CHAPTER TWENTY

Jupiter isn't happy. On the ride home, I keep one hand on his collar even though he could jump off the seat onto the flatbed and probably take me with him. No amount of 'good boys' can stop the low-level grrr's because he's worked out exactly who Edward is. The monster who's been visiting my room since he was a puppy.

"I presume you overheard my discussion with Dr Newton?" I start.

"Yes, and the meeting with your friends. To be honest, I'm surprised how much you told them. I approve though. You managed to keep back everything they didn't need to know."

"Thanks," I reply, feeling peeved that he felt the need to listen in.

"Have you got any more questions?"

"A million, but only one that bothers me, even though you might find this trivial in the circumstances."

"Nothing is trivial where you're concerned, Bella. What is it?"

Words really can make me glow.

"I get why the Elders need to keep us confined on Lympi now, and if we have our kids young then we're sort of tied to home life until we're of an age where we can't be bothered to question anything. But is the Experiment the only explanation, or is there another reason they insist we marry so young and have our kids immediately?"

"Yes, and it's for a logical reason for once."

I scoff at Edward's response.

"Really! I can't think of any logical reasons, and that question has been playing on my mind since I was eleven. Do tell."

"Okay, when Carlisle …"

"So it's your dad's fault?"

"Listen, please."

"Sorry."

"When Carlisle made representations to the committee that had been set up to plan these communities about not medically abandoning future residents, he put forward a list of conditions that he considered should be on the list for medical extraction by us. Most of the conditions he proposed were accepted. Gynecology and obstetrics were refused."

"Gyne – what? Obstetrics?"

"The medical terminology for anything to do with female reproduction and childbirth."

"Oh!"

"Carlisle was furious. He'd witnessed how dangerous and painful childbirth could be when he was born in the fifteen hundreds and it didn't improve much until the twentieth century. That was when modern drugs and effective anesthesia began to make child-bearing a lot safer."

"Fifteen hundred's?"

"Yes, fifteen hundred's, Bella. Carlisle is much older than me. He was born in fourteen hundred and something - I can't remember. Anyway, he knew from experience that childbirth can be fatal without medical intervention, especially in older women. The male-dominated committee wouldn't budge though. They said too many women would qualify to be extracted if doctors suspected problems ahead. That in turn would make the residents suspicious and possibly rebellious. After many heated debates, Carlisle compromised and got the committee to agree that women must be encouraged to have their babies between the ages of eighteen and twenty-five, which is when they are least likely to have complications. After another discussion about how this could be achieved, the committee decided that the only way they could enforce this on the population was to bring in the rule about marrying young, and for both sexes."

"I see."

"Which is why I guess very few women on Lympi choose to have more than two children. Childbirth is painful without intervention and in some instances still very dangerous, even for Seattle mothers who have the benefit of modern drugs and procedures."

I let Edward's explanation sink in for a few minutes. For once I understand the logic behind the rule, even though I suspect the Elders' wives behind those walls would benefit from the full range of modern medicine. When this gets out, I've no doubt the people of Forks will explode when they find out what they'd been denied, especially men like Billy who lost their wives through pregnancy complications.

Another important question has suddenly occurred to me, even though it's acutely embarrassing to ask.

"Edward,"

"Yes, Bella."

"Is there any chance I could be pregnant? I know you're not human, but …"

Edward chuckles and sits up from his prone position. I don't find this funny, but I'll also admit this is the first time I've thought about the consequences of what we got up to yesterday.

"No chance, Bella, but only because I took precautions."

"Precautions? How?"

"I'll explain later. I don't want to frighten Jupiter by showing you."

What?

During the remainder of the journey home, Edward tells me about his parents including how they met, and then about his brother and sister and their partners. Esme in particular sounds wonderful. When he speaks about his mother, it's clear Edward reveres her more than any other relative. I hope one day I'll get to meet her.

Edward jumps off the cart at the same spot where I slid off his back yesterday evening. He goes to say something but stops and turns his back on me. I may be mistaken, but I'm sure he sniffs the air. "I'll see you later," he says and takes off across the fields before he gives me the chance to ask when. Jupiter ceases his grumbling and dumps his head on my shoulder and a paw on my lap. Soppy dog.

We're about a hundred yards from the farm when Jupiter barks twice for no apparent reason. He springs to his feet and jumps onto the flatbed growling loudly this time.

"Hey!" I say and lunge to grab his collar but miss. Jupiter crouches, his teeth bared, ready to pounce, which I've only seen him do once before, and that was when Jake threatened me on the road. He growls again and then barks several times just as Charlie appears at the door as we're turning into the yard.

"What's going on, Bells?" he shouts.

"I don't know, but has Jake been here today? I shout back. "I'm sure Jupiter can smell him."

"No ... he's no reason to and I ordered him to stay away." Charlie turns around to shout to Mom. "Renee, has Jacob Black been here today?"

I can't hear Mom's response but I'm certain Jake's been hanging around the farm. I can't prove it and Jupiter's sensory expertise would not be enough proof to take to Billy as evidence.

Mom has dinner ready when I get in from the stable. Jupiter is still on edge and refuses to leave my side which is fine in the circumstances. After eating, he accompanies me to the barn where I put aside in baskets what needs to be taken to the Distribution Center tomorrow. There's not much produce this time of year now that the crab pots are back on land until next spring, but we still have plenty of spare eggs and late vegetables plus our built-up credit from the pigs, chickens, and crops to keep us going over the winter, that's if we're still here of course.

My last thought makes me wonder what kind of life I could aspire to if I get the chance to decide where to live. Am I mature enough to walk away from the farm and the people around me, never mind abandon my parents, and Mike and his family? Being realistic though, I suspect I'm not qualified to do anything in the world beyond the border fence.

I have to accept that pulling this community down to give me the freedom I desire would in turn have major implications for every person on the peninsula. Is it therefore fair for me to inflict such massive changes on my family, friends, and neighbors? Is it right that I will effectively be doing the same as whoever cut us off from the rest of the world but this time in reverse, and even worse, without their consent? At least the atheists who started this community five hundred years ago had the choice.

I'm mulling over these dilemmas when I hear movement in the part of the barn I can't see from where I'm standing. Is that Charlie or Jake? Jupiter doesn't seem too concerned other than his ears twitching, and then he growls, but it's an Edward growl and not a Jake growl.

When the last tray of eggs is secured in the basket and after rubbing my hands clean on my pants, I wander around the pile of hay bales to where I presume Edward is waiting for me. Who greets me though is a shock. Female company was not what I was anticipating. Edward takes hold of my hand and leads me toward her.

"Bella, meet Alice. Alice, meet Bella. I thought it was about time you got to know each other officially. An encounter on a dark road doesn't count."

Alice leans forward and kisses me on the cheek. I'm speechless. Her skin is like nothing I've seen or felt before, even on a baby. She's pale, like Edward, but somehow her face glows. Straight black hair styled into an immaculate bob with eyes that are even more striking than Edward's, and that's saying something. I can't help staring.

"Hello again, Bella," she says, this time in a lighter tone than she'd used before, but that night she was informing me she was about to take one of my neighbors. "Don't be frightened," she adds.

"I'm not," I reply with a touch of defiance. "I'm concerned that my dad will come out and see you both."

Alice laughs and puts her hand to her ear like she is pretending to listen.

"He won't, Bella. He's asleep in his chair. I can hear him snoring from here. Your mother is having a bath so we're quite safe. Anyway, I'm not stopping for long. I wouldn't dream of taking up any more of the precious time Edward plans to spend with you."

She looks at me then as if she's weighing me up. I feel like a bull at the market. And then she turns to Edward.

"I understand now, my pesky brother."

After kissing him on the cheek and whispering something in his ear she disappears in a flash. The barn feels empty without her.

"She's amazing," I say as Edward leads me to sit beside him on a hay bale.

"Yes, she is, and we'll need her on our side when things kick off because Carlisle will oppose us being together, and that's nothing to do with you. About ten years ago, he made a promise to the government that Vampires would not have relationships with humans, neither briefly nor long-term. Before you ask, he made that promise without consulting me."

"Oh! So if we are to be together, this means you'll have to go against your parents' wishes?"

"Yes, and with a lot more strife that I won't go into now. But Bella, Carlisle's promise won't stop me. You are my life now, but only if you want me. If you do, there's no way I'm giving you up for anything or anyone." He pulls me onto his lap and holds my head between his hands. "I love you, Bella. Do you love me?"

"Yes, Edward. You know I do."

I don't know how he does this but my clothes are off in seconds and while we're kissing. His hands can certainly move faster than his feet. This isn't the time to question him about protection - I have to assume he'll take care of that side of things. I'm just going to lose myself in him and worry about the consequences later.

Foreplay isn't on Edward's plan either. This is going to be quick and passionate. The coolness of his body doesn't even register as an issue as he settles himself on me. This is my man and I love him whatever he's made from.

His hands caress every inch of my body as he thrusts forcefully between my legs. Like yesterday, years of pent-up emotion pour out of him, guiding his every move. He rears up on one elbow so he can look down at me which allows the fingers of his other hand to stroke my most sensitive parts.

"Come with me, Bella," he says huskily. His voice is unrecognizable, which for a brief moment shocks me. Is this the other Edward behind that beautiful face? Am I seeing the Vampire for the first time? More important, am I in danger, and is he about to lose control? If he does, I'm not in a position to protect myself. Maybe Vampires can be squeezed to death? Ha ha – what am I thinking? He's like the bobcat that occasionally comes out of the forest to stalk Samuel's sheep. I'm just the flea on its back.

Relaxing into this is not an option. Fear of Charlie or Mom walking in plus Jupiter's consistent grumbles are off-putting. Straw is scraping my back on each thrust which is itchy and uncomfortable. Also, Jake could be lurking in the vicinity as he's threatened to do. Oh my! Seeing me with Edward like this would really piss him off. And a Vampire, not Edward, is relentlessly pounding into me. He'll know if I fake it. I'll just have to … oh oh oh, what's he doing?

I don't know how Edward achieves this but my brain feels like it's overheating. I spiral out of control and fall apart in his arms. Edward, or his inner Vampire, growls in satisfaction before collapsing on top of me. Jupiter barks once and wanders out of the barn no doubt in disgust while I wallow in an exquisite glow and wonder again what I've done in the past to deserve this.

When I've floated down from the rafters, I ease Edward off me and attempt to sit up. That's when I notice his dick has some covering over it. Ah! How had I not noticed this before?

"Welcome to the modern world," he chuckles and rolls onto his side to watch while I get dressed. "Your dad's still snoring and your mom's asleep in the bath, so don't panic."

"I'm not panicking," I hiss back. "Believe it or not, I'm shivering. You, plus the temperature in the barn, have frozen me to my core. Is there anything you could do to warm yourself up in the future?"

Edward sits up and leans over so he can pull straws from my hair.

"Unfortunately not, Bella. The only way we can solve this problem is for you to become a Vampire like me. Being selfish I want this to happen, however, I'm a decent guy and would strongly advise against it."

"Why?" I say. "Don't you want me to have a long life, like you?"

"Yes, but quality of life is more important than quantity. There is so much Vampires can't do – we don't eat or sleep, have children, or go out in the sun. When we're with humans, we're watched, not trusted – I could go on and on, Bella. You think Lympi is a prison. I assure you our way of life is not much better. Being a Vampire is an unnatural way to live. Like I said before, I would give everything to revert to being human."

"Even now?"

"Especially now. There's nothing I want more than to have a normal, happy life with you but that's the one thing you and I'll never be able to have. You deserve a wonderful life, Bella. You should have children of your own one day. I can't give you that. I'm sorry."

"Do I have a say?"

"Of course, but we're a long way from you having to make that decision. Don't worry your head about that now. You have some foundations to shake remember? Oh, and Charlie's stopped snoring."

I lean over my still-naked Vampire lover and kiss his forehead. "See you tomorrow?"

"Yep, I'll be around and watching you, but you must be careful, Bella. Not everyone out there has your best interests at heart."

With that thought in mind, I wander over to the stables to retrieve Jupiter while thanking my lucky stars that dogs cannot talk. Charlie is at the door when we go back to the house.

"Where've you been, Bella? It doesn't take two hours to box up those eggs."

"In the stable, Charlie. Star's mane was matted with something sticky. I've just washed and brushed it through. She must've been standing under a tree or something."

Charlie moves out of the way to let me and Jupiter pass. "Hmm," he says as he closes the door. He's suspicious, and of course, has every right to be. Luckily it's getting dark. The heat in my face would be a dead giveaway.

Sleep evades me for hours once more. My mind is so full of 'what-ifs' and 'how can I's' and 'what to do next,' there's no way to stop these dilemmas from turning over and over in my head. I wish I had an on-and-off switch like Edward has to control the lights in the Meadow House. Thinking about that, the difference electricity would make to this community is mind-blowing. Why were the original atheists so determined for us to live in such a primitive way? Cutting us off from society I understand now, but denying us the means to have warmth and comfort was nothing short of cruel.

I have to go to the Distribution Center tomorrow, but I'll divert on the way back to see how Jack and Jessica are doing with the list of victims. Somehow we must inform the people of Forks what's been going on, but to have more of an impact, they need to conclude independently that they are being fed a lie. When they come to realize that the Catchers are being directed to take their sick neighbors, I hope they'll start to question everything else they've been told. Once the ball starts rolling, my hope is that it will be impossible to stop.

I've allowed Jupiter to sleep on the floor next to my bed tonight. Jake may or may not have been in the yard, or even close to the farm, but Jupiter's reaction has unnerved me. I'd almost forgotten Jake's threats. Now that's another issue troubling my mind, niggling like an itch I can't scratch.

The last thing I remember before sleep takes me under is the sound of a wolf baying in the distance. Winter is coming.

Edward

When I jumped from Bella's cart, Werewolf odor was sending my senses into overdrive. Jake fucking Black, I knew this would happen. When I brought Alice onto the farm primarily to meet Bella she had picked up his revolting scent more than a mile away before I had a chance to ask her to confirm I wasn't imagining it. It is still possible Jake hasn't transitioned yet but I've no doubt that will happen soon.

Werewolf is a scent I haven't experienced since long before the catastrophe. The shock to my senses caught me unawares and brought back some very bad memories. Before the catastrophe, every time my family returned to Forks, we were obliged to renegotiate our long-standing truce with whoever was the Quileute leader at the time. The first meeting was always the most dangerous for both parties, the maturity of the leader being the main factor. If he or she lost control immediately upon encountering us, a swift withdrawal on our part was the only option available. Only once did a first meeting result in physical violence. Fortunately, nobody from either side died from their injuries.

After my first circuit of the farm, it was plain Jake was nowhere close, but he had been, which bothered me because of Bella's safety. If he had still been within half a mile of the farm, I could have homed in on him like a vulture to a dead carcass.

The temptation to take him out before he fully transitions is overwhelming. But Alice had told me that she had foreseen Jake playing a significant role in undermining the Elders' grip on the community. At the time when she said that, she was undoubtedly unaware that Jake carried the full gene. If he does transition though, the Elders will not have any idea of how to handle a Werewolf on the loose in Lympi. Like all Werewolves or any human that carries the gene, I can't read his fucking mind so there's no point loitering close to the timber yard to confirm or not whether he has changed.

Of course, there's a good chance Jake doesn't even realize what he is. Werewolf maturity differs widely from age fifteen upwards to mid-twenties. Until today, that scent wasn't evident anywhere near the farm, or even in Forks, so something has triggered Jake to mature rapidly. Maybe Bella telling him to get lost has been the catalyst.

Inexperienced Werewolves are equally as dangerous as newborn Vampires. Should I warn Bella? I don't want to frighten her unnecessarily, especially as I'll be watching him while staying close to her. At least Jake's problem has given me a bona fide reason to remain in Forks against Carlisle's wishes. Even he would accept that when Alice tells him which she undoubtedly will.

Anyway, Jupiter is also on the case. Good doggy.

Jupiter? He would only be able to warn Bella that Jake was around, but he wouldn't stand a chance against a Werewolf.

So now we know why the kids have to get married so young. Logical, but still very unfair.

Next time, the rebellion is in full swing and Renee has the shock of her life. (no, Charlie doesn't shave off his mustache.)

Joan x