Rating/Warning(s)/Note(s): T, Shadows
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Prompt: Brittle
Dialogue Flex: "I need a change of pace," she said.

As Charlie's condition deteriorated, so did the patience of the Volturi. The wolf pack reported more frequent incursions into their territory, prompting phone calls from Carlisle to Italy, asking if they were breaking their agreement. Aro insisted they weren't. Alice disagreed.

"He's testing us," she said during a family meeting around the table. "Checking our resolve."

Edward's arms came around me as my heart rate picked up. This was wearing on my already brittle nerves. Christmas was hard enough, smiling through the pain of watching my father stumble, catching Sue's eye as we both worried about him, and dealing with his bouts of frustration at himself and us when we tried to help him. It was with a mixture of relief and regret that I boarded the plane to finish my last semester of school.

Jacob picked up on the change as well. Smiling broadly he shook his head at me. "Don't let this bother you, Bells. The pack has a handle on it. Whenever they cross over we chase them out." His smile faded, his face turning serious with a hint of hopeful yearning. "Besides, when we catch them, we get to kill them."

"But they can hurt you," I said, trying not to think of the young boys who were protecting home.

"We heal fast," he said with a shrug. "Besides, the nasty vamp who thinks of fire is here. None of the rest will take us on. At least not and live."

I looked at Marta and noticed she had the same expression on her face I imagined was on mine, fear and concern for those she loved. Jacob had become incredibly protective of her as her pregnancy advanced. In spite of his flippant disregard of the guard surrounding us and causing trouble at home, I noticed he rarely left her side.

"Don't worry, Bella," Emmett chimed in. "They're just reminding us they're around. Like Alice said, checking us out. The Volturri won't break their own agreements, at last not explicitly."

"Then why are they going onto the reservation?" I asked, challenging him.

"Testing us," Emmett said, enunciating each word slowly as if I had trouble understanding. "As long as we react in a non-violent manner, they have no reason to take us out. The wolves chase them off, no one gets hurt. It's just posturing."

"But…"

"But nothing," Carlisle said, putting his arm around Esme as he leaned back to relax. "Emmett's right. As long as we don't react in a threatening way we're fine."

"So we're supposed to just take it? Put up with them harassing us?" I exclaimed, throwing my hands up in the air for emphasis. "Shouldn't we do something?"

Alice smiled, a far-off look giving away she wasn't seeing us. Edward's smile followed shortly thereafter.

"I don't know what you're seeing," Jasper said to Alice, "but you feel like you've suddenly relaxed."

"I need a change of pace," she said. "Spring break is next week, and a storm is going to be hitting Jacksonville this weekend. Renee would love it if we all came to visit."

"I don't know…" I started.

"You won't be able to see your mom after you're changed. Don't miss out on opportunities now," Edward said. "And from what Alice sees you have a great time."

"If Alice sees it, then I guess it's already decided?" Marta asked. "Are we going too?"

"Of course!" Alice said, clapping her hands. "I'll call the airlines. Rosalie, you book the hotel."

"On it," Rosalie said, speaking for the first time as she jumped up to make calls. I know the guards bothered her as much as they did me.

The next thing I knew Edward was on the phone to Renee. Even without Alice I knew her answer to everyone visiting would be yes. The squealing in excitement that even I could hear across the room was simply confirmation.

It only took a half hour to get everything arranged. It's amazing what unlimited funds can get you. Since it was late Jacob carried a very tired Marta to their home as Edward and I walked hand in hand.

"Are you excited?" Edward asked as he opened the door to our cottage.

"I am. Can we lose the entourage?"

He laughed. "I'm sure they'll catch up with us, but we'll be free of them for a few hours."

"That sounds good," I said around a yawn, getting another chuckle from Edward.

"How about I take you to bed?" he asked, scooping me up into his arms.

Resting my head on his shoulder I replied, "I thought you'd never ask."

Sorry it's short and late, but it's spring. I've gotten 120 onions, 126 beets, 64 carrots, and a bunch of lettuce planted. The cabbage seeds I put in last fall are now four inch tall plants! Today I'll plant peas, prep the area where my beehive will go (we lost the hive last winter, sadly), prepare a raspberry bed and create my new perrenial bed.

Okay, I'll get some of that done...maybe I'll update as well! xoxo!