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Dear readers,
Thanks for the kind reviews last time! I appreciate it so much! Hope y'all are enjoying it! Oh, and I'll update as much as I can! I'm hoping once or twice a week, even when I'm uninspired. And again, please let me know of anything I misrepresent prior to New Moon.
Thanks for reading,
Rusty Myers
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~Chapter Two~
Esme was the first to break the silence. "Thank you, Bella dear." She was at my side in a quarter second, hugging me tightly. I could feel the relief emanating from her embrace. It stirred that feeling in me again, reminding me of days long since passed.
Sensing my tenseness, Esme was instantly standing back beside Carlisle.
I moved to the other side of the room, as far away from them as socially acceptable.
"We apologize for imposing, Bella," Carlisle began. "I fear we had no other choice. It's been so long since we've had contact with Victoria that Alice was unable to get a timely vision surrounding her encounter. Before we knew it, she was right there in front of us. She has a few new followers now. We were able to count about seven of them, quite unusual for a clan of vampires not newborn."
"And she attacked you?" I prompted, staring directly at Carlisle.
If there were that many and this was an unwarranted attack, Aro would certainly want to know. But would it be wise to inform him now, when her dealings involved the Cullens? Hmm. Maybe I should wait and see how things end up.
"Yes," Carlisle continued. "Edward went back to warn the others, though Alice had already had a vision. But Victoria caught up with him." He paused for a moment. His silence said it all. Somehow, Victoria had bested Edward. "We managed to force her to retreat, but they were relentless. Jasper and Esme led them north towards Bologna, but I don't think they'll linger there for long."
"After all these years, she still hasn't given up?" I inquired, baffled.
"Perhaps your…human memories are a bit foggy," Carlisle offered.
If only, I thought to myself, asking instead, "What do you mean?"
"The bond between James and Victoria was very strong."
I turned my head, startled by his voice and its undercurrent of bitterness. Edward was staring directly at me, his eyes boring a hole in me like before, when he tried to read my thoughts. I smirked, knowing he was no more successful then he'd been all those years ago.
"Bonds are easily broken over time," I hissed, my tone just as bitter as his.
"So it would seem," he agreed, pursing his lips to indicate he had no more to say on the subject.
An awkward silence ensued. I wondered why none of them mentioned the smell. I'm sure they all knew what it was, quite possibly who. Perhaps it was out of politeness, or maybe a desire to avoid an uncomfortable situation. Either way, I wasn't complaining.
"We won't trouble you long," Carlisle assured. "As soon as we can secure tickets out of Europe and find safe passage to the airport, we'll be gone."
"It's no bother at all, Carlisle," I said smiling, truly meaning it. "There's more than enough room. And I have some spare clothes if you'd like."
"Oh, thank God!" Rosalie exclaimed, getting up from her perch. "I was beginning to think you were going to make me wear these reeking clothes all night! And a shower would be nice, too!"
"Oh, I'm sorry!" I apologized. "I'll go get some things for you!"
I dashed up the stairs and down the hall to my bedroom. I pulled a few things from my dresser for Alice, Esme, and Rosalie. Then I stopped at the room next to mine, unconsciously stopping my needless breathing. I made my way through the messy room and to the dresser for some things for the other four.
It shouldn't have taken me more than ten seconds to get the clothes and get back downstairs, but I lingered for a few moments in the second room. What would he think of me for inviting them in like this?
I grabbed the pile of clothes and headed back downstairs. They were all exactly as I'd left them, Rosalie now tapping her foot impatiently. I handed her the first outfit.
"Shower?"
"Up the stairs, down the hall, second door on the left. There are towels and things-"
She was gone before I could finish. Emmett snickered at her blatant rudeness. His expression changed instantly when I handed him his outfit. I heard him growl in disgust, which he quickly tried to turn into a casual joke. But I caught the underlying revulsion.
"Geez Bella, don't you wash your clothes?" he joked, seeming embarrassed at his instinctual reaction.
I just smiled. Time away from Emmett seemed to have dulled my senses to his jovial teasing. And I didn't feel up to discussing the origin of the smell or its reason for being with the entire Cullen family.
Esme and Carlisle both took their clothes with a smile.
"Thank you, dear," Esme said.
It was then I noticed the broad grin on Alice's face. Edward stifled a soft snicker and I caught the fading remnants of his crooked smile.
"Bella!" Alice exclaimed as I handed her the smallest outfit I could find. "Look what all this time has done for you! You have a fashion sense! Look at this! It's adorable! And it even matches! Please tell me you have matching accessories!"
I smiled and produced a necklace and matching earrings I'd been concealing in my jeans pocket. She let out a squeal of excitement in her airy voice and suddenly her arms were around me.
"I'm so proud!"
Oddly, unlike Esme and Emmett, my reaction toward Alice had not really changed with time. It didn't bother me that she still treated me like her best friend. Perhaps it was just because we'd been so much closer before I left.
I handed Jasper his set of clothes, noticing the distinct set of bite marks along his arms. Strange, I'd never noticed them before. Were they all from the fight with Victoria? He was quick to thank me for the clothes and place his arms together behind his back and out of view.
"There are some extra rooms upstairs if you'd like to change," I offered.
I realized I still had one more set of clothes in my hands. Then I noticed the room had cleared except for Edward, who was sitting rigidly with his eyes closed. I moved to his side and placed the clothes beside him, knowing he'd heard my movements.
I was about to leave the room and search for someplace to collect my thoughts when I felt a strong grip around my wrist.
"Thank you," he said softly.
Instantly I was on the opposite end of the room, clenching my fists tightly to contain my emotions. He remained in the same position, his back to me, his arm outstretched, his palm open. It was a while before I could regain my sanity after the touch of his skin.
"You're welcome," I said finally.
"So, this is how it's going to be?" he questioned, still not turning around.
My eyes narrowed in anger. "How did you expect them to be, Edward?"
He turned around and I could tell that he'd been fighting to maintain a calm, composed expression. I could still see a hint of sadness in the corners of his eyes and in the way his lips tightened.
"Perhaps we can talk about things?" he suggested, staring hard at me.
"I don't see what there is to talk about," I replied tersely. "It's been a long time. Things have changed."
"Obviously," he mused, studying me intently.
I made no response and continued to glare at him.
"I never expected…" he trailed off, taking a human step closer to me. "I never dreamed…" Another step. "Was it really that important to you?" Another step. "Immortality?" Another step. The last step. He was too close again.
Without thinking, I let out a guttural snarl. He stopped suddenly, his eyes wide in shock.
"Bella…"
"I'm sorry, Edward. I don't know why-"
Four things happened at once. First, I caught the scent that I'd been waiting for earlier. But now I wished more than anything that he would turn around and leave like he so often did when I had company of the vampire variety. Second, realization finally dawned in Edward's face. After so many years, he understood. Third, the other Cullens returned promptly to the living room, startled and guarded. Fourth, the back door through the kitchen opened and the shout that followed was enough to wake the surrounding neighborhood.
"What is that God awful stench?"
I grimaced pitifully. Here we go…