flared pleated A-line skirt.

After seeing her dress, I realize how very lucky I am she chose something so reserved for me. She looks great, and the dress doesn't look too reviling on her petite frame, it something Rosalie would also look good in but in a very different way, she is a bit too busty for it to look as innocent as it would on Alice and me.

These clothes as well as being fashionable are Alice making a statement, she dressed us like this is any other day, she doesn't consider this a time for travel wear or something more durable. Not being dressed like I am going into battle helps soothe my nerves, well that and Alice's general calm and carefree attitude. Even with my blocking her she can still see plenty of other's decisions and futures so the family is following her lead and are also still in a relitivly cheerful mood, even though to me things still seem a bit overwhelming.

I was a little worried about meeting the wolves after Edward told me of their dislike of vampires, even us vegetarians vamps. Edward also mentioned that they are unpredictable and dangerous trying to convince me to wait at the house where it is safer. He is delusional if he thought that would happen.

They can't be all bad, Sam said last year that Jacob was becoming one, so that's at least one friendly face, Charlie always said the Blacks are family. I have known Jacob Black since I was a small child, I mean we even ate mud together as children, that has to create some kind of familiar bond right. It's not like he can judge me for changing, I look nearly the same and he's the one that turns into a dog.

With the symphony of morning outside reminding me we need to go, I look to Alice. "you look fantastic Alice, we better head downstairs." That's when Edward from the living room says almost pleadingly "Bella, love you ready?" I grin at Alice's quizzical look. I tell her "well this is the longest we have been apart since we were reunited." Then I step towards Alice and wrap her in a hug "thank you Alice, I love the dress." Putting the gratitude on a little thick so she knows I appreciate her choosing something not too glamorous.

She grins back at me "anytime, but this is nothing compared to how beautiful your wedding dress will be" I release her and we make our way down the stairs. Edward is holding out his hand in wait for me, I grasp it and give him a comforting squeeze hello. He leans down and kisses my cheek. "I should never doubt Alice, you look captivating."

He smells freshly showered and looks irresistible in dark blue pants and a dark-blue long-sleeved button-down. His dark clothes nicely contrast my light-colored dress, we look uncoordinated, but good together I note happily.

Everyone has gathered by the door, me and Alice the last to arrive; Carlisle holds his hand out for Esme and she grasps it happily. "let's head out" he says while opening the door. Edward and I follow closely behind talking as we run.

I stretch my shield forward to cover Carlisle and Esme and then project my shield out behind to find Alice, Jasper, Emmitt, and Rosalie. I make sure to allow the trees to pass through my large shield as we go. I remember smashed into one accidentally while running with a shield, I thought it would pass right through and was startled by a thunderous sound as it smashed to chips and splinters in a matter of seconds. That's how I learned nothing living could pass unless I allowed it. I laugh at the memory remembering how startled I was, and the poor animals of the forest looked even more terrified, it was probably days before they found the courage to venture out of their hiding spots.

Edward looks at me curious lifting a brow, probably wondering why I am giggling. "I was laughing at myself. Remembering a time I startled myself half to death when I was running and my shield hit a tree and it splintered into a million little pieces that rained down around me. I have to make a conscious effort, allowing living things to enter as we pass. Its second nature now and not a problem just funny that my gift is a fancy windshield."

Edward looks engrossed in my story seeming to love learning all he can about me. Jasper from behind jokes "It's very like you Bella."

"What?" I say frowning thinking I know what he is implying

"Well, you were rather clumsy as a human. It's a comfort to know you haven't changed completely."

Looking back, I stick my tongue out at him. He is joking but he may actually be relieved to know I have flaws still. I know how ridiculously captivated they all are with me since becoming a vampire, especially jasper, he is always staring at me looking dumbfounded.

He has brought on a little tease of his own. If he can poke fun at being a bit ditzy than I can teas him for staring at me constantly with a confused look. I imitate the look he often gives me, studying him intensely with a curious gaze, I ignore all the bite mark shaped scars and study instead his expression waiting for it to turn quizzical.

Jasper tilts his head to the side and furrows his eyebrows. "What is it? "

"I was just letting you know how it feels, I am not the only one with little quirks. I sware the last time you looked so surprised, a small breeze would have knocked you over."

Jasper looks shy and guilty. "Sorry darlin, I don't mean to concentrate on you so much but can't help it sometimes. I know more than most how newborns act and your deminer is not natural for our kind, it's so human-like. I have never met a newborn that was so calm and controlled like you are."

Remembering Edward's words form our hunt, I am sure as you learn more about our kind you will start to realize how special you are and understand why I always look so stunned by you. I suppose I cant really blame Jasper, trying to keep my voice neutral I tell him "It's ok Jasper I know I am astonishing at times, Edward has also made that perfectly clear." I hear a slight tint of exasperation leak into my voice. I looked at Edward and use air quotes with my fingers as I say astonishing to poke a little fun at him.

Jasper and Alice come up to run next to us. Edward chuckles beside me he turns to jasper and answers something he must have thought. "I tried to convince her, she can't help underestimating herself." I frown at both of them Pursed my lips in annoyance. Edward looks back to me lovingly, "sorry love". Jasper chuckles and Alice laughs musically next to him.

"well, you guys need to stop being so stunned by me. I feel like you are all studying everything I do all the time and are only a step away from bringing out the lab coats and microscopes."

Jasper replies sarcastically as I had. "I have been most unkind, sorry Bella I'll try not to be so shocked the next time you do something impossible." Alice snickers and hops on his back, leaning over him to kiss his cheek.

Even with the sarcasm I know he is serious and regretful, I can tell he doesn't want me to feel uncomfortable by him. "It's all forgotten I kinda owe you one anyway after using your forger. By the way, why does Jason seem terrified of you?"

Jasper's face is serious as he says "I find a healthy dose of fear is health in a working relationship with humans, it keeps rumors quieted and the quality of work high."

"uh… Maybe I should take over in procuring documents from Jason for the family." I feel so bad for that poor traumatized man.

"If you wish, I have no problem with you doing it instead of I."

"Then it's settled, I'll still let you finish them jasper, I wouldn't know how."

"That's fine and a precaution I'd rather we continued so thank you."

Remembering her vision I sadly say, "Alice, his associates are dead aren't they?" She nods at me in lieu of answering and saying the words allowed.

"That poor man, it's my fault he lost them Demetri and Anara were looking for me."

Edward comes closer to comfort me and rubs soothing circles on my back as we run. I look at him sadly but extremely grateful he can't read my thoughts.

I have a strong desire to make sure the vampires that did that don't get anywhere near my family. Even if it means having to sneak off and handle this myself. I could look up the next direct flight to Italy from Seattle and sabotage there jet just before catching it. What excuse could I say to get a head start though?

Edward scrutinizes me gazing into my eyes and looks startled by something in my expression. I quickly change it hoping whatever he discovered didn't give me away. I peer up at him sadly wondering if he suspects I want to go on my own to the Volturi still. Edward has always been so perceptive I need to be more careful. Realizing I may have little time left with him before I leave, I have the sudden intense need to be closer to Edward while I still can.

Edward meets my gaze. "Are you ok?"

"I'm fine but don't feel like running suddenly." His arm already on my back curves around me and places me on his back. I wrap my arms and legs around him securely as he runs, resting my chin on his shoulder and pressing my cheek to his.

Trying to lighten the mood I say "Helping him escape jasper is the least I can do." Jasper laughs softly and looks a little sad. I suppose he also feels guilty even though it was my fault those people died. I was so proud of that zero body count record but that doesn't sound so truthful anymore.

After a few more minutes Carlisle and Esme up ahead reach a small shallow three-meter wide creek. Edward looks up at me, he turns his head to kiss my lips softly with a quick peck like he couldn't resist. "This is a good chance for you to learn the treaty line, although you would know it by the stench of the wolves whenever you ventured close, it's repulsive."

Carlisle and Esme ahead of us change direction to run along the creek and we do the same. Edward was right there is a bad smell, it is familiar though. I wrinkle my nose reflexively a few times the closer we get to the awful scent. It dredges up old memories. "This smell lingered in the air where Victoria was burned. It is repulsive, why do they smell so bad." My voice sounds a little whine so I don't blame Jasper and Alice both laughing at me.

Edwar looks back at me not seeming to be bother by the smell. "We smell just as bad to them, I think it has to do with us being natural enemies by our opposing natures. They protect humans, our kind hunts humans. Although they have no reason to see us as their enemy given are vegetarian lifestyle, they still exhibit a lot of animosity towards us not liking what we are fundamental."

"They protect humans, that explains why they tried to protect me from Victoria, but they were too late. Or maybe I should say they had perfect timing." Edward frowns at me and then cringes so I kiss his neck and run my hand in soothing circles along his arm.

Edward's expression morphs into contemplation after a moment. "You are right though Bella their timing was impeccable, the alternatives are both excruciating to think about. Any later and you would have been killed by Victoria, any sooner and you would still be lost to me and my foolish wishes to keep you away."

With the hope of distracting Edward from his current line of thought, I say " I wonder what decides which of those in the tribe will become werewolves. I knew Jacob as a child and he was not one then. During my change I dimly remember a conversation they had, I think they talked about why they change. I can't quite remember though."

Edward cringes and I can feel his back and shoulder tension. "It is natural to have little to no memory of that time. It is instinct to block out a time so entrenched with pain. A vampire's change is not something easily reminisced."

Thinking hard I try to sift through the pain-filled memories. "That's it, they said Victoria triggered it, or that in the absence of here presence no more would change."

Jasper cuts in with "That would explain why they detest us so much, they blame us for there hairy wolf affliction."

I Laugh at his phrasing. "They had no problem dealing with Victoria so they must be extremely powerful."

Edward looks to jasper running alongside him and then his face turns thoughtful, he nods his agreement to something then answers me. "They are, but individually they would not pose us any danger. It is their teamwork and combined strength that makes them dangerous to our kind. Victoria was extremely fast and agile she probably would have gotten away if she wasn't distracted by your blood."

Edward looks past the creek we are running along and into the forest on the other side. Speaking up Edward says "they're coming I can hear them, they don't know we're back in town so be on your guard everybody."

I examine my shield my two outer layers are still strong around my entire family. It is no trouble at all to maintain it, I smile pleased with how well it recouped. Then I hear five quick heartbeats and heavy footfalls so different from are subtle soft ones.

Carlisle slows to a stop and Edward and Jasper do the same once we reach their potion, Rosalie and Emmett only a moment behind us follow suit. Edward nods his head and says to Carlisle "yes, they will reach us soon, they smelled our scent and are following it to the treaty line. They will come to us if we wait here."

Emmitt makes his way closest to the creek standing guard in front of us. "the mutts are a little simpleminded, I don't think they will stop to listen even if it is in their best interest. He crouches "just in case I'll be ready."

Alice comments "with Bella shield around us I can't see what will happen." Alice hops off Jaspers back and I follow suit and then intertwine my hand with Edwards.

Rosalie tells Emmitt "Be careful babe."

Emmitt smugly says "no mutt is going to get one over on me," and smiles confidently.

Well if confidence could win us the battle we would be set with only Emmitt's.

Hi all,

Thanks for reading and reviewing. Siobhan Whitlock I found your review adorable and encouraging, thank you. Also thank you RKD-CULLEN, cbmorefie, Anyabella, 8565 for your interest in this story.

-Byher