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EPOV

I chased after Bella, finding myself in a state of complete happiness. She was giggling as she purposefully kept herself just out of my reach. It was an odd feeling not being the fastest person around but it didn't stop me from laughing along with her. Bella made everything better and I could honestly say that the past twenty-four hours had been the very best of my very long existence.

I was more carefree with her, less uptight, and my body just felt lighter. A couple months ago if someone suggested playing naked tag in the forest I would have not even dignified it with a response. When Bella suggested it, I was all for it. Plus every time she turned around to run backward and taunt me I got a wonderful view of bouncing boobies. And running behind her gave me the viewing of her perfect ass in motion.

"Come on, Edward! Catch me!" Bella called to me over her shoulder.

My response was a feigned growl of frustration and it was met with another pealing of her beautiful laughter. She turned to taunt or flash me, I wasn't sure which but as my eyes took in the sight of her I knew that I was almost done playing tag. I wanted to hold her again. When she turned around again, I subtlety slowed down causing her to slow down in response.

"Edward, baby, the slugs are moving faster than…," she began but I instantly sped up catching her off guard and trapping her in my arms. She shrieked in surprise as we crashed down to the ground.

I pinned her arms above her head and raised a brow as I looked down into her eyes. "Now what were you saying?" I asked not able to stop the smirk from appearing on my face.

"You tricked me," she pouted.

I wanted to say something in response but I was distracted by her full bottom lip poking out and calling out for me. I answered it with a kiss as Bella wrapped her arms around my neck and legs around my waist. We couldn't seem to get enough of each other. In the past day we had done nothing but talk and fool around. It was a pattern that I would have no problem following for the rest of my life.

I felt myself harden as the scent of Bella's arousal reached my nose. I smiled as her hips bucked against me. The woman was insatiable…and I loved it!

I grabbed her hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. I could see and feel the nerves radiating off her. I had asked Bella if she wanted to fly into Forks but she thought it would be better if we drove. I had the feeling she just wanted to extend either our time alone or our time away from Tanya and the others. I drove the speed limit just to give her the extra time she wanted even though the slowness was driving me crazy.

We both knew that we would be bombarded with millions of questions that we agreed to field honestly once we arrived. I wasn't as nervous as Bella but I was a little worried about what we might come home to. I knew that Esme would be overjoyed that I had found someone and be giddy and overly affectionate with Bella. I didn't know how Bella would like that seeing as she hadn't really gotten to talk to her sisters about anything and two of my family members have been in on the secret for a while now.

I had called Esme to make sure that she was mindful of the fact that this wasn't a happy occasion for everyone involved and to try and contain her happiness until things could get settled. She had said she understood and I hoped that she really did.

When we finally arrived at my house, I glanced at Bella and she was staring at me helplessly. I pushed my seat all the way back so that there was plenty of room between me and the steering wheel and patted my thigh. Bella climbed over the console and nestled into my lap, resting her head on my shoulder. I hummed her lullaby as I stroked her head.

"We can do this together now. You don't have to shoulder this alone and no matter how hard this turns out to be, at the end of the day we'll have each other to lean on. Everyone inside that house loves us and wants happiness for us. It'll all work out. I really believe that Bella," I murmured into her hair.

She sighed and nodded her head. "And I believe you," she replied. "Let's just get this over with?"

I nodded my head and opened the car door. She got out first and then I followed taking her hand as we walked up to the house. I could hear all the thoughts inside racing through all the questions everyone wanted to ask and deciding if those questions should be asked. Apparently everyone knew that this was a delicate situation and no one wanted to step on any toes or cause further discord.

When we reached the porch, the front door was opened by Carlisle. He smiled brightly at both of us and stepped aside to let us in.

"Hello Carlisle," Bella said stopping to stand in front of him. "Thank you so much for letting me and my sisters come here," she said looking down.

Carlisle placed his hand on her shoulder and waited for her to meet his eyes. "You don't have to thank me Bella. You're sisters have been considered a part of this family for a long time and now you are part of this family as well. We've all been where you are at one point or another and your sisters have always made their home available to us in times of need. It's only right that we return the favor," he told her.

"But you've never bitten anyone," Bella replied dejectedly.

Carlisle opened his mouth to respond but Kate appeared and gave Bella a hug.

"That's because Carlisle's a freak, Bella," she said smiling up at Carlisle jokingly. "I'm convinced something went wrong during his transformation and he's not entirely vampire."

Bella gave a small but genuine smile in response as the rest of us laughed.

"How has she been?" Kate's thoughts came to me.

I frowned slightly and gave a tiny shrug of my shoulders hoping she would understand this to mean just okay. Over the past three days Bella had been up and down. Sometimes she would seem completely fine and at ease. Other times I could see that she was thinking about something not all that pleasant but whenever I asked she would just smile and change the subject. I didn't want to push her, she would tell me in her own time. Kate nodded her understanding and we all made our way into the living room where the rest of the family were.

"Hot damn!" Emmett's thoughts boomed in my head startlingly loud. After spending so much time alone with Bella and having my head all to myself I would have to get used to being around my family, especially Emmett, again. "You got laid! You've got that I'm Getting It On A Regular Basis swagger now!"

I rolled my eyes but involuntarily smirked a little too because I knew that he was right. I could see myself through everyone's eyes and I did look different, better, and if I must say so myself I could also see some swagger in myself.

"Where's Tanya?" Bella asked quietly from beside me.

"She just went out to hunt. She should be back in a couple hours," Rosalie told her.

"Just went?" Bella repeated. "As in she heard us coming and left?" she asked turning her gaze to her own sisters.

"Don't worry, B," Irina said. "She wants to talk to you. She actually doesn't want to talk to anyone else right now. She's just nervous about what she might learn once she does."

Bella seemed to feel slightly better about this. I kissed her temple and earned a smile in response. I could hear Esme mentally swooning. I rolled my eyes but then I heard Alice's thoughts and they were completely opposite of Esme's. She was angry…at me.

"Why couldn't you have just told me," her thoughts demanded.

Apparently she and Jasper had gotten a chance to talk while Bella and I were away. Alice has been mad at me before, but this was different. She was genuinely hurt and felt a little betrayed. Out of all of my siblings Alice and I had the closest relationship probably because of our gifts. She had a right to be mad at me and now that everything was out in the open I did feel guilty.

"I'm sorry Alice," I replied earnestly.

She got off the couch and stormed past me and out of the house. It was clear that I was supposed to follow her. I glanced at Jasper and he smiled at me apologetically.

"Good luck," he said.

"What's wrong?" Bella asked me.

"Alice is about to kick Edward's ass for keeping secrets," Emmett chuckled.

"Shut up, Emmett," I scowled before turning back to Bella. "I'll be right back."

She smiled and nodded her head before moving over toward Irina and Kate. I left the house at a run trying to get to Alice quickly. She wasn't known for her patience. When I reached her about three miles into the forest away from the house she was glaring at me with her arms crossed over her chest.

"You talked to Esme?" she asked bitterly. "I mean I know that you've known her longer and she's our mother but Edward I would've thought that you would have come to me in addition at least. I'd like to think I would have been a big help to you in all this. Now you've made a mess of everything!" she exclaimed.

"The only reason I talked to Esme was because she caught me one night and I had to explain. From what I told her she figured out that we were mates. I didn't even know myself at first, Alice. I hadn't planned on talking to anyone about it. I was only focused on trying to work things out with Bella," I replied.

Alice shook her head. I could see in her thoughts she wasn't satisfied yet.

"We never keep secrets," she said.

"I know and I'm sorry. I didn't keep this from you to hurt you. I just felt like it would have been better to keep it between as few people as possible," I replied.

She began pacing back and forth, "Even if I could understand that, Edward you manipulated me! You knew there was nothing going on with Bella and Jasper and you made me think there was because you were what? Jealous?" she asked incredulously.

I could see in her mind that this was what was bothering her the most. She was thinking about the things she'd said and done to Bella. Thinking about how she made Jasper steer clear of Bella and how happy she was when she saw that Bella had been genuinely hurt that day that Jasper pushed her away when she went to hug him.

"I took what you said seriously, because I trust you and I would have never thought you would have lied to me. Especially about something that involved Jasper!" Alice said beginning to raise her voice.

I dropped my head because I knew that she was right. I was undeniably wrong and I wasn't sure how to regain the trust that I lost from her.

"When I first talked to you about Bella and Jasper, I didn't know that there was nothing going on. I did think that it was strange that they were always running off together, but I know that doesn't make it better because the main reason why I brought it up with you is because I was jealous. I didn't understand why I wanted her so much, why I felt so possessive. She was always avoiding me or inexplicably mad at me. I wanted to talk to her so bad but she was always with Jasper and you did exactly what I wanted you to. I wanted him to stay away from her so that I could move in," I admitted to the ground.

"I can't say I'm sorry enough. I was just so confused and all I wanted was for Bella to spend time with me. I was being selfish, even Bella told me so when I admitted it to her. I don't expect you to forgive me anytime soon but I do understand what I did wrong and I'm prepared to deal with the repercussions," I muttered.

"This isn't just about me and you Edward," Alice said. "You're my brother and you've been in my life for over fifty years. You know that I can't stay mad at you. Mating is complicated in general and I know that your situation with Tanya just made everything infinitely worse," she continued before sighing and sitting on the ground and patting the space next to her.

I went over and sat down as she pulled her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms around them. She had gone from angry to sad and I felt awful that all this was my fault. A sad Alice was a rarity. She was always so impossibly happy and optimistic, but I had taken that away with my envy and selfishness.

"I'm blind when it comes to Bella. I have no idea what's going to happen between us. I was so mean to her. I basically called her a slut and threatened to hurt her. She probably thinks I'm an awful person now. You and Jasper both care about her a lot and I'd like Bella and I to be friends but that's probably never going to happen after how I treated her," Alice grumbled pulling at the grass.

"Just talk to her, Alice. Bella is the most forgiving and understanding person. We've all gone about things the wrong way. Once we get past all the mistakes and misunderstandings I'm sure everything will be fine," I said. "You and Bella have plenty of time to start over and build a friendship."

"Of course, I plan to talk to her and apologize but I have no idea of really knowing. I don't like being uncertain. I've never been uncertain about anything."

I laughed. "Don't worry Alice. I'm certain. Bella will forgive you."

"I guess I should trust you…," she replied glaring at me but I knew that the worst was over. I could see in her mind that she wasn't really mad at me anymore, just worried. "And what about Jasper?" she asked. "Is she mad at him?"

I sighed. "Truth be told, I think she'll have a harder time forgiving him. She was really upset when we talked about him," I answered.

"That's what Jasper thought as well," Alice nodded.

"Don't worry Alice. Even though she was upset, I could tell that she really loves him. She said he was almost like a brother to her. If you can forgive me, then she'll forgive him," I told her.

"I'm only forgiving you if she forgives me and Jas. I would really love for her to think of me as her sister too. Everyone else loves her, even Rose. Hopefully I can make things right," Alice said.

"You will. Now let's head home. I want to be there with Bella when Tanya comes back."

BPOV

After Edward left with Alice, I sat on the couch in between Irina and Kate. The room was quiet and awkward and the tension was starting to put me on edge. I'm sure they all had something to say but for some reason or another were holding it in. After just a few seconds of this I was ready to scream just to make noise.

"Will someone just say something!" I exclaimed exasperatedly.

"Is the house in Atlin still standing?" Emmett blurted. "I'm sure Edward was far too repressed to not get a little crazy once he finally got some," he continued.

My mouth fell open in complete shock. I didn't know exactly what kind of questions I had been expecting but it certainly was not that. I recovered quickly once I remembered who the question was coming from. Of course he would only be interested in the sex part of the situation. I rolled my eyes but couldn't help but smirk as Rosalie hit him upside the head.

"Yes the house is still intact but only because we didn't always keep things indoors," I replied simply.

"Really?" Irina asked turning to face me more. She opened her mouth to say something else but then knit her brows as if thinking better about whatever she was going to say. She patted my knee and whispered, "Details, later."

I giggled and nodded my head.

"I just want to know why you chose Jasper to confide in. I mean he's a guy. You should have come to a woman. We could have done a better job of helping you," Rosalie said.

"I know that now," I shrugged not missing Jasper's wince out of the corner of my eye. "But back then I was just so confused and that's just how it ended up working out."

Esme opened her mouth but she never got to say anything. We could all hear Tanya coming back. I sighed, preparing myself for my talk with her. I'd been so nervous before but oddly enough I wasn't anymore. I just wanted to fix things and just be the happy family we used to be again

She came into the house and her eyes met mine instantly. She gave me a tight lipped smile and reopened the door. She nodded her head toward it and I got up to follow her out. We set off into the trees walking at a human pace in silence. Oddly enough there was no tension between us. I could tell that she was upset still but not as she had been before. I guess Kate and Edward had been right about giving her time to process.

"I wish we were at your spot. We always had deep conversations in that tree of yours," Tanya eventually said breaking the silence.

I smiled sadly as I realized that I was the reason that we couldn't talk there and wouldn't talk there for many years. Tanya looked over and saw my expression and grabbed my hand.

"Bella please don't worry about that. I know that Dominic was your friend and that you loved him very much but death is a risk we make every time we get involved with a human. And it's not just because of what we are. Death is inevitable for them, sweetie. I think that every human has their time. That night was Dominic's. Of course we can never know for sure but Dominic might have died that night whether you were with him or not," she said.

I nodded my head. She was right and looking at it from that point of view made me feel somewhat better. Maybe Dominic would have died anyway that night. His death was decided but the cause was unclear. I would have preferred me not being the cause, but I was and I could not go back to change that. I could however make sure that I was not the cause for anyone else.

"Thank you," I murmured.

"No need to thank me. I've been there countless times. Slips like that are rare but not impossible. All we can do is our best. What happened was awful but remember that pain for the future. I'm sure you will redouble your efforts to never feel it again," Tanya said.

There was a small silence as I left her words sink in and heal me. I felt lighter as I took on Tanya's rationale as my own. I was so happy that it was her that had changed me. I was no longer human but she taught me to be humane. I made mistakes but she taught me to learn from them and I loved her so much for that.

She sighed heavily and turned to face me head on. I knew that it was time to get to what we had came on this walk for.

"So right now, I just want to listen. I just want you to tell me the story from the moment he walked through the door to the morning you told me," Tanya said.

I nodded my head and did exactly that. I gave as many details as I dared. I wanted her to really understand that it was never my intention to hurt her. That there was never a time that I thought about Edward and did not have her in mind at the same time. When I finished my story, her face had taken on that blank expression again. I was worried as to what that might mean but I'd done what she wanted and now it was her turn to speak.

"Okay," she nodded. "I get what you tried to do and after hearing everything it's really hard to be mad at you. I understand how mating works and Bella please understand that I'm happy for you. It's just that Edward and I have a history. It's not a necessarily pretty one and maybe it wasn't as significant to him as it was for me but it was a history none the less," she said. "I'm not ashamed to say that I'm jealous of you. I'm so jealous that I could explode with it. I've wanted Edward since the moment I saw him and it's killing me that he's yours and has been yours before you were even born," she told me her calm composure falling away.

"Buy you're still my sister. It's my venom running through you and maybe it's not as powerful as the bond you have with Edward but it's damn strong. I love you and that'll never change. So if you ever find yourself feeling that I'm keeping my distance or avoiding you it's not to hurt you, it's too protect what we have. I don't want to damage our relationship because I'm bitter, okay?" she said.

I knew that I would have been crying if I were human. I realized that no matter how much I wanted things to go back to the way they were, it would probably never happen. How could I expect to maintain my relationship with Tanya if she could not stand to see me with Edward. Even now a part of me was itching to get back to him. I hated being away from him and she hated seeing me with him.

"Tanya…," I whimpered but stopped because I didn't know what else to say.

"It won't be so bad, you'll see. You'll make time for me too right?" she asked with a smile that did not reach her eyes. I nodded my head and she pulled me into a tight hug. "I love you, B," she whispered and I echoed the sentiment immediately.

She broke the hug and dropped her eyes to the ground. "I was thinking while you were away," she began. "Irina, Kate and I will be leaving for Russia in two weeks.

We bought five tickets. I don't know how much you and Edward have discussed but if you decide to come with us of course he will want to join you and he is more than welcome to. But if you choose to stay here with the Cullens we'll understand," she said. "So talk it over with Edward and let us know okay?"

She didn't wait for my reply before heading back to the Cullen's house. It was a good thing that she didn't too because I think the shock was preventing me from moving. I had not given one thought as to the upcoming move to Russia or how Edward and I would handle that. Would I leave my family or would he leave his?