DISCLAIMER: The characters do not belong to us, although we would love to have Edward. They all belong to Stephenie Meyer.
Author's Note: We are nearing the end friends. There is only one more chapter after this. Thank you so much for all of your support and kind words. We have enjoyed the journey this story has taken us on. Edward's voice has inhabited my mind and taken over from the very first chapter. I only hope I did him justice. I also want to take a moment to thank "My-Bella" for her unwavering support throughout this experience. This little tangent was born from a simple, "What if" question and if it wasn't for her encouragement I would have never written it. Thank you all once again and I hope you enjoy our final two chapters!
We split up and drove through the city, scanning the area for any sign of Victoria or the others. Of course, they were staying under the radar for now. Soon enough they would find Nick's ashes and know that we were aware of their presence. Once again, time was working against us, and I would do everything in my power to ensure that we resolved this sooner rather than later.
Bella was scanning the area outside her window. The wind whipped her hair around wildly as she inhaled, taking in the scents all around us. We drove by her house and could see that Charlie was home. He had company; Billy Black was there and they were watching a game while having pizza and beer.
"The wolves had him come here. I know it," Bella whispered.
"Of course, they will protect Charlie. They know Victoria is close," I said flatly, speeding off on the wet roads.
"Still, that means a lot to me, especially after what was said in the clearing," Bella replied.
My phone rang and I knew it was Alice. "Yes?" I answered.
"We're all heading home, Edward. Carlisle and Esme took Port Angeles while Emmett and Rosalie went back to the warehouses at the edge of town. There was nothing, not even the smallest sign. Jasper and I took the high school, and it too was empty."
"Don't worry, Alice. We'll find them first," I assured her.
"We'll meet you at the house," Alice said before hanging up. I could tell from the tone of her voice that she was nervous.
Anger welled up inside of me once again as I thought of how this unwanted attention was affecting every member of my family. Victoria was hiding and I hoped she was enjoying herself. Whether she wanted to be found or not was inconsequential to me. I would find the bitch and make her dust soon enough.
Bella put her hand on my leg, knowing my heated thoughts. I took it and kissed the back of it, intertwining my fingers with hers. As we drove through the dark winding streets, Bella asked for my phone and called Charlie to confirm that he was still okay. Billy had apparently dozed off on the couch and Charlie didn't want to wake him. I had picked up on Billy's plan to spend the night and mind Charlie when we had passed the house earlier.
Bella lied to her father, telling him that we were all going out for a late dinner and a movie. Charlie even agreed, allowing Bella to spend one last night at my house before the school week started. He was impressed that she had called and checked in—and with Billy there, Charlie was also distracted. I was both impressed with and grateful for Bella's arrangement—I was in no mood to pretend with Charlie tonight. Also, having to deal with Billy would not be ideal.
As I turned in our long driveway, Bella and I immediately picked up on Emmett and Jasper. They were on either side of us in the woods, like sentinels guiding us back home, making extra sure the way was clear. I parked the car and then helped Bella out.
We made our way inside and were met by Esme. "I am so glad you are both home safely," she said; relief clear in her voice as she hugged us.
"Of course we are, Mom. Why wouldn't we be?" I asked.
"I was just worried something would go wrong is all," she smiled, kissing my cheek.
"We are fine, Esme. You worry too much," I smiled back.
Alice came down the stairs, smiling quietly and not seeming like herself. She saw my question before I even fully thought it. "I'm fine, Edward. Just frustrated," she responded aloud.
I nodded, understanding her feelings all too well.
Bella went to her and walked her to the living room where the others were already watching T.V. I knew Bella wanted to help Alice feel better, so I took the opportunity and headed toward the music room.
Not wanting to turn the lights on, I went over to my piano in the darkness and let my fingers dance on the keys. They moved almost on their own as I closed my eyes and just let go. I finished the song and began another, this time looking out the window wall and watching the trees sway in the night. There was no rain, but the sky was cloudy, hiding the moon and deepening the shadows.
I slowed my playing as I started to feel that "pulling" sensation again, like on the night I had spoken with Carlisle and Esme in the living room. Something out there was summoning me, except this time, I had a feeling I knew what it was. I stood and went to the window, scanning the tree tops and the ground below them. From here, I had a view of the fountain out back. I could hear the water flowing in the night, and as I turned my head to look elsewhere, something caught my eye. I was positive I had just barely caught the silhouette of a cloaked figure crossing the yard. I walked closer to the window, searching for any sign of the figure, pressing my hands against the glass as if I could walk through it. There was no one there now, but that did not dissuade me from my certainty that there had been someone there a moment ago.
My hand was on the handle before I fully realized my intentions, but I thought better of opening the double doors and stepping out into the yard. It would be wiser to talk to the others; we had to handle this together.
As soon as I walked into the room, Alice was on her feet, causing the rest of the family to do the same. She'd already seen what I would say and it made her lip curl up in anger.
"I think we have company," I said matter-of-factly.
Carlisle let out a loud snarl that was unlike him. "Well, then we will go out and meet our guests," he said flatly.
"Yes, by all means," Esme agreed gruffly.
Bella put her arm around my waist and the expression that took over her beautiful features clearly said she was a force to be reckoned with. Her thoughts were slightly anxious, but still focused on facing whatever was out there. I kissed the top of her head as the eight of us ascended the stairs to change and prepare for whatever the night would bring.
Bella and I were quiet as we dressed, needing only our thoughts to let each other know what we were thinking and feeling. I put on black fatigues and a black fitted long sleeve shirt. I tied my hiking boots tightly and smiled, catching Bella doing the same. She wore the same outfit as me, but with a long-sleeved black turtleneck.
She stood up and walked over to me, smiling. She leaned her body into me as I wrapped my arms around her waist, resting my cheek on her stomach.
"I love you, Bella," I said warmly. "Please make sure to stay by me at all times out there," I pleaded.
"I love you, too, Edward," she responded as she hugged my head. "I won't leave your side," she promised softly, as I took her wrist to kiss it.
My lips were met with a wide silver cuff bracelet about four inches wide. I looked up at her curiously.
"Oh this?" she asked, running her finger over the metal. "Rose gave these to me. I have a matching neck cuff," she explained, pulling down her turtleneck to reveal a wide silver choker. "She said that in the heat of battle, this will catch anyone who attacks me off guard. They can't sink their teeth into this."
I smiled, making a mental note to thank Rose when this was all over. Victoria would be expecting Bella to be out of control and weak. Victoria would, of course, try to attack Bella at her most vulnerable spots. I was at peace with the fact that Bella would fight tonight, secure in the knowledge that she had amazing control and was ready to defend herself; to defend our family.
We all met at the bottom of the steps, each of dressed in fighting gear. We knew these mountains better than anyone and knew better than to head in there in sneakers. We were ready for whatever was out there.
Alice went to Bella and took her hands into her tiny ones. "Bella, I know for certain that she is out there. I know we battle her tonight and I know where, but I can't see the outcome yet. I suppose that there are still too many details that have not been decided. I keep trying to get to the end but it gets fuzzy on me," she finished, her voice clearly showing how upset she was.
"Ssh, Alice, it's okay. I know that this is happening tonight. I'm ready for it. Victoria wants a fight, and we will give her one. Nothing is going to get in the way of our happiness. Not James, not Victoria, not the Volturi…nothing," Bella promised, kissing Alice's cheek.
I was proud of Bella, knowing that she was just as nervous as Alice, but was putting on a brave face for her best friend and sister.
"We stick together," Carlisle announced. "No excuses. If for any reason we need to separate, Alice must be with one group and Edward with the other. That way, we are in constant communication. As much as it pains me to say this…if anyone gets in our way, I give you all permission to kill. The Volturi have lost our respect and our loyalty. We are truly on our own once we walk out of that door." He paused, allowing each of us to process his comments. "I expect us to return to this home as we leave it…a united family. Are you all ready?"
Each of us nodded in agreement and stepped outside. The night was still moonless and menacing. We slipped under the canopy of trees in our usual formation, treading in silence for miles as we searched for any sign of Victoria and the others.
Bella suddenly stopped dead in her tracks, her nostrils flaring slightly. We waited for her explanation and she slowly tapped her nose. "Burning…cinnamon," she whispered.
We needed no further information—Victoria was near. Esme and Alice took to the trees as the rest of us scanned the area in a tight circle. We were very close to where the elk blood had been smeared during Bella's training. I could still smell the remnants in the air, and realization struck me…The bloodbath in Alice's vision could have a whole other explanation. I was now confident that the gore in her vision did not necessarily belong to my family.
"We're close," I hissed, picking up on the frantic thoughts of a newborn.
"Where is he?" Jasper asked.
"I don't have a reference point," I whispered back. "He's thoughts are annoyingly loud so he must be pretty close."
Jasper turned to scan behind him when the newborn male came barreling out of the darkness, making a high pitched whining sound as he flitted through the trees.
Alice must have caught a vision as soon as the newborn focused in on Jasper because she met the vampire in mid-air from an opposing tree. Her foot connected solidly with his chest, sending him back the way he had come. Jasper and Alice sped off after the newborn while the rest of us stayed close, awaiting their return.
It wasn't long before we saw the first tinges of purple smoke reach above the tree tops, confirming they had succeeded in dropping the number of wild newborns in the world.
"Edward?" Esme whispered.
I listened closely for my sister and smiled when I picked up on her thoughts. "Teach them to mess with my family. Nobody decides to hurt my Jasper and lives; although, it would have been nice to play with him just a bit longer. I hardly stretched my muscles at all."
"They're fine and on their way back to us," I alerted the family. "Dear Alice is lamenting the loss of her new playmate so soon."
"She's a viscous little thing when she wants to be," Rose chuckled.
"Edward, was that guy a warning?" Bella asked me in thought.
"Probably," I responded aloud.
We were still waiting for Alice and Jasper to return when Esme let out a growl and leapt into the trees, dashing forward. We were all immediately after her, and I tried to make sense of her thoughts to understand why she had bolted in such a way.
We were almost too her when something in the darkness up ahead threw Esme past us, knocking her right into a large oak. Rose and Carlisle were immediately at her side as the rest of us guarded them, staring in the direction from which she had come.
Someone was here, but he was masking his thoughts well. I couldn't get a line on his position or his name. I growled deep in my chest, frustrated with this silly game of cat and mouse.
It seemed our unknown guest was also ready for a fight as he leapt out of the trees, pouncing on Rose and knocking her to the ground. Rose managed to get free and kick her attacker away. He landed near a waiting Emmett and found himself face to face with one very pissed off vampire.
The unexpected response from Rose had caused our guest to forget to block his thoughts and I hissed out the name of our new friend. "Demetri."
"Fancy meeting you here," Emmett taunted, kicking Demetri square in the throat and causing him to let out a gasp. The force of the impact sent him sliding along the moss covered ground.
Bella's hand was in mine as we kept watch for any other visitors. I listened closely for any sounds and thoughts…hoping to come across our most important visitor.
Demetri began to laugh as he stood up-right, removing his gray hood. "Is this how you greet a member of the Volturi?" he smirked, his hands smoothing over his throat.
"No, this is how we greet a traitor," I retorted, snarling at him.
"Edward, you always did have a flair for the dramatic," he said smugly. "I see you finally turned your little whore into one of us." He smirked as he looked over at Bella. "Tell me, child. Was it all worth it? Enduring all of this only to be killed as a newborn?" he goaded, staring at her hungrily.
Her hand gripped mine harder as her gaze met his. "I have no intention of dying tonight, Demetri. I'm sorry to disappoint you."
"The night is young," he responded dryly, turning his attention to Emmett again. He was under the mistaken impression that Emmett would be his fiercest opponent. The two fought, with Jasper finally arriving and joining in to help.
The launch of Demetri's attack seemed to have been some sort of signal because within moments, the enclosed area filled with newborns. They were leaping from trees and coming through the brush. We tried to stay in a circle, but the incessant onslaught of newborns was making it difficult.
I grabbed Bella and pulled her back against my back. "Hold your ground," I ordered. "As long as they can't get behind us, they'll be no match for us."
I kept a close watch over my family's thoughts as we fought the large group of newborns. They were all holding their own and no one seemed to be in danger for the moment. The most unnerving thing was that there was still no sign of Victoria.
As I ripped the head off of the young woman who was attacking me, I turned to check on Bella, finding that she was no longer behind me. I screamed for her in thought, trying not to call extra attention to her.
"Over here!" she responded, but didn't give more information.
The air was thick with unsettled dirt and the thick purple smoke of burning body parts, making it hard to see more than a few feet in each direction. Alice appeared at my side just as I parted my lips to call for her.
"She's up ahead, on your left," Alice said breathily, a bit winded from the night's exertions.
I ran in that direction, with Alice at my heels, and finally caught site of Bella battling a newborn; she was holding her own and clearly winning. My assessment of Bella's safety was interrupted by two large, husky newborns attacking Alice and me.
Alice, although dwarfed by them, was immediately on the one man's back. She snapped his neck with ease and then gracefully leapt into the darkness as three others charged her.
I had just finished my own newbie off and was heading toward Bella when I saw it…a flash of red hair not far from where Bella stood. I roared and leapt toward Bella, planning to push her out of the way. Bella sensed Victoria's attack and moved before her blade could have hoped to make contact. I, on the other hand, was not so lucky.
Victoria's blade sliced through my thigh like warm butter. She laughed aloud, licking the blood from the blade. "Oh, Edward, you really must stop getting in my way," she taunted.
I reached out, my fingers mere inches from that red hair, when I was catapulted backwards by an unseen force. I slammed hard into the ground, creating a nice sized crater as Demetri's laugh echoed through the forest. He seemed rather pleased to have gotten his hands on me—too bad for him that it would be a fleeting feeling.
I stood to face him, noticing that Bella and Victoria were circling one another, but Demetri was already behind me. I picked up on his intentions a second too late and his boot connected with the middle of my back, knocking me forward onto the ground. I pushed myself into a crouching position and then launched myself at him. We started sparring and quickly found that we were evenly matched. He, predictably enough, was mainly concerned with keeping me from Bella.
I scanned the area for my family, searching for anyone who could get to Bella and help her with that red headed demon. Emmett and Jasper were fighting off newborns to the far left, with Carlisle and Esme doing the same just to my right. Each group was trying to make their way to Bella, but where one newborn would fall, another came out of the darkness in its stead. Alice and Rose were directly behind me, but they were not as swamped as the others.
"Alice, get to Bella!" I snarled in thought. Alice didn't respond and I knew I would have to find a way to end this quickly and get to Bella myself.
I managed to kick Demetri off of me and sped toward Bella. She had just been thrown to the floor after attempting to kick Victoria. I leapt toward Victoria, landing a hard kick to the back of her head. She dropped like a ton of bricks and I quickly helped Bella up.
"Are you okay, love?" I asked.
"Never better," she nodded, never once taking her eyes off of Victoria.
Demetri managed to pounce on me from behind, sending us both rolling across the ground from the impact. I lifted my head, finding Victoria on her feet and snarling violently at Bella. Victoria threw a punch at Bella and she managed to block it while attempting to counter with her own punch.
I got to my feet, intending to break them up, but Demetri grabbed my foot and yanked me to my knees. I snarled as I turned on him, trying to catch hold of his neck. It was getting harder to keep tabs on the rest of the family since we were separated now by the chaos of the attacks. I focused on Bella instead, having to be content that she was doing well against Victoria for now.
Finally, I was able to strike a blow to Demetri's chest, causing him to almost fall to his knees. I reached toward him, sure that this would be his end. Before I could register his movements, his fingers were dug into the base of my neck and shoulder, tearing flesh. I yanked myself free, falling and rolling a few feet away. My head swam as my wound bled heavily, soaking my shirt in seconds.
Demetri was immediately over me, his putrid face inches from mine as he smirked at me. "Oh, I have waited too long for this moment, Edward."
"Then you won't mind waiting some more!" I roared. My hand shot out and gripped his throat and he locked onto my wrist, trying to pry my hand away. I kept my grasp tight and let his natural reaction of jerking back pull me to my feet. With my other hand, I kept his free arm at bay, making it impossible for him to free his neck.
"You will die a traitor's death," I hissed. I opened my jaw as wide as I could and viscously bit down on his neck, tearing a gaping hole into it and enjoying the way his blood coated my throat. His hands went limp and I immediately ripped his head from his body. I felt myself healing already and was ready for more as I kicked Demetri's head toward Emmett and Jasper; away from the rest of the body that lay at my feet.
I looked up, searching for Bella, and found myself watching events unfold seemingly in slow motion. One of the larger vampires had Alice in his hands and his mouth was moving toward her bared neck. The clouds overhead parted, allowing the moon to shine brightly down on the slick pools of blood covering every surface around us and causing the red liquid to shimmer as I ran through it, trying to reach my sister.
I skidded to a halt as a giant, russet-colored wolf cut me off, leaping toward the newborn and Alice. Jacob snarled, biting right into the newborn's neck and saving Alice's life. I was in shock and was sure I was dreaming. The vision of this giant wolf finishing off the newborn before me could not be real!
I ran to Alice, scooping her up in my arms and moving her away from the carnage. "Why didn't you answer me when I called earlier? Are you okay?" I asked frantically.
"He must have crossed my wires," she responded, nodding her head toward Jacob. Her thoughts let me know she was as disbelieving of Jacob's appearance as I was.
Jacob's muzzle dripped blood along the already soaked ground as he stalked over to help Esme and Carlisle who were not far from Bella now. I could hear that Jacob's thoughts were focused on helping us, which completely baffled me. Unfortunately, I didn't have time to contemplate his behavior.
I turned my attention to Bella; she was still on her feet, but just barely. Victoria had managed to wear her down almost completely. Bella needed to feed soon—I could see it in her mannerisms.
I barreled into Victoria and knocked her off her feet. There was a thunderous roar from behind me as I finally wrapped my hands around the bitch's neck. I was pushed forward suddenly, and turned to find a newborn who could give Emmett a run for his money. This guy was massive! I quickly got back on my feet, managing to move out of the way seconds before he would have collided with me. I landed a forceful kick to his back, knocking him to the bloody forest floor. He swept his leg out and threw me off balance.
I roared as I landed in a crouch and then immediately leapt at him. He may have been large, but I was faster. I aimed for his throat and he threw up an arm to block me. I managed to break it with the force of my impact, causing him to howl in pain.
His distraction was his undoing and he was dust long before he knew what hit him as I tossed him into a nearby fire Emmett had lit, piled high with his own kills.
I wiped his splattered blood from my face and turned toward Bella. She was still fighting Victoria. The look on Bella's face was one I had never seen; she was enraged, yet focused. She seemed unaware of anything else around her, except Victoria. She was handling herself beautifully and Victoria was visibly frustrated that Bella was no longer an easy target. As much as I wanted to take care of Victoria myself, I wouldn't deny Bella her vengeance. She had just as much right to want to end Victoria's life as I did, if not more.
I quickly searched for Jacob, hoping to find out from his thoughts what he intended, but found that he was no longer in sight. My family was finishing off what was left of the newborns and purple smoke was once again thickening the air.
Bella's sudden scream caused my insides to churn as my head jerked in her direction, seeing Victoria gain the upper hand in Bella's moment of weakness.
Victoria ripped Bella's protective choker from her neck and cradled her in her arms, just as it had been in Alice's vision. Victoria looked up at me and snarled in victory as I started to run in her direction.
"Just how fast are you, Edward?" she asked, yanking Bella's head back by her brown hair and displaying her vulnerable neck.
Bella fought her, trying to squirm out of Victoria's arms. Victoria pulled Bella's arm behind her back and wrenched it up high.
Bella closed her eyes, fighting back her pain and refusing to scream in front of Victoria. Her thoughts were frantic, the pain having scattered her focus. "It hurts! Edward!" she screamed in thought.
"Focus, Bella!" I demanded in reply.
Those moments seemed like an eternity and I saw my entire life with Bella flash before my eyes. If I failed her now, my life and everything I held dear would be gone.
Bella eyes popped open as her free arm swung up and her fingers grazed Victoria's face. Victoria jerked her head away easily and started laughing at Bella. While Victoria was distracted with her amusement, Bella reached up once again and hooked her fingers against Victoria's bottom row of teeth and yanked her jaw completely off.
I reached them just as Victoria's eyes registered what had happened and I pounced, knocking Victoria away from Bella. I sat on Victoria's chest, enjoying the delicious taste of sweet vengeance as I watched the life leave her. I took an inordinate amount of pleasure in snapping her neck and tearing it from the rest of her body. I tangled my fingers in her red hair and lifted it high, unleashing a roar that had been brewing inside of me since I had left for Italy, thinking Bella had left me forever.
Emmett whistled at me from where he now stood and tossed a lit branch at me. I caught it, dropping Victoria's head to the ground next to her body. I set her ablaze and turned to find Bella at my side.
We stared at each other for a moment, our chests heaving, before I pulled her into my arms. I held her as tightly as I could and still felt it wasn't enough. I rocked her in my arms as we both fell to our knees, exhaustion overtaking us now that we had stopped fighting. Our family encircled us and I knew it was finally over.
Carlisle put his hand on my shoulder, letting me know with his thoughts that there was still work to be done. I stood up, bringing Bella with me and together, with our family, we covered the clearing, making sure every limb, foot, head, and torso made it into one of the fires we had set. No one spoke as we watched the smoke slowly clear, leaving only the blood splattered ground to attest to our battle.
I listened to everyone's thoughts, glad to see that they were all peaceful and thankful. Alice, Esme, Carlisle, and I seemed to be the only ones that had noticed Jacob's presence, but that wouldn't last for long. There were no secrets in this family and Bella would soon know that her old best friend had saved our sister; she only had to tap into my thoughts.
When the smoke cleared, we started to make our way back toward our home.
As we came over the last mountain ridge before our house, a long howl filled the air, drawing our attention to woods ahead of us. Standing guard on either side of the pass were six large wolves.
"Sam thanks us for the exercise," I announced to my family, listening closely to his thoughts. "It seems they enjoyed finishing off quite a few of the newborns for us. He apologizes for his behavior in the clearing. He was rash to think Victoria would go away quietly once she was done with us. He appreciates that we stayed and handled our problem, and to show his thanks, he is revoking the deadline for our move. He says we are free to stay in Forks as long as we choose."
Bella smiled as she looked at the wolves, all of them friends of hers at one time. "Thank you, Sam. But unfortunately, I can't stay. There are too many people I love here, too many people that would be in danger if I stayed. You won't begrudge us if we stop in once in awhile, just to check on things?"
Sam let me know his answer and I chuckled, despite the dark things that had occurred this night. "He says we are always welcome, as long as we don't bring any more problems with us."
"I think it's about time I retire my danger magnet title," Bella said, smiling at the wolves. "Take care of yourselves, boys."
"They say 'good luck, vampire girl'," I told her, pulling her against my side.
We began to move through the forest again and noticed that the wolves flanked us. From Sam's thoughts, I understood that they were guiding us home as a peace offering. Once we were close to the edge of the forest, the wolves turned and disappeared. That was when I picked up on his thoughts.
"Jacob is waiting for us," I told everyone. "He's in human form and seems calm."
"What's he want?" Emmett huffed.
"He saved my life," Alice announced. "Whatever he wants, it can't be anything too horrible."
We broke through the last of the tree cover and entered the backyard, finding Jacob sitting on the edge of the fountain. Jasper and Alice approached him first.
Before Jacob could react, Alice had her little arms wrapped around him. "Thank you," she said softly.
"Um…welcome," Jacob grunted, trying to hide his reaction to her scent.
Jasper pulled Alice to him and stuck his hand out toward Jacob. "Thank you."
Jacob shook his hand, grinning slightly. "Glad to help."
"Are you really?" Bella asked as our family went inside, leaving Bella and me alone with Jacob. I decided I would give them their space and stayed back as she approached him. There really was nothing left for me to say to him.
"Of course I am, Bells," Jacob replied.
"Why?" Bella questioned, determined to get her answers. She was clearly surprised that he was here at all.
"I…You care for her, like I care for you. I figured maybe if I saved her, you would forgive me for what I did," he said, glancing at her sheepishly.
"Why did you do it, Jake? Why did you attack Edward before?"
"He left you, Bells. He left you and he very nearly killed you. I knew that with him being back, you would definitely die one way or another. He would stay and make you his, or he would leave and you wouldn't survive it this time. I only wanted to protect you," Jacob answered honestly.
"Oh, Jake, don't you get it? There has never been a life for me without Edward," Bella said softly.
"Yes, there was. You were living…with me."
"No, Jake," she replied, giving him a sad smile. "I was surviving, but that's not nearly the same as living. My life stopped on the day Edward left and didn't start again until I was in his arms in Volterra. I'm sorry if that hurts you, Jacob, but I love him and he is my life."
"Well, do I at least still get to be your friend? I know now that I need you in my life even if it is just as my friend. Besides, you don't smell that bad," Jacob chuckled.
"I would love that, Jake. But we aren't staying," Bella whispered.
Jacob's face showed his pain clearly before he stiffened and a calm façade took over his features. "Why not?" he asked. "When do you leave?"
"Very soon. Jacob, you have to promise me something. Promise you'll look after Charlie when I'm gone," Bella demanded.
"What do you mean when you're gone? You're just moving, right?" he asked frantically, standing now.
"No, Jake," she replied, shaking her head. "You know it doesn't work that way. I'm not going to age and sooner or later, Charlie will notice. Besides that, I can't stand to have him, or anyone else I care about, in danger simply because of what I've chosen to become. We aren't sure what the rest of the Volturi will do now."
"Do you ever think things would have been different if you had met me first?" Jacob asked her solemnly.
Bella smiled tenderly at him. "It's a lovely thought, Jake, but I didn't meet you first." She looked back at me, love and happiness brimming in her eyes. "I met Edward and have been his ever since." She turned her attention back to her old friend once again. "Try to stay out of trouble, Jake. And keep your eyes and your heart open. You never know when you'll find your imprint."
Jacob sighed as he nodded his head. "Guess this is goodbye then."
"Yeah, I'd hug you, but you stink," Bella chuckled.
"I'll risk it if you will," Jacob offered.
Bella smiled wide as she stepped forward meeting him halfway and hugging him tightly. "Bye, Jake. Don't forget your promise to take care of Charlie."
"I'll never forget, Bells," Jacob assured her. He kissed her cheek before disappearing into the trees.
I went to Bella and wrapped my arms around her from behind resting my chin on her shoulder, both of us staring at the spot where Jacob had disappeared.
"He was a good friend to me," she whispered.
"I know."
"I'll miss him."
"I know," I replied again.
She sighed and turned her head toward me, kissing my cheek. "Let's go inside, clean up, and enjoy being danger-free with our family."
"That's the best idea I've heard all night," I said, giving her a chaste kiss on the lips.
Bella took my hand into hers and pulled me toward the back door. Just before entering the house, I stopped and turned toward the woods once more. There were no sounds other than the normal critters, there were no foreign thoughts, and most of all, there was no "pulling" sensation. It was truly over and Bella was finally, truly safe, along with the rest of my family. Now we only had to deal with leaving Forks.