AN: Hey everyone! Sorry it took so long to get this chapter out! I just lost track of my thoughts and needed to get back into the groove! So here it is: the beginning of the end…
Chapter 41
"Alright, here's what I think we should do. Esme, do you have any human food in the house?" I ask.
"Yes, I was just about to make some grilled cheese BLTs for Jacob." She says.
"Sweet!" Jake comments.
"Could you please make a few extra for experimental use?" I request.
"Sure, Bella, it's no problem." My mother-in-law says.
"Rose, do we still have any thermoses of blood?" I ask looking at my sister-in-law.
"I think so, Bella…" She says, standing up. "I'll go look."
She races off but I know she and Esme can still hear me so I explain my plan. "I-, Janet, I want to ask you to try a sip of blood and a bite of human food. If one of them tastes good, then I want you to ingest it until you're full. I won't take chances with my parents' and childrens' lives at stake."
Janet looks at me sadly. "Of course, Bella…I understand completely."
"Janet, have you detected the childrens' scent?" Edward asks. "That may help us decide if they are safe around you."
She frowns at him. "I haven't tried… I'll do that now." She looks around the room and gets confused. "Do you have something they've touched recently?"
"What do you mean, Janet? They were all over this room for hours before you got here." Rose says, coming back with a thermos. "I can still smell their scent! It's a cross between a delicious human meal and a beautiful perfume."
"Then I can't sense their scents." Janet is pensive. "What does this mean? Do you think this has something to do with my hunger…or thirst problem?"
"It may… I have a theory having to do with the horrible stench you spoke about when you opened your refrigerator. I want to speak to Carlisle first to see what he thinks." Edward tells us trying to calm us down.
"Edward, please…we won't get our hopes up, just tell us your idea." I frown.
"Alright," He gives in. "I think the stench jammed your sense of smell, Janet. I think that your new senses, which you didn't even know about just yet, were flooded and you can't smell distinct scents. You found our family because the scent of eight vampires is concentrated enough to get through your disabled sense."
Wow…I can't believe I didn't think of that!
"Here's the sandwich, Janet. Rosalie, give her the thermos, please?" Esme hands the plate over before giving Jacob his six sandwiches.
Janet sniffs. "Nothing…" She takes a bite and makes a face. "It tastes like dirt."
"Really? It tastes fantastic to me!" Jake sounds disbelieving.
After rolling my eyes at him, I look at Rosalie. "Now let her try the blood."
My friend sniffs the opening of the thermos. "Nothing…" She sips the blood and drains the thermos in seconds. "That was so good! Why didn't I want or feel the need for any of that before?"
"Loss of your sense of smell impairs your ability to hunt, Janet. Nancy couldn't figure this out in time but with your own blood still in your system, you were able to make it to us." Edward says. "Carlisle may be able to help you regain the use of that sense."
"I think it's safe for the babies and humans to be near her, Edward. Don't you?" I ask him as Jake makes moaning sounds around his last grilled cheese sandwich.
"Well, now that we know that animal blood can keep her thirst satisfied, it should be safe. Let's have someone keep her company at all times…just in case." Edward suggests. "I'll call Dad and we'll see how soon he can get here."
At that moment, the front door opens and suddenly Carlisle is standing in our midst. "No need, son. Janet, it's nice to see you again. I ran here from Seattle so Emmett would have the car to pick up Renee and Phil in the morning."
"Thank you, Carlisle," I say.
"No thanks are needed, Bella; I couldn't wait to see what was going on. Now, what is your theory, Edward?" He asks.
"I don't need to hear the rest of this. I've met her and you've told me the story, so just keep me and the pack informed about this visit from the Volturi and we'll help out where we can." Jacob interrupts. "Thanks for the grub, Mrs. C, I'm outta here."
We all wave good-bye so Edward can fill Carlisle in. "I think it's something like flash blindness. When Janet opened her fridge after awakening, she was assaulted by an overwhelming stench. Then, as she walked through town," Edward reasons. "The many scents confused her mind; and now she can't use her sense of smell… Nancy didn't drink from her so she retained most of her blood which, I think, is what allowed her to travel the distance to find us."
"I agree, Edward." Carlisle nods. "Bella's idea to have her try drinking blood lets us know that she does need some sort of nourishment and what form it takes. We know now that she doesn't eat human food but drinks blood, like us. We can safely assume that she won't attack anyone until her sense of smell returns, so I believe that our human friends, as well as the babies, will be safe for now." He looks at my friend. "I would like to ask you, Janet, to please be honest with us when you can smell things again. Edward, Alice and Jasper… I would also like you to keep your eyes and senses open to see if it will happen unexpectedly."
Janet nods and promises to tell us the moment she notices a change, so I call my father and tell him that I'd like my children back. He agrees to have them back in my arms very soon, but I don't relax until I hear the tires rolling up our driveway several hours later. Charlie and Sue meet Janet while I greet my babies.
After my father leaves, the family falls into our routine. Rose sits with the little ones; Jasper and Alice begin to play chess. Esme helps Carlisle begin to research ways to help Janet. Edward fiddles with his piano while Janet and I sit talking on the couch nearby.
"Please, Janet, I need you to think back to the Volturi attack." I say. "Did they say anything at all about us?"
"Just that they caught the familiar scent of Carlisle and wanted to talk to him." She says. "I'm sorry I wasn't able to get any helpful information, Bella."
"It's alright, Janet. Just relax and enjoy our company." I tell her. "We'll figure it out sooner or later."
From the other room, we hear Carlisle tell Esme that he needs to talk to Nancy, but Alice stops him.
"Carlisle, NO!" She shouts.
"What is it, Ali…what do you see?" Jasper whispers to her.
Edward stares at her and relates what he sees in her mind. "Nancy is dead, Carlisle; Jane has her cell phone. If you call, Jane will come here too early. If you don't call, she and the task force will be sent by the brothers in a few months time. We need those few months."
Our father figure nods gravely. "Alright, we won't call. We'll just start preparing for the Volturi's visit. Jasper and Emmett will start teaching the girls how to fight tomorrow night after Renee and Phil are asleep. Edward, Esme will stay with Bella and Janet. I think your medical training might help while we research this. I'll also call the Denali clan to join us."
I groan inwardly. We haven't seen them since my birthday and I don't really want to test Tanya's promise not to hit on my husband. I hope she doesn't either…
For the rest of the night and into the morning, Janet and I just relax and read while helping Rose, Alice and Esme with the babies. We all hear the tires as Emmett pulls the Jeep up the driveway. Renee and Phil get out and walk up the porch steps while I speak to my babies.
"Rosabeth, TJ, Momma needs you to listen closely. Granny Renee and Poppa Phil don't know about your gifts and they don't know about vampires or werewolves, ok? So we need you to be good and not try to talk to them with your minds." I whisper. Then, recalling how little Rosie bit Seth the other day, I add, "Also, no biting them; understand?"
The little ones just nod solemnly.
"Bella, Edward…? Where are you…and where are my grandbabies?" Renee's voice rings out.
I call out that we're in the living room and she rushes in.
"Oh! Just look at them! They're so precious! Can I hold them?" She asks.
I grin as Rose hands TJ over.
"Charlie's going to have a great time teaching this little man how to fish! How are you, Thomas Joseph?" She asks the tyke. "You know, it's so nice how you named little TJ after Jake and Charlie, Bella."
I cringe and glance at my husband.
"What does she mean, Bella-love?" He has a large frown on his face.
Mom looks embarrassed. "You didn't tell him, Bella?"
"I did not name TJ after Jake and Charlie, Mother! It's just a fluke that they have the same names!" I sigh. "Jake's middle name is Thomas; Charlie's is Joseph. I'm so sorry I didn't tell you about this. The names had a different purpose, Edward; Thomas is the name of Renee's father and my Grandma Marie's father's name was Giuseppe; which is Joseph in Italian."
"I understand, Bella-love, there is nothing to forgive you for." He says kissing my cheek. "Let's get Renee and Phil settled into the guest room."
"Mom, you met Janet in New Hampshire, didn't you?" I ask.
She nods and waves at my friend. "How have you been, Janet? It's nice to see you again."
Carlisle joins us after we put their things away. "Renee, how was your trip?"
They have a short conversation and lunch is served before Phil yawns making it clear that jet lag is not his friend. He and my mom go to bed and fall asleep quickly.
Once they're asleep, Carlisle tells us that the Denali family will be here around dawn. Emmett takes Rosalie, and the rest of us girls, outside and across the river to teach us a few basic moves to defend ourselves. Jasper is pretty sure I'll be able to shield our family well enough, but Carlisle wants us to be fully prepared. Jake knows that the Volturi are coming soon and that we won't be able to come away from this conflict unscathed. The pack is willing and able to help so they will provide a few fighters and a safe harbor for my human family members.
Christmas is only a few days later and the Denali coven has joined us. We have briefed them and they know as much as we do. Eleazar is nervous about Aro wanting me, Alice and Edward. The babies would likely be taken and studied or perhaps the brothers would try to create their own hybrids; we don't know. Carmen and Irina are enamored with my little ones. Kate and Tanya just watch them from afar. Edward says they're wary of things they don't understand. Kate has a mate now; his name is Garrett and he sticks to Kate's side like glue. Tanya has yet to make a pass at my Edward and I'm not looking forward to dealing with her if she does.
The Christmas tree is up and there are lots of gifts under it. The human and wolf members of our circle are gathering for the day in our living room.
"Janet keeps glancing at Tanya, love." Edward whispers to me as the two women speak animatedly across the room. "They really seem to 'click'."
I giggle quietly. "Do you think she 'likes' her? I never pictured Janet as a lesbian but she did consider having a threesome with me…remember?"
He cringes. "I've tried to forget…"
"Well, what does Tanya think about Janet's attention?" I ask.
"She has yet to notice that its anything more then friendship, but she has been considering asking Janet to join their coven in Denali when they go back." He informs me.
I gape at him. "Really?"
He nods as Emmett walks past us with TJ. "Emmett, don't you dare!" He hisses.
We watch our brother and our son approach the pair of women in question. TJ is holding mistletoe in his hand and I watch in shock as Emmett steps up behind Tanya.
Janet blushes as she looks up.
TJ smiles down at her.
She stares at Tanya for a second longer and leans forward touching her lips to Tanya's.
We all hold our breath to see what she'll do now.
They stare at each other and Tanya seems stunned. She takes Janet's hand and pulls her outside.
This could be a good thing, I suppose. I can tell that Edward is monitoring their chat, so I try not to worry. "Emmett, how could you involve my son in something like that? What would you have done if Tanya got upset or something?"
"It was his idea, Bells; I swear!" Em answers. "He asked me what was up with people walking under the weird tree branch and I told him about the mistletoe. The next thing I know he shows me a vision of Tanya and Janet."
I look into my son's eyes.
He smiles. *Mamma, don't be mad. Cousin Tanya and Janet are going to be happy together when they get home and then they're going to play with me and Rosie. I saw it!*
I frown and look at Edward.
"Tanya and Janet are going hunting, love." Edward whispers into my ear as I stare out the window feeling very confused. "Tanya promises to take care of Janet for us and make sure she's ok while she feeds. She understands that Janet is like a sister to you and swears not to let her get lost or hurt."
"This is insane, Edward! I can't believe that this is happening overnight! Is Janet now mated to Tanya? Are they just going to sleep together for a while? I'm so confused and worried for them…both of them…" I sigh.
"We'll get the answers to that when they return, love. We don't want anyone to get hurt." He answers.
They return just an hour and a half later, hand in hand. As soon as they step inside the house Tanya goes off with her sisters and Janet picks up my baby boy. "Was this your idea, little one?" She asks. "You're a smart kid." She looks at me and Edward. "I was changing him last night and I might've talked to him. He said I looked sad and I told him I was lonely."
I grin at the baby. "TJ, you are something else!"
"Our little matchmaker…" Edward marvels. He explains about the Emmett and the mistletoe.
Tanya and her sisters rejoin the group and that's when she tells us. "Edward, you know I've always wanted you…but I realize how happy you are and how far you've gone for Bella proves to me that I was never the right one for you. You also know that I've been with more then my share of both sexes…Janet and I have decided to date."
The humans and wolves applaud and go back to their conversations, but since she's my 'twin' I need to know more. We pull them aside. "Are you mated?"
"I don't think it's that deep of a connection, Bella…We just want to see how things go. We like each other. I really like her. I thought you'd be happy, Bella. I'm not going to be hitting on Edward anymore." Tanya says.
"I am happy about that, Tanya…" I say. "…and I know how hard it is to try to get over Edward. Believe me, I do…but I'll be very unhappy if you hurt Janet. Don't let her be your rebound girl. She's sweet and she's a good friend."
"Bella, please don't worry. We've talked. We both know what we're walking into here." Janet says, squeezing my arm lightly.
Esme serves dinner for the people who eat while Edward plays Christmas carols on the piano with Rosabeth on his lap.
She asked him, the other day, to teach her how to 'make pretty sounds on the big black music machine' and he is happily letting her watch him until she is big enough to learn.
TJ, however, wants his daddy to teach him how to 'sing pretty words' and 'dance with mommy'. We've told him he needs to learn talking before he can sing and get a little taller before he can dance with a partner.
The next morning, the little ones get their gifts and they love every minute of it. I show them the Disney version of A Christmas Carol and Rosabeth declares that it's her favorite movie ever. Kids say the darnedest things…
To my readers: Thanks for sticking around and keeping up with the story!
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