AN: So things pick up around this chapter, but it's another short one. They'll be longer starting next chapter! There are a few Easter eggs in here ;D I think you'll get a kick out of them if you catch them!

Chapter Twenty-Six

Vampire Bella

"She's awake." Alice spoke softly.

Instinctively, we all looked up to the ceiling. I shushed Renesmee as I bounced her lightly in my arms. Her tiny hand rose to my cheek and an image of Bella popped into my head.

"Yeah, that's your mommy." I smiled down at the tiny girl with eyes wiser than they should be.

"You're good with her." Emmett smiled over my shoulder, a conflicted look in his eyes.

"She's easy to get along with." I smiled as we listened to Bella and Edward leave for a hunt.

"Is it safe for her to be around Nessie?" Lilly asked as she eyed the small baby. She had taken quite a liking to Renesmee. I knew she was excited for the day when she would become a mother, but Seth was still young.

We waited in tense silence for Bella to return. Sure enough, it wasn't long before we could hear her and Edward outside the house. At first, Jacob was planning to be Bella's test subject, but I offered instead, knowing he hated being away from Renesmee. There was still the matter of telling Bella…

Hand and hand, Emmett and I walked out to meet Bella and Edward. "Well, don't you look like a doll." I smiled at her.

"This is amazing." She laughed. "Can I see Renesmee?"

"We thought it would be better if you tested your resolve on something a little more resilient first." Edward's eyes shot to me. "Renesmee is safe with Jacob and Rosalie."

"Jacob?" Bella laughed. "Since when does he even like Renesmee? Edward and I exchanged a look while Emmett's shoulders shook with suppressed laughter.

Before Bella could ask him why he was laughing, I took a step forward. "Take a deep breath." I offered with my arms extended.

Hesitantly, she stepped forward and lowered her nose to my neck. I could practically feel Emmett tense up behind me. She took a deep breath, pausing before recoiling. "No offense, Alex, but you stink!"

"Not exactly sunshine and roses there yourself, Bells."

"Can I see Renesmee now?"

"Sure…" Edward looked like he would throw up if he could.

The fallout was, if nothing else, hilarious. Poor Jacob was helpless against Bella's newborn state as she tossed him around like a rag doll. When she turned on Seth, I almost stepped in, But Emmett placed a strong hand on my shoulder. Sure enough, they worked it out… Well, as worked out as it could be.

We fell into a comfortable groove after that. With all the drama surrounding Renesmee, I had forgotten about Charlie. Of course, Jacob found a way around that. He knew enough now for me to tell him my connection with his family, but I didn't. I considered it, but it would serve no purpose other than remind him of his dead father. Ty on the other hand opened up as soon as he could. Charlie was fascinated by everything, but tried not to ask too many questions.

When December hit, Renesmee looked eight. We were worried, but no one said it out loud. Carlisle spent most of his time locked away in his office reviewing anything he could about vampire hybrids. Emmett, Alice, and I spent a lot of our time planning the wedding. I wanted to wait for spring, maybe when the flowers were blooming. It wasn't because I was romantic – far from it, I just didn't want to be outside in the cold. Alice seemed to like the idea, and Emmett was just happy to sit back and watch us plan.

Bella was taking to her new life with ease, which surprised everyone. She worried about Renesmee though. You could see it in her eyes whenever she looked at her daughter. Bella's fear only fed my own. If she could get pregnant… Could I? One day, I managed to get Carlisle alone, and he assured me that I couldn't. Emmett was not a virgin when he turned, so there was no chance. It was a relief. Sure, there was a part of me that wanted to have Emmett's baby, but wolf or not, I doubted my body could take that.

The longer my pack stayed with the Cullen's, the clearer wolves became to Alice. Renesmee however, was still a dark spot. This made it even worse when Alice had a vision of the Volturi.

"So they're kind of like your vampire overlords?" James asked with a half-smile. I gave him a warning look, but said nothing.

"You could say that, yes." Carlisle, ever patient replied. "Alice and Jasper have… left. They suggested we gather witnesses." He almost looked his age as he cast his eyes downward. "I'm afraid this might end in a war."

Emmett's hand tightened around mine. This was big. This made the newborn army look like child's play. These vampires were old and powerful… We couldn't do this alone. "Sam's pack will fight – and so will mine." Jacob nodded.

"Our friends will help us, Carlisle." Esme tried to sooth her husband.

"My pack will fight." I commented after meeting each of their determined gazes. "And I have a few friends of my own." It was time to call in favors I hoped I would never have to. "James, I need you to call my friend Alcide in Louisiana." I grabbed a notepad by the nearby phone and started to jot down numbers. "If he gives you any grief, just remind him he owes me for the Sookie thing... Tell him to bring Eric if he can, but I don't want to owe that blood sucker any favors."

"You got it." He took the paper with a large smile. Again, my hand was flying over the notepad.

"Nick, I need you to call my friends Derek and Scott in Beacon Hills… Just ask to talk to Scott if Derek gives you an attitude. And tell them not to bring Stiles… It's too dangerous."

With a tiny salute and a "Yes ma'am!" He took the paper.

"Chase, I need you to get in contact with Ethan and Raven. They'll bring their whole pack."

He stepped up, waiting before grabbing the paper. "What about-"

"That's all!" I cut him off before he could mention my brothers. I couldn't ask that of them… Not after all this time.

They Cullen's came and went after that – scattering to find witnesses. One by one, random vampires and familiar wolves began to show up. There were too many red eyes for me to feel comfortable around, so I patrolled more often than not. Even though he didn't sleep, I could tell it bothered Emmett to not lay beside me every night.

"Are you done?" Emmett's voice called from behind me as I pulled on a shirt and shorts.

"Yeah, I think twelve hours is enough." I joked as his large arms wrapped around me before I could fully turn around. I sighed and laid my head on his chest. Even this contact was enough to satisfy the imprint.

"You're overworking yourself. I know you're uneasy, but I promise none of them will mess with you."

I simply shrugged and stood on my toes to press my lips against his. "So, turns out Bella is a shield. They're trying to teach her to use her powers. Wanna watch?" He asked with glee as I settled back on my feet.

"Absolutely." It was only when we got to the spot they were using that I realized why Emmett was so giddy. Edward was the test subject.

"Dude, you're not motivating her!" He called with a laugh as Edward got shocked, apparently not for the first time.

"Do you want to try?" Edward glanced sideways at him.

With his hands up in defense, Emmett smiled. "Gotta stay by my girl and protect her from all the big bad vamps." He joked placing an arm around my shoulder.

"Funny, from what I hear, she's fallen in quite well with them." The voice was so familiar, I knew it instantly. My back stiffened as my stomach dropped. If I had eaten anything before my patrol, I was sure I would vomit. Emmett's hand tightened around me as he turned us both to face the newest visitors. "Or have we heard wrong?"

My breath caught as I glanced from one face to the next – one I hadn't seen in nearly a century. "Alistair… Darren…" I almost sobbed their names, especially when I noticed their gazes held no malice.

"Babe… Who are they?" I could feel Emmett's worry and need to protect me.

"They're… My brothers."

AN: Reviews are loved! Sneak Peek:

"Tyler!?" I was sure everyone back at the house could hear us now. "You slept with your delta?" His accusatory tone made me bristle.

"Oh I'm sorry, are we not fucking living with your ex-wife?"