I was going to leave this until morning but I couldn't resist a little super late night chapter posting, so here you go, enjoy!

Chapter 20

F POV

Fucked. We were fucked.

"Time's a wastin', sweetheart, let's get this show on the road." Her mate said, looking bored as his eyes flickered between us.

I snarled, crouching low, making Charlotte Whitlock's grin broaden, "Please the Major, and undermine the Volturi, what a good day this is shaping up to be."

Her eyes flickered with annoyance as Alec's power started to appear. Her gaze settled on him. Shit. "You don't need to use that power of yours, sugar, I don't think you want to." She said, giving Alec an almost patronizing look as the fog dissipated.

"You're right though, Pete" she sighed, "alright boys I know how much you wanna hand that little lady over so why don't we just get to it and all be on our merry way, yeah?" Almost immediately, Dem and Alec stepped aside, making more room for Charlotte to get to Bella. My snarl had morphed into a loud growl as she'd begun her approach, and I could feel a spike of fear in my mate's emotions as her usually protective brothers immediately gave her up.

Noticing my resistance, the approaching vampire titled her head, smiling still. "Well, they always say the bigger the bull the heavier the dose, come on, big fella, I know you wanna give up Miss Swan." I felt some sort of nudging in my head as she focused her gaze on me steadily.

Bella's shield I thought triumphantly. Now this was going to be fun.

I tilted my had back at her, rolling my shoulders slowly as my own grin pulled up my lips. I saw a spike of fear in her eyes, and the Captain was instantly by her side, eyes flicking around, growl emanating from his chest as he tried to stare me down.

In a split decision, she shifted her eyes to my coven mates, "boys, lend a hand, why dontchya?" she asked.

Fucking hell. I turned to my brothers who were now staring me down, dropping into their own crouches and growling which made Bella whimper in confusion, unable to keep up with the events unfolding.

For the first time I finally had a legitimate reason to use my power on them. Grinning, I shot them both off. I knew I didn't have long; it would take them mere seconds to return unless I'd miraculously thrown them far enough for her power to wear off. I wasn't quite sure how that part of it worked, but I really hoped I wouldn't have to tear any of the guys' limbs off, I'd never hear the end of it.

I faced the two Whitlocks "Not Swan. Volturi." I spat, then I charged, power wrapping around them like a vice, I beheaded both threats before they could make a move. I paused, lighter in hand, then decided better of it.

I ripped off their legs then tossed their bodies far enough from their heads so that it would take days for them to be a threat again. In a split section decision, I leaned over and ripped Charlotte's tongue out as well, tossing the disgusting muscle several feet away. I turned as I felt them approaching, turning just as Dem reached me and Alec's fog started to climb up my legs.

I held Dem up in the air, Alec's power no longer bothering me thanks to my mate's transferred abilities, but then I froze anyways.

I'd forgotten one crucial thing about my own coven; we always had a backup plan, and right now, in his haze, Alec's was to press his teeth against my mate's neck, holding her against him. She was frozen, uncertain as to what was going on; from when Charlotte had spoken, only about ten seconds had passed, her human mind wasn't able to keep up with the action and carnage around her.

I kept Dem in my grasp, I knew Alec, he'd kill her the second I released Demetri. "Alec" I barked, "release her now. I don't want to kill you, but I will." I threatened as I took a step forward. I froze again when his teeth nicked her skin a little, blood welling up as he gave me a challenging look that spoke volumes on its own.

Apparently Bella hadn't quite grasped the gravity of the situation, and once she'd realised Alec was the one holding her, she looked livid. My eyes widened as she opened her mouth, begging for just once she'd have a little more self preservation.

"Alec Volturi I swear to god if you snack on me I'm going to let Felix kick your ass so hard your dead organs come shooting out your mouth. I fucking graduate in the morning, stop horsing around." She growled.

"Yo, man, I'm good" Dem choked out, squirming around in the air still.

My focus was still locked onto Alec though, I saw indecision and confusion flicker in his eyes, grip loosening. Feeling a sense of deja vu from when Victoria had my mate, I used his sudden turmoil to throw his body back as hard as I could, hearing it crack against something in the distance.

I snatched Bella up and without looking at Dem said, "gather their bodies, interrogate, assess." Then I was off, I wasn't sure where I was going but I needed to get away. After about ten minutes of running with her warm body pressed into my chest I slowed down in a small meadow, we'd gone south so it was a few degrees warmer. My knees sank slowly into the grass and I pulled her higher up so I could look into her eyes, I couldn't even speak. My eyes zeroed in on her neck, lips latching onto the cut, tongue smoothing over it to seal it up even though the blood had already clotted and dried.

My mate however could, and she reached out grabbing my face in her tiny hands, "It's okay, I'm okay, we're okay. You—you got them. Dem and Al are safe too—" she cut off at my growl.

"Okay, I need you to break down what happened because all I know is some creepy vampires showed up and then Dem and Alec were gone. Next thing I know, Alec's about to chow down on my neck sooo…" I could scent the adrenaline rolling off of her.

I gripped her tighter, "Just—just let me. Please." I huffed out, desperate to feel her against me, to be warmed by her body and taste her flushed skin, listen to her heart hammer away as she told me how much she loved and needed me. I was too selfish to give her what she wanted just yet, not when I needed this.

She seemed to understand, nodding her head and straddling me in her dress. "Okay, it's okay. I'm here and I love you. You protected me, took care of me. Now let me take care of you." She whispered, hands going down to undo my belt and pull my pants down as I lifted my hips to help.

Her hand wrapped around me, pulling a needy groan from my lips as I leaned in, claiming her lips with a bruising force. Her hand tightened and I adjusted the skirt of her dress so it wouldn't be in the way as she shuffled forwards and started rocking against me, moaning into my mouth as my tongue invaded hers.

She was still sensitive from our earlier activities, but I still reached down and pressed two fingers into her, relishing in her gasps as they turned into pleas for more when my thumb found her swollen clit.

She was nearing her peak when I slipped my fingers out and gripped onto her hips, tilting them forwards, sliding her onto me while I pushed my hips up, filling her up in one motion that had her head falling back with a low wail as she came.

I growled as she clung to me, trying to meet my thrusts until she couldn't anymore, letting me take over as my grip on her hips tightened to a point where I knew it would leave bruises, but she just egged me on more, writhing and swiveling as I pumped into her desperately. She looked so beautiful like this, the moonlight illuminating her pale skin that was flushed with her arousal, plump lips open as she gasped and babbled, long lashes brushing her cheekbones as she surrendered to the sensations I was pulling from her willing body.

Her hands gripped onto my shoulders, "Felix I—oh I, mmm" she clenched hard as she came again, and I growled loudly as I followed, slowly grinding her twitching body down onto me to ride out our aftershocks before leaning back into the grass with her cradled in my arms. We were still connected and I felt no desire to pull away, still reeling from the near-tragic turn of events this evening.

I looked down worriedly and brushed her slightly sweaty hair back from her face, an apology on my lips until I was met with a satisfied grin and upturned swollen lips, begging for a kiss. My chest rumbled as I sat up a little to give her a soft kiss, now catering to my mate's wants.

"I love you" she sighed as I pulled away.

I hummed back, leaning down to inhale her scent, "I'm sorry I know you were probably still a little sore from before—" I started back tracking, hands skimming down her sides regretfully as I remembered how hard I'd taken her back at the school.

"Stop. Don't ruin my post coital bliss." She demanded, placing a few kisses on my chest before sitting up a little and wiggling her hips with a pointed look.

I hissed, hands going to her hips, gently this time, as I held them still.

"Time to talk though," she said, reaching out to run her fingers through my hair in a soothing motion.

I sighed, leaning into her touch and closing my eyes, "Charlotte Whitlock" I started, feeling her hand still.

"Persuasion or something like that?" she guessed.

I nodded, "can make you want to do things, anything" I muttered. "But thanks to you, I was unaffected" I smirked down at her, watching as she tried to understand what I meant before her face lit up.

"My mental shield! Thank god we got a little kinky earlier then, right?" she giggled a little and the sound was music to my ears after all the panic that had ensued. I could slowly feel the tension and stress seeping out of my body as we continued to talk.

I pressed my lips to her forehead, "yes, but Demetri and Alec were vulnerable to her gift. Once she realised I was immune, she turned them on me, on us, I sent them flying to avoid fighting them and used my gift to rip the Whitlocks apart. I wasn't sure how long Charlotte's gift would linger so I wrapped Demetri up and turned to Alec his tried unsuccessfully to incapacitate me but he had you—" I cut off, feeling a sudden weight on my chest that had nothing to do with my tiny mate laying on me.

"Hey, shh, I'm here, I'm okay" she said. My eyes flickered to the tiny shimmering nick on her porcelain skin, a growl tearing through me as I couldn't help but picture her in harms way, blood dripping down under Alec's teeth poised on her neck.

She shifted, causing me to slide out from where we were joined, dick settling in between us. I frowned and she narrowed her eyes back, "no murdery growling while you're inside me."

"But you like my growls" I teased, sidetracked as I ground myself against her, making her breath catch in her throat.

"Don't distract. I'll bet Alec's off somewhere feeling absolutely horrible, and Demi too. You know it wasn't their fault." She said, sighing when my frown turned into a glare as I stared up at the cloudy night sky.

"Bella" I said slowly, "if I'd put Demetri down, even once the effects had worn off of him, Alec wouldn't have hesitated to kill you. I know him, I know how he operates. I just—I don't know if I can be around either of them for a while, definitely not Alec. I know it's not what you want to hear, but you are my life and he almost took—" I stopped again, taking unneeded breaths.

"Okay. I won't push you, yet, but they're still your brothers, your coven mates. So, you will have to speak to them again at some point. Don't let the Cullens get the upper hand by driving a wedge between us." She begged, gazing down at me.

She then planted her hands on my chest and rose up, righting her dress and swiping her thumbs beneath her eyes to collect any smudged makeup. I got up, redoing my belt and reaching for my mate, rubbing my thumb along her cheek as my hand cupped the side of her face.

She reached up, tugging on my shoulders in a silent request to be lifted, "I've got a diploma to get in the morning. Let's go home" she murmured before adding, "home to Charlie's, if you go fast we might just make it back before curfew" I was off, chuckling at her squeal of surprise as she buried her face back into my chest and hung on while I whipped through the forest with her cradled in my arms.

Stopping outside her father's house, just out of view, I growled lowly, turning toward the smaller vampire who was waiting for us.

Jane had her hands up, a suit jacket dangling from her fingers.

"Felix I—I can't believe…Alec is—" my snarl cut her off and she sighed before continuing, "Okay, I get it. I grabbed this for Bells so she can hide the damage you guys have done to that poor dress from her police chief father's eyes." She tried to smile but it was forced and tense.

I stepped towards her with big, slow strides. Jane had never looked so small as I approached her now, holding out a hand for the jacket and nodding tersely in appreciation before turning my back on her and handing the jacket to Bella who softly thanked Jane before taking my hand and pulling me up to the porch.

She looked up at me, "go talk to Marcus and Aro. I'll be fine with Charlie and Jane's out here. Come up when you're done, I love you" she said before giving me a lingering kiss and pushing open the door.

When I heard Charlie asking her about her night, I pulled away, ignoring Jane as I made a bee line for the cabin to talk with the kings.

"Felix, come now, Alec and Demetri have news, they—" Aro's voice was drowned out by the growl that ripped through me hearing my brothers' names. It was too soon, I was still too riled up, despite knowing that they'd been under the influence.

Marcus stepped up, motioning to his brother to be quiet, "Felix, I understand the fear you felt today. We will respect your remaining distress. You, however, need to know of what your coven mates were able to find out from the Whitlocks. Jane was rather…persuasive, especially given how close she has become with your mate since arriving in this town that seems to hoard Volturi mates." I nodded, ignoring his last comment though agreeing with the observation; it was beyond ridiculous how many of us were finding mates in such an odd little town.

Marcus nodded over to Aro who began again, "they gave up one part of their plan, the Cullens have called upon our old friends the Romanians. The Denali coven appears to be staying out of things but we will continue to monitor their whereabouts as well. Demetri made a decision in your place to let them run back in their weakened state to spread the word that coming after a Volturi mate will not be tolerated. I am sincerely grateful Bella was not harmed this evening, your young mate's got a rather intriguing spirit, we are all excited to have her as well as Jane and now Demetri's mates join our family in Volterra."

I nodded in thanks, but turned my blazing glare on Jane, "Let them go?" I questioned, head cocked to the side, waiting for an answer that I knew would stoke the fire flowing through my veins.

She nodded, then smiled a little, raising one hand palm up and opening her hand to reveal Charlotte Whitlock's tongue. "You do the honors, boss, your mate, your lashing."

I grinned at her, showing all my teeth, "That's why you're my favourite" I grunted, snatching the tongue from her hand and going outside. I could feel them following at a distance, curious yet apprehensive around me in my current state.

With one hand and a strategically placed foot, I snapped off the top of a tree, leaving a jagged stump behind. I knelt down in front of it and place the tongue in its center. Vampires felt what happened to their limbs, even after having them removed as there was always a chance for reattachment. My grin remained as I reached out, puncturing the tongue with my nails, slicing down it lengthwise to remove a small strip.

Heidi stayed behind; she may be blood thirsty, but she wasn't big on torture. Renata looked away, Aro snapped his jaw shut, Jane swallowed, and Marcus looked intrigued as they watched me tear away piece after piece of the tongue before lighting each one on fire, leaning forward to whisper "I wish I could've heard your screams" as I watched the purple smoke billow up into the sky.

I nodded to my family before taking off for Bella's room, letting myself in with the long forgotten spare key I'd kept on me since I'd found it my first week in Forks. I slipped in through the door, heading up to her room, hearing Charlie's nightly snoring sound through the otherwise quiet house.

She was already in bed when I slipped into her room, smelling of soap from a shower. I snatched the heated blanket off the foot of the bed and climbed in beside her. Bella turned at my arrival, sleepily tugging at my shirt, swatting my arm impatiently when I chuckled at her demand before complying. The second my shirt hit the floor she shuffled onto me, and I tucked the heated blanket around us as she drifted back off to sleep, murmuring my name a few times throughout the night.

I stroked my hands over her back, silently thanking god that I was still able to stroke them along her soft, warm skin. I felt frustrated, unsettled; typically, vampires eliminate any threat to their mate, but I couldn't do that in my case, not when in the end the main threat had been Alec under mind control. I sighed, trying to release some of the anger that was still balled up inside me. They were supposed to accompany us to Florida, but it seems now I may have to have a change of plans, I wasn't sure I how I was going to feel in two days' time.

When I heard Charlie starting to shuffle around, I left, going back to the cabin to prep my coven for their human appearance. I was already on edge, but needed to shove last night aside, even for just a little while so my mate could enjoy her last human experience and day with her father before leaving behind everyone here that she loved.

B POV

I knew when I woke up Felix had left, the heated blanket had been thankfully removed and placed at the foot of the bed. I pouted a little at not waking up in his arms, especially after last night, but I could feel him now, more so than before. It was strange, like an odd sixth sense about how far he was from me and a general grasp on his emotions. I'd wanted to bring it up on our walk through the woods last night but…I cringed thinking about the perfect night gone nightmare.

"Bells? You up yet? Jane's family should be arriving in half an hour for pictures and whatnot then we'll be off to the ceremony." My dad's gruff voice came through my door and I threw my blankets away, sliding off my bed and opening the door.

"Not ready but I'll start" I mumbled, sticking my tongue out when he laughed at my obvious lack of sleep from getting in so late. As a cop, my dad was used to sleeping in small increments, a permanent morning person, the early fisherman gets the fish and all that jazz.

"I'll make ya a good ol cup of joe while you get ready" he offered and I called out my thanks, glad he wasn't about to try tackling anything precarious like scrambled eggs today.

I tamed my hair, changed into the outfit that Heidi had left me and then picked up my phone as it started ringing.

"Yo" I said, walking into the kitchen and snagging the cup of coffee Charlie had left out for me.

"Please tell me you haven't done your makeup yet." Heidi begged down the line.

"Umm wasn't planning on doing it at—"

I heard knocking on the door and sighed, pulling it open.

"Come on, girlie, just a quick ten minutes, I promise, and you can even drink your sludge while I do it" Heidi trilled, earning a chuckle from my dad as she all but dragged me back up the stairs.

"Traitor!" I growled out at dad who merely lifted his mug was he watched me disappear down the hall and into my room.

At first Heidi worked quietly, eyes scanning over my features until she finally asked, "how are doing today?"

I sighed, fiddling with the tube of mascara she asked me to hold, "I'm fine, honestly, everything happened so fast that by the time I could understand what had actually happened and just how close to dying I'd been, I was already miles away from Forks with Felix" I shrugged, taking a swig of coffee.

She nodded, rubbing something into my skin, "He's still a little wound up, hopefully being around you and a part of this human milestone you all seem to like so much, will help loosen him up a little" she paused, eyes flashing to mine with a smirk pulling up one side of her full lips, "or maybe not, I can hear him growling from here" she winked.

I rolled my eyes as she finished up, pulling back with a grin, "there, see? Not even ten minutes and you look perfect—yes Felix I know she looked perfect before" she shot me an exasperated look that made me giggle.

We went back downstairs just as a knock sounded at the door, Charlie stood and came over as I opened it up. They all had contacts in which I was thankful for as I ushered them in.

Jane stepped up to my dad, "Chief Swan, this is my father Aro, and aunt Renata."

"Well, it's a pleasure to meet you, please, call me Cha—Charlie" he said. Then, before my eyes, my father blushed while locking eyes with Renata Volturi.

I looked to Felix but he subtly shook his head, I tried not to be disappointed that they weren't a match, but I also knew Charlie loved his life here in Forks; fishing with Billy and Old Quil, being the chief, quiet mornings reading the paper and rowdy evenings watching sports. Charlie Swan was the embodiment of Forks, Washington and even though leaving him behind was killing me, I knew he'd be okay.

I'd also heard form Jake that he'd been getting closer to Sue Clearwater since Harry's passing and hoped that maybe they could find comfort in each other. The idea of my dad finally finding someone like how mom found Phil would be the icing on the cake.

Dad snapped out of his daze, shaking Renata's hand and then clearing his throat, "say, Jane, where are the other two? Are they going to miss the ceremony?" He asked, making Felix tense up beside me. I wrapped a hand around his wrist, tracing slow circles on the inside of it to help soothe him.

Jane's smile was more of a grimace, but Aro was the one to answer, "the boys will be attending the ceremony but may be running late. They went to meet up with a couple friends they made while visiting before, they will meet us there, no need to save seats they'll figure it out." He smiled calmly, smoothly deflecting Charlie's catch.

I sighed as my dad nodded in acceptance and we all made our way to the cars parked outside. I got into the cruiser with Charlie, Felix slid into the back at dad's insistence, lips quirking up a little as he looked at me from what Charlie explained was usually the 'perp's spot'. I tried not to roll my eyes, genuinely concerned they would eventually get stuck.

As Charlie drove, he asked Felix all kinds of questions about his family and things he like to do back in Italy. I grinned when my big bad vampire mate happily responded to all dad's questions without hesitating. It made me happy to see the two most important men in my life getting along.

We pulled up to Forks High and I turned to them, smiling "alright, I'll see you later then" I tossed Charlie a 'behave' look and then on a whim tossed Felix the same one before walking off.

I was ushered into to a classroom they'd morphed into the cap and gown station where my classmates were all bustling about, looking for the outfits marked with their name and student number.

"Bella!" Angela came flying at me, pulling me back out of the room and around the corner, "Oh my god, I'm so glad you're okay, when Demi told me about last night—oh Bella he's so torn up about it, he feels awful, he showed up at my house early this morning—no clue how he got in – and kept going on about how he and Alec were screwed and Alec was as good as dead and—" I muffled her endless yammering by covering her mouth with my hand.

"Ang! Stop freaking out, let's go grab our stuff. I'm fine, everyone is fine, we can talk about this later, I promise" I said.

"Bella's right" Jane said, giving me an apologetic look when I turned towards her, "we should be focusing on getting through today and then leaving Forks tomorrow. We can talk about what happened later" he eyes looked a little unsure as she finished speaking.

I just sighed, pulling her forwards and into a tight hug, "It's okay, J, it only would've been harder with you there." I rationalised, pulling away.

"Welllll, after early this morning, we can officially say having my smoking hot mate there would've actually helped" Tristan added, walking up behind his mate and looking way too smug as he raised his brows suggestively.

I gasped, "you didn't!" a grin already spreading when he nodded his head as Jane rolled her eyes, tugging him along towards the gowns to grab her own.

Ang gave me a questioning look to which I just gave her a look and said "later" before urging her along to find our own stuff.

One hour later I was standing in line, the first one out of our little group to be called up after Jessica Stanley. I was feeling a little agitated, Felix's emotions getting to me a little; Alec and Demetri were somewhere here, making him angry and putting him on edge. I was snapped out of my musings when I heard the principal call out "Isabella Swan", and suddenly I could feel Felix's emotions, how proud and content he was as I walked across the stage without stumbling once…if you don't count the stairs.

I grabbed my diploma and joined my classmates in the front hall where families were supposed to meet us after the ceremony. I took the time to walk around and say goodbye to my peers, giving Jess and even Lauren a squeeze before saying farewell to Tyler and Mike. I ignored Ben in solidarity to Ang, even though she was with Demi now, we didn't need her preacher father hearing about her being seen with an 'Italian Stallion' as Demi had put it. I felt a little pang thinking of Demi, I missed him, and even Alec already; their short absence was slowly dampening my mood, but I tried not to let it show; I wanted Felix to resolve his feelings without being pressured by my own.

Strong arms banded around my waist, twirling me around, pulling giggles from my warm lips before they were covered by his cool ones briefly. "Proud of me?" I questioned cheekily, looking into his sparkling green eyes which held a little shock and confusion before he murmured "we'll be talking about that later." I nodded as he put me down, turning towards Charlie and giving him a tight hug.

"Way to go, kiddo, I snapped a couple photos for your mom, sent them on my phone, didn't even know I could until Felix over here showed me how" he grinned.

"That's great dad, maybe when I'm in Italy you can get better internet connection so we could video chat on the computer sometimes? I know Kim and Emily have it down on the res so you could always ask them for recommendations or ask Jake and the guys to set it up for you." The idea of keeping up over video with my dad made this leaving thing a whole lot easier.

Charlie nodded, "I'll look into it, promise." He agreed as Aro, Renata, and Heidi came over.

"Well done, Bella, we are looking forward to seeing you in Italy this summer," Aro grinned, Heidi nodding along enthusiastically while Renata gave me a thumbs up.

"Where are the kids?" Charlie asked, looking around for Demi, Alec, Jane, and Tristan. I felt more than heard the rumbling in Felix's chest, along with his shifting emotions. I nudged him, muttering "reign it in," before I could hold back. Charlie didn't hear, but the immortals around us did and I could see Heidi suppressing a smirk at my dig.

"Oh they're around here somewhere…" Renata piped up, waving a hand dismissively as if they were usually off doing god knows what.

"Say, you folks still coming back for food at our place?" Dad asked, and I froze, not good.

Aro smiled, "Of course, Charlie, we'll rassle up the kids now and meet you over there, all of us." He added the last part, casting a stern look at his largest and most trusted guard before turning away.

Heidi lingered, "well I'm happy to ride with you guys, I've spent more than enough time practically stapled to their side" she sighed dramatically, making me smile a little.

But my smile fell when I spotted Demi, Ang, Jane, Alec, and Tristan on the far side of the entrance and glanced up at my mate, biting my lip. He looked contrite but shook his head and I nodded in understanding, turning to Charlie.

"Okay dad let's get a move on! I'm starving and those sandwiches aren't going to make themselves!" I did my best to sound enthusiastic as I steered our little group towards the exit.

The ride back was tense, but thankfully dad was distracted by going on about how he hadn't seen so many of my classmates since they were little, and what he heard from other parents about their kids' future plans. Heidi nodded along, offering helpful commentary that made it less weird for Felix to pretty much just tune out the conversation entirely.

I could feel how conflicted he was, being torn between his instincts as a mate and his hundreds of years old relationships with Alec and Demi. I pursed my lips, hoping he'd have some sort of breakthrough tonight so that we could all go to Florida together as planned, even though a large part of me knew that wouldn't be likely.

We got in before the others and I went to the kitchen while Charlie went to load up his cooler. It was fairly warm today, but luckily there was no sun peaking through to ruin our plans. I hesitated in the kitchen, only four out of eleven of us were human and thus going to eat the sandwiches. Not to mention Charlie was probably expecting my mountain of a mate to eat a lot based on his size. I groaned in frustration.

"Problem" he asked, suddenly at my side, peering down at me as Heidi jumped up onto the counter on my other side.

"You can't make Tristan eat for like seven other 'people', he'll explode!"

Felix chuckled a little, "don't worry, just make the food, it won't go to waste" he said with a wink before pushing off the counter at Charlie's call for help with moving the cooler outside.

Heidi landed silently on her feet, "okay, chef, what do you need me to do?" she grinned, smoothing out her hair then bending slightly to wash her hands in the sink.

"Heidi, no" Felix called out, making her pout. I frowned.

Seeing me expression she leaned down, "it's okay I just forgot about something, sorry B, but I just heard Tristan's car pull up which means Angela will be here to help!" she tossed me a wink then disappeared around the corner.

I opened the door just as Jane was about to knock, ushering them in and pulling Ang into the kitchen. Demi hung back, unable to look me in the eye. He hadn't done anything, while I could understand more why Felix was standoffish with Alec, his aversion to Demi confused me.

"Demetri Volturi, get your ass in here, but don't touch anything" I added the last part, remembering the last time he was allowed to cook in my kitchen.

He came in, arms crossed over his chest while Ang started slicing tomatoes and laying bacon strips down in the pan on the stove. I could tell she was also tense, feeding off her mate's energy.

I stomped over to him and threw my arms around him tightly, mumbling "I miss my annoying big brother, Dem, you know I love you less than Felix but more than Al" I felt his stiff body relax, arms gently coming out from between us to wind around my back.

He buried his face in my hair, inhaling, it still surprised me how much better the human drinkers were at controlling themselves than the Cullens had been. "Lil B I—I can't even say how sorry I am. To you or to Felix, he's waited all this time, and you're my sister. I know I didn't really do anything, but I also didn't protect you." He finished bitterly.

"Hey. None of that. Charlotte had you in a trance, and—"

"Yes but B I tracked her, I knew it was her, I just, I hoped that we could somehow overpower her. In a way that didn't involve you being in any danger whatsoever. So, this is also on me. If we'd just stayed away, Felix could've taken them both on without complication and you wouldn't have almost—"

"Demetri! You can't change what happened. I'm fine. I forgive you. I know Felix might take a while to come around but my faith in you and your ability to protect me hasn't waivered. So shut up and enjoy spending time with your mate and family or I swear to god I'll make you eat a sandwich." He slammed his mouth shut, giving me a kiss on the head before going over to Ang and murmuring something to her that made her smile and give him a kiss before returning to her task.

"Ok, Demi if you're going to stay you have to sit over there, no distracting the chefs while we work" he gave me a salute, grateful for somewhere to be that was out of sight from my mate.

Ang and I worked in tandem, joking and laughing as we assembled the sandwiches. They were actually really impressive, so I hoped that whatever Felix's plan was, it involved them being enjoyed and not just choked down then thrown up later. Tristan popped into the kitchen at one point, snagging a piece of bacon for himself and Charlie before scampering away, narrowly avoided my spatula as I swatted at him with it.

Aro, Renata, and Alec arrived while we were cooking, heading out back before I had the chance to talk with Alec. I cast Demi a look who simply shrugged then reminded me softly, "look Lil B, it might take him a while to get over this, and we're expecting it. Don't forget, he's around two thousand years old, so one day of anger means nothing compared to how long he's been waiting for you." I nodded, and Ang rubbed my back a little as we finished off our tower of sandwiches, carrying it out to the picnic tables together grinning widely.

"Woah there, girls, looks great!" dad said, rubbing his hands together in anticipation. Between today's sandwiches and tomorrow's barbecue lunch Charlie was in food heaven.

I passed around disposable plates loaded up with a sandwich each and napkins. Everyone had a sandwich on their plate, I even gave Felix two, giving him a 'you better not be messing with me' look. I didn't miss when he disappeared before Demi stepped in to grab his plate, followed by Alec who still refused to look me in the eye.

We all mixed ourselves up at the two tables, I idly wondered if Marcus was missing out until Felix leaned over, "Marcus is fine, he likes his solitude, the woods especially." I tried not to wrinkle my nose at the thought of Marcus serenely creeping around in the woods nearby.

Suddenly Aro, whose plate was already suspiciously empty, went up to my dad and asked about his fishing equipment, stating he was looking into purchasing land near a lake not far from Florence. While I was pretty sure it was complete bull, the two went off to the garage.

I looked around and all the sandwiches were gone save the ones the humans were all eating, and a couple left on the tray from Ang and I. My head whipped around, noticing my mate had disappeared. "Where's—"

"Hey" he said, sliding back into his spot as if he'd never left.

I turned my accusatory look on him, "where are my sandwiches?" I demanded, seeing one brow quirk up in amusement.

"Good dogs get treats" he said, leaning back a little and nodding towards the woods. I followed his eyes and spotted flashes of different coloured fur the wolves I smiled widely, leaning into my mate mouthing those three specials words to him because he knew how I'd feel about getting to make one last meal for them, even it was probably only enough to be considered a snack in their eyes. It also made sense why Heidi couldn't help me out in kitchen; the wolves would certainly prefer a human Angela touching their food over a sickly-sweet smelling Heidi…even though she still made comments about wanting to accidentally bump into one of them.

Felix planted a kiss on my head, before engaging in a conversation with Tristan about where he and Jane would be staying in Florida, causing my head to whip around. "What?" I asked, eyes flickering to Alec and Demi who looked a little put out.

Felix tensed beside me, "Jane and Tristan are coming to Florida," he said tersely. I opened my mouth, about to protest, when my eyes caught Demi's again and he subtly shook his head, making me sigh and close it, choosing to remain quiet about the change in plans.

Dad and Aro came back not long after, just in time for him to split the last sandwich with Tristan who looked relieved to be eating for one today. Once it started to get dark, Aro stood up, along with Heidi, Renata, and to my dismay, Demi, Ang, and Alec. We'd explained to my dad earlier that Angela had decided to apply to the same program as me after meeting Demetri and hearing about how excited I was to go.

"Well, Chief, thank you for the advice, company, and for looking out for Jane. I'm afraid we have to catch a…red eye flight tonight so that I can be back at work tomorrow morning." He shook hands with my dad, both smiling, Aro was no doubt seeing the entirety of his life including my childhood.

"It's been nice getting to know you a little, especially now that Bells here will be headed your way after stopping off to see my ex-wife in Florida. I'll hope you look out for her a little, at least while she settles in."

Aro smiled back responding, "of course, Bella is already family to us, especially after everything she's done for our Jane. Not to mention, Felix is much more…talkative with her around. It's refreshing. Alright! Renata, kids, shall we?"

Not long after they left, dad also excused himself, saying he needed to turn in because he'd be working a double after I left tomorrow. I gave him a hug goodnight and reminded him what time everyone would be showing up tomorrow so he could prepare his vitamin R.

The four of us sat quietly for a few months until Tristan broke the silence, "so…what's the food like in Florida?" I laughed, Jane pulled a disgusted face, and Felix even cracked a little half smile.

"It's fine, just don't eat anything my mom makes, honestly she makes Demi look like a chef" Jane and I snickered before we suddenly stopped, remembering ourselves and schooling our features. I yawned a few times then relented, "okay party people and vampires, I'm pooched and have a lot of cooking to do tomorrow, so it's bed time for good ol Bella" I murmured, clearly already falling asleep.

Jane and Tristan said goodnight before walking around the side of the house to Tristan's car. Felix slid me out from the picnic table bench and into his arms, striding towards the house silently. He carried me up to my room at an unhurried pace, I assumed he could tell my dad was passed out cold, otherwise he would've run us up at vampire speed to avoid getting caught.

I tugged his arm and he let me down so I could shuffle off to the bathroom and take care of my night time routine before going back to my room. Not bothering with pyjamas, I stripped down and crawled onto my usual spot on his chest before he settled the heated blanket over us.

I could feel myself drifting but forced the question out anyways, "How bad" I mumbled, hearing his confused murmur, causing me to clarify, "how badly do you still want to hurt them?" I asked.

He buried his face in my hair, breathing in my scent. Then he was quiet for a while, contemplating his words. I was starting to fall asleep again before I heard him answer, "more than they deserve."

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* Bites nails while waiting for Felix to stop being so stubborn*

We're getting closer to…a lot of things happening so stick around!