Chapter 54: Kiss Me Goodbye
Bella POV:
Alice and I got out of the car slowly. I could already feel the tension thick in the air and was regretting my decision to come back. Alice squeezed my hand for support as we walked into the lounge room where we heard the most voices. I got one good look of a bunch of faces before I was crushed in a hug from none other than Esme.
"Bella! Oh we missed you so much!" She was taking in my appearance for any distress and touched my face in a motherly way.
"Ok can we let her breath for a second?" Alice said, obviously peeved by Esme wanting to check my health. In Alice's mind, that was her job.
"Oh yes of course." She reluctantly let go and stepped back from me. It was so awkward. Everyone was here and looking weird. Actually not everyone was here.
"Um where are Jasper and Emmett?" I asked the room. They all shifted uncomfortably.
"They're kind of busy right now." Carlisle said, not helping my confusion whatsoever. "After-after they found out, they kind of went crazy and tried to hunt down the Volturi. Obviously it would not have turned out well, so we tried to stop them but they were really out of it. Eventually Liam had to step in and they're currently in isolation until they're cooled off."
"Wait, what?" My mind was reeling at this new information. I felt horrible.
"Really they're almost completely calmed down now. But it might help if you went to talk to them later."
"Shit I'll talk to them right now!"
"Actually I would like to talk to you in private first and then we can go talk to the boys." Alice let out a small whine at Carlisle's request, but let me go when I went to follow him to his office. "Please take a seat Bella." I internally groaned at this upcoming conversation as I took my seat across from Carlisle's desk.
"Alright Carlisle. Let's get this over with." He sighed and looked at me sincerely. He really did appear as though he aged in these past few days. It made me feel guilty but also kind of grateful that my pain had affected him this much. He really did take on the role of my father.
"Bella there isn't anything to get over with. I'm concerned that you may not be properly letting your emotions run as they should. Victims of similar heinous acts have many psychological problems years after, most times forever."
"Carlisle if you're telling me I'm not all sane, you're not the first to that party." I said trying to lighten the mood. But he just frowned, annoyed at my attitude.
"Look Bella I want to meet with you regularly to have some type of therapy sessions-"
"Aw come on Carlisle! No that's so weird."
"I'm not asking Bella." Well shit. That would be my future father putting his foot down. "Alice can come too. It might help. And I also want you to talk with Rosalie later today." I groaned in defeat and nodded at him reluctantly. "Alright then. Now that that's settled, let's go see Emmett and Jasper." He led me back out and Alice immediately took my hand.
"That was quick." She whispered amazed at the speed of the meeting.
"Not so much. We've got therapy. And I have to speak to Rosalie later." She shrugged at the therapy and continued to walk with us down towards where we kept super naturals for questioning. I was feeling worse with each passing second. These poor guys have been held down here because of their care for me. Carlisle unlocked the main room and I was once again tackled by a Cullen. Does this family not know how to contain themselves? I've been dating Alice long enough to know the answer to that is a big fat no.
"Emmett!" Alice grabbed her bear man of a brother and pulled him off me so I could breathe.
"I'm fine." I wheezed out, rubbing my sore ribs. "Hey Emmett, Jasper." I nodded to them both wincing painfully.
"Bella we tried to go get those fuckers. But they stopped us." Emmett growled out at Carlisle, obviously still pissed. I sighed and asked Alice and Carlisle to leave us for a few minutes. Once it was just Emmett, Jasper, and I, Jasper jumped up and started saying stuff I'd never thought I'd hear him say.
"It's fucked up Bella! I have never wanted to kill someone so much in my life. But I don't just want to kill them. I want them to experience more pain than anything you have ever felt."
"Easy Jasper. First off, you're going to have to get in line." I said lightly, but really I wanted them to know I was first in line to kill Caius and Aro. Then I changed my tone for the both of them. "But more importantly, and I mean this in the nicest way, you both would be slaughtered in an instant. Listen, the Volturi have numbers and powers and gifted individuals pouring out their systems. An army of highly trained and old vampires that don't fuck around. So all you would be doing is just proving their power and hurting your family." I scratched my head uncomfortably. "What happened to me sucks, but I don't want you getting killed over it. So please can you promise not to do anything stupid? For me? I'm the one that's going to kill them eventually." They both looked down sadly and nodded.
"Anything for you Bells." Emmett said, pulling me into a much gentler hug.
"Thank you guys." I knocked on the door for Carlisle to open up.
"Are we all good?" He asked, studying his two sons.
"Yep! All good." I said happily and pushed him aside to hug my fiancée. "Do you think we could meet upstairs for a family meeting real quick?" I asked, eyeing Alice to let her know my plan. She winked.
"Yeah sure." We all walked upstairs slowly and Carlisle called for everyone to come over. "Family meeting everyone!" God they all look horrible. Rosalie looked particularly bitchy, but soft at me, Esme still on the verge of tears, and Edward just looked downright depressed. Yeah. I think they need this pick-me-up. "What's this about girls?"
"Uh. Alice would you like to do the honors?" I couldn't take this away from her. She had been keeping her hand buried in her pocket ever since we arrived. She nodded happily and turned to everyone with a huge smile on her face.
"Well…. WE'RE ENGAGED!" She yelled and finally pulled her hand out, flashing the ring to everyone. "Dammit Emmett!" Alice had to yell once again at her overjoyed brother who tackled me for the millionth time.
"Ow shit!" He actually broke a rib this time. Alice threw him off harshly and picked me up carefully. "Fuck Emmett! Are you trying to kill me?"
"Crap I'm sorry Bells! I just got really excited about you marrying my sister and officially becoming part of the family. Shit I am so sorry." He did seem to be apologetic. Carlisle was already tending to my side.
"No worries. It was a clean break. No need to reset anything. It will be healed within the day, just ice it." It always amazed me how fast he could diagnose issues. I'm very glad he's my doctor.
"Thanks Carlisle." Alice said when placing her hand over my side to cool it down.
"My baby's getting married!" Esme was so conflicted because she couldn't hug the both of us now with my injury. After a round of many congratulations, Rosalie dragged me away for our dreaded talk.
"First off, I want to congratulate you again Bella. You and Alice are perfect together and I've never seen my sister so happy in my time with her." She sat us down on my bed, probably figuring I'd be more comfortable in my room. I nodded, waiting for the bad part. She took a deep breath before starting again. "Bella I'm so sorry about everything. About what happened to you, and then Carlisle outing you. I would have never done that and you know. I wanted you to come to terms with it on your own time."
"I know Rosalie. Thank you for everything you've done. But as much as I hate to say it, I think Carlisle was right. I would have never said anything and it would have torn Alice and me apart. Actually I feel a lot better considering. I know it's going to be uncomfortable for a while, but really I do feel a thousand times lighter. And Alice and I have never been better." She pulled me into a hug but had to let go quickly because I let out an involuntary cry of pain.
"Oops sorry Bella. Sorry my monkey man has no restraint over himself." We both laughed and she gave my shoulder one last squeeze before getting up to leave. "My door is always open if you want to talk."
"Thanks Rose." The moment she walked out, Alice burst through the door way and jumped on the bed.
"I think the worst is over. Now I can enjoy being back home with you." She leaned in to kiss me while I giggled at her eagerness. But right when things were about to get heated, a knock went through my door and the monotone voice of Colt rang through.
"Swan we need to talk."
"Dammit! This is why we shouldn't have left!" Alice yelled exasperated. I chuckled again and gave her a quick peck on the cheek.
"It won't be long Al. It's Colt and he's all business." She still pouted when I left. "My office or yours sir?" I asked once outside.
"Yours is good. It's closer and this should be short." I nodded and led him to my office where I did all my paperwork and research. I wasn't sure where to sit because he was my superior, but he sat in the guest chair so I figured it would be alright to sit in mine behind the desk.
"So, what's this about?"
"I just wanted to check in on you and see how you're doing. I know you're very much like me and don't like to talk about things, which I respect, but I need to let you know that I'm always here. I know Carlisle will be doing those sessions with you, but if you need some more time off work for some-"
"No!" I interrupted immediately. I really missed work. "No I don't need any more time. Just some nice time for my honeymoon?" He chuckled and got up to shake my hand.
"There's a reason why you're my best. Alright back to work tomorrow?"
"Yep!" I stood up as well and took his hand eagerly. "Pleasure to be back sir."
"Pleasure to have you." We both left and I wandered over towards Alice who was sitting on the couch and talking to Liam.
"Hey beautiful." I sat on the sofa right behind her and gave her a small peck.
"That was fast. What's the scoop?" She turned to face me happily.
"Back in the grind starting tomorrow morning."
"Oh thank god. I cannot do your job." Liam said relieved.
"Well you're going to have to eventually when we go on our honeymoon." He looked sour for a moment but then shrugged.
"Just don't leave me your reports. That stuff is way too complex for me."
"Sure thing. Now if you'll excuse us, Alice and I haven't had a second to breathe." He chuckled as we left for some well-deserved alone time.
"Well it wasn't the worst day back." She sighed, sitting down on one of my lounge chairs. I was busy making myself a drink to settle down for the evening.
"That it was not. But I'm happy to be back with you. So, how did your family react to your wedding plan?"
"Esme was a little upset about not having a grand wedding with her there, and I think Rosalie was really surprised. But all in all everyone was just happy for us." I was still amazed that this plan came out of Alice Cullen's mouth. She has changed since we started dating. And so have I.
"That's good." I sat down next to her with drink in hand. "Pretty soon I'll be one of those strange Cullens."
"Actually." Alice bit her lip and took my free hand with hers. "How would you feel about me becoming a Swan?"
"Really?" That threw me for a loop. She never mentioned her wanting to take my last name. Not that I was opposed to it or anything. I've just always thought the plan was for me to be a Cullen, even when I was with Edward. "Why?"
"There are too many Cullens. And I actually really want to take your last name. I-I don't want the Swan name to just disappear. I want to be one. I want to be more connected with you." Her words were so loving I just had to kiss her.
"Of course Alice. I already told you, anything you want is yours. I'm just surprised is all."
"Well I love you. And I want us to be our own family." That brought a grimace to my face.
"Alice we can't really make-"
"I know. But the two of us are a family. With Liam and Zoey as well." I smiled and she kissed me softly. I leaned back in my chair, much calmer now we were clear of the family subject. "But, out of curiosity, when you were human, did-did you ever think about having kids." I sighed and settled on telling her the truth.
"I don't know. I mean I was only 18 before, so kids weren't really on my mind. But yeah probably I might have wanted children eventually. Not anymore though. Not like this."
"What do you mean not like this?" She scrunched up her eyebrows in confusion.
"I couldn't be a parent now. I'm not a good person for that." I looked down in shame. It was true, I could never raise a child with my morals and record.
"Bella." She grabbed my chin with her fingers and pulled it up. "You are a good person. Look at what you do on a daily basis. Please don't think of yourself as the monster the Volturi paint you to be. You are so much better." She kissed me tenderly and I pulled her in my lap. I removed her shirt and she was just unbuttoning mine when a loud alarm went off in my room. It was the alarm that signaled an important mission that needed immediate attention. "Is someone playing a joke on us?!" Alice hopped off me angrily and pulled on her discarded shirt.
"Sorry love. Duty calls." I jumped up out of my chair and jogged out of my room. Liam was outside of his looking groggy and pulling on his shoes.
"Do you have any idea what this is about?" He asked me, sleepy eyes squinting into the light.
"No clue." Alice came out behind me to see what was going on as well.
"Jackson, Swan, Christmas came early this year. Got a big one for you." Colt came in looking real pleased. Liam still grunted annoyed at his interrupted sleep. "Volturi guards are on their last legs for the compound. You take them out, we got complete control. I've already rounded up the best, just need you two ready and we're good to go." Alice grabbed my hand nervously when the news got out. I turned and cupped her face gently.
"I'll be fine Al. Never gotten seriously hurt on a mission before. And we have the best this time. I'll be back before you know it." She still looked anxious, but nodded.
"Just be safe. And don't do anything stupid Bella. I mean it." She pointed her finger knowingly at me. I blushed ashamed and ran to go get changed. "God I forgot how good you look in uniform." Alice purred while I was lacing my boots.
"Hey don't start me right now. I promise to take care of you right when I get back. But right now I have work." She rolled her eyes but stopped ogling me up and down.
"Alright Carlisle you're on standby! Let's go!" Colt called out impatiently. Liam was wide awake now. It was finally happening. We were taking Volturi property, a massive win.
"Bella!" Alice yelled as I was about to head outside towards the flight line. Oh of course. How could I forget? I turned around and she jumped into my arms for a desperate goodbye kiss. "Please stay safe. I love you."
"I love you too. Don't you worry one bit. I'll be back. I promise."
A/N: Well I lied. Not really though. Apparently when I have a lot of things do, it makes me write and think about this story much much more. So much more in fact, that I can tell you that the final chapter will be 58. That's right. We're close. I haven't written them yet, but I have all the summaries and big points down. The end is near. Twists and turns around every corner, you can try to guess but you will not succeed. Anyways, I bid you goodnight and have a happy day. :)