(BELLA'S P.O.V)
"You met Riley alone?!"
"No, Edward I was with Jane."
"That guy is our enemy, he saved Victoria's fucking ass for goodness sake! What on earth were you thinking meeting him alone, Rosalie! He could've hurt you!"
"Eddie's right, Rosie. You should have told us before risking your own life. We could've protected you."
"There was nothing to protect, Emmet. Riley just wanted to talk. And Eddie, for the umpteenth times, I wasn't alone! Jane's with me the whole time!"
"How did you know he just wanted to talk huh?!"
"Because that was exactly what happened, we just talked! And did you two forgot we have a seer in the house? Alice fucking saw what's going to happen before I even go there!" Edward and Emmet paused as if they just realized about Alice' vision. The two of them narrowed their eyes to the little pixie while the said pixie sent Rosalie a glare. And just like that, Emmet and Edward's attention turned to poor little Alice making Rosalie smirk.
I can't blame Edward and Emmet for acting protective and angry. I can understand the two of them is feeling, heck, that was I felt too when Rosalie had told me about her meeting to Riley last night! But the moment she mentioned that Jane had been with her, I calmed down. Right now, the Cullens, Jane and I are in the Cullen's living room discussing about what transpired last night and the deal that Riley proposed. Rosalie had told them bits of Riley's past, only the pieces they needed to know. Of course Rosalie had told me everything, the two of us had this conversation over lunch in school and even now I can't still take the feeling of guilt away. It was all my fault that Riley had became a vampire, that he's living his undead life as Victoria's puppet, that his unborn child and Bree is in danger. It was all because of me.
"Bella?" Jasper's worried tone snapped me out of my thoughts. Edward, Emmet, Alice and Rosalie had stopped their arguing at once and now looking at me with concern.
"I- I… Rose, lets help Riley." I finally said looking pleadingly at her and the whole family. Rosalie rushed to my side and wiped the tears away from my face that I haven't realized was there.
"Bella love, are you sure? You know what that means right? Helping Riley means protecting Bree." Everyone nodded their agreement with what Rose had said.
"I know. I don't like her but she's pregnant, Rose. That is Riley's child, my FRIEND'S child. Protecting his unborn child is the least I can do after everything I…" Rosalie didn't let me finish my sentence as I found myself being hug tightly. Tears flooded my face without warning followed by guilt ridden sobs that came out of my mouth.
"Ssh, ssh… Bella listen to me. It. Wasn't. Your. Fault. You didn't know, you didn't do anything to harm him and you certainly didn't planned to endanger Riley. Don't ever blame yourself again, baby. It was all James fault not yours." Rosalie broke off the hug so she could look directly to my blurry teary eyes. Her dark golden eyes conveyed compassion and too much love drawing a small smile to my face.
"I love you, Rose." I told her before crushing my lips to her, putting all my love and gratitude I feel to this kiss. Rosalie was surprised at first but quickly recovered kissing me back. After awhile Rosalie broke the kiss making me groan in disappointment but realized I was short in breath. Looking at my mate, I saw her smirking at me happily.
"What was that for? Not that I didn't like it because that was mind blowing but can you warn me next time when you're going to kiss me in front of my family?" my cheeks redden in embarrassment remembering that the whole Cullens and Jane are in the room with us. Rosalie's smirk turned into wide Cheshire grin.
"Umm, I… I'm not sure myself. I just had this strong urge of wanting to kiss you so I did." I answered my mate shyly. It was the truth, I really don't know why I suddenly felt like kissing Rosalie but hearing those words from my mate, knowing she didn't think it was my fault that Riley is in this mess, I could think nothing but kissing her. "Riley, are we going to help him?" I asked after a moment not wanting to embarrass myself more, besides, this topic is more important right now.
"No" "Yes" the Cullens responded at once to my question. Edward who answered 'no' glared at Alice for saying 'yes' who like a mature one, just stuck her tongue out in response to her brother's glare. Edward was about to say something but Esme's firm voice beat him to it.
"Edward, Alice you two stop this childish behavior now!" the siblings muttered 'sorry' to Esme not wanting to anger her. With a last glare from Edward and a growl from Alice, the two turned their eyes somewhere and decided to just ignore each other to avoid another disagreement.
"Since we all have different opinion in the matter, I think the best way to decide is to vote." Carlisle stated looking to all of us waiting for us to agree which everyone nodded. "Alright then. For those who agree to accept Riley's deal, kindly raise your hand please."
I was the first one to raised my hand followed by Alice, Jane, Jasper and Esme. I smiled at them gratefully knowing this decision wasn't easy for them as they all dislike the idea of protecting Bree of all people. It was then that I noticed that Rosalie didn't raised her hand. Glancing at her, I saw my mate looking indecisive, confuse of what she should do. Her gorgeous face was in deep frown.
"Rose, I won't hold a grudge if you don't want to help. I understand." I told her sincerely knowing I can't force her to do anything against her will, that just wrong. If she decided not to help then I will respect her decision.
"I'm in but don't expect me to be nice to Bree." Rosalie said with a sigh.
"I don't think any of you will be nice to her. Except Esme I guess." Esme is just too sweet and kind to everyone, I don't think she have mean bones in her.
"Trust me, dear even I myself is having a hard time not to think of slapping her in the face for what she had done to you." Esme said looking frighteningly serious at me. Okay, I'm taking back what I said. I now know she can be mean too if she wanted to.
"Let's move on, shall we?" Carlisle said turning our attention to him and the topic we are originally discussing "six people agreed to accept the deal and though without my vote it was obvious what our family had decided, I'd like you to know that I also agree to accept Riley's proposition."
"Thank you, Carlisle. Was that meant we're going to help Riley?"
"Yes, Bella. We will."
The meeting went on for another hour discussing about Rosalie's incoming meeting with Riley and everything that needed to be discuss including the arrival of the Queens. Although they were anxious and nervous to be in the presence of the Queens, the Cullens assured me that they will do the best they can to make their stay here to be a pleasant one. Once the meeting is over Rosalie and I excused ourselves from everyone and headed to her room. Both of us agreed for me to spend the night here tonight while Charlie was in the La Push with Sue's family.
"Are you sure you want to do this, Rose?" I know of all the Cullens it was her who hated Bree the most. It was her instinct to protect and get revenge to someone who dared to hurt her mate. Much more like to what Victoria is doing. I wonder if Bree killed me, will she be like Victoria? Will she gone lunatic too? Come to desperate measure as changing someone and ruin that someone's life?
'And what on earth am I thinking? Of course not. Rosalie won't be a monster like Victoria. They are two different person.'
And yet, they have the SAME instinct. They are both vampires after all. But Rosalie have a family, she have the Cullens to keep her sane which Victoria don't have. The thought made me sad. I can only imagine how lonely Victoria must have been feeling. To live eternally without a mate is just plain painful. To live alone hurts more making it hard to keep one's sanity and that's what happened to Victoria.
"I don't like it but I have to. I'll just think that I'm doing this for you, Riley and the unborn child. Like Jane said to me last night, that child deserves to see the world no matter who his/her mother is." Rosalie said after awhile bringing me back to the present.
"Thank you, Babe. Your support meant so much to me." I told her tiredly as I cuddle with her in the bed. I don't want to sleep yet but I feel emotionally and mentally exhausted from all the talk we had all day. With Rosalie's scent enveloping me and long, cold slender fingers running through my hair, it was difficult to stay awake. Soon, I found myself drifting to sleep. The last thing I heard is a soft, contented purr of my mate.
(ROSALIE'S P.O.V)
The feeling of sleeping Bella in my arms feels so amazing that I considered for a second to stand Riley up and just stay here with my mate. I know I have to meet with him and inform him of what we had decided but Bella is making it difficult for me to leave this comfortable bed by being too adorable in her sleep. It also didn't hurt that her scent smells so good.
'God, I very much love her'
"I'm sure Bella loves you just as much." I heard Edward said outside my room "May I come in?"
"Yes, Edward." I answered him as I hesitantly disentangled myself from my mate's sleeping form which displeased Bella seeing the frown that suddenly appeared in her angelic face and a whimper that escaped her thin lips. Edward who's now leaning at the wall near the window let out a smirk witnessing Bella's reaction of my separation to her. I raised my brow questioningly at him not sure why he wanted to talk when just a moment ago he's yelling angrily at me. His smirk faltered and I'm not sure why.
"I wanted to apologize" he began, looking remorseful and serious at the same time. "I realized I reacted immaturely yelling hurtful things to you earlier, please forgive me."
"I understand, Edward. I know you're just worried and didn't meant to hurt me. I forgive you," I told him offering him a small smile letting him know that all is forgiven.
"Thank you. I- uh, Jane's waiting for you downstairs, said you girls have to go." Edward said still hesitant to let me meet with Riley. I only nodded my understanding to him and with that, he left my room quietly but not before telling me to be careful.
I then turned my attention to my sleeping beauty noticing the frown still etched on her face. As much as I want to stay here in bed with her, I know I can't. I guess I'll just have to make my talk with Riley as short as possible so I can go back and cuddle my mate. Looking at her again, I can't help but soothe that frown on her face by placing a kiss on her forehead which made her sigh in content followed by a beautiful smile I always love to see.
"Goodnight, love. I promise I'll be back soon. I love you."
XXXXXXX
Riley was already there by the time Jane and I arrived. Jane like last night chose to observe us from afar without giving her presence away. I'm not sure how she did it but knowing she's somewhere around made me feel safe, not that I'm afraid to this Riley boy. It just nice to have someone on your back when things get messy.
"Riley" I called, announcing my presence to him who seem lost on his own thoughts.
"Cullen" he nodded in acknowledgment before turning serious. 'I guess I'm not the only one eager to get this over with huh?' I thought amusedly starting to like this guy.
"You have yourself a deal, Riley. My family agreed with your terms and in return, you will tell us everything you know about Victoria." I told him straight to the point eager to end this conversation so I can go back to my mate already. With a firm tone I added "Don't expect us to be nice and friendly with Bree though. As you already know, we, Cullens aren't the greatest fan of that girl, we will protect her and let Carlisle check on her and your baby but that's it."
"Can you at least be civil with her? I don't like to stress her and affect the baby."
"We can try but no promises" I told him hesitantly, scowling at the thought of being civil to that excuse of a pregnant girl.
"I guess that's okay for now. When do you want me to talk with your family about Victoria?" my mind screamed 'Anytime other than now' knowing having another meeting means another long hours waiting before I could cuddle my mate in bed but before I could voice out my thought Jane decided it was time to let her presence known by answering Riley herself.
"The Cullens are expecting you at their house tonight. Shall we go then?" Jane was suddenly at my side flashing a smirk when she saw me throw a glare at her. "Alice know you're going to postpone this meeting so she told me to intervene before you do." being mature as I am, I can only do nothing but stomped my feet like a little child, leaving the two vampire behind me.
"I can't believe Princess is mated to a child." I heard Jane muttered amusedly as she and Riley follow me to the house.
"I can't believe my mate is friend with an old hag." I countered teasingly, running as fast as I can when I saw her eyes narrowed at me.
"ROSALIIIE LILLIANE HALE CULLEN!" Jane's childish voice resonated the entire forest joined by an amuse laugh came to none other than myself. "WHO ARE YOU CALLING AN OLD HAG?!"
Riley can only shake his head in amusement.
'They are all a bunch of children'