"Oh, god, is that this Friday?" Bella moaned when we walked into the cafeteria and she saw the big, brightly painted banner on the far wall. The one announcing the date of the talent show. I grinned.
"Yup. I don't know why you're worried. Its not like we're trying to impress anyone," I said quietly. Bella rolled her eyes.
"Yes, but I don't want to be a complete laughing stock," Bella grumbled. She flicked a glance towards the lunch table, from which Lauren was glaring at her. I borrowed Lauren's eyes briefly and saw that Bella was glaring right back. My Bella! Glaring! And then I realized that Bella Swan, queen of 'Please don't look at me, I'm gonna melt into the floor', wanted us to do well at the talent show. Well enough to piss off Lauren Mallory. I barely kept myself from gaping.
"Bella Swan! I think being around Emmett and Jasper is finally bringing out your competitive side," I said in a gleeful whisper.
"Well, someone needs to set Lauren back a few notches. You should have heard the awful things she was saying in the bathroom earlier. Its too bad that talent scout is coming or I'd almost wish we could win, just to spite her." Bella's voice was just as quiet as mine, but there was a ferociousness beneath her words that would have warmed me if that were possible. I knew she couldn't care less if Lauren bashed her personally, so the girl must have insulted myself or Edward. Or perhaps Angela and Ben. That made the most sense, really, since Bella knew we could hold our own if we wanted to.
"Oh, yeah! We could win, really we could!" I could tell Alice was nearly bouncing in her chair, already seated beside Angela in our usual place. Her comment was quiet and pitched high and fast, obviously meant for vampires only. Evidently Bella's new attitude had sparked a few decisions that led towards Alice's favored outcome - A Talent Show First Prize medallion hanging from Bella's neck.
"Chill, Alice. The quickest way to get Bella to regret saying that is to attack her with over exuberant plans of talent show domination." Edward's vampires only comment made Alice pout, but we all knew Edward was right. Edward escorted Bella to the table while I made my way to the cashier to pay for my usual bowl of salad.
"So, what did the rest of the Cullens do this weekend while Edward and I were away?" Bella asked as she pulled two sandwiches from her backpack, one for her to eat and one for Edward to rip into bits. I grabbed an extra bottle of lemonade for her. As I settled in beside Alice, my sister was babbling about nonsense. I frowned.
I thought we were going to tell her the truth, Edward. You refused to say something before you left but there is no excuse now. I thought at my brother. I knew Edward thought keeping Bella in the dark was for the best. Alice saw one vision of her near to hyperventilating when she heard about Victoria and Edward had dug in his heels.
'I'll tell her this weekend.' Edward signed in Alice's peripheral vision. I frowned.
You'd better, or I will. She's your mate, not your child. She'll be more angry about us keeping it from her than panicked that Victoria is still after her.
Victoria had returned on Sunday morning, making a run through Forks and trying to get at Charlie while he and Billy were fishing. The wolves had cut her off, chasing her off Quileute lands, flushing her towards my family. She had evaded capture again, however. There had been a little confrontation, too, when Emmett and one of the wolves, Paul I think, got into a growling match over the exact point where Quileute lands stopped and neutral territory started. Adam and I had stood back to back between our families, him holding Paul back and me talking Emmett down while Jasper tried his best to defuse the situation. It had worked, thank God, but the Quileutes were still angry about the whole thing.
Edward frowned as I remembered the event but I saw him look down at Bella and reach out to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. Bella reached for the bottle of lemonade I'd put in front of her and gave Edward a curious look. He quickly changed his expression into a tender smile. Bella returned it before giving half of her attention to her sandwich.
"Oh no." Alice stiffened beside me and clutched at my arm. Her exclamation had been loud enough for Bella and Angela to hear and they both turned to look at her with concerned expressions. Edward's face, however, was a mask of frustration. He sighed softly and leaned down to whisper to Bella.
"Finish up, my love. I need to tell you something before our next class." Her face scrunched up in confusion and I poked Alice.
"Oh no, what?" I asked, both because I needed to know what was going on and because Angela was looking extremely confused.
"I...um...forgot to do my Calculus homework. I'll...um...be in the library." She pulled away and moved out of the cafeteria at a swifter pace than might be advisable with so many human witnesses. I heard Edward mutter 'coward' under his breath and I growled softly at him. Bella was looking at him, of course, but not his hands. His expression was carefully neutral so Bella put one more bite in her mouth and then announced she was 'done'. Typical Bella.
"It'll be better if Leia's there, too, Edward." Alice's voice reached me as Edward hurriedly gathered Bella's trash. I heard Edward sigh.
"Follow us in five minutes." Edward told me before he lead Bella away. I hated being kept in the dark about anything so I did my best not to worry as I chatted with Angela and Ben for another four minutes and fifteen seconds. Then I excused myself, tossed my trash and left the cafeteria.
I followed both scent and sound to my brother and sister-to-be. Edward was distracting her with talk about their weekend away. They were standing behind the gym, just inside the trees that led into the forested area beyond the school.
"Edward, what is this all about?" Bella asked, an exasperated tone in her voice.
Yes, Edward, what is this all about? I thought at my brother. He was obviously stalling, whether waiting for me or just nervous about whatever he was about to tell her, I couldn't be sure. Edward sighed and I saw the pained expression on his face through Bella's eyes. He wasn't nervous, he was worried. He signed for me.
'Charlie accepted an invitation for himself and Bella to La Push for dinner.'
I understood Alice's reaction now. She had evidently lost sight of Bella's future this evening. I also guessed why we were out in the woods behind the gym. Edward wouldn't want Bella hearing about Victoria's visit from one of the Quileutes, not before he could explain what had happened and why we had kept her in the dark.
"Victoria was in Forks this weekend," He said quickly. It was for the best, like ripping off a bandaid. At least that's the terminology human's used. I cringed, waiting for Bella's reaction. I heard her gasp, her vision going slightly blurry. She was trembling. I quickened my pace, kicking a stray pinecone in my haste. It hit a tree behind Edward's head at bullet speed and splintered into sawdust. Edward angled his body to keep the debrie from landing on Bella. She didn't notice. I arrived on the scene just as she spoke, her voice pitched high with panic.
"She came back for me." Bella was very perceptive. "That's why you took me to Florida. Edward! Your family hunted her, didn't they? Alice saw this." Bella's panic was quickly resolving into anger and I smirked. Until she turned her gaze on me. I couldn't see the glare, but I knew it was there.
"And you! You promised never to keep this kind of thing from me, ever again!" I cringed. She was right. I had promised that no matter what, I wouldn't hide things from her. Not even at my brother's behest. I felt deeply ashamed because once again, I had let my brother talk me into betraying my best friend.
"I know, Bella. I did, but..." She interrupted me.
"No buts. You...you...argh!" Bella pulled away from Edward and crossed her arms over her chest in anger. I felt guilty and rushed forward, gently touching her shoulder.
"Bella, we were going to tell you, I promise. I made him swear to tell you after you got back. Just...we didn't want you to worry." It came out weakly and Bella relaxed under my fingers a little. She covered my hand with her own.
"You could have been killed. I would rather have the option to worry than be kept in the dark." Her hushed whisper was full of pain and her gaze went back to Edward's face. His expression was a reflection of Bella's pain and just the tiniest bit of remorse.
"Bella, I'm sorry. I just can't bear to watch you looking over your shoulder at every turn. They were never in any danger," he said softly, reaching out to touch her face. Bella never could stay angry at Edward, even if he deserved it. She let go of my hand and threw herself into his arms, attempting to crush his granite hard body with her frail arms. I winced. She was liable to have bruises. Edward thought the same thing because he gently disentangled himself and dropped a chaste kiss on her mouth. The warning bell rang at that moment. I doubted Bella could hear it, but of course I did.
"Time for class, lovebirds," I said quietly. Bella turned to look at me again.
"I'm still mad at you. I don't care what Edward says, you will tell me next time." Her tone wobbled a bit and I scented tears. I rushed in to give her a hug.
"I promise, and I won't let him talk me into waiting until after the fact again," I said, throwing a glance at Edward that I hope spoke volumes. Of course he could read my thoughts and he knew he didn't stand a chance in hell of convincing me to betray Bella's trust again. I heard him sigh and I nodded curtly before I dashed off towards class. Edward tucked Bella against his side and literally dragged her towards class, avoiding, I knew, the inevitable questions Bella would now want answers to.
You'd better tell her, Edward, before the wolves put their own spin on the whole fiasco.
As much as I trusted Adam, I didn't trust the rest of the tribe not to paint us as villains during the whole affair. Just thinking about Adam made me yearn to see him again, but I worried if only some terrible event could bring about another reunion. The Quileutes had seemed more on edge Sunday night that they had ever been and I didn't think it was all because of Victoria. Adam wasn't being forthcoming about whatever might be stirring them up, either.
My next class was Calculus with Alice. I slipped into my seat beside her and pointedly ignored her. Edward had been right. She was a coward for bowing out of that scene with Bella. Better if I was there, nothing.
"You helped calm her down, I promise." Alice's quiet comment made me relax and I forgave her, just a little. Of course, that wasn't enough. Alice couldn't stand to have anyone unhappy with her, so she elaborated.
"If you hadn't been there, Bella would have broken down and they would have missed their next class. They have a test and if she fails it, she'll have to do extra work to make up for it on Saturday and she has to have Saturday free so Edward can propose!"
"Wait, what!" My exclamation was not too quiet for human hearing and several of our classmates looked at us curiously. I could tell because I was in Mrs. Trenton's vision at the moment. Our math teacher was in the middle of collecting our homework.
"Did you forget your homework, Miss Cullen?" she asked suspiciously, taking my exclamation to be in response to her announcement to pull out our homework. I ducked my head in embarrassment, a mannerism I knew I had picked up from Bella.
"Uh, no ma'am. I just…left it in my locker."
"Well, go get it. Quickly," she said, her suspicion melting into exasperation. I leapt from my chair and darted from the room. My mind was going around in circles now. Alice saw Edward proposing to Bella on Saturday! What had changed, I wondered, that he was confident enough in her acceptance to go ahead with his recently aborted plans?
As reached my locker, I couldn't help eavesdropping on Bella and Edward. I was worried that she might still be anxious. I easily found her and slid into her vision. She was scribbling on a piece of paper.
What happened? Tell me everything. And screw the protecting me crap, please.
She wrote before shoving the note onto Edward's desk, which was pulled as close to hers as classroom propriety and Mr. Banner would allow. He sighed and wrote a paragraph before slipping the paper back in front of Bella.
Alice saw that Victoria was coming back. I took you out of town merely as a precaution - there was never a chance that she would have gotten anywhere close to you. She went down to La Push but the wolves chased her up across the boundary line. Emmett and Jasper very nearly had her, but Victoria seems to have some instinct for evasion. She doubled back and danced the boundary line like she was reading it off a map. We chased her, of course, and the wolves did too. The big gray one thought Emmett was over the line, and he got defensive. Of course Rosalie reacted to that, and everyone left the chase to protect their companions. Adam and Leia got between Emmett and Paul before anything could happen and then Carlisle and Jasper got things calmed down before it got out of hand. But by then, Victoria had slipped away. That's everything.
I sensed Bella shudder. Then she carefully erased the paragraph and wrote over the top: What about Charlie? She could have been after him!
Edward was shaking his head before she finished writing, obviously going to downplay any danger on Charlie's behalf. He was right to. With the entire wolf pack staking out the shore and Seth Clearwater in the boat with them, Charlie hadn't been in any danger. Edward held a hand out, but Bella ignored him and started writing again.
Florida was a bad idea.
Edward swiped the paper from underneath her hand. I wasn't about to send you off alone. With your luck, not even the black box would survive.
Trust Edward to try and turn the conversation away from what was upsetting Bella, which was the thought that Charlie might have been in danger. I couldn't repress a giggle. Edward obviously heard either my thoughts or my giggle because I saw him sign in Bella's vision. Get back to class. I snorted softly but did as he said, turning back towards my classroom. I didn't stop eavesdropping, however.
So let's say my bad luck did crash the plane. What exactly were you going to do about it? Bella wrote, either ready to be distracted or miffed that Edward didn't think she could fly across the country without incident. Probably both.
Why is the plane crashing?
Edward just reached across to her desk to write the question. I saw the amused twinkle in his eyes through Bella's. I slid back into my chair and pretended to pull my homework from the folder I had taken from my locker. Alice had anticipated my need and I found my folded assignment tucked into my hand just as Mrs. Trenton reached my desk.
The pilots are passed out drunk. Bella wrote after a brief pause. I rolled my eyes, anticipating Edward's response. He didn't disappoint.
Easy. I'd fly the plane.
Bella tried again.
Both engines have exploded and we're falling in a death spiral toward the earth.
Hmm…this could be interesting.
I'd wait till we were close enough to the ground, get a good grip on you, kick out the wall, and jump. Then I'd run you back to the scene of the accident, and we'd stumble around like the two luckiest survivors in history.
I collapsed into giggles, earning myself the attention of the entire class again.
"Leia Cullen, what has gotten into you today child?" Mrs. Trenton asked in amazement. I did my best to control my mirth and I pointed at Alice.
"She tickled me. Sorry." I managed to stop giggling as Mrs. Trenton gave Alice a reproving look and then started her lecture. Alice reached over and pinched me.
"What is up with you?" she asked quietly. I shook my head, surprised Alice hadn't been privy to Edward and Bella's note passing. Then again, my sister did try not to be nosy. I had a harder time being polite.
"Nothing," I mouthed, just as Bella wrote: No more convincing Leia not to tell me things. Better yet, man up and tell me yourself next time, before she has to agonize over which one of us to disappoint. I want to be your partner, Edward, not your child.
I sobered quickly. I knew as well as Bella did that there would be a next time. Contrary to Bella's comment, I wouldn't have to agonize over it next time. I would tell her. I didn't want to think about that now, though. As I paid enough attention to Mrs. Trenton to make accurate notes (I was the only Cullen that hadn't been through this class a dozen times already), I pondered Alice's earlier announcement. Edward was going to propose! I wondered if something had happened to change Bella's mind about her one 'condition'?
Later that evening
Sarah's POV
I slid the potatoes out of the oven and tossed them on top of the stove next to the still hot casserole of baked beans. I could smell the barbeque wafting in from the back yard and smiled. Jacob, the love of my life, was a whiz over coals. Not that I was surprised with a father like Billy, who would live off of barbeque and fried fish if he could. He was was chatting quietly with my dad. Adam was out there too, but he wasn't part of the group. He was off to the side, his thoughts lingering on something other than our family barbeque as he stared out into the trees lining the yard. My smile slipped.
My odd connection with my brother was stronger than ever now that he had started phasing. Before, we would get little flashes of intuition about each other's emotional states. Now all I had to do was focus on him and I could tell what he was feeling. Tonight he was lonely and brooding over his seemingly hopeless situation. I really, really missed my happy-go-lucky, laid back brother. Turning wolf hadn't changed him that much. No, it was being forced to stay away from Leia Cullen that brought out this darker side of Adam.
In the last few weeks, the only times Adam hadn't been in a dark mood were almost all Leia related. Their only steady contact was via phone and email. I think he even slept with his phone under his pillow these days. The three times he had actually been in her presence since that fateful day in the meadow had only made it worse. Each time he was forced to leave her side broke his heart. But the pack was being stubborn. Despite all the evidence and the fact that they could see and feel the connection like it was their own, they were trying to ignore the fact that Adam had imprinted on Leia Cullen. Jacob said it was only a matter of time before they had to acknowledge it, before Adam tried to sneak away to see her again, treaty or no treaty.
I felt a slight lift in my brother's spirits and figured that Bella and Charlie must have arrived. I was proven right when I heard Charlie's voice in the back yard. I stepped out the back door and waved at Bella, who was at the edge of the yard with Adam. I saw him pull her into a hug and lift her a foot off the ground. I heard Bella's laughter and saw her wave at me over Adam's shoulder. Jacob wandered over and I heard him ask Bella, a bit grudingly, how Edward was doing. I was thrilled, however, that he did it without any prompting from me. Not to mention he used Edward's given name instead of one of the usual harsh nicknames.
"Everything is done in the kitchen except the salad," I announced, garnering a brief moment of everyone's attention. Jacob gave me a smile and I winked at him in return. He wriggled his eyebrows in response and I chuckled. Bella patted Adam on the arm and he let her down so she could come over.
"Anything I can help with?" she asked brightly. I nodded, pulling the kitchen door open and shooing her through.
"Let the boys chat for a while. I think we could both use a little girl time," I said with a grin. Bella chuckled.
"You sound like Alice," she said. "Speaking of, how are the wedding plans going?"
"Um...going well. I did veto a plan to use orange and green plaid ribbon in the decorations the other day, but other than that, smooth sailing. Out of curiosity, why would Alice make you think of wedding plans. Isn't she Jasper's wife?" I asked, then lowered my voice. "The psychic?"
Bella snorted softly. "Yes, well...Alice has a penchant for planning parties and decorating. She would make a great wedding planner. I know she's gnashing her teeth to get her hands on Edward and I."
"Well, what are you two waiting for?" I asked curiously as I pulled a large bowl from the cabinet and set it down in front of Bella. She immediately began tearing apart a head of lettuce while I pulled out a tomato to slice.
"Sarah, please, I'm only eighteen." Bella's exasperated tone made me pull up short. I was, to be honest, shocked and a little hurt.
"I'm only seventeen and Jacob is sixteen. Do you think we're making a mistake?" I asked nervously. I considered Bella a good friend and the thought that she might not approve of my marriage to Jacob stung.
"Oh, Sarah, no!" Bella said, eyes wide and her signature blush blazing across her cheeks. "No, no, I'm just...well, your situation is different." She finished in a hushed tone, ducking her head over the salad bowl, her fingers shredding lettuce into tiny bits.
"How is it different?" I asked as casually as possible as I sliced the tomato under my hands. Bella sighed.
"Well, there's the imprint. You never have to worry about Jacob leaving you. And the tribe, your family and friends...they approve," she said, the last two words almost hesitant. I finished my slicing and reached over to rescue the lettuce from complete destruction.
"Bella, the imprint is only part of the reason I'm marrying Jacob. Okay, so its a huge bonus having a man that will only forever always love me. But you have that too, Bella. I've seen the way Edward looks at you, they way you look at him. Its obvious from the old stories and even the new ones - look at all the Cullen's - that vampires mate for life. Just like wolves do. Edward tried to kill himself because he thought you were dead, Bella. I don't think commitment will ever be a problem for the two of you." I couldn't help that my tone was laced with irony. "As for my family and friends...well, let's just say that they don't all approve."
"They don't?" Bella sounded surprised and couldn't fight a wry chuckle.
"My aunt Hettie demanded pregnancy test results before she agreed to make my wedding costume. My best girl friend from school didn't speak to me for a week after she found out. My father still glowers at Jacob every time they are in the same room together. No, Bella, many of them don't approve. Not every tribe member knows about the wolves, either, so they just think we're two crazy kids jumping into something we aren't ready for. Even those that do know think we should wait a while."
"Why don't you?" For a brief moment, I felt anger. Was she no different from the rest of the gossiping woman of my tribe? Then Bella looked up at me, pained curiosity in her chocolate brown eyes. The anger died as I realized she wasn't judging me. She needed to know my reasons, my motivations. She wanted to understand. I sighed.
"Why should we? I love him, he loves me. He's beautiful and strong and funny. Quite a catch for anyone, if I do say so, and he's all mine. I want to shout it to the world, honestly. But all that is just icing on the cake. One of the biggest reasons I agreed to marry him is because I want him to know that I am all his, too."
"But how could he not know that? I mean the imprint..." She trailed off, her face scrunched up in confusion.
"Imprinting only works one way, Bella, and it doesn't always mean happily ever after," I said, thinking about Adam and Leia for a moment. Adam didn't want Bella to know until he had a chance to tell Leia. "I still have the option to walk away. Granted it would be the hardest thing I've ever done, not to mention it would destroy him, but that is within my power. Of course, his ultimate goal is to make me happy and what woman can resist that in a man, right?" I couldn't keep the silly smile off my face. Bella looked at me for a moment and I could almost see the gears turning in her head. I heard Jacob bellow from the backyard and knew they were waiting on the rest of the food. I wrapped an arm around Bella's waist and hugged her.
"I know getting married at my age isn't exactly socially acceptable Bella, but its not about them. Its about us."
"Of course it is, Sarah. I really am happy for you, both of you. And thank you, for helping me understand." She returned my hug and gave me a bright smile. I was surprised to see tears in her eyes. Maybe she did understand now. Despite our differences, we had at least one thing in common. If there was another female on the planet that could understand what it meant to be in love with a moody, supernatural creature, it was Bella Swan.