Rating/Warning(s)/Note(s): T, Shadows
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Prompt: Beam

Sue said yes. Not that any of us were surprised, my dad is a great catch. Charlie was, though, but not as surprised when he heard all the Cullens cheering when he announced the news on the phone.

"Can they hear me?" he asked.

"They knew you were asking and heard me tell you congratulations," I hedged. Of course they could hear him, but he didn't need to know that. "Have you decided when to get married?"

"Sue suggested June. That way you and her kids would be home from school." I nodded, knowing he couldn't see me. "We want just a really small ceremony, so don't let Alice get involved."

"Hey!" Alice shouted from the other room, making Charlie laugh.

"I mean it, Bells, nothing fancy," he said.

"Don't worry, dad," I said, sticking my tongue out at Alice who had come into the room to ask for the phone. "I won't let her be in charge if you don't want."

She rolled her eyes and grabbed the phone from me. "Charlie, I'll do as little or as much as you and Sue want," she said. "You don't need to sick Bella on me." She paused for a minute. "You have Sue call me if she wants help with anything." Her eyes got that far-away look again, only to have her face break into a beaming smile. "Never mind, I'll call her." With that she handed the phone back to me.

"What's she doing?" Charlie griped. "Why am I afraid?"

"Dad, trust me, whatever she comes up with you'll love. She'd never do anything you wouldn't like," I assured him.

He let out a sigh. "I know, I trust you both. Just try to rein her in."

"I'll do my best, dad," I told him. We talked about my classes, how things were going with Edward, what Jacob and Marta were up to and how the Cullens were doing. That took all of about ten minutes, and he was ready to hang up.

I blinked and I set my pencil down on my last final, amazed at how fast the semester flew by. Edward and I were the last to fly home to Washington, because mine was the last final to be taken. He was by my side as soon as I walked out of the classroom.

"So, Mrs. Cullen," he said, taking my hand. "We have an uninterrupted evening all to ourselves. Whatever should we do?"

I stepped in front of him with a smile, ignoring the stares of the other female students. "It's been a while since we've been to the lake."

"The lake? The one where you saw me the first time, ripping off the head of another vampire who was trying to make a meal of you?" he asked, whispering quietly in my ear.

"It's a very pretty lake, as I recall," I told him. "Up until she showed up."

"You know there are others around still, right?"

"Yes, but I also know they'll leave us alone with you around, won't they?" He looked at me like I was crazy. Glancing around he pulled me off the path to settle next to a tree. I noticed the cloud moving, trapping us there for a few minutes.

"If all you want to do is walk around the lake, they might," he told me, leaning against the trunk as he had me sit between his legs. As soon as I was in place he began to work out the knots in my back. One hand traveled down to my ribs, then slightly around the front. "However, if you want to do anything else?"

"We could do something else first, or after," I said. "I'm just sick of being inside."

He stopped rubbing my back and pulled me flush with him as he wrapped his arms around me. "I understand. The lake it is."

In no time we were parking on the dirt strip. I could feel eyes on me, but this time they didn't cause me any concern. At least until Edward's head shot up, his eyes focusing in on the other side of the lake. "A nomad, he wants to meet us." Edward gave a nod and a wave, indicating the newcomer was welcome.

We stood on the small beach for a couple minutes, discussing my last final, my eyes looking at the spot where it seemed Edward was watching. I was only off by a couple feet.

A tall man stepped from the woods. His hair was just below shoulder length and tied back with what looked to be a strip of leather. There was a hesitant smile on his face and he approached the way a wary predator would approach another predator. His red eyes darted to me a couple times, but it was in curiosity, not threatening in the least.

"Greetings," Edward said, holding out both hands to show they were empty. His relaxed stance was held rigidly, ready to spring if needed.

"Greetings," the stranger said, glancing to me again as he sniffed the air. "I came to see if the rumors are true." His eyes turned to me completely and he gave me a half-bow. "If I may be so bold to introduce myself, milady, my name is Garrett. News of you has traveled far. Battle lines are being drawn the world over. If you will forgive me, I wanted to meet you before I made my choice."

He smelled the air again and his eyes darkened in response. "I see at least one tale is true," he said as Edward began to growl. Garrett raised his hands in surrender and took a step back. "Fear not, sir, I intend no harm to your lady."

I liked him. With a reassuring pat to Edward's arm, causing him to groan in annoyance, I stepped forward offering my hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you Garrett. I suppose you already know I'm Bella, but I'm afraid I don't know what you mean by battle lines."

With a glance at Edward Garrett took my hand and pressed his cold lips to the back of it. "Over you, dear lady," he said as he stood. "Some side with the Volturri, others with the Cullens. No one knows if it will be war, but it looks like it."

"Did you know about this?" I asked Edward, as he pulled my hand from Garrett's grasp.

"We've heard rumors, but Alice hasn't seen anything," Edward said, keeping his eyes on Garrett.

"So those stories are true as well? You have a prognosticator in your coven? How about the mind-reader and the empath?" Garrett asked, excitement radiating off of him. "Did this human child truly overcome Aro and Jane?"

"It's all true, and even what you haven't asked," Edward said. He reached out his hand to greet Garrett "I'm the mind-reader, Edward. The rest of the family is in Washington state in anticipation of Bella's father's nuptials."

"Oh, happy news for him," Garrett said, smiling. "I assume you will soon follow?" I nodded as Edward told him we were flying out in the morning.

Then Edward caught him off guard. "I'm afraid you can't come with us. The wolves are having enough trouble not attacking the Volturri. They wouldn't like it if we brought more vampires into their midst." The two men regarded each other for a moment. "If you would like to join us, might I suggest you travel to our cousins in Alaska? I'll be happy to call them so they anticipate you."

Garrett nodded and once again took Edward's hand to shake it. "I will be happy to travel there. If I may ask…"

Edward laughed. "It's not without difficulty, and it has taken me years to gain control. The payoff, however, is great."

A smile broke out on Garrett's face as he looked at me. "She is a rare treasure. More than I expected to find. I can tell already it is her I want to stand beside in the last battle."

Not knowing what to say, I merely thanked him. Edward placed a call, even handed the phone to Garrett so he could answer any questions Tanya had. With a final bow to me he then melted into the woods.

"Do you still want to take your walk around the lake?" Edward asked.

I crossed my arms and gave him a hard look. "No, I think I'd rather know what on earth is going on."

My younger son moved back home last night or I would have gotten this up then. Sorry! Hopefully I'll get another chapter written today.