Merged Souls REPOSTED

by baynewen

RE-POSTING Jacob and Tanya are crazy and evil. The Humans aren't so weak and Charlie saves the day. Bella and Edward are together but something is always trying to pull them apart. Lemons OCC Vamp B/E

16. Chapter 16

Disclaimer: Stephanie Meyer owns Twilight, but not Merged Souls

Authors Note: Pien!

Chapter 16

BPOV

The South Americans would be landing in Seattle soon. Emmett and Carlisle would be taking the Mercedes and the Jeep to pick them up, those were the only two cars to escape the fire. I was nervous about meeting them. Zafrina was the only one known to the family so I wasn't the only one that was a little anxious. Alice was unhappy because it seemed that all hybrids were very difficult to see. She had some success with the triplets by trying to 'look around them' and to see the rest of us. But she felt that only familiarity with them had allowed her this peek, she was totally blind with the South Americans.

The packs were all living at La Push now except for Leah. She wasn't about to have the pack uninformed about the new vampires in the vicinity. That was why she stayed close by the house, in the cottage with Charlie and Carol. The garage was still a pile of rubble, but Rose and Esme had drawn up new plans as a surprise for the pack. Construction would start as soon as the drama had died down. Actually, the construction materials had arrived only this morning while I was making breakfast for the kids.

Charlie was planning on moving into Carol's apartment for the time being. The renovations on his house were moving along as well as can be expected, using human contractors. It would still be many months before he'd be able to move back in. My Mom had gone home to Phil after he had arrived back in Florida a little earlier than expected. He'd gone deep sea fishing with his brother and fallen overboard. When he was hauled back in to the boat, he slipped on the deck and broke his arm. Renee had wanted to go home ASAP, to care for him. She took the red eye out of Sea Tac for Jacksonville, happy that the wedding plans were complete, and assuring us she would be back before we said 'I do'...again.

APOV

God I hated being blind! I had been practicing trying to see around the children because they were blind spots for me. It made me very uncomfortable not being able to see into their futures. Finally, I just gave up and decided to enjoy my nephews and niece. We'd have to deal with things as they came at us. But with a bunch of trads and two more hybrids coming things could get interesting. Poor Edward would just have to pick up my slack and be more vigilant with his mind reading then he had been lately. And he was not too pleased when I told him so. "We can't afford having you go to your happy place and not pay attention to those around you brother dear. So your play time with Bella is going to have to be significantly curtailed."

Edward got all huffy on me. "Alice, I would prefer that you didn't call the intimate time I spend with my wife 'playtime'. And for your information, I do not lose myself to the extent that I don't hear anyone. I just choose to ignore you!"

"Yeah right lover boy, that's why Emmett has a full five minutes on video of you and Bella doing the nasty in the shower. Tell me that you knew all about that and I'll eat my words."

Edward is probably the fastest vampire I have ever met. Today I think he may have broken the sound barrier. The subsequent crash I heard was Emmett hitting the floor of the family room with Edward threatening decapitation if he didn't hand over the tape immediately. Emmett pled ignorance but Rose passed over the tape to Edward, she didn't want history repeating itself.

Yep, Edward had done it once before when Emmett had destroyed his 1950 Jaguar XK 120 Roadster, after he took it for a joy ride. Emmett had ignored the fact that the rules of the road in Michigan do not change just because your car's steering wheel was on the right hand side. He totaled it driving head on into a semi. The subsequent rage and pout that Edward produced was epic and lasted a decade. At least I think it did. But he was very emo during that time so it was hard to tell. But still he had some kind of control, because it wasn't until three months after the accident when Edward ripped Em's head off. And only after he had made a stupid comment that the car had to be defective to begin with, after all who in their right mind puts a steering wheel on the right hand side. And how Edward could not have noticed that was unforgiveable.

Rose to say the least was not happy with the damage done to her husband. But being a car snob herself she could understand Edward's pain. I think what had really upset her was that even though Edward had immediately reattached Emmett's head, he had put it on backwards so Emmett could see his ass. And Rose left him like that for the day I guess hoping that he would learn his lesson. So over fifty years later and here we were again history was about to repeat itself. Edward came back upstairs with Beth and Masen in hand and threw the tapes... yes there were three copies... into the fire. Then he sat down by the pianos and listened to Beth and Masen play a duet of Clair DeLune. Emmett's head did not come off, lucky for Em the kids were in the room with him and Edward.

I was planning a trip to Paris for fashion week, when a vision came to me of Marcus of Volturi, clear as a bell standing in our great room and, of all things, smiling! I had no context for the vision and didn't know what to think of it other than it was just a random picture. Just as it faded, there was the sound of a car turning onto our drive. Edward's head popped up from where he had been sitting with Masen and Beth. Bella was in a chair nearby, reading with Anthony on her lap, when she saw Edward tense, he moved swiftly to the front door. Jasper, Esme and Rose came into room to join us.

A car door opened and closed and then there was a light knock on the door, Edward opened it to of all people Marcus of Volturi. He smiled shyly and shook Edward's hand. "I'm sorry for arriving unannounced, but I left Volterra in a bit of a hurry. So are they here yet?" Esme welcomed Marcus to our home and invited him in. Edward still hadn't said a word. Marcus moved with a vigour I had never seen in him and with a look of serenity on his face.

EPOV

I admit, I was stunned by his presence but introduced Marcus to everyone. He seemed to be enchanted with Bella but when he saw the triplets, he laughed with delight. His smile was so wide I thought his face might crack. Then I remembered that he and Aro were also fathers of hybrid children somewhere in the world. And that he had hidden them from his brothers. Could either of these children, that were coming here, be their offspring? No, they were too young, or had we not been told the truth?

Marcus plopped himself onto the couch and smiled at all of us, rubbing his hands together. In all the times that I have actually seen Marcus he has was never this animated. Esme sat down beside him and suggested that I might like to alert Carlisle of his arrival. While I placed the call the Denali's came into the room, and Esme introduced them. Carlisle had missed so much work recently, that he was obliged to finish his shift. And he had left straight from there with Emmett for the airport. Marcus was sitting and talking to Bella about the children. He was amazed that she had survived their birth.

I interrupted him and asked: "Excuse me, Marcus, but what did you mean before about are they here yet. Are you expecting someone?"

"Ah Edward, just a slip of the tongue my young friend but let me explain. I hope you don't mind if I tell you my story first. An old man like me does better in telling a story if he keeps the facts in chronological order." I rolled my eyes and grumbled, but he launched into his story unperturbed by my rudeness.

He and Didyme had always wanted children and lamented that they couldn't, until Didyme heard a story of a Russian human that had given birth to a vampire's child. She had searched for the child for many months but never found it. Aro said it was a fairytale, and a ludicrous idea to pursue. But Didyme did not want to give up, she did not forget. A young human servant told her that she would carry a child for her, she would be a surrogate mother in exchange for immortality. But Didyme had died before she could discuss it with Marcus. It was centuries before Marcus was able to overcome the control his brothers and Chelsea had exerted over his mind. Then he was overwhelmed with a grief so deep that he left Volterra on a kind of 'sabbatical' and it was during this time that he succumbed to his base nature and raped a human woman. For a reason he chose not to share, he stopped before he feasted on her. Then he watched over this human from a distance until she produced a living child. He offered her immortality on her death bed, but she was horrified by the idea and refused. Marcus took the child, and cared for it until he determined it as time to return to Volterra. Not knowing what his reception would be like, or aware of what may have transpired in his absence Marcus left his son in the care of friends.

Around the same time Aro had taken a human lover... his singer. There was a child produced from their union and this mother also died during birth. Aro had arrived at the side of his human lover too late to change her. He turned his daughter over to Marcus, who had recently returned to Volterra, and asked him to dispose of her. Aro believed that Marcus had destroyed her. In fact Marcus had arranged for Sabina, a loyal human servant from his personal staff, to go with both children to the new world, along with the friends that had fostered his son. In exchange Sabina would be turned once they reached their destination.

APOV

After he finished his tale, and answered a few questions from the triplets, Marcus asked for a word in private with Edward and me, I couldn't imagine what he could say that he wouldn't want to tell Carlisle first but Edward led the way to Carlisle's office.

Marcus took my hand and kissed it. "Alice, my dear I have asked you here because you share a special bond with your brother. In fact, only Edward's connection to Bella is stronger than his connection to you. But before either of you ask, the answer is: Yes, the children coming here from South America are mine and Aro's. I'm the reason that their arrival has been delayed so many times. I wanted to speak with you first." My face must have been an open book, because before I could open my mouth Marcus continued: "No one in our world has ever met them. Even when Shawn brought other foster children to my friends, Sabina kept them away as a precaution for their safety, and Shawn's. She has been reinventing their identities and ages for centuries to keep Caius from ever finding them. I know he would kill them if he could. His obsessive jealousy of Aro and I has driven him mad. My son lives with Sabina and her friend Tebryn and Aro's daughter is with my old friends, Joham and his mate Sara. But the children are not the only reason that I'm here my friends."

Edward had his back to both of us staring out the window. He was listening for Bella and the babies, keeping track of them like he always did. But his arms were folded across his chest and I could see from how his brow was furrowed in the reflection that he was listening to Marcus and waiting for the other foot to drop. Marcus saw the look I gave Edward and turned to look at him then raised an eyebrow. Since I knew my brother so well I tried to explain. "Sorry Marcus, he's not trying to be rude he's just listening and thinking his gift can be a burden at times."

"Oh no child, I wasn't looking at that, it was his aura. Edward, did you know that you, your wife and children all have an aura that is the identical shade of blue? And Alice, yours is close but not quite the same shade. I've never seen anything like it within a coven. Sorry, I can see that you're puzzled. It's not well known but I can see people's auras and often use them to help read into their relationships."

"But how can they be the same?"

"Oh I don't know why, my dear, they just are, unless it has something to do with the connection you all have. I do have a theory but if you don't mind it's something I'd like to discuss with everyone at a later time."

I approached Marcus and gestured that we both sit. "Marcus, why are you talking to us and not Carlisle, he is the head of our family."

Marcus sat on the couch with me while Edward remained by the window. "Yes he is, but Carlisle has also had a long standing friendship with Aro. So I didn't know how he would take the news that Aro has finally joined with Caius in his insatiable quest for power. Both of them are now rampantly paranoid." He sighed and held his head in both hands as he leaned forward onto his knees. Edward turned at this point and took the chair behind Carlisle's desk. "They plan a cleansing of the guard. They see plots and traitors where only loyal servants and allies exist. Yet it is the most corrupt and untrustworthy of the guard that they rely on for their information. Jane, Alec, Demetri and I are under surveillance and it was only through the efforts of Heidi and Chelsea that we discovered what was going on." He paused, I think as much for effect as to allow us to process what we had just heard then he said: "Aro had Renata put to death this past month." Edward clenched his fists on top of the desk and looked with horror at Marcus. "Yes, his own shield was ripped apart and burned before our eyes. Aro and Caius's have even imprisoned their own wives for crimes against them. Mind you those two would be no great loss. Neither was a match made for love, but it's still wrong."

Edward stood up, "I know what you want Marcus. But it's not for me to decide."

He lifted his head to look at Edward."No, but Carlisle will ask for your advice. I have come to the Cullen's to ask for sanctuary for six of us, the time has come to end the Volturi rule and we need your help. I also come with a warning you harbour a viper in your home that cannot be trusted. She has been seen in Volterra, secretly meeting and plotting with Aro. Edward, she still hopes to possess you one way or another as her mate or her slave. You are to be her reward for information. But I seriously doubt my brothers will allow any of you to live, including the beautiful Tanya."

I was shocked by his request and was at a loss for words. Edward sat back down and swiveled the chair around to look out the window again, running his hands through his hair. But his mind was disturbingly at peace, just flashes of the family rapidly scrolling through his mind. Then he settled on the picture that Beth has so often shown us of the family united with others under a dome of protection.

I heard Carlisle's car turn onto the drive, and Edward turned to Marcus. "That will be our father with our guests. I imagine that once the Denali's come back from hunting we'll have a lot to discuss. But first let's welcome the new comers, before we delve into the destruction of the Volturi. Shall we?" And almost as an afterthought which I knew it wasn't. "Alice, can you please let the rest of the family know that Tanya is an Italian spy, and not to be left alone, especially with Bella or the babies." The only other time I have ever seen Edward this eerily calm was when he talked about destroying Jacob Black.

Carlisle pulled up to the front of the house and a stunning, tall and sinuous woman, with skin the colour burnished teak, slid out of the front passenger seat. She was almost as tall as Edward very lean and muscular. She was dressed in jeans and T- shirt, but she didn't seem comfortable in her clothing, her hair was long and straight, held back with a rawhide tie and her eyes were the deep burgundy of the traditional vampire.

Out of the back seat emerged two vampire couples, all of them were traditionals. Carlisle motioned us to move back into the house where he introduced everyone. Yet, he didn't appear surprised to see Marcus. The couples were Sabina and her mate Tebryn, along with Joham and his mate Sara, all were Caucasian in appearance. Sabina was tiny and blonde, her appearance was almost ethereal and her voice was soft but self assured. Tebryn was tall next to Sabina, but shorter than any of the other men present. He had long black hair, tied back with a metal clasp which looked like a Gaelic knot. He spoke with a soft Irish brogue that made everything sound like it was slightly amusing. They were both dressed casually, but I recognized the understated style of Coco Chanel in Sabina's clothes, Tebryn was very Hugo Boss.

Joham and Sara both looked rather exotic, as if they were mixed blood when they were human. From the cadence of their voices I surmised they were Middle Eastern. It was later confirmed that they had been born during the crusades, and were of mixed parentage. Each had been rejected by both their European fathers and their Arabic mothers. They had been living on the streets of Jerusalem when they were turned.

Sabina had been born into an affluent Roman family, though you'd never know it. Tebryn was an enigma, like me, he had no memory of his human years and woke to this life alone. Marcus had found him on a windswept coast in Ireland completely alone. All he was able to learn was that he had once belonged to a sect of early Christian cloistered monks. Tebryn had remained with Marcus while on his travels and later and when Marcus returned to Volterra he stayed with Marcus's friends in Gaul.

By the time he had completed their brief histories, Emmett was turning into the drive. As he pulled up out front, everyone was back outside. Two teenagers jumped out of the jeep, each carrying a McDonald's bag and a thermos. The boy was tall like Marcus but his colouring was just like Sabina. He was dressed all in black from his long sleeve button down and T-shirt combo to his skinny jeans and Nikes. Combined with his blond hair, grey eyes and his pale but luminous skin, that had just a hint of a flush, he was very striking.

The girl was petite, like Sabina, but her hair was as black as night pulled back in a sloppy ponytail. She had large doe eyes of the deepest blue. Her complexion was identical to the boy's. She was dressed in a plain, forest green, sleeveless top with beige walking shorts and powder blue converse sneakers. I shuddered... she was another Bella in the making, god help us all.

Both looked at their parents then to the family and back to Emmett. Marcus was staring at the McDonald's bags with disgust. "Hey Marcus, to what do we owe the honour of your visit, is it business or pleasure? Marcus just shook his head and gave the fast food bags another disparaging look.

Emmett noticed the look and said. "Hey man, when in Rome do as...well you know...and besides in America teenagers live off of this crap." Emmett had the biggest grin on his face as he waved toward his passengers like some game show hostess. "Everybody, this is Simon and Charlotte. And Marcus just so you know they were hungry, so we stopped and grabbed some burgers. Did you know that they've never had McDonalds? Well neither have I...but I thought what the hell the babies eat human food so why not them. They're the same right?" Emmett's verbal diarrhea only proved how nervous he was with Marcus here, so he continued. "And then I drove off road since I was feeling a little peckish myself and took them on a hunt, hence the thermos... its bear's blood."

I couldn't help myself I started laughing. I had really tried to hold it back, but I wasn't the only one having a hard time keeping it in, soon everyone was cracking up. Carlisle finally shook his head and motioned for everyone to go into the house.

EPOV

Emmett turned and grabbed three kid's meals out of the jeep and ran into the house but Bella intercepted him. "Oh no you don't, my children are not going to eat that grease filled junk."

Emmett looked chagrined but handed the bags over to her. "Can they at least have the toy surprise Bells?"

She nodded and took the toy out of each bag and handed them back to Emmett then passed the bags to me. "Love, can you get rid of this stuff please?" My god the smell was terrible! I took them outside and burned them in the fire pit. Simon and Charlotte joined me and tossed their bags in as well. They were both cautiously nibbling on apples that Bella had given them, and seemed pleasantly surprised by the taste. Emmett looked dejected when he joined us and saw the bags burning. "At least going through the drive-through was awesome so the trip wasn't wasted! The kid at the window was really freaked out when he saw me at eye level smiling at him from the Jeep."

When we re-entered the great room, Marcus was in quiet conversation with Carlisle, Sabina, Tebryn, Joham and Sara. I cleared my throat as we approached. Simon and Charlotte peeled off in search of Bella and the babies. Marcus was talking about Aro and how obsessed he and Caius had become with power, and how paranoid they were about those around them. Jane, Demetri, Alec, Heidi and Chelsea had all left Volterra going in different directions. They were waiting for Marcus to contact them about meeting with the Cullen's. Marcus was disturbed that his son and Aro's daughter were here, but felt that the additional help was warranted. With the Denali's here he felt confident in calling in the others. He just had to broach the subject with Carlisle.

There was also the question of Tanya and her betrayal, what we should do with her and when. This was going to be an interesting discussion. Then there was the question of these new vampires and their diet Carlisle would never refuse them hospitality. But he wouldn't condone their traditional diet either, at least not within the geographical confines of the Quileute treaty. And we had no idea what we could expect from the pack. We hadn't seen or heard from them since the arrival of our South American visitors. With so much on the line Carlisle was going to arrange for some time off from the hospital. I'm sure they'd prefer this to him just leaving on another family emergency. Since he rarely ever took vacation I was pretty sure that they would be very willing to accommodate him.

Marcus looked at me. "I know you have thousands of questions about the children and about merged soul mates and their connection. I also understand that you have my journal... Bella's human mother had it I believe?"

I chuckled, shaking my head. "My wife and her family seem to have a knack for attracting or being attracted to the supernatural and it's all totally unintentional. Renee, Bella's mother purchased the book from an Italian vendor as a decorative addition for her home in Arizona."

Marcus nodded chuckling so he began to tell me something of Simon and Charlotte. Simon was aware that Marcus was his father, Tebryn and Sabina had been very honest with him and Charlotte knew that she was Aro's child. She also knew that he did not get to her mother soon enough to change her, though he had loved her very much. But she had no idea how easily he had disposed of her, or about what a tyrant he had become but that would change very soon.

Simon and Charlotte were both approximately 500 years old yet neither looked a day over 18 years of age. They could easily pass for younger or older depending on, as Alice would say, styling. Simon was very cultured and well versed in the classics of art, literature, science and music and had an impressive background in computers and engineering. He had been raised on an estate near Rio and felt very comfortable posing as a human in the 21st century.

Charlotte had a similar education, but had grown up in the Amazon basin, researching flora and fauna, with her foster parents, so she was less comfortable in the modern world. She was intrigued with the possibility of meeting the Quileute, as the indigenous people of this part of the Pacific Northwest. Charlotte possessed a very analytical mind, but she wasn't very girlish. She and Simon interacted more like brother and sister than mates. I asked their parents about their relationship, when they wandered off to explore the house, Simon went to the music room and Charlotte to the library.

Joham laughed: "Yes, you would think they would fall in love. And even though they do see each other frequently, I have never seen a spark of romantic interest between them. They share ideas and they can argue like an old married couple, but they consider themselves cousins and friends nothing more."

The next day the Denali's were all here and accounted for and the Quileute's would be coming later in the day for a BBQ. Yes, they knew about our visitors. Bella came downstairs carrying Beth, Rose was holding onto Masen's hand and Tanya was behind them with Anthony. Bella was rolling her eyes as Tanya talked to Anthony. I smiled and went to relieve her of my princess. "Okay my little darling why don't you come to daddy." I leaned in to kiss Bella and whispered: "Why don't you grab Anthony." When I looked at Beth and went to put her down but she hung on for dear life. "So it seems that our princess wants to be carried everywhere today?" I twirled her around before setting her down on her feet and she stamped her foot at me. "Daddy that was a bad trick and not very nice, I like to be up high, I can see more than when I'm down on my feet."

Just then Simon came in and knelt down in front of Beth. "And who is this beautiful young lady?" Beth looked at Simon and gave him her most glorious smile and then she played shy and looked up at him from downcast eyes. I sighed, she was learning this stuff way to young I would have to talk to Alice and Rose about what they were teaching my daughter. She didn't pick that trick up from Bella...or wait maybe she did! "Watch out Simon, she is a practiced manipulator, and I ought to know, she's a Cullen woman and they all know how to get their own way."

Bella smacked my arm, giggled and smiled at me over her shoulder as she walked away with Anthony and Masen to the kitchen. Tanya shook her head and bumped my shoulder as she followed Bella and whispered as she passed. "Whipped." Then it sounded like she followed that with. "But I can change that."

I tried to laugh and pretend I didn't hear the last bit so with Beth's hand in mine we walked towards the kitchen. "Come on my little lady I think breakfast is about to be served, Simon would you care to join us." He arched his brow and I responded, "We're trying to get the children used to eating a variety of human foods." He crinkled his nose up, but agreed to come and at least watch as he put it. And the kids did not disappoint, Masen was the only one that didn't put on a show. He nibbled at the fruit that Bella had cut up and tried the breakfast cereal like he was being martyred but didn't say a word. But when he got to the omelet he devoured it like a starving man. It brought back memories of Bella and the dozens of eggs we went through when she was pregnant. Beth and Anthony were another matter they both sat with their arms crossed refusing to try anything. Tanya just wanted Bella to give in and give them their cup of blood. Masen had finished his breakfast and was drinking his blood while grinning at both of them. So I had to scold him. "Masen buddy you're not helping things here, don't gloat."

Bella was adamant with them no eating, then no blood. Then Simon did the damndest thing, he reached over grabbed a strawberry, tossed it to the back of his mouth and swallowed. Beth watched in awe and then she reached out and did the same thing and smiled, sticking her tongue out at Anthony. Her brother finally gave in when Beth had reached for another berry and breakfast proceeded. Simon just stood there watching Beth, she would offer him a berry every now and then and he would open his mouth and pretend to swallow it. I reached behind him and touched his hand, letting him drop the berries that he hadn't swallowed, into my hand so I could put them in the garbage behind me. I smiled and nodded at him and he nodded back.

He was mesmerized by Beth. She held his attention, like a glass of water would a dying man in the desert. I had a feeling that as Beth grew we would be seeing and hearing a lot more from Simon. Charlotte had lost herself in Carlisle's office library and was surprised when I entered with the children. It was time to start their formal education and grandma Esme had appointed me the first teacher of the day for mathematics and French. Charlotte sat with us for the hour and a half and participated by helping the kids and Masen in particular. It looks like potential mates for my children are starting to form a line. I wondered if Bella had noticed.

Beth and Anthony tried everything in the book to get out of homework. It was a totally new concept for them. But I wanted them to get used to the idea of assignments, for when they attended human school. Masen on the other hand seemed to enjoy the thought of having structured lessons and things to do outside of the classroom. Charlotte had turned out to be a wonderful teacher's assistance, especially since I had to spend so much time cajoling Masen's brother and sister into behaving.

Bella finally stuck her head in the door to tell me what I already knew, the pack was on their way. And Carlisle wanted to discuss how to approach Marcus's request for sanctuary before they got here. She smiled at Masen and when she looked at the other two she hooked her finger, beckoning them to come to her. She bent down to them and in a whisper informed them that though I was pretty tolerant as their father, I had been raised in an era when corporal punishment was the norm and not the exception and she wouldn't stand in my way if they couldn't behave. I was aghast that she would threaten our children with physical punishment, and that she would embody me as one to fear. She looked at me and surprisingly I heard her thoughts. "Good lord Edward, Masen is so much like you its scary and just like you he'll be a model student. But with these two we'll have try something else to get them to behave. By pointing out that physical punishment was acceptable when you were their age it will keep them guessing if there really is a limit to your patience. So they won't likely try to push your buttons to find out."

I smirked at her and said. "But why me?" She laughed and came over to me and gave me a chaste kiss. "Because you are more physically imposing than I am. And you have the whole dark brooding vampire thing down pat. Besides you're over 100 years old which is the perfect age for disciplining children old man. And finally you're their Dad, and Dad's have historically always been the ultimate threat."

She was so damn cute when she rambled, but there was a twisted sense of logic to what she said. As I processed it I arched my eyebrow and asked: "So what exactly is your role as their mother?"

"As their mother I have to develop 'the look'." She made quotation marks in the air, and for the life of me I didn't know what she was talking about. "Oh come on you know the one. Esme gives it to you, Emmett and Jasper every time you break something or swear." Yeah, I got it then and I also realized that my wife is a genius.

"Okay Kids, the pack will be coming for a BBQ and grandpa Carlisle wants to talk to us all before they get here so let's go downstairs."

Bella wasn't thrilled having the children involved, but it was as much about their future as ours, besides their hearing was almost as sensitive as ours so shutting them up in their rooms wouldn't have helped. Simon walked with Beth and Charlotte with Masen. Anthony acted like a total goof running ahead. Just then we heard a commotion at the front door Maggie and Shawn had arrived with another hybrid. They had decided to visit on their way home to Ireland. There was no way we could keep them separate from our other visitors. The cat was about to be let out of the bag. I suppose with the problems within the Volturi it would only be a matter of time before other covens started to hear about it.

Zarafina had answered the front door as we came downstairs. I hadn't seen much of her since her arrival. She spent most of her time outside or our deck. Enclosed spaces made her uncomfortable and she'd been on edge ever since she had arrived. She felt out of place, the clothes, the house, the cars, even the wolves in the nearby woods. Everything made her nervous. And she had been rethinking agreeing to eat veggie while she was here, and had decided she was to set in her ways to change now. So she was packed, ready to leave and return to her beloved rainforest and her coven.

Shortly after we said goodbye to her we adjourned to the great room to find Maggie and Shawn who were sitting on the couch with a beautiful young woman. She had the straight dark hair that I associate with Asians, but her features were more exotic. She was tall easily the same height as Rose, yet her figure was willowy. She had a straight classical nose, slightly almond shaped hazel eyes, high cheek bones and the most beautiful smile. Her name was Ruby, other than our children she was the youngest hybrid in the house she actually was just eighteen years old. I looked at Simon and Shawn and though they smiled and shook hands there was nothing else, no growls or possessive stance. Even Jasper seemed surprised that two unattached males acted like she was just one of the guys.

Anthony walked right over to her, climbed up on her lap and kissed her hand. Great now it looked like all three of my children may have mates. I looked at Bella, yeah she'd seen it too and she smiled. I think she was resigned to the fact. But Anthony and I would be having a little talk later on the little dickens had stole one of my moves. Bella came right over to me smirking. "Edward, he has your charm in spades and what a little flirt kissing her hand, he's just like his Daddy. But don't worry, Edward, I'm fine with it all, it's actually nice to know that they may not have to wait like you did to find someone to love."

Carlisle told Marcus that he, and his followers, wouldn't be able to stay within this area for an extended period of time, because it would bring to much attention to us. And then, there was the question of their diet. Even if they were to become vegetarians, we still had to worry about over hunting the area. But if, as Marcus planned, they were indeed going to conform to our lifestyle, they would need to be trained in how to hunt and to behave in the human world. There were many things they would need to consider, and they would need our assistance in setting up. We reviewed what they would need to know. How to interact with humans and how to relocate routinely or quickly as the need arose. Then we talked about how they would need to change names and homes, and that they would need legal and financial services. They would need the kind of contacts we have, that are willing to work within and outside the boundaries of the law. This would all take time to establish.

As a family we always seemed to be looking for a challenge, and it was a unanimous decision to help the Italians but with two reservations. Rose was concerned that any slip ups on their part would force us to leave our home. And Jasper didn't trust them, he was always suspicious ...I think that must be a throw back to his days in the Confederate Army. But both were valid concerns. Then there was the Tanya issue, so far she had conducted herself as a friend but she was always in the company of at least one Cullen and she had not made any attempts to get away from us.

Our visitors were then invited back into the great room, they would have heard everything anyway, though the Denali's, Irish and South American parties were not part of this agreement, they needed to be aware of the treaty with the Quileute while they were with us. Particularly, since I had the distinct impression that Ruby, Charlotte and Simon would be frequent visitors if not permanent residents eventually. The packs came in through the front and back doors in no particular order, this was unusual for them, generally when they gathered here it was as the Cullen and La Push packs, but it appeared to be coincidental. If this was an intentional statement of some sort no one was thinking about it.

Shortly after that Old Quil and Sue Clearwater arrived, along with Rachel Black. She and Paul had returned from Isle Esme the day after Jacob's funeral. Billy had relinquished his seat on the council and Rachel had been voted in as his replacement. There was a lot of tension in the room. It didn't look like a line had been drawn but it sure felt like it. Rachel seemed to understand how I was feeling as she spoke up. "Cullen's please don't worry we are still your friends and allies, it's just that these traditionals make my people nervous. But be warned, since if you have vouched for them, we will hold you accountable for their actions. Now, we would like to outline our proposal for offering sanctuary to these people from Italy. We are open to negotiation, but the one element we will not back down on is their diet, if they will not change they must leave the area."

The needs of the traditionals, as Rachel called them, were explained to the pack and the elders. It was determined that it would take approximately six to nine months with us, to develop their new life style.

Marcus had called Jane, and summoned her Demitri, Alec, Heidi and Chelsea to join the group by conference call. All the Italians felt they would be more comfortable in an urban setting.

So they chose Seattle to be their home base. It would be near enough to be in contact with us, but not close enough to affect the Quileute, or draw undue attention to Forks. Jane was pissed when we insisted that they could not physically live in the city. Even after indicating that hunting would be inconvenient if they always had to travel outside the city limits. But she finally conceded when we pointed out it would draw the attention of nosy neighbours, questioning certain elements that may be missing from their human charade such as grocery shopping and trash disposal. And all night activities were generally frowned on by those living around you and tended to draw the attention of the local police.

It was agreed that Emmett, Rose, Alice and Jasper would go with them to Seattle to set up shop. Bella and I would stay here with Carlisle, Esme, Marcus and the South Americans. Bella was still a newborn and shouldn't be tested in Seattle yet, and besides we had too much to learn about what to expect of our children, and our connection. Esme went to work finding a suitable home for them, and Jasper started working with them on cover stories. Alec and Chelsea are newly mated couple and a bit intense. They had never admitted to each other what they felt, while under the thumb of Aro so yeah they would stand out in the typical urban setting. The remaining four Italians were not mated pairs.

The Denali's came in just then, and when they heard what was planned, they proposed to help. Irina and Kate offered to go to Seattle with Alice and Jasper. Then Rose and Emmett could stay here to help with the children. That proved that there is a god, because Rose would have been queen bitch of the universe for a century, if she had to go and babysit the Italians. Both Kate and Irina wanted to do some shopping in Seattle with the pixie and the Italian ladies and thought it would be great fun.

During this exchange I noted that Tebryn and Irina couldn't keep their eyes off of each other, it was like they were in a trance. Sabina had also noticed but she didn't seem to be upset. She was actually smiling at them. Her thoughts let me know that she and Tebryn were not mates. She had been in lust with him, when she was a human, on the long journey to the New World. But he had never looked at her as more than a good friend.

Sabina was actually in love with Marcus, she had been sent off so quickly to the New World that she was never able to realize the depth of those feelings. Now that she was in his presence she wanted him more than anything. But I couldn't get a read on Marcus. He was very good at blocking me. I guess after all those years of living with Aro he had honed that skill so I had no idea what he thought about Sabina. I knew vampires mate for life, but you would think, since they had both been alone for so long, that maybe he would take her on as a companion. He clearly had no intention of ending his life, now that he was reunited with his son.

The packs offered nothing else to the conversation. They merely observed us, much like a bunch of first timers looking at Jackson Pollock, trying to figure it out. They finally adjourned, with Esme, to the kitchen to consume fantastic amounts of BBQ meat, vegetables and potatoes. To say nothing of the desserts that disappeared.

Bella sat down beside me on the love seat and snuggled up. "Do you see what I see?" Then our mental connection kicked in again: 'Sabina doesn't seem to be upset at all with Tebryn undressing Irina with his eyes. Will you at least nod or something if you're not going to answer me.'

I nodded. Bella chuckled and mentally tapped me. 'So Mr. Cullen I think we should push this along what do you say? Edward, I know you can hear me so stop trying to ignore me, I'm not going away.'

I threw Bella a sideways glance then answered, actually the more we practiced this, the cooler it was becoming. 'I thought I would suggest that Tebryn go to Seattle with them.'

'Good one, go for it babe! Hey do you love talking like this as much as I do?'

'Yeah I do.'

So being the interfering git that I can be sometimes I suggested that perhaps Tebryn might like to accompany Alice and Jasper in order to become more familiar with the area. Both he and Sabina agreed readily to the idea, much to my amusement and the interest of everyone else.

Obviously Marcus understood and said aloud for everyone: "By the way people Sabina and Tebryn are not mates, so you can all close your mouths." Then he glowered at Edward before smiling like an indulgent grandfather. Irina's attention was now focused only on Tebryn as they locked eyes once again.

Bella looked at me and smiled smugly as she opened her mind to me. 'Is it just me, or do you also feel like you're in a vampire rewrite of Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream? And on that note Edward, I think you and I need to talk about the babies. I get the impression that there is a line forming for potential future pairings with our children."

I looked at her, but I couldn't answer her, she was chewing on her lower lip. My mind disconnected from my body and my dick came to attention, trying to get Bella's attention. It apparently worked since she smiled when she looked down at my groin and said out loud: "The packs will be eating for awhile and I really should go for a hunt so would you like to come love?"

Emmett started to chuckle and he opened his mouth. Before he could get anything out, Bella appealed to his sense of fun. Emmett loved to BBQ and he was damn good at it. "Emmett, there's a side of beef that's defrosting in the pantry, why don't you put it on the spit for the pack's dinner. Hey you could even organize a game of football. Edward and I will be back shortly"

As we rushed out the door I caught Tanya thinking about joining us, but Alice grabbed her arm and told her it wouldn't be a good idea to follow us. "Bella, wouldn't take kindly to the interruption being a newborn and all."

I never thought of Tanya as being dense, but when she asked Alice what she meant I rolled my eyes. Kate slapped her on the back of the head, I shuddered at Kate's words but she was right. "Tanya, for a thousand plus year old vampire and a succubus you are fairly obtuse at times. They are getting down and doing the dirty in the forest, the only thing they are hunting is pussy and cock."

And bless his heart Masen turned to Esme and asked why momma and daddy would be hunting house cats and chickens. Before Esme could answer, everyone broke into laughter. Tanya was sputtering and Emmett said. "Oh yeah Tanya, little Eddie is alive and well, how'd you think the bambinos arrived... by stork? He and Bella get pretty hot and heavy doing the horizontal mambo and god when they scream well ...!"

There was a resounding smack from Rose hitting Emmett in the back of the head then followed by Esme saying. "Not in front of the children Emmett. And don't think I don't know exactly what you're thinking, you don't even want to go there Emmett McCarty Cullen!"

For the first time, since Jacob had died, Tanya looked pissed, and I mean pathologically pissed, at Bella. With Alice and Jasper going to Seattle, with the Italians, it was going to be tough to keep Tanya under constant surveillance.

Once we crossed the river I was out of range of the voices and thoughts coming from the house. So I made a move for Bella but she stopped me. "Edward, Tanya is going to be a problem, we need to get her to expose what she's doing. Did you see that look she gave me?" Then she started to pace and Bella never paced. "Today I caught her, looking at the babies' blood in the kitchen fridge! It was really creepy. She didn't even try to explain herself. She just gave me this perfect bitch smile and her eyes were as hard as ice. But as she passed me she said she got what she needed for her research material...what research!" Bella came to me and put her arms around my neck kissed me on both cheeks and then my lips and leaned her head against my chest. "Edward, she never takes her eyes off you, she may not be looking right at you but she always has you in her peripheral vision. And she makes sure that I notice her doing it and then she just smiles."

I held her close to me and whispered into her ear but I knew her answer before I asked the question. "Bella, if I asked you to take the babies away for awhile would you do it?"

She leaned back to look at my face and I pulled her as close to me as I could. "No Edward, we're not going anywhere ever! We work things out together, remember. I won't run away from Tanya, but I'll race you." And she took off laughing into the wind.

BPOV

My life with Edward was more than I had ever hoped it would be and since my change we were on the same footing and equal beings, well almost. I was still a newborn and could be unpredictable, but who I was essentially hadn't changed. I was still me in every respect, except my love for Edward was deeper than I ever thought possible. I could hear him flying through the forest right behind me. He loved to watch my ass. Edward had a split personality when it comes to my anatomy. I had finally figured out that whatever part of me was at eye level or most the noticeable was Edward's favourite part at the time. And I relished his body just as much, it was impossible to pick one thing I liked more than another. He had the perfect body, he was tall, lean and muscular, with a jaw, nose and face that would put the best classical Greek sculpture to shame. But it was who Edward was that really made him attractive, and he didn't even know it. While I was lost in my thoughts, he raced up behind me and tackled me while growling out the word "mine".

Edward was an expert at undressing me in the least amount of time possible, usually by just shredding my clothes. Today he was going slow and removing one piece at a time. It was slow and agonizing but a complete turn on. He was about to remove my panties when I popped the clasp to my bra and he had my breasts right in his eyes. He leaned back to look and then reached forward with one hand, gently cupping the weight of one while lowering his mouth to the other, gently suckling and nibbling on my nipple. The man was going to be the death of me, and he was still fully clothed.

I reached for his belt, but he moved his hips out of my reach, he then laid me down, and removed my panties. He stood up looking down at me. I was no longer self conscious about my body, but I started worrying about what Edward saw. He was scanning me like he had never seen a woman before, like he was dying of thirst and I was a glass of cool clear water. His eyes were intense and gradually changed from liquid gold to onyx before he began removing his own clothing, painfully slow. I took in every inch of him as it was revealed, licking my lips. Seeing him completely naked took my breath away, he was rock hard and began stroking himself slowly, while never taking his eyes off of me.

It was mesmerizing to watch him bring himself to the brink and then deny himself. I found my hands had wandered to my clit and started to rub and when my fingers moved to enter my folds, Edward snarled and was on and in me in one smooth motion. "You are mine, and will always be mine." He pulled back and thrust into me again, we both groaned at the friction and in a much softer but richer tone he said. "And Bella, I am yours and will only be yours forever."

His mouth crashed into mine and I was lost. He set a punishing pace, his cock hammering into me so quickly it was almost a blur, and then he slowed down. He took his time slipping in and out so his tip was just at my entrance. In one fluid motion he sat me up, with my legs wrapped around his torso. Together we watched where we were joined as we rocked back and forth. He reached down and rubbed my clit, whipping me into frenzy. I threw my head back and screamed. Edward grabbed my neck and pulled me back to look into his eyes. "No Bella, I want to see you come, and I want you to see me come." We rocked harder into each other, there was an explosive pressure building in my stomach, I could feel it getting ready to destroy me. Edward pushed once more on my clit and I saw stars. I felt him still and he let go a deep growl when he spilled his seed into me.

He was amazing as a lover, considerate, but powerful, he was more man than I thought I could handle sometimes. He recouped quickly from one orgasm to another, but my new body was able to match him time after time and in every conceivable position...well maybe not yet but we were getting in a lot of practice. When we had sated ourselves, it was time to talk about the children and the lines forming. But my first concern was about Tanya. Edward had already asked me to take the children away and I refused. I was reluctant to bring the subject of Tanya up again, that was why I was willing to discuss possible mates lining up for the triplets. Edward chuckled when I asked. "Bella, the boys actually told me that they don't feel drawn to anyone currently. It would appear that the only one of them that has found a mate for sure is our Beth. Alice has had murky visions of Beth and Simon but she isn't sharing except to say that they are very happy together."

"Why wouldn't she share?"

Edward smiled his crocked smile and looked nostalgic for a moment. "She didn't want me going all Charlie on them, as she put it. And any visions she's had of hybrids have a lot of holes in them. So she looks for us in the future and what she has seen shows that we're very happy about them being together. I have to admit Simon seems like a nice young man, but I'll wait awhile before I pass judgment. Plus she's our daughter and still a baby and I don't want to share her right away."

I laughed at Edward. "Nice young man? You do realize that he is older than you by several centuries."

"Bella, I can do without that reminder, let me adjust to the fact that he will most likely be my son-in-law, before I have to accept that he is an older man."

"Okay, old man." He grimaced and looked down at me, "Hey don't look like that its all relative. Besides I just want our children to be happy. But right now I'm not going to think about anything further ahead than getting them past their first birthday without being spoiled brats."

His possessiveness about Beth and our sons was one of his endearing qualities. But the Tanya issue was still bothering me. "Edward, what about Tanya? Is she going to be a problem or does she just need a healthy dose of reality? Maybe we should just let her see us interacting, you know make it the bitter pill she has to swallow."

"Babe, are you talking about letting her see us making love? Has my shy bride become a voyeur?"

I slapped his arm. "Yes to your first question, and no to the second. But I think Tanya is a very visual person and no amount of talking or yelling is going to drill the point home to her more, than seeing you, drilling me. Then maybe she'll give up on any petty scheme she has going with Aro."

Edward sighed and leaned back on his elbows. "Love, Aro never gets involved in petty schemes and no one ever backs out without losing their life. Remember I told you that Tanya is a very smart woman, she may put on the dumb blonde routine once in awhile but it's always for a reason."

"Do you think that maybe, she used Jacob as her first line of attack? That whole invitation thing just bugs me. It just doesn't seem like an idea Jacob would come up with. He was more of a kill and take what you want kind of person, you know, the direct approach. He was always over confident in his own abilities like that day on the cliff."

Before he could say anything my phone buzzed. "Yeah Alice?"

We talked for a bit and when I hung up Edward asked. "What was that about?"

"It appears that I might have been right about Tanya and Jacob. Alice has been talking to Kate and Irina, it would seem that Tanya left Denali several months ago and only recently returned. She said she was on one of her 'hunting for a mate' trips. Apparently she's been taking off every few months, ever since you were last in Alaska, saying that she had given up on ever ensnaring Edward Cullen." Edward looked pensive but let me continue. "Irina thought she may have actually met someone. She spends a lot on time talking and texting on her phone to someone named Auroras. Irina felt that maybe she didn't want the family to know yet because he's a traditional. But Alice thinks she's been talking to Aro. And Alice wants us back at the house she needs to talk to us. And then we need to talk with Marcus, Carlisle and Eleazar apparently."

We dressed quickly and on the run back to the house we came across Rose, Emmett, Tebryn Irina and Tanya they were going to the hot springs for the day and would see us later.

When we got back to the house Esme and Leah had taken the children to visit Charlie and our South American visitors had gone with Maggie and Shawn to Seattle for the day.

Carlisle had arranged a tour of the hospital for Marcus and Eleazar, since both of them had been interested in the healing arts when they were human. Alice was waiting for us in the kitchen examining an apple of all things.

APOV

"Okay guys, we all have to be on the same page so we haven't got time to play what ifs. Tanya is playing a dangerous game of cat and mouse now. Aro is not interested in Tanya's goals I can see that. All he wants is information about us. We've been pretty successful in shutting her down while she's been here, but we don't know what she's passed along before now. I'm pretty sure that she is the one that orchestrated the whole Jacob Black fiasco. And before you go off the deep end Bella, Jacob Black would have still met the same end, even sooner if Tanya hadn't gotten involved. She met him in Alaska when he ran away after you and Charlie got hurt. And she pumped him for information. She knew he was off his nut so she fed his delusions. She sent Black back and set the whole scheme into motion, including the cliff diving but she hadn't counted on Charlie.

Bella looked livid, "My father killed a man because he was being manipulated by that she demon."

"No, your father killed an evil shape shifter, who would have died anyway, trying to kill Edward or your children ...and Bella if Tanya hadn't been pulling his chain that guy would have succeeded in killing one of the babies."

"And before you say it, I know I can't see the kids, but I did see you and Edward standing over a little coffin at one point. And then I saw Edward take off yelling he was going to kill Black. So you will not feel sorry for that worthless piece of shit, he got what he deserved! Now we have another piece of worthless shit that needs to be taken care of."

Bella was ready to pull into the Bella bubble, and take the blame for all current history. I could see it and feel it and so could Edward. Edward turned to Bella and grabbed her by the shoulders. He had his game face on, which was: 'you don't want to piss off the century old vampire look.' "Bella, did you hear what Alice said? Jacob was going to kill one of our children! It was not a maybe, he was actually going to do it, and you can't allow yourself to feel remorse for him. He felt nothing but hatred and loathing for me and our children, even before Tanya got her claws into him. She used what was already there in his heart, Bella. Jacob was a lost cause long before he met Tanya."

Bella nodded her head and heaved a dry sob and crushed herself against Edward. "I know you're right. It's just that we used to be friends and Tanya has been like family to you for decades. I don't understand how our love could have twisted two people so much."

Edward looked like he was about to lose it so I stepped in. "Bella, Tanya and Jacob were twisted already. Jacob had a mental illness that was never treated, his obsession for you was fed by that illness and it was out of your hands. Tanya has always been obsessed with Edward. It's to the point that I think she's also unstable. Their obsessions were created in their own minds, out of their own delusions, not by your love for my brother or his for you." We sat in silence for a few minutes. I was use to Bella needing time to organize her thoughts... I had just hoped she'd get a bit faster at it, after the change. Finally I couldn't take it any longer. "Oh for heaven sakes get over it Bella, we need to move on and decide what we're going to do about Tanya. We don't have time for you analyze every word and action."

By the time the older generation had arrived back from the hospital we were ready to present our case. I only wish we could have saved Eleazar the pain of finding out about Tanya's betrayal. But it seems I didn't need to worry on that score.

EPOV

Eleazar was indeed heartbroken over Tanya's betrayal but he had known about it for over a year. When Marcus had first determined that Aro and Caius were plotting a purge of the guard, he had contacted Eleazar for his help to relocate. It was only after they became aware of Tanya's meetings with Aro, that they decided to shift their plans and to approach the Cullen's. And it wasn't until Marcus found out about his son and Aro's daughter coming to visit that they decided they had to move faster than they had planned. He knew that there was only one reason for such a visit, the Cullen's had a hybrid child which Aro and Caius must never find out about. So he had delayed the South Americans arrival until he and his supporters could make their own escape from Volterra and he could get to us first.

Eleazar said that Tanya was actually a dupe she was a loose cannon that Aro had put in our midst to gather information, her own objectives are meaningless to him. And once she was no longer a source of information she would be disposed of since she had no gift. It was the gifted in Carlisle's family that worried the deadly duo back in Volterra, and they wanted us to either join the new guard or die.

This was all laid out for us in relatively short order. Three things came to light, we needed to deal with Tanya, protect the children and develop my little family's power to be used in the coming fight. Because there is no doubt they would be coming for us.