Disclaimer: Stephanie Meyer owns Twilight, but not Merged Souls

Authors Note: Pien :)

Chapter 15

BPOV

Rose's head snapped up and yelled: "WHAT? That fucking bitch! WHY? Wait till I get my hands on her, the last time she tried something with you I told her I would rip her apart and set her on fire, if she didn't leave you alone. Mind you that's when I still thought there was the possibility that you might be gay."

Edwards head swiveled around at her with his mouth open and his head fell onto his chest. "Rose, what the hell ever gave you the impression that Edward was gay. And who in the hell is Tanya?" I looked up at Edward. "Oh wait Tanya is that kind of cousin of yours. She's a part of the family that you ran to when we first met."

Edward nodded but kept his head down. I crossed my arms in front of me and imagined that meeting. "Well isn't she going to be pissed to not only find out that you're not gay, but that you're also no longer the most eligible vege vampire in the world. And that you're a father. I really can't wait to see her face...I mean meet her."

Carlisle was quiet, but Esme who was seated beside him looked fierce, she took his hand in hers and said: "Carlisle, I think since Tanya had a hand in planning this wedding," she waved with disdain at the invitation in Jasper's hand, "Then she should definitely be part of the next one. Why don't we invite the Denali's down for an engagement party and get all the cats out of the bag at once. And Edward, if she so much as touches you without your permission I will bitch slap her into the next state. That is if Bella doesn't beat me to her."

Alice was jumping around clapping. Rose, Renee, Leah and Carol were laughing their heads off. The guys were just standing there with their mouths open and Emily just kept looking around the room like we were all crazy. I leaned into my husband's shoulder. "Babe, a few months ago I would've been crawling into a hole and letting you have Tanya if you wanted, but now she'll have to fight me for you and I intend to fight dirty."

Edward looked at me and groaned: "Bella, I really would like to just shred her, and bed you, and that's the god's honest truth."

I kissed his cheek. He really is a very sexy man but under way to much stress these days. "Edward, correct me if I'm wrong, but Tanya is beautiful and she has always wanted you and will do anything to get you, she's sly and sexually experienced."

Rose chuckled and gave me an eye roll. "Bella, she's and succubus, and a skank...she gives all vampires a bad name."

Edward had his head buried in his arms leaning on his knees. Masen had climbed up beside him and was the only one that could see his father's face. "Edward, love, look at me honey. We know now that she's been helping Jacob but we don't how much she's done or what he has told her. So maybe she can be the bait to set a trap."

Edward looked up and ran both his hands through his hair. "Bella, Tanya has been on this earth longer than Carlisle, she is almost as old as the Volturi and is a very smart woman."

"That maybe true love, but we have a huge advantage over all of that."

"What"

"She's in love with you, and I know exactly how all consuming and distracting being in love with Edward Cullen can be. There's no other feeling like it. And when in love, you will do stupid things. I think we can both attest to that being true, since we have both done some immensely stupid things to date."

Edward looked almost sick. "Bella, she can be a ruthless and calculating vampire who will stop at nothing to get what she wants. And I will not have you or the children near her."

Did I ever mention that as newborn I had a real short fuse and as a human I didn't like being dictated to by this particular vampire? I pursed my lips and blew air up through the hair hanging in my face and grunted. Edward put on his game face as well and I could see this would mean a fight. Until I thought... why do we have to fight? He's only trying to protect me and our children because he loves us and worries about us. So I let it go and in the end we agreed that she could never be left alone with the babies. Emmett and Rose said they'd stick to her like glue. But I was really hoping I'd get a chance to put Tanya in her place.

Alice came up behind us. "Guys, were not planning a military coup here we just want to pull Tanya out of the equation. We don't even know what her motivation really is and because Jacob's involved I can't see anything. But one thing I do know is that Tanya would never do anything to hurt her family or ours. At least I don't think intentionally. But you're right Bella she can be a little crazy when it comes to Edward...wonder why that is, I really can't see the attraction myself."

Edward looked up at Alice made an exasperated noise and pinched the bridge of his nose. She jumped just out of my reach giggling a bit, and then continued. "Bella, you know that he won't let Tanya get anywhere near you. He still treats you like you're the fragile human you once where. But you'll get your chance to take her down and peg or two, and the triplets will be the key."

Edward growled at her, "The babies are not getting involved in this! And why the hell are you blocking me?" Edward was really pissy, I had wondered what she was doing to him.

"Because Edward, everybody deserves to hear this first hand!"

"Fine but can you stop singing Achy Breaky Heart?"

"Why? Anthony likes it."

"No he doesn't, he'd shut off his mind, before you got to the first chorus, give him credit he's still my son and has discerning taste."

Alice stuck her tongue out at Edward.

"Anyway Bella, just ignore him. You won't even have to lay a finger on her. She just has to see you and Edward in a candid moment. And have the rest of us talk about how genuine your connection is. The bottom line is she loves Edward, and I think she just wants him to be happy."

She patted my arm and smiled. "It will happen sweetie, just don't try to force it, okay."

Carlisle started chuckling. "Oh I have got to see this! Tanya will never know what hit her. Alice is right though your connection is undeniable she would have to be blind no to see it. Also I wouldn't be too hard on Tanya about Jacob, remember we don't know who got in touch with whom. But I can imagine that Jacob was the one to instigate this. We all know how charming he can be, when he wants something. So may I suggest we tread carefully and lightly then we may learn more about Jacob's plans from Tanya once she's here?"

I rolled my eyes at him and turned he head into Edward's shoulder as Carlisle continued. "Bella, Tanya has been alone for a very long time, much longer than Edward or even me. She has always looked at Edward as her last chance for a mate. I think this is due to the fact that she has limited her search to only humans and those dedicated to our way of life, she has never wanted to look for a mate among the traditional male vampires."

Leah started to chuckle. "Hey Emmett, when this is over, do you want to explore the idea of setting up an on line dating service for supernatural lonely hearts? Sounds like a money maker to me!" Emmett opened his mouth but before he could say anything Rose smacked him in the back of the head. Leah laughed and said. "I guess that's a big no."

Edward was still obviously upset. "What's wrong darling?"

"Until we can stage this perfect candid moment she will be trying to undermine our relationship Bella, and she will be unrelenting. I know her she'll make you miserable by trying to prey on your insecurities. You can bet she'll know them all from Jacob. I don't want you to have to go through that."

I took his hand in mine and moved closer to him. "Edward, I don't have those insecurities anymore. We know what we have and there isn't anything Jacob can tell her that we can't handle, or that will come between us." So Carlisle went off to call the Denali's and the humans went into the kitchen to make dinner. Bella and I decided to put the kids down for nap. We would continue our discussion after they ate. So we put the babies down in the new nursery and retired to our room.

I stretched out on the bed, Edward climbed up beside me nuzzling into my neck whispering how much he needed me and wanted me. He took my hand and placed it on the front of his jeans he was rock hard under the denim and hissed when I rubbed my hand back and forth. I stopped and looked into his lust filled eyes and felt myself getting wet in response to that look, at the same time we both said: "shower!" and ran for it. We had shredded each other's clothes in a second, while kissing desperately and caressing each other. Edward turned the shower on and picked me up wrapping one arm around my waist, and the other under my ass, he entered the shower pressing my back against the wall. As the water poured down on us, he rubbed the head of his thick, hard dick against my clit and through my folds. Then with one quick thrust of his hips he was buried to the hilt within me and we both let out a deep, low, throaty moan. For us this was total relaxation. Edward and I found peace when we were wrapped in each other's arms and in our love. Sex with Edward was mind blowing, but it was not only an expression of our love it was an extension of our connection. The only way that we could both let the other one know exactly how we felt especially when words were not enough... and we loved each other more than we could ever possibly explain.

He moved slowly within me, while we kissed and nipped and licked each other. His touch always ignited a fire within me. He was so good at bringing me to the brink of ecstasy, then easing me back from the edge, taunting himself as much as me. Until desperation to find our release overtook us. His pace picked up and his thrusts became harder, we both looked down to where we were joined, seeing Edward moving in and out of me was beautiful. But it was that erotic visual that made us falter in our delicious rhythm. Suddenly, the both of us climaxed, screaming each other's names, catching those screams with a kiss that was deep and sensual and touched to the depths of our souls.

Someone called out to Edward silently, he set me down and indicated that the humans were done with dinner, and the meeting was ready to resume.

We dried off and dressed quickly. I was going to check on the babies but I could hear them downstairs already. They had awakened and gotten up in time to eat with their human grandparents and the wolves. I didn't really want the children involved in the planning but they had already heard our story so I guessed there was no sense in keeping them out of it. Edward and I took a seat on the floor by the fire, our children walked over to us. Masen sat on Edward's lap, Beth on mine and Anthony between Edward and I leaning against his Dad, with his little feet pushing on my thigh.

Carlisle and Charlie both leaned forward as if to say something and then the back door was flung open. Jared and Embry entered supporting Cody between them. Cody looked like he had been mauled by an animal, he was bleeding profusely from a chest wound and was unconscious. Carlisle immediately went to him, laid him on the couch and began examining him. Esme had rushed to get his bag and some linen.

Embry collapsed beside me and Jared knelt next to Cody. Sam was standing looking puzzled and furious at the same time. "What in the hell happened?"

When Jared was unable to answer, Embry looked up at Sam, "It was Jacob, we found Cody by the river just at the border with the reserve, he was barely conscious at the time..."

Carlisle sat up. "He needs surgery now or I'm going to lose him! Rose, call the hospital and tell them I'm on my way, with a 14 year old male, severe chest trauma, hemothorax and possible aortic tear. Tell them to have 4 units of O negative ready, and to get Dr. Stanley and the OR ready for thoracic surgery.

Carlisle was freaked, I'd never seen him like this, but then I realized Cody had no one but us, and that Carlisle actually considered him part of the family. "Emmett, you're driving the Mercedes, and we need to go now! Rose just keep checking his pulse and for god's sake keep applying pressure."

Rose spoke up as she watched the blood seep between her fingers. "But Carlisle, he isn't human...the hospital...what will you tell them."

Carlisle sighed. "Right now he's bleeding like a human, his anatomy is human and as for the rest or it I'll think of something. But I can't care for him here."

Everybody raced to do Carlisle's bidding and suddenly they were gone out the door.

Sam and Emily looked totally stunned then Sam turned back to Embry. "Well?"

"He was only conscious for a minute Sam. He said Jacob had approached him like they were still friends until he smelled the Cullen scent on him. Then Cody said Jacob just went nuts calling him all kinds of names. Jacob phased and attacked him."

Emily gasped. "While he was still human...he attacked Cody before he could phase?"

Sam was livid now and bellowed: "Which way did he go, why didn't you follow him?"

"Jake was gone before we got there, he ran northeast! I think he heard Jared and I coming along the river on our patrol. We could hear something tearing through the woods behind us when we found Cody. I thought ... well we didn't follow Jake because Cody was in bad shape...I just thought he needed us more."

Edward spoke up. "Embry, you did the right thing." Then he looked to Sam and shook his head. Sam was exasperated he rubbed his face with one hand and pulled out his cell phone. "I'll call the council."

EPOV

After Sam spoke to Old Quil he sat on the loveseat beside Emily in a daze, she was crying. "Sam, you and Emily should go to the hospital from what Carlisle was thinking Cody isn't going to make it and he shouldn't die alone." Jasper looked like I'd kicked him in the gut. He'd grown close to Cody, both he and Emmett had, since he had first been our hostage and then our friend. Alice held onto Jasper's hand. "Come on babe let's take Emily and Sam to the hospital. Jared, Embry you want to come?"

Charlie thought I was being cruel by saying Cody wasn't going to make it. But I just wanted the truth out there no more holding back information. We needed to be honest with each other to get through this. Charlie cleared his throat to say his piece. "Edward, don't you think..." Bella looked at her Dad like she could hear his thoughts. "No Dad, he's right we need to be open and honest, Jacob is a murderer now and Sam needs to see that. Then he'll need some time to process it...we all will."

After they left Charlie, Renee and Carol took the kids upstairs for some play time before bed. The babies understood that Cody was dying, they had the intellectual capacity to understand death, but the emotion hadn't caught up with the knowledge yet. That would happen tomorrow probably, when Cody didn't show up for breakfast to sing all the stupid cereal jingles to them. That left Seth, Leah, Esme, Bella and I in the great room, no one knew what to say, as each of us processed our grief in our own way. Leah was at a loss for words but she looked at me like I would be able to explain all this craziness. "Leah, I don't know what to say, but I do know this Jacob has crossed a line today with your people as well as mine."

Leah's face became a mask of pain and anger. She rushed towards me then halted abruptly, clenching her fists at her side. "Well I'm sure you're just delighted! It makes it so much easier for you now that he has injured one of his own. The council will reverse their decision and you'll have carte blanch to kill Jake." Now she was screaming at me her face contorted with rage. "But at what cost Edward...at what cost... is it worth Cody's life to get your revenge?"

I shook my head but kept my distance. "Leah, you know that I have never liked Jacob Black, he has always done whatever he could to get under my skin and made sure I knew how much he hated me. Hell, he even tried to take away all that I love. Bella and I have both felt partially responsible at one time or another for how Jacob is today. We allowed him to manipulate us with his lies. And we gave him the power to influence our lives." I gave her time to process what I'd said before I continued. "But we're not alone, Leah. Anyone that has ever made an excuse for Jacob or ignored his behaviour is also responsible. And no Leah, I'm not happy that Cody is going to die for such a senseless reason as jealousy. But I'm not responsible for his murder either...that was Jacob Black's choice. And it's his burden."

Leah looked contrite. "I'm sorry Edward, you're right. But I never thought he'd ever physically hurt one of us, not one of his brothers...never." Leah broke down in tears. "What happened to him? It was never supposed to be like this. I shouldn't even be sitting in your home. You were supposed to be the enemy not my friend. Jacob was my brother. But what is he now. Can I kill him if I have to? I don't know if I can and that scares me Edward."

I approached Leah and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Leah, if it becomes necessary to kill Jacob I'll do it, or one of my family. We will not allow the pack to carry that burden. It's because of us that the pack even exists, that your lives have been turned upside down. It is because of us that the problem with Jacob has turned deadly, so we'll resolve it. I will not have his blood on your hands."

Several minutes later Leah sat down beside me and gave me a hug. "If it hadn't been your family that triggered the transformation Cullen, it would have been some other bloodsucker. I'm just not that lucky. But if it had to happen I'm glad it was your family."

I put my arm around her kissed her on the head and said. "Yeah, I could have done without a bunch of puppies stinking up my house. But if it had to happen I'm glad you were one of them."

We waited to hear from the hospital. All the humans had gone to bed and the triplets were asleep. The remaining wolves had crashed in the great room. Bella went into the kitchen and started to cook, explaining to me that with all the wolves and humans here they would be hungry in the morning. I knew that Bella had liked to cook in times of stress when she was human and it would seem that she had brought that with her into our world. So I let her cook while I sat at my piano playing softly.

At 3:00 am Alice and Jasper came home, Jasper was a wreck. Cody had survived the surgery and woke up long enough to talk to Sam about what happened and then he'd asked for Jasper and Emmett to sit with him. He died about an hour later, after he thanked them for making him a better person. Emmett had refused to leave his bedside, so Rose stayed to help Sam and Emily make the arrangements for his funeral on the reserve. The rest of the family came home after the sun was up.

The humans, wolves and the babies were making their way through the mountain of food that Bella had made. Masen was cranky and only wanted his cup of blood and he asked where his Aunt Rose and Unca Em were. When Emmett and Rose finally came into the kitchen Masen walked over to him and put his arms up. Emmett picked him up and pulled him into a tight hug. When Masen offered him his cup of bear blood Emmett chuckled and kissed his cheek.

The funeral would take place tomorrow on the reserve in the late afternoon when it would be overcast. Cody really had no family so we would be paying for everything and it was with difficulty that we held Emmett and Alice back from their grand plans. In the end what was finally arranged was a simple, tasteful a dignified service celebrating his tribe's beliefs. Bella and Rose stayed home with the babies. I didn't like leaving them but I doubted that Black would try anything. Old Quil officiated at the graveside and the Cullen's provided the food and goods for the pot latch that followed. But we didn't attend. When we returned home it was a sullen evening as we sat around and talked about Cody and the changes he had made in his life and the dreams he had for his future. Bella decided that she needed to let go and forgive him for the attack at the hospital, when he was under Jacob's influence. She wanted to set up a drop in centre on the Reserve for Aboriginal Youth to provide counseling and mentoring services, and possibly a memorial scholarship. I promised we would look into it and I'd talk to the council about her idea for the centre. I would see to it that the scholarship would be ready to go for the next school year.

Later that night the vampires were all still in the great room. Leah, Seth, Embry and Jared were on patrol, when I caught the scent of gasoline and smoke. I stood up quickly and saw the garage was an inferno. Rose made for the back door, "No Rose... Emmett, grab her! It's too far gone the cars are toast, nothing can be done just let it burn itself out." We stood on the back deck and watched as it burned, and as a wolf howled in the woods.

The two patrol packs raced in from all directions asking the same panicked question. "How?" No one had an answer. In the morning Bella and the rest of us went about our routines. As soon as I heard her in the kitchen I knew she was stressed or thinking. I left her to it Bella liked to take time to process and work through things and trying to push her just pisses her off. Finally, when we had enough Chili to feed the state of Texas she cleaned up the kitchen and came to stand on the deck with me. The last of flames had died down after an evening downpour, and she called me to her side. "Edward, this ends now! Let's set up the trap and spring it. And regardless of what you say Edward it's me he wants, so I'm the bait."

I looked at my wife, my children and then my family, Alice can't see Jacob so she just shrugged. Therefore we would be working blind but I couldn't disagree with Bella now. This time she was right. It was decided and Charlie was not happy. He wanted to go through with his original plan but we knew it wouldn't work, now that he'd been seen with us at the funeral. Bella pulled out her cell phone and called Black. He answered her call immediately which caught her off guard and agreed to meet her on the cliffs of First Beach the next morning at sunrise.

While Bella was speaking to Jacob Carlisle had taken a call in his study. The Denali's would be arriving this evening.

BPOV

I waited on the porch to see the infamous Tanya get out of the car and she didn't disappoint. Her strawberry blond hair was pulled into a neat chignon at the back of her head and she was wearing dark sunglasses, with a blood red strapless sun dress and six inch black Louboutin heels. She smiled like an ingénue at a premier and immediately made her way to Edward, who stepped away from her and over to me to put his arm around my waist.

Tanya stopped lifted her glasses off her face and looked me over from head to foot like I was something disgusting she'd just wiped off her shoe. I had on a Gerry Garcia Tee shirt, skin jeans, chucks and a big smile ... why the smile, because my man was looking only at me.

Tanya took another step closer and put her hand on Edward's arm, and in a breathy voice said "Hello Edward."

Without taking his eyes off of me he replied. "Hello Tanya. I'd like you to meet my wife and soul mate...this is my Bella."

Tanya sucked her breath in through her teeth while still holding onto Edward and not paying the least bit of attention to me. I was calculating how quickly I could rip her to shreds and start a fire. "When did you...I mean how could...I mean... married? Really Edward, that's such a surprise!"

I smiled sweetly and took her hand off of Edward's arm and walked her into the house. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you Tanya"

She still wouldn't make eye contact with me but she found her inner bitch without any problem. "Well Isabella I'm sure Edward has told you all about me, after all we've been very close for such a long time. But I really know very little about you. Except what he told me that time when he came to me to get away from you. You remember that Edward, when you thought you'd rather eat her than fuck her. But I helped him through that little emotional crisis. Our Edward is a very sensitive man."

I decided to return the favour. I loved being a newborn vamp because my inner bitch was always just below the surface, itching to get out. "Actually no, he hasn't told me much about you at all. Except how annoying and pathetic your constant and flagrant attempts to seduce him have been over the years." Wow, if looks could kill... score one for Team Bella!

Tanya sat down on the love seat patting the spot beside her as she looked at Edward but I took the seat instead and Edward moved to sit on the couch between Rose and Alice. "Oh Tanya, please call me Bella, my full name was Isabella Marie Swan, but now it's Bella Cullen." Tanya looked like she was ready to rip my head off. I was then introduced to the rest of her family as they took their seats I moved to take my seat with Edward at Rose's insistence. She said she wanted to sit by Tanya to visit. Carmen and Esme were deep in conversation as were Carlisle, Irina and Eleazar.

When her sister Kate bent to kiss me and then Edward on the cheek she said. "Your name was Isabella Marie Swan?"

I nodded and she started to chuckle. "Oh Tanya, it looks like you have been led astray by that disgusting stray."

Tanya looked utterly defeated and broken, her shoulders sagged, and her lips pouted. Kate explained that Jacob had found his way to Alaska and met Tanya in the woods. "We knew about the treaty between the Cullen's and the Quileute. But he told her that he had been on the run from a rogue Alpha that had taken over his pack. Tanya asked if he knew the Cullen's, and in fairness to my sister the resident dumb blonde, he had enough intimate knowledge of the Cullen's that Tanya, and the rest of us, accepted what he had to say. That is until he got to the part where he said that Edward had grown bored with life in Forks and had left the Cullen's. That he, Jacob, was left to pick up the pieces after Edward had used a young woman for his own pleasure and discarded her. He insisted that the girl had been his childhood sweetheart Isabella Swan. And that he had won her heart back after Edward left. Well the rest of the family figured the young woman had to be Edward's Bella. Esme and Alice had just recently assured us that they were both still deeply in love with each other, but Edward was being pig headed." Kate's laughter echoed around the room and Tanya gave her a death glare. "However my sister is so delusional, that she would never accept the fact that she had lost Edward... but he was never really yours to lose was he Tanya. She had always insisted that this human girl was just a passing fancy. And she was so desperate to believe this nut bar's story that she thought Edward's leaving was a sign that he had grown bored with Bella. Believe me she was beyond happy at the thought that Bella had moved on to Jacob. Our Tanya was sure that Edward would be hers before long." Kate continued to chuckle as she moved to sit down with Esme.

Turns out Alice and Kate were great friends and she had kept her well informed about the plans to bring Edward home. And that I was still totally devoted to him. But Tanya had refused to believe it and got sucked into Jacob's story to the point that she helped him to mock up a wedding invitation for Jacob as a way to propose to Bella. Jacob gave Tanya every indication that Edward was over Bella and Tanya had deluded herself into thinking this was her chance.

Damn, I couldn't hold it against her that she was in love with my amazing man. It wasn't her fault that he was an Adonis and Prince Charming all rolled into one. God I wanted to hate the bitch, but all I felt was sorry for her. "Tanya, I'm sorry, I know how it hurts. I remember how I felt when I thought I had lost Edward." God here I go bleeding heart Bella I just have to blab everything. "Tanya, there is something else you and your family should know. Edward and I are already married. This engagement party is a ruse ..."

Alice was shaking her head no and gasped. "Bella, that's a lie, there will so be a party... I'm just not sure when it will be."

Alice was still shaking her head no at me. She must have seen I was going to spill my guts about our plan of using Tanya for bait... okay can I ask for a sidebar? Instead I thought of telling her about the triplets and Alice nodded yes. Well that didn't take too long and I got the message so continued down a different track. "But we married while I was still human so our children wouldn't be born out of wedlock." All the Denali's stopped what they were doing turned and looked at me then Edward. Suddenly there were a whole bunch of frozen vampires and some highly amused humans and Cullen's sitting around our great room. None of the Denali's had moved so I asked. "Edward, can vampires go into shock?" He and the rest of our family only chuckled and shrugged.

"Rose, would you and Emmett go get the babies I think it's time that they met their cousins."

Eleazar was the first to recover, of course he knew about Maggie and her son Shawn but still his first question was 'how?'

"Edward and I are the biological parents of triplets. I conceived them when I was human. Carlisle didn't think to warn us about the incubus stories. He thought my husband's libido was still ruled by his Victorian morals and that he wouldn't touch me while I was still human. What he forgot was, Edward is still essentially a teenager and we were very much in love, and having just recently been re-united makes for powerful emotions which lead to pre-marital sex. This by the way in this day and age is no big deal."

Kate smiled a little and said: "Bella you said triplets?"

"Yes Kate, we had triplets, two boys that are identical Masen and Anthony and one girl Beth."

Then Rose and Emmett walked into the great room and just like it was with everyone else the babies wrapped the Denali's around their little fingers. Tanya was enamored by Anthony and Masen, perhaps because they were male and she was a succubus, or was it because of their uncanny resemblance to their father. Who knew, but she'd better keep her skanky hands off my sons. Just as I had that thought Alice laughed and looked at me...Edward put his head in his hands and groaned and all I could say was. "You've got to be kidding me."

Alice laughed. "Yeah, I'm just kidding you two. I had to get back at Edward for all his evil Pixie comments." Thank god no one else noticed our exchange and I wasn't about to clue in the Denali's or our family. Edward gave me a weak smile and then groaned to himself, I'm sure thinking of Tanya as mated to one of his sons was not a pleasant thought for Edward, even if Alice was just kidding.

Tanya picked up Anthony and came to sit with Edward and me. "Edward, you finally have everything you deserve and have fought so hard for. I have to apologize to both of you for my part in aiding Jacob Black. Honestly I just had no idea!"

I went to say something but Tanya put up her hand. "Bella, at least let me say this. I have pursued your husband relentlessly for decades and he has always been the gentleman. But he has always been adamant that he did not want me as a mate...hell he didn't even want me as a one night stand!" Then she looked down at Anthony and frowned. "When I met Jacob Black I did realize that his Isabella and Edward's Bella was the same person... I'm not that dense by the way, Kate. Part of me wanted to call the Cullen's. But a bigger part of me still held out hope and I wanted to believe that Edward was finally over you. Even after my family told me not to believe Jacob I still went along with his plans." She gave a little nervous laugh. "After all what harm could one little invitation do. But I was wrong and I'm so sorry for my part in this. I hope that you will forgive me and that we can be friends. Because I don't think I can stay away from these beautiful babies. I hope that one day I can find the happiness that you two have. Of course it will have to without the children. Edward always said that you were one of a kind and he's right you're perfect for him. I've never seen Edward happier."

Tanya sat nuzzling my son and playing with his hands. I was touched by her words, and glad she had moved on from Edward and thanked god that she wouldn't be my daughter-in-law. It was soon bed time for the children so Edward and I took them to our room and listened to them read until they were on the verge of falling asleep and put them to bed. Beth had been reading Pride and Prejudice, Anthony was into Salem's Lot. But Masen was reading the 'Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire' he was definitely his father's son. He was so serious just like Edward and sometimes it scared me that he would have the same struggles as his father. But Edward had got past those and Masen would as well. And they all had us to keep them from making the same mistakes. We stood over our children most of the night watching them sleep. Edward monitored their dreams and would tell me what he saw. There were the usual dreams of baseball and ponies, playing video games and shopping for pretty dresses. Yes, it looked like Beth would have a love for fashion, which would make her Aunt Alice so very happy. Their final dream before it became a mash of colours was the repeat of Masen and I standing in front of the others, a bubble of energy surrounding us, with the five of us holding hands and this time the rest of the family and the Denali's were there with us.

Dawn approached and we had finalized our plans to trap Jacob Black. William was supposed to visit us today, but he had left a message that with the sudden death of Cody he did not want to chance being the replacement wolf. Even though he had no idea how the wolf gene actually worked. Regardless, he was off to Arizona and would be in touch. He was a strange man and so paranoid, Edward and Carlisle were a little perturbed but when Eleazar asked what was wrong they said it could wait and promised to tell him later. Tanya, Carmen, Eleazar and Esme would stay with the babies along with Jared and Embry they were still so immersed in their grief for Cody that we couldn't trust them on the cliffs, while having Jacob within striking distance. Renee and Carol were staying behind as well. But my Dad ever the cop refused to be left behind and he had cleaned and loaded his hunting rifle for the occasion.

Since Alice saw that he would follow us if we didn't take him, it was agreed that he could come along. I wanted him to leave the gun but Alice said to let him bring it, she couldn't see much because we were dealing with wolves but it made Charlie feel that he at least had a fighting chance. Dad was at first horrified when he found out we were running, but relaxed once he was on Emmett's back and racing through the woods. He absolutely loved it! We finally reached the point of no return, in the woods surrounding the cliffs, this is where the family and wolves would hang back and I had to go on alone. Edward was so still I couldn't tell if he just focused or stressed, I looked at Jasper and he shrugged then said. "He'll be okay darling just give him a kiss and let's get this over with."

I stood on my toes and put my hands on either side of his face, he closed his eyes. "Edward, look at me please. You and me, forever remember."

He nodded and whispered: "Forever, you have to come back to me my love."

And my last words before walking away were. "I will."

I walked out to the edge of the cliffs and looked down into the angry Pacific pounding on the shores. A storm was brewing out at sea. You could see the clouds swirling dark grey and building into deep purple mountains in the sky. The wind was picking up and whipping my hair into my face, the trees afforded very little shelter up here, not that I needed it. The wolves and my family were in the surrounding woods not to close but all were within striking distance. I just hoped it was close enough. Charlie had insisted on coming with me, I had him sitting on top of a giant granite boulder out of harm's way. But he was still able to see and was within human hearing distance. He sat there with a faraway look in his eyes watching the storm build, when I touched his knee he looked down at me and smiled. "I'm okay honey, just hoping that Billy will forgive me one day."

My breath caught and I stared up at him. "Dad, you're not going to do anything do you hear me! You're only here to observe, so stay out of the way. Dad, listen even by myself I'm a match for Jacob. You are not going to do anything...do you hear me Dad. I love you, and I'll be okay really!"

Charlie gave me the biggest smile I'd ever seen from him. "Sure honey, I hear you, we're all going to be okay. Don't you worry I'll be fine, just go do what you have to do." Just then I heard the bracken to the left of me crunch as if someone was walking this way and then I caught his scent. I immediately stiffened and memories flooded my mind, of my bedroom, of me throwing myself out of my bedroom window to escape him. And of his attack on me at the Cullen house when my unborn babies had saved me. Well I was strong now, as strong as he is, maybe even more and I wasn't afraid anymore. I could hear Edward growl in the distance but he held his position.

Then Jacob stepped onto the cliffs, just as smug and as self assured as ever. "I knew you'd come. You always come when I call you. The leech never had that kind of power over you."

Being the smart ass that I was I wanted to refute this but he was essentially right. I had always allowed him to manipulate me. I always went to him when he called because I had never wanted to hurt him, even though it hurt Edward. Edward knew I had loved him even then, but I had made it so hard for him to believe it because of my protective feelings towards Jacob. I saw it, but I never admitted the damage I was doing to all three of us. Well those feelings for Jacob were gone. I had let Jacob use me for far too long, but no longer. I nodded at him and acknowledged him without emotion. "Jacob."

He moved towards me. "I know they're all here but they can't touch me, you are my amulet, they will never harm me while you are near. So my love we're going to do a little cliff diving. I have a boat just past the islands, we're leaving today and never coming back." He went to smooth my hair back from my face, but I took a step backward away from his hand. "I would dearly love to rip that bloodsucker to pieces for you but that will have to wait for another time, I need to get you way from here first."

I stepped back further. "Jacob can't you see that I'm one of them now? I have children... Edward's children and mine, I love them and I love him... despite what you may think I have always loved only him!"

Jacob was standing with his fists clenched, he was shaking from head to foot I was afraid he would phase any second, but through clenched teeth he growled: "NO!"

And in my pathological need for answers I pushed. "Jacob, why, why did you murder Cody? He was just a boy he had nothing to do with you and me."

Jacob stood tall his nostrils flaring and his chest heaving with every breath of suppressed rage. "Cody had been tainted by the leeches, they were using him. They would have fed on him sooner or later. I saw how that big one and the blonde leech were always around him. I did him a favour. I released his spirit before they destroyed him." I heard a low growl of anger from Em and Jasper off to my right.

"No Jacob, they were his friends." Jacob roared at me to shut up and raised his hand as if to strike me, but he lowered it instead to reach out to take my hand and jerk me to his side. It was then that I heard the rifle cock. My Dad was now standing up on the boulder in plain sight. "Jake, let her go! You're a murderer Jake, and I can't let that go unpunished. You've hurt me, and my daughter, and you have threatened the Cullen's for the last time. Now we've promised the council that we'd bring you in."

I could hear my family and the wolves closing in around us, Jake was on the verge of phasing "Your wrong old man, I've hurt no one least of all those leeches. You and my father both used to believe in me but they've brain washed you. Bella is mine and will always be mine, one way or another."

He turned toward the cliff and a shot rang out. He let go of my hand and spun around and went to make move towards Charlie. I pulled him back and then in rapid succession my Dad fired twice again and hit Jacob in the chest and head, he twirled on the spot and fell over the cliff. The wolves and vampires raced onto the cliff side and looked down at the sight below. Jake was crumpled up on the rocks. Old Quil, Sue Clearwater and Sam were standing by the rocks holding hands and chanting as a ghostly image of a wolf rose from Jacob's body and disappeared with the wind. Edward stood by my side as we looked down at Jacob's motionless form. After several minutes of just watching and waiting, the council members motioned to the cliffs and we descended. Jacob was dead. The power of the wolf had been removed before he could regenerate. In the end it was not the wolves or the vampires that had taken Jacob down, it had been the humans.

Old Quil, Sue and my Dad had planned this with the help of Carol and Renee running messages back and forth between each other so no conversations were over heard, no one but my Dad new the whole scheme. And since Dad's head is kind of like mine Edward had never given their snippets of thoughts much attention, and since Alice can't see the wolves, the jumble of pictures that she sometimes got from the humans meant nothing.

I think both Edward and Alice were just a little affronted that they had been outsmarted by my Dad. Edward had helped Charlie down off the boulder and they came to stand by me on the beach. I looked at my Dad. I was so angry with him and Edward looked equally pissed, just as he opened his mouth Charlie put his hand on Edward's shoulder then he looked at me, "Before you two start in on me let me get this off my chest. You have both sacrificed enough. I couldn't let his blood stain your hands Bells or yours Edward. Besides it was partly my fault all this happened and now it's taken care of...it's done." He put his gun aside and looked at Edward "Edward, despite everything I have said in the past I want you to know that you are and always were the best choice for my daughter. And I know that even after I'm long gone, she will have no regrets about the choices she has made. I can't ask for more...you make her happy."

Old Quil came forward and put his hands out to me and as I took both of his and he said. "Bella, Edward, you need to know that this was sanctioned by the whole tribe including Billy. We let them all know that Jacob had murdered Cody in a rage, because Cody refused to help him hurt the Cullen's."

The members of the tribe knew that Jacob had changed, and not for the better. But many of the elders had been saying that his soul had always been poisoned, that you could see it if you looked close enough and past his charm. In a way it was sad, there was no one here that would mourn Jacob Black. The wolves had gathered up his body and taken him to his house he was to be buried beside his mother. Billy did not come back from Scotland for the funeral and his daughters had decided that it was time that he should know the truth, Jacob was not his son. He had a stress related relapse and was in the hospital still when Rebecca had told him, but Billy didn't care. He said that Jacob was still his son, that biology alone does not build a father son bond. I think in his way he was acknowledging his part in making Jacob who he was. Rebecca and her husband chose to stay with Billy. Rachel and Paul had declined to fly in for the funeral of the brother who had made her life hell.

In the end it was the family of vampires that he had hated more than anything in this world that stood at his graveside, while Old Quil performed the ceremony. Even Charlie refused to attend. No one said anything over his grave, and even if we could have we would not have shed a tear. If anything, I think we attended just to confirm in our own minds that it was over.