Chapter 35: The Climb and Revelations come out

We arrived at Robyn's house, but to avoid Charlie's suspicion, we parked a few blocks away. The walk was mostly silent, the only sound breaking the stillness being the rustle of the takeout bag in Rosalie's arms. It was peaceful until we reached the base of Robyn's window. That's when my nerves kicked in.

I glanced up at the second-story window, my heart racing slightly. "Up there? We have to go up there?" Even though I suggested it, I didn't realize it would be that tall.

Rosalie and Emmett turned to me, their expressions a mix of confusion and amusement. "Of course, we are," Emmett replied with a grin, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

I stared back up at the window, the climb looking more daunting by the second. "Is there any chance I could just turn into a bird and fly up instead?"

Rosalie smiled softly, placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "It would be easier to climb," she said gently. "Emmett or I can carry you if you need us to. It's okay to be scared, baby bear."

Her words eased some of the tightness in my chest, though the thought of scaling the side of the house still made my stomach twist. I glanced back at Rosalie and Emmett, both of them watching me with encouraging eyes, their quiet confidence somehow grounding.

"It'll be okay, Faye," Ivy said softly. "Just do whatever makes you feel comfortable."

I took a deep breath, coming to a decision. "Can Emmett carry me, please?" I asked, glancing up at them.

Emmett's face lit up like a Christmas tree, and before I could blink, he scooped me up effortlessly. "You got it!" he said with a wide grin, his energy infectious. I couldn't help but feel a little lighter in his arms, the knot of anxiety loosening. "So, what'll it be, little bear? A piggyback ride, if you've got a good grip, or I could carry you in one arm like this. Your call."

I hesitated for a moment, feeling my cheeks warm as I glanced up at Emmett. "Um… can you carry me in your arm?" I asked shyly, barely meeting his eyes.

Emmett's grin widened, his enthusiasm unwavering. "One-arm carry it is," he said, gently adjusting me into a more comfortable position, cradling me like I weighed nothing. His solid grip and easy confidence made me feel safe.

Without missing a beat, he turned toward the tree near Robyn's window. "Hold on tight, little bear!" With that, Emmett started scaling the tree as if it were nothing more than a casual jog. His movements were fluid and effortless, his strength obvious in the way he handled the climb. I tucked my head into his neck, and before I knew it, when I looked up we were level with Robyn's window, the climb over in a matter of seconds.

"See?" he said with a playful wink. "Told you it'd be easy." I let out a breath that I didn't know I was holding, feeling a little silly for being so nervous about the situation. Emmett made it look so effortless, that he most likely had a lot of practice climbing trees.

Rosalie was already perched on a nearby branch, casually holding the takeout bag like this was the most natural thing in the world. "Ready to see Robyn?" she asked with a knowing smile.

I nodded, my nerves calming as Rosalie leaned forward and knocked softly on the window. A moment later, the window creaked open softly, and Robyn's head poked out. "Hey guys, I know you asked to come over, but what's going on? I thought the plan wasn't happening till four o'clock. It's still afternoon."

Rose shook her head giving her a soft smile, "Well we weren't sure if you had breakfast with Charlie yet, so we brought you a little something," she said, lifting the takeout bag slightly. "Mind if we come in?"

Hearing that Robyn's lips curved into a small smile. "Of course you guys can, although you didn't have to go through all this trouble for me," she said, stepping back to give us room to come inside. "I really appreciate it though."

Emmett helped me through the window first, his hands steady as I climbed in, followed by Rosalie with the takeout. Emmett slipped in last, landing lightly on his feet with surprising grace for his size.

Emmett grinned, shrugging off the compliment. "Of course we did! We get to surprise our favorite little bird with breakfast!"

Rosalie shook her head in amusement at Emmett's antics before turning her warm gaze back to Robyn. "We just want to make sure you're taken care of, little bird," she said softly, her voice carrying that familiar mix of gentleness and authority that always put me at ease. Her expression grew more thoughtful as she added, "Speaking of which, I wanted to ask—are you okay with us coming through the window? I know it's easier sometimes, but the last thing we want is to pull an Edward 2.0 and make you uncomfortable." Her lips curved in a teasing smile, but there was a genuine note of concern in her voice.

She blinked at Rose for a moment, clearly moved by the thoughtfulness behind her words, before quickly shaking her head. "No, it's okay," She reassured her. "I don't mind, especially if you give me a heads-up like you did earlier. But feel free to use the door anytime." A faint smile tugged at her lips.

Rosalie's smile softened further, her golden eyes glowing with warmth. "Alright, then. But you let me know if that ever changes, okay? I want you to feel safe with us, always."

The heartfelt moment, however, was interrupted by the loud, unmistakable growl of Robyn's stomach. Rosalie shot her a mock stern glance with her hands planted on her hips. "What did we just promise this morning?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

Robyn chuckled sheepishly, her cheeks flushing slightly as she glanced anywhere but Rose. "I know, I know. I'm sorry! Charlie asked if I'd eaten breakfast, and I panicked and said I had, even though I totally forgot to. Once I said it, I couldn't take it back without raising suspicion or making it awkward. It's fine, though. It's not like I haven't skipped meals before." She shrugged, trying to play it off as not a big deal, but the way Rosalie looked at her made it clear that it was anything but trivial.

Rosalie quickly walked over to her, not before placing the to-go box on the bed, and gently cupped Robyn's face in her hands, drawing her gaze. Her expression was soft but firm. "Robyn, sweetheart, it's really important to take better care of yourself," she said, her voice steady but laced with concern. "It worries me when you skip meals. My instincts are on high alert to keep you safe, and that includes making sure you're taking care of yourself. You can't just brush it off like it doesn't matter. You do matter—more than you know. To Faye. To Emmett. To me. We all care about you, and I want you to feel your best. I don't want you to end up feeling sick or exhausted because you're not eating properly."

Robyn met her gaze, a hint of guilt flickering in her eyes. "I know, Rose. I'm sorry," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

Rosalie's expression softened as she wrapped her arms around Robyn in a comforting embrace. Robyn melted into the hug, burying her face in Rosalie's neck, finding comfort in the familiar scent and feeling the safety of her presence.

"As long as you know now." She pulled back slightly. "So, what do you say about some breakfast, huh? Plus, I heard Ivy wanted to tell you about something that happened this morning." She turned her head towards me with an amused smile as I fake glared at her. Traitor. I could feel Ivy getting excited remembering what she was going to tell Robyn.

I could feel Robyn's curious eyes on the side of my head making my cheeks heat up in embarrassment. "Really? What did she want to tell me?"

"Hey, Faye~"

No! I'm not letting you take over my body to explain that embarrassing story!

"Boo! Party pooper!"

Of course, I knew Ivy could mind link with Robyn, but she didn't seem to realize it at that moment. She went quiet for a few seconds, then suddenly lit up with excitement, which only made me more nervous.

"I just thought of a better way to explain it to her!"

What are you going to do? Talk to her through mind link?

"Nope, that's a great idea, but I thought of something better! Now, if you excuse me."

Wait. Hold on! Ivy what are you going to do?!

"You'll see."

I shook my head and nervously peeked over at Robyn.

Robyn POV

As soon as Rose mentioned that Ivy had something to tell me, Faye froze, her face instantly showing a hint of panic. She seemed to zone out, clearly having a conversation with Ivy, but judging by the way her eyebrows knitted together and the way she nervously bit her bottom lip, it wasn't going well. Suddenly, Ivy popped into my head.

"Heeey, Robyn!" Ivy chimed in a sing-song voice, her excitement bubbling over. Whatever she wanted to tell me, she was clearly thrilled about it.

I blinked in surprise. "Uh, hey Ivy… what's up?" I responded cautiously as I glanced at Faye, who still looked a little panicked. I could tell she wasn't thrilled about whatever Ivy was about to reveal.

Ivy's excitement was contagious, though, her mental presence buzzing with energy. "I've got something so fun to show you!" she continued, her tone almost giddy.

Show me? I thought, my curiosity piqued. "Just relax, okay? Trust me!" Ivy giggled mischievously, and before I could reply, my vision blurred for a split second.

When I blinked, I found myself watching a memory unfold—Faye's memory. I could feel her embarrassment as if it were my own like I was right there with her. I watched as the waitress doted on her, treating her like a kid and Faye went along with it. The waitress, clearly charmed by Faye's innocent demeanor, looked like she was seconds away from adopting her on the spot, completely smitten.

When she offered Faye a free brownie, I could practically feel Ivy's laughter echoing in the background. And then I heard Ivy's voice, gleeful and teasing. Telling Faye that she was never going to live this down and that she was going to tell me.

"Well, what do you think?"

"Ivy! I didn't know that you could show me memories?! This is so cool!"

"Yeah! I never tried this before but I thought it might be an awesome opportunity to test out!"

When I blinked again, I was back in my room with Emmett, Rose, and Faye. Emmett and Rose were still looking at Faye with amused smiles. It seemed like it had only been about a minute or two since Ivy shared the memory with me. I turned to Faye, struggling to keep a straight face. Her cheeks were flushed, and she avoided making eye contact.

"So, about this waitress…" I started. Faye groaned softly, burying her face in her hands. "Ivy told you, didn't she?" she mumbled, her voice muffled but tinged with resignation.

I couldn't hold in a small laugh that escaped my lips. "She did however she showed me instead," I replied, trying to keep my tone light but teasing. "And it was adorable. That waitress was this close to taking you home with her. You are probably her new favorite customer."

Faye peeked through her fingers, her cheeks still flushed, but her expression shifted to one of confusion. "Wait… what do you mean she showed you?" she asked, her brow furrowing slightly as she tried to piece it together.

Rosalie quickly jumped in, her tone gentle but firm. "I'm sure Robyn can fill you in over breakfast," she said, shooting me a pointed look, making it clear that I wasn't getting out of not eating. I nodded quickly, understanding the hint, and made my way over to the takeout bag on the bed, sitting down as I started unpacking the food.

As I opened the bag, the rich aroma of French toast hit me, instantly making my mouth water. Thankfully, it was still warm, steam curling from the container. My stomach growled loudly again, reminding me just how hungry I was. I quickly glanced up, catching Emmett's amused smirk and Rose's knowing grin. Even Faye whose cheeks were a bit red looked at me with a small smile.

Rosalie smirked at the sound of my stomach growling again. "See? Even your body agrees," she teased gently, nudging me with her elbow lightly as she sat down beside me.

Emmett chuckled from where he stood leaning on the wall by the window. "You better eat fast before Rose starts feeding you herself." He said with a playful grin. Faye, now sprawled out on her stomach on the bed, nodded in agreement. "Yeah, you know she'll do it," she teased, her voice muffled slightly by the pillow as she got comfortable, watching the scene unfold with amused eyes. Ivy started to snicker.

I gave them a playful glare but couldn't help the small laugh that escaped me. "No chance of that happening," I mumbled, picking up a fork and diving into the still-steaming French toast.

Rose shook her head in amusement. "I don't know about that, little bird. You never know what could happen."

I mumbled out a maybe before taking a bite of the French toast. I couldn't help but sigh in contentment as soon as it landed on my tastebuds. "Okay, you're right. I was pretty hungry," I admitted, glancing up at Rosalie. "This is amazing. Thank you for bringing it."

Rosalie beamed, clearly pleased. "See? It's all about taking care of yourself, even in the small ways." I nodded, feeling the warmth of their care wrap around me like a blanket.

With each bite I took, I noticed Rosalie's mood-brightening. Seeing me enjoy my food seemed to ease her protective instincts a bit. I realized I was being a bit of a messy eater, syrup smudged at the corner of my mouth, but the warmth of her smile made me forget all about my embarrassment.

Rosalie gave me a pleased smile before picking up a napkin and dabbing the corner of my mouth. "Good girl," she murmured, just loud enough for me to hear, and my heart gave a funny little flip.

I glanced down at my lap, my cheeks flushing with embarrassment. My parents in my old life never cared for me like this—or at all. They constantly hired different babysitters while they worked, and even when they were home, they were too busy to talk or build any kind of relationship with me, unless it was for the sake of appearances during business dinners with clients. As a matter of fact, now that I think about it, they only ever stayed with me for an hour a week before they left me to a random babysitter—like that was all the time I was worth. They certainly never praised me for anything big or small. This feels….. really nice. Is this how it's supposed to feel with parents? Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Faye struggling to stifle a laugh, her hand pressed over her mouth.

I shot her a playful glare, though it lacked any real heat. Deciding to tease her a little, I brought up the diner. "Oh, really? How about we talk about the diner, then?" The question made her face turn a deep shade of red, and her laughter instantly faded, but Ivy was snickering.

At that, Emmett erupted into laughter, while Rosalie wore an amused smile, clearly enjoying the playful banter.

Faye quickly averted her gaze, eager to shift the conversation. "So, what did you mean by her showing you?" she asked. "And is Charlie home? I didn't notice his car in the driveway."

I shook my head, "Ivy projected what happened at the diner from your perspective it was very cool! As for Charlie, he left a while ago apparently there was an emergency at work or something. He should be back around three."

Faye groaned dramatically, burying her face in the pillow. "I can't believe she can do that. I thought we could only send thoughts and images to each other… Ivy, you absolute traitor!"

Ivy's voice chimed in smugly, full of playful mischief. "What can I say? I'm brilliant and awesome, obviously!"

Hearing Ivy's reply, I started cracking up laughing which made Faye send me a glare. Of course, Ivy would say that. Rose and Emmett exchanged confused glances, so I filled them in on what Ivy had said. As soon as I explained, they burst into laughter. The thought crossed my mind—could we link all of our minds together? However, the lack of privacy might be an issue. I shrugged inwardly. Something to figure out later, I guess.

Emmett, still leaning by the window, chuckled, his grin wide. "Your wolf sounds like a real awesome troublemaker." He grinned at Faye before continuing, "But I gotta admit, that mind trick of hers is kind of awesome. Imagine the pranks we could pull!" Ivy became excited at that aspect making Faye groan again.

Faye's face shifted as if a sudden memory surfaced, and she turned to Rose and Emmett.

"By the way, did Carlisle ever figure out why I got so sick? When I was living in the woods, I only ever got a little sick once—just a cough and a stuffed-up nose for a couple of days."

Rose's expression softened, a hint of surprise flickering in her eyes.

"Well," she began, choosing her words carefully, "Carlisle thinks it might have something to do with the bond pulling us closer. He suspects the distance between us might be putting a strain on it. He recommended that we see each other at least once every two weeks, especially while you're living with Robyn. It might help keep you from that empty feeling whenever we are apart—and keep you from getting sick."

Faye nodded, thoughtful. "Makes sense, I guess."

Emmett grinned, adding, "I told you! You're stuck with us, kiddo."

Faye's smile grew, warmth sparkling in her eyes as she looked between Rose and Emmett. But just as quickly, her expression shifted, an uneasy flicker replacing her smile and drawing my attention. My own face mirrored her concern as I searched her gaze, silently asking what was wrong before I decided to ask.

"Faye… what's wrong?"

Faye took a steadying breath, her gaze shifting between us. "Before I say anything, can I put a block on your minds? Well, not you Robyn but Rose and Emmett. I don't want Alice to see your decision and warn the rest of the Cullens."

Emmett and Rosalie exchanged shocked glances but quickly nodded in agreement, though they had a few questions.

Rose spoke first, "Will it hurt you?"

Faye shook her head. "No, it shouldn't."

Emmett chimed in, "Is it permanent or temporary?"

Faye considered his question for a moment. "It should be permanent, I've practiced for a long time to get it right. But if you ever want me to remove it, I can."

Satisfied with her answers, they asked, "So, how do we do this?"

"All you have to do is hold hands in a circle, except for Robyn since she already has a block. Close your eyes, and when you feel me pushing into your minds, just relax and let me in."

They nodded, forming a circle and closing their eyes. I watched as Faye began to glow softly, and moments later, they opened their eyes.

Rose looked at Faye with curiosity. "That's it?"

Faye smiled, a satisfied expression on her face. "Yep, now you should be blocked from gifts!"

They exchanged shocked glances before breaking into smiles. Rose turned back to Faye, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Now, little bear, what were you saying before?"

She hesitated, her voice barely above a whisper. "I was thinking… maybe it would be better if we altered the rest of the Cullens' memories."

We all stared at her in shock. Alter their memories? Rose spoke up gently, her voice laced with concern. "What do you mean, baby bear? Why would you want to do that?"

"I think it might be safer if fewer people knew about us being reincarnated… or that I'm part vampire, part witch, and part shapeshifter. Now that I've had time to really think about it, Edward will be back soon, and I don't know if I can fully trust everyone to keep this secret."

She glanced at Emmett and Rose, her expression apologetic yet resolute. "I trust you both completely, and I set a mental block on you so Edward won't be able to read your thoughts. But the others… it's not that I don't care for them; it's just that this is too dangerous to risk."

Her voice grew softer, almost pleading. "If he finds out—even by accident—it could mean trouble for all of us. I just want to protect you, and I don't see any other way."

We all sat in silence, processing what Faye had just proposed. The more I thought about it, the more it seemed like the safest choice—to keep this secret contained between the four of us. Well, five, if you included Ivy.

"I'm with you on this," I said finally, breaking the quiet. Ivy also chimed in with agreement.

Rose and Emmett exchanged glances, nodding in agreement. Emmett's face lit up with excitement. "So, how do you want to do it? Do you have one of those flashy things, like in Men in Black ?"

Faye let out a relieved laugh, shaking her head in amusement. "No, nothing quite so high-tech. I can handle it with a spell. I thought about using a potion, but… I haven't experimented enough with those yet, and it'd be tricky to make sure everyone actually drinks it. A spell will be quicker—and much less risky. I just have to think of a spell and put magic in my words. We can see if worked by calling Alice or Jasper and asking them questions."

"Honestly, that sounds like a great plan," I said, and Emmett and Rosalie nodded in agreement. "How long do you think it will take for you to create the spell?"

"Honestly, I'm not sure. I need to come up with a spell and ensure it sounds like one for it to work and when I cast the spell, I have to think who I want to be affected. I also need to think about what I want to be implied too. For example, what I want them to remember and forget. I also have to make sure it doesn't contradict itself. Let me think…"

We nodded our heads while Faye thought of a spell. She open her eyes looking satisfied. "I think I thought of a perfect spell, how about this?"

"By the threads of fate and time, Erase the memories, keep them confined. To those we wish, let them forget, The truth of our lives, let there be no threat. Only let a few memories remain, Of Robyn's sight of bonds, name, and my shifting domain. Let Rose and Emmett remember it all, As guardians of our secrets, they'll stand tall. With this incantation, let it be done, In the shadows of night, 'til the rising sun."

We all liked the sound of it, and there didn't seem to be any issues we could pick up on. "I think it sounds great. I don't hear anything wrong with it, so I say go for it!" I said, and everyone nodded in agreement. Faye gave a final nod and cast the spell.

Faye then explained what the spell had altered. She made it so that the only memories they retained were of when they first met her and the fight with Edward and when we came back. She also reshaped their memories to believe that I have two gifts: the power to see bonds and my shield. As for Faye, they now think she's a shapeshifter who can transform into any animal. They also believe that I told them I prefer the name Robyn over Bella. The spell had them remembering the plan, and they remember that Faye and I are Rose and Emmett's bond children. Most importantly, they no longer remember that we're reincarnated among many other things that we didn't want them to remember.

I felt a pang of guilt, but at the same time, I knew it was necessary. If the Volturi talked to the Cullens and Aro read their thoughts, we'd be in serious trouble. It was safer to keep it between just the four of us.

To test it, Rosalie decided to call Alice and put her on speaker while asking a few questions. It seemed the spell worked perfectly—Alice only remembered my name, my ability to see bonds and block gifts, and Faye's power to shape-shift. She also recalled how they met Faye in the woods when she was a bear and that Faye and I were Rose and Emmett's bond children, our plan involving Edward, and Faye's role as the protective "dog" for me. She seemed puzzled by why Rose was asking but didn't question it.

However, at one point, Alice did ask why Rosalie and Emmett suddenly appeared blurry in her visions. Rose smoothly replied that it was probably because they were spending time with me. Alice accepted the explanation, and they ended the call with the spell apparently a success.

Rosalie shook her head with a soft smile her eyes warm as they met mine. "Now that that's taken care of. Finish eating Little Bird. You've got…" She pulls out her phone checking the time. "About 2 to 3 hours before Charlie gets back and we have to leave, and I want you feeling good and ready to face the day. Faye also saved her brownie to share with you."

I nodded, feeling a deep sense of warmth settle over me as I looked over at Faye. She was such a sweetheart. The best sister and meeting her was the best thing that ever happened to me. The room felt alive with comfortable energy like everything was as it should be, surrounded by people who truly cared.

As the laughter and lighthearted teasing continued, I realized how lucky I was to have these moments—to have this family. Despite all the chaos and uncertainty that had filled my life, here, with them, I was safe.

I wish this moment could last forever…