Bella Pov

"So, are you going to tell us the story?" Alice finally just asked as they sat in their first class.

"I don't know." Bella told her and watched with a little surprise as Alice scowled at her.

"You know, I really don't like how you stay indecisive just to trick me." Alice let out a huff of air. "I know you like to plan things out, but you never do that when I want you to."

"I'm not trying to trick you." Bella spoke more gently, and with a bit of concern. Alice was rarely grumpy with her, in fact this could be the first time. "But if I tell the story, or plan to, well, it isn't just you that finds out. I can't let him run Alice, if he does that he could cause some trouble. I've 'seen' it before." Bella had to finally hint to the issue. Bella still wasn't sure how to work around that problem. If she decided to talk she'd need to take some time to organize her thoughts and try and remember as much of that story as she could. The Cullens thought she heard the story last summer, but honestly it had been a bit longer. Only the way people constantly used to bring it up around her kept it somewhat fresh in her mind.

"Speaking of Edward." Alice sighed heavily. "I had hoped he'd get over it, but he doesn't believe in reincarnation Bella. Even with the evidence in front of us he is convinced you are THAT Bella, and that the 'episode' of precognition had side effects and you, well,"

Bella frowned and turned to face Alice, rather than to walk into their classroom. "You can't be serious?" Her eyes widened as Alice nodded. That Bella, she really didn't want anyone thinking she was that Bella.

"I wish you'd make up your mind so I could tell you if what you say will cause more problems. Last night seemed to last forever Bella. He heard that the story had him paired with someone finally, and he's a bit touchy. It's a bit understandable, don't you think?"

Alice slipped into the classroom and Bella just stood there for a moment longer, her heart sinking as she realized that she didn't really have a choice in talking now, not if she wanted Edward to understand. Bella needed to plan out how to do this, she needed to take some time and really plan it and yet she had Alice to think about.

Bella mulled over that all morning, and when she got to Art class with Alice again, she asked. "How do I get time to plan something when I can't let Edward read your mind and get the story first? It's an old story to me now and I'd need to put notes together to try and recreate it a bit, to try and not forget something important. The minute I decide to work on my outline you'll know everything, won't you?"

Alice stopped drawing and studied Bella. "This is supposed to be my weekend with you. I had some plans but if you need that time to do something else I could always just stay overnight at your house. I'd want another weekend though, because I'd be losing mine with you while you write out notes, and I don't really think that's fair. We can work out how to deal with your making a decision for your planning, but Bella I've also got the problem of being there when you tell us all. I'd have to not be there if you really need him to be surprised. Do you really need that Bella?"

"I don't know. If I made a decision could you tell me?" Bella noticed the teacher glancing at them and started to draw again to keep on her good side.

"I probably could." Alice took up her pencil as well.

Bella managed to not make a decision for almost the entire week. It helped that she could focus on her new job, the rush to finish up her portfolio for art class, and preparing for finals.

She did notice Edward was around more at school, his path took him near her more often, and she did her best to ignore his searching looks. Rosalie was with her at lunch every day, and she walked Bella to a few more of her classes, so the protective custody had been stepped up a little. It wasn't as reassuring as it could be, but Bella said nothing about it.

It was Friday night that Alice was going to stay over. Charlie was going to be working late, and he'd actually been pleased that Bella wouldn't be alone for the night. Alice missed school that day and Rosalie told her Alice had called and would be at her house. Apparently Bella had made a decision before she meant to and Alice was staying away from Edward for the day to help keep it quiet. It had been a hard day to focus on school, but since next week was the last week of school she wasn't the only one not able to concentrate.

With nothing else left to lose and her inability to think of anything else, Bella opened up her notebook and started taking brief notes on the first book during classes. As she took notes she knew she was missing a lot of the story, because she was able to take her notes on a few pages, not an entire notebook. Bella edited and added as she went, trying to focus on the order of things and she became frustrated with herself as her memory was less than she'd like. It wasn't going to be in a format that would entertain, but hopefully that was better. Maybe if she remembered too much it would seem too much like a real book to the Cullens and they might start to ask questions.

"Would you like a ride home?" Rosalie asked her during lunch and Bella looked up from her notebook, where she'd just started an outline of New Moon.

"That would be nice." She smiled at Rose. "Thanks."

"No problem, any time you don't feel like using the bus just let me know." Rosalie sat down across from her at the table. "What are you working on? Do you have a big paper due?"

Bella glanced around the library to see that the few other people there weren't nearby. "I'm collecting my thoughts and taking notes on that 'story'." She admitted and watched Rosalie's eyes move back to stare at the notebook with caution now. "My memory isn't as good as I'd hoped and I'm trying to remember as much as I can, but I'm sure something will be left out." Bella paused and gave Rosalie a searching look. "I realized something this morning. This story affects your 'cousins' as well. I hadn't really realized it, but I think they need to be a part of all of this."

"Oh," Rosalie spoke quietly. "We haven't told them much about you at all. Other than whatever Edward might have let slip. Is there a way around telling them? I don't like the idea of so many vampires knowing what you are."

"They are family, right?" Bella asked, wondering at why Rose was so reluctant.

The blonde vampire gave her a weak smile. "I guess I don't want to share any more than I have too. If Tanya and the others come here, well," Her words trailed off. It seemed off to Bella, she was sure she wasn't a magnet for vampires but Rosalie was acting like she might be.

It was tempting to let it go at that, especially since Bella didn't know much about the Denalis at all, but they'd paid the heaviest price in these books. "Rose," Bella leaned in and whispered. "They'll need the whole story. Irina needs to know it all, so she can avoid," Bella's voice trailed off. How could she tell anyone about this if she couldn't even get it out with just Rose. Bella gave Rose a helpless look and the blonde vampire rested a hand over hers.

Rosalie's phone rang and Rose answered it. "What, are you sure?" Rosalie gave Bella a measuring look. "Bella, why do you want Irina there? Alice says you aren't committed to telling us yet."

Bella took a deep breath and forced herself to say it. "Irina died in the story." Rosalie's eyes widened and her expression went from shocked to pained.

"Did you get that?" Rosalie said after slowly putting the phone back to her ear. "Yes, I think that's a good idea." Bella wasn't hearing the other side of the conversation, but Rosalie spoke softly and slowly after hanging up. "Alice will help make sure the Denali's are part of this somehow. She said she might be late coming to your house today as she sets things up."

"I'm sure Irina's death can be avoided. There were so many things that went wrong." Bella spoke quietly, upset that she'd even forgotten that the Cullens had lost family in that final confrontation until she'd outlined how Laurent went to Denali in the Twilight book.

"The more I learn about what happened with "her" the more relieved I am that we have you instead." Rosalie spoke slowly, her eyes moving around the room rather than looking straight at her for a moment. Bella had the sense that there would be some tears if Rosalie could shed them.

"I hope you still feel that way after I tell the story Rose." Bella whispered and focused on her closed notebook. She, at least, could shed a few tears and she nearly did.

"I can't imagine ever not wanting it to be you with us." Rosalie spoke so softly, so tenderly, and Bella grasped her hand and held it tight.

Bella returned home after school and spent all Friday night typing. Some time around the end of the last bit of the story, as Bella was writing about the confrontation with the Volturi that had happened, and Irina's death, Alice slipped into her bedroom. "How?"

"Your father's bedroom window." Alice told her softly and Bella grimaced at the proof it was easy to sneak into her house. Alice slipped across the room and sat down heavily on the bed and stared at Bella. "I think I need to be there with you." Alice sighed heavily. "And yes, some of my thoughts might leak out, but I want to be there for you when you share this story. I want you to know someone right there knows what you are doing and what you are going through and is there for you." Alice leaned forward. "I've had to give bad news quite a bit in my life Bella and I know it hurts to do that to the people you love and I'll support you."

Bella felt like her throat was tightening up, and her eyes were watery. She just opened her arms and the small vampire moved to hug her tightly. "I don't want to hurt them." She muttered into Alice's shirt.

"We all know that Bella, we know it." Alice's breath moved through Bella's hair. "And it will be okay. It will hurt, I won't lie, but it will be okay." Alice whispered even softer, "I'll never leave you like that Bella, never. I'm ashamed that my brother pushed us to do that to her, that I did that to her, but I'll never do that to you." Alice knew some of the story, and those words made it obvious. Bella nodded that she understood, that she believed and then just relaxed into Alice's hug.

…

Jasper Pov

"She'll be here soon." Rosalie spoke into the phone as she moved to set it on the table, switching it to speaker. "Bella is really nervous about doing this. It isn't easy for her." Jasper could feel the protectiveness oozing out of Rosalie as she warned the Denali's on the other side of the phone. "It was her idea that you should be included from the beginning."

"That's nice to know." Tanya's voice spoke up, even as Rosalie was plugging the phone into the charger to keep this connection going for as long as it took. "From what Alice told us, she seems to be rather unusual."

"That's our Bella Bear, a surprise a minute." Emmett spoke up as he moved behind Rose and held her to him. Jasper was still waiting for his own mate, who was driving Bella over. The irritation coming from upstairs was ignored, as Jasper had been ignoring it all week whenever Rose talked about Bella.

"Maybe all of you could visit sometime this summer and meet her." Esme offered as she slipped into the room with snacks for Bella, which she put out on the dining table they were all going to be sitting around. It wasn't hard to sense Rosalie's irritation with the invitation and Jasper smiled just a little. Jealousy, finally one of the three was showing some jealousy and it was from the idea of Bella meeting their very single, very succubus, cousins.

"We'll consider it." Tanya managed politely, but they really didn't know how the Denali's felt about a pseudo-human knowing too much. Bella was technically human, but her situation was so odd it was actually more of a grey area, as far as Jasper was concerned. He felt that point could even be argued with the Volturi if it became necessary, not that he had any idea if they'd win that point.

The scent of the forest filled the house, as every window that could open on the main floor was opened. The weather was warm, and a little sunny at times, so it should be comfortable for Bella and it would help keep her scent down a bit for Edward. This was going to be the longest he'd ever been in direct contact with her and they were being cautious.

He could hear the car pulling up and moved to take a seat at the table as they waited. Carlisle filed in with Edward as well. One head of the table sat empty, reserved for Bella, with the phone in front of her to catch her story and to give the Denali's the ability to ask questions of Bella directly.

Alice was gently pulling a reluctant Bella into the house and Jasper sent Bella a small dose of calm to help her. He took in the way Bella held on tight to a binder in her hand, or that she swallowed hard and took small steps toward the dining table, slow steps.

"We have the Denali's on speaker phone." Rosalie warned them and Jasper felt apprehension from Bella.

"It's nice to see you again Bella." Edward spoke slowly, staying in his chair as they'd all agreed he would do. He wouldn't make sudden movements and he would stay for the entire story, no matter how hard it was. He'd agreed easily to that, and Jasper knew it would be harder for Edward to keep that promise than Edward realized just yet. Bella wasn't prone to overreacting like Edward appeared to think she was doing. It would be a hard story if she said it was.

"Hey Edward." Bella stared him in the eyes for a moment, and it was a flat, cautious tone that matched her emotions perfectly. Alice guided Bella to the other side of the table from Edward and into the chair at that head of the table.

"Okay, now that we've got our body snatcher here, let's get this party started." Emmett teased.

"Hello Bella, I'm Tanya of the Denali coven. We have all of us here like you requested." Tanya spoke and Bella finally looked at the phone. She stared at it actually and Jasper felt some odd determination as she took in the face of the phone, which showed the open connection.

"Hello Denali's." Bella spoke and there was a hint of confidence in her voice, and her back sat straighter. The human seemed to sit like a business woman at the moment. "The story affects your family even though you aren't around for most of it. I want you to keep that in mind if you start to get bored or wonder why you're part of this." Bella felt some hesitation. "Irina?"

"Yes Bella?" Another Denali spoke up.

"Please don't wander off." Bella asked softly. He felt some sympathy and wondered at it. The way Alice and Rosalie mirrored Bella's emotions told him there was something those three hadn't shared with the rest of them yet.

"I believe I can manage that." Irina sounded puzzled, but without them being nearby Jasper's powers weren't going to help that part of the family through this.

Bella's eyes rose from the phone to take in the rest of them sitting around the table. "I guess I better start with the disclaimer. I've tried to remember as much as I can, but I don't have a memory like all of you. I took notes to try and put the story in order, and I'll do the best I can." There was a sense of concern from a few of them, including Bella herself. "Also, this is what would have happened, not what will happen. I take it as a warning to watch out, but not a 'prediction'. Things are already so different, and I'm not that naive little girl." Edward sent out doubt and irritation, but he said nothing out loud, thankfully. Bella was approaching this as professionally as she could, and Jasper suspected it was to help her deal with her emotions. He'd help her as much as he could as well. "Ground rules, we take this in order and we do it all in one day. Half of the story is more dangerous than none at all, so everyone stays for it all or they get none of it. I'll answer questions and I'll give my opinions of things that happened in the story if they are needed. Will that work?"

"We can do that." Tanya spoke up.

Bella's eyes moved to Edward. "It will be hard. You are the one that wanted this, but it's going to hurt Edward. If you can't stay I'll just stop here."

"I can do it." Edward felt some amusement, rather than any hesitation and Jasper felt like rolling his eyes.

"To me, this is the story of how that Bella and Edward managed to screw up repeatedly." Bella warned him again. "I understand her a little more now that her life is mine, but I would be ashamed if that was my story. Edward, this may be painful and humiliating." Bella clearly could see Edward didn't take her first warning seriously.

Finally he showed some hesitation, but he nodded, and Jasper nodded as well, letting Bella know she was taken seriously.

A heavy sign came from Bella and she opened the notebook in front of her. "I guess I could get started." She was feeling so many things, few of them good and Jasper started to send out calm into the room in preparation.