We now cut to the Cullens.
Chapter Five
Carlisle
"We have to do something Carlisle, it's partly our fault, we can't just ignore it"
"I know Esme, the question is what? He won't listen to us or Alice so what do you suggest?"
"Eleazer is there nothing you can do?"
"Esme I have tried but he's adamant about this and much as Aro hates the idea even he knows that he can't stop it."
"He doesn't have to grant Edward's wish though surely."
"No he doesn't Esme. He's already refused but he knows Edward can force his hand. If Aro or one of the others doesn't give him what he wants he'll threaten to expose himself to the humans and you know what that means Carlisle"
"Yes, the guard will have to act, he'll force their hand. What about Chelsea?"
"Carlisle no"
Esmes voice held shock and horror.
"I know its drastic but it would keep him alive."
"Yes and in Aro's hands. We would never get him back then"
"Somehow I don't think he wants to come back Esme, not now Bella is gone."
"But he left her Carlisle, this is so stupid."
"He left her to keep her safe. The fact that it didn't just makes things worse. If he'd been with her she wouldn't have jumped or if she did he could have saved her."
"I did warn him that leaving wouldn't help"
"We know Emmett but he did what he thought best."
"Best? She loved him, she wanted to be with him for all eternity and what does he do? At the first sign of trouble he dumps her. Does that sound like a mates behaviour to you? Jasper was right, Edward was in love with Bella's blood as much as her."
"Let's not drag him into the conversation Em."
"He was the only one with a cool head."
"Rose, we know how you felt about Bella but this isn't about her. It's about Edward."
"Look, if he wants to make a grandstand exit then let him. He's either crazy or he's betting on Aro stopping him and welcoming him in to the Volturi as a son. Edward always liked the idea of being in control, it will be good for him to be controlled, novel even!"
"Rose, enough. Lets stick to the problem at hand shall we? What do we do about Edward? We don't have much time left."
"If Alice were here she could tell us what to do or at least what he ends up doing Carlisle"
"Well she isn't Rose. We don't know where she is, she left after Jasper disappeared and no one has seen her since."
"Yes Esme and who's fault was all that? Edwards of course. We all heard him, Don't ever look for Bella's future again. No one is to contact her or follow her or find out what she does. It's over and that's the way I want it. Did anyone except Jasper and Emmett argue he was wrong? No Carlisle, we followed like sheep and now look at the mess he's in. If someone had given him a kick up the ass when he was a newborn perhaps he'd be here with us now. He certainly wouldn't have been dictating our every move. I for one am sick of bowing to Edwards wishes and demands. Let him do whatever he wants, if Aro keeps him good riddance, it will be one hell of a wake up call, and if he decides to make the grand gesture then let him, he's such a coward he won't go through with it anyway. It's just a way of keeping all eyes on him."
"Rose that's callous."
"Yes Esme but its true, look at us, running around like headless chickens to save precious Edward."
I sat back in my chair sighing heavily and looking at Eleazer for help, which was not forthcoming.
"You agree with Rose?"
"Much as it grieves me to say so, yes I do. I always thought Edward was allowed too much control, to do everything he wanted. Look at the present mess, all because Edward decided he wanted a relationship with this human. Did anyone try to dissuade him?"
"Only Rose and Jasper."
"Did you not think it could be dangerous for the rest of the family Carlisle? Did it not occur to you that there was a huge risk? Why didn't you ask us to keep him in Denali, explain what was going on when he came to us for the week, after he first saw this girl?"
"I was blind Eleazer"
"You always are where Edward is concerned. You should have let Jasper kill her like he offered and then you wouldn't be in this mess."
Rose rolled her eyes vexed,
"Let him get on with it, we need to find a permanent base again, sell the house in Forks and forget about it and Isabella Swan."
Rose
I was sick and tired of this, every time we got settled somewhere Edward would spoil it. He was like a petulant school boy who had all his wishes granted by a stupid, blind father and a soft-hearted mother. If they decided they were going to fight for Edward I was leaving, I'd already told Emmett this and he agreed albeit reluctantly. I wanted to be safe and happy and I knew we could do it together, we had before, but Emmett was closer to the family and he missed them so we always came back. Sooner or later Edward would start acting up and we would leave again but this time it would be permanent. I wasn't coming back to the Cullens again if Edward returned. Emmett and I would travel until we found somewhere we liked and start anew. I could see Carlisle still working things out and Esme watching him hopefully and I knew what was coming so I got up and looked at Emmett ignoring the rest,
"Emmett I'm leaving."
He glanced at the others then stood up slowly and nodded,
"OK Rose. Sorry Esme but Rose is right. Edward is tearing this family apart and making Rose so unhappy. We're leaving."
Carlisle
I watched as the remaining two of my children walked upstairs hand in hand then turned to Esme.
"I'm sorry my love but I have to try to save Edward."
She got up too her eyes full of pain,
"I know. Let me try to talk to Rose, maybe she'll listen to me."
Eleazer shook his head,
"Esme think about it. If you persuade Rose and Emmett to stay this time how long will it last? As soon as Edward comes home, if he does, it will all start over again. Carlisle you have tried with Edward over the years but you gave him too much power over the family. Always doing what he wanted and allowing him to dictate what the family did. I warned you a long time ago about Edwards behaviour. You are an intelligent man, why don't you see it?"
"Eleazer, Edward is my son, if he does anything wrong then its down to me to put it right but I won't leave him in Aro's clutches if I can avoid it."
"Then you are more of a fool than I thought"
Eleazer got up, frustration showing on his normally placid face,
"Esme I'm sorry but I can't stay here any longer. Goodbye Carlisle. I hope you come to your senses before it's too late my friend."
I watched as he left, closing the door behind him with a finality I could feel.