Bella

We walked slowly back to the hotel, Garrett lost in thought and me staring at my new ring every so often unable to believe how it came to be, fate had intended us and only us to find it. I squeezed his hand and he looked at me with an overwhelmingly sad but loving gaze, he I'm sure had never really considered his family in the grand scheme of things. Not really knowing who he was and all, this had to be a greater shock to him, than me, I wrapped my arm around his waist and held his right hand in my left, pressed against my beating heart, I felt him sigh and relax.

Once we'd reached our room I sat him down on the edge of the bed and slowly stripped him naked, this was not really a sexual thing, but my need as his mate to ensure he was alright. I know his pain was emotional but I couldn't stop myself from checking him over and scenting every inch of his beautiful body, kissing, licking, nipping as I went. Eventually draping myself over him and holding him tightly his head tucked for once under my chin as I gave him my strength and love, letting him come to terms with who he had been and to mourn his lost family. I held on for dear life protecting him and stroking his hair as he sobbed quietly for the life he'd lost, but knowing in doing so, it had brought him to me.

I must have fallen asleep, holding my soldier in my arms, but now I was on my back and felt a cool breeze across my chest, I reached down to pull the sheet over me only to find a head of hair under my hand. I cracked open an eye and saw my love staring up at me from between my thighs, I smiled and he lifted both legs over his shoulders before blowing a breath against my hot skin, I shuddered and moaned at the sensation. He slowly lowered his head and began to make love to me with his mouth alone, it was gentle but urgent, slow but insistent, loving but demanding and I saw stars several times before he rose up on his knees and sunk into me in one swift movement. Not a word was spoken between us, there was no need as we gave and took what we needed from each other.

Jasper

I didn't want to have to call Bella and Garrett back home, but we really needed to start trainin' Bella to use her gift now, just in case the Volturi decided to pay us a visit. We really need to set everythin' in motion for the moves as well, this was the bit I liked least, the leavin'. I liked Forks, well not the wolves obviously, but it was a nice quiet town where we got to be more relaxed and open, not in the beginnin', not till Bella arrived. That woman though unassumin' was like a tidal wave to us, she crashed into our lives and changed us all for the better, settin' us free.

I picked up my cell and dialled Garrett's number, he answered after only a couple of rings. Explainin' what happened yesterday and my worries to him, without hesitation he said they would head back within the hour. That they'd found their ring and said we were never going to believe the story, but they would tell us all together and with that, he rang off to pack for home. I was ponderin' if I should call Eleazar to get some insight into Bella's shield when Alice stuck her head round the door, she shook her head. "Irina will turn us into the Volturi as revenge for Laurent's death, so not a good idea Jasper," she said smiling at me.

"Jasper? I don't want to do school anymore, I'm sorry I ever suggested that to Carlisle, it was a way of keeping you all bored and apathetic! But I do want to do something! Not just for me, something that will benefit the economy where we move to, every time we move! But I don't know what yet! I'm lost and confused I can't see what it is so I can start it" she sounded a little frazzled to tell the truth, but not like before, more just annoyed with herself. "That's good Ali, I don't want to see another school again for a couple of centuries! Don't stress it'll come to you, someone just hasn't made a decision yet, to set you on the right path" I told her.

"You're right, it'll happen when it's the right time!" she smiled and stood behind me massagin' my neck and shoulders, god that felt good, she'd never done this before. I could feel her emotions and sorrow was high on the list along with regret and self-loathin', "Ali, don't beat yourself up! We're all to blame, I let you do that to me, without an argument and I knew we were unhappy and did nothin'. Let's look forward, to a bright and happy, possibly fun filled future, where we do things together and have time for us!" I said, she nodded and I lifted her into my lap just holdin' her tight, for the first time in ages, her emotions were totally in sync with mine and it was bliss.

Bella

I was just leaving the bathroom when I heard Garrett on the phone, Jasper I think, I caught an odd word here and there, realising our time was up I started to pack. Ah, the real world, just couldn't give us a break, could it! I glanced down at my ring and shook my head, I am a greedy human, I had everything I needed. So time isn't to be, fine! We'll have all the time in the world soon, I just needed to be patient. I looked up as the call disconnected and said: "Time to go?" Garrett nodded and held out his arms, "Thank you, Little Swan!" I gave him a small what for frown, "Being you angel, loving me, giving me what I need, before I even know I need it!" he laughed and I hugged him closer, smiling up at him "That's what I'm here for baby!"

The journey home was quiet, not uncomfortably so, we held hands and listened to the radio as the miles flew by. Garrett had explained both phone calls and Jasper's suggestion that I start training right away, I guess he was right but I was a little worried all the same. I kept watching my ring throw reflections about the cab and smiled up at Garrett as we entered Forks, as long as we had each other, that's all that mattered to me at this moment in time. So I was relaxed and happy when we pulled up outside the Cullens house, ready to face whatever Jasper was going to throw at me, but it was a massive surprise.

Carlisle

I don't know why I'm surprised, Jasper thought strategically and tactically, so arranging a meeting with the wolves, shouldn't have come as a surprise! It was the content of the meeting he was proposing that was the strange thing, but a little exciting. We were informing the wolves of the change in leadership, hopefully amending the treaty to include Bella temporarily, as she basically had a death sentence over her head otherwise, explaining the Volturi problem and asking them for help regarding Bella's shield.

Jasper wanted the tribe's shaman to be there as he needed to discuss something a little unusual with him, I was at a loss as to what but time will tell. When we arrived at the treaty line a bonfire was built straddling the boundary, they formed a semi-circle on their side and us on ours, Bella and Charlie closed the circle by sitting opposite each other both straddling the divide. This was the biggest gathering between the two opposing sides there had ever been.

Old Quill

I was very surprised when the request for a meeting came from the Cullens but was very intrigued to know why I was requested to take part along with the full council and the pack. Some thought it a trap, but Charlie and Bella were also attending so I thought not, this was something else but what I was unsure. So we went with an open mind for once and were more than slightly shocked. After all the introductions, the Colds One's blond leader Carlisle, explained he had stood down in favour of the scarred one, Jasper Whitlock, the pack was restless on hearing this, it was apparent he was a warrior, unlike the previous one.

He gave us a quick resume of his previous life and I was the only who gasped when he told us he was once called 'The God of War', dear merciful spirits, that was a name I hadn't heard since I was a young man, barely that even, the most feared vampire of our time. He also told us they would all be leaving after Bella and Garrett's wedding, they were doing everything to make it look like she was just doing the normal mundane things all humans do, rather than just disappear. They would never return here he said and as prove, their land was to be gifted to the tribe, this brought forth many gasps, mainly of relieve.

He then dropped the bombshell, he asked if I could dream walk, I nodded that I was able, "Why?" I asked, surprised a cold one knew about our rituals, but then he was from the south and they were by nature more attuned to the mystical side of life, then if I would do it with Bella. Once we all knew the reason, the pack were unwilling for me to go alone as I would not be able to communicate with them, Bella smile and suggested that Seth accompanies me, she trusted him to not rampage through her mind unchecked, the boy nodded blushing at the praise. Were they not wanting to be represented, the council asked, but they had no need the mind reader would also hear Seth and if I did anything wrong, her mate would kill my body instantly, "So be it!" I said and we would reconvene in a couple of hours when I had all the necessary items and ingredients.

Charlie

I had no idea what the meeting was about, but then Jasper told us about the Volturi remembering Bella was out there and they needed her to be able to protect herself until after the wedding and up until her change, they wanted her to be able to leave this life ready and willing to take on the next. My god could she never get a break, my danger magnet daughter, I am actually looking forward to her change now, so she can no longer be hurt as easily. So the quickest way was to get her to let go of her human, or should I say non-supernatural way of perceiving her shield and thinking because she's mortal she can't use it effectively, is to help her to embrace the mystical side of things now.

So they have asked Old Quill to dream walk with her and show her how to free her mind, therefore her shield, it's an amazing thought that a few weeks ago I was unaware that any of this was possible and now it was happening to Bella, she for once needs to think more like her mother than like me, because Renee always used be the first one to believe in the totally unbelievable, whereas Bella and I need to see a thing to believe it and now here we were living it, Renee would be so jealous if she knew.