Sorry for the unbelievably long wait. I really have no excuses accept to say life sometimes gets in the way.

19. ULTIMATUM

The light shone brighter and brighter, as the morning quickly swirled into afternoon. I was perfectly capable of leaving and returning before she woke, but my fear of leaving her alone kept me here. She would never be alone again, or at least until this problem was completely resolved.

With her sleeping the day away, I was left with plenty of time to analyze all that was occurring. If I was completely honest with myself, my time had finally arrived to leave. After restoring the lives I had altered, my next move ought to be leaving, and never return. My desire was for her world to be safe and once that was accomplished, leaving would be the right thing to do… but when had I ever done the right thing?

Leave… why could I not make myself see that leaving was the answer? Even now such a monster I remain, knowing the problem, knowing how to repair it… I refused to accept responsibility and leave. What would it take to get me to do the right thing?

Being next to her, watching her face, I knew I could never leave… I would never have the strength to make myself go. It was useless to even think such thoughts –there remained nothing that could ever make me go.

Late in the afternoon, she finally began stirring.

"Edward?" she mumbled, as her hands were searching for me.

"Are you really awake this time?" I murmured.

"Mmm," she sighed. "Have there been a lot of false alarms?"

"You've been very restless –talking all day."

"All day?" she blinked, while looking out the window.

"You had a long night," I said reassuring her. "You'd earned a day in bed."

She sat up. "Wow."

"Hungry?" I guessed. "Do you want breakfast in bed?"

"I'll get it," she groaned, as she stretched. "I need to get up and move around."

Holding her hand firmly as we walked to the kitchen, she didn't appeared well, slightly off balance and I feared she would fall.

She went to work arranging breakfast, while I sat at the table watching.

"Ugh, I'm a mess," she shrieked.

"It was a long night," I repeated. "You should have stayed here and slept."

"Right! And missed everything. You know, you need to start accepting the fact that I'm part of the family now."

I smiled. "I could probably get used to that idea."

If she were a true part of my family she would have to become my wife. That would be an image I could live with, one that was very appealing to me. So far, she had refused to do me the honors of marrying me, but it was only a matter of time before I convinced her.

She sat down with her breakfast, and I moved next to her. Where her arm was normally bare there was a bracelet. Gazing at it for a moment, I spotted the small charm that now resided there.

"May I? I asked, reaching for the charm.

"Um, sure."

Moving my hand under the charm, I balanced it in my palm. A tiny wooden wolf, I should be surprised, but I wasn't. He was good, better than I gave him credit for. That was an interesting move on his part. He said he wouldn't fight fair and he was living up to his word.

The double standard that Bella was showing was quite apparent, and unjust. Allowing Jacob to give her presents and refusing anything from me was unfair. It was time to appeal to her better judgment and make my point clear on that situation.

"Jacob Black can give you presents," I stated the obvious.

She thought about this for a moment.

"You've given me presents," she reminded me. "You know I like the homemade kind."

Giving that some thought, I was struck by a brilliant idea. I had a small item, one that could be construed as a hand-me-down. I suppose it is all how you look at it. "How about hand-me-downs? Are those acceptable?"

That surprised her. "What do you mean?"

"This bracelet," my fingers traced a circle around her wrist. "You'll be wearing this a lot?"

She shrugged.

"Because you wouldn't want to hurt his feelings," I suggested, selfishly.

"Sure, I guess so."

"Don't you think it's fair, then," I asked, looking down at her hand, turning it palm up, and running my finger along the vein in her wrist. "If I have a little representation?"

"Representation?" she repeated.

"A charm –something to keep me on your mind."

She frowned. "You're in every thought I have. I don't need reminders."

She wasn't getting the point, and I refused to give in.

"If I gave you something, would you wear it?" I pressed.

"A hand-me-down?" she asked suspiciously.

"Yes, something I've had for a while," I smiled.

Okay… that wasn't exactly truthful… but I had acquired it while ago, and now I would hand it down to her –that should count. I rather hoped she would wear it on her finger, but I suppose this would satisfy me for now.

"Whatever makes you happy?"

"Have you noticed the inequality?" I asked. "Because I certainly have."

"What inequality?"

Frustrated I answered. "Everyone else is able to get away with giving you things. Everyone but me. I would have loved to get you a graduation present, but I didn't. I knew it would have upset you more than if anyone else did. That's utterly unfair. How do you explain yourself?"

She didn't even hesitate before answering. "Easy," she shrugged. "You're more important than everyone else. And you've given me you. That's already more than I deserve, and anything else you give me just throws us more out of balance."

The girl was insane, and needed very good doctors. But, she was my girl, and I would love her always, silly thoughts and all. "The way you regard me is ludicrous."

She continued to eat as if nothing was said. She placed far too much value on a person who hadn't earned it, although, I knew one day, I would.

My phone rang, interrupting this conversation. Looking at the number before I put it to my ear. "What is it, Alice?"

Alice went through her vision piecing together some of the things Bella was dreaming about last night, making sense of a few things that hadn't. She saw Bella lost in the forest, stumbling around attempting to find us the day of the fight.

"I sort of guessed as much," I told Alice, staring at Bella anxiety clearly crossing my face. "She was talking in her sleep."

Bella looked surprised, almost sick.

"I'll take care of it," I promised. Her dreams last night told me what Alice had to say, but she had filled in some of the gaps for me. What would I do with her? She was persistent. Glaring at Bella as I shut my phone. "Is there something you'd like to talk to me about?"

She thought her answer through carefully. Patiently, I waited for her response, glaring at her –she couldn't even bring herself to look at me.

"I like Jasper's idea," she finally said.

I groaned, not this again. Had I not made myself perfectly clear? Putting her in the path of danger was never going to happen. There was no way she would be in the clearing when we faced these creatures.

"I want to help. I have to do something," she insisted.

"It wouldn't help to have you in danger."

"Jasper thinks it would. This is his area of expertise."

My mind immediately considered ways to thank Jasper for his suggestion. He should've known better than to suggest such things in front of Bella. The last thing I needed was her having any more ideas than she could already produce on her own.

"You can't keep me away," she threatened. "I'm not going to hide out in the forest while you all take risks for me."

Her little threats were amusing. "Alice doesn't see you in the clearing, Bella. She sees you stumbling around lost in the woods. You won't be able to find us; you'll just make it more time consuming for me to find you afterward."

"That's because Alice didn't factor in Seth Clearwater," she said, slyly. "If she had, of course, she wouldn't have been able to see anything at all. But it sounds like Seth wants to be there as much as I do. It shouldn't be too hard to persuade him to show me the way."

Angered by her thoughts, angered by her lack of trust, knowing what was best for her. I was furious taking a deep breath I composed myself. "That might have worked… if you hadn't told me. Now I'll just ask Sam to give Seth certain orders. Much as he might want to, Seth won't be able to ignore that kind of injunction."

She had a smug smile. "But why would Sam give those orders? If I tell him how it would help for me to be there? I'll bet Sam would rather do me a favor than you."

Relentless, that's what she was. A few other words came to mind. Perhaps, she was correct about Sam, and she maybe be relentless, but I was ruthless, and would always get my way. "Maybe you're right. But I'm sure Jacob would be only too eager to give those same orders."

She frowned. "Jacob?"

"Jacob is second in command. Did he never tell you that? His orders have to be followed, too," I smiled, checkmate.

She was bewildered… having no idea of the information I'd just shared. Really, Jacob wasn't able to tell her anything –against wolf rules. She had no response at all.

"I got a fascinating look into the pack's mind last night. It was better than a soap opera. I had no idea how complex the dynamic is with such a large pack. The pull of the individual against the plural psyche… Absolutely fascinating."

And, it was, so many things going on at the same time. With so many thoughts overlapping each other, having them all connected was remarkable to be a part of.

Bella glared at me.

"Jacob's been keeping a lot of secrets," I said with a grin.

Still having no response, she waited to hear more, and there was a lot more. The complexity of this pack was clear, there were so many unsettling problems amongst each other.

"For instance, did you note the smaller gray wolf there last night?"

She nodded, unwillingly.

I chuckled. "They take all of their legends so seriously. It turns out there are things that none of their stories prepared them for."

She sighed. "Okay, I'll bite. What are you talking about?"

"They always accepted without question that it was only the direct grandsons of the original wolf who had the power to transform."

"So someone changed who wasn't a direct descendant?"

"No. She's a direct descendant, all right."

She blinked, her eyes widened. "She?"

She was new to the group and was creating quite a disturbance for the rest of them.

I nodded. "She knows you. Her name is Leah Clearwater."

"Leah's a werewolf!" Bella shrieked. "What? For how long? Why didn't Jacob tell me?"

"There are things he wasn't allowed to share –their numbers, for instance. Like I said before, when Sam gives an order, the pack simply isn't able to ignore it. Jacob was very careful to think of other things when he was near me. Of course, after last night that's all out the window."

"I can't believe it. Leah Clearwater!" Bella thought heavily while she processed this.

I, on the other hand, was still quite fascinated with the whole pack. Jacob especially, his control was unprecedented. Remaining quiet all those times he was around me was very impressive, particularly when this was still new to him. Being second in command came with a certain degree of power, but the real truth lay much deeper.

The pack as a whole –I'd said it before –fascinating. With so many things going on in that group, it was remarkable that Sam was able to keep them all from killing each other. The bigger the pack grew, the more problems that surfaced.

There was one major problem in the pack that was somewhat of an issue and at present wasn't a big deal, but I'm certain with time, it'll be the very point that will break up the group. Sooner or later it would rear its ugly head, and when it did, there would be nothing that would keep them together.

"Poor Leah," Bella whispered.

I snorted. "She's making life exceedingly unpleasant for the rest of them. I'm not sure she deserves your sympathy."

"What do you mean?"

"It's hard enough for them, having to share all their thoughts. Most of them try to cooperate, make it easier. When even one member is deliberately malicious, it's painful for everyone."

Leah was spiteful, making life nearly impossible for the rest of the group.

"She has reason enough," she mumbled.

"Oh, I know," I said. "The imprinting compulsion is one of the strangest things I've ever witnessed in my life, and I've seen some strange things," I shook my head. "The way Sam is tied to his Emily is impossible to describe –or should I say her Sam. Sam really had no choice. It reminds me of A Midsummer Night's Dream with all the chaos caused by the fairies' love spells… like magic," I smiled. "It's nearly as strong as the way I feel about you."

That was the truth, the imprinting was real, and it was powerful, but it still wasn't as strong as my feelings for Bella. It was also very different. With imprinting, the wolf becomes whatever their partner needs… a friend… a brother… a companion, whatever is needed at the time. My love for Bella would always remain the same, unequivocally soul mates. My heart, my mind and my body would always belong to her, no one else.

Leah had strong feelings about being part of this group. In a way, I could understand how difficult it must be for her, being the only girl had to be strenuous. Having to take orders from Sam, a person she would rather have nothing to do with, would be grueling. But, that was no excuse for what she was doing to the rest of the group, it was just cruel.

"Poor Leah," she said again. "But what do you mean, malicious?"

"She's constantly bringing up things they'd rather not think of," I explained. "For example, Embry."

"What's with Embry?" she asked, surprised.

"His mother moved down from the Makah reservation seventeen years ago, when she was pregnant with him. She's not Quieleute. Everyone assumed she'd left his father behind with the Makahs. But then he joined the pack."

"So?"

"So the prime candidates for his father are Quil Ateara Sr., Joshua Uley, or Billy Black, all of them married at that point, of course."

"No!" She gasped.

"Now Sam, Jacob, and Quil all wonder which of them has a half-brother. They'd all like to think its Sam, since his father was never much of a father. But the doubt is always there. Jacob's never been able to ask Bill about that."

"Wow. How did you get so much in one night?"

"The pack mind is mesmerizing. All thinking together and then separately at the same time. There's so much to read!"

Knowing that it was rude and unfair of me to roam around other people's thoughts, I simply was unable to ignore them. Thoughts were circling the clearing, too many to disregard, and I was capturing all of them. It was impossible to block them, with so much going on at once. Besides, their minds were captivating, and I'm quite certain it could've been easy to resist, but I was mesmerized.

"The pack is fascinating," she agreed. "Almost as fascinating as you are when you're trying to distract me."

Knowing where this conversation was heading, my attempts to extinguish it had fallen on deaf ears. She would not listen to reason when it came to her safety.

"I have to be in that clearing, Edward."

"No," I said, my voice strong in disapproval.

She sat processing this for a moment, unwilling to look me in the eye. Taking so long to respond, I wonder what her mind was calculating, now. Knowing her well, I was quite certain she was formulating some sort of plan, finding a way to make it reasonable to be in the clearing, but no matter what she said, what she came up with, the answer would still be no. Regardless of her excuses, I was unwilling to allow her to be in that kind of danger.

"Okay, look, Edward," she whispered. "Here's the thing… I've already gone crazy once. I know what my limits are. And I can't stand it if you leave me again."

So this was it, she would plead with me to take her… I wouldn't… I couldn't.

"You know it's not like that, Bella," I murmured. "I won't be far, and it will be over quickly."

"I can't stand it," she insisted, still refusing to look at me. "Not knowing whether or not you'll come back. How do I live through that, no matter how quickly it's over?"

I sighed. "It's going to be easy, Bella. There's no reason for your fears."

"None at all?"

"None."

"And everyone will be fine?"

"Everyone," I promised.

"So there's no way at all that I need to be in the clearing?"

"Of course not. Alice just told me that they're down to nineteen. We'll be able to handle it easily."

"That's right –you said it was so easy that someone could sit out," she repeated my words from last night. "Did you really mean that?"

Where was she going with this? "Yes."

"So easy that you could sit out?"

I walked right into that one, why hadn't I seen that one coming? If she couldn't be there, then she wouldn't want me to be there, either. This only made sense, it's what I demanded of her, and of course, she would demand this of me. How had I missed this?

Finally glancing up at me… taking a deep breath… she spoke. "So it's one way or the other. Either there is more danger than you want me to know about, in which case it would be right for me to be there, to do what I can to help. Or… it's going to be so easy that they'll get by without you. Which way is it?"

How could she ask this of me? How could she expect me to allow everyone else to fight for me when I'd caused of all of this? For me to miss this, unable to finish this with my own hands, seemed unbearable. Being correct, with all the help we had, there was nothing to worry about, how could I not be there?

If I expected her to remain away, how could I not honor her request? My demand was simple, for her to remain far away, nowhere near the clearing. Her request was just as simple, staying with me. If it were so simple, how could I not consider it?

With simple answers to these observations, she was not capable of protecting herself, and I was. I had the ability to face these creatures and be fine… she couldn't. With so many of them gathering at once, the risk was far too great to be able to keep her safe, if she stayed with me. It was unfathomable to think of taking chances with her… it would never happen.

In conclusion, if she refused to hide during the fight, what other choice was I left with? Envisioning not being there when this fight took place was agonizing. On the other hand, having her feeling despair, bringing back the memories of my time away, even for the shortest period of time, was excruciating and I couldn't allow that again.

So I suppose I was left with no other option. I pulled my phone from my pocket.

"Alice," I sighed. "Could you come baby-sit Bella for a bit?" raising one eyebrow at Bella, waiting for her to object. She said nothing. "I need to speak with Jasper."

Alice agreed. I shut the phone and continued to glare at Bella.

"What are you going to say to Jasper?" she whispered.

"I'm going to discuss… me sitting out," I responded with no expression as to the pain this was causing.

"I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize," I said, attempting to smile. "Never be afraid to tell me how you feel, Bella. If this is what you need…" I shrugged. "You are my first priority."

"I didn't mean it that way –like you have to choose me over your family."

"I know that. Besides, that's not what you asked. You gave me two alternatives that you could live with, and I chose the one I could live with. That's how compromise is supposed to work."

She leaned forward and rested her forehead against my chest. "Thank you," she whispered.

"Anytime," I answered, kissing her hair. "Anything."

Sitting silently for a while, contemplating everything that was about to happen. How had I ended up sitting and waiting, yet again? My existence had become a series of sitting by and waiting. Would I ever get this right? I suppose, if I refused to bring her, then it would only be natural for her not to want me there, either. How is it that these details always seemed to escape me? Why would I not know that?

There was one thing I knew for certain, revealing the rest of her dream had not been forgotten, and I would get to the bottom of that mystery. Solving part of the mystery with Alice, there was still one unanswered question looming my mind.

"Who's the third wife?" I asked her suddenly.

"Huh?" she answered, not willing to discuss this, she was a bad liar.

"You were mumbling something about 'the third wife' last night. The rest made a little sense, by you lost me there."

"Oh. Um, yeah. That was just one of the stories that I heard at the bonfire the other night," she shrugged. "I guess it stuck with me."

Leaning away from her I cocked my head to the side, a bad liar she remained. Unable to get an answer from her, I would manage to mention this to Jacob getting his response. I'm quite certain he would share any information that would be harmful to her.

Alice appeared in the kitchen doorway.

"You're going to miss all the fun," she grumbled.

"Hello, Alice," I greeted her. Putting one finger under Bella's chin, I tilted her face up to kiss her goodbye.

"I'll be back later tonight," I promised her. "I'll go work this out with the others, rearrange things."

"Okay."

"There's not much to rearrange," Alice interrupted. "I already told them. Emmett is pleased."

I sighed. "Of course he is."

Walking out the door, leaving Alice with Bella.

Running through the forest wondering how it was I always seemed to end up in this situation. Sitting out, while the rest of my family were facing this type of danger would be excruciating. Knowing they could handle this, that there was no major concern… still, had I the strength to sit back and watch. Arriving at home everyone was there, gathered in the living room.

"Well, what does everyone think?" I asked, as there were no thoughts to give them away. Everyone remained at ease.

"Its fine, Edward. We have everything under control," Jasper said.

"Yeah. You sitting out means more for me," Emmett grinned.

"You would say that. I'm being serious, this won't be a problem for anyone?" I asked.

"No, everything is fine. With the wolves we'll have everything taken care of quickly," Carlisle answered confidently.

"We're fine, Edward. You stay with Bella, she needs you," Esme added.

"I can't believe she talked you into missing this," Emmett laughed.

"Emmett, stop it," Rose snapped as she smacked him on the back of the head.

There it was, the years of grieve I would endure for missing this. Emmett and Jasper were never going to let me live this one down. But, none of that matter, as long as she was safe and happy. I understood her point of view and she was right, how could I expect this from her? Sitting back and waiting, no matter how short of time it was, wouldn't be fair. If I couldn't expect this from myself, then neither should she.

With everything at home set and everyone at ease with me… sitting out, it was hard for me to say that. Unbelievable that we've come to this. Reading her was something I'd have to get better at, if I didn't want to be surprised by her again. I ran over our conversation in my head again, her revelation should have been clear as day. But, it wasn't as she stunned me, yet again. Would I ever know what was going on in her head?

Arriving at Bella's house I scaled the wall and went through her window. Taking residence across her bed, I waited her return.

"What time are we meeting with the wolves?" she muttered as she entered the room and joined me on the bed.

"In an hour."

"That's good. Jake and his friends need to get some sleep."

"They don't need as much as you do," I pointed out.

She immediately switched subjects to avoid speaking of staying home.

"Did Alice tell you that she's kidnapping me again?"

I grinned, as this was not the plan. "Actually, she's not."

She stared at me, confused as I laughed quietly.

"I'm the only one who has permission to hold you hostage, remember?" I said. "Alice is going hunting with the rest of them," I sighed. "I guess I don't need to do that now."

"You're kidnapping me?" she said with enthusiasm.

I nodded.

She remained silent. Deep in thought her expression had me worried.

"Is that all right?" I asked.

"Well… sure, except for one thing."

"What thing?" I asked anxiously, perhaps she won't want to stay with me.

"Why didn't Alice tell Charlie you were leaving tonight?" she asked.

Relieved, I laughed, not the response I was expecting. Picking her up in my arms, it was time to head to the clearing. Jumping from her window I swung her on my back and ran through the forest.

We arrived at the clearing last.

Jasper and Emmett were already wrestling –just warming up from the sounds of their laughter. Alice and Rosalie lounged on the ground, watching. Esme and Carlisle were talking a few yards away, heads close together, fingers linked, not paying attention to anything other than themselves.

It was much brighter tonight, the moon shining through the thin clouds, and I could see the three wolves that sat around the edge of the practice ring, spaced far apart to watch from different angles.

"Where are the rest of the wolves?" Bella asked.

"They don't need to be here. One would do the job, but Sam didn't trust us enough to just send Jacob, though Jacob was willing. Quil and Embry are his usual… I guess you could call them his wingmen."

"Jacob trusts you."

I nodded. "He trusts us not to try to kill him. That's about it, though."

"Are you participating tonight?" she asked, hesitantly.

"I'll help Jasper when he needs it. He wants to try some unequal groupings, teach them how to deal with multiple attackers."

Shrugging as it was no big deal. As it stood, with only twenty newborns, it really was uncomplicated. With my family and the wolves fighting together, they would be fine. Practicing would ensure everyone was equipped with everything needed to win this fight. That's what my brain tells me, that's what I know to be true, but it hadn't hurt any less knowing I would not be able to help, that I wouldn't be there to protect them as I should.

Bella stared out at the open field, attempting to hide her panic.

Jacob sprang lightly to his feet, and trotted over to where we stood on the fringe of things.

"Jacob," I greeted him politely.

Jacob ignored me, his eyes fixed on Bella. He put his head down to her level, cocking it to one side. A low whimper escaped his muzzle.

"I'm fine," Bella answered, not needing the translation that I was about to give. "Just worried, you know."

Jacob continued to stare at her.

"He wants to know why," I murmured.

Jacob growled –not a threat, just annoyance.

"What?" she asked.

"He thinks my translations leave something to be desired. What he actually thought was, 'That's really stupid. What is there to be worried about?' I edited, because I thought it was rude."

Bella partially smiled. "There's plenty to be worried about," she told Jacob. "Like a bunch of really stupid wolves getting themselves hurt."

Jacob laughed.

I sighed. "Jasper wants help. You'll be okay without a translator?"

"I'll manage."

Looking at her for a moment, deciding it would be okay to leave her alone with him, I strolled over to where Jasper waited. Everyone was eagerly waiting for the night's lessons to begin. Even the two remaining wolves watched intensely, although their eyes were closely fixed on Bella and Jacob, as mine were.

Helping with the lesson seemed to distract me a little bit, I couldn't help but keep an eye on what was happening across the field. He was good, staying by her side, keeping her warm. It anger me a little, he was able to do the things I couldn't, keeping her warm was something I would never be able to do for her. He knew all the little things that I couldn't do, and went out of his way to sneak them in. I'd have to give him credit, he was better than I accepted him to be. For a mere child, he appeared to know what he was doing.

My biggest advantage was that he was a child –being the reason he acted without thought. His biggest downfall was that he could caught up in the moment doing stupid things out of reaction instead of thought. This would be the quality that would be his demise.

The night ended on a positive note, with everyone feeling good about the events to come. With the lessons and the wolves, we figured there was no way we could lose. Everyone left on a high note.

Thanks for reading and sticking with me for so long. See you soon.