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Author's Chapter Notes:
Author's Note: I know a lot of you were hoping to see the 'family meeting' here, but my muse shoved me forward a bit in the story timeline. Sorry!
Disclaimer: Don't own anything. *sniffle*
"You, me, hunting this weekend?" Edward asked me quietly as I settled next to him on the bleachers. Bella was sitting on the seat below him, between Edward's knees with her shoulders and head resting back against Edward's stomach. She was smiling up at him, so I could see Edward's face. He was looking at Bella, not me, with a questioning smile on his face. She gave him a nod. We were having a pep rally today, so our last period had been cut short by half an hour. Alice had yet to make it, but I plopped my feet on the square of wooden seat in front of me to hold her a spot. I tilted my head at Edward.
I suppose we can get away Saturday for a few hours.
"Actually, I was thinking about driving down to Crater Lake. You know, make a full weekend of it." My brother's comment made my unbeating heart leap with joy. Edward and I hadn't been hunting together since the family had reunited. I didn't begrudge him his time with Bella, nor did I mind staying with Bella when he was forced to quench his thirst, but I really missed spending time with my brother.
Bella? I thought at him.
Edward reached over and tugged gently on the pigtail over my ear.
"She's the one that suggested it."
"Yes, I was. The two of you haven't spent any quality bonding time since...well, since you moved back," Bella said, stumbling a little over mentioning Italy. She took a deep breath and looked up at Edward. I noted the sad look in his eyes as he reached down to stroke her cheek, but his smile was genuine. "I think Alice can keep me entertained this weekend while you two enjoy some brother-sister time."
I heard Alice's quiet squeal of delight as she ran up the bleachers. I moved my feet and she settled in front of me. I braced my feet on either side of her hips so I could see through her eyes. She turned her head to look at me then, but I kept my face tilted towards Edward and Bella.
I wasn't talking to Alice much of late. Not after she and Rosalie had crashed my movie date with Adam last weekend. They'd had the audacity to try to be covert about it, but between Adam's sense of smell and my hearing, I'd known they were there. Jacob and Sarah had tagged along as well, but I could at least pretend it was a friendly double date despite the fact that I was certain Jacob was there to 'keep tabs' on us. Just the fact that he brought Sarah showed a little bit of trust. But my sisters, well...
I had told Adam all about the family meeting. There hadn't been much talking at first. Rosalie and Emmett had both done a lot of growling while Jasper worked overtime to soothe Alice, but unfortunately his own smoldering anger kept spilling into the room. It had been Edward's insistence that imprinting was completely involuntary that had turned the anger down a notch. After that I had confessed my affection for Adam and my desire to 'date' him. After much discussion, my family had reluctantly agreed to give Adam and I some time and space to explore our relationship. Which was why I was so angry at Rose and Alice.
I'd done my best to reassure Adam that night, and in turn annoy my sisters. They came to spy on my date, so I gave them something to ponder. I had purposefully leaned into Adam, letting him hold my hand and I kissed his cheek often. He took it as permission to lift our fingers to his lips to press warm kisses against my knuckles. I had smiled smugly each time I heard one of my sisters complain or snarl about our mild displays of affection. I had confronted them that evening after Adam dropped me at Bella's and I'd run home.
"Honestly, I had expected this from Jazz or Edward. Even Emmett! But not you two. I'm not asking you to trust him, but I will ask you to trust me. I'm not in any danger when I'm with Adam and I won't have you treating us like lovesick, rebellious teenagers. We agreed last night that I should explore a romantic relationship if I was comfortable with it. I don't intend to do my exploring with overprotective siblings hovering in the background!"
Neither of my sisters had apologized or even bothered to seem contrite, so I hadn't said anything else to them this week beyond terse hellos. Adam and I hadn't seen each other since Sunday and it was now Thursday, but I was meeting him at the dance studio tonight. Jasper and Emmett had volunteered to drop me off and Carlisle and Esme were going to pick me up. Adam and I were both apprehensive because they all intended to come in and 'chat' with us. After what would no doubt be a dramatic evening, it would be nice to go on a long hunt with Edward.
"There are so many things we can square away this weekend. Invitations, napkins, reception venues..." Alice said, quickly turning her face from mine to Bella's. I thought I detected just a note of sadness in her voice as she went on and on about wedding plans. Bella looked over at her with a sour expression.
"I said entertain, Alice, not torture. Maybe I'll just stay home this weekend and clean my room." Bella said, making Edward grimace and Alice pout. I reached over and touched Bella's hand.
"At least let her show you some things, Bells, so you can see what your options are. Then we can have a little planning party on Monday to make some concrete decisions." I realized I'd been avoiding Alice all week and that meant my plan to help Bella keep her wedding from turning into a Cullentastic Spectacular was definitely in danger. I sighed internally, knowing that I would have to start talking to Alice again whether I was ready to or not.
"Oh, fine." Bella huffed, but Alice startled me by turning and launching herself at me, hugging me tight.
"Oh, Leia, I'm sorry I crashed your date with...with A-Adam. I'm having a hard time dealing with this." Her voice broke a little and my chest tightened a little.
"I know that it scares you not being able to see things, Alice, but I need you to try and be supportive of this. I don't know where it's headed, but I know I want to be with Adam one way or another."
"I'm trying, Lei, I promise. It'll just...take me some time. I promise I'll even apologize to Adam," she said hesitantly, her tiny face buried in my shoulder. I hugged her hard.
"That's the plan for all of this. We're taking our time."
Our short conversation had taken no longer than ten seconds as vampire speed, so when Alice pulled away it seemed that we'd only exchanged a brief embrace. Alice looked immediately back at Edward and Bella. Edward was whispering to Bella what had just happened and I noticed her relieved smile. Yes, it had to be hard for Bella to deal with two brooding vampire best friends. She got enough of that from Edward. And speaking of...
"When are we leaving?" I couldn't keep the excitement out of my voice. Edward looked torn between a grimace and a grin, his eyes on Bella's. Bella just gave him an encouraging smile, though I doubted it went all the way to her eyes. It was still too soon for them to be comfortable with any amount of time apart. But this was progress, the first time to my knowledge that Bella had encouraged Edward to take time out for an extended hunt.
"Tomorrow, after school," he spoke and then he switched to sign.
'She's doing it for us. She knows we haven't had any time alone since Italy and she's trying to be selfless.'
She is almost always selfless. A little too much sometimes. But I hate to say I am personally selfish enough to want some time alone with you. Even if we'll spend the whole time talking and worrying about Bella. I thought at him quietly. I heard him sigh softly.
'Not the whole time, I promise,' he signed, a resigned expression on his face. I laughed softly.
Edward, I'm not Emmett. She's your love and my best friend. I doubt I'll tire of the subject. Besides, I'll be worrying too.
'Alice looked. It'll be okay. They'll have a slumber party and Rose will finally have a serious discussion with to Bella,' Edward signed and I was relieved. It was time for Rose and Bella to have a heart to heart. Bella was so sure that Rosalie hated her. She needed to realize that Rose didn't hate her; she hated Bella's seeming indifference about her humanity.
That'll be an interesting discussion. I hope you're not thinking Rose can change Bella's mind, Edward. You should know by now that once Bella's mind is made up, there's no stopping her. I thought this as gently as I could at Edward and saw the bleak expression flash through his dark eyes. Bella noticed and pushed her hand against his cheek. He smiled down at her and they were lost in each other again. I turned my attention back to Alice, who was watching the cheerleaders do some boring cheer dance to thumping music on the gym floor. I rolled my eyes and started to mentally re-choreograph the entire routine.
"So, how did last night go with everyone?" Edward asked as he downshifted through Forks. Evidently Chief Swan or one of his officers was in traffic cop mode. I chuckled softly.
"You were home this morning. I probably need to be asking you that question. Jasper just stared at him the whole time, working the menacing big brother look. I have no idea what he was thinking, but I do know that he's the one Adam is the most nervous about. Emmett wasn't hard to figure out. He doesn't understand the imprint thing so he grilled Adam about it. Despite that, he was his usually booming, cheerful self. Well, mostly. He was miffed when I wouldn't let him challenge Adam to a wrestling match."
"I believe your words were 'No attempting to break my boyfriend'. Jasper remembered Adam's surge of joy when you said that. Is that what he is, then? Your boyfriend?" Edward's question was very quiet. I reached my hand over to put it on his arm. He was looking in the rear view mirror so I could see his eyes. They seemed haunted.
Why? I thought at him. He grimaced and lowered his eyes. He hadn't meant for me to see that particular emotion.
"I was going for stern and menacing," he said, trying to joke. I squeezed his arm, not willing to let this go. He sighed. "He's not immortal, Leia."
And he dove headfirst into the single fact that neither Adam nor I had been willing to broach the past week. At least, I thought we were dancing around the subject. Perhaps Adam just hadn't considered the fact that one day, be it in eighty years or three hundred, he would stop phasing and I would watch him grow old and pass away. I knew that he didn't have the option that Bella did, the option to become a vampire like me. My venom was poison to his kind.
"I know." The quiet admission of it out loud triggered a pain so intense that I almost doubled over with it. It that moment, the nature of our relationship became clear. Our species might be natural enemies, but we had one thing in common. We both mated for life. I would love him forever and my feelings for him would only grow deeper through the years. I heard a quiet keening sound and it took a moment to register the fact that it was coming from me. The car stopped and I found myself pulled from my seat and cradled in familiar arms. Edward rocked me gently.
"I'm sorry, Leia, I'm sorry," he murmured against my hair. I sobbed once against his shirt and then fell silent. I can't do this now. I can't, I can't.
"I know, baby girl. I know. Jasper says you love him, so I thought you knew. I'm sorry." I let his soft murmurs of comfort sink into my mind, let his strong arms hold me together as my world was savagely reordered by my moment of clarity.
"I have a mate." The words came out weak, but there was conviction behind them. Edward nodded against the top of my head.
"Welcome to the club, little sister." Edward's words were light, but his arms tightened around me like a vice. I sighed.
"It just doesn't seem real, or fair. You waited for decades, Carlisle waited for centuries. I was prepared to wait. I was happy to wait. I don't know if I'm ready for this." My voice was still shaky and Edward stroked my back.
"You don't have to do anything differently, Leia, just because you realized the depth of your feelings. You and Adam should still take things slow. You are both still so young. Take time to grow and learn together." Edward's advice made sense.
"You're right. I'm thinking too much. That's your MO, not mine," I said, managing to grin at him. Edward snorted softly and I threw my arms around his neck and hugged him as tightly as I could. I love you, Edward.
"Love you, too, Lei. I've missed you," he whispered. I turned and kissed his cheek.
"Missed you to. Now comeon. Let's get moving. I'm starved and I'm in the mood for some feisty wildcat."
Six hours later we were splayed out on a boulder overlooking Crater Lake, enjoying the last of the late afternoon peek-a-boo sunshine. I sighed happily, my hand on Edward's as he looked over the beautiful view. I thought at him, not wanting to disturb the peaceful silence. This is magnificent. Have you ever been here before?
'A few times. I thought you would enjoy the scenery,' he signed, obviously enjoying the quiet as much as I was.
Very astute of you. This is a volcanic caldera, right? Any good hot springs?
'A few,' he signed and I nodded, keeping my thoughts light until the sun set completely. Then I sat up, tilting my head curiously.
You know, I'm betting the hot springs would warm us up enough that we'd actually seem almost human to the touch. I thought. He nodded. I pursed my lips thoughtfully. And if you were, hypothetically speaking, going to try being intimate with a human, it might be good way to warm up beforehand.
Edward's hand jerked out from under mine as I thought that, growling lightly in warning. I rolled my eyes, a little disappointed to have lost sight of the beautiful view. I tapped my fingers on my thigh in annoyance, but I pursued my train of thought. I know I'm the last person in the family to take sex advice from, Edward, but I am the only one that has a vested interest in how your honeymoon turns out. Adam might not be human, but he's still breakable.
"God, Leia, you're only one week into your relationship and you're already thinking about that?" Edward's voice was low and fast, but he managed to convey enough pained disappointment to make me grimace. I shook my head.
Of course I'm thinking about that. I don't want to do that yet, but if Adam is my mate I'm sure that is going to be something we might want to do at some point. And honestly you are the only person I feel comfortable discussing this with after the way Dad acted last night. I was not expecting him to turn into the intimidating father figure. Poor Adam was afraid to even hold my hand in his presence.
"Much to Esme's disappointment. She was hoping to see some sign of the affection between the two of you. She thinks the two of you are adorable together. Don't be too hard on Carlisle, though, Leia. I think he's channeling Charlie, just a little. He's enjoying the whole father thing a little too much," Edward said softly. I felt his hand creep back under mine and I breathed a sigh of relief as the view of Crater Lake at twilight flooded my borrowed field of vision.
"That's just great. Five other siblings get the hands off, I'm-here-if-you-need-me mentor attitude, but I come along and suddenly he feels the urge to be the hands-on father," I grumbled softly. Edward chuckled.
"Don't think you're fooling me, Leia. I know you love it that Carlisle and Esme cherish you so much. Give them a decade or two and I'm sure they'll ease up a bit."
"Yeah, yeah, sure. But I doubt Adam and I are going to wait a decade for that, so I really need you to be willing to talk to me about this." Please, Edward?
'Alright, fine. I've actually already thought about warming up before the act. I'm taking her to Isle Esme.' Edward had gone back to sign. I settled on my back with my head on his shoulder, grinning.
That's too perfect. She'll love it there. And you can just be yourself without worrying about other humans around. She'll love that even more.
'Do you think it's okay to surprise her? We have been working on communicating more, but I really want to surprise her with this.' I put my hand on Edward's face, tracing the lines of his frown. I giggled.
This is one time I think a surprise would be encouraged. Even though Bella will surely bug the living daylights out of you about it. I'll back you up on this one.
'Thank you. Maybe you can do me another favor? Try to make sure Alice packs her a few comfortable things. As much as I'll appreciate the tiny bikinis and lingerie, Alice has absolutely no sympathy for what Bella considers comfortable. Even if we succeed in our attempt, we can't spend the entire honeymoon naked.'
I don't think Bella would complain about that. I thought that with a laugh and Edward growled. He poked my side and I squealed, jumping away from him. I kicked off my shoes and ran down towards the lake, deciding now was a great time to take a swim. No doubt Edward would beat me to the water, waiting to 'punish' me for my last comment. I felt the slight breeze created when he passed me, heard the quiet splash as he performed what I was sure was a perfect swan dive into the lake from our natural high dive, a sheer rock face that dropped thirty feet into deep water. I couldn't keep the goofy grin off my face as I threw myself off the cliff, plunging headlong into the cool water below.