Ch. 14

The coffee shop.

Alice...

I follow behind Becca. I know I can't question her here, but boy I want to. I have so many questions. Starting with the obvious, is Taylor really Phoenix's biological father?

If so, did Caius know? Phoenix looks to me to be about twelve years old. I realize that I don't really know as much as I'd thought about Becca's relationship.

As we sit in a back corner booth, I sit next to Taylor on one side. Phoenix has monopolized Becca, and is sitting with her across from us. Taylor I note smells extra good for a human. I haven't been this close to a human since Bella.

"Hold your breath if you have too." Becca whispers to me in English. Phoenix continues chatting away in Italian. Becca looks at me in warning before returning her attention to her daughter.

"This must be quite the surprise for you. Becca didn't tell me much, except that not much gets past you." Taylor speaks deciding to engage in conversation with me.

"You could say that. You know what I am don't you?" I ask, unable to keep the question from spilling out. I mean Becca hadn't really said, so I could only wonder how much Taylor knew about this secret world he was suddenly deeply a part of.

"Yes I know. Caius told me." he answers softly, a note of sadness evident when he says Caius' name. I turn to face him, and there is no lie in his expression.

Now I really am shocked, which he must see in my face because he laughs. It's a rich warm sound that draws Becca's attention.

"What's so funny?" she asks, smiling.

"I surprised her." Taylor tells her. He's not laughing anymore, but humor still shines in his eyes. I see now why Becca loves this man so much, as over the next hour we talk as Phoenix eats her breakfast.

I learn that this somewhat unconventional relationship began five years before Caius died. It had been planned as a one time partner swap. However with much in common, friendships formed as the two pairs spent more time together.

By the time we left to start today's many meetings I still had questions. I resigned myself to wait for a setting better suited to such conversation. Aro has spies everywhere Becca warned me.

Taylor had taken Phoenix back to the hotel, so Becca and I were alone in the car that was taking us to the concert venue.

"Isaac and Zac will meet us there." she said before I could ask if Taylor would be joining us again.

"Can I ask you a question now?"

"Sure, shoot."

"Is Phoenix Taylor's child?" I ask, pretty sure I know that answer. She'd called Becca and Taylor, Mom and Dad. But by my math Phoenix had been almost three when Caius died.

"Yes, she is. She was born two and a half years before Caius died. And yes he knew she wouldn't be his child. From the moment I told him I was pregnant. We both knew it was Taylor's baby. The name on her birth certificate is Phoenix Rose Hanson -Volturi. Caius claimed her as his to Aro." she explained.

"Where does she live?"

"She was born in France, May 24th 2002. Caius died Feb 27th, 2005. Just over two years after the misunderstanding about Nessie. After he died, I sent her to live with Taylor in Oklahoma. Aro thinks she's at a boarding school. We lived in France for over a year after she was born." Becca talks quietly, and though talking about Caius has gotten easier for her, it's still painful.

"How'd Taylor take it when you told him? Better yet how'd Natalie take it?"

"Fine. Taylor's from a big family, and he loves children. He was a little surprised at first. And Natalie was just as surprised." she said.

I remembered when I'd looked up Hanson that the biography I'd found said they were the oldest three of seven children.

It seemed odd to me to hear Natalie wasn't upset about her husband's having a child by another woman.

It was clear to me from what I'd seen this morning that Phi absolutely adored both of her parents. It made me wonder what my own had been like.

Carlisle and Esme are the only parents I've known and I consider myself lucky to have them.

Arriving at the venue ended the conversation, but we'd finish it later.

Alice.

Today's meetings went smoothly. Everything it seemed was on time and on budget. Plus I learned a lot this morning. It turns out things within the Volturi aren't as good as they pretend. I remembered the Romanians predicting that the Volturi's days were numbered, and it seemed maybe they could be right.

"I'm leaving." Becca announced, coming into the living room. She'd changed into the dark wash skinny jeans, high heeled silver boots that went up to her knees, and and two tone blue top. Her hair was loose.

I'd secretly always envied Rosalie's long silky hair. Rose's hair is a darker blonde but still pretty. Kate had said something about hair extensions. Maybe I'll try them.

"Okay." I replied, flipping through the massive selection of movies I could order. I think I'll catch up on the latest chick flicks.

After our last meeting, Taylor's brother Zac had invited me to come out to some club they were going to check out. I declined. Big shock I know, me not wanting to go out.

Honestly though I just didn't want to feel like a fifth wheel. I would've been on my own with Zac and Isaac, plus their wives. And while Kate and Nikki were both sweet girls, I didn't yet feel comfortable to tag along.

"I'll see you in the morning then?" I asked with a grin, as Becca switched to a small blue Chanel bag. She looked at me, smiled and left.

A.N. So where's Becca going? And what could Alice mean about the Volturi's future?