Chapter 23:
I slowed down during the ride. I didn't think Charlie, being a cop, would approve of my new driving technique. I looked at the bracelet on my wrist. I noticed the beautiful crystal in the shape of a heart. I suddenly remembered I didn't have a gift for Edward.
When we got to the house, all of the Cullen cars pulled up two seconds later.
"Alice," I said, walking over to her Porsche. "I wanted to ask you if you wanted to go shopping with me."
"Oh, Bella! I thought you'd never ask!"
"Where to first?"
"Well," said matter-of-factly, "I have a list of great shopping stores in the general area."
"The State of Alaska?"
"Yes. What where you thinking about buying him?"
Who? I didn't tell you why I needed to go shopping."
"I can see the future Bella. And with Edward's birthday being tomorrow, I was a pretty easy guess."
"What should I buy him?"
"I don't know, he does like music."
"A CD?"
"Sounds great."
Alice and I went to the best music store on her list. Thankfully it was within a hundred mile radius. When we got back to the house Charlie and Carlisle were talking. Everything was bliss. I knew that Edward would be trying to read Alice's mind, so I told her to name 20 cities that start with "B."
"What kind of sick joke is this?" Edward asked, "Don't I get to know what my present is?"
"Absolutely not." His eyes narrowed down.
"You will have to think of it sometime Alice, and when you do…" He trailed of and went to talk to Emmett."
"I'm going to order a pizza." I told Alice.
"Why?"
"Because pretty soon Charlie is going to get hungry."
"Oh, right."
I called and ordered the pizza and made and excuse that we had all ate already. I went back and followed everyone into to the large living room and we all sat on the couch and told stories about accidents, funny things, and just stuff in general.
"So, did Jacob come up here yet? He said he was going to come visit."
"Oh, he did." I told him. Edward tensed behind me and I touched his shoulder.
"Edward, you have to open your presents now!" squealed Alice.
"Mine first!" cried Emmett in the same squeal.
"Emmett, we get to go first." She said and pulled Jasper in front of him with her. She handed Edward a wrapped box. It was a knit crew-neck sweater from Giorgio Armani. Rosalie and Emmett got him some cologne (He claimed Alice picked it out with him.) Esme and Carlisle got him a watch, and Charlie got a both a digital camera and a scrapbook.
Charlie was due to go to bed so everyone faked like they were tired, and I showed Charlie his guest room.
"I've had a great time Bella."
"Me too, it was nice."
"I think you will have a great life here."
"Most definitely."
"Good night."
"Good night."
I walked back downstairs. Esme and Carlisle were talking.
"I don't know." Esme said to him. I stood on the stairs and listened just a little.
"Edward would be fine, Alice can see that. Everyone will be fine, but the wolves are getting out of hand. They have become monsters. They have killed a dozen people. All of them are not civil in the least. Jacob had become the alpha and now the pack follows him. They can kidnap Bella, and with more help. We can get help from our friends in Denali, and we can stop them."
I had heard enough I exaggerated my steps down the stairs.
"Oh," Carlisle said in surprise, "how are you Bella." I nodded and Edward was back in from the kitchen followed by Alice and Jasper.
"Bella, there is something we would like to tell you."
"What that?" I had a feeling that I knew what was going to be the subject of the conversation.
"We want to finish Jacob," Edward told me matter-of-factly.
"Edward, I-."
"This isn't about fighting over you, I promise. We all want this to end. We want to take down the pack. They are turning into monsters. They have killed a dozen people. Thy have become a threat to everyone."
"Edward, I know. What I was going to say is, I don't what to sit this one out. I want to help."
"Okay," said Emmett and Edward gave him a look, "Look Edward, she is stronger than me, faster than you, and she is gaining more and more powers. We are going to have a numbers advantage. What more can you ask?"
"I guess."
"Thank you." I said. I hugged him. His arms snaked around me and squeezed me so tight.
"When will we fight?" Jasper asked Carlisle.
"Just as soon as I can get the Denali coven to come." Carlisle answered.
"How about you call them now dear?" suggested Esme.
Carlisle called them and it was Eleazer answered. I could hear him clearly on the other end. His silky voice was calm and open.
"Carlisle, how nice of you to call. Is there something I can do for you?"
"Actually, Eleazar, there is a were wolf problem, and your help would be most…helpful."
"Really, didn't we ask the same thing a while ago? Why, now you come and ask me. Most wonderful, we would be much obliged to help."
"When can you be here?"
"We have nothing going on over here, so how about now?"
"Now, would be wonderful."
"See you soon?"
"Soon." He said, and the click ended the conversation.
"He said he will be over as soon as they can run." He informed us.