Once Carmen was over her shock, she showed us to the restroom so that we could clean up. Since I only had clothes for Renesmee, and mine were torn, she loaned me an outfit from one of her coven members. Since it had been a while since we bathed, I made sure the two of us were clean before getting out and dressing us. On Renesmee, over her underclothes, I put socks, tights, a skirt and her favorite shirt that says, Grandpa's Little Monster. Carmen was able to find me unused undergarments, as well as tights and a long t-shirt. As soon as I put them on, I felt such serenity, as if a plastic bubble surrounded me, protecting me. I felt…safe, needed, and wanted. Something screamed inside of me, my inner beast, perhaps, that this place was where I was supposed to be, where my destiny lie. However, for now, a curious vampire sat in the living room, wanting some answers. I sighed out of habit, putting my thoughts and feelings on the backburner as I carried Renesmee into the living room. I sat down first, across from Carmen, pulling Renesmee onto my lap so that I could fix her hair. After the two of us sat, I was finally able to look to the vampire before me, who was not able to quit staring with such curiosity. I smiled at her while I began to comb the knots out of my daughter's hair.

Finally, Carmen spoke. "So…why did your father keep you hidden, for so long?"

I knew that question was coming, but I was surprised that she asked it so soon. I peeked out of my lashes, giving her a smirk. "He wanted to have a grand ball, to introduce me to the vampire world as soon as I turned twenty. But…something imperative came up, basically telling us that I needed to meet my mate before that time, or I would be alone." I closed my eyes in thought, remembering how I felt, then, compared to now. My heart ached. I knew my mate was out there, and I felt the pull, but I was depressed. I kept hoping to find my mate, because I was sure that if something happened to my mate, that I would feel it and not survive.

I felt a hand on my arm and I looked up. Carmen was on the arm of the chair, looking at me, sadly, as my mother would. It was then that I realized I was crying, as Renesmee put her hand to my cheek, showing how I looked and allowing me to feel how worried she was. I hugged her close to me, whispering how sorry I was as Carmen hugged me from where she sat. "It's not your fault, Bella, and you're not weak, so stop thinking that." I wondered for a moment how she knew that when she simply whispered that it was, "a mother's intuition."

Once I calmed down enough, I smiled at her, reaching over and patting her hand. "Thank you," I whispered, only sniffling a little as I wiped the remnants of my tears away. I felt grateful for Carmen. Mother was always there for me, and so was Renee, who was more of a mother than I had to lead others to be. I missed them. Yet at the same time, there was no way that we could go home. I had to make sure that everyone would be safe before I could allow that to happen.

Knowing that I was sad, Carmen stayed right by my side as I went on with my story. I also began to braid Renesmee's hair, as she curled up on my lap. "Around a year and seven months ago, I was told by one of the guard that my mate lived in America. Father knew of the covens around here and, while I was to remain anonymous, he thought it might be good if I lived near them, so…he sent me to Forks with Charlie Swan, who acts as my father outside of Italy…"

"Wait," Carmen said carefully, cutting in. "You lived in Forks, Washington last year?"

I looked at her, a little confused, yet surprised. "Yeah, I did," I replied slowly, wondering where she was getting at.

If it was at all possible, her face paled considerably compared to what her vampire genes allowed. Carmen then took a deep breath, even though she had no reason to, and continued. "Bella, everyone in the vampire world knows that the princess left Italy, though no one is sure why outside the Volturi." I could tell that she was starting to choose words regarding what and how she said them, but I refused to speak against her. I was becoming very curious, and wanted to know where she was getting at. She sighed. "I will keep you safe, but first I need to know exactly why you ran away."

Oh… She was confused as to why I would be away from Italy, at all. I guess anybody would be. Why be here when you had an entire castle to call home? I smiled mirthlessly, feeling obligated to tell her but now wishing that I could kick the Cullen's asses for me even being in this position! "Well, this is where Renesmee comes in."

At the sound of her name, Renesmee looked at the two of us, smiling widely. By now, her hair was in two French braids and she looked the picture of calm and innocent.

I let out a deep breath… here goes nothing! "Renesmee's father lived in Forks while I was there."

If vampires could faint, I was sure that Carmen would have. Her face became that much paler, her eyes a wide pool of golden and her mouth agape enough to where it could catch flies. I started to wonder what exactly would give her this reaction, but before I could question her, she had her cell phone out, dialing a number and waiting on the contact to answer.

A torturous minute later, someone finally picked up. "Hello?" a man asked, with much the same accent as Carmen had. However, my curiosity only lasted a little longer as Carmen's face had a look of pure hatred on it, and her lips curled in a defiant sneer.

"Under no circumstances should you bring Edward back here," she said in a dangerously calm voice that snarled over every word she said.

Suddenly, my chest growled, but not in a low rumble. I saw red as I held my daughter protectively; I was ready to fight to the death for her and our new friend.

However, the male that Carmen was on the phone with, was utterly confused and chose not to hide it. "What do you mean? Who is there, Carmen? I heard somebody growl."

I now understood that this was her mate, he was worried for her and that I had, unknowingly caused a rift in their family dynamic, but I chose not to care. Carmen felt like a mother to me, and I belonged here just the same as anybody else, so I refused to back down over some scumbag. The tables were now turned and I would not, under any circumstances, roll over and play dead for some pansy-ass vampire…no, not anymore and not ever again.

In addition, it seemed as if Carmen refused for me to leave, as well. "The Princess is here," she said, hissing, though more in a way of warning above anything else. She came over, rubbing my shoulder as I instantly began to calm down. She was like my mother. It baffled me, but it was the truth. A bond had formed between us, and I suddenly felt part of her coven, even though Carmen was the only one that I knew.

I heard the male and several others gasp. I was not yet able to make out each separate voice and who it belonged to, but I heard eleven vampires, which led me to believe that Edward and the rest of the Cullen's were among them. At least I got what I came here to do, but I was starting to believe that I was staying here much longer than I had expected.

Suddenly, the male voice came back, stuttering in fear as if my father were sitting here next to me, even though everyone believed that I was alone. "I apologize, your Royal Highness. That was very rude of me."

I felt better that he now accepted me, though I knew it was for my title if nothing else. I looked at Carmen, nodding my head once in forgiveness, hoping that she would understand that, for now, I wish to remain anonymous, at least for the Cullen's sake. They were a long ways from forgiveness, and for now, I wanted to keep them on their toes. I knew it was childish, but I wanted some payback after all they put me through, and I believed that I rightly deserved it.

Carmen smiled at me, hugging the two of us before returning to her phone call. "She accepts, Eleazar. She looks forward to meeting everyone but Edward, so it would be best to keep just him away, for now."

I heard a hint of hatred in her tone, and I knew that she wanted Edward away, for good, but had thrown in that last bit keep peace with the Cullen family. I rather felt bad, but Edward dug this hole for himself, therefore he was at fault, nobody else.

For now, I focused on my daughter. Renesmee was still perched in my lap, listening intently while playing with some lint that was stuck to the tights I was wearing. I smiled at that, kissing her forehead before reaching and getting an old book out of my bag and handing it to her. With excitement, she turned, giving me a big kiss and an even bigger smile as her hand came to rest on my cheek. Thank you mommy! She was very grateful that I thought to have a book for her, and excited that she could read it. I kissed her cheek, reaching into our mind link as I hugged her close. You are very welcome, sweetie. I love you.

Renesmee pulled back, looking at me with tears in her eyes that began to shed before putting her hand to my cheek, showing me every emotion that she's ever felt for me, including the one that said, I love you too.

I started to tear up in happiness and joy as I settled my little one back onto my lap so that she could read. I decided to stay in thought as an argument began on the other side of the phone call. I heard hissing, snarling, and growling, but I removed myself far away from that little conversation. My heart soared as I thought about how lucky I was. I still despised Edward, hating him with a passion, but I was so lucky to have my little Renesmee in my life that I doubt I could hate him 100%. I wanted to for what he did and how he went about doing it, but if he had just left, then I would be without my little one, which to me would not be a life that I would want to live.

MEANWHILE…

As Eleazar finished his call, promising his mate that Edward would stay away, he turned, facing nine confused vampires plus one angry one.

"So, the Princess refuses to meet me?" he snarled in hatred, refusing to believe that she had anything against him. After all, no one had met the famed Princess outside of the castle, so how could she even know about him, yet harbor the hatred that she seemed to have for him on the phone, just now.

Eleazar looked at him, shrugging his shoulders. "It seems as if Carmen objected to you being there just as much as the Princess did," he answered truthfully, all the while wondering what in the hell had happened to Edward. He used to be so quiet, a little brooding but yet the sweetest vampire in his coven, aside from Carlisle and Esme and yet, now, ever since they left Forks, he acted as if the whole world had done him an injustice, and was taking out his anger and frustration on the ones who put up with him. In addition to all of that and Eleazar was getting sick and tired of it!

While Edward continued to brood, Alice decided to try to look into their future, but as soon as they all came upon the house in Denali, only an hour away, everything disappeared. She became nervous and Jasper, feeling that nervousness, tried a cocktail of emotions to calm her down, which ended up backfiring, going out to the surrounding vampires, which did calm them down. Yet once they got over that and the initial shock, half of the group were confused while the other part were irate. This woman may be the princess, but who was she to refuse others who were apart of the world that she was set to rule?

While everyone took time and argued their case, trying to strategize this meeting, one woman in particular was suddenly feeling a pull in the area that was her home. She felt as if she needed to be there, and soon, because someone needed her, to love, protect and keep safe from all vampires, especially Edward. However, she had no idea why, and that was the confusing part about all of this.

"Tanya?" Kate, her sister, asked, bringing her out of her thoughts. "Are you all right?" she asked with true concern.

Tanya looked to her sister, coming out of her thoughts, as she suddenly wanted to get back to her home as soon as she could. "Yes," she said, taking a deep breath. She looked around to see the various vampire couples and the ones who had no mates, all arguing and discussing things, and all she wanted to do was leave them and get out of here. Yet, she refused to be that cruel, even though the Cullen coven had to their human pet.

Looking at the others, she stopped them all in their rage that involved either wanting to meet the princess, or kill her. Pathetic! Yet, even though she was able to stop them so quickly and, on command, they refused to see that she, indeed, had a gift.

Once everyone had faced her, she gave them all a wry smirk. That was just too easy, she thought to herself, ruefully, before she opened her mouth, commanding only one word that set them off, all on their way…

"Home."

I am SO very happy that people have reviewed and seemed to like my story. If you want to message me any ideas that you may have, please feel free to. I always welcome others' opinions!

In addition, this chapter I would like to thank my cousin Amanda for…she was the one who gave me some ideas on where and how to take this story.

Until next time…

IssyMellissy