Chapter 19: Negotiations and Compromise

I can't believe she got them to agree. Bella and I walked down a path into the woods in silence as I wondered how this happened. Sure, I helped toward the end but still.

~1 hour ago~

"Rosalie, Emmett? Do you mind if I speak to the bear alone? I have something I need to discuss with her."

There's no way that they would.

Hey, Ivy wake up! Something interesting is going on.

I felt Ivy stir in my head.

Mhmm? Interesting? Interesting how? Interesting bad?

Kinda? Bella is asking our bonds to have a talk with us.

Talk? That's not that bad or interesting.

She wants to talk to us. Ivy. Alone.

Ooohhh now I see why this would be interesting and slightly bad.

I mentally nod my head at her observation and awareness of the situation. I tune back in only to be met with silence.

Surprisingly.

It seems like Rosalie is staring Bella down and Bella is staring right back. Bella is very brave for being a human staring down a vampire.

Is anyone going to help?

I turn towards Jasper only to realize that he left. I guess all those emotions were giving him a hard time.

Poor Jasper.

I look over to where Alice was, only to also be met with an empty spot. I know one person who wouldn't leave. I turn my attention over to Emmett only to see him staring at Bella with defiance and a bit of curiosity. It seems like he will let Rosalie handle it and step in when she needs it although, with the way she's staring at Bella, I don't think she will.

They continue to stare at each other for a few more seconds before Rosalie gives her a blank stare before letting out a cold plain, "No." At that Ivy lets out a snort.

Even I could've seen that coming.

For real, should we intervene?

Nah, let's see how this plays out. We can step in if it's needed later.

Okay

"Please, Rosalie? I need to talk to her privately about something important."

"No, if it's that important, it shouldn't matter if you are alone, right?"

Dang, she's pulling out the big guns.

I know. I wonder what she wants to talk to us about.

Beats me. It must be very important to be arguing with our bond.

"While that is true it's more about privacy. It is a conversation that needs to be had without any vampire hearing involved."

"And why can't Emmett or I be there for that conversation?"

"Edward can read your mind. He can't read my mind. I heard that he couldn't read the bear's mind. If it's just us, our privacy is guaranteed. As long as no one follows us."

Rosalie squints her eyes at Bella. Most likely trying to determend if she is trying to something funny or telling the truth.

"What is so important about the conversation that we can't hear about it?"

"We have a mutual friend. He wanted me to discuss something with her. Privately."

I don't think I have a mutual friend with Bella. I wonder who she's talking about.

Well, she doesn't seem like she's lying. She's either a great liar or she's telling the truth.

Before Rosalie could speak, Bella cut her off.

I mentally let out a whistle.

She's either brave or very stupid to cut her off.

Ivy also seemed impressed.

"How about a compromise?"

Emmett and Rosalie looked intrigued.

"How about we will still be in range for you to come if she's in trouble, not that she will be, but still far enough so our conversation won't be heard?"

They seemed to think about it. Looking at each other having a silent conversation. Five minutes passed before they spoke again.

This time surprisingly it was Emmett.

"How do we know that you won't harm her?"

"Really? How could I harm her? She is literally a bear that could tear me apart with one claw! I am a human with short finger nails. There's no way I could harm her."

They seemed to agree with statement even looking over at me with a bit of pride. I felt my chest puff up at their prideful stares.

Bella cleared her throat making everyone look over at her before speaking.

"How about we give her a choice if she's okay with it?"

Wait what?

Me?

Everyone turned to look at me.

Oh, okay then…

What do you think Ivy? It's like she said it's not like she could harm us. She is a human.

Sure why not. It's not like we have anything to lose. I am a bit curious what she wants to talk about and who that mutual friend is.

After asking Ivy and getting her option, I look up and nodded my head saying that I was okay with it.

And now cut back an hour later with me and Bella walking down a path in the woods.

Soon, Bella stops at a small lake and sits down, patting a spot next to her.

I sit down and stare at her curiously.

We sit there for a few minutes before Bella breaks the silence,

"So I'd like to ask? Are you Faye?"