The Truth, Will It Set Her Free?

Garrett

Charlotte and Heidi have arrived one week ahead of the guys, which means only one thing! Yup, they knew the full story and how deep her fears and worries were. I don't understand what they were all playing at, tormenting and taunting a human girl! Is that how far the Cullen children had fallen, that they would do that? Yes it was, and I included the Major in that because they all behaved like children, worse they acted like human children! This is the reason I never joined a coven of any type, too many chances for others to interfere where they had no business. Also this obsession with being involved in the lives of humans, yes I taught occasionally. But under no circumstances was I ever buddy-buddy with them! That's a recipe for disaster, one just waiting to happen to my mind.

Small interactions are unavoidable; they cover the planet's surface after all, but never making close friendships with them. But don't think I would never have met Liberty, because she would have married Eddie boy and been changed. Then she would have kicked his ass and ripped him apart before leaving in search of her mate, me! Would he have ever bedded her? I doubt it since he kept putting it off all the time. Like first it was for marriage, next it would have been only after her change and since they weren't mates he would never have gotten to first base. That's if the idiot even wanted to and I'm not sure he ever did! I'm not saying he's not into women, I think he's non-sexual. I am convinced he just has no interest in sex with anyone, not even if only to relieve himself.

Poor guy, he doesn't know what he's missing, or maybe he thinks he does. Because he hears about it all the time! Unfortunately listening to the minds of teenage boys and girls does not show the true representation of what sex as an adult man or woman can be. Nowhere in their infantile minds is the depth of feeling we have, the joy felt in the sharing, the eagerness to bond and the overwhelming gratitude from loving and being loved in return. Well, enough about that pathetic boy and back to the matter at hand, my beautiful mate. I'm going to do what any sensible male vampire would do, leave it up to the women to help her now. So after greeting them, I head to my office to check on the order of all the supplies for our new house. It's a hell of a lot, but it will take us very little time to build, so we need it all to be there when it's needed.

Charlotte

This has been a long time comin', I feel guilty that I didn't push for it earlier. Over the years I'd castigated the Major over and over, but he just didn't see it. All he could see from a man's point of view was the insult to her, that night when the shit hit the fan! But it was just the straw that broke the camel's back for Bell, not the root cause of the problem. It was Heidi who finally got through to him by usin' her gift on him for one lousy week, not four goddamn years! Granted he hadn't made her do his biddin' all that time or she would have slept with him for sure. But he understands now how it feels from the other side, to be made to do things you don't want or mean to do. It was obvious when it hit him, you could see him literally and figuratively emotionally fold in on himself and he was so silent, Heidi was genuinely scared for him.

He just stood there for three days before he walked away, head hangin' in defeat. As she went after him, Peter shook his head. We heard his reaction clearly as he tore the forest apart and his cry of sheer anguish that followed and had us all on our knees. He knew he had never done that kind of thing to her, but now he understood that she did not. That her own human insecurities had come across the change with her because of him and he was horrified. Because if anyone should have known how she would react it was him and only him! He now knew livin' like and with the Cullens had made him a weak, pathetic and selfish man! He had gone from one extreme to the other; Alice had done him no favours takin' him to the Cullens all that time ago.

Not that she's the only one to blame, but why didn't Carlisle see what he needed was not to be treated like a child or sent to school. He needed help; he needed emotional support and guidance to overcome his conditionin' by Maria. They made him push it all down inside of him, to pretend it never happened. Jesus! He was a doctor, how could he not see. But, then he could never see over Edward's ego to notice the others needed more help than him. So the Major did what they wanted and reduced himself to a naughty child who was never stopped. I'm not makin' excuses for him, but what most vampires need is to see a goddamn psychiatrist! I don't have the temperament for it, but I know a girl who does, Bell. She should seriously think about it, maybe it would help her as well.

Why, because I know it was her and not Andreas who wiped Alice's mind. It scared me for a little while, but Peter assured me that this weapon was in the safest of hands. Bell would never use it except as a last resort and I know he's right. After all, she could easily have done it to all the Cullen children but hasn't.

Heidi

I have never felt this way before, I'm ashamed. Not for myself but because of something my mate has done and I can barely look Isabella in the eye. This saddens me because she is one of the very few that cannot feel my gift when I do!

"Heidi, look at me, please. You have done nothing wrong to me. I don't want to lose your friendship, because of something Jasper did years ago" she says, almost reading my mind,

"Grazie Isabella, mi dispiace tanto. La tua amicizia significa molto anche per me" (Thank you, Isabella, I am so sorry. Your friendship means a lot to me too) I reply reverting to Italian due to being nervous,

"Heidi, sono Bella. Oppure mi chiamano Bell come Peter e Char" (Heidi, It's Bella. Or Bell like Peter and Char call me) she replies smiling,

"Thank you Bell, I have two things for you from Il Maggiore (The Major). He now finally understands why you dislike him and is devastated" I explain while handing over the letter and box,

She took them gingerly as if they might bite her and I was so sad for her and angry with him for not realising how much he hurt her. Maybe if they hadn't been her formative years she could have seen the truth, but for a shy, insecure girl she had no real frame of reference to use. I only hope this time she sees and knows he is sorry.

Bella

I know both of them saw me flinch when she handed over the things from Jasper. I feel stupid for allowing something so silly to get to me. I was a little confused why the box was wrapped in Christmas paper, but maybe his letter will explain that. I put them both aside to look at later when just Garrett and I were together. Some things are not meant to be done with an audience after all. We were all happy to put it all to one side or now and talk about the house. They love my ideas and the crowning glory that is my dome. I explained who would be going where and how we might change the layout later after the Tournament was over and of course, remove this house. Because nobody needs two houses, well I don't anyway. Char got all excited and asked if she and Peter could have it for one of their places that only had a cabin at present as she really loves this place.

I shouted for Garrett and he agreed that would be fine and when it came time to take it down they could do it together, carefully. Now we were getting down to colours and I said no white, all the suites would have a predominant colour scheme. I was thinking along the lines of green, yellow, brown and wine, but no pink and no insipid blues, but a strong vibrant one. The ground floor would be all earthy tones and natural elements to blend in with the inner courtyard vibe. Our room would be the hardest, but I was thinking to flip it around and have pastels on the walls and the accessories be strong and vibrant. But mainly I wanted the furniture we already had to be the standout in our space. We calculated how much furniture we would need elsewhere and set to ordering some of it online.

Tomorrow we would go shopping so Char and Heidi could pick their own as they would be the most frequent visitors. I know Esme might have liked to be involved, but I wanted this to be my choice since it's my new home. I love her dearly, but she tends to take over and railroad you, if you let her when it comes to decorating. By the end of the day, we had made quite a bit of progress and the girls went off to hunt leaving Garrett and me alone. I retrieved the box and the letter and sat beside him with them on my lap.

"What you got there Liberty? It's a bit early for a Christmas present isn't it?" he asked smiling at me,

"They're from Jasper; I don't understand the present yet. I guess the letter will tell me!" I muttered nervously,

"Do you want to read it alone or do you want me to read it to you? I'm here for you and you alone, no matter what" Garrett quizzed me calmly and I relaxed,

"Will you read it to me, but while holding me too" I reply worming my way onto his lap,

"Of course, are you ready sweetheart?" he says holding me firmly and I nod once,

'Dear Isabella,

I won't say my dearest because I forfeited that right long ago. Bein' a man and nowhere near as clever as I always thought I was. I have just learned the true nature of your dislike for me and I was and am horrified and devastated. Horrified that I now see I treated you as callously as I did the others, except Carlisle and Esme. Devastated that you would believe I would stoop so low as to actually try like Alice and Edward to control your every move! I can understand it, but it still hurts that my own actions have made you feel so ill towards me.

I now see why you refuse to let me feel one solitary emotion from you, not even your disdain or dislike. So for what it's worth I am so very sorry and am endeavourin' to find a way to convince you I am not quite the villain you have perceived me to be. I spend three days doin' nothin' but relivin' the years we knew each other while you were with Edward. Yes, I boosted your confidence whilst at the Forks house; you were so shy and timid back then. Your emotions were so pure and gentle and a balm to my beleaguered soul. But never did I make you do anythin' that was not already in your emotional make-up.

Did I hate that you wanted to waste such a precious gift on that stupid child, yes, of course, I did. Was I jealous of him, yes I can admit that too, but it was not until we were in college and you were an adult that I used your own sexual emotions against you. Not in a harmful way, but I was punishin' you both. You for bein' so optimistic and blind to Edward's real intentions and Edward only to see him squirm as you tried to break what you thought was his resolve. In all the years I've known him, not once has he become aroused by any person, female or male!

So yes I made you constantly horny and yes I hoped you would eventually turn to me for relief from it. But that was all I did, increasin' what was already there. You were the only normal one in that godforsaken hell-hole of a house, plus you had no agenda, except to bed Edward. When it came to the bitchiness and jealousy of Rose and the sheer nosiness and interference of Alice, yes I kept you unnaturally calm, for my own sanity I'll admit. I tamped down your anger for my own peace of mind, so as not to break the status quo and for that I am sorry. I should have let you rip them a new one, but I didn't want you to rock the boat back then.

But please believe me that's it, I did nothin' else to you or against you. Because I was too busy protectin' you from the two witches vicious and at times nasty tendencies and stoppin' Eddie-boy eatin' you on a daily basis! It was a tedious and tirin' full-time job, but I'm not tellin' you this for sympathy or thanks. So that is my truth, whether you believe it or not is up to you. I am though searchin' America with Peter for Charles and Makenna. He is a vampire lie detector and I know you met them at the last Tournament, I will in front of him tell you all of this again and apologise once more.

I am not askin' for your forgiveness, because I have no right to it. But I have sent you a Christmas gift and if you can find it in your heart to eventually accept my apology, and maybe wear them as a sign you no longer hate me. Then I will be happy with that because in my heart you were my sister. I should have known better and I deserve your ire for my behaviour that night. But you back then were and still are now a very beautiful woman; it's only you who doesn't see it.

Yours in sincere humility,

Jasper Whitlock

I was flabbergasted; he kept Edward from attacking me daily, as in every day! He stopped Alice and Rosalie's nastiness against me as well! Can I truly believe he never made me do things I didn't want?

"You do realise Liberty, if he had wanted to, he could have very easily made you go to him? But he didn't, he wanted you to want him, back then and for that, I am truly thankful.

Why don't we talk to Heidi and Char, and find out from them what made him see the light? He's also right about Charles, if anyone can prove that he's telling the truth it's him or Maggie from Ireland" Garrett said calmly stroking my hair and back,

I was stunned, I was confused and I was beginning to think I was punishing Jasper for everyone's wrongdoings! Was that what I was doing? His gift was the only one I'd never blocked subconsciously and now I did constantly. Was I using the only weapon I had against him in particular because I was angry with them all? Yes, I'd dealt with Alice, but I received no satisfaction or apology. Yes, I'd kicked Edward's butt, but he still had not admitted his wrongs, and neither had Rosalie. Only Emmett had done that and I forgave him, he had been conned by all of them too. But I had spent twenty-odd years hating Jasper for what? Finding me sexually attractive! Because to him, that's what it looked like until he learned the truth. I'm so confused, Garrett's right we needed to speak to Heidi and Char.

Garrett

This revelation has shaken Liberty badly and I can see she's being pulled in two directions. Does she believe him and realise how wrong she was, blaming him for something he never did? Does she continue to think she was right and end up destroying her relationships with Heidi, Char and Peter? Because that will happen if what he's saying is the real truth. What a cluster-fuck, one that should never have been allowed to happen and sorry to say that's Carlisle's fault for believing his coven were capable of being adults! Yes, Charles is the only one who can help us now, we need the truth and we need everyone to be forced to speak their truths too. By that I mean Edward and Rose as well, Jesus, this just gets worse and worse. Well, the Major first and then the other two at the Tournament I think.

The girls appeared moments later and I guessed Peter had given them the heads-up that we wanted to talk. I took point for the discussion because Liberty was all over the place. I could see her swinging from sure and right justification to guilt and back again.

"Ladies, this can of worms just keeps getting bigger and bigger. So, please tell us what made the Major see the light and we'll go from there" I say and it all spills out,

How Char had felt guilty for so many years, not being able to get him to see what she saw. How Peter and she had forced him to tell Heidi everything. How Heidi had reacted as badly as Char had, realising the depth of the hurt Liberty felt. What she did to the Major for only one week and then explained to him how Liberty felt. Even knowing he hadn't done that, he now knew she didn't know it! That was when he just froze in place for three whole days scaring the crap out of his mate and then his blowout and tortured response. Liberty listened carefully and knew both women had tried to get a woman's point of view over. From Char, she learned that even Peter had tried to explain it, but he didn't really have all the facts. Finally how Heidi had managed to get through the point by using her own gift on him.

How she told him that Liberty had trusted him, never blocking him although she did the others even as a human. But now she thought and felt betrayed by him, that he might have manipulated her for his and their entertainment!

"I think I've been punishing him for everyone's part of the whole debacle. I need the truth, the whole truth from them all" Liberty mumbled and the girls hugged her in support,

I outlined my idea, to deal with the Major first with Charles' help and then Rose and Edward at the Tournament, again with his help. Now we just had to await the arrival of the two Whitlock males and Charles and Makenna.

Righting Wrongs Can Be Hard

Peter

In all my years as his right-hand man, I've never seen the Major so determined. In his fifty-odd years with that fucked up family he has had many regrets, but this is the only one he wants to fix, no he needs to fix. To him, it's important that she doesn't see him as the villain, just an idiot of a man. Quite the distinction, he knows he got himself in this mess by doin' absolutely nothin' to help her back then and this is his biggest regret. She saw him as an older brother and he behaved like a fool, a randy fool at that and in doin' so threw away the precious gift she gave him. The gift of friendship and familial love, somethin' he only ever received from Char and me. It just shows how screwed up he was livin' with those Muppets, to not have seen it for what it was, but worse to throw it back in her face was just plain cruel.

When an empath can no longer tell what emotions you are givin' off, somethin' has to be really wrong with either you or them! Unfortunately, it was not just him at that time; they all had a hand in it and Bell did nothin' wrong at all, but love them with all her heart. I ain't lettin' Carlisle and Esme off either; they should have seen all was not okay. Especially when she mentioned things to them and they never followed up or made sure she was bein' protected! Yes, protected from their own coven, they failed her as much as the others by turnin' a blind eye to their behaviour. This is why we are semi-nomadic; the thought of living on top of other vampires constantly gives us the heebie-jeebies! The same goes for Garrett; mind you knowin' the Cullens has put a lot of vampires off covens.

Jasper

I know Peter is havin' a hard time understandin' my obsession about sortin' this out with Bella. Many of my mistakes while at the Cullens were just that mistakes. But this, this was no mistake I did it on purpose and that's the problem. I hurt a then mere child, with my own jealousy and inaction to help her! I am mortified, horrified and ashamed I could stoop so low. I know I should have left years ago, but I stayed to avoid havin'; any responsibility for my own life. The Cullens don't need apologies from me, but they should all be beggin' Bella for her forgiveness. That includes Carlisle and Esme because a lot of that shit could have been sorted long ago if they had even tried to take control of their coven. Alice of course, has already had her comeuppance from Bella; I saw her face that day.

Although I couldn't read her emotions, I could her body language and it was obvious. I know it was her who did that to Alice and not the Volturi guard, that's one hell of a power and we should all be grateful Bella isn't the vengeful type! The others are too stupid to realise it was her and kickin' Eddie-boy's ass must have given her some satisfaction twenty years ago. Bella's total indifference to Rose must be so gallin' for the vain bitch, but it's the perfect punishment for someone like her. To find you aren't really enough of a dilemma for someone. That they would rather forget you exist than deal with you has to be a slap in the face. So that leaves me and it has finally dawned on me that I did way more damage than I first assumed. Not because I actually did somethin', but because she doesn't know if I did, and why would she trust me not to?

Oh, thank God, we've found them at last, now to beg for his help, yes I'll beg if I have to!

Bella

I have made a decision; I will hear Jasper out on my terms. But I don't want to be looking to Charles constantly, so I will ask Garrett to stay with him. That way Jasper and I can talk and Charles can confirm to Garrett if it's the truth and I will rely on my own skills of observation too. I remember very well all their little quirks. Like Alice always without fail said I had forgotten something she wanted me to do, exact words were, 'Silly human, you agreed and have forgotten again!' Edward would stare hard at you not blinking, when he lied. Obviously thinking eye contact was his secret weapon! Emmett couldn't look at me when he rarely lied and it was a real giveaway. Rose never lied per se; she just never spoke to me at all if it wasn't necessary. This was fine by me since I didn't talk cars or make-up!

But Jasper always, without exception quietly sighed, and then looked over my left shoulder and not at my face. It was like he was going against his own code by doing it, but as if he had become used to it in a way he disliked. So that's something I will be watching for and with the backup of Charles, this might go better than I can hope for. I really have to do this because it is wearing me down. Twenty-four years isn't a long time in a vampire's life, but it's far too long for me. I want this weight off my shoulders and to get passed the past so to speak. Will we ever be friends again, maybe not, but I won't dislike him as I had before and it will be a very long time before I let him feel my emotions again. But if he's telling the truth then we will at least have a truce and I will be more at ease with him around.

It has had to be hard for Garrett, as he's friends with Peter and Jasper and was long before he met me. So for his sake as well as mine, this needs closure. Strange as it may be vampires have very few real friends, acquaintances yes, but friends are thin on the ground. It's one of those situations where we as beings are territorial, so spending time together causes problems, fights and often death. So those that actually have friends tend to hang on to them fiercely. After all large covens are not a thing except for the Volturi, the Cullens and the Denali's off course. Again due to our innate inability to not fight with each other. This is possibly what's really wrong with the Cullens, too many bodies in one place, especially when one was not mated and spent his second life causing tension and discord.

I was just another weapon to bludgeon them over the head with. It took me a few years to work this out, I was there as a slap in the face to Rosalie. That he found me desirable and not her, even though she didn't want him or so she says! Also as a form of fear for Carlisle and Esme, them worrying he'd kill me and damn himself to death. But of course, I wasn't really his mate and he just lied to them all to make himself important. Why? Well, Alice was now taking centre stage away from him. For a true narcissist like Edward, this was unacceptable. Plus she came with her own guard dog in the form of Jasper and well, Edward is also a snivelling coward. So all he needed from me was my presence to keep him relevant and it was he who ruined that for himself.

Because he wasn't man enough to follow through with a real relationship with me. I on the other hand am truly glad about that. Because I was able to give my innocence to my real mate, Garrett instead. Anyway, enough about the past, I've made my decision, now it's time to go looking for furniture.

Heidi

"I will hear him out once they arrive. Now, let's shop ladies!" Bell said as we joined her outside,

I envy her, the ability to compartimentare (compartmentalize) things, I never could. I worry at it, letting it consume me. I know she saw both Char and I watching her and she smiled happily at us. Okay then, now shopping I know and understand. Maybe not furniture, but I was il migliore (the best) at getting a bargain. Do I cheat and use my gift, of course, I do! Just because we are vampires doesn't mean we have endless money to waste. I don't know about Garrett and Bell's finances, but he seems to be very sensible and has had time to make a decent living for them both. Peter thankfully has great portfolios for both himself and Jasper, it was something he started many years ago and now the yield is amazing. I too had my own money to add to our joint pot, something I was happy to do.

But for the moment my mind is taken up with helping Bell work out what goes where and what colours each suite should be. I suggested hunter green for Maestro (Master) Caius and La dama (Lady) Dora, with gold accents. Char thought possibly the burgundy or wine with silver for Eleazar and Carmen would be nice. Bell decided the Cullens would get midnight blue and pale grey since they normally have white everything. Char and I agreed we would like the yellow in the shade royal with light green accents. That leaves the sisters with pecan brown which is a lovely warm colour and ecru highlights. So apart from their own suite which she explained was all going to be pastels since their furniture was dark. We played with the idea of reversing the colour in the en-suites.

Bella

For someone who hates shopping, I'm really enjoying this outing. The girls are making it fun and not the drama that Alice forced on me in the past. I've shopped online ever since those days, for everything! Mind you I never wanted to be away from Garrett for long and he's just as happy to avoid big stores too. Mind you most of the enjoyment is watching everyone fawn all over Heidi, it's so amusing and a little scary at the same time. But besides all that we have made a serious dent in the paint choices, linens for all the suites and now we're looking at towels and all that paraphernalia. Who knew vampires needed so much stuff, okay we don't actually need it, but we want it. We will be storing it all in the loft for now, once the boys get the building done then the real work starts.

Garrett hired a couple of storage containers for all the furniture; they are on the edge of the property. We have deliveries dropped off there and that way nobody sees us carrying things no normal person could. We tell them the road is too rough for their big trucks and everyone is happy to drop the load off down there. Sometimes it's best to give humans excuses to cover our need to hide, the simpler the excuse the more they believe it. Hauling everything up to the house at night is beyond easy for us and nobody is any the wiser. Now all we need to do is find a secluded area to hold the bouts during the tournament. Garrett and I are going to walk the grounds to find somewhere suitable. There is much more to this than it first appeared and I see why we were asked, since our place is tucked out of the way in a densely forested area.

I will be beyond happy when this is all over, thank god you're only asked once a century!

Charles

To say we were shocked to be stopped by the Major and his Captain would be an understatement. But to have him almost beg me for my help was something I never expected in a million years. I understood his dilemma, having a gift can be more of a pain than most realise. Like for instance vampires avoid me, thinking I will call them out for every lie they tell. But really I'm not that interested in them or their half-truths. Trying to explain that has become such a pain that I no longer try. Anyway, what the Major is asking is not a bad thing; in fact, it could be a very good thing. Plus it will be so nice for Makenna to spend time with other female vampires. We really do tend to spend a lot of time alone with each other. So we happily agreed to join them at Garrett and Isabella's place.

We both offered our help in the building of their new house and anything else they needed. I could sense this wouldn't be hard as the Major was being open and truthful in all he said. That's the thing about my gift, even if someone uses their gift on me I can still tell if they are telling the truth. Like his empathy, it could make me feel anything he wanted, but I would still be able to sense if it was a lie or not. Anyway, I'm just going to listen to everything and tell them the truth. Not just his truth, but hers too that's only fair. That's the thing about the truth, two people can actually believe what they are saying is the truth and it is to them. But it's usually somewhere in the middle of the mess where the real truth is! They also mentioned the possibility of making Edward Cullen and Rosalie McCarty tell the truth and I know that will be harder.

Basically, because neither of them has told the truth in years. They lie to themselves as much as they do to everyone else.

Jasper

Well, this will be a good thing, Bella will know the truth and I will have to put up with the fact they will also all know what a douche I had let myself become. It's a small price to pay to hopefully one day regain her trust. I really can't believe how fat I fell whilst livin' with the Cullens. I can't blame anyone but myself for it, much as I'd like to. I knew Alice wasn't my mate but stayed with her, I knew I was unhappy but didn't leave. None of that is anyone else's fault, just mine and mine alone. It's a hard thing to look closely at yourself and not like what you see, but it was Bella who started me on the path to redeemin' my sadly missin' self-respect. Her bid to be seen as an adult and not a child set me on the path to once more act my age and in a way more acceptable to myself.

Am I nervous, yes, it's not the best feelin' to have all your sins on display? I have to do this though, if only to prove to Bella that I have changed and that I never intentionally meant to hurt her. Charles and Makenna are very happy to help me out and looking forward to helpin' both Bella and Garrett out as well. We head towards New York State at a leisurely pace, they were thankful to ride in a car for once and not hide from the sun. Peter was givin' them financial advice too, he's been doin' this for years for many of our friends. With every mile closer we got the more nervous I was gettin', not somethin' I'm used to. Not that I thought I would be caught out in a lie, but more I would just show myself up to be an idiot. Oh well, I brought this all on myself after all!

Garrett

I just got a call to say they were on their way and let Liberty know. Now, she's getting nervous and worried that Charles will sense it was she who lied!

"Liberty, stop it! You're second-guessing years of your life, just talk to Jasper. Air all your grievances and listen to what he has to say. But remember none of this was your fault, you did nothing but love that goddamn family!" I tell her trying to calm her down,

I have slowly over the last twenty-four years begun to dislike the Cullens more and more and am so disenfranchised with Carlisle Cullen. I had spent years avoiding them because of Edward and wouldn't you know it they are the cause of my mate being unhappy. It just goes on and on endlessly, because nobody put a stop to their utter BS. I really want to cut ties with them, but Liberty cares for Emmett and Esme, and to a degree Carlisle too but she sees his faults as well. Yes, her problem at the moment was the Major, because he too was sucked into their distorted family. I'm guessing he has more emotional baggage from those days than Liberty does. She was only involved for a few short years, but he spent half a century embroiled in their chaos.

"Let's take off to look for a decent place to stage the bout, what do you say?" I suggest and she nods,

Several hours and a very nice rendezvous in the woods later, my Liberty was back to her old optimistic self, thank goodness. That woman can turn me on just walking past me, especially in a pair of sexy boots. Now, I hope everything will go smoothly when the others arrive. Am I worried no; all I want is for Liberty to get some closure from this. He's many things, but being a compulsive liar isn't one of the things he's ever been accused of. We have all at times lied for many reasons, to save face, to make ourselves look better and to avoid an argument. Then there is the lie by omission, sometimes it's safer to pick a side and not sit on the fence. This I think is what he did, said nothing holding his own thoughts to himself. He probably didn't say anything to them either and now it's come back to bite him.

Not that I believe for a single moment that any of the Cullens would listen to a single thing anyone said to them at all!

Can You Feel What I Feel?

Bella

I knew I felt it when they arrived; it was like Jasper's emotions were off the charts. How do I know, well he was blasting out nervous energy that was battering against my shield in waves. This was a little shocking to me, this was an emotion I had never seen on his face or felt from him before, ever! I was beginning to actually see something, this was as important to him as it was to me, but for the opposite reason. Was he being made to be the scapegoat by me for the whole family? I was starting to feel I had done him wrong, but I'd hear him out and then make my decision. It's so beyond time this was all put to bed and I could break free of the shackle around my ankles that is the Cullens! As the years have passed I also blame Carlisle for much of their behaviour, he could have stopped a lot of it before I was born.

Taking a big breath and holding Garrett's hand we stepped into the main room. Everyone is there, waiting for me and I am actually quite nervous myself.

"Thank you for this Be..., Isabella," Jasper says quietly,

"Jasper, can you reel in your emotions, even I can feel them!" I say sitting down,

"Sorry, I'm a little nervous over here" he muttered shaking his head at the idea,

I didn't know if it was the weird idea of me feeling him or him actually feeling nervousness, possibly for the first time in a very long time.

"Okay, Major, just start telling us what happened back then, from your point of view and if Liberty has questions, she'll ask. Thank you for doing this Charles, chime in anytime you feel it's needed" Garrett said before sitting next to Charles,

The next several hours were filled with heartfelt pleas for understanding and abject apologies for doing nothing to help me back then.

Jasper

I started talkin' slowly, but gatherin' speed as I began to relax. Takin' everyone back in time, to all that happened almost thirty years ago. The meetin' in Forks with Bella at the High School, and Alice's insistence she was Edward's mate, as well as all her other lies. I should have I admit, left then, but I persevered and kept Eddie Boy's teeth out of Bella. I stopped Rose goin' to the Chief's house to kill her and yes I threatened to kill her myself if they didn't get a grip! That was the first time I told Carlisle they were lyin', but of course, I was not believed and yes I just gave up tryin'. I gave up and even started to join in, to a small degree, because why should they be happy when I was miserable? This was my biggest sin, to do nothin', to sit by and watch them slowly and inexorably tear her down.

But only I knew it was destroying her love for them as well. What I forgot was it was also a loss of her love for me too! I explain when I wrote the original letter while in Denali; I thought I was askin' forgiveness for nothin' other than my behaviour that night. Even then I didn't think she knew that I was forcin' up her sex drive. I should have known better, should have remembered she was smarter than all of us. But like most vampires, we thought ourselves better than the mere human! I told her my jealousy and anger that she would want to give herself to that prick, Edward fuelled my behaviour towards her. So yes, I did calm her down often, and yes, I pushed her to be more assertive with him. Knowin' it would scare him more than he was already.

"But you must beli..., no I beg you to believe that's all I did to you. But to them, well that's a different story!" I said with a little smirk,

Well, I bared my soul and now it was up to Bella, all I can do is wait.

Charles

I always knew the Cullens were odd, but fuck me sideways this was insane! But throughout his whole story and boy is it a story, the Major was telling the truth. The only deception I felt was when he spoke of killing Isabella! So, I gather he told them he would do it, but he had no real intentions to do such. When Garrett looked at me throughout the conversation, I mouthed truth each time. He was both relieved and saddened. I understand that his mate had been hurt by the whole family, but it appears her inability to know for sure if the Major had tampered with her emotions became an obsession. It became her overriding reaction to the whole family and it appears she was wrong. It's of course, not her fault, they all hurt her and after her change, it was solidified along with her shield.

Able to block them all now from seeing, reading and feeling her she was protecting herself. But in that, she started to believe the only one who could manipulate her, most likely had done so and it grew from there. I don't suppose it helped that her mate was friends with him and so she shut him out to in her mind keep herself safe. Basically punishing him for everyone else's sins and because he didn't query it or her, it just kept going for all these years. Now that he, the Major knows why she dislikes him, he has been the catalyst for changing the status quo. This means she will need to rethink everything she believed from their shared past, I have no doubt Isabella is quite capable of this and will take her time to resolve her issues firstly with the Major and finally with the rest of the Cullens.

"Do you want to ask any questions Liberty? We can take a break to let you mull over all that's been said!" Garrett broke the silence by saying,

"Hmm, yes a break would be nice" she replied distractedly,

The Major nodded to me as he left with his mate and the rest of his coven. Makenna was hovering in the background as I rose. I laid my hand on Isabella's shoulder and whispered,

"He spoke the truth!"

Garrett

Damn! That was a whole lot of...; I don't even know what to call it! But the Cullens just went even lower down in my estimation and they were already pretty damned low. The childishness, the pettiness and the out-and-out cruelty was beyond belief. I'm not sure if anyone noticed Peter filming the whole thing, and I'm not sure who he'd send it to? But this is a problem for another time, at the moment I need to concentrate on my mate, my Liberty. So as everyone leaves us I just scoop her up and head for the forest and our private waterfall. It's not huge but it is very private, somewhere we can go and not be disturbed. There are many of these hidden gems around here and this one just happens to be on our property. I slow down as we begin to hear the sound of the cascading water.

No matter the time of year, this place is beautiful, tranquil and an escape for us. Liberty smiled as she realised where we were and wrapped herself around me in a huge hug.

"Sorry soldier, that was a lot to take in at once and now I feel so bad! Have I been blaming him for everyone else's faults?" she asked in a sad voice,

"It's not your fault, you were working with only the knowledge you had. If they had been decent to you none of this would have happened. The Major knows this and has finally given you all the information you lacked. He wants to be your friend; if he didn't care he wouldn't have tried so hard for so long!" I say holding her tight,

Liberty nodded and led me over to the edge of the small pool of deep water that was at the base of the waterfall. Slowly she began to peel off her clothes before diving in and I was right behind her, as I always am. Once I reached her we sank to the bottom and stood there looking at each other. We didn't need to breathe so just stopped and the silence was amazing as always. This was one of our favourite ways to turn off the world, somewhere where we could forget about everything. I could see that look in her eyes, the one that always made me feel special, feel loved and desired. We came together gently, touching from head to toe. Just stroking each other's skin at first. I leant down to capture her lips and she wrapped her legs around my waist, which was my signal to swim us to the little alcove behind the waterfall.

Much as I loved the solitude being below the water gave us, I wanted to hear her moans and feel her breath against my skin. We had made love a couple of times on the floor of the pool in the past, but both of us preferred being on land during our lovemaking. It was slow and languid this time and I knew her shield was over us so nobody could hear us or see us if they came by. The ledge was smooth and almost polished by the constant flow of water over it. It felt nearly as smooth as Liberty's skin under my fingertips. I loved to see her responses to my touch, the quickening of her breathing, the pebbling of her skin and the darkening of her eyes from their red to a port wine colour. The sounds of her purring or growling both turn me on more than I already am; she is my everything, my perfect piece of heaven on earth.

Hours passed as we came together over and over again, this was the true meaning of having a mate, and it wasn't just sex. This was me tending to her needs as she tended to mine; it was our souls connecting and our bond strengthening. This was what the Cullens would never understand, a sharing of mind, body and soul. I doubt even Carlisle gives himself over to Esme so fully and I'm sure Rosalie is too selfish to do it for Emmett. This is part of being a real vampire; this is the way it is meant to be. We lay side by side saying nothing but speaking volumes for another hour before returning to the house. As we walked with our fingers entwined Liberty was deep in thought. At first, I thought she would say nothing before she huffed and said firmly.

"I want to change the plan, the Cullens can have the old house and Charles and Makenna along with whoever comes from Volterra can be in the new house!"

Ah, how the mighty have fallen, well that's fine with me.

Char

I was relieved when I saw Bell and Garrett returnin', she looked determined and it didn't take long to find out why.

"Where are Heidi and Makenna? I want to revise some of the floor plans" she said sketchin' out the new layout,

Ooh, burn! The Cullens are bein' demoted and I bet they will never understand why. Esme will swing it as a positive, but the others will feel sidelined and that's exactly what is happening. I can bet my last dollar Edward will be pissed he's not allowed in the big house at all, even between bouts she refuses to have him riflin' through her things! Plus she really doesn't want either Rosalie or Alice in there either. So as it stands it will be only Emmett, Esme and Carlisle and apart from the grand tour, I don't see them gettin' free rein either. Maybe it's time they all learned there are consequences to their actions or inactions! It's not like vampires ever forget anythin' so they know they let her down. They ain't human anymore so buryin' their heads in the sand don't work none on real vampires!

Later when I told Peter what was happenin' he seemed happy and said this would be a boost for the Major too. He was getting to stay in the main house, so he would take that as a good sign. I have a feelin' she'll forgive him, it might take time, but it's not like we don't have plenty.

Bella

We kinda decided to put everything to one side and get on with the new house. Jasper and I were now on a more cordial note, well, at least I wasn't answering his questions with one-word answers anymore. Tentative smiles seemed to make him happy and me even more guilty for blaming him for something he obviously didn't do. I still hadn't dropped my shield completely, it was down a little and he could feel me, but not yet touch my emotions. It was my first concession after about a month and he was really pleased, Heidi said he was anyway. The whole framework was done and the bottom floor was now finished. Next week they are doing the other two and I was almost giddy with excitement and he felt it. He just stood there with a bittersweet smile on his face.

I guess after all this time it's a shock to him; he used to say my emotions were strong and pure, whatever that meant. So suddenly feeling them must have thrown him for a moment. He muttered a quiet thank you before the Whitlocks took off for the weekend,

"You forgive him then?" Garrett asked me as I watched their departing backs,

"Yeah, getting there. He still played me for a fool, but not the way I thought" I replied and he nodded,

That's what I loved about him, he didn't push me or insist I did things his way; he let me make up my own mind. Only when I was totally wrong would he explain and let me work it out from there. In other words, he was the first man to not try and run my life; he always said that if he needed to change me then I couldn't have been his match in the first place. That's how I felt about him too, I love him the way he was, not some lofty ideal, conjured up in my head. That's just setting yourself up to fail because everyone has the right to be themself first and foremost, then to be your partner second. Not an extension of you like a weak shadow, but an equal. I saw these partnerships all around me nowadays, Peter and Char, Charles and Makenna and of course, Jasper and Heidi.

What worried me was how the Cullens didn't have that and I seriously wondered about Emmett and Rose's relationship! As well as Carlisle and Esme, because they weren't equals either, I used to think they were, but I was young and naive back then. I saw what they wanted me to see, the perfect family and they were anything but! But I think they accept love, human love to be the goal to attain and well, you know where that leads. Divorce more and more often, or separation and even hatred due to a complete breakdown of communication! So it's not really any kind of model to base your eternity on. Anyway, enough about the Cullens, today is the day my dome gets delivered for the guys to put in on Monday. I can't wait.

Makenna

I have really enjoyed our time with the others and having a home base has so many good things on its side. We, Charles and I enjoy the nomadic life, but it would be nice to occasionally have that one place to return to. Maybe not like Heidi having several homes they rotate through or Bell having just the one permanent place for many years, but more like the way Char does it, having a couple of small out-of-the-way places to spend a few weeks at before hitting the road once again. Yes, that seems like the best compromise and it's not like we can't afford it because we definitely can thanks to Peter our financial guru! Maybe a couple here in the US and Canada and one back home in Malta, yeah time to discuss this with Charles.

But we are back in New York State to complete Bell and Garrett's new house, I'm as excited as she is and have learned so much from watching the guys. That really bodes well when we finally decided to build our own place down the line. The dome goes in today and then it's all cosmetic stuff after that. Each of us will take an area to do and leave Bell with only her own space to do after we leave. That's personal to them and rightfully so. Then we'll take a break for a couple of months then rejoin them for the run-up to the Tournament. I'm so happy to be included in their inner circle of friends because much as I like the Denali sisters you can only shop so much! But like me, Bell and Char don't much care for it and it's all done online where possible. They do go with Heidi now and then because they are good friends.

I wonder who the Volturi will bring this time, now that they no longer have Heidi. We did hear that the human receptionist is now one of them, so maybe she will accompany Caius' wife, Lady Dora. Renata keeps us abreast of all things happening in Italy. She knows all about the Tournament, but as Aro can't read her because of her shield she keeps it to herself. Although I'm sure he knows and just lets Caius have his little bit of fun. It's not like it's that important, maybe the trouble with Alice and Edward would have had him interfering, but otherwise, I doubt he cares.

"Oh Bell, it looks so beautiful! I love the way the light filters through it even down here" I say as the dome is finally in place,

"That's how I imagined it and it's perfect, thank you all" she replies quite emotionally,

Everyone has something to do and then we will leave while the paint and varnish dry because they smell atrocious to us. Once they do their own space, Bell and Garrett will freshen up the original house and also leave for a few weeks' holiday.

Jasper

Feelin' how happy Bella is now is bittersweet! It reminds me of how much I lost losin' her friendship. But with every day that passes, I feel more from her and know it is her way of sayin' she forgives me for my sins against her. I'm more than happy about it, after all, she had nearly thirty years of baggage to wade through, so waitin' a mere few months is nothin' in the grand scheme of things. We are so close to finishin' everthin' up here before we leave. So that leaves only three months until the Tournament, by then the smell of paint should be gone and we can all breathe again. We could have done it faster, but paced ourselves and had lots of breaks. Not wantin' to take all the fun out of it and make it a chore rather than a pleasure. Bein' around this group of friends really throws a lot of shade on my former life.

I know when we get back it will be all about movin' furniture and all the finishin' touches. Things that I barely understand, or maybe I just don't want to, I've never been one for aesthetics. I just like what I like and well, that's that! But to give Bella her due, she sure has a much better eye for these kinds of things than Alice did. It's not all about the cost with Bella. But whether it fits into the scheme she has in her head. So if it's right it doesn't matter if it cost five dollars or five hundred. I saw her puttin' those Inuit moccasins the Denali's gave her twenty years ago into a glass case in the library. She sees value in things the Cullens would throw away and have many times. I know when the girls see them they will be touched by it, she's a good friend. It's a pity I didn't realise that sooner!