(22) Resolution

My body was playing catch-up with my brain. My instinct to flee the altar where I was standing halted. My brain acknowledged for me not to make that mistake!

The lights dimmed under the breeze from the open doorway. The caramel colored hair plump and luscious outlined a delicate face. If only I could be sure? What if I was wrong? The consequences could be dire! Was it a decoy? A trap? To see how gullible I was really was. Would they laugh at my ridiculous realization that I was being saved? Did I dare to think that it was true?

I took a deep breath and my pulse died slowing to a thin beat. This was it! My final hour or less as a human and yes Malirosa was right, the charade would be over. Would I grow to love this family? Could Alejandro hold one/eighth of the love I held for Edward? If I wanted to die now was the time. It would be impossible to kill myself once I became a vampire. A fact that pained me to realize and horror that I needed to do it before Alejandro changed me.

I surveyed the room while the mock priest droned in the background. I saw the candles flickering and grimaced. Burning alive! No, I couldn't! Bang my head against the altar? The altar was made out of wood not granite. That was out of the question. A flicker of movement caught my eyes. I was the only one paying attention.

I saw a drape near the window flutter. I looked below that and realized the caramel colored hair was gone! Was it ever really there? Did I want to believe that Esmee would save me? Had I imagined her? The saddest part of all was that it wasn't Edward sitting there. I still believed that a part of him wouldn't endanger his family against the Salegrosas.

He was cautious to a fault. He would never risk the death of his family members even if it meant he would be alone. Lonely!

The priest rumbled his voice grave and he finally got to the core of the ceremony. Now it was time!

Alejandro standing still next to me was suddenly stiff. His eyes narrowed and he turned to Palo. He growled and the priest stopped in the middle of his sentence. Palo leapt off the steps and moved silently through the pews. He peeked into the windows. He was hunting that much I was sure of.

Then it happened! The glass burst from the windows. The shards flying in every direction while the oval frames staggered from the heavy blows. Bodies flew through these windows. I gasped and moved closer to the priest. Alejandro ran his hands through his hair and chuckled.

"So it's a war then!" He proclaimed and grabbed my arms and threw me into Malirosa's embrace. She turned me to face the front and gripped my neck.

I tried to breathe normally letting the little gasps of air suckle through her iron grip. My eyes filled with tears and relief swam through my body. They stood there all of them. Carlisle at the front of the family his natural position with Edward and Emmett next to him. They were wearing black masks that covered their eyes. Tiny slits for allowing them to see in the darkened church. Their beautiful amber eyes hidden in the masks finally given them a menacing edge and they looked like vampires!

"Am I supposed to be frightened? You come to my country and vandalize the church I was born in! Do you think you can kill me? I will not be denied she is mine!" Alejandro roared and Palo stood next to him growling.

Edward moved forward deliberately about to take Alejandro's head off. Carlisle put his hand out and stopped him.

"Alejandro I am a tolerable man. I know the legends this town has passed on. You are not a fool. But you hurt my family and that upsets me. You took, Bella, who is not yours! She belongs to us. If you think we are leaving here without her. Then you are enormously mistaken." Carlisle spoke and his tone was authoritative. The rationality left behind.

"Who's going to stop me? You and your family! Do you know what it's like to kill another vampire? Have you ever tried? Your eyes compadre tell me another story. See, I have heard stories of you too. Carlisle Cullen and his family! I didn't believe it. When I had the opportunity to see it for myself then I went. I found your sons and daughter with a human girl! Now you tell me who is cruel?" He scoffed and Malirosa dug her fingers into my neck.

Alice snarled and clenched her fists together.

"So we will leave and not bother you again. We will take Bella and you can find someone else." Carlisle explained and Emmett strong and silent flexed his burgeoning muscles.

"I.. don't ….. think….so!" Alejandro yelled and fury emanated from his words. "Enough of this! Malirosa end this!"

Malirosa stood still and looked at the Cullen's her strain made her lose her grip on my throat. She let her fingers weaken and air went greedily into my lungs. She started shaking with wrath and glared at me. She reached out and grabbed my broken hand. I screamed and Alice appeared in front of me.

"If you don't get away from her. I am going to remove your arm." She stated and moved closer to her.

"I don't understand. What's wrong with you? What have you done?" Malirosa whispered and released my hand. Alice picked me up and took me to the back of the church with Esmee. I hugged Esmee and felt the wonderful solidness of her body comforting me. She sobbed tearlessly and ran her hand through my hair. She took off the veil and crushed it under her shoe.

"Okay, so what you will kill me. What will that prove? I say we go our separate ways and forget this ever happened!" Alejandro murmured.

Edward moved closer to Alejandro and gave him a menacing look. "That is not going to happen!"

"Son, we have Bella. He's not worth it." Carlisle muttered. Emmett shook his head in disbelief at Carlisle's words. Rosalie sneered and looked at Malirosa. Alice cut off Rosalie.

"Stop, Rose, she's mine. We have unfinished business!" Alice sang and narrowed her eyes at Malirosa.

Carlisle turned to Alejandro. "My children want revenge. A feeling I am all too familiar with. You have shamed them. Alejandro you are not powerful your armies have left you. You rely on prisoners to support you. But you leave them no choice. Would the people here fight for you? I don't think so! I cannot let you live knowing vengeance is on your hand."

Emmett grinned. "Finally, Carlisle." He looked at Palo like a big mark was hanging over his head.

Alejandro moved next to Palo and they muttered something in Spanish. I turned into Esmee's shoulder and cringed. The growling increased and Esmee put her hands in front of my eyes. I shuddered and heard Malirosa's screams, as she was ripped apart. Alejandro and Palo grunted and silence overtook the tiny church. Scattering from the witnesses leaving the crime scene. Jasper and Emmett built a fire with the candles.

I turned deeper into Esmee when I heard the ripping sounds. Edward knelt next to me and took me from Esmee. She kissed my cheek and Edward sat on the pew. He cradled me against his chest. I was crying now. The nightmare was over!

"Bella, I am so sorry." Edward whispered over and over again. I sobbed my chest feeling concave from the effort. I clutched his collar and cried until my eyes were burning. I saw him remove the mask. The gentlest eyes stared at me. Concern was flooding his gaze.

He picked me up and we left the church. I was seated in the car when the church burst into flames. A bright fireball in a moonless night. I shuddered and Alice put her arm around me.

"How long were you in Mexico?" I asked and stared at Alice. She sighed and looked at Edward.

"Half a day." She admitted and I glowered at Edward.

"We were doing reconnaissance. We had to make sure that Alejandro was not a viable threat to us. Alice was watching you and any threat on your life would have override our decision." Edward proclaimed sitting on the other side of me. His arm was over my shoulder.

"Thank you." I turned to the family and smiled. "Thank you for risking your life I appreciate it." I said lamely because a statement was simply not enough. I could not begin to thank them for saving me and risking their lives to do so!

"It was our pleasure." Carlisle said from the driver's seat. Esmee turned around and gave me a warm look.

"Edward, I think that is an excellent idea!" Alice said and she smiled widely.

"What?" I asked confused. I saw Rosalie stare at Emmett and Jasper. They were in the back of the Explorer. "What is it?" I asked impatiently.

Edward sighed and narrowed his eyes at Alice. "Thanks Alice I was going for the element of surprise." He grumbled but playfully winked at his sister.

"Edward, what is it?" I asked and saw everyone silent waiting for his answer.

"I wanted to give you, your surprise!" Edward said and smiled at me. His beautiful face glowing waiting expecting my answer.

"What is it?" I said timidly.

"You'll see! Carlisle do you mind making a stop?" Edward asked and snuggled me closer against him.