**A/N: I'm hopeful that chapter I was just missed because I posted it so early. Here's chapter 2. Let me know if you'd like to read more.**

Chapter II - Confusion

The entire room was silent; Carlisle had recounted the story he'd told me to his family. All sat in the stillness of shock. Suddenly sweet and gentle Esme snarled in a way I'd never heard before, and found all the more terrifying because it was so out of character for her. She the left the room with such speed it stunned me. Carlisle looked horrified and left to follow her just as quickly.

Rosalie looked at Emmett, Jasper and Alice looked at Edward and I, and suddenly my vampire family was talking all at once. The shock was so strong still, none of them spoke in a way I could keep up with. Edward was every bit as much involved in the conversation as the rest of them were, so I was left to consider my guilt in the situation. Would I ever be able to live down my moment of selfishness? I had caused so much harm with that one, unwise action. Eventually Edward noticed I was brooding. His arms slid around my waist and he leaned his forehead against the side of my head. "Everything will be fine, Bella" he said soothingly, but I could still sense the tension which hadn't completely left his body yet. "You know I won't let any of this near enough to you to allow you to come to harm."

"I know Edward, but..." I trailed off. Edward wasn't going to allow that, he shook me gently, "What is troubling you?"

"Oh Edward, I just can't help feeling this is all my fault. You're always so adamant that you've been a bad influence in my life, and yet here again your family has to face something extraordinary because of my actions. I've been a bad influence on the peace and comfort of your family. I dove off that cliff and set off waves that are still striking everyone I love to this day."

The noise in the room was such that I didn't hear Carlisle's return. I did here his admonishment, "Bella, please stop blaming yourself. I've already said it won't help, and it's ridiculous besides. No one holds you responsible; you were living your life as you could. Edward's intention then, and consequently ours as well, was that you should live your life as you could, as though we hadn't ever been a part of it. No one could have foreseen what was to come. I'm honestly grateful you're here, not only on Edward's behalf, but also because you've completed my family."

Carlisle looked wretched, as he reached out and touched his fingers to my cheek. I was left speechless with gratitude at the kindness of his words. Carlisle dropped his hand and looked at Edward.

Edward smiled openly; knowing I wouldn't disagree with Carlisle. He looked up at Carlisle, "How is Esme?" The other's quieted to hear Carlisle's response.

"She's entirely unhappy with me at the moment," sorrow traversed his features. "I'm quite sure I deserve her anger, and yours. I understand only to well that I have lied, and deluded you all." He swept a heartbreaking look at the rest of the family.

"You, Edward, have the most right to be angry with me. I've always maintained that you were the first of my children. In my mind, you are, but technically you now know that isn't the truth. I can also be accused of my most reckless behavior with respect to you Edward, having the knowledge that I had utterly failed in my first attempt with Marie, yet changing you and disregarding my earlier mistake."

Carlisle frowned again, then turning to them continued, "Rosalie, you and Emmet have every right to be upset with me also, the two of you came next. And finally, Alice, Jasper – I'm not responsible for either of you being vampires, but I have still lied to you. I cannot convey the depth of my regret for keeping this from you all, and I will not be angry if any of you feel you can't support my decision. I need to consider what I'm going to do, I will leave you to decide whether you feel you can stand by me, because it will determine what course of action I take."

He left the room at that moment with a tragic mask of hopelessness frozen on his face. Emmett looked as though he'd been hit with a glacier. Alice and Jasper were talking quietly together, too fast for me to understand. Edward stared at the door Carlisle had just gone through. Only Rosalie's face wore an actual expression, and it was one of anger.

She spoke to herself it seemed, "All this time, all this time and never a word. Always portraying himself as so honest, so…" she suddenly turned and walked out the door. It couldn't have been more than a second later that the front door slammed.

I stood then, looked at Edward and said, "I'm going to Carlisle, I can't help, but I'm going to stand by him for anything he might need." I turned and headed for the door; Edward wound one arm around my waist and held me for just a moment. "Wait Bella, I'll come with you. I have no complaint to make about his actions." He stepped next to me, took my hand and we walked out of the room. I realized I could hear a subtle buzzing behind me and turned. Alice, Jasper and Emmett were right on our heels, Alice and Jasper holding a private conversation.

We found Carlisle in the front room, the same room we'd had my graduation party in, birthdays, the same room Edward and I had married in. Carlisle had supported everything Edward and I had decided together, my conviction didn't waver at all. If Carlisle needed it, he definitely had my support, and from the look on Edward's face when he saw his Father, he had Edward's as well.

I was the first to speak, "Carlisle, I can't offer much, but anything I can do to help I will do. I am in no position to feel betrayed or lied to. You've been honest, wonderful and so supportive. It isn't possible for me to do anything but be grateful, and be supportive of you in return."

I saw Edward look at me from the corner of my eye, and thought I saw a smile on his face. I saw him turn to Carlisle, "You are my Father, and nothing else matters to me. Whatever you ask of me, I'll do it without question."

Alice danced forward and kissed Carlisle on the cheek, then leaned her head on his shoulder. He smiled at her. She smiled back and said only, "Me, too."

Emmett's eyes sparkled and he grinned defiantly, "If it weren't for you Carlisle, there would be a lot less Bear skin rugs in the world. I'm here, whatever happens. Let him come!" Carlisle chuckled slightly.

Jasper looked at Carlisle, saying "Since Alice told me of you, I've wanted to become like you. Nothing has ever changed that feeling. Tell me what you need Carlisle. Anything."

Carlisle looked relieved, and his shoulders relaxed minutely. Anyone who hadn't spent time around him wouldn't have even noticed the difference.

"Thank you." He smiled gratefully to everyone, then stopped at Emmett's face, "Where's Rosalie?"

Emmett merely looked at his shoes in answer, and Carlisle nodded his head, he understood.

He closed his eyes for a moment, took a deep breath, and then exhaling audibly opened his eyes, "We'd better start making plans. Alice, how long do we have?"

Alice adopted that far away look we all knew. "I'm not sure, a few hours I think."

Carlisle looked from Alice to Edward, "Bella is the least safe of us all, you're going to have to get her somewhere she can't be harmed in this."

I immediately began arguing, "No Carlisle, I won't be hidden away. I want to help in any way I can."

Edward gripped tighter around my back and added his left hand across my front, protectively. "Bella, I can't help Carlisle and watch out for your safety too. You know that."

"I don't want protection Edward, I know what he is, but I won't be hidden away, not knowing what is going on and unable to do anything to help out. I won't go Edward." Edward dropped his arms and began to look alarmingly angry, and a growl began in his chest.

Carlisle looked unhappy, but his answer surprised me, "Edward, we honestly don't have time to argue about it. If Bella wants to stay she can, here in the house."

I folded my arms and stepped back, satisfied that I wouldn't just be hidden away. Edward looked completely unhappy, but resigned. I sat on the sofa as they ran over plan after plan. I must have eventually dozed off, because I awoke to the feeling of Edward's cool arms lifting me up. Opening my eyes, I saw his face and smiled. He grinned back, "You need sleep, my tired little wife."

I cleared my throat, "How are plans going?"

"We've got everything planned and it will all be perfect." He said, as he began climbing the stairs.

"How much more time until he arrives?" I asked.

"Alice thinks soon, another half hour at most. Hey!" he called, as I jumped suddenly from his arms. I landed upright on the stairs, amazed for a moment I hadn't fallen.

"Edward Cullen, I will not sleep while a battle rages in my home. I don't care how tired I am." I caught a look out the window in the stairwell. "Not to mention, it is the middle of the afternoon. I'm not going to bed!"

"Bella," he said, using a supplicating tone. He stepped forward taking my hand, "honestly, what can you do?" He wasn't arguing.

"I don't know." I admitted, "I think we both know, that I don't manage sitting idly well though. I will try not to do anything frightening." I was on a step above him so I was able to throw my arms around his neck easily and nuzzle my face into him. His smell was always so wonderful.

"I don't like you being here Bella." His breath washed across my face, dazzling me momentarily. He wrapped his arms around me and kissed my cheek. I raised my head and he covered my mouth with his, gently. I pulled myself closer to him at the same moment he broke the kiss and pulled away. I sighed and walked past him down the stairs.

I wanted to see Esme, I turned to Edward and asked where she was.

He listened for a moment and said, "She's in the garage with Rosalie." I turned to walk out and Edward said, "Bella, I don't know if you should interrupt them."

I looked at him, confused. "Do you think Esme's angry with me?" Edward chuckled, "Never. But Rosalie is furious, with everyone, including Esme."

I was aghast, how could she be. I turned and walked quickly out towards the garage. I stopped just before opening the door. Rosalie had never approved of me. She'd explained her feelings, but there was still a lot of Rosalie that resented me. I didn't want to antagonize her, so I took a deep breath and cautiously opened the door. Rosalie was glaring at me, Esme looked to me with all her usual kindness, but there was a decided edge to her expression. "I'm sorry to interrupt, Rosalie. I just wanted to see how Esme was doing." I walked to Esme and she took my hand in both her cool ones.

"Thank you Bella, I'm fine." She smiled sweetly.

"I think I'll go inside." Rosalie turned with a very angry expression on her face and headed for the kitchen.

"Are you still upset with Carlisle, Esme?" I asked.

"No, I'm only disappointed he didn't trust me." She looked dismayed.

"I don't think he's happy about his actions either. It seemed like he wanted to forget it himself." I said, hoping to lessen the negative aspects of the situation.

"Oh yes, I know he's far more disappointed with himself than I am with him. That's part of why I can't remain angry. Has Edward told you we expect Aurelio here in the next half hour?" she looked at me, concern in her eyes.

"Yes, I know I should go Esme, but I can't." I looked down. She took my chin and lifted it, looking into my eyes.

"Of course you can't, Bella. Your family is here." She said simply. Her face was full of understanding, but no pleasure. "I'm going to Carlisle, he and I need to talk. You should go back and see Edward, he's very concerned about you just now." She dropped her hands and turned to go inside.

I followed her into the house and found Edward looking outside to the front of the house. Jasper and Alice were playing what looked like tag, I was sure they were practicing for the coming fight. Alice was always a step ahead of Jasper. As I watched, she was suddenly in front of the garage doors; Jasper appeared next to her, and she was instantly across the driveway, laughing in a triumphant way. Jasper and Alice ran into the woods, and Edward turned to me as I reached for his hand, smiling. Suddenly he stiffened and his head whipped around to look outside.

Fear stilled me as well; I couldn't seem to get anything out but a whisper, "Is it Aurelio? Is he here already?" Edward shook his head no, looking puzzled and said, "No, someone is coming up the driveway." His eyes widened, "It's Charlie."

A moment later, Charlie pulled the cruiser up and stopped, the cruiser rocked as he threw it into park. Someone was in the passenger seat, someone with long black hair. For a moment I was horrified, thinking it was Jacob Black, but then Seth jumped out of the passenger door. He grinned at us through the window, and Edward and I both moved to the front door to step outside. The sun picked that moment to peek out, so Edward stayed in the doorway.

"Hey Bella." Seth called out with a grin.

I beamed back at him, "Seth!" and turned to Charlie, "Dad? What are you doing here?"

"Seth wanted to talk to Edward about something, he saw me at Billy's and asked if I could give him a ride. I thought it was as good an excuse to see you as any, so here we are." Charlie grinned as he hugged me close. "Hi Edward." He said stiffly over my shoulder.

"Hi Charlie," Edward replied, then he looked at Seth, "Would you like to come in for a moment, Seth?" Seth looked nervous about that and was just about answer when Charlie gasped, audibly. I looked up at him and saw he was looking towards the forest.

There, just before the tree line, sparkling like a multi-faceted diamond in the bright sunlight stood Alice.