Jaspers POV.
We spent most of our time trying to find who had stolen Izzy's body. Alice especially threw herself into the search intent on finding the fiends who would commit this unspeakable act on our sister. I knew the real reason. She was trying to hide her guilt and grief. I let her go though. It was not my place to tell people how to grieve and if she needed help she knew where I was.
We had all been questioned over the disappearances but they couldn't really point anything at us considering so many bodies were missing. The blame was placed on the underworld on people trying to make a quick buck out of human beings.
Despicable.
I snarled as I took down the deer with ease. Strangly enough I was not hungry. Nothing was of any importance now Izzy was gone from us.
The funeral was tough not only on me but on the fact Edward had brought Tanya. I discerned no romantic feelings but their bond was unnervingly closer. Normally Edward would barely tolerate Tanya as it was.
After they had left I placated everyone that there was nothing going on between them, but then again I couldn't be sure. Also I don't think my family was very convinced.
I drank knowing full well Esme would be home waiting for me to return with molten eyes. She had been especially vigilant with all of us, her mothering instinct in full flight. She herself felt guilt due to the fact she never got to mother Izzy as much as she did the rest of us. She had vowed never to take it for granted again though I very much doubted she had ever taken anything for granted after her change.
It was Rose who wanted to leave surprisingly. She was normally the one who would bitch about having to leave and establish our roots elsewhere. No one even battered an eyelid as we all began to pack. I think she was shocked that we all took her suggestion straight away but in truth we all felt the same.
Even though we were gifted with a photographic memories and Izzy was still fresh in our minds and hearts, it was too raw to stay in the house. It housed too many memories, too many scents and too many reminders of what we would never have again.
As we packed the missing bodies began to turn up at alarming speeds. All intact. We waited for the news of Izzy's body, but her, among with two others remained missing. It frustrated all of us because as gifted as we all were we had no idea who or where or why.
Edward left shortly after the funeral, staying for the wake and talking to Izzy's family and friends. He spoke to us occasionally but chose to stay away if possible. The guilt that he housed was momentous and I for one was glad that he didn't stay too long.
Everyone else was fuming. Alice sat in the corner glowering at him and by the occasional flinch I knew she was directing some pretty hurtful silent remarks his way. Esme kept busy in the kitchen constantly cooking disgusting human food and practically shoving it in everyone's faces. Carlisle had to take her away and speak to her in private.
"But this is what you do at a wake," she pleaded.
"This is what a mother should do for her daughter-" she stuttered before collapsing in Carlisles arms. She sobbed heavily as he tried to shush her. I sighed softly before turning around and seeing Edward watching us. His face was pained and the guilt that was seeping from him was distracting. His eyes snapped to mine and before I could register he had enveloped me in a manly hug.
"It'll be okay brother, trust me," he whispered as he patted my back.
I nodded quietly as we stepped back from each other. His gaze turned to our parents and he whispered words of goodbyes and love before promising to meet up with us in Ashland, our intended destination.
I walked back out of the kitchen and glanced around our living room. It was full of humans and I was surprised to find the burn did not flare up as it usually would. It was there but it was easily pushed aside by the momentous grief that hummed through the room.
I looked over to where Alice was. She sat on the window seat her body curled in on herself as she rocked gently. I purposely walked over to her and pulled her onto my lap.
"Sh sh, my little angel," I cooed. She wrapped her hands around my neck and buried her face into my shoulder. I felt her sobs wrack through her tiny body just as I felt the pain emanate from her. Nothing hurt as more than my wife in pain. I held her tighter trying to convey how much I loved her and was there for her without releasing any of my emotions. She just wasn't ready for it.
Suddenly she tensed.
"Edward and Tanya are leaving?"
I buried my nose into her hair and inhaled. "Yes, thank goodness. Tanya seems too be agitated by being here and it is starting to piss me off."
My eyes glanced to Tanya who stood in a dark corner trying to keep away from the humans. She kept glancing towards the kitchen where Edward was and huffing.
"Oh poor Tanya, is she angry that Edward has to deal with his family when they could be off fucking?" Alice hissed. Tanya's body tightened and her eyes snapped to ours. Her feelings where a strange cacophony of guilt, pain and apprehension.
"Alice, I told you-"
"Yeah, whatever Jazz. I don't trust that bitch," Alice snarled not taking her eyes of our cousin. Tanya however smiled sadly and turned towards the kitchen no doubt seeking Edward's company.
"When do we leave?"
I stroked her arms trying to calm her down. "In two weeks. Carlisle doesn't want to just up and leave. It might look suspicious even though we will be easily contactable should they find her."
In the back of our minds we were picking up the hushed conversation of Edward, Esme and Carlisle.
"I think I'll head up to Ashland to set up the house. Its probably in shambles considering how long it has been since we were last there."
"Oh Edward, that would be lovely," Esme murmured softly though her heart wreaked with pain at the thought of Edward leaving again.
"We'll be up there in two weeks son. Have you spoken with the police?"
"Yes, they took my statement but really they have nothing to go on. They whole case is rife with confusion and I'm pretty sure that they are just going to mark as an unsolved case."
Esme gasped. "What? They are not going to find her?"
Carlisle sighed while Edward answered her. "No mother. But that doesn't mean we will give up."
"Edward?" I felt Alice stiffen at the sound of Tanya's voice interrupting their conversation.
"We really need to be going."
"Of course Tans, I'll just say goodbye to Charlie and then-"
"I think I'll wait in the car, Edward," Tanya interrupted him. "Too many humans."
"Alright. I won't be long."
We pulled our attention away from the conversation and I placed a kiss on Alice's head. She sighed and pulled me closer.
"Our family is so broken Jasper."
I sighed again. I didn't know what to say because I totally agreed with her.
Alice's POV
I leaned my forehead against the glass of the Lamborghini. The scenery whizzed past though I could see every leaf that fluttered. Two weeks had past quickly though the haze had never lifted and the pain never eased. We were all currently driving to Ashland about an hour out of the city and another two before we reached the house.
This was Esme's home. The start of her newborn life and her family. I wondered if she would find solace here or it would eat away at her that her family was not and never would be complete.
This was a home that Carlisle, Esme and Edward made before the rest of us arrived. I knew that it was one of Esme's dreams to have us all there, together and whole, in her first home. I wondered how she was taking everything.
As I looked over at Jasper the vision hit me.
Edward running full pelt through wilderness. He was laughing his posture free of all that weighed him before. He stopped and turned momentarily. Holding out his hands he motioned with his fingers.
"Come, my love. Let us hunt," he said smiling a radiant smile.
Long delicate fingers enclosed in his and his smile became wider.
I felt Jaspers finger entwine in my own as I began to focus back on him
"No," I moaned.
"Alice, sweetheart? What is it?"
"Its Edward," I replied slumping in my seat. Jasper tensed up.
"What? What has he done?" Jasper asked and I knew he immediately thought Edward had gone to off himself. To be honest I couldn't decide what was worse.
"He's found another. He's happy and in love."
Confusion set on his beautiful scared features as he tried to understand what I was saying. He slowed the car down and turned to me, his eyes still on the road.
"What? Are you sure?"
I nodded sadly. I couldn't see her face but I could feel she was beautiful.
"Isn't this a good thing Alice?" Jasper asked as his fingers flew softly through my hair. I chocked on a sob.
"He's with her now. That is why he was fine at the funeral and the hospital. It's the ultimate betrayal."
"That bastard." Jasper hissed. He pulled off the road with a load screech of the tires and took out his phone.
"Emmett it's Jazz. Yeah…No look Alice had a vision…well obviously…it's about Edward…no he hasn't…he's shacking up with some random."
At this point Jasper pulled the phone away from his ear as Emmett roared. I couldn't stop the self satisfied smirk that crawled on my lips.
"You finished?…apparently he's in love…yeah that's what I said."
I sighed as I leant my head against the glass of the window again my head pounding with the buzz of having a vision again. I had gotten so used to not having them that I forgot the physical aspects that came with my gift.
"Al are you okay?"
"No. My best friend has been betrayed by our brother in the cruellest of ways. Why did he do this?"
"It's like he's just pissing on her memory," a deep voice snapped. I was so caught up I didn't notice Rose and Emmett drive up behind us.
"We don't know yet Em," Rose said carefully. Since Izzy's death their relationship had turned on it's head. Rose taking a carefree approach and Emmett wound up in the choices behind his decisions.
Emmett looked at Rose like he was going to explode and Rose winced under his gaze. He took a huge breath trying to calm down as he took her hand.
"It's okay baby! I'm just angry at that lil shit of a brother."
"Well that makes two of us," Jasper remarked. Emmett sighed and looked up into the overcast sky.
"So do we tell Esme and Carlisle?"
"Well we'll have to won't we. I'm sure they would hate if Edward just rocked up to show off his new girlfriend. I think that would kill Esme."
"I agree. Rose you tell them."
"Me, Why me?"
"Cause you and Esme have a bond the rest of us don't.
"Okay fine," Rosalie mumbled climbing back into her car and grabbing her phone. Her lips moved fast as she told the news to Esme and it was obvious by Rose's body that Esme did not take it well at all.
No one said anything as we got back into our cars again and drove the rest of the way to our new home in Ashmore. As we past through the town I wondered briefly if we would return to school but quickly thrust the thought aside our I knew our family needed time to grieve and come to grips with what Edward had done.
As we pulled up the overgrown drive the first thought that sprung to my head was 'EW'. The house was dilapidated to the extreme and I quickly realized that Carlisle had chosen this house to keep Esme's mind occupied during this harsh period of our undead lives.
Probably for the best.
"Is that who I think it is?"
I snapped out of my thoughts and glanced at the porch. There stood Edward a massive grin settled on his face.
You are going to die.
If possible his grin got wider as he heard my silent thought, and both Jasper and I growled.
From behind us Emmett and Rose pulled up. Emmett was out of the Jeep faster than I could discern and was pummelling Edward with ferocious swings of his fists.
"Emmett stop," Rose screamed but Emmett didn't even acknowledge her instead putting more weight behind him.
Suddenly there was a blur of white and Emmett flew across the drive and crashed into some of the overgrowth.
We all spun around and crouched at the young vampire that had tossed our brother off Edward.
"I don't care how cool you are Emmett I will pummel the shit out of you if you don't behave," Izzy growled.
Izzy!?!
What the hell?
Izzy stood crouched over a laughing Edward. A snarl ripped from her mouth as Emmett stood up and blurred to Rose's side. Beside me Jasper's mouth was opening and closing but no sound was coming out. I realized that I was doing the same and quickly shut my mouth.
She had changed but was the same. Her hair took a beautiful onyx shine to it and reflected wonderfully off her alabaster skin. She was wearing a white sweater dress and black tights. I glanced down and was disappointed to see black ballet flats but quickly culled the feeling. Her blood red eyes told me we now had plenty of time to shop.
"Iz? Is it really…is it?" Emmett stuttered.
Izzy stood up and helped Edward up. She snorted as she turned around and faced us again, crossing her arms.
"Please do honestly think that death can triumph over me!" She grinned and held out her arms. It was lucky that she was so indestructible now because all of a sudden four vampires were on her trying to wrap their arms around her. Izzy let out a squeal as she was pushed back by the force and from behind me I could here Edward laughing.
"Come on you guys, give her some room,"
We all tried to stand up and I noticed that Rosalie had held onto Izzy staring reverently at her. Emmett and Jasper couldn't stop looking at her and then letting out random shouts of glee. I was giggling uncontrollably.
"Okay wait how is this possible?"
Izzy laughed at our expressions and then gestured inside. We all walked in careful to keep Izzy in our sights. Edward chuckled. I tore my eyes off Izzy for one second to look around our new house. The large foyer gave way to a sunken family room that was bare of all furniture. I knew that Carlisle had asked Edward to get rid of most of it so Esme could re-do all the house. The walls were a cream colour but the paint was peeling in most places. It definitely needed work but at least Esme will be in her element
"Oh" I squeaked. Everyone stared at me. "Esme."
Izzy smiled. "Do you think she would have missed me?"
Everyone scoffed.
"Are you serious Z? Esme now thinks Edward is dating some um I think the words that Esme used were 'dirty hore'" Rose answered. We all gaped at her.
"Mom really said that?" Emmett asked. Rose nodded.
"And a few other expletives that I will not mention."
Jasper ran his hand through his hair. "I never thought she had it in her."
"Well in her defence she has had a bad couple of weeks."
Izzy's face fell. "I am so sorry guys. I would have come sooner…but we had trouble with the Volturi."
Everyone stared at her as she recounted everything that had happened to her over the last few weeks. As she was explaining Fredericks a car rolled up. We all looked up and grinned at each other as Esme and Carlisle both got out of the Vanquish.
"I really wish Edward was spanked as a child," Esme snarled. Edward's eyes widen and he chuckled.
As the door flung open we all turned to watch Esme's face. She was furious. Then she was shocked. Then she was confused.
"Isabella?"
Izzy stood up and slowly walked over to Esme. Carlisle stood behind her staring at Izzy and then he glanced at Edward. Obviously he asked if she was real to which Edward grinned and nodded. Esme however raised her hand and pointed at Edward.
"Did you know he is cheating on you?"
Everyone burst into laughter as Esme and Izzy hugged. They were soon enveloped be Carlisle's wide arms and we all smiled as our parents hugged our newest sister. Ashland was looking up.