BPOV

"Are you sure about this?" Esme's soft eyes were laced with concern and it made my heart break to see how much my leaving had hurt her. I took her hand in mine and gave her a reassuring smile.

"I'm sure. Honestly it doesn't feel right being away from everyone" Her face perked up and she pulled me into a motherly hug.

"We have missed you" I pulled back and looked down at the floor as I asked the question that would make everything awkward.

"Have you heard from Edward?" The pitying look she gave me made me feel sick. She pulled me with her to sit on the couch and I knew I would not like what I was about to hear.

"I haven't heard off Edward...but Carmen has got in contact with Carlisle" My stomach dropped.

"What did she say?"

"Edward arrived about a week ago in Alaska. Dear Bella I'm so sorry...Carmen said he and Tanya have been...close" I felt my heart shatter all over again and time seemed to stop. Tanya – I remembered her. The blonde bombshell came to our wedding and wished us a happy future...I remembered back to a time when Alice let it slip that Tanya used to be infatuated with Edward but he had turned her down...or had he? My head swam at the thought of them together and a low growl escaped from between my lips. Esme grabbed my hand again and leaned towards me.

"Bella I cannot begin to tell you how disappointed we are in Edward. He had no right to do what he has done to you and Renesme...he may be my son but that does not mean I approve of his actions" Her eyes begged me to understand but I was seeing red. He had left me...for Tanya.

"Bella the Denali coven have been searching for Irena – they haven't seen her since she left to apologise to us for the wedding" That got my attention. I frowned in confusion through my anger and swallowed the bitterness that was beginning to swallow me whole.

"She didn't go back to Alaska?" Esme shook her head.

"No-one has seen her and Carmen is beginning to worry...Bella I think they should meet Renesme" I bristled at the idea and Esme quickly went back on her words.

"I only meant that Carmen come down so we can show her how special Renesme is. If Irena were to tell her we turned a child..."

"...It could get back to the Volturi" She nodded and waited for my approval. She was right of course; we couldn't allow anyone to believe that my daughter was immortal, but the thought of having a member of Tanya's family here with us...

"I don't know if I can be in the same room as someone who lives with her" It came out as barely a whisper but Esme heard it. She gently took my chin and tuned my head so that I was instead looking out one of the wall length windows. I saw Renesme dancing in the snow while Emmett and Rose watched over her.

"Forget about Edward – look at her. If we don't do this then we could lose everyone we love...including Renesme. The Volturi have never been squeamish about the butchering of children" The harsh words sounded alien coming from Esme's lips. I turned and her usually soft, warm eyes were now cold and unkind. She was remembering something from long ago and I waited patiently for her to return to me. When she did she gave me a shy smile.

"I'm sorry that was rude..."

"Don't worry about it" I took a deep sigh and looked back at Renesme. I couldn't lose her.

"Ok. Contact Carmen and ask for her to come join us...This needs to be settled"

EPOV

The past week with Tanya had been amazing. I had tried to keep our involvement discreet but I wasn't stupid and her family weren't deaf. So when Eleazar walked towards Tanya and I, I braced myself for whatever he was about to say. However I was not prepared for what he did say.

"We are going to visit out cousins in America. Edward your mother has called and suggested that we visit for a much needed family gathering" I was at a loss for words so Tanya brought it upon herself to answer for the both of us.

"I think that's a wonderful idea, don't you agree Edward? It has been a long time since we've all been together" An image of a very human Bella flashed through her mind and Eleazar turned to address me.

"I hope this will not cause any problems?" I forced a smile and shook my head.

"Not at all, I'm sure my family will be pleased to see you" Eleazar thought that highly unlikely but kept the comment to himself.

"Well then I suppose we better pack. We leave at sundown" When he had left the room Tanya wrapped her arms around my neck and stood on her toes.

"I can't wait for everyone to see us together"

"Everyone? Or Bella?" The word was like a slap in the face and she pushed herself away from me to stalk across the room.

"Bella will just have to get over it" She snarled. I let out a warning growl and she whipped her head around to face me.

"Bella is still my wife" She gave a harsh laugh and gestured around us.

"She cannot be that important to you if you are here with me! She is no more your wife than I am" I crossed the space between us and took hold of her wrists.

"Bella is my wife. I love her in ways you will never understand and there are things you need to know...things that will become clear when we get to Forkes. But you have to believe me when I say I love you, Tanya"

"You still love her?"

"Of course I do and I always will and if you can't bear the thought of it then we have nothing more to discuss" Without waiting for a response I exited the room where we had shared many nights together and searched for Eleazar to plan out our route to Forkes.