As always everything belongs to Stephanie Meyers.
Chapter 17-ALLIES
Bella watched Charlie pull down the driveway, then turned and marched up the stairs to my front door. Determined is how she appeared. Determined to get this evening over with.
"Bella?" I said softly, as I sprung up to the porch steps.
Pulling her into my arms at once, just as I had in the parking lot, kissing her again. Wanting to run with her, desiring to take her away from the dangers that were plaguing us, I knew I couldn't. My only choice was to keep her safely in my arms, never releasing her again. Kissing her vigorously, I was unable to refrain my desires and it felt as if this could be our last kiss.
Urgency rushed through my brain seizing full control, struggling was pointless; surrendering was all I could recognize. I wanted more, I wished for everything, before it was too late. Helpless, in my own selfish thoughts, the heat coming of her body, her scent swirling my mind, relinquishing –I'd shredded any reasoning that remained. I wanted Bella, in every possible way and as my hands touched her soft skin I could hear her heart pounding in her chest as electricity ran through every fiber of my being. This was right… it had to be… I rationalized to myself.
Fearing our time together was limited, failure hung over my head. Resistance was no longer part of my vocabulary –abstinence flew right out of my head. Any shreds of control I once had were lost to our impending doom. Nothing matter anymore, except for her –she was the only thing I'd ever wanted and there was no longer a reason not to have her –all of her. My lips moved in perfect synchronicity with hers, she'd been right all along… we fit together perfectly. Flames shot through my body as the heat raged on, leaving me a sense of urgency. Whisking her away to somewhere remote and private… became all my mind could think of. My hand began to move, wrapping my arms around her, grabbing her in my clutches…
Having utterly lost my mind, along with things progressing beyond the point of no return, it was Bella, who for the first time in this relationship, suddenly pulled away.
"Let's get this stupid party over with," she mumbled, not meeting my eyes.
She too, felt the urgency in me. Those simple words were enough to drain the fire inside of me, bringing me back to reality. Wanting to reassure her, needing her to comprehend that things were going to be fine, I couldn't have her worrying all night. I would be doing enough of that for the both of us, she should enjoy herself.
Putting my hands on either side of her face, I waited for her to look at me.
"I won't let anything happen to you."
She touched my lips with the fingers of her good hand. "I'm not worried about myself so much."
"Why am I not surprised by that?" I muttered to myself. Taking a deep breath, I smiled slightly. "Ready to celebrate?" I asked.
She groaned.
Holding the door open for her, my arm securely around her waist. She stood frozen for a minute, and then she slowly shook her head. Taking in the atmosphere inside the house, she was in shock at what Alice had done.
"Unbelievable."
I shrugged. "Alice will be Alice."
Alice had turned the interior of the house into a nightclub –the kind that only existed on TV. Alice never did anything half way… it was all or nothing with her.
"Edward!" Alice called from beside a gigantic speaker. "I need your advice." She gestured toward a towering stack of CDs. "Should we give them familiar and comforting? Or" –she gestured to a different pile- "educate their taste in music?"
"Keep it comfortable," I recommended. "You can only lead a horse to water."
Alice nodded seriously, and started throwing the educational CDs into a box. Bella glanced over at her.
"I think I'm underdressed."
"You're perfect," I disagreed.
"You'll do," Alice amended.
"Thanks." She sighed. "Do you really think people will come?" She asked with hope in her voice. Alice made a face at her.
"Everyone will come," I answered. "They're all dying to see the inside of the reclusive Cullen's mystery house."
"Fabulous," She moaned.
Refusing to let Bella go I dragged her with me as I hunted up Jasper and then Carlisle to tell them of my –well, Bella's latest theory. We discussed our attack on the army in Seattle, much to Bella's horror who tensed when he said the word –attack. Jasper was not pleased with where the numbers remained… they'd been unable to contact any others. Jasper didn't hide his desperation as he should in front of Bella, I was uncomfortable speaking of this with her here, but at this time, I had no other choice.
The doorbell rang.
Everyone fell into place at once. We had many years of practice displaying a perfectly normal family, snapping into the façade at a moments notice. A perfect smile, genuine and warm, replaced the stress on Carlisle's face. Alice turned the volume of the music up, and then danced to get the door.
It was a Suburban-load of Bella's friends, either too nervous or too intimidated to arrive on their own. Jessica was the first one in the door, with Mike right behind her. Tyler, Conner, Austin, Lee, Samantha… even Lauren trailing in last, her critical eyes alight with curiosity. They all were curious, as I suspected, and then overwhelmed as they took in the huge room decked out like a chic rave. The room wasn't empty, as my whole family had taken their places ready to put on their usual perfect human charade.
Thoughts circled the room with nothing surprising in them. Most were thinking about how wonderful the place looked, nothing what they had expected. The human mind was so simple, nothing original in any of these people. That is why I tuned out these people's thoughts years ago because they never held any interest for me. Tonight would be different having to listen more intently, to make certain, no one left here with any kind of suspicion.
Bella went to greet Jessica and Mike whose thoughts were swirling around how fabulous the place looked. Jessica was impressed and a little disappointed she wasn't Bella. Mike on the other hand was jealous, assuming all of this was the reason Bella preferred me to him. He assumed it was money that persuaded her to pick me over him. His thoughts were insulting, but this was a party, and I would remain on my best behavior. These were Bella's friends and that prompted me to be polite.
As more of Bella's friends showed up, one by one, she seemed to relax a little more. She appeared to be enjoying herself, which made me very happy. With all the stress we had been under, it was pleasant to see her enjoying herself. I would have to apologize to Alice later for making such a big deal about this party. Evidently, a party was exactly what we needed.
My family still intimidated some of the partygoers slightly. At one point I saw Emmett grin at Mike over the food table as the red lights gleamed off Emmett's teeth, Mike took an automatic step back. Normally, I would be appalled at Emmett for doing such a thing, but since it was Mike and I was unable to kill him at this party, I wouldn't say anything to Emmett.
The party was a clear success, despite the instinctive edginess caused by my family's presence –or perhaps that simply added a thrill to the atmosphere. The music was infectious, the lights almost hypnotic. From the way the food disappeared, that must have been good, too. The room was soon crowded, though never claustrophobic. The entire senior class seemed to be here, along with most of the juniors. Bodies swayed to the beat that rumbled under the soles of their feet, the party constantly on the edge of breaking into a dance.
Bella was wonderful circling the room, mingling and chatting for a minute with everyone and towing me beside her. She followed Alice around, seeming to taking pleasure in all the attention the two where getting. This party would be a night no one in Forks would soon forget. I remained at Bella's side holding her securely at the waist with one hand, pulling her closer to me, when someone's vicious thoughts were directed at her. I never have shared these thoughts with her because I saw no reason to upset her with people's private thoughts.
The night was going off without a hitch, until…
"Stay here," I murmured in her ear. Releasing her as my heart sank. "I'll be right back."
Passing through the crowd without making direct contact with anyone, too quickly for Bella to follow, or ask me why I was leaving. I headed to the kitchen doorway in search of Alice.
"Guess who just made a surprise visit?" I said.
"Who?" Alice paused for a moment until she caught the scent too. "Oh."
"Go stay with Bella, I have to leave," I said quickly.
"That's not necessary, I'm sure…" I didn't let her finish.
"Yes… it's easier for him. Don't worry, Alice. I won't be far. Go watch out for Bella, please."
"Fine," she replied.
I went out the back door to the yard. Emmett and Jasper were escaping all the fun that was happening inside.
"What's up?" I asked.
"Nothing, just taking a break. How's your night going?" Emmett asked.
"Nice… Pleasantly surprising."
We stood in silence for a moment. Then the doorbell rang out.
"Who's that?" Emmett asked.
"I'll give you one guess… take a whiff," I answered.
"Oh… Why are you out here?" he asked perplexed.
"Because it's easier for him, this way," I said.
"Why on earth would you want to make it easier for him? He's trying to take Bella from you," Emmett scowled.
"I know, but this is different. I owe him."
Jasper suddenly took off in the direction of the house. Stretching out my extra-hearing, I could hear the tension in Alice's voice. I was deliberating whether I should return or not when I was abruptly struck by one of Alice's visions; the decision has been made. I returned to the kitchen doorway and began searching for Alice, spotting her with Bella. I turn and headed back outside.
"Where's Carlisle?" I asked Emmett who stood still as a statue, peering at me.
"Him and Esme went for a walk, that way," he pointed in the direction.
"Get Rose and meet me back here," I said to him quickly, than ran off in the direction he had pointed.
I was anxious to find them and was running at full speed, accidentally passing them. Stopping, I headed back.
"What is it, Edward?" Carlisle asked stress laced in his tone.
"Alice had a vision. We have to get back," I quickly stated.
We ran back to the yard where Rosalie and Emmett stood waiting for us.
"What's happening, Edward?" Carlisle asked.
"I'm not certain we're waiting for Alice. She has all the details."
Out of the house came Alice and Jasper… no Bella.
"He's still here?" I asked Alice.
"Yes, that's why I left her there. She'll be fine with him," she answered.
"Good, she doesn't need to hear this. Share with everyone what's happening," I asked quickly.
"There coming… to Forks, in search of Bella," she answered.
"How do you know it's her their after?" Carlisle asked.
"One's holding her red shirt," She told him.
"How many?" Emmett asked.
"It's hard to say, it keeps changing, a lot of fighting going on. Right now it stands at twenty-one, but the numbers are going down."
"Well, that's it. That's what we've been waiting for. Now what?" I asked.
"Twenty-one, that'll be tough. If we had a few more…" Jasper began, before I interrupted him.
"But we don't, so get over it. If you don't want to help… don't," I snapped.
"Edward, I was just telling you the truth," he said.
I put my hand to my face scrubbing over it roughly until I pinched the bridge of my nose.
"I know… I'm sorry I snapped at you," I said.
"We'll go tonight, to the clearing and practice, I'm sure we'll be okay," Jasper offered.
I caught the tension suddenly rising from the living room. The atmosphere was disturbing.
"Alice, get back in there and get Bella, please," I pleaded.
Alice turned for the house.
"I have to grab something from upstairs, then I'll get her. Be back in a minute."
She took off for the house. I turned to Carlisle.
"This is it, finally this nightmare will be over," I said.
"Yeah, one way or another," Carlisle said solemnly.
Alice was with Bella now and I could see what was happening. It was taking all of my control to restrain myself and to remain where I was as Jacob was stopping the girls from leaving. That wolf was full of… had he not learned his lesson about forcing things upon Bella. I gripped the balcony post snapping it in two.
"What is it, Edward?" Carlisle asked, concern etched his features.
"He's stopping them from leaving. He wants to know what's happening," I said coldly.
"Perhaps, we should tell him. They have a right to know what's heading their way," Carlisle reasoned.
"That's fine by me, but if he doesn't release her soon, I'm not promising anything," I growled as Emmett came to stand next to me.
"Edward, there's too many children in there. Get a grip, he'd never hurt her with all those people around," Emmett said pleading with me.
Jasper quickly ran into the house. Continuing to listen what was taking place, I gave the others a play by play.
"Alice is with her… three wolves hovering over them. Alice is trying to get Bella out of there, saying she needs to talk to her. Jacob won't let them leave –he's blocking them with his arm, demanding to know what's going… Jasper's stepping in… calming the mood. Jacob is demanding to know what's happening. They are crowding Jasper and Alice and the tension is rising."
Remaining here required all of my strength. The thought of him restraining her was flooding my mind, making me insane with anger. How dare he stop her from leaving? Who did he think he was? Referring back to my earlier statement, that it was time to teach this dog some lessons, I began moving.
"Edward, don't!" Carlisle said stopping me.
"He's pushing his luck, I'm not going to stand here…"
"You must. Alice and Jasper's there, nothings going to happen," Carlisle said as he pressed his hand against my chest.
Jacob dropped his arm, relaxing a bit.
"It's all right, there settling down now. He's still demanding to know what's happening… Great, Alice is explaining," I said in a sour tone.
"Maybe that's not such a bad idea, Edward," Carlisle interjected. "Do we need to go in there?" he asked.
"No, things have settled down now," I answered, continuing to listen intently.
"She's giving them all the details now. Wait… what's this?" My listening intensified. "There making more plans now," My eyes watched the door.
"What plans, Edward?" Carlisle asked.
"Hang on a second," I continued to listen. "That's not a bad idea. That just may work."
"What, Edward? For heavens sakes… What may work?" Emmett shouted.
"Sorry, I just didn't want to miss anything," I turned to explain. "Okay, they're going to help," I said enthusiastically.
"Who… the wolves?" Emmett asked.
"Yes, they are going to meet us tonight in the clearing. They want to fight with us."
"Really?" Carlisle asked.
"Really," I began calculating. "This would be perfect. Six of them, along with the seven of us, there's no way we could lose," I went from distressed to excited in an instant. "This changes everything," I smiled.
Alice and Jasper returned.
"It's set… their going to meet us tonight at three in the clearing," Alice announced.
"That's very generous of them," Carlisle said.
"Well it's just a test, to see if they can work with us. If tonight goes well… then they'll help us," I quickly added.
"I can't see what could go wrong," Esme said.
"We'll see. I have to get back to Bella," I answered.
Returning to the house, and more importantly to Bella's side, I had been away too long. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves, not aware of the three unwanted guests that had intruded on the party. Bella remained nervous, not liking the fact the wolves were going to fight with us. There was no way to ease her mind, at this time as this was an inappropriate subject for mixed company.
I remained by her side for the rest of the evening, even managing to squeeze in a few dances with her. The rest of the time was spent mingling with her friends, most of whom were truly going to miss her, only a few had come to see the inside of our house. Everyone was elated and the party was a success. Even Alice enjoyed herself, laughing and carrying on with many people.
Again, I would have to thank Alice later, and apologize, because this party was quite successful, after all. Having the wolves show up and agree to help with our other situation was enough in its self, but the partygoers also had a good time. All seemed particularly normal at the Cullen's household for once. Not that we were normal, but we sure could put on a show.
All there was left to do was to take Bella home and put her to bed. She had to be exhausted after this long and strenuous day. My only problem with taking her home was the concern she had for Jacob. She was against them fighting with us, but she didn't understand how powerful they could be. They were made for this type of situation. With the amount of us now, getting hurt wasn't even in my line of vision. We had way more experience –along with other gifts –for the newborns to realize what was happening.
By my estimation, we would be completely victorious. I could see no other outcome, now that we had the wolves on our side. For Bella to be concerned was just ridiculous, and I would do all I could to make her see that.
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