Chapter 38:

I thought we could use some Tanya/Bella time, so I made this chapter mostly about them. Hope you enjoy it!

Apparently, the cuddle session with Tanya had turned into sleep over. I woke up the next morning, blanket pulled over us, still in the same comfortable position. I blinked my eyes open, humming as the sunlight streamed in through my window.

Under me, Tanya shifted to kiss my forehead. "Good morning, my love," she said lowly. "Did you sleep well using me as your mattress?"

A small blush painted my cheeks in embarrassment, and Tanya grinned. I lifted my head. "Sorry," I murmured.

She chuckled, shaking her head dismissively. "Don't be," she purred. She pressed another gentle kiss to my forehead affectionately. "I quite enjoyed it. We should do it more often."

I hummed and pushed myself off of her to sit on the edge of the bed with my back to her. I began to stretch my muscles; rolling my head and rolling my shoulders. As I did, a pair of arms slipped around my waist and legs wrapped around my hips.

Tanya pressed her front fully against my back and kissed my shoulder. "Bella?" she asked against my skin.

"Yes?"

"I was wondering if you desired to spend the day with me?" she asked. I tilted my head in her direction to give her more of my attention. "Not at my house with the Cullens and my family; just with me. I enjoy our nightly visits, especially with the Cullens around, but with the Pack coming to stay here for who knows how long, I doubt I will be able to continue our alone time efficiently, and would like just one day alone with you, if you would permit it?"

I smiled, turning in her grip the best I could to look into her eyes. I nodded. "Of course, Tanya," I said. I kissed her cheek. "I'm always glad to have time with you."

The woman smiled brightly and lent forward pressing a gentle kiss to my lips happily. "Wonderful," she said. She slowly took her limbs from around me and pushed me off the bed. "Go get ready and then we'll leave."

I furrowed my brow. "Where are we going?" I asked.

She smiled standing from the bed to kiss me again. "Somewhere."

After getting ready and leaving a note for Charlie saying I would be out with Tanya for the day, we were in Tanya's car heading to somewhere I had no idea of.

I shifted in the passenger seat dressed in "warmer clothes" per Tanya's instructions. I had to dress in heavier shirts, jeans, shoes and socks with a decently heavy jacket. It wasn't enough to make me feel like a stuffed marsh mellow, but it did give me the idea that we were going to go somewhere with a higher altitude and lower temperature.

I glanced back to the blankets she had also brought along. "Exactly where are we going?"

Tanya smiled reaching over to rub my thigh through my thick pants. "Somewhere to help you relax," she said. Her eyes flickered to me with a mischievous gleam.

I frowned. "Relax?"

She nodded taking my hand in hers with a small hum. "You've been stressed lately," she stated, "with everything happening so fast, I mean. You may not let it show very much, but I can read you without having to be an empath or mind reader." She squeezed my hand. "I just want to take you somewhere where you know you can be unbothered and enjoy yourself."

I twisted my hand, entwining our fingers with a small smile. "Thank you, Tanya," I said, "that's very sweet of you."

She pulled my hand to her lips and kissed my knuckles. "I would be a horrible mate if I didn't do anything sweet for you."

I felt my smile grow. My hand adjusted to be holding hers and I ran my thumb over her knuckles affectionately. "Even if you didn't," I said, "I don't think you'd be that terrible."

"Oh?" she smiled.

I shook my head. "No," I said, "you'd constantly be bringing me food, so I'd be quite content."

She chuckled. "So it wouldn't matter as long as I waited on you hand and foot?" she teased.

I nodded. "Yeah, I mean, I would literally not have to lift a finger to go and get food. I'd just call, you'd fetch and I'd eat. I think it would be a very fulfilling relationship."

She snorted. "For you, maybe, but I myself would be dreading what you needed every time you called my name," she said. A smirk pulled on her lips. "At least, I would unless it were elsewhere…" Her hand drifted away from mine and towards my thigh.

I smacked it away. "Watch it."

She chuckled and took my hand in hers again. We fell into a comfortable silence after that; holding each other's hand while she drove. It was a strangely satisfying trip, and, even if I was getting uncomfortable in the clothes I had on, I found myself relaxing already.

We drove for nearly fifteen more minutes before she slowed down, pulling into what I thought was a random batch of bushes, only to find it was a hidden dirt road. I raised my brow, sitting up straighter in my seat in interest while Tanya carefully pushed her car deeper into the woods, and out of sight form the road until we came to a makeshift parking spot.

She turned off the car without a word, and suddenly appeared at my side holding the door open for me. I smiled up at her and unbuckled myself to let her pull me out. "Is this when you murder me in the woods and hide my body?"

She hummed closing the door behind me. "No," she said. "That's a patch of woods over for our date next month."

"Is this forest not beautiful enough for you?"

She smiled. "I try to be considerate."

"At least you're a nice murderer."

Tanya smirked and leaned forward kissing me. "They don't call me a succubus for nothing, you know," she purred in my ear, causing my body to shudder involuntarily. If it were possible, I could've sworn her smirk thickened when she pulled away.

I swallowed and adjusted the jacket on top of my many shirts. "So…" I drawled, "…where are we going?"

The smirk turned into a brilliant smile and Tanya stepped away, holding out her hand. "You'll see," she said. "But I'll have to carry you there—hence the warm clothing."

I raised my brow at the mention of her carrying me. It would be the first time Tanya had carried me anywhere like Edward had before. It was a strangely exhilarating thought in running at her speed while being held by her. I felt surprisingly giddy.

So, I didn't hesitate to reach out and take her hand. The woman grinned, grasping mine firmly in hers before she pulled me closer, running her free one down my cheek. "You've been carried before, correct?" she asked.

I nodded.

She smiled. "Good." Swiftly, she reached down and scooped up my legs to cradle me against her chest. I yelped at the action, but felt a small giggle in my chest at the same time from the amused gleam in the vampire's eyes. She smiled. "Are you ready?"

I nodded, wrapping my arms around her neck securely. "Go."

And, just like that, she was off. Like every vampire that existed, Tanya ran with just as much grace and made me feel like I was running on air or some other kind of thing—anything else besides ground—and had no issue in holding me. However, instead of taking off immediately like Edward did, Tanya let me adjust to the speed by accelerating like a car. It helped my dizziness not be as bad and definitely allowed my brain to adjust more willingly.

I turned my face away from the scenery anyway and buried it in her neck. I felt Tanya shiver ever so slightly from my nose running across her skin, and I couldn't stop my small smirk while I cuddled further into her, simultaneously inhaling her scent, making her shiver as I shielded my face from the wind.

I wasn't sure for how long we had been running, but after at least five minutes she finally began to slow down, her pace—still graceful—coming to a slightly jerkier stride when she slowed. It wasn't until we came to a full stop that I raised my head from her neck to look at where we were, and my jaw almost dropped.

Instead of being in the middle of a forest with—I don't know—a clearing of some sort, we were on an assortment of rocks and boulders covered in moss with small trees growing through the cracks. We stood on a large and mostly flat boulder that overlooked much of the landscape and rocks below. In the middle of it was a blanket, picnic basket, a white carnation, a violet tulip and a red rose.

It was beautiful.

I blinked, completely and utterly stunned while Tanya gently set me down, suddenly appearing nervous when I didn't react besides blink. "Do you…like it?" she asked, her arm moving around my waist to pull me flush against her body.

I shook my head out of the gutter, turning my attention to the anxious woman next to me. A smile broke across my lips while my hand lifted to cup her cheek. "It's amazing, Tanya," I breathed. I swept forward to connect our lips, and enjoyed the familiar pleasure of the kiss between us. I pulled back after several moments. "Thank you."

She nodded grinning in happiness and relief. She nuzzled my cheek. "Always, my Bella," she purred.

I smiled when she gave it a small kiss, removed her arm from my waist to take my hand instead, and lead us towards the blanket. I sat down, surprised by how comfortable the rock actually was, and positioned myself while Tanya sat; grabbing the flowers from on top of the basket. She held them towards me. I took them and stroked the petals as she moved closer.

"The carnation means remembrance; and we is something I always want us to remember," she started, curling her body to match how mine was seated on the ground. "The tulip is faithfulness, and I want you to know that I would never break your trust, betray you or stray. And the rose…" She stroked the red petals and smiled. "…I guess I am still a little old fashioned." She pressed a gentle kiss to the corner of my mouth.

A smile pulled on my lips and I turned my head, catching her lips with my own. They moved in a gentle and graceful dance together—letting my love and thanks for her show through the kiss, and I pushed everything I had into it before I pulled back. I rested my forehead against hers. "I love you, Tanya."

She pushed forward just a fraction. "I love you too, Bella. So much." She kissed my cheek lovingly. "You are my world now, Isabella. Since the moment I saw you, I have hardly been able to stand any moment without you near me. You are my rock and the love of my life. None could ever replace you."

I pushed myself into her body, loving the words. "You mean more to me than you could ever know," I murmured.

Tanya let out a deep purr, wrapping both of her arms around me to pull me impossibly closer. "Som navždy tvoja." The words came out with her purr, making them caress my ear in a familiar way even if I didn't know what she was saying.

I smiled, closed my eyes and took in a deep breath of her scent. My spine felt like it was shuddering in delight from her scent, and my heart quickened just a beat.

At least, it did until my stomach grumbled.

I growled internally at it. I hadn't eaten this morning per Tanya's request, saying she had another plan for food—this apparently—and now part of me wished I had so we could sit like this.

The blonde holding me chuckled and pulled away. "Come on," she said. "Let's get on with your food." She kissed my head, unwrapped her arms from around me, and grabbed the basket to pull it closer to us. She flipped up a flap and brought out an insulated covered plate of still warm eggs, toast and bacon.

My mouth watered when she uncovered the food and handed the plate towards me, grabbing a fork. "I had Carmen help me make a few meals for today. She brought them here just a few minutes before we arrived."

I nodded. "Remind me to thank her," I said, taking the fork and plate. I cut up the eggs and began to eat while Tanya pulled out a V8 for me to drink.

She set the bottle in front of me and rolled back, setting her hands on the ground behind her to hold her up and stretched out her legs, hooking her ankles. "I will," she smiled, "but I'm sure she wouldn't mind you not saying anything. She's quite happy to do anything when it comes to you, you know."

I nodded, taking another bite of eggs. "I know," I said, "but that doesn't mean I shouldn't thank her. It's common courtesy and I'd feel rude."

She smiled fondly. "I know, love," she chuckled. "I'm just stating a fact. A fact that is sadly true for every vampire living under the roof of my home at the moment. I doubt any of us would wait a second to fulfill a request you made; even if it was to cross an ocean, find an artifact, and then bring it back."

I quirked my brow at her example, but swallowed down the eggs and a comment on it. "I know," I said, "I've seen it only about a hundred times already when I'm over there or at my house."

"At your house?" she asked confused.

I nodded. "Well, see might be too much of a word, but I heard enough when Rosalie was over," I said.

I took a bite of bacon and watched her features twist with distaste at the mention of the blonde's visit. "Oh," she managed, "I forgot about that."

I raised my brow at her quizzically and swallowed. "I really doubt that you forgot about a vampire not belonging to your coven coming home covered in my scent and wearing my shorts while she carried her shoes and pants." I took another bite and enjoyed the small victory.

The victory was Tanya's immediate stiffening and small hiss. "You can't blame me for wanting to forget that!" she defended. "Rosalie went to my mate's house alone, was there for who knows how long, and returned in my mate's clothes smothered in your scent."

I stretched a hand forward, touching her arm with a smile. "I know, Tanya," I chuckled. "I'm just teasing. I find it humorous."

She frowned. "I don't. I could've taken Rosalie's head off if Kate and Irina hadn't jumped her first."

I couldn't help my small giggle at the image it provided. Rosalie had told me there had been another fight when she returned, and it didn't surprise me that Kate and Irina were involved in it. "You shouldn't. She just wants to be my sister and nothing more…" I watched Tanya relax just a little. "…even if she was in the shower with me."

Her eyes went from gold to solid black in one second flat. She jerked her body to be on her feet, hands balled into fists at her sides, with a furious snarl on her lips. And even though I kind of hated to admit it, she looked pretty hot just then. "She was what?!"

I burst into laughter, putting the plate of food down on the ground next to me so it wouldn't be ruined during my laughter. I clutched my sides trying to help dull the ache that was quickly building from my laugh while Tanya began pacing; hardly fazed by my laughter and started plotting. "She has seen you naked," she hissed. "I should banish her, or force her to forget. No. I should pull her eyes out. Yes, yes that could work. She wouldn't be able to see anything like that again…"

I shook my head wiping away the tears that had begun to seep from my eyes. "T-Tan," I panted.

She didn't hear me. "…she could also be spying on her. That is not right. I'll have to take her fingers and nose for that as well along with her boobs and eyes…"

My laughter began to die, even though my grin remained, and I called her name again, "Tan."

"…or I could—"

"Tanya." She stopped mid-step, foot levitated in the air, finger still on her chin from tapping it pensively, and turned her deep brown eyes to me. I smiled, holding out my hand. "C'mere."

The blonde blurred to my side immediately, taking my hand in hers, and dropped down next to me so hard it definitely would have hurt if she were human. I smiled at her, chuckling, and drew my finger down her jaw when her big eyes looked at me. "I was just teasing you again, Tanya," I smiled.

She pouted, looking absolutely adorable. "But you said she got in the shower with you," she whined.

I shook my head. "She was in the shower with me," I agreed, "but she didn't get in herself. I had to drag her in so Charlie wouldn't see her."

Her brow furrowed. "Huh?"

I smiled. "She snuck in my house to talk to me and I happened to be in the shower. She came into the bathroom, scared me, and made Charlie come up the stairs when he heard my startle. I had to drag her in so he didn't figure out the Cullens were here or for him to come in and find Rosalie randomly in the bathroom with me."

Tanya blinked, processing the story that I now found amusing looking back on it, and I patiently waited. Her eyes turned to a lighter shade of brown then dull gold a few moments before she shifted and cleared her throat. "Oh," she murmured. "I see." She glanced at me. "…But she did see you naked?"

I rolled my eyes. "You're going to be so difficult about this," I said in faux annoyance. I grabbed the plate of food again and began to eat while Tanya shrugged, returning to her original position before she shot up.

"It's my job," she said.

I rolled my eyes again and swallowed another bite of food.

I clutched onto Tanya's hand tightly with a small yelp when a rock gave way under my food. In no means would it have made me fall, but it was enough to scare the crap out of me.

Tanya chuckled, wrapping her other arm around me. "It's alright, moja láska," she purred. "I'm not going to let you fall."

I glanced up at her. "What did you say?" I asked.

She raised her brow before suddenly realizing what I meant and smiled. "I said 'my love' in Slovak," she said. "It's my native language."

"Slovak?" I blinked, having a brief memory of when she comforted me in her house while I had an episode. "You're from Slovakia?" I asked.

She nodded with a small smile. "Yes, along with Kate and Irina, of course, that was a thousand years ago."

I cocked my head. "I don't think I know much of your past," I said. "Any of your pasts."

She pursed her lips with a slight nod. "I suppose that is our fault," she admitted. She glanced at me. "In all honesty, Bella, the past of my sisters' and myself are not that wonderful. It's still hard for us to discuss to this day."

I nodded in understanding and gave her hand a meaningful squeeze. "I understand what it's like to have a difficult past," I said. "I won't push you to tell me anything, Tanya. Whenever you and you're sisters are ready you can tell me at your own time."

Tanya tightened her hold on me and shook her head. "No," she said. She stopped walking, turning to face me. Her hands framed my face. "You deserve to know just as much about us as we do you, Bella." Her finger traced my cheekbone affectionately.

I shook my head. "You don't need to feel obligated to—"

"I'm not," she insisted. She sighed, lowering her hands to take mine. "Please believe me when I say I'm not feeling obligated to share, Bella. I want to share with you, but you also deserve to know." She squeezed my hands. "I just need you to remember that this story may be harder for me to share."

I nodded, showing her I understood.

"I don't really remember much of my human life," she admitted, "it's more of a blur than anything." She glanced at me. "As you know can happen to vampires." I nodded. "I do remember everything in my time as a vampire, however, even if I wish I could sometimes switch my human memory for my vampiric memory."

I squeezed her hands and knew exactly where this was heading. "My sisters and I were all turned by the same woman—Sasha. She was my biological great aunt, and found me years before she found either Kate or Irina. She turned me and quickly became my adoptive mother. We found Kate and Irina along our time traveling through Slovakia, and they fell into our lifestyle easily after they were changed.

"She taught us how to live as succubi—at least, we made the idea of it. She taught us everything she knew of our world, and she taught us so much more. We were happy with her as a family, and loved her very deeply." She paused, looking down.

I squeezed her hands, letting her know I was present and still listening. Tanya's eyes flickered up to my gaze for a moment, and she let a small smile show. She pulled me forward, wrapping her arms around me before she continued. "Sasha made an immortal child," she said. "Immortal children are outlawed in our world. They can never control their thirst or mature, and it makes them dangerous for our kind."

She dipped her nose into my hair and inhaled my scent. "The Volturi found out about the boy, and they came to us. My sisters and I had no idea she had even made him, and that was the way she wanted it, because she knew we would also be held responsible for it if we had known. Our lack of knowledge of the boy was the only reason why we lived that night, and didn't die along with him and Sasha."

Her words trailed into a whisper at the end of her story, becoming incredibly soft while she lost herself in memory. Instinctively, I wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled her closer, burying my face in her shoulder to give as much comfort as I could.

I didn't know what it was like to lose a parent, I would admit to that, but I did know what it was like to carry baggage that you hated to look back on. Somethings are better kept away until they are needed, and even then it was hard to get through it without something or someone there.

I didn't say anything, just held her and let her know I was there. Her face buried itself in my hair and I felt her inhale again, taking in a breath of my scent shakily. I tightened my hold on her just a fraction, nuzzling her shoulder with my nose.

Tanya let out the smallest hum and continued in my ear softly, "It's hard to talk about Sasha…I—we loved her so much, and watching her die is one of the worst things I have ever experienced in my life if not the worst…We went on a rampage in our grief—just barely staying under the Volturi's radar. We slept with whoever we deemed fit and killed them if they were human…I-I don't doubt that if we hadn't come to our senses in time we would still be living that unfulfilled life."

I just turned my head, now letting the side of my face rest on her shoulder while I looked at the slope of her neck. I closed my eyes, tightening my hold again. Her nose slowly drug across my scalp to my forehead lightly in an adoring manner and kissed my forehead before laying her cheek on it.

We stayed in that position for a long time with her arms around my waist and mine around her neck. Our eyes were closed, faces pressed into the person and our breathing was almost synchronized with deep breaths and slow releases.

It took us several minutes to realize we had begun to sway, moving back and forth in a gentle motion. It wasn't until Tanya hummed that I even realized it. "What are we doing?" she murmured in my ear.

I furrowed my brow. "Uh…dancing?"

"Without any music?"

I shrugged. "Who said music was needed?"

The woman gave a small smile against my skin, turning her face to once again kiss my forehead with a nod. "Yes," she agreed, "who, indeed." Her grip around me tightened, pulling my hips flush against hers, and moved us in a more dance like motion.

I kept my eyes closed and my face buried in her neck. And, in the back of my mind, I could faintly hear the sound of soft music beginning to play with our movement.