Chapter Thirty Six

Bella

I didn't want to go to the party after the altercation with Edward. In fact, the only thing I wanted to do was to take the children and get the hell out of Volterra. To put as much distance between us and that bastard as I could.

My disgust and rage at Edward scared me. I knew that it wouldn't have taken much more for me to attack him and if I'd started I wasn't sure that I could have stopped. I had thought I'd gotten off easy becoming a vampire but maybe not. In any event, I was relieved when Edward vanished and focused on Charlie who stood holding his head and trying very hard not to cry.

Maggie ran into the bathroom and came out with a wet towel which she insisted on placing on the back of Charlie's head.

"I'm OK, I don't need that. It didn't hurt much. Is your arm alright?"

Maggie held up her arm and twisted it from side to side to show faint bruises where Edward had grabbed her.

"It's nothing. Daddy didn't mean to hurt me. He's hurting himself."

Charlie snorted, "Yeah? Well, if he tries that again I won't hold back next time. He had no right to hurt you. Maggie."

He turned to me looking indignant, "He won't be at the party will he, Mom? If he is then I don't want to go."

I shrugged helplessly, it wasn't up to me whether Edward attended or not, but I had the feeling that if Aro heard what had just occurred Edward wouldn't be going anywhere for a very long time. The Volturi were extremely protective of the children.

Jasper cut in at that moment, "Charlie, you should take a shower. You smell of the arena. Bella, I need to speak to Marcus and I'd like to take Maggie with me if that's OK with you?"

I was torn, I wanted to speak to the Volturi myself but I knew Charlie was very shaken up even if he was valiantly hiding it from everyone. What he really needed was a little time with me and maybe a hug.

"OK, just be sure to let me know what is said. Come on Charlie."

I ushered our son into the bathroom before he could protest and Jasper disappeared along with Maggie.

When I finally got to examine Charlie's head while washing his hair I discovered a swelling. So, he'd hit his head hard enough to cause a bruise!

It was very tender and I decided to ask Carlisle to take a look at it much to Charlie's disgust.

"I don't need Grandpa fussing over me. Warriors shake injuries off."

"Oh? And who told you that young man?"

"Everyone knows that. You don't see fighters rushing to the ER just because they bumped their head. That's for sissys!"

I laughed, "Just humor me. You can tell everyone that I dragged you to Grandpa screaming and kicking if it makes you feel better."

He giggled, "OK, but it doesn't hurt unless I touch it, really."

He took the towel from me and patted his hair gingerly before continuing.

"Do you think they're going to tell Marcus what happened?"

I nodded, "Yes. Maggie's daddy isn't in control of himself right now and that could be dangerous for you and your sister."

His voice dropped to a whisper, "I don't like Edward very much. Even Maggie is afraid of him. She's worried he will hurt Angie."

"Oh, I don't think he'd do that."

"Not like he hurt me but Maggie thinks he's going to leave Angie and she loves him."

Despite everything the children had witnessed recently their concern was for someone who wasn't even family!

"Well, if he does then it's his loss. I don't think he'll find anyone else to love him as Angie does."

"I'm just glad you chose Poppa instead. I would hate to have Edward as my father."

I tended to agree although I decided silence was possibly the best answer.

"Come on, let's get you dressed then we go look for Grandpa. He should be back by now."

Maggie

I knew Poppa was angry with Daddy, everyone was and it was his own fault but I was still scared. I didn't want the Volturi to do anything awful to Daddy even though he frightened me. I felt sorry for poor Angie too. I think she knew that Daddy didn't love her as she loved him.

"Poppa, will we still see Angie if she and Daddy break up?"

He smiled, "Sure, why not? She's one of the family. Besides, we don't know if they will break up. All couples have fights now and then."

"You and Mommy don't, neither do Grandpa and Nana Esme."

He grinned, "We do. Just not in front of you. All couples argue about some things. They just learn to get past them."

I thought about this and decided that if Charlie and I could argue even though we loved each other then so could anyone.

"Why are we going to see Marcus instead of Aro? Isn't he in charge here?"

"All three brothers rule together but Marcus will listen to everything we say. Aro might act first and then talk about it."

"Do you think Aro would put Daddy in prison for hurting us? He didn't mean it, I'm sure he didn't."

"I think that someone needs to do something about Edward before he gets into a position where he forces us to act. That would be much worse for him."

I nodded, "Someone might hurt him, you mean?"

I wondered if Poppa would be honest with me, but he was, right away.

"Yes. If Edward lays a finger on you or Charlie again he will get hurt. Either by me or your Mom."

Luckily Marcus was in the library and took us through to his study to talk in private.

He listened to everything Poppa said before asking to see my arm. I had always thought that Marcus had kind eyes but they flashed dangerously as he studied the bruises which were now darkening.

"He's gone too far this time, Major. We need to act before this gets out of hand."

"You won't kill Daddy, will you Marcus?"

I hated that my voice quivered as I spoke but he just regarded me seriously.

"The fact that you can still speak up on his behalf leads me to believe that he can be redeemed. No, Maggie. No one is going to kill your father but we must find a way to help him to control his emotions. Otherwise, he will remain a danger to you and your brother."

He turned to Poppa, "Thank you for bringing this to me, Major. I will do my best to discover a way of controlling the situation. In the meantime, I think it would be best if Edward were absent from the party. Don't you worry, Maggie. We'll sort this out. Perhaps you should let Carlisle look at those bruises all the same. I know a lot of people who will be very angry when they see them. Perhaps you should cover them up for the time being."

I nodded, I didn't want to make anyone else angry with Daddy. I will wear a long-sleeved shirt this afternoon.

On the way back we took a detour and found Mommy and Charlie already in Grandpa's suite. He was looking at Charlie's head while Nana Esme and Mom talked on the balcony.

I knew they were discussing Daddy because they stopped speaking as soon as we appeared and Nana came over to examine my arm. I hated the bruises because they made everyone mad at Daddy but it was too late to hide them.

"I can't imagine what Edward was thinking. Is he mad? Poor Maggie, do they hurt?"

I shook my head although they were sore now, "No. I'm OK. Marcus said I should let Carlisle take a look at them. I don't know why. What can you do for a bruise? I've had worse falling out of the tree house."

It was true, I had but that had been an accident.

"Is Charlie OK? He got it worse than me. I don't think Daddy didn't mean to push him into the wall. It was an accident."

"That's what I said. I'm fine but everyone keeps fussing. How can I be a warrior if I can't take a few bumps."

I giggled as Charlie puffed up his chest trying to look grown up and tough.

"You're my hero anyway, Charlie. You got hurt protecting me and that's what heroes do."

I thought he might burst with pride hearing my words but I meant them. He hadn't thought about it, he'd tried to get between me and Daddy to stop me from getting hurt.

Grandpa insisted on checking my bruises and rubbing some ointment on them that smelled awful although it did stop them from aching.

"Pooh! You smell horrible. You can't go to a party smelling like that. People will think you fell into the toilet."

I stared at my brother, how had I possibly thought that he was a hero? He was an annoying little cockroach!

"No fighting you two. Maggie is going to shower and change her clothes. By then she will smell wonderful again."

"If not she better borrow some of your perfume Mom or no one will want to go near her."

I couldn't help myself, I sprang at him but he was faster and ran out into the corridor laughing and calling me names. If I hadn't been a lady I would have chased him down and stuck his head down the toilet. Instead, I closed the door and leaned against it trying to look sophisticated.

"Mom, does he have to go this afternoon? Shouldn't he lay down or something after that bump on the head?"

Everyone laughed and I knew I wasn't going to win, Charlie would be there this afternoon. I would just have to try and avoid him if I could. How did I end up with a brother like that?

Poppa explained what Marcus had said and I could see it made her feel better. Had she been worried the Volturi might do something awful to Daddy too?

The party was just like the one the Volturi had thrown for me except there was no Christmas tree. Everyone wanted to talk to us, I felt like a Hollywood star but Charlie seemed to accept it as quite normal. As if he was usually treated so special by everyone!

I looked around for Angie but she wasn't there. Had she stayed with Daddy in their rooms? Or had she left Daddy and us without saying goodbye? No, she wouldn't do that.

While Charlie tried to ingratiate himself into the group of young men talking about the fights that had taken place earlier in the day I found Sulpicia and asked her if she had heard what happened with Daddy.

Marcus had told them all what had happened and everyone was really angry with Daddy but they had decided he needed help not punishment which was a relief.

"What are you going to do with him?"

She smiled and touched my cheek, "You are so thoughtful, Maggie. Don't worry, no one is going to hurt Edward but he does need to be taught that he can't lay his hands on you or your brother. We'll keep him here in Volterra and work with him. It means that he won't be seeing you for a while but we hope that you will visit again soon and you can talk to him whenever you want. Marcus is going to set up a computer program so you can video call each other.

For now, let us see if we can find a gift for you. I know this is Charlie's party but a beautiful young girl should always receive a gift at a party."

I had seen a small pile of gifts on a table but I had thought they were all for Charlie. Last time they had all been for me so it was only fair, but I did feel a little jealous.

Sulpicia picked up one of the gifts wrapped in gold paper and handed it to me, "This is from Athena and me. We'd love it if you kept in touch, but you must ask your parent's permission first."

It was a smartphone with a pink unicorn cover and I loved it. A phone of my own, how cool was that!

"We've put our numbers into your contacts so you can phone us easily. It's got a camera too, so perhaps you can send us some snaps of your home and you because we don't see you nearly often enough."

I knew how much Sulpicia and Athena wished they had children of their own and promised that I would speak to them as often as I could then went to show my gift to Mom and Poppa.

I was so busy looking at my phone that I wasn't looking where I was going and I bumped into someone. When I looked up to apologize I recognized Angie and she looked so unhappy I could have cried.

"I wanted to say goodbye, Maggie. I'm leaving Volterra."

I flung my arm around her and hugged her close knowing that this meant she and Daddy had parted ways.

"Your Daddy is staying here, but I can't. I'm going to miss you and Charlie."

"You don't have to go. You could stay at our house, there's plenty of room."

She smiled, "Thank you, Maggie. I've already spoken to your parents and oddly enough, they said the same thing, but I need some time. I promise I will visit though."

"Soon? You promise?"

She laughed, "I promise."

I held up my phone, "You can put your number in my contacts and then we can talk whenever we want."

Taking it from me she studied it, "This is lovely. Is it a present?"

I nodded and told her about Sulpicia, "So you see, I'll have three people I can call."

"You're lucky to have so many friends, Maggie. There you go."

She quickly tapped in her number and handed me the phone back.

"Take care and don't forget to keep in contact with Edward. He does love you."

I nodded, "I know. I love you too."

She kissed my cheek and then walked quickly away and I hurried on to where Mom stood talking to Nana and Aunt Rose. It had been a strange day, I'd lost my Daddy from my life for a while but I'd gained some phone friends too!

Angie

If I had been able to cry I would have done so as I walked away from the party. I had loved being a part of Edward's family. I had loved him but it had not been enough. Something had changed, he wasn't the same person I had fallen in love with.

Marcus' words to me earlier had been a relief, "Edward is not your mate. You need to understand this. There is still love out there for you and I hope you will find it one day."

I had thought Edward was my mate and couldn't understand how he could turn his back on me and say such cruel and hurtful things.

My relief at hearing the family beg me to stay and make me promise to stay in touch helped me. It gave me the strength to leave Edward and Volterra. The Volturi had offered me a flight back to the States. Their jet was headed that way in any case so I accepted. I was relieved to be getting out of Italy.

As Edward was staying in Volterra, much against his wishes, I still had the apartment we had purchased in Boston. I would sell it and use the money to buy somewhere closer to the farm and the children now I knew I was welcome.

I didn't know what would happen to Edward and I no longer cared. The hole he had torn in my heart would heal but it would be a long time before I trusted any man again. If my true mate was out there somewhere he would have to come looking for me.