Chapter 3: History Lesson

I woke up, my eyes popping open. Adrenaline was rushing through my veins, though I was still lying down, I felt my muscles twitching to be active. That was the most vivid dream I have ever had. It was like watching a movie complete with special effects. I mean, the eyes on that vampire were blood red, and how fast I was running, that was unreal.

My eyes wandered the room and found the clock. Six twenty-three Saturday morning. I hated when this happened. It was too early to get out of bed, but to late to get myself to go back to sleep. Unlike everyone else I know I am a morning person. Even when going to bed late, once I wake up in the morning it's impossible for me to get back to sleep. Yeah, it sucked. I might as well get up and get something done.

I got out of bed and quietly got my clothes on. I still didn't want twenty questions from the twins. I didn't know how much they were allowed to know about the meeting last night. I went downstairs and got out the cereal and milk for a quick breakfast. After rinsing out my bowl and went out to the garage. This was another add on to the house. It's built right next to the old shed that Grandpa Jake used to build his VW Rabbit. It is about four times as big and has all the tools you can imagine. (Having rich grandparents has its perks.) It's pretty handy when you are building a 2005 Ford GT. I found the body buried at the junk yard. I had to save my allowance for two years just to buy it. I showed it to Grandpa Jake the next time he visited and since then about once a month a part for it will show up. I'm guessing it's one of the Cullen's sending them, but I just don't know who. Grandpa plays dumb. Grandpa did tell me that Aunt Rosalie is pretty handy in the garage. I wonder if she would want to come see what I have done with it so far… if she is allowed on the reservation for something so trivial.

I had already installed the latest part so I decided to continue working on the body. I had to do it all by hand. A garage it is, a body shop it is not. That didn't bother me though. I kind of like the monotony of sanding the old paint off. It gave me time to think and be in my own space.

"Hey Eddy, need any help?"

I jumped about a foot. "Geez, Grandpa. Knock much?" I looked up at him and he just grinned at me. He moved so quietly. "Sure Grandpa, grab some sandpaper. Just don't put wolf strength into it, ok?"

"Why are you up so early?" Grandpa asked.

"A dream woke me up. I couldn't get back to sleep."

"What was it about?"

I told him about my dream.

"I guess hearing what went down with the Volturi is on the brain, huh?" asked Grandpa

"Yeah, maybe it is. I just had so much to think about last night. I'm surprised I fell asleep at all. I mean, I finally get to meat Edward and Bella, and all the rest. I've been wanting to for so long. I understand why they have stayed away, but they are family. Know what I mean?"

"Yes, I know. We all feel like family now. It wasn't a cake walk to live through all that stuff, though. The Newborn War was nothing, but the Volturi? Those guys were creepy. I hope we don't have to deal with them again anytime soon." Grandpa looked like he was living it all over again in his head. "Bella was prepared. She made sure Nessie and I had papers so we could run and leave the country if it came down to an actual fight. I'm glad it didn't come to that. I would have hated leaving my best friend to die. Did I ever tell you that Aro wanted to make us his guard dogs?"

"No! I don't remember you ever telling us that!"

"Yeah, Edward picked it out of his brain. Aro tried to dismiss it as an 'errant thought' but it was a thought that went through his head more after that, according to Edward. And then there was the one that was totally freaked out by us. Apparently a real werewolf, Children of the Moon I think he called them, almost killed him once so he had them hunted to almost extinction. Aro was embarrassed since we were meeting during the day and those other werewolves change at night or something like that."

"So these Volturi guys were on the dim side?"

"Oh they were smart, but the tactics they had used for centuries didn't work with us because of Bella's shield. Of course they did find out that her shield won't stand against a physical attack, but they didn't feel confident enough to try that. Of course there was also the audience they brought along. They had to keep their 'white hats' on so they could stay in control. In the end they slunk away pretending they hadn't been beaten."

We were making some good progress on the car. More hands definitely made lighter work. It was kind of nice having someone to talk to while I worked and even more nice to have that person working with me. Grandpa Jake was easy to talk to.

I asked another question, "So you guys haven't heard from them since then?"

"I think Carlisle and Esme have visited Italy once. But it was a short trip, kind of a diplomatic mission. Carlisle is the most compassionate vampire there is and never likes to kill. He hated killing the newborns. He even let one live who surrendered. The Volturi took care of that one. But he knows that the Volturi see his family as a threat because they are so big and so talented. Have you heard everything they can do?"

"All I know is what you have told me about Edward reading minds, Bella's shield, and Alice seeing the future. Is there more?" I asked.

"Well, Jasper can sense and manipulate emotions. And Alice can't see us wolves or Nessie which is why she had to call and tell them it was okay for them to move here. They are moving to Hoaquim this time. I better call Bill and tell him to get himself and his family up here for a family meeting. They need to know about this. The Cullen's will be living closer to them; they will probably be affected first." Grandpa stood up and went over to the garage phone.

I kept working while listening to Grandpa's side of the conversation. It wasn't very long.

"We'll see you this afternoon and sorry for waking you up." Grandpa said goodbye. "I forgot how early it was."

We continued working in silence until there was a knock at the door. Grandma peaked in. "There you are! I should have guessed you would be out here, but no, I had to walk down to First Beach and back before I figured that out. How's the car coming, Eddy?"

"Pretty good. I'll probably have it finished in five or six months. No, wait! Probably another year if mom and dad make me go to college." I told her.

"Bill, Ruby and their kids are coming up for lunch. I figured we could have a bonfire and break the news to them," Grandpa told Grandma.

"That will be fun," Grandma replied, "I know how you like to have those hot dog eating contests. How many will you eat this time?"

"Well, my record is sixteen; I'll try to break that." He turned to me, "You game for the contest Eddy?"

"I don't know, Grandpa. I don't have that whole wolf appetite yet. I guess I could give it a shot, but I think my record is only five."

Since Grandma was awake we figured the rest of the family would be getting up soon so we put away the sand paper and cleaned up. Sure enough, when we got into the house mom was cooking bacon and mixing up pancake batter in the industrial sized KitchenAid mixer she always got out when Grandpa was visiting. Rachel was mixing up some Tang in our 10 gallon cooler and Jacob and Jasper peppering dad with questions about the meeting while getting out the dishes and flatware to set the table.

"Boy's, please, wait until we can get the whole family together. I don't want to repeat myself. I'm sure Grandpa doesn't either." Dad told them. The twins groaned and started setting the table.

Mom was putting the first of the batter on the griddle when we heard a wolf howl.

Grandpa stiffened, glanced at Rachel and said, "I just remembered I have to take care of something outside. Be right back. Save some for me." And he ran out the door and into the woods.

Grandma sighed, "I hope he gets back soon. Cold breakfast doesn't taste that great."

A couple minutes later Grandma's phone rang. "What's up Jake?" she answered it. She listened for a minute then said, "Okay, I'll be right there." She hung up and turned to us. "Jake needs my help with something. I'll be back. And she too ran out the door.

It was seriously annoying to be left home when something exciting could be going on. I helped finish cook the pancakes and mom scrambled up some eggs. Just after we sat down Grandma and Grandpa came back. We all looked at them expectantly.

Grandma said to Rachel, "Come with me sweetie, I've got something I want to show you." She led Rachel out of the room.

The rest of us looked at Grandpa.

"There's a new vampire in town."