{Chapter Seven}

There is nothing like watching Emmett, Jasper, and Edward's faces go from steely to admiration as Gabriel gets off his motorcycle. Shaking my head, I cough loudly as they all turn to look at me.
"You guys are drooling."
"Rosalie and Alice laugh and Edward shoots me a look.
"We are not drooling," Emmett says.
"Yeah. We are just admiring a glorious piece of machinery," Jasper says.
"Yes, he is a glorious piece of machinery," Rosalie says.
"Her eyes run up and down Gabriel's body and Alice nods in agreement.
"That he is, sister. That he is."
Rosalie sighs, "if he wasn't a wolf..."
Emmett growls, "don't even finish that sentence."
Rosalie laughs and shakes her head before going to kiss Emmett on the cheek. Gabriel walks up the front steps and shakes Carlisle's hand before placing a kiss on Esme's cheek.
"Gabriel, this is the rest of my family. Edward, Jasper, Alice, Rosalie, and Emmett."
Gabriel shakes hands with the boys and kisses Alice and Rosalie on the cheek. Turning to face me, his eyes light up in relief.
"I never thought I would see the day where you used some manners," I laugh.
The relief changes into amusement as he pulls me into a hug.
"Just cause you haven't seen them doesn't mean they aren't there," he laughs.
He pulls away, his hands still on my shoulders, "how are you feeling little wolf?"
"I've been better."
He nods in understanding and Esme gestures towards the living room.
"Please, let's all have a seat while I go make some refreshments. Mr. Wolfe, can I offer you anything?"
"Gabriel is just fine and coffee if it's not too much trouble, doll."
Esme nods before heading to the kitchen while we all take our seats.
"So, how bad was it?" I ask.
Gabriel sighs before running his hand over the stubble growing on his chin.
"You all know that doctor and I were able to talk the pack down from attacking. That being said, though... things aren't good right now. The Elders think that Mia should face punishment for what she did. That punishment was death or excommunication depending on whether or not you came quietly. However, I've managed to convince them that it was an accident and that the only reason you attacked the pack was because of the Asher situation they didn't handle years ago."
"The Elders know about Asher?"
Esme comes back with refreshments and hands Gabriel his coffee, he nods his head in thanks before taking a sip.
"The Elders have always known about Asher. They knew about him when he first broke away from the pack. The banished him from the reservation and assumed that he wouldn't be brave enough to come back. I guess they didn't count on his crazy outweighing the discipline."
"So..."
"So, they have agreed to let you live and will not banish you on one condition."
"And what condition is that?" Edward asks.
"She has to come back to the reserve and be on 24/7 watch. They want her where they can keep an eye on her. She'll be under the watchful eye of Sam Uley and crew."
"No deal," Emmett says.
"Emmett..." Rosalie starts.
"No. You all know as well as I do that the pack wants her dead. They're pissed that she attacked them. Are we really going to let them be the ones to watch over her? Plus, she's still practically a baby vamp," Emmett says.
"Emmett is right. Mia is still at a vulnerable stage of her vampiredom. Is there no other way?" Carlise asks.
Gabriel puts his coffee cup down on the table and leans forward.
"Look, I don't like it more than any of you but those are the terms for letting Mia live. If the choices are house arrest or my daughter's life, I'm going to choose house arrest. I won't just watch my daughter die."
"But that is exactly where you would be taking her. To her death," Emmett says.
"Emm...," Carlisle starts.
Emmett shakes his head and gets up before taking off to the forest.
"I'm with Emmett. I don't like it," Rosalie says.
"Neither do I," Alice says.
"I know, but what choice do we have? We promised to protect Mia and if this is how we do that then so be it," Carlisle says.
"I think we are forgetting that the decision ultimately lies with Mia," Esme says.
Everyone turns to look at me and I take a deep breath.
"Um...Well..."
"We will support whatever decision you make, dear," Esme says.
I nod, "I really appreciate everything you guys have done for me, but I think I should go back to the reserve. I don't want to cause you guys any more trouble than I already have and if it means that I can avoid causing a supernatural war then I'll do it."
Carlisle sighs, "Then it's settled. However, I want the Elders permission that Mia be allowed to return here once every two weeks to help with her new status."
Gabriel nods, "I think they'll agree to that."
He turns towards me," I'll wait down here if you want to pack."
I nod before slowly making my way upstairs. It feels like I'm leaving home and in a way I am. The Cullen's opened not only their home but their hearts to me. The pain of having to leave it is a lot worse than I thought it would be. To others, this place is just where the elusive Dr. Cullen and family lived. To me...this place was love. Unconditional, never-ending love. I lost a part of myself but gained the family that I have always wanted. There's a sort of sadness leaving a place that is filled with so much love and friendship. I know I will cherish each memory I have had and the love and friendship we all have will keep us together. But, right now it just feels like a knife is twisting in my gut. I start packing my bags, my mind is replaying the memories like a song on repeat. All the times I have gone hunting with Emmett, sparred with Jasper, shopped with Alice and Rosalie, cooked with Esme. I zip my bag up before making my way back downstairs to tell everyone goodbye.
"Ready to go?" Gabriel asks.
"Yeah."
I turn to Carlisle and Esme.
"Thank you both, for...for everything. I owe you a lot more than I could possibly ever repay. You have both taught me so much about what it means to be a vampire and showed me that just because the world might see me as a monster doesn't mean that I am one."
"Oh, I'm going to miss you," Esme says pulling me into a hug.
"I'll miss you too."
Carlisle hugs me, "remember Mia. Once every two weeks and you are welcomed to return anytime. No matter what happens you will always be a part of this family and always have a home here."
"Thank you," I whisper before pulling away.
I turn to Alice and Jasper and Alice immediately pulls me into a hug.
"Don't let them change your incredible fashion sense. I didn't do all the shopping when you first got here to let it all go down the drain."

I laugh, "don't worry. I won't."

I stick out my hand for Jasper to shake, but he ignores it and goes for a hug.

"I'm going to miss kicking your ass," he laughs.
"Maybe next time you see me it'll be the other way around and you'll be the one of the mat," I laugh.
"I look forward to it," he says.
Edward steps forward and I pull him into a hug.
"Take care Edward and tell Bella I said bye."
"I will."
Rosalie pulls me into a hug and has to wipe the tears from her eyes.
"I'm going to miss you, bitch. Who else am I supposed to dramatize everything with?"
I laugh, "I'm sure you'll be just fine."
I wave at all of them and Gabriel grabs my bags. We walk out to the porch and instead of Gabriel's motorcycle, a Mustang sits in its place. Seth's mustang.
"What happened to your bike?" I ask.
"I had Seth take it home and loan me his car," Gabriel says.
"You let someone else ride your bike?" I ask.
"No, I let him get a tow truck and tow my bike back home."
I laugh and shake my head before getting in. Gabriel puts my bags in the trunk and shakes hands with Carlisle.
"Thank you for protecting my daughter," he says.
"Think nothing of it. She's a good kid, well worth the risk."
I wave at everyone as Gabriel gets in and we head down the road. Halfway there I realize that I never said goodbye to Emmett. Just as the thought hits me, Emmett comes roaring down the road in his jeep. He slams on his brakes once he sees that I'm in the car with Gabriel and Gabriel pulls over.
"Go say goodbye," he says.
I open my door and run to Emmett, who wraps me in one of his bear hugs.
"Leaving without saying goodbye?"
"Never," I say.
"I'm going to miss you, Wolfe. You're my partner in crime."
"I'm going to miss you too," I say, fighting back tears.
"Don't cry, Wolfe. You know I'm only a phone call away. That's what all best friends say, right?"
"I know, but you're more than my best friend Em...you're my brother."
"Well, this brother is always going to have you back. One phone call, Mia. That's all it takes. One phone call and I'll come to get you, treaty be damned," he says.
"And start a vampire-werewolf war while you do it," I chuckle.
"If that's what it takes."
I laugh again and pull away," I'll see you around."
"Count on it, Wolfe. You're not getting rid of me that easily," he says with a wink.
He pushes me towards Seth's car and closes the door once I'm inside.
"Be safe out there, Wolfe."
I nod and watch as Emmett gets smaller and smaller as we drive away.
His gaze is unwavering and unabashed as he watches from behind the trees. His steely grey eyes travel up and down her body, possessively. He licks her lips almost like he can't taste her skin on his tongue, her blood on his lips. He misses the taste of her. She's intoxicating. She floods his every sense and he can't wait to drown.