Disclaimer: All the Twilight stuff belongs to Stephenie Meyer. No copyright infringement is intended. I'm just playing in her sandbox.
Chapter 61 Insurance
Well, time to step up and handle things. This was going to get interesting . . .
Victoria POV
What the fuck. Dumb stupid little asshole. I swear, I think I'll end him myself instead of letting the Cullen's have the pleasure if he does anything, and I mean any one stupid thing more to mess this up. Asshole. I give him a simple task and he makes it so unbelievably difficult, I could lite his pyre myself right now.
I had to get a hold on myself. If I fought with him in public it would draw unwanted attention and I didn't need that. All I could do was sit here and wait. I didn't even know if he had gotten away, but I supposed I would find out sooner or later. It might just be easier to do the job alone if the little fucker keeps this up . . .
"More coffee, dear?" the waitress asked.
"No, no thank you," I answered, trying to keep the acid out of my voice.
"Are you warming up a little dear, can I do anything for you?" she continued to bother me.
"No, no thank you. My friend will be here to get me soon. I just needed to warm up, it's kind of cold out there with no coat and being wet and all," I told her. God I hated to have to play human. I just didn't understand the need to be bothered, other than keeping the secret that is.
"Alright, if you're sure," the old lady continued, "Too bad you lost your coat when you fell in the river. You really have to be more careful, dear, it could have gone badly."
"Yes ma'am, thank you. I'll just wait here for my friend to come and get me, if that's alright," I told her with my best believe me voice. Stupid human. Leave me the hell alone and just let me hide out here till I see the little shit or you're the one it's going to go badly for.
I didn't have long to wait till I saw him out standing by the garden entrance of Walmart, just like we agreed. If we were ever separated, this is where we would meet. Private enough, in it's own way, but too public for anyone following us to do anything.
I crossed the street and parking lot towards him, and he moved towards me, motioning towards a silver Volvo that was sitting under one of the lights.
"I disconnected this security camera earlier, they won't see who took the car, Victoria. I knew you would be anxious to get out of here," he smiled. Stupid little shit smiled, I had a good mind to rip his head off as we stood there.
"You know, it's not like you can really still claim to be a newborn you know," I told him. "You are going to have to learn to control your thirst," I looked at him in disgust, "Did you already feed?"
"Yes, I had a snack one town over before I came here, tossed the body in the river. Who knows where it'll turn up," he smiled.
"Damn it, Riley! If I hadn't had to drag you to that observation deck for some fresh air to keep you from attacking the humans we would never have been seen. Now we've shown our hand and we have to be even more careful. We could have had her tonight but instead they can add knowing what you look like to their bag of goodies instead", I explained.
"Just get in the damned car", he said as he unlocked our new ride. We would have to ditch this one and run to another, but not before I took care of this with Riley. I would get us a little human and keep her prisoner at the house, keep him around her . . . that way if he had to drain someone, it wouldn't be the girl. I wanted my time with the girl . . . she had to suffer.
~oooOooo~
EPOV
Morning. It was the time of day just as the first rays of the sun illuminated the landscape when everything took on a kind of magical appearance. New. The Smoky Mountains that we now lived in were aptly named - the fog that lays in the valleys in the early morning gave it a surreal appearance.
I had been gazing out the balcony of my bedroom for hours, literally, pausing only to stroke Bella's arm or hold her for a moment. She had told me time and time again that my touching her while she slept, stroking her arm, her hair, her body . . . even having my body within hers, did not keep her from sleeping but rather, the connection allowed her to sleep. I guess I finally got that. She had fallen asleep happily, snuggled in to me after making love last night and she was sleeping soundly. Every time I moved off the bed to come to the balcony and keep watch she became somewhat restless. It didn't take long till I had to rub her arm, squeeze a shoulder . . . something to let her know I was near. She would then sleep for a little while until the process repeated itself . . . and it had been that way all night long.
Yes, we had made love last night. I had resolved not to until Masen was born, but strangely it was Masen that convinced me that she needed to feel that closeness to me, the connection between us. I had been convinced that the positives of making love with my wife outweighed the potential harm . . . and since it was the baby himself that was agreeing not to kick her, no matter what, there were few objections I could voice. I wanted my wife . . . I wanted to feel close to her, physically, now as much as I ever had.
It was not the driving, frenzied lovemaking that we usually participated in. I had simply laid down behind her, pulling her back to my chest and spooning with her, telling her I loved her.
"I love you, sweetheart," she had answered and twisted her neck to reach me, her lips hunting for mine as they always did. I kissed her for long minutes, not wanting to pull away from her as I held her to me, cupping and kneading her breast with the arm that her head rested on and stroking up and down her thigh to her shoulder with the other. She was not wearing clothing, she never did in our bedroom . . . and she never allowed me to. She moved her hand to my thigh and butt, holding onto me as she gently rocked back and forth creating friction against my length.
"Bella . . . sweetheart, I . . . , " I tried to discuss it with her but she just continued what she was doing and held the hand I had on her breast, her hand over mine, squeezing me tightly to her continuing to rock gently. She was so damned wet and warm and wanting me . . . and I wanted her. I knew I could not resist her . . . and so did she
The light was filtering into our room now, illuminating the gossamer curtains that draped our canopied bed causing it to truly take on the appearance of a fairytale with a princess asleep. I chuckled to myself. Bella would laugh if she heard my thoughts. She had always referred to us in a fairytale like manner and I had always insisted it must have been a horror story she was thinking of, as I had always considered myself a monster.
~oooOooo~
Charlie POV
We had said our goodbye's, Bells and I. I couldn't handle her tears now more than ever. I knew she was happy here and I knew Edward would take real good care of her . . . he had proved that over and over. I just hated the idea of being so damned far away from her. Her and the baby.
I know she kept insisting that she conceived the baby in September, but she was just too damn big to only be four months pregnant and it her first child, the girl must think I'm an idiot. She looked and acted like she was about to have the baby. They had been married in the summer, so she could be over six months pregnant from him - I knew for sure that he had not found her before the accident, he had been too distraught and desperately looking for her. I was pretty sure that she was too hurt, what with the broken ribs and all for them to have been intimate the first few months he had her with him. They were married then, I knew that, and from what I had learned about Edward . . . he was as old fashioned as they come. Hell, his morals were probably higher than mine, given the fact that I had slept with Sue and we were as yet not married.
I guess I just had to wonder if that Edward was not protecting her again. She had been with Jacob for several months and I had not thought of it much, but this could be just another example of Edward looking after her. Maybe he was protecting her reputation by claiming a child that was not his. Huh. It would be just like him. Carlisle had sworn that Edward was indeed a virgin when he married Bells, but I wondered . . . was she? They both sure had an appetite for it now, sex I mean. It especially seemed like she was all over him. Huh.
Well, if that baby was Jacob's, it would sure show itself when we saw the child. Edward was as fair skinned as they come, amber eyes and copper hair and Jacob . . . well he was Native American. His heritage would come through in the dark brown eyes, dark skin and black straight hair, almost without a doubt. Guess we would just have to wait and see. He sure was still attached to Bells and Edward permitted it . . . he was even nice to Jacob.
I was loosing it. I shook my head and came back to the present. Sue was holding my hand in the back seat of Carlisle's Mercedes as Esme and Carlisle drove us to the airport. Apparently there was a convention of some sort going on in Atlanta and Carlisle was going to one of the lectures tomorrow afternoon, speaking at one if I had heard right, so the timing was perfect on he and Esme driving us in. Sue's flight left about an hour after mine, so she would not have to be alone in the airport for long, though I suspected that Esme and Carlisle were planning to wait with her.
It was good that Carlisle and Esme were staying the night in Atlanta, that was it didn't make sense for Bella to come with them to take me to the airport. I had a feeling the tears would have flowed even more if we were standing in the terminal and I hated public displays . . . she knew that. Anyway, from the look of her to me, she needn't be riding that far in a car or be that far from the hospital. I felt like she could have that baby anytime now and I didn't give a damn what they said about when it was due.
We got to the airport and parked without much fuss and I checked my bag. Sue checked in as well, but insisted she was going to keep her bag and do the carry on thing. I told her I thought the bag was a little big and she would be better off checking it, but she was a stubborn woman.
"Well, thank you for the hospitality," I said to Carlisle and Esme as I shook his hand. "I appreciate you looking after my daughter."
"You're very welcome, Charlie, but as far as taking care of Bella . . . Edward is all over that," he laughed, "He's too busy taking care of her to let anyone else near her," he said with a laugh.
"Well that's right, I know that's right. That boy of yours is a bit overprotective of her," I agreed with him, "But she's just as protective of him. I tell you what, she even reads me the riot act if I get out of line where he's concerned."
"Don't feel singled out. She's that way with all of us, Charlie. They really are good together though, and we all love your daughter. Don't worry, she is in good hands and we will keep in touch," Esme promised.
I said my goodbye's and Sue walked a little piece down with me to the security line. I knew she wanted a kiss and I was going to oblige her. I just hated to do these things in public.
"Bye sweetheart," I told her, shocking her by using an endearment.
"Bye, Charlie. I'll be home soon and I'll keep in touch, okay?" she offered as she kissed my lips.
I hugged her to me for a moment, not really wanting to let go, then I said okay and got in line to leave, my mind turning to things I had to do at home and hoping she would be there soon.
~oooOoo~
Sam POV
"What kind of shit is this anyway, Sam? You're actually going to use the ticket the bloodsucker sent you and go to their house?" Paul asked, totally disbelieving the information he had been given.
I continued packing. I was only taking a carry on and Emily had put in lots of shorts and sweats, not knowing when and how often I would need to phase. I took an extra band or two to keep things tied to my ankle, just in case I needed them. I looked up to answer Paul as he stood staring, hands on hips in my bedroom.
"Paul, it's Jacob."
"But it was the tall crazy haired one that called you!" Paul spat.
"Yes, it was the one they call Edward that called me the first time. Jake had just phased and he wanted to talk to me," I told him.
"Now you see right there, that had to be a lie. How the hell could Jake talk to you? He was in wolf form, right?" Paul said smugly.
"He reads minds," I told him. He looked at me like I had lost my fucking mind. I recognized the look because Emily had given me a similar look earlier when I explained it to her. I began zipping my duffel, "The leech reads minds. I'm totally serious. Edward, the one that was in town with Bella the night that car ran into the Pizza Parlor, he's the one."
"You're shitting me. What's that all about?" Embry continued, having walked in on the conversation.
"Look, I don't know how the bloodsucker does it, but after the questions he asked and the way he asked them, I'm convinced it was Jake asking and when Sue called, she confirmed it. Jake needs me and I'm going. As far as using the leeches ticket, hell yea I'll do it on his dime. He probably has me stuffed into the back of a freight plane anyway," I told them.
I headed downstairs and put my bag by the door. Emily was driving me and I at least wanted breakfast before I left. God knows what food I would get once I got there. I was anxious to get to Jake for lots of reasons . . . reasons that might or might not work to my advantage.
"So are you going to talk Jake into coming back? Now that he's phased, he's the alpha . . . right?" Paul asked timidly. I knew Paul wanted Jake back because he was his brother in law now, since Paul had married Jake's older sister and Jake leaving right after their father's funeral had stunned us all, but it had really hurt her. She needed her brother.
"Hell yea he better come back here and take over you pack of mutts! Although, if he wants to just be in the pack and not the leader, maybe we can get rid of a leech or two before we fly back . . . that would make it a good trip," I smiled, my lips straight to conceal my smirk. I had every intention of getting to end at least the one that had been interested in Charlie's daughter. Billy would have wanted us to protect her and I was hall bent on doing what I thought would be best for everyone.
"Sam, Charlie and Sue were there visiting for Christmas, staying with the Cullens. They seem fond of them and Sue knows full well what they are. Ending them when they haven't technically violated the treaty might cause a war between us and I don't think the elders would go for it. . .especially Sue," Embry spoke with some amount of knowledge on their feelings.
"We'll see. If a reason comes up, they will have to see it my way. If something happened to Bella because of him it might change their minds, if only for a minute . . . that's all I need to take his head off and set fire to him. Then they can change their minds all they want," I chuckled to myself.
We had a quiet breakfast and Embry stayed behind to clean up for us while Emily drove me to Seattle.
"Please be careful all the way across the country, Sam. I know Sue is there and Bella, but there are a lot of vampires there and you probably shouldn't start anything while you are so outnumbered," Emily said worriedly. I sat quietly and listened to her. "You know, Bella is a really nice girl, Sam . . . and she loves that boy," my mate whispered.
"Boy? Boy? Emily, he is a vampire. They're not even alive, Emily. How can she love him?" I asked, outraged.
"I love you and you aren't exactly human, Sam," she said shushing me as I became more and more furious and I'm sure turned all shades of red. "Hear me out. You being a werewolf and him being a vampire, you are both actually mythological creatures . . . things that aren't supposed to exist. If she loves him and he is good to her, why do you have a problem with that? She has always been nice enough to me about my being with you . . ."
"NO! You can't seriously be comparing me to something that is dead, Emily. Hard, cold stone. He has no beating heart - he is the cursed undead that walk the earth praying on the innocent!" I yelled.
"Excuse me, Sam. You are wrong! They only eat animals, remember . . . just like you and I do! They do not kill humans, why can't you accept that?" she yelled right back, determined as always to make her point.
I had imprinted on her, she was my mate. I was bound by some undefinable spell to give her what she wanted, to be whatever she wanted or needed me to be. Damn it. I would have to try and see this the way she was looking at it, I had no choice but to listen and try to understand. If I could just make her see . . .
She took my phone and called Sue before I realized what she was doing. "Sue, hi it's Emily. Fine, fine. Yes, we're on the way to the airport now. Here's the thing, Emily. Can you have a ticket there for me as well?" I asked. She totally ignored my protests and the harsh words that were spewing from me, the least of which were, "Hell no you are not going anywhere near the bloodsuckers!"
"Yes. I'm not packed, this was a last minute decision, Sue, but I think it would be safer for everyone if I come with Sam. No. No, I'm insisting. No, he isn't happy and he says he isn't coming if I come, but I . . . sure if there is a ticket there for me and I get on the plane he will come too if only to protect me from the Cullens. Yes. I know . . . men. Doesn't matter what else they are, men are men when it comes to stubborn. Okay. Well, ask them and I'll check with the ticket agent when we get there. Thanks," she said as she clicked the phone shut. You could have heard a pin drop except for the sound of the car engine and the road passing under us.
She pulled into long term parking and gathered what things she had in the car, stuffing them into her purse. Shit. I knew that look. Why had I run my mouth about taking out that leech? Damn damn damn, I never expected this reaction from her. Why was it so hard for women to see this for what it was, Bella liking that bloodsucker was unnatural, it was absurd, it was . . . sick. She needed our help to get out from under whatever dazzle or spell he had on her . . . they supposedly had a way of attracting their prey, making the kill easier. Maybe that was it, "Emily, we just need to break whatever spell he has on Bella . . . she can't voluntarily be wanting to be with him." I told her.
"Well, that must be a hell of a spell then, Sam. She is married to him. Married, as in I do before God and these witnesses!" She said as we walked toward the terminal.
"Emily, how can they be married? It can't be legitimate, they can't consummate it! There is no way that filthy bloodsucker could stick cold stone into her, be that close to her and not either rip her apart physically or drain her. No way. Do you even realize how strong he is, how hard his skin is? Emily, he feels ice cold to the touch. Would you go to bed with a cold stone?" I asked her, incredulous.
"I wouldn't. I go to bed with fire, Sam. You run at a hundred and nine degrees all the time, remember? If I manage to scratch you with my nails, you heal instantly. None of that qualifies as normal either, yet I love you!" she insisted. We were next in line at the counter, and I walked up and gave them my name and the flight that Sue had said they booked me on.
"Yes, reservations for Sam and Emily Uley heading to Atlanta, Georgia. Is that correct, Sir?" the reservation agent asked.
Shit. Sue had made it happen.
"Yes, that's correct," I answered her, catching a glance at the smile that Emily was trying to keep off of her face.
"Here you are, Sir. Will you be checking baggage?" she asked.
"No. No bag checked, thank you," I told her.
"In that case," she motioned to a gentleman behind the desk and handed him our tickets. "If you will follow me, please," the man said, gesturing for me to allow him to carry my duffel. What the fuck.
Figures. They weren't putting me on a freighter, they were going the opposite route . . . first class seats and VIP lounge. Must be nice to have limitless funds, filthy century old parasites.
~oooOooo~
Carlisle POV
"It will be alright, Petal," I told my wife as i sat in the terminal with my arm around her. Sue had walked off to say a private goodbye to Charlie and we had a moment alone.
"Sweetie, I'm worried about having Sam here. From what you've told me of your encounters with him, he's hostile to us all, but especially towards Edward," she said, her brow furrowing. I smoothed it with my thumb, tracing the line of her cheekbone as well.
"It was Edward's idea, Petal. Jake needs someone and he wants Sam. Our son is a good enough friend to him to make that happen, with Sue's help, of course," I tried to sooth her.
Sue was approaching us now and she had a concerned look on her face, her cell phone to her ear. I overheard the conversation and it sounded as though she was agreeing with the woman on the other end of the line. Well, I would find out soon enough what that was all about.
"Sue, Sam's flight doesn't get in for quite some time. Would you like to sit and have lunch while we wait?" I asked her.
"I would love that, thank you, Carlisle. Right now we have a bit of a situation. Emily just called me, Emily Uley, Sam's wife. She is worried about him coming here alone . . . worried about how he will act around," she stammered, looking for the right word.
"Us", I filled in for her.
"Yes. To be blunt, she feels that he will try and take Edward's head off because of having seen him with Bella. Carlisle, if he feels that way because of the limited amount he knows, how will he act when he finds out that she is expecting and that Edward is the father?" Sue asked, concerned.
"I suspected as much," Esme said, her lips drawn into a thin line.
"At any rate, Emily is fond of Bella and seems to feel some empathy for her . . . feelings for creatures that are other than human, since she's with Sam. The thing is, Carlisle, she asked if she could come with Sam - if a ticket could be sent for her. She is driving him to the airport as we speak. She is unprepared and has packed nothing, apparently something was said that made her call me. Sam refuses to allow her to come, but she is willing to take the ticket and get on the plane, knowing that he would never allow her to come unprotected to meet us here," Sue explained.
"Carlisle . . . ," Esme said, looking at him questioningly.
"I'll take care of it right away. If she is willing to come, she would be a great help at calming Sam," I said as I stood to go to the ticket counter, "We are fortunate to have people like you, Sue, that are so gracious with regard to our kind. I appreciate all of your help. This is just about helping Jacob, and nothing more and I want us all to remain as friendly as possible and have the treaty between our people remain intact. My word given to Ephraim Black is important to me and I don't want to break faith with it," I told her.
"Nor do I, Carlisle . . . nor do I . . ."