AVitD- Chapter 11

Chapter 11~ The Witches of Alaska

“Beeeellllaaaaa,” Alice sang her name as she danced into the living room.

Bella was stretched out on the couch in front of a crackling fire enjoying a book.  Her feet rested on Carlisle’s lap as he sat at the opposite end with a book of his own.  They both looked up at the ever-cheerful pixie.

“What’s up Alice?” she asked as she set her book down.

“Come play outside with us.  It will be so much fun!” she was bouncing with excitement.

Bella was apprehensive about anything that was considered play with these vampires.  She had already learned her lesson with video games and even board games.  They were notorious cheats and with their hands being faster than Bella’s eyes, they got away with a lot.

“I don’t know Alice…” she began to protest but Alice saw an easy victory.

“Oh come one Bella.  It will be fun.  I promise.” She batted her eye lashes and pouted her tiny bow mouth.  She had her.

“Okay Alice.  Put the pout away.”

Alice giggled and clapped her hands as Emmett, Jasper and Rosalie came into the room.

“Baby Bells is coming out to play?” Emmett asked with a huge grin on his face.

“As if there was any doubt.” Alice trilled.

“Never bet against Alice.” Carlisle added as he got up from the couch and set his book down. “I am going to go work on my computer while you guys head outside.”

“Oh no you don’t,” Emmett went to block his escape, “You can’t leave us out numbered.  It’s guys versus girls.  It won’t be fair if you don’t come out.”

Carlisle shook his head and started walking around Emmett when Bella chimed in, “Don’t be such an old fuddy duddy.  Or has it been too long since you had any to remember how to have fun?”

Carlisle’s eyes lit up with her challenge and a wry smile crept across his perfect lips.

“Oh, you are on little girl.”

Everyone started laughing as the guys whooped and hollered on their way outside.

Rosalie was gone and back holding Bella’s coat and boots, “Here Bella.  Get these on and we will meet you outside.”

“And you will need these too,” Alice said as she slipped sun glasses on to Bella’s face.

Bella laughed and quickly bundled up against the winter chill.  It was a beautiful late November day.  The snow was falling gently and the sun shown against it like a perfect scene in a snow globe.  Bella walked out and burst into laughter as she observed the occupants of her ‘snow globe’.  Now she understood the need for her sunglasses.  There in all their immortal glory stood five very sparkly vampires.

“What are you laughing at happy meal?” Emmett called across the yard.

Bella stopped laughing abruptly and scowled at the giant sparkly man.  She bent down and scooped up a handful of snow.  She formed a snowball and lobbed it in his direction.  He easily moved out of the way but then he got clocked in the side of the head with another.  He turned to see Alice doing a mini happy dance.

“I got you covered Sister B!” she yelled out.

Rosalie rushed over and swooped Bella into her arms and raced back to the safety of the snow fort that the girls had constructed in the few minutes she had been inside.  All three women were giggling manically when Rosalie set her down.

“You two don’t waste any time, do you?” Bella said waving her hand at the snow wall.

“Nope.” Rosalie answered.

Bella looked over at the guys who were about fifty yards away standing behind a similar structure.  She turned and saw a pink towel on the ground about twenty feet behind the girls’ fort.

“So, um…what are we playing today?”  Bella asked.

“Capture the flag, silly!” Alice smiled.

Bella had played this game back in middle school, but she had never played in the snow and never with vampires.

“Okay, what are the rules?”

Bella knew there would be rules.  How else would Emmett and Jasper find a way to break them?

Rosalie explained while Alice began stock piling snowballs, “That towel is our flag and the boys have a matching one in blue behind their wall.  The object is to steal the flag from the other team and get back behind your own wall without getting hit with a snowball.  Simple enough, right?”

Bella’s jaw went lax as she thought about how fast they could run. “I…I can’t throw that far or that fast.”

“Don’t worry about it, Bella.  Just do the best you can and make sure to always have a snowball in hand.” Rosalie said with a gleaming smile.

“Okay, here goes nothing.” She said to the girls and then stood up; snowball in hand, “ALRIGHT YOU DAZZLING DISCO BALLS…YOU WANT IT?  COME AND GET IT!”

And with that she lobbed the snowball in their direction.  The girls burst out laughing as they joined in.

“Bella!  You rock!” Alice yelled as she hurled more snowballs in the guys’ direction.

It was easy to see the guys’ strategy.  Carlisle and Emmett were throwing cover fire while Jasper weaved through the flying snowballs making his way across the yard.  Alice went on the attack and pelted him with a snowball in the head as she danced her way closer to their flag.  She nearly had it when Carlisle pegged her from behind.  She quickly ran back to the girls’ fort to start again. 

By this point Emmett was making his attempt to cross the field.  He made it around the girls’ wall when Bella released her snowball at just the right time to nick his ankle.  She jumped up and celebrated her contribution before ducking back behind the wall.  Alice was on the move once more with Rosalie covering her.  Rose was a vicious snow assassin keeping a constant stream of fire on the guys’ fort. 

Bella got excited as she watched Alice retrieve the flag and start running back.  Bella forgot where she was and stood straight up exposing her upper half when a snowball that was meant for Alice hit her in the center of her chest knocking the wind out of her.   She fell to the ground gasping for breath.  It felt like someone punched her right in the sternum.  She tried to catch her breath, but it was too painful.  She heard him a split second before he was hovering over her.

“Bella?!?” Carlisle’s voice was ragged with concern, “Bella sweetheart, where does it hurt?”

Bella pointed to the center of her chest as she took short breaths trying to get air into her lungs.  The others were all around talking a mile a minute.  It all blended together into a mush of words, but she knew she heard Emmett apologizing repeatedly.  She tried to tell him it was okay, but she could not get enough air to form any words.

In the next moment Carlisle had her in his arms and ran her into the house.  He paid no mind to the snow he tracked in as he made his way to their room.  He kicked the door closed as he stepped in.  He laid her on the bed and tore the coat off her back as he needed to see her injury and it took too long to take if off the proper way. 

“Bella, I need to see the impact site.” He said as he lifted her shirt.

He traced his fingers over the center of her chest and then over to her ribs examining each one.  There was a red welt where the snowball had hit her, but he could not appreciate any broken ribs. His touch was so incredibly gentle.  It made her heart pick up its pace as his hands explored her.  Her eyes watched his as he analyzed every reaction her body had.  He looked up at her with so much intensity that it nearly set her on fire.

“How is the pain?  Does it hurt to breathe?” his soft voice danced in Bella’s ears.

 The pain was not as intense and Bella was able to take deeper breaths. “It’s getting better.  It still hurts,” she panted, “but not as much.”

Carlisle nodded and carefully pulled her shirt back down to cover her flat stomach.  “Good.  I don’t think you broke anything and I cannot smell any internal bleeding.  You are, unfortunately, going to have a bruise where you got hit.”

“Playing with vampires and all I get is a bruise?  Not a bad day.” She said quietly.

Carlisle chuckled hard and shook his head as he ran his hand though his hair. “I’m lucky I cannot change because I swear I would be going grey right now.”

Bella smiled and reached up to touch the side of his hair. “I’m glad you can’t turn grey.  I’m partial to the blond.”

Their eyes met and there was a connection; a spark.  He wanted to kiss her so badly.  The urge to lean in and feel her soft lips against his was almost uncontrollable.  But would she want him to?  She felt her body pull towards him even though she wasn’t moving.  Bella licked her lips and bit on the bottom one out of habit.  His cool breath chilled her moistened lips as he moved in closer.  He watched her eyes for any sign that he should stop.  She closed them in anticipation of what was to come. 

The door banged open at that moment with Emmett crashing into the room; Alice yelling at him to wait.

“Bella, I am so sorry I hit you.  Are you okay?”

In an instant Carlisle had turned towards the intrusion and let a low growl vibrate from his chest.  He automatically fell into a protective crouch on the edge of the bed.  Everyone jumped back especially Emmett.

“Whoa Carlisle,” he put his hands up to show he meant no harm, “I just wanted to see that Bella was alright and say I was sorry.”

Carlisle realized what he was doing and quickly softened his stance and cleared his throat. “I apologize.  I don’t know what came over me.  I think you just startled me.” He looked back at Bella to make sure he hadn’t frightened her.  She smiled softly at him in reassurance.  He turned back to the rest of the family who had followed Emmett through the door, “Bella is going to be fine.  The impact will most likely leave a bruise, but no other damage was done.”

Emmett slowly approached the bed; making sure to show Carlisle that he wasn’t going to hurt Bella.  He sat on the opposite side and picked up Bella’s hand.

“Bells, I cannot say how totally sorry I am.  I was aiming for Alice and when she ducked out of the way you were just there.” He groveled.

Bella sat herself up against the headboard and winced slightly at the pain.  Emmett winced as well knowing he was the source of her discomfort.

“Hey brother bear, don’t sweat it.  It was an accident.  I am tougher than you all give me credit for.”

He looked up to see the smile on her face.

“So, I guess the game is over?” she asked.

Everyone laughed as Bella teased Emmett about finding a way to stop the game when it was clear that the girls were going to win.  Bella insisted on moving this little pow wow out to the living room.  Carlisle helped her to stand and walked with her to her favorite couch by the fireplace.  Emmett went to make her some cocoa while Alice grabbed her a glass of water and a couple of pain pills.

They all sat in amiable comfort chatting when Alice froze with a vision.  It was quick and she turned towards the waiting faces before her.

“I see the Denali’s.  They will be here in three minutes.”

“Rose and Emmett, why don’t you go and meet our guests and welcome them in.” Carlisle suggested.

They nodded and got up to head towards the door.  Carlisle rubbed Bella’s arm gently as he felt her tense up next to him.  Bella figured that the family could hear the new comers long before she could, but soon enough she heard the new voices and the additional steps on the front porch.

The door opened and in walked a beautiful woman on the arm of a man who would best be described as majestic.  She realized that this must be Carmen and Eleazar.  The three women followed them in and to say that they were beautiful was the understatement of the year.  She wasn’t sure which one was which, but Bella felt like a dishrag in their presence.  Jasper felt her self-doubt and sent her some confidence.  She glanced his way and gave him a grateful smile, but she knew the feeling was a forgery.

Carlisle walked forward to greet his guest, “Eleazar, my dear friend, it is good to see you so well.” He shook Eleazar’s hand and pulled him into a short embrace, “And Carmen, you look as lovely as ever. “He hugged Carmen and kissed her on the cheek.

“Please allow me to introduce you to Bella.  Bella this is Eleazar and his wife Carmen.  And this lovely trio is Irina, Tanya and Kate.  It is good to see all of you again.”

Bella thought it was odd that Carlisle did not go to hug any of the other women, but there was a part deep inside her that was thankful for it.

“It is nice to meet you all.” She said genially

“So, you are the little human that sent Edward running to his demise?” Tanya said in a sickening sweet tone as she shook Bella’s hand.

Bella felt the pain deep in her chest at the inference that Tanya made.

“Tanya!  That is completely unacceptable.” Carmen chastised.

“What?” she asked with a childlike innocence. She turned back towards Bella, “I didn’t mean anything by it, sweetie.  It’s not like you held the flame to him.”

“Tanya!” this time Eleazar was the one to speak up, “You will be respectful of Carlisle and his family while you are in his home and you will be more considerate of their feelings when you speak of their lost loved ones.”  His words left no room for ambiguity.

The strawberry blond bomb shell released Bella’s hand and sauntered over to Alice and Jasper to greet them.

“Cousins, it is good to see you.  I am so sorry for your loss.”

Carmen slowly approached Bella in an attempt to not scare her, “Hello Bella.  It is a great pleasure to meet you.” She extended her hand and Bella eagerly accepted it.

Bella liked Carmen.  There was something very maternal about her.  She had a warm nature and she set Bella at ease right away.  Eleazar greeted her in a similar manner but then he quirked his head as if he was studying a puzzle.  Bella felt exposed under his scrutiny.

“Eleazar, stop staring at the poor girl.  You are making her nervous.” Carmen chastised.

“No, no. I’m fine.” Bella said trying to take the attention off of her.

“I am terribly sorry my dear.  It is just…has Carlisle explained my ability to you?”

Bella shook her head.

“Well, I guess the best way to describe it is that I can see abilities in others.  Most of the time it is only visible in vampires, but on occasion I can see them in humans as well.  And you my dear, have a gift.  I cannot pinpoint it exactly, but I believe it is some form of shield.”

Everyone was staring at Bella and she turned bright red under the scrutiny.  Alice noticed how uncomfortable she was and instantly offered to take everyone on a tour of the house since none of them had been there since they had moved in.

Bella excused herself to go and take a nap.  All the excitement from earlier had caught up with her.  Rosalie went out to the garage to start prepping her car for its new paint job.  After the tour, Carlisle agreed to go on a hunt with Eleazar, Carmen, Emmett and Jasper.  Kate asked Alice to go shopping in town while Tanya and Irina opted to hang out at the house.  Carlisle was a little hesitant to leave the house with what had transpired earlier with Tanya, but he knew Rosalie would be there so he set out on the hunt.

Tanya and Irina waited till they could only hear Rosalie in the garage and Bella sleeping in her room.  They had kept their thoughts on relaxing and plans to hang out with their cousins.  Irina nodded to her sister and they made their way to Bella’s bedroom door.  They opened it without a sound and walked inside.

“I don’t get it,” Irina sneered; her voice low so as to not alert Rosalie, “What is the big deal with this human?  She looks like all the others.”

Tanya shook her head, “I don’t know, sister.  What did Edward ever see in her?  She is boring, plain looking.  There is nothing beautiful about her.  How did she bewitch him?”

Bella woke to the sound of harsh whispers.  She turned her head to find the two vampires standing in her room; staring at her.  It was very unsettling and her breathing and pulse began to race.

Irina saw that she was awake, “You know it is all your fault that we are alone,” she hissed at Bella, “Laurent would still be alive and with me if those damned mangy wolves hadn’t attacked him to protect you.” Her hate was palpable.

“And Edward would have come back to me if you hadn’t trapped him.  He deserved better than you.  You are a pathetic, weak, inconsequential human.  And he is dead because of you.  You should not even be breathing right now.” Tanya spat at her.

“And Esme,” Irina started back in, “Esme was the sweetest person to ever walk this earth and you drove her to end her own existence.  Who does something like that to a person as wonderful as Esme?”

Tanya jumped in, “And now Carlisle is without the love of his life; his mate.  How can he even stand to look at you much less allow you in his home?” she made a disgusted noise.

Bella’s head flipped back and forth between the two of them as they took turns telling her what she knew deep in her heart.  She shouldn’t be here.  It is all her fault that Edward and Esme weren’t alive.  Carlisle should have let her bleed out in the meadow.

Irina took her turn next, “Why? Why are you here and they are all gone?  I could be happy and in love instead I am alone,” she began to stalk towards Bella, “and it is all [step] your [step] fault [step]!  If I hadn’t worked so hard to restrain my natural thirst, I would gladly rid the world of your pathetic existence.”

Bella shuffled up and backed away from the encroaching vampire.  She looked feral as her eyes darkened with rage.  Irina’s voice had steadily raised alerting Rosalie to something being amiss. 

The bedroom door swung open with so much force the doorknob was imbedded in the wall behind it.  Rosalie was instantly positioned between Bella and the other two females.  She took on a protective stance and growled at Tanya and Irina.

“What the hell are you two doing in here?  How dare you speak to Bella like that!”

Tanya and Irina instantly backed away as Rosalie advanced on them; her presence pushing them out into the hall.

“You don’t get to come into our house and speak to my sister that way.  Now get the hell out!  I don’t want to see you until the others return.” Her voice rumbled with the growl that fought to break free from her chest.

Tanya and Irina retreated quickly to the woods behind the house.  Rosalie relaxed her stance and turned around to see a wide eyed Bella starring at her with tears streaming down her face.

“Oh Bella, I am so sorry.  I never meant to frighten you.  It’s just that…” she was cut off by Bella shaking her head.

“No Rose.  It’s not you.” She sniffled and tried to wipe the tears away, but they kept on coming. “What they said…” she dissolved into more tears making it difficult to speak.

Rosalie was on the bed and by her side in a heartbeat wrapping her arms around her. “Shhh, just ignore those witches.  They don’t know what they are talking about.  Edward would have never chosen Tanya.  He had known her for over eighty years and never once succumbed to her advances.  And Irina,” Rosalie shook her head in disbelief, “how she ever fell for Laurent to begin with is beyond me.  And to blame you for the wolves killing him is ridiculous.  You have no control over those flea bags.”

Bella pulled back, “you don’t understand.  They were right about everything.” She took in a stuttering breath, “If it wasn’t for me none of this would have happened.  Edward and Esme and even Laurent would still be alive!  It’s not right!  I should be dead, not them!  Carlisle should have just left me to die in that field.  I am worthless and I don’t deserve the air I am breathing!”

Bella was teetering on hysteria when Carlisle ran into the room.  He had heard Bella’s rant from across the yard and raced back to her.

“Bella, what is wrong? What’s the matter? He asked frantically.

He was on the bed pulling her into his lap and wrapping his arms around her.  She pushed him away.  His touch stung her as she thought about the fact that he should be holding Esme, not her.

“No.  Don’t touch me.  I don’t deserve your comfort.  I don’t deserve any of you.” Her voice was husky with tears.

She fell into the pillows and continued to cry.  Carlisle wanted so badly to hold her, but in her current state he didn’t want to push her.  When she did not answer his original questions he looked up to Rosalie for an explanation.

“Tanya and Irina had some very harsh words for Bella.  I don’t know everything that was said, but it boils down to the fact that they blame Bella for Edward and Esme’s deaths and in part for Laurent’s death as well.

“Laurent?  What does he have to do with anything?” he asked puzzled.

“It appears that Irina fell in love with Laurent and then he must have wandered too close to Forks.  The wolves apparently killed him.”

“Pro…pro…protecting m-m-me.” Bella sputtered out before tears choked her voice.

Carlisle looked down at the fragile beauty lying in the bed.  She had worked so hard to get past all this and now they were nearly back to square one.  He couldn’t take the separation any longer.  He pulled her into his arms and wouldn’t let her push him away.

“No.” she squeaked feebly.

“I will not let you push me away Isabella.” He said with a soft but firm voice.

Bella collapsed in his arms giving up what little fight she had left in her.  She wept against his sculpted chest.  The tears soaked the sweater he was wearing.

“Damn them.” He muttered lowly.

“Shhhh, Bella sweetheart, please calm down.  You know none of that is true.  Edward felt blessed for every day he had you in his life.  He told me several times he would have lived a thousand years, as long as he would be given the chance to know you.  Please stop crying.  Please.” He continued to rock her gently and stroke her hair.

Rosalie was practically vibrating with rage.  She got up from the bed and left the room before she couldn’t contain it anymore.  She stalked into the living room to find Eleazar and Carmen berating the sisters for their disgusting behavior.  They looked superior and not the least bit remorseful for what they had done.  That was the proverbial last straw causing Rosalie to lunge across the room at them.  Lucky for the sisters that Emmett and Jasper were there to grab hold of her before she reached them.

“YOU EVIL WICHES!  GET OUT OF MY HOUSE BEFORE I TEAR YOU APART AND BURN THE PIECES MYSELF!” she roared at them; her screams so loud that they caused the windows to vibrate.

Emmett had only seen her this angry three other times in this lifetime.  He and Jasper had picked up on bits and pieces of what was going on, but it was clear that Irina and Tanya were responsible for Bella crying at this very moment.  He felt his anger rise and Jasper was struggling to hold it together with both of them pouring rage into him exacerbating his own.

Carmen was shocked at what she was witnessing as Eleazar pushed her out of harm’s way.  Just then Carlisle walked into the room.  It was clear he was struggling with being away from Bella, but he needed to defuse the situation before anyone got hurt.  He walked up to Rosalie who was still struggling to get free from Jasper and Emmett’s hold.  He ran his hand down the side of her face in an attempt to sooth her ire.

“Rose, will you please go sit with Bella.  I need to speak to Tanya and Irina.” He spoke calmly; hiding his own fury.

Rosalie stopped fighting.  The boys tentatively loosened their grip on her.  She flipped her hair back over her shoulder and made her way back to Bella, but not before leveling one last glare at the witch sisters.

Carlisle turned to face the two who were responsible for creating all this drama.

“Tanya and Irina, I have known you both for over two centuries and never in that time have I ever seen you display such blatant disrespect for me or my family.” Irina opened her mouth to defend herself, but Carlisle shut her down.

“I think you have both said enough for yourselves for today.  It is my turn.  I understand that you felt that you had your reasons for doing what you did, however I cannot stand here and allow you to treat a member of my family with such total disregard for their feelings and wellbeing.  What you did could have seriously damaged Bella.  She has struggled with losing not only Edward and Esme but her parents and all the human relations that she has ever had.” Carlisle’s voice rose in intensity and he took a deep breath to bring his emotions back under control. “Whether you like it or not, Bella is a part of my family and as such she is under my protection.”

Jasper and Emmett stepped to his flanks showing their allegiance without saying a word.

Carlisle sighed heavily, “I’m sorry, but I am going to have to ask you both to leave my home.  I cannot have you here upsetting my family.”

He turned towards the couple standing off to the side, “Eleazar, Carmen, you are welcome to stay for the duration of your visit.  I apologize if my pronouncement makes you feel as if you need to leave as well, but this is my decision and I am standing by it.”

Eleazar had relaxed from his protective stance in front of his wife, “We completely understand Carlisle.  There is no need to apologize.  It is we who should be apologizing to you.  The girls will head home to Denali and we shall stay for the remainder of our visit as planned.” He turned towards the girls who looked a combination of shocked and contrite, “You two will gather your bags and take the car home.  We will find other means to get home.”

Irina and Tanya quickly grabbed their stuff and were back in the living room a moment later.  It didn’t matter that they were both centuries older than Carlisle; to have him angry with them was a blow that struck them to the core.  They quietly apologized and made their way out of the house.

Once they were gone the mood in the house seemed to lighten some.  Carlisle excused himself to go to Bella.  He walked in to see Bella curled up and sleeping with her head on Rosalie’s lap.  It touched him how protective Rosalie had become of Bella.  She turned and gave him a sad smile.

“Why don’t you go see Emmett.  I think you may have scared him a little bit.” He said with a wry smile.

Rosalie smiled with a mix of pride and chagrin.  She slowly got up so as to not wake Bella.  She made her way to the door but Carlisle reached out to stop her.  She turned towards him and was met with his open arms.  She stepped into his welcome embrace.

“Thank you Rose.  Thank you for being here for Bella.” He said into her hair.

“Oh course.  You know, you are not the only one who loves her.”

Carlisle froze at her words.