Tribulations: Second Chances II

by Reine Creole

It's been 6yrs & the Cullen's have been living seemingly carefree lives. But when you're the vampire elite & everyone wants your spot there is no such thing. When a mysterious, yet strangely familiar woman shows up with a story so far fetched it must be true, things start to fall apart. Can Edward save everything he holds dear or will an old enemy take away everything he loves?

16. New York, New York

Don't own Twilight... Enjoy...

16. New York, New York.

Skye

All I could do was moan. I knew I was dreaming but it was so wonderful I didn't want to wake up.

I lifted myself on my elbows and threw back the sheets. All I saw was thick copper hair nestled between my now, un-tanned thighs and a naked, pale white, but muscular behind.

I ran my hand through his hair and he looked up. Our eyes met. His smiled as he sucked my clit into his mouth and flickered his strong tongue over it.

"Oh. My. God." I fell back on the pillows and his grip on my ass tightened as he pulled me to his mouth. His venom made my skin down there tingle and sensitive.

I tried to pull back but he grabbed my hip then placed two fingers inside me. I felt them curl and stroke my g-spot with lots of pressure. I moaned as my legs began to tremble. Which set him off. He sucked harder and kept constant pressure on my spot. I felt my pussy squeeze his fingers and he moaned his approval.

His tongue pressed against my clit roughly and before I could even try to hold it back again the dam burst and I literally screamed as I came. It felt like someone had dropped me off a building and I was free falling. I felt exhilarated and free. Eddie growled his satisfaction as he sealed his mouth over my lower lips. I didn't know why I was so tasty to him, but I was glad that I was.

When I opened my eyes, I was gripping the sheets. My stomach was churning, my muscles seizing, and my body was covered in a light sweat. My breathing stopped and started as I struggled for air. And my toes curled as my legs shook. I was coming and coming hard.

When my body finally relaxed I felt boneless and melted into the bed.

Edward was standing at the foot of the bed watching me. His eyes were black, he was breathing hard and his muscles were tight with tension.

"Wet dream?" I blushed and shrugged a little embarrassed at what had just happened.

He growled and jumped on the bed pinning me down.

"Edward…" I said unable to move.

He didn't respond. He just ran his cool nose over my skin, smelling me. I fought the back the moan. And it was hard, because everywhere his cool skin brushed, lightning shot through me right to my nerve endings.

He stopped his decent to suckle my breasts. I tried to grab his head but he was too quick. He grabbed my wrists and pinned them above my head.

"Don't move!" He growled and I felt his chest rumble against my stomach.

"Edward, we can't…" I managed as he went back to my breasts.

"Edward…please…"

He didn't raise his head so he spoke into my skin. "You can't possibly expect me not to take you after that."

"I…no…but I need you to stop."

"Why?" He growled.

"You know why."

"What I know is that you want it just as much as I do."

"I do but…"

His mouth covered my nipple again.

"Oh god, Edward stop." I writhed beneath his weight but he continued.

His kisses traveled down my stomach, over the nightie, and toward the scent that was driving him wild.

I closed my legs to mask the scent but it was everywhere. I had soaked the sheets and the back of my nightie.

He pulled my thighs apart and licked the wetness.

"Edward, please. You're not making this easy."

I bit my lip, drawing blood. He looked up.

"Why would I do that?" He smiled. "You are denying me what is lawfully mine. But I won't take it from you. I'd never do that." He caressed my thigh. "But I will use all my powers of persuasion to change that lovely mind of yours."

"Well I won't change it. Now…now let me up."

"Are you sure?" he asked as he kissed my lower lips.

I did moan that time. I couldn't help it.

"I can make that dream of yours come true. And I promise, the real thing, is so much sweeter."

I closed my eyes. I wanted so badly for him to just bury his face and make love to me with his pretty mouth. I knew it would feel good. I even knew in my dreams how good it could be. But I couldn't give in so easily. He needed to understand how serious I was about this.

"I know it is but I can't."

He sighed heavily and sat up releasing my hands. He was upset. And I think his feelings were hurt.

I adverted my eyes when he looked at me.

He got up and ran his hand through his hair as he walked toward the bathroom. "You know, I understand why you're doing what you're doing. I get it, Angelique. I fucked up and you want to punish me. But how many more ways can I say I'm sorry."

I shook my head.

"You don't get it. I'm not doing this to punish you, Edward. Do you not think that it hurts me too to deny you? I love you. I want to be with you. You're about to go to New York and it hurts me to know that we aren't in a good place and I haven't given you a proper goodbye. I don't like it when things aren't right between us."

I sighed.

"But I have to do this until you get it, because you tend to think that making love to me forgives you of every and anything."

"I do not..."

"Yes you do. And If we'd made love last night you would've thought that all was forgiven. I want... No I need you to see that I'm not okay with what you have done. Bringing her here...and the way you cornered me...you crossed a line. So until you get that, I mean truly understand it, things aren't going to get any better, and your apologies mean nothing."

He looked me in the eye.

"I didn't realize..."

"I know you didn't and that's exactly what I'm saying."

Edward

I couldn't seem to get the other morning out of my head. I hated that Skye was hurting. I hated even more that I was the cause of the pain. This Ashley thing was apparently a much bigger deal to her than I felt it should be. It is true that I read minds, but I don't pretend to always understand it's inner workings, especially my wife's. I understand that I should've consulted with Skye before bringing the girl to our home, but there wasn't time. I had to make a decision on the fly and I did. Yes, I'd created a potentially dangerous situation bringing her, but I would never let anything happen to my family and Skye knew that. I would've never let her stay in New Orleans if I didn't feel confident that I could control the situation and protect her and our children.

So what was the real underlying issue here?

Was it just Skye's own insecurities? Insecurities that I've only known her to have when it came to Bella. Why did she always feel like she was competing with my memories of her? Had I given her a reason to feel this way? Did I say or do something to make her feel like she wasn't enough? I didn't think that I had, because she and Bella were like night and day. And the things I loved about Bella were not the things that I love about Skye. But I guess that even a person as wonderful, beautiful, talented and smart as my wife could question herself, especially after the position I'd put her in.

I sighed.

I needed to show her that she had absolutely nothing to worry about. Not from Bella's memory and definitely not from Ashley. I needed to show her that I needed her. That I would always need her. And that I loved her more than I've ever loved anyone or anything. So if I had to apologize a million times, grovel at her pretty little feet, or cater to her insane and unfounded jealousy, I would. I'd do whatever she wanted to make things right between us again.

"Edward, my boy, are you all right?" Eleazar asked staring at me.

"What?" I cleared my throat and shifted in my seat. "Yes, I'm fine. Just thinking."

I looked up to find Carlisle watching me. I didn't even bother to look in his head. I'm pretty sure he was on to me. He knew me better than anyone. He knew how badly I missed Skye when I was away. He also knew what was going on between us back home.

"It's your family? You miss them," he said matter of fact.

"I do. It's always rough being away from them."

"I'm sure it is." He nodded in agreement. "So tell me about this girl and why we were all called here for an emergency meeting."

"I will, but I'd rather just say it once so let's just wait for everyone else to arrive."

And as if I'd spoken them up, the other Council members started to file into the room. It was early in the morning, but that didn't matter to us. It wasn't like any of us were missing our beauty sleep. It was better to meet, get it over with, and leave as quickly as we'd come.

We all greeted one another, some of us more friendly than others, and then they took their seats. As they all settled down Carlisle called the meeting to order and gave me the floor.

I stood up and all eyes turned to me. I addressed the council then went into my story as to why we were all here today. By the time I was finished I don't think anyone in the room was not worried or disturbed.

"And you say a human did this? Turned this girl?" Kazumi asked.

"According to her. But I don't think he was the brain behind it…"

"Of course he wasn't. He couldn't even know about us unless one of us told him," Vladimir said. "No, one of us is responsible for this and when we find him or her, they will be punished."

Some of the Council nodded in agreement.

"Can we not judge this person before we speak with them?" Carlisle said.

"Ahhh… Carlisle, my old friend, always the voice of reason. Always looking for the good in everyone…everything." Vlad smiled. "When are you going to realize that not every being, human or otherwise, has good in them. Some of us are just plain bad."

"I can always hope," Carlisle said.

"Well you do that. I rely on you to keep us all honest and be the voice of reason. But this one is pretty much cut and dry I'd say. You can not go around blabbering our secret to humans, have them do your dirty work and not expect to be punished to the full extent of our laws. Which in this case, is death. Or death as we know it." He corrected.

"I'm afraid I agree with Vlad on this one, Carlisle," Siobhan said. "You know we can't let this slide. It will make us look weak. We have to maintain order. It's our job and the more civilized vamps expect it. Whoever is responsible must be found and quickly."

Carlisle nodded. "Yes, I know."

"Good, so we gather our team and we search for these other facilities," Mick said.

"It's not likely that the vamp responsible will be on site." I said.

"You're right. But maybe we can get one of the vamps or humans working in the lab to talk." He continued.

"You can try, but the last one I encountered had his memory completely wiped. A blank slate. He was like a zombie. I was surprised he remembered how to walk."

"Of course they'd have vamps with gifts. I don't think they could've pulled this off without a few. I've never heard of a vamp being able to steal someone's memories though. That would be like performing a lobotomy without the surgery. It almost sounds like the opposite of what you do, Zafrina," Basil added.

"Except this was no illusion. His mind was blank. His entire life voided out somehow. My brother in law couldn't see anything. And he's a pretty strong psychic."

They all seemed to take that in.

"We must find this person before they realize we're on to them," Amun suggested.

"It's a little too late for that. They've already come for the girl. We sent word with the zombie vamp that the girl is off limits. I'm sure whoever sent him knows that Carlisle and I are on the council."

They sighed. We had lost the element of surprise and now we were racing against the clock.

"Then we need to hurry. We need to start the search as soon as possible," Kiew said.

We all agreed.

"Good, we will need to speak with the girl. We need to know everything she knows and remembers," Vlad said and I nodded.

"I can call her," I said taking out my cell. "But before I do, I wish to ask that the Council provide protection for her until the vamps that are after her are caught."

"Are you not able to provide it any longer?" Eleazar asked.

"No, I'm not."

"How come?"

"Well, first, it's not my job. And second, I have human wife and half human children at home. She's a newborn, not a vegetarian, and has dead brained, zombie vamps coming after her."

He looked at me like he couldn't understand why that was an issue.

"It isn't safe having her around." I explained. "I can't protect her and my family. If they come for her and there is a choice to be made, I will not choose her."

And I wouldn't. My family's safety would always come first.

"Well aren't all the Cullen's congregating at your home at the moment? Surely your family is safe with all of you there," Amun said.

"They're only visiting for the holidays. Most of them will be gone by the first of the year."

"Edward, we are not a babysitting service, nor do we offer personal bodyguards to anyone outside of the council. And even that is on a emergency basis, you know this," Vladimir said.

"Well she's not my family's responsibility either."

"We know, and we understand your plight, but you took it upon yourself to offer her sanctuary. She's your problem now. Perhaps if you'd sent her to council headquarters instead we could have helped her. As it stands, all our man power is now going to be utilized looking for these other facilities. So we simply can't do it," Amun said.

"One of you could do it." I looked around the table. "You all have personal guards."

"One's we've hired ourselves. The Council didn't provide them. The Cullen's are the biggest coven…" Eleazar started.

"Besides your own." I interrupted.

"True, but you have the best resources, the most gifted, and man power to offer her a safe haven. If you want the girl safe, you really are the best choice." He stated.

"She can not stay with me." I was frustrated. I had promised Skye that they'd take her.

"Then send her on her way," Vlad shrugged as if it were nothing.

"You sure you want me to do that? She is our only lead." I looked around the table.

They considered this.

"You're right. You need to keep her with you until we no longer have a use for her. Let's see what we find at the facility she told you about. If there's enough info to lead us to the others you can cut her loose."

"I told you she can't stay with me. She's your witness, you protect her."

"Edward, the decision has been made," Vlad said.

"Says who? I don't agree to this."

"The only fair thing is to put it to a vote then." Eleazar suggested.

"You can't vote on a imposition to my life. One that is a potential danger to my family."

"Has she tried to harm anyone?"

"Well no, she's under constant surveillance at the moment."

"Then Carlisle, would you please remind young Edward here, that as part of the Council, a job in which he accepted, there are times when his life will be imposed upon for the greater good," Vlad said.

Carlisle looked at me. I clearly had no say, this was going to be forced upon me whether I liked it or not.

"I'm sorry Edward, it's been put on the table so we have to vote on it," he said silently then called, "All in favor?"

It was unanimous besides myself and Carlisle. And I think even he wanted to raise his hand. He thought we were the girls best chance for survival too, but he knew the shit storm I would face when I got home, so he kept his hand glued to the table.

"This is bullshit!" I growled and turned to leave the room.

"Edward, call the girl," Vlad said.

"Call her your damn self," I said and left the room.

0~~~~~~~~~~~~0

Carlisle walked into my bedroom and sat on the chair. He watched me for a minute then sighed.

"You know they're right. She is better off with us."

I didn't stop looking at the ceiling. "What have I gotten myself into? What the hell was I thinking when I told her she could stay."

Carlisle shook his head. "I don't know. Maybe you were thinking that it was the right thing to do. You know, to help the defenseless."

"Or maybe I wasn't using my brain at all." I shook my head. "I should've sent her to headquarters. But as soon as I saw her face, I stopped using my brain and let my heart take over. Really Carlisle, what would you say the odds are of a woman, who looks just like my dead ex wife, showing up in my town and needing my help?"

He looked me in the eye. "Slim to none I'd say."

"Exactly. So either someone's playing a cruel fucking joke on me or something's up." I surmised. " If I were thinking rationally, I would've never brought this girl into our lives."

"She looks just like her, son. We all understand how you must've felt when you saw her. No one is blaming you for opening your heart to her. We all want to. But you must keep things in perspective."

I sat up on the bed and ran my hands through my hair.

"I wanted so bad for her to be Bella. I wanted to believe that her death had been a terrible mistake and that she'd come back to me." I confessed to him and the walls.

"Son…"

"How could I want that? I love Skye. I love my children. They are my world. My reason for existing. But Ashley makes me wonder about the what if's. What if, we'd gotten to Bella on time? What if, she lived? Where would we be now?"

"I don't have answers for your questions. But I can tell you that it isn't a good thing to ponder on what could have been. We live too long. Wondering about the 'what if's' could drive you insane, cloud your judgment, and cause you to make stupid decisions." He came to sit beside me on the bed.

"So, let me ask a few questions of my own. What if, you never went into Sid's that night? What if, you'd never heard Skye sing, danced the nights away with her, or made love to her that first night in the rain? What if you hadn't watching your children grow inside her belly and witnessed the miracle of their births. What if, there was no, JR, EJ, Elisabeth or...?"

"Stop!" I said closing my eyes. The thought of not having any of them in my life made my chest hurt and me physically ill.

"Hurts doesn't it?"

I nodded and he sighed.

"Edward, you just don't know how lucky you are. How many of us would kill to be in your shoes. To have a family. Children of our very own…"

I looked at his face and realized how stupid, insensitive and ungrateful I was being. I lived in a family full of vamps who wanted exactly what I was taking for granted.

"I'm sorry…"

"Don't be sorry for saying how you feel and speaking your mind. I want you to always be able to do that with me."

"But…" I wanted to explain.

He held up his hand.

"I understand, son. Really I do. You're still a young vampire by our standards. And you were changed at such a young age that I often wondered if I did right by you. You really didn't have enough time to live a relatively normal human life, or learn to deal with the most basic human emotions, like jealousy, love, and anger. But then you met Skye and I felt for once that I'd not ruined your entire existence by making you like me. That woman has made you blossom. She's helped you become a better person and man despite either age. Now I can't tell you how to feel, or what to do, but I can tell you what I see with my own two eyes.

"I know you miss Bella. And I know she will always have a place in your heart. She should being your first love and the mother of your first born, but I have to tell you that I think she was a stepping stone, a building block if you will, to prepare you for what was to come."

"Skye." I whispered.

"Yes, you're different with her. Bella helped you see the possibilities...love, marriage, children. But Skye is helping you progress beyond that. With her you can have all the things you've ever wanted and you don't have to change her and worry about condemning her mortal soul." He teased.

"She understands your need and desire to be both man and vampire, because she's lived it her entire life. She's knows it's possible to be both and be happy, she's made you believe it too. Something I thought I'd never see.

She's honestly perfect for you; a vampire who can and wishes to live in both worlds. It's almost like she was…"

"Made for me." I finished reverently.

I often thought this myself.

"Yes, your very own gift from the heavens." He smiled.

I smiled and shook my head. "I don't deserve her, Carlisle."

"Yes you do, son."

"I lied to her."

"About?"

"Ashley. I wasn't exactly truthful in my reasons for taking her in. Or about my attraction to her. And I haven't told her about the family's decision to help her if the council turned her down."

"You honestly think Skye doesn't know how you must be feeling, Edward? She's a bright woman and she knows you as well as I do. Why do you think she isn't receptive to Ashley or this whole ordeal? You know it's not like her to turn her back on anyone that needs help."

"You think she knows?"

"Yes son, she knows."

"Fuck." I wrung my hands together. What was I going to do? The council's decision would surely push her over the edge.

"Relax, she's not going anywhere. She loves you. And your mom and I will take Ashley off your hands."

"I can't ask you to do that…"

"You didn't and it's done. We'll take her to our new home in Connecticut until this blows over. Rose and Emmett will come with us to help."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure."

"Thank you, Dad. You're a life saver."

"Uh huh, you owe me."

"Just name it and it's yours." I smiled.

"I'll hold you to that." He stood up. "And by the way, the Council knows about Colin."

I rolled my eyes.

"And?"

"And I told them of the circumstances behind his change and convinced them to discuss it after we dealt with this Ashley thing. I think we've got enough on our plate for now."

"Tell me about it."

Skye

I had just finished cleaning the house when I decided I needed a lunch break before my shower. Cleaning this place was a job and a half but I refused to get a maid. I grabbed a blanket and went to sit on the patio to eat my sandwich when Jazz tried to sneak up behind me.

"It's not gonna work, Jazz."

"How is it that you always know I'm coming when you're supposed to be blocking?"

"I can feel you." I shrugged.

He sat across from me.

"Feel me?"

"It's like a invisible bubble surrounds me and when someone steps inside of said bubble, I can feel their presence. It's a defense mechanism of some sort. I think it comes with the telepathy thing. And it seems to heighten with my emotions. Which are out of control at the moment."

"How you holding up?"

"I don't know. As well as can be expected, I guess."

He nodded and threw Archie a hunk of raw hamburger meat. He snapped his jaw shut and crawled toward the woods where the kids were playing.

"I can't believe you talked Edward into letting the kids keep that gator."

"Oh, you'd be surprised what I can get Eddie to agree to." I smiled. "I can be very persuasive when I have to be."

"I just bet you can." He grinned. "So I guess your glad he's coming home tonight."

I smiled. "I am. I miss him."

"He's only been gone one day, Angel."

"I know, but I still miss him."

He looked at me seriously.

"Has he called with a verdict yet?"

I shook my head.

"No, and I'm pretty sure the meeting's over. It was early this morning."

I was worried the outcome was bad news since he hadn't called.

"Don't worry so much. If he hasn't called maybe it's because he wants to tell you the good news in person." He smiled and I rolled my eyes in doubt.

"How is your house guest by the way?"

"Quiet." He shrugged. "I haven't seen her all day."

"Well quiet is good," I said.

"I suppose so."

"Gone is better however." I looked at him.

"Angel, if you didn't want her here, why'd you let her stay?"

"Because I didn't want to seem insensitive or come off as a jealous bitch. And if she's here, I can watch her ass myself. You know that old saying, keep your enemies close and all that."

"I would've had your back."

"I know."

"Edward should've never taken her in. We're not going to be able to get rid of her now," he said.

"God, please don't say that."

"I'm just saying, the Council doesn't do protective custody. And they need her. At least for now anyway. I think we're going to be stuck with her."

"Eddie promised that she was out of here either way. I don't care how he does it, or where he sends her. I just want her gone."

"Have you seen anything in her head?" He asked.

"Not much, no. She can block me and Eddie. But I can tell she's hiding something. When I tried to read her yesterday, it was like she felt me in her head. She built up a wall quick. Whatever is behind it she doesn't want uncovered." I grit my teeth. "The only thing I'm certain of is that the bitch wants my husband. I don't need to read her mind to see that."

"Well you know that isn't going to happen. And why hasn't he said anything about this wall in her head? I know he can tell she's hiding something."

"Because Edward sees what he wants to see when it comes to her, and he can't see anything past her face." I looked away.

"He loves you." He turned my face back.

"I know that, but it doesn't stop him from wishing that she was Bella. She has him second guessing his life with me."

"What are you talking about? You're talking crazy."

"Am I? Cause I know my husband and trust me, she has been occupying his thoughts." I sighed. "I think that he would've left me if she had been Bella." I confessed.

"Don't be ridiculous. He's not that fucking stupid."

"It has nothing to do with stupidity, Jazz. Look at the strife she is causing and she only looks like Bella. I understand that he loved Bella and that she was taken from him. They didn't break up, or separate and he never had closure. Not really. But if a look alike is all it takes to put doubt in his heart; to make him question his life with and his love for me, did I ever really have it?" I sighed.

"He loves you."

"You've said that already."

"Look, don't jump to..." he started.

"He lies to my face. And when we make love it feels off because his head isn't in it. He can't focus because he's constantly worry about her."

"If you know that's what he was doing then why do you let him touch you?" He growled.

"Because I love him. Because I'm trying to convince him that he's made the right choice." I looked down feeling a little stupid. "I want to believe in him, in us. And I don't want to lose him." I tried to hold off the tears. I was mad at myself for being so weak.

"I don't know how to…be, without him," I whispered. "And the fact that he even thought about having a life without me, and with someone else, scares the shit outta me. Because where does that leave me and our children? Did we ever really mean anything to him?"

I felt the tears pouring from my eyes. He reached out to wipe them away.

"Don't cry, Angel. I'll talk to him. Beat some sense into him if I have to."

I grabbed his hand.

"No…you can't do that, Jazz. He'll be upset that I came to you. That I'm confiding in you and that you're defending me once again."

"Who the fuck cares if he's upset! I love you and I'm going to defend you!" he said defiantly.

"And that's exactly why you can't." I told him.

"Why, because I love you? He knows that and…"

"You're right, he does know that. And it hurts him…still." I sighed and sniffed. "It will haunt him forever. And he can't let it go of it if you won't."

"I've done the best that I could, Angel. I let him have you didn't I?"

I sat up straight and looked at him.

"Jazz…" I took his hand. "You know how I feel about you. But you need to realize that I was never yours to give back. I was always his."

He closed his eyes and looked away.

It was my turn to turn his face back toward mine.

"I'm not saying this to hurt you, Jasper. But I've let this go on long enough. The teasing and the comments… It has to stop. Not only for him, but for you and me as well. It's the only way we can all truly get pass this once and for all."

"So that's it, huh? That's why you're letting him bring strange a woman into your house, lie to you, and fuck your brains while he thinks about another woman? You're doing it because you feel guilty about the night we spent together? This is your penance?"

I couldn't look at him anymore. The tears blurred my vision, his words cut me, and I was ashamed.

He sighed and spoke softly.

"Angel, you're better than this. Stronger than this. You deserve better."

He was pissed and I knew he was biting his tongue and holding off his temper for my sake.

"I love him. And he forgave me after…"

"Forgave you? Are you fucking serious? Forgave you for what?" He erupted. "We didn't sleep together, Angel. And it was his fucking fault to begin with! What man gives their wife permission to fuck his brother?" He shook his head.

"Well two wrongs didn't make it right, now did it!" I looked at him. "Don't you see that I'm still paying for that night. It's always in the back of his mind like a cancer festering and metastasizing!" I shot out the chair. "And he didn't forgive me for spending the night with you! He forgave me for falling in love with you!" I screamed then turned to go back in the house.

He flit behind me, grabbed me by the waist and pulled me into his strong, muscular body. I leaned back into his chest and he held me there as I sobbed.

"Angel…" he sighed softly as he turned me to face him.

"Why are you doing this? Why are you being an ass, Jasper?" I looked up at him.

He cupped my chin, catching my tears in his palm.

"I don't know. I'm sorry. I was out of line."

"Yes, you were."

"I hate seeing you hurt. I can't stand it." He wiped my cheeks with his thumbs. "And I can't help that I want to protect you…from him…from me… from her…from everything." He shook his head then looked at me. "I can't help how I feel, Angel. I really wish I could, believe me. Everyone else's emotions I can control. My own however, are a lost cause to me."

"I know, but you have to let me handle Edward. You have to know your place, and that's as my brother in law and best friend. And you have to stop with the bullshit teasing."

He nodded and I could tell that my words hurt him. But it needed to be said.

"I understand," he said finally. "And I know that you love him. But you don't owe him shit, and you don't have to take this. You need to stand up to him. Tell him how you…"

"Jazz, I will handle it. I will. I want her gone and he promised that when he got home he'd send her packing. I'm going to trust him at his word. And after she's gone, I'll speak with him about the other things. I know Edward. He won't ruin our marriage on a whim."

"You're right. He knows that he has a beautiful, loving wife and four great kids. He's not going to mess that up for anybody. I don't care who she looks like."

"Exactly," I said not completely trusting my words.

"Exactly," he repeated not believing the words I'd said or the fake confidence I put behind them.

He hugged me and I melted into his chest as the love coming from him and his strong arms held me together.

Ashley

So the bitch wanted me gone. I should've seen that coming. And Edward had promised her that when he came home, I would be. I needed to think of something fast. If he sent me away with one of his siblings there'd be no way for me to get to him.

I almost sighed in despair. Then I heard something that made my ears and hopes perk up. Edward's brother, the tall, sexy blonde with the delicious southern drawl, and his precious little wifey had had an affair. Talk about scandalous. I hadn't been briefed on that juicy little tidbit, so it must've been a well kept family secret. It made me wonder what else the Cullen's had been hiding.

I mean Skye was hot. I'd definitely do her. But damn, what kind of mojo did this voodoo bitch have to capture the hearts of both these men? And would mine be enough to pull the one I wanted away?

If I played my cards right I wouldn't have to worry about that. And I wouldn't be leaving anytime soon either. I'd have Edward Cullen in my bed and eating out of my hands in no time. I'd make him forget wifey's name. literally, I smiled.

She didn't deserve a man like Edward. But I did. She had been raised like a fucking princess and Edward held her up like a queen. Well I'd paid my dues in this life and the one before it. I deserved to have it all. To live the good life. To be regarded as a queen. And I would be very soon.

So far everything was going as planned, though I knew it would. And everything that wasn't, was completely salvageable at this point. Edward's eldest daughter was quickly becoming fond of me. Probably because I reminded her of mommy dearest, but whatever worked.

The Council called an hour ago and questioned me about the labs. I told them what I knew. And they told me I would be protected by none other than the infamous Cullen Coven. So no matter what Edward told Skye, I'd be staying. And that would give me time to set a plan in motion.

I looked over the rooftop carefully and listened in again. Now she was asking the pretty boy to let her handle Edward.

I sat back and thought about what I'd heard earlier. Skye had told Mr. Sexy that she thought Edward was interested in reliving his past with me, or through me, because I looked like his dead ex. She thought that he was feeling a little nostalgic.

I smiled, that was definitely going to come in handy.

The conversation was almost over so I figured I should leave while I had the chance. I walked to the edge of the roof silently and looked down. I'd learned a lot today. And although Skye and Jasper hadn't actually bumped uglies, they did get a little raunchy and he was in love with her. The best part, it was a sore spot for Edward.

Things were starting to look up again.

I couldn't help the grin that spread across my face. My raggedy, no good parents, actually gave me something I could use for once.

My face.

So, if it was Bella he wanted, then Bella he'd get. I'd be the best fucking Bella he'd ever seen.

I jumped down, smiling at the wicked little plan forming in the back of my mind.

"What are you doing?" A voice asked.

I turned to find one of Edward's twins watching me. I didn't know which one because I couldn't tell them apart.

"I…I just went for a little run after hunting." I lied.

"On our roof?" he asked.

"Of course not, I was in the trees. I ended up on the roof."

He watched me and his eyes narrowed. He didn't believe a single word I'd said.

"Right," he said and turned to walk away.

I quickly grabbed his arm spinning him around to face me.

"You will forget what you just saw." I told him looking into his eyes.

"Will I?" His eyebrow lifted.

"Yes," I said, gripping his arm tighter and intensifying my stare.

"You need to let me go…" he said in a low growl and I felt the hair on my body stand up.

I didn't get it. Why wasn't it working? And why was all the fucking hair on my body standing on end?

Just then the other twin appeared out of nowhere with his little sister behind him. She was carrying an alligator twice her size that had a freaking leash on it's neck.

Suddenly I didn't think that I should underestimate these kids. So I dropped his arm and watched as he joined his siblings. They stood together at the tree line watching me. They didn't move, didn't blink. They looked like the damn Stepford children. It was scary.

"Well, I'll just go back to the guest house." I started to walk away.

"The guest house is that way," the other twin said pointing in the opposite direction.

If I went that way, I'd have to walk past the patio and past Skye and Jasper. And they'd know I was on the side of the house. They'd probably put two and two together and figure out that I'd 'overheard' their conversation.

If I didn't go that way however, the Stepford children would definitely rat me out. I decided quickly that it was a chance I'd have to take. Maybe they'd figure it out. Maybe the wouldn't. Maybe they'd think I just got lost.

"Of course, thank you, Edward."

"I'm Edric," he said.

Whatever!

I smiled.

"Right, EJ, got it," I said rolling my eyes as I walked from behind the house into Jasper and Skye's view.

They were sitting next to each other now. He was facing forward and she sat to the side of him. Her head was on his shoulder and they were talking quietly. I smiled and picked up my pace. They watched me in silence and expressionless as I passed them quickly.

0~~~~~~~~~~~~~~0

AN: So... that Ashley is something else, right? Anywho... thanks for reading. ~smooches~ LRC.