Better late than never...

Chapter 18- The Visitors

I hold it true, whate'er befall;

I feel it, when I sorrow most;

'Tis better to have loved and lost

Than never to have loved at all.

- In Memoriam:27 by Alfred Lord Tennyson

Edward POV

"We're almost there."

"Just through the trees. I can smell him."

"I hope she's not following us."

For a quick second I thought it was Bella's mind I was hearing. "What did you say?"

But before she could answer I knew it wasn't her. It was two vampires off in the tress. I didn't recognize them, and they were close. I grabbed her hand and sprinted toward the house. Thankfully, she followed without hesitation. I knew she wasn't as fragile now as she had been as a human, but my protective instincts were taking over. I had to get her to safety, surrounded by my family—our family.

I called them, and they came without hesitation. God, I had missed having them on my side.

"I heard them. They're here."

They knew whom I meant, but Bella didn't. I still had a hold of her hand. I wanted to pull her close and explain, but I was afraid she would lose control if she found out about Victoria. She started to pull away, but I held fast, not wanting to let go. She yanked her hand out of mine and rubbed it with her other hand like I'd hurt her. I desperately wanted it back. Each step she took away from me was like a slash of a knife against my skin.

I followed her with my eyes, while my family watched, waiting for me to tell them who was outside. She hid her face in her hair and went to stand behind Rosalie, who gave me a dirty look. I had gone so long without seeing Bella's face. I wanted nothing more than to swipe the hair away. Well, that and push Rosalie out of the way. It wasn't that long ago that our positions were reversed. I had been the one with whom Bella had shielded herself from Rosalie's gaze. I selfishly wanted to be the one she turned to for comfort and protection.

Rosalie saw the irony in the situation as well, and because I was out of practice blocking out her thoughts, she tormented me with her maliciousness. I cringed at her mental name-calling.

I was acting like a child, but I was desperate for some resolution between me and Bella. We had fallen in love so easily four years ago. I hadn't had to do anything but accept her love. She had accepted what I was and the greatest regret I had was not accepting the full scope of her devotion to me. I had been scared and had thrown away the most valuable thing of my existence—her love.

I wanted it again, but how could I prove my own to her? I pictured my desolate future without her and shuddered at the thought. I shook it away. I needed to remain hopeful, so that the negativity didn't seep into the relationship I hoped to repair.

I focused on the matter at hand. There were new vampires out there. They could be anyone coming to visit. And while they were unfamiliar to me, I had a sense Victoria had sent them. I knew she would be coming, but it was too soon. I wanted more time with Bella first, and as much as I wanted her by my side, I needed her safe until she was more in control.

She was still partially hidden from my view when I heard her ask Rosalie quietly, "Who's here?"

Rosalie locked eyes with me. She knew as well as I did how Bella was going to react to the possibility of Victoria being close. She also knew how I was going to react. "You can't take away her vengeance. She needs to kill Victoria, and I will help. She doesn't want your overbearing protection. She needs to feel in control."

I answered Bella's question. "There are two vampires out there waiting for us. I'm not sure, but they are most likely from Victoria's coven. She can't be far behind, and I don't know how many will be with her."

Fire flashed in Bella's eyes, and she made a hissing noise as she turned to go outside. Emmett blocked her exit.

"Hold it, Tiger. There's no need to rush out there."

She snarled at him and tried to push around him. Her teeth clenched as she spoke. "Victoria is mine. I want to kill her."

Fear bubbled up in me. Victoria was a four hundred year old vampire. She was too powerful for Bella to handle alone, even with her newborn strength. The thought of her anywhere near that fight made me want to grab her and leave, but I kept my opinions to myself.

Alice caught my eye, and I reeled from her vision. I had to catch myself on the back of the sofa.

Bella fighting Victoria. Alone.

The blurred edges and colorless images meant it was still changing. We had to do everything in our power to keep Bella from going off on her own.

Carlisle stepped around the couch. "Who's in the woods? It's not Victoria?"

I shook my head and listened. "No, it's two young vampires. They're waiting just past the tree line. They're very nervous, but they don't seem like they want to fight. Their thoughts waver between being scared of us and scared of Riley."

I thought for a moment. "I heard the name Riley in the newborns' thoughts when I was in Chicago. He seems to be the one in charge. Victoria is there, too, but only in a vague way. Her face isn't as clear in their thoughts."

I was confused by the way they thought of her. She was there but more as an abstract thing to fear rather than an actual person.

"I think we should go confront them, find out what they want." Emmett was ready to go, as always.

"Maybe they're looking for a safe place away from Victoria?" Esme suggested.

I listened to the newborns' thoughts while my family made plans around me. The male wanted to leave, but the female insisted they find us.

"Let's go. I don't think they're dangerous, but be prepared."

Everyone nodded. I moved to reach for Bella again, but she slid around Emmett and walked with Rosalie.

"Baby girl doesn't like you very much. Not used to that are you?" He laughed at me.

I wasn't used to it.

I followed everyone out. We formed a line, Emmett, Jasper and me in front. Carlisle stood off to the side with Esme, our unofficial spokesman. I was glad to see Bella behind Emmett, flanked by Rosalie and Alice.

I could sense the vampires' fear.

"Show yourselves." Carlisle said firmly.

There was rustling in the trees. The male still didn't want to show himself, but he wouldn't let the girl go without him. He was very protective of her. They stepped out of the trees, her first, but it was the male who spoke; he was so nervous his voice cracked.

"We don't mean any harm." He put his hands up in a peaceful gesture.

Carlisle waved them forward and met them less than halfway.

"I am Carlisle Cullen, and this is my family." He gestured to us.

"I'm Diego, and this is Bree."

Bree stepped forward. She was tiny, as small as Alice, and looked a bit younger. Diego was tall with darker skin and black hair. Their eyes were a red of equal brightness to Bella's, showing the newness of their vampire life.

"We heard about you from a vampire that was staying with…" She paused, before finishing. "She told one of the other girls that you didn't kill humans and lived in one place. She didn't-"

She thought twice about saying more out loud but finished the sentence in her head. "-drink human blood." I saw the vampire she was talking about in her mind. She was familiar somehow, but her face was indistinct. I had a nagging feeling about the woman, like I should know her.

"We have been traveling around so much, and I hate the death my hunger brings… humans. I want to be somewhere safe."

She hesitated with the word. She wasn't fully accepting of the fact that she was different now that she was a vampire.

"I decided to leave, and Diego wanted to come with me. We slipped away before anyone knew we'd done it. We slipped away during a fight, but Riley told us he would find us if we left. That he had ways. I just want to be safe."

Carlisle looked back at me to confirm what she was saying was true. I nodded. The boy, Diego, was thirsty and didn't have the same feelings as Bree when it came to feeding. He was distrustful and wanted to go off on their own.

"We can offer you a place to stay and clean up, but only temporarily, and we don't allow hunting of humans here," Carlisle offered.

Bree readily agreed, relief evident in her thoughts and body language. Diego agreed as well, but only because of her.

They followed Carlisle and Esme into the house. Alice tried to talk to Bella, but she walked around Alice like she wasn't there, staring straight ahead. It was an intentional, direct cut. I sighed when Alice looked over at me, hurt filling her eyes. Jasper took her hand and whispered something in her ear. They went to hunt.

I followed slowly behind everyone. I felt disconnected from my family and didn't know where I belonged. I didn't feel like hunting even though I was thirsty, and Rosalie and Bella had made it clear I wasn't welcome. Emmett would have tried to smooth it over, but I decided to go talk to the vampires.

Carlisle and Esme invited the visitors in and showed them to a room where they could get settled and cleaned up. Esme was in her element, caring for the two children. They looked to be fifteen or sixteen but were truly that age unlike the rest of us. She offered to wash their clothes and brought them new ones.

Bree's thoughts showed clearly on her face. She was happy and felt safe for the first time since she had run away from her abusive father. She thought of him with anger but wiped it away. Diego was more apprehensive. He kept wondering what our motives were for inviting them in. He was skeptical of Esme's kindness. He, too, had not experienced a life that would allow him to easily trust a stranger.

I sat down at the kitchen counter. After getting the kids settled in and ensuring Esme was safe with them, Carlisle came and sat next to me. He put his hand on my shoulder.

"I haven't said it yet, but I'm glad you're home." I was glad to be home, too.

"I wish someone had warned me about Bella."

Carlisle sighed. "Me too. The outcome would have been much different, I'm sure, but we can't change the past."

If only we could. I couldn't help wonder what I would change. The obvious things, of course; I would have reacted differently to her the day I came home. I never would have left her. Maybe I would have never loved her. My stomach clenched in pain at the thought.

"How did your talk go?"

I sighed. "I don't know what I expected. You were right; Bella's different. I'm desperate to settle things with her." I put my hands in my hair. "I want to make everything okay between us, but I know it's not that easy. I want to wipe the past away."

"I think you should give her some space."

I nodded. "I know, but I don't want to be apart from her. It's killing me that she's so close. I keep thinking—wait till she falls asleep, and then you can be by her. And then I remember she'll never sleep again because of me. It's hard to wrap my brain around."

"Only time will tell. You can't push her to a decision. If you do she will likely choose the course you don't want her to take. Rosalie is good for her right now. We may not agree with her methods, but honestly Bella doesn't need anyone coddling her. She needs to feel empowered and confident in her new life. She lost so much of herself, and the best thing we can do is support whatever decisions she makes."

He was right. Bella had always been stubborn, and I was sure that hadn't changed. It still annoyed me that it was Rosalie to whom she turned. Rosalie wouldn't do me any favors.

I ran my fingers over the pattern in the granite countertop. "Alice had a vision of her fighting Victoria alone. I can't—won't stand by and let that happen." I looked up at Carlisle, hoping he understood how strongly I felt about that.

He nodded. "I don't want that either. We need to find Victoria first. Did their thoughts reveal anything useful?" He gestured to the door to the lower level where Esme had taken Diego and Bree.

"Not really. We'll have to question them more. One thing I picked up from their thoughts confused me. She mentioned someone talking about us. Neither of them had a clear picture of her face, but she's familiar somehow. Bree was holding her words back, but she had thoughts of the woman's diet. She didn't drink human blood."

Carlisle's brow furrowed. "There are few that have adopted our lifestyle."

"I know. That's what has me so confused. There's a connection in some way, but it escapes me."

I heard Emmett's triumphant yell and Rosalie's frustrated response. Quiet laughter followed.

Carlisle chuckled. "They're probably up there playing video games."

Jealously shot through me. I knew I had no reason to be envious of her easy relationship with Emmett and Rosalie. I just wanted it to be with me.

I started to get up to join them but stopped when Esme came upstairs with Diego and Bree. Bree was relaxed, and her thoughts were filled with awe. She loved the house, loved Esme. Her thoughts reflected her thanks at being accepted.

Diego, on the other hand, was still suspicious. He had lingering doubts about turning away from Riley's coven. He stared at me with distrustful eyes. I wondered if he knew I could read his mind.

Carlisle invited them to take a seat in the great room. "We have some questions for you, some things we'd like to clarify."

They sat, and Diego chewed on his thumbnail while Bree seemed to sink into the comfort of the sofa. Esme sat on the arm of the chair, and Carlisle sat down in the chair beside her.

"I trust Esme brought you everything you need?"

They both nodded. "Oh, yes! Thank you so much. I can't wait to take a bath. It has been so long." Diego scowled at Bree.

Carlisle grinned at her childlike enthusiasm, while Diego was annoyed by it.

"I hope you will repay our kindness by answering some questions."

"Here we go. I knew they weren't helping us out of the goodness of their hearts." You didn't have to be a mind reader to see what Diego was thinking.

"Do you know what Victoria plans to do?" Diego continued to gnaw his nail. Bree sat up straighter, prepared to answer Carlisle.

I wish we had waited to question them until Alice had come back. She may have been able to pick up something as they talked about their decision to leave.

"There never seemed to be a plan, or it changed all the time. Riley would tell us we were heading to Texas but then change his mind at the last minute, and we'd go to Canada. Victoria never talked to me. She only talked to Riley and some of the older ones. Everywhere we went, Riley would create more vampires, but a lot of them died fighting each other."

Carlisle was thinking what I was. Victoria had some kind of plan but was leaving the decision making up to someone else. She knew about Alice's abilities.

"How does she know about Alice?"

I answered his unspoken question with a shrug. There weren't many who knew of her gift. I again had a nagging feeling there was an important piece of the puzzle I was missing.

"The woman you mentioned, the one that told your friend about us, do you know her name?" I asked.

Bree looked at Diego. He didn't know her name, but his memory of her was clearer this time. My heart sank.

"It's Irina." I told Carlisle and Esme quietly.

"Irina?" Carlisle was disbelieving.

I heard the door open. Alice and Jasper were back. They hadn't been hunting for long.

"Edward, I need to talk to you—alone."

Carlisle and Esme were both thinking the same thing. Why would Irina be with Victoria?

"Laurent." I answered their questions and stood. "Excuse me." I left while Carlisle questioned them more about where they were living and what they were doing.

I walked upstairs to Alice and Jasper's room, passing by the family room where Emmett, Rosalie, and Bella were playing video games like Carlisle had said. I glanced at her as I tapped lightly on the door. She was sitting on the edge of the sofa, waiting for her turn. She didn't glance at me but Emmett did.

"Come play with us when you're done talking to Alice and Jasper. Just be cool and casual, man."

Jasper opened to my knock. Alice was standing in front of her desk. Jasper stood behind me as she told me what she saw without turning around.

"Victoria's not coming here." She turned to face me. "She'll send small groups of-" She closed her eyes. "-her army. She ordered them to find you. I don't get the feeling from the vision that she wants to end this with a face-to-face fight." She paused, walked over, and sat on the edge of a chair. She shook her head as if pushing it away. "I don't get any sort of commitment to ending this."

Alice sat quietly, while we stood there watching her process the information she was seeing.

"I had another vision this morning, but I didn't get a chance to tell you. Irina is coming for a visit." She looked off into the distance out her window. "It'll be nice to see her."

I felt the muscles in my back tensing.

"Damn, Victoria is more devious than I imagined. The newborns saw Irina. She was with Victoria before they left the coven. If Irina is coming here, I'm afraid it's not for a friendly visit."

"If she's sending newborns we need to be prepared to kill them." Jasper was the most familiar with newborn vampires. "Alice I think you should go and chat with Diego and Bree and see if you can see anything from what they have to say."

"Bree is very receptive to us, but Diego is suspicious of everything. Don't be alone with him. Tell Esme, too." I suggested.

Alice looked at me and started to form an apology in her head, but I cut her off.

"You don't need to apologize to me, Alice. If you hadn't acted, Bella would be dead right now. I have eternity to make things right with her."

She nodded, but her smile was sad.

"You have eternity with her, as well."

"I don't know, Edward. She told me she'd never forgive me when she found out I saved her the first time. I don't think she'll forgive me this time."

"I guess we are both in the same boat then," I said sadly as I backed out of the room.

My feet were being dragged like a compass to her. I couldn't stay away anymore, but I was going to take Emmett's advice and be cool. I hated video games, but if I had to play them to be close to her—to find a common ground, then I would play.

I took a bracing breath in. Let it out. I closed the door and casually, again like Emmett suggested, joined them.

My eyes met Bella's, and I glanced away and sat down. I couldn't tell if my immense need for her showed on my face. I asked to join in, and Emmett handed me a remote and slapped me on the back.

"Alright, man, let's see if you can conquer my big red balls!"

xoxoxo

I'm sorry for the wait! I guess I needed to step away from it and stop worrying about it. As soon as I did that the words started flowing again.

I have a bunch of thank yous this time- Jessypt for always helping me, whether it's with commas or thats (I laughed when I noticed you added one this time)or just gentle encouragement. Thanks Jess.

To my Facebook bunch- Paula, Heather, Courtney, and Kimberly, Thanks for the encouragement as well and for keeping me smiling.

To my cousin, Katie! Happy Birthday! Hope you're enjoying my words!

And to Reza who will brave the wilds of Chuck E. Cheese with three kids on a rainy Saturday afternoon so I could write and thank you for telling me exactly the right thing to make the story better. ILY!

I have a blog for my stories and I posted a picture of the Cullen's house. www. bestscentever . blogspot . com

Tell me what you think about the direction the story is taking. I know you're probably wishing for some Edward and Bella interaction. Soon I promise.