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Chapter Ten - The Plan

Carlisle POV

While Alice explained what she had seen to Edward, I called for the rest of my family to join us. They had to be part of this too.

When everyone had arrived I quickly explained what our next problem was going to be. It seemed lately that's all we ever encountered -- one problem after another.

"What do you mean Aro is coming?" Emmett asked impatiently.

"That's what I saw." Alice confirmed.

"Bella can't be changed under these circumstances." Rosalie began. "She has a lot on her plate right now. We can't add this. She deserves the chance to at least consider staying human."

I nodded, "we couldn't agree more, Rose."

"So what are we going to do?" As Jasper spoke a wave of calm radiated from him.

"First, we all are going to stay calm. Thank you, Jasper." I smiled at him. "Secondly, I have a plan. Are you all willing to help? It a could be dangerous to our health if we don't pull it off. But if it works, we could save Bella from the Volturi forever."

All eyes were on me and all heads nodded in unison.

Edward was the one who spoke first. "What's your plan, Carlisle?"

"Well, how does everyone feel about faking a death?"

Alice giggled nervously. "Seriously?"

"He'll know she's not really dead when he reads our thoughts." Jasper pointed out.

"That's just it. We use our thoughts to our advantage." Everyone just looked dumb founded. So I continued, "did we see Bella leave today?" They nodded and Edward's face twisted in pain. I addressed him, "Didn't you get a phone call saying she'd gone away?"

Edward nodded.

"All we have to do now is forge a newspaper article stating that she died and make up a headstone for the cemetery. I really don't think he'll investigate too much. It should be enough to send him back to Italy, never to look in on Bella again."

"That's a great plan!" Rosalie clapped her hands. She was really excited about the prospect of Bella's heart continuing to beat.

"Yes, a great plan as long as she stays human." Edward's voice was low, miserable. "There is still a chance that she chooses me, ya know. What then? She'll want to be a vampire. The Volturi surely will know we did something fishy."

"I've thought of that too, Edward." I tried to calm him and smiled. "If she does make that choice then we'll go to Italy and tell them it was a misunderstanding. The police found a mangled body that they thought was Bella but she wasn't really dead. She returned home safe and sound shortly after their visit. After you two get married and you've changed her, we'll go pay them a visit. It will be very believable."

"But what if she comes back too soon? We don't know where she's gone or how long she'll be there." Rosalie pointed out.

"Actually, Rose, that is where you come in." She looked at me. "I would like for you to go find Bella. Don't let her come back until you hear from us."

"Okay."

With the first assignment made, I began working on the rest. "Jasper, you start on the newspaper article."

He nodded. "Consider it done."

"Emmett, I'd like for you and Esme to make up a beautiful headstone for the cemetery. Don't put it there until Alice gives us the okay. We'd hate for someone to inadvertently run across it."

They exchanged glances and Emmett gave a thumbs up.

"Okay, Edward and Alice. The three of us have got to work on the little 'movie' our memories will show Aro when he comes. I highly doubt he will ask anyone else anything. We are the closest to her. Can you do this?"

They both nodded. Edward had never looked more determined.

"Okay, Rosalie, you'd better get going. She can't be far yet." She got up, kissed Emmett and headed for the door. "Oh, and Rose..." She turned. "Don't contact us. We will contact you when it's safe for you both to come back."

"Got it!" With that, she flashed a big smile, blew Emmett another kiss and was gone.

"Okay, everybody, let's get this done. We don't know exactly how much time we have." I turned to face Alice. "Be sure to give us the heads up we need."

"I will. Don't worry."

I remembered the most important part of my plan. "Jasper, you will play a very big role in our little production. You must let Aro feel the depth of our loss." He nodded. The three of them stood and left the room without another word.

This had to work.

I concentrated on Alice's face. Her eyes were shut, her expression stern. When her eyes opened, she smiled.

Edward and I both let out our breath in relief and we began to discuss our part of the plan.

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