*ONE MONTH BEFORE THE BIG EVENT
"Is that a car pulling up to the house?"Irina asked. Tanya shared a smile with Rosalie hearing Irina's question. Tanya had been waiting for this day to happen for centuries. This was the moment that set everything in motion for the big event. Tanya was holding herself back from running outside to meet the visitors. She had to play her part of concerned coven leader. That meant she had to proceed as if she was being extra cautious. No matter how hard it was.
"Everyone outside and in defensive formation."Tanya ordered her family.
"I hope we get a decent fight this time."Kate said as she ran outside and took her spot next to Anne.
"Is that Edward's car?"Carmen didn't expect Edward of all people to visit them.
"If it is why didn't he call and tell us he was coming?"Eleazar asked.
"Regardless if it's Edward off not we treat them like a threat until they give us reason not to."Tanya told them. The group all stood and watched as Edward's car came to to a stop. The vampire in question exited the driver's side, while Carlisle exited from the passenger side. Tanya knew that Jessica was in the backseat with the child."Hello Carlisle. We weren't expecting your visit."
"Well the reason for our visit is a sensitive one that couldn't be explained over the phone."Carlisle was very nervous about this meeting but knew that they would need the Denali's help for what was to come.
"Whatever it is we are always on your side."Tanya told him.
"Thank you Tanya. I appreciate that more than you know."Carlisle was counting on that to convince the Denali to side with them and not run off to the kings."Before I tell you why we are here I ask that you please not react before I explain everything."
"We will try."Tanya knew that once they saw the child the rest of her family minus Rosalie would react negatively.
"Carlisle are you sure this is a good idea?"Edward may have trusted his sire but he didn't trust the Denali. He didn't think they needed their help but he had once again been overruled by his family and his wife. If that wasn't bad enough even the wolves agreed to reaching out to them. Their respect of the Denali pissed Edward off because the wolves didn't treat the Cullens with even a fraction of that same respect.
"Edward we have been over this. We need our cousins' help if we want a chance of making it out of this alive."Carlisle wished that Edward would get over his grudge against the Denali. They had never done anything to Edward that warranted the immense hatred the boy had for the coven. It had been that way since their first meeting and Edward had problems with his gift. Tanya and Rosalie may have been the only two members of the family that could block Edward's gift but the others were skilled at hiding what they were thinking through various techniques. Carlisle knew that Edward took that as them being untrustworthy because he couldn't tell what their motives were. It was to bad that his son couldn't comprehend that just a person hid their thoughts didn't mean they were up to no good.
"They aren't the only allies we are gathering. We would be fine without them."The Denali were useless and Edward didn't think they would benefit their cause in any way.
"Not only do we need the extra numbers the Denali are skilled fighters. If it comes down to it they will be the only ones with the means to defeat the threat."Carlisle was hoping that Denali would be wiling to train the vampires that his family were gathering to help out.
"They aren't that great. I bet if it comes to a fight we will get hurt trying to protect them."Edward knew that they Denali would be more of a hinderance than any kind of help.
"You protect us?!"Kate laughed at the very idea.
"Kate be quiet."Tanya needed Carlisle and Edward to reveal the child so they could all get on their way.
"Seriously Tanya? You are going to let that pansy ass insult us?"Kate asked.
Edward growled."Don't you call me that!"
"I'll call you whatever the fuck I want and there isn't anything you can do to stop me."Kate wasn't scared of Edward. She had many time beaten his ass. That didn't stop him from trying to fight her though. The idiot couldn't get it through his head that he was weak and couldn't fight worth shit.
"I can easily stop you!"Edward bared his teeth at Kate.
"Are you threatening me or are you trying out for a toothpaste commercial?"Kate smiled when she heard most of her family except for Tanya laugh. Kate could tell by the curl of her lips that Tanya wanted to but was holding back.
"Edward enough."Carlisle needed to stop Edward from provoking the Denali further. If he angered them enough they wouldn't be willing to help.
"I'm not going to let her get away.."Edward was cut off by Carlisle before he could finish his statement.
"I said enough. We are here to ask for their help. You fighting them is going to make them unwilling to give it to us."Carlisle raised a hand to stop Edward from speaking."Your objections to including them in this situation have been noted and overruled by the entire family including your wife might I remind you."
"She was tricked into agreeing by Alice."Jessica had been poisoned against Edward by his family when it came to the Denali. They had taken every opportunity they could to discredit Edward's complaints about the coven and had convinced Jessica they were loyal allies that had been nothing but supportive and helpful over the years. Edward had tried to undo the brainwashing his wife had gotten concerning the Denali Coven but it was constantly undone by his family's continued support of their cousins.
"If you can't be civil then sit in the car and I will take care of this."Jessica said her voice coming from the backseat of the car.
Tanya was very surprised to hear the acid in the newborn's tone. It seemed the newlywed period of their marriage was over. Isabella hadn't mention that the pair had any problems in their relationship. Then again Tanya's mate didn't really give her much information on things that weren't important to their futures. Edward being one of those things. As soon as the boy fathered the child he was no longer any use to Tanya, her mates and their allies. Tanya did expect him to cause some problems when the new regime was put in place. Edward was likely going to be one of the many who would try and take the throne for himself. Deciding to take control of the situation Tanya cleared her throat getting everyone's attention."Carlisle why don't you tell us what is going on?"
"Yes that is a good idea."Carlisle shot Edward a look to make his stay silent. This was getting out of hand and he needed to get to why they were there so they could get home to greet the other allies as they showed up in Forks."I once again ask that you let me explain before you react."
"As I said we will try."Tanya said.
"Good then Jessica you can bring Mason out now."Carlisle kept a close eye on the Denali as Jessica exited the car carrying a child. Just as he expected the Denali all started reacting badly.
Victoria pulled Irina behind her back."What is this?"
"Edward what have you done?!"Carmen could easily believe Edward would be arrogant enough to crate an immortal child.
"Why did you bring that here?!"Looking at the child Anne was overwhelmed with fear.
"Everyone calm down."Tanya shouted to be heard over the others.
"How can we calm down when Carlisle has just signed our death warrants?"Kate couldn't understand why Tanya wasn't as outraged as the rest of them. The coven leader had been right by Kate's side when the Volturi had killed their mother for the same crime.
"Carlisle asked us to let him explain. I'm going to give him the chance before I jump to conclusions."Tanya told her.
Carlisle smiled gratefully at Tanya. He was happy that his faith in his old friend was warranted."Thank you Tanya."
"It's no problem Carlisle. Now if you would please tell us what is going on then we can make our judgment."Tanya was getting annoyed with how long this was taking.
"I first want to say that Mason is not an immortal child. She was born when Jessica was still human. Edward is the father."Carlisle expected the looks of shock and disbelief he was receiving."If you listen you can hear the girl's heartbeat."
The group went silent as they all listened to the child's heartbeat. It wasn't quite human but it was unmistakable. Tanya gave everyone a second to hear it before she spoke."I believe you are telling the truth. However what is the reason you are here? I doubt it's just to introduce us to the child."
"Unfortunately you are correct. A few days ago Jessica was out hunting with Mason and one of the wolves. While they were in the woods Laurent saw them."Carlisle was cut off by Kate.
"Laurent is involved?"Kate knew they should have searched the man out and killed him. Tanya had stopped them from doing it claiming it wasn't their place.
Carlisle nodded."Alice has gotten random visions of him trying to gain allies to kill my family. Nothing came of them until her most recent one."
"What was the vision of?"Tanya already knew but needed Carlisle to say it out loud.
"It was a vision of Laurent going to the kings and claiming that not only did we create an immortal child but that we have been harboring children of the moon."Carlisle explained.
"And Aro would have seen everything in his mind and taken that as all the proof he needed to find you guilty."Irina concluded.
"Exactly."Carlisle said.
"What help can we be in this situation?"Tanya asked.
"The kings have decided that instead of summoning our coven to Italy to be tried for our crimes they are gathering the guards and coming to Forks to confront us."Carlisle told them.
"They must be going to Forks to make sure they can kill off all the shifters."Eleazar and the entire vampire population knew of Caius' hatred of the children of the moon. There was no way the king was going to let the shifters live because of it.
"That and they are going to bring an audience so they can make an example out of us."Carlisle wasn't pleased that the kings whom he thought he had friendship with would do such a thing. He thought that they had enough respect for him that they would investigate before they decided the Cullen's guilt.
"I have to ask again what help can we be in this situation?"Tanya asked again.
"I don't like asking this of you but I see no other way to make it out of this alive."Carlisle took deep breath before speaking."I was hoping that you would be willing to come to Forks to act as witnesses to the child's growth."
"The Volturi won't care how many witnesses you have. If the kings are leaving the castle then someone is going to be punished."Victoria expected anyone who knew of the child would be targeted by the kings.
"That is another thing I wanted to ask you. We are gathering other allies. When they get to our home I wanted to know if you would be willing to train them to fight?"Carlisle didn't want to have to fight but wanted to be prepared incase they had to.
Tanya looked at each of her coven members pretending to consider Carlisle request. It was just for show because she was always going to agree."I have said many times that you can count on us to come to aide whenever you need it. That offer still stands. Myself, Rosalie and any members of my family that are willing will come to stand beside you and your coven when the kings come."
"Tanya are you sure?"Anne didn't want to be involved in this but if her family decided to go she would go with them.
"I won't force any of you to come with us. This a completely voluntary situation. I personally will not hold it against anybody if you don't want to go with us."Tanya glared at Edward."I won't let anyone else hold it against you either."
"I'm not letting you go by yourselves."Kate wouldn't leave Tanya and Rosalie alone in this.
Irina shared a look with Victoria. She wanted to go to support her sisters but if the redhead didn't want to she wouldn't. Getting a head nod Irina gave Victoria a soft kiss."We're going."
"Us as well."Eleazar and his mate wouldn't abandon their coven. Not after everything the Denali had done for them.
Anne sighed."If you all are going them I'm going with you."
"Then we are in agreement."Tanya didn't doubt that her family would join them but it was nice to hear that they support her and Rosalie enough to go against their instincts and face a dangerous threat. Well it wasn't really a dangerous threat but nobody but Tanya and Rosalie knew that. Turning her attention to Carlisle she addressed the man."Carlisle you have the full backing of the Denali Coven. We will pack our things and make our way to Forks immediately."
"Thank you so much."Jessica was beyond relieved the Denali had agreed. She was worried that with how much they hated Edward and Edward constant disrespect towards them that they would refuse. Jessica was extremely pissed at her husband for the way he handled this whole situation. He couldn't look past his own ego to see that the only way they had any chance of making it out this alive was with the Denali's help. She was going to warn him to stay away from them when they came to Forks because Jessica knew that he wouldn't miss the opportunity to mouth off to them.
"It's no problem young one."Tanya was surprised by the sincerity she heard in Jessica's voice. Maybe the girl wasn't as arrogant as they thought she was. Then again they only interacted with her when Edward was around and the boy usually talked over her.
"With that said we should get on our way. Our other visitors should be arriving soon."Carlisle needed to get back to greet their allies as they showed up. He only traveled to Alaska because he knew that Edward wouldn't actually ask the coven for help. He would have just insulted them and left claiming they refused to help. Carlisle was planning on speaking to his son about his behavior on their drive back to Forks.
"We will leave within the hour."Tanya told him.
"We will see you soon then."Carlisle gave them a wave then got into the car, Jessica, child and Edward doing the same. Edward glaring at all of the Denali before he did.
"Well it seems we once again are going off to save the Cullens."Kate was somewhat excited about getting the chance to meet some vampires. She hoped that some of them would want to fight. If she was lucky they may even be a challenge.
"Over the years it's been our main hobby."Irina said.
"Regardless everyone get what you need packed and load it in the van."Tanya wrapped her arm around Rosalie and led her to the house. The pair had already packed everything they needed. They did it right after they got the letter from Jane with the date and time of the big event being to excited to wait.
"Can I drive this time?"Anne asked.
"Sure."Rosalie was usually the one who drove everywhere but she was distracted and jittery. She would need to be next to Tanya to help her reel in her emotions so that no-one got suspicious. Well more suspicious than they normal were. Snuggling into Tanya's side Rosalie thought about the upcoming events. She wasn't looking forward to being around so many unfamiliar people. They would want to talk to her and ask her questions that Rosalie wouldn't want to answer. It wasn't that she hated people it was that any kind of attention made her uncomfortable. During her human years her parents paraded her around showing off her beauty to everyone they could. They made Rosalie well aware her looks were the only thing that anyone cared about. That it didn't matter what she thought or said no one cared. Her job was to look pretty and only speak when spoken to. It had made it hard for Rosalie to believe that someone would have a genuine interest in her as a person. It took a few years before she finally accepted that the Denali didn't care what she looked like and they valued her as a person not as an object. Rosalie was sure there were other people in the world who would think the same but she didn't trust it. Especially because she got the same wide eyed stare every time someone first saw her. Even from people who weren't attracted women. That was one of the reasons she loved being mated. The bond didn't care about looks. It matched you with the other part of your soul. It gave Rosalie the confidence to let down her guard and believe that Tanya and Isabella loved her not because she was beautiful but because she was the perfect match for them on a spiritual level. Thinking of Isabella Rosalie smiled. She would be seeing her lost love soon and would finally be able to complete the bond. A month never seemed so long.