Chapter 22: Dominance
Dun, dun, duuuuunnn...
Like I've said before, sometimes things happen in one story that hold up me posting for another. Hence, the horrible summer-long delay that prevented this chapter from posting. And technically, it should have posted before the last one. So, there's sort of a flashback at the beginning of this, and I rarely write those. But I couldn't post without wrecking other stories.
Oh, and this chapter has been re-posted, because anonymousbutterfly100 caught me making quite the mistake. Lol. Thanks, hon'!
Looking forward to hearing what you think. Always.
If it makes you any happier, I'm giving you a smattering of authentic Ticuna and Brazilian Portuguese dialogue in this chapter. No, I don't speak Brazilian Portuguese. The wonderful Sarahhalliwell gives me that. But I do speak some Ticuna. I learned it for IH. That's how much I care.
This chapter corresponds to Chapter 3 of 'Heaven Help My Heart'.
Snickers. I'm sneaky. I've been tidying up this fic. So, you might want to go back and read it from the beginning, because I've added tidbits of supporting detail and changed some dates, and small things, to match my canon. This is the third story I started to write, in September of 2009. So won't you please wish a happy first anniversary to LAF, UE and Redemption? And me? No major changes have been made to the story, so if you aren't a UE Series fan, and don't care to re-read it, don't have a cow, man. You don't have to.
lol- Please do me a favour and help me out. I posted a poll about my version of Marcus a month ago, because I'm tempted by two possible directions for his character in IH. The results are consistently split 50/50. How amusing. I ask for opinions, and you're evenly divided. Who knew! Please help me decide.
This chapter coincides with Chapter 3 of 'Heaven Help my Heart', my new fic about Leah and her Imprint. Rated 'T'. Please check it out. Want to see my vision of her mate? Go to my Facebook Fanpage for Unforeseen Events, and look in the sketches album. He's there. The link is on my Profile.
Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended. Music belongs to its rightful owners. Any resemblance to persons living or dead is unintentional. Kaure and Gustavo belong to Stephenie, as does Leah. But their extended families belong to me and Edward. Hands off. Grr!
You may hear the music from this chapter on my new playlist: youtubedotcom/jmollytwilight2/LAF, beginning at #8. I have already added the music from previous chapters.
"Black is the Colour of My True Love's Hair", by Cara Dillon
"May You Walk in Sunshine (The Native American Ten Commandments)
February 19th, 2014:
It has been an interesting week, to say the least. First, the birth of Lottie and Tina, and Ren's transformation to a full vampire. Then, Leah running off to find her mate. And she did find him, that very night. Four days ago. And Edward's reaction to that was priceless. And Sam's was not.
Bella told me, afterward, that I'd witnessed a rare phenomenon where her husband was concerned. And I'd have happily skipped seeing the part of Sam's nature that he put on display.
o~O~o
February 15th - 16th, 2014:
Edward paced for three and a half hours, until Esme demanded that he stop wearing a groove into the Great Room's maple hardwood. He came to rest opposite one of the large windows at the back of the room, staring out at the blizzard. The longer he watched, the more still he got. Bella told me that vampires, unlike humans, get increasingly still when feeling antsy.
When Em came in and asked if he and Bella had enjoyed their book keeping session, Edward growled threateningly, and suggested that Em and Rose go play some cards.
Edward was so cranky that the Kwali and Renesmee took to the forest in self-defence. The female Quileute were off doing Heaven knows what. Ben and I, and the Cullens, pretty much had the Great Room to ourselves all evening.
Edward was really antsy. He occasionally cast a glare at Alice, knitting as she sat cross-legged on one of the couches.
"Soon, Edward," she grinned, needles clacking.
"Grr. Why are you keeping me out?" he snapped.
Alice laughed evilly. "Oh, brother-of-mine! Just wait. You'll be glad to be surprised."
Finally, just past midnight, the phone rang. Edward pounced on it. "Fluffy?" he barked, ceasing his pacing. "I didn't think we were going to hear from you."
Alice laughed. Insanely.
"You found him," Edward smiled. "Would you care to explain why Alice has been driving me mad for the past three hours, reciting sonnets in her head in Mandarin?" His eyes rolled. Then, he listened, and stopped dead in his tracks. "Why would I laugh, Smurfette?"
Alice snorted.
"Come again?" he asked tonelessly. Then, he got the funniest look on his face, like he was in pain. His face scrunched up. He didn't appear to be breathing.
Then, his mouth contorted into a huge grin, which he suppressed.
"Uh-oh," Bella breathed, staring at him, with the hint of a smile. She set down her recipe book. She had been reading about how to make pies.
"I'm not laughing," Edward protested. A twitchy smile twisted the corner of his mouth. His eyes closed tightly. Sure, he wasn't laughing. Yet.
He listened to Leah's answer. Then he laughed. Uproariously.
"The last time I heard him laugh like that was at the Roast," I muttered to Bella. She sniffed a laugh.
Whatever Leah said in response brought Edward up short.
"I'm sorry, Fluff. It's just ... so ironic. I'm happy for you. Seriously. Jacob and Ren can help you through the ... adjustments. We all love you, you know. We'll support you in whatever capacity you need. And I know we'll love your mate. Anybody who loves you has got to be top notch... Hey, Smurfette, I do. I'm sorry I laughed. Truly... He and Jazz should get on like a house on fire."
Edward fell quiet. "He's going to change his ways for you?" he asked gravely.
There was a pause.
"Fluffy?" Edward asked softly.
"Fluffy?" Edward cooed, forehead wrinkling. "Don't cry, dear. Honey? Your mate is old. Almost as old as Canada. Ingrained in his habits. He loves human history. He's willing to change his entire lifestyle to be with you, and after less than a couple of hours, he calls you his mate. He wants you. He wants to be part of the family, here. And he wants kids. Have I missed anything?"
Edward listened briefly. "I love him already," Edward said firmly. "What's not to love? So is he the best thing since sliced bread?" he smirked.
There was a substantial pause as Leah presumably waxed poetic about her mate.
"Hah. Finally. Somebody male in the family, who's shorter than me. Ever since Seth shot up, I've been feeling inferior. Now I love your mate even more," Edward claimed. "And you're laughing. How great is that! Give me the name of this perfect specimen. The Archer. You sure he's not Cupid, Smurfette? ...Wonderful, dearest. I'm so happy for you. Both of you. We'll have him trained up in no time. When are you coming home?"
Edward's eyes rolled at Leah's answer. "I bet he does. Put him on, Smurfette."
A moment later, Edward smiled in response to the newcomer. "Hello, Ivo. I can't tell you how glad I am to hear your voice," he declared. "We're going to help you adjust, okay? We have other mated pairs that come from two different species. And we've had lots of traditional vampires who chose to switch to vegetarianism."
I picked my jaw up off the floor.
"You love my girl?" Edward demanded. "See that you treat her well. She has been the focus of a lot of disrespectful teasing over the years. Should you treat her like less than a princess, I will personally rough you up. Understand?"
Edward beamed. "Good. Congratulations. You have wonderful taste. I'm pleased to see that you value Leah as highly as she ought to be valued. She's brave. She's taking you on, and that tells me just how brave she is. She's fierce and loyal, and she has a wonderful sense of humour. She's fun. And she makes a nice warm fluffy wolf, too. She's going to give you 110 percent of her love. I've been praying for years that she'd find you, and I couldn't be happier. Welcome to the family. When are you coming to see us?"
There was another long gap. It got frustrating. Not everyone was born with vampire hearing. Or Kwali hearing, for that matter.
"Of course... Yes. Seth and Caleb would like to see their sister," Edward suggested. "We could... arrange a wedding," he added.
Alice went off her nut, jumping up and down, yelling, "Yes! Yes! Yes!" We all watched her in disbelief.
"Leah is going to tear you a new orifice," Bella warned. Edward snorted, eyes dancing. He nodded at Alice, who was still nodding at him, and dancing around. I guess she liked ... Ivo's... answer.
Edward beamed. "Excellent. We'll let you two alone. Bye bye kids. Be safe. We love you."
"You're about to see something rare," Bella informed me wryly.
Edward disconnected. His eyes were scrunched shut again. "The Kwali?" he asked softly through gritted teeth.
"Still out with Sam," Esme declared.
"You'd better be done before they catch you, or Leah really will rip you a new orifice," Alice had warned.
Edward nodded, eyes squeezed shut. And then, the laughter bubbled up out of him. Laughter like the bellowing of a bear, with a whole lot of gasps for breath. Laughter that would have provoked tears to run down his cheeks, were he capable of such a thing as crying. He leaned his head against the back of the couch, and went limp, absolutely killing himself.
"It's not that funny," Rose informed him. In response, he fell to the floor and smacked it with his hand.
"Edward, honestly," Bella said, her lip curling with tolerant amusement. She turned to me. "Seventeen. Forever." I nodded. Technically, she was 19, but she had stopped aging some months before she transformed, so she didn't look it.
Edward fell over on his back, and brayed at the ceiling until the whole place echoed with it.
"The last time I heard him laugh like that, we nearly got kicked out of a hotel," Bella muttered to me.
"Dear," Esme remonstrated with him.
"Irony!" Edward giggled, his voice much too high. He continued to laugh so loudly that it brought Jasper, Emmett and Carlisle running to investigate.
They gawped at him, lying on the floor, slaying himself.
"What in tarnation?" Jasper asked.
The girls were all mum.
"Leah," Edward squeaked, gulping. He pressed his eyes shut with the heels of his hands, and dissolved into more, rather hysterical, laughter.
"Let us in on the joke?" Carlisle asked softly.
"Only if you don't tell her I laughed," Edward gulped, looking at the third-storey ceiling.
"Sure. Now give. We could all use a laugh," Emmett demanded.
Edward looked at him, trying to be serious. There were giggles waiting to seep out around the edges, however. "It's really not funny," he admitted, chuckling anyway.
"Right. Enlighten us," Jasper demanded, crossing his arms.
"Carlisle, did you ever happen across an Inuit vampire? Name of Ivo? Born about ... 274 years ago?"
Some kind of knowledge kindled in the back of Carlisle's eyes. "You're ... kidding," he growled slowly.
"Who me? Josh about something like that? Not. Not joshing," Edward chuckled, throwing his forearm over his eyes. "My Kwali-ette is in love with a blood drinker," he howled, clutching his stomach.
Emmett, predictably, began to guffaw, but Jasper and Carlisle looked a little worried. "Edward, that's going to be..." Carlisle began.
"Terrifying. They're accustomed to living totally incompatible lifestyles," Edward moaned. "Talk about 'unevenly yoked'." Sobering, he sat up and put his hands around his knees. "But there's hope, isn't there, Titch?" he directed at Alice.
"Yep," she sang, clicking through websites on the computer in the corner. Wedding-related websites.
"I don't know what you were thinking, encouraging them to get married in three weeks," Rose fumed. "They don't even know each other. They don't know anything. They haven't got any foundation, Edward!"
"Leah imprinted on him, Rose. There's no choice. We need to set some limits."
"But what's the rush! Jacob waited for Ren to grow up. They don't need to get married right away," Rose protested.
"Rose," Edward stated firmly, "I know Leah doesn't think she needs an official marriage ceremony like you, or I, would. And I doubt Ivo has the same... cultural traditions as we do. The pair of them already carried away. If I didn't know better I'd be running down there tonight to perform a shotgun wedding. It's no secret that she's infertile, or I'd be really wo-"
"I wouldn't be so sure, if I were you," Alice sang.
"Oh, in the name of all that's holy. You're telling me there's something else to worry about? How! Oh, don't answer that. I don't want to know. Don't tell Leah. She'll jump in with both feet. They've each been lonely and isolated, and they are so busy rejoicing in the fact that they're no longer alone, that they aren't thinking difficulties through. They're making promises and convincing themselves everything's going to be peachy. They're assuming love will be enough.
"Perhaps they already consider themselves married. Leah will. And I know Leah. She won't hesitate to club him over the head and drag him back to her cave. Ivo? I don't know him. I wanted him to know this is a permanent, monogamous arrangement. And I also wanted to hear if he was committed to Leah or he was just messing with her. He is sincere. He told me to plan the wedding. Good intentions. As an added bonus, he wants to please me."
"So... volunteering to arrange their wedding... was a test?" Rose snarled, flipping her hair.
"Yeah," Edward said happily, grinning lopsidedly. "And he passed with flying colours."
"Passed!" Jasper protested, putting his hands on his hips. "Kwali and Trads kill each other, Edward."
"Exactly. They're both willing to overlook each others' ... differences enough to discuss taboos, lifestyle, marriage and, apparently, children. In addition, he just found out that he has to share his precious new mate with a massive family that includes vampires, shifters, and humans. Very scary prospect for a Trad. That means they have a genuine mate bond. As long as neither one kills the other in a fit of pique before we teach them how to manage, it will be okay."
"You'd better hope your logic isn't faulty, son," Esme said.
"The odds of their success improve if Ivo brings Leah here and they get married, Esme," Alice declared. "If he had refused to marry her, and visit the family, the indications are that there would be heartbreak. And they aren't out of the woods, just because he said he'd bring her home to get married. There are so many decisions to be made during the next weeks. Particularly concerning his diet. If either of them chooses wrong, it could ... end badly."
"And I thought I was living dangerously, courting Bella!" Edward giggled. "At least she had no chance of harming me. I only had to worry about my own temper and impulses. These two could have a War of the Roses."
"Sensitive! Thank you for pointing out my human frailty, Dom Cullen," Bella growled.
Have I mentioned that Edward is the Vampire Dom, or prince, of two South American territories? The one in Rio is home to his second human family, The Pereiras. The one in the Amazon contains his coven of foundlings, converts and Newborns at its West end. The East end of his territory is home to his Ticunas, his Aid Station, and the Pereira's cousins.
"Punish me later, Minx."
"You bet I will."
"TMI," Esme sighed.
"But you're already playing Wedding Planner," Rose growled at Alice.
"It doesn't hurt to be optimistic, dear," Alice grinned.
"I pretty much pushed Ivo into bringing her home," Edward admitted, getting things back on track. "We'll have to be the ... dominant force here."
"You'll be his mentor?" Carlisle checked.
"I'll lead him, you lead me," Edward shrugged. "Now, please, in the name of all that's holy, I beg of you: nobody tell the Kwali Ute I laughed. I don't need it to get back to Leah. And somehow, I have to keep a straight face when I talk to the packs."
"Talk to the packs about what, Edward?" Jacob asked, walking in from the kitchen.
"Oh, boy," Edward said, tugging his hair. "You did not hear me say..."
"I heard you say you had to talk to the packs," Jake said, confused. "Is there a problem?"
"Um... I can't give you a definitive answer yet, Jake," Edward winced. "I hope ... everything will turn out... fine."
"Looking good at the moment," Alice chipped in happily, flipping screens at a mile a minute.
"Keep it under control, Titch. Leah won't want to go whole hog. I want the decor simple in case... we must move... fast to rescue a guest."
"Leah?" Jake wondered, brow raised. "Guests? She found her Imprint, then, right?"
"Yeah," Edward said, thin-lipped.
"So what's the big? That's great," Jake enthused.
"He's a vampire," Emmett blurted.
Jake blinked. You could see the wheels turning in his head. "Well... that's okay. Ness and I can help with that."
"Thanks Jake. They're... going to need you. A lot." Edward grimaced.
"Well, it's true that there are adjustments other people don't have to worry about. But really, a lot of things can be solved with a generous helping of devotion and some nice oatmeal shampoo."
"TMI, Jake," Edward and Bella chorused.
"Sorry," he said contritely. "Honestly, it's easier to cope than you'd think."
"Jake," Edward sighed, hanging his head.
"Yeah, Dad?" he teased, eyes twinkling.
"He's a Traditional," Edward muttered.
Jake's eyes flared wide. "Oh, boy. Sam's gonna go off his nut."
The front door banged open, and the Kwali Ute hurried in en masse. "Why would I go off my nut?" Sam asked, grinning. All the vampires groaned. Edward pinched his eyes shut.
"Sam, we... need to talk about Leah," Edward said softly.
Sam's eyes clouded with panic. Then, he beamed joyfully. "She found her mate, didn't she?" He asked eagerly.
"Yes, she did," Carlisle responded. "But ... it's complicated."
"Perhaps we should discuss this alone," Edward suggested.
"Aw, the pack members will know soon enough. Might as well tell us all at once," Sam shrugged.
"We don't want any ..." Edward essayed.
"Highly emotional reactions," Jasper growled.
Sam looked very taken aback. "Call a meeting. Everyone, sit," he ordered.
The Kwali filed into the room and sat, filling all the couches and overflowing onto the floor. Embry popped over and struck the small gong by the entrance-way. The wives, Ben, and kids came running. Soon, everyone was once-again collected in the room. Claire towed in my boys, Kim carried Alex and Nelda, and Ren passed Lottie to Jacob, keeping Tina for herself.
We all waited expectantly. Edward paced, pinching the bridge of his nose again. After a few minutes of internal debate, he stopped, sighing.
"As you all know, Leah left here this evening to find her mate. Things are more complex than we would wish, but we have faith, based on the nature of imprinting, and Alice's visions, that everything will go well. Please be calm and don't lose your tempers. It would have been nice if things were simple, but apparently God has ... other plans. In fact, I am sure He has big plans for Leah and her mate."
"What's going on, Edward? Is there something wrong with her mate?" Emily asked, frowning anxiously.
"He... needs our help and support. We have faith that he will adjust beautifully to our lifestyle here, but we will have to monitor him carefully. And Leah will need help to keep her... temper."
"What's going on, Edward?" Sam growled, temper kindling.
"He's gonna go off his nut," Jacob murmured in a sing-song voice. A lot of people frowned at him.
"Leah's Imprint is a vampire. He's approximately 274 years old, and he's Inuit. Apparently he loves Native history, and he is an artist. Goes by the name of Ivo. He's been a nomad most of his life. Being part of this family is going to be a huge adjustment for him. He's completely smitten with Leah, and he's behaving well, and he's willing to adapt to our lifestyle. That's the good news," Edward declared. A lot of people looked pleased.
"What's the bad news?" Sam growled. An air of false calm descended. Jasper was managing the room.
Edward looked at Sam carefully. "Ivo ... is a Trad."
Sam leaped to his feet, snarling. His eyes were on fire, his skin flushed. He hyperventilated madly.
"Sam! Listen to Edward!" Jacob ordered.
Sam Uley must always yield to Jacob Black, I remembered tensely. I whispered it to Ben so he wouldn't be scared.
"You're bringing a Trad here?" Sam snarled. "Here, where there are humans?"
Some of the vampires' eyes morphed to a nervous black. Edward and Carlisle's remained a serene gold.
"If we don't welcome Ivo here, he won't be trained as a vegetarian," Alice informed Sam. "There's no way Leah could train him on her own."
"So send them to the Amazon," Sam yelled. "There aren't any humans there to hurt."
"That's my intention, Sam, but I can't send him there without getting him to talk to me first," Edward said calmly.
"This is completely insane!" Sam roared, getting up in Edward's face belligerently. Edward stood stock still, looking a little paler and a lot more bruised than usual.
"No, Sam. If Ivo comes here, and is made welcome, and sees us all living together in peace, he will embrace the lifestyle. If Edward goes to Toronto instead, Ivo won't be as convinced it's something he wants to do. He has to come here, and see how we live," Alice pleaded gently.
"Noooo!" Sam screamed, and it changed to a howl as he phased right there in the middle of the Cullens' Great Room, right in front of Edward.
Edward backed up until he hit Renesmee's legs, balanced himself in a wide stance and put out his hand like a weapon. His eyes glinted defensively when he realized how close his daughter and granddaughter were to Sam. Renesmee virtually levitated and ended up crouched twenty feet away from me, clutching Tina. She scooted behind the couch across from me. Several of the male vampires hissed and took defensive postures in front of their mates and the children.
The other Kwali and their wives froze, horrified, uncertain what to do. They looked from leader to leader, panicking.
I found myself behind the couch I'd been sitting on, with Ben, Claire, and the boys beside me. Bella, Esme and Rosalie were over top of us like cages. Snarls were ripping from various throats, including theirs. Sobs came from others. My heart was fluttering like a hummingbird in my throat. Ben and I stared at each other, attempting not to be terrified.
"Sam! Stop it right now!" Jacob bellowed at the top of his lungs in an odd double-timbre. "You will phase back to human and discuss your concerns calmly. All the Kwali must stand down. You will not fight the Cullens. You will not fight anyone. Stand down!"
Sam continued to growl rebelliously for a moment, and then he phased back to human. It seemed to take forever. That artificial, sickening calm descended again, making everything feel like an out of body experience. I snuck a peek at Jasper. His eyes looked like burning bottomless pits. I shuddered.
Emily ran over unsteadily, and threw an afghan over Sam's naked form. He wrapped it around himself, sitting up. He still looked livid.
"Stand down, all of you," Edward said quietly. All the growling on both sides subsided, leaving the room as silent as a tomb, save for the odd whimper here and there. "Hush now, all of you. We are a family. There will be no fighting. Such behaviour is unacceptable. We have lived together here without conflict for nearly four years. I won't have it.
"Perfect love casts out fear. I want you all to rein yourselves in.
"Sam, you know we treasure human life. We will control Ivo. If we bring him here, he will be under our supervision. If he is out in the world on his own, there are a lot more humans under possible threat," Edward reasoned calmly.
"It's too great a risk," Sam protested vehemently.
"It's too great a risk to leave him at large," Alice countered. If we don't mentor him, I See the possibility that he's going to kill the human who is going to develop the cure for diabetes."
"So it's okay to risk the lives here? The life of Claire perhaps? Or Theo?" Sam snarled. Beside me, Claire shuddered.
I stuck out my arm and pulled her close to my chest. Theo was tucked under my other arm. "You're scaring Claire, Sam," I called out bravely. There were critical growls directed at Sam from both species. Sam ignored all of us, glaring at Edward.
Edward gasped, his eyes zoning black. "Sam, you can't mean that."
"Yeah. I do. It would be smarter to kill him."
"He has shown every intention of becoming like us,"Carlisle protested. "He can be a force for good in the world. Killing someone who wants to be good is just wrong, Sam."
"Not to mention what it would do to Leah," Rosalie added.
"Leah's a freak," Sam spat, shocking the room at large. "We should just do away with both of them. Do the world a favour."
"Sam!" Emily gasped, shocked to the core.
"Sam! Be kind!" Edward directed.
"I've tried to be kind to her," Sam snapped. "All she did in return for that was kick me in the teeth."
"She loved you, Sam. How many times have we discussed this? You haven't wanted her to suffer. You were thrilled she imprinted before you found out what Ivo was," Edward reminded him.
"That's true, because I thought she was finally going to be normal. Not to mention, she wouldn't be a millstone around my neck any more. But if she were meant to have an Imprint, she should have imprinted on me. She didn't. And I'm glad, because Emily is so much better. Leah is the only she-wolf because she's not normal. And now? She even messed up imprinting. She's unnatural."
"You didn't call me unnatural when I imprinted on Renesmee," Jacob reminded him. "What's the difference?"
"Renesmee was not a murderess," Sam snarled, practically stamping his foot.
"I seem to remember you being afraid I would be," the young lady in question said softly. "Your biggest problem, Sam, is not being willing to trust us."
"Trust is earned!" Sam spat.
"Exactly. When have we ever done anything untrustworthy, Sam?" Carlisle asked gently.
"When you invited a blood drinker into this house. It's like asking an alcoholic to work in a liquor store! Seriously, how do you think that's gonna work out, people?"
"Ivo walks amongst humans all the time, Sam. He did two hundred years ago, and he still does. I've met him in Volterra. He wouldn't know my name, but he'll recognize me. He has rarely killed. He... milks his prey, and they recover after," Carlisle explained.
"Well maybe he can milk the humans here," Sam countered sarcastically. "I'm telling you, Carlisle, that he's evil. Now he's twisted Leah's mind. You should do away with them both before they wreak any havoc."
"No one will harm Leah or her mate," Jacob intoned in his strange voice. "They will be supervised carefully, but kindly, and given all due consideration. There is to be no bullying or teasing, either. As Ephraim Black's heir, I command it."
"Hear, hear," Jasper murmured.
"Sam, I wish you would reconsider your position," Edward said sadly. "You're letting fear override logic and compassion."
"Fear exists to help us survive. I cannot support your position. Edward, you are an honourable being and I have a lot of respect for you. I consider you a friend. But as your friend, I must beg you to reconsider this course of action. So many things could go wrong, and put one of our loved-ones at risk."
Edward turned to his sister. "Alice? Are you certain?"
"If he comes here, and we welcome him gladly, Ivo will not harm anyone here. That is the 100 percent eventuality. Even if he visits and rejects the lifestyle, which is a very small possibility, he will not harm any of us. But if he continues to be a Trad, and feels the vegetarian lifestyle is not something noble, he is very likely to continue to drink from, and occasionally kill, humans. Sam, you ought to know that Ivo is very highly self-controlled. So if he comes here he will very likely comply with our rules."
Sam stood, shoulders slumped and eyes down. After a few minutes, he sighed and looked at Edward. "I can't take that chance."
Edward's eyes were sorrowful. "So be it," he said. "Please don't take your family out in that blizzard tonight. One of us can drive you to the airport in the morning."
Sam nodded curtly. "I'm sorry I lost my temper," he said softly.
"I know. Thank you for the apology," Edward said softly. "Please... don't think unkind things about Leah anymore. She can't help loving him any more than you can help loving Emily. And she deserves a shot at happiness just as much as you do."
"Well," Sam said, frowning at his feet, "you do make a good argument there, but I'm not going to hang around and watch."
"You're a good man, Sam. 'Judge not, lest ye be judged'." Edward said, swallowing his own anger.
"Friends?" Sam asked, sticking out his hand.
"Of course. You know we love you, and your family," Edward answered, shaking Sam's hand.
"Daddy? What's going on?" Claire asked tremulously.
"Honey, we're going home to LaPush," Sam said gently.
Claire nodded curtly. I remembered her saying she would be glad to go home, because there was nobody here to play with, but she walked solemnly over to Carlisle and hugged him anyway. He smoothed down her silky dark hair.
Carlisle looked at Sam sadly. "Can she have the cat?" he asked quietly.
Sam nodded curtly. "Grandad is giving Mungojerry to you, Claire. What do you say?"
"Thank you, Grandad," she sniffled.
"Don't cry, sweetheart. You'll see us again soon," Carlisle crooned.
"Promise?" she asked weakly.
"I promise, darling, and I always keep my promises."
o~O~o
February 16th, 2014:
True to his word, Sam left the next morning, taking Emily, Claire, Embry and Alex with him. Embry had to go. He couldn't bear to be away from Claire.
The cat was not happy to be in a little plastic pet carrier, but he had to be in it to take the plane.
Since she was getting the pet to take home, Claire left quite cheerfully. Renesmee shook her head wryly. It was hard to think that she had played with Claire when she was a little girl. That Claire was, in fact, a little older than she.
Edward had had a little discussion with me and Ben just before we slipped off to bed. He had asked us whether we wanted to leave, too. I left the decision to Ben. Bravely, he said he understood that the wolves in Jacob's pack were very loyal to the Cullens, and for good reason. He opted to stay the rest of the month, as we had planned. In fact, he said we might extend our stay until after Leah's wedding.
Edward, upon hearing it, gave Ben one of those manly back-pats and told him he was grateful for his friendship and trust. Ben looked pretty proud of himself. Well, I was pretty proud of him, too.
The other Kwali and their mates, after a short discussion, chose to stay at the Ranch. All of them were in Jake's pack anyway. Having access to Jake's thoughts, Jake's Kwali were more inclined to trust the Cullens. And Leah was part of their pack. They were excited to discover she had a good chance at getting an extremely happy life. And they remembered Leah as she'd been before she'd lost Sam. According to Edward, she'd had a bubbly, and cute, personality, much like Alice's. Everyone was anxious to see the changes in her, and meet her mate.
So, soon, the day became cheerful. Alice and Rose bickered over wedding plans, and Esme started plotting out the menu and the guest list from Washington. The boys were mostly watching TV and playing video games, and the girls were mostly discussing plans for spring.
Bella was sitting on Edward's lap, fingers laced behind his neck. They were bickering about an appropriate gift for Seth for graduation like a couple of old married teenagers, when the phone rang. Emmett answered it.
"Oh, hi! How are you?" he beamed, and then his face fell. "Oh, I'm sorry to hear it... Yeah, we're all fine, thanks. I'll hand you over to him, okay?" The vampires and Kwali were all looking at Emmett with thin lips. "Edward?" Emmett asked, passing the phone to his brother.
"Raphael! Bom dia meu irmao (Good day, my brother). To what do I owe this pleasure?" Edward listened for a long time, making the occasional sympathetic cluck, and looking more solemn with every second. Bella looked positively sad. She leaned her head against her husband's shoulder, and shut her eyes. Ben and I looked around. Everyone looked sad. I wished, per usual, that my hearing were as sharp as a mythical creature's.
Edward sighed, and pinched his eyes shut. "I'm so sorry, Brother. Is there anything we can do? No? Tell me. No, I won't be mad... She wants what? Brother, you told her about us?" Bella shifted off his lap, and crossed her arms, looking pensive.
Edward listened intently to the voice on the other end of the line. Very few of his 'pet' Brazilians knew his true nature. As far as I knew, they were Kaure, Gustavo, Eruicha, Alessandro, Raphael and Fernanda. Nobody else knew, and that meant that he and Bella had been unable to visit the Pereiras in seven years.
"I can't come, Brother. You know that. Let me think for a minute, okay?" Edward got up and started pacing in his regular spot. His lips moved silently, at vampire speed. I wondered if he was praying.
He had joked with me, this morning, that if he were going to pace and wear out the floor, he would be smart to only wear out one section of it so it would be relatively easy to replace. That strip of floor was starting to get a groove in it.
Edward stopped pacing. "Raphael? I'm sending Nahuel. It's his decision, not mine, understand? Yeah, I'll call him immediately. How fast is she fading...? Okay. He'll be there by morning. Yeah, I promise. Tell your parents now, okay? I don't want her to make any hasty decisions."
Edward paced some more while he listened. "Yeah, man. It's hard. You wouldn't be able to see her for a long time. She'd go straight to the colony. So make sure your parents say 'goodbye'. Yeah, tell them she's going to a special clinic in America. And then, if it works out, you'll see her someday. But you have to realize, Raphael, that Nahuel is not me. He might say 'no'. If he does, it will be for a good reason. He's a good fellow... The decision, once made, is absolute. Do you accept that? Will Gabriela? She's conscious, right? Good. Let me call him, and I'll call you back after to confirm. Yeah. Love you, too. Bye."
Edward clicked off, and selected a new number from his phone's contact list. It rang once, and someone picked up. " Nunaxe pa Nahuel. I need an urgent favour from you." Edward's eyes flickered to Carlisle. "My Pereiras in Rio. There's a girl. She's always been sick. Brain tumours. Yeah. We've bought her as much time as we could, but she's failing. It's metastasized past the point where anything can be done. She's spent all her adult life in hospitals, having treatments and operations and tests. She wanted to live and die as a human and she's one hell of a fighter. But she has decided now that she doesn't want to die when she hasn't experienced life outside a hospital. She wants a shot at a 'happily ever after'... Yeah."
Edward listened to Nahuel for a few minutes. "Her name is Gabriela Silva Pereira. Her twenty-fifth birthday would be next week... No. Totally your decision." The corner of Edward's mouth turned up. "No, she's not married. Very pretty, and very bright. She writes. She wanted to teach, and she's never been strong enough, so she writes kids' novels instead. Yeah, will of iron...
"I don't know. At any rate, she knows about us, and she wants it. Well, I think she's lovely, but I have my misgivings about it. Yeah, the usual. Right... Right... Yeah. Barra D'Or. Can you go right away? Marvellous. Yeah, I'll ask them. I expect they want to, anyway.
"How's Theofilo? Wonderful. And William? Yep. Aw, that's cute. Tell him Mom and Dad will be home soon, okay? And can you get Kate and Garrett to send me a picture or three? I haven't seen any of the kids in six months, you know? Wonderful. Yeah, please hurry to Rio. Thanks. Yeah, love you, too. Give my love to everyone, yeah? Thanks, my friend. Yeah, we're going to be staying here a while yet. Leah imprinted on a Trad. No, not joshing. I'll fill you in later. Please go now." Edward shut his black eyes in relief. "Bless you. Talk to you tomorrow, 'kay?"
Edward shut the phone, called Raphael back, and confirmed that Nahuel was on his way. Then, he looked at Em and Rose. "Your son wants you home," he informed them.
"Huh?" Did I actually say that out loud? Yep. I bet I was gawping like a fish, too.
"Emergency?" Em wondered. "We were going to stay out the week," he hesitated.
"Nah. He's just being three," Edward shrugged.
My jaw dropped. My eyes flew to Rose's in surprise. She was looking at her brother, fuming. "His existence is supposed to be a secret, Edward. Alice said-"
"Sorry, sorry," Edward winced. He looked distraught. "I didn't mean to let it slip."
So much for perfect recall.
Why on earth would they have to keep a child's existence secret?
"It's alright, everyone," Alice said reassuringly. "There's no change in the future."
The assembled vampires sighed in relief.
"So Gabriela's dying?" Carlisle asked solemnly.
"Hanging on. Fighting it tooth and nail as usual," Edward confirmed, sitting down and tugging Bella onto his lap again. He rested his pale face against her chest, and she put her right arm around his neck and stroked his hair. I realized how much healthier Bella looked than he did. Edward's lashes were long and dark, but his eyes looked so bruised, despite the recent feed, that they were barely visible. He just looked unwell. Not the 'normal' kind of unwell, either. Really unwell.
"I'm so tired," he said, shocking me. I didn't think vampires ever got tired. And he looked close to tears. Could he be ill?
Bella kissed his forehead fondly, and combed through his hair with her fingers. "You need a nap, Mocha-chino," she crooned.
"Unlikely, Minx," he said. Were his words slurring? But... What? Vampires don't sleep! Do they?
The phone rang again. Nobody seemed to want to go and get it. Jacob sighed, and got up to answer it. "Cullen Ranch," he said, lips in a straight line. His eyes flickered to Edward. "He's resting," Jake stated firmly. "What is it, Sam?"
There were a few minutes of silence, when everyone eavesdropped on the conversation. All eyes turned to Edward.
Edward blew out his breath, looking relieved. "Of course he can. Send Quill to pick them up. Tell him I'm glad he changed his mind."
Quill ran out of the kitchen, looking ecstatic.
"What was that? I didn't catch it," Edward said groggily.
"Claire wants to know if she can still keep the cat," Jake relayed.
"Of course," Carlisle said. "When they decide they're really going back to LaPush, she can take him."
Jacob passed along the message. "But if you're coming back, Sam, you must treat Leah well... You are? I'm glad to hear it. Edward will be glad, too. Everyone will."
"Edward is glad," Edward slurred.
"See you tonight," Jacob said, and hung up. "Huh. So Sam decided he was being an ass. Wonder why he changed his mind," he mused.
"Emily," the assembled women chorused.
Edward looked decidedly exhausted.
"Come on, my love. Let's see if we can push you over the edge," Bella coaxed, pulling him up. He sighed, but didn't argue.
"Good night, everyone. Don't forget you are loved," he said weakly. I was getting really worried.
"Don't you forget it, either," Esme said, smiling solemnly.
"Don't worry about me, Ang. It's normal," he mumbled dismissively. My surrogate big brother walked slowly over to the staircase, leaning heavily on Bella. He climbed it like... well... like he was 110 years old.
Less than 15 minutes later, Bella came back downstairs alone. "He's out like a light," she announced. The Kwali boys in the corner snickered.
"Shut up, or I'll run you through the chipper-shredder," Bella growled.
"I'm tired too," Jasper drawled, pushing back his hair.
"Me, too," Carlisle admitted.
"Em?" Rose asked, brow furrowed.
"Yeah," he said, rubbing his face with his hands.
"Alright. It's been a bad day. I suggest we all go to bed," Esme directed.
I realized that all the females looked fine, and all the males looked completely wiped out. Huh?
"Ang, Ben, we'll explain in the morning. Right now, we need to look after our mates. Kindly excuse us?" Esme begged.
"Of course," Ben replied, looking as blown away as I felt. I looked at Nessie and Jake, watching our kids play with theirs. Ness had set her baby girls on the floor. They were kicking their feet in the air, and reaching out for my boys. How adorable. Imagine my surprise when both newborn hybrids rolled over, and tried to crawl up the boys' fronts.
All the male vampires, and their mates, were now gone. I looked at Nessie curiously.
"You should go to bed, too, Auntie Angel," she told me.
"What-" I began, but she cut me off.
"I'm seriously not even going to try and explain it," she informed me. I turned to Jake.
"Don't look at me," he protested, holding out his hands.
Fine. I would just have to wait for tomorrow.
o~0~o
February 19th, 2014:
So, they had napped. All the males. And afterward, they were much, much more cheerful. Perky, even. And really, really ... affectionate with their wives, who were walking around acting very amused.
It had been very funny watching the vampires watch themselves on TV, sleepwalking. Their reactions were more priceless than their antics had been during their naps. Especially since the Kwali were gleefully razzing them about it.
Every once in a while, Edward shook his head, and said, "I still can't believe I sang that song. It was in bad taste even in 1916." Or he'd say, "We were smoking. Cigarettes. Gross."
The good thing was, Jasper now knew the name of his mother and sister. He'd been smiling non-stop since he woke up.
Em was a little dazed. He still couldn't understand how he could possibly play the fiddle when asleep, and know nothing about it when awake.
Carlisle, being Carlisle, was probably the most fun of all. He was now using all sorts of antiquated expressions, tongue in cheek, just to make everyone laugh.
Sam was still, very sheepishly, offering apologies to anyone who would listen. Edward, being Edward, was telling him he would be holding him to his promises, but that he was forgiven for lashing out in fear.
Late in the afternoon, the phone rang, and Alice told Edward it was for him. What else was new?
Edward took it, looking hopeful. "Oh, hello, Nahuel. I was wondering when you'd get around to calling me," he teased. "So is she everything you'd hoped for?"
Wait...
Wha...?
Gah!
"Yeah?" Edward listened to Nahuel for a long time. "Yeah, you bet. I'm so glad. I was praying for it. Of course it's why I sent you. Yeah, you owe me big time. Give her my love when she wakes up, you sappy date. Yeah, you, too. Bye." He hung up the phone, chuckling.
"Alice?" Edward called. His sister slid down the bannister, grinning broadly. "You have an interesting wedding to plan. It's going to be in the middle of the jungle, her parents and siblings will attend via camera phone, and the bride will definitely want to wear white."
"I already know the exact fabric we need," Alice enthused.
"Better put a rush on it, Alice," Edward declared, picking up a section of newspaper.
"When?"
"Well, we've got Ivo and Leah's March 7th. So you'd better make it around the beginning of April." He snapped the newspaper smartly, and started to read.
For a guy who took almost two years to get married, he sure liked short engagements.
"You are some matchmaker, Mr Cullen," Bella declared.
"Better than Carlisle," Edward teased, peeking at his father smugly.
"Hey!" Carlisle protested, not looking up from his newspaper.
"Yawaruna i mex (The Panther is good)," Bella crooned, bending down to kiss him on the head.
"Claro, Bonita (Of course, Beautiful)," he answered, grinning slyly.
"See Angela? I told you God liked his prayers best," Bella told me matter-of-factly.
Yeah, I guess so. Probably because they're not for himself.
"Insufferable," Emmett declared, shaking his head and flicking his paper. "Everything conspires to make him insufferable."
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