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Chapter 17
Edward and I took the two empty chairs, even though I wished we could just go to our room. I really wasn't ready for a family meeting; too many things had happened that day already and I barely had time to organize them in my head, let alone contemplate their meaning and be prepared to talk about it all to everyone else.
Fred covertly waved at me with both hands, showing me his arm was reattached. I gave him the thumbs up. It was an awkward exchange, to say the least.
"Edward, Bella, thanks for joining us," Carlisle said by way of welcome. "We were just telling Emmett and Esme about the 'incident' today. I thought it would behoove us to all sit down and talk about it. Fred needs to make some decisions and we may need to make some, too." He glared sternly at Fred, who looked extremely repentant and ashamed.
"As I was saying," Carlisle resumed, "Fred was concerned that we were grooming him for service to the Volturi, or that Aro would have him killed when he found out Fred was part of the newborn army. Instead of asking for an explanation, or talking about his fears, he panicked and you already heard what happened after that."
"Bella, you're so badass! Facing a pissed off vampire all by yourself," Emmett applauded me.
I felt my telltale blush rise in my face, which I'm sure Emmett was very happy to see. He loved nothing more than embarrassing me. "I just tried to get him to see reason," I murmured quietly.
"I know you're not the center-of-attention type, but you really were incredibly brave out there today," Alice chimed in.
I gave her a small smile, then looked around the table at everyone grinning at me, except Fred, who looked like he'd just swallowed some sour milk.
"OK, thanks and everything, but I'm done with the limelight now. Can we move on, please?" I grumbled.
"Of course," Carlisle continued, "after I get the chance to thank you for being so courageous today."
I rolled my eyes at him, making a circular motion with my hand as if to say 'yeah, whatever, move along.'
He did. "We've all, including Fred, agreed that what happened today was unacceptable, so the question is, what we're going to do about it? Fred admitted his wrongdoing, and I don't think he'll want to go through any of that again, but he is a newborn and that makes him volatile by nature. He and I have already talked about this. He is very sorry and would like another chance to prove himself. After talking to him at length, I am cautiously willing to offer it to him, but this is not my decision to make alone."
"No," Edward stated coldly. "I'm sorry, Fred, but you threatened Bella and I won't have it. Your gift is powerful and you aren't mature enough to wield it appropriately yet. She was able to diffuse the situation this time, but what about next time?"
"There won't BE a next time," Fred muttered.
"Can you guarantee that? None of us, including you, thought there would be a 'this time.' You're a bad combination of ignorant and arrogant – you don't know any better, but you think you do."
"I'm not sure what to say to that, except…" Fred paused for a long, contemplative moment, "I guess you're right. Until yesterday, the only vamps I ever knew were a bunch of newborns like me, and besides Riley and maybe Diego, I had the best control of all of them, and I was definitely the only one with a gift. I suppose maybe it went to my head a little."
"Yeah, maybe a little," Rose scoffed.
"You're still young and we understand that," Jasper explained, "but you seem to think you're ready to run with the 'big boys' and that just ain't the case."
Fred nodded dejectedly. "Yeah, I get that now. It's just, you have to understand that Riley told us we were gods, and that I was a god among gods because I could do something special. I never got in trouble for using my abilities. In fact, I was rewarded for it… all the time. This whole life of yours is all new to me and I'm here for less than a day and I've already messed everything up."
I took Edward's hand. "I'm sorry, Edward, but I think we should give him another chance. Fred may have threatened me, but he didn't actually harm me. He's been quite thoroughly reprimanded for his lapse in judgment… you saw to that personally, might I add. I think we can be more careful… maybe not be around him when he's practicing and stuff like that. Maybe you, Jasper, and Alice can keep a better watch on him. He's only been here for a day. What he did was wrong, but I think he understands the consequences now, don't you Fred."
"I really don't get you, Bella," Fred shook his head slowly from side to side. "Edward's reaction makes a lot more sense than yours." Fred looked down at the table.
"Would you like me to beat you up, too?" He looked up to see me grinning at him, and then let out a surprised guffaw.
"You know, I wouldn't be altogether shocked if you could," he answered.
"So," Carlisle cut in, "we've heard a little from both sides on the matter at hand. Shall we take a vote? All in favor of giving Fred another chance?"
Esme, Emmett, Carlisle and I raised our hands.
"All those opposed?"
Edward, Jasper, and Alice raised their hands.
"Rose, dear, you didn't vote," Carlisle pointed out.
"I abstain," she said calmly.
"Why?" Carlisle asked. "I mean, you can abstain if you want to, but can you explain why?"
"Simple. I don't really want Fred to leave, but if he eats Bella, I don't want to have voted for him to stay."
Edward abruptly stood up, leaning across the table and scowling at Rosalie. "If there's a doubt in your mind that he might kill Bella, don't you think your vote should be an automatic no?"
She stood to face him. "There's a doubt in my mind that Jasper might kill Bella, but you don't see me voting him out of the house, do you?" she snapped as she sat back down in a huff.
The room erupted.
"Rosalie! How can you say something like that? Jasper is a member of this family," Esme defended him.
"That's my husband you're talking about here!" Alice shouted at the same time. Others began yelling out their indignant comments, the voices becoming a blur very quickly.
We all felt the same wave of calm settle over us and we looked to Jasper, who was, of course, the source of it.
"As much as I appreciate my sister's strong support," he glared a Rosalie for just a second, "there is some truth to what she's saying. When you bring a human into a house of vampires, there are some inherent risks. What we need to decide is whether or not we think Fred is more of a risk than the rest of us."
"Being the human in question," I started as I ran my thumb over Edward's hand, "I'm willing to give Fred the benefit of the doubt."
Edward tried to interrupt, but I quickly added, "Now, before you say I have no sense of self-preservation or whatever else you always say, I really have no death wish here. If I thought there was a pretty good chance that I might be in danger, I would say 'He leaves or I do.' After what happened today, I think Fred really has learned that his gift is not a toy and he can't use it to play around with people's lives. Also, there are consequences to his actions around here that he's never had to face before."
"That's the understatement of the decade," Fred mumbled, holding up his formerly detached arm as Exhibit A.
"I would say I'm sorry about that, but I'm not," Edward growled under his breath.
"I didn't mean to imply that you would be," Fred replied quietly.
"If we set some very stern ground rules for Fred, perhaps this situation can still be salvaged," Esme hoped aloud.
"I'm willing to do whatever it takes," Fred offered. "I really do like you guys, and honestly, I don't want to face that Vulture guy alone."
"Vulture guy?" Emmett asked.
"He means Aro," Carlisle started to explain, but then stopped himself. "Never mind… you had to be there."
Emmett grumbled something about always being left out, but we mostly ignored him.
"So, let me get this straight. We're just going to let Fred stay despite the fact that he pinned us all down and threatened Bella? Esme, you're willing to risk Bella's LIFE on Fred's ability to control himself? Think about the stakes here. We chose to be obligated to each other, but we're not obligated to Fred," Edward argued rather loudly.
"If I may…" Carlisle interrupted in an effort to break the growing tension. "I believe Fred learned a valuable lesson today, and I seriously doubt he'll make the same mistake again. Can I guarantee it? No, but I can't guarantee Bella won't trip over a crack in the sidewalk and fall and break her neck, either. No, offense, Bella," he said as an aside to me.
"Oh, none taken, I'm sure…" I drolly replied.
"The point I think you are overlooking, Edward, is that before today's incident, he hadn't learned this lesson and he still didn't hurt Bella, so I have to think, now that he is more aware, he would even be less likely to do so."
"Carlisle, I always appreciate your logic," Edward responded, "but we're not talking about something inconsequential. I don't think we should be 'playing the odds' here. If you're wrong…"
"Edward, look at me," I spoke softly as he met my eyes with his. "Our whole relationship is about 'playing the odds.' I mean, we're the only vampire/human couple that's ever been engaged to be married, making us, what? One in a few billion? If we'd played it safe, we wouldn't be together."
"Well, maybe it would have been…" Edward started.
"If you're going to say maybe it would have been for the best, I'm going to have Emmett beat the crap outta you and then I'm going home. Alone. So be careful about the next words that come out of your mouth."
Eight stunned vampires stared at me. I was rather shocked at my own anger that seemingly bubbled up out of nowhere. Except I knew exactly where it came from. I hated it when Edward second-guessed our relationship. His lack of confidence in the fact that we belonged together fueled my insecurities about him leaving me again.
Attention soon turned to Edward, all present wondering exactly what words would come out of his mouth next. He pushed his chair back and got down on one knee in front of me. "I wish I could tell you that you were completely wrong about what I was going to say, but I can't. I'm sorry, Bella. Of course we belong together. Of course it's for the best. When I'm with you, I'm the happiest man in the world. I wouldn't trade what we have for anything. The only reason I have doubts is because I'm not worthy of you and I always think you could do better…"
"Well, I think you could do better, too, so there!" I argued.
"That's ridiculous. There is no 'better' for me. You're the one, Bella."
"So, when you say it, it's true, and when I say it, it's ridiculous? You're MY one, Edward! There's no 'better' for me, either."
I heard gagging sounds and assumed they were coming from Emmett, but was surprised to see they actually emanated from Fred.
"Get a room," he chided, looking disgusted. "If I wanted to watch soap operas, I could just turn on the TV."
Everyone laughed, including me – excluding Edward and Jasper.
"Would you like me to remove your other arm for you?" Edward asked angrily, although the gleam in his eye told me he was partially joking.
In a tiny, Minnie Mouse-type voice, Fred squeaked, "No sir."
I just shook my head. I had the feeling Fred had never been mature as a human, either.
Edward shook his head as well, probably thinking the same thing. He turned to me. "Bella, if you really want Fred to stay, I guess I won't oppose you on it." But then he turned to Fred, pointing a menacing finger at him. "I'll be watching you. Very closely. If I even get a HINT that you might do something like you did today, 'that Vulture Guy' will be the least of your worries. Are we clear?"
Fred only nodded, wisely choosing to lose the comedy act for the moment.
"Thank you, Edward," I gushed, throwing my arms around his neck. "Fred has sort of become the family… pet, and everyone knows, once you name them and feed them, they're yours for life."
Fred laughed at the reference. "Touché, Ms. Swan. Touché, indeed."
Carlisle brought the conversation back to the topic at hand. "So, Jasper and Alice, you voted no earlier. Have your votes changed as well?"
"Yes," Alice said at the same time Jasper said, "No."
"Ladies first," Jasper gestured to his wife.
"Things were up in the air until Edward changed his mind, but now I see only one scenario where Fred might want to hurt Bella, and that involves her putting him on a leash," she giggled. I joined her, imagining that scenario.
"Maybe he needs a leash," Edward said under his breath.
"Jasper?" Carlisle asked, ignoring Edward's comment.
"Fred's emotions are all over the place. One second, he's ashamed, then he's giddy, then he's angry, and smug and excited and sad and hopeful and guilty… I can hardly keep up! In my mind, all this adds up to one thing – unpredictable. And in my world, unpredictable equals dangerous. But, if Alice says it's going to be OK, and Edward is agreeable, albeit begrudgingly, who am I to stand between a girl and her pet vampire?" He grinned at me.
"OK, then, we're all in agreement?" Carlisle overlooked Edward's continued grumblings. When no one spoke, he made the pronouncement. "Alright, Fred can stay, but…" he turned to face Fred, "…you won't get another chance. This is it. If there is a next time, you won't have to worry about Edward and Jasper killing you. I'll do it myself. Do you understand what I'm saying to you?"
"Yes, I understand. I'll try my best," Fred whispered sincerely.
"No. Try not. Do, or do not. There is no try," Emmett rather impressively impersonated Yoda. Fred chuckled, but at least had the decency to put his fist over his mouth.
Rose smacked her husband on the back of the head, then turned to Fred. "Rule 1: No eating Bella. Rule 2: No pinning us down. Rule 3: Do not use the words 'I'll try' in front of Emmett. Now I'm going to have to listen to his Yoda impressions for the next decade."
"Listen, you will," Emmett continued, earning him another pop to the back to the head. He rubbed it, looking annoyed at his wife. "Hmmm… the force is strong in this one."
The family meeting was quickly devolving. Carlisle tried to bring order, but it was too late. Emmett was already up from the table, joking in Yoda-speak while dodging strikes from Rosalie. Jasper was egging him on because, well, that's what Jasper did best, and Alice and I were giggling at the antics.
Edward looked exasperated because, well, that's what HE did best, and Esme, although trying to be supportive of her husband, couldn't help but let out an occasional snicker that she tried to cover with a cough, but of course vampires didn't need to cough, so the charade was wasted.
Fred, on the other hand, raised his hand, waiting patiently to be acknowledged by Carlisle.
"Yes, Fred?"
"May I be excused from the table?" Fred asked.
"What nice manners you have!" Esme exclaimed. "Em, you could learn a few things from Fred."
"Brown noser, you are," Emmett Yoda'd at him.
"Yes, Fred, of course you may be excused, but I think that's a human tradition for when people are done eating," Carlisle mused.
We all left the table. I stood watching the activity in the house and smiled. This crazy group was going to be my family. Forever. A truly terrifying thought.