"You sure you're going to be ok here kid?" Charlie asked as he and Sue got to the front door.
"I'll be fine uncle Charlie," I smiled gently.
"I don't have to go fishing. I can stay."
"No, you have to go. It's your Christmas present from Bella, it'd be rude not to go," I reassured.
"I'll wait in the car," Sue smiled, patting him on the chest before walking out.
Charlie placed his hands on his hips as he looked at me. "I'm sorry Bella's not around much this year."
"It's not your fault."
"I know, but Christmas is the time you two always spend together… and I'm sorry she's not here," he coughed uncomfortably.
"It's ok uncle Charlie, really. She's got her own family now. I get it. Priorities change. At least we got to spend Christmas day together."
"Ok, well, uh, important numbers are on the fridge. If you need anything, call the station and ask for Sam."
"Uncle Charlie," I laughed. "I'll be fine," I grabbed his shoulders and spun him around, marching him out of the house. "Seth and Leah are staying here whilst you guys are away, we'll be fine."
"Just let Leah cook ok? I remember when you and Seth made cookies, took weeks to clear the smell out."
"We were 10," I laughed. "We'll be fine. I promise. If I need anything I'll call Sam."
"Ok, well enjoy your New Years Eve tomorrow and I'll see you in a few days kiddo," he waved as he walked over to Sue.
"Where are you going?" I moaned as I followed Seth through the house the next day. "You're acting super weird."
Seth and Leah had shown up the day before and searched the house without so much as a hello. After a thorough search, they'd nodded to each other and Leah had taken off.
"I'm waiting for Collin and Brady to get here. I'm not going until they get here," he smiled at me.
"And remind me, why am I spending the day with your cousin and his friend instead of you… my actual friend. I mean seriously, where are you going?"
"Collin and Brady are going to watch over you for the day," he explained.
"Watch over me! Seth, they're two years younger than us. Are you kidding me?"
"I have… a tribe thing to go to," he vaguely tried to explain.
"On the reservation?"
"Not exactly," he muttered. "Look you need to stay inside today ok? I'm serious." I just rolled my eyes. "I'm serious," he said firmly.
"You can't tell me what to do Seth," I snapped, crossing my arms grumpily.
"Willa, it's not safe outside."
"Seth the snow's stuck to the ground, it's the best time for a snowball fight."
"I'll agree with that, but wait for me to get back ok? Just stay inside with Collin and Brady. They don't come to this part of town very often and you're from London. If you guys go wandering you could get lost."
"Ok, you kind of make a good point," I admitted as a knock sounded on the door.
Seth raced over for the door. "You're late," he growled at the two incoming boys before he took off running.
I ran to the doorway as I watched him sprint away. "Ok, bye!" I yelled bitterly after him.
"Would you rather jump in a frozen lake with all your clothes on, or not shower for a year?" Brody asked as we played a game of would you rather.
"Dude! Not shower!" Collin laughed.
I stood up from the couch without answering and walked towards the stairs.
"No! Where are you going?" they yelled urgently, quickly jumping up from their seats.
I stopped with a frown and turned to face them, what a ridiculous reaction. "I'm just going to get my book from Bella's old room, chill," I gasped.
"Oh," Collin nodded. "Just come straight back ok?"
"Sure," I rolled my eyes as I continued walking. As I reached the base of the stairs a knock sounded on the front door. I immediately walked towards it to open it.
"No! Don't open it! No! No!" Collin and Brady screamed as they raced towards me.
Ignoring them I opened the door to see a couple standing there. "Oh, hi," I smiled as I recognised them. "Alice and Jasper right? Edward's siblings? Bella said you guys left town."
Before Alice had a chance to answer, I felt myself get yanked backwards as Collin and Brady came to stand in front of me, before immediately relaxing when they saw who it was.
I made my way back in front, staring at the two boys incredulously. "Yes, it's nice to see you again," Alice smiled at me.
"Sorry about them," I apologised for the two boys' behaviour.
"It's quite alright," Alice smiled. "We're familiar with each other, aren't we boys?" she asked and they nodded. Alice looked at me warily before quickly looking back at the two boys. "They're coming here afterwards, Seth's going to head back quickly, we'll try and change the course, but nothing's guaranteed," she said to them cryptically, making me frown in confusion. "Stay inside," she said to me before she and Jasper hurried off.
"Ok, what the bloody hell was that about?" I asked, looking at the two boys who nervously laughed.
In the clearing
"Dear ones, there is no danger here. We will not fight… today," Aro announced, and everyone on the Cullen's side of the clearing relaxed. "However, there is a separate matter that needs to be discussed. Edward, perhaps a more private audience would be best?" Aro asked with a sly smile.
"Of course," Edward nodded stiffly, squeezing his wife's hand as he felt her tense. They both knew exactly what Aro was referring to.
"Alec," Aro gestured, summoning the boy forward. He'd only taken two steps towards his master when a growl erupted from Bella's throat. "Careful child," Aro urged, holding his hand up.
"Edward?" Carlisle asked, confused as to what Aro was wanting to discuss.
"Too many ears," Edward said quietly, taking a quick glance over at the Romanians. The Volturi had too many enemies in the clearing who would jump at the chance to try and hurt them. Especially Alec. The Romanians in particular had made their opinion of him known. They might target the human as a way to hurt him.
"Come," Aro held his arm up, gesturing for Edward and Bella to follow.
"I'll come too," Alice spoke up, taking a step towards Aro, only to be cut off by a look from Jane.
Aro held his hand up to stop Jane from attacking. "Of course," he nodded. "I always appreciate your insight, my dear. Alec, you come with me," he said before racing off.
The five vampires reached the meadow, well out of hearing range, before they stopped running. Alec obediently took his place behind Aro whilst Edward whispered calming words into Bella's ear.
"I am disappointed you did not approach us with information regarding the girl following the wedding," Aro said, breaking the silent stalemate.
"I apologise," Edward said gruffly. "We merely did not wish to interfere with Volturi matters."
"I have seen your thoughts, Edward. There is no need for falsities."
"She's just a child," Bella hissed.
"She's not too much younger than you are."
Alec dutifully stood there in silence, watching the exchange in confusion. He had no idea who this girl was, or why she interested Aro.
Alice was eyeing him warily before she immediately gasped as a vision came to her. Aro greedily reached out and took her hand. "Ah," he sighed as he looked behind him and towards Alec, clearly displeased by what he saw in Alice's vision. "Well we most certainly want to avoid that," he smiled, releasing Alice's hand. "The girl will come and live in Volterra with us. She will be kept safe, it will allow her time to bond with the guard. When she reaches the twin's age, she will be turned."
Bella immediately launched herself forward, luckily being tugged back by Edward. "No," she hissed. "Leave her alone."
Confusion spun through Alec's head as Edward watched him cautiously. Aro noticed Edward's gaze and gasped.
"Of course my dear boy, you must be informed. The lovely Alice has had a vision of your mate," he explained gleefully, making Alec's eyes widen. He'd never imagined himself having a mate. Mate's were a rarity within the guard, it would be near impossible to attend to missions as well care for a mate. Only Chelsea was afforded such a privilege.
"My mate, master?" Alec asked in confusion.
"A human relation of Isabella's," Aro smiled. Alec's eyes immediately darkened, he despised the newborn and now he was being told his mate was her family, and a human nonetheless. Aro clapped his hands excitedly. "And with such a potential. Her gift will be most extraordinary."
"You're not taking her," Bella growled, she would not back down.
Aro's smile fell as he stared down at the girl in anger. How dare she defy him after the mercy he'd just shown her family. He'd take the human girl by force just to teach the insolent newborn a lesson.
"You can't," Alice interrupted, seeing the result of the decision he'd just made. "She's stubborn, she won't yield. If you take her by force she won't survive to the end of the year," she declared, holding out her hand for Aro to verify her information.
"I see," Aro nodded, his eyes twinkling as he ran through different ideas of luring the girl to him. His gaze darted to Alec, perhaps the most obvious solution would be the most effective.
"She's only just turned 15," Edward stressed. "The twins are 17. If you take her to Volterra that means you'd have to keep her alive in a castle of vampires for 2 whole years."
"I see your point," Aro agreed. It did sound like a near-impossible task.
"Perhaps we could re-evaluate in 2 years?" Alice offered, trying to at least temporarily spare the girl's life.
Alec's eyes darted around the group as he tried to determine his own feelings for this new revelation. "Her name?" he asked.
"Wilhelmina Swan," Aro replied.
"She prefers Willa," Bella grumbled.
"A fitting name, don't you think?" Aro smiled.
Bella glared, Willa had always loved that her name was the same as the female character in Bram Stoker's novel.
"I can see we have reached an impasse," Aro sighed. "We shall take our leave for now and reconvene in the morning. Alec," he gestured for the boy to leave. Both master and protege ran from the meadow, each of their heads whirling with ways to meet this mysterious girl without Cullen interference.