I apologise for not posting earlier, my own life has been turned upside down. I swear it's like a soap opera. Maybe I should write about it... Ha ha!

I also wanted to make sure this chapter was exactly right... Still not sure if it is, but I had to get it up. So please, review, I'm trying to improve. :) thanks!

CHAPTER 21

It had roughly been seven weeks since the virus outbreak, and two weeks since I had to decapitate Renee. Two weeks... It felt like a lifetime, when in reality, it was no time at all, a blink of the eye, especially for my vampire family. It could have only been mere hours to them. I suppose when you can live forever, time looses all meaning.

When I woke up this morning, I decided to stop avoiding Charlie and made my way over there as soon as I had eaten breakfast. I pulled my under used truck out of the garage and headed for the Blacks' house. Jasper had rang Charlie in advance for me and told him to be waiting, I wasn't ready to talk to Jake or even make small talk with Billy. I only spent half an hour with Charlie, there wasn't much to say. We walked the path down to the beach that Jake and I took many times before. The silence between us stretched, making the crashing waves almost deafening. The silence was welcome, but, almost awkward. After half an hour of Charlie looking uncomfortable and clearly seeing he was out of his depth, I put him out of his misery, saying that I had some things to do. I left without lingering, saying my goodbye from over my shoulder with a small wave. He didn't object, he looked relieved. I didn't blame him, I might as well be a zombie with my lack if interaction and emotion.

The next week passed much the same with the Cullen's, Peter, Charlotte and Garrett. I spent time with each of them, but never said more than a few words. Esme was great, she didn't try to get anything out of me. She would just hold me for as long as I needed. Sometimes I wept, and others, I relished the feeling of a mothers embrace. At the end of the week, Emmett managed to make me crack a smile and giggle at one of his many absurd, tasteless jokes. From then on, it became much easier. It was like he cracked the wall I built around myself. It was funny, really. It only took something as small as a laugh to snap me out of my doom and gloom. I'd forgotten what it was like to laugh, and it felt amazing. That is exactly what I needed.

The next week flowed almost effortlessly compared to the last two weeks. I still needed and wanted the comfort of my mates embrace at night, but I was now less inclined to mope or weep. A sense of understanding and acceptance flowed through me, and once I had embraced those emotions, things got a easier, bit by bit. I spent the next week actually interacting with my vampire family. I made a trip to La Push and spent time with Charlie, Jake and the wolves. I even went out patrolling with them, taking Jasper with me. It was more intense, but I had as much fun as I normally did. The pack were quite the show offs.

At the end of the week, Sunday to be exact, Jasper, Alice, Garrett, Charlotte, Peter and I were in the lounge, sitting with our respective partners, watching a movie. We only got half way through when every vampire in the room visibly tensed. Jasper went rigid, moving from his spot on my left, to my right, effectively placing me behind him. Alice's eyes glazed over for only a few seconds, then refocused, a big smile adorning her small face. She gave me that look, and I couldn't help but smirk at our private understanding. Edward was back, and he had Ana. I stood up at the same time as Alice, wanting to greet them. Jasper went to object, but I put my hand up in a silent gesture. He took a moment to taste the emotions of our coming guests, recognition dawning on his face, only to be replaced with confusion.

"It's Edward," he stated, pausing again briefly, "but, he is with an unknown vampire." He said, mainly to himself. "You know?" He asked me, darting his eyes to Alice momentarily.

"You'll see." I said with what I hoped was a smile.

The rest of the Cullen's joined us in the lounge, having heard the coming visitors and Jasper's comments.

"How long, Alice?" I asked, but didn't get an answer as Edward made his appearance at the front door, holding Ana's hand. She was beautiful. She stood not much taller than my 5"1 foot frame. But, the one thing that caught my eye was her brilliant golden eyes.

"Now." Alice said, just to add to the already dramatic scene.

Edward had my once favourite crocked grin in place, but it was different. He looked relaxed; relieved even. He took a few steps forward, pulling Ana along behind him.

"Your back." Carlisle said, his voice dripping with relief. "And, you have found your mate by the looks of it." He continued, breaking out in a huge smile.

"Hello," Ana said, stepping out from behind Edward. "You must be Carlisle. I'm Ana." She said, bowing her head slightly. "Edward has told me all about his family. I wish to join your coven, if that is ok with you." She continued, turning to look everyone in the eye, leaving me for last. A small smile graced her face when her eyes landed on me, which I returned, sending her silent support.

"Of course you can!" Esme gushed. "Welcome to the family."

"Thank you." Edward said, looking genuinely relieved that we had accepted Ana into the family. Like we wouldn't! She is his mate, is he daft?

"Like you didn't know we would accept her, anyway. You would have just read our minds." Emmett said, snickering.

"Well, at the moment, I can't." Edward stated, gesturing to his and Ana's joined hands.

There was an audible gasp around the room before Jasper stood up from the couch, putting his arm around my waist.

"It's Ana." He said. Everyone turned to look at him, thoroughly confused, but I caught on immediately, already on the same page as him. "Your gift," he said directly to Ana, "you're some what of a shield like Bella, except you only shield gifts. Am I correct to assume it's only with direct contact?" Jasper asked. Ana visibly cowered behind Edward and bared her neck in submission. I realised it was because Jasper was wearing a tight t-shirt, sporting his war scars.

"Yes, sir. While I'm holding Edward's hand, he can't read anyone's thoughts."

"Interesting..." Carlisle said quietly, clearly contemplating this new information.

"There's no need to be scared of Jasper, love. Nor his friends. Jasper might be the Major, but I assure you he won't hurt you." Edward said to Ana, bringing his free hand up to stroke her face.

"It's only natural, Edward. You all did the same thing when I turned up on your doorstep with Alice some 50 years ago." Jasper said with a smirk. I couldn't help but giggle. That smirk did things to me. But now was most definitely not the time. Jasper gave me a side long glance, obviously feeling the change in emotion from me, and gave me a wink.

"I'm glad I can't read your thoughts, it's a welcome break." Edward said, rolling his eyes. Esme made her way over to Edward and Ana, grabbing Edward in a hug, careful to keep both Ana's and Edward's hands joined though.

"Welcome home." She said quietly, looking at Ana as well. "We look forward to getting to know you better, but for now, I'm sure you would both like to retire to Edward's room. Come and find us when your ready." Esme suggested.

"I think that might be a good idea. Let us all meet in the dining room in an hour. While I'm glad to be back and look forward to all of you getting to know Ana, we do have some disturbing news to share." Edward stated the last part looking at Jasper.

"Major," Peter said, "trouble is comin'."

"Nothing we can't handle, I assume." Jasper stated.

"More of an inconvenience." Peter said, shrugging his shoulders.

"I can't see anything..." Alice said, a small frown marring her face.

"We will sort it out. Maybe there haven't been any decisions made yet." Garrett said to Alice, obviously trying to soothe her.

"You're right. We will all talk about it in an hour." She said. With that, everyone went back to what they were doing before the brief interruption. Edward and Ana made they're way up the stairs, probably going to shower by the look of them. I snuggled back up into Jasper's side on the couch, thoroughly lost in the new piece of information we just received. Jasper tightened his grip on my waist slightly and placed a kiss on the top of my head, breathing in my scent.

"Don't worry, we will work it out." He whispered Into my hair.

"I know. I have total faith in you." I whispered back, nuzzling my head into his chest. I decided to put it in the back of my mind, I'd deal with it in an hour when we all sat down together to discuss it. I glanced at Alice to see her eyes glazed over. She didn't look frustrated like she usually would, and I noticed it was because of Garrett. He had his arm around Alice. She had her head turned into his shoulder slightly, breathing in his scent. I knew all to well what the scent and touch of your mate could do to you, I survived my two week long nightmare with Jasper's scent and touch. It was a wondrous thing, and I was glad Edward found his forever in Ana. I had a feeling I would be seeing a different side of him now. Without the constant thoughts of those around him invading his mind, courtesy of Ana, he could really relax now and wouldn't be further plagued by everyone's inner monologue and secrets. She truly was his mate, and I had no doubt she would bring out the best in him. How could she not? I didn't need to speak to him to see the changes, it was as plain as day, and I genuinely looked forward to reacquainting myself with the new Edward.

The movie ended just ten minutes short of the family meeting. Both Jasper and I headed outside for a leisurely un-rushed cigarette. I told Jasper of my inner monologue about Edward. Just as suspected, he felt the same way I did. In fact, I had no doubt the rest of the family felt the same way. We headed into the house after our cigarette and made our way to the dinning room. It looked small with so many vampires in there. Both Jasper and I were the last to enter the room. Jasper pulled out a chair and sat down, pulling me into his lap.

Edward cleared his throat in a very human way, and gripped Ana's hand, pulling her out from behind him to stand beside him. I gave her another encouraging smile, and she gladly returned it.

"On our travel back to Forks, a few days ago, we ran into some human drinking nomads." Edward started, looking at each of us in turn.

"How many?" Jasper said in that commanding voice, The Majors voice.

"Five. Although, I think there may be more." Said Edward.

"May be? Explain." Jasper commanded.

"I tried to read their thoughts, but they were scattered. I smelt a few other scents, no more than a couple of hours old around the area. The only two clear thoughts I got from them was a woman's name, and some possible areas to pillage for a meal."

Jasper tensed and stood. I saw Garrett tense and pull Alice behind him, as did Peter with Charlotte, and Jasper did the same with me. My heart sped up. I knew where this was going.

"Maria!" I gasped before I realised I had said anything. Everyone turned to look at me, stunned, except, of course, Jasper, Peter, Charlotte and Garrett.

"Newborns?" Jasper growled at Edward.

"I believe so. Their behaviour was just as erratic as their thoughts. They plan to come here." Edward almost whispered. The room was silent for a few moments, everyone digesting the information.

"What do we do?" Carlisle finally asked, looking directly at Jasper.

"We wait. There are more than enough of us to protect this area." Jasper snapped his eyes towards Edward. "Was I mentioned in any of their thoughts?" He asked.

"No. They were consumed by their need for blood and Maria's orders to find blood." Edward answered.

"Good. That means she either doesn't know I'm here or isn't looking for me. We will have the element of surprise. Ana," Jasper said, gaining her attention. She shrunk back behind Edward and bared her neck.

"Y-yes, Jasper?" She answered timidly.

"Do you have any training?"

"No, Major." She answered, eyes trained on the floor.

"Charlotte," Jasper demanded.

"Yes, Major?" Charlotte answered, coming out from behind Peter.

"Acquaint yourself with Ana and start her training." Jasper ordered.

Charlotte nodded her head and made her way over to Ana. Edward was whispering to her at vampire speed, so I was unable to pick up any of what he was saying, but by the time Charlotte had made her way, slowly, across the room, Ana seemed a bit more relaxed.

"Come on, sugar. I'll take ya to where we trained Bella." Charlotte said gently with a sincere smile. Ana nodded her head and followed behind Charlotte, glancing back at Edward before leaving the room.

"You may join her, Edward, if you wish." Jasper said, softening his time a little.

"Thank you." Edward said with a curt nod and turned to follow. He stopped at the doorway and locked eyes with me. "Bella," he started. "I just want to apologise for my less than gentlemanly behaviour when I was last here." He dropped his gaze from mine to look at his shoes.

"It's fine, Edward. All is forgiven. We will catch up later." I said. Edward snapped his eyes back to mine and smiled.

"I look forward to it." He said, then made his leave out of the room. Everyone took that as the end of the meeting, and filed silently out of the room. Everything was quiet. I looked up at Jasper, gauging his mood. He had relaxed some, but still looked tense. I would be, too, if I was him.

"Let's get you some dinner." He said, flashing a smile. I didn't hesitate, just followed his lead to the kitchen. I'm sure if he needed to talk he would let me know. But, I was happy for the silence. It had, after all, been an eventful few hours. I needed time to process this new information, as I'm sure he needed time to plan. I'm sure Alice will see something or Peter will be able to find out more come morning. I hope, anyway...