Bella's POV

When we walked into the house, Rosalie, Esme, and Carmen looked up, curiosity written across their faces.

"Well?" Rose asked impatiently, glancing from me, to Edward, and finally to Carlisle. "What happened? Where are Alice and Jasper?"

Alice and Jasper had split off about halfway back to the house, claiming they were going hunting, but even without being a mind reader, I knew that wasn't all they were going to do. I just knew I didn't want to know more.

Carlisle answered her aloud and then asked everyone to take a seat so we could go over what had happened.

Edward pulled me down to the sofa between him and Esme, and he smiled when I reached down and joined our hands.

After relaying my reaction at Charlie's house to Carmen, Esme, and Rose, Carlisle said, "I think we need to speak to Jacob tomorrow. Sue knows about Bella, and I don't believe she's planning to say anything to Charlie—" he looked to Edward, who shook his head "—but it's still something we need to talk to the pack about."

"I do think we confirmed what we thought," Eleazar said, looking over at Carlisle.

"I do, as well," Carlisle agreed.

"So what does that mean?" I asked, looking over at the two men.

"It means we keep testing our theory," Eleazar explained, "and I get in contact with a few people who might know more."

"Yes!" Emmett cheered, pumping his hammy fist in the air. "More test drive Bella time!"

I rolled my eyes, and if the situation weren't so serious, I'd have giggled when Rose reached over and smacked the back of his head.

Edward glared at his brother and then turned to Eleazar. "Who do you think would know more? It's probably best not to involve the Volturi," he said, shaking his head. I could feel the tension rising in him at the mention of that group. "It's none of their business about Bella, and I don't want to draw attention to Charlie and Lizzie."

"No, of course not," Eleazar responded soothingly. "I was thinking more along the lines of Stefan and Vladimir."

"The Romanians?" Edward mused, obviously deep in thought as he nodded to himself. "Makes sense."

"Who are Stefan and Vladimir?" I asked Edward before turning my gaze to the others.

"They're brothers," Eleazar answered. "They've lived a long time—nearly three thousand years—and if anyone has any answers for us, they will."

"And they won't tell...the Volturi about anything?" I asked quietly, gripping Edward's hand. I didn't like the idea of involving them any more than Edward did. The Volturi seemed so remote and unfeeling.

"No, I don't believe they will. You see," Eleazar explained, "they don't like Aro and the others in Italy. It is the Volturi who killed the rest of the Romanian coven so long ago."

I nodded; for once in my newborn vampire life, I completely understood. That kind of loss was monumental and tragic. However, my own needs, and the needs of my daughter, kept me on task. "When will you contact them?" I asked impatiently.

Eleazar smiled gently at me. "I'll make arrangements to get in contact with them immediately. They don't have a phone, so I'll ask Kate and the others to go to them for me."

"How long will—"

Eleazar stood to leave, pulling out his phone, as Carlisle said softly, "It'll take a couple of days, unfortunately, Bella. It's quite a long flight there, and then they'll have to find the brothers. I'd say we should hear from them in two to three days."

My heart ached in my chest. For three more days, my life would be on hold. I wanted so badly to know the answer, to know if my daughter would be safe with me. Yet again, a roadblock had been thrown in my path...but this one didn't seem so insurmountable.

I sighed, frustrated, but nodded. "All right."

~*~*~FC~*~*~

Edward's POV

Long after the new day was underway, Bella asked me for my phone.

"Bella, are you sure you want to do this?" I asked softly. "If you don't, we'll find another way." I held her hand in mine as she fussed at her lower lip and stared at the phone worriedly.

Shaking her head, she finally said, "You heard them last night. We need to talk to Sue."

"It doesn't have to be n—"

"Yes, Edward," she interrupted, looking up at me and smiling sadly. "It does. You know Alice said this is my last chance today. It's already noon. Charlie's at work, but he'll be going home early and will be in for the rest of the day." She paused and took a shuddering breath. "I've put it off until now, and I can't do it anymore."

I wasn't sure what she was so worried about, but it was tearing me up inside to see her so...scared, I supposed. Worried didn't really cover the apprehensive look in her eyes.

I glanced around the empty living room, glad the rest of the family had given us pseudo-privacy by staying upstairs. Bella didn't need them gawking or obviously listening in. Finally, I nodded and pulled out my cell phone, dialing it for her. She was handling her newfound strength well and learning to control it far more quickly than any of the rest of us had, but she was worried about pushing too hard on the buttons and breaking it. When it began to ring, I handed it to her.

"Thanks," she whispered, taking the phone gently from me and putting it up to her ear.

"Hello?" I heard Sue's voice say over the speaker by Bella's head.

"H-Hi, Sue," Bella stammered, squeezing my hand with her free one.

"Bella!" The exclamation was loud; Sue sounded truly surprised to hear from her. "Jacob and Seth told me what happened. Where are you? What happened? I mean, I know, obviously, but what's going on? Oh, Bella," she finished with a sigh, barely able to stop from rambling.

As Bella explained that she was here with me and my family, I half-tuned them out and listened to the thoughts from the rest of my family. Carlisle was in his study, where he and Eleazar had planted themselves hours before. Carmen and Esme were in the bedroom she shared with Carlisle, reading and talking. My siblings were in their respective rooms, as well.

"So what are your plans?" Sue asked Bella hesitantly.

"I'd planned to go to Alaska," Bella answered softly. "The Cullens have some friends that live out in the...wilderness, I guess, so I thought I could find someplace away from any humans until it was safe."

"You said you'd planned to go? What changed? Jacob tried explaining, but I have to admit to being slightly confused."

I watched Bella bite her lip, looking to me with a raised eyebrow. She then put her hand over the phone carefully and asked me, "Is it all right if I tell her more about Alice and her gift?"

"Of course, Bella," Alice called from upstairs.

Bella rolled her eyes and uncovered the phone again. "Alice, Edward's sister, has a talent. She's...psychic," she explained to Sue, pausing when Sue's breath caught. "It's based on decisions people make. Apparently, she's had several visions of me..." She closed her eyes and swallowed hard before continuing. "She's had several visions of me rocking Lizzie."

"Bella," Sue said, fear heavy in her voice. "Are you sure that's safe? What if..."

Bella took a deep breath and said, "I know, Sue. I promise, it's not something any of us are taking lightly. Carlisle and an old friend of his believe there are several things working in my favor. If we feel like Lizzie—or you or Charlie, even—are in any danger, I won't come near the house, you have my word."

There was a pause, and then Sue said, "I hope—for your sake and hers—that your Alice knows what she's talking about. Lizzie misses you. We all miss you. Your dad... Well, your dad knows something isn't right. He wants to talk to you so badly, Bella. Do you think you could..."

Bella gripped my hand hard enough for it to hurt, and I shut off everything else, focusing completely on her conversation with Sue.

"Please, Sue. I can't talk to him right now. I... Just tell him I said I called when I knew he'd be at work because I need some space, and if I heard his voice..." She trailed off, looking at me with eyes so full of sorrow, I felt my still heart breaking.

"All right, Bella," Sue said with a sigh. "I'll tell him. Good luck, sweetheart."

"Thanks, Sue," Bella said sadly. "Take good care of Lizzie and Charlie, okay? I'll call you...sometime soon."

I heard a faint cry in the background, and then there was a click as Sue quickly hung up the phone.

Bella's resolve crumbled and she turned to me, sobbing tearlessly into my shirt as I gathered her into my arms.

I understood then, the fear that she'd had and the longing she must feel. I thought of telling her everything would be okay, that we would get through it. But as sure as I was that it would—that we would—I knew that wasn't what she needed right then. Nothing would be okay in her world until we knew for certain. Until then, I would continue doing just what I was doing now—holding her and trying to protect her from the pain as much as I could.

~*~*~FC~*~*~

Bella's POV

A while after I got off the phone with Sue, Edward sat up and looked toward the stairs.

"What is it?" I asked, feeling his tension.

"Alice had a vision," he murmured.

"Of?" I sat up, clenching my fists in my lap.

"I'm guessing wolves," he said, shaking his head. "All of us disappeared."

I held out the phone. "Call Jake?" I requested. "He'll be able to tell us."

Before Edward could reach out and take the phone, it rang. He took it from me and smirked, looking at the caller ID. "Too late," he said before flipping it open. "Hello, Jacob."

"Hey, Edward," Jacob said, his voice clear over the phone to everyone in the house. "Listen, some of the pack have been...anxious to see Bella since the attack. Would it be okay if I came over with a few of them?"

"Who?" I mouthed nervously, as the rest of the Cullens—along with Eleazar and Carmen—made their way into the living room.

"Who are you asking about?" Edward asked Jacob, squeezing my hand.

"Seth, Quil, and Embry," he answered. "They're closest to Bella and have been worried about her. I said I'd need to ask you about them crossing the border between our lands first."

I swallowed nervously, but I was excited at the prospect of seeing my friends again.

Raising an eyebrow, Edward asked me silently for my opinion.

"I, uh...yeah, that would be good," I murmured.

His eyes flickered around the room to see if there were any objections, and when none came, he said into the phone, "That would be fine, Jacob. You do remember we have guests, correct?"

"Yes," Jacob said in response. "They're...like you, correct?"

Edward smirked. "If you mean vegetarian, yes. They only feed from animals, as well."

"All right," Jacob said. "We'll be there in a few."

As Edward hung up the phone, I tried to smile, but it may have come across as a grimace instead, because Emmett growled. "Just let us know if we need to scare 'em off, Bella," he said, crossing his arms over his chest and looking grim.

Shaking my head, I said quickly, "No, Emmett, it's not that. They're my friends. It's just..." I sighed. "I haven't seen Quil or Embry since..." I motioned up and down my body to show him that I meant since I'd been changed.

A few minutes later, Edward squeezed my hand. "They're here. Are you all right to see them?"

I smiled and looked around at the rest of the family. "I'll be fine." Then I looked at Carlisle. "Will I need to go outside and say hello?"

"No, Bella," he assured me. "They're your friends; they're most certainly welcome inside."

I smiled my thanks as a knock sounded at the front door.