A/N: Well folks this chapter just won't stop so there will be one more in a fortnight lol xx Alexis
Bella
Only two more weeks and this ridiculous tournament will begin. Okay, maybe it's not ridiculous but it's damned annoying to the person holding it! Everything is done and we are almost ready for the arrival of everyone. I'm really excited today as we are all going to the Finger Lakes region to dive for sapphires in their raw state, of course. This will be our gift to them this year; we might even polish up some. Garrett says it's easy for us as is the cutting of them, we see the flaws and defects that humans miss. There are eleven Lakes so it will be a fairly quick process if we all scour each lake bed with our vampire vision. I wanted something unique from our area and hope to find both large and smaller ones for every coven. The four guys have decided to make it a competition, be we ladies will just take our time and hopefully find a few.
Oh, we're doing this all at night, because it's two weeks to Christmas in upstate New York and we don't need the humans reporting us as a bunch of crazies! Our eyesight is the same night or day, so it makes no never mind to us. I have a funny feeling the guys are going to be doing this au naturel* for the freedom and enjoyment it brings, well Peter was pushing the idea. Clothes no matter how soft or expensive, still rub against our skin and make us uncomfortable. I often forget how old they all are and how little these things that bother humans mean to real vampires. It's taken me a while to be that free around Garrett, but nobody else as of yet! I'll decide when we get there and if the other girls are doing it too. Look at me being all blasé* and thinking like a grownup vampire.
But I hadn't reckoned with Char and once she slapped her husband back in line we dove in, just in our underwear. Turns out she dislikes baring her all for anyone else, so not just me then. Heidi had no problems with it, but Makenna also wasn't very keen either. So with that decided we got down to the reason we were here and started our search. This has to be one of the most amazing things I've ever done, and something I'd like to repeat around the world. When we surfaced from the second lake Makenna voiced my own thoughts.
"Oh Bell, this is the most fun we've had in ages! We have to do this every year, even in different locations. Please say we can make this a tradition, looking for gems and ores?" she begged and I laughed,
"I was going to suggest it too, so yes that would be amazing" I gushed back at her,
I could see Garrett smiling at us and he seemed happy we are getting on so well. I admit I've started to feel so relaxed with our group of friends and yes that includes Jasper too. The eight of us jelled really well, maybe because we didn't live on top of each other and also because Charles and Makenna brought a new dimension to the group. It's not like we were going to live with each other, except for the Whitlocks, of course.
Garrett
I'll give Peter his due, he's a trier! He, above everyone, knew his own mate would not join in on his naked escapades. So I wasn't as worried as Liberty about it. Don't get me wrong I would have joined in if this had been the consensus. Nothing wrong with my body so the wife tells me, for a man of my age! Cheeky madam, I'm in the prime of my life and always will be, so there, ha-ha. Yeah, I'm an arrogant ass, but when you live as long as we do you really only have yourself to depend on. Well, that is until you find your other half. Liberty completes me in a way I never knew I needed, she smoothes my rough edges and I rough up her smooth ones. We are the perfect balance of two vampires, the perfect balance for us that is. Just like for this outing, she thinks outside the box and likes unique things the same as me.
I can see her warming up to the Major every time they interact and I'm happy for the both. Yes, he acted like a fool but it's not a crime! Liberty is never one to refuse to see the error of her ways and will change when she is shown her mistakes. That's one of the things I love about her, being able to change even now as a vampire. Because there are plenty who never do, not because they can't but because they don't want to! Yes, I mean most of the Cullens, why does everything come back to them? But let's forget about them for now, they'll be here soon enough god help us all! We were three-quarters through all the lakes and had a decent haul of Sapphires of varying colours and even some gold nuggets. This planet is amazing, the strange and wondrous things it does. The fact that glaciers deposited them here so long ago.
"Looks like we have quite a few stones Liberty," I say and Charlotte bounces over,
"Can I have the gold Bell? I want to make a settin' for one of the stones for you" she explains to us both,
"You don't have to do that!" Liberty stated,
"I know, but I want to! So can I have it?" Char asked with her hands on her hips,
"Yes, of course, and Char, thank you" Liberty replied before hugging Char,
Bella
Gosh, I wish I could still sleep, tomorrow is the first day of the run-up to the Tournament. I just want to close my eyes for a few hours and leave it all behind. Under normal circumstances those closest would come last, but no! I received a text from Esme just now, saying they would be here first thing in the morning. They were back in Alaska, so the Denali's would also be arriving at the same time. That would make the new living arrangements more obvious that's for sure. I can imagine things would be a little stilted, once I explained who was going where. But for once I was doing things the way I wanted them to be. I didn't need to bend to the will of the Cullens anymore, they are not that important in my life as they once were.
I really only feel close to Emmett now and Esme slightly less, but the others were only tolerated due to them. With every year that passes and seeing how Carlisle's attitude to Edward and Rose has not changed, I respect him less and less. Twenty years ago Emmett and I pointed out their worst faults and nothing he tells me has changed. The shocker was that he had still not returned to sharing a room with Rose! Basically, he ignores her and has in the last four years finally divorced her, which everyone is keeping quiet about. It all came out in dribs and drabs and Emmett became more and more distant and disgusted by Rose. They are most definitely not mates, that was just another lie so she could have what she wanted. Maybe I should have given him a room in the new house?
Edward had demanded that Emmett had to leave; now he was no longer married to Rose. But for once Esme put her foot down and told him to shut up since he wasn't anyone's mate either. That if he wasn't happy with the way things were, he could always be the one to leave! Alice unknowingly had sealed the deal saying she would much rather have Emmett around than Edward. When pushed to tell why by Carlisle, she exclaimed that Edward was a weirdo. That he crept around listening at keyholes all the time, so given the choice she'd rather have Emmett. That had Edward banned from all upper floors in their houses and he now resided in the basement, with only use of the ground floor allowed. Looks like he's taken over from her in the can't mind his own business stakes.
I was beginning to dread them arriving, but with any luck, I'll be too busy to deal with their gripes and demands. I haven't seen Alice since I wiped her mind so that will be fun..., not! To be honest, I haven't seen Rose or Edward either, but I doubt they will have changed in the least. Maybe I can feign being busy and have Char deal with them because she takes no crap ever. Well, I can ask her and pray she feels sorry for me. Firstly I will give everyone a tour of the ground floor before escorting the Denali's to their suites, that's when they will find out they are not staying in the main house. I will just have to spin it as vampire politics, after all, look what happened the last time. Why on earth would Caius want them anywhere near him? Especially Alice and Edward, yes they can take the can for being relegated to the old house!
I suddenly felt relieved that I had made a decision and looked up to see Jasper standing nearby, he was smiling and I realised my shield was down and all my apprehension and indecision had drawn him to me. The relief I knew was my own and he hadn't tried to influence me in the least.
"Thank you, Jasper, I had to sort that out in my own head," I said grinning,
"Well darlin', I think you're happy with whatever you decided and I've learned from my previous mistakes. I will never change your emotions unless you ask me first, I promise" he told me sincerely,
I believed him too, does that mean I forgive him, no forgive him is the wrong phrase. Do I believe his record of events? Yes, I finally do and I let him know as I turn to walk away.
"Thank you, Bella, you have no idea how much that means to me" I heard him say quietly,
Peter
I was happy for both the Major and Bell, it was beyond time this was settled. I had gotten the information drop that Bell needed Char to head off the Cullens and she was quite happy to slap them in place. So we are all ready for whatever chaos ensues. The girls will be surroundin' Bell, makin' sure she is able to focus on who is important and not who whines the most. Even Heidi has had her eyes opened; instead of just turnin' up she sees how much work goes into events like this for the hosts. I'm guessin' we'll be next no doubt, but at least it's twenty years from now. I'm neither lookin' forward to this nor not. Why, because I will always be third! I can't beat Caius and the Major, so I'm destined to remain in my third spot.
"Are we ready? What time will they all begin tricklin' in? Do we have time for a quick meal?" I asked as we all stood outside the new house,
"To hell with them all if anyone arrives before dawn! They can just wait for us to come back" Garrett said and he really meant it,
"Okay then, lock it up tight and let's get the hell away for a couple of hours" Char says and we all nod,
""Let's meet back here as the sun rises" Bell says as we all head out in different directions,
Bella
Jesus, we were back for less than an hour when they started to arrive. Peter was enjoying himself being the car parking attendant. He made them all park where the containers had been and walk up to the house; I heard the sound of grumbling from only one family, everyone else was fine with it. The only cars that would be allowed up here were the Volturi ones and we had a special spot for them. I don't know what their problem was. It's not like we get tired or out of breath anymore.
"My shoes will be ruined!" whined Rose loudly,
"Well take the damn things off, it's not like you actually need to wear that stupid tat anyway!" Peter replied and only she and Edward growled at him,
As they made it to the top of the hill and walked towards me I straightened my shoulders and felt Char squeeze my arm. Thank god for real friends!
"Welcome to the Roundhouse" I started to say when Edward started to interrupt me,
"Isabella, I...,"
That was as far as I let him get in his posturing. I wrapped a small shield around his head and carried on as if nothing had happened. But his stupid antics made him look like a fool.
"Oh, lovely peace at last!" Alice trilled, not remembering I had once done that to her,
"If you'll follow me I'll give you a quick tour of the ground floor before anyone else arrives and then we'll show you to your rooms," I said smiling stiffly and Carlisle looked away,
"Why were we made to walk up that hill when we could have parked there?" Rose spat pointing to the place for the Volturi cars,
"Well, be my guest! But you can explain to Master Caius, why his parking space was taken by someone who thinks themself more important than him!" Heidi spat at her in a heavily accented tone,
Rose actually gulped and slunk behind Emmett who moved away from her as Esme came forward,
"I'm so sorry Bella, I would promise you they'd behave, but I won't lie to you for either of them!" she said in a deathly calm voice and Carlisle flinched,
I didn't say anything, what could I say because nothing had changed in twenty years. I nodded to her and taking Emmett's arm led them into the house. Eleazar and Carmen looked embarrassed and even the sisters were giving Rose the cold shoulder. Everyone was suitably impressed with my beautiful dome, Alice most of all.
"It's like the Titanic! I love that movie" she enthused and I wondered if I had done her some more damage than I expected,
"Ah Bella, this is Alice, she's been very excited to finally meet you" Carlisle said and I for once didn't hide my feelings and glared at him,
"Yes, well I hope she's not as much trouble as your other teenagers Carlisle?" Garrett replied from behind them and I saw Eleazar smirk,
Dear God Carlisle is becoming as petty as them, is he regressing since they won't progress? Esme was staring a hole in the side of his head and I thanked all the deities they were not going to be staying in the house, she was going to rip him a new one very soon. Hell. Even Emmett couldn't believe his behaviour and Rose and Edward looked between Esme and him in disbelief. Only Alice seemed unaware of the undercurrent around everyone. Suddenly Irina said,
"Look, Tanya, it's those slippers, the ones we gave everyone at the last Tournament!"
The Denali's all gushed over me still having them, and them having a special place in the house. That broke the tension and I turned to them and asked them alone to follow me. Char ushered the Cullens out whilst sneering at them all. I lifted the shield from Edward, so they and not we, could have the pleasure of his antics. Thank goodness the other house is soundproofed too; I heaved a sigh of relief!
"I am most disappointed with Carlisle, he has had twenty years to sort the other two out and he did nothing at all! What was all that between Rose and Emmett, he totally ignored her? I knew they had some problems after our Tournament, but he refused to defend her" Carmen asked me directly,
"They aren't mates, never were and now are divorced, they have been for about five years now," I tell them all.
"What!" Eleazar growled,
"Carlisle lied to us; he said they were back to their old selves. He told me they had resolved all their problems long ago!" Tanya spat and I knew Carlisle had gone too far now,
Esme
I can't believe it! Not only three minutes in and they have ruined this whole event already, trying to make it all about themselves as always. Not just Rose and Edward, but Carlisle as well and oh my goodness it's making me actually see how much everyone else sees us. Yes, I can know I have been part of the problem, never really realising how much bother they cause everyone around us. But then we have rarely been included in events that have others there and now I see why! Nobody really likes us; even the Denali's were disgusted by today's debacle.
"Emmett honey, why don't you go and see if they have a place for you in the new house. I don't think you need to suffer here with these fools and yes Carlisle I include you in that group!" I say glaring at my mate,
"No Mom, you need at least one other voice of sanity here. Ali, why don't you go and pick out the best room for yourself" Emmett says and she skips away happily,
It's not that she is childlike; it's that she is a happy and slightly immature teenager now. If she ever met her mate t would be a good thing. That would be the nudge into womanhood she needed, Alice has just forgotten all the nasty and underhand things she ever did and she is now the girl she should always have been. It's time for me to take the reins in this dysfunctional coven. I know Emmett and Alice will back me, hoping something will change, but Edward will never let go of his grip on Carlisle. So it all comes down to Rose, she is the kingmaker in this. How to get her on my side, ah yes vanity! She has already put her foot in it and will not want to be seen as so stupid again, like the last time.
"Yes, let's sort out our rooms, Carlisle you will be sharing with Edward for the foreseeable future!" I say taking Rose's arm and sweeping out of the room,
"What's happening Esme? I feel we are at breaking point and I know I acted stupidly when we arrived. I will apologise to Garrett and Bella, it's jealousy I admit it. She always lands on her feet, while we stagnate in obscurity! Emmett is right of course, I am a spoilt bitch and will never change unless I'm willing to do so" Rose tells me and I sigh,
"Yes Rose, we have allowed both Edward and Alice in the past to drive everyone away. But Alice and you didn't help matters with your behaviour and I just buried my head in the sand. You all deserved better, hell I deserve better! So answer me this, if I challenge Carlisle for the leadership of this coven, who will you back?" I ask cautiously,
"We need to change before someone wipes us all out. I know Emmett will leave as soon as he finds his mate and who will blame him after what I did. But I really did think we were mates, I just didn't know it was infatuation and lust, not love and mating!
Carlisle should have been there to guide us, not stand back and do nothing as usual! So yes, I will back you and then we need help, because Edward will never back down, his need to control won't let him!" Rose says and I laugh,
"Oh, I think I might just ask Bella to do to him what she did to Alice!" I say casually and Rose whips around,
"What!" she whispers,
I sit her down and explain all she missed at the last Tournament, how after talking to Bella and Garrett then and only then Caius sent for that guard. To remember all Bella did with her shield, the bubble with Alice in it, the stopping her and Alice seeing them. The stopping of Edward reading everyone's mind and all that made me realise it was her. Plus why else would she need to be there when Alice was wiped? Rose was practically shaking with fear once I told her what I believed was true.
"She could have done it to any of us, at any time if she really wanted to! Oh Lord and I pushed her so much; my petty behaviour was probably what saved me, not worth her effort. No, that's not true, she isn't cruel and vindictive like we were, and Bella would only do that as a last resort wouldn't she?" Rose said quietly and I nodded,
"Okay, we'll leave it until we return home, this is not something others should be sucked into," I said and we agreed to ignore and avoid both Carlisle and Edward as much as we could,
Alice
Everyone has been so nice to me, nicer than I deserve by all accounts, but not Edward! Oh, he took much relish in telling all about my past; fifteen years ago and I hate him for it. From what I understand he knew telling me could have destroyed my mind completely, but he did it anyway. For the last ten years I have been having little flashes of what I thought were inspiration, but were actually little visions, nothing major thank god. I refuse to put them above all else ever again, I hate who I was and I hate much of what I did. So I pretend to be oblivious and have only one plan in mind. The downfall of Edward Cullen, he needs to learn some hard facts and I am going to out him. At this Tournament, he will finally learn that he is nobody. But I don't want him to have his mind wiped like me oh no, he must be made to live with his sins.
I want him ridiculed, I want him shunned and I want him humiliated and I have been feeding just the right amount of garbage to make it happen. This is not like before, I'm not expecting to gain anything but peace from this. I have seen him not only lose his gift but his looks too, a suitable punishment for his superiority and I will be backing Esme in the upcoming takeover of this ridiculous coven. This is my way of making it up to Bella. Edward truly still believes if I've seen it, it is real, but not this time. I have convinced him without even speaking to him that Bella and Garrett are using the suite next to Eleazar and not Master Caius and Lady Dora. He will of course make a fool of himself at hopefully in the most opportune moment. Because I know something he doesn't Lady Dora has a vicious temper and a mean right hook!
Well let the show commence and I for one don't feel sorry for what will happen, Edward deserves some sort of comeuppance for his long list of sins.
au naturel* in a natural state: without anything added
blasé* unimpressed with or indifferent to something seen so often before
