Chapter 6
As each one left the room they patted Edward on the shoulder, knowing he would be the one with the hardest decision tonight. He would be deciding the way he would be saying goodbye to his mate.
The couples spent the night discussing how best to proceed, they all essentially had the same questions. Who were the charges actually against? Why would someone frame them? What did the Volturi know? Why didn't Alice see any of this? These crimes had been occurring for over a year, what type of evidence could be gathered now? Gabriel was a Berserker? Most thought they didn't exist, Jasper thought they were extinct. What else was out there that people thought were myths and were actually a clan in hiding? Were these charges actually against them, the Volturi or vampires in general? What could they really accomplish in two weeks? As sunrise passed, their thoughts turned toward Edward and Bella. How could she not remember? What were the missing years? If she could be made to remember would it change things? She was the Keeper, married and had children, should they even be hoping that things could be changed? It would be easier on Edward but would it be easier on her? How would Edward react to seeing her again? With her family? When this was all over what would he do then? How would he go on?
Eight o'clock found them all gathered around the table again. Carlisle started the discussion with Edward. "I think we first need to discuss how you feel about seeing her again Edward. On some level you need to appreciate the fact that she did move on and is living the life you wanted for her. She is married and has a family, she is not completely human but everything else is what you said you wanted for her. Are you going to try to upset that and is what Gabriel said true about how you left her?"
"Yes", Edward answered. "I left her like he said. I knew she wasn't going to give up easily, I lied to her to help her move on faster." With that admission he heard the thoughts condemning his actions. How could you hurt her like that (Carlisle), she didn't deserve that (Rosalie), that isn't how you treat someone you love (Esme), you are a douche Edward (Emmett) and from Alice and Jasper, you have no idea how much she loved you and instead of asking about her feelings you left her, cruelly. From everyone, how do you do that to someone you love? "I deserve each of the things you are thinking and more. Please believe that I do love her and I only wanted to do what was best for her. You saw and are still witnessing what leaving her has done to me. You have to understand." Edward whispered. "We do understand Edward", Esme said "and now you need to understand that everything you just said and did is about what you wanted for her and not what she wanted. It was a mistake not only to leave her but to leave the way we did. We respected your wishes on this Edward and now it is time for you to respect ours. If you love her like you say you do, then when we go to the castle you will respect her wishes and whatever boundaries she sets. If she doesn't remember, expect her to be friendly but in the casual way of acquaintances and accept that that is all she can offer you. If she does remember, then she has already made her choice. She could have come for you and didn't. Respect that and take whatever she offers you, even if that is only her anger." "I don't think I can do that. I want her to remember us. I want her to be mine" Edward exclaimed. "She was yours once and you threw her away." yelled Alice. "I will not allow you to be that selfish again and ruin the happiness she now has. I want her in our lives in whatever she can be. If I have to have Jasper tie you down as Emmett rips your legs off you will behave or answer to me Edward, I mean it." Edward bowed his head and nodded, his family would not help him in pursuing her.
"Now, onto what everyone will be doing the next two weeks", Carlisle said, "Since the charges are against Emmett…" At that everyone gasped. "What do you mean the charges are against Emmett?" shrieked Rosalie. "Why didn't you say this last night?"
I apologize Rosalie, since the entire family is being held accountable and I know the charges to be false I did not think it really mattered who they say committed the crimes" Carlisle said. He continued, "Rosalie and Emmett should stay away from where the women went missing. We do not need evidence that he was there even if it is after the fact. I think you should call on our friends, especially the nomads, to find out if they have heard anything about this, especially the blood farms. It can not be easy to keep something like that a secret in our world. Also, look to see if anything abnormal has been happening in Romania, Siberia or around Stonehenge."
Carlisle turned to Jasper and Alice, "You two need to look into the actual taking of the girls. From what I understand most of the events have happened in the United States, people tend to believe less there than in Europe and it would be easier to write the attacks off as a cult or a psychopathic human. Specifically look at: Sweet Briar, Wellesley and Chatham Colleges, Tulane and Fordham Universities as they are all female schools. Be careful at Tulane, it is in New Orleans and the Cajuns and Gypsy's there believe in our world and will recognize you as vampires. They will not want to share anything they know with you, they won't trust you. Also look in New York and Florida as they have the highest percentage of all female prep schools. Attacks have happened in all of these locations in one form or another. Be sure to gather information on the girls taken as well as who may have taken them. We need to know if they are only taking a certain type of girl."
"Esme, Edward and I will be going to see the Volturi. Isabelle said they have the oldest histories and documents, I think there is something for us to find in those files. I am hoping my friendship with Aro will open more doors for us also. Since they attend the inter-clan council meetings they should be able to point us in the right direction or at least be able to rank the other clans based on who could pull this off, who would want to and why it appears someone holds a grudge. I need you there Edward to find out who is being honest, who is hiding something and to what extent. Aro is, of course, aware you are a mind reader so the others are probably aware too but I am hoping you will still be able to pick up who is hiding something and how hard they are blocking you. Any questions?" Carlisle finished.
"When do we need to be back?" asked Jasper. "The escort will be here for us in 13 days. Everyone needs to be back here, at the house, in 12 days so we can go over what we have found and prepare for our trip to the castle. You must be back in 12 days, understood? I am not sure what the penalty will be if one of us does not go but I am sure it will be severe." With the meeting over each couple went to discuss their strategy to cover the most ground in the least amount of time.
Disclaimer: I do not own twilight or its characters.