Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight or any of the characters, I just like playing with them.
(EPOV)
"Tanya!" I called out across the snow covered field. She had just arrived home with her sisters, and I was waiting for her. In a moment I was next to her. "Bella is sleeping and I thought I'd see if you wanted to take a walk. I feel badly that all my attention has been focused on her and I haven't spent any time with my friends."
"Sure Edward, let me just put my purse inside and I'll be right out." Tanya replied.
I just hoped she didn't take my invitation the wrong way.
She returned quickly and we set out through the snow. Well he's finally here, and we're alone, but I bet he's still thinking of the human. Yeah, she was bitter.
After a few minutes the silence was uncomfortable. "I wanted to thank you for taking in my family. I know it's probably been a strain to have so many people in your home for so long. It means a lot to me, considering it was me who asked them to leave Forks...."
"It's not a problem Edward, you know you are all family to us. It's been nice to have the company." I just wish you had come alone.
"Well we'll be moving on soon enough, now that we're all together again. The past few months has been difficult for our family, but things are going to work out." I smiled at her.
She looked away from me when she spoke. "I'm glad to hear everything is going to work out Edward. You deserve happiness. We'll miss you when you leave of course. Hopefully you won't go too far, it's been nice having you close these past few years."
"Yes, it has been nice. You've always been a good friend Tanya. I hope we'll be able to continue that friendship in the future."
"Of course" She reached for my hand, but I saw her intention before the movement and shoved my hands into my pockets. Just wait until the Volturi take your little pet away, then you'll come back to me. Victoria will be pleased, considering they killed her mate, one of their own kind, over a human. Traitors.
I almost gasped. The Volturi. Why would they be after Bella?
After centuries of practice, I didn't even flinch. I was good at concealing my emotions, and I was a damn good liar. I would finish this conversation, and deal with Tanya later.
"So did you have plans to travel any time soon? It's been a while since you all have been on vacation hasn't it?"
"Well, we tossed around the idea of going someplace warm this summer, spend some time on the beaches at night. Enjoy the locals." She winked. Tanya and her sisters enjoyed bedding human males. Enjoyed it so much that they learned to control their thirst for human blood so they left them alive at the end of the night. They were the originators of the succubus myths. "Do you know where you all will go next?"
"I'm not sure, the northeast probably...Maine sounds nice. It depends on everyone else though. I think Rose and Em are going to take off on their own for a little while"
She doesn't like the human either. "That sounds nice. It's about time for another wedding for Rose and Em isn't it?" She laughed.
"Yeah, probably, another year or two at the most. It would make number twelve." I smiled. Maybe I'll have a wedding of my own by then...if she ever forgives me. "Well, I just wanted to say thank you. I really should get back to Bella now. Did you want to race back?"
"No, that's ok...you go on, I'll be in later." Her thoughts were snarled with jealousy and regret. I knew what she had done, and the conversation was too awkward to continue any longer.
It was all I could do to contain my rage and walk away. Calling down the wrath of the Volturi on vampires you considered your family because you were jealous, was completely unreasonable. I couldn't stand to be in her presence for another moment. How could she do this, especially with Bella in the condition she was in. I was reminded that some of us are truly monsters.
I ran back to the house and up to Bella's room, where Carlisle and Esme were waiting. They both looked up at me.
"The Volturi." I said. The house went silent, and before ten seconds passed, every vampire in the house was in Bella's room. Their thoughts were confused and jumbled. Carlisle, Alice, and Eleazar understood immediately. Alice began searching, and I heard her gasp.
"They are sending Marcus, Demetri, and Felix."
"When Alice?" I asked.
"Two days."
"What does this mean? What's going on?" Irina asked.
Carlisle looked over at Bella's sleeping form. "Let's go downstairs to discuss this. Emmet, would you mind staying with Bella?"
"Sure." He replied, grumpy at being left out. Though he would still be able to hear everything.
We all quickly left the room and reassembled in the living room.
"Should we wait for Tanya?" Kate asked.
I started to growl, but a look from Carlisle warned me to cool it. I'm not sure how to handle her yet, let's not cause any problems.
"We'll fill her in later." He crossed to the fireplace. "The Volturi are coming here. They are sending Marcus, Demetri, and Felix. They will be here in two days."
"Why?...What do they want?...What have you done?" Everyone was asking at once.
"They know about Bella. She is human and knows our secret, therefore she must be killed or changed." He said flatly.
I flinched. I knew what Alice's visions had shown since the beginning, but that didn't mean I had to accept it. Bella's humanity was too important to me, and there had to be some way around this. We could leave my family, travel around the world, staying far away from the Volturi so they wouldn't know. Alice could keep watch.... Surely they wouldn't concern themselves for more than a few years about one human. They would forget after a time and Bella would be safe.
Eleazar nodded and pulled Carmen tighter. "I knew something was amiss."
Alice agreed. "Me too, I was missing something before, but now that the decision has been made, it's become clear."
Carlisle turned to Irina and Kate. "I'm sorry we have brought this trouble to your house. We will leave as soon as they are finished with us."
Kate looked shocked. "But how would they know Carlisle? Someone had to tell them."
Suddenly everyone sensed her presence at once and looked up to the doorway. "I did." Tanya said.
Irina gasped. "Tanya, what have you done? Why?"
"They broke the only law we have. They let a human know about our existence, and they did nothing about it. What if she told someone?" She replied evenly.
"Tanya, they are our family! And you know Bella hasn't said a word to anyone. Why would you do this?" Kate admonished.
Tanya shrugged. "It doesn't matter why. They broke the law, and they shouldn't get away with it." if I can't have what I want, why should he.
"But she's going to be turned eventually, you know this!" Alice was furious.
I was shaking with rage, and two pairs of cold hands gripped my arms and shoulders. Jasper and Alice were flanking me, prepared to hold me back if I lost it. Not now Edward. This is not the way. Alice warned. A small growl escaped my throat, I was seeing red. Edward, enough! Carlisle moved in front of me.
"Well now we have a little insurance." Tanya smiled wryly. "If you'll excuse me, I'll be in my room." She strode away.
The room was silent for a while. Irina and Kate embraced, their shock and embarrassment evident on their faces.
Esme leaned into Carlisle. "But why would they care about one human enough to come all this way? Surely a phone call would be sufficient, considering your prior relationship with the Volturi. They would trust you of all people, wouldn't they? Or Eleazar?"
"Unfortunately, they have more interest in our family than I am comfortable with, because of how gifted our children are." He replied. "Aro would love any excuse to possess Alice and Edward."
Eleazar agreed. "He is quite the collector of unique abilities. I used to aid him in these acquisitions."
"Surely we can clear this up, can't you call them Carlisle? Tell them it's a mistake?" Kate asked.
"No, I only see more trouble if we try to intercept this – they will think we have something more to hide. We have to let them come to us, they need to see Bella, and will give us more time so she can heal first." Alice revealed.
"Is that it though? They are just coming to see Bella and make it known that she must be changed, right?" Irina didn't trust the Volturi. They had come for their mother a long time ago. She had made an immortal child, and only the three sisters' ignorance saved them from sharing their mother's fate. Child vampires had no control or restraint as they were frozen at whatever stage of development they had been at when bitten. They were utterly enchanting, but deadly. They were incapable of protecting our secret, and so they were all destroyed. It was a horrible time in our history.
"That is all that is on their agenda." Alice assured her. They would jump at any chance to check up on the Cullens. Her face showed her disgust.
Carlisle took a few moments to consider our options. "So we will wait for them. Alice, keep looking for whatever clues you can find. The law requires the human either be killed or turned. We know what Alice's visions have shown, and we all know what Bella's preference is. So, we will have to turn her, but when might be negotiable." He finished with a grave look upon his face.
My fists clenched at my sides. Edward, it is unavoidable. You need to start working on accepting this as Bella's fate. I glared at my father.
Esme broke the tension. "We need to decide on where to move to as soon as possible. If Tanya harbors ill will towards us, then I do not feel comfortable staying in her house any longer than necessary."
"You're right dear. Bella is well enough to move." Carlisle scowled. He had considered the sisters as family and learning of the betrayal hurt.
"We're so sorry Carlisle, that our sister has brought this upon you."
"No Irina, we brought this upon ourselves. We knew what we were doing, and we thought we could keep it from them since she would eventually be turned. We should apologize for bringing this into your home."
Rose cleared her throat. "Well Emmet and I are leaving. We were already thinking of traveling through South America for a little while. With everything that is going on, we're going to go ahead and go."
Everyone's heads turned towards her with disbelieving stares.
Sorry Edward, I don't want to go, but you know how your sister is. It's probably best for Bella too, she won't have to deal with Rose's attitude while she recovers. Emmett was listening upstairs and felt guilty for abandoning his family like this, but his devotion to his wife was more important.
"Why thank you so much for standing up for your family Rosalie. I'll be sure to remember that next time you or Emmett need our help." Alice said coldly. Jasper tried to soothe her but she shrugged him off. Alice caught my eye. She is dead to me. I shook my head with a scowl. Rosalie would always put herself first, and she certainly wasn't going to risk anything over a human.
"Alice." Esme chastised. "They are allowed to go their own way whenever they feel like it. Of course we wish you could stay, Rosalie, but we understand your choice and will miss having you home."
Carlisle just shook his head. He wasn't surprised by Rose's announcement, though he was disappointed. Rose left the room. Going to pack, we'll be gone tomorrow. I didn't even look her way.
"We knew we'd be moving on soon anyway, did anyone have a preference for where?" He asked.
"East Coast or another country would be best. We should be far away from Forks now that Bella is with us." Jasper suggested.
Alice nodded. "Someplace remote, especially if we're going to have a newborn vampire. We could all use a break from the high school facade for a couple years."
"Our house in Maine would be nice...or somewhere in Canada..." I added, having heard what Carlisle and Esme had been up to.
Esme looked at Carlisle and nodded with a smile. He returned the smile. "Well...we have some property in Newfoundland. There is a small cabin on the land, but Esme and I were thinking of building a new home there. It's beautiful, remote, plenty of wildlife..."
We all looked at Esme. "I really think it would be perfect. It would be nice to build a new home again." Her eyes were bright with excitement.
Alice shared the enthusiasm and nodded vigorously. "Oh that sounds perfect!"
"Hey, you had me at no high school." Jasper chuckled.
I didn't care where we went really, as long as I had Bella.
"Alright, it's settled then. Esme has already been working on the blueprints, and we'll get started with the arrangements. The cabin is small, just two bedrooms and a loft, but we'll make it work until the house is done. We thought we would have more time."
"I'm going to go back upstairs to Bella. I'm sure Rose will want Emmett's help packing, since they are leaving tomorrow." I stood up, ready to leave the room, when Eleazar's thoughts caught my attention. "Eleazar?" I turned to him.
"Right...Yes. Well, Carmen and I were thinking...and since Rose and Emmet are leaving for some time. If it is agreeable to you, maybe we could join you for a while?"
Carlisle leapt up and clapped him on the shoulder. "Of course old friend! We would be delighted to have you." He turned to the rest of the family. "Does anyone object?"
We all shook our heads. "Sounds wonderful!" Esme said as she went to embrace Carmen.
Kate and Irina retreated to one of the bedrooms. Their thoughts were full of shame and regret. They had no idea their sister would do something like this, and they felt betrayed. Kate looked back over her shoulder at me. I'm so sorry Edward. I shrugged. There was nothing that could be done about it now.
I headed back up the stairs to Bella. Emmett heard me coming and came out into the hall. Bro, I'm so sorry. It's not right, not at all. Take care of my little sister ok? Don't hurt her again or else I'll come find you. Make her whole again. We'll come back eventually. Maybe I can win Rose over about Bella by then...
He chuckled when I raised an eyebrow at that. "Well, I said I'll try." We hugged briefly and then I went to lay down next to Bella. She instinctively turned towards me and placed her hand on my chest like she used to. I stroked her hair absently and watched her sleep.
So much had happened over the past couple of days, and there was still so much more to come. It was too much to think about. Everything was my fault. I should have been strong enough to stay away from her after that first day. I shouldn't have risked exposing my family in order to save her. If I had been stronger, maybe she would be living a happy, normal, human life right now. Or not. If I hadn't been there, she would have been crushed to death by Tyler's van. But after that, I should have stayed away from her. If she had never been given the chance to fall in love with me, none of the other bad things would have happened to her. Everything since that had been my fault. James set his sights on her and tracked her because of me...and Alice...but my reaction made the game so much more alluring to him. She tried to end her life because I left her. And now, because I rejected Tanya, the Volturi were coming to force our hand into changing her. My entire family was in danger because I loved a human girl. I hated the thought of her becoming a monster like me. I couldn't damn her soul like that...but I couldn't let my mistake kill her either. As much as I fantasized about running with her and hiding her away from the Volturi, I knew it wasn't realistic. My family would never be safe, and neither would Bella. I had no other option, but that didn't mean I had to like it.
If I looked at my family – they were as happy, if not more so, than most humans. We enjoyed our lives. Sure we all had regrets or things we missed, but look at how much we had in front of us. We were comfortable, we had friends, family, love, money, education, travel...the whole world was pretty much open to us. I could have Bella for an eternity. I would miss her warmth, the sound of her heartbeat, the sight of her blush...but I would never have to watch her grow old, fall ill, or die. I could have her in my arms every day and night. I wouldn't have to endure sixty or more years of not being able to do more than gently kiss her, holding myself back, always afraid of losing control or hurting her. I could have hundreds, if not thousands, of years to ravage her without worrying about breaking her. No longer would her blood tempt me. I wouldn't have to worry about staying in control every minute I was with her. She wanted this, she chose me for eternity. Shouldn't I respect her wishes too? Why was what I wanted more important? I wanted her to have all the human experiences she would have in a normal life. I didn't want to take those away from her - there was no going back once you were a vampire. Rosalie had never gotten over losing her human life, after almost a hundred years she was still bitter. I didn't want that for Bella. But she was so sure this was what she wanted, she knew the consequences, the things she would never have, the life she would have to leave behind. She was willing to give it all up in order to spend eternity with me. Who was I to say no? It was her life, her soul.
My sleeping angel began to mumble in her sleep, as she always had. It brought back the memories of that first night I watched her sleep. I had crept into her room, her dark hair lay tangled around her pale face. I was sitting in the chair in the corner when she spoke my name. Edward. Stay. Don't go. Please...don't go. She pleaded in her sleep. In that moment I was forever changed. My kind are frozen in body and self when they become vampire. Change does not come easy to us. That night in her room, I made the decision that I could love her, I could be with her and keep her human. I accustomed myself to her scent, and tamed the monster with love. The resolve I felt that day came rushing back, but now there was a different course laid in front of me. I would have to change her, to keep Bella and my family safe, it had to be done. I couldn't risk losing her again, she was too fragile for my world, so she would have to adapt, because it was evident that I could not live in a world without her.
"Edward."
I was jolted from my thoughts. She was dreaming. The sound of my name on her lips sent a thrill through me.
"Please don't leave me."
Apparently, Bella was still having the same dreams.
"You don't...want me?" The little furrow between her brow appeared, the corners of her mouth turned down, and a tear slid down her cheek.
No, it wasn't the same. This was the nightmare she had tried to live through. The one she relived every night that pushed her closer to the edge each time. This is what I had done to her. If I could take away all the pain I'd caused, I would.
I wrapped my arms around her and murmured into her hair. "Shhh, love, I'm here. I do want you, forever." She relaxed a little bit and slipped back into a dreamless sleep. My Bella had a lot of healing to do.
Was I a fool to think she would still want me after all this? Alice had seen we would be together again, so we must work things out, but it would take some time. I wanted nothing more at this moment than to claim every inch of her as my own. I wanted to taste her sweet breath as I kissed her soft lips. I groaned, her warmth and scent swirling around me. Oh, how I craved her.