Chapter 17

15 years later…

"Come on dad, it's just a party just let me go," continued Caitlin's pleads to Jacob. She had been arguing with him for about half an hour about a party that was being held by some kids at the school we were attending to. If I thought about it more though, I think her arguments with Jake had been going for a few years, ever since she stopped physically growing and looked the same age as most of us in the Cullen family.

Surprisingly our loving husbands weren't invited to the party; hence the reason Jacob was being just as stubborn about letting her go because he wouldn't be there to watch over his daughter.

"Please dad, mum will be there along with Auntie Ally, Bella and Rose." Oh yeah, there was no way I was going to be called grandma or Nan. Once they both were able to say a few words, I started encouraging them to say 'Auntie Bella' or just Bella. I guess I would leave the name with Carlisle and Esme who accepted it normally with Nessie, and so were happy to accept the names of grandparents for Caitlin and Jordan.

Both of them knew perfectly though who were their real grandparents and although it was slightly confusing to them at how it was like that, they understood it immediately from an early age.

Another problem we had in our family was Jordan. Jordan was totally human, and even though we knew in the near future during adolescence he would turn into a wolf, and we would be physically repulsed to even think of eating him, right now he still smelt like a human, and therefore food to us. There were loads of changes in the way we acted around him, but all of us were able to be close to Jordan when he would be bleeding because of restraint we had built due to numerous times he would have hurt himself.

Nessie and Jacob were great parents, and had done a great job in raising their children into the mysterious world of vampires and shape-shifting wolves. I was happy that Nessie had a child who would grow up like a normal child should, no speed growth strings attached. And, although I felt sad that I couldn't have my own daughter's childhood last as long as I would have wanted it to, that it went by too quickly, I was glad all of Jordan's childhood moments could be seen.

"Just let her go Jacob, nothing will happen I promise." Alice reassured.

Jacob breathed in a deep breath then gave in, "Fine, but you know the rules, don't socialise with anyone, especially boys, infact just stay with your mum," he turned his head to Nessie, "Look after her Ness." She rolled her eyes as if to say 'what have I been doing for the past 15 years.' Jacob then turned to me, "Look after Ness for me Bella."

Nessie playfully hit his arm whilst Jordan entered the room and slumped onto the couch in a sad mood. "How come I can't go?" He whined.

"Because this party is for the older, cooler kids in the school," Caitlin said, "and because you're too young." She said pinching his cheek.

"Am not." He argued back, "Technically you are the same age as me. You just grew faster." He muttered, and rubbed his cheek from where she pinched him.

"Anyways I think you're coming down with something, you've got a temperature." She stated and walked over to the door. Nessie ran up to him immediately and placed her hand on his forehead, and then on each cheek.

"She's right hun, I think you're ill, are you ok, do you want me to stay?"

"No I'm fine, anyway gramps is a doctor, and I think he'll be able to look after me if it gets worse." Renesmee stayed by him, unsure whether to go, but he gently pushed her towards the rest of us who were standing by the door.

"Ok fine, but call me if something happens okay."

"Yes but nothing will, so stop worrying."

She gave him a kiss on the cheek and then gave a kiss to Jacob before heading outside. Before heading out Edward gave me a searing kiss that left me in a daze standing by the door.

"What was that for?" I managed to stutter out.

"Because I love you," he said matter-of-factly, "and also because like Jacob said, there'll be lads there and I don't want them going after my wife, so that was a reminder of who you belong to." He said with a smirk, but the hints of jealousy were there. Did he not realise I would never look at another man the way I do with Edward.

"Like I'll ever forget." I said, and gave him another kiss on the lips before heading to Rosalie's newly acquired red BMW. Don't these people know of any variation to have with there cars?

"But you never know, I might just tease them a little bit." I called out and I was sure I heard him growl. "Just joking, love you." I jumped in the backseat next to Renesmee, who was alongside Caitlin, with Alice and Rose in the front.

"So, is this party going to be good as all the humans are making it sound or will it be rubbish." Rosalie asked Alice after about 10 minutes of fast driving, and we were close to our destination. Alice's eyes glazed over as she looked into the future, but when she refocused she had a worried look on her face.

"I'm not sure…I…I can't see anything, it's all fussy."

"Are you sure it's not because of Nessie and Caitlin, they mess up with your head don't they?"

"Yeh, but it's not them, it's the type of fussy I normally get when Jacob is involved or any wolves for that matter, or when, you know, someone dies."

"Great, I bet you dad is going to ruin the party for us." Caitlin muttered, considering the first option over the second.

We arrived at the house where the party was being held a few minutes later. Music was blasting out into the street, cars were lazily parked all around the house, and there were a few kids already that were stumbling around drunk outside.

"Caitlin, you are not allowed to have any of the alcohol they have in there," Caitlin was about to object but I gave her a look to say not to argue with your mother, "Do you understand Caitlin?" Nessie said, and Caitlin nodded, disappointed that she couldn't have a bit.

She looked up to me and I winked at her and turned to Renesmee.

"Same for you Ness, I don't want you drinking any alcohol in there." I said, a smile crept on Caitlin's face as she knew what I was doing.

"What! That's stupid, I'm 55, and Caitlin is only 15."

"And, I'm not bothered about the age, frankly I don't think the people in there are taking into consideration their age, and you do look eighteen not fifty-five. You're still half-human Ness; I don't want to bring you back to Jake drunk. You're not having any."

"Bu-" I held up my hand to stop her.

"That's final."

"But mum, that's so unfair; I'm just looking after my daughter."

"Oh, so am I."

"You know it's so eerie to watch three generations of the same family argue with each other while they all look the same age." Alice said at the end of our argument. We all turned our heads to glare at her, and she put up her hands in defence.

After we stopped arguing we all got out of the car. Alice had bought us our dresses earlier in the week after 'seeing' the party being held, and since we hadn't been at a proper party in ages, not counting any birthdays we had in our family, we should let Alice pick out what to wear (as per usual) because we girls hadn't had a party without our men for a long time.

"Whoa dude, you invited the Cullen chicks to this. Nice." One lad said to another which was followed by a high-five from inside the house.

"Yeah, and I also didn't invite their boyfriends either." This was followed by another high-five.

We walked to the front door and it was opened for us before we even got there, and we were greeted by a lad with jet black hair and brown eyes, John, the organiser of this party. Once inside the music was even louder than I thought, but I wasn't completely sure with my enhanced hearing.

The five of us went to the main room were it had been transformed into a makeshift dance floor. Caitlin looked around and saw a group of girls she normally hung out with at school. Nessie found a few of her friends leaving Rosalie, Alice and I standing in the middle of a room.

It was different now with Nessie and Caitlin, because they could socialise more and make friends more easily than the rest of us. It was better in some ways to blend in because we didn't seem that much like outcasts, well except Rose, Alice, Jasper, Emmett, Edward and me. We still liked to sit together at lunch, and occasionally Ness, Jake, Jordan and Caitlin would join us. I guess it would be easier not to make friends anyway, because the process of moving to a different school wouldn't be bothered by any ties to friends we had there.

"Ugh, I could have done so much better than this." Alice said, whilst looking around the room, clearly disgusted at John's attempt to make a suitable party.

It seemed that the party was taking forever. We decided to have a dance after a while, and ended up having a laugh. We turned down numerous guys who just wouldn't give up asking us for a dance, and one guy even made an attempt to drug Rosalie by spiking her drink.

Some time halfway through the party, a group of college kids came in to crash the party. John's face was priceless when they walked in, he must have got on the wrong side of them before this party as he was scared and nervous when they entered the house. He didn't say anything; just let them waltz about like they owned the place.

When they entered I warned Nessie about the guys that had entered, just so she was able to be on the lookout if they done anything inappropriate towards our family.

And it so happened that they approached Rose, Alice and I first when we standing in the corner of the room, standing there holding cups full of a drink we wouldn't drink, and just watched people make a fool of themselves while they were drunk. There were only three of them, and they staggered towards us, clearly drunk.

"Since you're the most decent out of the girls here," the one in the middle slurred, "how 'bout you and me have a dance eh?" He said winking at me, then making an attempt to grab Alice's hand.

"Ugh, I have no intention of dancing with any of you losers." She said, dodging his hand and then stepping around him. I followed her moving past the three lads, and giving them a glare telling them to not even bother asking me. They all turned hopefully to Rose who just held up her hand, "I wouldn't waste a breath with any of you, now, you're in my way." She said, and went to move past them when one of their hands came out and slapped her on her backside.

She froze and they were lucky they couldn't see the anger that was crossing her face. Alice and I were close to laughing at the unfortunate positions they were now in, with an angry vampire. Rosalie turned slowly to face the three men, who were laughing at their butt-slapping gesture. I'm sure she would've wanted to take more actions against him, and I'm sure she would have if we weren't in a crowded place, but she settled with dumping the contents of her drink all over the one who hit her.

Everyone in the room stopped to see what the commotion was all about when they heard loads of people laughing at the college guy covered in lemonade. Alice and I walked back up to Rosalie who was still glaring daggers at the guy who slapped her.

"You bitc-" he started, but was silenced when Alice and I poured our drinks over him, then the three of us turned on our heels and headed out the room.

"This is why I hate going to parties without Emmett." Rosalie whispered, and Alice and I agreed. As we headed through to a different room, people were staring at us as we made our way. Nessie came up to us, her face amused but slightly worried.

"Mu- Bella, what just happened?" She asked, looking past us into the other room.

"We emptied our drinks on some assholes that got on our nerves." I said proudly, whilst Alice and Rose chuckled next to me.

"Yeh, I see why he's wet. I can't believe you done that. But do you know who they were?"

"Assholes from college." Rosalie answered.

"They're from out of town, but from what I heard, the tall one, Chris I think his name is, threatened John about something. They are like, the guys you're not supposed to mess with."

"Honey, as if they can hurt us." Alice said, putting her arm around her shoulder, "let's just enjoy the rest of the party."

And so we avoided the three idiots for the rest of the evening. Renesmee stayed with us for the rest of the party, partly because she wanted to, but partly because she didn't want to be asked by the three morons without some back up. We hadn't seen Caitlin for most of the night, only seeing her occasionally walk past, and when she asked us why a guy was soaked.

"Can we head home now, I'm pretty tired, and I'm sure Caitlin is too." Nessie said, followed by a yawn and resting her head against my shoulder.

"Of course hun, we wouldn't want the guys to get worried over us." I joked, and stood up from the seats we found, we couldn't be bothered with the party anymore. "You go find Caitlin and we will wait by the car for you."

The three of us headed out the house, saying a quiet thanks to John for inviting us, and left the house towards the car. Rosalie and Alice got in the car, whilst I leaned against the back door waiting for Ness and Caitlin. Eventually the front door opened and I stood up straight to let them in. Ness stood at the door looking around, "Caitlin's not in the car with you is she?" She asked. I shook my head and walked up to her, where she started to shake from sobs. I hugged her as she started to cry on my shoulder.

"Ness honey, what's wrong?"

"Caitlin, I…I…I can't find her…s..s..she's not in the house." She stuttered, pulling away from my hug and looking around frantically.

"Shh, it's ok, did you look properly?" She nodded, tears rolling down her face, "Are you positive she's not in the house or the garden?" She nodded again and hugged me again. I turned my head to Rose and Alice who were looking at me in the car confused. There was a chance they heard our conversation but it was more likely that they didn't, and were worried why Nessie was crying.

"Check your phone, as she left you a message or anything? Have you tried calling her?" I asked, trying to keep calm and not let worried emotions take over and make me look weak infront of my daughter.

"Yes I've done all that." She sobbed, but pulling out her mobile to double check. She pressed one of the keys and held it to her ear. I listened in carefully, but instead she reached Caitlin's voicemail. "She answers her phone all the time." She said, waving the phone in the air then shoving it back into her bag.

Alice had now joined us and she took in Renesmee's state and looked straight back at me worried. "What's happened? Where's Caitlin?"

Nessie took in a shaky breath but then started to cry again so I pulled her into another hug and spoke for her. "We can't find Caitlin; she's not here at the party. She's checked everywhere but we can't find her."

Alice gasped, "Does Edward or Jacob know?" She asked.

"No!" Nessie shouted, "Please, don't tell Jake, not yet, he'll kill me." She said whilst crying against my chest again. I rubbed her back soothingly, "I'm a terrible mother for losing my child." She muttered.

I pulled her back to face me but she was looking at the ground. "Hey, don't you dare say that, you are a brilliant mother; do not get yourself down over this. We'll find her and all of us can go back home. Caitlin is at a rebellious stage, she's most likely staying at a friend's house."

"And if not." She whispered, her eyes looking up to meet mine.

I didn't want to admit that there was a chance she could be in more danger, especially since Renesmee was already worrying about it, I didn't want to confirm any assumptions that she could be thinking at that moment.

"To be honest Ness, there is the slightest chance she isn't." She let out another sob, "but Caitlin is a tough girl, she'll be able to handle anything. Now come on, we'll talk more in the car, you must be freezing."

Nessie looked down at her bare arms finally registering the temperature outside and she shivered. I led her into the car, Alice got back into the passenger seat, and I climbed in the backseat, with Renesmee leaning against me. Alice quickly explained what was happening to Rosalie and she was instantly concerned. Rosalie was close to Caitlin and Jordan, and was helping out whenever she could when they were younger.

"Alice, are you able to see what she is doing?" I asked.

"I'm not sure; it'll be hard because she's a hybrid. But maybe if I try and look at anyone who may be with her." She said as she was rubbing her temples. She stopped suddenly and was staring aimlessly out of the window, and we all knew she was having a vision. We just hoped it was of Caitlin's whereabouts.

"Alice what do you see?" I asked.

Alice was still silent, but from the expression on her face I could tell that it wasn't good. Finally she refocused and she turned in her seat to face me and Ness a bit more.

"What did you see Alice?" I almost growled, because I knew what she was going to say wouldn't be good, and I was getting distressed.

"Not much, I just kept getting glimpses, but I know who she's with, well I think." She paused to take in an unnecessary breath, and looked between me and Rose. "Remember the college guys we pissed off."

* * * * * * * * * *

We had decided to split up because it would be quicker to find her. Alice's vision didn't give us much on a location but that it was most probably in an alley. Alice took Renesmee back home to inform the guys and Esme. It was better that they were in the know, but they would probably join the search once they heard.

They had pulled away a few minutes ago, and Alice said she would drive slower than usual to give us a head start in looking for her, because we would probably have better control than what Edward, or Emmett or any of the guys, especially Jacob being it was his daughter who was missing. Then again, depending on what had happened by the time we find her, I'm sure Rose and I wouldn't have much control.

We split up following two different scents. We believed the group may have split up, and half have no idea what the other half is doing. Caitlin's scent was mixed with the two, but I took the stronger one whilst Rosalie took the other, just incase her scent had been masked by something.

It was really early morning so I knew barely anyone would be awake, so I kept to the darker parts of the streets and followed the mixed scent at vampire speed. They had made quite a distance so they must have left earlier on in the party, which unfortunately gave them more time alone. A growl rumbled up through my throat and I ran faster, finally getting myself to a dark part of the town we were living in. I stopped running and tried to listen for anything in the immediate area.

It was silent and I tried to focus more clearly, and then I heard the sound of a muffled scream. My legs started to sprint beneath me to the sound, my eyes scanning each dark street or alleyway. I stopped again when the screams seemed louder. I looked down one more alleyway and nearly crouched down into a killing position right on the spot.

Caitlin was pushed up against the wall, and you could tell she was trying to fight them off; her added vampire strength gave her a better advantage. But unfortunately, the weight of the two strong men working against her made her almost as helpless as any other human.

One of the men I recognised as the one who spoke up to us earlier, Chris I think. He was taller and slightly more stockier than the, the other happened to be the guy who we drenched in lemonade. Perfect.

From what I could see they weren't actually doing anything, but struggling against what they thought to be a human, who was a bit stronger than other women they had seen. Both men were trying to keep her still but she kept fighting, her legs and arms thrashing out in an attempt to hit one of them. Her right leg made contact with the guy who had been soaked with lemonade, and I could hear the crack of his ribs from the other end of the alleyway.

He whimpered and stumbled slightly, but remained his grasp on Caitlin. "You little bitch!" roared the man, and he swung his fist and punched her face, then shaking his hand continuously from what I presume was the skin on rock contact.

He ignored the pain and punched her again in the stomach, causing her to double over in pain and fall forward clutching her stomach, trying to control her breathing.

I couldn't stop myself, and a terrifying growl erupted from my chest and out of my mouth, my body was already slightly crouched so I was ready to attack. The alleyway was more like a dead end – for them anyway. To one side was a very high brick wall, with nothing to use as leverage to climb up, the other end, well it was me.

The two men stopped what they were doing and looked at me. Because it was so dark, I couldn't exactly see the expressions they held on their faces, but I don't need Jasper to know that they were scared, even if it wasn't because of me but at the fact they got caught.

"Bella." Caitlin gasped.

"Don't worry baby it's me." I said, trying to keep the venom from my voice to show how much I actually wanted to kill them.

The taller one started chuckling, and I saw his body turn to face Caitlin, "Do you think big sis is going to save you? Ha, that'll be fun to watch, hey Matt who do you think'll win, me or the vulnerable sister." Change that to deadly I thought. He started laughing harder this time and he turned to, who I guess now is Matt expecting an answer.

"I don't know dude, I don't think we should mess with her." He said.

"Look," I growled, "I'll give you one chance, and one chance only for you to leave this alley and leave her alone. If you leave I promise I won't kill you, but you can walk away unharmed." I threatened.

The two men still had a firm hold on Caitlin, and she was struggling herself from tiredness. Matt stepped back from Chris and turned to face me, his face unsure with my threat. I stepped gracefully to the side to give him room to walk by if he were to walk away.

"Matt, don't be a chicken man, let's just get them both, come on, don't leave me here to fend for myself."

Matt started to step away from him, "I'm sorry man, I just can't take this with you, I think you better run." His steps had reached him a few feet away from me and walked past me cautiously. "I'm sorry." He muttered, and then sprinted away.

I turned my head slowly back to the remaining guy who was now having difficulty holding Caitlin. I stalked towards him, my movements quiet as if I was stalking my prey; however this one knew I was coming. He looked at me one more time and I saw an evil smirk pass across his face.

He suddenly pulled Caitlin from the wall, his arm pressed tightly around her chest to stop her from moving her arms, and pressing her body against his, his other hand holding a gun that I had not seen from my distance afar.

I wasn't sure how to play this, fully pretend that the gun could hurt me, so that if he did get away – and I was certainly hoping that wouldn't be the case – he wouldn't have to explain how he came across a bulletproof woman.

But even if I pretend, or just ignore the harmless weapon, what would happen if he shot Caitlin? Vampires need to be ripped apart and burnt to die, but hybrids, could they die like any other human. I had seen Nessie catch flues and so had Caitlin, so that fact always worried me, and when I had been with Renesmee, her body seemed just as fragile as any other humans. Except she healed quicker. We had never tested how far Nessie's and Caitlin's immortal abilities could stretch, because of that fear that we could lose them.

So what do I do? Chance it, and hope he shoots me and not her.

"Stand back or I'll shoot." He threatened, pushing the gun into her temple. Her eyes started to well up with tears that were on the verge of spilling over.

"Caitlin it will be ok. I'll get us out of this." I said, ignoring the threat from the man. "Your mum is waiting for you at home, she's so worried, but it will be ok because you'll get out of this."

"Shut up!" The man shouted, "Don't take another step otherwise I'll shoot."

"You lay one more of your filthy fingers on her then you'll be surprised if you ever leave this alleyway. Now give her to me otherwise I will take her off you." I growled, but he just laughed, and my lip curled up baring my teeth and his smile soon faded.

He redirected his gun and aimed directly at me; taking shot after shot after shot, each shot was echoed with Caitlin's scream, terrified at who the gun was being aimed at. Each bullet that was shot just bounced off my marble skin leaving no marks. After noticing I was still standing unwounded, he pushed Caitlin forcefully towards me and redirected his gun, the barrel facing Caitlin's chest as she turned around to face him.

The trigger was pulled back and was followed by a bloodcurdling scream…

I stood in shock as Caitlin was staring down at the him; her eyes pitch black and covering her whole eye. Her fists were clenched and her gaze was fixed upon the man infront of her. He fell onto his knees and dropped the gun, his hands clutching to his head, his eyes shut tightly and his mouth open as he screamed in pain.

His hands clawed at his head and his body writhed in pain. The blood was running through his veins faster and faster, his heartbeat increasing by the second.

Then something strange occurred, his face that was clenched in pain started to disintegrate slowly. It was as if his skin was just powder being swept away with the wind. Different sized holes appeared on his face as more of his body seemed to crumble.

His screams were the only things we could hear, and each one that came from his mouth represented how much pain he was in. He continued writhing and his body seemed to disintegrate faster. I turned to Caitlin who was still in the same position as before, her eyes showing the anger and hate that she must have felt towards this man, but she felt no remorse for this dying person before us.

"Caitlin, stop what ever you're doing, you're killing him." He was probably too far gone now to be saved even if she stopped, but I didn't want Caitlin to feel pain for killing another human being. We were all taught to live in a way so we could live and socialise with the humans, and not kill them. If Caitlin were to kill him now then she would hate herself for doing so, so I would have to put a stop to it. Even if I wanted the guy to die.

"Caitlin stop now!" I ordered.

She slowly lifted her clenched fist so it was higher than it previously was. She turned her head slightly to me, but keeping her gaze on the suffering man. "Fine." She said, but it wasn't in defeat. She opened her left hand and flicked her wrist, and orange coloured spark emanating from her hand and then shot out towards the man.

His final scream filled the alleyway as his body gave one last shake and then his body seemed to explode into tiny particles that floated and disappeared into the night air. No trace of a body was left on the ground, not even a pile of dust, but just the gun that lay on the ground to where his body had previously been.

Caitlin's eyes returned back to their original colour and she relaxed her stance. She looked down at the spot were the man had died. Her hand flew up to her mouth in shock and her cheeks were becoming drenched with tears. Her body shook with sobs and her legs collapsed beneath her. Sitting on the floor she brought her legs up to her chest and wrapped her arms around herself.

I moved from where I was standing and sat down besides her and gave her a comforting hug. "What have I done Bella? I've just killed someone." She whispered, and turned her body and hugged me back as she started to sob uncontrollably into my dress.

So basically you've just been introduced to Caitlin's power. I'll go into more detail and I know it's not some sort of mixture of E/B/Rsmee/Jacob but I wanted a destructive power.

Thanks to everyone who is reading and I would really appreciate it if you could review please. Thank you!

Jaimie xx