A/N: So just some notes: I'm back and this chapter is a doozy. I'm sorry for being away but honestly, this was a hard one y'all. See notes on the bottom for updates!

When You Love Someone

Chapter 13: Home

"I now pronounce you, husband and wife. You may, finally, kiss the bride" Jacob announced as a blissful Emily and Sam shared their first kiss. I stood and clapped as Alec and Jane stood beside me. The happy couple walking past us and I gave a brief hug to a crying Emily; she looked so beautiful in her gown as Jacob elbowed me as he made his way down the aisle. Smirking I hit him as we made our way to the bonfire.

"Well that was happy," Jane said smiling looking at Sam and Emily. "You said their friends of yours Bella?" She asked as I nodded.

"Yeah, I've known them for a while. Sam and Emily were always good together and I'm glad they got the wedding they wanted" I said thoughtful.

"Hey Bella; Alec, Jane. What did you think of the service?" Jacob came from behind me smiling, his stride lose.

"It was beautiful, thank you for inviting us" Jane answered for us. "It's been so long since I've attended a wedding of any kind."

"I'm glad you were able to come, Bella especially I know wouldn't want to miss it"

"Your right, I wouldn't have" I answered

"I'm glad you could make it" Sam's deep voice echoed as I smiled and gave him a hug, feeling his familiar warmth.

"Congratulations" I smiled as I kissed Emily's redden cheek.

"Thank you" she gushed as she turned to Jane and Alec "Thank you both for coming as well and please pass along our gratitude to Aro for his gift as well" Emily smiled as she reached out grasp Jane's hands in her own. Looking startled at the affection Jane nodded.

"Of course, and thank you for inviting us. This is a wonderful beginning to the alliance of the Volturi and the tribe." Alec said, smiling politely

"Of course, and if you don't mind me asking how is Volterra? Emily and I have been debating about our honeymoon destination?"

While Sam and Emily talked with them Jacob grabbed me by the elbow, quirking his head to the side to talk privately.

Following him to a safe distance away he sighed and smiled ruefully. "Well things to be going well"

"Yes, for now," I answered hollowly

"Yah that always seems to be the case, huh?" Sighing, he looked in the distance before whispering "By the way I took care of it."

Relief flooded through me at his words as I nodded "Thank you Jacob"

"Not going to lie, I skimmed some of the contents and Bells…I" Shaking his head he looked at me with a heavy stare "I don't know what you did but I know you need something else. I hate to do this at the wedding, but I don't know when we'll get another chance"

"Jake…" Biting my lip I asked, "How much did you read?"

"A lot, so what do you need?"

Shaking my head but knowing he would look I knew he saw my notes and seeming to know already what I was going to ask I simply said "Blood. Specifically, your blood"

"My blood? For you know?" He asked looking back to see Jane and Alec still distracted "Fine. I can get it done but those two need to be away from the Rez for a bit. You still have my charm, right?" He asked and at my confused nod he smiled grimly. "Good, you'll need it"

"Well, good, also come here" He grabbed me tightly and hugged me so fiercely I thought he was going to break me.

"What is it, Jake?"

"I just missed you is all and I'm so worried Bells, you have no idea. So I'll get it to you, but enjoy the rest of the reception and be careful. Please" He looked so much older than he was at that moment and I knew that at that moment Jake could see something I didn't.

For my sake, I didn't ask what he saw.

Surprisingly, it was somewhat easy to distract Jane and Alec. Emily was all too eager to talk with Alec about his life Italy and the destinations he's seen while Jane was enthralled with the culture and stories that Sam was telling to buy us time.

I just needed an hour. One hour to go down to the clinic on-site and receive 6 vials worth of the blood. Turns out Jake was a genius, the charm and the overall bracelet hollow, a perfect hiding space for the one ingredient I'm missing. Once our task was done, we returned to the wedding, all fanfare done and my companions none the wiser. At least I hoped.

With final goodbyes and my mission completed we returned to the Cullen residence, two more steps to go.

Finding the family waiting on the front steps my suspicions were rising when I saw Carlisle's distressed expression.

"What's happened, Carlisle?" I asked immediately, as I heard Astrid sobbing on the top floor of the house.

"There have been some recent developments with Astrid's mother" He led on as I kept my face blank but inside my heart was dropping. "I heard from Dr. Snow that her mother has developed pneumonia. With her current condition so fragile she only has a few days left."

"I see" I muttered biting my lip looking to the top window. "Have they decided to move up the wedding then?" I asked wondering if I had to try tonight. Was I ready?

"No, Edward and Astrid have decided to keep their original date. Bella, you have grown leaps and bounds since you have arrived but with the time constraint, I'm not it would be possible. Her health is so delicate"

Surprised and slightly miffed, I couldn't help myself as I ran past Carlisle and up the stairs until I was standing in front of Edward's familiar door. Barging in, felt like a weird sense of Deja Vu Everything was the same, the cd's along the wall, the leather couch against the window, and the bed in the middle of the room.

Weird.

Edward growled at me as Astrid was falling apart in his arms, but I just shook my head at him needing to say this: "What are you doing?" I asked, scandalized

"I'm comforting my mate!" Edward growled as I rolled my eyes

"Not you, I'm talking to her" I said stiffly as Astrid sniffed and looked up at me with tears running down her face and bloodshot eyes.

"What?" She asked confused

"I asked: What do you think you're doing?" I asked raised my brow at her as she shook her head, not understanding the question.

I scoffed as I marched over and ignoring Edward's warning snarl, I simply sat on the other side of Astrid, getting a better look at her.

Her eyes were desperate, pain-filled but there! Right in the back, behind the muddle of emotion was that spark of determination. The strength that convinced me to help her originally. Grinning that I was right I asked again except this time adding:

"Astrid, why are you letting Edward dictate this decision for you?" I asked coldly as her eyes widened and Edward stood then ready to retort when I silenced him with just my glare. Daring him to say anything with my eyes.

"Well?" I turned to Astrid who was still sitting on the bed looking between us not sure who to answer too.

"Edward could you give us a minute?" I asked, but really commanded trying to relay what I wanted I said so low that Astrid would not understand "Edward if you loved me or treasured anything we had you will give us some alone time" I growled

With a tormented expression he looked between me and Astrid, bringing his hand to his nose thinking what could be said until I interrupted his inner musings "Edward, you need to let me talk with her"

Scowling he took a final look at Astrid before asking "Love, do you feel comfortable with her?" He asked completely ignoring me.

"Yes, Edward, she won't hurt me," Astrid said quietly as I internally grinned. Pursing his lips Edward nodded and gave me a final glare before leaving the room, the door shutting with a soft click.

I sighed in relief, not expecting him to give in; maybe he was growing; however, that doesn't change my question. Staring at Astrid, her feeble look that she gave made me want to roll my eyes but I'm happy to note, I restrained myself and simply stared at her.

"Astrid, you don't want this, do you?" I accused crossing my legs as I coolly stared her down.

"I just think that considering the circumstances that maybe it won't be the best course of action and Edward made a good point" She trailed off as I shook my head.

"No, that's not what I asked. I asked do you want this. Yes, or No" I asked as she looked to the floor not wanting to look at me. Alright fine, I get it. I gave a huff in annoyance as I darted up and found a piece of notebook paper and a pencil. Sitting back on the bed I concentrated and with a happy smile, I successfully shielded us. Plus, hearing Edward's distressed growls and Alice's gentle assurances wasn't bad either. Now we have complete privacy.

"Astrid, you know I've been working on my gift. I've shielded us from everyone else in the house. This conversation, and most importantly, your thoughts are safe." I assured her, trying to give her a soft smile. Keyword tried.

Looking distraught, her eyes shifted back and forth and sensing her panic reached out and touched her hand. "Astrid, please, if this is really what you want; I'll take down my shield and we'll leave. Astrid, you're in control here. I just wanted to know that Edward didn't make this choice for you. Maybe I'm overstepping my boundaries but…" I sighed and deciding to be vulnerable with this delicate human girl. This human girl who I've seen so much of myself in, I refused to stand by and watch the same mistakes be made. "Edward would constantly make these big decisions for us, to protect me. However, he isn't perfect. Even though I'm angry at him, even though I act cruel towards him…I still care about him." I whispered feeling the familiar ache in my heart at my own admission. "I care about him enough to stop history from repeating itself. Astrid when I first saw you, I admit I didn't like you. Not that I disliked your person per se, I disliked what you represented, and I apologize for that" I whispered as I heard Astrid's sharp intake of breath.

"However, Astrid correct me if I'm wrong, but you love your mother. I saw it. It's the same love that makes us do crazy things. The kind of love that makes us ask our mate's ex-girlfriend to help her dying mother" I said bluntly as I looked square at her "the kind of love that takes a tremendous amount of strength and that strength just doesn't go away. However, if someone I loved just as much was adamant about disagreeing with you, I would have gone along. In fact, I did, and I regretted it. It ruined both of our lives" I said remembering that horrible day in the woods. "So, Astrid, I'm going to ask once more: Do you want this?"

She looked back at me and at that moment, the one precious moment I saw the real Astrid. The determined young woman who wasn't going to be pushed around.

"No"

"What do you mean 'no'? Edward asked shocked as Alec and Jane stood the side, Alec giving me a questioning look.

"I said no, Edward." Astrid stood firm and as I glided past her and took my place near the wall, next to Alec while Jasper quirked his eyebrow and tilted his head.

Nice Work he conveyed as I simply smiled and watched the show.

"Edward, darling, I love you, more than I could possibly love anyone" She started as she cupped his face and not helping himself he leaned into her touch "But Edward, I'm not going to let you make all the major decisions for us. I deserve a voice, especially involving my mother and our wedding" She declared as she took a step back and stared at him.

"I want my mother there and if Bella thinks she can then I believe her. My mother's strength is mine too. I know mom, she would want to see her only child married." She declared as Edward tried to talk her out of it. The danger of not only sneaking in but having a volatile vampire so close.

I scoffed at his indirect comment towards me but Jasper stepped in and cleared his throat "Actually Edward, Bella's control is well-honed for a new vampire and her gift shows promise, although it would be difficult" Jasper turned to me then and I simply nodded my head.

"Astrid, please, it's too dangerous" Edward pleaded as she still stood firm and shook her head.

"I want this Edward. I want to see my mom" She pleaded and to my shock, he took one look at her, sighed and whispered "Okay"

"Okay!" She jumped into his arms just as Alice swooped in and took her upstairs announcing that she needs to get the bride ready and that Edward can find his suit in the hall closet.

In moments, the house was in a frenzy and I stayed near the wall when I felt Carlisle approach me. Clearing his throat, he smiled sadly at me "Bella, may I speak with you? Alone?" He asked eyeing my companions. Turning I saw Alec shrug his shoulders and Jane gave him a cool stare.

"Of course, Carlisle" I answered as I followed him to the yard and as a precaution, I threw up my shield for privacy.

"Bella, may I start with tremendous thanks for what you've done not only for Astrid but for my family. I know it must be difficult but thank you." He started while occasionally looking behind me. "And if I may the information, I wish to share with you is rather private so I ask if you could shield us for the time being. It's best that it be shared with only you" He asked and nodding my head I gave a signal it was already up.

"Very good, Bella I understand you've been quite busy in your time in Volterra. You've been treated well in your stay there?" With some concern in his voice.

Confused I nodded yes, wondering why Carlisle would even care. Petty, I know, but with Astrid's arrival, you would think my place in the family would have shifted down if I wasn't replaced altogether. "Fine, Carlisle, I'm treated simply fine. The brothers have been most hospitable to me in my time there" I answered stiffly slightly on guard as Carlisle's smile returned.

"Good, good, I know that your talent would interest Aro a great deal. He was and I imagine still is, a man of science, always looking for the best and brightest, I just wished to convey that your time spent is a good one. I know things haven difficult since your departure, I just wanted to make sure you were doing well to the change" He admitted as I scowled to the ground, anger rushing through me.

"Difficult? You mean the difficult where you and your entire family abandoned me in favor of Edward's new wife right? The difficult you're referring too that in your absence the mess you left me to deal with broke into my home and murdered my father, difficult. That if it weren't for my good relationship with the wolves I would have died as well, difficult. Saving myself the pain of transformation that I did not want difficult! That in spite of all the bullshit you and your family have put me through and the absolute nerve to still call me family only so I can help you when it's convenient difficult!" I yelled, my voice rising with each sentence.

If I had been smarter, I would have realized that in my haze, I had accidentally dropped my shield and without my protection my 'secret' conversation with Carlisle was heard by everyone, including the bride to be. Of course, I couldn't help it now, I was on a roll and it was like the emotional dam I built around myself collapsed with just a few words from the patriarch of the family, that in my mind, caused all this to begin with.

"Carlisle believe it or not, I'm here for one reason and reason only: So that I can still look at myself in the mirror without the burden of doing something wrong for being selfish, something your so-called son still needs to learn! In fact, all of you need to learn that! I'm not family to you. Not now, and especially not then because if I were my father would still be here seeing me get married! Experiencing my milestone! Instead I'm helping my replacement experience all the things that I was cheated out of by your son!" I screamed, hot tears in my eyes.

I was breathing hard now taking no note the pain in Carlisle's eyes or the shame on his face.

"Oh! And not to mention the secrets that your daughter holds against me! The secrets that as far as I know, you all may be aware of! Alice sent me on this wild goose chase for who knows what and quite frankly I'm tired. Okay, Carlisle, I'm tired. I'm so tired of being a puppet in the grand scheme of things that ultimately make your family better in spite of the consequences to someone else! So, you know what? Fuck you, Carlisle! Fuck Edward! Fuck Alice! Fuck everyone with the Cullen name! After today I want nothing to do with any of you! I want you all out of my life for as long as it lasts! I'll help Astrid so don't worry about that! You hear me, cocksucker! I'll do it for her! If only for the fact that out of everyone here she did nothing wrong and I want to look at myself in the mirror when this is done!" I screamed out, tears blurring my vision and my whole being vibrating with anger and hurt.

I need out of here. I needed out. Away from this house. Away from this situation. Away from this fucking family!

"I need a moment!" I ground out before running towards the woods, my feet flying in front of me as I sobbed. The trees and the woodlands becoming a blur as I simply ran.

I ran as fast as I could, but I knew no matter how fast I went, no amount of running could spare me from my own mind.

I'm a phoenix in the water

A fish that's learned to fly

And I've always been a daughter

But feathers are meant for the sky

So I'm wishing, wishing further

For the excitement to arrive

It's just I'd rather be causing the chaos

Than laying at the sharp end of this knife

Gabrielle Aplin – Home

A/N: Whoa! Holy shit! Well that happened! Did not expect the conversation to happen with Carlisle but hey! It happened and Bella, I think has reached a breaking point. Please review and tell me your thoughts! Was it good, bad, something in between? Let me know! Updates should resume next Monday as scheduled and if not I will update no later than Wednesday.