tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59133102498539946002024-03-13T20:55:10.240+00:00MY STORIESMy own stories based on The Twilight Saga.kizzymousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12571803064369765958noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5913310249853994600.post-66717701835448424442015-07-24T00:33:00.002+01:002016-05-26T20:56:52.537+01:00FALLEN<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://images2.fanpop.com/image/photos/10600000/Angels-fallen-angels-10622321-673-528.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://images2.fanpop.com/image/photos/10600000/Angels-fallen-angels-10622321-673-528.jpg" height="251" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So, I decided to try something different from Twilight fan fiction. Here it is...Fallen....an angel, a human and a vampire. It is a work in progress, I am working on one chapter at a time, no planning ahead, I will let the story take me where it will.........come along for the ride. </span></span><br />
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<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: purple;">FALLEN</span> </span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></i></b>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i><u><span style="font-size: large;">Prologue</span></u></i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i><u><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></u></i></b>
<i> Eyes glittering sapphires set in a visage of perfect astounding symmetry, a </i><i>nose so finely formed. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Lips of the ripest strawberry red, plump and juicy with a hint of wickedness. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>When you could tear your gaze away, there was more. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Translucent perfect skin, with a blush of pink. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Strands of silky red hair perfectly waved, a neck swan like on top of bare shoulders.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Then the rest.............a vision of impossibly beautiful proportions. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Taut muscles, sleek lines and form. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Lean and shimmering in black leather, dangerously high heels, a stance full of confidence as she stood before me pointing the 44 magnum revolver at the middle of my forehead. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>"At last........we meet", she whispered huskily in a voice of melted honey, seductive and sinful, both angelic and devilish at the same time.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Her scent drifted over me like a gentle summer breeze, Crimson and clover. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>I could not move, I could not speak. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Was this the end of me? </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><u><b>CHAPTER 1</b></u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>EVANGELINE</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I am an angel. My name is Evangeline, which means "bringer of good news."<span style="font-size: small;"> Angels are spiritual or mythical beings that are portrayed as messengers
of God who protect and guide human beings. Most angels are thought of as having
a halo, wearing white and floating through the air with beautiful wings. </span><i> </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Okay let me put a few things straight in that statement. Yes we are spiritual beings, yes we are messengers. Yes, we can try to guide human beings, but you people are stubborn and resist change. As for the latter part of that statement; hell no! I have no halo, apart from the light which emanates from me naturally. This can be seen by other angels and spirit entities, but does not show on the earthly plane to mortals. I <i>never </i>wear white! Black is my colour of choice, it compliments my scarlet red hair. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">My purpose is to guide a mortal towards their " good news " or "good tidings" whatever you like to call it. I was a young angel, compared to some, as I was created a mere three centuries ago. I had only recently been sent to the earthly plane. I had been assigned a human and I needed to make sure they had something good happen to them whilst in my care. Now, this may sound easy to you, but believe me it wasn't! You mortals are not easy to work with. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">My human was Asher Xavier Smithson, or Ax as his friends and family liked to call him. Hey, I had no problem with shortened names or nicknames, just don't mess with mine! I am Evangeline, not Eva, not Angel, not Lina okay? </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">When Ax came screaming into this world during a wild thunderstorm on the last day of the year 199<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">5</span>, I was there watching the whole performance with fascination and a touch of horror. So this is how mortals were born! How gruesome! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Asher was a beautiful baby, creamy skin, black hair and the greenest eyes. I was smitten with him, as was his Mother. She was tiny with long raven hair and an exhausted demeanour. I didn't blame her for that, Asher had taken over six hours to push his way out of her body. she kissed his smooth forehead and whispered words of love to him. Outside the rain lashed against the hospital room window and the lightning seared the sky. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I was invisible to the humans in the room. I stood at the other side of the bed from the Mother and I gently touched the baby's soft cheek. " I am Evangeline. I am your angel. I will help and guide you for the rest of your earthly existence". </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Asher's green eyes appeared to focus on me and he gurgled happily. Surely he <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">couldn't</span> see me? Although, I had been warned that some humans <i>can </i>see spiritual entities. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Just as that thought fleeted through my mind, I caught a slight movement out of the corner of my eye. An older lady, the image of the Mother was standing at the foot of the bed, smiling down at the pair. "<i>Hello Asher, I am your Grand-mother my sweet boy. I am so sorry I didn't live long enough to meet you, but I will always be here, watching you", </i> she said sadly. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So this was a ghost? I gazed at her, she slowly returned my gaze with a smile and a nod of her head. Then she <i>disappeared</i>. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I smiled and nodded to myself, happy to witness this event. There was such a resonance of love in this room, it was tangible and bittersweet for me. Angels are not allowed to fall in love, it would distract us from our heavenly duties. It didn't mean we were immune to such feelings, we just had to stay focused. <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Anyway</span>, once we were assigned a human we rarely came into contact with our own kind. No-one else could see us, apart from ghosts apparently! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I reached out to stroke Asher's dark hair and an immense feeling of protectiveness flowed through me. He was perfect. Human, yes, but he was sheer perfection. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>I would strive to do my very very best for this human, no matter what. </i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> </i><u><b>CHAPTER 2</b></u></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">MERRICK</span></i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Vampires exist, yes it is true. I know because I became <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">a vampire one</span> hundred<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span>years ago. It was a painful<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ly heart wrenching change to my mortal being. I was on the cusp of be<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ing</span></span> married, my sweetheart Ti<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">l<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">da</span></span> was with child,<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> but I would have <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">wed this girl <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">any ways</span></span></span>. <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We were both <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">eighteen</span> and despera<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">tely in love. I knew we should have waited until we were married to give into our desires,but I had already experienced a<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> close call with death<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">. It changes you. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I had been <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">drafted into the Army in February 1915, a weeks basic training then I was shipped out to the fields of France to fight in the dirty wet trenches<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">. My heart beat fast and I was filled with fear as artillery bombar<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">dment fell upon us. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Battle of Neuve Chapelle was launched
with the aim of capturing the high ground of the Aubers Ridge and in so doing, to create a threat to the German
Army in occupation of the city of Lille. Although the British broke through the German Front Line and captured
the village of Neuve Chapelle, the German Sixth Army carried out counter-attacks and the British attack was
halted from advancing any further.<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> (http://www.greatwar.co.uk/battles/index.htm#1915battles)</span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">On the last day of this battle, March 13th 1915, <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">a bullet flew with deadly purpose straight into my chest. I gasped as the coldness spread qu<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ickly through my body. I clutched my bleeding heart<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">, salty tears running down my clammy cheeks. </span> I saw Tilda's face, her piercing blue eyes filled with love for me, before the blackness descended. <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I awoke several days later in a stationary fi<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">eld hosp<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ital, with my chest bandaged. The lovely nurse looking after me was called Maggie<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">, who informed me the bullet had missed my heart by<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> a mere half an inch. Death had spared me, for now. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I was sent home a week later, where I <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">spent another week or two in my local hospital. I was a country boy f<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">rom a crop farm in <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Wiltshire. We lived near Stonehenge, an idyllic life, until the Great War happened. <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I met my sweetheart at our village school, she was the sweetest girl you could ever meet. Cornflour bl<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ue eyes, blond ringlets framing a<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">perfectly beautiful face<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">, and the <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">loveliest</span> nature anyone could possess. I loved her at first sight. Luckily she liked the look of me too, and we soon became friends. When we were fourteen we shared our first kiss. Whispered words of love in the playgroun<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">d<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">, we were innocent<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">, young and intoxicated with each other. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The day I retu<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">rned from hospital<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">, I remember the date so we<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ll, it was 1st <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">May <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">1915. Tilda's golden curls were flowing behind her in the <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Spring sunshine as she ran to greet me as I stepped <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">off</span> the train. My arms encircled her as she sobbed. I lifted her chin to kiss her<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">, her tears mingling with my own. We whispered words of love as we clung to each other. Before<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> I entered the farmhouse to reunite with my parents, I took <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Tilda's hand and led her to the quiet barn on the edge of our farm. In the soft hay we gave ourselves to each other, mind, body & soul. Life was too short, I needed her, I wanted her so I made it happen. <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">S</span>he felt the same thankfully. That day was the beginning of our secret trysts. Our parents thought we were innocent teenagers in love, but war had changed me into a man, the<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">n <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Tilda completed me. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The almost inevitable happened. In <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">September</span></span> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">1915, Tilda came to me, her eyes red from crying. "<i>I am preg<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">nant, my dearest Merrick!" </span></i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">she exclaimed. Inste<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ad of dread, I was filled with happiness. I want<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ed nothing more than my own family, with this angel I loved so devotedly. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I proposed to her there and then, <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">on my knees in the sunflower fi<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">eld. <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Her tearful face lit up with joy as she accepted my hand in marriage. <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I then asked her Father's permission who gladly gave it. No one knew about the new life growing inside her. It was our secret<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">, for now. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Of course, it was a secret which could not be hidden. Our parents <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">were worried what people would say, we were a small community with high morals. They decided we would be married before the child arrived. <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A new year had come and gone, it was now February <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">1916 and our wedding was arranged for the end of the month. 29th of February<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">, 1916 was a leap year. I was <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">over the moon</span> to start our new life in the farm hand's cottage my parents had given to us. <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I would eventually own the farm as my birth right. We would be happy here with our baby, who was due in May. A year almost to the day I returned from war<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">, the anniversary of us sealing our love for one another. I was <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">excited for the future, I was longing to see our child and I was desperate to begin our new life together as Merr<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ick a<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">nd Tilda Deverill. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>On our <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">wedding morning my life as I knew it changed forever. </span></i> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><u><b>CHAPTER 3</b></u></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>AX</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It was New <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Years Day, 2016 and I had the hangover from<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> hell. A combination of New Years Eve and my twentieth birthday had caused my <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">predicament</span>. My head throbbed and my throat felt raw<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">, most probably due to my awful singing as my <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">friends and I gathere<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">d <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">by <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">the Thames for the fireworks.<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> </i>Much laughter, much singing and oh my th<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ere was a girl asleep next to me!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> I rubbed my eyes as I gazed upon the sleeping form next to me. <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">T<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">resses of ebony hair spread out on the pillow<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">, black as a raven<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">s wing, unmistakeably Xanthe<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">, <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">my closest friend. Oh please, <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">don't</span> say we took our friendship too far? I loved her, yes it is true. I <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">hadn't</span> told her that unspeakable truth had I? I g<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">roaned aloud, c<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ausing <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">her to stretch and turn around<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">, her bright emerald green eyes staring deep into min<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">e. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Don't panic <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">X</span>, we <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">didn't</span> <i>do</i> anything! It was just way too cold to sleep on your lumpy old sofa!" she laughed endearingly. </span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><i> </i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">mentally gave myself a high five, "As <i>if</i>!" I snorted indignantly, hiding my true feelings successful<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ly. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"So X, want to cook me some breakfast as payment for my services?" I asked cheekily. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We affectionately called each other X,<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> an obvious nickname<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">!</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> I met Xanthe Courtney Parker in <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">our first year of <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Primary School, and we had been best friends since. <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We declared ourselves boyfriend and girlfriend at age seven. She was my first sweet innocent kiss. <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Nothing else had <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">happened between us apart from undying loyalty and the <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">best-est</span> best friend I could ask for. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span>I had been involved with other girls, but it never progressed to serious. I couldn<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">'t give even a little piece of my heart, it was all hers<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">, and hers alone. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">She jum<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">p<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ed <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">athletically</span> </span>out of bed, dressed only in a <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">scarlet red vest top and matching shorts. Her <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">skin was perfectly tanned, her body sculpted but soft, and she had the most <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">enchantingly</span> beautiful face. Emerald eyes, high cheekbones and full rose pink lips. <i>A vision.</i> I did my usual<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">; I <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">drank all of her in <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">surreptitiously<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">, so she wouldn't notice my adoration. It became second nature to hide my true feelings. I couldn't ruin our perfect friendship. So, I stayed quiet and in my dreams we were together in every way imaginable. <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">My cheeks flushed slightly as I recalled one of my most cherished imaginings involving us, two X's as one. <i>Oh please Ax, give it a rest! </i>I chided myself mentally. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Xanthe was sin<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">g<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ing</span> to herself as she w<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">hipped up some scrambled eggs and toast in my small <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">but functional ki<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">tc<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">hen</span>. I smiled at the sound of her voice, she could not sing but to me it was like a<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> heavenly choir. <i>" Get your rocks off, get your rocks off, yeah yeah yeah!" </i>Bobby Gillespie eat your <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">heart out! I jumped out of bed, pulling on my old <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">grey sweat pants<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">, leaving my pale chest bare. My black hair was <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">cropped now, I used to wear it to my shoulders! X said I should shave it off, so I did. She loved running her hands over my scalp, the bristly short ha<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ir</span>s tingling with electricity<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> at her <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">touch. I hurried into the small bathroo<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">m to quickly brush my teeth and splash cold water on my face. My green eyes were bleary and betrayed my hangover. I <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">groaned</span> as I stuck my tongue out at my reflection. Our other friends often commented on the fact that Xanthe and I were so similar in looks.<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> I was paler, but she loved the sun whereas I loved the Winter. I was a December birthday, she was June. </span> We both had ebony hair and green eyes, although her<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> hair was darker and her eyes were greener! <i>Obviously. </i> </span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I joined my <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">bes-tie</span> in the <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">small kitchen. she was perched prettily on one of my old wooden sto<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ols, her elbows p<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ropped up on my<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> scratched <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">worn</span> breakfast bar, shovelling eggs into her perfect <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">mouth with relish. I smiled as I watched h<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">er</span> eat, X could <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">put away twice as mu<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ch</span> as me and never put on a pound. She said it was due to her high metabolic rate and the fact that she swa<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">m every day. I half heartedly went to the gym three times a week. I was naturally slim, but had devel<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">o<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">p<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ed something resembling <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">muscles in my arms, chest and back. <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">S</span>he pushed a plate of eggs and toast towards me and a mug of st<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">e</span>a<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ming</span> black coffee. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Eat, drink!" she commanded, her mouth still full of eggs. <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Her table manners were <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">most <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">definitely not perfect</span></span> but still I was entranced with her. <i>I was in love, completely and irrevocably! </i></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></i> </span></span>kizzymousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12571803064369765958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5913310249853994600.post-38218774748642405412015-02-05T15:01:00.000+00:002015-02-09T11:59:55.406+00:00EVERMORE<br />
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<b><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: x-large;">EVERMORE</span></b><br />
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This story is about the events which unfolded after Newborn (please read first!). Bella had recently been re-united with her family after a spell of absence where she tried to adjust to becoming a vampire. The new life wasn’t easy for her, but with the help (and sometimes hindrance!) of her new vampire friend Etienne Lucier she became stronger and more able to resist the blood thirst. She returned home to her family; to the love of her life Edward Cullen and her daughter Renesmee. But Sam Uley and the wolf pack were determined to make her pay for biting her best friend Jacob Black and breaking the treaty. Luckily Etienne re-appeared just in time and saved Bella from her imprisonment. Now we pick up the story a year later…<br />
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<b>PROLOGUE</b><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The scent of her skin drove me crazy with hunger and desire; the beating of her heart delicate like the sweet throbbing of silky butterfly wings. The sound was music to my finely attuned ears. I listened to the beating quicken and heard the rush of blood in her veins. I tried to rein in my monstrous desire to slake my all-consuming thirst, but the touch of her skin and the sighs from her perfect lips were too much for me and I felt my fangs brush her neck with acute longing. It was very apparent that I should not have let myself get into this predicament. How will I stop now? How can I stop now? She is all I’ve ever wanted and needed. Time stood still for one precious second before my vampire brain kicked in and the red mist descended before my deep topaz eyes.</em></div>
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<b>CHAPTER ONE</b><br />
<b>CONFESSION</b><br />
<b>LEAH CLEARWATER:</b><br />
I, Leah Clearwater have a confession to make. It’s deliciously secret, it’s devilishly controversial, and it’s also very surprising! No one would ever expect me to do this. It’s virtually unthinkable!<br />
I’m in love…with a vampire.<br />
Etienne Lucier is his name. He is immortally eighteen; devastatingly beautiful, dangerously exciting and forbidden.<br />
Yes, I thought I’d been in love before: Jacob Black. But I was only fifteen then and Jacob was an exciting seventeen year old. I thought he and I would end up together. It was a teenage crush, everyone gets them right?<br />
Then Renesmee Cullen came along. Bella and Edward’s beautiful infant daughter, a half human, half vampire child. Jacob looked into her eyes when she was born and instantly imprinted upon her. That was it. Jacob Black was out of bounds…forever.<br />
To my shame, I threw myself at him and tried my hardest to win his heart. But he loved Nessie in inexplicable ways, unfathomable ways; he would always love and protect her, always.<br />
A year later and this hasn’t changed. In fact his love has become stronger and deeper.<br />
Renesmee has grown into a young lady in the space of a year. Such is the way of a hybrid. Luckily when she reaches eighteen this growth should slow down to minute proportions. The only other hybrid in this world’s growth spurt had stopped at age eighteen – that was over one hundred years ago!<br />
So in human years Nessie was fifteen, in a couple of months she would reach eighteen.<br />
Jacob Black was now eighteen; so handsome and muscular. He was beautiful inside and out. His love for Nessie had never wavered or faltered. Now she was on the brink of womanhood and everyone expected a happy ending for the pair.<br />
They adored each other. It was sweet.<br />
My feelings for Etienne were far from sweet. He had awakened passions and lusts in my body which had just been simmering under the surface. We had taken things slowly at first; he was very old fashioned (well he was actually 407 years old!) and gentlemanly. My sixteenth birthday had happened just days after meeting Etienne.<br />
It was the first day I spoke to him. I will never forget that day.<br />
I promise I will tell you everything soon, but for now I must hurry. A year has passed and tonight is my seventeenth birthday party. I am determined that this is my last night as a girl. Tomorrow I want to wake up a woman; in the arms of my soul mate, my destiny, my reason for being in this world.<br />
<strong style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Etienne Lucier.</strong></div>
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<b>CHAPTER TWO</b><br />
<b>HAPPINESS</b><br />
<b>RENESMEE CULLEN:</b><br />
Happiness means different things for each and every one of us. For me it was a rare sunny day in Forks; blue skies; birds singing; my parent’s laughter in the meadow and most of all my own personal sun Jacob Black.<br />
I was born just over a year ago and I am fifteen years old in human terms. Strange? Yes! But if you live in my world nothing is really that strange at all. I’m a hybrid. Born to a vampire father and a human mother. My beautiful mother Bella died having me, but was re-born as a vampire. Now she and my father Edward will always be together, young and beautiful forever and ever.<br />
Jacob Black was a shape-shifter. He could phase into a beautiful russet wolf and run free along with the rest of the Quileute pack. Wolves could imprint. This meant that when they found “the one” their whole life now revolved around that girl. They would love and protect her for the rest of their lives. I was Jake’s imprintee. I knew when I was an infant that we had a special bond. His smile lit up my days and I always felt safe around him.<br />
Now I was fifteen my feelings for him were changing. I was falling in love with him and it made me feel funny inside. Funny in a good way! Not a day went by when we didn’t spend our time together. Lately his dark eyes had been lingering on my deep chocolate brown ones with greater intensity. His fingers would gently sweep away a stray lock of auburn hair from my face and my heart would skip a crazy beat in my chest. I would feel my face flush as he took my hand in his whilst out on our long walks together. I felt his wolf heart beating as he phased and ran with me on his broad furry back through the trees at high speed. We hunted together. I could survive on animal blood just as my family could. We laughed and joked together. We swam together. We read each other old classics on First Beach on moonlit nights. Life was perfect.<br />
It was simple I needed him like air, I needed him like water. He was an essential part of my very being. I loved him. I knew in a few months I would reach eighteen. Adulthood. Surely then we would be together in all ways? I know Jake feels the same. It was just a matter of time. My parents had slowly came around to the idea of his imprinting on me. They knew Jake was good for me. But what would they say if we became more than friends? My Dad was very protective of me and I knew it wasn’t easy having a daughter who had grown from a baby to a teenager in such a short space of time!<br />
I knew as surely as I knew the sun rose every day that Jacob Black and I were destined to be together. It was like our whole future was mapped out for us in the stars and we were on a collision course towards our destiny. Yes, it did worry me that we were different. I was a hybrid, who could possibly live for hundreds of years. Jacob was a shape-shifter who although aged slower than mere humans could still leave this Earth years and years before me. I hated to think that we wouldn’t be together forever and ever.<br />
So, tonight is Leah Clearwater’s seventeenth birthday party. I think it would be a perfect night to declare my undying love for Jacob. I knew in my hybrid heart he was waiting for me to say the words. He was holding back making sure I was ready for all that our future held.<br />
Well tonight, dearest Jacob I am ready to show you how much I <strong style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">adore you.</strong></div>
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<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<b>CHAPTER THREE</b><br />
<b>DANGEROUS LOVE</b><br />
<b>ETIENNE LUCIER:</b><br />
This last year has been one of the happiest of my long, long life. Who would have thought that I’d be where I am now a year ago? I live with a vampire coven; I am in love with a shape-shifter; I have changed from a lone vampire to one who loves the diverse company of both my own kind and the company of wolves and humans!<br />
Such a strange change in me! To think if I hadn’t met Bella in Vancouver…! My life would be so dull. I hadn’t realised how dull it had become. I had been just existing, not living, not finding pleasure in anything at all. When I came to Forks Leah Clearwater had caught my eye right away. She was stunningly beautiful with a definite hint of vulnerability. To find out she could phase into a small grey wolf was simply amazing. I’d heard of shape-shifters but had never encountered one before, let alone a whole pack.<br />
My cruel and sadistic maker the now deceased (thank you Edward Cullen!) red-haired demon Victoria had made me wary of getting close to anyone. I’d been alone for centuries until I spotted the beautiful Bella that night. We became friends, I fell for her even though I knew she was married and deeply in love with her husband. I am ashamed to say I used my mind control powers on her to try to make her fall for me too, but I realised my error before it was too late. I did make amends by saving Bella from the fate deemed to her by the enraged wolf pack. Luckily my mind control powers came in handy that day and I persuaded the vampires and wolves to live peacefully together and forget the age old treaties. So far there had been no more trouble although Sam Uley looked at me often with angry eyes and disgust in his face.<br />
Of course Leah and I’s relationship was very much secret! Could you imagine the reaction of everyone? It’s hard keeping this secret to ourselves, but also deliciously deceptive and exciting. I think her brother Seth has his suspicions about us, but he has no proof.<br />
It took a while but Leah eventually fell under my spell. And no I didn’t have to use my mind control on her. There was no point in doing that. I wanted her to like me for me not because she was made to! Leah had never been a fan of vampires. I am still not sure she is to be honest, except for me!<br />
From the first moment my topaz eyes met her dark ones there was a strange, undeniable chemistry between us. I pursued her relentlessly. At first she was hesitant and scared. But one magical night we kissed and the stars exploded in the sky and I knew without a doubt I truly loved her. Since then we have been spending as much time together as we can. Its tricky being with a human so much. On one hand I’d never hurt her, on the other the scent of her blood drove me crazy with desire. No other human scent had ever had this effect on me before. I abstained from human blood the same as the Cullen’s did.<br />
I wished I could talk to Bella about Leah. She had been a human girl in love with a vampire boy once. How did Edward refrain from giving in to his vampire instincts? How did they conduct their relationship? Leah was passionate and fiery. So many times I’ve had to flee from her bedroom into the night filled with frustration and evil desires. I was determined that we could be together somehow. I needed her, I loved her, and I desired her so much.<br />
I wished with all my heart that I was human. I know it’s a stupid wish to have, but it was my greatest desire. If only I could be like an angel, a fallen angel. When an angel decided they wanted to be human again they fell back to earth. I don’t think there is anything in this world which could make me human again. I’m dead, indeed undead.<br />
To be able to touch Leah without restraint, to kiss her without fear of hurting her, to hold her without crushing her to death would be heaven. But then again my vampire senses can hear her heartbeat when I kiss her, I can hear the blood singing through her veins, I can marvel at the beauty of her with my attuned smell and taste.<br />
It’s not all bad. Best of all I can fly through the forests with her clinging to my back, far away from prying eyes, where we can be alone together. I exist for those precious moments. Tonight is Leah’s seventeenth birthday party. Another year older. Another year closer to her being snatched from me by inevitable human death. I didn’t know if I could let that happen, but the alternative?<br />
<strong style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">It made me shiver both with horror and desire.</strong></div>
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<b>CHAPTER FOUR</b><br />
<b>ON A NIGHT LIKE THIS</b><br />
<b>JACOB BLACK:</b><br />
I am beaming like a Cheshire cat as I escort my beautiful date into the Cullen house for Leah’s seventeenth birthday party. Renesmee looks simply beautiful tonight and definitely all grown up. Her long auburn hair is free flowing past the pale white skin of her shoulders. Her chocolate brown eyes are deep with excitement and shine so heavenly. She is wearing a backless green silk mini dress with a high halter neck which shows off her hair and skin to perfection. Her long elegant legs are enhanced by the high heeled shoes she is wearing. Her face is glowing with happiness and joy. Such a vision of beauty on my arm! I am so proud I could burst!<br />
Leah twirls up to us as we enter the house. She is also looking lovely in a red tight corset teamed with a flowing skirt which nips in tightly at the waist and falls to the floor in folds of fabric. Her dark long hair is piled high on her head. She looks amazing! I’m used to seeing her in jeans and tee shirts or in wolf form. Not this vision of sophistication in front of me! Leah and I have a slight history. First she annoyed the hell out of me! Second she developed a crush on me. Third we shared a couple of passionate moments when Nessie was a baby. But we both knew it was never meant to be. I loved Nessie since the minute I laid my eyes on her. I imprinted on her. There was no greater bond.<br />
She had grown up fast as hybrids do. Scarily fast. But we were all assured that once she reached eighteen her growth spurt would literally stop or at the very least slow down to minute proportions. In only a year she had reached fifteen years of age. It had been a magical year sharing everything, being the best of friends and gradually falling in love. Yes, I was so much in love with this beautiful girl I thought my heart might burst if I didn’t tell her soon. I wondered if I should wait a few months until she was eighteen. But tonight seemed perfect. Tonight would be a good night to tell her. I didn’t want to shock her or embarrass her, but I needed to tell her how I felt.<br />
We’d shared fleeting touches and tender moments but that is as far as our friendship had gone. I burned with desire to kiss her full lips, to feel her slim body close to mine. My wolf temperature dial nearly went off the scale when she held my hand or playfully wound a lock of my hair around her finger. Nessie loved my long dark hair, which was tied neatly back tonight.<br />
Leah kissed both of us on the cheek as we wished her happy birthday. She looked so radiant and full of joy, I couldn’t help but grin widely at her. Music was blaring out of the large speakers in the Cullen’s large recreation room. Alice was playing DJ and some wicked tunes were teasing my ears. Nessie handed Leah the small parcel we had brought for her. Leah’s eyes lit up as she ripped it open to find a thin piece of leather with a small wooden carving of a wolf dangling from it. I had a talent for making these little trinkets. “Oh I love it! Thanks you guys!” Leah gushed, kissing us both again.<br />
We made our way into the room, where I was pleased to find all eyes were on Nessie. It was hard not to stare at such beauty. Bella was frowning slightly at her daughter’s dress. I guess she most probably thought it was way too revealing for a fifteen year old, but Nessie had such a timeless quality to her that I reckoned she looked ethereal and not of this world. Classic beauty was so rare. Bella had never rested easy with the whole<br />
Imprinting thing. It was actually Edward who had talked her round. Nothing could keep Nessie and me apart though so it really would have been futile of her parents to try. We danced together and laughed with our friends for a few hours until I was desperate to get Nessie on her own. I took her small hand in mine and led her out to the Cullen’s secluded garden. We sat on a sturdy wooden bench with weeping willows above our heads. The full moon shone down on us, making Nessie seem even more other worldly and goddess like.<br />
We engaged in small talk for a short while, whispering to each other in the moonlight. I suddenly felt the mood shift and change. Electricity sparked between us as I gazed into her deep chocolate eyes. I gently brushed away a strand of hair from her cheek as she sighed softly.<br />
“Jacob”, she began to speak.<br />
I placed my finger gently onto her soft full lips, “Shhh Nessie,” I whispered as I rubbed her bottom lip softly with my fingertip.<br />
Her eyes were like molten pools as she gazed lovingly into my face. The moment felt so right between us that I was compelled to bring my lips slowly to hers. It was as if time stopped and everything moved in slow motion. Finally our lips slowly met and gently touched as soft and silky as butterfly wings moving together.<br />
I hardly dared breathe for fear of spoiling such a perfect and innocent moment. I held back my natural instinct to pull her closer and kiss her passionately. That’s not what tonight was about. Those feelings and emotions could wait for now. This kiss, this moment between us now was a perfect union in time. She was only fifteen, even if she was a mature fifteen and I did not want to rush her into more confusing and emotional feelings than needs be. I gently stroked the smooth skin of her bare back as she caressed my cheek. Finally our lips parted. I felt lost. The barely there kiss so sweet and innocent made my head spin and the blood rush through my body.<br />
Nessie giggled softly, “You are so warm Jake. My own personal heater. Hold me,” she whispered.<br />
I gladly enveloped her in my arms. I felt a small shiver go through her body so I grasped her more tightly to me.<br />
“I have wanted to do that for ages my love,” I admitted in a whisper.<br />
“Me too,” she softly replied against my chest. “I love you Jacob,” she softly spoke, raising her eyes to meet mine.<br />
I felt as though my wolf heart might explode straight from my chest with sheer joy.<br />
“I don’t just mean as best friends either. I mean I love you as my soul mate,” she softly said as she kissed my warm cheek.<br />
“Renesmee Cullen, I love you too. Until the stars fall from the skies and all the oceans run dry,” I exclaimed passionately, my eager lips meeting hers again in another soft sweet kiss.<br />
She sighed deliciously against my mouth and it took all my restraint not to crush my lips down onto hers. But I resisted and broke off the kiss with a smile. “My sweet Nessie. I have loved you since the moment you came into this world and I will love you forever. Let’s take this slowly darling. I know you are mature but you are still only fifteen. In a few months you will be eighteen and then we can be together properly. I don’t want your Mom and Dad freaking on me again! “I laughed.<br />
She smiled sweetly back at me as she gently squeezed my hand. “Jake, no one can stop us being together. We are meant to be. It’s our destiny. I think we both know that! Now let’s go back to the party. I want you to hold me close and slow dance with me until the end of the night. Right?” she asked with a cheeky smile.<br />
How can I refuse this girl anything?<br />
I took her hand as we ran giggling back towards the house. My heart was so full of happiness and love. I was glad I’d decided to open up to Nessie tonight. The last few weeks had been torturous. I had a feeling she’d felt the same. I was in tune with her mind, body and soul. Soon we would be together properly. The whole world would know that Nessie was mine and I was hers. As soon as she turned eighteen I was going to ask her to be my wife. My heart leapt in my chest at the thought of it. Yes, I Jacob Black was going to ask Renesmee Cullen to marry me, come hell or high water.<br />
No matter what Bella <strong style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">and</strong> Edward had to say on the matter!</div>
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<b>CHAPTER FIVE</b><br />
<b>SWEET SIXTEEN</b><br />
<b>LEAH CLEARWATER:</b><br />
I forgot to mention before, but my birthday is actually New Year’s Eve. As birth dates go it wasn’t too bad, could be worse I suppose. Could be Christmas Day!<br />
On my birthday last year I kissed Etienne Lucier, the vampire, for the first time ever.<br />
Our eyes first met in the clearing as he stood up for Bella; making Sam Uley change his mind about punishing her for biting Jacob when she was a newborn. He had an intense stare and I tried to look away but found my eyes drawn to his. The deep topaz colour drew me in like a moth to the flame.<br />
I later found out that he had used mind control on Sam. I reckoned he’d used it on me because I couldn’t stop thinking about him since our eyes met. He was a vampire for crying out loud! Why was I so attracted to him? He was a very old vampire but he was only eighteen when changed. Very handsome; with his shoulder length dark hair, kaleidoscope eyes and pale luminous skin. He seemed to favour clothes which were formal and never wore anything casual like jeans and trainers. He was always impeccably dressed in silk black shirts, black linen trousers, and black boots with his favourite black overcoat. His choice in attire made his skin glow with even more luminescence. The pale features against the dark silk was very attractive to me. So very very attractive.<br />
Sometimes he wears deep purple shirts for a change, a colour which is also beguiling on him. But the day I met him he was dressed all in black. After the trial was over Alice Cullen had arranged a celebratory homecoming party for Bella up at the Cullen’s large house. It was also designed to bring the wolves and the vampires together in peace following the recent troubles. I was leaning against the wall deciding to make my exit from the party when I heard a deep masculine voice introduce himself to me, ” I am Etienne Lucier. Pleased to make your acquaintance”.<br />
I turned to gaze into those hypnotic eyes again. “I’m Leah Clearwater and I’m a shape shifter. We don’t normally go out of our way to speak to your kind, “I had replied haughtily.<br />
Etienne’s perfectly formed eyebrow shot up as he stared quizzically at me. I tried to look away and pretend I wasn’t the least bit interested in him. But I found his face fascinating and beautiful.<br />
He smiled, “What do you mean my kind? How interesting to meet a shape shifter! I had heard you existed! ”<br />
I narrowed my dark eyes at him, “I know you are a vampire! It was the talk of the reservation when you turned up to save Bella!” I exclaimed.<br />
“Ah! So you have decided we should not be friends then Ms. Clearwater? That is a shame. I think we could have great fun!” he smiled cheekily.<br />
His smile made me feel strange deep inside. I was determined to not let him see that he interested me. But I found my lips curving into a smile as I gazed into his eyes.<br />
“Well Mr. Lucier, we’ll see won’t we?” I replied with what I hoped was a flirty response.<br />
“I would love a guide to show me around Forks. Would you do me the honour Ms. Clearwater?” he asked.<br />
“As long as you call me Leah!” I replied with flushed cheeks.<br />
Oh please Leah don’t get all shy now I chided myself. He smiled and took my hand in his. His skin was cool but smooth as silk. He brought my hand up to his perfect red mouth and gently kissed my skin. He seemed to inhale my scent as he did this and I saw him shiver slightly.<br />
“I will meet you in the clearing tomorrow at ten am then Leah,” he said recovering his composure instantly.<br />
I watched him walk away, my head spinning with the feelings his touch gave me. Just what was happening here? Bella appeared at my side with a smile. “I see you have met Etienne? He is quite the character as I’m sure you’ve gleaned already! His special talent is mind control Leah. He used it on Sam today. He has used it on me before too. He tried to make me succumb to him, to betray Edward!” she said with a warning tone in her voice.<br />
I gasped! Was this what had happened to me?<br />
“I’m just letting you know Leah. Etienne is very charming but can a vampire and shape shifter ever have a relationship?” she asked.<br />
I glared at her indignantly, “Do you think I’m that weak Bella? As if!” I snorted. “I hate vampires, as well you know it!” I added with a glare, not caring if I hurt her feelings. Did she have feelings anymore?<br />
Okay in those days I wasn’t the vampire’s greatest fan, despite knowing that the Cullen’s were actually all right and not really our enemy. But it was something that was ingrained into shape shifters. Vampires were our natural enemies, even if we did now appear to get along with this coven.<br />
So the next day curiosity got the better of me and I went to meet Etienne in the clearing at ten am. As I arrived the sun suddenly came out from behind the clouds and shone directly onto Etienne making his skin dance with glittering rainbows. I gasped at the beauty of him. He smiled a devastatingly breath-taking smile. “Good morning Leah,” he said in that deep velvety voice which caressed my ears so sweetly.<br />
“Hhhi!” I stammered.<br />
I inwardly cringed at my awkwardness. Etienne didn’t seem to notice my embarrassment as he smiled and held out his hand towards me. I slipped my warm hand into his cool one, praying that I didn’t have sweaty palms from nervousness. It did feel quite natural to be holding his hand which surprised me somewhat. We spent the day walking in the woods as it was an unusually sunny day for Forks which made going into town impossible, for obvious reasons. Etienne was good company; he had a dark sense of humour and was very witty and intelligent. He asked about shape shifters and I found I could ask him things I’d always wanted to know about vampires. The time flew by and soon I was time for me to go. I didn’t want the day to end, but I had promised my Mother I would be home. She wanted to finalize some plans we had for New Years and of course my sixteenth birthday.<br />
Etienne walked me home and as we said our goodbyes I blurted out an invitation to La Push for my birthday celebrations on New Year’s Eve. He smiled and accepted politely. He kissed my hand again, his deep topaz eyes gazing up at me. I shivered with delight and a little bit of fear. Something was happening between us. But could it? Should it? Despite his youthful appearance he was very old. How could he possibly be interested in me? A silly (almost) sixteen year old girl? More importantly a shape shifter? I tried to put all negative thoughts out of my head as I practically skipped home with joy and excitement.<br />
In the two days leading up to my birthday all I did was think about Etienne. I alternated between smiling and chiding myself for being silly. I’d had a crush on Jacob! Look where that had got me! I’d had a childhood sweetheart in Sam Uley! Look where that had got me! Still I couldn’t stop smiling when I thought of Etienne, although I knew it couldn’t possibly work could it? Look at Bella and Edward. But look at what Bella had sacrificed to be with Edward. But then again look at what she had gained! So there I was a smiling love-struck fool wandering around in a daze!<br />
New Year’s Eve came. My beach party was in full swing. I acted carefree and happy but secretly I was awash with nervous anticipation. Etienne was fashionably late. I was standing by the impressive bonfire on the beach gazing dreamily into the leaping orange and red flames when I felt a cool hand touch mine. I jumped and with a gasp turned around to see those beautiful topaz eyes gazing into mine. “Happy birthday Leah,” he whispered as his cool lips brushed my warm cheek.<br />
Luckily the glow of the fire hid my blushes. I felt my face flush at his touch and I tried to act cool.<br />
“Glad you could make it Etienne,” I replied with a wide smile.<br />
So much for acting cool!<br />
“I brought you a little gift,” he smiled as he pressed a small box into my hand.<br />
Inside was a beautiful antique silver bracelet. It was very thin and delicate and decorated with small silver roses, so tiny you wondered how anyone could design such a thing. I slipped it onto my wrist and held out my hand to admire it.<br />
“It’s so beautiful Etienne. So unique and special,” I gushed happily.<br />
His eyes glowed mysteriously in the warm glow of the flames.<br />
“Just like you,” he smiled as he gazed at me.<br />
He held out his hand and I took it gladly as he led me away from the fire, away from my party and along the moonlit beach.<br />
We walked along the sand hand in hand in the moonlight. The air was frosty and I shivered even though I had my fake fur jacket on. Funny how us female shape shifters don’t generate heat like males do. Etienne sighed as he looked at me. “What?” I enquired with raised eyebrows.<br />
“You are cold Leah,” he softly said.<br />
I nodded and smiled, “Well it is almost midnight. It’s December. It is cold here next to the sea!” I exclaimed.<br />
He looked at me sadly, “Yes, all you say is true Leah. I am regretful because I cannot put an arm around you to keep you warm. I cannot draw you close to me to give you my body heat. I am as cold as the sea, as the winter air, “he said with another sigh.<br />
I felt myself shiver again but this time it wasn’t with the cold. He wanted to hold me close? Oh my! I think I might just have died and gone to heaven!<br />
I smiled softly at him in the moonlight, “Heat is over rated any ways. I’ve always thought so.”<br />
He gave me is most dazzling smile which almost took my breath away. “Leah, it is two minutes to midnight. Your birthday is nearly over and I haven’t kissed you yet!” he smiled again as his fingers brushed away a strand of hair from my face.<br />
“You did! At the fire!” I replied stupidly.<br />
He cupped my face in his icy hands and drew me to him. His lips like smooth cool silk softly touched mine. I think I actually did stop breathing at that moment. He tasted of honey and cinnamon, rich and sweet. Oh so sweet. As he gently drew away I opened my eyes to find him gazing into mine intently. His eyes hypnotised me with their hidden depths. Time stood still as we stared deep into the other’s eyes. I slowYly reached up to run my fingers through his dark wavy locks which fell to his shoulders beguilingly. We did not drop our intent gaze as our lips slowly moved to meet again. I closed my eyes with a soft sigh as his cool soft lips moved against mine in a gentle kiss. Soon the kiss turned more intense, more passionate as his hands found my waist and drew me close to him. Both of my hands were entwined in his dark hair as we kissed in the dying moments of my birthday. Finally our lips parted reluctantly. Etienne held me close, his thick black coat not successful in disguising the chill from his body nor the hardness of his marble like chest.<br />
“Happy New Year Leah. I hope we will have many more moments like this,” he sighed against my ear.<br />
I shivered pleasantly, “Oh we will Etienne, we will,” I said with utter conviction.<br />
<strong style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">So that was how we <em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">fell in love.</em></strong></div>
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<br />
<b>CHAPTER SIX</b><br />
<b>SURRENDER</b><br />
<b>ETIENNE LUCIER:</b><br />
I smiled fondly to myself in the mirror as I remembered a year ago tonight. Leah’s sixteenth birthday celebrations; the night we first kissed. I ran my fingers through my unruly curls and smiled again. My reflection was pleasing to the eye. I looked dapper in my purple silk shirt, silver cuff links, black tight trousers and black Chelsea boots. Thank goodness that the old myths were untrue. We vampires could see our reflection in a mirror! I wasn’t vain, but I loved to look smart. Especially for a certain gorgeous wolf girl. The girl I loved. Leah was devastated she’d turned seventeen today. She bemoaned that in another year she would be the same age as me. Then another year later she would be older than me at nineteen. She could see her human life slipping away quickly whereas I would stay eighteen forever and ever. I tried not to think of it as it made me so sad. I promised Leah I would love her even when she was old and grey, but my statement made her cry so hard I tried not to speak of the future with her.<br />
As I mentioned before, this year had been so fantastically amazing. I was completely captivated by Leah Clearwater. She was bold, fearless and passionate. She was kind, sweet and loving. She was everything to me. It had been so hard hiding my feelings from everyone, pretending that Leah and I were just friends. I was sure Jacob Black knew the truth but he was so wrapped up with Nessie that he didn’t seem to notice much else. I just had a feeling by the way he grinned knowingly at me sometimes that he knew our secret.<br />
Leah had warned me that the pack would not tolerate one of their members having a relationship with a vampire. Although peace reigned here in Forks between the two beings there would always be a bitter history ready to make itself known at any given time. I did not want to be responsible for a war! I was the newcomer here, I must try to fit in and not displease anybody. Carlisle and Esme treated me like another member of the family and I had been attending Forks high school as if I was a regular student. I was due to graduate this year though. Rosalie, Emmett, Alice and Jasper had graduated the year Bella and Edward had married. Now the four of them travelled all over, as they pretended to go to university in a different state. No one must suspect they did not age. Carlisle was still happily working away at the local hospital as a highly regarded doctor. It would be awhile before the Cullen’s were forced to move away from Forks. Bella and Edward were supposed to be at University in Seattle, which was the story any ways. Renesmee was described as Esme’s much younger orphaned half-sister as a cover story. She also attended Forks high school with me.<br />
The time to go to Leah’s party was upon me. Another night, another year of pretending I wasn’t in love with her. She looked radiantly beautiful as I watched her dance with Jacob Black. Jealousy welled up inside me as I observed their bodies close together. Leah was smiling up at Jacob, her face so perfectly pretty. I felt envy course through my veins where blood once ran. I wanted to hold her so much right now. Why did I have to fall in love with her? This wasn’t going to be easy! Leah avoided me for an hour or so as I mingled with other party goers. I smelled her scent behind me and I smiled widely.<br />
“Hey you,” she whispered.<br />
“Meet me on the beach in half an hour okay?”<br />
Then she was gone.<br />
Again I caught her scent on the breeze as I made my way down the sand. I found her sitting on a large rock hugging her arms around herself to keep warm. I gazed at her profile silhouetted against the moonlight, her hair blowing out gently behind her. The stars were all out lighting up the sky perfectly. I swiftly and quietly snuck up behind her placing my cold hands on her shoulders. She gave a small gasp as I jumped in front of her and placed my cool lips on her warm soft ones. Her arms went up around my neck pulling me closer as she always did. I tried to keep some distance between us and let my arms dangle by my side as I always did. It was our strange dance. She wanted me close to her, I didn’t want to hurt her. Leah gave me her frustrated look and I tried to give her my best smile. She took my hand and led me up the beach. We came upon an opening in the rocks which led into a cosy cave. The interior was lit with lots of small candles giving it a warm glow which reflected off the white stone of the cave walls. There was a round sandy clearing in the middle covered with a thick fleecy blanket. I looked around the cave with wonder.<br />
“Surprise!” Leah exclaimed squeezing my hand.<br />
“Do you like it?” she asked me.<br />
I turned to smile at her, “It’s beautiful my love, just like you. Why have you kept this place a secret for so long?” I asked.<br />
“I was saving it for something special,” she replied.<br />
She entwined her fingers into my hair and pulled my lips towards her. Her scent was intoxicating me as always and I couldn’t resist kissing her sweet mouth. The heat of the moment and our passion quickly took over and I felt her press her body insistently against mine with lustful abandonment. She grabbed my hands and placed them on the curve of her hips as she kissed me fervently. My head spun with her scent and taste. I could hear her heart pounding, the blood a train of fire rushing through her veins. I pulled away quickly as I felt the venom rise in my throat. My vampire senses were screaming out to drink her blood. I was usually so controlled but sometimes I couldn’t help be swept away by my emotions. Tonight was exceptionally charged.<br />
Leah’s face said it all. She always looked so crushed when I had to pull away. “Etienne I love you! I want you! Please!” she pleaded.<br />
Devastation flooded through me. I hated to disappoint her. I hated not being able to hold her properly, to let nature take its course between us as a normal loving couple could. She looked so beautiful and desirable in the candle light.<br />
“Leah you know I cannot let myself go around you! One drop of my venom could kill you! Please don’t be sad, my love. Come lie down on this blanket you have so thoughtfully placed here on the floor. We will talk and kiss and hold each other carefully!” I pleaded as I brushed her long hair away from her face tenderly. I laid down on the fleece and gestured for her to join me.<br />
She smiled down at me so sadly, “Etienne you would not hurt me! I am a shape shifter! We are made of stronger stuff!” she argued.<br />
I rolled my eyes, “Yes, but only when you are a wolf, Leah. I could kill you before you had a chance to phase!” I stated quietly.<br />
She sighed and folded her arms across her chest. “What would happen? Seriously? A few bruises here and there? I can handle that! To be close to you in all ways, that’s what I want Etienne!” she exclaimed with frustration.<br />
We stared at each other in the candle light. Both stubborn. Both sure we were right. “You’ve left me no choice Etienne, it’s time to play dirty!” she grinned wickedly.<br />
<strong style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Then she pounced.</strong></div>
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<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>CHAPTER SEVEN</b><br />
<b>EMBRACING DEATH</b><br />
<b>LEAH CLEARWATER:</b><br />
I was straddling Etienne’s hard marble chest, my knees pinning his arms down at his sides when I had a sudden flash of fear. Was I really trying to seduce a vampire? After all I knew about them? After what had happened to Bella? Yes, it seemed I was that stupid!<br />
Etienne’s dark topaz eyes were boring into mine, his face set in cold determination. I could see him desperately trying to control his emotions as I ignored my fears and quickly unbuttoned my red velvet corset top leaving my top half exposed to him. I shivered in the cold air of the cave, which twinkled with the lights from my carefully placed candles. I had planned this seduction for weeks. My seventeenth birthday had seemed a good time to carry out my plan. I knew I was looking my best tonight with my dark hair piled high on my head, my scarlet red velvet corset top, and my floor sweeping skirt in the same colour and material. I had sneakily swapped my high heels for trainers to come out here. Luckily no one could see my footwear under my long skirt!<br />
Etienne was gazing up at me hungrily. I felt so powerful. I had him under my spell for once and it felt so good. I gently stroked the cool marble skin of his cheek. “Like what you see?” I asked softly. He nodded, his eyes transfixed on my skin. I wanted him so badly. I was ready to become a woman. I loved him so much. What was the worst that could happen? I lowered my head and my lips met his; fire burned within me as we kissed. I knew he felt it too as his mouth moved to the smooth skin of my neck. We precariously balanced on a tight rope of passion as time seemed to stand still.<br />
ETIENNE LUCIER:<br />
The scent of her skin drove me crazy with hunger and desire; the beating of her heart delicate like the sweet throbbing of silky butterfly wings. The sound was music to my finely attuned ears. I listened to the beating quicken and heard the rush of blood in her veins. I tried to rein in my monstrous desire to slake my all-consuming thirst, but the touch of her skin and the sighs from her perfect lips were too much for me and I felt my fangs brush her neck with acute longing. It was very apparent that I should not have let myself get into this predicament. How will I stop now? How can I stop now? She is all I’ve ever wanted and needed. Time stood still for one precious second before my vampire brain kicked in and the red mist descended before my deep topaz eyes.<br />
A deep growl came from my throat as I resisted the urge to taste Leah’s blood. I was better than this; I did not need human blood, although she was more than human. But I needed her. I wanted to taste her blood so badly; blood which sang to me with an insistent rhythm. I swore I would never use my mind control on Leah, but this was life or death for her. I clasped my hands around her beautiful face and turned her gaze towards mine. I couldn’t let our passions overtake us, it was too dangerous. She may be strong but I knew if I lost control I could hurt her easily or kill her. How did Bella and Edward conduct their relationship? I didn’t know, but she had gotten pregnant whilst still human. I wished I could ask her. I wished Leah and I could be like a normal couple in love. Most of the time I was scared to kiss her too passionately for fear of bruising her, for fear of losing control. So I did what I had to do and soon Leah was on her way back into the night.<br />
I silently followed her up the beach, watching as she sadly trudged up the sand. My mind control put a suggestion in the mind which lasted for a few hours. After that the object of my powers was left confused as to what had actually happened. Their memory was hazy and their thoughts blurry. I hoped Leah would not be angry at me. I knew she would though. I should end the relationship now before we become closer and deeper in love. This past year had been the happiest of my life though. I truly loved and adored Leah and I didn’t want to be without her. How much longer could we keep our love a secret? How much longer could I resist the call of her blood despite myself control? How much longer before we dangerously gave into our passion? Questions, questions! I couldn’t answer them. I raged silently to the moon as I followed my reason for existing up the beach towards home. I must not surrender to what lay in my still, silent cold heart.<br />
<strong style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> I must not!</em></strong></div>
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<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>CHAPTER EIGHT</b><br />
<b>DECISIONS</b><br />
<b>JACOB BLACK:</b><br />
Six months have passed since Nessie and I declared our love for each other. Our relationship had gone from strength to strength. She was now a beautiful eighteen year old with an amazing hourglass figure, long wavy auburn hair which fell down her back luxuriously and a face which could stop traffic.<br />
I loved her beyond distraction. Luckily I knew she felt the same about me. She was now my fiancée. I had asked her to marry me last night. To my joy she had said yes, adding the sooner the better as far as she was concerned! I proposed to her on First Beach, under the night sky full of twinkling stars. I had planned to whisk her away for a romantic weekend; just the two of us on a camping trip up in the mountains. But my plans had been thwarted by pack business. Business which couldn’t wait. I was on my way to meet Sam Uley and Sue Clearwater now.<br />
To be honest I could’ve done without this meeting today. When Sue, Leah’s Mom had phoned me yesterday my heart had sunk with dread. They needed to discuss matters that were integral to our pack’s future. I knew this was going to be something I wouldn’t like much! So I had to leave my Nessie at the Cullen’s showing off her sparkling diamond engagement ring and make my way back to La Push and the reservation. Sam and I were both Alpha’s now. I was actually descended from an Alpha, Sam wasn’t but he had assumed the role before me when I wasn’t the least bit interested in it. Now I was we both governed the pack.<br />
Sue greeted me at the door and ushered me into her living room where Sam was sitting waiting patiently for me. There were pictures of Sue and Harry Clearwater on the wall above the fire place. Old wedding pictures and photos of the couple with Leah and Seth on various family vacations. It was so sad that Harry had suffered a heart attack and died a few years ago. My Dad Billy and he had been such great friends and had often fished together along with Bella’s Dad Charlie Swan. Sue’s brow was furrowed with worry and anxiety. I sighed and sat down in the armchair opposite Sam and Sue on the old worn leather sofa. “Where’s Seth?” I asked.<br />
“Out with Embry and Quil, “Sam said curtly. “He doesn’t need to know about this yet,” he added.<br />
Sue glanced over at Sam and nodded slightly. I guessed it was his cue to get this meeting started. Sam cleared his throat and began to speak in his deep voice. “Jacob, as you know Leah Clearwater is the only female shape shifter in the world that we know of. She must marry and breed with another of our kind. Females don’t imprint, nor can males imprint on a female shape shifter. We must arrange a union for her. Preferably from within this pack. Someone who hasn’t imprinted yet. I need you to put your head together with Sue and think of someone suitable Jake.”<br />
I stared open mouthed at Sam and Sue. This was not going to go down well with Leah at all!<br />
“But Sam, what happens if we match Leah with someone, they marry then he imprints on someone, isn’t that a bit risky?” I asked curiously.<br />
“That’s the risk we must take Jake. The male we choose must know imprinting is not on the agenda. We need to ensure we don’t waste the opportunity to obtain pure blood shape shifters for the pack. If Leah has female children the pack has a chance to become pure as it used to be. Our ancestors always wanted this Jacob. Why would Leah resist this opportunity to help her pack?” he asked me directly.<br />
But it was Sue, Leah’s Mother who spoke up before I could reply.<br />
“Leah was so looking forward to going to college away from Forks, Sam. I know she is going to hate this idea. Can’t we postpone until she at least gets her college degree? She has such a talent for Art, I really don’t want to see it wasted! You of all people should know how creative that girl is!” Sue stated with sadness in her voice.<br />
Sam’s dark eyes narrowed. “Sue, we cannot postpone any longer! I wanted to put this plan into action when she was sixteen but I gave you two more years. Now she’s almost eighteen we simply can’t wait any longer. Jacob? You need to agree to this. As Alphas we both must decide. I need your decision now I’m afraid, “he said as I sighed with exasperation.<br />
Who was I to decide Leah’s future? What was more important – one girl or the future of the pack? I knew which way I had to go.<br />
“Do it Sam. Put the plan into action.<strong style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> I’ll talk to Leah. “</strong></div>
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<br />
<br />
<b>CHAPTER NINE</b><br />
<b>FRAGILE</b><br />
<b>LEAH CLEARWATER</b>:<br />
Etienne has not used his power of mind control on me since my seventeenth birthday at the beginning of the year. He deeply regrets going back on his word. He said he would never attempt to control my mind, yet that night he did. He said it was to save my life, but I don’t believe it. My life was never in danger! He thinks if we give into our desires for each other he will forget his strength and hurt me or kill me. I don’t believe he will. So he has treated me like a fragile flower all year and I have attempted to behave myself when we are alone, which is hard considering I feel such love and passion for him.<br />
Tonight we are lying together in our special cave, alone and safe in each other’s arms. I have a large fleecy blanket wrapped around me, protecting me from the chilly November air and from the ice coldness of my beloved Etienne’s skin. He is trailing feather light cool kisses down the smooth skin of my neck. I sigh deeply at his touch as my fingers tightly entwine in his dark curls. He is being so evil to me as he knows fine well that I love what he is doing to me very much! He moans against the warm skin of my neck inhaling my scent. I feel his hard marble body shudder with thirst and desire for me. But Etienne has had way too many years of drinking animal blood to break his self-control now. Sometimes I wished he would just bite me; let the venom flow into my veins so I could die and be reborn as a vampire. Then we needn’t be worried about death or pain or fear. We could just simply be together and love each other.<br />
I have brought up this subject many times. Etienne always dismisses my idea without fail. He loves the life force that runs through me. He loves the uniqueness of me. I am the only female shape shifter in this world as far as anyone knows. My love does not want me to become cold and immortal. He does not want to be the one responsible for turning me into something so different. He reminds me of the troubles Bella had going through the change. I wished I could talk to Bella about all of this! She had once been in my shoes. But our love was still a secret and had to remain that way. A vampire shape shifter relationship would so not be welcomed especially by the pack.<br />
Etienne’s cool soft lips have moved their way up to mine. He kisses me slowly and tenderly with underlying passion and hunger. His cool strong hands are gently stroking my face and my mind races and refuses to believe once again that our love could hurt or kill me. I sigh against his mouth and feel him shiver once again as he tastes my scent. I must be a form of torture for him, but we cannot let ourselves get carried away by the overwhelming feelings we have for each other. I love him with all my heart, body and soul. I am his. He is mine. For evermore. However long that may be. “I love you Leah” he whispers softly against my cheek. His words send electric currents running through my veins as I announce that I too love him. Oh how I love him! Was there ever such a tragic pair as us? Romeo and Juliet maybe. I liked to think we were better than that famous pairing. I liked to think that we would have a happy ending, just like Bella and Edward did. Now I knew how Bella had felt, I truly did empathise with her.<br />
My dark eyes stare deeply into his topaz ones. Etienne’s eyes are mysterious and full of hidden depths. The things he has seen with these beautiful eyes! My mind reels with the thought of it. He has lived like this a long time in that magnificent body of his. He has seen centuries come and go. He says he has never met a girl like me before though. He has never clamoured so much to be human again. He didn’t ask for this life. But it was forced upon him mercilessly. Now all he wanted and needed to make him happy was me. That never ceased to amaze and astound me. We held each other’s gaze steadily, almost hypnotically. I could drown in those eyes. When we shared moments like this it was as if the real world had disappeared and there was only us two left. This would suit me just fine! Suddenly my phone rang, breaking the spell between us. The real world had come knocking. Should I answer? The neon blue display flashed with Jake’s name. Why was Jacob Black calling me? I frowned as I pressed accept call, my voice annoyed and sharp as I barked out a hello. “Hey Leah, it’s me Jake,” his friendly voice sang out.<br />
“Yeah I know dummy!” I snapped back, rolling my eyes at Etienne who was annoyingly kissing my neck again.<br />
I tried not to gasp as I asked Jacob why he was calling me at this time of night! In reality I had no idea what time it actually was, but I guessed it was around 10pm.<br />
“Been trying to catch up with you all night Leah! I wanted to talk to you in person! Can we meet? Now? “He asked in his deep voice.<br />
I sighed. I hated to cut short any time I had with Etienne. “Don’t sigh Leah! It’s important!” he replied to my exasperated utterance.<br />
“Okay Jake! But I cannot imagine what you need to say to me that is so important that you would interrupt my Saturday night for!” I snapped.<br />
“Meet me at mine in half hour Leah. Please?” he pleaded.<br />
I sighed again for good measure. “Fine,” I said hanging up abruptly.<br />
Etienne’s lips were doing a very good job at persuading me to ignore Jacobs call but I was curious. What was so important? I reluctantly prised myself away from Etienne’s grasp. “I am sorry Etienne, Jacob needs to see me. He sounded quite agitated on the phone,” I said with an apologetic shrug.<br />
“No problem my love. I will miss you though. Can I come to your room later?” he enquired.<br />
I beamed with delight, “I’d love you to!” I said planting an enthusiastic kiss on his white marble cheek.<br />
We stood in the romantic candlelight of the cave, my heart beating against his chest. “I love the sound of your heartbeat Leah. You are so alive,” he softly said against my hair.<br />
My arms wrapped themselves tighter around him, feeling the chill of his body through my thick blanket.<br />
“Once again Etienne, I have to tell you how much I love you! You mean the world to me. I wish we could shout it from the roof tops how much we love each other!” I said fervently.<br />
He laughed and kissed the tip of my nose. “I wish for that too my love. I want everyone to know you are mine!” he exclaimed with a low growl.<br />
“I am yours,” I whispered my lips brushing his gently.<br />
“Not quite my love. But let’s not dwell on that for now shall we?” he said with a hint of sadness.<br />
We said our goodbyes and as I left him at the mouth of the cave I couldn’t help the words which fell from my lips. “I am not as fragile as you think Etienne Lucier! We will be together properly you mark my words!” I announced as I ran away from him, down the beach towards Jacob Blacks small house, where my life as I knew it was about to be shattered into a <strong style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">million tiny pieces.</em></strong></div>
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<br />
<br />
<b>CHAPTER TEN</b><br />
<b>SURVIVAL</b><br />
<b>SAM ULEY:</b><br />
When the vampire Etienne Lucier used mind control on me during Bella’s trial I was mortified and deeply angry to have my authority undermined. Especially by a blood sucker! Although bringing Bella to justice for breaking the age old treaty would have caused a war between us and them, I still wanted to do what was right. It was important to me as Pack Alpha to uphold the traditions and laws of our forefathers. Jacob Black was way too caught up with the Cullen’s to ever want what was the ultimate best for the pack. I was surprised he’d agreed that an arranged marriage to another shape shifter was what was best for Leah, best for the pack’s future. Maybe I had underestimated him, after all he had more claim to Alpha than I did. This was a life or death situation for the pack. That’s how I saw it. We needed to keep the blood lines pure. We would never get this chance again. After much research we had drawn a blank. There seemed to be no other female shape shifter’s on this planet.<br />
I knew Leah would not be happy at all. She always believed that we would end up married. I did too until I clapped eyes on Emily. That was it BOOM! My body, heart and soul belonged to my imprintee forever from that moment on. How cruel that had been for Leah. I remember the day I’d had to break her heart. I told her I was in love with another girl and nothing she could do or say would change that. I would always love Leah though, she was my first love. We were boyfriend and girlfriend from aged nine. We were inseparable and everyone expected me to imprint on her when I came of age. Males usually imprint at or after the onset of puberty. I met Emily just days after my fifteenth birthday. There was no going back. We were now engaged to be married and I couldn’t wait for her to be my wife. She still wanted to marry me despite the unfortunate incident which had occurred between us. I had hurt her and scarred her face whilst in wolf form. I wanted to kill myself for hurting her. Luckily she forgave me because our love was so strong.<br />
I knew this newcomer, Etienne Lucier would try to thwart our plans for Leah. She seemed to be quite close to him from what I could gather. Rumours and whispers echoed around the reservation that Leah and Etienne were much more than friends. Leah certainly looked as if she was lit up from an inner glow. No one had actually witnessed anything though so it could not be proven. There was no way a vampire shape shifter relationship would ever be tolerated by me, the Elders or the pack. It was heinous to even consider it. If Etienne tried to use this mind control of his on me or any one of us he would get a mighty shock! I had procured something very special with help from one of the Elders. Something which had been hidden away carefully for many centuries. Our ancestors had known that the cold ones often possessed special powers which varied between vampires. So a shaman had cast a spell. A spell which could counteract a vampire’s power.<br />
I had started researching this almost three years ago after Bella’s trial. My search had finally led me to this special object a month ago. It had taken a lot of persuading and bartering to acquire this precious object, but my case was put forward to the little tribe of Quileute people who lived apart from us in a small corner of the Amazonian rainforest. Billy Black explained to me that many moons ago one of our tribe and his wife had gone hunting for cold ones who were believed to live in the rainforest. They hadn’t found the coven, but they had decided to stay where they were as the wife was heavily pregnant and could not make the journey back home.<br />
Now I could put my plan into action. Leah would be married to another shape shifter. He was one of us. It was Embry Call. Embry’s mother, Tiffany Call, was a woman from the Makah tribe who moved to La Push when she was pregnant with him, and it was assumed that she had left his father with the Makah’s. However, when Embry phased in early 2006, it became apparent that his father was a member of the pack as the shape-shifting traits are inherited only within the Quileute tribe. All three of the prime suspects were happily married at the time of Embry’s conception, causing some stress in the pack as we all wonder which of us has a half-brother. It is hoped that Embry is my half-brother, as my father already has a bad record, having abandoned my Mother when I was very young. If his father were Quil Ateara Junior or Billy Black, there could be more new disputes among the people at La Push.<br />
I suppose a DNA test could be obtained but none of us really wanted to know the truth, and neither Embry nor his Mother had pushed for it. Tiffany had dropped enough hints to my Mother that Embry was indeed my half-brother. My Father wasn’t around to deny her claims so we always assumed Embry was his son. Tiffany didn’t know about the pack and our special shape shifting abilities. Embry figured she didn’t need to know. Embry was perfect for Leah, as he had not imprinted. Generally the imprint will take place between fourteen and eighteen. Quil had imprinted on Claire at fifteen. Jacob had imprinted on Nessie at seventeen. Embry was now almost twenty years old and he had not imprinted yet, so I believed Jake’s fears that he would, once married to Leah, and were unfounded.<br />
I knew the next few months would not be easy, but as joint pack Alpha it was my responsibility along with the Elders to make sure our Pack stayed strong. We had no better chance of this than we did now. Leah would inject new life into our pack, she would bring pure bred children into our midst. The pack would be stronger because of it. Our people would remain protected and cherished. The ordinary Quileute people did not know of the existence of shape shifters and vampires. They lived a simple life on the reservation leaving the Elders to run things. Running things included the Pack and all that it meant to life as we knew it. I had to believe we were doing the right thing in pairing Leah and Embry.<br />
Now I had this extra bit of power up my sleeve in the form of this ancient talisman. Hopefully it would work on Etienne Lucier and any other vampire which may try to interfere in pack business. I wished we could rage war on the Cullen’s! They were harbouring Etienne Lucier in their coven. Did they not see what was going on between him and Leah? Too wrapped up in their strange lives to care most probably. I was sure Carlisle would have acted if he had known? Although they seemed to have no problem with Jacob and Nessie. It disgusted me to my core that Jake had imprinted on a hybrid! But as we had no control over imprinting I had to let it slide.<br />
I opened the small wooden box which I had retrieved from under the floor boards in my room. In it was a black velvet draw string bag. From this bag I removed my secret weapon. I stroked the smooth iridescent surface and said a quick prayer to the Quileute gods to help me should I ever need to use this treasured find. One side of the object had been carved squarely off. I had been advised by the Amazonian tribe leader to make smaller versions of my weapon. We all needed protection from vampire powers if we were to put this plan into action! I stroked the moon stone reverently and prayed Jacob was persuading Leah what was best for her, our pack and our future. He had to.<br />
<strong style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Our very survival depended on it.</strong></div>
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<br />
<br />
<b>CHAPTER ELEVEN</b><br />
<b>BETRAYED</b><br />
<b>LEAH CLEARWATER:</b><br />
I sat on Jake’s bed, a whirlwind of emotions rushing through me violently. Was he really saying I had to marry Embry Call? The Pack and the Elders had decided my future? All because they wanted to make a pure bloodline. I was the only female shape shifter, the honour lay with me to produce offspring! I didn’t even want children! They certainly weren’t in my plan for life. Mind you that plan had changed dramatically since a certain vampire came into my life. How could I tell Jake I couldn’t possibly ever marry Embry? Yes, he was cute. Yes, he was my friend. But husband and father of my children? Uhmm no! This could not be happening!<br />
“Sorry Leah I know it’s a shock. I thought it would be better coming from me than Sam. You have a very important part to play in Pack history Leah. Would it be so awful marrying Embry? “He asked me softly.<br />
The events of the night suddenly caught up with me and my answer was to start sobbing…loudly! “I can’t do this Jake! Not for you, not for my Mom, and not for the Pack either!” I wailed.<br />
Jacob put his strong arms around me and held me tightly to him. “Leah, I know why you don’t want to do this. But you must reconsider Leah. The Pack’s very future is at stake! You have been given this important task! You are the only one who can do this!” Jacob said with grave determination against my hair.<br />
I sharply pulled away, my sorrow turning quickly to anger.<br />
“Jacob Black! How would you like to be told who to be with? Who to marry? “I shrieked angrily.<br />
“Well, there is imprinting…” he started to say but I cut him off abruptly.<br />
“You cannot compare imprinting with an arranged marriage of convenience! And just what did you mean when you said you know why I don’t want to do this?” I asked with extreme annoyance.<br />
Jacob’s dark eyes looked into mine knowingly. “Leah tell me the truth,” he pleaded. “Are you and Etienne seeing each other?” he asked me imploringly.<br />
I gasped, astonished by his question. How could he possibly know? Did they all know? Oh this was worse than I could’ve imagined! My eyes glittered with defiance as I curtly told him it was none of his god damn business!<br />
Jacob slowly shook his head and gazed sadly at me, “As Pack Alpha it certainly is my business Leah,” he stated quietly but confidently.<br />
I crumpled again as racking sobs tore through my heart and soul. “I love him Jacob!” I confessed. “I truly love Etienne, more than anything in this world. I am his and he is mine,” I stated through my bitter tears.<br />
“Oh Leah!” Jacob said with a sigh as he sat down next to me again, taking my hand in his large one. “How long has it been going on?” he asked. I watched his facial expression change from sympathy to shock in an instant when I informed him we fell in love properly on my sixteenth birthday. “Wow! We had our suspicions that you were more than just friends, but only for the past few months. Well everyone else maybe, I kind of guessed something was going on, on your birthday last year, “Jacob said with a sigh.” I wish I’d spoke to you then, but I let it go. I just assumed you were good friends and I was happy you had finally stopped hating vampires!” he exclaimed with a wry smile.<br />
“I could never hate Etienne. He is my world. I want to be with him always,” I said quietly.<br />
Jacobs rage came suddenly out of nowhere. “THERE IS NO WAY YOU ARE BECOMING LIKE HIM LEAH!” he bellowed at me.<br />
I cringed back away from his angry voice. “Losing Bella was bad enough! I will not let you die and become a vampire! Over my dead body!” he exclaimed angrily.<br />
“I thought you were happy I liked vampires?” I asked quietly with a small smirk.<br />
“I don’t want you to be one though, stupid,” Jake replied, his anger dying down.<br />
I sighed, “Jake I totally get Bella and Edward now. I wish I could talk to her about this. I’ve wanted to talk to someone for nearly two years! I love Etienne, Jacob. Surely you can understand why I can’t go through with this plan?” I pleaded.<br />
“You have to Leah.” Jacob stated flatly. “You and Etienne can never be. He is a vampire you are a shape shifter with a historical task on your hands. No other chance has or will come to produce a pure shape shifter. It will ensure our race never dies out. We may have made peace with the Cullen’s but they aren’t the only vampires on Earth!” he stated with emotion.<br />
I rubbed my tears away and stared defiantly at him. “I will get Etienne to use his mind control on ALL of you and there will be nothing you can do to stop him!” I crowed.<br />
Jacob sighed and showed me a small piece of luminous stone on a leather thong around his neck. “The moonstone protects us from vampire’s powers, especially mind control. We all have a charm around our neck made from the original gem. I have one for you too Leah. Please take it,” he said pressing the necklace into my hand.<br />
I opened my hand to look at the moonstone. I put it in my jeans pocket, my mind whirling with possibilities on how I could use this to my advantage. I must flee to Etienne at once and tell him what was happening. “I’m going home now Jacob. I cannot bear this conversation anymore. I trust you will not tell anyone what I have told you tonight?” I asked wearily.<br />
“You know I can’t promise that Leah. I have to do what’s best for the pack. Tomorrow you will meet with me, Sam and the Elders. Your mother Sue is now an elder, she supports our decision too.” Jacob said as he showed me to the door.<br />
I glared at him, my voice like ice, “I thought we were friends Jacob. Good friends. Imagine if someone tried to separate you from your beloved Nessie? You would move heaven and earth to stop them from doing so!”<br />
“I am your friend Leah, that’s why I am telling you all this before the Elders and Sam enforce this on you. This was decided when you were born, you cannot escape your destiny Leah! It is madness to think you have a life with a vampire! You cannot believe it could work Leah! Sleep on it, in the morning you will see what is right, “he called after me as I quickly walked away into the night.<br />
I ran as fast as I could until I reached home. I could not face my Mom knowing what I did. All of them had decided my future for me. I ran upstairs, into my room throwing myself onto the bed, my tears falling easily. I heard a soft knock at my door, “Are you okay Leah?” my Mom asked concern in her soft voice.<br />
“Go away!” I screamed, my tears falling steadily.<br />
My Mom had betrayed me, my brother had betrayed me, and even my best friend had also betrayed me. Etienne was the only one I could trust. As if my thoughts had magically made him appear I felt strong arms envelop me from behind and cool lips graze my cheek gently. “Leah, my love,” he breathed hoarsely in my ear causing delicious shivers to run up and down my spine like little electric currents.<br />
“Oh Etienne!” I cried turning around to bury my face in his chest with a sob.<br />
“Shhh my sweet, your Mom will suspect you have someone in your room,” he whispered softly.<br />
“I don’t care!” I sobbed more violently.<br />
Etienne prised my sobbing wreck of a body away from his and gazed deep into my eyes. “Whatever is the matter Leah?” he asked gently.<br />
I explained what had happened tonight at Jacobs’s house. Etienne did not speak until I had finished. He looked crushed and extremely annoyed all at the same time. “They have the moonstone?” he asked his voice full of awe. “I didn’t know if such a thing was rumour, legend or if it actually did exist! Oh I could have used that back in the day with Victoria!” he exclaimed to himself.<br />
I punched his arm angrily, “Forget the stupid stone! Didn’t you hear me Etienne? They have arranged a marriage for me to Embry Call! To make pure shape shifters! ”<br />
Etienne held me to his hard marble chest and tenderly stroked my long dark hair. “Leah, this does not worry me. They can’t make you do this. We will stand together!” he proclaimed with passion.<br />
I raised my head up to look in his eyes, “Etienne they will kill you! Without your power you can’t control them and the Cullen’s won’t be able to save you without a war! They will not want a war with the Pack. Not now there has been peace between us for the last couple of years!”<br />
Etienne brought his lips down to meet mine. His kiss temporarily made me forget my troubles. I sighed and swooned in his arms as usual. “They cannot force you Leah! They cannot kill me either, I am stronger than them! “he stated forcefully.<br />
“You might be stronger, faster and deadlier than any wolf Etienne, but this is deeper than just an arranged marriage. This union would make our Pack the strongest in the world! They want me to produce a female shape shifter to carry on with the pure blood line. The blood line gets diluted every time we mate with humans. In years to come there will be no shape shifters left,” I stated matter of fact.<br />
Etienne held my hand and whispered “Great for us vamps,” under his breath.<br />
Would he ever take this situation seriously? He caught the look on my face and his expression changed to a more serious one. “They know about us Etienne. Well Jacob knows for sure now because I told him, believing he was my friend. I doubt that he will keep it a secret now. In fact he is probably telling Sam Uley and the Elders right now!” I sighed.<br />
Etienne stared off into space, his mind in deep thought. “Also I have broken our Pack law. Shape shifter’s and vampires are natural enemies. We do not have relationships with you. Jacob is the exception because he imprinted on Nessie,” I continued. “Etienne if I do not do as they ask I will be put to trial. Sure they want me for breeding but they can still do that in a less civilised way with me locked up!” I said my voice and face full of worry at the magnitude of this situation. I sighed heavily, “I should have guessed this would happen one day. I’m the only female shape shifter. Embry hasn’t imprinted. I was too wrapped up in us to notice what was going on under my nose!”<br />
Etienne held my face in his cool hands, “Leah I love you so much. Even though we cannot love each other like normal couples do I cannot bear the thought of you with someone else! I am selfish, so selfish! I should leave you alone to have a normal life! Marriage, babies, everything!” he said sadly as he kissed the tip of my nose.<br />
“But Etienne marriage, babies and all that stuff is being forced onto me! I didn’t choose it! I don’t want to be responsible for the Pack future! It’s too much! “I cried.<br />
“Leah, don’t cry. This is something you must do. I will leave you alone. I must! I cannot interfere in this. No good can come out of us…I love you but we can’t ever be together properly, we can’t get married or have children. You will grow old and die, I will continue on in this undead life!” Etienne stated with deep sadness in his voice.<br />
I looked at him with utter horror! My life would be over without him. I needed him, I loved him! Was this what Bella and Edward went through? Edward left. But they loved each other, they overcame! Bella didn’t have the future of her race hanging over her though.<br />
Etienne kissed me with less restraint than usual, his lips crushing mine, bruising them with passion and a hint of despair. I knew this was his goodbye kiss to me so I clung to him desperately. My eyes were full of sorrowful tears as he traced every inch of my face with his finger. “Don’t go Etienne, please don’t go,” I pleaded with him.<br />
His beautiful topaz eyes gazed directly into mine. “Leah I have to, for both our sakes my love. Now would you like me to use my power on you? I could persuade your mind to hate me, would that be easier for you? “He asked with a shaky voice.<br />
“I don’t want to hate you Etienne or forget what we had! Not ever!” I exclaimed my heart breaking in two.<br />
He reached out and pulled me to him, I buried my face in his hard marble chest, breathing in his scent, dying inside all the while.<br />
“May I stay with you until morning Leah?” he asked quietly.<br />
I nodded against his chest, too upset to speak. I desperately wanted to get down on my knees and beg him to stay. I wanted to fling myself at his feet and plead with him not to go. But I restrained myself. These last few hours were precious and I didn’t want to waste them wailing and crying. We lay on the bed, our limbs entwined, whispering, kissing and gazing into each other’s eyes intently. I wanted to remember every detail of his face. I would store every feature away to bring out later when the memories did not hurt so much. Though I couldn’t imagine being without Etienne would ever not hurt. I could hardly breathe with the pain I felt in my broken heart. When morning light came, Etienne disentangled himself from me reluctantly.<br />
“Leah I will always love you until the end of my existence. I have never, or never will feel this way again. I promise you I will think of you every day but I won’t try to contact you. It’s for the best my love. You are so brave and beautiful. I am proud of you. You are doing a great service for your pack despite your feelings. You must do as they wish Leah, for me,” he spoke softly, his topaz eyes sad and remorseful.<br />
My tears began to flow once again at his words. How was I supposed to marry someone else when I loved him so truly and deeply? Even if I was being true to my Pack how I could ever let another man touch me and kiss me? I did not imagine it would be easy. Etienne watched my face go through the rainbow of emotions.<br />
“Leah I have decided to use my power on you,” he said quietly. I started to protest but he put a long finger to my lips to hush me, “Listen to me Leah. I won’t make you forget me, but I will put a suggestion in your mind which makes you believe that you broke up with me. The reason for us breaking up is you have feelings for Embry Call. That will make it easier all round for everyone.”<br />
I shook my head but remembered the small piece of moonstone Jacob had given me and I slowly nodded. Etienne kissed me again, softly and sweetly. Then he held my head between his hands and gazed into my eyes, boring deep into my mind and soul as he performed his mind control on me. Or so he believed. He told me what he wanted me to believe then he commanded me to sleep, so I lay on the bed and pretended.<br />
I felt his cool hand stroke my hair just once and he sighed deeply, such a sorrowful sound. I wanted to jump up and cry and plead for him not to go but I had to keep up the pretense. Etienne must believe he had me under his spell. I knew the exact moment when he exited through my bedroom window. The atmosphere changed and the room felt empty and sad. I couldn’t stop the tears now and they flowed like a river. I didn’t think my heart could break any more but I was wrong,<strong style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> so wrong.</em></strong></div>
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<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>CHAPTER TWELVE</b><br />
<b>EXISTING NOT LIVING</b><br />
<b>LEAH CLEARWATER</b>:<br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I have nothing to say. The pain is too raw. He is gone.</em></div>
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<br />
<br />
<b>CHAPTER THIRTEEN</b><br />
<b>GHOST</b><br />
<b>LEAH CLEARWATER:</b><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Come up to meet you, tell you I’m sorry</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">you don’t know how lovely you are</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I had to find you</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Tell you I need you</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Tell you I’ve set you apart</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Tell me your secrets</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">and ask me your questions</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Oh, let’s go back to the start</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Running in circles</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">coming up tails</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Heads on the science apart</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Nobody said it was easy</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">It’s such a shame for us to part</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Nobody said it was easy</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">No one ever said it would be this hard</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Oh take me back to the start</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I was just guessing</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">at numbers and figures</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">pulling the puzzles apart</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Questions of science</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Science and progress</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">do not speak as loud as my heart</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Oh tell me you love me</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Come back and haunt me</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Oh and I rush to the start</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Running in circles</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">chasing our tails</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">coming back as we are</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Nobody said it was easy</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Oh, it’s such a shame for us to part</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Nobody said it was easy</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">No one ever said it would be so hard</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I’m going back to the start</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">copyright Coldplay 2002</em><br />
The song played over and over, stuck on repeat, the words tearing my heart apart again and again. I had been in my room for four weeks, only leaving to go to the bathroom. My Mom left food at my door, sometimes I ate nothing other times I picked away at small morsels. Seems I did want to live without my love after all. The only thing that kept me going was knowing that I’d not fallen under the spell of Etienne’s mind control. He had hoped I would not be sad over us parting, that I would believe I had been the one to break us up because I had romantic feelings for Embry Call. This was Etienne’s way of ensuring my heart stayed intact. Also he wanted to make it easier for me to enter into a marriage with Embry. Etienne believed when he left that his suggestions had been put in my mind. He was wrong. I had the small piece of moonstone in my jeans pocket that morning.<br />
Apparently it works even if you don’t have it tied around your neck. I wanted to feel the acute pain of my heart breaking in two, I wanted to be reminded every day of the love I’d lost. Otherwise what would be the point of us falling in love? I could never regret the time we’d had together and I would never want to forget it, or diminish it somehow. I was praying that something would happen, anything, to make my world right again. Nothing made sense without Etienne.<br />
The song ended, and started up again. Just like my tears. I wondered how it was possible to have so many tears. It was almost Christmas, soon it would be my birthday. I would be eighteen this year. Two years will have passed since I kissed the man of my dreams. We never progressed beyond a kiss; something I really regret now. I wish I’d pushed Etienne more. I wished I’d had the moonstone the night of my seventeenth birthday. I would be a woman now. But it hadn’t happened. Etienne was too scared to hurt me. Now I had to get my head around the thought of marrying someone else. Embry Call. He was to become my husband on New Year’s Eve next year. My birthday and also Jacob and Nessie’s wedding day. A double wedding. How lovely.<br />
The Elders along with Jacob and Sam had appeared at my house the very same day Etienne left. I was zombie like, a ghost. Jacob led me downstairs where he sat me down in front of everyone. My judge, jury and executioner. I didn’t care anymore. I sat there staring at the floor as they talked to me about Pack duty, the importance of being the only female shape shifter and my forthcoming arranged marriage. They thought they were being thoughtful giving me and Embry a year to get to know each other better before our wedding day ( and night, oh dear god the wedding night filled me with fear ) . The usual feisty fiery me had gone into her shell, a very deep dark place. I numbly sat there and half listened to their words. All I could think of was Etienne’s lips on mine. Our farewell kiss. The unfairness of it all. Why did I have to fall in love with a vampire? Why did he have to fall in love with a shape shifter? I just wanted him back. I would gladly face a trial by the Elders and the Pack if I could only touch his face again, gaze into his deep mesmerising topaz eyes and kiss his cool sweet ruby red lips.<br />
I heard the wind howling outside my bedroom window and I suddenly longed for some fresh air in my lungs. My room smelled stale and I felt like a troll in a cave. I flung my window wide, breathing in the cool night air. The wind whipped my hair up and around my face. Tears fell down my cheeks once again as a memory of Etienne playing with my long thick hair flashed into my mind. He loved my hair. He loved to brush it, run his fingers through it, braid it and generally touch it a lot. I cried even harder when I remembered the way he would appear through my open window at night. Beautiful nights spent curled up on my bed together, talking, listening to music, reading to each other. Then the kissing…he could make me melt with his kiss. I literally swooned every time his lips had met mine. He loved to hear my heart thudding and my blood pulsing around my veins. Now I was alone and hurting. Dying to see him once more. Did he feel the same? The wind stung my face where my tears had left tracks.<br />
I closed the window with a sigh. I lay on my back on the bed, watching shadows from the trees outside dance on the ceiling. The moonstone glowed on my bedside table giving off an eerie light. I knew I couldn’t hide in here forever. Tomorrow I will go downstairs. I may even go outside. Blow the cobwebs from my mind, help still the memories and thoughts for a little while if possible. I drifted off to sleep, Etienne’s face in my mind as always. He was laughing at something I had said as I turned over and curled into the smallest ball. Make myself small and insignificant was my last thought before sleep overtook me.<br />
I don’t know how long had passed. A minute? An hour? No matter. I felt someone stroking my hair so I unfurled myself and turned around to find Etienne sitting on my bed. His eyes looked like kaleidoscopes in the hazy light coming through the window from the full moon above. In fact he looked like an angel. I gasped in amazement and shock. His long finger shushed me as he shook his head, his dark curls falling perfectly around his shoulders. He replaced his finger with his cool lips. I sighed and automatically my hands entwined themselves into his luxurious hair, pulling him closer to me. Reluctantly I pulled away so I could stare at this beautiful apparition once more. Still no words had been exchanged between us. Etienne smiled his dazzling smile at me as he reached out to curl a lock of my sleep messed hair around his little finger. I smiled back. This was wonderful. I wished for him and here he was.<br />
Suddenly he broke the silent spell between us, his deep voice soothing to my ears and painful heart. “Leah, my love. I ache for you. I miss you so much. If my heart still beat it would hurt for you. I need you to be strong my darling. Can you do that for me?”<br />
I nodded, afraid to speak, afraid to ruin this perfect moment.<br />
“I want you to know that I won’t rest until I find a way back to you. It doesn’t matter if they try to marry you off a dozen times. But I don’t want you to suffer my darling. I know you are suffering now, but I promise I will do my best to make it right again. No matter how long it takes I promise I will. Now you need to remember that okay? ”<br />
I nodded again as his topaz eyes hypnotised me.<br />
“You will try to live your life normally until the day I come back for you. Do not be sad, do not cry my Leah, my love. The love of my existence! The reason for my continued existence! This is a dream my love, a beautiful dream. You haven’t really seen me but you will remember all I say and you will remember how much I love you and you will know that I will sort this mess out. You will not be so sad anymore. I have watched you all day and all night. You had this moonstone on your person the morning I left didn’t you?”<br />
I nodded again as if in a trance.<br />
He smiled lovingly, “Ha! I should have known you would pull some trick on me Leah! But I don’t understand why you have put yourself through so much pain when it could’ve been easier for you? Well that’s you I guess and that’s why I love you so passionately. So I will leave and you will believe you have dreamt me. But my words will stay with you. I adore you my sweet Leah. Now kiss me my love, the thought of your lips on mine again is driving me insane with desire!” he exclaimed as he lustfully brought his mouth to mine in a kiss so passionate it made me gasp and moan. His lips bruised and stung mine but we clung to each other hopelessly.<br />
I awoke with a start to the morning light streaming through my window. My first thought was of Etienne as always. But this morning I wasn’t so devastated with sadness and loss. I smiled as I remembered my dream. We had almost given in and offered our bodies to each other at last. I remembered his white marble chest bare in the moonlight which flowed through the window. I remembered his sighs as I ran my warm hands over his cool skin. I remembered him tearing the flimsy material of my silky short nightdress, one thin strap disintegrating under his fingers. I remembered our gasps of sheer delight as our almost bare skin touched for the first time. I remembered his lips burning a fiery hot trail on the fragile skin of my neck. It had been our most passionate and exciting encounter, that’s how I knew it had all been a dream. Etienne would never let himself go like that, he was too scared to hurt me, too scared to let go of his immaculate self-control. I hugged myself tight and tried not to cry with longing for him. Even though I felt less sad and somewhat hopeful I still felt as though he had taken my heart and soul with him when he left. I hoped I dreamed of him again. My skin was tingling all over deliciously with the memories of my dream.<br />
I jumped out of bed with a small smile, my first in four weeks, and skipped to the sink to wash my face. I recoiled in shock at my reflection. It wasn’t my tousled hair nor the dark circles under my eyes which shook me. It was my attire which gave me cause for concern. One strap was broken in two, the silky ribbon hanging down in tatters. The neckline was ravaged, as was the hem. I must have clawed at myself whilst writhing around in my dream of Etienne and me. Well it was a passionate dream! My face looked different this morning. Not so sad. Not so crumpled. My lips looked bruised and sore. I glanced over at my teddy bear, had I been kissing him last night believing it was Etienne? Gosh I really had lost the plot! I ran a finger over the swollen redness of my mouth and remembered the dream once again. Etienne’s lips. Etienne’s hands. Etienne’s whispered words of love. My cd was still stuck on repeat and our song was playing over and over.<br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Oh tell me you love me</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Come back and haunt me</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Oh and I rush to the start</em><br />
I ran a brush through my tangled mane singing softly to myself under my breath. For once I felt hope instead of sheer despair. I don’t know how or when but I had a small feeling I might see my love again. Oh please let it be true! I could get through what was going on in my troubled life if I clung onto that one thought.<br />
Etienne would return to me one day of that I was<strong style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> sure.</strong></div>
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<br />
<br />
<b>CHAPTER FOURTEEN</b><br />
<b>EVERLASTING LOVE</b><br />
<b>ETIENNE LUCIER:</b></div>
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<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“Hearts gone astray deep in hurt when they go.</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I went away just when you needed me so.</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">You won’t regret I’ll come back begging you.</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Won’t you forget, welcome love we once knew?</em></div>
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<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Open up your eyes, then you’ll realise.</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Here I stand with my everlasting love</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Need you by my side.</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Girl to be my pride.</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Never be denied everlasting love.</em></div>
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<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">From the very start open up your heart, feel that you’ve fall in, </em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Everlasting love…… “</em><br />
I would get Leah back, of that I was sure. She was and always would be my <strong style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">everlasting</strong> love.</div>
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<br />
<br />
<b>CHAPTER FIFTEEN</b><br />
<b>GIRL TALK</b><br />
<b>BELLA CULLEN:</b><br />
There was a blustery wind blowing though my long hair as I swiftly walked along First Beach, towards the rock with a desolate lone figure sitting on its smooth flat surface. Jacob and I had frequented this site a lot when I was human. Now I tended to go out only at night to hunt with Edward. I and my husband were meant to be studying at University in Alaska. That was the cover story. Charlie of course knew the truth, thanks to Jacob Black. My Mom did not. She assumed we were in our 3rd year at University, due to graduate soon. I hadn’t seen her since my change. It was hard avoiding her. It had to be done though. She didn’t know she had a granddaughter. Renesmee was now eighteen and engaged to be married to Jacob. She had reached this age very quickly. How could Renee possibly understand? The wind howled and whipped my hair into frenzy again. I drew closer to the figure sat cold and lonely on the rock.<br />
“Hey Leah,” I softly spoke as I approached. She turned around with a weak smile. She looked tired and pale.<br />
“Hey Bella. What are you doing out here?” she enquired.<br />
“I’ve come to speak with you Leah. Jacob has told me everything. I think it’s about time you and I have a chat!” I said with raised eyebrows.<br />
Her face fell into a quick frown and she looked most annoyed. “Trust Jake not to keep his big mouth shut!” she raged.<br />
“He’s worried about you Leah,” I said putting my hand on her shoulder. I sat down on the big flat rock next to her. Her eyes looked puffy and red from crying. “Are you okay?” I asked.<br />
Tears welled up in her eyes and slowly tracked their way down her cheeks. “No, not really Bella. It’s all such a mess!” she exclaimed with a sob.<br />
I put an arm around her and tried to give her a gentle understanding squeeze. Must be careful with humans, I was still classed as a newborn and I was very strong. Ask Edward. Or look at the state of our bedroom furniture!<br />
“Leah, I am honestly shocked that the Elders and the Pack want you to enter into an arranged marriage with Embry. You are an independent young woman. You should be able to make your own choices! Though I am guessing you wouldn’t choose Embry, or even another shape shifter? Or a human? Hmmm?” I queried.<br />
Leah shook her head sadly. “I would choose Etienne.”<br />
I gave her a gentler than gentle squeeze again taking care to keep my touch feather light. “I understand Leah. Of course I do. I was a human girl desperately in love with a vampire. Even though I was only human and not a shape shifter like you, I still had expectations and ideals forced onto me by my parents, society and the rest of the Cullen’s!”<br />
Leah half smiled at me. I took it as a good sign and continued, “I take it Etienne has done an Edward on you? I haven’t seen him around in a while.”<br />
She nodded sadly in reply.<br />
“I know how gut wrenchingly awful that feels Leah. I almost died of a broken heart when Edward left. He thought he was doing the right thing, but it was the wrong thing. We needed to be with each other. It was that simple. I am guessing that you and Etienne feel that way too?” I said Leah nodded vigorously but still didn’t speak. “Leah you can talk to me,” I promised sincerely.<br />
Things hadn’t always been friendly between us but I’d hoped we’d got passed all that rivalry now. Leah smiled gratefully at me, her dark eyes shining with tears as she opened herself up to me and began to speak honestly and with such passion I was overwhelmed with emotions myself. “I truly do love Etienne Bella. He thinks I would be better living a normal life without him. Marriage, babies all of that. But I don’t want any of that. I want him. I dreamed last night that he had come back to me. It was the happiest I’ve been since he left a month ago. Nothing is right. I want to run away and hide. The Pack mean everything to me. Being a shape shifter is a privilege. I don’t take that lightly, it has been my only way of life I’ve ever known. Until I met Etienne it kind of made sense. I never suspected what the Elders had planned for me. My own Mother must’ve known about the arranged marriage. She didn’t mention it, like ever! I feel so betrayed by those close to me, Bella. I feel so lost without the love of my life!” she cried.<br />
I sighed and pulled her close to me, mindful of my own strength again. I hoped the coldness of my body didn’t chill her too much on this winter day. Mind you she was probably used to that being with Etienne. “Did you and Etienne ever? Well you know?” I asked curiously.<br />
She smiled and shook her head. “No, we didn’t. He was too scared in case he hurt me and it would be too late to turn back, “she admitted.<br />
I smiled to myself. Just like Edward and me. The times I had tried to seduce him! He was strong when it came to suppressing his passion for me. We waited until we were married. It had felt right to do so. Of course it ultimately led to my death. Now we couldn’t keep our hands off each other as we had no fear now. Or lovemaking was intense and passionate. Most probably dangerous too, if you weren’t a vampire.<br />
Leah and I sat in silence for a minute and gazed out to sea, both lost in our own thoughts. Finally Leah broke the silence between us, “I’ve wanted to talk to you in so long Bella. I didn’t know how. I was scared to tell anyone. Vampires are supposed to be our enemies, except for the Cullen’s of course,” she added. “The Pack will not tolerate a romantic relationship between our two species. Except for Jacob of course. He is allowed to marry Nessie cos he imprinted on her! I do hope he hasn’t told Sam and the others about me and Etienne,” she said, her voice laced with worry.<br />
“Jacob assured me he hasn’t Leah. I believe him. He would not lie to me. Not now I’m going to be his mother-in-law!” I joked.<br />
Leah smiled weakly and attempted to laugh. The sound came out hollow and insincere. Who could blame her? I knew how devastating it was to lose one you loved so much. One you would give up everything to be with. What could I do or say to help her without interfering in Pack business? It was difficult. The wolves and vampires of Forks had made peace with each other. The treaty that had stood between us and them was no more. Instead we lived each day as we wished and didn’t encroach on the other’s existence too much. Obviously we were close to Jacob still. Obviously Etienne had something to do with this. He used his power on Sam at my trial, quickly saving me and at the same time dissolving any treaties which had been in place.<br />
“Leah, I have thought about your situation all night last night. I know you don’t want to let the Pack down and you feel there is no way out of this arranged marriage. I say there is. There has to be. I will help you find a way. Edward and I found a way to make it work whilst I was human. Tell me Leah did you ever discuss your future with Etienne? Did you discuss changing?” I asked quietly not wanting to push her too much.<br />
She sighed long and hard, her dark eyes glittering as she turned to face me, “All he wanted and wished for was to be human again so we could have a normal life. But that wasn’t likely to happen! We never discussed me becoming like him. I had hinted and he had hinted but we didn’t come right out and say it. I guess we were both scared to mention it. I mean I’m a shape shifter, not just human. How would the change affect me? As far as I know no one like me has ever gone through the change. He wouldn’t want to take my life away from me, Bella, “she replied succinctly.<br />
I nodded, understanding completely. Edward had been caught between the devil and the deep blue sea too. He had wanted to be with me always but he didn’t want to change me either. He kept putting it off, until he didn’t have a choice. I was going to die so he was forced into it there and then. I hoped that situation didn’t arise with Leah and Etienne. Although I would never change a thing. Renesmee was my beautiful daughter and since the first kick I had loved her unconditionally. I would kill for her. I’d end my existence for her. I would always love her no matter what.<br />
I stood up to leave, glad that I had talked to Leah today. “I will help you Leah. Jacob needn’t know what we have discussed. I know you two are best friends but he is Pack Alpha and for that reason I wouldn’t confide in him anymore. Call me or visit soon and we will discuss what to do next. In the meantime try not to be sad. I know it’s hard but try to live a little Leah. I will go home and try to come up with some ideas for you. Although we rarely have secrets from each other, I will not tell Edward about any of this yet. He can’t read my mind thankfully. But he can read Jake’s so I will keep them apart for now!”<br />
She smiled up at me, this time with a little sliver of hope in her dark eyes. “Thank you, Bella. You are being too kind to me. I am ashamed how unkind I have treated you at times. For that I apologise,” she said sheepishly. I bent down and hugged her oh so gently, being careful not to squeeze too hard. She shivered slightly at the iciness of my hug.<br />
“I will be in touch,” I said as I turned and ran at speed up the grey and cold wintry beach. As I rounded the corner I turned to see the small forlorn figure get up and walk away from me in the opposite direction towards the reservation. Her stride was now purposeful and full of determination. I smiled to myself, happy I’d had something to with her change of heart.<br />
<strong style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Hopefully Leah would get her happy ending too, we all deserved one didn’t we?</strong></div>
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<br />
<br />
<b>CHAPTER SIXTEEN</b><br />
<b>IN DREAMS</b><br />
<b>LEAH CLEARWATER:</b><br />
Christmas had been and gone, I barely noticed. Now it was about to become a new year. It was my birthday and I felt so alone, but did not want to celebrate with anyone. Why should I celebrate another year older? Another day without my love. My Mom and Seth had tried to persuade me to go out for a meal with them and some others, but I point blank refused. I barely spoke to them if I could help it these days. Although my brother didn’t deserve that as he hadn’t known of the Pack’s plans. My Mom had, she tried to talk to me about it one day but I got so angry and stormed off so I don’t know the full story yet. Bella hadn’t been in touch so far. I was waiting patiently. I was trying to give her time to think of an idea, a plan, anything which would help. Embry had called around today with a small birthday gift. I simply didn’t know what to say to him anymore. He looked embarrassed as I’d grabbed his gift and slammed the bedroom door in his face. Well what did he expect? Really?<br />
I was now eighteen years old and supposedly an adult. I had never felt so adrift from life. All I wanted for my birthday was to be with Etienne. I realised that wasn’t going to happen. I tried every day to be strong but it was so hard to keep up the pretense. Luckily Jacob had stayed away. I hadn’t seen anyone else from the Pack or the Elders, but that was because I pretty much kept myself to myself. I didn’t want to see anyone or talk to anyone. What did I have to say to them? Nothing. Absolutely nothing.<br />
I felt completely disconnected from life. I was numb. Still I clung to the hopeful thought that I would see Etienne again. He would not walk away from me forever. He would find a way and I had Bella on my side too. Both of these thoughts kept me from plunging into the dark, deep abyss that I stared down into every single day. I sat at my window, my head resting on my hands, looking out into the night sky littered with twinkling stars. One bright star fell from the sky, shooting down towards Earth and I wished with all my might that Etienne still loved me. I wished so hard.<br />
I heard my Mom and brother come back home, then soft footfalls on the stairs. “Leah? Are you awake? I just wanted to wish you a happy New Year,” whispered my Mom.<br />
I ignored her once again. We’d barely said two words to each other in weeks. I hadn’t accepted her birthday wishes and I wasn’t accepting her new year wishes either. This year would suck any ways. No Etienne and my lovely arranged marriage to look forward to. Happy days. Then Seth was at my door, his knock much more forceful than our Mom’s. “Leah!” he hissed. “You have upset Mom, Leah! Stop being so selfish and self-absorbed!” he said with an exasperated sigh.<br />
Huh what did he know! I didn’t answer and I heard him huff and puff down the corridor to his own room. My pesky little brother was now seventeen and was tall and muscular. His hair hung down his back like Jacobs, who he looked up to immensely. He had imprinted on a girl from Seattle where he attended college. The same college I went to. Seth was training to be an architect, this is where he met Christa. She also had desires to be in the same profession. She was a nice quiet studious girl. I thought she was boring to be honest. They were both going to attend Vancouver University in the fall to obtain their degrees. They would get married after University. I was supposed to be picking out an Art School. I was currently doing my art foundation course at Seattle College. Well, when I attended any ways. I hadn’t been there at all since Etienne left. How could I concentrate on my art work? Impossible. What was the point if the Pack expected me to be a good wife and mother?<br />
I sighed heavily and lay down on my bed, leaving my curtains open so I could gaze at the stars. I might get a second wish if I was lucky. The window was open letting the cool breeze drift in. I hugged my fleece blanket around me as I cuddled down for the night. My mind was full of the last two birthdays I’d had. My sixteenth…Etienne and I kissed for the first time. We fell in love that night. It was perfect on the beach in the moonlight. My seventeenth…Etienne and I almost went too far. I tried my best to seduce him and I’d almost succeeded. It had been magical in the candlelit cave. My eighteenth…I’m alone in bed desperate for my love’s arms around me, his cool lips on mine and his soft whispers in my ear. The pain once more tugs at my heart and I double up with the pain of missing him. It is a physical pain as well as mental torture. There is no release. Sleep is temporary and I haven’t dreamed of him since that night weeks ago. I don’t dream now.<br />
My dreams left the day he walked out of my door.<br />
ETIENNE LUCIER:<br />
This time her window was open. I silently made my way into her room and stood at the side of her bed watching her sleep. My beautiful Leah. She was now eighteen, a woman by rights. In all ways but one. I wanted to be the one who made her completely a woman. I wanted to take the girl I loved in my arms tonight and let her awake in the morning all grown up. I shivered with desire as I looked down at her face, her long eyelashes curled against her cheek, her pouting lips inviting a kiss. She was hidden under a fleecy blanket, all curled up warm and cosy. I had missed her so much. I had to come back and see her. I’d missed her birthday…she was still awake then. I saw her looking sadly out at the stars, a complete vision of loveliness at her window illuminated by the candle burning within. Now it was a new year. I hadn’t yet discovered an answer to our problems but I was working hard on it. My head ached at times trying to sort it all out. The easy thing to do would be to come back here unannounced. Take Leah back. Damn the pack. Let them do their worst, if they killed me so be it. But I couldn’t take that option. Leah would suffer more.<br />
I curled up behind her on the bed, spooning my body to hers. I hoped the fleecy blanket would disguise the coldness of my body. Maybe she would not notice as her room had been cold any ways due to the night air blowing in her window. For ten minutes or so I held her close to me, reveling in the warmth and the perfect contours of her body. Then she stirred in her sleep and turned over onto her back, the blanket fell open revealing her silk nightdress, similar to the pink one I had just about destroyed the last time I visited. Her tanned skin was inviting and smooth against the white silk material. I placed a pale cool hand very lightly on her collarbone, the comparison in our skin tones fascinating me. I gently leaned over and placed my lips on hers in a barely there kiss. She sighed ever so sweetly against my mouth causing me to moan. Her eyes fluttered open and her confusion was replaced with joy at the sight of me. Her hands moved up to my face, causing the blanket to fall away from her body. She traced the contours of my jawline and ran her fingers through my hair drawing me close so our lips could collide in ecstasy once again. Our sighs intertwined as we kissed slowly and sensuously. My whole being was alight with electric currents and behind my closed eyes fireworks exploded. How could our love be wrong?<br />
I prised my lips away from hers very reluctantly. Our kiss was becoming deeper and more intense. I fixed my topaz eyes onto her dark ones. “Leah,” I breathed in awe. “Leah, you are so beautiful. Your lips are so perfect. Your kiss burns my soul,” I whispered holding her gaze. Her eyes were deep dark pools of desire. It took all my self-restraint not to take her there and then.<br />
“Etienne, I love you. Have you come back to me?” she asked.<br />
If I could cry there would have been tears on my pale cheeks right now. I had to use my power on her once again. She must believe this was a dream. I focused the will of my mind into hers through her dark eyes. I told her I hadn’t come back, not really. I was a dream. A lovely dream. I loved her and always would. I was working on an answer to reunite us again. I didn’t want to be apart from her but I had to for now. Everything would be all right in the end. I hoped my words were true. Her eyes glazed over slightly and she nodded. I hated to do this, but she must not think I was really here. It would destroy her for me to leave again. So once again I convinced her it was a beautiful dream.<br />
“Now forget words my love. Kiss me again and let my senses be taken over by your taste, your scent, your very essence,” I whispered hoarsely against the soft fragile skin of her neck as I trailed my lips down her skin, my restraint tested to the maximum again.<br />
She pushed the blanket away from her impatiently as she moaned and pressed her body against mine. Her legs entwined with mine and the silk of her night dress slid against the roughness of my overcoat as we molded our bodies together. Her eager hands pulled at my hair passionately as I slid my coat off and kicked it away from us. Her hands now ran up and down my back, her nails scratching me lightly, teasingly through the thin material of my shirt. My hands ran firmly over her body, making her shiver with their coolness and with her desire for me. I pin her arms above her head and kiss the hollow of her throat, my breathing ragged and hoarse. I gaze down at her face flushed with desire and passion. Her lips are bruised and moist from my kisses. Her neck is red and tender from my eager frantic mouth. The white silky material of her night dress is torn and riding dangerously high above the tops of her thighs and dangerously low over the swelling of her breasts. She is gasping slightly and looks deeply into my eyes as I my gaze travels over every inch of her. Then I feel like I’ve been slapped severely in the face as I notice purple bruises blooming on the skin of her upper arms where I am ruthlessly pinning her down. I’m hurting her! My worst fear! I let her arms free and hold her close.<br />
“Leah my love look what I have done to you!” I wailed.<br />
“Hmmm?” she slowly answers.<br />
She is lightly teasing my neck with her small tongue. I moan into her hair and call upon all my self-restraint in an attempt not to let myself go completely. I pull away and hold her gaze once again. “Leah, you will awake on the floor. You fell out of bed during the night and bruised yourself. You were dreaming of us, “I instructed.<br />
She nodded again. This was too easy. It always had been for me. The moonstone was still by her bedside. Its powers useless unless actually on the person who was being mind controlled. I had to leave before I hurt her again. I hated myself for bruising her precious skin. My passion for her was aching to be sated. I must leave before I gave into it and her pleas for me to kiss her, to hold her, to be with her. I kissed her again, this time gently and softly. My lips just grazing her bruised much kissed ones.<br />
“I have to leave now Leah my love. We will be together soon. I love you so much. Please try to be patient my darling. Please try to smile at least once a day and don’t forget me whatever you do! Be kind to Embry if you can. I think he may be a little bit in love with you!” I smiled down as I gazed into her eyes. “But remember you are mine and always will be,” I growled.<br />
I commanded her to sleep as I lifted her off the bed and gently placed her on the floor. I put the blanket over her again. It wasn’t long until morning, perhaps only a couple of hours away, she would be fine. I gazed longingly at her as I left. This was dangerous coming here tonight. I had to try to stay away. I didn’t know if I could. I leapt out of the window and into the night, speeding back home to Vancouver.<br />
Leah was a drug to me and I had to have my fix. <strong style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I needed her so badly.</em></strong></div>
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<br />
<b>CHAPTER SEVENTEEN</b><br />
<b>A MOTHER’S LOVE</b><br />
<b>SUE CLEARWATER:</b><br />
When I was pregnant with Leah, I prayed hard each day for a boy. On the day Leah was born I cried with joy and sadness when the midwife announced we had a girl. Harry, her father was overjoyed with his little girl. I was too, but I knew life would be difficult for her, being the only female shape shifter in the Quileute tribe. The Elders made me and Harry promise that when she was eighteen we would allow her to be married off to a Quileute male who had not yet imprinted (or seemed he was unlikely to). We had to sign documents to say we would. I didn’t want to do this at all, but wives were not meant to argue with their husband, especially husbands who were Elders of the Pack.<br />
I hoped that one day I could persuade Harry to forget about it all. Times moved on and the Pack did not seem to be under any threat of extinction to me. Sam was marrying Emily. Quil was marrying Claire. Jacob was marrying Nessie. Although I was not sure if the latter could have offspring? The tribe would carry on. But that wasn’t good enough for the Elders, oh no they wanted pure bred shape shifters. The mating of a female and a male shape shifter would produce pure blood children. These children could pass on the pure genes no matter whom they mated with. I was desperate to make Harry see sense before Leah was eighteen. Sadly he died four years ago. I had no one to back me up. I was alone with two children to raise.<br />
Leah was to be married to Embry Call come New Year’s Eve. It was now summer. Only six months to go and she would give up her hopes and dreams for herself and become Mrs. Leah Call. I hated the stupid Pack ideas. I wanted Leah to have her own life, make her own choices. I was powerless to stop them. I had signed away my daughter’s future all those years ago because I was a naïve young girl who loved her husband dearly and would have done anything he asked. Now my actions had caused a massive rift between me and my daughter. She barely spoke to me at all. I tried to explain to her why the Elders had made this decision. I tried to tell her how unique and special she was. For years the Quileute tribe had hoped for a female child to be born into the pack. All of the Elders wives had boys. No wonder Harry was so over the moon when Leah appeared into this world. He finally had something all the other Elders hoped for.<br />
Of course there had been females born into our tribe before and since Leah but none of them were shape shifters. Only children of the founding fathers could be shape shifters. Everyone knew where they had come from except Embry Call. His Mother never told anyone especially her son who is father was but it was a well-known fact that he was a member of the Quileute tribe. Definitely a shape shifter as Embry had first phased at fifteen, the same age Seth had been when it had happened to him. Strong rumours have it that Embry is definitely Sam Uley senior’s son. He left Sam’s mother when Sam was only young. He sometimes comes back just to keep a hand in pack business, which I find extremely unfair. Sam does not have anything to do with him in the slightest.<br />
So, I was stuck in the middle between my daughter and the Elders. I wished I could find a way to stop this marriage. I wanted my daughter to go to University to obtain her art degree, to follow her dreams, have a magnificent career and settle down with a man she truly loved when the time was right. Seth’s life was going so well. He had imprinted on Christa, a lovely girl who was studying to be an architect like him. They were going to marry in a few years. He was so in love it was a joy to see. Then there was Leah. These days she shuffled around unhappily looking at the ground dejectedly. Gone was my feisty girl who I secretly admired. She was like a ghost of her former self. Although this past month I had noticed a difference in her. She seemed happier again. She was drawing and painting again. I hoped she would be able to persuade Embry to agree to her still attending art school when they were married, although I guessed he would be under pressure from the Elders to start a family right away.<br />
My daughter had been spending a lot of time with Embry lately. I hoped he was the reason for her smiles. They did seem to get on well, which was a blessing if they were to be married. I sighed as I took another sip of my morning coffee. Seth had gone to college. Leah was out with Embry. He had taken her on a hike into the woods. He was a great nature lover, just like Leah. The house was quiet and at times like this I felt Harry’s loss more keenly. He had been bad tempered and domineering at times, but he was my husband and I respected and admired him. I loved him too. He had given me my two amazing children and I was forever grateful for that. Now I was going to get some pretty special grandchildren. Although I didn’t totally agree with the marriage I had to admit I was a bit excited about Leah becoming a Mom. I would get to babysit and care for babies again. That would be lovely. I sent a little prayer up to the heavens for my daughter. I hoped she would learn to love Embry and be happy. That’s all us mother’s really wanted. For our children to be happy always.<br />
<strong style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I prayed it would be so.</strong></div>
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<br />
<b>CHAPTER EIGHTEEN</b><br />
<b>DREAM NO MORE</b><br />
<b>LEAH CLEARWATER:</b><br />
I last dreamt of Etienne two months ago. Until that point I had been dreaming of him every fortnight in vivid, colourful dreams which felt so real at the time. When morning came I realised they were only dreams despite me bringing evidence of them back into the real world. I woke up with torn clothes, bruises, mussed up hair and bee stung lips where I had dreamed of my love and I entwined on my bed; his hands on me, his lips on mine and his body close to me. I just lived for the night time. I prayed every night before I lay down to sleep that Etienne would appear in my dreams. That I would experience dreams so real I felt as though he was really there. That he really did kiss me. That he really did let himself go further than we had when we were together. I tried to be happy but always he was there in the back of my mind. My suspicion that I would see him again was still burning strongly in my mind. I clung to it for months and months. Then the dreams stopped.<br />
Oh how I missed our closeness we shared in my dreams. I didn’t remember any of my other dreams, only those ones in which we shared passionate embraces and kisses. I wondered why those dreams had stopped. I remembered the last one very vividly. We had almost given in completely to our passions, I woke up with just ribbons of material left covering me. My body was bruised and bitten. I didn’t understand how I caused such damage to myself in dreams. I considered a couple of things; one I was going completely crazy and two Etienne had really been there and I wasn’t dreaming. I discounted both those ideas because; one if you think you are crazy then you are most probably not. Crazy people rarely think they actually are crazy! And two there is no way Etienne would act this way with me so it had to be a dream each time. I decided that I had taken to sleep walking in my grief at losing my one true love. I often awoke on the floor in a crumpled heap, or slumped in my armchair, or sitting upright on my window seat. I didn’t ever remember how I got there.<br />
Strange times but I missed them because it was the only time I got to see my love again. At first I’d been as devastated by my lack of dreams as I had the day Etienne left. Then I realised that it must be my subconscious telling me that it was time to move past this heartbreak and sorrow. So I tried to smile and laugh again. I tried to paint and draw again. I let Embry Call into my life. Surprisingly we got on really well. We had different temperaments. He was shy and quiet whilst I was boisterous and feisty. But we could talk and laugh together quite easily. It wasn’t a chore being around him. Before he was just a Pack member, now I could say we were good friends. He was sweet and kind. Lovely and gentlemanly. Funny and clever. But I did not love him. He did not make my heart race and my palms sweat. There were absolutely no romantic feelings there at all. Well, I can only speak for myself but I am almost sure he doesn’t have any feelings of intense adoration for me.<br />
Only Etienne could make me swoon with sheer unadulterated pleasure and passion. Only Etienne could capture my heart and hold it captive forever. Only Etienne could touch my mind, body and soul so deeply and perfectly. Embry was a nice distraction but I wouldn’t ever fall in love with him. How could you force feelings that just weren’t there? Jake reckoned when we spent more time together, those feelings would come naturally for both of us. But I doubted that very much. Embry and I avoided talking about our impending marriage to each other. I confided in Bella, who had become a good friend to me. She was still trying to search for a loophole in my situation, but it was hard with Edward constantly at her side. I managed to meet up with her alone every month for updates. She said she wanted to go to the Amazonian rainforests to visit the small tribe of Quileute’s which had settled there years ago. Maybe there was a female shape shifter living there which no one knew about? It was worth a try. Bella promised to go soon whenever she got the chance. I was so grateful to her for helping me. It was strange but good that we were now friends and not enemies. Why could all of my tribe not try harder with the vampires? Yeah, I know I’ve changed my tune. The Elders wanted Embry and me to marry this New Year’s Eve, on my birthday. I was nineteen this year, soon a teenager no more. I would be a married woman whom I suspected would be required to produce offspring soon after the wedding. I tried not to think too far ahead into the future.<br />
Even though my life was different now without Etienne, I was grateful for Embry’s friendship. It could be worse. I could find his company hateful. I still ached for Etienne and missed him every single day. I wished I could have just one more dream of us. Although it did make it worse because I wanted him back even more. I sighed heavily causing Embry to ask me what was up. I’d been deep in thought for a while now and he had been waiting patiently for my attention. “I’m fine Embry, sorry I was in my own world there,” I said with a smile. We had been to the cinema in Port Angeles to see the latest horror film, a genre which we both loved. Embry parked his Jeep outside my house and turned off the engine. He turned to me with a serious look on his face.<br />
“What is it Embry?” I asked.<br />
“Leah, will you kiss me? I feel it’s time for us to find out if we are compatible in other ways,” he shyly said.<br />
He leaned in towards me so our lips could meet, I decided to go with the flow and see what happened. As soon as our lips touched it felt so wrong and I quickly pulled away. Embry looked at me sadly, but knowingly.<br />
“Well that was strange!” he announced. I looked at him curiously. “It just didn’t feel right kissing you Leah. I don’t understand why though, I mean you are a beautiful girl, I really like you and we do get on, but I felt nothing. No electricity, no spark, nothing. Sorry,” he apologised.<br />
I pretended to be upset but I couldn’t keep up the pretense and I dissolved into giggles. Embry joined in and soon we were clutching our sides in laughter. Really it wasn’t a laughing matter but we found it hilarious. Soon our laughter subsided and we looked at each other.<br />
We smiled wryly and both said in unison, <em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“What now?”</em></div>
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<br />
<br />
<b>CHAPTER NINETEEN</b><br />
<b>SECRETS AND LIES</b><br />
<b>BELLA CULLEN:</b><br />
It was early April when I arrived at Etienne’s house just as night was giving way to the dawn. The Vancouver sky was red and orange as the sun crept through the clouds. He better be home or I would have to hide myself somewhere as it looked like it could be a sunny day here today. The large solid oak door creaked open and Etienne peered out at me. “Mrs. Cullen, a joy to see you as ever!” he announced with a flourish. “Please do come in sweet Bella, this is a most pleasant surprise!”<br />
I entered the large hall of his old house, the cool air and familiar scent enveloping me. I’d once felt safe here. As a newborn I hid here with Etienne, who had helped me ease into the new world which I’d found myself in. Unfortunately he had taken advantage of my vulnerability and used his mind powers to try to seduce me. Luckily we had got past all that when he turned up in Forks to save me from The Pack’s retribution for my treaty breaking. I had bitten Jacob right after my transformation and tried to kill my own daughter. The Pack had brought me to trial on my return home. Etienne “persuaded” Sam not to take further action against me.<br />
Etienne showed me into his study and closed the door behind us. “You look as beautiful as ever Bella,” he said with a beaming smile.<br />
“Cut it out Etienne. I’m here to ask you a favour, “I replied, my voice a touch icy. He motioned for me to sit down on the battered old leather sofa.<br />
“Anything for you Bella,” he grinned.<br />
“Leave Leah alone! You are messing with her mind appearing to her at night in what she believes to be dreams of you and her. I know they aren’t really dreams Etienne. You must not do this to her. If you truly love her, then stay away! “I demanded, my eyes glittering with anger.<br />
Etienne gave me his cocky smile, but when he saw the look in my eyes he slumped into an armchair opposite me dejectedly. “Bella, I can’t!” he wailed with anguish. “I love her so completely, so insanely. I need to be near her but I don’t want her to suffer so I pretend it’s a dream. I make her believe she has dreamt me. She couldn’t stand me coming to her then leaving her again. I had to make her believe the day I left was the last day she would ever see me! How did you find out?” he asked me his head in his hands despairingly. “Who else knows? Oh god almighty is Leah safe?” he demanded to know.<br />
I reached out and put a cool hand on his leg soothingly, “Only I know Etienne, well apart from Jacob that is. But you know that already. Leah and I have become close, she confides in me. I see her being torn apart each time she “dreams” of you. It isn’t fair Etienne. Unless you have a plan, a plan to end the Pack’s actions then I suggest you keep away and let her heart have a chance to heal! I know all too well what it feels like to be abandoned by the one you love most. Edward left me once, he thought it was the best thing for me. He was wrong. You are wrong. You should have stayed and fought for the girl you love,” I said passionately.<br />
Etienne sighed deeply his shoulders slumped in defeat. “Bella, what could I do? Fight against the whole wolf pack? Plus my gut instinct was telling me I should leave Leah alone to have a normal life. I know it worked out for you and Edward in the end, but I cannot even contemplate taking her life and making her like me forever!” he said sadly.<br />
“Have you spoke of her being changed?” I asked him.<br />
He shook his head, his dark curls falling around his handsome face. “I cannot contemplate it Bella!” he cried out with intense emotion.<br />
I went to him now and hugged him to me. Etienne was my friend and I hated to see him in pain. Edward would have agreed with him. He hadn’t wanted to change me either. It was me who craved to be a vampire, so I could be with my love forever. Etienne thought he was being kinder to Leah by leaving her. I disagreed. Being separated from your one true love was too painful to bear. I believed there must be a way through this whole mess. I had been determined to find one. I had come up with the idea of travelling to the Amazonian rain forest to search for the lost Quileute tribe who supposedly lived there. If we could find a female shape shifter maybe just maybe the Elders would re-consider the arranged marriage. This would give Leah and Etienne more of a chance to work things out. Though Etienne seemed determined to stay out of her life, he obviously couldn’t as he visited her every two weeks at night, telling her poor tortured mind it was all a dream. I knew as soon as she told me about her strange dreams that they were real. I could not tell her I’d seen Etienne today. It would knock our fledgling friendship right back down to earth with a bump.<br />
“Etienne please promise you will not visit Leah at night anymore. Not only are you breaking her heart even more, you are making it impossible for her to move on. You say you don’t want to rekindle your romance but you cannot stay away from her! Admit you still want to be with her and I will tell you what I have discovered in my quest to help Leah!” I bargained.<br />
He jumped up, pushing me away forcefully. “Bella, you witch!” he laughed.<br />
I smiled knowingly.<br />
“Of course I want to be with her Bella. I love the girl. I have never felt this way. I wish I was human. I wish she was human! I wish we could run away together and be happy. I want her to stay the way she is though!” he exclaimed passionately.<br />
“Well let’s try help her first, then we can deal with the other stuff,” I said.<br />
Then I proceeded to tell him my plan. I told him we would go as soon as I had told Leah of my plans and as soon as I had a suitable excuse for Edward. My darling husband would not like my interfering in this. I knew that for certain. I couldn’t help myself though. It wasn’t fair what was happening to Leah and I hated to see my friend Etienne so broken.<br />
He deserved to be happy. He had lived a long lonely life, never letting himself get close to anyone due to his vampire nature and his mistrust of women after what Victoria had done to him.<br />
(Note to reader you must read NEWBORN to find out what happened!)<br />
If I could help him at all then I would, after all he had helped me so much in the past. I really didn’t think I would have made it home at all if it hadn’t been for Etienne.<br />
I owed him my life and I intended to repay him in <em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">any way</em> possible.</div>
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<br />
<br />
<b>CHAPTER TWENTY</b><br />
<b>LIFE GOES ON</b><br />
<b>LEAH CLEARWATER:</b><br />
I am trudging dejectedly through the autumn leaves, with my eyes looking downwards and my face full of sadness. Time is flying by, the year is almost over. It is 31st of October today, Halloween. Scary for me as it signaled that there were only two months left until my birthday. Or as it’s more commonly known around here “the double wedding”. I inwardly cringed as I thought of my impending marriage to Embry. Everything was arranged now. My Mom had helped out a lot. We were kind of speaking now. She just wanted what was best for me, but she also didn’t completely agree with the Elders, but annoyingly enough she went along with it all. Everything was flashing by me so quickly and I felt like a grain of sand in a whirling sandstorm. I was blown along, powerless to stop the inevitable happening. Now Bella had just informed me that there were no female shape shifters living with the Amazonian Quileute tribe. I was devastated.<br />
I was on my way to see Jacob Black, whose emotions right now were the complete opposite to mine. He was ecstatically happy to be marrying his Nessie. Lucky him. Mine and Jacobs’s friendship was still there but we definitely were not as close. I resented the fact that as joint Pack Alpha he had sided with the Elders on the decision to arrange my marriage to Embry. Don’t even get me started on Sam, we barely spoke before all this happened due to him dumping me for Emily. Now we didn’t exchange any words at all. That was just fine with me. I’d had enough of all the Pack males except Embry! We got on fine, in fact we got on really well but there was no hint of any romance or passion between us at all. Not just on my side but his too. We just didn’t feel that way about each other. It made what we were about to do much harder in a way, because at least if I’d been a little in love with Embry I could’ve entered into the marriage with some hope in my heart that it may work somehow.<br />
Embry and I had spoken of the situation to each other, and of course I’d confided in Bella but no one else knew. The Pack and Elders all thought they’d created the perfect match in me and Embry. Huh, what did they know! We agreed we would keep up the pretense that we were the perfect couple but we had both decided that once we were married we needed to think up a plan quickly to get out of our responsibility to produce offspring! I know everyone was just dying for me to have shape shifter babies, especially girl ones. We didn’t know what we would do, we just needed to get the wedding out of the way, then decide what to do. Keep them off our backs for a while. It was a crazy situation.<br />
Of course I still loved Etienne. It was almost a year since he had left. Silly naïve girl that I am, I still believed he would come back for me. I still had this burning feeling I would see him again. The dreams had definitely stopped. I hated that I couldn’t even see him in dreams now no matter how hard I tried to remember them every morning when I awoke. The strange sleepwalking and bruising which accompanied my dreams of Etienne had stopped too. I missed the dreams. They were the only connection to him that I had left. Bella reckoned the dreams had stopped because I was finally enjoying life again even just a little bit. She was right. Embry was like my own personal sun and I needed him in my life now.<br />
When I arrived at Jacob's house all he could talk about was Nessie this and Nessie that. Wedding this and wedding that. Yawn! He finally got around to asking how I was and he told me he was glad Bella and I were finally friends. He was also happy that they had made a good choice of a husband for me in Embry Call. He winked at me when he made a comment about how good we looked together and what a change there was in me. Huh! Obviously his love for Nessie had made him blind to the real world! It was probably due to me and Embry actually getting along together so well for real. No one else had to know it was only friendship. Jake knew I wasn’t the type to gush, I held my feelings close to my chest most of the time. He would not think it was strange that I didn’t ramble on about Embry and how much in love we were. He did enough of that for the two of us! I didn’t mention Etienne ever again to him since I first confessed my true feelings last year. I kept that to myself. Bella was the only one who knew how I really felt. I brought out my special treasured memories of Etienne when I was alone in my room at night. I played our favourite songs, I gazed at and stroked his photos and I held whole conversations with him in my mind. I smiled and nodded appropriately at whatever Jacob was prattling on about now. Something about how he couldn’t wait for us both to be part of a married couple. We could socialise together and have each other round for dinner. Yawn!<br />
I soon made my excuses and left to make my way home. The air smelled of winter. It would be here soon. There were a few children out trick or treating, I made a swift short cut to avoid them. I so couldn’t be bothered with Halloween. I already lived the supernatural life for real. My Mom was sitting by the cosy fire when I got in. She smiled at me from her fire side arm chair as I pulled off my boots and wriggled my toes to warm them. “Hey Leah, fancy one of my special hot chocolate drinks to warm you up, love?”<br />
I shook my head, “I’m fine thanks Mom. I’m just gonna head for a bath then bed,” I retorted.<br />
She smiled but I saw her sigh. She was sad that we didn’t have the same mother daughter relationship that we used to have. Normally I would go in and sit with her and chat about our day. When I was small my Mom was my hero. When I was a young teenager we were such good friends. That was before I knew she’d signed the dotted line giving the Elders permission to take over my life. I could not see us being close again after this. But she was my Mom, so maybe one day I would understand. “Goodnight Mom,” I said with a plastered on smile.<br />
“Goodnight Leah,” she replied.<br />
After my lovely relaxing bath I lay on my bed listening to our song over and over. I hadn’t done this for little while. A few lonely tears escaped and ran down my cheeks. I took out my favourite photo of Etienne. I had taken it on First Beach one moonlit night two summers ago. He was gazing out towards the ocean, his face in profile. So handsome. He had a beautiful, perfect face. I traced his jaw line with my finger, a sudden rush of sadness and loss overwhelming me. Would I ever see him again? Ever touch his cool skin or kiss his lips? Would we ever talk deep into the small hours again? Or just hold each other close? My heart would never heal. I needed Etienne. Where was he? Why hadn’t he come back? New Year’s Eve was looming like a dark shadow. Embry and I would soon be forced into forming a union we neither did not want nor desire. We didn’t deserve this. To be married off to someone neither of us were in love with. It wasn’t right or fair. I considered running away. Where would I go? I would never know if Etienne came back for me if I ran. I couldn’t make Bella betray her friends and family to help me again. I had to stay. Just in case. I couldn’t win no matter which way I turned. I didn’t want to be ostracised from my friends and family forever. There was no choice, I had to stay and marry Embry. For better or for worse.<br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I lay face down on the bed and let my tears flow like a river.</em></div>
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<br />
<br />
<b>CHAPTER TWENTY ONE</b><br />
<b>ADDICTION</b><br />
<b>ETEINNE LUCIER:</b><br />
I kept my promise to Bella Cullen for a few months until the craving got too much and I had to cave in. I had to see Leah again. It had been too long since our last “dream” meeting and I was missing her so badly my still heart ached. Any ways I reckoned I was allowed to cheat seeing as Bella had withheld information from Leah. How would my girl feel if she knew her new friend had actually seen me and knew where I was? Not happy I can assure you! I had just got back from a trip to the Amazon rainforests. I eventually tracked down the lost Quileute tribe who dwelled there and persuaded them that although yes I was a vampire, I was not their enemy. I managed to talk to the Elder in charge. I gleaned from him that there were no female shape shifters there and they were all worried that the tribe would fade away in the future. They figured it might be time to move back home soon, to where they belonged. No non shape shifting females had been born in two decades. The males had no females in the near vicinity to marry, so the Elder was very worried for the future of his small Pack. The only females left were not of child bearing age. It was looking grim for the small Quileute tribe. I implied that he should leave here and return to the fold in La Push, but he was worried they had been removed from society too long and wouldn’t fit in.<br />
It was quite a sad story. I had enjoyed my trip out there though and I even visited the Amazonian coven whilst out there. Bella had told me where they lived. She didn’t make the trip with me. Edward had found out her intentions and they had rowed. The conclusion was that although helping Leah was admirable, she shouldn’t get so involved in Pack business. Bella reluctantly agreed with her husband. I stayed with the Amazonian coven for a week, but had to make a quick getaway when Zafrina, the leader took a fancy to me. She was fierce some and wild and there was no way I would’ve escaped her clutches should she have got hold of me. I was just a slip of a boy to look at; no one would suspect my strength and speed unless they knew I was a vampire. I think Zafrina wanted to mother me, I had that kind of little boy lost look which older women seemed to love. Leah always said I was too beautiful for my own good. I guess I can be a little vain. There is nothing wrong in taking pride in your appearance though. Especially for the girl you love. Leah was stunning with her dark hair, dark eyes and slim figure which curved in exactly the right places. I was captivated by her beauty the first time I saw her. I couldn’t be happy unless I was gazing at her. That’s how I found myself here in her bedroom again. It was Halloween, perfect for being ghostlike.</div>
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<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Oh tell me you love me</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Come back and haunt me</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Oh and I rush to the start</em><br />
Our song was stuck on repeat again as I entered her room through the open window. I stealthily crossed the room to stand by her bed. She was curled into a ball with a patchwork quilt covering her body. I gently moved her hair away from her face, my still heart bursting with tender love for her. She was so beautiful in sleep, so innocent, so untouched. I bent to kiss the soft skin of her cheek ever so gently. Her eyes suddenly flashed open, their deep dark depths scared for a second, then recognition flooded them and she pulled me down on to the bed.<br />
“Etienne!” she whispered with wonder.<br />
I hated doing this. I had to command her to believe this was a dream again. I so wanted her to know I was here for real but I couldn’t do that to her either. Oh what a situation to be in! There were photos of me and the two of us scattered on the bed. Leah loved taking my picture, she said it captured a little bit of my essence every time and that little part of me was hers always. I laughed and joked she was crazy but it was actually quite beautiful what she said.<br />
“Leah, my love it’s been so long. You haven’t dreamed of me in months!”<br />
She sighed and played with my hair, “I tried and tried to dream of you Etienne. I thought you were lost to me forever! I have been waiting patiently for you to return to me in dreams and reality but neither happened,” she said, tears falling from her dark eyes.<br />
I gently kissed the tears away, my lips trailing down her cheek, to her jaw, then sliding onwards to the smooth soft skin of her neck. Mm mm so fragile, her scent was strongest here and I had to stop the red mist from descending by sheer will power. I loved the taste and scent of her skin, it was an elixir to me. A drug. I’d missed her so much. I pulled away and let my lips descend on hers.<br />
She sighed so sweetly I wanted to bite her so bad. This girl would drive me crazy. I shouldn’t have come, but I had to. This was torture. Her lips were kissing and biting mine with pent up passion. Oh how I loved her! We must talk though. I had to tear myself away from her sweet lips. I sat up with my back resting on the headboard and pulled Leah up so she could face me. She sat cross legged in front of me, her face flushed from our kisses. Her eyes were like glittering onyx in the low lamplight of her bedroom. Concentrate Etienne!<br />
“Leah, tell me all that has been happening please,” I asked.<br />
My icy hands held her warm ones as she proceeded to tell me all that had happened since spring when we had last met in our “dream”. She told me about her and Bella being friends. This one I knew of course. She told me how Embry really wasn’t so bad, in fact he was a lovely guy whom she counted as one of her closest friends now. I didn’t know about this. She told me how she and Jacob were still friends but she was more guarded around him. She told me about the difficult relationship with her Mother. Seth and she were the same as ever, arguing like brother and sister did but ultimately best friends. She told me she was painting again and had been back to college. I was glad. Her life seemed to be going well without me, apart from this marriage looming over her.<br />
I had to stop the events of New Year’s Eve somehow. Leah couldn’t marry Embry. It wasn’t right. Also I could not stand it if she did. Some of my reasons were selfish, yes I admit it. I wanted to be in her life so much. Was this what it would be like from now on? Me making her believe she dreamed of me now and again? Whilst she was married to another man? No, it couldn’t happen. If I was ever to get her back then I had to come up with something fast! The wedding was fast approaching. Leah was now showing me some photos she had taken recently. There were pictures of her and Bella, smiling in the Cullen’s large garden. Then there was a picture of Jacob and Nessie smiling happily and so in love. Then there were a couple of Embry on his motorbike, and in his Jeep on the beach. The last one she shyly handed me was of her and Embry. They had obviously been attending a party because they were dressed to the nines.<br />
“This was Quil’s birthday party,” she informed me as I gazed at the picture, jealousy welling up in me like poison. Embry had his arm around Leah, who looked simply stunning in a figure hugging scarlet mini dress. He was gazing at her as she beamed at whomever took the photo. With their long dark hair and almost black eyes they looked so alike. Embry was like a male version of Leah in a red suit. She said they’d both thought it was kind of cool to dress up alike for the night. I quickly put the photograph down and looked at the next one she showed me. It was of Emily, her second cousin, the girl who was Sam Uley’s imprintee. Sam was in the background looking over at his fiancée. Something clicked in my brain when I looked at this photograph. I stored my thought away for future reference, as now Leah’s hands were making their way under my shirt and up my back, making coherent thought impossible.<br />
I pulled her towards me forcefully, making her gasp with delight as our lips met with more insistence this time. I lost myself in our kiss. Lost myself in the feel of her skin next to mine. Our gasps, our moans, our whispered words of love. It seemed this time I was destined to take it way too far. I came to my senses at the very last possible minute and I had to run or else it really would have been a disaster. I flew out of the window into the night at high speed after a quick command to Leah to sleep soundly and awake in the morning with no recollection of me at all. I didn’t look back as I leapt out of the window. One last look might have just pushed me over the edge of temptation.<br />
I flew home as fast as my long legs would carry me, my mind a whirlwind of emotions and passions, with one thought persisting through my brain. I finally had something which may help me stop the wedding and win Leah back for good.<br />
I prayed my instincts were right.</div>
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<br />
<br />
<b>CHAPTER TWENTY TWO</b><br />
<b>MIXED EMOTIONS</b><br />
<b>EMBRY CALL:</b><br />
Leah and I were in the woods near to First Beach, running free together in wolf form. I was large and had grey fur with dark spots, she was small and had grey fur minus the spots. We were both the same shade of light grey and our fur was luxurious and thick. Sometimes it was good just to be free and wild. I liked to phase on my own without the Pack. It gave me a sense of release and at the same time peace. When the Pack were as one we really were because we could hear and sometimes see each other’s thoughts which was often annoyingly uncomfortable. Leah hadn’t run with the Pack for years. No one pulled her up about it though. Being the only girl with such female thoughts made the males feel awkward. Leah seemed happy to phase on her own, but today I’d caught up with her. We were about to be married, we should take up a mutual interest hobby!<br />
She had looked surprised to see me when I came across her half way through a kill. We had dispatched the creature together and ate in companionable silence. Now we were running through the trees, our paws thundering on the ground as we raced each other. Leah was smaller and faster than I, but I had strength and stamina and eventually I overtook her and won our race. We sat next to the river and took long cool satisfying drinks of water. I guess it was because we were close now and maybe because Leah was relaxed with me, but she let her guard down for an instant whilst rolling around having a dust bath. Her thoughts flashed in my mind and I recoiled as an unwanted mental picture bloomed in my head.<br />
In this image Leah was kissing the lone vampire Etienne Lucier. Her hands were entangled in his shoulder length dark curls, moving down to his bare pale chest as their lips entwined. I growled and Leah whimpered as she realized I’d seen and heard her thoughts. She ran quickly back in the direction of the clearing where we’d left our clothes. By the time I’d reached her she had phased back, dressed and was sitting on the grass her head in hands, sobbing. I quickly phased back, dressed and made my way over to sit next to her. I put an arm around her shoulder and gave a gentle squeeze. I waited patiently for her sobs to subside.<br />
“Leah are you okay?” I asked softly.<br />
She shook her head and sobbed some more so I just comforted her. Finally she stopped crying and turned to face me. “Embry, I’m sorry I was careless and let you see and hear my thoughts. That is why I don’t run with the Pack anymore. I’m so transparent!” she wailed. I nodded and waited for her to continue. “I have been in love with Etienne since my sixteenth birthday. Only Jake and Bella know, and now you Embry. He left, when he found out about the arranged marriage. He left because he did not want to cause trouble in the Pack. He wants me to lead a normal life. All I want is to be with him no matter what. I don’t know what I’m going to do!” she wailed as tears fell from her dark eyes again.<br />
“Oh Leah! It is so much worse for you than me. I don’t have anyone special so I didn’t mind too much about the wedding! Everyone else has someone. It doesn’t look like I am going to imprint. Ever. How can you go through with this knowing you love him so much?” I asked feeling terrible for her.<br />
She shook her head sadly, “Without him nothing makes sense, nothing is right. Plus I don’t know what else to do but go along with it! The Pack can be very vengeful Embry as you well know. I guess when Etienne left, my spirit, heart and soul left with him,” she said quietly her head hanging down.<br />
I felt so much pain radiating from her and wondered why I had never realised before. She was a very good actress! Poor Leah. Even though I couldn’t condone her relationship with a vampire, I still hated to see her heartbroken. Etienne had done the right thing though in leaving Leah alone. It was for the best. They could never make it work. Maybe she and I could eventually fall in love? Though I doubted it. She was beautiful and intelligent. Kind and funny but I felt no romantic link whatsoever. Very strange indeed, but there it was. It was certainly no hardship having to marry her, but I wished I was going to pledge myself to someone who loved me insanely, who would fight tigers for me and would get butterflies when they saw me walk into a room. Like Leah and Etienne. Bella and Edward. Jacob and Nessie. They all had that special connection.<br />
I gave Leah a hug and promised her I would keep her secret. I told her she could confide in me any time she liked, I’d be here for her with a shoulder to cry on. She looked like she might start bawling again, “Embry, you are such a lovely kind guy. I wish I loved you instead,” she sighed.<br />
I grinned at her and finally got a small smile in return. “I wish I was in love with you too sweet Leah,” I said truthfully. Things definitely would be easier. Leah was staring into space, deep in thought whilst she fiddled with a piece of small silvery stone around her neck. “That looks like the necklace Sam gave me to wear,” I stated.<br />
“It is Embry. It’s the moonstone. It protects us shape shifters from vampire powers. Especially mind control powers. Sam didn’t want Etienne to freak out and try to control him again, like at Bella’s trial.”<br />
I gasped in shock. “Etienne did that?”<br />
She nodded. “He had to save Bella from being imprisoned by Sam,” Leah said. “Did Sam not tell you what the necklace was for?” she asked.<br />
I shook my head, “Not really. He said Emily had made them for us all as a gift. I didn’t think anything of it. Emily is always doing sweet things for us,” I told her casually. “Oops sorry!” I added, but she dug me in the ribs with an indignant snort.<br />
Hey! You don’t have to be sorry, silly. Emily is my second cousin, I’m over all that now!” she said rolling her eyes.<br />
“Why are you wearing it Leah? If you think Etienne has gone for good then why would you need to wear it? “I queried.<br />
She looked away into the trees, a strange faraway look on her pretty face. “Leah, what’s wrong?” I asked curiously. She turned to face me, her dark eyes deep pools of mystery.<br />
“Keep a secret for me Embry?” I nodded in agreement, waiting for her revelation. “Promise?”<br />
I nodded fiercely, impatience gnawing at me now. She took my hands in hers and smiled a funny smile which was full of joy but tinged with sadness too.<br />
“He’s back.<strong style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Etienne is back.</strong>”</div>
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<br />
<br />
<b>CHAPTER TWENTY THREE</b><br />
<b>HOPE BLOOMS</b><br />
<b>LEAH CLEARWATER:</b><br />
After Halloween I waited every night for Etienne to return. Now I knew none of his visits had been a dream I was both astounded and filled with joy. But I was also extremely angry! How could he do that to me? Make me believe it was all a dream when really the time we had spent together had been for real. I couldn’t believe he had nearly let himself go completely with me a few times. So unlike him. It must have been because he told me it was all a dream. In dreams you can do as you please. Usually I kept the moonstone on my bedside table or hidden away in my drawer. By coincidence, on Halloween I had put it around my neck, but not on its usual leather thong. I had threaded it through one of my thin silver chains because it looked prettier. It was a long chain and hung down low between my breasts. Etienne had not noticed when he appeared to me in a “dream” on Halloween night. He was so caught up in kissing my lips and nuzzling my neck frantically (definitely his favourite part of me) that he must not have noticed or felt the chain. Maybe because he had not seen me for a while he was not concentrating on such things as a thin chain around my neck. He probably thought it was just my usual Saint Christopher pendant which I had worn regularly around my neck when we were together.<br />
No, he definitely hadn’t been concentrating on anything else but me. We had come so close to giving in to our passions that night. I shivered with delight at the memory. He ran because he was so very close to being out of control with me. He told me to sleep and forget I’d seen him as he leapt out of the window. So careless Etienne, my love. That was when I had gasped with horror and pleasure because I knew right there and then that the night had been no dream. Which meant by easy deduction that the other nights were not dreams either? Etienne had used his power on me to make me believe I had only dreamt him. The moonstone had done its job, it had served its purpose again. Etienne was real! Oh it was evil! But deliciously so! All those months of being sad, pining for my love when all along it had really been him I was holding and kissing. I wanted to thump him so hard! I wanted to kiss him so hard too. He hadn’t left me! He still loved me! When would he return?<br />
I had now waited a whole week and not a trace of him. I was getting impatient. I wish I knew where he was. If I knew I would go to him. He couldn’t be too far away. Did Bella know where he lived? She must do! Surely she would have mentioned it though? I twirled with the moonstone as I deliberated whether to go over to the Cullen house. I could do with a chat. I hadn’t told Bella yet, Embry knew though. I told him the next day. Well I didn’t really tell him as such, he heard and seen my thoughts whilst we were wolves. I had to explain to him about Etienne and me after that.<br />
It was November now. Time was flying by even quicker now. My birthday slash wedding was approaching at lightning speed. I’d almost got my head around it happening until Etienne came back. Now I was in a quandary. Now I didn’t know if I could marry Embry knowing my one true love was waiting in the wings for me. Now it was complicated. I was dying for Etienne to return so I could tell him I knew our trysts were not a dream. Maybe he would take me away with him then. Every night as I lay down to sleep I prayed tonight would be the night he would return, but every morning I awoke with no trace of him around. I ached for him as I had never before. Now I knew he was real my feelings and emotions intensified to fever pitch. I couldn’t concentrate on anything, I couldn’t be bothered to go out or talk to people. If it wasn’t for Embry I would have become a recluse, just waiting and waiting on my lost love to come back to me. Embry was fantastically understanding and sweet. I truly don’t know what I’d do without him. Life would be just so easy and simple if I was in love with him, then this marriage would be a match made in heaven. Mind you he would have to be in love with me too, something he clearly wasn’t. It was quite strange how we weren’t in love because in all other ways we were very similar and we got on so well.<br />
Embry deserved someone to love. It would have to be a very special girl for my husband to be. I prayed he would imprint on someone after we married, that would put the Elders plan in disarray! What would they do? Who knew, they were a law unto themselves. That was if I got as far as the altar. Now I wanted to run more than ever. I couldn’t though, not yet. Etienne had to come back to me first so we could plan something! Surely he had been planning something all these months we’d been apart? I made up my mind I must go and see Bella today. She would help me figure out what to do! She had to, I was going crazy here. Just waiting and wishing and hoping like mad.<br />
Time was running out, the sand was nearly all gone, slipping quickly through the hourglass. It was time for action. It was time to fight back against these men who thought they could control my life, my feelings and my friendships! Seeing Etienne for real had fired me up to fight. I wished that at the time, on Halloween’s night, I had known that my love was with me for real and not just a beautiful dream as I had thought. I had no reason to think it was real until he left me with his parting words. Oh if I’d known I would have manipulated him into giving in to our passions. I wanted my first time to be with Etienne. I wanted it to be special with someone I loved more than life itself. I jumped up from the bed to run a brush through my tangled hair. I was going over to see Bella now. We would work something out. We had to.<br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">It was now or never.</em></div>
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CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR<br />
REVELATIONS AND ACCUSATIONS<br />
BELLA CULLEN:<br />
“He’s back Bella! Etienne is back!” Leah stated gleefully as I opened the front door to her excited knock.<br />
I raised an eyebrow in surprise, how could he be back? Unless… unless he broke his promise to me. But why did he not command Leah to believe it was a dream again? I was confused, but I am sure Leah will tell all. I took her through to the sitting room and gestured for her to sit down.<br />
“Would you like a drink, Leah?” I asked.<br />
She shook her head, “No thanks Bella. I always feel weird being the only one eating or drinking around you guys!” she smiled.<br />
“So tell me all about it Leah,” I said, sitting down to face her.<br />
She proceeded to tell me what had happened on Halloween night. She also told me that Embry knew her secret now too. Then she begged me for help in finding Etienne. I felt shame flood through my empty heart. She would hate the fact that I had concealed Etienne’s whereabouts from her. She would be even more annoyed to find out I had known about her “dreams” actually being reality. I didn’t know what to do. I valued her friendship and I had only hidden the truth because I didn’t want her to be hurt anymore. I wanted Etienne to come back for her and for them to be together. But I did not want to find he had come and gone again, leaving her heartbroken and anxious once more.<br />
She seemed so very happy that she had spent time with him again after all these months but also so very sad because he had disappeared again without trace. Poor Leah. She had so much to deal with. The wedding day was looming quickly in front of her and Embry. She told me how close the two of them had become, they were best of friends now with so much in common. Neither wanted to be in an arranged marriage, but if they absolutely had to be then they agreed it was definitely with the best possible person it could be under the circumstances.<br />
I had to decide what to do. Should I risk Edward’s wrath and help Leah? Should I risk Etienne’s wrath and take Leah to him? I would also risk her friendship too if I told her what I knew. Oh I wished Edward were here to advise me! He was away on a hunting trip with the family. I stayed behind to do some last minute wedding arrangements with Nessie. Now I wished I had gone with Edward. I didn’t know how to deal with the situation at all. Either way I would be damned for my actions. I took a deep breath, deciding that Edward and I had a long, long time for him to forgive me.<br />
“I can take you to Etienne’s house in Vancouver, Leah. I do not know if he will be there though. Since moving here I do not know if he visits the house very often,” I blurted out before I could change my mind. I decided not to tell her some of the finer details, like that I knew everything that had been going on. Best stay quiet for now.<br />
Leah’s dark eyes widened with surprise, happiness and a little bit of shock! “Why didn’t you tell me where he lived before?” she asked.<br />
“You never asked,” I simply replied, hoping she wouldn’t make me elaborate further.<br />
She seemed too agitated and excited to question me more so I jumped up and motioned for her to come with me. We made our way out to the garage where I selected Alice’s yellow Ferrari. It would get us to Vancouver in no time. Leah’s eyes lit up with excitement when I told her to get in we were going to Etienne’s house. I would deal with the consequences when we arrived. Etienne had gotten himself in this mess by not paying attention to detail. For a vampire it was shockingly sloppy behaviour. How could he have not noticed the moonstone? Surely his honed senses would have picked it up? He was old enough! I guessed he was too entranced with Leah to pay much attention to anything else. Not catching her alluring scent for months would only have made it that much sweeter for him when he finally breathed it in. He would have only been concentrating on not going too far with her. He had slipped up, but who could blame him really?<br />
Thankfully Leah didn’t talk much in the car as we sped towards Vancouver. I tried to stay at kind of sensible speed as it was daytime and there was other traffic on the roads. Luckily it was an overcast, cold November day. No chance of me dazzling the other motorists with my glittering sparkly skin. I hoped Edward would forgive me for interfering. I hoped Leah would forgive me too if Etienne chose to tell her my involvement. I just wanted the two to be happy. If only there was a way to stop this arranged marriage. The Elders and the Pack would never ever accept a union between Leah and Etienne. I knew it, she knew it and Etienne certainly knew it. It was so unfair when they clearly loved each other intensely. I guess they reminded me of Edward and I when we first got together. I smiled at my human memories. Soon we arrived at Etienne’s large old house which did look rather Gothic in this gloomy afternoon. Leah looked terrified and excited at the same time.<br />
“Wow,” she whispered under her breath as we stepped out of the car. Naturally we had attracted some attention. With the bright yellow sports car and the two stunningly beautiful women in it we were bound to! I grabbed Leah’s arm and steered her quickly up the path leading to Etienne’s heavy oak front door. I rapped the gold door knocker once, loudly. I waited nervously for the door to open, trying to imagine which one of Etienne’s expressions would greet us. Surprise? Anger? Shock? Delighted? However there was no answer forthcoming. It appeared that Mr. Lucier was not at home.<br />
Inwardly I sighed with relief. I hadn’t been looking forward to explaining myself to either Etienne or Leah. I did feel for Leah though, as I knew she’d built herself up for seeing him again and letting him know she knew the truth. I knew how to get in Etienne’s house if he was out, handy that I’d lived here for a few months whilst a newborn. I motioned to Leah to walk around the back of the house with me and there in the courtyard I delved into the cornicing around the porch which led to the back entrance of the property. I held up a large silver key with a satisfied smirk. Leah grinned back at me as we made our way into the porch to put the key in the lock and enter Etienne’s abode without his knowledge. The large kitchen was spotless and gleaming. A useless room to a vampire really.<br />
We made our way into the sitting room, then the lounge where there was no sign of Etienne. I swiftly ran upstairs and checked out all the rooms, there was no trace of him here either. I didn’t catch his scent anywhere apart from the study/library downstairs, the only place I hadn’t searched yet. I steeled myself as I opened the large oak door into his study room, but there was no one in here either. The large desk was scattered with papers and books as if he had been searching for something. Leah and I gazed down at the mess, trying to decipher anything meaningful from it. I switched on his lap top, entered the password which was luckily the same as before and went into his browsing history. There was nothing of much interest really. I rifled through the things on his desk, but couldn’t make sense of his scribbles. Leah was searching on the book shelves for anything which might indicate Etienne’s whereabouts, when something caught my eye.<br />
It was a photocopy of Embry Call’s birth certificate. My eyes widened with shock when I saw who Tiffany had named as his father. Why did no one know about this? How did Embry not know? He can’t have ever seen this at all. How could Tiffany Call live with this information? Etienne had come up with something very interesting here. I wondered where he had gone. I flipped up my phone and punched in his number. It went to voice mail straight away.<br />
“Etienne, where are you? I’m at your house in Vancouver with Leah. I found the birth certificate. We need to talk, NOW!” I demanded as I quickly hung up.<br />
Leah was looking at me with a puzzled but curious look on her face. “Bella? What is it? What birth certificate?” she asked quickly coming over to see what I’d found.<br />
“Sit down Leah,” I requested, guiding her arm to the old chair by the window. She looked so confused but did as I asked. I handed her the photocopy to read. I watched as her face turned from curiosity to incredibility to sadness to joy, finally settling on a mixture of all four emotions. She looked up at me, her dark eyes brimming with unshod tears.<br />
“Bella! I can’t believe this!” she exclaimed as the tears spilled over and ran down her cheeks, splashing onto the paper in her hands.<br />
Embry Call was Leah and Seth Clearwater’s <strong style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">half-brother.</strong></div>
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<br />
<br />
<b>CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE</b><br />
<b>THE TRUTH</b><br />
<b>ETIENNE LUCIER:</b><br />
Tiffany Call opened the door of her small house on the very edge of La Push with a suspicious look on her face. I smiled perfectly at her as she looked at me with fear and distrust. She made to slam the door shut but I’d already wedged the toe of my boot in between the frame and the flimsy wood. If I wanted in there was no way she could stop me. It was a complete myth that we needed to be invited first. “No vampire will enter my home!” she said with a shaky voice.<br />
“Oh please! I am not going to hurt you Mrs. Call. I need to talk to you,” I stated I<br />
“I don’t want to talk to you!” she cried out trying to close the door.<br />
I sighed and reached out to gently clasp her head in my hands. My eyes bored into hers as I commanded her to open the door and let me enter. She asked me to come through and sit on her battered old sofa, the room was shabby and uninviting.<br />
“I need to see Embry, Mrs. Call,” I asked politely.<br />
She took off through the back, still under my influence, to shout on her son who was busy tidying up their small garden. Embry appeared in the living room, looking shocked to see me sitting there. I don’t believe we have actually spoken before. “Embry,” I said with a nod to greet him. He nodded back but did not speak. He sat down in the tatty armchair opposite me. Tiffany started to ask if I wanted a drink, but quickly stopped herself, remembering what I was. Instead she sat down on the other arm chair next to her son’s. I looked at them both, wondering how to bring up the subject I desired to speak about. I could clearly see Embry had a piece of the moonstone around his neck, so there was no chance of me trying to get into his head. I decided just to broach the subject directly, there was no other way really.<br />
“Embry, has your mother ever told you about your father?” I asked. He shook his head as Tiffany let out a low moan.<br />
“Please, don’t do this!” she whispered. Embry glanced over at her in confusion.<br />
“Embry, your mother has not been honest with you. Have you ever seen your birth certificate? “I asked him.<br />
He once again shook his head. Tiffany Call suddenly jumped up and flew at me screaming like a banshee. Quick as a flash I was up and out of the way, neatly side stepping her in a millisecond. My quick vampire reflexes caused her to fall onto the sofa as she grasped at thin air. I was shocked the woman had actually went for me, given that she knew what I was. Embry’s strong arms wrapped around her waist and gently sat her down next to him again.<br />
“Mom, do you need your tablets?” he asked softly, tender worry clouding his dark eyes.<br />
Tiffany shook her head and reached out for a pack of cigarettes on the side table next to her. She shakily lit one and took a long drag, blowing out smoke dramatically. The smell assaulted my sensitive nostrils. I hated it. Embry’s dark gaze was fixed on me angrily as he saw me looking in disgust at the pathetic figure of his mother.<br />
“What do you want with us Etienne? My Mom has Bi-polar disorder! You are upsetting her greatly just by being here! She would never have let a vampire in to her home, what did you do to her? Ah mind control no doubt!” he said, his voice wracked with fury.<br />
I simply nodded, he was not as boring and timid as I had first thought. The boy had fire in him. This was good! “I notice you are wearing the moonstone Embry, but your mother is not?” I enquired.<br />
“Sam made the Pack all wear a small piece around our necks, to protect us from you and your powers of persuasion! Only the pack, not their families,” he stated, anger still lingering in his eyes.<br />
I nodded, I knew this already. Leah had warned me. I didn’t need to control Embry’s mind. I had wanted to get the truth out of Tiffany though. Now I wasn’t sure if I could mess with her mind. Her poor mind was already in a bit of a state with the bi-polar. Embry sighed impatiently, “Just tell me what you know Etienne, please!” he asked.<br />
“Embry, your mother did not tell you who your father was, she kept it from you all of your life. This was probably due to her need and others needs to avoid causing trouble within the pack. You all assumed Sam Uley senior had fathered you. You were all wrong, “I said, pausing for effect.<br />
Part of me felt sorry for the boy, another part was relishing the shock I was about to bestow on him. But I wanted Leah back. This was the perfect opportunity.<br />
Embry sighed impatiently, “Spit it out Etienne!” he demanded, fury once again glittering in his dark eyes.<br />
“It’s Harry Clearwater. You and Leah are half brother and sister. You must not marry or procreate,” I stated gleefully, triumph shining deeply through my voice. I fixed my topaz eyes directly onto Embry’s as I waited for my words to sink in. He looked shocked and stunned.<br />
He turned slowly towards his mother, “Mom? Why? All I wanted to know when I was growing up was who my father was! Why didn’t you tell me? Why didn’t you tell me NOW especially?” he raged at her. She cowered away from his anger, from his words. “Tell me Mother!” he roared. Even I flinched slightly from his rage.<br />
Tiffany began to sob relentlessly. “I won’t tell you Embry! Don’t make me! “She howled.<br />
Embry looked up at me, “Etienne, make her tell me please. I need to know the truth! How could she let my wedding to Leah go ahead knowing all the time we were related? No wonder we felt nothing for each other! We are so similar, we even look alike!” he exclaimed, tears beginning to form in his dark eyes.<br />
I reached out to grasp his shoulder, “Embry that’s why I decided to look into it. I saw you and Leah photographed together. You were so alike. By contrast you are nothing like Sam Uley! I had to find out the truth. I love Leah more than my own existence! I had to find a way to stop the Elder’s plans!” I told him passionately.<br />
Embry nodded, his face filled with different changing emotions. He had found out who his father was. Now he also had a half brother and sister. It was a lot to take in. Tiffany sat sobbing next to him. He looked down at her pitifully. He also looked at her with resentment and anger. In a quiet, but firm voice he demanded once again that he be told the truth. Tiffany cried some more and begged for her son’s forgiveness. Embry did not budge, he simply stated once again that he wanted the complete truth from her. Tiffany tried to use her illness as a get out clause. Embry’s steely determination would not be swayed though.<br />
He looked at me steadily, “Etienne, please use your power on my mother. I have to know the full story!”<br />
I gave Embry my best smile, glad I had permission to delve into Tiffany’s mind.<br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“With pleasure Embry.”</em></div>
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<br />
<br />
<b>CHAPTER TWENTY SIX</b><br />
<b>HOMECOMING</b><br />
<b>LEAH CLEARWATER:</b><br />
Bella and I sped through the streets of Vancouver towards home, both of us speechless at what we had found in Etienne’s house. Embry Call was my half-brother. Fast forward a month and he would have been my husband. That was the scary part. I couldn’t believe his Mom had never come forward with the information. Why would Tiffany Call keep that secret when she knew me and her son were about to marry? My brain was starting to hurt from thinking about the whole thing too much. At the back of all that confusion and mess there was one thought glowing like a neon sign in my brain. I was going to see Etienne very soon. He had phoned Bella whilst we were leaving and told her he was just about to arrive at the Call’s house to find out the truth from Tiffany. I desperately wanted to speak with him but Bella was very curt on the phone. She consoled me with the fact that I was going to see my beloved very soon. The thought of seeing Etienne again made little delicious shivers of delight and anticipation run up and down my spine.<br />
Bella’s long auburn hair was blowing loose and free in the breeze through the open car window. She looked deep in thought, her topaz eyes glittering dangerously. She was so breathtakingly stunning, her natural beauty enhanced by the change from human girl to vampire. She was slim, petite and pale, but I knew appearances were deceptive when it came to vampires. She was strong and fearless in reality. I envied her in a way. She had her true love by her side for always. She felt my gaze on her and turned to smile at me, “Are you okay, Leah?”<br />
I half smiled back and nodded with a sigh, “I think I’m still in shock, Bella. I have a half-brother! Now I know why neither Embry nor I had romantic feelings towards each other. We share the same blood! My Father’s blood! “I exclaimed, my voice raised to an incredulous pitch.<br />
Bella shook her head, “I can’t believe Harry would have an affair!”<br />
My father’s face flashed into my mind. I couldn’t believe he had betrayed my Mom. They had been together for years before they married. Embry and I were the same age. I had been born nine months after my parents married. My Mom had always said I was a honeymoon baby. I was born on New Year’s Eve. Embry’s birthday was before mine, but only by two weeks. He was going to turn nineteen in just a few days’ time. My brain hurt some more as I tried to work out the implications of my calculation. I rubbed my temples and sighed. Today had been emotional enough, it was about to get a whole lot worse.<br />
Now my mind shifted to Etienne, a much more pleasurable option but still as confusing as my previous thoughts on the Embry situation. I really would see him again, not a dream but the real thing. I could hardly contain myself. I was so very angry at him, but I was also even deeper in love with him than I’d believed possible. Now the wedding was most definitely off, we would have to have a long talk about our future. That’s if we had one. That was the trouble I guess. Etienne had a long long future stretching out in front of him for centuries to come. I had a very short future compared to that. Every year, every birthday brought me closer to the end of my life. Depressing, but true. I couldn’t imagine life without Etienne now. Could he imagine his future, his existence without me? The alternative to growing old was a subject we’d both avoided like the plague. We’d skirted around the issue, barely touching on it, merely skimming the surface of what ifs.<br />
But now as I sped towards our reunion, all I could think of was what if the alternative was the only way for us? Even though the Elders couldn’t marry me off to Embry now I was sure they’d have another plan up their sleeves. There was no way they would abandon their hopes and dreams for the Pack now. I still featured heavily in their future’s scenario. My head ached with all of these thoughts rushing through my mind in a tumble of emotions. Soon we would arrive at the Call residence. I didn’t know what would greet us there. It was time to greet Embry as a brother. I was glad he was a blood relation to me as he was a lovely guy and I did love him. Now I knew why I’d harboured love for him. It was sisterly after all. It was time to greet Etienne as …… well we’d see.<br />
I loved him insanely, I thought madness had taken me over when I had those strange dreams. Now I know it was all so real. Now I know he loves me. Really loves me. Bella drove faster and faster so we arrived at La Push in no time at all. Here we are. Time to get a big slap in the face from reality. Was I ready for it?<br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I hoped and prayed that I was.</em></div>
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<br />
<br />
<b>CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN</b><br />
<b>LAID BARE</b><br />
<b>TIFFANY CALL:</b><br />
I was powerless to resist the vampire’s deep topaz eyes, I fell into their intoxicating depths willingly, despite knowing what he was. He wanted me to tell all my secrets. In a way I was relieved to empty my mind to him. His cool hands clasped around my temples as he stared with mesmerizing intensity deep into my eyes. Carrying these dark secrets around with me had done me no good whatsoever. In fact, it had made my illness worse. I suffered from bi polar disorder and had done since I was five years old. My Mother and Father had been killed outright in a bad car accident, whilst I had been loving my first day at school. The shock of it all had caused a chemical imbalance in my brain, setting off extreme depression followed by extreme joy and also periods of reckless abandonment. I was put into care and the next twelve years were spent with doctors poking and prodding me. I was given drugs, then I was taken off them. I was given electric shock therapy which was so traumatic for my young body. I was bullied, I in turn bullied others. I was unruly and misbehaved at every opportunity. I couldn’t wait to leave the care home, leave this life behind me. I ran away and didn’t look back when I was seventeen years old. I left my old Seattle life to run wherever the wind would take me. I’d hitched a ride with a Native American, in his old beat up truck. We’d talked, he was in his fifties, wise, friendly and definitely a family man. He said his wife was looking for a young girl to help with their six children and if I wanted a home, food and somewhere to hide from the authorities then I was welcome to join them at the Makah reservation to the north of Vancouver. All in exchange for child minding and some housework.<br />
I jumped at the chance of a new life, a worthwhile job, and a secure home far away from the troubles and strife. His wife was as lovely as he was and I fit into their family right away. The three girls and three boys, ages ranging between one and ten were delightful children. I kept myself to myself. I confided in my new family about my disorder. The mother used herbs, potions and spells on me. I don’t know if they really worked or if it was just that I was happy and settled, but I certainly felt better than I had since that awful day when I was five years old. I finally felt like I had a purpose in life. I looked after the children in the day time whilst the parents made ends meet. The father had a job with the local forestry commission whilst the mother cleaned big fancy houses on the outskirts of Vancouver. Three of the children were at school so I only had to get them ready in the morning, dispatch them off in the big yellow bus and pick them up again at four pm. During the day I cleaned, cooked and played with the small children. I taught them about nature, we drew pictures and we took walks down the forest paths. Life was good.<br />
At nights I stayed in my loft above the barn, all cosy and warm reading lots of books. Some fiction, some not. I was determined to teach myself more about the world, I hadn’t learned much from the care home. One night the mother told me of a barn dance happening a week Saturday. She persuaded me to go, meet some young people my own age. I had never been any good at mixing with my peers, but decided a night out couldn’t hurt. The mother came home one day with a gorgeous second hand dress she’d found discarded in the trash at one of the homes she cleaned. It was red with thin spaghetti straps, a thin belt nipping the waist in which gave the full skirt much more emphasis. The mother washed and pressed the dress for me and when I tried it on you would have thought it belonged to me always. It showed off my slim curves perfectly. I had washed my hair and left it to dry naturally. Dark ringlets cascaded down my past my shoulders, making me look sultry and exotic. My tanned skin shone with the almond scented oil the mother had given me as a gift. I wasn’t used to any sort of gifts, except on my birthday or at Christmas, both which were a long way away. It was a balmy June night on the occasion of the barn dance and I decided to go without a jacket. I walked in the twilight to the location of the dance, my heart skipping and dancing in my chest with nervous anticipation. A few local girls looked me up and down as I made my way straight over to the punch bowl. I needed something to make my head buzz, to make me feel less shy and awkward. I heard the girl’s giggling behind me, but I held my head high and shook my curls defiantly. I found a lone seat in the corner, where I sat demurely sipping my drink. I had had alcohol before. We’d stolen some from the care home kitchen one night. I had followed the ringleader, not wanting to be left out. Everyone had made themselves sick except me, I liked the taste. I liked the feeling too.<br />
I had consumed about three cups of punch when a short chubby boy shyly appeared in front of me. “Would you like to dance?” he asked.<br />
I smiled up at him, the alcohol making my damaged brain so fuzzy. “Why not?” I winked cheekily, feeling my inhibitions float away.<br />
It was an upbeat tune that was playing and I gyrated and spun to the music not caring who stared at me. Let them stare! The boy pulled me closer and told me I was beautiful. I smiled and laughed, spinning around faster. He asked me my name. I told him. He said wasn’t Tiffany a pretty name and that his name was Harry Clearwater and he and his friends were visiting our small town especially for the dance tonight, because one of them had some business to attend to here. He was twenty one years old. I had a feeling he kind of liked me. The feeling wasn’t mutual. Yes he was friendly but I had no desire to have a boyfriend. All the boys in the care home had been rude and difficult. I decided long ago it was much better to stay away from them altogether. I saw the way they looked at you. A slow song came on and Harry tried to pull me towards him with his chubby hands, but I deftly dodged his advances in time. I decided I needed fresh air, so I bid him farewell, much to his disappointment. I made my way out into the moonlit night, glad to leave the stuffy barn behind. I felt footsteps behind me and I turned around quickly with fear. A tall dark handsome young man stood there, grinning at me confidently in the light of the moon.<br />
At this point in my confessions, there was a rap at the front door. Etienne told me to stop talking. Embry came back into the living room with Bella Cullen, another vampire! With her was Leah Clearwater. I shuddered. The vampire boy’s face lit up when he saw her, as did hers. Etienne gazed into my eyes again and commanded me to finish my tale. I did as I was told, there was no other choice as his will forced itself into my head.<br />
“Hello. I’m Samuel Uley. Don’t mind Harry, he’s not very sophisticated I’m afraid! We’ve been friends since childhood, but he is such a clumsy jerk at times,” the handsome stranger told me in a deep velvet voice. I gazed up into his deep brown eyes and felt a little tug of desire. He sure was handsome and worldly wise. “Walk with me?” he asked in that voice which felt like someone had poured warm melting chocolate down my back. I nodded, totally awestruck that he would want to spend time with little old me. He took my hand in his large, strong warm one and led me into the trees, down a worn path where I could hear the river gently flowing past. “What is your name, pretty lady?” he asked as he guided me to a rickety bench, where weeping willows made a bower of greenery above it.<br />
I turned to gaze into his dark eyes again, “Tiffany Call,” I replied, my voice breaking with nervousness.<br />
He lifted my hand to his soft lips and gently kissed the skin. I shivered slightly although there was no chill in the air. His husky voice spoke to me again, “Well Tiffany Call. I like you. I was watching you at the dance. You are very sexy. I think you and me are going to get on just swell!” he smiled, but this time his smile reminded me of a lion just about to eat his prey. I flinched as my senses all cried out danger. Too late to run as his lips crushed down on mine violently and his strong arms grasped mine and held me tight in a vice-like grip. My brain screamed at me to move, run, get away but he was too strong and I was overpowered by fear, shock and surprise.<br />
Under that beautiful full moon my second hand red dress, which had made me feel like a princess for once; was left in a torn shredded pile in the dirty leaves on the dirty ground. Sam Uley did the worst thing a man can do to a woman. He humiliated me, degraded me, as all the while he told me it was what I wanted, what I’d asked for. I’d looked damn fine tonight, I’d danced like a slut, and I’d made eyes at all the men whilst I was full of punch. This was my fault, I asked for it and no one would believe otherwise. He called me names, he hurt me, he raged at me but I took the part of me which was my soul, my essence and I curled up tight in a ball in the furthest recesses of my poor little brain. He raped me, while I lay silent, motionless and far away. When he was gone I quietly picked myself up, silent tears falling into the dirt where my discarded dress lay. Once beautiful, it now looked soiled, old and used. I felt its pain. I pulled it back over my head, the tattered material falling around my bruised and battered body. I don’t know how I did it but I got back home somehow. I grabbed a towel and soap from my attic bedroom and made my way outside where the tap and hose lay. I doused myself in cold water, rubbing the soap over my poor abused body until my skin was red and raw.<br />
Finally I turned the water off and pulled the towel around me. Once safely upstairs I lay down carefully on my bed, as carefully as my sore body would allow and I let the tears flow freely. The racking sobs tore through my body causing me more pain than I already had. My throat was swollen and sore from my hoarse cries. Thankfully sleep overtook me and the next thing I knew the morning sun was streaming through my skylight, making my swollen red eyes sting so badly. I reluctantly opened my eyes and I knew I’d never be the same again. I was damaged before but I’d survived, I’d built a nice peaceful life here with the mother, the father and children. Now it was shattered. Now I was damaged beyond repair.<br />
I told the family I’d tumbled down a hilly path taking a short cut through the woods. I couldn’t tell them the truth I was so ashamed. A week later my body was starting to heal, but my mind was a mess. Two weeks later my body was almost back to normal, but the mental scars were still there. Four weeks went by and I realised that I hadn’t had my monthly bleed. I hitched a ride into the next town with the father one day when he went on an errand for the mother. I had stolen some pennies from the children’s piggy banks so I could buy a home pregnancy testing kit from the pharmacy. I used the left over to buy a soda in the little café nestled in the small town square. I drank it slowly my mind purposefully blank. After a while I made my way to the small toilet at the back of the building. Three minutes later and the little stick showed two pink lines. The leaflet said two lines meant I was pregnant, no matter how faint the second line was. My second line was dark and strong. I sighed and dug my nails into the soft skin of my palms, little pin pricks of blood rising to the surface.<br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I was seventeen, alone and pregnant.</em><br />
I had to tell the family. They stood by my decision. I knew when this child was born I’d give it up. I couldn’t look after a child. Certainly not a child which was born of these awful circumstances. I kept myself hidden away as I usually did. No one suspected. When the contractions came, the father took me to the hospital. Ten painful hours later I gave birth to a healthy seven pound baby girl. It was March the 1st. I called her Rebecca Call, then she was whisked away from me. As soon as I’d looked into those big dark eyes so full of love for me who had carried her I knew I didn’t want to let her go. It was too late by then to have maternal feelings of love. She was gone, forever. I cried and cried until my heart broke in two and there was just an empty hollow space left in my chest. I told the father I loved him and the mother and the children very deeply as if they were my blood. But I couldn’t stay with them any longer. I had to leave. The father had nodded and the next day he took me to Vancouver where he’d found me a job in a restaurant washing dishes and clearing up. There was a room above the restaurant where I could live for a small amount of rent. I hardened my hollow heart when the father said his goodbyes. I promised to stay in touch, although I knew I wouldn’t. I got on with life, if you could call it that. I sometimes felt so depressed I thought I would jump right into the path of a bus. Then there were days I felt nothing but pain, days where I laughed manically and my head filled with funny insane thoughts. I knew I should be on medication, it would make me numb, which would be good. I tried not to think of my daughter, but her little face crept into my dreams. I longed to hold her. I ached to see her. But I couldn’t, not ever.<br />
Five years passed in a hazy blur of work,eat,sleep. It was nearing the end of March, my birthday. Her birthday had passed again. I decided for once I was going to have a meal and a glass of wine or two. Toast the future. I had formulated a plan, something which might fill the big gaping hole in my life. I needed someone to love. I needed to be needed and wanted. I went to a little Italian place by the river where hopefully no one would stare at a woman on her own. I glanced over at the other diners, there were mostly couples eating out tonight. There was another woman alone, then there were two women dining together. In one corner there was a lady dining with her teenage daughter which made me sad. In the other corner there was a man on his own, but he was elderly. Too old for my purposes. I sighed and downed another glass of red wine as I waited for my Spaghetti Bologna to arrive.<br />
“Happy birthday to me,” I toasted in a whisper to myself.<br />
The wine was going to my head and I felt all fuzzy and warm. The food came and I picked at it, all the while watching the other diners come in. There was no one who interested me. I drank more wine. By the time I paid the bill I was quite drunk. I staggered slightly on the way out and giggled to myself. I made my way to a small, dark club with dance music pounding, spilling out into the night. The beat made me forget everything, I danced freely to the music in my short skirt, dangerously high heels and skimpy top. My hair was longer now but still as curly and as dark. I lurched over to the bar desperate for another drink. I ordered yet another red wine and surveyed the club on the lookout for someone who would fit the bill. The lack of proper lighting made it difficult to focus, or was that the wine? Suddenly a familiar face appeared to me out of the gloom ghoulishly illuminated by strobe lighting.<br />
Harry Clearwater smiled at me. The events of that night came flooding back and hit me like a sledgehammer. That was the last time I had saw him. The wine, the music, the emotions all hit me at once and I started to cry as Harry stared at me dumbstruck.<br />
“Hey what’s up?” he asked his voice full of concern.<br />
We ended up going to sit at a private booth, where Harry kindly brought me a drink of water. I found out he was on a business trip to Vancouver from where he lived; a small reservation called La Push, near the little town of Forks. He was taller and slimmer than before but still had the same ruddy chubbiness to his cheeks. I found out from Harry that Samuel Uley had married and had a baby son, also called Samuel, but he’d had several affairs and eventually left his young wife and baby. No one knew where he was just now. I shuddered as I thought about the cruelty of that fateful night. Harry told me he was about to marry a girl called Sue, whom he loved dearly. To be honest I thought she sounded boring. Harry was dull but he was quite nice and he was caring and in this light he could almost be attractive. Suddenly a bright light of inspiration switched on in my brain and I knew I’d found the man I needed. Harry Clearwater could father my baby.<br />
I knew we didn’t have much time. Soon he would be married to his sweetheart Sue. I must act now. So I took Harry to my dismal bed sit and as I seduced him I told myself it was fine, he would give me what I needed, what I wanted so badly. Sue would never need to know. Harry told me how he had fallen in love with me at first sight that night at the barn dance. He said I was a goddess in a red dress with my wild dark curls and uninhibited dancing. He told me Sam had told all the guys I’d given him my virginity willingly. He said he wasn’t surprised as handsome Sam had always won over the girls with his charming good looks. I shuddered when he said that. For the next four nights Harry visited me. He wanted to take me out dancing, I said no I wanted him in my bed. He wanted to take me for a meal, I said no I wanted him all to myself. Soon it was time for him to return home. He promised me he would stay in touch and he would look me up next time he was in Vancouver. I was handed a business card with an address and phone number of his office. He looked sad and wished things were different, but I put him straight. Marry Sue I told him, she is the one for you, not me.<br />
Two weeks later I once again sat facing two pink lines on a pregnancy test. This time, instead of feeling fear, I felt extreme elation. My plan had worked! Harry had unwittingly and unknowingly given me the best gift ever. I was due in the middle of December, just before Christmas, how perfect. I had to tell Harry. I waited until New Year’s Eve then I sat down in my lonely bed sit and wrote him a letter. Days later he turned up at the restaurant. I made him coffee when I was on my break. We sat staring at each other over the table. I let him twitter on and on about how he would leave Sue but they had just found out she was pregnant too. Harry the stud. He said he would give me money and support any time I needed it. I told him I didn’t want him to leave Sue. I wanted to have this child on my own. I would go back to the mother and father to have the baby. I would tell them all it was a man from the Makah Tribe. I would lie about the dates. All I wanted from him was a house, on a quiet part of his reservation where my baby and I could live peacefully. I would say I was from the Makah tribe and my baby’s father did not want anything to do with me or the little one. He agreed. Harry was so soft. I reckoned he was a bit scared of me. Probably worried I would tell Sue. I betted he would want me close by to keep an eye on me and the baby and to make sure I didn’t tell.<br />
Embry was staring in amazement as the truth came pouring out my mouth. Now he knew where he’d come from. Leah was also staring incredulously at me as her mind slotted the facts into place. There was another female out there, possibly a shape shifter! Etienne’s hands clamped around my temples again as he directed his gaze onto mine with intensity again.<br />
In November of that year, I moved away from the Makah tribe for the last time. I would never forget the kindness shown to me there. I moved to La Push, into the little house Harry secretly bought for us and in December I gave birth to a healthy beautiful boy whom I named Embry Call. The rest is kind of, as they say, history. Increasingly over the years my mind has got fuddled and things have been confusing for me. I didn’t fully grasp the concept of the Elders plan for Leah and my son. Harry was dead and gone but he’d made a death bed confession about his son and me to Billy Black. Billy told me I had to let Embry marry Leah, or Sam Uley Jnr. would find out who Embry’s father was and great trouble would be caused. Trouble which would cause Sam Uley Sir. To leave his new family in Port Angeles to come investigate what was happening with the Pack. His very name drove fear into my heart and I had to hide in my room for days at a time as I was terrified he would come for me again. Harry had another child too, a boy Seth. Embry had a brother and a sister living on the reservation he knew nothing about. Until now. Now he knew he also had another sister Rebecca. I had no clue where she might be. I wasn’t allowed to find her. I had never tried. My heart had always been way too hurt to open that old wound. I was scared of too many things it seemed.<br />
So now the truth was out there. I hoped Embry could forgive me for not telling him before. It was too hard with his real father and family living nearby. I had lived in fear of Sam Uley for over twenty years. I needed my son to still love me, we were so close before this happened. Etienne’s gaze left mine and his hands dropped from my temples. I sighed deeply and closed my eyes, letting myself sink back into the sofa with exhaustion.<br />
There was silence in the room as they all tried to digest the story I had told. I had to agree it was a lot to process all at once. I gingerly opened my eyes. Etienne was holding Leah close to him, tears flowed down her cheeks as she sobbed quietly. Bella was trying to comfort Embry, who was desperately trying to take in the story of his father and his birth. I sighed and lit a cigarette, a bad habit, but just another crutch of mine really along with the red wine and my medication. I hadn’t felt a real honest emotion for years. I stood up and walked outside to the back garden. Tears streamed down my face in torrents of despair. I had finally told the truth. I wasn’t sure if it was better or worse than before. I guess I no longer carried the heavy burden of my secrets now but I was frightened what it would mean for my son. I was frightened to feel. I loved him with every fibre of my being. My heart ached and I wanted to hold him, tell him everything would be fine. I also found a new ache I’d long ago buried.<br />
I wanted to find Rebecca,<strong style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> my beautiful daughter.</strong></div>
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<br />
<br />
<b>CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT</b><br />
<b>NEVER, EVER</b><br />
<b>ETIENNE LUCIER:</b><br />
Seeing Leah walk into the Call’s small living room with Bella had been one of the best moments of my existence. She looked so beautiful, so radiant, and so alive. But she looked crazy angry with me too. We would have time to talk soon. At that moment I’d been busy extracting the truth from Tiffany and what a tale that had been. I now felt sorry for her and even angrier at the Elders! They tried to dictate to people when they were far from perfect themselves! Of the founders, one was a rapist and deserter, one was a blackmailer and one had betrayed his fiancée with another girl days before their wedding! Not only that he had fathered a son with the girl. That was how Embry had come into the world, the secret love child of Harry Clearwater and Tiffany Call. My still heart went out to Tiffany. An orphan at five, put into care, having bi polar disorder, being raped, having a child at such a young age and giving up that child and finally living alone for years before falling pregnant to a man betrothed to another. She had wanted another baby to love. Someone to need her and love her in return, unconditionally. She had a fine son in Embry, I knew that for sure.<br />
Tiffany’s daughter Rebecca was out there somewhere. Was she a shape shifter? Surely if she was she would have sought out her natural parents to find out what was happening to her. It was something much worse than normal puberty! She was born of a Pack male, Sam Uley Snr. so there was every chance that she could be a shape shifter, although it was a long shot. That would give the Elders something to think about! Sam Uley now had an older sister he knew nothing about. The Elders and the Pack had to be told of the latest developments despite the hurt and pain it might cause. They had tried to manipulate Leah and Embry, I hadn’t and would never have any sympathy at all. I phoned Jacob once Tiffany had retired to her bed for a much deserved rest. We had set a meeting for this evening at six pm. I didn’t tell him everything on the phone. I just told him that something had come to light which made Leah and Embry’s marriage impossible. I knew that was enough of a hook to reel them in. Embry was sitting with his head in his hands between Leah and Bella. They each had a comforting arm around the boy, who looked really shell shocked by today’s events. Leah glanced up and caught my eye, I smiled widely at her and winked. She tried not to smile back but couldn’t help the corners of her pretty mouth turning up into something resembling a smile. God, it was heaven to see her again. It had been too long since Halloween.<br />
Leah dropped her gaze and turned her attention back to Embry. “Embry I am going to leave you with Bella. Etienne and I need to talk. I won’t be far away though. Call me on my mobile if you need me. We’ll be back before six, ready to face the Elders, “she said as she stood up.<br />
Embry looked up at her with sad eyes, but behind the sadness there was a glint of happiness shining through, “Okay sister”, he joked with her.<br />
Leah smiled and leaned down to hug him. “Now I know why I love you so much silly!” she whispered into his long dark hair.<br />
I frowned, she loved him? Relax Etienne I chided myself. She means as brother and sister of course! Bella shooed Leah away then took Embry’s big hands into her pale slender ones and began to speak quietly and reassuringly to him. Bella had always had a soft spot for Embry, he had never teased her as much as Quil when she was a human girl. Leah held out her hand and gestured for me to come with her. I didn’t need asking twice! We left the Call’s house and came outside to a crisp frosty winter day. The dull orange sun was starting to set as dusk approached. We had just under an hour before the meeting.<br />
It was a simple joy to hold Leah’s hand, although I knew my icy skin was making her feel this winter’s day more keenly. We walked in silence to a pretty glade in the woods, where orange and brown leaves made a carpet beneath our feet. Under the large oak tree with its sprawling branches and thick trunk, Leah pressed me against the bark with her slim body; then proceeded to bring her warm inviting soft lips to my cool ones without ever speaking a word. I moaned with pent up lust and desire as our mouths met with passionate abandonment. It was as if she had been starving and I was her first meal. Her lips devoured me, her hands entwined in my dark curls, her body writhed against mine in a not so innocent way. I had to gently remove myself from her before the red mist descended in front of my topaz eyes and I took her right there and then on the leafy floor of the woody glade. I held her head between my hands and gazed down into her dark eyes so full of love for me.<br />
“I missed you my darling Leah,” I whispered.<br />
Her dark eyes turned from love to pure fury as her small fists began to beat ineffectually at my chest. “Etienne you pig! I could end your existence for what you have done to me if I didn’t love you so damn much!” she exclaimed with an exasperated smile.<br />
“Leah? What have I done? I thought you would be happy to see me after all these months?” I asked innocently.<br />
“Dear Etienne, don’t you mean since Halloween? Huh?” she demanded her dark eyes glittering.<br />
Oh she was beautiful! But how did she know I had “seen” her Halloween night? As far as I knew I had commanded her mind to believe that once again I was a dream! Something wasn’t right. Leah opened her fleecy jacket and delved into the neckline of her thick jumper. A glint of a silver chain, then a flash of iridescent light as the small piece of moonstone caught the failing light of the day. Truly I was shocked! How long had she been wearing that? I had not noticed. How very careless of me not to notice something like that! Usually she wore a little saint Christopher on this silver chain. When had she changed that to the moonstone? I racked my brains but could not remember!<br />
“I decided to wear it on Halloween night Etienne, if that is what you are wondering. Going by the grimaces you are making I think I have guessed correctly?” Leah asked cockily.<br />
I nodded. “So you knew it wasn’t a dream? I commanded you to go to sleep and believe you had dreamt me once again so of course you being you easily worked it out!” I said with a hint of admiration in my voice. “Now I know why you are furious with me! Leah I had to do it! I had to use my mind control on you because I didn’t want to hurt you even more. I didn’t want you to believe I had returned. I couldn’t come back to you without stopping or finding a way around the whole arranged marriage thing! Please forgive me, my love I did it only for you!” I pleaded, kissing her small hand fervently.<br />
Her dark eyes looked into mine and all her anger flooded away. She smiled and threw her arms around my neck. “Oh Etienne! All I wanted was to have you back, so when I dreamed of you I was happy! Our dreams were so passionate, I knew it had to be a dream because you would not be that way with me! You were very good at persuading me I was dreaming, my love!”<br />
I smiled cheekily and stroked her hair, my fingers playing with the soft long strands of dark silk. “I could almost lose control with you. I could let myself go just enough, but then I saw your bruises and I felt like I would die! I never wanted to hurt you Leah. That I truly regret. My self-control is not as tight as I like to think it is when it comes to you!”<br />
This time our kiss was long and slow and deep. I felt and heard her heart beat against my chest. Such a glorious sound. My hands ran over her body as gently as I could manage, memorizing every delicious curve slowly and deliberately. My mouth moved its way lazily from her lips, to her jawline to her soft enticing neck. I kissed her there, my most favourite place of her body I had discovered so far. She sighed and moaned as my mouth became more frantic. I wanted to devour her. The venom rose in my throat and I quickly and softly pushed her from me onto the blanket of leaves on the winter’s ground. She cried out but then laughed as the leaves swirled around her. She was a goddess, a goddess of nature. Wild, free and so very beautiful. I laid down beside her as the orange sun finally set and the moonlight lit up our glade.<br />
We gazed up at the moon hanging in the deep blue starry sky and held hands somberly. “I love you Leah Clearwater. It’s just that I also want to sink my fangs into your neck and drain the lifeblood from you!” I half-jokingly added to my declaration of love for her.<br />
Leah giggled, “I love you too Etienne Lucier, even though there is nothing I would desire more that to drive a stake through your still heart and then chop off your insolent head!” she evilly replied.<br />
Luckily I knew she was joking. Was I joking though? I could make Leah like me and I would never, ever have to be parted from her again. I would never have to hurt her or desire to drink the most deliciously scented blood I had come across ever in my long, long existence. For now though I was happy to be with my love again. I was happy she was not going to marry Embry. For now we were together, the rest I would deal with later once we knew what the Elder’s had planned. Reluctantly I pulled Leah up onto her feet as it was time to leave now. I gently kissed the tip of her nose and wrapped my long scarf around her neck a few times. Out of sight out of mind. We made our way back to the reservation with our arms wrapped tightly around the other, as if afraid to let go ever again.<br />
I knew for sure I was never, ever going to let her out of my sight again. <strong style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Ever.</strong></div>
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<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>CHAPTER TWENTY NINE</b><br />
<b>CLOSER</b><br />
<b>LEAH CLEARWATER:</b><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Stranded in this spooky town</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Stop lights are swaying and the phone lines are down</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">This floor is crackling cold</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">She took my heart, I think she took my soul</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">With the moon I run</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Far from the carnage of the fiery sun</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Driven by the strangled vein</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Showing no mercy I do it again</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Open up your eye</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">You keep on crying, baby</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I’ll bleed you dry</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The skies are blinking at me</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I see a storm bubbling up from the sea</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">And it’s coming closer</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">and it’s coming closer</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">You, shimmy shook my bone</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">leaving me stranded all in love on my own</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">what do you think of me</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">where am I now? Baby where do I sleep</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Feel so good but I’m old, </em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">2000 years of chasing taking its toll</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">And it’s coming closer</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">(Copyright kings of Leon 2008)</em><br />
The deep pounding of the bass line reverberated around the stadium and deep into my belly. I had butterflies as I sat up in the wings of what was usually home to the BC Lions football team. Their stadium, BC Place in Vancouver had tonight been taken over by my favourite rock band ever in the history of the world Kings of Leon. The opening sounds of one of my most loved songs of theirs “Closer” was sweeping around the stadium over the heads of the fans on the pitch and way up here where we sat in the rafters. Etienne and I were seated in a private VIP box. How did my lovely boyfriend pull this one off? Yes, he <strong style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">really</strong> does know the band! In fact he swears that the Followills not only know what he is, but they even wrote the song “Closer” about him! I was impressed, very impressed. But also very angry because why in god’s name had the dim with blood sucker never mentioned this momentous news before? Like duh!<br />
So here we were, arms around each other taking in the music and the atmosphere. It was the day before New Year’s Eve. Tomorrow was my birthday, tomorrow was Jake and Nessie’s wedding. By the time the clock struck midnight and a new year arrived they would be husband and wife. Etienne and I were invited to the wedding. Are you surprised? Well I was, a little, but after the events of the meeting which took place between us and the Elders then it really wasn’t too much of a surprise. Etienne told the Elders and the Pack all of the information he had on Embry and his Mother. Jacob and Sam were dumbstruck. They couldn’t believe what both their father’s had done. Sam was shocked to the core that his Father had raped Tiffany, although Sam couldn’t even remember his absent father as Sam Snr had left when he was very young. Sam even tried to nullify Tiffany’s claims by saying it was only her side of the story we’d heard. Embry had jumped up in defense of his Mother. She had no reason to lie about it he had stated angrily. Jacob was shocked to the core that his father had found out about it all and had not stopped proceedings, instead he had blackmailed Tiffany, threatening her with the return of the very man she feared more than anything in the world. Billy Black defended himself, saying he was only doing what was best for the Pack. His son would never look at him in the same way though. So to cut a long story short, the meeting had gone our way. I was free to do as I pleased with my life, except have relations with a cold one. Did I forget to mention that part? In fact they told Etienne although they were happy he’d gotten the truth from Tiffany (were they really I asked myself? It certainly didn’t make them look good at all!) They wanted him to stay away from the reservation for good.<br />
Of course he agreed, with one provision; he could attend the wedding. We knew it didn’t matter what they said. So we had separate invites to the wedding tomorrow? Big deal! I had to go, Jake was a good friend. The main thing the Elders wanted to do now was track down Rebecca, Tiffany and Sam’s daughter. They wanted to see what the circumstances were with her, to see if she was a shape shifter. Thankfully the heat was now off me. They decided that since Sam Uley Snr was not around anymore and Tiffany was happy to trace her adopted daughter then that is what they would do next. Personally I thought it would only cause trouble, but I may be wrong. Etienne bent to kiss me under the flashing rainbow coloured lights emanating from the stage where the band were rocking out another classic tune. I was so happy right now. My love was back in my arms, no one would stop us being together no matter what orders the Elders and the Pack issued. I gave myself up to the music and Etienne’s kiss. It was a perfect night.<br />
After the gig, Etienne drove me back to my home on the reservation. I made him promise he would come back later when the household was all asleep. Seth and his girlfriend were staying over this weekend and my Mom was definitely home. Since the meeting she had stayed home every night, poring over old photos of my Dad and crying. She was so upset about the affair with Tiffany before they’d gotten married. Even worse there was a child from that union. My Mom had never liked Tiffany Call before all this happened, she sure wasn’t going to invite her around for cakes and coffee now. Though from what I had heard and seen Tiffany preferred much stronger beverages. Who could blame her though? Her life hadn’t been easy, yet she had survived. Now those old wounds were about to be re-opened. I had gained a half-brother though, I had a lot to be happy about. Now I could plan my life the way I wanted. With Etienne still a main feature things couldn’t be better.<br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Don’t they always say there is calm just before the storm?</em></div>
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<br />
<br />
<b>CHAPTER THIRTY</b><br />
<b>THE WEDDING</b><br />
<b>JACOB BLACK:</b><br />
At last the day I had been waiting for has arrived. It is New Year’s Eve. It is my wedding day and I am going to marry my soul mate in an hour’s time. I really can’t wait to make Nessie my wife. I love her intensely, uncontrollably and unconditionally. When the clock struck midnight and the New Year began I would finally be able to say Nessie and I belonged to each other in all ways. It had been so hard waiting until we were married but now the waiting was over and I was so pleased we had. Tonight would be even more special because we waited until we were man and wife to give ourselves to each other completely. I sighed as I straightened my tie and slicked back my long hair. I was so happy right now. Nothing could spoil it. Not even the unpleasantness of the last few weeks. What a surprise it had been to find Embry was related to Leah and Seth. Sam had a half-sister too, that was a shock. I was very upset that my Father had tried to blackmail Tiffany Call though, he would be at the wedding of course but I still hadn’t forgiven him. Everything was going so well. Leah seemed happy. Too happy maybe for a girl who had been told that there was to be no relationship tolerated between her and the vampire Etienne. I hadn’t asked her about him. I didn’t want to know. I’d interfered in her life enough. I wished I could take back my previous actions but it was too late now. Still, she did seem happy, so who was I to question it?<br />
There was a sharp knock at the door. I opened it, surprised to see Sam Uley standing there. I thought he would have been headed to the church by now, eager to see the bride and groom like everyone else. I had asked Embry to be my best man, not Sam, which I think he was most unhappy about. Originally it was supposed to be Quil as Embry was going to be marrying Leah today. Embry had faced some life changing news recently so I wanted to give him something good to focus on.<br />
“Hey Jake, hey Embry,” Sam greeted me, nodding his head towards Embry who was making sure he had the wedding rings on his person.<br />
“What’s up Sam? We are about to leave in five minutes,” I stated.<br />
“Jacob, after the wedding ceremony please meet me in the woods behind the reservation. It’s important,” he said somberly. His face was serious and his eyes were troubled.<br />
“I have something to tell you, which is of paramount importance to the tribe and the Pack.”<br />
SUE CLEARWATER:<br />
It was Jacob Black’s wedding day. He was marrying Bella and Edward’s hybrid daughter Renesmee. This was a big deal for us Quileute’s. Shape-shifters and vampires were not supposed to be friends let alone fall in love and marry. Jacob had imprinted on Nessie, so there was not much he could do. He had to love her forever. Tears fell onto my silk dress. I hastily rubbed them away, not wanting to ruin my makeup I’d taken ages to apply. I had to put on a brave face today. I felt as if my whole life had been a lie. Harry had betrayed me, he’d had a child with another woman. Tiffany Call.<br />
She was well known on the reservation for being shy and unfriendly. I knew she suffered from bi-polar disorder so I’d always felt sorry for her. She kept herself to herself. Everyone assumed Sam Uley Snr. was Embry’s Father. He had a reputation as a ladies man. All the girls had a crush on him back in the day. Now I couldn’t believe he was a rapist. I felt my tears threaten to fall again as I felt sick to my stomach at the ordeal Tiffany had to endure. Then I felt anger too that she had made love to Harry, my Harry knowing full well he had a fiancée. How could she come to live here with the knowledge that the father of her child lived nearby with his wife and children? I had so many questions, so many thoughts swirling around my head, threatening to engulf me. After the wedding I had to speak to Tiffany Call.<br />
I had to know the truth about Harry.<br />
RENESMEE CULLEN:<br />
My Mom is helping Alice and I pile my hair up high onto my head. I gaze at my reflection for the last time as a single girl. In under an hour I will be Mrs. Jacob Black. I was just so excited. My whole life had been leading up to this point. Jacob was my destiny. I was his imprintee. I knew without a doubt that getting married was our fate. He would look after me, he would protect me and most of all he would adore me. I couldn’t wait until his ring was on my finger, then we would be a proper couple. Tonight, I would give myself to him, my body, my soul, my complete love and trust. It was going to be a special night because we’ve waited so long, which at times was torture. I wanted to go further and further each time we were alone together, but now our wedding day had arrived I was so happy we’d waited. My Mom is sad because I am no longer her little girl. I hardly had a childhood, I grew into teenage years so quickly. I knew her and Dad were happy for me, but I think they would rather I’d grown at a normal pace and not had Jacob imprinting on me. But life doesn’t work like that. My Mom gently strokes my pale cheek and whispers how much she loves me. I feel tears welling up and I try to keep them at bay. I want to look perfect for my Jake. Now it’s time to leave, time to fulfil my destiny.<br />
It was written in the stars, Jacob is mine and I am his<strong style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> forever and ever.</strong><br />
LEAH CLEARWATER:<br />
I am so happy for Jacob and Nessie, but I am also jealous of them. They get to be married and have a normal, wonderful life together as husband and wife. I wished the same could be said for Etienne and me. All I wanted was to be with him in all ways and to grow old together. I adored the bones of him. I needed him, like I needed water and oxygen. I wished for a different life, a life where we could just be two normal humans, a boy and a girl in love with their whole lives ahead of them. I didn’t know how we could overcome our problems but I knew he loved me as much as I loved him. I longed to walk down the aisle with him. He would be handsome in a tailor made suit with his curly hair falling around his shoulders. I would be beautiful, graceful and elegant in a long white dress of the softest satin which would cling to my body perfectly. We would exchange our vows of eternal love and that night, our wedding night, Etienne would take me in his arms and make passionate, hot, sweet love to me. I sighed. What use did dreaming do? We were stuck as we were with no future, no solution, just pain and anguish. But we had love, our great all-consuming passionate love, even if we couldn’t act upon it physically. The rest would work out somehow I prayed.<br />
The Elders and the Pack instructed Etienne and I not to see each other anymore. They said Etienne could stay with the coven if he wished, but he wasn’t to make contact with me or see me. They said his mind control would be of no use as they would always wear their moonstone pendants around their necks. If any harm came to any one of the Elders or Pack, then Etienne would be immediately suspected and ran out of town. We both agreed. They didn’t have to know we still loved each other immensely. We had sneaked around for years without anyone having a clue, it would not be hard to continue our charade. I wished I’d never told Jacob Black. Hindsight is a great thing though isn’t it?<br />
I was just about ready to leave for the wedding. Etienne was also attending. Nessie had insisted on it, he was an adopted Cullen, which gave him some clout in the little community. My mind was wandering to last night over and over again as I attempted to apply my lipstick once more. Etienne and I had spent the whole night together, in my room, in my bed, whilst my Mother cried herself to sleep again. His cool lips had enthralled me with their insistent hunger. I had clung to him as I pressed my warm human body against his cold immortal one. I had wished for no barriers between us, I wanted to feel his hard marble chest against my skin, but Etienne was back to being his usual restrained self. Every time I frantically tried to take my clothing off he gently stopped me. It was a crazy dance we shared. I tried to make him succumb and he fought off my advances. It would be funny if it wasn’t so tragic! He drove me crazy with lustful desire. I loved him so much that I needed and wanted to show him. When the clock had struck midnight he had whispered happy birthday against the hollow of my throat, his breath and lips cool on my skin. I shivered with pleasure and pent up desires.<br />
So, today was Jake’s wedding day, the happiest of his life. The hardest day of mine, being in close proximity to Etienne but not being able to touch him or kiss him. I would have to wait until tonight when he flew through my bedroom window to be with me. I could hardly contain myself. It was time to leave. I checked my reflection one last time deciding that I would do. New Year’s Eve was frosty and crisp so I pulled on my fake fur jacket to keep me warm. My high heels clacked on the frosty ground as I teetered to the car where my Mom was waiting impatiently for me. Her face was pitiful and tear stained when I got into the car, her makeup not hiding her sadness. I smiled lamely at her and gave her arm a gentle squeeze. She smiled wanly back and commented how pretty I looked today all dressed up. I thanked her and we drove off to make our way to the Cullen’s for the wedding which was to be held in their grand drawing room. Vampires and shape-shifters all celebrating together for today.<br />
Suddenly my Mom spoke, “Leah I know you had someone in your room last night! I could hear you! “She stated.<br />
I turned to look at her my mouth open wide. Oh no!<br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">How was I going to explain this?</em><br />
SAM ULEY JNR:<br />
I couldn’t fathom my absent Father’s actions. Did he really rape an innocent girl? Or was he the victim of a troubled and mentally ill mind? I guess I would never know. My Father didn’t write, he didn’t visit, and he just simply didn’t care about me or my Mom. I had Emily now, the chance to start a new perfect family. I didn’t care if I never saw him again. Finding out about him and the truth about Embry’s real father had really shook me up. Not only that but my plans for the future of the Pack lay in tatters now. Unless we could find Rebecca, my half-sister. She might be of some use to us, other than that I wasn’t sure I wanted to meet her and get to know her. Although it wasn’t her fault she’d been born, I still couldn’t get my head around the circumstances of her conception. If my Father was evil did that make me evil? Would I suddenly develop signs of it? Was that why my beautiful fiancée’s face was scarred all down one side?<br />
There was also the small matter of Leah Clearwater’s complete disregard for the Pack laws and rules. It had become known to me that she was having a relationship with Etienne Lucier, the vampire. Shape-shifters do not have any kind of relations with vampires! Jacob Black had got away with this purely because he was Pack Alpha – higher in rank than I was if truth be told – and because he had imprinted on Nessie who was only half a vampire. Leah knew this was forbidden yet she flaunted our rules and she cavorted with an old enemy. Deep in my heart I still had feelings for Leah. She was my first love, my teenage sweetheart. I loved Emily so much, she was my imprintee, my everything, and I probably would never have met her if it hadn’t been for her being related to Leah. It didn’t stop a little bit of my heart still yearning for Leah and the times we had. We shared our first innocent kiss together, we shared our dreams, we thought we would marry and settle down. As soon as I saw Emily though that was that. I and Leah were over forever.<br />
Now the thought of her with the vampire sickened me to the pit of my stomach. His cold hands on her, his icy lips kissing her, his power controlling her mind and his danger to her life made me shudder with horror and disgust. Their relationship must be stopped. Leah thought she was above the law, she thought all we did was forbade her to see him again. Maybe the Elders thought she could be trusted but I saw the way she gazed at him. She was insanely in love and would do anything to be with him. Our mere words would not keep them away from each other. No, it had to be something more, something permanent. Etienne must be stopped in his tracks. We would do what we always did with the enemy. We would destroy him. I would destroy him myself if I could, but he was old, very old. I would enlist my closest friends Jared and Paul. They would help me make sure Etienne and Leah’s relationship came to an abrupt end. It would be easy. Leah would think he had left her again. Simple. I had called Etienne last night and asked him to meet us today, after the wedding in the woods behind the reservation. I had asked Jacob too. I wanted him to witness this.<br />
Vampires, unless Cullen’s unfortunately, <strong style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">will not</strong> be tolerated under any circumstances.</div>
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<b><br /></b>
<b>CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE</b><br />
<b>TURMOIL</b><br />
<b>BELLA CULLEN:</b><br />
It was beautiful. The wedding ceremony which made my daughter Jacob Black’s wife had finished. Nessie’s face was a picture of sheer joy. I was glad she was happy. I knew Jake was good for her. He would be a great husband of that I was sure. They had sealed their union with a sweet kiss afterwards. Edward had squeezed my hand tightly, and I knew if we could have cried we both would be in floods of tears. Our baby was a grown woman now, a married woman! Unbelievable. Such was the way of a hybrid. At least now she would not age quickly. Our side of the small chapel was sparse with only my family and Etienne sitting there. Jacob’s side was full. Shape-shifters and vampires on opposite sides once again. I caught Leah and Etienne giving each other smoldering glances when they thought no one was looking. I wished Etienne would use his mind controlling power on Sam and the others. I wanted Leah and him to be happy together. They were so in love they should be a proper couple. But I knew it wasn’t possible, not whilst they remained here.<br />
We are now in a large decorated gazebo, where the reception is to be held. Charlie is standing alone by the arborio of willow trees planted for the occasion. He looks awkward and oh so slightly scared by his fellow wedding guests. Edward suddenly goes stiff by my side as Alice enters the gazebo.<br />
“Edward, what is it?” I ask worriedly. Alice’s light topaz eyes are boring into my husband’s with an intense stare. “Edward!” I say impatiently, shaking his arm a bit too violently.<br />
Edward turns to me as Alice quickly approaches, “Bella love, Alice has “seen” Etienne fighting with the wolf pack. She thinks it is going to happen soon, somewhere in the woods not far from here. She sees the wolf pack angrily tearing at his limbs!” my husband says matter of factly.<br />
I gasp in horror, why would the wolf pack want to hurt Etienne? He is an honorary Cullen now. I really don’t need this on my daughter’s wedding day! I narrow my eyes and scan the room for Jacob, but he is nowhere to be seen and I am not picking up his distinctive scent with my sensitive nostrils. Please don’t let Jacob condone this course of action! Alice and Edward are having a silent conversation which really annoys me at times. I glare at them both and flounce off to find Jacob.<br />
I hear Alice soothe Edward, “Don’t worry brother, I didn’t see Bella anywhere in the fight”.<br />
My husband sighs gratefully, even though he doesn’t need to worry, I am strong and powerful.<br />
I made my way swiftly to the woods surrounding Forks. If the wolf pack and Etienne were here I should be able to sniff them out quickly and easily. Etienne especially. I run so fast I am almost flying, my feet barely touching the leaves below my feet. I don’t feel the icy winter chill, my skin is cold now. I zoom through the trees breaking branches in my way and startling birds from their homes. I am not picking up a scent yet, at least not the one I want. I can smell wildlife, nature, trees and traces of human scents. I climb up a tall spruce so I can get a panoramic view of the area below me. My vampire eyes spot Etienne about a mile away, he is sauntering through the trees whistling to himself by the looks of it. I look a little bit further. I spot Sam, Jared, Paul, Quil and Jacob standing in a clearing, which appears to be behind Tiffany Call’s house. Embry is not present. Just what is Jake playing at? It’s his wedding day and I bet my Nessie is frantic down at the reception wondering where he is. It will be time to greet their guests soon! I shake my head angrily at my new son in law. A low menacing growl issues forth from between my clenched jaws. If he ruins my daughter’s special day I will ruin him, that’s a promise! Why is Jacob getting involved in this nonsense? I guess because he is joint Pack Alpha Sam has summoned him here for whatever reason. I am guessing it has something to do with Leah. She and Etienne’s romance must be common knowledge now. This was serious. I swiftly made my way back down the thick tree trunk and took off at great speed to where my friend was about to come upon the wolf pack. Did Etienne know why he was meeting them? Would I be able to avert disaster?<br />
Today was turning out to be an eventful last day of the year.<br />
ETIENNE LUCIER:<br />
I think Sam Uley Jnr one hundred percent knows that I am totally in love with Leah Clearwater. Why else would he phone me up early this morning at the Cullen’s to ask me to meet him in the clearing in the woods behind the Call residence? He had his suspicions before, he told me to stop seeing Leah at the meeting, but I think the Elders and the Pack assumed we were just good friends? Did Jacob betray Leah? Did he tell Sam how involved this vampire boy really was with the wolf girl? I didn’t know but I think I am about to find out. I left the wedding secretly, I didn’t even try to tell Leah where I was going. I had to try and stop this animosity between myself and the Pack. Surely we could come to some agreement which would benefit us both? We’ll see. I was almost at the clearing now where I could hear Jacob arguing loudly with Sam. I thought about hiding to spy on them but I was too curious. Yes I know, curiosity killed the cat.<br />
I entered the clearing just in time to hear Jacob yell “Sam Uley I override your decision to kill Etienne! I am ultimately the Pack Alpha and I command you to stop this course of action now!” his loud voice boomed out, echoing off the tall spruce trees.<br />
Sam narrowed his dark eyes at Jacob defiantly, “You gave up your rights to be Alpha when Renesmee was born Jacob. Don’t come crying to me now. It’s time we made a stand against this devious vampire in our midst. He has Leah brainwashed! She must not carry on this evil union with Lucier! I will not stand for it! Jared, Paul and I will take him down, I swear to you Jake! With or without your help. I just need a witness! This vampire must die and all traces of him be removed from our lands,” he spat out angrily.<br />
I couldn’t help let a sarcastic laugh escape my lips. Sam whipped around to see me standing right behind him. “You see Jacob! He is devious! Despite me wearing the moonstone he still managed to sneak up on us unawares. Guys, I hope you all have your moonstones about your person! Or else this bloodsucker will heinously control your mind!” he exclaimed with pure venom in his voice.<br />
Wow. He did really hate me. I was over four hundred years old. I was strong. I was deadly. I reckoned I could take the five of them easily if they tried to harm me. Jacob looked at me with sorrow in his eyes. I knew he wasn’t part of this bloody lust to kill me. Suddenly the Pack minus Jacob phased into large wolves. I had only witnessed Leah shape shifting before. To see these guys do it was quite something. Jacob sighed and phased into a large russet wolf who bared his teeth at Sam. He leapt through the air making for his target. Sam wolf and Jacob wolf met in a frenzy of snapping teeth and flying fur. I couldn’t make out two separate wolves.<br />
Jared and Paul were now amongst them and I heard a yelp of pain as Jacob was overcome by the three strong wolves. Obviously being Alpha didn’t make you the strongest physically? Jacob was flung onto his side, bleeding heavily from the mouth. I crouched down low in a defensive position as the three large wolves closed in on me with menacing growls. This was going to be tricky. I’d never had to fight wolves before. They had sharp teeth. Teeth that could easily remove my head; the only way to kill me apart from fire. Suddenly I was just a bit afraid. I braced myself for the onslaught of fur and fangs, but nothing happened. Instead I found myself spirited away to the top of a tall tree. Strong arms were gripping me tightly around the waist. I turned around to find Bella grinning at me.<br />
“My turn to save you!” she winked.<br />
“Bella! You used your invisibility!” (See “newborn” for details dear reader!) I exclaimed with glee, so happy to be saved from the snapping, slavering jaws of the wolves below.<br />
Bella smiled, a look of satisfaction on her beautiful face. “Of course I did. It comes in handy sometimes. Even better, the Pack know nothing about my special ability!” she crowed.<br />
“Well thank goodness you arrived when you did Bella, I think those wolves were going to eat me!” I said with a shudder.<br />
Bella hugged me briefly, before announcing that she was going back to make sure Jacob was okay. I tried to tell her not to be so stupid, but she was gone in a flash. I sighed melodramatically as I made my way down the tree and back to the clearing.<br />
This could be a <strong style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">really really</strong> big mistake.</div>
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<br />
<b>CHAPTER THIRTY TWO</b><br />
<b>LEAVE THIS LIFE</b><br />
<b>LEAH CLEARWATER:</b><br />
Edward Cullen had approached me at the wedding reception with a distinct worried expression. His topaz eyes were dark, which told me he needed to feed. I loved Etienne’s eyes when he had fed, they were such a light amber colour with flecks of brown. Most gorgeous.<br />
“Leah, there is trouble out at the reservation. Alice has “seen” most of it, Sam wants to kill Etienne,” he stated matter of factly.<br />
I think my heart stopped beating at his words. I gave a gasp of sheer terror and fear at the thought of my loved one being harmed. “Don’t worry Leah. Bella is in the clearing with him. I am going there now to see what is happening. Let’s go,” he said as he took hold of my arm.<br />
I could have phased but it was just as easy to hop onto Edward’s back and let him run so fast through the trees that I had thought we were flying.<br />
Now we had arrived. My heart was thumping loudly and my mouth was dry with apprehension. Edward let me down with a warning to proceed slowly into the clearing. I didn’t pay heed as I rushed through the trees desperate to make sure Etienne was all right. I should have listened to Edward’s words of warning. If I had I might not have run head first into the big black wolf which was Sam Uley. No one could stop his strong powerful jaws as they clamped around my body, the sharp teeth easily slicing through my flesh and muscle. I gasped and held my stomach, suddenly feeling very cold. It was winter but this was a deep bone chilling cold which now seeped into my veins. Between my clasped hands blood ran out onto the ground as I fell forward to join it. Dust and leaves filled my mouth and hair as I lay there. I was so cold. So very cold.<br />
“Leah!” a now human Sam screamed as he bent to move my hair from my face. His warm hand touched the clammy deathly pale skin of my cheek.<br />
It was the last thing I would remember until later.<br />
BELLA CULLEN:<br />
I left Etienne in his safe haven up the tall spruce tree as I dashed back to the clearing to make sure Jake was okay. I couldn’t believe that Sam and the others could hurt him like that. I switched on my invisibility cloak as I made my way back through the trees. Jacob was now sitting on a tree trunk, human once again. His face was bleeding and he had an old hanky tied around a wound on his arm. Apart from that he looked just as Jacob should, except his wedding suit was now ripped and torn. My poor Nessie! I hope her day wouldn’t be ruined by this silliness. I appeared in front of Jacob making him jump in shock.<br />
“Jeez Bella! I am in a bad enough way as it is without you sneaking up on me!” he said clasping a hand over his chest.<br />
I smiled sympathetically at him, as Sam approached from the left, clapping his hands mockingly. “Very clever Bella. Very clever indeed. You kept that quiet. I take it you knew Jacob?” he asked.<br />
Jacob looked up at me and winked. “Yes, I knew. Invisibility is Bella’s special power, just like Edward’s mind reading.”<br />
Sam narrowed his eyes at Jacob and growled. “Jacob you and I are no longer friends. I will respect you as a fellow Alpha and Pack member but that’s as far as it goes. You clearly support the Cullen’s and their “friend” Lucier more than you do your own kind. Nessie I can understand, at least she is half human and she is now your wife. But the rest…well you and I will never agree, so that’s that!” he stated.<br />
Jacob sighed and nodded, “Fair enough Sam. I think you are insane though. We can all get along just fine together. If you would only get past your prejudices.”<br />
I caught Edward’s scent and another’s coming close. I smiled, trust my husband to come try “save” me! Suddenly Etienne appeared. He must have followed me. This was not good! Sam’s face went purple with anger and hatred as he phased in the blink of an eye and lunged towards Etienne with his jaws open wide. Etienne deftly side stepped the angry wolf, just as Leah came crashing out of the undergrowth, straight into the path of Sam. The sharp wolf teeth collided with Leah, ripping and tearing and slicing into her skin.<br />
If my heart had still beat I think it would have come to a standstill in utter shock.<br />
ETIENNE LUCIER:<br />
I couldn’t let Bella go back into that clearing to save Jacob alone. Bella had been a good friend to me, sometimes I hadn’t deserved her love or loyalty. Without her I would still be a lone vampire in Vancouver. I would not have met and fell in love with my girl Leah if it hadn’t been for Mrs. Cullen. I wasn’t going to leave her side now when she needed me, despite my fear of the wolves. Bella was standing next to Jacob, who seemed to be okay apart from some cuts. Shape shifters appeared to be most resilient. Sam and Jacob were having a heated discussion. Sam stopped talking and looked up to see me standing there. His face turned to thunderous rage, a black cloud of anger suddenly descending upon his features. As quick as a flash he phased and lunged towards me, jaws drooling and snapping. I was fast though. I sidestepped neatly out of his path just as the most precious thing in the world to me stepped out of the trees and ran right into the mad slavering creature. Now time seemed to flow in slow motion as I watched the horrific scene unfolding before me. Leah’s blood soaked the ground as she fell onto the leaves. Her face so pale and deathly. Sam was now in human form and leaning over her.<br />
I seemed to be frozen still like a marble statue. Now my body decided to move as my mind took in the full horror of the situation. I was on Sam in a moment, flinging him away into the trees with a roar. My strength knew no bounds when it came to protecting Leah from harm. I scooped her up in my arms despite Bella and Jacobs cries not to move her. She was limp and rag doll like as her long beautiful hair trailed in the dust. I wailed and raged at the dull winter sky and prayed to anyone who would listen to let my love survive this.<br />
“Jacob, run! Get Carlisle! Quickly!” Bella screamed.<br />
Jacob, his face wild took off at a sprint through the trees. Leah was trying to speak through cold pale lips, her body was trembling as I held her.<br />
“<i>Help me,</i>” she whispered weakly against my cheek.<br />
I looked at Bella, she nodded and gave me a half smile. I knew she was giving me her blessing. Edward was here now. I didn’t even notice him come into the clearing. He stood with his arm around his wife, he gave me a crooked smile which I presumed meant he agreed with Bella. I had to change Leah or she would die. Not here though. Luckily Leah was stronger than most; her shape shifting half was desperately trying to heal her body, whilst her human half was tenuously clinging to life. I decided my own two legs would be quicker than any car, even though vampires could drive at great speed safely. I had never quite got used to the modern way of getting around and I really could run faster than a gazelle, maybe even faster than a cheetah. With Leah securely tied to my back using my belt and Edward’s fashioned into some sort of carrier, I zoomed off into the trees. Towards sanctuary, towards my home. Hopefully towards our new life together. This was not planned, not discussed but it had always loomed between us. Now we had no choice.<br />
Leah must become<strong style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Immortal</strong> or <em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">leave this life for good.</em></div>
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<b><br /></b>
<b>CHAPTER THIRTY THREE</b><br />
<b>IN THE GENES</b><br />
<b>SAM ULEY JNR:</b><br />
I picked myself up from the trees where Etienne had thrown me just in time to see Leah being spirited away on his back. She seemed to hang there quite lifeless and limp. I shuddered with self-hatred and disgust as I limped over to where Bella and Edward were embracing.<br />
“Where is he taking her?” I asked the couple.<br />
Bella turned to face me, her topaz eyes blazing with anger and hostility towards me, and who could blame her? I had behaved despicably, I saw that now. I was so wrapped up in my hatred of Etienne that I had begun to look at events with tunnel vision. Now Leah was hurt, most possibly dying and it was my entire fault. Looks like the apple didn’t fall far from the tree after all.<br />
“Sam just what were you playing at? Luring Etienne here with the intention of killing him? Why? Because he dared to fall in love with one of your kind?” Bella spat angrily at me, a low growl rumbling in her throat. “And don’t even get me started on Jacob! You and the others hurt him! I noticed they ran off when Etienne came back, the cowards!” she added, her voice full of venom.<br />
Edward discreetly restrained her with a pale hand applied to her shoulder. I looked down at the ground, unable to face the completely deserved wrath of Bella Cullen. I felt sick to my stomach. I had never meant to hurt Leah. Oh yeah? A little voice asked inside my mind. You didn’t mean to hurt Emily either. I tried to block out the memory of my claws raking down Emily’s beautiful face, but now I saw Leah and her blurred together in one awful incident. I clutched at my hair and shook my head, trying to dispel the awful visions in my head. Now Emily and Leah stood staring at me, tears pouring down their faces.<br />
“I didn’t mean it! I didn’t mean to hurt either of you!” I cried out loud as I stumbled out of the clearing and into the woods.<br />
“Sam! You come back and answer me!” Bella screamed loudly behind me.<br />
But I ran blindly into the trees trying to escape the images which whirled around my brain. No one followed me as I made my way into La Push and down to First Beach. I ran along the sand until my breathing was ragged and my lungs ached. I slumped down onto the big flat rock which looked like a good place to lie. The winter sky loomed over me, swollen and dark with heavy black clouds. The frosty air burned my chest and bitter tears were flowing freely down my cheeks. My father had proved himself to be a loser, now I was becoming like him. I didn’t know how I had gotten so full of hatred. The vampires had never caused us any harm, yes Etienne had used his power on me but he didn’t hurt me in any way. He only wanted to help Bella. I took it too far then as well. Bella didn’t mean to harm Jacob, the treaty was outdated by then. It was only me who had a bee in his bonnet about it all. Bella had to be changed or else she would have died.<br />
Now it looked like the same thing might be happening right now to Leah. I clawed at my face in anguish. I didn’t want Leah to be dead, or undead! What could I do now? How I wish I could take back my actions! Whatever Leah’s fate was it was my entire fault? How could I live with myself now? How could I explain this to Emily? I couldn’t stand my thoughts any longer. I got up and ran straight towards the shore line, where the grey waves broke angrily onto the sand.<br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The cold sea welcomed me with open arms.</em></div>
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<br />
<b>CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR</b><br />
<b>DEATH BECOMES HER</b><br />
<b>ETIENNE LUCIER:</b><br />
Leah lay on my useless, but decorative, opulent four poster bed, her dark hair framing her face perfectly. Even this close to death she looked beautiful. Her lovely wedding outfit was stained with blood. This morning she had woken up and smiled at the gorgeous dress she was going to wear for Jake and Nessie’s big day. She had frowned at her reflection in the mirror as she cursed turning nineteen. She didn’t want to be older than me, it was her worst nightmare coming true. I had kissed her full pouting lips passionately, my hunger making her forget this birthday temporarily. How could we have known the events that would unfold today?<br />
Twilight was descending over Vancouver, the deep blue sky welcomed the orange sunset into its wide arms. Night would soon be upon us. I could not delay any longer. I had needed to look at Leah as human one last time. I needed to hear her heart beat, which now thudded slowly and erratically. I needed to feel her warm soft skin, which at this moment felt quite cool and clammy. Nothing was as before. I needed to tell her how much I loved her, how much I hoped she would understand and forgive my actions. My words fell into the deep silence of the bedroom. Even Leah’s breathing had slowed down, soon it would stop if I didn’t hurry. This was so difficult for me, despite my love for her. I had dreamed of us being together forever. I had dreamed of her being like me. Now the reality was here I was finding it hard to let go of my hopes and dreams that my beloved would have a normal human life. There was no future for her now, unless I changed her.<br />
The ticking of the Grandfather clock sounded like it was counting down the last moments of Leah’s life. I sat here staring at her, knowing what I had to do, knowing it really was inevitable. As much as I didn’t want to change her, I knew I couldn’t let her die, not when I had the power to prevent it. How could I live without my love? How could I live without my life? I could not. I would bring the final death upon myself somehow if I lost Leah. I had to take action and I had to take it now. The orange setting sun had given way to the night sky now. Stars twinkled and the Moon shone into my window, giving Leah a bluish glow. I put my hand over her weakening heart. So slow were its dying beats. It stuttered once, but resumed its faltering pulse. Her shape shifter side was so so strong. It fought for life. It clung to life tenaciously but for how long? I had to stop this sentimentality and save my girl from the stealthy creeping feet of death. I had to.<br />
In the bright moonlight I lowered my head onto Leah’s breast. One last listen close up to her beautiful human heart. One last listen to her weak pulse as it tried to carry wolf like blood to her wounded limbs. I gently moved her dark silky hair away from the soft delicate skin of her neck. Cliché? Yes you could say it was. But I’d always favoured this part of her body and that had nothing to do with old fairy tales and legends of vampires. My sharp teeth slid easily through her soft flesh as the venom filled my mouth in eager anticipation. I had ashamedly dreamed of this moment so many times. How it would feel to bite her. How it would feel to taste her. How it would feel to completely lose myself in her. Now I knew that my dreams of this moment distinctively paled in comparison to reality. I was overwhelmed with both intense love and extreme hunger. I had to rein myself in as her sweet intoxicating blood smeared over my mouth and tongue. I didn’t want to damage her, all I needed was for the venom to enter her bloodstream, where it would make its way rapidly to her slow heart, stopping her life in its wake. She had enough healing to do without me causing more. If I went too far I would kill her, it had to be just enough to change her. It would have been too easy after one drop of her life nectar to go into a frenzy of violent abandonment. For me it was easier not to. I didn’t want to kill her, just change her.<br />
Her body bucked and writhed as the venom entered her heart. Thankfully she did not regain consciousness. I really don’t think I could have stood to see her in tremendous agony as she left her human life behind. Her face actually looked quite serene and peaceful which made me smile slightly. I liked to think she knew I was trying to save her because I loved her more than my own existence. I held her hand as her heart gave its last beat. I sighed as she finally died. She lay peaceful and still. I knew it wouldn’t be long before she started to burn from the inside out. The venom was already rushing through her body, filling up her veins, changing her very being. She could burn for days. I hoped she didn’t. It would be so hard to watch her in immense pain like that. If truth be told I didn’t even truly know how a shape-shifter would react to the changes. This was a first in more ways than one. I stared at her waiting and watching carefully. I didn’t know what to expect. It had been so long since I was changed, the memory was distant and weak in my mind. Or was that my mind’s way of protecting itself from the horrors of the change? At least I had my mind control to help her through it, maybe we could lessen the evils of the newborn phase? That would be good.<br />
A few hours had gone by and still Leah had not moved at all. I sat by her side holding her hand and stroking her hair as I spoke soft words of love and encouragement to her. I was prepared to stay by her side for days. The thirst could wait. I was fine. I didn’t need anything except to be close to her. She was going to need me to help her through the changes. I was scared but also excited. Leah was now eternal, immortal, forever mine. Now we could be together in all ways. We could be lovers. I shivered slightly with desire as I tried to rein in my less than pure thoughts. The moon still shone in my window bathing Leah in its magical light. I watched in fascination as her skin became paler and luminescent, her features became sharper and her hair grew even longer and more lustrous. The venom was doing its magical work within her veins. I hated how I couldn’t hear her heart anymore. I hated how she was so still and motionless. But I had to love the fact that she so obviously hadn’t left me. She was so alive in her undeadness. My mind is a jumble of emotions so please forgive my ramblings! I stroke her cheek as the clock strikes midnight. It is a New Year. Time for changes. A new chapter, a new beginning. Hopefully, I silently mouth in a fervent wish.<br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Then Leah opens her eyes.</em></div>
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CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE<br />
FORGIVE AND FORGET<br />
JACOB BLACK:<br />
I returned to the clearing quickly with Carlisle, the good doctor, in tow. Some wedding reception this was turning out to be! I had briefly explained to my new wife what the situation was. Nessie was as worried for Leah as I was. There was no sign of her here, however. Bella and Edward stood with their arms around each other, looking disconcertingly worried. Was it possible that Leah was okay? Bella turned away from the comfort of Edward’s arms as I approached.<br />
“Oh Jake!” she wailed as I looked at her worriedly.<br />
Something was definitely not right.<br />
“Bella what is it?” I asked softly.<br />
Bella’s beautiful topaz eyes were full of sadness. I felt a lump in my throat and my stomach go into knots as I braced myself for bad news. Bella just stood shaking her head, so Edward took over the conversation. “Jacob, I’m afraid Leah was in a really bad way. Close to death I’m sorry to say. If she’d been human she would not have survived Sam’s attack. Etienne took her to Vancouver,” he spoke quietly but firmly as he put a reassuring hand on my shoulder.<br />
“No! Carlisle would have fixed her!”<br />
I shouted pointing to the doctor behind me. Carlisle’s eyes were fixed on Edward’s. Edward nodded his head slightly at something Carlisle must have asked in his mind. I frantically whipped my head between the two hoping my worst fears hadn’t been realised.<br />
“Please tell my Leah hasn’t been changed?” I demanded.<br />
Bella came to me then and put her arms around me. “That was Etienne’s intention Jacob. She spoke to him before losing consciousness. She begged for help. Edward and I witnessed it. I truly believe she wanted it. Sorry Jake!” Bella stated quietly as her strong arms enveloped me.<br />
I struggled to be free but she held me pinned to her. Boy she was strong! Gone were the days when I had the superior strength. I slumped against her as she soothingly stroked my long hair which was tied back neatly in a ponytail especially for my wedding. Tears sprang out from my eyes as I thought of my dear friend Leah dying. I closed my eyes as I tried to blot out the image of her lying bleeding and torn. Was it worse for her to die and I never see her again or was it worse that she would be changed most probably beyond my recognition? She would live but she wouldn’t be her!<br />
Then I thought of the girl with her arms around me. Bella was basically still the same person. Yes, she was stronger, yes she was to all intents and purposes dead, but she still had a kind heart, even if it did not beat any more. She still had a beautiful soul, although Edward believed that vampires had no souls. I believed the opposite and I had my suspicions Carlisle did too. Carlisle was looking at my face when I opened my eyes. His kindly expression made me want to cry again. Yes, I knew from personal experience that not all vampires were bad. In fact most of them were just like us really. They wanted to be loved, they needed family around them and they cared for their friends deeply. Leah would still be Leah. If Etienne had managed to change her, that is. What if she had succumbed to death’s cold arms, never to wake again? I decided there and then that I hoped she had been changed. To never see her again would be worse. To lose her to such a tragic accident would be worse. Talking of which, just where was Sam? I asked Bella what had become of him.<br />
She gazed into my eyes, her face pure fury. I flinched, she certainly could look scary when she tried to. “He ran off when I confronted him! The horrible coward that he is!” she raged.<br />
Edward nodded in agreement behind her. I wondered where he had gone.<br />
Carlisle put a cool hand on my shoulder, “Jake we should be getting back, my Granddaughter will be getting worried and I don’t want her special day spoiled any more than it already has, if you don’t mind?” he asked me politely.<br />
My mind was whirling with the day’s events. I wasn’t ready to go back to the reception right now, there was something I needed to do first.<br />
“I will be back within the hour Carlisle, I promise,” I called back over my shoulder as I sprinted away into the woods, quickly phasing into the large russet wolf with ease. I hoped my discarded wedding outfit would survive.<br />
“Jacob! Come back! This is my daughter’s wedding day you idiot!” shouted Bella in exasperation.<br />
Nessie would forgive me. She loved me and I know she wouldn’t want me to turn my back on a brother. Despite our fall out, I still wanted to make sure Sam was okay. I caught his scent on the trees as I swiftly ran through them. Night had fallen and the bright full moon shone down over the woods illuminating the way. Not that I needed it, my wolf eyes could see perfectly fine in the dark. I followed his scent all the way to First Beach where I heard a weak voice call out. “Jake?”<br />
I saw Sam lying naked on the sand shivering with cold. We wolves did not feel cold. Something wasn’t right. I sprinted over to him, quickly phasing back. I had tied my smart trousers to my leg before phasing, they had survived the journey here, just. I quickly pulled them on, feeling very grateful that we had already done the wedding photographs or Nessie would have killed me!<br />
“Sam! What’s happened?” I asked as I knelt down to check he was okay.<br />
Through his chattering teeth he managed to whisper to me. “I went for a swim.”<br />
I shook my head in confusion.<br />
“Wolves like to swim,” he whispered again as he shivered and shook.<br />
I picked him up in a fireman’s lift and hurried up the beach with him to my Dad’s small house. I practically lived at the Cullen’s now and would continue to do so. I wrapped him in a large blanket and made a cup of hot sweet tea. I sat watching him drink it, my mind racing and my tongue itching to ask questions.<br />
“Thanks Jacob. I don’t deserve your help,” Sam spoke quietly.<br />
I shrugged, “It’s not a problem Sam. I still consider you a brother. I was just mad at you because of your crazy actions,” I replied with a half-smile.<br />
He made an attempt to smile back, albeit weakly.<br />
“So are you going to tell me just what you were doing out there?” I asked.<br />
Sam’s troubled dark eyes looked up into mine. “Honestly?”<br />
I nodded. “Of course.”<br />
He sighed and looked down at the old wooden kitchen table. “I was running away Jake. Mostly from myself. I realise now what damage I have caused to people I am supposed to love. I guess I wanted to punish myself,” he admitted with a long sigh.<br />
“By going for a swim in the freezing cold ocean in the middle of winter?” I chided him gently.<br />
He laughed weakly. “It wasn’t my best plan I admit. I went into the water as a wolf. I got quite far out, then the bitter cold got right into my bones causing me to phase back involuntarily,” he said with a shiver.<br />
I topped up his mug, he was still shaking. This was most un shape-shifter like.<br />
“That must have been quite frightening,” I observed.<br />
“It was. My body went in to complete shock. I’m not sure why, but I couldn’t move. I was drowning and it was so dark and cold. I realised Emily needed me, she loved me and I adored her. It was too late though, I had sealed my fate,“ he admitted sadly.<br />
“So how did you end up on the sand?” I asked with much curiosity in my voice.<br />
“That’s the strange part. I felt arms around me, pulling me back to shore. I thought I was delirious with the cold and my lungs filling up with water, but no it was real.”<br />
I nodded, eager for him to continue. Sam leaned closer to me, his dark eyes glittering in the lamp light. “I was placed on the sand very gently. I looked up and there was a dark haired angel above me. She had my eyes Jacob!” he said softly.<br />
I gasped with shock. “But how could that be?” I stuttered, my mind trying to process the information.<br />
“Jacob, it was my half-sister. She was there, I am not making this up.”<br />
I stared incredulously at him, wondering if he had completely lost it.<br />
“I’m not making it up Jake!” he repeated defiantly.<br />
<strong style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“It was my sister, Rebecca!”</strong></div>
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CHAPTER THIRTY SIX<br />
THE CHANGELING<br />
ETIENNE LUCIER:<br />
When Leah opened her eyes I gasped out loud in joyful surprise. Joy because she had been returned to me and surprise because her dark eyes which I loved were now scarlet red! I knew this would happen but I still got a shock as she gazed up at me for the first time as a vampire. I had been using my mind control on her whilst she was unconscious, all the while never knowing if it was working or not. I didn’t know how she would react to the changes. Bella told me she had been violent and out of control after her change. I really didn’t want Leah to be like that. And what if she hated me? I had hated my maker with a passion. I still did even though she was no more. I watched Leah’s face carefully to see what her first reaction would be. It was as if time had stood still, but in reality it was only a few seconds. She gazed directly into my eyes and in her beautiful voice, which now had musical undertones, she uttered her first words as a vampire.<br />
“Where is my silver bracelet Etienne? The gorgeous thin one with the roses? You gave me that for my sixteenth birthday! That was the night we first kissed. I had bruises on my arms where you held me tight. I didn’t tell you because I was scared I would never get to kiss those lips again and I was already so in love with you I could hardly breathe!” she smiled up at me, her face so perfect and beautiful. She always was beautiful of course but now she shone.<br />
I was dumbstruck by her words, by her face, by this momentous occasion. After removing the pesky moonstone from around her neck, all I had suggested to her was to remember how much I loved her and how many special times and memories we had shared together. I didn’t expect her to utter that sentence as her first words though! But oh how delightfully Leah!<br />
“I feel so strange Etienne, did I die and go to heaven? You sure look like an angel to me,” she said admiringly, her red eyes gazing deeply into mine.<br />
I traced my finger delicately down her cheek. Her skin was cold like marble. Cold like mine. “Leah, I adore you my love. Listen carefully to me now darling,” I quietly spoke.<br />
She nodded but didn’t speak.<br />
“You were going to die Leah. Do you remember what happened in the clearing? Sam hurt you badly, you were bleeding to death, my love, “I said gently as my fingers ran through her long hair, which was now thicker and silkier than ever.<br />
She gazed up at me mesmerised, her eyes never leaving mine.<br />
“Are you listening to me Leah?” I asked with a smile.<br />
“You are so beautiful, Etienne. I knew you were, but tonight you are so so amazing,” she whispered in awe.<br />
I forgot how it was to have new vampire eyes and I sighed in exasperation. “Leah! You can admire me soon, my love! For now please let me talk to you!” I demanded.<br />
She smiled up at me with a smile so dazzling, it threw me for a second. Now I was mesmerised! I must try to concentrate.<br />
“Leah, I brought you here to my house in Vancouver because you begged me to help you as you lay bleeding in the clearing. I knew I had to choose; lose you or change you. Well, this isn’t the other side my love. You are real, but you are now like me. You are a vampire Leah, you are Immortal now,” I said nervously awaiting her reaction.<br />
Her red eyes widened with shock, surprise and dare I hope a little delight? She smiled. Suddenly she was above me, her strong arms pinning me down. I gasped in shock at her speed and strength. She looked magnificently powerful and frightening in her majestic position. Her long dark hair waved around her shoulders, her skin shone and her eyes glittered. I found myself hopelessly and completely under her spell. Like a fly caught in the spider’s web. “Thank you Etienne. You saved me. You changed me. Now we will be together forever. It was my secret wish, my only dream. Now it is real and I am happy my love so happy!” she gushed, her face radiantly beautiful like a goddess of the night.<br />
I smiled up at her, still feeling slightly vulnerable as I was used to being the strong one. “Leah, I wished to be with you always too. I wouldn’t have chosen these circumstances, but I am pleased everything went well and you are okay. I did use my mind control on you, my love, but only because I did not want you to suffer the newborn rage and anger!” I stated.<br />
Leah must have reached over to the small table nearest to us and quickly placed the moonstone around her neck. Her movement was so rapid I actually only noticed when I saw the shimmering of the stone in the moonlight through my window.<br />
“No Leah!” I shrieked in horror.<br />
She smiled at me, then she was gone.<br />
I leapt to my feet in a flash to find her by the window, looking out into the bright night.<br />
“Leah?” I softly questioned.<br />
She turned around and smiled at me, beckoning me closer. I did as she commanded even though I had a flash of fear and apprehension ride through my body as I approached her. Newborns were fast. Newborns were strong. Newborns did not care. However I smiled in surprise as her pale arms wound themselves around my neck and her cool lips found mine in a kiss so thrilling and intoxicating. It was like our first kiss all over again. Her cool lips transferred little electric shocks all over my body. I sighed against her mouth as she pulled me closer. Our kisses became deeper and more passionate. She pressed herself against me frantically. I gasped loudly as the nearness of her made my body shake with lustful desire. I did not have to think about hurting her, I did not need to rein in my emotions. Now, for the first time we could do as we wished. It was the best feeling ever.<br />
I was drunk on her scent, her taste, her very essence. Our hands roamed over each other passionately. Our lips hungrily devoured each other with fervent desire.<br />
“I love you Etienne!” she breathed against my mouth.<br />
“I love you too Leah!” I replied, my passion clouding my mind.<br />
I forgot about the moonstone. I forgot about her being a newborn. All I could think about was the sensual and emotional overload of my senses. We fell to the floor in passionate bliss, our only thought to possess and overcome the other.<br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">So far, in my long long long life, this was the best night I had spent</em>…<strong style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">ever.</strong></div>
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<br />
<br />
<b>CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN</b><br />
<b>ALL IS QUIET ON NEW YEAR’S DAY</b><br />
<b>EMBRY CALL:</b><br />
It was a frosty, still New Year’s Day as I jogged along First beach at seven a.m. I loved to run at this time of the morning when the day was just beginning. I felt free. I emptied my mind and concentrated only on the sound of my feet pounding on the sand. When I reached the woods I might phase and run as a wolf. My mind would not be blank today however as I dwelled on the events from last night. Before Jake and Nessie went on honeymoon, he had pulled me aside and told me what had occurred in the clearing. I was shocked and worried for Leah, but Jacob assured me Etienne was looking after her. He also told me about Sam and his “swim”. This story was actually harder to believe than the Leah one! Sam had acted incredibly reckless and extremely stupid. We would all be devastated if anything had happened to him, especially his devoted fiancée Emily.<br />
I frowned to myself when I remembered the weirdest part of the story. Sam had told Jake that Rebecca had saved him from the icy ocean. As far as I knew Sam Uley had never met Rebecca or seen a photograph of her. My Mother had shown me one black and white photograph her foster Father had taken when Rebecca was born. It was old and faded, but my Mother had kept it hidden away all these years. I sighed. I had another half-sister out there whom I knew nothing about. At least Leah and I had gotten to know each other really well over the past year. I pushed myself harder and faster along the sand as I tried to rid my mind of these annoying frustrating thoughts.<br />
I decided I would take a detour away from the woods and down into town. It was Sunday, it was New Year’s Day. It was unlikely the small town of Forks would be busy. I successfully managed to make my mind blank as I concentrated only on my breathing. I reached the town centre without any infuriating chatter from my inner voice. I slumped down to catch my breath on the old wooden seat which sat outside the Pacific Inn Motel. I breathed in the cold frosty air as I stretched out my legs. The sun had begun to shine and it felt good on my skin. Today was a New Year, a new start. The doors of the Motel swung open and a tall, dark, long legged amazingly beautiful girl walked out into the frosty sunshine. She had really cropped short dark hair, dark eyes and very defined cheekbones. I gaped at her in amazement. She definitely wasn’t from Forks! I thought that nothing could top the natural beauty right before my eyes but I was wrong. Right behind the beautiful stranger was another girl. She was shorter and curvier with long wavy honey blonde hair which hung almost to her waist. Her face was sweet like an angel’s. Her eyes were as blue as a summer sky. All the things the songs sing about when it comes to beautiful girls. She caught my stare and smiled hesitantly at me.<br />
Suddenly the strangest thing happened; my ears started ringing, my vision blurred and the world seemed to tilt and turn. I gasped out loud as I gripped the bench in sheer panic. All I could see was that beautiful face staring down at me, her perfect lips seeming to ask me if I was okay. I tried to speak but found I couldn’t. My mind, my soul, my entire body was transfixed on her and her only. It felt as if fireworks were exploding behind my eyes. My veins burned and my nerves sang. I hadn’t a clue what was happening to me, all I could see was this beautiful angelic face in front of me. Then I felt her hand on my arm, her face full of concern close to mine. I could see her lips moving but I could not hear anything. My body had become tight like a coiled spring and electricity hummed through my entire being, lit up with sparks of blue and white light. I realised in that split second that I had imprinted on this girl.<br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">That’s when the world went dark and I fainted.</em><br />
TIFFANY CALL:<br />
I stood outside in my small back garden deciding whether I really should make this my last cigarette ever. New Year’s resolution maybe? I could stop drinking a bottle of red wine almost every night too. That would help. I knew alcohol didn’t help my condition, it certainly didn’t mix with the medication I was on either. I did feel better though since telling the truth to Embry. I no longer felt burdened by my secret. Embry had been very forgiving. He was upset about the way I had been treated in life, he understood my reasons for not confessing who his father was before. He was happy Leah was his half-sister, they got on so well together. I had used all my meagre savings to pay for a private detective to track down my daughter Rebecca. I had to see her, even if it was only once.<br />
She might hate me, she might feel like I abandoned her, like I didn’t love her. She was entitled to think all of those things, I certainly couldn’t or wouldn’t blame her. Not ever. I waited every day for news, but nothing concrete so far. I was patient though, after all I had waited a long time to find my daughter again. I heard someone knocking at my front door so I quickly stubbed out my cigarette and made my way back into the house, wondering who would visit me on New Year’s Day?<br />
Sue Clearwater stood defiantly on my doorstep, her arms by her side, her fists clenched. I was surprised she had waited so long. Now here she was, come to confront the scarlet woman.<br />
“Happy New Year Sue, please do come in,” I said as politely as I could.<br />
She barged past me with a face like thunder. She spun around as I followed her into the living room spitting out her words with venom and fury, “I need the truth Tiffany and I need it now!” she spat.<br />
“Please sit down Sue. Would you like some tea?” I asked, a stupid silly smile plastered to my face.<br />
“Tea? Tea? ” Sue asked me incredulously.<br />
Then she promptly burst into tears. Oh no. Now what was I to do? Ignore her? Sympathise? I decided on the latter, I had no bad feelings towards this poor woman. I put my arm around her as she sobbed. We sat like that for maybe ten minutes before she spoke.<br />
“I came here to rage at you Tiffany Call! I was so mad! But now there seems little point in dragging over the past. Harry is gone. There is nothing I can do to bring him back,” she sobbed.<br />
“Harry loved you Sue. He didn’t love me, not really. He met me when I was only seventeen, the night Sam Uley raped me. Years later I met him by chance. I was lonely and damaged. I needed someone, I wanted a child to love and who would love me back. Embry is all I could’ve asked for and more. He married you Sue. He always was going to marry you!” I started to sob too.<br />
Sue looked at me and we hugged, two women whose lives had been affected by the Pack men. I leaned over and took two tissues from the box by my armchair. I handed one to Sue and used one to blow my nose. We both had matching red eyes.<br />
Sue half smiled at me, “So Harry never ever carried on with you after you moved back here with Embry?” she asked me.<br />
I shook my head, “No, I had what I wanted from him, he had you so that was that,” I admitted quietly.<br />
“He didn’t want to see Embry?” Sue asked. “Not like that, but he saw him around the reservation every day, he saw him at Pack meetings, he didn’t need to be a Father to him Sue, he had you, Seth and Leah. You were his family, not us,” I stated truthfully.<br />
Sue frowned and looked like she might cry again, “I just feel that our life together was a lie. You and I were both pregnant at the same time to the same man! My children have a half-brother! It has been driving me mad!” she wailed.<br />
I quickly passed her another tissue. She wiped her eyes and smiled at me, ” I am so sorry what happened to you. Sam Uley was an evil horrible man and I was so glad when he left without a word. Yes, Judy was heartbroken but she did a great job bringing up little Sam on her own. Just like you Tiffany. Embry is a lovely boy and he is so like you. I do see Harry in him too though! Leah and Embry are so alike! Seth is like me!” she gushed, as she squeezed my hand.<br />
Well today was turning out to be a surprise.<br />
“I’m sorry for your loss Sue. It must be hard without him, but you are coping well. If you ever need to talk you are most welcome. I really mean that!” I said honestly.<br />
She smiled and squeezed my hand again. “Maybe we’ll end up best of friends huh? Who would have believed that?” she said with a laugh.<br />
Then there was another knock at the door. I once again wondered who could possibly be visiting me on New Year’s Day. I opened my door to find a tall striking young woman standing there. She had a strange look on her face. Embry was behind her with a pretty blonde girl. He also had a strange look on his face. Just what was going on now?<br />
“Tiffany?” the dark haired girl asked.<br />
I nodded and smiled expectantly.<br />
“It’s me Mum. Your daughter. Rebecca.” she said<br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">That’s when the world went dark and I fainted.</em></div>
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<br />
<br />
<b>CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT</b><br />
<b>A WHOLE NEW WORLD</b><br />
<b>LEAH CLEARWATER:</b><br />
Well, my birthday had turned out to be quite unlike any other birthday I had ever experienced! As last days go I guess it was quite eventful. On Jacob and Nessie’s wedding day, my nineteenth birthday, I left my human life and became a vampire. I opened my eyes to a new year and a new life. I was now eternally nineteen. Looking on the bright side I was still a teenager! I don’t remember much of what happened yesterday. A wolf appeared from nowhere and I felt teeth slicing into my arm, lacerating my stomach, and sliding out through my back. I fell to the ground in a heap, the world becoming dark and hazy around me. Although I had realised through my confusion that the wolf was actually Sam. My childhood sweetheart had killed me! On my birthday too, how shocking!<br />
I vaguely remember asking Etienne to help me before I passed out. I remember thinking I was glad that his face would be the last I would see on this Earth. The rest was like a dream; blurry and inconsistent. I recall a burning fire raging in my body for a second, then I was floating on a sea of calm, where there was no pain and no fear. Death wasn’t so bad. The next thing I knew was hearing the clock strike midnight, so I opened my eyes. I thought I must be alive then. Sam hadn’t killed me! Etienne had been looking at me and he gasped in surprise. I must’ve been in a bad way for him to look so shocked to see me alive. I seemed to remember a fleeting dream I had just been having of my sixteenth birthday party. I had dreamt of Etienne giving me the beautiful thin bracelet with the intricate silver roses. I couldn’t remember where it was! Oh please don’t say I’ve lost it!<br />
“Where is my silver bracelet Etienne? The gorgeous thin one with the roses? You gave me that for my sixteenth birthday! That was the night we first kissed. I had bruises on my arms where you held me tight. I didn’t tell you because I was scared I would never get to kiss those lips again and I was already so in love with you I could hardly breathe!” I had asked with a smile.<br />
I had wondered why my voice didn’t sound like mine. Something wasn’t right. Not right at all. I had felt as if all my senses were over sensitive to everything in the room, especially Etienne.<br />
“I feel so strange Etienne, did I die and go to heaven? You sure look like an angel to me,” I had gushed admiringly as I gazed into his beautiful face as if for the first time.<br />
This almost dying had done some strange things to me for sure! Etienne had stroked my cheek making my skin tingle as he always did. But now he didn’t feel cold. Maybe I was cold too because I had almost entered the realm of death? Etienne had tried to explain yesterday’s events, but I had found it impossible to concentrate on his words. His voice spoke to me but I was too busy drinking in the beauty of this man. His topaz eyes, his pale skin, his shoulder length dark curls and his perfectly kissable lips. Of course I had always admired his looks but tonight it was more than that. Tonight I was seeing him as if for the very first time. How could I not have noticed he was this perfect? I must’ve been blind before my brush with death!<br />
“You are so beautiful, Etienne. I knew you were, but tonight you are so so amazing,” I couldn’t help interrupting him.<br />
He had smiled and gazed down at me, a perfect moment between us. He had broken our reverie first and he continued to explain things to me. I decided to ignore the distraction of his eyes, his skin, his lips and concentrate on his words. He had said the words I’d been hoping, wishing and dreaming for. I was Immortal. I had found myself above him, pinning him down. I had only thought about it and in a split second I was on top of him. He had looked shocked, scared and totally in awe of me. I had definitely liked this powerful feeling. My veins had felt as if pure energy were running through them. I had felt invincible. It was truly amazing!<br />
“Thank you Etienne. You saved me. You changed me. Now we will be together forever. It was my secret wish, my only dream. Now it is real and I am happy my love so happy!” I had stated with joy in my now still heart.<br />
Oh my! I really was a vampire. I was dead but alive. I was undead, just like my darling Etienne. He had smiled up at me with a hint of vulnerability which was so cute! He felt uneasy, I had felt that radiating from him! Well he didn’t have to worry I wouldn’t hurt him. That was slightly untrue because right at that moment I had such an overwhelming desire to take him forcefully. I had been shocked at my lustful thoughts. I didn’t realise my desire for Etienne would be multiplied by a million times over.<br />
Then he had mistakenly mentioned how he had used mind control to calm and soothe me so I would not feel the normal newborn rage and lack of control. I did not want to be controlled! I wanted to feel and experience everything the change had to offer. In another split second I had located the moonstone on the table next to us and had it back around my neck quicker than a flash. Etienne had cried out in warning, but I felt no rage, no confusion, and no desire to kill him. I had felt another desire so overwhelming I had to swiftly move before I acted on it. I found that I only had to think about moving and I was already up and at my destination in less than a second. It truly was a strange but amazing feeling to realise this strength and agility in my shiny new vampire body.<br />
I reckoned my shape shifting genes must have prevented the change from being too traumatic. It looked like I was not going to experience any newborn problems, but I was going to have all of the pleasures instead. How amazing was that? There had only been one thought invading my mind. I had beckoned Etienne to me. He had seemed to be aglow from within such was his beauty. I was transfixed as I wound my now pale arms around his neck and drew in close to place my now cool lips onto his in a kiss so divine, so perfect I could have really died. This was our first kiss all over again, except this time I think it may have been even more thrilling because now we were the same, now we were as one.<br />
We had so many memories and experiences between us but none would beat the feeling we had tonight in that room. I had wanted to possess him. His mind, his body and his very soul. His vampire heart. All of it was mine to take now. That is exactly what I planned to do! Three years of pent up desire welled up out of me and I almost burst into flames with the intensity of it. Now we could be lovers. Now we would be lovers.<br />
We had breathed ‘I love you’ against the other’s lips as we fell to the floor in passionate abandonment. At last we could be together properly. There was no fear, no obstacles, and no reasons to keep us apart. As we had gracefully fell I had caught my reflection in the mirror, I had smiled in satisfaction at my image. I was simply stunning.<br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Even if I did have scarlet blood red eyes.</em></div>
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<br />
<br />
<b>CHAPTER THIRTY NINE</b><br />
<b>THE ONE</b><br />
<b>EMBRY CALL:</b><br />
I carried my Mom through the front door, into the living room and laid her down on our old threadbare sofa. Sue Clearwater got a glass of water from the kitchen tap to gently splash her face with. Seems like my Mom and I reacted the same way to earth shattering events; we checked out for a while as our minds couldn’t cope with the situation. Seeing your long lost daughter for the first time since you gave birth to her definitely fell into the earth shattering category. So did imprinting and then meeting your half-sister for the first time! I had spent the morning getting to know them both. It had been fascinating and interesting. Now it was time for my Mom to be introduced to both girls. I knew my Mom would freak, even if she had been trying to find Rebecca. The PI had found her, but my half-sister wanted to break the news in person and come meet my Mom and me.<br />
Rebecca was such a character; she was feisty and sarcastic, and she was a shape shifter. Yes, Leah wasn’t the only one after all. Sam Uley’s genes had produced a female shape shifter, just as my Father, Harry Clearwater had created Leah, along with me and Seth. I hoped my Mom was proud of this girl. She was a marine biologist in Seattle, very clever and very pretty too, like Mom. But before my Mom wakes up, let me tell you what happened outside the Pacific Inn Motel in Forks, earlier today.<br />
I imprinted, I fainted, what a jerk! When I came to only a few minutes later, I was lying on the wooden bench with the two beautiful strangers gazing down at me worriedly. The tall dark haired one was offering me a drink of water whilst my imprintee was fanning my face with a book. I noticed the book was Wuthering Heights and I smiled to myself. Not only was she beautiful and kind, she also had great taste in literature. I didn’t even know her name yet.<br />
She spoke to her dark haired friend, her voice so soft and beguiling, and “I think he is waking up Rebecca! What do you think?” she asked.<br />
Rebecca promptly threw some of the water in my face!<br />
I jumped up with a start, “Hey!” I exclaimed in angry protest.<br />
“Well what do you expect? You fainted in front of us you wuss! A little water won’t hurt you, man up!” the dark haired girl Rebecca snorted indignantly.<br />
Her friend, the beautiful blonde turned to me with a smile so dazzling it rivalled the summer sun, “Are you okay now? Don’t mind Rebecca, it’s just her way!” she smiled up at me.<br />
I grinned down at her, I loved how she was much smaller than me. It just made me want to protect her more. Rebecca on the other hand was tall, fierce and beautiful like a warrior princess.<br />
“I’m Rebecca,” she said with a cheeky grin, “Sorry about the water!” she smirked.<br />
“No worries!” I smiled back.<br />
Her friend put out a hand to me, a small soft hand for me to take. I gulped as I felt her smooth silky skin. I tried not to shake, but I could feel tremors of electricity between us. Oh my! Imprinting certainly was a strange process. I’d die for this girl and I still didn’t know her name or anything about her.<br />
“I’m Katherine, pleased to meet you. Rebecca is my sister,” she announced in her sing song voice which thrilled me to my core. I still held onto Katherine’s hand, I didn’t want to let go not ever. How delicious and completely captivating that her name was Katherine, just like my favourite heroine in Wuthering Heights, Catherine Earnshaw. Spelled with a K it was even prettier.<br />
“I’m Embry Call. It’s a pleasure to meet you both, even if it was highly embarrassing,” I stated with a self-deprecatory laugh.<br />
Rebecca’s face suddenly went through a thousand different emotions. “As in Tiffany Call’s son?” she asked.<br />
I nodded with a smile wondering how she knew that. It was like the penny had dropped for both of us at once, as we both stared at each other in amazement. “I’m your half-sister Embry!” she grinned suddenly shy.<br />
“Oh wow!” I stuttered.<br />
Katherine looked from one to the other, a beautiful happy smile on her face. “We’ve found you!” she exclaimed clapping her small hands.<br />
“I have so many questions Embry! Will you come for a coffee with us, so we can talk? I’m so nervous about meeting your Mom, our Mom that I need to compose myself first!” Rebecca gushed nervously.<br />
I didn’t need asked twice so I nodded and smiled with a happy grin. It would be great to get to know my half-sister and it also meant I got to spend time with her sister too. They couldn’t be real sisters as Rebecca was adopted. Katherine must have read my mind as she suddenly answered my question. “Rebecca was adopted by my parents four years before I was born. I’m eighteen, she’s twenty two. My parents thought they couldn’t have children, but then I came along! Their little miracle!” she laughed.<br />
You can say that again I thought to myself. Rebecca gestured for me to follow them to the small café just a few buildings south of the motel. We ordered coffees as I sat opposite the two very different girls. Rebecca looked a lot like Sam I observed. I didn’t want to mention her real father, I didn’t know what she knew. This was the strangest new year’s I’d ever spent.<br />
Rebecca told me about her life, her job, and her friends. Then she had got around to the subject of shape shifting. I think she was scared to ask in case I didn’t know what she was talking about. We both confessed how scared we’d been the first time it happened and how it made us feel so different from everyone else. I was lucky though I had the Pack to help me, poor Rebecca had no one. She believed she was a freak for many years, until she started properly researching it with the help of her sister. She had been trying to find her real family but had drawn blanks. My Mom had made sure she remained anonymous. If it hadn’t been for her change of heart we might never have met today!<br />
All the while she spoke Katherine was listening and watching. I tried not to stare. There were a few times I couldn’t help it though, when I thought she wasn’t looking. Often she would catch me out and we would smile shyly at each other. My eyes were drawn to her like magnets. She was the most impossibly lovely creature I had ever seen. I wanted to wrap her up in my arms, protect her, and care for her forever more. I tried not to blush when I thought about kissing those full pouting lips. It was torture being so close. Now I had met her, I couldn’t let her go, but how did I tell her I’d imprinted on her? At least she knew about shape shifters; that was a bonus. Maybe explaining imprinting wouldn’t be too difficult. What if she didn’t like me? Although all my Pack brothers who had imprinted didn’t ever seem to encounter that problem. I hoped I could get to know her and tell her how I feel. She caught me staring at her again and gave that shy sweet smile that melted my heart.<br />
A few minutes later Katherine left the table to visit the ladies room and I was alone with Rebecca. I couldn’t help myself, I blurted out my secret to my new sister.<br />
“I imprinted on Katherine! I couldn’t help it, it just happened. Just like everyone always said. Boom! And I was hers forever,” I confessed.<br />
Rebecca smiled, “Yeah I kind of guessed! You passed out, you can’t keep your eyes off her and you’ve got a goofy look on your face!” she counted off on her fingers.<br />
I blushed, embarrassed that I was so obvious. “Okay you got me! So obviously you know about imprinting already. Did Katherine also read up on it whilst you were doing your research on the Quileute’s? “I asked, my curiosity getting the better of me.<br />
Rebecca nodded, “Yes we both know everything there is to know. I will be honest with you Embry. I think my sister knows how you feel, but I am sorry to tell you she has a boyfriend.”<br />
My face fell and I put my head in my hands with a long sigh. “Thanks for the heads up Rebecca. I will just have to work extra hard to convince her then won’t I?” I said with a cheeky smile, determined to remain upbeat and confident even though inside I was a melting mess of awkward shyness! Katherine was making her way back to our table, her hips swaying conspicuously in the tight dark blue skinny jeans she wore with cowboy boots. She had on a turquoise blue chambray vest top which matched the colour of her eyes. Her long blonde hair swung as she walked. She was a vision and my eyes were glued to her. I couldn’t prise them away, until Rebecca kicked me under the table. You’d think we’d been siblings for years.<br />
So we’d finished our coffees, we’d learned a lot about each other and we’d decided it was time for Rebecca to be reunited with her real Mom. I felt nervous for her and I felt sick wondering how my Mom would react to this. I had explained to Rebecca that she suffered from bi-polar disorder and had done all her life. Luckily Rebecca had told me she wanted to ask Mom herself about her life and how she had found herself pregnant at seventeen. I was glad about that because I didn’t want to explain her conception to her. This was going to be hard for Mom too, but she knew all this when she’d decided to find her daughter. Rebecca knew from a very young age that she was adopted, but she’d put off delving into her family history mainly because she was really happy with her life and was basically scared of what she might find. I had told Rebecca briefly about my Father. She was neither up nor down about it, I guessed it was her personality. She must have got that from her Father, as she was very confident and not prone to worrying about things. This was just my first impressions, I’m sure there were many more layers to her. I was excited to learn more as time went by. I had went from only child to having three half siblings in just a couple of months! Amazing how life turned out. And now I had imprinted too after believing it would never happen to me!<br />
As we made for my small home on the reservation I felt both full of hope and trepidation. I gazed over at Katherine as she walked along between me and her sister. Perfection. I was scared of telling her my feelings but I was scared if I didn’t I would never see her again. This day was really intense as days went. I still hadn’t heard anything about Leah either so that was also on my mind as we approached my front door.<br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The butterflies in my stomach were<strong style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> dancing</strong> for all they were worth.</em></div>
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<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>CHAPTER FORTY</b><br />
<b>FAMILY</b><br />
<b>REBECCA CALL:</b><br />
Tiffany had eventually come round after fainting because of me. I felt awfully bad for that but what else was I meant to do? I feel it’s better to confront situations head on. No pussy footing around has always been one of my mottos! Her friend Sue had excused herself as had my sister and Embry. I hadn’t got used to saying “my brother” just yet! It was time for a heart to heart with my real mother. There were a lot of tears and there were a lot of hugs. My Mom told me the truth about my conception. It was shocking to say the least. My poor Mom hadn’t had the best of times in her life. I didn’t blame her for giving me up for adoption. I really don’t know what I would have done in that situation myself. Maybe my positive outlook was due to the wonderful family I was placed with. Mike and Angie Constantine were the best parents a girl could ask for. They were kind and caring. They were always honest and loving. They were full of fun and a joy to be around. I loved them both to distraction and I always would. But I still wanted to know where I came from. I needed to know.<br />
When Katherine had come along when I was four years old I was overjoyed to have a little sister to play with. That was when Mike and Angie sat me down and explained how I was adopted. I had asked to see photographs of when Angie was pregnant with me, after I saw Mike taking pictures of her developing bump. Obviously there were no photos so my adoptive parents decided it was time to tell me the truth. They had explained it in such a lovely way to me that I had never felt unloved or unwanted, not once. They told me my Mom hadn’t been well and her condition meant it was impossible for her to look after a child. Obviously the authorities had to tell the Constantine’s about my mother’s bi polar disorder just in case it was hereditary. Thankfully, so far I had shown no signs of developing it. I loved my adoptive parents and Katherine (or Kat as I liked to call her) as if they were my own flesh and blood. Which in my eyes they were as they were the ones who loved me, who stuck by me, who brought me up to be the person I am today. I also had some kind of love for this woman who gave birth to me. How could I not? I could see parts of me in her, as she sat next to me on the sofa telling me about my other siblings. Seems I had another brother too. He was my father’s son. Sam Uley Jnr. Nice to have two half-brothers as well as a sister. I hoped to meet Sam one day soon. Just because his father had been a terrible person didn’t mean his son was did it?<br />
My Mom explained that Sam and Embry were quite different. Sam was hot headed and impulsive. Embry was shy and kind. Tiffany reached into a drawer and pulled out a box of photographs.<br />
“I have a recent one of the boys here somewhere,” she said as she flicked through the box.<br />
I smiled as she handed me one. Then I gasped aloud as I recognised the boy next to Embry! This was the crazy guy I had pulled from the ocean last night when I’d been out for a walk to clear my head. I recognised his cropped dark hair and black eyes. Eyes that I now realised were so like mine. He had been floundering just a little way out when I happened to walk past deep in thought. All I saw was an arm coming out of the waves. My eyesight was very sharp, blame the wolf genes. I was an excellent swimmer so I didn’t hesitate about jumping into the cold dark water to save this stranger. Now it turns out he was my half-brother! I had left him on the sand when he’d insisted upon it. I wasn’t one to intrude on other people’s problems so I left him to it. Before you go thinking I am cruel and heartless, I did wait for a while out of sight to make sure he was fine. That’s when another guy had found him and took him away. I had phased and ran through the unfamiliar woods, trying to calm my mind in preparation for meeting my mother today. Now I was here, staring at a photograph of my two handsome half-brothers.<br />
Tiffany and I talked some more and I promised I would visit again the next day. She tried to persuade me to stay with her but I still wasn’t ready for that and assured her my Motel was fine. I also promised I would bring Katherine to meet her tomorrow too. So all in all our first meeting had gone well, although Tiffany had cried a lot, something I wasn’t so comfortable with. Mainly because I simply didn’t know what to do in those situations. I wasn’t over emotional nor sentimental myself so when others were I found it difficult. Still, I hoped she didn’t find me cold or unfeeling. There was one thing I was dying to ask her but I just hadn’t found the right words yet. I had to know before I left.<br />
So I plucked up the courage and turned to my real Mom, “Tiffany, before I go can you please answer a question for me?” I said with a smile.<br />
She took my hand with a smile and nodded, “Of course Rebecca”.<br />
I took a deep breath and blurted out my enquiry quickly before I changed my mind. “Do I get my shape shifting side from you or my father?” I asked with trepidation.<br />
There was no answer though, just silence.<br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">My real Mom had fainted again.</em></div>
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<br />
<br />
<b>CHAPTER FORTY ONE</b><br />
<b>SWEET SURRENDER</b><br />
<b>KAT CONSTANTINE:</b><br />
I admit it, although only to myself, I have a massive girly crush on Embry Call. He is so tall and gorgeous with his shoulder length dark hair which shimmers and shines in the light. His dark dark eyes seem to penetrate my soul and his smile could warm the cold winter’s day so perfectly. I only met him yesterday on a momentous first day of this New Year. Today we are going on our first date. I was overjoyed when he asked me to go out with him. I thought I’d been imagining the admiring glances and surreptitious looks from him yesterday. Seemed not. We’d both definitely been on the same wavelength. I am meeting him this afternoon outside the Pacific Inn Motel. I just got back from visiting Rebecca’s real Mom. It was nice to see where she’d really come from even though I knew I’d always think of her as my real sister. Always.<br />
Rebecca was getting on just great with her Mom, even though I could see she was a completely different person from my bright vivacious mother. Rebecca had told me the awful story about her father and what he had done to her real Mom. She never ever wanted to try to find him. She had another brother too, Sam Uley, who was her father’s son. Rebecca told me he was actually the boy she had saved from the ocean the other night. One day soon she would call on him for a chat if he wanted. She didn’t want to judge him on his genes, after all the same blood ran through her veins. Tiffany Call had definitely had a hard life, but she seemed fine, although a little shocked to find her long lost daughter on her doorstep New Year’s Day. Not only was Rebecca turning up a surprise, albeit a nice one, finding out she had inherited her absent Father’s shape shifting abilities was a very big shock! Tiffany was used to having a shape shifting son, but female shape shifters were rare. In fact it seemed there was only one other, Leah Clearwater. Her whereabouts were currently unknown according to everyone around here, even though when Leah’s name was mentioned everyone developed a strange look and started acting weird. Something wasn’t right there, but I didn’t know exactly what.<br />
I gazed at my reflection in the mirror. A girl with happy blue eyes looked back. Her hair was tied back in a long plait, some thin honey gold strands escaping at her brow and nape. A secret smile played on her lips as if she was on the brink of telling somebody something wonderful. I was happy with how I looked for my date. I didn’t want to be too dressy so I wore my dark blue flared denim jeans with a scarlet red gypsy blouse which skimmed my narrow waist. I was quite short, so I wore my wedge heeled cherry leather boots which were my absolute favourites as they were so comfortable but gave me some height. Embry was so tall, so strong and masculine. I laughed at the speed at which my mind honed onto an image of him. I had butterflies in my stomach and my mouth was dry with nervous excitement. Rebecca had confided in me ages ago about her special ability. My Mom and Dad didn’t know, it was a lot to take in for a normal human. I wasn’t normal though. I believed in the strange and supernatural. I always had. I was so excited to find my sister was a shape shifter. She could phase into a wolf whenever she liked. When she first told me she had been so scared. The change had happened when she was fourteen but she waited until she was sixteen to tell me. We had found out stuff together and she felt so much better when I knew her secret. Rebecca and I had always been close, after her confession we became even closer. Now, here was another who could do the same. Embry was already pretty special in my eyes, his shape shifting was just an added bonus. Unfortunately I didn’t possess any special talents. I was good at what I did. I was a kindergarten teacher. I loved my job so much, the children were fantastic.<br />
I glanced at my watch, it was time to go. Embry would be waiting. I grabbed my old brown leather jacket from the pile of clothes on the floor. Rebecca was so untidy, the complete opposite to me! I ran down the stairs and out into the frosty January day. There in the winter sunshine stood Embry Call. A vision in black jeans, black t shirt and a denim jacket. It was a beautiful day. I had been told the sun rarely shone in Forks, but the last two days had been sunny although cold. Ever since I met Embry. He held out his hand to me and I willingly let him take mine. He kissed my cheek as he led me around the back of the Motel. There sat a large motorbike with two helmets, one black and one red. Embry’s large grin told me this shiny machine belonged to him. I felt excitement build up in me. How exciting to ride on the back of this bike, my arms around Embry, our bodies close. In reality it was even better than I had imagined. He drove me to Port Angeles, a slighter larger town close to Forks. I was used to the hustle and bustle of Vancouver, however I found Port Angeles to be quaint and quite beautiful. We ate seafood in a romantic harbour side restaurant. We chatted easily with no awkwardness, which I usually found first dates to be. Embry often brushed my hand with his, or touched my arm when he was talking to me. My skin burned slightly when he did this. It was if there was an electric current flowing between us. I was having such a great time. To end our day we took a walk down the cobbled harbour side to watch the sun set. The sky was orange and red. It was perfect and beautiful. Embry turned to gaze deep into my eyes, which made me shiver. In response he put a strong arm around my shoulder. The warmth from his body spread to mine quickly. So it was true about male shape shifters temperatures running higher than the ordinary male. It wasn’t the cold evening air that made me shiver though but the close proximity of him, the way he looked at me and the electricity in the air when we touched accidentally on purpose.<br />
We wandered down onto the stony beach, where time seemed to stand still as he lifted me in his strong arms and placed me on a large flat rock. I was now in line with his face, his eyes, and his lips. He sighed as he gently brushed my cheek with his fingertips. I pouted and brought my lips closer, waiting for him to kiss me. But he didn’t, he just kept staring at me. I smiled shyly, wishing he would kiss me. I wanted his mouth on mine.<br />
“Kat, I need to ask you this. Rebecca mentioned you have a boyfriend. Is it true?” he softly said.<br />
Oh Rebecca! My sister was being protective. I did have a guy whom I went on dates with occasionally, but he was nothing serious. Just a bit of fun really. She obviously didn’t want me to get involved with Embry for some reason. I told him this. He smiled at me, he had a lovely smile.<br />
“Kat I think I know the reason why your sister is worried. When you did your research on the Quileute tribe did you ever read about imprinting?” he asked.<br />
I shook my head. I couldn’t remember that part.<br />
Embry looked confused, “Well that’s strange. Rebecca definitely told me you had heard about it!” he said shaking his head.<br />
“Rebecca is very very protective of me Embry. Ever since I was born she has been like that! So, are you going to tell me what imprinting is?” I asked curiously.<br />
Embry suddenly looked nervous and awkward. He seemed lost for words and I don’t know what came over me but I kissed him. I placed my hands on either side of his handsome face as I pulled his lips down onto mine. We kissed gently and slowly. I had never experienced a first kiss like this. It felt as though we were the only two people left in the world and all that existed was this pure perfect moment between us. As we reluctantly pulled away our eyes were locked onto each other’s gaze. I did not, I could not, speak.<br />
Embry breathed <em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“Wow,”</em> very softly as he stared deep into my eyes. His dark eyes were mysterious pools of liquid onyx. He gently took my hand in his, our gazes still holding strong and true. “Katherine Constantine, from the moment I saw you I was entranced, enraptured and intoxicated by you. I knew life would never be the same again, I will explain this to you in greater detail, but I have to tell you this now or I will explode!” he said dramatically. As I looked into his dark eyes I knew something magical was about to happen.<br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“I <strong style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">imprinted</strong> on you Kat” he said.</em></div>
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<br />
<br />
<b>CHAPTER FORTY TWO</b><br />
<b>MINE AT LAST</b><br />
<b>ETIENNE LUCIER:</b><br />
The dull light through the curtains finally signaled that dawn had arrived. This wasn’t our first dawn together as vampires but our second. We seemed to have missed New Year’s Day completely. We had become completely lost in each other, three years of denying our lustful feelings had taken its toll and we had spent hours and hours making up for it. I kissed Leah’s hair as we lay curled up together on my large bed in the new morning light. Now I could hold her freely with no fear of crushing her or freezing her to death. It was wonderful. If I could have cried I would have. I could never ever regret changing her. I really didn’t know how we would drag ourselves away from each other and back out into the real world. But then I suppose none of that mattered as we had all we wanted right here, right now. Explanations were needed though, but they could wait for now. I looked around my room at the trail of destruction we had left in our wake of passionate love making. I smiled as I remembered how strong, seductive and entirely beautiful my Leah was. There was something I had wanted to do for ages, but I’d put it off because with her being human I didn’t see how it would work. Bella and Edward had overcome it, but it had ultimately led to Mrs. Cullen’s human death. Yes, I burned with desire to do this, and the moment was perfect right now. I pulled Leah up from the bed, wrapping her in a silky sheet of the darkest burgundy which complemented her new pale skin to perfection. She pouted down at me as I knelt before her.<br />
“I preferred my state of nakedness, my love,” she said sexily.<br />
I just smiled up at her as I knelt at the feet of this goddess of mine.<br />
“Leah Clearwater, would you do me the very great honour of becoming my wife? For now, for tomorrow and for evermore?” I asked solemnly.<br />
I actually felt a bit nervous as I asked this wonderful creature to marry me. Well I might be old but I had never proposed marriage to a girl before! There was a first time for everything! Who says vampires cannot get married to each other? I was old fashioned and I believed we should marry. If I had my way then Leah and I would have waited until our wedding night to consummate our love. But ours wasn’t a normal relationship so my rules of gentlemanly etiquette didn’t apply. It was all too late for that as now we were absolutely and completely besotted lovers. I gazed up into her stunningly gorgeous face as I waited for her answer. Her scarlet eyes looked down into mine with wonder and surprise. I would be glad when her eyes changed to topaz like mine. It shouldn’t be long as I had been feeding her animal blood from my freezer heated up to the right temperature in the microwave (a marvelous invention!)<br />
There was no way Leah was ever going to taste human blood if I could help it. She had none of the rage or thirst of a typical newborn. Her shape shifting side had miraculously cancelled that out. I thought it had been my mind control but Leah proved me wrong by putting the moonstone on, the night she awoke to this life. Then she promptly seduced me. I shivered as I remembered our first time as lovers. There were no words. I waited patiently for what seemed like hours for her answer to my proposal, but in reality it was only a minute if that.<br />
“Etienne Lucier, there is nothing in this world I would rather be than your wife! What took you so long? Yes! Yes! Of course, my answer is yes!” she shrieked as she fell on top of me.<br />
We rolled on my wooden floorboards, our lips hungrily devouring each other again. She was so distracting. I wanted to talk weddings but Leah was determined to possess me once again. The January morning sun flooded through the gap in my luxurious deep red velvet curtains. We had never gotten around to closing them the other night. Rainbows danced and glittered on Leah’s skin as she shed the bed sheet and like a beautiful butterfly she emerged from her cocoon of silk. I simply stared at her beneath me in awe. There was nothing as perfect as her, there never would be. She had my heart and soul years ago, now she commanded my body too. There was no point in discussion just now. Leah kissed me and pressed her sparkly amazing body against me and everything else was forgotten as our cold skin came together in perfect synchronisation.<br />
Much, much later as the sun set for another day, I finally took a sated Leah downstairs for some re-heated blood. Another day in which we’d spent reveling in each other completely. Another wonderful day spent together in this new world of ours. Leah drank the blood thirstily from the cup, a small trickle running down her chin. I reached over, licking it off with my tongue. She smiled at me as she finished the rest. So strange to see her drinking blood, but she was a natural at this. I kissed her lips, her tongue touched mine and drops of blood filled my mouth. I must pull away from her now or next thing we would know was the dawn breaking once more. She was highly addictive though, more so now than ever.<br />
I sat opposite her at my large dining table, her red eyes watching me full of desire. “Leah my love, I want to marry you as soon as possible. It may sound strange when we have all eternity together, but I want you to be my wife. I have always wanted you to be my wife. I just could never see how it would work before. Now I can be yours completely, nothing would make me happier than being your husband!” I stated lovingly.<br />
She smiled at me, her beautiful perfect mouth beaming with love for me.<br />
“Etienne I want to marry you so much too, but first I must confront my family with the truth of what I am. I do not want them to think that I have died, or that I have abandoned them! I must tell them the truth, my love. Will you come with me tomorrow?” she pleaded.<br />
I nodded, despite my misgivings. Just how would her family and friends react to her? She was now a vampire. There was not a trace of her human or shifter side left. To me she was as she should be, I had never seen a more natural newborn. Would everyone else agree with me or not?<br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Or was I about to cause an <strong style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">almighty</strong> war in Forks?</em></div>
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<br />
<br />
<b>CHAPTER FORTY THREE</b><br />
<b>OUT IN THE OPEN</b><br />
<b>EMBRY CALL:</b><br />
It was the day after my amazing date with Katherine or Kat as she had instructed me to call her. I was on cloud nine as I made my way over to Sam’s house. Rebecca was going to pay him a surprise visit today and she’d asked if I would accompany her. I wondered how Sam would react, although he was aware he had a half-sister so their first meeting might hopefully go well. Her two newly discovered brothers together. She and I shared the same Mom, she and Sam shared the same Dad. I was glad Harry had been my Dad, at least he had been half decent. Who knows what else Sam Uley Snr. may have done?<br />
Any ways, all I could think of just now was the beautiful Kat and our first amazing kiss. I had been shocked but very pleasantly surprised that she had made the first move. Her soft lips were so enticing on mine, I had to pull away, not because I wanted to but I’d needed to tell her about imprinting. It was such a big deal to me that she knew. I was a little angry that Rebecca had lied to me. Kat knew nothing about imprinting or what it entailed. Female shape shifters didn’t imprint, so Rebecca would have no reason to talk about it, but she had known because she told me so in the café on New Year’s Day! It was like Kat had said, she was very protective over her younger sister. I hoped Rebecca wasn’t going to cause problems for us now we were a couple. Yes, it’s true she was now my girlfriend!<br />
After I had explained to Kat what imprinting was she had accepted it so quickly and readily? I reckoned it was because we were meant to be together. I promised I would take things slowly with her. After all she lived and worked in Vancouver, I didn’t just expect her to drop everything to be with me. We had time to get to know each other. I was overjoyed to have imprinted on someone at last, I really thought I was going to be the only wolf boy without someone to love. Now here she was. It was truly wonderful. Once I had explained imprinting to Kat we had kissed again but it was more intense than the first kiss and I found my hands around her slim waist pulling her closer to me. She sighed against my mouth and held her body tightly against mine. My head spun with her taste, her scent, her very presence. This year was already turning out to be my best year ever. I heard someone call my name. I turned to find Rebecca running towards me. She was tall and athletic with her lean figure and short hair.<br />
“Embry! Wait up!” she called.<br />
She didn’t look too pleased to see me. “Hey sis what’s up?” I asked with a smile hoping to soften the blow.<br />
“What’s all this about you and Kat? I don’t like it Embry!” she exclaimed with a scowl.<br />
I sighed. I knew dealing with Rebecca over my imprinting wasn’t going to be easy. “Rebecca, you know as well as I do a shape shifter cannot help who he imprints on. As soon as I saw Kat that was it for me. Luckily she likes me back. Am I really such an awful choice of boyfriend?” I asked with as sweet a smile as I could muster.<br />
Still she scowled. “I told you Kat has a boyfriend already! Didn’t you listen? Why couldn’t you just leave her alone?” she spat out with surprising venom. I actually took a step back as her anger scared me a little. I didn’t want to risk her phasing. I hadn’t seen her as a wolf yet but I was worried she would be a scary angry one!<br />
“Kat said he wasn’t her boyfriend. They had been on a few dates together but it was nothing serious!” I exclaimed.<br />
Rebecca narrowed her dark eyes at me, “She lied!” she stated as she folded her arms defensively across her chest.<br />
I raised an eyebrow at my half-sister, “You lied! You told me Kat knew about imprinting! You told me she’d guessed why I reacted that way the first time we met! You lied Rebecca!” I said triumphantly.<br />
Now she looked really mad. Oops. “Yes I did lie. Only to protect my sister! I didn’t want you to imprint on her Embry! She didn’t tell me about your date or I might have been able to persuade her not to see you! Already she is hiding things from me! This guy she’s been seeing, he doesn’t think it’s just a casual fling. Quinn believes Kat and he have a future. He is extremely jealous of anyone who gets in the way of that!” she said with exasperation in her voice.<br />
By now I was getting angry as I believed she had lied about everything and was still doing it now!<br />
“Why would Kat lie to me? She said she didn’t have a boyfriend. I believed her. She said she didn’t know about imprinting. I believed her!” I said, emotion rising in my voice.<br />
Rebecca sighed again, but in a less angry voice she replied, “Embry. Katherine believes in fairies and happy endings and all that soppy stuff. She either is not aware of bad stuff or she chooses to ignore it. She needs me to protect her from the horrible things in life. I had no need to tell her about imprinting as it will never happen to me. Who is going to want me huh? Yeah I can just see me having a boyfriend and he finds out I’m a shape shifter or I accidentally tear his eyes out one day! Nice! ”<br />
It looked like there might be tears in her eyes, but she sniffed and carried on with her speech. “Embry you are a lovely guy, a decent guy, but please don’t do this to my sister! Imprinting is so final! It takes away choice. She is only eighteen, I don’t believe she is ready for a serious full blown relationship! No doubt you will want to marry her and procreate as soon as possible!” she sighed rolling her eyes.<br />
I laughed a little at her words, “Give me a chance Rebecca! We are only getting to know each other! Yes I am already in love with her but that’s imprinting for you! Of course I will take it slowly. You have to realise that I needed to tell her. I couldn’t pretend it wasn’t happening. I needed to know her feelings before you both left for Vancouver. Now I know she does have feelings for me I will not give her up, I can’t! She is my imprintee and I will do whatever it takes to care for her and protect her Rebecca, and I do mean that. You can trust me, I swear! Your sister is very special and I would rather die than hurt her okay?” I stated passionately.<br />
To my surprise Rebecca’s strong arms encircled me, giving me a big hug. “Hurt her and I’ll rip your face off okay?” she growled.<br />
I laughed and I felt her chuckle against my neck. She pulled away to penetrate me with her dark gaze.<br />
“I mean it Embry! Now let’s go meet this other brother of mine. I’m a bit nervous! Is he like his Father?” she asked.<br />
I shook my head, “No one knows Rebecca. Sam Snr. left when Sam was only a baby. He cannot remember him at all. His Mom, Judy, doesn’t keep any old photographs,” I replied.<br />
Sam had always had a big chip on his shoulder when it came to his Dad. I did feel sorry for Sam but his childhood had made him the strong Alpha he was today. At least I thought so. I was about to be proved wrong. As we approached the house Sam came running out, his eyes wild and frightened.<br />
“I knew it! It was you! The dark haired angel! You are evil though, evil through and through! Leave me alone, get away from me!” he screamed as he ran towards the woods.<br />
Rebecca looked at me in shock as we both started to give chase. We saw a flash of black fur disappear into the trees so without thinking I phased too. In a flash Rebecca had also phased. She ran beside me as a magnificent tawny wolf with silver flecks running through her shaggy fur. I was mightily impressed.<br />
“I’m your sister Embry! Don’t admire me too much!” she spoke in my mind.<br />
“Jeez, someone loves themselves a LOT don’t they?” I said back with a sarcastic laugh.<br />
“Well listen up brother dearest. Sam Uley is disturbed I’m afraid. He tried to kill himself the other night but I saved him!” she stated.<br />
I couldn’t believe Sam would do something like that!<br />
“Believe it Embry! Why else would he be in the cold water late at night? A midnight swim in the depths of winter? I don’t think so!” she snorted disdainfully in my mind.<br />
Was it because of Leah or what he’d recently found out about Sam Uley Snr. playing on his mind? “Leah?” she asked.<br />
“Sam and Leah had, well let’s just say there was an incident, Leah got hurt; the only other female shape shifter in the world!” I replied in my head to her.<br />
“Oh, I thought that was me,” she said back with disappointment in her voice.<br />
I couldn’t help but laugh to myself as we ran swiftly through the trees. This was not good news about Sam. We had to find him and calm him down before he did something stupid, again. I wished Jake was here, but he had gone on honeymoon yesterday with Nessie to Isle Esme.<br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Me and my sister would have to deal with this ourselves.</em></div>
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<br />
<br />
<b>CHAPTER FORTY FOUR</b><br />
<b>RE-BORN</b><br />
<b>LEAH LUCIER (NEE CLEARWATER):</b><br />
<b>TWO MONTHS LATER –</b><br />
I had phoned my Mother three days after I was re-born as a vampire. I told her not to worry I was fine. Yes I’d had a run in with Sam whilst he was in wolf form but I was recovering well at Etienne’s. Yes we were back together and no I didn’t care anymore what anyone had to say about it. She’d accepted my words. She had no choice. So today, two months after I became Immortal, I was going back home to face everyone. Bella and Edward knew I was changed but no one else did. I had asked them not to tell. Now I had another surprise. Etienne and I were married. We’d had a private ceremony in his garden earlier in the evening. The registrar who married us was from the humanist society and I really don’t know what she thought of the couple she was marrying. I guessed Etienne had used his power on her! It was short and sweet and over in five minutes. Still, it was perfect and amazing because now I could call Etienne my husband.<br />
In the days after my transformation Etienne and I had spent our time distracting each other. I had loved and admired his physique and beautiful face many times before but now he was so much more than perfect in my eyes. He was a bright beautiful jewel, a rare entity that shone with light and glittering rainbows. His skin fascinated me, his eyes mesmerized me and his lips drove me insane with desire. I had thought him perfect and handsome as a human, but now I saw him through my vampire eyes, it was like seeing him in all his glory for the first time. Amazingly and completely true: he felt exactly the same about me. Those first few weeks were magical. I did not have the raging thirst for blood or the incapacitating hunger which newborns usually had. This meant we had plenty of time to revel in our new found lust and desire for each other. And revel we did, without boundaries.<br />
I always knew deep down that Etienne still held fast to his old fashioned ideas on courtship and love. He believed a couple should be married before they were intimate in a sexual way. I know when I was human he had gone much further down that path with me than he would have liked, but we had always been in lustful admiration of each other in the physical sense since our first passionate kiss. Of course I loved so much more about him than his mere physical beauty. He was kind, he was intelligent, and he was inquisitive and surprisingly childlike. He was amusing, he was brave, and he was loving and gentlemanly in all ways. I loved him. I really loved him. Would my family accept him as my husband? I couldn’t answer my own question.<br />
Not only did I have to explain that I had married in secret I also had to explain why I now had translucent pale skin, amber eyes, speed and strength beyond human comprehension and a totally different demeanor than before. I didn’t know how I was going to do this, but I knew I had to for my sake and my family’s sake. I could not start a new life with Etienne unless I tied up the loose ends of my old human one. Then I would be free to spend eternity with my husband. My husband. Two words I would never, ever get sick of saying. Two words I relished and treasured for ever more. I gazed at my reflection in the mirror as I slowly brushed my long, lustrous mane of dark shiny hair. I loved how my eyes had turned beautiful warm amber. So much more appealing than the scarlet blood red they had been in the beginning of this life. Although Etienne had confessed to loving my red newborn eyes once he had got used to them. He said I looked wild and sexy with them. Now, he really loved the colour my eyes had turned, he said I was beautiful as ever. He said I was as I should be.<br />
He was right, despite all of the troubles in my past, despite my distrust and hatred of “bloodsuckers” I truly did make a great vampire. I didn’t have the terribly frightening out of control feeling that most newborns suffer. I didn’t change into a soulless empty shell. I didn’t become a mindless killing machine. I was quite refined! Etienne kept animal blood in his freezer, once defrosted it tasted fine to me. I didn’t know any different though and I never wanted to find out. I did wonder how Etienne had resisted me when I was human though. Lucky for me he was old and wise and very very restrained when it came to human blood. But my scent, my taste, my skin, well it must have driven him mad with vampire desire. I had only ever come into contact with two humans. Once when we married only hours ago, and once when I had accidentally answered the door to the postman.<br />
Etienne liked to bid for antiques online and he often won due to being very rich, something he never boasted about. This day, about two weeks ago when my eyes were thankfully amber the postman had delivered a parcel for my love. Etienne had gone hunting in the early morning light leaving me home alone. I didn’t think. I answered the knock at the door. I knew as soon as I opened that door that I shouldn’t have. The poor postman was dazzled by the vision of beauty which answered the door. I was wearing a short, low cut almost see through silky nightdress in seductive midnight blue which complemented my pale skin perfectly. The guy’s eyes almost popped out of his head. I was too busy concentrating on blocking out the smell of his delicious blood. It only took a minute or so for me to banish all thoughts of preying on him out of my mind. Etienne had planted seeds in my mind, but I didn’t honestly need them as it seemed my shape shifting half cancelled out the blood thirst. Yes, I needed blood to survive, but I did not need to kill innocent people to obtain it. By the time we were married I was simply not that affected by the sight of a pulse or by the aroma of sweet thick blood flowing through human veins. Thankfully.<br />
So, it was nearly time to leave for La Push. I felt nervous and apprehensive. I didn’t realise I would still have these human emotions. If I thought about the vampires I knew then it was ridiculous. Bella was still the same. She looked different but basically she was the same girl inside. I hoped I was too. I hoped my family and friends did not disown me, but I needed to know. I needed to go home, even if it was for the last time. I caught Etienne’s unique scent before I felt his hands on me. I breathed in the essence of him as his cool lips touched the bare skin of my shoulder. I shivered intensely as his mouth inched its way up my neck to my ear lobe.<br />
“You look like an angel my love. A beautiful perfect angel I wish to devour,” he whispered seductively in my ear.<br />
As ever I was captivated by him. I turned my head so our lips could meet in cool passionate desire. His taste, his scent envelop me as we fall deeper into the kiss, deeper into each other, lost again and again. As we fall into each other’s arms and into our bed I thank my lucky stars for the day I first set eyes on this perfect creature. I love him so much. So much more now he is my husband, if that is possible. Our sighs, our movements and our bodies rise together and clash in passion and love. Always will he be mine. Always will I be his. Home is forgotten for now. It can wait for a few hours. It is our wedding night. He is completely and irrevocably mine.<br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">At last.</strong></em></div>
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<br />
<br />
<b>CHAPTER FORTY FIVE</b><br />
<b>BONDING</b><br />
<b>REBECCA CALL:</b><br />
Me and my Mom were spending some quality time together. We were shopping in Port Angeles, it was much smaller than I was used to but still it was quaint and charming I supposed. I usually shopped alone, quickly and purposefully, but today my Mom and I perused the small boutiques with leisurely ease. I’d always known she was out there, somewhere. My real Mom. The woman whom I got my name from. The woman who couldn’t keep me. I didn’t blame her and I didn’t want recriminations from the past. She had told me what had happened that night with Sam Uley Snr. She had explained to me how scared she was to find out she was pregnant at seventeen and she had implored me to believe that she had never stop loving me all those years we were apart. I believed her.<br />
She was still only in her early forties, her next birthday would see her turn forty one. My mother’s birthday was three weeks after mine on March 22nd. Today was March first, it was my birthday, the one and only birthday we had spent together if you don’t count the few hours after I came into this world. It was bitter sweet but kind of cool that now on my twenty third birthday we were enjoying a lovely day together as a proper mother and daughter should. My Mom had bought me a pretty silver charm bracelet with a small silver wolf dangling from it. I could add to the bracelet with my own charms. It was a lovely present and I liked it very much. We had fun trying on clothes and giggling at ourselves in the changing room mirrors. Tiffany was surprisingly good company. Embry had told me she kept herself to herself and didn’t mix well with others. He said she had been scared about her secrets from the past coming out. She was also nervous being around people due to her illness. I was determined to bring her out of her shell. Today was going really well. I was happy.<br />
Now, we were sitting in a cosy booth of a small Italian restaurant we’d found. My Mom raised her glass of red wine to mine as she toasted my birthday. Tears sprang into her eyes as she smiled at me over the candle lit table.<br />
“I am so happy to spend your birthday with you Rebecca!” she exclaimed with emotion.<br />
I nodded as I took her hand across the table. “I am happy too Mom! I dreamed of finding you one day, “I smiled.<br />
We grinned at each other through happy tears as the waiter approached to take our order. We both laughed as we ordered the same thing at the same time. I noticed that our laughs and smiles were similar, but I had the dark hair and colouring of my Father. I was also tall and athletic. We ate our food and we drank our wine. We chatted about our lives and our hopes and dreams. When it was time to catch the bus back to La Push, we walked companionably along arm in arm to the bus station. I heard someone calling my name behind us and I turned to find Quinn Taylor running towards us. Quinn and Kat had been on a few dates in the past. I knew he was totally in love with my sister and he was totally jealous and possessive too. He looked angry as he approached. My Mom looked slightly worried. I squeezed her arm to reassure her.<br />
“Hey Quinn,” I pleasantly greeted him. “What are you doing in Port Angeles?” I questioned.<br />
He narrowed his eyes at me, “As if you don’t know Miss High and Mighty!” he spat out, his handsome face creased with annoyance.<br />
I look at my Mom who still looked worried and shrugged my shoulders.<br />
“I had a phone call last night from Kat! She told me the reason why she’d disappeared of the face of the earth! She was helping you at first but then she met someone! This half-brother of yours, this Embry Call she says she is in love with him!” he exclaimed angrily.<br />
I shrugged my shoulders again much to his annoyance. Quinn had never been a favourite person of mine. Kat was much too good for him. They’d dated casually over the last year, but Kat had always made it very clear that it was nothing serious. Quinn did not see it that way and when I tried to warn Kat she always laughed it off. Quinn was obsessive about my sister, in my eyes.<br />
My Mom suddenly spoke, “That’s my son you are talking about mister! Yes, he and Kat are in love and they are very happy together! Embry imprinted on her and there is no greater bond than that!” Tiffany proclaimed proudly.<br />
I cringed inwardly at her words. Quinn knew nothing of imprinting or shape shifters. He narrowed his sapphire blue eyes at my Mom and ran his big hands impatiently through his messy dark blonde hair. He was tall and very muscular because as well as being obsessed with my sister he also had an unhealthy gym obsession too!<br />
“Imprinting? Huh? What the hell is that?” he sneered.<br />
I nudged my Mom discreetly so she would take the hint to say nothing else on the matter. “Quinn, my sister is in love with Embry. They are happy together, you need to go home to Vancouver and get on with your life,” I said with as much kindness as I could muster.<br />
“No! No way! I came out here to see her and I am not going home until I do!” he exclaimed passionately. “You will tell me where she is staying Rebecca. She told me she was living near Port Angeles. I came here on the off chance I might run into her. I’ve been trawling the streets since early morning, then I spot you!” he smirked.<br />
“She is staying with me. That’s all you need to know. Now, it’s getting late we must be heading home. Goodnight Quinn,” I said firmly as I took my Mom’s arm and walked towards the bus station. I could feel Quinn’s eyes boring into my back as we walked off. I prayed he wouldn’t start anything. If he decided to become more forceful I didn’t know what might happen. I was quite volatile, especially when it came to protecting my family. I prayed he would stay where he was. “Yeah goodnight Rebecca. I’ll be seeing you soon, very soon!” he said quietly behind my back.<br />
Of course my hearing acutely accurate so I easily heard his parting shot. I shivered slightly at his words. Why had Kat never listened to me when it came to Quinn?<br />
“What an awful person!” my Mom whispered to me as we made our way to the bus station.<br />
I glanced behind but there was no sign of Quinn. I must tell Kat about my encounter with him as soon as we got home. We were both staying in a small home I had rented on the reservation near to my Mom’s house. Her house was only big enough for her and Embry. My brother spent most of his time at our house any ways, as he couldn’t bear to be parted from Kat at all. Kat had taken two months unpaid leave from her teaching job. She was due to go back next week. I had also taken time off from my job as a marine biologist. Luckily I had a good salary and a lot of savings, so I could afford a bit of time off. I was going to go back when Kat did next week. My Mom was not looking forward to me leaving, the last two months had been great. Kat was already breaking her heart about leaving Embry behind, but I suspected he would soon follow her to Vancouver. I really hoped it worked out for them. They seemed so perfect for each other. All I wanted was for Kat, my little sister, to be happy.<br />
I wasn’t going to let <em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Quinn Taylor</em> ruin that for her.</div>
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<br />
<br />
<b>CHAPTER FORTY SIX</b><br />
<b>FACE TO FACE</b><br />
<b>LEAH LUCIER:</b><br />
The full moon shone down on my husband and me as we hunted together in the woods which lay on the outskirts of Forks. Hunting wasn’t a new concept to me, although I was rather exceptional at it since becoming a vampire. I wanted to face everyone in the morning with light coloured topaz eyes. I needed to have no trace of hunger within me before I saw my family and friends. Finally when our thirst was sated we gave into our other desires, underneath the moonlight on a bed of leaves and pine needles. How I loved my beautiful husband. His pale skin glinted and shone like marble in the waxy light of the moon above us. His dark hair fell enticingly in luxurious waves to his shoulders, soft as silk to the touch. His cool lips made me shiver as they always did, except now everything was more heightened, more magnificent. Etienne was perfect. He was mine and I adored every part of his mind, body and soul. It was easy to lose track of time, to lose ourselves in each other. Soon the grey light of dawn lit up the misty woods with an eerie glow. It was time to disentangle myself from Etienne. This part was always difficult. I wondered if my obsession with him would ever wane. I guessed not. I sighed as I pulled myself out of his strong arms reluctantly. It was time to face my old life.<br />
Once Etienne and I were respectable again, we held hands as we made our way through the woods. We didn’t run, we didn’t even walk fast. We ambled along like we didn’t have a care in the world, two newlyweds out for an early morning stroll on a spring morning. Truth be told I was in no rush. Seeing everyone again filled me with apprehension. Etienne was so attune to me and my feelings that he knew exactly what was going through my mind. This was a situation he had never come across when he’d been changed. Victoria did not allow him to see his family ever again. But that probably had been for the best as Etienne had been vicious as a newborn, something I know he hates about himself even after all these years. I just knew I could not go forward with my new life until I had said proper goodbyes to my old one. Just as we left the woods a figure appeared before us. To my shock it was Sam Uley standing in front of me. Face to face with my killer! He looked just as shocked to see me. “Leah?” he asked in astonishment as Etienne issued a low hiss through clenched teeth beside me. I squeezed my husband’s hand tighter as we faced the reason for my untimely human death.<br />
“Hello Sam,” I smiled, dazzling him. He gazed at me as if in a stupor. In fact he looked like he had been sleeping rough for a few days. He wasn’t his usual clean and tidy self and his eyes were wild and bloodshot. What had happened since I had left? To my utter shock, confusion and amazement Sam threw himself at my feet and began to sob uncontrollably.<br />
“Leah I am so sorry I hurt you! Are you okay now? You look fine. You look really good! “he gushed weirdly.<br />
This was so unlike Sam, my worry began to increase with each passing moment. “Get up Sam. Come sit here with me,” I softly said, indicating to a soft mound of grass which looked comfortable.<br />
His troubled dark eyes looked into mine with pain and fear. He didn’t seem to notice that my eyes were now topaz. I took his hand as Etienne looked at the scene with quiet disgust. There was no way he would forgive Sam. I didn’t feel the same. Yes, my first love had caused me to leave my human life, but how could I be sad when I now had an amazing new life with Etienne forever? There was nothing to forgive as far as I was concerned.<br />
“Sam, after the incident in the clearing after the wedding I was badly injured beyond repair. I’m afraid without Etienne’s help I would have died. Well I say died, technically I am dead, but I am more alive than I have ever been if that makes sense. I am a vampire now Sam, I have become like one of our old enemies. But I am not your enemy, I am still your friend and I forgive you all of the things you tried to do to me and Etienne. Okay?” I asked as I squeezed his hand.<br />
He looked up at me with that vacant faraway look again. Even though I could not feel cold any more I felt a shiver run through my veins. Just what had happened to the confident, cocky Sam I once knew? His eyes were sad but in the depths I thought I saw a trace of his old self resurfacing.<br />
“Etienne changed you? I was so worried you might be dead Leah! Then I was worried you might be undead! I hurt you, I hurt Emily! My Father hurt Tiffany and probably countless others. I felt like I was losing control, losing my mind! I went into the sea, I didn’t really want to die, and I just wanted to stop the pain! I didn’t want to be evil like my Father! Then she saved me! Rebecca! The dark haired demon! She must be evil right Leah? She must be! My Father’s bad blood runs through us both. Why did she save me? Jacob hates me, everyone hates me! I’ve been living in the woods for weeks now, I keep thinking I may just phase and never change back! Run free and wild as a wolf with no human concerns to plague me!” he sadly exclaimed as he slumped down with his head in his hands.<br />
I gazed up at Etienne, who suddenly looked worried too. His hatred and distrust for Sam had been replaced by something else. I recognised the change in his expression. It was pity which now laced his perfectly beautiful features. I put my strong arms around Sam and pulled him towards me.<br />
“Oh Sam! You really are in a bad state of mind. You need to be with Emily, not running around the woods half crazy! Now you listen to me right now okay?” I said firmly as I stroked his dark cropped hair.<br />
He nodded against my shoulder in tired defeat. “Okay,” came the muffled reply. I could smell his scent, feel his warmth and hear his blood rushing through his veins right next to my skin. There was no way I would attack Sam nor anyone else. I simply had no desire to. Unbelievable really wasn’t it?<br />
I pulled Sam onto his feet and gazed into his dark troubled eyes defiantly. “For once Sam Uley you will let me tell you what to do! You are going to call Emily on my phone and tell her to come pick you up. You are going to tell her how sorry you are for messing up. You are going to tell her exactly what’s been happening okay?”<br />
He nodded and half smiled at me. “You really are a bloodsucker huh? Still a bossy madam though!” he added cheekily.<br />
I laughed and shook my head. “Sam, I just want you to be happy all right? Emily is your imprintee, you can’t just leave her just cos times got a bit tough for you! You two are meant to be together. Just like Etienne and I are. No one can tell us any different now,” I stated with a defiant glint in my eye.<br />
Sam nodded. “You are right Leah. I have been an idiot, but it’s not too late to change! I love Emily so much! I’m so sorry I gave you and Etienne a hard time! I’m sorry I tried to arrange a marriage between you and Embry! Now we can both be happy. I hope it all works out for you Leah, but can I ask what are you doing in Forks? It seems a weird, but lucky coincidence that I ran in to you today?” he asked me curiously.<br />
His dark eyes seemed brighter now, more like his old self. I was glad. I reckoned I had helped him. I made the decision to tell him the truth, seeing as there was nothing he could do to stop me any ways. He was powerless against me now that was the absolute truth of the matter.<br />
“I’ve returned to see my family and friends, Sam. I need to show them that although I am now changed, I am perfectly fine and more alive than I have ever, ever felt before. I need them to believe this and I need them to let me go. I want to move forward with this new life whether they accept it or not. Hopefully they will still love me as I am. If not, I have Etienne’s utter complete love and devotion, “I stated confidently as I reached out for my darling’s cold hand.<br />
Sam nodded and smiled hesitantly. I could see he was still struggling slightly with the concept of the new me. It was strange that I felt so nervous, but Sam had been my first love, my teenage sweetheart, the one I thought I’d grow old with. I never once thought he would turn out to be the death of me. The old me. I stared him straight in the eye and took a deep breath.<br />
“Etienne and I are together forever in this new life of mine.” I exclaimed proudly, before adding, “I am forever his and he is forever mine, the way it should be; <em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">everlasting, as husband and wife.”</em></div>
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<br />
<br />
<b>CHAPTER FORTY SEVEN</b><br />
<b>IT’S A WOLF THING</b><br />
<b>EMBRY CALL:</b><br />
My temperature was running sky high, my body feverish and hot. So hot, I felt like I was burning up from the inside out. It wasn’t some terrible virus running through my veins, oh no it was worse than that. A virus I could beat, I could recover from. This fire in my veins was pure passionate desire for this gorgeous creature that lay beneath me on the sand of our cosy cave. Katherine Constantine, a beautiful wholly desirable angel whom I wanted to possess completely. On the other hand I wanted to wait until she was mine properly. I planned to make that happen soon. Last night we spent the night together in this candle lit cave I had found a few weeks ago. It was hidden nicely away on First Beach just awaiting discovery. I hadn’t ever spent a whole night with Kat yet, I didn’t want to rush into anything. I believed my first time should be firstly with the person I loved wholeheartedly with my body, mind and soul. Secondly she should be my wife. I was finding it difficult to stick to my rules because Kat was so beautiful, so desirable and just plain damn sexy to me.<br />
We had spent our first night alone together talking and cuddling, laughing and joking. The candles I had strategically placed around our special hide away had given off a romantic warm light which set my soul ablaze with even more love for this girl. We had kissed softly at first, but our passion soon rose and we were close to losing control with each other. Her lips, her touch, her sighs were too much for me to bear. I had to stop this before we went too far. So as morning light invaded our perfect cosy retreat I reluctantly prised myself away from my beloved Kat. It was probably a really sensible thing to do, as I was running such a high temperature fuelled by desire for her. I imagined I could set the cave alight with my own heat. It was a male wolf thing! I kissed her soft cheek and pulled her up onto her feet. I had to say this to her now or I would lose my nerve.<br />
I dropped down onto one knee, “Katherine Constantine, I love you so much. I need you and I want to be with you always. Would you do me the very great honour of becoming my wife?” I asked as I gazed up into her beautiful blue eyes.<br />
Tears filled her eyes as she nodded and smiled. “I would love nothing more, Embry Call,” she whispered.<br />
I sighed with relief and joy as I picked up the little box containing the ring I had bought a week ago, from where it was hidden beneath my jacket. I opened the box and showed Kat the plain and simple diamond ring I had chosen. I hoped she liked it, I didn’t think she would like anything showy or over the top. Kat’s eyes lit up as she squealed with glee. I lifted the engagement ring from its red velvet bed and placed it carefully on her finger. It fitted perfectly. I stood up and put my arms around her, holding her tight against me. “I love you Kat,” I whispered against the soft skin of her neck.<br />
“Oh Embry, I love you too!” she exclaimed happily.<br />
My heart skipped a joyful beat at her words. These past few months had been amazing with her. I had never felt such powerful emotions. Imprinting was special, it really was, but I honestly and truly believed that I would have fallen deeply in love with Kat anyway. She was simply a beautiful girl, inside and out. We were so compatible in all ways. The phrase “made for each other” certainly seemed to apply to us two. She was leaving here next week. The thought filled me with dread.<br />
“Kat, when you leave for Vancouver I want to join you as soon as I can,” I softly said as I kissed her sweet lips. “I will miss you so much,” I moaned against her mouth as her lips moved against mine in perfect harmony.<br />
Now we were lost in each other again and I had to remind myself we had both agreed to wait before taking our relationship to the next level. It was so hard to resist her though. My hands were under her soft wool jumper on the smooth bare skin of her waist. Stroking her skin was heavenly. Her hands were in my long hair as she pressed her hips against me with desire. Our mouths and tongues explored, licked and kissed the others with fervent heated passion. I could not bear to tear myself away from my gorgeous fiancée. How I loved to call her that! I planned to marry her as soon as possible. I think she will feel the same. Now she is sighing against my neck as her lips kiss me there. I shiver and groan involuntarily. Our passionate embrace is suddenly interrupted as two figures appear at the cave entrance, their silhouettes dark against the early light of the dawn. I gasped aloud in shock. Who could have found us here?<br />
“Embry?” a voice called out. A voice I knew. Although it was changed. Just as she was undoubtedly changed. Before me stood my half-sister Leah Clearwater. Before me stood a beautiful vampire girl with the equally stunning Etienne by her side. Their magnificent presence filled the cave as we stared at the couple with awe.<br />
“Leah!” I squealed as I gingerly made my way forward to greet her.<br />
Her face glowed with pale luminosity. Her topaz eyes shone and shimmered like kaleidoscopes. Her whole being seemed to be alight with an otherworldly energy. She was stunningly beautiful. She also seemed to be extremely calm, peaceful and happy. I realized that I had tears in my eyes. I really thought I would never see her again. Before we discovered we shared the same Father we had become good friends. I was really pleased to see her, even if I wasn’t sure how to react.<br />
Leah solved the problem by hugging me to her. I could feel the coldness of her next to my wolf heat. “I missed you Embry! Now I find you and your girlfriend have stolen our cave!” she laughed, the sound like a tinkling bell.<br />
I laughed too, “Your cave? Ha! Leah, this is Katherine Constantine, and I am pleased to say she is now my fiancée, since she just agreed to marry me!” I beamed with pride.<br />
Etienne and Leah smiled widely at us both. “Hello Katherine,” Leah smiled.<br />
“Hey,” said Kat shyly, her eyes fixated on the vampires. “Embry has told me all about you and Etienne,” Kat added with a friendly smile.<br />
Leah nodded and smiled too, “Well there is one thing neither of you know! Etienne is now my husband!” she announced as she gazed deeply into his eyes.<br />
Etienne gazed just as intently back. These two always had been very much in love, now it seemed that their love had been intensified by Leah’s change and their marriage. Kat was staring at them both, mesmerized completely by their dazzling beauty. Of course I had told her all about vampires, but still seeing them up close in the flesh for the very first time really was quite overwhelming.<br />
“Congratulations to you both,” I said kissing my half-sister’s pale cheek and shaking Etienne’s cold hand.<br />
“How is everyone Embry? Seth? My Mom? “Leah asked.<br />
I nodded and said they were all doing great, except for the fact that they missed her a lot. She sighed and looked sad. “I had to come back Embry. I can’t move on until I see them. I hope they understand that Etienne saved me! I would have completely died without him! Sam would have been a murderer!” Leah exclaimed passionately.<br />
I nodded again, “Sam has been in such a bad way,” I admitted.<br />
Leah nodded in agreement, “I saw him. We talked. I think he will be fine now. He was on the phone to Emily when we left him. I really believe he can sort himself out,” she smiled.<br />
We made small talk for a while until my stomach began to rumble and we all laughed. “I think it’s breakfast time!” I announced.<br />
We made our way out of the cave into the spring day. The sun had made a rare appearance from behind the clouds. Etienne and Leah glittered like diamond rainbows in the light. Kat gasped and stared at the beautiful couple. “Let’s go tell everyone we are getting married my love, I want to shout it from the rooftops!” I happily exclaimed as I put an arm around my girl.<br />
Leah looked worried again. “Whilst I go tell my Mom and brother that I am now a vampire, a cold one, and an ancient enemy of shape shifters!” she grimaced as she gripped Etienne’s hand tightly. “I think I am gonna win hands down in the ‘whose news is most shocking competition’ don’t you Embry?” she added with sarcastic humour, just like the old Leah would.<br />
I nodded and smiled as I imagined Sue and Seth Clearwater’s reaction. Back from the dead, reborn as a blood sucker and newly married to an ancient vampire?<br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Awesome.</em></div>
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<br />
<br />
<b>CHAPTER FORTY EIGHT</b><br />
<b>TRUTH HURTS</b><br />
<b>ETIENNE LUCIER:</b><br />
Leah appeared at the front door of her Mom’s house just as I jumped out of her old bedroom window. I had been listening in and spying on their reunion. Sue had been so happy to see her daughter again that at first she didn’t even notice the changes in her. Then her happiness turned to shock when she felt her cold skin, looked into her kaleidoscope eyes and saw how much Leah’s looks had changed. Sue simply couldn’t comprehend that Leah had been so close to death the night of her nineteenth birthday, that I’d had no choice but to change her. She had demanded to know why no one had taken her daughter to Carlisle Cullen or even the hospital. She simply didn’t want to think of her daughter as a vampire even if the truth was staring her right in the face. It was sad for Leah because I knew my beloved wife so wanted her Mom to be okay with this.<br />
Seth had arrived home too because Leah had phoned him earlier in the day. He was pleased to see her and instantly hugged her, tears pouring down his young face. It was only Sue who was unhappy with the situation. She cried and wailed telling Leah she had brought shame on their family, one of the oldest families on the reservation. What would the founding fathers of the Quileute tribe say? What would the rest of the pack and the Elders say? Sue was distraught at the thought of others being horrified by what her daughter had become. This caused Leah to say some mean things about Harry being less than perfect, which caused more tears from Sue. Poor Seth was stuck in the middle. I had been surprised at Sam Uley’s reaction to us. I hadn’t even used my mind control on him. I guessed he still wore the moonstone around his neck any ways and always would. Embry had taken the news well too. He was happy to see his half-sister again and he had never had anything against me in the past.<br />
I hated hearing my love in pain. I knew she was acting all cool and collected but inside she would be angry, hurt and lost. We vampires couldn’t cry but we did feel pain and loss, perhaps even more acutely than humans. When Leah marched to the front door to escape her Mother’s wrath, I jumped down ready to embrace her. When Sue saw me she gave a wail of distress.<br />
“Get away from this house blood sucker! Leave my daughter alone! You killed her! You changed her! You took her away from us, you monster!” she screeched.<br />
I stepped back in surprise and shock. I guess I had underestimated a Mother’s love for her child. I took Leah’s hand in mine and led her away, but she stopped and whipped around quickly to address her Mother for the last time.<br />
“I love this “monster” with all my heart and soul Mom! In fact I love him so much that I became his wife! Yes, you heard me! Etienne and I are married, we’re vampires and we will be together for all eternity! If you want nothing to do with me anymore then that’s your loss!” she spat out with venomous fury.<br />
She looked even more beautiful when she was angry and I wanted her right here and now so badly. Her topaz eyes shone with indignation, but she smiled at Seth and told her brother she would call him. He smiled back and waved before Sue could bite his head off for taking sides. I knew Seth and Leah would not lose touch. Hopefully Sue would come round but there was no way we were staying around here. It was too difficult for a vampire to remain in their home town, amongst their old friends and family. We would stay young and untouched by time whilst everyone around us would grow older every second of every day. It was impossible to watch that happen. I wondered why Bella put herself through it with Charlie. Victoria had taken me away from my family who had believed me to be murdered. So she told me any way. I never did know for sure and never would.<br />
Leah and I walked away hand in hand. She was defiant, proud and determined not to let me see her pain. I had never loved her more. We had another visit to make before we left. We sped through the woods towards the Cullen house, the wind in our hair and a purple twilight sky above us. Through the trees the house came into view, Bella stood on the raised decking gazing out into the garden, waiting for us. Leah and I swiftly arrived at her feet nervously awaiting her reaction.<br />
“Well well look what we have here? A fledgling vampire and her lover. Or should I say husband? ”she said with a smile. Leah gasped as Bella laughed, “Alice can see you now Leah. You aren’t hidden to her now. Not now you are one of us! Come here, my friend,” Bella softly said with her arms outstretched.<br />
Leah gladly ran up the steps and into her arms for a friendly hug. I smiled at the happy scene. Bella indicated I come forward, so she could give me a welcoming hug too. “I’m so happy for you both, and I’m so glad it all turned out well in the end. I know you had to go through some hard times to get here but now all that matters is the two of you,” Bella gushed happily.<br />
Leah and I smiled as I took her hand in mine. We did have our happy ending. We should be happy. We would be happy once we were living our lives together as husband and wife properly. We spent a few hours with Bella and Edward and the rest of the Cullen’s talking about old times and times to come. When it was time to leave we promised we would stay in touch no matter where we were in the world. I suddenly felt a little sad that I was taking Leah away from everything she had known, but we could not stay here. I hoped I would be enough for her. Judging by the way we felt about each other I was pretty confident I would be. Now we flew like the wind back to Vancouver, back to my old mansion which would be our base whilst we travelled. There was a whole world waiting out there that I couldn’t wait to show my new wife.<br />
In our bed, in my loving arms, Leah finally told me how sad she had felt today. If she could have cried she would have been in floods of tears. I held her tightly to me; how good that felt now that I could! I kissed her sweet cinnamon and vanilla lips softly at first then hungrily and passionately as my desire for her became intense. The spring moon shone into our window bathing our pale bodies in its light as we entwined together and lost ourselves to each other again and again. I had eternity to worship her perfection and her beauty. The absolute beautiful truth of this hit me and I thought my still unbeating heart might burst with sheer love and pleasure. Leah was not only my wife but she was also my whole life. Totally and completely until the stars fell out of the sky and the universe blew away into nothingness. I had lived a long, long,long life and never ever in all that time did I believe I would find someone to love. Someone who would love me back. Someone who was just like me. Someone who knew me inside and out. But it happened. It happened to me.<br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Now she was here, <strong style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">forever.</strong></em></div>
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<br />
<br />
<b>CHAPTER FORTY NINE</b><br />
<b>BREAKING IN TWO</b><br />
<b>KAT CONSTANTINE:</b><br />
Rebecca and I were packing ready to go back to Vancouver. It was an emotional day for us all. Rebecca didn’t want to leave her Mom, I didn’t want to leave my Embry. My Embry. My fiancé. Embry had a good job in Port Angeles. He worked as a builder for a construction company who specialised in building new homes with solar energy. It was the new thing and he was very busy at the moment. It would be sensible to keep this good job of his, especially as we wanted to get married as soon as possible. But he also wanted to forget everything and come to Vancouver with me today, I loved my job, teaching was what I was supposed to do. I just knew it. I could do this anywhere of course but there were no jobs for me near La Push just now. Embry worked for a big company so he had put in for a transfer to the city. We were waiting to hear some news on that soon. I felt sick at the thought of leaving him behind today. He said he was going to be lost without me and he didn’t remember what life was like before we met. I feel the same. It’s like my life started the moment we ran into each other outside the Pacific Inn Motel on New Year’s Day.<br />
Tears tracked down my cheeks as I let my emotions take a hold of me. Rebecca looked over and smiled at me shaking her head. “Hey Kat, cheer up Vancouver isn’t that far away you know!”<br />
I nodded but the tears kept flowing and I gave a little sob. My sister came over and hugged me to her. I gratefully let her hold me as I sobbed pitifully. My heart was breaking, breaking in two. “C’mon little sis! You don’t want Embry to see you like this! Go wash your face and put on some slap okay?” Rebecca said as she smoothed my tangled hair away from my face. I loved my big sister so much, even when she was infuriating. I splashed cold water on my face and brushed my mussed hair. I applied a little tinted moisturiser and some blue mascara to bring out the blueness of my eyes which Embry adored. I packed away my makeup and grabbed my toothbrush as I gazed around our little bathroom for the last time. Our short lease was up now, it was time to go home. Back to reality. Away from my love, my hero, my everything.<br />
I closed the door with a sigh. Rebecca had moved all of our bags out onto the drive way ready to put them in the taxi, which would take us to the bus station in Port Angeles. The distance was about one hundred and seventy miles to Vancouver by road, but it felt like a million miles away to my heart. Rebecca and I held hands as we gazed around the home we had shared for a couple of months. It had been lovely living in the country, I hoped Embry and I could buy a house somewhere just as nice. Vancouver was very green for a city though, I did love my home town a lot. It was a wonderful place to live, but it would now seem a little bit empty because the light of my life would be here and not with me. I smiled as I heard the roar of his motorbike approaching. Embry had come to say goodbye to me. I had my hankies ready as I knew there would be tears. Rebecca closed the front door for the last time and posted our set of keys through the letterbox ready for our landlady to pick up later. We both gasped with surprise as Tiffany Call climbed off the back of her son’s bike. She took off her helmet and smiled at us both as she shook out her hair. Rebecca laughed with glee as she made her way over to hug her Mom. Embry approached me with dark sad eyes and a sad smile on his handsome face. He took my hand and led me away into the woods without a word spoken between us.<br />
My back was against the rough bark of a tree as Embry’s lips on my neck caused me to moan and shiver with pent up desire. His lips made their way slowly upwards to meet mine as we clung to each other in a last desperate bitter sweet kiss. How I loved him. His warm body was pressed close to mine making me feel flushed and warm. He stroked my cheek as he gazed down into my eyes.<br />
“Kat I will miss you so much, but this weekend I am coming to Vancouver to see you I promise,” he softly said, his dark eyes sad.<br />
I nodded as tears fell down my cheek once again. Even a few days would seem like forever to me. I jumped up into his strong arms, my legs wrapped around his waist as we hugged each other tightly. It was time to go. He carried me out of the woods, kissing me and whispering words of love. Rebecca and Tiffany were waiting by the taxi which had arrived early. They hugged. Tiffany had been crying but my sister looked fine. She didn’t show her emotions much at all but I knew deep down she would be sad to leave her real Mom whom she had gotten to know so well these past few months. I clung to Embry one last time, as I inhaled his special scent.<br />
“Call me tonight,” he whispered against my cheek as he kissed me softly goodbye.<br />
As the taxi sped away we waved out of the back window to the Call’s. I couldn’t speak for a minute or two or I would sob uncontrollably, Rebecca knows me so well, she just gave my hand a gentle squeeze but didn’t speak. I noticed she had a bunch of large sunflowers with a small card attached. “Your Mom get you those?” I asked.<br />
Rebecca shook her head, “No, a delivery guy dropped them off just before you came out of the woods” she said quizzically.<br />
“Open the card then!” I demanded impatiently.<br />
Inside in small black writing were the words ‘Welcome back to Vancouver’. We both looked at it blankly. Who had sent the flowers to Rebecca? She wasn’t seeing anyone, she avoided relationships because she was scared they would find out something she would rather keep hidden. It hadn’t been easy being a shape-shifter on your own in the city with only your younger sister knowing the truth. I imagined Rebecca moving to La Push to be with her own kind, although she hadn’t mentioned it to me as yet.<br />
“Who could have sent that?” I asked.<br />
Rebecca shrugged her shoulders. “Not sure Kat, but they are pretty!” she exclaimed.<br />
I nodded and smiled.<br />
Soon we were at the bus station and on our way home. I missed Embry so much, I felt all hollow inside. I tried to keep my spirits up for Rebecca though as she also looked sad and thoughtful. It would be lovely to see my parents again. I had missed them a lot, although we’d spoke on the phone every day. I couldn’t wait for them to meet Embry. My Mom was overjoyed for me but my Dad was a bit more cautious of our whirlwind romance. I knew I would have to explain everything to them soon. Rebecca wanted to tell them the truth also, she was sick of the lies and deceit. I reckoned our cool parents would handle the truth just fine. After all they had produced me and I was very open to the supernatural around me. We decided to stay at Rebecca’s tonight seeing as it was late by the time we arrived home. My Dad worked early shift at the Post Office so we didn’t want to wake him. My Mom was an art teacher at the local art college. She had sold a few paintings when she was younger but got more satisfaction from teaching others. I think I got that from her too. Rebecca had a lovely one bedroomed water side apartment which was her pride and joy. I was sleeping on the sofa bed tonight. We arrived at her home tired and emotional from our day.<br />
As she opened the front door a horrible fishy smell invaded our nostrils. As she flung open the door we were shocked to see piles of rotting fish in the hallway. There was worse to come in the living room. The furniture had been wrecked, the walls had been smeared with blood, most possibly from the dead fish. Rebecca gasped as she tried to take in the devastation, I of course, started to cry. Who could have done this? Burglars? Rebecca was checking to see if anything had been stolen, so far nothing appeared to be. I heard her gasp loudly from her bedroom so I ran through to find her staring at the wall incredulously. There in huge letters glaring at us in black paint were the words ‘WELCOME BACK TO VANCOUVER’. Rebecca looked so angry I was afraid she might phase there and then.<br />
“Obviously our flower sender is the same person who wrecked my apartment!” she growled.<br />
I put my arm around her, devastation flooding my body. Who could do this? A light bulb went on in my head, I was the only person who knew where the spare key was kept. Unless you count the night I had stayed over with Quinn when Rebecca was away on a course. He had seen me retrieve the key from its hiding place. Quinn had done this! I told Rebecca what I knew. Her dark eyes glinted with anger and disgust. “I haven’t seen him nor heard from him for ages though!” I exclaimed shaking my head.<br />
“But I have,” Rebecca replied quietly.<br />
My face was a picture of shocked surprise.<br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“Quinn Taylor will pay for this Kat I swear to you.”</em></div>
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<br />
<br />
<b>CHAPTER FIFTY</b><br />
<b>BLACK HEART</b><br />
<b>QUINN TAYLOR:</b><br />
I sat smiling to myself as I knocked back straight whiskies at my favourite bar in the middle of the city. Vancouver had many bars, but this dark and dingy one was my favourite. It had an intensely brooding atmosphere and I always felt pumped up on adrenaline when I first came in. Until the alcohol numbed my brain and senses. Until the whisky made my heart ache less. Katherine Constantine. I wish I’d never laid eyes on her. Since the day I met her I had been under her spell. I had gone to the kindergarten where she worked to pick up my nephew one day last spring. My sister had been sick with the flu and couldn’t go herself. I grudgingly said I would do it as I normally work the graveyard shift as a security guard for a large pharmaceutical company. This week I was on annual spring leave.<br />
I don’t like children. They are extremely annoying, snotty and clingy. My nephew was four years old and I had nothing to say to him. The one and only day I picked him up was the day I saw this blonde haired vision walking towards me with a beatific smile and the bluest of blue eyes. Instantly I turned my scowl of annoyance at having to pick up the brat into a dazzling smile of wonderment.<br />
Kat had smiled and nodded to me, “Hello. I’m Katherine Constantine, Joshua’s teacher. You must be Quinn? Sarah phoned to say she was sick and that you would be picking her son up today,” she had said in a perfect soft voice of an angel.<br />
I had nodded, dumbstruck for a second by her beauty. “Yes, I’m Quinn,” I had replied when I had composed myself.<br />
God, she was stunning. I had to have her. Could I ask her for a date here and now? What were the rules? I didn’t like rules, so I had decided just to come out with it. Josh had annoyingly tried to hold my hand. I had let him just this once because I didn’t want Kat to think I was a heartless monster. Truth is, I don’t even think I have a heart. Or if I do, it’s black and empty. And dead inside. Until that day. My heart had stuttered and beat wildly as soon as I saw her face. I had ignored my nephew’s sticky hand in mine as I had asked the beautiful Kat if she would mind accompanying me to see a film that night. She had looked stunned at first but then she had smiled as she accepted my offer. That night, in the dark of the cinema, I took her hand and I knew there and then that my life was never going to be the same again.<br />
Somehow this girl had gotten to me, she had broken down barriers I had been carefully building since I was a kid. I was born two months premature. I was small and scrawny as a child. I was bullied at school. I was called names, like stick insect and other hurtful jibes. I didn’t have any friends at all. Sarah, my older sister was my only light in the darkness. Mother and Father died when we were small in a fatal car accident. We were sent to live with our much older aunt Betty Ann, who had never had children of her own. She wasn’t really interested in us, she carried out the basics but nothing else. I learned in high school it was time to toughen up or forever be the victim. I started training every day in the gym when I was fifteen. By the time I turned seventeen I was tall, muscular and strong. No one messed with me anymore. No one bothered with me either, I had only made friends with dumb bells and machines, and no real people were allowed in my life. That was the best way. Sarah had turned out just fine, she was popular and outgoing. She tried to help me at first but soon got tired of my refusal to take part in society. She went to university when she was seventeen to study Chemistry and Maths. She was the clever one of the family. She met a boy in her first year there, in her second year she had fallen pregnant with Josh. She dropped out of Uni. The boy Harry, became her husband a year later. She is happy being a mother and wife. How dull. I rarely see her.<br />
I had thanked my sister silently a million times for being ill that particular day though. The day I met my Kat was the best day of my life. Before that I drifted through my life. I got up at midday every day. I showered, I ate a simple meal, and I trained down the gym for four hours solid. I showered again at home, I watched one of my favourite war films or I surfed the net aimlessly. Then I made two ham and cheese sandwiches for my break at work. I often took an apple as well. I walked the short distance to work at nine pm. I spent my night looking at camera screens and patrolling the buildings. At six am exactly I clocked out and walked home in the early morning light. My life was simple until Kat came into it. After that I obsessed over her constantly. Where was she? What was she doing? Who was she with? I expected her to have the same feelings I was experiencing, but although she enjoyed my company now and again she simply wasn’t in love with me in the slightest. I think she liked having a big strong handsome guy to show off when she needed a date. Apart from that I was nothing to her. She didn’t even call me her boyfriend. We kissed a lot but nothing more. When I kissed her I felt a deep longing desire well up within me. I needed her. I wanted her, but she didn’t feel the same way. Every time I tried to take our relationship further she pushed me away. Every time I tried to see her more often or suggest we do stuff together as a couple, she became more and more distant. She sat me down and explained she wasn’t looking for a relationship at this point in her life. She said she liked me a lot, but only as a casual dating arrangement. I nodded and agreed with a smile whilst a fiery rage of unrequited love burned inside me. The more she ignored me, the more I burned. I burned with anger, I burned with love and desire. Sometimes I burned with hatred for her too. At some point I believed my heart had turned black because it could not burn any more. She stopped calling me, I only spoke to her if I made the first move. I began following her, recording her every move in secret. I had to be near her, had to have her in my life. Stalking seemed a reasonable way to go about it.<br />
The last time we met up she told me she was taking some time off work, but she wouldn’t tell me why. I only found out when she randomly phoned me a few weeks ago. That’s when she told me about him. Embry freaking Call. She felt like she should tell me she had met someone. So much for not wanting a relationship. It was me she hadn’t wanted all along. I had pretended to be friendly and courteous on the phone to her, all the while my knuckles turning white as I had gripped the phone with madness and rage. Yes, this girl had driven me crazy. Crazy enough to go look for her. I needed my daily fix of stalking her. I needed to see her and the thousands of pictures I had taken in secret were not doing it for me anymore. She had innocently let it slip that she was staying near Port Angeles. I had gone there looking for her when I had seen Rebecca, her half-sister. I hated Rebecca Call. She looked at me suspiciously with those dark cold eyes whenever she saw me. She annoyed me so badly. Why wasn’t she proud to have Kat’s family name? Why did she insist on calling herself Rebecca Call after the mother who abandoned her? In Port Angeles she was her usual prickly stuck up self. Her pathetic excuse for a real mother had tried to stand up for her son and Rebecca’s half-brother, Embry, in my eyes he had taken Kat from me and that knowledge did not rest easy with me. Rebecca needed to be taught a lesson.<br />
I smiled to myself again over another whisky as I pictured her face tonight as she got home from her trip. I should have stayed hidden away to watch and hear her reaction, but I knew it was better to be careful. Kat had unwittingly shown me where the spare key for Rebecca’s apartment was kept one night. I had thought she would mine that night. I was excited to be alone with her, but when she told me I would be sleeping on the sofa bed because she didn’t want to be alone whilst flat sitting, I felt the rage burn through my chest again. She had led me on for months, she had kissed me and held her body close to me, and she had made me believe something was happening between us. I took an angry swig of the neat whisky, barely grimacing as its flaming heat hit the back of my throat. Kat needed taught a lesson too and I had a seed of evil planted in my mind that was slowly growing into a fine idea of revenge. Gone were the days when Quinn Taylor was a weak sniveling wreck, bullied and jeered at by others. No, now I was strong and I was not going to let anyone make a fool of me.<br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Not now, <strong style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">not ever.</strong></em></div>
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<br />
<br />
<b>CHAPTER FIFTY ONE</b><br />
<b>DISCOVERY</b><br />
<b>LEAH LUCIER:</b><br />
I had gotten used to being a vampire with ease. Of course it helped having Etienne, my loving husband by my side. I loved him so much. I loved being married and I loved our new life together. But still, my old life resonated in everything I did. Every time I felt the need to phase and run as a wolf I remembered my past. I didn’t phase much these days, being a vampire was everything and more. I was a stronger much faster wolf since the change though. But I could run just as fast, if not faster as my vampire self. Memories, emotions and shadows would come out of nowhere to engulf me. Etienne said feelings and images from my past would take a while to leave me. I had centuries I supposed. The thought of my family growing older and getting closer to death with every passing minute scared me. I didn’t want to become cold and unfeeling, I didn’t want to forget them and my old life. When I was in Etienne’s strong marble arms I could forget everything. All I needed in those moments was his lips, his touch, his pale body pressed close to mine. Etienne didn’t know that I’d made a discovery. A few days ago I felt myself go into a strange trance. Whilst in this state I had seen mental pictures so vivid, so true that I knew without a shadow of a doubt that they were real. Somehow my mind was showing me events. I hadn’t worked out if these were past, present or future events. Was this my special vampire power? Like Alice Cullen?<br />
Etienne and I were currently in London. It was a beautiful city where old met new seamlessly. We had rented out the penthouse suite of the Savoy hotel, it was expensive and sumptuous with rich dark tones of velvet colours in the furnishing and décor. I loved it. I adored it. I felt like a vampire princess in the huge four poster bed every night. Not that we used it for sleeping. This was our proper honeymoon at last and we made the most of the luxurious surroundings. London was rainy like Forks so we got to play the American tourists easily. I found the climate to be similar to Washington State, not that vampires cared about the weather at all, but I loved the cool damp air and the warmer nights which signaled summer would be here soon. I tried to forget my old life and just enjoy the simplicity of my time with my adoring husband. Etienne was rich beyond my wildest dreams, something he had never mentioned before but which really should have been obvious to me. Money didn’t interest me that much, but now it was very handy as we could do what we liked. Centuries of studying the stock market had paid off for Etienne as well as his love for buying and selling properties. He had a vampire friend in London who welcomed us both. I had never had a problem with being a newborn. I didn’t crave human blood. I wasn’t violent or untamed. I loved to walk amongst the humans, smelling their unique and varying scents as they went by me, scurrying and hurrying through their short lives.<br />
Today I was strolling through Regent’s Park, the sky was cloudy and overcast, perfect for a vampire. The good inhabitants of London were not ready for my rainbow glittering skin, should the sun shine. We checked the weather religiously every day on Etienne’s new-fangled mobile phone. That phone could do anything, I swear! My darling husband was back at the hotel making some international calls wheeling and dealing. I left him to it, that part of his life was his and his alone. I had never been good with numbers! I breathed in the smell of skin, blood and leaves as I strolled aimlessly. People stared at me, mostly men. My beauty was dazzling, my presence radiant to humans. They couldn’t help gazing at me with a mixture of awe and fear. I always tried to play down my appearance so I didn’t attract too much unwanted attention. It was hard to look inconspicuous when you were a vampire. That is why we preferred the undercover of the night times.<br />
I let my mind go blank and was happy just to walk along with no memories, dreams or visions to plague me. I sat on a bench and took in the view from my hill top location. Someone sat down next to me. I didn’t look, but I could smell their scent. It was strange, almost vampiric in nature, I chanced a sneaky glance. The stranger’s dark eyes were intensely focused on my deep topaz ones. I gasped in shock. This was no ordinary human male.<br />
“Hello madam, I am afraid I had to come speak with you. I am clairvoyant. I see an aura around you. There is much trouble to come. You need to go home. A close friend needs you,” he spoke in a soft velvet voice with a hint of an Irish accent.<br />
“Who are you?” I asked.<br />
I found myself strangely drawn to his brown eyes, pale skin and handsome face. His black hair was cropped short which accentuated his eyes more sharply. His face was angular and symmetrically pleasing, with just a hint of stubble. His lips were full and red. Yes, he was a lovely human specimen and for once I did imagine sinking my teeth into his smooth neck to taste his blood. I shook the mental image from my mind.<br />
“I am Daniel. I have been following you, watching you. I was trying to get up the courage to tell you what I “saw” as soon as I first set eyes on you three days ago. You are quite intimidating Miss!” he added with a throaty nervous laugh.<br />
I raised my eyebrows at him, as I smiled with what I hoped was a friendly warm smile. “My name is Leah and I am actually a Mrs.,” I told him.<br />
He smiled sadly and nodded, “Yes of course you are Leah. Pleased to meet you. I am sorry for approaching you in this weird manner but when the spirits show me things I have a duty to pass it on,” he somberly said as he held out a hand for me to shake. Luckily I was wearing my new expensive leather gloves, a recent gift from Etienne. I took his hand and the world went black.<br />
I came to after what seemed like hours, my panic and disorientation rising quickly through my fearful body. Daniel was stroking my arm, a worried look on his face. I dreaded to think what had happened. “Are you okay Leah?” he asked kindly. I shook my head as my mind was filled with visions again. When I blacked out Daniel had reached for my pulse. I saw not horror on his handsome face but a look of astonishment and wonder. Here was a human who was not afraid, but very curious. They were more dangerous than the poor ignorant ones who went through life assuming there were no monsters and no weirdness. He knew I wasn’t just a normal girl. I think he knew that before he discovered I was talking and moving but I had no pulse.<br />
“Daniel, I know you are wondering about me. I am afraid I can’t explain anything to you at this moment. I am afraid because I have been having visions which I don’t understand but are so real for a few days now. Today when you touched my hand was the first time I have actually lost myself for a few moments. Today was the first time I actually saw something which made sense. Something which has frightened me beyond reason!” I shuddered as I let the horror of what I had seen in my vision sink in.<br />
Daniel nodded with a small knowing smile, “Leah I knew you were different the moment I saw you. Your husband is too. You both stand out like rare flowers amongst a bunch of weeds. I should know I’ve always been different too. I can guess what you really are, and it fascinates me, but I know we have more important issues to deal with here,” he said, his dark eyes serious.<br />
I nodded as I asked him to please tell me about this vision he had which featured me somehow. When he had finished I began to shake with fear and horror, my body felt colder and hollower than ever. Daniel looked at me with such sympathy and kindness that I felt tears springing to my eyes even though I knew there were none, I could not cry, not anymore. His vision, the events he had seen unfolding in is mind, shown to him by spirits or whatever were exactly the same as what I had just pictured during my black out.<br />
I had to get back to Forks right away or someone I loved dearly was going to <em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">die!</strong></em></div>
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<br />
<br />
<b>CHAPTER FIFTY TWO</b><br />
<b>CAPTURED</b><br />
<b>EMBRY CALL:</b><br />
I got on a bus to Vancouver the very next morning after Kat phoned to explain that Rebecca and she had arrived home to some unexpected trouble. My fiancée sounded much shaken on the phone, there was no way I could stay here in La Push whilst she needed me. The dawn had barely broken as I boarded the bus to take me to my love. I had left a message for work explaining I would need the rest of the week off. I hoped they would be understanding, given the circumstances. I had to be near Kat, I had to protect her and make sure this jerk Quinn Taylor was out of her and Rebecca’s lives for good. I’m sure a large wolf with grey fur and dark spots might be able to persuade him, I jokingly laughed to myself. I knew without a doubt that Rebecca would be raging angry with him. I would be afraid if it was me who was in her bad books. I wondered what she had planned for him.<br />
I had booked into a hotel near to Kat’s parents’ house. I hadn’t met my future in laws yet so I didn’t feel it was appropriate to put them to any trouble on my behalf. I made myself comfortable with a nice hot shower before ordering a late breakfast. I had just finished eating when there was a knock at my door. My smile was wide and happy as I found my beautiful Kat on the other side of the door. She leapt into my arms, her long blonde hair falling around my face and shoulders.<br />
“Oh Embry,” she sighed against my neck. I carefully placed her onto my large king sized bed. She let herself fall, her hair fanning out behind her in a silky yellow curtain. She had on skin tight black jeans and a red clingy t shirt under a short denim jacket. Her red high heels were sexy on her small feet as she pointed a shoe at me cheekily. I gently removed the provocative item of footwear and kissed the smooth skin of her lovely foot. She giggled deliciously as my lips made their way up to her ankle. I fell down onto the bed beside her, eager to kiss her soft enticing lips.<br />
Our lips came together in perfect synchronisation as always. Her scent and taste overwhelmed me as always. But this time there was something different in our passionate embrace. This time we didn’t try to stop our desire for each other. When the midday sun reached its zenith our clothes seemed to dissolve and disappear until our skin molded and melded into each other as we gave ourselves completely in pure love and passion. No words were spoken between us, just sighs. No barriers, no discussions, it all just happened without conscious action. We had broken our promise to each other, but promises were sometimes made to be broken. I would never love another girl; I would never hold another girl like this, making love to her with my heart, body and soul. It had happened as it was meant to happen, despite our intentions of waiting until we were married. It almost felt as if a higher power was guiding us. We both let this mystical force sweep us away on our passionate journey.<br />
Later, I held her close, our hearts beating as one and kissed her softly on the forehead. “That was even more unbelievable than when I imprinted on you Katherine Constantine,” I whispered lovingly. She smiled and kissed my cheek, salty sweet tears on her face.<br />
“Don’t cry my love. Are you all right?” I asked with concern.<br />
“I couldn’t be more right,” she said softly with a sweet smile. “That was amazing for me too. I love you so much Embry!” she exclaimed.<br />
We hugged and kissed gently. We talked about what had happened with Quinn. Kat told me Rebecca was very angry and humiliated. Kat was upset because she believed it to be her fault. “I led him on for months Embry. I didn’t love him, he was just a distraction really,” she said with a frown.<br />
“It is not your fault Kat! The guy is unhinged! Rebecca and I will sort this.” I stated with confidence.<br />
I had spoken with Rebecca on the phone this morning after I had arrived at the hotel. She and I planned to give Quinn a fright he wouldn’t forget in a hurry! Kat didn’t need to know. All I wanted to do was protect my girl.<br />
Tonight we planned to stop his campaign against the girls dead in its tracks. I needed to tell my fiancée a little white lie first. I told her I was tired from travelling and I needed to take a long soak in the bath and have a nap. “Then I will come to your house, meet your parents and take you out for a late romantic meal, just the two of us,” I said with a smile.<br />
Kat nodded, “Of course my love! You must be so tired, especially after this lovely afternoon we’ve spent together,” she winked cheekily.<br />
I laughed as I disentangled myself reluctantly from her. We kissed and hugged as she left my room. I sighed as I closed the door. I would miss her even though we would only be parted a few hours. I quickly showered and dressed. I sent Rebecca a text as I was leaving the hotel, asking her to meet me at our agreed place. I hoped our idea went to plan. She knew where Quinn worked. She knew he worked all alone. We had to nip this in the bud now.<br />
I made my way out of the hotel and began to walk through the leafy park to meet Rebecca. I was in a world of my own dreaming of my Kat and the love we shared when I was suddenly jolted back to reality. A girl had rode into me on her bicycle and promptly fell over onto the pathway. “Oh I’m so sorry!” she exclaimed as I helped her up. “I wasn’t looking where I was going!” she added with a smile.<br />
“That makes two of us,” I said wryly. With her bicycle still discarded on the path she quickly flung her arms around me and pressed her body against me in a more than friendly manner. I put my hands on her hips as I gently tried to restrain her.<br />
“I’m such a clumsy fool,” she whispered hoarsely in my ear. I pulled away from her, but she put her hands on either side of my head and pulled my lips down to hers before I could protest! She kissed me passionately and strongly, her hands gripping my face, her body rubbing against mine. At first I did nothing, so great was my shock. It wasn’t every day good looking young ladies threw themselves so willingly at me! My mind kicked into action and my body followed quickly after as I pushed her away.<br />
“Sorry about that too,” my mystery girl smirked as she picked up her bike and cycled away down the path. I stood open mouthed as I watched her leave. Just what was that all about me asked myself as I shook my head in confusion? The city sure was different to what I was used to!<br />
I was almost upon the meeting place Rebecca and I had agreed on, when my phone beeped in my pocket. It was a text from Kat. She asked me to come meet her at a bar down town. She said it was urgent; she needed to see me right away. What was wrong? I tried to call her but all I got was the answer machine. “Hey Kat, it’s me. I’m on my way sweetheart. I hope everything is okay!” I said trying not to panic.<br />
I quickly sent a text to Rebecca telling her I would be a bit later than planned but I would make it soon. Hopefully Kat was just having a mini crisis of some sort and it could easily be sorted. I would have to lie to her again; Rebecca was desperate to put her plan into action tonight! I flagged a taxi down to take me to the bar where Kat was. I didn’t even question why she would be in a bar when really she should have been at home, waiting for me to call round as planned. That was my first mistake. My second mistake was stopping to help a guy who had a flat tire. Next thing I knew I was in the back of a white van with a fuzzy head and a thick rope tied round my ankles and wrists.<br />
“If you make a noise I will stuff this dirty rag in your mouth,” the guy with the dark hair and soul less eyes informed me. “I don’t believe we’ve been introduced. I’m Quinn Taylor and you, of course, are Embry Call, the stealer of girlfriends,” he said as he punched me square in the face. I felt the blood run down my throat from my busted nose. I choked and spluttered but quickly turned my head to the side. “Just in case you don’t believe I’m serious,” Quinn added.<br />
So this was Kat’s ex-boyfriend. He smirked down at my bloody face as he leaped into the driver’s seat. As he started the engine, he turned to me with a snake like grin, “If you think I am just going to let Kat walk out of my life and be with you then you are very much mistaken,” he hissed at me, his eyes dark and menacing with a hint of madness.<br />
We drove along, my head full of fear and my ears full of the song he played over and over and over again.<br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">All our times have come</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Here but now they’re gone</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Seasons don’t fear the reaper</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">nor do the wind, the sun or the rain </em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">(We can be like they are)</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Come on baby </em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">(Don’t fear the Reaper) </em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Baby take my hand </em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">(Don’t fear the Reaper) </em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">we’ll be able to fly </em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">(Don’t fear the Reaper) </em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Baby I’m your man</em><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>CHAPTER FIFTY THREE</b><br />
<b>THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS</b><br />
<b>KAT CONSTANTINE:</b><br />
“Life, what is it but a dream?” Lewis Carroll, Through the Looking Glass.<br />
I had left Embry’s hotel in a hazy love sick dream. I took a long detour back towards home, so I could dream and smile to myself in the spring sunshine. I definitely belonged to Embry Call now. In all ways. We had broken our promise of celibacy to each other this afternoon, but it had felt right to give in to the passion between us which had been simmering since we first kissed. Embry was my first lover. My only lover. As I was his. I felt like I was walking on a cloud of happiness, all wrapped up in a bubble of joy. Until my phone vibrated in my jacket pocket and I was brought back to reality with a terrible jolt. The message was from Quinn. He wanted to talk to me. He asked me to meet him in a bar down town. He said he wanted to apologise and explain a few things. I decided I would go. I needed closure from the whole Quinn situation. I wanted to ask him nicely not to target my sister because of things I had done. I sent a quick text back saying I would be there shortly. I hoped I was doing the right thing.<br />
I spotted Quinn right away as soon as I entered the bar. He seemed to be much more muscular than the last time I’d seen him. I found his gym obsession boring. I had also found his slight drinking problem boring too. I would rather be outdoors than in a bar. It had never much appealed to me. Really, Quinn and I were like chalk and cheese. Whereas Embry and I were one of a kind, true soul mates if you believed in that sort of thing. Quinn had been a mistake, a big mistake. He was controlling and clingy. He was petty and mean. I didn’t know why I’d ever agreed to date him. I guess I’d liked the idea more than the reality. So here he was sitting at the bar nursing a whisky glass which was almost empty. I pulled up a stool next to him as he turned to face me.<br />
“Hey Kat,” he slurred slightly.<br />
I wondered how many whiskies he had drank. “Quinn,” I nodded curtly in response.<br />
“I guess you are mad at me huh?” he smirked. I nodded again. “I’ll buy us a drink and we can talk over there,” he said indicating the leather sofa by the window.<br />
“I’ll have an orange juice then please,” I replied.<br />
He shook his head, his dark fringe falling into his brown eyes. “Still uptight I see,” he remarked caustically.<br />
I sighed as I made my way to the comfier seat. This was turning out to be a bad idea already.<br />
I noticed Quinn’s white van which he used for fishing trips parked on the other side of the road. I shook my head with a sigh. I hoped he wasn’t planning on driving that today! Quinn must have noticed my disapproving look as he approached the table. “Relax Kat, look I’m on Coke now okay?” he huffed as he held up the red and white can in front of my face. I relaxed back into the comfortable soft leather, trying to appear cool, calm and collected. Quinn always did make me feel slightly on edge. “So, you still with this Embry guy then?” he asked.<br />
I nodded, “Yes, of course. We are engaged,” I stated, although I suspected he knew due to the state of Rebecca’s flat.<br />
“I know,” he said taking a gulp of coke. “That’s why I need to show you this,” he said as he took a camera out of his pocket.<br />
“Wait a minute now Quinn! I thought you asked me here to apologise and explain why you wrecked Rebecca’s flat?” I exclaimed as my temper flared.<br />
“Now now Kat. You can’t accuse me of anything without proof now can you?” he smirked.<br />
My face flushed with anger as I spat out the truth, “You were the only one who knew where the spare key was! I showed you the night you stayed over! No one else has a key! I know it was you Quinn Taylor!” I fumed.<br />
“You are so beautiful when you are angry Kat. I miss you, I miss us,” he said softly.<br />
I didn’t melt and cave in though. This was just an example of him messing with my head. I wasn’t the same Kat now though. “Quinn there never was an us. There never will be. I didn’t ever let you believe that there would or could be. You knew it was a casual fling. I didn’t mislead you! I love Embry. That’s it,” I stated quietly.<br />
The atmosphere shifted and changed for the worse.<br />
Quinn started to laugh. He turned on me venomously, “You bitch! You led me on for months, just waiting until something better came along! Well I hope you are happy with your choice because he isn’t your Prince Charming! Oh no not at all!” he exclaimed through gritted teeth. He shoved the camera at me, “Look at these photos Katherine! I took them a very short time ago, look closely, go on!” he smirked again.<br />
I sighed impatiently as I grabbed the camera from him. I gasped as a photograph of Embry in the arms of a stunning dark haired girl greeted my eyes. My Embry kissing another girl! His strong hands were on her hips as she pressed her body close to his. This was too much! I flung the camera away from me, not caring if it broke! My throat tightened and my eyes began to tear up. “Why? Why were you following Embry? How? Where did he meet this girl? He’s only been in the city since early morning!” I exclaimed, my mind whirling with unanswered questions.<br />
Quinn shrugged, “Maybe she’s not from Vancouver. Maybe he brought her here with him? Or maybe not. Don’t they look cosy though?” he smiled nastily.<br />
Although I was sad and hurt and upset, my brain was still functioning. Things weren’t adding up here! Quinn had some explaining to do; I would deal with the Embry situation when I had more information.<br />
I narrowed my eyes at Quinn as I tried to hold back the tears of sadness and betrayal. “How did you know who Embry was? How did you happen to see him by coincidence in a city full of thousands of people? I need to know Quinn!” I demanded, my voice hoarse with pent up emotion.<br />
He turned to me with an evil grin, “I came to Port Angeles to find you after that phone call you made. Remember the one where you told me you’d met him? Coincidentally I bumped into Rebecca and her real Mother. It was simple. I followed them home and I found photographs of Embry in his Mother’s house. She really should lock her doors at night!” he laughed.<br />
I gasped in amazement at his cunning behaviour. But there was worse to come.<br />
“Every minute I have spare I have been following you Katherine, stalking you since, oh let me see, since you decided to cool things between us, you heartless bitch!” he spat out furiously.<br />
I recoiled from his anger, my face pale with shock. “I need to go to the ladies room,” I whispered as I hauled myself up in a daze. I ran cold water over my face and pressed my forehead against the cool mirror. A few tears escaped, but I quickly brushed them away. Time for tears later. I needed to confront Embry. I couldn’t believe he had been seeing another girl behind my back. He imprinted on me for god’s sake! This wasn’t meant to happen. Surely it couldn’t happen?<br />
Quinn watched me walk back towards him, his eyes following every movement and curve of my body lasciviously. I ignored his hungry eyes as I strode purposefully to the table. “I’m leaving now Quinn. I wish I’d never met you here today. In fact I wish I’d never met you at all. Period. You are going to be alone and unloved forever, “I stated defiantly.<br />
His hard eyes bore into me with their dark intensity. He chucked my phone at me, “You forgot this. I hope in some way you will see that I was trying to help you Katherine. Goodbye,” he said with that funny smirk on his face.<br />
I didn’t reply, I just turned and walked out of the place before he could see me cry. I blindly ran to the park where I threw myself onto a bench and sobbed quietly under the weeping willows. I sat there for at least an hour, my mind conjuring up different explanations for that photograph. I could think of none. With red eyes and a heavy heart I made my way home. I fished my phone out of my pocket and frowned to myself. How could I have been so silly to leave it with Quinn? I don’t remember taking it out of my jacket pocket though. It must have fallen out. I quickly scanned through my phone but there were no suspicious messages, calls or otherwise. I decided I had to talk to Embry right now. The phone rang and rang at the other end with no reply, eventually going onto voice mail. I didn’t leave a message, what could I say? He was probably with his secret lover. Maybe it was a wolf thing and they all cheated on their wives and girlfriends, whether they had imprinted or not?<br />
There must be some explanation for this nightmare. I had been living a wonderful perfect life in the arms of my beloved just a little while ago. Now it was completely backwards. I had gone through the looking glass to the mirror world beyond, where everything was topsy turvy and nothing made sense.<br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Just like Alice, I prayed I would find a way back to my reality.</em></div>
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<br />
<br />
<b>CHAPTER FIFTY FOUR</b><br />
<b>LIKE ROMEO AND JULIET</b><br />
<b>QUINN TAYLOR:</b><br />
It was so easy to put my plan of revenge into action. I was an expert in following and stalking as I’d had plenty of practice since I’d met Katherine Constantine. I didn’t mention to her that I’d also noticed Tiffany Call’s calendar which was clearly marked with the date of Rebecca and Kat’s return to Vancouver! My honey trap plan worked very well and Kat’s phone falling out of her pocket was an immense stroke of luck. I’d met the dark haired Gina in a bar one night, she was being hassled by an old boyfriend. I stepped in and warned him off. It was handy being big and muscular at times. The irony of it wasn’t altogether lost on me. I spent a night of passion with her but that was all. I loved Kat and no matter how beautiful Gina was, there was no way I could get into anything with her. But she had been willing to help me out today, and she did do a magnificent job! I could tell by the hurt in Kat’s blue eyes that she had believed Embry really was caught in a passionate embrace with Gina. I didn’t like hurting her, but needs must.<br />
Embry had also fallen for my fake text from Kat. I had quickly erased it along with the missed call and voice mail which he left her. Everything was going well. I smiled to myself as I sang along to my favourite song, which I had on repeat in the van. “Come on baby don’t fear the reaper.”<br />
Embry was in the back all trussed up. I was taking him to my cabin in the woods, which I normally used for fishing trips. I always went on my trips alone so no one knew where it was located except me. I planned to keep Embry here until I decided on my next plan of action. All I really wanted was for Kat to hate him and never want to see him again. If I made out that he’d left her, then she might, in time, be ready to fall in love again. I wanted her to fall in love with me. My plan got a bit fuzzy at this point. Was I meant to keep Embry Call in the cabin forever? Summer would be fine, but in winter he would freeze. I would also find it difficult to come here in the snow and ice because the road was basically just a track for miles. He would starve and die. Another unclear point in my plan was Kat falling in love with me. She hadn’t the first time around so why would she now? I couldn’t make her, could I? Really I didn’t want anyone to have her if I couldn’t. I didn’t want to dwell on that though. Going down that route was dangerously forbidden and enticing. I dreamt of a Romeo and Juliet scenario happening between us.<br />
I quickly turned the music up to drown out my thoughts and the sound of Embry begging and pleading with me. I should have used the dirty rag on him. I would stop soon, I decided. I needed to eat and I needed to phone Kat. I wanted to act all sympathetic and as if I was her shoulder to cry on. I wondered what she was doing now. Embry’s phone had been ringing nonstop. I looked at it on the passenger seat and thought about pretending to be Embry too. That way I could buy some time, time to think and time to plan. All in all though today had been a good day! I whistled under my breath as I drove the van off the main road and onto the track which would shortly arrive at my cabin. As soon as the van was out of sight I stopped and dealt with Embry. Now all he could do was make muffled sounds. Good. That shut him up. I stepped out of the van and walked into the trees. I found Kat’s name on Embry’s phone so I punched out a short text to her.<br />
“Kat, I am sorry. I need to be on my own just now. Hope you can forgive me. E. “<br />
Then I added a kiss on the end, as I knew that’s what he would have done. I had read the texts he sent to Kat. They were all loving and soppy with lots of kisses. So I added another couple of x’s to the text and pressed send. She would notice that his words were short and to the point, that should make her even more upset. Maybe I should have erased the kisses though? Too late now. The text was winging its way through space and time to reach Kat’s phone. I wished I could see her face. I hated her crying. I loved her crying. She was all vulnerable and needy when she was upset. I wanted to be there but I couldn’t be in two places at once!<br />
After a quick snack of a cheese and ham sandwich I had packed especially for the trip, I started the van engine up and began to follow the track further into the dense woods. There were no stars out tonight; the twilight sky was a very deep blue. Soon the dark night would be here. There were no neighbours for miles. I really had this whole area to myself. That was the way I liked it. My fishing trips were always times I looked forward to. Just me and my thoughts. I could eat when I liked, I could sleep when I liked and I didn’t have to make small talk with anyone. I had wanted to bring Kat here once, but she fobbed me off with some excuse or other. She most probably hated the idea of being alone with me in the middle of nowhere for a whole weekend. I wished she were here now, in different circumstances of course. I wished we were going to the cabin for not just a weekend but forever. No one could interfere in our relationship, no one could tell us what to do and I could just be with her. No one else mattered.<br />
Rebecca had a hand in Kat’s dumping of me, of that I am sure. She always gave me disapproving looks whenever we met. I always thought there was something strange about Kat’s sister. If looks could kill, well let’s just say she always looked at me like she wanted to tear me apart with her bare hands! Strange girl. I think she is jealous of Kat. After all, Kat is the prettiest. She is the biological daughter. She is popular and outgoing. She is basically the opposite of Rebecca in my eyes. I was surprised Rebecca hadn’t come after me. She must have been so angry after I trashed the flat. She deserved it. Interfering, stuck up cow. Has Kat got my text? Why hasn’t she replied? Kat, Kat, Kat, Katherine…I’m here waiting for you. I kept pressing repeat on the CD player. “Don’t fear the reaper, la la la la la.”<br />
The cabin was just as I left it. I got my rifle out from under the small bed and made sure it was loaded. I went back to the van and untied Embry’s feet. I pointed the rifle at him. Why didn’t he look scared? He looked angry; in fact he looked very angry! “Call, quit looking at me like that! You will walk very slowly into that cabin and sit on the wooden chair. I will then tie your feet again. You won’t try to escape or attack me or trust me, I will shoot you. Understand?” I asked calmly. He nodded. He was a strange one too. Why wasn’t he all meek and scared? Once he was securely tied to the chair, I removed the rag and gave him a cold drink of water. He nodded gratefully as he drank it quickly.<br />
“So Quinn, what are we doing here?” he asked.<br />
I smiled slowly as he watched me, his eyes not leaving the rifle. “I need Katherine to believe you have screwed up Embry. The girl in the park wasn’t a coincidence. She was a set up. Kat now believes you have cheated on her. She wants nothing to do with you Embry and after my text from your phone she will be even more convinced!” I bragged. He nodded and smiled. Why was he smiling? Infuriating! “Don’t smile at me, Call!” I said through gritted teeth. “I am leaving you here for the night; let you come to terms with the situation. Meanwhile I will go find Kat and offer my shoulder to cry on!” I smirked. “Don’t worry I don’t think the mountain lions will pay you a visit tonight. It’s mating season,” I laughed.<br />
Embry still smiled at me. I wanted to wipe the smile off his face so badly, but for now I needed him. “I’ll be just fine Quinn. When morning comes I’ll be feeling much more like myself,” he grinned.<br />
Just what was his game? I walked through into my little kitchen, sat at my solid wood table and put my head in my hands. I needed space to think for a minute. Something was bugging me, tickling and nibbling away at my brain incessantly. I couldn’t place it. Rebecca’s hard features popped into my mind. That night in Port Angeles, her Mother had used a strange word when describing Embry. Imprinting. I had also seen that word on Embry’s phone. I took it out of my pocket to double check. He had text Kat saying “When I imprinted on you my life suddenly had a purpose and a meaning. You are mine now, always and forever xxxxxx” Jeez, the guy was a sap! He was also very wrong. Kat was mine. Just what did that word mean though?<br />
“Imprinting? What kind of weird word is that? “I asked him. He looked shocked, like I’d found out a secret I wasn’t supposed to know. “I will find out Call. I promise you that! I’ll make Kat tell me! No one keeps things from me!” I raged. Now he didn’t look so cool. In fact he looked positively frightening with his lip curled and a low snarl escaping his lips. “Just remember who has the gun here all right?” I growled back. He seemed to be having some sort of inner turmoil as his body shook and shivered. I unconsciously took a step backwards. I decided to use the chloroform again. Embry Call suddenly seemed to be an equal adversary. I couldn’t let that happen! I was in charge here! I clamped the chemical soaked pad to his mouth before he knew what was coming. I’d given him a much larger dose because to my surprise the first lot had only knocked him out for thirty minutes. There was something not normal about the guy. He succumbed easily and I reckoned I had a couple of hours or so to do what I needed to do. I left the cabin quickly, driving the van deftly and swiftly down the track back towards the main highway. My brain was buzzing with excitement and adrenalin overdose. I sang loudly all the way back to Vancouver.<br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Valentine is done</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">here but now they’re gone</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Romeo and Juliet</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Are together in eternity</em></div>
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<br />
<br />
<b>CHAPTER FIFTY FIVE</b><br />
<b>ACROSS THE SEA</b><br />
<b>LEAH LUCIER:</b><br />
At last we were in the air. I had nearly torn the check in attendant’s face off when she told Etienne and there was a delay on our flight to Vancouver. I had to get home. Embry was in danger according to my strange visions. If I hadn’t met Daniel I would have dismissed them maybe, but since he was seeing the same as me then I had to believe they were true. The long four hour wait at Heathrow airport was torturous. I kept having visions. I gripped Etienne’s hand so tightly each time they assaulted me. In my head a song kept playing over and over Come on baby (Don’t fear the Reaper) Baby take my hand (Don’t fear the Reaper) We’ll be able to fly (Don’t fear the Reaper) Baby I’m your man. A constant loop of noise over and over. I saw a dark haired man abduct Embry over and over. Even shape shifters were not immune to chloroform, although they could recover quicker than a human could. I saw a dark road and a small cabin nestled deep in the woods. Embry was there I could see him, he was unconscious again. The trouble was I had no idea who his abductor was nor where he was being held captive, or indeed why? Another vision washed over me, this time it was different than the rest. I cried out a little as I was bombarded with images of Katherine, Embry’s fiancée. Somehow she was at the centre of this. Etienne stroked my cheek and softly kissed my hair as I went rigid with the strength of the visions behind my topaz eyes. I don’t know what I would do without my husband, my rock, my everything.<br />
“Leah, my love, are you okay?” Etienne asked as he ran a finger down my pale cool marble cheek.<br />
“Oh Etienne! The visions are getting stronger and more vivid the closer we get to Vancouver! Why does there have to be all this sea between London and home? Why can’t vampires fly huh?” I smiled weakly trying to make a joke. The flight was taking far too long; I just wanted to be back on home soil.<br />
“I am sorry you are suffering with your special ability Leah. Maybe Alice can advise you? Her ability is similar to yours,” he smiled, his full lips curving upwards perfectly.<br />
I tried to share his optimism but found it hard to muster up any at all. “I wish I knew what is real and what isn’t! The visions are so jumbled and so repetitive I don’t know if I am seeing the past, the present or the future. Damn this stupid airplane! I can’t even get a signal on my phone! If only I could speak to someone, find out what is going on!” I exclaimed.<br />
I could feel panic rising in me again as an image of Kat crying came into my head. She was looking at a photograph of her and Embry taken on First beach. Then the vision would change again and I heard the music playing over and over as I saw the sky turn dark above me. How did Alice stand this all the time? How did Daniel, my new physic human friend take this mind assault each day?<br />
After Daniel and I had our strange meeting in the park, I had taken him to meet Etienne. At first my husband was suspicious of him especially when he confessed to following us. Daniel looked positively scared and awestruck at the same time. Etienne and I in the same room could do that to a mere human. Dazzling. That is what my dear friend Bella called it. I had explained to Etienne that Daniel was clairvoyant, that he had been guided by the spirits to find me and that he had similar visions to my own. I also told Etienne in private that Daniel had inadvertently discovered I seemed to be missing a pulse. I had shrugged nonchalantly at my husband as he looked at me with shock. I told him that Daniel confessed that he could guess what we truly were.<br />
Etienne was convinced we should not discuss our true nature with this human. Although Daniel was no ordinary human my husband still did not feel comfortable revealing all to him. I had to respect his decision, it wasn’t just up to me, and we were a team now and forever. Daniel had explained to Etienne about his visions. We compared notes and discovered even more so that the visions were very similar. There was no other action that we could have taken. We immediately made our way to the airport and booked flights to Vancouver. Daniel had driven us to the airport and as he dropped us off he gave me his number. He wanted to know how everything worked out, even though he would probably know before it happened!<br />
Now, here we were flying high above the Atlantic Ocean with still no clue as to what was really going on at home. We were flying first class of course and had private seats at the back. There were others on the plane but we paid no attention. Etienne put his arm around me and drew me towards him. He placed his cool lips on mine, his mouth moving slowly and sensuously against mine. I knew he was trying to distract me. He knew this would always work. His hands entwined in my hair and he pulled it roughly, moving me closer to him so our lips crushed against each other’s with bruising passion. How I loved Etienne kissing me. I could never tire of it. His hands now moved to my waist and snaked upwards under my soft cashmere jumper to teasingly stroke my smooth marble skin. His touch was like ice and fire to me. Electrifying. Magical. I sighed against his mouth as I entwined my hands in his thick dark curls. Never ever would I need anything more than this perfect amazing creature who had given me so much? His love. His devotion. This new strange life. I was lost in our passion once again. Then a vision struck and I pulled away from Etienne sharply. The last thing I saw was his face gazing down at me with worry etched all over its perfect structure. Then the world went dark and I blacked out again.<br />
I was floating. Floating in the night sky above the woods. I thought to myself this is nice. Then I was in a cabin which smelled faintly of rotting fish and pine trees. Then I smelled wolf. There was Embry, my dear friend, tied to a chair; his head slumped forward on his chest. I knew he was alive, but he wasn’t conscious. I shouted “Embry wake up! Please Embry! Wake up!” Then I was gone. Now I was in a cosy warm bedroom with the scent of roses all around me. Katherine lay on the bed hugging a teddy bear and sobbing her heart out. “Why Embry? Why did you do it? Why did you leave me Embry?” she cried to the empty room. My cold still heart broke for her. Obviously she didn’t know where Embry was or what had happened. I reached out to stroke her hair. Then I was gone again. Now I was in a vehicle sitting in the passenger seat. The lit up signs on the highway revealed that the next exit was for Vancouver city centre. I turned to see who my driver was. It was the dark haired guy. He was singing along to the music blaring out from the speakers. Come on baby (Don’t fear the Reaper) Baby take my hand (Don’t fear the Reaper) we’ll be able to fly (Don’t fear the Reaper) Baby I’m your man. I recoiled with shock, this was Embry’s kidnapper! Then I got angry so I launched myself at him. Then I was gone, once again.<br />
I came to on the plane high above the Atlantic, with my loving husband holding me and whispering over and over, “Come back to me Leah,” I smiled weakly at his concern.<br />
“I’m back darling,” I said quietly in his ear.<br />
Etienne stopped squeezing me so tightly and gazed into my eyes with worry clouding his. “Don’t do that again Leah!” he scolded.<br />
I smiled half-heartedly, “I’ll try not to my love!”<br />
He really did look worried. “That’s what happened when I met Daniel,” I told him.<br />
He frowned, “It was awful Leah! It was like you were here in body but your soul was very far away. I couldn’t reach you!” my husband exclaimed fearfully.<br />
I shushed him and kissed his cheek. “We have bigger things to worry about Etienne. We must find Katherine as soon as we reach Vancouver. We need to find out what’s going on and we need to do it quickly! I am so afraid for Embry, so very afraid.”<br />
Etienne hugged me close to him as I looked out into the dark sky. Soon it would be dawn and we would land in Vancouver. As close to home as I’d been in a while.<br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I prayed we weren’t too late to stop the terrible situation unfolding behind my troubled eyes.</em></div>
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<br />
<br />
<b>CHAPTER FIFTY SIX</b><br />
<b>CRY WOLF</b><br />
<b>EMBRY CALL:</b><br />
My eyes opened to reveal the grey light of dawn permeating the small dirty windows of this place I’d been taken to. I groaned as my head began to pound. Taylor had drugged me with some sort of sedative. I never even took an aspirin for a head ache before. I didn’t like medicines and drugs; they interfered with my shape shifting abilities. I had hoped I would have been able to phase last night and escape my confines. The chemical soaked pad had put that idea right out of the window. Mind you, I don’t think I was ready to phase in front of a human. A human who was clearly unstable and unhinged. Plus he had a rifle. I wanted to escape but I wasn’t desperate to get shot! Katherine had spoken about Quinn but I hadn’t realised just how crazy he really was. My heart ached to see my love. She must be worried. I was meant to pick her up for a late romantic dinner last night. I bet my phone had a dozen missed calls. I hoped she had told Rebecca, hopefully between them they would know something was up. I would never let Kat down. She knows that. Memories of her and me in my hotel bed yesterday filled my head. I smiled. I had to get out of here. Time to phase. As the grey wolf with black spots I easily broke out of the ropes binding my arms and feet. I growled as I shook my fur vigorously, it was good to be free; it was good to be a wolf.<br />
I needed my strength so first I needed to hunt. I broke down the door of this shack easily despite my weak limbs. After finding some small animals in the woods, I felt more like myself and I was able to think clearly. I phased back. I didn’t want some lone hunter thinking it was his lucky day. I went back into the wooden shack to retrieve my clothes. My jeans were now shorts and my shirt was now sleeveless. I could cope with that, at least my trainers were still intact. I quickly got dressed. I didn’t know how much time I had before crazy Quinn reappeared. He had indicated he was going to see Kat. I cringed inwardly at the thought. To be honest though I really didn’t think he would hurt her. Would he? He seemed besotted with her. I knew that feeling. I had to protect her, so was I best to wait here? Or should I try find my way back to Vancouver? I had no idea where he had taken me. It felt like over an hour had passed when I was in the back of the van, but I couldn’t be sure. My head had been fuzzy and my mind was racing with thoughts of escape. Should I risk trying to find a way out of these woods and back to my love? My head hurt again from my dilemma.<br />
After a bit of deliberation I decided to wait at this deserted place to see if Quinn brought Kat here. I found my mobile on the table in the kitchen. Of course there was no signal. I saw that there were a few missed calls from Kat. There were no voice mails but there was one text from her.<br />
“Embry you’ve broken my heart. I thought imprinting meant forever? Who is the other girl? Do you love her? I don’t understand. You could have spoken to me instead of leaving town with just a pathetic text to explain your absence! I am so hurt. K. “<br />
No kisses like usual. No I love you s. I had no idea what she was talking about! What other girl? As if! Kat was my world, my everything. How could she even get this silly idea in her head? I didn’t leave town either! Well literally I suppose I did but not through choice! This had something to do with Quinn Taylor. It had to. I racked my brains for five minutes. A light bulb went on suddenly in my mind. The GIRL! She kissed me! Somehow Kat knew about my random encounter in the park. She followed me? No! Not Kat. Her crazy ex-boyfriend was the stalker not her! I had another brain wave. I checked my phone for outgoing messages. There were the usual ones to Kat, telling her how much I missed her, how important she was to me and how much I loved her. The stuff I told her about ten times a day at least! Then there was one which had been sent last night when I reckoned I was trussed up in the back of that van listening to that damn song playing over and over Come on baby (Don’t fear the Reaper).<br />
This one said “Kat, I am sorry. I need to be on my own just now. Hope you can forgive me. E xxx”. The sneaky, crazy deranged fool had pretended to be me! So that explained Kat’s angry, hurt text to me last night. She wasn’t worried about me, she was annoyed and upset! Quinn must have either told her about the girl or ……he set it all up! My mind was clicking all the parts into place now. The final loud click rang out like a bell when I realised that Kat had never sent the text asking me to meet her in the bar either. Of course she hadn’t. Embry Call you fool! I chided myself. I knew there was something strange about that but I let my heart rule my head as I always did. If I had used my head we wouldn’t be in this mess. I was really scared now. Scared for Kat. Quinn was a lunatic. He had asked me what imprinting meant. Now I knew he’d read all of my texts to Kat. Damn! I was sure he wouldn’t find out what it meant. How could he? If he knew what I was he would hunt me down. Just what did Mr. Taylor have planned for Kat and me? What was the purpose of holding me captive up here in the middle of the woods? I wished I had my half-sisters here. Rebecca and Leah would know what to do. They would be able to help me. I walked around the perimeter of the cabin trying to find even a small weak signal on my phone. Nothing. I tried to quell my panic. I wished I had my wolf pack around me. I walked further out into the woods. There in a clearing dotted with beautiful wild flowers, I observed one bar appear on my phone.<br />
A signal! At last! My happiness was short lived though when I noticed that the power only had one measly bar too. It had to be enough! I didn’t want to risk using my last vestige of battery power on a phone call. Surely a text would use less juice? I typed out a quick message to Kat.<br />
“Not left. Taken by Quinn. All a set up. At a cabin in the woods. Not sure where. Don’t worry I’m safe and I’m ready for him. Get Rebecca! I love you xxx”.<br />
I pressed send and prayed Kat would get it. Now I had to formulate my next plan of action. I had definitely decided to wait here. That would be the best plan. It was coming up for midday. I found it hard to believe that twenty four hours ago I had been holding my beloved Kat in my arms on my hotel bed, kissing her, touching her, and becoming one with her at last. I must not let my mind wander! I didn’t want to spend a long lonely night up here in the woods. If Quinn did not come back in two hours then I was going to try my luck at finding my way back to Vancouver myself. He was going to get a big shock if he did turn up! I prayed Kat got the text. I prayed it wasn’t too late. What if he had her now? I didn’t want to think about that. I phased again to distract myself from the various horror scenarios in my head.<br />
Katherine Constantine I love you. Please get that text, <em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">please please please!</strong></em></div>
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<br />
<br />
<b>CHAPTER FIFTY SEVEN</b><br />
<b>TANGLED</b><br />
<b>REBECCA CALL:</b><br />
I scrubbed and scoured my flat clean again and again. It felt so soiled after Quinn Taylor had carried out his pathetic attack on my home. I had waited impatiently on Embry turning up last night. He was meant to meet me early evening. He was seriously late. It was now early morning, I expect my sister had something to do with it! I decided he probably wasn’t coming at all now, wait until I saw those two later today! Lovesick fools! I needed to pay a little visit to Quinn. He wasn’t going to get away with this. I planned to give him a few frights of the animal kind, and then I had a nice little set up plan in mind for him. He worked as a security guard at a pharmaceutical company. My plan involved him getting the sack as well as leaving him scarred for life mentally. Hopefully it would be enough to get him off our backs. I had taken an instant dislike to the guy the minute I’d met him. Why Kat had to get tangled up with him I don’t know! I was happy she was with Embry. He was good and kind and definitely husband material. He obviously wasn’t a good timekeeper though. I took off my rubber gloves and decided it was time for a cup of coffee. Everything was looking just so again.<br />
Just as I got the bottle of milk out of the fridge someone knocked loudly at the door. I sighed as I put the bottle back and made my way to the front door. My brother better have a good excuse for his lateness! I flung open the door ready to give Embry an earful. I was shocked to find Leah Clearwater and Etienne Lucier on my doorstep. Oh wait, Kat told me they were married now. Mr. and Mrs. Lucier, the vampires, here on my doorstep, their deep amber eyes glowing in their perfect pale faces. The dawn had barely broken, but they didn’t sleep, a lot like me lately.<br />
“Rebecca, listen carefully, Katherine and Embry are in trouble. We need your help. Can we come in?” Leah asked in her musical sing song voice.<br />
I nodded, dumbstruck at their very presence.<br />
KAT CONSTANTINE:<br />
My hair was disheveled and my eyes red from crying plus lack of sleep. My heartbreak had turned to worry. I was sure something wasn’t right. It was now early morning and the more I puzzled over the situation, the more I became convinced that there was no way Embry would cheat on me. He wouldn’t leave me, he loved me, there had to be another explanation. My phone suddenly beeped and I jumped up off the bed to retrieve it. It was a text. From Embry! “Not left. Taken by Quinn. All a set up. At a cabin in the woods. Not sure where. Don’t worry I’m safe and I’m ready for him. Get Rebecca! I love you. xxx” I clamped my hand over my mouth as I gave a strangled cry of shock and dismay. Quinn had taken Embry captive? All because he couldn’t have me? He was crazier than I thought! What did he plan to do? Hurt Embry? Keep him a prisoner indefinitely? I had to go to Rebecca’s right away!<br />
I quickly called her, “Rebecca, it’s me. Something has happened, something terrible!” Wait, wait, I’m all right, promise! It’s Embry! Quinn abducted him! He made me believe Embry had left me. He made me believe Embry had cheated on me! What? Leah and Etienne are with you? Right! Okay I’m coming over now! Yes, I’ll drive! Okay Rebecca, I’m hurrying. Yes! I’m leaving now!” I exclaimed as I pulled a brush quickly through my tangled mane and grabbed my denim jacket from the floor.<br />
I searched through my jeans pocket, then my room frantically looking for my car keys. Where did I leave them last? I ran out to the garage where my yellow mini cooper sat. I tried the door and lo and behold it was open with the keys jangling in the ignition. I was such a careless fool! Dad would kill me if my car got stolen seeing as it had been an eighteenth birthday gift from him and Mom. I smiled at the key ring as always. It was a picture of me and Embry taken the night he asked me to marry him. It was lopsided and a bit fuzzy seeing as he’d held the camera above our faces himself! But I loved it, just as I loved him. “Don’t turn around Kat; just drive your car to the end of the street. Then you and I will take a little trip in my van. Okay sweetheart?” he said his voice soft and loving as if he and I were lovers going on a romantic date.<br />
“<i>Quinn</i>,” I stated with a sigh.<br />
QUINN TAYLOR:<br />
As I drove back to Vancouver I tortured myself with images of Katherine and Embry together. I imagined their limbs tangled together in a passionate embrace. His lips on hers, whispering words of love and desire. I should be the one to hold her! I loved her beyond reason, not this Johnny come lately with his “imprinting”. I was going to find out what that was just as soon as I got home. I needed to pack any ways. A new plan was formulating in my head as I got closer to home. I had decided I couldn’t live without Kat. I would take her with me far away from Vancouver. Away from her family, away from her supposed fiancé, away from everything she had known to begin a new life with me. Just us. Before that could happen I had to go back to the cabin. Embry needed dealt with. I would give him some more chloroform before the second lot could wear off. Then I would put him in the cellar. Well it is actually more like a bomb shelter. The guy who had owned it before me was obsessed with a nuclear war. He thought if it was going to happen then he was going to be prepared by building this awesome shelter beneath the cabin. It had reinforced steel walls; no one would find Embry there. Not until I decided he could be found. I would leave him enough supplies of food, water and clothes. I would even throw in some books for entertainment. If he went crazy down there then that was up to him!<br />
I laughed out loud as my plan started to take shape. The city loomed in front of me in the grey morning light. New day, new start for me. “Yeah baby, come on, don’t fear the reaper!” I sang at the top of my voice. I would make the Embry problem disappear. I would have Kat. I would be happy. Now, there was just the small matter of persuading Katherine to come with me. I decided I would have to take the tough love approach with her. She wouldn’t expect anything less of me I’m sure. Soon she would be mine again and this time it was for keeps, no matter what.<br />
LEAH LUCIER:<br />
At last we were in Vancouver and on our way to Rebecca Call’s house. Etienne had called Bella who had asked Jacob to get Rebecca’s address. Jacob had been full of questions, as usual. Bella told him I needed to see her. That was enough for my old friend. He quickly got Rebecca’s address from Tiffany with no problem. Thank heavens most of the people I knew, whether supernatural or human, were either unable to sleep or simply did not sleep. Jake had told Bella to say hi to me and Etienne. Bella said Nessie and he were so very happy. That made me glad. I would hopefully get to see everyone soon, although I knew Etienne preferred me to stay away from home, from my human family, as he knew it would hurt me to see them. My Mom did not approve of my marriage or new life. I think she might have preferred me dead and gone forever after Sam’s attack. Anything rather than a vampire.<br />
Etienne hugged me close to him and kissed the top of my head as our taxi sped towards Rebecca’s flat by the riverside. He knew I was coiled as tightly as a spring since leaving London. All the time during our long flight I had visions. They kept changing. I called Alice when we finally landed and she explained that if one person changed the course of destiny then everything could change at once. I had to be patient and wait to see the clearer picture. Patience was not one of my strong points. I had a responsibility to Embry and Katherine. They featured heavily in these visions of mine so I had to help them. There was no question about it. I knew Etienne was worried about me. He wanted us to continue our new life together, not be back here, close to home where it all started. He wanted me to be happy, to be free and not be tangled up with the humans and their lives with their human problems. The visions put paid to my new contented life with Etienne though. How could I ignore them? There was no way I could. I knocked impatiently on Rebecca’s door, desperate to find out something, anything that could help. She looked surprised to see us standing there at this early human hour. Then she looked almost dazzled, but quickly recovered her composure. She was a shape shifter after all. The only female one now I had come to the other side. (A joke I shared with my darling Etienne!)<br />
“Rebecca, listen carefully, Katherine and Embry are in trouble. We need your help. Can we come in?” I asked politely. She ushered us in quickly.<br />
“What’s wrong?” she asked worriedly.<br />
“You better sit down Rebecca, this may take a while!” I stated with a wry smile.<br />
I began to tell her about the visions. Her face changed as she went through a variety of emotions. She looked like she was dying to say something but she waited until I had finished. “I know where the place is that you described Leah! Just before exit thirteen on the highway there is a track. I think it’s signposted “Private Road” It’s worth a try surely? “Rebecca gushed excitedly.<br />
The phone suddenly rang; it was Kat, who had received a text from Embry. He had confirmed my visions. Rebecca looked pleased with herself, “Kat is on her way! We’ll sort this out in no time Leah!” she exclaimed with a wide grin. “Quinn is really going to pay now,” she added with a low growl.<br />
I felt myself stiffen as another vision gripped me. Etienne held my hand as the mental pictures flew past my closed eyes. Rebecca was wrong, so wrong.<br />
This was about to get worse, <em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">much worse.</strong></em></div>
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<br />
<br />
<b>CHAPTER FIFTY EIGHT</b><br />
<b>ROAD TO NOWHERE</b><br />
<b>KATHERINE CONSTANTINE:</b><br />
So here I was sitting in the passenger seat of Quinn’s van, watching the traffic flow by as we made our way out of Vancouver. He actually had the nerve to look happy. I crossed my arms and glanced sideways at the rifle next to him. He kept it tucked down by the driver’s door but still within reach. Surely he wouldn’t shoot me? Or anyone else for that matter. He wasn’t that unhinged. Was he? Was there anything I could do to get out of this situation? I was racking my brains. I hated guns and I hated violence so I had to think of a solution which involved neither. I would keep my wits about me whilst I secretly planned.<br />
Quinn smiled over at me, “You really do look beautiful this morning Katherine. I am so happy we are here, right now, together.”<br />
I stared straight ahead and decided not to reply.<br />
“Since the first moment I set eyes on you I’ve been in love with you Katherine. You looked like an angel the day we met. Sure, we’ve had our problems, most couples do. But soon all that will be in the past and we can concentrate on us, my darling,” he gushed.<br />
He had never been this way with me before. Where did all these words come from? He was the strong silent type normally with a mean temper simmering just below the surface. I wasn’t used to this gushingly romantic Quinn. Did he really believe we had a future? Embry was my future! Unless Quinn had something really evil up his sleeve. I glanced at the rifle again and shivered.<br />
Now we were reaching the outskirts of the city I loved. I hoped Rebecca would be worried that I hadn’t turned up at hers. She might realise what had happened. I prayed she would. Leah and Etienne were with her. They were strong vampires. She had strength and speed on her side, coupled with her own abilities; she must be able to do something. Rebecca had always been there for me, there was no reason to believe she would let me down now. Poor Embry! He was all alone somewhere in that cabin in the woods. He had obviously decided to wait there in the vain hope that Quinn would bring me there. Looks like Embry was right. I didn’t know what Quinn had planned though. I started to concentrate really hard. I needed a plan and I needed it quick. Quinn didn’t know that Embry had sent me a text. So that meant that he didn’t know that Embry had managed to break free from his prison. So we had the element of surprise there. Was Quinn taking me to the cabin? I wished I could ask him outright, but I must be clever.<br />
I turned to him with a fake smile plastered on my face, “So Quinn, where are we going? Am I allowed to know?”<br />
He smiled back. His face was so handsome with his brown chocolate eyes and his dark long fringe falling into his eyes which framed his sharp cheekbones and strong jawline perfectly. Shame he was only beautiful on the outside.<br />
“Of course I will tell you Katherine. We are going far far away from here. We will be heading south down the west coast until we reach California. I’ve always wanted to live there. Laguna Beach, can you imagine it? You and I together in the sunshine, walking on the beach at sunset, listening to the Pacific Ocean waves. Bliss!” he smiled.<br />
I was surprised by his answer once again. Quinn didn’t sound like himself. Was it possible he really did love me? No! He’s a monster! He was an obsessive stalker despite his romantic words.<br />
“But first I need to stop at my fishing cabin in the woods, my sweet,” he continued. “I have some full petrol cans up there. It will save money and time on the way to Laguna Beach, “he added.<br />
So, we were going to the cabin after all. He must have something planned for Embry! Maybe I could persuade Quinn to just let Embry go and I would go with him. I would let Quinn take me if it meant Embry was safe from harm! Embry would never let that happen though. Imprinting meant that he would always protect me no matter what. That’s why I was worried. If Embry was lying in wait for Quinn at the cabin and he saw me turn up he could go crazy and attack Quinn! I was scared for him, even though he was a strong wolf when he phased. I had to think of some way out of this mess! Think Kat, think think think! Quinn took my hand and squeezed it gently. We came to an exit on the highway, Quinn indicated and off we drove up a small road which was more like a track. The cabin must be close now.<br />
My brain was whirling and swirling with random ideas and thoughts. None would stick though. Think Kat, think think, think!<br />
QUINN TAYLOR:<br />
Did I tell you that along with expert stalking I am also very adept at hacking? No? Well let me introduce myself. Master hacker most extraordinary Quinn Michael Taylor!<br />
I already had Rebecca’s email address courtesy of Kat. She had forwarded me a photograph which Rebecca had taken of her one Christmas. She was going to a festive ball and she looked gorgeous in a floor length scarlet backless dress. I had asked her to send me a photograph of her as I wanted one to keep. This was in the early days of our relationship when I believed there really could be something good and right between us. She hadn’t removed Rebecca’s address, so I inadvertently had it. Of course I kept it, you never know when you might need information do you? Tonight I needed to hack into Rebecca’s email account. It was easy if you knew how. It took me around half an hour, but soon I was in and I was scanning her emails eagerly, looking intently for some information I could use. I came across an email from Embry Call.<br />
He was talking to Rebecca about his feelings for Katherine. How deep his love and loyalty were since the first day he had set eyes on her and imprinted. There was that word again. He asked Rebecca for help. He wanted to explain to Katherine in the best way possible all about imprinting. I was impatient to find out what this strange new word meant. I scanned through Rebecca’s sent emails to find her reply. I gasped when I read it. I knew the world wasn’t always straight forward and uncomplicated. I knew strange occurrences and weird stuff went on. But I was shocked at Rebecca’s words to Embry.<br />
“When a shape-shifter imprints on a specific person, he becomes unconditionally bound to them for the rest of his life. When it happens, the experience is described as being pulled toward that person, while a glowing heat fills him; the connections of everything else become severed, or simply secondary, and only the imprintee is left to matter, leaving the shape-shifter with a deep need to do anything to please and protect the person.” (Copyright twilight wiki site)<br />
Rebecca told Embry that this explanation would really let Kat know how he felt about her. She added that she kind of wished females could imprint because she was scared of having a relationship being a shape shifter herself. WHAT? Just what the hell was going on? How could such creatures exist? What did they shift into? I quickly googled “shape shifter”. I sat in fascinated horror as I read that in legends some tribes of peoples could shape shift from human to wolf and back again in the blink of an eye. This was all made out to be hearsay and stories, not real. It looked like all those legends were very real, if Rebecca and Embry spoke the truth. Kat must know what Embry was but still she wanted to marry him! It was sick! Sick and twisted! The whole world had tilted and I wasn’t sure what was happening anymore. I clutched my temples, rubbing furiously to alleviate my sudden and violent headache. I didn’t have time to sit here and think about how weird the universe had suddenly become. I needed to grab Kat and put my plan into action. The further we got away from these creatures the better! Kat had obviously been brain washed by them. I would save her, I would protect her. Firstly I would need to dispose of the threat. Rebecca and Embry would have to die.<br />
I would be the hero to kill them.</div>
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<br />
<b>CHAPTER FIFTY NINE</b><br />
<b>VALENTINE IS DONE</b><br />
<b>LEAH LUCIER:</b><br />
We sped along the country road, Etienne’s skilful driving proving to be a must have advantage. I sat in the back of our rented Jeep with Rebecca, her face pale and worried. Luckily we had managed to hire a Jeep quickly. Money talked and we had plenty to say. I took Rebecca’s hand in my icy one and gave it a gentle reassuring squeeze. Kat hadn’t turned up at the riverside apartment. Rebecca tried to call her; the phone rang and rang with no reply. Then the vision hit me. Kat being abducted by Quinn, her fear, his madness, all off their emotions assaulted me at once. There was no need to confirm the accuracy of my visions. We immediately hired the Jeep, and following Rebecca’s directions we sped off into the misty morning on our rescue mission. I would tear Quinn Taylor limb from limb if he harmed Embry or Kat! The trees became more dense and darker as we came close to the cabin. I knew without a doubt we were not far away because my mind was swamped with mental pictures. They were becoming fast and blurry as they whirled behind my closed eyes. I gasped out loud as I became overwhelmed by the things I was seeing.<br />
“Leah! Are you all right my darling?” Etienne asked worriedly as he maneuvered the vehicle up the perilous track.<br />
I moaned softly as I shook my head in denial at this latest mind picture I was being shown. It was clear and imperative to me that Katherine Constantine must be saved.<br />
At any cost and above all others I must help her.<br />
EMBRY CALL:<br />
I thought maybe just maybe I was heading in the right direction. It was easier as a wolf to navigate this unknown territory, but it was also more risky. I didn’t want to be seen by anyone, not here, not now. I had to get back to Vancouver; I had to make sure Quinn didn’t have Kat. I couldn’t wait at the cabin any more, it was driving me crazy and I had promised myself to wait only a couple of hours. When Quinn didn’t return I decided to make a move. I made the journey away from the cabin in human form, but I often phased into my wolf state so I could move more quickly and freely. I thought about Kat a lot. I ached to see her. I hoped she’d got my text. I tried to concentrate, tried to get a sense of where I was but her sparkling blue eyes kept invading my thoughts. Kat. Kat. How I loved her. I sent out a silent prayer to whomever may be listening to bring her back to me safe and sound. A humming of an engine in the silence of the woods broke me from my reverie. I ran towards the sound keeping low and close to the ground. I was human again. I saw a white van making its way up the road towards me. I crouched in the bushes out of sight. It was Quinn! Kat was in the passenger side. She looked sad. Quinn looked happy. The evil bastard! I pulled at the tree roots violently with my hands in sheer frustration as I phased. I tracked the van all the way back to the cabin. I must rescue Kat from Quinn’s evil clutches. Why had he brought her here? I felt anger flood my body making my muscles tense and my fur stand on end. I growled low in my throat as I felt the strength of my bond with Katherine. I imprinted on her and that was the strongest connection anyone could have. No one was allowed to treat her badly or harm her. No one! I had promised her I would never let that happen, not as long as I had blood in my veins and air in my lungs.<br />
I would kill for her. I would die for her.<br />
KATHERINE CONSTANTINE:<br />
I shivered as we arrived at the lonely little cabin nestled in the woods. Quinn opened the van door and held out his hand for me. I took it graciously with a small smile. Please forgive me Embry I silently prayed. I had thought of a plan. It was distasteful, it was awful, but I could do it. I had to do something. I hoped Embry was watching. He would know it was a ruse. He had to. I didn’t let Quinn’s hand go; I gave him a gentle squeeze and smiled.<br />
“You are right Quinn. We belong together. I didn’t see it before. I was so blind! Embry means nothing to me, not now I know we can have such a lovely future together,” I gushed as I leaned up on tip toes to kiss him softly on the lips. His look of surprise and sheer joy let me know he believed me. How could he be so egotistical? I shuddered inwardly at his stupidity and naivety. Part of me wanted him to know I was lying. I wanted him to get mad and try to hurt me. If Embry was watching he would react badly. But I needed to distract Quinn. He had a gun. That wasn’t good.<br />
“I think we should maybe stop here for a while. I bet the cabin is nice and cosy,” I smiled up at Quinn.<br />
His eyes clouded over with lust at my words. I could practically see his mind racing with impure thoughts of he and I together just as he had always wanted. I had to make him believe it was all true. I led him by the hand towards the cabin, his mind now completely and wholly on me. The gun was in his other hand. I would soon make him forget that. I just had to think of Embry. That’s all. I had to.<br />
I would do anything for my beloved Embry, anything at all.<br />
REBECCA CALL:<br />
Quinn’s van was here. Were we too late? I shivered inwardly as I longed to phase. My brother was in trouble, how could I save him in this human form? Quinn Taylor must be stopped! If Quinn was here Katherine must be here. My sister had to be saved too. I loved her with every fibre of my being. Blood didn’t matter. Genes didn’t matter. Love was all that mattered. Etienne parked the Jeep a little way behind the van. We quickly got out of the vehicle and I instantly caught Embry’s animal scent. I shuddered and phased in the blink of an eye as Embry appeared out of the trees. We both gave a howl as we bounded off towards the cabin. We must kill Quinn. Save Kat. This was our universal thought as we surrounded the wooden house pacing and growling. Quinn appeared at the door with Kat. He looked scared but also elated. He knew!<br />
“So it’s true! You are freaks of nature! I must protect Kat from you! She is mine and always has been!” he shrieked in fury and hatred.<br />
Kat looked like she had been crying. I had seen pictures from Embry’s mind. Kat had planned to seduce Quinn, make him weak and vulnerable. Make him give up his weapon. Oh no! He had a gun!<br />
Now it was pointing straight at us.<br />
ETIENNE LUCIER:<br />
My beloved and I ran swiftly after the wolves. Leah was frantic because the visions were assaulting her every single second now and they slowed her down. We saw the wolves circling the cabin. We saw Quinn and Kat appear at the door. Leah was doubled over as the visions kept their hold on her. It took all her strength to stay with me. I picked her up and flew like the wind to the wolves’ side, just as Quinn pointed a gun at Rebecca and Embry.<br />
“Katherine tried to fool me! She pretended she wanted me to save you both! But I read all about this imprinting, I knew she wouldn’t be unfaithful to him, not ever! Die freaks!” he screamed.<br />
Time seemed to stand still as Katherine jumped out into the path of the bullet which was surely heading for Embry. I placed Leah down as gently as I could and dived into Kat’s path. Everything was happening so fast but so slowly if that makes sense. I heard Leah scream. I felt a short sharp pain. I saw Katherine fall. The wolves jumped and I heard human skin tear and rip. Blood was everywhere. Kat lay on the ground. The bullet had hit me, but shattered on my cold hard marble skin. The splinters had flown around me. Unfortunately one had hit Kat; it was lodged in her head, right on her temporal lobe. All I could hear was Leah screaming and screaming.</div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“Save her!</strong> Save Kat! She’s <em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">pregnant</em>! Save her and save the<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> baby</em>!”</div>
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<br />
<br />
<b>CHAPTER SIXTY</b><br />
<b>AFTERMATH</b><br />
<b>LEAH LUCIER:</b><br />
My visions had shown me a small spark of life beginning inside Kat the day the wolves killed Quinn Taylor. It was barely there, not even a proper embryo yet, but most definitely going to become one. Kat had seen her crazy ex-boyfriend raise his gun and point it at her beloved Embry. She tried to put herself in harm’s way instead of him. What a brave human she was! Luckily Etienne had stepped in but a deadly shard had pierced Kat’s temple. The metal had lodged into her head. She was limp and unresponsive but had a weak pulse. Embry was holding her close to him as he sobbed. Rebecca was stroking her sister’s hair as she cried. Etienne stood gazing around him in disbelief. Everything had happened so quickly. I felt useless because I hadn’t done more. The visions had led us here but they had rendered me incapable of any real action. What use was that to a powerful vampire? I felt so sad and low. Etienne dragged Quinn’s mangled body away to hide it in the woods. When he was found his death would assumed to be from an animal attack;which really was the truth!<br />
“Tell my husband I’ll be back, please Embry. I am going to run like the wind to Carlisle and bring him back here as quickly as I can! I need to do something useful!” I cried out my voice full of self-loathing.<br />
Modern technology appeared to fail in this area; I had to do something right away! Before Embry or Rebecca could turn around I was gone. Now I had been here once I knew the road back home quite easily. I flew in a blur back to Forks and straight to the Cullen’s house. Carlisle was a brilliant doctor but luckily he was also a qualified and accomplished pilot and he had a helicopter waiting to be used right here in the grounds. Bella and Edward were home when I flew into their house at high speed. Bella was shocked when I told her what had happened. She hugged me close to her.<br />
“We need to ask Alice to speak to you Leah. These visions are taking their toll on you!” she said sympathetically.<br />
Edward ran to get Carlisle who was upstairs in his study. After saying goodbye to Mr. and Mrs. Cullen I was soon in the air with Carlisle. We arrived at the cabin in no time. Embry and Rebecca were where I had left them. Etienne was standing beside them as they cradled Kat. Carlisle examined Kat quickly.<br />
“I need to get her back to Forks. I have equipment at my house which will help sustain her life. She is very weak but there is no blood loss which is good. She appears to be in a coma though. I will know more when I get her to my home,” the doctor said somberly.<br />
Embry looked up at Carlisle with tears in his dark eyes, “Please Carlisle, save her!” he cried.<br />
Rebecca held her head in her hands and sobbed her heart out. Carlisle looked down kindly upon the brother and sister in their united grief as my strong, handsome husband swiftly swept Kat up into his arms and made his way into the helicopter.<br />
“I will do everything I possibly can,” Carlisle stated with a reassuring smile.<br />
“She is pregnant,” I blurted out.<br />
“It’s simply impossible for you to know that!” Embry snorted.<br />
“She is. My visions have never been wrong yet, Embry,” I smiled weakly. Embry began to cry again. I put my cool hand on his head. “Don’t worry, go with Kat now. We will all follow on in the Jeep. If I see anything else I promise to tell you,” I reassured him.<br />
The helicopter left and we assumed our previous positions in the rental Jeep. Rebecca had stopped crying. Her face was sad and desolate as we approached Vancouver. Twilight was approaching fast and the city lay in front of us, her lights twinkling like stars. We would be bypassing the city tonight though. I had just come out of a vision. I had pretended to close my eyes and drift. As a vampire I couldn’t sleep but we could sit in an unmoving state as if we were.<br />
“Don’t be sad Rebecca. I see a dark haired boy. He is Katherine and Embry’s son. It must all turn out okay if he is in my thoughts,” I smiled softly as I gently squeezed her hand.<br />
She smiled weakly at me, “I’m not sure I believe in your predictions of the future Leah but thank you for trying to cheer me up,” she said in a monotone voice.<br />
I frowned. How could she doubt the visions? She noticed my quizzical expression.<br />
“You didn’t tell me about the gun!” she hissed.<br />
I sighed. “I only found out through Embry that Quinn even possessed one!” she added.<br />
“I didn’t know about the gun until the last few minutes Rebecca!” I said. Oh this was all I needed! An angry wolf girl on my case.<br />
“Events got beyond our control, that’s all,” Etienne spoke sagely from the driver’s seat.<br />
Rebecca sighed but turned to me and squeezed my arm, “Sorry Leah. I’m just upset about Kat. I know you did all you could! Things could have been much worse without your visions,” she said quietly with a small shudder.<br />
Etienne smiled at me in the rear view mirror. It was times like this I needed to be alone with him. Only he could make me feel better. I needed his arms around me, his lips on mine, our cool skin touching seductively. I wanted him right now but we had to wait until we got home. I guessed that wouldn’t be for a while. We had to get to the Cullen’s house right now.<br />
Rebecca and I were deciding what to tell her parents. We decided that we would tell them that Embry and Kat had been out for the night when Kat had suddenly suffered a fit. Embry had taken her to his own private doctor rather than the hospital because he believed she would have better care. Unfortunately Kat had slipped into unconsciousness on arrival at Doctor Carlisle Cullen’s private surgery. Rebecca reminded me that Embry was meant to be visiting Vancouver so why would he not phone Mike and Angie Constantine right away? Trust my devious husband to come up with the perfect explanation. He raised a perfect eyebrow at me in the mirror, “Of course Embry wouldn’t want his fiancée going to the regular hospital here in Vancouver would he? She is pregnant and they are not married yet. Her parents might flip out and Embry hasn’t even met them yet! The dates of her pregnancy can easily be made up,” Etienne smiled slyly.<br />
Perfect!<br />
Rebecca nodded and smiled. “That sounds plausible actually. My parents would not be happy about their youngest daughter being pregnant out of wedlock. They are cool in most ways but old fashioned in other ways,” she said.<br />
So our story was decided on. Rebecca phoned Embry to see how Kat was and to tell him the ruse we had set up. There was no change with Kat, which Rebecca was sad about but also happy because at least she was still alive. She decided she would tell her parents face to face. She would tell them she had only found out about Kat, so they could all drive to Forks together as a family. I told her we would pay for the Jeep for as long as they needed it. She squeezed my hand gratefully. It looked like we were now going into Vancouver so Etienne indicated right and moved over to the lane which would take us back into the city. My husband and I would run like gazelles to Forks to see Kat and Embry before the Constantine’s descended with Rebecca. We had to get everyone’s story straight at the Cullen’s end. I felt so sad for Kat’s parents. They were about to receive devastating news.<br />
At least for now Kat was fine. There had been no more visions since the last one featuring the dark haired boy. Although Rebecca was skeptical I could tell my description of the child pleased her no end. I didn’t want to tell her the boy was with his Father in my vision but Kat was nowhere to be seen. That didn’t mean anything though did it? I hoped not. For now we would pray Kat would survive this. She was in the best place, of that I knew for sure. We were almost at Rebecca’s family home. All I could think about was being alone with Etienne. I needed him. We dropped Rebecca off and made our way fleet footed out of the city and into the forest. We both stopped running at the same time as we fell into each other’s arms with the divine intent of devouring and possessing the other. Etienne was as essential to me as the blood we needed to survive. He made the visions in my head recede for now. He made me forget everything else.<br />
All I could see, taste and feel were him and <em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">him alone.</strong></em></div>
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<br />
<br />
<b>CHAPTER SIXTY ONE</b><br />
<b>TWO MONTHS LATER</b><br />
<b>A CHANGE IS GONNA COME</b><br />
<b>ETIENNE LUCIER:</b><br />
I sat on the porch at the Cullen’s watching the orange and red glow of the sunrise. The sky was beautiful. It was the beginning of summer now. I wondered if the sunrise had been as pretty in London this morning. Time ran eight hours ahead over there. Leah was there, in England’s capital. She was with Daniel, the Irish clairvoyant. I missed her so much I felt my insides ache with it. Alice had tried to help, but Alice’s visions were not as strong as Leah’s. It must be due to Leah not being completely and fully human before I changed her. My beautiful wife could no longer stand the visions which assaulted her daily. At least ten times a day they plagued her. They changed all the time too so it was hard to know what the real future was and what wasn’t. Daniel had given Leah his number when we’d left London. She had told him what had occurred when we’d arrived back. Guess what? Yes, he already knew! He didn’t even wait for Leah to ask if she could fly over to see him. He told her to come right away he would be happy to help her. Leah asked me to stay with Embry. She wanted me to give him support in her absence. I hated to let her go without me, but I must respect her wishes. I think she is worried by how these visions of hers will affect me. The truth is I just wanted her to be happy and I did indeed feel somewhat responsible for her condition since I brought her to this life. I sighed as I watched the sun come up. I felt a presence behind me. I smelled Bella’s unique scent before she spoke. “Hey friend. What’s up?” I turned around to give her a wan smile. She sat down next to me loosely draping an arm around my shoulder. “She’ll be back soon,” she said sympathetically.<br />
“What’s happening in the house?” I asked Bella, neatly changing the subject.<br />
“Embry is reading Alice in Wonderland to Kat. He started last night and is about half way through. Carlisle said she may be able to hear voices despite being catatonic,” she informed me.<br />
I sighed deeply. I couldn’t go through what poor Embry was going through just now. Katherine had never recovered from the bullet shard entering her skull. Yes she was alive but machines and drips were keeping her so. Every day Embry sat by her bedside. He talked to her, he read to her, he sang to her whilst he stroked and brushed her long blonde hair. He rubbed her belly where new life was still miraculously growing. His son was still thriving. According to Leah he was going to be a handsome strong boy. She was still seeing him a lot in her visions. I felt partly responsible for Kat too. I had stepped into the bullet path causing it to shred into little pieces which flew into the air. Unluckily one made its way to Kat. Both Embry and Leah had chided me for my thoughts. They said without me she and the baby would be dead. This way there was still a slight glimmer of hope. Rebecca was also devastated as was Mike and Angie Constantine. Kat and Rebecca’s parents were a lovely couple. They had rented a house in Forks so they could be near their injured daughter. They had accepted the story we conjured up readily. They really did think that the Cullen’s house was a small and very secluded private hospital. As well as Kat’s room Carlisle had set up a couple of others to look like hospital rooms. Alice, bless her, was posing as a rehabilitating mental patient. Jasper joked that it was an easy role for her to assume!<br />
I reckoned that Katherine would be overjoyed to know she was pregnant. I hoped she pulled through this. Embry and she would make great parents. Another shape shifting male for the Pack. Talking of shape shifter’s, Rebecca’s life had taken a surprising turn. Whilst in the midst of all this grief and devastation over Kat she had fallen in love. It had happened with a shape shifter from the small Amazonian tribe. They had made their way back to the La Push Quileute tribe when their survival became an issue. I had visited with them last year in my quest to find another female so my Leah would not be forced to marry Embry, who of course later turned out to be her half-brother. A tall bronzed muscular member of the lost tribe called Caleb had set eyes on Rebecca and instantly imprinted on her. Luckily she was also completely smitten with him, as seemed the way when males imprinted on females. Rebecca and Caleb made a very striking couple. To say the Elders were overjoyed was a bit of an understatement. Now they had the chance to procure the pure bred shape shifter female babies they craved so much. I hoped Rebecca wasn’t going to be put under pressure by the Pack. She was glowing from the inside despite her sadness over her little sister’s condition. She had finally found someone she could love and who could love her back with no fear or recriminations. Bella was staring at me and I realised I had been quiet for ages.<br />
“Sorry Bella, I’m not very good company today,” I said sadly with a weak smile.<br />
“It’s okay Etienne. I understand. You miss Leah terribly. I would be the same if Edward were in a different country. I hope she gets the help she needs in London,” Bella replied as she squeezed my arm kindly.<br />
“I miss her Bella; I miss her so incredibly much. I feel like a part of me is missing. I never thought I would love someone like this! Especially after the change so very very very long ago. I thought I was doomed to wander an immortal eternity alone,” I exclaimed, becoming very emotional all of a sudden.<br />
Bella gave me a hug. She was such a lovely friend to me. She stood up to leave with a loving and playful ruffle of my locks as she left me sitting on the porch. The sun was climbing up into the blue sky now. My hands sparkled with rainbow colours as I held them out in front of me. My wedding ring shone in the morning sunshine. My wife was so very far away. Should I go to her? I wanted to. She had asked me not to come. I think she imagined that I was getting sick of her problems and all the trouble she was encountering with the visions of the future. I couldn’t ever think that. Leah was stubborn, if she wanted to do something then she set her mind to it and that was that. I would just have to be patient and hope that she returned with less anguish than she left with.<br />
I decided I would go make Embry take a break from his fiancée’s bedside vigil. I loved books too. I would like to read to Kat myself. I had been inconspicuously trying to use my mind control on her whilst she slept her unnatural sleep. Maybe if I could get closer I could do some good. That’s if I could persuade Embry to leave her side at all. Before I went to Kat’s bedside I needed to talk to Leah. I had to hear her voice. I needed to tell her how much I loved her. I direct dialed her hotel room. A male voice answered. Daniel’s Irish accent invaded my ears. I demanded to speak to my wife!<br />
Hearing her voice made me long for her more. I didn’t want to come over like a jealous idiot so I pretended I was fine with Daniel being in her room. I told her I loved her and I missed her so much. She seemed distracted and busy. I felt like I was interrupting something so I said my goodbyes and came off the phone feeling worse than before if that was possible. Something wasn’t right.<br />
I could feel it in my <em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">old old bones.</em></div>
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<br />
<br />
<b>CHAPTER SIXTY TWO</b><br />
<b>HEARTLINES</b><br />
<b>EMBRY CALL:</b><br />
Quinn Taylor may no longer walk this Earth but he still managed to inadvertently take Kat away from me. She was here in body but I wasn’t sure where her soul was. Her mind seemed to be closed off to me too but as Carlisle kept telling me there was no reason to believe she couldn’t or wouldn’t hear me. So I kept talking to her, singing to her and reading to her. What else could I do? She was my girl. She was the mother of my unborn child miraculously conceived from our first and only time. She had been this way since the bullet meant for me had shattered off Etienne’s hard marble skin causing a shard to enter her temple. Her heart still beat, she still breathed but she was on a drip to feed her and the baby. The baby was strong and healthy. He appeared to be growing normally. Leah said I was definitely having a son, which made me smile in these difficult times. I hoped she was right when she told me about her visions of him. What would happen if the baby was ready to be born and Kat was still sleeping? I didn’t want to think that far ahead. If Kat would only wake up life would be perfect. I would marry her and we would be the best parents ever.<br />
Kat’s parents were devastated. Both to find out she was in a coma and that she was pregnant. They soon got over the latter and just wanted what we all wanted; for Kat to open her eyes and speak to us, to know she was all right and not be stuck in this awful limbo. Mike and Angie had been nothing but friendly to me despite what they believed to have happened. I had told them I planned to marry their youngest daughter as soon as possible. Mike had shook my hand and Angie had hugged me. They were lovely people. They had to go back to Vancouver for a few days every week basically to keep earning money and make sure everything was okay back home. This morning they had said their goodbyes to Kat and I had promised to call right away with any news on her condition. They couldn’t believe it when Carlisle had told them they didn’t need to pay anything towards their daughter’s care. The doctor had conjured up some story about doing a study on coma patients which would turn into a book eventually. I hated seeing the pain in Kat’s parent’s sad eyes when it was time to leave her for a few days.<br />
I prayed every day that she would wake up. I cursed myself for letting Quinn fool me that day. I wished I had kept my beautiful Katherine in my arms and in my bed that afternoon. Maybe none of this would have happened. I knew my thoughts were useless though. It had happened and we had to deal with it. At least Quinn couldn’t hurt us anymore. Rebecca and I had seen to that. Permanently. It had felt good to tear his flesh apart. Rebecca was inconsolable about Kat too. Luckily she had someone to kiss away the pain now. Caleb, a new pack member had imprinted on her to her utmost delight. My sister deserved to be lucky in love for once in her life. I hoped the happy beautiful couple would marry soon and make gorgeous babies. The Elders did too but for their own selfish reasons!<br />
I held Katherine’s small pale hand as I told her about the dream I’d had last night. Every night was the same, when I dreamed I dreamt of her. I only slept a few hours a night as I couldn’t bear to be away from her bedside. I told her how we had been lying together in our cave on First beach. It was a warm balmy summer’s night and we had been swimming half naked in the sea. Now I was holding her close in our candle lit cave, using my special wolf heat to warm her soft smooth body against mine. In my dream we now wore no clothes, only a fleecy blanket wrapped around us. Her skin against mine was causing me to tingle all over and in my dream it felt so real as I gently brought my eager hungry mouth to hers in a much longed for amazingly beautiful kiss. We whispered I love you as we kissed perfectly, our passion rising quickly as our bodies melded together as one.<br />
I hoped Kat could hear me as I told her about my perfect dream of us together. Sometimes my dreams were very passionate. Sometimes I dreamed of us as a little family and other times I dreamed we were walking along the beach hand in hand just talking. The worst ones were my nightmares in which Kat was lost to me and I couldn’t find her. I either ran through long complex mazes with tall dark trees lining the pathways, forever calling her name, or I dreamed of rows and rows of doors all with nothing behind them but brick walls. I hated those dreams. Thankfully they didn’t occur very often. Mostly I missed her smile, her laugh and the mischievous twinkle in her sapphire blue eyes. I gazed at the vision of perfection which was her face and it seemed like she was just sleeping. I whispered to her as I laid my head next to hers, “Katherine Constantine, I love you so much, please come back to me.”<br />
There was no response though. I stroked her small hand as I turned her palm upwards to face me. I traced the lines there, especially her heart line which was long. No indication of a short tragic life. Maybe she would come back to me after all. I kissed the smooth skin of her palm as I began to softly sing one of our favourite songs.<br />
<i>“Goodbye to the sky,</i><br />
<i>I know I can’t fly, but I feel love</i><br />
<i>do you know how I feel?</i><br />
<i>You are my Achilles heel.</i><br />
<i>Hello to below, I feel love flow</i><br />
<i>like a river flow</i><br />
<i>you and I standing still</i><br />
<i>you are my Achilles heel.</i><br />
<i>With my mouth against the pulse of her soft wrist I continued to sing to her.</i><br />
<i>For there’s a child in your eyes</i><br />
<i>and the child never dies</i><br />
<i>so keep the dream alive</i><br />
<i>with the aid of second sight</i><br />
<i>I can push with all my might</i><br />
<i>to make a statue in the sky</i><br />
<i>of my Achilles heel”</i><br />
<i>(Copyright Top loader Achilles heel)</i><br />
Etienne quietly entered the room to enquire if I wanted a human moment. I did desperately need a shower and a small bite to eat. I’d been here since waking at three a.m. this morning. I thanked him kindly for his offer. He replaced me next to Kat. I hated to leave her side. Etienne’s pale features looked sad and lonesome. “Missing Leah?” I asked.<br />
He nodded with a wry smile. “Every single second,” he exclaimed softly.<br />
I nodded back, understanding his words so well. I leaned over to kiss my love, planting my lips on her cool forehead. “I won’t be long sweetheart,” I whispered against her skin. Etienne smiled at me sadly. I had wanted to ask something for a while but didn’t know how to. Now I chose my moment to do it. I don’t know why I picked Etienne to confide in. “What would happen if you changed her Etienne?” I asked quietly with my head lowered.<br />
Etienne shook his head. “I believe she would change and be healed Embry, but your son would not survive. How could he? Impossible for a baby to be changed before it is born to this world. I am sorry friend. I have considered that option myself,” he replied.<br />
He didn’t seemed shocked at all by what I was asking. I supposed with him being so old it was hard to shock him.<br />
I smiled weakly, “I hope it doesn’t come down to a choice Etienne.”<br />
The vampire raised his perfectly shaped eyebrows at me “A choice?” he enquired.<br />
“Between the baby and Kat!” I said with a strangled cry. I was scared something would happen and I would be forced to choose life. Would it be my choice? I shuddered.<br />
Etienne shook his head. “Please Embry; do not think thoughts like that. Go eat, shower and nap. I will talk to Katherine, “he smiled.<br />
I left the room with my head hurting from thinking too much and lack of sleep. I would never ever regret meeting my Kat but I wouldn’t wish this situation on anyone! I took a quick shower and grabbed a sandwich. The Cullen’s kept a fridge stocked with human food for all of us visitors. I laid down on the large double bed in the room Bella had kindly given me, my eyes closing as soon as my head hit the pillow.<br />
I fell into a dream of soft kisses and delicate sighs as my heart and soul dreamed of her <em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">once more.</strong></em></div>
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<br />
<br />
<b>CHAPTER SIXTY THREE</b><br />
<b>LONDON CALLING</b><br />
<b>LEAH LUCIER:</b><br />
Daniel Merryweather sat opposite me in the Soho café, drinking his small cup of strong black coffee. It was evening and the streets thronged with people. It didn’t bother me. I could smell all of their human scents intermingling and entwining together but I felt no thirst nor urge to kill. I loved how I was such a cool newborn. I hated how my new life had introduced me to the visions. I guess there had to be a price to pay. This was mine. Daniel spoke in his deep soothing voice. He was trying to convince me that I could control the visions. He found it hard to believe that I did not trust in the inner power of my own mind. Especially as I was a vampire. Yes, he knows my secret. Hardly surprising really, how could I live with no pulse? He knew of the supernatural and was extremely excited to discover me on the park bench that day.<br />
I drifted back to our conversation as he was explaining how easy it was to shut out the visions. According to Daniel it was simple to filter out all the noise and concentrate on the meaningful stuff. He had been showing me various techniques he used himself since I had arrived in London. Of course I missed Etienne like crazy but this was something I needed to do for us both to lead a happy existence. I couldn’t go on the way I was. My marriage would begin to feel the strain and I wasn’t prepared to let that happen. I couldn’t expect Daniel to fly out to me so here I was in London again. Daniels voice soothed me. His Irish undertones were gentle yet commanding. His brown chocolate eyes became liquid pools when he was animated about something or other. He certainly was handsome and a very good second best chaperone around the city.<br />
I gazed at him as he talked, pausing briefly to take sips from his coffee. We had abandoned my hotel room for this busy West end street because Daniel wanted to show me something. He was gesticulating at all the people passing by the window as we sat there. Him with his coffee, me with a napkin I was shredding to pieces bit by bit.<br />
“Look Leah, look at all these humans scurrying past here like ants. Blood pumping through their veins, their fragile hearts beating, and life all around us everywhere you look,” he smiled.<br />
I nodded and smiled back. I could tell he was dazzled as always but he was very adept at hiding it.<br />
“Leah, you sit here a magnificent beautiful creature who could cut through these humans like the grim reaper wielding his scythe! Yet you don’t! You have no desire to kill them. You have suppressed your true vampiric nature,” he smiled again.<br />
I nodded, “Yes Daniel. I didn’t do it consciously though. It happened naturally, “I smiled back.<br />
He raised his eyebrows at me and his dark eyes were mischievous. “That’s where you are wrong Leah!” he winked.<br />
Gosh, he was cute at times. I tapped my long red fingernails on the table top impatiently.<br />
“You have the power in your mind already Leah. You’ve proved it! Now you just need to apply it to this little problem. You must listen to your inner voice more,” he chided gently.<br />
I sighed. “But how?” I asked him in frustration.<br />
He leant forward so his brown eyes were gazing directly into mine. “When a vision comes you ask it to move into a special room in your mind. This room is the processing plant for all of your visions. Once in this room the vision is captured and can be controlled by you. It can be broken down into little pieces so you can see the bigger picture. I am sure I am not making much sense to you Leah, but all will become clear. You have this ability already. You are in control not the vision,” he spoke softly and calmly to me.<br />
I smiled, unable to resist his Irish charm. We walked arm in arm into the bright lights and humming noise of the city at night together. I always felt surprisingly calm with Daniel. It was exciting to have a new human friend. I treasured his guidance and calming influence on me. With Etienne I was never calm. He had excited me from the moment I set eyes on him. Electricity flowed through my veins when he was near. I loved him right up to the moon and back. Daniel was the polar opposite of my husband, but nevertheless just as fascinating to me. As I was undoubtedly to him. I saw him stare at my perfection with awe when he thought I hadn’t noticed. His eyes skimmed my being with admiration and something else. Lust? Love? I didn’t know for sure and I didn’t question. I was a happily married vampire, so completely in love with my beautiful husband that no other man nor supernatural being could compete. So why did I care what he thought? I put it down to a vampiric need to be accepted and wanted. I let those thoughts fleet from my mind.<br />
Daniel was pointing out old buildings to me as we walked by the river. London really was an interesting place, Maybe Etienne and I could spend more time here soon. Things had to be sorted back home first. I hadn’t forgotten about poor Kat. I couldn’t do anything about that situation so had decided to sort out my own problems first so I could be there to support Embry. All my visions showed my friend with his son. Kat did not feature in my visions so far. I didn’t want to think about that too deeply. We arrived back at my hotel just in time. A vision struck me hard as we entered my plush hotel room. Embry was crying by a graveside, his tears striking the damp soil below. There was no child with him this time. I gasped as I fell onto the bed. The vision kept shifting to a picture of Katherine and Embry’s wedding day. The images began to blur and whirl behind my eyes and I could feel the darkness edging closer.<br />
Daniel was holding my hand and talking steadily to me, “Stay with me Leah. Control the visions. Remember the room, your special room deep in your mind. Open the door and let the visions flood into that room. Now close the door and let everything just settle. Calm your mind. Now you can go back into the room whenever you choose. At your own pace. In your own time, “he spoke softly and gently to me.<br />
It worked. I was calm once again. I opened my eyes and smiled. “I did it Daniel!” I cried excitedly, hugging his warm body to my cold one. I felt him shudder and I quickly let go. “Sorry,” I said quietly.<br />
He shook his head, then smiled and took my cold hand, “I knew you could do it Leah. You have the strength! Plus it helps that I am a master hypnotist! I didn’t know if it would work on you but I think something got through!” he crowed, looking very pleased with himself.<br />
I didn’t mind how he’d got me here, I was just glad I had managed some degree of control. I was confused about the visions though. I told Daniel about them and explained that they had been such extreme outcomes of the current Kat situation. One meant her death, one meant she lived. Daniel didn’t know. He didn’t share my visions this time. What circumstances made the vision change from a funeral to a marriage? I didn’t know, not yet. Daniel was gazing at me very intently. The ringing of the phone broke his stare. It was Etienne. Oh how good it was to hear his voice but also he couldn’t have phoned at a worse time! I was close to having a revelation, I could sense it acutely. I think Daniel could too. Etienne told me there was no change in Kat’s condition. He told me he loved me and he missed me so much. I felt sad when I put the phone down. He was so far away, so very far away. Soon I would be with him though and we did have all of eternity so this time apart was just a drop in the ocean really.<br />
Daniel was staring at me again, “Leah I can help your friend Kat. I can try to reach her. People in a coma are sometimes not as far away as you think. I could try if you’d like me to?” he asked with a soft smile. I hugged him again. “Ow,” he uttered.<br />
I must remember not to squeeze so hard! This was it, the action that could change the course Kat was on at this present time. It had to work. It just had to.<br />
We immediately booked flights to Vancouver on Daniel’s lap top. Now we were in mid-air and the stars twinkled in the night sky through the little airplane window as I pressed my forehead against the glass. This had been easier than I thought. I was now on my way to controlling the visions and my new friend was going to help Kat too. I would soon be back in Etienne’s strong arms. I shuddered with desire at the thought of him. It had been too long since I had felt his lips on mine and his pale body against me. Daniel was staring at me again. Did he know what I was thinking? I realised that he most probably had talents I knew nothing about. It was so lovely of him to help me. Even I wasn’t that naïve to think he was completely unselfish in his kindness towards me. I had been through quite a lot in my life, especially since I had come through the changes but even I was shocked at the words which now came out of his full pouting mouth. His smile was so devilishly wicked too as he uttered his request to me.<br />
“If I manage to awake Katherine, will you make me like <strong style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">you</strong> please Leah?” he asked in that soft charming voice of his.</div>
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<b>CHAPTER SIXTY FOUR</b><br />
<b>INTO THE LIGHT</b><br />
<b>KATHERINE CONSTANTINE:</b><br />
I inhabited a strange shadowy world now. I heard muffled voices. I saw shapes which were fuzzy. Everything seemed out of reach in this new place I dwelled in. It was like existing in a hazy bubble of air, there was no exit, no substance and no sunlight. It was twilight all the time here. I felt as if I wasn’t alone in my new world though. I felt a presence. I didn’t know how long I had been here or how long I was going to stay. Something was niggling away at my brain, something very important. Embry. That word swirled around my brain constantly when I was conscious. I sometimes slept here in this strange universe. That’s when I dreamed of a different place and a different time. Images that were fleeting and insubstantial. I knew I didn’t belong here, I knew I was meant to get back somewhere away from here. I felt like I had no body. How do I get home, wherever that might be, without a body? Frustration poured through me as well as sorrow. I had no body, so no eyes to shed tears when I was sad. It was all very confusing and strange. Embry, Embry, Embry. The word teased me and drove me insane. I had to get out of here somehow. It was of paramount importance that I did. Although I wasn’t sure how I knew this. I couldn’t fathom how things worked here, but I knew without a doubt that I had to go back to my old life very soon indeed.<br />
Suddenly a door appeared before me and I was bathed in a pure brilliant white light as an angel greeted me warmly with an outstretched hand.<br />
ETIENNE LUCIER:<br />
A vampire as old as I should not be able to use the word heaven in any sort of context. When I was a human I had firmly believed I had a soul which left our mortal bodies for somewhere infinitely better when we died. But I had been living as an immortal being for so long I reckoned I had no right to believe in my old human ideas anymore. When I was hunting in the dense woods near the Cullen’s house tonight I found my piece of heaven. Leah’s arms had encircled me as I fed on a deer. I had gasped with pleasure as I felt her cool lips on my neck, her sharp teeth lightly grazing me. I loved her to bite my skin, it caused electric shocks to run up and down my spine and I had surrendered to her passionate embrace willingly as I always did. Tonight had been even sweeter as I had been apart from her for what seemed like an eternity. To us vampires a day was like a second, so you understand how much I had missed my dearest wife! Her wild cold fire kisses penetrated my being with their longing desire. Her marble white arms pinned me to her with passionate strength which would take my breath away if I still had oxygen to steal. As we sunk to the forest floor clinging together desperately I was happy to the very depths of my cold still heart that she had clearly and undoubtedly missed me as much as I had missed her.<br />
Much later as we lay under the stars she whispered words of love and adoration to me. She spoke of her time in London with Daniel and why he was now in Forks awaiting on a meeting with us both. I didn’t want to leave our makeshift bed in the leaves but Katherine needed our help once again. So we made our way to the Pacific Inn Motel to pick up Leah’s new friend. We sped off into the night in Edward’s borrowed silver Volvo, Daniel looking somber and pensive in the back seat. He was staring at Leah intently as she obviously ignored him. What was going on between them? Leah had failed to mention any thing to me. I was old and wise enough to know that Daniel Merryweather had an insanely huge crush on my beautiful wife. I didn’t blame him nor did I feel the need to warn him off. Leah loved me without question and besides we were used to dazzling humans, it happened all the time. I wondered why there was an uneasiness between them though.<br />
I concentrated on the road ahead as we approached the Cullen’s home. Once inside, we led Daniel to Katherine’s bedside. Embry was keeping vigil of course. Only brief introductions were required as Leah had already explained things in length to Embry on the phone. Daniel would enter the spirit realm to bring Katherine out of the limbo land which she was currently living in. She was precariously balanced between life and death at the moment but Daniel could go into a spiritual trance and talk with his angel guide who would hopefully help him bring the love of Embry’s life back to him. Carlisle had worked his miracles to keep all of Katherine’s vital signs functioning. Her baby grew healthily inside her despite the coma. You could see the slight swelling of her stomach which gave her pregnancy away. Carlisle had scanned her, revealing a healthy fetus with a strong heartbeat. In only a few weeks he would be able to tell us if Leah’s prediction of a boy was correct.<br />
Once everything was in place Daniel began his preparations whilst Leah, Embry, Carlisle, Rebecca and I looked on. Luckily Mike and Angie Constantine were at home in Vancouver just now and weren’t due back until tomorrow. We had managed to keep the supernatural hidden from them so far. Leah gripped my hand in a tight squeeze. “Are you having a vision?” I whispered. She nodded, but I noticed instead of her usual panic she was calm and serene. Daniel had really done a good job with her. I needed to thank him personally for that when all this was over. We all stood around Kat’s bedside praying that Daniel’s plan would work. It had to. Embry was very nearly destroyed by this. Carlisle had researched the subject of coma patients who were pregnant and found some information which was useful to know when and if the time came. Actually, although it seems counter intuitive, women in comas are capable of birthing vaginally. In fact, it is often considered safer for these women than a C-section because of the risks of anesthesia. The body does not need the conscious mind to be on board whilst the body labors. There does often need to be some interventions during the final delivery, however, because the woman cannot participate in the actual birthing. I hoped tonight would work so that situation would never arise.<br />
Daniel’s eyes were tightly closed and he muttered incantations under his breath. The lights were all dimmed and the room had a surreal atmosphere. Daniel’s hands were lightly resting on Kat’s small pale ones. Embry was sitting close by watching the goings on with tired dark shadowed eyes. I reckoned he was in two minds about all this but was willing to try anything. Kat’s eyelids began to flicker as Daniel’s lips silently moved faster and faster. Leah squeezed my hand again with a small half smile on her face. I turned quickly back to the scene unfolding before my topaz eyes. Kat’s eyes began to slowly open. Rebecca and Embry both gasped with surprise as she smiled beatifically at Daniel’s shocked gaze. Maybe he hadn’t truly believed in his own powers of the mind? My mind control was good, but even his feat had amazed and astounded me beyond my wildest dreams. Kat was awake! She truly was awake! Embry was crying happy tears which fell onto Kat’s hand as he brought it to his lips. “Oh Kat!” he exclaimed. Rebecca began to cry too. I gazed at Leah with a happy smile. She was smiling back too so I guessed her visions had been good. Kat turned to look into her beloveds dark eyes which brimmed with tears of joy. “<strong style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">You came back</strong>!” Embry whispered as he kissed the smooth pale skin of her delicate wrist.<br />
Kat’s voice was hoarse and raspy when she spoke. “I had to. For you. For us. <em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">For him,</em>” she whispered as she gently rubbed her swollen belly.<br />
Embry’s eyes widened with joy and surprise. “You know?” he whispered back.<br />
Kat’s big sapphire blue eyes gazed up into the depths of his dark ones serenely, as she smiled beautifully and knowingly.<br />
“Of course, my love. The angel told me all about him. Our precious son. <em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Our precious Nathaniel.”</strong></em></div>
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<br />
<b>CHAPTER SIXTY FIVE</b><br />
<b>PROMISE</b><br />
<b>LEAH LUCIER:</b><br />
How delightful it was to be back in Etienne’s strong arms. How I had missed him. I decided I would never be parted from him ever again! Equally delightful was the joy seeing Embry and Kat reunited. Embry was filled with an inner glow which lit up intensely whenever he gazed as his pregnant fiancée. His hand never left hers, not for a moment. Even when Carlisle was performing blood tests and other medical stuff, his large hand held her small one. I was eternally grateful to see Katherine Constantine alive, happy and well. She seemed otherworldly now. Meeting an angel had given her a new meaning and purpose to life. She was calm and serene with the knowledge that angels existed and miracles happened. She was blooming. My prediction was right. They will be blessed with a son in approximately six months’ time. Initially I had felt a small pang of jealousy as I dreamed of Etienne and I having a family. If only things had been different and we had been a normal boy and girl meeting and falling in love. But that wasn’t how it was and I still wouldn’t trade this new life with my beloved for anything in the world. Embry and Kat would be parted by Death someday (not now thankfully!) whilst Etienne and I would be together for all eternity.<br />
I always knew deep down that I wasn’t meant to have an ordinary life. Etienne was all I needed and more. Currently, at this moment in time, my dearest husband was not speaking to me. He had flown off at high speed out of our window in an almighty sulk. The reason? Daniel wanted me to make good on my promise to him. He had awakened Kat that meant I had to change him. Etienne was not happy about this and only found out after Daniel performed his miracle on our sleeping beauty. Hence the sulk. Daniel wanted to be like us. He wanted me to change him. Etienne reckoned I shouldn’t do it, not under any circumstances. He said Daniel would make a powerful and possibly ruthless new born. I argued that it was his choice and I had promised. Etienne questioned the authenticity of my promise which he believes was made under duress. I guess he is right because I was so desperate to bring Kat back to Embry that I would have promised Daniel the moon and stars.<br />
I was a strong powerful vampire with an equally if not stronger powerful vampire for a husband. We did not have to do anything we didn’t want to do. Daniel certainly couldn’t force us. But although I liked and respected him, there was part of me that didn’t trust him either. His clairvoyant abilities were frighteningly accurate and real. He tracked me down in London to warn me about the whole Quinn situation. It was spooky how he’d found me, how he’d known a lot of things about me, especially about vampires. Most humans dismissed vampires as folklore and fairy tales. The stuff of books and the silver screen. Not Daniel. My new friend had his own view on the matter of my promise. He was 99.9% certain that he was alerted to my presence in London that first time because he was meant to become one of us. I really couldn’t find an argument with his logic. So I was in a bit of a quandary.<br />
Etienne was back. I felt his presence and smelled his unique scent before I felt his arms envelop me. “Sorry,” he whispered against my hair. I could never stay angry with my beloved for long. I turned to kiss him, our cool lips easily sensing and connecting in the darkness of our room. It was lovely to feel the familiarity of my surroundings again. We had returned home for some well-deserved alone time. “Am I forgiven then?” he asked as his fingers trailed through my long hair.<br />
I nodded with a smile, “Yes my love, I <strong style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">forgive</strong> you.”<br />
His hungry passionate mouth found mine again in a thrilling long kiss. Arguments between us forgotten now. Etienne could always distract me this way. How I loved the feel of his lips, the scent and taste of his skin and my hands plunging deep into his unruly dark curls with passionate abandonment. Nothing compared to our times alone together. Even if we were just talking he mesmerised me. Even in silent contemplation he never failed to excite me. Just gazing at him made me happy. He was simple perfection. Soon we would need to leave here and make our way to Daniel’s hotel. I didn’t want to make a final decision yet so I pulled Etienne closer to me, running my hands down his bare back and letting my teeth graze his smooth neck. I knew this was guaranteed to keep his interest and avoid him asking me questions about my promise. I didn’t want to talk about it anymore; I just needed to be close to him again. He moaned seductively as my mouth moved over his neck and down his hard marble chest. Everything else was forgotten for now as we possessed each other over and over again.<br />
The orange light of the early morning sun was shining in our window bathing our pale bodies in its happy glow. I sighed as I prised myself from my lover’s arms. I pulled back the curtains and the light hit my body causing cascades of rainbows to dance on my skin. Etienne lay on the bed, his chest bare, leaning on one hand as he gazed at me in total admiration. “Come away from the window my love. Your magnificent body is for my eyes only!” he smirked with a cheeky wink. I smiled wryly as I closed the light out with the heavy velvet curtains. I grabbed my discarded clothes from the various pieces of furniture they had landed on last night. Etienne frowned as he watched me dress.<br />
“We need to get to Forks and see Daniel,” I announced.<br />
Etienne sighed and rolled his eyes. “Not this again Leah!” he growled.<br />
He looked so delicious with his tousled hair and full pouting red lips. I could easily discard my clothing again and lustfully leap on him. I shook those wicked thoughts from my head as I brushed my long dark hair roughly. “I have made a decision Etienne. Now listen to me before you make any judgments!” I commanded. He nodded and grinned sexily. He loved it when I was dominant. I tried not to be distracted by his naked perfect marble white body just out of sight under the silk sheet. “I am going to change Daniel. You don’t have to help me. I wouldn’t want you to be part of anything you aren’t happy with. I truly believe he was meant to be something more than a mere human. If I can give him that gift then I am happy to. He knows too much about us and our friends Etienne. I must admit I don’t fully trust him so the best thing to do is give him what he wants. Keep up my end of the bargain so to speak.”<br />
I sat down on the bed, feeling emotionally drained after my speech. Etienne took my hand and kissed it gently.<br />
“I respect your wishes, Leah. I also owe Daniel. He helped you make the visions bearable. For that I can’t thank him enough. Do it, my love. Change him. Let him have the gift of immortality,” my husband said softly as his lips rose to meet mine in a gentle sweet kiss. My hands wound into his hair, roving through the wild curls, excitement building again as his tongue flicked sensuously against mine insistently. Would we ever get out of this room today?<br />
Midday sun now shone through the small crack in the heavy luxurious velvet curtains at our bedroom window. I needed to achieve willpower when it came to Etienne and our glorious love making! We had spent too long apart in the last few weeks. We were certainly making up for it now. Etienne said he would only let me disentangle myself from him if I promised that we would go on a very long vacation soon. More promises! He wanted me all to himself somewhere secluded and beautiful. Maybe Isle Esme if Carlisle permitted it. I sighed and agreed that yes we needed time for us, with no problems or people; whether super-naturals or humans in the way. It would be bliss.<br />
Whilst we had been in Forks for a while I had been meeting up with Seth. He hadn’t changed his opinion of me at all. I might be a vampire now but I was still his sister. He was still my baby brother and I loved him. I spied on my Mom from afar. Sometimes I think she saw me but refused to acknowledge me. It was sad. It was my new reality. It seemed I couldn’t have everything. Etienne always warned me to keep my distance from humans after the change but it was hard. Especially when they needed saving like Kat and Embry. We dressed quickly and left the sanctity of our old Vancouver house to make our way to the Pacific Inn Motel in Forks. Luckily the day had turned cloudy so we could go out amongst the mortals without fear of dazzling them and drawing unwanted attention to ourselves. I always wondered what would happen if we were ever discovered by a mere ordinary human. Of course Etienne would be able to control their poor weak mind should that situation arise so I didn’t really worry too much. We were travelling conventionally today in a hired Jaguar. Etienne never purchased vehicles, he preferred to swap and change as his mood saw fit. We sped past the Forks sign; soon we would arrive at our destination. Tonight Daniel would leave his human life behind. He would become one of us.<br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I crossed my fingers as I prayed fervently and silently that I was doing the right thing in keeping my deadly promise.</em></div>
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<b>CHAPTER SIXTY SIX</b><br />
<b>ELEVATION</b><br />
<b>DANIEL MERRYWEATHER:</b><br />
My blood burned fiercely through my veins and a white hot fire raged within me. I did not think I could take the heat of the changes wreaking havoc on my body. After what seemed like an eternity the heat subsided and I felt cool, calm and collected. The whole time the fire raged I had listened to Etienne’s husky voice telling me to be still, silent and stress free. It was hard to keep a coherent train of thought when your blood was being quickly eradicated by a raging forest fire of venom. I felt my beating human heart cease and I did not mourn. I felt the venom fill up my body, rendering me strong and powerful. It was like a switch being flicked and I had made the transition from ordinary to extraordinary. I was elevated up and beyond my usual self. Although Leah assured me that I had never been a normal human just before she bit me and let her life changing venom enter my bloodstream.<br />
I had wished to become something elevated from human as far back as I can remember. I was overjoyed to find out I had clairvoyant powers when I was only seven years old. My talents grew and by the time I had reached fifteen I was already captivating audiences with my psychic abilities. I could hear the spirits of the dead, I could walk amongst them, and I could easily communicate with souls on the astral plane. I found out about astral travelling completely by accident one night a few years ago. I thought I was dreaming when I flew through the starry night sky and found myself in a dark alleyway in Dublin. I watched a tramp being stalked by a creature that appeared to be more than human. This woman was beautiful and magnificent with flame red hair and scarlet eyes to match. I stood open mouthed as I watched her pounce on the man and bite into his neck ferociously. Bright red blood oozed in a trickle from the side of her mouth as she appeared to drink the poor victim’s blood. He slumped to the floor in a discarded sorry heap when she had sated herself. He was quite obviously dead. I saw his spirit leave his body and float up into the night sky like a balloon whose string had been cut. The creature narrowed her blood red eyes at me with curiosity. “Who are you?” she spoke in a sweet musical voice. I stuttered out my name in fear. I had seen many things in my life but this vision of beauty and terror frightened me beyond belief. “Pleased to meet you Daniel<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">, I’m Victoria,</em>” she smirked.<br />
She came up close to me and I swear my astral body shivered with shock and fear. “What are you?” she asked as she passed a pale white hand through my shimmering barely there astral body. I explained to her that I had been sleeping in my bed and presumed this was all a dream. She assured me that she was not a dream but most possibly my worst nightmare. She was so beautiful and powerful I was completely blown away with fear and also desire for this strange creature. “Lucky for you I have slaked my thirst, Daniel,” she purred. I nodded and tried to plaster a smile on my ghostly face. I hoped she would leave soon. I wished she would stay and take me in her deadly embrace. I couldn’t take my eyes off her. Then she was gone. Just like that. I fervently wished I was back in my warm safe bed. Then I was. How strange.<br />
So that was my first experience at astral travelling. I knew it was real because the newspapers were full of the story of the tramps murder the next day. I recognised him, the alleyway – everything. It had all been real which made me surmise that my red haired and red eyed demon was also very real. I shivered with desire and fear once again. Another year passed and my family moved to London when I was nineteen. I loved the vibrant city with its old history and ancient spirits. I set up my own business doing one on one clairvoyant readings with the public. My best friend Lukas had died in a car accident when we were only sixteen. He was my angel guide. He had brought Katherine Constantine back from the brink of death. He had shown her marvelous sights which had changed her outlook forever. We were still best friends despite him now existing beyond the veil. I was a night owl and very often couldn’t sleep. I still astral travelled when I had mind to but other times I liked to walk the city and see what the night would bring.<br />
This night a couple of months ago I had passed a most striking and beautiful young couple by the river bank. They were engrossed in each other and did not notice me. I knew what they were though. They were just like Victoria! At last I had finally come across not one, but two of her kind once again! She had plagued my waking and dreaming moments since that night in the dark, damp alleyway. She had fascinated me, thrilled me and sent chills of fear through me every time I recalled her perfect face. I read up every little morsel I could find on vampires since that night. Until I saw Leah and Etienne taking their midnight river stroll I honestly believed I would never ever encounter the creature or her like again. Here were two perfect specimens’ inches from me! I shivered with excitement and fear. These two did not have red eyes like Victoria. They seemed very much in love and at peace. How fascinating. You know the rest. I started having visions featuring the female vampire. I had to find her and tell her. I knew right there and then, when I spoke to Leah for the first time, that I wanted to become like them more than anything else in the world. I just had to find a way. Luckily my powers gave me an edge over other humans. Leah and I became friends. I helped her out twice. She promised to make me like her so here I was about to open my eyes to this new world. Etienne was softly calling my name. I felt power hum through my venom filled body like electricity. I opened my now red eyes. Leah was the first thing I gazed upon as a newborn vampire.<br />
I instantly fell in love with her all over again, <em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">deeper and deeper</em> until I knew I had to have her no matter what the consequences might be.</div>
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<br />
<b>CHAPTER SIXTY SEVEN</b><br />
<b>SIX MONTHS LATER:</b><br />
<b>LIFE CHANGING</b><br />
<b>EMBRY CALL:</b><br />
Kat gave one last almighty push and our son was delivered into this world. After a quick clean he was handed to Kat. He lay gazing up at his Mother with adoring blue eyes, so similar to hers. I kissed his precious soft cheek and marveled at the perfection of him. “Hello Nathaniel,” cooed Kat. I had never loved her more. She became my wife three months ago. We had a quiet low key wedding in La Push doubling up with Rebecca and Caleb. Kat’s sister had just announced her pregnancy two days ago. Everyone was delighted for her, especially Mike and Angie. Kat looked tired but oh so proud. Her labour had been long and hard but all that was forgotten now as we gazed upon this little miracle we had created. I knew everyone else was going to be in awe of our son too. Rebecca and her beloved were waiting outside to meet their nephew. Kat’s parents were here too. Jake and Nessie had also turned up with big bunches of flowers, baby clothes and other gifts. Unfortunately they could not have children due to Renesmee being a hybrid. I had a feeling they would spoil Nathaniel though! Rebecca now lived right next door to us. She had given up life in the city to marry Caleb and settle down. I couldn’t wait for Nathaniel to have a play mate in a few months. My Mom, Tiffany was overjoyed with her new gift of an extended family. She was much better now. She had my wonderful Kat as a daughter in law and now Rebecca had given her so much joy too.<br />
Life was good. To think I almost lost my Katherine, my reason for breathing, my everything. Thankfully Daniel had helped bring her back to me. Kat told me all about the angel Lukas who had saved her. She wished I could meet him, and then she would laugh and say I would find out one day too. I wished my other sister was here to see our beautiful boy. Leah had not been back to La Push for months. Etienne and she left just after Kat’s miraculous recovery. She has text me and phoned but she wouldn’t explain why they couldn’t return. I took a photograph on my phone of Kat and Nathaniel. I punched in Leah’s name then pressed send. At least she would get to see our son on his first day of life even if it wasn’t in the flesh. I couldn’t wait to get my wife and baby home. It was a new start, a new life and I couldn’t wait for it all to begin.<br />
We had been given a second chance and I wasn’t going to waste a <strong style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">precious </strong>second of it.<br />
ETIENNE LUCIER:<br />
Why did my darling Leah have to be so stubborn and wilful? She won’t give up once she starts something. Daniel was now a vampire, he was articulate and handsome. He was strong and dazzling. A fine example of a new born. Until the thirst overcame him. Then he was a raging, terrifying and powerful fledgling. Leah had to physically restrain him from going out and killing some innocent human. His desire for their blood was so strong. In truth I was exasperated with the whole situation; we had been holed up in our Vancouver home for six months now. I had a cellar you see and it was easily adaptable into a prison for Daniel when Leah thought he had become uncontrollable. I didn’t realise changing Daniel into one of us meant we had to babysit him too, but my darling wife said she had a responsibility to her fledgling because she changed him into this monster. I had tried mind control on Daniel and it seemed to work for a while and he would consume animal blood with us, but then the thirst would take over again. To be honest I just wanted him out of our house. I wanted my wife back; I wanted our life together back. Daniel was besotted with Leah and whilst I knew this could happen between a new born and their maker, I wasn’t impressed because I was almost certain that he was already in love with her before. Leah swears she wasn’t aware of it. I have my doubts.<br />
So all in all the past six months have been torturous for me. I didn’t like sharing my beloved with anyone. Daniel’s hungry red eyes watched her every move with lustful desire shining in them so plain and evident, I was scared. What if he managed to persuade Leah to leave me? Then I chided myself, I was Leah’s maker, her husband, her lover, so she wouldn’t leave me surely? My head actually hurt from over thinking the situation. Leah spent all her time trying to make Daniel into a refined and restrained vampire. Secretly I think she loved modelling him into something she wanted him to be. Me? I wish we’d never laid eyes on him. I had a bad feeling right from the beginning which had just grew and grew.<br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Something had to change, and it had to happen soon.</em><br />
LEAH LUCIER:<br />
I was so tired of leading a double life. I was Etienne’s wife. I was Daniel’s maker. I shouldn’t have changed him. My husband was right. I was a one off. I should not have been so caught up in keeping my promise to Daniel. He didn’t turn out like I did. I had hoped and prayed deep down that he would be fine because he was no ordinary human. I was wrong. It didn’t work like that. Now I had this fiendishly evil and devastatingly handsome fledgling on my hands. My marriage was suffering. My heart ached for poor Etienne; he wanted me all to himself, quite rightly so. My body betrayed me whenever Daniel was close to me; I wanted to make him mine in all ways possible. Why did there have to be this attraction between us? I didn’t want it. I hated it. I was stuck between the devil and the deep blue sea, as they say.<br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Something had to change, and it had to happen soon.</em></div>
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<br />
<br />
<b>CHAPTER SIXTY EIGHT</b><br />
<b>ANGEL WHISPERS</b><br />
<b>DANIEL MERRYWEATHER:</b><br />
I watched the curve of her hips in the impossibly tight black jeans as she walked purposefully towards me in the half light. I studied the shapely form of her leather encased calves in those sexy knee length boots. I let my gaze travel upwards to the swell of her pale breasts and shoulders exposed by the pretty low cut black lace top she wore. Her long dark shining hair was loose and flowing down to her waist. Her touch was gentle as she chained me to the wall. Her closeness made me shiver with forbidden desire. I gazed into her face with awe. Her full pouting lips were ever so close to mine as she wrestled with a particularly strong lock. I growled deep in my throat as I stared mesmerized at the smooth marble skin of her swan like neck. I wanted to bite her and kiss her so badly I ached. But, the object of my desire was taken. She wasn’t mine. Unfortunately. She was Etienne’s. Maybe I could persuade her to be mine. I had been trying since I first opened my eyes to this new world.<br />
I loved being a vampire. It was amazing beyond words. Leah didn’t like me to drink human blood, although I craved it like a drug addict craved heroin. On the occasions I’d escaped my beautiful maker I had gorged myself on it, not caring whose life I had to end to get to the satisfying thick red blood. Leah and Etienne survived on animal blood. I couldn’t understand why they would want to betray their true nature. They said that being a vampire didn’t mean you had to kill humans. I disagreed! Surely humans were put on this Earth for us. They were merely prey for us to hunt and feed on. Why would I want to suppress my true nature? Well there was one reason. Leah. I would do anything for her. If she wanted and needed to make me an ideal vampire in her eyes then I must try to please her. If I did maybe she would fall in love with me too. My desire for her was as strong as human blood. I wanted to possess her mind, body and soul so badly. Since the moment I had first saw her I had been captivated.<br />
She tightened my chains and locks as strongly as she could. We both knew if I really wanted to escape my bonds I could. Simple. I was a new born and I was very strong. Leah seemed to know the signs that indicated I was becoming restless. She knew what to look for now. As soon as she thought I was becoming predatory she would lock me down here. Sometimes she stayed. Sometimes I was alone. She always looked sad when she set me free again, like she was disappointed in her naughty child. The doors to the cellar were reinforced steel. Etienne believed I couldn’t escape through layers and layers of hard metal. I didn’t need to. I played a game with Leah. I used my strength to rip apart the chains and locks so I was free. She panicked when I escaped because she knew as well as I did that there was a secret passageway leading out of this cellar that even Etienne didn’t know about. The spirits had shown me it. I had shown Leah. She rarely left me now when I was in the cellar. When I escaped she brought me blood bags. She pleaded and begged me not to leave the cellar. I drank the blood from the bags gratefully; it wasn’t the same as clasping a warm human to you and draining their life blood. That was entirely delicious and addictive. Much like my beautiful captor.<br />
“Please don’t escape Daniel. I am trusting you. I want you to try to become like me. It’s been six months now. Etienne is losing patience! He is not stupid. He notices your eyes are still red. They should be topaz by now! “She sighed shaking her pretty head. One day, maybe I would listen but not today. Not when I knew what would happen. It was too easy. I broke my chains and bonds in one swift movement with a happy grin on my face. “No Daniel!” she cried out.<br />
I swiftly wrapped my arms around her, letting my hands rest on her tiny waist. I pulled her roughly to me with a snarl. My lips found hers easily and we gave into our hunger and desire for a few minutes of unbridled passion. As usual after a short while Leah pushed me away forcefully.<br />
“Daniel please stop!” she cried angrily.<br />
But her eyes betrayed her. She wanted me to kiss her again. I was on her in a flash my hands roaming over her beautiful figure as our lips crashed together with passionate abandonment. I could never get enough of her. She was pushing at my chest with all her might. Her resistance just made me want her more. Our encounters were so exciting. Leah finally pushed me away and threw me a couple of blood bags. I greedily tore them open letting the liquid flow down my throat. Ah she had warmed them up for me, how thoughtful. Leah knew this was only a temporary satisfaction for me. I would need to feed soon. There was only one way to stop me. I looked at her hungrily. She sighed and let her head fall to one side exposing her dangerously gorgeous neck.<br />
There was a little resistance at first because her marble skin was harder to penetrate than soft human necks. Soon I was in and drinking her glorious venom blood. I took small slow sips as I held her to me, my hands running through her hair seductively and sensuously. At these times there was no roughness. I was gentle as I could be as I drank in her essence. I heard my friend Lukas in my mind whispering to me to please stop. Since the change I could block out spirits easily. So I told him to go. I concentrated on her scent and taste which seemed to penetrate my very soul if I indeed still possessed one. Even Etienne did not share these times with her. Maybe he didn’t know? He was very very old though surely he must know if you drink another vampire’s blood you become even stronger and your bond with each other becomes virtually unbreakable? More fool him for not taking the time to find out this hidden gem of information. Leah sighed as my mouth moved away from her neck. The wound I had made was already healing. Oh my she was even more beautiful and perfect in this moment than ever before. I loved her beyond distraction. I wanted her and I needed her. I don’t think I could stand another minute of her being his and not mine.<br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Something had to change, and it had to happen soon.</em></div>
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<br />
<br />
<b>CHAPTER SIXTY NINE</b><br />
<b>POSSESSION</b><br />
<b>LEAH LUCIER:</b><br />
I was possessed by the demon vampire Daniel. In trying to do what was right I had managed to achieve the complete opposite. I stopped Daniel from killing people, but he was killing me instead. Bit by bit I was losing myself to him. Etienne had never discussed this with me at all when he told me all about his kind. Who knew vampires could drink other vampire’s heavily laced venom blood? Who knew it would make you bind yourself to the drinker and become a slave to them in all ways? I didn’t. Etienne surely didn’t? How did Daniel know? Ah my husband had been so right when he said I shouldn’t change Daniel into one of us. I should have listened. Now, it seemed too late to save Daniel, to save myself and most of all to save my marriage. I had dug an almighty deep dark hole and even my vampire strength and keenness couldn’t pull me out of it. I tried to fight it, but Daniel had a strong hold over me. He looked at me and I became like jelly. He kissed me and I swooned. He bit me and I succumbed. What a mess! I loved Etienne so badly but I knew I was hurting him. Daniel had been diverting all of my attention away from Etienne. Why did I not listen to my inner voice warning me? Why did my visions of Daniel as a devastatingly attractive and seductive vampire not hamper me? So many unfulfilled questions. I had no answers though.<br />
I sat alone in the large living room of our home. Twilight was descending and the sky was a lovely blush of deep pink. Bella had just called me. I must’ve have frustrated my good friend no end as I had nothing to say to her. She told me how perfect Kat and Embry’s son was. I still had the photograph Embry had text to me. Nathaniel was indeed gorgeous and I was a proud Aunt. I had sent a brief message back to Embry stating I would be home soon for a visit. Home was really Vancouver now. Home was now an exquisite trap from which I could neither see nor sense escape. My visions did not include Daniel anymore. I suspect he had something to do with that. I saw Etienne but he always looked sad. His twinkle was gone in my visions. This was also true of real and present time. He was morose and definitely not himself. I knew this was because of me. I must escape from this hold Daniel had over me! If I didn’t let him drink from me I knew he would escape and run rampage through the night streets. How was I going to stop him? After the first time he drank from me I was enslaved to him and my strength was useless against that hold he had over me. I would have to tell Etienne. Oh dear god! He would be so upset but I must do something. I had made Daniel and I felt deeply responsible for him. Etienne would tell me to leave him be, let him get on with his existence. How could I have innocent human murders on my hands though? It would just be the same as if I’d killed them myself! I sighed with exasperation. Etienne had escaped the house for now. He said he had business to attend to. I didn’t know if that was true or not. He probably just wanted to get away from the oppressing darkness which had fallen over our usually happy home.<br />
The hairs on the back of my neck prickled as I felt Daniel’s presence behind me. I tensed my body waiting for his attack. I felt his index finger trace my spine, his hand lifting my hair away from my neck, then his cool lips trailing down my skin gently. I shivered with desire. I couldn’t help it. I didn’t want to. I struggled internally with my feelings and emotions. Daniel roughly turned me towards him and pressed his body up against me, a low growl escaping from his lips. He fastened his mouth to mine eagerly. My lips disobeyed my brain as I kissed him ferociously with red hot fiery passion. My brain clouded over as his scent and taste bound me to him. I weakly tried to push him away from me but didn’t succeed as his lips found their way down to my neck and onto the swell of my breasts in my low cut vest top. He growled again as his teeth grazed my neck. I felt the burning pain as my marble skin broke. He drank greedily from me this time and I felt all my strength zap away. When he was done he gazed into my hazy eyes with adoration and lust. <em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“I love you Leah</em>,” he said huskily in that beautiful voice of his. His perfect mouth was lightly smeared with my venom laced blood. I wanted to lick his lips with lascivious intent. His hands easily ripped my top from me and it fell to tatters on the ground. I clutched my arms around my near naked top half. Daniel bit his bottom lip with desire as he pulled my hands away so he could gaze at me in my scarlet red bra. “Beautiful,” he whispered reverently.<br />
He dropped to his knees and held me tight around the waist as his lips and tongue traced the smooth skin of my flat stomach. I gasped and let my hands wander roughly through his hair. This was wrong, so wrong! I was in love with my husband, only he should touch me this way. His nails were lightly raking my back as he kissed and licked every inch of my exposed skin. I felt as if I were falling into a spiral of pleasure and pain mixed together. I loved what he was doing to me; I was caught up in the excitement and passion. I had no strength to stop him. But a little far away voice in my head was screaming no no no, over and over! I knew I was letting the situation go way too far this time but I was in a trance, powerless to resist Daniel’s touch. He easily picked me up and carried me to the large Persian rug in front of the big fireplace. The orange flames of the fire danced and writhed in a wild cacophony as Daniel laid me down. His shirt was off in a flash and he was on top of me, his arms pinning me down, his lips singing with frenzied desire on mine. I tasted my blood on his mouth. His cool skin slid against mine as we melded together. My passion and lust for him was as hot as the flames which cast shadows on our pale marble skin. I was lost to him. How would I ever find my way back? I tried to release my arms but my body had gone soft and weak. Daniel was whispering hoarse words of love and passion against my ear, his lips moving down to my neck and beyond. His strong hands were deftly undoing the zip on my skin tight jeans. I sighed as I tried to push my body upwards. Daniel moaned lustfully as he mistook my movement for passionate abandonment.<br />
This was going way way too far now.<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> I couldn’t resist him.</em><br />
Suddenly the large dark oak door of the living room opened and in a whirlwind Etienne flew in, his face even whiter than normal with sheer fury. He flung Daniel away from me in one swift movement and picked me up in a fireman’s lift as he flew out of the room with me. It all happened so quickly. “Alice was right!” he was muttering under his breath as he carried me out of the front door like lightning away from the city lights of the frosty November night. He carefully placed me down on a bed of autumn leaves in the woods just on the outskirts of Vancouver. He took off his long black overcoat and placed it around my half naked body gently. Our kind didn’t feel the cold but I knew this was Etienne’s way of trying to look out for me. His beautiful eyes were sad but laced with venomous fury. I couldn’t look at him. I turned away and put my shameful head in my hands. If I could’ve sobbed my heart out I certainly would have done so. I was scared to look at Etienne’s disappointed and angry face. I felt his strong arms envelop me and his embrace tighten around me.<br />
“Leah, I <strong style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">know</strong> what that monster has been doing to you! Bella was worried after your phone call so she asked Alice to try to “see” what was happening. She called me right away. I am so sorry my love, please forgive me! <em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I’ve let you down!</em>” he cried out against my hair.<br />
I gazed up into his beautiful kaleidoscope eyes which were becoming dark, “Oh Etienne! It is I who has let you down. I was concentrating so much on making things right with Daniel that I didn’t see this coming! I am so sorry my darling! I didn’t want to be intimate with him<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">, I swear!</em>” I swore solemnly.<br />
His gentle familiar lips sought out mine with a forgiving sweet kiss. I was so happy he was here. Hopefully we could sort this out together now. I prayed we could because I loved this husband of mine with the whole of me. Right down to my immortal bones. I smiled weakly at him, my mind clearing quickly now I was away from Daniel. Away from the house and his presence I began to feel more like myself and I hated myself even more for falling under his spell. “What did Bella say about the situation?” I asked meekly.<br />
Etienne squeezed my hand tightly as we sat amongst the leaves under a large shining full moon. “She asked Edward and Carlisle for advice. They are not happy with you I’m afraid Leah. Making another vampire without them knowing has annoyed them immensely. But that’s by the by, my darling. They did have advice for us though,” he said with another strong squeeze of my hand.<br />
I sat quietly waiting for him to speak again. “Carlisle said that when a vampire has their blood drank by another of their kind, they become beholden to that vampire unless the bond is broken. Edward also said that vampires are not known for doing this heinous crime to each other normally, only when the vampire committing the act wants to possess the other for whatever reason. Daniel is in completely besotted love with you Leah! Even before the change. He wants you for his own. Drinking your blood gives him the edge. Soon he would have possessed you completely. You are his maker so that made the bond even stronger. Victoria tried to drink my blood once you know,” he added with his head bowed.<br />
I gasped and shook my head in horror. “What happened?” I asked.<br />
He sighed, “I distracted her with a fresh young male that I’d found working on a farm close to our home. Thankfully it was the only time she tried it. I escaped from her shortly after that.”<br />
I kissed him and hugged him close to me, my hands stroking his dark curls. “So did the Cullen’s mention a solution?” I queried my husband.<br />
Etienne’s even darker eyes stared deep into mine. He desperately needed to feed. “Yes,” he simply stated.<br />
I gazed into his face impatiently, “Tell me Etienne!” I demanded.<br />
Etienne stared directly into my eyes as he uttered the answer to my demand.<br />
“The preying vampire must be destroyed Leah,<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> it’s the only<strong style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> permanent</strong> way to break the bond between you</em>“.</div>
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<br />
<br />
<b>CHAPTER SEVENTY</b><br />
<b>ON THE OTHER SIDE</b><br />
<b>KATHERINE CALL (WAS CONSTANTINE)</b><br />
I placed my precious infant son in his Moses basket beside our bed. Embry was sleeping soundly too. We took turns to do the night feeds. Tonight was my turn. I loved the special closeness of these nights spent with my son, holding him until he fell asleep in my arms. I kissed his soft cheek lightly so as not to wake him up. Then I leaned over and kissed my husband very softly. He stirred slightly but did not wake. Nat would sleep for two hours approximately then awake once again for his bottle of milk. After that I would grab some sleep whilst Embry took over in the morning. I decided I would leave my boys sleeping and retire to the lounge to catch up on my book. Life was just perfect. I had my beautiful husband Embry and my perfect son Nathaniel. To think a few months ago I was at death’s door. I would have hated to miss being a wife and mother. It was the best, most rewarding thing in the world. Embry loved me so very dearly, just as I adored him. I still couldn’t believe how my life had changed since meeting him. Yes, we’d had bad times but we’d come out fighting even stronger than ever.<br />
I settled down on our comfy sofa and picked up my book. I was reading about angel encounters. Since the night I had come back from beyond the veil I was fascinated in the subject. I was tired though and I felt my eyes continually drifting shut. I shook myself, desperately trying to stay awake. I decided to go into the kitchen to make a coffee. Some caffeine would help. I switched the kettle on to boil and rubbed my sleepy eyes. I was just in the middle of a big yawn when I heard a soft fluttering coming from the lounge. With a quizzical frown I walked back into the other room to find Lukas the angel sat on my sofa, just as dazzling and handsome as I remembered him from our last encounter. He came to me frequently in dreams but this was the first time he had materialised in the real world. I gasped with surprise.<br />
“Lukas!” I exclaimed with a wide joyous smile.<br />
He nodded at me sagely. “Hello Katherine. I see Rebecca is pregnant. She is carrying your son’s future wife. The girl will be a pure bred shape-shifter named Marisa. She will be very beautiful, strong and determined. They will carry on the precious bloodline,” he spoke calmly with a beatific smile.<br />
I gasped with amazement. I completely believed that my angel spoke the truth. He had shown and told me things beyond belief. Some people don’t like knowing what the future holds, but after what I’d been through it gave me some relief. I sat down beside Lukas. His eyes were deep deep green and his hair was as smooth as black silk. He kept it short, which only drew more attention to his beautiful eyes and his pale flawless skin. He was only young when he had died sadly and tragically in an accident. He wasn’t gloomy about his life being cut short though, he was happy to be of use in the after world, helping poor lost souls like me who were stuck in limbo land.<br />
“Katherine, I didn’t just come to tell you about your future daughter in law. I need your help!” he said quietly.<br />
What? An angel needed me? Whatever could he need me for?<br />
“My friend Daniel, the one who helped me bring you back to this world, he is in deep trouble. Can you help me Katherine?” he asked as he lightly touched my hand.<br />
It felt as soft as feathers landing on my skin. Lukas was from beyond this life but he was as real to me as if he was human. I think it was because of my near death experience. I was now in tune with the other side.<br />
“I would do anything for you dear Lukas, my angel friend,” I stated with a smile.<br />
“Daniel is now a vampire. Leah Lucier changed him. He has not adapted to the changes successfully I’m afraid. I have known Daniel since we were children; he is not a merciless killer. It doesn’t suit him. He is draining Leah’s essence, binding her to him, stealing her away from her husband ruthlessly. I have tried to stop him but he is so strong. He blocks me out now, he doesn’t listen. Etienne Lucier wants him destroyed!” Lukas sobbed.<br />
I reached out to stroke his arm but of course his body was ethereal and could not be touched by someone on the earthly plane. “How can I help?” I asked sincerely.<br />
“Daniel must be weaned off human blood and also the blood of his maker. There is a witch in London called Tilly, who owns a little curio shop called Hocus Pocus, close to Tower Bridge. Etienne or Leah must travel there and purchase an item from Tilly. It is an old silver antique box containing an apotropaic which must be used to seal Daniel into a room. Within seven days he will be cured. If this does not work then I agree he must be destroyed,” my angel said sadly.<br />
I nodded excitedly. I had a secret task to perform! I must phone Leah right away. “Can this apotro thingy not be sourced in America?” I enquired.<br />
“Apotropaic, Katherine. It means an item which can be used to ward off vampires. It is a part of the hawthorn plant. I know it sounds crazy, but please trust me,” he said somberly.<br />
I nodded vigorously, “Oh I do trust you Lukas, implicitly!”<br />
He smiled his angel smile at me. How I wished I could hug him, he looked so upset. We said our goodbyes with the promise that he would come visit me again soon. Of course he would be watching to see how events unfolded. I hoped this plan worked. It sounded like Leah and Etienne were having a really hard time and although I didn’t know much about vampires, I knew without a doubt that those two were meant to be. Daniel had saved me, so it was my turn to save him. All was quiet from the bedroom so I dialed Leah’s number in the kitchen where I wouldn’t wake my sleeping boys. Her voice was shaky and hoarse when she answered. I explained what Lukas had told me. She was shocked that I knew about the situation. I could hear Etienne telling her not to underestimate spirits from beyond. She agreed that any situation was better than Daniel’s destruction and decided Etienne would fly to London right away. Leah thanked me for the information and sent her best wishes to Embry and our baby son. She promised to visit her nephew soon when all this was sorted.<br />
I sat at our large kitchen table and finally drank the cup of hot black coffee I’d been waiting on. This had turned out to be a strange night. I mused again on how much my life had changed. I heard soft whimpers coming from the baby monitor so I padded softly barefoot back to the bedroom.<br />
Nathaniel’s blue eyes fixed on to mine in the early morning light. The red numbers on the clock said it was six a.m. Embry stirred when he heard me cooing to our son as I picked him up out of his basket. “Good morning Kat,” he beamed at me, his sunshine smile making me instantly glow. He leapt out of bed towards us giving me and Nat a soft kiss each. “Hey beautiful boy,” he smiled at our baby. Nat had my eyes but he had Embry’s dark thick hair. They were my world. “Go to sleep darling. I’ll take over,” he said as he ushered me over to my side of our bed.<br />
I shook my head, “No Embry, I have to tell you something! I will make us coffee while you prepare Nat’s feed,” I said excitedly.<br />
He raised his eyebrows at me curiously as he took our son from me. “Okay,” he nodded with a smile.<br />
I shooed my husband away so I could brush my hair and wash my face. I didn’t like him to see me when I wasn’t at my best although Embry thought I was beautiful at any time of the day. I splashed cold water on my face and applied my moisturiser. Then I brushed my long blonde hair vigorously. Ten strokes in total. It was a ritual I had been performing since I hit puberty. I tied my hair up in a long ponytail and gave a small smile to my reflection. Not too bad. Suddenly the face of my angel appeared in the mirror, although he wasn’t actually in the room this time. He smiled at me, that perfect smile which was innocent but immensely wise.<br />
“Thank you Katherine. Etienne is already at Vancouver airport waiting to board a flight to London. Daniel is one step closer to being saved! I am indebted to you,” he said meekly.<br />
I shook my head at his perfect reflection. “Lukas, it was my pleasure to help you!” I stated as his image faded and disappeared. Leah and Etienne would be saved too. I prayed this plan of Lukas’s would work.<br />
Everyone, whether angel, supernatural or human deserved to be as happy as I felt now. <em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Simple</em>.</div>
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<br />
<br />
<b>CHAPTER SEVENTY ONE</b><br />
<b>SALVATION</b><br />
<b>ETIENNE LUCIER:</b><br />
I gazed down at the twinkling lights of London at night as the plane flew over the city. I was going home. It had been a quick twenty four hours but I had achieved what I came here to do. Tilly, the witch had known I was coming. I didn’t ask how or why, but when I’d entered her shop late afternoon she’d smiled and nodded. “Mr. Lucier, a pleasure to meet you,” she had purred huskily, grasping my cold hand with her deliciously warm one. I had nodded a greeting in reply.<br />
“Please call me Etienne,” I had offered pleasantly.<br />
She had long scarlet red hair, perfect porcelain skin and sea green eyes. She certainly was beautiful. I hadn’t expected this. I thought of witches as old and ugly, which had been very presumptive and wrong of me to do so! Tilly had put up the closed sign, locked the door and taken me into the back of the shop where she had pulled out the silver antique box that Kat had told Leah about. Before passing it to me she had gazed right into my topaz eyes then boldly asked me if I was a vampire. I had been taken aback at her forwardness. Not many humans knew of our existence. How was it possible that this wickedly gorgeous witch assumed I had been blessed or indeed cursed with immortality?<br />
I had dazzled her with my smile in return. “Why do you enquire such a thing?” I had asked. She had smiled coquettishly at me, her green eyes twinkling mischievously in the dimmed lights of the small room.<br />
“I am fascinated by you Mr. Etienne Lucier. I fell in love years ago with the strange and supernatural. Ever since I discovered my own unique talents I made it my mission to become an expert in such matters. I never, ever expected to meet a being such as you in the flesh. I read of you, I dreamed of you but never did I imagine I would meet a vampire like you!” she had gushed, her breathing quickening and her heart racing.<br />
Oh dear. This impossibly beautiful creature was bewitched by me, excuse the pun. She was very beguiling. She was very alive. I hadn’t tasted human blood for centuries except when I changed Leah. That was different. Something about this witch had made me want to sink my sharp teeth into her pale slender neck and drink from her ravenously. Had she put a spell on me; I had questioned myself? My eyes had fixed on her pulse, beating quickly, pumping the precious blood around her body. My hungry eyes had roamed downwards to the swell of her breasts, accentuated by the smallness of her waist and down to the curve of her hips. I had to visibly shake myself as I had watched her walk slowly and purposefully towards me.<br />
Her green eyes were mesmerising as she had approached. The silver box was in her hands behind her back. She had worn a low cut black dress which skimmed her curves in all the right places. Her smile was predatory, almost vampiric! Her lips had curved up into a smile as she came closer to me. So close I could smell her skin. I felt and heard her heart beat. I missed this. I had loved Leah as a human. Of course I loved her even more now. Visions of my darling wife had invaded my mind and stopped me in my tracks. What was I doing having lustful thoughts about another woman! She had leant in so very close, her rose pink lips inches from mine, tempting me with her beauty and humanity. “Etienne, I would love something in return for this precious item I hold,” she had whispered seductively.<br />
I had once again fallen into the depths of her green eyes. They held me there like a fly trapped in a spider’s web. Falling, falling into the dreamy sea of her hypnotic beautiful eyes. Her lips had been moving slowly, talking to me softly as I fell deeper and deeper. “Kiss me Etienne, kiss me beautiful vampire, unholy one, immortal devil. I want you to,” she had intimated most perfectly as her lips inched closer. I felt the softness of her mouth brush mine as gentle and as sweet as a butterfly wing. Oh the deliciousness of being close to a female human. It had overpowered all my vampire senses. I had growled with passion and hunger as I had pulled her towards me, the silver box falling onto the floor. Her lips were like honey and cinnamon, sweet as sugar and hot as fire. My mind was consumed by her. She had taken her mouth from mine; I had missed it instantly and had gone in quickly to crush her to me again. Her lips were bruised and swollen from my violent passionate kisses. I was shocked and disgusted at myself for my shockingly bad behaviour. What was wrong with me? I loved my Leah. How had this beguiling witch got to me? She had let her head drop to the side, her long red hair flowing like waves down one shoulder, exposing her pale neck to me invitingly. I had snarled softly, but hungrily “Bite me Etienne. Take me, do what you will with me, make me yours forever,” she had demanded, lust and excitement colouring her voice. Her request had snapped me suddenly out of this strange trance I had found myself in. I had pushed her away from me in disgust. I had quickly picked up the silver box and slipped it into my overcoat pocket.<br />
“Leave me alone, witch!” I had cried out.<br />
She had laughed at me, her green eyes fierce and determined. “I have dreamed of this moment forever Etienne. A dark handsome stranger turning up on my doorstep to change my life, to take me away from this humble shop to exciting places and a different life!” she had confessed. Her hands were on her hips defiantly and her green eyes were fixed on me intently. She was still very beautiful to me, but the spell had been most definitely broken.<br />
“I am not only a vampire Tilly; I am a married vampire who is very much in love with his wife. I am hers and she is mine. No one can change or erase that,” I had spoken gently.<br />
“That’s not what I heard!” she had snorted with a defiant toss of her luscious thick red hair.<br />
I had smiled savagely. “It is the truth. I am guessing you know why I need the apotropaic then? Daniel will never come between me and Leah. Not ever again, “I had growled with passionate anger. Tilly had stared at me, her eyes no longer held any allure for me though. “Your spell isn’t strong enough for me my dear witch! Pity help the poor human you beguile with it though! It’s very potent. You are a beautiful, fiery, determined and passionate woman who can go anywhere and do anything she likes. Do not be held back by people or places Tilly!” I had exclaimed to her, meaning every word.<br />
She had sighed as she smiled at me weakly. “It was an honour to meet you Etienne. It was also a pleasure, a great pleasure,” she had said with a sexy wink. I had laughed out loud. She certainly was a character. In other circumstances, we might have made fantastic companions. A witch and a vampire? Indeed! I had bowed politely to the gorgeous Tilly, and then quickly bid her farewell before I was off into the approaching evening in a flurry. I had quickly looked back as I sped off into the dark shadows of Tower Bridge. Tilly was locking up the shop, her eyes turned heavenwards, her lips moving silently. My vampire ears had easily picked up her words though. “Oh Goddess! You play such a cruel trick on me! Sending me such a fine specimen but one who could never be mine!” she had scolded.<br />
I laughed to myself as I had flagged down a black taxi so common to this city. It wouldn’t do to go rushing at the speed of light to the airport, it was only early evening and many inhabitants of this fascinating city still roamed its streets. I must blend in, if at all possible. So, now I flew over the Atlantic, back towards home and Leah. I had told her not to go home until I instructed her to do so. The timing had to be perfect. We had a plan to trap Daniel so we could use the ancient plant on him as instructed by Kat via the angel Lukas. I hoped it worked. I wanted Leah back. I hated her being beholden to another man. I would tell her about my encounter with Tilly, of course. She would hate it but she would understand, she had to do her? That was harsh Etienne, I chided myself. Seems like neither of us were immune to compulsion. I couldn’t wait to be back in her arms again, but first we must bind Daniel with the apotropaic. To do that we must use the one thing he wanted more than anything. My wife. My heart was heavy as I got closer to home. I would call Leah soon. I would tell her to seduce Daniel. It went against everything I held dear. We had to lure him though. False promises, kisses, touches and Leah’s surrender would secure him so I could carry out the task in hand. I desperately wanted to kill him, but Leah wished to try this first and I wanted her to be happy. That’s all. If she was happy, I was happy.<br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Salvation of Leah</em> was my only goal, I didn’t care much how we achieved it.</div>
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<br />
<br />
<b>CHAPTER SEVENTY TWO</b><br />
<b>SHOW ME HEAVEN</b><br />
<b>LEAH LUCIER:</b><br />
This was going to be the hardest thing I’d had to do. Basically I needed to pretend to betray the love of my life, my husband, my whole reason for existing to save myself and our marriage. I was prepared to do whatever it took. In my eyes I had already let Etienne down, badly. It was up to me to fix the situation. My husband was on route from the airport. I was at our Vancouver home, in our lavish bedroom facing Daniel in the light of the romantic candles I’d lit in preparation for this seduction. I had text him earlier in the day to beg him to come home. I told him I needed to see him. I told him I loved him too. Necessary lies required to keep him here until Etienne could carry out Lukas the angel’s wishes. I prayed Lukas was right. Kat had relayed the information to me on the phone, surely this would work? It had to. Although Bella and Edward had told me that they had never heard of it. Carlisle did mention that even though vampires hating garlic was a myth, it did have a resonance of truth because some plants were known by witches and herbalists to have magical powers. Etienne had procured this ancient plant from a witch so I guessed Lukas was right. Angel’s don’t lie. Do they?<br />
<br />
Daniel’s blood red eyes stared lustfully at me as I stood before him in a very revealing outfit. My dress was basically nothing but a skin tight sheath of scarlet red silk which covered me from the top of my breasts to the top of my thighs. I was just within the bounds of decency. When I had told Etienne what I was wearing he had gone quiet, but then agreed it was a good choice. My husband prefers me in less revealing but still sexy clothes. Daniel’s pure and bloody lust for me meant he responded to the baser attire. I looked like a lady of the night if I’m completely honest. My hair was piled up high on my head so my neck was even more tantalising to Daniel. I had impossibly red high heels on which accentuated my toned legs to perfection. I held out a hand to Daniel, but he was already at my side in a blur of movement. He pinned me to him with brute force. I gasped slightly at his strength. Being away from him for a few days had dulled my connection to him and I felt more in control than I had been at our last encounter. Still my skin burned and my lips ached to taste him. Some things couldn’t be erased so easily.<br />
<br />
Daniel’s mouth found mine in an eager hungry kiss as his hands gripped me around the waist tightly. Oh but his kisses excited me, I’m ashamed to admit!<br />
“You love me huh?” he said huskily as his lips trailed over my cheek and down my neck. I nodded and braced myself for his bite. But it didn’t come. His lips moved over every inch of my neck and pale throat, slowly and teasingly. I heard an involuntary moan of pleasure come from my mouth. Daniel was being unusually gentle and sensuous with me. I shivered with desire. But it was Etienne I was thinking of. He kissed me like this. I focused on my beloveds face so I would not fall under Daniel’s spell. “Then let me have you,” he suddenly growled against my skin as his lips returned to mine with a vengeance. Oh Etienne please hurry up!<br />
<br />
Daniel’s hands were roving all over my silk clad body as his mouth kissed mine ravenously. His excitement was evident as he pushed me up against the wall. He pinned my arms up behind my head and gazed into my topaz eyes with his scarlet ones. “We will run away together Leah. My Leah. My love. I will be the best fledgling ever. I will be bound to you and you to me forever, by blood, by lust, by love. First, we must consummate our love for each other. Surrender yourself to me, now!” he commanded me, his voice full of lust and longing.<br />
I smiled what I hoped was my sexy seductive smile. “Must we rush things?” I asked.<br />
Daniel ground his hips against mine lustfully. “I have to <em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">have you</em> Leah!” he exclaimed as he once again began to rain my pale cold skin with fiery cool kisses.<br />
<br />
He let his teeth graze me a couple of times as he moved his lips all over my shoulders, throat and cleavage. I shivered with desire. As much as I didn’t want him near me like this, part of me couldn’t help loving his plain desire for me. He was a very handsome and passionate vampire. He wasn’t Etienne though and never could be. My poor husband must be tying himself in knots knowing that I had to seduce Daniel tonight. He would be shuddering with horror at the thought of his lips, his hands, and his body on mine. I didn’t blame him. Where was he? Please hurry Etienne! I can only keep Daniel at bay for so long! I knew I had to distract him. I knew there was only one way to do this successfully. I let my neck fall to one side and pulled his head towards my venom blood filled vein. Of course he took the bait instantly. He held me against the wall as his teeth plunged through my marble skin and he drank from me thirstily and violently. I gasped as I felt my mind cloud over with his possession of me. At least it kept him occupied.<br />
I ran my hands through his thick dark hair as I writhed and moaned in passion. My act should do the trick until Etienne got here. I was willing to sacrifice some more of my essence, some more of myself to him if it meant I could save my marriage and stop Daniel being a monster. Usually I resisted somewhat. This time I gave myself up to him completely, I joined in with his lustful passion and I made him believe I was his now.<br />
Finally he was sated. My venom filled blood dripped from his lips as he drew away from my throat to gaze at me in desirable awe. “<strong style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Leah,”</em></strong> he smiled with satisfaction. He kissed my mouth. I tasted my own blood. Now his hands were deftly pulling down my dress to leave my top half exposed. He looked at me with such desire I almost had to look away such was his intense stare. His longing for me was very potent.<br />
“You really are the most beautiful creature I have ever seen,” he whispered reverently as he gazed at my semi clad body. His fingers brushed my bared breasts lightly and I shivered with longing mixed with shame. His touch was teasing and light and all my nerve endings were tingling with electric fire as his red gaze seared my skin with its lustful fire. He bent his head to my left breast and gently licked me there with his cold tongue whilst his fingers circled my right breast with intense slowness. Oh god it felt good! Please hurry Etienne, I silently prayed again as my body began to betray me and my hips writhed in a slow insistent rhythm against Daniel provocatively. His mouth and hands worked on me most expertly and I found myself becoming lost in pleasure as I pulled at his hair with longing and desire. I felt Daniel press against my hips, his rhythm matching mine as we imitated the sexual act. His excitement was even more evident now and I moaned aloud as I lost myself in him.<br />
Thankfully, my prayers were answered as I smelled Etienne’s unique scent from beyond the bedroom door. He was here at last! I must disentangle myself from this compromising position. I needed to help Etienne with this final part of our plan. I swiftly moved away from Daniel, my breath hoarse and ragged as I panted with passion. I was filled with shame at the feelings he produced in me! I knew it was the blood hold but still, I only wanted to feel this all-consuming passion with my husband! Daniel had used his power and hold over me in the most terrible way! He almost made me betray my one true love! My fury descended, but I kept it in check, for now. Now I could think more clearly as my rage loosened his hold on me. He didn’t notice the change in me because he was too busy staring at me lustfully as I pulled up my dress and led him by the hand to our four poster bed which sat majestically in the centre of the room. I roughly pushed him down onto it with a knowing smirk. From under the bed I pulled out a set of steel handcuffs.<br />
Daniel laughed with glee, “Ha! So Etienne likes to be dominated huh?”<br />
I smiled seductively, <em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“And so will you!</em>”<br />
I leaned over and secured his compliant wrists to the bed. Then I used the code words Etienne and I had so cleverly thought up. “Now you are my prisoner!” I crowed triumphantly as I did a provocative sexy dance around the bed. Daniel’s hungry red eyes watched every move, every curve of my silk sheathed body as I writhed. He licked his lips slowly as he stared at my now hidden breasts. His gaze was rampantly scorching with sexual desire and intense need.<br />
Etienne entered the room with a flourish. I smiled at him with relief. His eyes narrowed with terrible anger when he saw Daniel.<br />
“You will<strong style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> never</strong> come near me or my wife again!” he spat out as he whirled around the bed liberally sprinkling the hawthorn plant in a thick layer.<br />
Daniel let out a horrifying and frightening howl of furious rage. He broke the handcuffs easily and lunged at me from the bed. But a miraculous miracle occurred. Lukas was correct. The apotropaic worked! Daniel bounced back as if an invisible force field stopped him from leaving the bed. He growled and snarled at us both. “You evil seductress!” he exclaimed. Then he smiled at Etienne maliciously, “Oh but it was worth it! To taste her lips, to drink her blood, to press up against her near naked body! She loved it too Etienne! She will never forget me, not now! Not since I’ve bound her to me through blood and pleasure! She is my maker. I am her fledgling forever and ever,” he boasted.<br />
Etienne narrowed his topaz eyes at him again, his quiet rage just simmering below the surface of his cool demeanor. “Not as long as I exist,” he stated calmly. “You will remain here for seven days Daniel. Then we will set you free. You will have overcome your addiction to human blood. You will no longer crave my wife. You will leave us alone forever. If you don’t I will kill you. Understand?” he added.<br />
I gazed at Etienne with pride. My beautiful husband. How I loved him. How I needed him. Now we could reignite our relationship again. We left Daniel screaming and howling obscenities and profanities to an empty room. Etienne had booked us into a plush luxury hotel suite in Vancouver. After checking in we took a speedy run into the forests to feed. I needed to replenish as Daniel had taken a lot from me. I felt my strength and essence return in abundance. My whole body felt alight with an icy fire as Etienne took me in his arms that night. His kisses electrified my cool pale skin with shocks of pure pleasure. I had missed our closeness so. How could I have let Daniel come between us? He had enthralled me with the excitement and danger of the situation, but now I was back in my love’s arms I knew there was nothing I needed or wanted more. Etienne thrilled me like nothing else ever could or would. My husband shared with me a love which was true and honest, there was no shame in our desire for each other. We did not need to control or possess the other with lies and threats.<br />
Our pale marble bodies entwined in passion and absolute love as we rekindled our flame of desire. We would stay here all week to make up for lost time. How delicious! When we returned home, hopefully Daniel would be no longer be a terrible human killing newborn but a calm, collected and wise vampire, ready to face the world on his own with compassion and control. Etienne’s lips and touch were working their magic on me and I began to forget the awful events of the last few months and I gave myself wholly to him once again. I fell into his eager embrace thankfully. Only my husband occupied my mind now as his body possessed mine with the purest abandonment. I sighed. I whispered breathlessly in his ear, words for him and him alone.<br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“Take me to heaven, my beloved, on the sweet wings of love and desire.”</em></div>
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<br />
<br />
<b>CHAPTER SEVENTY THREE</b><br />
<b>EPIPHANY</b><br />
<b>DANIEL MERRYWEATHER:</b><br />
The first forty eight hours trapped in Leah and Etienne’s bedroom were the worst. Possibly even worse than when Leah had changed me. Back then, my blood had boiled and a terrible fire had consumed me but I knew it would end and I knew the outcome would be to my satisfaction. This situation was different. I had never felt such pain and anguish. I needed to feed. I needed to hunt. Most of all I needed to see Leah, even though she had betrayed me, my addiction to her was just as powerful as my thirst. How could she leave me here like this? Obviously all her words and actions had been complete and utter lies. I had really believed I could make her mine. What a fool! Etienne and his beautiful wife had cooked up some plan which had led to me being trapped here. First the honey trap, then the mystical plant which bound me here. I could not see the prison walls but they were there for sure. I had exhausted myself in the hours after they left trying to escape. How could that substance which looked like dead grass have such an effect? There must be sorcery involved!<br />
<br />
Now I was calmer I had time to think. The all-consuming blood lust was leaving my system bit by bit, but even I knew that seven days here could be really bad for me. Vampires needed to feed every few days or else we would become weak and insubstantial. Our skin would start to wrinkle and wither, depending on how old we were. Luckily I had youth on my side as I had only been changed six months ago. Etienne would really suffer if he did not feed. He may be powerful and old but he needed blood just like I did. Except Leah and her husband drank animal blood. Where was the fun in that? A little voice inside my head was telling me it wasn’t right to kill humans, they weren’t our prey, murder didn’t need to be done in order to survive. Maybe I could drink the blood bags? My eyes would stay red. Leah would always regret changing me. She would never speak to me again. I reckoned I had now been trapped here for three days.<br />
<br />
How I wished vampires could sleep! I was stuck here alone with my thoughts! I focused on Leah a lot to help me through my incarceration. Her perfect kissable lips and her athletic, stunningly attractive, body. The feel of her soft marble skin, her perfect beautiful breasts, bared for me to see and touch with fingers and tongue. The feeling of complete desire and hunger she brought out in me when our bodies were closer than close. Her flawless throat which invited my teeth and thirst. Her delicious venom blood. Her sighs and moans of pleasure. The way she made my eager body respond to hers; oh how I wished I could have taken her roughly and passionately! Her topaz eyes which sometimes shimmered with amber highlights, and sometimes flashed darker and mysterious. I loved her eyes, they were precious jewels set in that unbelievably beautiful face. If I didn’t have the urge to drink human blood would my eyes turn out as dazzling as hers?<br />
<br />
I think it must be day four now. I am weak and my mind can’t focus on one thing for long. I haven’t got the energy to think about killing but I am longing for blood. I am so thirsty. I am so hungry. I am sad too because I know my Leah is out there somewhere but she isn’t with me. She’s with him. I also think of Victoria, the flame haired demon of my astral dreams. Where is she now? If I had never set eyes on her that fateful night I wouldn’t be in this position now. She ignited my acute interest and fascination in vampires and ever since that night I had dreamed of becoming one, of changing into something otherworldly and mightily powerful. Her red eyes haunted my waking and dreaming moments since I looked into their scary depths. I imagined her to be invincible and strong. I wanted to be like that too. She had possessed my thoughts for so long. Then I had fallen in love with Leah, first as a human and then triple fold as a vampire. She was irresistible to me.<br />
<br />
I saw how Etienne and Leah were together and I chose to ignore it. If there was any couple so in love and so devoted to each other it was the Luciers. I had never had someone like that. Victoria spoiled everything for me. I only glimpsed her for a very short time but she prevented me from looking for someone to love. Her possession of my mind was just too strong and all other women looked very shabby and second best compared to her. Just so very human. Until Leah. As soon as I gazed upon her I was irrevocably in love with her. Victoria paled in comparison. I saw Victoria for what she really was. Leah had risen high above the cruel flame haired one in so many ways. I should have listened to Leah. I wanted to be a better man for her, now look at me! I was a monster. Worse still, I was a monster in her eyes!<br />
<br />
Another two days passed by. Slowly, tortuously. I was getting beyond hunger now. Sure, I needed blood but the thought of killing someone was abhorrent. I thought of the disappointment in Leah’s kind amber eyes. She had made me and I had failed her. I didn’t even try to be a good newborn. I had just plunged head first into a hedonistic and monstrous state of mind. I was selfish. I had drank her blood so I could control her. I should know there is no way you can force someone to love you. If it isn’t given freely then it isn’t really love. If I was Etienne I would want to kill me too. Yes, she cared for me. I was her friend before I became her fledgling. Now I could see what damage I had caused our relationship. It was tearing me apart and my still heart was breaking with sorrow. I had hurt the one thing I held dear. In fact I had hurt someone else I loved too. How could I forget my dear departed friend Lukas? I had pushed him out as soon as I had woken up to this new life. A new wondrous life that I didn’t appreciate! My poor Lukas had been dead for years, yet did he bemoan his fortune or turn into someone unrecognisable? No. He became even better than he had in life. He was an angel who only wanted to help people on the earthly plane. He had wanted to help me but I had abandoned him. I conjured up his face in my mind and I silently apologised to him.<br />
<br />
I felt a soft breeze beside me on the bed. Lukas. He was here! “Oh Daniel! What a mess you’ve made!” he shook his head sadly.<br />
If I could have cried I would have. “Tell me it’s not too late Lukas? Please, my dear friend, I am so sorry!” I stated hoarsely.<br />
He smiled benignly at me. Today he was dressed all in white, looking more angelic than ever. He reached out for my hand and I felt a slight electric shock on my skin. I had never seen him on this plane of existence before. Usually I met up with him on an astral level, but since I was undead I could no longer talk with the spirits like I used to. This was better. Much better.<br />
“My dear Daniel. Ever since we were children I swore I’d look out for you. Nothing has changed. You just lost your way. I am not fond of your new state I have to say, but I am here for you, always. Leah does care for you, but she will never love you. She loves Etienne. Those two are bound for eternity. All is not lost for you though,” he smiled.<br />
I tried to sit up but I was so weak. “I have a plan for you Daniel. It will all work out, you have to trust me!” he exclaimed enthusiastically. I was too tired to get excited but I managed a weak smile in return. Lukas stroked my hair gently. I didn’t deserve his unwavering friendship. He placed his delicate pale wrist against my blue cold lips. “Drink from me Daniel,” he whispered. I was horrified and shook my head unwillingly. “I am an angel Danny! You can’t hurt me. It will revive you. It will restore you. Let me do this for you please. I love you, you’ve always been like family to me! Now let me be your blood brother!” he exclaimed as he lifted my weary head up so my lips pressed against his wrist forcefully. This wasn’t Leah’s marble skin but soft delicate angel skin and my sharp teeth slid through easily to the vein below.<br />
<br />
I have no words for the taste nor sensation which assaulted my senses forcefully. Only one cliché, which seems fitting for an angel. Heavenly. Lukas’s life nectar flowed down my throat and gave me back my strength in seconds. I only took what was necessary. I was different now. I had changed. If I could have wept I would have cried tears of joy, sadness and relief. I took my mouth away from Lukas’s wrist with a sigh. He clasped me to him in a warm hug. “Thank you,” I whispered gratefully. His response was to hug me tighter. Then he slowly disappeared until I was hugging thin air. I heard him laugh playfully in my mind and I laughed too. I easily got off the bed now and I picked up a handful of the strange plant which had kept me prisoner here. It fell through my hands like sand. Now it had no hold over me. I was free, not only physically but emotionally and mentally too. I felt reborn. I wanted to fly away, taste my freedom and all it had to offer, but I owed two very special vampires a very big apology and I wasn’t going to shy away from my responsibility. Tomorrow was day seven. My captors, my saviours would return. I would wait here calmly until then. Tomorrow was a new start, a new beginning, a new me. I couldn’t wait for it to come. I gasped aloud as brand new conceptions and ideas hit me forcefully.<br />
The sudden realization and comprehension of the bigger picture and meaning of my existence suddenly gripped me with its <strong style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">intensity.</em></strong></div>
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<br />
<br />
<b>CHAPTER SEVENTY FOUR</b><br />
<b>SANCTITY</b><br />
<b>ETIENNE LUCIER:</b><br />
We lay peacefully in each other’s arms, just simply enjoying being alone together, when Leah suddenly stiffened beside me as a vision gripped her with its unrelenting intensity. Thankfully she was now in control of these occurrences. I grudgingly had to thank Daniel for that. She opened her topaz eyes which were dark amber at present. We really should feed soon, but the prospect of leaving our love nest seemed daunting. We had succumbed to the pleasure of each other for days now. “Are you all right my love?” I asked as I stroked her cool forehead.<br />
“Daniel knew Victoria!” she blurted out in shock and surprise. I gasped as I gazed at her in disbelief.<br />
“How?” I questioned her, my tone incredulous.<br />
Leah shook her head, “I am not sure. All I could see was Daniel staring at himself in the mirror whilst he pictured her in his mind. He was younger. His mind was consumed by her, “my wife stated.<br />
I still couldn’t get my head around this, but Leah’s visions were never wrong. She could see past, present and future, but couldn’t choose the visions themselves. They were random and arrived unannounced.<br />
“How could Daniel have possibly ever met or even set eyes on Victoria in his human life?” I questioned incredulously again.<br />
Leah shook her head with a small smile, “Daniel was no ordinary human though was he?”<br />
I frowned at the slight hint of admiration in her voice. Leah caught my annoyance instantly and sat up in bed, her long hair fanning out over her bare shoulders provocatively. She turned around to glare at me. “Go on Etienne, I know you want to say something to me!”<br />
I sat up so I could look into her dark amber eyes. I pulled my shirt on but left it unbuttoned. Leah looked beautiful in the low glow of the lamplight wearing a flimsy short deep purple nightdress. She was, as ever, very distracting. I was trying to be serious too. Here goes. “Okay Leah! I hated him touching you, kissing you and binding you to him. It tore me apart and I know I should have more faith in us but I hated it just the same! You are mine.” I growled possessively. My beloved smiled at me longingly.<br />
“I love you Etienne and you are even more desirable when you are jealous,” she smirked.<br />
“I’m one hundred percent serious Leah. Please don’t joke! Too many others have tried to come between us! Daniel being the one who almost did. Didn’t he?” I asked, dreading her reply already. Leah reached out to stroke my cold cheek with her equally cold hand.</div>
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“Etienne, I love you. Nothing else matters. Yes, Daniel did entice me somewhat, but I would never leave you, ever!” she softly said. Her fingers worked their way around to the nape of my neck sending shock waves of pleasure up my spine as they moved through my unruly curls. I could devour her right now, again and again. But we must talk.<br />
“I wish you had never changed him! It is done now. I have a confession. I wanted to tell you before, but there wasn’t time. The witch in London tried to use a seduction spell on me, but it was useless. I kissed her back though. I didn’t want to so I guess I can understand a tiny amount of what it must’ve been like for you with him, my love,” I said, my deep voice becoming slightly hoarser due to Leah’s cool long fingers tracing intricate patterns on my back. She had inched closer to me, and was discreetly wrapping her long legs around my waist, trapping me close to her. As if I wanted to escape!<br />
“I know all about Tilly!” she crowed triumphantly as her hands came around to stroke my pale marble chest.<br />
Of course she did. The visions. I should have guessed. “You aren’t angry then?” I asked.<br />
She moved closer, her lips colliding with mine in a long slow deep kiss. I could lose myself in her kiss forever. Her hands raked through my hair, pulling me closer and closer until our bodies were touching. My hands stroked her skin through the silkiness of her skimpy nightdress. I sighed against her mouth, whispering words of love and desire. Leah broke the kiss first and stared into my equally dark amber eyes.<br />
“Nothing else matters but you and I my darling husband,” she whispered.<br />
I smiled as I resumed our kiss. This time it was overwhelmingly passionate. It was fruitless trying to have a serious conversation with my Leah when she was in this mood. I gave myself up to her willingly. Surrender was always the best option in these circumstances. Our love making was as amazing as ever, even more so because now our connection felt stronger than before. I swore right then and there that I would let nothing ever break our connection or come between us again.<br />
Much later, we lay in each other’s arms, our passion sated for now. It was time to leave here. We must feed and we must get back to Daniel by morning light. I hoped the plan had worked. For everyone’s sake. I didn’t know what would happen if I had to kill my wife’s fledgling. I tried not to think negative thoughts. Leah was upbeat. “Have you had a vision about returning to the house?” I queried as we got dressed.<br />
Leah shook her head. “Nothing concrete. Nothing which makes sense,” she answered succinctly.<br />
Or something she didn’t want to tell me? I must banish these dark thoughts. Leah loved me. We were back on track. We speedily made our way back to our house with slight trepidation at what we might find there. Daniel was standing by the bedroom window, gazing out into the orange sunrise with a serene smile.<br />
“Hello,” he spoke meekly to a shocked Leah and me.<br />
I guess we had both been expecting the worst. His eyes were no longer red, but a deep alluring amber. His whole demeanor was different and changed. Leah’s eyes widened with happy surprise. Her fledgling was indeed how she had hoped. Daniel opened his arms wide in supplication. “I want to deeply apologise to you both for my unforgivable behaviour since the change. I behaved crudely and shockingly. Leah, you gave me this precious gift of immortality. Before that you gave me your friendship and trust. I vilely betrayed you on all counts. I am very, very sorry, “he said with much regretful sorrow in his voice.<br />
Leah smiled, “I forgive you Daniel. We can’t all go through the change as successfully as I did. I want you to be free now. Be happy and find your own way in life, but please check in from time to time will you?” she asked.<br />
He nodded, “I will Leah, I promise. Thank you for being so understanding. Both of you,” he added as he nodded in my direction.<br />
I still wasn’t completely sure of him, but I had been a terrible newborn myself at first so I did understand. His love for Leah wasn’t that surprising either. I had loved Victoria in a strange way in the beginning.<br />
“How do you know the vampire Victoria?” I blurted out. I couldn’t contain my curiosity any longer.<br />
Daniel sighed deeply, “I discovered I had talents when I was young Etienne. Not only could I see and talk to spirits of the dead, I could also astral travel. My soul left my body and flew through the air weightlessly. The very first time I did it I met Victoria in an alley feeding on a human. I was fascinated and bewitched by her. She was the most impossibly beautiful creature I had ever seen, up until that point,” he confessed with a sly furtive look at my wife.<br />
I growled under my breath so he continued his story, “She sullied my expectations of women and love since that day! I thought love was supposed to be domineering, possessive and cruel. I guess Leah had a vision about this?” he asked as Leah and I gazed in pure fascination at him.<br />
How lucky he had been to meet Victoria as his astral self. Surely she would have killed him otherwise?<br />
“Victoria was my maker Daniel. She was evil and completely psychotic. I know nothing of her life before I met her or indeed as a human. We didn’t talk about such things. I escaped her centuries ago and later found out that Edward Cullen had killed her after she tried to murder Bella, the human. “I announced to an equally shocked and fascinated Daniel.<br />
“Victoria is dead?” he asked in horror.<br />
We both nodded. What a strange reaction! Daniel had only met Victoria once, yet she had charmed him! His whole life after that had been spent learning more about vampires, all because he fell in love with the flame haired demon witch. I guess I could see how he would fall under her spell. So, now we knew why Daniel had been so fascinated with the two of us. Leah gave Daniel a hug, he held her tightly back but even I could see there was no sexual tension between them anymore. Daniel’s hold over Leah was gone now he no longer drank her essence. He was now in control of his emotions and hunger. I was ever so glad. I didn’t want to kill him, not really!<br />
We said our goodbye’s and Daniel left our house for good this time. I sighed with relief. Luckily it had all turned out well in the end. I hugged Leah and kissed her lips softly. The tension of the last six months seemed to melt away from her all at once. “Daniel drank the blood of an angel, now he has risen above his thirst, his rage and his blood lust,” Leah spoke quietly.<br />
I gazed at her with surprise, “Lukas?” I questioned. She nodded and smiled.<br />
“His boyhood friend saved him. We put the plan in motion but Lukas saw it to fruition. The angel helped us once again Etienne! We owe him!” she stated. I nodded. I would love to meet this Lukas, he really was heaven sent. “Daniel will always carry a part of Lukas with him now. I think that’s lovely, “Leah said happily.<br />
I nodded with a smile. “He will also carry a piece of you too darling. So how can he go wrong?” Leah flung her arms around me, holding me so close to her.<br />
“I love you Etienne,” she simply stated.<br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“I love you too</em>,” I replied.<br />
I was home again, in our house, in our room, and in her arms once more.<br />
The precious sanctity we’d shared had been restored, <strong style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">better and stronger than ever before.</em></strong></div>
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<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<b>CHAPTER SEVENTY FIVE</b><br />
<b>SYNCHRONICITY</b><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">‘That’s the effect of living backwards,’ the Queen said kindly: ‘it always makes one a little giddy at first–‘</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">‘Living backwards!’ Alice repeated in great astonishment. ‘I never heard of such a thing!’</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">‘–but there’s one great advantage in it, that one’s memory works both ways.’</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">‘I’m sure MINE only works one way,’ Alice remarked. ‘I can’t remember things before they happen.’</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">‘It’s a poor sort of memory that only works backwards,’ the Queen remarked.<strong style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Through the Looking-Glass by Lewis Carroll</strong></em><br />
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The sweet tinkling of the doorbell chimes as Daniel Merryweather enters Hocus Pocus, situated at number three Grace’s Alley, in the shadow of the mighty Tower Bridge in London, England. It is precisely four pm on a rainy November day. It is a month since Daniel left Vancouver. Lukas, his forever friend, his angel saviour had sent him here on an errand. Daniel was glad to be back in London, he had missed the city tremendously. He looked around the small but fascinating shop as he entered.<br />
A vision of loveliness appeared out of nowhere, it seemed. Daniel gazed at her in astonished wonderment. She had long red hair and the deepest green eyes. Her lips were full and pouting. She wore a short tight dress of midnight blue and her face was simply perfection. Funnily enough she was gazing at Daniel in exactly the same way. Daniel stretched out his hand to take hers in greeting, “Daniel Merryweather, pleased to meet you,” he spoke in his ever so charming Irish tones. The witch smiled as she grasped hold of Daniel’s ice cold hand.<br />
“Matilda Trotter, or Tilly for short,” she gushed, dazzled by the face of this handsome stranger. A stranger who was so obviously a vampire!<br />
“Honoured to meet you,” Daniel said as he softly kissed her pale soft hand. “A friend asked me to come to your shop Tilly. He requested that I return this antique to you,” Daniel said as he handed the witch a small silver box. Tilly smiled and nodded.<br />
“Ah so you are the <strong style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Daniel</em></strong>!” she exclaimed happily.<br />
Daniel shook his head in confusion. “How do you know of me?” he questioned the beautiful red head.<br />
“Lukas,” she confessed, her smile secretive and beguiling. “The angel told me all about you Daniel. I regularly talk with him,” she shrugged prettily as if speaking with angels was an everyday occurrence.<br />
Daniel knew there and then that she was no ordinary woman. “Would you like to accompany me on a date tonight?” he blurted out, suddenly shy and bashful.<br />
Tilly smiled, “I would love to,” she replied, her green eyes lighting up most delightfully.<br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">There it was, synchronicity.</em></div>
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It was Christmas Day. The snow fell over First Beach like a large fleecy blanket, covering everything in pure dazzling white. Rebecca gave an almighty huge scream and her precious daughter was born. Her husband Caleb’s tears fell onto her sweet little face as she was handed to her Mother. Rebecca’s eyes welled up too as she gazed into her baby’s eyes for the very first time. Here was a sight she’d never thought she’d witness. This beautiful little angel with dark hair and even darker eyes was the best thing that had ever happened to her, apart from falling in love and marrying this beautiful baby’s Father of course.<br />
Their courtship had been short but very intense. Caleb had imprinted on Rebecca instantly causing her to fall in love at first sight too. This was a miracle in itself as no one had believed males could imprint on a female shape shifter. They truly were a fantastic match. Now they had their beautiful daughter, a Christmas miracle, a pure bred shape shifter who would be revered and protected by the Elders and the whole Pack from now on.<br />
“Her name is Marisa,” Rebecca told her sister Kat and her brother in law Embry as they entered the room to see the new arrival. Katherine carried Nathaniel, her beautiful son in her arms. He turned his face towards Marisa and smiled benignly, his sapphire eyes lighting up with surprise and something else. Something infinite. Recognition? Wonder?<br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“Imprinting</em>,” the angel Lukas spoke in Katherine’s mind.<br />
She smiled and nodded to herself. “Just as you told me, dear Lukas.”<br />
Marisa gurgled and cooed happily as she stared right back at Nathaniel. They would be the Pack’s future. Katherine smiled happily as she kissed her son’s dark hair and squeezed Embry’s hand.<br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">There it was, synchronicity.</em><br />
It was a bright, beautiful spring day. Sue Clearwater was handed a tissue by her dearest friend Tiffany Call as she wept tears of joy. Her son Seth was marrying his sweetheart Christa in a lavish ceremony held in an old church in Vancouver. The couple were half way through their degrees at Uni, and were meant to be waiting until they had completed their courses before marrying. Christa found out a month ago that she was pregnant. The wedding plans were brought forward at once. Her parents were very strict and took a moral stand point on children born out of wedlock. Sue’s joy was doubled by their news. She would be a grandmother after all. Just like her best friend Tiffany was, twice over.<br />
Her heart ached for Leah and what might have been. Her daughter had made her choices in life. Sue tried to focus on her son’s happiness for now and ignore her daughter’s foolishness. Finally the young couple were wed and the celebrations began. Sue left the marquee where the reception was being held to get some air in the tranquil gardens outside. She walked slowly along, lost deep in thought, as a bright moon shone down from the starry night sky. She gazed up at the twinkling lights and wished Harry was here to see his son marry.</div>
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“Oh Harry. I do miss you,” she whispered as a shooting star fell from the sky.<br />
“He misses you too,” a soft tinkling voice spoke in her ear.<br />
She turned around sharply with a fearful gasp. There was no one there. Then she saw a shimmering light and a beautiful young man all in white appeared.<br />
“I am Lukas. I am an angel. I help spirits in need. Harry misses you too Sue, really he does and he is sorry for the pain he caused. He wants you and Leah to make up. You will only regret it for the rest of your life if you never see your daughter again!” the angel commanded her attention with his soft musical voice.<br />
Sue’s eyes filled up with sad tears again. “I must’ve had way too many brandies tonight,” she whispered aloud as she gazed at the angel. Lukas smiled his angel smile. “She isn’t my Leah anymore.” Sue added with a grimace of pain.<br />
Lukas nodded sagely, “I know what she is. She still loves you. She misses having her Mother to talk to. Harry wants you to be happy Sue.”<br />
Then the angel disappeared, leaving a very confused and emotional Sue behind, all alone in the moonlight. She sat on a wooden bench and let the tears flow freely. She felt a cool hand cover hers. She felt a presence sit next to her. “Mom?” Leah spoke quietly. Sue gazed upwards to find her beautiful daughter sitting next to her. All of her anguish and pain and heartbreak seemed to become inconsequential now as she hugged her daughter’s cold, hard marble body to her. Leah sighed, “I missed you Mom. I had to come back, to see you, to see my little brother get married!” Sue’s tears fell onto her daughter’s cold cheek as she held her close. Leah lived, she didn’t breathe or have a heartbeat but she was here, <em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">she was still her daughter.</em><br />
That was all that really mattered in the grand scheme of things. Love was the truth and the light despite everything else. The two women hugged each other as the infinite stars shone in the dark night sky, just as they always had and always would.<br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">There it was, synchronicity.</em></div>
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<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“With one breath, with one flow</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">You will know</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">synchronicity</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">A sleep trance, a dream dance,</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">A shared romance</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">synchronicity</em></div>
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<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">A connecting principle</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Linked to the invisible</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Almost imperceptible</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Something inexpressible</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Science insusceptible</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Logic so inflexible</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Causally connectible</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Yet nothing is invincible</em></div>
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<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">If we share this nightmare</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Then we can dream</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Spiritus mundi</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">If you act as you think</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The missing link</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">synchronicity</em></div>
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<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">We know you, they know me</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Extrasensory</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">synchronicity</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">A star fall, a phone call</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">It joins all</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">synchronicity</em></div>
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<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">It’s so deep, it’s so wide</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">You’re inside</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">synchronicity</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Effect without a cause</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Sub-atomic laws, scientific pause</em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">synchronicity…..”</em></div>
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<br />
<br />
<b>EPILOGUE</b><br />
<b>ETIENNE LUCIER:</b><br />
It was New Year’s Eve, Leah’s human birthday. Tomorrow it would be the year 2112. A hundred years have passed lightning quick. I am now over 500 years old. I don’t feel a day over eighteen! Ha! Still the same old Etienne huh? Leah and I have seen so much loss over this century. I knew she would hurt when her human friends and family died. It was inevitable though. They were only mortals after all. The only saving grace was we both knew their beautiful souls did not die. Their life light was not extinguished by the death of their frail human bodies. They lived on. There was an astral plane and there was a heavenly plane. Life didn’t end, it just evolved. Leah and I would never know this. We couldn’t die, we were already dead but we lived on. The venom kept our bodies young, strong and forever on the earthly plane.<br />
<br />
Lukas had shown us such wonderful things. He communicated with the living through the dead. He brought comfort to those who needed it, he brought hope to those with none and he gave light to those poor souls in the dark who had lost their way. Maybe if Leah and I found a way to bring the true death upon ourselves we could be angels too? Who knew?<br />
<br /></div>
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I didn’t regret my life, especially not since Leah had come into it like a hurricane. My devastatingly wonderful and beautiful wife was a force of nature so wild and free she took my needless breath away. I had lived a long long time alone before I met her. I didn’t know any different way until I was struck down with complete and utter love for her. Now she was part of me, she was ingrained on my still heart and imprinted on my very being. For over a century I have been captivated by her. I am still in complete awe of her.<br />
<br />
Our relationship has never gotten old with time, it has never become tarnished. It is as bright and sparkling as the night I first kissed her lips and fell irrevocably in love. She is the love of my existence, the light in my darkness. She brings out the best in me and she believes in me completely. She still mesmerises me with her eyes, she makes me melt with her touch and she takes desire and passion to a new level when we kiss. She is my other half. The yin to my yang. Without the other we would be incomplete. We would be lost.<br />
<br />
So, how do we intend to spend the next century together? Well, we will take each new day as it comes and revel in the fact that our never ending undying love will take us higher and higher. We will help Lukas when he needs us. He comes to Leah in visions now. He has developed a strong bond with us since the Daniel situation all those years ago.<br />
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Are you wondering what happened to Daniel? Well, the fledgling became the maker. Tilly Trotter is now a most delicious vampire who is still the best, most attractive witch I’ve ever set eyes on! They live in complete bliss and undead contentment in a huge country mansion in Southern Ireland which Daniel inherited. The locals believe them to be eccentric and strange. When anyone happens to question how young they look then it’s time to go to Europe for a few years. On their return they disguise themselves and pretend to be the new owners who have inherited the property, over and over again! It’s become an elaborate game to them.<br />
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Leah and I still lived in our Vancouver house. We kept ourselves to ourselves and if anyone questioned us then we simply dazzled and glamoured them into thinking we were just a normal young married couple. We travelled often, sometimes with Bella and Edward who we were still very close to. Vampires always used to talk about Bella and Edward’s amazing and inspiring love story. Books were even written about it! But I reckon Leah and I were right up there with them in the love story stakes! If I could think of a better word than love to describe how I feel for Leah then I surely would, but it’s all been said before, in poems, in songs and up on the silver screen.<br />
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Jake and Nessie were still happily married and deeply in love too, but I felt sad for Bella’s daughter as she would outlive her husband. Although Jacob Black was a shape shifter and had outlived a lot of humans, he would die and Nessie would have to continue on without him. He was very old and frail now, so it wouldn’t be long before death took him away from her. It broke my still heart to think of the pain she would feel and I promised there and then that Leah and I would help her get through it all when the time came. This was the sacrifice you had to make when you fell in love with someone who was not immortal. I was glad that I didn’t have to face losing my love.<br />
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She came to me on our rooftop garden as I gazed, deep in thought, at the starry night sky above my head. She kissed me softly on my cold lips, her mouth giving me tingles of electric desire on my cool skin. “Come inside Etienne. Our bed is calling my love,” she whispered seductively in my ear, her lips trailing down my neck wickedly. I held her close to me on the roof.<br />
“In a minute, my darling,” I replied with a smile. How beautiful she looked on this last day of the year. “Look at the stars Leah. They shine on and on, their light as bright as the day they were born! Do you think we are like stars? Will we burn out someday? “I asked her.<br />
Leah shook her head as she softly smiled at me, “No my love, the stars won’t ever die. They will evolve.They will become part of the sun. They will always be a part of the universe, just like you and I.”</div>
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We hugged each other tighter under the bright light of the stars. Leah beckoned me to follow her to our bed, how could I resist? With one last glance into the last night sky of the year, I turned to Leah, my topaz eyes shining and gazing deep into hers intently, “For evermore?” I asked. She winked at me and grinned.<br />
<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“For Evermore.”</em></div>
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<b>THE END</b></div>
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<i>EVERMORE: THE CHARACTERS</i><br />
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You can also read Evermore ( and the first story Newborn ) here.......<br />
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https://kizzymouse.wordpress.com/2015/02/05/evermore/<br />
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The Characters:<br />
Etienne Lucier.....this is how I imagine him................<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Daniel </td></tr>
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<figure class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_41" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-sizing: border-box; color: #5f6d80; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 30px; margin: 0.75em 0.75em 1.5em; max-width: 100%; width: 300px;"><a href="https://kizzymouse.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/image1.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #f3835d; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="Katherine Constantine" class="size-medium wp-image-41" height="188" originalh="188" originalw="300" scale="2" src-orig="https://kizzymouse.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/image1.jpg?w=300&h=188" src="https://kizzymouse.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/image1.jpg?w=584&h=366" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; height: auto; margin: 3.5625px auto 0px; max-width: 98%;" width="300" /></a><figcaption class="wp-caption-text" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.8125em; margin: 0.75em 0px; text-align: center;">Katherine Constantine</figcaption></figure><br />
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<figure class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_42" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-sizing: border-box; color: #5f6d80; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 30px; margin: 0.75em 0.75em 1.5em; max-width: 100%; width: 225px;"><figcaption class="wp-caption-text" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.8125em; margin: 0.75em 0px; text-align: center;">Etienne! Jaco Van Den Hoven is how I imagine my Etienne!</figcaption></figure><figure class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_43" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-sizing: border-box; color: #5f6d80; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 30px; margin: 0.75em 0.75em 1.5em; max-width: 100%; width: 225px;"><a href="https://kizzymouse.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/image3.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #f3835d; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="image" class="wp-image-43 size-medium" height="300" originalh="300" originalw="225" scale="2" src-orig="https://kizzymouse.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/image3.jpg?w=225&h=300" src="https://kizzymouse.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/image3.jpg?w=438&h=582" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; height: auto; margin: 2.671875px auto 0px; max-width: 98%;" width="225" /></a><figcaption class="wp-caption-text" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.8125em; margin: 0.75em 0px; text-align: center;">My own vampire Etienne Lucier</figcaption></figure><figure class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_44" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-sizing: border-box; color: #5f6d80; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 30px; margin: 0.75em 0.75em 1.5em; max-width: 100%; width: 200px;"><a href="https://kizzymouse.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/image4.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #f3835d; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="image" class="wp-image-44 size-medium" height="300" originalh="300" originalw="200" scale="2" src-orig="https://kizzymouse.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/image4.jpg?w=200&h=300" src="https://kizzymouse.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/image4.jpg?w=388&h=582" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; height: auto; margin: 2.375px auto 0px; max-width: 98%;" width="200" /></a><figcaption class="wp-caption-text" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.8125em; margin: 0.75em 0px; text-align: center;">Leah’s beautiful vampire boy</figcaption></figure><figure class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_46" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-sizing: border-box; color: #5f6d80; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 30px; margin: 0.75em 0.75em 1.5em; max-width: 100%; width: 201px;"><a href="https://kizzymouse.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/image6.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #f3835d; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="image" class="wp-image-46 size-medium" height="300" originalh="300" originalw="201" scale="2" src-orig="https://kizzymouse.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/image6.jpg?w=201&h=300" src="https://kizzymouse.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/image6.jpg?w=390&h=300" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; height: auto; margin: 2.375px auto 0px; max-width: 98%;" width="201" /></a><figcaption class="wp-caption-text" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.8125em; margin: 0.75em 0px; text-align: center;">Embry Call</figcaption></figure><figure class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_45" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-sizing: border-box; color: #5f6d80; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 30px; margin: 0.75em 0.75em 1.5em; max-width: 100%; width: 150px;"><a href="https://kizzymouse.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/image5.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #f3835d; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="image" class="wp-image-45 size-thumbnail" height="118" originalh="118" originalw="150" scale="2" src-orig="https://kizzymouse.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/image5.jpg?w=150&h=118" src="https://kizzymouse.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/image5.jpg?w=292&h=228" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; height: auto; margin: 1.765625px auto 0px; max-width: 98%;" width="150" /></a><figcaption class="wp-caption-text" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.8125em; margin: 0.75em 0px; text-align: center;">Lukas The Angel</figcaption></figure><br />
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<figure class="wp-caption alignleft" id="attachment_47" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-sizing: border-box; color: #5f6d80; display: inline; float: left; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 30px; margin: 0.75em 1.5em 1.5em 0px; max-width: 100%; width: 300px;"><a href="https://kizzymouse.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/image7.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #f3835d; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="image" class="wp-image-47 size-medium" height="188" originalh="188" originalw="300" scale="2" src-orig="https://kizzymouse.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/image7.jpg?w=300&h=188" src="https://kizzymouse.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/image7.jpg?w=584&h=366" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: move; display: block; height: auto; margin: 3.5625px auto 0px; max-width: 98%;" width="300" /></a><figcaption class="wp-caption-text" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.8125em; margin: 0.75em 0px; text-align: center;">LEAH</figcaption></figure></div>
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kizzymousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12571803064369765958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5913310249853994600.post-59587436093316898592013-02-22T23:35:00.005+00:002015-09-30T13:47:50.392+01:00INFERNO<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="GingerNoCheckStart"></span><span class="GingerNoCheckStart"></span><span class="GingerNoCheckStart"></span><span class="GingerNoCheckStart"></span><span class="GingerNoCheckStart"></span><span class="GingerNoCheckStart"></span><span class="GingerNoCheckStart"></span><span class="GingerNoCheckStart"></span><span class="GingerNoCheckStart"></span><span class="GingerNoCheckStart"></span><span class="GingerNoCheckStart"></span><span class="GingerNoCheckStart"></span><span class="GingerNoCheckStart"></span><span class="GingerNoCheckStart"></span><span class="GingerNoCheckStart"></span><span class="GingerNoCheckStart"></span>Here it is, Inferno........................ The Sequel to Little Flame. Thanks, as always for the inspiration, Stephenie Meyer. Some of these characters belong to her, others are my very own - I hope you enjoy finding out what happened after the end of Little Flame.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 200%;">INFERNO</span><span class="MsoBookTitle"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<i><u><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">Prologue<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="line-height: 200%;">The
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="icy:0" grmarkguid="65eb27b9-675e-43d5-b540-ed611c4b9ab1" gruiphraseguid="bd8ed341-6780-4902-beb3-47574b56ef20"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fac47481-7cba-4a47-9c9d-7899e2696f99" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9a72f30a-2647-480f-bbdc-e1d63094e99f" grcontextid="icy:0">icy</span></span> wind bit into my cold, bone white skin with unrelenting determination. The
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="snow:0" grmarkguid="aed999ba-86fe-45da-bba7-accdb2e15b6e" gruiphraseguid="963d69b1-daeb-475f-a58d-d1cfabcdc189"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="cc4e0f54-d4e7-4e31-b118-48304a1374b5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="85463a6d-b3dd-4aef-b187-4df3ac1e58ae" grcontextid="snow:0">snow</span></span> fell thick and fast before my scarlet eyes, which although usually most
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="powerful:0" grmarkguid="495c880e-4a3d-4e14-aeb5-34c37a850b3b" gruiphraseguid="400482c9-4ead-41e1-8db8-deb0b3e5d989"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="635c93c5-698a-4706-bffd-62fe01b25cfc" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f35c22a8-7c9a-4650-8e3a-f5fc057c1427" grcontextid="powerful:0">powerful</span></span>, they now fiercely struggled against this tide of white. I stilled my
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="mind:0" grmarkguid="ace337be-2593-49aa-b7f5-d26855009da7" gruiphraseguid="1ec88222-8cca-41c0-98f7-8bb2d23d7a0f"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2d8902a6-1c3f-4486-9ec1-c30a4266da79" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b134934a-ed0d-4db1-a206-25f75e50dd2c" grcontextid="mind:0">mind</span></span> and I concentrated my <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="thoughts on the focus:1" grmarkguid="b5bfa02a-a3c1-4409-9f85-ae1491d18674" gruiphraseguid="1ec88222-8cca-41c0-98f7-8bb2d23d7a0f"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9ca3de6d-32d7-4d59-82e3-41488598cc21" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b134934a-ed0d-4db1-a206-25f75e50dd2c" grcontextid="thoughts on the focus:1">thoughts on the focus</span></span> of my expedition. I must not
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="let:0" grmarkguid="73856f92-a232-4eed-b3e4-95218a7fb23e" gruiphraseguid="06b81e11-582f-407d-a999-5e53e5e81618"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="678e5aab-619e-472b-b497-2d64be0f4281" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="10179fe5-da0a-4809-9a62-e00c18b690c9" grcontextid="let:0">let</span></span> my emotions cloud my sensibilities! I will not be beaten, I must not be
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="beaten:0" grmarkguid="130f843a-0072-41d3-8ee7-2263e52ce213" gruiphraseguid="ba31fd3d-21bb-4081-9a52-cc133f7c7c7d"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="24e10954-7249-40ad-ba2b-eb211e5ae771" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ca9e34c4-2516-4a6a-b5b0-a268834eaecd" grcontextid="beaten:0">beaten</span></span>, and I </span></i><span style="line-height: 200%;">will<i>
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="not:0" grmarkguid="bce1d1aa-3c63-4e99-b17a-ef6cb2983936" gruiphraseguid="d237cd05-778e-4c03-9f56-32fb72869678"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d63e9e85-b992-47f1-bb6d-00a02b8c512e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7dbc03e9-1652-4e0b-8e0f-48a9b60af5e0" grcontextid="not:0">not</span></span> be beaten by </i>her!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">She
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="belongs:0" grmarkguid="20f06a48-d9e5-47b8-9c5b-815bb28c88d3" gruiphraseguid="4e86f473-492d-4918-9ab0-911d86102a92"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="06b02daa-0420-477c-920d-36366a472303" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="915062ff-81fd-42f5-bfeb-4138b3e26027" grcontextid="belongs:0">belongs</span></span> in the dark, in the wastelands of nothingness. She is your deep dark
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="fears:0" grmarkguid="da86d03c-3d81-45f4-ab79-607b72f35343" gruiphraseguid="e738e966-826f-4a88-b04a-6f82f23f80f7"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d2236891-f002-4c5a-a395-6e3b899e8d5e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fa96666e-7fb3-4fba-98a7-64fcca977221" grcontextid="fears:0">fears</span></span> come to life. She is the bringer of death and poison. She can love you,
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="but:0" grmarkguid="739360cb-af00-4f90-8ec2-9f956df15cbd" gruiphraseguid="380c0d5f-db3f-4fa3-aa9f-80629a623e83"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="57559b45-ff4e-4fe0-acd6-7a319c2e6887" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b1cf35ca-d971-422b-9255-14f5808c5be8" grcontextid="but:0">but</span></span> only on her terms. She can destroy you with one look, one touch. She must
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="be:0" grmarkguid="9c81e1a9-efae-462c-8188-790ccef5c6ea" gruiphraseguid="5f96ab72-78d6-4357-a534-5f86b5cfeec1"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9a71eece-064e-47db-8c5c-8bff4d77510e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1782b219-a484-47ba-9f83-9585e37e5128" grcontextid="be:0">be</span></span> stopped! <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">I
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="am:0" grmarkguid="0b0655d7-dbdc-4dd8-bc12-02f815cc5191" gruiphraseguid="8e110172-3815-4869-9bf6-99411d70c417"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="35ae7095-da60-484b-a8e2-df442b312cd6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="76f71c3c-be5f-49fe-b94c-cb9fe4f1ed56" grcontextid="am:0">am</span></span> the only one who can do it. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">Chapter One<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">Victoria’s POV:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">One Year Later……<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">Bright vivid <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="colours:0" grmarkguid="e54de746-8b93-435c-a6b4-7bf74d570dbb" gruiphraseguid="0ed9cd14-5179-4123-912e-5eaa26c5dd2a"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9a01bb13-0a7f-4c62-9d65-237896b42f6f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6c3a19fb-dd46-4fd4-9b7e-b61d2bc8a8a1" grcontextid="colours:0">colours</span></span> of gold and purple blooms,
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="intertwined:0" grmarkguid="9c954ee0-cc3f-446d-9c5a-f2b1366ccb5a" gruiphraseguid="86618ace-d2be-4df4-8ace-edf3ff273053"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="03600d97-7925-4d72-935f-0f6daa88df09" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a35e02db-33ed-4c9d-92f0-c23f24b47a93" grcontextid="intertwined:0">intertwined</span></span> with silver threads as delicate as the purest silk, wove through
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="his:0" grmarkguid="c2f69470-52da-4844-9b4c-b73feb063c5f" gruiphraseguid="0b21963e-4991-4650-a410-12dd382ed586"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="68898c5e-3e53-4b0a-9f7b-b87e58c49351" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="48a5a385-5299-499a-8213-84452c4d65bd" grcontextid="his:0">his</span></span> aura as he stood before me smiling so widely. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">“Victoria, it has happened! Bella told me she loves me,
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="yes:0" grmarkguid="8b32664a-3fac-4dde-ba22-38601ed147ea" gruiphraseguid="a4c5c231-ef35-49e4-90af-283b91e1ea09"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f530c3aa-ef57-4437-af6c-fb0bfa524b6e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0e5c738b-e36f-4dca-9200-4df044004eb9" grcontextid="yes:0">yes</span></span> you heard right, she <i>loves</i> me!”
Edward Cullen gushed, his crooked smile full of joyful infectious happiness. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">I smiled back and nodded wisely, “Didn’t I tell you
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="brother:0" grmarkguid="7ec3aa02-c035-4b54-a4da-387cd0516fab" gruiphraseguid="65a2f5fc-8b96-4f06-9435-f5bd8e74fcf4"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="acd906e9-c23c-4449-adb6-f99ee1d1125f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="97bf3fa4-cb6b-43b0-ac4e-c02bc0be932d" grcontextid="brother:0">brother</span></span>? I just <i>knew</i> you would find
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="true:0" grmarkguid="0037b52e-f16e-4ef9-a611-33f02ee928c7" gruiphraseguid="08ae8e6c-a313-42b4-80ca-599cb93eb968"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="186175ab-fe55-4a41-9fa0-dee39d1163da" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c08d3c18-6472-4c96-b47d-9a408ba22d0f" grcontextid="true:0">true</span></span> love one day!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;"><span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="His:0" grmarkguid="22915ab8-2d80-4e08-9de8-a5c920b7b5ba" gruiphraseguid="3c25adb0-4129-4138-a406-53d8c37ae54a"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="45bf7e78-6022-40ba-adf9-2e0b09516f9c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="626c3e0b-1415-458f-aba8-d01b3578b92e" grcontextid="His:0">His</span></span> beautiful face grinned at me as the October sunshine poked through
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="the:0" grmarkguid="e503263c-d72c-4bea-abcb-de0a6a0f242a" gruiphraseguid="5342dd3d-3f1e-481e-b6f3-ce2d9496663b"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="479f67ea-9f37-4384-ae63-180b42bddb1c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d57ddfd4-2e98-4cb2-a52c-a7a24faefaaf" grcontextid="the:0">the</span></span> clouds lighting up his beautiful face with rainbow sparkles. I had wished for this day, I had hoped for
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="this:0" grmarkguid="5136d1aa-5bee-431f-878a-2e4f8e77d93c" gruiphraseguid="8cd47003-a553-4847-8b6f-e35b674ab04d"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="62e7b6c7-69f3-45f1-a80a-27b9821c0299" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7a1465d8-57ac-4187-8154-c39fbcb08dc4" grcontextid="this:0">this</span></span> day and I had prayed fervently that Edward would find someone to love. He
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="deserved:0" grmarkguid="f91e4fde-faa4-43ae-b908-bbc444731ff6" gruiphraseguid="e80cce27-254e-44dc-80cf-2938c1513b08"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="eb00a65b-452b-401c-a5dd-07f1678dbd46" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fe65d861-aaaf-4836-9c0c-427aa93f1060" grcontextid="deserved:0">deserved</span></span> it. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">I, on the other hand had been in love since 1349, the year
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="fd187096-9eff-427f-a8a3-5316b78b7aef" gruiphraseguid="b1d029e9-0597-4b03-a4c4-0db503ef2510"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d4bf5ce2-bcd4-4dce-9162-0e0656eb134e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a9397bac-02ee-4d70-bcb7-da2bd9f3c444" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span> changed me into this wondrous and glorious creature. I fell in love
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="instantly:0" grmarkguid="0e849f08-08e2-4ba4-a641-64dcee278610" gruiphraseguid="75fca73e-c6c9-4cab-81f1-f86a8b24cc55"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7c094205-5f13-4c03-a979-13a33db7297a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="45ee2cc5-1caf-443c-b5dc-bcfff82941e7" grcontextid="instantly:0">instantly</span></span> and powerfully with him. He was my maker, my lover, my everything,
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="and:0" grmarkguid="073f8aa9-295a-439c-a300-5847de1bcae2" gruiphraseguid="5a6d1039-1dff-48cb-8d73-f1faab125c34"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="864f0b9e-52d4-4ab8-a857-e8a864d9b7b8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="dcdad13e-934c-43e0-a6d9-86d46ac66f48" grcontextid="and:0">and</span></span> for this past year he had also been my husband. We were married in <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="my:0" grmarkguid="0bd69338-616e-460f-809b-4a6856572f64" gruiphraseguid="42acfd67-eb0f-4ae9-875e-215f8803cf3b"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="89931b61-e3d3-4fc2-b85e-535b93a7ec65" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b36f5d5f-fdb3-461b-915f-ac45fb1cdf67" grcontextid="my:0">my</span></span>
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="family’s:0" grmarkguid="830be552-8a9b-4bc0-b593-de48e5e2ee24" gruiphraseguid="f459f826-a226-4798-ab10-eb308a4e97f0"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="25a46f83-31fe-452d-8f89-0678c6e96287" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="90c5d6b5-7306-41e4-8e08-29978b246bbe" grcontextid="family’s:0">family’s</span></span> garden as the sun rose into the dusky pink morning sky on October 13<sup><span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="th:0" grmarkguid="a26c59a4-dde5-4d7e-9ebb-3b1cc6ea082d" gruiphraseguid="b8a37793-81af-4ed4-9432-169dce689416"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b0cb7634-2f06-4535-be34-01d857fa0c03" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="abe9bbd0-3037-4fce-9a0b-9d043ea439d5" grcontextid="th:0">th</span></span></sup>
2012. Today is our wedding anniversary and we have returned to Forks, I will
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="explain:0" grmarkguid="242e40d4-17dd-4974-ae3b-bb085ad4ab3b" gruiphraseguid="20642bc2-e07b-45e5-bda4-c2d6da54a314"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7c539f7c-d8b5-42af-b53e-984707cc4553" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f9df7303-bbe1-4d3d-ab65-80b248449f94" grcontextid="explain:0">explain</span></span> later, I promise. </span><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 200%;">I hugged Edward to me happily. I was so pleased to see
</span><span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="him:0" grmarkguid="8dc3596d-313a-4184-ac1b-f622cc00b85c" gruiphraseguid="c1e2d522-95ff-4505-931c-cb4cc6230103" style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 200%;"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3b267e8f-f637-4172-948a-294a63987d08" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bf17ec75-6af1-437e-bdf2-93d4750f8566" grcontextid="him:0">him</span></span><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 200%;">! It had been almost a year since Aro and I departed the coven. </span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 200%;">“When do I
</span><span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="get:0" grmarkguid="4a083766-9a19-491f-9b8d-11340e86d5f4" gruiphraseguid="ca4beaf3-db2c-4810-80c0-0df39f20e760" style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 200%;"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f5756c70-1345-4f43-b355-e22519da1f1c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9fd2da0a-d523-419d-a22d-6729b516f269" grcontextid="get:0">get</span></span><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 200%;"> to meet this special lady of yours?” I asked my brother.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">“She is coming here <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="later to meet you:0" grmarkguid="72d8538c-412e-40e4-ba8d-c21a6ecfa069" gruiphraseguid="03205600-64a2-4dd9-b523-d44fb23eb8a5"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3da8a160-2db8-439e-baa5-48c2aa532704" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="54ceb8a3-329c-482f-a2c0-ac392ea587f7" grcontextid="later to meet you:0">later to meet you</span></span>! I told her <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="my:0" grmarkguid="802245a7-dd65-4506-9aaa-f8f64ddee0f1" gruiphraseguid="c3abf231-189e-44b2-9f2d-e8e81b0ea0dd"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="064b9d7c-cfc3-40ff-9592-20dc4521357f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="448c1245-8173-41a3-9085-1ba63f5f65c2" grcontextid="my:0">my</span></span>
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="lovely:0" grmarkguid="bc2240fb-6f57-42ac-bf0b-144f819c6001" gruiphraseguid="abada199-f172-41e6-8bdf-68a5d6286d1d"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a9bd1535-6c65-4de9-9b25-22a32c4f4318" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e258c7dc-d8d3-44c3-907f-f26d210d8b1d" grcontextid="lovely:0">lovely</span></span> sister and her handsome husband <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="was returning:1" grmarkguid="99ccbb0b-3b71-497b-b690-dc59dad3607c" gruiphraseguid="abada199-f172-41e6-8bdf-68a5d6286d1d"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b078f059-f4cc-4c92-bf92-f7593858ca31" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e258c7dc-d8d3-44c3-907f-f26d210d8b1d" grcontextid="was returning:1">was returning</span></span> to Forks today. Has
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="anybody:0" grmarkguid="c36f1c2a-3d47-463f-8cab-542500c2e3b9" gruiphraseguid="1779a456-0d4e-43c6-9f4f-e052ecc3678a"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4891d222-6a53-4d12-943a-65e1f12c886a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7150f693-e574-4be2-bc33-bbe85a80c777" grcontextid="anybody:0">anybody</span></span> told you anything about her?” he asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">I smiled as I raised my eyebrows at him, “Just that she
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="is:0" grmarkguid="2c157d40-201d-4397-a98b-ef4d925d32d2" gruiphraseguid="1beaa079-ba75-4ba0-a358-32ebcf9dfe68"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fb1b5f82-35d8-4b8a-9f84-12d4456d6b85" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3dd3a918-4486-48db-a838-3baf9d412c4e" grcontextid="is:0">is</span></span> human, but a very extraordinary human!” I replied. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">Edward smiled crookedly, “She certainly is! You will
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="find:0" grmarkguid="d875c6c5-c54a-4aeb-a500-709d877ba7ae" gruiphraseguid="e75cec56-7c81-46af-abe6-665a139af171"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d07bbbf1-b212-44f0-af3d-d7864877ad6a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="93c4d790-49b8-49e3-ac43-8905d2cc1d13" grcontextid="find:0">find</span></span> out for yourself later, but for now let us hunt!”<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">We grinned at each other as we held hands and ran
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="speedily:0" grmarkguid="8ea2bd57-dd2d-4bd6-87c2-a6e16af0368a" gruiphraseguid="8ddb9198-3ba3-429e-a5c6-d3463055ba1f"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8d4f77a1-cd82-4f2f-9bb2-50e5d8ec0957" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="dddc8727-6502-4c49-b784-6104901aff28" grcontextid="speedily:0">speedily</span></span> into the woods surrounding the Cullen house. I was a centuries old
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="vampire:0" grmarkguid="a377230d-6bf0-42d4-bf1f-340771abf932" gruiphraseguid="2261efaa-6410-46f1-afec-94245c041e19"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="593e3a6a-fde2-413b-86a4-1eb9e6bff9b7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="463d3dbe-e3d3-4332-8644-e7562bf17f61" grcontextid="vampire:0">vampire</span></span>, who had been a ‘vegetarian’ for a long while now. I no longer required
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="human:0" grmarkguid="06b0ef51-dd9a-4a5f-ac08-3846b1d4767e" gruiphraseguid="922fbaff-09cf-466d-a5b9-24903b4322a4"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1af7cb5e-3b04-4c44-9976-9315f3b39d73" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c12cdf56-a55e-4bd8-8648-96298bba676d" grcontextid="human:0">human</span></span> blood to survive, animal blood satisfied my thirst. Sometimes my acute
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="senses:0" grmarkguid="94dfb3af-a057-42eb-81a7-b02dd3c353a7" gruiphraseguid="c6cf9594-0175-41aa-a238-97a9a589d680"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="60d5cbb3-d042-4966-9232-64ee87e4dbed" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8d40d8ec-7e70-4eaf-8b43-c278254eca69" grcontextid="senses:0">senses</span></span> were intrigued by a random human scent and I would turn to stare at them
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="with:0" grmarkguid="4c5f2f62-6657-49c0-bb84-5fa415bcf3fc" gruiphraseguid="05fb9746-1fc0-4b50-91c2-b971928325c5"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1a186114-f3a8-4bf0-bfa4-6b60c84e4963" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8f593437-c4c1-4294-8b17-9a1f6970f695" grcontextid="with:0">with</span></span> interest. I never felt like drinking their blood, though. I was too old
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="and:0" grmarkguid="a16ddefa-9102-41f4-8c0f-e1fbe50422dd" gruiphraseguid="85e41212-6268-4642-b55b-7ac30febd078"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fcce4e2e-75e0-4ba6-bf30-253222a48e3e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f57fcd95-b26d-4657-bffd-488f5452b5cb" grcontextid="and:0">and</span></span> wise for that now. <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="1c372dc3-a70b-4d0d-bd55-38f13339f46a" gruiphraseguid="97beb5ca-f897-49d8-8574-00e72ba0b15e"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="78c699b7-8646-4dcc-ad50-33620ab3bd19" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="768b376d-8ce0-4bc8-9764-02a95ef4f4c7" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span> had changed
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="to:0" grmarkguid="aede7528-5cdd-4e09-a86a-9a11a15c4c62" gruiphraseguid="f9afbab7-fcf2-4cf8-a095-d440f03b1642"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a999f842-024c-411d-9a67-cb57a40bb948" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="338222fa-a3f8-4ad3-81d3-f6c0ebb8a5e1" grcontextid="to:0">to</span></span> this new lifestyle <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="also, although it:1" grmarkguid="1d5186e1-2dbb-4005-bbd4-ae95dda91ae4" gruiphraseguid="f9afbab7-fcf2-4cf8-a095-d440f03b1642"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9c5f69ad-1577-4013-9bd1-b7640c0b6b1c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="338222fa-a3f8-4ad3-81d3-f6c0ebb8a5e1" grcontextid="also, although it:1">also, although it</span></span> had been much more difficult for him
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="than:0" grmarkguid="a2f2760b-b8cc-4111-9b69-bc08a5989472" gruiphraseguid="8dbeb7cd-56d3-481e-b299-e7e7af90e1b9"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1b472f09-adc9-4292-a7d9-5794e0a0486e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="90574d15-c939-4dcf-b122-ee5a3d218227" grcontextid="than:0">than</span></span> I. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">My husband was currently engrossed in a meeting with
Carlisle. I guessed this was why he had decided to come back to Washington
State, although he hadn’t imparted it to me yet! I was glad to return to <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="my:0" grmarkguid="7f51b949-7381-49a7-843d-a29e3a92bbd8" gruiphraseguid="566b40fa-4368-47ee-9c2f-71b4eb313bc2"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8968ff7c-b866-40c9-9158-3e27ddd63890" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7101b4af-77bb-4031-a110-298a545caf97" grcontextid="my:0">my</span></span>
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="family:0" grmarkguid="db3a90ff-cf0b-4656-869d-37a2627c275c" gruiphraseguid="9d1e467f-b66d-4fda-8881-b51256053b7e"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="16d73d7b-c4bd-46bd-a78b-92014f69ac52" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="de59aee6-9013-418a-b106-eb27e9c35d32" grcontextid="family:0">family</span></span>, even though I now had my own, it was still fantastic to be back with
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="the:0" grmarkguid="cbc13b29-7562-4670-a08a-d76681789613" gruiphraseguid="a8e8a699-01b9-4ea2-a3a3-6bcee1a06111"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="01b8ae60-2d71-490d-95a1-85b7c1425383" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5accdef9-f300-4d06-b87a-3e7e39fbfe94" grcontextid="the:0">the</span></span> Cullen’s. <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="e22c9b42-34d2-4f98-9198-d92d215ec966" gruiphraseguid="54733cfe-f764-4b0c-b20c-c49b26df01ae"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="530932ca-4987-475f-a456-541d98a6f7a3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="752f4653-8e59-4256-9267-0194458f8aa1" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span> and I had ‘adopted’
Noah, the Immortal Child as our own son. He was a quiet, introspective child,
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="which:0" grmarkguid="bebaf278-fc01-4db7-b7ae-2d6b968ac786" gruiphraseguid="4df1b4d8-80a1-40c8-afc5-d59e81357bfb"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f760f271-4d4c-454b-95ab-abce86db05c9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b09dd896-c7a2-41d1-885d-65e7dbf4a2fc" grcontextid="which:0">which</span></span> was not that surprising considering all he had been through. We were
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="being:0" grmarkguid="124f7477-b101-4998-9e17-f96d1d2f55b4" gruiphraseguid="461f279d-439c-4d8f-ac0e-9482f095d02e"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c41025a7-9f41-4054-a105-b30fcab955e9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bca05c26-6b34-428c-95ce-a039e5482297" grcontextid="being:0">being</span></span> as patient and considerate with him as we could, but at times he
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="retreated:0" grmarkguid="1663bff7-f47a-45b4-9bb0-e87fda5b4c84" gruiphraseguid="3f720fcc-2fa1-4b5d-9b7d-4c533a314b74"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f0cc2a3a-2ac7-4ca0-8a3e-a671aef58854" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="79b305e7-1c43-4c02-814b-1b7c85f8ddfc" grcontextid="retreated:0">retreated</span></span> into himself and did not speak for days on end. There was no way we
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="could:0" grmarkguid="d5538d44-5baf-46c5-96a5-d665fd3ac13e" gruiphraseguid="5be9c548-d658-4c4d-b57a-d98c9f197cd9"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fe204118-74c3-4411-8549-d756531fe693" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2f318242-e804-46fa-8137-b9a27a2a6f3c" grcontextid="could:0">could</span></span> get him to feed on animals, he would not even try! We used Carlisle’s
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="plan:0" grmarkguid="b26f30f9-1c5a-4f52-aa68-d07e1ef4e759" gruiphraseguid="91d24489-2fe7-43ac-a407-6e4ca9e78094"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3346748a-52a7-4f56-bd7a-33b1dd1a31b2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="893c9d84-635a-46bb-9e58-944c58d920b6" grcontextid="plan:0">plan</span></span> and fed Noah human blood from the little bags Aro had the Doctor ship to
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="us:0" grmarkguid="ba4d2a30-72b1-4fc6-9929-34dca921b58d" gruiphraseguid="06c59fbe-44fc-4594-a4f6-0a8d18831201"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7dd91405-73f6-4703-82ef-e447882594ce" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4ffad6f4-9301-4762-beec-2e74b296b029" grcontextid="us:0">us</span></span>. It was better than letting the child feed from innocent humans! My how I
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="have:0" grmarkguid="aa9edb9d-569d-4fdc-9900-e37ea4629aa0" gruiphraseguid="cce12a16-97ba-4a2b-b2d1-a47f0a9c82af"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e4413e9d-3e2d-4bb7-85d6-827eb50159c2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9898d52c-4283-4785-a636-0c2c85003294" grcontextid="have:0">have</span></span> changed! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">Edward and I quickly dispatched a pair of mountain
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="lions:0" grmarkguid="6955c3d1-4e16-41bd-8f70-fdd7b5d7bdc0" gruiphraseguid="31dc2acf-43a6-4cf1-8dcf-d9af56900729"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e87d50b6-a94b-41fd-8142-073d8eafac36" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8bf4a832-04d2-4335-b60c-e957ddaa4475" grcontextid="lions:0">lions</span></span> and we grinned our bloody smiles at each other as we drank our fill of
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="the:0" grmarkguid="1d583413-0a99-41db-a82e-27a62ae38220" gruiphraseguid="dd5f5d4f-ef79-4f57-aed9-fd3d976994eb"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="32d5b30d-acbf-4274-b3db-8fb0491bc92d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4e66a8d9-df90-49a1-a99a-edb47edbea88" grcontextid="the:0">the</span></span> warm thick blood. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">“Tell me about Bella,” I asked with genuine curiosity. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">Edward grinned like a lovesick fool, his topaz eyes
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="shining:0" grmarkguid="cd03bb5b-ca12-4242-9443-a2eb795e38f7" gruiphraseguid="35debbd9-f6b1-4f64-95d4-505ded4365e0"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="659404a5-adc6-46a0-a8c3-474678be3181" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bba83f59-a18d-427b-a0be-1d4f6aeb1a6a" grcontextid="shining:0">shining</span></span> with adoration at the mention of her name. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">“Ah Victoria, where do I begin? She has deep chocolate
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="brown:0" grmarkguid="7d64f0a6-213a-4111-bbea-888bc2b546de" gruiphraseguid="f079ad4b-270d-4865-be1b-1546a30df41a"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2c61abbb-5ae0-434a-95dc-f3310d6a4106" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b2d2299c-7807-4310-a69c-390f634bb00e" grcontextid="brown:0">brown</span></span> eyes which you could lose yourself in. She has the loveliest long auburn
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="hair:0" grmarkguid="fc183966-8927-4345-8582-a926e7e8f47d" gruiphraseguid="00ff8c00-5cdd-417a-9275-0191de857737"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="04666f62-0bf6-4302-8dde-34eeb5b3ccff" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bd68c8f2-b649-40f8-bf2e-04f32d35fe74" grcontextid="hair:0">hair</span></span>, which waves in the right places just perfectly. Her skin is flawless and
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="her:0" grmarkguid="c1a22ef4-b374-4194-8458-10f59e09c65b" gruiphraseguid="c81d3dcb-cd26-47fe-a31a-6df03f28c99c"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d905d791-f400-4a02-927f-3624e8e6f9fa" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="895f2a90-363a-46ec-b0ff-1fcbe5ce0e94" grcontextid="her:0">her</span></span> lips are so unbelievably sweet to kiss. Not only does she possess the
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="beauty:0" grmarkguid="ef4260e7-8cfa-4a24-adc1-87ee7b0fef83" gruiphraseguid="4419abbf-5ee8-4483-a574-606386736895"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c7a0cb75-2dba-47cb-948b-c04652d28bd6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1eaf60b8-3e3d-46b6-86a4-d0411b0403e2" grcontextid="beauty:0">beauty</span></span> of a Goddess, she also has inner beauty and strength which make her
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="glow:0" grmarkguid="8e582ac8-93d8-4979-bb86-1e6f65bbdea0" gruiphraseguid="8cbd3cf4-d401-4f53-9a8f-9cc5033357c6"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ac630a96-d3ec-4b53-b293-43e8f0904c62" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5971bad9-e0e1-4267-808a-391c594905dc" grcontextid="glow:0">glow</span></span>. If she didn’t so obviously have a beating heart, you would think she was
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="one:0" grmarkguid="36a2c2a8-d085-4a19-adf6-e426e752d5e9" gruiphraseguid="baee14cd-8394-4c20-b821-39dba556ef5d"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8845e1ba-0d77-4a35-ae05-5eb230e65c76" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f139bf08-92c9-45c9-9e90-e27e203f96a0" grcontextid="one:0">one</span></span> of our kind! I am completely and irrevocably in love with her. Forever!” he
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="finished:0" grmarkguid="7fcd1b70-6277-4ed1-9eb4-5d433fcd76d9" gruiphraseguid="ca0af8f5-3edb-429d-be04-8e8513aae775"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c01d5f1f-fdf1-4593-b07b-37a93b85cb92" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bf8deecd-8efd-44ca-986a-0f7ca46eae39" grcontextid="finished:0">finished</span></span> with <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="flourish:1" grmarkguid="6655311f-f80c-4e19-bcb9-dd78b5486f43" gruiphraseguid="ca0af8f5-3edb-429d-be04-8e8513aae775"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8243dfa0-887c-4c5d-b800-d1668cde0792" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bf8deecd-8efd-44ca-986a-0f7ca46eae39" grcontextid="flourish:1">flourish</span></span>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">I smiled back, but a little worry began to creep in
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="upon:0" grmarkguid="71eaa683-b0c8-41e0-bd0c-4dc32cdffea0" gruiphraseguid="2bb6a6b8-c726-4a31-8671-95a06df41566"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="984fe615-8f66-47e5-94c1-c33d4b178853" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c2383b82-725e-4c77-9f64-178b887e3147" grcontextid="upon:0">upon</span></span> my initial joy for my brother. This girl was not one of us. She was <i>human, </i>breakable, fragile and out of her
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="depth:0" grmarkguid="c0419ec1-8d26-4e78-86f1-c705fb120c6e" gruiphraseguid="000c6d95-40b5-4932-a423-9c54c60dc399"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5fc261d5-c90e-476d-8ebd-dac16e22ac30" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="52a04a79-3fcd-4de7-a177-b950d1375d11" grcontextid="depth:0">depth</span></span> surely? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">“No, she is more than human, Victoria! “ Edward cried. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">I had forgotten he was a mind reader! How could I?
After all I was married to one although Aro’s power was through touch only.
Edward was frowning at me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">“I hope so, brother. For her sake! You have probably
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="seen:0" grmarkguid="53722352-8e2c-44d7-b014-97c2f3be5b28" gruiphraseguid="e83d8555-70c4-4e9b-b028-3a08ee86b2cf"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fd667f3c-8dc7-48e9-a265-23a411856755" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c48fc70e-5d00-4353-aba8-b8799cac49c3" grcontextid="seen:0">seen</span></span> this in my mind already, but I am going to ask you out loud! Please,
Edward, do not frown at me so! I am allowed to be worried for my brother!” I
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="exclaimed:0" grmarkguid="0399ec2d-43f9-4b29-8354-6e632d1f347d" gruiphraseguid="ceaabed0-c6f6-441b-a655-cb9a7f547bbb"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3ccb2eb3-0c57-4497-a9b8-e01c3bd6bd01" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6a47bf88-daf1-403f-b95a-905b9c2540d9" grcontextid="exclaimed:0">exclaimed</span></span>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">“Go ahead then, sister dearest, ask me!” he dared, a
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="crooked:0" grmarkguid="05c9f8d6-5f9b-43d4-9a48-5c652a7a16ad" gruiphraseguid="50bdf817-859f-4924-9606-dc9ed8c803c0"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="807f198f-bd50-494f-8912-50b27caa9ff8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d09f2e89-9dc5-48e9-94c0-ead684d84479" grcontextid="crooked:0">crooked</span></span> smile beginning to play around his full lips. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">“How on earth do you conduct your relationship? Surely
Bella is too <i>human </i>to withstand any
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="affectionate:0" grmarkguid="e6dae56d-a94d-427e-a511-59ad17d7ad7f" gruiphraseguid="646ca70d-3a1d-444e-aee2-3e3f7bab3b0a"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c34896d1-c062-4a40-a305-66bf29a2275b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4b032038-694c-4373-99ed-757929cd7981" grcontextid="affectionate:0">affectionate</span></span> attention from your good self?” I queried with my usual raised eyebrow.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">He laughed a hearty belly laugh which made me smile.
“Oh Victoria, dearest sister, <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="trust:0" grmarkguid="7a0a2bd0-5a5d-40f2-b8ec-c98469ddd679" gruiphraseguid="42cf4833-42e5-4fbe-b876-691740459b5e"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="681166b8-6d64-4596-ba7d-9037aa995a78" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="94f91719-329a-4d1e-bfea-e30c65fdd22e" grcontextid="trust:0">trust</span></span> you to wonder about that! We are not all
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="sex:0" grmarkguid="9682aabf-402d-4c88-a221-772416dec923" gruiphraseguid="e5081fb5-9528-4de2-9276-1fe8411e8811"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="41a6aa8c-1114-491e-8de1-18cd14331b54" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="278edc0c-194f-45e6-a96a-51086a5b9024" grcontextid="sex:0">sex</span></span> obsessed, my red haired friend!” he roared. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">I punched him lightly on the arm with an indignant
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="snort:0" grmarkguid="56635765-6972-4482-bfec-b28c5dc359dd" gruiphraseguid="a77b5c25-c51d-4001-ab42-ae9ae9dcdd0b"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2da6e874-3b8c-44ae-a115-ed395bf31640" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e57e8a8c-4974-47eb-bb23-ab5c28b665d1" grcontextid="snort:0">snort</span></span>. “I am naturally curious!” I retorted cheekily.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">Edward sighed, his perfect features suddenly clouded
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="with:0" grmarkguid="f5379f0f-283c-4ff9-9453-74d9a26be8cb" gruiphraseguid="ad7786e3-c5f2-487e-ba00-17910616d5f8"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="531f1052-1ef8-435b-8eff-65e0ca987555" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="dc0b461a-f15f-4ee9-9f7d-03d3704d2302" grcontextid="with:0">with</span></span> anxiety.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">“What is it Edward, what’s wrong?” I asked worriedly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">“She
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="wants:0" grmarkguid="37ad5b45-1825-45b2-98d9-1faccb1dc499" gruiphraseguid="61dd7d75-91d4-41d6-bef8-ca5c036673f6"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6eceaf4d-255f-49cd-8572-affaaa33c057" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="cc7ecc35-c7f1-4ee9-ae72-a4956c4a347e" grcontextid="wants:0">wants</span></span> me to change her! She wants to become like us, Victoria!”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">Chapter Two<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;"><span class="GRnoSuggestion GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro’s:0" grmarkguid="d0ea4868-d2ca-4ab8-8791-96f499851720" gruiphraseguid="8bdc6757-6cef-4152-aaf2-a4e2d419778e"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9f509303-a3c2-48e3-894e-af303b646816" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8517a6ba-54a8-4006-b548-3f4e013ccfb2" grcontextid="Aro’s:0">Aro’s</span></span> POV:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">Like red silk running through my hands, her luxurious
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="vibrant:0" grmarkguid="721e94f6-0392-4a6c-8f27-1ee5c28e5822" gruiphraseguid="eef8cfd8-7230-4c72-b41e-e5fb858e40ee"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="392ada74-2164-4271-bfbf-b59a56c8ee2b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="123925ca-3836-4432-b8c5-1f29ab669069" grcontextid="vibrant:0">vibrant</span></span> hair <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="fell:1" grmarkguid="1c09ea5a-5c7a-45aa-ba3e-9c5896e5ea5b" gruiphraseguid="eef8cfd8-7230-4c72-b41e-e5fb858e40ee"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="34af2789-72c3-46c7-a6ac-dc890ba8b6d2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="123925ca-3836-4432-b8c5-1f29ab669069" grcontextid="fell:1">fell</span></span> like fire onto the forest floor beneath her. Green and red,
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="bold:0" grmarkguid="c256d39e-8d7a-4ef9-8e76-87a209e02a3a" gruiphraseguid="3b13ed57-8e7d-44d7-81c7-5739556be62f"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c33b4922-7518-45a4-9269-bd31344fb1e4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="678e266e-74aa-4745-adf1-923934cf808c" grcontextid="bold:0">bold</span></span> and beautiful. Like a Goddess of nature she enthralled me so. My lips grazed the pale skin of her exposed
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="throat:0" grmarkguid="a5821d89-325a-4a61-9235-dddfa80ca04f" gruiphraseguid="63922658-a489-4d34-9894-431acd6c88e1"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="78d92507-4acd-4e92-8ef0-5cf3ae6d127a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1835b7c0-093a-495e-9807-f641d0913eb6" grcontextid="throat:0">throat</span></span> so gently. My sharp teeth lightly bit her smooth flesh, making her gasp
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="so:0" grmarkguid="48688710-5035-4c7e-b015-03d9f35c355a" gruiphraseguid="c2acec28-d5ee-4017-994a-1c6a37c16c80"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d6d4a5d7-905b-4e7a-a2f8-e85ddd591ea2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b4ae57e4-2274-4ad5-930e-49bf96640677" grcontextid="so:0">so</span></span> deliciously. Would my wife ever give up this human trait? I hoped not! It
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="flamed:0" grmarkguid="b8eb7c0a-0a0c-4754-b317-4d7ecbf81d58" gruiphraseguid="920116c0-62e5-4da5-90cd-92bd77e5aa29"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a597e196-a95d-4d80-adf2-b29cba37295f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5901036a-4647-45d5-a07a-628537594930" grcontextid="flamed:0">flamed</span></span> my desire no end. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">My lips sought hers frantically as I yearned for her.
Our cool kisses of icy desire made me forget everything as I fell deeper into
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="her:0" grmarkguid="4ff28307-ca02-45c7-9272-ee8f82b72302" gruiphraseguid="47bd1576-6036-4ef2-8eb6-9b47103f7cc6"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ffe5bb3b-4ea6-4704-b713-7a61321acdb3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ed37d4ba-2575-4d6a-9fdf-b18975ed966d" grcontextid="her:0">her</span></span>. We gave our bodies to each other willingly beneath the <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Autumnal:0" grmarkguid="06ab9c57-35f8-444e-81fb-57ade1e8e1eb" gruiphraseguid="a291dc87-867e-48eb-8b3d-f6690d5e5395"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7f1c1ca6-6514-4c1e-b7e3-eb87c5889ec4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="38a34b59-e432-45c3-9e36-79aa5e6db630" grcontextid="Autumnal:0">Autumnal</span></span> sky
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="peeking:0" grmarkguid="4acdb141-a21c-4cb6-92fc-6ac9fd5bf1d6" gruiphraseguid="8ac643d9-f948-4df2-9877-bd9764dfb6c3"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9e1ade38-71a1-4901-b6d2-3a8639ec766d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="174461d2-cfc5-460f-86c0-a078e2e4ba5e" grcontextid="peeking:0">peeking</span></span> through the cover of trees above us. Nature embraced us, we who were
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="inhuman:0" grmarkguid="78180738-c48c-4f0d-b8a2-dafb578f8f51" gruiphraseguid="6c513d94-4bf9-4871-bda3-2460b3a51adc"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="34c5525a-d5ff-44c9-85db-81281f8e2dcf" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c45a0949-f45f-4f99-9d3d-0b78f4ac10b1" grcontextid="inhuman:0">inhuman</span></span>. Our sighs and moans reverberated through the woods and caught the
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="breeze:0" grmarkguid="7c18b185-ea8d-4f3f-b90f-bdbbc08a1d2c" gruiphraseguid="29e08e25-6681-4d61-a53b-cf183634bf7c"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="30d833d0-b8a8-4e8f-92fb-38a57809fa40" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="756aa462-2f34-42ca-a2a9-11a22d1284f9" grcontextid="breeze:0">breeze</span></span> which soothed our bare skin with its feathery touch. I could never tire of Victoria and the deep
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="passionate:0" grmarkguid="7122d0a4-4500-4fe6-a714-d03d3a782cfb" gruiphraseguid="615347e0-38fd-4148-9e05-42872b673325"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e4026778-7bde-4e98-b327-bf8c1d85b0b4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3afd3cc2-7299-4cfd-9e82-f6fda035aee9" grcontextid="passionate:0">passionate</span></span> connection we shared. Much later, as twilight fell like a soft
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="blanket:0" grmarkguid="b59a7499-0708-49ef-8fa4-bdc2acd87cbe" gruiphraseguid="01fde833-dbb2-462c-87b0-58f5dce297e2"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d5a21902-332f-4f71-a6f7-88f0286f5a70" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ecae2862-df88-46ef-9843-3555cb8261f3" grcontextid="blanket:0">blanket</span></span> over the trees, we lay in brown and gold leaves together, silent and
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="sated:0" grmarkguid="1b2d5b5d-61f8-45e3-b26a-62bd96bb6239" gruiphraseguid="f0f08c67-4edb-4ec4-8ba0-1c9e99a3e1c5"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6d3deed2-81a8-4584-a2c9-81368eda87d4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b9b895ed-a590-4522-a7af-d8ff7809139a" grcontextid="sated:0">sated</span></span>. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">Silence <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="was:0" grmarkguid="19a63464-baa2-4460-8834-82c37f33453e" gruiphraseguid="9263ff4f-f42b-4f54-9f8d-11affeae4bd6"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3365720f-111c-4f42-9736-6c445e54be5c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a20953e8-cce0-48bb-be79-a156e66e4172" grcontextid="was:0">was</span></span> never uncomfortable between me and my
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="dearest:0" grmarkguid="ad3b7c81-8cb6-4728-b55a-ebbbe5db5239" gruiphraseguid="8eb5c51d-5b3b-4c6f-970e-d13113402511"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ec70c3a9-0b37-4235-9c30-09a927babc3f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f88a861f-e432-4fc6-a874-249344efe550" grcontextid="dearest:0">dearest</span></span> wife, but tonight I knew she was impatient to ask me something. I knew
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="her:0" grmarkguid="aabb9571-dfc5-491d-a6eb-3462fe5d4f62" gruiphraseguid="95589a22-aa06-4bff-af69-60a65217c2bb"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c4f01718-a9bf-4da9-a533-01822e1b7240" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4d727c7d-31c0-4f69-b072-41386dc6b493" grcontextid="her:0">her</span></span> question before she spoke it. I can read her wonderful mind when we are
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="touching:0" grmarkguid="b3f18d03-15cf-43b9-adc0-35d3be5d54e3" gruiphraseguid="5fa2da2c-d71c-4595-a8f9-96f87b93230c"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="691480e2-2bbe-4b99-84c8-ff45b8687c89" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f279c0ec-9b57-4c8e-805a-1f68e1a54a6c" grcontextid="touching:0">touching</span></span>. </span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;"> “<span class="GRnoSuggestion GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="75929c2a-550a-4121-ba17-657e5eac3158" gruiphraseguid="359c73c7-d75e-4dd0-b4df-2c5a944af231"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="cdd7ab93-21b3-4cf9-a5ba-279527cc7114" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9e373e04-4fb0-4b69-ba14-fbef6a4dff6c" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span>, what did you discuss
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="with:0" grmarkguid="4950ca63-671c-4e08-bfc6-a9d7d8e8570c" gruiphraseguid="92ff19d5-34d6-426e-beb2-0c6d4e78d79e"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="aa2e135d-6628-4240-806c-84a4daf94316" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9a5cd76e-a14f-4543-a363-baac229cea60" grcontextid="with:0">with</span></span> Carlisle earlier?” she queried. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">I smiled as I kissed the top of her head, “I wondered
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="when:0" grmarkguid="53f7a87b-8a9e-415b-ac5a-a65fa887d82e" gruiphraseguid="c91c3f0d-f1c8-4929-afc4-90a14da34ad4"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="00c0df75-14e0-42cb-be57-69806dd9eb44" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d9de8830-725f-4efd-bfb8-77679c5dc41e" grcontextid="when:0">when</span></span> you would ask me that, my darling,” I laughed. “I needed to discuss Noah with the Doctor. As
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="you:0" grmarkguid="76ab8c76-f345-462b-aee7-4ae4d9b869e7" gruiphraseguid="3287636a-79ed-4e15-8b16-df006bf92668"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="183dd4d1-0c31-44a4-8a2f-4473ae72b685" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="76bcabd1-2413-4155-b292-a352b4590b0e" grcontextid="you:0">you</span></span> know his <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="behaviour:1" grmarkguid="19cf1ed6-e59d-4629-9f5c-ffb1a1323b0a" gruiphraseguid="3287636a-79ed-4e15-8b16-df006bf92668"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a92c9d46-e3a8-4e5c-985e-1f2331537f55" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="76bcabd1-2413-4155-b292-a352b4590b0e" grcontextid="behaviour:1">behaviour</span></span> has been worrying to say the least. A week or so ago he
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="told:0" grmarkguid="013821b1-1e7b-470e-b5cf-f72fa44d0c85" gruiphraseguid="bb9ebdf1-f9f5-4102-a0c2-49407967d5ba"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4a60ff70-af58-4861-8d15-a4fec861f20e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="adeb0361-5b3c-43bc-9cfb-0d0b1531bf3b" grcontextid="told:0">told</span></span> me that Athenodora was planning to raise Sulpicia from the ashes! “
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">Victoria gasped with horror and pulled herself up to
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="gaze:0" grmarkguid="34bb550e-700b-44f1-9874-e8eefbc66d5f" gruiphraseguid="afc8bea0-ad6f-4a27-8730-0903a65bcd2e"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7c3526f8-8549-4739-86be-5391a45d6513" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="56f84af4-e137-4dbb-9591-e0516fa4fb03" grcontextid="gaze:0">gaze</span></span> into my amber eyes. Yes, I
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="succumbed:0" grmarkguid="f7b8041d-a11a-4257-96a0-ba5f0d62b2af" gruiphraseguid="9cec3f33-9ebe-4069-856f-62331cfa5291"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="414ddfe8-129e-4275-9277-20bc374b3b5c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0652766d-c490-4642-b1bb-bbbaab10f7ed" grcontextid="succumbed:0">succumbed</span></span> to my wife’s wishes and I am now a proud ‘vegetarian’! Her eyes were beautifully topaz due to her
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="hunt:0" grmarkguid="988f30dc-b726-46a1-92c4-888197d092cb" gruiphraseguid="878450fe-4d33-4d8e-a86e-7e9602cd53e7"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="57764398-c390-400f-b65a-ea8be717c65d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="47ae38ce-a56d-458c-92f3-e192d83082c9" grcontextid="hunt:0">hunt</span></span> with Edward earlier, but they were filled with sorrow and fear. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 200%;">“No! Why would he say such a thing? How? <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="4c9df459-f084-4f98-9881-6057da32e094" gruiphraseguid="d677deb8-c962-4875-941e-fef6fca5f108"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ba479d84-32da-41c0-943d-e0e7439b6711" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="295646ed-a215-4cb3-8f32-ec7148e0e682" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span>, has our
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="son:0" grmarkguid="85074d1e-9fff-4346-b98c-301d35b36d3f" gruiphraseguid="11c1013b-130b-46cd-b4f4-bbeccb1dabe2"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ad9ac20c-a3a2-4dc5-afae-81ca91375f61" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="dcdbc5c9-55e0-4238-aded-0069fe45cbd2" grcontextid="son:0">son</span></span> developed his own power? </span><span style="line-height: 200%;"> Is it like Alice's power? Is he seeing the
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="future:0" grmarkguid="88f37b74-aeba-4090-a66e-8678a96330c1" gruiphraseguid="b9bc4eca-4211-4325-9efb-85247bc5737b"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b33abda2-953a-4035-afa7-ee2eff82779d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="89285db3-277e-4bd0-8e76-774eaa098e8f" grcontextid="future:0">future</span></span>?! </span><span style="line-height: 200%;"> <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="she:0" grmarkguid="04df6554-6a5c-4bef-972e-5ad1de0c5dee" gruiphraseguid="096897ad-20f0-45c7-8b4b-71e151f0c32e"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="874c9158-dcf7-4d67-80ba-121b8c3373de" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ace6847a-52d6-4626-870d-256893cad7c5" grcontextid="she:0">she</span></span>
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="exclaimed:0" grmarkguid="d4a1ef9c-c1af-454c-a4fd-ffe2eb148dd1" gruiphraseguid="9d6ae54e-b179-4a97-b899-72380ea24904"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="19b63ce2-ed91-4bcd-9592-3548f1f3883e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d1168762-c1a3-4a7c-bf1f-3917bbc07d93" grcontextid="exclaimed:0">exclaimed</span></span> with horror. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">“I would have attributed it to his long term physiological
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="and:0" grmarkguid="e0fbb688-6415-4d00-aa09-4180049b91bb" gruiphraseguid="277c1616-057a-49ac-9bfc-130ed8805ee7"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c2e1bd8c-a7d7-4c2e-acce-d69049a40b02" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="30760aad-520e-4ede-86ca-7829ed95efdb" grcontextid="and:0">and</span></span> psychological damage, but he was insistent that Sulpicia would rise! So
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="insistent:0" grmarkguid="61f8d32d-d35f-4778-9136-6c06f3553447" gruiphraseguid="c6b1347b-ebfe-461e-8975-1fa3981455e1"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="938933d2-1e4b-4cd5-a429-47310fc6b108" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b0f5d4f0-4ac4-4f70-98a5-357ae3a9382b" grcontextid="insistent:0">insistent</span></span> that I could not ignore it any longer! My darling, I <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="apologise:0" grmarkguid="d6ff5c6b-6a9b-4aed-87b2-15efaf675530" gruiphraseguid="ceb1f1d3-6e7c-46de-bcef-b9cc13883bf5"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1a15fc0f-d73d-4be5-ad26-3526600cd8a6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="757bacfd-7dff-4697-95f3-7b98959391c4" grcontextid="apologise:0">apologise</span></span> for
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="not:0" grmarkguid="335b3c0b-4513-47b5-bafb-a9d3a97824ec" gruiphraseguid="0054aab3-ec7c-4855-95c4-23f279cb7f2d"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5dfb8e0b-807e-4925-9b54-fe5b892ef514" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1edc8e47-7f87-4239-b6ab-d43f71d03aaf" grcontextid="not:0">not</span></span> confiding in you sooner, but I did not want to cause you anguish!” I
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="exclaimed:0" grmarkguid="6498548a-0c78-4dd5-aa01-7bc78194674a" gruiphraseguid="b1e82a76-00ab-4d12-b1ed-fd8df6ff8220"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="39ee0cbd-29c8-49ff-ba9c-1939dd2f3c5e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6a7eac78-8806-4cd3-9d1c-4bd9aab0981d" grcontextid="exclaimed:0">exclaimed</span></span>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">Victoria shook her red curls defiantly, “I thought we
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="were:0" grmarkguid="bf36fde4-7496-4f90-bd22-719dbdb4af9a" gruiphraseguid="41858e3a-e2d6-4094-95a8-9d0e9c88747f"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1b13f34e-3047-419c-8c8e-1a3cbbe976bb" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="801b8cbc-2486-41b0-bdbd-b8ca25f63c8b" grcontextid="were:0">were</span></span> just visiting my family! I knew you were up to something! <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="a29e3151-a998-4567-b2d9-7d7e8db5e03c" gruiphraseguid="753fc002-7790-4f3d-a715-3db3a4cccd31"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="56a8d1a6-f978-437c-b240-fba850c1aa80" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="47d668a1-508b-4a1b-aeff-230ebbd0a38b" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span>, you should
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="have:0" grmarkguid="3448847f-71f1-4d61-89e3-a927965217ce" gruiphraseguid="daa5821d-592e-4fdd-9a8e-ab627df6b23c"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5bcde012-913a-4abe-a6b4-0f573057dd2d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="dccd0466-6aa5-4734-8927-8ad0ab9505bb" grcontextid="have:0">have</span></span> told me this!” she said, her eyes blazing fury at me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;"> Oh, she was
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="delicious:0" grmarkguid="5308c0c8-f979-4aa9-8224-e5841bfdf4f0" gruiphraseguid="fc550c11-d06e-42c6-86c4-0edb42c03072"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a6082c3f-739f-4a39-ba4d-ed60e9e3c30c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b61d8e4d-d7cc-4ba8-8ffa-1c67e9593085" grcontextid="delicious:0">delicious</span></span> when angry!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">“Forgive me, my angel. I did not want to worry you. I
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="believe:0" grmarkguid="6640e3a4-4892-49bc-b15e-c6173953d0ca" gruiphraseguid="56c8b359-b71d-4dca-8bfe-44959115ab95"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="447ca0c8-cdd8-4cef-ae42-cf5d7a83d17b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="83a2b7d1-1481-4b21-a45e-40dfbd1bddcf" grcontextid="believe:0">believe</span></span> Noah has always had this power, but it has only surfaced now. It was
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="most:0" grmarkguid="748914f8-feae-4162-b5ab-7c66ce54a2ee" gruiphraseguid="a672dd99-85f1-418b-8675-9babcc4a3592"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6151ecc4-5eea-4d84-adbf-0b48701063de" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="408eb91a-a881-47de-aeab-ba8e68426d59" grcontextid="most:0">most</span></span> likely suppressed whilst he was in stasis. I did that to him, I
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="incarcerated:0" grmarkguid="3d5063c9-6168-484d-8818-935498a959d2" gruiphraseguid="5fdcca37-d478-4321-84f8-758040da4210"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1e845868-fead-460a-9ff7-17053c7b4efe" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="06a342cd-b307-4c70-9e35-3611cf925e9e" grcontextid="incarcerated:0">incarcerated</span></span> him in that tomb!” I cried with sorrow. I had not yet got over the
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="guilt:0" grmarkguid="18471449-8f55-487f-8a9e-7777421e6752" gruiphraseguid="fc49b693-856d-4d45-a2a7-c369a7152ad1"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0bff5e55-bfea-47c1-a71b-87ff88ba70be" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1303a310-ca98-4742-ba9d-a10b58960939" grcontextid="guilt:0">guilt</span></span> of my previous actions. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">Victoria sighed as she softly kissed my cold cheek, “I
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="wish:0" grmarkguid="7d66d45c-8a0c-42a6-83f9-73692e130481" gruiphraseguid="ec7adb99-f4d6-4325-9b23-ed1ce64e7e27"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0a702c7c-b011-433b-bc00-4b050b249046" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f4495660-da90-406d-92e3-0a73f72fa864" grcontextid="wish:0">wish</span></span> you would have told me. I only want Noah to be happy and settled with us.
I thought we had left the past behind us when we made our new life
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="together:0" grmarkguid="46ae20fb-9a10-475f-892e-25d304a76ec5" gruiphraseguid="405ea1ee-d8ff-46cc-8a78-3b0830bee96f"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8c511299-8ce1-48d6-a5b1-997e164ee879" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="759c7058-3464-4218-bc78-db1b48451b38" grcontextid="together:0">together</span></span>. Now, <i>her</i> name has entered our lives again, “she said sadly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">I hated to see my Little Flame sad, so I held her to <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="my:0" grmarkguid="06b692f8-bcaf-4a69-955c-ee91dd7a5895" gruiphraseguid="d36627eb-3cf5-41e0-80fb-7da5071ea1de"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f2e9aa85-b4e5-4902-888e-4ee28f167101" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ef1ebd8f-89ce-413e-856b-14c304da0ebc" grcontextid="my:0">my</span></span>
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="cold:0" grmarkguid="4820c7d5-8531-4a8f-9851-5d1d7865ec0c" gruiphraseguid="cb28ecbe-e5b5-4d07-a874-816b56a3486e"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="989dd3d4-08c2-44fe-8994-71fe72a590b0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f526e8e4-f3ac-4570-9094-aa7be95f2308" grcontextid="cold:0">cold</span></span> skin and brought my lips to hers in an electrifying thrilling kiss to make
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="her:0" grmarkguid="70c93dbe-a248-46f1-8abb-fa75505da877" gruiphraseguid="67563146-e70d-4959-b038-3edde32f5783"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f5dbfa8e-6203-4d2e-bf28-cbe5e4db910e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f9b5c030-fb1b-44c9-8fd2-9880a72527c4" grcontextid="her:0">her</span></span> forget. Her passion rose to meet
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="mine:0" grmarkguid="266f79c9-c079-4044-b7b3-f2faec6f784e" gruiphraseguid="08810a50-4de5-4c75-add4-f415a6274d31"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="028c34e4-0d08-41e7-bbc8-fcb7da9a14e7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="221e9179-c948-4afc-8d7e-36891f75de7b" grcontextid="mine:0">mine</span></span> quickly, as always. Our limbs entwined together perfectly as we joined in utmost love once more. I could never tire of our intense love
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="making:0" grmarkguid="1fc44d8c-3833-4429-945d-a6e2fb573f61" gruiphraseguid="866a5ae9-c307-4498-ad31-07336913e4ac"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="80ecaee7-8107-4628-bf77-a91389306efd" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ff3c8be9-8ffb-49bc-9e7e-5e8f90e88139" grcontextid="making:0">making</span></span>. Her warm amber eyes were full of love and desire for me as I gazed
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="deeply:0" grmarkguid="d4a5dbd5-d557-4b79-aa92-1891997fb995" gruiphraseguid="b1ef4247-9358-4cf7-9f3a-238ef6d36240"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0b408b54-3520-4c09-8d58-b6bb71ec0aa2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7d83d26f-245f-42cc-9e7b-c3e95cba88e0" grcontextid="deeply:0">deeply</span></span> into them. Our hips moved in a
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="slow:0" grmarkguid="6422d4da-a8d0-4d05-8d0a-fdbf77ed3065" gruiphraseguid="a266c1ba-1bc4-448a-8e9c-bbca316752f4"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8c3bc8b2-8315-4e1e-81fa-a10041c9d546" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5d1514aa-80c2-499d-ae4e-4bb5330bdf3f" grcontextid="slow:0">slow</span></span> dance towards mutual ecstasy. At moments like these I felt like we were
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="the:0" grmarkguid="155797cb-5d22-46cc-a871-3e2d516696d5" gruiphraseguid="0f67391c-d340-4e22-912e-cfd939ba9463"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="dc49c680-c475-4fed-950c-24c10f4ffb62" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ba7e83f9-69d6-4276-865c-c1a925244275" grcontextid="the:0">the</span></span> only two creatures inhabiting this world. I cried out against her scarlet
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="hair:0" grmarkguid="cd5e89bc-2559-43ee-b4af-60bd84c5292f" gruiphraseguid="946c3408-f747-41c9-bbb4-8c7058bd5bc8"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="abc4f860-5220-47d1-8e2e-6dcf9cc3cd18" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="62e1662c-91f5-4da8-a856-749b96475aa1" grcontextid="hair:0">hair</span></span> as she buried her teeth in the hard marble flesh of my shoulder. The pain
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="was:0" grmarkguid="ed104dab-0971-46ac-886a-42c6cbc3fcd1" gruiphraseguid="52ef61d6-fa90-45b7-abbc-caa50dafb997"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f034f590-047e-4fcb-a099-2e5c4dfa8e3b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4513a83e-b7f6-4a0d-8884-13d9f31327ef" grcontextid="was:0">was</span></span> laced with exquisite pleasure. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">“Oh Aro, I love you!” she exclaimed at the height of
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="her:0" grmarkguid="457fbb97-3f86-4a34-a316-786201ca64ca" gruiphraseguid="8b5d21a4-bf4a-432f-801c-66b0a1166ae9"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="cf1df7b0-0151-44e9-aa72-fe04e1995b85" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5fd03c8e-7ca2-48c2-979f-098bd3670753" grcontextid="her:0">her</span></span> passion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">“I adore you, Victoria!” I breathed huskily against her
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="soft:0" grmarkguid="ccf9e3e0-ca59-444a-b57e-a9ba4d1281ca" gruiphraseguid="e53b0f53-6e3c-4fbb-b969-2244ca413b9f"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7f2d4f36-5ef2-4285-a2a7-161350a0dbfc" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6e6ae353-c199-4581-963e-52bd5a1803bb" grcontextid="soft:0">soft</span></span> cold cheek. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">We smiled at each other, content in the knowledge we
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="were:0" grmarkguid="1e8e94d4-ead0-4c11-8ee3-576514a0e1d4" gruiphraseguid="400e7f7d-ecbb-4ba4-a41f-263c0c0ac3f1"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="aa451175-017e-4273-a52b-7c8edc1ae722" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bcf8b2bd-c3b1-496c-b351-075804bf1cfc" grcontextid="were:0">were</span></span> together forever. I caught a fleeting thought from my beloved’s mind. She
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="was:0" grmarkguid="f95bfac2-cbfe-45f2-9524-48e7be333a21" gruiphraseguid="28bb8550-048a-4d68-8ab2-ca9d9b2c298c"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="791939d1-49f5-414a-9a3c-1883efde6af0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="630b6e59-2e60-4314-9474-958d52023559" grcontextid="was:0">was</span></span> scared and uncertain. She had believed we had found true happiness, now <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="she:0" grmarkguid="f7f09576-99e1-4d12-95ff-961fdf0c38c0" gruiphraseguid="2bb3bc64-6f9d-474d-84c9-fa9440ffceb7"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7f7951f4-2de2-4a8a-936a-2b85e2285969" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4d74b3b7-8505-4347-bbf6-7b17222df46a" grcontextid="she:0">she</span></span>
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="feared:0" grmarkguid="b58025ec-ab62-4aeb-9419-8759236c80b5" gruiphraseguid="8fccffef-8e17-4f56-ba3e-def02023842f"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="143dde1f-d0bb-462f-93a1-7fa6f7990df8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2ede9721-7897-40c2-a670-4d5173e660bf" grcontextid="feared:0">feared</span></span> it could be snatched away in the blink of an eye.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">“Do not despair, my love. Nothing can come between us.
I promise you!” I swore.<i> <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">Right
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="at:0" grmarkguid="da6c9c0b-f529-4873-8600-1436e1450756" gruiphraseguid="6666a3e4-137d-48f6-93bd-4b206a13b6ef"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fa3fd0e5-b964-4e08-92b9-47f8995eba2a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bfb25db2-d5f1-44af-b30e-e04c616044da" grcontextid="at:0">at</span></span> that moment I believed it to be true, just let anyone try to ruin our happiness,
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="just:0" grmarkguid="45484ca2-1de6-4608-90cf-914d0d17bec2" gruiphraseguid="e95cdef3-01ec-472b-8123-e5d626cc9dc1"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fec6e51f-3dea-4552-bae2-2a1f1808a19f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e7f9149b-3fa7-453d-b620-0d12cb5af747" grcontextid="just:0">just</span></span> let them try!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">A/N: With the prequel to Inferno (Little Flame) I could
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="make:0" grmarkguid="15cbbbf0-f6be-40a0-9b61-d70c3bea3737" gruiphraseguid="8f89c0f3-1c47-45e6-8a65-9289c73ce6a4"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a7784005-48e4-4389-a9ef-f71befbbb0ef" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1037a1c8-f628-4924-8604-0dc4c87b2844" grcontextid="make:0">make</span></span> up a whole new world because my story had never been written by Stephenie!
But now, a year later, my story involves a relationship between Bella and
Edward just like in the books – I wanted to warn you though, Inferno is
Alternate Universe and not Canon, although some aspects of their relationship
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="and:0" grmarkguid="d622e916-a269-4a2f-9f29-7be16a7146ea" gruiphraseguid="2495ef13-99a5-48b1-9c80-6c83745aa081"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b0c1cd90-57cf-43cd-abbb-836e6dddfa73" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="20fad2f0-a8d7-4e7c-a876-10f1d6b7ef1d" grcontextid="and:0">and</span></span> the other characters may be similar to the books. Just wanted to let you
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="know:0" grmarkguid="0443f17c-db03-4446-8f84-86d56b7a18f5" gruiphraseguid="67c17874-b0a1-434c-83a7-ea748ecead70"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="977c7dd8-3d3f-4ed0-9672-a67f12550b59" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="53201567-d0f5-45cd-8fde-d2e637e78a0f" grcontextid="know:0">know</span></span>, before you embark upon the next chapter. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">Chapter Three<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">Edward’s POV:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">It was good to see Victoria again. I had missed my
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="flame:0" grmarkguid="24b44606-b409-4d2a-bb98-8357496ebccd" gruiphraseguid="9239e5cf-056a-4389-ae28-71611569bfc7"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b5f95687-e052-4cf3-8ded-17ecb3ef4728" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a52a8781-56f4-46ea-a951-5bc14067753c" grcontextid="flame:0">flame</span></span> haired sister very much. We fell
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="back:0" grmarkguid="d2f337bb-7b5e-4bc1-ab40-3ad294d38788" gruiphraseguid="ddacdb99-b22c-499c-92dd-3059ba622bfe"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2b2024c4-3704-4bed-8e1c-30f0a2892205" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5e77e906-e6de-4b14-9103-57a23a927bd7" grcontextid="back:0">back</span></span> into our <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="loving comfortable:1" grmarkguid="b6a0d994-6a14-4ee6-b782-f392e5093455" gruiphraseguid="ddacdb99-b22c-499c-92dd-3059ba622bfe"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="51e827b2-7abc-48db-a789-1c04b12d2071" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5e77e906-e6de-4b14-9103-57a23a927bd7" grcontextid="loving comfortable:1">loving comfortable</span></span> relationship with ease. I was eager to tell
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="her:0" grmarkguid="f1a37d7f-fa1a-4530-833f-a0fecb81d910" gruiphraseguid="acd54f7b-067c-4ffc-9d4e-8970cbc4f1a6"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c2187cc9-2a87-420d-a0f9-99c37418df75" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3d316adb-7f2a-4137-ab9a-bba7212bd2d2" grcontextid="her:0">her</span></span> more about my beloved Bella. It had been nearly a year since I had first
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="null:0" grmarkguid="8eb20124-8e70-4d2f-96d9-4e27ff9f7f2e" gruiphraseguid="78c007ee-03b1-4749-930a-03d1b074e1b1"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d300fe96-b296-4b16-98df-fb5b1e2bb083" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="977e8f44-ee62-47ab-90b4-38f0509b6368" grcontextid="gazed:0">gazed</span></span> <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="into:1" grmarkguid="58b9e0d7-9178-4030-9ba5-b634166d8130" gruiphraseguid="78c007ee-03b1-4749-930a-03d1b074e1b1">into</span> my girl’s beautiful chocolate brown eyes and fell irrevocably in
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="love:0" grmarkguid="fc4cfa9b-4a3f-4272-8c8e-b8445d9dd633" gruiphraseguid="64e4f89b-5867-4ef7-92d1-790e98e30bbf"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="32930249-57cd-47e7-ba10-7dafe81b840b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5c4afbb0-fa18-4740-85cf-20de959881ee" grcontextid="love:0">love</span></span> with her. Amazing to think the one for me had been a human girl! My family
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="did:0" grmarkguid="8ac6a064-1d00-4b02-8181-e0b020b2712a" gruiphraseguid="96548ec8-7a75-4b8b-a3f6-7f277e2b0d09"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="aef519aa-4780-47f4-9c52-fc247f546264" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5ec60622-9576-4b44-b1f1-931b5b6baa66" grcontextid="did:0">did</span></span> not take to the news gladly at first. They were worried for me. Bella
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="spelled:0" grmarkguid="368fba38-5fd5-4a84-881e-5f21d655518f" gruiphraseguid="711cf535-b90e-42a4-999a-cdf1f29b028e"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f5af801f-5130-49db-b1bb-0e0c98c5daea" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fb607cd8-dab8-461a-ae81-7cb120131839" grcontextid="spelled:0">spelled</span></span> trouble. Humans were not meant to know of our existence! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">I managed to convince them that Bella was good for me
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="and:0" grmarkguid="1f2a779b-85d7-4449-901c-a6d429b2d483" gruiphraseguid="bf277094-ff26-4e1d-ad47-cbd7ade0d977"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="da3d2278-5421-48ca-9450-e9c00ebcb536" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="94cbfe19-46ec-4b71-a883-55e733406d0f" grcontextid="and:0">and</span></span> they slowly came around to the idea. Once they met Bella they could see the
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="depth:0" grmarkguid="f23765bf-d33e-4024-a7e7-8880e18849cb" gruiphraseguid="72d1664b-0836-44c6-9c0c-72dbb456b477"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="76b417c8-cf65-438b-84a6-7cfb87eefb56" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="463fba86-167d-4a4a-b56a-8b8e9af43d46" grcontextid="depth:0">depth</span></span> of the love we shared and they saw how happy I was. My ‘parents’ were
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="overjoyed:0" grmarkguid="0adcac5d-0211-495d-8a50-f65836262a8e" gruiphraseguid="0d47f67d-58a6-4e29-8fb3-71b108640c35"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="43a0ed32-599f-4f98-8e28-2013a752e790" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3dc80712-d373-4e68-a4aa-b8eb3ef2501d" grcontextid="overjoyed:0">overjoyed</span></span> to see me finally become part of a couple. I knew they had worried
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="for:0" grmarkguid="99665b87-64b4-45e6-a5eb-8e82fa8c3e3e" gruiphraseguid="a25843f0-0d32-4a0f-bd7b-241271fc35d7"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="42536f8b-5dd5-4191-bdd8-80977a700188" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="98cdb628-a20a-40ac-9b5a-5bae03db6828" grcontextid="for:0">for</span></span> years how I would ever manage to meet someone. It wasn’t easy being a
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="seventeen:0" grmarkguid="b0b88931-5b24-4aea-9664-d7ab45e8c825" gruiphraseguid="90947d0b-93c9-4e61-9d75-afaf20d5595c"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="408b7814-cc30-480e-beab-d0b6e8782cf3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="cea7857e-92bd-443f-8db7-1a6e8b775669" grcontextid="seventeen:0">seventeen</span></span> year old immortal teenage boy who lived in a house surrounded by
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="loving:0" grmarkguid="d6630705-8399-4f5d-b7a7-1f61a4b9c69d" gruiphraseguid="62594939-15cf-470c-9ac7-0320ea9396ac"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0df3cc2b-c024-4387-8910-a00b959e64b3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="602840fe-c9ac-4aeb-97c1-a87b75ed9770" grcontextid="loving:0">loving</span></span> couples. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">I had crushed on Victoria when we first met, but I soon
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="realised:0" grmarkguid="5051253a-57d8-4472-ada7-d889fdc7f96b" gruiphraseguid="2f09ca0b-33c4-4dc4-b85a-f2d394b13741"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="04efa5ed-2f50-49d9-891a-b37061fe1c13" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e4b56c35-1568-4cf4-a4ae-6de33726c2ec" grcontextid="realised:0">realised</span></span> her heart was completely devoted to Aro. She was not meant for me.
Bella was, it was simple and true. Of course, it was not easy being so close to
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="such:0" grmarkguid="257fc86f-e5e6-4855-9839-b4f6a8836b06" gruiphraseguid="aec90cde-0d44-4d02-88e0-8f7cf7ff86dd"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="403a47ec-e2ff-4a7b-bb9c-6381ace14adf" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3842ea5a-d968-4d9c-80aa-cfe7ecacba7b" grcontextid="such:0">such</span></span> a delectable human. Bella’s blood sang out to me with the sweetest song
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="imaginable:0" grmarkguid="4c4178b4-8b31-4f57-a206-65d2a914275a" gruiphraseguid="bffcd343-6b9f-4e93-8b0e-985892438677"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3316175f-a874-40d7-a8d2-cd3fd20ce6a8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="426d528f-3092-4004-a19a-b321e04cb1ca" grcontextid="imaginable:0">imaginable</span></span>. I had to restrain myself
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="when:0" grmarkguid="7a8fbf56-f06a-4735-8678-d4180c6e79a6" gruiphraseguid="13bd991d-8b3e-443d-9e00-c5257c6c4d35"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a8f6291a-1d49-4274-ae50-7b6cc7331dc6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4df9ef70-4946-4cee-9f5a-30293f38c82a" grcontextid="when:0">when</span></span> we were alone; the softness of her honey lips was enough to drive me to
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="distraction:0" grmarkguid="fe6f40c2-d8f7-4b9d-83d5-205032e47527" gruiphraseguid="90f8b94f-d62f-4791-89c6-6e25c73c0021"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="49aeeeef-4ef7-443c-9136-f7ca20cb9a0f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7f44cf1b-c02c-4ea9-a4ed-5020b8148349" grcontextid="distraction:0">distraction</span></span>. I wanted to taste her blood but I would never hurt her, it was a
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="vicious:0" grmarkguid="78b29344-05a3-462c-9b14-c466a9272e99" gruiphraseguid="c72dd16f-d093-49d6-a3f2-579467abecf7"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6fd750a7-7b13-4b01-9d29-e025cff5f280" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="be73008b-25ee-4c13-b346-eb5d3b001c72" grcontextid="vicious:0">vicious</span></span> circle, a complicated dance we shared. My hands would glide over the
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="smooth skin:0" grmarkguid="7fb78fb9-f916-4e47-af94-4bfc3a14ba3e" gruiphraseguid="db1ef9aa-d6b5-4e44-b9df-7370f0e09444"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="60b5671e-6b51-4064-b447-3c993a08ee51" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d4630041-cf6d-449d-afca-c9d4141298d3" grcontextid="smooth skin:0">smooth skin</span></span> of her stomach and I would have such intense feelings of longing
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="and:0" grmarkguid="43aabec5-3bc6-4988-96e5-4b33d88f94c3" gruiphraseguid="6810d86a-b908-4ac5-8cda-b1297877ad79"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="991fc617-a759-4cad-bdde-fc4bd85578cc" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0c29faad-af32-4a0e-a883-bd8352792c58" grcontextid="and:0">and</span></span> the excitement would build up inside me. I needed to vent those feelings
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="somehow:0" grmarkguid="9b37f20c-d228-4041-97a2-2133ea843c94" gruiphraseguid="4428ed7c-f214-422e-a822-cef7bf4f425c"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b023e422-2430-44d3-a98a-44ab497188fa" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fd9b8fd9-d6fb-449e-8aea-14a68dd0d0b7" grcontextid="somehow:0">somehow</span></span>. On those days when our kisses and touches reached fever pitch, I had
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="to tear myself:0" grmarkguid="967f5d5d-7756-416c-a512-3599d0a50498" gruiphraseguid="e97d4f38-3e67-473d-92cc-3c1c6fd51d65"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ab650c20-6b35-451b-a9c4-4c2ac19318c3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="193c6919-9bc1-4fa1-a26a-97f91eadbe87" grcontextid="to tear myself:0">to tear myself</span></span> away from her reluctantly. I would hunt with relentless hunger,
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="as:0" grmarkguid="624a3dac-e7a9-41b7-83a4-07a010217419" gruiphraseguid="6e87e844-e1dc-45bd-bbe2-fe049158e7d2"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="31b0dd43-f7d1-4b15-8a7a-7eba48beae9b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3cc6f3d5-4953-4072-831d-646061a3d9bb" grcontextid="as:0">as</span></span> I tried to still the other desires which lay deep inside me. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 200%;">Bella desperately wanted me to make love to her. Those
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="moments:0" grmarkguid="1b689266-1074-4fb5-a262-beef19456509" gruiphraseguid="5e27fd17-c744-4aa7-9b4b-40a47826d95e"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3e4b0585-66ad-4c84-929b-d9dd26ead74b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e5a87efd-4c6b-4f58-bf74-12d720fde054" grcontextid="moments:0">moments</span></span> when her mouth was on my neck, her teeth grazing me as she begged for
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="me:0" grmarkguid="22d32131-7fc0-48f5-8b26-8faedf3c0dc5" gruiphraseguid="d1953810-ae1d-49be-92df-8aeefa5d5ed6"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="68a2bf6f-d973-4f2d-80b9-c1b500cc1ae8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="72f00019-5e4d-4b66-ba66-9255d4bf492f" grcontextid="me:0">me</span></span> to take her passionately I found the most testing of my self control. I had
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="never:0" grmarkguid="1e5d7890-d800-43db-920e-8f2243e92066" gruiphraseguid="f1a1c301-187f-4c7c-997c-4e487c871ed6"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e8fca3e7-2fc0-49e5-afc8-c450de972042" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="62e91fb4-cf77-4140-b376-fe4346a545c7" grcontextid="never:0">never</span></span> experienced the sexual act when I was human. I had wanted to wait until I
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="had:0" grmarkguid="5ef33cfb-a929-48c9-85a5-5106022abe9b" gruiphraseguid="a8e9a0b1-cd50-4401-bdac-7cfda22d4bc3"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0c09b7bd-c3d2-4c3e-bf76-3064add57cd0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0f0c1749-2f04-43d7-bb48-ec834b7d6626" grcontextid="had:0">had</span></span> found the <i>one, </i>the girl I would
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="marry:0" grmarkguid="bf0079dd-c391-49e0-ac82-4c4087590f2a" gruiphraseguid="04f130ab-8dc7-4c68-97cf-094b1a6db7a9"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="12cc6165-c604-4a28-bb2e-af1b49c37b12" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9ecac438-96ea-4b0b-908e-6bf9a896a590" grcontextid="marry:0">marry</span></span>. Spanish flu <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="put:0" grmarkguid="32f660b4-cdb7-4a34-9f73-f337b0311cab" gruiphraseguid="ca213ff6-44f6-41c1-9b2b-69dd5cde64df"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="cae5622e-acaf-4113-b7e9-2a4d31544311" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="83de8b5b-b99c-436a-be09-01a4f3741342" grcontextid="put:0">put</span></span> paid to my future plans and I became this hard marble
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="creature:0" grmarkguid="34baaa8f-c711-4b5a-8a95-b10ae6956d6a" gruiphraseguid="a55f507d-ecf7-4015-aa80-fdb807fa6d76"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ac4e076f-db49-4741-9842-fc1b69b7e421" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8c35d813-143b-429f-ba89-a591bb603298" grcontextid="creature:0">creature</span></span> made by Carlisle. But I still
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="wanted:0" grmarkguid="a7762c09-5473-49cb-a6ec-f560f0322e78" gruiphraseguid="905405cc-4844-4909-8996-cb09fcfe432f"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="06229342-3ce3-47de-8951-e13963c7b3c9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a34c3484-5441-43dc-bb27-8aebe278e336" grcontextid="wanted:0">wanted</span></span> to love and be loved. When I met Bella I knew she was my destiny, it was
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="unfortunate:0" grmarkguid="8e3f67fc-4184-465b-993f-94c7f3941a5a" gruiphraseguid="172e5451-fdbb-4d23-95a4-b0bb2dcc08f3"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d5fe9a88-7881-4544-9774-a93f805e4171" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9808cbf6-6235-470d-a14e-ab5ffebae93a" grcontextid="unfortunate:0">unfortunate</span></span> that we were different species. Still, I had told her many times
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="that:0" grmarkguid="0e05acbf-b064-4d16-ba3e-aa76c752ef01" gruiphraseguid="c1189871-f528-4817-8e41-9291a4cf81bf"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8b08a252-2f40-4e7e-892c-8bec8cc3e485" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="187dc2c6-7025-49d7-bdd4-b499b989d7bf" grcontextid="that:0">that</span></span> I wished to marry her.</span><span style="line-height: 200%;"> </span><span style="line-height: 200%;">I had even proposed to her on her birthday
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b1fdb393-9b6a-4d1b-93bd-18daf79fb0ba" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a8d0b4d9-a69b-4ed5-87ad-ab73be8f5c43" grcontextid="last:0">last</span> year .</span><span style="line-height: 200%;">She had retorted with a request of her own. She would
</span><span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="become:0" grmarkguid="b6390145-8cd0-4427-a0c6-1f953e1daddf" gruiphraseguid="9644a92d-f3c1-4426-9abc-729ecbb5414f" style="line-height: 200%;"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4c21c8de-953f-4806-85cb-62b14c549686" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2a2e9b7c-12d5-4f19-8fce-6a3e6fe53cde" grcontextid="become:0">become</span></span><span style="line-height: 200%;"> my wife but only if I changed her into a vampire!</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">So, here we were. She lay in my arms, in her bed, a big
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="fleecy:0" grmarkguid="2e66a510-b616-472a-8af2-523fd9129dca" gruiphraseguid="f6e9169f-a355-4e24-a68f-d9bd74f58f69"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="bc26fd8c-2c7b-43ae-95ba-de20ca0bfaf1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="794e086f-5def-4eeb-903e-09e1e78497f6" grcontextid="fleecy:0">fleecy</span></span> blanket wrapped around her body to keep the coldness of mine freezing
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="her:0" grmarkguid="1fb5834f-5cab-4ac2-b27f-07f8536e3de0" gruiphraseguid="2898db49-ec25-4d35-98f1-f7e5538423eb"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="de420e1e-5b18-4029-9b16-37ed7a2213ba" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1a563923-802a-40e5-9ca0-4229c5ef2e31" grcontextid="her:0">her</span></span> to death. I spent every night in her bedroom whilst Charlie slept
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="blissfully:0" grmarkguid="6b46f6ba-5d79-403b-b19f-a83e3f6e1d9a" gruiphraseguid="9765bff0-0e96-4fc4-9cfc-c7f9493904d7"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="112a7e4a-c2e3-4b3d-88a5-a92dcd229c8c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="256d34f6-632f-4d3d-88e6-fe2f0e3884b4" grcontextid="blissfully:0">blissfully</span></span> down the corridor, unaware that Bella had a visitor. My love had
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="finally:0" grmarkguid="7cfc2ade-062c-4738-82d9-c51ed43201e3" gruiphraseguid="6ec56e2d-50be-481a-8c6a-3d6543f90bb5"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7714a318-911b-4965-9fce-2deb97b04a0e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3161543b-9a38-47af-af0d-72f0b24425d9" grcontextid="finally:0">finally</span></span> fallen asleep, her human eyes no longer able to stay open. It was 3am
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="and:0" grmarkguid="7feb947f-6e72-4a76-8e10-5acefde438c0" gruiphraseguid="8082a207-ab5b-4b4b-bc12-4d7bef439201"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c337978e-a221-4825-924c-6dd12e801030" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="08c22896-7b56-4382-9ed7-045f75748fb7" grcontextid="and:0">and</span></span> I, of course, was wide awake. I was considering my dilemma. Keep Bella
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="soft:0" grmarkguid="b72903c2-1ac0-4ce3-979a-93d516cc7302" gruiphraseguid="2f16147b-cc06-4fef-81ae-1206606568aa"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9a62dc12-2cac-4456-bdc2-597bd2454cb5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7743319d-7fba-4ac6-9d73-e60537bfaef4" grcontextid="soft:0">soft</span></span>, warm and deliciously mortal <i>or </i>change
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="her:0" grmarkguid="43e22ce1-19a6-4eac-9a04-033dfde24848" gruiphraseguid="cdd5bc1e-e48a-412c-9050-1b0b06b32d8f"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1b7a4f25-e42b-4e02-ad88-d7b4fa00b736" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2bf642d7-a28c-40d7-bbcc-eb933fdaee51" grcontextid="her:0">her</span></span> into a cold, hard immortal being. She would belong to me forever as a
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="vampire:0" grmarkguid="32627372-9f7f-4007-a592-dd5e205c42c5" gruiphraseguid="63e4718f-4171-4694-8c67-4cc7544a706b"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="18e71ed2-47eb-4f0d-b151-17a55dca0843" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b9e00756-6b3d-43c4-b6d5-650f519a1d27" grcontextid="vampire:0">vampire</span></span>. As a human I would watch her age, wither and die. I sighed <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="in:0" grmarkguid="92c2c5dc-1226-4ab1-9698-2866e6233a59" gruiphraseguid="bd372bff-5b40-4215-bcf0-7972a2f60a9d"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b1f9d026-859a-45a8-badd-d8fffc6e7224" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="987fb135-bc28-4683-97d0-9be5689dade0" grcontextid="in:0">in</span></span>
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="frustration:0" grmarkguid="30cbe13c-6adf-4a50-9f01-7c0c4acdf02b" gruiphraseguid="595fa3a8-2680-4bfa-851c-8bf67c83408d"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="351ae943-b46e-499f-bbb2-ad5f31f270b5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f14a45b5-d016-428f-8bb1-a55bff007788" grcontextid="frustration:0">frustration</span></span> as I gently stroked her hair whilst she slept. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 200%;">Bella was extraordinary as a human; did I want to lose
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="her:0" grmarkguid="e8ebd93b-0bd1-4e12-9f05-1fadc2d14c9b" gruiphraseguid="f1417d6e-5e6c-457b-9e3d-8a886e13e072"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f66e0605-5df3-4586-837a-b8987ac68fb8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8ad452e4-7467-4390-a85c-d1d8e9e9e9d5" grcontextid="her:0">her</span></span> uniqueness? I wanted to be with her
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="always:0" grmarkguid="3b36edbd-9b46-4ed5-86e3-b96d2c05cb4c" gruiphraseguid="360ff271-4579-4399-81f2-ded6fdf0f2ea"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a4f16ebf-cd4e-4856-8ef6-b6a9dcaa1da4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fac4cfa3-de6f-49d3-84fc-32a6a449be8f" grcontextid="always:0">always</span></span>, nothing would make me happier than marrying her. Could we make it work a vampire and a human? <o:p></o:p></span><span style="line-height: 200%;">Or was I deluding myself? Bella was not going to give
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7686e3f3-c4df-48dc-b3e9-7b0599b48f5c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7c644730-96f5-4ddc-93f1-19e30a037ce5" grcontextid="up:0">up</span> on her quest to become immortal. She had already threatened to ask a member
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7b9a1017-fa25-4457-b886-483b3289e9a3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="cf2c31b4-e983-48c4-8291-b9b96de1715f" grcontextid="of:0">of</span> my family to change her if I didn’t agree to it! She was stubborn and
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9ca0f149-681d-4c99-85bf-6242d9a91fb8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="439e5ba7-a146-46f1-8d94-e6b84f207399" grcontextid="impossible:0">impossible</span> but I loved her completely. I hoped when I snuck out of Bella’s room
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8c06a164-897d-412b-b55f-c82bf0af91f6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3a96c419-dfb1-44cc-a6a0-ada411ab7ac5" grcontextid="in:0">in</span> the approaching dawn, that the answers to my questions would be <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d0714776-42e1-4f01-8ec8-71e53171d778" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3a96c419-dfb1-44cc-a6a0-ada411ab7ac5" grcontextid="magically:1">magically</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b2f1d657-54c0-43d7-b974-61a42a79135b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3841e870-73ec-4da4-953f-c1c425dcac3e" grcontextid="revealed:0">revealed</span> to my confused mind.</span><span style="line-height: 200%;"> </span><span style="line-height: 200%;">I would go
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0d3e7c4e-d540-491c-9c0f-77ced23b26af" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="49755ec5-32da-4b5f-bbfb-78afef54e07d" grcontextid="out:0">out</span> into the meadow for a day or so, hunt, be alone and let my subconscious
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8decc538-5eeb-433d-9987-8bf7a89dd489" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d87daaab-aa04-46b0-babe-21bcbe1274f0" grcontextid="dwell:0">dwell</span> on the matter. Something would come to me, in due course.</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">Time
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="102ccc81-e514-40d9-ae15-04352571ac00" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="726c7a8c-08d7-4505-a568-435a44c7028f" grcontextid="was:0">was</span> something I had in abundance but unfortunately my darling Isabella did not. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />
<br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">Chapter Four<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">Far far away from Forks, deep in the Italian
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="countryside:0" grmarkguid="56cc3639-b2b7-423e-9531-3e4d74c21e5a" gruiphraseguid="7391c760-d0fe-40ac-b4ee-b3e3a9dbc68f"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="efd9d752-c3bf-4ea5-80ca-3f841b7fc7b2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5e2b3b33-2de7-4863-8678-fa1756ab7fe4" grcontextid="countryside:0">countryside</span></span>, outside the great city of Rome, two ancient vampires huddled
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="together:0" grmarkguid="8956322d-8860-4b18-8ddf-b9c666df522c" gruiphraseguid="e5ca30a3-e814-4f0b-8615-2fd2a45a8ea8"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6e764b6e-c2bd-4217-b4e3-f83bf6948e56" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="60cbaf67-20f0-4db0-926c-f6a53d1dee39" grcontextid="together:0">together</span></span> in the dark corners of this old castle where they dwell. They used to be
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="powerful:0" grmarkguid="91bbe4a2-e711-40b9-b7b8-431f7ffebd38" gruiphraseguid="a3254cbe-425c-4262-b9c2-e9a81979f57c"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9ad491a1-141c-46f3-acc1-35cf907f8045" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="79bd2819-6c71-4c99-b8aa-35096629f02d" grcontextid="powerful:0">powerful</span></span> and strong, but now centuries old they were both quite insane.
Insanity was dangerous though and this alliance was determined to return to
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="their:0" grmarkguid="f7f113b2-b5b4-4c9d-b276-29dabcc9c451" gruiphraseguid="9b450af6-a661-4974-b9b5-5f1e4be6f1bd"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="06a27b2c-b313-4b71-9b1e-3895c349d30d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="abf1e2c1-8ac4-4c7b-a4b4-a65b25d01af4" grcontextid="their:0">their</span></span> former glories. <span class="GRnoSuggestion GRcorrect" grcontextid="Athenodora:0" grmarkguid="461efa30-5a5c-4c9b-b55a-33f0423eb0a5" gruiphraseguid="5dccf3d6-0fab-4a7f-95ba-1db6bfcd681c"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="49a1c6e2-b658-40f5-8193-35720400c991" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="78ff1073-ff2f-43d3-84cd-c2e6d4a2109c" grcontextid="Athenodora:0">Athenodora</span></span> stroked Desiderius’s hair <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="absentmindedly:1" grmarkguid="501cfa12-a005-4d4f-901f-fadee1bf7ef4" gruiphraseguid="5dccf3d6-0fab-4a7f-95ba-1db6bfcd681c"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="afbe0d83-93fe-49e6-98bf-93ae70b9a06e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="78ff1073-ff2f-43d3-84cd-c2e6d4a2109c" grcontextid="absentmindedly:1">absentmindedly</span></span> as
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="they:0" grmarkguid="5dbff49b-8628-4910-8c35-c0e4e1a734b8" gruiphraseguid="2ef009f2-466f-4bd4-b1c1-fd33ffde1d2f"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e5036f1f-5651-47cb-b099-085496e68525" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="49020511-0ea2-4b9d-9de1-302c0c840991" grcontextid="they:0">they</span></span> discussed leaving this castle which had been their home for some years
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="now:0" grmarkguid="f3fca401-9a2d-4759-a9f0-5c27dc231c8c" gruiphraseguid="90d5d061-20db-4f67-bd28-b0b5655687d3"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="da6c4baa-2807-41af-8be0-13908b72f1a8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bcf85915-fe6c-4694-b5e3-7436f75a41f3" grcontextid="now:0">now</span></span>. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">It was a miracle that the male vampire had deigned to
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="leave:0" grmarkguid="d07c8d7c-a7bb-4745-a293-957614317133" gruiphraseguid="05a44925-88bc-4411-880c-4c5ed628ba54"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="434763fa-ab46-4daa-bb71-a62acf72aa87" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e7d5cbe8-7a86-464d-bcea-d4e01628cec4" grcontextid="leave:0">leave</span></span> his coffin, but sure enough, the female vampire had persuaded him a few
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="months:0" grmarkguid="3e19d28c-7f54-44d0-8b82-863c6cb5919b" gruiphraseguid="12e57ad3-37b7-4cd9-b9d9-6851a23f7999"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7970e109-9177-4370-bb42-703b27b0e566" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7b0426cf-6980-40de-99d1-bbb28aed6bce" grcontextid="months:0">months</span></span> ago to feed on human blood again. He became stronger, some of <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="his:0" grmarkguid="a00a9a66-f200-450c-a095-297871dc8e6b" gruiphraseguid="d9bec280-4d8e-4fe9-a415-74447fa1e579"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="79e9adf9-e0ad-4b61-81c1-927c706fd6fc" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1a02c8f9-6f1e-4d2a-9a7a-32e77c22f97a" grcontextid="his:0">his</span></span>
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="faculties:0" grmarkguid="a9d487ab-24f8-4c06-a909-8baab45d0452" gruiphraseguid="3dba0a28-3c50-420d-bb6f-12c21a583b04"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="107217ee-3ee8-4bcb-aaac-4a6690c98d4f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5b8f4ebe-9b8c-4755-ab0c-bd23267ef929" grcontextid="faculties:0">faculties</span></span> returned, but he was completely insane as he believed it still to be 875
Ad; the year he was changed into this marble immortal creature. <span class="GRnoSuggestion GRcorrect" grcontextid="Athenodora:0" grmarkguid="ab9376c5-e078-4984-85b4-fed21fd1ec20" gruiphraseguid="ba6c6210-9c94-4ce6-87f6-697d2d5ec43b"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e245d722-0564-4fd7-88ae-49deef71cb37" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a6af0b43-a562-4af0-8833-88904c86cde3" grcontextid="Athenodora:0">Athenodora</span></span> took
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="him:0" grmarkguid="b0ffe7b9-60a5-4176-ba58-9b18032199e6" gruiphraseguid="41cdc4e7-2738-46f5-9be8-1a03a2aaa7db"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f8dbeb09-bb59-4596-8ed9-911d7039be84" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d0ada8f1-9972-47ab-9ca0-82be6842354f" grcontextid="him:0">him</span></span> from priesthood into the madness of eternal life and <span class="GRnoSuggestion GRcorrect" grcontextid="bloodlust:1" grmarkguid="53bf11d5-1b5e-468a-84bd-56f50b4bbb0a" gruiphraseguid="41cdc4e7-2738-46f5-9be8-1a03a2aaa7db"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="870ada70-dbec-4a5b-a277-a2c3001aa9c1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d0ada8f1-9972-47ab-9ca0-82be6842354f" grcontextid="bloodlust:1">bloodlust</span></span>. He had
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="loved:0" grmarkguid="6c9bdd4d-7346-40e5-9718-86335d8efab5" gruiphraseguid="fc259383-472c-4367-ab11-ad9b51789c53"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="82ddf68e-9f0d-4e8c-ae2e-ad1c50e34900" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b7920e48-ec82-4f23-97fb-1fad9daf3a37" grcontextid="loved:0">loved</span></span> her intensely at first. He had obeyed her orders to bring together the
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="most:0" grmarkguid="1ee6d451-acfa-4439-87f9-c0dc590ffc2f" gruiphraseguid="caf0eed6-5e8e-4390-8770-4e57ee569d0f"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="29c42305-8da9-49eb-b4f9-171677f3617d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f75de5bc-8b90-4089-9533-0cc7e26307b8" grcontextid="most:0">most</span></span> powerful coven in the world. He had succeeded! But the endless passage of
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="time:0" grmarkguid="ebc1f318-223d-4d1e-84c7-699f861caa8f" gruiphraseguid="cda46bb2-9a1a-4471-b427-f5933a9460f9"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="74176fe0-d113-46e0-b45f-612aade69d8e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c748e977-e6e8-41fa-8039-ecab17e0f623" grcontextid="time:0">time</span></span> had eventually sent him spiralling into a sort of madness which held him
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="tight:0" grmarkguid="c83186de-d9a2-47dc-b9fc-b6a47fb89959" gruiphraseguid="9f396cf9-7da9-4780-864a-e2fb15a439d4"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="edea2b47-a80c-45f9-b1b8-7b6fbfd8f942" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="46ccd426-a64c-4a39-986e-34c6b629dcf9" grcontextid="tight:0">tight</span></span> in its vice like grip. <span class="GRnoSuggestion GRcorrect" grcontextid="Athenodora:0" grmarkguid="966cc141-35bf-4d41-9505-3b2f86d611ff" gruiphraseguid="5568f087-72d5-4e1a-8207-0eb0aa9d002a"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2fc930b7-7d20-4191-82f1-2b1d554be90e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="58491865-f971-46d6-8ea7-cd9d6a5d56c7" grcontextid="Athenodora:0">Athenodora</span></span> gave
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="him:0" grmarkguid="df5b9ca1-6f68-48e0-b167-4eb1d58c2399" gruiphraseguid="f2fb102f-bed2-40bc-82fe-cee7fec294a7"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="47e1525a-5174-4099-8741-7b266c888d25" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="cc12e3a9-a97f-4f96-a8fe-c9222ba16f95" grcontextid="him:0">him</span></span> <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="sanctuary:1" grmarkguid="0369da9a-6f0c-437b-bf13-9da195646b25" gruiphraseguid="f2fb102f-bed2-40bc-82fe-cee7fec294a7"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ae7fe096-2f6a-49ca-a4ae-aad005778f3a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="cc12e3a9-a97f-4f96-a8fe-c9222ba16f95" grcontextid="sanctuary:1">sanctuary</span></span> in this castle; she let the coven continue to believe that he was
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="the:0" grmarkguid="48af1d0e-8b7b-4f48-8373-d63cbbb31ebb" gruiphraseguid="a8d31a66-424b-4c00-b564-6618ef0b3f48"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="caa7bd04-dae1-4f1b-8564-a0346e0ce749" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="37c0a918-8cfa-45f0-a1ba-66cf517c3341" grcontextid="the:0">the</span></span> original vampire! Oh so many centuries had passed!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;"><span class="GRnoSuggestion GRcorrect" grcontextid="Athenodora:0" grmarkguid="359a2379-f7b0-40e0-8e4a-08368753a133" gruiphraseguid="850bcd18-2db5-4436-9da2-58998b3d0714"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a2ec42a0-addb-4e53-a5ea-bf03bc906ece" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c5bdfeab-bbfa-4271-a835-6144f10953b5" grcontextid="Athenodora:0">Athenodora</span></span> continued to live with the Volturi after <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="she:1" grmarkguid="d6962646-5961-4133-81d5-66db8ef7bb0e" gruiphraseguid="850bcd18-2db5-4436-9da2-58998b3d0714"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="042d8de7-b08e-43bf-afa3-1783cb2d30bb" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c5bdfeab-bbfa-4271-a835-6144f10953b5" grcontextid="she:1">she</span></span>
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="had:0" grmarkguid="46e752ea-8e94-40f8-8581-a378c3325d45" gruiphraseguid="46c448fb-f528-46e9-abc3-8317defaa424"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="aed6432f-4543-4c72-a686-14cbff956cb2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="cc23730c-03cb-42fa-9f76-f4bd2ae126a2" grcontextid="had:0">had</span></span> hidden Desiderius in this place. She met another vampire Caius, they fell
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="in:0" grmarkguid="37eee3b7-cc1b-44f1-a4e1-81c8d92832e2" gruiphraseguid="6e4f6e98-a54e-4faa-a3a0-426a882d60be"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c271c5e2-77b8-42d8-9b69-77d5a79374b8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fc3d8951-2f39-4faf-8547-33f406dc4ce0" grcontextid="in:0">in</span></span> love and he became her mate, although they never married. <span class="GRnoSuggestion GRcorrect" grcontextid="Athenodora:0" grmarkguid="5f22e38e-0f46-44b0-91a6-a18cf80d1c76" gruiphraseguid="1c53710a-c273-4c9a-aca5-535ec9bb6446"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="10ca958b-2ac2-4e7e-a9a1-93c4d43f899c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="35166ccc-5b29-45c8-a3c6-8aa7c22a9fbb" grcontextid="Athenodora:0">Athenodora</span></span> let Aro
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="and:0" grmarkguid="ce73ecdb-eb75-4f26-8fda-9c417231bdba" gruiphraseguid="6154fc79-5585-44e0-b725-ba104661f3f8"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="13d05e2c-cd7b-4a16-b46e-8362202a5a26" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ef068d22-ea52-4db8-9421-99868b450136" grcontextid="and:0">and</span></span> Sulpicia rule the coven as they were very powerful, especially the female.
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro’s:0" grmarkguid="33fb0f2f-bf53-4332-bf43-3f1f44a431a4" gruiphraseguid="b12f6750-38a5-4139-b4ef-fbd0a2ec077e"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ac81adcb-4269-4faa-aa1d-a17d1526b07b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8783673e-87b9-45a2-8e36-6b1c9e4911b1" grcontextid="Aro’s:0">Aro’s</span></span> wife was unpredictable and extremely evil but she was a great and powerful
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="leader:0" grmarkguid="5dc5485a-ac90-4f03-8e43-eca324fb4255" gruiphraseguid="203162ce-2368-4b1f-b320-1849bac33a6c"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="abaa6ea6-bc53-457f-8014-a820bef19e25" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ced94085-23b9-41c2-a8fb-638c5c5fee8c" grcontextid="leader:0">leader</span></span>. Her talent was much revered within the coven, as was her husbands. The
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="arrival:0" grmarkguid="09145a56-95b5-4da9-b445-616902ff5b8b" gruiphraseguid="02d58905-1b50-45b7-af65-903be31c10a4"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="121e9d0f-5961-40e5-ab98-9e81e85d5241" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bd00041e-db0d-4c3d-88a1-337476bdabd3" grcontextid="arrival:0">arrival</span></span> of Aro’s fledgling Victoria had thrown the Volturi into disarray and
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="eventually:0" grmarkguid="4aa1e014-3e32-43de-867d-54e5e923a535" gruiphraseguid="d8c94a3b-dd0f-4563-ba5e-96e3930370c6"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a0b9da42-4d07-45c0-900f-5c3427b6e492" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a8280e69-a012-4db8-aca4-59c6b637c10a" grcontextid="eventually:0">eventually</span></span> led to the death of Sulpicia at the hands of the Immortal Child she
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="created:0" grmarkguid="75d7123e-02fb-480a-8f58-a4d25329201f" gruiphraseguid="291815bf-3fd4-4fc5-8b52-fccd35f96771"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="bbb1f59c-b6d6-4c9d-9c10-4a4d82c0bc97" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0e033233-fe5a-47ed-8ffe-97957cb40ae8" grcontextid="created:0">created</span></span>! <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;"><span class="GRnoSuggestion GRcorrect" grcontextid="Athenodora:0" grmarkguid="d347ca26-e4b2-487c-95df-1bb0ffa70e8b" gruiphraseguid="8e38e788-96c6-4ad9-ac2a-d14f1cf10f95"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="43ed7ba9-1eb5-40ec-8220-56f0aab1f761" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="86c6a095-37ea-4587-99e1-ef15c1ba01ae" grcontextid="Athenodora:0">Athenodora</span></span> had no appetite for the fight anymore, she came
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="to:0" grmarkguid="2b2d251c-5a50-4eeb-98ea-ae1b49ec25ec" gruiphraseguid="2322e730-dd7e-4863-a017-7e455faea64b"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e224c486-816d-42fb-ab23-f0c6f50bf8f9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a682e9b3-203c-4021-af52-3708e6fc2cc2" grcontextid="to:0">to</span></span> this old place to be with her former mate, to care for him and to protect
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="him:0" grmarkguid="cf011167-1766-4155-8dd4-899453bdc4d1" gruiphraseguid="6eb2d7a9-523d-43bd-b854-b1ef944fb3c4"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ee0de6aa-05d9-4490-9c33-23f4242e0924" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2bb0599c-59d4-4cad-b560-de6f4dd2ccf2" grcontextid="him:0">him</span></span>, but her old life would not stay silent. Caius had begged her to return, <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="to:0" grmarkguid="72519697-217c-4342-aed3-9c400ebbb52f" gruiphraseguid="8e584371-ece9-46bc-974b-4cbec9016afb"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="794384dc-fb6e-4e41-b2cf-5a367bf362d4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="13a9150f-70ea-41bc-8a7b-c6a20d13f6de" grcontextid="to:0">to</span></span>
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="reclaim:0" grmarkguid="9cb639a0-17eb-44c5-adc8-af6c126a41cb" gruiphraseguid="56a01f87-cdca-4bc9-83e6-69a5fafd7460"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="22aec975-d543-4b8e-bb76-710529115b65" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bc4dedeb-c71f-4501-8bb5-185b91dba27a" grcontextid="reclaim:0">reclaim</span></span> the position of leader of the Volturi with Desiderius by her side! It
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="was:0" grmarkguid="3ba79998-e1be-4067-97ff-3f4aef39f5af" gruiphraseguid="0be7a688-3f2c-4b93-a86f-c2666d33ddb4"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="97da3574-f8ac-4d54-9208-0539df493ae4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b5a2c564-cdd9-4dad-b289-81b0deefa0b0" grcontextid="was:0">was</span></span> a hard offer to refuse! She wanted to be all powerful again, she wanted to
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="avenge:0" grmarkguid="a00b3e78-0581-43f9-968a-59d40aba0170" gruiphraseguid="80043fdb-b7cb-4bf1-8b9a-729256d45c37"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ce82e67c-74c1-49ab-8c3b-9fd317867cf3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c80876b0-f54c-4ef6-952b-e2f40dbf851a" grcontextid="avenge:0">avenge</span></span> <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Sulpicia’s:1" grmarkguid="32caa91d-d3af-4c0e-9e6b-25e162110856" gruiphraseguid="80043fdb-b7cb-4bf1-8b9a-729256d45c37"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9e2a7add-784a-4838-ab3f-5c54b3325dc0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c80876b0-f54c-4ef6-952b-e2f40dbf851a" grcontextid="Sulpicia’s:1">Sulpicia’s</span></span> death and Aro’s complete hideous betrayal, but first she must
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="plan:0" grmarkguid="bfd19bba-ed2d-4c86-8215-2860af636813" gruiphraseguid="0395d3a5-728e-446b-b001-616a1b3c2ba5"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ec8b768a-6adf-4a9f-b7a7-1d83fa33fbf3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7ffd9b91-b161-46a2-b483-529b4d939ca6" grcontextid="plan:0">plan</span></span> and gain strength. Desiderius needed her!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;"> As the original
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="vampire:0" grmarkguid="249e798e-5690-4424-82bb-3001d2a13826" gruiphraseguid="a2fd7aae-c465-4d90-b03b-fb343e0699f0"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="37249de1-3eca-4f16-8940-1157c4b2172a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f452c09c-aad2-4e37-b8a6-9bc865370efb" grcontextid="vampire:0">vampire</span></span> she had responsibilities to her <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="blood line:1" grmarkguid="f66d4de3-343b-4b6b-a41a-51dcdf848e9a" gruiphraseguid="a2fd7aae-c465-4d90-b03b-fb343e0699f0"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6e0cec72-6f86-499f-9620-6a2a0753b30c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f452c09c-aad2-4e37-b8a6-9bc865370efb" grcontextid="blood line:1">blood line</span></span>, especially the ones closest
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="to:0" grmarkguid="ad7eb36f-3442-4d2c-a7b7-ccff53e18499" gruiphraseguid="16e608ea-fcd2-4be4-ab7a-bfb578082d12"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="93b7d2fe-bcfc-46c9-b2e3-bc3b47328aa2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c59d2d7b-2f24-42a0-8e16-a4c57c307bbd" grcontextid="to:0">to</span></span> her. The creature who had lunged at her in the dark tunnels beneath the
Roman Emperor’s villa, with its stinging burning bite of death, had unwittingly
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="changed:0" grmarkguid="eef32176-e6a7-4d08-9683-b38d53cadb64" gruiphraseguid="3404abc6-5731-44d4-b5d9-f823554d81ff"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6e9e03ba-1e52-4959-91ed-66d6774ea5db" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5669228d-7bac-44fc-8f02-f99ee70303a5" grcontextid="changed:0">changed</span></span> the course of history forever and introduced immortal to mortals.
<span class="GRnoSuggestion GRcorrect" grcontextid="Athenodora:0" grmarkguid="6e6030ab-5b89-4048-b5a7-98049f4a3076" gruiphraseguid="800bc039-ae91-4a92-aad2-1dd7146f6bfb"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="747711ec-df83-4879-91e6-daa767e88310" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="673698d6-f481-4ce2-a409-5f5594c80ded" grcontextid="Athenodora:0">Athenodora</span></span> was the first of her kind, she never met the creature again and did
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="not:0" grmarkguid="7b563061-cb87-45d4-87f5-73d0f2ddd440" gruiphraseguid="3d1a85c9-a701-4b60-bde7-3d6726ad29f9"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a13c8f9a-8371-46ea-88bb-677d7c7e2986" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="66cf5e2e-fc90-4387-b723-bf361fd0f3df" grcontextid="not:0">not</span></span> go back to the villa where she had been beaten and raped repeatedly as a
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="slave:0" grmarkguid="95412499-2618-4212-b729-084617d8b4d5" gruiphraseguid="a5468554-0f0a-4f96-8060-e5dc603ade1e"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="910e81e5-93d4-4a85-9168-8dacec2488cf" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b264e47c-1752-4985-bbce-c936f784e71d" grcontextid="slave:0">slave</span></span> girl ever ever again! <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">Her theory was simple, the thing that had changed her
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="was:0" grmarkguid="65519c9b-a0f5-4dfe-b455-bc3583e5e342" gruiphraseguid="d5845f3b-5908-4141-a092-2bd436b83f48"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1cb395b9-5450-4571-9885-999e39c5a75b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7dddf146-beec-4d0b-bb0b-43704641c332" grcontextid="was:0">was</span></span> not real, but an entity sent from Hell to wreak havoc on the Romans who had
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="tried:0" grmarkguid="79b592fd-4be9-4ad9-9078-55f9b8a6e948" gruiphraseguid="7c7a1cf6-91e5-48f2-ae09-8560e0640c1e"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="db85acc9-c1ab-4390-b0aa-34e5423d71bb" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4bb8ef81-9fe8-4a89-a915-62aca603f0a1" grcontextid="tried:0">tried</span></span> to take over the Earth. God didn’t approve, so he sent the Devil in to do
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="his:0" grmarkguid="25775003-5155-48ba-9b18-415af7adae48" gruiphraseguid="2970891c-6b69-44d0-bc90-f4f0fc65ea11"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e59c3583-f5c1-4d41-a868-36dff0f5a19f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="413b243a-aa0f-4a3f-bc67-e992f926d946" grcontextid="his:0">his</span></span> dirty work. <span class="GRnoSuggestion GRcorrect" grcontextid="Athenodora:0" grmarkguid="2956feb5-72a6-4c13-afb2-0b6426d6e467" gruiphraseguid="595900ae-57fa-4f4b-9893-9ed91eadd705"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3c87d09b-872c-47f3-93b7-d559dbe7722c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e9fb7619-16f5-4950-939d-69a01d9287d1" grcontextid="Athenodora:0">Athenodora</span></span> saw the fall of the Roman Empire straight after she
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="had:0" grmarkguid="a5e69864-2dbd-4538-8f49-8dc00c9110e9" gruiphraseguid="41e7c563-6468-4a9b-bb22-aa51ff1902c6"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="48231f3c-0d65-4640-acaf-314c31abdc01" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="76e2dc74-5cdb-42d4-a379-b1c6b94fc116" grcontextid="had:0">had</span></span> dispatched of her evil captor Romulus Augustulus, the current emperor of
Rome. She enjoyed tearing his throat out, and loved ripping his evil heart from
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="his:0" grmarkguid="3454c3b7-19c4-4819-bfd4-2e3ffe0e451f" gruiphraseguid="8b332e9e-34d3-40ba-a3be-78b52fa65498"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="70ea98c9-61f5-4d53-a0ea-39af35ae8dd5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d936c925-6a71-417b-a7d4-c178b323687c" grcontextid="his:0">his</span></span> body, it was sweet revenge and she loved the blood so much! <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">So here they sat, Athenodora and Desiderius, in the
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="year:0" grmarkguid="5105bfda-69e6-47bd-8a47-eef4959d8068" gruiphraseguid="54c6bf5c-641f-4f07-b659-30d70b2d068e"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="69967246-59c2-4c14-b0e1-6e62fc581203" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4835b552-7073-4c77-b2d0-6a3017a3c68b" grcontextid="year:0">year</span></span> 2013; eons of time and space between now and their first encounter. <span class="GRnoSuggestion GRcorrect" grcontextid="Athenodora:0" grmarkguid="0d55ee52-2abd-4466-a1b6-82df15f19b48" gruiphraseguid="02cfcf26-a79f-4703-87e9-de5be61bc624"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="871cbc27-dc22-45da-936f-559fae6efd0f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c7cb7ca9-7162-42c0-97f7-5ba1636df68f" grcontextid="Athenodora:0">Athenodora</span></span>
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="was:0" grmarkguid="e73a75c5-3f24-43a9-a439-cabed1eabd5e" gruiphraseguid="88ec5f3c-39bc-4760-abfd-fe620fef2436"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="84be77f2-531a-48b2-9d40-627c6b434023" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="297a94a4-0e1f-4fdd-b617-11a1a5199760" grcontextid="was:0">was</span></span> speaking quietly to Desiderius as she continued to stroke his hair. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">“Desiderius, we have lived a very long time now. We
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="have:0" grmarkguid="35fef553-4532-4f8f-b740-ed32509a67d1" gruiphraseguid="b32f3ac9-df4f-4ec5-b360-f0690e27ca55"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8128b7db-d98c-4b1d-93b8-17b478a87323" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="35ee3546-dfb2-4d8a-8421-077bde74d5a7" grcontextid="have:0">have</span></span> seen centuries come and go, but never did I think we would see the fall of
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="the:0" grmarkguid="85a9164a-68ce-4cfc-9c9f-94af2258db7f" gruiphraseguid="5d2f4a2b-5187-44f4-aedf-c74a292c005d"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c0ad22b8-0183-4126-9825-6526ac262bd7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ce11410b-37db-43ad-87ee-de1b220cc509" grcontextid="the:0">the</span></span> Volturi! Caius and Marcus cannot rule the coven! They are weak without Aro
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="and:0" grmarkguid="705536ce-794e-4e1b-9ffe-87fed9e63444" gruiphraseguid="82f2d37a-43d3-4742-acc2-2ddf3010d44b"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="146ee8a1-7ec0-4470-bb57-c290054ed52d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="837c9c81-25d9-4f37-a8ea-f005132d0109" grcontextid="and:0">and</span></span> Sulpicia. We cannot let the red-haired whore win! She laughs at us now as
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="she:0" grmarkguid="b8ebe500-9233-4a4b-a163-f14886fec334" gruiphraseguid="0113b87a-2702-46cb-b3c4-f582c3767398"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0f030f85-5e6f-4481-98b7-3eddb898f4f7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="27b941e3-69f4-4202-9642-7af0147c2744" grcontextid="she:0">she</span></span> <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="lives:1" grmarkguid="07550304-7cae-4eee-b27b-25df701a3a7d" gruiphraseguid="0113b87a-2702-46cb-b3c4-f582c3767398"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0f969966-52d2-4c0e-8683-aca1483e3197" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="27b941e3-69f4-4202-9642-7af0147c2744" grcontextid="lives:1">lives</span></span> it up all over Europe with her new husband! How dare she!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">Desiderius nodded in agreement as he let his mistress
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="vent her:0" grmarkguid="ed6d2889-505d-409a-8261-386b6647041c" gruiphraseguid="dfab968c-c871-4c96-9666-263da0feff27"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a1d6a53c-1c5a-4f5f-aa1c-76f5ae371861" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0b2ed8d5-dedc-428b-90a8-c2bc60803a34" grcontextid="vent her:0">vent her</span></span> anger. She gripped his hair roughly suddenly, causing him to cry out a
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="little:0" grmarkguid="77c1286b-8adb-4b1a-a0ed-c0d3cae17343" gruiphraseguid="5478889c-5b40-4001-a9b6-c9b5755aa0cd"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3fe3111b-892e-43f0-af77-c6424e18259e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2b1baefd-1880-4c07-8bdb-03c583efb58d" grcontextid="little:0">little</span></span>. She still excited him, even if he was past all that nonsense now. She
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="continued:0" grmarkguid="b3cf9114-9361-4a1f-ba05-ba302cccf6b8" gruiphraseguid="5f248276-1014-494f-ae3d-d84cd6096264"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="79a67602-2d0f-4374-bc57-03bc97d3038c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="deb21857-5949-4dec-a39a-661203a75a68" grcontextid="continued:0">continued</span></span> her tirade as she went back to gently <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="stroking:1" grmarkguid="1a9e470c-1a9f-41eb-ab69-76edc14f7c23" gruiphraseguid="5f248276-1014-494f-ae3d-d84cd6096264"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4f6f54bb-820e-42a0-8390-cb15b91aff9a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="deb21857-5949-4dec-a39a-661203a75a68" grcontextid="stroking:1">stroking</span></span> his head. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">“Caius did impart something interesting to me in his
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="last:0" grmarkguid="e786e5cf-2863-4df3-8af1-4bef876a6425" gruiphraseguid="05efc5ed-b1ff-4f52-8afa-f459e7ab0376"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="52f44a9d-950c-4f10-9f8b-8739afa059a9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1e552f15-b607-42b7-a395-05a328910b4e" grcontextid="last:0">last</span></span> letter, my dearest. News has come from our spies around the globe. You remember
I told you? There is a specially selected Volturi member in each continent,
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="keeping:0" grmarkguid="9af19e3f-7cd2-42d8-a4b0-6dadd566eb9d" gruiphraseguid="a70ca87c-4860-48bb-adb1-26ae7193ae08"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3aa5ea46-93be-4289-b5ca-b5a56cfc5df9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ef742972-6d6d-4899-ae6f-0e75dc7f1f88" grcontextid="keeping:0">keeping</span></span> watch over the other vampires which populate this planet. Word is
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="spreading:0" grmarkguid="e748ca40-941d-4dde-ae2c-d552c7602f98" gruiphraseguid="3e9e9950-0ce2-4ab0-b2e0-96cd3e55c7a6"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5ca34578-9cb4-41e9-9597-b9761da9809e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fe2b30c9-4d87-4a3d-913a-62afc2188cb6" grcontextid="spreading:0">spreading</span></span> quickly amongst us! A human girl <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="has come:0" grmarkguid="83f54bba-c092-4ebe-84c5-96e53da0a41c" gruiphraseguid="bb8404fd-c47d-4734-9e58-e8a311ff37b6"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5ad0ee11-60ce-47cb-8041-2b3bf5b51fd7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3f4d301b-c006-442d-b4aa-4b508560ca1f" grcontextid="has come:0">has come</span></span> to our attention. She is
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="not:0" grmarkguid="b0842c0a-13ba-417c-a773-2c30393c45d3" gruiphraseguid="e310b0d1-6388-4bfe-a4a9-0a5855a62469"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3e90e2b9-1207-418c-aafd-ee8c7bd2d68b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b78d9ccb-7111-40ad-ba16-ab720ddd74f4" grcontextid="not:0">not</span></span> an ordinary human, she knows <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="of:1" grmarkguid="550d04b3-40cd-4d72-b482-d29dc06a05c6" gruiphraseguid="e310b0d1-6388-4bfe-a4a9-0a5855a62469"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="67104774-37cb-4fc3-b7e1-4003d59c1021" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b78d9ccb-7111-40ad-ba16-ab720ddd74f4" grcontextid="of:1">of</span></span> vampires! She is close to the Olympic coven
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="in:0" grmarkguid="6f29a327-c55e-48d7-b838-f7686a9f5762" gruiphraseguid="0e91efda-21c8-4131-b115-5f536fe7789d"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4190fe6d-a76f-4ed3-9b75-80036cb65a07" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3a68ebcc-d06b-44fa-b633-5c2a056baec8" grcontextid="in:0">in</span></span> Washington State on the North West coast of America. My trusted spies tell me she is a most
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="desirable asset:0" grmarkguid="7a1b5055-7fbd-41f5-8324-a4afa5e7b4bc" gruiphraseguid="fb97268f-f4ed-402a-ba93-b10c7093d4b3"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4c77dbe3-4245-4205-a8f3-bc7fa6197b6a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a6a40c61-6b6c-4bda-90a9-e0bb27cbc8b5" grcontextid="desirable asset:0">desirable asset</span></span> for the Volturi to possess!” Athenodora claimed excitedly. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">Desiderius just nodded and stared at her in awe. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">“Don’t you see, my dearest friend? We must capture this
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="rare:0" grmarkguid="0ba1a8ef-6315-44b4-8d8e-535d0597677e" gruiphraseguid="4fa58a75-1e67-40e2-9af3-755a63e937b0"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="820f5aeb-72e6-4ab7-886d-c1ac05a3c31b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d3148616-0349-4c92-abd0-6c0d9ffbafd5" grcontextid="rare:0">rare</span></span> flower at once! We must stop such silliness! Humans do not consort with
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="vampires:0" grmarkguid="262e2443-9583-4e9f-838c-f15b6ef92600" gruiphraseguid="9b699743-775f-487f-b2a4-6af401288a0c"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="49bc377a-5ba0-46b3-8c48-cd719dd64e85" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="15cc36a1-6d24-42f2-9cff-949a57107bcc" grcontextid="vampires:0">vampires</span></span>, it is unheard of! They say the youngest Cullen boy is <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="in complete:0" grmarkguid="93af9568-3821-4706-af29-63aab736a0e7" gruiphraseguid="ab175242-6137-4699-9371-a7562db7f058"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4db7b7fa-b05b-404a-a64b-794f38aa1583" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a49a6e66-7e19-4a4b-bac1-94374662a39f" grcontextid="in complete:0">in complete</span></span>
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="enamour:0" grmarkguid="b54a63e9-77b7-4502-91d7-2a242f5b9bed" gruiphraseguid="59746755-998f-4648-b782-93722d4416e9"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3067f9a5-f3b1-4f21-a68b-122d2bee18b1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3351d76f-84a5-4f23-81d0-560823516b32" grcontextid="enamour:0">enamour</span></span> of her! It can only lead to terrible repercussions. You and I must rise
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="from:0" grmarkguid="d01f397b-3844-4b83-8f88-c913ebd58c29" gruiphraseguid="f300a2c7-a029-4f86-82b5-85d62134054e"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3b9d209e-2f6d-4352-ab92-6252805709e4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="51a5bdaa-f86b-4ebc-84b5-c30c742b414d" grcontextid="from:0">from</span></span> our apathy Desiderius! We must go back to Volterra and take immediate control,
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="before:0" grmarkguid="3f86d8ce-bdfd-4096-aa43-d47f3d8153de" gruiphraseguid="da664616-f4c3-4f4d-8399-44277358c208"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9518f8ab-c0e9-4da2-bd6f-b3ab73ba0b2c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d803226b-bf93-4733-99b6-155ecc4e5bbe" grcontextid="before:0">before</span></span> those idiots let not only the whole coven fall apart, but the whole of
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="our:0" grmarkguid="7a201ccb-0478-4cd3-a754-e0bd01e7ac0b" gruiphraseguid="83929f45-d32e-4a70-90c5-fbdecf980acd"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f850c5b6-fb97-4a81-a5ab-74669b97bbea" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a17a19b5-050e-4b1d-a2c3-d235e45c2017" grcontextid="our:0">our</span></span> world <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="come:1" grmarkguid="8893020d-692b-435b-89b4-63216ecba6fa" gruiphraseguid="83929f45-d32e-4a70-90c5-fbdecf980acd"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d551eb18-b876-417e-88e6-a402c11e9bc7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a17a19b5-050e-4b1d-a2c3-d235e45c2017" grcontextid="come:1">come</span></span> tumbling down around our immortal heads!” <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">Desiderius nodded once more, but this time he was rapt
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="with:0" grmarkguid="634bb0fd-5f27-4b29-abd4-2dc444da5278" gruiphraseguid="bd7ea783-f7c0-49ed-bbb1-43ef7e4b756f"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="dbee2f00-e5d9-4a20-b998-a33a0cf74ecc" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4edbe0ca-595f-4c73-a320-3d22c23f7d37" grcontextid="with:0">with</span></span> wonder at the passion and strength of will which Athenodora awakened deep
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="within:0" grmarkguid="4604bf20-c9dd-481a-8a64-f1cd9e9f79de" gruiphraseguid="35a09a9a-0118-4d1d-8a2f-51c1736ef064"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="655da3dd-2a02-43cb-bdfa-7df609a5e6ab" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="be729346-d649-4732-9441-821c038147a8" grcontextid="within:0">within</span></span> him. Her sweet girlish voice commanded his attention and he was drawn to
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="the:0" grmarkguid="97bacb7e-ca34-4132-b67b-e474eaca9cc0" gruiphraseguid="5a32b5e2-54c1-4243-9d97-4da9600ca4f0"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2b48ed27-6aec-496a-9ee1-ba519ac2dc16" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2058afb1-e751-4897-9235-62d63c5c9526" grcontextid="the:0">the</span></span> power resonating from her as she confessed her plan to him. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 200%;">“We
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="must:0" grmarkguid="70272132-5f28-42b2-a92d-740a89e795fd" gruiphraseguid="4e18a05a-e038-472f-8cde-0838c30cf9c4"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="109de014-9ff3-41a1-9d9f-50ae041083bc" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1ced4489-89fd-4ec2-a0b9-e5f2d82d7ebf" grcontextid="must:0">must</span></span> have this human! We must stop the Cullen’s from committing any more
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="heinous:0" grmarkguid="8770f753-11a4-4b72-8851-94dc1d137e0c" gruiphraseguid="4cb0d46a-2562-48f4-a8b6-e881ed42a9c0"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2333736b-be71-401b-ae7d-91ca7168da82" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4ffb0936-72db-47cc-b26a-f1198103865d" grcontextid="heinous:0">heinous</span></span> crimes against the Volturi! It is our responsibility, it is our duty!”</span><span style="line-height: 200%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></i><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></i>
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">Chapter Five<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">Bella’s POV:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">I tugged the brush through my hair roughly as I scowled
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ba86529a-47e1-467f-b5c9-9e488db7174b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5394f0de-934f-4b36-9edf-0e9edb64c775" grcontextid="at my reflection in:0">at my reflection in</span> the bathroom mirror. I stuck my tongue out at the stupid
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="12c2c0b3-9b5b-4d28-999c-8d179c044cb6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="64895014-4923-4561-8e40-4b6e1edf2717" grcontextid="girl:0">girl</span> <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1492403b-3f8e-4ce9-8e2f-5eccca993002" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="64895014-4923-4561-8e40-4b6e1edf2717" grcontextid="looking:1">looking</span> back. <i>Weak, human fool! </i>I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4565ffa2-46d2-4f60-afd1-617d6a07fc99" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2118d84a-30ed-49db-ac90-c5fdd85318ce" grcontextid="was:0">was</span> heading out to the Cullen’s place to meet Edward’s ‘sister’ Victoria and
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="dfa4897f-bcd1-4c9a-8104-9e9631cf1804" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="47fbada7-8740-4a31-b025-fd5e4f0218c6" grcontextid="her:0">her</span> husband Aro. I was slightly nervous because Edward had already told me that
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="972e90ba-2937-4ab5-89f9-818794e87f40" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="214d2b75-a941-4480-9b03-735cc628e8a7" grcontextid="the:0">the</span> couple were centuries old ancient vampires. My head spun when I tried to
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b0d01d93-5a7c-4186-8051-d0d0fb14f25c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ba8d37f7-1494-40cb-8254-7f55408f4ea7" grcontextid="work:0">work</span> out exactly how old they were! Not only that, Aro was once head of the Volturi
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9ea4aa14-a42e-4467-81dc-ffd2b8cf2697" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d75ae9ce-a803-4a74-8533-a8be1b9ad680" grcontextid="who:0">who</span> were <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e39a710d-c3c8-41f3-9bf3-68a8a5533fa4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d75ae9ce-a803-4a74-8533-a8be1b9ad680" grcontextid="rulers:1">rulers</span> of the vampire world. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="05dc6a0b-30f3-4004-9888-5c954e5282ef" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="79e3a052-1fba-4323-8b40-5b6c2bfbdd47" grcontextid="Sulpicia’s:0">Sulpicia’s</span> death and Aro’s wedding had
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="25b51869-5aba-4123-bce5-fd23b46c7390" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="35a21cdf-f36c-4756-a089-a27236a20563" grcontextid="thrown:0">thrown</span> the coven into current disarray. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">I sighed again as tied my long hair back in a loose
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7d8348b9-b851-443a-bcc1-74d9d7ec3eba" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7bac655c-0d15-43af-afae-b0f7b70ac3da" grcontextid="ponytail:0">ponytail</span>. I was grouchy because Edward had refused once more to indulge my desire
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3935891e-d03e-44de-9f6f-d93f5419d516" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1ac6f7e1-cbd1-4dcb-842d-250e44ac22e0" grcontextid="to:0">to</span> lose my virginity. He said he could hurt me or kill me because of his
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="363aaad7-6f8d-413c-ac14-b7df20f5d667" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8ec5a362-1870-498b-9f98-0553cddbb216" grcontextid="strength:0">strength</span>. I think he is just scared because he really does not know what will
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ef8c1547-e98a-4f4d-a6ad-14a04ab1b01a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c9091225-da38-4ca0-b5b3-c52072375464" grcontextid="happen:0">happen</span> if we take our relationship up to the next level. No one knows what
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4aada51e-c96d-4d34-834d-574353996888" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4ca14048-c735-4323-9561-e3ce41a3ffba" grcontextid="would:0">would</span> happen because this situation has never arisen before. Vampires tried to
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="55e3b1d3-af76-4093-aba3-6e4b0217be31" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="66516425-d882-4f8f-a0bf-25e46907c70c" grcontextid="keep:0">keep</span> their distance from humans, it was safer this way. Yes, they tried to
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3bac675d-1a53-4e95-96b9-87b410994492" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e2f4fc0c-0ecb-4114-992d-4ba0b4b6a34a" grcontextid="blend:0">blend</span> in with society but they didn’t get close to humans. Edward tried to
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9fa97e6b-a76b-45a9-be42-8cf17266c92e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5b5c1028-ed8e-4328-96de-a213c17bf2d4" grcontextid="resist:0">resist</span> me when we first met but for both of us it was love at first sight,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b4b64d80-caed-45f2-9987-dd07a12bb4c9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5ae478c6-eafe-44ad-98e4-63073beb86f3" grcontextid="inevitable:0">inevitable</span> and irrevocable. The scent of my blood thrilled him so, but he would
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="662f4bfe-40a8-4f49-8a13-9f825e536262" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9a23e62f-be4b-465a-ba22-9e39e3d19662" grcontextid="never:0">never</span> hurt me. I truly believed he would not.
The Cullen’s did not drink human blood. <i>Not anymore.<o:p></o:p></i></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">I had never been scared of Edward, how could I? The first
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="56f2d2d8-99eb-450c-9d87-59e916c8f58a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="70693b3a-5d68-418b-a77d-2c01cc0241d6" grcontextid="look:0">look</span>, the first searing touch, and the first sweetest thrilling kiss had all
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="75cfd55c-54bd-4bc1-926c-16ecdea6ac18" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c03187d5-d7e3-4718-94ca-dc19c3b0eb8c" grcontextid="bound:0">bound</span> me to his heart for eternity. His family didn’t scare me either, even
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="edb6f685-9907-44b3-a1f5-6842408ab49a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="960b47e7-50bf-4730-ad99-3988d5119715" grcontextid="though:0">though</span> I knew they were worried about our relationship. They loved Edward and
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7bc0c689-1f60-4000-867a-1ac82deb83da" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="39f1c339-b571-4b21-8ed0-ef70a69c3eeb" grcontextid="only:0">only</span> wanted to him to be happy, just like any normal loving parents. Like
Charlie. He didn’t know what Edward was, he just saw him as a teenage boy who
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="908f41f2-482e-4224-9bbe-1d78c2264e13" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="175d3de1-655b-4eb8-91c7-91058896c823" grcontextid="was:0">was</span> getting way too close to his precious only child! Charlie eyed us
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="98c1c0c2-5d8a-4cd4-bdab-66e6d2cc0e82" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="00bd8e24-3749-4d7b-b7d2-69b416fe4786" grcontextid="suspiciously:0">suspiciously</span> and he rarely left us alone together. Little did he know Edward
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="99a54a9c-e159-461a-b62c-760215f1b893" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="10be92ae-3955-452a-9e1b-b486879a488f" grcontextid="flew:0">flew</span> into my bedroom window each night to be with me! My sighs of longing and
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4463cfcc-0952-449d-b6ea-d6b377f6d89d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b41b9593-83d0-418b-bd8e-2110b9244ff8" grcontextid="desire:0">desire</span> had to be subdued when Charlie was in the next room! How I wished Edward
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="29c788b9-2106-4f38-9c67-58569f7839ca" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6a28bdd6-63a1-4ba9-be9d-3542ea6b88d8" grcontextid="and:0">and</span> I could spend the night alone together, with no one else around. Bliss! If only
I could persuade him to give into our passions. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">I decided a few months ago that I wanted to be more
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="97e37ccb-4b98-4631-a311-78f57abd55e8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f596ff52-c945-4395-b002-36b112c141d9" grcontextid="than:0">than</span> human. I wanted to be with Edward forever. I didn’t want to be old <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e4f46b4b-3b78-41f5-82d8-6c6923440669" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6e6a1690-28a1-438b-9841-578110d15f33" grcontextid="whilst:0">whilst</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ebc39d10-a28b-4916-8fc0-7a8cd3baf02f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2bf2969a-7f6c-4b2d-b313-1eac344a6564" grcontextid="he:0">he</span> remained always eighteen. He had to change me, he just <i>had </i>to. Edward had proposed to me exactly one month ago on my
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2b7f219a-0dd2-4cf3-b940-67a8c6c5dc43" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a3326c80-c52f-4b4f-a68d-33d9abf70448" grcontextid="eighteenth:0">eighteenth</span> birthday. It was very romantic and sweet. We had been in one of our
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="97b5f6fb-0f43-463d-b980-7fee3cc65504" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="28de27f7-79fb-4389-9e99-7c5dda25edc6" grcontextid="favourite:0">favourite</span> places. It’s our special meadow, the one he took me to on our first
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0de54624-2408-45cc-8ffd-0ea56405b645" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="da576c31-12a5-4cc1-ab82-aa8c45de3954" grcontextid="proper:0">proper</span> <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ecda0305-eb91-482a-af75-fc2eaf4aa92b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="da576c31-12a5-4cc1-ab82-aa8c45de3954" grcontextid="date:1">date</span>. I was completely surprised; I truly was not expecting him to ask
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="370ca9a0-229c-40c1-ac9f-f92def78a6dc" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="52af4822-da0e-46e4-8a75-72d45640d145" grcontextid="me:0">me</span>! I’m not against marriage, despite my parent’s divorce, but I didn’t expect
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="491d6ca7-3b11-415e-b043-2fccab74ca6a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2db25d0e-ae04-4612-a168-8dff62b824d0" grcontextid="to:0">to</span> get married so young. But then again,
I never expected to meet someone like Edward. I had been stunned into silence
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5d6c4324-beb7-4e2b-85d6-94b97c346b27" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="70608c01-1fc8-4123-8942-807ec3e49aaa" grcontextid="for:0">for</span> a little while whilst he waited patiently for my answer. My mind began to
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b2e9bf4a-aeb1-49c7-863f-4794af2970ce" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d3a1f0f1-4c4b-4562-a626-d55343a1a2b1" grcontextid="conjure:0">conjure</span> up the seed of an idea, which bloomed and grew as I gazed into his
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="68b16e97-0901-49f5-8b2a-bfeff9682582" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7e748b2e-1cb8-4bf6-9a60-57c8ce55bd90" grcontextid="beautiful:0">beautiful</span> topaz eyes. I had accepted his
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="adbae0f3-d29c-4372-a4b2-d0445be7fb4f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0c9bba02-62a7-4b84-84ef-dfef2b7b572c" grcontextid="proposal:0">proposal</span> on one condition. He must change me! <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">Could
I give up my family, everything I had known, and my very humanity <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e112534d-54c3-4f7b-a0ef-5c9f95999c19" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="af09b733-c2f5-4caf-9b6d-465d18fd660b" grcontextid="for:0">for</span> the man I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3969d00e-f728-4a8f-b21a-8bbb2865f132" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1a090a51-a881-4312-85cb-ec754258423e" grcontextid="loved:0">loved</span>?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
</div>
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">Chapter Six<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">Victoria’s POV:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">I gazed out into the Cullen’s garden as Twilight
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ed4cad6d-9434-4c5a-98b9-568e5d7ef808" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="61cc9d0f-626e-4d9c-a812-8ff5413b70cc" grcontextid="approached:0">approached</span>. Edward would be here soon with his beloved Bella. I was looking forward
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="00c28037-cb18-4cd5-956f-f85012fc9062" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1424b503-8d9e-4026-b463-ac055ead9b88" grcontextid="to:0">to</span> <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9df3da0c-a8a8-4457-ae37-290e40894e4f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1424b503-8d9e-4026-b463-ac055ead9b88" grcontextid="meeting:1">meeting</span> her. I caught Aro’s scent and felt his strong arms encircle me as
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="af9d5125-a602-40c2-9637-52060ad7e816" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ebc41c78-1d41-4538-bae9-dd5d7ca46264" grcontextid="his:0">his</span> long pale fingers spanned my slender waist. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">“Hello my desirable one,” he breathed in my ear.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">I shivered as he moved his hands to lift my red curls
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="718532b1-5211-4c18-812c-2baf008bfb3a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7e87a600-6ccd-44c9-9089-91b6aadd2ce4" grcontextid="away:0">away</span> from the nape of my neck and he brought his cool lips down onto my skin,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="474627d1-1321-4118-9e78-b451e3eb57b5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="afcb4959-72d9-48d7-ae01-d5967115f5b2" grcontextid="feather:0">feather</span>-light and <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f8c033f5-d640-47c9-bb91-a1f8c265f697" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="afcb4959-72d9-48d7-ae01-d5967115f5b2" grcontextid="teasingly:1">teasingly</span> seductive. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">“<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="395687ff-5734-418c-a9a3-23d5472feacf" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2dccfd25-e36d-46fd-a6ff-e9f0911ce9e2" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span>! Behave my dear husband! My ‘brother’ will be here
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0c73d69a-06c0-459e-87c7-e522fffa51e4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e643ec49-85b7-42ff-aeb7-1b26af890a40" grcontextid="soon with his:0">soon with his</span> sweetheart!” I exclaimed as I pretended to swat him away with
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="28e3515f-417f-4aaa-8b75-d4aa1c3b2451" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bf2fb35f-3e97-45d0-aeae-09f22a432bf6" grcontextid="annoyance:0">annoyance</span>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">I turned around to embrace him, my lips eagerly meeting
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b917eaec-ccff-4b77-b4cb-92d52f2b4a1a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0f2d673f-801c-43b6-8623-d52922b65232" grcontextid="his:0">his</span> in a sweet kiss. He had been gone for a few hours, hunting with Noah in the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7fd023c8-4029-44fb-8532-1056970ae43b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e96b82aa-07d2-4fc6-b27c-5a82c2e3f9a6" grcontextid="mountains:0">mountains</span>. Of course our ‘son’ would not
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="656199f7-60d6-4478-998a-fefe490bf056" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="424d477f-5292-4e73-8b97-cd299554fced" grcontextid="try:0">try</span> animal blood, but he loved to go with his ‘father’. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="dc96d57a-408d-4ad9-b389-6ae61d8d7f64" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="74af1573-c6f7-4439-b81b-6e72808d3588" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span> had taken some blood bags for Noah. We
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="157ead2e-1965-4915-b484-15a817afdf4a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="11479d71-5446-413d-9989-2a6c00fc9539" grcontextid="still:0">still</span> didn’t like my family to see Noah drinking human blood. They were so
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5614e508-5209-453e-b9fc-7499607d2f5e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c25bebed-6956-4a36-ae40-4317a8b7f09e" grcontextid="refined:0">refined</span>! Plus, it was sensible for us vegetarians to stay away from human
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6ac51342-1c9d-489b-9f5f-4d32d05d3edb" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="36882f09-e7b8-4148-a432-18812d745633" grcontextid="blood:0">blood</span>. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8afa6aba-a643-4a1e-830e-fa626d70c51b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="09440425-1199-4b54-8cd7-d549422e47a0" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span> and I had become de-<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c0b9bb7c-3ebc-4b81-9f6b-9ecb43fea496" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="09440425-1199-4b54-8cd7-d549422e47a0" grcontextid="sensitised:1">sensitised</span> over the past year. However, Noah was
Noah and we loved him exactly the way he was. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">I had stayed behind to talk with Alice, Esme and
Carlisle. I pulled away, not because his mouth failed to entice me, but because
I had so much I wanted to tell him before Edward’s imminent arrival. I gazed into his golden eyes, now glowing
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9b681354-8602-4aef-b5e1-70244cadc265" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="775bf6db-0892-49d7-8589-9ba5881ec052" grcontextid="lighter:0">lighter</span> after his hunting trip. No doubt a few mountain lions had succumbed to
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="51f26784-95aa-4742-95fc-af60915b36eb" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="dc77e671-9549-4865-932c-f8b839f5f928" grcontextid="my:0">my</span> graceful husband.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">“Oh Aro! I was afraid that trouble had found us again
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1360c526-6356-45ba-a05a-48037ace1644" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="12943416-d77e-4f55-a1d8-5f4eebf1e7ab" grcontextid="when:0">when</span> you told me of Noah’s visions, but now I fear that was only the tip of the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1fc8040a-8dbc-4d5f-893e-40b9787c4f1a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1e82f2b0-568a-4649-8be5-8898cd541267" grcontextid="iceberg:0">iceberg</span>, compared to what Alice has divulged to me today!” I exclaimed, worry
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="321bc6cd-56f3-4504-b5a8-736046b73973" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d9a7a014-982d-4c5e-893a-81b7de4f3961" grcontextid="lacing:0">lacing</span> my voice. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">Why could Aro and I not have the happy peaceful life we
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8c2d3a79-591d-44cb-ade3-affe3a70a923" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="69b3b349-24ee-496d-8463-b131c3cb53d5" grcontextid="craved:0">craved</span>? It seemed it wasn’t to be! Not until all our enemies were thwarted
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="26c305c9-b739-4dda-bd79-9df97dc2fbdb" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f941a43f-ab31-41cd-b277-67c10869379e" grcontextid="anyways:0">anyways</span>. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="95808369-8836-4568-8e0a-1b96be983e5e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2820a04b-62a8-46f2-bff5-b09b510c880a" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span> raised his perfectly formed
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3a2587b3-440f-4ede-9047-a5d5c4a386ce" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0cd7f606-322d-435d-a7ad-4be8d860c5ec" grcontextid="black:0">black</span> eyebrows at me and sighed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">“Come, little flame, walk with me in the garden. You
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3c3e787a-7a62-42b7-936b-98228194703c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="146b4a57-74f8-4c92-af1c-34db8ba27b71" grcontextid="must:0">must</span> tell me what dear Alice has ‘seen’ now,” he said as he held out a pale
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="afa0d2f1-1ada-4408-9786-308a5ba96abc" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5502dfb8-dce6-4755-a3c3-2040b6ad915d" grcontextid="hand:0">hand</span> to me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;"> The breeze
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7cc0d912-c499-4057-9e51-1b3ca413cd12" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f8bac0e4-5d33-4599-8a87-a8cdf465f9d5" grcontextid="gusted:0">gusted</span> through the garden, catching his silky raven black hair. As ever I was
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="684431b3-18fe-4878-8885-5e91afc43095" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bc0cb450-5720-4d56-a868-766c23aad5b6" grcontextid="in:0">in</span> awe of his sheer perfection and beauty. His dark long hair which flowed over
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2e75e3ae-7adf-42c3-a9cc-9e1f729cd17e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e949fd84-9488-4c81-ab3e-2236fdfaab7a" grcontextid="his:0">his</span> strong muscular shoulders and chest. His ruby red full lips set in that
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7cf5083a-a1c1-427e-9eb4-4a40e03669b7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="32af3219-8099-48f5-b932-9b3ea3f0b983" grcontextid="pale:0">pale</span> face, with the recent addition of those beautiful warm amber eyes. He was a
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8ddafb66-926c-432d-84b2-1ce7b660c733" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="20fde085-7f80-4c7c-b883-981ff2dedad1" grcontextid="wondrous:0">wondrous</span> sight indeed!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="line-height: 200%;">Pay
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="164c7543-debf-400b-8545-6f0a3cf6b5cb" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="dfbce6d7-4b63-4784-8c3c-50f84f1e56c7" grcontextid="attention:0">attention</span> Victoria! <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8a9527b0-597f-4e3f-a07b-6ccd4e1d4017" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="20a26704-698b-4c41-b0f0-05dde0c20f54" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span> must be told of recent events. Stop being dazzled by
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0a197d3c-8f5a-4cd5-80cd-8205bfeab14b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7adc0e47-5a8f-42d3-a21c-61664660567c" grcontextid="him:0">him</span>! </span></i><span style="line-height: 200%;">I chided myself silently. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">I took his hand and we walked into the garden together
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="bbcdacd7-7917-4d77-862d-ed7034759f33" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c07355f4-52b0-4860-8e57-cbfb26b1226e" grcontextid="as:0">as</span> the sky began to turn bruised and purple above us as day gave way to night.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">“I am afraid that Alice has had new visions of the
Volturi, mainly Athenodora and Caius. They plot against us, my love! <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d31a704e-6f95-4764-b01a-734188196f8e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="cf952d2a-619b-46cd-8da6-b5a2aba4d37a" grcontextid="Athenodora:0">Athenodora</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fb39d450-2cd0-4cf7-923e-7123f92f6c4f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fd099dcd-a6fd-4115-b0d5-d3f46961c703" grcontextid="plans:0">plans</span> to leave the desolate castle in Rome where she and Desiderius dwell. She
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8e7473d6-df12-493c-8a53-9056dc70bba1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7dad935e-730d-40a2-a515-d6e465e60c72" grcontextid="wants:0">wants</span> to reclaim the position of Volturi leader with her old mate at her side.
Caius seemingly welcomes this, rather than feeling any abhorrence <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="01a7d8db-40b5-4046-b44a-85b51d6d0f61" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="cf21f326-b999-4777-914b-3b5e3f5b1fa9" grcontextid="to:0">to</span> <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5c6efec5-64c8-4c27-966f-2f3493ff89a5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="cf21f326-b999-4777-914b-3b5e3f5b1fa9" grcontextid="his:1">his</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7119d732-ba94-4b1e-a052-22bb7cdc10fb" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e3fa6da7-7442-41f2-9df4-a53b3c1645c7" grcontextid="partner:0">partner</span> <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e5d2f6ca-b116-452d-a5c7-deef4add6dc8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e3fa6da7-7442-41f2-9df4-a53b3c1645c7" grcontextid="deciding:1">deciding</span> to be with her old flame! “I stated to my husband who was
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="bef55c48-1fab-464e-b97f-d0aa8a3a36de" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d109348c-75cf-4e19-9e8b-5d6fba29fb57" grcontextid="listening:0">listening</span> intently to me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">“Ah, Athenodora wants her power back! This does not
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f84ecb7b-3ec9-40c0-aec1-a0a4b0d02bcd" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5e0436de-bdff-479e-9977-07a8db20d0d8" grcontextid="surprise:0">surprise</span> me, Victoria. Not in the slightest. I always knew she would come back
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a961503d-70b2-4c06-833e-dee82f7063fa" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ab9e0bd2-a19a-4eaa-bec4-65a1a9dacec0" grcontextid="to:0">to</span> take control. She wanted Desiderius back where she could become his puppet
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ba663129-a877-4e56-9bc5-5f7ef6050df4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2ca8ad3f-242b-4e4a-940d-5cc9e67b4380" grcontextid="master:0">master</span> once more! I detest what the entire Volturi <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8d411aaf-3103-4aa4-990b-4735e6cfb70c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6722fa6b-8ab7-4c90-b14d-71f67d7e868b" grcontextid="stand:0">stand</span> for now, I hate what
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b0cf1d0a-389c-4718-aa75-08b0b13fcbec" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="330ce2d7-00fd-4750-959f-25f367a3bc22" grcontextid="they:0">they</span> made me become. They kept me from you all these years with false power and
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6c40afb2-d8c9-4ef4-a113-768d2c09157c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0770e44d-9888-4950-81e0-c826ff7de9a4" grcontextid="promises:0">promises</span>. I do not wish to have anything to do with them, my love,” he
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5ea80de2-d824-44dd-a4ca-76e72ae4fdaf" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="13d604e4-17a5-41df-85ee-105f6cf713ed" grcontextid="exclaimed:0">exclaimed</span> with passion. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">I squeezed his cool hand with a sigh. He was <i>not </i>going to like what I was about to
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b1bf91f1-e557-4ba2-90e6-bb56f4219be4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="13d5ee5e-bb4f-4363-a0ca-6b4900032c24" grcontextid="tell:0">tell</span> him next. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">“Apparently Athenodora has decided Noah must be
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2579c526-e5ce-4b69-9f4f-836182a91dd5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c8139180-ed82-45ee-ad6d-286c8612b701" grcontextid="destroyed:0">destroyed</span> for murdering Sulpicia. She has also declared that you and I must be
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e44794d1-53b5-4902-b17a-d7aa3ca8ca79" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="135118da-f8f6-427f-83ac-e24131446a98" grcontextid="punished:0">punished</span> for disrespecting the Volturi and your marriage. Oh Aro, she wants
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="50e39178-f85c-4565-afec-294021ab7a33" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7f09b5de-413a-4c80-8dc1-3fd02ec406de" grcontextid="revenge:0">revenge</span> and I am afraid, so very afraid! The woman is insane; she is dangerous,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b5176757-bb2f-44fc-8a84-e3af8745aef6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="afe6d97f-fd27-4ced-859f-6c9336d1d6c0" grcontextid="just:0">just</span> like your dead wife!” I wailed, fear rising in me quickly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="059af0ea-804f-4b7a-8c75-470f2ac0dc1d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="914fda50-7127-4547-bd0a-980dca0f813c" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span> frowned at me, his smooth brow creased with worry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">“This is worrying news indeed. Alice <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0758c2fc-994b-4044-8b45-daddddfb38f5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5cfafdff-e69f-46e9-8d11-568317626cae" grcontextid="is:0">is</span> rarely wrong in
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c2dae769-9378-4080-9df5-9029cc522b08" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="83aee17c-ec4e-4151-bce9-c218715e8f29" grcontextid="her:0">her</span> visions, although the future is constantly changing like quicksilver. Maybe
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="484db557-681a-4ee7-9984-384bfeb7254b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5344f504-8b37-4d9c-af5f-d5f4deddf415" grcontextid="she:0">she</span> is seeing Athenodora’s thoughts, which can flicker and switch in an instant,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5b629a1b-7a96-47cf-add1-6faf0dbef526" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d6e5567e-5eec-445c-94ab-afa82344d7af" grcontextid="given:0">given</span> that her mind is indeed unstable! What else did Alice see, my dearest?”
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="706a614a-94b2-4efb-a364-84c4e8fd8d42" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="21a91a53-67da-4964-86ca-4764c23e3143" grcontextid="he:0">he</span> asked as he stroked my face, his amber eyes full of concern for my emotional
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d1898146-1a16-4b2a-afc5-8d8db67bbb3a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1577545a-021d-4435-a27b-8cac3bfdde73" grcontextid="state:0">state</span>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">“Alice said that Athenodora planned to raise Sulpicia,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7666097b-6ac7-46ac-b5fa-d70681f0ebe9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="cc77fc24-43d6-4d54-aa7d-80e625d9409d" grcontextid="just:0">just</span> like Noah said! Though how she can manage to put together the particles of
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ba21c08d-ce07-4c7d-8091-df8a7be00df9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2553ea8a-9fdd-4988-ab41-16cd59b989f3" grcontextid="dust:0">dust</span> which remained of the evil monster I do not know! And……., oh Aro, wait until you hear this last
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a5060a0a-be5a-4633-a302-4707b437008e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8c0a9290-85c5-4d2f-94df-47da139714ce" grcontextid="part:0">part</span>! <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="da7471ac-a04a-41e5-a2dc-9e8c11021fdf" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="34c0167d-6aa7-4a12-9e41-101da7041d09" grcontextid="Athenodora:0">Athenodora</span> wants to seek out the creature that made her. Really it is <i>the</i> original vampire, not <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="600c92c7-b342-4838-a50f-4a0e25c626e4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="cfea3937-81d8-40fb-92b2-cec3ed7702d4" grcontextid="she:0">she</span>. That’s <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8a400695-50ca-47a9-9811-30239fd56bf0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="33703c6b-be5c-4925-aa1c-4256556df356" grcontextid="if:0">if</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3c8517c0-ffad-407f-bc24-8e4dec80cd0e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f233f1e7-01a4-4ad2-aad6-e38b977774bf" grcontextid="it:0">it</span> was a vampire? She wants to bring this <i>thing</i>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ec1bcb83-569d-4a86-8281-6b57ce8a6a1f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bfa8f4ec-1bf2-4fc6-a681-de289e662d28" grcontextid="to:0">to</span> life, to help her rule over the vampire world with pure evil and absolute
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f1c37397-0910-48bf-9f2c-86fd15485a83" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a0d7ca32-8b4a-41be-bb84-6794456e157a" grcontextid="horror:0">horror</span>, so no-one will dare step out of line again! Alice was actually shaking when she related
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7bb1843d-cf1a-4c68-82f8-633675cfc09f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="cda56cd9-00d5-40b5-8c5f-6346972c85af" grcontextid="this:0">this</span> part. This creature, whatever it is, is to vampires like the Devil is <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="295fe0fe-3944-41a6-a27e-9f21bbe44835" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3e58d660-6e72-4633-8722-ec4e8992bdb2" grcontextid="to:0">to</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9354540f-762d-4f36-899f-89386b865ecd" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="54a382d6-a5db-438d-a38f-3a91dc74a47b" grcontextid="humans:0">humans</span>! “I wailed with sorrow. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c93b0d85-0d59-410b-aed5-42589f7bea23" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f20eff96-dfbf-4a34-bfef-2373508ec9cc" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span> looked really shaken now. We stared at each other
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="db9db3cb-15ea-48d0-a963-f9d8281c973f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="983dc0c6-2d26-432e-8504-b28a8a86dbf4" grcontextid="in:0">in</span> disbelief as we digested all Alice had told me. Carlisle and Esme had asked
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e5207b35-02db-48f7-b462-c7c7b2fb586d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="881268c9-0e72-4a37-be0d-fc5aabefaaad" grcontextid="us:0">us</span> not to say anything to the others just yet, but had said I could share the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="09af1e63-13a4-4135-92c5-99d6ac88675c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="385b22f5-cc09-45fe-a107-6b977c1c4a1d" grcontextid="visions:0">visions</span> with my husband. Would we ever have a peaceful existence together? What
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c3987a37-0e56-4f47-b826-70f4c9498a18" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="32313e62-2722-4f4c-a397-082809d16d25" grcontextid="if:0">if</span> all Alice said was true? It didn’t bear thinking about!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="83521b9a-60c1-4b27-a09d-d67421dbc411" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fc1eeac8-a839-4699-a124-8631f200c71a" grcontextid="Aro held:0">Aro held</span> me close to him, his hands stroking my back
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="55b3ac68-0662-4a26-a6f3-1a58f615966d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="61af636c-b4a5-4afd-b11f-db878f16820b" grcontextid="soothingly:0">soothingly</span>. “Try not to worry so, my love. We will talk more with Carlisle and
Esme later once we meet Bella. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="843a5198-0746-44c4-81b9-55784a577036" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="10485459-740b-404b-ac0d-1cc66dccc02d" grcontextid="Athenodora:0">Athenodora</span> does not know where we are does she?
We have time to plan. Time to process all this information. We need to stay
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="149404ae-f111-4c56-9ed6-9a9fc262e298" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="86842fa2-8513-4818-9df3-46041acb97a9" grcontextid="strong:0">strong</span>, Victoria. We are <i>strong! </i>Please
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2453c4e1-36cf-4462-af94-9ab98559ed00" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="716b6b19-0460-47c1-aef7-cecfd0026010" grcontextid="don’t:0">don’t</span> forget it!” my husband exclaimed passionately. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">I didn’t reply, I just squeezed him tighter, revelling
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f0a7870a-3b94-481e-b814-57a21bb61363" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fb49bd13-395e-4a1b-89b1-cd89d2cccfd0" grcontextid="in:0">in</span> his presence and strength.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">Suddenly our embrace was interrupted by my ‘brother’
Edward’s appearance. Slightly behind him stood a girl, shyly peering at us
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="aa044127-d872-4023-a0e4-313d5d039497" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7bfd8201-23aa-4347-9bc8-67ed9335c8c3" grcontextid="through:0">through</span> large chocolate brown eyes. She was small and pale and awkward looking,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ae6a0e2f-e891-48a5-8ebe-084d36de478c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="eaa76c58-b25a-4dd7-a937-092e3f59ff9d" grcontextid="but:0">but</span> I had never seen a more powerful and bright aura surrounding a human than
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a7f6e81c-c2ec-48f4-b251-92c5aa9a5348" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2b3d02c7-73cb-42ee-b368-b0095cc0c5bf" grcontextid="the:0">the</span> one which enveloped her now. It was <i>dazzling,</i>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a57bbcb8-bcaa-4852-8459-6620f44f8a7d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="35588f3a-0af6-4065-b625-3fbb3cb1a700" grcontextid="as:0">as</span> if she was supernatural herself. I stood gazing at her as she looked back
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="faf79059-2753-430c-8426-ebc240921d71" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="60b5de8e-4b90-4210-b15c-7a4ddd8d6712" grcontextid="shyly:0">shyly</span> at Aro and <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f98f3a6e-95a1-4310-a2ab-0aa796e69b89" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="60b5de8e-4b90-4210-b15c-7a4ddd8d6712" grcontextid="I:1">I</span>. This was no ordinary girl, Edward was right.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">Edward’s smile was as wide as the ocean and just as
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5e800963-9a6b-4f32-adc3-f39d6a384495" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="275eb81d-2586-4f9c-bbf5-e9a0b17b3fbd" grcontextid="sparkling:0">sparkling</span> as he introduced the girl to us, “Bella, this is Victoria and Aro,”
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5c9ca191-6b8f-445b-9718-c4cd9cf4c5e2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f383fd71-fd3c-44f1-9aeb-ac437f401098" grcontextid="he:0">he</span> announced proudly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">“Hi,” she smiled tentatively as she came slowly towards
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="689fde15-8fd4-4d6b-ab94-03ee116ebaa5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c5eee8b0-4bab-4411-b37e-b38437702651" grcontextid="us:0">us</span>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">Her aura enveloped her like a bubble of light, silver
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5e48b048-1032-4224-acc6-4e6547df4969" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c87c6cbd-d99e-4cce-93da-ebcf7281c61a" grcontextid="and:0">and</span> violet, sapphire and gold. It was almost blinding me and it took all the strength
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b7dd6c9d-4a02-426a-8a47-0d16fdd4b44a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="20ac3228-4055-430b-bd24-f645b71f1e7d" grcontextid="of:0">of</span> my eyes and mind not to look away. I was intrigued by this mysterious human.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">Or
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ba4eeaf4-9836-403a-9548-21851c397e5c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="05441abd-741b-4eae-8dcc-0a3c9eac8add" grcontextid="was:0">was</span> I using the wrong word to describe Bella Swan? Was she even human? <o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></i>
</span><br />
<span data-mce-style="text-decoration: underline;" style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; text-decoration: underline;">Chapter Seven</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6a8d75e7-1a41-4810-8cb2-a8e97ae64754" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="efe33bb1-5014-4070-8102-a7ff1e67af00" grcontextid="Athenodora's:0">Athenodora's</span> POV:</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I paced the floor in my dimly lit chambers trying to gather my thoughts. It felt good to be back in Volterra again. I needed to take control of this coven once again before it fell into total ruin. Desiderius had travelled back here with me, but although there was much improvement, he still did not share my passion for the Volturi. I shrugged my shoulders, I could deal with that, as long as I managed to gain back control and gather the coven back to its former glory.</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There was one special ingredient that I needed to carry out my plan. I wanted to track down the creature that had made me this way. I had spent my Immortal existence fearing the thing that took my human life, when really I should be praising it for giving me this omnipotent power. I would be an equal match for it now! Imagine the power I could command if I could control the thing? No one would ever dare to question my authority again! I would be the greatest ever vampire in the history of the world. I just had to work out a way to find my Maker.</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I also had another pressing concern: <i>Isabella Swan</i>. This human girl knew too much, she must be taken care of. I would dispatch someone to deal with it. The Cullen's disloyal <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="01f07194-8453-42a3-8a6d-34d7685276f4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b1c01c9f-392c-483c-a2e9-4ec72f15f583" grcontextid="behaviour:0">behaviour</span> must not go unpunished. Who did they think they were? I sensed a presence behind me, marble arms lightly resting on my waist, and cool breath tickling my ear.</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ebefb390-7d1c-42df-a77a-0a9d6582775d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="60eb8aaa-c053-45fb-8935-bdd0a072923a" grcontextid="Athenodora:0">Athenodora</span>, my love. Will you not dine with me tonight? We have some lovely specimens brought in from the city especially tonight", Caius whispered.</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I smiled as I leaned back against his embrace. Caius was very dear to me, he could never be as Desiderius was in his prime but he was a very satisfying second best. I had adored taking the priest and turning him into a vampire. It was one of my proudest moments. Caius was already an immortal when we met, he had neither special power nor talent, but he was exceptionally cruel and ruthless, both qualities which I admired. We had never married as I did not believe I should be tied to one man, although we had been partners and lovers for many many years most successfully.</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">His long fingers moved my long hair away from the nape of my neck as he brought his cold lips to my icy skin. I smiled a knowing little smile to myself. Caius was jealous! He was insecure with Desiderius here, he longed for the time when it was exclusively he and I. How powerful it made me feel to have these beautiful vampire men fall at my feet. I was the vampire queen bee and no one could take my place. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1cbc23ba-f235-4d21-bf0a-6354be832e58" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9034a795-52c1-48a6-9d5b-06be1c229218" grcontextid="Sulpicia:0">Sulpicia</span> had been a most worthwhile adversary until Noah had ended her existence. He would not get away with such a crime! <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="879aec7a-a1dd-4091-8497-d8c642892663" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="17717edf-5b7f-4a41-a909-bb99e501dc30" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span> and his whore Victoria would not get away with their heinous <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9e6e13dc-14be-4700-a0d5-30864647f4e3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="17717edf-5b7f-4a41-a909-bb99e501dc30" grcontextid="behaviour:1">behaviour</span> against me, against the Volturi!</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My rage rose mercurial in my still heart as I clutched the passionate Caius to me. Our lips burned fiery against the others as we fell into a lustful abandoned embrace. I would indulge him; he would make me feel loved and desired for a little while, enough time to chase away the fear of failure. I would not fail. I could not fail.</span><br />
<i><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Control would be mine once more; no one will stand in my way!</span></i><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Chapter Eight<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>A/N:</i></b><b><i>: </i></b><i>Lilith is
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d7906cb3-10dd-47b1-b3ba-4e595e5d6e42" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f44108cf-9893-4618-b4b2-332555f01b86" grcontextid="a:0">a</span> female </i><a href="http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demon" title="Demon"><i><span style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">demon</span></i></a><i> in </i><a href="http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judaism" title="Judaism"><i><span style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Jewish</span></i></a><i> legends, found first in the </i><a href="http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dead_Sea_scrolls" title="Dead Sea scrolls"><i><span style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Dead Sea
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0d3aea48-99de-4837-b6d9-9354b128ab57" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d8d1bd8e-fc32-4beb-b5c0-b79ec86de606" grcontextid="scrolls:0">scrolls</span></span></i></a><i>. The legend is
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6c7e1ec4-dda9-4022-b971-86db79e49843" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="da32afc5-8d2f-4731-9b56-61d0ce60fb52" grcontextid="related:0">related</span> both to a </i><a href="http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hebrew_language" title="Hebrew language"><i><span style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Hebrew language</span></i></a><i> term <b>Lilith</b> which appears in a list of
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="701abf05-5469-4654-9ae1-0934a8153d3a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="df80d33f-e132-4e75-9507-3ae62ec7f1d7" grcontextid="wilderness:0">wilderness</span> animals and birds in the </i><a href="http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Isaiah" title="Book of Isaiah"><i><span style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Book of Isaiah</span></i></a><i>, and also is linked to beliefs about demons called <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c55a92a6-6ff4-4d12-b24e-ba4923863dda" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="df80d33f-e132-4e75-9507-3ae62ec7f1d7" grcontextid="lili:1">lili</span> in ancient </i><a href="http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babylon" title="Babylon"><i><span style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Babylon</span></i></a><i>. (<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="cd39faab-8468-4ed3-a4db-636468fad17a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="47fe85de-0f9b-4d2c-814d-c6b60d1a4fbd" grcontextid="taken:0">taken</span> from <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="cbba9cad-130b-4c36-bf76-4085352e4490" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="47fe85de-0f9b-4d2c-814d-c6b60d1a4fbd" grcontextid="wikipedia:1">wikipedia</span> ) </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I have adapted this
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7968cd63-062f-4fb6-9132-9538ac646a28" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="86eac2bc-e471-40d9-965c-9cf4ce940013" grcontextid="for:0">for</span> my story………….<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I let the cool breeze of the coming day wash over me as I stood on the high mountain top. This place was close to where <i>she </i>dwelled. The destroyer of evil, the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b27a9af1-f05a-48c1-8ccf-77c40446d858" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8d5c919f-b222-483a-80c9-a817fe07f347" grcontextid="saviour:0">saviour</span> of heaven and earth, the last witch to walk this world. Did she sense
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fcd1a43b-84f6-4193-91be-055b7d85e77d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7083c657-ed2c-4b93-8f29-dca30fae559e" grcontextid="my:0">my</span> presence? I could feel her, every day she became stronger. She blossomed and
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e3d1e45e-1d07-44fe-90d4-f9b507225422" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f08b3db2-c648-4094-937f-9b36f9629bd7" grcontextid="bloomed:0">bloomed</span> like a rare flower in a garden full of weeds. I admired her and <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1099f48b-c311-45f5-90ec-3eb08523e940" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="cc0f6a5e-dc84-4ad9-9f2e-dd13459ba355" grcontextid="I:0">I</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8660cd28-e548-40c1-9de1-f3f856b52e9f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="985359a2-1cab-471f-b5bf-e43a462a899c" grcontextid="loathed:0">loathed</span> <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8e4512d3-062a-4866-9954-710ae2a82f09" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="985359a2-1cab-471f-b5bf-e43a462a899c" grcontextid="her:1">her</span>. I wanted to help her and I wanted to stop her. But, my desires
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2ad37301-6fae-4d7c-a079-acb3e6a832fb" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="282a1b59-81c9-401c-9b2a-8214610a3bd6" grcontextid="were:0">were</span> not my own. I was powered by a higher force. Most humans and even vampires
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="35fddeaf-5492-4dea-8a63-0dcf1dbade20" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1fc892c4-5258-4456-8379-dc240e61311f" grcontextid="called:0">called</span> this entity God. I had looked on the face of the most powerful being in
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="04c9daad-6304-4144-b3a4-1e108cb6063e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="22b15f8b-3287-4848-9390-fe46f20812c9" grcontextid="history:0">history</span> and I had been sent to this plane of existence to give people something
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6241eab3-d149-4b8f-883a-eccaf37d511f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="45a8d880-66f0-48fd-b717-67767ff8f63e" grcontextid="to:0">to</span> fear. Yes, despite what some humans believed, “God” was actually a cruel
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="65d735f7-5a3d-4a58-bb0b-c66b8c2b550b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="494519f9-69ee-4b91-b798-fb4b68e2deba" grcontextid="being:0">being</span>, but “he” was fair in “his” own way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I was not ever originally nor completely human. I was created in another realm and sent
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d333535d-3634-433b-941b-dcf8f6fcc83c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="aab60a24-3890-4367-8345-c85bba3fcd41" grcontextid="through:0">through</span> the veil to choose someone to spread evil throughout the world. In 475
AD when Athenodora stumbled across me in the dark tunnel underneath the Roman
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e50ed3e2-d144-4a4b-bda1-bca112055280" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4e3ea1f0-da0e-46b1-9eb2-fb934a4cd393" grcontextid="villa:0">villa</span> I was still unfinished and uncouth. I was a ball of conscious energy with
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="dfa47b51-1924-404d-830f-7aff802d58de" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d5f3af3b-7021-4f57-95ab-60943eab64e8" grcontextid="devastating:0">devastating</span> strength and sharp long teeth. Her scent called to me and I knew
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f31ce88d-4f55-4ccf-89df-f44d12f06d00" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5e55b877-c25d-4d31-a8e2-96c686f54171" grcontextid="she:0">she</span> was the one I would change first. I dispatched her companion in one <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a82d32e8-6c67-48d6-9321-6793fcac69f8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="203cc676-8c4e-4f33-b9ff-0aafe2807bb9" grcontextid="fatal:0">fatal</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6b89688a-6b0b-4feb-9f9f-19a3753b3880" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="18a422c9-7d76-4e83-9f48-dd9c5fda0e56" grcontextid="move:0">move</span>, and then she was mine to claim. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Even though eons had passed I still remembered the sweet peachy
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="bdf1e4cc-41e1-4407-961e-d6b539b4f867" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8ac790a1-9af4-470a-a305-37d69d21e843" grcontextid="soft:0">soft</span> skin of her smooth neck. Her honey blood like nectar to my parched and
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="28b8a853-f75d-4a7a-84eb-1ae4e4a864a3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="12930c0f-a608-4932-af7f-523e14ffca13" grcontextid="lonely:0">lonely</span> <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7d2b8390-e492-4344-90ae-5a058792d760" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="12930c0f-a608-4932-af7f-523e14ffca13" grcontextid="being:1">being</span>. I drank greedily, and then I forced her to drink from a self-inflicted
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="964c253b-4350-405e-b8d9-f20c1d067687" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f1f9257b-eaf0-4938-a279-ac5aa85c4244" grcontextid="wound:0">wound</span> somewhere in the black mass which was me. I did not conceive that I had
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4d58ff02-712a-4949-b947-224ca8f53f0e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ad164a08-c8ff-4dfc-b92c-6711a6f6e2b7" grcontextid="an:0">an</span> actual <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7e471bf4-821b-47c5-b52c-15a23257345f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ad164a08-c8ff-4dfc-b92c-6711a6f6e2b7" grcontextid="body then, it:1">body then, it</span> was very insubstantial, but Athenodora’s blood gave me
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7271c324-0cc1-4772-b180-37f895591385" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e90f7bfa-a688-4237-8590-eacd3f1c172a" grcontextid="shape:0">shape</span> and definition. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I felt myself become whole and real as I fled the dark
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1d0b99c7-acec-4fed-afb8-679d665509d3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e65dbccb-64d2-45ef-9f19-e57669a1c094" grcontextid="tunnel:0">tunnel</span> outwards and upwards towards the twilight sky. I looked down on the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="66ae725f-2ab9-4d7e-ba8e-78251d77b035" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="06241201-016e-40bb-99d2-40a68f3d523a" grcontextid="scene:0">scene</span> below me and I felt invigoration flood through my whole being. I was
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="74f08efa-ea91-4ae8-b2be-db793ac61308" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bfddadea-5c15-45b2-b259-43faf0edafac" grcontextid="free:0">free</span>! I let that thought fill me with joy but it was short-lived as I felt <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8fe55007-0175-49d1-a5ca-f727b99129b0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2d448979-6499-4615-9fe7-92cef914a14e" grcontextid="the:0">the</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f4d35d79-6d15-4870-acb9-4cac660d4ef4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="606e68fb-1853-477b-8adf-c37cf5605c35" grcontextid="pull:0">pull</span> <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5498c4d4-dec5-4c05-aa7c-106ba5eef8b4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="606e68fb-1853-477b-8adf-c37cf5605c35" grcontextid="of:1">of</span> the higher plane <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a0461831-3ba9-41b2-8504-3f5b9f2d15f2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="606e68fb-1853-477b-8adf-c37cf5605c35" grcontextid="tug:2">tug</span> at me relentlessly. I swirled through the purple
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7d8bb7bf-2cae-44a8-9a30-13c86274f5d6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2718eb2b-b107-4a36-8c79-af3cac178ee4" grcontextid="bruised:0">bruised</span> sky, my body <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f9ec0fe9-a2f8-4293-a3d7-2285b791273a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2718eb2b-b107-4a36-8c79-af3cac178ee4" grcontextid="obeying:1">obeying</span> with no will of its own. I found myself back in
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ae1d338f-a924-4c3a-9f62-6fe1aa899b99" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="39ca51ae-2459-4767-9255-03e6fd770be6" grcontextid="the:0">the</span> place where I had been created. It is hard to describe to a human as it is
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3037f260-ec30-4398-9fc0-b2478925075d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1ae21e1a-ab91-44c3-9ab9-039e83a3a662" grcontextid="like:0">like</span> no place on the earthly plane. This is the spiritual plane and it is where
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7c7e890b-d770-41c5-b31f-f3f73c56dbb7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ce70a4af-cccf-4657-ba47-9adf02363853" grcontextid="consciousness:0">consciousness</span> begins, “God’s” house as you people may say. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The vista was like sapphire wispy clouds with extremely tall
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b98907d5-18a9-497a-b5da-f9bf058e121f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b7c9037b-82d2-435e-b8cd-ce5986480078" grcontextid="structures:0">structures</span>, shaped like trees which you find on Earth, but these were not
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b82492bc-a9b7-492b-acfc-50f5bef28eb6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a148bcfc-857e-4a97-8a77-1619c3e7426f" grcontextid="organic:0">organic</span> in nature, they were ever shifting ever changing obelisks in the bright
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7ce674a0-467c-471e-84d7-548b964179a7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f9f0b151-d1a8-448e-95d0-a17588208238" grcontextid="blue:0">blue</span> expanse. On each structure thoughts and ideas were exchanged on the
Universe <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="261720c1-9b0d-4dff-b996-366c1ed736d5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="41b88e70-0622-4fc6-b233-5cbd91ecff48" grcontextid="by:0">by</span> creatures which far surpassed even the greatest human imagination.
In the middle of all these “trees” (I will call them trees because no human
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="77cbccce-7223-48b0-8cb3-ff4d5948c9a3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="012a0521-bee8-40a7-857f-24e76b28dfc8" grcontextid="mind:0">mind</span> can comprehend their true appearance and nature!) there was a lush green
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e74ffe78-a09b-4961-8d23-df4af5433757" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="07c99176-1b9f-4367-a206-25fc8cd73c23" grcontextid="island:0">island</span> which housed a dome. In this habitat was the entity which made and
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="47e1b0f9-0bfc-4e6f-ab34-24b0de7ec38a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5a37e4a7-1cd2-49b2-9da2-4746b50b4893" grcontextid="controlled:0">controlled</span> what you all know as the Universe. We call the different planes of
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="baa328dd-b6ca-4bbc-9a71-9bfe8b85fe92" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="70469712-823e-4b5e-ae77-a944bb629611" grcontextid="existence:0">existence</span> “The <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="50fd6644-bef6-48cd-909e-5ab57cebb428" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="70469712-823e-4b5e-ae77-a944bb629611" grcontextid="Universal:1">Universal</span>”. Earth is but one <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="862799f0-b95d-4f42-8256-4c1c2e602c72" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="62ddfe7b-b31b-4a4f-985e-2b0668583ebf" grcontextid="existence:0">existence</span> in a thousand million
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ffe4f5e5-4e65-4456-8a68-d82f85531456" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ee4cd0df-c657-4cbd-ab7f-64bf6254e5c4" grcontextid="trillion:0">trillion</span> different places. A human mind could not comprehend this. You live
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f7e2242d-6d96-4a9f-853a-047f3d99706a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0c0328f4-9a15-4f40-aa5b-f228f6079468" grcontextid="such:0">such</span> small lives, with small narrow minds! If only you could see the bigger
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b6265d8c-a99d-4462-a2a7-d97737f0b8ed" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7b6efd3c-30f7-4968-ad31-37bcde242282" grcontextid="picture:0">picture</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I found myself transported to this dome. I cannot even begin
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a78716a4-17c7-4577-98c8-ab427e7df1b7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="cd68f5e7-6c34-46fb-b294-1df868a23cef" grcontextid="to:0">to</span> find the human words to describe the entity that you all name “God”. I will leave “Him” to your limited
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c86462a6-2e4e-458f-95cf-076f6d19f813" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="066fb701-18ee-49da-a699-a719669327ce" grcontextid="imagination:0">imagination</span>. I was enveloped in love as my creator spoke softly to me. In this
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ea2ad6bc-84c4-442c-95f0-2ddf1021e531" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="abedfe08-f955-469b-9d5d-0dc8864cff34" grcontextid="realm:0">realm</span> and others we call the entity <i>Yahweh.</i>
You now know the name of the deity you call “God”. Yahweh was all seeing, all
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e20c8bb2-f577-4649-9fe4-6ee89154121c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7711a94a-22cd-4de9-a807-3727fdc87a3a" grcontextid="knowing:0">knowing</span>, all creating. To be here <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a89eca76-cc5b-43b5-b707-603ab518260d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="524fa457-b2b9-42f4-83a7-a82d8ce0ff94" grcontextid="in:0">in</span> Yahweh’s house was to be very privileged indeed.
I was one of his most devastating creations and also one of his most prized. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“<i>Lilith, I summoned
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="da6b5a99-5701-473a-981c-dddaad99e87b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0077747d-2081-4d53-8d99-c5684125cb44" grcontextid="you:0">you</span> here to give you praise for completing the task I bestowed upon you on
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d5f70cfe-3fad-4d87-990c-ff0150a24d9b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="91459e1d-2199-4fcb-a275-781353b95e52" grcontextid="completion:0">completion</span> of your creation. You have unleashed evil onto the Earthly plane.
This is necessary for humans. I do not wish you to create any more demons. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fc643700-c039-4405-91e1-7271380c462e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="41843a53-80dd-493d-a71c-7ccb56392e20" grcontextid="Athenodora:0">Athenodora</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9646821f-20d3-498a-a059-7ab8d272553e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fc734e7f-cdb6-4c77-b63a-91cbd1ba655d" grcontextid="will:0">will</span> see to that. Now, I have a different path for you to follow, my child. You
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9ffec1f3-c028-41f6-a9c7-b2b2deab8680" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8a4f8d62-eda2-4499-8dae-c4645fc17d3e" grcontextid="must:0">must</span> blend in; you must become an inhabitant of the earthly plane. You must not
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6d6a2a60-5d00-451d-9dce-ab2fde4d38f0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="42af12bc-3bea-49ea-bfbf-cb5ee9969659" grcontextid="reveal:0">reveal</span> your true nature to anyone. I will transform you into a human. Your body
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="665d26ce-3388-45a8-bafa-9a18a443e64f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a82198ed-66e7-4f48-bb11-fdc91155f3d7" grcontextid="will:0">will</span> not wither and die like ordinary people; you will find another host once
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f2e3c7a2-8506-46d7-8032-f6ee341e5d7a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4bf50598-70f4-4506-a233-8a813b775694" grcontextid="the:0">the</span> body you occupy has expired. You will be forever changing and forever someone
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b13b4d75-fb84-45fc-adc4-eb88a2dd545e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2ce4f035-be95-471d-b111-70463cafa2c2" grcontextid="different:0">different</span>. No one will ever suspect you are an envoy of Yahweh! “<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The voice did not speak to me conventionally; the words flowed
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="89f88533-1564-49dc-b4c6-07ffb22d1847" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6a914e6c-048f-4b3a-8c86-73777e384a3c" grcontextid="through:0">through</span> me and into my mind with ease. I nodded in compliance, my whole being
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1eeb15b6-b263-4cb4-8427-dc87112d41d9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="46dc2ae5-3517-4764-a18f-6d5015d0d346" grcontextid="only:0">only</span> wishing to make my creator happy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Lilith, you will
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0be7ac0e-783a-442a-b7b8-d21fd137d495" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="032e2e00-f35f-4d13-bb4c-651d023af26e" grcontextid="visit:0">visit</span> other realms when I deem it necessary but you will be tied to the earthly
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5e06c1a6-8956-4ab4-acfc-e21bf3472bcd" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="28249ccd-b34d-4906-be81-b6ce18de1356" grcontextid="plane:0">plane</span> until I decide when it’s time to bring you home. You will be told what to
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e4250cf5-4f57-4004-b2ac-c274cf0a55e4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8e416c63-97bb-4c70-818b-1e48fb02ce8b" grcontextid="do:0">do</span> when I need you to do it. My child, my vampire, I love you, <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1e12504b-edb0-4bae-9185-b218760a40af" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="28502b85-cea7-4a83-9f1b-22450f572946" grcontextid="now go:0">now go</span> onto the
Earth and <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e5ffb4e8-4ce3-4b89-b4ae-ef929056d8f0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5f73f48d-7771-490e-a98b-b7c6393b086a" grcontextid="be:0">be</span> human. Do this for Yahweh! I command you!”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I felt myself being pulled by the magnetic force of the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="41f2c875-4b56-4471-ad4a-9892cb12b7d7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="748a550c-e25e-41fd-8f89-93c4f30e67ed" grcontextid="earthly:0">earthly</span> plane, back towards Earth, back towards humanity. I whizzed through the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="29095de8-99f1-4ec9-95ad-4790ad954652" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a46ce212-8bf8-4abb-803c-f109ea661784" grcontextid="air:0">air</span>, my body ethereal but most definitely human <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="57f33789-7b5f-4135-b7b0-982c09f71845" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a46ce212-8bf8-4abb-803c-f109ea661784" grcontextid="form:1">form</span>. I marvelled at the beauty
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="99f2fc52-1cb5-4344-9f0f-83e325c9a9eb" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="faab981e-5608-47ac-9035-71506edf17eb" grcontextid="of:0">of</span> my translucent skin woven with rainbow <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4b462221-4b80-4408-bec5-e9ce11fd1785" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="faab981e-5608-47ac-9035-71506edf17eb" grcontextid="colours:1">colours</span> of light as I moved through
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="bbe6cf08-bb0d-40dc-abda-64579e426834" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="93d33ce8-3208-4971-adfb-a2936f2cf520" grcontextid="the:0">the</span> realms. Then I was on the heavy mortal plane of existence. I saw the world through
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a2b30e07-e350-4896-8c43-6f97bb0adffa" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="160f93ac-8911-4c7d-8ab0-ee2bd8c63b6f" grcontextid="new:0">new</span> eyes and I felt all of the human emotions rush through me like a
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="38ec5a90-772f-4e7a-99aa-8c69b1682a42" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9d4595d7-8988-43ac-ba94-1284dca4838d" grcontextid="thunderbolt:0">thunderbolt</span> as I fell to the dewy grass in wonder. I am <i>Lilith</i>; I am the bringer of <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9ec8bbbf-e73c-4445-afc4-15ab83b9d043" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d9af09b8-9bec-47fe-ae99-e399c16e9b14" grcontextid="bloodlust:0">bloodlust</span> and the instigator of evil.
All things must have an opposite, a <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="cef90d14-bdbe-4aa2-bcc0-05533fd68a4f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7fdae0ec-408e-45fc-b70a-60473bedde62" grcontextid="ying:0">ying</span> to the yang, a good to the bad and a
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8251bbc4-f0e8-4691-9504-680aff606d95" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3e4d1e64-6bff-4730-b896-562ecb011484" grcontextid="light:0">light</span> to the dark. Mine was waiting for me, somewhere out here on <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4fa98fd5-2605-4c3e-ba4c-1a0ace763754" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="91e3ad0d-83ef-44ed-a0dc-c6596a3cc684" grcontextid="this plane of:0">this plane of</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="cdc0e029-910a-4b97-90d0-e646d4aa0fa2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="36b0e5be-0a98-4848-81db-dc600d9b9bc3" grcontextid="existence:0">existence</span>. I must find my nemesis.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This was my new purpose.
<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Chapter Nine<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Edward’s POV:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Her warm lips sent delicious shivers against my cool
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f3024d99-4f68-45f1-9d19-67929a41c6b5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1905053b-dffe-49e7-9209-316c674dd310" grcontextid="mouth:0">mouth</span> as I kissed her attentively but as always, ever so softly and gently as I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5d7ac5b0-2054-4295-92d9-ed31cf067b40" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9bac2ff4-9af7-4d4a-99e0-597f5f51412b" grcontextid="tried:0">tried</span> to rein in my passionate desire for her.
She assures me she is strong but look at her! She is a fragile ethereal
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c9aeacbc-19df-433a-b053-278a3e5ada4a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4da0d5b9-cd42-45d3-826a-5760240bb42b" grcontextid="beauty:0">beauty</span> with her long dark auburn tinged hair and mysterious chocolate brown
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1a54dbb6-a8a3-4a16-8f8b-df7928882779" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="335c3a34-4aab-45bf-979c-cbd38bbfb049" grcontextid="eyes:0">eyes</span>. I am completely besotted with her.
She is my world now. I let my fingers glide slowly under the <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="34bae041-6391-4e6d-abd0-f7f4be5decdf" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a8da15c8-160d-4908-81f7-7d465d0d76ba" grcontextid="soft material of:0">soft material of</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="40550384-e28a-471f-8515-ccbbb60e504f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="dea3aca4-b04e-44aa-a77d-3785469070b7" grcontextid="her:0">her</span> checked shirt. I stroke her warm skin and sigh against her mouth with
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="eda7378f-85e3-4f37-b413-e466d0de54d2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="60007474-b1c6-4a25-b026-6a22b58fab39" grcontextid="pleasure:0">pleasure</span>. She echoes my moans and sighs and my senses overload on her taste and
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="945536e9-3747-40b1-bdcc-3f435514508e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="347721b9-4cd8-4ae8-a7c0-8d1d93c42f7a" grcontextid="scent:0">scent</span>. <i>Oh my.<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Isabella Swan, you drive me crazy!” I whisper against
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2ac49c86-9936-4543-9b72-4a27f59b6602" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d31ac5ab-84db-4997-b308-2208837fd7d6" grcontextid="her:0">her</span> smooth flushed cheek. How delicious and warm she is, how <i>tempting</i> and beguiling. She laughs
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2c020921-9f60-4813-8d95-79257415a7d7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b675eb94-cbdb-4981-8206-b447e1068474" grcontextid="hoarsely:0">hoarsely</span> and her warm breath <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fd3030ad-dd5a-4ede-94f6-a7fa6bcbe394" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b675eb94-cbdb-4981-8206-b447e1068474" grcontextid="tickles:1">tickles</span> my ear. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Ditto, my love,” she purrs seductively. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We are laying in the meadow; the autumnal weather is
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a3c388c4-7218-4d64-a246-5308b63b873f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5aa021de-f3cd-45f8-87a3-c1dc9309c7e2" grcontextid="surprisingly:0">surprisingly</span> mild for Forks. Bella pulls away from me and sits up hugging her
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3e04b724-728a-43f4-84b9-60eba66da4f3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="07269d48-b3fe-44e9-9ac2-c5153d4b6bb4" grcontextid="knees:0">knees</span> and peering at me through her veil of thick hair. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“What’s wrong Bella, love? I wish I could read <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2b4e4ce3-03c0-461b-af7a-62c8ab1cccef" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8730d7f8-ac35-41d6-b4cd-ad37cf801163" grcontextid="your:0">your</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="37032a21-61e6-4238-99d6-2061492f1aee" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9d0861f7-76de-49a5-a595-d799f24b9cda" grcontextid="mind:0">mind</span>!” I <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4493dbe6-3131-4a94-b081-efee6d5f8c89" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9d0861f7-76de-49a5-a595-d799f24b9cda" grcontextid="state:1">state</span> wistfully. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She smiles at me, that lovely smile which lights up her
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="73c281fc-49cd-4251-ba37-7d60ab58d93b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="90263445-eafa-4254-9388-67cf5121752b" grcontextid="eyes:0">eyes</span>. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I was just wondering what your “sister” Victoria had
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="253462ec-d46b-475a-8e9a-8ba5a752b5bc" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c721b89b-51a7-4d47-96fc-4e3b21379430" grcontextid="to:0">to</span> say about our first meeting?” she asked shyly. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I laughed, trust Bella to worry and wonder what
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="97a33f20-dfca-4512-b2b8-5b4c2738ba36" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7b0c4eb2-b739-4c25-b48a-78f782ea42b5" grcontextid="vampires:0">vampires</span> thought of her!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“She adored you, as did Aro, but she did say that she
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="305a1b40-c4a2-4b9a-8c03-17bce9142ec3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9e2b5dcc-ac19-455f-adac-488410500558" grcontextid="thought:0">thought</span> you were no ordinary human,” I stated. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Bella raised her eyebrows at me wonderingly, “Why would
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3db4dce4-e651-4038-96c6-214b08a72805" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="aa0385aa-1881-4b1c-869a-e1a6b9d29de2" grcontextid="she:0">she</span> <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3953e6e0-4368-487b-bd6b-c17328513048" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="aa0385aa-1881-4b1c-869a-e1a6b9d29de2" grcontextid="say:1">say</span> that?” she asked. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I smiled, “Bella my love, you are far from ordinary!
You are the most <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a4b7d72c-b598-4115-8cc9-b1a07c0f2f45" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="44914824-38ac-4b13-93f7-7b4cd26783b0" grcontextid="extra ordinary:0">extra ordinary</span> human I have come across in my long life!” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She whacked my arm playfully with a snort of disdain.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“You only say that because you have to! You are <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="669eaced-5cf1-44cb-b587-e83da4cf0d34" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c3fa176a-2c22-4311-920e-36cef5a6b7b6" grcontextid="my:0">my</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="63b7dec9-f36e-4442-9c87-968746bfe799" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e0533fcc-525d-4bb6-a259-38820df17d39" grcontextid="boyfriend:0">boyfriend</span>, you have to be nice!” she stated self <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b77ffa9e-958a-43db-be7e-6153b6f63cd9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e0533fcc-525d-4bb6-a259-38820df17d39" grcontextid="deprecatorily:1">deprecatorily</span> with a shy
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5debbe7d-e938-4979-8bf1-8df9ede3b8f3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4fdb6270-2bff-4ed0-a401-c75618fc49f7" grcontextid="smile:0">smile</span>. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I shook my head in exasperation, “When will you see
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="324f9356-586f-444f-8596-a77612f3958a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9f828e13-a06e-4cea-a671-42accd4d451c" grcontextid="yourselves:0">yourselves</span> as others do? As <i>I </i>do?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She only smiled again and I couldn’t resist pulling her
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a7c9faad-ee78-4be9-9a89-a42e7859bd6c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="55d8eaf1-03b6-4cfd-bc03-8e35b98c6212" grcontextid="down:0">down</span> towards me so our lips could join together once more in a longing kiss.
Ice and fire. Could the two exist together? I only knew I never wanted to be
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c56b5807-2110-41da-a129-1339f0d4cd58" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d79ae90a-82eb-4c63-ba8d-f4aedf51ecc4" grcontextid="without her, but:0">without her, but</span> I did not want to change her into a cold marble being. I loved
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5099ac78-79a3-462c-bdef-8abec123d31e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="13c79bfc-d714-4959-8569-75b5480f963b" grcontextid="everything:0">everything</span> about her humanity, especially hearing her fragile little heart beat
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ecdb2396-b9e0-4b1d-8ff8-d5d64f864f9a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8aa0e2ae-9503-49c3-8e65-5bb1bdb230d6" grcontextid="so:0">so</span> fast when we kissed. It stuttered wildly in her chest and it made me desire
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="636df319-7bff-43e1-ada4-06181e167b4f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4ac92fd2-19b9-425c-b873-c3fb5fabd9d1" grcontextid="her:0">her</span> even more. I did not want us to be the same. I loved our immense
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6fdc0b49-d2ff-4db2-9852-700b999598ea" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ccc2571a-99f8-4adc-b02b-1108a42cb629" grcontextid="differences:0">differences</span>. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Victoria disagreed; she said I should change Bella as
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fca8e20d-afee-4829-afed-9824f098012a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="88efe2a2-8e54-40d2-b748-47ee5782aa72" grcontextid="soon:0">soon</span> as possible. She warned me how terrible it was to be without your love.
She had endured centuries apart from Aro, but eventually they had overcome all
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c41dbcd9-6d59-4512-a332-efd40c392670" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4c47ae0c-645e-4817-b827-9244def5bc69" grcontextid="obstacles:0">obstacles</span> and could now be together always. Of course I didn’t want to lose
Bella ever, but if she stayed human I knew it would happen one day. If she
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="48b4b027-718f-4a61-8965-f900742671d3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="00a37109-8ec1-4397-9392-4e7372a2495c" grcontextid="became:0">became</span> a vampire would the Volturi hunt us down? If Alice’s visions were
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a8f3f063-2bed-42e0-b4de-b613f1c9c6fd" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0eb334ce-0be9-44b7-9a05-176c2fb29c7f" grcontextid="correct:0">correct</span> then the ancient <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="dabdd709-f7f0-4093-8574-cf37bd99175b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0eb334ce-0be9-44b7-9a05-176c2fb29c7f" grcontextid="coven:1">coven</span> <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="008b010a-b7a3-49c1-8fc6-a9e20b3786e3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0eb334ce-0be9-44b7-9a05-176c2fb29c7f" grcontextid="were coming:2">were coming</span> for us <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1d5d7fad-8a01-4a23-82d1-22018f09eb25" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0eb334ce-0be9-44b7-9a05-176c2fb29c7f" grcontextid="anyways:3">anyways</span>. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1300498b-acfa-443e-9ea3-49219756a3e2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b4e60202-85cb-445c-bae6-1f9a8ac89882" grcontextid="Athenodora:0">Athenodora</span> was livid
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2f2dba23-4f5d-488a-ad25-3c07c315897c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="423b7c58-bffc-4847-9922-2bc05fbc7d74" grcontextid="that:0">that</span> Bella knew all about vampires and not only that but she was having a
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5677af8f-f3f9-4933-853b-e01b10c5ada6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9a18abeb-eca1-4084-be17-2adb85ad0d3f" grcontextid="relationship:0">relationship</span> with one! I hadn’t shared
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="13b8533a-770f-4b38-a550-1161e3844285" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="033627b7-db08-49c3-842e-b883078ea6fa" grcontextid="this:0">this</span> snippet of information with Bella yet. It would keep for now. I had
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b38f311f-3714-4d39-b65f-3d75fb70cf17" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d5c6a4f6-2bc8-4651-98e5-56dedfe46b88" grcontextid="proposed:0">proposed</span> to her, she said she would accept <i>if</i>
I changed her. So that was that, we were
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f246a735-fc4d-48bb-b8b0-c0d068e3c0c3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="56068d97-61a4-4656-aeaf-615b52fecdae" grcontextid="stuck:0">stuck</span> with no solution to our problem. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I suddenly felt overcome with worry for my beautiful
Bella. There was possibly a very real and dangerous threat coming our way very
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9e7e6b18-ede3-440f-bf4e-727d5b3c31ce" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="db72f422-1307-4567-bb92-61ee3831fa17" grcontextid="soon:0">soon</span>. I must speak more with my sisters, Alice and Victoria. We would think of something.
Even though I was cold already, despite the mild day, I was suddenly overcome
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="77c50d19-1226-420f-b1fd-9c54f42b46bf" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="667886ca-6bf1-46a3-a068-b66b425974cf" grcontextid="by:0">by</span> icy fingers of fear creeping up my spine. I stood up, pulling Bella <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="120c8019-71a4-4521-bda0-aec6e5a7b469" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="38c61ad7-10b7-476a-ac6d-e181d7cd3138" grcontextid="to:0">to</span> her
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="25df1259-9771-477b-8084-edef2caa64b8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b83e660b-d96a-4059-9c58-2d09faf79c4a" grcontextid="feet:0">feet</span> in one swift move. Something was wrong. <i>Something was coming. </i> I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3a23d4b8-225f-48ef-a0ee-494040ea16a6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="dfd95414-cd25-4c8c-b3dc-314c9a33a830" grcontextid="looked:0">looked</span> around the meadow searching for the source of my bad feeling. Bella was
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="87a51085-c781-4dfd-8933-20401f15740a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0cf6698d-1fad-4cda-9425-1e5bc42099dc" grcontextid="looking:0">looking</span> at me quizzically. I instinctively shielded her body with mine. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A striking young woman walked out of nowhere into the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5e94fe9d-0b49-41f6-9d00-7a7d2645493b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="81982b43-aeb1-4051-8677-da8c953856ee" grcontextid="clearing:0">clearing</span> and gazed directly at Bella and <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="73ec3a00-49a6-40a4-9e99-87d856eb5ee5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="81982b43-aeb1-4051-8677-da8c953856ee" grcontextid="I:1">I</span> with violet shimmering eyes and
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c911f257-fc43-4bcd-b75d-e8b826dd5de4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="032465e3-d248-4320-b34f-d8069b936a52" grcontextid="cropped:0">cropped</span> blacker than black hair. She was petite and unassuming but I just knew
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9f5852c9-3bfd-40ef-8351-350b783201ba" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e8e71561-bf6a-4d2c-a3dd-854dcd846d05" grcontextid="she:0">she</span> was something more than human. Surprisingly I could not read her thoughts!
Just like Bella! Who was this strange intruder? She addressed us in a
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ec99b9ee-0cfb-4731-aa40-beaa3da8c71f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fd1a5c49-0133-4a21-9a64-f4a477318f1a" grcontextid="surprisingly:0">surprisingly</span> sweet yet powerful voice which was tinged with an <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="193922fa-e11e-48f3-81fa-b77cb3194f01" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fd1a5c49-0133-4a21-9a64-f4a477318f1a" grcontextid="unrecognisable:1">unrecognisable</span> accent.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<i><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a15df16d-f635-4834-a331-39d2e790c4c1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="db24f51b-c9a8-448d-8fc3-ed74ead084c2" grcontextid="am:0">am</span> Lilith, you are Circe, and we have met many times before in many guises. I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9f245d4e-6c87-4642-8c5e-8e299184e55a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="261217fa-705d-420a-9aad-bb2230f9e14e" grcontextid="will:0">will</span> reveal all to you and your vampire now…………..<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<u><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">Chapter Ten<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">Victoria’s POV:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">My family <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ba05efed-86c1-4858-b1b0-bfe20beca704" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8e5c7669-4b5e-42c5-abfc-c19644f6408f" grcontextid="were gathered:0">were gathered</span> around the <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e1375ef2-2f5a-4e80-bcd5-1811bcf6a8b1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8e5c7669-4b5e-42c5-abfc-c19644f6408f" grcontextid="large table in:1">large table in</span>
Esme’s tastefully decorated dining room. Yes, I did find it strange that
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f00db0fd-ee84-4bb1-8f5c-e51568e7328c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="18231422-69a5-4aec-b5f5-77bb58ddc86f" grcontextid="vampires:0">vampires</span> should need a dining table, but we used it for meetings such as this
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3603603b-0dbf-4b5e-8433-6af229c6b36f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="45a6380a-3c0e-451e-87f3-156c8d034e1c" grcontextid="one:0">one</span> today. Everyone was here, except Edward. He was out somewhere with Bella,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d8bbd4f6-91dc-41e9-a9c3-c0e9edb5f241" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="04644116-d595-46a4-8860-5abca2b595e3" grcontextid="who:0">who</span> seemed to be by his side constantly nowadays. I didn’t blame them, they
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="afcd26f1-b992-4067-ace0-934bc5ca0590" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="af393cd5-a334-47b6-af88-fc22085d3d0f" grcontextid="were:0">were</span> in love and I knew more than most how it felt when you craved that one
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="444258b1-e678-4c87-b85b-bf62963ae62c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0d22abc3-8d96-4fb4-9398-1d144d307b22" grcontextid="person:0">person</span> so much that you could not bear to spend a second apart. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">The love of my life, my maker, my husband, my
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7c6ca6a7-56c1-454e-83a3-a99045609419" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6820cec8-d521-493e-8a80-72877be44a08" grcontextid="everything:0">everything</span> was <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="49b34eed-59d6-492b-b081-5576a5cb560b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6820cec8-d521-493e-8a80-72877be44a08" grcontextid="sat:1">sat</span> by my side now; his cool delicate fingers playing with a
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b415b000-5288-4f9c-aef6-c763edb315c0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2edc3fc6-2726-4418-be2e-af0f80c34c95" grcontextid="curl:0">curl</span> of my red hair <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b4f8cf6a-2043-45d2-b370-4c0368654631" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2edc3fc6-2726-4418-be2e-af0f80c34c95" grcontextid="absentmindedly:1">absentmindedly</span> as he listened to Carlisle speak. As always,
I found it hard to concentrate when Aro was touching me, even this small
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e0e1ec22-7f87-4a39-b67f-9a766723a252" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="acc8627a-f771-467b-8bf6-c08716d3d18b" grcontextid="unconscious act:0">unconscious act</span> of his was sending shivers running through my ice cold veins.
It had been this way for centuries, ever since his deadly bite had transformed
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="81190a93-2f0b-464b-a7dc-52a4b800204a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="063885e1-1ed4-4ad4-8d4e-714f38a1eb5d" grcontextid="me:0">me</span> from a dying human girl into a magnificent vampire. I gave myself an inward
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ab45beb8-22e9-4551-8b5b-ccc5ecb8917e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8a88cea4-ab71-4a11-a766-1b57021b6541" grcontextid="shake:0">shake</span>, I must concentrate, this was important!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">Carlisle was addressing us all, his voice serious but
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="39cf09d6-db63-45fe-af7b-2797af724a3c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="22905201-ed86-4941-b222-23bee7fb6c28" grcontextid="calm:0">calm</span>, “So, according to Alice’s visions, Athenodora will be arriving in Forks
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0b8a55fc-2d9e-4ef2-bab7-1bff41c93436" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9bf0e95b-11e1-4df7-a320-51755a3e280c" grcontextid="very:0">very</span> soon. Exactly who she will be travelling with is unclear, but most likely
Caius and Marcus will accompany her. Desiderius is far too old and <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ed813d07-213e-4dad-a080-1070119a2b34" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fa913841-0aec-4afc-b462-3ab667d8bf87" grcontextid="quite:0">quite</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b84a1266-dca3-4ff7-9147-e5c275c96bd9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="306d9448-d1da-45f1-a630-31f64995ecea" grcontextid="frankly far:0">frankly far</span> too insane to bother with this trip. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7b5b77e9-7228-49b1-bb9a-423ed8c7e8c5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6d800c51-9c38-4018-ba55-67af863d2988" grcontextid="Athenodora:0">Athenodora</span> is actually, as
Rose so aptly described, ‘madder than a mad hatter’! But we know although she
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ef03c159-3f00-426c-934c-ac391af6368d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bdb46f7a-7d59-4e49-9024-e43487baf054" grcontextid="may:0">may</span> be much crazier than her old mate, she is actually very dangerous and
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ed36450a-f3a8-4c0e-b720-c37cd3305796" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="393cdf6b-5551-4de5-9016-9b7d77d82608" grcontextid="single-minded:0">single-minded</span>. “<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">We all nodded sagely in agreement, as Carlisle
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f8d9f94d-aff7-43c7-98cd-952902458c5f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="98b2cdea-26dd-415f-b03a-0ad3ff5a21f5" grcontextid="continued:0">continued</span> with his speech, “Alice’s visions are not crystal clear but it is
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f5d469fa-f4bd-471a-ae4f-cf7dfc152e1e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bf681942-fc1a-4f0f-beea-c26b148a8b9a" grcontextid="becoming:0">becoming</span> apparent that Athenodora wishes to harm Bella. She believes Bella
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f4a3f66b-a092-4730-852d-fea36739b96d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9208a467-cd55-49e3-a4f8-2486c86369d2" grcontextid="knows:0">knows</span> too much and humans must never know of our kind’s existence. <i>Ever.</i> “ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">Once again we all nodded as Carlisle paced the room. I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="560e6add-f665-4a6f-a253-408009f0dd7d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f8f8c47c-6e43-47f3-890e-8b40d92cb361" grcontextid="knew:0">knew</span> he already thought of this strange human girl as one of the Cullen’s. He
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9897aca8-3d0c-4663-9ce8-be68b41a9c49" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="39840006-23cd-48ff-8b20-a03d2a15daa9" grcontextid="was:0">was</span> overjoyed that Edward had found love and his family meant everything to
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a07f13c6-c381-4b4e-b29c-4d3587b6d8da" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="026b08ec-857d-4f21-8e64-45a2424fe03d" grcontextid="him:0">him</span>, he would not stand by and let Athenodora harm Bella! None of us would if
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="263fd696-fb27-4c7c-9010-5083ce73e023" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a4b7e02f-c3d9-411a-8c99-a9fbdb7010c3" grcontextid="it:0">it</span> came down to a fight. I still hadn’t worked out what was so different about
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3427d512-06f4-4ce4-98ce-3b4cf4971b21" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3babb91a-627a-4a1c-9f70-2ccf392dd440" grcontextid="her:0">her</span>, but it was undeniable that she was much more than ordinary. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">Carlisle began to speak about Alice’s other fears,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="719d877a-c8e3-470f-a980-5abe869bb858" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2ab7a36b-3eb8-4ff9-916f-9259c2305b3a" grcontextid="mainly:0">mainly</span> Athenodora’s evil intentions towards our “son” Noah. The evil vampire
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2975a3f6-a0a5-4db9-91be-2684f339132f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1319de76-3adc-4a48-a671-0bd3ca5d324b" grcontextid="queen:0">queen</span> wanted him destroyed because he killed Sulpicia. An act which made me
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6eacb43a-776b-4ba1-a8a2-debda1214f7b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d662729b-984e-45cc-8dcc-9cfc33fe7d39" grcontextid="adore:0">adore</span> him even more! She also wanted to make Aro and I pay for our betrayal.
She loathed me and would love nothing more than to rip off my head. She
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9c52110e-fb2c-430f-a0fe-2fb20b314494" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f86dcdf6-448a-490a-b465-9267ae6e857d" grcontextid="frightened:0">frightened</span> me intensely, I admit it. She was evil through and through, and yes
I know none of us Immortals are perfect, we have all committed crimes against
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f29ec3f5-023c-4ff9-b3fe-7ee2070fbb89" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7e878a58-38fa-42dc-a7b2-676410198447" grcontextid="humanity:0">humanity</span> as well as our own kind. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="879c67b4-fac7-4b8d-bcdf-2394ff014edf" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d868860b-84e4-4a7b-810f-de4f16ea52f7" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span> moved his fingers from my hair to my leg where he
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d41bd67d-a469-4163-92bb-9f039e7be690" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4065158e-bb86-4eb1-a9f3-e5a8689e6619" grcontextid="gently:0">gently</span> stroked my thigh. I knew he was reading my thoughts and wished to <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="73c9ba58-8ced-48b8-9861-272ccba331cf" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e34300c8-5c5d-482b-be87-cefcbb43c5aa" grcontextid="calm:0">calm</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2fdb9342-a3e8-4ce3-8350-41c7a9624a7d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b1fa5d75-fc64-413c-b610-11a1dcab5b0c" grcontextid="me:0">me</span>. Instead he was distracting me as I imagined his long cool fingers on <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="79f83f67-d6b1-4d18-a018-05e22ddb33f5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="427ac419-8366-4990-abb4-b82739426922" grcontextid="other:0">other</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="840718da-45eb-47ed-b74c-75d1c5df7e4c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7b24aeb6-22a1-42e1-9031-be5be851d6ac" grcontextid="parts:0">parts</span> of my body. Danger and instability made me long for his soothing touch,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7dabcbd0-c6c3-49e4-b78f-4b03c84c5404" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="582fcb80-700b-4058-ad2f-681c1e803c3b" grcontextid="his:0">his</span> fiery kisses and the intensity of our passionate encounters. He could ease my fears if we were alone
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8ffb58e6-0290-4197-afca-31cc96b4a05d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="33892eb2-f2bc-40c5-bff3-4eef39dc1508" grcontextid="together:0">together</span>, how I wished this meeting were over! <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="62e79b1d-b260-42e7-9725-e299c42ea039" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3f241766-e5f4-440e-9fb1-f501feaa8d67" grcontextid="A small knowing:0">A small knowing</span> smile played
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="314b6739-a64b-41e3-a815-f8480ec2d0f8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1b2fab5a-9dc5-4a8e-a7c0-66feb299adda" grcontextid="over:0">over</span> my husband’s lips as he caught my less than innocent thoughts. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="line-height: 200%;">“Soon
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="14056b99-f996-4407-96ea-ad8c1b0116e7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="50dfd849-6dcc-49c4-b219-5b46d736298d" grcontextid="my:0">my</span> love</span></i><span style="line-height: 200%;">,” he whispered softly in my ear, his cool breath
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a06e43cf-d744-4c04-b7af-555affb63525" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a8f8845b-543d-4023-a098-83f961c03d57" grcontextid="making:0">making</span> my skin tingle with longing. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;"> I smiled
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="286d8ece-d000-4d22-9ea2-f462f1bae90f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="aae6e8bd-d0bc-4662-9e74-bd0a3c00c740" grcontextid="contentedly:0">contentedly</span>, eager to be in his strong embrace. Carlisle was asking us all to
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7957c35f-02dd-432c-a359-aae6fbb93048" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ab549984-445c-44da-8c3c-a31755127ae7" grcontextid="be:0">be</span> extra vigilant and to be on guard at all times. He asked us all to take
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4efad9a8-ff96-4f5f-b6dd-6282e40a95b8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b52fd67f-f8e3-485b-96a7-8083a59a7435" grcontextid="turns:0">turns</span> to look out for Bella and he asked us to make sure we hunted frequently
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="25c0c8ea-a76b-44a8-90e7-afa82056b084" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a338a740-84af-439f-b012-94ec652bfe67" grcontextid="so:0">so</span> we were strong and ready for anything. He also asked us to be patient with
Edward, who <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="26d7f6f0-fa07-4c25-96e2-d92321a56c19" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="01bb9ce9-fb41-491d-92b3-3691679b98a5" grcontextid="was having:0">was having</span> a hard time adjusting to this looming threat hanging
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f48274f0-5ae8-4809-9d5d-5d7baeab5d7c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bca68b88-87b2-4386-a4b2-c45e0a271cd7" grcontextid="over:0">over</span> our coven. I would do anything to
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="652b6f3e-fb96-44c6-ae62-1c6d384e6e1c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8a5bae59-5c5d-4bb2-9e0e-a22c7de47788" grcontextid="protect:0">protect</span> my beloved brother. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d5c7aff6-1cf7-4908-bf5b-d5b473539235" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c0290873-3c06-404f-a176-d48a90fad30f" grcontextid="Athenodora:0">Athenodora</span> had caused me and Aro countless agonies;
I would now happily tear her to shreds if it came down to it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">Thankfully the family meeting was now over. Alice still
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="814ee3a1-034d-4ba7-bb53-4554d7fd5d7e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c20ea95e-ff74-42f5-ac5a-18f3793ffa55" grcontextid="looked:0">looked</span> troubled and as we left she told us to beware of a stranger in our midst:
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="090d866e-f7ea-463a-a3f4-79dcb6dcdcfa" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bd4f7271-b6ff-4bc8-98c9-3c0c4e762dab" grcontextid="that:0">that</span> was all she could offer just now. Jasper hugged her and whispered soothing
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0401e290-fb42-438c-b73d-e891f3136ff7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="007dffcf-7270-4993-a562-30fd4d4761f9" grcontextid="words:0">words</span> in her ear, but she looked paler than ever and quite beside herself with
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b5453fd1-720e-41a9-a8dc-82ed0dd2c658" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="726bb6a7-9f92-4aa6-b3a1-abae49f5dbca" grcontextid="worry:0">worry</span>. Poor Alice, I would hate to have her special power. My own talent for
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="27b68f7c-2fd3-4da8-9107-c4ed80324126" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="786202c6-bf5d-4f54-95dd-6fc77886de6e" grcontextid="evasion:0">evasion</span> was much more practical. I couldn’t wait to be alone with my dearest
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e641e3f0-22bf-4dfb-8cfb-17f245dbefc8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="552f8808-b913-4794-b50e-9178ac9c14c8" grcontextid="husband:0">husband</span>. We flew through the trees at high speed, our bodies a blur in the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="13cfb53a-a116-4dbe-be93-1c9162f3052f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7e9f4b6b-d41e-44e4-8c56-2f18b4322b54" grcontextid="night:0">night</span>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">The full moon shone down on Aro and <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="04da788b-bbaa-4cde-bd3a-2aa78b0522ff" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="25a755be-7d90-46c2-8aec-d86482a71ef8" grcontextid="I:0">I</span> as we gave
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="35083527-b127-4447-8ae3-aeebb1a25798" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ce240e93-5621-4ef3-9538-c0a22f343d31" grcontextid="ourselves:0">ourselves</span> fully to each other over and over again. I clung to him as we reached
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="27291a36-15d6-40c3-9935-05ede20288ea" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="129d40b3-bda7-482b-a774-7f88274b8126" grcontextid="the:0">the</span> heights of passion together. I was determined that nothing and no one would
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3616d760-dcb3-4533-925d-839e19bad435" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6028d00e-0c44-4698-a9ff-6237d2e65d7c" grcontextid="come:0">come</span> between us ever again. I had let my fears take hold for a while on our
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="389fb33b-c137-475c-9899-d16c3f30886f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="60f246c4-8371-46a0-b932-aa9c6a42c40a" grcontextid="return:0">return</span> to Forks, now I was feeling stronger and more able to face another fight
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a7b73d63-bf75-4a19-b711-369d2252e416" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e79b0aa9-b495-4334-b38a-d6a589040053" grcontextid="head:0">head</span> on. We had Noah to think of now too. He did not ask for this life, he was
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fded6cb7-4c9e-432f-bf53-4953c0b385da" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="92cd6f29-aa16-4348-b9be-5632ab1e3beb" grcontextid="only:0">only</span> a child; he did not deserve punishment or revenge meted out to him. Really
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="88ca482a-7c01-4900-bc2c-7ca623a32592" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4b896281-573d-4daa-bfe1-54ff96cef675" grcontextid="it:0">it</span> was Aro that Athenodora despised the most for he was the one who had betrayed
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="63028681-b51d-43da-83c8-e8e05c27747e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="68d832bc-2108-4e57-9c75-652436dddbc2" grcontextid="her:0">her</span>. The rest of us were pawns in her game. How would this particular one play
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7512dca5-7df2-4056-b2f4-60e88ad58a01" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="356e6966-aa81-4cc2-84af-9668cbb23663" grcontextid="out:0">out</span>? Would we win or lose? I felt the icy fingers of fear dance up my spine
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8ed893b6-a71c-4c8b-9828-2490ab4e4055" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f6ec22d7-8d45-44b9-834d-70602dd48765" grcontextid="once more, so:0">once more, so</span> I clung to my lover even more fiercely as he melted away <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="db06aeef-2bef-4cff-889b-f50dc54ef1c1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f6ec22d7-8d45-44b9-834d-70602dd48765" grcontextid="my:1">my</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fda3f989-4837-4b15-a218-6175bafed442" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f8075283-eee5-41e0-a226-9b8b4aa5b9ef" grcontextid="worries:0">worries</span> with his loving kiss and touch. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">We
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1412c5e6-84cf-4fb8-9382-c056a067887b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="09f0a062-5c1f-4450-a35c-9f4724fa2f88" grcontextid="were:0">were</span> as one now, no one, not even the most evil vampire on this Earth could
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fec2f70c-36d0-4fb2-8521-5c7f80513d59" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1b31775f-890e-4679-b163-39cc7e46dbcc" grcontextid="tear:0">tear</span> us apart.<o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></i>
</span><br />
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<u><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Chapter Eleven<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></div>
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<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Lilith’s POV:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I had made my way down the mountain, letting the weak
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9dae0f15-7512-41ff-9aa0-a5b0bf299bf8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bc8b2331-9fe6-4fcd-a7d6-46dcf2a4578f" grcontextid="October sun:0">October sun</span> <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2aec2cfb-9200-4594-86a4-3365b00effff" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bc8b2331-9fe6-4fcd-a7d6-46dcf2a4578f" grcontextid="gradually warm:1">gradually warm</span> my cold skin as I followed the feeling which led me
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a5170583-cafc-4783-93ec-8f8753917ac9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="08d901b6-1f2e-4997-86b6-0df11895b8e3" grcontextid="to:0">to</span> the meadow. I <i>knew </i>Circe was here,
I knew she was with a vampire and I knew without a shadow of a doubt that the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="768e03ca-9cd5-46ab-89ef-5adbd875f3ee" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0d340b46-e80d-475f-b6c4-fa623d695c56" grcontextid="body:0">body</span> she dwelled in currently was <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3864f419-cbf3-4eb7-962f-e9ca967476bf" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0d340b46-e80d-475f-b6c4-fa623d695c56" grcontextid="extra ordinary:1">extra ordinary</span> indeed. For centuries I had met my nemesis in various
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="feb0f85e-e951-42eb-9b81-f44821ad6d43" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d184a17c-0184-49fd-a0a2-a99a0e5feabc" grcontextid="different:0">different</span> human bodies. She was the light to my dark. We had both been created
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="17859812-b6b6-4402-bbc2-1b69b5230125" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="cfeccc80-6ec8-4442-85e6-08540670ee12" grcontextid="for:0">for</span> a purpose. I was the harbinger of destruction; she was the antithesis of all
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="79ba7e1d-f521-465d-8a7e-4aa918138eac" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="edf28403-8cd9-4e59-843c-50eaffd02e8a" grcontextid="that:0">that</span> was evil. For thousands of centuries we had met in our human disguise <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="58d22af2-29a1-4d86-b9d3-9afb1a6bfbd0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b8d944e8-cca1-4e0d-bc92-5991bd9b7095" grcontextid="to:0">to</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5daafd47-a223-4867-94f0-a008949f935c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f911b271-a4ce-4257-aba6-da57a4aa984b" grcontextid="fight:0">fight</span> against human destruction and complete evil. Until now, Circe had been
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="345bc4f8-fdc1-470c-b27e-bd6f19c2461b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="00c3ac65-c2c5-455d-a54c-2a5e4e65ec55" grcontextid="vilified:0">vilified</span> and hunted down because she was the most powerful witch <i>ever known. <o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My purpose had been <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="395a92d4-63d1-4d7c-b90a-a0884f374bba" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3a133aa7-69bf-4c0a-920c-b891a7faec0f" grcontextid="to follow:0">to follow</span> her on the earthly plane
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="39bdce23-885f-42a9-8904-4160097d31ea" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b4a265c6-ed23-4c53-8ec4-9ad4a5b4971f" grcontextid="and:0">and</span> protect her from those who would harm her. Unfortunately I had never
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3a255bb6-9620-47b4-bf42-d86d95aee36a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="344c79bd-60a5-474c-a323-c3393aca08e7" grcontextid="managed:0">managed</span> to carry out my task, for centuries I tried to keep her from harm, but
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9c3344a4-d28c-4f97-abb0-ed8beb6378a4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c1fddc61-b5b5-4b42-a5c5-fc6cd1d16b38" grcontextid="our:0">our</span> enemies always thwarted me. In this human guise I was not as powerful and
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4439de18-dc50-4e1d-bcb2-00f690934466" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="855551fb-71ef-4774-8a0f-fcef09ebafc4" grcontextid="strong:0">strong</span> as I had been when I was first created. Such was the way of my creator Yahweh;
<i><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c6bcfe06-28e7-496f-9a77-21a970c4a2aa" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7153ad13-ad32-4313-ac8f-c2e4a5b19054" grcontextid="he:0">he</span> </i>did not make it easy for you,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="69c4bb2b-6fc7-4219-9e20-66b9338bf10a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="df9b9dbb-aa2f-407e-825c-b7da36cb7771" grcontextid="especially:0">especially</span> if you were one of his envoys. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So, here we were face to face in this meadow once
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="64ffcb47-d97a-466c-b775-48df63cd4cb6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c7867ad7-bb90-4598-bf9a-73747d717170" grcontextid="again:0">again</span>.<i> The witch and the changeling. </i> I was aware of every single body I had passed
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b82143c3-4ed8-487a-be8d-2fdbb0ce2a6f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="875bad8a-e626-45b6-b51e-d0dc1f0b6c5b" grcontextid="through:0">through</span> since the beginning of my creation. Circe was different, she did not
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8b5b8deb-7e30-4a26-843c-68cf3cac417c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4b403a7f-4e37-43bd-a91f-e7d8e9c51c23" grcontextid="remember:0">remember</span> each incarnation, and I had to go through this first meeting <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f277f242-dcdd-4359-9fa8-32853fed7d76" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4b403a7f-4e37-43bd-a91f-e7d8e9c51c23" grcontextid="every:1">every</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="629a78a5-5272-48bc-8ed3-c6a17e89bf5f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="dac95e50-3220-4f2f-99ca-fa320e054354" grcontextid="time:0">time</span> her soul occupied a new host. It was not tiresome though, as you might
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ef5459c1-0372-4e90-a6f4-81ad9bc72766" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c552f506-f383-4fca-ae57-ca07c6d03af9" grcontextid="imagine:0">imagine</span>; it was rather satisfying to be honest. To see the host’s face <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="545e5488-7774-428d-831b-5ec1378b8f6f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c929d22c-b9e8-45e1-9531-16cf345b109e" grcontextid="as:0">as</span> <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="492cb92a-bd22-41ee-865d-e9fbb1ee9e6d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c929d22c-b9e8-45e1-9531-16cf345b109e" grcontextid="I:1">I</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7534b5a9-29e8-4563-bfe5-70a5d33d397e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="20e22dfd-03b3-417d-9a53-b8eac38006a9" grcontextid="explained:0">explained</span> what dwelled within them was priceless. Circe and her host shared
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="963503a9-29f8-405d-8f44-a2562e182356" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e6cf052d-1280-4ff6-9533-73d200f968f4" grcontextid="thoughts:0">thoughts</span> and feelings. I on the other hand completely took over a body, erasing
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a93c0ad3-339d-46f9-98ab-84a4b4a68ede" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="aa28f1e6-a060-4a65-a03d-ef5e04ca0ab0" grcontextid="memories:0">memories</span> and emotions as I went. It was
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="cc5edda7-e8a3-460b-aebc-dc8a97d3bc7d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4d9fee31-a143-487b-a646-122ed3fb9600" grcontextid="my:0">my</span> nature; to destroy and possess. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This version of Circe however seemed much more
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="034bc710-074d-4019-9dc5-9f1991d65842" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2e6c01f9-2f35-4363-bf2c-a585405f9652" grcontextid="different:0">different</span> than before. I did not sense much of her but I sensed a lot of the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ae61e6df-076c-416e-bc29-a23ccf8538fc" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e795be0f-fa59-4f30-89b8-91e6d095a42b" grcontextid="host:0">host</span> human. I was overwhelmed by the host’s presence, her face and <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3a70d82c-6186-4041-9cff-91c6bdc1984a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c9eeff2d-13ed-4fbe-b530-d9a81449ffb5" grcontextid="those:0">those</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0530dc77-4bf2-471d-83d9-6741edb49a8a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3a97b065-0a4d-451f-82c5-685f87340cbb" grcontextid="haunting:0">haunting</span> eyes. The vampire stood protectively in front of her was handsome,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="81f0ed20-89bf-4262-a583-1ce565605c61" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="dd25c973-47b7-41a4-982b-201587208c26" grcontextid="beautiful:0">beautiful</span> even with his bronzed hair and piercing deep topaz eyes. Yes,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="842c8f6e-d4ca-4167-b73b-7adc8cffd4be" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2508cc5f-6036-43d9-9efa-14aef9a2bdef" grcontextid="vampires:0">vampires</span> were fascinating to me. I had begun my existence as one, although it
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e0e33d1f-1091-487c-9478-a783669fd3ea" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b49c9bd1-764b-4358-974e-e602f33580b2" grcontextid="had:0">had</span> been centuries ago, still they beguiled me. I was a body snatcher, a soul
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f6076334-65d0-41e8-968f-b14ea5c531c3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bbeaae1b-18a4-464c-83d0-2de5ed4caca4" grcontextid="invader:0">invader</span>, as inhuman as a human could be. I looked mortal but inside I possessed
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="64ad631f-6f6a-4708-a96a-2d21cc649d25" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a189eea3-adbe-4ca3-9b73-c4b440c07c66" grcontextid="strange:0">strange</span> talents and weird powers. Circe in her human guise peeked around the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="dc814065-7ae5-4310-8be0-099dded57ee2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7bf33aeb-1a21-48d9-86b6-d47fced4a173" grcontextid="vampire:0">vampire</span> with wide curious eyes. No, this incarnation was completely different
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2c52246e-81c3-4143-bdab-08d6ae0c653f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="96784b77-7aa0-4aa4-8c55-4b5ccc9efe8f" grcontextid="to:0">to</span> her other ones! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I remained calm and serene as I addressed the obvious
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="91762043-ab37-41c3-bdee-97c8f061b80e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="070a7541-10d0-4fbf-86a5-38e933d9e5c0" grcontextid="besotted:0">besotted</span> couple, “<i>I am Lilith, you are Circe,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="bb1cae73-63e3-4aed-af8c-30489614128c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fb0d736c-580c-45b6-9daa-6e9fdfcb04ef" grcontextid="and:0">and</span> we have met many times before in many guises. I will reveal all to you and
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="734a2bf3-2521-4350-affd-e8d2f02cbae2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a37b2ac1-bbdc-4aed-a0c0-c688078e8c68" grcontextid="your:0">your</span> vampire now.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">His topaz eyes narrowed suspiciously and her brown eyes
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c0d45f32-4672-43f2-bbfb-ce2153a92118" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a1c8f7b0-ebd3-47ee-9614-62dbe6e25854" grcontextid="widened:0">widened</span> excitedly. Yes, she was extra
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="94036645-0812-4335-aee5-905e26e2782f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="dd4c3a6b-2966-4c1f-9a29-0212d7e71c45" grcontextid="ordinary:0">ordinary</span> indeed! How would I begin the conversation this time, how would I proceed?
Especially with a vampire present. Ah, <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8edd1766-7f8a-471d-be84-dc2207a45e0d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f1bc8338-ad4b-4d77-a77f-b6e9f0fd4cdc" grcontextid="I:0">I</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="87dad95b-aa55-4a02-ac96-977d893ac36f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b7e84dd5-bdea-4068-8dc8-cfa163dab322" grcontextid="loved:0">loved</span> the challenge! I smiled with what
I hoped was sincerity and openness. I had been blessed with an unassuming host
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3ec35963-d929-4a58-aef5-517e8899e7a2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="35cc553a-3791-46ac-b0dd-c1f10b6a0f30" grcontextid="this life-time:0">this life-time</span>. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d0c7bb88-1bb4-4eba-b15f-d6c69c9404d7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="298e8f5d-de2b-4081-a774-a0d20870f16d" grcontextid="Of:0">Of</span> that, I was grateful. In a way I was like a vampire, Yahweh
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="61cdd0ec-0c01-4a28-9f74-297a0c477b47" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="35443eb0-058e-462c-8bfb-3d49c161f306" grcontextid="never:0">never</span> let me stay in a body until it became old. All of my hosts were young.
They either died young or I was transported into their bodies whilst the other
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="030ad0c9-41de-4017-ab73-6f5991faf48c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b01d30e1-71cd-4c95-9973-d0ea8c126f43" grcontextid="soul:0">soul</span> was shipped elsewhere. It was complicated to explain, especially to
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e87c047a-df98-40db-aa47-72e325c95724" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8172760f-0d3b-4924-a9f1-80449c97c4ad" grcontextid="ordinary:0">ordinary</span> humans. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The vampire spoke to me, his voice quiet but confident.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I am Edward Cullen and this is Bella Swan. To <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1fcafe6d-4b10-4932-8cd8-316e901a5fb8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7d1ca460-84d0-4204-8a11-0bc66d62e44c" grcontextid="be:0">be</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="670c5298-2b36-4eec-954b-fcc7844d15cf" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="dd47f66e-2351-42f6-bab1-a01282230987" grcontextid="perfectly:0">perfectly</span> honest we have no idea who you are or what you are talking about,” he
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="583986e5-8fca-462b-b52e-305643c67d47" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d8ba73d2-2580-4d21-bb3c-1ded01c387a2" grcontextid="announced:0">announced</span> with a crooked smile. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Hello Edward, hello Bella. I will try to explain, but it is hard for me,”
I said truthfully. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The striking couple stared at me curiously but didn’t
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9029beb8-d0d4-4ea0-9386-1c5527ef4934" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b5ba3bb7-2e57-4d16-81a5-90c53e808d69" grcontextid="reply:0">reply</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Bella, you are <i>Circe
</i><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d31971f9-8ca6-4207-8ff1-eb8c70f6d607" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="328dcc99-8002-4062-bd6f-da1bbb419514" grcontextid="the:0">the</span> original white witch, created by <i>Yahweh</i>,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e8ab16fe-33fa-43a3-b9bb-4eeaf625f188" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="499ad7a6-c554-4585-957d-0f54010ed85e" grcontextid="who:0">who</span> you perhaps call God, to counter evil and darkness. I am <i>Lilith</i>, created to cause havoc and chaos
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="930979e6-2c38-40e0-ba45-121cabcf7e88" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ab687daa-e7e6-4388-815e-da114d2cdfe2" grcontextid="by:0">by</span> creating a vampire, whose bloodline runs through all Immortals. Yahweh in
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0c38249f-bb3e-4a56-a02b-3447e0ac2cd8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0ce7b0f9-ac14-4a22-9760-0a85294ba8c7" grcontextid="his:0">his</span> infinite wisdom has decided that this particular decision of his was wrong
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="80ef6fd3-112b-4221-9a21-c03a8d43720e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="31853b0c-739a-4198-9b30-7ab374338990" grcontextid="and:0">and</span> humanity has suffered enough evil now. It was necessary but now the earthly
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3cd90487-fc40-47a5-bb57-de738bcd731e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0e8e5f9b-57da-4b07-9da5-1859ff483ec8" grcontextid="realm:0">realm</span> of the Universal must be cleansed. You and I together as opposites can
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6ddcd6a3-2c53-4c7e-8cfa-4156f85b9bf0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c8405d95-fae7-4914-97cb-8036bda9aeba" grcontextid="conquer:0">conquer</span> the vampires. We must destroy <i>her.
</i>The original vampire, created by me, Athenodora: Queen of the Volturi and
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e8273033-2965-4128-8707-f6334d051871" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7c35644b-1869-490c-a1b7-df681f9780d2" grcontextid="all:0">all</span> Immortals. Will you help me <i>Circe?</i>
We have failed in the past to carry out Yahweh’s orders, mainly because as a
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="98e87ada-c8e4-4d71-978e-17c24dcd1dc0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2e0412e5-a8ae-4369-b75b-4ff4cd346c9e" grcontextid="white:0">white</span> witch you have been vilified and chased from each place you called home.
You have been tortured and burned by mortals who didn’t understand you. Now is
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="93c9b7b5-a375-49ab-8dc7-b79c831e3386" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e4475e54-4ea8-4bcd-ab43-8634b3eea9ec" grcontextid="your:0">your</span> time to shine, <i>sister,” </i>I stated
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="51ef5725-b710-4044-9c46-0ca3e7214169" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="45e9adc9-deb9-4f59-a72b-ec5e63927593" grcontextid="with:0">with</span> a small smile and a confident nod to the pair. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Dear girl you are completely insane! Please, let us
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="01ae45be-9cdc-4ae5-88c5-fd49f8e047a0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9a5c4f1a-2deb-466c-ab55-68b886258360" grcontextid="call:0">call</span> someone for you? You cannot wander around making absurd exclamations to
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0a1611ee-da0b-4cbf-b9eb-23358c3049af" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a2bcab39-1dfe-4550-bda1-c53eb7b4b1cd" grcontextid="complete:0">complete</span> strangers!” Edward spluttered with disbelief. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I could sense that he was infuriated because not only
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c1758076-00f7-43c2-8f55-b8320ba22318" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9f66252f-1950-4c47-bbab-139cc5b750ad" grcontextid="did:0">did</span> I know about vampires but he couldn’t read my mind and I knew that was his
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0f05f8ac-3185-4df2-b59d-bafe058225ed" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7d0d3511-3770-45be-a9d4-149cbe5a6d1f" grcontextid="special:0">special</span> talent. How did I know? Oh please! I may inhabit human forms but I am a
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="362462ff-8003-47f0-aea9-334196a9e145" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5cc5d15f-a4ec-448f-bad8-69a1ba007b26" grcontextid="much:0">much</span> elevated being than my form belies. Bella/Circe stood at his side silently,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="bf49adb8-3ed4-47a9-aeab-e8bc17ba1365" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1273cc29-3f0a-4a8b-915a-7eb04953c760" grcontextid="her:0">her</span> eyes never leaving mine. She nodded and smiled knowingly. Finally she
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0c32e2f8-2b90-4b20-95d7-34db3a2ea57d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7b07c804-3229-45b6-a6dc-9611311e299f" grcontextid="spoke:0">spoke</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I believe you, <i>Lilith,”
</i><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ef5f4af5-f6a1-4927-8274-9966436464fe" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c3a944b2-5277-4ef4-8eca-f6041f5f8e6a" grcontextid="she:0">she</span> stated quietly with a defiant smile. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The vampire and I both stared at her incredulously, <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4a48cc0e-62c2-4238-a772-9c21dad2a606" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="17520771-5e4c-4bc6-bcce-38afd81e4b1a" grcontextid="for:0">for</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="933515aa-f115-4b6d-b278-f313f25e84d5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2cc9833e-f053-4244-8d7f-b24c4e2f6770" grcontextid="different:0">different</span> reasons, but our expressions were the same. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“What?” she demanded as we stood dumbstruck.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Bella! No! She could be a Volturi member, sent by
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="04c5667e-d596-42a2-9c44-0079715075a5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8167f8cd-7f74-47b6-8041-9e7314d80db6" grcontextid="Athenodora:0">Athenodora</span> to cause trouble for us!” Edward exclaimed as he pulled her closer
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="94cfe6b7-61d6-4ff9-bad4-1ed50b87f8fe" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e77640e9-4ab5-4356-aca0-6327da80de8c" grcontextid="to:0">to</span> him, his arm <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fe1c0c4f-2e6a-4e4d-86b4-c04360ec7181" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e77640e9-4ab5-4356-aca0-6327da80de8c" grcontextid="protective:1">protective</span> around her slim shoulders. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Bella smiled serenely, “No Edward, she is on our side.
I know her! Please don’t ask me to explain, but I know what she says is the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="03b47886-5a63-45c5-a61c-d5dafa4610e1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4d990d38-760c-4430-8ace-2080715894bc" grcontextid="truth:0">truth</span>! I have always known I wasn’t like everyone else.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She shrugged and smiled at me with a knowing grin.
Edward looked at <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0131452d-90d1-4d4e-bec3-fa8f0f1df5a4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c5937c95-45a7-4501-b54d-8b8be44cded2" grcontextid="as:0">as</span> both with disbelief. I held out my hands and beckoned the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="96d32a04-a53f-4bf2-9d5c-084c4f57ea2d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1eb6e5a6-95d9-49b3-b7bf-392c65cdef68" grcontextid="couple:0">couple</span> to come to me. Bella/Circe walked
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fc2c288b-b14a-409b-88f7-07c422cef81a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0975f817-a911-4cdb-be53-c57e18a3205d" grcontextid="towards:0">towards</span> me, pulling Edward’s hand as he stared at me with suspicion. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Bella!” he exclaimed, but it was to no avail, she was
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="112e9e7a-71dd-4d14-bf7b-2de89693903c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3aa692bc-bd06-4009-ab94-d8e8856ce060" grcontextid="slighter:0">slighter</span> than he and she was in human form, but still she was the strong one!
He followed her and they both took my hands with a gasp as electric currents
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="39fbd2a4-4b08-45dc-8bbb-8fe28c79499b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="567bf055-8b12-4121-8fb3-aa3deaeeb868" grcontextid="passed:0">passed</span> between our hands and little blue sparks jumped into the twilight sky. I smiled as I led them out of the meadow and
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3624a8b2-4bd0-4576-8c1c-ea1a13527340" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="dffb9851-5fc4-4023-a767-07be1ab8c5c6" grcontextid="into:0">into</span> the darkening trees. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">“Come,
I will tell you more, but you must trust me, I swear I will not hurt you.” <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />
</span><br />
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<u><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Chapter Twelve<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3515f267-0625-46ea-a826-31c29abb383f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="93a3f2e7-03db-4ffb-be10-62e12c318baf" grcontextid="Aro’s:0">Aro’s</span> POV:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My dearest darling wife was out hunting with the Cullen
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="cde44b2e-377d-4701-aa4c-92b670c4035f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="22833b04-532e-4c28-a26c-a84b30f1bf05" grcontextid="ladies:0">ladies</span>, so I took the opportunity to spend some time with our son, Noah. He was
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f7d82dca-f39c-4be8-97fa-74a649c8739b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b4d26857-178f-412c-9854-dc3106fb3107" grcontextid="a:0">a</span> delightfully intelligent and inquisitive boy, despite his terrible past.
Victoria and I adored him! Today, I had taken him into Carlisle’s library because
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1e43c015-c30d-4ce2-88bd-a104fb997a22" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a2f6aebb-fea8-461e-a9fc-c918099d4b7f" grcontextid="he:0">he</span> loved reading and books passionately. He silently studied the books with a serious
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e666dcfe-e417-4172-85e5-ebccf3005770" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="46f501e8-71ba-47dc-8a96-dca38dc12716" grcontextid="air:0">air</span> about him as I studied him. He looked up at me suddenly, his red eyes
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="cbe9f489-1076-4474-8005-8c13cf19082c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="91e7f48a-8010-4b73-86c1-1cff7ac08873" grcontextid="sombre:0">sombre</span> and sad. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Father, please will you take my hand? I need you to see
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="121c32b5-2bce-4e34-8fb3-f797c26fd255" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="359ae457-9e98-4a52-88e1-ac878fc36450" grcontextid="all:0">all</span> I have seen in the past few days. I am tortured by the images!” he
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="017190c4-e765-425b-af46-7a85c3899bfe" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c976f008-834b-4021-92b5-ed566c57c721" grcontextid="exclaimed:0">exclaimed</span> with sorrow. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I jumped up instantly to his side, “Of course, son. I did not want to be presumptive. I am glad
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="094bfaf6-ad21-44a2-89e6-a26b21298861" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5aedcfb0-1273-4361-93fb-b28aabcd445b" grcontextid="you:0">you</span> have finally invited me to see your visions.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I grasped his cold small hand in mine and let the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="34375ef6-3541-46f1-8321-21b613c8569d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7ad03eae-4c71-4ca7-a70a-707f035dfbf8" grcontextid="pictures:0">pictures</span> in his mind wash over me. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Oh such pictures!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I saw Victoria and I through his eyes, our loving gaze
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="36475c51-bb8b-4ac6-a329-36ae6aef8ff4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c49e7d7b-de35-4696-aeac-34b90a854a14" grcontextid="and:0">and</span> our tender touch. Then I saw Athenodora making her way across the sea to
Forks, determination and mad hate in her red eyes. I saw a small unassuming
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a24dabbc-5928-42a1-8dc2-9ec1a236432d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="841dfa33-bcd3-4ed2-a635-7d7ac14dacbf" grcontextid="dark:0">dark</span> haired girl, but there was something familiar in her eyes. I saw chaos and
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="569deaa8-a95f-40e6-94b1-671f27ff0aeb" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="105dd324-aa01-446a-9f1b-0db7e4da3811" grcontextid="death:0">death</span> and jumbled wild images which terrified me. In all of this craziness I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7df07adf-45fe-4bf5-9d6b-29192f1cc732" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8dd22c0f-39e7-4289-b6e8-a09b90964b9a" grcontextid="could:0">could</span> hear a sound reverberating; piercing the vision with its insistent
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="52bcd0dc-a3af-4601-9312-25efae84fea8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6df23c98-664d-45c5-acc6-80d2017556ef" grcontextid="pounding:0">pounding</span>. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I let go of Noah’s hand gladly with a shocked utterance
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ee3047f9-82f8-46e3-acb4-15d0231d60ed" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5d8e99c2-5400-4a8a-bfc4-25038641eae7" grcontextid="of:0">of</span> surprise, “<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3dd2f4be-ce90-4724-a030-819c84ec2061" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5d8e99c2-5400-4a8a-bfc4-25038641eae7" grcontextid="Oh son:1">Oh son</span>! How do you suffer being plagued so? Does Alice “see” the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ac047f32-19a9-48bf-8a31-2f48e704bc5b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="31b2aa88-2861-4aff-800e-37ca456b3956" grcontextid="very:0">very</span> same as you? <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5260cf39-f47e-4a81-a0b5-4a1c9524eee3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="82f97d61-cfa4-4e5e-90a2-cf8353421949" grcontextid="Athenodora:0">Athenodora</span> means to destroy us all of that I am sure!”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Noah grimaced as he nodded his head, “Alice sees it,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ac0c8868-e6e2-455c-a69c-7c31bdb49d14" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b4425c0e-a239-4e4d-a1ff-f1703d318a03" grcontextid="but not in as:0">but not in as</span> much depth as I do Father,” he softly spoke, his red eyes deeply
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="351006de-9916-409b-b6fa-8bfdae0506a7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="739ece15-a0f4-4ea0-b3df-55e18d6bac02" grcontextid="sorrowful:0">sorrowful</span>. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I tried to give him a reassuring smile, but he was lost
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c4c418c5-5117-4f8f-9bc5-ac3e182709cb" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7a4cf4f0-718b-477d-bd33-258e89fdd683" grcontextid="in:0">in</span> thought once more. The books lay open in front of him, discarded now for the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="606b38f8-415b-412a-911d-ab74d7854c55" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9e90d660-6076-4509-b20c-0615baef2526" grcontextid="images:0">images</span> in his mind. I wished I could take away these pictures of doom! I longed
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="39c30338-a665-42b6-b196-59a4da8d85ac" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c753f8a0-8139-4d23-8cf6-c065bf405bbe" grcontextid="for:0">for</span> Victoria’s pale slender arms to envelop me and chase away the darkness. My ‘little
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1a31c3e1-c872-4732-a6ad-a917fd31b5c9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="14629b80-daeb-448d-abbb-90a8868cc0fb" grcontextid="flame:0">flame</span>’ could bring light and love to my old bones when I was feeling this
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7be5748f-fbc7-4b16-8bf5-66f4873321f1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="980d06e8-cecd-4b29-9904-ebd212f6944b" grcontextid="way:0">way</span>. I <i>needed</i> her. I hoped the hunting
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f1024162-20be-4aec-b9f7-f83c4663739b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="795d73ac-0436-4c65-890f-3c0cb75aa559" grcontextid="ladies:0">ladies</span> would return to the house soon. I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e3b30c62-2a58-4503-9ade-aa46bea26bad" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="64b7e85f-4bef-4298-921f-b4f91ab70e60" grcontextid="tried:0">tried</span> to take my mind <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="db4084a6-4b7d-4d9a-9de3-dd5abe43b140" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="64b7e85f-4bef-4298-921f-b4f91ab70e60" grcontextid="of:1">of</span> things by reading one of my <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ea063d7d-3464-4b10-a1e6-b35fef42dd08" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="64b7e85f-4bef-4298-921f-b4f91ab70e60" grcontextid="favourite:2">favourite</span> books, “Great
Expectations” by Charles Dickens. I loved the tale of Phillip Pirrip commonly
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f3cada70-76f1-499f-8081-75f2f0c3ebae" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="992bf0e9-0a30-4ff0-ab13-aa6a9f47b5b2" grcontextid="known:0">known</span> as Pip the orphan and his encounters. I soon got caught up in the tale
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="72d0df09-9179-48c8-b408-d186c8d4483f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1083993e-24af-4cf3-bf4f-9d50388a1306" grcontextid="once:0">once</span> again as I kept one eye on the book and one <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="16ada1f4-eaa3-49cb-b91c-d801b0afdcfc" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1083993e-24af-4cf3-bf4f-9d50388a1306" grcontextid="on:1">on</span> <i>my</i> little orphan. He had
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3458d0b3-8807-4495-8ab2-e282143f6a3f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="37f91612-f0d6-454a-b314-0aae1bb63ab5" grcontextid="stopped:0">stopped</span> staring into space and was now poring over an <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="eebbcef8-2b9c-4da0-a626-869a485cd2c8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="37f91612-f0d6-454a-b314-0aae1bb63ab5" grcontextid="Encyclopaedia:1">Encyclopaedia</span>. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I caught <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="55ed74cc-c26e-4d96-aa48-7aaabfd2ccfa" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="84e7512b-3cd0-4172-a864-d3d090bd9c34" grcontextid="Victoria’s scent:0">Victoria’s scent</span> on the breeze from the open
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="01c006b7-163d-4053-a505-9049fb55fc1f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7f473005-a592-47c8-91bc-f6e80bfe3f62" grcontextid="window:0">window</span>. I smiled happily to myself as her arms encircled me from behind and her
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="284accab-1f22-4408-91fc-365668fb2eac" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="54220ab0-242d-4ecd-9535-0f4d18e82b24" grcontextid="cool:0">cool</span> lips brushed my neck enticingly.
She waved at Noah as she took hold of my hand and led me out into the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e91e8c83-6998-4be5-b46f-c698bb67dd4a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="cc118333-f0e1-44bf-91d0-50062e0813c5" grcontextid="garden:0">garden</span>. We embraced, and we kissed softly at first, then with rising passion. She broke away with a frustrated sigh, her
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d25081e8-b0f2-42e8-986c-a953c0039803" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e7a9eacf-7ff5-422d-af1b-a1912e32752d" grcontextid="hands:0">hands</span> running through her wild red hair <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="87ad6d97-900b-4a38-95ac-1e886e7ef953" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e7a9eacf-7ff5-422d-af1b-a1912e32752d" grcontextid="worriedly:1">worriedly</span>. A trait I had come to know
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9c6de3ec-a341-46cb-8b5a-0edc0aade0a2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="64dff7b2-51b4-44ec-8d0e-61df0f54d4da" grcontextid="well:0">well</span> over the centuries.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Oh Aro! Alice has “seen” such awful things, my love. I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e967444d-6b79-4e54-ab6a-fcbc1687ae21" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0c5c974a-2feb-4458-8090-64ee8aa36d0f" grcontextid="do:0">do</span> not know where to begin, but I must tell you!” she wailed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I have seen these events for myself Victoria. Noah <i>showed</i> them to me in the library whilst
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="08b6c9dc-eabf-4a91-9ee3-f3450e7f1b8c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f97ec1a3-239e-45c2-8c7f-f5d5e9b42506" grcontextid="you:0">you</span> were gone. Most disturbing indeed!” I said with a <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="bb7729d7-f9e8-46dd-ac0e-1f03dbbc01f0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ee449d08-5d0d-40c9-a11d-5f47e605e872" grcontextid="sombre:0">sombre</span> tone.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Victoria’s hair stood out like a red halo as she
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="777c23db-0925-44b8-b182-83f618242b4f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="12bec231-bd4c-4e12-acf0-a03d3053ea2b" grcontextid="worried:0">worried</span> with her luxurious curls some more. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Who is this dark haired stranger Aro? She seemed to
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="043675a0-95a5-468c-8877-bf5850c7edfa" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0e8986fd-1100-444d-9be2-285c77e5264f" grcontextid="terrify:0">terrify</span> Alice to her very core! What did you make of her?” she questioned me,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="087588c6-ee70-4fd4-96da-efbd0867e418" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="df416fc5-4edd-4020-bec0-684d9fd0dc58" grcontextid="her:0">her</span> sharp white teeth biting nervously on her bottom lip. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Little pinpricks of venom blood appeared on her mouth
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="555d5bd2-a03a-4597-8fb5-fae6acd1f8c7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a295bb95-038f-48b2-9c55-765d710ec47a" grcontextid="tantalizing:0">tantalizing</span> my eyes as she unconsciously excited me. I wanted to forget our imminent problems and
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="505e4fd3-d725-4429-b74b-e00e7ec1308d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="cc6df778-e603-4846-a696-e1bdb3e8b6d9" grcontextid="take:0">take</span> her in my arms again for a passionate kiss. There was no way my darling
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="195409ec-530f-4016-a6d0-0e81d24b5adb" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="957973b0-546c-4fd8-8f90-2b3742007159" grcontextid="wife:0">wife</span> was going to drop this subject any time soon. I shrugged nonchalantly, not
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a57fd86d-2eba-431d-a5aa-2cf37b806f67" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c9357165-5987-40fe-ab59-8012725e28ec" grcontextid="wanting:0">wanting</span> to worry or frighten her even further.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> “She gave me a
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b653553c-1a5a-4b4e-a547-87334f5c3eea" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="44296bd2-dbec-44b2-bece-2cd04c3731c7" grcontextid="sense:0">sense</span> of deja vu my sweet and perhaps something else I couldn’t put my finger
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="469504a3-c06a-4f17-b8b9-91626501eccc" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="417fc998-a3c6-46d1-8408-e5d1b9404486" grcontextid="on:0">on</span>,” I said with what I hoped was a reassuring smile. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Her topaz eyes gazed into mine searching for the truth
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6981ff61-f56c-499d-8e4a-a3ab1ffe946c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="85d28c8d-5f20-46ec-813c-c6d8a08a943f" grcontextid="in:0">in</span> my words, she frowned slightly as I continued to smile. How I hated to lie
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="216e353c-43a3-424c-b4f8-0ef0ae1451d7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c40d7b57-d992-4687-9a39-cc0e1f935877" grcontextid="to:0">to</span> her! On the other hand how could I tell her that Noah’s visions had shaken
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0db3a915-c18e-458d-8444-fe11daba31e8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="370c6b65-e71c-4f6e-a6f9-a1f8f4422cc3" grcontextid="me:0">me</span> to my vampire soul. Now I knew for certain that even Immortals lived on after
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8001d8da-a467-4eb4-928f-55832d20ec89" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="de347a84-ffa1-4fc4-977c-676fe36b757e" grcontextid="their:0">their</span> existence ended. How did I know this? I knew this because I saw my dear departed ex-wife
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="55301448-9c1f-4bf7-989f-2b444fd3e596" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="99359692-bffc-429d-be18-ddad39172d56" grcontextid="staring:0">staring</span> out from that dark haired girl’s striking violet eyes. This unassuming body of a young girl was host
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="238809f3-925f-441c-8478-ce3fe635907d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5b900e21-5a9d-4a0c-98a8-01beec685a8c" grcontextid="to:0">to</span> two old souls, one was Sulpicia and one was an unknown entity, but I knew it
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b972bffc-b068-45e0-bd05-f0108f874cd6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="95bfa3ca-fa8c-40b7-b809-bf29f35cd3d5" grcontextid="was:0">was</span> ancient and destructive and utterly without a conscience! Just how do I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="64ecf7ea-3b36-4e50-8560-c403cb2eb398" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d0f7b008-1a1a-4ea9-91cd-4fcf3acca946" grcontextid="tell:0">tell</span> Victoria her old enemy was back and she was perhaps only a mile or two
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="435942c0-b65f-4155-9914-f04bc28732e5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e7164db9-ffe8-4eb0-a30b-dc43c903d10b" grcontextid="away:0">away</span> from here right now? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">No,
I do not know how I am going to impart that piece of devastating news either! <o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></i>
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Chapter Thirteen<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">BELLA’S POV:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Lilith led Edward and I from the meadow silently and
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6c4b0d15-4679-4375-8811-97a3bbeaf5f5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9aa921f6-2953-42f6-8b6a-d1186a9f9e7a" grcontextid="purposefully:0">purposefully</span>. I was in awe of her, she was a complete enigma. It was <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fbeba419-9db9-4c8e-8ad0-5e8131962a41" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e55a3aad-374c-4830-8c9a-e870692d0b4d" grcontextid="completely:0">completely</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a06145e6-204f-401c-8b9e-62582b9b58db" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8952b24c-8e05-4cdc-9e3f-f32f56e9de87" grcontextid="incredulous:0">incredulous</span> what she had told us, but strangely it made sense to me. Why
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d99c78c2-8f76-414b-9446-447e12e4e473" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="92f27fc4-b47d-4741-b1dd-56c687d453cb" grcontextid="shouldn’t:0">shouldn’t</span> it? Were vampires not unbelievable to most of the human race? To me,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="868dd30b-5936-4f56-86dc-c80a8ac6b6a1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f2ad5266-1798-4087-952c-f519a5ccc24b" grcontextid="one:0">one</span> of them was my earth sun and moon. Lilith let go of our hands and turned to
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="21264b68-b0cb-4917-afcd-6fc64e6cc8ac" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="22fe3b1e-0988-4351-9a82-cc2404090fad" grcontextid="us:0">us</span> both with a small smile playing over her lips. “We are here,” she announced.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="line-height: 200%;">Here
</span></i><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0692f373-a05f-4513-8d5b-dce0cc23333e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2ab9997b-f840-4879-a54c-1ed99aca7119" grcontextid="appeared:0">appeared</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d08660f5-ede6-4b6e-b05d-1876ccd59cb9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="17203c20-5482-4e8f-998e-f2ef529696ac" grcontextid="to:0">to</span> be a small hidden away cabin deep in the woods. Lilith opened the creaky
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b5dfaeb0-e434-40bb-9ab3-e3aaa6429742" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c466c5bc-a1ba-484f-afee-8dee14733500" grcontextid="door:0">door</span> to this secret place and the three of us entered silently. She indicated
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3690bf6c-03de-4adf-95ef-87658bc35923" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="35321d16-c894-480a-aef7-869dcd691ef9" grcontextid="we:0">we</span> sit at the square wooden table in the middle of the dusky room. There was
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="181eb945-1ee2-4913-9aa4-d350d8ba46f7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0bdafe2a-4d16-473d-8385-5ce640782393" grcontextid="not:0">not</span> much natural light coming through the dirty windows of the cabin. Edward’s
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7f12bd39-a235-40d6-8509-5acc891d7191" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="628ab03a-3d6d-4f99-b42b-dabd083a18b5" grcontextid="face:0">face</span> was stern as we sat around the table. I knew he was absolutely out of his
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1224012b-73a0-4a73-8de5-f641126c6dce" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5ab8ea35-63a5-4393-9320-1d4824f4e609" grcontextid="comfort zone:0">comfort zone</span> with this new situation we found ourselves in. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Lilith’s violet eyes shone like twinkling stars in the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="219f2a6e-557e-48b4-b1d7-2be5cfcad888" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ba8e104d-4d99-4e0b-819c-06ade6d9ed1f" grcontextid="gloom:0">gloom</span> of the cabin. She began to speak again and her voice was <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d684fc00-196f-4744-8e5c-52d9740be354" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ba669f8f-8e43-401c-b282-177c5c25e4df" grcontextid="magically:0">magically</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3b2b53e6-a2b8-4c64-b50d-840fc0e7700f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bb1e3ad3-53f1-41d1-8939-ab8ca1789c27" grcontextid="alluring:0">alluring</span>, “Circe, in simple terms you and I have a very important task to do.
We must kill Athenodora and make sure she may never return. Vampires have souls
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="522855a8-369f-4f76-b07d-e6687effa28e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bf4f6ec2-3659-442d-aae6-10bd344586d9" grcontextid="and:0">and</span> they do not die when their physical bodies do. The ethereal body lives on.
Usually they move <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="19135b73-33f8-49d9-9284-0446a8623b4c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e17a5ec3-d824-4a26-b27c-d7aaadb1b8cc" grcontextid="onto:0">onto</span> a higher realm, but in some cases these vampire souls
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f29fe061-40a6-4a2f-b31c-67e178830be7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="30676fa4-3ba1-450d-8f3d-87b736bf7dca" grcontextid="linger:0">linger</span> especially if they have unfinished business on the earthly plane. It is
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1eb9d7d4-7e09-4d58-baea-92aebcc8574c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="69076f84-e83c-424e-b417-9ee1022239b8" grcontextid="the:0">the</span> same for human souls.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Edward raised an eyebrow at me and gave one of my
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="42be63c3-fb49-4e90-8b72-401fc8e7643f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="55c99443-2876-4302-83d9-ba89da31f00c" grcontextid="favourite:0">favourite</span> crooked smiles. I reached over to squeeze his cold hand, “I told you!
Vampires do have souls!” I crowed triumphantly. Lilith nodded succinctly, her
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d9d38715-da14-4628-bc94-9b9516f31284" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="accb44ea-1f4f-4ce3-ae3b-317dec0a08f4" grcontextid="eyes:0">eyes</span> bright against the pale skin of her face.
I shivered slightly in the cool air, something was about to happen, I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f0a2a1fa-9726-425c-8131-d415da9644a2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d5ece120-5b9d-447f-b39f-ec7a9808918c" grcontextid="could:0">could</span> feel the electricity in the air again. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Edward, someone you knew of has returned to this
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="292838bd-946e-4602-91d7-fd5903dc5612" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a3e229b4-cb72-4e5d-a6fc-69a67ebc9493" grcontextid="plane:0">plane</span>. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f99790d6-da52-4c38-ad9e-36d6bb1dcd27" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0bf9a256-aaea-4d4f-ae90-cdec6b8f3eab" grcontextid="Aro’s:0">Aro’s</span> wife Sulpicia, she still lingers on this realm. She seeks revenge
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ac2523ce-26e7-4633-a601-fbd806e969d4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ff1c4284-c5e7-482a-a834-36148de5a517" grcontextid="against:0">against</span> those who have wronged her. In her eyes the main culprits are Victoria
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="83738fac-ee84-4c0b-a123-518530b1d131" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="da565396-b2a4-4dc4-a66e-0da602946e70" grcontextid="and:0">and</span> Noah. Victoria stole her husband from her, Noah ended her vampire
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4ff30a06-2166-4d04-bad9-f97d3ef9b1d1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f64d749a-5e7b-455c-bac9-4fd7db23ef2d" grcontextid="existence:0">existence</span>. They must be punished before she can let go and move on. I do not
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5c8ec093-365a-4c89-b31e-a210ce596bef" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="edd23511-7e94-49ac-986c-6523b1421dca" grcontextid="decide:0">decide</span> if actions are right or wrong, I merely state the facts. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ff402213-1b89-40b8-8919-141fb5aa0d02" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0e7a8b6c-b417-4f07-a889-9220990f3eec" grcontextid="Sulpicia:0">Sulpicia</span> means
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="deb244ba-c42d-4a4b-b241-918e2d1d7533" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="52d3f558-c48c-4ab4-82f5-02333a156ca9" grcontextid="to:0">to</span> extract her revenge by any means possible,” Lilith stated honestly. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Edward and I looked at each other in horror, I had
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="81655717-ab59-40be-9324-1beb31ef144c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ae212f30-87fa-4f93-bf5a-b9735879151f" grcontextid="never:0">never</span> known this ancient evil vampire but Edward had told me all about her. “How
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="519242f3-c75a-4741-b7a4-d5338e77de92" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="dfba13e9-be26-4da5-b7ef-42eb62b43eab" grcontextid="do:0">do</span> you suppose she means to return Lilith? I saw her perish and burn with <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e2c0d089-e8dd-4a7f-901b-b1d373b595e5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d44f138d-14e2-4fc6-a161-18f6f9e35a79" grcontextid="my:0">my</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="160f7f9e-44ab-465a-aebc-85901f8c3dab" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fbf1f4fb-8c48-4eae-aa40-6858dc526423" grcontextid="own:0">own</span> eyes!” my love exclaimed. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Lilith smiled her small smile, “I already know she has
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1f13fc23-96b0-48c6-8f81-cc843b222057" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="19130e5d-2bb2-4e18-a2a3-516c1aca72e0" grcontextid="returned:0">returned</span>. I know this because I felt her soul enter this body at the exact
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ba6231bb-7e60-4878-a00f-90b65d5d4666" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5b149209-f7da-47e8-a2bc-c89f5e352fc0" grcontextid="moment:0">moment</span> I addressed you both in the meadow,” she shrugged nonchalantly. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Edward and I looked at each other in horror again. “No!
This cannot be!” my darling said with disbelief. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Lilith merely nodded. I tried to take it all in. I felt
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6129cf19-84fb-4afb-a24b-d4f9eebee75c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c2b98c12-ca92-44dc-9e2c-a73fbbc7e204" grcontextid="strange:0">strange</span> inside, like a prophecy was unfolding in front of my eyes. What did it
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c472b2a1-3e8b-4e62-a931-9fc819aff9e2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fdf59085-e5d3-4e28-a2cd-3e81a4288081" grcontextid="all:0">all</span> mean? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d18d63a6-0185-4195-a5ed-61f0e0ccf238" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="278dad67-67fe-49e7-9557-a5f8a4a13681" grcontextid="Sulpicia’s:0">Sulpicia’s</span> soul dwells with me inside this host.
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8070ced3-bd86-49b1-bada-0c67071be58b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d4f542bf-6989-4304-bef4-0cec8c6f24e3" grcontextid="Believe it my:0">Believe it my</span> friends. She is not as strong as I <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="12fdedc4-8276-4c9e-8f7e-a51e64d1643a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="644aac7b-80d9-4751-9571-b73b6197bd0d" grcontextid="though:0">though</span>. She cannot overcome me
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="763f9cf2-e475-4d8d-a2d8-f6e7d9e3be86" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="44ea1d24-143d-42df-8c9c-94b305650069" grcontextid="and:0">and</span> take control,” Lilith stated confidently.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“You know this for sure? I don’t understand, what part
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="07c65bb8-7390-4a2e-aafe-4bd55bc30725" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b249f890-6625-4072-8af6-5ca38b67e0de" grcontextid="do:0">do</span> I play in all of this?” I questioned her as Edward stroked my hand. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Lilith smiled her small smile, “I do not know anything
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f16c6658-f729-4353-83ca-8e581e7bbab2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5b4bb3c9-89f5-4b5d-8a1c-aea8460e8d46" grcontextid="for:0">for</span> sure, Bella. I can only say what I feel right now in this moment in time.
You are Circe; you are the light to my dark. You will know what to do,” she
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d1b9ed58-06f8-4435-96cf-e7dc46969dfa" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bc5dbe74-a4c2-4e43-9d55-ae36701d721e" grcontextid="said:0">said</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">How confusing she was! She spoke in riddles! I would do
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6146fe02-c4b4-4842-876d-0949a65c1b2d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9469262c-6da4-477a-a777-0bf7af46b7e6" grcontextid="anything:0">anything</span> to protect the ones I loved. If she meant that then yes I was ready
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7d283f92-6607-4235-b5e8-7125c9fc75f3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c8daa6b7-ef11-4936-bb1e-7e4368f27707" grcontextid="and:0">and</span> willing to take on this challenge. Edward’s deep topaz eyes were full of
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3b49e672-bd0b-4ea3-80d4-5770800be7c4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="01513d0f-a137-4842-90f6-8afc76bac545" grcontextid="concern:0">concern</span> for me. He did not want me to be in any danger. I could see he was very
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="80d5ee46-5d8e-4ce9-9932-a0f51af67669" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f3eae40f-a414-4052-af3f-a391df75dcbf" grcontextid="upset:0">upset</span> by the events which had unfolded here. He grasped my hand <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="208f684b-1c9c-47a1-8789-627047a821a0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="03efe276-40cc-4153-824b-e69a8334d943" grcontextid="worriedly:0">worriedly</span>, his
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8f3f8420-ba7b-499c-be57-531448d82f06" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f741688a-1467-4a1e-ba43-267897109755" grcontextid="perfect:0">perfect</span> face full of concern. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I do not wish Bella to be placed in a situation that
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="66ba60e1-856a-449c-9194-9a4313eae6ac" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="349a9099-9f5e-4447-957c-e1b5fcc1ab6a" grcontextid="she:0">she</span> cannot handle. I hate to believe your story of Sulpicia is true! She
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1a4415ca-b66e-4ede-87c8-27fd88c0cccb" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d84fa04f-98b0-4189-83cf-95d85c26d390" grcontextid="brought:0">brought</span> nothing but pain to my dearest sister Victoria! I wish to be left alone
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1fd4967f-c8d7-45fa-9d5b-04f12deafa7a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b9997352-d218-4853-a7d3-3ff6f9656d4b" grcontextid="with:0">with</span> Bella for a while please,” Edward stated with a determined glare in Lilith’s
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c4d9069a-17ce-470d-b9ce-4a92138a4863" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="056865ff-fc3b-41b6-be0a-54ecba789807" grcontextid="direction:0">direction</span>. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Lilith stood up, “Of course. I <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e25cc81b-8e24-45f6-80e4-153e6c6f23b1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="563143f8-a48d-499e-8565-b03398ff7020" grcontextid="realise:0">realise</span> it is a lot <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="978d4f6d-03d4-404d-ab6f-a4460215a3eb" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="563143f8-a48d-499e-8565-b03398ff7020" grcontextid="to:1">to</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c1cad9ec-5724-4b59-9081-179c32b14e61" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="74712661-6bbd-4d11-adb8-0d722e873ad4" grcontextid="process:0">process</span>. Believe me though Edward, she is here. She wants revenge and I am the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="73835a95-0673-4ec1-9944-97fb664d6f21" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d04eced1-672f-4c8e-ac3f-5e53666adfd6" grcontextid="perfect:0">perfect</span> instrument. I am the bringer of chaos, madness and death. She has made
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3900006e-c161-4ba3-8cad-e534d5886c71" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="501b7fec-7e36-4cea-bd72-ccd87136d064" grcontextid="a:0">a</span> wise <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3a919310-df98-418c-a74d-80b2b2bf6c30" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="501b7fec-7e36-4cea-bd72-ccd87136d064" grcontextid="choice joining:1">choice joining</span> me in this body! I do not have emotions and feelings as
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ed979bdf-6057-48ce-a028-d7273571084e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9af12b6e-5bca-4cf1-9b80-2554968cae79" grcontextid="you:0">you</span> do. I was not created for such things, but I do not wish Circe to come to
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="155ddcb6-a5d2-4c30-86c2-de372ca619d5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d8be44e4-add0-4ac8-a914-a96a93122d7a" grcontextid="any:0">any</span> harm. I need her help. We must destroy Athenodora! We must! <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6c06b077-7442-45c7-898d-333edaa3d8b3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="24d54332-2b96-4a32-ac81-3c4481de492a" grcontextid="Sulpicia:0">Sulpicia</span> knows
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="06668a19-9e25-4bc7-a93d-810cb9cc1f4b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0dbc41c2-5cdf-45d5-9797-306b2cf52512" grcontextid="this:0">this</span> <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="51e3ed8c-9a1c-4c92-a47c-0bae608b2092" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0dbc41c2-5cdf-45d5-9797-306b2cf52512" grcontextid="to be:1">to be</span> true, she will try to fight this truth but she is weak, for now at
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d11e94e9-ead2-4cc1-ba68-e845edf077ac" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2a3b4ac0-f088-4502-9e8e-f22f26ef2251" grcontextid="least:0">least</span>,” she announced as she turned and left us alone in the cabin.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Edward immediately swept me into his arms, his cold
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a1a2677e-6bc7-4813-82c7-64d616563920" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a4d3d65d-5ed9-4022-9735-34b3254fe7e5" grcontextid="cheek:0">cheek</span> pressed against my hair. “Oh Bella! I cannot let any harm come to you, my
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="158a670c-7a83-4d12-850d-c0c2f2bc13b4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="364f5f92-34f2-4592-80a9-78d62540091e" grcontextid="only:0">only</span> love!” he wailed. “I despise this! All I want is to be left alone in peace
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1590c88c-fda7-431a-a8ed-5292b21be1aa" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="974623fa-e2a6-49c7-b7db-e299ab953636" grcontextid="to:0">to</span> build a life with you! Whether that is with you as a human or a vampire, I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1508d812-5386-4461-bf23-2ad6c09d64e5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="67b41110-df61-4020-ae3a-d2d323d03237" grcontextid="do:0">do</span> not care, I just want you safe!” he added passionately. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I brought my warm lips to his cold ones in a <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="139926e2-d491-4dd1-9b1d-f0dc6cb6a483" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a657187f-cadc-40dd-b29e-36bb2723b3ac" grcontextid="sweet:0">sweet</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="dc770fa5-2289-4150-a4b8-d703a97e5813" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="cdb061c2-b2a8-4112-88cc-f63bb7e12a42" grcontextid="kiss:0">kiss</span>. “I love you Edward Cullen. Change me, so I can become stronger! I can
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="588cca70-d5bb-4f82-bd2a-91e343237ab7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3e299335-a3b5-42b3-95f0-3493b3b90b55" grcontextid="help:0">help</span> defeat our <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d9926f65-bfbd-4d3e-981b-8a3807b24a35" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3e299335-a3b5-42b3-95f0-3493b3b90b55" grcontextid="enemies if I:1">enemies if I</span> am a vampire, especially a <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="177d8dc1-5711-410a-9ac0-51aa4f73dda1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3e299335-a3b5-42b3-95f0-3493b3b90b55" grcontextid="new-born:2">new-born</span>!” I exclaimed,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7a29c901-ad60-49be-80cf-72799a272855" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fc23a46f-f51b-4bf7-a91e-dbac2e7c2892" grcontextid="my:0">my</span> eyes bright with excitement. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He shook his head defiantly, “I will not! I cannot! Oh
Bella, I do not want you to become cold and hard. I think we should leave here!
I can take you far away; we can stay with the Denali coven. Let this entire thing
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7777dcbb-0edc-4096-ab9c-f961029d614d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9af7b7fa-908e-42d3-8078-65b657d9c350" grcontextid="blow:0">blow</span> over! Say you will come with me Bella. Forget Lilith and this nonsense!”
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="670034a8-95fc-430d-b24c-e25c9e5aa1dc" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1871d5c6-f3f1-4489-a0ef-786459b1d3aa" grcontextid="he:0">he</span> pleaded. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I gazed into his loving eyes, which were full of
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b52562f6-99cc-42c1-82c4-b2e126e15d03" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4b19de3c-af3e-44a2-92f8-1d7036102529" grcontextid="concern:0">concern</span> and adoration for me. I sighed. Lilith’s words had struck a chord <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e019e6ff-e352-4525-ae10-85bacfcfd57b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d50cd641-1589-4926-ad19-6b803d0fa2f3" grcontextid="in:0">in</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="abdb8eb8-592d-4c85-b81b-258e3df7438a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="39986478-aa0f-4291-8a13-3a40eae8f51a" grcontextid="me:0">me</span>. I believed her. Circe was in me, somewhere, somehow. I couldn’t ignore the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="622c4431-8ba6-440d-9547-2d3570f62b46" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fc5f21c4-0029-4e19-980f-065a50e02232" grcontextid="pull:0">pull</span> of my destiny. Meeting Edward was the best thing that had happened to
Bella Swan. Circe did not care about such mundane concerns. I crossed my arms
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3fc1850b-c61a-4e7c-8fbc-a5026bef7afa" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="493732da-174b-4bf2-ba68-9790f5f559cf" grcontextid="and:0">and</span> chewed my bottom lip nervously.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">“Sorry
Edward, I can’t come with you. I must stay here by Lilith’s side. We must
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d1f623c7-8a42-40c7-8400-c6618069a911" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2ee49e92-e7f5-4a8d-b78f-a0735c6b4854" grcontextid="destroy:0">destroy</span> evil for once and all!”<o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></i>
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><u><span style="line-height: 200%;">A/N: </span></u><span style="line-height: 200%;"> Information on the Cascades was taken from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/">http://en.wikipedia.org/</a> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Chapter Fourteen<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">ATHENODORA: <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 200%;">This place called Forks, where Bella Swan dwelled was
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="101815be-98d6-4fe1-ab30-99203535a830" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5bc5ac12-d671-41d0-9a09-ff69f22028eb" grcontextid="conveniently:0">conveniently</span> located close to the Cascade mountain range. The highest of the peaks was called Mount
Rainier. Mt. Rainier is considered one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fb820f22-d872-4f54-9d9f-e8501dcf7501" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="481e4d71-2453-4843-8375-f7bd8b8c56c1" grcontextid="world:0">world</span>, and it is on the Decade Volcano list. Because of its large amount of
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b05b43e3-c61a-47cb-8a3b-d31829bd85e0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="cc8f95ae-9099-4ca4-a6a2-2cebdbcbc624" grcontextid="glacial:0">glacial</span> ice, Mt. Rainier could potentially produce massive <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="656f773a-4d2f-48b6-b822-98d0b1d57598" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b5088cba-420e-4cec-9dd0-c92e5689c0e1" grcontextid="lahars:0">lahars</span> that would
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3d4bbf93-8473-4fb0-9b85-971c965aee3d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5565331c-cd5d-47aa-ab0c-65af626709ff" grcontextid="threaten:0">threaten</span> the whole Puyallup River valley. Mount Rainier was first known by the
Native Americans as Talol, or Tacoma or Tahoma, from the Lushootseed word [t</span><span style="line-height: 200%;">ə</span><span style="line-height: 200%;">q</span><span style="line-height: 200%;">ʷ</span><span style="line-height: 200%;">ú</span><span style="line-height: 200%;">ʔ</span><span style="line-height: 200%;">b</span><span style="line-height: 200%;">əʔ</span><span style="line-height: 200%;">]
("<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="768ff517-d4cb-4ace-a5cf-44802406c309" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="78b8b60c-6df5-4c14-95cf-4bfa4638434e" grcontextid="mother:0">mother</span> of waters") spoken by the Puyallup.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This imposing mountain was covered in perpetual
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="cb553805-bb56-4dad-8058-b43e024add7a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="952c373a-45a4-49c7-b2eb-49245d6a648e" grcontextid="snowfields:0">snowfields</span> and permanent glaciers. Really it was the most ideal hiding place I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c18e3569-5685-4201-b18d-f807f3a91874" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="26421dd4-3c69-4759-88a3-3d4b9f44a9c2" grcontextid="could:0">could</span> have dreamt of. I had come here <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8302d5fa-be95-4507-a2d0-3f8ab90a7271" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0ec99a79-1d39-4322-b0a5-e38fcdf00f30" grcontextid="to:0">to</span> this icy high wasteland alone. I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="02895e9c-5d61-4b70-b4b6-573b7ddfd4f8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2f2c5b32-aff3-4daa-b5c3-132daafa95cf" grcontextid="decided:0">decided</span> Caius should remain in Volterra with Marcus and Desiderius. This was a task I could easily perform on <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="98ec8d1b-95c9-438e-846b-1896c2be5883" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ae5da4d8-6b12-4b75-81dd-d5360c84cd8f" grcontextid="my:0">my</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="728d6a1f-598f-48a7-9046-bdfadb8eb69e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7b6f4e54-db3f-4515-87dd-9a618b696576" grcontextid="own:0">own</span>, and indeed I would carry it out with relish. I would dispatch of this
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e159cdfd-f730-44b1-a61b-dd64e8c5e84a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="894a9e21-735a-46e8-a5f8-fda4ed70f1c8" grcontextid="nuisance:0">nuisance</span> of a human girl and the Immortal Child as quickly and quietly as
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b13f76ba-2c6a-4d66-b64d-6992c432de05" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="516211e6-ae9b-4ded-aac1-e67abd0d3e4b" grcontextid="possible:0">possible</span>, then return to the Volturi ready for the next phase of my plan. I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fee8733d-818e-4eac-8c53-429b4547376c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ddb26c9a-0d94-484f-b773-8c83943b9594" grcontextid="would:0">would</span> find <i>the one </i>who made me! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This landscape provided cold tunnels of ice and snow in
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5c379966-0c5c-4263-ae72-07ef391697ab" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c5309e50-bea6-4e9d-8cee-6eacfe7c5602" grcontextid="which:0">which</span> I could easily hide; I would stay here for a few days in a state of
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1fa3fa12-116d-4a67-98da-e50b32834436" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fd9ac25d-c100-46db-b1af-9fe5d32f3df4" grcontextid="meditation:0">meditation</span> whilst I carefully planned my next move. I must deal with these two
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="41c80f9f-1d92-421d-9316-9e6395143424" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7d6ad06d-d07d-4174-82a6-27196d4b53ac" grcontextid="minor:0">minor</span> problems effectively. I did not need to feed whilst I was in this state.
I had stocked up on auras and blood whilst I travelled the long journey across
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8e792a31-984e-4a76-a774-2e2229d9e5b5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2c60ec4a-0b51-40a2-ba29-cd65ebdc5fa1" grcontextid="the:0">the</span> continents to reach the Olympic Peninsula. Revenge and loathing kept <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3a0d0897-2b1d-4e1c-b399-46a909ddbac6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ae1c2cbe-4b25-4546-a72c-9fffe8a2392d" grcontextid="my:0">my</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="813e1ed3-64a5-4be9-b8e8-3c5171ce0f90" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f41ab5e3-807e-4199-8cfe-c7641d1c1858" grcontextid="mind:0">mind</span> sharp and my body keen and dangerous. Soon I would enjoy killing Bella
Swan and Noah immensely. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ba298c5e-0f32-4018-8544-032e04919b91" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6f8c8d23-4098-426b-90d5-f6b175551718" grcontextid="rubbed:0">rubbed</span> my pale thin bony ancient hands together with glee and anticipation as I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="96bb1b73-443b-403c-ab10-57e51cdd9179" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="96469d5e-6691-47ae-a2b3-e0bd218d049a" grcontextid="settled:0">settled</span> into my temporary home of ice and pure white snow. <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">VICTORIA:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Once again we were gathered all together in the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="dedbfcbb-d4b1-4ecd-a339-d19b4f2ec99d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1cda57f5-0628-452c-8b1c-2a6052c4f130" grcontextid="clearing:0">clearing</span> where Sulpicia had been murdered by Noah. I had avoided this place
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="29f4fe00-72a4-4bb2-8f4e-fb7991e81b30" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="24ad881e-750d-4dbe-b6e1-d70157978d92" grcontextid="like:0">like</span> the plague I once lived alongside way back in the Dark Ages. This place
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c67e7bb2-1cbc-4ede-8f15-49862376ae84" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="944b166c-06a6-45f0-a2d4-bc6efb4250c9" grcontextid="resonated:0">resonated</span> with evil and death. I felt a small stab of sadness, regret and guilt
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="386a0529-86b9-4876-9999-c597b1b8a5a5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a6b18347-5a90-444b-bf34-31eeea922d65" grcontextid="when:0">when</span> I thought of James. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d8222bcc-f0e1-48cb-a1fc-09785671e69c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ac65f725-4566-4659-971b-d98ccb9e447a" grcontextid="Aro’s:0">Aro’s</span> evil ex-wife had killed him in front of our eyes
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="dea61121-0768-490f-8c77-cc023b46cb42" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f1227bcb-2936-4597-85de-85b2a333d84c" grcontextid="that:0">that</span> day. Thankfully our beautiful boy Noah had risen up from his apathy and
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="cfd69da6-5b7f-49ec-88d1-35b2a22ef66e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fee3bd9a-63bb-4978-ba0c-a64fd542f362" grcontextid="drove:0">drove</span> a makeshift stake through his creator’s black heart before we burnt her
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d37418c2-5a1b-4fc9-a872-d80a9e5860ce" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="583d5f86-659c-42c4-8ec1-c64e3d8778ca" grcontextid="body:0">body</span> and threw the ashes to the wind.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Now I stood here rooted to the spot with absolute
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="af10bfd5-cf91-4dd1-a0c4-41bc54e830c3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="dd5fda7b-ebd0-45a7-abaf-5e99b828015a" grcontextid="horror:0">horror</span> as Alice Cullen and our son explained to everyone how Sulpicia did not
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="435b1264-e6e5-45e7-aea8-e0f79179b45b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="92f25d06-c6f0-4b77-84d8-c2fa26f18bff" grcontextid="really:0">really</span> die that day. Vampires have souls too and will move onto a higher plane
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e54b41de-9a21-432d-b079-923f6e8ccb43" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="eb7ea5e8-5cca-45bc-8915-5c66a6ab3d79" grcontextid="of:0">of</span> existence unless something holds them to this plane, like utmost hate and revenge.
Would I ever be free of this evil murderess? It seemed not, as she had
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a13c3bcf-7b68-4542-8f3d-02069aab8f48" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2d8674f9-9691-46b1-80c4-49ee20583e90" grcontextid="propelled:0">propelled</span> her loathsome soul into an unassuming host. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Alice began to shake with fright as she explained it
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="71eed562-04b8-4fe7-81d3-ecf22273d0d7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f0597541-c050-4e03-b9cb-edea2edb8a9d" grcontextid="all:0">all</span> <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a1f4fd41-ab7b-437d-aaee-acaefbeb330a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f0597541-c050-4e03-b9cb-edea2edb8a9d" grcontextid="to:1">to</span> us. Noah looked fearful too, his red eyes deep pools of mystery. “This host which Sulpicia dwells in is no
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3013e787-4675-4ebf-8979-ce565ffdd06d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="91b19d50-c9ba-4e06-a636-20840c41ac4a" grcontextid="ordinary:0">ordinary</span> human!” Alice warned us. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Noah nodded and confirmed her words, “Alice is correct,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ae74c410-583f-44f8-b8cb-3c95a3004f73" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9ca72def-66b8-4d36-aeb3-d3565006a4f3" grcontextid="this:0">this</span> host is an ancient and most possibly extremely evil entity which was never
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d7298bb6-4b4e-4fc7-9614-fe3b9069c334" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b0a3a2a7-433f-408f-82f7-8bda1cc09adc" grcontextid="human:0">human</span>, we have assumed,” he said sagely. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f7fe3a95-d0c3-4741-a072-a21e9eac0435" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0aeca908-7dac-4b83-8a13-6b460cbbf98f" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span> squeezed my hand, “I saw this in Noah’s mind when
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0f78b6b4-08f9-4c1c-8e48-4a2e6168b855" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b4843ac9-d46f-4373-b93f-f8baf4ccd1e4" grcontextid="he:0">he</span> shared the visions with me, my sweet,” he whispered in my ear. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I growled low in my throat, “You <i>knew </i>how distraught I was about all this husband <i>dearest! </i>Why did you keep this from me?”
I hissed with anger. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8cfc3fc6-6152-45b6-a766-b9da151912ce" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f5d4e08c-fe60-45a3-97b0-086cae226c86" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span> smiled wanly at me, but his beautiful amber eyes
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="90e64f22-3bf4-4c8a-bab8-5504cf65e6b5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="297baf18-1b4b-479d-829f-8d38e8a90357" grcontextid="glowed:0">glowed</span> with truth and light, “Simply because you are my complete everything and
I love you, little flame,” he whispered against my hair.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I melted inside instantly as his words drove straight
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7b89fc49-1a2c-47ba-b3b9-0d62141ba2e5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7e0cd86c-b12a-40d3-aee7-b75f92375641" grcontextid="into:0">into</span> my still silent heart. I smiled as we locked intense gazes. He could
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ccb86dc3-0dba-419d-b9ad-e75a30461271" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ea827214-2025-4d39-a604-3f4b0a1d8adb" grcontextid="always:0">always</span> make me feel better despite the dark clouds of doom looming above us. I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b7da60e3-eefc-4323-beed-5318575fe47a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9313f417-89fe-4592-b493-1bd60b606ab4" grcontextid="dragged:0">dragged</span> my eyes from his to concentrate on what Alice and Noah were saying
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8115bc64-d421-4cec-82ee-6a5ddf35d36a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="cb9eda25-18e4-4686-9923-ae69163a59cb" grcontextid="although:0">although</span> I hated to hear even the mention of <i>her </i>name. Now they were speaking of Athenodora and her close
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="893b05e1-0902-4f8b-ac85-cf81a8448cdf" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b8c1e847-f41a-4fa1-bbc9-6768f8ab12ba" grcontextid="proximity:0">proximity</span> to the Olympic coven. Alice <i><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c3e02390-e8c4-4612-861b-e0a930511fa1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3404d507-25c5-42a5-8329-5d559ef4c841" grcontextid="saw:0">saw</span></i>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4fd93c09-64db-47a3-939d-806b80efe681" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f4aefcb1-7a6c-4482-9768-86659396afd4" grcontextid="her:0">her</span> in the Cascades, hiding in snow and ice, just waiting to pounce. We were
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="712f5633-0606-4bf2-8981-b88ed65aaf00" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0d19bb11-4a0e-45e7-b591-a6326b5f9c6f" grcontextid="under:0">under</span> threat from every side it seemed. I squeezed Aro’s hand this time as
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8030527d-5f9c-4c02-b73b-b32d0885cdd5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8136d585-51b9-4c80-ba25-91c8c9bc469b" grcontextid="little:0">little</span> sparks of fear ignited deep in my stomach. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Suddenly Edward flew into the clearing, his eyes wild
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f5adbc41-b4c8-42b4-a717-dfb98659f449" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="231b032c-8dc7-4657-9547-0fed71f844ee" grcontextid="with:0">with</span> worry. I felt the little sparks grow inside me and the fear threatened to
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5ccd804e-30a9-4152-91cf-0060ebc1896f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1041acaa-344e-4ef8-8420-df8a8b49da44" grcontextid="turn:0">turn</span> into a fiery inferno. My brother spluttered out words spiced heavily with
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="302e4687-e08c-406f-811f-f679a700c458" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="37a9c417-ea67-4c28-96a8-fccb3422fa6a" grcontextid="his:0">his</span> own deep fear, “Bella has gone with the violet eyed stranger by the name
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="624d82b3-d078-427d-904a-e53961e62e05" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9f6d3296-e01b-4331-951b-f3d5afcb0b3c" grcontextid="of:0">of</span> Lilith. They are seeking Athenodora in the Cascades, they mean to kill her.
Please guys, help me! Bella is no killer! Lilith insists she is Circe, some
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7aedb73d-c662-4fb4-a4f0-8b08a5afb601" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3b22ae7e-cc8c-4485-b583-23e0e7c2c24b" grcontextid="sort of white:0">sort of white</span> witch or whatever! I am so afraid for Bella, but I could not talk
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1f8eaaa4-aded-4dde-aff8-bac9bf342e1a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4af5219c-5c86-442c-8bc0-bdf3a50402bf" grcontextid="her:0">her</span> out of it!” he wailed forlornly. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Alice and Noah exchanged worried looks, as they shared
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="aac3b67b-2640-44cb-aea2-f505c9332619" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="306b4103-4bfb-4747-9e97-c76b676924f9" grcontextid="some:0">some</span> secret vision. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“What is it Alice? Noah?” I asked impatiently.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Edward read their minds quickly, “They have seen that
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="78e3aa86-67c7-4e9c-8a21-9f3565a69346" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c9269004-8399-4e81-8feb-f4981425fe2e" grcontextid="there:0">there</span> is no other way, we must gather forces and help Bella and Lilith in their
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="bf68b787-ac6c-4e97-bcb5-01dc98523907" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e753d94f-acb5-4a9c-993a-9c86400a6f15" grcontextid="quest:0">quest</span>. We must hurry though!” he added.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Noah and Alice held hands as Carlisle took over as he,
Jasper and Emmett began to plan our attack whilst the fragile Esme put an arm
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8cb8cabc-69d7-4d61-9fa0-598f56165fb7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="85498cf1-0cfd-4776-a34a-66742535da8c" grcontextid="around:0">around</span> Rosalie. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a2357772-b12d-4a17-bfab-06f487465a61" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fb68518a-b4ea-49b2-8461-35a8fb585519" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span> held me to him, his loving lips in my hair, as his long
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="03ccd968-235c-4ef3-a09b-5a024867c9e0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f567a562-4822-48fc-811f-43f1c262951c" grcontextid="fingers:0">fingers</span> rubbed my back soothingly. Only Edward stood alone and lost in the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a0fef9cc-fe27-4033-9212-3a6b1d5af2ae" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ed711093-573a-440b-81d4-c1ad8f38e5fa" grcontextid="middle:0">middle</span> of the clearing. He caught my gaze and shook his head worriedly. He sighed
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fd9d6ca3-a0c5-4943-bb5f-1d838a2d83dc" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f9691c59-cf3e-4264-938a-e551d10855ee" grcontextid="and:0">and</span> tugged his fingers through his bronzed hair as he spoke to me with careful
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="000ecc78-33c6-407d-90c0-9ddd9b248a45" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="eb6c6f89-d165-4270-9390-8738aff99e9d" grcontextid="restraint:0">restraint</span>, trying to hide his feelings of fear for the love of his life.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">“Oh
Victoria! Lilith may claim to be on Bella’s side, but she has Sulpicia’s black
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f2f730f4-a8a4-4cf2-8a37-aa0d402001f3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="142dea87-5891-42b0-b09a-841152946cc6" grcontextid="pit:0">pit</span> of a soul deep within her! How will this all end? I cannot and I will not
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="de0eeb2e-3088-4acc-91f1-7157c7838d13" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c83b81f8-6c2e-4638-8d57-e5e10dc0fe61" grcontextid="lose:0">lose</span> Bella Swan!” <o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></i>
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">Chapter Fifteen<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">LILITH/SULPICIA POV:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">The icy wind bit into my cold, bone white skin with
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0f90f21e-d1cd-4492-b595-e3755aca9985" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d491bbd7-91e4-41d3-8132-d4f0b4c0a885" grcontextid="unrelenting:0">unrelenting</span> determination. The snow fell thick and fast before my scarlet eyes,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5371ba9a-71b6-4d13-9d53-466f647ea3ff" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="dbc1f8ae-ed35-42ea-b556-f3e8a74d1e27" grcontextid="which:0">which</span> although usually <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="cb0f3ed1-72fa-49c1-99ea-552460b31498" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="dbc1f8ae-ed35-42ea-b556-f3e8a74d1e27" grcontextid="most powerful:1">most powerful</span>, they now fiercely struggled against this
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4ec8e59d-9462-49b8-8b39-bd224d0d9d54" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d627435f-0636-4283-80aa-478eadadf562" grcontextid="tide:0">tide</span> of white. I stilled my mind and I concentrated my thoughts on the focus of
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="252642e1-9ee4-4569-8dbc-0bf2f494b7cf" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="79a71f44-b691-446f-adb9-2f7339a98db6" grcontextid="my:0">my</span> expedition. I must not let my emotions cloud my sensibilities! I will not be
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9d119f92-9b36-484e-b731-6891a2c10efe" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9c6070ea-0892-4221-9227-2c8a4dd8d76a" grcontextid="beaten:0">beaten</span>, I must not be beaten, and I will not be beaten by her!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">She belongs in the dark, in the wastelands of
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f52ed67b-7b38-424b-a46b-6db32b074fa6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6695471e-d5c5-406f-a859-5e4a415cfa73" grcontextid="nothingness:0">nothingness</span>. She is your <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4f75d157-8e11-4767-b5d8-407b87e097ac" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ea15d8bb-bad8-4798-ae53-3462084d2348" grcontextid="deep:0">deep</span> <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d98ef791-e93f-4073-b19e-8bc27e4ccd0d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ea15d8bb-bad8-4798-ae53-3462084d2348" grcontextid="dark:1">dark</span> fears come to life. She is the bringer of
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9a9ebf36-691f-43e7-b25a-b5eb7f3a9239" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="60d5d09c-cd2e-4b92-8bba-ee6be7c632ef" grcontextid="death:0">death</span> and poison. She can love you, but only on her terms. She can destroy you
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b1031dfa-884c-4242-8c97-1c7f7a94ce77" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="58245db0-066d-4291-9970-625194756d5e" grcontextid="with:0">with</span> one look, one touch. She must be stopped! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="line-height: 200%;">I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="aded8c69-03ce-4017-8aa5-deed872970ba" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="462cf4e0-5aa5-4560-86e2-fa7fc99ff973" grcontextid="am:0">am</span> the only one who can do it.</span></i><span style="line-height: 200%;"> The vampire queen who
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9a3cc7f3-2394-4536-8c2a-3743fa589d5b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c0b27b21-2ff0-47fc-9d47-b83cd3a7b2d6" grcontextid="cheated:0">cheated</span> the true death! I came back, even though I now dwell <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b32867bc-9427-454e-aeb1-c07dadfc5d7b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a7656e18-7b85-4b7c-9ed5-78691949bb40" grcontextid="in:0">in</span> this strange
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="896b247c-1150-41b1-b665-dc8a683bdefc" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="595daedf-8f8a-46c7-ba86-7745980833b9" grcontextid="body:0">body</span>. This unassuming girlish shell which houses the swirling mass of black
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="31902c48-a39b-445e-bf8f-5284bcc0de9d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="cab01b8e-8771-4f5c-b240-802c8a9ccbcd" grcontextid="darkness:0">darkness</span> known as Lilith. Yes, I knew who and what she was. I knew it <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="bef30370-1cf7-43c6-9044-186d1daa3cd1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0b0ae32b-6058-469e-a9df-f19f46071057" grcontextid="the:0">the</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="881ec20f-ea56-4af0-b688-2ea1b946199b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fb3e4404-6d10-4516-9db3-e0375293ea83" grcontextid="moment my:0">moment my</span> wandering soul found itself drawn <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6ef0697a-8387-4609-bcf4-6734ad07e0fe" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fb3e4404-6d10-4516-9db3-e0375293ea83" grcontextid="to:1">to</span> this body. This was the entity which all vampires came
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="28b2de39-7dcb-48e1-b0b2-86046ce5a5ca" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fdbc2dd5-621e-462d-81f6-db2f5b698d2a" grcontextid="from:0">from</span>. This was Athenodora’s worst nightmare, but also her ultimate dream. She
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2b66c0d3-b1c1-4ab7-9a31-95cdbb0fa477" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f4b833ca-5136-4b4c-a39b-76cbd9f2d3ae" grcontextid="craved:0">craved</span> and desired the power Lilith had. She wanted to harness the power Lilith
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="596ee4cd-1197-49ef-a398-10c870738a0c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d2e04779-ade9-4f59-968d-66adac01fc89" grcontextid="owned:0">owned</span>. She truly believed she could control her! What an <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ff89fd9a-d3ee-470f-90e1-a71e530f1c84" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d7170ad2-21e5-4b24-a8ea-fd8f1c043daa" grcontextid="egomaniacal:0">egomaniacal</span> fanatic
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e64203ed-ba96-4bc6-9b16-49b50d166d89" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7def7b72-1ab9-45ac-aada-ca3b10026834" grcontextid="she:0">she</span> was! I laughed as I imagined driving my body onwards through the snow. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">Of course it wasn’t my body and I didn’t have much
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7bcc4244-cc83-4a30-bfc7-92fee4ebf3c6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ae23f248-b018-43bb-b4e9-f1f13f73e540" grcontextid="control:0">control</span>. <i>Not yet.</i> Beside Lilith’s
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e5f972e0-9ad9-4adb-8e16-22ad58c24d9b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c4b24c6d-7613-4cbc-83ed-c0be389f7666" grcontextid="host:0">host</span> ran this strange human girl who was really just a receptacle too, as her
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="73c67509-1d93-4186-aa3b-b35f450facc6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3c717afb-1680-41dd-9b1f-235df299789c" grcontextid="body:0">body</span> contained an old spirit of a white witch called Circe. She was wrapped up warm against the cold,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d62eb7dd-3f5a-4ab8-bbbe-5f2d6c7ce9a9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3ddd37b8-f9f4-414e-97ef-4b74c78ec20c" grcontextid="unlike:0">unlike</span> Lilith who sprinted through the icy snow covered mountainside in just a
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fb7add2c-bf01-4729-bb9a-6da15469e0f3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3f289138-8a31-4ef7-9049-fc987ebea1a5" grcontextid="thin:0">thin</span> luminous pearl satin dress. Like a snow angel, her shimmering violet eyes
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c7f2b9eb-d7cf-4326-8b64-89e993530d34" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="11c75b42-48fc-4dc6-b37d-5bd8601d8a86" grcontextid="shone:0">shone</span> and glimmered in the bright icy whiteness. The duo was searching for
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b54f0cce-d5d2-474d-a998-d950c9d12df3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8991aff6-b24f-4fd5-b604-bb191a68c454" grcontextid="Athenodora:0">Athenodora</span> who had hidden her mad self somewhere in this icy wasteland of Mt.
Rainier. The crazy old witch had travelled from Volterra to destroy Bella Swan
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="672f2a34-f63e-4e93-a81a-f4924f306d1f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2326c7b5-2279-4b5e-b52c-0f45ed6e17d7" grcontextid="and:0">and</span> my precious son, Noah. My Immortal angel, my boy,<i> my killer. <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">I could never feel anything but pure love for him
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="366a8e90-c93e-4d4f-8b73-a839d4e2f6ee" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ce3ff409-934d-4532-876a-f047ad942f39" grcontextid="though:0">though</span>. He was the only thing I had truly loved. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0efa8ee5-3d72-41a0-83b4-ad15c1a0d032" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f24d3165-2be9-484e-b0cf-3139f35069ce" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span> was a possession, a means
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3185da87-a100-4c33-9a82-193d65cbdf45" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="50f0cc21-4af0-4aa5-b6d3-6cff714b2680" grcontextid="of:0">of</span> obtaining power and riches. I had never loved anyone the way he and his new
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0a16c9a9-f7d4-4a8f-bc9e-cddd4ae16211" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6ca27ab0-1b4c-4890-add4-67c23c939c7e" grcontextid="wife:0">wife</span> loved each other. I wasn’t jealous though, no, I wanted something better
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2181e2c3-9704-44cf-817c-c866706d4231" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b954c147-c14d-405f-b6fe-ff46d432274d" grcontextid="than:0">than</span> their fawning adoration for each other. I wanted to be omnipotent, bursting
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4383bcf4-5920-48b7-81b8-4eaf2222ecd7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c7296cf7-d0e1-4ec2-8ae6-f5dd17eb532f" grcontextid="with:0">with</span> power and authority but not in an insane way like my old mistress,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ccedfa34-5197-47d7-8227-1ab73c5e422d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9d4c98ec-1c75-4522-9b0a-16b0319865aa" grcontextid="Athenodora:0">Athenodora</span>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">I felt the body Lilith and I dwelled in buzz with
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fb88a956-de3c-473c-b30a-e626b9525c6a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0a83ed40-d116-483a-af8e-91a4f5377330" grcontextid="excited:0">excited</span> electricity. We ran faster and faster through the snow, Bella Swan
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ccaa0649-8779-4883-a9d3-3720194adcdc" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="09d6ef46-513b-4628-8699-f23de874860f" grcontextid="right:0">right</span> behind us, her brown eyes shining with determination. The spirit within
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="024d4e9e-e3d0-41ab-ba95-101c4579ce18" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b587d3f4-ed72-40d7-857b-f5f909654ff0" grcontextid="her:0">her</span> was strong, but benign. I got a
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="22e05202-8e92-450b-8c9a-d263f30d55d2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="13e7faaa-1001-47ad-80b1-1a1738f033aa" grcontextid="shock:0">shock</span> when Lilith suddenly spoke to me from within this host. <i>“I know your intentions Sulpicia and I will
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="85ad1504-4b85-4fde-82f4-3b61044e2f4a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="049fcb15-5436-4b44-a8ef-a2e658e5a545" grcontextid="not:0">not</span> allow it!” </i>the voice announced with quiet strength. I protested that it
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9ae36444-651a-4b08-b03e-4971b97c7a1b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a13c26c8-393e-4686-99af-11a4ca840d0d" grcontextid="could:0">could</span> not know my innermost thoughts. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">Lilith laughed, <i>“You
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d9a9a1a5-f632-4856-ab09-dea464dd887a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4f61e6d8-6650-4315-b8c9-8e101b1048e4" grcontextid="do:0">do</span> not know me, child, so do not presume anything. I see you want to take over
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3e78ef31-e688-4ce0-91ba-855491d78e7e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fa23a139-7dad-439c-9a1f-3b099c782a67" grcontextid="the:0">the</span> highest position in the vampire world. You desire</i> <i>and covet this completely. You plan to enter Athenodora and use her
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="df2fd129-f003-4a2a-aed7-88d5f3f4b13f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f6c3d9b3-c3e4-4df9-a7a6-001f9756015a" grcontextid="body:0">body</span> to your own advantage. I want to destroy Athenodora for she is the seed
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5c07fe91-b137-4abc-88ab-c3cf0ab0fbcc" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="19c4478d-cb00-4da1-9a9e-3a5fde265796" grcontextid="which:0">which</span> planted the tree of evil in this world. It is time for this cancer to be
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="840e3c4e-81bc-4e60-b8d9-8d87a6a46a4a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9f9f412b-6cea-4c12-a6b7-4fe92d3183b2" grcontextid="removed:0">removed</span>. I will destroy her Sulpicia; do not think for one second that you can
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fdfd902c-e20e-4f02-aea3-e76ac8941b84" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7fe2487c-b1d1-48e2-8188-255b2cbfeca2" grcontextid="stop:0">stop</span> me!” <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">I fumed to myself inside this host I shared with the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9338b1f3-be10-4cfe-85c0-c2d83067726e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4e4fb98a-4af5-4333-be5c-2465e50b152c" grcontextid="demon:0">demon</span> <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="bc2876f2-c420-43c4-906b-2d0c59bed531" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4e4fb98a-4af5-4333-be5c-2465e50b152c" grcontextid="bitch:1">bitch</span> Lilith. I needed her strength to take me to my old mistress but <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2f7e8f71-075e-4a17-9a71-3db8453adc0a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="421b8819-cc3d-450f-8cf9-a8f296d730c9" grcontextid="I:0">I</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6224d844-a16b-4b2f-92ca-8450eb7b7e46" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6ecb8c5f-3215-4ae4-8c22-3453a66b08f4" grcontextid="planned:0">planned</span> to ditch this body and <i><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="588d5641-a939-43cd-90ce-931b2fd5fea6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6ecb8c5f-3215-4ae4-8c22-3453a66b08f4" grcontextid="her:1">her</span> </i>as
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6a0d44b2-7ccc-495f-b1c2-0bc45f456f74" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="eefafd50-6e06-40bc-93d6-139f7d0fe4d8" grcontextid="soon:0">soon</span> as we found Athenodora. I could flee this place, taking Noah with me, (I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1dcf8244-0043-4d21-8005-7b46dd3c836e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="caa12b9a-f748-4fbf-a2b9-47720082da77" grcontextid="could:0">could</span> not leave him with <i>those </i>people!)
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="25441bf1-a4a8-4906-ad2f-b1f06e2fda04" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9c313785-835a-46ea-901a-1c54225621e8" grcontextid="and:0">and</span> go back to Volterra where no one would suspect a thing. I was confident
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="da047169-5e44-48bf-8196-6be8a5be5913" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a52673df-4056-4e9e-86df-2a63f1f50ecf" grcontextid="that:0">that</span> using Athenodora’s power would mean an easy escape for me. I would be back where I should be, leading the
Volturi forward into the 21<sup><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4f41f195-a087-42f6-8f43-f479534f3b53" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9dc1fe7b-9aae-4d79-b7b5-693752d79181" grcontextid="st:0">st</span></sup> <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3085d4e1-3c05-4dad-beae-452b3d7f9cfe" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ab1e79ff-180e-4e25-96ad-a9625b401753" grcontextid="century:0">century</span>, with my precious boy by <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2ef4d97e-0e3e-45f9-bead-78fa3f5fb853" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ab1e79ff-180e-4e25-96ad-a9625b401753" grcontextid="my:1">my</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a929b470-faf0-4ac7-aeca-faae79f245ab" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="23ddefdf-910f-4093-a384-5b8f6446f6d8" grcontextid="side:0">side</span>. My forgiveness and adoration would shine through and he would be mine
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c77d4742-061c-4477-9963-1c84c87e7f38" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="712b5cb8-31c2-461a-9cb8-a4f920869d32" grcontextid="once:0">once</span> more. Power would be mine again! <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7042a71a-cc72-4a90-a794-4075697a3ba7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="afe980eb-21a7-4ebd-a804-cecfcc4340fc" grcontextid="Athenodora:0">Athenodora</span> had had her chance! I felt Lilith’s
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f07b0c11-b2fd-41cb-ac24-97abb3f4708a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b37c905b-37d3-4d47-a57c-1c78542dcb59" grcontextid="pure:0">pure</span> white fury <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7b12a32e-4494-4b70-ab9a-d2c1f9f41ccb" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b37c905b-37d3-4d47-a57c-1c78542dcb59" grcontextid="sear:1">sear</span> through me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">“You
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a6d8a95e-7e91-4903-bd0d-b7e06ed49444" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="303eb175-a456-409c-9ca7-b8df051cd05d" grcontextid="will:0">will</span> not escape from Circe and me! As soon as you flee this body I will snap
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6a7e2939-bc4e-4791-8958-33796d66d3d2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a87f528e-76a1-4b50-8bfa-643a0431d76e" grcontextid="you:0">you</span> like a twig! I could destroy you now if I wished, but you are a minor
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d22ad13e-c9a4-4e89-8cc4-c1dd1a54c073" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f6d1e357-000d-44e4-851a-e0b91b615b84" grcontextid="annoyance:0">annoyance</span>, nothing important enough to stop our mission for! <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">I thought I detected a hint of vulnerability, a chink
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6c82cc04-8112-4edb-8073-d48978ff085f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="61646368-6e85-4ebd-8b3a-7c3acb1aec15" grcontextid="in:0">in</span> the confident aura of Lilith as she spoke to me. I was not afraid. I had
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f8b242b7-34de-4849-9f3a-b1a890d52d2a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="47a38a81-60a2-438d-8b84-be714a5ced20" grcontextid="faced death:0">faced death</span> and survived! Lilith came to a sudden halt as Circe grabbed her arm
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6352795f-3c05-44a9-9516-20f04812f2fe" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7e169a4d-1e55-4420-af87-709d85e9e25b" grcontextid="forcefully:0">forcefully</span>. <i>“<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="779af59f-338c-4a77-b064-cba1678fec32" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3acfbbb7-cf3f-47ac-b96e-005ca62953e6" grcontextid="Athenodora:0">Athenodora</span> is close!”</i>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="622bf9b7-55b9-4e8b-a93d-eff348b8cfee" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="35e6a94b-66ce-483b-8d0a-cd7f7ff87257" grcontextid="she:0">she</span> announced through the whirling icy snow and howling cold wind. I smiled
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b0eb1c85-4c48-4ca8-bd2a-17ceb57eb8c0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9d4e10ae-0831-4cc1-bb15-267906ccebab" grcontextid="inside:0">inside</span> whilst Lilith growled at me. I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="143862ef-dc0e-47a8-8759-9a35b7577d74" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3afe20bb-2f67-4dd2-bc0b-f0107ff8e249" grcontextid="grinned:0">grinned</span> even more, she <i>was </i>losing her
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f33d57ad-3e6b-4aae-ac5f-800cfa249bd2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a98285cd-ce99-4d64-8df4-0a9888d9d907" grcontextid="grip:0">grip</span>, and I was becoming stronger and stronger! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">Then Athenodora appeared in front of us, her scarlet
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1d6d03af-def9-4924-ac8e-ffceb4020be9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="cc0c9bbf-d5d1-4328-8934-d64fc6fe9ea5" grcontextid="eyes:0">eyes</span> piercing <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1dce7813-4d31-49f4-9f2f-042e3e9b50e6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="cc0c9bbf-d5d1-4328-8934-d64fc6fe9ea5" grcontextid="us:1">us</span> maliciously through the snowstorm. “Isabella Swan, at last we
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="17033729-22f1-4ab5-a422-dd2c81e819ed" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8def2e9d-32b2-43c1-b6a8-2ba59d630975" grcontextid="meet:0">meet</span>. But pray tell who your companion is? “She asked with a nod at mine and
Lilith’s host. Bella/Circe had become rooted to the spot with a horrified look
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="362f548d-acdb-4314-a65c-b5360b0f8252" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4c48bf2b-c209-4010-ad28-10126c13a231" grcontextid="on:0">on</span> her face. I felt Lilith grow taller in body and spirit as the host’s strange
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fa1b1081-57d0-4eb0-b218-857f76189e6a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6d64c2b6-9ce7-494e-8411-7cf051d39135" grcontextid="violet:0">violet</span> eyes stared straight into those red depths of insanity. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">Three things happened at once: Firstly, Lilith spoke
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="689eb986-5eed-4208-8c6b-9af8d1f83c46" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2f8dd6e1-9e92-41ee-a376-87e394c945a5" grcontextid="quietly:0">quietly</span> to Athenodora with sharp <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7328e809-68c5-47f8-bcda-fc10af5738f3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2f8dd6e1-9e92-41ee-a376-87e394c945a5" grcontextid="coldness:1">coldness</span>, “<i>I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="36067676-cfc9-4810-ae1d-081b96add96f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1e9c2a71-06d6-4b3f-8cdf-1e1869bba97b" grcontextid="am:0">am</span> the one who made you and I am the one who will destroy you.” </i>Secondly,
Edward Cullen appeared as if from nowhere, grabbed Bella and flew off into the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="01fb6d7e-4962-4c95-96a2-54c0b2089299" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="066b80d6-a9ae-4808-9ba4-95cc370611da" grcontextid="vast:0">vast</span> whiteness with her clutched to his chest. Thirdly, I imagined myself
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="75e96787-497d-4c6d-85db-21cb6812da37" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0ba6b5c1-6346-4d16-8ce3-13e0b4885f57" grcontextid="jumping:0">jumping</span> out of this body and into Athenodora swiftly with grace and agility.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 200%;">Then
I was there. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><u>Chapter Sixteen</u><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">VICTORIA'S POV:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I was his <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4485da4c-175b-4d73-8c37-4e8a02b09552" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="714e9ae1-e7de-4a95-afaf-24b1cf086e6a" grcontextid="favourite:0">favourite</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8aac5489-4bc5-4763-8440-d35ba0070a74" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e8f0e0c7-2909-46f3-879b-4b16978f0020" grcontextid="sister:0">sister</span> but Edward would certainly not listen to me! I begged him to wait and I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="49dc8a00-2426-421a-ac12-08526def3696" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9f50bb49-72c3-44f4-906c-0771acea9369" grcontextid="pleaded:0">pleaded</span> with him not to run headlong into the danger ahead of us. He took off
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b43b1774-727d-4cb4-b9dd-e7d5b998b602" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="26937171-8fc7-422a-b710-8cdf52185478" grcontextid="into:0">into</span> the snow and ice like a whirlwind, his mind concentrating only on Bella's safety.
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ae1fe2c3-c40a-45a2-9b81-ea3f9a3c88c0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="336bb842-4bed-4dc5-85b5-479a43cacfa6" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span> gently held my arm as he shook his head when I made to go after my dearest
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f4f601f8-d81f-42cc-8a3c-805d4650d923" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6870d694-ecea-4389-a386-a72f482ed210" grcontextid="brother:0">brother</span>. "Stay beside me, my
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e28e5d50-1dba-4636-a8fa-04ff6bcf31e0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="35082f7d-6feb-40c8-abb0-9f9a9068418a" grcontextid="love:0">love</span>", he spoke softly to me. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My husband was
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4fee54e0-87c2-46a4-a3b8-7f7e3c961226" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6b7706ff-d218-45de-b3de-a737bdd2469b" grcontextid="afraid:0">afraid</span>! If Aro was scared, what chance did the rest of us have? Oh this was
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7f3c640f-3e8a-4774-b78d-237fade5f92b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="73213325-33c0-4fa7-ae67-a869b84228cc" grcontextid="foolish:0">foolish</span> to chase Athenodora and the host which contained two evil souls; Lilith
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b7d4120d-d038-4604-b019-89fa246bb5ed" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3ec568f7-c78d-40ad-a559-af9b0567336a" grcontextid="and:0">and</span> Sulpicia into this vast icy territory. My still silent heart felt real
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="24f97c9b-5aaa-4075-a756-f673786702d0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="db600be8-f568-4095-9b13-815ed29f146e" grcontextid="terror:0">terror</span> at the thought of confronting our ancient enemies. I loved my dear
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="db109779-6c4e-489d-8691-5ff734a1bc06" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b44ab16a-ba3d-49ec-93e2-efef71b3f866" grcontextid="family:0">family</span> so much and I adored my husband with <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="12621284-e091-45e8-9191-fc3203b0650b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b44ab16a-ba3d-49ec-93e2-efef71b3f866" grcontextid="unrivalled:1">unrivalled</span> passion. I had grown to
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3fa7c63e-3bb3-4bde-9b14-59c66820daee" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="aeb775c2-5631-4649-907f-ec6641fa2f47" grcontextid="love:0">love</span> being a Mother to Noah. I wanted our idyllic life to continue as it was.
Why was there always something waiting, watching in the shadows to destroy <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4e8b62c9-7e95-4bbd-aca9-baa0664896d8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="04f87e67-30e7-4ca1-be7e-a66b2bfc0230" grcontextid="our:0">our</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="de7c8337-7c0c-4462-8355-8a039f8f1965" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ee8a81ac-f183-4060-9368-e4f3bd980cd2" grcontextid="happiness:0">happiness</span>? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Noah was holding <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="043966a5-3453-466c-b954-e772724c50e5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a5fc08f8-ca28-435f-a461-c36377347297" grcontextid="my:0">my</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4100a10b-ec0e-4159-a61a-81ddd4bdb577" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b5d95283-18c5-48ff-9ad4-7b9c51226d82" grcontextid="hand:0">hand</span> as we swiftly made our way up the mountain together, leading the rest of
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="78567a56-3ab0-48eb-9c43-200c4456105d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e975eddc-d7d1-43ce-84f5-64560f277d90" grcontextid="the:0">the</span> Cullen's to battle. He stiffened beside me, his face a picture of shocked
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="37322d9a-b517-4893-8fb8-947e58213229" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9ae5c05b-71ec-43e5-b97a-69f1db44b3e7" grcontextid="bewilderment:0">bewilderment</span>. I also heard Alice gasp behind us, so I guessed they were
"<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="75b562fc-c03e-45c0-879e-c05bdef93daa" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5a873b02-4335-4323-acf3-9e5219800687" grcontextid="seeing:0">seeing</span>" something that was perhaps about to occur. I squeezed my
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="531f7ff6-1ebb-4385-b87c-31f3f6c3738f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="99ed5873-9707-41b9-b498-a76d1a22822c" grcontextid="son's:0">son's</span> small cold hand, "<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e5555bda-7794-42f2-9942-a390563694e9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="99ed5873-9707-41b9-b498-a76d1a22822c" grcontextid="Don't worry:1">Don't worry</span> my darling, this will soon be
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="eb0ce968-9c12-4d29-a99f-2669840136ba" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8abbbce1-7058-4af8-9e9d-a83cd7cd6bd0" grcontextid="over:0">over</span>", I said with as much bravado as I could muster. There was no point
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="442a4e5c-c2af-4924-9bd2-453ba1fef2b3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4f3e1f11-68d5-4757-8066-45f406381be7" grcontextid="trying:0">trying</span> to fool Noah, he and I were in direct contact, he could sense and feel
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f2f4db31-5bcd-4c66-a839-bbf584e46e8f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4790368b-0c08-4a61-aeee-18af5086236e" grcontextid="every:0">every</span> emotion I was having. Just like Aro on my other side, who had taken <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="deb12689-7964-4dcc-a353-44ab44ff6999" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="62ab6212-dd29-47e3-97c4-c10664fdbe57" grcontextid="my:0">my</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5cc5765c-6fd6-4fc4-bb9d-158259616724" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="492c78ef-3ad3-4a6b-94e3-69d2f0efdd1a" grcontextid="pale:0">pale</span> hand in his. We were a family; united, unbreakable and unbeatable. At
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3dd6b3f8-f2cf-4ca1-b5b4-52148885cf91" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="69df6333-1fcc-4d6f-a897-3d15e9d28cd4" grcontextid="least:0">least</span> that's what I told my scattered mind. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We arrived upon the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="09ed8aac-8d43-4db0-b648-46d3123ef1ed" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="406ecf02-ca5a-41ec-a890-2f91c28d97d6" grcontextid="scene:0">scene</span> between Lilith and Athenodora, just as Edward flew off into the white
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2c9895c5-9715-46b4-97ce-0e749a12a5b5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="47063833-bab1-4538-9aa7-b00680dfd996" grcontextid="snowy:0">snowy</span> landscape with Bella clutched protectively to his chest. Thank goodness
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="23609f19-6079-4ec0-807c-08e0b25d6afd" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="77e987cc-e180-4550-be0b-c926787c503b" grcontextid="she:0">she</span> was safe! This was no place for a human girl despite what Edward had told
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c9935bf9-dea0-4e6b-bae7-eb1c58eba31c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a3409860-67de-4cf4-92bf-74773ff9cc1c" grcontextid="us:0">us</span> about her being possessed by a witch called Circe. No one would blame Edward
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c8e46eb2-882e-4763-a1b0-65bf86654f67" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4ddf08e7-ffa1-40c1-96cc-245b047335e0" grcontextid="for:0">for</span> leaving the scene, he had to protect the one he loved. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1961d6b7-fefa-4c01-a632-c5de162ed9c1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ff322c3e-4b30-4c44-8a4a-aaa539b975ac" grcontextid="Athenodora:0">Athenodora</span> looked
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="760c6b63-a76a-492a-99f1-2af52113604a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f4ab88b5-9c6d-4e1e-a76f-f4dc3446354d" grcontextid="crazier:0">crazier</span> than ever, her red eyes boring hatefully into mine, a sneer on her
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fcea8eea-eb30-496a-9a43-25ff6b0ae7df" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0e7f93a5-ee74-4bd4-93f0-a5f4640d70d9" grcontextid="ancient:0">ancient</span> face. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"So we meet
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4c4788a2-b6a6-4201-83ec-4536371fd582" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9f4edf9d-9dfb-42c2-901b-84d154c6a9e1" grcontextid="again:0">again</span> Little Flame! Ah how I have waited for this moment. And what have we
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="db295661-2ef5-4412-b43d-b94b8f1da2de" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2e483906-1df5-470e-8d74-9c8683e6f452" grcontextid="here:0">here</span>? <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b3bf387f-55fa-4ae1-8664-24f7b11c1daa" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="05492497-22d0-4dbf-97c0-fa6a71b3b7de" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span> and Noah! The family <i>you </i>stole from me, you evil whore!"
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="06307cd3-2556-4297-8e3a-e877297aff5b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="98ccaa50-25f3-4c0d-b36b-dda6f70ed8ab" grcontextid="she:0">she</span> shrieked <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="182a4b20-fdf5-4353-9330-d9ed16483251" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="98ccaa50-25f3-4c0d-b36b-dda6f70ed8ab" grcontextid="manically:1">manically</span> at me, her words lanced with poisonous venom. That was
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="17d1de11-ba8f-4ebf-9bdd-072c43e22c7c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="03aedb11-8ef2-4a5e-9956-33b0af276015" grcontextid="when:0">when</span> I <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4201eec7-45f2-4d80-ab7b-3dfd42bf9674" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="03aedb11-8ef2-4a5e-9956-33b0af276015" grcontextid="realised:1">realised</span>; Sulpicia's dark soul did not reside in the small crop haired
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ac47249f-0d83-419f-954c-354d7cd79510" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ec93a599-4c5c-4910-80a1-a48e0d589022" grcontextid="violet:0">violet</span> eyed girl who stood confidently in front of us. No, the evil witch's
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5df4889f-ce74-4274-880c-66eff0ab444b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3819b677-0e06-42a3-9850-e4a84ecaf5d1" grcontextid="soul:0">soul</span> now lay within Athenodora, and it appeared that she had taken over her
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d5f72a8d-7086-4ec2-a93e-836ad057455b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="55a80eb2-a880-4eb8-acc4-5b31b0d6cc88" grcontextid="host:0">host</span> completely! I felt a thunderbolt of fear hit me and I had to resist <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1f015ae2-4879-48d9-bc64-47045888d921" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="55b068c8-4132-44ba-9d0f-b774cf1d5e6e" grcontextid="my:0">my</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5d33ffd1-c815-4cbe-8321-f539292e47e1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="752fc53f-9625-41e6-8582-19a7cb9cf870" grcontextid="natural:0">natural</span> urge to flee. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="42813419-e813-4608-a673-6ffd3e13ada5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="aacaad4f-c1a9-41d0-abcf-0f8117134456" grcontextid="Aro held:0">Aro held</span> onto me tightly, whilst Noah stared hatefully at
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d5edf6d8-302e-4bf0-ad8e-aa1ad21fc78a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="99d9ac2c-384b-4d4c-aea2-beb66010ca77" grcontextid="both:0">both</span> the figures before us. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Lilith suddenly
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="cf848370-5c4e-46e8-896e-0574743c9224" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="75078e92-519e-4e59-be91-61382841c769" grcontextid="spoke:0">spoke</span>, her voice surprisingly quiet and soft, "Sulpicia, you cannot stop
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0bf5501d-30a3-4c45-ad55-7f1da96f2b6c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="14537b72-a026-4e8f-8e5b-83885a081e61" grcontextid="me:0">me</span>. You have made my task easier. I can now rid the world of both you and
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="53445a6b-e477-4178-ae43-b1532c2ed94c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2d5cd209-f601-4833-a7fb-bf17441a86e5" grcontextid="Athenodora:0">Athenodora</span> in one fell swoop!" she announced with a small smile. The two
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="bb3a2e06-bc73-482c-b7ac-d5bda9bfa859" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="978f6079-9fa8-41f1-b92a-bae5404ed867" grcontextid="ancient:0">ancient</span> entities flew at each other, snarling and swirling together in a
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="08ef3bb2-8530-4f37-af90-d5247576533a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9a431971-da22-4c02-82b0-2b9dd9292561" grcontextid="violent:0">violent</span> clash. I held an arm protectively and instinctively in front of Noah as
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="501c29ed-7dcd-4dab-b08d-1c4ead0e8179" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="adcc7e5b-5366-41a0-aa77-c30bf3e60ce5" grcontextid="we:0">we</span> watched the pair fight. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My sharp vision
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="84399ab7-454f-475d-a778-b2f85bc3293e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fd606392-496f-4d94-a0cf-f7c14b0b05ae" grcontextid="picked:0">picked</span> up movement to my right so I tore my eyes away from the bloody battle. I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2e812a74-cdf7-4b26-b752-d99b831fbe4e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="cbb08a75-2000-4f43-9088-2e60dd549167" grcontextid="didn't:0">didn't</span> expect to see Edward and Bella return to the scene! Edward looked
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="007172f7-c338-404e-82bc-7ffced948a8e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="97c4d42f-0dc1-4a8e-ae03-e226f8d5e10f" grcontextid="annoyed:0">annoyed</span>, I guessed Bella had forced him to bring her back. "Stop!"
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c37c4aa1-4c99-45f5-aad0-70fd1cd78515" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bca7e3e0-7ea7-416e-be4b-085c183f4728" grcontextid="shrieked:0">shrieked</span> Bella in a commanding voice. I had known she wasn't a mere mortal the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2dd6b392-ee60-48ab-a28e-8c2c96179629" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="61085370-e939-46bd-81f0-79321c60cc19" grcontextid="first:0">first</span> time I had set eyes on her. Now, she was proving it to be so. The two
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3eca32ac-c152-43d9-8810-614715be0615" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5a432a98-e321-4b6a-a36a-d7833de59647" grcontextid="figures:0">figures</span> appeared to obey her command as the fight ended and they both crashed
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2cada864-810e-430c-b8ba-2002e7e0015e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3cfa66ff-c5b9-409c-a7e7-f5b8f3e6642f" grcontextid="to:0">to</span> the ground. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f2590829-c128-4a69-9a4d-d0060f553f51" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1e3a413c-4e1a-469b-bb4b-247ad2dcd982" grcontextid="Athenodora's head:0">Athenodora's head</span> had been severed and there was pain and shock
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="65f5e174-e0c2-477c-9597-2850d07d1847" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="383d7ffa-c949-461b-ae52-001c0830f4ca" grcontextid="shining:0">shining</span> through her scarlet eyes. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Lilith, the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5054b063-3ed8-41ed-971f-e38edb47d8fc" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e5826fc4-402e-477f-bde1-2ae47f0012f6" grcontextid="conqueror:0">conqueror</span>, the dark one showed no remorse nor emotion as she clapped her hands
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2c76e0ec-487a-4a90-b03a-2fcc7dc38f78" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="24d34626-54b0-4a80-ac36-1322ce52c939" grcontextid="together:0">together</span> creating a blue flame which shone brightly against the white snow. She
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2b738690-d6c7-4633-8e92-4d4dbfc549d3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5848a67f-1fd7-49cd-8b12-6ae98e247609" grcontextid="flung:0">flung</span> the flame down onto Athenodora's ruined body which instantly caught fire.
I thought I heard a scream ripple through the canyon. <i><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0bd8e74e-c160-4709-abdf-6249f2319b5f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="abe81de4-fee4-4066-a795-45617d5ec660" grcontextid="Sulpicia:0">Sulpicia</span>. </i>Could it
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c6db4ffa-b210-4b5d-9e94-be4f5ec18cb0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="038d2c64-65b4-4611-9e14-ca175af6e995" grcontextid="be:0">be</span>? Had the evil witch gone for good? I prayed it was true! Lilith turned her
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e559d881-86ad-49bd-a222-38d141be91d0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="247f3851-d09d-4043-81ea-16ebdb800634" grcontextid="luminous:0">luminous</span> eyes towards Bella, her smile benign and serene. "Circe, you know
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="647f806d-2857-4dd4-a331-7b9d9bfdb4f5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="08d11671-a347-4c46-92d7-f91eb4c6d929" grcontextid="what:0">what</span> you must do". </span></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Bella nodded and smiled back, as if they shared a
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="14a3a05d-05e2-4632-afe2-9246c403172f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="cb751bfe-adef-4c4c-894e-f550d58086e7" grcontextid="secret:0">secret</span> together. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e4220003-cedb-484c-be38-2f07a7178cfb" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="95e7237f-6ae6-44c0-8823-b64934cb3585" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span> held Noah and <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b2a47ff0-97e8-4b1c-957c-be9ba39b1efc" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="95e7237f-6ae6-44c0-8823-b64934cb3585" grcontextid="I:1">I</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f8e7e688-cb06-4e6a-b6cb-0d6e64291742" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="dabc9fba-c6a4-4c2d-8fe5-7a16800bf3d5" grcontextid="tightly:0">tightly</span>, his relief that his family were safe evident in his beautiful marble
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="bf2dc6ed-a35c-469a-873e-e5ba8b3fcf93" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="50058358-1a72-4b7f-bb15-8c85338dc3ba" grcontextid="face:0">face</span>. The Cullen’s were also rejoicing behind us. Edward suddenly stiffened in
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c18345c9-61df-4f97-9c74-bd9f9a92fd94" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f95a8b2b-0abf-4304-be2e-77ea7f908c2d" grcontextid="shock:0">shock</span> beside Bella and I heard Alice gasp again. What was going on now? My
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c934e789-ac32-49e9-90d6-94a277aedbe4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0f4c37e8-d92c-48cd-a475-d331ed266736" grcontextid="question:0">question</span> was swiftly answered as Bella Swan drove a sharp wooden stake straight
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e0251283-bd0d-46c4-a6b2-afa6ec13de20" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a00acb25-f711-4d1b-b06e-e57fba4d76a7" grcontextid="through:0">through</span> Lilith's chest. The maker of vampires, the bringer of death and chaos
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9cbb6a82-297e-49a6-89b7-9f1de3cc3f5e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a71af751-b29f-4ce4-9763-511fcb6e31f1" grcontextid="looked:0">looked</span> nothing more than a fragile girl as she fell to the snowy ground. Red
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2000ac4b-2acb-4acf-837c-1d5e791ec523" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c8327d90-aea9-4856-80d1-efffb043ac48" grcontextid="thick:0">thick</span> blood flowed from her like a river. Surely only the host would die? Why
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d533de5c-2911-48c4-bb27-3c32e1f081a8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="cb76fad9-6b13-4e5e-99ec-19ec01fd4098" grcontextid="would:0">would</span> Bella kill her? I was confused, as the rest of my family <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="11031eb0-ecea-4e93-9cfd-9e96fa82e053" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7bdaf228-c497-4bb6-8e00-18adee7398fb" grcontextid="were judging:0">were judging</span> by
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="41c20303-a8f5-4a47-9225-485c83b86692" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ac8ece2c-b22b-4945-a724-85e7deac1a66" grcontextid="the:0">the</span> shocked looks and complete silence. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"As you
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0d86be15-3ba0-41ce-b1e7-04135eee74c8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5da2b5bc-3c95-4314-bd98-23741af471b9" grcontextid="requested:0">requested</span> my dearest Lilith, a stake fashioned from white oak, the only weapon
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b9c23009-e5d3-4877-95c4-91475640698e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6b566170-fb90-4ce2-bdc0-4742441f8154" grcontextid="which:0">which</span> could destroy you. I take no pleasure from your death, you were the dark
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b633f29e-ae94-4f16-9420-abdaf206a3d8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0cbb629a-d58f-40d8-8c66-91642749f65e" grcontextid="to:0">to</span> my light, the night to my day. We needed each other. But that time is at an
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8e6329f1-0291-4608-8bfc-4272ac4ab610" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="609a361f-4bc2-448b-be67-fb011a06e22f" grcontextid="end:0">end</span>; <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="35275aca-f2d4-4598-9fc3-f5c6d4209edd" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="609a361f-4bc2-448b-be67-fb011a06e22f" grcontextid="for:1">for</span> the beginning of evil, the seed of human destruction has been
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="bd5a3fd7-c490-4a86-9a78-3d0ce5faaec2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="909f6cff-7a0b-4d54-9f82-63bdc195c0e5" grcontextid="destroyed:0">destroyed</span>. You know this, you desired this, and you knew it was finally time
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ec703a87-99c6-4dcc-90d2-6781b059900e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e0b51dbc-1c73-4991-8396-3e7793e5f29e" grcontextid="for:0">for</span> you to be at peace. Yahweh wants you to return home, fly away little bird,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="bebe7a82-d0d7-4af6-a47a-dbcbd5ff1237" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e88ced08-d3bc-499c-beba-148b9181ef94" grcontextid="fly:0">fly</span> away!" Circe spoke eloquently through Bella as she flung her arms
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8ec0f739-6d33-4472-88b4-0663c19f8017" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4cea7cf6-caec-4fc6-9c39-7caa4b1df37d" grcontextid="towards:0">towards</span> the ice blue sky. Snowflakes fell onto her upturned beatific face, she
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ddd05f72-df49-4b45-810c-9846a6e4682c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="711ad88b-649f-48c2-97a9-1d8b18b9fb01" grcontextid="was:0">was</span> elevated from <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="37fb801a-5ccd-4b12-87e5-4c089a8084e4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="711ad88b-649f-48c2-97a9-1d8b18b9fb01" grcontextid="extra ordinary:1">extra ordinary</span> to supreme <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="abc45296-e4ca-419a-9fa6-b6ce5474f717" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="711ad88b-649f-48c2-97a9-1d8b18b9fb01" grcontextid="in:2">in</span> that moment. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We all stared at her
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="28e96b80-088f-41e7-91c6-06a99825d449" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="96141a17-6e21-4ac1-85ba-0ca600170bd5" grcontextid="in:0">in</span> complete wonderment. We marveled as she sent the pure spirit flying upwards
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="929c32bf-580c-4fb3-9a7f-429ecd8ecfea" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8137af36-010d-46f1-bb08-4318bb27f9bd" grcontextid="through:0">through</span> the snow; the rainbow <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6ed39415-a051-4139-9cef-dedc02c58935" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8137af36-010d-46f1-bb08-4318bb27f9bd" grcontextid="colours:1">colours</span> bright and true as Lilith slowly
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fd0ad673-5736-4645-a1b7-087b7bb86a6a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="cb866337-64e0-420e-8b4f-de972fc4f459" grcontextid="disappeared:0">disappeared</span> from view. The unassuming body which she had taken over now lay
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4ac9a92d-c719-4872-bfe0-f1ea8e1273fd" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6db52040-f470-4af5-b8f8-2d6fb5bb00f0" grcontextid="lifeless:0">lifeless</span> upon the ground. I wondered who she had really been. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="40c38c48-a1e0-4d7b-ae9c-b99c0a4da60a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="60c9eb98-06c0-4d1b-895f-5e35184eced7" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span> and I smiled
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d7d48001-2522-427d-816c-71b3f1c57cca" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0b96c89f-0ee2-4d9a-9cc0-985704b19b37" grcontextid="wide:0">wide</span> beaming smiles at each other; how I loved him! Edward scooped a now
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a7df990d-d402-4881-91d0-ae427239831e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="382871f1-fdef-477e-9d1f-6f1fd12ec07f" grcontextid="bewildered:0">bewildered</span> looking Bella up into his arms. </span></span><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 32px;">The Cullen’s embraced each other tightly. We swiftly made our way off the Cascades and back down into familiar territory. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6fe959ac-49c3-4e9a-b527-8fd526e95f13" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c1826ecc-acad-4895-b53c-24abd7775a40" grcontextid="Home:0">Home</span> had never looked so good! We were safe! </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 32px;">Or so we thought.......</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 32px;"><i>The darkness fell quickly over my eyes and I fell into a black pit of utter emptiness, spiraling, spinning into complete nothingness.</i></span></span><br />
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<u><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Chapter Seventeen</span></u><br />
<u><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></u>
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">BELLA'S POV:</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">All the vampires fell to the ground around me as I stood in the Cullen's lush garden. They dropped like stones, their strong bodies becoming weak and fragile, and their alluring amber eyes closing against the twilight sky. Well, red eyes in Noah's case. I howled in anguish as Edward's hand slipped from mine and he fell onto the green soft carpet of grass. What was happening? We had escaped the mountains, secure in our victory, now this? I tore at my hair as I looked around in panic at the fallen vampires around me.</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A voice seemed to talk to me from deep within my brain. <i>"Do not be afraid. Go to Edward, touch his skin, stroke his hair", </i>it whispered insistently. I dropped down onto my knees beside my true love. I brought my hands to his bronzed hair and stroked his head gently. I let my fingers glide over the smooth skin of his perfectly sculptured cheek. To my astonishment his pale skin was slightly warm. His face appeared not white but peachy and alive. With pure instinct driving me (Or was it Circe again?) I reached out my index and forefinger to feel his neck. There was a definite faint throbbing there, a bluish vein pulsing against my skin. <i>A pulse..........</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">How could this be? I gazed around at the others in disbelief. Some of the Cullen's were beginning to stir from their forced slumber. I gasped at the rose blush of their skin, the slowness of their limbs, and the fragility of their being. My attention came back to Edward, he had opened his eyes and was staring directly into mine. Eyes which had once been a beautiful amber were now emerald green against the pinkness of his skin. He inhaled air into his lungs and I swear I heard his heart beating through the black leather jacket he wore so well. </span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I felt tears pour from me relentlessly, like a river they flowed as I gazed at the perfect smile of my one true love. My Edward, my vampire was no more. My love for him was stronger than ever as I gazed into his smiling face with pure love. <i>"Hey Bella,</i>” he whispered. </span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<i><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Against all odds, without rhyme nor reason, my Edward was human once more.</span></i><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<u><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Epilogue</span></u><br />
<u><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></u>
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Isabella Swan gazes lovingly at Edward Cullen as they take their vows of marriage. Now they were the same, now "til death do us part" had meaning and depth. They would grow old together, they would leave this human realm one day and be reunited in the heavenly plane. Now they were the same species. Edward couldn't have wished for more, he never ever wanted his beloved Bella to become Immortal like he was. </span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Amazingly the death of Lilith, the ultimate Mother of the undead had caused the end of vampires. They didn't succumb to the true death though, instead they became flesh and bone once more, and they became <i>human.</i> It was unbelievable but so very true. Bella and Edward had a long happy mortal life ahead of them which <i>would</i> include offspring and the complete joy of togetherness. It <i>would</i> end in death, as all humans faced, but they would meet again. Of this they were sure, they would see each other again on the other side. Love would never die.</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Victoria and Aro with their son Noah stand together in the church, happy smiles on their faces. Aro bends to kiss Victoria sweetly on her ruby lips. They had lived and loved for centuries together, now they finally got to live out the rest of their existence as human. Noah would grow and thrive as he was meant to do. They would grow old together and their bodies would perish as it was meant to be. Then they would meet again as pure souls. It was their happy ending. </span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Cullen's are all ecstatic that their youngest has found true love in his beautiful new bride. They have their own special mates to help them through the transition. So strange to once be hard and immortal, now they were fragile and human. But how much had they gained? Time would tell. They had a lifetime to adjust to this wonderful precious new world. Love embraced this small church and bathed it in a golden glow as the family celebrated the marriage. </span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Out into the morning sunshine, rainbows glittering in the puddles of rain last night's storm left behind. No diamond sparkling cold white skin now but rosy glows and warm smiling embraces. No one questioned it too closely. Lilith was right, Yahweh decided these things and sometimes it was best to just accept the changes with open arms. Embrace the future which lay in front of them. </span><br />
<i><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Life was an inferno burning brightly in us all, raging through us with an eternal flame. Even when our bodies wither and die, our souls remain and live on. Little flame's burn the longest and brightest of all. </span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">THE END</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Footnote: Across the continents far away from the American changelings, the scene was very much different in Italy. The Volturi fought each other as they struggled to come to terms with their new found humanity. Someone, perhaps it was the mad old ex priest whom Athenodora once adored, that took a match and struck it with evil intent to destroy himself and the whole coven with fire. The raging inferno had burned for days and when it was finally done, no trace could be found of the ones who once dwelled below the ancient city of Volterra. </span></i><br />
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<br />
There was peace, finally. <br />
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<span class="GingerNoCheckEnd"></span><span class="GingerNoCheckEnd"></span><span class="GingerNoCheckEnd"></span><span class="GingerNoCheckEnd"></span><span class="GingerNoCheckEnd"></span><span class="GingerNoCheckEnd"></span><span class="GingerNoCheckEnd"></span><span class="GingerNoCheckEnd"></span><span class="GingerNoCheckEnd"></span><span class="GingerNoCheckEnd"></span><span class="GingerNoCheckEnd"></span><span class="GingerNoCheckEnd"></span><span class="GingerNoCheckEnd"></span><span class="GingerNoCheckEnd"></span><span class="GingerNoCheckEnd"></span><span class="GingerNoCheckEnd"></span>kizzymousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12571803064369765958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5913310249853994600.post-55762025561876881502012-07-30T13:48:00.001+01:002015-09-24T14:32:38.211+01:00LITTLE FLAME<br />
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<span class="GingerNoCheckStart"></span><span class="GingerNoCheckStart"></span>Title: <b>LITTLE FLAME</b><br />
Category: Books » Twilight<br />
Author: <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="kizzymouse:0" grmarkguid="67c8d41c-8626-40f6-b995-17994760526c" gruiphraseguid="0d16b9f7-5d80-40db-a5ab-501f81e740ca"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="df35022a-4729-42d4-8d33-c06431666d83" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5bd7c517-f87d-4895-90fe-1b5829333b00" grcontextid="kizzymouse:0">kizzymouse</span></span><br />
Language: English, Rating: Rated: T<br />
Genre: Horror/Supernatural<br />
Published: 07-29-12, Updated: 10-23-12<br />
Chapters: 29, Words: 59,456</div>
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<i>I often wondered where Victoria had come from, how she became a vampire, who she was? So I decided to write my own story featuring the <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d9a2f282-65df-4656-80d3-5762fcca7109" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bacd4291-f8d0-48cb-b463-96d5f7404a78" grcontextid="red-head:0">red-head</span> vampire based on Stephenie's characters with a few of my own thrown in the mix. Here is my perspective on Victoria.........................</i></div>
<i><br /></i>
<i>A/N: I often use the Twilight Wiki site for information and inspiration as well as Stephenie Meyer's Twilight Saga plus my own imagination too. This story will possibly turn into <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Alternative Universe:0" grmarkguid="600de666-913a-47c3-9ee3-6d57ec23851e" gruiphraseguid="9a28140a-f7a9-4b75-85a9-84947a82eafa"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0a8fb0e5-628d-43ed-92af-66e84d3acad9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c7b7420b-02f5-44b7-8f1a-dc3efe941dcc" grcontextid="Alternative Universe:0">Alternative Universe</span></span> if and when I decide it will! Obviously no one <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="has told:0" grmarkguid="8548c60d-c318-48a8-bde6-fe5420bace5f" gruiphraseguid="7f6a8267-5ca8-4a08-87cd-d08920dfc3f9"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="257a644f-d8ba-4f0d-b2a9-f4d1d70e3d05" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="eb980bde-4c0e-4edc-bc95-6bc76c7e6f67" grcontextid="has told:0">has told</span></span> Victoria's story up until she was with James - so if I decide to change anything about SM's stories I will let you know in advance by marking the chapter or paragraph as A/U! So, that's my references covered, I will add more if needs be, Thanks for reading my stories.</i><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">LITTLE FLAME</span></b><br />
<i><u>Prologue</u></i><br />
<i>The year was 1349. The Black Death had arrived in the town of London. The dirty streets became deserted as people hid themselves away or succumbed to the Grim Reaper. This was medieval life in the 14</i><i>th </i><i>century. I was the daughter of a wealthy cloth merchant called Jeremiah Taylor. My name was Victoria. I was named after the Roman Goddess of victory. I was eighteen years old and my darling little sister Elizabeth was my best friend and confidante. She was six years my junior. My Mother and Father had arranged a marriage for me to an equally wealthy young man whose family was in construction. There <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="was:0" grmarkguid="db6ef244-e133-4825-8639-672d2f3983c5" gruiphraseguid="b2889b37-7f41-4509-9942-b95a63034fe1"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="cf71dc6c-0d18-4028-bcc4-47972dfab42d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="11e0239b-c6ba-4d9a-8ecc-0466358b7da4" grcontextid="was:0">was</span></span> unrest and disease in the city. My heart was filled with fear at the thought of leaving my family for a new life with my soon to be husband. Little did I know my life as I knew it was about to change utterly and indescribably. The plague had killed thousands upon thousands of people; my family was spared the horror as we lived in luxury compared to most Londoners. How was I supposed to know what other horrors lurked in the shadows waiting to pounce, waiting to destroy my family and life as I knew it?</i><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<b>PART ONE: THE AWAKENING</b><br />
<u>CHAPTER ONE</u><br />
I brushed my tangled fiery red hair vigorously with anger and betrayal running through my veins. My unruly curls would not succumb to my frenzied brushing and my hair made a static red halo around my head. My Father had set up a meeting with my betrothed and his parents today. Yes, Benedict Brickenden was a handsome and intelligent young man, but I didn't want to become his wife and bear his children. I wanted to be <i>someone. </i>I wanted to make a difference in the world. Instead I was to become a dutiful wife and help out in his Father's construction business which would become his and mine one day. I would hopefully have sons who would carry his name and carry on the family business. This was all expected of me. I didn't want to disobey or disappoint my Father, but inside I was dying to just be myself, not what other's expected me to be. In the fourteenth century women did not think for themselves, we were supposed to obey our elders, obey our husband's and carry out our duties in all areas to perfection.<br />
My darling sister Lizzie (as I called her) would be expected to do the same in a few years. For now she was still a child. Lucky Lizzie. I loved my little sister so much. She was a ray of sunshine in these dark times. She called me "little flame" due to my bright red curly hair. She said I would set the world alight one day. I hoped she was right. I gazed at my reflection in the mirror with a petulant scowl. It was time to face Benedict and his overbearing fat Mother. His Father was pencil thin with a drooping <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="moustache:0" grmarkguid="2938e9e3-0bc8-467b-97d8-e89db9ebe838" gruiphraseguid="bbe487ba-493b-4ac2-b3e4-ca3fd4c80dab"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b4341b11-b637-4d79-89ee-e1edccd5062b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9a68993a-c852-4131-9174-a7eae3fa8203" grcontextid="moustache:0">moustache</span></span> which gave him a permanent sad expression. Their son was pleasing to look at and he was clever but he was oh so dull. I had absolutely nothing in common with him. That didn't matter to my Father though; the Brickendens were an upstanding and wealthy family. No one cared what I thought. Why should they?<br />
I made my way downstairs to greet my future husband and in laws. Maybe death by plague would be better than this? I chided myself for having such dark thoughts. The Black Death was an unforgiving terrible disease which had ravaged Europe for a year now. <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Rumour:0" grmarkguid="b10117e2-8dc0-4bdf-a98c-b0409e847785" gruiphraseguid="7bde48fe-717a-4521-84fe-25d73245f360"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="40e13106-d8f1-43ab-a70f-93886d2ae200" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7b2c9c8c-2f50-42d1-8f22-51fd1b2ea2ef" grcontextid="Rumour:0">Rumour</span></span> has it that it originated in China and made its way by ship down the Silk Road. It relentlessly halved London's population in a year. <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Father:0" grmarkguid="f444bbe2-fb8f-4b02-a308-431025d90408" gruiphraseguid="458fe9db-5389-493b-973f-091591183cbb"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="308a3e02-34db-4e2d-9b1d-56695e2efc25" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d06df704-2fde-4fff-890a-7855773fa6bf" grcontextid="Father:0">Father</span></span> had made plans for us to travel soon if things got worse. Of course he wanted me <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="married:0" grmarkguid="64fac5ab-2883-4ee7-a3d8-02ed6a8cb28f" gruiphraseguid="f21167ea-2b32-4e5b-a513-ed496ae862e6"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="194ecc52-a1c2-4754-b01c-5d0a8c522826" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d4acc639-acf3-4345-971a-8ec13de2ede6" grcontextid="married:0">married</span></span> off first. I rolled my eyes and sighed heavily as I made my way into our <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="parlour:0" grmarkguid="d4f46438-f340-4612-b087-71df784f6fcd" gruiphraseguid="94096d92-c94c-4169-bf04-8c741b79b2c6"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7f99d385-c6bb-4fd1-b714-89160c385006" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8cf2f73f-e058-449e-b3b8-c951687ce076" grcontextid="parlour:0">parlour</span></span>. Benedict quickly stood up and bowed with a flourish as I entered the room, his floppy brown hair falling into his blue eyes. I curtsied politely as he brushed his lips chastely against my outstretched hand. My Father and Mother observed my every move, whilst my <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="future:0" grmarkguid="f37c6488-2cd2-4099-819d-57209ac65b60" gruiphraseguid="0cc492c2-bfed-40c8-91de-b5970c7497d2"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c60463dc-fa92-4007-9b72-773566d952b5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6bd17031-104b-4ffc-9b12-d2136556d3b1" grcontextid="future:0">future</span></span> in laws smiled politely. I wanted to scream. Lizzie winked cheekily at me from behind our buxom maid Florrie.<br />
We lived <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="296ddf03-e8c3-4ab5-8b50-7655a0069f9e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fe20aa3f-0761-412c-b042-1926402bea7c" grcontextid="on:0">on</span> <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1a68126e-5588-4100-9157-047ce88b304e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="734dda2b-291d-4d6b-8f7c-671b7f1b8d99" grcontextid="Thread NNeedle Street:0">Thread Needle Street</span>, obviously. All the cloth merchants and tailors lived here. Our house was luxurious compared to most of the London city dwellers. I believe this was the main reason why the events of that day: October 22nd 1349 happened. I believe that the plague ravaged underclass were jealous and enraged at our superior position in society. We were enjoying afternoon tea, served by our loyal maid Florrie. Benedict was gazing shyly at me through his long fringe, his blue eyes assessing my face and my slim figure which was shown off to perfection in an emerald silk dress. Green complimented my red hair, so my Mother said. Who would have expected three filthy diseased ridden men to burst into the sanctity of our middle class home?<br />
They defiled us with their words; they hurt us with their fists and feet. They killed our men with knives, stabbing into their hearts with deadly surprise and intent. Then they turned their attention to the females in the room. My Mother and Mother in law to be were quickly dispatched with a cold precise blade. Poor Florrie was next. Then attentions turned to me and my sister. I finally found my voice and I screamed in protest and horror as their dirty hands grabbed my precious Lizzie. I flailed my useless limbs at their brute strength but strong hands held me down as I watched my sister be defiled by them. I cried and screamed in protest but I could not escape the strong arms which pinned me down. Cruel laughter rang in my ears as I struggled to be free. I screamed in pure unadulterated anguish as the monsters ran their blade into my angelic sister's pure and loving heart. Her deep violet eyes pleaded with me to save her as her sweet life ebbed away before me. Her once lustrous blonde hair lay in a tangled untidy mess around her poor deathly pale face.<br />
My scream echoed painfully around this room of blood and death. One of the men grabbed my hair roughly from behind so I fell backwards against him. I felt his fetid warm breath on my cold cold skin as he licked my face in a lascivious manner. His hands worked their way under my dress; his fingers roughly invaded me in a most improper way. Bitter salty tears of pain and shame tracked down my face. I shut my eyes as I tried to block out the horror of this reality. I took my secret self away <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="into:0" grmarkguid="48a020d5-64b9-4a83-85b5-d12cfa276253" gruiphraseguid="5ff7ac78-d43c-459e-91a4-dd36aeca6c5d"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="533b9f3b-3615-421c-ae5c-a81e97fca962" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ac0641e7-1bfe-49ec-b9ed-b5783b7cf643" grcontextid="into:0">into</span></span> a dark quiet room in my mind to hide away as the men all took turns to abuse me. It was horrific and it was degrading. My family and the Brickendens lay all around me; dead and lifeless, their life blood seeping from their veins onto our <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="parlour:0" grmarkguid="510543a4-4ffa-44a0-80ff-c1672c2a3c7e" gruiphraseguid="6524e230-3453-47ee-980c-fada8ea1163c"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ee0917dd-60c8-4db5-8537-315e0a21fb69" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="689d01bc-9f41-41db-a23e-4c6077428f8f" grcontextid="parlour:0">parlour</span></span> floor. My hair was sticky with their spilled blood. My body was torn and ravaged. My mind was broken and bowed.<br />
The last man to leave laughed as he slid the cool metal blade into my chest. He was careless. He missed my heart. I dragged my poor abused body away from the horrors of the <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="parlour:0" grmarkguid="4b31ce9e-2b73-4421-881f-31517a46cd41" gruiphraseguid="7ebd9780-3244-45f1-8a99-b230c4124d77"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3005584a-d654-456f-932a-67706370550a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c23e2274-1ba5-40ae-961b-278ea44c1830" grcontextid="parlour:0">parlour</span></span>. I managed to stagger out <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="onto:0" grmarkguid="dfeda061-474f-452d-8979-c6374ada776e" gruiphraseguid="c8cd061c-2650-4549-88fe-c78bc55f64b2"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="73f01a4b-a449-44eb-903c-e03600392365" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c70e26de-a9ff-4cb9-b1ea-ddd2f2519d53" grcontextid="onto:0">onto</span></span> <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Thread Needle Street:1" grmarkguid="e9fc4801-25b2-4dbc-89b3-bb3032fde1b1" gruiphraseguid="c8cd061c-2650-4549-88fe-c78bc55f64b2"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b0e9a96b-03d9-4d57-ae47-4c80d87be28a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c70e26de-a9ff-4cb9-b1ea-ddd2f2519d53" grcontextid="Thread Needle Street:1">Thread Needle Street</span></span>, but I took a wrong turn and I ended up on Poultry. It was dirty and polluted. Prostitutes and criminals rubbed shoulders with the lower class. I blindly ran along the down trodden streets my breathing ragged and my wounded side hurting madly. I did not know where I was going or what I was doing. I just knew I had to escape. My wound slowed me down with its incessant throbbing and bleeding. I stopped in a narrow dark alleyway to catch my breath. I knew I should still the bleeding but I couldn't remember how to. I gasped fearfully as the shadows of the evening closed in. My mind was jumbled and confused from shock and blood loss. The walls seemed to close in on me as I succumbed to the cold wet cobbles.<br />
I drifted in and out of consciousness, fleeting images flowing past my closed eyes. I think I wished for Death. I felt strong hard arms encircle me and carry me away from the narrow street. I briefly came to and opened my eyes. I was in a room, it was lit with candles, it was cold and it was dark. I heard rustling, then I felt a presence close to me, its aura was positively terrifying. I gasped aloud in fear as I felt cold long fingers brush my cheek and trail down my neck to my collarbone. <i>Not again, </i>I prayed. The thing sighed and its cold as the grave lips grazed my hair and cheek as I tensed in fear under its scrutiny.<br />
<i>"Interesting scent young one," </i>it whispered against my hair.<br />
I felt the presence leave me and suddenly the lamps were lit and I gazed into scarlet red eyes. His face was pale and young, but his eyes betrayed his age. Frighteningly red and very old. I gasped in shock as he pinned me with his intent gaze.<br />
<i>"I am Aro," he rasped.</i><br />
<hr size="1" />
<b>Chapter 2: Chapter 2</b><br />
<hr size="1" />
<u>CHAPTER TWO</u><br />
I couldn't tear my horrified gaze away from those scarlet eyes as he pinned me with his intense stare. His face was deathly white and his black hair was long and straight. He had fine sculptured features, but oh he was frightening! He stared at me with fascination and something else. <i>Hunger. </i>He smiled benignly at me as he lightly dragged one long fingernail down my clammy pale cheek.<br />
"You are quite beautiful," he said in a deep throaty voice.<br />
Fear tightened around my chest in a vise like grip, making me gasp. I had forgotten about the knife wound in my side for now. My whole universe had suddenly shrunk to this one truly horrific moment in time.<br />
"I think a young lady like you would make an ideal addition to my coven," he rasped with a gleeful smile. Coven?<i> What?</i><br />
I felt sheer panic and self-preservation rise in my rapidly beating heart at last. I screamed loudly as I pummelled my small ineffective fists against his hard as marble chest. What was he? Certainly not human!<br />
"<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Shhh:0" grmarkguid="2735756c-02d2-4a1a-97e7-4ec923b799d6" gruiphraseguid="c06a19d9-1880-4c5c-9cfa-80567835e95d"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ffa60d96-c7dd-4aba-a3fb-6c39fe75c84b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8ceb5b78-24cf-4c71-ad59-e9ba7cad1246" grcontextid="Shhh:0">Shhh</span></span> my dearest," he whispered as he held my hands in his. "I am a vampire, sweet girl. A very powerful vampire, created by the original one who was created in mysterious circumstances. No one knows who he is or where he came from or who indeed changed him! But he chose me! I became Immortal in 1200 and have led my coven, The Volturi since 1212. My maker was the same vampire who supposedly turned the other two Volturi leaders, Marcus and Caius. He was very old and very powerful once upon a time, but when he found me that fateful night he was weakened and desperate for someone to continue <span class="GRnoSuggestion GRcorrect" grcontextid="vampirism:0" grmarkguid="ef2d3ce4-41b0-44ba-baf2-6eb411e493a5" gruiphraseguid="32f52c6c-f393-4af2-9be6-5b9ff32051f1"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="771c7db7-923b-45b1-9bb0-1b42399236aa" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d56b77a1-2ebf-42ff-a431-dfff4d395a0e" grcontextid="vampirism:0">vampirism</span></span>. "<br />
He stopped his tirade to register my reaction. I just gaped at him in wonder. Such creatures existed in this world? <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="a39e5c9b-5f58-474b-83fd-7f9c689e6a68" gruiphraseguid="6a6e24d1-f3d3-4a1d-addc-5cda2ede9b7e"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8bf1f766-e4c1-4d7a-a063-1478162846f2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8835f15b-dab1-4846-aa42-9533d08aa658" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span> nodded and smiled as if he heard my thoughts. "Yes, I can read every thought you have ever had, my child," he boasted with a wicked grin.<br />
I did not have any energy to fight him; I was beginning to feel weak and dizzy. I guessed it was loss of blood and the shocks I had experienced in this most terrible of days.<br />
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="88163155-c18b-43c3-94de-980a773cf1b2" gruiphraseguid="f22758fc-0372-4f50-a618-7493e47c5318"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ce8ce244-8921-450d-978f-8994be700ac4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="264c7a4a-ff0a-4a5d-a1a8-21d744378079" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span> nodded again in agreement, "You are dying my beautiful one. You have lost blood, you are infected with the Black Death, your human life will end soon," he remarked with no trace of compassion.<br />
I shuddered against his chest where I was helplessly pinned. A solitaire tear tracked its way down my cheek. What did I care if Death should claim me? I had nothing left to live for.<br />
"On the contrary my dear I believe you will be a great asset to me. I will change you into one of us, naturally, " he said with a predatory smile playing over his thin ruby lips.<br />
I bucked and writhed with all my strength, but unfortunately I did not possess much anymore and the pitiful reserves I had at my disposal would never defeat this monster. "Me, Aro a monster? No, my sweet one. The men who defiled you and your sister were monsters. The animals who killed and robbed your family, they are the undesirables, not I. <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="b18ba6b8-2540-4f3f-968b-532b39727759" gruiphraseguid="808a995f-4508-41de-b60b-88a7d940ad81"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="666013c8-bbd4-46ba-828a-d0c5a490abad" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="cf9281c0-181e-4f31-a219-187c40f31b56" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span> can offer you power and strength beyond your wildest dreams my child! We will welcome you with open arms in Volterra; you will be our latest acquisition. So beautiful! So fiery! We will be your new family! " <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="he:0" grmarkguid="3cdcead8-b47b-4c69-b230-109c574351a0" gruiphraseguid="098171cd-fce9-43b7-9f23-d27f5918654b"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="00afc0ec-cc5e-429f-ae25-ee614e8e590e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ff120940-34a2-428b-84f5-dea3c9493c63" grcontextid="he:0">he</span></span> exclaimed joyfully.<br />
My heart clenched in terror. <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="986baa00-ba9b-4a68-80c9-c1c5f1894a41" gruiphraseguid="0678a18f-72d1-406a-b791-745df02d03a6"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="10a7cc71-adac-412f-82b9-6ef299f73779" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9af51882-3418-4145-985a-c54c0b3749d9" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span> smiled at me in a most devilishly angelic way. He was a mass of contradictions. Cruel yet compassionate. Evil but kind. Ugly yet beautiful.<br />
"What is your name precious one?" he inquired of me.<br />
I stubbornly shook my head in defiance, but his long fingers gripped my temples. "Little flame? Elizabeth called you this? He asked.<br />
I nodded, unable to put up any resistance now. I was fading fast. I thought of my Lizzie as my eyes became cloudy and I teetered on the edge of consciousness. Her violet eyes were always full of smiles when I had brushed her long blonde hair before bedtime.<br />
"Ah! You are Victoria! A most noble and beautiful name," he cried happily.<br />
I was losing all my senses one by one as I began to feel so light and insubstantial.<br />
"Yes, that's it my dearest Victoria. Drift into unconsciousness. You will not feel the sting of my bite nor the burning in your veins as my venom rushes in to replace your blood. You will die here tonight my sweetness, in this shabby place, but you will be reborn as a glorious vampire!" he crowed with delight.<br />
<i>I succumbed to the darkness gladly as Aro's eager mouth descended upon the pale exposed skin of my throat.</i><br />
<hr size="1" />
<b>Chapter 3: Chapter 3</b><br />
<hr size="1" />
<u>CHAPTER THREE</u><br />
Heat and pain. Fire and death. Time had no meaning. Then a cool calm descended. I opened my eyes to a brand new world. Everything leaped out at me in minute, glorious detail. I gazed around the room with awe. My eyes finally settled on Aro, who stood by the door hesitantly. I had found him terrifying and strange before, now he fascinated and beguiled me. His pale face was chiselled and perfect. His red eyes shone in the lamplight like rubies. His long black hair was like a raven's wing against his white skin, which was flawless. I was <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="mesmerised:0" grmarkguid="49371378-f758-4ac5-9132-5951e86d5492" gruiphraseguid="9b87b110-3452-4aff-92e8-9f023b40ef97"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f83e087c-f389-48d4-881f-3a91cce720ec" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="586c71d6-2663-4cc0-835c-f30e1c8b7779" grcontextid="mesmerised:0">mesmerised</span></span> by him. I wondered what it would be like to touch him. Before I could comprehend what had happened I was before him. I only had to think a movement and my new body performed it in an instant. I marvelled at my new strength and agility. I was graceful and lithe. I was like a coiled spring, waiting to pounce. I reached out to touch Aro's pale cheek with my finger. His skin was cold and smooth like marble. His red eyes softened slightly at my touch. I wanted to kiss him. So I did. He tasted of honey and spice. Most intoxicating.<br />
<span class="GRnoSuggestion GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="a6cb29c9-c71e-433e-9a9d-256e3c418a80" gruiphraseguid="50c35f35-6827-481d-9c20-6c94c5a35c42"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="191f2fa4-94a4-45d0-9fc0-c0b191a01a58" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5ca0378c-f00f-475c-8b64-b7d40341c953" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span> gently pushed me away from him. I sighed reluctantly. "Sweet Victoria, it is perfectly acceptable for you to have these feelings. I am your Maker, but we are not destined to be lovers. I will guide you and protect you my child. Come to the mirror now! You must observe yourself as a vampire. Most magnificent! I made the right choice," he boasted smugly.<br />
I stared and stared at the strange girl in the mirror. Her red hair was long and lustrous; it hung in long perfect waves over her shoulders. Her skin was luminous and flawless. She was simply beautiful. "<i>You </i>are beautiful. You must believe it Victoria. This is the new you; a perfect and strong vampire," Aro whispered against my hair as he breathed in my scent.<br />
Yes, it was<i> true</i>. I was a vampire. It was so strange not to need air, to not feel my chest rise and fall, to <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="realise:0" grmarkguid="505c76fd-4eaf-4863-9939-09047aa4c75c" gruiphraseguid="b2f93735-981b-4383-8489-7520de84fd12"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="37bea70f-7692-42a6-8589-13e609069a38" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="13161f20-87df-4e73-b5e9-18875017bb24" grcontextid="realise:0">realise</span></span> my heart was as still as a stone.<br />
"We must leave here, sweet child. You will soon feel an uncontrollable thirst for blood steal over you. It will consume you until you slake it. I will show you what to do, "Aro said sagely.<br />
I nodded, my eyes still riveted on the girl in the mirror. Was she really <i>me? </i>"You will also feel a terrible rage sweep over you. It will abate but you will have to abide it for a few months. Do not be frightened of it Victoria. Embrace it, for it is part of your <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="vampiric:0" grmarkguid="b7fc02aa-3a44-4519-a9c8-54663fdaaeb1" gruiphraseguid="1dedfaa9-dc6e-4a93-a964-aaf63beb1854"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6204d4f7-98f1-4b0e-b6cc-b0a0263ec8ad" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="27bef3dd-b39b-4e0c-917a-a6552d83cca2" grcontextid="vampiric:0">vampiric</span></span> nature," he added.<br />
I nodded again, still entranced by my reflection.<br />
<span class="GRnoSuggestion GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro's:0" grmarkguid="c2aace1b-4552-4483-a822-bf45ed26cf1b" gruiphraseguid="4ea7a52c-6e88-4f05-896d-2f557d48a543"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d1358554-5d34-45de-8c7d-8e5dcc23da5a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c2a07735-b3ee-4ea9-980f-9ac661ce533a" grcontextid="Aro's:0">Aro's</span></span> long white fingers reached out to curl a lock of my hair around his fist. He pulled on it slightly making me gasp with surprise. "Obey me and learn from me my child and we will make you a trusted and valued member of the Volturi," he whispered seductively in my ear, making my insides turn to jelly.<br />
I wasn't used to feeling sexual attraction. I was an inexperienced virgin. Those men hadn't taken their abuse that far, thankfully. I supposed my first time would have been with Benedict, although I hadn't thought about him at all in that way. I'd tried not to dwell on thoughts of our wedding night. But now I was feeling all my pent up sexuality ooze out from every pore. I was a vampire and I had all these new feelings and emotions. It was like I'd been set free.<br />
A small smile played over Aro's thin red lips, "Ah child you have so much more to discover!" he smirked knowingly. I wished I could kiss him again. Those feelings of heady desire and infatuation <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="were:0" grmarkguid="7465e46d-a8fb-4b22-84af-8a21d744ef40" gruiphraseguid="05461dc2-9a24-4018-bd1b-8fd166f50e53"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="aec1fc58-f78b-4369-b6da-b81f16de463c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="99191cd1-8292-45ef-926a-9ac144f03695" grcontextid="were:0">were</span></span> <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="addictive:1" grmarkguid="8a531ab7-1cc2-4e81-930c-3b0a5f1d48c6" gruiphraseguid="05461dc2-9a24-4018-bd1b-8fd166f50e53"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="08073562-9ca6-4e18-af25-7900308314e7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="99191cd1-8292-45ef-926a-9ac144f03695" grcontextid="addictive:1">addictive</span></span> to me already.<br />
<span class="GRnoSuggestion GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="48f38e3a-cb91-4ce9-ba16-88b3481f0b34" gruiphraseguid="52a01a29-42b0-433c-816c-04466b39eba5"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b55287c1-64a1-482b-8ddc-b8ae312a09d9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a2fce0a7-b2ce-4df9-8a25-8127b3884bc3" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span> shook his head at me and raised a long white finger to his lips, "Shhh, Victoria. It will pass."<br />
We left the room Aro had rented in Bread Street and made our way to Pall Mall. He was cool calm and collected, I was a mass of nervous energy. I felt light headed and strange. There was a feeling inside me which was building in intensity. "<i>Thirst," </i>Aro whispered as he held my hand and guided me along the dark, dirty streets of this diseased city. We stopped at a tavern; my finely attuned ears could hear the voices of everyone inside. Men laughing raucously and drinking heavily. Women of disrepute joined them in their drunken mirth.<br />
"The men who invaded your home are in <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="there:0" grmarkguid="c2ee875f-581c-4d28-85d4-c49c5602fe3b" gruiphraseguid="8d51dd61-3cda-43e1-b6ca-9c57808f2c77"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fe3c7ac8-3335-4a44-b5da-2205d9d34c0f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e5addbe8-dc6e-44a2-b9cf-9dccb2fce3f5" grcontextid="there:0">there</span></span> Victoria. They are about to leave. When they do, we will follow them," he commanded, his red eyes glittering dangerously in the light of the full moon which hung low in the night sky above us. My nerves tingled and jangled in anticipation. The men spilled out of the pub into the cold autumnal night, their grim faces jarring my senses. <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="c8758c06-1fee-4578-9d7a-db1586416f06" gruiphraseguid="34b14a7b-7561-4798-b99e-ac645730ecd7"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6c5039d5-8a9a-4c9b-835a-7f26d3a10a6d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="638d8ada-df12-43bf-a553-ab189b04374e" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span> and I quickly and deftly slipped behind them unnoticed. They took a short cut up a narrow dark alley. Silly men. My rage and hunger for blood had been building quickly as we stealthily followed them. <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="f0ee22f3-8573-4f73-bb4a-30ba0380e50f" gruiphraseguid="d344720c-298d-40d8-9241-a2473ee2d663"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1edc5d5d-2a08-4016-87a5-bb400ddad0e4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="838eb5b9-ab26-4849-b507-0866500ccd67" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span> squeezed my hand as we slid closer to them.<br />
"Watch me," he whispered.<br />
Lightning quick pale arms shot out pinning <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="the youngest:0" grmarkguid="44196d20-824c-43c1-8521-c32d748b1266" gruiphraseguid="e506953f-b1b6-47e6-8237-c5280ece20de"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e4109a59-067e-4faa-b954-369a4712d6c0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="81fcf7f9-12a1-4c1f-abf7-eb5f58a82162" grcontextid="the youngest:0">the youngest</span></span> man to the damp dank wall of this dirty alley. <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="006b23b8-a8b5-4736-9d71-50f456177233" gruiphraseguid="79c8e772-f924-45c3-bf11-5a199218badf"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0541a256-7ccb-4b9c-bad5-fd87451ef664" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="50b935f8-c194-4e4d-a2a3-f0e9968f861d" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span> beamed at him before sinking his teeth into the boy's filthy neck. I watched fascinated as the victim first struggled against his deadly embrace and then succumbed to the bite of the vampire. It looked like the boy had swooned in Aro's arms. This had all happened in a split second. The other two men drunkenly staggered on up the alley, not knowing or caring that their companion was dying directly behind them. My all-consuming thirst and rage reached its ultimate peak as I reached out with my new found strength. I swiftly kicked both of the monsters in their heads as I launched myself up and over them. I came to a halt in front of them.<br />
"Good evening gentlemen," I said politely with a bow as they both rubbed their bruised skulls in confusion.<br />
Their faces were a picture as they took in my appearance. My red eyes immediately sobered them up. I licked my lips in anticipation. Then I pounced. I ripped out the first man's throat in an instant. I felt glorious. The blood pulsed thick and hard into my mouth from his ruined artery. It tasted so good despite coming from a drunken diseased rat of a human being. I flung his desiccated body away from me impatiently.<br />
The second man was inching back up the alley with a look of complete horror and fear on his ugly face. "Yes! Fear me! I am Victoria, sister of Elizabeth, the sweetest girl who ever lived. YOU killed her! Now I will kill YOU!" I raged gleefully.<br />
I drank my fill of his blood as Aro gazed at the scene with immense pride on his pale face. Once I was sated he came to stand by my side.<br />
"How do you feel, Little Flame?" he inquired tenderly.<br />
"<i><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c8b18b2b-def9-41a6-a6d6-079153b26a2a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4c8d2e19-421e-4239-bcae-711650de0fd2" grcontextid="Better:0">Better</span>," </i>I stated with a smile.<br />
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="361d9281-2963-42a8-8a1d-8259d11cae3c" gruiphraseguid="c7db4ff9-ef8d-401d-8acc-be91afe30e4d"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b62e1400-c7ab-499a-97c9-9b52eb068ac5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ae6a8227-047d-45e7-917d-8469e5a35bc7" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span> clapped his hands with joy. "I knew you would make a perfect vampire! Oh yes I knew it! "He crowed happily.<br />
I knew I was dead but I felt more alive than I had ever felt. Does that make sense? I felt power surge through my veins and strength flow through my limbs. The sexual chemistry sparked between Aro and me again, but now it was even stronger and much harder to resist. The blood of my victims had rendered me even more inhuman. I had lost my humanity easily in my revenge, like a snake sloughing off its dead skin. I was as I should be. I felt lustful desires course through my new perfect body and I couldn't help myself. I launched myself at my Maker most improperly. We landed on the damp dirty ground, me on top of him, my body pressed against his in a most unladylike fashion.<br />
"I forgot how strong <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="new-borns:0" grmarkguid="73eb0421-fc0a-4e86-8c7e-8ebcf5061886" gruiphraseguid="610307bf-c706-4b8d-8ca6-8b8ed8dc711d"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5805a74d-afec-4e19-9b37-b2f7ddf337d4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="524f6ade-7958-4f61-a129-06633413bce0" grcontextid="new-borns:0">new-borns</span></span> are!" he gasped in surprise.<br />
I used his surprise to my advantage as I brought my eager lips down on his in a wholly passionate kiss.Our lips <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e63181f9-ecd4-4352-893e-88ba5b6f18a6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d3579e19-548a-4cf1-8c13-419723b806d8" grcontextid="moulded:0">moulded</span> together perfectly as one for a few
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c25014a7-00b3-4149-a439-3c89aa08f0e5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b33a796b-274d-407c-8436-1f751300fc84" grcontextid="momentous:0">momentous</span> precious seconds before he tore <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c8fdfb8d-775f-4bf6-bb76-36584d358c13" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b33a796b-274d-407c-8436-1f751300fc84" grcontextid="his:1">his</span> away with a lusty moan<i>.</i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<i>"Victoria! What am I going to do with you?" he spoke most delightfully against my pale trembling throat.</i><br />
<hr size="1" />
<b>Chapter 4: Chapter 4</b><br />
<hr size="1" />
<u>CHAPTER FOUR</u><br />
I gazed over the vast expanse of deep dark ocean with my sharp red eyes. The moon was a small crescent hanging in the night sky as the boat carrying us to Volterra moved slowly through the deep waters. <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="2fb5f715-7267-4654-956c-385f5f4a0d41" gruiphraseguid="ed1bf189-039b-4569-a3da-b6cf36199f89"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="52721ab4-4873-47bd-970b-d299dd1ccb9c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c6fe07c3-530f-43e8-9ea1-366e71e7d556" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span> stood beside me, our cold bodies were close, much too close for his liking, but he suffered it for now. I sighed softly as I gazed at him in awe. He must have only been around twenty-one years old when he was changed. His marble face was not conventionally handsome, instead it was interesting and charming. He had sculpted cheekbones and bow-shaped lips which were ruby-red. His long black hair shone like silk and captured the light wonderfully. He had stolen my silent still heart in every way. He said it was because I was his Maker. He said it would pass, but for now we would both have to deal with my fledgling infatuation. I had never felt these strong feelings of passionate love before, even as a human. It was quite overwhelming. I imagined our pale marble skin sliding together as we lay in sheets of pure red silk, our bodies joining together in a delicious forbidden union. I tried to press myself closer to him but he moved slightly so there was a small gap between us. I sighed again.<br />
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="fbfa9b80-5184-4217-96b0-9c33d68fede3" gruiphraseguid="b56de40c-4729-439f-a466-eeede9c3314f"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="efc876a7-c59d-4d20-8fa8-416e9e37fc9c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2a6e956a-d71d-4e44-8bbe-895ee30fe559" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span> turned to me with a wry smile, "Now now Victoria, hush my child. Your thoughts are most impure for one so young!" he chided.<br />
I smiled sadly at him, hoping he would hold me close. His arms stayed by his side though, much to my disappointment. "You are so cruel, my Master," I sighed again.<br />
"My sweet child, listen to me for I know best. I love you but I cannot stray down that forbidden path, although you are most beguiling and quite beautiful," he added in his raspy voice which made me shiver inside.<br />
"But, why?" I questioned like a small child would.<br />
<span class="GRnoSuggestion GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="17af29d1-5a50-4ee7-b7c8-e7ee11b580ad" gruiphraseguid="08bdfb1a-5fc6-4d4d-8626-77a1b33d5cc6"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ec5ead0e-998a-4735-b308-fb28cb4e4239" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="aba00a84-b8b1-46a2-8e3f-fede0ff774be" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span> ran his forefinger down my cheek slowly and softly. <span class="GRnoSuggestion GRcorrect" grcontextid="Teasingly:0" grmarkguid="a595ebf6-8912-4965-91dc-f006474c86ab" gruiphraseguid="3e94e8fc-e1e1-4c33-ab0a-3a5a4cdc9f37"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="88ed41fb-b2d6-4c6c-8a73-19d85b0c929f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="dd7bcf5e-7845-4257-b018-d59190041e52" grcontextid="Teasingly:0">Teasingly</span></span> seductive. He smiled again, "Your thoughts are particularly unclean today Victoria," he whispered.<br />
I inhaled sharply as his cool lips brushed my ear. He had long ago given up the <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="pretence:0" grmarkguid="67428892-1c66-4b20-8ec8-578d836cc69d" gruiphraseguid="c119e977-31c1-4797-a07a-fdc82300317a"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="62692268-3e28-4d9a-9b95-a22e45a0ea8e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="05ab588d-1ab1-48df-aeec-7aa89c6588a1" grcontextid="pretence:0">pretence</span></span> of breathing, for me it still felt natural and I couldn't help my gasping longing sighs. His touch sent me into a frenzy of lustful thoughts. He saw them all in his mind. This was his special vampire power. It drove me mad that he should see what I am thinking and feeling, yet he would not act upon it! He desired me, of that I was sure. "Yes I do desire you Victoria,<i> very much"</i> he uttered against my neck as his cold lips slowly trailed a path down towards my collar-bone. Every nerve in my quivering body sang out for his touch, for his kiss, for a release of this pent-up passion I had inside me.<br />
My head hung loosely to the side, my red curls a curtain of fire as they trailed down over my shoulder. <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro's:0" grmarkguid="82cfb015-0982-49a0-a83c-d084dadb257c" gruiphraseguid="99cccd62-e952-4087-b12d-e3358e6a1c99"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1d15220d-8f8d-4190-8edd-cfb2e11a4cbf" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="15e761fa-d7f7-4137-aeb4-a4695ecb04ee" grcontextid="Aro's:0">Aro's</span></span> lips travelled further down so they came to rest on the swelling of my breasts, which were almost <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="bared:1" grmarkguid="44ff3aab-c638-4eeb-aae7-285b6cdcfc74" gruiphraseguid="99cccd62-e952-4087-b12d-e3358e6a1c99"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3e1d246f-1198-4a89-9954-12d213321b7a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="15e761fa-d7f7-4137-aeb4-a4695ecb04ee" grcontextid="bared:1">bared</span></span> in this tight bodice I wore. He licked my skin slowly and <span class="GRnoSuggestion GRcorrect" grcontextid="teasingly:0" grmarkguid="9c88ad06-0c16-4809-bd19-542204bde0bc" gruiphraseguid="c68a12cb-c1f5-455b-985d-139080ad12e4"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="95de459c-bf8a-491e-b4fa-e7985648cd90" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="52360058-394c-4265-a1fa-ab1ebda2673b" grcontextid="teasingly:0">teasingly</span></span> as my breath hitched in my throat. He was driving me insane with desire. His long pale hands now gripped my hips as his kisses became more frantic. My smooth flawless marble skin was so enticing to him. I wished he would kiss me now. His lips, tongue and teeth continued to work on the delicate sensitive skin of my cleavage. My moans were louder now as my passion rose. He lifted his head to gaze into my eyes, my bodice <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="was fit:0" grmarkguid="7c1f4cda-7d36-4981-b9a0-f07c621228ff" gruiphraseguid="4782baea-1605-4eeb-b076-3ec0db0afb59"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6836e5ed-d06b-47fc-ae4d-374141b35b90" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7be15f6e-8fad-4373-a111-6199fa2480f6" grcontextid="was fit:0">was fit</span></span> to burst as I gasped and moaned with pleasure, my hips rising to meet him as his hands pinned me there.<br />
<i><span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="6cdccddd-b361-4e59-9163-47112abe8421" gruiphraseguid="dc9e40e9-ccef-4dd2-841a-34afbfe12165"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1a7143a0-494b-49f9-a390-255b0bc44c5f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bb7a21c6-cf6a-41e2-9f72-8394fec23e97" grcontextid="Aro:0">"Aro</span></span>, kiss me,</i>" I sighed longingly, all reason chased away by my all-consuming desire for him. Red eyes gazed into red eyes, fires burning within their depths. I almost burst into flames with the heat of my emotions. He clasped my face with both hands as his lips roughly descended upon mine with a desperate hunger. I clung to him as our mouths devoured and explored ravenously. <i>At last</i>. Oh he knew<i> exactly</i> how I wanted to be kissed. Mind reading had its advantages. I concentrated on every part of his mouth as we fell into a deeper and deeper kiss. How naïve I'd been as a human. I did not know such pleasure existed and this was only a drop in the ocean. Behind my closed eyes I saw bright <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="colours:0" grmarkguid="5930c752-c9d2-4259-98f5-c39667d5fd08" gruiphraseguid="9dfc68a2-793c-458b-9a80-84b396fdd8cd"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="efca085f-79e0-4326-8062-12c87a5628c1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="47ec7b08-1260-4024-a04b-f264c8ce108f" grcontextid="colours:0">colours</span></span> bloom and burst into rainbows as I gave myself up to this utmost bliss.<br />
I was a strong newborn vampire but I felt as light as a feather as I swooned in my Maker's arms. The whole universe <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="centred:0" grmarkguid="9308a088-cfab-4d11-8528-1dc260bd2065" gruiphraseguid="249ecaa7-3de6-4de9-9c89-f6cb0ff7dad0"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="402dd633-45b5-4d9d-bf1f-db3767647db2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="817edc56-9733-4180-9375-dbeaf69fd91b" grcontextid="centred:0">centred</span></span> on us and us only. Nothing else mattered at all. I do not know how long we would have kissed or where it would have led to if a couple of humans hadn't strayed onto the top deck. <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="b37d38dd-e50b-4efc-9cd0-e567b7d6bb32" gruiphraseguid="0660a49e-87c4-4450-b0b3-fc8432199ea1"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f532fa30-4e13-4cac-9135-b405b1c14a29" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0d59bd9f-63fa-4c73-a6f3-b8739de28c00" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span> and I turned to look at them, our desire turning swiftly to hunger.<br />
"Oh apologies, Sir, Madam," the sandy-haired young man said with a gracious bow.<br />
"We did not know anyone was up here," his dark-haired young lady friend giggled. "It's a wonderful night for romance though isn't it?" she added as she grabbed her beau's hand excitedly.<br />
He grinned back at her, their eyes full of the excitement and joy of young love. They were so full of life. It was infectious. It made me <i>thirsty</i>. <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="37735be8-14ac-4aa2-a680-618398ab6bbf" gruiphraseguid="6b032f6d-be9e-48d6-ac14-931820842339"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7dca7621-5b53-4650-a838-eacf5ee1b326" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0b6dca56-5553-4ffa-adc7-aea81312a780" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span> nodded at me imperceptibly as we pounced on our victims with hungry glee. <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="My:0" grmarkguid="fb6738ec-3de4-4c44-b5fa-3e8ab656b182" gruiphraseguid="d57b0ab5-674f-4ae2-94d0-a24114f4e9ab"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0d477047-523e-454a-962f-e8bb63cb76be" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e133188e-6d03-4595-b96d-9c7197fd75b2" grcontextid="My:0">My</span></span> Maker took the girl swiftly, his teeth tearing her throat viciously. It both excited me and spurned me on as I drank greedily from the young man's wrist, his earlier <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="excitement making:0" grmarkguid="88c32217-7fe3-49dd-96a0-bc1f603e9612" gruiphraseguid="d9a3a04f-e5a2-4ffd-8bec-3c772690ecfe"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e2f374fc-7421-46f2-bb56-c6dc3641d710" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9d11f95b-e3bf-4bc1-8300-09fa0380220c" grcontextid="excitement making:0">excitement making</span></span> me dizzy with desire for his blood. He looked at me in amazed confusion. Then he watched as Aro tossed his love into the sea.<br />
"Poor baby," I crooned as I brought my teeth down quickly and savagely into the soft salty skin of his neck.<br />
Oh the blood was thick and red and pulsing. He tasted so good. I moaned as I drained him. <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="fd7da9fd-0e48-48fc-adfe-114a80587a85" gruiphraseguid="165bfe43-57b1-4fdb-bea6-ecea6e96d37f"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3803b95f-ddad-4a73-954a-5432a615b464" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="47920cf6-dcce-42a4-9c18-4ea108f6d522" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span> watched me with a predatory smile. Once the boy was also dispatched into the waves, we stood arm in arm gazing out into the dark night. There was a storm approaching, I could sense it and feel it in the air. The sea was beating <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="at:0" grmarkguid="cdc7631a-de6e-490b-922b-233cbeea563a" gruiphraseguid="bef10fc5-895e-44f5-88bc-de98ab62dc98"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="cca08e48-1c58-4d96-a92b-d0cc30fc8377" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6e8b0b15-8540-4703-a649-41cb3ecab9d1" grcontextid="at:0">at</span></span> the side of the boat furiously as we stood in silence for a time.<br />
"Victoria, you must stop bewitching me, my child. It is draining me!" Aro spoke quietly, breaking the silence.<br />
I rested my head on his strong arm, revelling in the scent of him.<br />
"I can't help it!" I protested.<br />
He shook his head, "Well we must try my sweet. Soon we will arrive on Italian shores, where we will make our way to Volterra. I am a Volturi leader and I must conduct myself so," he stated solemnly.<br />
I sighed with frustration, "Surely you must be able to do as you please then?" I questioned.<br />
<span class="GRnoSuggestion GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="7aac0248-27d0-4605-9257-afaa09238b99" gruiphraseguid="ad24ae67-2909-4edf-a2fe-3efff837f3b7"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="029a7b8a-9f5f-4283-9e8f-7c4bc1d649ba" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d105e3db-f91f-477d-86d2-263061edd91c" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span> shook his head, "I cannot let desire for you make my mind soft and my body weak Victoria! I must not let Marcus and Caius see any hint of vulnerability in me! I am the strongest and the best vampire to rule over the Volturi!" he said proudly with a hint of smugness.<br />
I snuggled closer to him, his scent taking me over and making me desire him again. I loved when he acted omnipotent, it was a heady drug which fuelled my lust for him even more.<br />
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="7e0e8a8a-0b39-4efb-93f9-ce24b471f647" gruiphraseguid="4ba34073-748e-4585-a914-c98cfcbbecc6"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="dc7c4e37-4e44-4514-b9ea-4650d706b9cb" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1cabfa2f-6f71-482e-b92d-bf7770cab745" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span> sighed impatiently, "Stop it Victoria!"he chided.<br />
I decided I would kiss him again, <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="make:0" grmarkguid="db9d34ec-8950-4ef9-8b41-00080090f207" gruiphraseguid="a43dea99-5266-4227-9d28-8badee685f36"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="83594383-6691-4c9a-92da-109218a8d094" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="aefc48a7-5a6d-4641-a194-22a4cfbe7af4" grcontextid="make:0">make</span></span> him fall under my spell. He quickly turned and held me at arm's length as he strongly pinned me against the side of the boat. "You must obey <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="me:0" grmarkguid="efb0a37e-5541-4ae5-9414-92f7311db807" gruiphraseguid="218e72d3-c9bd-47c3-bf4e-4807ca9a1dbc"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="54842b8d-e381-4ea2-b360-9ea02ec77e87" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2fb0e0e3-9a2c-4c58-a57c-a34e1c0fe14c" grcontextid="me:0">me</span></span> child!" he roared. The waves pounded the boat in fury as the wind began to blow hard. The storm was approaching swiftly. I didn't flinch, I wasn't afraid of him in the slightest.<br />
<i>"I love you Aro,</i>" I exclaimed.<br />
He groaned with desire as he crushed his lips onto mine, unsuccessfully resisting me once again. I melted in his arms once again. He spoke hoarsely against my cheek, his cool lips burning my cold but fevered skin.<br />
"You cannot! You shouldn't! Oh Victoria! " He moaned as I molded my eager body to his. His cold lips travelled across my cheek to bury themselves in my wild red curls. He sighed, then uttered the worst, most terrible words in my new world.<br />
"<i>My child, my sweet girl, I am married</i>!"<br />
<hr size="1" />
<b>Chapter 5: Chapter 5</b><br />
<hr size="1" />
<u>CHAPTER FIVE</u><br />
We finally reached Volterra after three long days. The ship had provided food for us though in the shape of different humans who strayed onto our path. Blood and death were second nature to me now. I tried to seduce Aro many times on our journey, I wasn't successful although he had succumbed to my kisses and my fiery touch. I couldn't make him <i>completely </i>mine though which angered and infuriated me. I was an obsessed <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="new-born:0" grmarkguid="298b4477-e396-42bf-bb09-571a0cc971a4" gruiphraseguid="61546428-a93e-45d7-8619-918c125fedc0"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d62a59ea-fa4a-4645-838f-74b784b81b79" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a4e30776-5b78-431f-a55d-6a3713cd96ba" grcontextid="new-born:0">new-born</span></span>. Obsessed with blood. Obsessed with my Maker. I burned with unrequited love and passionate infatuation. It thrilled me, it haunted me and it drove me to the edge of sanity. I couldn't even find solace in sleep, vampires could never rest. We could go into a trance but never would I slumber again. Never would I dream again.<br />
When we arrived at the gates which would lead us to the Volturi's underground hideaway<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid=",:0" grmarkguid="7cd1b4f2-728b-4e1c-a3a5-848066e0999a" gruiphraseguid="68772ee9-469e-4ce7-ae69-e80e15cbc28c"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4c367244-89da-47ff-acff-3b532e8b585a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c5c13f90-8c1b-47a0-b1f5-72bda17d3e98" grcontextid=",:0">,</span></span>I found myself petrified with <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="utmost dread:1" grmarkguid="fd334802-046b-41c3-8426-6636baad7e2e" gruiphraseguid="68772ee9-469e-4ce7-ae69-e80e15cbc28c"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="56890463-f7bf-4ce8-8642-d8264455010a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c5c13f90-8c1b-47a0-b1f5-72bda17d3e98" grcontextid="utmost dread:1">utmost dread</span></span> and fear. I held on tightly to Aro's cold hand with a vice-like grip. He smiled wryly at me as a dark hulking figure approached the gates. I gasped in sheer terror as I spun away from my Maker into the <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="grey:0" grmarkguid="09c9d114-e217-40e0-a343-beb7aa36ae1b" gruiphraseguid="bb37859c-f091-44c8-90f8-59f9feb165bb"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fc3c061f-77d8-4ad1-a47d-1f0b25f815a0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="595b99e1-db82-4a9a-9d00-2465d0ad7506" grcontextid="grey:0">grey</span></span> early morning mist which hung over this pretty city. <span class="GRnoSuggestion GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="29f006c4-2d10-47d6-b3f0-754d8060282c" gruiphraseguid="9588a3dc-2202-4639-b186-6e5f40414ed6"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="967ae08d-b8b3-4dc7-b805-2fed0fa6d85f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="dd33f9f4-5774-4bb9-a967-3c077ff37ace" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span> found me hiding in a narrow <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="alley way:1" grmarkguid="a9671475-dec4-4098-bde2-7c68508788f7" gruiphraseguid="9588a3dc-2202-4639-b186-6e5f40414ed6"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="07c7d5a8-6e2a-4596-b7a0-8521bc7a3baa" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="dd33f9f4-5774-4bb9-a967-3c077ff37ace" grcontextid="alley way:1">alley way</span></span>.<br />
"Victoria? Do not be afraid my child. That is Felix, the gate-keeper of the Volturi's home. "<br />
I shrugged as I gazed into the red voluminous depths of his eyes. "I didn't consciously run, Aro!" I exclaimed curiously.<br />
He raised a perfectly shaped eyebrow at me, as he grasped my hand, causing little electric shocks to run through my venom filled veins.<br />
"Enhanced self-preservation is the power to sense and escape any danger. You own this power, Victoria! I knew you would be a worthwhile and valued addition to the coven!" he crowed happily.<br />
I frowned at him in confusion. I had a special power? Just like Aro did? Was this true for <i>all </i>vampires? <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="aa89f516-6491-4412-9e95-a1462276b7cd" gruiphraseguid="b2a4308c-9e86-4342-a89e-3bccece42def"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="14125d5d-b898-440a-ac7a-c8d23581abc8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="dbb410b8-2fc7-429e-9319-02854b01fabb" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span> nodded at me with a smile.<br />
"Most of us do have elevated abilities, my sweet. It stems from hidden talents when we were mortal. Now we are vampires the power is multiplied a thousand fold! Isn't it amazing?" he asked, his pale features animated with joy.<br />
I nodded<br />
"Come," Aro beckoned as he pulled me away from the alley and back towards the gates.<br />
Felix nodded in greeting to me as I resisted the urge to run again. I didn't like this feeling. We descended down into the dark depths under the city. The Volturi headquarters were accessed via the tunnels and drains which ran under the city like veins travelling to the heart. I felt that indescribable panic grip my still as stone heart again but I quelled my fears and let Aro lead me into his dominion.<br />
Suddenly we arrived at an almighty large cavern which <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="was lit:0" grmarkguid="d0fecedf-d746-49f2-8e8c-473dfce9063b" gruiphraseguid="be881a13-2bc0-44ca-8a1e-b45b3e8e96ff"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6cef4560-58ac-4dda-a37e-f9a980ce834c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="38d8a79f-5a43-4ade-afae-2166b01f9243" grcontextid="was lit:0">was lit</span></span> by hundreds of church candles. The atmosphere was tense and brooding. I was scared. Two imposing male vampires stood in front of the small crowd who sat on pews behind them. They did not smile as we entered. Their pale faces were immovable as granite but their red eyes stared right into my very being.<br />
"So, Aro, this is our new addition?" one of them asked in a soft, yet frighteningly powerful voice.<br />
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="05ba0680-7ad2-4b3a-8bd8-6c0fc7ac62e8" gruiphraseguid="52efecc4-bfad-4bd8-a5f8-32de46558118"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1628e8fd-3fab-4e28-aee6-2178e42c0dc4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c7bbe88c-7214-4744-a378-0c91eb0a54c3" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span> nodded as he pushed me forward, "Marcus, Caius, <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="meet:1" grmarkguid="e2810f53-5ac9-476b-acf6-7b2f2290a1f4" gruiphraseguid="52efecc4-bfad-4bd8-a5f8-32de46558118"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8db5f1ff-dea3-4843-a535-b260ec60cdf2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c7bbe88c-7214-4744-a378-0c91eb0a54c3" grcontextid="meet:1">meet</span></span> Victoria. My latest acquisition, which I am sure you will agree is a fine one," he bragged loudly.<br />
I gazed into the other two Volturi <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="leaders:0" grmarkguid="e42be3d5-e365-48a5-8fec-d29729c16b89" gruiphraseguid="12ec3674-d25e-49c2-8700-be0ab1e2a71e"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3712cd58-48da-4e74-ab59-484fa3b197b1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e130c3b0-656e-4e2c-89bd-6a061e0aec34" grcontextid="leaders:0">leaders</span></span> eyes with trepidation.<br />
"Hello." I stuttered.<br />
Then in a whirl of red velvet cloak and long golden hair a woman appeared in front of me. She looked me up and down like I was a bug under a microscope.<br />
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="ebee84fa-63b6-42e3-b4d3-d4c9bcf2558d" gruiphraseguid="1548c275-970e-4e8b-9332-fd4a5fb4ba6c"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ca3e227c-9435-4341-bcff-3f19f6a304d0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7a3ea30d-0127-4ba7-8d31-39042e079bd1" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span> spoke quietly, "This is <i><span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Sulpicia:1" grmarkguid="1517f119-3971-4194-90c4-5ce5191abd42" gruiphraseguid="1548c275-970e-4e8b-9332-fd4a5fb4ba6c"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="aa56342c-6cf7-4d12-8b51-6da0aa0ab382" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7a3ea30d-0127-4ba7-8d31-39042e079bd1" grcontextid="Sulpicia:1">Sulpicia</span></span>. </i>My<i> wife, " </i>he added.<br />
I felt like I had been punched in the gut. She was beautiful. <i>Stunningly so. </i>Her red eyes bore into me with savage intensity. I withered under her punishing gaze as my urge to run became unbearable.<br />
"No, Victoria," Aro said as he held my arm roughly.<br />
<span class="GRnoSuggestion GRcorrect" grcontextid="Sulpicia:0" grmarkguid="2ee86efa-8940-4bc5-be97-c7a3901d4f17" gruiphraseguid="bc231712-7e4f-4cf2-b856-6459abcbbff3"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="85d2e6e5-eebb-4a90-9f55-679c3fd6155b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c93ba055-d892-4ba0-88f7-abbdb805e00c" grcontextid="Sulpicia:0">Sulpicia</span></span> nodded at her husband with a small smile playing over her full lips. "Victoria," she breathed huskily, "How delightful to meet you, I hope you will be happy with us," she added with a beatific icy smile as she reached out to take my trembling hand in hers.<br />
I felt like I was rushing down a long dark tunnel. I couldn't see or hear or speak. She let her power wash over me, taking me further into a downward spiral. I fell to my knees in surrender. Then it was over and I opened my eyes to find her radiant smile beaming down at me. <span class="GRnoSuggestion GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="90f083eb-d813-48fb-bdf1-30ca4a1b1747" gruiphraseguid="18268bd5-3198-4cdd-bcb3-03bc521adc1a"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1c3bec63-2a91-470e-a4a3-d4cdfa2c61d0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3e25bff3-6449-4b4a-b74a-aea071f1eb50" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span> was trying to look disinterested as he stood by her side, but I knew he was fuming inside, I could read his eyes so well.<br />
"Leave her be, my dearest," Aro smiled at his wife angelically. She narrowed her eyes at him with evil intent.<br />
"Please forgive Sulpicia, she likes to show off to newcomers. Her gift is the power of confusion, much like another coven member Renata can, but in a different way, " Aro explained with a kindly smile.<br />
I wanted to scream and pummel my small fists against him furiously. Didn't he remember our nights of passion on the stormy seas? Our bodies and mouths pressed up against each other as we kissed with passionate abandonment. My eyes pleaded with him, but to no avail. <span class="GRnoSuggestion GRcorrect" grcontextid="Sulpicia:0" grmarkguid="36d80fde-e4e1-4e8a-ad8d-8dce1f7df389" gruiphraseguid="a1f74a89-df3e-41a3-b073-565755519e71"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9c411e04-bbeb-4f62-a702-73613b13c784" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="711e366e-6e65-48d0-b404-94994f08f22c" grcontextid="Sulpicia:0">Sulpicia</span></span> ordered a young vampire girl to show me to my quarters and I was escorted away with not so much as a glance from the object of my affections ( obsessions! )<br />
I was abandoned in a dark dank cellar. If I could've cried I would have certainly done so. I had never felt so alone, so desperately afraid and uncertain. I wanted Aro's arms around me, making me feel safe in this strange new world. But he was most probably lying in the arms of the wicked golden-haired witch as they made up for lost time apart. It sickened me that she should be the one to hold and kiss him tonight. I let my <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="new-born:0" grmarkguid="9d20e012-8497-40ae-98cb-432dc3738456" gruiphraseguid="2d394073-1f1c-425c-9238-8738c715caaf"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ed4b4867-9ee0-42a6-98d0-9a405b9d7843" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="496fb603-2cc9-462e-a323-019aa7b2a705" grcontextid="new-born:0">new-born</span></span> rage flow through me as I pummelled the hard stone walls of my room. When I was <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="sated:0" grmarkguid="d1f59fd0-dc90-4321-9315-3195dc3790e9" gruiphraseguid="fcba273b-69d1-4c62-81e5-1ff964e56cb4"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f79c2360-bdcf-4982-a01b-62765ac23ba4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="20f344b8-5b5f-406d-9a52-af9d23168d31" grcontextid="sated:0">sated</span></span> I fell to the floor with a sigh. What did this coven expect of me? What was my purpose here? I'd been so caught up with my infatuation of Aro that I'd never given our destination a second thought. I had assumed I was his now. Until he'd broken the news that he was married and shattered my romantic illusions so cruelly. Now what was I to do?<br />
<i>My silent heart clenched in fear and apprehension as I fought the almighty <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="new-born:0" grmarkguid="26d54229-c2b4-491b-9b1b-9e862f01bd9e" gruiphraseguid="6c7612ef-7feb-4f25-8b9d-e07b83ec866d"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f7edfcf6-7b42-4ff2-a386-e30336cb446d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c6935c0f-12c7-4f91-b310-0b5cb06eb313" grcontextid="new-born:0">new-born</span></span> rage which threatened to engulf me and this place in one fell swoop.</i><br />
<hr size="1" />
<b>Chapter 6: Chapter 6</b><br />
<hr size="1" />
<u>CHAPTER SIX</u><br />
Days melded into one as I lived my new strange life. I was given the task of being <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Sulpicia's maid:0" grmarkguid="29f4fc09-0ca0-47c3-83cc-11e77230c170" gruiphraseguid="3c82b63f-56d3-425d-b4fe-e0c0870a2f2d"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="89b965f9-bc6f-4c88-9766-0cf6fbef0d60" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="21225331-baed-4248-bceb-fef00a1f580c" grcontextid="Sulpicia's maid:0">Sulpicia's maid</span></span>, a job which I loathed intensely. She may have been beautiful on the outside but inside she was cruel and sadistic. I hated her with a passion. Of course I also detested her relationship with Aro, this was the one thing which destroyed my vampire heart the most. I wondered what he saw in her? She rarely showed him affection or love, unless they were different in private? Marcus's wife Didyme had died so Sulpicia only had Athenodora for company, who was Caius's partner. They had never married. <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="5c3a9e5e-b11f-4fe8-a270-9803b369417d" gruiphraseguid="89845baa-b623-400c-a46b-686090acde0a"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e871a2da-d93a-4795-b880-1d71ef1d1368" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="195c2c97-2afd-4576-b985-b611cd6934f6" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span> married Sulpicia when she was human and then he changed her into a vampire before their wedding night was through. He had chosen her because she was dying of a broken heart. Her Mother was a widow and very poor, Aro had inadvertently fed from the woman one night and killed her. He had not known that the victim had a daughter who was now all alone in this world with no brother or sisters or Father to care for her. <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="c568a5b3-addd-413f-afbe-d35e5289d5e5" gruiphraseguid="9c1ced67-4943-4013-acfb-d0fb95933602"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="374f1530-28bd-4a8d-8dea-76461f95ca9e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0a58f932-b635-442b-9201-8d5c4992d2b6" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span> was rich, he was a vampire, his plan had made perfect sense to him at the time. <span class="GRnoSuggestion GRcorrect" grcontextid="Athenodora:0" grmarkguid="e5546223-79c8-493e-9626-97c737a26c13" gruiphraseguid="0d80aef9-567e-449d-abd3-439a587bf880"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="cd719810-bef6-446f-bd3c-d51da3c2c693" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2c185f78-57b9-4dbe-854d-8459f56dcd39" grcontextid="Athenodora:0">Athenodora</span></span> had imparted this knowledge to me one night when my mistress had sent me to wash her hair due to her maid Corin being indisposed. <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="d4fcc101-ebe7-48b1-af9e-0b0d4690551d" gruiphraseguid="48bfa162-f8d1-4afd-acc8-251710338084"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8e4330f6-2328-466e-8c64-c4f7b2264ef7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f3014e51-f15e-43be-84ca-c6479da17325" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span> had obviously felt sorry for the young woman, but why he had to marry her and make her a vampire I do not know!<br />
I swept the stone floor of Sulpicia's quarter's viciously, my mind a whirling torment of emotions. I would need to feed soon. The guard brought humans down below for us to feed on. I missed the chase and the hunt. I missed the satisfaction of choosing and killing my own victims. Most of all, I missed Aro. We had not spent any time together at all since I came here. Months had passed in a blur and I craved his company so badly. Didn't he miss me? I missed him so badly that it became an ache inside me. I wished I was the one he had married then changed. Oh how I wished! I also thought of my sweet sister Lizzie often with a deep sadness in my still heart. My mistress suddenly swept into the room in a blaze of energy and flowing blonde locks.<br />
"Victoria! Why are you still sweeping the floor? I asked you to visit with me in Athenodora's chambers as quickly as possible! You really are an entirely useless being aren't you? " <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8f102a88-f693-4952-8060-0e5832774ae7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6f369912-f0d2-4c39-bc67-4f79e9832492" grcontextid="she:0">she</span> sneered as she viciously lashed out, her hand stinging my face as she slapped me hard.<br />
I growled unconsciously, my <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="new-born:0" grmarkguid="a2b7a55f-6aad-45eb-a39b-6b1537a3927b" gruiphraseguid="f64d3b4a-876d-4286-a0ac-ce18202495ea"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="cbddbc5e-7d12-48a6-b69b-025dab12118f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a0d8de00-fc44-4aca-a392-52abad47d629" grcontextid="new-born:0">new-born</span></span> rage rising to the surface very rapidly. I was getting better at controlling it, but Sulpicia brought out the very worst in me.<br />
"Did you <i>dare </i>to growl at me child?" she roared, as she swiftly kicked me in the ribs, breaking one or two in the process.<br />
I bent over double as the pain overcame me. She cackled with mirth as she stood mercilessly above me, but the venom <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="was quickly healing:0" grmarkguid="51a05bbe-ef68-4b92-8246-0b3fd0834bdd" gruiphraseguid="fb0f802b-6147-4b04-b6d4-418eee9e0359"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9dbd2edf-405c-47d7-a630-9d0884524470" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e0ca0d29-67c5-4dfd-a34c-5a3230c88207" grcontextid="was quickly healing:0">was quickly healing</span></span> my broken bones so I rushed upwards and grabbed her long tresses of golden hair with surprising speed and strength. She let out a shocked snarl as I swung her around by the hair viciously. She struggled against my small hands, her long nails ripping and clawing my skin, but I didn't feel it as I knocked her against the stone walls with wicked evilness running through my vampire heart. She was like a rag doll in my strong <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="new-born:0" grmarkguid="39941edd-3387-4a94-8283-620c3e21949b" gruiphraseguid="1a1713a2-f238-4710-8fe6-65a1c02e14d6"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d8d7cb69-1709-4e71-9e41-fb8a39468a1b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="06e6aaab-577f-440c-a3d3-4c08fc776e29" grcontextid="new-born:0">new-born</span></span> hands. I threw her down with disgust, a sneer of contempt on my face. I knew I'd gone too far, but I was prepared to go further. Such a terrible rage ran through my veins like an all consuming fire. I couldn't stop myself.<br />
"Don't <i>ever </i>touch me again Sulpicia!" I screamed in her shocked face, my red eyes full of murderous rage. "I will inform Aro of your <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="behaviour:0" grmarkguid="6ee3ca2f-30e4-4d41-85ec-71b8130ce148" gruiphraseguid="a1e046ca-40fb-4093-bb9e-e1ba0fd11090"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="effccb42-3e7e-4c9a-9485-bf5ad59b5446" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="de0c1ff6-8850-4e19-8dfd-f8b294f97279" grcontextid="behaviour:0">behaviour</span></span>, I will tell him how you beat me and punish me very day with your fists and words!" I spat out furiously.<br />
She gazed up at me in horrified shock as blood poured from her torn scalp and purple bruises bloomed on her pale skin.<br />
"<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="42ffc0f0-129f-4057-9975-6bc1a37ac952" gruiphraseguid="706594c8-8984-4f11-80e2-1508ef352e04"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0e44af1e-0851-4d76-9af6-1c127d9bb796" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f6201884-d7dd-45cf-9ef0-00f2291d0cd7" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span> will take me away from here! He loves me, oh yes dearest Sulpicia, Aro and I have shared many passionate moments! He <i>will </i>be mine. I intend to take him from you! You don't deserve him, you evil witch!" I continued, my lust for revenge and pain giving me strength and courage.<br />
For too long I'd let this vampire push me around, degrade me and belittle me in front of the guard!<br />
<span class="GRnoSuggestion GRcorrect" grcontextid="Sulpicia:0" grmarkguid="e8864136-c7a0-45c7-9faa-77f9a4c89835" gruiphraseguid="9e0fe201-3dd9-4cf0-a598-5d2ed5069bdf"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7f3a452c-9cc9-49ff-a366-13cea3430d51" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="62a9d0be-c490-4b6a-9831-fded02c32a5f" grcontextid="Sulpicia:0">Sulpicia</span></span> gave a snort of indignation, her pale beautiful face clouded with anger and hate. Her bruises were fading and her venom blood was clotting as I stood above her. I roughly pinned her down with my foot, crushing her chest with all my might. She pulled at my foot roughly, her strength returning quickly. I might be a relatively new vampire but she was very old which gave her the advantage. The bones crumpled like sand under her claw-like hand as I screamed in pain. I fell to the floor in agony, our positions now reversed. She sat on my chest and pinned my arms down with her knees. She laughed mirthlessly and loudly as I writhed under her.<br />
"You think my husband <i>loves </i><span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="you:0" grmarkguid="9b580239-cb2b-4780-b6ed-1c56cb515a11" gruiphraseguid="ea960a9c-835a-4132-924f-45327b57c0fd"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="25366182-40ce-4846-aceb-ca3dc0814f90" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0ce2e432-f429-44b2-ba52-6ca363636ae2" grcontextid="you:0">you</span></span> child?" she spat in my face, her features frighteningly contorted with <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="utmost fury:1" grmarkguid="ed438f9e-4020-4852-9ae6-d6d4cc47ee80" gruiphraseguid="ea960a9c-835a-4132-924f-45327b57c0fd"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d8678ae6-7e5d-43a7-be11-de0aaa4874ea" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0ce2e432-f429-44b2-ba52-6ca363636ae2" grcontextid="utmost fury:1">utmost fury</span></span>. "He pities you, you little fool! He made you but he doesn't love you! He will never be <i>yours, you silly stupid girl!" </i>she laughed spitefully as she slapped my face viciously.<br />
"How could he ever prefer <i>you</i> over <i>me</i>? I am majestic whilst you are pitiful!" she cackled insanely. "Look! Look at my luscious curves, my long golden hair, my perfect features and luminous skin!" she bragged as she grabbed my face <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c85a7025-013e-4ad4-bac6-2075abe084a5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="17b0c968-cfd2-4181-8fb0-79d8b1859153" grcontextid="in:0">in</span> both hands, her nails ripping into my scalp.<br />
"Then go to the nearest mirror Victoria! Look at yourself! Your hair is a pathetic red <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="colour:0" grmarkguid="28edfd50-16ca-4569-8440-e88b4bfb8210" gruiphraseguid="8920bbd0-baa3-4da8-a0b5-7734396e4587"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="bd9c93b3-2954-4409-90fc-732896e9c0fd" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3c3b9ac3-00a5-4652-9877-b083dc5ef47c" grcontextid="colour:0">colour</span></span>, your body is much too slim, you have no light and no energy to dazzle anyone, let alone my powerful husband!" she taunted me.<br />
I gazed into the pitiless red depths of her soulless eyes, my overwhelming urge to run now sapping my furious rage from me. I was trapped beneath her helplessly like a butterfly stuck <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fcc737b6-02d8-46b8-9e4d-29840936325f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="19361f7a-51dc-465f-8a9d-d09d8149f3f8" grcontextid="to:0">to</span> a pin. Her eyes burned even redder as she directed all of her special power into me and I fell spinning into a dark hole where no light penetrated. I was blind, I felt nothing, just oblivion and intense pain curling around my devastated still heart. But still I heard her. She laughed and laughed, a sound so purely evil I could drown in it. I truly believed right at that moment that I would never <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="re-surface:0" grmarkguid="6bea7c31-a25e-4fad-b622-0ee00085cf25" gruiphraseguid="6d4c43b1-fcd0-45b4-9c45-1fbad3f81a9b"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d567d502-aa40-44c4-a64e-ab1cf4919dc1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="022880a0-9d6f-406e-a337-ec735d032000" grcontextid="re-surface:0">re-surface</span></span>. Then I heard a sound, a wondrous sound.<br />
"Get off her Sulpicia!" Aro roared furiously.<br />
The pressure around my chest subsided as I felt strong arms lift me from the cold floor. Oh thank goodness, my Maker was here and he wanted to protect me!<br />
"<span class="GRnoSuggestion GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="04418ec0-09a7-4994-8c10-5e7e83d34707" gruiphraseguid="621333ce-8656-463d-955b-c958be0eb8a4"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ba4ad530-5d43-4642-a010-7bdb3709d023" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="94c4f57d-15b4-4d87-a06c-cbc8e02c8d17" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span>," I breathed weakly.<br />
My eyes fluttered open to see his perfect marble face etched with worry for me. <span class="GRnoSuggestion GRcorrect" grcontextid="Sulpicia:0" grmarkguid="e1014f77-d0bf-47f9-8e66-3fc07a289c72" gruiphraseguid="fe759bb7-db5c-42f8-a63e-20cf1744912c"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c66786fa-3db0-4d6d-ab2e-adc0a54226f3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7fa602eb-926b-4ad5-afca-00de3a3cd88c" grcontextid="Sulpicia:0">Sulpicia</span></span> was wrong, he did care!<br />
"Do not look at her like that, husband!" Sulpicia shrieked. "She attacked me! Her own mistress! She took me by surprise, my beloved! She must be locked in the lower levels immediately! I will not tolerate such <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="behaviour:0" grmarkguid="613b9afe-15b4-4a53-b172-321275b774fb" gruiphraseguid="8cc296a6-f14b-4448-acb4-bd4f2aad5284"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7a4b2cd5-d270-4398-8907-0ec5a6abc191" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8dd2a1e9-79cb-4577-9f9e-b1e3aca90ce5" grcontextid="behaviour:0">behaviour</span></span>! She is a wicked evil child and must be punished or I will take this to Marcus and Caius!" she added with venom.<br />
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="89c46673-7548-4ce0-9a22-22736b17c5cc" gruiphraseguid="6d183009-91ae-4dcf-a743-30769d69c42c"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="953ba177-066b-49e4-ae9d-4b20bbd59a20" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bb0a3245-48ea-4557-a89f-4d45debe7c37" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span> simply ignored his screeching wife as he turned away with me still cradled in his arms. I rested my head against his shoulder, breathing in his special unique scent. Oh how I had missed him! My foot was already healing, the bones knitting together again as if nothing had happened. He took me away, into the night streets of Volterra, where music played and people sang and danced. It was a lively city, cleaner by <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="far:0" grmarkguid="4432d72c-be63-44d7-a458-6bdda4971492" gruiphraseguid="f6f85084-f14e-49b9-86e5-b4b96a9e3f47"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c49e9d89-e9fb-47a5-819d-2137dca078cf" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="82ddeafe-368a-4fc2-a934-aafb4dab80c5" grcontextid="far:0">far</span></span> than London. There was no plague here. Instead there were lots of luscious blood filled humans just waiting to fall under the vampire's spell. <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="ae54f8df-9fda-4272-af00-dd168392cf83" gruiphraseguid="521df2bc-47c1-4968-8b17-9abe7298f3dc"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="793b9761-bdc4-444e-a7c2-b26b288b4d89" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ed0a2f36-c374-4aa5-86c5-f1627b0edf84" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span> and I hunted together, we fed together and later, inevitably, we fell into each other's arms with glorious passionate desire. <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="2e103b23-678c-4829-b9cf-8692fb61f473" gruiphraseguid="f142f148-731e-4e82-975a-e779cf494dfc"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4c1e88f2-c738-4793-959b-3999e9a3c82a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4695c3c1-df40-4505-ab6f-20dc3b826e36" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span> had a secret hideaway in the city, a small modest town-house nestled in a quiet square. It was perfect for clandestine lovers <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="to give:0" grmarkguid="0c78ac84-5e7e-420c-92ec-4ddc698e83ac" gruiphraseguid="afb0cf29-d7c1-4c0c-acc4-94c336c84eab"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b3f3dfbd-0700-43e4-b0d1-fe955374996c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6ffa288d-cd84-4ee8-a7cc-db471eedd171" grcontextid="to give:0">to give</span></span> into their desires away from prying eyes. <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro held:0" grmarkguid="f8fdaa06-0d6e-4723-8ce4-9cb4ead0d8e4" gruiphraseguid="75b137b7-784d-4771-bc41-5bb5e68c724a"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="84df0202-720e-4422-abef-58a6c153e25c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="38811259-4366-4ada-a78e-c6330ae9921b" grcontextid="Aro held:0">Aro held</span></span> me close to him, his lips devouring mine as he unbuttoned my dress all the way down the back. His hands touched my bare skin and I gasped against his mouth as little electric shocks ran up and down my spine. He read my mind and he delved into my soul as we fell onto his ornate gold bed; with no thought for anyone else except our two bodies entwining together as one <i>at last</i>.<br />
My heart <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="no longer beat:0" grmarkguid="92614d7b-3221-4f37-8bea-8950a2c9e269" gruiphraseguid="305a3022-ba42-46d7-8288-dc32be15dc36"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b0727b7d-646f-4937-b8aa-dd2a819dc626" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="35b38bc5-2e0b-4a6f-9746-65dd32b4579b" grcontextid="no longer beat:0">no longer beat</span></span> but it felt as though it might lift out of my chest with sheer joy. <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="65af7781-f69a-4655-b7b2-b8df22e6fadb" gruiphraseguid="ba8d4cfa-2e2e-4d74-bb9f-0a0ffbde302d"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f32f6b11-4594-45aa-b143-9bcf2c037350" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4a75c10a-7d2f-42f8-84be-cee3814f0e82" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span> smiled against my pale throat as he kissed me there most seductively.<br />
"Your pure heart is <i>mine</i>, my sweet Victoria," he breathed lovingly.<br />
I had already given him my human life, my heart , my soul, now I gave him my body. It was perfect and beautiful. The best moment of my immortal life so far. Later, much later, we held each other, our pale bodies shining like the full moon lighting up Aro's room.<br />
"How I love you, Aro, my Maker, my lover, my everything," I whispered as my lips brushed his pale marble cheek.<br />
His red eyes locked onto mine, softer now his passion was sated.<br />
"As I do you, Victoria, my fledgling, my child, my heart," he softly said.<br />
I wished we could stay here like this<i> forever.</i><br />
"We can't, my sweet. I have responsibilities which I must adhere to. The one who made me, his name was Desiderius. He came to this life in 888, no-one knows who changed him, but he is known as the "first" vampire to us. His past is shrouded in mystery. He lives alone in an old <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="gothic:0" grmarkguid="f67e80d3-71b9-42b4-b46e-8ad0e54fff8e" gruiphraseguid="ff51d369-eff3-4abc-add0-8acd49a22ffb">gothic</span> castle, <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="rumoured:1" grmarkguid="aac35e3f-74e3-433a-840e-7d310facf5bc" gruiphraseguid="ff51d369-eff3-4abc-add0-8acd49a22ffb"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="17cf370a-65bb-4305-ba0f-86e0d3e7240b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="09c5b7d2-03f7-4d6e-acfe-7c657c26df19" grcontextid="rumoured:0">rumoured</span></span> to be situated just outside Rome. What I am trying to say is I promised my Maker that I would help Marcus and Caius rule over the largest known coven in Italy! I take my promises seriously, my love, " he said sagely.<br />
I sighed and wished reality hadn't come knocking on our door.<br />
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="a8a1b89a-a124-427c-9da0-37a29e3e25eb" gruiphraseguid="c6e0e6fb-85a1-4d8d-94da-598a1bb85f43"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fd30e0de-0add-4d0d-844b-9ce801fb4926" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f671f22a-dbf7-4a87-be40-cf127c7539e9" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span> kissed my forehead sweetly, "We have a few more hours Victoria, let's not dwell on mundane matters. <i>Kiss me," </i>he commanded powerfully.<br />
My lips eagerly sought his as I gave myself up once again to the all consuming flames of desire. Our bliss was interrupted by a loud knocking at the door. We froze in surprise as we heard a loud crash, then two imposing dark figures appeared before us. It was Felix and Demetri! Behind them stood Sulpicia, her features darkened with furious anger. She gave me a withering hateful look and I tensed myself for her power to strike me again. I longed to flee but Aro held his body in front of mine protectively.<br />
"<i>Betrayer! Liar! You lay with this vampire whore, how could you Aro!?"</i><br />
<hr size="1" />
<b>Chapter 7: Chapter 7</b><br />
<hr size="1" />
<u>CHAPTER SEVEN</u><br />
A furiously angry Sulpicia ordered Aro and <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="I:0" grmarkguid="bba509ca-3cfa-4ae9-8588-81fdaa1661eb" gruiphraseguid="4c6912cd-695b-4129-ad77-497360d9f3be"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e6eae37a-dca2-4581-a26d-c29e88c0d222" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="59054779-211c-4e09-8064-e819242accc3" grcontextid="I:0">I</span></span> to get dressed whilst she dismissed Felix and Demetri. The two vampires would wait outside for her, the wife of a Volturi leader was not expected to walk through the city alone. <span class="GRnoSuggestion GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="95a0d06f-813f-4b58-9085-a8722af97b63" gruiphraseguid="2f42c566-8831-40f9-9690-eae7ff7f5195"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b1f27059-fb58-48f5-90ae-f3dc73280505" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9fef1a71-6745-409a-8ce6-de9b8e98f32f" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span> gave me a loving look whilst Sulpicia glared at us with malicious intent. I didn't feel any remorse, I loved Aro, and he loved me. It was black and white, simple and true. My lover gave me a sultry glance when I shyly gazed at him with adoring eyes.<br />
<span class="GRnoSuggestion GRcorrect" grcontextid="Sulpicia:0" grmarkguid="d735b1ae-e9ee-46e4-82a4-8936f1fbf6a7" gruiphraseguid="b55e65ef-1737-473d-9d48-efc0f20e3342"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b5efef8d-27ab-4f2c-a173-de17a6300ecc" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f34e8c7f-f515-4be6-b7fc-d9265410f551" grcontextid="Sulpicia:0">Sulpicia</span></span> laughed out loud and shook her head with a vicious snarl, "You think he <i>loves</i> you, Victoria? You think he <i>wants </i>you<i>?" </i>she sneered.<br />
I kept my steady gaze on Aro, he was all that mattered to me, always and forever. "I love Victoria. I <i>truly</i> love her. I saw something beneath the human façade the night I found her dying in the gutter, something magnificent, something special," Aro softly said as his red eyes fixed on mine, with love, pride and desire.<br />
<span class="GRnoSuggestion GRcorrect" grcontextid="Sulpicia:0" grmarkguid="5e6af431-ab2c-4c61-89b4-66e9efeff6c1" gruiphraseguid="e77a6d2e-9560-497c-8e57-a9bbda8c48b5"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="79a94a3c-2632-4425-a8e3-de5c0eb6d777" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4736e8fb-a7b1-482a-b81b-dc0daea551d6" grcontextid="Sulpicia:0">Sulpicia</span></span> gasped in shock and horror. "You are <i>mine </i>Aro! How dare you let some gutter rat come between us! We have been together for years and years! How can you say you love <i>her?" </i>she demanded venomously.<br />
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="b39d402a-4adc-440d-b789-ff41cb0a4765" gruiphraseguid="b4b25867-ad75-43a6-a0bf-affea4abdf14"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="37efb3ee-d1d5-489a-a7e1-9532d975db2b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a6f11d15-db5e-4bbb-ac16-e5cc7b6bd28c" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span> turned to his wife with a sophomoric smile, "I felt sorry for you Sulpicia. I killed your Mother. I felt I had to act with propriety and mercy. I thought you were a sweet lonely abandoned child! How wrong I was! You have an evil streak my dear and over time it has gotten worse. Yes, I <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="realise:0" grmarkguid="f9d06dfa-f0cd-4479-bca1-09adda3aae53" gruiphraseguid="76f1f52e-f968-4180-a93b-0c8747b911be"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="53f91a43-aac6-43e1-8eed-48f4760e103c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4dc2d5de-937d-4f78-aee8-0f1b59a114d2" grcontextid="realise:0">realise</span></span> that I have fuelled that by changing you into a vampire, but I cannot bear to live with you a moment longer!" my lover exclaimed, much to my delight.<br />
<span class="GRnoSuggestion GRcorrect" grcontextid="Sulpicia:0" grmarkguid="799f8854-c803-4237-9e60-6ea48bed46e9" gruiphraseguid="52a7b194-4dd8-41d8-b6cf-4a52c9f5019b"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b3f55cb6-be73-4b90-8b35-abbc1b4b3043" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c7525dcf-8488-4479-b38a-2f823a218fb6" grcontextid="Sulpicia:0">Sulpicia</span></span> caught my triumphant look and swiftly raised a hand to strike me down, but Aro was faster and he moved like lightning to protect me from her blow. She growled with deep menace as Aro pinned her arms behind her back painfully. "You didn't ever mention that you killed my Mother, husband dearest!" she laughed with glee. "I hated the old witch with a passion, knowing that would have made me love you more! I longed for someone to take me away from that old hag's clutches. There you were! Handsome and altogether <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="other-worldly:0" grmarkguid="65362919-d7d6-4539-b71c-89d2d634e046" gruiphraseguid="403e06dd-e1c4-47e8-87f9-b1d7e1a0c62d"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="36b6bca3-54bf-4548-b042-a0b17bd3a869" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="cfd9412e-cbff-4bb4-8d7b-60ad1d82d509" grcontextid="other-worldly:0">other-worldly</span></span>! Ha! There is no way I am giving up this life of power for some diseased street urchin!" she bellowed as she struggled to be free, her poisonous venom directed right at me.<br />
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="d739cfbe-a0f7-4924-acb1-2705d9f55393" gruiphraseguid="fcb61c2b-843b-40f1-8203-6c726692fec6"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fe20a823-dc06-404c-bd97-6074789fada0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a629adb2-12a9-4362-ba9a-ca8c946e53e5" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span> threw his wife away in disgust and held out his powerful marble arms to me. I gladly ran into his strong embrace, <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a4db3954-c830-4513-a1cf-f2243467effe" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="289df3ca-7bb3-45af-a361-81e394535c61" grcontextid="my:0">my</span> still heart joyous and full of love. "Come here my sweet, let me hold <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="yo:0" grmarkguid="3be803f1-b691-4507-8d52-691dd424774e" gruiphraseguid="365415c0-59f6-4fb7-9f9f-9173ff78df38"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="86255647-3948-4e5a-9777-30f8f6f19cd7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="840f21a7-a079-489a-81f5-bf282d0bfb7a" grcontextid="yo:0">yo</span></span><span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="u:2" grmarkguid="13ff1c3a-d7cd-4855-a1b5-3f59c2a6a4c3" gruiphraseguid="365415c0-59f6-4fb7-9f9f-9173ff78df38"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a05326a5-0d91-4d16-80bd-d4920bad9032" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="840f21a7-a079-489a-81f5-bf282d0bfb7a" grcontextid="u:2">u,</span></span>" he whispered against my hair.<br />
I almost swooned with adoration and desire for my Maker. <span class="GRnoSuggestion GRcorrect" grcontextid="Sulpicia:0" grmarkguid="8d718216-b9bc-46a2-baed-e1d16032c062" gruiphraseguid="e14581a1-a430-4732-affd-901b7481d26b"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1b9786bf-8c5c-479c-b174-772e3e868e6b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b39dab9c-4ff6-44ca-bde3-c2771e20378a" grcontextid="Sulpicia:0">Sulpicia</span></span> sat on the bed, twirling a lock of golden hair around her finger, a look of disgust on her face. I couldn't believe Aro wanted me and not her. Was it true? Could it be? <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="6d643058-bade-4b5e-8a17-043a1fa077e8" gruiphraseguid="572d0d38-d52e-414e-958a-8ec0a0bf2f80"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1ccfe8fa-0f75-4e4b-a5d4-aaa924a86b8d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e0020fa7-3253-41db-a993-ba5570b1cf70" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span> and I together, in love for evermore? I barely had time to contemplate this heavenly fact before Sulpicia raised her head and directed her red gaze onto us with pure hate and cool fury.<br />
"You may think Aro is your perfect hero, Victoria. You may also be dwelling on the fact that he is your world, your everything. But listen to me Victoria, for I know all of his deep dark secrets! Not only did he kill my Mother, he also murdered one of our kind! Yes, your dear Aro, my spineless husband, killed Didyme, Marcus's beloved and revered wife!" she retorted with glee.<br />
I gasped in surprise as I gazed up at Aro. His eyebrows raised slightly and his frown darkened as he cooly held Sulpicia's gaze, giving away nothing at all. <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="15960956-ae96-4f47-9c8b-10202da37c37" gruiphraseguid="a4526b18-70cd-447f-9d6b-6986ab3f7cf2"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b62d6589-9f54-4631-b1fe-83b0b1397011" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="575bc6b0-6967-444e-9453-d6365fdf3cf4" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span> took a moment to compose himself carefully before delivering his retort. "Yes, you are correct, dearest wife," he uttered his voice dripping with malice.<br />
My red eyes glazed in shock as I stiffened in his arms. Why? How? He was cruel and sadistic when he had to be, but surely my lover was not a vampire killer?<br />
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro's:0" grmarkguid="ac87397a-d9d5-44a6-878a-2dc7af65e3f1" gruiphraseguid="29da6caa-63d0-4c28-991d-408df4b32bb3"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ee89cd9f-a1a3-42bc-847f-6d15e740d0f2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="aba1fc42-e504-44f8-9a49-e0ad65befc5f" grcontextid="Aro's:0">Aro's</span></span> arms tightened around me, "Hush, child. I can explain," he whispered against my scarlet red locks. His lips sent delicious electric currents through my veins.<br />
"Go ahead then husband, explain your actions to your little whore!" Sulpicia snorted derisively.<br />
<span class="GRnoSuggestion GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="ab1b03a3-fa55-4aa8-aab1-f57b8c4313ea" gruiphraseguid="a6a2bd92-d0ea-4fca-92b5-d9ca0cbd1a0a"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7c02d9b0-57da-49a4-b726-460c2f626483" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="94080f98-3016-4ae9-8aa3-410951db095d" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span> ignored her taunt as he stroked my hair lovingly. I swooned under his touch, not even his evil witch of a wife could affect me when my lover was close. "<span class="GRnoSuggestion GRcorrect" grcontextid="Didyme:0" grmarkguid="6609f209-5988-492d-ae70-9f3918ae03f7" gruiphraseguid="c74b781e-7c2a-4298-a153-d00e6c09061f"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="badb51a1-1c1c-420c-af11-2d728693bde2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="933d3734-d63d-44e9-8b4e-6bb1c36c48be" grcontextid="Didyme:0">Didyme</span></span> was my sister. A decade and a half after I was made by Desiderius, I transformed her into one as well, hoping she would show a useful talent similar to Marcus's. He possesses the gift of relationship identification, allowing him to see the emotional ties between individuals. However, my sister's gift was simply to make those around her incredibly happy. This notwithstanding, I still planned to put such a power to use. Because of the aura of happiness, many people fell in love with her. However, she only ever reciprocated those of Marcus, my most trusted partner. The pair became incredibly happy together, and to such an end they no longer cared much about my plans to gain control of the vampire world. After eons with the Volturi, the pair made plans to leave<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid=".:0" grmarkguid="47a134c1-439d-44fb-8284-e372f942d305" gruiphraseguid="e5750935-e1df-4da3-ad8c-471012a462e0"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="aa002cb2-e7d2-4e73-9474-e89d3689654b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2be37885-5ba7-4fa1-8f04-6bc3997c7612" grcontextid=".:0">.</span></span>I <i>had to</i> pretend to give my blessing, and then I murdered Didyme so that Marcus would stay. His talent was so useful to me in my quest to become the one true leader of the Volturi!" Aro sighed as he finally finished his story. ( <i><span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="authors:0" grmarkguid="f3c98c02-4739-41e5-b481-76c6f511ef78" gruiphraseguid="dd14f1c3-e36f-40d3-a507-6076e40a9428"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="554c1058-e760-407f-8dd6-5b50542e2fe5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5b9e3d20-cab9-4705-9bdd-a2c41ef3703a" grcontextid="authors:0">authors</span></span> note: adapted from Twilight wiki site )</i><br />
<span class="GRnoSuggestion GRcorrect" grcontextid="Sulpicia:0" grmarkguid="da536886-007f-4f3b-88fc-984360efb7fd" gruiphraseguid="cd45224d-b91e-4aff-82c5-16e87d747497"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7fce4c3f-906f-442c-a137-5fed88e10b3d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e7c7442d-c6eb-49f1-8dbf-4e7ecb4defee" grcontextid="Sulpicia:0">Sulpicia</span></span> watched my face for any reaction. I found myself totally in shock. I stared at Aro uncomprehendingly. The witch laughed evilly.<br />
<i>" </i>If you want to know what my husband is <i>really</i> like then listen carefully, Victoria! A key part of his personality is the ability to destroy even what he loves in order to further his ambitions. Marcus never found out that Aro was responsible for Didyme's death. He became an empty man. <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro used:0" grmarkguid="57172e97-d7ff-4f70-9831-d13b2aef71e8" gruiphraseguid="f3f5ad28-24e9-434b-b2b3-488b49447239"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ee813afc-7299-4c6d-961b-4579ea056a70" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ad0a8728-cbe3-4938-8115-8cbc463e0f51" grcontextid="Aro used:0">Aro used</span></span> Chelsea's gift to keep Marcus loyal to the Volturi, though not even Chelsea's gift could make Marcus show any enthusiasm for it. So do you still love him, Victoria?" she <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="enquired:0" grmarkguid="8224c145-2fc2-4ef0-9364-2c9bb1dcf82b" gruiphraseguid="a79dfd0f-6908-4ae5-b4db-3ebbdbac22e0"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e6cb902d-2ff9-4c1d-954b-326ebcb43e61" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="24c8857e-0032-4d6e-91cb-d3181d49e9a8" grcontextid="enquired:0">enquired</span></span> with happy venom. ( <i><span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="author's:0" grmarkguid="514dd66d-a9e0-489b-9d61-e8cdfde4c599" gruiphraseguid="0c7d796f-59b0-49eb-b8bb-1841dc268101"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0746054e-3e61-4966-ab8c-dabf88fff3fd" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1494ad22-cdf5-42b8-85af-36f72a6c692a" grcontextid="author's:0">author's</span></span> note: taken from Stephenie Meyer's FAQ's )</i><br />
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="78d09c8b-ad60-4081-ab9a-63c7c125e025" gruiphraseguid="dbc3551a-99c4-4e2b-afe0-bae063617bde"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a5aa08d9-eb6b-4146-947d-33017a8e11bd" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f45d1f10-d6ee-44de-b05f-c1afd8bba7e4" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span> snarled at Sulpicia viciously as he disentangled himself from me and stalked towards her <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="menancingly:1" grmarkguid="1e53f0ea-b1ea-4712-aa24-d09337d73be4" gruiphraseguid="dbc3551a-99c4-4e2b-afe0-bae063617bde"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a09d74e9-7d2e-4d21-961c-4ec8b0a3b38c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f45d1f10-d6ee-44de-b05f-c1afd8bba7e4" grcontextid="menancingly:1">menancingly</span></span>. She didn't flee, she just stood up and faced him mockingly. "Do your worst husband, I don't care anymore! If you decide to be with Victoria, I will tell Marcus and Caius the heinous crime you committed against your own sister! They will banish you from Volterra forever! You will have no power in this coven ever again! That's if they don't destroy you!" she shrieked manically.<br />
Time stood still as I waited for Aro to tell Sulpicia that he loved me, that he wanted to be with me and that he didn't care about her or the Volturi any more. His next words drove straight into my heart and left me reeling.<br />
" I <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="apologise:0" grmarkguid="d8bfd725-27a7-424b-a758-da10b75da01a" gruiphraseguid="270e1578-a782-47f8-9788-8527a4585780"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="29dbb856-168b-4a30-96c9-431d199b3c28" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3ac635ca-07a7-45e1-a388-cfea462a6250" grcontextid="apologise:0">apologise</span></span> to you my darling wife for my indiscretion with Victoria. She bewitched and enthralled me, my love! I was feeling a little weak and she used our maker/fledgling bond to rapture me! You know I will always love you! I will never leave you, my sweet wife," he exclaimed as he fell at her feet in <span class="GRnoSuggestion GRcorrect" grcontextid="suppliance:0" grmarkguid="fb4da928-c32f-4627-9ab8-45f695a8de37" gruiphraseguid="7cc83c00-4500-4a19-a887-52dcd830b1a0"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="71b28395-2f16-44dd-af24-dcaed175500b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="16ce5a05-88a6-4c80-8fd2-1418fa3748e4" grcontextid="suppliance:0">suppliance</span></span>.<br />
The pain that lanced through me almost knocked me to my feet, such was its intensity. I had been so happy, so fulfilled, so in love with my Maker. Now he had discarded me like rubbish on the street. How could I live now? <i>Oh Lizzie, what shall I do now</i>? I sobbed inside. <span class="GRnoSuggestion GRcorrect" grcontextid="Sulpicia:0" grmarkguid="d33fdaff-50dc-499c-8be9-930cd6b32dfa" gruiphraseguid="a16b5947-f368-485c-bb29-c12db03f7264"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ff77a4c5-4a55-42a0-bb39-2c451cfe153d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2f1fc91a-ba84-4f2d-8d7f-e5698c48ff80" grcontextid="Sulpicia:0">Sulpicia</span></span> grasped her errant husband to her in a passionate embrace. I watched in horror as their lips met hungrily.<br />
"Oh Aro! You do like to test my patience, my husband!" she breathed huskily against his mouth.<br />
I felt my overwhelming desire to flee <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="rush:0" grmarkguid="5bd51d64-e14e-41ce-87ea-29daec23ef99" gruiphraseguid="842e790c-3123-40b8-b5d7-c3ad41f6a57b"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c85fe8af-660f-4034-88d8-6c87c21279e8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fd5ff300-0f66-439f-a810-75e6abcbad56" grcontextid="rush:0">rush</span></span> over me and pull me under like <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="quick-sand:1" grmarkguid="e52bbe5c-a5fc-44b6-876a-1eec317f991c" gruiphraseguid="842e790c-3123-40b8-b5d7-c3ad41f6a57b"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="02c551a5-0ec7-49ef-94a3-86c7d826ec8d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fd5ff300-0f66-439f-a810-75e6abcbad56" grcontextid="quick-sand:1">quick-sand</span></span>. Before I could run Sulpicia was in front of me, her hands on her curvy hips defiantly. "You will be taken back to head-quarters Victoria, where you will be incarcerated in the deep dungeons, where not even rats dare to go! You will not be allowed to feed, you will be left to starve and go mad until you are a <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="dessicated:0" grmarkguid="0cd0fc95-990c-401f-872e-c9a516e10b01" gruiphraseguid="1ad5a23c-5d1c-4db9-86dd-bf2fd4d277dd"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c1cd0680-d4c9-4386-8500-2b43a2ecea29" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f67465b5-7055-4b7e-9c2d-28b66669fe05" grcontextid="dessicated:0">dessicated</span></span> husk of a vampire! You will still be conscious though and you will suffer immensely! This is the punishment I give to you as <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="wife:0" grmarkguid="8f2ae76c-f043-4798-b056-03cc8785ac14" gruiphraseguid="6cdf16f8-7720-440a-a1e8-79a419e07ff8"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="052b302d-3eae-4b97-b4c4-4f80049373d9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="06f209f3-0ea7-4bc5-b036-1ecf12aa8dc0" grcontextid="wife:0">wife</span></span> of Aro, <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="leader:1" grmarkguid="07a24196-f6ab-4acc-90ff-884cf781f295" gruiphraseguid="6cdf16f8-7720-440a-a1e8-79a419e07ff8"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="75770f97-79d9-42d7-89e2-37bc66e20784" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="06f209f3-0ea7-4bc5-b036-1ecf12aa8dc0" grcontextid="leader:1">leader</span></span> of the Volturi coven!" she announced victoriously.<br />
Then she unleashed her full power on me and I was left unable to move in the utter complete darkness, my eyes refused to see and my limbs were deadened and useless. I could hear though and my ears were assaulted by the sounds of Sulpicia and Aro's passionate reunion. I was tortured and heartbroken as I <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="realised:0" grmarkguid="d937738c-2e4b-468a-beda-cc02285cf2a5" gruiphraseguid="92287b47-1042-489d-8026-8ef4b850856d"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3f37d57f-eb86-4414-9d30-51473482eeb4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="cfdb3c64-e3be-43cd-9357-808832219663" grcontextid="realised:0">realised</span></span> I was only a silly inconsequential pawn in their age old games.<br />
<i>Oh little flame! How could you be so unbelievably stupid?</i><br />
<hr size="1" />
<b>Chapter 8: Chapter 8</b><br />
<hr size="1" />
<u>CHAPTER EIGHT</u><br />
My punishment of imprisonment was terrible and frightening, but nothing could compare to the pain of Aro denouncing his love for me. That was so much worse than this dark insidious place which Felix and Demetri had left me in to starve. I was hungry for blood and I was ravenous for Aro's touch. I didn't know how long I had been here for, but it seemed a long time already. I was weak, my body was limp but my mind refused to <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="still:0" grmarkguid="dc68f723-57dc-44ef-95bc-e9a8a9209b40" gruiphraseguid="b43743db-66ee-4250-80e0-85b1894dc566"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f5b76291-68a6-4467-9a05-ad15fcba8d63" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2720c5a6-b3eb-4e8e-8b70-5dbf4784f30a" grcontextid="still:0">still</span></span>. I went over every detail of my last day in the light again and again. Images of Aro and I <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="coming:0" grmarkguid="bff1d089-88e0-4aa4-9f56-f3137574b2e8" gruiphraseguid="f075248d-be34-431a-8992-070cfe18a366"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b91455ac-9119-4fef-a2ce-d0c9f1fc062a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e3590bc5-9194-4076-919a-9b7d63b6ba02" grcontextid="coming:0">coming</span></span> together sweetly in a passionate union plagued my thoughts. The feel of his cool lips and hands on my skin making me shiver with delight would not leave my tortured mind. He was always there, behind my eyes, taunting me, loving me, bewitching me over and over. <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Sulpicia's:0" grmarkguid="a066af5e-a1c8-4cf7-bc8b-6d24a98459e3" gruiphraseguid="1be4dfd0-ca09-42dc-80bc-8e1af2e3ab38"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="51cfaad2-03f6-48a6-88ef-a08ae7d2d15b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b9d0e7a3-2d9c-4107-8fc9-a1c35c141027" grcontextid="Sulpicia's:0">Sulpicia's</span></span> laugh had echoed around this dark chamber for hours after she left me here. She had won a glorious victory over me, her helpless slave and adversary in matters of the heart. I just couldn't find it in my stone heart to feel any pity for her. She had driven Aro into my arms by her sheer cruelty and lack of compassion in the first place. But had the roles been reversed I would have killed her for stealing my lover from me!<br />
To a vampire, blood was <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="food:0" grmarkguid="83dab536-d08b-4770-9180-52a1de42e250" gruiphraseguid="30e4ff19-0aeb-4896-937c-9b689bdf7f97"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5b5f6fb2-1f63-46fc-b5cf-a713ba883f3e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3bc9a60f-f86a-461a-b37e-0d2208a1ee6a" grcontextid="food:0">food</span></span>, it was sustenance and it was imperative to our strength and survival. Yes, we were immortal, but without blood we were nothing! Mere husks of our former glorious selves. I was weakening rapidly now. I could feel all my strength slowly being sapped from every cell in my <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="new-born:0" grmarkguid="fbf1d72d-c441-44fe-9991-70c59396d46d" gruiphraseguid="383061a1-9ce5-4568-808e-5a8b684df7ff"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="35e4a29f-f571-41d4-ab7c-705b000708aa" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="df7b67a5-ff98-450c-9bb1-8754e9ed0717" grcontextid="new-born:0">new-born</span></span> body. I lay in the dark, alone, with not even a rat for company. If one had happened to scurry past I would have found the strength to drink its blood willingly, but not even an insect shared my prison with me. I was completely alone. As I said, my body was now a shadow of its former self but my mind was still sharp and it would give me no peace as I suffered this torment. Hours, moments, days dragged on until I thought I would surely go insane. How long could I survive without blood? Would I soon become a dried out paper thin shell of myself? I wished I could sleep. I wanted to dream of Aro's arms around me, his pale marble body against mine as he led me into the deep depths of his red eyes. I wanted to dream of his lips devouring mine with lustful intent as he took me to places I'd never been before. I wanted <i>him</i>. I missed <i>him. </i>Most of all, I loved <i>him. Still.</i><br />
Maybe a few more days went by, a week perhaps? Now I felt as though my body had disappeared and all that was left was my poor mind which was slowly but surely staring into a deep pit of black madness. I spoke to my dear Lizzie in my head, as I imagined she held my poor weak hands in hers. "<i>Do not despair Little Flame." </i>she whispered to me over and over, her shimmering violet eyes full of love for me. She never stayed for long though and it was back to deep despair and anguish for me as my mind conjured up Aro's pure face, his lips, his eyes and his long silky black hair. His mouth would deliciously incline slowly to mine. When our lips finally met I would see and feel the <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="colours:0" grmarkguid="4ce00ba2-d8f4-4886-96fb-1d01df010ea9" gruiphraseguid="e48dabeb-59be-48b4-98bf-1d580bb42542"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="091cb24f-d146-4a5a-b288-b19d0200457c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7ffe3245-076f-4bdb-99d2-959a63059bef" grcontextid="colours:0">colours</span></span> bloom and burst in my head with ecstasy. I would be happy for a short while, then the pain would whip through my <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="dessicated:0" grmarkguid="5e33493a-2f31-479f-a890-5a5dac9a6836" gruiphraseguid="0e8b4513-a225-459d-b6a3-5c931554e070"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1c6f94f3-1c77-4ae3-9b44-52d9804befbc" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ba2ed808-87e4-45a2-8cad-e688f6fd4e99" grcontextid="dessicated:0">dessicated</span></span> body sharply with no mercy. It was unrelenting. It was hell.<br />
I thought I imagined a voice whispering close to my ear, "Oh Victoria, my sweet child! What have they done to you?" the voice spoke tenderly.<br />
The words were like nectar to my poor starving body. When an open wrist was offered to my parched lips I gladly and desperately drank the precious fluid greedily. It was purely divine. The blood filled up my dry veins and made my body sing with electricity. This blood was heaven sent, it was no ordinary human blood. This was <i>his </i>venom laced blood. Finally Aro <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="prised:0" grmarkguid="56585962-ab67-47f8-906d-0aeed26d5c39" gruiphraseguid="7cffb2fe-b48f-46b0-b9ef-795c0f8f574a"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="23d1798e-4354-4a06-8fa1-732f8655ef11" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4ab14c13-4c80-4928-a46a-65bdc61249cb" grcontextid="prised:0">prised</span></span> my hungry mouth from his wrist. He picked me up tenderly and carried me out of my prison.<br />
"I know a secret door out of here, my love," he whispered against my cheek. I clung to him gratefully. His blood flowed through me, giving me strength and life. "Can you walk now, Victoria?" he asked after a little while. I nodded, still too shocked and stunned to speak. <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro placed:0" grmarkguid="d925f91e-a0c1-4312-8f8d-53b2ec8cb475" gruiphraseguid="2c9b3b01-b6e0-48fb-8a62-0303e72770ca"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f511790b-40f9-4526-a57e-89acc8075c26" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="72705631-3fbe-440b-9de1-cf48859d3dc3" grcontextid="Aro placed:0">Aro placed</span></span> me down onto my feet very gently whilst he held my arms to steady me. His eyes probed mine, looking for signs of madness, illness or something else? I gazed up at him as I always did, with utmost adoration and love. He clasped me to his strong marble chest with a cry of pain. "Oh my love, I am so sorry!" he wailed. I clung to him as if he was a raft on a stormy ocean of tears and pain. "Please forgive me!", he cried against my hair in sorrowful anguish. His hands gently cupped my face as his lips softly met mine in a sweet heart-breaking kiss. I was over-powered with need and desire for him. It swept over me quickly in a tidal wave of passion as my strength returned. My lips hungrily devoured his as I forgot about everything else. <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="there:0" grmarkguid="c78a3a10-350b-4f76-80d9-9566733d6945" gruiphraseguid="018b2899-cec0-4037-b612-140033364c5e"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="bf0455bc-64ea-4e19-a074-f5f01ec2426a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7a4fb783-8fb4-4552-a2e6-c37e03da3da1" grcontextid="there:0">there</span></span> was only this moment, this kiss between us.<br />
Our lips reluctantly parted after some time, both of us sighing with <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="desire:0" grmarkguid="55db191f-3391-4b72-97e5-42ce9aebe1c9" gruiphraseguid="0f972aca-31c3-49d8-839b-b37e6140accb"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b2411154-c0cc-40c3-9ad4-21b6c668ac90" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7308d370-8305-4c1b-b086-59fb99f9e8c1" grcontextid="desire:0">desire</span></span> and relief to have found each other again. <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="8b199317-4f8c-4dfd-b374-a4d697f08f43" gruiphraseguid="873adf26-ffe5-46de-98ea-cb4eb38eea9c"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2e16eb4d-62c7-4b10-85e6-688c838f7280" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2efc65fd-7413-40bc-bc68-0b5a62889b2b" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span> held me to him once more and I prayed he would never let go this time. Could we have a happy ending after all? Despite his lies, his murderous past and his evil wife? I fervently wished it could be so.<br />
"Victoria, I am so sorry I did not rescue you sooner, my dearest. <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Sulpicia's:0" grmarkguid="296029e5-4de7-43f8-b23a-56347fc9cd20" gruiphraseguid="7ece9468-f5d7-47b5-82d8-b575ae22c5a6"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ae06c9cb-af7d-4908-8547-fb3d5eaa7a6f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="03e82378-f6b3-4617-8a85-d865856acdea" grcontextid="Sulpicia's:0">Sulpicia's</span></span> <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="050fef6c-3bc9-4000-b829-cac549eda1d1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="03e82378-f6b3-4617-8a85-d865856acdea" grcontextid="is:1">is</span> the only power which can render me helpless, that's why she is such a powerful addition to the Volturi. She stopped me from discovering where you had been incarcerated. Only she knows <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e34bec2d-f60b-499f-ab83-89cf46d65f81" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e31b8590-3b19-4010-8d71-691e7c45998e" grcontextid="of:0">of</span> this place! But she couldn't outwit me completely, my sweet!" he crowed with a smile. "I placated her eventually with promises of my utmost devotion to her once again. It took days, but I won't trouble you with the sordid details, my angel. I divulged the information from her private thoughts whilst her mind was at <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="it's:0" grmarkguid="88c13ff9-d959-4053-88ed-7ff1ce3d8c9c" gruiphraseguid="b3e1f962-451a-461b-b594-03a866f773a2"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e654102d-b446-42b3-a8f0-d5c396b919a8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c2b356c0-fa13-4bb9-87f6-4468514b2b82" grcontextid="it's:0">it's</span></span> most unguarded. Again I will not inform you how I managed it. Centuries of a loveless marriage have made me cruel and uncompromising, my darling. I am sorry that you have learned this in the hardest, worst way. I only changed Sulpicia out of sympathy, never love. I <i>love </i>you Victoria, but I cannot be with you!" he finished his speech sadly.<br />
"But why Aro? Is it because your wife is blackmailing you over Didyme's death? I abhor your reasons for killing your own sister! I will never be able to understand why you ended her immortal life. To me it is incomprehensible! It is truly terrible and awful. I loved my sister so! But, I <i>love </i>you too Aro, so utterly and completely! Because of my utmost love for you I can forgive you <i>anything,</i>" I said as I threw my arms around him, wanting to feel his body next to me again.<br />
We held each other in silence for <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="awhile:0" grmarkguid="95af87bc-0e81-4612-a696-0f633ed6a0de" gruiphraseguid="b4a2b7b8-b7c9-4941-b905-4ff69cadb103"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="41b71afb-431f-46e8-84c2-4c1bedae3fb6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="94ab0f7b-b278-46e9-b195-fd4c9965eb91" grcontextid="awhile:0">awhile</span></span>, just revelling in being close again. "I didn't amount to much in my human life Victoria. My family abandoned me because they couldn't afford to keep me. I was their last born child. Desiderius gave me something more than Immortality, he gave me self respect and a purpose. I belong <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9601d768-55af-4f5e-a846-4a9b39f9d157" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1d6f1337-a155-4e39-96b6-0fb723c0be38" grcontextid="with:0">with</span> the Volturi, I am a great and powerful leader. <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Sulpicia:0" grmarkguid="7749c1f2-8be9-4af7-861b-1807e6d89047" gruiphraseguid="23b6db58-ffd2-4663-83b6-9e968e51f7ea"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9f865715-9d27-4988-af87-c5d483059b45" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c63bcb23-fbef-428f-97d7-f2acceeff8a4" grcontextid="Sulpicia:0">Sulpicia</span></span> could destroy that all with her words! " <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="he:0" grmarkguid="9234ec7d-30c4-46e1-b7c9-25841f11b141" gruiphraseguid="1635707a-674f-464e-9342-cc4b170c1549"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f840a591-c56e-43f3-a85a-8bb0e2f7a324" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e33096bc-6051-4da5-ba51-cf07aa73d91b" grcontextid="he:0">he</span></span> candidly revealed, his lips against my cheek, his hands coiled in my hair.<br />
I hated the witch with a passion and I wished she was gone, forever. "Ah Victoria! I cannot destroy my wife! I know you are wondering how I could kill my own sister, yet let my wife live? <span class="GRnoSuggestion GRcorrect" grcontextid="Didyme:0" grmarkguid="347edb97-c8ae-49a9-8535-d89957a1670b" gruiphraseguid="39212808-8e12-4675-893a-95cad7b81127"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="63a3ad4b-79ec-45be-909b-3dae33aca299" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1926db91-f410-4b1f-8daf-f54b8f2e0317" grcontextid="Didyme:0">Didyme</span></span> was sweet and kind and even as a vampire she radiated utter goodness. <span class="GRnoSuggestion GRcorrect" grcontextid="Sulpicia:0" grmarkguid="b25ebab1-bd36-460f-9a64-2d3ac6091011" gruiphraseguid="86a78de6-d74e-4b80-8212-d59a13a67861"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="dbdfdd16-74f7-4192-8995-6ca922d263f6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a9125cea-4004-4167-8da3-a3a2b4b85310" grcontextid="Sulpicia:0">Sulpicia</span></span> was jealous of my love for Didyme. She hated my sister with a passion! When Marcus and Didyme fell in love, my wife was incensed with envy. She wanted the perfect adoring husband too, but all she had was me. I could never love her that way. I didn't think I could ever love anyone that way. Then I met you my sweet Victoria!" Aro exclaimed passionately as he kissed me again.<br />
Oh but how I had missed this closeness! I wanted to talk though so I reluctantly pulled my eager lips away from his.<br />
"<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="4fedcb17-fe55-4057-a257-e4941632081b" gruiphraseguid="f2fc4a05-4541-43cc-bdff-8d24bd7a0c32"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="338c0b6f-bf6e-49c7-a6a4-ba5c65d0cdd8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="827d433b-d9a5-43ac-afdc-9523f4267c4f" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span>, you must tell me the whole story! If you love me like you say then I deserve to know the truth!" I demanded, my red eyes glittering with determination.<br />
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="c1c0b28c-bd4a-4b93-9073-500d3cb68437" gruiphraseguid="979b20a9-52b6-409e-8f14-77f5c7ba5cf4"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="344d8b64-d9b0-4d19-a182-0d420b2f0b66" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fba53da4-ee3e-41a6-827f-1065f5e266c2" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span> sighed as he led me out of the tunnels and into the city of Volterra. "Come child, we will go to another of my houses," he said as we flew along the night streets at great speed. Another town-house, another bedroom, another ornate bed. <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="ec9c84fc-e588-498f-ba6d-867453bb0df8" gruiphraseguid="5874e2ec-a47a-4ffc-a3dc-6965e8803587"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="15344da1-bcb6-4170-aee5-a26c69600561" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1c9e5c69-7be9-4590-877d-b38d5de0ffb2" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span> shushed me and laughed when he caught my impure thoughts regarding the bed with it's dark satin sheets.<br />
"Not now, Victoria, you deserve an explanation," he said <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="sombrely:0" grmarkguid="16afa4d0-c1f4-4617-a2fc-849d270bddf1" gruiphraseguid="58a1a55a-33cb-43d5-b61e-890fb090d206"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="425844f7-1f57-4f68-812d-c659d616aab7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="04939090-3015-4269-aaf4-a72a999b164a" grcontextid="sombrely:0">sombrely</span></span> as he briefly kissed my lips. We sat on the bed together and he began to pour his heart out to me. "<span class="GRnoSuggestion GRcorrect" grcontextid="Didyme:0" grmarkguid="ac6fc1bb-fec9-485e-9061-a08e433e7e43" gruiphraseguid="2a0f42a4-0acb-415e-9096-a627cfe82021"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="31130d41-f469-4c66-b150-6c9be0d56946" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d555269a-2093-43a2-a3f4-d4f0e21fc300" grcontextid="Didyme:0">Didyme</span></span> and Marcus were so <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="giddily:1" grmarkguid="06b477d1-42f1-4408-8719-51848933fc83" gruiphraseguid="2a0f42a4-0acb-415e-9096-a627cfe82021"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b92a9db8-6e29-4c01-a3a6-5c2518848aa9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d555269a-2093-43a2-a3f4-d4f0e21fc300" grcontextid="giddily:1">giddily</span></span> happy together, they only needed each other, no one else mattered. As I told you Sulpicia was insanely jealous of my beautiful and good natured sister. She hated my relationship with her too. My wife wanted to feel such love and happiness too and she knew it wasn't going to be me who made her feel those things! Victoria, I am afraid my wife did a terrible thing! She made an Immortal child! The most heinous crime a vampire can commit!" he divulged to a very shocked me.<br />
I gasped aloud in surprise.<br />
"She tried to hide this from the coven, but Didyme discovered this poor child by accident one night. The desperate thing was feeding on rats from the sewers because Sulpicia had forgotten to bring him a victim! The boy was only seven years old when my wife cruelly changed him into one of us. His name was Noah and he was a beautiful child. His poor parents went out of their minds with grief when he was taken," Aro said shaking his head with sadness. "So, to cut a long story short, Sulpicia was mortified to be confronted by Didyme about Noah. My sister told her that Marcus and she were leaving the Volturi and would take the vampire child with them! She did not want me to be vilified along with my wife when the news of Noah's presence was confirmed to the coven. Of course, Sulpicia went crazy with fury when my sister told her this. <span class="GRnoSuggestion GRcorrect" grcontextid="Sulpicia:0" grmarkguid="98537f3a-cdb1-46e5-8056-b0d183d28f63" gruiphraseguid="d8d72fea-d4d1-4f98-9248-449d1dc0f1c1"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="770b5a33-7f49-4736-aadc-a7a345b7babf" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1436de36-dd51-47dc-b43b-42ccba1f6248" grcontextid="Sulpicia:0">Sulpicia</span></span> killed Didyme to prevent her leaving with Noah. <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Sulpicia:0" grmarkguid="3676d68a-bcc5-4daa-9d42-daadcfdd88e6" gruiphraseguid="91fee06b-99f7-4088-a9ee-0c2dca3c8095"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1609d85f-6c3b-42b4-8bba-db603430b86b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="59cdb6a8-cc12-4860-bbde-ae6bbfb24275" grcontextid="Sulpicia:0">Sulpicia</span></span> is the murderer not <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="I:1" grmarkguid="c1240412-97b4-4653-a45f-11fcff2132dd" gruiphraseguid="91fee06b-99f7-4088-a9ee-0c2dca3c8095"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="828ee5a3-6ec4-4bb3-88b1-d19dc0f73394" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="59cdb6a8-cc12-4860-bbde-ae6bbfb24275" grcontextid="I:1">I</span></span>! But, she has turned it around in her mind that I am the evil one, Victoria! I could never kill my sister, I loved her!" he exclaimed with passion.<br />
My mind was whirling with all his words. <span class="GRnoSuggestion GRcorrect" grcontextid="Sulpicia:0" grmarkguid="0da6c860-95b7-476a-998f-1347b5afa49e" gruiphraseguid="93bea9bc-30c7-438b-b3c2-1c61df3c4eae"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="33603b58-71e5-49f1-8046-c9c03062b3b8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f864ba98-baee-49a0-ba70-059fcab6eeb1" grcontextid="Sulpicia:0">Sulpicia</span></span> made an Immortal child and she killed her sister-in-law? I could actually believe it was true as I knew how evil she could be, but why oh why did Aro feel beholden to her? Couldn't he just tell Marcus and Caius what had happened? <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="2b02291a-bf0b-4bbe-9036-7e7168f0eb25" gruiphraseguid="745693d0-73a5-411b-940d-213429a00899"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="33a0200b-d4d9-4977-80bb-96f6581b8109" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="87fc44df-61e1-455c-a617-0ebbb5b295a5" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span> gazed at me sadly as he held my small hand in his. I gazed into his sorrowful red eyes and gave his hand a little squeeze.<br />
"Ah Victoria, I wish I could be as noble as you think I am! I only have such power within the Volturi because of Sulpicia! You have witnessed her almighty power for yourself! I banished Noah to a sealed tomb where he could never be discovered. My wife raged and tortured me for days, but I will never reveal his whereabouts to her, in exchange she gives me the power to overwhelm the guard, making them believe I am their most trustworthy leader! She killed my beloved sister so I took her precious boy. We will never be free of each other, don't you see Victoria? We could destroy the other with the information we have, but neither of us wants to relinquish our power! So we feed off each other, we hate each other and we thrive off each other in a strange way. If I leave here with you, she will hunt us down, she will kill you! She can never dispatch of me because only I know where Noah is!"<br />
I simply stared at my lover in shocked silence. What a tangled web of malice and deceit!<br />
"Yes, my love, I should never have brought you here to this city. I was selfish, I wanted you near to me, but Sulpicia poisons everything and everyone. I promised Desiderius that I would bring the world's vampires together in the greatest coven ever known in our history! He was like a Father to me, the only one I really had. I can't leave the Volturi in Sulpicia's hands. I just can't. I must let you go, sweet girl, for your own safety. I must set you free from my heart and mind! I love you <i>so</i>, my darling Victoria. I have never had these feelings of such utter love before. I cannot tell you how happy you have made me, my dearest," he said with a sigh as he brought my hand up to his sweet mouth.<br />
His lips grazed my cool skin causing icy fires to dance below my skin. This was sad beyond belief, he should have left me to rot in the dark place! "No! No, don't say that Victoria!" he cried out, his red eyes full of sadness and regret.<br />
Our lips were like magnets and found each other with pent up desire. We clung to each other desperately as our clothes seemed to dissolve and we glided together, cold skin on cold skin, ice and fire, love and despair colliding. This would be my last encounter with my maker. It filled my still heart with utter despair, but I loved him so intensely that cold dark night, I loved him so fiercely that both of us would never be the same again.<br />
<i>I engraved our last night on my heart and mind forever as my body gave in completely to his in a <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="bitter-sweet:0" grmarkguid="5ec26cd5-2dad-445a-8d49-432776353a4b" gruiphraseguid="c3cab9a0-46c1-40bc-8e03-f397131d0b0a"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f4a4ec6b-4fec-46a4-9fa8-7cfe6d4b64fb" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="93fc3a42-93f4-4651-a473-88bc49c77261" grcontextid="bitter-sweet:0">bitter-sweet</span></span> perfect union.</i><br />
<hr size="1" />
<b>Chapter 9: Chapter 9</b><br />
<hr size="1" />
<b>PART TWO: THE CHANGELING</b><br />
<u>CHAPTER NINE</u><br />
It is now the year 1549, two hundred years have passed by so quickly. I could not believe just how old I was sometimes. It was a crisp autumnal day in England, where I had made a home for the past thirty years. Edward VI was King, he was Henry VIII's son with his third wife Jane Seymour, but he was only a young boy so his uncle the Earl of Somerset ruled over this land. The country was rife with rebellion, riots and unrest. This was Tudor England and the reformation of the Church had <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="began:0" grmarkguid="9a472eb0-b008-4127-b5fd-c06011ec6c74" gruiphraseguid="18658622-ff65-4780-bf08-607857a1987f"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6d464c62-3515-4990-a929-28f70be60688" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9111319c-1c45-4c4f-9c29-af41512ff166" grcontextid="began:0">began</span></span>, with the introduction of "The Book Of Common Prayer". Of course none of these human concerns bothered me. I lived in an old country mansion in deepest Kent, I kept myself to myself and lived a quiet simple life. The owners had "mysteriously" passed away in the night, so I had pretended I was a long lost relative. I found I could be most chameleon-like when I needed to be, adapting to any given situation readily. I had to become this way or I would not have survived these last two hundred years. There was an old couple who lived in the small cottage on the grounds who attended to general duties around the place. They looked upon me as a strange and eccentric lady who was not to be spoken to unless I spoke first. It suited me perfectly. I hunted alone, I lived alone and I learned to enjoy my own company<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid=".:0" grmarkguid="c08f0762-0234-4f55-9be7-1e37d8ca6318" gruiphraseguid="3e6e674d-1105-48dc-ac01-47c1ce55b682"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c0813731-18cf-4fa2-a07f-8f5e7c1974cf" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f9572b20-2a27-486c-baeb-4065c79855cf" grcontextid=".:0">.</span></span><i>Most of the time.</i><br />
There were nights when I let my mind drift to my human life which seemed so long ago now. I still pictured my beautiful sister Lizzie in my mind's eye. I could conjure her up easily and hold such animated conversations with her in my head. Vampires had amazing memories, we could remember every single detail as if it only just occurred. It was a blessing. It was also a curse, because I still felt Aro's arms around me, his cool kisses and his encompassing love penetrating my very soul. You may wonder how I could still feel this way after two hundred years? Well my vampire heart still loved Aro and only Aro. I truly believed I always would, until eternity. I hated to think that far into the future. It frightened me. That great expanse of time stretching out in front of me with no one to share it with. But still, why did I crave Aro so? I had to have my fix, just like any addict, so it came to pass that my lover and I met up every three or four decades or so. He was insanely in love with me too. It wasn't an ideal situation, but we made it work. Sometimes vampires and humans are not so different when it comes to relationships. The main difference is that we love deeper and we hurt more because our emotions and senses run at a much higher frequency. We have more time to cultivate and nurture our relationships, so we become more attached and much more intimate.<br />
I sighed as I remembered my last passionate encounter with Aro. It was forty years ago. We met in Paris, an obvious human romantic choice, but we both loved the city so dearly. We walked by moonlight along the banks of The Siene, lost in each other completely as we talked and kissed like young lovers. Much later, we lay wrapped in each other's arms in a beautiful four poster bed in our hotel room. Hotel de Buci was a luxury hotel in Des Pres Paris, right in the heart of Saint-Germain Des Prés area. The streets of this neighborhood brimmed with intellectual life and attractions as well as cafes where some of the great thinkers gathered and exchanged ideas about existentialism, art and literature. It was<i> perfect. </i>We made love every night with ferocious passion and ultimate lustful desire. His body pressed close to mine; thrilling me as much as the very first time. I decided that Paris was my new <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="favourite:0" grmarkguid="f9e06bea-185b-4c71-a3bb-10afb9f77721" gruiphraseguid="37b7f108-cf8c-4d30-9536-4481d404ac1b"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="be126bef-862a-4142-aac2-26e85e7410c9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="05fd843b-f88f-4a58-91ec-d8e1046e14ea" grcontextid="favourite:0">favourite</span></span> place. When Aro returned to the Volturi and Sulpicia I made up my mind that the city of romance would be my new home. When Aro and I first parted way back in Volterra in 1350, I had been absolutely devastated with the belief that I would never see him again. His revelations had shocked me to my vampire core. I was young and naive then. Now, I see events differently. But then I was only a fledgling vampire, and I was new to this strange, wonderful, and sometimes terrifyingly lonely life.<br />
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="ccff5692-257e-4fc8-8a2e-f477337fb62a" gruiphraseguid="3f84438d-dfdd-4611-8d5e-6cdd9a755d09"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5ce568fe-3548-4638-aebe-8b5320c67326" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9c54cb3b-e1c2-40b5-874a-f56133861725" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span> and Sulpicia still ruled the Volturi with an iron <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="resolution:1" grmarkguid="233187b7-8046-4b68-8f7a-e1619ab829c5" gruiphraseguid="3f84438d-dfdd-4611-8d5e-6cdd9a755d09"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e3016852-76e6-4a0b-831e-76bd9a7ed4a9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9c54cb3b-e1c2-40b5-874a-f56133861725" grcontextid="resolution:1">resolution</span></span>. He was the face of the coven whilst she manipulated the background. They still collected vampires who had special talents, it was an obsession which never seemed to abate. <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="6aa38e99-766a-4abf-9592-c299429f4630" gruiphraseguid="97a6f70f-77f1-430a-b9f9-5dcfe71f39a7"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="bb3c724d-55b3-4c9c-af06-88e3d308b58b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4695b18a-b48b-45d3-bf26-2bfa0de54c25" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span> would never leave her, I had accepted that now. He still kept the poor desiccated husk of Sulpicia's immortal son Noah hidden away in a secret tomb somewhere in the world. Even I didn't know his whereabouts and I didn't want to. My still as stone heart was filled with sadness for that little boy. He was alive but hardly so. He lived but he was trapped in a weak useless dried up husk of a body. His mind would still function to some degree but hopefully he would be in some sort of inert coma-like state. It made me shudder because that could have been me. <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Sulpicia:0" grmarkguid="452aeea0-0f28-4cef-87be-93aa2af560fd" gruiphraseguid="6db933c8-814d-40ec-9061-13579bb69d50"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b65f18a3-fa89-4acf-b106-c72154dfcd5c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bbe4ddf5-d4b5-47a9-abba-fc78fca2e343" grcontextid="Sulpicia:0">Sulpicia</span></span> had ordered Felix and Demetri to incarcerate me in the Volturi dungeons, where nothing lived except blackness and decaying damp. <span class="GRnoSuggestion GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="73e0cfeb-1934-41cc-93de-dbc5c233b08c" gruiphraseguid="f85b6847-7eda-45f6-9c4d-51f8e597bee5"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="aa99f864-a9a6-4dbf-954f-7afe443005ec" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9a5af62b-531d-4e83-ae2d-9b4b53eef996" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span> saved me, then he set me free. He was frightened Sulpicia would kill me. I completely believed she would and could destroy me for ever. She had killed Didyme, Aro's sister and she had taken a poor innocent child away from his family, turning him into an immortal child. No vampire was allowed to make a child into a vampire. It was an unspoken, extremely forbidden law. <span class="GRnoSuggestion GRcorrect" grcontextid="Sulpicia:0" grmarkguid="f478a51e-94a2-47ac-8445-20302479272b" gruiphraseguid="da80d229-fe4b-4d06-86a6-bb8b665a4898"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="879e7552-1abb-4f52-b90d-412b9e7a2517" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d9efbeab-c3b1-48fc-8c7c-0251e6177519" grcontextid="Sulpicia:0">Sulpicia</span></span> believed she was above the law. Only the three of us had known about the existence of Noah. <span class="GRnoSuggestion GRcorrect" grcontextid="Didyme:0" grmarkguid="1ee068be-e899-4709-87ff-a59a82775c49" gruiphraseguid="305329e1-1991-4edb-abda-a8be85b7015a"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a6140da5-6046-4bff-8f80-8f6035cdd02a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0a9201d4-d3df-454f-8aa5-b6fe4885c828" grcontextid="Didyme:0">Didyme</span></span> had found out, so Sulpicia erased her forever.<br />
I <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="apologise:0" grmarkguid="5169f8af-09ed-4b34-9bcf-126ab079b3bc" gruiphraseguid="50191f0a-0700-4ea0-ac0f-0f38aa39c0ff"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8827deff-0a51-4510-b1bb-b82557e3ab41" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ac497bf3-9d0d-4781-8cc5-dff62bb5b16d" grcontextid="apologise:0">apologise</span></span>, I am veering away from the subject at hand completely now. I was explaining that I had decided to make Paris my new home. After leaving Volterra I had wandered the Italian countryside for a few years before travelling all over Europe. I sometimes came across other vampires, but I didn't interact with them. I was too frightened. My only other reference on vampires was the Volturi and look how <i>that</i> had turned out! <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="62a4620b-3033-4d29-846a-eeaa51ead18d" gruiphraseguid="0abf4934-5538-4e63-b35c-8abc0e11614c"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="eeeb9ae7-6d09-4393-a289-e360ee6fc41b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="002f64b0-794a-48a9-b57f-faae7703f94a" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span> tracked me down many years later using one of his talented coven members. I couldn't resist meeting him again, it was as if we'd never parted. Such love I had for my maker, such adoration and unwavering loyalty. So after wandering aimlessly without a purpose for years<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid=",:0" grmarkguid="3ba556b5-1d97-42c9-9464-d06bf7ed95ac" gruiphraseguid="9adbf830-9daa-4619-ad56-1f82eb79335d"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="45de5698-25d3-4576-b79d-da98a91df169" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="10faba43-0fb7-4741-9a5e-eb17d98e7d10" grcontextid=",:0">,</span></span>it was lovely to finally decide on a place I could call home. I lived in Paris for ten years before visiting England one day. I sneaked onto a boat at night and in no time I was approaching the white cliffs on the English coast. I found it strange to be back in my own country. I avoided London though, I couldn't bear to go back to my human home. I found myself in the countryside, it was tranquil and peaceful, which suited my lonesome mood perfectly. I came upon the unfortunate owners of the mansion as they played croquet on their lovely lawn. I was thirsty after my boat trip, they were there, right in front of me, their veins pulsing with the thick red blood I craved so badly. It was all too easy to take them and then pretend I was <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a4d4e6e9-82df-4329-a9dd-dccf5145d9dd" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e26f536a-5dae-4adc-abf8-42d8ec0227fd" grcontextid="a:0">a</span> heir and relative. No-one questioned me at all. It was a stroke of luck that the couple I killed had no living relations. I believed it was fate.<br />
I made England my second home. I could easily get to the market town of Dover to take a boat over to France. There were plenty of victims to feast on when at sea, and the bodies were so easily disposed of! It always made me think of Aro and I's journey to Volterra and I would get melancholy as I stared out over the English Channel. After an encounter with Aro, it would take me at least a decade to get over our meeting. You see, I had to go through the devastation of losing him all over again each time we parted. It was <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="awfully:0" grmarkguid="4a85f10b-c5c8-432a-ab70-5992e8f7abaa" gruiphraseguid="672280a6-2ff1-4f08-85c3-83252209f096"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a89a1593-b349-4f7d-b17b-36ed55bb65c4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3b4921c8-8a8f-4411-a192-33d6c9037e33" grcontextid="awfully:0">awfully</span></span> and terribly heart-breaking but I would rather smash my heart to pieces a thousand times over than never see him again. The pain was worth the reward. I alternated between Paris and here, depending on my mood. When my lover wanted to communicate with me, he would send a letter written on the most beautiful parchment. His quill was a swan feather and the ink he used as black as coal to convey in delicate calligraphy the extent of his love for me. I would quiver with excitement whenever a letter arrived. Since I acquired my house in Paris he always sent the letter there as it had less miles to travel. Of course we wrote to each other in between our secret meetings. We sent intricate love letters full of longing desire and hope that we would soon be together again. It was enough to keep us going until we saw each other again. <i>It had to be.</i><br />
I loved Paris in the Winter and Spring and I adored England in the Summer and Fall. November was nearly over and I was due to return to Paris. I had decided I would leave tonight. I gazed out into the acres of garden surrounding this beautiful mansion and prayed to whomever might listen that a letter might be waiting for me in Saint Germain. Forty years had flown by since I last saw him. Usually we managed to meet up before four decades whizzed by lightning fast. My last delicious encounter with Aro had been Christmas Eve in 1509. I had unwrapped <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="him:0" grmarkguid="ea64c686-34a8-46a5-a96d-79898154365d" gruiphraseguid="e77f8464-f660-4319-895c-1956ae157835"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b7b09085-b6aa-4864-a1ad-d1d68f0fa54f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="139a3a66-08c2-4610-b72a-f5a539fbace8" grcontextid="him:0">him</span></span> greedily as if he were the most wondrous gift ever given. A few decades did nothing to dampen our <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="ardour:0" grmarkguid="77cfbd60-a2e6-45b5-8873-8dc81ef14836" gruiphraseguid="20d3602b-a337-47a9-a3d2-17a1556d1b3e"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ebfe3cc0-b502-4370-b4fc-15cbf5035e03" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a4b9afd1-fb5e-48a2-bee2-50206430808b" grcontextid="ardour:0">ardour</span></span>, in fact it flamed the fires of our lust and desire to boiling point and when we finally melded together as one it was completely and wholly <span class="GRnoSuggestion GRcorrect" grcontextid="animalistic:1" grmarkguid="1598e36a-cbef-412b-8bd9-c313ad86e3a2" gruiphraseguid="20d3602b-a337-47a9-a3d2-17a1556d1b3e">animalistic</span>. I shivered inside and out at the memories and emotions that last time evoked in me. To let him go after the times we spent was just about more than I could bear. But bear it I must, for he was and <i>always</i> would be my universe. He surely <i>must </i>be feeling as desperately love sick as I was by now. Forty years was a long time to a human, to my vampire mind it was no time at all, but it was still too long since I had felt my lover's hands and mouth on me. I <i>craved</i> him, insanely so.<br />
<i><span class="GRnoSuggestion GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="f2f6867f-3679-4563-955d-2a9c14ca95a1" gruiphraseguid="d4ed155e-8f2c-4528-a910-2cc601207602"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a9973bed-fb1f-417b-bad6-b8b5a4e536e0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fbf4f7d1-b8bf-4e52-afc4-c9d3d7daeb3b" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span>, my lover, please come back to me, I need you, I love you, always and for evermore.</i><br />
<hr size="1" />
<b>Chapter 10: Chapter 10</b><br />
<hr size="1" />
<u>CHAPTER TEN</u><br />
It was blustery and cold on the first day of December 1549 when I arrived back in Paris. The golden dead leaves had gathered around the door to my French apartment. I lived on the top floor of a typical 16th century Gothic style house, nothing too expensive as I didn't wish to draw attention to myself. It was easy to procure money as a vampire, you either stole it, glamoured it or acquired it from lying profusely. I had committed all three of those crimes in my acquisition of riches! Was I proud of it? Well, yes I was. Annoyingly virtuous human traits had left me long ago. I now had vampire morals, and I had discovered just how different they were to mortals. My <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="neighbours:0" grmarkguid="40d8ec2e-5fb5-4e5d-832a-3a69c53f6b5c" gruiphraseguid="560d14f9-1a05-4933-beca-266f73ba10f7"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="bc304881-663e-4bec-b6f8-09ffbdba3180" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="70dcb69b-83fe-4b70-bbdd-a2320d934613" grcontextid="neighbours:0">neighbours</span></span> consisted of <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="an:1" grmarkguid="0d32ab8b-7cfa-4a7a-883a-8e411bf953d5" gruiphraseguid="560d14f9-1a05-4933-beca-266f73ba10f7"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="05417866-2fb9-480d-8bc9-ff334e123ff6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="70dcb69b-83fe-4b70-bbdd-a2320d934613" grcontextid="an:1">an</span></span> young male artist called Olivier who lived on the middle floor and a grumpy old widow named Blanche who lived on the ground floor. I did sometimes wonder what they thought of their fiery headed <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="neighbour:0" grmarkguid="5a4962ad-43c0-4cd0-97d2-6e2c82dc702c" gruiphraseguid="d8d8b7c1-aef1-4ef2-95be-d32eddd114c9"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="054b6e5e-e0f4-4810-b525-cc35b1a26714" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7e872240-3130-434d-b497-8f4f4a0cbefc" grcontextid="neighbour:0">neighbour</span></span> who lived alone above them. I didn't particularly care if they liked me or not, I kept my own company and only nodded a greeting to my <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="neighbours:0" grmarkguid="77ee87a1-f9a8-490a-b377-c8adfede024d" gruiphraseguid="5463f06c-d7a4-4890-aad3-6941db1d6429"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="75ff7e4f-cf9e-42f9-8165-a9bb2cd07e25" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="70492da0-da64-40c9-96a1-a91601302adb" grcontextid="neighbours:0">neighbours</span></span> if I passed them in the building or on the street. Typically I went out between dusk and dawn for the obvious reasons. A little sunshine and I would sparkle with glittering diamond rainbows. My red eyes were hard to disguise from humans. My very appearance was luminescent and alien to mortals, so it was not a good idea to flaunt myself by mingling amongst them too conspicuously.<br />
I flew up the stairs to my apartment six steps at a time. My stomach was clenched into knots with apprehension and expectation. Was there a letter waiting for me? I delved eagerly into my little gold ornate post box which sat outside my door. Oh joy of joys! I smiled widely revealing perfect white teeth as I grasped Aro's much anticipated letter to my chest gratefully. I rolled my eyes <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="heavenwards:0" grmarkguid="5fc0119b-1061-4e67-9167-eaff09dd6df8" gruiphraseguid="2b843c0e-1fe2-4020-8ede-6f0a7a4467fc"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7db6feb1-b843-4102-9316-f573e73d180f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="613ca6fb-ac44-4158-9913-f0ff8a164f14" grcontextid="heavenwards:0">heavenwards</span></span> and profusely thanked whomever had listened to my prayers. It was an old human habit, because I didn't really believe God would listen to an Immortal like me, we went against nature, why should He? I unlocked the door to my Paris home and swiftly threw myself onto the chaise <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="longue:0" grmarkguid="80bd145f-de85-47dc-b768-c2c07e1a5760" gruiphraseguid="0157963d-d94e-4e66-b5e2-55245dedf974"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="79917767-d3ee-4844-b338-29cf0084e481" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d26b63a8-ed78-4946-876b-e14406e2e4c5" grcontextid="longue:0">longue</span></span> impatiently. I broke the wax seal eagerly so Aro's beautiful parchment letter revealed itself to me. I brought the paper up to my sensitive nose trying to find a trace of his scent, it was there, very faint , but oh it was there! Cinnamon spice mixed with delicate nuances of the sea, salty and sweet. <i><span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="unmistakably:0" grmarkguid="d69ee67e-8cc8-4419-99b0-7b7be8699bbb" gruiphraseguid="0be26b78-fea9-4292-b37e-3d3fd974cc9d"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4bcab0e6-55c9-4ca4-87c4-f4784dfbc7bb" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e0f304b2-cc80-4f11-b9b7-f7b6a560f469" grcontextid="unmistakably:0">unmistakably</span></span> Aro.</i><br />
If I'd been a human girl tears would have fallen in rivers down my pale cheeks as I read his deepest innermost thoughts and feelings. <i>All </i>for me.<br />
<i>"My dearest Victoria,</i><br />
<i>I trust my letter finds you happy and well, my sweet.</i><br />
<i>I remain as always; I carry on living this strange life, but inside I weep for you. I miss you terribly, my red-haired angel. I wish to hold your divine naked body close to mine as I kiss you seductively.</i><br />
<i>I dream of my mouth on yours, our tongues touching intimately as we give in to our desires. I trail my icy lips along your cheek to your neck, one of the most beautiful parts of you, of which there are too many to name, my love!</i><br />
<i>My mouth travels downwards to taste the smooth skin of your cleavage, as my hands cup your perfect breasts.</i><br />
<i>Oh how I miss your skin, your taste, your very essence Victoria!</i><br />
<i>I need to let you possess me again, it's been so long.</i><br />
<i>I will travel to Paris to be with you on December 2nd of this year 1549.</i><br />
<i>I cannot contain my excitement at the thought of seeing you, it gives my existence sparkle and meaning.</i><br />
<i>I know you love to return to Paris in the Winter, so I pray this letter finds you soon.</i><br />
<i>If you aren't there I will wait for you for four days, my love, then I must travel back to Volterra.</i><br />
<i><span class="GRnoSuggestion GRcorrect" grcontextid="Sulpicia:0" grmarkguid="b07589c1-93b4-4a69-bad2-48f395cc431a" gruiphraseguid="82c417ac-509c-4ea0-9f2d-fab758c04843"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="aa9414be-7e3b-4a2d-a03b-d5146cdcaaaa" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d59feccd-1dc8-449f-910e-61a751ec20fa" grcontextid="Sulpicia:0">Sulpicia</span></span> and the Volturi believe I <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="am visiting:1" grmarkguid="1d94f9e5-89ce-4601-8257-d20d8633c441" gruiphraseguid="82c417ac-509c-4ea0-9f2d-fab758c04843"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0af76182-4625-46d9-963d-a88afc5cf129" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d59feccd-1dc8-449f-910e-61a751ec20fa" grcontextid="am visiting:1">am visiting</span></span> France to acquire an interesting new vampire with amazing talents.</i><br />
<i>No-one knows the truth Victoria, no-one knows how I burn inside at the thought of you and <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="I:0" grmarkguid="fa857823-23d3-4acc-824d-2e4eb8d64c94" gruiphraseguid="ccfe1e16-8fe3-452e-a8f6-bc7fb6d66274"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="15b6cc66-c671-4260-9b52-ee5032df54ac" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4f52b18f-45d1-4c35-b17e-8d9ec16e63c4" grcontextid="I:0">I</span></span> making love with ardent desire on your apartment floor.</i><br />
<i>I love you with all my vampire heart, little flame.</i><br />
<i>Yours fervently wishing and hoping,</i><br />
<i><span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="16c6dded-332a-4705-9eaf-91abcad4e96a" gruiphraseguid="80e8ae40-9510-449a-bfc9-e02ba2fc3540"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7eceab2a-c9ee-4814-bcfe-58a9ff1ac9eb" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="982d2c4b-6bf9-4e8f-aff3-1f7132ee7736" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span></i><br />
Oh but his words could <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="lance:0" grmarkguid="cf2e6634-e3c5-48f2-98ce-d20aa2ce1b43" gruiphraseguid="3f3bb446-d53e-4769-99b1-08c72a8ff70f"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a9d1df8c-dcab-4099-93e0-c78794161a62" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="43a3d03e-7e8f-4475-ba24-8895542788ad" grcontextid="lance:0">lance</span></span> my heart and body with their intensity! I radiated pure love as I sat re-reading his letter over and over again. My body reacted to his vivid descriptions of us together excitedly. Vampires felt love and sexual feelings much <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="more strongly:0" grmarkguid="9ecf3cc6-b270-45ea-b940-3054ad14547e" gruiphraseguid="b495bb5d-e595-4ffd-a399-ecb3c30a6962"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d863d81e-aafa-45cc-878d-da1c98a93088" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="732cf838-2d6f-43ff-9040-4dc47d7bc531" grcontextid="more strongly:0">more strongly</span></span> than humans ever did. We thrived on the power of lust and desire, it was heady and potent and I wanted my lover right here right now. I threw back my head with a lustful growl, my hair trailing onto the intricate Oriental rug I had laid on the wooden floor. I ran my hands through my hair as I imagined my lover's hands there. I sighed with pent up passion as I trailed my cool long fingers down the sensitive nape of my neck, imagining his lips there. I ran my hands seductively over my marble body<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid=",:0" grmarkguid="75127016-c52f-40c7-9894-bce4487c96fe" gruiphraseguid="0becfa92-4aaa-4df1-8aec-14f91520b44c"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="37088cd3-05dc-445f-ba3a-1df3c3c717a4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bb1924e4-7ac4-43f2-961b-3ebfcd2be28b" grcontextid=",:0">,</span></span>imagining his strong arms pinning me down as fiery lustful desires overtook us both. Tomorrow he would be with me! It was so hard to contain my excitement! I needed some air before I spontaneously combusted. I jumped up and opened my balcony doors so I could breathe in the cold frosty Parisian night. Such a silly trait of mine; I no <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="longerneeded:0" grmarkguid="7246399f-79e5-40bd-9bdf-e61166b42c5d" gruiphraseguid="4eb9b7e0-6979-4ed3-aa5b-afba5db54fca">longer <i>needed</i><i></i></span><i> </i>to breathe but it was nice sometimes to inhale air into my vampire lungs. The moon and stars were out and I smiled happily as I imagined Aro looking out into the same sky as his boat brought him closer to me.<br />
I must prepare! I lit the fire and heated some water in a large kettle. I poured it into my own copper bath and added some lavender oil. I was lucky to be able to afford my own bath, I obviously couldn't use the public ones! Vampire skin did not require washing or anything else, but I loved to make my luminous skin shine and reflect the light even more using oils in warm water. <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro's:0" grmarkguid="0c466e3b-d3d4-4204-914a-a0b0054a644c" gruiphraseguid="6de0c8e7-fbec-4c48-a03b-419e4ffb73f8"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b06cd4fe-626c-498a-9629-8a0d1e67bb6c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0e51c164-6356-4628-9829-6f9a0ac9e810" grcontextid="Aro's:0">Aro's</span></span> hands would marvel at the softness of my body as his fingers glided over me. I shivered again with anticipation. Once we had sated our lust, we would talk and perhaps walk down to the Montparnasse area of Paris, on the Seine's left bank. It was a cultural and liberal place and not many humans batted an eye at the two wondrous creatures amongst them. I loved to walk with Aro, his strong arm around my slim waist as he held me possessively. I felt as if nothing could harm me as long as he was by my side. I had to revel in every single detail of his time with me, as I did not know how long it would be until we saw each other again. So I would memorize every single moment to my vampire mind for <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="safe-keeping:0" grmarkguid="6eebd5b9-03ed-4ced-b8b5-7b68a8c46ba1" gruiphraseguid="ff8ee1da-a91e-401d-8a59-cb429f50ab3a"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9a09b750-824f-4f69-b484-562a48707aaa" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="eeb9c910-1573-4d8b-a9da-05197352f5a7" grcontextid="safe-keeping:0">safe-keeping</span></span>. I could recall these precious memories any time I wanted. Sometimes they made me ecstatically happy, other times they made me wallow in deep sadness. But, I had them for all eternity, they were <i>mine.</i> I lay in the warm scented water and dreamed of Aro, his face, his lips, his eyes and his hands. His voice, his desire filled erotic whispers, his vampire heart which burned with pure love for me.<br />
<i>Oh hurry up time! Let it be tomorrow quickly, let the hands of the clock turn with merciful speed so I can be in my lover's arms once more!</i><br />
<hr size="1" />
<b>Chapter 11: Chapter 11</b><br />
<hr size="1" />
<u>CHAPTER ELEVEN</u><br />
I could sense his presence before I heard the knock at my door. I could taste his scent in the air as he flew up the stairs towards my home. His speed, his strength, all of his power I could feel acutely as he came to me. My nervous anticipation was almost over. I flung open the oak wood door and there he was. <i>A vision. </i>He was dressed head to toe in black and his long raven hair was tied back neatly from his face. Oh my! <i>His face! </i>How I had missed him! His red eyes took in every inch of me as time seemed to stand still. I had decided to be bold and I greeted my lover only in my underwear. This consisted of an emerald green chemise edged with pretty lace, a corset in the same <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="colour:0" grmarkguid="ec6f0204-daca-4f59-ace6-0160b9cf43bd" gruiphraseguid="9bd5afb0-fc50-4851-9056-a20adbb72767"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="05553f3d-65a6-4976-9575-4a4c17cedc7d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5cff932e-55d6-497b-a7ef-96650c365f07" grcontextid="colour:0">colour</span></span> with white silk stockings held up by a beautifully embroidered red garter. The green <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="colour:0" grmarkguid="9215d1ac-8552-462a-a767-8c2d5b6ffeaf" gruiphraseguid="3b99bd28-d12a-4a22-ad2e-6970356de186"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9443bfbb-8c58-4aee-8540-b0d13799e20e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a4c47af6-7031-410a-8f4a-100721206cda" grcontextid="colour:0">colour</span></span> suited my red hair and pale skin to perfection. My hair hung loose in long ringlets down my back, and flowed over my shoulders to just about cover my exposed cleavage, much pronounced by my tight corset. <i>"Little flame! Cover yourself up!" </i>I could hear Lizzie's laughter in my head as Aro stared transfixed <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="at:0" grmarkguid="13ab855d-4922-405a-a10a-3e3920b7d6ec" gruiphraseguid="d1763adf-60aa-4e7e-913f-a6271e5846ff"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d248d5a5-0a73-48a3-91c8-f7390643d29e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e31ed354-d14d-4bb1-a7ec-72cefa164206" grcontextid="at:0">at</span></span> me, his red eyes full of lustful longing.<br />
He reached out with his pale long index finger and ran it softly down my cheekbone, his eyes staring deep into mine. "Beautiful as ever, if not <i>more </i>so," he whispered huskily, his voice filled with desire. I couldn't stand the wait any longer, I needed to feel the coolness of his mouth on mine, so I pulled him close to me by the collar of his coat and brought my eager lips to his in a frantic swift movement. <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro's:0" grmarkguid="63513faa-4480-456f-beb4-6e92f26b6b02" gruiphraseguid="a312916c-a753-439a-9470-4ee1544de3b3"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="27b9b8dc-9328-405d-9f5a-c0120bf88871" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="336dd14c-e76e-4817-8d20-86445339fd89" grcontextid="Aro's:0">Aro's</span></span> mouth moved hungrily against mine with a burning passion, ice and fire once again. He kicked the door shut and scooped me up into his strong arms, our lips still locked together in a long deep kiss which set every nerve ending in my body alight with lust. His tongue touched mine and my head swam with his taste and scent, it was so alluring, so dazzling. We daringly explored each other's mouths with our lips, tongues and teeth. Licking and biting, kissing and devouring with utmost pleasure. <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="c50baf2c-e24a-4ede-b774-aae722ed940e" gruiphraseguid="30bfab69-edc3-48b5-821f-bf665e9df136"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="29c6faef-1766-41cb-8c88-a369f512e216" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ceb739bf-6da9-4d53-95e4-0879d8192ac5" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span> carried me to the bedroom where he passionately threw me down onto the bed. The silk sheets felt divine against the parts of my skin which were bare; I longed to be free of my underwear, so I could revel in the feeling of Aro's skin and the silk against me at the same time.<br />
He stood above me, gazing down at me in complete adoration. He took off his coat, then his silk shirt exposing his pale strong chest to me. Oh he was like a marble sculpture! So wondrous were the lines and defined shape of his torso. He was perfection to me. I gasped ( <i>still an old human trait of mine!</i> ), as he swooped down on top of me, his eyes burning like red fires as he began to slowly trail his lips down my cheek, to my neck and onto my cleavage. I growled with pent up desire as his tongue and lips teased my pale skin so delightfully. His hands went around my back to pull on the ribbon of my corset, I lifted myself up to let him undo me. His hips pressed into mine with urgency. I moaned lustfully as he removed my garments one by one, his eyes taking in every inch of my skin. Then his mouth was on me once again, trailing cool icy kisses over every part of me, making me wild with love and desire for him. I arched up to meet him, every nerve in my body aching for sweet release of this tense passion inside me. I won't divulge any more, some things are not meant to be shared with others. I will only say that our <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="love-making:0" grmarkguid="e8d6bb79-bdb8-4835-9915-002d08a70801" gruiphraseguid="fcfe6370-1ecd-4d5b-b0ae-8e40c9e7cb48"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="acc92740-0654-427a-8ee1-a78db0b5bdb9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="be9ad203-a6b6-4674-b970-e422ef18d925" grcontextid="love-making:0">love-making</span></span> was completely and utterly divine. My lover, <i>my first and only lover,</i> makes me feel so special and <i>alive. </i>To be with him again like this was astoundingly good after a forty year absence. Much, much later we finally lay sated in each other's pale <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="arms:0" grmarkguid="caa8bdb9-7333-4d4e-b9c7-2b316b52da9b" gruiphraseguid="a07fed66-e3ac-4b7a-a565-df5fba4cc527"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2fbfd082-6ff6-4d02-9438-7fdd5de24aaa" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d1c0f9dc-1df6-42e0-9c0c-5cebfb253f60" grcontextid="arms:0">arms</span></span>. I think a whole night and day has passed us by as we made up for lost time. It was wonderful to see him and I clung to him as if I would never let go.<br />
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="25881eab-f468-4e91-a6f0-62453cba30e5" gruiphraseguid="716e3068-8464-44a4-b356-1a63bf12c550"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0413eac5-65c8-4ede-b07c-16b2f0f357b8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3a08e5fa-20d5-4548-b42f-e0097b015974" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span> broke the comfortable silence between us, "Victoria, my love. How I have missed you, my sweet. I love you with every <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="fibre:0" grmarkguid="b507751f-086e-4d3e-883e-4f7501095a46" gruiphraseguid="902a6b4b-395d-41a8-8baf-ed60b2284f98"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="08985eea-38e7-4617-be7f-94f97deaf7d3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1c4fba73-40cd-42ee-a84e-6b503d715c8d" grcontextid="fibre:0">fibre</span></span> of my being. I hope I showed you just how much I <i>truly</i> do!" he exclaimed as his lips gently moved through my tangled hair.<br />
I nodded against his chest, still too overwhelmed to talk. There was no need for words as he gently brought his lips to mine and we lost ourselves in a long slow kiss which echoed through every part of me. This time we had together was worth all the <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="painful:0" grmarkguid="82076213-6c3d-4a6b-b319-4c6dcac86c46" gruiphraseguid="814e87e4-65b0-40ff-b07d-c9c07f2ab25c"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8a393d70-d012-405f-9740-f05988975e29" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="273128cf-1289-4254-a50c-b8db449c3bec" grcontextid="painful:0">painful</span></span> lonely <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="years:1" grmarkguid="438b7f2a-e2d7-4895-957d-234591dbc75f" gruiphraseguid="814e87e4-65b0-40ff-b07d-c9c07f2ab25c"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2c455afd-914e-4ed2-823c-43db16315fbc" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="273128cf-1289-4254-a50c-b8db449c3bec" grcontextid="years:1">years</span></span> apart. "Oh Aro", I sighed as his lips left mine. "How I love you! I have missed you so much, I thought I might truly die from starvation of your touch! Now you are here, in my bed, we belong together Aro, for all eternity!" I exclaimed passionately.<br />
He laughed low and deep against my cheek as he held me even tighter to him. Reluctantly we disentangled ourselves from each other eventually. We decided to take a walk into the frosty night together. Paris was ours to explore when darkness fell. It was excitingly devilish to walk amongst the unsuspecting mortals. If they stared too long at us we simply glamoured them with our red eyes. Our passionate love-making left us feeling very thirsty so we hunted and fed together in this city of romance. To watch Aro feed on his victim's blood whilst I did the same was such a rush of intense emotions. It was erotic and sensual and it made me want him again right here right now. His eyes told me he was feeling the same. We ran together until we reached <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Jardin des Tuileries:0" grmarkguid="d7a29ae5-4f79-4c4a-ba4f-e62c367e29c6" gruiphraseguid="a238c3b7-e8a9-4a18-81d4-3b5e45ab8d27"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e1dc32cb-8a57-481d-940b-6d8c554c1bb1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bf4163ce-3a96-4ebc-b304-e80bd569ff71" grcontextid="Jardin des Tuileries:0">Jardin des Tuileries</span></span>, a wonderful botanic garden situated in the heart of Paris.<br />
There under a weeping willow in the bright moonlight my lover took me quickly and savagely as I gasped and writhed beneath him in sheer ecstasy. When Aro was with me I was transformed from a quiet, lonely vampire into a wanton harlot who could not get enough of her lover's touch. He brought me out of the hard shell I had constructed to protect me from a life which was quite difficult most of the time. The irony of it wasn't lost on me, Aro took me bleeding and dying from the pavement and changed me into a vampire. He made me this way, everything that had happened since then was because of him. But, without him what would have happened to me? I would have died for sure, alone and <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="heart-broken:0" grmarkguid="ac7b1a40-5bba-4772-9ab2-ba9fa1e8ecd6" gruiphraseguid="50502f7e-f7cf-445a-bf10-7799f2d76fce"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6c38e31d-d338-4742-b220-03f296ff6ecc" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ec19baf2-9dfe-46c2-a1f2-d789c5ed251c" grcontextid="heart-broken:0">heart-broken</span></span> for my poor murdered family. I would never have known this all consuming passionate desire nor experienced a lover. My little short human life would have been snuffed out like a light. <span class="GRnoSuggestion GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="1458179d-1008-442a-bc4b-da29c7737b32" gruiphraseguid="f5e2d85e-897d-476d-9ddd-897fe5de5623"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0e5bf457-380d-4e79-baab-9115db535d05" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4582d5e0-347f-4643-a5fb-65f9a52c806c" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span> saved me, he changed me and now two hundred years later I was finally feeling like I belonged in this second skin of mine.<br />
Luckily our wildly passionate encounter had gone un-noticed and we slipped out of the gardens and into the night together once again, our hearts free and our smiles wide. I tried not to dwell on the fact that Aro would be leaving me again soon. I had to concentrate on the here and now and enjoy every precious second we spent together. But oh it was hard not to let those sad thoughts pervade my happiness. Could I stand another four decades of not being with him? Maybe we would meet up sooner the next time. This encounter had been long overdue but I knew not to question Volturi business. Was I going to be content to exist like this for another century? Even though I was focusing intently on Aro, these unbidden thoughts plagued my mind relentlessly. Back in my bed, safe in his arms after another bout of intense passion, I <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="worriedly:0" grmarkguid="2198b66a-bda6-49ea-8169-e12358140b88" gruiphraseguid="ab57097d-185a-42c9-b941-89012af74b10"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a513441d-ad7a-438c-b4bb-5ec37046dbd7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bb93de40-f891-4d37-a238-9259697f4b43" grcontextid="worriedly:0">worriedly</span></span> asked myself how I was going to carry on without him here.<br />
"Victoria, hush my child, do not think of such things," he scolded me gently, his lips tantalizingly close to mine. His cinnamon scent enveloped me, dazzled me and made me want him again. I struggled against the tide of passion which rose again so quickly in me. "Don't fight it, my love. Give in to it, give yourself to me Victoria," he whispered as his lips brushed feather-like against the pale smooth skin of my throat. His teeth gently nipped my neck causing me to moan and forget my train of thought<i>. No Victoria! Concentrate! </i>I silently chided myself.<br />
"<span class="GRnoSuggestion GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="61ff0d12-6123-4659-b845-3c4028896012" gruiphraseguid="bdd30094-5526-4138-8345-934ebc45b2c0"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="354e2fa6-027e-4ff1-8ace-bf1ce3b01087" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="69551021-73fd-47be-a8aa-c236046fd8ed" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span>, my love, I must speak with you," I said decisively as I moved away from him reluctantly.<br />
His red eyes gazed into mine with surprise. Usually he could use his persuasive powers on me with just a kiss.<br />
"<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="7ad5135a-51ba-4792-afe7-c05737d23f37" gruiphraseguid="50711c7d-503b-42b2-bd12-1708bf4b1508"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2c6f1f8e-e93e-4d81-859e-d7d6cf503b8d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3e4deea6-88b7-450b-81bb-f4e48605e56a" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span>, when we are together I am insanely happy. I adore you completely and I just exist to see your face again. My life is nothing without you, and even though we write to each other, it's just not enough anymore! I cannot wait another four decades to see you again! I want to be with you all the time!" I wailed, letting my innermost thoughts come spilling out.<br />
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro raised his:0" grmarkguid="cfc144de-0550-45c3-bfbf-7af6c42fddc8" gruiphraseguid="e7b63da8-568d-4b99-9afd-34fb8709650b"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="302eb0ea-7a8a-4a6c-b262-a079e53851e5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7171cde0-df90-441b-8ea7-500e43a14cc0" grcontextid="Aro raised his:0">Aro raised his</span></span> eyebrows at me in a most delicious way. Obviously he read my thoughts before I even spoke the words but I needed to say them out loud. I needed to declare my feelings to him honestly and passionately.<br />
"I know you have your duty to the Volturi and you <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="honour:0" grmarkguid="bd523718-1d3a-4b7c-93f8-7c459a3da8f7" gruiphraseguid="f3aa07e8-f9d9-4eaa-8961-618c216bb7a1"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="14fad4c3-eb9c-4754-b56e-567a0fee5212" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3483b733-b978-44d7-9b3f-0a42207fa4c6" grcontextid="honour:0">honour</span></span> your promises sincerely, but couldn't we find some way to make it work? <span class="GRnoSuggestion GRcorrect" grcontextid="Sulpicia:0" grmarkguid="50125fb9-f1ff-4711-9a03-9122b5680434" gruiphraseguid="1586c6d3-6a94-42ac-b8e1-c662873ceb9e"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="dc8ad4f7-0ff5-4683-9f32-95ca066fc837" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7615ef9e-a933-4f9e-8f18-7d9ca4219e7c" grcontextid="Sulpicia:0">Sulpicia</span></span> doesn't love you! Not the way I <span class="GRnoSuggestion GRcorrect" grcontextid="do.I:0" grmarkguid="46f1aa35-23ac-49c5-b584-c298b973c85c" gruiphraseguid="c0270370-ac4e-4ab4-b9e3-fc7c29a5b2e4"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="864c202e-c6f8-438a-9da0-a9b5a9e36052" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1f41ce2f-0380-4d7f-81f4-607b94d1999d" grcontextid="do.I:0">do.I</span></span> know you think she will use her power and lies against you, but how can she? Only you know the whereabouts of Noah, her immortal child. You can use that against her, my love! Use it to bring you and I together, we could rule the Volturi together. I would give up everything to be at your side!" I proclaimed emotionally.<br />
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="e362c428-f219-45ad-98c1-ce4f958ac157" gruiphraseguid="ac6ac15c-7880-40bc-82b8-5791e2627443"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3e70ee8c-abfa-42f8-b027-dc14bddc6536" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="cae7e222-8819-4400-b1a3-3eea53c3fda5" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span> sighed and smiled at me sadly as he twirled a lock of my red hair around one long finger.<br />
"<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Sulpicia:0" grmarkguid="e5b493e2-88dd-434d-ad27-9dc2ba28481c" gruiphraseguid="00fb1ecb-7463-4f97-991d-7f0bfe8890d5"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="bdeab95a-49fb-4993-aa1c-e7dd840fedf4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4c86e994-12dd-43c2-9ae0-a3d24788553a" grcontextid="Sulpicia:0">Sulpicia</span></span> would never allow it, my sweet. Do you think she would just give up her power over me, her power over the coven whilst fading discreetly into the background, letting you and I rule together and be together as lovers? If so<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid=",:0" grmarkguid="47f5f154-d4a2-4b1a-b975-123e39f33787" gruiphraseguid="01806bd4-aa8b-44d3-9b0d-6405c5d7fa8b"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="697ea228-ea9c-4686-b20d-f6bf27a95824" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="62b52678-72d3-4bc0-94b0-f50f1adf1009" grcontextid=",:0">,</span></span>then you are severely mistaken, my angel!" he snorted indignantly.<br />
I sighed at his retort, knowing deep down it was true but hoping we could find a way to be together all the same.<br />
"She would kill you, my darling. She would twist and pervert Marcus and Caius's minds to believe I killed Didyme. I never told you this but she forced my sister to write a letter telling the Volturi that I was planning to kill her because I didn't want Marcus to leave the coven! She will never tell me where that letter is hidden and since I saved you from the dungeons she won't ever make the mistake again of letting me glean information from her! As you know Victoria I had to use my charm to wheedle your whereabouts from her last time, at least I don't have to repeat that loathsome act again!" he said with a shudder of revulsion.<br />
We stared at each other hopelessly in the low candlelight of my room. How truly awful our situation was. I loved him. He loved me. We should be together for all eternity. How I wished we'd met as humans, fallen in love and had a wonderful long life together, perhaps with a family too. <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="c0ba0436-6a2c-4b30-8bae-efbcb27cc3e9" gruiphraseguid="fc0bfd20-1930-4e24-abaf-419a32b28384"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5e22d5e3-a39a-47a5-ac69-304bb329d688" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5a4a34dc-6e0f-4102-aa65-416a035325f9" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span> looked like he might cry if only he could.<br />
"<i>Oh Victoria!"</i> he sighed as he pulled me towards him, our lips finding each other's like strong magnets. "I would have <i>loved that," </i>he whispered softly against my eager willing mouth.<br />
My still heart leapt in my chest as I dreamed of the day we could be as one. I knew he could read my thoughts, but I didn't care any more. I wanted him to know the secrets I held within me.<br />
<i>Oh Aro, I need to be with you my love. Will you ever renounce Sulpicia and the Volturi for me, for </i>us<i>?</i><br />
<hr size="1" />
<b>Chapter 12: Chapter 12</b><br />
<hr size="1" />
<u>CHAPTER TWELVE</u><br />
How did you stalk a vampire who was centuries old? Who could read your mind at the slightest touch? Who had an evil killer for a wife and who was the head of the largest ever known coven in the world? Simple, you didn't even try. That's if you had any sense. I was done with being sensible long ago. I couldn't carry on my half existence any longer. If I couldn't be close to Aro then nothing really mattered. Not my house and land in England, nor my beautiful home in Paris. Material possessions and riches meant nothing to me without love. My still heart may no longer beat but it did feel and love deeper than I ever thought possible. I imagined vampires to be cold and hard, just the way the Volturi were, but I melted inside whenever I thought of my lover. I wanted to be with him, I wanted to love him and protect him always. No different to a <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="mortals:0" grmarkguid="d541e5c9-032a-4ba5-ad11-25c95caa095f" gruiphraseguid="4068060a-ed94-4703-bf67-163677c6237e"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9296526b-d005-44cb-b02a-f6a0b0cbddeb" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c92c05c9-4720-4abb-bfe7-57cd9c1ee6f6" grcontextid="mortals:0">mortals</span></span> love for their husband or wife, except mine was infinitely deeper and more passionate. I wanted to be <i>his </i>completely.<br />
I stood on the deck of the boat in the biting cold wind of this December evening. I gazed up at the twinkling stars which sat like bright jewels in the deep blue canopy of the dusk sky. <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="314484ab-2e1b-4463-ba7a-d32aa682c585" gruiphraseguid="cbaa5146-76e2-408b-936b-076353eb2c2f"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="dcbac004-6550-45f4-a83f-87b7a584f61d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0fa276d6-0522-43ec-b609-d24b15b5f946" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span> would be gazing up at the same stars. Of course I was on another boat an hour or two behind him as I couldn't possibly risk discovery. He would have found me if I'd been tempted to travel on the same boat, he would smell my scent and sense my presence, such was the acutely sharp and strong bond we shared. My mind drifted to the days and nights we had just spent together. Passion filled moments of pure pleasure as we talked and made love endlessly. Still there was no solution to our age old problem. We couldn't be together<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid=",:0" grmarkguid="ea334f99-7323-4263-a524-20f675c46ad8" gruiphraseguid="ccb78fdf-9f3d-4acd-97f3-2ea16246f35d"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b757d11e-71b8-414e-b0c1-4b95ffbe1f46" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8f49ee99-ca19-4db0-8688-8e82a6082247" grcontextid=",:0">,</span></span>it was decided again as it always was. I had ached all over in every cell of my vampire body when he had left me. Such pain! I didn't know how I endured it once again. Separation from my lover, my maker, my everything, was the worst, most painful emotion ever bestowed on me. It hurt like biting cold, like the sting of a venom laced bite, like the sharpest knife stabbed into your heart.<br />
I clung to him desperately when he was walking out of my door. Our kisses were <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="bitter-sweet:0" grmarkguid="02cc89b4-09a4-429b-ad6e-454280d2f9af" gruiphraseguid="9b5c6a7b-a42b-4d50-b6d9-d5dd4d2663ab"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7aedec78-aeb6-4278-bbbb-a901726310a3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f2b4f579-f7de-456e-bb13-902fafdf6610" grcontextid="bitter-sweet:0">bitter-sweet</span></span> and full of desperate longing. When would we see each other again? I decided as soon as he left that I couldn't be without him <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="any more:0" grmarkguid="533bf7b8-f728-46a0-b256-7561e935dff3" gruiphraseguid="fdb6572b-2656-4dab-b360-6b331a501b25"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7ac3c9c1-ff17-4d02-9ca7-f76318f1a6e3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8910ad51-fc8b-4fc8-bb7c-754b5cf90dee" grcontextid="any more:0">any more</span></span>. I had no definite plan but I decided to follow him back to Volterra. At least I would be close to him. He would be angry when I finally revealed myself to him, but I couldn't stand this half-life any longer. I was just letting events happen to me instead of taking charge! <i>Oh what a change in you, Victoria!</i> I heard Lizzie exclaim. My darling sister was correct. For two hundred years I'd tried to forge a life for myself as a vampire. I had eventually found some peace and somewhere to belong, but without Aro nothing had true meaning. So, here I was on my quest, bravely going out into the unknown to find a way to make my lover mine for all eternity. Yes, I was afraid and yes I didn't know how he would react or what might happen. But I was determined and I was full of bravado spurred on by the pure adoration and love I felt for Aro.<br />
I needed to feed quite badly. I hadn't hunted since the night Aro and I <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="killed:0" grmarkguid="0ac1d381-35d9-4200-9037-4f4dcaafebd7" gruiphraseguid="561e3e63-dda2-403a-83d1-85ac69725599"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="adcd26a8-8a78-46dc-b361-4ce9d12d068b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="172ef3dc-33d8-4c0a-8b60-200d356d6e93" grcontextid="killed:0">killed</span></span> together. I shivered with desire at the erotic thoughts flooding my mind when I recalled that part. By luck a young man happened to wander onto the deck beside me. I knew he was gazing sideways at me, appraising my appearance, instantly dazzled and bewitched by me as all humans were. Oh didn't they see the beast behind the beauty! The wolf in sheep's clothing! "Lovely sky isn't it Miss?" he remarked with a friendly English voice. In fact, he sounded like a Londoner, which made me smile with sad fondness.<br />
"Quite dazzling," I replied with a predatory smile as I focused the full force of my red eyes onto his surprised blue ones.<br />
He visibly gulped as he stared at me. He couldn't look away from my intense gaze. Ah it was so easy to dazzle humans! I always felt a little bit sorry for my victims, it must be frightening to see me in all my glory with my sharp teeth ready to strike. I decided to glamour this boy, make it easier for him to accept the absolute horror of the real me.<br />
"Come here," I breathed huskily as I beckoned for him to move closer.<br />
His eyes lit up like glittering sapphires as he approached me. I pulled him close to me, my red eyes misty with sheer thirst. I directed my piercing gaze right into his astounded one.<br />
<i>"You will let me do as I wish, you won't struggle, you will feel only a rush of pleasure."</i><br />
I let my fingers run through his hair, pulling his head back roughly so his neck was exposed. He shuddered and moaned with pleasure as I brought my lips down onto his neck eagerly. I licked his skin, tasting human sweat and the sea. He groaned and writhed as my strong arms pinned him to me. My teeth slid through his skin like a knife through melted butter. I shook with sheer ecstasy and ultimate pleasure as the blood filled my mouth and throat. Oh, was there anything like this? <i>Yes </i>a little voice spoke up in my head, there is <i>Aro. </i>I pictured my lover in my mind as I fed on my victim's blood hungrily. I drank much too quickly and greedily from the boy and soon he was slumped unconscious against me. I hoped he hadn't suffered. His blood tasted of wine and honey tinged with fear and despair, with a delicious undercurrent of sexual longing. It was heavenly.<br />
I held up his limp wrist to my cheek feeling for a pulse. It was rapid and weak. He was still defiantly clinging to life. If I left him here he would be discovered by other humans. If he survived he would surely turn to madness, if he died a slow death there would be an outcry and an investigation. It was more merciful this way I told myself as I swiftly broke his neck and flung his dead body overboard. Now I felt vibrant and powerful as my victim's blood ran through me. I was filled with certainty that I was following the right path. No more sitting around waiting for my lover to return. I was actively seeking to change my life and it felt good. <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="83da2741-2ec9-4056-9d22-9358fe90e9f5" gruiphraseguid="7906d0d3-5b73-4c68-92c2-f1c4881f1546"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="cad8526c-98b0-41c1-803b-3cf64b9ecb69" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b858c417-5318-40ad-be00-7c27bce8df3a" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span> loved me, we should be together. I couldn't imagine a long eternity spent without him, I would rather bring my true death upon myself somehow than live in a world devoid of his love. How infatuated I was! How completely and utterly in love with him! The one thing, above all, which stood in our way of everlasting happiness was <i>her,</i> Sulpicia, his wife. If she wasn't around how different things might be! If she didn't exist, how happy I would be! Would I dare think such a thing? Would I dare to act upon my dark thoughts?<br />
My lover and I would be free to love each other and be wholly together for ever if <i>she </i>ceased to exist.<br />
<i>How wicked, how evil, how despicable, but it was the absolute complete truth.</i><br />
<hr size="1" />
<b>Chapter 13: Chapter 13</b><br />
<hr size="1" />
<u>CHAPTER THIRTEEN</u><br />
How strange it was to be back in the city of Volterra. The streets teemed with thousands of humans with their heartbeats and blood rushing through their veins. It was noisy and overwhelming making me claustrophobic and slightly frightened. I was used to my peaceful home in the English countryside and even Paris seemed tame compared to this throng. Maybe because it was still daylight, the dusk was perhaps an hour away. Or maybe it was because my nerves were taut with apprehension. So I scurried quickly along the busy streets with my head down and a hooded cape covering my face. I couldn't risk discovery, especially here of all places! The Volturi would swoop on me and Sulpicia would love nothing more than capturing me again. I now wondered why I had decided to follow my risky plan to come back here. It now seemed rather foolish to place myself in extreme danger. The coven might sense my presence or I may run into one of the <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="guard:0" grmarkguid="779bc1b2-e7ea-4665-878b-2eb3f15953ba" gruiphraseguid="1f0b4d24-e82f-40c1-9f75-bdfb9c8ff836"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e6f8693d-ce45-46ca-adbf-e1da5e18c0f3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="77050746-cc43-411a-8443-86b6e1c5a8aa" grcontextid="guard:0">guard</span></span> by accident. I ran as fast as I could manage without raising suspicion. Twilight was approaching quickly now, I sighed thankfully as I made my way to a small inconspicuous guest house in a quieter part of town.<br />
I managed to avoid the landlord's gaze as he showed me to a small quiet room on the ground floor. He must have thought I was a strange character indeed with my hooded cloak and my silence, but human's opinions on me didn't really matter, as long as they didn't discover my true nature. Unless they were one of my victims, they would never know what I truly was. I pulled off the black hooded cloak and ran my fingers through my unruly curls. My face was ghostly pale and my red eyes were a much deeper scarlet as I needed to feed very soon. The young man on the boat had sustained me for a few days, but now the thirst was becoming a sharp ache in my throat. I would have to leave this sanctuary soon, but I would wait until complete darkness fell over the city. Hopefully I wouldn't have to hunt for long. I must be careful though, if the Volturi knew I was here there would be trouble! I shuddered as I thought of the dark place. I couldn't and I wouldn't go back there! What would Aro do if he discovered me here? I hoped he would be delighted to see me, but I knew he would be extremely angry too. I was desperate to see him, to touch him and to kiss him. I <i>ached </i>with longing for him. I must wait a little longer though. I needed to plan my next steps before I revealed myself to him. I must be patient! I felt my desire to flee <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="rise:0" grmarkguid="0d291918-ac17-467c-a8db-c9e38d5ec3eb" gruiphraseguid="4b6e42cb-37b4-4f5d-b6d2-0fb4b217b713"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f71a9233-86af-46b3-bd9c-a95ffe0c4f74" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="24cc9ba7-838a-40d5-85fc-81e6ca2fe1bb" grcontextid="rise:0">rise</span></span> up strongly <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5d444ecc-e22c-4d6a-ba68-edea614ad2bb" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="24cc9ba7-838a-40d5-85fc-81e6ca2fe1bb" grcontextid="in:1">in</span> me, it took all my strength not to run away from here and back to the port. Home would be safe, and familiar, but <i>he </i>wasn't there.<br />
Night soon enveloped the city. It was a cold night with no moon or stars visible in the sky. This suited me perfectly. I could go out into the streets to feed knowing I was somewhat invisible to humans. Vampires would sense and smell me before they saw me. I had to be careful! Once again I questioned my own sanity, was this trip really necessary? <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="88953bd9-0625-4580-8ab8-c47c2fb4478a" gruiphraseguid="c21868c2-94c2-4c80-b610-3288bc9fa336"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="14d1d2ae-e7bf-416c-8dae-0fc02f9a0d5a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b3f1ba2b-0ae9-44fb-877d-544f398942ac" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span> and I would have resumed our long distance love affair by letter. We could have made an effort to let less time pass between our meetings if we wished. Nothing would have changed, I would be safe from harm and he would still adore me as always. I was being reckless and spontaneous, most unlike myself. The one constant truth drove me on and that was my undying, uncompromising love for Aro. I had come to the point in our relationship, in my existence, which cried out for more. I needed him like humans need air and water. I had to be closer to him and I also had to convince him that we could be together properly. <i><span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="For ever:0" grmarkguid="61f9a7a9-cc08-499f-a134-5b7587bed7a5" gruiphraseguid="580d6bc4-3879-47a9-b885-70b6588f4be9"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fbfb7988-1068-4515-8431-7365d402a7bc" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="dcf53ab4-3ffe-4e7d-84ab-4610a5a4eca0" grcontextid="For ever:0">For ever</span></span>. </i>This couldn't be achieved when I was miles away from my lover. If I lost him because of my rash actions, then so be it. At least I had tried! <i>Oh Victoria! You are fooling yourself, little flame! </i>Lizzie spoke up suddenly in my mind. I shook my head and denied her accusation vehemently.<br />
The mist billowed around me as I walked purposefully through the frosty cold streets. It was a perfect night for hunting. My prey couldn't see me but even through the fog I could see everything as clearly and sharply as ever. I took to the quiet lonely back streets of the town, where tramps and rats shared a home. I operated on pure vampire instinct when I hunted. I let my acute senses and my subconscious lead me to a suitable victim and decide on whom I would feed from. Tonight, I <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="came:0" grmarkguid="0335f35c-fe24-47e8-b08f-8b64d628e433" gruiphraseguid="762d5644-96e9-4530-a606-f765f684a088"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5bba29b5-6d67-418c-8334-5155bc476c16" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1ef46c36-9f82-4b7d-9ce2-253001ae0e30" grcontextid="came:0">came</span></span> across the scent of a young female as she walked alone through the mist, she was lost in a world of her own, the poor thing. She looked into my eyes with horror and shock when I appeared in front of her from out of nowhere. I nodded and smiled as I gazed into her scared face. "Please don't hurt me!" she stammered with fear.<br />
I smiled again with an angelic look on my pale face. <i>"Don't worry my dear girl, I need something important <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="from:0" grmarkguid="e5b72280-70a6-4ec8-8a0c-ec0e41f6ec99" gruiphraseguid="5fb356b9-0470-4152-a97e-77e9a6fcacbe"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1566375f-47bb-43cb-a3bd-2a10f0276d84" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9d04ffd3-6fc2-4a08-9c85-d4847b831813" grcontextid="from:0">from</span></span> you, once I take it you will be fine," </i>I smiled as I clasped her head in my hands firmly.<br />
Her blood was sweet, honey and clover flowing in a crimson tide on my eager tongue. I could have drank her dry but I had to stop myself. I didn't want to try to dispose of a body in this city, not with the Volturi's omnipresence looming over me like a dark shadow. I let the girl go back into the cold night, dazed, confused and weak with loss of blood. She might survive, but she would be touched by the madness that a vampire bite could bring. I needed to survive though and the consequences did not trouble me in the slightest. Why should they? Humans were prey to me now, nothing more.<br />
With my thirst sated and my body back to its glorious powerful self I felt imbibed with bravery. I skirted close to the Volturi headquarter gates, with a mixture of fear and excitement deep inside me. <i>He </i>was within. <i>My lover, my maker, my everything. </i>The familiar pull of lust and the longing ache welled up inside me as I stood in the dark cold street, just staring at the foreboding gates. I still couldn't believe I was actually here. My love for Aro had brought me back to this nightmarish place, the place I feared most in the whole world. I shivered involuntarily as I remembered the sheer desperation of that dark place Sulpicia banished me to. I felt that I should go back to the guest house right away, I had chanced my good luck long enough. Plus, there was a seed of an idea beginning to form in my head and I wanted to sit quietly and let it grow to maturity. I flew back to my rented room swiftly, just a hazy blur passing by the people of Volterra, leaving only a gentle breeze in my wake.<br />
I sat on the bed just staring at my perfect reflection in the mirror. My eyes were a light red luminous <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="colour:0" grmarkguid="81af298b-3037-4cdb-a858-33d4b5fd98b3" gruiphraseguid="00a2adb2-937a-4338-839b-6e8434a15d06"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="bd4af4c4-d3bf-4295-b292-697ab8a8f878" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d1552069-8683-46d2-94df-ea0f391bec1e" grcontextid="colour:0">colour</span></span> now, much softer and more flattering. My skin was still pale but a soft rosy glow permeated it delightfully. I was made beautiful at the expense of the girl's blood. I shrugged and smiled at myself in the mirror. Perfect white deadly teeth glinted back at me. I ran the tip of my pink tongue over one sharp point, revelling in the little pin prick of pain. I tasted my own blood. My <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="flavour:0" grmarkguid="a1f763d0-c081-4380-a742-1bb211ea2798" gruiphraseguid="7da7d26b-f90a-41da-90fd-a9be5a507271"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="65b93654-dcb4-4db8-a065-d3c605f53b58" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="79bdf114-82c2-41d5-8b79-19ae1396ec48" grcontextid="flavour:0">flavour</span></span> was tangy and rich with a hint of vanilla. <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="3da72356-00c5-4f9a-a83a-6325aa9c36a4" gruiphraseguid="728db3af-6b48-4060-a347-ce1eb9ca73c3"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="49d2e332-0cb3-4ee1-9d97-1d8785f773e9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1c8bc5ba-592c-40a9-80a5-4762677eb59a" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span> loved my taste and scent, and sometimes he drew my blood into his mouth when we reached the peak of ecstasy together during our love-making. I shivered with desire again, as I let my mind drift. I sharply brought <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="myself:0" grmarkguid="6c6d409d-706b-4d8e-901e-8b95b569ca5a" gruiphraseguid="7b3791f6-604b-427e-b047-ce9769748dbd"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="346b58f4-665d-4be8-95ad-e6b440ad9af7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7f3eb880-7735-482b-8351-602a7d57d893" grcontextid="myself:0">myself</span></span> back to the matter in hand. My plan. It was <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="formulating:0" grmarkguid="339600b1-e6a9-42a2-8e88-4b6500edfb84" gruiphraseguid="5cb9a124-3d83-4b10-b74c-cd890072baa6"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2bbeed5d-4b0f-4864-ad65-d1cab5f065ff" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5f7a2553-2a75-44d7-89bc-9d59e41a4289" grcontextid="formulating:0">formulating</span></span> nicely. I must put it into action as soon as possible. There was no time to waste. <i>Oh Victoria! Please don't do this! </i>Lizzie demanded in my head.<br />
<i>For once in my existence I chose not to listen to my darling sister's voice as she begged and pleaded <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7d0267c2-b857-4976-9cc4-dddaef701e1a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a224516e-5d1d-437b-a625-5bf6e8496590" grcontextid="to:0">to</span> me within my troubled mind.</i><br />
<hr size="1" />
<b>Chapter 14: Chapter 14</b><br />
<hr size="1" />
<u>CHAPTER FOURTEEN</u><br />
I clutched the letter in my trembling hand as I once again approached the gates which led down into the Volturi's territory. I was almost <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="paralysed:0" grmarkguid="c7f22f1b-9ecf-4e55-8f6d-7ad5b0abe050" gruiphraseguid="c64dee6e-d989-4b69-8f87-25589b6b80f4"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6cc86567-5ed4-4816-a1cc-ecd8e19f1afb" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="43f582f0-5276-482b-ad5e-0ce59e590813" grcontextid="paralysed:0">paralysed</span></span> with fear and the need to run, run far far away from here. I steadied my nerves slightly so I could deal with the task I had set myself. I had to deliver this letter and I had to make sure the addressee received it. I had been trying to make this delivery <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="for:0" grmarkguid="38635dd3-f5f4-4f52-95e3-41162f414766" gruiphraseguid="ead9a3c3-7361-43fa-9079-37154eaba7b5"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="11c353e0-71be-4f7b-b36c-344211302d4b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e5052539-0350-4ffd-87d1-d8a9dfccf4bb" grcontextid="for:0">for</span></span> a day or so now. I either lost my nerve completely or I ran when I saw a member of the guard approaching the gates. Tonight, it was quiet and I decided I would not let my fear overtake me. I <i>had</i> to do this! I had composed the letter many times before I settled on the final draft. The words within were directed to Marcus and this is what they said:<br />
<i>Marcus,</i><br />
<i>You and I have met before, it was two hundred years ago when Aro brought me from London to Volterra after my family were slain by murdering thieves. He changed me into a vampire and became my whole world.</i><br />
<i>I was taken away by Sulpicia to become her slave, a position which I loathed and soon rebelled against. There was no love lost between my mistress and <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="I:0" grmarkguid="8a5265f1-7647-456c-8edc-0b4ba27bf385" gruiphraseguid="77044ae0-38d9-4d22-a306-c8d7d08a22be"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="829f752b-dbcf-4eff-9868-d8a910c253ef" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="cdfaf993-f7b1-4645-984f-10179176e974" grcontextid="I:0">I</span></span> and I found myself locked away in a deep dark level of the Volturi home because I stood up to her evil ways. <span class="GRnoSuggestion GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="66928112-1681-4cd7-a190-3f02e7bb97d3" gruiphraseguid="7a4eb870-2658-4405-adee-cc1ad6967d34"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4b0e32d1-adc9-4ab6-9154-157549d96d90" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="67c2aff1-6480-49bd-a463-455e7cc3325f" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span> saved me.</i><br />
<i>I learned a few truths when I was set free; your precious wife Didyme was murdered by her sister in law! I know you assumed Aro had killed her to stop you leaving, but it wasn't true Marcus! <span class="GRnoSuggestion GRcorrect" grcontextid="Sulpicia:0" grmarkguid="aafafab9-219b-4622-b169-54e78ddab564" gruiphraseguid="87ce4380-e038-47a0-8094-2445646ff520"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="295f62c6-ae7e-4038-810a-fbe99044fe2d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="82be8801-a673-48f7-a21a-94d39050edf5" grcontextid="Sulpicia:0">Sulpicia</span></span> commanded Aro to make Chelsea strengthen your bonds with Aro and Caius so you would never leave!</i><br />
<i><span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="The worst:0" grmarkguid="1ad832a4-4b46-4f12-b05e-93edfd816914" gruiphraseguid="bb116f80-4101-40a1-be3d-ed917481b8e5"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="90300819-915f-479e-bd21-a2d9483b378b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ff8efb30-450d-4e1d-b1fb-32ba568b6b21" grcontextid="The worst:0">The worst</span></span> yet is Sulpicia's dark secret. She <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="harboured:0" grmarkguid="114147b7-dcc3-44fa-8bd2-cff65ee5a17b" gruiphraseguid="21897e1d-0d4f-45e2-8be9-875564635dde"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c4cc0e21-704e-4af9-93fa-91a556963e7d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ec85956f-de81-4558-a6de-2c883089578b" grcontextid="harboured:0">harboured</span></span> an Immortal child, a boy called Noah. <span class="GRnoSuggestion GRcorrect" grcontextid="Didyme:0" grmarkguid="9bb65c78-f393-4d53-878c-82d2ed10bd86" gruiphraseguid="8eda9af0-6fe7-48f1-abd5-803bd4387a24"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d11578c5-4bbe-48e2-bd81-858faec93109" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="94309458-d170-4153-839f-e2b3a656cc99" grcontextid="Didyme:0">Didyme</span></span> discovered this vampire child by accident, so Sulpicia destroyed her so she would not take Noah away with her when you and your wife left the coven! <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="1bff0a69-d2ae-4565-ad4c-091231334edf" gruiphraseguid="cc2c90ba-6c31-46e0-9d09-08ad91d958ac"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3b2c7b79-24cd-4450-8331-9f2db511fad1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="62a17c98-4add-48ec-a46f-4c8c07052acb" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span> banished the boy to a sealed tomb where Sulpicia will never find him. <span class="GRnoSuggestion GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="aab82de2-c5ba-4055-97b1-ac2e5347ff27" gruiphraseguid="c4457ab7-6e52-4089-817c-678dcae328fe"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4254fbee-28dd-4c2f-94b1-edac43821336" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ff11848d-7519-4421-b0f2-5d1439d77ec2" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span> told me about the fate of the vampire Sasha and the other one and only Immortal child ever made, Vasili. They were executed!</i><br />
<i><span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Sulpicia:0" grmarkguid="f429ace3-e820-43e1-b9cf-473417614996" gruiphraseguid="443b8600-e6e6-4900-a5f0-defbb934aca1"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="87866c3c-047b-442c-ac39-7f8eb540bcdf" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d6cdc905-7db9-4f49-bdb1-dc4e7d5a8582" grcontextid="Sulpicia:0">Sulpicia</span></span> also made Didyme write a letter stating Aro was going to kill her because he couldn't stand to lose you from the coven and he believed it was his sister's fault you were leaving! Of course she has hidden the letter to use as leverage over Aro. They both hurt each other and hate each other so much. <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="2c81520e-316a-49f3-8591-17d0de0afffe" gruiphraseguid="6bd16d39-3b5b-4ea7-b0f0-76da45bfb9d7"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="328e2346-a483-439a-8cdd-5d02aec1d7c0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c6481b9d-c520-4249-93c5-99a205d007de" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span> loves me, he has since he first laid eyes on <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="me:1" grmarkguid="2ce8aaf4-4c8b-4dcf-a871-204773fd0ff1" gruiphraseguid="6bd16d39-3b5b-4ea7-b0f0-76da45bfb9d7"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7a715e36-defb-47ea-8746-a41907be1831" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c6481b9d-c520-4249-93c5-99a205d007de" grcontextid="me:1">me</span></span> bleeding and dying in the gutter.</i><br />
<i>Marcus, I am sorry to tell you this but you must know the truth! I hope the information I have imparted to you will make you angry enough to lift your apathy and renounce Sulpicia! She is evil! <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="4f79b758-82a8-493c-856e-0a997bc124b3" gruiphraseguid="3dd307b3-0829-4693-8294-2c6e936bba6b"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a4d0b67e-8e92-4dcd-86f3-c0159c797797" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d59a24b4-95bf-4363-8051-5a4fcc16da7f" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span> and I should be together, I am sure you have already sensed our relationship using your gift. We share an unbreakable bond.</i><br />
<i>I hope this letter has made <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="it's:0" grmarkguid="f369340a-ee2b-4336-be6d-6cfc4344e98f" gruiphraseguid="9b8dde78-9384-4070-b0f2-4a95031bf6fe"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0038b59c-2ce7-4fbd-bed1-0b710afa108e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8fc691c8-dca3-44c0-b6d7-7e913dc37009" grcontextid="it's:0">it's</span></span> way to you without falling into the wrong hands. My immortal existence would be in grave danger should Sulpicia know what I have told you. She will kill me just because she can. She does not know that Aro and I have maintained a relationship since he helped me to escape from her two centuries ago! Is that not true love?</i><br />
<i>Please help me Marcus, I beg of you. All I want is for the truth to be revealed, for Sulpicia to loosen her grip on Aro, and for my lover and I to be reunited as one, for evermore.</i><br />
<i>I will wait at this address for two days and two nights.</i><br />
<i>If I do not hear a thing I will assume the worst; you didn't receive my letter or that you do not care about getting revenge for poor Didyme's death. <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="6204a55e-639a-41f7-a45d-db384c48cbbe" gruiphraseguid="8f3cbcd7-5025-4a83-bce5-6cb78356da56"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b8bb996d-6901-4a8f-97e5-1f0731c88cdf" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8ec9eeed-ab45-4b77-8d36-7fec2d7bd434" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span> has described her as a beautiful soul.</i><br />
<i>Yours hopefully</i><br />
<i>Victoria Taylor</i><br />
<i>Guest Hotel San Lino</i><br />
<i>Room Three</i><br />
<i>San Lino 26, Volterra</i><br />
<i>Tuscany</i><br />
I was being as stealthy as I possibly could as I quietly crept through the night shadows until I was at the iron gates. There was no one around, so I decided I would leave the letter in the brass post box which hung on the wall just through the gates. I tried not to think about how I would have to climb over those high gates and deposit the letter quickly and quietly. I was scared stiff to re-enter Volturi ground. I shivered with fear and wished I could banish it from my mind and body. I had to do this and do it swiftly before I was discovered. The letter was sealed in an envelope so I prayed no-one else would read it but Marcus. The situation wasn't ideal, but on whom could I rely upon within these walls? Sadly, I couldn't ask Aro to renounce Sulpicia and let the coven know all about her evil doings. He loved me, but he wouldn't do <i>that</i>. Yes, it caused me much dismay and pain that he couldn't and wouldn't show the Volturi just how terribly evil and manipulative she was, but I loved him intensely so I forgave him <i>anything.</i><br />
I crouched down as I made ready to spring up and over the heavy iron gates which led to my lover, my destiny or my destruction? Before I could jump a figure suddenly appeared from nowhere. I gasped in shock and made to flee, but a soothing voice spoke to me and held me prisoner there, although she had no special powers of her own. It was Athenodora, Caius's partner. She was very, very old. <span class="GRnoSuggestion GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="da40c0db-b2e1-4ded-9c4b-ee7f2a2f48d9" gruiphraseguid="48124200-811b-4b0c-8d53-47228301fb45"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="37a0f75a-4610-4694-9d07-1d10d626761a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="adb3d5dd-00ae-415e-b833-c5c758280077" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span> had told me she existed before the Volturi and that she may have known Desiderius, the "first" vampire quite well. <span class="GRnoSuggestion GRcorrect" grcontextid="Athenodora:0" grmarkguid="f89f3167-37a5-4f3a-a4d9-0846daab5342" gruiphraseguid="c94f1981-bd2d-41fb-8d47-8da755e2df1e"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="365511b8-2872-4cee-a027-924aefbe3f00" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fb65fcea-4512-440b-b619-114b3e85bdeb" grcontextid="Athenodora:0">Athenodora</span></span> did neither deny nor admit this, she was a quiet waif-like vampire who hardly spoke to the other members of the guard. She had been kind to me when I was Sulpicia's maid though and I knew her own maid Corin loved her so.<br />
"Victoria? Is that you, my dear?" she asked in wonderment as I stepped shyly out of the dark shadows.<br />
I nodded with a nervous smile.<br />
"Come here, child, let me see you! It has been <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="awhile:0" grmarkguid="0fcd0e75-b1f3-46c4-9e8a-1ece82748c36" gruiphraseguid="961ec117-d8f6-4749-a974-75b4449e35dc"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="25dc6883-c935-4bf7-a03a-8f0903cab6d3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="165df7c9-780f-47fb-b13c-7f0d09df6874" grcontextid="awhile:0">awhile</span></span> has it not?" she asked, her red eyes glowing keenly in the dull street lamps.<br />
I made my way towards her, my still heart filled with trepidation still. Should I trust her? She was Caius's other half after all. She beckoned me to her, I stifled my utter desire to flee as I took her thin paper-like hand. Her eyes bore into me with curiosity.<br />
"What brings you back here, my child?" she asked of me. I told her I needed to convey a letter of much importance to Marcus immediately. "Well, do come in Victoria. I am sure everyone will be delighted to see you!" she said with a blissfully ignorant smile.<br />
Obviously she was also under <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Sulpicia's spell:0" grmarkguid="efbd2faa-cbd8-49ba-8107-74e9db0b8144" gruiphraseguid="c9b18942-27dd-4984-8638-6d762dd54d15"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="29b8f99b-9cfb-4c2b-9640-8d6622e7368e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7b76e439-2425-447a-9c58-9571d8cbedc9" grcontextid="Sulpicia's spell:0">Sulpicia's spell</span></span>. Did no-one know what had happened to me here? I didn't want to explain events to Athenodora whilst standing here brazenly outside my enemy's gates. I had to leave. I had to disappear from here.<br />
"<span class="GRnoSuggestion GRcorrect" grcontextid="Athenodora:0" grmarkguid="53227112-f1f0-40da-bf1c-b54410683b7e" gruiphraseguid="a4b7db10-a44b-4b44-8030-133d45101ae1"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f4888ecb-24f2-4282-ba0d-2c2b2242d99d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="76079b4e-dd1f-46aa-a69a-7efe5d03a880" grcontextid="Athenodora:0">Athenodora</span></span>, how kind of you to remember me with such fondness. I have always held you in high regard, you were kind to me during my stay here and I have not forgotten that! Maybe you would do one little thing for me now? Could you deliver this letter straight into Marcus's hands? Would you be so kind?" I asked politely, all the while praying inside that she would accept so I could run as fast as the wind back to my sanctuary.<br />
"Of course my dear, it would be a pleasure, but won't you come visit with us? Heidi has procured some delightful tourists for us to feed on tonight!" Athenodora said pleasantly.<br />
I shivered again with fear because I had broken Volturi law many times. Most recently I had hunted in the town which was gravely forbidden. Usually I did not care much for the rules Aro had laid down when I was first changed. He was my lover so that gave me some leeway I had assumed, but breaking the Volturi laws whilst in Volterra was extremely reckless of me. Needs must.<br />
"Thank you for your kind invitation, but I am only passing through. If I could also impose another request on you I would be forever in your debt, Athenodora," I smiled with what I hoped was sincerity and honesty.<br />
She nodded and smiled at me kindly again.<br />
"Would you perhaps be so good as to not tell anyone you have seen me tonight? I do not wish to appear rude by not visiting the coven! I only have some important information for Marcus's eyes only." I replied, keeping my voice even and steady. Inside I was a quivering mass of <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="taut:0" grmarkguid="cd45783f-837b-440a-86a1-7375865c5ecc" gruiphraseguid="4729d126-1163-4f78-853b-80924460f81d"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f9e22126-5575-4bca-bfa2-90cb15b0c1a0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f95c92d0-fc8b-4c69-ae1e-b80e39369051" grcontextid="taut:0">taut</span></span> nervous energy. Did she believe me? I fervently hoped and prayed she would.<br />
"Of course, my dear Victoria! You must promise to visit soon though!" she exclaimed happily as she clasped my hand to <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="hers:0" grmarkguid="5aab2d78-4ff0-495a-bebe-bfd9eebc4a8d" gruiphraseguid="a85458a1-178b-4a5b-b5b7-508a9a94bd55"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d14ce300-89ec-4f67-b2a3-97c6eb2d8ecc" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a91cabe4-6ea0-4ed2-8eea-2b2058bb6ef1" grcontextid="hers:0">hers</span></span> tightly.<br />
I handed over the letter and gave <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1182bf89-f7b3-4492-b9c4-629e145e657f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0bc19681-b578-43e1-821e-1e13d6509854" grcontextid="my:0">my</span> false promises to her. When I was safely back in the shadows I breathed out a long sigh of relief and tension. Funny how, even after two centuries, I should need to do something <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="sohuman:0" grmarkguid="85dc2d9b-82d6-4ce4-bc61-508fa336e0da" gruiphraseguid="11efc405-b57e-4c27-8d22-b801c2d2b1c2"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3a451646-39f3-4e98-8953-51a5aca86393" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5b410de4-3c33-4625-ac6a-49a56e675eb2" grcontextid="sohuman:0">so <i>human</i></span><i></i></span><i>. </i>I needed to feed again, my nerves had brought the aching thirst on quicker than usual. I had to risk feeding on another Volterra resident, but I must be so careful, I must not kill my victim! The other night with the girl had been touch and go. Her sweet blood had made me swoon with desire for more and I had very nearly killed her. It was against my nature to let my prey live, but I must try to remain undiscovered whilst I was so close to the Volturi and their list of laws!<br />
I discovered a delicious young male with long black flowing hair and warm spicy tasting blood down an alleyway searching for his pet dog. He found me instead. Oh how I loved to see the fear in their eyes, it made their skin taste saltier and it made me growl with lust, much like sexual desire. His hair was silky and dark just like Aro's and as I sipped from the wound in his neck I ran my hands through his locks languorously as if he was my lover. Oh such power his life fluid gave to me! I stopped myself in time and sent him off into the night with words of love in his ears and delirious confusion in his head as he stumbled down the cobbles most unsteadily. I didn't linger. I made my way back to my room where I would patiently await word from Marcus. What would he think? What would he do? Oh I longed for Sulpicia's execution just like Sasha had endured! Would he force Aro to divulge the whereabouts of Noah? I didn't particularly want the boy destroyed, I felt sorry for him. What would happen within those gates as a consequence of my bold words?<br />
<i>I lay down on the bed, my head spinning with thoughts of Aro and how I couldn't wait to fall into the deep red depths of his eyes as I drowned in pure love and desire once again.</i><br />
<hr size="1" />
<b>Chapter 15: Chapter 15</b><br />
<hr size="1" />
<u>CHAPTER FIFTEEN</u><br />
I wandered aimlessly through the streets of Volterra, cloaked in darkness and disguised by my attire. I was going a little mad within the confines of my <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="small room back:0" grmarkguid="01273458-fe26-4701-8e9e-9e9039fc7997" gruiphraseguid="e1d64dd6-0fcb-4399-a65b-6956b6e185e6"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="173d141e-fdba-425c-83e1-a496811e4904" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5bc3e0eb-8423-4a34-8e7b-33a8814c463a" grcontextid="small room back:0">small room back</span></span> at the guest house. I didn't need to hunt but I needed to clear my mind. A day had passed since I gave the letter intended for Marcus to Athenodora at the Volturi gates. I wondered what was happening within those secret walls. I hoped Athenodora hadn't been tempted to read my letter. I didn't think she would, I truly believed she liked and respected me. The feelings were reciprocated, I had found her to be most motherly in the short time I had known her. What would Marcus do? I didn't like to upset him, but he had to know the truth. In the grand scheme of things, was I really concerned about his feelings? I shook my head and muttered to myself as I strode through the night. I must have made some sight. Luckily there were not many humans about and those that were <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="went:0" grmarkguid="32daefbd-3b75-4511-8b20-5b1e020368f3" gruiphraseguid="dc74b5f4-6562-48ac-aa83-e8284cedc26a"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2406f704-64aa-4bb6-b88e-a2579b057892" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9e97a872-9a04-4357-83a9-78d11d9cb087" grcontextid="went:0">went</span></span> about their business privately.<br />
So, imagine my surprise when a strong hand suddenly gripped my arm forcefully.<br />
<i>"Got you!" </i>a voice rasped in my ear, making me gasp out loud.<br />
I wondered when I would stop this human trait? I had no need for air so gasping really was futile! The figure spun me round so we were face to face. Oh how I had missed that wondrous perfect visage! His red eyes glowed in the waxy light shining down from the full moon hanging in the night sky. I reached out to claim his lips with mine, but he refused to kiss me. "We need to talk Victoria!" he hissed angrily.<br />
Oh dear. He was furious. I smiled up at him with what I hoped was a dazzling grin. But his face remained stony and somber.<br />
"Come!" he demanded as he dragged me along the street roughly. I was so pleased to see him that I didn't much care about having my arm almost dismembered. He was more attractive when he was angry!<br />
We ended up at the very house from which we'd said our goodbyes all those years ago, when Aro had saved me from the dark place. He closed the door with a loud bang and turned to face me, his face a seething mass of rage.<br />
"Victoria! Do you wonder how I knew you were here? Imagine my surprise to catch your scent in the heart of the Volturi chambers. Imagine how it felt to inhale that wonderful aroma which is your beautiful essence. Then imagine my horror when I convinced myself that you had been captured and perhaps destroyed! I was beside myself with grief and remorse! Then, Marcus approached me, with a letter. From you! That was the source of your scent ! Now, imagine my complete disbelief that you could be so stupid, so disobedient and so utterly, utterly bent on self destruction! " He spat out at me as I cowered away from his rage. His anger frightened me and I felt myself backing into a corner, desperate to flee. I knew he would be angry though so I didn't know why I was surprised. It was just much scarier in reality actually having to witness that anger first hand.<br />
My eyes must have betrayed me, he must have seen my fear and desperation because in one swift move his strong arms enveloped me and pressed my body oh so close to his. His hands loosened their strong grip on me as they moved up to cup my face.<br />
"Victoria, you have been very silly, but forget that for now, I am so relieved to see you, to touch you, I have missed you, young one," he whispered his voice racked with emotion.<br />
His eyes were liquid pools of fire, burning with intense love for me. Oh how addictive he was! His lips inched towards mine slowly and purposefully. I sighed gratefully causing Aro to inhale my scent. Suddenly his movements were anything but controlled as his mouth met mine hungrily. He devoured and overwhelmed me, making my nerves sing and my acute vampire senses overload on his scent, taste and touch. This attraction between us was vastly immense. He moaned against my mouth as the tip of my tongue touched his. Electricity flowed between us as our eager hands explored each other and our kisses became deeper than ever.<br />
"<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="be80f4db-a406-41f4-964f-6a4b1c7fb553" gruiphraseguid="ed7eba0f-d38e-4c6a-91b3-39364ec0be61"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="94fc9a13-ca8f-417b-a726-f5fd3821171a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ac251c16-9058-4ad5-97cc-bab221c3e8cb" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span>, take me now, make me yours again, <i>my lover</i>. I will explain everything to you, but firstly I need you so desperately," I sighed against his pale cheek as my body rubbed against his seductively. I wished for no barriers between us and like magic our bodies were gliding together effortlessly unclothed. I wished for Aro to possess me again and again, leaving no inch of <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="me:0" grmarkguid="f56cc4be-f20d-49f4-a4d7-7d193d1b5028" gruiphraseguid="3bc3f7e2-0bd6-4958-a71d-53b6b591c21e"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e5c565a7-7345-4f0d-81b9-341fc6e37db0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="734c86dd-5935-42b3-a898-3e00d64cd526" grcontextid="me:0">me</span></span> undiscovered in his quest. He read my mind as he usually did, so our love making was perfectly <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="synchronised:0" grmarkguid="401a00f3-afbb-4003-b6a4-7ccf49148ab2" gruiphraseguid="440c20b2-5f74-4623-8a51-c79d5d9d2914"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a57db959-4121-4af0-85ac-eea1a65fbde0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="867e1b8c-053b-4202-804f-8d2dc92d0c2a" grcontextid="synchronised:0">synchronised</span></span> and beautifully choreographed. If I was human would I feel this intensity during the act? If it was with Aro, then surely I would? But no human would mate with a vampire, would they? <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="92019129-ebaf-4ea2-b894-c03526dd5e9e" gruiphraseguid="e87dd726-865e-4a72-87fe-e16caa20ecd7"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f296a3f5-4334-4bcb-8432-d3050b05adf6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9489c616-6996-4e6e-8d01-320ccd650750" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span> laughed deeply as he kissed the hollow of my throat.<br />
"Your mind is so inquisitive, Victoria! Even in the throes of passion you question every feeling, every nuance and emotion. I <i>love </i>that about you!" he exclaimed, his mouth trailing exquisite icy but fiery kisses up and down my skin.<br />
"What else do you love about me, Aro?" I gasped as his body moved with mine in lustful abandonment. Oh, was there ever anything in the universe as intense as this?<br />
"I love how you gasp for breath, even when you do not need to breathe, I love how I can make you do this when I kiss you and touch you," he moaned against my skin.<br />
I gasped against his pale cheek, sending him wild with my unique scent.<br />
"I love how you can make me forget myself when we kiss, your sweet mouth yields to me wholly and completely. I feel the love we share in those deep kisses more than anything," he whispered shyly in my ear.<br />
Oh I loved when he was coy!<br />
"Oh you do?" he laughed quietly.<br />
I swiftly switched our position, so I was now on top of him. I felt so powerful and so utterly female as I gazed down at my lover. He looked magnificent as he stared up at me in awe. He was centuries older than me, he was experienced and worldly wise but oh how he gazed up at me as if I was a Goddess!<br />
"You <i>are!"</i> he exclaimed as he ran his hands over my pale marble skin, his touch seductively electric.<br />
"Oh Aro!" I sighed, my body instinctively reacting to his, matching his slow fluid movements, our red gaze never wavering, never faltering, never leaving the others stare.<br />
Now I was totally lost in our possession of each other, as we climbed higher and higher toward the peak of passion, as one forever more. My mind was blank from ordinary thoughts. All that remained was a consuming fire that burned me from the inside out. It was not unlike the burning heat of the change. <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="f3b01b46-6ac0-44a4-8db1-6cd58dc98968" gruiphraseguid="8e71795b-920f-45bf-921f-2f4ded281dea"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="573432b3-e06f-450b-8aee-a8638f7ee830" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9a32e5ba-5d41-44bc-8ca9-336df4c78eb9" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span> awakened in me the basest desires, but the most complex emotions. We fell into the flames together, joyfully, endlessly and in each other we finally found release. Would I ever tire of this, of him, of our special connection? No, I wouldn't, I couldn't and that is why I sent the letter to Marcus, because I loved this vampire of mine with all my still stone heart!<br />
<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro held:0" grmarkguid="0dc69a02-2319-46f3-a096-5c4a6c6f528c" gruiphraseguid="6dd333c6-f9ac-48d6-aed2-fc5d9c810609"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a7910d90-b535-4944-98c4-4ea63d102f36" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a0c13a34-1c71-486a-b62e-ce69a8d194d2" grcontextid="Aro held:0">Aro held</span></span> me close, my head on his marble chest, his hands stroking my red curls soothingly as we lay in the afterglow of our passion.<br />
"Oh Victoria! I love you as you love me! My position is much different from yours though, as I have explained many times. Marcus is heartbroken about Didyme, all over again, perhaps much worse than the first time. Your letter did wash his apathy away, but Chelsea soon fixed him again. You cannot dabble in Volturi matters, my darling, no matter how deep our feelings for each other run!" he scolded.<br />
I sat up indignantly, my red eyes fiery with sudden anger. "<span class="GRnoSuggestion GRcorrect" grcontextid="Sulpicia:0" grmarkguid="8597bd29-aa7f-41b2-a783-4c8e14c35e77" gruiphraseguid="779bb9fe-8885-49fe-8c05-5c21e14660ae"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a4e811f9-20fe-4ae4-bbd8-3ca95f26d720" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ade71b40-4ed1-4c4b-b416-fbe15346737b" grcontextid="Sulpicia:0">Sulpicia</span></span> deserves to be removed from the Volturi for her crimes! Two of the most unspeakable crimes I might add! She doesn't <i>love</i> you Aro! She <i>controls</i> you! If you love me as much as you say then you would renounce her and be with me!" I cried.<br />
"If only <i>you </i>could read <i>my </i>mind, my sweet! You would see the unfathomable depth of my adoration for you. <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Sulpicia:0" grmarkguid="5934d721-27f0-42a1-b406-e839a15d2c7f" gruiphraseguid="e27a183b-2825-4739-9818-0aa9294d86bd"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7c86fb03-9665-41ee-8c6b-9044800318b0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="84aee146-686c-4a3b-bed8-1d21327c31ee" grcontextid="Sulpicia:0">Sulpicia</span></span> will kill you if she finds out about that letter. I don't know if I can protect you Victoria! Even if we banish her from the coven she will find you, she will probably destroy us both! If Marcus tells the guard about Sulpicia's crimes there will be a revolt and disruption in the ranks! The Volturi will be in trouble, I need to keep us all together, we have amassed so much power now and acquired so many talented assets!" he exclaimed proudly.<br />
I just stared at him incredulously. How could he put power above our love? He was insane with the idea of controlling a vast powerful coven, all because his maker commanded him to do so! I understood the bond they shared, because of how I felt about Aro, but it felt like I was second best. <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="e44db533-c227-47cf-9f6b-d8a70d40a31b" gruiphraseguid="9cf1878c-11f6-44b9-b354-0569f4df2e5e"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1dc13a12-4c1e-450c-a3f2-685d107bbce7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6c4e5b1f-483b-4a71-9137-be05d16afaac" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span> stroked my hand and shook his head vehemently.<br />
"No, my darling, never think that! I hold you up high on <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="the greatest:0" grmarkguid="01279dc2-2316-4f03-87c3-0e47ecef7e23" gruiphraseguid="05d5a5f8-0370-4826-9d34-068e6cdf70f2"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6201d55e-78e4-4f4f-b474-91364dcdcc9f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f1adb334-cb2a-4459-a5d0-530c436e1821" grcontextid="the greatest:0">the greatest</span></span> pedestal!" he exclaimed as he kissed the smooth skin of my hand with his cool enticing lips.<br />
Oh he could enthrall me so!<br />
I fell back into his arms eagerly, aching to be intimately close to him once again. It was impossible to have too much of a good thing where Aro was concerned. If I wasn't so dazzled by him I would say he used his body to wield power over me. He laughed at my thoughts again and just kissed and loved me harder than ever, making my head spin and rainbows dance behind my closed eyes. This situation would never be resolved.<br />
Much later, he took me back to my little room. We held each other desperately as he made to depart. Dawn was approaching, the sky was tinged with a deep pink as the sun started to rise.<br />
"I must go back, Victoria. <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Sulpicia:0" grmarkguid="af511e7f-98a1-42be-9fd7-11fe365ed976" gruiphraseguid="13a3717b-af7a-48c7-93fa-458e2a71bb35"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7b9063fa-3b4a-4cf8-ac24-79a0c4e1625e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5e909baf-4ed8-4270-9965-0a361afe9e44" grcontextid="Sulpicia:0">Sulpicia</span></span> will suspect something is amiss if I dally," he whispered against my hair.<br />
I sighed and squeezed him tighter, hating to let go once more.<br />
"Ah little flame, it is only for <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="awhile:0" grmarkguid="9d0ddc0f-d181-4c84-aa30-4f4d0d89e0e6" gruiphraseguid="bd12ed7e-2737-4082-9ed3-8335da999047"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c5d8aa0e-a96a-41d9-a1ea-f05ccfe2e99d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2e061f47-f612-4e76-a95d-1342e8ea99eb" grcontextid="awhile:0">awhile</span></span>. Let's meet in a few days to discuss a plan I have about you <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="moving:0" grmarkguid="e56b9ad5-8acb-43b5-bfd8-696fd6acd3c4" gruiphraseguid="d9c9a6f9-f2aa-48af-8713-55eb0bd077ee"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1f614481-688c-4d48-b017-0bfe57c29351" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="49c2c279-91fa-40b2-aab9-a328f1b8d5ea" grcontextid="moving:0">moving</span></span> to Italy! I trust that would make you happy?"<br />
I sighed and shook my head with frustration. All I wanted was Aro to be mine completely.<br />
"Hush, sweet girl. I am <i>yours </i>no matter what else happens. You must be patient. Promise me you won't do anything rash again?" he pleaded.<br />
I nodded my head, but did not speak. I disentangled myself reluctantly from him. He couldn't read my thoughts then. Our goodbye kiss was long and slow and full of deep longing. I kept my thoughts only <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4304744a-cc85-4e47-9340-24f3b0688197" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="88eb879e-b9fa-444a-8a7c-a393663bbd2a" grcontextid="on:0">on</span> his mouth and the sensations he produced in me. That way I could try to keep my secrets hidden. Finally, he left just as the dawn was breaking. My still heart was breaking too. I came here to reveal my true intentions towards him, to set the record straight and to hopefully entice him into being mine, at last. My plan had failed, our dire situation remained the same. Our passion could conquer all at the time but when he was gone all I had was my black lonely thoughts for company.<br />
It was torture and pain being his lover. But the pleasure he gave me made it up for it when I was in his arms. Oh the futile anguish of being in love with someone who wasn't free to be completely yours! I lay on the bed in my small room and pounded the mattress with my small angry fists until I was exhausted with heartbreak and despair. No solution would come to me that made any sense.<br />
What could I do, what should I do to make Aro see he belonged with me? My mind whirled with evil thoughts of murder and deception. I would ultimately do <i>anything </i>to be with my lover.<br />
<i>Could I, should I, destroy the one thing that stood in my way of happiness?</i><br />
<hr size="1" />
<b>Chapter 16: Chapter 16</b><br />
<hr size="1" />
<u>CHAPTER SIXTEEN</u><br />
It was now February the nineteenth<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid=",:0" grmarkguid="38b9e859-2eb7-41f3-8401-0dc29af0812d" gruiphraseguid="67619ac9-6c92-4f9c-a04f-c2a01e59be67"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="684fc9e6-6aae-42d3-bc74-028c611a2d48" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="db5b32fc-a286-4a45-9cab-1f38c9b67a31" grcontextid=",:0">,</span></span>of the year 1550, the cold biting wind threatened to blow me from <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="the high:1" grmarkguid="207d55b5-d926-4698-add0-88aca5c9241b" gruiphraseguid="67619ac9-6c92-4f9c-a04f-c2a01e59be67"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="184d79e7-3c44-4aa4-b7ae-f50b042e9643" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="db5b32fc-a286-4a45-9cab-1f38c9b67a31" grcontextid="the high:1">the high</span></span> parapet as I gazed out over the Tuscan landscape. <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="a623e2d6-b9c1-4772-8f93-cff9eb159a06" gruiphraseguid="18be1973-ecc9-400f-bac5-26a425de35b9"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4ab62c1c-5463-45b5-b6f8-514e931c6da6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="47eac1c7-86f3-427d-988c-d198abac4d76" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span> had meant every word he said about having me closer to him, so why did I still feel so alone and disheartened? I wasn't surprised to find that he had a castle, Aro was very rich and powerful. The beautiful medieval building was situated in a panoramic location in the hills surrounding Campiglia Marittima. The village itself was small and quaint but was near to San Vicenzo and further afield was Livorno and Florence, so I wasn't completely isolated. I had never craved the company of others of my kind. I preferred to live and hunt alone. Of course the obvious exception was Aro, my beloved maker, whom I couldn't exist without, it seemed. At least he could visit me quite often, as Volterra wasn't far away. The castle was dark and bleak but it suited me fine, I liked being the mistress of all I surveyed. I missed Paris though. Usually I spent Winter there, but faced with the choice of my French home or Aro, I would of course choose my lover every time.<br />
I hated how he made me so weak! He had me under his spell and I would never be free. Did I want to be? Quite simply, no.<br />
I made my way down the spiral staircase back into my chambers. <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="4ea3e068-1a96-4341-b485-a99a0fa46967" gruiphraseguid="45ad0079-591a-4255-937e-b8fea3a7dbe3"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="60652fef-5ed7-4ea0-8e53-93c07e4e22c5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d15b4a5f-d1fa-467e-a65b-2de8106a96a7" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span> had furnished the castle magnificently. It was opulent with dark velvet <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="colours:0" grmarkguid="a2b3d31c-fd18-4afc-8259-b2447fbfe702" gruiphraseguid="1b6e3b10-4a44-41c1-ba98-6ea40cc91cbd"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="658b3169-667b-48fd-adf7-d11d2300bcda" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9d802b0a-ebf1-4e92-9bb6-312d14fbc8d2" grcontextid="colours:0">colours</span></span> and ornate furnishings. My four poster bed was dark oak, with red luxurious velvet curtains. I was encased in the <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="colour:0" grmarkguid="11b89bf7-1989-4338-95e0-6ab17e3dffb1" gruiphraseguid="2ead82bb-4fba-4baa-bd0f-473d497780fc"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d533e367-41da-453d-8ade-0d02cc45c265" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="23d6fa5c-83d2-4e41-8e29-fa2fcc6f5e92" grcontextid="colour:0">colour</span></span> of rich blood whenever I lay there. <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="9972d299-1a95-4ea8-bbb2-451a6141863b" gruiphraseguid="d2267df3-872e-4e52-813e-92776d150f7e"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6b49586f-612a-47db-b7c2-ee9cfe59f706" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4435daff-4a80-42a4-b8ad-676f11f7486e" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span> and I had spent many hours giving and receiving pleasure with each other in this bed. I threw myself down onto the furs and sighed with longing. It had been two weeks now, a minute drop in the ocean compared to the decades we'd been apart, but the more I <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="83bdb528-0a82-462c-a458-5b67a79dc139" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="648d7960-1b8d-4693-bb2c-f98091c5a66b" grcontextid="had:0">had</span> him, the more I wanted him. He was my drug, my opium fix and I <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="was craving:0" grmarkguid="aa565dad-d4f9-4e90-ba04-50f7ce1097e2" gruiphraseguid="6f3ca41d-85bc-453a-935e-c2db71d6aaff"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2893033f-fa52-42bf-8fd7-c178e19d944c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="98e09860-f6c4-4ed8-9b2c-8ca69213bb16" grcontextid="was craving:0">was craving</span></span> him badly. He truly had such magnificent power over me, I felt so helpless against the tide of his love and desire for me. Did Sulpicia wield the same power over him? She loved him, but in a sick insane way. I loved him uncompromisingly. He said they didn't make love, he said they never had, he told me it had only ever been about power, never love only sex. He told me they didn't even perform the sexual act any longer. They were never affectionate or intimate with each other. He could read her ugly thoughts and it made him sick to his stomach. But I knew if he wanted information out of her, the act was the only way he could get her to drop her guard. I shivered with horror when I imagined them entwined together. I didn't want her evil twisted hands on him at all! Did I believe everything he told me? Yes, I had to or I would drive myself over the edge of sanity!<br />
I was surprised to hear a loud knocking upon the castle door. Who could be calling on me here? <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="d76bf5ac-b147-4961-a30f-1661c8c287ea" gruiphraseguid="2ecd260d-d873-437f-aaa4-48c94395444a"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4deb430c-f37b-4bff-bbe8-71e6b135be04" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f8066e59-bf5c-4985-afac-4792c6a441cd" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span> never knocked, he usually tried to creep up behind me so he could enthrall and overcome me with his welcome kiss before I had a chance to catch his scent. Sometimes it worked and I had no clue he had arrived until I felt his icy lips on the nape of my neck and I would moan with unbridled lust at his surprise entry. Other times, I could sense him before he even got through the castle walls. Today, I tuned into a cold dark presence outside the heavy oak doors. It felt cool like a diamond within my mind and just as I flung the door open, the unique scent came to me sharply. It was Athenodora! She smiled at me pleasantly as I beckoned for her to come in. "Do come in, what a lovely surprise," I smiled back. Of course, I didn't really want to let her in, I had a knot of nerves deep in my stomach. What did she want from me? This was certainly a surprise.<br />
I showed her into the great hall and indicated for her to sit on the chaise lounge. She daintily sat down and clasped her small white hands together primly. She was so old fashioned, but then she was ancient! To be honest, although I had been grateful of her presence in Volterra, both when I lived there and on the night I gave her the letter, she still frightened me somewhat.<br />
"<span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Victoria, please,:0" grmarkguid="d1f5609d-6459-45da-a164-275596ce57bc" gruiphraseguid="e137938d-7f99-400b-b8a2-781509bd16cf"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="35cbf139-3ecc-46b6-aa5d-37c3ac5671b3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a11c0408-8574-4f28-9fe9-76381f580eca" grcontextid="Victoria, please,:0">Victoria, please,</span></span> won't you sit? This is your home is it not?" she asked me.<br />
Her tone was pleasant but I sensed an undercurrent there. Maybe because she was old and respected, I did as she asked.<br />
"It is not my home as such, it is Aro's home, I am a guest here, Athenodora," I replied with an equally even tone.<br />
She nodded and smiled again, it was definitely predatory this time. I felt a small flicker of fear dance through my veins and I desperately wanted to flee.<br />
"I read your letter Victoria, my it was fascinating!" she laughed, the sound hollow and brittle.<br />
Oh my, I had been discovered. Now, I knew this was not a friendly visit. Would I have to fight this strong centuries old vampire? I shivered with fear and felt completely out of my depth. I decided silence was the best reply in this situation.<br />
"So, you fancy yourself to be in love with Aro? You plan to use <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="information:0" grmarkguid="384c5e72-3b42-460e-a7ce-c1f926bb371a" gruiphraseguid="9ac55cb3-2e56-4ceb-9e52-3173115417c7"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="96eaaf5e-dcb6-4b13-8342-50149ad2b221" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fde5d445-6f31-4046-8960-30d092eb1742" grcontextid="information:0">information</span></span> against his wife so you can have him all to yourself, <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="hmmm:1" grmarkguid="31014f87-a298-48ea-ae24-d98c4b478644" gruiphraseguid="9ac55cb3-2e56-4ceb-9e52-3173115417c7"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8839bc66-769d-454e-97df-98ddf6b986cd" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fde5d445-6f31-4046-8960-30d092eb1742" grcontextid="hmmm:1">hmmm</span></span>?" she asked, her crocodile smile becoming wider and more vicious.<br />
I shook my head in denial.<br />
"Has your secret lover ever told you about my past?" she <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="enquired:0" grmarkguid="69a9f3a5-95dc-48b2-b0ff-2d4f828c13dd" gruiphraseguid="51e9574a-3e7d-484b-982f-3524085ede58"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="505589a6-2d4b-4fb1-8dba-fc73df70d7b7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9db16ae8-44b4-4034-b482-53b1097f1c28" grcontextid="enquired:0">enquired</span></span>, her red eyes pinning me with their hypnotizing stare.<br />
I shook my head again, still too scared to speak.<br />
"I was a slave girl in Ancient Rome, my family were Carthaginians, they were murdered by Roman soldiers. I was saved so I could become a slave to Romulus Augustulus, the current emperor of Rome. The year was 475 AD Victoria, a turbulent time for the Romans as they were losing their grip on their vast empire slowly but surely. Romulus was a beast, he raped me on a daily basis. One night after a particularly brutal attack, I lay crying in the vestibule, broken and homesick. I prayed for strength and enlightenment. One of my Master's prized gladiator's found me on the floor. He always had a soft spot for me. He said he would take me away from Rome, as long as I stayed with him and became his wife. I would have agreed to anything at that point Victoria!" she exclaimed.<br />
I was rooted to the spot as I listened in fascination to her tale.<br />
"My brave gladiator was called Quintus and he was strong and handsome. He took me through the underground tunnels below Romulus's villa, where he assumed we would escape. There was something down there Victoria, something ancient and evil! We couldn't go forward and we couldn't go back, we were trapped there in the dark with something unspeakable. It ripped Quintus's head right off his shoulders in one swift movement. It then turned its attentions to me. I was lifted off my feet and I felt the pain of two needles lance through my neck. It drank my blood and it made me drink from an open wound in its wrist. I burned and burned with intense fire for days down in that black hole. I am sure you can guess what had happened, Victoria?" she asked, her red eyes burning with fiery intensity.<br />
I was too stunned to speak. <span class="GRnoSuggestion GRcorrect" grcontextid="Athenodora:0" grmarkguid="22013b5c-68f4-48c0-abdc-4342b5cff1fd" gruiphraseguid="c2d8a33e-4982-4ebe-ac00-b342938615a8"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="066092bd-1938-497b-b879-743cebbc56ba" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c31a0e85-a488-491c-bc5b-8c0ec9088645" grcontextid="Athenodora:0">Athenodora</span></span> was older than Desiderius! She had been changed in 475 AD, centuries and centuries ago. That made her technically the "first" vampire. <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="095b84a9-4c16-4cb1-a606-3c45f90dceb3" gruiphraseguid="6f6c752d-31f6-49d6-b81e-22c33057b290"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="88a6ca45-b590-4d79-a31b-315b276b3292" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3c40c754-1e0b-452e-a107-22c8d182f904" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span> had assumed wrong!<br />
"Who or what was the creature who changed you?" I asked, finally finding my voice.<br />
"I do not know, Victoria. It was dark and I could only see a mass of blackness, a deep dark hole of screaming whirling energy with sharp teeth and red eyes. I didn't see it again. I woke up and I was a vampire. I was fascinated with my new found strength and speed. I killed everyone who dwelled in the villa. I especially took my time with Romulus!" she laughed, girlish and high.<br />
Oh but she now seemed evilly insane and not motherly like I had first thought. How could I have got it so wrong? <i>Oh little flame! I told you to be careful! </i>Lizzie wailed in my mind.<br />
"I found Desiderius 400 years later, he was originally a priest. I corrupted his mind, body and soul. He was a perfect vampire, I loved him for a long time. I decided to use him to make a powerful coven, he was useful at first but he became quite insane so I made him comfortable in a castle near Rome. Sound familiar dear?" she asked with raised eyebrows.<br />
I chose to ignore her snide remark.<br />
"I wanted to make sure that I had a family again and I needed to protect that family. I am the power behind the Volturi, Victoria! My Caius, Aro and Sulpicia are all my soldiers. Marcus used to be of some use, but the death of Didyme affected him badly. They procure vampires with special powers for me. I want to build a <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="most powerful:0" grmarkguid="1d1f57e2-2fe3-4e91-9208-f5aeae0c9e3d" gruiphraseguid="9e04d489-b1d1-4503-bf13-c2c0ff4072d4"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c43191b4-6b03-454e-80c2-a6f37546c56a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8652e1d1-9cdc-4318-93c3-747777f4c830" grcontextid="most powerful:0">most powerful</span></span> and unbreakable coven which will rule the vampire world for always!" she gloated.<br />
" I hand-picked most of the guard myself, but I let Aro change them. I didn't want to be anyone's maker ever again. Caius was already a vampire when I met him. We fell in love and he has been at my side ever since," she smiled beautifully.<br />
I was completely shocked by her words. I would never have guessed that Athenodora was the puppet master behind the scenes of the Volturi! I was so wrong about her. Now, here she was, the ancient powerful "first" vampire, and I was visibly shaking with fear. What did she want with me?<br />
"Why did you come here today?" I asked her, not sure that I wanted to hear the answer.<br />
"Victoria, I cannot have you <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="trying:0" grmarkguid="53d824dd-e0b8-4764-98c3-8f6a18d40e92" gruiphraseguid="514c4191-9a74-42a2-8dae-5bcc4a2c7135"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="113f1a1d-cba2-4a7d-a92c-f388ebfda814" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4fadb9af-5aa3-4a0a-82b0-520cdb6d2576" grcontextid="trying:0">trying</span></span> to cause revolt in the ranks. How dare you presume to tear the very fabric of my coven apart at the seams! <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Sulpicia:0" grmarkguid="c8d444b5-30b7-4e53-8e44-4299bd701f21" gruiphraseguid="fe2e45c1-4b6b-4072-8dbb-df8720488c7d"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7cab811a-77b7-433f-a50b-e98cb55560f1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7a476af1-f63b-437c-92a0-82c6a6fa237c" grcontextid="Sulpicia:0">Sulpicia</span></span> will be punished of course for her two indiscretions. Killing your own kind is not too heinous, especially when they are simpering useless vampires like Didyme, but Immortal children will not be tolerated. <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="7f431689-38f1-4932-a058-a32c0aaee676" gruiphraseguid="85b537d2-f37e-4a5b-8958-bba0c3e69a72"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="024f162a-aa93-4247-b493-6da824038e1a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f999a771-d421-41d0-96f5-d6362e295be2" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span> will be punished too for hiding the child. My vampire children know I love them intensely but they also know I will not tolerate insubordination. Never let others know how much power you have at your disposal, Victoria. It makes you weak! <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="9bf96a26-0de9-40a6-aedc-8a2ba1a01820" gruiphraseguid="2486dfaa-3d0f-4852-9923-bbea983bc886"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0daca68d-62fa-406e-bfea-c35f2e253937" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b9be6d13-482c-44be-81c3-1f68052d8551" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span> believes Desiderius is the true <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="powerful:1" grmarkguid="ca20aa10-b632-4e4c-a6a5-c3020e8b89a4" gruiphraseguid="2486dfaa-3d0f-4852-9923-bbea983bc886"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="badeeaf5-72f2-4841-bd70-822895e0f95b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b9be6d13-482c-44be-81c3-1f68052d8551" grcontextid="powerful:1">powerful</span></span> one whom he must be faithful to. I let him hold fast to his beliefs. He has made hundreds of vampires for me. My bloodline is strong and very long and now includes you, my dear!" she said with a poisonous grin.<br />
Why did I never see beyond her facade before?<br />
"You tried to bring down the coven, you silly girl! You tried to lure Aro away from me and his devoted wife! You shall leave here tonight. If you are not gone by daybreak I shall destroy you. I will tell Aro you have left because you do not want to be his mistress any longer. I cannot believe he let some slip of a girl get to him! <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Sulpicia:0" grmarkguid="b67fe76d-4120-4748-b26d-f5c76e6d20b3" gruiphraseguid="37e44c23-6fea-4dc8-8a75-83214c182d22"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="bbedcbca-e968-4f5d-90c3-370fd5412e42" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="874553b5-ae98-43ce-beff-05e7de7bdce5" grcontextid="Sulpicia:0">Sulpicia</span></span> is much more a match for him, I should know, I chose her myself. Stay away from the Volturi. Don't ever come back. You aren't welcome <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="her:0" grmarkguid="4d9aeabe-d8c6-435b-a955-653b36423048" gruiphraseguid="9bb9fea5-4f4f-4020-8c55-b168da1de330">here</span>," she spoke with finality as she lunged at me with vicious intent.<br />
Her long nails scratched down my face as she pinned me up against the wall. Her sharp teeth sunk into my neck viciously as she drank my venom laced blood greedily. I felt my strength being sapped away drop by drop. Oh this was a horrible sensation! Did my poor victims feel this way?<br />
<span class="GRnoSuggestion GRcorrect" grcontextid="Athenodora:0" grmarkguid="216102ea-01ed-400e-9443-b2372511e5e2" gruiphraseguid="ef360828-cd01-4d79-8e9a-16c5d1d757b6"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ff6766d9-4084-4e19-9088-aff208a40acc" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="57122b10-5c25-4a9a-9735-5de4be5e4bcb" grcontextid="Athenodora:0">Athenodora</span></span> left me on the castle floor, broken and humiliated. I wished for tears, but of course I couldn't cry. I must get up from the cold stone and prepare to flee. I felt like I had been drained of more than my blood. My very essence felt tainted and hollow. I <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="realised:0" grmarkguid="efaf9e17-0629-4a82-8861-b45c492b2d58" gruiphraseguid="6077a28f-e237-4c83-bd89-d25eca2e5236"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="da972d1d-04ae-4d9a-8a31-aca9990aeba0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ac6226c3-5987-4566-9437-75026eca2980" grcontextid="realised:0">realised</span></span> that the powerful female had drank in my <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="aura:1" grmarkguid="ddbbbea5-00e1-4673-a996-65867e924430" gruiphraseguid="6077a28f-e237-4c83-bd89-d25eca2e5236"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="39bdc484-fe81-41c6-9abd-ed85713677e5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ac6226c3-5987-4566-9437-75026eca2980" grcontextid="aura:1">aura</span></span> too. How horrific. <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Aro:0" grmarkguid="e0f7c9aa-627b-452f-a416-08cf886f1844" gruiphraseguid="a5884b20-55d2-4a73-9a93-7fdf125af43e"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="17ddf329-17c4-4a2e-bc71-c8149641be92" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="dbbfe633-3c81-4f30-a7e5-d429327acc09" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span></span> couldn't save me. No one could, except myself. I should never have come here. He didn't love me enough to betray the coven. He would never be mine, it was time to face up to the facts. I howled in anguish, but my heart hardened and became less like stone and more like steel. If this is what love did to you then I wanted no part in it.<br />
My weakness dissipated after a few hours and just before the sun came up I fled the castle without a backwards glance. I didn't know where I would go but my first stop was the port, so I could <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="escape Italy:0" grmarkguid="2dbf990b-21ca-41f1-b4af-44fcd5f09eb0" gruiphraseguid="d7bf3f11-b3ac-49a1-9eff-7e52e084fe2b"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a42dfd0f-6e6f-44a1-8ecb-913a04ee721b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2f073cd7-46e3-49bd-a53e-8aafb66fe366" grcontextid="escape Italy:0">escape Italy</span></span> for good. Once on the ship I took victim after victim until I felt my old strength return in full force. But there was something missing. I didn't know what it was, but Athenodora had taken something from me, a vital part which I would never replace. I gazed out over the stormy sea and was once again reminded of Aro. His face would forever haunt and torment me. I would always love him.<br />
<i>Oh little flame,</i> my darling Lizzie whispered in my ear. I sighed dramatically with utter sadness, heartbreak and lonely black despair. I was alone, once more.<br />
<i>"There's no use in weeping,<br />Though we are condemned to part:<br />There's such a thing as keeping,<br />A remembrance in one's heart..."</i><br />
<b>(Charlotte Bronte</b>, <i>Parting)</i><br />
<hr size="1" />
<b>Chapter 17: Chapter 17</b><br />
<hr size="1" />
<b>PART THREE: THE POSSESSING</b><br />
<u>CHAPTER SEVENTEEN</u><br />
Seventy years have passed and gone by in lightning quick time.<br />
When I first left Italy, I made my way back to Paris, but the city of romance had lost all its glamour and hold on me. I was a sad and lonely recluse who pined over Aro immensely. <span class="GRnoSuggestion GRcorrect" grcontextid="Athenodora:0" grmarkguid="8274a678-fd73-45b0-9d54-3eb0ac8eff6f" gruiphraseguid="a9aeddab-7f1f-4bc4-bcae-a685a18492fd"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b315b205-307c-4be4-9bdc-97120b298699" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e25e2379-75c7-4c32-875d-096a68d8ebe4" grcontextid="Athenodora:0">Athenodora</span></span> had promised she would tell him I had fled and she didn't lie. I received a letter from Aro after I had been in Paris for nearly six months. He begged me to return to the castle, he said he missed me, he loved me, and he promised me the Earth as he always did. Not one mention of leaving Volterra to find me and be with me. He said the Volturi was going through <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="change:0" grmarkguid="23368e47-b16a-4a5d-ab01-f6b8397a4edf" gruiphraseguid="dc540e10-c49c-4f5d-83bb-5688cf11c13e"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f39c4ac7-d90d-442d-8842-2c8582987f16" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8526bd92-058f-4b1e-87b1-ae03c48c6cea" grcontextid="change:0">change</span></span> and sufferance. I guessed Athenodora has meted out harsh punishments to Aro and his wife for betraying Volturi laws. He said he would come to me as soon as he could. He adored me, he wanted me, I was the love of his existence! Blah blah! I was bitter and twisted about our affair now. I saw it for what it was.<br />
<i>Relationships are like glass. Sometimes it's better to leave them broken than try to hurt yourself putting it back together.</i> ( A/N: quote from author unknown ) I waited and waited for him, but in the end all I did was wait, that's not real love. I wished I could cry, I would cry a river and I may feel better. But I would never cry again.<br />
Days after Aro's letter appeared another found its way to my post box. It was from Sulpicia! I opened it with dread and a little bit of scared excitement.<br />
<i>Dearest slave,</i><br />
<i>How dare you have a lurid affair with my husband! Especially after I personally warned you off! He doesn't love you Victoria, you are a distraction for him, a means to an end. He may be a <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d64dee03-a582-4eac-a9c5-9421317988fd" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b5d73cce-bc78-4945-af69-8a1ea0e5f9af" grcontextid="centuries:0">centuries</span> old vampire but he is still male! They have such base desires, Victoria! Do you really believe Aro and I have ceased marital relations between us? If so, then you are much stupider than you look! He will never leave me, Victoria! I am bound to my maker and husband in ways you will never fathom.</i><br />
<i>Yes, he was tempted by you, yes he may even have told you he loves you but in reality he would never leave me or the coven! Act like a slut and you will be treated like one! <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f24a3ade-347a-4ebf-9125-7dff3b165024" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d3fcd044-8e75-4b1c-8d48-5271b1e8f6d0" grcontextid="Athenodora:0">Athenodora</span> and I communicate daily and we have no secrets between us. I know everything Victoria! <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8c49afc9-6d81-4ed7-9091-1b2eef9116f7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c319299a-7bb7-4b4f-9cf8-a5c43a1f67a7" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span> also confides in her, she is all seeing and all knowing.</i><br />
<i>My mistress has given out fair punishment to me for my crimes. She wishes me to leave Volterra for a month, something which makes me sick to my immortal stomach, but on the upside - she wants me to chase you from Europe and banish you forever! I begged for her to let me destroy you but she forbade me from killing another vampire. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3a910fab-eeb6-4ef5-8a6a-a95b246362c0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b72c74d9-fff0-4311-9de7-cc46d0075af6" grcontextid="Athenodora:0">Athenodora</span>, my beloved mistress believes you will run from your Paris home like the rat you are! I on the other hand pray that you will stay to greet my arrival with a fight. I would love nothing more than hurting you badly!</i><br />
<i><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="297fc219-374e-4985-a1ba-56efa46868e3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="78ee3a83-a5cf-416a-b4d3-5ee82c5f7813" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span> knows nothing of Athenodora's punishment for me, if you tell him I WILL kill you!</i><br />
<i>If I don't succeed then my mistress will find you and destroy you. Part of my punishment is to be apart from Aro, something which pains me greatly. His punishment is to burn all evidence and legacies of you! No one in the Volturi must ever utter your name. You are dead to us here in Italy. I will hunt you down Victoria, you better run now because I am coming for you, whore! Run, run , run!</i><br />
I had felt <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="24da4859-85b6-4794-8ab2-6bd181489001" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a1d07245-0a74-4dc7-9e52-4afa56c002d4" grcontextid="icy fingers:0">icy fingers</span> of fear trace their way up and down my spine. Letters from Volterra took around a week to arrive in Paris. By careful deducing that meant that Sulpicia would be arriving here very soon! I was utterly betrayed by Aro, he had given the two evil witches my address, Oh Aro! <i>Why?</i> Would he see me gone, my immortal existence snuffed out like a candle in the wind? I wasn't staying around here, waiting for Sulpicia to arrive. Why would I want to put myself through that? I would rather flee, it was built <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="92d04fbb-4941-4466-9dd6-b789a174bee7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="42bb5ef0-3033-4d92-ae51-b30fdc861c68" grcontextid="in to:0">in to</span> me, this time I wouldn't fight it. I would rather leave the country for pastures unknown than face that evil witch. Yes, she scared me, I admit it. Although part of me wanted to face her, let her destroy me, it would be better than the anguish and pain of losing Aro. But in a strange way I embraced my heartbreak, I let it wash through me and make me stronger than ever.<br />
I had fled that night, swiftly and invisibly. When I had reached the white cliffs of Dover once again, I leapt on the first boat leaving England. After many, many long days at sea, I finally arrived in Canada. Montreal to be precise. I made my home there, it was far far away from Italy, no-one could find me here! My talent for evasion had never been put to such good use before!<br />
French citizens began arriving in Canada to make a new life in the 17th century. I lived in seclusion in Montreal but I had acquired houses in other places too. I won't go into details, but I used my vampire glamour and instinct. I lived a lonely life, I still craved Aro, my steel heart betrayed me time and time again where he was concerned. I decided it was time to add another to my bleak existence. Could I be so bold as to make one like me? He would love me, he would obey me and most of all he would share this strange half life with me.<br />
I had been a vampire for almost three hundred years! It was now 1620. I found a young beautiful male, drunk on life and intoxicated with liquor departing a tavern one night. He was celebrating becoming French-Canadian. I dragged him willingly up a dark alleyway where I kissed his full ruby lips passionately, my first kiss since Aro. He had shoulder length dark curls which I ran my hands through enticingly. Oh it was easy to beguile and bewitch him. He hardly felt my stinging bite as he swooned in my arms. I took him home with me and I became a maker. How powerful I felt, how divinely <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0758ef64-659e-402d-8f23-9f751f9d0900" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="268a6bcb-d8d3-42a4-ada9-88fdfb98de89" grcontextid="god-like:0">god-like</span>. He was <i>mine.</i><br />
<i>Etienne Lucier was his name and I loved him intensely as soon as he opened his red eyes to this new world.</i><br />
<i>(A/N: please read my other stories Newborn and Evermore to find out about my own character Etienne !)</i><br />
<hr size="1" />
<b>Chapter 18: Chapter 18</b><br />
<hr size="1" />
<u>CHAPTER EIGHTEEN</u><br />
I gazed at Etienne's face in fascination as he sunk his sharp teeth into the young girl's neck. I would never tire <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ce8e4581-77e9-4e62-b7a8-0955b865287d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6a3df5f1-23d1-4afd-832a-94899c4028e6" grcontextid="from:0">from</span> watching him feed. We brought victims to our New Orleans mansion regularly. I enjoyed torturing them before we killed them. It was my idea of sport. Etienne did as I told him to do, which was fine at first but I soon got tired of being his Mistress. I wanted him to love me back as an equal! The first decade after I made him was insanely good. He was enthralled of me, I beguiled and bewitched him endlessly. I loved him intensely, much different than the love I had felt for Aro. I tried not to dwell on thoughts of my maker, but they would creep insidiously into my mind on stealthy feet, whispering memories to me which would make me feel terribly melancholy.<br />
But, Athenodora had stolen a vital part of my essence forever when she attacked me, so my feelings and emotions were now hard and brittle. Yes, I remembered the warmth and love I had shared with Aro, but I didn't feel the intensity any more. Etienne was here, he was all I needed. Although, our relationship was nothing like the passionate wild one I had shared with Aro. As vampires, we had our base desires which demanded complete <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="25b3c2bd-7514-4d0b-afe5-57885d530f18" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="defc4c34-f20b-45a3-8210-949fd4a88645" grcontextid="fulfilment:0">fulfilment</span>. I enjoyed possessing Etienne's perfect marble body very much but I honestly couldn't say that he reciprocated those feelings. It had been entertaining to take him in hand and show him how I liked to be made love to. He was a willing pupil! He had only experienced one act of love when he was human, before his parents moved to Canada, with his childhood friend Suzette whom he'd left behind in France. I missed having a lover who could read my mind. With Etienne it was all about showing him how magnificent the power I held over him was. He was mine to do with as I saw fit, but I knew deep down that he didn't love me, not the all consuming head over heels love that I had found with Aro. My fledgling loved me as his maker, but not as his lover, his everything. I couldn't make him love me, but I could make him be my loyal companion forever!<br />
Etienne tossed the girl's drained body aside with a casual air as he approached me. I held out my arms for him eagerly. As always, watching him with his victim stirred sexual feelings of longing in my stomach and I needed <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3b46f8bb-3b26-43c6-8947-e883a1446c06" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c537be71-212c-4f1a-9e05-2cb87ad1b268" grcontextid="release:0">release</span>. I lunged at him, my lips tasting the girl's blood as I kissed him fervently. I ran my hands through his dark shoulder-length curls greedily as I pressed my body against him with salacious intent. He wanted me <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b2051745-3243-49b1-9dc1-117555538ed0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c59a5b2a-d377-4dab-bc5c-26f52bcd915c" grcontextid="too:0">too</span>! Oh the sweet exquisite pain of longing inside me grew until I could stand it no longer. We tumbled together on the floor, eager hands and lips devouring the other hungrily. I didn't care if Etienne loved me or not at these special times. I just needed to feel his cold skin against mine as we scaled the heights of passion together. This was part of our killing ritual. Every time we tortured and killed a human we ended up entwined together lustfully. Tonight, the large pale moon shone in the mansion window as we gave in to our desires. Blood and lust, fire and ice, I possessed my boy vampire over and over until we were sated.<br />
Afterwards my young lover always looked ashamed and horrified at the events which had occurred. I fondly thought of Etienne as much younger than me, although in human terms we were both eternally eighteen. I, of course had been a vampire since 1349, nearly four hundred years ago! Etienne had been with me for a whole century now, it was the year 1720 and we had come to this new place because it was <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9d6b7df4-22c9-449b-a72e-e4d51a56094e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="efedcde3-e193-4ecd-9df3-b9e20021193a" grcontextid="colonised:0">colonised</span> by the French. It somehow made Etienne feel at home and I had always loved France myself so it made sense to come here to this city which was only founded two years ago. It was all dazzling new and we loved it here, for now. As a vampire it was prudent not to stay in one place too long, in case of discovery. I had commissioned the building of the mansion on the banks of Lake Pontchartrain, it was secluded and private, perfect for our killing games. We had a large cellar where I often held our victims for a day or so, teasing them with <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="865afe43-7af3-4679-a330-197a1e409fc3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="455dee29-1727-4437-9483-59c30ae12b3e" grcontextid="release:0">release</span> but ultimately bringing them death. Yes, I was a cruel vampire now. Events had shaped me this way. Long gone was the innocent girl. Little flame was no more and I rarely heard my sister's voice talking to me now. I thought of her sometimes but they were only fleeting thoughts and images. This was my life now. No point in thinking of the past. It was long gone, a hazy distant memory of the human girl I used to be.<br />
Etienne had tried to persuade me to hunt in the streets of New Orleans, but I preferred my method of procuring victims. We played out a different charade each time we needed to slake my violent thirst. We would pretend and play games to attract our victims. Sometimes we would make believe Etienne was a common thief trying to steal the rich lady's jewels, other times we would seduce a lonely human whilst they drowned their sorrows in alcohol within the dark taverns. All of our games were designed to attract a kind human who would wish only to help us, or talk to us or even to kiss our icy lips. They were such easy prey! I loved the thrill of the chase, so much more interesting than merely hunting for food. I liked to break our victims so they begged for life. Why did they beg so? A pathetic short life with no wonder nor enchantment! Why did they seek mercy from me? Didn't they see my fiery red hair, my glittering ruby eyes and my pale skin? Was I not a Goddess to them? A perfect unmerciful powerful deity who could snatch their pathetic existence away in a human heart beat!<br />
In Montreal I <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7f97e7e6-9484-4e19-97ee-267a2dac1f51" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c2962ee4-6260-4db4-9d84-2d72193a7372" grcontextid="had began:0">had began</span> to hunt and feed this way, but only since moving to this new city had I developed my preferred method precisely. Etienne drove me mad sometimes with his incessant need to be good! Even as a human he had sought out goodness and not evil. As a vampire I demanded that he needed to embrace his dark side. I argued with him constantly about this aspect. Of course, his over-riding need for blood usually won the argument every time. I had great power over him and there was no denying I was his maker. He liked to debate with me but it always ended up with his obedience. It was just another game really! As I dressed I gazed down in eternal amazement at my beautiful boy with his red eyes, his sculpted cheekbones, and his dark curls <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="68d6340c-3c7b-4b0b-85f5-6b83f2394cca" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="06b7b022-0af6-412f-a112-dd86f486e462" grcontextid="laying:0">laying</span> against the marble skin of his face. He could be a chiseled statue or an intricate oil painting. He was so <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5156e3c2-5f25-4790-937d-cf8705cd4b60" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6c5dae73-d916-453e-a717-e56f581c0a94" grcontextid="perfect:0">perfect</span> and still. How glad I was to have found him. I had no doubts my existence would have been so much worse off without him. Long lonely centuries had stretched out before me the day I left Italy. Even worse was the slow passing of time in Paris pining over my lost love. When I had fled to Montreal I had lived in fear of Sulpicia finding me, but she never did. I didn't know if she had followed me to Paris or not. I tried not to think of her or her evil leader. Both of those women had tried to destroy me, but they didn't succeed. I hated to think of Aro with his wife, living together in Volterra, being controlled by Athenodora. They thought they were powerful and untouchable! What a myth!<br />
I banished thoughts of my old life from my mind as I beckoned for Etienne to help me dispose of the girl's lifeless corpse. She had been beautiful, long blond hair and the bluest cornflower eyes. Now she was drained of blood and life. No longer animated and alive. We had tortured her for a day or so before I instructed Etienne to feed. My poor boy was almost delirious with thirst by then. I was more controlled now, I had centuries of practice over him. The death and dying was more enchanting to me now than the actual blood. I loved to watch the light fade from their eyes. I had also <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8d7bc1a3-dffc-4f2b-8c53-22dce699e5c2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="506ede33-0e92-4292-8ae8-af252962cb3b" grcontextid="learnt:0">learnt</span> to drink in human auras, just like Athenodora could. The life force could give you so much more strength and power than mere blood! Of course, my poor Etienne hated for me to do this. He abhorred the act and took no pleasure from it. I even offered to teach him how to steal auras, but he wanted nothing to do with it. I really had to toughen my boy up, but then again I did take pleasure in his soft tender side, it made me think of Aro which was painful but welcomed at times. I wished Etienne would look at me, even only once, with an overwhelming lustful stare that would lead him to take me forcefully and mercilessly with unrestrained and wholly <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="cbb80c74-5dfc-4958-9528-7dab75ce9ce8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="dc4c088b-c702-417f-b7e6-e32fa0201061" grcontextid="untameable:0">untameable</span> desire. Just like Aro used to do. I wanted him to want me so <i>desperately</i> like that, but there was something missing and I could not make him feel something that didn't exist.<br />
So we went on with our life together, a whole one hundred years had passed and gone by since I lured Etienne up that alleyway. All in all I was pleased with our existence together. It <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d51762cb-5752-4323-87bf-b3cd959156cb" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="196aefb1-c77d-4a01-bc2d-bfc4bf85d2e6" grcontextid="definitely beat:0">definitely beat</span> being alone. Volterra was far away in body and mind, there was no threat nor danger here. We existed, we fed, we lay together, we tortured some innocent humans for fun, life was good. How was I to know that all that would change in the blink of an eye? I should be used to having my illusions shattered after four hundred years, but nothing prepared me for the shock of what would happen in a few days time. Even as I sit here alone, writing my long story, I feel a shiver of disbelief and horror run up my spine. I will reveal all soon, but first let us go back to the night we disposed of the body in Lake Pontchartrain. The moon was still hanging like a big lantern in the deep dark New Orleans sky when Etienne turned to me with a smile so wide it lit a burning <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="60790869-4a09-4628-b28a-80d6ba3c6c55" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="11ea307b-78bc-4236-8e8d-33fee55bd767" grcontextid="raging:0">raging</span> fire deep within my black still heart.<br />
"Victoria, I absolutely <i>do</i> love you!" he exclaimed sweetly as he grasped my cold hand in his.<br />
My heart, although stone, leaped in my breast with dizzy excitement! He finally admitted his love for me after a century of self denial. Oh how powerful and magnificent I felt at that moment! I was drunk on his words as his red gaze penetrated my soul. His lips found mine, oh so sweetly. But I didn't want to be kissed sweetly, I wanted dark desire so I growled low in my throat as I held him possessively <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f2170541-9ba1-4eb7-a634-e80affcfbff1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="db0dbcff-15da-4019-a4ca-0331f76bffcd" grcontextid="to:0">to</span> me with all my might. He pulled my head back roughly and began to ravage my neck with his sharp teeth, oh this was more my style! He finally got it after a century of my wishing and hoping he would be the lover I dreamt of! Oh bliss!<br />
"I will take you right here, right now with utmost passion, my beautiful maker, if you promise me that this will be the last victim we throw into the Lake!" he exclaimed as his hands ran under my bodice seductively.<br />
Oh he was persuasive now too! Was there no end to this change in him tonight? I moaned with desire against his dark curls as his teeth hungrily ripped apart the silky material of my bodice revealing my pale breasts in the moonlight. His cool mouth descended onto my skin deliciously. I writhed with passion against him as his icy lips and tongue kissed and licked me voraciously. Oh my! I would promise him the earth right now. I had waited a long time for my love and passion to be returned. My patience had paid off at last.<br />
"Oh Etienne, my fledgling boy, my lover, my life! For you, I will promise to try but let's not speak any longer. Love me! Take me!" I gasped my voice hoarse with passion.<br />
<i>The moon watched the two perfect marble creatures come together as one, the maker overjoyed to finally be loved completely and the young one deliriously happy to have found the tiniest small chink in her <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="58b4807e-c00a-4417-bb9f-5646b5e24f14" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ada2fc59-2b8f-4c39-b032-45f811f7f348" grcontextid="armour:0">armour</span>.</i><br />
<hr size="1" />
<b>Chapter 19: Chapter 19</b><br />
<hr size="1" />
CHAPTER NINETEEN<br />
<i>Mardi Gras, also known as Shrove Tuesday or Carnival, is an annual festival marking the final day before the Christian fast of Lent, a 40-day period of self-denial and abstinence from merrymaking. Mardi Gras is the last opportunity for revelry and indulgence in food and drink before the temperance of Lent. The term Mardi Gras is French for "Fat Tuesday". The date of Mardi Gras varies from year to year, always falling between February 3 and March <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2f59e545-485c-4b38-aafc-9b3b5b8b7e6b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b9951644-fd9e-4b14-b7d4-70b5335fdf9a" grcontextid="9.:0">9.</span></i><i>On Mardi Gras Day, many ordinary people dress in costume and wander through the city. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ea58ff2a-c406-48cc-bf76-3a41f5d4912d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8725b654-ced3-4151-ac19-2d56728eb83a" grcontextid="Revellers:0">Revellers</span> jam the narrow streets of the city's oldest <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a8ce8821-06c9-49d4-9062-d268d0b6e3bf" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8725b654-ced3-4151-ac19-2d56728eb83a" grcontextid="neighbourhood:1">neighbourhood</span>, known as the French Quarter. The atmosphere in the French Quarter is marked by drunken euphoria and general abandon. ( <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="390305e5-dd23-4ade-8f1d-0cb7a47fc914" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9d794d73-f8b1-45bd-b5ec-1d5ca9e6eda3" grcontextid="copyright:0">copyright</span> Cajun Zydeco Connection )</i><br />
The squeals of human delight and laughter assaulted my vampire ears as Etienne and I soaked up the giddy atmosphere of Mardi Gras, here in our new home town. The euphoric scent of mortals carried away <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="aec361ae-fb7f-45e7-99c9-8a06ff34b865" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f6ba36ea-ca41-4791-88c6-027b21c6e6f8" grcontextid="by:0">by</span> alcohol and lowered inhibitions was infectious to me and my young lover. Their excited heart beats and delicious rushing blood were music to our finely attuned senses. We smiled knowingly at each other as we walked among the warm pulsing crowd. Etienne's hand was resting on the base of my spine possessively, sending icy chills of desire racing up my spine. Oh last night on the shores of the moonlit lake had been wondrous with him! He finally became the lover I desired and needed. It was as if a switch had been flicked on inside of his mind. After a whole century he finally became what I wanted. I shivered imperceptibly when I brought up the image of his icy mouth on my neck and breasts. His cool kisses had become even bolder before the night was through. I took him home after the first encounter by the lake and in our hand carved oak bed I possessed him completely. He had groaned strangled words of love in my ear as we reached the pinnacle of our desire. Oh I was deliriously happy today!<br />
I whispered to Etienne that I liked the look of a young girl standing alone by the street light. He raised his eyebrows <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="470b4f7c-1371-43da-9c34-6ae8d4776891" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="74200ed4-31d7-4bee-920a-87ec638fb9c2" grcontextid="to:0">to</span> me delightfully! He nodded and smiled, "We can follow her Victoria, lure her away from the crowd into our waiting arms!"<br />
I shook my head angrily, causing my carnival mask to slip from my red eyes. I impatiently fastened it again as I glared at my lover. His eyes were ruby pools as they shone through his own mask. We probably could have gotten away without disguise, as these New Orleans natives were high on delirium, alcohol and other substances no doubt.<br />
"No Etienne! We shall take her back to the mansion where we can have some fun with her. She is very pretty don't you agree?" I asked as I villainously eyed up the lovely young girl who stood holding her flambeaux high. (A/N: <i>Lit torches historically carried during night parades.)</i><br />
She had waist length ebony curls, smooth alabaster skin and emerald green eyes. So stunningly perfect that she could have been an immortal one. I reached out with my mind to sense her aura, it was all vibrant with reds and golds threaded with silver. Delicious! The pulse at her neck beat faster with delirious excitement. I wanted to sink my teeth into the creamy skin <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="116ae8d6-dc0b-4c37-b9eb-b06a58faa55e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fee2bad9-7db7-4a48-936c-e818fe01be23" grcontextid="at:0">at</span> her throat. I knew her blood would be laced with fear and lustful desires which would make it just as sweet as honey. Etienne was frowning at me as he watched me salaciously eye up my prey.<br />
"Victoria! You promised me! No more victims!" he snarled in my ear. Oh but he was very desirable when he was demanding! I liked this new Etienne immensely!<br />
"Oh my love, when will you learn? I decide what happens, have you not deduced that yet?" I laughed as I pulled him along the street towards the beautiful girl. " I promised not to throw any more bodies into the lake, did I not?" I asked him sweetly.<br />
My young lover growled angrily, making me want to swoon with desire. I wanted him so badly right now, but the thought of the wonderful prey in front of me kept my resolve strong. How perfectly pretty and desirable she would look spread-eagled and chained to my bed. I licked my pouting red lips wickedly and lasciviously as aching hunger sang through my veins. Oh I wanted to taste her skin, her blood and her essence so much! Etienne stared at me with a strange expression, could he not sense my lust for this girl, did he not feel such desire to take her too?<br />
"I obviously did not make myself clear last night, Victoria. I <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6d963e43-55be-41b3-9541-7d010afd6a8d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="37b31a27-ef6a-472b-a229-7b64bcfe47da" grcontextid="did not intend:0">did not intend</span> to ever bring a victim back to the mansion again. I intend to hunt in the streets of this town, cleanly and quickly! We do not need to be cruel creatures, do we?" he spoke quietly as we approached the girl.<br />
She stared at us in awe, as was the usual response of humans. Etienne didn't need to glamour her, women regularly gazed at him and fell instantly in love. It made my venom blood boil with jealousy. I liked to command Etienne to touch and kiss other girls when we chose our victims. I liked to watch curiously as he made them swoon under his sensual touch, but I became incensed if they dared to lay a mortal hand on his perfect white skin. He was <i>mine. </i>I stroked my index finger down my potential prey's soft cheek, letting it trail down her throat and between her pert breasts which were unashamedly on show in the black velvet corset she wore so well. I gave a low growl filled with pent up lust. My stomach flipped over as I imagined what I could do to her.<br />
"For you Etienne, I will make this tasty morsel my last treat. It <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="133cc3d3-defb-4855-8010-88bc855c5a92" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0394a050-a101-4191-a923-936a377a7b2b" grcontextid="is:0">is</span> Lent tomorrow after all!" I laughed girlishly.<br />
My lover looked extremely annoyed with me, but his baser desires were overcoming any anger he felt. He nodded at me with salacity shining in those deep red eyes. He stealthily made his way around the girl and lifted up her long curls so his lips could kiss her neck seductively.<br />
"Hello sweetness, aren't you a sight for sore eyes," he whispered against her shell like ear, causing her to swoon against him.<br />
His arms caught her around her tiny waist, his hands splaying out to rest on the underside of her perfect breasts. I watched the scene with fervent adoration. How I loved to watch my fledgling become seducer! His long fingers stroked the velvet material of her corset slowly and lovingly as his mouth traced little feathery kisses on the smooth skin of her throat. She gasped at his intimate touch and writhed a little against him. His red eyes were darkening with passion and thirst. He would have to be <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3f13e321-3764-49f7-80ae-dade50969ffa" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3a5a0210-eedf-4416-8dfc-b6ce398121bf" grcontextid="sated:0">sated</span> soon I thought to myself, excitement brimming underneath my skin delightfully. I gazed deep into the <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3f1ec48a-5f1e-4c75-b1f2-909704e7824c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="eec83fdd-12c2-4fa9-9b4b-43c1140a0afb" grcontextid="girls:0">girls</span> emerald eyes, watching her emotions flicker and change lightning fast. She was scared but curious. She was overwhelmed but excited. She was frightened but <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="03006466-4a78-4b13-8647-9f68b490d129" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="861e1200-1cc8-443a-8237-7768c1ca8108" grcontextid="enamoured:0">enamoured</span>.<br />
<i>"Do not be afraid beautiful one, we only aim to give you pleasure on this most wonderful of Cajun nights! Would you like to see our mansion? We have food and wine in abundance. We have music to bring such joy to your ears! We can dance, celebrate and drink as we make love under the stars in our beautiful home! We are rich, oh very rich! We would love for you to join us, dear girl. Won't you come?"</i><br />
Of course, she had no choice. It was all a game, an elaborate game! I loved the charade, I loved the deception, I most of all loved the moment when she would <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f9cbc882-5105-4057-8bf7-2129f3aa55c0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="84a0dfb2-544c-442e-b749-7a5967182db3" grcontextid="realise:0">realise</span> what we truly were and death claimed her. Etienne asked do we need to be cruel? I think it is part of the inherent <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a223923c-8e41-4bca-bf22-68b9c180e9d6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6ea37d2a-73b0-49bf-a365-2366a611f9db" grcontextid="make up:0">make up</span> of a vampire's soul, if we indeed have souls. To me, cruelty was a natural part of what I was. Etienne had struggled with his internal demons for a century now. Wasn't it time he embraced his true nature? I wished and prayed he would very soon. He had given me his devotion at <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="624f3e0e-50fc-4dbd-b4de-ea639434df63" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7155f305-4aad-462e-a0c3-fd2eabc986fb" grcontextid="last:0">last</span>, maybe the time had come for acceptance too.<br />
The girl left the <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="03135ca2-ac6a-4bb8-af7f-ee2d8a6dcd4b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6d8d2fba-ae1e-46af-b872-acab4e2fd4eb" grcontextid="colours:0">colours</span> and sounds of the Mardi Gras behind willingly. This was a night for humans to forget their inhibitions and morals. One night of the year when nothing was frowned upon and secret desires were made real. Back at the mansion we indulged our every fantasy and whim. The girl turned out to be a perfect victim. She gave and demanded passion in equal measures. Etienne was most delighted with her, as was I. Her skin, her scent and taste, her sighs and moans of pain mixed with pleasure were simply exquisite and I hoped we could make this experience last a long while. Killing her would bring even greater fulfillment and pleasurable lusts.<br />
We played our cat and mouse games with her through the night, into the next day and beyond. When night fell once more, I instructed Etienne to let me drink in her complete aura before we both fed on her. He turned to me with such a look, I didn't even <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="387f6628-7ef2-42d6-b704-9a09efd57cd2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9b181caa-8761-4621-82f9-787a28ce391f" grcontextid="recognise:0">recognise</span> my lover's face behind that mask of pure hatred.<br />
"I will not do as you say Victoria! I have had enough of your sadistic nature, you are evil to the core! Go into the cellar now! Lock yourself in and do not come out!" he spat out at me with pure unadulterated venom.<br />
The shock of his betrayal brought me to a complete standstill. His eyes bore into mine and his words seeped into my brain <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d298517b-e7e1-443f-beb7-b16a66760041" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9014b854-fa7a-41e7-a58e-11dcb601cf9d" grcontextid="powerfully:0">powerfully</span>. I found myself obeying his command! How could this be? My limbs betrayed me, they walked to the cellar door and I found myself on the other side in the dark, shock and confusion running through me like ice. He spoke to me from beyond the door, his voice cold and <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fc366c08-05d5-48ad-904b-8a4e378e952e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="03b9acd9-87cf-46ae-84e0-b715376758fd" grcontextid="unrecognisable:0">unrecognisable</span>.<br />
"You have pushed me into this Victoria! I wanted to love you but your cruel nature makes it impossible! Just because we are vampires it does not mean we must be monsters! I cannot believe it! I will not believe it! I didn't ask for this life, I didn't want it! You took me away from my human life, my family and any chance I had of a normal decent existence! All because you were lonely! All because you pine for your <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e008e515-404e-45ae-a881-84cf5e110a35" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fc8c7eac-b259-45b6-8044-4b32fc240b90" grcontextid="maker:0">maker</span>, whomever he is. You have never spoken about him, could it be that he is the reason for the way you are? I do not know, all I know is that I cannot bear to be around you a second longer! I cannot be a monster like you! "<br />
Was this true? Did my vampire boy hate me so? <i>Oh I cannot bear it!</i><br />
"Victoria, I had an inkling that I too had a special power. It took me a while to discover it, but once I did I honed and sharpened it until I knew I was ready to unleash it! I had to gain your complete trust and compliance. I knew that if I pretended to fully love and desire you that I could gain the upper hand one day soon. Tonight you have pushed me to the edge and my mind control came into being <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="eaa1ce5d-5d57-4d70-848e-2bbb0a063961" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2f842882-1e96-45ee-bcb0-257c8a8a02ae" grcontextid="with:0">with</span> virtually no command from me! You will remain in the cellar for the remainder of the night. When dawn comes you have permission to enter the house again, but I will not be here, I will be far away from here, from you! You will never try to find me! You will leave me be, do you hear me Victoria? Leave me be! " Etienne spat out venomously from behind the door.<br />
Oh I bet he was dangerous and wholly addictive looking at this moment in time. His anger only fuelled my lust for him and I tried to move but found I was rooted to the spot by an unseen force!<br />
"Do not speak to me Victoria, I do not wish to hear your false words and promises! I do not wish to hear your voice, you will only try to bewitch and beguile me! I need you to stay in the cellar in complete silence!"<br />
I could only comply with his wishes, I had no choice.<br />
I heard him mutter to himself quietly, <i>"I really can control minds? Especially a mind as powerful and strong as my maker's? Wonders will never cease to amaze me! I will use this power only for the good, I will not become an evil monster. I will find a way to feed without hurting mortals! I will live a secluded peaceful life alone. Victoria will be a distant nightmare!" </i>he whispered under his breath as I heard him untie the girl.<br />
She was sobbing quietly, the sound reverberating through my mind, making me want to snap her neck in two. She was meant to die tonight! Did Etienne mean to kill her himself?<br />
Unfortunately not, so it seemed, as I heard him speak to her in his slow <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d5961b70-1c9f-4f99-bf19-43e781cbecb4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3d678382-a4e8-4a6e-a45c-3874e4a6ed99" grcontextid="hypnotising:0">hypnotising</span> voice designed for intense glamouring. I guessed he could also go that one step further and control her mind now too. How convenient! I listened intently to his words from my dark prison.<br />
<i>"I am so sorry we hurt you dear girl. You will leave here now and return to your home. You will assume your cuts and bruises are due to too much merriment during the carnival. You will return to your human life and forget all about the two creatures you encountered tonight! You will be fine, I promise. Now, go, run back to town!" </i>he instructed.<br />
I heard the girl's footsteps receding out into the courtyard and away down the drive into the woods beyond. <i>She was gone. </i>I wanted to scream and rage but I couldn't make any sound at all. I sensed Etienne leaving soon after. I was alone in the dark, immobile and silent. How horrid this was! Did I truly deserve this? Both men, I had given my vampire heart too had let me down badly! Yet<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="edd94f5f-b62d-49a4-ad41-df0d21d96e0c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2327dc17-8278-4a1c-8712-dd4729b6a391" grcontextid=",:0">,</span>I was considered the evil one, the betrayer, the cold hearted creature! All I wanted was someone to love me, someone for me to love, someone like Aro! Would I ever find such love? Or was I destined to wander this Earth alone and unloved for all eternity?<br />
<i>I cried inside with deep anguish "Oh Lizzie, help me! Your Little Flame is so despairingly lost and alone once more!"</i><br />
<hr size="1" />
<b>Chapter 20: Chapter 20</b><br />
<hr size="1" />
<u>CHAPTER TWENTY</u><br />
Another century or so has gone by in the blink of an eye. Another one hundred years or so of solitude. Mostly, I didn't mind being lonely, I had learnt that the company of other vampires could only lead to sadness, despair and heartbreak. I had loved Aro with all my heart, and to be completely honest I still did. Etienne was a pleasant distraction, but I will never make another like me! If he couldn't be a loving loyal companion, who could?<br />
I had moved to a different town, New Orleans held nothing over me now and I had no desire to return to Paris or England. I still feared Sulpicia! But even more so, I feared Athenodora, the wolf in sheep's clothing! Her heart truly was a deep soulless pit of darkness, her soul an icy vast wasteland. I shivered when I remembered how it had felt when she had fed from me. She didn't take only my blood, she took an essential part of me too. I had lost something vital that day and once it had gone it was replaced with a dark cruelty. I accepted the changes, what else could I do? Only Aro could thaw my heart of ice. Only his touch could restore my soul. Did he ever think of me at all?<br />
I walked through the dark, dark streets, no moon shone down upon me on this frosty November night. The year was 1890 and my choice of abode was now this town. I lived in a modest townhouse in a quiet area. I hunted and fed on my victims away from my home. I had no desire to bring humans back to my lair and torture my poor victims any more. I only wanted to feed and keep myself to myself. Let me describe to you the place I chose to live in; it lies on a narrow strip of land between the salt waters of Puget Sound and the fresh waters of Lake Washington. Beyond the waters lie two rugged mountain ranges, the Olympics to the west and the Cascades to the east. It is a city built on hills and around water, in a mild marine climate that encourages prolific vegetation and abundant natural resources.<br />
Can you guess where I am in the world? Seattle! It was close to Alaska, where I loved to go when I was feeling particularly <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4f538837-7bbc-4adc-b3e6-a04eb9f596d7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="40fa9b93-6f9d-4b31-b855-a02bd09e3021" grcontextid="sombre:0">sombre</span>. Alaska was vast, lonely and ice cold which suited my black moods perfectly. Seattle was vibrant, and new, teeming with lots of blood filled humans just waiting to fall under my deathly spell. It was a good enough place to call home for now. When the need to flee overtook me I would move on with no regrets. I only had myself to answer to, it was better that way. So I let the years slip past me quickly and uneventfully. I didn't let myself become <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d2843f6f-9249-4246-a8c0-1a27e0ab8b8f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0e935a88-52a2-40fd-bd0e-30f9faa4767e" grcontextid="enamoured:0">enamoured</span> of my victims, nor did I seek out other vampires, although I knew they existed. I had no desire for any contact with them. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7c046b88-f89b-48d5-b1d5-de0345a40c9a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0aaa541d-0065-40ad-b0b0-9033ca8539eb" grcontextid="Lately something:0">Lately something</span> strange had been occurring, something which made me want to hide away in the house. I had felt a presence around me, it had a unique scent, it was always invisible to me, even with my attuned senses. Whenever I sensed this entity my stomach would clench into knots and I would want to run. I was fed up of fleeing and I tried to suppress my natural evasion instinct.<br />
Tonight I had that feeling again as I walked through the Seattle night. The air was cold with the promise of a hard Winter. I turned around sharply to scan the area behind and around me. I couldn't make out a definite shape but I knew someone or something was there. Oh goodness, had Athenodora came for me? Had she sent the ruthless Sulpicia to find me? My mind cried out in fear as I stood rooted to the spot with nervous anxiety. My body finally obeyed me and I took off at high speed. A blur of movement whizzing through the night, away from the city and out into the deep dark forest. Still in panic mode I scaled a high conifer, my feet sure and swift as I climbed higher and higher. I reached the top of the tree in seconds. I surveyed the area all around me, looking for signs of the entity. What was it? What did it want? My whole being hummed with electricity and fear of the unknown. It was quite exhilarating but also <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="267545eb-95d5-4d81-adf6-91e126a8f104" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7f0d140b-4024-4e4e-ba38-3328ee4081e4" grcontextid="most:0">most</span> disconcerting. The more I tried to talk myself out of my irrational fears, the worse I became!<br />
<i>"I am a powerful strong vampire for pity's sake!" </i>I chided myself.<br />
I was caught in a web of indecision. Should I stay here or should I run? I chose to run, it was definitely more of a natural choice to me. I felt the cold dark aura of the presence surround me. I leapt and jumped over branches and fallen trees like a gazelle. I concentrated completely on evading my pursuer. The trees zoomed past me as I ran, startled animals fled and the moon came out from behind a cloud to shine down on this terrified vampire as I ran with all the speed and agility I could muster. My mind was focused and my body was strong, but my nerves sang out keenly with fear and trepidation. Although part of me was enthralled by the chase. A small hidden part was enjoying this break from the mundane routine my existence had become. Would my stalker kill me? Would they end my long long existence? Would I finally stare true death in the face?<br />
I came to a sudden stop at the top of a raging inferno of cascading water. The waterfall was high and wide with rocks framing the peak and sides. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4a41ac09-501e-42b1-8f13-ca3130d1b07e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="27a5b070-9dbb-40c9-84da-8254e9cabe21" grcontextid="Rocks:0">Rocks</span> could break my bones and render me incapable of fleeing for a little while. I couldn't afford injury, not now, not when there was a presence very close behind me. I decided I would have to jump this great canyon. I had to escape! It was imperative or I may not survive. I thought I was sick of this <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e796de2c-2ce4-4453-9f64-bed7678f8138" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f7738feb-cec8-46c1-b1b2-c4400e7149d4" grcontextid="existence:0">existence</span>, but my survival instinct had kicked in loud and clear. I did something I hadn't done in <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ba890dec-6152-47d6-8522-270b84eecb6a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7bdcec7f-cd64-4452-adab-b127f7766e14" grcontextid="awhile:0">awhile</span>, I took a mighty big breath of air into my lungs. Such an old human trait. Then I launched myself up and out into nothingness. The water crashed and foamed beneath me as I flew through the moonlit sky. I silently prayed that I would land on solid ground. I closed my eyes and willed my vampire body to do as it should. Suddenly I was on the other side. I flew to the ground, tumbling and falling, as my feet skidded on the wet earth. I had made it! Oh how joyous I felt at that moment.<br />
My relieved happiness soon dissipated when I felt a strong hand grab me around my ankle. I kicked ferociously as I tried to dislodge the thing's hold on me. I writhed and struggled but to no avail. I could not free myself. I shrieked and screamed in sheer frustration and anger. I felt a body pin me down beneath it, <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7be14633-34dd-472a-abce-ff2eb1f9a3ea" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="89fb2d32-6170-441a-bd1c-fe5c81bae9bd" grcontextid="it's:0">it's</span> strength overwhelming me. I had no will to fight left so I succumbed to <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="16daceb9-d103-4b1c-8d75-27d921a5f18d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1d16137f-54dc-43ff-af7a-fa203338db21" grcontextid="it's:0">it's</span> power. If it was time to die then so be it. When I finally stopped trying to fight I saw my stalker clearly. Red eyes gazed down into mine intensely. A handsome pale face, with full pouting lips and strawberry blonde short cropped hair. He was beautiful and so obviously a vampire. I almost sighed with relief. I had convinced myself that either of my two female enemies were after me. I wasn't expecting this!<br />
The handsome face smiled at me showing perfect white even teeth.<br />
"I have you at last! You are definitely a hard one to find, Victoria! I have searched many continents for you, eventually finding you here!" he spoke in a voice like melting honey.<br />
I gazed up into those red eyes with complete amazement and befuddlement.<br />
"Why would you desire to find me?" I asked, confusion lacing my question.<br />
He smiled down at me again, "I am a tracker Victoria. I was sent to find you. No vampire nor mortal can ever evade me for long, but you certainly put up a good fight!"<br />
Oh my! Did my enemies send him here to find me and bring me back to them for punishment? I shivered with fear.<br />
"Who sent you?" I asked him, my voice stuttering slightly with nerves. Why did I feel so weak. I was strong! His body <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c998588f-868e-4ab2-b1c2-1fa1bffa8dd1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="52db4ebb-93bd-4dd8-9c47-f146cf7ec8dc" grcontextid="was pressing:0">was pressing</span> down onto mine in a most delicious way, causing little sparks of electricity to run through me. It had been too long since I had felt another so close to me.<br />
"<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="16e7453f-0e27-4a89-918a-41cd270a8502" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c6e939f6-91ca-406f-9064-61d92fc2e6eb" grcontextid="My:0">My</span> Maker sent me. In fact he made me with this sole purpose in mind. He knew I had the ability in my human life, so it made sense that it would be much magnified now I am Immortal! I am a <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2177a574-77ed-4f2d-9669-a8ab9acb340d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fb318451-d0d5-4a02-aacf-4164ebd3db24" grcontextid="new-born:0">new-born</span>, Victoria. You can feel my strength, can't you? I love this existence! I was glad to be changed! I have a purpose now, a new meaning!" he laughed delightfully.<br />
Oh it was <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ddb146e8-25b8-4ccf-840e-2eaa040e8436" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d368e890-3eda-438f-b0a3-445d606e4bfe" grcontextid="fantastical:0">fantastical</span> to see such youth and exuberance! How I missed the feelings and emotions of being completely alive in my <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7c3e2a3e-fd97-4a71-8aa3-610d6da4a070" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4ad600af-3776-4cac-b352-321333701e6f" grcontextid="undeadness:0">undeadness</span>! For years I had wandered lost and alone. My emotions and desires suppressed leaving me hollow and empty. Now, beneath this <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f144a83a-084d-4c52-aedb-329a8c7e760c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ff713dd6-72dd-4335-aeca-1b1a4358fb0f" grcontextid="new-born:0">new-born</span> vampire, so full of life and passion, I felt a renewed energy rush into the empty spaces of my being. Under the full moon and upon the dirty ground I felt a desire to live again run strongly through my veins. But I was curious beyond curious to know why this vampire was here!<br />
"Who sent you? Who are you?" I asked with new found <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c4ff4ee2-4c47-46ed-814b-9d1a3760bcf0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b6a9666d-29ca-4f6a-b403-638c5df2b591" grcontextid="vigour:0">vigour</span>.<br />
He leapt up and pulled me to my feet, his red eyes boring into mine with a great intensity.<br />
"You are more beautiful than I ever could have imagined!" he exclaimed as he gazed admiringly at me.<br />
"Well thank you, but you still haven't answered my questions!" I said impatiently.<br />
He brought my hand up to his cool lips, gently kissing my marble skin.<br />
"I am James, pleased to meet you at last. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7680a3c0-52e7-4482-bfb9-b17c8d978f67" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e9f31692-c19e-4de2-bc2b-50e0cfdc3004" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span> sent me, your maker and mine. He wants you back Victoria! I have come to take you to Volterra. We leave tonight!" he revealed with another perfect smile.<br />
I just about fell off the cliff and down into the savage rocks and swirling water in utmost shock. I gasped as James held onto my shoulders with a vice like grip. His red eyes and perfect face swam before me as I tried to take it all in.<br />
<i>My first lover, my maker, my everything wants me back? <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7f675cd3-c8cf-4dc1-807f-6bd4133b8dec" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="30822c04-7777-435d-9193-9bd73061a25b" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span> wants me back! Oh my!</i><br />
<hr size="1" />
<b>Chapter 21: Chapter 21</b><br />
<hr size="1" />
<u>CHAPTER TWENTY ONE</u><br />
James was a sadistic and cruel vampire who was very strong and powerful. Qualities I admired immensely in a mate. He may have been stronger than me physically but mentally I was far superior. We were a good team. I fell back into my torturing ways with ease. How delightful to have found a companion who shared my tastes in killing victims! Despite James insisting we leave for Volterra the night we met, six months have passed and we are still here in Seattle. We became caught up in each other <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7ff7d55d-3c1e-4410-a6bc-5a4f54ff03f0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f4443ca8-3a21-402b-abd7-5b51621d9ea3" grcontextid="most easily:0">most easily</span>. James adored me and I found him to be good company. I didn't love him but I was attracted to his devious personality and his strength. He was beautiful and luminous as all vampires are but his physical attributes were not to my taste, he was far too <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b52aea42-6aeb-4036-82ac-869f1ca4c9b3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e2c14308-bbf4-486b-b0a8-73f0d3a984aa" grcontextid="blonde:0">blonde</span> and rugged. I loved my men dark, broody and mysterious. <i>Like Aro.</i><br />
You would think I would be <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="705791aa-f731-4c60-8ae2-e90665e7695b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2e3d7fbe-6739-4fb0-8778-3e4e2981fe35" grcontextid="clamouring:0">clamouring</span> with anticipation and curiosity over Aro's claim he wanted to see me. I was obviously desperate to see him, but I was wary and afraid too. James and I had spent the first night we <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="019554d1-af06-440d-a20a-144e593bd153" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1a04a7c8-e89f-4f76-9f0a-cd1ac593ad61" grcontextid="met talking:0">met talking</span> intently about our existences and experiences. He told me how Aro had hand-picked him for his tracking abilities which he had already honed to perfection when human. He said Aro was desperate to find me but he didn't say why. I confessed to James the history I shared with my maker and I told him of the deep love we once shared. I asked him if he had been to the Volturi headquarters, but James told me Aro had always <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fcb31208-1283-419f-9a47-5585222d6f03" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d6a1b563-160a-4d0e-b46e-c9ebf9c87edf" grcontextid="came:0">came</span> to him. He was Aro's new pet, his new toy, a fantastic acquisition to add to his prized guard. James knew nothing of Sulpicia or Athenodora, he had been dispatched to search for me quite quickly after being turned into a vampire by Aro. We shared the same maker, we shared a bloodline, but there was no intense passion between us like there was between a maker and fledgling. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8936887d-8cfd-4b3b-9e9e-bdabfa3d8d83" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d70becde-24be-43b6-b704-669cd19416df" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span> and I had had it in abundance, Etienne and I shared a fraction of it, although more on my side than his. With James there was no rush of emotion or lust. He made me feel safe though and I treasured that after years and years of being alone.<br />
James would like there to be sexual relations between us, but so far I have declined. Often he becomes so determined that I have to fight him off, our encounters becoming quite violent at times. His unwanted affections make me run and I successfully evade him for <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3e79dd31-6569-4690-8fed-afd6b947933c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bf5efff4-8196-4e2d-a4c2-233cfa3fd2fb" grcontextid="awhile:0">awhile</span>, but he always finds me. We have such games of hide and seek! I am a master evader and he is a master tracker! Perfect! I was too cautious to fall into another soul and heart destroying relationship. Lust and desire only caused harm, I should avoid it completely! I let James kiss me sometimes, mainly as a reward for catching me or for satisfying my demands when we took a victim. James loved to run his large hands coarsely up and down my slim figure, sometimes daring to touch the exposed bare skin of my shoulder or back. I sometimes enjoyed his cool lips on mine, he was rough and insensitive which was fine with me. I didn't want tenderness. It reminded me of Aro and I didn't like to dredge up those long forgotten forbidden memories of the hours and days we spent completely entranced with each other. Long nights in my lover's arms, intoxicated on his scent and taste, our kisses cool but feverish, our bodies crying out with unbridled passion as we came together as one in glorious abandonment. No, those thoughts must stay hidden!<br />
Etienne sometimes ran through my mind, but because he had used mind control on me the thoughts were diluted and hazy. I knew I had loved him but I didn't dwell on our time together much. James protected me, he looked after me and he was loyal. That was all I needed for now. I persuaded him that we should wait before he brought me to Aro. He was so devoted to me that he agreed instantly. He wasn't that intelligent, but he knew if he had any chance of winning me he must please me first. I didn't think I would ever give in to his desire for me, but it made things interesting. I had a companion, we shared the same blood lusts and we played fun games together. I was happy, yes I really was quite happy. Even with the thought of seeing Aro again looming over me, I managed to just enjoy the moments I shared with James for now. All these thoughts went through my mind as I sat before my vanity table, pinning up my long red hair. I was waiting for James to return so we could hunt for a victim together. I had set up a torture room in my home specifically for our use. James was no Etienne, there was no thread of goodness running through his black heart! So like me! The exquisite thrill and excitement I obtained from torturing and killing my prey replaced any other desires I may have had. I hear James now, flying through the door of my home and bounding up the wooden staircase swiftly.<br />
He murmurs appreciation and growls low in his throat when he sees me with my hair piled high on my head. His red eyes are lustfully staring at the smooth white marble skin of my exposed neck and cleavage. Oh such power I wield over this young one!<br />
"Victoria, I should like very much to sink my teeth into your hard flesh," he growled with pent-up desire.<br />
I laughed daintily as I beckoned for him to come closer.<br />
"You will not dare to suggest such an outrageous thing to me James!" I snarl, my red eyes dark and dangerous. "But you may give me a chaste kiss, if you like," I add coquettishly.<br />
He is by my side in a split second, his cool lips upon me in a flash. He roughly <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="611c06a9-98d4-4792-ad4f-ec952612b8c1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d7ecf107-4727-40b6-bde3-aa5bde0a3f53" grcontextid="moulds:0">moulds</span> his mouth to mine with greedy hunger. "I <i>want</i> you Victoria, won't you yield yourself to me, beautiful one?" he begs of me, as his lips slide down my cheek to my neck.<br />
I pull away sharply and he sighs in frustration, "One day I will just <i>take</i> you Victoria, I have the strength and the power to overwhelm you! I could make you moan with pleasure, if you give me the chance! I will banish thoughts of your first love from your mind, my most desirable friend!" he boasts dramatically.<br />
I raise my eyebrows at him quizzically, "Do not presume to know me James. I am complex and demanding, I am unyielding and uncompromising! I do not wish to enter into a relationship like that with you. I still crave my maker, that is a truth which will never abate. I enjoy your company, I enjoy our games and I do enjoy our short intimate moments. But there will never be anything more between us and you need to understand that!" I stated passionately.<br />
James smiled at me and placed my hand on his strong hard chest, where <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="da061836-7abc-4118-baa0-120216003e0b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fae92724-d66b-40af-96f3-0080e89c71e1" grcontextid="his:0">his</span> still heart lay. "Ah Victoria, I will never give up trying to win your affections! I hope when we make it to Volterra that you will change your mind. I really hope Aro doesn't love you any more. Then maybe you will consider becoming mine!" he exclaimed.<br />
I wondered again why Aro had sent James to find me, just what was so important? He'd had centuries to find me but he decided now was the time? I didn't understand. I kept putting my visit to Volterra off, but I knew I would go with James sooner or later. The pull was too strong, my mind was too curious and I have already confessed that I still love Aro. My love for him would never change. Seasons could come and go but my heart, body and soul would remain his, as always. As I mentioned, James was a pleasant distraction from my boring existence. I was very fond of him, but I would never ever fall in love with him.<br />
Another few years tumbled past so speedily, the 20th century arrived and I finally decided it was time to face Aro. Times had changed so dramatically since our last meeting. Had we also changed? I knew I had, Athenodora had seen to that. I was both terrified and elated at the thought of returning to Italy and my maker. My curiosity was at bursting point and I reckoned I had made Aro wait long enough. James and I had been together for thirty years now, the year was 1920. A World War had already shook this Earth to its foundations, but none of those human concerns bothered my mate and I. James took my delicate small pale hands in his large ones as he gazed deep into my scarlet eyes.<br />
"Victoria, finally we leave for Volterra and I am feeling rather melancholy and lost, my sweetest," he remarked sadly.<br />
I was also consumed by emotions. Trepidation and anxiety. Excitement and longing. My stomach clenched with nerves when I thought of seeing Aro's face again. I stroked James's pale cheek with my index finger, "Do not be sad, James. I won't leave you, we will still be together. I need to know why Aro wants me to return. Don't leave me though, I couldn't bear it! Oh James, I'm frightened and I need you!" I wailed, leaving all <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0804ac05-8469-48f1-b62f-894233b4c20f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="53fb69f1-b8cd-492c-91ba-d166893ff5a4" grcontextid="pretence:0">pretence</span> of bravado behind.<br />
James stroked my red hair away from my face as he spoke quietly and gently to me.<br />
"I won't let you come to any harm Victoria, no matter what happens!" he exclaimed.<br />
Oh but I felt so adored and loved right now! It clouded my sensibilities as I reached out for James. He enfolded me in his strong arms, his lips in my hair as he groaned my name.<br />
"Oh Victoria! I love how you are strong and fearless but underneath you are a lost little girl! It is a very desirable combination!" he whispered in my ear<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3694c772-71e3-48ec-a752-68603c2d18f0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f683d91b-0244-4edf-9ebe-82452a6dae2b" grcontextid=".:0">.</span>I clung to him willingly, letting his body comfort me.<br />
His lips made their way to mine, meeting in a sweet forlorn kiss. Maybe I should have stopped him in his tracks like I always did but I needed to be close to him tonight. As his lips moved against mine more boldly I responded with equal <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="965779a6-1465-4b35-be83-3265dcad1d84" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0065ae78-99c8-4be5-a17d-5a2cdc05300e" grcontextid="fervour:0">fervour</span>. Oh it was good to be desired! I had suppressed my longing for it far too long. I loved to be wanted! It was part of who I was. James had me in a vice-like grip as his mouth claimed mine completely. Vampire kisses were something else entirely, dazzling and enticing. A vampire was so hard to resist, I swooned slightly as I became intoxicated with his passion for me. His hands delved deep into my unruly red curls as he devoured me intensely. I let myself be swept away on a tide of lustful feelings.<br />
"How I <i>want</i> you Victoria!" he moaned against my mouth as his tongue made intricate patterns on mine.<br />
Electricity sang through my veins as I gave myself up to his desire. But oh how evil I was! All the time his lips and hands were on me I thought of Aro and how truly delicious our lovemaking had been. It was enough to break the connection between James and I, and as I pushed him away his red eyes were full of pain, anger and unspent passions. I was breaking his heart. I knew how that felt. Still, it must be done. He and I would fight over his need to possess me many times again, but I knew we would not leave each other. He was my security blanket and we needed each other like we needed blood. We couldn't be parted now, at least I hoped not.<br />
"I am sorry James, I cannot do this, not whilst I have images of another in my head constantly. We must leave for Volterra tonight, in fact we must go now! I need to know why Aro wants me back there. We will have to pretend you only just found me, it might be safer that way! I do not want any harm to come to you my dearest James!" I exclaimed as I looked deep into his eyes with sincerity and affection.<br />
Soon we were on a boat again, although there were now ships of the air available, I did not trust them! I preferred the long sea journey, there was plenty of time to think and compose myself and there were plenty of victims to feed upon. James and I mostly travelled together in silence. We were both too wrapped up in our own thoughts for idle chit chat. I let him hold me and kiss me sometimes as I easily became overwhelmed with fear the closer we got to Volterra. I didn't know what to expect when we arrived there. It had been three hundred and seventy years since I had last set eyes on my maker. What would happen when we laid eyes on each other again?<br />
<i>I both completely dreaded and wholly desired the answer.</i><br />
<hr size="1" />
<b>Chapter 22: Chapter 22</b><br />
<hr size="1" />
<b>PART FOUR: THE QUICKENING</b><br />
<u>CHAPTER TWENTY TWO</u><br />
Some things never change despite the passing of time; the gates which led into the Volturi's lair were the same, the butterflies that danced in my stomach were the same. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="eb202661-7a52-4077-8e19-5b08b81149b7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1eaed956-4c56-45c4-8012-0eccdea45499" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span> was in here, so close but yet so far? James held my hand as we stared at those forbidding gates nervously. This was my companion's first visit, I knew how daunting this place could be so I squeezed his hand tighter in mine.<br />
"Oh Victoria! I only stand before the gates, yet I quiver with fearful anticipation! I, who <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="84fdc008-3b41-40f8-af39-c3d7aafd5d07" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7d055098-921c-4769-9664-2c9fc80281a3" grcontextid="am not scared:0">am not scared</span> easily!" James whispered to me.<br />
I squeezed his hand even tighter. Was I to become protector now?<br />
"Do not worry, my dearest James. We will face this together!" I proclaimed bravely.<br />
Inside I was a quivering wreck, but my mate didn't need to see that. I would act courageously despite my inner turmoil. I was used to hiding my emotions. I had rid myself of my fears and nerves on the boat. My many <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="575befbd-31ab-424b-a836-0f0f21f138e6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="585479de-fb41-44a9-bd2f-fdbfcd0200e2" grcontextid="victims:0">victims</span> blood had sustained me well and given me pure strength, even if it was only physical. James had distracted me with his burning kisses and his tight embraces. I was even tempted to let him possess me completely as we hid below deck in our own private cabin. The sea rocked the boat violently at times, making our marble bodies press together intimately as we lay on the small bunk, talking and sometimes indulging in a long fierce <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f98229a6-8ada-4596-aade-1bccad6d2836" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f1fc73e5-21ad-4e81-ae27-8058cfcd2ae1" grcontextid="kisses:0">kisses</span>. The wind howled and the sea raged as he kissed me so intensely, his desire for me <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="62aafaa4-c346-401d-ae7d-5bdc09430e33" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b5abbaea-0b51-4322-8714-bdf2ec3bab47" grcontextid="making:0">making</span> me almost give into temptation. I wondered why I was holding back. This vampire boy loved me and adored me. It wouldn't be wrong to let him take pleasure from me would it?<br />
But, in the end I left him frustrated and full of lust as I could not bring myself to give in. I needed to see Aro before I decided which path I would take with James. I still loved Aro, his name and his face were etched on my stone heart for evermore. It was highly unlikely that he wanted to re-kindle our love, obviously Sulpicia was still in the picture? A little voice nagged at my mind constantly though, <i>what if we could be together again, as before? </i>Then I would chide myself severely for entertaining such whims. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="22b686ab-d0d3-4c48-80ea-534e3efadbbd" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e80f80f5-506b-487f-afed-cd50f6f90415" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span> had never been <i>completely </i><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3c5b6abd-a8fc-41c7-b276-13fe2f28490b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e80f80f5-506b-487f-afed-cd50f6f90415" grcontextid="mine:1">mine</span>, there were obstacles, duty and loyalties in the way. Nothing would have changed, but still I clung to the small flicker of hope that one day he could be mine.<br />
I smiled at James encouragingly as we sprang up over the gates landing gracefully together on the other side. We instinctively crouched down in a defensive move as we waited for a member of the guard to attack. Felix appeared from the shadows, a leering grin on his pale face.<br />
"Victoria, you have come back at last! <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7c9d2dee-c8c1-4c2b-8900-784cfb098962" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a69ecef5-42a9-428c-8b6e-0ffb344b240a" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span> instructed me to watch out for you and this young one to appear. I have waited three decades for this moment! My leader will be most pleased! Come with me now." He beckoned us to follow him down into the dark tunnels which led to the Volturi headquarters. <i>To Aro.</i><br />
My stomach lurched again and the butterflies resumed their dance. James and I followed Felix in silence. My mind was consumed with thoughts of Aro, James was in awe to be within these walls. We walked through the dark damp tunnels, twisting and turning as we got closer and closer to our destination. My nerves jangled and my spine tingled with anticipation. The darkness gave way to candle light, obviously the Volturi wanted to remain in the dark ages as electric lighting was in use now! We arrived at the inner sanctum which was the leader's reception room where they received guests. I remembered the first time I had ever <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6aa9a767-7aea-4ebd-81a1-b47f31c1caf2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="79c218e3-f4a8-4ae4-b000-e88e41618663" grcontextid="saw:0">saw</span> this place, all those years ago as a young terrified vampire who was insanely obsessed with her maker.<br />
Now, five hundred and seventy one years later, I stood here again, with James by my side as the three Volturi leaders rose to greet us. Felix bowed with a flourish as he presented us <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9b2933fe-ef10-465a-a2c4-a00402bd7619" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e75ec4aa-dbeb-4a1f-bdb4-90858943fb57" grcontextid="to:0">to</span> the dark hooded figures. I gasped when they all pulled back their hoods in unison, their red gaze boring into us intently. Marcus looked at us apathetically which was his usual stance. Caius looked at us with haughty disgust, which did not surprise me in the slightest. Then there was Aro, finally I was staring into the eyes of my maker once more. A jolt of electricity ran through me from my head to my toes as his searing gaze tore through my skin to the blood and veins below the surface. My blood sang and my body ached for him instantly. <i>Still</i> he had such power over me!<br />
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="cd3a0440-b4e5-4975-b776-ac595842e178" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8ab7b477-ff68-463c-9095-695baeb96350" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span> smiled warmly at me, but he gave nothing away in the presence of the other two. He nodded at James and beckoned him forwards. James moved swiftly towards him in supplication as Aro took his hand. His red eyes closed as he read all of my mate's thoughts in an instant. He smiled to himself and nodded, then let go of James's hand.<br />
"Thank you James. You completed the task I gave you. I wondered why it took you three decades but now I know!" he said, his eyes narrowing slightly. "You are dismissed for now, Felix will show you to your room. I would like you to stay here for now, I may have another use for you," he said in that low raspy voice which sent shivers down my spine.<br />
James also bowed to his maker, just what was it with these men! He smiled wanly at me as he left the room, his face worried and sad. I smiled at him reassuringly, even though inside I was a seething mass of emotions. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6307e0d6-b30a-4ce7-8670-d3f5534a3a67" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7cad8053-e74d-475f-8d05-012795a862c9" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span> then turned to his two <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a6165bab-4064-45df-82c4-bcdfcf96d459" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7cad8053-e74d-475f-8d05-012795a862c9" grcontextid="side-kicks:1">side-kicks</span>, "Please can you leave us alone now, my brothers." he asked with a polite nod in my direction.<br />
My insides clenched again with nervous anticipation.<br />
The ominous silence in the room was thick and heavy as Aro paced the stone floor in front of me. I stood as still as a statue, rooted to the spot and unable to make a sound. Just what was he going to do? Finally he stopped pacing and turned his red gaze towards me. His eyes bored deep into mine, seeking out my very essence. Then he smiled.<br />
"Oh Victoria! It is sheer heaven to gaze on your <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="07a4d4c8-95f2-4317-ab78-1843b74e3a91" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="80cb2390-ab6b-4be4-9ff8-f742be8b6529" grcontextid="perfectly:0">perfectly</span> beautiful face once more. I thought I should never see you again! You left me, you gave up on us! Oh sweet girl, I have never ceased to love you! I know you obviously do not feel the same any more. You have James now! I sent him to find you, not love you! But I know it's all too easy to love you<i> little flame!</i> If you are happy now, then I will force myself to be happy for you! I had to see you again. I need you here with me, things have happened, dreadful things! I need your help, dearest. Can you bring yourself to stay for a little while so I can explain everything?" he asked, as he stared deeply into my eyes, his gaze never faltering.<br />
My still stone heart swelled up with love and adoration as I gazed at my maker. <i>He still loves me! </i>Oh and how I loved him! <i>Always.</i> The passing of time between us blew away like dust on the wind, the years and years spent apart now seemed like a distant nightmare as we stared in wonder at each other. Now it felt as if I'd only seen him yesterday not centuries upon centuries ago. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b9a3564a-bb6a-41f1-b077-4b78792f474a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fe7d186d-827d-4664-a009-677da44e82ff" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span> took my hand in his, lifting it gently to his ruby lips. He closed his eyes as he inhaled the scent of my skin. He almost swooned as he slowly touched my hand with his mouth, kissing my marble smooth skin reverently. I knew he would read my mind, but I didn't care, so I let myself become an open book, I let him 'see' my existence after we parted. His face went through a thousand emotions as he was assaulted with my history.<br />
"Oh Victoria! What revelations! What a turbulent time you have endured!" he exclaimed as he opened his eyes.<br />
I nodded, still unable to utter a sound.<br />
"You still love me?" he questioned, although he knew the absolute truth.<br />
I nodded again, my voice still in hiding as I gazed into his perfectly formed face, my whole body aching and crying out for his <i>touch</i>. His eyes became liquid fire as he read my mind again. He dropped my hand and reached out to stroke my face ever so softly instead.<br />
"Oh I want to <i>touch</i> you too, my darling girl! But not here! Will you accompany me to the countryside beyond the city? I have just acquired a most delightful cottage, where we can talk and be alone with no prying eyes or ears!" he said excitedly.<br />
Finally I could speak again, "I would love nothing more," I whispered.<br />
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="06fd617d-a0a3-4d33-9cef-cb219d83a8b6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1ddb9c17-e1dc-4b41-9ba2-678362effcd6" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span> smiled his most dazzling and wondrous smile at me, the one which made my insides turn into melted chocolate. It was rich and dark and extremely enticing. I shook with sheer nervous desire as I took his hand in mine. I placed his hand on my cheek as I sighed with acute longing. His eyes <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="db64cb9e-568c-4cee-95fa-a667cbd673bb" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b4eea665-e51d-46e4-989c-9108534206cf" grcontextid="mesmerised:0">mesmerised</span> me and we stood like that for what seemed like a long time. In my mind I was saying <i>I love you </i>over and over, like a chant or incantation.<br />
"As I love <i>you,</i>" he smiled as he turned his mouth in towards the palm of my hand and slowly licked my skin, all the while inhaling my special intoxicating scent. I almost fainted with desire for my maker as his lips and tongue kissed and licked my hand, moving onto the delicate skin of my wrist and up my forearm, so slowly, so seductively. All the while his gaze never leaving mine. My skin was on fire as his icy kisses fell upon it. I could spontaneously combust, such was the raging fire beneath my skin! I heard a soft moan of pleasure and <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9546618d-afa8-4e60-b195-43bc09e076c5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="06f14029-ba0a-444c-9472-92fdecc2bf15" grcontextid="realised:0">realised</span> the sound had come from my lips.<br />
"Oh <i>Aro," </i>I breathed as he taunted and teased me with his feather light kisses.<br />
What would it be like when he kissed me properly? <i>Oh my!</i><br />
"I could devour you right here, right now, Victoria!" he said in a voice heavy with desire.<br />
"But we must not dally. Come with me, my beautiful one, come away with me and spend the night as we used to! I want to kiss you, touch you and completely possess your mind, body and soul! Oh how I long to undress you and feast my eyes upon your perfection! How I ache to make you mine again! " <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="18edb11d-b82e-4046-88a0-f9c9fb3ce425" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="12a304f4-1147-474f-a8f0-039afb175970" grcontextid="he:0">he</span> exclaimed passionately.<br />
It took all my will power not to throw myself upon him. It would be sensible to leave here so we could truly be ourselves. All thoughts of James had disappeared from my mind as my first love and I held hands, our eyes bright and our smiles wide and joyous. We swiftly vacated the area, our movements a blur as we ran lightning quick up and out of this place. Into the night, out of the city we ran, our bodies singing with anticipation of what was to pass. A beautiful cottage with roses around the door, surrounded by dense, dark woods, illuminated by the full moon hanging low in the sky. <i>It was lovely.</i> <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="da53f362-449b-4212-b4d3-7d15ed1b8db0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d16dbe84-ed0a-4136-9d4b-e48157c56daa" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span> scooped me up into his strong arms and carried me through the red door of that quaint cottage. My whole existence had come down to this small pin prick in time. Nothing else mattered, nothing else compared. We were here, alone, in this perfect moment in time. We stared at each other in wondrous awe. How intense the moment was, how exquisitely intense!<br />
All my love for him seemed to radiate from every <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3442f96c-721d-4078-b422-98869a2c8810" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4f878508-e1ec-4381-ac2b-35633fd2a27d" grcontextid="fibre:0">fibre</span> of my being as I reached out to sense his aura. It was purple and red, with gold and green threads of luminosity. Beautiful, just like his face, his silent heart and his complex being. We moved slowly towards each other, pulled together by a special magnetic force. There was nothing I could do to stop it, even if I wanted to. ( <i>As if! )</i><br />
I <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="571c509c-35ca-447e-acdd-14e138ac1073" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a3cf0dbf-7243-4d13-8424-53bb7cff850b" grcontextid="savoured:0">savoured</span> the feeling of great anticipation which had been slowly building inside me since I first set eyes on my maker again. The intensity had now reached its peak and the <i>need </i>in me had to be <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="967c0ee9-a153-451b-8b65-b23ade6dc0f3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f12fd8e8-e6fa-4fa1-b50a-3cc060fe2894" grcontextid="sated:0">sated</span> or I would explode soon! Slowly, slowly we approached each other, like two animals circling the other, finally we stopped just inches apart. His scent was all around me, his lips were so so close. Our encounter was about to begin. I shivered uncontrollably with pent-up ultimate desire. Oh how delicious it was to <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b5363447-ba23-4cd1-96a5-960c3220d252" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9b6ebf1c-ce41-4c10-9db4-529bef1ed968" grcontextid="savour:0">savour</span> this perfect moment between us, when the whole universe seemed to hold its breath in anticipation for the two lost lovers. Space and time stood still as the world waited.<br />
<i>It was the calm before the storm.</i><br />
<hr size="1" />
<b>Chapter 23: Chapter 23</b><br />
<hr size="1" />
<u>CHAPTER TWENTY THREE</u><br />
A/N: <i>One of my <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="27c50acc-e365-4d57-89b2-442650681e64" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="602272ec-6822-421f-a689-57e6ade55b60" grcontextid="favourite:0">favourite</span> ever pieces of classical music - </i><i><i>-Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata - a gr</i>eat accompaniment to this chapter. ( <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fe4a4744-e37a-4d99-aea7-207e112328ff" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="be5fac2d-2538-4514-9f34-e5ceafe90bd1" grcontextid="you:0">you</span> can find it on you tube! ) In this chapter I am turning the story into an alternate <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="674970ca-683b-45d3-a35a-1221e9c07b8b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d39431a3-e7b0-4d7e-9f95-11428220b835" grcontextid="universe i.e.:0">universe i.e.</span> I am changing things Stephenie described - if you have read the Twilight Saga, you will understand.</i><br />
Oh what an invention the gramophone was! <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="524bd143-05c6-496c-a63f-947c3db09555" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="36fbdfbf-e4e1-439f-9917-c1bfc4e8da4c" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span> played Ludwig Van Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata as we fell upon each other, it was the perfect soundtrack to the rekindling of our passion. When our ice cold lips finally met sparks flew and electricity hummed in the air and we kissed each other slowly and purposefully. It was as if we were the only two creatures inhabiting this Earth. Nothing else mattered except this moment. The melancholy music of the great Beethoven stirred my soul as Aro's delicate long fingers ran through my hair, pulling me closer and closer until our bodies were touching. Oh how good it felt to have him against me. I matched the slow pace of his mouth on mine, our first kiss after so so long was too incredible to rush. My hands automatically moved up to run my fingers through his long shiny hair, as smooth and soft as black silk. It shone so beautifully, the light catching it's shimmering depths. His tongue touched mine ever so gently and I moaned low and soft against his mouth. He growled as he tasted my scent. I moaned again, my desire rising quickly as his tongue ran along the length of <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="93918cd6-ab1e-46aa-8e30-6de71cdb42a4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="42858133-8ddb-4d20-8a3b-efb952005e78" grcontextid="mine:0">mine</span> oh so deliciously.<br />
There was no need for words as his hands moved away from my long red curls and down my back to undo the delicate small buttons of my dress. Our lips were still <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4f1f72f3-cc56-46fa-bc8a-69132ed7f0a5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="024314ac-cdab-44c7-9c16-5ef93c96eb69" grcontextid="moulded:0">moulded</span> together, we could not break this ultimate perfect kiss we shared. I never wanted my mouth to be anywhere else but on his as we fell deeper and deeper into the kiss. He slipped my dress off and I gracefully stood out of it, leaving it discarded on the floor. My small hands became more bold as they twisted and pulled his silky hair around and around. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="914a63fd-9c81-4848-9393-865089b5948a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6cf07cd3-e37c-40a4-91a5-efce7b16bc17" grcontextid="Aro's:0">Aro's</span> hands were running over my silk underwear with exquisite slowness and precision. Not a part of me was unexplored in his quest to touch me everywhere as I stood before him unashamed in my beautiful tea rose brassiere and short bloomers. His lips left mine for a second to whisper softly against <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a7c8e430-2da4-4f5a-a6aa-d24f8675faf0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="be8c3421-d218-409f-8467-4da7d9088813" grcontextid="my cheek his:0">my cheek his</span> bold words of desire, "May I remove your undergarments, my love?" he asked.<br />
I shivered with unbidden desire and nodded with a shy smile. Words were beyond me for now. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7e0a8f45-8f72-454a-bfaf-78f1b8d5516c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7285bea9-1b5b-4d40-bbac-df7134f557a4" grcontextid="Aro's:0">Aro's</span> delicate hands removed my silks from me deliberately slowly and teasingly. My skin tingled and ached for him as I stood before him unclothed. He pulled back so he could admire me. His scarlet liquid eyes gazed at me with complete reverence as he took in my pale marble flawless skin, my long abundant red curls covering my breasts modestly and my face flushed with venom blood which sang out for him desperately. I quivered under his intent gaze. How I ached for his lips and his touch once more. I held out my hand and beckoned him to come to me. He smiled, <i>that smile, </i>and I melted as his fingers began to play over my skin, drawing small slow intricate patterns over me as he left not an inch of me untouched. I wished for his lips to replace his hands and it was so. Oh how I had forgotten how completely amazing it was to have a lover who could read your mind! He knew what I wanted and he didn't disappoint me!<br />
His lips trailed ice and fire over my skin, driving me almost insane with desire. I wanted him <i>so badly</i> but he was determined to draw out our encounter for as long as he could. I writhed and moaned as he teased me with his tongue, how exquisitely pleasurable it was to feel him lick my skin with deliberate slowness. The rough material of his black shirt rubbed on my body most delightfully as he continued to give me almost unbearable pleasure. My voice decided to come back with a vengeance as I moaned loudly with unabashed desire.<br />
"Oh Aro! My love, my maker, my <i>everything</i>! How I love you, how I desire you! Please, my darling, end this pleasurable torment you are unleashing on me. Take me to the heights of passion, I beg of you! I <i>need </i>you!" I moaned as his lips now kissed me with devouring intent.<br />
"Oh <i>little flame</i>! I <i>hear</i> your need, I <i>see</i> your body respond so delightfully to my touch! I know you <i>want</i> me! I <i>want</i> you too, <i>right here, right now!"</i> he exclaimed, his voice hoarse with lustful desire.<br />
He ripped off his clothes eagerly, then stood before me,<i> oh he was beautiful</i>! A pale marble sculpture of perfection. His desire for me was most evident too! He scooped me up into his strong marble arms and moved swiftly up the wooden stairs to his chamber. We landed on his opulent bed with our mouths and limbs entwined. His kisses were feverish and no longer controlled. We devoured each other hungrily as our bodies moved together in perfect harmony. He made me<i> his </i>completely once more. I gave myself up willingly and rode this tidal wave of passion and desire relentlessly until we both reached the summit of our lust. Then I was falling, spiralling out of control into a universe of bright blooming <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="06bcdc29-4d16-4887-95fb-3c5e00ecb97e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="711e8a50-8322-4c99-a6db-6524ecf575bd" grcontextid="colours:0">colours</span>. Everything else faded into darkness and there was just this unbelievable culmination of our utmost adoration for each other. It had been too long. I needed to feel this all consuming desire again. How did I live without it? How did I live without <i>him</i>?<br />
Oh I was lost to my maker once more, everything else paled into insignificance as we held each other in his bed, the bright full moon lighting up our iridescent entities magnificently. In his arms I was whole again. Why did I ever leave? I should have stood up to my enemies! I should have fought for the man I loved. Who obviously loved me to distraction too. We lay in silence for a short while, <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="98f9b8b1-6c53-4387-8363-a6b4934ab910" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b3cf66ff-f0ca-48a1-9f41-0d236e8fb25c" grcontextid="savouring:0">savouring</span> the feel of our bodies pressed close together as we entwined in utter satiation. Then it was time to talk. I spoke first, breaking the silent reverie between us.<br />
"I love you with all my still silent heart Aro. If it <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7566077d-335d-4b0a-b9a8-0f8a92f9d183" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="34e62b16-103b-42e1-8788-54ef3f702ac2" grcontextid="beat:0">beat</span> it should only beat for you, my only love!" I sighed against his marble chest, my fingers playing over his skin gently. His lips gently kissed the top of my head.<br />
"I echo your words, Victoria. I have loved you since I first set eyes on you and I will love you until the end of my existence. I wish we had not let matters come between us so readily too!" he replied with sadness in his voice. "Tell me, did you love Etienne? Do you love James?" he added curiously.<br />
I laughed softly, "I made Etienne, so I loved him, but I was trying to recreate the love we shared, it was never going to work! He betrayed me in the end, but looking back I deserved it. James found me, as you know. He instantly adored me, but although I am fond of him I will never love him. Don't you see my beautiful maker, I love only <i>you,</i>" I said passionately, my lips roughly grazing his marble chest.<br />
"I see. I was jealous when I read James's thoughts! Then even more so when I read yours, but I could not expect you to be alone forever, Victoria. You are far too precious a creature for that!" he laughed admiringly.<br />
I hated to ask my next question, but I needed to know so I gritted my teeth and let the words pour from my lips.<br />
"What of Sulpicia? She will surely kill me this time! <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fdc56147-b9fc-449d-8625-e46d20a13a09" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9448d405-a533-4d8c-aac8-ea8bb933c35c" grcontextid="Athenodora:0">Athenodora</span> came to the castle the day I left. She warned me off, she told me never to go near you or the Volturi again! She said she was meting out punishment to both you and Sulpicia for your crimes. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b068690d-29f2-40fa-bdd0-f30edb102e46" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e029f6bd-7784-4f85-ba36-aed7c19f6b7a" grcontextid="Sulpicia:0">Sulpicia</span> wrote to me in Paris! She said she was coming for me, she said she had been cast out of Volterra for a month! But I fled the city for pastures new immediately and I have seen no trace of her since! I missed you so badly Aro, but when you wrote you didn't say you were coming to see me, nothing had changed! I thought it better to leave forever! I became evil and cruel. I was demanding and awful. I didn't want real love if it wasn't yours! " I exclaimed, my voice racked with emotion.<br />
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="bfd12a80-d35b-44dd-bf38-89c05f06f0b0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e92fe96f-24c9-4e04-b313-cfd2db24e01d" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span> stroked my hair tenderly and sighed morosely.<br />
"Oh Victoria! I didn't tell you that Athenodora has such power within the Volturi because I hoped to keep you away from her. The less you knew the better! She loves to be in control. She was frightened you were a threat to the very foundations of our coven! She could see me being taken further away <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4b18c8cc-4fb7-4606-9aca-04a646f33995" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a4867f4e-c756-4755-af7a-3dac6990aebf" grcontextid="by:0">by</span> you. I would have left eventually, I really believe that. Your hold of me was so much greater than theirs!" he proclaimed.<br />
I stayed quiet, scared to interrupt his train of thought. I wanted to know everything there was to know.<br />
"Little flame, I am pleased to tell you that Sulpicia is no longer with us! I am afraid she did chase you over Europe, she even got as far as New York, but she lost your trail and she had to return home. She wanted most desperately <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="da65ba50-61d3-46a1-af23-5b7a1082370e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8277cd9b-9ad2-4b3b-9e35-6d22eefe4726" grcontextid="to kill you my:0">to kill you my</span> love. I prayed and hoped you would evade her. I could do nothing! <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="55f469d6-f832-45bb-98b6-b2c5b581ef89" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="290cc793-0607-414f-9710-88e4e2fd333a" grcontextid="Athenodora:0">Athenodora</span> locked me away in the dark desolate place for fifty years or so! I became a husk, a shell, drained of power and life. But thoughts of your sweetly beautiful face and lush body kept me going and I endured it!" he continued.<br />
I gasped with horror! The evil witch Athenodora had done this to him! He hugged me to him tighter and kissed my forehead lightly.<br />
"Do not feel pain for me, my love. You endured so much more than I! When I came out of my prison, Sulpicia was quite deranged. She couldn't trace you and she was insane with jealousy and rage. She missed Noah so badly too. I told her the Immortal child's location. I gave her the key to unlock him from his tomb. She took it greedily without a backwards glance. I haven't seen her since that day and nor do I desire to! <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b0863aa1-27fe-4641-aa13-cb88e1a3235a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="766ada8b-b8ff-4c9a-a470-2a8643933759" grcontextid="Athenodora:0">Athenodora</span> let her go without a qualm, most strange but who was I to question her. Those two are a law unto themselves Victoria! " He exclaimed holding me even tighter.<br />
"Ouch!" I cried.<br />
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6b52dc9f-0482-4456-a47c-4032c9fb4c3d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="789eda39-3e0c-4a15-b987-09030b03f181" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span> rained cool kisses over my face, "Oh Victoria, I am so sorry for everything! I should have had the guts to confess my utmost adoration and love for you to the whole Volturi! The years slipped by so quickly and I let time between us become a gulf which seemed impossible to cross! When I could no longer bear to be without you I found James. I changed him and instantly dispatched him to find you, I don't think I was ever really sure he would! But he did! Today was the best day of my long long existence when I set eyes upon you once more!" he exclaimed happily, his smile radiant in the moonlight. I smiled back with joy etched on my face.<br />
"What now, Aro? You said you also needed my help? What would you need me for?" I asked curiously.<br />
"Mostly, that was a ruse to make you return to me. Simply put, Victoria, I wanted <i>you</i> above all else! But there is something which is confounding me, my dearest girl. We had a guest not so long ago, a very intelligent vampire who was a doctor. He had a different way of life to us. So radically different it shocked me to my core at first and I tried to convince him his ideas were ludicrous! He said we could exist without killing humans! I was enraged at first and I almost destroyed him for being so disloyal to his own kind!" he spat out with venom.<br />
Ah here was the Aro who could be cruel and destructive coming to the surface. Nothing he could do or say could shock me now, so I listened patiently to his words in silence.<br />
"This vampire told me he drinks blood from animals! He successfully weaned himself off human blood, although it took some time and he had to use blood bags to do it. He said animal blood is a perfectly reasonable substitute. He said he had a lot of practice refraining from human blood in his vocation. He simply blocked out the sound and scent of the rush of blood through his patient's veins. I actually liked him immensely and I respected him a lot. He would have made a fine addition to the guard! Alas, the feeling was not mutual and he left after a couple of years here. He found a lot of hostility towards his ideas, as you can imagine Victoria! If Athenodora had met him, she most surely would have killed him!" he exclaimed truthfully.<br />
I nodded in agreement. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0c67a02e-d3c0-478e-b9fa-4b10c5624a3f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6b4dfcb7-39ac-4f9e-b12f-1f572513a998" grcontextid="Athenodora:0">Athenodora</span> was pure evil.<br />
"Where is she now?" I asked.<br />
"Well, she has gone to live with Desiderius once more. He has become increasingly worse over the centuries and has become determined to end his existence. She rarely comes here now. She leaves it up to Caius to report back any information to her. Luckily Caius does not care what I do any more, so he will not alert her of your presence. Chelsea worked her magic on him also!" he said with a wicked laugh.<br />
I laughed too, it was joyous to be here in his company, listening to him talk whilst I gazed at his perfect profile.<br />
"And the Doctor? What became of him?" I asked.<br />
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d3762d9b-00c3-4926-8956-79811bf2449a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="342dbd62-64d3-436b-b094-d8714c5a7b18" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span> shook his head, causing his hair to ripple on the pillow. His hair fascinated me, it was as shiny and smooth and dark as a raven's wing.<br />
"That's what I wanted to talk to you about! You and I are going on a journey Victoria! A perfect ruse for us to be together until the <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e316ee76-08c8-4181-81d0-cf8c541c3cb8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e39b98dc-384a-4a4a-aa63-c2da50c2a367" grcontextid="furore:0">furore</span> dies down. I gleaned all this information from James whilst I read his mind before."<br />
<i>Oh gosh, James! I'd forgotten him so readily!</i><br />
"How would you like to cross the seas again and visit a place called Forks, Washington on the Olympic Peninsula? The good doctor Carlisle Cullen has made a home there. He is head of the Olympic Coven. Very interesting it is too, very interesting indeed! I need to see it for myself! Who better to accompany me than my beautiful consort and love of my whole existence? " <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="263c1447-cb7c-4246-8781-388bbc2eb4d7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3f0fb023-3ab3-4eb4-9449-aaa27987732b" grcontextid="he:0">he</span> smiled down at me, his ruby red eyes filled with excitement and adventure.<br />
His mood was infectious and I nodded happily in agreement. Any time spent with Aro was priceless to me.<br />
"Yes I would love to go with you Aro!" I said, my lips finding his hungrily again.<br />
All other thoughts were banished as we once again gave into our extreme passion. How I loved this vampire with all of my stone heart! My body craved him, my mind ached for him and my soul rejoiced in him. How unbelievably good it was to be reunited again. We fell into each other completely and wholly again with familiar ease, the moon shone and the stars twinkled as we gave ourselves to each other over and over again. I could never tire of him. I was determined we would be together forever this time.<br />
<i>The universe exploded around us as we climbed the peak of passion together once more, I welcomed the intensity with open arms and dived into the unknown.</i><br />
<hr size="1" />
<b>Chapter 24: Chapter 24</b><br />
<hr size="1" />
<u>CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR</u><br />
October 7th 1920 was blustery and cold as Aro's cool hand rested on the small of my back as we stood on the deck of a boat together once more. This magnificent liner was called RMS Majestic and she was a fine boat indeed. My lover turned to gaze at me lovingly, his eyes were bright red and sparkling as we had just fed. He leaned over and gently kissed my pale cheek reverently. Since we had reunited he was ever so attentive and adoring. I was lapping up the attention greedily. We had been apart much too long. I loved being with him again, there was nothing in existence to compare it to. Simply put, we were meant to be. I sighed happily as we looked out upon the night sea. We had travelled from Italy to England relatively quickly by steam train and boat. Then we had made our way from Dover to Southampton where the boat left for New York. Thankfully safety <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2295fbe7-fabf-4a77-adfa-0115882aea28" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c21261c5-f28d-479c-b5a8-6d709cfe4ba9" grcontextid="on:0">on</span> these vessels was now paramount after the unfortunate sinking of the 'Titanic' back in April 1912 on its maiden voyage. I could not be killed by icy waters or drowning.<br />
In between Dover and Southampton we paid a quick visit to my Kent mansion as Aro had never visited me there before. I proudly showed him around my English home and we invariably ended up giving into our passion in front of a roaring log fire in my drawing room. Of course we didn't need the heat from the flames, but I loved how the fire made shadows dance on my <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="24a7e0c9-382c-47dc-9b83-264073062fd2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="52a14135-f72e-42c5-8241-ce39b21b8c3b" grcontextid="lovers:0">lovers</span> marble skin as I claimed him over and over again. There was something very primal about firelight and it made my baser desires rise readily to the surface as we took pleasure in each other for hours. It was perfect, as always. How simply delightful it was to be back in my <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9f55c04d-ecff-4d00-916f-9e454c41269f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7e85c580-c934-467d-bc64-b32670ab6b58" grcontextid="lovers:0">lovers</span> arms once more, to feel his icy kisses and to hold his body against mine as we delved into the deepest desires of our still, silent hearts.<br />
You are wondering what happened to James, aren't you?<br />
Well, I was courteous enough to say my goodbyes to him back in Volterra. He was devastated to lose me, but he knew the love Aro and I shared could not be broken or destroyed. I thanked him profusely for bringing me back to my long lost lover. He was glad that I was happy, but he was sad we would not be companions any more. I let him kiss me goodbye and he executed it in his usual rough fashion! I knew he wouldn't be alone for long, he would make another vampire a fine mate. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="65bdedc6-b770-4ce3-8037-bcbe65c29bff" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9e7ac5a7-5439-4540-a4de-803b1535ade0" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span> also thanked him for bringing me back. He gave him another task to perform, I think a tracker like James needs to exercise his talent often or he would become bored and restless. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="06f3f6bd-1d10-4437-afb1-a56b40627856" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="03b97009-fa58-4c38-a9d8-cb1e4b3e653c" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span> <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d30dd955-8507-4289-b497-62f89694d3dd" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="03b97009-fa58-4c38-a9d8-cb1e4b3e653c" grcontextid="recognised:1">recognised</span> this so he sent him out to track his missing wife and her Immortal child. I was shocked by this and I let my feelings be known! <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="83d4858c-7883-4afa-8d00-b4c9393e5820" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fb5c2b31-b1de-4801-9c5d-de3c968ec2b4" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span> calmed me down by explaining it was better to know of our <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="13239ed6-600e-4c90-818c-1613bc861830" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fb5c2b31-b1de-4801-9c5d-de3c968ec2b4" grcontextid="enemies:1">enemies</span> whereabouts than to always wonder. I finally agreed, but warned James to only track her. I didn't want him coming into contact with the evil witch at all! I was slightly disappointed Aro had changed his mind on discovering his errant wife's location but I grudgingly understood why he felt the need to do this.<br />
So, after a few days of peace, tranquillity and intense love making, Aro and I climbed aboard this boat to America. There were victims in abundance for us to feed on. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="320c740c-f2f8-46bf-9269-8d90d4c5e372" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c9c73499-b457-4d58-9818-a70e127260cc" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span> was horrified to learn that I could drink in auras if I wished, even though I assured him I did not <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b460f524-f776-4da4-99f4-1d86a5e7c78b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c9c73499-b457-4d58-9818-a70e127260cc" grcontextid="practise:1">practise</span> it very often. I preferred hot thick red pulsing blood running down my eager throat as I clasped my prey to me like a lover. To me, the consumption of a <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c63eb2af-eacd-4bf4-be03-6b3ac4dc3a76" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d74f0f74-3592-4cf9-84f6-d0ffd1d4c697" grcontextid="humans:0">humans</span> aura was dark and evil, just like Athenodora who had done the very same thing to me. It had depleted me in every sense and took away a vital part of me. I felt that stolen part slowly returning somewhat the more time I spent with Aro. He gave me back joy and bliss, but I would never be that wide eyed innocent <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f6f33f33-3be0-4b56-8370-18bb84d94524" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2e0127e6-1a8e-493d-a310-c176d4711225" grcontextid="new-born:0">new-born</span> again, but I couldn't blame that entirely on the evil aura stealing vampire Athenodora! <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="be795dc6-e574-4e9f-8349-90d22a480464" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d32b088f-d845-4765-bffc-faa2dff88f6d" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span> said he loved the new confident me, with my <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e757d450-0b9e-4b27-9797-9de07bd0972d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d32b088f-d845-4765-bffc-faa2dff88f6d" grcontextid="looser:1">looser</span> morals and greater inner strength. He said it inflamed his desire for me as I was bolder and more passionate in all aspects now. Our love making certainly was more mind blowing than ever before. With age came wisdom!<br />
The journey across the vast Atlantic Ocean was long and time consuming. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="04ff2384-cfa2-4a27-aece-d99896c35c6c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="cf137e6c-edb8-441d-b8d3-ec4ee600a337" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span> chided me with a laugh when I complained, as he had suggested flying through the air in those new machines which were like massive iron birds high in the sky. There <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b8893add-f6a2-4a88-9929-c79330aacfd1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="69f2a27d-274c-441d-bfc1-43e45a067b5e" grcontextid="were:0">were</span> no passenger planes as such yet, they wouldn't be in existence for another eight years, but of course Aro's riches and mine combined could easily procure a plane and a pilot if we so wished. I preferred sea travel, even though I had never flown in one of those machines, it just didn't seem right for a human or vampire to be so high in the sky. It was unnatural! Luckily there were plenty of victims aboard a large <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b80a12dd-3062-4168-9838-219835b84525" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9d02de29-5357-41cd-b9e5-f4ef969fa3cc" grcontextid="liner:0">liner</span> like this one we sailed on to keep me occupied. And of course there was <i>Aro. </i>My lover and I made full use of the luxury cabin we had booked. It was exciting to make love upon the seas; the waves rocking our marble bodies and our passions rising with the changing tides. All in all the journey could have been worse. I was grateful to make it to New York though. We arrived in the 'Big Apple' ten days after we'd departed from Southampton. Oh it was good to disembark, surrounded by excited humans, their infectious joy seeping into my soul gladly.<br />
We decided to have a little vacation whilst we were here. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6cdc8dfe-baa5-4bd6-b7cd-c23253f59066" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e79529ed-d398-406a-a0a1-bed3a00190a0" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span> booked us into the Savoy Hotel, we arrived under the cover of night, trying to look inconspicuous. Thankfully crude contact lenses were around in those days, Aro and I had both invested in a pair. It made it so much easier to mix with mortals without our bright scarlet eyes dazzling and confusing them. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="784e5f22-67d0-4b9a-a967-348091a8e359" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6e370ae5-19e2-497a-a863-95c144ef0af5" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span> had the greenest of sea green lenses and mine were deep violet, we looked very strange without our red orbs of fire! But obviously, we were <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ba5ccfb2-21d8-49f2-aeaf-f0fb1b7a421b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="78a99e2a-3bb8-473f-9506-37046848c7a0" grcontextid="stunning:0">stunning</span> with these new eyes, and humans accepted us, albeit in a nervous and stunned manner! The vibrant <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e613cb29-7d2c-4504-be54-da289bbb80d3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="43e714f4-d65d-45a5-b0b3-13d63396286c" grcontextid="colours:0">colours</span> of our eyes were even more vivid next to our pale skin. Yes, we were some sight to behold as we strode confidently and purposefully towards the Savoy reception. Humans turned to stare as we swept past them in a blaze of opulent clothes and striking features. My red hair was always a talking point but tonight all eyes were riveted on the beautiful rich young couple who walked in as if they owned the place. Oh it was good to be by my <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4806657c-55f3-4ca9-b90a-cbaec9d5d27d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="059359d9-3e18-4a25-94b3-1bd65474a582" grcontextid="lovers:0">lovers</span> side on these occasions!<br />
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b8f13fbf-4a17-462f-919f-52e5419bcb47" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9712c31e-92cb-4cf0-bbfc-fc6813380a5f" grcontextid="Aro held:0">Aro held</span> my hand as we got into the elevator, my new eyes gazed into his face adoringly, the world suddenly disappearing from view and all I could see was his perfect visage. There were another two humans in the lift who simply stared in fascinated awe at us. They were in their late twenties perhaps? I hardly noticed them as I was so intent on Aro, who was just as dazzled by me. How delicious it was to be with him at last, together like a proper couple on vacation! The human male suddenly spoke, breaking my adoring reverie of Aro.<br />
"You cannot be from New York! Uh uh no way can you be from round here!" he exclaimed excitedly as he pulled on his <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c33d898e-7d17-436b-b530-2eb38b008877" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="94dd2796-e8c0-45d9-ade0-cc5bc32a6aab" grcontextid="companions:0">companions</span> sleeve.<br />
She was still staring at us in complete disbelief. They were a handsome couple, <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="54506f2d-ed20-4eeb-a351-fd7d377c28e9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4fd6fb91-107f-42a3-9e7e-94b280123909" grcontextid="most attractive:0">most attractive</span> <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1c3d1156-6d66-48d3-ad44-dbed42eaa90e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4fd6fb91-107f-42a3-9e7e-94b280123909" grcontextid="for:1">for</span> humans. I found myself being drawn to them now as we stood in such close quarters. I heard the blood rush and I saw the pulse <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3589b70c-6ce1-417f-a887-40bcca2291c0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="64fab8a5-fc68-48c5-baca-b008d47a80c8" grcontextid="at:0">at</span> their luscious necks jump and dance. The man was slightly tanned with dark brown curly hair and laughing brown eyes. He was tall and lanky but his clothes looked too big for him and he was slightly awkward looking. The lady was small and petite with blonde ringlets and big blue eyes. She was very pretty with her pale skin and flushed cheeks. Her dress was nice, but quite cheap looking. I wondered why they were here? The Savoy was well known for its rich and famous clientèle. This couple did not fit either category I presumed. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="82ded08c-5baf-4d4e-9bd4-2860cd3f2f34" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="42562db5-93d2-4375-acdb-686196ea8935" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span> smiled, that dazzling smile I loved, as he nodded in greeting to the pair.<br />
"You are correct Sir. We are from Europe. This is my wife Victoria and I am Aro. Pleased to meet your acquaintanceship, " <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="122d6b5e-9d3b-41ff-98f7-34b09b705801" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2157a1fe-198d-45ad-b1fb-87c604364289" grcontextid="he:0">he</span> said, his voice dripping with charm as he held the ladies hand in his gloved one, bringing it up to slowly meet his cool lips.<br />
She shivered slightly as she gave a shy smile.<br />
That was another item we liked to wear, gloves disguised a little of our low temperature. Luckily it was a biting cold night here in New York <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ccb61333-8445-45f5-ab9b-3980bb398d11" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5ec29ae5-93ce-4e2f-8f37-be75a3970427" grcontextid="any ways:0">any ways</span>, so we would not arouse suspicion here. To be fair, these <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e8e4a196-ccf4-48cd-b3e8-d3fae5a54bc9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="dbb8d5b4-05d7-4da6-9628-6bbfaa88e748" grcontextid="pair:0">pair</span> were caught like a fly in a spider's web, they were so entranced of the beautiful couple before them that they wouldn't notice anything untoward.<br />
"I am Christopher and this is my wife Angelica. My 'angel' I call her! It is our first wedding anniversary and we have saved up all year to come here! We moved here six months ago from Boston. I'm a newly trained lawyer and I've just been given a prestigious new post with an up and coming law firm." the man boasted with a big smile.<br />
His pretty little wife smiled at him proudly. Oh they were so delightful together. I glanced at Aro with a special look, my thoughts very much evident to him. I <i>wanted </i>this beautiful vibrant couple! Oh the games we could play with them! It made the venom rise in my throat and my whole being throb with <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5c47257d-b098-430e-b3fc-6eece9e54e1c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="81520670-22c3-4ba1-90e3-3393744c449a" grcontextid="excited:0">excited</span> desires. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c43b6cd7-6d39-4bdf-b920-df40bd22ba7b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4c340fd9-428b-4e40-bb06-1a24b1a2799a" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span> nodded, a small half smile knowingly playing over his fine features. He had not witnessed this side of me, but he had read my mind of course and he knew me inside and out.<br />
<i>"</i>How wonderful!" Aro crowed, "You must have a drink with us, I have a bottle of champagne chilling now in our <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0eb522a8-55e3-4d0b-8591-7e969891f32b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="cf89ea3d-2664-4528-b970-54cd29311816" grcontextid="suite:0">suite</span>," my lover added with a most wicked glint in his eye.<br />
I smiled widely at our new friends, who in return grinned back, happy dazzled smiles full of innocence. Oh if only they knew! They stared at Aro and <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="69fcb7f4-4dc8-48d2-9ac3-3ec1ee44f3c7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="261256ed-793d-43e2-bdc0-da8223c6e60b" grcontextid="I:0">I</span> with complete <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="17834eca-0de3-4cb1-9163-070246c0a607" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="261256ed-793d-43e2-bdc0-da8223c6e60b" grcontextid="wonderment:1">wonderment</span> on their human faces. It was just too easy! We made small talk with the couple as the lift ascended slowly. We pretended to be the owners of a vineyard, we were husband and wife, married for five years with no children. It was fun making up a life, but in reality a small part of me wished it were true. How lovely it would be to be Aro's wife. I guessed that would not or could not happen. Vampires didn't divorce did they? Still, it was nice to daydream as we rode upwards in the elevator with these deliciously warm and lovely scented humans.<br />
When we arrived at our destination, even I made a small sound of glee as Aro showed us into the Penthouse suite. Oh my! Such grandeur! I instantly adored it! Christopher and Angelica were open-mouthed with wide excited eyes. They had obviously never seen a room as beautiful and grand as this.<br />
"Oh! It is wonderful!" Angelica stated, a wide smile on her pretty face. Her husband squeezed her hand with joy.<br />
"Our new friends are so generous!" Christopher smiled happily.<br />
<i>Ha! If only they knew.</i><br />
"Come, let's raise a glass together." Aro said pulling the champagne bottle out of the wine cooler with a flourish.<br />
It was a vintage Dom Perignon and very expensive indeed.<br />
"Victoria, my dearest, would you fetch the champagne flutes from the dresser please?" he asked me, a small smile of amusement on his perfect face.<br />
I brought the glasses to him, he filled them, gave us each one and raised his glass high in a toast, "To new friends and old. In America, land of the brave and the home of the free!" he announced.<br />
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d3c910b2-1618-451f-aed4-dcac86592f73" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ce94438f-a9c1-45eb-9313-71b35b08e728" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span> and I used swift movements to disguise the fact that we didn't touch a drop of the amber fluid. Christopher and his wife were too busy gazing around the room to notice. "Please, make yourselves at home, my friends." Aro smiled pleasantly. The excited couple ooh'd and <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e610adaa-ef41-4f95-a3bb-4620f015e7aa" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="281bf32d-d58f-4732-abe1-2e1d976f49e9" grcontextid="aah'd:0">aah'd</span> as they made their way around the <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c818eeb7-49fc-4a54-9bb3-7713fba853e5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="281bf32d-d58f-4732-abe1-2e1d976f49e9" grcontextid="suite:1">suite</span>. The large windows overlooked the charming city of New York, in all <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3148c3c6-5142-4ba7-a313-81e8b7bd1f90" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="83d7fc45-5c11-4585-89b0-a62a6588d7a8" grcontextid="it's:0">it's</span> <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ab9e8871-da83-468a-8adb-8a79391fe53a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="83d7fc45-5c11-4585-89b0-a62a6588d7a8" grcontextid="splendour:1">splendour</span>. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="cdf35fa8-3d17-442f-a1f0-7c20b44c93a9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e05f0e2c-c14a-49a8-b905-92429d203a4a" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span> smiled at me and took my hand.<br />
"Come, little flame, let us enjoy America's hospitality," he whispered, his fake green eyes like bright emeralds.<br />
I nodded intently as we made our way over to the couple.<br />
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="74279959-b738-4643-bc4e-97960528ce37" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="dc805242-8d56-4143-a22a-eb47dd031fcd" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span> and I removed our contact lenses very slowly and carefully. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a0faebd9-fd98-49ee-a289-dc4988e9a451" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="330cdaa8-4493-47d6-8196-dee84ff71db4" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span> placed his hands around Angelica's face very gently as he stared deep into her bluest eyes with a steady red gaze. " Beautiful child, you will not be afraid of me, or Victoria. You will do as we say and you will feel intense pleasure maybe even a hint of pain<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a561d8fb-e9ca-4fb9-86fe-d2f269c78e3c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="367a85b8-9cd5-4237-ad36-8a540cdc3fd3" grcontextid=",:0">,</span>but you will welcome all of our attention with open arms." he said carefully as he <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4844d0fe-c152-4099-9985-511489872914" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="367a85b8-9cd5-4237-ad36-8a540cdc3fd3" grcontextid="hypnotised:1">hypnotised</span> and glamoured her easily. She nodded and smiled vacantly. Christopher was starting to become frightened and agitated, unsure of what was happening here. I mirrored Aro's actions and words. The couple <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d2bb5362-e56e-4e00-a0ea-3e8b52bd859d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3d62d603-a47e-4286-983c-f4cf8a03bdd4" grcontextid="were:0">were</span> now under our spell, the poor things!<br />
<i>Oh how delightful!</i><br />
"May I kiss Angelica, my dearest?" Aro questioned me with a raised eyebrow.<br />
"Of course, my love, if I may kiss Christopher?" I retorted with a cheeky smile.<br />
We fell upon our victims greedily, our vampire lips devouring human ones as we watched the other do the same. Our red eyes were bright and sparkly, our <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="cc389cae-c803-47f4-b720-00607cc5b992" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3700518e-8237-4b06-9363-a2c9d446e9ca" grcontextid="still hearts:0">still hearts</span> filled with wicked desires. How delicious it was to watch Aro tease her with his deep kisses, the poor girl was almost fainting with pleasure! I used my expert kisses to <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="50f737b3-f3a1-46b0-b71f-e41445d2dc7b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ce10ac75-8ea2-4974-b3c2-9f0f49838d8e" grcontextid="enthral:0">enthral</span> Christopher, he moaned most delightfully against my mouth, his scent inflaming my thirst and desire. I let my lips trail down his throat, the pulsing of his carotid artery making my venom <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1e71e783-804d-4754-b3c8-4fc060082001" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1176b90a-8afc-4543-9313-82f5309c8f00" grcontextid="rise:0">rise</span>. I gripped his shoulders roughly as my teeth grazed his skin lightly. I looked over to see Aro's head buried in Angelica's cleavage, his tongue licking her smooth pale skin lasciviously and seductively. His hands were on her hips as she writhed against him in lustful abandonment. She glanced over at her husband and smiled wantonly. He was half dizzy with lust and pleasurable passion as he smiled lazily back at her. How loose their morals became when we glamoured them!<br />
I wanted to drink from my victim now, so much! <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2eb82dc7-095e-4122-8968-ee8f7b8485a9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8c0a3ae0-7f7a-47ad-a1db-96d53514c2b8" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span> nodded and smiled at me lovingly, "You may drink my sweet, just don't drain him! We don't need to kill them, a few sips and some more fun, then we will send them on their way none the wiser!"<br />
I nodded and let my sharp teeth sink through Christopher's skin easily and quickly. There was a moment's pause and then the luscious blood hit my hungry mouth like nectar. Oh it was magnificent! <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="40337c83-2641-4c23-8b8b-356d4797a960" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a5728083-0fed-4bfb-8aea-7dc8a3691bee" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span> nodded and smiled before savagely sinking his teeth into Angelica's delicate thin wrist. We watched each other drink from our prey, our scarlet gaze full of hunger and desire for each other. I wanted to hurry this little game up now as I had much more important things to do. I needed to possess Aro again as soon as possible!<br />
We took a little blood from our new friends and we hid their wounds with small cloth bandages fashioned out of silk scarves. We kissed and petted them a little more, their soft sighs and gasps of pleasure giving us great satisfaction. How pliable they were with their soft skin, wide eyes and willingness. We directed our words into their minds once more and instructed them to leave here with only pleasant memories of our time together. They would be fine, maybe a little dazed and confused. In a week or so they would barely remember us, we would be a distant memory to them, something which may or may not have really happened. They may turn out to be touched with a little madness or worst case scenario they could fall prey to serious illnesses and die. It wasn't our concern.<br />
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d7850480-9db5-4118-bce5-f800434e5d2a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="32f848c4-b210-46c0-9f8f-67dac6c95dd0" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span> had called ahead to the Plaza, another luxurious hotel in the city and requested the most expensive room for the couple. He had planted the suggestion in their minds to leave here completely and make their way to the Plaza where they were now to stay for the rest of their anniversary weekend. They would believe that it was the hotel they had booked all along. I hoped they could still enjoy their time together. Yes, I really meant it. I had softened since Aro came back into my life!<br />
Now we were alone and our eyes shone with pure desire for each other. We moved together like magnets, unable to control our emotions any longer. I fell into his arms and into our magnificent bed with utmost compliance. I wanted him so badly it was a deep ache in my belly. Many many hours later we finally lay sated in each others arms. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b89d6b73-fad6-4a1e-bcf1-2e30dcfddad4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f19968f7-10dc-4944-9ab1-69b35b038782" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span> tenderly kissed me and held me close to him.<br />
"Oh Victoria, today has been most delightful! How I love to be with you my dearest. How much time we have wasted! But that's by the by now. Oh if only <i>you </i>were my wife!" he stated.<br />
I gasped and squeezed him tighter.<br />
"I had the very same thought today, my lover. I wished we could be married," I sighed wistfully.<br />
" Ah Victoria, I have lived a long existence and I know without a doubt that stranger things have happened!" he smiled against my red curls.<br />
I smiled too and we clasped hands lovingly as we gazed into each others eyes. Soon, it would be time to leave New York, but for now it was time to go out into the city night and soak up the whole atmosphere of the place. With our <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8222ef41-674d-4d85-82ed-23023dbb5e70" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bbb7ed24-a49e-4e24-a51b-f18e213c9e9b" grcontextid="coloured:0">coloured</span> lenses in place and our flamboyant clothes we made our way into the streets. Just a young couple in love. We were giddy with excitement and joy as we mingled with the humans amongst the bright lights and noise of this dazzling city. Tomorrow we would leave for Forks. I was curious, just like Aro, to learn more about Doctor Cullen and his Olympic Coven. For now, I was deliriously happy to be in my lover's arms as we made our way through this city of dreams together.<br />
<i>I was joyous and <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b559cf4b-3f3b-458e-b08d-1bf7d82af29a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f5c0ed2a-60b8-4d45-a903-9fa59fc810f3" grcontextid="child-like:0">child-like</span> again, just a silly young girl completely besotted with her handsome dark lover as we explored the streets of New York together, forever grateful to be here in this perfect moment in time.</i><br />
<hr size="1" />
<b>Chapter 25: Chapter 25</b><br />
<hr size="1" />
<u>CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE</u><br />
<i>A/N: In this chapter I intertwine realities from Twilight with Alternate Universe - I hope you enjoy it. Thanks for getting this far. ( I got information on the Cullen's from </i>wiki/List_of_Twilight_characters )<br />
Let me tell you about the events of the last fifty years or so. Time passes by so differently to vampires that we often lose track of it, so you will forgive me if I am not so accurate. I really should keep up with my diary more frequently! I have stayed true and kept my memoirs to the written word, computers are not for me! Although a good friend has promised to type all of this up for me one day if he can still read my old scribbled handwriting from centuries ago! I guess my life story might be quite interesting to someone, somewhere, someday.<br />
So this is what happened when Aro and I left New York after a very pleasant time there in October 1920. We arrived in Forks a few days later, it was cold and frosty and dark. There wasn't much sunlight to be had on the Olympic Peninsula which suited the aptly named Olympic coven well. Vampires and sunlight do not mix, unless you purposefully wanted to intensely dazzle a human with diamond like skin which shone in rainbow <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6085f3d5-ac98-43cb-a93a-2fd4eb0e621f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e35f092b-ca49-4b63-8ce6-63de8bb27831" grcontextid="colours:0">colours</span> so beautifully. Chances of discovery <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5a39a0c4-bedd-4709-882d-6f8eadbe4bdb" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="20ee29a4-b59f-4857-a372-3265c2e1faf6" grcontextid="were:0">were</span> just too high for that!<br />
The doctor Carlisle Cullen and his "family" lived in a large modern house on the outskirts of the small town. There were deep dense woods surrounding the property which was nestled amongst the trees delightfully. We arrived at sunrise and were greeted by Carlisle at the door. He was tall and blond and quite handsome, although not my type, of course!<br />
"<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="19131812-cd02-4498-9d6b-cd3787ab916f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="64bd9d9a-c301-47af-8ca9-41b789ea5b07" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span>! A pleasure as always. Do come in! " Carlisle nodded and smiled. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a63d639f-a0b8-4b45-a660-f03b8805b655" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="34e115f3-994d-40dc-bff8-03834feceb45" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span> nodded politely back with one of his dark, mysterious smiles.<br />
"Doctor Cullen, you already know of our arrival I presume? You sound like you were already anticipating our visit," my lover said with a hint of surprise in his low voice.<br />
"Well, yes, we did know of your imminent arrival Aro. Come inside and I will introduce you to my family and explain matters," the Doctor said pleasantly.<br />
"This is Victoria Taylor, my very good friend," Aro smiled as he held my hand tightly.<br />
Carlisle nodded to me with a warm smile, "Very pleased to meet you Victoria, do come inside and meet my family, my dear."<br />
We made our way up the wooden staircase to meet the family above. The house was light, airy and spacious. I had never seen an interior so modern and <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="94c4ef31-1e12-4ac0-8366-d81d07ca5e3b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="77d87c82-4d49-4e5b-9b9c-0b41f5a8f2e2" grcontextid="different:0">different</span> before. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a5852fb2-5e84-4c26-ae05-b1514673c22b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a79ff9c8-dc75-44c4-8332-e846ddb977d5" grcontextid="For:0">For</span> the 20's it was definitely out of the ordinary. This <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e7c89361-cb40-46aa-a3fc-03e1d3270996" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="46ced9a1-ffee-4574-8d80-0cbe2c80fe97" grcontextid="coven:0">coven</span> was so far removed from the Volturi's way of life! I could already see that, just by observing their home.<br />
In front of us stood the other six members of the Olympic coven.<br />
Carlisle introduced us to them one by one. I was fascinated by their appearance! Yes, they were all beautiful as vampires were, but one thing stood out above all others. They had amber eyes! How was this? I was so curious to learn more about them! I now knew why Aro had wanted to come here.<br />
"This is my wife, Esme Cullen."<br />
This beautiful graceful vampire bowed to Aro and said hello to me. I guessed they were a little bit afraid of Aro, given that he was the Volturi leader. I often forgot the bare facts, I just saw him as my Aro, my lover, my everything.<br />
We moved down the line to a very muscular tall young male with dark curly hair and an impish glint in his topaz eyes. Next to him stood a tall, statuesque extremely attractive female, with impossibly long wavy blonde hair.<br />
"This is Emmett Cullen and Rosalie Hale, my 'adoptive son and daughter', who are married to each other," Carlisle grinned as Emmett gave him a cheeky wink.<br />
These vampires were not like any I had ever encountered before!<br />
Next to the beautiful couple stood another attractive male and female. The male smiles enigmatically at me, he is tall with honey blond hair, and is muscular but lean. His face and body is covered with crescent-shaped scars. The female is petite and pixie-like, with a graceful gait and hair that is short, spiky, and black.<br />
"This is Jasper Hale, 'adoptive brother' of Rosalie, and Alice Cullen, 'adoptive sister' of Emmett and Edward on the end there," Carlisle said indicating the last member of his coven stood quietly next to Alice. "These two are also a married couple." he added with a grin.<br />
Wow! A married coven, this was most different. Ah! But there was this one boy on the end who appeared to be alone. He was extremely good looking and captivating, appearing to be the youngest of them. His deliberately messy hair was dark with bronze highlights and his eyes were a much darker amber hue than the others were.<br />
"Last , but not least, this is Edward Cullen, 'adoptive brother' of Alice and Emmett," Carlisle said, as he patted the young vampire on the shoulder.<br />
"He is the newest addition to the coven, he has been with us just over two years now," the Doctor said proudly.<br />
Edward smiled crookedly, he was very beautiful indeed. I smiled tentatively back. I felt a pull towards this vampire, but it wasn't sexual chemistry, it was something else entirely. I hoped I could get to know him and his family better. I had secretly reached out to touch all of their auras slightly when Carlisle had been introducing them. I was struck by the bright bold <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c19d7e53-7c98-4a17-bc01-f6c4678ea6fb" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7fa89ff9-bbbc-4180-b225-cdb514b293c0" grcontextid="colours:0">colours</span> that shone from their inner lights. Most interesting.<br />
"Very good Doctor Cullen, you have amassed an impressive coven here. Do tell me, have they got special powers?" Aro questioned, his need for collecting rising to the fore.<br />
The Doctor smiled wryly, "Please call me Carlisle! Edward can read minds, Alice can see the future and Jasper has the ability to sense and manipulate the emotions of those around him. The rest of us are ordinary vampires, I'm afraid," he smiled in a self <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3bca222e-449d-4ab6-af3c-ddf5d1fee1f2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="abda14b4-6815-4a67-8e6c-8b1283e98461" grcontextid="deprecatory:0">deprecatory</span> manner.<br />
"Nonsense!" chided his beautiful wife, Esme. "We are all unique and special in our own ways, we each bring strengths to the family. Carlisle is a wonderful Doctor! I am so very proud of my family!" she added with a wide smile.<br />
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5839e438-3484-4a85-9c9c-56d9bc14a260" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7c88dda1-91c1-4db1-bc42-5d40e5f89e26" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span> looked at her with a raised eyebrow.<br />
"You treat humans?" he asked Carlisle incredulously.<br />
The doctor nodded and smiled as if it was completely natural to live and work amongst mortals.<br />
"Indeed I do, Aro! I have a job at the hospital in Seattle. My 'adoptive' kids all attend Forks High School. We try to blend in with humans and respect their lives," he said proudly.<br />
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="957bf04f-4775-4c52-8f66-9396200314d8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2cf1ea25-d559-4a0d-a26b-c034db60603f" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span> looked as shocked as I was.<br />
"How do you manage to rub shoulders with your prey? Impossible!" my maker snorted indignantly.<br />
Carlisle smiled at us both as if we were wholly different creatures to him and his family.<br />
"Humans are not our prey, we do not feed on their blood at all. We hunt and kill animals for their blood. We suppress out blood lust. We are not killers. I discovered a long time ago that we could live on animal blood. I explained this to you when I was your guest Aro, I see that you are still wracked with disbelief!" Carlisle exclaimed as he gazed upon Aro's perfectly shocked face.<br />
"I have no desire anymore to kill people, although for some of my family it has been a hard transition, especially Jasper and Edward here who has just come out of the <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="388ab8cd-538f-42e4-8fd7-dd0c8100708d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="03a2a274-df77-45b5-86ab-c7ea9f64dfaf" grcontextid="new-born:0">new-born</span> phase," he added as he gazed fondly at his youngest 'son'.<br />
I finally found my voice, "Is this the reason why your eyes are all amber?" I questioned.<br />
The family nodded in unison with wide smiles.<br />
"Such a pretty <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c3d2d0bd-1018-4d91-b0e1-54765ec723a0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7e07c7e7-bdc5-452b-b904-3bbd87d20a89" grcontextid="colour:0">colour</span>!" I stated truthfully.<br />
I wondered what I would look like with amber eyes? "How long do you need to abstain from human blood for the changes to take place?" I asked curiously.<br />
The female, Alice replied in a <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="71b9a86e-eb50-4e96-9f1d-f7b6ab913bc5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="174a2000-b006-480d-bff7-ab6f32e19a6d" grcontextid="sing-song:0">sing-song</span> voice, "It would take around six months of abstinence Victoria. Could you do that?" she asked with a smile.<br />
"I do not know! I love to drink from the fear soaked veins of my prey, it is most delicious!" I admitted, my red eyes gazing honestly into their amber ones.<br />
Edward spoke up now, his voice rich with deep tones, "Why don't you come with us to hunt in the mountains, Victoria? We are leaving tomorrow on a hunting trip. Our eyes are dark amber, tomorrow they will be almost black, once we <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6441bfa4-a59c-4177-8947-07707213bbc7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="da162c97-4d0d-4aea-8c7d-cbe2e99d8209" grcontextid="feed:0">feed</span> they will change to a light topaz <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b004493c-21d2-475b-ba44-a607b1aad2b0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="da162c97-4d0d-4aea-8c7d-cbe2e99d8209" grcontextid="colour:1">colour</span>," he informed me with a crooked smile.<br />
Oh he fascinated me! They all did!<br />
I turned to Aro with an excited grin, "Can I go with them Aro?" I asked.<br />
His face went through a thousand emotions in the blink of an eye, finally settling on compliance.<br />
"Yes, my dearest. You may go, but do not be disappointed if I decline to come with you. I am afraid I am too old and set in my ways to change now!" he added <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2a44342a-b72d-4420-ae2c-8233d746ea0c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="77b0fee6-baed-4216-bf25-f1410fbad2eb" grcontextid="insouciantly:0">insouciantly</span>.<br />
I squeezed his hand tightly, I loved this new Aro, he respected my wishes and desires now, he did not try to control me as he had done in the past. He smiled back with a succinct nod of his head. Of course he had read my thoughts! I transmitted another to him rapidly, <i>wait until I get you alone later, my lover!</i><br />
He stroked the palm of my hand delicately with his index finger, causing me to shiver slightly. Of course the Cullen's had not noticed our little exchange, except maybe Alice who was giving us a strange look.<br />
"I hope you will enjoy your visit with us. Please make yourselves at home," Carlisle said with a warm smile. He really was a <i>nice </i>vampire, something I hadn't really come across before. Everything was different here in Forks for sure.<br />
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="dcec595e-caec-4844-8a70-dcc735cecfe3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="26222291-abad-40ac-be56-2f71fa692dbf" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span> and I explored the forests surrounding the house on that first night. We also explored each other hungrily as we entwined on the forest floor in a sea of Autumn leaves. How delicious to make love to my lover under the frosty moonlit sky. We were broken out of our reverie by a low growl coming from the trees. An old large black wolf watched us, it's yellow eyes full of hate and mistrust. There was something <i>human </i>in those eyes<i>. </i>My evasion instinct kicked in with full force and I grabbed Aro's hand and swiftly ran in a blur out of the woods and back to the house. We came upon Edward on the balcony, his face full of concern.<br />
"The others have gone out to look for you! Alice "saw" your encounter with Ephraim Black tonight! " He told us as he threw a blanket for us to wrap around our naked bodies. He looked away politely as we made ourselves decent.<br />
"We saw a wolf, Edward! Not a human!" I corrected him.<br />
Edward smiled crookedly again, "Ephraim is the chief of the Quileute tribe. He is a shape-shifter, and the Alpha of a pack of three which includes Levi Uley and Quil Ateara who created a treaty with the Cullen family which maintained that the wolves would not expose us as vampires as long as we did not bite any humans."<br />
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fecc2437-aed1-41a0-859a-30ba2d7959c3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2d1010ac-cead-439a-9ebb-c1a42cf37103" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span> and I looked at Edward with <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="026a5ad6-1d82-4651-9630-a977d8ee14be" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2d1010ac-cead-439a-9ebb-c1a42cf37103" grcontextid="shocked:1">shocked</span> confusion.<br />
"I did not know these things truly existed!" Aro said shaking his head in wonder.<br />
"They live here, in Forks, side by side with vampires?" he asked Edward, his red eyes filled with curiosity.<br />
Edward nodded, "Yes, Aro we co-exist, although no love is lost between us!" he said with a sad smile.<br />
"I am so glad we paid your family a visit, Edward! I have learnt so much in only a short time! I would be <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a7575aa7-d06d-4f2c-a2c0-262bc55e4132" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="50da44c6-f857-4907-b438-32c841989b02" grcontextid="honoured:0">honoured</span> to have you, Alice and Jasper visit me some day. Your abilities would be welcomed in Volterra, I can assure you!" he crowed.<br />
I shook my head and rolled my eyes. My maker loved to surround himself with special vampires!<br />
Edward smiled again in his unique crooked way, "We would love to visit with you sometime, " he said politely.<br />
Oh I hoped he would! Although I was not sure where I fitted in within the Volturi yet. I supposed that depended on what James found on his mission.<br />
The next day, I accompanied Edward, Alice and Carlisle on a hunting trip into the mountains. The others would go tomorrow, of course Aro declined as I thought he might! I found my first experience of mountain lion to be a pleasant one. I watched in fascination as the Cullen's hunted and killed these fierce animals. I discovered the chase was just as exciting and blood was blood when it came down to it. Although, I did miss the feeling of clasping a warm frightened and overwhelmed human to me, I was sure I could do this with <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="64c97542-9bef-4875-abb8-7a1fe2ed6526" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bf28781e-4691-4cf7-a5e2-2b8948f07c94" grcontextid="practise:0">practise</span>! I found I enjoyed life in Forks, the Cullen's were friendly and interesting, although Rosalie was quite cold, but I discovered we were quite alike. Edward and I became good friends almost instantly. There was a slight attraction between us, but I would never act on it. I was true to Aro now and forever; there would be no more dalliances as far as I was concerned.<br />
After a week of living in Forks, Aro took me away from the Cullen house into the woods beyond where we could talk privately. He held my small pale hand in his and stared deep into my eyes.<br />
"Victoria my darling, I must return to the Volturi tomorrow. I have asked Carlisle if you can stay here, he has agreed. Until Sulpicia is found I cannot risk your safety, my sweet. I would rather <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="12332444-4588-4ec3-a2fe-a62389f17447" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a9fc6041-3c22-4050-90a9-6df263d8edee" grcontextid="us:0">us</span> be apart than put you in danger! I cannot and I will not take you back to Volterra. You will be looked after here. My mind is made up, little flame, so do not argue with me!" Aro spoke lovingly but firmly to me.<br />
I sighed but I knew his words were true. It would be no hardship to live here, even if I was without my lover.<br />
"I will do what you think is best, Aro. I have spent many years without you, I can do it again if needs be. As long as you promise to never forget me!" I exclaimed, sadness welling up within my still heart.<br />
"I could never forget you! Do not ever think that, Victoria! I only want to protect you! I love you so much, come to me now my love, let me show you just how much!" he said, his voice full of desire for me.<br />
I didn't need to be asked twice. We fell into each others arms eagerly, our kisses bittersweet with the devastating knowledge that we were to be parted again tomorrow. Some things would <i>never</i> change. I held tightly to my maker as we made love under the big full moon, I <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="886115e2-6fac-470e-a974-d7e11aab8e32" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="47dfc148-3ae6-48ee-8af6-833b5954fd22" grcontextid="memorised:0">memorised</span> every move, every emotion, every touch as if it were our last. This time though, deep in my vampire heart, I knew it was only a matter of time before we were together properly. Our love could not be hindered by anything or anyone, not anymore. So, I didn't let him see my pain and I loved him like never before. In the morning light, when he was gone, I walked alone in the rain. I let the drops of water fall onto my upturned face as I gazed towards the black swollen clouds above me. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7c1a05bc-12c2-422f-bed7-795fec995fef" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="87e5a276-6a55-4958-858d-85435c2900a8" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span> was on his way back to Italy now, without me. Edward appeared out of nowhere like a bright angel shining in the gloom of the day.<br />
"Don't be sad Victoria. You will see Aro soon. I will dedicate myself to making you smile at least once a day!" he said with his special crooked smile. "You are lucky to have someone who loves you so much and whom you love back equally," he added sadly.<br />
"You will find a special girl someday, Edward, I just know it!" I stated with a half-hearted smile, my vampire heart breaking just a little more as I longed for my lover again.<br />
But I found it hard to be morose for long when the youngest Cullen was around.<br />
"Come, let us hunt together! " He said with glee as he took my hand in his.<br />
I smiled somewhat shyly, but I took his offered hand gladly, with a little spark of joy in my silent heart.<br />
Now, I sit here writing in my private journal, diary, memoirs, whatever you would call it and another fifty years or so have passed in the blink of an eye. I still lived with the Cullen's, although we hadn't always been here in Forks. We'd had to move around the Olympic Peninsula in case of discovery. Now, after a long absence it was safe to return. The new generation would not know who we were, except for the shape-shifters of course! <i>( <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c9031022-61a7-417b-8b13-1152ab77eec7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="cc03159b-ce7e-4b5d-b41e-bcfb2e0aeaaa" grcontextid="fascinating:0">fascinating</span> creatures!)</i> This little town was our <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6e907feb-dff6-4a95-a796-94d62669d576" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="cc03159b-ce7e-4b5d-b41e-bcfb2e0aeaaa" grcontextid="favourite:1">favourite</span> place to be. Esme had secretly kept the family house up and running whilst we'd been away. I was so happy to be home again. Yes, I thought of the Cullen's house as home. I had been deprived a family and a proper home for many, many years. Now I had one, and I had to say, it was fantastic. I loved being part of this amazing family. They had taken me in as one of theirs without question. I was explained away as Esme's younger cousin who had been orphaned. No one questioned it.<br />
Being here, with my family had changed me into a better, kinder person. I no longer felt the need to be cruel or sadistic. After a decade or so I had learnt to overcome the thirst for human blood and now I was 'vegetarian', just like my dear family. My eyes were a beautiful light topaz. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="979141f2-ed08-4069-84e3-69678b027c34" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="717b8cb8-aad3-4c2b-bdfe-73f043e50349" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span> loved them, he said he could see my soul much clearer now. My darling vampire lover still had red eyes, he would not change his ways, but I loved him insanely despite our differences and I always would.<br />
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="eb2df536-f129-4fef-8159-442495578ea9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="589497fe-6c47-4239-9d7a-fc74b3b4aaa8" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span> came to see me at least once a year, travel and communication were so much easier in this 21st century than ever before. We could talk on the telephone, we could even send messages on phones, tablets or computers. I still preferred the old methods best but if I wanted to keep in touch with my heart of hearts then I had to adjust with the times. Edward loved his modern gadgets, and he often had to help me out!<br />
On a more somber note, James had not been seen nor heard of since Aro had sent him on his mission to find Sulpicia. Despite numerous attempts to track him there was no trace, so far. Demetri was a good tracker, but even he could not locate them. I prayed James was fine, but time kept slipping away and it seemed the evil witch had taken him and vanished without trace. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a4e6b743-1c38-4c75-9283-7fc2acd7883a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="699e6fb6-279f-428e-a3ce-2874f9997856" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span> was worried. I didn't mind, living here was good, life was good. I still had Aro in my life and that was all that really mattered to me.<br />
I was full of giddy excitement today; Aro was coming to Forks, he would arrive as dawn broke. He was currently somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, high in the sky, texting me messages of love and lust. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="990f12e5-72f3-419d-970a-906fa0bf43ad" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1840a400-ef3e-45a3-bd68-081c448a765c" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span> typing these words of desire on that small device amused me no end! He was centuries old, yet he had embraced technology because of his love for me! I ached to feel his strong hands on me<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="06faccb8-e677-4d02-8601-f04a0a0bffd1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="66b3c376-10b8-47e3-93d0-7f93398a0d2a" grcontextid=",:0">,</span>his pent-up unbridled passion, his cool enticing lips on mine and his perfect marble skin against me.<br />
Edward suddenly appeared, "One day I will type your story up on my laptop, Victoria! It will be so much easier!" he said rolling his eyes at my old faded leather bound book which I treasured.<br />
I sneered at him with horrified disdain.<br />
"Please stop writing Victoria! You must come with me now! Can you not hear it? There is a thunderstorm coming! You know what that means?" he asked excitedly.<br />
"Baseball!" we crowed in unison.<br />
<i>Victoria puts down her pen and happily takes Edward's hand as they fly out of the window into the purple blush of twilight. The storm clouds are gathering and soon the thunder and lightning will fill the bruised sky with their powerful cacophony of noise and light.</i><br />
<i>The carefree vampires do not know that trouble is coming with that storm, something so destructive and wild that they will be blown away in its wake.</i><br />
<hr size="1" />
<b>Chapter 26: Chapter 26</b><br />
<hr size="1" />
<u>CHAPTER TWENTY SIX</u><br />
<i>A/N: This chapter will be told by Edward Cullen. We have reached the present time in this story.</i><br />
I may have had a tiny unrequited crush on Victoria, my new adopted sister, when she first came to live with us. My feelings soon became more brotherly when I <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4f2961ef-eae5-4e4b-a7bd-5cf160a22908" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="95fd2a86-b916-4e88-b12e-320d8d8f49e9" grcontextid="realised:0">realised</span> that she was deeply in love with another. Not just any other, I might add, but the leader of the Volturi coven, who were the governing body over the vampire population. Any fool could see that Victoria was head over heels in love with Aro and vice versa. It was sweet, it was also terrible because he was married, although his wife, who was evil by all accounts, had gone missing. She wanted to badly hurt Victoria, although that was a bit of an understatement, she actually wanted to end her existence. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="265f3c81-d81b-4200-8c99-339172be67a2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7a68a852-27e9-4cb1-8446-0263a1261fb4" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span> could not take the risk of having his love by his side whilst Sulpicia was out there somewhere, <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="728b6bfa-7feb-4418-900a-a5dc9bbee362" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7a68a852-27e9-4cb1-8446-0263a1261fb4" grcontextid="untethered:1">untethered</span>, extremely unhinged and violent! Victoria took her separation from Aro very well, she didn't complain or moan about the situation, she just got on with her new life, here with us. She fitted in just perfectly, I immensely respected and liked her almost straight away. Alice did too, Jasper agreed with Alice in whatever she did, Rosalie was distrustful at first, Emmett was his usual friendly self and my 'parents' Carlisle and Esme cared for her right away. It was as if she was <i>meant </i>to be part of our coven.<br />
A century had almost passed since she came to us. I was just out of the <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9171b586-9606-4f68-8528-06f57e1ceb09" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5f8b7afb-9144-4988-9ff1-8298ff567dc3" grcontextid="new-born:0">new-born</span> stage when she came to Forks the first time. I had found it quite difficult becoming a vampire. Carlisle had saved me from the Spanish Flu, which had killed my Mother. I raged with blood lust and mighty hunger when I first came to this life. Carlisle helped wean me off human blood<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2f66acee-a992-45b2-8838-2cdb15444ce9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="13e59671-2807-43e4-bd6a-0998e7a80936" grcontextid=",:0">,</span>he gave me a home, and a purpose. Esme and he had treated me wonderfully, just like a real son. I loved them, pure and simply. Victoria had come to love them too. She hadn't had an easy existence. It amazed me just how many centuries she had seen go by. One thing had remained true and constant; her deep unwavering love and desire for Aro.<br />
She had lived in England, Paris, Italy and Seattle. She had made a vampire! She had fought with and evaded some of the oldest strongest vampires in the world. She had been imprisoned, she had fallen prey to evil ways and lasciviousness. But she had triumphed against all the odds and now she was beautiful inside and out. I was proud to call her my sister! It had taken <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="913c46e1-6cba-48c3-9f70-8da713fbd6e4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0d6ca049-f15c-4cc7-bc6d-1826623e2340" grcontextid="awhile:0">awhile</span> for her to get used to animal blood but she surprised us all by coping with the changes well. She adored her topaz eyes too much now to ever go back to human blood. Of course one smell or sight of human blood could send us a little mad with desire, so we avoided it best we could. If only we could all be as self controlled as Carlisle! Still, it was amazing what Victoria had achieved if you thought about how old she really was. I had gotten over my crush, thankfully. Victoria said she just <i>knew </i>there was someone, somewhere in this world just made for me and she believed I would meet her soon. I didn't share her enthusiasm! Most vampires were already taken, who else could I find real love with? I kept a little piece of hope buried away deep inside my heart though. Maybe I could find my true love too? I had waited long enough!<br />
But, I digress, let me get back to the evening of the thunderstorm. The last day Victoria wrote in this journal of <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="dd833360-06f6-4f56-a085-067e45ba8be0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e887366e-6245-4638-bdb8-23ee0a94d4c4" grcontextid="hers:0">hers</span>. I have painstakingly and lovingly transferred it all to my <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c9b051b1-19ff-4ff8-ace6-278184f7c76d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8ffa5db0-709f-44ec-84eb-2766704e7205" grcontextid="lap top:0">lap top</span>. All I can say is its lucky vampires do not require sleep! I had time to complete my task and now I was caught up, it was my turn to take over the story.<br />
We arrived at the clearing to join my family in a baseball game, we always played when a storm hit Forks. The claps of thunder disguised the whacks and loud thuds of our hard hitting game. Humans tended to hide inside when there was a thunderstorm, for fear of being struck by lightning. So, it was the best time to play our much loved sport.<br />
Alice froze <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="df4330ec-dc8b-4243-898a-b3f4c50a011b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a669f2d9-cebb-4728-9042-0c41bc60c77d" grcontextid="mid way:0">mid way</span> through the game, a terrified look on her pretty pale face.<br />
"What is wrong, Alice?" Carlisle <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d3cf6bac-427e-4bec-a718-a2b91c77c146" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6e5bd60a-ecce-47db-b130-97e4789047d7" grcontextid="enquired:0">enquired</span> with a worried look.<br />
He glanced over in my direction waiting for me to reveal Alice's thoughts. Often this <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="caf20971-14db-4665-ab71-eadf297c14c5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f64649de-9c24-48fa-ae18-ffc39392ba2b" grcontextid="was:0">was</span> how it was done. My 'sister' would 'see' something about to develop and I would read her thoughts so I could transmit the information to my family as Alice was usually in the grip of a vision, rendering speech useless at that moment.<br />
"Father, it is not good news, I'm afraid! Alice sees Sulpicia and James <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="059a91d1-33f9-4c79-b3ed-46ac85b6c14d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="600a7cfa-ea75-4b55-bb04-908f3ed9e654" grcontextid="coming:0">coming</span> this way, with an Immortal Child! Victoria is in danger!" I blurted out, as fear washed through my body in a tidal wave.<br />
Victoria's face became paler and she visibly shook as she stood next to Emmett, who growled under his breath as he placed a protective arm around her.<br />
"Go Edward! Take Victoria and flee!" Carlisle instructed me.<br />
I held out my hand to my red haired 'sister' who flew to my side in an instant. Her evasion instinct would be working on over-drive by now. We could easily evade this vampire, at least I hoped we could.<br />
"Too late! They are here!" announced Alice, her voice laced with apprehension.<br />
Jasper flew to her side instantly, his body in front of hers, ready to protect her. My family all arranged themselves in a <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c777aeb0-cc19-4b92-aae1-f0d773ef140e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fc3fa918-11e3-4c71-8883-8994dc83675d" grcontextid="semi circle:0">semi circle</span>, Victoria was in between Carlisle and <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e60622b6-3b4e-4d48-a405-5466b054b7e1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fc3fa918-11e3-4c71-8883-8994dc83675d" grcontextid="I:1">I</span>. We stood <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="af69c7f6-afc3-4035-895a-de957cdfde51" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1cea7de4-d852-4e5e-89b0-b05394a3998a" grcontextid="to face:0">to face</span> the enemy side by side. A stunning golden haired female vampire dressed head to toe in black with red piercing eyes stood before us, with a large framed muscular blonde haired male on her left and a small dark haired child on her right, who looked quite angelic, but of course looks could be deceptive. We stood facing the trio as <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7f7f5a0a-d3e3-458e-9a24-19d7b625bd04" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="26eb426b-e72c-451f-87df-f972f6856edf" grcontextid="emotionless:0">emotionless</span> as we could be, we didn't want to act defensively until we had to. We certainly wouldn't attack unless we had to! We stood united facing the enemy of our much loved Victoria. She was paler than pale, but she managed to keep her look haughty and disinterested.<br />
The male was staring at Victoria, his red eyes boring into hers as he drank all of her in.<br />
Suddenly my 'sister' spoke, her voice high and girlish above the thunder and lightning which filled the dark skies.<br />
"How delightful to see you again James! I see you have brought a couple of guests? What is your business here in Forks?" she asked pleasantly.<br />
James smiled, a <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3d5acdab-73db-4998-99d5-132f147e69d0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="502abf68-6103-46ef-abec-3573daebeb1f" grcontextid="love-sick:0">love-sick</span> grin full of longing and desire. He loved Victoria! It was plain to see! The ice cool Sulpicia stared right at Victoria, her red gaze trying to penetrate my 'sister' with it's evil hate filled stare.<br />
"It is so good to see you Victoria!" the male called James exclaimed gladly.<br />
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e3a1ee88-31cd-44f2-b016-3968029f5c27" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="273d14c1-0ad0-496a-93b8-04dab84d2378" grcontextid="Sulpicia:0">Sulpicia</span> shot him a disapproving glare and he instantly withered under her penetrating gaze.<br />
"I forbid you to speak to the wanton harlot, James!" she said in an icy powerful voice.<br />
"I have told you many times how evil she is! Victoria abandoned you as soon as my errant husband crooked a finger at her! They believe themselves to be in love! How ridiculous! " <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="68605132-b7e9-4a32-b960-6574fec0bccb" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9eedec23-5d9a-46a7-b353-ba1eefa50884" grcontextid="she:0">she</span> added scornfully.<br />
Victoria shuddered with indignant rage, I squeezed her hand, willing her not to retaliate, but it was too late for that.<br />
"<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="16e46f05-5a2a-4d5d-a0ec-3171d367df1d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9fb7dbed-d6ac-4743-88ab-053658a8fa73" grcontextid="Sulpicia:0">Sulpicia</span>, I wish I could say it was a pleasure to see you, but I am afraid it is most definitely not. You may call me all the horrid names you desire, but the plain truth is that Aro loves <i>me</i>, he desires <i>me</i> and he most certainly abhors you in every way!" my 'sister' retorted as she held herself tall and proud in the face of adversity.<br />
I was proud of her. I was worried for her.<br />
"Do not rise to the bait, Victoria," I advised quietly.<br />
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="101f22de-72be-4741-b793-73a41867ce35" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3ef6af21-fe2e-4746-ab59-17eb5e9a9a86" grcontextid="Sulpicia's:0">Sulpicia's</span> evil hate filled stare fell onto me with pure fury.<br />
"Is this another one of your <i>lovers </i>Victoria? Not only did you steal <i>my </i>husband, you also beguiled James. He tells me you made a vampire too? Is there no end to your heinous <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4ba27f2f-e8c9-47a0-8157-fabb4f2934c9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="05c1db1e-c0ab-4b75-93ac-ad3fcea63cd8" grcontextid="behaviour:0">behaviour</span>?" she spat out furiously.<br />
Victoria stood defiant as her enemy taunted her and tried to belittle her in front of her family.<br />
"Edward is my brother! James was sent to find me by Aro, you see my lover could not exist without me! My tracker became <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2c7640f3-7531-415c-a610-7977f91eb29c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e61b390b-6964-4020-bdae-84e7d04d092a" grcontextid="enamoured:0">enamoured</span> of me, yes that is true! I made another vampire, Etienne, out of loneliness and heartbreak, which you and your evil mistress contrived to make me feel! I detest you Sulpicia! You failed in your mission to destroy me! You have taken poor James and used him as a pawn against Aro and <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3ec7d821-1099-47af-b74e-0946dd48d761" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4a02322e-546d-40e3-b063-e169a8e34341" grcontextid="I:0">I</span>. Heaven only knows what torturous <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b1b4489c-ac21-4bcb-930f-23280cfe25e7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="346cdee4-d04d-4911-a758-46386d13e604" grcontextid="behaviour:0">behaviour</span> you have bestowed upon <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="99b3e17c-7c35-419d-85ab-d449b3d35f20" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="346cdee4-d04d-4911-a758-46386d13e604" grcontextid="the poor boy this:1">the poor boy this</span> past century! You have lost! <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="101ea3ff-f3ec-4047-a2c2-2efd5e47ee45" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fabe39fb-a98b-4e52-89a4-00dbc4f4c6a1" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span> and I are <i>still </i>deeply in love and always will be!" Victoria announced, succinctly and honestly.<br />
I quivered slightly in the night air as I awaited <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8caa835b-817f-4f21-bab9-ee495e21944f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="12c384f8-13a7-4f90-8b4f-eaf0b17268f6" grcontextid="Sulpicia's response:0">Sulpicia's response</span>. James, the tracker, looked mightily confused by the unfolding events. I did not know what his mistress had promised him but it was obvious that his loyalties still lay with Victoria, rather <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="31a4fad1-9d59-45d0-b6a9-db17270f9711" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="df33ce06-8148-4a8c-bc94-f85c8113db90" grcontextid="then:0">then</span> her. The poor child just stared wide eyed at the vampires before him. The boy probably knew nothing of importance, I reckoned he was just a puppet in his mistress's sad games. Immortal children were expressly forbidden in the vampire world. I gazed at him with a mixture of morbid fascination, sadness and pity.<br />
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a83b4ab7-5415-47ba-880f-0a5ec3c4d8b2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="420f58c7-b08b-471e-9211-8dc4fe75e422" grcontextid="Sulpicia:0">Sulpicia</span> was clenching and unclenching her fists in a threatening manner, her red eyes boring into Victoria with evil intent. She suddenly gave a long drawn out screech which shattered through the night like breaking glass. She launched herself at Victoria, her claw-like hands raking her face, her sharp teeth sinking through my sister's pale marble skin to drink her blood and to drain her strength.<br />
"I will kill you whore!" she shrieked as her long nails opened Victoria's hard white skin like a knife slicing through melted butter.<br />
Oh, but she was strong!<br />
My family all looked at each other, our Father nodded and we circled the fighting females defensively, waiting for our moment to attack. We must protect Victoria, she was one of us! I saw ten pairs of yellow eyes surrounding us. The wolves were here! Of course! The Quileutes would not tolerate strange vampires on their land. Their mighty paws thundered and worried the ground, their jaws snapping and slavering with anticipation. I looked into the eyes of Jacob Black, Ephraim's great grandson and Alpha of the pack with sincere gratitude.<br />
"What is this sorcery? I shall kill this slut and I shall kill you all if you come any closer!" Sulpicia threatened nastily as she held Victoria tightly by her long red curls.<br />
"Begone all of you! Let her and I settle this for <i>once</i> and all!" she demanded, her eyes sparkling with hate and disgust.<br />
"We will never give up our 'daughter' to you! We will all fight to the death to protect her, so I suggest you let her go, <i>now!" </i>Carlisle said with passion and <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="66302d47-a6fa-4f70-9f13-278bf61d9c4c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ad8c7589-b526-4f31-87a5-ddbd75012734" grcontextid="vigour:0">vigour</span>.<br />
I was so proud of my Father right now!<br />
Suddenly a figure appeared from the trees, it was dressed all in white and appeared to be transformed with an inner glow. We all stopped and stared as it approached the center of the field, where Sulpicia was now holding Victoria viciously around the throat.<br />
"Stop!" the figure demanded in a voice which commanded attention.<br />
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1af33d69-58c3-4946-a9aa-12ad07ea36aa" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4d06af70-035b-4587-a810-972176d8aece" grcontextid="Sulpicia's:0">Sulpicia's</span> thin cruel mouth turned up at the corners in an evil smile.<br />
"Ah, Aro, my husband, at last we meet again, my love," she sighed.<br />
"Leave Victoria be! Take me instead! You know it is me whom you wish to destroy, not her!" Aro exclaimed.<br />
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="85d8dce4-91fa-4023-bfd6-1224b68d8b19" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4aa0c7ee-2156-410c-a6f7-bc63525f5e52" grcontextid="Sulpicia:0">Sulpicia</span> nodded with a wide smile playing over her beautiful face, which hid the rotting core underneath.<br />
"Will you renounce her Aro? Come with Noah and I, let's be a proper family and rule the Volturi together once more! Say you love me! Say she was a stupid fling! Say it Aro! Or I will slice her in two as we speak and burn her body parts until she is just dust blowing in the wind!" Sulpicia stated calmly with deadly intent.<br />
The wolves circled ever closer, growling threateningly at the newcomers.<br />
She placed a hand on Victoria's forehead as she directed her hateful red gaze upon her with full force. Victoria slumped against her <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2fd0728f-9d05-4de2-a7f1-15455fe1643a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="21521aa9-059b-4f9e-a602-567ee7b8c126" grcontextid="powerless:0">powerless</span> to stop Sulpicia's power of confusion. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d0f7722a-8f76-4cd6-9a08-53751c4549ce" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="80dc2f36-f4eb-43c1-9009-9fda4223cd90" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span> roared very loudly in sheer anger as he rushed towards his hateful wife with the utmost rage and fury.<br />
There was a swirling of black and white with splashes of red where sharp teeth and nails made blood flow as the two old powerful vampires fought each other. I quickly snatched Victoria up into my arms and out of reach of the whirling furious entity. She clung to me like a lost little girl and I felt my protective nature rise up in my heart as I encircled her in a strong embrace. I would not allow anyone to hurt her!<br />
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b38bce98-0294-41ea-8aad-ebfb0d266222" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a06a99ae-f166-4e9c-9e2f-dccfa140eb06" grcontextid="Sulpicia:0">Sulpicia</span> and Aro fell apart and stood a yard or so away from the other, their red eyes full of hatred and disgust. The fight had been equal by all accounts, they both had the same number of savage bleeding wounds. Before, Aro could stop her, his wife launched herself at James and ripped his head off in one fell swoop. Victoria's cry of anguish echoed around the clearing as I clasped her to me. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d2867d7c-8684-4182-b890-25d2b92b183f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="89ef4f11-caa8-4bcd-b3bd-5cded0eef727" grcontextid="Sulpicia:0">Sulpicia</span> threw her head back as she silently shook and writhed in mirth. She stared Victoria straight in the eyes with a malicious hateful stare which sent shivers down my spine. How evil she was! I now knew why Victoria had felt so powerless and weak against her in the past. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="31aa65e3-5059-403f-ba28-6dba8346babf" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8c88628a-f373-4604-a0b5-94c24737a164" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span> also cried out as James's poor dismembered body fell to the ground. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="81499efa-1c76-41a7-9ec6-d8cdfbf32710" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4daa0853-2f1b-41af-8346-34a68d18b175" grcontextid="Sulpicia:0">Sulpicia</span> laughed with black joy as she watched her enemies suffer. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a6e3eb22-b4a6-4d17-b172-31ce862e2ede" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c2e0bbcb-c0a5-46ca-831b-b4c7570aef90" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span> went forward to attack her but she held him back with her hateful ability. Victoria and Aro both lay still on the ground as Sulpicia unleashed the full force of her power onto the couple.<br />
My family and the wolves were poised to attack but she let her power loose on us too, rendering us all completely incapable of retaliation. She whirled around as the thunder ripped through the night sky and the lightning lit up the clearing as if daylight had descended such was the intensity of its electric glow. She laughed maniacally as the storm raged all around us. Then, she fell to the floor, a stake through her black as <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a2c237c8-351f-485d-92f6-9f4fe7007358" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7a177350-bc33-4815-b2f1-91e3f8df2392" grcontextid="coal dead heart:0">coal dead heart</span>. Noah had run a baseball bat right through her with his immortal strength. She clasped the bat as her venom blood ran into the ground like rain.<br />
"Noah?" she gurgled in surprise as blood trickled from her mouth and she started to disintegrate before her child's red dispassionate eyes.<br />
"Oh Mother! Did you think I had forgiven you for taking me away from my mortal family? I was just waiting to awake and plan my revenge on you! Oh I have waited a long time to see the true death take you! Goodbye Sulpicia, <i>forever!" </i>the child crowed with delight.<br />
We all stared at the small boy in absolute disbelief. Did that really occur? He killed Sulpicia? Yes, it was true, she was just dust and bones blowing in the storm. Gone for good.<br />
Victoria ran <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d8ab751f-fba9-482f-873e-91eef529453d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c1b74b7b-db47-470f-aac8-6c0cccbbff5f" grcontextid="to:0">to</span> Noah and held him close to her, "Oh you poor child! I often dreamt of you with wonder and sadness. I always prayed you would escape your tomb one day! Oh thank you Noah! You <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a2e3e8bd-bd36-411d-9d22-bc5f2920ef89" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0c849ac6-4df0-4e59-be7a-a293b889aa18" grcontextid="slayed:0">slayed</span> the evil witch! My existence will never be the same again, I can feel safe, I can be with the man I love freely, and I can take you with us into a life filled with love and hope, not despair and horror!" my 'sister' exclaimed passionately as she clasped the little vampire to her.<br />
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0c55aadb-d67d-474d-b290-b5d15eddb0cb" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5aa8873c-f302-4bda-9d07-d39051904cbb" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span> came to them, he put his arms around them both and if he could have wept I am positive I would have seen <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7bb7a3f7-4e04-46a2-971d-14cb8edaacc4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5aa8873c-f302-4bda-9d07-d39051904cbb" grcontextid="tears:1">tears</span> fall down his perfect marble face.<br />
How touching this scene was! My family and the wolves retreated to give the trio some privacy. We disposed of James and also threw Sulpicia's ashes onto the pyre just in case she could return. We returned home to discuss the night's events at length, with disbelief and wonder. I glanced back as we left the clearing to see Aro and Victoria holding Noah's hands, joyful smiles on their pale faces and pure love in their vampire hearts. It made me feel ecstatically happy and it also made me feel infinitely sad.<br />
<i>Would I ever find someone who made me feel complete, who loved me with all their heart and soul and on whom I could rely on for evermore?</i><br />
<hr size="1" />
<b>Chapter 27: Chapter 27</b><br />
<hr size="1" />
<u>CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN</u><br />
<i>A/N: This chapter is from Victoria's perspective again. Little Flame is reaching its conclusion, thank you so much for reading my story. Of course, the story is still AU - as these events did not occur in Twilight:)</i><br />
How good it was to be alive! I really thought my existence had come to an end in that field during the almighty thunderstorm which shook the heavens. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="23030e81-b422-4afb-9e34-962dad5730eb" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="18a6919f-bc67-4c98-ae46-afaae0920699" grcontextid="Sulpicia:0">Sulpicia</span> had appeared out of the chaos to wreak havoc upon me and my family. Luckily she didn't succeed. My maker had turned up as if from out of nowhere, like an angel he had lit up the darkness of the night and saved me once more. He always wore black, never white! It suited him so well, the stark contrast of the bright whiteness against his raven black hair and his pale skin was stunningly attractive to me. He had arrived a few hours <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="823cc8b5-db10-45f0-9e3f-821000438ecb" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f9084103-22e8-49ea-a1b1-11c5062077ee" grcontextid="early:0">early</span> than we had planned, he had meant to surprise me, but he had ended up being the shocked one when my scent led him to the clearing. There he had found Sulpicia holding me tightly around my neck in her vise like grip. They had fought a deadly fight, but even so, the evil witch had managed to use her devastating power on us with horrific consequences. If it hadn't been for Noah then we would have all been struck down by her.<br />
I was extremely sad about James, he hadn't deserved to die like that. I was immensely happy about Noah though, how delightful it was to see the little boy free. I was worried he might not forgive Aro for locking him in that secret sealed tomb, but the little boy bore no ill will towards my dearest maker. He had spent centuries waiting and waiting to be set free, so he could exact revenge on his evil vampire mother. He knew Aro's actions had been noble in their own way and as he lay still and silent in that tomb he had built up hatred for his 'mother', letting it simmer within him, and even when he was barely conscious he had planned Sulpicia's downfall. It had taken <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fc3f57d1-ff9f-45e8-8f44-efc21c6ebd9d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="556ef6d2-f1b2-4cbd-b2fb-28f77eeeeae1" grcontextid="awhile:0">awhile</span>, but finally the opportunity had arisen and Noah grabbed it with both hands, killing his 'mother' with a baseball bat driven straight through her black evil heart. Vampires could only be killed two ways, either destroy their still hearts or cut off their heads. In both cases the remains had to be burned or some slight consciousness may linger. No one knew if vampires could come back from their true death. No one wanted to chance it though and destruction by fire was usually the done thing after killing one of us.<br />
Surprisingly, despite his ordeal and his horrific existence so far, Noah was a delightfully pleasant child! He loved me instantly and now he was warming to Aro, hour by hour, minute by minute, he was starting to place his trust in him, which made me very happy indeed. We would be like a proper family, something which I had craved for all eternity. I had spent centuries alone, the Cullen's had finally shown me what family really meant, now I had a chance to have my own and I was ecstatic. I thought nothing could make me happier than that, but I was wrong. The morning after the incident in the clearing, Aro spirited me away to the mountains near Vancouver where he let me show him how <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="cc05630b-afcd-4a32-b42d-81a49fe33fc0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bade8a39-5c51-440b-a76b-4b7533ab99c9" grcontextid="us:0">us</span> "vegetarians" liked to hunt! He was fascinated by the way I stalked and brought down a large predator from the animal kingdom. His red eyes widened with amusement and pride as he watched me drink from the beast.<br />
"Victoria! You never ever fail to delight and astound me, my only love! I can see how this new lifestyle of yours <i>could </i>work!" he exclaimed excitedly.<br />
I grinned up at him, my lips smeared with the fresh red blood of the mountain lion I had just killed and fed upon.<br />
"Come to me, <i>little flame," </i>he growled with pent up lustful desire.<br />
We had not touched intimately nor kissed in half a year. Last night there had been too much talking and other stuff to do, so our alone time had taken a back seat. Now it was time for <i>us.</i> I rose up to meet him eagerly, my mouth finding his and claiming it in a long hungry passionate kiss which shook my very soul with its intensity. We clasped our hands tightly around the other as if to never let go.<br />
"We do not have to let go, not now my sweet. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="74e8a3b9-00cb-4e33-a359-bcdfe455bbb5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3ef5400d-fdba-4f8c-ab92-85e27334e507" grcontextid="Sulpicia:0">Sulpicia</span> is dead! We can truly be together now, if you still desire it?" Aro <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fb94f7ea-945f-412f-ac06-239c82854bad" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fc993bbd-bd18-4bc1-9827-7aad74e38744" grcontextid="asked:0">asked</span> me between kisses.<br />
My still heart felt like it might explode out of my marble chest with such encompassing love.<br />
"I desire that more than anything in the whole universe, Aro!" I whispered softly against his pale cheek as my hands wove themselves into his silky black hair.<br />
"Marry me then! Please, say you will marry me?" he asks, his voice cracking with emotion.<br />
I smile and I want to scream loudly with joy, but my wicked streak wants to tease him.<br />
"Only if you do it properly, my love. I am an old fashioned girl, remember!" I giggle impishly in his ear.<br />
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="313b5cb5-8fe3-4179-9d8f-287bb5fad3d3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="00002eef-3205-412c-b366-8e88831d6b11" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span> bends down on one knee in front of me, as he takes my small pale hand in his.<br />
"Victoria Taylor, would you do me the great <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="512fa7b7-5203-40d0-aef3-47d0c5846805" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5541e97a-03b8-4dd7-9b80-47e67852195c" grcontextid="honour:0">honour</span> of becoming my wife? I will promise to love you completely for the rest of my existence!" he says, his red eyes shining with love for me.<br />
"My answer is yes, Aro. I <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1039708c-bcdb-4d0d-8350-4ff79aa3b9e1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1a045495-e927-4b85-bf0c-9f84517afb14" grcontextid="have prayed:0">have prayed</span> for this day for the longest time. Of course, my answer is YES!" I shout excitedly, as we fall together on the soft green grass.<br />
The sun is high in the azure sky as we come together as one in pure love, rainbows dance on our skin and fireworks explode behind my closed eyes as I give myself to the only one I have ever truly loved. My still heart soars in rapture like the eagles who float above us. Two otherworldly pale creatures making love in the bright new morning. A new beginning, a new chapter in our entwining hearts and lives. So much time has passed since my maker engraved himself on my heart. So many things have happened to us both, but neither time nor tide can erase or change our love for one another. It is constant, unwavering and true. At his precise moment in time I am the happiest I have ever been. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6f493077-df85-4b9c-b714-2c4ca84dfaf6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="db25e180-0b29-492b-8ba0-a1c10d6499cb" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span> will be mine, completely, <i>my husband!</i><br />
He smiles against my throat as he kisses me there, "Oh Victoria, your thoughts mirror mine. I am insanely ecstatic right now. I am free to be yours and I really mean that. I am <i>yours</i>, in every way. We must start a new life! I have no more interest in being a Volturi leader! I would rather take up the most noble position of being your husband than go back to that old life. I would also like to take Noah with us, he can live with us, he can be the child we will never have. What do you think Victoria? Would you be happy with a simple family life, just the three of us?" he asked as he held me oh so tightly to him.<br />
"I would be very happy." I stated simply, with the widest joyous smile on my face.<br />
I suggested to Aro that we could live in England. My mansion was perfect for an extraordinary family to live in. We decided we would leave Forks within the week. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="43fae1be-4755-4251-965b-6c710d4bfefd" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f6ab31a6-ccbc-462c-bdb9-0f9b9c5f356a" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span> would telephone Marcus and Caius to let them know he would not be back for <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="152a94d4-864a-46d0-aa4c-53475a3f3a26" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f6ab31a6-ccbc-462c-bdb9-0f9b9c5f356a" grcontextid="awhile:1">awhile</span>. He would not tell them our location but he would promise to go back to Italy if they needed him. This was the most shocking part of it all, Aro had lived for the Volturi once upon a time, I never contemplated that he would discard his leadership for me.<br />
"Ah Victoria, I have done that job for a long, long time. I deserve a better existence, surely? I have waited many many years to be able to be with you. If we are going to be together then I want to do it properly!" he stated passionately as his lips descended on mine once more.<br />
Much later, as twilight descended over the mountains we disentangled our sated bodies and dressed each other lovingly. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fe1f040e-b4c7-43b2-8afe-bf5a72361753" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5f21d428-92f0-4f2f-903c-0d70f0e82997" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span> trailed a finger slowly down my cheek and smiled as he gazed into my eyes.<br />
"Victoria, I love you, intensely and completely. Let us return to Forks now. We can talk to Noah about our plans and let the Cullen's into our delicious secret!"<br />
He was so <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a816aab9-9907-4f14-9ef9-55cd598d3c9f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="77f8015a-651a-4784-a76c-81b4db3b5d68" grcontextid="care-free:0">care-free</span> and youthful right now. Although in human terms Aro was only twenty one years old to me he'd always seemed eternally old, graceful, powerful and wise. I guess that is because he was all of those things.<br />
He nodded and smiled, "Victoria I am all of those things and more. From this moment forwards I promise to only give to you the best parts of me. Come, fly with me my love, through the approaching night, towards our future, our destiny. It has always been<i> you</i>, Victoria."<br />
Oh how his words thrilled me as I placed my hand in his and we sprinted down the mountainside towards home.<br />
We spent a few more pleasant days with the Cullens, I was sad to be leaving them but I knew it wasn't our last goodbye. I would see them all again, they would visit us and we would visit them. I loved my adoptive family with all of my silent heart. They would always be very dear to me. I went to each one individually and told them how much they meant to me and how much I would miss them.<br />
Now, it is time to seek out Edward, my best friend and my <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4a14fdcd-3e17-486c-a18a-ffb76d9c058e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ca38262e-05e7-49a0-82c0-0ac399f368dc" grcontextid="favourite:0">favourite</span> member of the family.<br />
I will hand him this last chapter to transform into the typed word. He has changed my ancient manuscript into something tremendously good. I do not know what he intends to do with it after this, but I will leave it in his trustworthy and safe hands. Then I will hold him close to me and tell him how he has been my rock. No one could ever be so amazingly wonderful and kind as Edward Cullen had been to me. I lost my darling Lizzie centuries ago and I didn't think I would ever share that sibling closeness again, but Edward has become all of that and more. I will miss him most awfully. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="19716a46-0ad4-4ee4-a42a-0a8fd4fd7096" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="cb47b02f-6c59-4fcb-a961-14b5b8fc7f17" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span> knows how I feel about Edward and he will welcome him with open arms to England whenever he wishes to visit. Which I hope will be often. I know Edward will smile that wonderful crooked smile of his when he reads this. So, my darling brother, this is just for you...<br />
<i>If you need me I'll be there, if you miss me just call, if you are sad think of me.</i><i>"You'd better hold on tight, spider monkey." ( see footnote )</i><br />
I laugh at our private joke. I will miss the fun we had, but look at what I am gaining? I know my Edward will be happy for me. I will hope and pray that he finds his true love soon, he completely and utterly deserves someone to adore, who will see how special he is and love him back faithfully with total devotion.<br />
So, here it is, my last words; My long existence has brought me here, to this point in time, after centuries of loneliness, despair and longing. I will marry Aro in a few hours, when dawn breaks over the horizon. Not an arranged marriage, but a true union of like minded soul mates who both loved the other very much for evermore. Carlisle became an ordained priest on line yesterday, isn't it amazing what the internet can do? Although it holds no interest for me, I still am in awe of it, and all the other inventions of this new century. My adoptive father will bind Aro and I together as man and wife in a short but sweet ceremony right here in the gardens of this place I have called home. I stare at my reflection in the mirror, I am wearing a long tight sheath of delicate pearl satin, my red curls are piled high on my head and my topaz eyes are alight with an inner happy glow. Yes, I <i></i><i></i><i></i><i></i><i></i><i></i><i></i><i></i><i></i><i></i><i></i><i></i><i></i><i></i><i></i><i></i><i></i><i></i><i></i><i></i><i></i><i></i><i></i><i></i><i></i><i></i><i></i><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f49ca2e6-bc0d-4681-b8ea-986368b11fe0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="cfe01565-0517-484c-bbfe-cbe9e5baaed4" grcontextid="ambeautiful:0"><i></i><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7866cc4b-28c9-4f9d-90c7-f106fbf9fbeb" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="808fbbc4-7bd6-4e1c-9e4a-916ce50360e7" grcontextid="ambeautiful:0"><i>am </i>beautiful</span></span>.<br />
It is time to find Edward, for it was decided he would give me away to the vampire I love with all of my heart and soul.<br />
I say my goodbyes to you dear reader, thank you for listening to my story, I hope it has brought you some joy that I have found my happy ending. I wish you all the best whomever you are, wherever you are. No matter what you <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5d358edd-d792-4313-ac6d-17a9af45f2ee" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d72b4b65-04cb-4bd3-b06f-fe5193a2ff69" grcontextid="do always let:0">do always let</span> love and light into your heart, for those are the things that count. That is all.<br />
Victoria ~<i> "Little Flame "</i><br />
October 9th 2012.<br />
<i>A/N: Catherine Hardwicke - director of Twilight - gave Rob Pattinson a few different lines to choose from for the scene where Bella jumps on his back for the first time before he speeds off into the woods with her! This is the line he chose - </i><i>"You'd better hold on tight, spider monkey." I just love that line!</i><br />
<u>EPILOGUE</u><br />
<u>Part One</u><br />
Edward Cullen:<br />
Forks High School, once again. It had been a long time since I'd walked through these doors, but here I was back for another new term. No one would know us, the second or third generation would attend this school now. The rest of my family was walking a little way ahead of me, I was lagging behind, my thoughts on Victoria and how much I was missing her today. She always loved the first day of a new school. The sights, the sounds and the smell of all the pupils as they excitedly made their way into a brand new term, with lots of possibilities and happy dreams.<br />
I was ecstatic for Victoria, she had looked radiant as she pledged her vows of marriage to Aro. They gazed into each others eyes with love and desire, their mutual adoration plain to see. They had left Forks two weeks ago now and I truly missed her. Noah was such a sweet character, I enjoyed his company, I would have liked the chance to be a father myself. I was glad he had new parents who would love, care for and protect him.<br />
I was completely lost in thought so I didn't notice the girl at first, not until she collided into me clumsily and with a small cry she fell to the ground in an undignified heap. I quickly held out a hand to her and pulled her up swiftly, letting go as fast as possible so she would not notice my cold skin. She was petite with long brown hair and large chocolate brown eyes in a pretty pale face. I was instantly captivated by her scent, it was like nothing I had experienced before. I was falling down into the depths of those mysterious brown eyes unable to stop myself.<br />
She smiled up at me shyly, "So sorry, I am such a clumsy idiot! I am new here, my name is Isabella Swan."<br />
I tried to recover my composure and even though I was drowning in that scent and those eyes, I managed to choke out a reply, "Pleased to meet you Miss Swan. I am also new here and my name is Edward Cullen."<br />
"Oh please call me Bella," she smiled and I was lost, completely lost.<br />
<i>I fell in love with her right there, right then.</i><br />
<u>Part Two</u><br />
Deep in the dark forests surrounding Rome, there is an old castle whom the locals say is haunted. It is, but not by spirits of the dead. There within those damp decaying ancient walls dwell two insane very old vampires who live off rats and insects which scurry through the derelict building in search of food.<br />
The male Desiderius is so old that his skin is paper thin and see through. He barely speaks and he lies in a discarded decaying coffin praying for true death.<br />
The female Athenodora sits by the window staring out into the trees, her features clouded with madness. She clutches a letter to her breast with clawed withered hands.<br />
<i>You must come back to Volterra at once mistress! <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f54eab16-4856-489a-a10c-9dbca860b8a9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e1505ce7-89b6-4385-8bc8-961a97f160ed" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span> has gone, spies tell us he has married Victoria and they live somewhere in England with the immortal child of Sulpicia! It is heinous, villainous and most disrespectful to you and the ancient one! Once you ruled us with an iron fist, please I beg of you to come back, we need you, the vampire population needs you! Desiderius and Athenodora on the throne once more! How the underlings would bow and scrape! Come back to us our King and Queen. Let us help you restore the Volturi to what it once was before these defilers and <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9c64e2e5-18e9-4e9d-815f-85b456732e8b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="be7a20e7-1374-48fe-af63-6088d801d971" grcontextid="debaucher's:0">debaucher's</span> let if fall into ruin! I eagerly await your reply with exquisite anticipation,</i><br />
<i>Yours faithfully ( and forever your 'husband')</i><br />
<i>Caius</i><br />
THE END<br />
<hr size="1" />
<b>Chapter 29: Alternative Ending</b><br />
<hr size="1" />
<u>ALTERNATIVE ENDING</u><br />
<i>A/N: So I decided to write an alternative ending, just to see how it would feel. I hope you enjoy it - but don't worry the first ending is my REAL ending, just so you know ;) The following is written from Aro's POV.</i><br />
As soon as I arrived at the Cullen's empty home during a wild twilight thunderstorm I knew something was not right. Call it vampire intuition. Call it a sixth sense. Call it whatever you will but I knew my beloved little flame was in serious trouble. I fled into the trees behind the house swiftly, my keen sense of smell working over-time to pick up her scent. I caught it on the trees as I sped past at lightning fast speed, I caught it on the air all around me as I flew through the rainy forest. Thunder clapped heavily in the sky and the approaching night was lit up with forks of dazzling light. Victoria's scent was unique, special and utterly divine. It called to me like a siren song. How I loved the way she smelled, the way she looked and her very essence. She was a drug to me and my love for her had never waned over the centuries since I had made her. Our relationship had not been an easy one but it had given me joy and immense untold pleasure, which made up for the hard times.<br />
As I crashed through the trees desperate to find her, my feeling of foreboding would not abate and it was imperative I get to my love <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5607692e-0f53-4114-82e9-e605ad1bec27" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e7adebec-a799-42bb-8e2c-540edea49b78" grcontextid="soon:0">soon</span>. If only I was not married to the most despicable woman in the entire world! I would immensely adore Victoria to be my wife. I dare not hope for such a happy ending, our history had taught me that. I could not wait to see her beautiful face again, her now topaz eyes and her pale luminous skin. Her eyes would turn liquid amber when she saw me, it had been half a year already since I had last kissed and held her to me. Our passion for each other never dwindled but only became stronger with each passing year. How I loved to hold her smooth marble body to mine as we fell into the ecstasy and joy of our perfect love-making. She was all I needed at that moment, even blood did not enthrall me when I had my love in my arms. My still ancient heart was hers forever more. No one knew me like she did and no one would ever touch my heart and soul as she could. <i>I loved her.</i><br />
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0e3ab1d4-3320-421a-820d-b53ae5d0418d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e6ffe314-74d3-4ca6-b793-2b414c93c163" grcontextid="Sulpicia:0">Sulpicia</span> would have to accept this if she ever returned. I hoped she would never come back, then I would hope she would. I was torn between the two outcomes. I wanted to renounce her but I did not want to see her loathsome face again. I hoped she was too tied up with Noah to care about me or Victoria again, but then there was James, my fledgling, where was he? I could not wish a life with Sulpicia on anyone despite the peace and quiet I had experienced without my errant wife around. I <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c0052b08-f0f4-475e-b059-ae04b53ffe30" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="df7cd5e0-1bff-4909-8b21-97ff87cfd1bd" grcontextid="daren't hope:0">daren't hope</span> that she would never return <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fc313ba2-ac8b-4dbd-8b8d-2e1ae10e5afe" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="df7cd5e0-1bff-4909-8b21-97ff87cfd1bd" grcontextid="for:1">for</span> I would most likely have my hopes dashed severely. So, I revelled in life without her and the times I could spend with Victoria. I made it my solemn vow to see my love at least once a year. I could not take her with me to Volterra, not whilst Sulpicia was still out there somewhere. Our meetings were special and exciting, our nights filled with passion, our days filled with talking and laughter. I could never regret saving Victoria's life, never regret changing her. I had fallen in love with her almost instantaneously, before I let my venom enter her veins, before she became hard, marble and <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="34ae43e2-22b4-497c-9e33-1927cdfcff87" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3889691a-4c24-4d8f-800a-28785a74a886" grcontextid="undead:0">undead</span>. I tried to resist her, but it was futile. We were destined to be together.<br />
Her scent is strong now. I burst out from the trees and into a large open clearing. The Cullen's are all there, standing in a semi circle. There are wolves standing with them defiantly and proudly. James is there with a small dark-haired boy. <i>Noah!</i> Then my red eyes take in the horror that is <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="483fffcd-3495-4517-a56f-3c9b505b8780" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d7d79cc6-5fda-469b-b370-58e2f2314c5f" grcontextid="Sulpicia:0">Sulpicia</span> gripping my beloved Victoria around her pale slender throat with claw-like hands. My <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="afa5f4fd-4973-4c5b-9643-aca8558eee64" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ecc0a9f9-f74b-47f6-88d7-2c66ad0a9bf3" grcontextid="lovers:0">lovers</span> face is torn and bleeding, fresh wounds in her pretty skin which would thankfully heal. I let out a roar of sheer anger and furious hate in the direction of my evil wife.<br />
"Stop!" I commanded.<br />
All eyes turned towards me, my loves the only ones I focused on. Oh she was frightened but her eyes glowed with love and admiration for me. I supposed I must look like an avenging angel. I had dressed all in white to surprise my darling. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7a502a96-ac2d-4ccd-a59d-747ba3773967" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c0ea00fd-dc6f-4eb7-8106-d62033fe401c" grcontextid="Sulpicia's:0">Sulpicia's</span> red <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c9caef5e-5cc7-471f-b8d7-e00aac1a91e3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c0ea00fd-dc6f-4eb7-8106-d62033fe401c" grcontextid="gaze:1">gaze</span> <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8248bb6e-41fc-48b3-b51c-89a14ab31103" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c0ea00fd-dc6f-4eb7-8106-d62033fe401c" grcontextid="penetrated:2">penetrated</span> me with pure fury and she sneered viciously in my direction.<br />
"Ah, Aro, my husband, at last we meet again, my love," she sighed.<br />
The poor deluded crazy bitch! How could she speak such false words laced with sickly sweet intonations to me? Insanity! I growled low in my throat with anger as the whole clearing seemed to hold its breath, figuratively speaking, waiting for my reaction.<br />
"Leave Victoria be! Take me instead! You know it is me whom you wish to destroy, not her!" I exclaimed.<br />
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e0b3fadc-1794-4a48-ba4a-8e4ca1343e32" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ee03b4dc-efb2-46e6-974c-74ab8da64e29" grcontextid="Sulpicia:0">Sulpicia</span> gazed beatifically at me, her smile wide and knowing. How could someone so beautiful be so evil to the core?<br />
"Will you renounce her Aro? Come with Noah and I, let's be a proper family and rule the Volturi together once more! Say you love me! Say she was a stupid fling! Say it Aro! Or I will slice her in two as we speak and burn her body parts until she is just dust blowing in the wind!" Sulpicia stated calmly with deadly intent.<br />
I growled again with viciousness in my heart and mind. I sprang towards her with savage intent just as she directed her full power onto my beloved. As Victoria fell to the ground I saw Edward Cullen reach out to lift her into safety, then Sulpicia and I were <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="736ce96c-bce8-4e03-a029-a2738716fc0e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3aa4bd26-f599-4550-b7e5-3f4a3950f647" grcontextid="on:0">on</span> each other like rabid dogs. We snarled and growled, tore and slashed, broke bones and ripped sinew as we fought as never before. Her thoughts were a mass of black confusion. All I could pick up from her mind was sheer hatred of Victoria and I. How I wanted to destroy her such was my hate and angry disgust for this evil creature! We finally came apart and stared at each other maliciously as we waited defensively for the others attack. I did not see her next move coming, so swift and deadly was she. Poor James lay with his head severed from his body as Sulpicia laughed with evil joy in her black heart. Edward and Carlisle restrained her as the wolves growled and snapped their slavering jaws.<br />
"No!" Victoria cried out, her sadness evident as she ran to my poor fledglings body.<br />
"Oh no! <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="44a02ac2-daf2-4364-b00a-5eee8030e9e8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5b37948b-5d6a-410a-96bc-bc2f33f07637" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span>! She killed him! She killed James!" <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ee996b8d-1b4e-4574-a42c-3955c5d568f7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e5e5ee89-ab1a-4000-9038-97bc944d82a0" grcontextid="my:0">my</span> love cried out in despair.<br />
She ran to me, flinging herself into my arms with longing and adoration. I held her to me gratefully revelling in her beguiling scent.<br />
"Oh Aro, how I love you!" she stated boldly, her lips touching mine with a feather light kiss full of love and desire.<br />
"As I love and adore you, my only love," I whispered against her red curls as I held her tightly to me in gratitude of her safety and well-being.<br />
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f573fc24-2a34-4678-800c-2742379d08a4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f7d85ea2-c02d-43ec-8eea-112c081f1867" grcontextid="Sulpicia:0">Sulpicia</span> roared behind us with an insane screech filled with anger, hate and desperation. She broke free of the strong arms which held her and rushed towards us much too swiftly for me to halt the horrific events unfolding. Edward screamed and my face contorted in pain as I felt the long thin knife she held in her hand go straight through my back and into my still heart. I fell to the ground, the blade staking me, draining my immortal life from me as my venom blood spilled out of the deadly wound in my chest. I gripped the knife with <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="13a1983d-0f0b-4374-8300-fba271528fc9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9e78a2dd-f7c0-4976-8640-9b7192805f39" grcontextid="both hands but to:0">both hands but to</span> no avail, it had pierced me all the way through and I had no strength to remove it now. I was cold, so cold, even colder and icier than usual. Victoria screamed in heart-breaking anguish as she watched me fall to the ground, my ancient life fading away before her eyes.<br />
"Oh Aro! What has she done? Do not leave me, my love! I cannot exist without you! <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f9d09100-765c-4938-baf3-bcf22baad44a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c4f5944e-4d11-4fee-9264-c75df132a127" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span>, Aro! Please come back!" my little flame shrieked in pain as I became dust and bones in the wind blowing through the clearing.<br />
My last sight <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2cfd7bcc-33dd-4aac-bc9d-e55a0c8be3b6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="123a7e1e-61c2-4060-9b3b-e499309f6b5c" grcontextid="with:0">with</span> vampire eyes was Victoria's beautiful amber gaze penetrating my soul with searing unending love. As my immortal body blew away I was surprised to find my soul, my very essence leaving the ground and travelling upwards into the deep midnight blue sky. Vampires did have souls! We were not so damned after all! I almost laughed out loud with giddy relief but found that my voice would not come, not yet. My body was now ethereal and gauzy. My fingers made sweeping starlight as I moved them through the air. How delightful! I gazed at my grief-stricken lover below me. She had never looked more beautiful to me and I saw her aura, she had always been able to see mine but hers had been hidden from me. Now it shone and shimmered with silver and greens, so beautiful, so perfect, so wondrous, just like she truly was. How I loved her, even more so than before.<br />
Noah was rushing towards Sulpicia with Edward's discarded baseball bat, meaning to do his 'mother' serious harm. Carlisle intercepted him though and the other Cullen's roughly grabbed Sulpicia and whisked her away from the clearing to deal with her someplace else. I hoped they would not kill her. I did not want her following me into the <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="99b40186-b800-42d2-b1b7-4413dd1ad714" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e592126c-fd96-47e3-a007-133f8e4ba555" grcontextid="after-life:0">after-life</span>! I watched as Edward held Victoria to him as he tried to soothe and calm her as she broke her stone heart in two over me. He was a good vampire. I liked him immensely. Carlisle had done a fantastic job there. Like father like son. Victoria clung to Edward desperately, her grief threatening to overwhelm her completely. He spoke softly to her as she felt the pain of loss keenly in her beautiful vampire mind.<br />
"My dearest Victoria, it is truly awful what happened tonight, but you must continue your life, for Aro, for me! I will not hear of such infinitely silly plans to destroy yourself! We do not know that vampires have souls! You may condemn yourself to a world of blackness of nothingness! <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3c2ad391-1707-4f2c-9a49-3cbf8be44e0a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8c2e87ab-21e0-4014-980e-87a34bb471f5" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span> would not wish that for you, he loved you! <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f546bc47-82c5-4ca2-a7b8-0a22356d3ecc" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4e2a7e17-8206-4705-a8a4-b46d52e4c211" grcontextid="Please:0">Please</span> Victoria! Do not think such things! You will stay here with us, you are family, we will take care of you and in time your grief will pass!" Edward stated as he stroked her flame hair.<br />
"Oh Edward! How can I live without my love, my reason for this existence, my lover and my maker? I should rather face an eternity of nothingness! " <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="21a96b62-3b72-4d0c-90f0-e095750841bd" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="811745cb-5355-457f-846e-aff9a86e3f97" grcontextid="my:0">my</span> darling girl wailed with sorrow.<br />
"No! I forbid it! You will survive this Victoria! I promise you!" Edward said with passion as he held her fiercely to him.<br />
I watched the scene unfold before me and how I wished I could kiss my angel's ruby lips one more time, but I was insubstantial, I was no longer hard, marble and real. I would never hold her nor kiss her again. I would never feel her body next to mine as we celebrated our love. I was suddenly overcome with a sense of rage and <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="edcfc4dc-7b5a-4168-8598-d5d831dc5a38" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="299aeb99-b12d-40f0-8cdc-f0ee1e679476" grcontextid="unjustness:0">unjustness</span>. I found myself being torn away from the scene and I flew over the mountains, to Alaska, then further to the <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4dc659d3-3abb-4b9a-a92e-28dac073051e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7a736f36-85b1-47b7-84fc-477179c8d820" grcontextid="Artic:0">Artic</span> lands where the icy vastness seemed immense and infinite. The rest of the Cullen's were incarcerating Sulpicia in a sealed coffin which they then placed deep down inside her tomb which was an underground icy cavern where no one would ever find her. She would dry up and become a desiccated husk, but her mind would still function until insanity took her over completely. It was more fitting for her than the true death!<br />
I laughed and my voice came into being. My laughter was like soft tinkling bells and I felt my whole being <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a182baed-004d-4d32-981a-28541f7de14d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2a735b0b-c054-46f6-8b79-a3487cfffd76" grcontextid="become:0">become</span> lighter and freer. My death was avenged. I would never get to be with Victoria again but I was still here in this new form. I could come back to watch over her in time, but for now a higher power summoned me and I saw some bright lights fall towards me from above. How wonderful this part was as I felt a deep love surround me. The entities became more solid, more substantial and I could see their features clearly. They all smiled beatifically at me. It was my human family. They held me as we soared higher and higher, beyond the stars and moon into an infinite wondrous realm of light and music, where <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2f48b4d6-fa4a-41fd-bae5-b9c4e5fde3b9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c134aa80-403e-4925-868d-641e57b46379" grcontextid="colour:0">colour</span> and sound blended together to create lush landscapes of pure beauty.<br />
<i>I was home.</i><br />
<i>FIVE YEARS LATER...</i><br />
So, finally, I was allowed to return to the earthly plane, after a drop in time in that other place. Such a wonderful place where you learnt and were taught, where you loved and were loved unconditionally despite your past misgivings. I was ghostly and insubstantial, but I could observe and hear the inhabitants clearly, although they could not see me.<br />
Victoria and Edward were laying on the grass staring up at the sun in a beautiful meadow filled with abundant wildflowers. Their skin was sparkling with rainbows and diamonds, such a beautiful sight. I felt a longing rise up in me as I gazed at the two vampires. Edward took Victoria's hand and raised it gently to his lips then reverently kissed her smooth white skin. She sighed as their dazzling topaz eyes locked on each other intently. Their gaze was full of love and contentment.<br />
I felt joyous for the couple although it was bittersweet. They had obviously found happiness with each other, of which I was glad. Victoria deserved someone sweet like Edward. I knew he had adored her from the minute he set eyes on her, so it was not a shock to find them together like this. I was happy for my<i> little flame</i>. Her face was lit up with an inner glow of happiness. So delightful to see. I smiled to myself wistfully. Edward propped himself up with one elbow as he traced a finger delicately down Victoria's pale cheek. He brought his lips to hers in a kiss so sweet it was devastatingly good to see. The whole meadow shimmered with the light reflecting from these beautiful creatures as they kissed perfectly in the rare sunshine.<br />
My ghost heart leaped with wonder as Edward pulled Victoria to her feet. He then proceeded to kneel before her as he took her hand in his.<br />
""Victoria Taylor?" he looked up at her through his impossibly long lashes, his golden eyes soft but, somehow, still scorching. "I promise to love you forever, every single day of forever. Will you marry me?" ( A/N: <i>adapted from Eclipse Chapter 20, page 460 )</i><br />
Her screams of "Yes!" echoed around the meadow as they embraced each other joyously. Oh I was happy, I had wanted to make Victoria my wife, but it was not to be, now she would be Edward Cullen's wife which made perfect and absolute sense in every way.<br />
Somehow, the universe was right, everything was falling into place, wonderfully so.<br />
The happy couple kissed again and I could almost see the love flow between them. How lovely that they should have found ecstasy together. Now Carlisle would have three beautiful matched couples for children. He would be so happy that Edward had found true love and devotion at last. I began to drift away but I caught Victoria's words as I left.<br />
"Could you give me a moment alone Edward, my darling?" she asked, her voice musical and girlish as ever.<br />
"Anything for you my love. Please hurry though! I am just dying to tell the family our wonderful news! Thank you for agreeing to becoming my wife! Thank you!" Edward gushed happily, his eyes shining with joyous love.<br />
Edward kissed her sweet lips once more then he swiftly sped away from the meadow in a blur. Victoria sighed happily as she flew off in the opposite direction. I followed close behind her, curious as to her destination.<br />
She arrived at the clearing where I had met my true death. She sat cross legged on the grass and closed her eyes, a sad poignant smile on her face.<br />
"<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b2424a83-aa3f-4847-97c9-5dead62922bf" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3bb48462-fc0b-4514-afb8-011ba6130726" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span>? <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="87b66ce9-86bb-4a99-a7e6-b5dd3da97af6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8036dfa4-0974-4fbe-b78b-6574d974b7f8" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span>, if you can hear me I'd like to share my news with you. I often talk to you in my mind, how silly! But it has helped me these last few years to come to terms with losing you forever. That and Edward. Which is what I would like to tell you about. From the moment you left me he has been my savior, my dependable rock in whom I could stake my immortal existence! Two years ago our feelings changed, although Edward has confessed he loved me at first sight! That's by the by, I was with you then and I would never consider another! Over the years though I came to have feelings for him too and two years ago in the meadow we finally confessed the depth of our love for each other. In no way does my love for Edward compare to the all encompassing desire and adoration I felt for you, my maker. I will always love you! Edward makes me feel safe, he makes me feel loved and desired and oh so protected! I hope you would be happy for me. I think you would!<br />
Oh Aro! I have avoided this place for five years, since the night the evil witch <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="27d32ade-90f9-4d64-a90e-e0669f3d736b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="56af959b-c138-41f2-9bc4-2dc051e5c72e" grcontextid="took:0">took</span> you from me! I only feel now that I can return. I hope you would be glad to know that my dear family avenged you. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5f7de24b-a0cd-4a82-be39-68d1e679551e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="cefe921e-676d-4a6e-b377-8bc4d9ce92a0" grcontextid="Sulpicia:0">Sulpicia</span> can never be free again to wreak havoc on the world! She will fade and desiccate but she will still remain conscious and she will feel pain and regret! I wish I could tell you I have forgiven and forgotten but I never will. Noah is a fine boy though, she could not contaminate him with her black heart, he is part of the family now and always will be. So, I have come here today to share my news with you and I pray if you can hear me that you will be happy for us. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f9aa6139-3b86-4a94-a3ac-5d6dcdab3299" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="daf75245-6d59-446c-9012-73aadb9958ce" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="85d507df-2707-49ed-b19a-32383731dbc1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="daf75245-6d59-446c-9012-73aadb9958ce" grcontextid=",:1">,</span>my love, I hope you have found peace, I pray every day that you have. None of us knows what comes after death, we just wish and hope that there is something out there. Goodbye my love, I will still think of you often with deep fondness and utmost respect. Your little flame is happy!" she smiled up into the wide blue sky.<br />
I smiled as I gazed upon my love, I felt her joy wash over me and I truly was happy for her. There was no point in regrets. I had spent many centuries as her lover, something most do not ever get to have. We were lucky to have found such a love, and now if my darling could find a fraction of that with another, especially someone like Edward Cullen, then I could be content and happy for her. Earthly concerns did indeed fade away on the spiritual plane. I had no ill feelings at all about Victoria's impending marriage, I even managed <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="39335f3c-7016-4e0a-b0f7-02e2937bde29" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6604f996-ae65-44ae-9454-04a4d5d28c14" grcontextid="not to care:0">not to care</span> about how evil Sulpicia had been and how she had eventually destroyed me. It had happened. I was meant to be that way. I saw things much more clearly now than I ever had.<br />
Victoria sat still with her eyes still closed, looking every inch beauty and perfection.<br />
"Be happy always, my darling little flame. I love you beyond reason, I love you infinitely for evermore. I will always listen to you when you talk to me if I can. I am still here, I still exist. Do not forget me, I will never forget you, but I want you to have a long happy existence with Edward now. It is meant to be, it is <i>right.</i> " I spoke softly as I stroked her smooth cheek with my ghostly hand.<br />
I was shocked when she suddenly opened her topaz eyes with <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="93278973-8ed5-4272-8895-9acf8d434ad1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4ef06a18-76ea-4b2c-a9e5-e1b77d6319e2" grcontextid="surprised:0">surprised</span> wonder.<br />
"<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="df229cb0-ebde-46a2-8d5a-a34b36328780" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="eb935377-6347-40c0-a9c0-0acec46f2d45" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span>? <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c85f8ebb-e538-4ad7-975f-4a6a6ba0fedb" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b4fc0fbd-e8ab-4fcd-93af-dad7252b0a04" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span>! I heard you! I felt you! Oh Aro! You are truly here? How wonderful! Oh I could weep, my love!" she stated with utter joy.<br />
"Ah Victoria! You sense me? I did not expect you to. I have only just returned to this plane! I wished to see you and I was there instantly, in the meadow with you and Edward. I truly am ecstatic for you both!" I confessed with a smile, even though she could not see me.<br />
"Thank you Aro, it means a lot to me to have your approval. Edward is very special and I truly did not seek to replace you. We were friends, siblings even, who <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="877089dd-5d43-4a0f-a115-eb8aaade3c90" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6f775f00-b8dd-4a74-aeb2-6fbf92f4613f" grcontextid="realised:0">realised</span> we really did love each other. I am happy but I will never ever forget the love we shared. Oh does this mean we can talk sometimes? I will tell Edward of course! " <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fd469b08-4663-4915-90e1-9ecb3f021d40" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2b291167-dae7-4ca7-aaf8-3e4736b50bf7" grcontextid="she:0">she</span> exclaimed happily, her beautiful face lit up with joy.<br />
I shook my head and sighed a little, "I will be around from time to time but I will not interfere in your happiness Victoria. You must devote yourself to Edward, safe in the knowledge that I am fine. I still exist, I dwell in a most desirable state, I still feel and love. If I was to haunt you, so to speak, it would not be fair on anyone, you do see that Victoria?" I asked succinctly.<br />
She smiled her lovely smile and nodded her head making her red curls fall around her face perfectly.<br />
"Yes, of course. I am just overjoyed to know you <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="158d6911-8373-44fe-9ae2-6376f26edafd" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3108b505-a407-4c87-a056-9ed69bf3775d" grcontextid="have not gone:0">have not gone</span> forever Aro. I was overcome with grief when you left. Edward healed me inside and out. I would never betray him now. Holding onto the past would hurt him, it would hurt me too. I could never forgive myself for it. Do you know I blamed myself for your destruction? If I had not loved you, if I had not pursued you against all odds then maybe Sulpicia would not have been in the clearing that day! Now I know it was inevitable that she should destroy one of us one day. She didn't win though, did <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="cb1b66fb-5283-41b7-958f-634178b74562" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ac7561e3-95f7-4e5a-b43c-d8f3b8709c9f" grcontextid="she:0">she</span> my dear Aro? For here we are five years later talking to each other from different planes of existence!" she marvelled in wonder.<br />
I nodded in agreement with a sad smile because I knew it was time for me to go. It was like an invisible thread pulling me back to my new world.<br />
"I must leave now, Victoria. Please be happy, for yourself, and for me my dearest. I regret not one moment of our time together and I am glad I changed you. I will love you until the end of time. Now, go, tell your family the good news. I will be back, of that I am sure! Go towards your future <i>little flame,</i>" I said softly as I felt myself leave the sunny field and my only true love.<br />
I watched Victoria smile and nod as I departed. Her face was sheer perfect beauty which would not be out of place on the heavenly plane I now ascended to. I knew now that I had come back for a reason. It was time to move onwards to the higher realms. I did not know when I would see her face again but no matter as she was engraved on my heart and soul forever and ever. I had been changed and enriched because of our love for each other. My very own special true love, my everything and my meaning.<br />
<i>My little flame.</i><br />
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kizzymousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12571803064369765958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5913310249853994600.post-81106039547083259052011-07-12T22:30:00.000+01:002015-07-23T13:08:13.705+01:00BLOOD TIES<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I wrote this story after the Red Moon Trilogy as I wanted to develop my own characters but keep Stephenie's too. So this story has a mix of hers and mine! It tells the tale many years later after the end of Total Eclipse - the different families interact and intertwine <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9c1d6044-61ab-4690-8c94-0d3cd766e719" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="82391a44-20e1-4e9f-b11f-98a74435e8b1" grcontextid="dealing:0">dealing</span> with threats, romance, imprinting and all the other issues faced by supernatural beings! Just an ordinary day in Forks really! I hope you enjoy this one....<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="bf632954-076b-47c2-bc39-ded886a37e9a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="15b96f49-daa3-46c8-9459-383588e68c5d" grcontextid=".:0">.</span>it's a bit longer than the others.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CTRP1RIEEiA/UUuXYMxzLRI/AAAAAAAAApc/9HQ9fydcrks/s1600/loving+aunt+Gwen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CTRP1RIEEiA/UUuXYMxzLRI/AAAAAAAAApc/9HQ9fydcrks/s320/loving+aunt+Gwen.jpg" width="229" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 22pt;">BLOOD TIES<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Title: <b>BLOOD TIES</b><br />Category: Books » Twilight<br />Author: <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7fa9895c-2b9e-4f7f-83d3-735c12287924" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="975a38e7-864a-4a14-835d-cafb41b6cf2e" grcontextid="kizzymouse:0">kizzymouse</span><br />Language: English, Rating: Rated: T<br />Genre: Fantasy/Romance<br />Published: 03-23-10, Updated: 03-23-10<br />Chapters: 47, Words: 73,033<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: large;">BLOOD TIES</span></u></b><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Brief Description:</span></u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">This is the tale of Iris & Reuben Clearwater, human children of Seth and Nessie. Also Ruby Cross, daughter of Dominic and Ellie Cross. Jacob and Leah Black's son Isaac and their daughter Mia. Zachary Swan, son of Charlie and Sue Swan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">17 years later <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3625011c-e03a-456f-96f1-864070ff172e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="dfdb653e-30ab-4050-98c8-989e2b5ce077" grcontextid="…:0">…</span>...the kids are all grown up and have lives of their own.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Cullen's and Clearwater's left Forks 15 years ago so they did not arouse suspicion over their youthful appearances.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">After living in South America for years with the Amazonian coven, the vampires have all returned close by to Forks. The Black family <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6d12c2b9-65ad-4eef-b216-a6bbff760409" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9160e775-8cb5-405e-80e1-92c6c5976d4a" grcontextid="have converted:0">have converted</span> the Cullen's old house into a successful hotel. What does the future hold for them all?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Seth Clearwater & Nessie Clearwater (nee Cullen): Iris and Reuben Clearwater (twins aged 18)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Dominic and Ellie Cross (nee O'Connor): Ruby Cross (triplet to Iris and Reuben – all three conceived by IVF from parents <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b5b3df5c-506d-485d-b863-be608c9e4682" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ef2eedf7-6ecc-4976-a090-7f3716596b11" grcontextid="Dom:0">Dom</span> and Ellie, carried by Nessie! – <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8b31172c-0ee1-4a2f-8493-2d431f726341" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e6d4c902-5b9e-4644-a6d3-c826072cb4de" grcontextid="age:0">age</span> 18)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Jacob and Leah Black (nee Clearwater): Isaac and Mia Black (aged 19 & 17)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Charlie and Sue Swan (nee Clearwater – widow of Harry Clearwater): Zach (age 21)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">PROLOGUE<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The day I imprinted was singularly the best and worst day of my life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I was nineteen years old; a shape-shifter who had imprinted on the most beautiful girl in the world. Stars fell out of the sky, the earth moved, rainbows filled up my eyes as my soul rejoiced and my blood sang.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">How can I describe my love for this gorgeous creature? As wide as the sky and as deep as the ocean; that doesn't even cover it. I adored the ground she walked on, worshipped the air she breathed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The day it happened was just an ordinary day in Forks. I was helping my Mom and Dad out <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="65c5b5f6-8ec5-470f-8638-33c934042900" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bd425f14-dc62-4b83-8060-4144fae8fb28" grcontextid="at:0">at</span> the family business. They ran a very successful hotel; it was called Cullen's after the family who used to live there. The hotel was very grand with beautiful gardens. Mom <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ec0cd615-dfc3-4371-a2b2-d5d4baad743a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bc118580-caf7-402d-bccf-fe6864679787" grcontextid="specialised:0">specialised</span> in alternative therapies and Dad took tourists out on hunting and hiking trips in the mountains and forests surrounding Forks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">My sister Mia and I helped out when we could. Mia was seventeen and at college in Seattle studying art. It was currently summer break for her. I had just finished college; I am now a trained chef and plan to gain experience in the family business before I head for pastures new. That was the plan anyway.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I was out in the garden this day; helping Mia plant some beautiful white roses when it happened. <i>She </i>walked gracefully towards us, her long dark hair blowing in the breeze, her hips swaying, her long legs striding purposefully across the lawn.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Thunderbolts galore as Dad would say!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Of course I knew all about imprinting, my Mom and Dad had explained it all to me. They knew only too well being <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c2d9b720-5086-48bc-9efe-c05432e8d5a1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="66a7a79c-eed4-46af-af68-cafcfa531295" grcontextid="shape:0">shape</span>-shifters themselves.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I stared and stared into her sapphire blue eyes; my soul, heart and mind, my very being drawn to her in inexplicable ways. Mia stared at me quizzically as I went through a thousand emotions. Time seemed to stand still but in reality it all happened in less than a minute.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">That was all the time it took for me to know that I must love, care for and protect this girl <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1bc56dfc-3f54-4beb-aff7-95988909d61c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d9b9a281-4ae4-49c8-84c9-df35b4d75fb6" grcontextid="for ever:0">for ever</span>.<i> I had no choice.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">CHAPTER ONE<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Returning<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">RENESMEE CLEARWATER:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">After the sultry heat of the Amazon, the cold and damp weather of Forks was actually a pleasure to return to. Fifteen years after we left I finally got to breathe in the cool autumn air; my lungs gratefully received this gift as I inhaled deeply.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">We were on our way to see Jacob and Leah at our old home, which was now a successful hotel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I couldn't wait to see them both and their kids Isaac and Mia. It had been too long, far too long. They had visited us in the rainforest five years ago, but I hadn't seen them since, though of course we kept in touch.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Seth smiled at me, his gorgeous dazzling smile that I loved so much. I was still completely and madly in love with him, he was my world. We were both exactly the same as when we had first met, of course I was a half human half vampire and he was a half shape-shifter half vampire, we weren't going to age! Sadly, my children <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="22a2c0c0-76d1-4f0d-b7ac-1265c344305f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1fbe202d-ba37-453d-bd20-b83fb25b79c8" grcontextid="had aged:0">had aged</span>, as they were both 100% human. Though I would never regret having them and watch them grow up, I was sad beyond belief that they would grow old and die whilst their parents remained the same. Seth did warn me about getting involved with humans, but I wanted so badly to have our own children, I just didn't consider the downside. Also my dearest friends Dom and Ellie they had also aged, though they both still looked and acted young. They lived on the outskirts of Forks now with their daughter Ruby. They ran a very successful horse riding <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4d1c9e17-7865-498a-a09e-74e679483384" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="050b4a0a-677a-4827-81dc-2d95934c9066" grcontextid="centre:0">centre</span>, though of course poor Ellie could not ride the horses. I will never forgive myself for the accident which robbed her of the use of her legs. Though I tried to make up for it; <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="77e09800-171f-4700-ab4c-6f9f5638e789" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="62252637-7e58-4a96-933a-adb6e82b6b4a" grcontextid="Dom:0">Dom</span> and Ellie helped me have my children through IVF, the most precious gift they could have given me. When I found out I was having triplets, I gave <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="19b9bcad-e17c-4c64-8544-b4c41faaa4c2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="519433e3-428a-4bea-92ac-58ac08ec1edf" grcontextid="Dom:0">Dom</span> and Ellie the non-identical little girl so they could have their own family.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9c7b2cf5-4803-443f-a7bc-1d2861708d54" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f3effa07-6bbc-45d7-b8e4-eb6b3d380ec8" grcontextid="Dom:0">Dom</span> still had a hand in the music business but it wasn't his life anymore; his family and their business <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6a36d83a-9abc-455e-85db-c46215bd4f79" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f3effa07-6bbc-45d7-b8e4-eb6b3d380ec8" grcontextid="was:1">was</span> his life. Ruby was an accomplished rider, and had competed in many tournaments. She was beautiful with her long red curly hair and piercing green eyes, so like her Mother. She had also found happiness in love; she was engaged to marry Jessica and Mike Newton's son Anthony. My Mom had gone to school with his parents when she was still a human.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I envied Dom, Ellie and Ruby's ordinary family life. My family would never be ordinary!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I was so proud of my twins, Iris and Reuben. They were the light of my life and accepted our strange family without question. Living with us in the Amazon, they had been schooled by the family. My family is very intelligent and my twins have had the best of home education. Plus mixing with the Amazonian coven has taught them so much. But it's time to let them live their own lives; as hard as that might be for Seth and I. They had both been so sheltered from <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f762ea80-92d7-406d-8af8-01935a23c852" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="24205d7c-419a-46c5-b2ae-662e1667cf2b" grcontextid="civilisation:0">civilisation</span> living in the rainforest, though Seth and I did take them places when we lived there. There are some lovely cities close by; Belem in Brazil is beautiful and full of life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Iris has started writing a novel based on her life in the Amazon, which she is going to try to get published as soon as it's finished. The poor love wrote most of it by hand, only getting to type up a manuscript when we visited internet café's in Belem. Reuben <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4868a590-9033-4d5d-ac12-784565bbf75a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="85617bf7-480f-46ba-9f88-509614a787c4" grcontextid="is:0">is</span> interested in photography just like his Father and hopes to start up his own business <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f2461ca0-ce07-4581-8c7a-f01b72ae7f70" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="85617bf7-480f-46ba-9f88-509614a787c4" grcontextid="specialising:1">specialising</span> in fashion magazine work and portraits.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I know I have to let them go out into the big wide world, why should they suffer because their family is not the norm?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">My Mom and Dad both agree, they love the twins like they were their own. They spent a lot of time with us in the Amazon, but also spent a lot of time visiting places of the world, places they've always wanted to see. They are currently living in the Scottish Highlands as they don't get much sunshine and there is plenty of wildlife; but have promised to visit us in Forks for a little while. We can't stay too long; someone might see us you know? They would not understand why none of us have aged. Carlisle and Esme have set up a field hospital in a small village close by to where we lived in the rainforest. Carlisle <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0ade420e-d32e-4b9d-b797-80dcd717be90" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="20a96459-f272-4ef0-980a-6310c338e067" grcontextid="is:0">is</span> as selfless as always, he needs to help people it’s in his nature. Plus the cover of the rainforest provides a lot of opportunities to work in the daylight!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Rosalie, Emmett, Alice and Jasper are all living in Alaska at present. Our family has never been so far apart before, but this is a consequence we have to face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I do not know where Seth and I will go once we have left Forks. I do not want to think about it. Of course wherever my darling husband <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d7d1c108-b053-4f04-8ccf-e8edd42ebda5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="95db83a5-1adc-4c33-bdc4-7bdae556944c" grcontextid="is will be:0">is will be</span> home to me, but I will miss the twins. The thought of being apart from them causes my hybrid heart to beat with a sad rhythm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">But I must let my babies have a normal life, if that is possible for them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I truly hope so.</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">CHAPTER TWO</span></u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">As Time Goes By<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">JACOB BLACK:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I wrap my arms around Leah and kiss the soft skin of her neck as she sighs and pulls me closer. <i>My beautiful wife. </i>I love her more every day if that is possible. Our life is just so perfect and amazing together. This Christmas will be our 17th wedding anniversary. Seventeen years of happiness and love. I still can't believe I got my happy ending.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Jake, stop that! Nessie, Seth and the kids will be here soon!" Leah exclaims as she tries to escape from my embrace. But her eyes twinkle up at me and her soft lips curve into that sexy smile that I love so much. "Oh Leah I'm so happy they are coming to visit, it's been so long. The twins are all grown up now!" I sigh.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Of course Nessie and Seth will not have changed, but their human children are now young adults. Too difficult for anyone to understand outside of our strange family! Leah and I have aged slowly, as shape-shifters do, but time does not stand still for us like vampires, and as we had our children young no-one comments on our family at all. Nessie knew the down sides to having human children when she found out she was pregnant, but still she wanted them so much. I was so proud of her, what a great Mom she was. But I understood how worrying it must be for her too, and now she wanted to help her children live in the human world, not the strange world she had brought them into.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Our son Isaac and our daughter Mia had not seen their cousins since they left for the Amazon coven 15 years ago. Leah and I had visited five years ago but the kids had stayed with their grandma Sue and grandpa Charlie.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I was hoping the kids would all get along together. Mia and Ruby Cross were best friends, having grown up together. Mia loved to ride the horses over at the Cross place. Isaac was a quiet boy who did not make friends easily, he preferred to pore over recipes and cook wonderful tasty meals in the hotel kitchen with our chef. He had just graduated from college and planned to open his own restaurant in Seattle with help from his parents of course! Life had been good to us; we'd converted the Cullen's place into a hotel when they left Forks. It was very successful indeed and we were not millionaires but we were very comfortable.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Leah's half-brother Zach was the wild one of the family; he was now 21 and a singer in a not particularly successful rock band. They were well known in and around Seattle, but had yet to make it anywhere else. I didn't particularly like Zach; he was loud, obnoxious and <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6cadeabc-b403-4e17-9a77-3e0987cf1c9a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="54b95640-99b1-48be-9dc0-90df3694800e" grcontextid="cocky:0">cocky</span>. Charlie and Sue despaired of him ever making something of his life. He had been at Art College but dropped out, Mia <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9e9718db-f3e6-428e-8285-1ca7dbcace55" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="08a6a6bc-b922-4a96-bb04-7e6c027a9661" grcontextid="idolised:0">idolised</span> him and that's mainly the reason she decided to study art herself. Of course Zach treated her like an annoying kid sister, though really he was her half-uncle. When he roared up on his Harley she smiled a smile so wide and dazzling, it made my stomach go into knots. No way was my girl going out with him! In fact no boy was good enough for my Mia, luckily she had shown no real interest in anyone yet, but I dreaded the day! Mia <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="49e5d04e-f18c-4551-ab9a-0249eeaae944" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ded1643b-b982-4f45-a81b-99452da5cf2b" grcontextid="was:0">was</span> just the prettiest girl in the world, with her long dark hair and huge brown eyes she was stunning. And such a beautiful nature she had; but a temper that would frighten you. Just like her Mother, I smiled to myself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Zach did not have the shape-shifter gene as it is usually passed down by the male side of the family, and as Zach is <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0b412484-3755-44ed-ad32-8a46754a456b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c334d4fb-e524-48a8-ae99-e218aa5260c1" grcontextid="Charlie Swan's son:0">Charlie Swan's son</span> there was no chance he would change. Unfortunately my son Isaac has the gene, he couldn't really escape it could he? Not with both Leah and I being <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4c2f6ebf-b151-468b-a3c8-f1c89f286c54" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e75d057b-4bac-4ec9-ac89-e1673f19ef59" grcontextid="shape:0">shape</span>-shifters. Even more unfortunately my beautiful Mia is a shape-shifter too. She almost wasn't even born! When Leah found out she was carrying a girl she freaked out as Leah is prone to doing! Leah had been the only female shape-shifter in the world. Her Dad's sister had been one, but she'd sadly died as an infant. Sue, Leah's Mom had worried so much when Leah was a child, but thankfully for us all Leah had grown to maturity with hardly any problems. Her reproductive system had failed due to the shape-shifter gene; I think it was inherited as females are not supposed to pass on the gene only males. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="431d6f8f-e453-4e88-aca6-795ef87f3d25" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7d789b55-5277-45c2-828b-3f1f7b2a48d1" grcontextid="But:0">But</span> Leah and I unwittingly found a way around this; we mated as wolves and she became pregnant both times. We avoid that now; it's our means of birth control! We don't often phase any more, peace and harmony reign in Forks now so there is no need for the pack to patrol the area so much.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">So why did both our children have the gene? I guess it's because they were born to two shape-shifters, so double the genes to pass on. I wouldn't change a thing though, I love the bones of my children, and they are my pride and joy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Even though both Leah and I worried so much about Mia when she was born, watching over her like hawks in case the changes killed her. Thankfully both of our children are healthy and strong. And we made sure they were told everything prior to the change, I didn't want them to go through what I did, scared out of my mind by what was happening to me. Mia has also developed normally in all ways, so I guess it's just down to luck?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">So far we've had no problems; we're a family of shape-shifters, big deal! We're still a normal family! I knew Mia couldn't imprint so I was really happy about that. Imagine if she'd imprinted on Zach Swan?! Horror of horrors! Isaac hadn't imprinted yet, but I knew the day would come.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Jake stop daydreaming will you! Our visitors will be here soon!" Leah shouted pulling me out of my reverie. I shook my head and smiled at my gorgeous wife as I followed her out into the garden.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I couldn't wait to see Nessie and Seth again.</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">CHAPTER THREE<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Forks<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">IRIS CLEARWATER:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">We drove passed the sign which said "Cullen's Hotel" and turned left into a beautiful <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6d1a649c-9684-47d5-a3c7-44ab0473836d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d638fd0a-7bdf-4019-9cf8-da55ac139d91" grcontextid="drive way:0">drive way</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I looked at my twin brother Reuben and smiled apprehensively, he just rolled his eyes at me. I<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f762e96c-e319-4237-89f5-30826deb541f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7faeaa9e-6554-4a9d-a8d9-c35dc3388e16" grcontextid="'m:0">'m</span> the sensitive one <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="378c1f1d-c058-4e37-8472-eae5a18340a4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7faeaa9e-6554-4a9d-a8d9-c35dc3388e16" grcontextid="between:1">between</span> us; he thinks I'm silly at times. But I get feelings about people and places, feelings which are usually spot on. I had mixed emotions about coming here. This is where we were both born along with our sister Ruby who lived with the Cross family, who were our real parents if you were talking biology! Mom and Dad had explained everything to us when we were old enough to understand. And boy had there been plenty to tell! I knew for a fact there was no other family in the world like ours. But we'd grown up knowing all of the secrets and strangeness so to us it was just normal; it's just the way it was.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">My Mom turned to gaze at my Dad with a small smile on her beautiful face; Dad reached over and squeezed her hand. My parents; both still teenagers, both still eternally young and beautiful. Weird isn't it? Me and Reuben <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8a096242-ba0a-4ae2-b0b6-238e6eca9682" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="299c4312-1a93-4741-ab6e-755be051aa9e" grcontextid="are:0">are</span> the same age as them now, and we'll continue to get older every day. I know this pains my Mom and I hear her crying herself to sleep at night which breaks my heart. I tell her we'll always be grateful to both of them for bringing us into this world, I know how difficult it was for them. I know we'll have difficult times ahead, but I try not to dwell on it, there isn't much point; humans are born, they live then they die, it's nature. You can't argue with nature. I know my Mom has pleaded with Dad to change us into vampires so we will all live forever together. But he always talks her round. Plus the fact that neither Reuben or I want to be changed! I like being human! It was amazing though to spend time with the coven in the Amazon. They would never hurt us, Zafrina loved Nessie like she was her own, plus they had all converted to the Cullen's way of life; vegetarianism!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The rainforest had been our home for fifteen years, now we were returning to where we were born to make our own way in the world. I know Mom didn't want to let us go but she knew it was time; time for us to live our own human lives. It had been impossible to stay here amongst humans who would get suspicious when none of my family aged except us kids. I knew why we had left, and I knew why we'd returned. It pained me to know my Mom and Dad wouldn't be staying here with us, they would have to leave again eventually.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The story was that Nessie and Seth were not our parents but our cousins; we had to fool everyone, to keep our family secrets safe.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I smiled to myself as we approached the hotel; so many secrets within these walls. Still the secrets continued as the Black family were hardly ordinary themselves!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I hadn't seen them all since I was two years old, and now I was excited to meet my cousins Isaac and Mia. I couldn't wait to get re-acquainted with my sister Ruby, another family secret! Also seeing her parents, <i>our real parents</i>, Dom and Ellie. Grandma Sue and Grandpa Charlie would be coming to see us too, we hadn't seen them for years, and they’d only visited the rainforest once. Grandma had hated the heat and humidity, Grandpa had been nervous around the wild Amazonian coven, and Zach their son, my Dad's half-brother, had teased us mercilessly, calling us wild children of the jungle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Still I couldn't wait to meet them all again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Finally we were here, Dad brought our rented Jeep to a standstill as me and Reuben bounded out of the car.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">A striking dark haired couple ran to meet us, the man sweeping Mom up into his arms, which looked as strong as iron! My Mom had tears running down her cheeks as she clung to him, "Oh Jake, Jake!" she wailed. Dad was hugging the beautiful woman; they were both smiling and laughing with joy, "Oh sis it's great to see you!" Dad exclaimed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">So I guess this is Jacob and Leah who I haven't seen since we left here when I was only two years old. My Mom turns to me and Reuben <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="365d467f-ab71-4665-93cc-d5c167bddb03" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="894915d7-61ec-4752-9008-9150db0bf3df" grcontextid="standing:0">standing</span> awkwardly by the Jeep, "Jake, Leah these are my twins! Haven't they grown?" she exclaims gazing proudly at us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Jacob hugs us both, followed by Leah, "Hi you two," Jacob beams at us. He has such a friendly open face; I can see why my Mom and Dad love him so much. We both say hello back and smile politely. "Come on guys, we've so much catching up to do," Leah smiles at us all, leading my Mom and Dad into the hotel. Jacob smiles that infectious grin at us both, "Why don't you two go find your cousins? They are in the garden somewhere," he says with a cheeky wink.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Reuben and I make our way into the garden. My brother stops and starts taking pictures with the camera which is constantly around his neck. I sigh impatiently and stride off in search of my cousins.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I see a boy of about nineteen and a girl a few years younger planting white roses in the beautiful abundant garden. As I get closer I notice the boy has stood up, the roses falling around his feet as he just stares at me. I frown slightly with confusion, surely he doesn't recognize me, and it’s been years since we saw each other?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">This must be Isaac and Mia. My cousins, well sort of!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Mia smiles up at me, "Hi," she beams, "You must be Iris!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> I smile and nod at her, "Hi Mia, you were a baby the last time I saw you!" we both laugh.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Still Isaac stares and stares at me as his sister looks at him strangely. "Isaac!" Mia shouts prodding his leg. "Don't be rude and say hello to our cousin Iris!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">His dark eyes gaze into my blue ones as he stutters "Hhhhhello Iris."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I guess he must be shy? "Hey Isaac, it's great to see you both! Your home is lovely," I smile.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">He smiles back, the same infectious grin as his Father. His whole face lights up and his brown eyes shine. He really is quite striking I muse to myself, but <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7370feb5-aec2-473b-b2fd-4c7cf5b3ff9b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="05973ded-2b07-4690-9ac9-2e8026f223a1" grcontextid="kinda:0">kinda</span> weird as well!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Reuben is over there, taking pictures!" I say rolling my eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Mia takes my hand, "Let me show you around Iris," she smiles, her pretty face glowing with excitement.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> "Sure," I smile back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I look back to see Isaac just staring at me, his eyes never leaving mine as I turn around to follow Mia into the house.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Just what is his problem?</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">CHAPTER FOUR</span></u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">My Heart's Desire<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">ISAAC BLACK:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The last two weeks have been heaven and hell for me. Heaven because I've been able to spend time with <i>her</i> and hell because I cannot bring myself to tell anyone I've imprinted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I'm scared of what Iris will think and say about it all. I'm scared of rejection; I haven't had much experience with girls. I was so shy at school; I blushed <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="53cd927e-5837-486f-9237-68c07d8ff273" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="93451397-58f8-40e9-af2f-844a300f36f8" grcontextid="beetroot:0">beetroot</span> red if any girl tried to start a conversation. I ended up going to the prom with Ruby, I didn't feel awkward with her, and she was Mia's best friend. Even at college I found it excruciatingly embarrassing to talk to the girls. So guess what? I hadn't even kissed a girl properly unless you count the kiss Ruby planted <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b18390a4-6c0f-4e16-a041-52adf3cd7934" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b5ad47f6-aad8-492f-a4d6-15673dca7dcd" grcontextid="on:0">on</span> me at the prom! I was so surprised I didn't even kiss her back. It's not that she's unattractive, Ruby is gorgeous, but I just don't love her. I wanted to wait for the one special girl I loved; now she's here and I can hardly say hello to her! What a loser!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">So it was hard for me to talk to Iris; I'm sure she thought I was weird! I followed her around and stared at her when I thought she wasn't looking. I think Mia noticed, but she didn't say anything. It was so easy for Mia to make friends, she's outgoing and friendly. I couldn't talk to Mom and Dad about it either; I just felt like a prize jerk!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">What could I possibly say to Iris? Hey Iris do you know I think about you every second of every day? You are in my heart and soul forever and I love and adore you? <i>I don't think so!</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She would run a mile!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Also, unfortunately, she has been spending time with Zach Swan. I'm guessing her parents or my parents don't know or else she'd be in big trouble. I only found out because I followed her, yes it's embarrassing! I'm a stalker, a shape-shifting stalker! I haven't told anyone, not even Mia, because my little sister is in love with him! She will be devastated for sure. She has had a crush on him since she was twelve years old. I know because I read her diary; I know I shouldn't have but she left it open one day and I couldn't resist. It only confirmed what I already knew; you just had to look at her eyes light up whenever he was near.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Zach was well known as a bad boy around Forks and beyond. I didn't like him; he was everything I wasn't – sure of himself, good-looking, funny and cool. The girls threw themselves at him but he wasn't interested in a serious girlfriend. I wished Mia would just get over it!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Now my beautiful Iris had fallen under his spell, and I didn't know what to do.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Should I tell her I love her? Should I tell her I cannot live without her? Or should I stand by and watch whilst she gets her heart broken by <i>him?</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I should be thinking about my future. Dad and I have found a perfect place for me to open a restaurant, and it's close by. I decided on Port Angeles, not Seattle. I find Seattle too big and impersonal. We have just started to work on the plans to make it into the perfect intimate restaurant I've always dreamed of. I should be concentrating on that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">But I can't. All I think of is <i>her. </i>Iris. Beautiful Iris with her long dark hair and piercing sapphire blue eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I'm completely and irrevocably in love with her.</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">CHAPTER FIVE</span></u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Love or Lust?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">IRIS CLEARWATER:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Amazonian rainforests did not afford many opportunities for a girl to meet anyone special.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">So when I saw Zach Swan ride up to the Cullen hotel on his motorbike my heart skipped a beat. He was so gorgeous with his scruffy leathers, <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c928c78e-31d0-4229-86fd-4472b40c1e73" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="34e879d5-6f24-4168-8934-8bbeaa46eac0" grcontextid="his:0">his</span> messed up shaggy black hair and striking green eyes which pierced my heart the first time I gazed into them. He had an aura about him for sure. The first words he spoke to me, in a deep <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d46e2fef-ea0d-4d64-a7b7-9e120e1f9669" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="db91fcc2-5cdd-436c-938b-347e7a54e79b" grcontextid="toneful:0">toneful</span> sexy voice, were “Hey gorgeous”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I melted as I stared at him intently, my eyes never leaving his handsome face. "I'm Zach and you must be the beautiful Iris?" I gulped and kept staring into his face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Mia had come running out of the house to greet him, "Zach!" she'd called out, her whole face lighting up. I knew then that she adored him, worshipped the ground he walked on, but it didn't stop me, oh no.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">He had just smiled at my cousin and jumped off his bike, and grabbed my hand in his. I remember gasping as electricity shot through my veins.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="59b99cab-f327-455d-a435-909ca2e96c17" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9927b2b7-dc7a-4566-95cb-ca0afc055fae" grcontextid="Wanna:0">Wanna</span> hear some proper music sweetheart?" he'd asked, his full lips curving into a sexy grin. “My band is playing tonight and I want YOU to come".<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I just smiled like an idiot, and nodded my head. I wasn't used to such full on attention from a boy. I caught my brother staring out of the corner of my eye. I turned to look into his eyes, sapphire blue the exact same as mine, questioning his baleful stare. Reuben shook his head and gestured to me to come over. I sighed and extricated my small hand from Zach’s.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Reuben" I had hissed, "What is it?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Reuben shook his head at me frowning, "Mom and Dad didn't say you could go on dates did they?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> I sighed melodramatically, "Reuben just butt out will you!" I said through gritted teeth as I turned around and flounced back to Zach, leaving my brother gaping at me like a goldfish.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Mia's face was crestfallen as she watched the object of her affections ask the cousin she'd only just become re-acquainted with out on a date. Her poor sad little face with the large dark pools for eyes beseeched me to say no. I would like to say that this is what made me decline a date with the most gorgeous guy I'd ever seen, but sadly it was the wrath of my Mom and Dad which made me hesitate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> "Sorry Zach, I can't tonight, we have a family thing on," I smiled my best smile at him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I could hear <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e90cba21-998d-4864-b5f4-d07fd194ba7b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="97739d8e-6be9-4079-ad5c-f81698da61ee" grcontextid="Reuben sighing:0">Reuben sighing</span> with relief. Jeez he's such a goody two shoes!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Zach didn't react, just picked up my hand and kissed it, "We <i>will </i>meet again, Iris," he whispered, a cheeky glint in his beautiful green eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> So that was the first time I'd met Zachary Swan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The second time, only a day later, was when I went with my Dad to visit Grandma Sue, who still lived in the same house with Grandpa Charlie. They were both over sixty now but looked well and healthy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Zach was out back tinkering with his motorbike; I made my excuses and hurried outside to see him. I nervously stood watching him twirling my long hair around my fingers. "Hey babe," he drawled sexily gazing directly into my eyes. I smiled shyly unsure of what to do or say. He stood up really close to me and my heart stuttered and skipped a beat. His presence intoxicated me. His smell, his aura, his body, his full lips. I'm in love, or is it pure lust? I don't know because I'm too inexperienced in these matters. I just know that I want to be near him and I will do <i>anything </i>to make that so.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">He replaced my finger with his and slowly curled a tendril of my dark hair around and around all the while his green eyes looked deep into mine. “Meet me tonight sweetheart, 10pm, outside Forks High School, I <i>need</i> to see you, I can't stop thinking about you," he whispered in that sexy voice which makes me melt.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I gazed into his eyes, <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="bb08c9ce-6edf-4572-9b94-4da767c50f03" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e63fc43e-c4d5-4db7-94c6-18dbff66488c" grcontextid="mesmerised:0">mesmerised</span>, “Uh-uh," I managed to say with a squeaky voice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Jeez I'm such an idiot! He must be used to more sophisticated girls than me!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">His full lips brushed softly against my cheek and I gasped quietly and shivered with delicious anticipation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">He smiled at me and I almost forgot where I was. I quickly darted back into the house before anyone noticed what was going on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Ah Iris! Please tell me all about this novel you are writing," asked Grandpa Charlie as I nervously sat down at the kitchen table with him, my Dad and Grandma Sue. Phew! I don't think anyone noticed our secret exchange out the back. My Dad would go ballistic. I sighed to myself and wished my parents weren't so over protective of me and Reuben. I know they only want the best for us both, but I am so excited and I have butterflies at the thought of seeing Zach later. I can't help myself; he has me under his spell. I've dreamed of finding someone so exciting, handsome and cool as he undoubtedly is. I make small talk but I can't stop thinking of him and risk taking sneaky peeks out the back as he works on his beloved bike. Maybe he will take me out on the back of his Harley, my long hair blowing in the wind as I cling on to his leather clad body, tighter and tighter, the thrill of touching him too wonderful and exciting. I try to bring my thoughts back to the conversation around the table as my Dad catches up with his Mom and step-dad on all he's missed out on since they last saw each other.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">But it's impossible, my mind is filled with pictures of Zach pulling me close and crushing his full sensuous lips onto mine. I can tell you the whole afternoon and early evening was torture as I tried to act normal around my family. All the while just waiting for an excuse to leave and meet Zach. I finally managed to sneak out around 9:45pm, after pulling on my sexiest skin tight denim jeans, a lacy black vest top with my old battered leather jacket on top. I decided against my red stilettos and went for my worn in cowboy boots, I am tall enough without heels! As I brushed out my long dark hair, I imagined <i>his</i> fingers running through my hair, pulling me closer and closer until our lips met in a burning flame of desire.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I grabbed an old bicycle from the garden shed and pedalled furiously up the drive and onto the road which would lead me to Forks. I flew along, my hair blowing out like a flag behind me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I was late, but he was there, sitting astride his motorbike, looking dangerously sexy. My heart skipped a dozen beats as I flung down the old bike at the school gates and nervously and breathlessly climbed aboard his Harley.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">He turned around to gaze into my eyes, “You look stunning babe, hold on tight ok?" he grinned sexily at me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> I smiled back and put my arms around his waist, blushing furiously to myself, excited to be touching his body. We sped off into the night under a canopy of twinkling stars. This is so romantic I thought to myself smiling widely. The ride was so awesome and exciting, even more so because I was so close to <i>him.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">We eventually stopped at a beautiful lake, the moonlight bouncing <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8242bcb9-fb3d-4882-a063-4de37162972d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bd56e555-cc52-4622-9dea-22ddbb6decba" grcontextid="of:0">of</span> the water creating a <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="61c7dd5d-0638-43bd-8380-46f5ab0f7912" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bd56e555-cc52-4622-9dea-22ddbb6decba" grcontextid="wonderful:1">wonderful</span> romantic setting. Zach helped me off the Harley, his warm hands causing electricity to course through my veins. He gestured for me to sit down at a picnic bench. He sat really close to me, our denim clad legs brushing against each other. He pulled a small flask from his leather jacket and passed it to me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> "Here gorgeous, have a drink. It'll warm you up," he laughed gently.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> The warm liquid felt good as it slipped down my throat, causing a small fire to burn in my belly. We sat side by side and took turns to sip the amber drink, it's fire making me feel warm and fuzzy inside. Zach turned to me and put his warm hands on either side of my face, "Oh Iris," he breathed huskily, “I’ve wanted to kiss you since the first moment I set eyes on you!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I think I actually stopped breathing at this point, my heart was in my mouth and time seemed to stand completely still as his lips came closer and closer until they finally touched mine. His full sexy lips devoured mine with a hunger and passion I'd only read about in novels. This was so exciting, and it was really happening. Yes, happening to me, Iris Clearwater. My hands involuntarily moved up to run through his wild black locks, pulling him closer and closer until my lips <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b302a544-296a-4f8e-be68-7a4715d5dcd7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="66b91c8a-3a69-4282-b2a0-9dcc0e09743e" grcontextid="were hungrily kissing:0">were hungrily kissing</span> his with the same <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a5b87c04-d071-4363-8308-1bf3f81dd511" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="66b91c8a-3a69-4282-b2a0-9dcc0e09743e" grcontextid="fervour:1">fervour</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Our lips burned with fire and the sweet taste of the brandy we had drunk. His kiss was like a drug to me, once tasted I couldn't stop myself. His hands unzipped my leather jacket and explored the contours of my body. I moaned against his mouth as his hands moved underneath my skimpy top and traced delicate patterns over the smooth skin of my stomach. His lips brushed my cheek, then my neck as he trailed fiery kisses passionately over my skin, making me gasp with pleasure.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I didn't want to stop him as his hands moved slowly but insistently upwards to the <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0bbf9357-9d64-408f-b5dc-dd4085e86804" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6fc64330-d0ca-46ec-9b00-15875c6aa040" grcontextid="satin:0">satin</span> material of my bra. But the angel on one shoulder over-ruled the little devil on the other and I gently moved away from him with a reluctant sigh. I felt empty as his hands moved away from my bare skin and instantly wanted his touch, his lips on me once again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Zach," I whispered, "This is all happening a little too fast for me!" I exclaimed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">He smiled that sexy smile at me and took my hand leading me back to the bike. "You <i>will</i> be mine Iris, there is no doubt about that!" he stated confidently.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">And so it began, for the last two weeks I've been sneaking away to see him, to be alone with him, to get my fix of this drug. Is it love or is it lust? I just don't know.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">All I know is I can't get enough.</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">CHAPTER SIX</span></u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Unrequited Love<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">MIA BLACK:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">My Mom, Nessie and I sat around the kitchen table having breakfast. Nessie didn't eat any of the delicious pancakes and bacon my Mom had made but the pair of us tucked in with a healthy appetite. I was lucky I could eat anything and not put on an ounce, just like my Mom. This is one good thing about being a shape-shifter! I knew Nessie preferred to drink the blood of animals; she was <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e993d6b0-0034-40d7-80c8-9332492ef49b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2ada2e43-060e-4dca-adcf-138d39d158c2" grcontextid="half human half vampire:0">half human half vampire</span>. This didn't bother me I was used to the strange and supernatural. It was part of my life. When Mom and Dad first explained it all to me and Isaac I was scared and confused, but when the change came I was prepared, and it wasn't all bad. To run free in the forest in wolf form was very liberating. My Uncle Seth used to be a shape-shifter, but he was almost killed when Nessie was kidnapped years ago, and the family decided to save his life by changing him into a vampire. He survived the change but still retained some of his shape-shifting abilities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">It's been great seeing Seth and Nessie, getting to know them; they are such a great couple. Their kids Iris and Reuben seem nice too, identical twins but so different. Whereas Reuben is quiet and introspective, Iris is mischievous and passionate. But I was glad to have the chance to get to know them; I was only a baby when they left. I am taking them both over to meet Ruby later, who is actually their sister, not identical but their triplet nonetheless. Ruby and I have talked about it and she is excited to meet them, it's strange them being siblings but never knowing each other. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="be29e224-5247-4d87-887f-7d8d285bf9ee" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="18364073-2e0f-4b79-aac1-d440f5da90e7" grcontextid="Dom:0">Dom</span> and Ellie, Ruby's parents cannot wait to see the twins, they are their real parents after all! Oh it all sounds so complicated but I'm sure it will be fine when they all meet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Mom and Nessie are teasing me about who I will be taking to the Summer Ball. I've finished college for the summer but we always have an end of term ball. I shrug and tell them there is no one I can think of, but secretly I wish I could ask Zach, my Mom's half-brother. I have had a crush on him since I was twelve; I adore him even though he doesn't see me as anything more than his way too young half niece. I wasn't short of admirers at college, there were plenty of boys just dying to go out with me, but none of them were Zach. So I smile and laugh with my Mom and Nessie and tell them I haven't a clue who to take. Which is true? All the boys at college seem so immature next to Zach.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> "Oh Mia love, you'll have to get a date soon or all <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9f3b6efd-8438-4475-8c61-74532e929d4e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e5fcf347-15c0-4701-9c1a-6b0d84bd25e5" grcontextid="the best:0">the best</span> ones will be taken!" my Mom laughs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> I roll my eyes at her, and flick back my long dark hair. "I was lucky, I asked your Dad and he said yes. That was the first time we kissed and <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="402e9ddd-5bc2-424e-9b8b-6faad478a73d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="afd9517f-51f0-42cd-a308-7f92983bc091" grcontextid="realised:0">realised</span> we were in love!" Mom sighs looking all misty eyed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I just roll my eyes again and smile. I've heard THAT story a million times!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Nessie reaches over and takes my hand, "Mia I have a suggestion which I hope you'll love?" she asks. I raise my eyebrows quizzically at her. "Would you consider asking Reuben? I think it would be good for him to go out with you. Both of them have been so sheltered in the rainforest with no opportunities to date. What do you think, love? "<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fcc22f35-b8e4-4e8d-9982-569f6b1b6739" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5c398b0b-0dd5-429b-be31-d611beefe643" grcontextid="Hmmm:0">Hmmm</span> Reuben was very handsome with his black hair and sapphire eyes, he was very quiet though, I'm just not sure, but Nessie's chocolate brown eyes are pleading with me to say yes. How can I upset her?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> "That's a great idea! Sure I'll ask Reuben!" I exclaim squeezing Nessie's hand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Her wide dazzling smile makes <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="85c26d0b-8643-44f9-b2bd-df548c01ae09" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a66d1af0-bd60-4eb4-a33a-06564d897072" grcontextid="my:0">my</span> reply worth it. "Oh thanks love, that's so sweet of you!" Nessie replies with a huge smile and a twinkle in her pretty eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Mom smiles at me, "There you go Mia, a handsome young man to escort you to the ball!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I smile back at them both, trying to look happy, but inside my heart is full of sadness. The one I really want won't be by my side when I wear my gorgeous scarlet backless gown. His arms won't be the ones to hold me as we glide gracefully around the dance floor. I sighed inwardly and tried to look pleased. "I'll ask him tomorrow on the way to the Cross place" I announce which brings wide smiles to my Mom and Nessie's faces.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Well I'm off to phone Ruby to make plans for tomorrow," I say waving to them both.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I leave the kitchen through the back door which leads into the garden. The sun is shining and the birds are singing, such a lovely summer's day. Well for Forks <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ce0e33ab-5873-4798-a177-baf35d9138f3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="acc07a19-ea7c-455a-99d1-a60851797da9" grcontextid="any ways:0">any ways</span>, we don't get much sunshine here. I pass Seth in the garden, his handsome face sparkling diamond like in the sunshine. Ah vampires are so beautiful. I gaze at him in awe as he smiles at me. Wow! Nessie is so lucky; they make a stunning couple, so young and beautiful forever and ever. But so very strange that their kids will keep ageing and growing old, strange and sad. I shake off the sad feeling as I walk down to the gazebo in the shade and flip open my phone to dial <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ae17bc48-f5c1-4071-9265-6b2ff63aa14f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="31c1c301-4991-4f6c-a0f4-33ad3d590d14" grcontextid="Ruby's number:0">Ruby's number</span>. The snapping of twigs and the faint sound of girlish laughter makes me look up. Who is in the trees there? I walk toward the small wood which leads to the stream and the perfect little cottage Seth and Nessie used to live in, which is now rented out to couples wanting a private retreat whilst on holiday. But I know there is no one at the cottage just now?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I hurriedly walk through the woods to find the source of the laughter, wondering what and who I will find. Nothing could have prepared me for the sight of Zach, <i>my </i>Zach, holding Iris tightly whilst his lips trailed passionate kisses down her neck and onto her collarbone. Her girlish giggles and squeals of delight were the sounds I had heard. I quickly hide behind a large wide oak tree to watch, silent tears streaming down my face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> "Oh Zach, that's so nice," Iris moans against his dark hair. Her hands reach up to entwine in his shaggy mane and pull his head up so her lips can meet <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="378002e4-b441-40c2-bc71-12cc73e57f92" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="35eba5d1-d399-453a-916a-24f15eb17d92" grcontextid="his:0">his</span> in a crushing passionate kiss. I know instantly this is not the first time they have kissed this way. My heart is breaking but I cannot tear my tear stained eyes away from the couple. Zach’s hands are roaming underneath Iris's skimpy <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ade9277b-94f5-4ea1-8616-4231536b8bde" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8e9e15dd-a722-4f6b-bf7f-c2922dc8e400" grcontextid="t-shirt:0">t-shirt</span> causing small moans to escape her perfect lips. He breaks their passionate kiss to gaze into her sapphire eyes. "Iris, <i>I want you,</i>" he moans sexily.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> She laughs and gently extricates herself from his arms. "Zach, I want you too, but I'm scared! I'm not experienced like you!" Iris exclaims, her pretty face sad.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Zach stares into her eyes as she gazes at him mesmerized, "But baby I need you, I love you, I want you," he drawls in his sexy voice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">What I wouldn't give to hear him say that to me!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"We've got the cottage to ourselves all day! Such a great idea of mine to steal the key!" he laughs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Iris turns away from him, her sapphire eyes full of sadness, "But <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c114031a-e3f3-40a8-bbba-0be81e84853e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e3ac0b8b-f457-4b05-a93b-73b1a42fa266" grcontextid="Zach if you:0">Zach if you</span> love me you will wait," she says in a small voice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I watch Zach sigh and a look of anger briefly crosses his face. "Okay babe, whatever you want. But make it soon eh? Or I might just have to find me someone else! I know Mia would just die to take your place and she's grown into quite the little looker!" he laughs as Iris quickly whips around to face him, her eyes blazing fury at him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"You wouldn't!" she shouts whacking his arm in anger as he just laughs and laughs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Now my shame and humiliation is complete. He <i>knows </i>how I feel about him. Oh ground <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9b8ca04b-5389-46e4-9ec4-ca641cb940a7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e7dc155d-97e9-4d42-8563-7e1e4e4d01a6" grcontextid="please:0">please</span> swallow me up!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Come on babe," Zach says in his throaty voice, "Let's go get a drink or something in town".<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Iris smiles, obviously unable to resist him or stay angry for long. They wander off hand in hand as I slump against the tree and let out a long sigh. I rub my teary eyes, determined not to cry, but as I quietly walk back to the garden, I start to sob and my poor heart breaks some more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Why can't he love me?</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">CHAPTER SEVEN</span></u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Friends<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">ZACHARY SWAN:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I sat at the bar in a really dingy pub down by the river in Seattle, downing vodka shots and feeling pretty damn pleased with myself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I had Iris Clearwater adoring and worshipping me and it was only a matter of time before she gave in and became mine completely.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">It's not that I didn't like the girl, it's just she isn't my normal type, she's way too innocent and unworldly compared to my usual preferences. But there was something so enticing about her, her innocence maybe? Or maybe it was those sapphire blue eyes which sparkled when she gazed at me, or her lovely long dark hair which flowed over her shoulders, or her perfectly formed figure? I don't know, but it sure was no hardship to hang out with her, though I suspected she was developing serious feelings for me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I knew exactly when I saw her that my task would be an easy one. It was too easy though, the girl was in love with me it was plain to see. I probably would have hit on her any ways when she visited my Mom and Dad, just for the fun of it, flirting came easy to me, and I was blessed in the looks department. All the Clearwater's are great looking, I definitely don't think I got it from the Swan side of the family, although my half-sister Bella is a stunner, but then she is a vampire!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">When I was asked to make Iris Clearwater fall in love with me I didn't think it would be particularly hard. My new friends were very specific about this part of their mysterious plan. They told me my long lost family members would soon be appearing from South America and if I wanted them to stay friends with me, with all the benefits that brought me, and then I would do this small <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ee8556d2-f6ce-458f-a0b2-aa77632fd5ff" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="056f6082-afe0-4e9f-a7b3-be95e022459a" grcontextid="favour:0">favour</span> for them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I knew I didn't have the most normal of families, but when I met these two new friends of mine, even I Zach Swan relation to vampires and shape-shifters found my new acquaintances a bit strange.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">But they delivered on all their promises. Promises to make me rich and famous, oh yes, plans were well under way. Why only the other night a record label scout had dropped by to see my band and had instantly asked us to go make a demo for him next week! So excited about that! We've been playing around this area for years with absolutely no interest from anyone, but since my friends appeared on the scene and I've done what they've asked of me, things are looking up tremendously.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">It was weird when I met them for the first time, they found me drunk lying in a dark alleyway, but they knew my name and they helped me up and sat me in the back of their black Jeep away from the cold biting wind and rain. They gave me something to drink, something which burned and left a strange taste in my mouth, not the usual feeling I got from alcohol, but pleasant nonetheless.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I seemed to go into a trance as I listened to their soothing voices, telling me everything would be okay, they knew me and they knew my secret heart's desires.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Their eyes seemed to glow red in the darkness of the Jeep, the blacked out windows giving it a tomb-like appearance. My head swam and I felt like I was in a dream. Yes, the first time I met them was weird. But since then things have become, <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a3398921-5120-4926-8a4e-4af044d5e8b8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="20e79be6-37f6-4fdf-9c31-669c280a5320" grcontextid="hmmmm:0">hmmmm</span> what is the word? Easier. Yes, easier.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I called to the barman to get me another vodka shot, the loud pounding music of the jukebox making it difficult for him to hear. I jumped as I felt small cold hands caress the back of my neck.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> "Jeez! You scared me!" I exclaimed turning round to face her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Her perfectly pale and beautiful face lit up with a sly smile, her eyes gazing into mine making me feel like I was floating. Her eyes were mesmerizing me; tonight they were the brightest blue, azure and timeless.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Her silky voice whispered in my ear giving me goose bumps all over, "Come sit with us," she purred, indicating to a small dark private booth in the corner where her companion sat, his eyes closed as if meditating.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I slid <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3d832c1b-30f0-4a6b-bf44-b4ff06b13f68" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3e1b7023-dfa5-4a02-ad63-37125722ba35" grcontextid="of:0">of</span> my bar stool, swaying a little unsteadily on my feet as I took her small hand and let her lead me to the booth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"It's so great to see you, I thought you weren't coming tonight" I smiled as her bright blue eyes gazed into mine, intoxicating and <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b6d0a77c-e98c-4db5-a984-c74ff476e480" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="de2ddf93-7c9a-4038-804f-bc21c2b91199" grcontextid="hypnotising:0">hypnotising</span> me. She smiled her small smile with just a hint of teeth showing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Why of course Zachary, when have we ever let you down<i>?"</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I smiled a little drunkenly at her as I grasped her small hand tighter. So beautiful, so perfect, so …... <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="490a0c55-7137-41f3-a209-9ef8158381af" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="da28299b-0ff0-43ce-8152-df7f39654975" grcontextid="mysterious:0">mysterious</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Jane and Alec, my strange new best friends.</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">CHAPTER EIGHT</span></u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Reunited<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">REUBEN CLEARWATER:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Cross farm was a truly beautiful sight as Mia, Iris and myself drove up the drive in Jacob Black's land rover. There were a dozen horses in the lush green fields, their coats lustrous and silky in the sunshine. It was a gorgeous summer's day, apparently rare in Forks; everyone seemed happy and more <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2287632d-dd25-47b5-b9be-d448a7212820" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="09beacf1-bf83-470b-bea0-e95c17b7eda2" grcontextid="care-free:0">care-free</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Mia jumped out of the land rover and hurried towards a red-haired girl who looked at Iris and <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5e6cb2bd-1a69-4b5c-8e83-c9f6468a1800" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="89a819e0-93cd-4d6b-9a02-09905ecd733d" grcontextid="I:0">I</span> with burning curiosity in her piercing green eyes. Mia took the girl's hand and led her over to us, my twin and I gaped at her as we both <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="81e0437a-9e13-4a2f-b0de-4f073edc3428" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7fdeec9f-750c-45d2-a5f6-e102b0dd38ae" grcontextid="realised:0">realised</span> this was our triplet Ruby. We hadn't seen her since we were all infants. Her full lips curved into a smile, a smile which reminded me of Iris, yes she was different to us, but I could see similarities in her face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">We were identical twins, she was our triplet but non identical, I understood the biology but to see her in real life, to <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a858bf2f-6f53-4220-a0dc-81a5c1e23c58" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="289eb762-18e0-48a9-8e02-d4ae3559a9dc" grcontextid="realise:0">realise</span> we came from the same womb was quite astounding.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Mia grinned widely as she introduced us, "Iris and Reuben, meet Ruby, my best friend in the whole world and your sister!" she crowed with glee.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I smiled shyly at Ruby not sure what to say, whilst Iris flung her arms around our sister almost knocking her to the ground. We are twins but very different!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Mia laughed and clapped her hands with joy at reuniting us with our siblings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">A tall handsome dark haired man appeared from the house, pushing a beautiful red haired woman in a wheelchair that had the widest happiest smile on her face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Iris, Reuben these are my parents Dominic and Ellie. I guess they are your real parents!" Ruby announced as the couple got closer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Iris and I were both speechless, for a change.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I had seen photos of our real parents, my Mom and Dad had told my sister and <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e689dd51-5c6a-47b1-9cda-71332a90d6a7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="54b56479-bfc7-4bdf-a41d-e353abb10c9a" grcontextid="I:0">I</span> the story many times. I felt like I knew them already, they had the kindest faces and sincere smiles.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I would always think of our parents as Mom and Dad though, Mom gave birth to us, they both brought us up. But we wouldn't exist at all if it hadn't been for these two.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Ellie clasped both mine and Iris's hand a tear running down her smooth rosy cheek. Mia and Ruby glanced at each other their faces full of emotion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Oh my, aren't you two all grown up!" Ellie exclaimed as her husband grinned widely at us both.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> "Great to see you both again at last" Dominic said warmly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Ruby darling, you must show the twins around!" Ellie said smiling up at us both.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I could see plainly that Ruby was the double of her beautiful mother whilst Iris and I were so like Dominic with our dark hair and bluest of blue eyes. It must've been so hard for our Mom to give her up, but one selfless act from Dominic and Ellie had led to an even bigger selfless act from our Mom and Dad.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"C'mon guys, there's so much for you to see!" Ruby smiled happily as she grabbed Iris's hand excitedly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I looked expectantly at Dominic and Ellie with a shy smile, "Go on Reuben, it's fine we'll catch up <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3b488d2b-3337-4c2c-992d-314bda7a7368" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bf45aaf0-5292-4c25-8560-9ad281633f63" grcontextid="late:0">late</span>," Dominic said clapping my shoulder as Ellie grinned up at me, her green eyes shining with happiness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Ruby and Iris had already made their way over to the farmhouse, whilst Mia hung back to wait for me. She smiled at me and beckoned for me to follow her. "Shall we go see the horses first Reuben?" she asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I smiled shyly back, aware that I would have to make conversation with her whilst we were alone. Damn this shyness of mine, why couldn't I be more like Iris? Full of life and laughter. But no, I was the serious one <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a186b50c-b9fe-4e1f-8ba3-0312766fae99" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a86109a4-a15c-423d-bf38-5034f6de96e1" grcontextid="between:0">between</span> us; it wasn't my fault it's just how it was.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Mia and I leant on the fence and watched the horses in the field. We made small talk about nothing significant. She was easy to talk to and very pretty with her long silky dark hair, olive skin and dark mysterious eyes. I felt myself relax slightly and my words and actions became less stilted the more we talked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Suddenly she turned to me, her dark eyes boring into mine, "Reuben, would you be my date for my end of term ball?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I gazed at her, my pale cheeks <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="563720f8-573f-4a2d-af30-b4cb981440e6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ce7b1314-c2f3-4ecf-8f77-3c5692d8210d" grcontextid="colouring:0">colouring</span> slightly, as she waited patiently for my answer. Usually I would have made an excuse to leave all the while blushing and stuttering as I made my escape, but I was rooted to the spot under her dark gaze. She really was so pretty. I could feel myself falling into those dark eyes, as my lips formed an answer before my brain could kick in.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Yes Mia," I said with surprise at the easy way I'd answered her request. She smiled at me obviously pleased with my response. "That's settled then!" she said, taking my hand and leading me away from the field.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">My heart started hammering in my chest as her delicate fingers wrapped themselves round mine. Butterflies danced in my stomach and my mouth was dry. What was happening? Was I falling in love with my cousin? We aren't really related though so my feelings are perfectly normal aren't they?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I hadn't felt this strange feeling before, I wasn't sure if I liked it or not.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I tried to act normal as Ruby and Iris appeared. A tall lanky boy with messy dirty blonde hair was with them his arm draped around Ruby's shoulders. "Reuben, this is Anthony, my fiancé," Ruby smiled proudly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Hey Reuben," he smiled easily at me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> I instantly liked this laid back guy who seemed to dote on Ruby. "Hey Mia hope you have been behaving yourself!" Anthony laughed winking at Mia.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Ruby!" Mia protested her dark eyes blazing with annoyance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Ruby tossed back her curly red hair and laughed infectiously. Iris was giggling too, her blue eyes shining mischievously. Obviously Mia had told her best friend of her plans to ask me to the ball. I felt my cheeks turning red as I made an excuse to go into the house to use the bathroom. As usual I was the cause of their jokes. It was bad enough Iris constantly teasing me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I felt a small hand on my arm, "Reuben, don't mind Ruby and Anthony. They love to tease me. I told Ruby I was going to ask you, she never could keep a secret!" Mia smiled rolling her eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I felt my embarrassment fade as I looked into her dark eyes. I smiled shyly at her as we walked along arm in arm, the sunshine warm on my face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The sun was shining in my heart too as I felt Mia's slim body press against mine as she chattered away to me animatedly. It was enough for me just to listen to her. I gazed at her and wondered what it would be like to take her photograph. I wondered if she would let heart was stuttering and hammering away in my chest again, so loud I'm sure she would hear it. What was this? What was happening to me I asked myself?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I already know the answer; I think I'm falling in love with her.</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">CHAPTER NINE</span></u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Wolf Instincts<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">ISAAC BLACK:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Oh my god! <i>She </i>is walking towards me pouting with those full red lips, her long dark hair billowing around her shoulders, her long legs encased in black leather, a tight black <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="320bba92-d3f4-4ce1-9619-1244974d9ecf" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0393396a-db62-4e24-989f-cc60dfa33330" grcontextid="t-shirt:0">t-shirt</span> with a skull and crossbones <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="14bff7dd-82ca-438f-9ac6-6ed602fe900b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0393396a-db62-4e24-989f-cc60dfa33330" grcontextid="moulding:1">moulding</span> itself to her perfect shape, her blue eyes glittering fiercely as she strides sexily across the lawn.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I can hardly breathe as she approaches; the whole universe shrinks around me until there is only her and nothing else. In my mind I see stars falling from the sky and I fall with them into the deepness of her eyes where I would happily drown forever.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Hey Isaac," she drawls in her throaty voice, making my stomach flip and my heart stutter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Hey Iris," I manage to choke out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She keeps walking, her hips swaying, her hair flowing around her, a vision of loveliness. She is all I think about, I need her, and I want her so badly. I can't sleep, I can't eat, and I can't concentrate on anything.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I have been phasing every night now, just to try to escape these human feelings and emotions. But they are always there with me no matter what shape I become, always her name printed on my heart and soul. <i>Iris.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I wait until she reaches the trees which lead into the small wood beyond the hotel. Of course I'm going to follow her. I've been trying so hard not to follow her but the urge is on me once again. For two nights I've resisted my desire, but I felt so anxious not being near her that I had to <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="27e194d3-1f2d-4820-8be6-268b9fadb218" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bccf26b9-396f-4de8-8d76-47b2fdfdc508" grcontextid="phase:0">phase</span> and run far away into the mountains to hunt.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I cannot bear another night of anxiety. I need to be near her even though it rips my poor heart in two when I see her with Zach Swan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I can see her beautiful face light up when she sees him, I can almost hear her heart <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="37fc5e78-542b-4ba9-9e4f-3ff05d7a7798" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3bc75af0-1fd9-4d2a-a9b7-3b17827c45b3" grcontextid="pound:0">pound</span> when he kisses her and touches her. I can see she is in love with him and I hate it, I hate him!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I am scared she will soon give herself completely to him. I burn with a jealous rage when I think of his hands on her silky smooth pale skin, his lips burning feverish kisses on her delicate throat as her naked body entwines with his.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I want her to think of me in that way, I wish I could tell her and show her how I feel. But I'm scared. A big scared wolf boy, it's ridiculous! I'm over 6ft 5" tall but nothing can reduce me in size more than the thought of Iris rejecting me, laughing at my feelings for her. No, I must not act. I must stay silent until I can think of a plan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I must follow her, make sure no one and nothing can harm her. I love her. It's that simple. I wish!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I creep stealthily through the trees as she makes her way to the old cottage in the woods.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I see Zach sitting on a tree stump idly kicking at <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1feff423-49e1-4e6e-9517-923e751e6b95" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="96a79b04-d647-4341-a54b-286a8034a29f" grcontextid="leaves:0">leaves</span> with his feet, waiting impatiently for her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She begins to run towards the cottage and her heart's desire. He looks up just as she launches herself into his arms. Her luscious lips cover his surprised face with kisses, her arms tightly around his neck as her long legs wrap themselves around his waist.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Oh Zach, I've missed you," she moans, her lips finding <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="249d07ab-289a-4273-8d20-a7767f8c1b14" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="80d06cff-dc0f-4fce-8516-c73f960d3adf" grcontextid="his:0">his</span> with passionate desire.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">My heart burns with jealous rage; I taste blood in my mouth as I bite the inside of my cheek so hard to stop me from screaming out loud. I go through this torture every time I see them together, I want to drag her away from him and confess my true feelings, tell her what it means to imprint. Tell her how much I love her and always will.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Zach pulls away from her eager lips, "Whoa babe, calm down! We've got visitors tonight. I brought my two new friends to meet you," he smiles dodging her kisses.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Whoops" she smiles irresistibly, pulling herself away from him reluctantly. Zach stands up and waves over to the cottage window, where I can see two silhouettes gazing out into the night.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">As the couple <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b5c4ad10-d218-4643-a7e0-1ccedff1ea93" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="21475474-b145-4141-a217-b6ccba8022a6" grcontextid="make:0">make</span> their way into the cottage, I inch forward slowly. I creep quietly up to the cottage window; luckily the blinds are not down giving me a perfect view of my heart and soul's only concern - <i>my beautiful Iris. </i>Okay I know she's not mine, but try telling that to my poor stuttering heart.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I watch mesmerized by her beauty as she glides elegantly about the room. My focus is totally on her, I don't register any other details.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">But my attention is suddenly pulled away unexpectedly, the two friends of Zach’s are talking to Iris, they are smiling up at her, their eyes glowing as she returns their greetings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Glowing red. My wolf instincts click <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ba136da1-a52b-4a76-860a-82e125ecf4f5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ada13b7d-7b85-4534-bf6a-81a16caaa310" grcontextid="in:0">in</span> and I know I'm about to <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2baef8a4-a6df-40fc-84a3-c6bf00c9780e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ada13b7d-7b85-4534-bf6a-81a16caaa310" grcontextid="phase:1">phase</span>. Fear turns my blood to ice as I sprint into the woods, my clothes flying into the air as I quickly and effortlessly phase into the dark brown gigantic wolf. Red eyes can only mean one thing to a shape-shifter. Vampires. <i>Evil vampires. </i>I must go to my parents at once, tell them what I've seen. They will know what to do, they must! I must protect Iris, my own life doesn't matter compared to hers!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">My heart hammers in my chest like it's about to explode as I run fast towards the hotel. I must phase back soon or risk upsetting our guests. But wait, I've no clothes! Luckily I remembered I always leave a spare pair of <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="59241289-810a-4d5e-b83a-70b6a3a9509b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6702da6d-3fdb-414f-9ca3-35a63bc34e31" grcontextid="cut-off:0">cut-off</span> jeans in the summer house. I pray no one is there as I dash across the lawn, my dark fur shining in the full moon. Oh great it's a full moon tonight, that would just be the icing on the cake if some poor guest saw me now!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">My mind is thinking all of these background thoughts as just one word flashes insistently upon my brain. V<i>ampires! Vampires! Vampires!</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">We didn't have vampires in Forks, well not any more, not like it had been in my parent’s younger days. Of course Seth and Nessie were here, but they were different, they were good. They were family. These other...<i>things</i>... I knew right away they weren't good. And right now they were in close proximity to my Iris! My heart stuttered wildly with fear as I made it safely to the summer house. I quickly phased and pulled on my <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8138e63d-c597-438f-a85a-d39a1f9cb24d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a831709f-7fc2-43a7-858b-96ea73aa762e" grcontextid="cut offs:0">cut offs</span>, nearly ripping the door from its hinges as I ran as fast as I could in human form to the house.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Dad! Mom!" I screamed at the top of my voice as I ran through the back door into the kitchen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Mom and Dad were sitting around the big wooden table sipping wine whilst chatting to Seth and Nessie; all four looked up in surprise as I burst in.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Isaac? What's wrong?" Dad asked <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f26c9059-a114-40a1-81da-32391cebe73c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f8c67b36-56c2-4e3e-82c6-f054f986fc1f" grcontextid="worriedly:0">worriedly</span> jumping up from his seat and striding towards me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">My breathing was ragged and my chest hurt from the exertion of running and the pain of leaving Iris behind <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9e7cc9cd-f752-4461-8902-51fbfca5d523" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="534ed1f9-c57f-47ad-ba20-8fd9e8621d67" grcontextid="with:0">with</span> those creatures.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Vampires!" I managed to choke out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"<i>Bad vampires!"</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></u></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">CHAPTER TEN</span></u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Danger<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">IRIS CLEARWATER:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Zach’s new friends were very strange, with their black cloaks, red eyes and pale faces. Very gothic looking with their old fashioned black clothes, but what was with the red contact lenses?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">They both stared at me, their scary eyes boring into mine, as Zach sat slouched on the sofa.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Jane smiled at me, but there was no warmth in it. Alec stood behind her just staring at me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Well Iris, it's a pleasure to meet you at last," Jane smirked. I smiled back nervously, trying to act cool and nonchalant. "<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2945494c-550b-4fd7-857b-7f9e42457607" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b47d55de-2867-400e-bc2d-fe62d3a7a036" grcontextid="Ehmm:0">Ehmm</span> you too," I stuttered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"So how is your dear mother?" she asked her red eyes narrowing. How could she possibly know my Mom? Things are just getting weirder and weirder. Zach looked up at her as puzzled as I was. She smirked once again, "Oh Iris dear, I know your mother from way back, before you were born."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">My mind whirled trying to make sense of her statement. How could she possibly know my Mom, she must have only been about the same age as me?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Alec was smirking too as Jane turned to him, "Oh Alec and I had the pleasure of meeting her <i>once</i>. She came to visit us when we lived in Italy. I believe your biological mother was there also, Ellie Cross? Your mother and her awful family turned up and ruined mine and Alec's lives forever!" she roared.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I flinched back from her angry words, trying frantically to decipher what she could possibly be talking about.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Zach had <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="81db077b-1bf9-488a-a990-0604902aa375" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8ca4730d-c531-4c9d-bdd6-058fbe01e5ee" grcontextid="sat:0">sat</span> up now and was paying attention to our conversation. I looked at him beseechingly for help.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Hey now Jane, why are you shouting at her, I don't understand?" he asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Jane turned her red eyes onto Zach an evil smile on her face. "Zachary, why do you think we asked you to get close to Iris? Do you think it was really so we could help you and your awful band to become successful? Ha! No, it was because we've waited seventeen years for revenge, seventeen long years keeping tabs on her despicable family! Cast out by our leaders, forced to flee from our home! All because of her stupid selfish mother! You've served your purpose now Zachary, we do not require your services any longer, now we have what we want, maybe Aro will see us, maybe he will take us back when we bring him this prize! We've waited so long! Hiding away, scared of our own shadows, but knowing, just knowing one day an opportunity would come!" she crowed her evil eyes turning to me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I froze with shock and fear, Mom and Dad had never mentioned these people before, but now it was totally obvious to me that they were <i>vampires! </i>These weren't the peace loving vegetarian vampires I had grown up with, who were my family. My blood turned to ice as I stared at the evil vampire twins, my heart beating loudly in my chest. As if it wasn't bad enough to be trapped in here with them, I now knew that Zach didn't love me, he'd used me as a pawn, and he’d fallen under the vampire's spell. He didn't want me all along; I was a bargaining tool to get what he wanted. The whole world spun as I was overcome by fear and rejection. Tears fell down my face as my predicament became horribly clear. Jane and Alec laughed evilly as I stood trembling and crying silent tears.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Zach suddenly stood up and rushed at Jane, but before his outstretched arms could reach her he fell to the floor clutching his head in agony.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Ah ah ah make it stop!" he screamed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> I watched helplessly as he writhed in pain on the floor, his screams becoming weaker and weaker until he passed out from the agony. My voice suddenly came back with a vengeance! "What are you doing to him? Leave him alone you evil bitch!" I screamed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Jane turned her glowing red eyes towards me. "Just like your Mother, a whining attention seeking pathetic loser!" she growled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Alec walked towards me his eyes boring into mine, and suddenly and horrifically I slumped to the floor all my senses cut off. I couldn't hear, see or feel. I thought I was dead.<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">In my head I screamed and screamed as I succumbed to the absolute dark silence.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></i><i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></i></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">CHAPTER ELEVEN</span></u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Surprise Guests<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">SETH CLEARWATER:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Leah rushed to Isaac's side, her face creased with worry for her son. Nessie and I looked at each other in shock, whilst Jacob angrily banged his fist down on the table. "Damn bloodsuckers! “He exclaimed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Dad we have to get Iris out of there!" Isaac gasped, his whole body trembling and tears threatening to fall from his eyes. "And Zach," he added grudgingly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I held Nessie <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="829ee376-9dc4-437a-a947-a07b345255bc" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ad19e0b9-2ccb-43be-b116-68787a214b8d" grcontextid="close:0">close</span> to me as her pale beautiful face clouded over with fear. "Oh Seth, not my gorgeous daughter!" she cried<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="386adaeb-d665-407f-987e-4de46a4d2f41" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4f144c82-dca7-4661-8dc6-5314368688f7" grcontextid="Shhh:0">Shhh</span> love, we'll sort this out, don't worry" I replied stroking her hair.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Jacob sat Isaac down and made him tell us the whole story.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Jane and Alec!" Nessie screamed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I had to admit she was right, who else could it be but those evil twins?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The back door flew open as if knocked down by a hurricane, four figures flew into the room making us all gasp with surprise. Alice, Jasper, Edward and Bella stood in front of us, Alice's eyes wide as she stared at a vision only she could see.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> "Guys! How? Wow, are we glad to see you!" I exclaimed jumping up to greet them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Hello everyone, Alice had a vision. Apparently she's been having them on and off for a while but she couldn't quite pin them down. But this morning they became clearer and she knew we had to come back to Forks!" Bella exclaimed, hugging us all. Edward sat down at the table next to Jacob taking hold of Nessie's hand. Jasper held Alice as she was plagued by an onslaught of horrible visions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Bella hugged Nessie as she continued to sob, "Mom, Dad I'm so scared! It's amazing that you are all here, but I think it's too late! Jane and Alec seem to have ambushed Iris and Zach in the cottage!" she wailed, her poor hybrid heart breaking in two. "Don't worry darling, we're here now, we'll sort this out and Iris will be back with you in no time, <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7a91b169-1537-4118-bf64-f8401c93cee0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b2560174-bd99-4a0c-9516-ab54b1c57440" grcontextid="I promise love,:0">I promise love,</span>" Edward said soothingly as he stroked his daughter's hair.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">He looked up at me, a murderous look on his face and I knew he would not let the evil twins harm his <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="07922a2f-b797-4ea7-86fb-500bf3385a94" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="cef9393c-627e-414f-9a97-e72ce13710ee" grcontextid="grand-daughter:0">grand-daughter</span>. If my still heart could beat it would be stuttering with fear, I longed to have my beautiful daughter Iris back home with us safe and well. What was she doing with Zach Swan? How had Jane and Alec found us? I thought we'd heard the last of them when the Volturi clan was torn apart seventeen years ago. Why come back now? For some horrible revenge on our family? I shivered involuntarily as I thought of poor Iris in close proximity to them. I must be strong for Nessie though. What I really wanted to do was run as fast as possible to the cottage and rip both their heads off! But we must plan; they didn't know Isaac had seen them yet. We may still have the element of surprise.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Okay guys let's decide what the plan of action is!" Jake said gathering everyone round.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Leah you get in touch with the pack, and also get Mia here now, I don't want her anywhere near those evil bloodsuckers! No <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="72e289c6-2681-4677-bff4-03183433fc47" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="16ccf936-f5f0-47aa-a1de-5f5a8b351b80" grcontextid="offence:0">offence</span> guys," he said trying to smile and make a joke.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Leah picked up her mobile phone and began dialling numbers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Reuben is with Mia at the Cross place. But please don't say anything to Dom and Ellie! I don't want them worrying as well!" Nessie said wiping the tears from her eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Bella hugged her daughter again, "Best not tell Charlie and Sue either about Zach, I don't want them to worry either," she added.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I looked around the room at all the people I loved and hoped and prayed our family would triumph over evil once again. Everyone in this room was so precious to me, even though we all had our own separate lives now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">If anything happened to my daughter I don't know what I would do!</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">CHAPTER TWELVE</span></u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">My Vampire Heart<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">RENESMEE CLEARWATER:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I quietly made my way through the house into the room which still housed my Dad's piano, Jacob and Leah had kept it when <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f1bc33b8-3a52-4efc-a5d7-d9889054c02d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="31a058f1-bb67-46f3-9070-022e70588461" grcontextid="the turned the place:0">the turned the place</span> into a hotel. The room was now the drawing room where the hotel guests could relax after a day's hiking in the woods.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The room was lit with candles giving it a <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1f3b653b-799d-410b-b7c2-695e9bfbfa32" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="20b6523c-9af5-478b-aab0-697f53430300" grcontextid="cosy:0">cosy</span> glow and thankfully it was empty, I needed time to gather my thoughts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">My mind was racing with panic at the thought of my daughter close to those evil vampire twins. I had hoped and prayed we'd <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a126b263-844c-4843-8e9c-6e58c004d597" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ce1f8057-bfcb-4c96-badc-0184cbb65811" grcontextid="saw:0">saw</span> the last of the Volturi, I'd become complacent over the years, never suspecting danger would threaten my children. Now here it was knocking on our door once again. Would this have happened if we hadn't come back to Forks? They must have been trailing us for years, spying on us, waiting for an opportunity to strike.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">What <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1e9d8661-7442-4610-a82f-f977fb6b208f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="cec91a00-150d-4590-b18f-e36ebbec5dc8" grcontextid="did they have planned:0">did they have planned</span>? My stomach lurched and my heart stuttered with fear as I thought of all the horrible evil things Jane and Alec could do <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="48582782-e445-4810-a69e-58e5e152ca7d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7a895513-4d6a-45a9-bc9e-c6d8662f547b" grcontextid="to:0">to</span> my daughter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I idly tinkered with the piano keys, missing the feel of my fingers flying over the black and white keys, making musical magic, filling my heart with hope and freedom.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Not that I regretted giving up music for my family, they were the most important thing in the world to me. I didn't give up anything, I gained so much.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">A solitary tear escapes from my eye and tracks its way down my cheek, dripping onto the keys. I hope my family <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="94a99076-dda0-445b-97aa-253b7ee3b5fc" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="49c72eae-b09c-4a80-9364-a2091dfc8d82" grcontextid="are making:0">are making</span> good plans in the other room, I just couldn't stand talking about it anymore, and my thoughts were breaking my hybrid heart. I know together we are strong and can defeat our enemies, especially with help from the wolf pack. But I have this morbid fear that we might go into battle and be too late, Iris will be gone or worse... I can't even say it! I shiver with fear at the thought of losing my daughter. I know I will have to face it one day when she and her brother grow old and leave Seth and I behind. But I will be prepared then, I will be ready. I am not ready to lose her yet! I won't!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I start to hum a tune which has been running around my brain for days, my mind quickly formulating the lyrics and I sing softly to the empty candle-lit room.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"<i>Darling, I'm lost,<br />Adrift in the dark<br />I'm clutching your words to my vampire heart once more<br />So let in the light, turn me to dust<br />If it <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e83f0d4e-6f0c-42b4-acde-147c7236f5cf" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e2481ff3-38a4-4d5d-8e1e-e07f4da9ba14" grcontextid="don't end:0">don't end</span> in bloodshed, dear,<br />It's probably not love</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Here we are, in the darkest place<br /><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4170eba7-8cf7-4d69-8c7c-7eee04404113" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5a0eecd5-7370-4149-b810-ba43a4bb6ce4" grcontextid="my:0">my</span> reflection shows only your face</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Something is found<br /><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="65e33153-0ca7-4daa-90fd-7b0212ba876e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d610b787-1859-4021-b652-f082cce90900" grcontextid="something:0">something</span> is lost<br />Went looking for clues in the streets of old New York<br /><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="add1d285-4c93-49ee-a395-0a125162b653" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2fb529d7-9905-4a5f-aea2-56002a30995b" grcontextid="and:0">and</span> I spilled someone's blood<br />I broke someone's heart again<br /><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3e8e863a-ea2d-4283-9219-5b090632b60a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1eca6dd0-12f2-4583-93db-8625d3e5945b" grcontextid="someone:0">someone</span> you know<br /><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ec9f3dc3-ada9-478f-845e-45ba8f6efc09" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="879d7759-8938-4db3-a7c6-7d069f77e127" grcontextid="you:0">you</span>'re looking at him, my friend</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">And the people in our lives<br /><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f4ac2057-70b7-4342-84a7-a795f439fcc2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a76a577e-f633-4c92-bcbf-cafbbf14b5e4" grcontextid="we:0">we</span> all leave behind<br />Leave behind</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Here we are, in the darkest place<br /><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7f7c7880-ae38-4e20-9af3-e8d7565e5930" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6b13bc8c-0302-4ada-bc4b-3473996059ab" grcontextid="to:0">to</span> keep from forgetting I picture your face<br />And I wonder<br /><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="368c06a8-1c78-4fcc-bfc8-7b68df2b6958" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d50ab0f7-b55e-4ea8-b1b9-1b058671e2d2" grcontextid="while:0">while</span> we count the cost<br /><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e9c262b1-e16a-4c30-9b61-d8f74d452e6f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8f01338e-b0ea-4a9a-b96d-aa3ca20d0464" grcontextid="which:0">which</span> is sweeter;<br />Love or its loss</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">So I curse you,<br /><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e6950ce9-1961-4d6b-a927-624e728360b8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fb223737-0f1e-45ab-a8d6-61c84254cbcb" grcontextid="my:0">my</span> vampire heart<br /><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="eaa2ecaf-9b93-43b6-9a12-e8e71481d2a8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="60c5e90d-74b0-4107-b86d-929c883713e5" grcontextid="for:0">for</span> letting me love you<br />Love you<br /><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="938b316c-034f-409a-8779-7bea1b9a15fe" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b2b62017-2716-4100-a17d-46ab3aefdb82" grcontextid="for:0">for</span> letting me love you<br /><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6531262d-412f-478b-b671-f2bf33eba59b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="86009c00-f52f-4177-965f-6fc9daf08e63" grcontextid="from:0">from</span> the start"</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">My tears are flowing freely now as I give in to them, my head in my hands, my whole body convulsing with fear and pain.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I fear my heart will break in two and I will become dust, blown to the winds and snuffed out like a candle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I feel strong cold hands stroking my hair, I instantly know that touch, would know it anywhere in the universe. <i>Seth.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Nessie love, please don't cry. Everything will work out fine, doesn't it always?" his soothing voice whispers in my ear.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I shake my head, unable to speak for tears.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">My husband turns me around to face him, gently kissing away my tears with his cool soft lips.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a5c8ea97-49ef-4662-a29b-bac7ce3bbe35" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="36a3e496-d1c8-433a-b439-6767751e7f3a" grcontextid="Shhh:0">Shhh</span> darling, I'm here, I'll always be here. Together we're strong, no-one and I mean no-one will harm our family you got that Mrs Clearwater?" he says firmly smiling his dazzling smile at me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">His smile lights up the dark skies of fear, sadness and desolation. He is my sunshine and I start to feel hope surge through my fear racked body like a ray of pure light.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I gaze into his amber eyes, so full of love for me it takes my breath away. How did I ever get so lucky to marry this gorgeous creature? "Oh Seth, I know we're strong, but I've never felt so helpless. It's my daughter, my gorgeous Iris! I feel useless sitting here crying, we should be doing something!" I exclaim.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Jake has it all in hand my love. Bella and Edward too. And Alice told me to tell you not to worry, she sees a good outcome. She wouldn't lie to us now would she?" Seth says with a wink.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I smile weakly back, some of my strength returning due to <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d8a5fc94-e516-428c-ae9a-dd35206c794a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c15bc80f-2cca-4d5a-8536-5a9698a9be07" grcontextid="having him close:0">having him close</span> to me, feeding me with his energy, his pureness, his love.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Come on Ness" he says, pulling me to my feet. "We've got to go get our Iris back!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Oh how I love him!</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> He holds me close, my hybrid heart jumping wildly in my chest; he never fails to have that effect on me. "I love you Seth," I whisper softly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> "I love you Nessie, with all my still silent vampire heart," he replies tenderly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">We kiss, our lips generating electricity, sparks of love flowing between us. His cool lips never fail to entice and intoxicate me. I feel like I can take on the world now and with determination, love and hope in my hybrid heart I take Seth's hand and lead him out of the drawing room.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"By the way Nessie, the song you were singing? I heard it all, I was transfixed, and it was amazing! I wish you would sing more darling, you haven't lost your talent" Seth says proudly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I turn back to smile at him, my Seth, my rock, my sun moon and stars.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I'm clutching your words to my vampire heart once more</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Copyright Tom McRae "My Vampire Heart" (amazing song!)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">CHAPTER THIRTEEN<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Into The Fire<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">IRIS CLEARWATER:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">My senses were slowly coming back. I kept this information to myself, afraid of what Jane and Alec would do if they knew.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I could hear them arguing, growls and hisses punctuating the exchange.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Their raised voices sent chills up and down my spine as I lay on the wooden floor of the cottage.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Jane was screaming at Alec, “I want Renesmee Cullen to suffer Alec, suffer as we have suffered. Cast out <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="08fd79f9-653e-4382-a7c5-59a88240e793" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8b3f9567-f5e8-4219-b97d-9ee0385241be" grcontextid="from:0">from</span> our one true family, their bonds to us severed forever!" she hissed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Alec was trying to calm her, but to no avail, “Jane, please, you are becoming quite hysterical. We need to decide what to do. Remember our presence is not known to them yet, we have the advantage!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> I could hear Jane's heels clacking on the floorboards as she paced back and forwards.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Alec, dearest, I have waited years for revenge; I do not want to wait any longer. I have decided I will not take the daughter to Volterra. I do not think Aro would be pleased with our find, sadly. What good would a human girl be to him? We need to bring him something better, something of more worth, something stronger!" she exclaimed excitement in her voice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">My legs were aching with cramp and I longed to stretch, but I lay quiet and still, not wishing to draw attention to myself. Where was Zach? I wondered silently.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Jane please enlighten me, what and whom are you speaking of?" Alec asked his twin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Why of course Alec dear, I am talking about making a new vampire. A strong new born. Who will in turn make more strong <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e3b88bdb-177e-48c4-9d9e-56bb802ef58e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6a0dd481-44a2-456b-8590-c259d19bdd68" grcontextid="new borns:0">new borns</span>. All of them very special and talented because they were made by us! We shall rule over them, we shall become powerful again!" she crowed. "As there is sadly no Volturi, then there are no more rules. We shall win back Aro's affections with our own coven, but we shall lead them!" she continued.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Alec laughed gleefully at his <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6770ba5c-5da5-414f-8b7e-5db4ad6e1a0d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bbe76a08-bb12-471e-9bb9-7dcaf632843b" grcontextid="twin's:0">twin's</span> plans. I shuddered and hoped they didn't notice. Please don't make me into a vampire! I don't want it! I could feel tears threatening and I tried really hard to stay calm and quiet on the floor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"The girl?" Alec asked. I shivered with fear and trepidation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"No, dearest, not her. I will not give her our gift! Her Mother would be pleased if she lived forever, I want to hurt her, not please her! It has to be Zachary. He will serve us better. Plus it will really upset his precious half-sister Bella! I won't ever forget the way she thwarted me with her shield that day when we came for Renesmee! Outrageous! She will suffer too, along with her pathetic half-breed daughter! " Jane laughed maliciously.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Zach! Where was he? I <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5df98774-e6d8-4a3b-8d7e-58d179634c9c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1f36e510-b6a7-487d-a457-84f2c68286ef" grcontextid="daren't open:0">daren't open</span> my eyes. How could I save him from this evil pair? I feel so useless. So <i>human!</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"And the girl?" Alec <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="24a23cfd-1a7c-4cc6-b976-d585b5cfed71" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e1135ce5-388e-44f0-9ac2-a7430ab4d211" grcontextid="enquired:0">enquired</span> once again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I held my breath as I waited for Jane to reply. " Her pathetic Mother will suffer the most if she loses her precious daughter. She will have a long long long time to dwell on it, to grieve her loss, to feel pain and suffering" Jane gloated.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Lose me? How?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Excellent dearest, I like your plan!" Alec crowed with glee.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">My mind was spinning trying to come up with a plan to get Zach and me the hell out of here! But nothing would stick, I couldn't think straight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">" We will burn this cottage down Alec, with her in it! If <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8eaf38dc-c4cd-4804-b34f-a3cb84b87bfe" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="22b6b844-2dc6-4f17-9fbe-294907355078" grcontextid="any one:0">any one</span> finds human remains they'll never know who it was, the fire will see to that! Renesmee will never know where her daughter is! Has she run away? Has she been murdered? Has she been kidnapped? It will drive her out of her mind! We will take Zach away with us and make our escape to our secret hideaway where our quest to become leaders of a new vampire coven will begin! Yes, I can see it now, you and I as king and queen! Perfect!" Jane laughed, clapping her hands with malicious pleasure.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">They mean to burn the cottage down with me in it? NO! I won't die here and I won't let them take Zach!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I moaned as I tried to sit up, my muscles protesting to the sudden movements. I felt like I had been drugged, Alec's powers had really gone to town on me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">My eyes squinted as they adjusted to the light as I tried to heave myself up. I saw Zach lying in a heap on the sofa, he was still well out of it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">My voice was dry and croaky as I hoarsely shouted out, " You will leave us both alone! My family will hunt you for eternity if you harm either one of us!" I threatened bravely.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Jane and Alec turned their red glowing eyes towards me and began to advance slowly. I struggled to get to on to my feet, my legs feeling like useless lumps of jelly. I looked up to see my frightened face reflected in <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="eb297b1a-6653-4970-86ba-eaa3f1770f4e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="48c25f6b-a8aa-4416-90a4-c81f9f790a60" grcontextid="Jane's red eyes:0">Jane's red eyes</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Her eyes bored into mine, as I stared up at her, too helpless to move or react.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Alec, my dearest, please work your magic on this annoying human again would you? Don't get me wrong, I am not showing the slightest hint of mercy, I just don't want her to escape, " She smiled evilly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Alec's smile mirrored his twin's as his red eyes turned towards mine and I felt all my senses numbing once again. I didn't have time to register panic or fear at the thought of my death by fire.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">All too quickly the darkness overcame me, this time I succumbed to it gladly.</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">CHAPTER FOURTEEN<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Inferno<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">ISAAC BLACK:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I couldn't stand listening to everyone talk about what they should do to save Iris and Zach any longer. Why were they talking about it at all? Why weren't they leaping into action?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">They thought we had time on our side, time to plan, but I knew better. I <i>saw </i>the evil red eyes of Jane and Alec. I knew we didn't have time and I wasn't about to let the girl of my dreams be harmed by either of them! No way!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I wasn't going to let anyone talk me out of it either; I had to make my move now whilst they were all pre-occupied.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I climbed out of my bedroom window and in a few swift agile moves I was on the ground stealthily running through the garden into the trees towards the cottage.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">My heart thumped in my chest with fear, but my mind over rode that feeling with the one word, the <i>only</i> word – <i>"Iris".</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">No matter how scared I was I would die to protect her, she must be kept safe at all costs; imprinting saw to that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">It was such a good way to describe how I felt about her; she was <i>imprinted</i> on my heart, mind and soul <i>forever.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I quickly <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a085c06d-42d1-40ce-ad07-c46b06c89dd9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="88e5def1-6e16-4404-8f69-1c3acc1d2ecb" grcontextid="phased:0">phased</span> as I ran through the trees, travelling wolf style was so much quicker and easier. My senses were all finely attuned in my quest to rescue Iris from the evil twin's clutches. I was so glad I'd changed into wolf form when the smell of burning assailed my nostrils. I probably wouldn't have picked up the smell so quickly with my human nose.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I willed my four legs to go faster as I sped through the forest towards the cottage and Iris.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The sight of flames pouring out of the cottage almost made my heart stop with fear. I've always been scared of fire; it terrifies me. But Iris might be in there so I had to be strong and brave for her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The flames had not yet spread to the back of the cottage so I deftly jumped through one of the back windows, glass shattering around me, nicking my skin through my thick fur, but thankfully not cutting me badly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I quickly phased back, pulling on my <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f49769a2-34cd-41f7-ae7b-6a9f721b9ff7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="66bf3fd1-2e34-4982-b553-00f2cf981ad3" grcontextid="cut-off:0">cut-off</span> jeans, which I'd cleverly tied around my leg before shape shifting. I didn't want Iris to see me in wolf form, it may frighten her even more than she already is!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I'm so scared that I will find Iris in the flames, her skin burning, her lungs overcome by smoke or worse still dead!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I cannot deal with the thought that I might have lost her that I might never look into her beautiful sapphire blue eyes again!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I fling open the living room door roaring orange flames greeting me, pushing me back, and my lungs filling with smoke.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I try to breathe but I cannot help but gulp in breaths of dark acrid smoke. I wheel around quickly and run towards the back door, my heart hammering in my chest<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I fling myself onto the ground as I <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="91f14ce6-d41a-46ce-8e15-558a91525a85" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0292be49-91f0-4f2e-82f3-3c7bd4024e87" grcontextid="realise:0">realise</span> my cut offs have caught fire, rolling over and over to put out the flames.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I sit on the ground staring at the burning cottage too shocked to move.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The two figures in the living room, clutching each other as flames tore through their bodies are engraved on my mind. Horror at the thought of them <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="97ba98d7-aa42-448d-907d-d57023e795d1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4605cc50-ad29-415e-9771-61a93c31800d" grcontextid="not struggling:0">not struggling</span>, holding each other close as they burned, and letting the fire do its worst. Burning together in a fiery inferno, skin turning red <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="edb8e2d8-e439-4d1e-a3fa-b17530d3ebdc" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="87b7ddb3-158f-43e6-9f7b-0d7c68a60779" grcontextid="then black, a:0">then black, a</span> halo of flames as their hair <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fa7865c6-51e0-4624-a9ce-fd2300ada051" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="87b7ddb3-158f-43e6-9f7b-0d7c68a60779" grcontextid="burns:1">burns</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Terrifying. Fire. Death.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Strong arms pull me away, dragging me into the trees as the cottage explodes into a deathly fire ball in front of my horrified eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I hear my Dad shouting at me "Isaac, are you alright son?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> I look up into his dark eyes which are full of worry and concern for me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I shiver and shake and feel tears run down my smoke blackened cheeks. I raise one shaky hand and point towards the cottage.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"<i>They've burned to death Dad! They are both gone forever!" I shriek.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">CHAPTER FIFTEEN</span></u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Genes<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">ZACHARY SWAN:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I couldn't believe Jane and Alec had actually fallen for my ruse. I pretended Jane's powers had rendered me senseless, motionless and incapable of fighting back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Little did the evil pair know that their powers didn't work on me in the slightest! I can't explain it except for one thing; I'm a Swan and us Swans have a habit of being able to block things out. Where do you think my half-sister Bella got her shield from? Yep, it's in the Swan genes!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Vampire powers couldn't hurt me, my sister or yep you've guessed it my Dad Charlie Swan!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Yes I will admit it I was taken in by the pair when they first approached me in Seattle. I suppose no-one was immune to a little vampire glamour and <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="38011f92-eef6-4ab1-9bb1-e1361feb009f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="af36fe46-f996-498f-a845-80c4a7a8788e" grcontextid="dazzlement:0">dazzlement</span> eh?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I knew all about Bella's shield and how she had stopped the Volturi with it, I just didn't expect to be faced with the same fight tonight as she had had all those years ago.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">No-one really discussed the Volturi with me before, I didn't know about Jane and Alec, I didn't <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="daebf1cf-9839-42d3-adc9-c2f2c43cb5ae" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fbf21003-2466-4c1d-8b90-e3c85a9d5ab5" grcontextid="realise:0">realise</span> until they showed their true <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="da926591-d76c-4870-94e8-0de9863e7548" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fbf21003-2466-4c1d-8b90-e3c85a9d5ab5" grcontextid="colours:1">colours</span> in the cottage to Iris.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I wish Bella had told me the whole story. I expected to be kept in the dark from Mom and Dad. Dad always shied away from the supernatural aspect of our family, I had to learn snippets here and there from my other side of the family – the Clearwater's.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">When Jane started her tirade about our family something clicked and it dawned on me who her and her evil twin <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ed6dbb66-5171-4dac-9571-c866b19a9be1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="70a8ef89-b5b8-4d48-be65-5a32ab51df62" grcontextid="were:0">were</span>. When she directed her red gaze on me I knew what she meant to do, and I was so scared, but nothing happened, and in a split second I knew how I could get us out of this mess I'd created. Pretend they'd got to me, pretend to be unconscious on the floor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I felt bad that Iris had gotten the full works off them both, but I needed to stick to the plan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Alec had hauled me off into the bedroom leaving me on the floor, but I could hear the whole conversation next door as clear as a bell.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I was horrified when I heard what they had planned for Iris and <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="71ffd500-a0ca-4689-adc7-8976b6b20cf5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1d5eacb9-7676-45ff-afa8-beeeae1e18b0" grcontextid="I:0">I</span>. No way were they changing me into a <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f691ad05-c2d3-41a3-a116-1ff168da9148" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="318fe2e4-d52d-4744-9572-1833f7d91941" grcontextid="blood sucker:0">blood sucker</span> or killing Iris in cold blood by burning the cottage down!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Jane was becoming more manic and hysterical by the minute and I knew I had to think quickly if we were to survive this ordeal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I heard Alec say to Jane that he would grab me and take me out into their Jeep, whilst she could start the fire leaving Iris alone and incapacitated in the cottage. I knew I had to act quickly. My mind raced as I tried to think of a plan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Luckily the twins started to have a heated discussion about something or other, I wasn't really listening, and my brain was frantically searching for an answer. I silently and stealthily ran into the kitchen, grabbing a large knife from the drawer. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="89436856-33aa-45b2-8475-86f3564bef93" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="68e95aba-8d76-4013-bc33-6ee5e818b7e3" grcontextid="It's:0">It's</span> blade glinted in the moonlight pouring through the window. Before I could change my mind or let my fear and panic take over I ran into the living room to confront the evil twins.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Jane stood with her back to me, petrol can and matches in her hand, Alec was shouting at her to be very careful, fire was a dangerous enemy to vampires! His red eyes widened in shock as he saw me approach knife in hand. His face screwed up in concentration directing the full force of his power towards me, but of course I felt nothing as I slid the blade into Jane's back right where her dead heart was. She dropped to the floor and her twin ran at me screaming, his eyes wild. I was scared to death but I held my ground and I ran the knife into his chest at precisely where his still heart lay. He made an awful choking <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4dfe0d0f-173f-4398-8f88-8e0dcf9d93d9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="88f4f0fc-f524-4b69-8571-07e47802560e" grcontextid="screaming:0">screaming</span> sound and dropped to the floor next to his twin, his arms wrapped around her. Guess it's true what they say about staking a vampire through the heart; <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="cd382c4e-5e9a-4cf0-b258-60f50c63e945" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="521fd180-838a-4cb8-a3bc-8c0d6fcf5f98" grcontextid="immobilisation:0">immobilisation</span>! Lucky for me!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">But I couldn't show any remorse and I knew they would soon heal and come at me stronger than ever.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">So I did what I had to do, I knew <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="091b7a22-5585-40f4-80ff-148df0fe11fa" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3d39b20f-a9ae-4129-86e2-2ce4302a2a89" grcontextid="fire:0">fire</span> was the only way to destroy them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Iris was just coming round now, her pretty face confused and bewildered as her eyes gazed up into my face. "You are safe now babe, I promise" I whispered stroking her hair.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="678a5345-46fc-4e9d-b893-740266d94802" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="651f5e69-4b1c-44fa-a871-c77e1cc112bc" grcontextid="had ran:0">had ran</span> with her in my arms to the summer house in the Cullen's hotel grounds and laid her on the sun lounger, waiting patiently until she regained consciousness. Now I gently lifted her into my arms and began to make my way up to the house. Back to safety, back to her family.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I was so sorry for causing all this anguish and pain.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">My selfishness had nearly cost us both our lives.</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">CHAPTER SIXTEEN</span></u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Wrath and Joy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">RENESMEE CLEARWATER:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">When Zach Swan burst through the door carrying my precious daughter my hybrid heart leaped for joy and I jumped up to make sure she was unharmed. Zach lay her down on the sofa her face pale and drawn in the candlelight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I stroked her cheek as a single solitary tear rolled down mine. "Oh Iris <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d2995a8b-6d55-4ff5-8cf1-c80faae1ad09" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="548b1614-7360-4b04-9a68-55587f63c472" grcontextid="love:0">love</span>, it's Mom, are you alright sweetheart?" I asked my voice coming out in a heart wrenching sob.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Her blue blue eyes opened and stared into mine as she falteringly replied, " I think so Mom, yeah I'm okay," She half smiled up at me as I leant down to cover her face with kisses.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Oh Iris love, I'm so glad you're okay, I've been going out of my mind! Isaac told us he saw you and Zach with Jane and Alec at the cottage. We were just about to rally the troops to rescue you!" I exclaimed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Seth was stroking his daughter's hair a dazzling smile on his handsome face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The rest of the family had all gathered around, "Come on guys don't crowd her!" Dad warned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Alice spoke, her soft musical voice filling the room, " Let's not forget Zachary over there hiding in the corner. He brought her back! He saved her!" she trilled, narrowing her eyes at him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I glanced over to see Zach sheepishly hiding in the dark corner. "Zach? Why don't you tell us what happened? And where are Isaac and Jacob? Isaac ran off by himself, when Jake <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3a66f712-d19a-4e90-b99d-55d8ede38216" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b6346752-875f-4668-97d1-67f2fa58726c" grcontextid="realised:0">realised</span> he took off after him! Did you see them!?" I questioned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Zach shook his head. "Zach, tell us what happened!" my Mom demanded.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"I can't deal with this right now! It was awful, it was terrifying! I have to go!" Zach shouted as he made for the door.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Not so fast brother!" Mom said stopping him in his tracks. "Alice may be commending you for bringing Iris back to us but she saw <i>something</i> in a vision just before we decided to launch a rescue party!" Bella held on tight to his arms a determined look in her eye.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Yes, Zach we want answers!" Edward demanded fiercely.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Zach’s shoulders slumped in defeat as he motioned for us to follow him to the kitchen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Seth and Leah stayed with Iris who was looking more herself by the minute. Thankfully!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Zach sat around the table with me, Mom and Dad. Alice and Jasper hovered in the background watching as Zach looked down at the table, his hands twisting together with anxiety.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"The truth Zach <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ebe4fc22-69cf-4df4-8c3f-1180a7f9d180" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="175dd061-9efc-4ea5-9a88-99aa25185515" grcontextid="please:0">please</span>, NOW!" Mom demanded again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Zach began to tell us everything which had happened going right back to when he first met Jane and Alec right up until Iris and he escaped the burning cottage, leaving the two evil twins to burn to death.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The five of us listened in complete silence as Zach told his tale, astonishingly I held back until he was finished.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">As soon as the story was complete I launched myself over the table at him, grabbing his shaggy hair with all the force I could muster, "You b**tard Swan! You abused my daughter's trust! For what? Fame and fortune!? You trusted those evil twins to give you the world in return for my daughter!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I spat the words angrily into his shocked face, my hands like claws hooked into his scalp. I felt my Dad's strong marble arms grasp me around the waist and gently pull me off Zach.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> "C'mon Nessie love," he cautioned me, " Don't forget Zach also saved Iris and he's rid the world of those evil pair for good!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Zach looked up at Edward gratefully as he rubbed his sore head, clumps of hair falling onto the table where I'd violently ripped them out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I slumped against my Father, all the fight gone out of me. Tears began to flow in earnest now, all my pent up emotion coming out all at once.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Nessie love, please don't cry," Mom pleaded, " I know my brother is an idiot, but he did bring back Iris back to us, we have to be thankful for that darling," she said smoothing my wild hair as I sobbed on my Father's chest.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Just then Jacob and Isaac arrived through the back door. Isaac's face was blackened with smoke and his eyes were wild. "Hey guys, I've found our would be hero! Oh Zach is here!" Jacob exclaimed. "That means Iris? She's okay?" he demanded.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Yes Jake she's fine," I said letting him take my hand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Oh Nessie, I'm so glad!" Jake exclaimed kissing the top of my head.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Isaac suddenly flew forward his fist connecting squarely with Zach’s jaw. Zach tumbled from the chair with a groan. Isaac pulled himself up to his full height, his eyes blazing with fury as he looked down at Zach sprawled on the floor clutching his jaw. " Iris could've died. You introduced her to those vampires! I saw you in the cottage! You are a selfish fool, Zachary Swan!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Zach got to his feet and squared up to Isaac, even though the Black's oldest child clearly had the advantage of height and strength!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"I <i>saved</i> her Isaac Black! If you saw us why didn't you DO anything? Ran back to Daddy did you?" Zach teased maliciously.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Isaac shook with rage, his dark eyes burning with furious anger. "Come on lads, let's calm down," Jacob said coming between them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Isaac reluctantly did what his Father asked and moved away to the other side of the kitchen. Zach moved towards the door, eager to get away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">My head whipped around as I saw Iris walk softly into the kitchen, Seth's arm around her giving her support. "Why are you all fighting? I'm here, I'm <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="78c1fa32-2632-4d29-a8c9-8b62fe27a727" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d6f82275-f728-4e2b-b3a2-94ea50cd736c" grcontextid="safe that's:0">safe that's</span> what matters! Zach I know what you did was wrong, but I forgive you. You saved me! Thank you so much!" Iris gushed flinging her arms around Zach’s neck, her lips brushing his cheek.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"S'ok babe, " he drawled gazing up at her pretty face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Isaac's eyes still burned with anger and something else? Jealousy? I watched as his dark eyes never left her face, his hands clenching into fists, his body tense and shaking. Oh no! I hope he wasn't about to <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6df2bdc7-b7f1-4e40-a55a-3edd36b1735f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5f4d315d-0fde-4e99-b2d5-418e5b39d3a7" grcontextid="phase:0">phase</span>!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Thankfully my daughter wasn't so insensitive as to ignore Isaac. She walked over to him smiling, taking his large hand in her small one. "Isaac, thank you. I didn't <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e0e65fe7-ce23-43d5-b4de-5b5b29ef372a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c630f373-2c80-4f9a-8ef7-8851a339f809" grcontextid="realise:0">realise</span> you tried to save me all by yourself that was very brave!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Isaac's chest puffed up and he gazed down at my daughter with so much love in his eyes, that I knew instantly what was happening. I looked up to see Jacob gazing at my daughter and his son, wonderment on his face. He caught my glance and gazed at me, his eyebrows raised at me a half smile on his face. I shrugged and smiled back at him. I knew exactly what he was thinking. I was thinking the same.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Isaac has imprinted on Iris, my beautiful daughter.</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">CHAPTER SEVENTEEN</span></u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Confession<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">JACOB BLACK:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I waited and waited for my oldest child to come to me and tell me about his imprinting on Iris Clearwater, but my waiting was in vain as he remained tight lipped about the situation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Isaac had always kept his feelings inside. I hoped he would talk to me but I didn't want to push him. Instead I watched and waited. Watched as he mooned over Iris, love shining from his dark eyes whenever he gazed at her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The whole sorry mess with Jane and Alec had brought him and Iris closer and she spent a lot of time over here in his company. She was even helping us in our plans for Isaac's restaurant.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I know Nessie was glad that Iris was spending less time with Zach Swan. Zach had definitely changed though, he was less cocky and sure of himself. He had even got a job!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Now that was a surprise! He had a proper job, giving kids guitar lessons at a music school in Seattle. Sue and Charlie were really proud of the turnaround in their wayward son.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">He had moved out of the Swan residence into a small flat near to the school where he worked. He seemed to have stopped going out drinking and preferred to go long rides on his Harley and spend time writing songs at home. I knew Iris often accompanied him on the back of the bike, she would come home dressed in black leathers, her cheeks glowing and her blue eyes shining with excitement. I sighed as I imagined her with Zach, I just knew she was still madly in love with him. Nessie tried to persuade her daughter not to see him, but her pleas fell on deaf ears. I knew Nessie was scared of pushing her away, her and Seth wanted their children to have a normal life! It saddened me to see the pain in my Nessie's eyes though, when she contemplated losing her children <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="578c0901-1740-4c7d-9c25-9b4c8a2d59b6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e40eeb0f-5b66-43e5-854a-cc6fc276e658" grcontextid="to:0">to</span> the modern world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Reuben had been offered a small barn conversion on the Cross farm to set up his very own photography studio. He was so excited to be finally starting his own business doing something he had loved since a child. His friendship with Mia was blossoming, their date for her end of term ball was tomorrow night. I was pleased, Reuben was a good kid. Quiet and introspective, the complete opposite of Mia! But it seemed to work and they got on like a house on fire.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Iris had finished typing up her novel about life in the Amazon and had sent it away to various publishers. She had also decided to go back to college to study for a literature degree as she had decided she wanted to teach.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Nessie and Seth were so proud! But I knew Nessie found it so hard to imagine life without the twins when she and Seth moved on from Forks. I wished they could both stay with us at the hotel forever, it was like having our family complete again, especially since Edward and Bella had stayed with us for a couple of weeks. Of course they had to be careful around our guests, who luckily were out for most of the day hiking, fishing and hunting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I stood gazing out of the kitchen window lost in thought when I felt a large hand on my shoulder. I jumped and broke out of my reverie. "Isaac! I was in a world of my own there!" I exclaimed turning to look into my son's dark serious eyes. He was taller than me now and I had to crane my neck to look into his face. A face which was currently creased with worry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Dad, can I talk to you for a moment please?" he asked seriously.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Sure," I replied motioning for him to sit at our large kitchen table.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I loved this room, the large windows with magnificent views of the gardens gave it so much light and space. It was the hub of our family and many great memories had been made around this kitchen table as we laughed and chatted with each night over dinner.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I gazed expectantly at my son as he seemed to struggle to find the words he wanted to say.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">He ran his hands through his long black hair, which was cut <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="63ca9c5a-a602-4776-a7f3-f17ce7796d1d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d5322ca6-c80f-4dd7-a303-a2e7a3586cf6" grcontextid="to:0">to</span> his shoulders. He was such a handsome boy, I know he most definitely gets that from his Mother!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Dad I've been wanting to talk to you about this for a while, but I didn't know how or where to start!" Isaac exclaimed his dark eyes shadowed with worry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Just start at the beginning son," I prompted <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="34c6a658-5040-4b8b-a105-6257f801ccb6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7cad5159-5b79-4a79-a85f-efd1f45ebbec" grcontextid="with:0">with</span> what I hoped was an encouraging smile.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Well, the day Iris and Reuben came to visit something happened to me, something wonderful but also something frightening and overwhelming!" he said softly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I clasped one of his large hands into mine. " I imprinted on Iris, Dad I love her so much I think my heart will burst open!" he exclaimed looking into my eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">At last! A confession! I smiled encouragingly again, waiting for him to tell me more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"It was the strangest most amazing feeling. I just wanted to scoop her into my arms and tell her how much I want to love her and keep her safe! It's like I see no one else, she is my universe! But I'm so scared she will laugh if I tell her, or worse still never speak to me again! Tell me what to do Dad, please!" he begged of me, tears in his dark eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I squeezed his large hand, trying to think of something I could say to make him feel better.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Oh Isaac! Imprinting is both wonderful and scary. I recall when it happened to me with Nessie. I told you about it remember? I knew from that moment on I would always love and protect her. Our love was more like brother and sister though, she was only a newborn baby when it happened to me. It's one of the strangest parts about being a shape-shifter son," I said gently.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">He sighed and wiped a stray tear from his eye.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">" I follow her Dad, I <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0fb01aba-f44f-4562-8e2c-f08d5d23f97e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="71351c43-ef86-4056-bf80-01b3f1b8839c" grcontextid="phase:0">phase</span> and I follow her! Surely that can't be right? I'm a stalker! I have to be near her though, without her I'm incomplete. Finally we are friends and it's wonderful, but I want to tell her everything, I want to tell her I love her!" he exclaimed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I rubbed his arm and tried to soothe him, "Well son, the best thing would be for you to tell her surely?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">He shook his head vehemently, his silky dark hair falling around his handsome face. "Oh I couldn't! I think she sees me as just a friend, I don't want to spoil what we have! Plus she is still spending time with Zach Swan! And it looks to me like they are getting closer, despite her knowing he used her before!" he growled menacingly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I sighed and once again tried to placate my son, " Isaac please calm down <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7b9f4fe7-bfa2-45fc-8be8-8993a1952319" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="be943aa0-b324-4276-b3cb-9138e95be753" grcontextid="son:0">son</span>!" I cautioned gently. "Maybe if you explained to Iris what imprinting is all about she might look at you differently. She might see the handsome, sensitive, caring boy that we all know and love," I continued with a warm smile.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Isaac sighed dramatically rolling his eyes, " I really don't think I can do that Dad. I've seen the way she looks at <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="15686849-ec78-44ba-a173-a55e69774415" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="57538796-17c6-4f43-bcbd-77707dca9eaf" grcontextid="Swan:0">Swan</span>. I can't compete with him!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Now come on son, you are such a good catch, I wish you would see it!" I exclaimed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="12d6b3d2-1d47-44db-bbf5-9c4804b5c229" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7a34bc12-56b6-44c0-ad56-63049f8185a7" grcontextid="Hmmmph:0">Hmmmph</span>!" was his reply.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Dad, Zach Swan is everything I'm not. I have no experience with girls. Ruby kissed me once at the prom, that's it, my total experience of girls in a nutshell!" he groaned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I couldn't help smiling, remember back to the time when Bella was human and I forced myself on her, resulting in a punch in the face! But boy was that first kiss worth it!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Isaac, you need to be strong son. Let Iris know how you feel, if you keep bottling all this up then you <i>will </i>explode!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">He sighed deeply, resting his head in his hands. " Isaac, please, don't despair <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="aa3736fe-0e46-4fb7-89e0-49390741d12b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8b7ea8fe-f676-465b-8801-541b9aef50b3" grcontextid="son:0">son</span>. But do something about it, prove your love for her! Nessie and I already guessed weeks ago that you'd imprinted! The night of the fire in fact. It was written all over your face <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3aa8059c-248b-44f5-bd3e-8ec368a2e0e7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a23dab59-fae3-4f19-9424-f1ab958ef100" grcontextid="son:0">son</span>! I haven't told your Mom yet, didn't want to worry her, you are still her little boy you know! Even if you are even taller than me!" I smiled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">This brought a small smile to his lips as he looked at me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Oh Dad, thanks for listening. I'm sorry I didn't say anything before, but I just didn't know what to do! Iris is in my every waking thought and she is there when I close my eyes at night, she's in my dreams. Her sapphire blue eyes look into mine but I can't reach out and hold her! Ah! It's so frustrating being in love!" he groaned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Tell me about it, son," I exclaimed rolling my eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">This <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7819388d-e5af-46ab-981a-0bb5b77126f5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="930d16ce-9a53-419b-9baa-83e1d7ab2958" grcontextid="even:0">even</span> brought a gentle laugh as he continued to look at me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"I will try to get her alone and tell her about imprinting and how I feel. I will wait until the time is completely and absolutely right. Then I will deal with the consequences however it may turn out!" he said confidently.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"That's my boy," I said affectionately ruffling his hair.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">We were grinning at each other like fools when Mia rushed in the back door, her pretty face flushed and excited, her arms laden with bags.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Hey you guys! What's going on!?" she asked<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I looked at Isaac and we both grinned and said in unison " Boy's talk!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Mia groaned and heaved her shopping bags onto the table. " I've just got the perfect most beautiful dress for the Prom tomorrow! Reuben is going to be dazzled!" she exclaimed happily throwing her arms around her brother and playfully kissing his cheek.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Isaac laughed and pretended to shoo her away. She planted a kiss on my cheek. "Where's Mom? She has to see this dress!"Mia asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Upstairs love, with Nessie and Bella. I think they are going through some old things in the attic and reminiscing no doubt!" I smiled rolling my eyes at her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Okay <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8ff46af0-a59e-4dc9-aea1-42d62dfe3561" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="66acefec-fe19-48b3-9e89-7383998b8d94" grcontextid="laters:0">laters</span> boys!" she laughed as she ran excitedly from the room dragging her day's shopping behind her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1c425e56-52d4-4551-a375-6031766af3a0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="07ff935d-cc26-4809-af8d-7b78fb01a3ad" grcontextid="Again my son:0">Again my son</span> and I looked at each other and both said disgustedly in unison "Girls huh!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I stood up and put a supportive arm around my son's shoulders. "Don't worry son, what will be will be. But don't you give up on your dreams ever. You are one amazing guy and I'm not just saying that cos I am your Dad! Just believe in yourself and anything is possible '<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="079285e9-b2a4-4cd5-90a5-eba10273cc00" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="369afca6-c996-4503-af0f-4fcf351edbb6" grcontextid="kay:0">kay</span>?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">My son gazed up at me, his dark eyes full of passion and depth, just like his beautiful Mother's.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Thanks Dad, I love you," he whispered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">My heart soared, all I wanted was for my kids to be happy in life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I would only be truly content in this life if my family were happy, healthy and knew how much I adored them.</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></u></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></u></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">CHAPTER EIGHTEEN</span></u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Revealed<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">REUBEN CLEARWATER:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Oh. My. She <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="db5cfc2a-6001-4e23-8d46-ef0e62106058" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="dc515a27-477b-4826-b26b-dbcff405397f" grcontextid="looks:0">looks</span> amazing tonight. Dad let me borrow the Jeep to make the drive to Seattle for our date tonight, and I struggled to keep my eyes on the road. She looks really really amazing! As I lead her onto the dance floor I feel on top of the world, so very proud to have this beautiful girl by my side.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">In the last few weeks we have become close friends, I love being in her company, she's funny and smart. We get on so much better than I anticipated, we are both very artistic people, Mia through art and myself through photography.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I loved her warm sunny smile, her musical laugh, her long dark silky hair, the deepness of her brown eyes. I loved how her mind worked, I loved watching her paint, and I loved just sitting watching her. I guess I am completely and hopelessly in love with Mia Black.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">This is the first time for me, I've never been in love before.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I hadn't a clue how she felt about me, but I <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e53b5f20-68ff-4e46-9fde-342d326c60c6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8bc041f6-fab4-4c2a-b96e-e3450a664a4b" grcontextid="was:0">was</span> determined to somehow find the courage to tell her tonight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The ball was actually better than I expected, meeting Mia's college friends was nice and I tried my best to be outgoing and charming.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">There were loads of guys asking her to dance and giving her the eye, but she declined all their requests and stayed by my side. My heart soared when I looked at her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">When the slow dances began, I took her in my arms and we gently swayed to the music. I closed my eyes, revelling in the feeling of holding her close, the strawberry scent of her hair, the softness of her cheek as it rested on mine. It was heaven. I felt her warm breath tickle my ear as she softly whispered " Can we go outside please Reuben?" I took her small hand as we made our way out of the hall and into the college gardens. "Ah that's better", she sighed as the cool breeze fanned out her long hair. I was so pleased she'd worn her hair down. I loved to see the long dark curtain of silk falling around her shoulders and down her back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She looked so gorgeous in her strapless silver satin dress, which stopped just above the knee.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Her silver high heeled sandals gave her height and brought her dark eyes in line with my blue ones. Her face was flushed with happiness and the few glasses of champagne she had drunk.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">We walked hand in hand through the gardens and had come to an old bandstand in a quiet secluded spot. We walked up the steps and stood by the railings gazing up at the starry sky, a perfect full moon shining down on us. The night sky was so clear with millions of twinkling lights above us, the starlight making Mia look even more beautiful to me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">We pointed out the constellations to one another, giggling as we made up names of our own.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Mia rested her head on my shoulder and I placed an arm around her, inhaling the scent of her hair. I could feel my heart begin to beat just a little bit faster.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She sighed with contentment, " Oh Reuben, tonight has been so perfect, thank you!" she whispered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I smiled and squeezed her shoulder, " No Mia, thank you, for asking me. I've had such a great time!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She raised her head up to look into my eyes, I could easily drown in those dark depths, so mysterious and enchanting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"It doesn't have to be over yet Reuben," she smiled mischievously.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I raised my eyebrows at her questioningly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> "Come with me!" she said excitedly pulling me by the hand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I eagerly followed her, caught up in her excitement.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">We ran through the <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="123ba6f4-6f4e-4377-8492-47b9ab58299b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6a1f72c8-03bc-4de4-b758-c1df6c73454e" grcontextid="gardens:0">gardens</span> hand in hand until we came to a wrought iron gate engraved with birds, flowers and small animals. Mia pushed the gates so they opened slightly, a big enough space for us to squeeze through. Flanked by weeping willows a small winding path lay in front of us, I could hear the sound of water and I wondered where we were going.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"This is a secret place Reuben, somewhere I come for peace and quiet and to paint," she whispered to me as she led me by the hand into a clearing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">It was beautiful.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">A river rushed passed us, on its way to the open seas beyond. Someone or something, nature perhaps, had formed a perfect circle with granite rocks which shone in the moonlight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The effect of the dam was a gorgeous still pool of water which reflected the full moon in the perfect night sky. Mia looked at me, her eyes shining brightly in the moonlight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"It's beautiful Mia!" I exclaimed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> She grinned at me, " Green river, isn't it gorgeous!? I absolutely love it here. I found it by chance. I've kept it a secret ever since. Until now."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Her dark eyes bored <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a593c09e-e1ac-42e5-b42d-bbcee6aca5bc" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f4f22ef6-cf65-4cb9-b79c-9c1feb60c384" grcontextid="in to:0">in to</span> mine and I was captivated. "Well I'm <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="02024840-b6c4-4606-adfc-291f20e5d32e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9c487e25-8223-42c6-b6d7-715b000627bf" grcontextid="honoured:0">honoured</span> that you would show me your secret Mia," I said smiling.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> "It's not my only secret," she whispered softly, coming to stand really close to me, her dark eyes gazing into mine. Her lips were only inches from mine and my heart stuttered and leapt in my chest.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">" Mia, I have a secret too," I whispered gently taking her hand in mine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She put a finger to my lips to silence me, "Me first," she said quietly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She turned away from me and unzipped her dress, letting it fall to the ground. I gasped in shock, unable to be a gentleman and look away. Her dark skin shimmered in the moonlight as she kicked off her shoes and stood with her back to me in only her underwear.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> "Mia! What are you doing?" I asked with surprise.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She began to run away from me into the trees, her body a blur as she crashed through the undergrowth. I watched in surprise as a beautiful small silver wolf padded out of the trees towards me, it's dark eyes shining in the moonlight, dark eyes which were looking straight into mine. Mia's dark eyes. I gasped with shock, so Mia was a shape shifter too! I thought Leah was the only female shape shifter in the world! No one had told me about Mia. But oh she was a beautiful animal, so graceful and lithe. She walked slowly towards me and nuzzled my hand, her dark eyes never leaving mine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Suddenly she leapt towards the dark pool of water, phasing back to human form in <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8bb00777-b220-4837-85ec-2784e9be29f3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="38bdb498-30ed-49c7-a9ed-4683ca415e5d" grcontextid="mid-air:0">mid-air</span> as she gracefully dived into the water. I gasped as she disappeared under the dark surface, only to sigh with relief as she surfaced once again. She crooked one finger towards me as she beckoned for me to join her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Isn't it <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="726f8dd4-eda2-4fdd-9ee6-d44a06d9052c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e2be07eb-dcbe-4716-b092-d5cb7d399101" grcontextid="freezing:0">freezing</span>?" I stuttered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Mia threw her head back and laughed. "Reuben <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2744ab21-0908-4d9e-b5ed-339fd375e475" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="33421691-df00-4cc6-85c8-5d6a8d55fc1d" grcontextid="come:0">come</span> on, it's lovely I promise!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> I quickly shed my clothes, my back turned to Mia in shyness. I turned around sheepishly but she was looking the other way as I quickly dived into the pool the cool water making me gasp out loud.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She turned to face me, her eyes searching mine for answers. I smiled at her, not at all scared or overwhelmed that she had shown me herself in wolf form. In my eyes she was beautiful in any form and in fact I loved her even more if that was possible.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She raised her perfectly formed eyebrows at me, "So what's your secret Reuben?" she asked with a smile.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I swam even closer to her, so close I could feel her warm breath on my face, her scent intoxicating me, making me courageous. "My secret is this Mia; I think you are the most wonderful girl in the universe and I am in awe of you. I am totally, completely and irrevocably in love with you," I confessed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Wow. There you go. I told her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I closed my eyes, waiting for the inevitable rejection, <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f8694629-6402-4c35-a7c2-110026e45dfb" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f9cb8e3f-a618-4666-94a1-a5e90b747b5a" grcontextid="the:0">the</span> let's not spoil our good friendship speech. But instead to my surprise and wonderment I felt her warm lips gently touch mine. I moaned involuntarily as I pulled her close to me, our legs gently kicking against each other as we kept afloat in the pool. I started to move my lips slowly and softly against hers, trying to be gentle and considerate. She tasted so sweet and the feel of her skin next to mine was driving me slightly crazy. Our kisses became more passionate, more deep, as if we wanted to devour each other. Our bodies were pressed close to each other, the cool water sliding between us caressing our skin gently. I pulled away gasping, my senses overloading on her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I gazed into her eyes with amazement, "Oh Mia!" I whispered. She smiled back at me, her lips glistening in the moonlight, ready to be kissed again and again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Reuben, I love you too. I didn't expect to, but I do. I get butterflies when I see you. I get sad when you aren't around. I am so happy when we are together!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">My heart leapt with joy, this beautiful gorgeous goddess loves me! Yes, me!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I pulled her close <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7ef1c795-fba4-42fb-8e6c-b11691f006cd" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="043c26a0-e886-44ac-b6be-b8221d0e403b" grcontextid="for:0">for</span> a tight embrace, revelling in the moment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She felt so warm, the chill from the water did not affect me at all, and she radiated heat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I sighed as she gently kissed my neck, her small teeth biting gently on my skin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Mia, I could stay here forever with you. It's perfect. But I don't want this embrace to become improper! You are my one and only love and I want to wait until the right moment" I whispered gruffly my voice filled with passion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Oh Reuben, this is one of the reasons why I love you! You are so old fashioned and gentlemanly! I agree though, we should wait. I'm sorry I tempted you by diving in here naked but I didn't have a choice really!" she giggled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">We swam towards the river bank together, I jumped out first and quickly pulled on my clothes. "Wait here Mia, I'll rescue your things for you!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Once we were both dressed I took her in my arms and kissed her sweet mouth, my hands in her wet hair pulling her closer and closer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"I love you Mia," I whispered against her soft lips.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"I love you Reuben," she whispered back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">We made our way back to the hall to find the dance had finished and everyone had left. I escorted Mia to the Jeep, putting the heater on to dry her long hair. We drove back to Forks, her head on my shoulder, smiles on our faces and joy in our hearts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I would never forget this night, as long as I lived.</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">CHAPTER NINETEEN</span></u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Talking<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">MIA BLACK:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I decided it was about time Iris and I had a girl's night in. I wanted to get to know her better and I really wanted to tell her about Reuben and I. I hoped she would be happy for us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">We hadn't told anyone of our budding romance yet, we still pretended to be just good friends. I think Nessie and my Mom suspected something as they looked at us strangely sometimes! It's not that I didn't want to tell everyone; it's just that we decided to give ourselves time to get used to the situation. I thought I'd been in love with Zach, but it was just a stupid <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8e25e11d-0dbc-4ecf-b9e9-6a24636b7540" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d4f817bb-e2df-4b4c-b6af-4eddacd6e8c6" grcontextid="crush:0">crush</span>. This was real, we were really in love and I was so happy. It must show in my face, it must be so obvious to everyone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Reuben was such a beautiful guy; not just his looks but inside too, his soul was pure and good.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Thinking of his black curly hair, his piercing sapphire blue eyes and his full rose red lips made me shiver. I shook myself and carried on making my room <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="307bd5c9-b400-4ae9-84e7-b949a9c55116" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="903f20bc-2a76-471c-b2ec-550bce6f1f29" grcontextid="cosy:0">cosy</span> for Iris, she would be here in five minutes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Reuben was out at his studio tonight putting a portfolio together to show to fashion magazine publishers in Seattle. He really wanted to do fashion shoots, he loved the way out stuff you could do with them. I smiled as I remembered the fun we had taking silly photos of me where I pretended to be a model. I put on some really sexy poses!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The trouble was we ended up in a passionate embrace on the floor, everything else forgotten as we gave into our desires for one another. I didn't know how long we could hold out before we took our relationship to the next stage. We both wanted to wait, but we both lusted after each other so badly it made things difficult!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">My greatest fear would be to have an unplanned pregnancy, that's just not on my agenda. Plus I'm really scared of having children; I just don't know how they will turn out? Shape-shifter? Human? I don't know.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I know how much worry my Mom went through when I was little, both she and I were the only surviving female shape shifters in the world. Yeah I guess I'm special, but I would much rather be just a plain old human!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Shape- shifting is difficult at times, but it is cool being in wolf form I suppose. Luckily for me Reuben comes from a less than conventional family himself so that makes him even more perfect for me. I just hoped my Mom and Dad thought the same when they finally found out. They were so protective of me at times, their little shape-shifter!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I hear Iris's soft knock on my bedroom door and I let her in with a large grin, "Hey Iris, come in."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> She flops down onto my red bean bag, her long dark hair waving over her shoulders. I love her hair, why can't mine have a natural wave? Mine is poker straight! Boring!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">We sit sipping ice-cold cokes from my mini fridge and talk about stuff in general for a while. I put on Muse's latest <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="45a51424-52ca-4395-baf8-6010dda96d8d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ff359e99-3039-46a2-9093-beb7177d8b38" grcontextid="cd:0">cd</span> and we laugh and joke around.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She is so like Ruby, my best friend and her sister, their personalities are so similar though they are completely different looks wise. Ruby has curly red hair with green eyes, and a curvy figure whereas Iris has dark hair, blue eyes and is slender. The twins are so like Dominic and Ruby <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a4dd180c-ee84-46b7-aa9b-562c04c267c3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0be1d730-1450-4ec1-b68a-809c7d5b41d5" grcontextid="is:0">is</span> so like her Mom, Ellie.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Looking at Iris now is like looking at a female version of Reuben, the sapphire blue eyes piercing mine just like his do.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"So Iris, what's going on with you and my brother?" I question her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"We're friends Mia. Just friends. I like him, he's really sweet, but I still have a total thing for Zach. I know I shouldn't after what happened, but I can't just turn it off! " She exclaimed blushing furiously.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I mused to myself how differently I would have reacted to this news a while ago. Not now. My crush was well and truly over!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Iris sighed, " Zach has changed though, and he isn't as cocky and sure of himself <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5f1283ec-a72f-4f8c-ab5f-84d1a30894c4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="976bc5f5-d05d-4ebc-acfc-b2b5763a5346" grcontextid="any more:0">any more</span>. I like being with him. He excites me."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She saw my expression and threw a scatter cushion at me; I ducked out of the way laughing with her. "Never mind <i>your</i> brother, what about <i>mine</i>? Just what is going on with you two? You seem tighter than ever these days?" she questioned me with raised eyebrows.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I grinned like a Cheshire cat, completely giving the game away without words. " Oh Iris, we didn't want to say anything yet but…. We are in love! I love your brother. I love Reuben!" I blurted out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Iris's blue eyes widened and she grinned at me happily, "Oh wow! Really? That's cool. I'm happy for you Mia. We might fight and argue at times but I love my brother and he is such a nice guy. Much nicer than me, he got all the lovely kind and caring genes I guess! "<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I rolled my eyes and scoffed, "No way Iris, you are lovely too. Your taste in men just sucks I guess!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Another <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="06c8677e-5da8-4989-8453-71a8e5b34dac" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2f1b3f1a-06d6-4586-96cc-52ac3ad7af98" grcontextid="cushion:0">cushion</span> came flying my way; I deftly ducked out of the way again and laughed. "Seriously though Iris," I continued " I haven't ever felt this way. I am so in love with Reuben, he's just amazing!" I gushed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"I wouldn't go that far!" Iris laughed but I knew she was just joking around with me. I was pleased I'd told her our secret now; it was good to talk about my feelings with a friend. I hadn't told Ruby yet and she was my best friend, but I planned to, I just wanted to tell Iris first as she was more connected to the situation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I grabbed another couple of cokes from the fridge and wondered how I was going to tell her the next part. I passed Iris her drink and gingerly sat down opposite her again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Iris, there is something else I need to tell you", I began in a serious voice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"What are you two getting married!?" she laughed raising her eyebrows at me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"No silly, it's something I don't really talk to anyone about, not even Ruby. She knows about it but she doesn't like to talk about it at all" I frowned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Tell me then, <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ce5ef47d-993a-4739-89d8-59fb5498657a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="395a3e0f-e454-400e-b76e-59ee6d82ae87" grcontextid="c'mon:0">c'mon</span> Mia you can trust me!" Iris exclaimed waiting for me to explain.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">" Well I guess Nessie and Seth have told you about my Mom and Dad being <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="bf54d5e2-c271-4a96-8ee2-762dd4853686" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="10e9a8e3-9f3b-4506-9de1-ca69188dc1dc" grcontextid="uhmmm:0">uhmmm</span> shape-shifters?" I asked sheepishly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Iris nodded, "Yeah Mom and Dad told Reuben and <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c63c5317-b0be-448c-98a9-9f7643f4d8c7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2bd0574b-e2b6-448a-9c7a-c2c981e7eda6" grcontextid="I:0">I</span> years ago about the wolves and the Cullen's. I know Isaac is a shape-shifter too. I know everything."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I looked down at the floor, "Not <i>everything</i> Iris. I guess they didn't tell you that I'm also a shape-shifter. The only other female in the world apart from my Mom?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Iris's blue eyes widened again as she stared at me in awe. "Mia, wow! No, they didn't tell me about you. Actually I only found out about Isaac the night of the fire. I think it's cool. Better than being just a plain ordinary human!" she exclaimed with a frown.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I smiled wryly, "No Iris, it's not. I'd much rather be ordinary! But there is nothing I can do to change it. I <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7976173e-d141-4b17-b9e5-a432a9e8acb3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b32f5253-f075-4a91-8325-f68a5c1daf33" grcontextid="phased:0">phased</span> in front of Reuben the night of our first date and he didn't freak out. I can't imagine an ordinary boy taking it so well can you? At least you and he are used to the supernatural!" I laughed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Iris got up and walked over to where I was lounging on the bed and enveloped me in a big warm hug. I smiled and hugged her back; glad I had told her my other secret.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Oh Mia, you are warm aren't you! Is that a wolf thing?" she curiously questioned me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I giggled and pulled away from her embrace, " Yeah it's a wolf thing!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">We both giggled and she sat down on the bed next to me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Well I'm glad you told me everything, we're like proper sisters now aren't we?" she exclaimed with pleasure. I smiled back at her, so happy that fate had brought Iris and her brother back to Forks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Mia, I want to <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6c76894b-39b4-4b62-8614-a9f29d5ae1cd" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d21cdc40-3f3e-4cfd-9362-cdf21c791d63" grcontextid="apologise:0">apologise</span> to you for something since we're being honest here," Iris said with her eyes downcast. " I knew you had a crush on Zach, but I still got involved with him, I'm so sorry honey," She said putting a hand on my arm and giving it a gentle squeeze.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Iris, please! Don't <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7703d7bc-284c-4c94-bcd1-c4ac7811908f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2d90fa3e-58f3-4d88-902c-b4a2b7743504" grcontextid="apologise:0">apologise</span>, I had a stupid crush on Zach since I was a young girl! I knew nothing would happen between us, ever! I'm glad now that nothing did happen. Now I've fallen in love with Reuben!" I said with a long sigh.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Iris squeezed my arm again, "Well I wanted to <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2b0253e3-b9de-40a8-acf5-b056746b0031" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="92938b09-0d16-4822-a95b-5ee7518d98f4" grcontextid="apologise:0">apologise</span> anyway," she said, her blue eyes shining down at me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"So tell me, what <i>is</i> happening with you and Zach Swan?" I asked, my curiosity getting the better of me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She smiled coyly, playing with a lock of her dark hair " Well, it's complicated Mia," she sighed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"I really do like him, he has an edge <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e8307f6b-c0cf-4d6a-ad9d-6d991d38338c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d6f42303-9b3d-4bfe-9553-bb25fc0ee33f" grcontextid="y'know:0">y'know</span>? He's so sexy and gorgeous, but I often think there is nothing else to him but his good looks. Lately though, he's been different. I think the fire has changed him. He did save my life! I know he used me too, but I seem to have no resistance when it comes to him!" she exclaimed with another sigh.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Now it was my turn to squeeze her arm. "Has anything happened with you two since the fire?" I asked with interest.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1f565025-b471-4927-83ae-6b573b9b429c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="301fdc2b-1fd9-4524-bbb6-d7461077c187" grcontextid="Hmmm:0">Hmmm</span> yeah, sort of," she blushed furiously.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Come on Iris, spill!" I said slapping her lightly on the arm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="87402eaa-5fec-4bea-8a41-1bff3b619e26" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1b3bb8d0-bcac-4aba-8299-b2c597b5a3f2" grcontextid="Okaaaay:0">Okaaaay</span>! We have gone for a couple of rides on the bike and we've hung out at his flat a few times. He hasn't been round here because Mom would freak! But last time I was at his flat, we.. …. Err… kissed! I instigated it!" she said blushing again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"He's been a perfect gentleman Mia, I swear. I had a glass of wine and I guess it went to my head because next thing I know I'm kissing him. But boy it was nice," she said with a longing sigh.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"How did Zach react?" I queried.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">" He kissed me back, but then he stopped and said we shouldn't because I was way too good for him and he'd hurt me. I tried to tell him I didn't mind about all that stuff anymore, but his mind was made up. He took me home and I haven't heard from him since then. But it was only three days ago so I am not worried yet!" she said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"And Isaac? What's the situation there? It's obvious he likes you!" I teased.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Iris playfully slapped my arm this time, "Hey! Well Mia your brother is just about the sweetest guy I've ever met. I like spending time with him, he's a good friend. But there isn't that spark that I have with Zach! That certain something; chemistry maybe? Though Isaac and I do get on so well, he's easy to talk to, sensitive, caring, everything Zach isn't really!" she said rolling her eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2bb7b0a5-b86d-4649-a019-76f5c8685027" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4242bc96-b1d2-4f52-9884-76fba2a4c876" grcontextid="Hmmm:0">Hmmm</span>," I said, wondering if I could help my brother out with Iris. I knew he was in love with her, anyone could see that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">It would be so great if we both ended up with the man of our dreams. I wondered if we would have our happy ending.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">My Dad always told us never to give up on a happy ending, if it can happen to me he said it can happen to anyone. I hoped he was right.</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">CHAPTER TWENTY</span></u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Show and Tell<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">IRIS CLEARWATER:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I had arranged to meet Isaac at the front of the hotel this morning, he wanted to take <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="78438d24-3900-47ad-84ec-f6eac699c397" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bfd5337a-69d0-4a96-9015-e0d3389cd086" grcontextid="me:0">me</span> horse-riding, something which I'd never done before!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">We were taking a short ride to the Cross farm to borrow a couple of horses for the day. I was nervous but excited. Isaac bounded out of the house, a huge grin on his face, carrying a rucksack.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"I've got all our supplies in here, we're ready to go!" he smiled infectiously.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I grinned back at him, happy that we were spending a day together. He's so easy going and sweet, I do love being with him. I'm glad we're friends now, though I suspect Isaac would like more. I see Mia winking <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7c63cb9c-cabb-4fbc-8ce8-1f8d8a8a6569" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3c2202ed-5cea-46ae-8db9-643de4518f4c" grcontextid="to:0">to</span> him from the upstairs window as he puts the rucksack <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="74f3ee28-5486-4faf-90f9-a7608dc4eb9c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3c2202ed-5cea-46ae-8db9-643de4518f4c" grcontextid="in:1">in</span> the back of his Dad's Jeep. She sees me noticing their exchange and waves to me, her face full of mischief. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0774d277-d6eb-4db0-a0a6-183d4f3e7b3b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ad7f9178-568e-47f4-83fa-09b16986c4ec" grcontextid="Hmmm:0">Hmmm</span> I would bet money she'd <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="90c8d489-6ccd-4277-8dc7-fbecf989a5c2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ad7f9178-568e-47f4-83fa-09b16986c4ec" grcontextid="organised:1">organised</span> all this with her best friend Ruby!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Still, I couldn't be mad, Mia was quickly turning into the best friend I'd never had. I had spent some time with Ruby, my biological sister, but still I felt closer to Mia in many ways.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Isaac and I laughed and joked as we drove the short distance to the Cross farm. Today the sun was shining in Forks and I felt <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="03d80668-ba6e-42ac-a3ad-86bec1c37a92" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="45648b64-d4fc-434a-a48c-51edb17cc7c6" grcontextid="care-free:0">care-free</span> and happy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Dominic came out to meet us, giving me a warm enveloping hug. I still couldn't think of him as my father, Seth would always be that man in my life. But he was such a great guy, I really did like him and Ellie a lot.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Well guys, I picked out one of the smaller mares for Iris. She's a beauty and has such an easy going temperament. We always use her for learners, so don't worry Iris you will be fine," <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f1433342-c36d-4150-aff0-a373b7b76655" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e83843e5-f3ec-4818-bbfc-e3c2ae97c5c0" grcontextid="Dom:0">Dom</span> smiled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Isaac squeezed my hand and grinned down at me. We walked over to the stables as Ruby's car was pulling out of the drive. She stopped briefly to say hello, "Have fun guys! I'm off to meet the Newton’s for lunch. We're discussing wedding plans" she grinned rolling her eyes. "Anthony's parents are so fussy! But then he is their only son and heir!" she laughed again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Bye Ruby," Isaac and I chorused, waving as she sped away, her curly red hair blowing in the breeze from her open top sports car. I couldn't imagine getting married at 18! I know Mom had, but well Mom's different!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Dominic came out of the stables leading two horses behind him. The smaller one was a dappled <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b7d1173f-0115-4487-8638-e5fde84561e6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fec587e5-34d7-41d9-9e6b-0617659b05b5" grcontextid="grey:0">grey</span> mare, the larger one was a long legged tan and white male. They were both gorgeous. I was happy to be on the smaller one though! "This little beauty is Princess and the male is Star," announced Dominic.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> I gently stroked <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="be1eea03-b63a-49e0-9230-6f7db3aaaa7f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bf87f754-c4b1-495f-8bb3-48d8d55a9ea0" grcontextid="Princess's head:0">Princess's head</span>, she snorted with what I hoped was <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="715e8fd1-2e45-4277-9ccf-f09fb457815d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bf87f754-c4b1-495f-8bb3-48d8d55a9ea0" grcontextid="approval:1">approval</span>. Isaac laughed at my expression as I gently slapped his arm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Dominic went through a few basics with me, I nodded my head trying to remember everything. I knew Isaac was an experienced rider though, so there was no need to be alarmed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Finally it was time to get on the mare and I confidently put one foot in the stirrup to hoist myself up into the saddle. But even though I had on riding boots my foot slipped and I knew I was headed for a tumble, damn my clumsiness!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I braced myself for the hard ground but instead strong arms were holding me in a split second. I gazed up into Isaac's handsome face, his dark eyes full of worry and concern. "Wow that was quick! Thanks Isaac for saving me from embarrassing myself already!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">He held on tight to me as if I was something precious and I would shatter into a million pieces if he dropped me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"I think I'm good Isaac, you can put me down now!" I teased.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Gently he lifted me onto the saddle and adjusted my feet so I was securely strapped in.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">His large hands were so warm I could feel the heat through my jodhpurs. I watched as he <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2cfd33fb-931e-417d-ae9e-97eb0739f4ab" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f7659534-1059-4acb-98f7-7a75efb634b6" grcontextid="skilfully:0">skilfully</span> jumped onto Star and we slowly made our way away from the farm and into the wooded hills beyond.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I found it quite easy just ambling along, Princess was kind to me, and she actually went in the direction I guided her in!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The sun shining through the trees, the birds singing, our easy conversation was just such a simple joy. I felt happier and more relaxed than I had in ages. Isaac had that effect on me, he made me happy and he made the sun come out for me even when it was rainy and overcast.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">We ambled pleasantly along for a couple of hours, slowly winding our way up the hill into a small forest area. Isaac decided we should stop by the river for our picnic. We tied the two horses up to a wide oak tree and gave them an apple each to snack on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Isaac spread a <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="03e51baf-09c4-4baf-8120-5046c3db7a3d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="055f89ec-c2a8-4c90-a646-73efaed7eec2" grcontextid="cosy:0">cosy</span> rug onto the forest floor for us to sit on. We had roast chicken sandwiches, his Mom's special chocolate cake and a bottle of coke each.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">We joked around smearing chocolate onto each other's faces, laughing and giggling like silly school children. Isaac suggested we go for a short walk, he knew of a really picturesque place just nearby. I washed my face in the cool sparkling water of the river, making sure not a remnant of chocolate was left.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">We walked along hand in hand companionably enjoying the day and our time together.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Suddenly we walked into a beautiful meadow with wild flowers in all <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="75229481-fbf5-4ba0-95e6-060133e4232a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="386025fe-6f3f-4478-94b5-1ca3fc1b87c7" grcontextid="colours:0">colours</span> waving in the gentle breeze.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I looked around overawed that somewhere so lovely and perfect could exist here.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Oh Isaac! What an amazing place!" I gushed smiling happily.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Isaac <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="dff89208-f244-457f-b934-c279d411a253" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1c22ed1d-3619-49ed-8480-1ca024cedc02" grcontextid="put:0">put</span> a strong arm around my shoulder and gazed down at me, his dark eyes gazing into mine intently. "This is a special place Iris. Your Mom and Dad got married here! Your grandparents visited here often and fell head over heels in love. It's a magical place, truly it is" he said his dark eyes shining. "Oh wow! So <i>this</i> is the place! My Mom promised to show me, but she hadn't got around to it yet! Oh I love it, it's so enchanting!" I exclaimed clapping my hands excitedly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">We sat down together on the greener than green grass and looked around marvelling at this special place.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> " I told your Mom I was bringing you here today Iris, she was so happy you would get to see the meadow at last" Isaac smiled at me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"I am so happy! Thank <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ee3b437b-0eca-4dfa-a99d-fed1e8c6a4a5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ebddace4-a1ee-43a6-b956-a5f579812e2c" grcontextid="you Isaac,:0">you Isaac,</span>" I said leaning over to gently kiss his cheek. He inhaled sharply and his cheeks looked a bit rosy when I pulled away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Any ways," he said looking away from me, "I wanted to tell you some more about the shape shifters history Iris, if you are interested? I know Mia revealed her secret to you."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Oh I'm definitely interested! Please tell me all about it Isaac!" I exclaimed moving to face him, wanting to watch every expression on his face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The shape <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6a92881f-86da-443a-a776-0eedc980abca" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c6a839a5-f30b-4746-80e1-a7fd51c0a519" grcontextid="shifters:0">shifters</span> story and history was so very interesting, I kind of wished I wasn't just a boring human!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Isaac's face took on a serious note as he began to explain "imprinting" to me. He grasped both my hands in his large warm ones, his dark eyes intent and serious.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Iris, imprinting is unique to the wolves, it ensures the shape-shifting gene will not die out. Of course wolves could meet someone and fall in love, marry, have children just like normal people do, but "imprinting" cancels out any doubts, it makes sure that the gene is passed on."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I waited patiently for him to continue, my eyes never leaving his, my interest totally captured by him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"So it can happen to a shape shifting male at any time, once imprinting happens that's it! The <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8df7ba87-466d-4c59-9218-4d92d2b70394" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d0f03069-e1bd-4686-a9e3-eb8c11999311" grcontextid="imprintee:0">imprintee</span> will always be loved, cared for and protected. It's the imprinter's job if you like to make sure the object of their affection is always safe and adored. It's not a choice, it HAS to be done. The girl becomes their universe, their sun, moon & stars. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="784432dd-4c55-41dd-917d-e83878fc3d37" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0da1c9cd-0391-40b7-8f24-98c88b48e11b" grcontextid="Their:0">Their</span> everything. My Dad imprinted on your Mom when she was a baby."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> My eyes widened at this, I knew Mom and Jacob had a special bond but I didn't <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2f595889-b80a-4c72-9998-3159da065ce0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2fc9eefc-abaa-4d04-b8a6-9a4ad39369f3" grcontextid="realise:0">realise</span> what it was!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I smiled encouragingly at Isaac waiting for him to tell me more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">" I know you are wondering why Jacob and your Mom didn't marry? Well Dad imprinted on Nessie when she was a new born, so my Dad became like her big brother and protector all rolled into one. He would never let anyone harm her. He loves her. But mostly they are the exception to the rule; mostly the guy and the girl he's imprinted on fall in love and live happily ever after. Mostly," he <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="44ebbb38-6cbd-4dbf-b1aa-f9de2d0e8f6e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="375f61ab-a4a8-452a-ba5a-1894753fc206" grcontextid="stated:0">stated</span> again, his black eyes darkening briefly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I gazed at him absolutely amazed by the story. Imprinting? Wow! It sounds cool. To be loved so much like that? It must be good right?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I squeezed <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="20807133-dc85-4bea-86ef-c8bef3ef5da9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d89cc824-3e13-4149-81e5-f37baed1aa1d" grcontextid="Isaac's hand:0">Isaac's hand</span>, "Please tell me more! This is fascinating!" I gushed excitedly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"I will tell you more, soon, I promise Iris," he replied smiling at me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"But first would you like to go on a different kind of ride?" he asked raising his eyebrows at me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> "<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="38acf157-37a6-493a-bf2a-b9945d5c600c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e3cc5ff2-a614-4663-b2fd-537cc69b97b9" grcontextid="Ehmm:0">Ehmm</span> well yeah! How different?" I asked with curiosity burning in my eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Give me two <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="203a6201-c58b-4aee-b319-73057df8e9ef" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b64f73ba-7bfc-494c-8e1e-ed225af98c78" grcontextid="secs:0">secs</span>. Don't be afraid," he replied jumping up and running towards the trees.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I looked towards the trees astounded as a huge dark brown wolf padded towards me, his dark eyes boring into mine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Isaac wow! You are magnificent!" I gushed with amazement.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">He nuzzled my hand and threw his head backwards, I guessed instantly what he meant.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I gestured for him to come over to a large rock which I used to stand on and hoist myself onto his large broad back. I held onto his shaggy brown fur as he <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="76547f84-50a4-45f3-bed2-f9b1af97bf4b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="21929905-ae44-4169-b595-5217da2f1a78" grcontextid="stared:0">stared</span> to run with me around the meadow. We did a few laps, me holding on and laughing with joy, Isaac's big red tongue lolling out as he seemed to smile <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d00b25b8-1083-4985-88e3-11fba8189adf" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="328ac1a5-d8b4-443c-aca9-b0cd4c117cb3" grcontextid="wolfishly:0">wolfishly</span> at me as we ran.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">We ran into the trees and through the shady forest. Despite being large, Isaac was extremely lithe and graceful and not once did a tree branch scratch my face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">This was the best fun I'd had, like...ever!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Isaac made his way back to the meadow where I jumped off, exhilarated, my laughter echoing through the trees. I ran my fingers through my long dark hair trying to comb out the tangles. As quick as a flash Isaac was there beside me in human form, his smile dazzling and full of happiness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Wow Isaac! That was amazing! Thank you," I said humbly squeezing his large hand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"No problem Iris, I'm so glad I could share that part of myself with you. Thank you, I'm glad you didn't freak out!" he said returning my squeeze.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Not me Mr Black! I'm a Clearwater remember and we don't freak out at the strange and supernatural! It's been part of my life since I was born!" I said rolling my eyes mockingly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">We hugged each other tightly, revelling in the closeness we'd shared. Isaac is amazing, I've really seen a different side to him today, a side I like. A lot. I don't just mean the shape-shifting particularly, it's small things like how considerate he is, how gentlemanly he is, how kind and caring he is. So unlike a certain Mr Swan! I gaze up into his dark eyes as we pull away from our embrace, eyes which are deep and mysterious like dark pools; and I wonder how much more I will learn about Isaac Black.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"I better get you back home now Iris. But promise me you will come out here with me at the weekend? It's meant to be good weather, I thought maybe we could camp out?" he asked shyly. "<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b9d8ba49-a3a5-45ae-9d6a-d7f8ab32947f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b0187280-e38f-45aa-9896-42731cb19e0d" grcontextid="Sure:0">Sure</span> Isaac I'd love that" I replied, mentally making a note to cancel my rock concert date with Zach.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> I'd much rather be here with Isaac, at one with nature, under the stars talking and laughing together. I couldn't wait to hear some more stories too!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Oh my! I was giving up an evening with Zach? Just what is going on with me?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I have to admit Isaac Black has got under my skin. Today has been one of those perfect days that don't come along too often. I watch his strong powerful back as he leads the way on Star through the forest and down the winding road towards the farm. He's quieter now, but when he turns around to make sure I'm okay ( which is like every five minutes!) he has a small contented smile on his face. I am glad of our silence, which isn't awkward but companionable.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">It gives me time to think and muse over all that's happened today.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The stories, the riding bareback on a wolf, the laughter and the meadow; the special magical meadow, are all whirling through my mind in a hurricane of thoughts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">On the drive home we both begin to open up once again as we share a laugh and a joke together, my small hand resting in Isaac's large warm hand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"You were awfully quiet on the ride back Iris? Everything all right?" Isaac asked me gently.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I turned to him with a grin, "Perfect Isaac. I was just thinking of everything you'd shown me and told me today."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">He smiled back, a dazzling brilliant smile, so like his Dad. "Cool. At the weekend I'll tell you more Iris," he stated, looking serious again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Sure, I'm looking forward to it so much," I replied looking into his dark eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">When we arrived back at the hotel I excused myself for a long hot bath. I was tired out from the day's activities. I hugged Isaac again and thanked him for a wonderful time today before trudging tiredly up the stairs to the master bathroom. I met my Mom and Jacob coming down the stairs, whispering conspiratorially to each other.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">As soon as they saw me they both grinned widely, "Ah Iris, you are back!" my Mom exclaimed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Well yeah unless you are seeing things!" I retorted cheekily. Jacob rolled his eyes and pretended to cuff my ear. "Kids! Eh Ness?" he winked at my Mom, laughing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"So did you and Isaac have a good time?" my Mom asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Jacob was staring at me intently waiting on my answer, "Yeah, horse-riding is such fun! Plus Isaac showed <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a40f7eb2-ee01-49e7-adc7-9577e7102c3f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ff9262a8-8efd-4770-b09e-97614bb35cc0" grcontextid="me the meadow:0">me the meadow</span>. Oh Mom! It's wonderful, how romantic you and Dad getting married there!" I gushed squeezing her hand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"But now I'm tired out and I'm going for a bath!" I said carrying on walking up the stairs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Night love," they echoed in unison.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">But when I reached the top of the grand staircase I deliberately hid in the shadows, listening to their whispered conversation. "Do you think he told her?" whispered my Mom.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">" I don't know," whispered Jacob. " But I have a good feeling about it Ness, really I do!" he continued in hushed tones.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Just what were they talking about? My brain was too frazzled and tired to think straight as I made my way to the bathroom.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">One thing I knew though, I couldn't wait for our camping trip at the weekend.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I smiled to myself just thinking about it. Good times. Good times indeed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Jacob walked into the kitchen and put a large hand on his son's shoulder as he sat drinking hot chocolate at the kitchen table. "Did you tell her son? " <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b46fc3e6-5485-4868-96e8-dcca5721c128" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8338f8ca-9d0e-4230-b962-b3faa8452a87" grcontextid="he:0">he</span> asked.</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Isaac looked up at his Father, his dark eyes looking into ones so similar to his own.</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"<i>No Dad, not yet, but I will. I plan to do it this very weekend!"</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Jacob squeezed his son's shoulder encouragingly, "Good luck my son. All I want is for you to be happy, my eldest child, my boy. I love you," he said his voice choking with emotion.</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></u></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></u></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE</span></u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Revenge<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">As Iris Clearwater and Isaac Black happily enjoyed each other's company in the beautiful meadow, a pair of watchful red eyes spied on them from the high branches of a tall oak tree. Her papery thin white face screwed up with disgust and anger as she watched the carefree couple in the meadow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Revenge will be mine, my children, my beautiful children will not die in vain!" </span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">she whispered to herself vehemently.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">A wholly evil and satisfied smug smile pulls at the corners of her thin lips as she hears the couple making plans to camp here at the weekend. Perfect! Under the cover of darkness with her unique powers, these two will suffer at her hands. Her special power can shield physical attacks. When someone is attacking she repels him or her by confusing him or her. They end up going in a different direction and are unaware of what they were doing in the first place. Revenge will be hers for all those who dared to hurt or outwit her precious babies. Isaac Black had to die; he was a disgusting shape-shifter who alerted the Cullen's and Clearwater's to her children's presence. Iris Clearwater had to die; she was a pathetic human girl who had a vampire father and a hybrid <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2751cbd9-b1c4-43fc-9bdc-018e8542f2a7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="951c6352-644a-4f00-a7c1-ae6fa42c03df" grcontextid="mother:0">mother</span>. A nasty evil hybrid mother who had started these events in motion seventeen years ago. But in a few days’ time, the wolves and the vampires would suffer the loss of <i>their </i>children. Just like she had.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">As for the Swan boy, well his time would come too. A mother's love is a very powerful thing. She had loved her children so much; when they were born it was the happiest day of her life. Their life together had been wonderful. Married to a rich and powerful man, the family wanted for nothing. They lived in a beautiful mansion in England, with many acres of land and lovely lush gardens.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">In June 1900 her husband was a successful merchant, he ran several <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="bb358dc2-e4db-47be-a486-3d0a24f39dc5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9e2f693d-0a46-41c4-9f27-73af15369a82" grcontextid="business:0">business</span> mostly dealing in fabrics and cloth. When he had planned a trip to Italy for business purposes he had decided to turn it into a family trip. The children had never been abroad and they were sixteen now; a great opportunity to see the world. Italy was beautiful, Rome and Venice took her breath away. The children loved it too, sightseeing with their mother every day, happily taking in the sights and drinking in the history of the place. When her husband had taken them to Volterra for the weekend they were all so happy. He had some spare time and they could be together as a family. Her son and daughter loved their father so much; it was a rare opportunity to spend some time with him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">One starlit night the family ambled through the cobbled streets after dinner at a small traditional Italian restaurant, their bellies full of good food and their hearts full of joy and happiness. A small crowd was gathered around the bell tower in the town square, their voices a hubbub of excited animation. The family drew closer to perhaps learn what the excitement was about. A tall beautiful woman in a long black hooded cloak was telling the people about a tour she would take them on. It involved going underneath the city to see the fascinating depths of Volterra; where the old city had been; where underground tunnels led to actual houses and places of business long ago buried by the newly built city. Of course the family were all fascinated and quickly signed up for the tour, which luckily was starting in just five short minutes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">This was to turn out to be the biggest mistake she ever made in her human life.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The beautiful underground chambers did hold such fine architecture and ambience. But they also held evil and death. Hooded bringers of death. Fangs tearing out throats, blood running in red rivers. Her husband was killed in the feeding frenzy; she held her precious children to her, their eyes wide with fear as they watched her husband's throat ripped open in hunger. When a frightening looking demon with fragile pale skin and red eyes approached the three huddled together in fear, she dropped to her knees and begged for her children to be saved. Begged for this demon to spare their lives and take hers. The demon's red eyes bore down into hers, searching deep into her soul. His gaze went to the children holding onto each other, their eyes wild with fear. He narrowed his eyes as he searched their faces intently and curiously.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> "<i>Your children are special Madame, I can tell. I will spare them, but I must keep them for myself. They will make a worthwhile addition to my guard. I will become their father, mentor and guide. As for you Madame, you will be destroyed. But because of this gift you have given me I will instruct <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="57641dca-f9e7-4e65-ab1c-65d3fc47e1be" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d1e61dda-0ccf-49fb-9460-6bf126e622df" grcontextid="your:0">your</span> killer to <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="be601498-4bd9-4a3b-a1eb-877972756c6e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d1e61dda-0ccf-49fb-9460-6bf126e622df" grcontextid="despatch:1">despatch</span> of you quickly and virtually painlessly," </i>he smiled benignly down at her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She clasped her children to her tightly, tears running freely down her face. She would gladly sacrifice her life for theirs even if it meant leaving them here. Her life was over without her children, so death would be a welcome release from the pain of losing them. Her children were <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c3577f06-9a7c-47a2-a7fe-f8b6834ccea7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bfce4f90-eaeb-4a98-8270-739d95a3a860" grcontextid="prised:0">prised</span> away from her roughly as she snatched at thin air, desperate for one last hug, one last kiss. <i>"My babies, </i>“she screamed as they were taken away into the dark, their howling cries fading away. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4d970a17-50b3-4f37-9b9a-12593fb5b1e4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="42023a49-4db4-44a1-9b45-ddcd05293138" grcontextid="Large cold:0">Large cold</span> hands grabbed her arm and spun her around. She looked up into the face of a killer. His blonde hair shone in the lamp lit cave, surrounding his head like a halo. An angel, a beautiful pale angel of death.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> "<i>Please Madame, quickly, come with me. I will take you away from here but we must hurry!" </i>the blonde angel said gently taking her arm and hurrying her down the dimly lit corridors.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Soon they were outside in the cool night air, she breathed in deeply trying to rid her lungs of the stale air from below. The smell of blood and death clung to her clothes and she broke down sobbing, her heart breaking in two. The blonde angel hurried her away from the entrance to the underworld, taking her to the fountain in the square and sitting her down.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"<i>Madame, you must listen to me. Go home. You must not stay here it is too dangerous. These people do not take kindly to humans escaping from them."<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Her mind reeled with the incomprehensibility of the night's events, the complete and total fear which engulfed her body, leaving her with no family in one fell swoop. She asked the angel what will I do. Where will I go? The angel smiled down at her, his amber eyes glowing in the dark.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">" You must go home Madame, try to build a new life for yourself. I am so sorry for your loss"</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She sobbed at his kind tone, why was he so different to the rest? She wiped her tears and falteringly asked for his name.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Carlisle "</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> he answered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> She smiled at him and asked why he was keeping company with demons?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"I was searching for something Madame, I was looking for answers. Now I know my purpose, I intend to leave here and never look back. I suggest you do the same," </span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">he answered kindly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She thanked the angel Carlisle for saving her as they said goodbye. She walked around the city dazed and frightened, grieving for her dead husband and kidnapped children. What new life could she possibly make for herself now her children were gone? She could not return home, to the large empty house where once a happy family lived. Her life was over, her purpose for existing <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ea24b61e-7961-400e-8072-ef38d6a4399b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="778882c7-ff60-48ea-99ac-985b1abc73cb" grcontextid="gone:0">gone</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">For days she <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0b0fbdf8-dc12-4c88-8ad9-062cd047826d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6fca3178-e9b1-4315-ad5a-4b8c694f7203" grcontextid="wandered:0">wandered</span>, not eating, not sleeping. She slept in the park, covering herself <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6bab57e4-edb9-4258-89c9-85c576c6c93b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="de891f71-3ea9-4832-bc24-81c4c404564c" grcontextid="in:0">in</span> leaves and branches. One night as the full moon hung low in the sky, she sat on a bench and gazed woefully up at the sky, her eyes full of tears. Suddenly a figure appeared from nowhere and sat down next to her, his face hidden by a hooded cloak. She gasped with fear, but the figure did not speak, only lowered his cloak so she could look into his eyes. His gaze was red and hungry. The face was familiar to her, it was engraved on her heart and soul. The full red lips broke into a smile and he spoke to her, <i>"Hello Mother."</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Her heart soared as she looked into the eyes of her precious son, love and joy replacing the sadness in her heart. A cold pair of hands was placed on her shoulders, she turned around in amazement to see her beautiful daughter gazing down at her with such love. Her eyes were also red and glowing in the dark. "<i>Hello Mother,"</i> she echoed her brother in a musical voice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She cried and hugged them to her, trying not to think of the reason why their once rosy healthy skin was now pale, cold and hard as marble. Her joy to see them over rode any fears or doubts she had. She cried with joy and told the children <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e03e9113-c9de-49ef-8ceb-17a47de5925c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b0d6e732-c882-4717-8e0d-6bcca8749920" grcontextid="of:0">of</span> how she had wandered the city in desperation, sadness and pain, trying to think of how she could reunite her family. The children smiled at each other, and pulled their mother to her feet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">" Dear Mother, we have come for you, you will live with us. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="173d48ce-89f7-4717-9bb5-fb416792f651" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="612a5f17-7219-4282-98d3-ab2e56d3d052" grcontextid="Aro:0">Aro</span> agreed you must. He only wants to make us happy. But first we must make you like us. It's the only way Mother.”</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She looked into her children's eyes, she would do anything for her precious twins. She loved them so much, Jane and Alec; her babies. Gladly she went with them with happiness and joy in her heart. To be with them again was all she wanted. Her only reason for living, her only reason to<i> exist.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">So that is how I, Renata became a prized member of the Volturi guard. I became Aro's shield and never faltered from my path until the day Chelsea broke all of our bonds to each other. I was cast out, my children left me alone in the Volterra underground; so great was their own heartbreak at losing their bonds with the oldest vampire they thought of as their father. I wandered bereft calling out for my twins and the rest of the guard. But everyone had fled, leaving me down there all alone. I lived on rats and other small animals, sometimes a lost human would happen to find themselves in my lair, which was always a treat. Fresh, warm human blood, reviving my senses for a while. Years and years went past without me noticing. Until the day I heard the dying screams of my children in my head; the torment, fear and pain as their precious bodies burned. I howled and screamed in rage and agony as their immortal lives were snuffed out with the burning fire.</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Did they think they would get away with this? My revenge was all consuming, a white hot rage which burned inside me and gave me the strength to leave my <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c18af48c-ce09-4e9d-96eb-b49b08f4be15" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b89b3326-42f7-4df0-892e-2febcbf9fa81" grcontextid="hide:0">hide</span> away and come to this strange little place called Forks.</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> <i>Here, the final chapter of my story would be played. I would cease to exist but I would take those who have caused me pain, grief and immense suffering kicking and screaming to hell with me!</i> <i>I CANNOT live without my babies, I DO not want to live without them. For me that is an impossibility; if they cease to exist then so shall I and so shall the evil perpetrators of this heinous crime. I, Renata will NOT fail you my precious twins, my beautiful Jane and Alec, my life, my heart.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></u></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO</span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Sharing<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">MIA BLACK:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">My brother looked so happy and pleased with himself as I watched him drag the old tent out of the attic. He coughed as some dust came down the ladder with him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">" So you <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="22aa5168-ce3c-4184-88e5-3ab4161428f7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f894a07f-afc3-47b8-ae2f-610cc3447359" grcontextid="going:0">going</span> camping bro?" I ask smiling.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> "Check out Einstein!" he laughs at me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="317afd96-6579-4bab-92ff-5d50f18fed35" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="806aa6a4-56df-4bab-acea-9acfedfc793b" grcontextid="Okaaaay:0">Okaaaay</span>, sarcasm is the lowest form of wit Isaac!" I scold.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">He laughs at me, his dark eyes shining as he carries the tent downstairs and outside to air on the lawn.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">" So, when are you going camping? Who's going with you?" I questioned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Isaac rolls his eyes at me, "Aren't you nosey, little sis?" he says with a laugh.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> "I'll tell you a secret if you tell me," I cajoled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">" Come with me Mia, let's sit and talk. Can we?" he asks looking just a little bit serious.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Sure," I reply, following him out into the garden and down to the summerhouse.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">We flop down onto the loungers and I get comfortable waiting for him to speak.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"I'll go first ok?" he says before I get a chance to talk.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"I've spoken to Dad about this Mia, but not Mom. You know Mom she gets hyper excited about stuff!" he laughed rolling his eyes at me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I grinned as I knew exactly what he meant about our lovely Mom. Probably one of the main reasons I hadn't told her about Reuben and I.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> "So Mia, it's like this... I am in love with Iris Clearwater. In fact I've imprinted on her and you know what <i>that </i>means! I haven't told her yet, but we have been getting closer and I plan to take her camping on Saturday night when I will tell her the whole truth about the situation. How she will react I don't know, but I<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ddbabc75-bd8f-4835-8424-e34e2ea5e179" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f2133590-d0db-47d6-a5f6-77ef37928c40" grcontextid="'ve been torturing:0">'ve been torturing</span> myself for months over this. It's time to come clean and deal with the consequences afterwards right?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> I grinned really widely, so happy at his news, even though I did suspect it all along.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> " Right! Definitely! You <i>must </i>tell her Isaac! Oh how exciting, I do think she likes you!" I said excitedly. Isaac smiled ruefully, "Yeah, but she likes Zach Swan more I reckon."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Oh gosh, he looked so sad I wanted to give him the biggest hug! " Oh Isaac, I really don't think the thing with Zach is going anywhere, really and truly I don't," I said gently stroking his arm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">His dark eyes looked into mine, searching for the truth in my words. I squeezed his arm trying to give him some comfort. "Isaac you are so good for her, and I think Iris is just perfect for you! Oh this is just so exciting!" I trilled clapping my hands together with glee.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I really was so happy to hear my brother say he loved Iris, I loved her like a sister now and would be overjoyed if they were a couple. Still, his dark eyes looked troubled. He was so under confident at times, he really didn't have cause to be. Did he not <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5c926c5d-9fbe-4c93-bad8-54659acb291f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d3a22a6c-aa13-4461-9e8f-a5348cd6a970" grcontextid="realise:0">realise</span> he was a handsome lovely guy? Obviously not. I suddenly felt an overwhelming rush of love for my brother, and I impulsively hugged him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Surprisingly he hugged me back and I was glad I was here for him. "So little sis what's your secret then?" he asked me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">" I can't believe this has happened Isaac, to both of <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9319a2bd-9e61-43ab-9a0d-4ff27b672cac" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f3e35505-d8b4-47d5-9f78-0cef850e443a" grcontextid="us...I:0">us...I</span> am in love with Reuben Clearwater, and he loves me right back! It's wonderful! " I exclaimed happily.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> "Oh wow! Mia! How strange that the Clearwater's come back to Forks after 15 years and we both fall in love. You with Reuben and me with Iris?" Isaac asked me incredulously.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">" I know bro, it certainly is strange. It's lucky you didn't imprint on Iris when you were just a toddler," I sniggered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Isaac rolled his eyes and punched me lightly on the arm, " Stop it Mia! You know it doesn't work like that! The male imprints when he reaches maturity, you know why... " He <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="370cfab9-e368-4a28-909e-6c0310472548" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="46a29542-e646-40c6-835f-8d553ba0ebb6" grcontextid="tailed:0">tailed</span> off embarrassed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Oh I know why dear brother, so you can carry on the shape-shifting genes!" I teased.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">We both grinned at each other, happy to share our secrets. Though Isaac's was hardly a secret, I knew ages ago he had a thing for Iris, but I didn't <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="45d7f440-325c-4d1b-8509-03a31256f4eb" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b2d9603e-5cdd-4ef8-a944-c0481d9df29f" grcontextid="realise:0">realise</span> it was as serious as imprinting. Though I shouldn't have been surprised because he's definitely at the perfect age for it!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Thankfully females didn't imprint, thankfully we get a bit more choice in our partners! Not that I was upset by Isaac imprinting on Iris, far from it, I thought it was cool. I just hoped she thought the same when the truth was revealed to her at the weekend. Isaac hugged me and smiled at me, staring into my dark eyes with his, " You are happy then Sis? You look happy! I really like Reuben, he seems a good guy. Quiet, but decent, “he mused.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">" I'm so happy I feel like my heart might burst open Isaac!" I exclaimed with joy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Well, good, I'm glad. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="02683540-e32f-423f-90da-c60d7c2e4c60" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e60700ed-1948-4bf6-a785-8294260ccf60" grcontextid="Are you gonna tell:0">Are you gonna tell</span> Mom and Dad?" he asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I sighed heavily, " I wasn't planning on it yet, and can you imagine their reaction? Dad would freak! He still thinks of me as his innocent little girl doesn't he? As for Mom, well Mom's Mom. She will go crazy! You know what she's like! " I exclaimed rolling my eyes." I think I'll keep it to myself for a bit longer," I added convincingly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Isaac sighed too, nodding his head in agreement. "There's something else Mia...I <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="386ab30c-f9c7-49c1-a4da-3b3969538d46" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="83ddfbe5-0279-4066-a074-ab3767538daa" grcontextid="phased:0">phased</span> when I was with Iris and well we had some fun with me as a wolf!" he confessed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I started to giggle, but stopped quickly when I noticed his hurt expression. " Sorry Isaac, I'm just being silly! It's okay...I <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="540b34fe-756a-414d-9093-1d0a264d88a1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="31d86be6-98d6-4041-9061-74e050819bda" grcontextid="phased:0">phased</span> for Reuben too! Those two are hardly unused to the weird and wonderful are they? Not with Seth and Nessie as parents!" I stated with a smile.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> " Yeah, you are so right Mia. Iris was so cool about it. I am glad we've shared that together. Really glad. It will be easier when I tell her the truth," he said looking down at the floor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Come on now Isaac, don't be scared you <i>can</i> do it! It will be fine, whatever happens. You will be happy to get it all out in the open," I said stroking his arm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Thanks Mia. Thanks for listening. You're not so bad for an annoying little sister!" he laughed ruffling my hair.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Hey," I exclaimed with a mock indignant look. "You aren’t so bad for such an idiotic big brother!" I joked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> "Come on then sis, help me with this tent, I'm sure it's not seen the light of day since last summer!" Isaac joked, pulling me to my feet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">We left the summerhouse arm in arm, feeling closer than we had in ages. It was a good feeling.</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE</span></u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Twins<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">REUBEN CLEARWATER:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I had brought my sister Iris to see my photography studio at the Cross Farm. She was running around excitedly, looking at my pictures and examining all the equipment. Suddenly I hear her gasp and start to giggle, "Ah dear Reuben, I think I've found the photos Mia was talking about," she laughed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Oh for the love of all that is holy! She would have to find them wouldn't she? I smiled to myself though as I remembered Mia striking sexy poses in her skimpy short dress, her legs impossibly long in 4" stiletto heels a model had left behind. I smiled even more when I remembered her kicking the shoes off and posing seductively in her bare feet, one shoulder of her dress falling down, the hem hitched up dangerously high, her long hair flowing down her back as she turned to pose for me. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a19c4e88-1904-498e-be30-12e9d7285e8a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="92f83268-1aeb-4b2f-896a-7af9852f762a" grcontextid="Hmmmm:0">Hmmmm</span> lovely thoughts indeed. I grinned widely when I remembered me being unable to keep my hands off her after that as we fell to the floor in a passionate embrace. How difficult it was to remain a gentleman around my Mia. She was so sexy and beautiful, she drove me wild; my senses overloaded on her skin, her eyes, her hair, and her lips. I sighed deeply lost in thought.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Iris snapped her fingers in front of my face, "Snap out of it Reuben!" she said tapping my forehead with her long nails.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I shook myself out of my reverie.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Well?" Iris was asking waving the photos I'd taken <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fd3de284-b3c8-4927-9705-62c80d2e8a41" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="121845e9-705d-4592-8c2e-e193bbf35ade" grcontextid="of:0">of</span> Mia in front of me, tapping her foot impatiently.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Well, sister dearest, looks like you've discovered our secret!" I exclaimed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">" Old news sweetie!" she drawled as my eyes widened.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"You know? About Mia and me?" I demanded.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Oh yes, I know! Mia and I have become really close, she's confided in me. I'm happy for you stupid!" she taps my forehead with her nail again as I try not to react.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">But I cannot help a large cheesy grin from appearing on my face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Iris. Dearest. I love Mia, it's as simple as that. I can't believe she actually feels the same about me!" I exclaimed, my heart singing with joy at expressing my feelings for my beautiful girlfriend. Iris rolled her eyes at me, " Reuben you can be so silly at times! Why wouldn't she love you? I know I tease you but really I think you are fabulous. You know that right!?" she smiled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I grinned back, " Yeah I know. Same goes for you."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I grabbed the photos from Iris before she could really embarrass me with them. "What about you, sister dear? Nothing to tell me about your love life?" I questioned with raised eyebrows.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I already knew more than she thought I did, Mia had filled me in on what had happened with Zach and Iris.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">" No, nothing to tell! Well... <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="bc0c4934-b39b-4433-ada5-8085db5c1241" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f36cdd27-dd36-4375-bae5-a1825a3e65c4" grcontextid="not:0">not</span> much <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ccfac189-54b8-43cf-a08b-5b2b01758361" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f36cdd27-dd36-4375-bae5-a1825a3e65c4" grcontextid="anyways:1">anyways</span> ...yet!" she smirked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Now she was starting to drive me insane! I wished I had Grandpa's talent for reading minds!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> "Yet?" I asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"I have a date Saturday night, well at least I <i>think</i> it's a date?" she thoughtfully mused.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">" Oh with the wonderful Zachary Swan?" I huffed in disgust.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> I wasn't Swan's biggest fan, especially since Mia had revealed she used to have a crush on him. Iris gave me a withering look. "No, Reuben dearest, not with Zach! Actually I'm going camping for the night with Isaac Black if you must know!" she said defiantly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I smiled widely at my sister, " Well that's great! I like Isaac, he's cool. I'm going to take photos of his new restaurant when it opens. Help him out with some publicity. Yep, I like him. He's a good guy!" I exclaimed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Oh I'm so glad he meets with your approval!" Iris mocked, laughing loudly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I couldn't help but laugh too, but suddenly I became serious again. "Have you told Mom & Dad where you are going?" I questioned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Iris looked at me sheepishly, "No I haven't. I think they know though. Something is definitely up with Mom, she keeps looking at me strangely and smiling!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> "<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="dd68beab-e41f-42d1-bde1-d26fd48d1b4b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="20721fc1-18ee-42c4-9e57-6f5abcbebc69" grcontextid="Hmmm:0">Hmmm</span>," I mused, wondering what Mom knew.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"I haven't told them yet about Mia and I," I said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">" But I plan to soon, we can't keep hiding it and sneaking around anymore. I want to tell the world I love her!" I uncharacteristically blurted out to my sister.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Iris's blue eyes widened as she looked at me with surprise. I was on a roll now though, "In fact Iris I would love to marry Mia and have loads and loads of children!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Now my sister did look truly shocked. " Reuben! I've never heard you <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="934ed9cc-2405-46c9-a839-63cec18d33aa" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bfac9e9c-a594-4a15-babd-5ea407dcab93" grcontextid="be:0">be</span> so emotional before! Mia really has got to you hasn't she? Oh I'm so happy for you both! She is lovely, like a sister. More a sister than Ruby is! Oh please let me be bridesmaid!" she enthused.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I laughed with her as we hugged each other. "Wouldn't it be so cool if I was married to Mia and you married Isaac?" I exclaimed to my sister, a big grin on my face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> " Hold on Reuben! Isaac and I might be close but we aren't an item!" she replied, her blue eyes turning dark for a moment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Don't spoil my fun sis! Okay I get it, you are keeping your options open! But answer me this...do you like Isaac? I mean do you really like him?" I asked seriously.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Iris fiddled with a strand of hair as she pondered my question. "Yes, I like him a lot. He's really cool actually. I didn't think so when I first met him, but he's grown on me. He's becoming someone special to me," she replied softly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Our serious mood was quickly broken as the phone rang and jolted us both. It was Mia. My Mia. Iris excused herself, making gagging motions as she went.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She might be a big teaser, but I knew deep in my heart all she wanted was someone to love and care for her.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Someone who wasn't her Mom, Dad or twin brother.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Someone special.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></u></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></u></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR</span></u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Meadow<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> ISAAC BLACK:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Twilight was approaching as Iris and I arrived at the meadow; the sky was bruised purple with stars just beginning to appear in the dark The evening was mild with a gentle breeze, perfect for camping, not a hint of a rain cloud in sight; the sky was clear and beautiful.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I had been excitedly preparing for this day since our last visit here; alternating between joy and extreme nervousness! Iris and I would be alone here all night and I was happy but terrified at the depth of my feelings for her. Yet, I promised myself I would tell her about how I have imprinted on her tonight. No backing out, it was now or never.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I was glad I'd talked to Mia about it though; it helped having another perspective on the situation. Both my father and my sister were pleased with how things had turned out, so I knew they would be happy if I finally discussed everything with the object of my deep love and affections.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I just hoped I'd done enough groundwork, I hoped I'd been a good friend to her, someone she can trust, someone she could now consider as more than a friend?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">My heart stuttered and beat wildly in my chest when I thought of us alone here together all night.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I gazed over to where Iris was unpacking her sleeping bag and other camping essentials. She was wearing a tight black <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f61ea382-fa00-4c81-8ea0-35448a6b95de" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ce1116bc-2d32-4b07-a80e-89fb48fdf512" grcontextid="t-shirt:0">t-shirt</span>, <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="af4ad129-a533-457b-9a13-7485564f8df8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ce1116bc-2d32-4b07-a80e-89fb48fdf512" grcontextid="the skinniest:1">the skinniest</span> jeans I've ever seen and a pair of red leather walking boots. Her long hair was messily piled up onto her head, and even though the light was fading I could see she had a healthy glow to her pale cheeks from the hike up here. She was simply and <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3e93c96d-9bcb-4ffe-bc23-451ea90544fb" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b6cc7c57-ca35-41de-80de-af278be3d238" grcontextid="stunningly:0">stunningly</span> beautiful to my eyes. I didn't think it was because I'd imprinted either; she really is completely gorgeous, drop dead gorgeous if truth were told. Out of my <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ca2f5d44-b479-479d-9197-d151558ed7a5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c9fb5f1b-ed2e-434f-9753-bac965738a7c" grcontextid="league maybe:0">league maybe</span>? Most probably. I smiled to myself as I watched her struggle putting the batteries <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="093a017d-0cc7-464c-b150-1d8d89b9a5fe" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d8d3670c-ad35-4a62-9339-5a84ab06fccb" grcontextid="into:0">into</span> our camping light.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> "Hey Iris, let me do that for you," I shouted over to her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She walked over to me, managing to do it so sexily, even though she was wearing clumpy boots on her feet. I gulped and kept my eyes on the battery compartment of the lamp so she wouldn't see me blushing. Thankfully for me we were camping at night, hopefully my blushes would be spared under the cover of the darkness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Iris helped me erect our tent; it was large and roomy with two separate sleeping compartments. Of course. I couldn't expect her to sleep next to me, that wouldn't be very polite of me. I kind of <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a974b365-f1ab-42c8-9bf6-37e209c6abfe" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="00ef9672-2871-43fe-a500-a7fa8439c008" grcontextid="hoped:0">hoped</span> she would though. Naturally.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">We had brought a <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f076819c-765b-44aa-b0a9-35859e3c7ed3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ee33afe6-6e16-43ab-9c85-d00477555251" grcontextid="cosy:0">cosy</span> blanket to sit outside on the grass, our camping light for finding stuff and gathering wood, and some refreshments to indulge in later.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I had brought my guitar along too, but wasn't sure whether to play, Iris may hate my voice or my playing? I will see how it goes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">We gathered up some large rocks and place them in a circle, ready to place our wood in and start the campfire. I love this part of camping the most, the ritual of building the fire; it's primeval for sure.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">We giggle and laugh as we prepare the <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="577d6cfb-9eb7-49fe-9f69-7e11b8021653" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="79339100-d912-43a1-8ed6-3ac578acff56" grcontextid="camp fire:0">camp fire</span>, she is so easy to talk to, I love being with her; I don't want this night to end.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I brought fire lighters with me to make this whole job easier for us, but the good weather helps immensely and soon we have a magnificent roaring fire which casts <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="bf3fc72b-83e9-42e3-b89c-9f599c2dce42" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b3682769-1b79-4afd-b849-1fd02a757f62" grcontextid="orange:0">orange</span> sparks like fireflies up into the night sky. There is something so romantic about firelight; the glow from the fire makes Iris look even more stunning to me. I can hardly tear my eyes from her as I drink in everything; her eyes, her hair, her slender figure, her full smiling laughing lips, the jangle of her many silver bangles which cover her delicate pale wrists. I want to stare into her sapphire blue eyes forever. I want to gently take her into my arms and kiss the soft skin of her cheek, continuing <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="03a38703-94d7-4738-9116-16f5f98bd57d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="638177c9-91fe-4b37-baeb-0c6a2103db0a" grcontextid="onto:0">onto</span> her perfect jaw line, trailing my warm lips down her neck …. Stop Isaac! I must concentrate on our conversation!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I take a couple of plastic glasses and a bottle of red wine from the rucksack I brought with me. I also grab a large bag of tortilla chips to nibble on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I pour us each a drink and we toast our camping trip, smiling deeply at each other in the firelight. The red wine warms my throat and belly as I slowly sip it down. I feel very relaxed and at ease here with Iris, as we sit cross legged side by side in front of the camp fire. I still find it hard to stop myself staring at her when she thinks I am not looking, so much better to keep her talking <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8ce4e81d-0147-4200-aeb2-27bc3f10126f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9ccda73c-a21f-4d2c-82c2-a13a75958224" grcontextid="then:0">then</span> I can stare at her face unabashedly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">This gorgeous, perfect creature next to me seems to be enjoying herself, which pleases me no end. I want this night to be perfect.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She puts her small pale hand on my arm and pleads with me to play guitar for her. My skin burns where her touch lies, burns with <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6d125332-fe3e-46f4-904c-db1bafa18760" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ffe62442-0d93-4903-917c-9414e345b41e" grcontextid="feverish desire:0">feverish desire</span> for this creature that has bewitched me in every way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I pick up my guitar and start to play a tune, it's a song I wrote for Iris, but I was embarrassed to tell her that, for now I'll keep that to myself. I am not the greatest player or <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6bfeb33c-7948-4b25-a74a-bd75d9ef2013" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="daa5f930-79b1-460b-a6d4-a7313aeadc93" grcontextid="singer:0">singer</span> but tonight my guitar sounds perfectly melancholy and my voice sounds full of emotional <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d715f63d-e13b-42b5-96a2-0328ba68e392" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="daa5f930-79b1-460b-a6d4-a7313aeadc93" grcontextid="tones:1">tones</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"<i>And I'd give up forever to touch you<br />'Cause I know that you feel me somehow<br /><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d0fb829d-5f6c-41a3-83af-bfecc1fc1719" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5615e27c-658b-4581-b66f-e3b936472cc0" grcontextid="you:0">you</span>’re the closest to heaven that I'll ever be<br /><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="761fdd06-bfed-4dd4-9a5f-9d20449469c0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="188c9472-07a6-474e-bd5e-fde7af3a40ab" grcontextid="and:0">and</span> I don't want to go home right now</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">And all I can taste is this moment<br /><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="29b73be5-78e0-4dc0-b3b8-383f8efbfecb" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f11f3dcb-8faa-40ee-8507-f41301d87c1c" grcontextid="and:0">and</span> all I can breathe is your life<br />'Cause sooner or later it's over<br />I just don't want to miss you tonight</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">And I don't want the world to see me<br />'Cause I don't think that they'd understand<br />When everything's made to be broken<br />I just want you to know who I am</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">And you can't fight the tears that <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0e3eee80-c15d-403f-8c80-458dd78b5a38" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="250d5038-40f9-4649-bba1-85a85eefdb09" grcontextid="ain't:0">ain't</span> coming<br /><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="79283c75-26c8-4a75-927f-a6d5f6c943e6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1d06113a-3e18-4607-a827-4e05a5958ec0" grcontextid="or:0">or</span> the moment of truth in your lies<br /><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="07b5a65f-5a9f-4f91-86ff-5b1451c2769a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="34495e95-c73d-4d08-af15-2126c51ad7a7" grcontextid="when:0">when</span> everything feels like the movies<br />Yeah you bleed just to know you're alive</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">And I don't want the world to see me<br />'Cause I don't think that they'd understand<br />When everything's made to be broken<br />I just want you to know who I am</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">And I don't want the world to see me<br />'Cause I don't think that they'd understand<br />When everything's made to be broken<br />I just want you to know who I am</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">And I don't want the world to see me<br />'Cause I don't think that they'd understand<br />When everything's made to be broken<br />I just want you to know who I am</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I just want you to know who I am<br />I just want you to know who I am<br />I just want you to know who I am"</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">("Iris" – copyright the goo goo dolls )</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Iris clapped her hands and smiled happily, "Oh Isaac, what a gorgeous song! I can't believe you have hidden this secret talent! You are really <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="66c06c78-6fa7-4a5a-8ddf-349840cfff31" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7449acce-6abd-4b09-a5d5-cb77afc9515d" grcontextid="talented you know:0">talented you know</span>? Oh I loved it!" she exclaimed, her beautiful face glowing in the firelight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I basked in her praise, so pleased she loved my song. It was for her after all. Should I tell her? Could I tell her? I so wanted to but my lips would not form the words, so I kept silent for now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I needed a few more glasses of wine before I explained everything to her, something to settle the dancing butterflies which had made a home in my stomach. Being in love certainly wasn't easy! We sit comfortably with another glass of red wine, laughing and talking about nothing in particular.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">We lay back on the blanket and gazed up at the clear night sky. I loved astrology and could point out all the constellations and remember their names. Iris was so close to me now, our heads were touching as we looked up at the stars. It was lovely. It was perfect. I didn't want to spoil it but I had to tell her the truth, I just had to. A shooting star whizzed through the black velvet of the night, falling and falling towards earth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> "Wow!" Iris whispered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I felt her small hand slip into mine, and my heart danced and soared.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"We didn't get to see many sights like this in the rain forest Isaac," she said turning towards me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Her blue eyes were glowing in the light from the fire, her full red lips were smiling at me, and her face was happy and relaxed. Oh my! This is torture, I need to tell her how I feel, and I need to kiss those sweet lips now!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She gazes back up at the night sky, her hand still enclosed in mine. I admire her profile as she looks above, the way her long hair is waving out behind her like a curtain of black silk, every curve of her slender body as she lays next to me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I am obsessed! Really and truly obsessed with this girl. Imprinting definitely makes sure of that!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="61efcbfa-d260-4486-8f24-cc1ac69bcfbc" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3cbe63d1-4cbc-4907-a0e1-121693b56ad5" grcontextid="daren't:0">daren't</span> speak as we lie beneath the twinkling stars; I am too scared to break the spell.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She gently squeezes my hand, "Isaac your hands are so warm. You radiate heat. It's lovely. I don't need to put my jacket on at all!" she exclaims smiling.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I give her hand a gentle squeeze back, "Yeah, being a wolf has its advantages Iris!" I say with a wry smile.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Are you always so warm? " <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7058ab2f-d8ae-4a59-b4c3-c64b8f33aff6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2a3e34cb-bfae-4b46-bed8-9450b0bafa7b" grcontextid="she:0">she</span> asks me curiously. "Yeah, my body temperature always runs a bit higher than the average human," I reply.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She lets go of my hand and rolls over to stare into my face, her chin resting on her hands. She looks into my eyes, the sapphire blue of her eyes <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d90462a4-a708-48fc-907d-ec0fdfed8faa" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6c30fd25-b79e-4483-837d-f024e32bae12" grcontextid="mesmerising:0">mesmerising</span> me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> "<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b6a6bc70-84f8-4d03-b333-cec80a9c447b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="99c2c220-851f-4b0e-8d44-477d9d40a108" grcontextid="Hmmm:0">Hmmm</span>….<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c2f1a45c-0c2d-4ab1-800b-6a6a2c05353a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="99c2c220-851f-4b0e-8d44-477d9d40a108" grcontextid=".:1">.</span>I wonder? " <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9e7a5110-f394-4b27-92ff-e9c1281073fc" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="cdbadcc2-c0d3-445a-adad-668cc92cfc89" grcontextid="she:0">she</span> muses, to herself more than me?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Wonder what?" I whisper, my heart hammering away in my chest because she is so close, her lips are inches from mine, and her warm breath is on my face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"I wonder what it would be like to kiss you, Isaac Black," she whispered back, her pale cheeks looking slightly flushed in the firelight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Oh. My. God. Did she really say that? More to the point why am I sitting here gaping at her like a prize jerk? She smiles so sexily and seductively at me, her lips pouting perfectly just waiting to be kissed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">My heart is screaming kiss her you fool, whilst my head is saying no you must explain everything first! This is pure torture, all I want to do <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f94dcad8-44a3-44af-8568-8f33e52bebbc" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ac0cb6b7-c56e-43a0-ba40-ee8239af5c61" grcontextid="is kiss:0">is kiss</span> her sweet lips, and have my hands in her hair, purely giving in to the love and desire I feel for her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I am so used to keeping my emotions hidden that my head wins the fight and I sigh deeply, gently rubbing my thumb over Iris's full pouty lips. Her blue eyes gaze into mine curiously, she must think I am such an idiot!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Iris, I also wonder what it would be like to kiss you," I quietly exclaimed. "I wonder all the time…" I whisper, gently tracing the contours of her lips with my thumb.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She moans softly and closes her blue eyes, her long eyelashes brushing against her pale skin like butterfly wings. My breath catches in my throat at her sheer fragile beauty and the perfection of the moment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8432029f-ced2-4bc8-b9d8-fdf2d0c274ca" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3d3c60c2-d5a1-4711-b2cd-f74f48ddb229" grcontextid="realise:0">realise</span> she <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0f944fc9-d337-41e2-9855-660f2fed0cab" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3d3c60c2-d5a1-4711-b2cd-f74f48ddb229" grcontextid="is waiting:1">is waiting</span> for my lips to meet hers, I want to so badly, this is the moment I've been dreaming of for months. My head is telling me not to get caught up in the passion of the moment but to think, to take a step back, to understand that she might not understand how deep my feelings for her are, how much of an impact imprinting would have on her life. I couldn't just give in to my desire for her without talking this through. It wouldn't be fair to either of us. If I kiss her now I know I will definitely be irreparably and irrevocably in love with her. More than I am now. A single touch of her lips will seal my heart to <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f4139f2e-3f51-498f-84fa-eb7fd0c6d880" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="02914d50-a082-4542-ac98-ac3bdd27ce63" grcontextid="hers:0">hers</span> forever. I want this to happen, but I want her to know just what is involved. For me it isn't so simple as two teenagers desperate to kiss each other in the perfect romantic moment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">For all I know she might just be swept away by all this for a fleeting moment. I can't deal with that. I need to know it's more than that, I need her to love me and love me forever. It's a lot to ask a young girl with her whole life ahead of her. I don't know if I can do it. I should just kiss her and drown my senses in every detail of her, leave my <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d27b7d5c-36d6-4348-a168-05da8c37c78c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="578b92ad-9410-4f00-b116-960de5ea0292" grcontextid="conscious:0">conscious</span> by the wayside for this night only. Deal with the crushing consequences tomorrow. She opens her blue eyes and stares deep into mine, she doesn't speak, she moves her hand up and gently smooths a lock of hair away, which has fallen over my eyes. I can't breath as her fingers lightly run through my hair, all the while our gazes are locked on to each other, not wanting to break the connection. The electricity between us was amazingly intense.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I felt like I had become a shooting star and I was falling into the blue depths of her eyes. I didn't want to speak, or move, afraid to break the spell. It didn't last for long though, as Iris started to incline her head towards me slowly, until our lips were even closer. I knew I had to stop this now! As much as it killed me to do so, this was the most special moment of my life so far.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I pulled my head back sharply, the strands of my hair falling from her fingers. Her blue eyes looked troubled, like a blue summer's sky before the storm hits. I didn't want to see any sadness in her eyes, so I sat up quickly my head in my hands in despair.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Isaac, what is it? I thought you liked me?" Iris asked in a small voice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">My heart wrenched at her words, I've made her sad, that's something I never wanted to do!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I pulled my hands away to look at her sad face, how <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="46a87bcd-a260-4daf-a03e-867ffdfd6299" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d5431101-b6b2-4e85-a44f-d9d944d314b8" grcontextid="I hated her to:0">I hated her to</span> look sad! I caused that! I took her hand in mine, "Iris, I'm sorry I've upset you, but there are a few things I need to say to you. Important things. Will you listen please?" I asked beseechingly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She still looked troubled but she nodded her head, her blue eyes close to spilling tears.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">It was too difficult for me to gaze at her whilst I talked, I couldn't watch her reaction, I was just too scared. What a wuss!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I took a deep breath and gave her small hand a comforting squeeze.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Okay Iris I am just going to blurt all this out and deal with your reaction later. The song you loved, it's called "Iris", I wrote it for you because I am desperately and hopelessly in love with you!" I heard her small gasp but I still didn't turn around and look into her eyes, instead I continued on determinedly, " Since the day you came back to Forks, since I set eyes on you in the garden, I have been <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="389a7604-8abb-4592-b055-6b802192e8c8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c11526a4-310d-460f-9dd5-bafdb23c4f4c" grcontextid="mesmerised:0">mesmerised</span> by your beauty, your intelligence and your smile. I <i>need</i> to be near you, I <i>want</i> to be near you, I <i>have</i> to be near you, " I took a deep breath, still unable to look at her, though I knew for sure she was staring at me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">" I am sorry if this is all a bit intense for you, but I need to tell you before we get involved with each other. Iris, remember when I told you about <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7ada6944-832c-4269-a1d2-ee3ec4a65706" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9d8f1bbb-a647-4720-bab5-187cf3392f27" grcontextid="imprinting last time:0">imprinting last time</span> we were here?" I asked. I could see her slowly nodding out of the corner of my eye.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Well it's happened to me. I've imprinted on you! As soon as I looked into your eyes that day in the garden it was like boom! I wanted to sweep you up in my arms and run away with you, I wanted to protect you and care for you always. It was so overwhelming, I found it hard to deal with at first. Then we started becoming friends and we started to get closer, it was wonderful! But I knew all along I'd have to tell you this. I don't want something casual Iris. I won't mess you around, I will tell you the truth at last," I took another <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ef2b6ffc-1ebf-4d79-8534-e585b3bca542" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c98713ab-4b3c-4147-9b00-22a3a7f7146b" grcontextid="deep breath still:0">deep breath still</span> too scared to see her reaction.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> " I love you Iris Clearwater, I want to be with you, I will never hurt you. I will always be there for you I swear. If you don't feel the same then please do not let this get any more serious! If you want to be just friends it's fine, I will always look out for you and be here when you need me. Please don't feel you have to love me back because of what I've said tonight. I would hate for you to do that Iris! I just felt with every <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="feb7c4da-e958-4829-b103-dc32892a1afe" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ab2ff5d6-a6b1-486b-a92c-9838ca74093a" grcontextid="fibre:0">fibre</span> of my being that you should know the absolute truth," I fell back onto the blanket exhausted by my emotional speech.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Finally I could let myself look into her beautiful face. Her eyes <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ebcc6b32-aee1-463b-8b4f-aa0b47cfcee9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6ee04ebe-d557-4c30-aded-3b160f658c65" grcontextid="were shimmering:0">were shimmering</span> with unshed tears, but she was smiling. "Wow," she whispered, her hand squeezing mine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">" Iris, never think I didn't want to kiss you. I wanted it more than anything. I just wanted you to know the facts, before anything happens between us," I said seriously gazing up into her eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She gently traced her finger along my forehead, her touch making me quiver. "Isaac, all this has been hidden away in here," she stated, gently rubbing my forehead and temples. I nodded, unable to concentrate on words whilst she touched me so gently. "I'm so flattered that you would imprint on me. Since you told me about it I've been fascinated. It's amazing, truly amazing," she whispered softly, her fingers now in my hair smoothing it back from my forehead. I sighed in pleasure and if I'd been a cat I would've purred softly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Oh Isaac, I don't want a casual fling with you either. I want something and someone special in my life. I want <i>you</i>," she exclaimed smiling down at me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Oh. My. She. Wants. Me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I sit up and <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="145bfea4-af5a-4043-a375-bfd99a7a5cc1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2874a35d-5aca-43cf-a599-3f8144d69222" grcontextid="taking:0">taking</span> her hand I pull her onto her feet so we are facing each other. Luckily she is tall for a girl and I don't have to bend too far to reach the soft smooth skin of her cheek. I gently kiss her there, as she sighs. I don't want to rush this, it has to be special, it has to mean everything to us both.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">My lips are against her ear as we hold each other tight by the fire, "I love you Iris, beautiful Iris," I whisper softly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She responds by holding me <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="520e7186-9d49-4b28-98d2-9fef220382b0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3266480b-19c1-4c0c-bd34-9f1f9dd539f2" grcontextid="tighter:0">tighter</span>, her hands running up and down my back, our bodies pressed together.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">This is heaven. I cannot wait to kiss her lips, cannot wait to kiss her properly, the way a man and <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d6492077-dbf2-4aed-89c3-59fe9cfed3be" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4ebb5bbf-1db5-4af8-bb2b-bee9b48761c1" grcontextid="woman:0">woman</span> in love would kiss, deeply, with passion and hunger.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">My heart sped up just thinking about kissing her. Her warm soft lips yielding to mine in shared desire. I could feel her heart beat against my chest and I knew this was going to be something better than special.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Suddenly Iris was no longer against me, my eyes snapped open just in time to see her sail through the air and land with a thump against a large tree stump.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She groaned and stayed on the ground, "Iris!" I screamed running to her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Something dark and hooded leapt out of the darkness at me. Something terrifying with red eyes, sharp teeth and pale pale skin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">With a shriek of pure malice the thing landed on my chest, her fangs snapping at my throat viciously. I cringed away in shock and horror, what was this creature attacking me? She looked like a vampire but I could not smell her, why couldn't I smell her!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Her claws slashed at my face, ripping at the tender skin. I tasted blood in my mouth as the <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9ae5fc78-11d2-4209-9442-92e5dfe588f4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="03308cf1-ba51-4ee4-aeda-4b5dc3864be6" grcontextid="gashes:0">gashes</span> bled freely. I <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="eaeacfbd-ce39-4d59-93b8-c8a627c294a5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8bc15e7d-7b49-4b6f-8484-b7feb513a8ea" grcontextid="prised:0">prised</span> the evil thing from me and hurled her away, but she disappeared into thin air. I looked around in shock and surprise. Where was she? I instinctively phased into the large brown wolf, just in time to see the creature hunkered over Iris, fangs poised, claws at the ready.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Iris looked fearfully into the creature's eyes, her usually pale face even whiter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I saw a dark substance pooling around her, she was bleeding! She must have hit her head against the tree stump! The thing was dipping its long bony fingers in Iris's blood and slowly licking it off with her long pointed tongue. She was cackling to herself like an old witch, rocking back and forth with glee.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I slowly stalked the creature, ready to rip her head off any minute now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She whipped her head around to see me gaining on her, I broke from my defensive crouch and sprung at her in <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d1eddcec-ccde-4d0c-a114-712547982241" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="794c04d1-dafb-4e9a-8232-77596401929a" grcontextid="attack:0">attack</span>, my jaws snapping, a low menacing growl coming from my jaws.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Then she was gone! Disappeared right in front of me. I could still <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7c2a50a5-4646-4745-ac16-202a40e993b0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5726654f-7176-457f-a462-2ccb2aa66c5f" grcontextid="here:0">here</span> the cackling laugh but could not see her anywhere. I spun around, where was she? Her laugh came at me again from a different direction. I spun around confused, where was she. Iris was slumped over now, groaning in pain. It tore my heart in two to see her that way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I screamed in my head <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3bbd4d10-405b-4b7b-a424-9a9704238aef" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="df7b2d85-f16a-4163-a57c-246e8cec5cac" grcontextid="to:0">to</span> the pack, hoping they would hear, it had been so long since they'd had to fight vampires!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> " Dad, Mom, Mia, Sam, Seth, Embry, Quil, Jared, Paul ….<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="84366538-04c7-46ba-8f00-c8ca43e39c40" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="73d56982-8cac-4462-b6f0-f92f909913d7" grcontextid=".:0">.</span>Anyone help me!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Something landed on my back, her fetid breath on my face. I tried to buck her off but to no avail. I growled and shook my body to and fro, frustration running through my veins.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Suddenly I felt a coldness drag through my belly, the vampire/witch had slashed my soft underside with her sharp claws. I slumped to the ground in shock, blood pouring from my wounds. Dimly I heard Iris scream my name loudly. I tried to get up, panicked that I couldn't reach her, but I had no energy left in my large shaggy body.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Another scream echoed around the meadow, a never ending piercing shriek as I dimly saw a black shape being tossed onto the <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a22fa4fd-b520-4b3f-8d2f-f9fcb5204747" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="53c96563-4c9d-482a-b94e-446fc7f74f63" grcontextid="camp fire:0">camp fire</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I felt my Mom's warm hand on my large head, "Isaac, my son! Please stay with us!" she sobbed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I wanted to speak and tell her I wasn't going anywhere.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">My body shook and shivered and phased back with shock and loss of blood.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">My Dad was there now, wrapping the blanket around me, the blanket Iris and I had sat on only moments ago. I dimly saw other shapes around me but I couldn't make out faces. I could hear Iris screaming and screaming. I wanted to get up and make sure she was okay but I found I couldn't move.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I felt so tired, sleepier than I'd ever felt in my whole life. My eyes began to close and I felt myself drifting away. It wasn't unpleasant, I felt like I was floating on a large fluffy cloud. Iris was there, just out of reach, smiling at me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> "I love you Iris," I mouthed before darkness enveloped me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The cloud and I disappeared into the blackest night, all the stars had gone out and it was so so cold.</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE</span></u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Blood<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">IRIS CLEARWATER:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">My head was pounding and pounding so hard; it throbbed and ached but the large bandage on my head had finally stopped the flow of blood. It was nothing compared to the pain I felt in my heart. I felt like it had irreparably broken in two. My chest ached and my eyes were red and sore from crying too much.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Isaac, dear sweet Isaac, was lying on his bed with my Great Grandpa Carlisle Cullen frantically working on him. Trying to save his life. After the evil vampire in the meadow attacked Isaac and me our families plus the wolf pack had rushed to save us. Luckily they had made it in time, after listening to the cornered old vampire spit out the truth of who she was and why she was here, they had quickly dispatched her and tossed her body onto the <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1dc8cc80-65b5-4d68-95ee-9eb6a7fc4cdf" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2a1d8d7e-cdc0-45ac-8c44-1f6f052c89b7" grcontextid="camp fire:0">camp fire</span> to burn. Seth had run with Isaac in his arms and Grandpa Edward carried me as they could run like the wind. Jacob phoned Carlisle to make sure he was on the way; we couldn't deal with conventional hospitals in this situation. Luckily Carlisle and Esme were visiting their family in Alaska so they didn't have far to come. Everyone was here, the whole clan, made up of Cullen's, Clearwater's and Black's.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Leah was hugging Mia tight as they both cried with worry and pain over Isaac. Jacob was trying to comfort them both, but his dark eyes were full of sadness. My Mom and Dad were trying to make me sit down but I was pacing the floor outside the room where Isaac lay. My heart felt like it had been run over by a truck. Why did this have to happen to Isaac? The sweetest, kindest, loveliest guy I have ever known. Just when everything was going so well. He's imprinted on me! I am amazed and <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2a3d9a21-e18f-4359-b4eb-4c031fa01c0b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ae6699da-a331-458d-8671-91a46451da25" grcontextid="honoured:0">honoured</span>. I need him to be all right, I need to look into his beautiful dark eyes and tell him how much he means to me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Leah is sobbing openly now; Jacob is trying to calm her but to no avail.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> " Not my boy! Not my Isaac!" she wails in pain. "Jake, please! Tell Carlisle to change him, save him like they saved Seth when he needed it!" she demanded of her husband.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Jacobs's eyes widened with horror, "No!" he screamed at his wife.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I saw Mia flinch at the tone of his voice, as she jumped up and ran into Reuben's arms, not caring who noticed. "Leah! NO! No offense to anyone here, but I do not want my boy changed into a blood...a vampire! Please no!" Jacob pleads with his distraught wife. My Mom walks over to Jacob and strokes his arm, "Come on Jake, calm down. Don't shout at Leah, she's really upset!" Jacob's shoulders slump in defeat, "Sorry Ness, I just can't do that to him! Seth was different, he had irreparable head injuries. He was in a coma! Isaac will heal he has to!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">His voice broke and he fell into my Mom's arms sobbing his heart out. Leah got up and made her way to her husband, my Mom nodded encouragingly as Leah's arms enveloped him. "Sorry Jake, I didn't mean to upset you darling. I'm just so worried about our boy!" Leah sobbed against his broad shoulder.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"I know sweetheart, I'm sorry for shouting at you," Jacob sobbed into her hair.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I couldn't look anymore; they were breaking my heart into even smaller pieces. Their pain and grief for Isaac was filling the room, enveloping us all in sadness. Bella and Edward, my grandparents, were sitting holding each other, their beautiful marble faces <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f9342dc3-7162-4945-ae77-83bf2a1f80c3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="85b0609b-5b2f-4adf-9f1b-bb004fbe019e" grcontextid="emotionless:0">emotionless</span> and drained. My Mom <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8126a1ea-274b-44e1-bcad-447d56ea4d71" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ae8723a2-e171-407c-b7f6-423f1dfb8162" grcontextid="had ran:0">had ran</span> to my Dad, he was trying to soothe her but she was crying quietly against his chest. Mia and Reuben had retreated to a quiet corner where Reuben was stroking Mia's long hair as she leant against him. There was no one to hug me and tell me it would be all right. The wolf pack had gone home, with the promise of news when we had some. We were all united in pain.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Carlisle appeared from Isaac's room, a serious look on his handsome face. Jacob and Leah looked fearfully at him, too scared to speak.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Isaac is young, he is healthy, and he has the shape-shifters ability to heal more quickly than humans can. He <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4336c32c-c130-493c-9d2d-a7bfb18172ca" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="07c1bfb1-5ca2-443d-8bd3-072f25733f03" grcontextid="has suffered:0">has suffered</span> a lot of internal injuries and has lost a lot of blood. He is very weak and at this moment he is unconscious. He needs a lot of rest to let his body heal. If it doesn't heal quickly he could die! His organs have been damaged and torn. If he had a blood transfusion he would heal quicker. I checked his blood type, unfortunately it is rare. I would need to check everyone in this room who could possible donate blood to Isaac," Carlisle said seriously.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">After all of us who could give blood were pin pricked on the thumb by Great Grandpa Carlisle, he began his quick analysis of our blood types. I noticed Bella turning away and burying her head in Edward's chest when Carlisle was pricking thumbs. Surely she wasn't scared to look at a little blood? I am sure the Cullen's have more self-control than that? Edward saw me staring at Bella dumbfounded, he smiled crookedly at me and beckoned for me to come over.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">" Iris, it's okay. Bella had a problem with blood typing when she was human, I'm afraid it made her queasy then. Funny how some of our quirky human traits follow us <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="39978b3c-e22c-4d41-997d-e7b22ceacd23" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="41c5fb6b-f7af-45f2-aa34-72eee82f43ca" grcontextid="to:0">to</span> this life," he whispered softly to me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> I forced a smile as Bella peeked up at me her amber eyes solemn and serious.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> "Don't worry Grandma I won't tell anyone," I whispered back. She smiled up at me and gave a little wink.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Carlisle came back out to us, a tentative smile on his face. "I have a match! " <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fa068c6f-4f30-4996-ab2b-9bc57be8c5c8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f7585e69-c359-4e78-952f-94b4eab6d1cc" grcontextid="he:0">he</span> proclaimed. "It's the twins, Iris and Reuben. They have the same rare blood type as Isaac," he continued as Reuben and I gazed at each other.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"But", he continued, "Reuben I believe you have had a slight dose of the cold so I don't recommend you donate. Iris, will you give your blood to Isaac?" he asked me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">All eyes were on me as I stared into Carlisle's face, his amber eyes kind and serious.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Yes, of course I will!" I exclaimed immediately. My blood would help Isaac, his body would heal and he could return to us safe and sound, what was there to think about? We could be together properly. I would belong to him, his imprinted one. I couldn't wait to get started, take my blood now!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Please Carlisle, let's do it now!" I begged, discarding the blanket which was wrapped around me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> "Not so quick love, you need to rest for a couple of hours. You lost some blood yourself, it will only weaken you to give blood right away!" Carlisle exclaimed putting his arms around me to stop me running to Isaac's bedside.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"NO!" I shouted, as my Mom came running to hug me to her. "Iris, darling please listen to Carlisle. He knows best!" she said soothingly stroking my hair, her chocolate brown eyes gazing deep into mine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Mom, I have to save Isaac. If <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="91f14ba9-8dd7-4775-b55d-87b3e605f74a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2f997c2e-af17-48e7-be9d-231270435959" grcontextid="we wait he:0">we wait he</span> will get weaker. His wolf healing powers won't be strong. He needs me!" I exclaimed feeling hysteria rise in my voice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">My Mom tried to soothe me but to no avail, "Please Carlisle! I want to do this, I need to do this. I don't mind being weak for a while, you will look after me. I'll be fine!" I begged.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Nessie? Seth? Would you be willing to let her do this?" Carlisle questioned my parents. They both looked at me with worry, but both were smiling too which was a good sign.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Grandpa, Iris is her Mother's daughter. I have never been able to convince her not to do something she is one hundred percent sure of. And I won't start now. If Iris wishes to do this then she must," my Mom stated squeezing my hand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I smiled widely at her, so grateful she understands me so well. Dad doesn't look so <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0adedb22-475e-4980-b60b-f8349461d029" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ea32a224-70ec-4940-921b-be802b664549" grcontextid="convinced:0">convinced</span> but then he will do anything Mom wants so I guess I'm in the clear.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Carlisle smiles at me and nods, "Ready when you are <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2ab02fea-db07-4a66-96c6-34c50229c696" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="eb1d0f45-b018-406f-90f6-86038a502229" grcontextid="love:0">love</span>," he says kindly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I hug my Mom and Dad, and give Reuben and Mia a hopeful wink. Edward and Bella smile at me as each of them kiss my cheek. I approach Jacob and Leah, their faces so sad and full of worry. I dearly hug them both to me and whisper very quietly, <i>"Don't worry Mr. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8e3f7d06-4436-49f4-bc6a-e7cfb431799d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4e7ac28a-6f0e-4853-a561-6907df462b6d" grcontextid="and:0">and</span> Mrs. Black. Isaac can't die, we're meant to be together. He will come back to us, I promise! I am the girl he has imprinted on, nothing will separate us now. You'll see; love will win this fight!"</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Leah's eyes widened in surprise, Jacob actually smiled, a proper true smile. They both squeezed one of my hands and I turned around and walked towards Isaac's room.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">To my destiny, to my fate, to my life from this moment onwards.</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Awake<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">LEAH CLEARWATER:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Since the miracle happened and my son Isaac was conceived, I've worried and worried that some disease; some illness would befall him and take him away from me. I've worried and worried that he would be born with something wrong with him; that <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="efb53d93-3ee0-432d-93ce-234b4937b998" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5fc30c54-21fd-44d6-bda3-d3478d4e89cd" grcontextid="me:0">me</span> being a shape-shifter would affect his mind, body and soul. When he was growing up I worried about car accidents, broken limbs, infections, flu, objects falling out of the sky, drowning, suffocating and many other horrors.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">When Mia came along I had different worries; she was female; she was a shape-shifter too, but thankfully she turned out just fine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Isaac was my first-born, he was my boy, and he was the miracle baby I thought I would never have. I loved him fiercely and proudly. He was such a lovely young man, so full of life and promise.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Now he lay in bed hooked up to weird looking machines; something monitoring his good kind heart, another monitoring his intelligent inquisitive brain. When I gazed at him I saw a five-year-old boy through my curtain of tears. He looked so vulnerable, fragile and so very young.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Carlisle tells me he is on the mend now, but it's taking time because he has so much healing to do. Thankfully Iris's blood donation has helped immensely and I can see a small but visible improvement in my son.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">He still hasn't really spoken to anyone yet, but Carlisle assures me he will; as soon as he is taken off the sedatives, which are helping him sleep therefore aiding in the overall healing process.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I know he <i>is</i> getting better, but still I can't help but cry. I just hate to see my son lying here unwell, it's the worst thing imaginable for me. Jake seems to be coping better than me, but then he has always been the optimistic sunny one of us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I gently hold Isaac's hand and sing softly to him; songs he loved when he was little, songs that used to make him smile and giggle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">He was always such a lovely little boy, so kind-hearted and gentle. Jake sometimes thought he was too quiet and introspective; but I loved that about him. He really thought hard about his actions and consequences; I just knew he would grow up to be the amazing young man he is today.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Now I have found out he has imprinted too. Not just on anyone either, but on Seth and Nessie's daughter Iris.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I was so happy to learn that snippet of news, but angry that Jacob and Nessie hadn't thought to share it with me!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Of course it's a big deal when a shape-shifter imprints; it's one of the hardest things to deal with for the males of the species, but also one of the most amazing wonderful things in the universe.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I wished Isaac had confided in me; but he did tell his father I suppose, one of us knowing is better than none at all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Nessie guessed, the night of the fire, Jacob confirmed it to her a few weeks later when Isaac finally confessed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Nessie was extremely happy about my son imprinting on her daughter, but then she was always so romantic and the believer of fairy tales.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I think she was worried Zach Swan was getting his claws into Iris, a mother's worst nightmare! I would hate for Mia to be with that kind of guy! Talking <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="84c1351c-9fe6-4a3e-9257-0e1162c7b17b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="044bcbd0-db71-4021-8b4c-fcc2b6b64043" grcontextid="of:0">of</span> Mia, Reuben and her look awfully close; but I haven't had time to <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ad54cec9-62f9-48ce-bf92-16689c4c2499" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="044bcbd0-db71-4021-8b4c-fcc2b6b64043" grcontextid="scrutinise:1">scrutinise</span> them properly yet due to Isaac claiming all my attention.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I was happy Iris seemed more than all right about Isaac imprinting on her. I am sad for my son that the night he decided to tell Iris the truth was the night Renata decided to attack them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I prayed for him to make a quick recovery so he and Iris could discuss it at greater length. I couldn't think of a better match for Isaac, it's way more difficult explaining this life <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6c2be316-43d0-461b-b267-e069a612f8f7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5d5aca82-1eb6-45e9-9d47-1b6760443b89" grcontextid="to:0">to</span> an ordinary human!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="098b8399-7e0c-4d24-9293-5a51710c48f3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c14b9e93-eab1-40d5-91a3-f1216c8b96e2" grcontextid="was starting:0">was starting</span> to worry Isaac would never find a girlfriend or imprint, he was so quiet and shy around girls.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Iris was his opposite, but I saw that as a good thing, she was lively, carefree and fun. Well most of the time, these last couple of days she was sad and morose, just waiting for Isaac to return to health.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I could see she truly did care for him. Giving her blood to him even though it severely weakened her for a day was such a good thing to do. She had been by his side day and night, only grabbing a couple of hours sleep at a time. I had sent her away for a nap half an hour ago, even though she was reluctant to leave <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a238a1b8-7141-4230-9cf0-91d99a27d722" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="37632646-3700-465f-a7f7-892806b1577a" grcontextid="Isaac's side:0">Isaac's side</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I would be happy to have Iris as a daughter-in–law. All I wanted was for my children to be happy, healthy and loved.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I was broken out of my reverie by Isaac's fingers twitching in my hand. I gasped and looked up into his face. His eyelids were <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7aed9883-d7b5-4fc0-b808-2dcc02c141d0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a7d4a152-9aef-45b9-9a45-c6dd69d6bf4e" grcontextid="opening:0">opening</span>, his dark eyes looking confused and dazed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Isaac? It's Mom sweetheart! Are you okay darling?" I asked excitement in my voice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">He tried to speak but the words wouldn't come out properly. I quickly got an ice cube from the small fridge and rubbed it over his dry lips.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">He licked the cold water gratefully and half smiled at me. "Hey Mom" he quietly said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Oh what a wonderful sound! My son was back!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Carlisle!" I shouted. "Carlisle! Isaac is awake!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">My heart leapt for joy as my son's dark eyes bore into mine and he squeezed my hand tightly, "Oh Mom it's good to see you," he says. I can't stop the tears from falling again, but this time they are happy tears.</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Healed<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">ISAAC BLACK:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Summer is almost gone, the green leaves are starting to turn brown and orange as Fall approaches.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">It has taken me two weeks to return to normal, two long weeks of recovering in bed fussed over by Carlisle Cullen and my family. It was wonderful that they cared for me so much but I was just dying to get out of that bed so Iris and I could be alone together. We tried to talk about what had happened in the meadow, but we didn't get much chance to discuss it as there was always someone close by. Longing gazes, snatched moments, holding hands furtively, quick pecks on the cheek, always waiting and waiting for the time when we could be alone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Today though, we were gloriously alone for the first time since that fateful night.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I had brought Iris down to First Beach in La Push, where my grandparents Sue and Charlie lived. Funny thing was they were also Iris's grandparents too! We did have a complicated family, but luckily for us we weren't blood related.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Sue is my Mom's Mom, and Charlie is Iris's Mom's Grandpa on her Mother's side.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">So I guess they are Iris's great grandparents. Oh whatever! Who cares? Iris and I aren't related so I'm allowed to have these strong feelings for her. That is what I am trying to explain to you! Not very well I might add.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The sea was calm today and the sky was blue, with a few scattered fluffy clouds dotted about. We walk along the beach holding hands, until we come to a large rock which is just perfect for sitting on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"My Mom and Dad got married here Iris. I attended the wedding but I was too young to remember!" I exclaimed turning to gaze into her sapphire blue eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She smiles at me warmly, as she squeezes my hand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">We gaze out to sea, both of us <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="bde34c3b-7c53-4cf1-8a62-ec432b926a30" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="be354820-dc2a-47b3-8bdb-a28cebb8c86a" grcontextid="waiting:0">waiting</span> for the right moment to talk about what has happened. I take a deep breath and turn to face her, "Iris, I've wanted to talk to you about the night in the meadow for so long. It's been torture! I want you to know that everything I told you and everything I said was the absolute truth. Nothing has changed. Well, that's not entirely true. I believe I actually love you more than I ever thought possible. Your blood now runs in my veins, your blood healed me, your blood most probably saved my life!" I state my voice heavily laden with emotion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">A single tear escapes from her eye as she gazes at me intently. I gently brush it away with my fingertip, all the while gazing into her deep blue eyes, mesmerized by her as always.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Isaac, the thought of losing you that day was too much for me to bear. The night in the meadow I so wanted you to kiss me, but I understand why you held back. Imprinting is a big deal for you, when you told me all about it I was amazed and I thought it sounded really really cool. Then you said you'd imprinted on me! Like, wow! I understood everything then," she said quietly squeezing my hand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I sighed gently with happiness, "So you really don't mind me imprinting on <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4c70ec6f-9059-4707-bf45-c2e89dae9cdc" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5ba42ebf-57f3-4feb-b624-cd01ea514cc2" grcontextid="you:0">you</span> Iris? I know it's a lot to take in, so we don't have to rush into anything. You know how I feel about you now. I'm glad I've told you. But if you want to wait, stay friends I completely understand. "<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I tore my gaze away from <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8e72a110-1d66-4f61-935f-408ad1ec53ce" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="12c84ac3-2761-4735-b3ff-5d1729e48ab3" grcontextid="hers:0">hers</span> and looked out onto the gentle rolling waves breaking against the shore. I had to be patient with her, this was new to her, she needed to comprehend it all before deciding it was right. I could understand that. At least she knew how I felt now, a huge weight has been lifted from my shoulders.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Her warm hand left mine and suddenly she was facing me, her sapphire eyes glinting fiercely with determination and something else? Desire?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Her small hands reached up to cup my cheeks and lower my face closer to hers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I gasped with surprise and delight as her warm soft lips met mine, in a spine tingling gentle kiss which seemed to go on forever. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="445790d4-a1ac-4eb3-b690-f1d8a991f6a1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6644f8c3-e962-483a-bbb7-98b70de77bcd" grcontextid="Ours:0">Ours</span> arms automatically found each other and pulled our bodies closer, our mouths moved together in perfect <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3e4d9b00-1125-4d1c-a352-28956089c18d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6644f8c3-e962-483a-bbb7-98b70de77bcd" grcontextid="synchronisation:1">synchronisation</span> as if we'd kissed like this for centuries. It was surreal and strange, but oh so <i>right</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I sighed as Iris's kisses became more bold and I felt the tip of her tongue touch mine, electricity flowing between us, a spark igniting. I could not contain my passion for her any longer as I lifted her up and held her there, her legs wrapped around my waist, our mouths hungrily devouring each other.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Her hands are pulling on my shaggy hair with passionate abandonment, our sighs and moans captured against our mouths as we are swept away by our pent up emotions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Finally our kisses become slower and more sensual, my tongue traces the fullness of her lips as she sighs sweetly, my hands stroke her hair and I gently place her back on the rock. I pull away slowly gazing down at her flushed cheeks, her beautiful eyes, the sexy smile playing on her full lips.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Friends is not what I had in mind Isaac Black!" she laughs huskily.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Oh. My. She is amazing!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Are you sure?" I ask, even though I know this may be the stupidest question ever asked after that mind blowing, earth shattering kiss we've just shared.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She stands up on the rock so our eyes meet, "What do you think Isaac?" she whispers as her lips inch closer to mine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> "Oh I think we've just gone beyond friendship Iris," I whisper back, my lips almost grazing hers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Uh uh. Now ... <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f3055e86-fe78-40a3-b762-dbe9fad905d5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ab062374-2548-4a41-8005-5a21987c9a3b" grcontextid="kiss:0">kiss</span>... <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e2fc6f47-344d-484e-849d-093878fcf0a0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1035895a-90e3-4701-a79b-a9f214b32172" grcontextid="me:0">me</span> ... <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ff99f69f-7118-4868-a01b-c33147b08588" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8c739e57-ef20-4c48-9354-0d82463875f7" grcontextid="again:0">again</span>," she whispers sexily.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I can't resist as our lips meet with more intensity than before, our bodies pressing close to each other, our hands roaming and exploring each other passionately.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I have to force myself to stop as I fear we will get carried away on a tidal wave of passion and emotion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I gaze into her eyes as I try not to let our lips touch again, but it feels like we are controlled by a magnetic force and it takes all my strength to resist.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Iris, beautiful Iris, I fear I will lose control if we don't stop! I want you with all my body and soul, but I want to be a gentleman and not take advantage of you!" I exclaim, running my fingertip gently over her full pouting bottom lip.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She gazes into my eyes mischievously, "What if it is I who is taking advantage of you Isaac?" she asks cheekily.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I laugh and hold her tight to me, my voice a whisper against her hair, "Iris, our first time is going to be special, I <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b6d4a717-b4cc-4a34-bcf1-07f0542aa341" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b14d80fc-44eb-499f-b101-470d9fb993bd" grcontextid="didn't plan on it happening:0">didn't plan on it happening</span> today!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She laughs sweetly at my remark, "Oh Isaac!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I pull away from our embrace to ask her a serious question, something I've been dreading to ask.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Iris, I need to ask you something. It doesn't affect how I feel about you, but please answer me honestly? Have you? I mean have you ever done <i>it</i> before? " I stammered blushing furiously.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Her cheeks flushed to match mine as she gazed deep into my eyes, "No Isaac I haven't. I wanted to wait for someone I loved, someone very special. You," she whispered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">My heart soared and flew, that was exactly what I wanted to hear. I was so scared she'd given herself to Zach Swan, but <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="cae158f9-39bc-4de3-a6b0-2c101acaeaba" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4c270771-0f44-408c-ba04-76663ff9fbab" grcontextid="no:0">no</span> she was exactly like me, waiting patiently for the right one. The special one.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I gave a silent prayer of thanks to the Quileute gods for bringing this wonderful girl into my life. Finally I felt complete.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"I love you Iris," I said happily, as I drowned in the blue depths of her eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"I love you Isaac," she whispered, her fingers playing with my hair gently.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">This moment between us was perfect, I could feel a change in the atmosphere, a gentle shifting of the earth <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8710a1a5-70da-4198-afed-9a860e80b077" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="93e75297-d8f5-4ea8-9970-4c581d7add62" grcontextid="into:0">into</span> its rightful place. Everything was as it should be. I couldn't think of any reason not to continue on this path which was unfolding so perfectly in front of me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">So I took a deep breath and prepared to blurt out my innermost feelings and desires, it's now or never I reasoned with both my head and heart.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">My dark eyes bore down into hers with such intensity as I began to speak, "Iris, since the moment I saw you again, I loved you truly, madly, deeply. I imprinted on you. To me that means everything. I want you to be mine always. I need you, I want you and I adore you beyond reason. If there is a small chance you might feel the same then please listen to what I am about to say," I paused to catch my breath.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Her gaze didn't waver from mine as she nodded her head. I continued before I lost my nerve completely.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">" I will always be here for you, I will always love and protect you, I will never hurt you or cause you pain. I prayed for someone special Iris, someone just like you and here you are standing in front of me. This could never be just a casual thing to me Iris, I cannot stand to be untrue to my own heart. If you love me back then please say you will be mine? I truly mean <i>mine</i> as in ...Iris will you be my wife?" I gulped nervously.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I expected her to tell me it was way too soon, that she needed time that she didn't want to rush in. I wouldn't mind if she did tell me all of that and more, I <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7fe4e785-07d9-4ccc-b9ba-3ea8e72393fd" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="76fd26dc-1d2e-48a0-8dc2-3eeb7c494070" grcontextid="realised:0">realised</span> it was a lot for her to process all at once. I just needed to tell her how I felt, get everything out in the open. For me it was black and white, there was no other direction my life could <i>possibly</i> take from now on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">What I didn't expect was to be knocked off my feet by a laughing, crying Iris, screaming at the top of her voice "YES! YES! YES! " <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3ca3c19c-cfa6-4886-9c2b-5cefdd45778c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c57f80e5-747f-410f-aa60-68008f8f790e" grcontextid="loudly:0">loudly</span> in my ear as we rolled on the sand. That was another reason I loved her, she always managed to surprise me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">We lay on the sand together our hands entwined, our gazes locked on each other.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Isaac, I've dreamed of this day and it was perfect, so romantic. Of course I want to marry you. You are an amazing, gorgeous, caring and kind man, inside and out. Your soul is beautiful. I always want to be with you too. Never have I wanted anything more. I swear to you. I hope everyone else sees it the way we do my love! What is the point in wasting time when we both know what we want from life? Each other," she stated lovingly with a <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="de0ea690-ee7f-4675-a92c-7083e3083099" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="58787a02-f11b-4bcb-9c28-5d0a169ebf8b" grcontextid="heart-breaking:0">heart-breaking</span> smile.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">My heart felt like it might break out of my chest, and soar to heaven with pure bliss. Never in my wildest dreams did I expect <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="211f1708-8ed2-4dbc-9107-b60f3ebdbf8f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7d253528-8819-4845-bf71-2c0a800c424c" grcontextid="this outcome all:0">this outcome all</span> those months ago. Now here she was, in my arms, agreeing to be my wife.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I couldn't have done this without my wonderful Father, urging me on, giving me faith that miracles happen and dreams really do come true.</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">It was the ultimate beautiful perfect moment, it was MY happy ending.</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT</span></u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">MIA BLACK:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Circle<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Reuben and I lay on the shaggy rug on the wooden floor of his studio, a faux fur blanket covering our entwined bodies.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">We gazed into each other's eyes, neither one of us wanting to speak and break the mood. I sighed deeply and lifted my hand to his wavy black hair, letting my fingers curl around an escaping lock, which had fallen over one of his beautiful sapphire blue eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">His gaze on me was <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="bc35b004-9d7d-494b-bc07-8577d2f158de" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2d05b397-0590-42d5-bf5e-4f785a657cef" grcontextid="intent:0">intent</span> and oh so intense, I felt myself flush hotly with the memory of what had happened between us today. Luckily my skin is deep brown so my blushing was unnoticeable I hoped! My skin next to Reuben's was a beautiful contrast. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="61e80e64-0a34-4889-a2a8-7bdca7a3defb" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="20f47b8e-0728-4b54-81a5-22ea89ecb002" grcontextid="His:0">His</span> was pale and white, almost like vampire skin. Mine's was tanned <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="186a01f9-7ad1-45b8-99be-05ca20734efb" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="55663796-5c51-4170-b2a4-59488b218d0e" grcontextid="with:0">with</span> the sun and naturally dark due to my heritage. I thought we were beautiful, like yin and yang, perfect opposites of a never-ending circle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I let my fingers lazily drift up and down his sculpted chest as we lay in comfortable silence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Reuben was the first to speak; "Mia, that was simply amazing, I'm sorry I've been quiet. I was literally speechless!" he smiled, kissing my nose playfully.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I giggled happily and tugged on his hair; "Oh Reuben, I am sorry I couldn't control my emotions and my hormones! I wanted us to wait; I wanted us to plan our first time. I wanted everything to be just so!" I exclaimed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">So many ideas had been floating around my brain for the past few weeks about how, where and when we would give ourselves to each other completely. Our passion had been building steadily and we were both ready to explode with desire. But then today out of the blue, it had happened. No planning, no perfect mood setting, no dressing up seductively and having my hair and makeup perfect!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Today I was dressed down in jeans, an old <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f33ec4f0-099b-4a73-99ba-90461b9993c6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0e76f3d4-eb85-4ac9-9847-dc1e7c3f6b8a" grcontextid="t-shirt:0">t-shirt</span> and a battered pair of <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="968612f7-5a7e-43d8-bb0e-8501b15cf90e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0e76f3d4-eb85-4ac9-9847-dc1e7c3f6b8a" grcontextid="converse:1">converse</span> trainers. My hair had been piled up messily on top of my head and my face devoid of all <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d5f0c02e-6200-4855-9c95-efbeca723779" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="66fdeb52-b539-42b9-823f-f2e48cfcc5f4" grcontextid="make up:0">make up</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">We had messed around sorting out some new photos, when one thing had led to another and we'd ended up kissing passionately. Today, a spark was lit between us; which started the fire of passion that burned so fiercely in us both.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I didn't want to stop the tide of emotions this time; instead I let the tide sweep us to wherever it wanted to. Powerless to stop the feelings inside when Reuben kissed me, when his kisses became more frantic and passionate, when my passion met his and overtook it. I was the one who instigated what happened next, I was the one who became a slave to my desires, I was the one who ripped Reuben's shirt off violently and proceeded to take advantage of him in the most unladylike way!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">He didn't protest, but succumbed to my demands and the rest is history. Now we lay together on the floor where we fell, happy and content and more in love than I thought possible.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I decided I liked the spontaneity of our situation, who wanted staged planned lovemaking? Not me, give me this heart stopping, gut wrenching, mind-blowing spontaneous combustion of passion and excitement any day!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Luckily the one thing I had planned well in advance was birth control. I was only seventeen and I did not want to have children yet. Not for a long time! It was another thing Reuben and I completely agreed on, no one ( <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fe1564de-1531-48d8-9e38-39290cef878f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="88146215-155a-412f-ada2-f759cf3d8053" grcontextid="sane:0">sane</span> at least! ) <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7c925e52-ef84-4f44-a05f-58691cf39834" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b71ac28d-8f3d-40f9-a186-a29189536e43" grcontextid="should:0">should</span> have a family until they are at least thirty years old!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">There were too many things I wanted to do first! I know my Mom had been happy to have children quite young, but she'd told me she didn't think she would be able to have <i>any. </i>Problems with being a shape-shifter had caused her to have an early menopause, but when <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="61508325-d656-4798-b614-1398474877b4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="51e2c465-3621-42a8-b928-649ac1479fdf" grcontextid="her:0">her</span> and Dad mated in wolf form she became pregnant both times! I loved that story of how my brother and I were conceived.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I didn't seem to have any problems so far, but then really we didn't know if I could or would get pregnant? I was a shape-shifter too after all. Lucky Reuben wasn't! Female shape-shifter's obviously are not meant to pass on the gene, that's why the males imprint, to ensure the gene is passed on from generation to generation. Usually via imprinting on a human female. As Mom and I were the only known living female shape-shifter's in the world then there wasn't much information <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5e425012-d05e-47c7-84c1-748d18582af7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8d56502a-2708-42e9-b9b5-90cc002438ab" grcontextid="on:0">on</span> us!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Maybe I wouldn't be able to conceive, but I hadn't gone through the menopause like Mom yet. I was happy for fate to decide if I was to be a mother or not, when the time came.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Reuben broke me out of my reverie with a soft gentle kiss on the lips, his hands slowly twisting in my long hair, drawing me even closer to him inch by inch.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">His full lips were so divine against my warm mouth, the heat between us built up quickly and I felt feverish with desire once again as he kissed me sensuously and passionately.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">He moaned and pulled away from me, his blue eyes gazing deep into mine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> "Mia, I need to talk to you and you are completely distracting me!" he smiled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I smiled back and tried to pull him close again, but he resisted and started to pull his jeans on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Hey we aren't finished yet are we?" I pout.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Reuben throws back his head and laughs loudly at my indignant face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Darling, we need to come back to the real world for a moment, I have a few surprises for you!" he announces with a wide grin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I clap my hands with delight, I just love surprises!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">He pulls me to my feet and wraps the furry blanket around my body. Not that I need it, my body temperature runs at wolf setting! I think his kind gesture is more to save my modesty than anything else.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">He gently takes my hand and leads me over to the filing cabinets where he keeps all the <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="925c0404-af72-4d7e-8e1b-de555fd230c3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a8678268-54b6-4902-a29f-87d886870417" grcontextid="model's:0">model's</span> portfolio's.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">He pulls out a crisp new folder and hands it to me. "Have a look at these, love."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I take the folder from him and perch on the desk as daintily as possible considering I am wrapped in fur! I gasp as I peruse the contents.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Photos of me in various poses, in various outfits, looking really really good, even if I do say so myself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Reuben, what are these? I thought we were just messing around that day?" I ask with raised eyebrows.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Well Mia, I loved them so much I showed them to the Editor of one of the magazine's I shoot for AND she LOVED them. She LOVES you sweetheart!" he exclaimed excitedly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I gaped at him, not quite taking it all in. " She loves <i>me?"</i> I whispered my eyes widening in disbelief. "But I'm not a model! Look at me! My legs are far too short! I'm not skinny! She loves <i>me?</i>" I repeated.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Reuben nodded smiling happily, "Of course darling, why wouldn't she? You are gorgeous! Look at your clear glowing skin, your deep dark eyes, and your beautiful shiny long hair. Your figure is amazing, curves in the right places. Your legs look far from short in that mini dress and high heels <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6090130f-fd24-44a0-b096-f7693bb057e9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="eeda1082-eaa1-4249-9662-98c16024fe8f" grcontextid="my:0">my</span> love! You look stunning!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Me? Stunning? I suppose Reuben has brought out the best in me in these pictures, but that's just because he is such a great photographer. Nothing to do <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3466c3d9-1f9d-40a2-8a55-c5a0c260e2f9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7b849a18-2cd2-4324-875d-2f7f82708d23" grcontextid="with me surely:0">with me surely</span>?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Mia, she wants to use these pictures in the next edition of Seattle Style! Are you happy? I know you are an artist, but you could also be a model! Wouldn't that be exciting Mia? I could photograph you! We can go to exotic locations and be together!" he exclaimed <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e587d38f-342c-4d3f-96f6-13041e9a6c0a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="64a4e14c-43c0-40b1-87c1-ae1105491798" grcontextid="excitement:0">excitement</span> evident in his voice and his blue eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I was soon infected with his excitement and I grinned widely.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">" I would <i>love </i>to be a model. More specifically I would love to be YOUR model!" I squealed excitedly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">We hugged and laughed, this was a great surprise!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"I have another surprise Mia. Go to the farthest away closet and see what is in there my darling," he smiled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I pulled the blanket up to above my knees and quickly scurried over flinging open the cupboard with glee.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">There hanging up was the most beautiful long deep red velvet coat, with a matching velvet top hat decorated with a large black bow. "Your next modelling assignment madam!" Reuben announced with a flourish!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I smiled happily as I touched the soft fabric. It was so luxurious.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"I'm wearing this with nothing underneath?" I asked with raised eyebrows.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Reuben smiled at me and winked cheekily, "Well not quite! You are wearing a sexy Basque, black stockings and very high heels. You are going to be stunning my darling," he said proudly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I smiled, this was another great surprise!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Now please try that hat on for me Mia. I've been dying to see you in it!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I grabbed the hat from the closet and placed it onto my head, but something wasn't right. Something was inside the hat!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">A small black box. With a gold diamond ring inside. Oh. My.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I gulped, rendered speechless as I gazed at the beautiful object.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Reuben was suddenly at my feet on one knee.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">" My darling Mia, there is and will only ever be one girl for me. Please be mine forever, I love you so much. Will you marry me Miss Mia Black?" he asked softly as he lifted my hand to his lips.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I could just die from happiness, what a perfect ultimate surprise!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I was not expecting this, not in a million years! I knew there was no other guy for me but Reuben Clearwater.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">So I smiled and with pure happiness and glee in my voice I replied, " I <i>do</i>!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Reuben carefully took the ring and gently placed it on my finger. It was the perfect fit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I held up my finger to the light and watched the sunlight playing on the solitaire diamond nestling prettily in the gold ring. My engagement ring!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Wow! I'm engaged!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Mia, it looks perfect against your skin. I wanted something classic and of understated beauty, just like you. It's perfect darling and so are you! I love you! Please don't think I am rushing you. We can have a long engagement. I just wanted to show you how committed I am and how much you mean to me. You are the best thing that's happened to me!" Reuben gushed, his eyes filling up briefly with tears.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I clasped him to me, stroking his hair.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> " Oh Reuben, I'm so happy. I love you so much. We're engaged, how fantastic! I wonder how my parents will react?" I asked nervously. I was sure Mom would freak, I'm only seventeen after all! Plus we<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0f474c2e-71b5-4a34-a981-141739a565a5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="cc9700ad-c1a7-4997-a858-bd3c131eb3c3" grcontextid="'d never actually came:0">'d never actually came</span> out and admitted our true feelings for each other. Oh I think everyone has guessed we're an item but I don't doubt for one minute they know how serious we are about each other!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Everyone will be happy for us I'm sure Mia," Reuben consoled me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">He smoothed my hair from my face, cupping my cheeks in his hands and gently kissed my lips.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I pulled him closer to me, his kisses igniting that all too familiar fire in me once again. I let the blanket drop from my body as I melded myself to his bare chest, the touch of his skin inflaming my desire even more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The outside world is forgotten once again as we give into the love and desire we feel for each other. I am engaged to my perfect man, what more could I possibly want? I would give up everything just to be with him. He is my Yin, I am his Yang, together forever in a perfect never-ending circle of love.</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE</span></u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Being Human<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">RENESMEE CLEARWATER:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I cannot believe it; both my children are engaged to be married! They say twins have an uncanny knack for knowing just what the other is thinking and feeling. I truly believe that may just be the truth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Last week my son and daughter both announced to the whole family their happy news.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Reuben had phoned his sister to tell her the good news first; strangely at that moment she was picking out a beautiful ruby and diamond engagement ring in an exclusive <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="03a9d107-1d12-4334-8836-e34b2d6cd0b7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ef785aa2-54bd-4350-8afd-84fec6b78dd8" grcontextid="jewellers:0">jewellers</span> in Port Angeles with her beloved Isaac.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I smiled to myself as I imagined the twins surprised conversation; Iris would be screaming down the phone at Reuben in her excitable way whilst my son would be rolling his eyes and laughing at her on the other end.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I was so happy they had both found love; it was all I wanted for them to have a happy contented life with someone like I had. Seth was my world, even after all these years. My love for him would never wither or die. A solitary tear escaped from my eye as I thought about the future and how my beloved twins would have to lose their dear other halves at some point. Being human; it sucked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Iris and Isaac were the perfect match even without the imprinting. He was tall and strong like my Seth, without the vampire half of <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="bd00cb4e-27b2-4690-9777-0bc8ca91f524" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d7c53496-1557-46ce-b050-73eaa349a6b0" grcontextid="course:0">course</span>. Isaac was good and kind; he would love Iris completely until the end of his days, he would fight tigers and bears for her, he would protect her from evil and make her smile inside and out. They would produce <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f5b8b213-2a72-4c11-877b-57a751e93268" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="36b619f0-befb-4764-a240-73937a591784" grcontextid="gorgeous babies of:0">gorgeous babies of</span> that I'm sure. Just by looking at their glowing faces and their sparkling eyes I could tell they were very much in love; underneath that I could sense the passion and desire they felt for each other. When Iris looked at Isaac I was reminded of the way Seth looked at me when we first fell in love. I sighed remembering all the glorious feelings which had coursed through my young body when Seth's lips had met mine. Of course my body was still young, but my mind and soul had aged. Now our love was stronger, better, sharing a deep passion together that went beyond the flush of first love. Seth was my first and only lover; I was glad we waited until our honeymoon to give ourselves to each other completely. Iris had confided in me that she planned to do exactly the same. It reminded me so much of the talks my Mom and I had shared. Iris seemed less embarrassed than I used to be though and she didn't seem to mind talking freely to me about anything.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I could tell by the way she spoke of Isaac that they couldn't wait to be married so they could be together day and night, share their lives and their bed. They planned to have babies as soon as possible.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">This worried me slightly because <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9cd1feb8-9e11-4df6-abdc-3fee6cb2cd48" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="86e24bf6-bee7-4fad-b7f4-37a1aaa2b2f1" grcontextid="my:0">my</span> Iris is an intelligent girl; her book has finally been published much to Seth and I's joy. It is currently doing quite well in the independent book charts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I didn't want her to waste her talent and become a baby maker just to please the Quileute males. But she assured me it would be fine; she planned to keep on writing, she had so many ideas in her head just waiting to find their way to paper.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I just hoped she still followed her dreams of becoming an established writer and didn't let Isaac, babies and marriage take her over completely. Isaac still planned to open his restaurant, so I guess they both would be busy with the family business.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Any ways, theirs was to be a short engagement; a New Year wedding was to take place on Isle Esme. My Mom and Dad had offered the happy couple last night much to Jacob and Leah's joy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Isle Esme was where Seth and I were supposed to get married before Nahuel wrecked our wedding plans. It would be a perfect place for the beautiful couple to exchange their vows. They had planned on a very simple ceremony. I was going to compose a song for them and perform it after the wedding vows had taken place.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Then we would leave them on the island to enjoy their honeymoon together.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I sighed; how romantic it would be for them. January was a gorgeous month on Isle Esme, the heat was bearable and there was always a lovely warm breeze, flowers and greenery were abundant, tropical birds sang in the trees. It was Spring there at that time of year and it truly was special. Seth and I had made many trips there in the past when we could. Mom and Dad would always have a soft spot for the island too, not only was it their honeymoon but it was where I was conceived when my Mom was a human girl! Even Jake and Leah had happy memories of the place.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I was looking forward to the wedding; I was so proud of my beautiful daughter. So happy she had Isaac, it was amazing really; they hadn't seen each other since they were infants and then boom! Isaac imprints, they fall in love and now they are to be married.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Perfect.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">As for my son and Mia; there was another example of a great couple. So different to my daughter and Isaac though. Mia was independent and headstrong, she was artistic and flamboyant. She was so beautiful and stunning but she was one of those people who brushed off compliments. She was insecure at times then the opposite at other times when she became too cocky and sure of herself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She was a perfect match for my Reuben; he was quiet and introspective. Mia brought out the more playful and loving side of his personality which he mostly kept hidden away. To see them together was a joy; they complimented each other so well. They looked like they'd been together for years and years, such was the ease of their relationship. I marvelled at the way my son gazed at Mia Black; she was a magnet to his eyes and he couldn't keep from staring at her all the time. I could see he was enraptured <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="331c3c33-5c71-494a-9299-08b64ba3969b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c1e67b1f-a453-4c8c-9c15-7cbc4256dc6a" grcontextid="of:0">of</span> her, completely in love with her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">My only worry was that she seemed more casual about it all, but I'm sure that was just her way. They had decided on a long engagement; they were both passionate about their careers. Mia was now starting to do modelling work as well as finish her art course at college. Reuben's business had taken off so well, I was extremely proud of him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">They planned to travel and work together and basically enjoy spending as much time together as possible before they settled down.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Jacob and I both agreed that it was just so amazing that our children had met up again after all these years and had all found their true love. Forks really was a special place!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Jacob was so happy for both his kids; I know he was concerned Mia was only seventeen but he could see my son was a good influence on her so he put his worries to the back of his mind.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Mia had actually come to me for a special chat; I was <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="114c97d1-9007-4cec-8ea7-b6b53a12bf03" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e894982c-b47a-48e7-9e38-7e4eb0b06330" grcontextid="honoured:0">honoured</span> that she found me easy to talk to but I also felt bad that she didn't feel she could speak to her Mom.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Leah was really over protective of her daughter though; but I understood her reasons.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Mia confessed to me that she was overwhelmed by the emotions and feelings she had for Reuben. She told me they had given into their desires many times since the day of their engagement. She reassured me they were always careful, and joked that if she waited until they got married she'd be an old spinster!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I didn't condemn them for giving <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7b49f7d6-8833-4362-9d91-cf642da424df" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3659db8f-2613-426e-8f82-eab102d10597" grcontextid="into:0">into</span> their sexual feelings; I knew how hard it had been for me and Seth to resist. But still I was glad we had, and I was doubly glad Iris was going to wait until marriage too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I guess I felt differently about Mia and Reuben because Mia wasn't my daughter, and I was glad my son had found such great passion and joy in this girl.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Out of my twins, my son was definitely the sensible one, so I didn't worry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Now it was time to plan the wedding; of course I've enlisted Aunt Alice's help! A wedding just simply wouldn't be a wedding without Alice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I did warn her it was to be a simple affair as requested by the couple, I hope it didn't fall on deaf ears! At least I can count on my Mom to back me up on this one; she knows how carried away dear Alice can get when <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b27e0c9c-ce44-46e0-831a-6ad294373bff" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a0e19372-b884-4119-a9d4-827cd866843e" grcontextid="organising:0">organising</span> these occasions!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I felt Seth's cold lips on my cheek; breaking me out of my reverie.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> "Nessie my love, you <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d1b00c88-aec8-4888-9f8a-331704a6dd30" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="57545dd6-1e29-495f-ac89-4ccfe5ad7cd1" grcontextid="have been staring:0">have been staring</span> out at the garden for an hour now!" he remarked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I turned to gaze into the beautiful marble face of my husband, "Sorry darling, I've been dreaming about the wedding and oh just everything that's happened!" I exclaimed with a happy smile.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Seth pulled me to my feet and wrapped his arms around me as he inhaled the scent of my hair.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Oh Nessie I do love you so my beautiful wife," he murmured softly against my cheek making me shiver in delight as always.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I turned my head so our lips could meet; Seth's cool soft mouth never failing to intoxicate me. I sighed and held him tighter as we kissed and kissed like we were young lovers again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">" All this romance has gone to my head, my love." I whispered gently against Seth's lips.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">He raised his eyebrows at me and took me by the hand leading me upstairs to our room.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Everyone is out darling Nessie, let me show you how much I love you. Again and again and again."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">How could I resist? I love this creature with all of my mind, body and soul. He is mine and I am his for all eternity. My heart soars when he takes me in his arms and pulls my long hair free as we frantically undress, our cool skin gliding against each other, my racing heartbeat against his chest, his touch, his lips, his body.</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">At this moment I am happy and free; overjoyed my children are experiencing all the pleasure and joy I have had in my life since this wonderful husband of mine walked into it.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Bliss is ours and it will be theirs; my darling twins Iris and Reuben will finally know what it is to love and be loved completely.</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">CHAPTER THIRTY</span></u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Love lost<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">ZAC SWAN:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">It will soon be Christmas I muse to myself as the biting October wind chills me to the bone through my old leather jacket. Some of the <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="88535b1e-5665-4c7d-b83b-313fcad4a0c8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="cfb63f7f-689b-41fd-930e-a64790fc0a6a" grcontextid="down town:0">down town</span> shops have Christmas lights and decorations adorning their store fronts already. I stride passed them; not really shopping for anything in particular, just taking a walk before my lunch date.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Cassandra; long legs, long dark hair, slender, with an angelic face. But I knew she wasn't angelic, not in the slightest. Most probably why I am hooking up with her today. She's been following the band around for a few weeks now, just dying to get closer to me, I saw all the signs she was giving me; it wasn't very hard to read the signals.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She was quite stunning to look at; I guess if I admit it one hundred percent she is Iris's double, but with less than half of Iris's intelligence, personality and beauty.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">In fact Cass is boring, really boring. But that's just my type; keep them around long enough to get what I want, then dump them fast. It was good for my image to have a beautiful girl on my arm; the fans loved it, they loved to think of me as a proper rock and roll star. I loved the attention, I'm shallow I admit it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">As if by magic, a vision of loveliness appears in front of me, striding down the street; her long black hair flowing in the chilly breeze, her perfect slender legs encased in <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="cb7d1602-b7e1-4b30-882c-309c6f755971" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ddf6fb97-e98d-42ad-88f0-8a7a8c3b0545" grcontextid="the tightest:0">the tightest</span> jeans, her face heart wrenchingly beautiful: <i>Iris</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Mia Black is on one side and Ruby Cross is on the other; Iris truly is a rose between two thorns. Her pale skin is luminescent in the dull October sunshine, she sparkles and glitters as if she were a vampire, with eyes so blue they pierce your soul.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">My heart stutters as they approach, the last time I saw Iris it was a bit awkward. She told me she was seeing Isaac Black, that they were an item now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">After what happened to them in the meadow I can see how a thing like that could bring you closer. I don't usually admit this stuff even to myself, but I was jealous and hurt. After the night at my flat when she'd kissed me, I'd decided I could see myself being her boyfriend; that I didn't have to have a string of vacant women in my life; that one would do just nicely thank you very much!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">No one has ever affected me like Iris; after the fire I felt so protective towards her, I wanted to be with her and make sure she was alright. We got closer, but I held back for fear of getting involved. What an idiot! She could have been mine now; my girlfriend, NOT Isaac Black's. The shape-shifting freak had wormed his way into her heart, now there was no room for me there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Plus Bella informs me Isaac imprinted on Iris; that's just not fair, what chance do I have now? Big Fat Zilch!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I contemplate trying to hide, but the three girls have spotted me and are fast approaching. To run now would just make me look like a total loser!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Hi Zach," Mia calls out. Too late to make a hasty retreat now. "Hey Mia, Ruby. Hello Iris, how are you?" I <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ff03fc88-bb93-4ff3-8b5c-dd9d3294a8a9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="42b0f1cc-914a-4760-8b26-22baec669000" grcontextid="enquire:0">enquire</span>, my eyes only on her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Fine, thanks Zach," she says smiling that gorgeous smile of hers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Mia narrows her eyes at me, "We can't stand here chatting Zach, we're looking for a wedding dress for Iris. New Year isn't far away you know!" she exclaimed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I felt like someone had hit me in the stomach, I couldn't breathe properly and only managed to stutter out a strangled “Wedding?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Iris smiled, "Did no one tell you Zach? Isaac and I are getting married in the New Year on Isle Esme!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Well congratulations Iris. No one tells me anything! But I haven't been home for a while," I say frantically trying to act normal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Come on girls, chop chop! Wedding dresses await, as does Alice!" Ruby reminded them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Mia grabbed Ruby's arm and dragged her away, both giggling and laughing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Iris went to follow them, but for some reason I found my hand on her arm, my voice pleading with her, " Iris, are you happy? Is this wedding what you really want? I mean really really want?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Her blue eyes gazed into mine sincerely, "Yes Zach, it's all I want. I love Isaac Black to death. He makes me very happy, he's special. So yes, it's what I really<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b7995261-b0c6-4831-ab0a-24d5308b9896" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8357a682-8e01-4654-8296-ffbf85972c57" grcontextid=",:0">,</span>really want."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I sighed and cursed the sadness in my heart which threatened to engulf me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I forced a smile and gave her a hug, " I'm happy for you then babe, congratulations!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Thanks Zach," she whispered hugging me back. "Come on Iris!" Mia shouted impatiently.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> "I have to go, bye Zach," she smiled that heart breaking smile at me again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I waved and watched her walk off into the distance. I flipped up my mobile and made a quick call, "Hey Cass, it's me. Yeah sorry honey, <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b03bc487-17c1-4cfa-a37d-30a2fe742b52" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fe050b48-49f1-4ce6-a60f-804ee3d7dd83" grcontextid="gotta:0">gotta</span> cancel lunch. Yep, yep. Sorry. See <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="df56921c-5b2d-4045-9587-439d47e9dd37" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0de8e3d8-26b6-4e19-82b9-c2800a843c9a" grcontextid="ya:0">ya</span> soon. Right. Bye."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I sighed deeply and walked slowly towards the direction of the park. I needed to walk, clear my head, think about things.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">It was too late now, Iris would never be mine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I would never be able to tell her that yes I loved her, I thought about her constantly, she was the girl I'd settle down for.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I wished I'd told her when I had the chance, but oh no not me, I had to go and act like I didn't care, like it was an inconvenience to have proper feelings about someone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">What a fool!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">There would never be another like Iris again. I sat down <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4295d877-8f59-4142-ab65-836d46bf5c46" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3cbf9c64-8650-4d5e-9673-c36dab7cc229" grcontextid="at:0">at</span> a park bench with a groan as I put my head in my hands in despair. I knew she'd loved me once, but I'd messed that up. I sighed as I remembered the touch of her lips on mine, the feel of her soft skin and the sweetness of her moans as I kissed her passionately.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Well that was just a sweet memory now. It was my fault, all my fault. I abused her trust, I let her down, it's no wonder she sees Isaac as a god!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I felt a single tear make its way down my cheek, I brushed it away angrily, hoping no one had noticed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Now I must live with my actions forever, I must watch the love of my life marry someone else. There was nothing I could do. Absolutely nothing.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Or was there?</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE</span></u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Party: Part One<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">IRIS CLEARWATER:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I was so excited. It was Christmas Eve and we were having a big party at <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="847b69b8-862e-4a51-bb56-9cee7e7afbef" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6521e22b-0998-4f4b-82a4-7866561fb940" grcontextid="Cullen's hotel:0">Cullen's hotel</span> to celebrate both mine and Reuben's engagement.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The hotel was officially shut down for a few days, so it was just the family and some close friends. The Denali coven had been invited. Much to my joy so had the Amazonians; it was amazing to see Zafrina again, I loved her like a second Mom.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Cross family <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fd9f0122-1836-4d4e-a00c-a2a422ed700b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="70e160b4-19d0-4ebb-9622-0b7bd150b57f" grcontextid="were invited:0">were invited</span> <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8d15ec1f-9017-41e5-b394-83cba931dfe6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="70e160b4-19d0-4ebb-9622-0b7bd150b57f" grcontextid="too:1">too</span>, along with Anthony Newton, Ruby's fiancé. His parents Jessica and Mike were not invited as Mom explained it would be far too awkward as the whole Cullen family would be here; far too much for Anthony's parents to grasp. The Cullen's looked exactly the same as when they had been at school with Mike Newton and Jessica Stanley! Ruby was delighted that both Reuben and I were engaged, just like she was herself. She planned to marry Anthony next year in the summer. Anthony knew about our strange family and he was totally fine with it all. Dominic and Ellie had explained everything to him; they thought it was only fair to do so when the boy proposed to their precious daughter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Swan family <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e4694713-561e-429e-b08a-11ec81ac0ba5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4068ba17-dce2-46d9-af82-6b2a1235da37" grcontextid="were also invited:0">were also invited</span>, along with all of the Quileute tribe. My Dad's cousins Elise and Bells were coming too; apparently they loved a good party and since we were having a quiet wedding Dad thought it would be nice to invite them tonight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">It was going to be an amazing gathering! I loved Christmas <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9a89ff09-a67e-4309-a42a-7f996feb779d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="43a16af2-d1c3-4918-8c88-e9abeb5f330e" grcontextid="any ways:0">any ways</span> even without the party and I was as excited as a small child!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I can't believe it's been almost two months since both my brother and I got engaged. Imagine it happening to us both on the same day! My Mom says it's because we are twins, we have a special bond.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I like that explanation, but personally I believe in fate and destiny; I truly believe it's those two things which brought me to my true love, my soul mate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Oh how I love Isaac Black! I am so excited that our wedding is only just over a week away! It's going to be perfection! We've insisted on a small intimate wedding; we will be married on Isle Esme's beautiful North Bay on New Year’s Day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The tropical trees are abundant in that area and will provide a beautiful canopy to cover us from the sun as we say our vows.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The sea is gentle there and the waves lap the shore with a soothing rhythm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Grandpa Edward and Grandma Bella insisted we stay in the beautiful house in the south of the island, but we preferred the simplicity of the location of our wedding.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">We requested a luxury yurt as we both love camping and the outdoors.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8733edd2-fc53-4e2e-99c1-9c5a447c640c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d3056b35-914d-4061-bf25-db45fa709849" grcontextid="Yurt:0">Yurt</span></span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> is Russian for 'Dwelling'. It is a nomadic shelter lived in for thousands of years by tribes from the <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="69d10ee5-b79f-4584-a215-dd308fb94b07" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="caa3ed82-a06a-4f88-89c5-09386df99eb2" grcontextid="near:0">near</span> East and Central Asia, from Iran to <i>Mongolia</i>. An Asian 'tipi' so to say; but it is infinitely more comfortable and practical.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">In essence, it is <i>a circular wooden framed tent</i>. It comprises a lattice wall upon which rests a conical roof supported by a central compression ring. Historically they would be covered in hide. Today however they <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3cf4a56a-83ef-4e3c-8984-5e668b5a6b44" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="89bba8cd-fb4c-4083-8caa-a305d2381255" grcontextid="have felt:0">have felt</span> insulation and watertight canvas protection with decorative <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="76d42fc1-c33f-4863-a730-f12eaedb5069" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="89bba8cd-fb4c-4083-8caa-a305d2381255" grcontextid="inners:1">inners</span> and outer layers covered in traditional folk designs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">We of course have requested a North American Indian design, with Quileute symbols and drawings. I love the depth of history and tradition of my fiancé’s heritage, it is truly fascinating. I told him we could have a traditional Quileute wedding if he wanted but he insists he wants us to have a modern simple wedding ceremony. All that matters is that we will be married and start our lives together.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Edward Cullen, my Grandpa is going to marry us! He said to me, with a crooked smile and a wink, <i>"If Emmett can marry your parents then I can certainly manage to marry my beautiful Iris and her beloved!"</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">It seems it was easy to apply for a <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5453da93-0721-485c-828a-7d4f64d81745" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="cf804523-7046-4194-a66f-3be70cab3040" grcontextid="licence:0">licence</span> to marry couples over the Internet, and of course money was no object to my family. That was a fact.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">So, of course Bella will be at the wedding, along with my Mom and Dad and Isaac's parents; Jacob and Leah. Mia and Reuben will be attending also, Reuben is best man and Mia is my attendant. That was the guest list in total, much to Alice Cullen's chagrin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">My Mom's Aunt was so mad at first that she wasn't invited, but Jasper calmed her down and did point out that she was getting to design ALL the wedding outfits. I have to say my dress was perfect; just what I wanted, simple and understated but absolutely gorgeous. Isaac was going to look so handsome in his outfit, I couldn't wait to see him in it. With a small blush I also admitted to myself that I couldn't wait to see him out of it either, but I won't go into details on that just yet!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I didn't feel bad about Alice and the rest of the Cullen's , it was our day and that was how we wanted it, hence the big family party tonight. We would all be together in celebration.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Mia comes rushing into my room, her face flushed with excitement, "Iris! Why are you not ready yet? Everyone will be here soon! " <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9057062e-85cc-4288-9b98-8f8170316684" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1a47c36f-6bbf-4ef5-8eab-86cfcc7aea0c" grcontextid="she:0">she</span> exclaimed shaking her head at me in annoyance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I rolled my eyes at her and threw the hair brush down onto the dresser, " I can't get my hair to do <i>anything</i>!" I sighed dramatically, not wanting to admit that I'd been sitting here daydreaming.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> "But you aren't even dressed yet!" she said in exasperation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I giggled and handed her the brush, "Help me then sis!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Mia stood over <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2e3cdf9e-a4e4-4bf7-ba01-8156086be072" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0812e55c-67ee-4c6a-be5c-f65408b67206" grcontextid="me:0">me</span> hands on her hips laughing and shaking her head.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She looked stunning in an asymmetrical long bright pink silk dress which was slashed to mid-thigh on one side. One arm was completely bare with a thin shoulder strap whilst the other was covered with a long bell sleeve. It was unusual but very effective. Her hair was down, long and straight in a shiny dark curtain of pure silk. On her feet she wore the highest heels in the same shade of pink as her dress. Her makeup was bold and dramatic, I could definitely see her as a successful model. I could also see why my dear brother couldn't take his eyes off her whenever he was in her company.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I let Mia brush out my hair and expertly style it on top of my head. It looked good piled high with a few curls escaping down my back and framing my face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Now some make-up!" Mia exclaimed grabbing my small cosmetic bag from my hands.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I sighed, but really I was happy to let her apply it for me, she was so much better at these things than me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">My eyes appeared bluer as she <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f58e36d7-e833-48ea-a727-0f68fa69df88" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="938007f5-81b7-4577-80f1-ec98192f0f3d" grcontextid="skilfully:0">skilfully</span> applied a bright blue eye shadow and eye liner to my eyes. My cheek bones appeared more defined as she smoothed on the light pink blusher. On my full lips she applied a sheer rose lip gloss, making them luscious and shiny.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Wow! Mia, you are really good at this. I love it!" I gushed happily as I admired my reflection.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I quickly slipped on my party dress; a gorgeous scarlet red backless mini , with a halter neck which showed off my pale skin to perfection. I wore a pair of red stilettos on my feet; I was tall any ways, but I didn't need to worry as my lovely Isaac was almost 6ft 7 inches in height as most <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b76e1107-2413-49ef-a222-d32c31a86373" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b5c2a68b-c3e8-4b7b-9b78-6b562a5ae874" grcontextid="shape:0">shape</span> shifting males were!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Mia and I stood in front of my full length mirror and smiled broadly at our reflections. We looked gorgeous! Mia in her striking pink dress <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5fec8fff-1db6-4d88-a544-333bc916a397" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ff93cc9c-c2b0-4ef8-8cac-92229aca98e7" grcontextid="high lighting:0">high lighting</span> her dark skin and accentuating her curvy figure. Me in my bright red dress contrasting perfectly with my luminescent skin and perfectly enhancing my slender figure.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">We hugged each other with joy, I was so pleased this girl was going to be my sister in just over a week.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Iris, I'm so happy for you and Isaac!" Mia gushed, squeezing me tight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I laughed and hugged her back, " Oh thanks sweetie, I'm so happy my brother has an amazing girl like you!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Iris, I swear to you I adore Reuben so much, I'm so lucky and I'm overjoyed you guys came back to Forks after all these years" Mia happily stated.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I smiled back, "I couldn't imagine not being with Isaac now Mia. He's my world and I love him so much. It's like I've found the other half of myself and now we fit together perfectly, never to be broken apart. "<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I sighed , missing Isaac already even though we'd only seen each other a few hours previously. We'd taken the horses to the meadow this morning for a trek in the crisp frosty morning. Flakes of snow threatened to fall as we held each other tight to keep warm. Isaac had kissed my lips so sweetly and gently, whispering his lovely romantic words in my ear. He told me he loved me beyond reason, he loved me until the end of time, he loved me truly, madly and deeply. I was his girl and his love, the one he wanted to care for forever and ever, until his last breath he would look after me, he would never let me down, he would be my one true constant mate in this crazy world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I smiled happily to myself as I remembered every beautiful word he whispered to me as he held me so close to him, the warmth of his body dispelling the icy air of the morning. I had never felt so loved and protected in my life, with his big strong arms around me I was complete.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Mia snapped her fingers abruptly bringing me back to the present. "Hey Iris, come back to me!" she laughed, gently slapping my cheek!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I smiled, dragging my thoughts back to the here and now. "Thinking about Isaac are you Iris?" Mia questioned me with a sly wink.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I felt my cheeks go red as I swatted Mia's hand away, embarrassed that my secret thoughts are so obvious.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"You caught me Mia!" I confess sheepishly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"It's okay Iris, don't be embarrassed honey, I think about your brother every single minute of the day and my thoughts are usually very very naughty!" she laughs sexily.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I feel my cheeks going red once again, oh please don't let her tell me the intimate details!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"I can't help it Iris, when we're together alone, just us, it's amazing! He touches me and I melt, he kisses me and I go insane with desire. I have to have him all the time! I'm obsessed Iris. I'm completely obsessed with your brother!" she exclaims much to my horror. "I love his mind, I love his soul but boy do I love his body too! He's so sexy and gorgeous!" she carries on oblivious to my discomfort.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"When we..."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Before she can carry on I shout , "Stop!" Please Mia! I can't deal with this conversation! That's my twin you are talking about and it's just too weird sorry! I'm not comfortable talking about this stuff, it should be private between you two!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She stands looking at me open mouthed, "Sorry Iris, I didn't <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3e96c740-718f-4676-829c-4a0236793cc8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d0b3ea46-deb7-4452-b7cc-3c1bffbbf408" grcontextid="realise:0">realise</span> I was making you uncomfortable. I guess I just get carried away and it's nice to have a girlfriend to talk to these things about," she shrugs apologetically.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I give her a hug and tell her not to <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="57fedf3e-28b5-4d56-b41a-c5d7d8bc0b93" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="83545461-10ee-4c91-9e2e-ca5642d57116" grcontextid="apologise:0">apologise</span>. "Can I just ask you one question Iris?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I nod my head and smile expectantly. " Have you and Isaac...well you know? Gone all the way?" she asks, without a hint of embarrassment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I blush furiously, but decide to answer her, I suppose she will be my sister soon, it would be nice to have someone to talk to.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> " No Mia, we haven't. We want to wait until we are married. It feels right to wait. It's not like we don't <i>want</i> to, I mean we are so passionate with each other and we find it hard to keep our hands off each other, like ALL the time. I can't wait to be his completely, but for us waiting until we are married is only going to make it even more special," I smile and hug myself with happiness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"But, " I continue, " I don't condemn you both if you've already decided to take your relationship to the next level. If you truly believe Reuben is the right guy for you then I don't see a problem if it's something you both feel ready for, I smile.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Mia takes my hands in hers, " Iris, I swear I meant to wait and plan our first time, but the day we got engaged, everything just sort of happened between us. I let my hormones get the better of me! But I don't regret it. We plan to wait a long while until we get married, I couldn't <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="af61670c-a4ed-403e-a415-24b6c8ec3476" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c812e007-ebda-4342-9d89-89c1e38c19e4" grcontextid="possible:0">possible</span> wait years and years to give into this lust we have for each other!" she laughs wickedly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Oh Mia! You are funny! Let's go downstairs, I'm sure all our guests will be arriving soon, as well as our gorgeous fiancé’s!" I exclaim dragging her out of the bedroom and down the large staircase.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">At the bottom of the stairs, gazing up at us, their eyes sparkling with joy <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3c00356e-7a36-4c26-b17d-dad43110de70" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="99a7bc4a-1a46-41b0-bebd-3e331ece302a" grcontextid=",:0">,</span>are our men. Reuben gazes in awe at Mia, unable to tear his eyes from her, " Wow," he breathes slowly as he stares at her, drinking in the vision of loveliness that is his true love.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Isaac's dark eyes <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="34f541a1-0b0f-4d43-85b3-4997d53d1401" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d7b77186-dc5d-4f5d-a913-50528f4243da" grcontextid="are locked:0">are locked</span> onto mine, their depths revealing all I need to know. He doesn't speak but holds out a large strong hand <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3e93e473-3d92-49c9-83b1-961ca44b6efd" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c5874d0a-0391-4888-b14b-4b52ebc91c48" grcontextid="to:0">to</span> me which I gratefully take.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">He gazes down at me, his lips not far from mine thanks to my impossibly high heels.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">He gently runs his fingertip along my bottom lip making me shiver as always. " I am the luckiest guy in the world," he whispers sweetly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">We walk into the large dining room where the party is to be held, all eyes on the two happy couples. I sighed to myself as I <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d4d14baf-6de5-4356-a026-958869819353" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="51fa108d-c8ca-4e2f-9789-f472a9bb42c5" grcontextid="realised:0">realised</span> Mia and I are late for our own party and now everyone was here and they were all looking at me! Mia loved the attention, she twirled around the room greeting everyone happily.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I stayed close to Isaac and let everyone come to me, it was great meeting all these humans, vampires and shape-shifters whom I wasn't yet acquainted with.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The party was in full swing, everyone was dancing and laughing and having a great time. There <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="247ac8a0-fb48-424e-a51e-5e864ddca2b6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c4d78b07-98d4-4e50-8ed2-38e21e275d89" grcontextid="was:0">was</span> plenty of wine and champagne for the guests who could enjoy alcohol.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I didn't touch any, I was giddy enough and I could not handle much alcohol any ways.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I was talking to Bella about the wedding when I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around to see Zach’s handsome face smiling at me. I smiled back, happy he had made it to the party. I knew Sue and Charlie would be happy to see their son as he hadn't been home for ages.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Hello Bella," he said with a nod to his sister.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> "Zach," she acknowledged with a tight smile, her amber eyes narrowing slightly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I don't know why, but these two don't have a loving sibling relationship like me and Reuben share.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Mom has mentioned before that she thinks it's because Zach has let Charlie down many times and Bella can't stand that as she loves <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="728f9abf-78d0-44f4-b613-4c8d8ece2183" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4717df49-282c-4da5-972c-69c5da1f48b9" grcontextid="their:0">their</span> Father very very much.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"May I please borrow Iris?" he asks Bella with a charming smile.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Of course," she curtly replies.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Iris, can I talk to you please?" he asks me, his eyes pleading with me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I am curious and I agree to walk into the garden with him, wondering why he wants to speak to me?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">His hand is on my arm guiding me along, he gazes down at me his green eyes serious, a determined expression on his face. I look around for Isaac but I cannot see him anywhere. What is this all about?</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></u></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></u></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></u></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO</span></u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Reflections<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">BELLA SWAN:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I looked around at everyone enjoying the party and I felt a lump come to my throat. I was surrounded by everyone who was dear to me in this world. Despite being a vampire for over twenty two years now I still felt human at times in the sense of blood ties, family ties, and binding love which anchored me to my loved ones.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">There was my Dad Charlie over there with his wife Sue; both of them in their sixties now, I hated to think of the day when they would reach <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2077cc97-3802-4e86-bd49-c4a5ca7a9e3d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="13af5759-edd5-4af6-a809-c2c2fa53a025" grcontextid="really old age:0">really old age</span> and be taken from us. I know Charlie sometimes still struggled with my choices; especially when he looked at me and instead of having a grown up daughter who would be forty years old, he had a daughter who <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7c270be7-b79d-4ec8-97ea-a5d1244f58f2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="86a45630-2f7b-420d-8b03-4d7d1545a9b7" grcontextid="had not aged:0">had not aged</span> past eighteen. I could see the sadness in his eyes sometimes when he thought I wasn't looking.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Even though he had accepted my strange life over the years, I knew a part of him would give anything for me to be human again. The lines on his dear face were etched with pain, worry and sadness over some of the decisions I'd made. Not just me, but Zachary, my half-brother and Leah's half-brother, who had come into this world after my Dad had married Sue Clearwater. A happy day indeed, Sue and he were the perfect couple and he deserved happiness again after my Mom left him. But Zachary had caused them worry and pain as well as joy; he was the rebel of the family and it pained me to say this, but I didn't have much time for him. I was very protective of Charlie and always had been. A lot of our human traits simply carry over into this life too!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Now I turned to look at my beautiful daughter Renesmee and her handsome husband Seth. She looked so happy, she was glowing. Seth had his arm around her and was gazing at her with such love in his eyes as they talked to their son Reuben and his fiancée Mia Black. Nessie was all I could have hoped for in a daughter, she was beautiful, smart and kind. Yes she was a hybrid and that had brought us difficulties over the years, but so far everything was fine with her. We only had Nahuel to compare with and since he was now dead Nessie was the only hybrid left in existence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She had zoomed into an eighteen year old teenager in the small time span of only five years. I had worried she would accelerate into old age and wither and die before my eyes, but she had reached eighteen and her growth spurt had stopped. Now all these years on she was still as youthful as she was then, Seth and her forever frozen in time <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="558bb2d1-78bf-487d-90ee-535abd8064aa" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="679afc28-03ae-4d5d-a0e6-ae90de355592" grcontextid=";:0">;</span>beautiful, terrifying creatures. I did not know if she would age in the future due to her half human genes, but I hoped we would all be together forever.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I was lucky; my daughter will not age, we are both eighteen forever. Strange but true to be the same age as your daughter, our relationship was still like any other mother/daughter one though, which pleased me no end.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Nessie was not so lucky as I; she had chosen to bring human children into her and Seth's world. Human's life spans were a drop in the ocean compared to the eternity us vampires faced. I worried that she would fall apart when her children grew old and died. It pained me to think of it. When I looked at Iris and Reuben tonight, so full of life and joy; it was too hard to imagine a time when we would never see them again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I quickly brushed my morbid thoughts away and turned my gaze to Carlisle and Esme.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Ah! My surrogate Mom and Dad, how I loved the two of them with all my silent heart. They had accepted me from the beginning without any qualms; made me part of their family even when I was still human. I watched the way they looked at each other after all the years they had shared and I smiled to myself; their love was perfect and pure.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Alice, dear Alice and Jasper; they loved each other so much. Rose and Emmett, opposites attract and these two certainly loved each other completely.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">So much love in this room, if I could cry, I would shed a happy tear.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Now I see Jacob and Leah <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="77507acb-e5b3-4d76-9100-ec80347a608a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d470c249-9ac8-4c37-a1fa-b747f9a91b0a" grcontextid="talking:0">talking</span> quietly in the corner; Jake brushes his wife's cheek gently with his fingertip and leans down to softly kiss her lips. Such a sweet moment between them. It <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a2d735ac-c3d0-43b3-8e9f-846dde749210" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="cfbff8e9-95b0-4c9f-ae2d-d64b1f35eb24" grcontextid="fills my still:0">fills my still</span> heart with joy to see my Jacob still hopelessly in love with Leah after all these years together. Tomorrow will be their seventeenth wedding anniversary, they seem to be more in love with each passing Christmas.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Jacob will always be my best friend and I love him dearly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Then my eyes are drawn to the brightest star in this room, the only one who illuminates my universe so completely.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Edward Cullen.</span></i></b><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Perfection. My only love.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I watch him as he dances so elegantly with his Granddaughter Iris, twirling her around and around as she laughs <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0b7dcca9-3234-4715-9903-24b439a8167a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fa84259d-4564-4628-8885-69ba71a69e6b" grcontextid="in:0">in</span> glee. He is so handsome I would cry at his sheer beauty if I could.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">His perfect marble skin glows in the light from the chandelier which shines down above him; his bronze hair catches the light and shimmers; his topaz eyes glint and shine with love and happiness. I watch his full lips curve into the crooked smile I love so much as he grins at something Iris says. He is still the most beautiful creature I have ever laid my eyes on and I am <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="cb21fea8-4d6b-49a3-8e70-332d1c1cb6c0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4193da8b-3478-4e48-bc78-4ef475165d14" grcontextid="honoured:0">honoured</span> that he loves me so totally and completely.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">He will always be mine and I will always be his and that's how it is meant to be. I believe I was destined to meet Edward even before I was born. Fate had this planned for me. There was no other life I could possibly imagine than the wonderful one I had had, since the day I first set eyes on his perfect face in the canteen of Forks High School, all those years ago.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">He is walking towards me now smiling as he takes my hand in his and brings his soft cold lips down on mine in a perfect kiss. My hands automatically reach up and run through his tousled hair as I have done many times. He pulls me close to him and traces his lips down my cheek, down my neck and onto my collarbone. I sigh with pleasure as always, intoxicated by his presence, in awe of his sheer perfection.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"<i>I love you Mrs Cullen," </i>he whispers deliciously in my ear, making me shiver with delight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Tonight was perfect, all of my family and friends together celebrating yet another milestone in this crazy life we inhabited.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> The most perfect thing was standing right beside me as always, my constant love, my true soul mate, the love of my existence.</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">My Edward, my husband.</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE</span></u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Party: Part Two<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">ISAAC BLACK:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Iris looked amazing tonight, she was truly a beautiful girl, absolutely stunningly gorgeous. I appreciated her outward beauty but it was her inner beauty which I really found to be the best thing about her. It was the special illusive thing which drew me to her, which I believe caused me to imprint on her. I believe she was my destiny, she was real and true and everything I wanted for the future.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I found it hard to leave her side tonight, when she wasn't with me my eyes roamed around the room until I glimpsed her again, her radiance and beauty illuminating the room. The party was in full swing and everyone was happy and carefree. I loved having all my pack brothers here, even though some of them were still uneasy in the presence of so many vampires. Despite the treaty seventeen years ago, there was still a slight unease left over from the days when the cold ones were our natural enemies.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">So, here I was enjoying myself when Zach Swan appeared in front of me. I was determined not to ruin our party so I plastered a semblance of a smile on my face as he greeted me with congratulations on my engagement.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I had the strongest feeling he was being insincere, but I tried to give him the benefit of the doubt, after all it was the season of goodwill to all men.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"I have a special engagement surprise for you Isaac," he said with a smile.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I raised my eyebrows, wondering why he had bothered, when clearly we didn't like each other.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> "Meet me in the walled garden at the back of the house in half an hour and I will show you," he said before walking away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I was intrigued now, what <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="783978fc-262c-4e76-801a-3ac4c299d0cb" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ffcf43e5-9ef6-4bdb-a5c2-b4be6480672b" grcontextid="surprise:0">surprise</span> could Zach Swan have in store for me? I wasn't bothered about engagement presents, I had everything I wanted; <i>Iris.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I still couldn't believe she was mine, and even better we were going to be married next week in a beautiful simple ceremony. We would be together at last in every way possible. I couldn't wait to make her mine completely, through the exchanging of vows, the giving of rings and finally through the sharing of our bodies, minds and souls as we come together in love.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The beginning of our life together as man and wife, it would be perfect, I just knew it. Nothing could spoil the feelings of joy in my heart tonight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Mia dances past me in Reuben's arms, her eyes glowing with happiness as he holds her close. I'm so happy for my sister, she has found true love just like me. Who would have thought it? All those years we didn't see our cousins, then they come back into our lives and lo and behold they are our <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="56f2c82c-3143-421f-aba2-81ad0fd4a77d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="42e16a5b-a31e-4cac-9e84-7baa467655ea" grcontextid="destinies:0">destinies</span>. Both Mia and I had found our soul mates. What are the odds of that? Of course they aren't our real cousins; no blood ties bind us together, only love and desire weld our hearts, minds and souls.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">My Mom<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;"> and Seth's</span> cousins Bells and Elsie stopped by to give me a hug and congratulate me. "Oh my!" exclaimed Elise, "Haven't you grown Isaac!" she smiled craning her neck to gaze up at me. "<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="76447935-546e-4236-8d90-74b235424b93" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5b4355d8-74ec-46fa-9e99-4cda49389ed5" grcontextid="Last time:0">Last time</span> we saw you young man, you were an infant at your Mom and Dad's wedding!" Bells laughed patting me on the back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> I smiled at them both and excused myself. I hadn't seen Iris for a while and I was missing her company already.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The party was going so well, all the pack had congratulated me and Sam Uley, who used to be Alpha along with my Dad until they abandoned those old fashioned terms, had taken me aside and talked to me about the importance of imprinting and what it meant for the tribe. He and his wife Emily now had three beautiful sons; Nathaniel, Noah and Mark. I knew I was supposed to carry on the shape-shifting gene, as long as vampires existed in this world, our tribe would exist. We were opposite forces of nature, once enemies, now friends unless they were bad vampires which threatened the fabric of our society and the lives of our loved ones. Then we would attack.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Cullen’s were different, they were our friends; they had brought peace and harmony to their world which in turn brought the same advantages to ours.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The new generation had to make sure that we, as a tribe, did not die out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">It was the circle of life.</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I couldn't wait to be a part of it, Iris and I would create perfect babies which would be part of a historical tribe with a long line of brave and noble shape-shifters. Our children would grow up with the knowledge and wonder of our historical traditions. They would be brought up as my sister and I had been; with love, understanding and patience, so we could watch them go out into the world and pass on the traditions and morals of our sacred Quileute tribe.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I wanted to be part of that history, with my beautiful Iris at my side, forever.</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR</span></u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Betrayal<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">ZAC SWAN:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I guided Iris out to the back of the hotel where the beautiful walled garden lay. She looked absolutely ravishing. An angel in scarlet red, her pale skin shining with an ethereal glow in the light of the full moon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Her blue eyes glittered as she stared into mine, confusion and curiosity on her beautiful face. I smiled at her, completely captivated by her, why did I ever let this girl go?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Iris, I just needed to talk to you away from the crowds. We used to mean something to each other did we not?" I asked her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She smiled at me, "Yes of course Zach, we did mean something to each other. What happened with Jane and Alec, I forgave you for that. Please don't think that I haven't!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"I know you have Iris, I feel so bad that I had to do something so terrible that you would need to forgive me at all! What an idiot I was to put your life in jeopardy! I was a complete fool! From that moment on I wanted to protect you and care for you!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She looked into my eyes and I hoped she could tell I spoke the truth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"But Zach, after the fire we were getting closer, we were good friends. When I kissed you that night in your flat, you pushed me away. You said you weren't good enough for me!" she exclaimed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I grasped her hands in mine, " I know Iris that is true I am not good enough for you and never will be. But I love you so much and I had to tell you before you rush into this wedding!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I blurted out unable to stop myself confessing my true feelings. No one had ever made me feel this way, I had used and abused women for years, never letting anyone get close to me. Iris was different, she was special and I couldn't bear it any longer that she wasn't with me. If somehow, some way she felt the same, then I had to give her a chance to stop her marriage to Isaac Black!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She gasped in shock at my words and her blue eyes pierced mine defiantly. "Once upon a time I would have loved to hear those words from you, Zachary Swan! But not now. I am not rushing into anything. I love and adore Isaac with all my heart and soul. I <i>want</i> to marry him! He is the only man for me!" she said with fiery passion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> It took all my will not to take her in my arms and kiss her full red lips. This is what I loved about her, she was passionate, strong and beautiful.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Iris, if what you say is true then I wish you all the luck in the world, but I don't believe you! I think you are marrying Isaac because he has imprinted on you! You are swept away by the romance and excitement of it all. You don't truly want him? Please tell me you don't!" I said passionately pulling her closer to me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She looked me straight in the eye and replied softly, "I truly want to marry Isaac with every <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0de816f5-37c4-4e82-b29c-db9630849119" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ef3b535f-e1d2-4bed-aa7b-ff74fdacda8f" grcontextid="fibre:0">fibre</span> of my being, with every bone in my body, with every beat of my heart. You are only upset because you can't have me Zach! You only want me now because you see Isaac and I together and you can't stand it!" she said with a glare.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Oh she looked even more beautiful when she was full of anger and defiance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I had never wanted anything more in my life.</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">But it looked like my declaration of love had fallen on deaf ears. I had to put the next stage of my plan into action, I didn't want to, but she had left me no choice!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I couldn't just stand by and watch the most amazing girl in the world marry someone else! Even if she was <i>never </i>mine. I could live with that! But I didn't want her to be his either!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">If I can't have her then I certainly don't want Isaac Black to have her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Even the niggling thought in my brain telling me I should want Iris to be happy if I truly loved her didn't stop me on my next course of action.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Okay Iris, I believe you. I'm happy for you sweetheart. I just had to make sure it was what you really wanted. I will get over it, there are plenty more girls out there believe me!" I laughed, pretending not to care.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She sighed and motioned for me to sit down next to her. I quickly looked at my watch before settling down beside her. She crossed her impossibly long legs which looked amazing in that mini dress, I couldn't help but stare.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I broke out of my reverie and tried to keep my mind on the next step in my plan. It was hard to concentrate sitting so close to this gorgeous creature. Oh how I wished she were mine and that this was our engagement party.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I pulled out two glasses filled with champagne from my hiding place, "Ta <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9fea8dfa-6e40-42ef-a3c1-161043c969b7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="daf87a00-8957-420a-9c6b-8538ecbdb204" grcontextid="da:0">da</span>! As if by magic!" I said with a flourish as I handed her a glass.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She smiled widely, "Oh wow, thanks Zach. I haven't had a drink all night! You know me, I'm terrible with alcohol!" she laughed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Yes I know this fact well.</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> That's why I have spiked her drink with a double shot of vodka.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Evil? Yes probably. But I <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="02ffe683-c4ee-4693-bb24-bb102a213b38" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f0ff84ae-d72f-4cf0-8822-7b1a88641e2d" grcontextid="need my plan to:0">need my plan to</span> work.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I raise my glass in a toast, "To Iris, may you always be happy," I say clinking my glass to hers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She raises her eyebrows at me, "Aren't you supposed to say 'to the happy couple' or something like that?" she asks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I am scared she won't drink it if I don't amend my words, so I quickly raise my glass again and toast the happy couple Iris and Isaac. She grins widely at me and raises her glass to mine, taking a long drink. I smile encouragingly and knock mine back in one, knowing Iris will feel silly if she doesn't do the same. It worked, she swallows the vodka laden champagne in one swallow, finishing with a loud hiccup. I look at my watch again quickly, I should have just enough time before Isaac appears. I gaze into Iris's eyes and I can see the alcohol beginning to take hold of her already. She really can't handle the stuff at all. I remember when we were dating she'd only ever stuck to red wine, as she could tolerate at least three glasses of that. But one night I'd dared her to do vodka shots with me and oh my what a mess she was in! Four shots and I'd had to carry her to my flat, she was almost unconscious. So I reckon the champagne plus the two vodka shots should be enough for my purposes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Her eyes look a bit glazed and she is giggling at something I've said. I put my arm around her, drawing her closer to me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Oh Iris, you really are so beautiful babe."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She smiles up at me with a sweet drunken expression, her blue eyes looking <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ee2acfe2-1080-49a1-a863-98ecbc2e6b77" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c9577d37-af1c-4714-960c-872833d4349d" grcontextid="glassy:0">glassy</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5910dab7-f687-4943-9932-57f531a92636" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3f12ac0d-209f-4508-9776-b942a9a190ee" grcontextid="Mmm:0">Mmm</span> thanks Zach, you are kind," she slurs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Oh this is too easy!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Iris, remember our first date? By the lake? You looked so pretty, your hair was all windblown from riding on my Harley. You looked so sexy and when I kissed you it was the best ever for me. Then I touched <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e2f15016-89ac-4ce3-94df-b298f27c67c6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="de62f770-1b9f-4665-b7c2-6b28a66a491c" grcontextid="you:0">you</span> under your top and your skin was so soft and lovely. I wanted to eat you up!" I said with a smile. "<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="55984b51-ecce-4e3c-8de9-985e5ddb5100" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="50e3a9a9-c980-4c13-9084-2c07764160ee" grcontextid="Shhh:0">Shhh</span> Zach I'm an <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="12cf3c7f-098e-4e85-8063-93cf1751ff58" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="50e3a9a9-c980-4c13-9084-2c07764160ee" grcontextid="engashed:1">engashed</span> <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="61e1cca1-2af8-4740-b2e9-6b716099c884" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="50e3a9a9-c980-4c13-9084-2c07764160ee" grcontextid="women:2">women</span> <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="424d42c4-d681-4669-89f0-a3ec598be5ed" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="50e3a9a9-c980-4c13-9084-2c07764160ee" grcontextid="ya:3">ya</span> know!" she giggled her words coming out all wrong.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Yeah, every time we met up you were so beautiful and passionate. You used to kiss me with such passion Iris. I knew you wanted me. Tell me did you give yourself to Isaac Black?" I questioned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She blushed and indignantly replied through her drunken haze, " No! We're waiting for our wedding night, <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="63142d6f-0371-47f3-a0ab-15dfbb204332" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="466de02d-7dc7-401e-a7ee-1ba9434fd6c0" grcontextid="s'ok:0">s'ok</span> with you?" she <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="756b9e70-0a2a-47aa-a632-98dffb08f646" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="466de02d-7dc7-401e-a7ee-1ba9434fd6c0" grcontextid="demanded trying to:1">demanded trying to</span> act annoyed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Yep, definitely okay with me, I wanted to be her first lover. Her only lover.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Oh I could just imagine how that would be! But there is no time to dwell on such lovely thoughts, Isaac will be arriving any minute now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I gently put my finger under her chin and turn her face towards me, her lips are only inches from mine as I gaze deep into her eyes, the sapphire blue depths intoxicating and <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="63616cd1-d2b5-478a-baec-922f927323c5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="963082f6-07b1-4b13-8040-38b1a02415d9" grcontextid="mesmerising:0">mesmerising</span> me completely. "Iris I'm going to kiss you now. I know you want me to. It will be like our first kiss, deep, passionate and full of hunger. Cos I know we belong together, babe," I whispered against her mouth, as I brought my lips to hers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She tasted delicious, just as I remembered. Her <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="44cf3256-01e9-42cd-b9c3-9e47a150f4e1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fdf9ea64-fa44-4975-b200-e90695789b9b" grcontextid="unmistakeable:0">unmistakeable</span> scent was all around me as I fell into the heavenly feeling that was her soft velvety lips. I put my hands in her hair and drew her closer. I felt her hands weakly try to grasp the sides of my head and push me away but she was powerless through her drunken haze. Perfect I thought to myself, it looks like she is kissing me passionately back, just what I wanted to achieve!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Oh how I have missed her lips, I sigh and moan with pleasure as my kisses become more insistent.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"<b>SWAN! GET YOUR HANDS OFF HER NOW!"</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Yep, here he is, bang on time. Isaac Black in a murderous jealous rage, watching me and Iris kiss each other, with what I hoped looked like passionate abandonment. Though that was definitely more on my part, poor Iris <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="01ebf992-d225-4a29-aa03-17bca7032039" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2582f2d7-f94d-4228-b78b-26ced33917d7" grcontextid="was:0">was</span> just along for the ride in her poor drunken haze.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Surprise," I shout as I pull away from Iris's soft lips. " Your engagement surprise is just wonderful Isaac! Iris and I love each other, we've never stopped being in love. She wants ME not YOU, so you better call the wedding off!" I announce triumphantly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Isaac's face goes through a variety of emotions; sad, angry, jealous, confused and finally heartbroken. Oops! Oh well, she belonged to me, not <i>him</i>!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Iris? Iris my love please look at me! Is this true darling? Do you love Zach Swan? Don't you want to be my wife?" he sobs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I almost feel sorry for him as I put an arm around Iris who is looking at the ground.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Tell him babe, tell him you love me!" I demand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Her head suddenly jerks up and she looks up to see her fiancé towering over her, his face so sad and forlorn.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Hey <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="bd21c162-ece0-4bd3-a763-3ab92f794312" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b2244abb-1e97-4395-aa1e-9fa887ac9cd9" grcontextid="Ishack:0">Ishack</span>, whys you lock <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7ff04aae-1ffd-442b-84c9-043b8f59b6c3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b2244abb-1e97-4395-aa1e-9fa887ac9cd9" grcontextid="sho:1">sho</span> sad <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3046768c-a5ff-43c0-aba5-014a917a186d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b2244abb-1e97-4395-aa1e-9fa887ac9cd9" grcontextid="darlin:2">darlin</span>?" she slurs with a big grin on her face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> She tries to stand up but stumbles into the flower bed and falls over giggling and laughing to herself as she lies on her back looking up at that perfect full moon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Isaac's face turns from sorrow to pure anger which he directs full force right at me. " You b**tard Swan! You've got her drunk, you unscrupulous b**tard! Was that the only way you could get her to do what you wanted? Huh? You sick sick sick b**tard!" he screamed at me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> I genuinely felt a bit of fear now as I watched him shake with rage. I thought he would see Iris kissing me and run off crying to Daddy, I thought he would not want her now she'd been touched and kissed by another man. But I was wrong, I underestimated him badly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"She is<i> MY </i>girl! Don't you understand that Swan? I worship her and I always will and your sick little plan cannot keep us apart! She loves me too and we're going to be married whether you like it or not!" he said slowly as he inched closer to me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Looks like I was going to have to fight him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Just then Iris started shaking and vomited all over the roses.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Oh Iris are you alright my love?" Isaac asked his voice full of love and concern as he knelt down beside her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I thought this would be a good time to make a quick getaway. My plan didn't work, I shouldn't have done it. It's been obvious all along she loves <i>him.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I sneak off whilst Isaac's back is turned, making my way across the lawn to where my Harley is parked. Time to go back home I think.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Suddenly I hear a loud roar behind me. I turn in horror to see <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="412c9e1a-5e1a-46cb-a8d9-d29847e0ecf0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7940c0f7-5a54-4623-b1f1-8873113dec17" grcontextid="Isaac phasing:0">Isaac phasing</span> into a large dark brown wolf, his yellow eyes glinting with pure anger in the moonlight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">He begins to run impossibly fast towards me, his jaws snapping, saliva dripping from his mouth as he heads for his target.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">My heart almost stops beating as I watch horrified at the beast gaining on me, unable to move, rooted to the spot with fear. I think I have made a <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="81b6d517-da91-4de4-bef1-44ea661e5404" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4c7ed699-1135-4a4b-957b-200b0217a36f" grcontextid="terrible terrible:0">terrible terrible</span> mistake here tonight.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">A mistake which could cost me my life!</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE</span></u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Father and Son<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">CHARLIE SWAN:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I sat at my son's bedside and thanked God that he wasn't too badly injured. I've seen first-hand what a <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="24fd42b5-f975-4693-81b8-362831982541" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7a31f6db-448e-43d0-b118-a586bb959f0f" grcontextid="wolf's:0">wolf's</span> <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="23463c61-bbb9-4e7f-ac2f-b90a845c6ceb" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7a31f6db-448e-43d0-b118-a586bb959f0f" grcontextid="claws:1">claws</span> and sharp teeth can do to a person. Emily Uley's face was proof of that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Zach had one long deep gash down his left cheek, which travelled down <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2461cda6-7bdf-4be6-b9d4-0e4768e8c354" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4956e2bd-db51-4ecf-83f3-b8aca2bf9df1" grcontextid="onto:0">onto</span> his neck and collar bone. Isaac had slashed out at him in temper, I can't say I blamed him though. Shape-shifters would fight to the death to protect the girl they had imprinted on. Luckily Jacob had seen the situation unfolding in the garden and had quickly phased; pulling his son away from mine by his shaggy fur into the woods to calm him down.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Zach was found lying on the lawn howling in pain as blood poured from the deep slash made by Isaac's sharp claws. One swipe was all it took to inflict such a horrendous injury. It could have been worse though, much worse. Isaac could have killed him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">It was lucky Carlisle and Esme had stayed in Forks for the party; the Doc had stitched Zach’s face up and he was well on the road to recovery after last night's ordeal. A few sleeping pills had sent him into a restful sleep, where hopefully his natural healing powers would take over. Even though he would be scarred physically I was sure he would be fine mentally. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c8f61029-b970-4882-9ba2-5492127e897b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="63a47fc2-280e-43c0-87ed-870d63ad630a" grcontextid="Us:0">Us</span> Swans were strong-minded and well equipped to deal with life's trauma's.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">When Isaac calmed down he came back to the hotel demanding to see Iris. His fiancée was sleeping off the alcohol Zach had plied her with and was unaware of the recent events. His face was still contorted with rage, but he managed to stay calm and explain to everyone what had happened. Nessie looked like she would kill Zach herself, as did his sister Bella. Sue, my darling wife, cried her eyes out; heartbroken once again by the actions of our selfish son.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Would he ever change?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">His eyelids flickered open and he gazed at me as I sat quietly next to him, "Hey Dad," he croaked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Hey son," I smiled weakly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I was glad he was in bed resting; I needed to talk to him and I had to be sure he was listening. At least he couldn't walk away from me whilst he was lying down; he had to listen!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I stared intently into my son's handsome face, the red angry wound marring his perfect features. I handed him the small pocket mirror I had in my clenched fist.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> "Look at your face son," I said seriously, handing him the mirror.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">He slowly opened the silver case, his eyes widening in shock as he saw his reflection for the first time since the attack.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Oh! It's pretty bad huh?" he exclaimed, his green eyes filled with fear and disgust at the sight of his own face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"It could have been worse, son. Sure you'll have a scar, but don't you <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f3cccd0c-dc6f-49d5-9f1c-52ff0e95aef4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="40c72f99-ca94-49c0-840c-a923676bc1fe" grcontextid="realise:0">realise</span> Isaac Black could have killed you, you stupid boy!" I said raising my voice <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="925c9524-a3a8-4273-b7d9-7c5f0ea58e5a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="40c72f99-ca94-49c0-840c-a923676bc1fe" grcontextid="with:1">with</span> anger.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">He visibly recoiled from my rage, obviously not expecting this reaction from me. Well, why would he? I should have gotten angry with him a long while ago.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"He wouldn't have killed me surely?" Zach asked me, his voice quiet and small.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I rolled my eyes with exasperation, " Zachary, when a shape-shifter is protecting the woman he loves, the woman he has imprinted on, he will go to any lengths, any lengths at all! You made Isaac so angry he couldn't control himself and he <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fc073c9f-79a3-4a2f-84a2-52e4d9f879ea" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="acf4dd0d-ecdd-4a9f-b355-5f3570fc0894" grcontextid="phased:0">phased</span>! Just what were you thinking? Tell me that why don't you!" I demanded, my voice steely and determined.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">For too long I've let this boy be blind to the repercussions of his actions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">His green eyes looked into mine, full of sorrow and remorse. I couldn't believe Zach Swan, my son, was actually feeling remorse?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Dad, I swear to you, the course of action I took last night was totally my last resort! I wanted Iris to reconsider her wedding plans. I don't want her to rush into anything! I don't want her to be blinded by this imprinting thing!" he said his voice rising with passion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> I waited patiently for him to tell me more even though I was dying to reach out and shake him hard.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"I love her Dad, I love Iris Clearwater," he stated, his voice clear and defiant.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I sighed, totally exasperated, my son really did attract trouble.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"But son, you must see, you must know how Isaac and Iris feel about each other? Surely? Isaac has imprinted on her. She has accepted his marriage proposal. They are bound together forever. They love each other deeply, anyone can see that! Why would you try to come between them?" I questioned him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"I wanted her Dad. I had never been in love before until she got under my skin. It kills me to see her with <i>him</i>! I had her, she was mine but then I had to go and mess it up as usual!" he exclaimed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I sighed as I watched his injured face screw up in frustration.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"But Zach, you can't just go about messing with people's lives. Remember what happened the last time? You very nearly got yourself and Iris killed! You are a selfish boy Zachary! Selfish to the core. Your Mother breaks her heart over you, don't you know? And as for your sisters, well Bella can hardly stand to look at you at times, and Leah doesn't understand you at all!" I raged.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Suddenly he jumped out of the bed and spun away from me, grabbing his worn old jeans and quickly pulling them on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Don't you dare lecture me Dad!" he screamed, his face wild with rage.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I stood up to face him, my body shaking with anger, there was just no reasoning with him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">He gazed at me defiantly his arms outstretched, "Why do you think I'm like this Dad, huh? Why? Because all my life I've been second best to the vampires, the shape-shifters, the whole bloody supernatural world!" he spat out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I looked at him in disbelief and shock. He came closer to me, his green eyes blazing with anger.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> " I swear Dad, all my life I've felt useless! You had Bella, my wonderful half-sister, Bella the vampire and the perfect Cullen's. Even Leah managed to marry a shape-shifter so she's special right?! No one really bothered about Zach Swan, the poor pathetic human!" he raged in my face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Mom loves me, I'll give you that. But I know she's in awe of the Black's, she loves Leah's family like they are royalty! Nothing I do matters, I can't do anything right!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">He spun away from me and flopped down onto the bed, his head in his hands, exhausted by his outburst.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">His shoulders began to shake as he was wracked by long drawn out sobs. " I just want you to love <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="92f47a19-208b-482e-a360-b640e793c336" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bf09b6cf-8310-40e1-88e9-83a3a580c2bb" grcontextid="me:0">me</span> Dad!" he sobbed emotionally.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">His words pierced me right through to my heart and soul.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">He was my son and despite his attitude, despite his devil may care ways and his disregard for anyone's feelings I loved the bones of him. I dropped down to my knees and gently pulled his hands away from his tear stained face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Zachary, I <i>do</i> love you son. I just want you to take responsibility for your actions, make something of your life! It's not true I think more of Bella than you! Bella and I forged a close relationship due to the fact that we didn't see each other for years. After her Mom left me and took Bella with her, I missed out on so much of her childhood! Then when Renee remarried and Bella came to live with me in Forks, we had to start from scratch. We gradually built up our relationship again and emerged stronger than ever. When she went through her changes all I wanted to do was be there for her and Nessie. I wasn't happy about it, but I could see she genuinely loved Edward Cullen!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Please Zach, don't ever think I don't love you. You are my son, my flesh and blood and you mean the world to me. My family and my extended family too, you are all my life!" I exclaimed as I gazed into his green eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">He sniffed and wiped away his tears, careful not to touch his injured cheek.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"I'm sorry Dad. I'm so sorry. Sorry I've been a disappointment to you and Mom. I always had to be the rebel. I hurt myself, I hurt you and Mom. Now I<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="15ad1b65-8cde-4b37-96df-82c9d64fe251" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9b8dc02d-c1c9-4353-ba10-95683f4fcf6c" grcontextid="'ve hurt:0">'ve hurt</span> Iris. <i>Again.</i> I'm such an idiot! Now I'm disfigured for life, I can’t rely on my looks any more. Maybe Isaac has done me a <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="15d31ae4-20b5-497c-805f-1e46d96bdc30" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="74222912-35ef-4f24-882a-44b860a56d7c" grcontextid="favour:0">favour</span>. Maybe it's about time I faced up to how shallow I really am! No wonder Iris isn't interested in me!" he gasped, worn out by his tirade.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I gently hugged my son to me, feeling guilty and full of sorrow that he felt we didn't love him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Of course I loved him. I always would. I hoped he had learned a lesson from this latest incident. I hoped he would see it's time to change. He isn't a boy <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c8a4d6c7-4554-43ec-bd99-6425d5e31ef0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2f91b8b1-0454-4848-a806-9b9141fa114c" grcontextid="any more:0">any more</span>, he is a twenty one year old man. I fervently wished him luck and happiness in whatever he wanted out of life. I worried more about him than Bella or Leah. Bella was my flesh and blood, she had a strange and unusual existence, one I would never completely understand. But she was happy. She was loved. That's all a Father could wish for really. Then there was my step daughter Leah, she was a wonderful woman and a great Mom. She and Jake had brought two wonderful kids into the world, a happy world where they ran a successful business and lived their perfect lives.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I wished Zach would find similar happiness. I knew he could turn it all around if he truly wanted to.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I believed he could do it. I had to believe it. Believe in him, give him my support, my love and understanding. We were tied by blood, by love, by hope. We were Swans and we didn't give up!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Ever.</span></i></b><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX</span></u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Crimson and Clover<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">IRIS CLEARWATER:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Tomorrow I <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7a700743-38dd-490f-a664-d7d82a9dbc7c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9b59d8ff-48d3-4395-ab84-3905f88d4f8f" grcontextid="marry:0">marry</span> Isaac Black and I cannot wait to be his wife.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">We are sitting cross-legged facing each other on the floor of Isaac's bedroom. It's handy for us both that I am staying here in his home. He only has to walk me to my bedroom door to say <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="92900343-0824-419c-b374-d9a4aae8d1b0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d59b591f-7e46-4957-a080-7a1b83d77724" grcontextid="goodnight:0">goodnight</span>! Tonight, I have major goose bumps when I realize that tomorrow night, we will be spending the whole night together as husband and wife. The first night of a new year, the first night of the rest of our lives together.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">We are flying out to Isle Esme early in the morning by private jet. Great Grandpa Carlisle is a very accomplished pilot, handy really when you are transporting vampires around the world! I don't imagine I will get much sleep tonight! Isaac is looking at me with so much love it takes my breath away. His deep dark eyes shimmer in the lamplight, his long hair flowing to his shoulders in a curtain of silk. He is the most gorgeous man I have ever seen. Since Christmas Eve, the night of our party, he hasn't let me out of his sight. I don't mind, I love the way he protects me from the world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Zach has been round to see us both; he apologized a lot and gave us both his blessing. Isaac accepted, but the look in his eyes told Zach he would never tolerate anything like that happening again. But I really didn't think Zach would be quite <i>that </i>stupid! His face was healing nicely, but he would always have a long deep scar to remind him of that night. Of course I've forgiven him, once again. The last betrayal was so much worse. There was nothing on earth that could possibly separate Isaac and I. We were so tightly bound around the other's heart with love, which was <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1ec110b2-6d97-472a-ba39-c9ff9bd25350" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="78f973c0-5973-4fec-9e0f-ef07411012dd" grcontextid="made:0">made</span> with bonds of steel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Unbreakable.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Untouchable.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I think Zach had realized that now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I sighed as he ran a gentle fingertip along my bottom lip. A gesture which was so sweet yet so sexy at the same time. So Isaac. It made me shiver as always. He smiled his warm smile at me and picked up his guitar.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> "I wrote another song for you Iris. I wrote it a while ago, when you hardly knew I existed and I craved just one look from you."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I smiled and playfully swatted his arm, "I knew you existed Isaac! I was just too blind to see how amazing you were! But now I know the truth," I reached over and quickly pecked him on the cheek as he began to strum out a tune.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I loved his voice; it was deep, husky and very enthralling to my ears. He began to sing and I was enraptured by his words, words which were all for me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"<i>Ah<br />Now I don't hardly know her<br />But I think I could love her<br />Crimson and clover</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Ah<br />Well if she come <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="cda58712-a357-4112-a721-7cbf4564a00e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b4577b2b-3c95-4cfc-ba50-9aacf5b9a47e" grcontextid="walkin:0">walkin</span>' over<br />Now I been waitin' to show her<br />Crimson and clover<br />Over and over</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">My mind's such a sweet thing<br />I <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4fc5f95f-4ce1-4716-963e-063c33b515e1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="355de582-d032-4848-b63c-b99449f96be0" grcontextid="wanna:0">wanna</span> do everything<br />What a beautiful feeling<br />Crimson and clover<br />Over and over</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Crimson and clover, over and over,</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="be4cde1e-69bc-402a-9d7c-33de58051e3b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a75aa89e-b784-4571-8922-3ee3f8e1445b" grcontextid="over:0">over</span> and over, crimson and clover,</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="df714b50-e5dd-4e96-a073-fe13fd27093d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f93119a0-b342-4f82-8dfb-f1aa095514dc" grcontextid="over:0">over</span> and over..."</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">(<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f637cd33-8bb4-436d-9678-94cc9e856c52" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6e9d211b-3f57-47e1-91bb-d1b516918fb4" grcontextid="copyright:0">copyright</span> Tommy James and the Shondells)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">He smiled shyly at me through his long eyelashes, his hair swinging over his face as he tried to hide his embarrassment. "Isaac, darling. You write such beautiful perfect songs! Don't be so shy about your talent, my love!" I exclaimed, my voice full of adoration and pride.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">He smiled widely at me, his eyes bright, " My only talent is loving you so much Iris. I find it easy to write songs from the heart about my girl," he smiled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">We kissed softly at first, but soon our passion for each other completely took us over and we began to lose control. It was like a raging fiery inferno running through my veins; liquid passion and desire, I felt sparks between us and I willingly let myself be swept away with my emotions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Isaac pulled away from me gasping for breath, his lust for me showing plainly on his face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> "Iris, you are so beautiful, only one more night apart <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d3fdb4a7-019d-4dc6-bbba-ea9180891476" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="62f33835-baa3-489a-ac1a-de377f245ab8" grcontextid="then:0">then</span> we will be husband and wife!" he whispered softly in my ear, his lips trailing down my neck.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I shivered deliciously. I couldn't wait to be his wife, to be his completely.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I sighed and pouted, "Can't I stay here with you tonight Isaac?" He looked at me in frustration, "Oh Iris, I wish! But <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="88c04887-f0a2-43de-858b-6a102f719e27" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6c77bb62-6137-4ef2-b563-4d8e502ee151" grcontextid="no:0">no</span> my love. You must get your beauty sleep. We will be flying to Isle Esme in a few hours!" he stated.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I sighed again and hugged him to me. I glanced at the clock behind his head; it was one minute to midnight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Oh Isaac! The year is almost gone, it will be our wedding day when the clock chimes midnight!" I exclaimed excitedly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">We held each other tight, waiting for the witching hour together. As the chimes rang out we kissed each other softly; it was our wedding day at last. It was a brand new year. He pulled me to my feet and walked me to my door along the hall. He softly kissed my lips, his hands on my waist drawing me closer to him, "Goodnight sweet Iris, I love you my only love. See you at our wedding!" he smiled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> I clasped him to me dearly, feeling his sweet heart beating wildly against my chest. "I love you Isaac, so much. I can't wait to marry you!" I said my voice choked with emotion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I watched him walk away from me, our last night apart.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Forever.</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I sighed with contentment and hugged <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2253cfa3-a632-4b31-aa77-f4b1fd31e2b5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="89b989cb-e8ec-4e41-8072-9646d02ba205" grcontextid="myself:0">myself</span> tightly. I started to turn around to go into my room when I felt a soft hand on my shoulder. It was my Mom.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> "Hi honey," she whispered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Hey Mom!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She held me close and whispered softly, " Happy new year and happy wedding day!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I hugged her back, so happy that she approved of my marriage. I know she believed in the choice I'd made and she really did think Isaac would make a great son-in-law. We gazed into each other's eyes, a mother and daughter; to everyone else we could have been sisters.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"<i>Iris, my beautiful daughter! I love you with all my heart and I hope today will be the best day of your life. You deserve it honey. Isaac and you are such a special couple. I wish you all the luck and love in the world!"</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT</span></u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">New Year's Day<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">RENESMEE CLEARWATER:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Tears spring to my eyes as I begin to play the very same tune my Father wrote for me on my wedding day. "A River Flows Through You", it's so haunting and beautiful and sounds as perfect today as it did when I got married. I was going to compose my own song for the happy couple, but this amazing tune of my Dad's just seemed right.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> (<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="82bcab08-d0ad-4557-a1c9-3e2d5bd022a7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="50eccbe4-52de-4965-9416-6b6bbe32e481" grcontextid="authors:0">authors</span> note – please listen to the music when reading the wedding ceremony, it so fits the occasion! But imagine Nessie is playing the piano! You can find it on you tube.)</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Iris is slowly walking towards our small group gathered on this beautiful beach on Isle Esme. She clings onto Seth's arm, who gazes down at his daughter with such love and pride, it makes my heart swell. Her husband-to-be Isaac Black's eyes are gazing at my daughter with undisguised love and amazement. My heart skipped a beat when I noticed the way he looked at her. My daughter's wedding day was taking me back to the wonderful memories of when I married Seth. I had been so happy and excited the day we got married in the meadow. It had been perfect and I was overjoyed to finally be Seth's and know that he was mine. I had also been nervous as I expectantly awaited our wedding night. I had been needlessly nervous though because it was the most special night of my life. Seth and I had waited just as my daughter and Isaac <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6f80739c-1a80-4309-95f1-58cb07510840" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8684c389-566e-43c9-94cd-e740f55d8124" grcontextid="have:0">have</span>. It was unbelievably romantic and exciting, in our log cabin snuggled deep in the snowy Kitchatna mountains, we discovered how magical it was to give ourselves to each other completely; mind, body and soul. Husband and wife, complete at last. Iris would find out for herself tonight. I grinned happily and kept playing piano quietly in the background so we could all hear the happy couple's wedding vows. My Dad, Edward, stood tall and proud as he faced the couple. Iris and Isaac held hands and smiled at each other, happy loving smiles full of joy. The late afternoon sun was shining down on us through the palm trees, making rainbow <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="aa0fa8c8-06af-444b-9896-3da57befe2e8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="233af117-a50a-4f88-80ff-aaf04ea351a4" grcontextid="colours:0">colours</span> dance on the sand from our vampire skin. Jacob and Leah were both smiling at their son and his bride; glancing at each other with love and happiness shining in their eyes. My Mom, Bella <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="59e34285-686a-41fb-b73d-a5466b52c05a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4d423466-e0db-447c-a774-14eba044f046" grcontextid=",:0">,</span>looked so pretty and happy as she stood next to them. Mia stood next to Iris, looking the picture of loveliness in her embroidered white maxi dress with her hair in braids; she looked like a free spirited hippy chick! The dress complimented her dark skin and eyes perfectly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Reuben stood next to Isaac, both of them dressed in ethnic shirts, loose and flowing over black trousers. All of the wedding party was barefoot; I loved the casual happy atmosphere of the occasion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The bride, my gorgeous daughter Iris, was breathtakingly stunning in a long sleeveless dress of sheer shimmering material. It shone in all the <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="46500b0c-673a-4016-a262-6874eb896c32" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c9555b3b-6153-4070-940e-4d6b99f3f887" grcontextid="colours:0">colours</span> of the rainbow where the sun glanced upon it. Opalescent swirls undulating in graceful waves, making the dress almost look as if it were alive. It was perfect with her long dark hair flowing to her waist; she was a goddess, absolutely stunningly beautiful. She took my breath away. Isaac couldn't tear his eyes away from her as my Dad began the wedding ceremony.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness and celebrate the marriage of <i>Iris</i> and<i> Isaac</i>, to give our blessings to them at the start of their journey together as husband and wife, and to promise our love and support to them through all the joys and trials ahead of them," he said with a smile.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"I would like to read this passage from the Bible. It's Paul's letter to the Corinthians and I think the words are very fitting for the lovely couple I see before me," Edward continued, his topaz eyes almost liquid in the sunshine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"<i>If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.<br />Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres.</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.",</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> he finished solemnly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I definitely had a tear in my eye now, such beautiful perfect words.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The ceremony continued:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"The love that inspires marriage is resilient and unwavering; conquering and rejuvenating; peaceful and passionate. We outgrow many things and must leave them behind, but love grows with us so that we may not leave it behind. Marriage is a union built on this type of love," he took a deep breath and carried on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"This day is an important day. This ceremony is an irreplaceable event. The marriage to which you are all witness marks one of the greatest commitments to love, thought, truth, and honesty in this couple's life. It is the first day of a better and more worthwhile life for <i>Iris</i> and <i>Isaac</i>. They have asked each of you here to witness this event, because you are integral to their lives and are part of the reason they stand here today, together. In their memories, you will each be tied to this day and its meaning. Therefore, <i>Iris and Isaac</i> wish to <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a7aa9189-fbf0-49fc-be44-7e6e81852e4f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d4580635-a778-4eef-a4d3-56d8ee11edc1" grcontextid="honour:0">honour</span> each of you, to thank you for being here and for the contributions you have made to their lives. They are who they are because of you.<br /><i>Iris</i> and <i>Isaac</i> will now state their vows before us, " Edward said with a crooked smile.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Please stay away tears I thought to myself, as the lump in my throat grew. Now it was time for my daughter and Isaac to say their most important vows to each other. Iris took a deep breath and with a shy smile she began to recite her vows:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"<i>I love you.<br />You are my best friend.<br />Today I give myself to you in marriage.<br />I promise to encourage and inspire you, to laugh with you, and to comfort you in times of sorrow and struggle.<br />I promise to love you in good times and in bad, when life seems easy and when it seems hard, when our love is simple, and when it is an effort.<br />I promise to cherish you, and to always hold you in highest regard.<br />These things I commit to you today, and all the days of our life</i>," she said reverently and solemnly, her blue eyes shining with unshod tears as Isaac repeated the words back to her, his dark eyes gazing down at his bride with such adulation in their <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5e3baaf0-42bc-4fb2-b41e-3ba729f3ffcc" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a3495efe-5aba-47d4-b1cb-08c8646c05f4" grcontextid="deep:0">deep</span> depths.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">It was perfect!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Edward – Dad- smiled crookedly again, his marble face full of emotion as he uttered the last part of the ceremony. "<i>Isaac</i>, do you come to this marriage freely and of your own choosing? " Isaac nodded happily and replied "Yes."<br />"<i>Iris</i>, do you come to this marriage freely and of your own choosing? " She nodded vigorously, also replying "Yes."<br />"<b>Then I now pronounce you husband and wife.</b> "<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I stopped playing the piano now so I could join in with the applause, which resounded around the beach as we all rejoiced. Isaac and Iris kissed each other sweetly, it was a lovely moment. Then they both announced they had their own short reading to do from their joint <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="22d3e39e-d608-4524-9d2c-152ee1199495" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ff3f0d05-f2ec-4232-8352-22098b722c66" grcontextid="favourite:0">favourite</span> novel, "Wuthering Heights". Mom and Dad grinned at each other as it was also their <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7fcc4c97-8df0-48f9-b4a6-817ddb5f937b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="253754de-981c-4a61-a54f-41961cbe5114" grcontextid="favourite:0">favourite</span>! As it was mine! You could say it was a bit of a family tradition to read Emily Bronte's best-loved book. I had often read the book aloud to Iris when she was a child and we lived in the rainforest. The story never failed to <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="69dd3b8f-805a-41fa-8aeb-7f7350b5298d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="43db6e9a-ebbb-4a72-a847-f8a6d0a0a040" grcontextid="enthral:0">enthral</span> her, no matter how many times she heard it. What a perfect end to their wedding ceremony I mused. These few words were obviously very special to Isaac and Iris.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">" <i>Heathcliff, make the world stop right here. Make everything stop and stand still and never move again. Make the moors never change and you and I never change."</i> Iris said her eyes riveted on Isaac.<br />"<i>The moors and I will never change. Don't you, Cathy,</i>" Isaac gently said, as he stroked her cheek.<br />"<i>I can't. I can't. No matter what I ever do or say, Heathcliff, this is me now; standing on this hill with you. This is me forever,"</i> Iris replied, her voice wavering with emotion, her blue eyes filling up with tears as Isaac softly lifted her hand and kissed her pale skin sweetly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">It was so romantic! I walked over to the newlyweds and enveloped them both in a hug, my tears flowing freely now. I felt Seth's strong arms around me, pulling me to his muscled chest, his cool hands stroking my hair. The emotion of the ceremony had finally got to me. Of course I was happy for my daughter and her new husband, but my joy was tinged with a little sadness as she was no longer our little girl!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">We all hugged and congratulated the couple. Iris and Isaac were beaming with happiness, it was lovely to watch. We had hired a sound system for the wedding reception, which was to be held right here, under the stars and the full moon when she appeared. For now, as the sun set we had large candles lighting the beach as the evening faded into night. A buffet table piled with gorgeous wedding food awaited us. There was a seafood platter, whole roasted chickens and large plates of fresh tropical fruit and some champagne. Also in the <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d3f17a66-1f2f-4e09-b020-0eb229ef87f4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f0424604-0961-4dcc-8561-e569bbaecfd6" grcontextid="centre:0">centre</span> piece of the table was a beautiful wedding cake, made by Sue, which was intricately designed to look like lace. Sometimes I wished I could eat as a normal human would, the food looked very appetizing, even to me!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I looked around at everyone gathered here, it was lovely to have such an intimate gathering. My Mom and Dad were whispering quietly to each other beside a large palm tree, his arm around her shoulders, his gaze filled with love as always. I was so proud of my Dad, he officiated the wedding magnificently! Jake and Leah were talking with Mia and Reuben, who both looked so happy and in love, their hands entwined. I knew I would have to wait <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="49196048-03e1-4aa7-b187-34a3792f3a33" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="942102c7-3f67-4e95-8a8d-f12c6c3cb6a9" grcontextid="awhile:0">awhile</span> for their wedding but I didn't mind. I was so happy that my son was in love.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Music softly spilled out from the speakers as Isaac took Iris in his arms and they began to sway to the music. Such a beautiful, perfect couple they made!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Isaac was tall, muscular and handsome with his shoulder length glossy black hair, in contrast his bride was slender, her long dark hair flowing down her back in luxurious waves, her pale skin luminous against her husband's olive tones. I gazed at them in wonder; their beauty and love for each other dazzling me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Seth led me to the little part of <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2d06548e-356a-4a2a-b50e-b581132ef0d1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9398bfe5-77b0-4b57-845b-5d8e31acb045" grcontextid="beach:0">beach</span> which Isaac and Iris had unknowingly declared their dance floor; he held me close to him, whispering words of love in my ear as we danced with the bride and groom on the sand as the sun began to set. My Mom and Dad, and Mia and Reuben joined us as we all danced together with our loved ones; the emotion of the song making me want to cry happy tears.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5309292e-e19a-4b03-b5a6-045ec4a65c83" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bc641e54-63a7-4f5f-9a26-5ec1bc77e14c" grcontextid="love:0">l<i>ove</i></span><i></i><i> I get so lost, sometimes<br /><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7ea18f9e-3201-44ea-915d-9f45e3a6441e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6fc7b3aa-1d9d-40a8-9038-6a7890922e0b" grcontextid="days:0">days</span> pass and this emptiness fills my heart<br /><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="72ab7d80-d358-4abd-87cb-deb6f221ccab" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="de080834-d4f4-4606-bd79-975a5a4383c7" grcontextid="when:0">when</span> I want to run away<br />I drive off in my car<br /><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="718802f1-6ae8-4bdd-b08d-f72a19329f1f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9dfd13e9-bda9-4ed6-9654-0c5d114e0141" grcontextid="but:0">but</span> whichever way I go<br />I come back to the place you are</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b4b8bc61-1bcf-47dc-be98-172c7cd32e29" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e8ce571d-6386-4300-b800-66b9d4455602" grcontextid="all:0">all</span> my instincts, they return<br /><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0cf6347e-5422-43a0-b9e5-e8c8c0cff1fe" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="88e3c68b-8fd3-451d-926c-4f978e52d431" grcontextid="and:0">and</span> the grand facade, so soon will burn<br /><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="177c0c38-57ce-4541-be2b-c9be6775a58d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="57123548-dd39-4e3f-9f33-b6bdbd38f836" grcontextid="without:0">without</span> a noise, without my pride<br />I reach out from the inside</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="72adaffc-1f53-43c2-a035-8a835eaa92ca" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="496cdb93-f294-4948-842e-0ccd9466e6a6" grcontextid="in:0">in</span> your eyes<br /><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3905ab7d-74ca-4a6c-8693-2c666d8e1240" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="38dd314d-05f0-4ec5-acfa-97afccbdb658" grcontextid="the:0">the</span> light the heat<br /><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="467b7d47-4537-43b1-bd62-4e2836de93f3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="242167b5-138a-4af9-830c-663b12410099" grcontextid="in:0">in</span> your eyes<br />I am complete<br /><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="88e6699f-ac39-4e97-bb52-7b92467fe233" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4e971548-f5ef-4e57-9689-9b7a0471ad8e" grcontextid="in:0">in</span> your eyes<br />I see the doorway to a thousand churches<br /><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c7704ba0-db93-46a6-b1fa-a0d8a19b0859" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b486f62f-94cf-4b6f-ace7-9c3505be91b6" grcontextid="in:0">in</span> your eyes<br /><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6ec2b688-17e6-4550-90c3-82e7c1201d02" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4cfd9a5d-2a7d-4c93-8be5-889dd2cc0f6f" grcontextid="the:0">the</span> resolution of all the fruitless searches<br /><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="42066887-5108-4849-8df9-5a242c83c203" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="228f4767-5c4b-48d3-940e-e67ccb757a17" grcontextid="in:0">in</span> your eyes<br />I see the light and the heat<br /><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4fc97008-9e3b-4967-a196-9994b56728f3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="36ab28c7-08f2-4e10-9c3e-6e9f5c41caac" grcontextid="in:0">in</span> your eyes<br /><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7fb4536c-d84e-444e-8d21-e9f678b28497" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1dec8eea-1570-40b3-827a-e3bc79a01203" grcontextid="oh:0">oh</span>, I want to be that complete<br />I want to touch the light<br /><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="afb604d8-dc70-4a4d-98d7-add745f4580b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="eb050b19-1cd4-4f58-929d-f8e2c34bd42a" grcontextid="the:0">the</span> heat I see in your eyes</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="07886f8d-d0df-4828-817d-3b93164e3c71" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7985b5ae-c859-47c4-ae65-2aa72815e80e" grcontextid="love:0">love</span>, I don't like to see so much pain<br /><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="01608ca0-defa-4348-87e5-40e74d5a3a36" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7436f744-cc77-4a66-b087-976290871a8a" grcontextid="so:0">so</span> much wasted and this moment keeps slipping away<br />I get so tired of working so hard for our survival<br />I look to the time with you to keep me awake and alive</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="54ef5b00-98e4-4765-a3e2-05d81ff45285" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c3df5e27-a411-4d24-a713-0f553ef023ff" grcontextid="and:0">and</span> all my instincts, they return<br /><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a402d5bf-81e3-4536-ad81-918cef275347" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3d7d664b-175d-4b3a-99d8-283a01361f41" grcontextid="and:0">and</span> the grand façade, so soon will burn<br /><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="eba9648f-c5f8-4275-85bf-0e18856c43e2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ff06d8c1-e6ab-4ed1-8410-838d8a973c70" grcontextid="without:0">without</span> a noise, without my pride<br />I reach out from the inside</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c1495670-a8c1-4f46-8916-73757d2567d7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="42964ce3-16c0-44fb-9ffe-578d542f42fe" grcontextid="in:0">in</span> your eyes<br /><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="69f1b967-08e4-451c-ad0b-33413f686ecc" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8491a8e4-423e-4581-ac98-6d03aad02c97" grcontextid="the:0">the</span> light the heat<br /><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5e09aa9a-a1fd-4037-8c58-866b6be42863" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="53a5f2c0-28ce-43bb-8ae0-c80a2fa62fbc" grcontextid="in:0">in</span> you</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="85bd8e13-df59-4b7c-9894-51c90ff7100c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e6f77708-5e80-4c9f-bf42-617e4c3c6322" grcontextid="ur:0">ur</span> eyes<br />I am complete<br /><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e092e875-0ab6-4edf-81a6-3bde642e0e9f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d0336a9a-5f8c-4a26-a2df-8916e00c7cd5" grcontextid="in:0">in</span> your eyes<br />I see the doorway to a thousand churches<br /><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="51724618-b690-4b0b-9bda-89aed1c407b8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e8d9b0b8-5352-48f9-89f5-9f37639dc465" grcontextid="in:0">in</span> your eyes<br /><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7bb9a056-b414-430c-9582-5fde95d00464" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="38d598bf-635b-4d4c-897b-5eb022aad20e" grcontextid="the:0">the</span> resolution of all the fruitless searches<br /><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7e4a9f8d-0170-496e-9657-611bfc2e3eb8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="393a551c-8518-4599-8303-80fd484d85d1" grcontextid="in:0">in</span> your eyes<br />I see the light and the heat<br /><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="663a3a2a-2a63-4599-ac38-a574f3ecc61d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="da830106-2338-4da5-8f73-95205c2e0407" grcontextid="in:0">in</span> your eyes<br /><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="53dfce77-c328-4f96-8ea4-9c34d09ac488" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="373757de-e426-4b0b-a4de-505d602173e7" grcontextid="oh:0">oh</span>, I want to be that complete<br />I want to touch the light,<br /><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3e2cb8c4-6da4-429a-8980-62161c67bd32" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3fbf459d-058b-45ea-a5a6-9f0181e18541" grcontextid="the:0">the</span> heat I see in your eyes<br /><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f7296ee0-ca89-47cd-aafa-ff8bf11fa786" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4b0af725-d582-47bd-b12d-c86aa3d69875" grcontextid="in:0">in</span> your eyes in your eyes<br /><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="49405037-196c-4da0-95f5-cb33a4ce034d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5db13ffa-a2a8-4206-8759-cc119049f61c" grcontextid="in:0">in</span> your eyes in your eyes<br /><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7204e4bb-fddc-419b-a586-596cd27f654d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f7acaa1c-7a16-4c6d-9540-57ae5cf47be9" grcontextid="in:0">in</span> your eyes in your eyes "<br />(<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9455c8af-a249-4737-b60d-8b665335595e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e145c6a9-7c4a-457f-8d4a-7ffa152c71c5" grcontextid="copyright:0">copyright</span> Peter Gabriel "In Your Eyes")</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The sun was quickly setting over Isle Esme; the sky was wonderfully red, the full moon just becoming visible as the sun made its way down past the horizon. A warm evening breeze blew through my hair as I held tightly onto my Seth. I couldn't wait to get him alone. Tonight we would stay in Esme's house on the South side of the island, the home I was conceived in.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">This island was so magical and special to my family; many nights of passion had been shared here. I gazed happily at my daughter as she swayed in her true love's arms and I knew tonight was going to be the most magical, special and wonderful night of her life. Mr. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2dd01860-9934-4670-9131-ffd1c45d8b88" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="87a300e8-cb71-4a6c-8fdf-fe5f42e2d880" grcontextid="and:0">and</span> Mrs. Isaac Black were the perfect couple, their love would be constant and true, and of that I had no doubts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Her loyal wolf would always protect her, love her and care for her. I knew first-hand how deep a shape-shifters love could go, it truly was amazing to watch Isaac hold Iris like she was the most precious jewel in the world.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Just as it should be.</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE</span></u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Ever Thine, Ever Mine, Ever Ours<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">ISAAC BLACK:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">My wedding <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="460e5349-97c5-4c47-bd1b-84b2748a9262" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="071f6474-c590-42eb-b83d-9153964ad513" grcontextid="has been:0">has been</span> perfect, the whole day has gone like a dream. I loved Edward's words at our ceremony, so beautiful and poetic. Our vows were a reflection of the deep love and commitment I feel towards Iris, <i>my wife.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">MY WIFE! </span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">How I loved to say that, I felt so complete, so loved and so in awe that the girl of my dreams, the girl I've imprinted on is now <i>mine. Forever.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Our celebrations after the ceremony were so lovely. Grandma Sue had made loads of delicious food; she was the best cook I knew! Now the leftovers were stored in a cool box in our beautiful yurt, ready for us to eat later if we were hungry. It had been so romantic holding Iris in my arms, our bodies close as we swayed to the music; the fiery <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9e045d52-2617-4127-9a87-4e092afad5b4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="68e1add4-30bf-421e-8e40-fe672426b6af" grcontextid="sunset a perfect:0">sunset a perfect</span> backdrop <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8a8d452a-d552-4edb-8652-69c773a48964" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="68e1add4-30bf-421e-8e40-fe672426b6af" grcontextid="to:1">to</span> our dancing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I cannot find the words to explain how stunningly gorgeous my wife looked today. I could try to explain how she looked like an angel sent straight down from heaven, a beautiful goddess; powerful and intoxicating. But none of my useless sentiments cover it. She was amazing, the whole day has been so emotional for us both. I am so glad we decided to add in our <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d5c10a0c-ea1b-4aac-ba63-34fb9d075496" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="cb747edf-b671-4150-a61c-11df76d930b4" grcontextid="favourite:0">favourite</span> lines from Wuthering Heights. Many times we have read the chapters out loud to each other as we sat in the meadow on a sunny day or by lamplight in my room at night. How we loved to assume the roles of Cathy and Heathcliff. Of course our love was not doomed as theirs had been but it was definitely as strong and overwhelming. I had previously believed love like this only existed in novels such as our <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4bf893c7-e0df-41d2-9d2d-ccfe693de8ac" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1577a042-5ccd-4b75-a7a6-127987253e6a" grcontextid="favourite:0">favourite</span> book but I was wrong; this kind of passionate all-consuming love did exist in this life too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I could hardly tear my gaze away from Iris all day; she was amazing. She looked so happy, a delicious blush accompanied her soft pale cheeks every time I gazed at her. Which was every minute; like I say it was all too difficult to tear my eyes away from her beauty and grace.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I knew why she blushed so sweetly, it was exactly the same reason why my heart was racing wildly and my body temperature was soaring even higher than normal wolf setting; tonight was the night we gave ourselves to each other completely. Tonight we would become lovers. Tonight we would experience the physical joys of being husband and wife. I was nervous as hell, but I also couldn't wait to take her in my arms and love her properly, completely and wholly; as a man and a woman who were so passionately in love with each other could.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I just prayed I wouldn't let her down, that I would be all she hoped I would be, that she would feel even half of the ecstasy I felt in <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="55ace989-1cc0-4e80-9dd9-ec877e65da0f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4a53525d-38d0-42c8-938a-49edb83e4276" grcontextid="the simplest:0">the simplest</span> things like her hand grazing mine, her body next to me when we embraced and the soft feeling of her lips as I gently brushed a fingertip over them. All those things made my heart race and my mind wander into a daydream <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="41bf2259-debb-4a7e-8830-4242acf7a695" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a7c12293-047d-41da-91ca-214151eacaa0" grcontextid="of:0">of</span> how it would be when her pale slender body was entwined around mine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Now, finally our wedding night was here. We were alone, everyone had made their way to the other side of the island where they would stay in Esme's beautiful beach house. I owed my life to that house! Bella and Edward conceived Nessie there when Bella was human. Then, some years later Nessie gave birth to my beautiful wife; every day I thanked my lucky stars for Iris being on this earth. We were meant to be together.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I hold her close, her smell intoxicating me as we have our last dance on the beach. The full moon is out and shining down brightly upon us as I gently lift her chin up and kiss her sweet soft lips. She sighs so sweetly as my lips gently and softly mold themselves to hers. I rein in my passion and lust for this beautiful creature who is now my wife as I want to take things slowly; I want our first night together as man and wife to be beautiful, sensual and <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a14208e7-fa90-4389-b367-65f6960d012f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="23f97446-fcea-4a68-8854-d07964ab350e" grcontextid="breath-taking:0">breath-taking</span>. My hands run through her long dark hair as I gently twist it around my hands and pull her closer to me so our bodies are in complete contact with one another. I can feel her heart beat; I can feel the heat building up between us as she sighs and moans softly against my mouth. I am impressed by both our restraint, usually we would be frantically and passionately kissing each other by now; our mouths hungrily devouring each other in glorious abandonment. But tonight our minds were in perfect sync, our lips moving with the same slow perfect rhythm as we led each other slowly and carefully down the path which would lead to <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b1aa01bd-3f4f-4a0a-bf3d-863a4e290102" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1503f36f-8900-46a3-8f0b-5c0a507f22c7" grcontextid="fulfilment:0">fulfilment</span> of our passion and desire for each other.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Time seemed to stand still and take on a <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="130f84f1-160b-4e7a-a1d2-f400beb7d716" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d9966c1d-2c02-405a-8feb-2e0f96364004" grcontextid="dream-like:0">dream-like</span> quality as we stayed exactly as we were for ages and ages. My whole universe was <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="cd6aa0c0-8d0c-474c-a1f2-8ae45b749384" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="31d3c1a3-87b6-432c-9ac3-f91f8ba74481" grcontextid="centred:0">centred</span> on the perfect feeling of her lips slowly and sensually moving against mine as we kissed each other. Finally I came back down to earth and with a sigh I pulled away to gaze into her face. Her eyes were closed, her lips moist and pouting where I had kissed them, her face a vision of sheer perfection and beauty. I almost stopped breathing as she opened her eyes and gazed intently into mine, the sapphire blue depths liquid and molten with desire for me. Oh how happy that made me! She loved me, she desired me, she needed me just as much as I needed and adored her. My heart seemed to fly out of my chest as I ran my fingertip gently over her bottom lip, it's full sexy pouting shape mesmerizing me so completely as always. Finally my complete reverence was broken as she huskily spoke to me, "Oh Isaac, that kiss was beautiful. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5a4b681a-b8c9-4778-b622-f432d22360c3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="946cf3a9-75c8-4ee5-a6d1-430ba5babcba" grcontextid="Mmm:0">Mmm</span>, I have no more words" she whispered sexily. My heart thudded wildly in my chest and heat spread to every part of my body. How I wanted her, right there and then.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I scooped her up into my arms and ran down the beach to the shore where the waves lapped gently against the sand. The gentle warm breeze blew through her hair as I set her down. I took her hand in mine and laughing I ran with her into the ocean. She squealed and protested but there was excitement in her eyes as we swam a little bit further out. The water was shallow and pleasantly warm; the reflection of the moon shining brightly on the surface. Iris jumped up and flew into my arms, giddy with excitement and laughter. I grinned and wrapped her legs around my waist; our position causing my temperature to elevate some more which very pleasantly warmed the water by a few more degrees! She flung her head back and let the long tendrils of her hair float in the water like some rare and beautiful sea creature. I held her tightly by her waist as I spun her around gently, her arms outspread, her fingers splayed as the warm water rushed through them. I was getting dizzy now so I stopped and gently pulled Iris up again. Her desirable full soft lips were just inches from mine; her breath coming in shallow gasps, the wet material of her sheer dress clinging to her body in the most desirable and alluring manner.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She gazed deeply into my eyes, as if she was looking into my soul. I held her gaze, happy to fall into the blue depths of her eyes. We locked gazes for what seemed an eternity under the romantic starlit sky. I slowly inclined my head until I felt my lips meet hers. I softly moved my lips against hers in a kiss so gentle it felt like grazing a butterfly's silky wing. The warm waves lapped around us, the temperature perfectly raised by my body. Iris's hands moved up to wind themselves around my hair, gently pulling on it as we kissed so softly and gently. Her soft moans were making my temperature rise even more until I felt like I was on fire. It wasn't unpleasantly warm though, it was the heat of desire and the flames were threatening to engulf me. Her sweet kisses <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="37376843-0f3f-414d-8dea-8c6f9544c0b0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="89b60ee1-2eab-48ee-a982-67d87cafeb8d" grcontextid="were definitely sending:0">were definitely sending</span> me over the edge and it took all my restraint not to forcefully and passionately take her there and then. My arms were around her waist pulling her closer, my excitement evident as our kisses started to become more feverish, more passionate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I reluctantly pulled my lips away from <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0677519e-c1eb-4a74-a37c-8286bd2ec6f3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3a750f35-64cc-4676-b2cb-c8cd0cd19289" grcontextid="hers:0">hers</span> with a sigh.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Isaac, please. Don't stop," she breathlessly whispered against my mouth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> "Iris, my darling, I am going to take you back now. The temperature of the water will start to fall soon as night draws in. Even my wolf heat can't warm it forever, my love!" I exclaimed as I started to carry her to the shore, her arms flung around my neck, her legs wrapped around my waist.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">As I carried my beloved out of the sea and up the beach she constantly grazed my neck with her lips, tongue and teeth, sending shivers of delight through my entire body. <i>"Iris," </i>I moaned, desperate to kiss her back. I took big long strides and was soon close to the yurt; our hideaway; our honeymoon bed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Now she was whispering sweet words in my ear, her warm breath tickling my skin and giving me serious <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f09a5b85-7f70-4f65-9c1b-ac4fb1c997b9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="346cdef5-ce1a-4b35-adc6-ca41cf4bae44" grcontextid="goose-bumps:0">goose-bumps</span> all over. The warm breeze had just about dried her long hair which now had a tousled, sexy appearance. She looked so wild and beautiful.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> "Isaac, I adore you my big strong man. I can't wait to run my hands over your bare muscled chest. I can't wait to trail kisses over your body, I can't wait until you are mine <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c09f3d7b-16c6-436f-99a7-4e5ef8a6f0ba" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b84b7682-80fd-4b4d-a24e-2018e001625d" grcontextid="completely:0">completely</span>!" she whispered sexily in my ear causing me to moan out loud with unabashed desire.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I carried her into our <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fb2a82c6-7368-4a42-a011-068db294bf34" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="99821376-e0cd-414e-9dbb-f5886e9fb6a0" grcontextid="yurt:0">yurt</span>, which housed a king sized oval bed, decorated with Indian silk cushions, luxurious cashmere throws and a soft eiderdown patchwork quilt in all <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="79b6b225-c6ac-4d5b-b1ea-98c584ddfa96" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="99821376-e0cd-414e-9dbb-f5886e9fb6a0" grcontextid="colours:1">colours</span> of the rainbow. Romantic candle lit lamps circled the perimeter and the top was open, a circle of starry night visible through it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I had sneakily requested Alice procure us an I pod filled with our <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5a9ed948-bd5f-497d-abba-212344addb65" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="87d337d6-446b-4b3a-985a-f58bddb2b45a" grcontextid="favourite:0">favourite</span> songs to set the romantic mood perfectly. It sat in its docking station, powered by the oil fired generator that purred quietly outside. I gently placed Iris on the round bed and pressed play on the I pod; music quietly flooded the room. I gazed down at her my eyes almost welling up with tears. I loved her so much.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">One of our <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a10c8437-1ab9-4baf-a33f-626b455d6206" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6b0526df-994d-46c0-b299-1c6b7b6d2a57" grcontextid="favourite:0">favourite</span> songs is playing, a song which we've listened to many times as we snuggled up on my bed together.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> ( <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="33d87bfd-efab-4bd8-9302-7fdf6d202ea0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c058485f-4820-42d8-9501-2095340459a3" grcontextid="author's:0">author's</span> note: Texas – the guitar song – one of my <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4b3f586a-b815-4767-ae4e-d8cfda472d18" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c058485f-4820-42d8-9501-2095340459a3" grcontextid="favourites:1">favourites</span> and it suits the mood wonderfully!)</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Would you like a drink Iris, or something to eat maybe?" I inquired.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She smiled languidly up at me, her blue eyes dreamy, her full lips curved into a sexy smile. "I only want one thing Isaac. <i>You.</i> Come here my love, my husband," she said huskily to me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">My heart began to pound as I gently lay down beside her and propped myself up on one elbow so I could gaze down at her beautiful face. Her hair was fanned out around her head in a curtain of waves tumbling over <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a95711ce-5521-436a-ab31-187eeeaf6456" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8d13685f-add2-40b9-a056-a49951b41488" grcontextid="the silky:0">the silky</span> cushions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I gazed into her eyes and softly whispered "I'm yours my love. Forever. Do with me what you will."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Her long gentle fingers reached up to trace every contour of my face, her touch causing electric currents to flow under my skin. I swear I could see blue sparks between us. I sighed gently as her hands moved to my hair and softly raked through it, her nails grazing my scalp slightly. I didn't move but allowed her to take her time, I wanted her to be in charge, to take the lead on our journey together. She moved her attentions to my lips, slowly rubbing her fingertip over them sensually. I moaned softly as she trailed her hands down my neck onto my chest and down my stomach. She gently lifted my shirt and I lifted my arms so she could remove it. I shivered with pleasure and anticipation as her slender hands moved over my skin, the muscles tightening at her touch.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"You have a beautiful body Isaac," she whispered as her hands roamed over me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> I moaned and once again had to contain my lust and passion for her. She gently sat up pulling me towards her. I came up to meet her, both of us on our knees facing each other, her hands running up and down my chest, back and stomach, tracing small patterns as they go. My nerve endings are all on fire, never before has she touched me in a state of half undress. It is exciting and terrifying at the same time. She moves closer to me, <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d6fd923f-1922-4f42-b289-352cb88c2879" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e59d3ce9-9f30-4e3b-92f8-3aebe78aa40a" grcontextid="melding:0">melding</span> her body to mine, the heat from my skin giving her cheeks a rosy glow. She kisses me, running her tongue over my bottom lip which totally drives me wild with desire and I softly moan her name <i>"Iris.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Her lips move down to my jaw line and down to my neck, softly biting and kissing. Slowly her lips make their way down my chest; my skin is tingling as her mouth burns me like fire.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I pull her back up towards me, all thoughts of taking it slowly gone from my mind as I crush my lips down onto hers with such passion and desire. We kiss with violent hunger, our mouths devouring the other's as we give in to the deep passion we feel for one another. It feels as if the whole universe is <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8fe1688d-e5cc-4ed0-902f-5cb3b156959b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f412e2f4-eb3c-40c9-9959-de3c07fbd58b" grcontextid="centred:0">centred</span> around this moment between us; it feels as though I am at one with the stars in the sky and the earth beneath me as we fall down onto the bed, our breathing ragged, my skin hot against hers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> "Iris, I love you now and forever. Let me make you mine completely, my love. You have my heart and soul, now take my body. It's yours," I whisper against her pale slender throat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Time almost seems to come to a halt and everything goes in slow motion. Fabric between us dissolves, words have no meaning, touches become less frantic as I fall into the liquid blue depths of her eyes once again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She is my universe.</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">We hold each other reverently; our bodies entwining in a perfect moment between us as we give ourselves freely to each other in love.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Much later, I <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2a80521f-1778-401f-b24e-99b0c6274ca6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4a48a32c-ae5b-4c0f-89cf-f4af2af76603" grcontextid="lie:0">lie</span> holding her in my arms, my lips in her hair, sighing with contentment. There is no need for words; not yet. Just holding each other is enough, being in tune with each other’s minds, our souls intertwined and our hearts beating against each other’s skin. Time passes, the sky begins to turn a deep blue above us as dawn approaches.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I begin to recite some of my <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="80f37b32-df45-42f0-a3ea-3ec7b2539107" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e98cf09b-8657-478d-b64c-8f145ffe141b" grcontextid="favourite:0">favourite</span> words to her, the words of Ludwig van Beethoven, one of the love letters he wrote, the words are beautiful and suit the way I am feeling right at this moment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I whisper the words gently against her throat, kissing her softly between sentences.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"<i>Though still in bed, my thoughts go out to you, my Immortal Beloved, now and then joyfully, then sadly, waiting to learn whether or not fate will hear us - I can live only wholly with you or not at all - Yes, I am resolved to wander so long away from you until I can fly to your arms and say that I am really at home with you, and can send my soul enwrapped in you into the land of spirits - Yes, unhappily it must be so - You will be the more contained since you know my fidelity to you. No one else can ever possess my heart - never - never - Oh God, why must one be parted from one whom one so loves.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">And yet my life in V is now a wretched life - Your love makes me at once the happiest and the unhappiest of men - At my age I need a steady, quiet life - can that be so in our connection? My angel, I have just been told that the mail coach goes every day - therefore I must close at once so that you may receive the letter at once - Be calm, only by a calm consideration of our existence can we achieve our purpose to live together - Be calm - love me - today - yesterday - what tearful longings for you - you - you - my life - my all - farewell.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Oh continue to love me - never misjudge the most faithful heart of your beloved.<br /><b><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c9b7a07a-b033-4134-a6f1-57a2a1cfb05a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="892f593a-f2cc-4f6a-a16c-0941eb6d2804" grcontextid="ever:0">ever</span> <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fd908878-979d-4892-838a-0b289ded15ff" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="892f593a-f2cc-4f6a-a16c-0941eb6d2804" grcontextid="thine:1">thine</span><br /><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f9326dfb-cbfd-4221-a727-d569803b40b1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a0e26e89-34d7-4a43-8826-50b8d58ab574" grcontextid="ever:0">ever</span> mine<br /><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="997a2de5-873a-4735-896f-55a2e419bacb" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ac5d9d4b-4e25-492d-8b53-43132b8832cf" grcontextid="ever:0">ever</span> ours</b> "</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">( <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="969f4452-3c83-46af-b4fe-648af58c9528" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bb5449dc-3884-45a3-bc82-95073e296682" grcontextid="ludwig:0">ludwig</span> van <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="dc824478-dd31-49d1-80f2-b4344d918087" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bb5449dc-3884-45a3-bc82-95073e296682" grcontextid="beethoven:1">beethoven</span> – letters to the immortal beloved)</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">CHAPTER FORTY</span></u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Nature Of The Beast<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">IRIS BLACK:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">It's a glorious morning on Isle Esme's North Bay, as I stand on the shore gazing out across the vast ocean. My heart is full of happiness as I hug myself tightly, a secret smile on my face. I left the safe, warm sanctuary of Isaac's arms whilst he was still asleep to come outside and breathe in the fresh morning air. Yesterday had been the most special day of my life so far. I was over the moon to finally be Mrs Black. I was completely overwhelmed and overjoyed at how perfect our wedding ceremony and reception had been; and even more so at how amazingly perfect our wedding night was. I felt my body flush with heat as I recalled Isaac's lips, his hands, his body on mine. Everything had been even better than I'd even expected and all the shyness I'd had over my inexperience had quickly dissolved away as my natural instincts took over. We shared more than our bodies last night; Isaac touched my mind, heart and soul and I would never forget that as long as I lived. It was if we became one entity, our thoughts and actions were <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fedda9ac-185f-457f-922a-c04dbe0c9b2b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a231397a-e5ba-402d-9c5b-801a467277cc" grcontextid="synchronised:0">synchronised</span> completely; every whispered word, every kiss, every touch, every movement. I sighed to myself completely lost in my thoughts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I jumped in fright as I suddenly felt strong arms around me and warm lips nuzzling at my neck.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> "Morning Mrs Black," Isaac whispers huskily against my skin making me shiver with delight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> "<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="70e38b60-8167-4276-a166-59934b79b683" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="162b9e4e-b620-4d1c-86ac-58746a910d15" grcontextid="Hey:0">Hey</span> husband," I say turning around so I can kiss his sweet lips. I have to stand right up on my tip toes and he has to bend right down so I can reach. Barefoot may feel nice <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8ec76ae9-2289-44d3-b259-5d5a6ff4eadd" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8446f860-cdf2-4f67-8daf-9f81b7a527a8" grcontextid="on:0">on</span> the warm sand but without my heels I find it hard to reach my sweet husband's lips!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I gasp with pleasure as Isaac solves the problem by scooping me up into his arms, so our lips are level. I wrap my legs around his waist and laugh with glee.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Is that better my love?" he asks, his lips inches from mine. "<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Uh uh," I whisper as I gently bring my lips to his, marvelling at the feelings he evokes in me with his kiss.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">It is so easy to forget time, forget where I am when Isaac's mouth is on mine. He makes me feel wonderfully alive and feminine. He is so tall, so muscular, so strong and handsome. He makes me feel so safe and secure, so loved, so precious and so so sexy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">He gently sets me down on the soft sand to my small sounds of protest, There is nowhere I would rather be than in his strong arms with his soft lips on mine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Now honey, don't look so sad. I have a post wedding day treat for you!" he says with a wink.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I smile up at him expectantly, wondering what it could be. He runs away from me along the beach and before I can protest and run after him he leaps into the air and phases into the large dark brown wolf.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">He turns to face me with a wolfish smile as I clap my hands with joy. He runs to me, and sits down on his haunches, letting me cling to his back. Once I am comfortable he stands up and we run along the shore with joy in our hearts. I hold on to his shaggy fur, my head resting on his large head, his pink tongue lolling out as he runs along the sand. This is the ultimate in freedom and at times I wish I was a shape -shifter too, so we could run together as wolves.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">It really was a special treat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">In the afternoon we walked along the shore and I collected a pile of shells; all different <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d8a747c4-5a69-47fb-b9cd-f7ce961dbb29" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b162596c-98b4-444d-a3cc-cbbaf13f08ce" grcontextid="colours:0">colours</span> and shapes which Isaac made into a beautiful necklace for me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">As the sun set in the sky we built a fire and ate some cold roast chicken, laughing as we fed each other. Isaac had brought his guitar and he played songs to me, old folk songs, love songs and songs he'd written himself. These were the ones I liked best. The fire light was so romantic and lovely.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Soon, we forgot about everything else as we held each other and began to kiss. His lips became more and more insistent on mine, making me tingle all over with desire. It was so easy to succumb to the longing we felt for each other.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I fell willingly into his arms as we lay together on the sand under the stars.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Our love-making was perfect. For novices we were so good at this.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Later, I lay in Isaac's arms gazing up into the clear night sky, feeling at one with nature and the universe in such a complete and perfect way. When I was with him I always felt as if there was some higher power intervening; something magical and supernatural. Being with Isaac was an amazing experience and I reckoned it could only get better. We had forever to find out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Isaac had brought some throws from the yurt and we were wrapped up <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2fc7cdbc-b106-417f-9598-9a74677df0ee" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="632b2312-6cd5-4281-bc7c-71b2e1c7ed92" grcontextid="cosy:0">cosy</span> beside the dying embers of our fire. Our heads rested on the silky cushions; it was a perfect <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="45a851eb-9acd-4d93-a9bd-ce69d472870c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ade13636-91ea-448d-8a55-dbc01e98a500" grcontextid="make-shift:0">make-shift</span> bed for the night. Our last night on the island. Tomorrow everyone would come back to meet us and we would fly home. Home to our new life together. Isaac's restaurant "Dockside Diner" was opening in a week. It was on East Railroad Avenue beside the docks in Port Angeles, hence the name. Isaac was going to be serving up home-cooked <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="755d4162-2a1e-475f-adfd-145aee3e1e88" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bccc5dff-2ed8-46ae-b11e-e3cb7b5b7482" grcontextid="specialities:0">specialities</span>; traditional Quileute food which had been cooked for centuries, the secrets handed down to each generation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I was so proud of him! I was going to be front of house and even though I was nervous I was looking forward to it too. We would have two waitresses and one more chef to help Isaac, plus a couple of kitchen staff. In my spare time I still intended to write novels. Hopefully I would also become a Mother.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">This was our new business and we would try our hardest to make it work. The restaurant had a lovely light airy apartment above it where we would live. I just couldn't wait for our new life to begin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I snuggled in closer to Isaac as he sleepily kissed the top of my head and we drifted off into a happy and contented sleep together. Our wedding and honeymoon had been <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="cfc4b318-7904-4c71-bddb-57c14f51825b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="df9fac10-a414-495a-91fd-3cd0f64bd79b" grcontextid="perfection:0">perfection</span>. Now it was time to go back to reality.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">A reality which I couldn't wait to face head on.</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">CHAPTER FORTY-ONE</span></u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Homecoming<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">MIA BLACK:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The two days I spent on Isle Esme were beautiful, the place was so gorgeous; how lucky the Cullen's were to own their own tropical island!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Reuben and I had such a good time staying here, when we managed to sneak away from the parents that is! Luckily both sets of parents seemed to want to be alone themselves; I guess that's the magic of Isle Esme, it brings out the romantic side in everyone. So we didn't have much family time as all three couples spent a lot of time alone together. Reuben and I didn't stay in the house after the first night; it was just way too awkward with my parents and his parents here! Plus Reuben's Dad didn't sleep and his Mom required very little. We found a warm spacious cave a small distance from the house which we made <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a1986bfd-e996-4cdb-85bd-338ecfa64963" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9c980907-ce2b-44ce-af31-8b20ab504331" grcontextid="cosy:0">cosy</span> for the night; we had blankets, pillows, and lots of candles. It was so romantic. We made love all night, it was magical. I can't keep my hands off my gorgeous fiancé; he sends me wild with desire.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">My parents weren't too happy when we returned giggling and laughing the next morning! They needed to get over that! I loved Reuben, we were going to be together forever and ever. They hadn't waited until they got married; Isaac was proof of that! I didn't intend to get pregnant though; we had too many exciting things we wanted to do before settling down.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Reuben had brought all his photography equipment to the island, not just to take wedding pictures but to take some modelling shots of me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The day after the wedding I happily posed for him in the skimpiest of skimpy bikinis. It was a scarlet red string one and left little to the imagination. I had never been shy about my body so doing these shots was absolutely no problem to me. The island really was amazing for a photo shoot location; I loved posing on the warm sand, amongst the palm trees, draped over a rock on the beach and in the sea.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Reuben said I was beautiful and these shots were going to get us both a very big modelling contract. I couldn't wait, we would have such fun together.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">As the sun began to set we took a break from shooting and ate the picnic I'd brought along. Soon our hunger became something different altogether as Reuben's hands ran gently over my skin, his lips hungrily meeting mine as he kissed me passionately. I moaned in pleasure and held him <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="12741926-7942-4f14-93d6-988970c00703" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="86e29afd-8084-48d6-b237-2c1a18c6a529" grcontextid="tight:0">tight</span> to me on the sand, all thoughts of our picnic forgotten.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">This scenario has happened many times after a modelling session; he couldn't keep his hands off me after I'd posed for him for hours. I wasn't complaining I was addicted to this feeling, this rush of pleasure he made me feel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I lusted after him so much, it was all consuming, a raging fire beneath my skin. Maybe it was my wolf instincts, I don't know, all I know is I can't get enough of him in this way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">That night we'd slept in the cave, well we didn't get much sleep if you know what I mean! It was lovely, a special memory for me to cherish.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I knew Mom would pounce on me the minute we were back in Forks and demand to know exactly what we'd been doing out alone all night.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I'd deal with that later, for now it was time for us to go pick up Iris and Isaac.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">When we arrived at the yurt, the happy couple <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="98f10766-959b-4f5b-b0a9-a530a73dde54" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2524cf7e-acaf-4fa9-a765-573c2f1f2000" grcontextid="were sitting:0">were sitting</span> on a large rock further down the beach, their arms around each other as they gazed out to sea.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">So sweet. Iris turned around and I waved as I ran down the beach to greet them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She was glowing, as if a light had been lit inside her. She looked different somehow. I <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a4bd297f-a7cb-421c-bc4a-916ee778c0c2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d755ebfb-9e3e-4b76-a2c7-cc7bb958f558" grcontextid="realised:0">realised</span> it was because she was finally a woman and I smiled and hugged her to me. "Oh it's so lovely here Iris! Did you two have a good time?" I asked with a cheeky wink. Both of them grinned sheepishly and nodded in unison. I didn't need to ask I could tell by the way their eyes shone with pure joy and love that they had had a perfect wedding night and honeymoon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Isaac's arm was around Iris, holding her close to him, needing to be by her side. She looked so beautiful, pale and fragile next to his tall muscular tanned frame.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">They looked so in love I almost felt as if I was intruding.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">We walked up the beach to where Carlisle had landed the small plane which would take us back to Forks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Reuben's lips grazed my ear as we climbed aboard, "<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="72f2822b-2e07-42fb-8778-a2d5f61a27e1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="47a86b80-ef91-4207-a2ae-d2e2e8f7b27d" grcontextid="Wanna:0">Wanna</span> join the mile high club Mia my love ?" <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ef70a8c7-dca1-49d5-b3e1-6f7656d5c4a2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="47a86b80-ef91-4207-a2ae-d2e2e8f7b27d" grcontextid="he:1">he</span> whispered <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f9ccf6b9-26d5-42f8-8930-fa53dbe30353" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="47a86b80-ef91-4207-a2ae-d2e2e8f7b27d" grcontextid="cheekily:2">cheekily</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I laughed out loud raucously, causing my Mom to turn around and glare at me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Jeez!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The whole way home my brother and his wife, my sister-in-law stared into each other's eyes as they held hands and smiled at each other. Lucky they were sitting right at the back of the plane.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">It was sweet but too sickly sweet for me! Isaac has always been such a sap!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Our parents were up front, talking excitedly about Isaac's new restaurant which was <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="55645735-e67e-4a2e-8df0-b0a6ff9ac00a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="000084e1-cf2c-495e-8097-d7f0574856a0" grcontextid="opening:0">opening</span> next week. I couldn't wait either, only because it would be somewhere nice for Reuben and <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f1807aab-f23a-416e-a149-0be820f2de72" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2a844f0f-9138-44db-a05a-472bf55e69dc" grcontextid="I:0">I</span> to go for a dinner date. I wasn't getting my hands dirty washing dishes and serving tables for my big brother! Another thing for Mom and Dad to get on my case about. I've heard "But it's a family business,” a million times over the last few months. Not interested!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Reuben and I are going places and it doesn't include the catering industry!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I have given a small contribution to the "Dockside Diner"; I painted the docks in Port Angeles where the restaurant is situated. My painting now has pride of place <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f6fdeeb3-d67f-4cb4-9cfa-0061d35c1f0c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="07992c1c-65ba-4efe-b71f-f12e50a15d8b" grcontextid="in:0">in</span> the diner. So I'm not all bad; yeah right try telling my Mom that! She thinks modelling is a waste of time and not a "proper career" !<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I turn around to excitedly tell Iris about my new modelling pictures; but I see Isaac gently cupping her face in his hands and kissing her so softly on the lips as she <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3af43671-b00a-4cee-a20d-873ccf93db66" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8e0dee9e-07e9-437f-9018-01d1fdec275a" grcontextid="breathlessly:0">breathlessly</span> sighs his name.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I know I shouldn't be watching but I am fascinated by the newlyweds. How can they kiss so slowly and softly? I would be overcome by passion for Reuben by now and my mouth would be hungrily devouring him, my hands raking through his dark curls pulling him closer and closer to me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Reuben nudges me in the ribs and frowns when he catches me spying on them. I put a finger to my lips and make a shushing motion. Iris has moved her hands up to gently twist them around Isaac's hair. But still they are kissing so slowly and sensuously. They have better restraint than I do!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Finally their lips <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e73f1a82-c441-4557-91fe-bf171e6f1bb8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="63d71a7b-c332-4b74-a2f2-73b897664893" grcontextid="part:0">part</span> and they gaze into each other's eyes again, words of love exchanged in a whisper. Oh they look so happy, it makes me feel happy too and I snuggle <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d349eda6-cccd-46aa-b5f0-1bb93c9ae103" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b32b2871-6d54-483e-9bbf-c81096568b67" grcontextid="in to:0">in to</span> Reuben as he looks out of the window at the white fluffy clouds passing by.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Isaac plugs his I pod <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9850174b-9447-491c-be4f-c34b727c54e3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e5bebc02-70b0-4561-bc3f-26e3881b115f" grcontextid="in to:0">in to</span> the available socket and music fills my ears. The happy loving atmosphere on the plane is very relaxing and soothing and I let my mind wander into a daydream. My eyes feel heavy and I start to fall asleep against Reuben's shoulder.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I feel Reuben's gentle lips on my hair as I pleasantly drift off.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"I love you Mia, my girl, my soul-mate, my best friend. Sleep well darling."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I fall asleep with a contented smile on my face as I descend into happy dreams of the future with Reuben by my side forever and ever, <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fae0cc8f-55c5-443f-b012-26afb7b6fac4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9bdaa97e-9359-4c7a-b77d-eb86f483b2da" grcontextid="our:0">our</span> love as strong and constant as the newly wedded couple behind me; as we have loads of exciting adventures and make all of our dreams come true.</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">CHAPTER FORTY-TWO</span></u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Unexpected<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">ZACHARY SWAN:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I happily whistled to myself as I sauntered down <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="382c269f-146d-4282-8c4a-74f10b9aec80" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f5723dce-1d10-4727-b6d4-23e977b108b4" grcontextid="East Rail Road Avenue:0">East Rail Road Avenue</span>, making my way towards the Dockside Diner in its picturesque <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="73e48330-63c6-4e0b-8f2a-90a2f4940976" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f5723dce-1d10-4727-b6d4-23e977b108b4" grcontextid="harbour:1">harbour</span> location in <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2382f028-e087-4a86-b75b-0c3d96ae4b11" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f5723dce-1d10-4727-b6d4-23e977b108b4" grcontextid="down town:2">down town</span> Port Angeles.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Iris and Isaac had opened the restaurant just over a week ago and it was already doing so well. Even I had to admit it, Isaac Black was a damn good cook!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The blue corn bread and the Cherokee chicken were two of my <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="cf163ce2-b985-4093-ac57-48620e9b3bde" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="95ca456b-dcb7-4990-ad77-7a6daeaebd2e" grcontextid="favourite:0">favourite</span> dishes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The menu was fairly small but full of tasty home cooked fare, it was a lovely restaurant, and with Iris front of house charming the diners it really couldn't fail to be a success. I don't know if you'll believe me but I truly am happy for them both. When you see them together you totally get it; they are perfect for each other.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Now you are probably wondering what I am doing here in Port Angeles?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Is it just because I love the blue corn bread so much?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Well that is true...but there is another reason for me visiting this diner every single day since it has opened.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The reason has a name; the most beautiful name on this earth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Carmen.</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Let me please explain... On the grand opening day all the family, including extended family; made their way to the diner to congratulate the young couple on their new business. I was there too as I had really turned over a new leaf after having the heart to heart with my Father after my "accident".<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I have acted selfishly my whole life, I can't count the amount of times I've broken my poor mother's heart. Charlie, my father, loves me but I've disappointed him, something I never wanted to do. I am determined to prove myself to him, prove I am worthwhile and I can make something of my life. It's never too late to change; I'm only twenty one, nearly twenty two.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Getting back on the subject... <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ee3eee1f-7495-4717-b7e6-861d02ad4d06" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4315df0c-6a35-41b2-bf2c-9df651e03f35" grcontextid="the:0">the</span> opening day of the restaurant was really good, we had a lovely feast and champagne, it was truly memorable.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Memorable in more ways than one. When the food was brought out to us my jaw dropped open and my eyes widened. There before me was the most beautiful girl I had ever seen. And I'd seen plenty, believe me. She walked towards the table, her hips swaying sexily under the short tight black skirt she wore, her face a picture of beauty, her figure poetry in motion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I was literally speechless as she served the food to me. This didn't usually happen to me at all. I was always ready with a quick chat up line and a cheeky smile. That day my brain was all mushy and all I could think was "<i>wow</i>".<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I wanted to tell her how beautiful she was, how completely amazing and gorgeous I found her. But nothing would come out of my mouth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I could hardly eat Isaac's delicious food as I was so distracted by her. She smiled so sweetly as she served my family food and drinks. Seth and Nessie had come too and they were desperately trying to conceal the fact that they weren't eating or drinking. Usually this would have amused me no end but that day I was too flustered by her presence to care.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">After the meal was over I excused myself to go to the bathroom. She was walking towards me with a tray of drinks, she gazed at me and smiled; my heart nearly stopped as I smiled back suddenly feeling uncharacteristically shy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Then from out of nowhere she tripped and the drinks tray flew out of her hand. She gasped in fright as she hit the floor, the drinks falling around her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Quickly I knelt down and took her hand, "Are you okay?" I had asked with concern.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> She smiled at me weakly and replied, " Yes, thank you. I'm so clumsy!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Her voice was so musical and sweet. My heart was thudding so loudly I was sure she could hear it as I gently helped her onto her feet again. I couldn't help smell her; the scent was intoxicating, vanilla and cinnamon, <i>delicious</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Her dark chocolate brown hair was pinned up on top of her head in a messy, sexy way; her big doe eyes were also brown and so breathtakingly gorgeous to gaze into; her lips were full and extremely kissable and her skin was lightly tanned with a few scattered cute freckles over her button nose. I still had a hold of her hand and I was staring at her <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="94d3a9c3-7b6b-4cd0-b077-5b2c6613b82d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="77f4f093-16fd-4fa3-8258-9c74f4a251a6" grcontextid="mesmerised:0">mesmerised</span> like a complete fool. Her lips moved and I <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a79e7316-7e38-420b-8b01-c658b91ed4d2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="82be02c6-d324-4570-a188-e323d299e5de" grcontextid="realised:0">realised</span> she was speaking to me. Wake up Zach I scolded myself!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"I'm so sorry, I've got a problem. I'm seriously clumsy! Shouldn't really be a waitress, but it pays the bills whilst I'm studying to be a doctor!" she said apologetically in that beautiful voice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I smiled and tried to regain my composure, "Hey, don't worry about it. I'm glad I was here! Now let me help you pick up these glasses," I offered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She smiled as we both bent down to clear up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> "So a doctor huh? Wow," I exclaimed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Yeah, third year medical student. Only four years to go!" she smiled at me. I stood up and placed the glasses back on the tray, my heart still beating wildly at the closeness of her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"I'm Zachary Swan," I managed to say.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"I'm Carmen De Luca." she said with a beautiful smile which lit up her brown eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She shrugged prettily as she explained, "My Dad is Italian, I was brought up in a pizza place!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Without thinking I blurted out " I love your name. Carmen. It's beautiful. Just like you."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> I actually felt my face go hot! Why did I say that? Because it's the truth and I couldn't help myself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Well thank you Zachary," she said smiling that beautiful smile again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3661b37a-8bbe-410a-9a21-d2cd9082c2f8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="50ca7557-d678-4d52-8d10-913d1a13239c" grcontextid="Please:0">Please</span> Carmen, call me Zach."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">We smiled at each other and I felt my insides melt as I looked at her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"I better get back to work!" she exclaimed smoothing down her skirt and white blouse.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> "Oh okay Carmen. Don't worry though. Isaac is my nephew so you won't get into any trouble!" I smiled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Oh really? Isaac and Iris are so nice. I love working for them," she stated with a grin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="640b3684-552f-445e-8a90-8dab96347c15" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="842955ef-55d3-4ffc-b60e-dd6c8398ee1b" grcontextid="Bye:0">Bye</span> then Carmen," I said, not wanting to tear myself away from her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="404773d4-a58e-4a47-9dea-8bb288f94029" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c3066fc0-2d09-4a89-ad16-4de24db4c10a" grcontextid="Bye:0">Bye</span> Zach, and thanks again," she replied walking away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">" No problem," I said with a wave.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Wow! She was even more amazing now I knew her name; now we'd had a conversation; now we'd connected with each other and I couldn't get her out of my mind all that day and all that night. I lay in bed daydreaming about her, the perfection of her face, her beautiful voice and the way she was so open and friendly towards me. She was training to be a doctor too, how cool was that! That takes serious brains and dedication, so she wasn't just about beauty.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I imagined what it would be like to kiss her full rose pink lips. I bet it would be absolute bliss. I <i>had </i>to see her again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">So the next day I paid a visit to the diner on the <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8d770f4e-9051-4112-a12c-26c9997cbad3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="859d4efd-50cc-4adc-a7fb-693b8586bc8b" grcontextid="pretence:0">pretence</span> of being in the <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="bb3f79bb-72bf-4c4a-9188-27e85bc87abf" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="859d4efd-50cc-4adc-a7fb-693b8586bc8b" grcontextid="neighbourhood:1">neighbourhood</span>. I lied and said one of my pupils I was giving guitar lessons to at school had requested a home lesson this week. I took a window seat and waited with anticipation for Carmen to appear. Iris came over to ask if I was ready to order, but I fobbed her off saying I hadn't decided yet. She made small talk with me and though I smiled pleasantly I couldn't wait for her to go away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Finally she moved to another table, the diner was starting to get busy for lunch time. I looked around anxiously, desperate to catch a glimpse of the girl of my dreams. Then, there she was; walking towards me, her hips swaying, her face lit up, a vision – Carmen De Luca. <i>Oh my!</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She smiled at me as she approached, "Well hello again Zach! What can I get you? I promise not to spill anything today!" she said in that lovely voice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I grinned up at her, overjoyed to see her again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> "I'll have the Cherokee chicken please and a beer," I replied.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Certainly sir! Anything else?" she inquired.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"That will do for now," I smiled even though I was desperate to ask her for a date. But I wasn't ready yet, I was too nervous.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">After I had finished my meal I sat for ages nursing my beer and just watching her as she served other customers. She was so good at her job, smiling at everyone and making sure they were all happy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">When I asked for the bill, I inquired when she was working again. "Oh I'm in all week. I have no classes this week so got to earn a living instead!" she smiled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Looks like I would be returning tomorrow then as I just couldn't bring myself to ask her for a date. This wasn't like me at all!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">As soon as I left I kicked myself for not asking her. All day and all night I thought of her, once again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I was back for lunch the next day, Iris raised her eyebrows at me when I walked through the door.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> "Hey Iris, the boy I gave lessons to yesterday wanted another lesson. I think he's got a band audition or something," I rambled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She nodded but gave me a strange look and disappeared through the back. Suddenly Carmen appeared looking even more lovely than the day before. Today her chocolate brown hair was tied up in a sweet ponytail. God, she was beautiful.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">We made small talk <i>again</i> and she took my order <i>again</i>. I ate slowly and I dragged out my beer, so much that it was unpleasantly warm when I got near the bottom of the glass. So I ordered a coffee and a piece of pumpkin pie even though my stomach was groaning under the weight of the Cherokee chicken I'd demolished again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Come on Zach. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="38dcaf39-cf6e-4a9c-adaa-6d4a800575c3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="61dffc25-33de-4541-acbd-5f142e2b7d01" grcontextid="pull:0">pull</span> yourself together I chided silently. I was waiting for the bill and building up the courage to ask her out when I looked up to see her walking out of the door with her coat on and carrying her bag.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Oh no! I left some money on the table and ran out the door after her. I noticed Iris was giggling and shaking her head, but I didn't have time to dwell on it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Carmen!" I shouted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She stopped and turned around with a smile.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Hey Zach, is there a problem?" she asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I ran up to her wondering what I was going to say. My heart was beating wildly in my chest and my mouth was dry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">" Yes, there is a problem! I'm being so ridiculous! I need to ask you something! Carmen, would you like to go on a date with me?" I blurted out breathlessly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">There I'd said it and the world hadn't ended!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"I'd love to Zach, what's <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4c8960f8-37e2-48fb-9075-a1c2f6bcd79b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a3157759-d3dd-4985-9054-d961e024bca3" grcontextid="taken:0">taken</span> you so long?" she smiled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I grinned back absolutely overjoyed by her response. "Yeah sorry about that, I'm an idiot! Did I forget to mention that?" I laughed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Apparently Iris had guessed my intentions towards her employee and she had come up with the plan of making Carmen leave so I would finally have to do something about it instead of sitting there with a bloated stomach working my way through the whole menu!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">It worked, I was more concerned with having to come back the next day than I was with actually asking her on a date! I didn't want to seem like an obsessed stalker. Now it was out in the open and we'd agreed to go out on Saturday afternoon. I had decided I would take her out on my bike to Green Lake park in Seattle where we could ice-skate. Then I planned to take her for a drink in an intimate <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2c7826e6-a64f-4faf-bbbc-10c26344ff27" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4646d493-98ab-4bc8-8949-cef5671c0ef3" grcontextid="bar I knew,:0">bar I knew,</span> then if she wanted we could go to see a band or a movie.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I just couldn't wait to spend some time with her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">So Saturday is finally here. I arrive at the restaurant to find Isaac, Carmen and their other chef Christian <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f47c3aa7-7014-4ff4-9ab0-87baa58fe393" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="15ced3f1-79ab-4da8-ac7b-86bbcc12586b" grcontextid="fussing:0">fussing</span> around Iris as she sits on a chair looking paler than normal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Hey, what's up?" I ask.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Iris fainted!" Isaac stated worry in his dark eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"You okay Iris?" I inquired.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She was fanning herself with a menu, "Yeah think so Zach. Never mind about me! You two go enjoy yourselves!" she says with a weak smile.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Carmen turns to me a beautiful wide smile on her face; and oh does she look amazing! Her beautiful mane of chocolate brown hair is falling loose around her shoulders and down her back. Her eyes are defined with dark <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1093e280-c0f1-4dff-9e8b-f8f5e0d2c3a9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="91a2772e-fee9-4a63-941e-4e7f9f9248ba" grcontextid="make up:0">make up</span> and she has just a hint of gloss on her full lips. She is wearing tight faded jeans tucked into knee length biker boots; a leather jacket and a scarlet red vest top underneath. I am so glad she's dressed to go <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="aca7f0a2-ab5d-4607-b751-1e21f608986a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5e806327-f14e-4aee-b310-2bd829b76f25" grcontextid="on:0">on</span> the Harley; some girls turn up with miniskirts and high heels, yeah really sensible!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She looked stunningly gorgeous. She took my breath away and I couldn't help staring.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"As long as you are okay Iris?" she asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Iris waved her away, "I've got Isaac, he'll look after me," she said as Isaac bent down to scoop her up in his strong arms and spirit her away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Have a good time!" she shouted as we left the diner.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Carmen even looked cute in the motorcycle helmet I'd given her. She held on to me tightly as we made our way to Seattle; I was thrilled at the feel of her arms around me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The afternoon went so well, we had such fun ice-skating. She was so much more graceful than me, as was to be expected.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">We munched hot dogs and drank coffee to warm up when we'd finished skating. She was so easy to talk to, I found myself feeling so at ease with her. I found out little things about her like she was twenty years old; she was brought up in Vancouver where her Father had emigrated to when he was only sixteen; she was studying at the University of Washington here in Seattle; she lived on a houseboat ( how quaint!); she loved animals; she was a big rock music fan ( bonus!) and finally I found out she was just about the most amazing girl I'd ever met both inside and outside.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I took hold of her hand as we walked to the small intimate bar I knew nearby. We each ordered a beer from the bartender and sat in a quiet booth with candles on the table. She looked stunning in the <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a60efe68-2d94-40f3-a0b3-b8df4632c987" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="921bd7c8-e3ee-49c2-9570-9a27c5182ef6" grcontextid="candle light:0">candle light</span>, her face like an angel's.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">We talked some more and I listened rapt to <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="122e52aa-633b-4fa7-9cc7-1f3462c9d7bc" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="227b3ef9-45bc-4df9-8d2d-fde72366c4af" grcontextid="her:0">her</span> tales from medical school. She laughed and told me how she'd tried to overcome her clumsiness as you couldn't really trust a clumsy doctor. She was so funny, what a great sense of <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1073cb19-0e3f-4dc7-bb10-59ed630bc07f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7a290c80-748c-4622-be68-ec1d1a42031c" grcontextid="humour:0">humour</span> she had; dark and self-depreciating.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I couldn't help myself as I took her hands in mine and gazed deep into her eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She smiled at me so sweetly as I leaned across the table and softly kissed her cheek.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> "Thanks Carmen for today, it's been fantastic!" I enthused.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> She raised a perfectly formed eyebrow at me and replied "So if it's been fantastic why do I only get a peck on the cheek?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Her eyes shone mischievously as I gazed at her in wonder. She wanted me to kiss her? On the lips? <i>Oh. My.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I slowly leaned over again, taking my time as I inclined my head towards her and softly touched my lips to hers in a sweet kiss. She responded to my kiss and I moved my lips against hers slowly and gently. I wanted to pull her across the table and into my arms for a long passionate wild kiss. But oh this was heaven. Her intoxicating scent was all around me, her taste was sweet and overpowering, her lips so soft and yielding. She moaned enticingly when I slowly pulled my lips away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"That's better. That's much more like fantastic," she whispered sexily.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Oh. My. I am falling into the deep depths of her brown eyes. I <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="96eaa0db-8252-4b24-8467-a23ace768b7b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5f6a5989-5270-43da-ab3b-6de2de3107b8" grcontextid="am falling:0">am falling</span> in love with her already.</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">We finish our beers and walk slowly hand in hand back to where I've parked the Harley. Carmen is up early in the morning as her parents are coming to visit so we decide to call it a night. I drive her to her home on Elliot Bay , the main <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5674efaf-1576-46c0-b53f-7c2b258d9d40" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3d0ce326-e46e-4503-a201-4af48a8310a3" grcontextid="harbour:0">harbour</span> in Seattle on the body of water called the Puget sound. Her houseboat is beautiful and to my surprise there is a Triumph motorbike chained up outside.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> "Yours?" I ask.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She nods her head and reaches out for my leather jacket, pulling me closer to her. I gasp as she begins to kiss me; her lips insistent, her tongue touching mine. I place my hands on her hips and draw her closer to me so our bodies are touching; the soft leather of our jackets brushing against each other as I reach to unzip hers. She pulls my zip down so my jacket falls open too and her warm body is pressed up against me, making me feverish with longing and desire. Her hands run up and down my back as our kisses become more passionate. She truly is so sexy and beautiful and I can't believe this is happening.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">We break <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="47b92e24-fa06-4376-9d56-14e5199b517e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9f2a07ea-6fe0-4314-8ba3-b4168ae4950d" grcontextid="the kiss both:0">the kiss both</span> of us breathless and gasping. I gently trace the delicate contour of her cheekbone as she sighs sweetly. "Carmen, I really feel a connection between us. Will you please say you'll see me again?" I ask softly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She nods her head and smiles widely at me, "I'd love to Zach."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">My heart leaps and bounds in my chest at her words. Yes! She wants to see me again!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">We make plans for me to come for dinner at the houseboat on Monday night. I can't wait to see her again, and we'll be alone. <i>Oh. My.</i> I kiss her again and reluctantly say good night. As I fly home on the bike my heart is full of hope and joy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Carmen De Luca was an amazing woman. How lucky for me that fate had decided she would work at the diner; that we would meet and that we would connect so well.</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I already knew I was hopelessly in love with her.</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I was going to make her love me too if it was the last thing I ever did, I promised sincerely to myself.</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">CHAPTER FORTY-THREE</span></u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Precious<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">IRIS BLACK:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I stared at the two lines on the stick in front of me; according to the instruction leaflet two lines indicated that I was pregnant. Oh Gosh! That's why I have been feeling faint and sick these past few days. Today I actually fainted in the diner; how embarrassing. Isaac had left me upstairs to rest, but I'd sneaked out the back door and rushed to the chemist to buy a test, now I sat just by myself staring at these two lines.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I'm pregnant. I'm having Isaac's baby. Oh Gosh!</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I didn't expect it to happen so quickly! If I am only just pregnant it must have happened <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1faa7033-292d-43ca-9491-fa888e048ea2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d83a25c9-8e00-4def-b9d1-c8217a467c3a" grcontextid="on:0">on</span> Isle Esme? Wow. I gently rub my flat stomach trying to imagine a baby growing in there, our baby. Isaac would be over the moon. I'm not sure my Mom and Dad would be though. I knew they hoped we would live more of our lives before having a family. Isaac and I had decided before we were married that we would let nature take its course when it came to babies, so we hadn't used birth control at all. I hugged myself tightly, smiling with joy at my own special secret. I tried to imagine a little seed nestling into my womb, I wondered if it would be a boy or a girl. I didn't mind, but I guessed that Isaac would love a son; a son to carry on the shape-shifting gene.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I flipped up my phone and quickly dialled Isaac's number; I asked him to come upstairs and very quickly I heard his footsteps thundering up the steps two at a time no doubt. I went to the door of our apartment to meet him; he bounded through the door and gazed at me quizzically.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> "Are you alright my love? Are you feeling unwell again?" he asked pulling me towards him, his arms enveloping me in a hug.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"I'm fine Isaac, honestly. I need to tell you something though, something important!" I exclaim as I lead him to our leather sofa.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> I take his big strong hands in mine and gaze into the depths of his brown eyes. His handsome face looks at me expectantly. "Darling Isaac, I'm pregnant!" I gush.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">His brown eyes widen and he smiles so widely at me, "Really? Oh! Oh Iris, that's amazing news!" he says with tears in his eyes. I start to cry too; with happiness and joy, Isaac will be the best Father in the world. He holds me close and kisses away my tears, his smile so beautiful and perfect.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> "I can't tell you how happy I am Iris. I didn't expect it to happen so soon, but I'm overjoyed! To be honest darling, I felt something special happening between us on our wedding night! I can't explain it, but there was definitely something spiritual and magical at work!" he exclaimed kissing my lips softly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I sighed and shivered with delight as I always do when he kisses me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"I felt it too Isaac. It was our wedding night when I conceived, I have no doubts about that. I felt as if a higher power was guiding me that night. It sounds crazy but I felt it!" I exclaimed kissing him back fervently.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">For a while we forgot about everything else except the feeling of our lips softly and gently moving against the others; his hands moving all over my body giving me <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fd4b2bc9-3606-436b-8089-ffd33b2ff337" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ceeba505-44f9-4bbd-896a-73895a9044ec" grcontextid="goose bumps:0">goose bumps</span> and the knowledge and certainty more than ever that this was meant to be.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Finally we broke away from each other gasping; we both found it hard to keep our hands off each other, luckily we had the diner to keep us busy or we'd never leave our apartment! I just had to look at Isaac and I would tingle all over at the thought of his mouth, his body, his heart beating next to mine. A slight touch of his hand as we accidentally brushed up against each other whilst working was enough to send my mind into overload and my senses tingling.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I loved him so much, I desired and adored my husband.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">We cuddled together on the sofa talking about our baby and the future. Our apartment was spacious, we had two spare rooms so could easily convert one into a nursery. The baby would be brought up amongst the family business; perfect really as this little empire would be theirs one day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I said I was feeling better and could return with Isaac to the diner to help clear up seeing as it was almost closing time now. We agreed it would be our secret for now; at least until everything was confirmed and scans had been carried out. I wondered how I would be able to keep it a secret from my Mom; she was so good at reading me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I also wondered how Zach and Carmen's date was going. I knew from the minute they met that there were sparks between them. Carmen had confessed to me she thought he was sweet and very handsome and she really liked him. She asked how he had got the scar on his face; I told her he would have to tell her that story as I really didn't know how to answer!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She said it didn't bother her but made him more interesting and beautiful. I was happy Zach had finally asked her out. I thought he was going to end up a stone heavier before he got around to it!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I couldn't wait to find out how they had got on. Carmen was such a lovely girl, I hoped she was <i>the One. <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">How perfect would that be?</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR</span></u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Moonlight Mile<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">ZAC SWAN:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Monday night is finally here. I actually feel nervous as I ride my Harley over to Carmen's boat. She lives at the opposite end of Seattle to me; perhaps a fifteen minute drive, I don't mind it gives me time to think and calm my nerves.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I told Charlie I was going on a date with her; I asked him how much should I tell her about my family? I've never had a relationship before where I wanted to reveal stuff about myself; where I've let someone close to me; where I've actually wanted to get to know someone really well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Only Iris had ever got under my skin, but that was easy because she knew everything about my strange family <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ba92b1bb-9df9-4dee-b98e-cd1bd944c8e7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fe858771-d9c1-4e7e-8dd9-b5514d4fe69b" grcontextid="anyways:0">anyways</span> as she was part of all the craziness. Charlie advised me to only tell her stuff she needed to know. He said it would be easier that way. He said <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c069cab3-10a4-4c70-a047-12d25fc8f170" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="819ec611-c3c0-46e1-956b-9b2c3dc19e18" grcontextid="try:0">try</span> not to lie but bending the truth slightly would be okay to protect her and us. He seemed really happy I'd met someone I really liked. It was never going to be easy to get serious with someone; I came from a family so different to anyone else's that I think that's another reason I've never had a proper girlfriend. But now Carmen has come into my life and I did believe in fate and destiny, so I would try my best to make this work.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I arrived at the houseboat five minutes early. I admired her Triumph parked outside. A girl who loved bikes too? Was she truly sent from heaven just for me? It felt that way; I hadn't been able to stop thinking about her since our date on Saturday night. It had been perfect. Kissing her had blown my mind, she was beautiful and she made me shiver all over with desire. It wasn't just her beauty which mesmerized me though; she was witty, funny, clever, interesting and kind.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I climbed down the steps and knocked on the wooden door of her boat. It was a <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6b392d25-6306-42ac-b9ba-76673b13c58d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="31128acb-d75a-4a8b-bb5e-eecaec60d3d3" grcontextid="marvellous:0">marvellous</span> boat indeed; old but sturdy. The door opened and a vision of loveliness appeared with a sweet smile on her face beckoning me to come in. I kissed her soft cheek and handed her the bottle of wine I'd brought along with a slightly battered bouquet of yellow roses I'd hidden in my jacket. She smiled widely and thanked me as she led me into the <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4a22ab8d-88e4-4e1d-b555-2b60872e0b31" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d74ebcd1-47c9-41a8-8b26-ba0e053fc23c" grcontextid="cosy:0">cosy</span> inside of the boat. The boat was so lovely inside; old-fashioned, but with modern touches. Candles lit <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8a4e812d-7b40-4249-8271-7ff4065ecfc8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fe3196db-bc9c-4943-a576-2143c4332505" grcontextid="the interior giving:0">the interior giving</span> it a warm romantic glow. She looked gorgeous as she poured me a glass of red wine in her galley kitchen. Her chocolate brown hair was piled up on top of her head tonight with cute curls escaping down her nape and over her ears. She was wearing a red strapless Basque which just skimmed the smooth tanned skin of her stomach and a pair of low slung black jeans, which clung to her figure most alluringly; with just a hint of make-up on her face. She was definitely a natural beauty. And to think I used to only acquaint myself with girls who loved to plaster themselves in makeup and wear really revealing clothes. Carmen was how a woman should be. She was sheer perfection and I couldn't take my eyes off her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The meal she made was so delicious, it was a tasty pasta dish which her father had passed down to her from his father and so on. I could tell she was proud of her Italian roots, but she was also proud of her Canadian side too. Her father had met her mother when she'd come into his pizza place for a meal with her friends one night. Two months later they were married; a year later Carmen was born. She also had a younger brother by five years called Francesco, or Franc for short.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I listened to her talk about her family and I revealed only what was necessary about my own. How could I explain my half-sister was a vampire? And most of my extended family were shape-shifters? No, I couldn't do that to her or our fledgling relationship. We laughed and talked as we ate, the conversation flowing with ease.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Later, we sit on her comfy old battered leather sofa and drink some more wine. She gets up to put some music on and I am delighted to see she still owns an old vinyl record player. She pulls a vinyl album out of its sleeve; one of my old <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="69cc41b7-4b91-4d21-9749-a9440d638053" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ed1f714e-1f7e-4a81-bfd9-9ea7ea198b58" grcontextid="favourites:0">favourites</span> – the Rolling St<i>ones </i>album<i> "Sticky Fingers."</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She sits next to me looking so pretty with her legs crossed; her eyes are shining and her hands gesturing as she tells me more stories about herself. I could fall easily into the dark depths of her brown eyes. I stare transfixed at her as she talks, mesmerized by the perfection of her face. I want to kiss her full lips. She stops talking and takes a sip of wine, her dark eyes studying my face. She reaches out and gently runs her fingertip down my scar. I should've known she would be curious about that, it's still quite noticeable.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Her touch is causing shivers to run down my spine and my breathing became more shallow as my heart starts to beat rapidly in my chest.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"How did you get this scar Zach?" she <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="325a952c-cb9f-463f-9c6d-c634fbbc05ed" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c56bf4c8-17bf-40e5-8df7-0bacd582fbe1" grcontextid="asks taking:0">asks taking</span> my hand in hers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> My mind frantically races for a plausible reason to give her. I cannot tell her my nephew Isaac, your employer, turned into a wolf, a very large brown wolf and raked his claws down my face in anger!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">So I say the first thing that comes into my head, " I came off the bike when the roads were very icy just before Christmas."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Phew, good thinking Zach.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> "Oh," she smiles.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"You and I will have to go out on the bikes together," she says.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I smile back, "I'd love to Carmen."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">We grin inanely at each other and I desperately want to kiss her but I don't want to rush her. The atmosphere has shifted slightly, the boat seems electrically charged as if waiting for some momentous moment to happen. My <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="48165512-62c8-4024-9a0f-4461c63a19e4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6de010ae-a2a5-4d63-8b0f-0ea82d1497bf" grcontextid="favourite:0">favourite</span> song on the album has just <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f024608e-8309-412d-8ab9-c4256f56b479" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6de010ae-a2a5-4d63-8b0f-0ea82d1497bf" grcontextid="came:1">came</span> on "Moonlight Mile" and I cannot help but inch slowly towards her, the mood and the music working <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b51269bc-dce1-4b8f-b445-1a87a8ce65b3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6de010ae-a2a5-4d63-8b0f-0ea82d1497bf" grcontextid="it's:2">it's</span> magic on me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Our gazes are locked on each other, her eyes molten dark liquid fire, her full lips parted and so kissable, a luscious rosy glow on her soft cheeks. Our lips finally meet and behind my closed eyes I see fireworks and shooting stars. My heart is pounding as I place my hands on her waist feeling the soft smoothness of her skin; beautiful skin that is so warm and silky. She moans softly against my mouth as we kiss her arms around my neck; driving me wild with desire for her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Nothing has ever felt so good, so magical, so special. I could kiss her forever, her lips are so sweet and so yielding under mine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I am falling more in love with her with every kiss, every touch, every breath. </span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I trail my lips down her neck and onto her bare shoulders, licking and kissing her skin, inhaling her scent which is intoxicating.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Oh Zach, that's <i>so nice,</i> “she moans softly, her hands running through my shaggy hair.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I bring my head up to gaze into her eyes again. " Carmen, <i>Carmen</i> you are so beautiful. I am so glad we met. I fear you have me completely under your spell," I say softly kissing her hand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She giggles sweetly, raising her eyebrows at me slightly, " Ah, so my spell is working!" she <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f0ec51c7-fe54-4494-b6cd-5d9b0e8d9100" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a419efbd-1e40-462f-b241-65e17a603c20" grcontextid="says placing a:0">says placing a</span> kiss on my jaw bone, moving down to gently bite my neck causing me to moan out loud with passion and desire.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> "Carmen I feel like I have known you forever. Tonight has been perfect. You are perfect. I better go though because I don't want us to do anything you might regret in the morning," I say softly, gazing into her eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She smiles sexily back at me, " Zach if you <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="36790427-6d35-4b0e-8122-9e1dd1e88e3d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="184fc1de-6248-4748-8094-bc7c7ed1ed0c" grcontextid="leave:0">leave</span> now <i>I will regret it for the rest of my life!" </i>she whispers against my mouth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Her lips find mine and she kisses me passionately, bruising my mouth with hers, pulling on my hair to bring our bodies closer together. I scoop her up in my arms, raining her face and neck with butterfly kisses. She points in the direction of the bedroom as I carry her from the sofa.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"The candles, my love," I whisper, not wanting the boat to catch fire as we give into this all-consuming passionate desire. She smiles seductively at me and closes her eyes once then re-opens them to gaze into mine. I gasp as I look around.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">All of the candles have gone out.</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Before I can speak she crushes her lips to mine once again in a kiss which leaves me in no doubt that she desires me. Everything else leaves my mind, my whole being is <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="149c1099-366d-4fda-b6a9-d1cb3b2d48fa" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="48f6e6b9-d023-4d1c-8cc7-33813c4281ff" grcontextid="centred:0">centred</span> only on her kiss, her skin, our desire as I carry her gently into the bedroom.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I lay her gently on the bed and gaze down at her in the soft lamplight, she is an amazing and beautiful creature and I want her so badly.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">My whole life has been leading up to this point, all roads were bringing me here; to my destiny, my fate, the love of my life.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">When the wind blows and the rain feels cold<br />With a head full of snow<br />With a head full of snow<br />In the window there's a face you know<br />Don't the nights pass slow<br />Don't the nights pass slow<br />The sound of strangers sending nothing to my mind<br />Just another mad mad day on the road<br />I am just living to be dying by your side<br />But I'm just about a moonlight mile on down the road<br />Made a rag pile of my shiny clothes<br /><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2b1444a4-c8e1-4b73-b426-eee4603f5053" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bf2f1a4a-b12f-44ce-808f-2348366450a0" grcontextid="Gonna:0">Gonna</span> warm my bones<br /><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="72c909ae-8059-406b-b541-2aa9ce059e44" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b3a9be6e-7d7b-4f4d-8bc2-e10f151e6759" grcontextid="Gonna:0">Gonna</span> warm my bones<br />I got silence on my radio<br />Let the air waves flow<br />Let the air waves flow<br />Oh I'm sleeping under strange strange skies<br />Just another mad mad day on the road<br />My dream is fading down the railway line<br />I'm just about a moonlight mile down the road<br />I'm hiding sister and I'm dreaming<br />I'm riding down your moonlight mile<br />I'm hiding baby and I'm dreaming<br />I'm riding down your moonlight mile<br />I'm riding down <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="caa189bc-e2d5-4046-a949-4c582da97235" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e154db89-c923-4f75-ada7-4b44e05d01f4" grcontextid="you:0">you</span> moonlight mile<br />Let it go now, come on up babe<br />Yeah, let it go now<br />Yeah, flow now baby<br />Yeah move on now yeah<br />Yeah, I'm coming home<br />'Cause, I'm just about a moonlight mile on down the road<br />Down the road, down the road</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">(<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b2d6dff9-abc1-45ab-8885-b4a77b91f5e9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="da91e4a7-9331-47ca-8290-ce575f68651c" grcontextid="moonlight:0">moonlight</span> mile – the rolling stones – amazing song! And I think it goes with the chapter really well )</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> <u>CHA</u></span><u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">PTER FORTY-FIVE</span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Generations<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">BELLA CULLEN:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Everyone is gathered at <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6c2587be-cd4f-4217-8176-f320d76de569" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="532100c9-f0b5-4311-a8d9-fa6670560399" grcontextid="Cullen's Hotel:0">Cullen's Hotel</span> for a family get together to celebrate a very special addition to our family.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">It's ten months later; Isaac and Iris are proud parents of beautiful twins, unbelievable but so amazing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Isaac holds his daughter Selene named after the Greek goddess of the full moon. She was a beautiful baby with dark curly hair and the bluest eyes, her complexion was peaches and cream and she smiled all the time. Isaac gazed down at her with such love and pride it made my still heart swell. Jacob the proud Granddad, was softly stroking Selene's cheek and cooing nonsense to her. He looked so happy. I loved seeing Jake happy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Leah the new Grandmother sat proudly next to Iris who was holding her precious son named Raiden, who was named after the Japanese god of thunder. There was an almighty thunderstorm the day the twins came into this world. Raiden also had dark hair but he had dark eyes like his Father. He kicked out his little feet and made his tiny hands into fists as we all gazed at the babies in wonder.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I loved how the whole family was here; it didn't matter if you were <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d1da3c62-dd05-4cd0-8005-c3b1bc1d19e9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="187a1d7c-e2c9-453d-a9a5-311ca770c69d" grcontextid="vampire:0">vampire</span> or human or shape-shifter you could still appreciate the pureness and beauty of the newborn twins. They had captured everyone's hearts so completely. My darling Nessie was so in love with them, it was as if she had become a Mother again for the second time. When I looked at her now I could see exactly why she had gone through so much to have her twins. To see her daughter become a Mother had made her so happy and even more certain she had done the right thing. Seth stood with his arm around her as they both gazed in awe at the twins together.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Edward stood beside me, as always; my rock, my love, my husband. If it were not for our love none of this would have been possible. He smiles crookedly at me and returns his gaze to the babies, his bronze hair catching the light beautifully. Rosalie and Emmett stand a little distance away, Emmett <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="bef4763a-c15d-453c-a466-a3d4a42fdd7c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4af1e301-1ec2-4ae8-89c4-a76ebf1e7395" grcontextid="gently whispering:0">gently whispering</span> in Rose's ear as she looks at the new babies with a melancholy expression. Poor Rosalie, I don't think she will ever get over not being able to be a Mother.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Alice and Jasper are both grinning happily as Alice dangles a brightly <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="59003aef-87a0-46e4-8300-7daeac3b9393" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="638e9546-1925-4563-b12c-7b3d81fd6d08" grcontextid="coloured:0">coloured</span> string of beads in front of Selene, making the baby gurgle contentedly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Carlisle and Esme stand back and survey the scene, the doctor holding his wife tenderly as she looks upon the family scene with joy etched on her beautiful marble face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Zach is here with Carmen, his wife of three months. They look so happy and perfect together; it melts my still heart. Finally my half-brother has settled down and is so in love with Carmen it's a joy to see. Luckily she feels exactly the same way about him and when he proposed to her after only one month together she joyfully accepted. He is now giving guitar lessons to students at home instead of <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5e42dc95-3ede-4928-9013-f786166a342a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b38b2e20-087b-48b6-a781-d7fec4e82548" grcontextid="being employed:0">being employed</span> by the college and is making a decent amount of money to help Carmen through medical school. I still think Carmen should put her <i>other </i>talents to good use but she really really wants to be a doctor. Carlisle is now an endless source of fascination and information for her. She's accepted her new family with ease and dignity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">It was as if the couple were destined to meet. I believe they were, I believe in fate and destiny. Carmen jokes she cast a spell asking for a dark handsome musician to come into her life; the next day Zach walked into the Dockside Diner with his family. I do not believe her for one minute. I don't believe she <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ab0b6d63-98f5-4a83-b782-093640e9db65" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="cc1f3956-9edd-4ed3-b12b-257e8f9a919c" grcontextid="is joking:0">is joking</span>, I think she really did cast a spell!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Zach and <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7182b4b9-8270-49a4-b41c-eec22f35af39" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="25e34001-7b2f-4049-ad39-0679c8ff61ee" grcontextid="her:0">her</span> will have beautiful babies when the time is right.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Charlie, my wonderful Dad stands next to the happy couple his arm around Sue laughing heartily at something Carmen has said. He loves his daughter-in-law to distraction and is overjoyed to see Zach happy and settled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Finally Reuben and Mia arrive in a flurry of excitement and over enthusiasm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Mia Black has brought Reuben out of his shell for sure. She is like a force of nature; beautiful, wild and strong.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Reuben has brought all his photography equipment to take some special pictures of the newborn twins.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">It's almost Christmas once again and Mia has brought cute Santa outfits for the babies to wear. I laugh as I look at the expression on Iris's face, it's a picture. If I know Mia though, she will get her way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Stubborn just like her Father! Now a successful fashion model; she brings light and beauty to a room as soon as she enters it. So much has happened to these two this year, Reuben is a successful fashion photographer and they have both travelled to many places on exciting magazine shoots together.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">They make a great couple; feisty, passionate and dynamic. Totally the opposite to Iris and Isaac who are happy to run their little diner and spend time together as a sweet little family.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Jacob is so proud of his son and couldn't be happier for him. Iris is his <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="21287e13-d7a4-42c8-989b-a635daafd365" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="740ba915-70a5-421d-8709-762a8814caf7" grcontextid="imprintee:0">imprintee</span> and perfect for Isaac in every way. Now they have produced a son who could carry on the shape-shifting gene. Just as it should be.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Selene should not transform, at least we hoped she wouldn't.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d2b648de-4f4e-4263-acf1-446bdd4bd4f1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="77ae6d9f-f4ce-4328-8b89-57888b200fc6" grcontextid="Suki:0">Suki</span>, the first female shape-shifter had died in infancy due to the changes. Leah had survived the changes and had passed the gene onto her son and daughter as both Jake and she had the gene. Iris was human so maybe Isaac's special gene on its own would not make their daughter a shape-shifter. Time would tell. Though Carlisle informed us he had been studying shape-shifter's blood with the help of Jacob and was almost one hundred percent certain he could test Selene's blood when she was older to determine the truth. Truly, we did believe that it took two shape-shifters to pass the gene on to a female child. Males were always born with it, it was <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="03c977cb-3d79-4da3-b705-1873ecf30eff" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7e81712e-8ec9-4a71-b0e6-cde99af41a9b" grcontextid="nature:0">nature</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Such a happy day, generations of our family together here in Forks, where the story began for me over two decades ago.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I loved everyone in this room so much, even if at times I'd argued and fought with them. They all held a special place in my still heart, although most of my heart had already been given away to Edward Cullen, my reason for existing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">As I watch him fuss over the babies I love him more than ever and I thank the universe daily for bringing him to me, for making us fall in love, for giving us the chance to have this lovely family we share. This is the ultimate happy ending we all craved. For as long as I exist I will love him. This is my existence now and I am eternally grateful for it. It could not have turned out any better than it has.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">He turns to look at me, that special crooked smile playing over his full lips. His beautiful marble face perfection; his topaz eyes gazing into mine, intoxicating and enchanting me as always.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">" <i>Great-grandmother!</i> Who would have thought it my love?" he smiles mischievously.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I groan and dig him in the ribs, "Stop it Edward I feel old when you say that!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">He softly kisses my cheek and whispers gently, " Bella, you will never be old my love. Eternally eighteen, eternally beautiful. Eternally <i>mine,"</i> his lips graze my neck making me shiver with delight as always.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Our special love which started between a human girl and a vampire boy will always remain, no matter what we become in this life or the next. If such a thing exists. Even if we were two specks of dust on the wind, my love for him would be true and constant. It is unchanging, unfathomable and completely unstoppable.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"<i>If all else perished, and he remained, I should still continue to be; and if all else remained, and he were annihilated, the universe would turn to a mighty stranger: I should not seem a part of it."</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">(Emily Bronte – <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d838f35a-1b75-49cb-b1e1-d4c6447e0de1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4d6d4ced-239d-44b1-bae2-6d08cff3b39b" grcontextid="wuthering:0">wuthering</span> <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a620a7ce-67d0-438f-9443-3f5c3ad21e64" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4d6d4ced-239d-44b1-bae2-6d08cff3b39b" grcontextid="heights:1">heights</span> )</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The End.</span></i></b><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">CHAPTER FORTY-SIX</span></u><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">EPILOGUE<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Ten Years Later</span></i></b><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The rain pours down from the swollen dark <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a1909fbc-1b2b-4bde-92ce-644671e91985" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c278680a-6627-40d5-bdee-ab96ce92c5a4" grcontextid="grey:0">grey</span> skies onto the small gathering below. The rainwater mingles with the tears shed over the coffin about to be lowered into the crowd.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The gold engraved plate on the wooden box simply reads "Charles Swan, much loved husband and father."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The pale beautiful young woman with the long dark hair and topaz eyes throws a solitary white rose onto the coffin. She does not cry, she cannot cry; she is eternally eighteen, a vampire. The handsome pale man beside her holds her close to him, his bronze hair blowing in the wind, his amber eyes full of sorrow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">But he has no tears; he is a vampire.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">There are humans here too; all of them crying, all of them sad.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">A striking couple stand holding the hands of two beautiful children. The man whispers to the children, "Selene, Raiden please don't cry. Charlie has gone to heaven."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The ten year old twins smile tentatively at their Father as their Mother sobs quietly into her handkerchief.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Next to them stands Zachary Swan, son of Charlie who is being supported by his wife Carmen; his face is contorted with grief and pain.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Only a year ago almost to the day, he stood here as his Mother was buried.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Now his dear father was gone, but he would live on in the small boy who stared up confused at his <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="345c6ca4-f2ef-48e8-8903-40462e4e3a6b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="31f7f831-c28a-42e0-abfa-f36c3db407d4" grcontextid="parents:0">parents</span> anguish. The boy was three years old and he was called Samuel Charles Swan. He was a much longed for son of Carmen and Zach. They had patiently waited for seven years to be blessed with a child. His mother was a successful <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8a5abc69-953a-46df-ad73-6bb0c0c7fe3e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1c8eff10-3ed6-413c-8088-8e8135d64c8f" grcontextid="paediatrician:0">paediatrician</span>, his father a successful music producer. All they had wanted was a child to make their life perfect. Zach thanked <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6b07bba4-0477-455c-b76e-70ec7de49663" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="276bf550-8ba8-47ca-b91d-1920509a2922" grcontextid="god:0">god</span> every day for Samuel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">He was also grateful that Charlie had got to know his grandson before this sad day had arrived. After Sue died of a sudden heart attack last year, Charlie had quickly gone downhill, losing interest in life and everything around him. He had died peacefully in his chair looking out onto First Beach where Samuel loved to play whenever he visited.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">He was seventy five years old.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Renesmee Clearwater, granddaughter of Charlie Swan clings to her husband Seth, tears flowing down her pretty face, she can cry; she is a hybrid.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Jacob and Leah Black hold hands, Jake looks very sad, whilst Leah cries silent tears for her <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="64008a22-d14b-4254-8a5c-e5c628fe48bf" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9ec24d28-9319-4f0f-b197-34a583175598" grcontextid="step-father:0">step-father</span>. So many times she has been in this position. First her Father, then her Mother, now Charlie.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Her daughter Mia and her partner Reuben Clearwater stand next to them, Mia cries whilst Reuben just stares at the hole in the ground where the coffin will be lowered. He decides there and then that he will make Mia his wife before this year is out, life is too short. After all they have been engaged for eleven years.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Alice Cullen stands alone next to the graveside, where Charlie will be buried with his darling Sue. Her perfect marble face is unmoving but her topaz eyes give away her pain. Charlie always had time for her, he was a great friend throughout the years. Even when Bella had been a human girl.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She pulls a piece of paper from her long black coat and begins to read the words in her beautiful musical voice as the coffin is slowly lowered into the ground.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">"<i>In the rising of the sun, and in its going down<br />We remember him<br />In the blowing of the wind, and in the chill of winter<br />We remember him<br />In the opening of buds, and in the warmth of summer<br />We remember him<br />In the rustling of leaves, and in the beauty of the autumn<br />We remember him<br />In the beginning of the year, and when it ends<br />We remember him."<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Sixty Years Later</span></i></b><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Iris Black stares at the clock on the yellow painted <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="363f81ba-8293-484d-94e0-d6ff1585d41f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="38d5d0d8-80b9-4506-a922-aa8dc441d990" grcontextid="wall:0">wall</span>, her old and wrinkled face tired and lined. She tries to make out what time the hands are saying but her eyesight has faded so much that it is too difficult. She sighs and waits patiently for her visitor to come to the home where she now lives. It's a very nice residential home here in Port Angeles for the aged.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She is eighty nine years old and has lived a very good life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She smiles as she remembers moments from her past. Special moments which will stay with her until the day she dies. Which she really believes will be soon. The leaves are turning brown as the Fall approaches, there is a nip in the air and she can feel the summer ending; the sun taking away her energy and life as it goes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She remembers the day her twins were born, how happy she was to have a perfect boy and a girl. Selene and Raiden were now seventy years old, it seemed impossible. Time flew by so quickly. She remembered Selene meeting her first love as she attended ice skating classes in Seattle. She was fourteen years old and he was her skating partner. They fell in love, got married and became Olympic skating champions two years in a row. Selene and Troy Smithson had run the most successful skating school Seattle had seen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">They had produced four lovely children; Matthew, Thomas, Jack and Chloe. Matthew was a lawyer, in his fifties now. Thomas <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="548688e9-81b5-484e-aac8-616637d28b00" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="271e25c4-9262-4ca9-8918-e0494487858d" grcontextid="was:0">was</span> just about to turn fifty, he was a tree surgeon. Jack was forty and was a successful novelist; his crime thrillers frequently hit the best seller list. Chloe was forty and had just retired from professional skating, she now ran the school for her parents.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Her son Raiden had married late when he was in his fifties. He had dedicated his life to his career. He had become a renowned heart surgeon, who ran his own private clinic. He had no time for love, until an amazing woman called Diana became a patient of his. He mended her heart and made her his wife. She was ten years his junior and gave him a handsome son whom they called Abraham Isaac Black, or Abe for short. Abe was all grown up now and had followed in his father's footsteps. His wife Charlotte and he had one daughter called Miranda.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Iris was so lucky to have such well-adjusted grandchildren, who had given her 10 great grandchildren between them. She was blessed to have such a large family. One person was missing though. Her darling husband Isaac. He had been cruelly taken from her ten years ago this month. Apparently shape-shifters were not immune to cancer. It had eaten away at his liver and slowly killed him. She had felt like her heart had broken in two when he left her. He was her love, her life, her husband. The only man for her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">But she knew without a doubt she would see him again. She had faith; that and her beautiful family kept her going when all she'd wanted to do <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="dae7f293-e33e-419f-aa33-bf39724aac6c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c4d72011-c6a1-47eb-b7da-f9127ce60bb5" grcontextid="was fling:0">was fling</span> herself into the ground with Isaac the day of his funeral. Life had to go on but she wished she'd gone with him to wherever he'd been taken. Her heart never healed from the sorrow of Isaac leaving her behind, and every day she prayed to whomever was listening that she would see him again soon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Isaac had taken it so badly when his parents Jacob and Leah had died. He never got over it completely. It was over fifty years ago now when the car crash had ripped the family apart.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Jacob and Leah had died instantly when a large truck <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2428529f-5c64-47a7-ae26-bb6c82531267" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0f3ac4b6-ba26-448b-bd57-7a75ca571960" grcontextid="ploughed:0">ploughed</span> into them as they drove back from a romantic break on Isle Esme. They had just left the airport, it was the middle of the night and the road was deserted. Out of nowhere a truck had crashed into them, the driver had fallen asleep for two seconds and went right through a stop sign.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">They never knew what hit them. Iris liked to think that their last thoughts on this earth were happy and full of love and that they were together now, forever.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Isaac's sister Mia had eventually married Reuben Iris's twin brother years after they first got engaged. It was a Christmas wedding, the year Charlie had died.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">They had been a beautiful couple in their day. Mia had been one of the country's most successful models, my brother the most successful photographer. Together they made a formidable team. Unbreakable or so Iris had thought. Reuben had finally persuaded Mia to have a child when they were in their late thirties. He was so scared they'd leave it too late and he was desperate to be a father. He didn't have to worry though; a year later Mia fell pregnant. She was miserable all through the nine months; complaining of losing her figure and feeling ill all the time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">When their son Nathaniel was born, she didn't take to motherhood at all. It was a huge struggle for her. Reuben on the other hand was a brilliant father, he doted on little Nat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Eventually the stress split up their marriage and they divorced five years after they got married. Reuben was heartbroken and moved out to the country to raise his son. He did freelance photography for nature magazines and he never fell in love again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Mia moved to New York and opened her own modelling agency which became very successful. She remained on good terms with Reuben and her son, but she could not muster up proper maternal feelings for the boy. It was so sad. She had many affairs, but never found someone special and lived alone with her four cats, until she died last year. Reuben had died a few months ago with Nat by his side in <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="513f9d0d-9bb9-464b-b285-1c49fda4c23d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8d6a3686-acad-4a0c-925e-386891c172d7" grcontextid="hospital:0">hospital</span> where he'd been for months; ravaged by Alzheimer’s disease.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Zach Swan and his gorgeous wife Carmen had Samuel, the loveliest sweetest boy you could meet. Ten years later they had another surprise, a little girl whom they called Calista. Samuel and Calista both had one <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ca651286-2c8b-43fb-b986-87f16afc880a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a5af97a3-3a01-4409-8939-89578da3e8ff" grcontextid="boy each:0">boy each</span>. Beautiful grandchildren <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9ea0e247-8d20-444f-8918-9a872dd550e0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="cadaccfd-66c1-4cae-aa1a-39582b6320d5" grcontextid="for:0">for</span> Zach and Carmen to enjoy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">But Carmen and Zach were no longer on this earth. Carmen had died thirty five years ago. A hit and run accident. Eventually the culprit was found and jailed for life. Zach couldn't bear to be without his reason for living, his beautiful Carmen. So he committed a crime, a crime which he knew would involve a jail sentence. He hunted down the hit and run driver and killed him as he slept in his cell. Then he killed himself, it was all very dramatic and horrible especially for the poor children. Zach had never got over losing his Father, and losing Carmen had really sent him over the edge.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Iris also hoped they were together now and happy wherever they were.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Dominic and Ellie Cross had both died of old age years ago. Their daughter Ruby Newton ( Iris's true sister ) and her husband Anthony had continued to run the farm and school of horse riding until they retired. Their kids Jessie and Layla had taken over the family business now their parents were gone. Ruby had died peacefully in her sleep, Anthony had followed her two years later. Iris smiled sadly as she considered what it was like to be the only one left.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">So that's what happened to the humans. The humans who lived a strange and wonderful life amongst the supernatural creatures they called family.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Humans who could not live forever. Humans who loved harder than most of their race because they knew how precious their life had been.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Iris smiles as she imagines Isaac holding her and telling her to cheer up, don't be sad.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She is broken out of her reverie by a cool hand on hers. She gazes up into the beautiful chocolate eyes of Renesmee; <i>her mother.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The lovely vision kisses her wrinkled cheek and says hello.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">They sit together holding hands and Iris asks what she has been doing, what exciting <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ffb4bcff-76e3-486d-997d-8c5aa311a0b3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5b8c9783-8c1b-4da7-8ee0-ccc8892ea492" grcontextid="places has she:0">places has she</span> visited with Seth, how are Bella and Edward and the rest of the Cullen's?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">They sit in comfortable silence, no words needed, love flowing between them. Nessie looks sad, as she always does when she comes here. Iris knows she hates seeing her daughter looking old when she herself remains young and beautiful, unchanged by time and seasons.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Nessie says she will go and get them both a small port to toast the future, the many generations which Nessie will see grow up, grow old and die.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Iris watches her walk away, her beautiful mother. Half human, half vampire. Perfect.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She looks out of the window into the beautiful garden, feeling sleepy now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">A sharp movement catches her eye through the trees. A flash of brown fur.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Dark brown shaggy fur. Dark liquid eyes gazing into hers, <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a0f541c4-872b-4d0f-9e4b-0d212b381633" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="587d01ef-c0af-4d98-9c1a-e7dd8f2d116c" grcontextid="mesmerising:0">mesmerising</span> her, calling her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Isaac. Oh gosh. It's her beloved Isaac.</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Trust him to come in wolf form she thinks to herself with a smile. She sighs happily and feels light as she finds herself in the garden running towards the giant brown wolf with the kind eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She runs her hands gleefully through his long shaggy fur, amazed at the smooth young appearance of her skin. She laughs and holds her hands out in front of her. Isaac smiles his wolfish smile at her and sits so she can climb onto his strong back. She kisses his head and murmurs words of endearment. The wolf begins to lope into the trees, then starts to comfortably run until the trees are a blur and Iris's long dark hair flows out behind her. No longer <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="796933dc-7093-4f5e-9fd9-76b1d7abc00b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="791570fb-1897-4dee-881c-8e9a3dffe20f" grcontextid="grey:0">grey</span> and in a bun.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">No longer old, but young and free again on the back of her beloved wolf, her true love, her Isaac.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Renesmee returns to her daughter's side to find Iris staring into the garden a beautiful smile on her face. There is something wrong though she isn't breathing. She feels for a pulse, but there is none.</span><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Her daughter is dead. Her beautiful Iris. All her babies have gone now. She knew this day would come. She sighs and takes Iris's hand and takes comfort from the fact that her daughter has a beautiful happy smile on her face. She looks younger now and at peace.</span><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Although Nessie was sad beyond belief to lose all her children to death, she would never ever regret the decision to bring them into this world.</span><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">They had brought her so much joy and happiness; so much humanity to her strange existence.</span><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She had Seth to take away the pain, she would always have Seth. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ff13d445-2f1a-44aa-9e50-ac68a5fa6c36" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a5f51922-41cf-4baf-83a8-9935c33aa9b9" grcontextid="And Bella and Edward:0">And Bella and Edward</span>, her parents. They would never leave her.</span><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Life equals death. There can't be one without the other, it was nature, it was the way of things. Unless you were like her.</span><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Now she would bury her daughter. But all was not lost. She would live through her grandchildren and her great grandchildren and her great great grandchildren.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Life doesn't end, it's a circle.</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The circle of life.</span></i></b><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">From the day we arrive on the planet</span></i></b><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">And blinking, step into the sun</span></i></b><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">There's more to see than can ever be seen</span></i></b><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">More to do than can ever be done</span></i></b><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">There's far too much to take in here</span></i></b><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">More to find than can ever be found</span></i></b><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">But the sun rolling high</span></i></b><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Through the sapphire sky</span></i></b><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Keeps great and small on the endless round</span></i></b><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">It's the Circle of Life</span></i></b><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">And it moves us all</span></i></b><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Through despair and hope</span></i></b><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Through faith and love</span></i></b><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Till we find our place</span></i></b><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">On the path unwinding</span></i></b><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">In the Circle</span></i></b><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Circle of Life</span></i></b><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">It's the Circle of Life</span></i></b><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">And it moves us all</span></i></b><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Through despair and hope</span></i></b><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Through faith and love</span></i></b><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Till we find our place<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> <b><i>On the path unwinding</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">In the Circle</span></i></b><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> <b><i>The Circle of Life</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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kizzymousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12571803064369765958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5913310249853994600.post-20171414855405016732011-07-12T17:24:00.000+01:002014-02-04T17:38:37.913+00:00TOTAL ECLIPSE<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VrvZsX1soZc/UWMug102G1I/AAAAAAAAArc/mU0NNNArc4o/s1600/eclipse.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VrvZsX1soZc/UWMug102G1I/AAAAAAAAArc/mU0NNNArc4o/s200/eclipse.png" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">TOTAL ECLIPSE</span></div>
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<i>PROLOGUE</i></div>
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<i>It was cold and oh so dark in here; the darkness was absolute, not a pinprick of light penetrating it's depths. The coldness seeped from the dank damp <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="145ecc66-d19b-4862-b5e9-3fe9866842ae" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fbc59a5b-13e5-4541-bad0-934f1d9a49d0" grcontextid="it's:0">smel</span>ling walls, seeking warmth and slowly destroying it. Veins turn to ice; flesh becomes so cold and numb in the subterranean s<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="51520208-59e5-47fd-baa1-8819df11746f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="066303a3-3fca-45bd-bae1-94e45e808c17" grcontextid="flesh:0">tone </span>prison. Hope is dying; salvation seems unlikely. Tears fall and turn to ice against her pale skin as she cries silently in desperation. Will anyone save her from this fate? Will anyone find her here in this place? Or will weakness overcome her and death becomes a much longed for release?</i></div>
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CHAPTER ONE</div>
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Happy Ending</div>
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JACOB BLACK:</div>
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In two weeks’ time I am marrying the girl of my dreams, the mother of my child and my true soul mate. Lucky me! Who would've thought a few years ago Jacob Black would've got his happy ending? Leah loves me, it's the best feeling, and I can't wait to marry her! I've got such a good feeling about marriage, after seeing Edward and Bella so happy and Seth and Nessie. I know Leah and I can be that happily married couple too. We are getting married on Christmas Day; on First Beach. We are just having a very simple ceremony, a traditional Quileute wedding. This is called the Rite of the Seven Steps.</div>
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In this ceremony, the couple take seven steps clockwise around a sacred fire. The<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="57b5381e-61e7-48f5-afad-a23982ed391b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b41a0f6d-6361-4d0e-815f-f97abb7c9fa7" grcontextid="take:0"> gro</span>om will take the first step, stop, and recite a vow. The bride will follow suit. This ritual continues to take place as they both complete the seven steps. In some instances, the bride and groom exchange small gifts that are symbolic of their love and life together, such as ears of corn, feathers, stones, etc. The corn stands for fertility. The feathers represent loyalty, and the stones symbolize strength. As the bride and groom take their symbolic walk, the guests join hands forming a circle around them and the fire. It's very popular amongst Native Americans wanting to stick to traditions. Leah and I wanted to incorporate our history into our special day. The only part we are changing is the exchanging of rings. Although the availability of rings was doubtful in ancient ceremonies, this tradi<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6e01f950-9650-4dbd-8716-1751fde4d5f4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="21372f43-77da-409a-a19c-a5da60c881c7" grcontextid="rings:0">tion </span>has become popular in many weddings. The exchanging of rings symbolizes eternal love that has no beginning and no end. I love that part!<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So plans are being made for our big day; Alice of course has been a major factor in this! Although she seems sad and distant at the moment, I don't know why. That's Alice I suppose. Nessie, my dear Nessie is writing a song for Leah and me, a special song for our wedding, which she will perform herself. I'm so proud of her. She is fast becoming one of the best singer/songwriters this country has seen. She loves all the attention! I don't think Bella is so keen though. I guess she just worries too much. I know what that is like now; I worry when Isaac crawls around everywhere, bumping in to things! It's such a hard job being a parent, b<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="735ba7a4-d193-4745-a869-b9ed926fc432" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="eed8988e-aef3-4a6d-b427-b661dc05098f" grcontextid="in to:0">ut it</span>'s also the best job in the world I reckon. Leah and Isaac interrupt me out of my reverie; Leah kisses my cheek and Isaac's small chubby fingers reach out to grasp a strand of my hair. I embrace them both, holding them close to me, inhaling their scent. I love my little family so much. </div>
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<i>Jacob Black is definitely getting his happy ending; just you try and stop me!</i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
CHAPTER TWO</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A Life less Ordinary</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
RENESMEE CLEARWATER:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Did I tell you I love being married to Seth so much? I guess I probably mentioned it!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My career as a musician has taken off so well, I cannot believe it sometimes. Sure I have to be careful, being NOT completely human. But I think I'm managing well, I've got Seth at my side, I can do anything. I love playing my music live to a captivated audience. I have had such good reactions from people, I now have fans! My album Northern Lights has been well received by the public and critics. I think people are enjoying my way of communicating music to them. I have now got human friends! Dominic, my producer and I have become good friends; though I suspect he would like to be more. I have become friends with a girl who works for the record company; she is the receptionist. We got talking one day, and now we are best girlfriends. She obviously doesn't know I'm a half human, half vampire, or that I am married to a half vampire, half shape- shifter! That would be a bit too much information! </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I love having a best friend who's human, Ellie is beautiful, funny and talented. She is wasted in that job. The girl can play the sweetest violin you could imagine. I am hoping to get her to play on some new songs of mine. I think we will complement each other beautifully. She is very gorgeous, though Seth says he doesn't notice any woman but me. Her hair is curly, hanging in red ringlets down her back. Her skin is pale like mine and she has the greenest eyes. She could be a vampire; she is so dazzling and beautiful. She is very Celtic looking; which she says comes from her Irish Mother's side of the family. We spend a lot of time together, when Seth is busy managing my affairs. I love my husband being my agent; I don't think anyone else would've done. Seth is so clever.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My family have been so supportive; Mom is coming around a litt<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="27ab2b39-5640-4e1c-8847-18d7c755ad37" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fbce57ea-f079-45fe-b3de-7c794b587788" grcontextid="have been:0">le bit, I</span> know she is proud of me but she worries. Dad is uncharacteristically unworried for me; he is overjoyed to see me put my talent to good use. Carlisle and Esme are their usual caring selves, only wanting the best for me. Emmett, Jasper and Rose love having a semi famous niece! I'm worried about Alice though; ever since my first performance she has looked worried, scared even. She has tried to hide it from me, but I can see it in her face. I can see her and my Dad having secret conversations in their minds. My Father has not mentioned anything about it to me. Alice has thrown herself into organizing Leah and Jacobs wedding, I suppose it is keeping her mind off whatever is bothering her so<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c032f7e4-5022-46d7-bcad-fd4d2f68d6c9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bcf3a6a7-faac-4fe7-a346-c216911cda60" grcontextid="is keeping:0"> much. It </span>must be awful for Alice, having these visions of hers. The future can change so much in a split second. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I sigh to myself, trying not to worry and to just concentrate on the good things; my unabashed love and desire for my gorgeous husband, my music, my family, my home and my friends. I can't wait for Leah and Jake’s wedding; I am so pleased for them, especially my Jacob. He has everything he ever wanted and that makes me very happy indeed. I am writing a song for the happy couple, for their wedding day. It has to be perfect, just like their love for each other.</div>
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<i>I know it's going to be the best Christmas EVER.</i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
CHAPTER THREE</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Visions</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
ALICE CULLEN:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Edward and I sit in the garden talking, away from the rest of the family; I don't want to infect them with my worries and anxiety. For more than a month I've been having this awful vision, the trouble is it keeps changing. Changing too much for me to get a proper look. This is the worst thing about seeing the future; circumstances and events can conspire to muddle my visions, making them impossible to decipher. The night Nessie played to her first live audience, I suddenly found myself staring into space, horrified at a vision, which gripped me. I saw Marcus, one of the Volturi leaders staring at Nessie's picture, furious that she was trying to become well known to humans for her talent. I shuddered thinking of Marcus. Aro and Caius were intimidating <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1c3588f5-3f42-487d-8876-396758f47edf" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0a6d8682-28e1-4e3b-b469-e6d2f9e333c5" grcontextid="thinking:0">yes, but</span> I think Mar<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="16c126f5-a407-4dc9-a123-f83e6e2e5ad5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9bf68440-892a-47cc-875c-d8a7d68e627c" grcontextid="Aro:0">cus</span> scared me the most. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I think I should explain my reasons for this - as a result of losing his mate, Didyme, Marcus eventually became extremely apathetic. He voted against destroying Nessie in an 'almost bored fashion', not even looking at us, the Cullen's and their allies while doing so. The other Volturi seemed to recognize this aspect of Marcus, as none of the Volturi reacted at all to his vote. Marcus lost his mate, Didyme, when her brother Aro killed her. He never knew Aro killed her. That loss, over the centuries, turned him into the apathetic zombie he is today.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Marcus has the ability to recognize relationships. Marcus gift is actually quite valuable in the hands of someone who knows how to use it. For example, imagine Marcus on the battlefield. He sees the binding ties between the enemy the guard faces. He can tell who the leader is just by watching the way the others are tied to him or her. He can see how to destroy the resistance simply by picking off a few key people. He doesn't just see romantic relationships, but also ties of family and friends, loyalty and devotion. He can tell if any given person would die for another. Off the field of battle (as the Volturi rarely leave their home), Marcus gift is valuable po<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e5df246f-1976-4b54-82ec-50efd323b0ba" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8132e21d-4ea8-4d63-bdd3-65a6a2b9f401" grcontextid="rarely leave:0">litically . </span>It's an amazing gift in a diplomatic situation. Plus, when you're sitting on an empire, it's nice to be able to see when someone's loyalty starts wavering. Or if anyone is getting too fond of anyone else. (copyright Stephenie Meyer).<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Edward stared at me inten<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0657a80f-d286-46b6-a748-68bbb8d8c3d8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="662e867b-edab-4c8b-8b3b-ca9ebb46896b" grcontextid="copyright:0">tly as he</span> waited for my thoughts to cease. I sighed with increasing worry.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Edward, I'm scared, I don't want the Volturi coming anywhere near our family again! What would they say about Seth? We should have known they would react badly to Nessie being well known!" I exclaimed, my eyes wide with fear.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Edward stroked my pale marble face with his cold fingers,"Alice, please, your visions have been so muddled I'm not sure that the Volturi will actually come. Not once have you seen Aro or Caius in your visions. Until we get concrete evidence I am NOT going to upset my daughter or Bella!" he said sternly. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
His topaz eyes burned directly into mine, his face determined and decided. I sighed, breaking away from his piercing gaze. I wish my brother wasn't a mind reader I thought to myself as a determined idea of my own raced across my brain. Of course Edward caught it straight away, his brow creased with worry. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"No Alice!" he screamed. " No! I will not allow you to go to Volterra! <i>I forbid it!"</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
CHAPTER FOUR</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Together Alone</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
SETH CLEARWATER:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I lay on our bed in our cottage alone, wishing Nessie was here with me. For the last two weeks I had hardly seen her, our life was a whirlwind of activity right now. She was always writing new songs, spending time with her human friends, whilst I had the business stuff to attend to. Dominic had a state of the art recording studio in his house in Seattle, so Nessie spent a lot of time there with her new best friend Ellie, the receptionist at the record company. Ellie was a talented violin player; Nessie had decided to use her talents on her next album. So they were busy writing songs, playing music and generally hanging out together. I suppose part of me was jealous; I wanted Nessie all to myself, I loved her so much and felt incomplete w<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0e892348-3875-4312-9e96-f9ab5b5768f5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="35d6c6f8-1f60-47ca-896b-a3955f14c570" grcontextid="to:0">he</span>n I wasn't with her.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dominic's eyes lit up every time he looked at my beautiful wife; I couldn't blame him for that, but still I didn't like it at all. Most of the time I am 100% happy for my Nessie; her dreams are all coming true. But sometimes my doubts, fears and worries threaten to overcome me; maybe she will decide I am not enough for her anymore? Now I can understand Bella's fears; it is frightening to have all eyes on the most precious thing in the world to you. Nessie is becoming more well known by the day; her album sales continue to rise and more and more the media is intruding into her life. This scares me; we must <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="712bc591-8c48-4d89-91df-066810362c78" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c7f6fe5b-b9dc-4b64-a4d0-85501110378e" grcontextid="is intruding:0">not let huma</span>ns know about us. It's fundamental to vampire survival, and one of the rules of our kind. I know Nessie is half human, and I don't want to deny her anything, but I am now getting worried by the amount of attention she is receiving.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I know Alice is worried too, I've seen fear in her small pixie-like face, worry haunting her topaz eyes, silent communication between her and Edward. Then I try to reassure myself; Edward would never let any harm come to his beautiful daughter.<br />
<br />
I glance at the clock on the bedside table. The luminous figures state that it is 3am. Nessie has not returned home to me, and the feeling of speeding off into Seattle to bring her back is getting stronger with each passing second. I grab my pillow, instantly ripping it to shreds, feathers falling all around my face. I groan to myself, the pain of her absence gnawing at my chest where my still heart lays. The heart that does not beat anymore, but if i<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="24cc7c4a-9125-47b3-92a3-e5ab4645eaf2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="08e0c262-5d80-4920-883b-8296d2ebbfa4" grcontextid="lays:0">t di</span>d, it would beat out a steady rhythm of love for her, my wife, my only love. I can't stand this anymore and I speed out of the cottage, into the woods to hunt, anything to distract me from the worry and loneliness.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Nessie my love, come back soon, I miss you.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
CHAPTER FIVE</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Human Allure</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
RENESMEE CLEARWATER:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Spending time with humans was very gratifying. Very different than what I was used to in my life. I was half human and I craved human company. In these short months since my career had taken off I'd become happy to spend more and more time with them. Seth didn't share my point of view. My husband did not see it the way I did. He saw humans as a distraction we could not afford. Dominic and Ellie had become very important to me, I didn't want to give my friends up. We fed on each other's creative influences. We did not notice the passing of time when we were creating songs and music.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sure, I know Dom is in love with me, it's easy for humans to fall for<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f8ea3752-b4cf-4809-8d27-aa455148a29a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="961a44d4-9803-43b1-879d-779ebefe2ef9" grcontextid="is:0"> u</span>s supernatural beings, all too easy to dazzle them. I didn't subconsciously set out to dazzle him, it just happened whether I wanted it to or not. His sapphire blue eyes followed me around the room, watching every movement I made. Hungry eyes full of unrequited love and human desires. My need for him to approve of me over rode any disco<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5d880942-ddda-41ff-b868-e7a02a684438" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f9cd6232-e3e1-4d8e-aa03-7aea9d69d084" grcontextid="My:0">mf</span>ort I felt from his attentions. Ellie was beautiful, smart and funny. I could really relate to her in many ways. Seth wanted him and I to be together every minute of the day, he didn't want me to be distracted by anything but him. It was true when we were together I only thought of him;, the outside world w<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="010a6858-264f-43bb-9817-6e2ec4ce7765" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c1b23517-c4f5-4c4b-aef0-02da616adefd" grcontextid="together I only:0">ent away. I lov</span>ed him. But I loved my new life too.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Couldn't they co-exist together?<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I really hoped they could. For all our sakes. Tonight, as usual, I forgot about time. The hour of the day means very little to me, I<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e5165386-f9c4-4b54-a909-21303e0cf41e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="52b0d30d-6c5d-4424-b869-b124f7190839" grcontextid="time:0"> do </span>not require much sleep, that's my half vampire nature. Dom, Ellie and I had been composing new songs, Ellie<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="be423d25-d4f9-4296-b3dd-35b88d8c5e00" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="17ed44e9-689c-49e1-9fd4-36b744822979" grcontextid="Dom:0">'s </span>sweet violin a new and exciting addition to my music. The sound of the violin was both haunting and uplifting. It suited the mood of my songs perfectly. Ellie had just left, sleep calling her. Dominic and I sat on his comfy leather sofa, a glass of wine in our hands. Yes, I've found out I like that other human pleasure; alcohol. Only in small measures though. Dominic's arm is resting lightly on<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="20eb1de8-40cf-426b-bed5-a6d250b77188" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="034eee45-7ed8-4632-9bd5-d281559f86c3" grcontextid="measures though:0"> the back of th</span>e sofa, his fingers inches from my hair. He is a very attractive human; slim, piercing sapphire blue eyes, sculpted jaw line and cheekbones, dark brown shaggy hair to his shoulders, a kind open face with a ready smile which can light up a room. Yes, very attractive if you weren't a married half human, half vampire girl.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I sigh as I listen to our musical collaborations for the night, pouring through the speakers into the room.<br />
<br />
"Dom, we nailed that song huh?" I ask, turning to him<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9967ad35-3fe3-449f-aca8-d4392d46df6a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e5d5d04b-b7c8-4934-aeda-6b97537c7c8c" grcontextid="Dom:0"> to</span> smile. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
His blue eyes gaze into mine as he smiles back at me, "Uh uh sweetheart, it's amazing. The piano and the violin together, really amazing," I grin widely. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
All I want is his and others approval, I thrive on it, I need it. Dom gently removes the empty wine glass from my hand<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="23657ad5-265f-4d17-ad5e-84aff739cf6e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e94f60f3-c993-473e-9052-2393d7c40958" grcontextid="Dom:0"> an</span>d places it next to his on the floor. I feel a light touch on my hair, as he curls his index finger around my long tresses. He sighs and gazes at me with those eyes. The lamplight casts a warm glow over his features. He smells good. So good. His eyes turn liquid as he sighs, he looks into my eyes again, desire plain on his face. I want to look away but I can't. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="edb16c58-a7d6-4599-98d3-3a49ff80ac73" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d5cdce93-87c2-4d76-9075-2ff5e9e34354" grcontextid="plain:0">"Ness</span>ie, you are so so beautiful. I am so in love with you I can hardly breathe," he whispers gently as I stare immobilised into his piercing eyes. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My hybrid heart <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9df38ddc-3c65-4147-a5f9-ae74659e33a6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ba8b888f-877f-44c1-aabb-6033808a6b73" grcontextid="immobilised:0">is thumping</span> loudly in my chest.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He takes my unmoving state for compliance, and moves in slowly, his lips inches from mine. I feel his warm breath on my face and his scent is all around me, enveloping me, drawing me in closer. Making me hungry. Suddenly his lips are on mine, kissing me passionately, his taste, his scent, and his hunger pouring into my every pore. I don't know why but at first I responded, his human mouth was so delicious. How can this be? In a split second my hybrid brain kicked in and I furiously pushed him away, gasping for breath, my cheeks flushed with passion and something else? Hunger. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"NO! Dom what are you doing?!" I wail loudly, my arms pus<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5712e7a7-0734-4eb1-b825-39c8fb408e61" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c3289e60-0c12-4126-bfa9-f442eba139e0" grcontextid="Dom:0">hin</span>g him away with just a little bit too much strength.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
His face is also flushed, desire in his eyes. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Oh Nessie I'm sorry I thought you wanted me to kiss you," he pleaded with me. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Why would you think that? I love Seth. I'm married!" I complain loudly. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I jump up, eager to get away from his all too alluring scent. I feel shame at allowing his lips on mine. He sits with his face buried in his hands, shaking his shaggy head, moaning softly to himself. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Sorry, sorry , sorry, please forgive me Nessie," he whispers. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I need to flee from this situation, I quickly put on my coat and hurry to the door, quickly opening it. I look back once at his distraught face, his blue eyes looking into mine.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"I love you Nessie," he simply states. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I grimace and bolt out the door, speeding down the stairs, away from the house as quickly as I can. Alice's yellow Ferrari is parked on the kerb where I left it. Lucky for me, wine is absorbed<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7b1b6420-05c3-4877-ab61-6d860f1f356c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="18d399a9-a154-4510-bc42-4edbeb45d46b" grcontextid="kerb:0"> and</span> quickly dissolved by my hybrid system so I don't have to worry that I've had one glass. I jump into the car and speed off into the night. A quick glance in my rear view mirror shows me Dominic's face looking out through the velvet curtains into the rainy, dark night. His eyes following me, his sc<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ff6ebbf9-0949-485e-b057-160c7974eed9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c524281b-16b9-4049-9d4b-82b419a8637c" grcontextid="the rainy:0">ent embed</span>ded into my skin, his taste on my tongue. My head spins with the memory, tears falling down my pale cheeks. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>What have I done?</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
CHAPTER SIX</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Confessions</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
CARLISLE CULLEN:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My beautiful granddaughter sat on the sofa in my study, her face pale, her eyes fearful and full of pain. I wanted to comfort her but she seemed so far away from me at that moment. She had come to ask me about the human vampire relationship. She was worried, she had strange feelings for a human. Hunger. That was how she had described it. I sighed and gently sat down next to her, taking her small hands in mine. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Oh Nessie, you poor love, you look so fragile honey," Her large chocolate brown eyes stared into mine, a frown creasing her brow. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Oh Granddad, I don't know what happened! I never expected to feel such a pull towards a human," she whispered, tears in her dark eyes. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Nessie, it happens love. His blood calls to you, you are half vampire, don't beat yourself up about it," I tried to comfort her. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Her pale cheeks flushed red and she looked down at the floor. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
" I wanted to pounce on him and bite him, drink his blood, possess him!" she said softly with remorse.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I stroked her long silky hair, trying to soothe her pain. " I've known him for ages, why do I feel this way now?" she asked me softly her eyes still downcast. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Haven't you alwa<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f8bd700e-d0e0-46eb-bbf2-f2abb0e0d36f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="41c8ad4d-f441-4e22-a39d-a7d60f9009e1" grcontextid="me softly her:0">ys been drawn</span> to him though, haven't you wondered if it wasn't just mere curiosity and the need to be more human?" I asked her softly. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She finally looked up into my eyes. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Oh Granddad, I don't know. I just don't like the way I felt. I've never dealt much with humans, only Charlie and Sue. When I'm with them, especially Dom and Ellie, I feel like I could belong, like I've missed out on something,” she wailed. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I sighed, this is why it was hard to be around humans. The rest of us Cullen's had had a lot of practice at stifling our true natures when it came to people. Edward was drawn to Bella's blood the first time he caught a scent of it. Her blood sang to him, but he repressed his desire to kill her, instead he fell in love and they had a happy ending. I did not know what to say to make Nessie feel better.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"It's natural sweetheart to want to be part of the human r<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2831b10a-98ca-4f06-9396-c60c8c998457" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2d039e38-0814-4914-a92f-3e290b04cd84" grcontextid="natural sweetheart:0">ace. You have only</span> been used to us. I know you are only half vampire, but you must l<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9fe55879-6cb3-44f9-8459-8a743b0abe0c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fb4993e3-c9ea-450d-94b2-f1406229186a" grcontextid="us:0">ea</span>rn to control your true nature if you want to live in the human world," I said hugging her to me. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She sighed deeply. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
" I love Seth, he doesn't want me to become too involved with humans. I can see why now. But oh Granddad, I love singing and playing my music, being out there in the world, making a difference," she said passionately her dark eyes shining. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"I know darling, I know. But if it came to a choice, you would choose Seth and your family right?" I asked kissing the top of her head. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She looked deep into my eyes, her beautiful face so serious.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
" Yes of course, but I don't want to choose! I just want to live, Granddad, I want to live in the big wide world!"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I hugged her again, her pale face wet with tears. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Nessie, my love, I can only advise you. I will not tell you how to live your life. But consider what is important to you, and please consider the consequences your actions will have on yourself and all those around you," </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She smiled weakly at me.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
" I will Granddad, I promise. I won't start eating my friends ok?" she said with an impish grin. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ah that's more like the old Nessie! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"I'm going home to my Seth now, I've missed him. I've been too preoccupied lately, " she stated determinedly. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We hugged each other tight as she stood to leave for home. I hoped and prayed she would be okay. I watched her leave, a determined look on her face and I smiled. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As soon as she left I sighed deeply and sat down on the sofa my head in my hands. I knew all too well the allure of human blood. I had experienced it myself many, many years ago. No, not my beloved Esme. I saved her life, as I could not bear to see such grace and beauty die. I fell in love with her the minute I looked into her pale dying face. I had to save her. No, this was before Esme. I met a nurse at the hospital where I worked. She was beautiful, slim with long dark curly hair, her name was Frances. She had green eyes as deep as the ocean. At first I was in awe of her beauty, then I was in awe of her scent. Her pulse beating in the creamy skin of her neck. Venom filled my mouth when she was near. Thoughts of wrestling her to the floor and sinking my teeth into her soft flesh also flooded my mouth with venom. It was distracting and utterly inhuman what I wanted to do to her. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I had trained myself to be under complete control around humans, I did not welcome this diversion easily. One night we were both working late, we were alone together in the hospital canteen just before the long shift ended. She drank coffee, whilst I pretended to. The rain beat outside the windows, flashes of lightning glowi<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="57492401-7e2d-4e04-b663-358767391a22" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="934d64dd-b8e7-4a05-9674-000f9bc00c43" grcontextid="beat:0">ng i</span>n the dark, a tumultuous storm raging in the night. A storm raged in me also. It took all my self-control not to lunge at this beautiful creature with the alluring scent sat in front of me.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So I made small talk with her, smiling in the correct places. Suddenly she reached out and touched my hand, her sea green eyes boring into mine. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Carlisle, I'm glad we're alone," she breathed huskily. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I forgot to breathe, forgot to act human as her warm skin touched my cold hand. I quickly pulled my hand away, distraught at the thought of her skin on mine. Her eyes darkened, pain and rejection flaring in those deep green pools. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Frances, I like you, I really do but we must not abuse our working relationship," I said gently. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She smiled sweetly at me, her cheeks glowing a succulent rosy pink. Her red full lips pouting slightly as she gazed into my eyes once more. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Ah yes, but surely you feel something for me Dr Cullen?"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Oh yes, I wanted to say. Yes, I want to tear out your throat, quench this burning, and drink your blood until I am sated. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I sighed trying not to notice how her delicious scent was wafting over me in waves. I gripped the table so hard, I felt splinters in my hands. Still she smiled at me, waiting for my response. I stood up so quickly, she gasped in shock. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
" Dear Frances, what I feel for you...........well it's best left unsaid. Now I bid you goodnight<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="36acc8ec-4576-4cf6-a1b0-757a91128b4f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a8f7c198-dc11-4b8b-b566-c0e466fc7641" grcontextid=".:0">.</span>" </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I turned quickly and made for the door, <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="be2fb0e2-3fb2-4aff-81ae-201c030b2b60" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a68b7f3a-b7d9-4958-b91c-6750e2ce3df3" grcontextid="goodnight:0">not darin</span>g to look back, not daring to inhale her intoxicating scent. She cried out to me as I sped down the corridor.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Carlisle! Please! Come back!" </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I didn't stop, I didn't look back, and I ran out into the stormy night my mind a whirlwind of emotions. That was the last time I ever saw her. I left that night and did not return. No woman ever had that effect on me again, I made sure of it, and I numbed my senses to humans. I wanted to be a good doctor, help those in need, and not kill them!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Until Esme. So yes, I knew how Nessie was feeling, humans can bewitch us and beguile us. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>After all we are vampires, and humans are prey.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
CHAPTER SEVEN</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ultimatums</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
SETH CLEARWATER:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I hugged my sister tight to me, glad to have her to talk to. We hadn't always been this close. Growing up, I was the annoying little brother. Leah had come over to the cottage to see me, all excited about her forthcoming wedding to Jacob Black, the father of her gorgeous baby son Isaac. My nephew. I was Jacob's best man, naturally. I had never seen Leah so happy. I tried to keep smiling so she would not know the turmoil inside my still heart. We chatted about the wedding,<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ac449b69-d2ee-42af-a32b-c65e36ad7780" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="21e4c3c1-9868-4452-a86e-20f2f88088e6" grcontextid="inside:0"> about</span> Isaac, about our Mom, Charlie and our half-brother Zack. Finally she left me alone and I could take off my mask and let my real emotions show on my pale marble face. I was distraught. I was devastated. Nessie, my beautiful wife, was being taken further and further away from me by the lure of human company. By the glitter and glamour of fame. She hardly spent any time with me at all. My emotions ranged from anger to fear to loneliness. We were only just married! I looked out of the cottage window desolately. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Suddenly Nessie appeared.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My eyes lit up at the sight of her, the wind blowing her hair out behind her like a sail, she strode magnificently towards the cottage. I ran to the door and flung it open, scooping her up into my arms, raining kisses down onto her lovely face. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Seth," she gasped. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She smiled her most dazzling smile at me as I set her back down. I took her small hand and led her into the cottage, my joy to see her evident. I crushed her body to mine, revelling in the warmth radiating from her. I lifted her chin up so I could kiss her sweet lips. I gasped as electricity, heat and passion flowed from our joined mouths. She moaned against my mouth, the tip of her tongue touching mine. I grasped her closer to me, her body letting me know just how much she'd missed this closeness. I scooped her up in my arms again and carried her to the bedroom, my lips still on hers. I didn't want to let go, scared she would disappear again and all this would be a dream.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our bodies entwined on the bed, our kissing became more fervent, whispered words of passion fell from our lips. There was no need for conversation, not yet. I let myself be swept away on the tide of passion and love I felt for my darling Nessie. Much later, I lay with my arms around her, her head on my chest, her long hair tickling my marble hard skin. I sighed deeply, scared to spoil the moment, but knowing I had to speak with her. I kissed the top of her head, "Nessie?" I whispered, "Are you awake my love?" </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Uh uh," she replied softly. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I hugged her tighter to me, my still heart swelling with all the love I had for her. "Where have you been, my only love? I have missed you so much!" I exclaimed. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She extricated herself from my arms, and sat up with her legs crossed, only a sheet covering her body. Her chocolate brown eyes gazed deeply into mine. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Seth, I'm sorry. But you know I am so busy. The new album is almost ready to start work on. Ellie is really bringing so much more to my music. It's all so exciting!" she said clapping her small hands together.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I sighed deeply again.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
" Nessie, you know I think you are extremely talented and I'm happy you love your music so much. But on the other hand I never see you these days. I miss you honey. I love you. I don't think spending so much time around humans is healthy for you, I really don't. You aren't human, love," I said gently.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A frown creased her smooth brow, her eyes darkening with anger. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Seth I am well aware what I am! A hybrid freak! Yes,<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4fe42056-477b-459d-a5da-ae6405b6004d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="73011668-3656-48f8-bf2f-5697abaa3a09" grcontextid="Seth I am:0"> not huma</span>n, not vampire! Where do I fit in? Tell me that! I will not give up the happiness I've found, even for you. Both worlds can exist can't they?" she demanded, her pretty face distorted by her emotions.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I tried to hold her hand, to make her see I wasn't being unreasonable, but she pulled away sharply jumping up from the bed. She stalked around the room with only the thin sheet covering her, god she was beautiful, especially when she was angry. I tried to keep my thoughts on the moment but it was hard to do so as she marche<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0b6bfbbc-c290-4b8d-9ca3-a298ef563417" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f3a0bb2b-9b48-4b22-822f-30ddff88eb0d" grcontextid="on:0">d </span>and stomped about the room, her hair flowing around her, her eyes bright with passion, her face deliciously flushed.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Seth Clearwater, you knew when you married me that I wanted to do something with my life. I wasn't prepared to just sit at home and do nothing! Yes, I love you but I won't be told what to do by anyone!" she said determinedly, her dark eyes flashing at me.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I jumped up from the bed, pulling a sheet around me. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Nessie, please. I am only saying maybe you should cool things for a while. It's not safe! We aren't meant to reveal ourselves to humans, we aren't meant to be so close!" I said, my voice cracking with emotion. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Nessie arched a perfect eyebrow at me. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"We?" she questioned. "I am closer to a human than a vampire. I want to be human!" she raged, her face furious. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I felt like she had slapped me in the face, her words stung me so. I stood gaping at her, not recognising this creature before me. Who had stolen <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d11b13aa-d47b-4fd0-bb1f-604616ec0b4d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ac32d538-b5e4-4610-a277-d3d08a3e0eea" grcontextid="recognising:0">my sweet na</span>tured wife? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Nessie, I won't say this again. I beg you, for the love of all that is holy, to stop this now. You can still make your music, but let's keep our lives private from now on. We don't need the out<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="19a30d14-3f3a-43d9-bd47-b6450f0b2d8f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c082cc2b-63c4-459e-a907-c549c69c7f6f" grcontextid="our lives private:0">side world, we on</span>ly need US, that's what's important!" I stated, holding my hands out to her.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
But the gulf between us seemed to widen and become impossible to cross. She quickly dressed, brushing out her tangled tresses. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Nessie, please?" I begged.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She turned around quickly to face me, her face dark and stormy," Don't ever give me ultimatums Seth. I wish I were human. I love being recognised, I love people falling in love with my so<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="76fcc256-4514-444f-b3c4-c484faafbe6d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="28191962-ae4d-4ba9-a338-27c9a512bd41" grcontextid="recognised:0">ngs, and I</span> love and crave human approval. I want a child. This damned half existence has taken away my ability to carry my own baby, nor can I conceive one with you since you've been changed. But there are ways around this; procedures, medical stuff. I don't want a hybrid like my Mom," she sighed deeply. " If I hadn't given in so easily to Nahuel and let him take me away, then you wouldn't have got hurt. Then you wouldn't have been changed. So, yes it's my fault. We could have had children, I could have had YOUR child," she continued sadly.<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was so shocked at her outburst and the feeling of not knowing her any more nearly swept me off my feet with its intensity. She walked towards the door, leaving me once again. I wanted to smash the cottage to tiny pieces.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Before she walked out again, she turned to face me, tears in her eyes, "Seth, Dominic's blood sings to me, I have to restrain myself around him, but I can do it of course because I'm half vampire. Control comes easier to me. I won't hurt him any ways. This has happened for a reason. He will be<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="54c1074d-16ca-4449-8e60-d9bf8e3c7207" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="06d65b53-ff72-48dd-83d6-a74d5c6edf57" grcontextid="any ways:0"> the fat</span>her of my child.<br />
<i>A human child ."</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
CHAPTER EIGHT</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Consequences</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
EDWARD CULLEN:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Alice was trying to hide her thoughts from me. I knew it, and she knew it. I also knew why. She was so sure that the Volturi were angry with my daughter for flaunting her talents in public. I wasn't so sure; so far her visions had only featured Marcus. I knew Marcus wasn't the most pleasant member of the Volturi; he was so indifferent to anyone and everything around him. He was the one who would have gladly have sentenced my daughter to death almost six years ago. I had not picked up on any other Volturi in Alice's thoughts. If I did I would know we needed to be cautious.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I had been a bit distracted lately as well, so I wasn't paying too much attention to Alice's thoughts. Bella and I were planning a second honeymoon on Isle Esme; we would go away next week for a fortnight. I was looking forward to having my wife to myself. The house was so busy with Jacob, Leah and baby Isaac now living there. We didn't have the privacy of our cottage anymore. We needed some us time. I couldn't wait. The island was fully restored to its former beauty after the unpleasant events a few months before. Alice's visions were far from my mind, as Bella and I got ready to fly out to our paradise.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
BELLA CULLEN:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Oh how exciting! Edward and I are going away together, just the two of us. I cannot wait. It will be nice to be just us again. On our special island together, no interruptions, no distractions. The only distraction for me will be him, and I don't mind that at all! Bliss! I shiver thinking of how we will spend our nights on the island, our pale marble skin glinting in the moonlight as we swim naked in the warm sea, Edward's beautiful angel face smiling at me as he leans in to kiss me and take me in his arms in our bed in the blue room. So of course I am only thinking these pleasant thoughts, no worries or fears for my daughter are at the forefront of my mind at all.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
CHAPTER NINE</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Money Talks</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
DOMINIC CROSS:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I alternated between extreme happiness and extreme trepidation. The Cullen family scared me to death, they seemed so powerful and frightening to outsiders. I loved Renesmee, but the rest of her family, uh no thanks! I didn't mean to fall in love with her. The first time I saw her face that was it, I fell and I fell hard. Her sweet voice only made it harder to resist her charms. When she got married I was devastated, some small part of me had hoped she'd feel the same. We had exchanged lots of glances and secret smiles since she first walked through the door of my recording studio. I felt there was something between us, something unspoken but nevertheless special to us both.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I really did read the signals wrong that night at my house when we were alone. The mood seemed right; she seemed to want me as much as I wanted her. I knew it was wrong because she is married, but I couldn't help myself kissing her soft sweet lips. She responded at first and my heart leapt. Her response shocked me actually; it was almost as if she wanted to devour me. The thing is I would have let her do anything to me. I am so in love with her. But then she'd stopped kissing me; horrified at what we had done. When she stormed out I really thought I would never see her again. I mean she could've found someone else to produce her albums. It didn't have to be me. But two days later she turned up on my doorstep, the yellow Ferrari parked outside on the kerb. Her beautiful long hair was dishevelled, her e<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2669d83a-081c-4c18-8ac7-bf9da747f734" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0a5087ae-3a2e-4e53-ab11-36fcdda82776" grcontextid="kerb:0">yes </span>dark deep pools in her pale face. Eyes, which were threatening tears. I had taken her hand and led her inside.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She didn't speak to me at first. I removed her coat and led her to the living room, which was very cosy in the glow of the real fire. I sat her down an<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1518cc26-b258-4cbe-8f2b-e87516d13f4d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="050c5285-9ba7-4cbc-9103-f83dea93d80d" grcontextid="cosy:0">d po</span>ured her a glass of red wine. She looked like she needed one. She sipped it slowly, her eyes unfocused and dreamy. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Nessie?" I had asked softly. "Are you all right?" </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Her beautiful eyes focused on me suddenly, with an intensity, which both thrilled and frightened me. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Dom," she purred in that sexy throaty voice of hers.<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="dc9740aa-7fd3-4058-890e-074956b17d30" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="dc20e2c0-4b30-4922-abae-f4823032f5bd" grcontextid="Dom:0"> "C</span>an I stay with you?" she smiled up at me, captivating me once again. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She had cast a spell on me, the beautiful witch with pale skin, dark eyes and long luxurious tresses of dark auburn silk. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Of course," I replied, smiling down at her, my heart leaping and stuttering all over the place.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So that was that. She was still here, and we'd talked and talked. I'd found it hard not to want to kiss her and touch her again, but I restrained myself. She needed a friend and I was determined not to let her down. I did feel something in the air between us, unseen sparks of electricity crackling in the atmosphere when we gazed at each other. I had to tear my gaze away from hers when I felt like I might lose control of my emo<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f3bbb20d-e41b-472e-8437-2854f3b2c24f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f5539cfd-bd1a-4755-98a0-3d75fa2fec06" grcontextid="hers:0">tion</span>s and actions. It was hard listen to her talk about her husband Seth and her st<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a5fd1fad-e312-4729-9a42-5e70583a53eb" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="31ecbab6-4203-4fc9-8eea-270781f6d657" grcontextid="listen:0">range </span>family. But I was determined to behave myself around her. What will be will be. If she happens to love me too then that would be so amazing, but if she wants me to be her friend, then that's fine with me too. As long as I can still see her and share a small part of her life then I'm happy.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This night the conversation had turned really serious. Nessie told me she can't have children the conventional way. Her husband also is unable to have children. She explained this was another reason she'd came to stay with me for a few days to clear her hea<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="df7b0b01-0855-46b3-aecc-eb0cce9f3888" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="493e7748-c846-40d8-8418-85869fbbb64a" grcontextid="came:0">d. H</span>er and Seth had been having some real problems; I think he is jealous of her fame and of her new friends. It doesn't seem lik<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="005a3923-b5bc-45a0-b5c9-7b402020bfa1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="02fcf7c9-37f1-4676-ba22-b4879f7a2346" grcontextid="her fame and of:0">e Nessie has ha</span>d many friends in the past, she seems to have led a sheltered life. If Nessie was my wife I would be out in the night searching for her to bring her home to me. Nothing would keep me away from her, nothing!<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But Nessie explained she'd said some pretty terrible things to Seth; things he might find hard to forgive. Jeez, I would forgive her anything, I swear! I suppose I shouldn't have been shocked then when she asked me; all things considered. Her chocolate brown eyes gazed into mine with such intensity I nearly had to look away. But of course I couldn't, I was stuck there in her gaze, like an insect on a pin. Unable to look away I watched her perfect lips form the question, which could change our lives forever.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Dominic will you help me have a baby?"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Before I can answer there was a soft knock at the door. My eyes were still riveted to Nessie's face. Did she really just ask me that? She glides over to the door and opens it. I hear another female voice greeting her. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Perfect timing!" I hear Nessie exclaim. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She comes back into the room with Ellie, a <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6b85d95d-4084-41ca-ad6b-8d41a3c5117d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="72f7d543-7ce7-4561-9f69-42d6803f61ec" grcontextid="exclaim:0">big smi</span>le on both their faces. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"So has she asked you yet?" Ellie asked with a grin. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I must've looked completely confused by the whole situation, as both girls rushed to my side, chattering excitedly. Nessie took my hands in hers, gazing up at me with those beautiful eyes.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Dominic, Ellie and I have been talking, and as you both love me, we thought of a brilliant plan to help me out in the baby department," she said smiling widely at me.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I still said absolutely nothing. I did not move. Ellie squeezed Nessie's arm encouragingly. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Ellie has offered me her eggs, we have them on ice right now at a private fertility clinic. I just need something from you Dom, a very important ingredient!" she had winked cheekily.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So that's how I ended up here at the fertility clinic tonight, sitting in the waiting room with Ellie, whilst Nessie has two day old embryos, made from a combination of me and E<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ad9f348b-7042-4f18-b2f7-e384fecf9110" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8b7e5a8d-271e-4663-a44d-cf1a599b7298" grcontextid="day:0">lli</span>e, placed into her womb. A miracle. What if I hadn't agreed? T<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e4b1ba84-89a9-4524-9078-c6e6f247e1c5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8b7e5a8d-271e-4663-a44d-cf1a599b7298" grcontextid="into:1">he t</span>rouble is I love Nessie so much I cannot say no to anything. If she needs, wants and craves a baby then I will do what I can to help. Now we have to wait 12 days to find out if this procedure has worked. I could be a father? Ellie and Nessie joint mothers? Ellie's baby and mine carried in Nessie's womb? I already knew, both Ellie and I considered Nessie the mother, it was our special gift to her, because we were both so in love with her. I sighed, I guess Nessie can dazzle just about anyone.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I also guess you can do anything when you are rich huh? Nessie must've paid the clinic a fortune to do all this at such short notice, and at this time of night. I could tell how much she wanted a child though. If Nessie had her way she would be pregnant before Christmas. I hoped all her wishes come true. I loved her so. Nessie appears through the double doors into the waiting room a large grin on her pretty face. She hugs both Ellie and I, tears in her eyes. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
" Thank you guys, I love you both, always," she whispers, kissing first my cheek then Ellie's. "But now, I must go home. Seth needs to know about this, and I have no idea how he will react," she frowned. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I didn't envy her that conversation. How do you explain that? A shiver went down my spine when I thought of her tall, muscled husband. He was very intimidating. Suddenly I was scared, very scared.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Exactly <i>how</i> will Seth react?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
CHAPTER TEN</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Miracles</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
RENESMEE:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Seth's f<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ffc0026f-74d6-453a-9831-440bf7664328" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="44e41626-14eb-4bb2-a074-5b211c140e25" grcontextid="will:0">ace </span>went through a variety of changes; angry, sad, confused, helpless, but not once happy. I dug my fingernails into the soft skin of my palms in anxiety. Yes, I'd told him what I'd done tonight. I'd done this thing, this miracle without telling him. My husband. Kept in the dark. Out of reach, although he is standing only three feet away. I prayed we could bridge this chasm, which stretched between us. How had everything gone wrong so quickly? I still loved Seth with every fibre of my being, but I thought he'd understood me,<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="56a6e808-2df9-433f-8839-7e0f3038caaf" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9047d3a1-cff3-4fda-a958-00c0322eba72" grcontextid="fibre:0"> and </span>now I feel like I got that so wrong. He stands and stares at me as if I am a stranger. I cannot stand it any more!<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Seth, please, talk to me," I plead.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He holds out a hand to me, I walk forward and place my hand in his. He doesn't smile as he looks down into my eyes, but leads me by the hand out into the cottage garden. We sit next to the stream, under a bower of wild white roses. The moon is full tonight and all the stars are out. A frosty chill permeates the night air; after all it will soon be December. Seth squeezes my hand; I think he wants me to speak first. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Seth I am sorry I didn't consult you on this, I did <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="313d2633-572a-4d07-8e0d-d46798c508f1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ea491ca7-4d00-4fe3-b2f3-f5d67591a17c" grcontextid="Seth I am:0">try to wa</span>rn you how I felt. It seems we can't talk any more without arguing. What's happening to us?" I<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9573d08d-f1fd-4b9c-94ac-4f51ee468417" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="56ce5031-3bdb-4594-898f-9b5238199684" grcontextid="any more:0"> asked m</span>y voice breaking with emotion.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He sighs and turns to look me in the eye. "Nessie, my love, I adore you, all I want to do is protect you from harm. I thought you could tell me anything? Why did you plan all this behind my back? Huh? I feel like a prize idiot! Now you have two embryos inside you, and I wasn't even with you?! If we'd discussed this properly I would have supported you, don't you see?" </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If he could shed tears I know he would right now. I feel horrible and empty inside for hurting the most important person in the world to me.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Seth, I am a selfish horrible person, I only thought about myself, what I want. I was so determined I would be a mother, when Ellie offered I knew it was a sign. I am also ashamed to say I knew Dom would help without question. They both love me, <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a88b39f2-dff7-4ffe-bc6d-da1baec021e7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="211c814a-0647-407e-bfdc-858bb09ac487" grcontextid="Dom:0">you</span> love me, and I don't deserve any of it!" I started sobbing, realising how badly I'd behaved. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
How would I put thi<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="93800392-7b16-4abe-8437-e5265fd2dc44" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1c73b07c-c0c8-4fd4-8f0a-f48969acd64c" grcontextid="realising:0">s right? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Seth hugged me to him, kissing the top of my head. "Silly Nessie!" he scolded.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"I love you, I will support you one hundred percent of the way if you truly want to be a mother. I'll do anything I can to make it possible. The only thing that scares me is you are so headstrong and stubborn. I am scared your talent will draw attention to us, love. Scared it will tear the family apart. Now we have something else to be scared about! Oh Nessie, if it works, we'll be parents! Unless you are planning on running off with Dominic and Ellie to raise this baby?" He asked with raised eyebrows. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I smiled up at him, "Now who's being silly!"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We hugged and his lips found mine, kissing me passionately. Oh how I had missed him. Why did I stay away? We could've gotten through this. My fingers wound around his long hair, pulling him closer to me, my lips insistent on his, his scent and taste intoxicating me. I have been so selfish. I could've lost Seth. I know now I must try to be more reasonable. I can't keep pushing him away, I must trust him. He is my love, my only love. I sigh contentedly as his hands run up and down my body, his lips trailing cool kisses down my cheek, onto my neck. He pulls me down onto the grass and under the full moon he places a large palm on my belly. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Nessie, there could be a miracle happening in here right now. Our child. I will promise to love it as much as I love you," he said solemnly his dark eyes serious and full of love and wonder.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I sighed happily, how perfect would that be? I would gladly give up my fame and fortune to have my own baby. That's all I truly want in this existence; to be a mother. To have our own little family, Seth, our baby and me.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Does it really matter how we reach our goal?</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
CHAPTER ELEVEN</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Taken</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
JANE :</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
How easy it was to snatch the red-haired friend of our target. Too easy. Now her large frightened eyes watched us warily from the back of the van. We'd tied her up well and gagged her; there would be no escaping. As if anyone could escape us? The Volturi are known for their amazing and special powers. Alec<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="481327af-8ed7-4789-b05b-dc524d1ec859" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="337b2ad5-698e-41e3-96a2-c751337dabed" grcontextid="are known:0"> and I , </span>twins and members of the guard, are credited and worshipped for having the most useful powers. I can cause someone to believe that they are feeling pain. This excruciating pain makes it easy for the Volturi to attack and destroy their ene<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3550a708-a98d-4579-91f8-2bcca0769697" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a9226707-bb1e-48d9-ba15-99160e0e9353" grcontextid="easy:0">mies</span>. Alec's powers are also useful when attacking the enemy. He can cut off all senses making the prey unable to see, hear or feel anything, enabling them to kill the victims without a fight. The Volturi act as guardians, keeping the secret society of vampires hidden from the human world as needed.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We didn't require to kill this victim though, yet, only draw her friend to us. Renesmee Cullen, who had broken our fundamental rule. She must pay. Aro, Marcus and Caius had spoken. Renesmee must be b<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="024883b5-44c3-441a-8d1f-f01511dc1d72" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e793005e-7716-4384-a881-560315a63f95" grcontextid="Aro:0">rou</span>ght in front of them to answer for herself. Of course she had the power of the Cullen’s and the Shape-shifters behind her, so going straight for our target would have been foolish. Six years of peace have reigned, why did the spoiled brat have to ruin everything. I smiled to myself, if I was honest I was glad, I had no affection for the Cullen’s. They thought they were so superior. Vegetarians? Huh! Alec caught my sly grin and we smiled widely at each other. Twins; <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d2300390-39cf-47c8-adea-a22a3ed05730" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4222c27f-e9ad-419d-a552-340a24a4a83d" grcontextid="sly:0">joi</span>ned in mind, body and soul.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I glanced at the red-haired girl in the back; her bright green eyes dulled with fear. She would be easy to control; all we had to do was get her on a plane and deliver her to Volterra. An easy task for the invincible twins. Of course she wouldn't be allowed to survive, no one must know of our existence. With Edward and Bella out of the way, there should be no resistance. Renesmee would come. Once she'd been informed by that annoying pixie faced Aunt of hers, who of course would see all this in a vision.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Maybe Aro will get his wish; <i>Alice on a plate!</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
CHAPTER TWELVE</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Dark Place</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
ELLIE O'CONNOR:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was cold and oh so dark in here ; the darkness was absolute, not a pinprick of light penetrating it's depths. The coldness seeped from the dank damp <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a12fccc8-9a07-4cfc-86d4-9444b9bc08ce" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b8b64823-fe85-4d73-bd1a-dcb66a034ec6" grcontextid="it's:0">smel</span>ling walls, seeking warmth and slowly destroying it. I've never been so scared in my whole life. What is this place? Who are these people? To my fear addled brain they reminded me of some strange cult; cloaks with hoods, piercing red eyes, pale skin? Were those contacts? I didn't want to think about th<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="134f962e-61ce-49ea-ac14-66090e53dbf7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="da12880d-e34d-41c1-baf7-7a1585515b28" grcontextid="Were:0">e al</span>ternatives. This horrible place they'd put me in was like a tomb. My heart frantically raced in my chest and panic welled up inside of me, threatening to overflow, a scream not far from my lips. Why had they done this to me? I heard the twins talking in the van; they wanted Renesmee. She'd done something to upset them. Something so bad they needed me as bait. What could my friend possibly have done to these strange people?<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Last night, I had just left work, I made my way to the car park to find my battered old mini cooper. It was dark, there were no stars out and the night was cold and miserable. I located my car and was fumbling for the keys in my bag, anxious to get home into the warm. Two pairs of strong arms had gri<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9a68e620-a8df-4582-9ea6-71d102469453" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9fe7f005-7914-4262-aa5b-fcea5a4b3084" grcontextid="home:0">pped</span> me and before I had time to scream a chloroform soaked pad was placed over my nose and mouth causing me to slump against the car door with a sigh of surrender. When I awoke I was captive in the back of the van with two sets of red eyes watching me intently. I screamed, very loudly, my head throbbing from the drug they'd use to sedate me.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The girl's eyes, Jane, had bored deep into mine, and a sudden pain ripped throu<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="12be4fac-be93-45b6-b9be-082ff3d42beb" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7f650b84-4e1f-4db8-a58e-fb65a3f4ac9b" grcontextid="bored:0">gh my</span> chest, leaving me breathless and incapacitated. She laughed with her twin, and I knew without a doubt that this small blonde girl had caused me this pain. I don't know how but I knew it was her doing. I'd begged and pleaded with her to make it stop. She'd calmly looked me in the eye and told me if I didn't scream or try to escape she would stop. I gritted my teeth through the pain and nodded my head. Suddenly the pain was gone. I breathed deeply with relief. Then the blonde haired boy, Alec, turned his gaze on me. I shivered with fear. Jane nodded her head and suddenly I was deaf, dumb and blind. In my head I screamed and screamed silently. A few seconds later, my senses returned. Alec beamed at me, his angelic face frightening. Jane informed me that's what would happen to me if I annoyed either one of them. I had to do as they said or else. Pain, suffering and my senses deprived. Of course I wasn't going to argue with that. So I arrived in Italy with them to this strange, dark, foreboding place.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tears streamed down my face. Who will rescue me? My hope was dying with every hour I remained here. I was so scared. I was scared for Nessie too. If she came, what would these awful people do to her? I shuddered. This tomb-like place could very well end up being my tomb. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Lost forever.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
CHAPTER THIRTEEN</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Fear</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
ALICE CULLEN:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I ran as fast as I could to the cottage, the branches of the trees snapping in my wake. I pounded on the door, my small fist splintering the wood. Nessie's face appeared at the window, alarm in her chocolate brown eyes. She quickly opened the door and ushered me inside. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Hey Alice, what's up? I was just having a human forty winks whilst Seth is out hunting," she explained, yawning and running her fingers through her tangled hair. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The look on my face stopped her in her tracks. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Oh god Alice! What is it?" she demanded, grabbing my hands. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Oh Nessie, the visions, they are so awful. We need to go to Volterra now!" I said urgently. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She looked at me in confusion. I grabbed her by the shoulders, my eyes boring into hers. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"They have taken a human prisoner Nessie, I'm sorry but I recognised her as your red-haired friend, Ellie isn'<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="219f43d9-2cb1-4998-b5a4-d7521c75da5f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6d298356-1a5a-4624-b03b-d524e3e77c35" grcontextid="recognised:0">t it? They</span> are keeping her in the dungeons, waiting for you to take the bait. They are so angry with you. They feel you have flaunted your fame to the detriment of vampire survival. Oh Nessie<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ae7f3ec6-d899-4d8c-b2a8-12e877b29879" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9e5b97ad-4e90-446b-95a5-5d66d0ae5fd9" grcontextid="fame:0">, I'</span>m so sorry honey. They mean to kill Ellie. We must go of course. Aro is determined to bring you to justice and as for<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="36031e41-23ec-4dde-871f-9a24f184da7c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f3c92a67-4ceb-48b9-9e0b-a67aad5cf9f5" grcontextid="Aro:0"> me</span>.......well he's always wanted me".</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Nessie's face burned w<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c6b80ade-6a97-4c3e-ad66-fece5deba924" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f3c92a67-4ceb-48b9-9e0b-a67aad5cf9f5" grcontextid=".:1">i</span>th anger. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"How dare they!" she screamed, her eyes wild. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Yes, Alice we must go now. We must go before Seth gets back. I can't involve anyone else and put them in danger too. This is my fault!" she wailed, her fingers clawing at her long hair. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Nessie, I already tried to phone your parents, but the phone must be switched off," I admitted. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Please Alice, let's go. If they hurt Ellie.......wel<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="baefc696-a95a-40a9-8df3-e95cf34559a7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="96a6967b-93d2-43c5-a305-2a577156bf18" grcontextid="Please:0">l they</span> hurt me in more ways than one!" I looked <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8ce0d680-a138-4a4a-838b-5a6afd87896a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="63368f14-429f-468d-9b90-e45f30b96792" grcontextid=".:0">a</span><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7a1f9b6f-ae5f-477d-bb9a-9735f116f16e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="63368f14-429f-468d-9b90-e45f30b96792" grcontextid="well:1">t my</span> niece quizzically. "I'll explain on the way Auntie." </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Nessie said, quickly pulling a coat on over her jeans and top. We raced back to the house, and quickly reversed the yellow Ferrari out of the garage. This was the second time I'd had to race towards Volterra. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>It didn't make it any easier.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
CHAPTER FOURTEEN</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Paradise and Hell</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
BELLA CULLEN:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This felt like a second honeymoon, me and Edward, alone on our private island. Our first had been so different. I was still human. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3336a284-7ed0-4e1b-9ed5-bfd21349065b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ef258a47-be24-4a86-80cd-11ac83579685" grcontextid="Our:0">Thi</span>s time was so different. Of course I'd had a few years to get used to being a vampire myself now, no restrictions on our physical relationship anymore. I marvelled at our skin shining like diamonds, the hot sun shining on us in the daytime as we lay together on the warm silky sand, our bodies and hearts entwined as one. I marvelled at Edward's beauty on the moonlit nights where we swam together in the crystal sea, his arms encircling me, his lips crushing down on mine as we gave into the passion we felt for one another.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was perfect, being alone together. I love him so completely, my only love, my Edward. We are not planning on leaving any time soon. Edward insisted we switch off the phones yesterday, so we can have no interference from the outside world. I don't mind. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is heaven, our own little patch of paradise.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
RENESMEE CLEARWATER:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As we sped through the starry Italian night, I told Alice of my plans to become a mother. She gasped in shock when I told her about the two little embryos which were currently nestling into my womb. Her eyes widened even more when I explained who the biological parents were. I felt tears stream down my face as I tried to convey to her how much I wanted to be a mother, how disappointed I was to find out I couldn't conceive my own child with Seth, how much having our own family meant to me. More than my music. Alice stroked my arm and tried to soothe me. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Nessie, love I can't believe you've been going through this alone!" she exclaimed.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I turned my tear stained face towards her, "I thought everyone would try to talk me out of it, tell me I can't possibly bring a human child into our world. But I can Alice, I can!" I said determinedly. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Nessie, you'll be a wonderful Mom sweetie, I know you will," Alice smiled warmly at me. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Oh it was good to hear. I'd convinced myself the family would be so upset with me. Mind you I'd still to face my parents that was going to be trickier!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
" Thanks Alice. It may or <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d924e4de-1375-47c0-9e58-4055f7d74bb2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0d16fe31-7ccf-4011-b875-2a3ca5dd4a09" grcontextid="was going:0">may not w</span>ork, I will find out soon. Maybe my vampire side will reject human embryos. But I'm praying and praying like mad that it will work. So you see Ellie has given me her friendship, despite me being different. And she has given me the greatest gift in the world, I cannot let her down when she needs me!" I said fervently.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Alice looked worried again, her pale face drawn, her eyes staring into space. "Alice! Are you having a vision? Should I drive?" I asked, with panic in my voice. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Suddenly her eyes re-focused and she turned to look at me with a frightened expression. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Oh Nessie, Ellie is fading fast. They never planned to keep her alive. She's human, it won't be allowed!" </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I screamed in fear and pain. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"No Alice! We must save her, I don't care what my punishment is!" </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"I have a plan any ways Nessie, and my visions are showing me it will work. Have faith darling niece, have faith," Alice replied<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="39744709-40ea-444b-9ca5-a6d9c4ed4c80" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="cc4e8708-7e82-42a5-a892-aab9d21e3bb2" grcontextid="Have:0"> cal</span>mly.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The car slowed down as we reached Volterra. The dark alleyways leading down into the hide out of the Volturi were damp and foreboding. I <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="93084590-c41b-4d55-8230-c0821cc0e6a2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1f93d864-3967-48a4-b3f2-b7711ef50e4c" grcontextid="hide out:0">shivered</span> as Alice and I disappeared into the darkness to meet our fate. Please let Ellie be okay I silently prayed. Alice's small cold hand found mine in the darkness as we silently dropped below the city to make our way through the underground tunnels. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"It will be okay Nessie, you'll see. Everything is going to turn out fine, I can see it!" Alice whispered in the dark to me. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I squeezed her hand and prayed she was <i>right.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
CHAPTER FIFTEEN</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gone</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
SETH CLEARWATER:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I stood in the pouring rain hammering on Dominic Cross's door. Well what was I supposed to think when Nessie had left me a note saying " Dear Seth, a friend I love dearly is in grave danger. I have gone to sort out the mess I've created. I love you always, your devoted wife Nessie" ?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was worried sick! What could possibly have happened now? Dominic opened the front door and I barged passed him, maybe a little too enthusiastically. I heard him gasp as I elbowed him out of the way. I ran into the living room, my eyes scanning the place for my beloved Nessie. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Where is she Dom?" I bellowed.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dominic's eyes were full of fear as he carefully watched me. "Uhm not here Seth, sorry," he apologised backing awa<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8ee9304f-2cca-4342-814a-0ba746ad23dc" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="26c99c3a-e212-41e6-b8f4-e1a1dff54cde" grcontextid="Uhm:0">y f</span>rom me. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I passed Nessie's n<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="bb25e8fb-978e-48b1-b434-d07048f0de8b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="26c99c3a-e212-41e6-b8f4-e1a1dff54cde" grcontextid="apologised:1">ote to him</span>. His eyes widened as he read it. He looked up at me questions in his sapphire eyes.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"I thought she meant she was here with you?" I asked. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"No, I haven't seen her since erm the other night. Has she told you about that?" h<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="951a3f29-9cb6-438f-a0e0-e9ea43504771" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ad79dec6-e4ec-4b2b-b947-a70313347f33" grcontextid="erm:0">e a</span>sked, fear flaring in his blue eyes again.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I knew now why he looked worried. The clinic. I sighed deeply. "I'm not here to talk about THAT Dom. Though I expect we will have a chat about it sooner or later," I said calmly, raising my eyebrows at him. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I guess I looked scary to him, a half wolf, a half vamp almost seven feet tall, with a muscular strong frame. Hell I'd be scared of me! Dominic went over to the drinks cabinet and poured himself a straight whiskey, gulping it down in one. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Would you like a drink, Seth?" he asked. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"No thanks, I don't drink," I said my eyes narrowing at him.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"I don't usually, well except for the odd one," he said sitting down on the sofa, his glass replenished. "But it's not every day one of your closet friends goes missing," he sighed. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Nessie?" I asked. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He sighed deeply, "No, Ellie. Think you've met her once or twice," he replied taking a long swallow of the amber fluid. "She didn't go home last night, her car was abandoned in the car park at work. Her flat mate reported her missing, as she had phoned just before leaving work to say she'd be there soon. It's not like Ellie, not at all. And weirder still, her handbag was lying on the ground next to her car. The police found something on the ground next to it. I don't think it will help though, could've been left by anyone." </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He slumped back on the sofa and I noticed for the first time how tired and emotionally drained he looked. I felt some sympathy for the man. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"What was the thing the police found?" I asked. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dominic got up and took a small object from his jeans pocket. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“This," he said handing it to me. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was a silver brooch pin. It looked old. It had a crest on it. An unmistakable crest. One I'd seen before. It was the crest of the Volturi. I gasped my head spinning with the implications. Renesmee's friend missing, a Volturi brooch at the s<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a9eb994d-efaa-44c5-b3ba-6f7cc4cdb885" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3e9523ff-b3db-4cbe-becd-bbb1c95a60f2" grcontextid="Renesmee's:0">cene, used</span> as a clasp on those damn spooky cloaks of theirs, my wife – gone. To sort out something. It all added up.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Dominic, I know what this is. And it's not good news. The people this brooch belongs to, I know who they are. And I would bet they've taken Ellie to draw Renesmee to them!" I told a shocked Dom. "And of course knowing my wife, she's gone to face them," I continued. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dom’s blue eyes sta<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="07fdd0dd-666e-45a3-9aa6-9a0fbe6b97fa" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d3b31bfa-7696-4819-804b-4e62e51276d7" grcontextid="gone:0">red </span>intently into mine. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"But Seth, how would Nessie know Ellie had gone missing? I haven't told her, she hasn't been in touch," he asked looking puzzled. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Alice!" I exclaimed. "Of course, Alice!" </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dominic looked at me with confusion on his face.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Dominic, thanks. This has been a great help. Now I am going to get my wife back and Ellie!" I exclaimed rushing to the door. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dominic ran after me. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Hey Seth, wait up, I'm coming too! Those two girls mean the world to me!" he blurted out, his cheeks flushed.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"I've no time to argue with you Dom, but trust me if you come with me you won't like what you will see!" I warned, rushing out of the door, Dominic hot on my heels.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We sped off into the night, Dominic's knuckles white as he clung onto the dashboard. Ah I can see he hasn't experienced our kind’s way of driving yet! I should have left him at home, it wasn't right for a human to be dragged into our world. But I guess I could use the company. He would be safe with me. I grimaced when I thought of my wife in the clutches of the Volturi. I had been dreading this day, I'd tried to warn her, but of course my advice had fallen on deaf ears. None of that mattered now. All I wanted was my love returned to me safe and unharmed. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Put it this way.........<i>.she better be, or else.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
CHAPTER SIXTEEN</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Volturi</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
RE<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0c3281fe-f675-42ac-b9b5-669f63911976" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3aca92d9-7028-4d9e-ab44-01cec643f20c" grcontextid=".:0">N</span>ESMEE CLEARWATER:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Alice and I stared at the double doors leading into the main quarters of the Volturi leaders. Of course we'd been spotted almost as soon as we'd arrived and now we had two escorts; Demetri and Heidi. The doors were flung open and Alice and I were pushed forward into the inner sanctum. Alice hissed at Demetri as he pushed her with a little bit too much force. I grabbed hold of her arm to steady her as we walked forward to meet the three old vampires; Aro, Marcus and Caius. I had been holding back my fear, determined not to let it get a grip of me. But when I saw those three with their paper-t<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3ebbf0b1-5eea-4e97-b178-574c2faa0a21" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e0f3b5f4-ce22-4cf7-9332-983d7a40f962" grcontextid="of:0">hi</span>n white skin and piercing red eyes, I shuddered involuntarily as a wave of sheer panic and fear gripped me. Last time I had seen them was six years ago, I was only an infant. I had touched Aro and "showed" him all about me, to make him see I was special and not an immortal child.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Alice and I stood before them, the Volturi guard close by. Alice stood as tall and proud as she could manage, a defiant glint in her eyes, whilst I by comparison, stood meekly next to her, a quivering wreck. Oh how I wished my Seth was here. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Ladies, it's a pleasure, as alway<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="35657496-1330-436e-a14a-7eb43df195a9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="062ea06b-b72c-4a2d-896e-2d06bf42018e" grcontextid="my:0">s.</span>" Aro greeted us in his old raspy voice. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It reminded me of nails scratching down a blackboard. He lifted my hand and put his thin lips to it, I shuddered again. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Renesmee, you have turned into a beautiful young lady," he rasped. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He lifted Alice's hand, also kissing her skin with his papery <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2afa9c10-5673-4fef-8268-53bdfce0007a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d90b79eb-f9fa-4e59-bb60-79f660279483" grcontextid="Alice's hand:0">thin lips. "</span>Alice my dear, a pleasure." He didn't let go of Alice's hand though, instead he lifted it to his brow, his eyes closed. "Ah!" he sighed as Alice's every thought filtered into his mind. Alice's face remained like a statue, white and still, her dark eyes betraying no emotion.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"AH!" Aro exclaimed.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He dropped Alice's hand, his gaze riveted on me. "So Renesmee, <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="af9cac67-c3ab-425a-9f92-2bef99902a12" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e4674fa4-c950-41b0-b8ed-0d383212fff2" grcontextid="Alice's hand:0">you are a we</span>ll-known singer and musician now. You have married a shape-shifter, who was changed into one of us. And now you carry human embryos in your hybrid womb? Is there no<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5628adae-16c5-4d1c-a516-e90cec4400df" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f51719d0-9a64-4ad2-ba1e-5b4e14358b4b" grcontextid="carry:0"> end </span>to the blasphemies you have conflicted on the Volturi?" he asked in a calm, but frightening voice. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I took a deep breath and willed myself some courage to face this. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Aro, yes it is true, I have a special talent for mus<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fbcf4c6d-e190-4395-aa53-a7b84ec1bdfc" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="11a7b9c0-f33d-44e3-a211-020b2135077e" grcontextid="Aro:0">ic.</span> I mean no harm, I only wanted to make a difference in this world, much like my granddad has done in medicine. And yes it is true I married Seth Clearwater, because I love him with all my heart. He was going to die, Nahuel attacked him. We ALL decided to save him, the only way was to change him. And lastly, yes you are correct, I am hoping Seth and I can have our own family, this was the only chance for us. I do not believe I have put you or your guard in any danger. I wish for you to return my human friend to me right now and Alice and I shall leave."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Aro's eyes widened at me, and a half smile played on<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c05fbd9a-0e1a-4463-91a3-a0135432ca8e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="dfb28280-241d-4313-9129-289eaf46b198" grcontextid="Aro's:0"> his </span>thin lips. He turned to face Marcus and Caius, "Do you hear this brothers? The child believes herself to be abov<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="534c9251-6106-457b-821c-57052e92f79d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e9933ae2-63cd-4724-92be-aec5486bef7d" grcontextid="this brothers:0">e the law?" h</span>e asked. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Marcus and Caius's red eyes bored into mine.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"I said destroy her when we had the chance," Marcus rasped. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Aro turned back towards us, his old face sly and cun<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5e6d1322-af5d-44f7-b306-4637740bcdfb" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="02522828-90fc-4952-b7c0-864b224cde7a" grcontextid="Aro:0">nin</span>g. "Sweet Renesmee, if I grant your wish, leave you alone to do as you will and return your friend, what will you do for me?" he asked. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I glanced at Alice, who shook her head at me.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Nessie, don't listen to him! He will not let Ellie leave, she's seen too much. He will take your promises and give you nothing in return!" she exclaimed, her dark eyes glaring at Aro with disdain.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Ah Alice!" he sighed, "You already know what the price is don't you sweet one?" Alice continued to glare at him angrily. "Hmm shall I point it out to you Ms Cullen?" </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I held A<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a9a18c71-e641-4abc-99bf-1cad22f55e5f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8eb9557f-f6e5-4e99-97de-49511004b524" grcontextid="Hmm:0">lic</span>e's cold hand, scared to let go. Alice stood as still and as silent as a statue. "You will join us Alice, tonight. Then Renesmee can have her little friend back, and she can also carry on with whatever she wants to do. If she goes too far again, then I will drag her pretty self-back here to witness your execution for herself!" Aro crowed triumphantly.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"NO!" I cried out, clutching Alice, my dear aunt to me. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Alice turned to me holding both of my hands in hers, "Nessie, this is what I planned to do before we came here. I will offer my services to the Volturi in exchange for yours and Ellie's freedom."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"No Alice, NO!" I screamed, tears streaming down my face. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She couldn't do this! It was too much, I fell to the floor, tears falling freely. "Alice!" I whimpered. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Alice bent down to stroke my hair, "Please Nessie, I know what's best, trust me, she whispered softly to me.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Guards! Take Renesmee to the dungeons to see her friend, that's if she hasn't expired already," he laughed. " They can hold each other and die in the dark together. As if I was EVER going to let you go Renesmee dear!" he continued his frame shaking with evil laughter.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was pulled up from the floor and hauled off by two of the guards. I screamed and clutched at Alice. She stood as still as a statue, not a flicker of emotion on her face. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Chelsea, my dear, would you come to me please," Aro beckoned to the tall beautiful vampire.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
No! Aro planned to emotionally tie Alice to the Volturi!<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ced0728d-4592-4801-9345-9e8c12c583e0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bce7c121-b537-45b9-b268-f2c73a68a9a1" grcontextid="Aro:0"> I </span>struggled to escape, to save my darling Alice from their evil plans. But the arms that held me were too strong for a hybrid to escape. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>My tears fell as I watched Chelsea approach Alice.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Reunited</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
ELLIE O'CONNOR:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The dungeon doors opened, I screwed up my eyes against the light, pain reverberating through my head. Strong arms gripped me and I was hauled out into the corridor roughly. I gasped in pain as arms held me with a grip of steel. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Ellie!" a familiar voice called out. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was Nessie! I opened my eyes, and looked into her fear filled chocolate brown ones. My throat was so very dry and I must've looked a mess as I rasped out a weak hello to my friend. She was also being held by two scary looking men. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Change of plan,Marcus wants you both to see what's happening upsta<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="170b9920-6b29-4ee0-956a-18261a10da6f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7f63b227-2432-48dc-9fcb-0faaeaa75597" grcontextid=",:0">i</span>rs,"one of them leered.</div>
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<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="307388ea-11f1-4e97-a4b9-0289d18553ff" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7f63b227-2432-48dc-9fcb-0faaeaa75597" grcontextid="to see:1"></span><br />
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<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="307388ea-11f1-4e97-a4b9-0289d18553ff" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7f63b227-2432-48dc-9fcb-0faaeaa75597" grcontextid="to see:1">
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"Oh Ellie, they have my Aunt Alice. They mean to make her<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="750cfcc7-ae0a-4780-8cbf-9e72231f1a75" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9ff12c97-8d9a-4e3d-95b2-42a84ef33904" grcontextid="llie:0"> joi</span>n them," Nessie wailed. </div>
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I still didn't understand, was this a cult? At least someone had tried to rescue me, I was so pleased to see my friend, and tears started pouring down my dirt-streaked cheeks. </div>
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"Don't cry Ellie, we'll be out of here soon!" Nessie said defiantly, directing her comment at the frightening people who were holding us captive. </div>
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One of them laughed and gripped my arms tighter, making me cry out in pain. Nessie and I were led along the dim lit tunnels until we reached a spiral staircase, this led up to large double doors. I was scared to find out what wa<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e5f86f01-dfa9-46d0-b086-461736389987" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e20b56f8-02a8-4671-865c-4db0e6aa2dc9" grcontextid="large double doors:0">s behind those doo</span>rs, but didn't have time to wonder as both Nessie and I were roughly pushed through them.<br />
<br /></div>
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RENESMEE CLEARWATER:</div>
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Alice still stood there, as still as a statue and as white as marble. I broke free of the guard and ran towards my aunt, fearful of what they have done to her. </div>
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"Alice!" I shrieked. </div>
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Alice turned to me and gave me a small smile. Phew I don't think Chelsea has got to her yet. Chelsea stood at the side of Aro, no doubt awaiting his command. </div>
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"Ah Renesmee dearest! We thought it would be better if you witnessed the proceedings. I want you to see your precious Alice renounce her family and join us, the great Volturi! How long I have waited for this day!" he rasped gleefully. </div>
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I narrowed my eyes at him anger rising up in me, " You will not have her!" I bellowed rushing forward to beat at him with my small fists. </div>
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"Child YOU cannot harm me!" he spat at me, whilst Dem<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="858300ab-7fa7-482e-8a9b-4624583df60b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6b051238-c1cd-4350-aee6-97344d9cc3bc" grcontextid="Child:0">etri </span>grabbed both my arms and held me back.</div>
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Suddenly Ellie flew out of nowhere, jumping onto Demetri's back and pulling his hair, her nails raking down his face.</div>
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"Ellie NO!" Alice and I jointly screamed in fear. </div>
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Felix pulled Ellie from Demetri's back as if she was a rag doll and flung her a few feet away against the hard stone wall. I heard a large crack as she slumped to the floor. </div>
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"Ellie!" I screamed, tears flowing from my eyes. "Ellie!" </div>
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She lay still on the stone floor, her poor body broken and bent. No! This wasn't supposed to happen! I struggled to free myself from Demetri's grip, but I wasn't strong enough. Alice was growling and hissing at him, from her crouched defensive position. Aro laughed at our pathetic efforts. </div>
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"Now ladies, ca<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d7c10f5a-c823-4c78-91d0-96e852f53ff7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a1eb8c8d-b9be-4ce0-9bfc-5430532723d1" grcontextid="Aro:0">lm </span>down. There is no point in all this. Alice will join us and Renesmee you will be punished. All are in agreement. Now Chelsea my dear, make it so!"</div>
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My eyes widened with fear as I watched Chelsea walk towards Alice. This was it, it was really happening this time! I screamed out in fear as Chelsea's long fingers reached out for Alice. NO! Alice's eyes closed as she waited for her fate. I couldn't believe my aunt was just stood there, not even trying to stop this from happe<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="abff140a-865f-44de-a64b-1e4525ec0423" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="49a6e444-ddbd-4dc5-8a09-aafc339df40a" grcontextid="stood:0">ning.</span> Aro was rubbing his hands together with glee. Marcus<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="44bf4708-8279-453b-8a0c-d2c45213eb88" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="49a6e444-ddbd-4dc5-8a09-aafc339df40a" grcontextid="Aro:1"> an</span>d Caius stood beside him with bored expressions on their faces. Suddenly Chelsea spun around, her long fingers touching each of the old vampire’s foreheads, instantly breaking their bonds to each other and the Volturi. I gasped as all three slumped to the floor. </div>
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Of course Alice had seen this all in a vision! Everything seemed to happen in slow motion then; Demetri let go of me and lunged at Chelsea, the doors swung open and Seth, Dominic and my parents rushed in. I screamed aloud with surprise as Seth whisked me up in to his arms. Dominic had rushed to Ellie's side, <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ff6b6262-bba1-4d86-b82a-ec8ae950094c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8d3b58bd-fd4f-4194-93f5-07e199d44ead" grcontextid="in to:0">strok</span>ing her hair, whispering words of comfort, though I don't think she could hear a word.</div>
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I had never been so pleased to see my Mom and Dad. They both stood with Alice, no doubt under the protection of my Mom's shield. I knew for sure, even though I couldn't see it that she had Seth, Chelsea and I covered as well. Chelsea greeted them, her arms spread out in supplication. </div>
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" Bella, Edward, I could not let them take Alice. Not after your daughter saved me from Nahuel. I owe you all my life. I do not wish to remain here anymore. This way of life is not for me, I would be happy to try your way of life if you would have me? " she said looking down at the floor. </div>
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Mom and Dad glan<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="16a23f72-fa02-4437-93db-3a676160ecfe" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="533a9c14-16f2-4c4b-9541-000dc36ad8fb" grcontextid="she:0">ced</span> at each other. They smiled, and both winked at Alice. </div>
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"I'm sure Carlisle would love to talk to you about it Chelsea," said my Mom.</div>
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The three old vampires were helped to t<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e86e5180-2f6a-48ab-9e2b-92895f6d39c3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e55a2d52-bba7-4081-815b-33c46931ebcc" grcontextid="said:0">heir</span> feet by Felix and Demetri. They glared at us in disdain. Jane and Alec had appeared at their side. Jane was crying when Aro pushed her away, Chelsea's power still affecting him.</div>
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My Dad stood tall and proud, looking all of the Volturi present here straight in the eye. " You have tried o<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8587dafc-f7b3-4c5a-955d-d67878de2cf7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ba396db9-9b8f-4f90-be4e-8bd0829ac51a" grcontextid="present:0">nce aga</span>in to bring grief and destruction to my family Aro. Let this be the last time. I am sure there are many here who would gladly renounce you now and try our way of life. Your reign of terror is over. I suggest you find other ways to amuse yourself from now on!" he stated defiantly. </div>
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Oh I am so proud of my Father! </div>
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Now my Mom spoke, " We are leaving now, and we don't expect to be bothered by the Volturi ever again. Though I don't expect you will be a force to be reckoned with now. I say let your guard decide for themselves how they want to live. We do not need you to rule over us, you must see that now?" she said softly her topaz eyes flashing. </div>
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I hugged Seth tight to me, so happy to see my gorgeous husband. Dad was looking Ellie over to try to ascertain the extent of her injuries. </div>
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"I think she has a broken back! But she is alive, her pulse is strong!" </div>
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I hid my face in Seth's neck and cried for my friend. Dom's face was ashen, and full of confusion. Of course he didn't have a clue what was going on. This must all seem very frightening to him. I indicated to Seth he should carry my poor broken friend. He scooped her up easily, her poor dirt streaked face was as white as a sheet. Thankfully she was unconscious. We left the Volturi inner sanctum without a glance back, safe in the knowledge we were protected by Mom's shield. Also safe in the knowledge that we had<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2c6b82f9-07c7-415e-8c16-937d47b645d1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2525e70a-5f97-4d59-bea0-a54ecb5b77b6" grcontextid="Mom's shield:0"> won another</span> victory over the Volturi. I did not care what happened to any of them now. Chelsea smiled at me and took my hand. </div>
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"Thank you," I whispered.</div>
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We made our way out of the tunnels and back into the city of Volterra. It was night time and the stars were all out. Such a pretty city this was. I didn't expect to see my family waiting for me; Carlisle and Esme were here along with Jacob and Leah. I ran to them all kissing their cheeks, and hugging them t<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0b7f685d-4a6e-4ba6-abb1-bfa525735a17" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="625f6b82-38c3-4dd1-bcdd-4655b5b0b33d" grcontextid="to:0">ig</span>ht to me. Carlisle had rented a large apartment overlooking the square, minutes from where we stood. I should've expected my family to be prepared, when had they ever let me down? So stupid I was rushing off without a care, determined to rescue Ellie, too headstrong to ask for help. Now I knew how much I needed and loved them. I would not put them in danger again, I swore to myself.</div>
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"Come on everyone, we need to get Ellie up to the apartment, I have all the necessary medical equipment installed," my amazing Granddad said leading the way. </div>
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He noticed Chelsea hanging back. Alice nodded at him and he smiled, "Yo<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f9a6783a-2d43-4850-a779-07f3ad1fb722" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="26413cf2-7f8c-4667-94b0-7dad34229d87" grcontextid="hanging:0">u too C</span>helsea dear." </div>
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This caused the tall beautiful vampire to beam at him as she followed the rest of us across the square. Dominic was just staring, his mouth hanging open, his poor mind spinning. </div>
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"Come on Dom, we'll explain everything to you upstairs. I thi<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3111111e-1a55-4864-8ddc-e6736e7e2fab" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="51313531-466c-4933-9546-b69e26674e3f" grcontextid="Dom:0">nk </span>it's time you knew, " I said gently to him as I stroked his arm. </div>
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The stars shone down on my amazing but definitely strange family as we made our way to our sanctuary. I looked behind once into the depths of the dark alley; I am sure I heard a girl wailing with pain and grief. </div>
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I <i>hoped</i> it was Jane.</div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN</div>
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Out Of Sadness Comes Joy</div>
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SETH CLEARWATER:</div>
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I hugged my beautiful Nessie to me as we all waited nervously outside the room for Carlisle's verdict on Ellie. I was so glad to see her safe and well. I had phoned Carlisle as soon as Dom and I had sped off in the car for Volterra. He i<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="02749d0f-05c9-461c-b860-fa190158dd05" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4d012c89-afc3-4b29-acfd-113130b2adee" grcontextid="Dom:0">mme</span>diately took his private plane to Isle Esme to pick up Edward and Bella and we had all met here in this lovely city; lovely except for the Volturi who lived like rats underneath it. Hopefully Chelsea had saw to it that they would never bother us again.<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2b26317a-c2fb-4448-b867-2cb5211e263f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="26ad4661-f22f-4381-a903-319b91f99725" grcontextid="had saw:0"> She sa</span>t nervously on the sofa quietly talking with Esme. I am so pleased she turned out to be one of the good guys.<br />
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Jacob and Leah were chatting with Dominic, no doubt explaining to him their side of the story. Nessie had taken him aside, after agreeing it with Carlisle, and told him all about her family. After what he had seen we decided he should know the truth. Also Nessie felt it would be better all round to be honest, especially as she may be carrying his and Ellie's child. He seemed to take the information extremely well. Now Jake was telling him the legends of the Quileute tribe. His eyes were wide with wonder. I guess we had all just got used to this supernatural world we lived in.<br />
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Dom and I had achieved a certain degree of male bond<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ae7118d7-9c62-419e-ab9a-a5422f00d909" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c05fea7e-71ab-4f58-8399-f341d5b61aea" grcontextid="Dom:0">ing</span> on our journey here. I couldn't blame the guy for the feelings he'd had for my wife. Now hopefully he understood his allure for her; understood why she did the things she did. Dom and Ellie would be perfectly safe with us; there<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fb7f9bd8-1659-4a54-bd2a-9b42f8e6e5dd" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1086ac35-4b86-4bcb-ae78-693195160809" grcontextid="Dom:0"> wa</span>s no way we would harm them. Nessie was right in a way; our world and their world could co-exist. Life is how you make it.</div>
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Carlisle re-entered the room, looking serious in his white doctor’s coat. We all turned our attention towards him as he began to speak. </div>
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"Well everyone, Ellie has broken her spine in a few places. She will heal though, but she won't be able to walk again I'm afraid. The nerves in her spine are too damaged. She is paralysed from the waist down. She is going to need <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="592410d7-7071-4bcb-b86c-9f7e3689d880" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="72d5b156-304a-4041-9b1a-642ae0abc450" grcontextid="paralysed:0">to learn </span>how to live in a wheelchair, I have offered for her to come stay with us at the house. We will build some quarters for her, everything will be modified. I don't know if she mentioned this Nessie, but she is an orphan, she has no one, so I hope you don't mind me offering to help?"</div>
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Nessie ran to Carlisle and hugged him tight, tears running down her cheeks.</div>
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"Oh Granddad, poor Ellie, it's all my fault once again! “she sobbed against his chest. </div>
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"There, there dear. El<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="08f063e2-5fee-4891-964d-d93c87bb77a6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6271572d-2e95-4612-baab-aa5b0bf34860" grcontextid="she:0">lie</span> doesn't blame you. In fact she is dying to see you and Dominic. She is taking the news very well, she's a brave girl," Carlisle said, rubbing Nessie's back soothingly. </div>
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Dom came over and gently took Nessie's hand, </div>
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"Come o<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e6f0e7f9-3297-4bff-a715-ebb31cb89d33" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3e858bc4-49b1-42ed-b203-9c2a50f0b344" grcontextid="Dom:0">n N</span>essie, love," he said leading her into the room where Ellie lay her poor broken back in traction. </div>
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I smiled at Nessie as she looked over her shoulder at me, her eyes were red and puffy, but she smiled back and beckoned me to come with them. I followed her and Dom into the room where Ellie lay, her red curls spread out on the pillow like flames. Her bright green eyes lit up when Nessie and Dom sat next to her bedside. I respectfully stood at the bottom of the bed, the girl hardly knew me. But I suspected we would be friends, she had such a warm loving face, even after all that had happened to her. Nessie and Dom each held one of her hands as they talked quietl<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9af826f5-14b3-421f-bb7c-16465b1ef4d6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c5438eb3-45f9-4826-98eb-d0f509c0528b" grcontextid="Dom:0">y t</span>o her. Ellie ended up comforting Nessie when she cried. </div>
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"Nessie, please don't honey," she pleaded. </div>
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"At least I'm alive! And your family, they are so kind. I don't know what I'd do without you all!" Ellie stated, her green eyes sparkling with tears. Ah she'd make a stunning vampire! </div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">I</span><span style="line-height: 115%;">
</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="line-height: 115%;">d</span></span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"></span></span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="line-height: 115%;">e</span></span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="line-height: 115%;">cided to lea<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="17e3ee4a-f1a1-4e67-b8f4-838cf85d96af" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bbd1d3a6-6e30-43ac-b2aa-3bacac8389b6" grcontextid="Ah she:0">ve the</span> three friends to it and made my<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5cac1e54-cd0f-44e1-aa61-d613f30c26af" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="622c5c24-da2d-4c3d-812f-9dc49fc50099" grcontextid="decided:0"> way ba</span>ck to the rest of my
family. </span></span><br />
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Carlisle was explaining to everyone how h<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9c045833-2119-49dd-a07c-65704f0f70d0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="622c5c24-da2d-4c3d-812f-9dc49fc50099" grcontextid="my:1">e </span>h<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7dc164f8-1e71-4a5e-a097-8645a5c7a3ab" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5fd4c9d7-adac-4200-9cdc-3681e122a768" grcontextid="family:0">ad tol</span>d Ellie all about our family and what we were. He said she'd accepted everything he'd said; in fact she seemed pleased at his explanation, she had been so worried the Volturi were an evil cult! Now she and Dom knew the truth about us. I guess I was glad. We made plans about returning home in a few days. Carlisle and Esme would sort out transporting Ellie back to the Cullen home. I think Ellie has just found some new parents! And I knew for a fact she wouldn't find better ones! For the next few days Dom spent all his time with Ellie, they played music and they talked about the wonderful new friends they had made. How strange it all was, but how amazing!<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Nessie and I explored Volterra at night, under the romantic starry skies we walked and talked and talked. In six days; Christmas Eve to be precise we would know if Nessie was to be a mother. I couldn't contain my excitement, though my wife tried to bring me back down to earth, telling me we might not be lucky the first time. Jacob and Leah enjoyed the warm sunny days, laughing and talking about their wedding, which was drawing, closer and closer; Christmas Day was only a week away. Back in Forks the snow would be falling, creating a perfect scene for the perfect couple's special day.<br />
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Edward and Bella had been busy too; receiving visitors to our apartment. Yes, visitors who once lived in the under belly of this beautiful city of Volterra. Visi<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1979ab02-bd32-40d6-9737-9810cb293a40" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="eaf6f46e-34db-4f03-874a-0050a2b51e0a" grcontextid="under belly:0">tors who ha</span>d decided enough was enough; no more tyrannical Volturi rule, no more slaughtering innocent humans. They came in dribs and drabs; Demetri, Felix, and Heidi with various anonymous members of the guards, all came to talk to the Cullen's; to ask their advice on this new lifestyle they wished to adopt. Edward and Bella received them graciously and without rancour. They came with stories of how the three lea<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f1183f55-8d34-42f5-b927-44b103285d57" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="da45f795-d6fc-47dd-bb2c-3dabeb0ed125" grcontextid="rancour:0">ders, A</span>ro, Marcus and Caius had fled to an unknown destination, leaving Alec and Jane distraught. The twins were thought to still be down under the ground in the Volturi residence, scared to come out, scared to do anything without their masters.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I had <i>no</i> sympathy for them whatsoever.<br />
<br />
So eventually we returned home to Forks. The family all back together again, a beautif<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="757ad42d-07a0-450b-8abf-bc310812ab02" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f846005f-d258-48b1-9788-fba574140602" grcontextid="Forks:0">ul we</span>dding to look forward to, with two new members of the family whom we regarded as one of us already, despite them being human. Now all I want is to spend time with my darling wife. We lie on the sheepskin rug beside a roaring fire in our home, the firelight making Nessie more beautiful than ever. The snow is falling outside, the sky is full of twinkling stars, and I am reminded again of our honeymoon and how perfect it was. My cool lips are trailing kisses over the smooth skin of Nessie's stomach. I whisper against her skin gently, as she sighs with contentment.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>"Please little babies, stay with us, we love you so much already."</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
CHAPTER NINETEEN</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Night Before Christmas</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
RENESMEE CLEARWATER:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Seth, Dominic, Ellie and I wait patiently for my Granddad to analyse my blood sample; waiting to see if I am preg<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="21a5ad76-31b6-4bff-b17d-ac09f270739d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="651c55a3-eacd-472b-86e7-acc7ff734844" grcontextid="analyse:0">nant. I</span>t's the longest wait of my life! It's Christmas Eve; the snow is still falling, the night is so pretty it brings tears to my eyes. Or is that just because I am an emotional wreck since returning from Volterra? Ellie sits in her custom built wheelchair, so pretty and full of life. The girl is a hero to us all; the way she's coped with her disability so well, never complaining, always good natured and smiling. I suspect Dominic has something to do with this, he has never left her side since Volterra. I have a very good gut feeling that love is in the air. He looks at her so tenderly, so full of admiration and awe, it makes my hybrid heart skip a beat.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am happy for them, my two best friends.<br />
I have no strange feelings towards Dom now, I truly believe I met him for a purpose, a <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="35fa9114-6c90-4e3c-ba81-b09d96382a3d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ac723b41-2097-4f05-92ec-28045bb6cfd1" grcontextid="Dom:0">pur</span>pose which is to be revealed very soon. Seth is stroking my long hair, his fingers soothing me somewhat. I love him so much and regret the way I've behaved towards him in the last few months. I will spend the rest of my existence showing him how much I love him and need him by my side; always. Now if only we can become a family I will be so happy my hybrid heart will burst!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I so want to give my dear Jacob some good news on his wedding day. I am so looking forward to tomorrow; if any two people belong together then it must be Jake and Leah. They are perfect together, their little family is so sweet. I have written the perfect song for their wedding; Ellie is going to accompany me on the violin. I'm sure there won't be a dry eye in the house, well unless you don't count the vampires of course!! Jacob and Leah have decided to spend their wedding eve with their son, Isaac. When they go on honeymoon Sue and Charlie will look after the baby, with a lot of help from me and Seth no doubt! The honeymoon is going to be perfect; they are going to mine and Seth's special log cabin in Kichatna. Emmett of course made a joke about the structural integrity of the building; was it still actually there after our honeymoon?! I looked up into Seth's topaz eyes, memories of our honeymoon making me smile. He smiles back and bends down to kiss me.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ellie's musical voice breaks us out of our passionate kiss, " Good luck you guys, I am hoping and praying for the best Christmas present ever, for the nicest couple in the world!" she beams at us.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dominic smiles down at her, his hand laced through hers. I get a lump in my throat and my eyes fill up with tears. Suddenly the door opens and Granddad enters the room, he once again looks so serious in his white lab coat. The whole room holds its breath with anticipation. Oh gosh! His face looks just too serious, I must prepare myself for bad news. Seth and I are strong, we can handle it. I know we can, bad news will not destroy us!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Renesmee, my darling, let me be the first to congratulate you. You are pregnant!" Carlisle exclaimed, a wide smile breaking over his handsome face.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Seth scooped me up into his arms as I clung to him, sobbing against his silky dark hair. Ellie and Dominic were clapping and congratulating us. Really? Am I really pregnant? I'm going to be a mother? OH MY GOSH!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am, I'm pregnant!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Oh Nessie, I love you! Nessie we're going to be parents!" Seth says excitedly spinning me around and around wildly. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Careful Seth, that's a pregnant lady you have a hold off!" warns Carlisle with a wink. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Ooops!" says my Seth setting me down gently. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Granddad hugs me to him, kis<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6d830197-db1a-452f-991b-c1c8242bc361" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="73c054a1-00d5-4cc7-9b5d-7d2f6d7e86db" grcontextid="setting:0">sing th</span>e top of my head, "Well done sweetheart, I'll be with you every step of the way, making sure everything is okay. You have a very high beta count, it's a strong little bean that's for sure!" </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I grasp both Ellie's and Dom's hand in mine, "I couldn't have done this without your selfless gift to me, I love you both. You just don't know how happy you've made me and Seth. We are forever in your debt," I gush, happiness engulfing me.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Seth shakes Dom's hand, which causes Dom to wince slightly! Seth kisses Ellie on the cheek, whispering thank you thank you, over and over again. Seth and I hug each other tight, happy that we have each other and the best Christmas present anyone could wish for. Wait until I tell Mom and Dad! I haven't explained anything to them at all yet, so yes it's going to be a big surprise! Alice is the only one who knows. ( and Granddad of course!) I hope Dad didn't read her <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="26ac053c-369d-4c10-8b96-c7ee7de8d9fb" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="47fd8045-96b7-42e0-b939-f040f009a97c" grcontextid="and:0">min</span>d, though I know Alice can be quite crafty when it comes to hiding her thoughts!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have decided to tell everyone tomorrow at Jake and Leah's wedding. Everyone agrees that will be the perfect time to break the news. I am worried it will take away the limelight from the bride and groom, but Seth assures me it will be perfect, a perfect Christmas and a perfect wedding. I sigh happily and hug myself. I'm going to be a Mom! Dominic wheels Ellie back to her quarters, she needs to rest before tomorrow's big day, and Dom nee<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ee5e0b54-46e4-48bb-baf9-532acb8d7b48" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="afa3616c-a809-4651-98a2-6749835a7917" grcontextid="needs:0">ds to</span> get home for some sleep too. I thank them both again, gushing happily, covering them both in kisses. As Ellie turns to wave at me, I notice a <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f0111ef6-9e76-44b3-9653-646426c580ca" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e5a99d18-d8aa-48f0-bd99-5e9ec8193705" grcontextid="in:0">li</span>ttle bit of sadness in her green eyes, and I realise once again I have been a selfish madam!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Of co<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5a7125b0-2856-41bc-a347-1f25b54d8fe6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4274f28c-11cb-4d44-875f-b34f20f39f90" grcontextid="realise:0">urse El</span>lie is happy for me, but think about this; the poor girl gave me her eggs so I could achieve my dream but the terrible accident in Volterra has robbed her of any chance to become a mother herself. Oh I am so selfish! Poor Ellie! She is such an angel, she hides her feelings well, only letting me and Seth see how overjoyed she is for us. Sadness starts to creep into my happiness. Life is so unfair.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I vow to myself that one day I will repay this huge favour Ellie has done for me. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I promise I will if it<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="98dface4-a6c8-4bd4-9912-f245e4b69c56" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8118ab02-f5a3-4db4-9bc5-23ca5a8c3345" grcontextid="favour:0">'s the</span> last thing I<i> ever </i>do.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
CHAPTER TWENTY</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Rite of the Seven Steps</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
JACOB BLACK:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today is Christmas Day, it is my wedding day. I am the happiest man alive, I am marrying the girl of my dreams today, forever we will be together, and I cannot wait. We are both wearing traditional Quileute dress for the ceremony, as is my Father who as a descendant of a tribal elder, is marrying us today. Isaac is wearing a cute baby version, he looks adorable. I am ready and waiting impatiently for the ceremony to begin. The snow is all around glistening in the sunshine, a perfect backdrop to our wedding. The sea is calm on First Beach with just a gentle breeze. I couldn't ask for a more perfect day to marry my Leah.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Everyone is gathered here waiting for my bride to arrive. Sue is going to give her away, I know she is very proud and emotional about this and will be thinking about Harry, Leah's father. All of the Cullen's are here, Seth and Nessie too, who looks simply stunning as ever, her cheeks glowing with health and happiness. Chelsea is here, along with our other vampire friends from the Denali Clan. Zafrina couldn't make it, I think she would freak at<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ad8e3062-5a4a-4778-a22a-008ce57aa160" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="21577940-8cc4-4271-8a26-9be50d46a780" grcontextid="Zafrina:0"> the si</span>ght of all this snow any ways! Seth and Leah's cousins are here again, Bells and Elise, they just love a good wedding! All of my wolf brothers are here; Sam and Emily, Paul, Jared, Quil and Embry. My two sisters are also here.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Only my bride is missing and my heart skips a beat as I hear the waiting crowd gasp behind me. My Father smiles at me and nods. I glance behind and see Leah walking towards me on her Mother's arm. Oh my! She is absolutely stunning, so beautiful and proud. Charlie is following, carrying Isaac in his arms with little Zach walking beside him. How I love this girl walking tow<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ad7c0b8c-259f-4533-8b71-c3414a780053" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9cca89b9-90d0-4cf2-a353-0cdd2947aa4c" grcontextid="walking:0">ards me</span> to be my bride. My heart leaps and jumps in my chest as my eyes cannot tear their gaze from Leah's gorgeous face. Then she is next to me, and it is time.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Billy starts to speak and everyone is riveted on his voice, "Both bride and groom will take seven steps sun wise (clockwise) around the sacred fire. For each step taken, a vow is said by each. The groom will make one step forward and say a vow, and then the bride takes a step to join him and says her vow until one round around the fire is completed. Family and friends join hands in a circle around the fire please. " </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I smiled down at Leah, her perfect full lips forming into a beautiful smile all for me.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
JACOB 1: "O' my beloved, our love has become firm by your walking one with me. Together we will share the responsibilities of the lodge, food and children. May the Creator bless noble children to share. May they live long."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
LEAH 1: "This is my commitment to you, my husband. Together we will share the responsibility of the home, food and children. I promise that I shall discharge all my share of the responsibilities for the welfare of the family and the children."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
JACOB 2: "O' my beloved, now you have walked with me the second step. May the Creator bless you. I will love you and you alone as my wife. I will fill your heart with strength and courage: this is my commitment and my pledge to you. May God protect the lodge and children."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
LEAH 2: "My husband, at all times I shall fill your heart with courage and strength. In your happiness I shall rejoice. May God bless you and our honourable lodge."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
JACOB 3: "O my beloved, now since <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d393a43f-cddc-4fc0-997d-46316fb363b8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e21c5443-2c77-46e4-a081-bf898e7e70c1" grcontextid="honourable:0">you have w</span>alked three steps with me, our wealth and prosperity will grow. May God bless us. May we educate our children and may they live long."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
LEAH 3: "My husband, I love you with single-minded devotion as my husband. I will treat all other men as my brothers. My devotion to you is pure and you are my joy. This is my commitment and pledge to you."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
JACOB 4: "O' my beloved, it is a great blessing that you have now walked four steps with me. May the Creator bless you. You have brought favour and sacredness in my life. "</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
LEAH 4: "O my hus<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c045967a-ffcb-431c-9845-eb746076c91c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="27881c98-241c-450e-8d43-3fbdc642a92a" grcontextid="favour:0">band, </span>in all acts of righteousness, in material prosperity, in every form of enjoyment, and in those divine acts such as fire sacrifice, worship and charity, I promise you that I shall participate and I will always be with you."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
JACOB 5: O' my beloved, now you have walked five steps with me. May the Creator make us prosperous. May the Creator bless us.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
LEAH 5: "O my husband, I will share both in your joys and sorrows. Your love will make me very happy."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
JACOB 6: "O' my beloved, by walking six steps with me, you have filled my heart with happiness. May I fill your heart with great joy and peace, time and time again. May the Creator bless you."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
LEAH 6: "My husband, the Creator blesses you. May I fill your heart with great joy and peace. I promise that I will always be with you."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
JACOB 7: "O' my beloved goddess, as you have walked the seven steps with me, our love and friendship have become inseparable and firm. We have experienced spiritual union in God. Now you have become completely mine. I offer<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3c41da64-0946-4aba-b460-d59e09e0d2c8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5727aa47-3857-4921-a1c8-9c6b8545f0e7" grcontextid="in:0"> m</span>y total self to you. May our marriage last forever."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
LEAH 7: "My husband, by the law of the Creator, and the spirits of our honourable ancestors, I have become your wife. Whate<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9266365b-7fa5-4fb2-a0af-d859f9202ed1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3e43280f-69b3-4fc5-a041-2a9e72c396c8" grcontextid="honourable:0">ver promis</span>es I gave you I have spoken them with a pure heart. All the spirits are witnesses to this fact. I shall never deceive you, nor will I let you down. I shall love you forever."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Everyone applauds us as Leah and I smile at each other, the happiness on her face dazzling heart is full of pure love for her. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Billy begins to speak again, "May the sun bring you new energies by day, May the moon softly restore you by night, May the rain wash away any worries you may have, And the breeze blow new strength into your being, And then, all the days of your life, May you walk gently through the world, and know its beauty and yours."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I heard Sue softly sobbing behind me and Charlie whispering gently to her. Sue then makes her way for<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3cba6c4f-a39c-4ca8-938e-3b86653c8970" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f1eb9dc6-ade9-475c-a1b7-9e43e6a0656f" grcontextid="whispering:0">ward to re</span>ad us a blessing, she clears her throat and wipes away her tears, giving both Leah and I a happy smile.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
" Above you are the stars, below yo<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="267b56d6-c611-43ba-962d-ae8175700be4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6ea36c33-1a10-45a4-8484-9a0098503749" grcontextid="I:0">u</span> are the stones. As time does pass, remember;</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Like a star should your love be constant.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Like a stone should your love be firm.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Be close, yet not too close.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Possess one another, yet be understanding.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Have patience with the other; for storms will come, but they will go quickly.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Be free in giving of affection and warmth.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Have no fear, and let not the ways of words of the unenlightened give you unease.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For the Great Spirit is with you, now and always.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Her eyes shine with tears of happiness as she kisses her daughters cheek. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She embraces me and whispers in my <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="96870bd9-1c7e-4c97-b550-2fe45daaabad" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3c80c11c-1307-4fb8-a944-c54f5112f149" grcontextid="daughters:0">ear, " I </span>trust you Jacob, with my daughter's life and happiness, I hope you will both live happily ever after." </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now I want to cry as the emotions of the ceremony make my heart swell up with love and pride. It is time to exchange our rings, Seth brings them forward and hands them to Billy. We both have silver Celtic bands, this is the only part of the ceremony which is not traditional, but we both agreed to have this modern twist. I really feel the exchanging of rings is such an important part of a wedding.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My Father addresses us both again; "Circles have no beginning and have no end, and so in the long and sacred tradition of marriage rings have come to symbolize eternal love and endless union of body, of mind, and of the spirit. N<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="57b30b01-5a62-4ba7-a9b7-abceb36ab1d8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b6509d09-2753-4d46-8573-e19e85ec2858" grcontextid="endless union:0">ow Leah pleas</span>e turn to Jacob and say these words aloud as you place the ring on his finger; "This ring is a symbol of my love and faithfulness, and with all that I am, and all that I have, I honour you, and pledge to you my love and life. " </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Le<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e2559d7e-b466-49a2-be1b-60fb970dac10" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="744c0353-08a2-4611-8d20-020d8e0d4243" grcontextid="honour:0">ah gaz</span>es up at me, her dark eyes deep pools as she repeats the words back to me, her ring now on my finger. I smile down at her as I repeat the words to her and put my ring on her finger. We smile at each other, over awed that this moment is finally here. Billy gr<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="53761529-6c8a-420a-b9a3-a19253928cd6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="66d6a706-b4ea-4df5-83ee-0c09bce7c606" grcontextid="over awed:0">ins at us</span> both and the ceremony is almost over.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Father Sky and Mother Earth, creator and nurturer of all life, we give heartfelt thanks for the moment that brought Jacob Black and Leah Clearwater together in the Holy State of Marriage.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now as you Jacob and you Leah have consented together in matrimony and have pledged your faith to each other by the giving and the receiving of these rings before your family and Community; according to the powers invested in me by the Tribal Elders of our Quileute Tribe.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I NOW PRONOUNCE THAT YOU ARE HUSBAND AND WIFE. "</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My ears are deafened by the tumultuous applause emanating from behind us.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"You may now kiss the bride!"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I do not need to be told twice as I pull my new wife into my arms and tenderly kiss her sweet lips. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"I love you wife," I whisper against her mouth. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"I love you <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fcbb49c0-4186-4f40-922b-75f4d4c42d76" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bfd127f5-5dfa-40ce-9712-c3ec28426254" grcontextid="you:0">hus</span>band," Leah whispers back.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now it's time to celebrate and Sue has laid on such a spread! Helped by Emily I suspect. We have a heated tent on the beach for our celebrations, everyone congratulates us and heads off into the tent for some much-needed refreshments. All except the vampires of course, who don't really need to even pretend to eat, we are amongst friends and family after all. I carry Leah through the snowy sand to the shore, where I set her down and crush my lips down onto hers with happy abandonment. The sun is sparkling off the water and reflecting off the snow, making everything seem unreal and wondrous. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Well Mrs Black, I think we should go see all our guests don't you?" I whisper in her ear, making her giggle. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I scoop her up once more so her beautiful traditional dress does not get wet and I run with glee back up the beach and into the tent where everyone dear to me in this world awaits the bride and groom.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>This is the happiest day of my life!</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Happiness At Last</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
LEAH BLACK: Jacob, my husband, has just made the most unbelievable speech in front of our families and friends. It brought tears to my eyes and just about everyone else who is able to cry here today. I am so happy, I am Jake's wife now, our family is complete. Why did I think I was the girl who didn't want to get married? I love it already! Nessie is now standing up, a big grin on her pretty face. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"I want to say huge congratulations to my best friend ever in this world, Jacob Black and my sister Leah, the now Mrs Black on their marriage! I'm so happy for you both. I have a little announcement of my own to make, on behalf of me and my darling husband Seth." </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Seth was grinning down at her his arm around her waist. "We didn't mention this before because we didn't know what the outcome would be. But Dominic and Ellie, whom I adore, helped me and Seth to attain our most precious dream." </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Everyone was captivated, waiting to see what Nessie would say. She smiled up at her husband and once again turned to face us all.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
" We are going to be parents! I'm pregnant! " she gushed as everyone gasped with shock.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Oh that was<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="adeda5ab-a347-47f5-9240-bfbef20d6111" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b3200599-47d6-45bd-b726-1f5edc1b1028" grcontextid="she:0"> te</span>rrific news! Edward jumped up first followed by Bella. Nessie looked worried, waiting on her parent’s reaction. "Oh Nessie!" Edward choked<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="bfbe2853-0eb4-49f0-83ff-ff8716a25c65" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6351aeff-9a0b-4ece-9a56-dcabba55abf4" grcontextid="on:0">, </span>holding his daughter close. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bella was grinning from ear to ear. They both hugged Seth as well, whispering words of congratulations to him. "Oh Nessie, love, why didn't you tell us what you were going through?" she scolded.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
" Oh Mom I was scared it wouldn't work. I wanted to tell you, truly I did!" Nessie exclaimed. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Oh never mind that now! Oh Edward, we're going to be grandparents! And so young!" Bella joked causing everyone around the table to laugh. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Edward reached over to shake Dominic's hand and kiss Ellie's cheek, "Thank you both, you don't know how much this means to our family. We are forever in your debt!" Edward exclaimed. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ellie smiled that beautiful calm smile of hers, " Please Edward you are not in our debt, your family has done so much for me. I don't know what we'd do without you, really I don't. To see Nessie and Seth so happy, well it makes me happy, really it does!" Ellie said warmly, grinning up at the overjoyed parents to be. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jacob and I kissed both Seth and Nessie, so happy for them. I knew how it felt to think you had been denied a chance at motherhood. Isaac was my world. Wow this was turning out to be such a joyous day.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Once everyone had congratulated Seth and Nessie it was time for the music to begin. Nessie and Ellie were performing a small concert just for us. Jacob asked everyone to sit down so they could appreciate the music. Most of the shape-shifters were gorging themselves on Mom's food. Boy had she made a mountain of food! There were pizz<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fef33bdc-ac25-4d63-b40a-7f453bf316c7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5370c9ef-eb2d-4b6c-b23a-ee62ad558e34" grcontextid="Boy:0">as,</span> whole roast chickens, piles of salad, a seafood platter, and the largest and most indulgent chocolate cake I had ever seen. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This was our wedding cake, not very traditional but who cares? It’s gorgeous, with two small wood carved wolves sitting on the top, one white and one black to represent me and my husband. I know my two cousins Bells and Elise were so looking forward to the cake too as they loved my Mom's cooking! I was starving myself, but would wait until after the performance. Nessie took her place on the custom built stage at her white piano, Ellie in her wheelchair with her violin paused and was for Jacob and I, a special song just for us. Seth dimmed the light<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0a5ea0c1-a6dc-4d8a-818b-244277c71bcf" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9ee86da2-4157-48a3-9125-d879b7315552" grcontextid="I:0">s</span> in the tent so only the stage was lit with tiny fairy lights all the colours of the rainbow. Nessie looked so pretty in a<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="49621dc7-15ca-4edb-aead-396b9ca978b9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3bae0d3e-595a-4b78-af50-3200f8439ac1" grcontextid="colours:0"> long r</span>ed backless gown, Ellie was gorgeous in an emerald green dress which highlighted the lovely rich red of her hair. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"This first song is for my beloved Jacob and his beautiful wife Leah," Nessie said smiling shyly at everyone. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Unbelievable! She is so talented but still doesn't quite believe it. A hush went around the tent as everyone waited in anticipation for Nessie to begin. Her hauntingly lovely voice filled the tent and everyone's hearts and minds with love and joy, as the sound of the violin joined her sweet singing. In perfect harmony together.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>"Come away with me in the night</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Come away with me</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>And I will write you a song</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Come away with me on a bus</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Come away where they can't tempt us</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>With their lies</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>I want to walk with you</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>On a cloudy day</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>In fields where the yellow grass grows</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>knee-high</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>So won't you try to come</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Come away with me a<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1f2b5924-31b1-434d-8dda-e0a7abe6ea51" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f3fbca0a-b26b-478c-a025-5c23cc0f2eb9" grcontextid="knee-high:0">nd we'll </span>kiss</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>On a mountaintop</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Come away with me</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>And I'll never stop lovi</i>ng you</div>
<i><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="473ca36f-80c0-4303-b7d2-36c786dbfb36" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8178a466-0f76-44ae-8c56-1c63f5806074" grcontextid="mountaintop:0">
<div class="MsoNormal">
And I <i>want to wake up with the rain</i></div>
</span></i><div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Falling<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="be8435af-bfaa-462c-88d1-3c0e86266e4e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6508ee0c-e115-4916-b958-edbb662c3f52" grcontextid="lovi:0"> on </span><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="98b24a5b-ee51-4010-ba8a-8f5d6999449b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0503a540-4c16-4ed2-b31d-5fff0098d37d" grcontextid="ng:0">a </span>tin roof</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Wh<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6ffe453f-d3d5-4c1f-9749-efa6e707e1c7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5162a678-baa1-499b-b750-4f9a41923485" grcontextid="want:0">ile </span>I'm safe there in your arms</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>So all I ask is for you</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>To come away with me in the night</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Come away with me " (copyright Nora Jones) </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The whole tent was on its feet applauding for Nessie and Ellie as the song came to an end. Jacob rushed over to kiss Nessie's rosy cheek.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Thank you sweetheart, I loved it, we both did!" Jake gushed smiling over at me.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Nessie just smiled and as Jake took his seat next to me, she began to play again. Ellie's haunting violin a perfect accompaniment to her piano. The whole performance was mesmerising. I can totally see how the public have c<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7a8d80ef-facc-4148-ad12-3956527a7093" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b23dfff5-493b-4391-bff2-f4d74be6b951" grcontextid="mesmerising:0">ome to love</span> Nessie's music. I really hope Elli<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4ad1edbb-f677-4067-9afc-ecd4732a9839" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ae7a7727-85a9-4238-8aa7-e3b7ea23438f" grcontextid="have come:0">e and she</span> decide to put this new material out. It's simply won<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c65b19b3-6311-432b-8f75-3d83b2a42dd9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="24170367-018f-4e31-9afc-32e1663c3c79" grcontextid="decide:0">derful</span> and the perfect soundtrack to my perfect day. When the performance was finished, Jacob and I cut our massive chocolate cake and everyone who could eat had a piece. It was delicious, my Mom sure can bake.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jacob led me out of the tent whilst everyone was too busy to notice. Though my beautiful little boy's head turned towards us as we made our way out of the tent, I put a finger to my lips in a shushing motion, and winked at him. He gurgled happily on my Mom's knee, such a sweet baby. Jake swept me up into his arms once again, intoxicating me with his presence. He carried me once again down to the shore where the waves lapped gently against the sand. His lips crushed down onto mine with such passion I gasped, he pulled my body closer and closer to his. The heat from our bodies could melt the snow all around us easily. I run my fingers through his long hair, sighing with happiness. He stops kissing me and gazes down into my eyes with such love and joy it brings tears to my eyes.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"I love you so much Leah Black. I am yours forever. Thank you for marrying me, you've given me all I ever wanted. A happy ending. "</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I pull my gorgeous husband close to me and I have no words, I can only show him how much he means to me, as I begin to kiss him tenderly, then passionately, then with total abandonment. I mean to consummate our marriage right here and now! I hear someone politely coughing behind us and break away from my beloved to see Alice standing there a small smile playing on her lips. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Ooops," I whisper to Jacob.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Alice pretends to be mad and crosses her arms, frowning at us. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Leah Black! Are you going to deny me my time to dress you up in your going away outfit?" </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jacob and I both laugh as she wags a small finger at me. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
" Don't think you are getting away with it! You've plenty of time for THAT on your honeymoon. Which by the way is starting NOW! Carlisle has the helicopter ready to whisk you both away, so come on Leah it's time for you and me to go get you ready!" Alice exclaims with glee. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The three of us run back up the beach together, the full moon is shining over the snowy beach, making it appear to be twinkling with lots of small Christmas tree lights. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This will be a Christmas Day I will never forget <i>as long as I live.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Kichatna Again</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
JACOB BLACK:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Alice got her way, doesn't<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="17cd63b2-df64-4b51-858e-a09c1b469806" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="cb458263-42df-460d-93be-1124e834cd23" grcontextid="Kichatna:0"> she alw</span>ays? Leah was dressed and ready to go looking more stunning and ravishing than I could have imagined. Alice had went to town on her and I had to admit she'd don<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c2c517cf-1495-4507-8233-d5a6ee167b85" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="456975be-fb7c-4395-b382-8899264117c8" grcontextid="had went:0">e well! </span>Her long dark silky hair was piled on top of her head with some ringlets escaping down her back and around her face. She wore a long jade dress, with a plunging neckline and thin spaghe<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6b413a0b-ca66-45dd-add6-8fd6291810d2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="abccf4ed-6c61-4ca4-99a4-f0a7ecc8542e" grcontextid="jade:0">tti </span>straps. The dress was backless, and was cut daringly low. On her feet were high-heeled gold sandals, showing off her tanned skin perfectly. She was stunning, my wife. She blushed when she seen my gaze on her, hungry eyes devouring her every<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="962469ef-65d8-424b-93d4-fdc1211eebc6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d8c5d98f-c274-4e6f-8e3b-ff5b5175dddb" grcontextid="seen:0"> cur</span>ve. I couldn't wait to be alone with her. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Oh Alice, Leah looks beautiful," I gasped awestruck. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Alice looked at me smiling proudly, her musical laugh filling my ears. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Well thank you Mr Black. It's easy when you have such a great blank canvas!"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was dressed in a casual black suit with a white silk shirt underneath, my hair left long and flowing down my back. We looked very overdressed to be travelling by helicopter! Everyone hugged us and said their goodbyes. Leah and I clasped Isaac to us tightly, breathing in his unique baby smell. We'd both miss him like crazy. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Bye little one," Leah whispered, kissing his soft cheek. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He gurgled happily and reached out to grasp an escaping tendril of her hair. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Ow!" she exclaimed as he pulled tightly on it. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I lau<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fd23976e-b5e4-40fb-a09f-244fc8f6ac52" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a1c8c93b-40f2-46af-8b70-02efdb0d3f87" grcontextid="Ow:0">gh</span>ed and kissed the top of his head, "Bye my gorgeous boy, we'll see you soon," I said my <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fa9e4322-c266-4b83-a08a-40c387225662" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="efdc3bbb-ae40-4439-93e7-c93382db91b9" grcontextid="Bye:0">voi</span>ce choking with emotion.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Nessie hugged us both tightly, telling us to have the best time and that she hoped we'd get to see the Northern Lights. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Ah Nessie, now promise me you'll look after yourself whilst I'm gone, sweetheart," I said stroking her cheek. "You are a pregnant lady now, so let Seth take care of you, please for me?" I asked, winking at Seth. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Oh Jake, stop fussing!" Nessie scolded, tweaking my nose playfully. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then it was time. Carlisle was waiting in the helicopter. I helped Leah to climb in, mindful of her beautiful dress. We waved down to everyone until they were only small dots back on earth. I pulled Leah closer to me, wrapping my arm around her shoulder. She sighed contentedly and rested her head on my chest. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Oh Jake, today was just beautiful, just perfect. I'm so happy," I stroked the smooth bare skin of her back, marvelling in the sensation. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Me too honey," I sighed. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Soon we were there and what a breath-taking sight it was. Mountains covered in sno<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="36059687-c1da-42b0-8e6b-9bf0e214400e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="49252026-ee82-4387-838b-147b33119869" grcontextid="breath-taking:0">w, mighty pin</span>e trees reaching up to the sky, a beautiful winter's twilight bathed in the glow from the settin<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="18fdd572-ac8f-491b-a6c6-5e4e31cbdc7d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="109b750d-9097-4318-be25-7e6f87b43816" grcontextid="winter's:0">g sun. T</span>he log cabin was just perfect, the fire was blazing in the grate , the cupboards and fridge were stocked well, lamps and candles were lit. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"But how?" I asked Carlisle. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He grinned at us both widely, " Christmas magic!" he laughed as Leah and I stared at our surroundings with joy.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then we were alone.......at last.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I pulled Leah into my arms, and placed my l<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e8a93d5f-dd90-4140-9b0d-4336153f5a1a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9104720c-cedc-4a7a-ab9e-bf808018457e" grcontextid=".:0">a</span>rge hands on either side of her soft cheeks, which were lovely and rosy from the roaring fire. I brought my lips down to meet hers slowly, barely touching, but grazing the softness of her mouth with mine. She sighed and returned my soft sweet kisses with her own. Suddenly she breaks away, laughing. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Oh Jake, I'm starving!" I join in the laughter, because I am so hungry too! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Well sweetheart, all we've had is chocolate cake!" I say dragging her over to the fridge to see what treats are in store for us. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I gather together a small feast of a whole roast chicken, coleslaw, a large bag of chips, some cold roast beef slices, a crusty loaf and last but not least a large bottle of coca cola. We giggle like children as we set our feast out on the kitchen table. I feed Leah and she feeds me, all the while laughing and joking and messing around. Soon I become hungry for her, all thoughts of food forgotten. She is thinking the same as me as her eyes stare deep into mine, her breathing becoming shallow, her cheeks becoming flushed with desire. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I kick back my chair and scoop Leah up into my arms an<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3bfc8a23-b068-440a-b7bf-fd86d21ccf0c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="52daf4cb-f179-4afe-a1a1-d065ec095650" grcontextid="kick back my:0">d carry her </span>to the large sheepskin rug in front of the fire. I set her down quickly and my lips are on hers, kissing, devouring, needing to feel her body against mine. I run my hands up and down the silky dress, over every curve, sliding the thin straps down, my mouth hungrily kissing her luscious neck. Her breathing is becoming more ragged as my lips descend lower, her hands gripping my head, one leg wrapped around my waist. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She brings her sweet lips to my ear, "Husband, I want you," she breathes huskily in my ear.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I cannot contain my lust for her any longer and we fall to the floor, clothes torn and ripped in our haste. Alice would be so upset. Later, we lie wrapped in one another's arms, our passion sated<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1a92d49d-d813-418f-80de-1066c2a01059" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="91111712-7534-49b7-9b10-a7c9b05c034e" grcontextid="lie:0">...</span>. for now. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Leah, I love you so much," I whisper again<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a9d17e09-50d9-475c-8c22-305138c9e1f3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="cc7db61c-e30b-41e0-8b04-e5488625f92a" grcontextid="for:0">st </span>her hair, which is now fanned out around her head, wild and tousled from our passionate love making. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Mm mm," she sighs, " I absolutely love you Jacob, but I'm starving again!" she laughs sexily. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Oh are you Mrs Black? And are you hungry for me or do you require some sustenance?" I ask her trying not to laugh. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She pretends to mull over my qu<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="cbb943fb-d4c1-4c26-99f2-b82ad86651ea" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="27d4b4b9-298b-42cb-8d56-7ccd0fef7e27" grcontextid="trying:0">estion</span>, "Hmm YOU!" she growls and jumps onto me kissing me with hunger and passion once more. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I surrender to her with joy in my heart. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Much later, we sit crossed legged around the fire, munching on chicken <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d1361c60-d871-4d31-a155-8e77b04f632d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="91b86d7b-24d5-4332-a431-748382fa24d1" grcontextid="crossed:0">legs an</span>d other left over’s from our previous feast. The firelight in harmony with the candles gives the room a cosy glow. The snow is falling outside, we are alone<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="daa681af-c088-473d-bf8f-12a4446a9adf" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="58699829-7e15-4a65-8c2c-7793135807ce" grcontextid="cosy:0"> tog</span>ether in our own private universe. If we didn't have a son, I think I'd stay here forever. Maybe we will go get Isaac and come live here permanently, ah bliss! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But then again I'd miss my family, my brothers and my strange but wonderful friends. The days pass quickly, we phase and hunt together as wolves, running through t<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2ebc3792-395c-4692-985b-e782c9941bb2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="814e67ac-2170-4374-ae24-84923f2f12c1" grcontextid="phase:0">he ma</span>jestic forests free and wild. The nights are long, dark and filled full of passion and lustful abandonment. We talk of our future, of Isaac's future, we hold each other<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0eb337d2-7365-4723-98a1-a4ee33f77bfd" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d391f567-519e-45b4-be7e-410671a4beb6" grcontextid="of:0"> c</span>lose and marv<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="be3c28d6-5c33-401b-bc92-682217bf1cea" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d391f567-519e-45b4-be7e-410671a4beb6" grcontextid="of:1">el</span> at our lives together, entwined forever, always in love.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On our last night we are holding each other close by the fire light; tire<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="cba7b060-fc6d-461c-987e-868582679d34" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="69027d7c-e3e1-454a-bb19-3154bfae819d" grcontextid="are holding:0">d and happy</span> after making love for ho<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="bcc07c6d-8955-45fc-8b0a-c5d5b7011102" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="69027d7c-e3e1-454a-bb19-3154bfae819d" grcontextid="fire light:1">urs, soft </span>kisses, whispers, words of love exchanged; when a beautiful light emanates through the cabin window. I scoop Leah up, wrapping her in a cosy blanket and go outside to marvel at the light s<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fdd3cdb7-4a20-431e-bc2b-5923e313eff0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="dfe471c7-f222-4e17-b546-4114ff3ea368" grcontextid="cosy:0">how </span>that is the Northern Lights. Nessie was right, it was the most beautiful sight nature had to offer. Leah and I laugh with pleasure as we watch the swirling colourful lights glow in the night sky, making the s<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="231040b7-224c-49ae-bb2c-2042feeed6b0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8ba3777c-5a50-4e9e-9efc-b9b389f0ca53" grcontextid="colourful:0">now a rai</span>nbow. The perfect ending for our perfect honeymoon.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>My heart was so full of lo<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b4d81701-805d-43cc-a30f-6dc6f23b8157" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3227a425-4154-4675-bac9-c70ed7e85ed7" grcontextid="for:0">ve </span>and wonder, I felt like it may soar out of my chest like an eagle flying high in the sky.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Two's company, Three's a crowd?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
RENESMEE CLEARWATER:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My hybrid heart is beating like crazy and my palms are sweaty with nerves. It’s eight weeks since I found out Seth and I were to be parents, and now it is time to see my baby on the screen via ultrasound. These last eight weeks have been nerve wracking for me, I'm so scared something will go wrong, maybe my hybri<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a00ec3ed-e81a-445e-902c-1a038e02510b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9c7b6be1-495c-4c2e-a798-38aa962ec508" grcontextid="'m:0">d </span>body will reject the baby? Seth has had a hard time with me, I've been so over wrought and not very easy or pleasant to live w<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="35f28953-c261-46e1-bda4-71ea851f3d61" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3cb71137-6320-479b-9e46-e8a7d2164513" grcontextid="over wrought:0">ith, but I'm</span> sure he's used to that by now! Luckily I have my wonderful sister-in-law and my Mom to help allay my fears and tell me it's perfectly normal all these worries I have. Especially Mom, she had an awful time being pregnant with me, well you all know the story.<br />
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Also Ellie is just an angel sent from heaven, really she is! An absolute godsend, the girl has infinite patience and wisdom. I don't know what I'd do without her. She and Dom are present today to watch Granddad perform my first scan, it wouldn't be right without them, they are after all the creators of my baby. I am so happy for them, they are in love you see, it's so lovely and they are so sweet together. Dom is so protective, they make a beautiful couple. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d61dc4a4-07ed-4cd6-ab5a-bf50487f2d4a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bbee07dc-8665-457b-a867-8358744c49f7" grcontextid="Dom:0">I t</span>ake a deep breath as the cold jelly is placed on my belly, ready for the scan. Seth holds my hand tight as Dom and Ellie smile encouragingly. It's time for my baby to make its appearance!<br />
<br /></div>
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All eyes are on the monitor as Granddad sweeps the ultrasound over my belly. Granddad's face is serious as he looks at the monitor and I feel full of fear again. </div>
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"Granddad, what is it?" He turns towards four pairs of expectant eyes. </div>
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"Nessie, you are having triplets sweetheart!" he exclaims with a wide grin. He points out the three black smudges on the screen. Two are together and one is on its own. " Two identical twins and one non identical." he explains. </div>
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What? Oh my god! What? Triplets? Oh my gosh!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Seth, Dom and Ellie all gasp in surprise and look into my shocked face. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Nessie, how do you feel?" Seth asks, squeezing my hand. </div>
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"Uh uh..I'm a bit shocked, but oh my! Three babies!" I stut<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d3b3d59d-b1df-44af-ac40-6b26932bcb84" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8a024503-2fab-4a95-9cd7-d78d786d29c8" grcontextid=".:0">t</span>er. </div>
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Ellie and Dom kiss my cheeks, "Congratulations honey!" they gush. </div>
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Granddad smiles at me and tells me not to worry he'll be here for me every step of the way. All three leave the room and let me and Seth take in the news. </div>
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"Oh Seth!" I exclaim as he hugs me. "Oh<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="636e1256-d6a2-4a6f-a61d-70910cdbfe48" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c6259248-3265-46fe-b6a1-655945318b70" grcontextid="in:0"> m</span>y!" </div>
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Seth strokes my hair and grins widely, "Well my love, we wanted a family, and we're certainly getting one!"</div>
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I smile at him, but my mind is wandering. I wasn't even expecting to get pregnant, never mind be having three! This is my perfect opportunity to give something back to Dom and Ellie, something that will enrich their live<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="62260358-bb4a-454f-8bd9-f9e7f225b509" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0b64ffff-31bf-4329-a8d6-ccaf3226fe4f" grcontextid="Dom:0">s a</span>nd make them complete. These babies are all of ours, all four of us. </div>
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I have decid<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="dd4b16f7-864a-4916-b5ef-274a737782b3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e0e54845-6b9a-4f6c-bcb9-9ba11312d9fc" grcontextid="babies are all of:0">ed right now that</span> this is be how I will repay the wondrous favour those two<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0dd87bef-3873-41e9-949a-c87ef07b722a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b6c3be28-8254-4e62-9611-9b6817f233a0" grcontextid="is be:0"> amaz</span>ing friends of mine did for me <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="bd2f9323-d3ba-4a00-9f82-f45faef35695" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b6c3be28-8254-4e62-9611-9b6817f233a0" grcontextid="favour:1">and Se</span>th. I will bear three children, I will be mother to two, and surrogate mother to Dom and Ellie<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d4e168e0-2166-4f3f-b580-d419b859b340" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d25cf704-5e70-417c-84ad-ec1934d2ba08" grcontextid="mother:0">'s chi</span>l<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d81003c0-0073-44bb-bd9b-48f8cdb2bf65" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d25cf704-5e70-417c-84ad-ec1934d2ba08" grcontextid="to:1">d.</span> I will give them a gift so precious, to show them how grateful I am to them both, forever and ever. I will let them expe<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="59c75e86-c5ea-41b7-bfeb-1ddcee0956e4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d25cf704-5e70-417c-84ad-ec1934d2ba08" grcontextid="to:2">ri</span>ence the joy and amazement of being parents, something which was snatched so cruelly from my beautiful Ellie. </div>
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<i>I will give them a child.</i></div>
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CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR</div>
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Nine Months Later</div>
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SETH CLEARWATER:</div>
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I am pacing nervously outside the room where my darling wife is having a caesarean section which will bring the three miracle babies into our world. Of course Carlisle is performing the operation, who else? These nine months have gone so quickly, I can't believe it’s time already. Poor Nessie is the size of a water buffalo, she has been so tired these last few months, being pregnant with triplets is hard on her body. I've tried to be the best husband possible, looking after her, caring for her and being with her every step of the way. She gave up on her music career a few months ago when it just became too much for her, though Ellie and she did finish their new album and it's doing really well. But no more performances for the time being, though I'm sure she will make a comeback, she loves music so much.</div>
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Ellie and Dominic are waiting with me; waiting to see the babies, and especially their baby. They were over the moon when Nessie told them both she planned to give them their own child. Ellie cried and cried whilst Dominic held her, silent tears of joy running down his face. I was so proud of Nessie for her selfless act. But like she says, none of this would have been possible without Dominic and Ellie. We will never stop being grateful to them, they both live here now, the home just keeps getting bigger! So we'll be like one big happy family, life is good.</div>
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Suddenly we all hear a baby cry, then another and then another as Carlisle opens the door. </div>
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"The triplets are here!" he announces proudly. </div>
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Dom pushes Ellie's wheelchair into the room as I fol<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d48b88fb-1f17-4187-969c-206a1eaa7e3c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d1ae8b3c-d155-4b95-95a2-dbf961c457fd" grcontextid="Dom:0">low</span>, eager to make sure Nessie is okay. She is sitting up in bed, her smile so dazzling and pretty I rush to embrace her. </div>
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"Oh Nessie, you've done it darling, I'm so proud of you. I love you so much," I gush, kissing her flushed cheeks. </div>
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"Meet the babies!" she trills happily, as we all gaze into the bassinet next to the bed.</div>
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Oh my! Such beautiful small images of sheer perfection! "The twins are a boy and a girl Seth, and the other baby is a little girl," Nessie beams as we all look on in amazement.</div>
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The boy and girl have dark hair just like Dominic, and masses of it for newborns! The other little girl has strawberry blonde hair, so like Ellie. They are perfect with their peaches and cream complexions, tiny fingers and toes and bright sapphire blue eyes. I can hardly speak for fear no words will come. This is the happiest day of my life, now we are a family. Now Dominic and Ellie are a family. Dominic wheels Ellie over to the bassinet to meet their daughter. Ellie has tears in her eyes as she strokes her little girl's cheek. Nessie reaches over to hold her hand. </div>
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"Thank you Ellie, thank you Dom once again. The babies are perfection, they are so beautiful!" she exclaims, te<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7e8f6315-203a-487e-a3d0-b3961de81ccf" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="185c5277-623b-4660-9bb8-5f4445d70942" grcontextid="perfection:0">ars also f</span>lowing from her chocolate brown eyes.</div>
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If I could cry I know I surely would at this moment.</div>
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"Thanks Carlisle," I smile warmly at him. </div>
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He puts his hand on my shoulder and smiles at me, "So any names yet?" he asks. </div>
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Ellie and Dom smile shyly at each other, "We love the name Ruby, and now it's even more perfect as it looks like she will have my red hair, “sighs Ellie gazing with wonder at her daughter. </div>
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Dominic kisses E<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="046a775c-d2f5-4263-a471-2ba04404a84d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fbac38aa-a91b-4896-a8fa-a55aab89fd7d" grcontextid="gazing:0">llie's</span> cheek, happiness written all over his handsome face. </div>
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Nessie claps her hands with glee, "Oh perfect choice guys!" she exclaims happily.</div>
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"Hello Ruby!" I whisper, reaching over to stroke the soft skin of her perfect cheek. </div>
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"Seth? Nessie? Do you have names for these gorgeous twins?" Carlisle enquires.</div>
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Nessie and I pored over books and books of <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9bccc9d5-3c2d-4bf9-b0a7-2cba1da2c4fd" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bafa435a-7e84-4f76-b9f5-107e9becfb60" grcontextid="enquires:0">baby nam</span>es for months and months! We disagreed and argued many times! But eventually we narrowed the list down and picked two girls’ names and two boys names. Nessie insisted we didn't find out the sex so it would be a surprise! I gazed at my wife now, wondering which names she would say.</div>
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She raised an eyebrow at me and smiled. "Reuben and Iris!" we both announced at the same time. </div>
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Wow, we were in agreement, I smiled happily at my beaming wife. </div>
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"Oh gosh I love those names!" gushed Ellie. Nessie smiled and explained the meaning of the beautiful dark haired babies’ names to everyone. </div>
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"Reuben means 'behold a son in Hebrew'. In the Old Testament<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1cff79c1-f6ee-47ce-a370-d90ef9879edc" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="474cfdba-f6f7-4e36-946e-9493a3397062" grcontextid="means:0"> he w</span>as the eldest son of Jacob and Leah and the ancestor of one of the twelve tribes of Israel! "</div>
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I kissed Reuben's cheek, my still heart full of happiness and joy. A beautiful son. </div>
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Nessie continued with an explanation of the mea<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="65330a8a-f4b5-4cc5-8d78-f73cc704cb65" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6b17f955-5081-43f6-87ad-6605101f6122" grcontextid="son:0">nin</span>g of our daughter's name, "Iris means rainbow in Greek. Iris was the name of the Greek goddess of the rainbow. Isn't that just perfect!?" she exclaimed.</div>
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I kissed the top of Iris's downy head, my still heart full of love and wonder. A beautiful daughter.</div>
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I gazed at my new family and felt such pure joy at how life had turned out. It was the four of us against the world now. I would always keep my family safe and secure with love, faith and hope. These precious little souls would all grow up together, safe in the knowledge they had people here who loved them unreservedly, would spend eternity making them happy, the best family in the world basically. The time would come when explanations were needed but not now. Today was a day of miracles, a day of celebrations, a day I would never forget for the rest of my existence.</div>
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<i>Not flesh of my flesh</i></div>
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<i>Nor bone of my bone</i></div>
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<i>But still miraculously my own.</i></div>
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<i>Never forget for a single minute</i></div>
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<i>You didn't grow under my heart,</i></div>
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<i>But in it.</i></div>
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EPILOGUE</div>
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One Year Later</div>
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EDWARD CULLEN:</div>
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The garden is full of sunshine and laughter, rainbows dancing over the pale skins of myself and my beautiful wife Bella as we play with our grandchildren on a lovely sunny Autumn day. Reuben and Iris are such beautiful children. They are one year old today and we are having a lavish birthday party for the twins and Ruby, Dom and Ellie's daughter. They have all just started to take their first steps and are tottering around, falling over and making us laugh with joy.</div>
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Nessie is blowing up balloons, while Seth makes them into animals. Dominic has pushed Ellie's chair under the cherry tree, where blossoms <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b0dbcf5f-713f-4233-91cc-c74741d5de1a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8910e0ce-39cb-4c91-9df1-f8e180b99886" grcontextid="Ellie's chair:0">fall into her</span> red hair. He brushes them away with such a look of love as they watch their gorgeous red haired daughter play with the twins. Carlisle and Esme have laid out the table with the largest birthday cake I have ever seen. Alice is dancing, her small arms outspread as she twirls and spins much to the enjoyment of the children who squeal with laughter. Emmett is crawling around on all fours barking like a dog to amuse the children; Iris is petting his big head and giggling. Reuben looks scar<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d4516ffd-2fc4-4bd3-80d0-40699aee62ef" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fad76744-40e0-4bb6-b16e-faa7fefa56ea" grcontextid="petting:0">ed, and</span> Ruby just stares, her bright blue eyes watching with wonder. I shake my head at Emmett who just ignores me and carries on with his game.</div>
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Jacob and Leah have just arrived, Isaac running to jump on Emmett's back with glee. He has n<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5f35b5b9-9773-436e-80d1-8ac858f27b34" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3e803b4f-19c9-47ee-9031-a080adf44e77" grcontextid="running:0">o fear,</span> that boy! He laughs with pleasure as Emmett snarls and growls. Jacob has his arm around Leah's waist as they walk over to greet us, guiding his heavily pregnant wife to a spare seat. Yes, they are having another baby, and they are both over the moon! Jake reckons this one was conceived at Kichatna on their honeymoon, they seem to have no problems when they give in to their wild sides and mate as wolves. I am so happy for them. Charlie, Sue and Zack will be along soon to help us celebrate this wonderful day.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So here we all are, our strange, wonderful and amazing family. Bella takes me by surprise and kisses me on the lips as I gaze off into space, memories of our life together and our future to come playing through my head. I pull her closer and crush<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="cb2ccec5-c788-439c-8ecc-a7ad7c3f22aa" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ff42b87d-2602-4e0a-bf05-e64a1aa2b8c2" grcontextid="playing:0"> my lip</span>s to hers, her cool kisses never failing to enthral and intoxic<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="08c398ab-97b5-4df4-a176-18c2380bf8a8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a5bf530e-f541-43eb-8e7e-48af1dced45c" grcontextid="her:0">ate</span> <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1d0cf1ec-fc6d-4c25-9e99-8b8753720b1a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a5bf530e-f541-43eb-8e7e-48af1dced45c" grcontextid="cool:1">me. </span>I love her more every day<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="abd43d6f-4826-45df-9f9d-2716a430b96b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a5bf530e-f541-43eb-8e7e-48af1dced45c" grcontextid="enthral:2">; we ha</span>ve our eternity together, our everlasting love. I gently break our kiss and gaze deep into her topaz eyes, rainbows dance on her face making her more unbelievably beautiful to me. She smiles her dazzling smile at me, making me melt as she always does.</div>
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<i>"Forever</i>," I whisper softly.</div>
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"<i>Forever,"</i> she replies in a whisper.</div>
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<br />kizzymousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12571803064369765958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5913310249853994600.post-23687630791627978272011-07-12T16:29:00.000+01:002014-02-04T17:18:58.778+00:00BAD MOON RISING<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Title: <b>BAD MOON RISING: A SEQUEL TO RED MOON</b><br />
Category: Books » Twilight<br />
Author: kizzymouse<br />
Language: English, Rating: Rated: T<br />
Genre: Fantasy/Romance<br />
Published: 08-24-09, Updated: 08-24-09<br />
Chapters: 38, Words: 36,836<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">BAD MOON RISING<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>PROLOGUE</u><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The
wind howled through the palm trees, the ocean waves pounded onto the sand as
the storm descended upon the island. Mother Nature at her wildest and most
furious. It seemed as if the little world here had descended into chaos,
descended into the deepest pits of hell all in the blink of an eye. How could
this place so full of sunshine and happiness turn into this nightmare of epic
proportions?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The
black clouds in the sky oppressing all who were below them, as thunder and
lightning crashed from the stormy skies. The cover of the storm provided much
distraction, enough distraction to finally snatch something so precious from
under all their noses. Something that was long overdue to be reasoned with and
dealt with.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Something
he wanted so badly, he would risk everything to obtain it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>I see a bad moon rising<br />
I see trouble on the way<br />
I see earthquakes and lightnin'<br />
I see bad times today</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Don't go 'round tonight<br />
It's bound to take your life<br />
There's a bad moon on the rise</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>I hear hurricanes a blowin'<br />
I know the end is comin' soon<br />
I fear rivers over flowing<br />
I hear the voice of rage and ruin</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Hope you got your things together<br />
Hope you are quite prepared to die<br />
Looks like we're in for nasty weather<br />
One eye is taken for an eye </i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>( Copyright Creedence Clearwater Revival)</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">CHAPTER ONE</span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">New
Life<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">JACOB
BLACK:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
looked into the tiny creature's eyes, all the love in my heart swelling to
bursting point.<br />
I'd talked to this perfect being for months through Leah's belly, my lips
pressed against her skin. I'd told stories of the Quileute legends, stories of
our family, I'd sung songs and whispered words of love. Now there was no
barrier between us. Now my son was here. And I loved him with all my heart the
moment I looked into his dark eyes. He was a perfect imitation of me and Leah
combined. He was simply amazing. His tiny fingers balled into little fists in
my palm as he gazed up into my eyes. Such pure love I felt. This felt even more
intense than when I'd imprinted upon Renesmee when she was a baby. I felt
invisible ties binding me, him and Leah together in the tightest of bonds. My
son. I would die for him in a heartbeat. Leah cooed at him as she held him close
to her. She looked more beautiful than I'd ever seen her. Her face was flushed
with joy and the strenuous task she'd just endured; giving birth to our son,
our miracle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
"Sweet baby, I love you, “she cooed. "Sweet Isaac, our beautiful
boy," she smiled kissing his head. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
looked into her eyes, my heart ready to burst! " I love you both until eternity,"
I whispered tenderly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
This was the most amazing moment of both our lives. This perfect little boy,
our Isaac, was truly a gift from above. There was a knock at the door and
hushed voices outside. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"You
can all come in now," shouted Carlisle, with a grin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Edward
and Bella were first to gaze upon our son. " Oh Jacob, oh Leah, he is so
perfect," gushed Bella. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Edward
smiled crookedly touching Isaac's cheek, "He IS perfect!" he
exclaimed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Seth
and Nessie were next, their eyes wide with wonder at the new life we'd created.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Oh!
He's gorgeous, just so tiny and perfect!" Nessie proclaimed hugging both
me and Leah. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Seth
shook my hand and ruffled his sister's hair. "Wow, guys, he's something
else. My nephew!" he said reaching down to gently curl Isaac's small
fingers around his.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The
rest of the Cullen's filed in to take a look at our precious bundle. Alice had
a video camera with her, but soon put it down when she caught the look Leah
gave her!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Isaac
is a beautiful name Jake, I love it,” Nessie exclaimed, kissing my cheek. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"
I know, we both just loved the sound of it, he suits it already," I said
proudly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Come
on everyone, time's up. Mother and baby must rest," insisted Carlisle,
shooing everyone but me from the room.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Leah
did look tired and baby Isaac's perfect eyes had closed, his angelic little
face creasing up with sleepiness. I kissed Leah gently promising to be back
soon. I just couldn't keep away. Lucky for me she'd had the baby at home – too
many complicated questions at hospital!<br />
We now had our own rooms at the house, a perfect little retreat for our fam<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="42809c32-f42a-40f5-9319-ea883d50ea4e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c4ee8269-6c26-48d2-a2e2-393d068d5e67" grcontextid="at:0">il</span>y.
Me, Leah and Isaac. I so loved the sound of that. The three of us, all together
at last.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Could life get any better?</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>CHAPTER TWO</u><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Making
Plans<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">RENESMEE
CULLEN:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
found out I had two more special talents, besides the way I could make people
"see" pictures that were in my head. The first was; I could love Seth
Clearwater so much that I thought my hybrid heart would burst open at the
seams. He was my world and I couldn't believe he was mine. <i>My fiancé. </i>The
second was; I could sing, I could play and write music. I must've inherited
that from my talented Father. I loved to sit at the piano composing songs to
play for my family. But recently I'd been thinking; why couldn't I make this a
career. I'm not a whole vampire, I could go out into the world relatively
undiscovered, surely I could do something in this world which could make myself
and others happy? This little seed of an idea had been growing away in my brain
for a while now. I was sitting at the piano today, smiling to myself at the new
song I'd composed. How amazing would it be to be a proper singer, record albums
and play to audiences in packed out theatres? I felt cool breath on the nape of
my neck, then soft cool lips kissing me there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> "Ah the gorgeous soon-to-be Mrs
Clearwater," Seth sighed, making goose bumps run up my spine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Seth!
You gave me a fright!" I exclaimed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"
A nice fright I hope," he whispered sexily in my ear. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
turned around to meet his lips, my heart stuttering and leaping around in my
chest. My fingers entwined in his long dark hair, pulling him closer and
closer. I could devour this man, he tastes so good.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He
broke off the kiss, laughing softly. " Ness, I swear your sweet little
heart is going to explode from your body one of these days, what a racket it's
making!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
frowned in pretend annoyance. "Seth Clearwater, you are such a
tease!" I proclaimed, smiling, I couldn't help but smile at my lovely
Seth. He was my sunshine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With
one quick movement, he reached down to pull my hair loose, so it tumbled around
my shoulders in dark auburn waves. "Please say you'll wear your hair down
for the wedding Nessie, I love it like this," he pleaded, smiling down at
me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
smiled, "Hmmm well Alice is in charge of that side of things, and you know
it’s hopeless arguing with my Aunt Alice," I said rolling my eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Seth
laughed, and bent down to kiss me again, combing his fingers through my long
tresses. I sighed as his lips insistently found mine, I moaned softly as the
tip of his tongue touched mine. I could never get enough of this. When Seth
kissed me I tended to forget about everything else. The world went away for me
when his lips were on mine. Would I ever love anything as much? I blushed
inwardly, thinking of our wedding night to come. Of course there might be
something I would love <i>this </i>much wouldn't there? I still had to discover
the mystery and pleasure of becoming his completely. My Mom had spoken to me
about this, it was slightly embarrassing to say the least! But I saw how the
rest of my family were with each other, the knowing glances, the secret smiles,
they were in a special club which I couldn't wait to join. I would become
Seth's lover, wife and soul-mate forever. I shivered thinking of this as his
kisses became more passionate, his hands pulling on my hair drawing me even
closer to him until our bodies were welded together.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> " Oh Nessie," he moaned pulling
away. " I find it hard to control
myself around you," he breathed against my neck. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
stroked his silky black hair. "I know my love, soon we will be together as
husband and wife, I'm so glad we've waited," I kissed the top of his head
smiling.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He
looked deep into my eyes, "Our wedding is going to be the most special day
of our lives honey, I can't wait for you to be my wife," he whispered
tenderly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My
heart soared, and stuttered once again. Seth laughed, placing his big palm over
my heart. " I love hearing your heart Nessie," I smiled at him,
kissing him gently on the mouth. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"
It's yours Seth, <i>always yours</i>". <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
broke from our reverie, pulling him down next to me on the piano seat.
"I've written a new song Seth, would you listen and tell me what you
think?" I asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"I'd
be delighted, my only love," he smiled, kissing my cheek.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My
fingers found the keys easily, as I got swept away by the music and the words
of my song.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"<i>The
looking glass, so shiny and new<br />
How quickly the glamour fades<br />
I start spinning, slipping out of time<br />
Was that the wrong pill to take?</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>You made a deal, and now it seems you have to offer up<br />
But will it ever be enough?<br />
It's not enough</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Here I am, a rabbit hearted girl<br />
Frozen in the headlights<br />
It seems I've made the final sacrifice</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>We raise it up, this offering<br />
We raise it up</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>This is a gift, it comes with a price<br />
Who is the lamb and who is the knife?<br />
Midas is king and he holds me so tight<br />
And turns me to gold in the sunlight</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>I look around, but I can't find you<br />
If only I could see your face<br />
Instead of rushing towards the skyline<br />
I wish that I could just be brave</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>I must become a lion hearted girl<br />
Ready for a fight<br />
Before I make the final sacrifice</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>We raise it up, this offering<br />
We raise it up</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>This is a gift, it comes with a price<br />
Who is the lamb and who is the knife?<br />
Midas is king and he holds me so tight<br />
And turns me to gold in the sunlight</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Raise it up, raise it up<br />
Raise it up, raise it up</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>And in the spring I shed my skin<br />
And it blows away with the changing wind<br />
The waters turn from blue to red<br />
As towards the sky I offer it</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>This is a gift, it comes with a price<br />
Who is the lamb and who is the knife?<br />
Midas is king and he holds me so tight<br />
And turns me to gold in the sunlight</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>This is a gift "</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
looked towards my love, seeking his approval. He was smiling. Good. His
opinions meant everything to me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> " Oh Ness, you really are so talented, my
love, so very talented.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"
I grinned from ear to ear. " Thank you Seth, you inspire me you know? To
write songs. Songs from my heart. I would love to go further with this do you
think?" I asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Nessie,
seriously, you are brilliant, and anything you want to do I would support you
one hundred percent, you know that," he said proudly gazing at me with
such love, my heart jumped again. "You've already done so much for me, I
would do anything for you," he added kissing the top of my head.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ah
he's so sweet this man of mine!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"
I know you would Seth, we could ask Mom and Dad to let me rent a recording studio
that would be cool!" I said excitedly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He
grinned, hugging me close to him. "Yeah great idea, and hey I can take
photos of you when you are rich and famous!" <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My
Seth was brilliant with a camera, he knew just the right mood to set with a
picture. There are photographs of me all around the house. I love posing for
him, I'm certainly not camera shy! We laughed together, hugging each other. It
was so good making plans together. Our future. It couldn't start quick enough
for me. In just a fortnight I will be Renesmee Clearwater. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I really cannot wait.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>CHAPTER THREE</u><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Stolen<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">NAHUEL:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Did
Renesmee really think she could marry <i>that </i>shape-shifter Seth
Clearwater? Did she really think she belonged with him? I couldn't believe my
ears when I'd eave<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ebb6756d-1f55-44d2-9626-88da3a15841e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="30e71c4a-2009-41f9-8300-6cec48e4bd1d" grcontextid="with:0">sdro</span>pped on them together in the meadow. Making wedding
plans, talking about their future together? Why was she doing this? I know she
doesn't want him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The
night in the tent, the night I supposedly drowned in the river, she had wanted
me, I know she had, she was just scared that's all, scared to leave her old
life behind and come with me. It was unfortunate that she had panicked, I'd had
to hurt her, I did warn her though I wasn't a sympathetic man. It was very
unfortunate that I left her for a moment and that shape-shifter found her, he
tried to take her from me but I stopped him, yes I stopped him alright; with a
rock to the head. I was sure that would finish him off, but there he sat as
large as life in the meadow only days ago. Curious. Very curious. I, Nahuel had
come back from the dead, had the shape-shifter performed some miracle too?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
really thought I was dead when I fell into that black, murky water. Its depths
consumed me. I fell deeper down, I couldn't breathe. Until I let my vampire
side dominate me. I simply decide I didn't <i>need </i>to breathe anymore, and
it was done. I floated along not seeing, not hearing, not feeling, not thinking
of anything.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
came to washed up on the shore, the waves lapping at my face, the sun hot on my
head and body. I was alive. I needed to feed desperately, so I crawled into the
trees where I found fruit to eat. This didn't satisfy me though, and when I'd
got my strength back I ate small rodents to survive. <i>Disgusting.</i> Soon I was strong once again. Soon I began to formulate
a plan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
don't know where my Father was, but I do remember him telling me a story once.
He told me that if a vampire drinks another vampire's blood they would become
stronger; they will also absorb any special abilities the vampire has. I began
to use this information as part of my plan. I thought of all the vampires who
had come together to bear witness for the Cullen's when the Volturi came for
Renesmee.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There
were lots of them with special powers, powers greater than my own humble power.
I could only block my thoughts from any mind readers who tried to see in my
head. Like Edward Cullen. I had made a list of those that specially interested
me:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Benjamin has the ability to manipulate the elements of nature: water,
earth, fire, and air.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Chelsea has the ability to change emotional bonds.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Kate has the ability to produce an electric current over her skin that
can shock and incapacitate attackers</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>And of course sweet Bella – her shield was truly special</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now,
if my Father words were true, I could possess such powers if I drank this
vampire’s blood? This was very interesting, very interesting indeed. I had a
few weeks to put my plan into action. I must not fail. This would be a hard
task for me, but I could not stay here hidden in the shadows waiting, and
watching with disgust as this coven of vampires, and their strange
acquaintances ( a pregnant shape-shifter I ask you?!) went about their happy
little lives, with no thought for me, Nahuel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No, it was time for me
to go on a very important journey.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">CHAPTER FOUR <o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Silk,
Satin and Lace<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">ALICE
CULLEN:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
loved weddings. I loved all the glamour, the organising, the dresses, the hair
and makeup. <i>All of it.</i> You might wonder
why Jasper and I have never tied the knot. Well, I guess before Bella came
along and really gave us Cullen's some "humanity" I'd never given it
much thought. We were together forever anyway, I suppose weddings and marriage
seemed awfully human to me, not something a vampire would ever consider. But
since I'd organised Bella's wedding I had been thinking about it quite a lot.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
was just so excited for Nessie and Seth, such a great couple; I knew they would
be. I still can't see Seth's future, well it's there but a bit hazy as he still
has half wolf in him. So confusing! I like to know what's going to happen! My
dear niece Nessie is so much easier to work with than her Mother! Bella is just
not interested in fashion, much to my dismay.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nessie
has let me choose everything for her, she says she trusts me implicitly. I have
found the perfect, most expensive dress for her! She's unique so I wanted her
dress to be unique. It's a Vivienne Westwood creation and oh my it is gorgeous!
I will let you have a little sneak preview, but please don't tell anyone!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Isn't
it gorgeous? I even have Vivienne Westwood shoes to go with the dress. She is
going to be so gorgeous don't you think? This is how I am planning on doing her
hair and make-up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Simply
stunning don't you think? Nessie is so beautiful anyway, it's so easy working
with her! She loves all of my ideas, I can't wait to see Seth's face, and he is
going to fall in love all over again. I haven't managed to show Leah her dress
yet, she's been so busy with baby Isaac, but this is what I have planned for
her! Another gorgeous Westwood creation, I think Leah will like it, it's simple
and elegant. Plus I know she was complaining about her figure after the baby
being born, I think this one is so flattering.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now
as for the boys Seth and Jacob, I think they will look divine in these outfits.
With their long black hair tied back in a simple ponytail or even left long,
stunning! of course I will have to have a word with Edward as father of the
bride, I don't think he will go for this creation though, much too modern! As
for myself, well I'll be stylish as per usual. It's Bella I worry about, she
will kick up such a fuss!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So,
I'm happy with the choices I've made. I really should be a wedding planner. I
can't wait to see it all come together. Carlisle and Esme, Rosalie and Emmett
have already gone over to Isle Esme to get things ready. I have given them
strict instructions on how everything is to be, no expense spared. I am so
excited! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Seth and Nessie are
getting married and it's going to be a perfect day!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>CHAPTER FIVE</u><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Songbird<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">EDWARD
CULLEN:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
loved to listen to my daughter sing and play the piano. Her voice was both
angelic and heart-achingly powerful all at the same time. It gave me chills to
listen to her, not sure vampires can have goose bumps but that's what it felt
like to me when I heard her sing. She could compose a tune and put perfect
words to it in barely any time at all. She could envisage a tune in her head,
put words to the tune, and then perfectly execute it on the piano. I felt so
proud of my daughter. My special Renesmee.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yesterday,
she had come to me to ask a favour. For her wedding present to Seth she wanted
to record a song she'd written; in a recording studio. Make her pure
combination of voice and piano sound really professional for her beloved
husband-to-be. I thought this was a brilliant idea, I remembered how touched my
Bella had been when I'd put "Bella's Lullaby" onto a cd for her to
listen to.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">'That's
a brilliant idea,' I'd told her 'Seth will love it'.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So
today, we were at the recording studio in Port Angeles, I'd booked it for the
evening, no chance of any sunlight around! Nessie was so excited as we made our
way into the studio. There was a large mahogany piano sitting in the middle of
the room, with lots of mixing desks and various sound equipment surrounding it.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"
Oh Dad, the piano is lovely, but it won't be the same as playing yours,"
Nessie whispered in my ear.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
squeezed her small hand, "You will be fine, sweetheart," I reassured
her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The
young guy who was going to be recording Nessie's song came to meet us, I saw
his eyes widen as he looked at as both. Of course vampires, even half vampires,
dazzle humans. His eyes flitted across our faces, confusion, admiration, and a
hint of fear crossing his features. I smiled my best dazzling smile at him as I
briefly shook his hand. He recoiled slightly from my cold skin a frown
darkening his brow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"I'm
Edward Cullen, pleased to meet you, this is my <i>sister</i> Renesmee Cullen,
the talented one of the family," I smiled crookedly at him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
felt Renesmee's hand squeeze my fingers tight. Of course, how could I explain
to this man that this beautiful creature was my nineteen-year-old daughter?!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">His
eyes lit up when Renesmee spoke to him, " Hello there, I'm so happy to be
here in your beautiful studio," she gushed, and just a little bit <i>too</i>
much, the guy's eyes nearly popped out of his head. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He
was completely and utterly dazzled by Nessie. Who could blame him?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He
stuttered, taking her outstretched small hand into his large one, "Pp
pleased tttto meet you, Miss Cullen. I'm Dominic Cross, but everyone calls me
Dom," he smiled, his composure now recovered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"The
pleasure is all mine <i>Dom, </i>"Nessie purred. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
squeezed her hand even tighter, stop dazzling him I wanted to say to her.
Nessie gave me one of her mischievous looks and I couldn't help but smile at
her. God, she was lovely my daughter. I could hear exactly what Dom was
thinking as he gazed into my daughter's chocolate brown eyes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
glared at him, my voice as sharp as razors, "Shall we get your song
recorded then, <i>sister dear?" <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dom
broke away from his reverie, his thoughts so easy to read. <i>Jeez what's with
the brother? His sister is hot, hot, hot. I wonder if she can really sing? Most
of these beautiful girls are just spoiled" <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
raised my eyebrows as we walked over to the piano. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"
Edward will you sit with me please?" Nessie asked. I was glad she hadn't
slipped up and called me Dad! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Of
course," I smiled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dom
walked into the mixing room, putting on some headphones, he tapped the
microphone a few times. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Hear
me okay guys?" he asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Oh yes LOUD and clear </i>I thought to myself with a grimace. Nessie gave
him her widest, sexiest smile, holding both thumbs up to indicate we could hear
him in the studio. I could see him visibly melt at his desk.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"
I'm nervous Dad," Nessie whispered, her hand over the mic. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Don't
be love you will be brilliant," I whispered back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nessie
tossed her long dark auburn hair over her shoulders, flexing her fingers, and
placing them over the keys. Her pretty face creased in concentration, as she
closed her eyes sighing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Whenever
you are ready Renesmee," Dom spoke over the intercom. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"This
is called <i>howl,</i> " she replied over the mic.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My
daughter's beautiful voice filled the room, her fingers producing magic on the
keys, as she sang the song intended for her husband-to-be.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"<i>If
you could only see the beast you've made of me<br />
I held it in but now it seems instead you're running free<br />
Screaming in the dark, I howl when we're apart<br />
Drive our teeth across your chest to taste your beating heart</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>My fingers crawl your skin, try to tempt my way in<br />
You are the moon that makes the night for which I have to howl<br />
My fingers crawl your skin, try to tempt my way in<br />
You are the moon that makes the night for which I have to</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Howl, howl<br />
Howl, howl</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Now there's no holding back, I'm in to attack<br />
My blood is singing with your voice, I want to pour it out<br />
The saints can't help me now, the ropes have been unbound<br />
I hunt for you with bloodied feet across the hollow ground</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Like some child possessed, the beast howls in my bed<br />
I want to claw out and tear out all of your tenderness</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>And howl, howl<br />
Howl, howl</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Be careful of the curse that haunts all young lovers<br />
Starts so tender and sweet and turns them into hunters<br />
Hunters, hunters, hunters<br />
Hunters, hunters, hunters</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>The fabric of your flesh, pure as a wedding dress<br />
Until I wrap myself inside your arms I cannot rest<br />
The saints can't help me now, the ropes have been unbound<br />
I hunt for you with bloodied feet across the hollow ground</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>And howl</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Be careful of the curse that haunts all young lovers<br />
Starts so tender and sweet and turns them into hunters<br />
If you could only see the beast you've made of me</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>I held it in but now it seems instead you're running free</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Screaming in the dark, I howl when we're apart</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Drive our teeth across your chest to taste your beating heart</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>And howl"</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>(copyright Florence and The Machine)</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Her
small fin<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ca5a5918-dd8a-4e77-af07-8362cd8e17e9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d994337d-1c7c-478e-806c-34a9e9d090e1" grcontextid="copyright:0">gers came</span> to rest gently on the keys, her eyes still closed, her long
eyelashes fluttering against her smooth cheek. I couldn't speak. She was
amazing, simply amazing. Her heart and soul went into that song, and ah such a
beautiful song! It made me feel like crying, it was melancholy but powerful, it
was heart-wrenchingly good. Her chocolate brown eyes opened staring into mine,
waiting for a reaction.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
smiled at her, kissing her cheek, "Wonderful!" I exclaimed adding,
" Seth will adore it, love".<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She
smiled her dazzling smile at me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dom's
voice came over the intercom, "That was unbelievable, I've never heard
anything like it! One take and we're perfect. Oh. My. God. You are
amazing!" he proclaimed, smiling in disbelief at Nessie.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He
took off the headphones and rushed through to speak to us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Honestly
Renesmee, that was amazing, I am going to talk to my friends at the record
label, they will love you! Perfect! You have a unique voice, the song was
just…well it just took my breath away….you are gorgeous," he blushed,
"And you have a very unusual name. How do you feel about getting serious
with this?" he enquired excitedly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nessie
smiled, "I'm so glad you like it, it's my dream to be a proper
musician," her eyes glowed with happiness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Well,"
Dom said, " I'll sort out a meeting for you with my producer friends. I'll
play them this song, they will be over the moon, I guarantee it!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nessie
grinned widely at me, I smiled back squeezing her hand. Oh no! I could hear
Dom's thoughts loud and clear again as he cleared his throat. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"
If you have more songs, I'd be happy to hear them, you could bring me a cd,
maybe over dinner?” he asked blushing furiously.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
rolled my eyes in exasperation. Nessie held out her left hand showing him her
sparkling engagement ring. His face fell, " Ah congratulations, he's a
lucky guy," Dom said with resignation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Give
me an hour and the song will be ready to go," he said all business like
now he'd had his hopes of a date with Nessie crushed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Thank
you so much Mr Cross," I said politely guiding Nessie out of the studio.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"C'mon
Nessie I'll take you to a lovely little Italian I know," I winked putting
my arm around her slim waist.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Once
we were out of earshot, Nessie clapped her hands, twirling around and around
excitedly. " Oh Dad, apart from marrying Seth this is the best thing
EVER!” she exclaimed, her beautiful face lit up with joy and excitement.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
was happy for her, I loved her, and wanted her to have the best life could
offer her. But part of me was scared for my daughter. Life can be cruel as well
as full of great beauty. No sadness or trepidation could touch my little
songbird right at this moment; her heart was flying with sheer joy. I smiled
crookedly, pulling her towards me, kissing the top of her head. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"
I love you, Nessie," I whispered against her silky hair. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"I truly love
you".<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>CHAPTER SIX</u><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Forgiven<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">LEAH
CLEARWATER:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Isaac
cooed up at my Mom as he lay in my arms, enchanting her with his cute gummy
smile. We were sat around her and Charlie's table; Zach was bouncing on his
father's knee. Charlie had taken to fatherhood the second time around very
well. I thought it was sweet, I knew he'd totally missed out on Bella's
childhood, so he was determined not to miss a second of Zach's.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> "Tell that daughter of mine her brother
wants her to come visit him," Charlie directed at me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Sure
Charlie, I will, but they are all pretty busy with the wedding you know,"
I replied smiling.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Oh
yeah the wedding of the century, you'd think no one in the history of the world
EVER got married before," Charlie grumbled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
laughed, " They don't have much choice Charlie, not with Alice as chief
wedding planner!" <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My
Mom gave me <i>that </i>look again. Sheesh would she ever quit! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"
Well young lady, t<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4b023d5c-97cf-40f6-8ca8-3cecc86b2612" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a3c76ef0-5ce2-4146-921a-279a07bbf6c9" grcontextid="Sheesh:0">alking</span> of weddings, it wouldn't hurt for you and Jacob to
give this little one legally married parents!" <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
rolled my eyes, sighing loudly. "Mom! I've told you, we ARE happy just the
way we are, I couldn't be more committed to one person if I tried. And we have
this little man to look after, I haven't got time for marriage!" <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My
Mom put her hands on her hips sighing. " Charlie please talk some sense
into her, will you? It doesn't have to be lavish, a simple ceremony will do.
God knows, that boy would love to be your husband," she stated, shaking
her head at me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"
Sue, come on now, don't be giving Leah a hard time, they seem like a proper
happy family to me," Charlie said, winking in my direction.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Thanks
Charlie," I grinned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Let
me see my beautiful grandson, come on baby Isaac come to Grandma Sue," my
mom cooed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
lifted my precious boy up into my Mom's arms, reluctant to let go off him. Suddenly
there was a knock at the door. I left the table to answer it. Standing at the
door was Sam Uley. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"
Hi Leah, I saw you arrive, so I came over," he said smiling. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
didn't smile back. Something must be wrong. "What is it Sam, what's
happened?" I asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Nothing
Leah, I wanted to talk to you, if that's ok?" he smiled again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What
could he possibly want to talk to me about? The only time we ever communicated
was when I ran with the pack, which frankly hadn't been in months due to the
fact I had been the size of a house! We had avoided proper communication for
years now, ever since he'd left me for his imprintee Emily. It had been too
painful for me; I didn't have <i>friendly </i>conversations with Sam Uley. Why
was he standing here on my Mom's doorstep?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Well,
I'm surprised you want to talk with me, but I guess it's okay," I said
still not smiling back at him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Why
don't we go for a walk?" he asked, still smiling that infuriating smile at
me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Mom",
I shouted, " Please watch Isaac for five minutes would you?" I called
back into the house. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"
Sure honey," she shouted back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We
walked down towards First Beach (yes Charlie had moved into my Mom's house when
they got married), my mind trying to come up with a reason for Sam's visit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"How
are you Leah?" he asked softly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"I'm
fine," I stated bluntly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"
You are probably wondering why I'm here. I've wanted to speak to you for a
while now, since you and Jacob got together really. I'm so glad you two are
happy together, and now you have a baby, it's wonderful," he smiled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
frowned, not sure how to respond. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Please
don't be suspicious Leah, I only want to make peace with you. I know I hurt
you, I hurt you badly. And for that I am so sorry. We've never talked about it.
I wanted to tell you loads of times how sorry I was. But as you know,
imprinting is one of those things we can't control. I didn't go looking for it
or expect it, it just happened," he explained. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
sighed, " I know all about imprinting Sam, I know it works in different
ways, look at Jacob and Nessie. I never imagined me and Jacob would fall in
love, but it's so perfect, our little family. I never imagined I'd be a mother,
really I didn't. Everything has fallen into place and I'm so happy now, you
have no need to be sorry, really, " I smiled, hesitantly. " Honestly
Sam, I've forgiven you. I've just never got round to telling you that!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He
pulled me into his big, strong arms for a hug. "Thank you Leah that means
a lot." <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It
felt good to say it actually, to lift that weight off my shoulders. Jacob had
dispelled my pain over Sam and Emily with his sunshine smile and his devoted
love to me. But I'd still felt as if something was left unresolved. I sighed
and pulled away from his embrace. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"I'm
glad we've had this talk Leah," he said. "But there is another reason
for me coming to see you," he added with a serious look on his handsome
face. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
waited for him to continue.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Emily
and I were reading some of the old books on our Quileute history, we found them
in my Grandfather's attic, hidden away, and as you know you are the only female
werewolf in the history of the world. We'd always assumed only males imprinted.
But we were wrong Leah, this legend we found says all shape-shifters will
imprint eventually, to make sure the race never dies out. I think this includes
you. I thought you should know," I stood gaping up at Sam's face, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
couldn't take this in. I shook my head in disbelief. " No Sam! I will NOT
imprint, I CAN'T! I love Jacob, he's my world. I don't believe you!" I
screamed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Leah,
please, don't freak out. It might not be true, not <i>all </i>our legends
are!" he tried to hug me again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
stepped back, horrified.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Don't
you see Sam? Now you've told me this, you have completely ruined everything
I've got with Jake! How can I be sure now that I won't imprint? What would that
do to Jacob? Oh. My. God. I can't bear this," I cried.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
felt as if my safe little world had just collapsed, my future gone in a puff of
smoke. I felt my body shiver and shake as I phased right in front of Sam, not
caring, not thinking, just needing to run, far far away from here. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I barely heard Sam call
out anxiously to me as I sped away from the beach into the woods and beyond,
sheer terror in my heart.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>CHAPTER SEVEN</u><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On
the beach<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">EMMETT
CULLEN:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well
I'm not exactly known for big words and fancy speeches, I usually prefer action
to words; I leave the talking to my sister Alice and my brother Edward. They
are good at that sort of thing aren't they? But I've decided to do something
that will involve me speaking in front of everyone, something very important. I
am going to surprise Nessie by marrying her and Seth! Isn't that such a great
surprise? They are expecting someone from the mainland to carry out the
ceremony but it’s just going to be little old me. Ha ha! I can't wait to see
Nessie's face, it'll be a picture let me tell you!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It
was all my idea too. You see I know my Rose loves Nessie as if she'd actually
given birth to her. Poor Rose, she'd wanted a child so badly when she was
human. The longing never went away for her after she was changed. When Bella
was preg<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ef2bf33f-d663-4bb9-a954-2aa8f3bfc7f0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a6d9712e-9998-404b-b637-aee2ca53b042" grcontextid="for:0">nan</span>t, Rose turned into a protective mother tiger, she would've killed
for her cub. So I decided it would be so cool if I married the two kids,
there's nothing to it really, all I had to do was get a licence from the
Internet!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Easy!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Me,
Rose, Carlisle and Esme are here on Isle Esme now. Alice has given us so many
tasks to carry out before the wedding, it's unbelievable! She is such a hard
taskmaster! We have to decorate the chosen spot on the beach with white Chinese
lanterns; they are all over the palm trees, making a canopy of lights. Even if
I say so myself it does look beautiful. Fit for a princess. My princess Nessie.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Alice
was also very specific on the "aisle", which is being made out of
carved wooden totem poles. The wood carvings on them are something else,
intricate wolf faces, little people, trees, rivers and mountains; all of these
on a pole. My main task is helping Esme to build a very special beach hut for
Seth and Nessie to spend their wedding night. We will all stay up at the main
house; we have to give the happy couple a bit of privacy! Plus I think Esme
would like her house back in one piece. Ha ha!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The
beach house is amazing, it's very sturdy (snigger), light, airy and open
planned. The huge four-poster bed, with lush red velvet drapes, dominates the
room; the walls have all been hung with billowing white satin. There is a large
circular window in the roof, where you can gaze up into the night sky. I'll
have to bring Rose back here for one of our <i>honeymoons!</i> It's truly
amazing and I know Nessie will adore it. There is also a large round bath,
scattered with rose petals, and surrounded by little spotlights, which cast a
blue glow around the room. Nessie is such a girlie girl, and being half human
she loves bathing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's
been such a lot of hard work, but it's going to be so great when Nessie and
Seth see what we've done. I walk down the beach to see what Rose is up to. She
is looking worried whilst talking into her mobile phone. I put my arms around
her nuzzling her neck. She tries to swat me away, no chance!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Alice,
please calm down! There is no way there is going to be a storm here on Nessie's
wedding day. Have you gone mad?" Rose snapped.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
could hear Alice pleading with Rose on the other end of the phone. Rose sighed,
and with a frown she snapped the phone closed, cutting Alice off.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"What's
up babe?" I asked continuing to nuzzle her luscious neck.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Oh
Alice! Who else!" she exclaimed angrily. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Mmmmm?"
I responded my lips still gliding along her smooth marble skin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Emmett,
please! Can you just stop that and listen!" she demanded. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
sighed and stopped my nuzzling.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> She continued, with a frown on her stunning
face, " Alice is <i>convinced </i>there is going to be a storm here on the
day of Nessie's wedding. I told her don't be so stupid; there hasn't been a
storm here in like 100 years! But oh no, she wouldn't listen to me! Kept going
on about how she "seen" it happening but of course it was all fuzzy
because it involves Seth and Nessie!" she fumed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Ah,"
I said. "Well Rose, Alice is usually good at this sort of thing, maybe we
should just watch out okay sweetheart?" I tried to placate her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Hmmph!"
Rose snorted, turning away from me and running as quick as a flash up the beach
and into the house.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> <i>I sighed,
it was going to be a long, long week.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">CHAPTER EIGHT <o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Voodoo<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">NAHUEL:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So,
I completed my long journey to the Amazon rainforest, my mind burning with the
plan I was going to put in action. I had one clear goal, <i>Nessie, </i>and no
one or nothing was going to make me stray from my path. I know some will
perceive me as evil, I do not believe I am. I only want to start a pure new
race with the only half-human – half vampire in existence, apart from myself.
The fact she is female only proves to me that this union was meant to be. I do
not want to be considered a freak any more, an outcast, a burden. I want to
belong, with species who are the same as I. Imagine a strong, beautiful hybrid
race? The thought makes me feel strange and powerful. If I Nahuel were to be the
leader of such a group, imagine the power? I would never feel helpless and
alone again, and with Renesmee by my side as my queen, well that would be
perfect.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So,
no I'm not evil. Ruthless maybe. The first step of the plan was to engage with
the witch woman who lived deep in the forest, with only her animals for
company. First I had to make pleasantries with Zafrina and Senna, this was
their patch. They had told me about the witch woman when I had first met them
at the Cullen's over 5 years ago.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I,
Nahuel could be charming when I wished to deceive. I exchanged greetings and
hunted with the two wild Amazonian women. I was <i>pleasant. </i>I convinced
them I seeked the witch woman to acquire some rare rain forest flower which
grew in her <i>special </i>garden. I explained about Seth and Nessie getting
married, their plans for a beach wedding on Isle Esme and Alice's request for
the rarest and most beautiful flowers for Nessie's bouquet. I, Nahuel found
this part of the conversation very difficult. I had to maintain a façade of
happiness for the couple, but inside I seethed with rage. Renesmee, <i>my
Renesmee </i>marry a shape-shifter, mating with him like an animal, I shuddered
in horror. But my fake smile seemed to charm the two ladies, as I regaled them
with lots of stories about the Cullen's and Forks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Finally
I had convinced them that I was a charming young man, only trying to do my best
for the bride on her wedding day. That wasn't far from the truth any way, I <i>was</i>
trying to do my best for Renesmee. I was going to stop her making a huge mistake,
I needed her to believe again, that I Nahuel was the future for her. The witch
woman had provided me well, she gave me a very strong syringe-full of potion, a
potion which would not kill but render the victim powerless, conscious but powerless.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She
asked me for payment in return, she wanted me to kill a wild boar for her, so
she would have enough to eat for a good few weeks. I smiled my knowing smile at
her. I still smiled as I struck her down, my teeth sinking into the leathery
flesh of her neck. My venom instantly burning her up, her old watery fading
eyes looked up into my violet ones, to me she looked glad that death had come
for her in this way. Who would not want to be devoured by a god such as I? As
her sight grew dim, she clutched me to her, <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="894fda34-5551-4aca-b5ca-639828cedb3d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="58ef4966-a13f-4fa4-bb2b-fe3f2f469d8e" grcontextid="I:0">p</span>ulling me closer so her lips were
against my ear. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>"Karma moves in two directions. If we act virtuously, the seed we
plant will result in happiness. If we act non-virtuously, suffering results,
" </i>she
rasped, her hands clawing at my arm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Get
off me old woman! I do not care for your <i>karma!" </i>I shouted flinging
her away from me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She
gave one last long sigh, then death claimed her. I burned the house down with
her in it, as the black smoke rose into the air, I watched as the animals she
kept ran for their lives. I hunted down one of the deer the witch woman kept, I
ripped it's throat out in a flash. I felt so powerful at that moment. But, no
time to dwell. I left the rainforest. I had a few stops to make before I
reached Isle Esme. One, Egypt, Two, Canada, and lastly Volterra. My plan had
started well, now I faced the hardest but most brilliantly devious part of it
all. I could not wait to get started.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> <i>I,
Nahuel will NOT fail.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>CHAPTER NINE</u><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Biology<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">RENESMEE
CULLEN:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Things
were going so well for me; Seth, my dear fiancé and I would be married very
soon, my songs had been submitted to a record company who absolutely loved them
and wanted me to get in the studio as soon as we returned from honeymoon, and
lastly my Jacob was so very happy with his new family. Things were perfect
right? Well, not quite, nothing can ever be 100% perfect can it? I had spoken
to my Granddad Carlisle about this one thing which was bugging me, which left
me tossing and turning as Seth watched me sleep.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
wanted to know the answer to this burning question; could Seth and I have
children? I was half human, surely there was a chance? He was half
shape-shifter, half vampire, surely there was a small chance?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Carlisle
had performed tests on me, secretly, I didn't want to confess my worries to
anyone else, not even my Mom.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now,
today, I'd come to see him for the results. He'd left Esme on the island
specially to come see me with the news. We sat in his study, surrounded by
books, my family all busy doing other things. I was so nervous, what would
Grandpa say?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Nessie,
as you know you were conceived when your Mother was human. You are half-human,
my dear, but I'm afraid the vampire half of you has prevented your reproductive
system from working normally. It is different for vampire males, the venom
makes their reproductive systems work the same as a human male’s. Vampire
females on the other hand, once changed or born into it as you were cannot be
altered. You will not be able to have a child, I'm so sorry sweetheart,"
He hugged me to his hard marble chest.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
had been hoping and wishing for good news, his words pierced my heart and soul
and I crumpled against him sobbing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Shhh
Nessie, don't cry love. You have many good things to look forward to. You are marrying
a fine young man you know!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My
heart felt like it would break in two. " I know Grandpa, I know. But I so
wanted us to have our own little family. I suppose it was too much to hope for,"
I sobbed uncontrollably.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Carlisle
passed me a tissue, stroking my head tenderly. "Nessie, have you thought
about adoption? You and Seth would make great parents to some poor orphan,
perhaps a child from a poor country?" he asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Oh
Grandpa, that's so like you to think of that!" I smiled through my tears.
" I would love to do that, but won't it be difficult to bring a child up
who is human in this environment?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"When
has it ever been beyond our family to control themselves around humans or
anyone else?" he asked me, wiping a tear away from my cheek.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"
Thanks Grandpa, I'll think about it, I'm just devastated we won't have our own
child," I cried.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Carlisle
hugged me again, "We'll get through it Nessie, you have us, you are strong."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
stood up straight, wiping away my tears. I am strong! I will be strong! I left
the study and wandered out into the garden. So I will never be a natural mother
to my own child. I thought back to the time when Nahuel had kidnapped me, he
had wanted me to run away with him and start a new race of hybrids. That would
have been futile, shame he hadn't known it at the time, Seth would still have
been unchanged, but there is no point dwelling on the past. Seth and I only
realised we truly loved each other when he nearly died. I had a long existence
with my Seth to look forward to, that was what truly mattered. As if I'd
conjured him up with my thoughts, Seth appeared behind me, his arms encircling
me, his lips against my ear, whispering " Nessie, sweet Nessie, <i>come to the meadow with me."</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
didn't need to be asked twice as he held my hand and we flew at great speed to
our special place so we could be alone together before the <i>wedding madness</i> <i>descended.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>CHAPTER TEN</u><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Trouble
In Paradise<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">JACOB
BLACK:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sam
had found me, told me what had happened, now here I stood as the large russet
wolf, staring at the small grey wolf as she hid amongst the trees. She could
not hide her thoughts from me this way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"<i>Jacob,
go away, please. I can't talk about this with you right now!"</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"<i>Leah,
I love you, please come back to your Mom's, we so need to discuss this!"</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"<i>No,
Jacob, I can't. My mind cannot deal with this. I COULD imprint, don't you
realise what this means!?"</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"<i>Leah,
please, don't! We can't go through our lives waiting for something which may or
may not happen! We belong together, we have Isaac, there is no bond greater
than that!"</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"<i>Jacob,
how can I be with you when one day I could look at someone else and boom, I
forget you, forget my baby. This is the worst thing that anyone could've ever
told me, I hate Sam!"</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Her
small grey paws worried at the ground with anxiety. I wanted to take her pain
and doubts away. We were meant to be together, I knew it, she knew it. True
love conquers all right?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"<i>Not
always Jake, you and Nessie were lucky, you imprinted on her but you were both
free to love someone else. How can I take the chance? I don't know what to do,
this is breaking my heart!"</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"<i>Leah,
please don't be this way, we'll get through it, sweetheart I promise. Now let's
go pick up our son, we need to leave for Isle Esme tomorrow. Let's get the
wedding out of the way then we can look into Sam's claim further. I'm so angry
at him! Why did he tell you this, he must've known how you would react! I could
kill him!"</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"<i>Jacob,
I'm not going to Isle Esme, I'm going to the Cullen's to ask ANYONE who will
listen to change me into a bloodsucker, that way I won't be able to imprint on
anyone!"</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"<i>NO
LEAH! Please honey that's the worst idea I've ever heard! They won't do it! </i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"<i>They
will, but if they don't then I am going into hiding, I'll run far away, that
way I'll never see anyone, then I can't imprint right?"</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"<i>Leah,
you are being totally irrational!"</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"<i>Jacob,
please just go!"</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"<i>Never!
I won't give up on us Leah! You have completely lost it! We need to talk about
this rationally. Please, come home, we'll go to the island, talk all this
over."</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"<i>Jake,
I'm not coming with you!"</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"<i>Leah!
You know I can't let Nessie down, this is her wedding day we're talking about!
I need to be there for her, so do you! I'm Seth's best man. I cannot let that
girl down, I lo<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4c60d157-cf1c-4ea2-86e3-ef29f4b930ef" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a839c44d-2a97-433b-b8b3-9332c64645e2" grcontextid="Seth's best man:0">ve her, she's e</span>verything to me, like a daughter, she's been my
best friend since she was born! I won't let her down."</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"<i>Exactly
Jacob, exactly. She comes first as always. That's what will happen when I
imprint!"</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"<i>Leah...please...come
with me, don't do this"</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She
turned away from me, ready to flee, <i>"I can't live my life based on what
ifs Jacob. I love you and Isaac so much. I can't do this to you both."</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then
quick as a flash, she was gone. I howled despairingly, hearing half a dozen
howls echoing around the forest. The pack had heard our exchange. In the distance
I heard a lone wolf howl, the sound desperately bleak and forlorn. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The sound of an animal
in great pain.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>CHAPTER ELEVEN</u><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now
for you there is no rain<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">SETH
CLEARWATER:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We
lay in the meadow together, Nessie and I, our hands and hearts entwined, as she
gently sang a song to me. My Nessie, her pure heart so full of songs, love and
joy. But today there was a sadness in her sweet voice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"<i>What
is love but the strangest of feelings?<br />
A sin you swallow for the rest of your life?<br />
You've been looking for someone to believe in<br />
To love you, until your eyes run dry " (razor light wire to wire)</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
pulled her into my arms, my body lying on hers, my emotions running riot, a
flame of pure desire burning in my heart. I crushed my lips to hers, with
passionate abandonment. I could never get enough of her, what had started long
ago as a young teenage crush had developed into full blown passion, love and
lust for this beautiful girl. She loved me too, I would never get over that
particular miracle. She was perfect, my arms could hold her tight, I could kiss
her wildly with no fear of hurting her. But she still had that half human part
of her that I adored, her blushing cheeks, her racing heartbeat as she lay
beneath me. I drowned in her, my senses overloading on her scent and taste.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Being
a vampire definitely had its benefits, everything I had felt before was
heightened. I was dangerously close to losing control, I was riding the wave of
passion I felt for her too close to the shore, any minute now the wave would
break and I would be swept away on a journey we had sworn not to take until our
wedding night. I pulled away with a deep sigh. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"
Nessie, my love, my only love, I fear I am losing control with you once again.
I'm so sorry."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She
smiled up at me with such a sexy look, I could've devoured her right there and
then. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Seth
Clearwater don't you dare apologise for making me feel this way. My control
isn't so perfect when it comes to you," she said, reaching up to put her
small hands under my t-shirt, her nails raking down my chest and abdomen. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
gasped, falling onto my back pulling her down to lay on top of me. Her perfect
lips were just inches from mine. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Seth
I want you, I <i>want </i>you now," she
breathed huskily. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Her
intoxicating scent was all around me, pulling me under her spell once more. I moaned,
pulling her lips down to crush against mine, my hands gripping her around the
waist, pulling her up against me so close it was as if we were welded together.
I felt the heat radiating from her body, the heat of desire, I heard and felt
her heart accelerate. I needed to be the strong one here. I gently lifted her
off me, laying her down next to me, her breathing ragged.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Ness,
please! What are you trying to do to me!?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She
turned to look at me, the depths of her chocolate brown eyes mesmerising.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Seth,
I love you, I need you, I want you, I'm sorry if my impatience rules me at the
moment," she grinned at me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
ruffled her hair, kissing her cheek. "You'll be the death of me Miss
Cullen," I teased. "What a way to go though!" I added cheekily.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
sat up, pulling her up to sit next to me, I put my arm around her shoulder. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Nessie
I love you, need you and want you to, but let's wait. We will be married in
three days. Tomorrow we fly to Isle Esme, to our destiny, our fate. "<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
took her small hands in mine as we gazed into one another's eyes, her beautiful
eyes still had a sadness about them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"What
is it, my love, you look sad?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She
told me what had happened in Carlisle's study. I pulled her close, hugging her
sweet body to mine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> "Oh love, we have each other, that's all
I'll ever need, but if you ever want to adopt a child then I'm with you 100%, I
promise." <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
brushed her hair away from her face. Some of the sadness had evaporated as she
gazed into my eyes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Seth,
I am so lucky to have you," she whispered. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"As
I am to have you, my love," I whispered back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We
both smiled at each other, safe in the knowledge nothing could harm this love
we have. I pulled a piece of paper from my pocket. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"I
wrote this for you my sweetheart, I thought it would be perfect for our wedding
vows. It's how I feel about you, how I feel about us," I said kissing her
soft rosy cheek.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Oh
Seth," she whispered, taking the poem from me to read out loud in that
sweet voice of hers, the sweetest sound in the world to me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"<i>Now
for you there is no rain<br />
For one is shelter to the other.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Now for you there is no darkness<br />
For one is counsel to the other.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Now for you there is no pain<br />
For one is comfort to the other.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Now for you there is no night<br />
For one is light to the other.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Now for you there is no cold<br />
For one is warmth to the other.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Now for you the snow has ended, always<br />
Your fears, your wants, your needs are at rest.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>It is that way today, tomorrow and forever.<br />
Now it is good and there is always shelter.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>And now there is always one.<br />
And now there is no loneliness.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Now, forever, forever you are as one.<br />
There are two bodies.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>But now there is only one heart in both<br />
And you are as one person."</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(Apache
Wedding Vow )<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>CHAPTER TWELVE</u><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Paint
It Black<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">NAHUEL:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
rejoiced silently to myself, rubbing my hands with glee, dancing in the
moonlight with unabashed joy. Don't you just love it when a plan works out
perfectly? Here I was, on Isle Esme, in my perfect hideaway on the other side
of the island, with my three captives all nicely ensconced in the hidden retreat
I'd found. A lovely roomy dark cave. I started singing a tune to myself,
spinning around in the moonlight, joy in my hybrid heart.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"<i>I
see a red door and I want it painted black<br />
No colours anymore I want them to turn black<br />
I see the girls walk by dressed in their summer clothes<br />
I have to turn my head until my darkness goes<br />
Hmm, hmm, hmm,...<br />
I wanna see it painted, painted black<br />
Black as night, black as coal<br />
I wanna see the sun blotted out from the sky<br />
I wanna see it painted, painted, painted, painted black "(the rolling
stones, paint it black)</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It
had been so easy to put my plan into action. Benjamin had succumbed to my
charms, believing I wanted to learn more about the Egyptian coven. I'd stabbed
him in the neck with my potion filled syringe when he turned his back to me for
one second. Boom! He was in my control, helpless against me. I drank his blood
to weaken him, his power running through my veins. Marvellous! Such power!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kate
had also been so so <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7edb6d8a-6bda-4576-a631-b7f70781544a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="88d68b2c-a19e-4dfe-bd77-4bddbc8a3628" grcontextid="Marvellous:0">easy to ca</span>pture. I had sobbed against her bosom, telling
her how sad I was, how lonely, I didn't fit in or belong anywhere. Her motherly
instincts took over as she hugged me tight, stroking my back and whispering
gentle words of reassurance and sympathy. I had grinned over her shoulder as I rose
up my syringe, plunging it into the side of her neck with flourish. She slumped
against me, as my teeth sunk into her white marble neck, drinking her blood,
her electricity flowing through my veins. Ah such sweet power!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Chelsea
had been more of a challenge. She was very untrusting. Very suspicious of me.
But she was after all a member of the Volturi guard, I expected her to be my
hardest target. But eventually I filled her veins full of the potion, rendering
her helpless, drinking her sweet blood, and oh the power rush! This vampire was
more ancient than the rest, her blood more intoxicating and powerful. I finally
got her onto my side by revealing my wishes to join the Volturi guard. Ah!
Sweet deception.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So
here I was, my plan going better than I had hoped for , waiting here on the
island for the rest of the Cullen's and assorted friends and family to turn up
for the wedding. The wedding which of course was doomed. I planned to put my
plan into action on the very day Renesmee would give her life to <i>that</i>
shape-shifter! Now, I only needed the last cog in the wheel of my brilliant
plan, this may prove my biggest challenge yet, harder than capturing Chelsea. I
<i>must have</i> the beautiful, powerful mother of the bride. Bella. Her power
was immense, a power I, Nahuel could benefit greatly from in my quest for the
ultimate goal. Her daughter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
chuckled to myself, flopping down onto the cool sand to gaze up at the moon and
stars above. Soon those stars, and that glowing full moon would belong to me, I
Nahuel would become all powerful, the leader of a new race. The three vampires
were lying in the cave, all under my spell, this potion was the business; <i>thank
you dear old witch woman </i>I thought silently, laughing up at that big old
moon. As a touch of class I'd laid all three into their own hand made caskets,
made by my own fair hand from wood gathered here; isn't that just brilliant
irony!?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They
were all conscious, but unable to move, or break away from the spell I'd put
them under. They lay in their coffins like three perfect marble statues, there
hard eyes glaring at me with hatred and fear. I let electricity fly from my
fingers, breaking a small tree to pieces with no effort. I laughed with
pleasure at this new found power, stolen from the lovely Kate. Chelsea and
Benjamin's powers I would put to great use on the day of the wedding; only two
days from now. I would break the Cullen's bonds of love; they would mean
nothing to each other, they would not fight to save Nessie. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
would send a great storm down upon them, calling up the vast powers of Mother
Nature to wreak havoc and cause distraction whilst I, Nahuel would snatch the
most precious thing in the world to them. Yes, I would leave them distraught
and confused, as I sped away into the night with my future, my Renesmee. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
sang softly to myself, my shoulders shaking with mirth <i>"I look inside
myself and see my heart is black; No more will my green sea go turn a deeper
blue, I could not foresee this thing happening to you, If I look hard enough
into the settin sun, My love will laugh with me before the mornin comes
"(the rolling stones, paint it black)</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>CHAPTER THIRTEEN</u><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wise
Words<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">RENESMEE
CULLEN:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
had never flown before; it was exciting and terrifying at the same time, to fly
in the air like a big metal bird high up in the clouds. We had chartered our
own plane from Seattle; Carlisle flew us to Isle Esme. Yes, my Grandpa has many
hidden talents! I sat behind my Mother and Father, next to Jacob who had Isaac
on his knee. Seth was up front with Carlisle, he wanted to be co-pilot! My
usually sunny Jake was sad and morose, his dark eyes threatening tears at any
moment. I hated to see my Jacob so sad, I reached over smiling, to squeeze his
large hand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He
didn't return my smile or squeeze, but continued to look into his baby son's
eyes with so much sadness I couldn't bear it! Last night Jacob had told me the
reason for his sadness. Leah had phased into a wolf and run away, far away by
the sounds of it, so far the pack couldn't reach her with their minds. It
terrified me to see his pain. He'd explained how Sam Uley had put bad thoughts
into Leah's head, telling her that he had found written evidence that female
shape-shifters <i>could </i>imprint. This knowledge had devastated poor Leah,
and in turn had turned my Jacob's world upside-down.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
didn't know how to comfort him. I really hoped Leah would see sense and come
back to her family soon. I wanted her at my wedding, she was my bridesmaid.
Alice said she would gladly act as substitute, but I really longed for my
"sister" to be there when I married her brother. It was a sad
situation. This imprinting thing really did cause loads of problems. I sighed
and looked out of the window, it was strange to see the clouds so close. I was
glad when we reached the island, Jacob's pain and suffering were making me too
sad; when I should be so ecstatic.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Everyone
quickly settled in after loads of hugs and greetings for Grandma Esme, Rosalie
and Emmett. I had missed them all, especially Emmett. He swept me up into a big
bear hug, squeezing me so hard I gasped. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"I
missed you so much, princess. Wait to you see everything we've done for you and
Seth!" he laughed putting me down to earth again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rosalie
gave him her best withering look. "You will keep your mouth shut or
else!" she warned through gritted teeth <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Whoops,"
said Emmett giving me a cheeky wink.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
laughed, glad of some happy conversation. Jacob took Isaac and retreated to his
room without speaking to anyone. Dad had explained the situation about Leah to
everyone, whilst Mom looked on sheepishly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"What's
wrong Bella, love," Dad had asked his arms around her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Leah
came to me last night, she asked me to change her, she <i>wants </i>to become a
vampire, so there's no chance she'll imprint on anyone. I told her absolutely
no way, we only make one of us if the person is dying and cannot be saved. She
said she was dying inside and pleaded with me. Of course I wouldn't agree, I
tried to reason with her, but she phased in the blink of an eye and ran away
into the night," my Mom explained. "Please not a word to Jacob, any
of you. He's so upset as it is, I don't want to make him worse," she added
sadly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We
all agreed, say <i>nothing.</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">During
the night, all of the family went to the mainland to hunt in the abundant
forests. My Mom had stayed behind, she wanted us two to spend some time
together, Dad had agreed it was a great idea. I had grabbed a few hours’ sleep
before so I was wide awake and excited about my wedding day. We walked arm in
arm along the beach. My Mom purposefully steering me away from any
"surprises" that were in store for me! The night was calm, the large
waves crashing gently on the sand. A bright full moon shone down on us as we
walked in companionable silence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
sighed happily," What a perfect place to marry my perfect man, Mom."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She
squeezed my arm gently, "It is perfect, love. It's bringing back a lot of
memories for me. The last time I was here it was my honeymoon, it's where I
conceived you,” she smiled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
blushed slightly, hoping my Mom wouldn't notice in the moonlight. "Mom!
Please!" I grimaced. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Come
on now Nessie, you will be a married woman tomorrow, there's no need to be
embarrassed about something so natural!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jeez,
here we go, I thought.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"What's
wrong, love. You can tell me. Please Nessie, let's have a proper woman to woman
talk," she pleaded.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Uh-oh.
I sighed reluctantly, "Well Mom, I guess I'm worried and a bit scared. It
will be our first time, and as much as we've erm kissed and stuff; I'm nervous
because I hope Seth will be pleased with me, I don't want it to be a big let-down
after all these months!" <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cue<i> major</i> blushing, this was awkward!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Nessie,
please love, I'm your Mother. Stop cringing! You are actually older than me, so
why worry about what you say!?", she laughed at her own joke. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This
broke the ice a bit, and I looked up at the stars, my lucky stars, thanking
them silently for blessing me with my Mom. She was right it <i>should </i>be
easier to talk to someone who was near my own age and who had experienced the
same insecurities and worries. Though it was slightly impossible to believe
that looking at her now. She was not an under confident, shy human anymore! In
human years she was eighteen, she had only been a vampire for six years, but
she was wise and confident!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Unlike
myself, who was a very nervous hybrid! I squeezed her arm, putting my head on her
shoulder as we walked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Oh
Mom, I love Seth so much I feel like I might explode sometimes. He's in my
heart, soul and mind at all times. I'm completely and irrevocably in love with
him. Marrying him is the best thing I could wish for!" I gushed, now feeling
at ease talking to my wonderful Mom. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She
smiled, kissing the top of my head, "I know that feeling all too well,
love. I was the same when I met your Father and still am. I love him to
distraction," she laughed at the last bit, a mischievous smile on her
face. "Well you'll soon know what I mean by the <i>distraction </i>part!"
she added.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
frowned gazing up into her topaz eyes. " What do you mean Mom?" I
asked puzzled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She
stopped, putting her hands on my shoulders, her topaz eyes gazing deeply into
my chocolate brown ones. "Oh Nessie, you love Seth, he loves you, any fool
can see it’s the truth! On your wedding night you will share your bodies as
well as your hearts, minds and souls and you don't need to worry about a thing!
Your love is real, <i>making </i>love will only enhance it. And there is the
amazing benefit that you are both half-vampires! You will never tire of each
other, never want to stop gazing into each other’s eyes, the hunger you will
feel to be together, completely together, will never diminish or abate. It's
wonderful Nessie, it's special, you will know exactly what I mean the moment
you both give yourselves to each other completely. You will know exactly why
Edward and I are so hopelessly unable to keep our hands off each other! I know
you've watched us, wondering what the big secret is. Well dear beautiful
gorgeous daughter, you will finally <i>know </i>what it is to love each other
in all ways," she finished. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
stood open-mouthed, never before had I heard such a passionate speech from my
Mother! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She
hugged me tight, "Nessie, tomorrow night you will become a woman, I'm so
proud of you darling. You've waited for that perfect moment, not tossed it away
like it wasn't anything special! Believe me, I know how hard it is to control
your emotions and feelings. Not to mention your hormones!" she laughed,
squeezing me tighter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
laughed with her, dizzy with the thoughts of my wedding night. But first I
would give my vows to Seth and he would give his to mine, and we would belong
to each other. Later we would belong to each other completely. I would be
whole. I smiled hugging myself tight, as the full moon shone brightly lighting
up this perfect place. I sighed happily. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Thanks,
Mom. Thanks for the talk, I'm not worried or scared anymore. I love you,"
I said contentedly. I reached out placing a kiss on her smooth marble cheek. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"
I love you too Nessie," she replied, giving me her most beautiful dazzling
smile.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Ness,
I'm going for a walk by myself sweetheart, there's a few places I want to
re-visit. Special memories you know?" she grinned at me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
grinned right back, "Of course Mom, I'm going to check on Jacob. I think
he could use some company," I frowned remembering my best friend.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
hoped and hoped everything would work out for Jacob. He was so happy with his
little family. It ripped my heart apart thinking of him so sad, whilst I was so
happy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Don't
be sad Nessie, Jake will be fine, he's strong," Mom said hugging me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"
I know, I just hate seeing him so...<i>broken</i>,"
I sighed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"I
know love, I know," she replied with a sad smile. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I squeezed my Mom's
hand one final time as she disappeared into the moonlit night.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>CHAPTER FOURTEEN</u><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bella,
At Last<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">NAHUEL:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
couldn't believe my luck! Bella, walking along the beach, lost in thought, <i>alone.
</i>Karma? Ha! I laughed silently. I don't know if it was the sound of the
waves crashing onto the shore or the faraway look in her eyes which caused her
perfect vampire senses to fail her, but lucky for me fail they did. She did not
notice me until I was upon her, sprawled on top of her, my syringe
strategically poised at her slender pale throat. I saw her eyes widen as I
pushed the needle tip deep into her hard marble skin. She tried to cry out, but
the sound was stifled by the potion going deep into her vampire veins. Her eyes
glazed over as she became as still as white marble underneath me. I gave a
triumphant shout of glee. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Oh
Bella, beautiful Bella, you don't know how long I've waited for this
moment!" I gasped as I brought my lips down onto hers, roughly and
passionately.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My
cold and black hybrid heart leapt and accelerated in my chest, excitement
pounding through my veins. Of course it would have been so much more fulfilling
if she could have responded, but still, it was a wonderful moment between us. Her
eyes were dark topaz, full of anger and disgust. I ignored them and hauled her
up, lifting her easily over my shoulder and carrying her off into the moonlit
night.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
brought her to rest in the cave with the other vampires. I, Nahuel had built
her the most perfect casket imaginable from my own hands! I had stolen some
wonderful red velvet fabric from the main house to line her coffin. Only the
best for Bella.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
laid her down into the coffin, gazing at her in wonder. My most prized vampire
was here! At last! I stroked her smooth white cheek, brushing my fingers over
her perfect red lips. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Now
sweet Bella, it is time for I to drink your blood," I whispered tenderly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Her
eyes darkened even more as she looked into mine. Ah the sweet surrender! I
undid the small buttons on her dress, exposing the smooth perfect skin of her
collarbones, one more button and her cleavage would be exposed. I moaned at the
thought of it. Nahuel! I chided myself, get on with the task in hand!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
lowered my mouth to her sweet neck, letting my sharp teeth penetrate her
enticing skin. I gasped as her blood filled my mouth, the sweetest blood I had
ever tasted, a heady mixture, a cinnamon and vanilla elixir with the most
exquisite taste in the world! I moaned and gasped as the sweet liquid filled up
my senses, Bella's power flowing through me like a river, into every pore in my
body.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
had to tear myself away from her, my god she tasted so good. I fell down in
ecstasy, her blood singing in my veins. Oh yes. I was so glad I'd saved this
main prize for last. And what a prize! The sun was just starting to rise above
the horizon, the light illuminating the cave where my vampires laid in their
coffins. I laughed out loud with giddy pleasure. So clever, I Nahuel, am so
clever! Their glazed dark eyes watched me with horror. The day had come at last
to show them all. My final part of the plan would come to fruition today. It
was the wedding day, at last. I had Bella, mother of the bride, at last.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>How could I fail?</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>CHAPTER FIFTEEN</u><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wedding
Day<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">ALICE
CULLEN:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Oh
Nessie! You look simply stunning!" I exclaimed, gazing at my gorgeous
niece in awe. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The
dress, the hair, the make-up, everything was just perfect! She was perfect.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> "I swear, Nessie, if I was human I'd be
crying!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Oh
Alice, thank you!" Nessie hugged me, tears in her eyes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Don't
cry Ness, you'll ruin my good work!" I scolded.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Where's
my Mom got to?" she asked me, a small crease on her forehead.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
looked out of the window, dark clouds were starting to gather in the sky, heavy
and dark with the promise of rain. The palm trees were starting to shake in the
wind which seemed to have sprung from nowhere. The sea was grey, angry and
violent, mirroring the sky. My still heart lurched at the sight. This was what
I had seen in my blurry vision of the future. No, please, go away storm, don't
spoil Seth and Nessie's day!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
felt a horrible sense of foreboding, I quickly closed the curtains obliterating
the coming storm from view. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"
I guess your Mom has went to the landing strip to welcome your Dad home,"
I tried to soothe Nessie. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She
shrugged her shoulders. "Yeah I guess, but it's only an hour until the
wedding, I thought she might be here?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
smiled trying to rid myself of the strange feeling I had. "Don't worry
Nessie, your Mother will NOT miss your wedding, honey."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There
was a knock at the door, Edward asked if he could come in. "Yes, brother
come and see your gorgeous daughter," I called.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He
peeked his head around the door, his amber eyes widening in surprise.
"Oh...oh! Oh my! Nessie you are beautiful sweethear<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4756ea45-4bd6-47c4-8207-51908bb3ccda" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="493d9a0f-fe0a-4bf0-ad26-bf122a90c620" grcontextid="Oh...oh:0">t,
just</span>...beautiful!" he exclaimed coming into the room to gently hug his
daughter. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Dad..."
Nessie choked up with tears before she could finish her sentence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> "C'mon Edward please don't make her cry,
I've put a lot of hard work into this!" I pleaded.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Edward
smiled over at me, but the smile didn't reach his eyes, and I knew he'd picked
up on my thoughts. <i>"Oh Edward, there is a bad storm coming, it could
even be a hurricane! What do I tell Nessie? And where IS Bella? I seen this in
a vision. I have such a bad feeling" </i>I silently communicated to him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He
frowned briefly, trying to keep his expression happy for his daughter. Suddenly
I doubled over as a vision so violent hit me like a steam train. I saw chaos,
destruction, violence and pain. I saw Edward his face contorted with rage, I
saw as he fell to the ground stunned. I saw my family staring into space, no
emotions on their face. I saw the eye of the storm coming closer, closer and
closer, ready to destroy anything in its path.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"<i>Edward!
"</i> I screamed silently to him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nessie
and Edward grabbed me before I fell, leading me to the sofa and gently sitting
me down. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nessie's
face was creased with worry. "Alice, are you ok!? "<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"I'm
fine honey, I just had one of my turns, who knows what that's all about eh?"
I tried to act nonchalant. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Edward's
eyes were boring into mine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Let's
go into the living room and call everyone down, it's almost time. Jacob and
Seth have already left," I said trying to act normal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Everyone
was already there waiting for us, dressed and ready to go. Everyone except
Bella. I saw Nessie's eyes dart around the room, searching for Bella.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"<i>Oh
Edward, where IS Bella? I don't like this, I don't like it at all!" </i>I silently screamed<i>.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Edward's
face said it all, he was definitely starting to worry but was desperately
trying to be happy and act upbeat for his daughter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Bella
is going to meet us at the ceremony, love. She's got a surprise for you,"
he smiled at Nessie. "Now come on everyone, I have this beautiful creature
to give away, and I don't want to keep her husband-to-be waiting any
longer!" Edward said loudly, a crooked smile on his face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Everyone
came to kiss Nessie's perfectly made up cheeks. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Emmett
was last, "Hey Princess, guess who is marrying you two this evening?"
he asked her with a cheeky wink.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Oh
Emmett, I'm so happy!" Nessie exclaimed, her eyes shining.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Emmett
grinned widely, "And don't worry Princess, I have your special vows right
here," he said patting the breast pocket of his suit jacket.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
smiled, hoping my visions were wrong. But no, as usual I was to be proved
correct. I opened the front door to be greeted by a howling gale, rain lashed
me and my family as we stared out in disbelief at the weather. Trees had been
uprooted and flew around the house crashing into the bricks. I screamed as I
looked up into the sky, the eye of the hurricane was right above the house!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just
then the door was wrenched from its hinges nearly pulling my arm out of its
socket. I turned to shout out a warning to my family, there was chaos behind
me. Edward was desperately trying to shield Nessie from the wind and rain,
whilst all kinds of household implements flew at them from all directions.
Emmett was bent over Rosalie, her legs bent in an awkward position. Carlisle
and Esme were clinging to each other and also clinging to the stairs. I tried
to move, to go help my family, but the wind was so strong, so powerful. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
heard Nessie's wails over the raging noise of the storm, "Seth and Jacob,
Seth and Jacob, we must find them!" she screamed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then
Edward's hands were snatching at thin air, as Nessie flew past me, out of the
ruined door and into the storm. I couldn't see her anymore, but I heard her
loud and clear...one long drawn out scream...<i>"NAHUEL!"</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>CHAPTER SIXTEEN</u><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Eye
of the Storm<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">EDWARD
CULLEN:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
cried out to my daughter, trying to grab hold of her wedding gown, as she ran
past me into the stormy night. "Nessie no!" I screamed in
desperation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Me
and Alice stared at each other in horror as we heard her scream Nahuel's name.
Oh how stupid of me to presume he had drowned, that day in the woods. I ran out
into the night after Nessie, using all my strength to fight the wind and rain
lashing against my body. Nahuel stood in the middle of the beach his arm around
Nessie's neck, her eyes stood out starkly in her head with fear. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Nahuel!
Give Nessie back to me!" I roared in anger.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">An
electric bolt from the blue, like lightning from the sky hit me with full force
in the chest, sending me spinning backwards. I lay on the ground stunned,
seeing Alice's wide eyes staring down at me in shock. Then she screamed as a
shock of lightning hit her square in the back, causing her to spiral off into
the raging storm, her poor little arms wind-milling frantically.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
hissed in frustration. Carlisle and Esme had come out into the storm to see
what the commotion was about, they crouched defensively, trying to out
manoeuvre Nahuel, but to no avail, he sent out bolts of lightning from his
hand, shocking both my parents with high voltage electricity. They lay together
on the floor, stunned. I growled, trying to stand up but the shock had weakened
my vampire strength. A blur of pure fury and power came streaking out of the
house. Emmett. Poor Rose staggered behind him, her broken legs not quite healed
yet. Emmett gave a huge roar as loud as a bear and lunged at Nahuel. Nessie's
eyes widened in fear and shock. Nahuel merely laughed as he watched the big
bear that was Emmett descend upon him. He held out one hand placing it on
Emmett chest as if to merely push him away. But I saw the blue and white flash
as Emmett flew through the air and landed with a thud next to me. He groaned,
his eyes rolling in his head. Rosalie screamed and crawled to his side, the
violent wind whipping her long hair into a frenzy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
felt Alice's small hands on my face. <i>"Edward, Edward! How can this be?
He was dead!? How has he got so much power?" </i>she screamed silently in my head.<i> </i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Carlisle
and Esme had crawled over to the rest of the family and we lay huddled together
unable to find the strength to move.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nahuel's
laughter rang in my ears, it went on and on as the storm raged above our heads,
the eye of the storm glaring down at us maliciously. The wind howled through
the palm trees, the ocean waves pounded onto the sand as the storm descended
upon the island. Mother Nature at her wildest and most furious. It seemed as if
t<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="974f9b3d-83f2-4c88-97ec-8e52dd2b27f0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bccae6f2-59ae-4f79-9a67-b5032521cf11" grcontextid="at:0">he</span> little world here had descended into chaos, descended into the deepest pits
of hell all in the blink of an eye. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How could this place so
full of sunshine and happiness turn into this nightmare of epic proportions?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">NAHUEL:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oh
the power! It sang through my veins, giving me the strength and wisdom to
defeat my enemies so easily! Whoosh! Lightning flew from my hands, shocking the
Cullen's with its powerful high voltage electricity. Oh yes. My power was far
greater than Kate's had ever been, it must be all the vampires’ blood and
powers mixed together giving me such strength! I laughed and laughed, drunk on
the power, as I watched the Cullen's being forced to the ground by <i>my</i> special talents.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Once
I had them all incapacitated, I summoned up Chelsea's power, the power to undo
bonds between families, lovers and friends. I unleashed it onto them with as
much fury as I could muster. They lay on the sand, the wind howling all around
them, looking dazed and confused. Oh great power! Nessie screamed and writhed
but I found it all too easy to restrain her with one hand. I spun her around
forcing her to look into my face. She cowered away from me, her eyes full of
fear.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My
voice boomed out loud against the storm "Renesmee, listen to me. I, Nahuel
summoned this storm! All by myself! Aren't you amazed by my power, see how
strong I am! I have incapacitated your sorry family, now you will come with me.
I have something very special to show you, oh very special indeed!" <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
smiled at her, my beautiful Nessie as I plunged the potion filled syringe into
her heart. Ah! She was like a rag doll now, so pliable. I quickly hefted her
onto my back and sped off through the storm to the cave where I kept my
treasures. One particular treasure I couldn't wait to show dear Renesmee. She
would do whatever I asked once she saw her precious Mother lying there, unable
to move, unable to speak, until I Nahuel released her. I wasn't sure quite <i>how</i>
to release the vampires from their spell but I'd cross that bridge when I came
to it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
placed my precious cargo on a blanket on the cave floor, I carefully arranged
her hair, sorting her beautiful dress. Even though her dress had been torn and
her hair wind swept by the storm she was still a beautiful bride. I heard
wolves howling in the distance. I laughed silently to myself, let them come! My
power knew no bounds!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>I see a bad moon rising<br />
I see trouble on the way<br />
I see earthquakes and lightnin'<br />
I see bad times today</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Don't go 'round tonight<br />
It's bound to take your life<br />
There's a bad moon on the rise</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>I hear hurricanes a blowin'<br />
I know the end is comin' soon<br />
I fear rivers over flowing<br />
I hear the voice of rage and ruin</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Hope you got your things together<br />
Hope you are quite prepared to die<br />
Looks like we're in for nasty weather<br />
One eye is taken for an eye </i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>( Copyright Creedence Clearwater Revival)</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>CHAPTER SEVENTEEN</u><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The
Long Night<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">SETH
CLEARWATER:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jacob
and I had stood patiently waiting on the beach for my wedding to begin. I hadn't
seen my Nessie since yesterday, my best man insisted on it, so he'd sent me
away hunting with the rest of the house last night. I couldn't wait to see her
walk towards me, it was all I could think of. Tonight, here on this beautiful
beach as twilight descends, she would become my wife, at last.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jacob
was very quiet, he looked so sad, but I could tell he was trying to be brave
for me and Nessie. Leah, my sister, had disappeared; all because of what Sam
had told her. I alternately raged and sympathised with my sister. I remembered
what it w<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c9fa92b2-55b9-4485-a2ef-eaa48b603d29" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b8f82764-8300-4e87-8ccf-61808ab762d7" grcontextid="sympathised:0">as like to </span>have the fear of imprinting hanging over you when you were
so in love with someone else. But I was mad at her for hurting Jake, he didn't
deserve it. And how could my sister leave her beautiful baby son? We'd sort it
out after the wedding, I'm sure.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"What's
keeping them?" I asked Jake nervously.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He
gave me a half smile, clapping me on the shoulder "Don't worry she'll be
here Seth, Nessie loves you so much. You are very lucky. Promise me you will
always love, cherish and respect her? And promise me you will always protect
her and never hurt her?" he said seriously.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Of
course Jacob, that's all I exist for to love her and care for her," I
replied solemnly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He
smiled at me, looking more like the old Jacob.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
looked up at the sky as twilight came upon us, dark clouds were gathering heavy
with rain. The palm trees had started to shake in the wind which had started to
howl around us and the sea became ominous, dark and wild. How could the weather
change so quickly? What was going on? Isle Esme wasn't supposed to have storms.
I felt panic rise in me, something didn't feel right.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jacob
and I exchanged worried glances. Where was everyone? They should be here by
now. Suddenly we saw blue flashes of lightning streak across the beach. I
gasped in horror as I heard Nessie screaming, then I heard more screams and
shouting accompanied by more lightning bolts. What the hell?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"<i>NESSIE!</i>" I shouted in fear, my eyes
wild. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Seth,
quickly, let's phase! We need to find out what's happening NOW!" Jacob
screamed his eyes full of apprehension.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
quickly phased into the sandy coloured wolf, and ran with my brother the large
russet wolf along the shore to the source of the commotion. Now Jacob had to
push himself to the limit to keep up with me. Since the change I was a super
enhanced wolf. We came upon the Cullen's lying on the sand, their body’s
immobile, low hisses and groans escaping their lips.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"<i>No!
Jacob, what's happened to them!?"</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"<i>Seth,
I don't know!"</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8884c0e0-03a4-4aeb-8ff4-4fb4d9f0d533" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="be6b94cf-d20a-409f-b863-d1d9ac215185" grcontextid="what's:0" style="color: #351c75;">
</span>
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8884c0e0-03a4-4aeb-8ff4-4fb4d9f0d533" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="be6b94cf-d20a-409f-b863-d1d9ac215185" grcontextid="what's:0" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
nuz</span><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">zled Edward with my snout, snuffling at his face, as Jacob did the same to
the rest of the family.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Seth,"
he slurred, "Nahuel took Nessie, he's alive! He shocked us all with
electricity from lightning bolts. We need to recover,"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">His
voice was so uncaring and emotionless. What had Nahuel done besides shock him! He
heard my thoughts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> "S<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a8ba2a44-5365-431e-a1e1-04baa9a82117" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="419f43b7-ca15-444a-82db-d5e4b789c0c8" grcontextid="done:0">eth,</span> Jacob, somehow Nahuel is very
powerful, he has rendered us powerless and severed our bonds to each other. I
look at my family and I look at both you wolves and I have no desire to love,
save or protect you. I simply want to lie here until the storm abates. I am
sorry," he said in that flat monotone voice. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
looked at Jacob my panic at fever pitch.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"<i>Jacob!
We cannot help the Cullen's just now, we MUST find Nessie. And have you noticed
Bella is missing?"</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jacob's
dark eyes narrowed in anger and pain, he howled at the full moon. I lifted my
snout unconsciously and echoed his howl. I felt Edward's eyes on me, as cold
and hard as amber flint.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> "He must have Bella. He must want to use
her in some evil plan to take Nessie away from us. This should bother me but I
find myself curiously detached." <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
howled again at the sheer terror of what Nahuel had done to my beloved
Cullen's. How could Edward not care about Bella and Nessie? Impossible. I raged
internally at Nahuel, imagining myself ripping him apart limb from limb. Jacob
growled echoing my thoughts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"<i>Come
on Seth, we can pick up Nessie's scent if we hurry!" </i>Jacob said
urgently in my mind.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We
sped off down the beach, our eight legs a blur, the wind buffeting our furry
bodies as the rain soaked us and the sea raged on and on. I glanced behind
sadly at the vampires lying on the beach, their marble skin glinting in the
moonlight. Their blank faces staring up at the stormy sky, totally void of
expression or emotion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>It was a terrifying
sight</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>CHAPTER EIGHTEEN</u><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Love
conquers all right?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">JACOB
BLACK:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Seth
and I followed Nessie's scent to the dark caves on the North side of the
island, the storm was especially violent here. We had no thought for our own
safety as we plunged into the cave, Nessie's scent overpowering us. I did not
expect the sight which greeted us. Unbelievably there were four wooden coffins
each with an unmoving silent vampire in them, their eyes staring out at us in
fear.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Oh my god, Bella was one of them!</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Seth
growled viciously, my eyes followed his line of vision to see Nahuel sitting
with his back against the cave wall, Nessie's sweet head in his lap, his hands
idly stroking her hair. Her body was rigid her eyes closed. Seth howled and
sprung at Nahuel who seemed unconcerned that a large sandy coloured wolf flew
at him with teeth bared. Seth got so close then he <i>bounced</i> right back to
where he'd started from, he growled and shook his head in confusion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"<i>Jacob!
He is shielding me, I can't get through, it's like an impenetrable
bubble!" </i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
shook my large furry head growling in disdain. I leapt at him, teeth bared,
snarling furiously. I felt a slight pressure and bam! I was back beside Seth. We
looked at each oth<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="800b6566-9c0c-4bad-97d7-20daf9e1546c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4a03bf52-d78e-4496-8b72-1b78fadb14ba" grcontextid="bam:0">er </span>in confusion. Nahuel stood, gently placing Nessie's head
back onto the blanket where she lay.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He
started laughing at us, we growled in unison. “Stupid stupid
shape-shifters!" he laughed, "Nothing can touch me! I am all
powerful! I have drank these vampire's blood, including your precious Bella,
and I am a god!" he shrieked manically.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Seth
and I exchanged worried glances.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"I
injected them with this special potion!" he laughed tossing a syringe away
behind him. "Now, I, Nahuel will take Renesmee away with me before dawn
where you will never find her. And we will mate, a new race will be born, a new
powerful race, Better than vampires, better than shape-shifting wolves!"
he crowed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">His
evil violet eyes shone with manic belief in the darkness of the cave. "Yes
Seth Clearwater, YOU will never HAVE HER!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Seth
growled rushing forward once more, but the shield prevented him from getting
near Nahuel, he bounced back slamming into the cave wall, with a yelp of pain. Nahuel
laughed and laughed and laughed, the sound reverberating and echoing through
the cave as he watched us helpless wolves in our pain and anguish. Nahuel
stopped his crazy laughter, looking at us with malicious intent. His hands came
up, the palms directed at both of us, blue light sizzling on his skin. He
started to walk towards us slowly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">People
have often said to me, sometimes things happen so fast you can hardly believe
it actually happened. Well here's one of those moments coming up right now! Nessie
miraculously leapt to her feet, picked up the discarded syringe and plunged it
with force straight into the back of Nahuel's neck. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"
Never drop your guard, you FREAK!" she screamed, as Nahuel crumpled in a
heap on the floor, the electricity in his palms fizzling out in a spray of blue
sparks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Seth!"
Nessie screamed, flinging herself at her beloved. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She
hugged his large head to her heart, kissing his fur over and over. In a split
second, before I had time to process any of this, a small grey wolf flew
through the cave entrance landing neatly on the fallen Nahuel's chest, her
teeth ripping out his throat in glorious animalism abandonment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"<i>Leah!"
</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
sprung over to Nahuel's ravaged body, my joy at seeing my love overwhelming me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"<i>Oh
Leah, Leah, Leah, I love you!"</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"<i>Jacob,
my love, my only true love, I'm so sorry!"</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"<i>Don't
be," </i>I nuzzled her with my nose. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"You are here that's all I care about, and looks like you and
Nessie have just saved us all!" <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>"Where is Isaac?" </i>she asked looking worried<i>. <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Oh love, don't worry our precious son is on the mainland with Sue and
Charlie. I took him over to them last night, I was so sad without you, I didn't
want to make our baby sad too! They were meant to arrive just before the
wedding, but obviously the storm has stopped them."</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She
smiled her wolfish grin. We licked each other faces, soft purring noises coming
from our mouths. I turned around to see Seth had phased back, Nessie holding
his naked body close to hers, crying with happiness and joy at being reunited
with her love. Me and Leah glanced at each other and both phased. Leah grabbed
the blanket from the ground to cover us with. We all hugged, crying with
happiness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Oh
Seth, Oh Jacob! Look what Nahuel has done to Mom!" Nessie cried.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
couldn't bear to see Bella lying there motionless. I ran over to her, stroking
her pale cheek, her topaz eyes stared at me, but she didn't move.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"What's
he done to them all!? Oh Leah, I'm so glad you are here! You killed
Nahuel!" Nessie exclaimed, looking over at his dead body lying on the
ground, his throat bloody and torn.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Leah
hugged her, "We must burn him Nessie, just to make sure. And don't be
calling me the heroine, you incapacitated him in the first place!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nessie
shrugged, " I was awake for ages, I didn't let him know I was. I patiently
waited for the opportunity to strike. I didn't know if I'd get an opportunity
at all! But he stole my Mom's shield, changed it to suit him, no one could
attack him! But nothing gets in, nothing gets OUT right? So when he went to
attack Seth and Jake with his thunderbolts he had to drop the shield! I got him
then, got him good!" she shuddered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Seth
kissed her again and again. "You saved me and Jacob, Nessie. Then Leah
finished him off! Saved by a couple of girls, huh Jake?!" he teased.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We
all laughed, but the mood soon turned sombre again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"How
do we bring Bella and the other vampires back to life?" I asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The
million dollar question indeed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Before
anyone could answer me, a tall figure appeared at the entrance to the cave,
wild hair blowing in the wind, tattered strips of fur hanging from the figure's
body, arms and legs; with a vicious hiss the figure dropped into a defensive
crouch and looked around wild-eyed at the scene.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>I held my breath in fear and anticipation.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>CHAPTER NINETEEN</u><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Prayers<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">RENESMEE
CULLEN:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The
figure slowly entered the cave, stealthily and carefully. Our four pairs of
eyes watched silently in anticipation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The
silence in the cave was deafening.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Suddenly
recognition flared in my mind, "Zafrina!" I shouted excitedly<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Oh
Zafrina!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> The tall, wild Amazonian smiled widely at me,
her arms extended for me to run into. "Nessie," she enveloped me in
her strong arms, her wiry hair tickling my cheek. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Silent
tears ran down my face, as she rubbed my back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"But
how?...why?...what are you doing here?" I asked as Leah, Jacob and my Seth
gathered around.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Oh
child, I was so worried, Zafrina had to come. Nahuel he come to the village, he
be nice and friendly to me and Senna. He ask to see witch woman. He say he get
pretty rare <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="19379b79-6e23-4436-9072-c0a6ba817c5a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9427b983-536c-4e73-bcb9-01ce6cc11364" grcontextid="ask:0">flo</span>wer for pretty girl's wedding bouquet," she touched my
cheek brushing away my tears. She hung her head in shame, " Me and Senna,
we are fooled by HIM, we tell him to go to witch woman. A few days later we
find witch woman sister screaming through village. Witch woman's house burned
down, charred skeleton in remains! Witch woman dead! I KNOW then HE done
this!" she wrung her hands in sorrow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Oh
Zafrina, please don't blame yourself," I said rubbing her arm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She
sighed dramatically, " Zafrina knew something was up. Zafrina came here. I
find you Nessie using this no<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9b28a4e8-7b19-42c6-9434-747c8fb91aa9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="288cca2e-7c49-4a09-9898-47a43655bee9" grcontextid="Zafrina:0">se! Wit</span>ch woman's sister said she had an identical
book of potions and spells hidden in her house. She said whatever Nahuel has
taken we can reverse it! Child, what has he done!?" she asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
explained everything to her. How Nahuel had drank the blood of the vampire's,
stealing their special talents to use for his own evil doings. "Zafrina,
one of them is Bella, my mother" I wailed, tears pouring down my cheeks. I
couldn't bear to look at my sweet mother lying a few feet away from me, still
and motionless in her coffin. Jacob and Seth rubbed my back soothingly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"I'm
afraid that's not all," Seth said darkly. "Nahuel attacked the
Cullen's back at the house, he's rendered them powerless with electric shocks
and worst of all he's took away their bonds they had for each other!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
gasped, "No Seth! We have to save them!" I screamed. "Dad! No!
Not Dad!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Shhh,
Shhh Nessie sweetheart," Zafrina said in her calm voice. "Those
powers he use on your family, they no permanent. They only work temporarily to
make easy for attack, you see?" she smiled down at me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
tentatively smiled back, a little ray of hope blossoming in my chest. She
walked over to the four coffins holding the motionless vampires. She frowned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"
First we see what we can do for them. She is Volturi no?" she asked
pointing at Chelsea. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
nodded, suddenly scared. What if she woke up and tried to hurt us? She can
break bonds like snapping a twig!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Zafrina
leave her to last!", she chuckled. "Now I look up spells book, find
reverse spell to wake them, leave me be for a while until I sort this,"
she smiled widely.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We
left Zafrina to her spell books, she thumbed through the pages quickly,
searching for the magic words which would bring my Mom back to me. The four of
us stood in a circle our foreheads touching, so pleased to be altogether, safe
and unharmed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Oh
guys, some wedding day huh?" I sighed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jacob
chuckled, Leah kicked him, and Seth kissed the top of my head. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jacob
spoke the words nobody really wanted to say, "We are going to have to burn
the body guys, sorry to bring it up," he whispered, his eyes boring into
mine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"It's
okay Jake, I know what has to be done," I replied bravely.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We
gently lifted the motionless vampires from their coffins, and set them down on
the cave floor. I kissed my Mom's cheek and brushed back her hair from her
forehead. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>"Don't worry Mom," </i>I whispered<i>, "Everything will be
okay".<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i> </i>It was breaking my hybrid
heart seeing her so still and quiet, it was like she had died. And that damn
coffin hadn't helped! By contrast we threw Nahuel's body into one of the
coffins. I was scared I kept expecting him to jump up and shout " Only
joking!". I shivered involuntarily.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Hey
guys, what if he heals and comes back to life?" I asked the dreaded
question.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jacob
put his arm around my shoulder, squeezing gently. "He won't sweetheart,
once when you were a little girl you cut your finger really bad on a piece of
broken glass, you bled lots, the wound did heal, but it took a whole day,"
he smiled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
guess hybrids don't heal like vampires, a torn out throat compared to a cut
finger was miles apart. He isn't going to heal, plus his main artery has been
severed by Leah's sharp teeth. He has bled to death like a human would. He was
half human after all. I should be more careful just in case. I sighed. We
carried Nahuel in his coffin out of the cave and down to the sand. The boys
brought the other coffins down, whilst Leah and I stood staring down at Nahuel.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"We
killed him, Leah," I whispered softly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"
I know Ness, and good riddance!" Leah said with conviction.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
knelt down beside Nahuel's body as he lay in the wooden coffin. I took his cold
hand in mine. Leah stared at me, with an incredulous look on her face. I
whispered very softly. This was between me and him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>"Nahuel, I'm sorry you were lonely, I'm sorry you felt like an
outsider, I'm so sorry you didn't have amazing parents like mine. We could've
been friends if things had been different between us. I don't regret stabbing
you, you hurt my Mom, Dad and my whole family. But I do regret how your life
and death have turned out for you. Goodbye Nahuel, I pray you find peace
somewhere far from this world, wherever that may be, Amen," </i>I sighed, letting go
his hand, my face turned towards the coming dawn. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The
sky was a gorgeous pink, the sun peeking up from the horizon. I looked up into
the early morning sky and sent another prayer out into the day. "<i>Please
let my Mom wake up, please please!"</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The
boys stacked all the coffins on top of Nahuels body in a pyramid. Seth rubbed
together two stones to create a spark. The small flame easily sprung up without
the storm, the morning was calm and beautiful once again. My darling Seth took
my hand and we walked together along the beach away from the funeral pyre. I
didn't look back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We
made some sight, me in my torn and dirty Vivienne Westwood wedding gown, him
wrapped in a tattered piece of red velvet from Mom's coffin, fashioned so he
reminded me of Tarzan! I marvelled at his smooth marble chest, his taut
muscular abdomen, his long silky hair falling over his shoulders. He was
beautiful.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When
we'd walked far enough, I stopped and took his gorgeous face in my hands. I
traced every contour of that face with my fingertips, very gently. I kissed his
sweet mouth, his taste intoxicating me as always. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"I
love you Seth," I breathed against his cool cheek. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He
looked deep into my eyes, smiling that smile I loved so much. "Darling
Nessie, I love you too, so much. We were supposed to be husband and wife by
now. We were supposed to have our wedding night!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Shh
darling," I silenced him with my lips. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'd
nearly lost my precious Seth once again, I was determined never <i>ever </i>to let him out of my sight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We
<i>would </i>get married, it might not be today or tomorrow but it <i>was </i>going
to happen. It was fate<i>. <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>It was our destiny.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>CHAPTER TWENTY</u><br />
Calm Seas<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">SETH
CLEARWATER:<br />
As the new dawn broke I kissed my beautiful Nessie over and over again. I was
ecstatic to have her by my side again, unharmed and perfect.<br />
Nahuel didn't succeed in his evil plan to steal her away from me.<br />
I hugged her tight to me, revelling in the feel of her slim body against mine,
smelling the sweet scent of her hair. As I embraced my girl, I noticed in the
distance six figures running along the beach towards us. Oh my! It was the
Cullen's!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Nessie,
look!" I pointed excitedly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There
were hugs and kisses all round as we greeted the family. Nessie was crying as
she held onto her Father. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Oh
Nessie I'm so glad you are safe," Edward said grinning from ear to ear.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
We explained what had happened in the cave. Edward explained how they had
eventually gone back to their normal selves, after Nahuel's onslaught of
powers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Man,
I was scared Edward! Seeing you so emotionless about Nessie and Bella, it was
horrible," I shuddered at the memory.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Edward
grimaced. Alice was smiling widely as she spoke on the phone to Jasper.
"Oh Jasper, I couldn't believe you got stuck on the mainland last night, I
missed you so much, it was awful, just awful!"<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Carlisle
and Esme were kissing and hugging Nessie, so happy to see her safe and well. Edward
suddenly stiffened his eyes drawn to where we had just come from.<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Bella!"
he shouted, taking off at a hundred miles an hour. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nessie
and me grinned at each other, "God bless Zafrina, Seth," she said
smiling up at me, grabbing my hand as we ran after Edward.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
Edward threw himself so violently at Bella he knocked her flying, they both
landed on the sand, laughing and kissing, their joy at being reunited palpable.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
"Oh Bella, my poor love," Edward exclaimed, kissing her over and over
again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nessie
and me grinned at each other as I kissed the top of her head.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Nessie,
come here!" Bella beckoned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
All three embraced, murmuring words of love to each other. I sighed
contentedly; glad my Nessie was reunited with her Mom and Dad.<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nessie
was firing questions at Bella; "Mom, did it hurt? Did you see what
happened or did you black out? Your eyes were open! I was scared, so
scared!" she babbled. Bella stroked her hair, "Nessie love, don't you
worry about it now, I'm safe, we are all safe. I saw what you did, you were
very brave, both you and Leah!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She
smiled at me, "Thanks to you and Jacob too, Seth. We all owe you."<br />
I shrugged, embarrassed by her praise.<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Mom,
look!" Nessie pointed along the sand where Zafrina led the other three
vampires, Kate, Ben and Chelsea.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
Zafrina was tall and proud, and if I didn't know her I would've been terrified!<br />
Kate and Ben exchanged greetings and hugs with Edward, Bella and Nessie, and
then moved onto the rest of the Cullen's. I stood apart from them all watching
Chelsea carefully. She'd tried to help the Volturi destroy us before, I wasn't
taking any chances. But she came up to Bella, Edward and Nessie her palms held
upward in a show of compliance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
" I am so grateful to your daughter and her friends, Edward, Bella. I had
no idea Nahuel was so unhinged. He told me he wanted to join the Volturi guard.
I fell for it. I regret any hurt I may have caused your family in the past. The
Volturi will only hear good things from me about the Cullen's from now on, I
swear," she said solemnly. " Now I bid you all farewell, I hear you
have a wedding to reorganize!" she smiled, and with a nod to Zafrina she
flew of down the beach and soon disappeared below the horizon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
I hugged Nessie tight, kissing the top of her head. "Oh Seth, I'm so happy
everything has turned out so well!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"I
know sweetheart, we just need to get married now and I'll be completely
happy!" I smiled, gazing down into her deep chocolate brown eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
Bella and Edward smiled at us both, their arms wrapped around each other.
"If you would still like to get married here Nessie then we will get it
all sorted for you. It's not a problem," Edward said with a crooked smile.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
Nessie and I gazed into each other's eyes. "Whatever you want, Nessie,"
I whispered. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Dad,
Mom, I'd love to get married in the meadow if that's okay with you?"
Nessie asked her parents, her eyes glowing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
Bella clapped her hands excitedly, "Oh Nessie, love, that's such a sweet
idea! I love it!" <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
grinned down at my darling Nessie, trust her to come up with such a sweet plan.
Our meadow. Borrowed from Edward and Bella, but now we felt like it was our
special place.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Well,
love if that's what you both want, that's what we'll do! Emmett can marry you
anywhere!", Edward winked. "But let us sort out your honeymoon, it'll
be a surprise. We can leave Isle Esme for now, we'll deal with the storm's
destruction another time. Me and your Mom are due a holiday alone soon
anyways," he added, smiling his crooked smile at his wife.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
Everything was falling into place once again. Nessie would be my wife in a few
days. Just as it should be. I could see Jacob and Leah sitting at the shore's
edge, their arms wrapped around each other, talking. I had a good feeling those
two would be just fine. Love does conquer all you know? The mood on the beach
was joyous. We were altogether once again. The sky was blue and the sea was
calm, the sun shining down onto us, rainbows glinting from our skin in wide
arcs across the white sand. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My heart sang with the
beauty of the moment.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>CHAPTER TWENTY ONE</u><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Promises<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">JACOB
BLACK:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Leah
and I lay on the beach on Isle Esme gazing up at the stars. The Cullen's had
left for Forks, taking Seth, Ben, Kate and Zafrina with them. Edward had asked
them all to stay for the wedding which had been re-scheduled to happen in a
week's time. Sue and Charlie took Isaac home with them to La Push, leaving me
and Leah some alone time together. I wasn't complaining! I reached over to pull
her into my arms gently, I ran my fingers through her long soft hair, inhaling
her scent deeply. She sighed, her mouth against my neck.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Oh
Jacob, this is nice," she whispered. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
lifted her chin up so our lips could meet, coming together in a kiss so intense
and full of longing. I'd missed her deeply, I hated to be away from my girl.
Our tongues briefly touched, causing shivers to run up and down my spine. All
that was preventing our skin being in complete contact was Leah's skimpy bikini
and my worn out old denim cut-offs. She ran her hands up my back, drawing
little shapes on my skin, her touch feather light. Goosebumps galore! I moaned
softly against her soft warm lips as she kissed me with increasing passion and
abandon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
would never tire of her, especially when we were close like this. I loved this
girl so much, she was my everything, the mother of my child, my universe. The
sea gently lapped the shore, a gentle breeze caressing our sensitive bodies.
Leah looked even more beautiful to me in the moonlight, if that was possible.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Leah,"
I whispered "I love you, I want you," I breathed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Oh
Jacob, we are so perfect together, I can't believe I nearly threw it all away,"
she whispered in return.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"It
doesn't matter honey, I completely understand how you must have felt. We'll get
through this because we are strong and we love each other. Plus we have our
gorgeous baby son," I whispered as I stroked the silky skin of her back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"I
love you so much Jake," she moaned against my eager mouth as I crushed my
lips onto hers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We
could not control ourselves any longer, and we let ourselves get swept away on
the wave of passion and the complete love we felt for each other. Much, much
later, we lay in silence holding each other's warm bodies close. Leah lay with
her head on my chest, as I gazed up at the starry sky, completely at one with
the night. I could stay here forever, but thoughts of home and baby Isaac
intruded into my reverie. Before I disturbed our perfect afterglow I had
something I wanted to say to Leah.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Sweetheart,
I adore you, you are my one and only true love, the mother of my child, the
light in my darkness, everything I could possible want in a friend, lover and
soul-mate. I would love you to be my wife, be mine forever. You don't have to
say anything yet, just promise me you will think about it, just promise me you
will Leah," I whispered softly against her hair.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Silence.
More silence. Then she extricated herself from my arms and sat up to look down
at me. Her dark eyes mysterious and alluring. She traced the contours of my
face, her fingers brushing my lips. I shivered. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Finally
she spoke, " Jacob, darling sweet Jacob. I adore you and I would love to
be your wife, I promise." <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
smiled broadly, my eyes lighting up like a full moon. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"But"...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Uh oh! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"But,
I still can't get what Sam said out of my head. How can I agree to marry you if
there's a chance I might imprint? You are my world too, you and Isaac. I would
be lost without you both. Will you promise me something?" <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
nodded fervently. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"
Promise me we will check this imprinting legend out thoroughly when we get
home?" I nodded again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Of
course, Leah I promise," I said seriously.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So
we made our promises to each other, and the stars shone down on us as we gave
in once again to our passionate desires.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>The earth moved and shooting stars fell from the sky raining their tiny
lights onto the whispering ocean as I fell, fell deeper and deeper into the
ebony depths of her dark eyes.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>CHAPTER TWENTY TWO</u><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Second
time around<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">ALICE
CULLEN:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
haven't had much time to organize Seth and Nessie's wedding this time around –
a week! Are you crazy? I would have screamed in the past. But you might not
believe this; I've mellowed, I can see that what matters most is the two people
who are in love, who want to pledge their lives to each other. It's not about
the fancy dress, hair, shoes, make-up, wedding cake and all of that. It just
simply comes down to Seth and Nessie and the love they have for each other. A
love that could've been snatched away. A love which had prevailed. I sighed as
I looked over Nessie's outfit, she was going to be stunning. She didn't need a
big fancy designer wedding. This was going to be just perfect!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now
she had decided her and her beloved would be married in the meadow, I came up
with a perfect theme for the wedding. It's very simple, and quite bohemian. The
happy couple will be married in the special meadow, at twilight, with twinkling
fairy lights placed strategically on the flowers to give a magical glow to the
meadow. They will say their vows under an archway of white roses, whilst family
and friends look on. Seth and Jacob will wear white cotton trousers and loose
white cotton shirts. Their long dark hair will be left loose. Leah will wear a
simple white cotton dress, with her long hair loose also, but I am putting a
white rose in one side to contrast with her dark hair.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And
Nessie! Ah! Shall I keep you in suspense 'til the wedding? No? Well, I suppose
just a little peek!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This
is the bride's dress and hair – isn’t it lovely and so natural? This is her
bouquet – a lovely touch by me don’t you think?
I love the wedding even more the second time around! I think it's going
to be perfect! For the music Nessie and Seth both decided on a song composed by
Edward. Of course we don't want him to play it at he has to give the bride
away! But we have recorded it, and we will have a sound system to play it as
the beautiful couple say their vows.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It
is called " River flows in you" (<i>copyright Yiruma), </i>I simply
adore it, if I could cry I would shed tears over this masterpiece of Edwards.
It's so romantic and beautiful. It's only a day until the wedding now and I am
so happy everything is going well. Bella and Edward have organized such a
gorgeous honeymoon for the couple. Carlisle has a secret log cabin in the
Kichatna Mountains, in Alaska. He and Esme use it a lot when they go on hunting
trips. Bella and Esme have had it done up just perfect for the honeymooners.
Edward has organised a helicopter to fly them there, a luxury helicopter! I didn't
know there was such a thing! It sounds so lovely, nestled in the trees, snow
all around. The Northern Lights are going to be shining down on Nessie and
Seth, it is the right time of the year. Oh how romantic! Isn't it going to be
the perfect wedding and honeymoon? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>For the most gorgeously perfect couple. </i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>CHAPTER TWENTY THREE</u><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nearly
there<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">RENESMEE
CULLEN:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Seth
and I are lying on my bed, listening to the song I recorded for him. We wanted
to escape to our special place, the meadow, but we are both banned from
entering there until our wedding day; which is tomorrow! I am so excited, I
can't sleep and I have a permanent grin on my face. The song ends, Seth turns
to me smiling his sweet smile. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Oh
Ness, that is the most beautiful song, and I love, love,<i>love</i> that it is called "howl"!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
smile back at him, and reach up to place his beautiful face between my small
hands. I bring my lips to meet his, ever so gently. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"For
you, sweet Seth, always for you," I whisper.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We
hold each other tight, and I know he can feel my heart pounding against his
chest.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"That's
not all darling, I am going into the studio to record a whole album when we get
back from honeymoon!" I tell him excitedly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Oh
my! That is great news!" he says kissing the top of my head.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Everything
is so perfect, I cannot wait until tomorrow when we say our vows and become as
one. I am the luckiest girl in the world! Mom and Dad have a surprise honeymoon
for us, it's all so exciting! Also the best part yet is that they are giving me
and Seth their precious cottage as a wedding present. I am so happy! I have
loved that cottage since I was a baby. It will be our private retreat from the
world. Mom says we'll need that when we get back from honeymoon. She laughed
when she said that and Dad looked very sheepish! I think I know what my Mom is
talking about. It’s all to do with <i>distractions! </i>I smile to myself and
hug Seth tighter, anticipation of our wedding night making butterflies flutter
and dance in my stomach.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Soon
we have to disentangle ourselves. Jacob and Edward are taking Seth away for his
stag night. I don't know the details and I don't want to know, especially as
Emmett will be there too! I am relying on Jasper to keep them all calm. I am
having a lovely night with all the women, talking and laughing, but I will miss
Seth like crazy. Though he promised to watch me sleep later. I don't think
Jacob will like that, he's so adamant we aren't to see each other before the
wedding!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ah
Jacob, my darling Jake, I'm so happy him and Leah are back together. He's asked
her to marry him you know? I think it's perfect. She hasn't exactly said yes,
but Jacob is working on that! I know she will be his wife, she's just scared of
this imprinting thing. They are over at Emily and Sam's now, reading up on Quileute
history and legends. I hope Leah comes back with good news.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
sigh as Seth leaves me; he kisses me, he tells me he loves me more than
anything in this world. I hug him tight, I run my fingers through his long
silky hair, I kiss his sweet mouth, whispering how much I will miss him and how
I cannot wait to be his wife tomorrow. I lie back on the bed, gazing out of the
window at the night sky. My mind is swirling with all the excitement of the
wedding. Our perfect wedding in the meadow. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Nothing is going to
spoil it this time.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR</u><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Legends<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">LEAH
CLEARWATER:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jacob
and I had arrived back from Isle Esme last night. We'd decided to stay a couple
of extra days, but I was missing Isaac so badly. The island was perfect, Jacob
was perfect, we'd hunted as wolves, we'd swam, we'd slept under the stars and
…...we'd made love every day for hours. And yes, he's asked me to marry him.
That's wonderful. Of course I'd love to be his wife. Who wouldn't? I hadn't
broken the news to anyone yet, except Seth and Nessie. We called them from the
island to tell them our news. I explained I'd accepted Jake's proposal with one
condition …...we check out these imprinting legends asap.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jake
was being so good about everything. That's why I love him so much; his infinite
patience and understanding. Not to mention his hot body! This morning we'd
awoke early, fed baby Isaac, chatted with Mom and Charlie, before leaving for
Sam and Emily's to do some research. Charlie kept eyeing us suspiciously, Jacob
is never one for hiding his feelings very well. I think Charlie suspected we
were up to something.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sam
sleepily answered the door when we arrived, his cropped hair sticking up at all
angles. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Hey
Sam, we need to see your Grandfather's secret books and memoirs please," I
demanded, slightly hostile. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jacob
rubbed my back soothingly, trying to instil a sense of calm into me. I was
still angry with Sam for revealing the secrets of his Grandfather's books to
me. Angry for the pain it had caused me and my beloved Jacob.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sam
smiled sheepishly, " Hey guys, nice to see you both," he yawned,
ushering us into the cosy house. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Emily
was in the kitchen, making a huge breakfast. Jake and I eyed the mountain of
food hungrily.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Hi,"
Emily greeted us. "Sorry about the wedding guys, we heard what happened on
the island. Gosh, who would have thought it?", she continued. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jacob
and I exchanged glances. "Well all is fine now Emily, except for one thing,"
I narrowed my eyes at her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She
ignored my glance, asking if we wanted anything to eat. I could see Jake
practically drooling so I nudged him in the ribs. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Ah
no Em," he said, "We need to look at Sam's grandfather's stuff, if
you don't mind?" he continued.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Sure,"
she smiled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sam
took us upstairs to the attic, which was full of old dusty books and furniture.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Help
yourselves guys, I'll be in the kitchen if you need me, I'm starving!" he
announced.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We
spent two hours poring over those books and memoirs, my fingers were all dusty
and my head ached. Finally Jacob shouted "I've found something!" I
scooted over to his side quickly. He held an old diary in his hand, written by
Sam's grandfather, the writing faded and yellowed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"<i>September
1st 1945: Today the Elders sat around the fire discussing the topic of female
shape-shifters. To our knowledge there had never been such a thing in the
tribe. Or any tribe for that matter. Until today. Caleb Clearwater's wife gave
birth to a daughter a year ago today. A beautiful girl by the name of Suki.
After a few months the Clearwater's noticed the baby ran a high temperature all
the time, she was restless and cried a lot. They had numerous doctors look at
her to no avail. Then one night a week ago, a particularly bright moonlit
night, the parents heard howling from the baby's room. They watched in
amazement as their child changed into a young wolf. But her little body was too
small for all these changes and she died. </i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>The Clearwater's were devastated. Before they could lay her little body
to rest they decided they would seek out specialist advice from the tribe witch
doctor, who was also a conventional doctor. He took blood from the little girl
and analysed it in his lab. We already had information on the males of the
tribes; genetic makeup, chromosomes etc. We knew that all the males had a
special gene, the imprinting gene, which ensured our tribe would not die out.
Ensure that new shape-shifters could be made.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>After testing Suki's blood he came upon the conclusion that females
born into the tribe do NOT have this gene, it is absent from their genetic
make-up. Finally Caleb and his wife laid rest to their beautiful daughter. </i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Note: One year later Harry Clearwater was born. We still do not know
why some of the tribe pass on the shape-shifting gene and some do not. It does
not become clear who has inherited this gene until they reach puberty that is
when they experience the change. No other babies born to the tribe have
experienced what little Suki did.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jake
and I stared at each other open mouthed. Females <i>don't have the imprinting
gene?!</i> I hugged Jake, squeezing him so tight. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Oh
Jacob, poor Suki! My poor Grandfather and Grandmother! That is terrible, So
frightening. But so good for us, I WILL marry you Jacob Black!” I exclaimed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Oh
Leah, " he whispered bringing his lips down to meet mine as we fell onto
the dusty floor. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After
a few moments of his passionate kisses I pulled away gasping. "Jake, not
here!" I laughed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We
always found ourselves overcome by the almighty passion we felt for each other,
it didn't matter to us where we were at the time! We dusted ourselves off and
took the evidence downstairs to show Sam and Emily.We sat around the table
reading out Sam's grandfather's words. Sam and Emily both said <i>wow</i> at the same time when I had finished
reading.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Sorry
Leah, I should not have paid attention to the legends, and looked for the facts,"
Sam apologised. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nothing
could spoil Jake and I's mood so we said our goodbyes and left quickly. He had
to go pick Seth up for his stag night and I was going over to my Mom's to tell
her the news she'd been dying to hear since Isaac was born. Me and Jacob were
getting married! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>I couldn't wait to tell
Nessie tonight on the eve of her wedding!</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE</u><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Questions
and Answers<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">SUE
CLEARWATER:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Leah
came bursting through the back door, her face flushed and breathing ragged.
"Hey Mom," she said, taking Isaac from me and kissing his soft cheek.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Hey
daughter, what's the big rush?" I asked<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Nothing
Mom, I just missed my Isaac," she stroked her baby's downy hair, kissing
the top of his head. "And well I wanted to ask you something. Something
important," she continued. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She
got up and placed Isaac into his Moses basket, where he closed his eyes,
falling asleep almost instantly. I sat down at the kitchen table with her,
waiting for her important question. She sighed dramatically. So Leah. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"
Mom, why did you and Dad never talk to me and Seth about shape-shifters and all
the legends. We had to hear any snippets of information from the Elders at the
meetings we had. You kept everything from us? Why?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
sighed; I'd been waiting for this day, for Leah to question me. I knew it would
come when she got serious with Jacob, when she had Isaac.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Leah,
your Father decided when you were born that he would never mention what had
happened in the past. He didn't want to scare you or Seth. Especially you,
after what happened to his sister before he was born". <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My
daughter raised her eyebrows at me. My feisty beautiful daughter, I would have
done anything to protect her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"
I know what happened to Suki, Mom. Jacob and I found out tonight. Sam's
grandfather, Levi kept a diary, it's all in there. I know they did genetic
testing on her after she died. I know she was the only other female
shape-shifter, ever. She just changed too young. It killed her."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Leah looked sadly across at me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"I
know, sweetheart. It's awful. I hoped and prayed nothing like that would happen
to you. Until you reached puberty I watched you like a hawk. I never relaxed
when you were an infant or a toddler. I kept waiting for the worst. That you
would change and I would lose you!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Leah
reached over and took my hand. I felt tears threatening to spill from my eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> "Oh Mom, it must've been awful. I bet you
wished you'd had two sons!" she smiled squeezing my hand. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Never
Leah, I always wanted a daughter, even though I knew it would cause me and your
Father heartbreak and worry." <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
reached over to hug her. My beautiful daughter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Oh
Mom, I know now why you were so worried when I became pregnant! You were worried
I'd have a daughter, and go through what you did! And I assumed you were mad at
me for getting pregnant when Jacob and I weren't married!" she exclaimed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
gazed into my daughter's dark eyes, so like her Father's, Harry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Oh
Leah darling, I have never had doubts about you and Jacob. He is a fine lad, he
always has been, you were just so hung up on Sam to notice before," I
smiled, stroking her arm. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Her
eyes were downcast looking at the checked tablecloth. She sighed and gazed up
at me again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"
Mom, I truly love Jacob. He's given me Isaac, more than I could've hoped for. I
was so scared I could imprint on someone, Sam got it wrong, he told me I <i>could
</i>imprint. We almost split up because of it. Why didn't you tell me about
Suki before? It could have saved a lot of worry and pain. I hurt Jacob!"
she exclaimed angrily.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Leah,
I'm so sorry I caused you and Jake pain by not telling you. I did it out of
respect to your Father. He did not want me to speak of the past. He had a
tendency to bury his head in the sand when it came to these matters. He didn't
want to scare his little girl. Please don't be angry love, I love you and Seth
so much and only wanted to protect you. You must understand how that feels now
you have Isaac?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She
smiled at me lovingly, her dark eyes full of understanding. "Mom, Jacob
has asked me to marry him and I said yes!" she exclaimed, grabbing hold of
my hands.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Oh
how lovely!" I said kissing her cheek. "I'm so happy for you both,
love, you make a great couple!" I gushed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She
grinned widely at me, her happiness evident in her glowing eyes. I was truly
happy; both my kids had found happiness in love, both with the perfect match
for them. Nessie was all I could wish for in a daughter-in-law. Now I had the
added bonus of Jacob as a son-in-law! Oh wait until I told Charlie when he got
back from Seth's stag night (yes he'd reluctantly been dragged there by
Edward!), he would be so pleased! I know he thinks the world of Jacob Black.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"So,
do you have a date in mind, love?" I asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Na,
not yet Mom, I only kinda said yes tonight!" she laughed. "But I
don't think we'll wait long. But Seth and Nessie are first; I don't want to
steal their limelight. I'll tell everyone tonight when I go home to the
Cullen's."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
leant over and hugged my daughter tight to me, "Be happy Leah, just be as
happy as you can be, that's all I ever wanted for you and Seth," I said
with a lump in my throat. "And that's what your Father wanted too," I
added, tears definitely falling from my eyes this time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Oh
Mom, thanks, it's lovely to have your blessing. I think Dad would've loved
Jacob too," her voice hitched as she cried warm tears onto my neck.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We
held each other for a few minutes, enjoying the rare closeness together.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She
pulled away first, smiling at me, wiping my tears away with her fingertips.
"I better get Isaac home Mom, then go to Nessie's wedding eve party."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Yeah,
sure honey, but remember we need to make wedding plans soon!" I smiled at
her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"We
will Mom, I promise. I love you, Mom." <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She
kissed my cheek as she stood up to retrieve Isaac from his basket. Tears
threatened to return as I watched my lovely daughter with her baby son. She was
right, I was so glad she'd had a son. I wouldn't want to wish the worry a
daughter would've caused on anyone! Sure she had Isaac to worry about and what
would happen when he reached puberty, but boys are so much easier to deal with,
even if they are shape-shifters! I was so glad we'd finally talked. I felt like
a large weight had been lifted from my shoulders, my heart and soul felt lighter
and freer. <i>The joy of being a mother</i> I said to myself. A joy I would
treasure forever, both through my two grown up children, my infant son Zach and
my grandchild.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Life was good.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">CHAPTER TWENTY SIX <o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Letting
Go<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">BELLA
CULLEN:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
hated when Edward was out of my sight, I paced the woods outside of the house
until I heard a whoosh through the trees and then he was by my side; a glorious
and handsome angel. I sighed with relief as his arms encircled my waist,
pulling me closer to him so our lips could meet in a passionate kiss; which
still made me tingle as much as the first time. Though now I wasn't human he
didn't have to treat me as if I was a fragile piece of glass. Now I could
appreciate how much he had held back when I was human; I'd missed an awful lot!
Missed this absolute fierceness and passion, with which his lips burned mine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Missed
the feel of his strong hands kneading and moulding my body to his. Missed the
raw passion I felt every time I looked into his topaz eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
sighed against his cool lips, the taste of him never failing to thrill me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"I
missed you," I whispered. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"I
missed you too Bella, love," he whispered back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Shall
we hunt?" he asked, a glint in his eye. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Edward
loved to watch me hunt. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
smiled back. "Yes, my love"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We
took off deep into the woods, running and jumping through the night.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"So
how was tonight?" I asked Edward.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Great,
Seth is so excited about marrying Nessie. I'm glad we are gaining such a
fantastic son-in-law, " he replied excitedly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"I
am too, really I am. I am just sad that Nessie is all grown up. We didn't have
much time to enjoy her childhood did we?" I asked<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Edward
smiled crookedly at me, my favourite smile in the world. " I know love,
but look at what we have gained!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Trust
my husband to look on the bright side. I was wallowing, I knew it. I was
mourning the loss of my daughter. She had Seth now, he was the most important
person in the world to her, her whole universe. On the other hand I'm glad it's
Seth, he is so good to her and they are a perfect match.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She
has so many ambitions and plans for the future. It does scare me, I'm scared of
her going out into the world. I don't want to hold her back though, she is so
talented our gorgeous daughter, I look at her in amazement sometimes. To think
mine and Edward's love created such a wondrous creature. I wouldn't change
having my daughter for the world. But I am a born worrier. I can't help it. Tomorrow
her Father will give her away to the man she loves. He will gaze at her proudly
as she says her wedding vows. He will congratulate and hug them both once they
are married. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I will feel all the
emotions Edward is feeling, but I still can't shake my feelings of sadness and
worry that I am losing my beautiful girl.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT</u><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To
Have and To Hold<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">PART
ONE:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">SETH
CLEARWATER:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Under
the archway of wild white roses, I stood facing Emmett; with Jacob, my best man
at my side. The meadow was a magical place this evening; the glow of the
twinkling fairy lights all around us, the sun a big orange lantern in the sky
as twilight approached. If my heart had still beaten, it would have been
accelerating wildly in my chest right at this moment. Everyone was here,
waiting. Waiting for my Nessie to appear; waiting for us to pledge ourselves to
each other.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mom
and Charlie were here with my little half-brother Zach. The Denali Coven were
here, as were Zafrina and Ben. Sam and Emily stood at the back; Sam was still
feeling bad about interpreting the Quileute imprinting legends wrongly, causing
Leah and Jacob much pain at the time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Alice,
Jasper, Rosalie, Carlisle and Esme all stood close by patiently waiting for
Nessie and Edward to appear. Bella stood at Jacob's right hand side, deep in
thought. Leah stood on my left side, waiting impatiently to be a bridesmaid.
Edward had decided only Nessie and he were to enter the meadow together for the
ceremony. She looked stunning in a simple white off the shoulder dress, her
dark hair long and loose, pinned to one side with a white rose. She glowed with
happiness as she sneaked secret glances at Jacob, her fiancé; how great was
that!? My Mom had invited my two cousins whom I was closest to, Elise and
Bells. We used to play hide-and seek together when Leah and I were younger and
my cousins would visit in the holidays. They stood with my Mom, looking very
excited to be in such close proximity to the dazzling vampires.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Alice
must've "seen" Edward's imminent arrival with Nessie on his arm
because she started up the sound system, flooding the meadow with the haunting
sound of Edward's beautiful song " River Flows In You". ( a/n please
listen on you tube! ) I sighed deeply, glad that our moment had finally come.
Jacob smiled at me, and then he turned to look at the bride. I saw his eyes
widen, a large grin appearing on his face. I slowly turned around, as slow as
my vampire senses would allow, to face a vision of loveliness walking towards
me on her Father's arm. Oh. Oh. <i>Wow.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She
was simply the most beautiful creature to ever grace this earth. Amongst all
the dazzling stunning vampires here in this meadow, she stood out like a rare
diamond. She was smiling at me, a shy sweet smile, her eyes were shining
fixated on mine, her hair was long, wavy and flowing down her back with a
garland of flowers around her crown. Her dress was simple but clung to her body
in an alluring manner. The silky white material was embroidered with intricate
green leaves, which swirled out as she slowly walked towards me. Her feet were
bare, a silver chain around one slim ankle. She carried a bouquet of wild
daisies, abundant with vibrant colours.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There
were only two things, which made me really want to gasp out loud; they didn't
include all the finery and decoration of her appearance. Those two things were
the most beautifully human rosy glow to her soft cheeks and the sure pounding
of her hybrid heart as she gazed into my eyes with a look of pure love just for
me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Edward
guided his daughter towards me, a look of utter pride on his face. Bella was
gazing at them both with a look of love tinged with a little sadness. I didn't
have time to wonder why she might be sad; my eyes were automatically drawn back
to Nessie. Edward smiled and placed her hand in mine, her small warm hand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
gazed down at her, thunderstruck that she was mine. Amazed that this ethereal
goddess wished to be with me. Her chocolate brown eyes glimmered and shone, as
if they would spill happy tears at any second. I squeezed her hand and drank
all of her in. I couldn't take my eyes off her. Emmett started to speak and I
reluctantly forced my eyes to look at him. I couldn't help sneaking little
peeks at my bride out of the corner of my eye though.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"It
gives me great pleasure to welcome you all here today on behalf of Seth
Clearwater and Renesmee Cullen. They have chosen their own words to express
their love and commitment to each other. They have chosen their own way to
express their vision of their future together. They do this here in a place of
their own choice, among family and friends," Emmett smiled widely at us
both, obviously enjoying his role as celebrant.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Today
there is a vast unknown future stretching out before you. That future, with its
hopes and disappointments, its joys and its sorrows, is hidden from your eyes,
but it is a great tribute to your faith in each other that you are willing to
face it together.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">May
the love with which you join heart and hand today never fail, but grow deeper
and surer with every year you spend together.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">May
you dare to dream dreams not yet dreamt.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">May
you find constant reward and challenge as you pursue the on-going adventure of learning
who you are and where you want to go.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">May
you always have a special sense of your mission in life together, and may you
never tire of the endless possibilities of exploring your shared
existence."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
had never heard Emmett say so much all in one go before! His words affected me
deeply. I squeezed Nessie's hand in confirmation of all he had said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> "Now it's time for the vows," Emmett
announced seriously. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nessie
and I glanced at each other, I smiled at her, and she smiled sweetly back. Here
goes!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Will
you Seth take Renesmee to be your wedded wife, to share your life with her; and
do you pledge that you will love respect and care for her, and stand by her
through whatever may come, so you can genuinely share your existence together?
"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
solemnly replied, "I will."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Will
you Renesmee take Seth to be your wedded husband, to share your life with him;
and do you pledge that you will love respect and care for him, and stand by him
through whatever may come, so you can genuinely share your existence together?
"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nessie
smiled up at me, "I <i>will.</i>"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Emmett
smiled happily at us both, "Okay guys, will you please repeat your vows
after me?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We
both repeated our vows after Emmett; I went first. "Renesmee, I invite you
to share my life, I promise to love you as your husband and friend, and respect
you as an individual, with all I have to give, and all that I feel inside, in
the only way I know how, completely and forever."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then
it was Nessie's turn to repeat after Emmett; “Seth, I promise to love you as
your wife and friend, and respect you as an individual, with all I have to
give, and all that I feel inside, in the only way I know how, completely and
forever.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Phew,"
Emmett breathed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
smiled at him encouragingly, he was doing so well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Now
we have the exchanging of rings, Jacob do you have the rings please?"
Emmett winked at Jake.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jacob
opened his large palm, in it glistened two rose gold plain wedding bands.
Emmett carefully took the rings from Jacob, and asked us to repeat after him
again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Renesmee,
This ring I give you, it is my personal gift, my personal promise of love and
trust, and pride that you have chosen to share your life with me, " I said
slipping the smallest ring onto her delicate finger.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nessie
smiled up at me, her smile dazzling.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
"Seth, This ring I give you, it is my personal gift, my personal promise
of love and trust, and pride that you have chosen to share your life with
me."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Emmett
grinned widely and whispered to us both "Now for my favourite part!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"In
the presence of their family and friends, Seth and Renesmee have pledged
together in this ceremony, to share their lives in love and understanding. We
have witnessed their special promises to each other, symbolised by taking vows
and by exchanging rings. I declare them, before us all, to be husband and wife.
"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Loud
applause rang out as I swept Nessie up into my arms and crushed my lips against
hers. She was mine, my wife at last. I thought my still heart would burst open
with love and happiness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Emmett
had to quieten everyone down as he took my special wedding poem I'd written for
Nessie from his pocket. "Shh everyone! I have a final reading to do for
the happy couple!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nessie
gazed up into my eyes as I gazed down into hers, as we absorbed the words and
what they meant to us on our journey through this existence together.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Now for you there is no rain<br />
For one is shelter to the other.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Now for you there is no darkness<br />
For one is counsel to the other.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Now for you there is no pain<br />
For one is comfort to the other.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Now for you there is no night<br />
For one is light to the other.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Now for you there is no cold<br />
For one is warmth to the other.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Now for you the snow has ended, always<br />
Your fears, your wants, your needs are at rest.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>It is that way today, tomorrow and forever.<br />
Now it is good and there is always shelter.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>And now there is always one.<br />
And now there is no loneliness.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Now, forever, forever you are as one.<br />
There are two bodies.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>But now there is only one heart in both<br />
And you are as one person</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Once
again I had to prise my gaze away from hers as our family and friends, words of
congratulations and love on their lips, surrounded us, full of the wonder and
joy our ceremony had provoked. I didn't think it was possible for anyone to
love anybody more as I gazed in wonderment at my beautiful <i>wife, </i>as she
dazzled everyone here in this special meadow of ours.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">PART
TWO:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">RENESMEE
CULLEN:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Alice
looked me up and down, finally satisfied with her days work. She is such a
perfectionist my auntie. I would have been happy to marry Seth in an old sack,
as long as we get married today with no problems I'm happy! I love her creation
this time around even better than the first. I have a beautiful raw silk dress,
it is embroidered with green leaves, has an empire line style with green satin
sewn into it, the thin straps are brown velvet. My hair is long, wild and wavy
with a flower garland. My feet are bare with just a simple silver chain around
my ankle. I remind myself of a woodland nymph. Alice has sneaked a blue garter
belt around my thigh, my Mom has given me a gorgeously silky underwear set,
Rosalie has lent me her silver dangly earrings. For the old part of the
tradition I have a lovely silver charm bracelet with a wooden carved wolf
figure and a small sparkly diamond hanging from it. Jacob gave this to my Mom
when she was human, my Father had added the diamond to it, I think he'd been
very jealous!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm
all set and ready to go. Leah kisses me on both cheeks, "You look
beautiful Nessie, I am so glad we are finally going to be sisters!" <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Me
too," I whisper, my voice choking with emotion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My
heart is pounding wildly in my chest as everyone leaves, except my Dad. He
gazes at me with such love and pride, "Nessie, you look beautiful darling,"
he whispers as he takes my arm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Thanks,
Dad. Why does Mom look so sad?" I ask<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He
smiles crookedly, "Ah Nessie, your Mother is happy for you love, but she
is sad a little bit because you are no longer her little girl."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
smile at him, " I'll always be your girl, both you and Mom's."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He
squeezes my arm, his face full of emotion. "Are you ready then Nessie,
ready to go marry your Seth at last?" he asks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Ready!"
I say firmly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He
gently lifts me onto his back and we speed off towards the meadow, my hair
blowing in the breeze. We come to a stop and he gently smooths my hair down,
lovingly stroking my cheek. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Ah
Nessie, it's time," he whispers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My
heart starts pounding in excitement and anticipation as we hear my Father's
beautiful song playing through the trees. We walk arm in arm into the meadow. I
see everyone staring at me, I smile sweetly at them all, my eyes searching for
my beloved. Under the archway of white roses he stands with his back to me, his
long silky hair blowing gently in the breeze. Leah is smiling widely at me,
Jacob has turned around, he is gaping at me in amazement, I smile and he winks
at me. Slowly, so slowly Seth turns around and his eyes meet mine. All I see is
him. He looks at me in wonderment, I see his dark eyes drinking me in. My hear
stutters and accelerates wildly in my chest.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Gosh
how I love this man. We finally reach the archway of roses, where my Father
places my hand into Seth's. We gaze at each other, smiling, over awed that we are
finally here at the altar. We are finally going to be married. Emmett is
grinning widely at us both, so happy to be the one to marry us. The ceremony
starts, we say our vows, we exchange our rings and all too soon it is over and
we are husband and wife. It was beautiful. Everyone is applauding as Seth
sweeps me into his arms and kisses me, a kiss we both seem reluctant to end.
Emmett reads Seth's special poem to everyone, it really is gorgeous, the words
fit our emotions perfectly. Then there are hugs, kisses and congratulations
from everybody. I feel like my heart might burst with pure joy and happiness. Seth
and I walk back down the home made aisle of twinkling fairy lights. Leah
carries my bouquet and walks in front of us scattering white rose petals on the
ground. The meadow has always been a magical place, but in the twilight of our
wedding day it seems to be the most magical place on earth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Everyone
throws rose petals over us, they rain down and whisper on our skin like
butterfly wings, we are laughing and gazing into each other's eyes happily. Now
we will go back to the house, where my wonderful family have put up a large
gazebo in the garden. We will dance, and talk and laugh. I will cut my wedding
cake, although only us humans, hybrids and shape-shifters will be trying a
piece! The full moon and stars will shine down upon us, as we celebrate this
most magical of days.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then
it will be time for Seth and I to leave for our honeymoon. A destination yet
unknown to us both. I feel butterflies dancing wildly in my stomach.Very soon it will be our wedding night.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">By the morning light I
will be Seth's completely and he will be mine.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>CHAPTER TWENTY NINE</u><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The
Party<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">RENESMEE
CLEARWATER:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Seth,
<i>my husband,</i> took my hand and led me to the middle of the grass for our
first dance as a married couple. I glided effortlessly along in the flat ballet
pumps Alice had provided. We didn't think it would be sensible of me to dance
in bare feet! Seth held me tight, his eyes never leaving mine. I marvelled at
his shining dark eyes, penetrating mine; gazing into my heart and soul. I
wished we were alone right now. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He
whispered softly in my ear, his lips making me shiver, " Nessie, my <i>wife</i>,
my only love, I adore you. Your heart is racing madly against me, I can feel it
and hear it."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
giggled, drunk on happiness. Other couples had taken to the floor to dance with
us, graceful and dazzling in their beauty. Charlie guided Sue to the floor, his
embarrassment at being made to dance evident. I caught his eyes and he smiled
sheepishly at me. I laughed, giddy with excitement. Seth and I had chosen a
beautiful song for our first dance, it summed up my feelings for him perfectly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Truly,
madly, deeply. That’s how I loved Seth. He twirled me around, my dress swirling
out around my legs. I laughed happily, tears of joy springing to my eyes as the
song finished.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jacob
appeared at my side, smiling at us both, "Seth, would you mind if I danced
with your gorgeous wife?" he asked winking at me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Well
Jacob, seeing as you are my best man you may have that great honour!" Seth
smiled passing me over to Jacob. "I'll go find my sister and make her
dance with me," he continued kissing my flushed cheek.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jacob
pulled me into his strong arms, kissing the top of my head, as we started to
glide around the floor. Jacob was not blessed with gracefulness like my Seth
and we ended up just swaying to the music. I didn't mind, it was good to see my
Jacob, to see him so happy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Congratulations
Jake, I'm so happy you and Leah are getting married!" I exclaimed gazing
up into his shining eyes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Thanks
Nessie, it's all worked out perfectly for us both hasn't it sweetheart?" <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
smiled up at him, thinking how true his words were. Who would have thought
everything could work out so perfectly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"
I <i>know </i>Seth will care for you and love you forever Ness that makes me
very happy!" he squeezed my waist tight with his large hands. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"You
are right Jake, I know without a doubt Seth is the one for me."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jacob
suddenly twirled me around and around making me dizzy. I laughed as he spun me,
happiness engulfing my hybrid heart.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My
Dad stopped us in mid twirl, "Put her down Jacob!" he said pretending
to be exasperated. "Let me cut in if you don't mind," he added
haughtily.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jacob
laughed and released me, "I need to go sample some of Sue's cooking any
ways. I'm starving! Laters Nessie," he smiled winking at me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My
Father was such a great dancer, lucky for Mom because she was terrible! He gently
guided me as a new song played. "Nessie I am so happy today. Your ceremony
was lovely. Emmett did us all proud. Who would've thought it!?" he laughed
raising his eyebrows.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Yes
Dad it was a beautiful ceremony," I agreed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Suddenly
the dancing was over and it was time for us to cut our wedding cake. Alice had
spared no expense here, the cake was huge! Silly really when most of the guests
here were vampires! On top of the huge cake were two little figures underneath
an archway decorated with white roses. Ah how sweet of her! We cut the cake,
everyone applauded and laughed as I smeared some onto Seth's face. After that
Seth and I walked around the gazebo thanking everyone for coming.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Seth's
cousins Elise and Bells were stuffing wedding cake into their mouths as we
approached. "Nice to meet you two girls," I said trying not to laugh
as they struggled to reply with mouths full of wedding cake.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Seth
rolled his eyes at them as we walked away. Soon it was time, time to leave
everyone for our secret honeymoon destination. Surprisingly a helicopter landed
in our garden, Carlisle at the controls, grinning widely at us both. I laughed
and clapped my hands in pleasure. Seth's eyes were wide with surprise. Everyone
gathered around to give us goodbye hugs and kisses. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My
Mom hugged me especially tight, kissing my cheek and whispering softly in my
ear, "Remember what we talked about that night on the beach Nessie. Enjoy
your time together, I hope you love your honeymoon location. I love you and
I'll miss you honey," she said sadly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
pulled away gazing into her topaz eyes, "Oh Mom, thank you, thank you for
everything. The honeymoon, the cottage, just for being my wonderful Mom. I love
you too. We'll be back soon," I exclaimed kissing her cheek.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
turned my back on everyone and threw my bouquet up in to the air. There were
gasps and lots of scurrying around to catch it. I turned around in time to see
Seth's cousins, Elise and Bells fighting over my bouquet. I laughed to myself,
shaking my head.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Come
on love, it's time to go" Seth whispered guiding me into the helicopter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
turned back to wave once more to everyone and shout words of love and goodbyes.
Then we were in the helicopter, Seth's arm around me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Grandpa
turned round to smile at us, "Buckle up you guys, this is your captain
speaking," he announced with a large grin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Seth
and I laughed with him. Then we were up in the air, my family and friends
looking like small dots down below us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Oh
Seth, I wonder where we are going?" <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He
squeezed me tight to him, kissing the top of my head and murmuring," I
don't care sweetheart as long as I am with you, and you alone."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
smiled to myself, eager for us to get there, to be <i>alone</i> together. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My heart stuttered and
lurched as the butterflies did their wild dance in my stomach once again.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>CHAPTER THIRTY</u><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kichatna<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">PART
ONE:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">SETH
CLEARWATER:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Darkness
had fallen by the time we were on our way to our secret honeymoon destination.
This added to the secrecy of the journey. In the dark night I glimpsed snowy
capped mountains glowing under the full moon. Nessie had fallen asleep on my
shoulder. I stroked her hair, marvelling in the knowledge she was mine
completely now. Well not <i>completely. </i>Not <i>yet. </i>Shortly Carlisle
guided the helicopter to a landing pad, where he cut the engine. He turned back
to face us, "Well kids, we're here," he said enthusiastically.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
gently woke Nessie with a kiss. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"We're
here?" she slurred sleepily.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Yes
sweetheart, c'mon!" I urged excitedly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We
stepped out of the helicopter, into blindingly white snow. The view was breath-taking,
snow all around, looming mountains and dense forest surrounding the cutest log
cabin I'd ever seen! A light glowed from within making it cosy and inviting.
Nessie and I looked around in wonder, our eyes shining with excitement.
"This," Carlisle said making a sweeping motion, "Is one of Esme
and I's well kept secrets!" he continued.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Oh
Grandpa it's beautiful!" Nessie gushed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Carlisle
showed us into the cabin, carrying two suitcases which I assumed were our
things which we'd packed the day before. The cabin was simply gorgeous; soft
lights gave everything a rosy glow, there were sheepskin rugs scattered over
the wooden floor, a large king size bed was elevated off the floor on a raised
area with steps leading up to it. The rich red bed cover was sprinkled with
white rose petals. We both looked around drinking it all in with excited eyes.
There was a log fire burning, with a stack of logs for replenishment. Not that
I needed warmth, this place was perfect in its snowy location. Nessie being a hybrid
could tolerate either cold or heat, neither bothered her greatly. The fire was
more for romantic effect.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Grandpa!
When did you organize all this!?" Nessie asked in wonder.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Ah!
It wasn't me love, I'm just the pilot! Your Mom and Dad did it all this morning
whilst you were sleeping!" he answered, smiling at us both.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Wow!"
I said, truly amazed that this is where we would be staying.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"There's
plenty of wild life in the forests when you want to hunt," Carlisle said
grinning widely. "Also Nessie we've put some "human" food in the
fridge for you. Just in case you wanted anything. Roast chicken, and bread and
some other items," he continued.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nessie
beamed at him. She loved to hunt with me, but she also liked to eat cooked meat
when she felt like it. The benefits of being half human I suppose! Carlisle
hugged us goodbye and told us to phone the house when we wanted picked up. I
didn't think I would ever want to leave! Finally the helicopter took off and me
and my bride were alone in our log cabin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
took Nessie's small hands in my large ones, softly kissing her lips. She
sighed, "Oh Seth here we are alone at last!" <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
nodded gazing into the depths of her chocolate brown eyes. I could audibly hear
the thumping of her sweet hybrid heart. She looked so beautiful in the rosy
light of the cabin, the glow of the lamps and the flames giving her a beautiful
soft appearance. I couldn't take my eyes off her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Nessie
come with me," I said softly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
led her out of the cabin and into the snow. "How beautiful it is Nessie,"
I sighed. She grinned at me widely. "Now let's do this right!" I said
scooping her up into my arms and carrying her over the threshold into the
cabin. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She
laughed and put her arms around my neck. "Oh Seth!" she exclaimed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Well
I wanted to have a practice run for when we move into our cottage," I said
grinning back at her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She
crushed her lips to mine in a passionate kiss. I melted inside, and still
carrying her I walked up the short wooden steps leading to the bed. Her lips
nuzzled my neck, making me shiver with excitement. I gently placed her on the
bed, rose petals falling around her, entwining in her hair, making her look even
more like a goddess to me. I laid down beside her, my fingertips stroking every
contour of her face. "Oh Nessie, I love you so much," I whispered my gaze
locked onto the chocolate brown depths of her eyes. I could easily fall into
those deep pools forever.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"I
love you too Seth, my Seth, my <i>husband, </i>" she whispered back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
carefully took the flowers from her hair and let my hands entwine in her dark
auburn tresses, as soft and radiant as silk. As slowly as I could manage I
brought my lips down to meet hers. I needed to take this slowly, for her, for
us. This was the first time for us both, I wanted it to be so special. My inner
desires and lust for her had to be kept under control for now, it was taking
all my strength not to crush her lips under mine with passionate abandonment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
moved my lips softly against her, revelling in the sweet intoxicating taste of
her. She matched my gentle kisses exactly, letting me take the lead on this
exciting journey together. With my acute vampire senses I could hear the
snowflakes falling onto the trees, I could hear the animals in the forest, I
could hear Nessie's pure heart beating and stuttering.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My
hands moved from her hair to gently caress the soft skin of her neck, as gentle
as a butterfly wing I moved my fingers down over her wedding dress to her
beating heart. I laid my palm flat on her breast to feel her heart jumping and
accelerating wildly. She sighed so sweetly against my lips I had to remind
myself again and again to use control. Her small hands were stroking my long
hair, then moving onto my back, I could feel her fingers tracing patterns on my
cool skin through my thin shirt very lightly and gently.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Slowly
I kissed her, her breathing becoming more ragged and uneven. I pulled my lips
from hers to gaze at her face, she was smiling up at me, her beautiful face so
happy and serene. "Seth," she whispered. "I <i>want </i>you, I
really want you to be mine <i>completely,</i>" she sighed as her teeth
grazed my neck, biting me gently.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oh
it is too hard to keep control of my emotions and desires now, she <i>wants </i>me,
as much as I <i>want </i>her. My trembling fingers pull the straps from her
dress, they disintegrate in my hands like melting butter. She gazes up at me
with such love I have absolutely no doubt that this is the most perfect moment
in the universe. We belong together. I do not want to go into graphic detail,
this is not who I am. But I will tell you that everything flowed in perfect
motion, our clothes seemed to magically disappear, our kisses became urgent and
more passionate until I felt like I would burn up with desire. And finally we
came together as one, as a man and a woman completely in love with each other;
falling into each other with no notion of time passing, of night or day, of
hunger or thirst, or of any earthly desires. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This was heaven and we didn't want to fall
back to earth.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">PART
TWO:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">RENESMEE
CLEARWATER:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The
log cabin was perfect. Just perfect. How sweet of my parents to think of this
place. It was so romantic, but then I would've been happy anywhere on our
wedding night as long as I was with Seth. After Grandpa had left us alone, he
took my hand and led me outside, then he swooped me up into his arms and
carried me over the threshold. So romantic and traditional. <i>So Seth</i>. This is what I love about my
husband, he is so respectful of me. Many times we've had the opportunity to
"go all the way" sexually but he has always repressed his natural desires
because he wanted to wait until we were married. I totally love that about him,
my hormones were raging wild in my hybrid body, so much more so because I am
half human. I have human desires and emotions. He was so controlled around me,
but I could sense and feel his pent up desires and emotions, and secretly it
thrilled me so. It thrilled me because I knew when we finally were able to let
go it would be so amazing!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
knew my Mom and Dad had felt the same and I knew my Mom was proud of me for waiting,
waiting for this special night, our wedding night. I don't want to go into too
much detail, last night was stored away into my special memories bank. Although
I couldn't "show" it to anyone, not ever, no way! Except Seth, of
course.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We
laid on our honeymoon bed and kissed for hours, Seth was so gentle with me so
controlled, but I wanted more, I wanted him so badly. I told him this, that is
what shattered his control, and I was glad, because I wanted him to stop being
careful with me and to give in to our wild desires. Once I'd pushed him over
that edge there was no stopping us, everything became passion orientated, our
shared goal was to come together as one, melt into an absolute bliss of love
and desire. I cannot find the words to describe the feelings, emotions and
actions which accompanied our first night together as man and wife. So I will
just tell you what Seth said to me as the dawn broke outside our cabin, "<i>Heaven, this is heaven</i>," he
whispered sexily against my throat. I couldn't have agreed more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
must've fallen asleep at some point as the morning sun filtered through the
windows. Damn being half human! I couldn't get enough of his kisses, his body,
his touch. It was like being born again, into a world so new I needed to
experience everything again and again and again. I finally understood my Mom's
words. "Distraction," she'd said. Oh I understood too well, I wanted
Seth and Seth only, I felt like I would need nothing else as long as I existed!
How strange that our love had come down to this single minded passion and drive
to possess one another over and over again!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
wondered if it ever subsided, but then I thought of my parents and decided no
it never will abate this desire
I have for my husband. He has unleashed a monster right here on our wedding
night. The monster is me, the weapon is sex. I woke to find Seth staring down
at me, our bodies covered by only a thin sheet. The sun shone into the cabin
windows reflecting off his face, diamond rainbows sparkling. So beautiful. <i>So
dazzling.</i> He traced the contours of my face lovingly. I had never been so
happy and so <i>complete</i> before. His lips crushed mine, which were already
swollen and red from our passionate encounters through the night. But such
sweet bruising! I clasped his head drawing him closer and closer. I could
easily devour him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We
broke away from the kiss, gasping and staring at one another wide eyed in
wonder at what had occurred between us. "Nessie...I …..I'm speechless...I
love you more than I ever thought possible, And I'm wondering how do we ever
act normal? How will we ever leave our cottage? When there is clearly nothing
better than being close like this? I love you so much sweetheart," he
said, his dark eyes brimming with love for me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
giggled, "I know, oh Seth! Everything was even more wonderful than I
expected. I truly am yours now and you are mine. I cannot describe how happy I
am right now!" I gushed, kissing his cheek.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He
smiled his dazzling beautiful smile, "Sweet Nessie, love of my existence,
I need, love and want you BUT I must feed! You have depleted me in every
sense!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
giggled again, the laugh sounding raunchy and debauched! From me? Oh I love
this feeling of complete abandonment!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Come
then husband, we shall hunt in the snowy forests together!" I announced,
grabbing his hand and pulling him from the bed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The
sheet fell from his body, leaving him exposed, my heart pounded and lurched at
the sight of him. Glorious! Beautiful! I want him again, I can't control my
passions. They have run amok and taken me over completely! I make a raw
growling sound in my throat as I pounce on him, knocking him off his feet onto
the bed. I pin his arms behind his head and forcefully kiss him with as much
passion as I have in my whole being. I cannot get enough of him! No wonder
people keep this a secret. How will I ever function in the real world ever
again!?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We give in to our
passions, hunting in the snowy forests abandoned for now, as we fall into our
heaven with ease once again.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>CHAPTER THIRTY TWO</u><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The
Northern Lights<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">SETH
CLEARWATER:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Time
passed quickly in the log cabin, we spent our days exploring the snowy
landscape, we hunted in the lush forest, we found a sledge in the cabin and had
such fun with it. Nessie looked beautiful in the snow, her dark auburn hair
flowing around her pretty pale face, the snow reflecting minute diamonds which
glittered on her skin. Being half vampire her skin glowed and shone, not in the
same way as mine did if I was in the sun, but to me it was perfectly gorgeous,
coupled with the human rosiness of her cheeks, she was stunning. My snow
princess. I love her so much.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The
nights in the cabin were our special times, we made love on the sheepskin rug
by the glow of the log fire, she sang songs to me as we pressed our bodies as
close together as possible in our big bed, we gave into our passions with such
abandonment it took her breath away. I couldn't get enough of her, she was mine
and I was hers. I didn't want the honeymoon to ever end.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But
end it must I suppose, I didn't want to monopolise all of her time. I didn't
want to stop her fulfilling her desire to be a singer and songwriter. I wanted
to get on with our married life together. This was heaven right here, but
reality would come knocking at our door one day. I stood gazing out over the breath-taking
view , the Kichatna mountains reaching up into the blue sky, the dark green of
the spruces standing out magnificently against the pure white snow. It truly
was an amazing place. I felt Nessie's arms encircling my waist from behind, I
turned around to face her, bodily lifting her up so my lips were in line with
hers. I kissed her sweet mouth, her lips were cold, and so enticing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Nessie,"
I sighed. "This place, it's magical, I wish we could stay forever my love.
But I expect you want to get back soon, back to reality?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She
kissed me again, "Seth this really is wonderful, I would stay here forever
too, but you are right I do want to get back and get in the recording studio.
I'm so excited about it! We'll come back here, I promise. This is our special
place now and I'll never ever forget it," she exclaimed hugging me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"I'll
phone Carlisle, get him to pick us up in the morning," I smiled kissing
the tip of her cold nose. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She
giggled, that irresistible laugh I love.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Twilight
descended over the Kichatna mountains as we hunted for the last time in the
forest. As we approached the cabin, a sight so beautiful it seemed unreal
revealed itself to our eyes. I ran to the cabin to get my camera, I had to
capture this image of the night sky alight with such beauty. This was the
Aurora Borealis Carlisle had spoken about on the journey. It was breathtakingly
beautiful. The aurora was named after the Roman goddess of dawn, and was long
thought to be produced by sunlight reflected from polar snow and ice, or
refracted light much like rainbows. Just like vampire skin. Undulating ribbons
of light shimmered in the sky like
glowing, dancing curtains of magnificent veils with a full spectrum of colours.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The
aurora lasted about 10-15 minutes, twisting and turning in patterns, rayed
bands of colour and light then whirled into a giant green corona in which the
rays appeared to flare in all directions from a central point, and then it
finally faded away. I hugged Nessie to me, her chocolate brown eyes shining
with wonder at the display of the northern lights.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Nessie,
Carlisle told me all about this when you were sleeping on the way here. It was
beautiful wasn't it darling? An Eskimo tale records that the northern lights
are spirits playing ball in the sky with a walrus skull. Another legend, calls
them the flaming torches carried by departed souls guiding travellers to the
afterlife."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Oh
Seth, it's wonderful! Our own private light show!" she enthused clapping
her small hands excitedly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
led her into the cabin, as the night sky returned to its usual canopy of
twinkling stars, the amazing light show hidden from view for now. I gently
removed her coat, kissing her lips softly and gently. She pressed her body
close to mine in such a way I knew she wanted me again. I sighed against her
mouth, as I felt the tip of her tongue touch mine. We fell to the floor,
unaware of our clothes disappearing as our bodies moved together in the glow of
the fire, her lips, her hair, her scent, her taste, her heart and soul. All of
my vampire senses were overloading on <i>her.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
couldn't say how many times we made love on our last night in the cabin, time
ceased to have meaning for me, the ebb and flow of our passions was my
universe, and she was the centre.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As
the dawn broke I held her close to my chest, her sweet hybrid heart pounding
it's beautiful rhythm against my marble skin. "For all eternity I shall
love you Renesmee Clearwater. Until the seas run dry and the stars fall down
from the sky. You are mine completely, my only love, my true love. Never doubt
how much I love you. I would die for you, if dying is an option for me," I
whispered against her silky hair.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She
sat up to gaze down at me, her chocolate brown eyes deep pools of female
mystery and passion. "Oh Seth!" she whispered, her luscious mouth
curving into a smile so sweet it could break my still heart. She began to sing
our wedding song to me, in the sweetest voice, the voice of an angel. Every
word drove love deeper and deeper into my heart as if she had staked me. No one
in this universe could be possibly feeling what I am feeling now, as I gazed at
my beautiful wife singing with such love and passion. For me. All for me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>I'll be your dream, I'll be your wish I'll be your fantasy.</i> <i>I'll be your hope,
I'll be your love be everything that you need.</i> <i>I love you more with
every breath truly madly deeply do..</i> <i>I will be strong I will be faithful
'cause I'm counting on a new beginning.</i> <i>A reason for living. A deeper
meaning. Yeah..</i> <i>I wanna stand with you on a mountain,</i> <i>I wanna
bathe with you in the sea.</i> <i>I wanna lay like this forever,</i> <i>Until
the sky falls down over me...</i> (copyright Savage Garden ) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>CHAPTER THIRTY THREE</u> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The
Cottage <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">RENESMEE
CLEARWATER:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Being
away alone together was lovely, being home again was great too. My parents
hugged me tight, my Mom looking me up and down, noticing my inner and outer
glow. I was <i>so</i> transparent. Finally I
was a woman. A woman completely and utterly in love. My Mom smiled a secret
smile at me, I knew she knew how I was feeling.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jacob
picked me up and spun me around making me squeal with delight. Leah was holding
baby Isaac, his sweet face breaking into a smile. He was just the cutest thing
I'd ever seen. I wished I could hold my own baby in my arms. Seth's child. I
sighed inwardly, a dark cloud appearing over my day briefly. I'd been having
thoughts on the subject of children apart from adoption which Grandpa had
mentioned. I had pondered over the subject of surrogacy a few times, or even
implanting embryos into my own womb from a donor. I didn't know how to broach
the subject yet so I kept it hidden away deep inside my hybrid heart. Leah
handed Isaac to Jacob and hugged me tight. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"We
are going to get married Christmas Day, Nessie. Only two months from now! I am
so excited," she whispered in my ear. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
grinned widely squeezing her tight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Emmett
loped over to hug both me and Seth, his joy to see us evident. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"So
is the cabin still standing then?" he laughed with a cheeky wink. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Emmett!"
I exclaimed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Seth
just grinned. My Mom told me not to mind Emmett's jokes. I gazed at Seth,
memories of his body on mine, his lips burning with feverish desire trailing
cool kisses over my skin. I shivered with desire. My Mom caught my look and
smiled knowingly. I blushed furiously. She smiled and winked at me. I smiled
sheepishly back, how annoying of her to read my face so well! After lots of
laughing and joking around with everyone my Dad said he had an announcement to
make. Everyone quietened down as I looked at him expectantly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Welcome
home to my daughter and new "son"! We hope you had a magical
honeymoon," he smiled. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
grinned back, so transparent again! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"I
would like to give you both the key to the cottage, it is yours now, a wedding
present from me and Bella. I hope you love living there as much as we
have," he continued with a crooked smile. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mom
held his hand gazing up at him in love. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“It
is a magical and beautiful place, ideal for newly-weds. It gives me great happiness
to pass it on to you both," he said as he handed me the large silver key,
tied with a red ribbon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
choked up with emotion as I tried to thank them both, "Dad...Mom...uh,
thanks so much," happy tears started to escape from my eyes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Seth
hugged me close, "Thanks so much Edward, Bella, it's so generous of
you!" he said smiling widely.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Emmett
snickered, prompting a dig in the ribs from Rosalie, "We'll see if it's
still standing in the morning, shall we?" he joked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rosalie
dug him in the ribs again, her beautiful face creased with annoyance.
"Ow!" he joked, kissing her cheek.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dad
came to us both and hugged us, "Please don't let us hold you back, go to
your new home! Enjoy it! You'll find everything there that you need, we've
completely changed everything to match both your tastes. I want you to feel
that it's your home now ok?" he asked smiling at us both, love in his
topaz eyes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Oh
Dad, thank you, we will love it!" I clapped my hands excitedly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We
said our goodbyes and made our way through the woods to the magical fairy tale
cottage which had been my home as a child. Underneath the rose archway Seth bent
his face close to mine, his hands on the small of my back pulling me close to
him, so our lips could meet. I flung my arms around his neck kissing him with
such abandoned passion. I'd been so eager to kiss him for hours, waiting until
we were alone was torture! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He
pulled away laughing, "Nessie, you'll be the death of me! Let's at least
get inside first!" he scooped me up easily into his strong muscled arms. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
rained kisses over his face and neck, as he managed to get the key in the door
and carry me over the threshold once again. This time it was even better
because this would be the home we would share together as husband and wife. He
set me down as I gazed around the cottage in wonder. The whole place had been
painted white, the floorboards were all newly stained in a warm pine, there was
a large old vintage cherry red leather sofa in the middle of the floor. The
walls were hung with Seth's framed photographs, a few were of me, smiling and
posing for the camera. A lot were his favourite shots of nature and wildlife. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We
both grinned widely as we explored <i>our </i>cottage. The bedroom looked out
onto the beautiful garden, with its waterfall giving a soothing sound through
the open window. There was a modern round bed in the centre of the room, there
were vintage lamps standing in each corner, giving off a romantic glow. I
sighed happily, hugging myself. This was <i>perfect.</i>
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Seth's
arms encircled my waist from behind, his lips at my ear, "Shall we test
out that gorgeous bed, my love," he whispered sexily. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
spun around, my arms flew around his neck pulling his lips to mine, devouring,
hungry and abandoned. Oh he tastes divine! We fall onto the bed, the sounds of
the waterfall background music to our sighs and moans of passion as once again
we fell into the intoxicating depths of our lust for each other. I never wanted
this feeling to end, the feeling of being in complete slavery to my emotions and
desires, the feeling of being swept away by a tide of passion. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Never to reach the shore again.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR</u><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dazzle<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">SETH
CLEARWATER:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nessie
sat at the piano ready to record her songs for the world to hear. I was so
excited for her I could burst! We were in the recording studio with Dominic,
this was the first time he had met me, and boy did he look nervous and worried.
And so he should be! Sitting next to me was always going to be daunting for a
mere human. He transparently had feelings for Nessie, that much was obvious! Of
course I couldn't blame him, my wife was simply the most <i>dazzling </i>creature
to ever grace the earth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He
had nervously told me he didn't want me to sit with Nessie, as this session was
being recorded to put onto professional tapes for the record company to mass
produce into cd. My Nessie's music was going to be put out to the world very
soon. I just knew people were going to be mesmerized by her angelic voice and
obvious talent for playing the piano.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">See,
there are not many artists who present their music in as simple and pure way as
my wife, it would only be her voice and her haunting sounds made by the piano.
I think the world was ready for her, cheap throwaway music was becoming a chore
to people's ears. I had every faith that Nessie's music would be loved. But
then I am so biased! Dominic was nervously sitting at the mixing desk trying to
ignore my presence which must have been difficult! He spoke to Nessie through a
small microphone asking her to start when she was ready.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nessie
glanced at me and smiled nervously. I gave her my best most dazzling smile
back, and mouthed the words "<i>I love
you</i>".<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She
smiled back at me, her beautiful face lighting up so prettily. She sighed,
flexed her fingers, closed her chocolate brown eyes and began to play. I could
never get enough of her voice, it truly was the voice of an angel, so haunting
and powerful.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"<i>A
fallen star,<br />
Fell from your heart,<br />
And landed in my eyes,</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>I screamed aloud,<br />
As it tore through them,<br />
And now it's left me blind,</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>The stars, the moon,<br />
They have all been blown out,<br />
You left me in the dark,</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>No dawn, no day,<br />
I'm always in this twilight,<br />
In the shadow of your heart,</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>And in the dark,<br />
I can hear your heartbeat, I try to find the sound,<br />
But then it stopped,<br />
And I was in the darkness,<br />
So darkness I became,</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>The stars, the moon,<br />
They have all been blown out,<br />
You left me in the dark,</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>No dawn, No day,<br />
I'm always in this twilight,<br />
In the shadow of your heart,</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>I took the stars from my eyes,<br />
And then I made a map,<br />
I knew that somehow,<br />
I could find my way back,</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Then I heard your heart beating, you were darkness too,<br />
So I stayed in the darkness with you,</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>The stars, the moon,<br />
They have all been blown out,<br />
You left me in the dark,</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>No dawn, no day,<br />
I'm always in the twilight,<br />
In the shadow of your heart,</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>The stars, the moon,<br />
They have all been blown out,<br />
You left me in the dark, (you left me in the dark)</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>No dawn, no day,<br />
I'm always in this twilight,<br />
In the shadow of your heart" ( copyright Florence and the machine )</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dominic
and I were silent, what could you say to a performance like that? Amazing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"That
was called Cosmic Love," Nessie said with a grin over the mic.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dominic
replied, "Amazing, really amazing!" <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nessie
smiled that dazzling smile of hers and his face was a picture. If only he knew
he was sharing a studio with a half vampire half shape-shifter and a half
human, half vampire. I smirked to myself at his ignorant bliss. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"
No need to do another take that was <i>perfect,"</i> Dominic beamed at
her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Poor
Dominic, any fool could see he was hopelessly in love with my stunning wife. I
kinda felt sorry for the guy! Well almost, I laughed to myself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Ready
for another, Dom?" , Nessie almost purred, she so enjoyed dazzling people.
She was so bad, I chucked to myself. This was fun, interacting with humans!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Uh,
yeah, go ahead," Dom stuttered. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oh
I was silently laughing so much! Nessie caught my look and gave me a cheeky
wink.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"This
is called Closer," she breathed throatily into the mic. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Her
delicate talented fingers - ( <i>oh my were
they talented, I shivered, suddenly overcome by desire for her, she looked so
sexy sitting at the piano!</i> Get a grip Seth! ) - hovered above the keys
again as she started to sing another one of her masterpieces. Okay I'm biased,
think we've talked about that already!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Stranded in this spooky town<br />
Stop lights are swaying and the phone lines are down<br />
This floor is crackling cold<br />
He took my heart, I think he took my soul<br />
With the moon I run<br />
Far from the carnage of the fiery sun</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Driven by the strangled vein<br />
Showing no mercy I do it again<br />
Open up your eye<br />
You keep on crying, baby<br />
I'll bleed you dry<br />
The skies are blinking at me<br />
I see a storm bubbling up from the sea</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>And it's coming closer<br />
And it's coming closer</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>You, shimmy shook my bone<br />
Leaving me stranded all in love on my own<br />
What do you think of me<br />
Where am I now? Baby where do I sleep<br />
Feel so good but I'm old,<br />
Two thousand years of chasing taking its toll</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>And it's coming closer ( copyright kings of Leon 2008 – changed she to
he! For Nessie)</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Once
again we are in awe of her stunning lyrics, voice and piano playing. We stay
for a couple of hours, getting most of Nessie's songs recorded, all in one
take. She was amazing. I didn't think I could love her more. But I was wrong. I
couldn't wait to get her home to show her just how much! Dominic was ecstatic
with the evenings work, the guy was good at his job and he never questioned why
we wanted to come to the studio after twilight, which was very handy indeed!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We
agreed that I would take some professional photos of Nessie to send to the
record company for the album cover. I said I would meet the guys, show them the
photos and go over the song selection and everything else that needed done.
Yep, I am now officially her agent! Not that I don't think my wife can take
care of herself, she's proved that to me many times. I just want to be here for
her and we want to be together as much as possible. Everything we do is as a
package deal, it's that way or no way!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nessie
and I had already decided to call her album “The Northern Lights." For
obvious reasons I think! We left the studio on a total high, happy with the
day's work. Nessie was glowing with happiness and joy, she looked so beautiful
to me, I couldn't resist pressing her up against the alley wall and crushing
her lips with mine. She sighed sweetly her arms encircling my neck, pulling me
closer and closer. Her sweet taste intoxicating my senses as always. I gasped,
pulling away to gaze into the shining depths of her dark eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Oh
Nessie, let's get home <i>right now</i>," I whispered. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Oh
Seth, I <i>want</i> you," she breathed sexily. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We
sped home, ignoring speed limits as all vampires do, in Alice's yellow Ferrari.
I couldn't wait to envelop Nessie in my arms in the privacy of our little
cottage. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Home.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE</u><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Isn't
She Lovely...?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">BELLA
CULLEN:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Seth
had converted the cottage's spare bedroom into a small studio, for the purpose
of his second true love; taking photographs. Edward and I had made plans to go
down there this afternoon to watch him shoot pictures of Nessie for her album
sleeve. Oh it was an exciting time for her; for them both! I still had my
worries, but I kept them hidden, I didn't want to ruin this time for my
daughter. She was so talented. But little prickles of doubt ran through my
veins whenever I thought of her out in the big wide world. I knew Seth would
look after her, without a doubt, but it was still hard for me to let go.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
was also excited to actually <i>see</i> my daughter, we had hardly seen the
couple since they moved into the cottage. Well I couldn't blame them could I? I
know <i>exactly </i>what a <i>distraction </i>it is just being in close
proximity to each other. They <i>dazzled </i>each other completely. I could see
it in their eyes, in the way they had to be in physical contact constantly, the
hungry looks full of desire they exchanged. I saw it all, because I knew the
signs all too well. My stomach still lurched when Edward was close to me that
had never changed since being human, my love and desire for him was only
multiplied by the change. I smiled to myself, thinking of Nessie and Seth, it
was fantastic to see my daughter so happy, even though it meant I had less time
with her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just
as Edward and I were about to leave for the cottage, my phone rang. It was
Nessie.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Hey
Mom," she trilled down the phone in her sweet voice. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Hello
love," I answered warmly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"
Uhm, this is awkward, but I have a small favour to ask you?" she said
falteringly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Uh
okay what now I thought. "Go ahead Nessie, what can I do for you
love?" I asked into the phone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She
sighed dramatically. So Nessie. "Well uhm, uhm," she faltered again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"
Ness, spit it out sweetheart, we're just leaving to come see you now!" I
said in an exasperated tone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She
gave another dramatic sigh. Just what was bothering my dear daughter?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Can
you, uhm, kinda not bring Dad?" she asked quietly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"What?
Why? " I asked with confusion. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Well
it's quite embarrassing Mom, it's just that Seth doesn't like it when Dad can
read his thoughts, especially when those thoughts are not so <i>appropriate </i>for
a Father to hear about his daughter!" <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
couldn't help laughing. "Oh Nessie!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She
laughed quietly down the phone, obviously blushing!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Sorry
Mom, it's just that I am going to be wearing some divine gowns which Alice gave
me, uhm some are quite revealing! Don't freak Mom," she warned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
laughed again, "Of course not sweetheart, you are a beautiful young lady,
why shouldn't you show your assets off to their best advantage. And if it sells
records? " I said, a little bit <i>too </i>cynically. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
cringed away from the phone as her annoyed voice shattered my ear drum,
"MOM! I just want to look, uhm alluring!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
chuckled to myself. "Okay Ness I'll explain to your poor Father why he
can't come see you shall I?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"
Mom please be gentle with him okay? For me. Now hurry up and get here, my hair
needs fixing and Seth's no hairdresser!" she exclaimed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Edward
raised his eyebrows at me, wondering what was going on, still annoyed he
couldn't read my mind after all these years.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Okay
Ness, I'll be there in a minute," I sighed, closing the phone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Edward
put his hands on my hips, pulling me close to him. "What's going on Bella
love," he asked with a crooked smile. Ah my favourite smile in the whole
world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
kissed his cool lips, as my fingers ran through his bronze hair. How I love my
Edward. Today, tomorrow and for eternity. I pulled away gasping, his kisses
intoxicating and thrilling me a little too much as always.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
brushed his full lips with my fingertips smiling softly " It seems our
daughter's new husband has a problem with you reading his thoughts, which may
be <i>inappropriate</i> when he is doing the photo shoot for her!" <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
laughed at his expression. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He
raised his eyebrows at me, "Hmm, I see. Well I wouldn't want to cause Seth
any discomfort now would I?" he grinned, kissing my cheek.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> I laughed, "Kids eh?" <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We
hugged each other, chuckling together. Luckily my husband doesn't take offence
easily, he knows how uneasy his mind reading skills can make some feel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
arrive at the cottage to find Nessie prancing around in a long jade green silky
gown, the neckline is plunging to say the least, and the sides are split right
up to her thigh, the material clinging to every one of her perfect curves. The
back view is no less revealing, one thin horizontal strap joins the two sides
of the fabric together. She is barefoot, a slim silver chain around her ankle,
her look borrowed from the wedding. She looks stunning; with her long wavy dark
auburn hair falling loose to her waist and her pale glowing skin, the jade green
is a fantastic colour for her. She is breathtakingly beautiful, and as I watch
Seth gazing at her, hunger and desire in his eyes, I am so glad Edward didn't
come with me. I can just see his face if he could read his son-in-law's mind
right now!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Seth
has set up his studio with dimmed lighting to give an ambient glow to the
photos. There is a white backdrop with a painting resembling the northern
lights they both loved whilst on honeymoon. I am pleasantly surprised by Seth's
professionalism. Both the happy couple are talented in their own right. I
shiver involuntarily, my worries coming once again to the forefront of my mind.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Edward,
my generous husband, has bought his daughter a white piano similar to his. I
used to get annoyed at him spending lots of money especially if he tried to buy
me expensive gifts! But when it's our daughter I don't mind. She is sitting on
top of the piano hugging her knees to her chest, her bare feet showing, the
ankle chain glinting in the light of the studio. Her long hair is draped over
her shoulders, framing her beautiful pale face, like curtains made of the most
gorgeously silky material. She has an enigmatic smile on her face. She looks
perfect, like a model.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Seth's
camera clicks away taking different shots of her wearing different facial
expressions. In some shots she turns her head to show her profile and her long
swan like neck. Next she lies on the piano, her small hands holding onto the
instrument like they were lovers. Her pale back against the green of her silky
gown is a mesmerizing shot indeed. Then she straddles the piano seat, exposing
her pale toned thighs, her long hair over one shoulder, a sexy look on her
face. Sometimes I can't believe she is so grown up! I thank god once again that
Edward isn't here, the look on Seth's face right at this moment is priceless
and I can totally understand why he didn't want his father-in-law here! He
gazes at Nessie with such unbridled passion, I feel like I shouldn't be in the
room and would certainly blush bright red if I was human. The intensity of his
love and passionate hunger for my daughter is all too evident in his face, I
can only begin to imagine what is going through his mind!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
try not to think about Seth's thoughts and concentrate on Nessie's poses.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Seth
also takes some pictures of her playing the piano and some of her lying on the
floor next to the piano. Some are demure and classy, others are downright sexy.
I'm not naïve enough to think that pictures where my daughter looks so sexy and
gorgeous will not be the most popular! Again the worried feelings creep into my
mind as I think of others gazing at my daughter's photos. I try to banish those
thoughts as I smile and hug Nessie, telling her how beautiful she looks. I
catch a look between the pair and realise it's time to say my goodbyes. The
sexual tension in the air is palpable. Who can blame my son-in-law? Look at my
daughter, she is simply stunning. Not only her looks, her whole aura is
beautiful and alluring.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
leave them to it. As I leave I glance back, and with my vampire eyes I see Seth
hungrily pull Nessie into his strong arms, his lips crushing hers passionately
against his, his large hands running up and down her bare back. Her hands are
entwined in his long hair, pulling on it in her passionate frenzy to possess
him completely. I smile knowingly and walk away without looking back, glad my
daughter is experiencing what Edward and I have together. But also really glad
my darling husband didn't come to the photo shoot with me! <i>Can you imagine? </i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
speed back to the house, eager to see my love again, to tell him how beautiful
our daughter looked. I am so proud, but still cannot shake my strange feelings
that I should be worried. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Very worried. </i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>CHAPTER THIRTY SIX</u><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Shooting
Star<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">RENESMEE
CLEARWATER:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
cannot believe my album <i>The Northern Lights </i>is in record shops all over
the United States. It's my face staring out from the cover, so pretty, in my
jade green dress. My smile enigmatic, my eyes deep and mesmerising. For the
cover Seth and I decided we loved the picture of me sitting with my knees drawn
up on top of the white piano. It had something special about it. The one where
I straddled the seat was on the inside, much to my Mom's joy! My second
favourite was on the back of the album; the one where I lay on top of the
piano. The photos were amazing, my Seth was a natural with a camera. As my
agent he was simply the best; he has this amazing gift to empathise and work a
situation to our best advantage. It certainly worked with the record company
executives, they couldn't get enough of my songs and my whole image. They were
really excited about coming sales of the album. I'd been on a few radio shows
talking about my music; Seth told me I dazzled everyone I met. But to me, as
ever, he was the dazzling one. My <i>husband</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
spent my days promoting the album, writing new songs whilst I sat in our
special meadow, and I spent a lot of time with Jacob's little family. I still
craved a child of my own and planned to do something about it soon. I spent my
nights wrapped in the arms of the man I loved more than my own existence;
making love to him with passionate abandonment, which never ceased to thrill
and amaze me so.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My
parents were so happy and proud of me, and still as deeply in love as when they
first met. Though I sometimes caught a sadness in my Mom's beautiful topaz eyes
which chilled me. I think she is just worried about me, her only child. I have
Seth to love, care and protect me, to make me happy and set me on fire with
just a look, just a kiss.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The
rest of the family were happy in their own little worlds too. I admired them
for being content in their private existences. Carlisle, Grandpa, still loved
being a doctor, caring for people as was his generous nature. Esme, Grandma,
was the loving devoted wife, mother and grandmother, as she always has and
always will be. Alice and Jasper, Rosalie and Emmett, my special Aunts and
Uncles, lived sometimes in the house but sometimes they travelled away for
weeks at a time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jacob
and Leah were so happy, they loved Isaac their darling baby boy so much. They
were so good together, and so passionate about each other. The way Jacob looked
at Leah sometimes gave me shivers because I totally understood how they felt
about each other. We had their wedding to look forward to on Christmas Day, now
only just over a month away! They had decided to get married on First Beach in
La Push. We were all hoping for a bit of snow, to make things much more
romantic. The reception was going to be held on the reservation, a big party
for all! Of course the Cullen's were now part of this as the age old enemies of
cold ones and shape-shifters became friends and allies; sharing Forks between
them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
was so happy, everything was good. The icing on the cake came in a phone call
last night. I was to appear at a theatre in Seattle singing my songs live to
the audience. Yes people were paying to hear my songs sung by me, with only my
piano for company. Amazing isn't it? I sit at the white piano idly fingering
the keys, when I feel cool lips against my neck. <i>Ah Seth</i>. His lips trail
cool kisses across my delicate pale skin. I sigh as he turns me around and
pulls me to my feet, embracing me against his body. I bring my eager lips to
meet his, burning with feverish passion and desire; I kiss him, and kiss him
until the world goes away and once again it is only him and I at the centre of
our own perfect universe.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Truly, Madly, Deeply.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN</u><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Epilogue<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The
hushed and enraptured audience gaze at the mesmerizingly beautiful young girl
on the stage as her delicate fingers hover above the keys of the piano. She has
gorgeously pale skin, dazzling in the theatre lights, she has lovely long dark
auburn hair loose and flowing down her bare back. Her scarlet red backless
dress shows off her figure to its best advantage, her small feet bare beneath
the piano. Her chocolate brown eyes are intense and full of concentration. The
atmosphere is charged with electricity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If
you look closely you will notice her family sitting up in the heavens of the
packed theatre in their own private box. If you look too closely you will be
dazzled and mesmerized by their other worldly beauty and poise. Like pale
marble statues they gaze with dark topaz eyes at the young girl on the stage.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The
haunting sounds begin to emanate from the piano, the delicate pale fingers
bringing forth sounds filled with beauty and longing. Then the sweet, powerful
voice joins the music, holding the audience captive with its angelic
gracefulness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All
eyes are on Renesmee as she puts her heart and soul into her performance. Such
simplicity, such beauty, such talent.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"<i>The
threads that run through your life<br />
Hang from your sleeve<br />
Wind through your soul<br />
The kind you can't control<br />
The kind you can't conceive<br />
The kind you can't believe<br />
But wish you could break<br />
Wish you could weave<br />
I wish you could see<br />
It ties you to me<br />
<br />
And you fly in the face of the sun<br />
And you float in the tides of the moon</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>The paths that run from your dark<br />
Climb through the trees<br />
Wind like a snake<br />
The kind you can't escape<br />
The kind you can't conceive<br />
The kind you can't believe<br />
With prickly little thorns<br />
Sharp tiny teeth<br />
They are hungry for the threads<br />
Hanging from your sleeve<br />
Waiting on a path<br />
The kind you can't conceive<br />
But wish you could take<br />
Wish you could leave<br />
I wish you could see<br />
It leads you to me"</i><br />
<i>(Copyright Mercury Rev – the tides of the moon)</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The
audience applaud wildly and enthusiastically when the first song ends, their
joy in this young girl's talent evident. Everything flows in perfect
synchronisation, the music, the words, the voice, the people enchanted by the
performance before them. <i>Dazzled.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Near
the end of the concert, if you were looking closely at the private box
containing the Cullen's; you would notice the beautiful pixie-like Alice Cullen
suddenly stare into space, her topaz eyes locked on some vision only she can
see. You would see Edward Cullen turn to stare at Alice, a crease furrowed on
his perfect brow, a look of worry on his beautiful features. You may also see
his stunning wife Bella look at both Alice and Edward disconcertingly. But you
would not know why this was happening. Alice Cullen has glimpses of the future.
If you were a member of this exclusive family you would know that these visions
do not always produce good results. You would know that Alice sometimes sees
very bad things, very frightening things. Events that could tear her and her
family's perfect world apart. <i>Again.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Deep beneath the city of Volterra, long pale almost translucent fingers
trace the contours of Renesmee Clearwater's face as she stares enigmatically
from the cover of the compact disc, ‘The Northern Lights’. The ancient mind
mulls over his thoughts carefully. “This cannot be, this hybrid child flaunting
herself for all humans to plainly see that she is not one of them? She must be
stopped at once, she must be taken care of, I must go at once to inform my
brothers Aro and Caius. I must go now!"</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>THE END</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="display: none;">{"version":"0.1.0.220","isExtension":true,"extension<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2dfb3e1b-c0b4-4cf4-b82b-21d0b483e09d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9be1c9a4-aab5-4b63-9cb6-0e9e69825c03" grcontextid="version:0">Name":"</span>Chrome"}<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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kizzymousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12571803064369765958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5913310249853994600.post-91594848679440585412011-07-12T14:09:00.001+01:002014-02-05T22:36:16.995+00:00RED MOON<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P0IVD8hBxiI/UVYmT_FHFmI/AAAAAAAAAqo/BOp2kLPsa0Y/s1600/images+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P0IVD8hBxiI/UVYmT_FHFmI/AAAAAAAAAqo/BOp2kLPsa0Y/s1600/images+(1).jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="color: red; font-size: 20pt;">RED MOON</span></b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: 20pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">PROLOGUE</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The forest was eerily
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5a3fe994-f748-4214-9d15-df5a57a917f3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9c605fae-d78c-492e-afac-b7bd8ab8e63c" grcontextid="silent:0">silent</span>, as if it was holding its breath in anticipation. In contrast my
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7c5f6131-3731-4005-827e-da9ab59d1bb7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="23fa5ca9-d9d8-4d9e-b8a4-508424b8ef45" grcontextid="breathing:0">breathing</span> was ragged and noisy, plumes of cold air rising from my mouth as I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5dd96c64-f4b6-478e-8e1f-2398b6b6d21a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1e0daaa2-45e7-4875-90f5-6e5dddba45bb" grcontextid="ran:0">ran</span> faster than I had ever ran before. My mind was a whirlwind of
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a68f8f90-a3fc-4a21-9285-ffcc43774e6a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ba21ee5c-b914-4f70-b0ce-a54fca328943" grcontextid="confusion:0">confusion</span>, my muscles burned as I pushed myself faster and faster, trying to
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="cd59e562-af07-4cc7-86bb-79f8781b50df" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e223c30c-f0e4-4c01-a6c3-b7fa33d26a90" grcontextid="escape:0">escape</span> the voices in my head and the real voice which was getting closer and
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d73c78d5-bf76-428a-8be3-6bd1999e5ee6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="db13ad4c-8239-4b2f-b2c2-e8deaee842c3" grcontextid="closer:0">closer</span>, screaming my name " Leah, please, come back!"</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
I was aching to <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8c372e32-a85f-47b9-9892-f630afa206e7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="51582b77-6d4c-40fe-8334-2e136cbb9789" grcontextid="phase:0">phase</span>, to make it easier to run, but with phasing there
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="00697a55-01f4-4479-b95d-4cfcc1764008" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bc919d12-7c88-4373-8de3-7b8da1184aa6" grcontextid="was:0">was</span> the small problem of my pursuer hearing my every thought, something I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c7ab9d5b-81a5-4976-9ef5-65833a3b1d5c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="eb29a1eb-cf94-48c7-a239-6aba46b29c21" grcontextid="definitely:0">definitely</span> did not want to do. My body and lungs ached and I could not run any
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7926f329-9e5c-465d-8788-5e123a675316" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="dc013cf6-8461-4d1a-9879-b39acf00ea13" grcontextid="more:0">more</span>, I stopped, panting heavily, and without thinking about it I phased <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2a89171a-beb2-4d8b-a26e-690ff3dcb8bf" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="dc013cf6-8461-4d1a-9879-b39acf00ea13" grcontextid="into:1">into</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="37ebd9ef-d411-4688-984c-ee72cf0241bb" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6267a4e4-34f2-45bf-9f05-1925c876189d" grcontextid="the:0">the</span> small <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="69d5d148-7c0e-4bf0-a576-ff52d01b5bb2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6267a4e4-34f2-45bf-9f05-1925c876189d" grcontextid="grey:1">grey</span> wolf. I howled at the full moon, its crimson light
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3c6e5520-29c7-48e1-919d-e177522aa339" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0fc23c21-68e3-44be-ad91-619be9281340" grcontextid="shining:0">shining</span> over the night forest, bathing everything in red, like blood.</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">CHAPTER 1</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Life Goes On......<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">It was an unusually sunny day
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3b4e2783-f14d-4019-9951-2a741992552c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ef8e44e6-1f16-4fb9-b5c6-c3d493b64e5e" grcontextid="in:0">in</span> Forks, as the sun shone brightly in the sky above the Cullen residence.
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="814ffbff-da0c-40f5-9ed4-beea2fdc4452" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6d2e6c98-d5f9-4483-a08b-e31c83c89384" grcontextid="Sounds:0">Sounds</span> of happy laughter carried on the summer breeze, the garden reflected
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0fe632d2-253f-4f06-b6c4-f395c5f1b173" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="739d2cf9-4bbc-48aa-9ec5-b21afdef1f3c" grcontextid="with:0">with</span> all the <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="03bd39f4-9c6f-4807-8a96-ca586a40e3f5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="739d2cf9-4bbc-48aa-9ec5-b21afdef1f3c" grcontextid="colours:1">colours</span> of the rainbow from the marble skin of the vampires
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ca500fe2-c4e1-4ecf-96fb-30a8942ba1ad" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c76d04b2-f533-449e-8865-5541f7f7b431" grcontextid="below:0">below</span>. Bella and Edward sat contentedly on the grass, arms around each other,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c9152575-7994-4ba8-9229-6b875563a66a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="299c7a03-97a0-4a67-a6ab-f748bf665775" grcontextid="laughing:0">laughing</span> at something their daughter Renesmee had said. It was 5
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="26fc85e4-224c-4447-9e9c-cf473e7e57d3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="04845083-75d4-4ebe-98c8-84890460638a" grcontextid="years:0">years</span> since the Volturi had tried to destroy the Cullen's and everything <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="68c60db2-574f-4d17-ae07-491f47540c7f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="04845083-75d4-4ebe-98c8-84890460638a" grcontextid="they:1">they</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9d54efdc-a111-4393-9ec9-1ffeb374dfcf" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ec087189-11cd-4537-b5d3-f02f6deca8ee" grcontextid="held:0">held</span> dear. </span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">In those 5 years Renesmee; half vampire- half human; had
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="69bcc05c-7437-4160-88ab-c46f0da27d80" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="39c5cba2-2712-49b5-bfa6-a149073131f2" grcontextid="matured:0">matured</span> to young adulthood. Bella and Edward joked about it frequently, an
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f07f2a67-292a-41f9-9707-3a1a13eed3a7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b0a63491-3520-4031-9c6b-239a7e123fa9" grcontextid="eighteen:0">eighteen</span>-year-old mother and a seventeen-year-old father whose daughter was now
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1a06fb2b-fad4-45f9-81c9-9761bd4af387" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2d12d392-d5bd-4b4a-a183-a78a5500d0fc" grcontextid="nineteen:0">nineteen</span> years old! Only in the mythical <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="bedcf822-bb91-43a1-bdda-10a4fe1d18dc" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="651ae01f-03f2-4998-a9e1-c0c759a6c54c" grcontextid="creatures:0">creatures</span> world could this
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="03db0e0d-58ab-479f-b48c-700427649a62" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6c421a9f-d769-4e85-875d-00e6e283d5fd" grcontextid="happen:0">happen</span>!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Life was perfect for Edward, Bella and Renesmee, they hunted
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="cc84f407-dc5b-4e5d-a09d-2ba15af8f9f2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e1bf62a9-258f-4f40-85c1-332546243150" grcontextid="together:0">together</span>, they travelled to exotic places by night, they never grew tired of
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8a597f1a-bfeb-4f49-b6a3-17e14fd05964" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8291766a-8074-4ebd-b1b6-1e437dc917ae" grcontextid="each:0">each</span> other’s company, they learnt new hobbies and skills; content in the <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="41fecced-f40c-4f76-b339-9e1b6f268889" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8291766a-8074-4ebd-b1b6-1e437dc917ae" grcontextid="secure:1">secure</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7025fa26-4581-4430-acd3-389001ee964f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b51939c4-c568-4ba1-a3c6-13abef75caaf" grcontextid="feeling:0">feeling</span> of love and happiness they held for each other.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Yes, life was perfect for the
Cullen's. All except for one person who used to belong in this equation. <i>Jacob
Black.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">CHAPTER 2</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Just when you think
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="30074b88-4e02-4bea-b153-ffd9b1f77e65" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7bd154c2-1e56-4120-bae8-7dfbbb2a1820" grcontextid="everything:0">everything</span> is going fine..............<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jacob Black:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I'd been hiding out at
Sam and Emily's place for a week now, my phone was filled with <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7074ddd5-ccc6-4a13-bb10-3eb00d133ce9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8bb1afd0-f712-4207-8e70-0eec2577a94e" grcontextid="missed:0">missed</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9ee5c147-70e5-4491-8418-6bec94f44dbf" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="92d90862-7912-4b67-a288-38b89df0cce9" grcontextid="calls:0">calls</span> and texts. Everyone was worried about me and wanted to know why I'd taken
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="23cc7526-8d4b-4d1c-95ac-326cf7b8ede6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="84ac71b0-f205-4550-aa43-803cb5645f15" grcontextid="off:0">off</span>; I guess nothing had been said about last week's events. I didn't mean to
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="85e2ff28-50c7-4764-85ce-1a3298d6800a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7c332d8a-1a16-4704-b209-1d354c3c89c0" grcontextid="hurt:0">hurt</span> <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b9aa48fa-b894-4c9d-afbd-5c04d35f552a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7c332d8a-1a16-4704-b209-1d354c3c89c0" grcontextid="anyone:1">anyone</span>, life sucks you know? I was ignoring it all. Now before
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c2b52027-7698-4bbc-bc93-ce96ff7c505f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e8d541fb-b7eb-4917-9fa9-5dd6cf41308f" grcontextid="you go thinking:0">you go thinking</span> I'm heartless, I do have my reasons. When Nessie was born,
I imprinted on her, it's a wolf thing – you become protector, friend, soul mate
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f6395558-638a-4ce0-b3aa-83b026b45106" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bdd4ed56-8f96-4cc6-b8b3-1621ba9d399f" grcontextid="and:0">and</span> maybe lover to the <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8c60532e-4a63-4a9b-bb09-e4570ca119ef" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bdd4ed56-8f96-4cc6-b8b3-1621ba9d399f" grcontextid="imprintee:1">imprintee</span>. My soul was tied to hers in inexplicable
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="788d1e55-7468-44a9-9178-13331735aaca" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="29ab2bfc-cfc4-43ba-a412-1114adc0e6c3" grcontextid="ways:0">ways</span> from the moment I looked into her chocolate brown eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Or so I thought...........</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I'd been part of the family
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="703b5c1a-094f-40ff-9e36-78fb54a69d01" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7babf2d3-a6e4-47f0-a427-a3028bdbdd3e" grcontextid="for:0">for</span> 5 years now, watching Nessie grow into a beautiful young girl. Now <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="bc7aef80-156f-4d01-8528-f34dffe57b8d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9cfb5d5e-783f-4774-b406-f8baca6f4e4f" grcontextid="there:0">there</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="93894a51-432e-44ba-86e4-b05f075bca60" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b62f246e-0b4d-4cd6-ad22-ba2580aa7a2c" grcontextid="were:0">were</span> only a few years separating us – yes I'd grown slightly older as shape
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="099d5bbb-d146-4d8d-95d5-00dcae2061c7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1767191a-53bb-41db-aa5d-5ecb093cf99a" grcontextid="shifters:0">shifters</span> do, and Nessie had sped into maturity the same as the only other
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b1a197df-742b-4eb9-8c78-625484827452" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9867d057-e2cd-4709-b720-fab8d20d7c61" grcontextid="known:0">known</span> hybrid Nahuel had. Now we were equals and I was free to love her in
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1f2ef7cd-6d20-4dfc-8311-90534f45682d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="53747879-f01e-4d6b-a4e8-446b4d56d0ca" grcontextid="all ways I:0">all ways I</span> possibly could. You'd think finally Jacob has his happy ending,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="92ea49e2-c90b-47a1-9f65-0a9b97dc7dea" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fea9a4d2-e383-45ff-9c7d-2966f1837b57" grcontextid="we:0">we</span>'d get married and settle down and everything would be just peachy. But
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c7166510-b203-4d64-8a6b-e6d4e58ee3e8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="36e99fe7-47dc-4a11-b3ae-f5e68a036643" grcontextid="no:0">no</span>, when has my life ever been that easy?!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I looked at Nessie and I felt
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f9fb86c7-828b-4f5b-8577-180410d4c1d4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7d6aaee9-6303-4d2f-ba6e-066a13505eaf" grcontextid="just:0">just</span> like her big brother, I'd expected fireworks when she grew up, Bada Bing
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="84b03143-88d0-4321-a7d8-ed68db6a6676" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="35f73134-9d37-4b6b-90a6-bd5eebf1545f" grcontextid="we're:0">we're</span> in love; all is as it should be. Even Bella and Edward had
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="78e70434-ce38-4eb3-886e-97acedc5b88e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4e9bb794-a967-4eb3-b6f0-af72d043ebc3" grcontextid="come:0">come</span> round to the idea that me and their daughter would be together in the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5d0a81e1-8564-4476-b5fc-fa46c83a2002" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="426ec6ca-7e4c-464b-99ff-9767f7cd3534" grcontextid="end:0">end</span> as a couple. There <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="59016b60-42f6-4be6-a6f0-1413da8599ea" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2264747d-4785-444c-898c-0c5c2deb7be2" grcontextid="was:0">was</span> no Sam and Emily comparisons between
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ed99cee2-e50b-4bc6-87bd-06822b353cfb" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="715ed382-e808-4823-9daf-efd41db27955" grcontextid="me:0">me</span> and Nessie, I couldn't understand it? Hadn't me imprinting on her been for
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6186304b-1d18-4bed-84ec-500ffb094409" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="66d0598c-9736-4c4e-b84a-f10b4f9dd59a" grcontextid="the:0">the</span> purpose of me finally finding love and a happy ending? Well guess
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1736380d-3215-4f01-b74e-026d7d4c30ae" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="551ac6cc-f3df-43d5-96e5-f308316dd00b" grcontextid="what:0">what</span>? I am in love but it's not with my best friend and soul mate Renesmee, and
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e99854f5-1f31-4ae3-8970-001cc5e36363" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="089cf38b-3954-4452-8108-d3f6c1a064b7" grcontextid="no:0">no</span> I haven't fallen back in love with Bella.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">It's a little bit more
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f0d5a596-8a85-41c5-be3a-e5e5db2ea5d1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="31a9b785-9f49-4f1e-a2e0-4e3466f79256" grcontextid="complicated:0">complicated</span> than that!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Don't ask me how and why it's
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="08316cdf-a8fd-4c9b-89c3-7914a06b18ad" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f6917352-5e1e-43c1-8586-8fb23894fe8e" grcontextid="happened:0">happened</span>, I thought once you imprinted that was that, but hey I was wrong, so
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3de11085-2eef-4955-83a1-a6f3c40838ed" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d681146f-8d1e-4e60-b08d-4c654e9e0c1c" grcontextid="so:0">so</span> wrong! Are you ready for this? Hope you are sitting down!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">I'm totally and madly and
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="066eeb9c-2bb2-4c2d-8677-704269d375fb" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="dcc44860-146f-4728-84d1-3fe989403782" grcontextid="completely:0">completely</span> in love with Leah Clearwater.</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">CHAPTER THREE</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Female of the Species<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Leah Clearwater:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I don't know why or how it
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4db94cdd-3439-40d0-b46c-954c05851f1e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e19b4bf1-ffde-4695-b447-f9ed262bea9d" grcontextid="happened:0">happened</span>, but I ended up back in Forks. I did go to college, I studied
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="22d6a86c-1c33-4c7e-88c4-288d25e536ae" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="cde20c21-9931-43f5-bfb3-6d7020b3323a" grcontextid="psychology:0">psychology</span>, I tried to put Forks behind me, and forget the Pack. It wasn't
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="bc0fdb2f-60e7-49bb-b7dc-735a23fb34e9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6a0cebd9-57a2-4dd6-abd1-d8eac0a0e960" grcontextid="easy:0">easy</span> being the only female wolf let me tell you. After the Volturi left, I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fca8e96e-03f9-401c-8218-c1b461602ccc" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c3a49033-773e-4f69-a212-88ed2b661e72" grcontextid="decided:0">decided</span> to leave Forks and attend college in Seattle; I didn't want to be too
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="09eb8a1f-1fc4-4fa2-ae5c-965adc9a7474" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6b26cf3d-c9c7-4348-b77d-a52fad2ce37a" grcontextid="far:0">far</span> away from my family. Mom had re-married after Dad's death, to none
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ac6ccfe7-fd47-4c40-b408-c5b5172961d4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9667f1ab-6a14-4244-a4e9-33ffeee3bb91" grcontextid="other:0">other</span> than Charlie Swan chief of police. I guess I was pleased, sort of, even
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c2d6c46b-f519-4267-96e1-ff21c4f043c3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5557bd18-6bab-4f3b-8788-3da84736372f" grcontextid="though:0">though</span> Charlie is related to a bloodsucker!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">So I only visited them on
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4a76d71f-ce60-4e6a-906b-d1333016799e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a180849b-a5e1-451f-9975-5edc25e56b2b" grcontextid="holidays:0">holidays</span>, Seth my little brother (or not so little, he's over 6ft 6”), stayed
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f05c3fbc-bb4c-4fe2-b96f-1d4bef516248" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="74fd1f2e-5f08-46c6-9fa1-50b070dde321" grcontextid="in:0">in</span> Forks, but he just loves the bloodsuckers! Seth is now 18 years old, in
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9143aa73-e35b-4ebc-a9d9-32397aa9813f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bc481f79-173c-49c0-ab5e-4f2d346af729" grcontextid="human:0">human</span> years, and he is just so handsome and kind, I'm really proud of the kid,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="431682b7-828c-45a0-885a-10de73c32c93" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8d147083-e2bf-4e3a-b2c8-43916d7ff440" grcontextid="but:0">but</span> wouldn't ever say that out loud! Our kind, the wolves, kind of
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e8461083-cd67-4d72-9ac9-617b0363069a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="140eb413-096a-42db-857d-6df5e63de88a" grcontextid="keep:0">keep</span> ageing, but in stops and starts, it's weird, but that's us! So,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1dca3d5d-a297-4c8c-bb5d-9398ad3db186" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f5b96589-7b33-4ae9-b991-56777de16837" grcontextid="how:0">how</span> did I end up back in Forks? Well, I ended up at the hospital a month ago
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5288c560-24b6-4ca3-97e7-311e07513509" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fa26a210-a669-4ea2-a948-9e29b64cb8d1" grcontextid="working:0">working</span> as a psychologist, Carlisle put in a good word for me – NOT that I'd
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a75447be-0a0d-4d90-8278-ea3f53fc1f30" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="306dcc25-5054-4b5e-be34-9a4c1ed93712" grcontextid="ask:0">ask</span> him to you <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5b5e2048-c405-4ad6-93da-1c847339f66a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="306dcc25-5054-4b5e-be34-9a4c1ed93712" grcontextid="realise:1">realise</span>! Also there has been an addition to the family; yes Sue
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ce056eb0-a37c-451a-a807-019994bc23de" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="216d34e2-6494-4ccf-8e45-6a3d14f90cac" grcontextid="and:0">and</span> Charlie have offspring.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">A boy by the name of Zachary
Swan. He is the most adorable 2 year old you could imagine, I love him like <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7ae4127f-01b0-40c9-8bd1-a1d83afe4742" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="cf1938a2-af83-4d11-9c23-4c8282123ed2" grcontextid="my:0">my</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="528d2709-7500-4eb8-b9a5-1833d5b3f0b6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2a78864b-6d4d-4d03-a8a0-29e5bc101f23" grcontextid="own:0">own</span> child, which is sad because I can't have any children of my own. Zach
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="767163d8-a0ed-4c98-9d6f-41b705f487f4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="922aa9fe-33e4-40e3-9c47-e4597e2004f2" grcontextid="is:0">is</span> a little ray of sunshine in our lives. Everyone on the reservation adores
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f359154d-fe3f-4b3c-a36d-93f6584b5aa5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="672a829d-f566-40db-957d-b61d0051c2d9" grcontextid="him:0">him</span>. No-one has dared to think of what will happen when he reaches puberty
– <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ebf1f5ae-ba19-4762-8019-21ff31c8cf76" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="34b350d7-b4cf-44d7-b89c-cb423aaa5416" grcontextid="will:0">will</span> he develop the ability to shape shift like the rest of us. There is
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="62b12ffa-fcff-4bd1-89ca-00a97b5615a8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8e412e66-9fd9-46fb-87db-486f35d8bc5b" grcontextid="no:0">no</span> obvious vampire threat to Forks now, we all live in harmony, well most of
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="01ffa046-d366-483f-b45e-474ba3970451" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e5a0b92d-0ec6-4b08-a123-9e49cbe1e321" grcontextid="the:0">the</span> time if you don't count me into that equation!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Yep, you guessed it; I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="af9240ce-2bae-4a3c-8c4a-8c651a3a1de1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="15d9d532-b9b1-43d1-bd8c-cc4f1988f8da" grcontextid="haven't:0">haven't</span> mellowed that much when it comes to vampires!! So life was pretty
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="cc7b67bc-17aa-4f72-977f-0272704743e9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0b22eb9d-bcf2-42d4-a5b6-6978ab941771" grcontextid="good:0">good</span>. But...yeah there's always a but right? …... <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6d57a9de-4700-4c22-b050-754c665097a3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5b167331-956f-4064-ba21-2569cb538441" grcontextid="something:0">something</span> happened,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5dad8f91-6eb9-4743-a206-eacf2be8b890" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fb56ba5d-8935-4a29-9d8d-dc6b1c2599ce" grcontextid="something:0">something</span> <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3a9b453a-dbf8-40d0-861f-2d53f4933216" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fb56ba5d-8935-4a29-9d8d-dc6b1c2599ce" grcontextid="I didn't imagine in:1">I didn't imagine in</span> a thousand years could or would, <i>or should </i> <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5c910f59-9bb2-44b5-a4b8-5ffc1b6eaa5c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="05018933-0876-405c-842e-3f4c389a94b2" grcontextid="happen:0">happen</span>. I, Leah Clearwater, cold- hearted, bitter bitch that I am, had
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="766d1234-5fef-4883-9539-a5ce32527cf1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d9b5a7f8-12d7-4e2a-891f-51903e511e9f" grcontextid="fallen:0">fallen</span> head over heels in love with the person you'd least expect me to. I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3eaf7353-931f-42b9-88ca-ac41014509ff" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="77785899-6958-406f-8d93-037f3d92645f" grcontextid="didn't:0">didn't</span> believe in it before, even after witnessing the one great true love
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="cf92d9ce-559f-4865-815a-64cfb98b90ba" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="75bdd45e-accf-4775-96bf-698e6eeb574e" grcontextid="story:0">story</span> that is Bella and Edward. Imprinting would never happen for me, <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b15eb76d-6a4a-4aa3-bb3a-2239abc2f4ba" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="525e587c-38ea-4847-a030-17c4227fd547" grcontextid="some:0">some</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f963fcc2-9eca-4f7c-b4ae-f3cd2f824e1b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="062b10c3-1b30-4cc9-923a-93ebc6b4067a" grcontextid="genetic:0">genetic</span> kink or <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e0535ccc-b18b-4282-bdd9-db87504108ce" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="062b10c3-1b30-4cc9-923a-93ebc6b4067a" grcontextid="some:1">some</span> gender thing? I don't know.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Two words.</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jacob. Black. <i>Uh mm
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3ddce5c3-96e0-40bd-af91-06efeb27005c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4fdf7924-c0c5-43a3-9e7b-7b64f9f968dd" grcontextid="what:0">what</span>?!</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">CHAPTER FOUR</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">My Poor Breaking Hybrid Heart<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Renesmee Cullen:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I wandered slowly down the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0ae2cc88-b589-4883-8dcf-92ff608c00dc" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="825ea125-9f01-4c59-8dfa-5b58710b5787" grcontextid="path:0">path</span> leading to my parent’s cottage. The sun filtered through the trees warming
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="89fc06a1-98ce-45cf-82b1-359a1e165be8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="abfebec4-9de0-4445-92cd-51657cd337bb" grcontextid="my:0">my</span> face. I loved this peaceful walk down to my old home, so many <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="02595e34-e943-40bf-a8f6-66a343bce4c0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="86747172-5eec-41da-96b7-e5b87218f367" grcontextid="childhood:0">childhood</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="78c72c5e-bd82-4cc5-a304-752fc1605d9f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7193e5d7-2289-4105-9ffd-31201a3a91a9" grcontextid="memories:0">memories</span>, not that it had been that long since I was a child. Now, I lived
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5fb9629d-2e4a-4e04-b832-13f95ee37721" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5cde78bc-8f30-45bc-b4ea-8389b2c1356d" grcontextid="in:0">in</span> the big house with Carlisle and Esme, kind of what you would call <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="888ce45d-f56d-4cba-8bf0-540f730f8c3d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5cde78bc-8f30-45bc-b4ea-8389b2c1356d" grcontextid="my:1">my</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7788286b-d3a4-4270-ba54-9eb23416f370" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7b7b759d-cfdd-4c28-bcf6-0c6676c6855f" grcontextid="grandparents:0">grandparents</span>. Alice and Jasper, Emmett and Rosalie also lived there when they
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="61c6ef9b-d1e0-40db-9779-83b53b1c8bab" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9b51fef8-e811-4ede-80f2-98247ce53d96" grcontextid="weren't:0">weren't</span> off on their travels. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I loved them all, my strange
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9c5c2e6e-a469-4d77-90be-bbe0772b1a77" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e716a665-a3c8-4429-adb5-7726e4c3a74d" grcontextid="and:0">and</span> wonderful family. I often stayed with my other granddad Charlie too,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fbf8cba8-1fa5-4bd8-b11f-e9792aced51a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c07eb2b5-f529-4a40-9add-b5effea2c589" grcontextid="and:0">and</span> his wife Sue. They had such an adorable son Zachary. I had only met Renee,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b9b52b59-3511-4703-bfed-282402b45805" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6a2b3652-0a13-4cef-b2a0-12f4ed0d9bd0" grcontextid="my:0">my</span> maternal grandmother twice; our family lifestyle <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ceb5922b-260d-452e-86fd-2a02f76a431c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6a2b3652-0a13-4cef-b2a0-12f4ed0d9bd0" grcontextid="was:1">was</span> just too
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="41076465-f8e9-4d1a-a50f-39dcc311e45d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="04b7e376-05ac-44cc-b3bd-6506c91eb720" grcontextid="complicated:0">complicated</span> for her. I came to the end of the path and there <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e22e1813-c039-40d0-9608-c1b38adc7a03" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8b2c38f7-0e2a-4215-9855-203b2e9b63ae" grcontextid="was:0">was</span> my parents
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1106b32b-1c8d-4df9-88c4-1d6495b3b0e8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ea74a44e-0568-4548-bb32-78c41d601995" grcontextid="beautiful:0">beautiful</span> cottage, my Mom had planted lots of wild roses around the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5129734a-4269-42b5-931c-c935d9dce643" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6973c684-786b-411d-880a-258721f62045" grcontextid="entrance:0">entrance</span> which made a lovely archway around the wooden door.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Underneath those roses, <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="193c867b-e679-4981-b7df-f5f76c7c00b2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e5ef6c7b-5871-4257-8cef-f59b5767ce27" grcontextid="their:0">their</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e59d34e4-a402-448c-8302-ebc364fc45e7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fef1a3c0-e3e8-4b7f-805f-b8d1b3835978" grcontextid="skin:0">skin</span> sparkling like diamonds in the sun stood my parents in a passionate
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="158ede33-05f7-4742-b2be-689d5179a798" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="aafe3805-1965-4b29-8aa9-b80308e05645" grcontextid="embrace:0">embrace</span>. Dad's hands were around Mom's waist, her hands entwined in his bronze
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1858c0d5-d688-4256-aad3-f8ed8255145d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="39f0b8bd-fa61-4af9-aafc-1a05d0cd7d4a" grcontextid="hair:0">hair</span>, kissing each other with such a <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2bb3c539-6c47-4411-819b-7ec68fe35b40" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="39f0b8bd-fa61-4af9-aafc-1a05d0cd7d4a" grcontextid="fervour:1">fervour</span> I had to look away
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="566b4915-307d-4e19-b606-f4f9f49dd350" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1d55575a-d43c-4cd0-bc7e-01b093e2f232" grcontextid="blushing:0">blushing</span>. They looked up and saw me standing there awkwardly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
"Nessie, sorry love we didn't know you were coming to visit,"
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1d034426-665c-4f5c-9b2f-a24c527b6cb7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="91ad9779-5337-48f2-bb57-9873a98fb8ee" grcontextid="my:0">my</span> Mom said, laughing as she pulled away from Dad's embrace. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
I sighed inwardly; did they always have to be so deeply in love they couldn't
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="738c16c5-e7bd-4cb4-abbc-b37af3554d49" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c0b04a82-d853-484c-beb5-4f7f60afa3c3" grcontextid="keep:0">keep</span> their hands <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a5a99c25-0b32-482f-bdb0-4a14a80cba8b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c0b04a82-d853-484c-beb5-4f7f60afa3c3" grcontextid="of:1">of</span> each other? I struggled to keep the tears back, as I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="50b80c18-a200-4f8c-bcda-7f7fc52c6aa8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4f289e0e-c953-4485-8eae-eb8d92835704" grcontextid="put:0">put</span> a fake smile on my face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
"Hey Mom and Dad, I just came over to let you know Esme wanted to see you
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b43e923d-bb32-400d-821d-a844120c4a76" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="03290074-bab3-453c-8955-19e4ca32872a" grcontextid="both:0">both</span>." <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
" No problem love, we'll be right there," Dad smiled at me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
<i>The crooked smile me and Mom loved so
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="db66ab88-7081-4283-9575-eaea8b98f29c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2f70d6ba-d82b-406b-9650-22a49db46d64" grcontextid="much:0">much</span>.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I trudged back up the path,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b2a21554-c529-45d0-885d-3e225d7f872c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c03c1e82-1b5c-4019-b2ba-84597f5bc052" grcontextid="my:0">my</span> mind lost in thoughts of my Jacob. I had loved Jacob Black since I was
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c7fd0b84-9940-4e81-9142-44a6b4805025" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="24ef52b5-3b84-4d20-9c2b-c2811379675a" grcontextid="an:0">an</span> infant; he was my <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9e2cc7dc-fb86-4d53-a2de-0df5ae0ed4a9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="24ef52b5-3b84-4d20-9c2b-c2811379675a" grcontextid="sun:1">sun</span>, my own personal sun. I assumed when I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="33e65be6-d62f-4ecb-94bd-189170cf69d7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c96e0716-c184-4be6-863b-62072a512563" grcontextid="grew:0">grew</span> to maturity, we would fall perfectly in love with each other and be
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="23417a4d-b88f-4de9-bcc3-736cc3539960" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f84a1645-069d-4b43-a987-52aed54205e4" grcontextid="married:0">married</span>. But it hasn't worked out that way, sadly. Don't get me
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="27607598-41cd-4896-8b78-e48b6a0badfc" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b13fe5d9-c3ee-4239-ade2-d3d27793e10d" grcontextid="wrong:0">wrong</span>; Jacob is everything I could ask for in a friend, protector and soul
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="26afc5de-3301-42ea-ae5d-705820436afa" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d77ce399-a2dd-409c-b43c-e2d9d744e960" grcontextid="mate:0">mate</span>; he just doesn't feel the way I feel. My heart wants to jump out of
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a1073e14-c848-44bb-b826-b75c3bfb9b78" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d8085ccf-53ad-4e40-bd97-1337c9ba0e2d" grcontextid="my:0">my</span> chest every time I see his perfect and gorgeous face. My mouth goes dry at
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="50f5f9d0-1173-4f53-8a15-e437925c83ba" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d4438ac6-0351-4d17-bfda-00bdc1bdd7e5" grcontextid="the:0">the</span> sight of him wandering around with a bare chest. I get feelings in places I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7f1eb02a-be08-4261-b9a0-1cd99e969103" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e7806a96-61ab-4599-87ec-7509ed487659" grcontextid="never:0">never</span> knew existed when he smiles at me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I think Jacob was as puzzled
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="da4cf6b1-3146-4117-b2c1-a6ae17ceeea1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="151c20e5-4b1d-453c-bcee-cfbf2f9102d2" grcontextid="as:0">as</span> me why we haven't fallen in love. My eighteenth birthday had only been a
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="cb96a645-3e5b-40ea-99c5-8bc6e096c605" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ba179a13-dca6-4b55-be84-ac6644f71931" grcontextid="week:0">week</span> ago, and I had decided the only present I really wanted was to be with
Jacob properly, to finally be his equal, to someday be his wife. I didn't
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5ca20548-1c8d-4b6f-9438-9190f26ef542" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="035e324e-9147-415d-b9b2-5cc8995a2b55" grcontextid="want:0">want</span> the flash car my Dad had bought for me, or the diamond necklace my Mom had
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e21c0312-d771-441e-94ca-1d9eea0fee04" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b2677ce5-e8f9-4dc6-9f3d-cecc642b04b9" grcontextid="given:0">given</span> me. No, I wanted Jacob and I was determined he would fall in love
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="14731c97-4b2b-40ee-9505-f2dca2c90807" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1e8f5a0d-11c6-4c34-94d1-8b21cbf6bd7a" grcontextid="and:0">and</span> want me <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4a3255e0-92c4-41e3-801d-7921c6402f61" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1e8f5a0d-11c6-4c34-94d1-8b21cbf6bd7a" grcontextid="too:1">too</span>! We had an eighteenth birthday party at the house for <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6306afc2-35a8-41f2-ae85-5c44f768bb43" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="04a8aca4-7c9c-4cef-8dd4-2f7aced623a0" grcontextid="my:0">my</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="aaf839e6-6daf-42fe-93fc-9ea7d3851621" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6b8f1d45-e840-42c4-a3b3-14e5f89b955c" grcontextid="birthday:0">birthday</span>, and I looked stunning in a floor length backless gown of scarlet red.
Provided by Alice of course!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">My hair was flowing down to
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="cb7a4f54-3873-4a69-93b0-dc14e688b73e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4c41fd09-18ee-49c6-835c-6158164f219d" grcontextid="my:0">my</span> waist, shiny and perfectly wavy. All eyes were on me as my Dad took me
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1b19b105-4d13-4279-b1d6-56f6ced85c9c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7d2f6fb7-479c-4971-8bcc-c5e533241d8e" grcontextid="to:0">to</span> the floor for a dance. I loved dancing, I wasn't like my Mom, or how she had
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="69234521-9752-48e8-bb3f-7c8db86c61ba" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c819c58a-aa45-482e-8d94-5f85a85c0d10" grcontextid="been:0">been</span> as a human! I'd watched Jacobs’s eyes watching me and I knew for
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="14620c8f-3e64-4075-a0e7-bcaf5a1d213a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="cb7090d7-41a4-43d4-84ce-fe88f85378d8" grcontextid="certain:0">certain</span> I would put my plan into action. I'd led Jacob outside <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6630ca01-4787-4634-b9c8-75da57645d1e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2a172755-9979-442a-b433-6330380bedd8" grcontextid="to:0">to</span> the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3dec88ed-9f44-4872-8d91-631871bfa249" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4c501120-1609-4123-8e6a-1b0058fa15d9" grcontextid="garden:0">garden</span>; I drew him by his big warm hand to a quiet secluded spot. I'd put
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="47facfa8-1d88-4ef9-a198-534d0a5faf9e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e0d67fbb-6910-4c18-a4ec-3dcc11874c69" grcontextid="my:0">my</span> finger to his mouth to silence him as he began to speak. I'd replaced
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1761f6f6-061c-456f-b8cf-23021bcd08ef" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="571ae566-889c-4a5f-98ba-e34219bddecb" grcontextid="the:0">the</span> finger <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b946bd93-26bb-4f11-844c-f4eb1d73fdf5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="571ae566-889c-4a5f-98ba-e34219bddecb" grcontextid="with:1">with</span> my lips, kissing Jacob passionately, at first he'd responded,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="bbf4e1a0-a451-42c0-80c0-187050484543" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="56e9db77-a9a8-4250-bb3b-49afa9dbaf79" grcontextid="his:0">his</span> warm lips crushing mine, and my heart had leapt with joy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
Then his arms were pushing me away, " No, Nessie, please, this doesn't feel
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e813d1bf-0792-4751-89e6-be131fb24c94" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="05b7c85e-b494-46ad-b1db-e0ed650a9245" grcontextid="right:0">right</span>," he had sighed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">My heart had plummeted
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c5dafde0-a290-4673-9e8c-940693c6c92c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ff312b71-cafe-4d7c-a261-12dd467e4338" grcontextid="through:0">through</span> the floor. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
I had stammered breathlessly, " Why, Jacob, why? I love you, “A tear slid
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="572032db-3c0f-4e2d-bc39-b785466b23c6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="27b91179-cd1c-4298-951f-cf0539417e61" grcontextid="down:0">down</span> my cheek, he brushed it away with his hand. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
"Darling Nessie, you know I love you too, so much, but in any way
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0bd0bff1-087b-4c16-8263-b5b953b07c74" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ffccf0c6-f2c7-4f5b-91c1-807b1e91f5be" grcontextid="you:0">you</span> need apart from this,” he said gently. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
"But, you imprinted on me! I'm yours!" I'd demanded angrily. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
" I can't Nessie I'm sorry, I don't feel drawn to you in that way,"
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a717f29b-b722-4e0f-b490-48d275c93eda" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="361be266-25d8-4f69-b413-e0f99cedd069" grcontextid="he:0">he</span>'d explained. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
" But...but...why? Am I not beautiful?" I'd wept. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
He brushed my face again, " Oh Nessie, you are very special,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5529828b-8d44-4932-a664-3348a4c3c921" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="73dce5fc-a74c-47f7-88ee-0ebf56c36aa9" grcontextid="but:0">but</span>......" he had hesitated, " I am in love with someone
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="44980667-2edb-439c-8fff-fa117acea84c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2a312665-69de-48b1-ab2e-667a7da93a4b" grcontextid="else:0">else</span>." <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
I hadn't hesitated, I punched Jacob square in the jaw. I'd run away
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="48b97263-9871-4bb0-aec2-dbd5f701c7ee" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9ca90018-a0db-4f35-9425-78ecf95fc0a0" grcontextid="crying:0">crying</span>, blindly crashing into something hard and solid like marble.
Emmett. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
"What's wrong Princess?" he asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">" I punched a werewolf
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="74193c00-b26e-44b7-a156-285853760de0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="416a43fa-0a8d-4c64-abd2-b8670c6677d2" grcontextid="in:0">in</span> the face!" I cried. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
Emmett had fallen about laughing, I frowned when I remembered that part!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">What was so funny!?</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">CHAPTER FIVE</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I've got <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7c3b3047-5605-43f3-904a-1b708badf805" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e090d1b5-5a71-4bbe-9dcb-5f9d822d0b42" grcontextid="some explaining to:0">some explaining to</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1c2793f3-55bd-4dfe-b6a2-133ac5736d43" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f9d3fbc2-907d-4cd0-83c8-9d67adb24b44" grcontextid="do:0">do</span>.............<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">JACOB BLACK:<br />
I never, ever, ever meant to hurt Renesmee; in fact it pained me more than I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e6a5dc51-041d-4a51-b0e6-ad3548f75fac" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="61b28b25-6bc0-43ae-b7fe-3b35eb8179d5" grcontextid="could:0">could</span> imagine seeing the agony of my betrayal in her <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2a22fbcd-d837-4b5c-9ea9-8c93d6042ca5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="61b28b25-6bc0-43ae-b7fe-3b35eb8179d5" grcontextid="beautiful:1">beautiful</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="402a64dc-bd97-4eb6-b7aa-d4bc7420f63d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7e58491e-cb7c-40b7-853a-9f70a39f7b1c" grcontextid="face:0">face</span>. That's why I'd run here, to Sam and Emily's. I needed to think, I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8281aa85-0328-471b-8548-b1830d982e5e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="86b03aea-9b60-42f8-8b4e-3f5b5a7b7716" grcontextid="needed:0">needed</span> to plan, and I needed to be away from Renesmee and her Father, who could
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="77dadae2-7046-4cc2-a13a-b37d04e707b8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="588c0292-d4ea-49e4-bd2d-a23e323d14f9" grcontextid="hear:0">hear</span> what I was thinking. I kept expecting him to turn up here and chew my ear
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="172d1877-ecc4-44b9-92e1-52215e4a8f0e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f739aa14-3dd0-4a6b-878b-80f338c0bd8f" grcontextid="off:0">off</span> about what had happened at Renesmee's birthday party a week ago. I was
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b7fa38b5-1aa5-488e-a3ff-17cb8c2b00de" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9b006d15-0f73-4bad-90f5-cbb6b4b587be" grcontextid="dreading:0">dreading</span> it to be honest; Edward and <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9da1613c-0a60-4e7a-8d9e-c42925c837aa" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9b006d15-0f73-4bad-90f5-cbb6b4b587be" grcontextid="me:1">me</span> actually liked and respected each other
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b9c9900f-5960-4a9a-9d05-34cf4bdfecef" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1c93acdc-b48f-420e-881c-79d9a6496aa2" grcontextid="now:0">now</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
But I should've known I couldn't hide here for long.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I was lounging in the garden,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a42c8e13-6194-4316-9f10-698aa881fe5c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5b47f6c5-ac95-4d84-ad53-4c6be08686df" grcontextid="smiling:0">smiling</span> over a text Leah had sent me - oh yeah, don't worry I'm getting round
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7ebc1f6c-de7a-4244-9242-34d60ac479ec" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e5eaadb6-0c69-4a45-980a-1e0db38dc99e" grcontextid="to:0">to</span> <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a53dbaa3-47f8-44a4-ad94-5083bab72339" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e5eaadb6-0c69-4a45-980a-1e0db38dc99e" grcontextid="telling:1">telling</span> you THAT story!! - When I looked up to see Bella striding towards
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="807f43ae-abe3-4c52-8619-c3b58c3786e6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="226bed39-9c18-4673-b467-b6c06b5fee57" grcontextid="me:0">me</span>. The look on her face told me all - Renesmee had informed her of recent
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="300ecdca-109d-4cd6-a469-a01cb9e0b768" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="03cdf3df-f844-4d17-bdb5-c963b7a491fe" grcontextid="events:0">events</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
"Jacob Black! I want to talk to you!" she narrowed her golden
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f1069219-5669-4e2c-88dc-53d5f8177af1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c65a478c-7b14-4bb9-bf46-f2ea5b5e4216" grcontextid="eyes:0">eyes</span> at me, hands on her hips. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
She was beautiful, much more so because she was angry! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
"Hey Bells, what's up?" I gave her my best smile. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
That so didn't work; she was looking at me like she could kill me! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
"Don't hey Bells me, dog!" she snarled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
Oops! I really am in deep trouble.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
"Renesmee has only just told me what happened at her party, and I'm
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="16174ca4-db96-4140-8bfc-789686303d1f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7c21c489-f5f1-41c6-9164-725c0f56556e" grcontextid="very:0">very</span> upset and angry that you've hurt my daughter Jacob, she means everything
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="370cfc36-1341-4d7e-864e-120c99117f62" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5d1c2d35-01cf-4d3d-bf07-307f8dbaf5c4" grcontextid="to:0">to</span> me and she won't stop crying over you, she's only half human but she can
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="edf06ac4-aad1-4179-b434-f2fc21a8f84d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0f58168b-b9ff-49fc-b695-16f21c990346" grcontextid="still:0">still</span> <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="80735a36-49e7-425b-bbfa-9382dde613a0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0f58168b-b9ff-49fc-b695-16f21c990346" grcontextid="sob:1">sob</span> and have her heart broken you know!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0a22bd73-05f6-452a-ab00-f70391880631" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="781b2b68-2ff0-4dc5-b08a-076e46ba8e16" grcontextid="Aww:0">Aww</span> no Bells,
I would never hurt Renesmee intentionally you know, I wouldn't lie to her
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="302c5b6a-c402-47ba-8e7c-baeac45f4baf" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6cc03b1d-7281-467d-95bf-5b954e6154e7" grcontextid="either:0">either</span>, I had to tell her the truth!" I exclaimed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
Bella sighed dramatically, "She's in love Jacob, in love with you, and
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5cc4ddb5-95a7-4f4e-be58-07869b07cb04" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9eea6c10-89ed-43b3-9983-26450e88af23" grcontextid="excuse:0">excuse</span> me if I've got this all wrong, BUT I thought you two would be together
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b22d4963-fd42-4cbd-9303-0062eb0a0ade" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a86102a4-8f27-4fe1-bf72-a27a3c86c458" grcontextid="when:0">when</span> she grew up. I assumed that's what this imprinting was all about?
" <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
Her golden eyes still bore into me as she added, " I wasn't happy about
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0ef114e7-9d05-4405-83c2-a2be1b4dd64d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3d2a1afc-8ab6-4d2b-9926-b73856174ac0" grcontextid="you:0">you</span> imprinting on her at first, but both Edward and I had come around to the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="df61f061-9819-43d5-a9b8-1485a79bd6e6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4ce94a3f-3e6d-494d-a498-5ace59aa1aba" grcontextid="idea:0">idea</span>, I mean no one cares for her and protects her like you do
Jake." <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
I ran my hands through my shaggy hair with a deep sigh.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
" Bells, you don't understand I'm as confused as you are, I took it
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b56534c7-bbf9-4e3c-873f-1ed1efe76188" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c8b644e0-d50f-461d-9cca-4d8900209123" grcontextid="for:0">for</span> granted that imprinting meant when you met that person you became
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a48fbc00-bb9d-4379-b1b3-6b5b9f8b6e7e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="927af58d-0f5d-41f9-8c4e-fc615f9a42e7" grcontextid="everything:0">everything</span> to each other, but I guess it comes in different form." <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I quickly continued as she
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="796be85b-151d-4de3-ba46-f2e26cf17813" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="19540053-7ace-4511-b651-33be5ce24252" grcontextid="opened:0">opened</span> her mouth to speak, " I was hoping Renesmee would feel the same
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a1ca99ac-50e8-4ef9-ab02-7bccb29cec4a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e14e7131-a20b-4c45-8bb7-d4e0d6e01bf2" grcontextid="about:0">about</span> me as I do about her, I'm her best friend, I'll do anything for her, I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5ebb5ade-b7de-4f38-9c73-9016d2c92b02" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7fad0d2d-33ca-4f59-867d-62b7cc40642a" grcontextid="love:0">love</span> her, but I can't force myself to be IN love with her, “I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="653685b7-7722-4107-bb84-b759bea0af68" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0c6df428-c042-47c3-aca0-c5b6196f6637" grcontextid="smiled:0">smiled</span>, " <i>You</i> of all people should know that one
Bells!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">She didn't smile back, and I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="17b4be74-19dc-4035-b185-40fbadb3fb30" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="51e175f9-f9a3-49a5-83a1-dfea51c3b79a" grcontextid="prepared:0">prepared</span> myself for her wrath. Bella had never been easy on me, as a human or
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="dab30169-de77-4c4d-90d0-45b9f63b0ded" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bc8b600a-3727-4dc3-a29e-65936c9a2073" grcontextid="as:0">as</span> a vampire!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
"Jake, she loves you in every way possible, she wants to be with you, and
I hurt because she hurts, but I do understand what you are saying. What I don't
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e92ef675-dd92-4c3e-8742-f0775734308a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d1a16d49-3ed4-4af8-a2b6-4ead726e8583" grcontextid="understand:0">understand</span> is who exactly ARE you in love with?" <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
Her golden eyes narrowed as she waited for my reply. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
" Ah Bells, I really don't want to answer that question,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8339c0dd-a341-4690-bc63-d166f6c24e02" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f51ec8fb-edaf-41ab-bb45-63a0d82a3b13" grcontextid="sorry:0">sorry</span>." <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
Bella hissed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
And then she growled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
" Jake, are you totally stupid?" she demanded. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
I gazed at her with a blank expression.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
"Have you forgotten my dear husband can read your mind, and as much
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7ec2b4fd-297e-4b02-83c0-39dde62ffbc6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5fc7826d-58a1-4b3f-b92e-2d20ecaaf269" grcontextid="as:0">as</span> you've tried to hide this, he did warn me about it! I didn't say anything to
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0fa999dd-eb3f-405f-88ad-87fb9cd2003e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="79dd5ca3-3fbd-49ee-ab9c-2f93235831b7" grcontextid="you:0">you</span> because I hoped it would blow over and this situation would've been
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c8a99b1c-8f49-445f-826f-d75be3a11a5c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="873f3e51-c952-4468-ac43-ff3ae8ff649d" grcontextid="avoided:0">avoided</span>," she stated.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
"Of course it would be easier if Alice could see your future, but she
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="abde2666-5417-4f3e-8b0d-36ce1d78e8f3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="accebe9d-0f8b-4bdd-b47b-b5232bc4d551" grcontextid="can't:0">can't</span>," she added. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
"I didn't mean this to happen you know Bells, it just did. Aren't you
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a280cddd-0a44-4e6b-8869-fb8579a3231f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="88c65896-d93a-47b6-985c-63df3776d60f" grcontextid="happy:0">happy</span> for me at all?" I asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
She rolled her eyes at me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Jacob, all I've ever
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8cf0c725-9f5c-4af2-be59-63650a2926a1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="acfe1807-e328-45fc-af28-4a62421139f9" grcontextid="wanted:0">wanted</span> is for you to be happy, you moron! I just can't stand seeing Nessie so
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3a369359-0d73-4368-8edb-c592be188aa0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d1369d8f-0688-4178-83db-2fea2bb38df6" grcontextid="sad:0">sad</span>, it tears me apart. Of course I want you to be happy," she said as she
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="825cc71c-b81e-495b-8134-36d9a237ddfb" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8fdac7fa-1b80-4325-9048-0723db41b2e7" grcontextid="smiled:0">smiled</span> at me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
Phew!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">" Well I'd better
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="51d042ea-a2ca-46a5-ba07-1434bc253950" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ee50bd3d-a9f7-402b-b502-5aca17a3b791" grcontextid="explain:0">explain</span> what happened then hadn't I?"</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">CHAPTER SIX</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Like a thunderbolt out of the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="973d13c8-9b90-4724-96a1-c0597ae4e4b1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="017f84ea-0ec7-45e5-86b5-f34764eedbb9" grcontextid="blue:0">blue</span>........<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">JACOB BLACK:<br />
Five years ago after the Volturi came to town, things pretty much settled down
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3d39a1c5-9c84-4f6d-b70a-7bd4bd888657" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c1eb002d-5b49-411b-b60a-46530b059112" grcontextid="here:0">here</span> in Forks, I found it very boring! I went back to live at Billy's for
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3deb4cba-06b5-47d1-afb3-04d4ceb2582a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5e9355fc-0777-49dd-86db-d81e199a8cef" grcontextid="a:0">a</span> while, but ended up living with the Cullen’s most of the time. I couldn't
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="15dfd6c6-0acc-4afa-9892-777ddb699b3c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3f3115a6-b455-4a7b-bb72-d67520a8ce00" grcontextid="leave:0">leave</span> Renesmee, I would protect her until the end of my days. Seth and the rest
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b9fd5d4d-2ea6-4e62-a0b5-f37e1b030cf7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ed3948a2-4ecf-4132-9c08-3dcedeace41e" grcontextid="of:0">of</span> the guys were still in La Push, the pack was stronger than ever after the
Volturi incident. Plus they were much more tolerant of the Cullen’s!! So I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8e6a293f-f046-4af4-983f-85560166edc2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6407b283-8c59-49c9-90ba-bb5c869ef0c5" grcontextid="was:0">was</span> free to go where I wanted without getting flak from the rest of the pack.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
Leah had come to speak to me; she still had this thing about me being Alpha, <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7e4aab8b-3b6f-4221-824f-8700cfc584d3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e1d95cfb-f2ed-4b87-8cc5-ccb04f6d30b1" grcontextid="to:0">to</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e0c375fe-537c-48ee-bdeb-02b09dc6f558" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6bf9d9b0-2d29-415c-8c1c-fd85e50d4bc3" grcontextid="ask:0">ask</span> about her going to college in Seattle.<br />
Well me and <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e2b53266-7d3a-4c02-b94b-d33f6445d85c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="88812e55-270e-4f78-8cbf-dc30a3161b9e" grcontextid="her:0">her</span> had never been the best of friends, but we'd <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0116aa3b-4acc-4692-862f-fe7bac99c8c4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="88812e55-270e-4f78-8cbf-dc30a3161b9e" grcontextid="kinda:1">kinda</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e411d63c-559f-47bc-9821-a379b6bfba5b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="65a3efaf-8d78-4907-a0c3-2e306009f788" grcontextid="reached:0">reached</span> an understanding. I knew she wanted to get away from Forks, from
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="953b7d41-1c5e-4cde-a4be-f73407e30dad" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a9644cc2-b75d-4f91-bb9d-8d0e8bc6a666" grcontextid="painful:0">painful</span> memories of her past with Sam. <br />
So I told her it was a great idea, forget about the pack for a while and just
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4607bc4b-258c-4d4d-8f4d-fe88f604220e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d5ea4c93-fe21-4708-b1d2-24c231f5380a" grcontextid="try:0">try</span> to have a normal teenager's life. Heck, she deserved that! Plus I wasn't in
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="014b0fca-ad9b-4582-9198-c479844771a2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b001d5c4-79e0-4018-8cb4-8327589f49b4" grcontextid="to:0">to</span> <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="95de2963-c639-4da0-91b3-ba3de1f18397" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b001d5c4-79e0-4018-8cb4-8327589f49b4" grcontextid="being:1">being</span> a controlling Alpha, sure sometimes we did need someone to take
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1be17611-f079-4292-8a2f-1474c2723ffc" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b5b7823a-a7f4-4d75-86dd-4d4dc7241d86" grcontextid="charge:0">charge</span>, when running patrols and other wolf stuff but I wasn't going to dictate
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="72bf7154-b28d-459f-b5bc-ba484f20fc1a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9fbf6031-789a-4b4c-98f8-09511fcde765" grcontextid="to:0">to</span> anyone!! Sam and I had decided to make all decisions regarding the pack
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1201b5e7-0e96-45b6-9d01-5b00529a654d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ae65888d-6609-4617-a421-4afe4d390d01" grcontextid="together:0">together</span>, and not use the Alpha influences at all!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Before Leah went to college
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="34b5725a-0e77-48e5-8725-86eeb906351b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="34490c31-9e3a-45d5-8602-08cb56ce028a" grcontextid="she:0">she</span> gave me her number, so I could keep her up to speed on any pack gossip! We
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="54c1889e-6f0b-4025-a3ab-d6d67f1c423a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="cab90692-0259-430e-95ff-97a2156bacbc" grcontextid="started:0">started</span> speaking on the phone a lot, and sending each other little messages. I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="08f2b40d-8f62-4770-b231-1768eaf1d075" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ff7a5497-f8f4-47f2-8582-5efa2d1fd3f4" grcontextid="found:0">found</span> her easy to talk to, and she definitely mellowed after she left
Forks. She came home some weekends, and we started hanging out together.
Sometimes in human form and sometimes as wolves. Mostly as us though, it's
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0cf702dd-dc96-430f-a4de-39eebaea61ef" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2c440cb1-4482-4389-bd04-b1b6f69d39bd" grcontextid="easier:0">easier</span>, no one can hear your thoughts!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
I started to look at Leah as a friend, a really good friend.<br />
Then one day she'd nervously asked me if I'd be her date for the end of <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="805729f8-8902-4d6a-a85a-f6cbef113635" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3d79d01a-7318-47a3-82c2-1978667ce8a1" grcontextid="year:0">year</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f1e0425b-e684-444a-b8d4-ddbed2cf900d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d9bd2f1d-1c9f-4fc1-8e83-cd2a0284f090" grcontextid="ball:0">ball</span> at her college in Seattle. I'd agreed, sounded like fun, and we'd get to
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5ad783d0-592a-479f-8c43-5bb54bd07827" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d8a55ca6-6452-4738-8051-153313484677" grcontextid="hang:0">hang</span> out in the city! I hadn't kept this a secret, everyone thought I was
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="59a2c51c-b53a-4959-ae4a-f04c7a77b3b5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3b18ad64-365c-4501-a237-8537811d11b9" grcontextid="just:0">just</span> being me, kind and heroic you know!! Saving the damsel in distress from
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="56a885fd-cd9d-42dc-a94e-e159d57094ae" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ce7d593b-22e9-48ce-9454-2146a3594f19" grcontextid="her:0">her</span> own end of year ball!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">When I saw Leah that night
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5edf8eb3-63e3-4d3d-b2a5-9f270070bd9b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c99c35dc-b2a9-405a-b728-ec87d3034412" grcontextid="she:0">she</span> couldn't have looked more beautiful and she smiled when she saw me dressed
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="cd0d9470-b251-43d4-b370-ab7fc27a80a6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="59576f4b-2607-48af-9969-16ac708d89a7" grcontextid="up:0">up</span> all smart with my long shaggy hair tied back in a ponytail. Her emerald
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="adb9539a-a8e1-4cc2-8f0a-14be3fa37221" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="aecaf898-4aeb-47f9-9e4b-a8d13bd9d8af" grcontextid="green:0">green</span> dress perfectly complimented her brown skin, her long straight hair was
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="69676d47-a8d0-4fbe-ac2e-f77208d7e31e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="cd02d76b-d5ec-44bd-9abd-7fa481e6938e" grcontextid="piled:0">piled</span> up on top of her head, some cute wisps escaping to frame her face. Her
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="18ab6789-5b98-4ce5-9b9e-8523f9ddb9d9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="012b2f8f-bd9c-4094-b561-44b02404a2e0" grcontextid="brown:0">brown</span> eyes were lit up and shone as I led her onto the dance floor. We fit
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1ab911fc-9c3f-4d8e-a9a6-209ab3a29ae3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="274d0abc-1ce7-44eb-b7df-35e48c995b3f" grcontextid="together:0">together</span> perfectly as I twirled her around the dance floor, laughing our heads
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="098fe004-fd91-45a6-9a0a-21c1abef2d20" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="31d26302-cf92-4df3-96c4-5086258486a6" grcontextid="off:0">off</span>, having such a good time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
Then a slow song came on and I smiled nervously at her, but she rested her head
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a213816c-1a76-4c36-9f60-4e6564af2ebb" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e6c0a527-33e9-46f7-935c-e2c2df02e239" grcontextid="on:0">on</span> my chest and started swaying gently to the music. I held her gently for
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="32835e1f-7974-4d30-bebd-e360ee8d790e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="00300d0c-2eaf-4a6b-b31a-18a3582bc034" grcontextid="the:0">the</span> rest of the dance, my heart beating wildly in my chest. I put this down to
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1dc08c37-d1eb-4e67-af32-4db483665cc7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c7b86a92-a85c-40a1-8cd3-48b9a61d1475" grcontextid="nerves:0">nerves</span>, I wasn't used to dancing! Then the music ended and Leah looked up
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e019bf37-a063-4481-854b-04768efc5835" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="20ec1431-6b57-4624-9e32-3d353cdff019" grcontextid="at:0">at</span> me, her brown eyes shining with tears, she looked so vulnerable and sweet,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5edb29f8-7153-4e91-861f-f0a7b688d66d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="429d71d3-697f-4fd6-a7ae-6f5a5d5e41ba" grcontextid="she:0">she</span> smiled attentively at me and suddenly a thunderbolt shot through my heart
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="40d14dae-857e-4255-a9fa-492ea655eccd" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="155a5391-b08b-403f-ad7a-d8091b32eea8" grcontextid="and:0">and</span> I <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3a920010-b326-49dd-9172-517ce7cfcd8a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="155a5391-b08b-403f-ad7a-d8091b32eea8" grcontextid="realised:1">realised</span> what I should've <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3a40b553-0448-4bdf-bda7-2547c1991cc2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="155a5391-b08b-403f-ad7a-d8091b32eea8" grcontextid="realised:2">realised</span> a long time ago.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
I was in <i>love</i> with Leah Clearwater.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">She caught the look on <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5e5e40f1-af09-4e43-ae84-17eb9cfeba8a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e8a70e4a-cc4b-4184-a1fb-0caac6f36299" grcontextid="my:0">my</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="17587a3e-a2a6-4107-ab2a-3820ac87f2a2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fa147231-7513-464c-9c1a-af52781c7417" grcontextid="face:0">face</span> and gently pulled me off the dance floor, out of the door and into the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="cc86c608-acb7-4b0b-8dc9-ab28654028fa" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="05217637-a5bd-4922-8e4e-d56aaf97c91a" grcontextid="college:0">college</span> gardens. We sat down at the water fountain, the stars twinkling in the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7ec714af-f8d5-4fee-aa34-ae9e64655e07" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e36cd909-6172-46d7-a2f3-03852704971f" grcontextid="moonlit:0">moonlit</span> sky above us. She pulled the pins from her long hair, letting it tumble
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d2cfef8f-6e25-4b65-830d-d987217b6991" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a67e2fb9-ba47-47d5-a7a4-6de492084745" grcontextid="down:0">down</span> past her shoulders. I held my breath, waiting for her to
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="922b4264-c37c-456e-8d8f-0ba2d6b51899" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="559d8c4b-8b65-4832-94e1-326a8af079fc" grcontextid="speak:0">speak</span>. She looked up at me shyly from under her long eyelashes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
"Jacob, I'm usually so straight-talking with you, but tonight I <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6f50bdd8-eff5-4c2a-9c60-be43acded501" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="00660dc7-7cbf-43ec-bb75-5e81fcdd2f0b" grcontextid="find:0">find</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="14b0d2f3-2c81-483b-9dbd-21eb9fdff7e7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e1fb1967-d481-44c6-bc21-cc49523673e2" grcontextid="myself:0">myself</span> tongue-tied and nervous," she whispered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
I gazed down at her and brushed her hair away so I could look into her eyes,
" Leah, you can tell me anything, you know that," I said tenderly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
She gave a little sigh " Well, I'm so happy you came with me tonight, I'm
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d9935725-4e28-40b3-9fd2-51f75c9466ba" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="aa3baac8-7647-4cd2-94d5-dd885b3de63f" grcontextid="so:0">so</span> happy we're friends now, but I was hoping we could do this again, but
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="782db59f-741e-4b62-8a27-34377c7b73ff" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="38cf1539-b151-465c-8304-38570326deaa" grcontextid="Ehmm:0">Ehmm</span> maybe like a proper date?" she blushed, hiding her face behind
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6240cb4e-9502-43a0-af7e-28722b181670" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4d87230c-6083-4c9d-b6fc-3cb3b251ca27" grcontextid="the:0">the</span> curtain of her long hair.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
I put one finger under her chin and turned her to face me, "There's
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="bc7a3678-ffed-4d25-bf27-2f656c5e1516" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="16e53b7f-60f6-47d5-971f-bb5e471932ff" grcontextid="nothing:0">nothing</span> I would like better Leah that would make me very happy," I stated
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="10715281-6741-4cda-a0ae-519b9fa6524d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="61ac2e5e-6d5e-47cf-b8bc-84985240c0c7" grcontextid="with:0">with</span> a wide smile.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
Her eyes lit up again and suddenly the shyness was gone and a determined look
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="bd792158-609c-400e-ae3f-d21654783d74" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4c3e4324-cae6-45eb-b4c7-8bac7813a707" grcontextid="crossed:0">crossed</span> her face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
"<i>Kiss me Jake</i>,” she whispered sexily.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
"Exactly what I was just thinking,” I whispered back. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
Sexily too I hope!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
Our lips met, gently at first, but growing more insistent as the seconds passed
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="562e692b-a0e0-4081-95cc-4e820fc8a834" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="32736322-85bf-4d21-93ca-3c2708a5ba03" grcontextid="by:0">by</span>. My hands gripped her tightly around the waist, her hands reached up to
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5169b149-be7b-41ee-99ad-0836e7b54c84" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f64cfa60-929f-45ec-83bd-c65760af72e2" grcontextid="grasp:0">grasp</span> my face and reach around to pull my hair free. Her hands entwined <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="31759d8e-56b8-4489-b3d5-214775767b7f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1056eb72-82e5-4a52-b079-073391485cd6" grcontextid="in:0">in</span> <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f9fb24e1-187f-4f2c-a065-e66de858e5e5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1056eb72-82e5-4a52-b079-073391485cd6" grcontextid="my:1">my</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ccc0aa4d-b652-4d89-9341-9c7fc2cd6461" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c2a7dd18-a978-41db-80cf-db989a46f3eb" grcontextid="long:0">long</span> hair as mine did in hers, pulling ourselves closer and closer. Her <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6bc1aeef-b396-4538-baee-31eead8c497b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="32efadd1-6cd1-42d7-816d-d7893b177a64" grcontextid="warm:0">warm</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6d3ae1ff-9864-4f5f-8625-61fbeca08b21" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3d923438-b6b2-4bb9-a87e-75e61a829fde" grcontextid="lips:0">lips</span> were devouring mine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
Leah broke away first, gasping for air. She smiled at me and I beamed back.
This felt so right! She gently pulled me up and giggling we ran into the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="480854a4-c4bd-4b6a-a436-828ad044507f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6cd1b669-560d-4e71-90ce-2a29caa10596" grcontextid="trees:0">trees</span>, where there <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4f25b5ba-4832-41d3-aa36-66f22c57c4f6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6cd1b669-560d-4e71-90ce-2a29caa10596" grcontextid="was:1">was</span> a gardeners shed. She dragged me into the shed, kissing
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="57adaff6-cc09-4305-8290-34f7a3033091" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9b018933-f0a6-4dc4-9472-9066aff0f743" grcontextid="me:0">me</span> again, I moaned softly as her tongue touched mine. She started to unzip
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="01cc9bee-c176-4070-9aed-f2c188fcb982" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a9a53f48-46ac-48c5-a81d-0474c7003dc5" grcontextid="her:0">her</span> dress. <i>Whoa! </i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">"<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7d810a49-7530-467b-9dd2-5e2a9e1c3e6a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="41ab8d90-2a4a-4850-867e-8673503ee3af" grcontextid="Ehmm:0">Ehmm</span> Leah, aren't we
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="329b8e17-2607-40fb-9cc5-f63680be6404" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="574160cb-6fa1-451e-addd-0b94294bfd96" grcontextid="moving:0">moving</span> a bit fast here!!" I said breathlessly in between kisses.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
She tasted <i>delicious.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
Leah laughed, " Jacob <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0f7a60d0-083c-4dfa-be16-3e8cfb77a5a3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c9f6551c-7c8a-421f-ac96-ce9b406e8fee" grcontextid="c'mon:0">c'mon</span> get with the program will you - we can't
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ef6ca841-a027-4874-a1e3-4fcdfb72f2a4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="542bccde-7bc1-435f-bfb0-8a8400fd1a71" grcontextid="just:0">just</span> leave our clothes lying anywhere!!" <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
I looked at her with confusion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
" I want us to phase Jake - together - and go for a run, feel free for a
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5e58ccdc-6290-4901-a9c3-a81ce552312c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="66992bd4-3cc8-4ac0-b69d-8ba56a52d234" grcontextid="few:0">few</span> hours, we'll come back when no-one is around, it'll be fine," she
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="499a964f-942c-4830-92e9-3583a331f17e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="37b43602-4f5d-4a91-940e-80febb8d9229" grcontextid="smiled:0">smiled</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
I was speechless. Wow this girl WAS something.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
" Well <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9ee06b60-be1c-45ff-807d-224cae704f76" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1c87d861-8695-4e81-9d57-9f86e8d71847" grcontextid="okaaaay:0">okaaaay</span> wolf-girl, let’s do it, just hope no-one
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ffcd82f9-09af-4aaf-87c1-91a4313366e8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="985648e6-5233-43e2-b7f1-594d59310b88" grcontextid="sees:0">sees</span> us!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
"C'mon wolf-boy, where's your sense of adventure? Everyone is either blind
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2be4568c-253f-46db-af95-2e66f4b8e72f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="963876b2-59dc-4619-b49d-3d6fac0efac7" grcontextid="drunk:0">drunk</span> or already safely tucked up in bed, the mountains are just a mile from
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="50d45197-64f6-4834-a073-7785ad1df4a2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="07610f9e-dcff-4e12-b972-1f7507e54a97" grcontextid="here:0">here</span>, through the woods," she said, tantalizing me with her smile.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
We giggled at each other nervously, before I pulled her into my arms again, <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fec1c071-2eaf-4a1f-a889-1ac3efe553d7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0d151039-3588-47ac-b32d-9bfe779c8eca" grcontextid="my:0">my</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2195198b-704b-4186-8938-9a7636139e71" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4b6fd412-641d-4e8d-b2d3-24c2984117c9" grcontextid="lips:0">lips</span> finding <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1b912c0b-7d51-4e55-9c05-c91ebc6b566f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4b6fd412-641d-4e8d-b2d3-24c2984117c9" grcontextid="hers:1">hers</span> in the darkness of the shed. Suddenly there
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1a4a28d4-07f2-40c0-ac7a-547ac8247877" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c8af3b7c-63c4-4233-a8b4-fb66baa8c70a" grcontextid="was:0">was</span> no material between us as Leah flew out of the shed at great speed, phasing
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6853efe0-de0f-404a-b0dc-48e7c161418e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ba58d1ed-9463-4036-9a7e-d9e9795ceda3" grcontextid="in:0">in</span> <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a570d621-d32c-4bc3-b57f-e7b04079328d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ba58d1ed-9463-4036-9a7e-d9e9795ceda3" grcontextid="mid-air:1">mid-air</span> in the blink of an eye. The small <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="bc8f498e-3b14-429b-b556-47e92fe0ba38" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e4b076fe-e3c1-4109-95f7-7fa1033404dc" grcontextid="grey:0">grey</span> wolf turned to face
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b677442e-f7dc-45a2-8144-c2250fab3cb5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1b577e32-86f5-46f9-b653-61eca34d59d2" grcontextid="me:0">me</span>, a wolfish smile on her face. I didn't need to be asked twice - I <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1c835878-5e60-404b-8e66-f8c516d4503a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b54ce4dd-4ef8-4d49-a538-c72eed596c5e" grcontextid="phased:0">phased</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b9791a68-c7ff-4fc1-8270-11fd77b52619" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8c06d562-c822-405d-915f-7a88b640e0b5" grcontextid="into:0">into</span> the large russet wolf and we disappeared into the night. I could
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d00af297-9d64-41e2-b0b8-d1722f0cbcf2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ec4ea199-989a-4a29-8826-9175c80bfc22" grcontextid="instantly:0">instantly</span> read her thoughts, they were such pure happiness and joy, mirroring
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="af0eac80-1c23-47bc-b66f-5b5eb2c2ca06" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="59b6e30e-5087-4597-a360-b5f17aff7619" grcontextid="my:0">my</span> own. We both knew then. I knew what she felt for me and she knew what I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="540058c7-a761-4a0e-aae2-0ed670b27b7a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="cebf0dea-ab87-4d80-b41a-c60712e9a8e0" grcontextid="felt:0">felt</span> for her. We were in love. We smiled our wolfish smiles at each other.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Thunderbolts galore!!</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">CHAPTER SEVEN</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Every day hurts……<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="23b3c46b-ad1e-46ec-9b99-786a76760f5d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5bac2d1b-e3b9-4e49-8cfb-459a01bb2f44" grcontextid="…:0">…</span>just a
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b959aa05-c9b2-4e21-afeb-92aa7d6cd156" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b75db470-c915-4712-9547-1890462d01a2" grcontextid="little:0">little</span> bit more<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">RENESMEE CULLEN:<br />
I wanted Jacob to come home, Mom said to be patient, he would come and explain
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="40006051-90d7-4b6b-9d58-1069802a0642" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="699418a8-b1d4-4343-9351-0e50f7df80c7" grcontextid="everything:0">everything</span> to me soon. She said he loves me; he'll always be there for me but
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="20357f51-6514-4ef4-a1c3-e3853a430a6b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f7b0769b-f9fb-4aa2-8cca-936180b4d214" grcontextid="not:0">not</span> in the way I want. <br />
It hurts more than I'd believed possible, but I didn't care about that anymore
I just wanted to see him. There was a hole in my heart where my sun should be.
I needed Jake to exist.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
I was sitting at Dad's piano absent-mindedly playing a song I'd written for
Jacob a few years ago. My Mom <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="30cffdda-6234-4e7f-9b7b-0cc46c0206fa" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3fab2d76-e27f-4d12-a55c-34b3531011f5" grcontextid="put:0">put</span> her ice cold hands on my
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8feac69f-6199-487c-ad82-39419f6a80b7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bb72b022-15a9-4bfd-a2a8-69836291a400" grcontextid="shoulder:0">shoulder</span> and brushed her lips across my cheek, " How are you <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3274e106-69d1-4e90-b3ec-9659aed31420" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bb72b022-15a9-4bfd-a2a8-69836291a400" grcontextid="my:1">my</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3bf8c47e-135b-4af0-9a2a-67622ce3e6f0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a565d253-22bd-47e3-b5d7-aff233a7da50" grcontextid="love:0">love</span>?" she asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
"Okay Mom, I just miss Jake, when will he be back?" I frowned<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
" A few days, darling, just a few days," my Mom said giving me a hug.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
I loved her smell, it was intoxicating. Vanilla, floral and cinnamon. I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c1348690-7e54-4c71-98fe-dcf4f580bf86" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e6ea82b0-873c-4626-939f-eccb19e07ebe" grcontextid="breathed:0">breathed</span> in the scent of her hair. Mom pulled away looking into
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7e0a0797-e276-49ad-8ebd-fd6700f1a065" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="db254094-86b3-4b3b-807f-6506df57c1f4" grcontextid="my:0">my</span> eyes as she brushed my hair away from my face.<br />
<br />
"Please Nessie, cheer up for me; we'll do anything you like today! How
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="dac0c6e1-3969-42c6-bab1-95cebd78a716" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="355e3a10-4aa7-43c8-bb19-d53abf8abc71" grcontextid="about:0">about</span> going out in the yellow Ferrari? Alice won't mind, “she smiled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
" I'd rather stay here, Mom. Just in case Jake phones, I feel so bad for
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="86b690db-701c-4b5b-94a8-fe21f2ca1b51" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="487a94c6-f65b-4283-b22d-abaf03785f5d" grcontextid="punching:0">punching</span> him!" I wailed miserably.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
Mom laughed, " Well I'm sure he's okay about that."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
I smiled, trying to be happy and not make my Mom sad too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
"I have some news <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="52636b00-7711-4f7b-a1f3-f522217f6bde" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7a549d06-80df-4954-bf36-37fa9e2c20ef" grcontextid="anyways:0">anyways</span>, Alice had a vision, Nahuel is coming to visit,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fc3cea0b-ac73-4ee4-b3b8-6927f8691685" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ace37dbe-bc08-4a71-8611-39bc01b400a0" grcontextid="she:0">she</span> 'seen' him talking to Zafrina about it. He should arrive in a few days, “she
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="18148ad0-0c45-412e-a5ca-6669f2da321e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a2b745d8-1070-40b1-bb42-5d942f17025e" grcontextid="stated:0">stated</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
"Oh, okay Mom, that'll be nice, is Zafrina coming too?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
"No, love just the boy, he wants to learn more about vampires and our
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3f615e7f-9f79-4643-927f-f84995ccbf90" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c3fd4247-bf2f-49f9-8c8e-7ac7796546f6" grcontextid="history:0">history</span> from Carlisle,” my Mom replied.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
I loved Zafrina, she showed me such beautiful pictures five years ago when I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a1d2351f-c2b1-4030-b561-6cba8746b8cd" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b2519c72-c798-46b6-9f24-f8f3a55c1033" grcontextid="was:0">was</span> a child, and they were fascinating!! It felt like you were actually present
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2e9d096c-717a-4b8a-91d3-46be385ae91a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6a2eeeda-8755-465a-8099-93dea7239935" grcontextid="in:0">in</span> her fantasy scenes! Nahuel was the only other hybrid in the world; this
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b7901938-3fe6-4bf5-9729-fb84a2dfb376" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c2072dd4-c9b4-41a0-9ab2-3a043aa50814" grcontextid="should:0">should</span> make me happy that there is another one of us to confide in. But Nahuel
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d9fbdecf-aae0-4dc7-bb58-73149e7bc6b1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8f3c0445-00d2-4407-aacf-40bc2f9ff8f2" grcontextid="made:0">made</span> me uneasy and I don't know why.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
His father, Jonas, wasn't exactly everyone's <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="304c6641-374d-42a8-92a1-ad58ff46d5d2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ac835f53-5ad2-41a1-b67d-6e815056daa4" grcontextid="favourite:0">favourite</span> vampire. He mated with
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0a9df4db-1703-4392-9840-e0acdfc7359c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e9ea015f-8670-4031-979f-22513e02a4ac" grcontextid="human:0">human</span> females in an experiment. The Volturi <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ce272db5-ad02-4429-907f-17dd323a3c24" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a35f850a-12e1-42fc-b650-5de78eb92bc9" grcontextid="were searching:0">were searching</span> for him <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fb4a84fc-800f-45cf-98d0-4ff439e7e461" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a35f850a-12e1-42fc-b650-5de78eb92bc9" grcontextid="to:1">to</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b6a15f44-8845-48d4-ad6d-83e0688818ab" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3e4314c3-090f-41ac-be62-9421559e810d" grcontextid="ask:0">ask</span> him to account for himself. But he had disappeared off the face of the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="eccf485b-0219-4cb7-ba1b-01c0431b4e6c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4cb2b2c5-35de-4816-8b62-fc772f4ef65b" grcontextid="earth:0">earth</span>. I didn't want my Mom to know that Nahuel disconcerted me so much, so I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b262026f-abd3-4d06-8714-d28346303225" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6f3cd0e9-936b-47ed-a665-8cda79a84f84" grcontextid="smiled:0">smiled</span> and pretending it was the best news ever.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
"Well I'm so glad to see a smile on that pretty face," Mom smiled
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7431f9c2-0db8-4648-a377-f5b941cae6c2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="655ce775-860f-400b-9cf1-ba111d985184" grcontextid="ruffling:0">ruffling</span> my hair. "Come on Nessie, let's go get your Dad and go
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2c913d1e-d705-4365-97ea-3a5af2600fe4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="557d6ecf-5baa-480c-9c92-126b904d424d" grcontextid="hunting:0">hunting</span> as a family."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
She pulled me up and dragged me outside. I smiled hoping it was fooling
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ea6c2fde-e3e4-4fd7-b321-2c3a7b8f9fb9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="23fc64bc-64d8-4c06-b37e-c0c40db248df" grcontextid="her:0">her</span>. But inside my heart ached for him. We were having a visitor but
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="22e9c417-2378-4d53-9cbb-70e071555e60" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f4c595ed-6055-4e2d-9825-623665ea22c7" grcontextid="it:0">it</span> wasn't whom I wanted to see. I needed my sunshine, my reason for breathing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
My Jacob.</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">CHAPTER EIGHT</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Confessions of a <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="57bf680f-c206-4b3d-b3a8-954ec8bd0db9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1fe07ee8-0015-477b-ae6b-a448e2f7fab4" grcontextid="teenage:0">teenage</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2b1dfca3-e82a-4d3d-a2a4-f44a01fc55a3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fc082982-b503-410b-a6f6-98ac585f7056" grcontextid="werewolf:0">werewolf</span>........<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">SETH CLEARWATER:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I was trying to be the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2de9eae8-e4b0-4e39-86a4-4f040b8b540c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="439cd695-47b3-4581-a884-d9f2eb154c2d" grcontextid="best:0">best</span><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1b94f567-70b6-429f-8887-6743973a5558" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="439cd695-47b3-4581-a884-d9f2eb154c2d" grcontextid="est:1">est</span> <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="28499534-c556-4e4c-b9b6-a8475b98d7ee" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="76d7abc8-5f55-4ae9-9e67-dde1b76e6ca5" grcontextid="friend:0">friend</span> I could be even though I knew she still missed the one
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3bbfe7d6-ed0a-4dce-91a8-dcdf9fe7ec89" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fada6ce9-080e-4826-8e99-5d8b32aecda0" grcontextid="she:0">she</span> considered her special most loyal friend above all others. I was trying to
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="24f6de2b-cb31-4aef-8976-e140dbe8ae91" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="889ca9eb-35bc-46f7-85f0-f7fc6f8ef9ce" grcontextid="bring:0">bring</span> the light back to her eyes and the spring back in her step. I knew this
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c3541ac3-270d-4626-8d17-e2c89aa7f7a8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="dd085e19-2b1a-4f17-b5b2-1374ef2156d7" grcontextid="wouldn't:0">wouldn't</span> be easy but with every day that passed, she became happier and more
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c4447f9d-d2e3-4328-a9f1-131fded6263b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="627f789e-f7f2-4a52-967c-d1effacde42b" grcontextid="carefree:0">carefree</span>. I would love to take all the credit, but I'm a modest guy
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="759d39fc-32a4-412c-8f95-2886774f0979" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6e9c2db1-1954-4393-bbee-d026a5efe112" grcontextid="y'know:0">y'know</span><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="24c6cd93-cbea-498d-a2ac-125ce10e9051" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6e9c2db1-1954-4393-bbee-d026a5efe112" grcontextid="!:1">!</span>Time heals all wounds, isn't that a fond cliché <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="512010f6-36a8-43f0-9aca-a68acaa094cc" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6e9c2db1-1954-4393-bbee-d026a5efe112" grcontextid="people:2">people</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1758bc29-2f8a-4ff7-8c97-81d8b3902e6a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9572f896-99d7-48cb-af7b-eed7ca6b0b6f" grcontextid="use:0">use</span>? I don't really mind how it's happened, it <i>has</i> happened and I'm glad.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Today, me and Renesmee
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2c2a6c08-6ca1-4958-9603-797879f2feee" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7e6bef5b-0cbf-4ac5-8863-7ce6c94b2ae3" grcontextid="are:0">are</span> sitting on the lawn at the Cullen's place; the sky is
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="348ccc46-8fa1-4085-8aa9-011b3d01ca21" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d630d805-02eb-4cc2-a2b2-063ea44a6965" grcontextid="grey:0">grey</span> and overcast, much the same as any day in Forks,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fac4f205-4d78-455f-bd37-04f548d5940d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="af896392-6264-4c68-9654-6e08b2481f65" grcontextid="really:0">really</span>! But there is sunshine in her eyes and smile. I think she is
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="81e30450-f768-4c08-a29b-b6c516141648" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="eddfbd56-63e2-452a-ba4d-be490df146ac" grcontextid="doing:0">doing</span> fine. I was just as shocked as everybody else to hear that Jacob and
Leah were an item! I truly believed that when a wolf imprinted on a girl that
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1625b31a-3e5b-4c8c-b5bf-3cb44f22eb02" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a14383ee-a561-4e1d-b43c-4944782d04fc" grcontextid="was it boom:0">was it boom</span> <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6d6d3f24-74cc-4fad-a9dd-e201d939bed8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a14383ee-a561-4e1d-b43c-4944782d04fc" grcontextid="kapow:1">kapow</span>! Fireworks and rockets going off, true love forever and ever.
It hadn't happened to me yet though, so I wasn't totally sure of the specifics!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jacob did try to explain to
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="204e40aa-2929-4343-95cd-ed83bb02ae5c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ee2f44ad-c492-41f2-85b3-8766f0c54019" grcontextid="me:0">me</span> <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6dfc0ae2-ea67-4766-a04f-cdbfeb8065c8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ee2f44ad-c492-41f2-85b3-8766f0c54019" grcontextid="that:1">that</span> maybe imprinting wasn’t how we'd always believed, maybe it came in
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="af92be12-f8aa-4a44-8688-17994a5e69cd" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="06215f70-2388-4d26-a370-075ac6e02fd6" grcontextid="different:0">different</span> forms. But I knew for sure he'd always be here for Nessie, whatever
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5f594e18-21dd-47f7-812c-c9b01840ea76" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d3b3d7f8-b5b3-441b-9c34-01bc8bd283e4" grcontextid="she:0">she</span> needed. I just found it hard to understand, I mean heck the girl was
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="13d6e6ee-5a91-4887-9b62-1c2f3eb8f733" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="94c0ce84-fec6-4e7e-adf1-174673f23730" grcontextid="dazzling:0">dazzling</span>, absolutely stunning, amazing personality, devastating smile, great
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3c45d26d-732b-4f7c-bc1b-91f6e480f986" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5ee897e0-9e86-4af7-b71a-f24a4963ad09" grcontextid="sense:0">sense</span> of <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8dc671d8-6e38-48a1-97b2-ecda3a387f03" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5ee897e0-9e86-4af7-b71a-f24a4963ad09" grcontextid="humour:1">humour</span>, and an interesting special talent for showing you stuff with
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="660135c1-834a-40b4-b21d-daaea6287a7a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fb04ab3e-0f57-460b-8948-a0f75adf68d7" grcontextid="her:0">her</span> mind. That was real cool! Yeah, okay, you got me, I like her....<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="358363cb-2a99-4e67-8a23-5f67d367f895" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ddde13ff-2176-4937-a828-31f6796ed15b" grcontextid=".:0">.</span>a
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="83f14b5d-e519-491b-91a9-dc67ede22ab1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="24886027-4abf-4478-b8c5-8fcd71b595eb" grcontextid="lot:0">lot</span>. Okay I'll '<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1d569309-9a9e-4c11-acfc-2d302a546493" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e9039b29-7223-4eb4-b475-4e07a659dcfd" grcontextid="fess:0">fess</span> up, I downright love the girl. Satisfied!?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">So a few weeks had passed
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e038c579-2689-4937-afb9-0efaa63abc80" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="335fc481-7b81-471f-9cf5-afc2a3c7f17f" grcontextid="since:0">since</span> Jake dropped the bombshell that broke my beautiful friend's heart. I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="75097747-c4e7-47bf-bce4-aec7dc914753" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fe6e4faf-12ff-4487-a99d-0008eb9f0b7a" grcontextid="couldn't:0">couldn't</span> be mad at him though; I loved Jacob as a brother and pack
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8d082ab3-14c2-4c4f-b066-7337d4b01159" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5f620a9a-c317-4a9b-8ad3-aee48e78868f" grcontextid="alpha:0">alpha</span>. Seeing my sister so happy too, that really tugged at the old
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2b84c546-e12f-4d28-8f8c-7c04b35517fe" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="522f0388-9da5-414c-9b19-8dc7a4eb5554" grcontextid="heartstrings:0">heartstrings</span> I can tell you! They've been together just about every day
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b74f501e-7db8-4bd8-9b33-c018368adb27" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="979370cf-4679-4363-86a1-64bb723f161a" grcontextid="now:0">now</span> since Leah got the job at the hospital. I don't think she would've
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e0b72e7f-3dde-4d29-b95c-7ebb34d8e20a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="cca448ae-c508-4cc4-a6a1-4f14cba2ee78" grcontextid="come:0">come</span> back to Forks if it hadn't been for Jake. So I'm <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e0e5536a-a870-4da5-abf4-b6c11d7144fb" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8f6dbbca-345f-4ccd-9a58-f28958b324e6" grcontextid="real:0">real</span> happy about
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="95482ef8-fd7e-4521-b9fe-83ff2f1e4037" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="51a8a6be-eec9-480e-aac7-0a01791550cc" grcontextid="that:0">that</span>. When you see them together, you totally get it, I'd only ever seen
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="789b08cc-54a8-4320-89c8-c7eb110a6969" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="433b661c-aa9c-4701-b9b3-4202628fa7dd" grcontextid="such:0">such</span> an overwhelming love before from Edward and Bella, but these two really
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1ef1221d-9f69-464f-ad4d-a859be0f3f35" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b1374a2c-ba7e-4bb6-8bec-1ca9e1cb550b" grcontextid="were:0">were</span> something special.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">How could I be annoyed with
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="792e5094-74db-4897-8725-ea1d3eb035ba" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="624ada1d-26e9-481d-ac57-aa86128ef544" grcontextid="that:0">that</span>? Love makes the world go round. I would love to get closer to
Nessie, but you see, I'm afraid to break her heart. What happens if I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3b2c1719-14b9-4e37-bd1e-4b8f12d80cf1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8aa70438-0529-407e-9901-574cec78434a" grcontextid="imprint:0">imprint</span>? Who's to say I won't suddenly find myself ready to do anything for
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ed093140-b152-48bd-90cf-8b797cb8a5cc" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7f807856-ce23-4f7a-9082-18b4c323761d" grcontextid="another:0">another</span> girl? Give up my life, be her sun, moon and stars? Where would
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1e487e95-d768-434c-9b1e-46dca3e58280" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c1b6441e-5d31-4a9f-bfca-9acf63b1081b" grcontextid="that:0">that</span> <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="cda9480f-31b7-4c1f-94e8-e14cb881145f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c1b6441e-5d31-4a9f-bfca-9acf63b1081b" grcontextid="leave:1">leave</span> Nessie? That's if she'd even want me anyway! Though she has
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f348a9dd-1a9a-4b04-9eaf-26e99cad0da5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="05425eda-fd5a-4fc7-8919-d8c6b9148661" grcontextid="told:0">told</span> me I'm very handsome and lovely! What can you do?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I'm just happy we've become
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="91ef5ff8-ffd7-4d3b-bdda-25f8045cf855" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="55dae065-6966-4463-a403-2d1cb26b2309" grcontextid="closer:0">closer</span> as friends, and I get to hang out with her all the time. I was worried
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="cd81527e-c6a8-4658-8e71-a6e7450d1918" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="edae2ad6-264c-410e-847d-a5d1c33c3460" grcontextid="when:0">when</span> Nahuel arrived to visit last week, I thought he'd be Nessie's new friend,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="55d08712-33fb-419d-a60a-dfb5325c5462" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b002b736-fc01-4705-97c1-a0c80081380e" grcontextid="but:0">but</span> she seems very wary of him. Can't say I've exactly warmed to him myself,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="45621327-632d-4ff2-a64e-6b6de4b9ff85" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1aedf3ca-5283-4844-90ce-773874d10929" grcontextid="can't:0">can't</span> put my finger on it, but there's something strange about him. Apart from
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e4388e73-2a92-459c-a718-471ade5a5305" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c03fb784-d470-41e9-9979-6585ec7159d4" grcontextid="being:0">being</span> a half human half vampire that is!! Luckily he seems to spend a lot
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1a06adbf-cc4a-418e-a25d-3fcbe4989f1d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8193fd37-b543-46d2-aa25-0caa153eef6d" grcontextid="of:0">of</span> time either on his own, or with Carlisle, picking his brains about history
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4048193d-124d-45df-9607-66f7256f7b27" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b0ae9248-1c5e-4750-a1fe-4b1d162abfb9" grcontextid="and:0">and</span> stuff. Boring! I guess he's decided to hang around for a while,
I suppose I should feel sorry for him, he doesn't really have a family.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Anyway I'm getting away from
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a60d16f1-7651-4b72-8669-7bee6b659439" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8d1b2332-f4a1-45d5-ab42-ba16a5e65c33" grcontextid="the:0">the</span> point - I think Jake is pleased to see us get along so well, takes away his
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="bb70c073-bcf1-44b9-aa7b-cc1abe900bb2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="76e23a69-81b0-4575-a96d-beffa53c4cde" grcontextid="pain:0">pain</span> and guilt at seeing Nessie so unhappy. So here we are, lounging on
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5c426ae4-ddbb-4856-8418-62b899292080" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d5aef90d-803e-4538-87a6-7402b5b91595" grcontextid="the:0">the</span> grass, just talking and joking around as usual. Bella and Alice <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="dd69e612-f862-4a23-a3e7-67df5b4b2752" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5249aae5-88fa-41f5-9e8d-69f76512b194" grcontextid="have:0">have</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b75a7d7c-caaf-4a23-9c17-072a58e01c56" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="779f52f0-ad6a-4245-916b-b47086767fb8" grcontextid="just:0">just</span> arrived back from a shopping trip, Bella's face says it all! Even as a
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f18dcdb9-b5ca-46cf-b6de-60105d682887" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2196bd34-5525-4f8f-bfbe-173f288091d6" grcontextid="vampire:0">vampire</span> she still hates Alice's passion for clothes! They are both walking
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="576911e4-04de-4592-a3eb-db1e58f3db09" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9f829ef6-7648-4e8c-9093-1e56e93ca896" grcontextid="towards:0">towards</span> us, laden down with bags from designer stores in Seattle, when Alice's
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="92491274-b516-4732-ba17-35a8d3980c30" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="cfccf184-5b09-409e-b06e-75deb54a91ca" grcontextid="face:0">face</span> goes blank. Uh-oh! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
"Alice, what's wrong?" Bella asked worriedly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Alice's face remained blank,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="46a25032-1043-4fbb-b2dc-f50e6f5e0b5f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0f030d89-21d1-4ded-afde-ae53856c2ee6" grcontextid="her:0">her</span> eyes unfocused, seeing something not in the here and now but which could
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="07d31a8c-88ad-44fd-bc5c-f6db2f814da1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f98377af-0a7a-4adb-95de-9bdbbc765676" grcontextid="come:0">come</span> to pass.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
"Alice!" Bella shook her sister-in -law her face creased up with
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="13f9d838-74e7-49f4-a069-e3b360d11d7b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="66cc73e1-f499-4f4b-812d-49fa546a4557" grcontextid="worry:0">worry</span>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
Edward came running out of the house, "Alice!" he shouted. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
"Edward, what is it, what is she seeing?" Bella questioned her
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1130de7c-cb60-4a66-8e23-7426af405e1e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="43c619e9-7da8-4a64-9f88-cdd8d447feb7" grcontextid="husband:0">husband</span>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
"I'll let Alice try to explain, Bella love, I'm just not sure, it's all
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3c960908-3964-4d60-861c-3db6be4bc555" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="66ca47a4-da0c-49f1-94ea-d44ba886051a" grcontextid="jumbled:0">jumbled</span> up," he said frowning.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
Must <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="faf9c938-e9a3-4920-b166-f9243c99b433" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ddbe5314-9364-4acb-b105-aeb947781c77" grcontextid="be weird I:0">be weird I</span> guess, having a mind reader and a psychic in the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9eca7cdc-16af-485c-988f-cb2b485b8a8f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0751471a-7725-4250-8963-341834400d7d" grcontextid="family:0">family</span>!! Edward glanced at me with a grimace. Whoops! Of course he'd heard
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="cdf2d2b6-0e65-4f7e-a5d1-b2d86aa0f8f7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e78b75dc-b6f8-4018-8234-bb5f22954ea2" grcontextid="my:0">my</span> thoughts! Must try keep them hidden, especially where his daughter
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="93edac89-c9ce-44e3-8bf5-e9c34daad7f3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="971701d3-be29-4bc8-9aff-b1e7ec4d3f42" grcontextid="was:0">was</span> concerned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Another look from him
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c83fa0f8-6d28-4469-aff7-40522a5cc19f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d6ddb5ca-0611-40d4-8395-18430bb1cd6f" grcontextid="confirmed:0">confirmed</span>, he already knew. Oh man! That sucked! He smiled crookedly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
Alice had now come out of her trance. " That was so strange,“she
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="849f8a3e-7e6d-4531-8076-4bc06c80c632" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8df4da33-7864-4993-9b7f-292286f3b59f" grcontextid="exclaimed:0">exclaimed</span> in her musical voice. " I saw the woods, it was night, a
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="366e0696-0b10-4585-9a2e-18775f20e0f6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fb8d5191-fa03-430c-9bc2-6274d94c7c67" grcontextid="beautiful:0">beautiful</span> full moon in the sky. Then the moon was red?" <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
Bella and Edward glanced at each other uneasily.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
" So strange," Alice continued " I could see shapes,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6921de3a-5033-4601-af91-17536c8fb68b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1b17228b-5e5c-400d-bebc-e2c1159af8e9" grcontextid="people:0">people</span>, but couldn't see who they were, but there was a lot of pain and
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a40fcd04-d743-4653-a141-c6cabec3672b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9c40126d-4f84-4cd0-9878-4530bcd57b18" grcontextid="anguish:0">anguish</span> radiating from them," she frowned shaking her head.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> " With all these
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ea4100e1-8195-4a53-8685-ec98cc250ed5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="61ab8ddf-966f-491c-bb8a-18f1eafd827e" grcontextid="shape:0">shape</span>-shifters around, plus with Nahuel and Nessie, I can't see my visions
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="74f145c8-bf4d-4b80-b32f-3c40bd407aba" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9e9116f3-b9ae-4eaa-ba71-9d12622d6782" grcontextid="clearly:0">clearly</span> <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f7af323b-c872-4cb9-b720-85a55864de32" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9e9116f3-b9ae-4eaa-ba71-9d12622d6782" grcontextid="any more:1">any more</span>, or make sense of them!" she wailed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
Bella and Edward both put an arm each around Alice's shoulders. If vampires
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="006f635a-c2b9-40a7-bcab-d0c2c37282fb" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ff3ecc83-c909-4e9a-9a56-9247ddcc5c9f" grcontextid="could:0">could</span> cry I bet I'd see tear drops on Alice's perfectly pale cheeks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
"Come on Alice, let's go inside," Edward said gently.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
The three of them disappeared into the house.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
" So Ness, what the heck was that all about do you think?" I asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
Her beautiful face turned to mine, her chocolate brown eyes full of worry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
" Seth, I don't know, I'm as confused as you, but I don't like it, I don't
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7d74c172-5ae6-4040-b618-5f263bd61c1a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b098b7b6-771b-4b4a-9072-e10446dd39a0" grcontextid="like:0">like</span> it at all!" she exclaimed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
She rose to her feet; one perfectly formed slim hand reaching down for me. I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="71001400-93d6-4097-bda1-be429a964af9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c5229936-2c78-4b4e-a39f-2ec8ad0154c0" grcontextid="took:0">took</span> her hand willingly as she pulled me to my feet. I instinctively pulled her
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e170039a-2604-45b7-8f8a-42c7e2488a68" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="58d38959-1215-4571-96d3-60b138df7849" grcontextid="into:0">into</span> my arms for a friendly hug. Okay you got me, maybe not so friendly on my
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9ab469ab-3c2c-40f3-b6a6-8b66ac44ca3a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4fe2c81e-a26b-4a48-bb37-75d5a89e5fee" grcontextid="part:0">part</span>, more a racing pounding heart-knees go weak- breathless- kind of hug <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f9429f13-8b64-4900-b5de-d233fed9a177" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4fe2c81e-a26b-4a48-bb37-75d5a89e5fee" grcontextid="I:1">I</span> so
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1e92d6c2-8594-4dee-8fb5-4f15450cedab" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e695fdb7-8842-4b4a-97a6-62367807735d" grcontextid="wished:0">wished</span> I could give to her and have reciprocated. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
Her cool breath tickled my ear, "Let's go hunt Seth, I love us having fun
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a3e59221-f485-4532-92d2-028d555dd1dc" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bdf9fda6-c564-4d36-b6ab-66b3f39ab619" grcontextid="when:0">when</span> you are a wolf!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">How could I resist?</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">CHAPTER NINE</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">It's a whole new world<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">NAHUEL:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">What a strange sensation it
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2fcca554-f364-40cc-9a9d-f4b5a3396c29" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c6ebbf45-8939-43fb-935e-8a8a170dcef0" grcontextid="was:0">was</span> to observe this largest of vampire covens. Also even stranger <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="91ccb6b7-733e-4206-b0a8-5b8dd0fe4d52" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="aae40abc-f162-4bc0-a4e3-9f303fcf0b99" grcontextid="were:0">were</span> the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="885df2ff-b04c-4a6c-a293-dbfbf405d846" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="883edc73-2d0d-4a63-b81b-a4d58482f191" grcontextid="additions:0">additions</span> to this family – the wolves or shape-shifters as most referred to
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="97d2bb90-d977-4228-8d02-aeb9a7dbf7e7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="715791ed-3fc9-445c-93e0-f656c1f996a2" grcontextid="them:0">them</span>. Since the confrontation with the Volturi, the curiosity and longing
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b595bf6f-d5ad-4fb2-9a81-b431596482e4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="471cf65d-8d93-44de-a541-9371ce851a04" grcontextid="to:0">to</span> learn more could not be suppressed any longer. Five years waiting and wanting
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="482a982d-4252-49af-ae4f-c0491fbc9fdf" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="199bd5c9-2a5d-4dc8-a4d6-6131ac9d2c0f" grcontextid="to:0">to</span> satisfy the craving. Much could be learned from such strange and
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="69fb050e-7932-4ed0-873d-76e1441a67e4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="123429ca-e36c-4174-972f-56d8de34275f" grcontextid="mythical:0">mythical</span> creatures. Although many would consider <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f766cc79-42b1-4c1e-91cc-43f30b5ab55c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="67ec760b-8305-4b95-b87e-9b99d16e3e68" grcontextid="I:0">I</span>, Nahuel to fall into this
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="25e13210-137c-46c6-b522-2e1d4cacb240" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d5b3aa0b-bff5-4d18-a2f8-6756f6943d28" grcontextid="category:0">category</span>. Having a human mother and a vampire father wasn't exactly the norm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Curiouser and curiouser was
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2612e56c-2eff-4bf6-9e91-12ea3770fbcb" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="293c5d06-a808-4266-88c1-075f51e333e0" grcontextid="the:0">the</span> presence in this world of another such as I. One the Volturi had
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="eb79c31e-2ce6-4bda-90c4-e4c34b55a7af" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c6adb4f8-7caa-4046-a7ff-fec860288b0b" grcontextid="sought:0">sought</span> to eliminate, due to their disbelief and ignorance. Renesmee,
Nessie, a half human, half vampire girl, conceived when her mother was still
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c56d9459-ef90-4be5-8b27-37c2491e707c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="dc88e576-55a4-459a-b512-d00cde397f82" grcontextid="human:0">human</span>, her father a vampire. My mother had not survived such a tryst. My
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="70c91517-89ea-42ea-b155-d52fe4d81507" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="26e3b34e-4973-4f81-913c-ad92152eb7aa" grcontextid="mother's sister:0">mother's sister</span> had looked after me, as my father Jonas was simply not <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0fc514ab-25c0-4849-b47c-c090e63c1fd8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="26e3b34e-4973-4f81-913c-ad92152eb7aa" grcontextid="parent:1">parent</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b09d7d3c-eea4-4367-bb33-9ef2eb95b856" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d742037b-966e-43ca-8bb6-e912536c91d6" grcontextid="material:0">material</span>. A lone vampire, locked in eternal struggles with his way of life and
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5e6323e8-4e52-43b1-9bdf-40f9464f51a5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b9394624-c4a3-4364-93e3-dc5a4e1b7605" grcontextid="consequences:0">consequences</span> of it. My aunt was not exactly mother material either, considering
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1d1895fa-3c2b-49ca-a2a7-95fdc26eb4ba" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1752d15f-ba15-476a-9ed8-42b2da94e299" grcontextid="me:0">me</span> to be a hindrance and a freak show.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="57b91b4d-405b-470b-8610-b0b99bc56c64" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ff0a1cc8-8de9-4a9c-8b3e-176a776856c0" grcontextid="Renesmee's:0">Renesmee's</span> parents Bella and
Edward had fallen in love and married, the girl being conceived on their
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1554c6c3-84de-47bb-885f-3a2aa8631d61" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="764ce5dc-36e1-4afd-a9b9-164a2e0bb53c" grcontextid="honeymoon:0">honeymoon</span>. No-one had thought this possible, but <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="60ef58ba-9d3d-40a8-82cf-124ec317cefa" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="837850d4-8796-435b-bb5b-b699b3766e75" grcontextid="vampire venom:0">vampire venom</span> was a
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="dc540d74-d864-447a-b04b-86a8fd570c75" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="76dd6301-2a7b-46ab-87f8-365dcb7cc09d" grcontextid="strange:0">strange</span> substance, substituting human fluids considerably well. I could
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6771cdff-2d41-46ee-8f17-b6e876c14fa7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3b0db470-d866-49fd-94d8-6ebdb724145c" grcontextid="see:0">see</span> why the vampire had fallen in love with the human, as a vampire Bella was
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ac220ab5-a41f-4639-9b32-fceb1581d601" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="53115cff-c7df-4f75-b4f2-cb737d184968" grcontextid="stunning:0">stunning</span>, strong-willed, and beautiful indeed. As a human she must have
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="40346e74-ae53-49f9-89d5-459ff29a11b5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a7a37c46-db86-4eb9-a2c5-85e272af5ec1" grcontextid="displayed:0">displayed</span> these qualities in abundance to make her mate so besotted with her. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="38fb8348-f40b-4299-bfd2-658ae4b43243" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1bad7273-7927-480c-aeed-4cd1cc8d8c16" grcontextid="Their:0">Their</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ee84fdca-44c9-4a18-b63c-7064f13a6acf" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="aaaa48ee-072f-4a77-988a-d0a916e2eca9" grcontextid="love:0">love</span> fascinated me; I couldn't help staring at them when they thought I wasn't
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0dbd22a9-8493-47d0-ba30-d325c3d4151d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c4c1bc88-8b0b-4bc6-94db-30a47480ec8f" grcontextid="looking:0">looking</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I wondered if anyone would
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c2d81c0b-7623-4edb-a1d5-6c22836fd778" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="88492bd6-592c-410a-afd4-cabac8072b75" grcontextid="look:0">look</span> at me that way. I wondered what would happen if I mated with a
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="599ba8b5-76c7-4fe8-865a-a9f0a2764592" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f7dcb17f-4ac6-4492-a655-ac32c73a72e1" grcontextid="hybrid:0">hybrid</span>, would the result be a whole vampire? I wondered what it would be
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="710fd1d7-1da4-472a-aa04-943a0bd23f55" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6ce91726-c4e4-42ff-9fbb-c52fe9970973" grcontextid="like:0">like</span> to take Nessie away from here and produce our own family. Somewhere
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="eed452fe-e000-46dc-9732-73af35e7df26" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0e54e571-bad7-455e-86b8-3c5af003001a" grcontextid="we:0">we</span> could really belong, somewhere away from all this confusion. Vampires?
Wolves? Even humans? They all seemed to co-exist in this place called
Forks. At some point over the last week, silently and secretly observing
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0ac511be-268c-4173-9347-0e0aa198bced" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="660ee40c-19b7-4597-84f5-f1d59e87f1f0" grcontextid="the:0">the</span> situation, a decision was made, wondering became obsolete. Putting a plan
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="eba07ba0-2013-495b-98eb-add825dd2ce6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="98dba06b-785a-41eb-ad50-79ddd8396f2c" grcontextid="into:0">into</span> action became <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5dd06bec-a4c7-4966-803c-1d53bc4b8fa4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="98dba06b-785a-41eb-ad50-79ddd8396f2c" grcontextid="priority:1">priority</span>. A plan which would tear this strange
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="51cbc970-4982-4c7b-9bb2-b6226349b446" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="34fb2b05-be41-42c9-a2ad-271b598227ba" grcontextid="existence:0">existence</span> here in Forks apart. A plan which would rip away the fabric of
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fd2386af-0bd5-40d4-92bd-44d2c7632fd8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="41b0ca9c-4f84-4dd5-befb-4a455227dcc6" grcontextid="this:0">this</span> little safe world at the seams.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">A plan I, Nahuel, would
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="956184a6-c1f4-4f5a-979c-00ad773c4f3e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="33f73355-7be9-42f8-a6f8-30866ad27954" grcontextid="put:0">put</span> into action soon.</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">CHAPTER TEN</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Being Happy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">JACOB BLACK:<br />
I lay on the forest bed; Leah curled up beside me, her head on my chest,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a9016720-fadd-4db9-8d66-404c1230d8af" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="88e75908-499f-4b14-860e-c6f3b2491bda" grcontextid="a:0">a</span> sigh of contentment escaping from her lips as<br />
I stroked her head lovingly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
" I suppose we should get back honey, we promised your Mom we'd
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c3e3c426-65e9-49df-adb3-b0309c5f8299" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="06b0921b-3ed7-4bf6-9e20-5bede23c9ae9" grcontextid="baby-sit:0">baby-sit</span> Zach, so <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="32771e07-d8f2-4d50-bbe7-6c573eb020ec" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="06b0921b-3ed7-4bf6-9e20-5bede23c9ae9" grcontextid="her:1">her</span> and Charlie could go out for a meal
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="205be40a-e041-4509-8b6e-60d53425e325" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ec6c45f5-a4c5-46a4-a11c-806a16401dda" grcontextid="remember:0">remember</span>?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
Leah murmured sleepily " Yeah, I remember Jake, I'm just so happy here
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b9ef5b67-893c-4420-97c1-92cf41bcf40d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="321dbf7c-04f0-4ee4-8010-e6a722fb28ec" grcontextid="with:0">with</span> you." <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
"I know honey, me too," I whispered bringing my lips down to meet
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9575a18c-cc12-4b9f-b822-d578b09e3c56" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="65b80966-37f4-46cd-8f60-2306ed9372ec" grcontextid="hers:0">hers</span> for a passionate kiss.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
Kissing Leah was just the best experience ever; her lips were soft,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1f4057ae-4858-41e2-a7b4-fc2805ebec90" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="00a1580c-9d41-434b-86ee-9e379878d062" grcontextid="warm:0">warm</span> and yielding under mine. I couldn't believe how lucky I was, I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="84e80dfb-df4e-403a-b977-1f9a3b091be9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d2c3ce9e-83f7-435e-8dd0-cc11416af5b4" grcontextid="loved:0">loved</span> her so completely I thought my heart might burst through my chest
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="14263471-9c5f-4c40-bd93-8bdafbd40fbc" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c0e931a0-5c37-4437-9928-dea8d066405a" grcontextid="with:0">with</span> the weight of all this emotion. And even luckier, I think she feels
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="77477a82-1d6f-4615-84a3-ef36fd8c26b6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2a46eac7-de88-4875-83bf-963b7fa761c3" grcontextid="exactly:0">exactly</span> the same.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
She's a completely different person now; hey I must be doing
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d774d3e9-12d1-415b-8d88-9b1603be2cb2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ed91facb-1e50-4d29-94d9-d6247923fc06" grcontextid="something:0">something</span> right!? The only thing which marred this whole new experience
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b039feeb-2eb0-4876-803e-160f9bda511e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="19adc03a-87d5-4cbe-b170-00c14ee2b6b4" grcontextid="for:0">for</span> <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d717e800-33b7-4e80-8efb-89a7a9352329" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="19adc03a-87d5-4cbe-b170-00c14ee2b6b4" grcontextid="me:1">me</span> was thoughts of Nessie, even though we were back to being <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="89cf5bcd-f340-47a0-a722-4081528a45c9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="19adc03a-87d5-4cbe-b170-00c14ee2b6b4" grcontextid="best:2">best</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4d9ba7d9-377d-41df-8826-b67c5e07ae42" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f82ef6f1-c5f7-4f83-a0f5-3f23a5986e87" grcontextid="friends:0">friends</span>, I knew I'd hurt her. Seth was being his usual kind self-<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d09fa34a-e758-430e-ad55-3c3a1d9cdd74" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d80857c8-4187-4c40-b769-baf111c11f26" grcontextid="looking:0">looking</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6bf21e74-7696-4b01-bc14-82589a02a8d5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="39ba0fc2-4f56-4f1b-ba4a-775bd7a78dcb" grcontextid="after:0">after</span> <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="de8cb503-160c-4735-9f66-d43ea7b0b6d9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="39ba0fc2-4f56-4f1b-ba4a-775bd7a78dcb" grcontextid="her:1">her</span>. I banished bad thoughts from my head, just focusing on kissing
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="95d46d02-bb5d-4a4a-a30e-62e48e6759a4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="09b7cab2-8678-4a3a-a36c-7ec740dde81e" grcontextid="my:0">my</span> Leah's irresistible lips. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
We broke off the kiss, reluctantly, and gazed into each other’s dark
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e11ddbdc-6a8e-4263-bf4f-b93185fb4b94" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="86f80494-50b4-4ccb-99be-8588f2cf4c0c" grcontextid="eyes:0">eyes</span>. I saw myself mirrored in hers, a real goofy smile on my
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="778afc56-43af-4b2f-9216-0df1d8f6a9ad" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1cb27fc2-346b-4d42-af86-13575f05af1f" grcontextid="face:0">face</span>. I'm such a sap! But being with Leah is just so great. I didn't
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="59422827-6242-448e-9e85-1d6ae87a0793" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e75d2a29-8bf9-4c30-abbb-651a01af8654" grcontextid="expect:0">expect</span> it you know, for everything to be so perfect between us. Now I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d34ffc40-3adc-48aa-b6fb-2efa5d9d6c3b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="49da9b5d-7145-4d18-bb57-c16bdc5842d0" grcontextid="know:0">know</span> why Bella couldn't stay away from Edward. I thought I'd been in love
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4e057886-08f4-4298-91eb-fa2ac1c9c7b0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a3c6fa86-99bc-419b-8e3d-7fa5acad4e48" grcontextid="with:0">with</span> Bella, but I hadn't had a clue what it was about! I reckon it was a
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c8c9f982-5e9d-431d-823b-8d9dbed65b23" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="39e25448-896a-4949-baf8-8fe1d6a39210" grcontextid="teenage:0">teenage</span> crush. It hurt so much, this didn't hurt <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="44662ef6-8fea-472e-a836-48811a02c1d6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2596a629-0d51-4b26-980c-7451640fc73b" grcontextid="it was natural like:0">it was natural like</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ec74d275-89c5-4e0d-9a0f-7b3643e63712" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fd3fc0a0-6007-421b-b48a-2373587cd799" grcontextid="breathing:0">breathing</span>. But there was a difference, Leah reciprocated my feelings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
She <i>loved</i> me. Oh don't get me wrong Bells and I loved each
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d6fde8c5-495c-4198-81f0-fcd5ee7dc27e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="21761476-108c-4271-94b6-ae7c05b0bbde" grcontextid="other:0">other</span> and always would. But I'd thought happiness like
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9959a8b7-5ac2-40f2-8acb-df6ddc0de2cc" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c04848fa-a1c6-48ac-8f7e-d313a7cceacd" grcontextid="her:0">her</span> and Edward shared was out of my reach. Here it was
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="19925c9d-0390-4af5-bcf1-0962343c8884" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4118753e-8685-4caf-aac5-b8b60a40adfc" grcontextid="though:0">though</span>, lying beside me. Perfect! Leah sat up and straddled my chest,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="763814d5-01c4-4069-acf0-f22ad6a10e5c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a135b077-ea09-4b74-aebe-06c1c2ecb98c" grcontextid="her:0">her</span> long hair tickling my face. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
"Jacob Black, I love you more than anything in this world," she
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ff37a72b-1367-4e56-9a4e-22bd3165b354" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2176c541-5c25-4e64-b3ac-8888e9c44a48" grcontextid="smiled:0">smiled</span> at me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
" Well that's understandable, I am a good catch!" I joked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
She pulled my hands from her waist, pinning my arms behind my neck.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
"Hey!" I exclaimed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
" Now you are my prisoner mister <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="27164a05-2d80-4ea8-94dd-1ac573164e16" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1d14ffb3-2f62-4d55-b35c-d8a9026c8c3d" grcontextid="smarty-pants:0">smarty-pants</span>, what <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ee50594f-086a-49ce-ba57-95fa450eae84" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1d14ffb3-2f62-4d55-b35c-d8a9026c8c3d" grcontextid="ya:1">ya</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="de761316-cafd-450b-9cd3-9a2a41575486" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="010def54-0f43-48a3-81a5-21e45a4f7de8" grcontextid="gonna:0">gonna</span> do about it?" she said with faked menace. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
"<i>This!</i>" I said wriggling my arms free, grabbing her around the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a45a9740-21c1-4a65-8a32-d4fa214eb3b0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c7b405b4-a3e6-4977-ba3b-7a8a3efedfaa" grcontextid="waist:0">waist</span> and tumbling her to the ground so I was now on top of her, her body
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f7c816f6-389b-46a5-9c52-71ee2c05a7dd" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="867c49d6-184f-4f51-b363-6865c1368ace" grcontextid="helplessly:0">helplessly</span> pinned beneath me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
" Oh well that's me told," she breathed heavily. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
I could smell her <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d67fe25a-9b1e-49b4-9701-d806f04824db" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="af5ff1ed-8831-4de5-b492-282e7fe57f28" grcontextid="tantalising:0">tantalising</span> scent all around me, intoxicating me with
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7125e6aa-62ab-4ab1-965f-68d0fd13d05c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ecfc1777-2e00-4a53-bd9b-39231e675042" grcontextid="her:0">her</span> presence. It was my turn to pin her arms behind her head as I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="964584bc-c87e-40be-9b2e-d3650e2f85b3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fa272a7a-9336-472d-9c9a-624c299790d4" grcontextid="crushed:0">crushed</span> my lips down onto hers. She moaned softly as we kissed with even
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c0418b93-6028-4c08-9de5-f3b198a7460c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="82bbb18d-dff8-483e-be81-8fdcefd886ce" grcontextid="more:0">more</span> passion than we'd ever kissed before. I let go of her arms, my lips
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b69a15c7-5408-42a9-855e-9006192047f9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a0b7795f-f93f-400f-9b09-544fad7a658c" grcontextid="never:0">never</span> leaving hers. She wound her legs around my legs pulling me closer,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1fc54419-df78-425f-b22b-28754adcc43d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8227f35e-796d-4c48-abba-81b175f36072" grcontextid="her:0">her</span> hands in my hair, pulling on it roughly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Leah,<i> Leah</i><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f952f554-4452-4c1a-918d-b6cc7eec68a9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="63b43c93-0ccb-4706-a30c-398ad9b0bae4" grcontextid="…:0">…</span>we should
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="15864d44-a7b3-4089-8b52-2b2f48ab90ad" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d673d2d9-2d12-4dd4-b9d4-fa5a075e7ff3" grcontextid="stop:0">stop</span>," I moaned passionately against her mouth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
"No," she moaned back. "I want you Jacob, I really<i> want </i>you,"
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="782e3021-a7cb-4e24-afcb-30d83decc3f9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3a11fb16-69c7-4acd-9bc5-2c2e24b1a490" grcontextid="she:0">she</span> exclaimed, her breath coming in short gasps. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
This just drove me crazy, my emotions were so strong, and my heart
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="71bb8cc7-7442-4b14-bd2f-d8c53ddc59c8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7c3dffab-7691-4e65-95f2-ba56a15e568e" grcontextid="was:0">was</span> beating so hard and fast. You might make fun of me for being so
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5d208187-aa24-4670-8c5e-1a34bfe144bd" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="07430703-057e-435c-8fcd-4ed65b6dd18f" grcontextid="inexperienced:0">inexperienced</span>, but I just couldn't handle all this. It was <i>too</i> much.
<br />
My body started to shake and I knew I was <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e3c69fe4-4bb1-4a23-a7ff-d8679dc66f54" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8e44bf6e-2d3a-4227-85a2-962d7804f59f" grcontextid="gonna:0">gonna</span> phase. Oh no,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="06c6d382-8615-4e9d-a0d5-486d7cedb9be" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f14ad3d9-c43e-4a10-8886-fe182588da63" grcontextid="please:0">please</span>! I jumped off Leah quickly, phasing in <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d5c21b6c-1b56-4e5f-b341-2ec84e3400da" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d7c8d0ab-bfa5-423f-aa85-5f79d4851b2e" grcontextid="mid-air:0">mid-air</span>. There goes my <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5f559fc9-0800-4b7c-9853-03ae06a50e0d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7c88fdf6-b2bc-498f-b241-4b7a4b85c070" grcontextid="new:0">new</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="90d1d831-ca6d-4418-851a-ca55e96b6b36" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7d2d0fb4-d311-4380-bd7c-49de720b8a92" grcontextid="shirt:0">shirt</span>, damn! Leah looked up at me, her breath still ragged; she
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0b9f4fc7-4816-482e-8e1d-cff296cf40e7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="324ec92d-792e-4450-bbb1-4cacd2cd05eb" grcontextid="smiled:0">smiled</span> and jumped up, phasing in the blink of an eye. We stood as
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b14e24d6-58ba-4017-ba42-ca1daca722eb" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2e05ddb7-6469-4a04-87fb-e7514a9737b8" grcontextid="wolves:0">wolves</span> looking at each other. The large russet wolf and the <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="05fde6d1-eea5-46f4-a86f-def639e4fce2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ff5c1f38-a920-4979-8d79-9d931c91579e" grcontextid="small:0">small</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8a8712e7-f22d-4c6f-b055-1a61d2ecd9a9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f015adbc-da96-426c-ae9d-2acf12bb2aec" grcontextid="grey:0">grey</span> wolf. She was still beautiful to me in this form. We could hear
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="521a8ecd-6fc6-440f-9174-4cd862b6a4c5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d5e4e86f-562d-4bb9-a4b0-d8a6e54f6418" grcontextid="each:0">each</span> other’s thoughts now, which used to be a pain, but now I loved it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
<i>"Jacob, I've just ruined a perfectly good dress for you."</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
" <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e94c1079-9c23-48af-9157-52c435932f2b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="021a5b2e-6689-4c93-9f2d-dbcbd675efb4" grcontextid="Sorry:0">Sorry</span> <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7bef1938-acfa-4831-88a1-e3d270ae05b4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="021a5b2e-6689-4c93-9f2d-dbcbd675efb4" grcontextid="darlin:1">darlin</span>', look at my new shirt though! You bought me that!"</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
" Hmm does that mean you'll have to walk around bare chested, I think I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fecc9fe9-2068-46c0-a42b-bdc869996c7c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c6d9949d-e514-48fa-b48d-e2ae83ac98f3" grcontextid="can:0">can</span> handle that," she laughed.</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
"Well my jeans are well and truly ripped now too, so you might even get
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="71f2ca87-135a-408c-b44b-82733fe09561" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a090bdef-64bd-4cf4-9b48-d5f3bf58f018" grcontextid="to:0">to</span> see me walk around naked."</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">She grinned at me, showing her sharp
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9e4e489c-5370-466c-9da6-f427f5aff069" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1f0f844b-f548-4d68-aedd-04b332c58ff4" grcontextid="teeth:0">teeth</span>. We ran together, enjoying just being together, our thoughts
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f5754ed2-e69e-480d-80af-efcb23385122" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1dba9740-cb9d-4240-a9a4-d41d4f59b717" grcontextid="entwined:0">entwined</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
<i>"I love you so much Jake."</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
"I love you too Leah."</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
" I don't want you to be scared, Jake, I want you and <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="cdbead1f-3480-4603-9231-764e3fa87c68" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a821e6fa-cac4-4def-a349-c0330447c73d" grcontextid="I:0">I</span> to be
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1c392dae-d910-4404-b619-168d63ba2fe1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="154834aa-85e8-4015-89ed-35f31eab3cd3" grcontextid="together:0">together</span> in every way possible, it feels right and I'm ready to take the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a6300937-df0b-4174-bda9-4d228f340718" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b0afd75c-62f6-4e39-a434-bfd1f741be94" grcontextid="step:0">step</span>."</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
Wolves can't blush – thankfully! Or I certainly would have!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
<i>"I want the same Leah, of course I do, and I haven't ever felt this
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d0d38baf-553d-4456-9585-49b3171499b1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="882375a8-b00a-4ec5-8037-b458c7169102" grcontextid="way:0">way</span>. I'm sorry I'm such an idiot!"</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
You AREN'T an idiot, idiot!" </span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">she
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="29d2226e-e490-4cfb-a56a-c01ba55596ca" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f17c1b10-8c03-4b61-8652-bb43ba3abb9a" grcontextid="grinned:0">grinned</span> <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="294caf89-a268-4e89-8d1e-48f8ffd02610" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f17c1b10-8c03-4b61-8652-bb43ba3abb9a" grcontextid="wolfishly:1">wolfishly</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
I suddenly had a brainwave, if I could let her know exactly how I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3e0ed46a-7201-470e-a6b3-0e97e9501e98" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="79b1d1b3-357a-4635-9795-701f218892b8" grcontextid="felt:0">felt</span> about our love and how much I wanted her I would. Easy. Stay in wolf
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="41e2116a-c7b2-444c-90f0-384cb8a7d44c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d1d12867-de69-4459-b7a1-d2ba1ec7eda7" grcontextid="form:0">form</span>. She caught my thoughts instantly, as she advanced slowly towards
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="864f45a9-f387-43c9-9fec-6f8c6ecd77c8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5fec008f-65e1-434a-b47b-dcb397bca3d5" grcontextid="me:0">me</span>. My heart started to beat faster again. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f5ad58a0-c0f5-4ec4-93be-edd9159cbd68" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a0317faf-57b8-49bb-8a70-39d3ae85a576" grcontextid="Heat:0">Heat</span> spread through <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3882639f-3c28-41da-a783-a8e4afb4841e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a0317faf-57b8-49bb-8a70-39d3ae85a576" grcontextid="my:1">my</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fd720bd6-22f0-4d8c-98c7-68f81382ed3c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1b13d80b-4650-40f2-8c49-5bc3da563b63" grcontextid="body:0">body</span>. Animal instincts took over, pulsing through my body, everything felt
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2366643b-9e40-46f4-9888-c49b04363d30" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8a2ebf37-034f-4bff-97f2-4bf608d75a9b" grcontextid="so:0">so</span> right at this moment. We lunged at each other at exactly the same
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="de432290-7365-42c4-80f4-6cfbaf3af56d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6916cede-2a23-41a7-8af7-910614214d5c" grcontextid="moment:0">moment</span>. Our furry bodies tumbling together through the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c1a90778-9518-492d-a3d4-fb26499070f6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fd748c57-ed29-48ce-9f82-3fd5b39f139c" grcontextid="undergrowth:0">undergrowth</span>. The smell and heat of female wolf invaded my mind, body and
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9bd3a85b-3286-4a00-a64a-9487186d3cb5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a73cb65b-d42a-4bfa-bc74-ad8c9b029975" grcontextid="senses:0">senses</span>. Our thoughts melded and intertwined, lost in each other finally,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0bed7b58-62ca-44cb-b750-078b9fe58392" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f723ff3a-8f85-4b1e-bc61-f4032e9ffd1b" grcontextid="our:0">our</span> <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5a2359a8-fe9e-461b-b3c1-ee70164016ec" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f723ff3a-8f85-4b1e-bc61-f4032e9ffd1b" grcontextid="love:1">love</span> brought to a natural state. I heard every thought in her
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7ac7b7e3-aabf-4620-b6d9-a50096fb3ad1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f732ce7e-5a49-43c1-a191-8385d79848ee" grcontextid="head:0">head</span> and she heard every thought in mine, as we fell deeper into each
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9b0c65c3-3dd9-45e8-a889-55f23708bd43" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="50372fca-e570-47a0-af18-8f1835fc15c2" grcontextid="other:0">other</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
<i>I would never be the same again.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">CHAPTER ELEVEN</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Walk in my shoes<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">ALICE CULLEN:<br />
I sat on the window seat gazing out at the garden, as Edward
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c2de7810-321b-4160-a1ea-75bf6a1f14a0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a6cc875c-85d0-4bba-a4eb-068d52aa3988" grcontextid="played:0">played</span> Bella's lullaby to her on his white piano. Renesmee and Seth
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="bda67524-3804-411d-b5ff-9c6c9c2d66bb" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="aaae000a-cfa0-4fc9-98c9-27e65161fe14" grcontextid="were:0">were</span> flying some gorgeously <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="31a02d62-0ba6-447e-8c3e-a230cd1ed3e6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="aaae000a-cfa0-4fc9-98c9-27e65161fe14" grcontextid="coloured:1">coloured</span> kites out on the lawn. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9da0f887-f195-41c1-8ab9-646d7472b4cd" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c06d3980-b6fe-4298-a0f7-a778f354f82c" grcontextid="Renesmee's:0">Renesmee's</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="07c6b574-79cf-4393-9796-364daee66944" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="def9551d-7fbf-4194-83d3-a41ef9b6d0d8" grcontextid="long:0">long</span> auburn hair flew out behind her, like a flag, in the wind. Seth was
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="76c67a7f-f797-4021-a832-ed01bd8cf5ec" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="689eef3a-35fd-44de-a688-1cb7bcf8326e" grcontextid="laughing:0">laughing</span> at something she'd said. What a great couple they would make
I mused. Seth had turned into a handsome man; they were perfect for each
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7e1b33d8-b10e-4c25-a6ba-597f07df299a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="895421d6-9c4d-4070-b790-7260128369da" grcontextid="other:0">other</span>. I wished I could see the future for them, but I can't where the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0531c68b-edb9-46fd-9e9f-24abab0be030" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="493129f5-4d28-425a-9a65-7fd4c347aa85" grcontextid="wolves:0">wolves</span> are concerned. And it's a bit hazy with Nessie and Nahuel. I get
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="17877210-f3f4-4edd-8df4-4f17742ffa76" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7fd12119-47c4-469e-bb61-8720470f9ff9" grcontextid="some:0">some</span> visions, but they are so muddled and blurred I cannot make any sense
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3e6d2c56-4fd4-4fb8-b50d-01f6d1ffc118" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7a23c1cd-3a42-49b2-9c9a-2dc011a2c3aa" grcontextid="of:0">of</span> them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Edward looks over at me
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4788c826-40f3-4bc2-b8db-501a934052cc" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b66e9fd3-293c-40f9-8e92-933248de121f" grcontextid="frowning:0">frowning</span>. That will teach you to read my mind I said loudly in my own
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0bf30857-aa4d-47fd-a28d-440b9fcc493a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1fa86c55-c901-454c-8930-aa0ca7675c06" grcontextid="head:0">head</span>. He didn't look over this time, just smiled crookedly. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="389fd279-db45-44de-9ea9-ee8b04507333" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ddcc8d61-c280-4f55-b525-76369ef9346a" grcontextid="I sighed and:0">I sighed and</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e08211cb-3f92-4765-a980-1f0018d40df7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ae36d7d6-b973-4d0c-8f42-53ba21a53e34" grcontextid="turned:0">turned</span> to look out of the window again. Seth and Nessie were lying on the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="577234ee-b3f2-4466-ba35-7356a9617bb4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6e8a1f91-bd6b-410b-95b5-b7a47e8568ab" grcontextid="grass:0">grass</span> <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f2526f0a-8bc8-4e6e-9223-2324d8d27374" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6e8a1f91-bd6b-410b-95b5-b7a47e8568ab" grcontextid="making:1">making</span> daisy chains. <i>Ah how sweet. </i> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
I wished I could be more carefree. I always have these visions of the future
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e90283cf-b151-4878-b6ff-b77bed880e1e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7cbf85d6-79a0-4342-a8f6-abd222d92108" grcontextid="with:0">with</span> me. It's hard to be a normal vampire. I wish I could be less serious
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0c6ca9bf-7424-4e9c-a74d-83cd992af3e3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="de50c1e0-573f-4734-9fa6-6194a816473f" grcontextid="like:0">like</span> Emmett and Rosalie. Something was seriously bothering me. I kept
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c817b264-6c24-4145-be93-3a4fa3f8137f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c3d9cebd-fa13-498e-99e2-274529e8b9fd" grcontextid="having:0">having</span> the same vision over and over again. The moon turned red, someone
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1da6804f-1c0d-4cc2-9e46-e921535fdc12" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="af81f436-3a4b-406a-bb02-0624acd72145" grcontextid="screams:0">screams</span> in anguish, their heart-breaking sobs echoing around the woods. I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a7253b0f-4243-449e-a126-0808eb2a392a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1432e8c3-9784-4e27-85aa-fe2493d26ae8" grcontextid="hated:0">hated</span> not knowing what was going to happen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
We'd felt so safe for years with no threats from any angle.<br />
I'd like it to stay that way. How I wish I didn't have this "gift"
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fd9079e2-9077-453a-86bb-b0ab996287e1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="906aad75-aa16-4559-8247-9e0babb86639" grcontextid="sometimes:0">sometimes</span>, imagine every day of your life (or existence) seeing pictures in your
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="08fdde7d-4380-4827-b4e3-0cd8181ba938" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f2736dc5-528f-4ffd-bbaa-d0bf8cf190d3" grcontextid="mind:0">mind</span> that may or may not happen!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">It could seriously drive a
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="58f49641-5c1b-49fe-bb5f-fe6a13eb206d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9dd90879-47f0-4026-85d6-f646104153e0" grcontextid="girl:0">girl</span> crazy!!</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">CHAPTER TWELVE</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Sunshine on a rainy day<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">LEAH CLEARWATER:<br />
We lay in Jake's small bed, listening to the rain pattering on the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1bfbb1bc-a5eb-4f16-ae4b-0653e9041f91" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3b55f655-0dd2-4d98-b7f3-c1802e506101" grcontextid="roof:0">roof</span>, hypnotic and soothing. The radio played softly in the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a797d039-e589-4f67-a417-878fba6fce76" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e85dad05-bb95-4129-8821-1b06b3e0c1ea" grcontextid="background:0">background</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
<i>"The night we met I knew I needed you so<br />
And if I had the chance I'd never let you go<br />
So won't you say you love me<br />
I'll make you so proud of me<br />
We'll make '<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ce267e33-a30f-4aa5-a3e9-ccddcb63d5b8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="aa224271-315f-4365-a281-4058cb0d5ba6" grcontextid="em:0">em</span> turn their heads<br />
Every place we go<br />
So won't you please</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">(Be my be my baby) Be <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="613fef4e-2fb8-428e-83c5-3a8f41a73590" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="089f9e5a-3358-4ea7-9411-6dcf91c8eeff" grcontextid="my:0">my</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="64e9da46-e704-48ca-9d2d-76c78bc78aed" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="00888d8f-c07f-4500-8fe0-e9ecdc129e28" grcontextid="little:0">little</span> baby<br />
(I want it only say) Say you'll be my darling<br />
(Be my be my baby) Be my baby now<br />
(I want it only say) Ooh, ohh, <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="60a848ba-91d2-4848-9bc0-0b463886a41a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5f444032-9da7-4703-b55f-5184a9d1aa98" grcontextid="ohh:0">ohh</span>, oh"</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I smiled to myself
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0f085c35-a8b7-4be5-a3e6-f2ba827d7193" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="43ab1358-fcd4-4f9a-aadf-15aee536385a" grcontextid="humming:0">humming</span>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
"What?" Jake murmured against my hair. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
" Nothing Jake, I was just thinking of you and listening to that song
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8c2a5745-f7bd-406c-8c55-adacf0c13a15" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8d22fb36-06b8-4a45-8d58-62076e69e63d" grcontextid="on:0">on</span> the radio."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
"<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b7d4d3a7-8ef1-49d8-9a67-737d088c72b8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d6b9b3e7-1683-4c13-916d-1b6d38016531" grcontextid="Aww:0">Aww</span> you soppy thing Leah!" he teased.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
I reached up to trace his face with my fingertips. His face was
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a11da5a7-5f0b-4c31-9380-d8eaab90de32" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7439b82b-439d-4ae6-b1e9-c9cfc536fe92" grcontextid="so:0">so</span> gorgeous, so kind, and so handsome.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
<i>My Jacob.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">It still amazed me how things had
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7e1fbe36-ed4a-4403-989e-808bc880249f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bf987210-d644-4040-afc4-66d7de790469" grcontextid="turned:0">turned</span> out. I was so happy, I needed him so much. He was the sunshine. He
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="69dd486f-e04e-449a-8668-86eb419f50ed" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="08cad98f-601f-47fb-b147-d0d4e86b9a94" grcontextid="chased:0">chased</span> away the dark clouds, filled the sky with rainbows. Our relationship had
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f977d603-d394-4e80-b7fa-310c9122a1db" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0a92a9d4-5e06-47f9-9269-a685844b5ea0" grcontextid="just:0">just</span> got stronger since that night in the forest. I felt my cheeks flush at the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7f29f2eb-3d35-4022-a9cb-6d118788189f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7f49698a-b17b-4be9-97a8-1eb81dca2481" grcontextid="memory:0">memory</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
We changed into wolves and we mated like animals do, and it was <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f03fda8f-03de-4ee0-ac12-cc75587d7476" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="87a07011-b2e0-445e-96ed-2901035dc900" grcontextid="the:0">the</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="69830aa2-de61-4c2b-9810-06f51a8fb7e7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b693a74c-6399-4da7-af92-5c4e0565cf6f" grcontextid="most:0">most</span> amazing thing. Until we'd decided to do the deed in our human
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7bca7f22-d089-4e1a-a63e-5522a3aec88f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="508c9a2a-516e-4d79-9334-afb1645982d2" grcontextid="forms:0">forms</span>. Well<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4b27957f-1a24-4ea9-932d-b50a367be923" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="352caa10-b9dd-4654-9306-3f67311aa3ad" grcontextid="…:0">…</span>what can I say… thunderbolts and fireworks just don't
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1a473d8f-3d23-49b8-b8f6-4c6ffbe6e6d3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a19ae781-ad81-4af2-8c8d-df4bdb410765" grcontextid="cover:0">cover</span> it. Being in wolf form is so hard to explain, you are ruled by
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="23160e57-e83c-4d49-84d6-f8047f72445d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ee442a62-34b3-49b7-ae6a-0d86c63a9edc" grcontextid="instinct:0">instinct</span>, by animalistic needs and desires. Its basic but it's amazing to
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="59b03e3f-ae14-4459-acb5-4a0267a9f9da" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="dc337b4a-4a8c-4e75-afc2-78006e7bb344" grcontextid="run:0">run</span> free and be yourself in that way. In contrast human form is so
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="467b6961-3b61-44a9-8d7f-e9adeeb666a5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="22f3b1cf-e4a0-4622-a2b2-51ce615dd8ff" grcontextid="complex:0">complex</span>, you get loads more sensation and experience, it's so much more
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="964322b4-18fe-4971-974e-1b989ac88e77" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="342ed453-b866-417e-88e5-663b27e5d60e" grcontextid="emotional:0">emotional</span> and complicated.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I sighed as I drew my fingertips
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="70298d85-839b-4c57-821b-ea2b499ca047" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c6a0e849-1113-46c7-a168-d82ae3819093" grcontextid="softly:0">softly</span> across his bottom lip, such full lips he has this sexy man of mine.
I adore his lips, I shiver thinking of them. His eyes are closed and
I wish we were in wolf form so I could know his thoughts. It's another
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2aa8d034-b628-4248-b820-b0b9e7bf0e25" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="22dbe338-546e-4704-8dc8-57ba17d68872" grcontextid="wolf:0">wolf</span> perk, being able to share thoughts, especially when you are
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="736f7bbe-0b2f-4db5-8541-ac11392749dc" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b5fbe85e-1b9d-4fca-a9c2-8e2569f91628" grcontextid="lovers:0">lovers</span>. His deep brown eyes are open now and staring into mine. We start
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6760cd7d-2795-470a-9e11-279d45e91599" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="249f7d8c-ed20-46a2-b722-7fb5605be3ac" grcontextid="to:0">to</span> kiss. I melt like warm chocolate in his embrace, he kisses me and <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7cde7db7-5efa-42f5-bf06-82b0a90a30cf" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c3e6b8a8-2809-41c7-aad9-4d5efb5ce102" grcontextid="I:0">I</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2a4fc559-821a-421d-ad7c-5a862c0935b1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ec9853fe-5d95-4c64-9fc2-77ec09ddfb4d" grcontextid="feel:0">feel</span> like I can see into his soul. I never thought I would think such
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0c974c43-e829-49b6-b0a1-81962a60db62" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f9166ace-2ed5-4e40-bc90-9bcb5d39f9ae" grcontextid="things:0">things</span>!! How did this happen to me? Was it always inevitable? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I really did think Jake and
Nessie would get together when she matured. It didn't bother me then. My heart
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f516ba8c-493b-4064-8809-2610aa13f6a3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f2f3e4c9-1a63-4c0b-b60a-a62321af6d54" grcontextid="was:0">was</span> hardened to love. What did I care who loved whom? Now, here I am
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c8c0eed3-9812-4e25-8c36-1e3c73298f24" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="66747c20-53e6-49a4-aadd-6c5721a69785" grcontextid="gushing:0">gushing</span> sentimental nonsense about Jacob Black and loving every minute, every
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a360d10c-4142-48b3-af3a-d522739b580c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4f576d4f-8ee3-460f-899c-55868241b548" grcontextid="second:0">second</span>! His lips were becoming more insistent, mine picked up the frantic
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b94a6a0c-20e0-4c39-8721-fb2bd64b83e5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="89d2df3b-ac3f-4838-bdf6-d7212c9b4b34" grcontextid="rhythm:0">rhythm</span>, and I could devour him he tasted so good.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Suddenly we hear a door slam
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e24bc047-503c-44a6-b091-2314d3e68e75" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f5003dc5-7b1d-4426-807b-e7f11927d3bf" grcontextid="and:0">and</span> it breaks our connection.<br />
I jump up from the bed straightening my clothes and hair. Jacob is
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4a1ea1a4-020e-4c88-b446-9181ee593876" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="53cb70c2-21ed-4cac-8980-b2e983f2eb5d" grcontextid="grinning:0">grinning</span> at me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
"Come on silly, your dad is home, and sounds like my Mom, Charlie and Zach
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="87ea78db-336d-4b21-af47-68fcdf2afba0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d53a11e0-01b5-4303-9147-9372e757deb0" grcontextid="are:0">are</span> here too!" Jacob just grinned. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
<i>Sunshine smile.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">"Come on!" I urged him,
" Remember how much trouble we're still in for not turning up for
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5f1a7453-2393-4309-9f55-e9e23d726de6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="593d7f14-5375-4441-b27d-3c6593b9e991" grcontextid="baby-sitting:0">baby-sitting</span> duties two weeks ago!" I scolded slapping his leg. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
"It was worth it," he drawled, jumping up and giving me a giant
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="909a37ab-a11a-44f7-bc7f-ef86080c1445" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9e781e48-6dab-4d3e-9b4e-adca4b2b6ec6" grcontextid="hug:0">hug</span>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
I laughed and wriggled to get out of his bear hug in case the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="08ba3dde-03c4-4255-9aed-9024587b4f4e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7d7f1ed7-eb7e-4e68-92f4-e792043776dd" grcontextid="parents:0">parents</span> dropped in to say hello. Though my Mom was cool about Jacob and I,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="48c7434c-8f83-42db-a399-32cec9289504" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="975ae0e8-b25e-4741-a5e0-76629d819b14" grcontextid="she:0">she</span> thought he was pretty fabulous too! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
"We can't stay and chat anyway, “ Jacob reminded me, "I promised
Nessie we'd visit." <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
"We?" I questioned with my eyebrows raised.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
"Yes of course Leah honey, both of us, we're a package deal now
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b2eac62e-37cd-4bc2-adec-11a923d89b73" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3f4c92c2-12cd-4f0d-b39f-d72d32ba89dd" grcontextid="remember:0">remember</span>?" he smiled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
"<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9c28c578-3857-4458-b20f-3617729dada3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f22d3225-8b28-4591-b39f-69dbf588a683" grcontextid="Uhmm:0">Uhmm</span> okay then, it's fine," I lied. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
Vampires still gave me the heebie jeebies, it was hard to shake
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f8a8f778-0f29-4299-a0f0-0bb6a4eadbe5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0a725373-e8a7-48cd-9b12-698eb9a3c207" grcontextid="the:0">the</span> feelings I'd always <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8f4004e3-f343-4103-aa6a-1bef8a5e1a27" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0a725373-e8a7-48cd-9b12-698eb9a3c207" grcontextid="harboured:1">harboured</span> for them, though I was definitely
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ad265d85-924c-4479-9e5c-d88a3563179f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b01f9e13-44ee-454f-b34c-2fe08c56e16f" grcontextid="much:0">much</span> more tolerant now. Could be something to do with the fact they were
Jacob's extended family. Plus my own kid brother pretty much hung out with
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="308a6218-cd73-49cf-b5e4-f730b4f35a2a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f17c07a1-a1cf-48dd-b2d8-3e4ef3e36a36" grcontextid="them:0">them</span> all the time. I guessed he was in love with Nessie. Poor
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9e9ad186-e22e-4aa2-abe8-66d73a27d8c2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8144af88-9f1a-45a7-8431-3a60502f2547" grcontextid="kid:0">kid</span>! Even though I knew Jacob loved me, I was still a bit uneasy about
Nessie, after what had happened between her and Jake a while
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="39b8d5b6-6795-4d82-ad50-ab3965263d28" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9fd88336-bc48-4269-b1cf-7c688946e0e7" grcontextid="ago:0">ago</span>. Guess I'm just a regular girl after all – keep your hands <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7ff400f4-057e-4b01-97e2-5366044aee9a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5b226762-1084-4ed6-b3f3-06777d8c1479" grcontextid="of:0">of</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a12fbdb8-eebc-4488-8c27-1538325ff4be" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="38a6774c-8961-4a6d-abb3-06ff0324b992" grcontextid="my:0">my</span> man!!! Jealous? <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="26c2f06c-5771-46f9-ab78-d8ff372d3fa5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="11031a50-9d2f-4286-8798-46b9b990c71f" grcontextid="Hmmm:0">Hmmm</span> a little bit, but who wouldn't be
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b819b2ae-3572-406c-b2f4-bbb322c6dcd4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="232357d6-9db8-470b-80e6-8cfc69014037" grcontextid="jealous:0">jealous</span> of hybrid girl. She's so beautiful, so funny, and so
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7fe2b377-b310-4185-a16e-4aca3c88781d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d67e7e06-e3ab-4ff3-b964-fe7186604fda" grcontextid="talented:0">talented</span>. I silently scolded myself for even thinking about it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
<br />
But as we left the room I gave an involuntary shudder. Things were so good
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fd3effd2-9f4e-4aec-b3dc-b411bd9f3262" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="746e5916-7559-44fd-bded-52e3bce6bb8d" grcontextid="at:0">at</span> the moment; something had to go wrong, right? I couldn't shake off <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d73d1d06-19a0-4d64-adf4-99548edb8853" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="066426ab-61f2-400d-a722-359ce66776b5" grcontextid="my:0">my</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6ff78a57-1e1a-4cfb-871d-45fa028d00f4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f5bdf9f9-a1a7-4b9e-b558-f5d3adeb578d" grcontextid="feeling:0">feeling</span> of foreboding. Even with Jake's big warm hand in mine, I still felt as
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f611bd55-ee80-448e-9388-34e420ffb096" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="159d7ef8-3dd7-46cf-96a8-e6bc9c54c932" grcontextid="though:0">though</span> my sunshine would be eclipsed by <i>darkness.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">CHAPTER THIRTEEN</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">In the meadow<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">RENESMEE CULLEN:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I lay back on the grass and
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="cd6a32df-654d-4651-9270-65aad0de4cf6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bff6d999-6e2e-48cc-9bcb-6d5b17a771c8" grcontextid="stared:0">stared</span> up at the sky, the sun was trying to break through the clouds. I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2e7c6262-4577-4a50-8016-4c45f6c3503e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5a0f0083-8a45-4177-815e-ed4a8669a91f" grcontextid="loved:0">loved</span> this meadow. It was the very place my mother and father had fallen
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ddde67f9-b5d2-4142-acb4-b0ed185fda59" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2a2d5fd0-957e-4fbb-8b14-49db88be6f63" grcontextid="in:0">in</span> love. Mom had told me all about it, and how, as a human she'd been dazzled
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="109e1af7-0215-41c7-af95-4e3658c1c898" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ff39d2ea-4f9a-4844-893a-a20dd25be565" grcontextid="by:0">by</span> Dad's skin, glittering like diamonds in the sun. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">How he had <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="31681e0a-34ce-4238-b5ec-e8acde98d975" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d79d4243-4490-4ae7-a181-3c15dc1e8e02" grcontextid="uttered:0">uttered</span> that
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b50f4837-7b1c-422d-bc53-6c07e108386a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="92cffe1c-798c-4fff-9a04-db2c230de062" grcontextid="fateful:0">fateful</span> sentence, <i>" So the lion fell in love with the lamb".</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I loved that, so romantic, I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5ad168a2-4e16-4a7c-b9fc-2f21471c460f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6726a0d6-7c6b-4e07-9aa6-998341c647a1" grcontextid="sighed:0">sighed</span>, wishing for some romance in my life. I had a great family, Jacob
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a7d7375e-716f-466b-80d9-ce60e03b2ae3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0c4cce2d-20d8-4e1d-9926-6b9a2772e9de" grcontextid="was:0">was</span> still here, Seth was turning into someone whom I trusted and needed. It
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="580cc383-1454-463e-9914-990c10ec7d6e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7f2222cf-90e0-4642-935d-7ad1465ffebe" grcontextid="wasn't:0">wasn't</span> all bad. Jacob and Leah had just left after their visit. I don't think
Leah has entirely warmed to me, but I couldn't blame her for that. I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4809315a-75f3-4608-8519-0b19bef8bd8d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0644e67d-467d-4d35-a829-20806193b291" grcontextid="finally:0">finally</span> saw them together and I could see how much in love they were. They
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="041f6f75-120c-4cff-8cf9-dd63229ca09a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f66e3d80-3833-4659-8a59-5c07cb7f94a8" grcontextid="reminded:0">reminded</span> me of Mom and Dad. And you might not believe me, but I'm really and
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6c9ced7c-bbc4-443c-bc7d-2113c2ef8b2e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="21f232ce-8a0c-4f48-bd58-04d514c6e70e" grcontextid="truly:0">truly</span> happy for them. All I want is for Jacob to have his happy ending. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I'll be fine, I'm <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6fa8ed25-a812-4817-9f30-fb6f7685a6ba" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="60ae08c3-f43c-4a30-a03c-ebd3432eac4f" grcontextid="made:0">made</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ba918499-2e76-4416-87f3-de82193fbff7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bb7e6502-d6a9-4be4-854c-763691374d8c" grcontextid="from:0">from</span> tough stuff, just like my beautiful Mom. Suddenly my reverie
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="69e485f2-0aff-4f80-bb61-676a1b6e899f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ed6ecdfc-a51c-4add-8114-9f3c3c3b98bc" grcontextid="was:0">was</span> disturbed by the feeling of another presence close by. I sat up
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f940d025-f8f7-4943-ab36-ad5d7f54f783" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="54ae44da-119f-4fd9-a0e0-b3ea468df002" grcontextid="with:0">with</span> a fright. Who else would come here?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Nahuel appeared
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="04a1686b-6ab2-4050-abc1-abebd1c9d360" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f5ee4709-a28c-498b-98eb-d24f2efe6dc3" grcontextid="into:0">into</span> my line of vision. He smiled, that strange half smile of
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ff39e89b-f0a7-47a8-b405-43697ed1ee9c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b787f4fb-520e-4546-a4bd-ab97c280827e" grcontextid="his:0">his</span>, and raised his hand in greeting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
"Did you follow me Nahuel"? I questioned, frowning. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
" Why yes, dear Renesmee, I did," he replied. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
Hmm, I was not pleased at all! "Well you should've just asked to come
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c3d0609a-6264-4d51-9cfe-a05328a36b72" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="af64823a-7f1d-424e-a0ec-5923a64d0bb5" grcontextid="along:0">along</span>, it's rude to spy on people you know," I replied indignantly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
He came over and sat next to me, his strange violet eyes studying <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a272f5ba-36c8-4eeb-8338-90fe3a8d6f97" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e1c86c4b-1f53-49ba-bb02-24fd2e4d4e1c" grcontextid="my:0">my</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ca6eb908-e1e9-4812-8fa3-0242d2ea0b00" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a3179e9f-2d91-41b1-b546-9b93e9de6a34" grcontextid="face:0">face</span>. " Do you prefer to be addressed as Renesmee or Nessie? "<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7938d140-1c15-4aa0-86ec-235e1f45901b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1763d95f-df5b-48ba-af76-c009568673e8" grcontextid="he:0">he</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1df3a810-f362-4705-9b9d-97f8912b8b98" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ba463247-5494-4c86-90d6-18eb1cbe7a39" grcontextid="enquires:0">enquires</span> of me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"I like Nessie better, <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="aea62318-824a-4200-955f-4cc550d860ce" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="cb33b78f-e4bf-40e2-bd89-3e8a655c89ad" grcontextid="I:0">I</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="cccd2adf-cf5b-4d24-87c6-00a0a6388794" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="64cca737-832d-4808-8b93-1288ec329406" grcontextid="suppose:0">suppose</span>," I said, wondering where this conversation was going.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"This is a special place
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="735baacb-1fbf-4054-8dd6-007f5873c552" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c4f30d58-6630-4d2f-a8ce-71c77960fac8" grcontextid="for:0">for</span> you, Nessie?" he asks<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Yes, my parents love
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ab906695-392c-4223-ab57-d3a8fe468af2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bfc2f2ac-502c-4e7e-9905-d68a317240f3" grcontextid="this:0">this</span> place," I replied with a worn out tired sigh. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">He studied me like I was a
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2be142bc-8bdf-47b0-b859-c5d2a5c20eac" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="afb67cc8-1748-452b-b1b4-0318c9964902" grcontextid="bug:0">bug</span> under a microscope. It made me very uncomfortable.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">" Hmm, I see," he
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="244189f2-c732-4cc2-b34b-21a728085ea8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="93c72139-0421-49ea-99b6-97d0aa18d222" grcontextid="pondered:0">pondered</span>. "If I may ask you a question?" he said looking directly
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9e68ea8d-f11f-4940-beba-bc271cf2063e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c106f72d-443f-4063-bc30-f9fa6e9efad1" grcontextid="into:0">into</span> my eyes again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="708ef8d2-dd98-42fb-b450-0a0631f46c4a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8f66920b-abb1-4f1a-a020-5eb2ca5ada15" grcontextid="Okaaay:0">Okaaay</span>," I replied
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0358fa62-a128-48d2-a092-966d34b288e3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="cd3763f3-8a58-4cd1-beb8-3b46a1176700" grcontextid="nervously:0">nervously</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">" Why do you keep
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d9945c68-b9c7-42ab-97f6-5d8d4e929712" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4ebf564e-9ffb-40dc-b5cd-6490b254ae5d" grcontextid="company:0">company</span> with this shape-shifter Seth Clearwater? He is not of your kind, I do
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="21e38f65-c842-4265-a1a5-26699c45bec2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="be9bcc7e-780f-4839-a383-f1cbfbbc70ff" grcontextid="not:0">not</span> see why you want to be near him!" he spat out evilly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I felt a flush creep up my
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f3147e4a-5f90-40ce-9443-789fc521e247" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="78d4cde9-4a01-49c6-a602-f496e13466f1" grcontextid="cheeks:0">cheeks</span>. Jeez this guy was seriously annoying the hell out of me!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">" Seth is a good friend,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="058383a2-237e-4053-9a1c-a0de5a84eaf6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d37eebf7-97c0-4d93-bcbf-ab92a6fb8f0e" grcontextid="a:0">a</span> very close friend, it doesn't matter to me if he's human, wolf, vampire or
.<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c4769fee-811d-4481-9b21-60ebd49a5dce" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f02f109a-399d-4d21-9a53-65c519681d28" grcontextid=".:0">.</span><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3e2f52e4-ce8f-4542-97f5-5ce98ba09330" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f02f109a-399d-4d21-9a53-65c519681d28" grcontextid="or:1">or</span> a demon!" I blurted out angrily.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">He smiled that strange half
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="91c25262-b4c7-4521-bac2-7f5bd9d9b6b6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="90febc79-f2e0-42c5-abd1-a8109382475d" grcontextid="smile:0">smile</span> again, seemingly pleased that he'd touched a nerve.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Hmm, well I was hoping
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="09726e3a-cb8a-414d-ae6e-7bcdb235f3be" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="09811d33-bd97-42f9-9988-24ae653bb691" grcontextid="you:0">you</span> and I would be friends. We are the same Nessie,” he smiled. <i>Crocodile <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9d135f0a-f827-43ca-bc37-ca4daefe3eac" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="14a5eb86-b03c-48d4-a71f-69b2d59890a9" grcontextid="smile:0">smile</span>.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d043f42b-dd0f-410f-a8e9-ea1084ee0d51" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e1529d91-98f0-4500-a4f7-b78ff58d158d" grcontextid="Eww:0">Eww</span> what a <i>creep!</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Well Nahuel, you haven't
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b13da559-545b-41c3-92cf-36554d3e59e7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1682ecbf-b11e-41bf-abf7-f9b6e64f5f45" grcontextid="exactly:0">exactly</span> made an effort to get to know me have you? And if you had bothered, you
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="eec4f17b-d7ee-4fd7-bfad-febe53862e6c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="968861f3-3aaa-4215-b7eb-47f45d85da66" grcontextid="would:0">would</span> know that I hold my special friends very dear to me," I retorted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">He seemed upset by my remark,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fb4b39cc-d178-4b1a-b7b1-10b94d735fbd" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ee02a611-6e74-45f3-95d5-9c21790ac64a" grcontextid="his:0">his</span> violet eyes darkening for a second.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">" Well Nessie, I shall
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9fa49c22-4d96-4fa2-833b-46be5a6915de" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="70fb06e7-f549-4ba5-a042-b14422265816" grcontextid="endeavour:0">endeavour</span> to make more of an effort with you from now on, oh yes, I will make a
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d75cd6ea-e7a4-4dae-b42a-4e781f7a71f7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="07863735-c0b9-455c-beb7-cca2a7b39bac" grcontextid="great:0">great</span> effort with you," he said, his voice dripping with evil sarcasm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">He turned and quickly left
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="235786e8-c7ff-4e02-ad1c-564bb7d93206" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="aeb0376a-7df8-4fcf-9a7f-f4eaf75ff26e" grcontextid="the:0">the</span> meadow, leaving me stunned into silence. How strange he was! But the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c91f6f2e-f00f-4fda-8f71-4a6d634504b2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f2c850c5-bb1e-4ae7-82fe-d7b3ca19169f" grcontextid="kind-hearted:0">kind-hearted</span> part of me felt a little bit sorry for him too. Still, I couldn't
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f1b85bf1-c6ec-4ec3-a7b8-1f8ff356f80e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2044c38d-da95-4a71-b4ce-e364e3643eb5" grcontextid="shake:0">shake</span> the horrible feeling our encounter had left with me. The meadow seemed a
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="96a1ec51-2052-4a5c-81d4-f73779f535c2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6d4858d8-b899-43c4-9413-2a7fa63fc97b" grcontextid="dark:0">dark</span> and scary place now. I shivered and hugged myself, vowing to keep away
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4dfc87fa-dca2-43c9-96c7-2e98822b2a7b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7fd16e39-a6af-4636-b6fd-58b7c5f2d140" grcontextid="from:0">from</span> Nahuel if I could.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I suddenly needed to see
Seth; he'd make the sunshine come back into my world. He'd chase away the dark
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7480f988-88ee-4298-91bf-d43f1c593330" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e40a33cc-acf4-4c09-8b3b-adad22dba513" grcontextid="shadows:0">shadows</span> with his dazzling smile. I shocked myself with my observations. Usually
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="972110a1-eb83-4d9f-9603-b355ddf2f543" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="17d9e7e5-6981-42d8-b244-29f4dea09a3a" grcontextid="my:0">my</span> first instincts in times of trouble were to run <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3c854900-5c03-48b9-8169-99f5b18404a3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="17d9e7e5-6981-42d8-b244-29f4dea09a3a" grcontextid="to:1">to</span> Jacob, my protector and
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="818f0c4c-9f44-48c4-9e29-dfc4b002600a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="32e89194-b43c-48e3-97d7-c797b24dd0e6" grcontextid="best:0">best</span> friend. Now it was Seth on my mind, I was surprised, but in a good way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">I</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> <i>smiled a secret little smile to myself, as I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="283f2ee7-20bb-4545-9d01-e83ac32ee56a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b277d305-d215-4de2-a703-3d372d659b07" grcontextid="sped:0">sped</span> home as fast as I could (in) humanely go.</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">CHAPTER FOURTEEN</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Butterfly wings<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">SETH CLEARWATER:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I paced the Cullen's drive
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4409e10b-ae8e-47e6-99ac-b1ca41c0bbaa" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="37d8d831-e0e4-460a-b749-b7362da1fd60" grcontextid="way:0">way</span> impatiently, wondering if Nessie was okay. She'd taken off by herself just
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="395f73ca-cfdc-4d58-809e-653bcae954f0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1822dc64-6735-4232-bf96-704211ab98cb" grcontextid="after:0">after</span> Jake and Leah had left. I was worried she was upset seeing as it was <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8ad3c293-de21-4282-9a5a-97ebc5ac23f0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ac3958f1-2009-45d6-b9f5-f838dba74087" grcontextid="the:0">the</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d9c44ec0-f0d6-4ebe-a15c-7ac501ffbda0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9953a87d-297a-4f03-bc33-45c2109c2aa2" grcontextid="first time:0">first time</span> she had seen them together as a couple. My heart ached to think of
Nessie <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c4ef4969-fe11-4acc-aa91-71ee515f44e4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2cf0a2e3-1dac-4ef9-b4d3-575e93591e73" grcontextid="upset:0">upset</span> and hurting all alone somewhere. Suddenly small hands grabbed me
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="69d57d8e-2cba-4b78-900f-5de24d52bfc1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6f947cdb-2c49-42eb-8cc8-58eeffa739c2" grcontextid="around:0">around</span> the waist, I gasped and spun round to see Nessie smiling up at me. My
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3f69903d-2df3-47fb-a952-34fe66d1fb42" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="aaa66821-b6fc-46fa-86e3-836800f24f30" grcontextid="heart:0">heart</span> stuttered and lurched at her dazzling, smiling face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Nessie, where did you
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7fc6587d-911e-4462-a568-bc7ebcb00a4f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="129afbd7-d13c-4fd7-bac0-545a1292bb48" grcontextid="take:0">take</span> off to?" I asked, taking her hands in mine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"The meadow, I just
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="57489a00-29f6-42a8-add7-4f5b061f8a76" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="84f6cb4c-3e3d-4588-89ae-82e01b40a41a" grcontextid="needed:0">needed</span> time out," she smiled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"And you're okay,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="bc67aae7-1ab3-4c7a-bdd6-27229428f8c2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="faad60cf-d45c-450f-ab39-ba8203665753" grcontextid="y'know:0">y'know</span>, <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a97b53af-27a8-4ff3-8423-4ac3cc35f9a8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="faad60cf-d45c-450f-ab39-ba8203665753" grcontextid="ehmm:1">ehmm</span>, with the situation?" I struggled awkwardly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">" If you mean Jacob and
Leah, then yes I'm perfectly fine, Seth Clearwater!" she said indignantly,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="968cd9ad-0327-4373-b80b-83d382407337" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="86f17875-9e70-4694-b9aa-aaf76e9a07d3" grcontextid="squeezing:0">squeezing</span> my hands.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">" But thanks for your
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4d8b3fd1-65e6-4e86-8993-ce21ba5c5fbf" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c4a4a75b-5940-4263-95f4-0d35e731e460" grcontextid="concern:0">concern</span>, kind gentleman," she laughed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Boy, was I glad to hear that
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="694594a4-174c-4335-8f04-267302b627d7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="aee58555-03a7-4a84-bbdb-a018823fa8c3" grcontextid="musical:0">musical</span> laughter of hers. I let out a sigh of relief.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">" Well you know me,
Nessie love, I'm a born worrier." I sighed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">She frowned slightly before
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1b7ba0e9-555c-4422-a263-432238f97f20" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="422ceb01-8052-4cd4-8f05-0fab14d26f34" grcontextid="replying:0">replying</span> " This might give you something to lose sleep over then, Seth.
Guess who followed me to the meadow?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">"Nahuel!</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">" she said before I could guess.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Jeez, what did that
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="670f1927-8148-4b84-83fb-5d413955dc7e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8c0a7933-cc28-4226-93f7-471c4cea2020" grcontextid="creep:0">creep</span> want?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">" He said I should be
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f7eb49ac-c33d-422e-a63f-c4bdd062018f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="dc283175-b4f7-43ca-8961-b97319c1231a" grcontextid="making:0">making</span> more of an effort to get to know him as we are two of a kind. And he
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="12388002-a8c9-4727-8dc8-6b7506252a3c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b4fda8b4-c54c-4dea-90b4-cafd85bb6538" grcontextid="asked:0">asked</span> me why I was hanging around with you so much," she confessed,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="589c4384-384f-4611-bd3a-5b8cbef87401" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6ea9a25f-e244-4d7b-8e09-0db4e9e9871a" grcontextid="looking:0">looking</span> up at me through her long eyelashes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I felt anger surge through <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ba6b8e06-dd71-48f6-9a6f-9a55146fc12c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fe2bd643-056a-44d7-8b9c-4ea885d18807" grcontextid="my:0">my</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6a8b87bd-b0e6-40bf-ab0a-26feecb41a9a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1e6d586e-8768-4dcb-a78e-9d4c28f582ed" grcontextid="chest:0">chest</span>, and my hands balled into fists. " What the hell?" I exclaimed.
" How dare he follow you! I bet you got a fright Ness."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I hated to think of him
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="76d5b82e-0e7f-40ec-bf9f-00edea820cf3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8afeb695-2326-4fa2-a422-532c311781a3" grcontextid="scaring:0">scaring</span> Nessie, I really didn't like the guy. Whoa Clearwater, stop getting so
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5ffb971e-9cc6-4e84-81e6-cad58de1c35e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="26312aad-5f5a-4965-b71b-4b4a87a3cf67" grcontextid="possessive:0">possessive</span>, Nessie <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a2af9822-6662-4411-be47-944f83ace860" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="26312aad-5f5a-4965-b71b-4b4a87a3cf67" grcontextid="ain't:1">ain't</span> your girlfriend. "<i>Yet, " </i>a small
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3b262d97-74f5-4bba-acaa-529cd1577dac" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f323e218-4b9f-4801-a29e-a81ed8cc138c" grcontextid="voice:0">voice</span> whispered in my head.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">She shrugged her shoulders,
" Don't worry Seth, I gave him a hard time, then he left. He's a <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c7447b1b-047e-432a-9069-07e4a09fc0af" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ae474ffa-7ecb-44c0-8dfc-96a53152e079" grcontextid="strange:0">strange</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0e85f3bd-a11e-410c-8dba-e227a56a0dd9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2e198abf-4870-4686-9c48-2ba1ca3fac7a" grcontextid="boy:0">boy</span>, but I kinda feel sorry for him a little bit too."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Well <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fc6bc8c7-fb25-4309-99c3-fed41d1e516f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ff10e1fe-dfd6-4948-9959-75527f9d915b" grcontextid="don't, honey,:0">don't, honey,</span> you
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8f78d67b-cb1b-414c-a706-3e48d645388a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4fcc3f08-3aee-4c40-b27d-37250941d542" grcontextid="are:0">are</span> way too soft-hearted for your own good," I chided.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="34fe97f2-7324-4898-b662-3dca037e7eb5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="62902aff-3931-4c23-89f2-9cceb03bdcca" grcontextid="Uhuh:0">Uhuh</span>, I guess that's
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1e674c48-e4bd-4465-ad7a-8bb349857403" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4c00cf12-332c-473d-ae53-814bd0d4f900" grcontextid="why:0">why</span> I hang around with you then, I just can't resist the underdog," she
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="286215f9-df22-4520-8fe5-83863ca49713" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8573b842-8f53-4cf4-a2b5-7c92391b1377" grcontextid="laughed:0">laughed</span> playfully.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Gee, thanks, I love you
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6defbae9-de13-4382-aed1-e263d81ad229" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="04ffa126-992a-4b02-9916-bc3eceb2058b" grcontextid="too:0">too</span>," I said jokingly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Thing is I really did love
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="793ce39c-0c21-4c8b-a693-fad3599d5d5d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="995ae4e5-aade-47c9-8017-9f1965047b5a" grcontextid="her:0">her</span>, and the thought of that creep harassing her made my blood boil. But I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a4932eb7-1d4d-4e4b-933c-10839760295e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="99e0078d-295e-4d0a-8142-94b7db0458d6" grcontextid="would:0">would</span> behave, anything to save upsetting my darling Nessie.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">" Let's go inside Seth,
I have something to show you, "she said mysteriously.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Okay then, but if it's
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4406d08a-f071-4c95-9930-228335892158" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="02227f21-4f6a-4551-a1ad-ffd71a9044a7" grcontextid="another:0">another</span> collection of new shoes Alice has bought then I'm outta here!" I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8565a322-99a9-4bba-978b-861f43220ea9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f8daeb23-2dee-4661-a3e9-b690aec8d506" grcontextid="exclaimed:0">exclaimed</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Silly Seth, come
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f2a37174-553d-4031-98d1-b2bf2da2ddd3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="38316844-0d1e-4ea0-88a1-e12ca18deda5" grcontextid="on:0">on</span>!" she laughed, dragging me into the house.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Rosalie and Emmett were
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="87b8f3dc-4e25-4d21-8b75-a6224d23ce0c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2288ea97-4620-4270-8850-224ceae1f58f" grcontextid="watching:0">watching</span> baseball on the plasma television, arguing about the rules.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">" Hey Princess, hey
Seth," Emmett called as we walked by.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">" Hey guys," I said
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="72f6f7db-c4b1-45c8-a521-ba42f6ce39b5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="25401f02-6721-4e0a-b1b7-522aa0b22a6f" grcontextid="politely:0">politely</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Too busy to stop and
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6913fa39-5e0c-454f-810f-5c622d747c29" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c3c2264b-944f-43ac-97a3-9d0ddddc65e5" grcontextid="chat:0">chat</span> Uncle Emmett!" Nessie trilled as she dragged me along by the hand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">She took <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c1143b9d-031f-417a-81bc-b67896ce53ac" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="748ecee7-0de7-4ee8-8e6d-c7186f8aa8e3" grcontextid="me through to:0">me through to</span>
Edward's piano and sat down, motioning for me to sit next to her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">" I wrote a song, I want
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e6759989-c4fc-4dee-a7af-2a38d0c6250b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="eb4836a8-c26e-4958-8e9c-1cae384e601c" grcontextid="you:0">you</span> <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4bb78e70-8222-4bdb-800f-c2e4d6ad0652" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="eb4836a8-c26e-4958-8e9c-1cae384e601c" grcontextid="to hear:1">to hear</span> it first," she smiled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">That dazzling smile which
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9b6c7570-fad3-4334-8a48-0c2829c7d459" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c2b169fd-7311-4701-ad13-91e901037adf" grcontextid="could:0">could</span> make my heart dance and sing. I'd heard Nessie <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f9fc226f-1a7b-4c33-b05b-70f3b60371ac" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="840c1c06-2ba5-4671-aa28-64a7f3e11509" grcontextid="play:0">play</span> the piano before but
I'd never heard her sing. She had the voice of an angel, not that I was
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="27a42139-5fc9-4a76-ac44-bfa0be8357d8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1cecadb7-8a6a-4f1d-9720-5a8223fbd251" grcontextid="surprised:0">surprised</span>; she was an angel, to me. I couldn't move or breathe as she <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6be0aefc-f14d-46b5-9660-681b1ac77a2f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fe810ec6-9cce-4495-8bfa-f500206160da" grcontextid="sang her:0">sang her</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8f965314-5407-44b4-b1bd-d0b34b7a5b33" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2a9745ad-710f-4fee-ab35-8b3ff201b9f2" grcontextid="song:0">song</span> to me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"<i>I'm beating like a
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="105559ab-8193-4767-9a34-b8beb131188c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ed0d75af-551e-4e46-a166-5171bc567a1c" grcontextid="butterfly's:0">butterfly's</span> wing<br />
Unable to sleep<br />
I'm beating like a butterfly's wing<br />
See what you've done to me</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Beating like a butterfly's
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a924b261-da46-473f-b977-55f223a241a6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="444e5223-a17a-4c98-be13-0370801933c8" grcontextid="wing:0">wing</span><br />
A butterfly</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">My hair's a mess, just as
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="62b12887-a873-4ee8-8470-fe31255ec657" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ef1b14d3-16f7-4e48-a106-a39a350dd91d" grcontextid="you:0">you</span> left it<br />
The snow falls back and forth<br />
And I fall back to earth</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">I'm beating like a
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4cef2ce3-c9ef-45f5-887b-19a09eb63229" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d74ae52a-03b6-44e6-b2d6-3d1451c7e4c3" grcontextid="butterfly's:0">butterfly's</span> wing<br />
Unable to sleep<br />
I'm beating like a butterfly's wing<br />
See what you've done to me<br />
(<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0f842513-170d-491d-bcca-917dd2667232" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5c277a39-521e-442e-9c5d-2b844c490e57" grcontextid="copyright:0">copyright</span> Mercury Rev 2008)</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The song ended, I sat in
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a26fbacf-8236-4c6d-95d2-52430f5b7431" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d08e9e5f-9f17-4169-96d8-86c35dbb162a" grcontextid="stunned:0">stunned</span> silence, I'd never heard anything so beautiful in my life. I was
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4526be77-b731-4ea8-b966-6c775c9cc0cf" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bd6c10c8-ef3f-435e-b485-26501d2760d2" grcontextid="overwhelmed:0">overwhelmed</span> and awed at this creature sitting next to me, patiently waiting for
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="04820f38-d403-4624-97f0-96b698cb0b05" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8d0f167a-1d77-4113-95e9-2dc11490af0a" grcontextid="my:0">my</span> reaction. I turned to face Nessie, when I had gathered control of <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4db247a4-9a95-4b80-973b-b616672f9f9e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b88e5b59-d76f-4e91-85b1-5a652ba04b96" grcontextid="my:0">my</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b7046d46-5e6d-47b1-9e89-b0cf9fcc2c63" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c1246901-51b4-4e2f-ab8c-158dd7412bd1" grcontextid="emotions:0">emotions</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">" <i>Wow!</i>"
I whispered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">A shy smile played across her
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="08babf71-3b83-4322-ba23-9ffbb4fdda66" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="694bff61-3b46-418a-b435-0ebd767f312a" grcontextid="lips:0">lips</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Did you really like it?
" <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f02b64b3-5cae-4274-a0b8-114566c43560" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8a726515-3825-4c38-9203-7c8e13ec6a2c" grcontextid="she:0">she</span> asked timidly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Wow!" I repeated.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Her eyes were deep pools, as
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8e31eb68-c89d-42ee-a2d8-c172b6313cb8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2a58c65b-be09-4f63-bed5-dea4b57c1cf1" grcontextid="she:0">she</span> looked straight into mine, " I wrote it for <i>you</i> Seth."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Oh! What!? <i>For me?</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">" I don't know what to
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a4205ca7-1011-46a8-b80c-26da8d3548a9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3698b848-a08f-49cb-bfc9-234b0515365e" grcontextid="say:0">say</span> love, no one has ever written a song for me, such a perfect, perfect song,
I'm speechless!" I exclaimed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Then there is no need
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d841e4ab-ae26-42db-abbe-a46016561b40" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1456e939-ff2c-4ece-b651-a2bb95e60f96" grcontextid="for:0">for</span> words, is there?" she whispered, her chocolate brown eyes shining.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Oh. My. God.</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">This was it, the moment I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c58e4943-9400-4c00-8e9c-2c0e2de2a9b7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d49411d9-52a8-4564-b4d8-eed7c3dc1180" grcontextid="longed:0">longed</span> for. The perfect moment when I would kiss her and she would kiss me
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="008bfa73-e965-4619-8eeb-cae3d94dc2ac" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c21d4b06-9d93-4a9d-a564-fa7c61a8a95f" grcontextid="back:0">back</span>. She would <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e4286074-c50c-447e-8726-e7ecb57c44a5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8d67d654-c7bd-4127-bf2f-7dce4e03459d" grcontextid="realise:0">realise</span> how much I loved her and everything in the universe
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7e7c1f66-3161-43dc-b2b7-3ca803b95f78" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ba8fdf83-30d7-49dc-a1c1-7137fc2143c1" grcontextid="would:0">would</span> fall into its rightful place. I hesitated, and she saw my hesitation, her
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="630967bf-a010-414f-b9a7-e11d7c490a9b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="65c0d07f-2664-4db6-8b45-31705f97a539" grcontextid="face:0">face</span> <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d753c9e6-403e-4483-9a91-fc9c47713174" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="65c0d07f-2664-4db6-8b45-31705f97a539" grcontextid="falling:1">falling</span>. Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! She wanted me to kiss her and here I sat
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a43e4829-b196-42f0-8bf8-e4258fc9eb53" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="48293a6c-ded6-4eef-b2fb-e6031339f12d" grcontextid="like:0">like</span> the world's biggest idiot.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">But I was afraid, so <i>so</i> afraid
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7d321a1e-7bdb-44fb-b783-0557aebb5573" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="aa8d015f-b0ec-4eb1-b3ad-4e07de185438" grcontextid="to:0">to</span> get involved, to break her heart. To hurt us both. Jeez Seth, imprint
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6e9facb5-0167-4d89-822f-565d3dc136a7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b4aa12b4-39fa-454a-bccf-4d200069c59c" grcontextid="already:0">already</span>! Why couldn't I imprint on her? I loved her. I wanted her. But like <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d6709d3c-3f73-45e1-86d2-76c9a78309cd" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c0c04ac7-29b2-4dbb-8bb2-952fa1c54726" grcontextid="I:0">I</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="35c5dcc3-91c8-4435-b3b4-24bb57e6eb9b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0ee983c1-d62f-4cfd-a3e9-fbfae5dc039e" grcontextid="mentioned:0">mentioned</span> before, what happens if I DO imprint on someone else. I knew things
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d4f02ee8-43e7-4a40-b993-588d565d8434" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="96932420-7a96-42dd-95cb-2b06d3f5a373" grcontextid="had:0">had</span> worked out for Jacob, but what if I was different? I may never imprint. I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f8311449-6f97-4e00-8b51-4063904f2670" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d55f606e-f45c-40f5-9347-e4458abd3bdd" grcontextid="may:0">may</span> be throwing away something really special here. But I can't take the risk.
For her. I just can't take the risk. All this went through my mind in a second.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Nessie<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b12e6a95-3f5c-422b-94fa-46b7f2397581" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="71dd69c2-ded3-437a-946b-760abca7c900" grcontextid="…:0">…</span>I...," <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Before I could finish she cut
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1ca0f266-e9bf-48c4-8294-188e5d3d7e2e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="81ec19da-8cba-4f8e-8fa0-45ce9884770c" grcontextid="me:0">me</span> off.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">" I have to go now Seth,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e6b93050-5a0a-44ac-b71b-7734219953a4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fdb043be-dcb6-4063-b1e2-f367edfdf2b0" grcontextid="sorry:0">sorry</span>, sorry…," she jumped up and ran from the room, tears streaming down
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="29833865-dca9-4922-b8e8-538993f0c5fb" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="705a4bf9-95ca-4df9-8560-e81d271d1080" grcontextid="her:0">her</span> pretty face. I put my head in my hands, tears threatening to fall.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Love is so fragile … <i>like
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="bfcfe37a-d588-49ce-af6a-eb07f1cb4030" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3418f49d-6298-426a-acc3-398ee91f0a0e" grcontextid="a:0">a</span> butterfly's wings.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">CHAPTER FIFTEEN</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Two of a kind<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">NAHUEL:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I'd watched the interlude
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e38d743f-fec8-4719-8cde-3da588f6f0ca" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f456d02e-8abd-44b5-9ee8-e1c4d08b74db" grcontextid="between:0">between</span> Seth the shape-shifter and Nessie the hybrid from the shadows. Safely
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2f5d9f6c-50f4-4200-8da4-896891860429" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="01430c88-547a-4c03-96e3-a8110c90cdfe" grcontextid="tucked:0">tucked</span> away so I could observe them without their knowledge. Nessie's pure
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="adea3af0-48be-4399-83b8-83a4e75a508c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f6974265-cfea-4c5c-803d-16c3da5d8b48" grcontextid="angelic voice:0">angelic voice</span> had given me the strangest of feelings. Never had I heard
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="74e01008-bccc-4e40-bee9-0640b4692163" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a95385ad-5e73-4570-a853-bad0ee0e7120" grcontextid="anything:0">anything</span> like it. She'd almost kissed that wolf boy though, much to <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1342d7a0-8c22-44e3-906a-056d6b77f8ca" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c21fc291-d9e2-403e-bde9-d7a7d2b798f8" grcontextid="my:0">my</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="bf37e548-6974-40fc-805b-5c2ba50ad114" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c0bb52dd-6a65-43a2-b1da-8d896932f529" grcontextid="distaste:0">distaste</span>. I couldn't understand her, a rare beautiful creature, wasting herself
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2dbc7386-b369-4c6c-a9b8-b41d72bb2d54" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f70718f0-7ae6-42a4-b035-759033b8b2c5" grcontextid="on:0">on</span> nothing but wild animals! When she ran off crying, my heart soared, finally
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0f91ddc1-9baa-4d3d-bc8a-fbdfdf8551f3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b6aa06d4-eba2-4616-8e61-509f36d920ae" grcontextid="a:0">a</span> chance to put my plan into action. The Clearwater boy had his head in his
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="21fe027d-a311-47db-9b95-115c529c8ff7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="657d682a-39aa-46d2-b049-32f6afa73bc5" grcontextid="hands:0">hands</span>, looking distraught. <i>Excellent.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I quickly slipped out from
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="27778a05-9fe6-490d-8437-b75304b63f2e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5a3b506b-ce1e-4384-9e45-d388cf11281f" grcontextid="the:0">the</span> shadows and deftly followed Nessie, silently and stealthily. I was so
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e9df1e83-0e4a-4916-9743-d5d6169942c7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2f373912-b489-4586-a448-583342adf53f" grcontextid="intent:0">intent</span> on watching my target, I didn't see <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="20f0580d-9045-4f70-8d31-228df6b690de" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2f373912-b489-4586-a448-583342adf53f" grcontextid="Edward Cullen step:1">Edward Cullen step</span> out of nowhere
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9bdcbe48-ffba-4c61-bc35-9d13c90b1eab" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="194ac6cf-fd5b-46ee-85eb-2c6a69d9d5ae" grcontextid="until:0">until</span> it was too late.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Nahuel," he nodded
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="acac82e8-678b-4579-b139-cb8de67829d7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="38454ad3-9f6f-4934-b773-6225d3b06db5" grcontextid="curtly:0">curtly</span> at me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">" Edward," I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="60a9e056-ed9c-49ef-ba7a-9fd48becc99b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5ae30d45-805b-4462-93f0-3a605d4bc33a" grcontextid="acknowledged:0">acknowledged</span> back, carrying on with my mission at hand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I could feel his golden eyes
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4d8bf68c-594b-4a33-a66e-0265e24a889f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="56085d2c-0d84-400b-bf9b-2ce360c6cd03" grcontextid="boring:0">boring</span> into my back. I was always guarded around him, I knew his ability. He
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fb758014-eace-4f8a-b223-9d7f648608ea" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="13a3dccd-5305-4e80-b505-903d03c2de52" grcontextid="didn't:0">didn't</span> know mine though. I could put a veil over my thoughts disguising them,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="cd68722f-1f3f-4f20-bd22-3d7bc1ad6e98" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e802912e-0244-4b54-85c4-16ebe5496c98" grcontextid="but:0">but</span> not completely hiding them. Absolutely nothing as good as Bella's shield.
If he "heard" anything from me, it would be nonsense. At least I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="76edcbc5-137e-4128-a95c-735f86afb271" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="33ae7409-5bad-44ff-a6df-79969e4dbbcc" grcontextid="hoped:0">hoped</span> it was, as he would definitely not want to know what I'd been thinking
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="db190db7-e67d-4f7c-873b-957b348d1eb0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e7df2940-b60f-4a51-84ae-1de70a83cf18" grcontextid="right:0">right</span> at that moment about his precious daughter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Nessie was running at high speed,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ff939e69-f811-4b4e-bf33-78f8ef7930b2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="96da8b81-0ebf-4ca4-8170-083c48c3cbc3" grcontextid="flying:0">flying</span> like the wind, deeper and deeper into the woods, where the trees became
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="810a3235-6943-40d5-85b2-7a7c7e748908" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="74ac1d19-6956-4b7f-b333-02112e27e3c3" grcontextid="denser:0">denser</span>, making way to the forest. I could run as fast as she, but I didn't
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="36340738-a012-4a8d-af76-7618a77d304c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="783b4646-1701-424b-a344-9e81e43f6352" grcontextid="catch:0">catch</span> her up until I knew we were miles away from the Cullen's place. I hid
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7e7a5406-b98b-447a-b13a-d000a3d0d43a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0577fd16-b392-4b3e-902a-5df7bf89e619" grcontextid="behind:0">behind</span> a large tree trunk watching as she finally stopped and slumped to the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7c24565d-9faa-4b50-b887-9ac2580024b2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="13147b55-1075-4f6c-bad5-6074fbfde8d9" grcontextid="ground:0">ground</span>. She beat the forest floor with her small fists, tears flowing like a
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7139ba84-ab33-4a0b-9fd1-18110f539452" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d27683ca-ebab-47a4-8948-771c0058cf47" grcontextid="river:0">river</span>. I stealthily approached her, kneeling down, I put a hand on her
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0419c485-984f-45aa-8bf7-508ed1743a89" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="118b14b5-0c8a-42fa-854e-3d9130cd8c8f" grcontextid="dishevelled:0">dishevelled</span> hair. She screamed in fright.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Nahuel, get away from
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1882f8c2-32ce-4886-a78a-cafba1e0b180" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5c1f5a3a-6256-4e80-ad2a-ab2eb78cddaa" grcontextid="me:0">me</span>!" she screamed in my face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I did not react to this
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="60355836-9b3c-4e39-a6c1-679925fe0209" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e3e9ed5c-43c6-48ec-908d-7ed8d776b35d" grcontextid="display:0">display</span> of emotion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Renesmee, I know why
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="35834b40-d2e8-49a3-ab21-8c504405795e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9aa596b8-c8ca-4b4e-96ac-f7e9e88dbe52" grcontextid="you:0">you</span> are upset, and I would like it very much if you would listen to me."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">She stared up at me with
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8b17080a-ec26-4d95-850a-15770cdedfef" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="11d2d7e6-aa0f-4cbe-9a6e-79e3b682f8ab" grcontextid="wide:0">wide</span>, teary eyes. She didn't speak.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I continued. " I saw you
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0c5ccb17-4e78-43ba-8360-1a96affe8485" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e8e9cef5-8136-4370-b44b-0f3404a50f41" grcontextid="and:0">and</span> the shape-shifter. I see that you do not need the pain these people cause
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4784de57-a90d-42fb-a4cf-d478b5d74e2b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="12008e14-4d94-4ea5-85ee-d308b9aac7c0" grcontextid="you:0">you</span>. We are two of a kind, the only two hybrids in this world. Don't you see
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6db0cf8f-3b0b-443e-923c-669f05ee6289" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="cccb2e2b-fc29-4679-aaa7-3e890fa82f00" grcontextid="dear:0">dear</span> Nessie, we belong together, we don't need anyone else. You will come to
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f678afa8-e786-439b-9a1e-c78641b326c8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="89ff7ff2-3c7c-4d62-b9d0-444805abc2e7" grcontextid="live:0">live</span> with me. Somewhere far away from all this, where we can build our own
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d4cefb53-f437-44fa-a863-08091d99af25" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f0f65e09-a7e3-4f6c-89d9-421397bc58d4" grcontextid="world:0">world</span>. We can produce offspring. Strong hybrids to start a new special race.
Why hang around here? No-one really wants you, not the wolves, not the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="70dc754a-eaaa-4594-80fb-bece3ddde99c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="67ea8cb6-94ec-46b0-9880-9342ee1e45f8" grcontextid="vampires:0">vampires</span>. Your own parents are so wrapped up in themselves, they don't see you.
I see the real you Nessie, and I want to take you away from this place. No one
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7aebef05-f355-4da9-8b19-bcdfe0dd4912" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fcde166f-2cf8-4121-b14b-3be035609584" grcontextid="else:0">else</span> shall have you. No one else will hurt you again. We will build a perfect
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1b6383b4-465f-4c8e-8f31-a912ab08e4bb" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="64755abd-c369-46b1-bf42-ddedc12a306c" grcontextid="world:0">world</span>, can't you see it?" I shook her gently, willing her to see my point
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5d9bd114-1447-4923-9bad-09c7d6fa994a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a116122a-b5c5-4ba4-b9af-0301c5c1f504" grcontextid="of:0">of</span> view.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">She stared up at me, still
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e087b6b0-369e-4836-8f53-0a0abbd6d7c1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2a7b9236-656b-4bc8-8ecf-52abd8947a3a" grcontextid="not:0">not</span> speaking. But she did not struggle, or try to run away. With my violet eyes
I looked into her chocolate brown ones, and I saw a little spark in them die,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e8403465-0bb1-4883-8dfa-10da2faeba0b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="904c1ce3-fab8-44f2-b842-cfa0301086f2" grcontextid="like:0">like</span> a candle snuffed out by the wind.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Her voice took on a hard tone
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c97355de-8379-4a97-9656-ba2f5fc94ac6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c72b6d17-ca55-441b-8440-e738ca86d2a7" grcontextid="as:0">as</span> she replied, " Sounds like a plan to me. You are so right, no one wants
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8b25c704-a2bd-4751-b0dc-ca8dbbd5d166" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7b1a828e-0a6d-4c43-950b-275e85637081" grcontextid="me:0">me</span> around here, no matter what I do, there's always pain and more pain. I'll
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="21c17595-50bb-441f-aa75-a11a608c6f10" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ecece4d7-ae96-464d-bab5-69e5da74e48d" grcontextid="never:0">never</span> belong. I'll never find love like my parents have, like Jacob and Leah. So
Nahuel, yes I'll come with you. Take me away from here, my heart is shattered
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="83c0d5ee-406d-4449-a009-028782bbbcc7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fd460105-1874-4515-9b0e-af100496ec07" grcontextid="into:0">into</span> pieces, so what does anything matter? Do what you wish. I do not care
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e33906f9-5e02-45cb-bc86-2b6739b42763" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9f677c3d-7b11-428a-9d6c-738934e8294d" grcontextid="anymore:0">anymore</span>."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I could not contain <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6d28e4e1-a6c8-47a5-8e9c-f7b0601bb4bb" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="cb8e721a-6bab-4cff-a09b-124abd4d8296" grcontextid="my:0">my</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d24cf075-ff04-4972-87c5-f446f57ddd44" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a9a43748-37db-4d22-aecb-b2dfff7e60cb" grcontextid="excitement:0">excitement</span>, this was easier than expected! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Dear Renesmee, I have
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9895e5bc-dee3-4b7f-ab17-02b78b3c3a0f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fb7dbc6d-48f4-4c1d-9ff5-ba4b28a786be" grcontextid="already:0">already</span> prepared a shelter for us here in the forest, I <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fb39519b-bb42-4084-aa2e-eb4407b4510b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fb7dbc6d-48f4-4c1d-9ff5-ba4b28a786be" grcontextid="will take:1">will take</span> you to it,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="cf6bd5f6-fad2-43cf-9a72-88e6605e44d3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4ea8286a-387a-480b-89fb-9d348462d706" grcontextid="and:0">and</span> you shall stay there until I gather some supplies for our trip. I'm afraid
I will have to restrain you. I cannot trust you implicitly just yet. I will
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7d0267be-f21d-424b-88d8-babd8d53d9b7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7b45830a-2468-4eb7-88f6-3dd6d065facf" grcontextid="warn:0">warn</span> you, I am not a sympathetic man. If you disobey me in any way you shall be
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="424207c6-032e-43eb-bab3-1c6f69d0014e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="891aa9fb-8a0a-4331-a87f-ac87ea379613" grcontextid="punished:0">punished</span>. I hope I've made myself clear." I stated.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">She did not answer, just
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="79e40a1c-09ab-4ac9-a1ed-4cdaf8e8c139" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="657c1b7b-8f8a-404b-9c1f-337cdac59633" grcontextid="looked:0">looked</span> up at me with her sad eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Somewhere in the distance
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="66908a83-3036-4c48-ab15-0ce8181e6e92" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="503f11b6-3c82-42de-89eb-d66acd0208aa" grcontextid="a:0">a</span> wolf howled.</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">CHAPTER SIXTEEN</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Freak of nature<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">JACOB BLACK:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Leah had sent me a message
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2917e731-571b-4437-bb1e-ad6a6075e813" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bbc5467d-3eef-42cf-b180-f4be14a310d8" grcontextid="asking:0">asking</span> me to meet her in the forest near to the Cullen's place, in fact it was
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="66eb2099-8481-4794-9513-6a09aaba21de" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1af2caaa-f159-464f-b179-141efcbc3b65" grcontextid="in:0">in</span> the exact place where we'd first been intimate with each other in our animal
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="19a21aca-3f15-4d1e-ad65-00d3a95cfd29" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="65204697-f405-4a8c-afd1-efd2b99383f5" grcontextid="forms:0">forms</span>. The russet wolf and the <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b7d96e96-1cab-4475-8814-60a0a5043a40" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="71a9a92b-c5ff-45bf-8e5d-c8a375440260" grcontextid="grey:0">grey</span> wolf, together in mind, body and soul. I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="308de13c-b668-4f4c-95ba-ffb15b76c117" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ab0eb04f-5477-4226-a7ef-a1bdbb1d16ce" grcontextid="smiled:0">smiled</span> at the memory as I ran as fast as possible on my human legs. Maybe <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="177876b3-350e-4628-8bd8-e638d568a8bf" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f0c5f3e9-dfd4-4f06-9572-7f8b347deba7" grcontextid="my:0">my</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a315e4c9-9a41-4284-a0f3-eb6c1ea71c87" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="af6d1973-b94b-484d-9599-1a3943d94d1e" grcontextid="girl:0">girl</span> wanted a replay! Jeez Jake, can you at least try and act like a gentleman,
I chided myself. Leah was waiting for me when I made my way into the green
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="acfe7e62-1c00-49d6-a4bf-9fa888f7e4b9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6135a94d-192e-4067-9bb0-0e5573ad0926" grcontextid="canopy:0">canopy</span> of the clearing. Her back <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="44799b12-12f9-466c-874e-faf0bb1b15d9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2f7c0a57-e3e3-4a32-9e6a-8d525a2811f1" grcontextid="was turned:0">was turned</span> to me, so I grabbed her from behind
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e6070364-798f-4776-b99d-5a9a77d082cf" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="39d02165-977f-4b5b-b6a0-11aa92fb5bf6" grcontextid="in:0">in</span> a massive hug, kissing her neck, inhaling her scent.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">" Hey gorgeous," I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="cc9e62e1-1a32-4c21-b989-b80424fa3a85" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f231366b-faf3-411e-982d-523ac7eb31bd" grcontextid="whispered:0">whispered</span>, nuzzling her ear.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">No response. She turned
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2e9ddf52-0522-4074-a316-bc91e512e3ff" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="72b6f9b9-1390-46e1-b8d5-eb229ffe9fee" grcontextid="towards:0">towards</span> me with a tear stained face, pain etched on her perfect features.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">" Leah, honey, <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="59487222-23c9-4b52-bb3a-7dda5f24d3ef" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="125ab380-4d41-4455-9de3-125bf9eea40f" grcontextid="what's:0">what's</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0c8cab23-5d91-4068-89fb-537304caa73b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9810365d-4155-4550-8da4-69b7d9aea387" grcontextid="wrong:0">wrong</span>? You are scaring me!" I exclaimed with worry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Jake," she
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3becc470-43d1-4644-ab00-14a72026754d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6921b0ab-607f-472a-a5c0-60bf54f95896" grcontextid="whispered:0">whispered</span>, tears streaming down her beautiful face. " I've always been
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="06324b0b-5f40-4227-ba31-7ac7ad0d440a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fd3a1c32-a826-4ea6-879e-fa1761850fff" grcontextid="straight:0">straight</span> with you, so I'm just going to say this and get it over with.,"
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1cc7436e-cab8-4f02-87c8-2d6834244d51" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9dd0d043-c973-4320-b887-d59b3890f99a" grcontextid="she:0">she</span> wiped a hand across her eyes, trying to stem the tears.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Her voice hitched with
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c5cd5032-e433-4ad9-8f6a-dfacf76b6333" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="080edea6-e164-44b3-a700-ea800d04a0fb" grcontextid="emotion:0">emotion</span> as she looked away into the trees.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">" Leah, please, I'm
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f392f71e-57a4-415f-917b-747abb851e6f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3d278749-c7c3-4082-9255-1f8266d9f2f9" grcontextid="freaking:0">freaking</span> out here love, please look at me and tell me what's wrong!" I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="daf6b57c-c0ac-4fca-b258-4a32d87f5c56" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="43051c12-3359-4922-ab90-6c74c5728900" grcontextid="demanded:0">demanded</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Her dark eyes turned to look
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c47e331a-2b83-4b23-819b-93d6ca638446" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0a6873e5-00e1-4083-9bfb-ab9cfdfbf2a6" grcontextid="into:0">into</span> mine, as if searching for an answer deep in my eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">She sighed,<i> "
I'm having your baby, Jacob."</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The forest spun around me, I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7a6b0829-1399-4089-80ff-d17ff4fd5c94" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="64e22168-6000-4515-8ca8-35d49bf1b191" grcontextid="gasped:0">gasped</span> and steadied myself against a sturdy looking tree. <i>How? What?
When? Why?</i> I couldn't think straight. Leah was staring at me with a
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3c62925b-3101-447f-bcaa-76a4cf485e05" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ce249253-f82e-4646-8312-1e5fd6f8e7e8" grcontextid="look:0">look</span> that told me she didn't like what she had seen in my expression. With a
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9dae3273-48d0-4221-84c8-9ad83fb16632" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="af5aa786-4ee6-4360-b923-dba861a54650" grcontextid="cry:0">cry</span> of anguish, she whirled around and ran off as fast as lightning into the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="84e00f87-3cdc-4c90-8c7b-c15beba06326" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="18832104-06e9-48e6-b1b0-6e2d62d8a5cd" grcontextid="forest:0">forest</span>. It took a few minutes for my brain to register with my legs to move.
Move! <i>Move!</i> I sped off into the forest after my <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4facab4a-7bdc-4353-98e1-41eb28bcf9b3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bab5a7b5-c621-47c4-84b8-460f4413f56b" grcontextid="pregnant:0">pregnant</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="06a9f053-b2cc-4f40-9a3c-cab351483a8c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="de4f7c1e-8ae9-44b3-b8d2-bda74482273e" grcontextid="girlfriend:0">girlfriend</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">LEAH CLEARWATER:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Oh. My. God.</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> Did you see the look on his face? He was
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1b389604-b4a9-401e-865b-5d8c3900ce00" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="402c2b6d-87dc-4980-ae88-5d568e98b62a" grcontextid="shocked:0">shocked</span>, stunned, disbelieving, and <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="011b1498-c543-439a-a414-1eb1a00f62ce" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="402c2b6d-87dc-4980-ae88-5d568e98b62a" grcontextid="did I even register:1">did I even register</span> disgust? I had to run,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3cf65a2d-b973-4da4-af06-808b4fb90042" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9cae3dfe-e02e-4dd3-a5e1-f129f522ea90" grcontextid="run:0">run</span> fast and run far away. I couldn't cope with the look on his face, it
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f05761e7-d69b-4810-8359-9e6da955112e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="af164dcd-9da0-488c-8707-9870a144dcd3" grcontextid="terrified:0">terrified</span> me. It was more terrifying than that little white stick with the two
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7c19af6c-4cc8-411d-a14e-a3a666423dcc" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="baf4570d-88e4-4bd0-b766-87d4d7714e27" grcontextid="lines:0">lines</span> I'd faced this morning. After a week of being sick as a dog – no pun
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c57de8f3-ea9a-4e3c-8920-6c6a979ebbbe" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9a753bb2-a97b-4864-bd12-9552adcc2af6" grcontextid="intended:0">intended</span> – I decided to take a test. Never in my wildest dreams did I expect to
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="df97a9fe-553e-4960-80ad-8a85dedb5015" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b6da297e-df72-4d7c-a559-3c0fb762106e" grcontextid="see:0">see</span> two lines. I wasn't supposed to get pregnant, my periods had stopped years
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3311ce0b-c3e8-40dd-ac21-c7dc4964bf1f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5e4d597f-8fd6-4c9b-bdb6-8d205acb9c02" grcontextid="ago:0">ago</span>. What happened?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I'm a freak of nature. The
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ccad8760-2498-4564-baba-4de93fe14987" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e754c865-8eda-48b6-a97d-406927d942bc" grcontextid="baby:0">baby</span> must be a freak of nature. I can't handle this. Twilight had arrived, a
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f01dd51a-791f-43fa-aba4-a1ae6e0a8007" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1ef08545-1f1a-4304-8886-a330447389af" grcontextid="full:0">full</span> moon hung in the sky, casting eerie shadows in the forest, they seemed to
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e5eb709b-148a-41a4-a7d2-6be6b667dd28" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="46d9aec6-8fd8-4928-ad92-d3348d4ecd5b" grcontextid="leer:0">leer</span> at me whispering, <i>"Freak, freak of nature, freak girl , FREAK
FREAK FREAK!" <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">My old insecurities which
Jacob had banished came flooding back. My mind was a whirlwind of confusion, <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a1494bb8-af42-4409-89d9-85391ce18645" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5de54f03-dda4-4b9f-89a9-5760db00afd0" grcontextid="my:0">my</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2d126280-7fff-49db-92ae-86277a9e5e47" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="98fdb0d7-a8e9-4b65-a216-ece04d5b33e9" grcontextid="muscles:0">muscles</span> burned as I pushed myself faster and faster, trying to escape the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2d2dcfb5-6c1f-4db7-bf7e-6442a8f6e49f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6840b278-b4bc-471c-8a1d-d72ad612ec7d" grcontextid="voices:0">voices</span> in my head and the real voice which was getting closer and closer,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ce2cf0ef-2ded-4030-ab03-521be6952ed6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d4001dd7-1593-4c55-a18d-75fdf1cd3f9d" grcontextid="screaming:0">screaming</span> my name.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">" Leah, please, come
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2110b95c-3240-49f3-b3f3-1a40b3a234d3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="69c7b102-79d5-4397-a0df-f38dc3593800" grcontextid="back:0">back</span>!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I was aching to phase, <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a0313f51-790e-4151-9d33-66dd1ddefd3d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ee63d599-40d6-4dbb-8a63-b3c1b84a7888" grcontextid="to:0">to</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f335df5f-7756-4c12-8cac-70958ea2ff42" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9119698d-d975-48b4-826b-6ab60af2561b" grcontextid="make:0">make</span> it easier to run, but with phasing there was the small problem of <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9ca4665c-a7aa-4221-a49e-33c2ce3d5ff6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9119698d-d975-48b4-826b-6ab60af2561b" grcontextid="my:1">my</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="abfb706c-26f6-439b-b7f0-52e69bf78487" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fc38b91f-28f1-4600-b5ec-9150f91dc1fe" grcontextid="pursuer:0">pursuer</span> <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="bbaa6ee4-b476-42e9-99df-396303704488" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fc38b91f-28f1-4600-b5ec-9150f91dc1fe" grcontextid="hearing:1">hearing</span> my every thought, something I definitely did not want to do. My
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2a25fbf8-5cb9-481a-9316-662814616dc5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fd24a16c-ed4e-4c7a-b636-e6c1479c75db" grcontextid="body:0">body</span> and lungs ached and I could not run any more, I stopped, panting heavily,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2a849c6c-081d-4bcc-a20e-57c31bb27748" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5a1f40c2-dddc-49c8-b184-7bfc39ed4445" grcontextid="and:0">and</span> without thinking about it I phased into the small <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8445c46b-14fb-42c4-9684-7b260e2e6977" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5a1f40c2-dddc-49c8-b184-7bfc39ed4445" grcontextid="grey:1">grey</span> wolf. I howled at
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="58a7b37a-557a-4549-81d0-9fa6e13fca97" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ea808f47-cd1d-4f0c-9741-ab09e6577ee3" grcontextid="the:0">the</span> full moon, <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="678ebb83-2cab-4bc6-9ebf-0fee0632e6b7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ea808f47-cd1d-4f0c-9741-ab09e6577ee3" grcontextid="it's:1">it's</span> crimson light shining over the night forest, bathing
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c6112adc-1f18-4478-996b-e95f244d32eb" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="30a94487-57b9-4791-86cb-976b5afa995a" grcontextid="everything:0">everything</span> in red, <i>like blood.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">CHAPTER SEVENTEEN</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Veil Lifts<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">ALICE CULLEN:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I was idly lying on the sofa
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="11a05f90-10b3-4351-88fe-92bf22679e7b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a5031be9-dd2a-4184-bc8d-e300e70a53ac" grcontextid="with:0">with</span> Jasper, flicking from one channel to another on the plasma television,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ef359762-3ec4-40dc-9d2e-0afeee019b0f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0e415159-f58a-4281-a53e-d4e0b5bfb614" grcontextid="when:0">when</span> Edward came into the room a strange, puzzled look on his face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Have either of you two
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6f6def95-f75c-4b13-9254-e56e9969ef2e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="52ad9dad-edf4-43cd-80d5-f329be40df10" grcontextid="seen:0">seen</span> Nessie?" he asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jasper and I shook our heads,
" She's <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2a55cea3-f5fa-4d37-bb44-85967582f35b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="694648ad-9ef7-4692-a6d2-843ab7369c49" grcontextid="took:0">took</span> off, Seth has gone to look for her in the forest. I know <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="39f68566-a54d-4c38-84dc-d57440d66172" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="251584e8-d1bd-4003-a59f-5ef56269c09f" grcontextid="she:0">she</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ca8cf1bc-fd44-44ac-b519-bfbf30127967" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3b0f226a-8b9b-49fa-88ca-07b67d84282d" grcontextid="can:0">can</span> look after herself, but Seth said she was pretty upset."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I told Edward I'd <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ff30d64d-1762-4a97-94a3-4f4055f662de" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fc019e73-e398-475d-9d92-267aea8957b1" grcontextid="saw:0">saw</span> Nahuel
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e505a5b6-d9cc-4181-a525-ac0bb33d142a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a7f6acf0-4ac4-4aae-bd88-cb07e8e85119" grcontextid="following:0">following</span> her into the garden earlier on this afternoon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Hmm, that boy is
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8c81eafb-cf01-4698-ab90-0b2a429d2d57" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c09c4732-7b69-417e-a254-74b5b3f57807" grcontextid="strange:0">strange</span>, I passed him today, and it was like I couldn't hear anything from <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5e3167e7-7aec-447c-8e55-c4fe78d4b160" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c09c4732-7b69-417e-a254-74b5b3f57807" grcontextid="his:1">his</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f8cc0e71-89ca-40da-8b11-6db19eee0cab" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b13b9378-62f7-47f3-a2dd-2c9d91c25172" grcontextid="mind:0">mind</span>, it was like static on the radio, except for one thought. And this is
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7eb44c38-951a-487b-b42f-2b19284534c0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b9cc7258-92cf-437c-8bdd-1bce23ee7883" grcontextid="quite:0">quite</span> strange – <i>two of a kind, two of a kind </i>, his mind kept
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6b065632-8387-4a9f-92c4-ac51106c6fef" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c3b58671-3289-40e5-9736-2a1d513a0573" grcontextid="repeating:0">repeating</span> that phrase," Edward mused.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Suddenly I froze. On the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9b025436-9822-4d0e-bf0b-9251e694b6e2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a66760c8-c8b5-462a-9a42-965a7c585ef3" grcontextid="television:0">television</span>, by random chance, was a science <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="45743c9b-1b50-4e79-94f9-42840a6ac768" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a66760c8-c8b5-462a-9a42-965a7c585ef3" grcontextid="programme:1">programme</span>. The picture had caught
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ddfc3176-8c47-4c6f-bc9f-3188be0ac26e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="96a62746-c430-43eb-a8ed-8cc201f14cbb" grcontextid="my:0">my</span> eye first. A picture of a red moon. The scientist guy was talking and
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b66fcb14-9764-449d-9cf5-508125714caa" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b9ee7f0d-5c80-464c-8ba1-f190f0cc0186" grcontextid="pointing:0">pointing</span> to the picture. I wrenched the remote from Jasper's hands, turning the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="126ac0db-dfca-4090-8d5f-4c0d0fdc7e42" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="aa394549-39bc-4118-b5ec-b2fa8e6a4463" grcontextid="volume:0">volume</span> up higher. My vampire ears worked very well but I couldn't believe what
I was hearing, somehow having the volume at full blast helped my brain take it
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="50f2be78-67fe-4dfd-a63b-462100097b26" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="cd960cf8-4585-46b9-bd61-67ee5c91568e" grcontextid="in:0">in</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">" <i>Tonight, <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c8156813-036a-4b0d-bd04-6769eeb1a271" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b5ae097b-94bf-4bd0-a1ec-39c7861098f6" grcontextid="the:0">the</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="daee3fa6-874f-45bb-a410-741544eb7e58" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e35a23f6-6a12-482c-9b75-e2f866d67e44" grcontextid="moon:0">moon</span> will appear red. This is happening right now, if you look out of your
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="251cef1c-84ad-4e7a-85ac-0796c0a1126a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c9fccafc-7749-444e-a8ae-e6927a6d6acb" grcontextid="windows:0">windows</span>, you will observe a red moon. This is a one off occurrence, due to the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1ea2705f-9d70-4566-9d68-036d91a8a7e2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="22f8f928-3be7-4987-80f0-3ecd847e2be2" grcontextid="way:0">way</span> the planets are aligned for the next few hours."</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I moved lightning fast to the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d95e5ff9-b556-45fa-a201-e5b36c5bdfe3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9d7396f2-e31b-418a-8d4a-7ca7b18755a1" grcontextid="television:0">television</span> pulling the plug away from the socket. I turned to Jasper and
Edward.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">My voice rose in panic "
Don't you see? This is my vision. The red moon, the forest, the pain, suffering
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0dd4e971-6bff-42a9-8133-2498d64a06ab" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c7b9becb-7428-4c4a-a08e-91924f34da0d" grcontextid="and:0">and</span> anguish. I've been plagued by this for weeks! Oh no! It's happening now,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="168a8d2b-1d01-4b0e-8001-3a966b8fa09b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fe92c9e8-3b60-4a90-a7c3-47e6d621744d" grcontextid="here:0">here</span>, tonight! Come on guys, we have to go, NOW!" I screamed in terror.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Not enough warning, oh my
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e0211422-bd9d-41c8-8408-9b5538191de2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a4608b25-0443-4cef-8cfd-2cad8a8599df" grcontextid="god:0">god</span>, what was happening out there? I sped out of the door like a bullet from a
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="bae51679-5cce-48a5-b03c-ea70daaf7f8c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1b7d877e-21b8-4ba8-b2d0-741b2134d914" grcontextid="gun:0">gun</span>. Panic and fear gripped my heart like a vice. Please, please, please, don't
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="23f00892-55ca-4c1b-9b86-0a22b60c4104" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fb60e744-902f-4e4c-b8ee-9c82f5ab89d5" grcontextid="let:0">let</span> anyone be hurt, I silently prayed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The moon glowed red above
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="af380a35-c399-4d64-b26c-86e205b53e6b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d633a0cd-1e8e-4aa6-9ecc-dca924de826f" grcontextid="us:0">us</span> as we whizzed through the trees.</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">CHAPTER EIGHTEEN</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Do you believe in miracles?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">JACOB BLACK:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I heard Leah's distressed
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a2edd5bb-7763-464d-a664-b039dd13c9a2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d3d677c9-9c68-44e7-beb0-5db2d8c6e8ce" grcontextid="howl:0">howl</span>, the sound tore right through my heart, piercing me to my very soul. I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e51b33b3-cf02-4a6a-b5b1-5f6f939bd0fe" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f709d8d6-e6c4-4fa0-b81c-e9352c7ffa70" grcontextid="quickly:0">quickly</span> phased, running towards the sound. The forest glowed red, my eyes were
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="89d50a8d-d75d-45d7-8064-b0aa31555213" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="13153e8c-a064-41f3-9c3b-1c503d133a78" grcontextid="drawn:0">drawn</span> upwards to the moon. A red moon? Could the night get any stranger? I ran
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9d0d58a8-714f-4f9c-a830-111af4388739" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="40f44806-2ec2-4a61-a6b8-e53e80124b39" grcontextid="faster:0">faster</span>, urgently needing to get to Leah. I needed to tell her everything was
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b7dba297-76d9-4102-b9ef-66f632ea601d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f23344fd-b0be-4596-abf7-35298fd313f6" grcontextid="going:0">going</span> to be okay, the expression she'd seen on my face was only because I was
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ae455253-747d-45d7-bb0b-083039c332c0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="20d5b3ed-1359-446d-8214-566fc2aaa1d9" grcontextid="shocked:0">shocked</span> to my very core. I'd known about Leah's "girl problems" years
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5a5a0a31-bca2-4db6-9434-a07eb3c5ff58" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="742fb155-1ab4-4faf-b38c-4f80791454a4" grcontextid="ago:0">ago</span>, she'd confessed to me one night when we were running patrols outside the
Cullen's house, just before Bella gave birth to Renesmee.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I was as confused as she
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3fa52e2b-4dfb-4ba7-9e63-37bb08e64213" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="33da7066-7637-44dd-877c-b56803df6234" grcontextid="appeared:0">appeared</span> to be about the whole thing. Pregnant? A baby? We'd just never figured
THAT into the equation. That's not to say deep down a little part of me was
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="61f76de6-5c19-4580-8c6b-64bafdfc7d36" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e4197e97-62d7-43bb-b713-097c65851d4b" grcontextid="jumping:0">jumping</span> up and down for joy. A baby? Our baby? Like, wow. But I wouldn't let
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="84ca4641-0bfe-4b81-a62e-4ef1b0bb6ff3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="86a82208-7aae-4364-a669-71601091dc43" grcontextid="myself:0">myself</span> get carried away, Leah was so obviously freaked out, I had to find her
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f822429e-94ea-4f8a-8cc0-0ef826158063" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5b81ca57-7bdb-47e5-904e-8d8df20f4040" grcontextid="first:0">first</span> and talk before I'd let myself feel any happiness at the situation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I caught her scent on the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3f763a52-61d9-40ca-a71d-124ec255efef" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b11c5958-e6aa-4031-851a-1a25a09b5370" grcontextid="wind:0">wind</span>. She was close. I heard her in my mind first.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"<i>Stay away Jacob,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fce42452-bebf-4d99-8868-92e340450e02" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="29ea648c-ee11-47dd-b250-c93baf63e0d2" grcontextid="leave:0">leave</span> me be," she warned.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"<i>Leah, please honey,
I love you."</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"<i>I'm a freak Jake, a
FREAK! And this thing inside me must be a freak too!" she screamed in my
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fe6820a1-d7de-4f90-bb22-01e298039c6f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="657f266f-eea2-4916-9dcf-9178a5a661d6" grcontextid="head:0">head</span>.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"<i>Leah, please, stop
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="77b445dc-ee58-4296-87a6-cc37caa2d0e3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="477dc445-32c9-487a-83fa-dfc841f4bc27" grcontextid="that:0">that</span> love. Let's talk properly, phase back."</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The mind connection ceased and
I knew she'd phased back, I <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="36f70447-a50f-40a1-aa73-c56204f8f44f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="efb4c11c-b718-40b2-a8ae-bc7655a22a27" grcontextid="phased:0">phased</span> myself and found her sitting with her head
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="de595b48-12d9-45ff-8f7d-3014be3549d5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0b05b216-92ac-4f0a-804c-99173430443f" grcontextid="in:0">in</span> her hands, crying.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Hey, babe, loving the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="bf530d58-5a52-4acd-a39d-95ae3e757e99" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b8d6c64d-0f8e-4fc1-9f46-359f527b222e" grcontextid="ripped:0">ripped</span> <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f131430b-b6fa-4fba-8f20-885b60d364bd" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b8d6c64d-0f8e-4fc1-9f46-359f527b222e" grcontextid="t-shirt:1">t-shirt</span> and jeans look," I joked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">She looked up at me a half
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="08425ea9-4f32-4a97-bf4d-4aed2e86bff2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="232eb0d9-57f1-4a2c-bd21-28900c9ee16c" grcontextid="smile:0">smile</span> on her lips, " Well gee, you can talk, look at the mess of <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4f244ab2-2b6e-421f-9e03-d77d54a8ec27" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="232eb0d9-57f1-4a2c-bd21-28900c9ee16c" grcontextid="your:1">your</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e72fad05-9f09-46bd-aac0-e79c4fce5c43" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3c650731-179d-4c60-a974-80b79daf2d7e" grcontextid="cut:0">cut</span>-off's."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I sat down beside her,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="51795d9d-8f2d-4b4d-9eaa-6b797819df2e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5abd4f54-45ba-4040-9fdb-90f2365754e7" grcontextid="pulling:0">pulling</span> her into my arms, " Talk to me Leah, please."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">She sighed, " Ah Jacob,
I am so scared, how did this happen? It's everything I could want, but it's not
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="32608428-07c0-4691-87af-6bf2f9a2aed8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7215fbbe-414b-41d1-a5c7-4f7aec5a4004" grcontextid="right:0">right</span>. I'm a freak, and the baby must be a freak too! “<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="33dca9c7-de39-4b5f-8f79-6a6145ea1073" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3b6f68c3-90f3-4f98-8000-030af0527c77" grcontextid="she:0">she</span> sobbed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I hugged her tighter. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">" Plus I saw the look <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="038d0aa1-f378-4afa-b918-98e7b54505b2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="34826a14-72cd-4f5e-929f-0c37df770447" grcontextid="on:0">on</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b0873fd3-397c-4e63-99bf-76a6730a0d71" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b84fbf64-88e4-41c6-a1a3-df3abaf905b4" grcontextid="your:0">your</span> face Jake, it was pure horror," she said accusingly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"No, honey, it wasn't, I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1a448d2b-9c1a-41b8-8e82-81369c903f60" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c80f6392-e5ea-4ad0-8143-52a5d2877c55" grcontextid="was:0">was</span> just as shocked and confused as you. I would love us to have a family you
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0d86b9a8-0864-47fe-a8f1-d0ce3a4f4d2d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5b4a212c-7f14-48cf-b3f9-b67bbddd07b8" grcontextid="know:0">know</span>," I said gently. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">She cried softly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> " Listen to me Leah, we'll ask Carlisle
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ad5a9254-76bf-41ce-84f3-9b7da366b46d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="58552d9b-8d57-45b6-8827-6d2aae260337" grcontextid="to:0">to</span> do some scans, make sure everything is all right. I love you, I want you and
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="cf368646-6d3b-4f0e-a948-df22b0c40a4d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f892088f-2997-492c-8032-ddead307311d" grcontextid="the:0">the</span> baby. Whatever happens we're strong enough. Together we can do <i>anything.</i>"
I exclaimed as I squeezed her tighter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"I'm sorry for
over-reacting Jake. It's just so strange, I'd accepted years ago I wouldn't be
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="eafe9d14-734b-4044-9f19-9d55fe13407e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2c2521ff-8e81-45f7-b647-190d1d054df8" grcontextid="a:0">a</span> mother. I never thought we had to be careful," she said, gazing up at
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="90c05d44-c78a-4b92-aa8f-ceb77a8ddb4b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2dabe704-c442-4c46-aeb3-ff8b165c08be" grcontextid="me:0">me</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Suddenly a thought so
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e27f2f55-0cfc-4432-84b0-eca837ae41c5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1997bfaa-51b9-41e3-be7f-1a5d822700a5" grcontextid="amazingly:0">amazingly</span> brilliant smacked me right between the eyes, " I know how this
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="51369421-972e-4d3d-ad4b-341e1642393f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="371f9f79-309e-43e1-bd51-df57d8ddb2f3" grcontextid="is:0">is</span> possible Leah. You conceived the night we were together as wolves. That's
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="832b359d-580e-4681-8580-66a300722e26" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="20bfb288-c5be-4a6a-95d2-4bd4960968f0" grcontextid="how:0">how</span> this is possible, you aren't a freak and neither is our baby!" I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="453e5d5f-5055-4712-a7cc-14d9a2075abe" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ab5db679-9bfd-4d32-9a09-9ef3ee851174" grcontextid="proclaimed:0">proclaimed</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I kissed her jubilantly, but
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a6a5763a-104a-4cec-bb49-f21db4d85e9e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2208a06f-00b8-472e-a2b1-f895db27bd65" grcontextid="she:0">she</span> pushed me away, " If that is true Jacob Black, then what exactly is
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4c45f8b6-ccd0-4923-bd78-d6f39f47cbcb" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9935be77-75e7-43d9-b56c-793d1524309d" grcontextid="our:0">our</span> baby? A human? A wolf? Or what?" she raged.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Uh oh I hadn't thought of
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="21e147cd-9b71-479f-a5a5-9aeff7f2d975" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b0dc0070-8b6a-4116-8b0d-86e25dfbf532" grcontextid="that:0">that</span>. Carlisle would help he had to. Before we could carry on our discussion, a
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6c12969b-7fb3-4107-87f4-d849e7af05f7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bba0d841-5188-4652-b90a-920419112e27" grcontextid="wolf:0">wolf</span> howled in the distance. <i>Seth!</i> We
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3b1e17b4-67fe-4a5a-8756-a934c4fbf9ac" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4335feb5-c03f-46ce-9a15-d63dc8dc599c" grcontextid="both:0">both</span> looked at each other in alarm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Quick Leah,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8807881f-8bfd-4422-8437-3f892bd5ca4c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9665396a-53d3-4078-8253-ca1ef8d274e2" grcontextid="phase:0">phase</span>!" <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Our clothes had no chance
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6d02eb6a-5856-4132-a43f-e7be6997ebb7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f978043c-fb98-44ac-aaaf-dd2bbe362de4" grcontextid="this:0">this</span> time, as the last remaining shreds fell to the ground and the russet wolf
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="34778813-d007-439f-ac66-94366a62c0b2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="15ed1d88-3f17-4e9a-aff3-cd133770633c" grcontextid="and:0">and</span> his little <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="035c2092-d242-4150-85e7-d4cbfd26bf96" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="15ed1d88-3f17-4e9a-aff3-cd133770633c" grcontextid="grey:1">grey</span> wolf bounded off through the forest in search of the wolf's
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1c883ba9-915c-4cc6-9397-250f0fed6c5a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="87746a56-9dd4-4c0d-863e-e8ac6164eb23" grcontextid="anguished:0">anguished</span> howl.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"<i>Please let Seth be
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3222c286-28f9-4c39-9229-11739a7b06c5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5b0f778f-c0a3-41a2-ba7f-46a68fb66fd6" grcontextid="okay:0">okay</span>," </i>we thought in unison.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"<i>Seth, Seth, can you
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="67c7b8de-c527-43e1-b5d4-05185d824880" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b47faec5-79b4-45fd-a48d-e736e11cdd05" grcontextid="hear:0">hear</span> us, please answer!" </i>we both screamed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">A very faint voice in our
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="af4b4c87-9028-49d6-ba39-a076ac306e34" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="57ce0215-fb60-4cf0-8792-317a7e249f3b" grcontextid="heads:0">heads</span> pleaded "<i>Help her Jake, help her Leah, please help Nessie, help
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="051411aa-a004-429b-8cd7-9e9236e850a9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="458fbe37-bb1e-4fea-9f8a-750ca4bc9207" grcontextid="me:0">me</span>, help me...," </i>Seth's voice faded and died. We both looked at
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="024bb7f9-98f3-4a7d-aba4-326c21eaac77" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4b8d362e-6e35-4c49-858a-a0d407c34cee" grcontextid="each:0">each</span> other in alarm. Seth and Nessie were in big trouble.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">We must find them NOW.</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">CHAPTER NINETEEN</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Discovery<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">SETH CLEARWATER:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I phased into <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="76e19e7a-687a-4bcc-99d8-95e567155219" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="57474393-c8f1-4ce2-8c11-4b7dd7d07ec7" grcontextid="the sandy:0">the sandy</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3134ffcf-9fc0-47d3-aaee-de1c09acdd37" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f1accb60-df9b-43d2-9f40-8e2ae6473068" grcontextid="coloured:0">coloured</span> wolf, to run through the forest to find my Nessie. Her scent was so
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ae9fd17e-ed62-48ff-be69-d96208842c7c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b7227dc9-7270-49dc-adb5-c8ec105acfb7" grcontextid="familiar:0">familiar</span> to me, I picked it up quite easily. There was another scent mingling
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="51b7b89d-0664-4451-9896-acefd24525a6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0a8a6ab0-8408-4ee2-9fbc-e3a31010f25e" grcontextid="with:0">with</span> hers too. I felt so bad for hurting her, all I'd wanted to do was kiss her
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="42adf653-98f9-4816-8514-795197e809d9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f3467633-474e-44e4-bb25-95e4bd03b50e" grcontextid="sweet:0">sweet</span> lips. I wished I'd thrown caution to the wind and gave into my desires.
One one hand I was so happy she obviously had feelings for me, on the other I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="aa2ffaf6-1576-4f0b-a118-465c6754fb9f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="62dfeecb-3563-4cbc-89b6-fc3a438ddfe8" grcontextid="was:0">was</span> so afraid of us both getting hurt. I so wished I was 100% human, then there
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="bd43030d-4d71-4572-a542-f1087bc73933" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8d6afa85-4b15-4837-8048-66b7e0e866ff" grcontextid="would:0">would</span> be no chance of me imprinting on anyone. If I loved Nessie so much, why
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9710f38e-00c7-494f-b48d-bd3988811fdc" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a010a4dd-f771-4b78-9fbc-2ce0d9a55667" grcontextid="didn't:0">didn't</span> I just imprint on her? Sometimes imprinting never happens. Could I be
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0d3c6dd5-7247-45a6-8a54-b1ce53fa657c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4b1acf54-b912-4dad-af8b-4c739f278f85" grcontextid="the:0">the</span> lucky one? It was all so confusing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Nessie's scent was getting
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f3fd348d-4fa3-4fca-a78d-0ae778bca31e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="60e1be59-a50f-4c1b-b12e-ba8fbd79fd88" grcontextid="stronger:0">stronger</span> and stronger. I came across a small tent next to the river. Nessie was
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="509c7ea6-9a82-4ddb-b6ad-d527d38d1674" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1ad92453-6eb5-4040-b303-9e73cb435332" grcontextid="here:0">here</span>! I could smell her. I snuffled at the tent opening, hearing Nessie softly
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="16f5a10d-4875-4e92-b8a3-b87e4217b4cb" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="25c0e905-29c1-44d9-b8e0-76f6abfa3b3f" grcontextid="sobbing:0">sobbing</span>. I ripped the fabric with my teeth to gain access. Nessie was lying on
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d70536ae-3862-496f-a477-8e30f3b183f7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4b063f4a-f87b-45ac-87b2-c6e3193d80a1" grcontextid="the:0">the</span> ground, her wrists and ankles bound with rope. Kidnapped! What!?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Seth!" she sobbed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Oh no! She was hurt, bruises
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fc00ead7-b294-4817-b4ae-b6559e56e671" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="655c8276-16b3-4e0a-a4bb-04eb8ae731af" grcontextid="had:0">had</span> bloomed purple on her arms, she had a cut above one eye. I knew she'd heal
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5d3a8efb-56d5-4d4c-9d5f-686041c14508" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="078cdf01-b3b7-45c5-a7b6-97b52df1ea89" grcontextid="quick:0">quick</span>, but the rage built inside me at the thought of someone hurting her. I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="bd203cb0-91fd-4064-b56e-ba2b3659c1d2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bb8803b6-4e9b-423b-b294-b32179a4ccb8" grcontextid="howled:0">howled</span> at the moon, registering in my anger that it was a weird <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3f984404-f9c6-416c-8762-6e245f69edaa" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bb8803b6-4e9b-423b-b294-b32179a4ccb8" grcontextid="colour:1">colour</span> of red.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Seth, please untie me.
Nahuel did this! He wants to take me away with him. I was so upset after what
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="82fae757-56db-425e-8520-763a983b64e3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5270ee38-8b16-497e-bcd0-b43062c97938" grcontextid="happened:0">happened</span> with us, I let him bring me here, but when he tried to touch me I got
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e1de5c45-d42a-44f0-894c-611f9ad87ab8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c7de78ef-d68a-487b-8ac2-0590c5bcb7eb" grcontextid="so:0">so</span> upset and fought him. That's when he turned nasty, threatened to go back to
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="10ecdc7f-e4ec-41fc-8fe2-cf18883d7471" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ab96e81b-d3ea-4e2a-bbd0-326b4d005b1e" grcontextid="the:0">the</span> house and kill everyone!" she sobbed frantically. "He's crazy
Seth, really crazy! Please bite through the ropes so I can get free. He'll be
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e33e2534-a60d-49d1-ae2d-3872932894f2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d0fcc3f8-99eb-4286-ac6e-c0986d1cb654" grcontextid="back:0">back</span> soon, we must warn everyone what's happening!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I needed no time to think, as
I began biting through the ropes on her wrists and ankles with my sharp teeth.
I didn't know if Jacob and Leah were close by or not, but I sent out a message
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="101b2857-5251-4c6a-8b9b-3ba04fcf94bb" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7f07b80d-ab64-4721-9ff5-2eafc252f4e7" grcontextid="anyway:0">anyway</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> "<i>Help her Jake, help her Leah, please
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="43dc26ea-4e1c-47e2-ad5b-7407caceb751" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3546036c-5a95-4fd4-bab4-5edc8765f263" grcontextid="help:0">help</span> Nessie, help me, help me..." <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">My thought trailed off as a
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ba4fc076-c7e6-4e12-915e-5e82029ffa40" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1eb50fb9-0ed8-4b4d-a345-c207fe98b4e3" grcontextid="sharp:0">sharp</span> blow caught me on the side of the head, pain flared through my whole
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="280c7572-a7ea-4b04-9810-f4dd8ecfe6f5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1b2db6f2-99f6-46fb-94d5-33da6c94ae94" grcontextid="body:0">body</span>, causing my vision to turn red like the moon above. I automatically phased
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="98d0fae9-d85f-4a60-a709-b93c1d221a30" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d61ea071-2ba2-4da8-a135-537d3d5154e6" grcontextid="back:0">back</span> as I hit the ground. I vaguely heard Nessie scream.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"No Nahuel, what have
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="abfbce6b-79b2-4f3c-86cc-0d574e98e9d3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c264d648-d543-4af4-a234-4354aeb23d3e" grcontextid="you:0">you</span> <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7df78825-3612-4fc1-a982-c665e7fc6e8e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c264d648-d543-4af4-a234-4354aeb23d3e" grcontextid="done:1">done</span>! Seth! Seth!" I felt her cool hand on my face. "Seth <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b5e4f61e-dbf6-47df-b08c-c849e537c7d5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="175aa5a5-979b-45b8-a4ab-0841a053020f" grcontextid="please:0">please</span>,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b66dfe8f-d54a-4a66-af99-cc211f1d6294" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6f3b8854-7406-4ee8-ad66-d36181aa3a62" grcontextid="stay:0">stay</span> with me," she pleaded.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I could see a very faint and
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e23fa4d0-e380-42c5-a048-792c4010fe89" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="76d8de86-dd44-422b-8982-f6e2e6381ad3" grcontextid="blurry:0">blurry</span> Nessie, her face creased in worry above me, the face of an angel. Then
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5835f540-1626-46d0-ba54-e559ab9539a1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fcad67ed-e002-4b11-b1fc-ea8ec8ae7fd0" grcontextid="behind:0">behind</span> her Nahuel, the face of a devil.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Come Renesmee, leave
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6fbdc27a-edec-4534-a227-aa9686d053e7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7d70c5f8-c5f8-41f0-8203-820fc874e5ae" grcontextid="the:0">the</span> wolf boy, you ARE coming with me," he stated.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">" No!" Nessie
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="28306f36-d090-4d61-8319-ce7ecb2b30f4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f6859591-e782-4c7e-8543-757bcb0435d9" grcontextid="screamed:0">screamed</span> in anger, fear and hate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">She whirled around as quick
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="cd34ee45-4366-434f-bcbc-081f249f2210" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="211a9f1a-28d2-466f-8c71-aa684612773a" grcontextid="as:0">as</span> a speeding bullet, picking up the rock which was still covered in my blood,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1aa16882-565c-4c7c-b705-3f2de2becd7f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ea3377cb-4811-4eb3-a5af-af2300b53213" grcontextid="smashing:0">smashing</span> it into <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a473dec2-9c50-4102-af29-59fd9ea8ac99" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ea3377cb-4811-4eb3-a5af-af2300b53213" grcontextid="Nahuels face:1">Nahuels face</span> with as much force as she could muster. He
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="dce771d4-b156-492a-a4ee-46fcb353cc8f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="28342612-dab0-4195-af3a-0132d84850cf" grcontextid="screamed:0">screamed</span> in agony. He bent over clutching his broken face. Nessie jumped on <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="67c2d467-2836-47d1-8856-cb8ec54c82c1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="94119d09-7a09-408e-8569-72e7637c3647" grcontextid="his:0">his</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7b1a5273-567c-4349-9745-1830e95b6eed" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d79ab7e0-3dbf-4e2c-8b6f-58b3207c669f" grcontextid="back:0">back</span>, squealing and screaming like a banshee. Her fingernails dug into his
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="01ee23ac-e84b-4a3e-a650-993cbc0ca3e3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="19477238-fca7-47c0-b30f-fa0b4406e4b6" grcontextid="eyes:0">eyes</span>. He tried to buck her off, but she clung on. I could see all this as if
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a824836c-ead1-476b-85c3-c62744c8a15a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5c0c72b5-4861-4f5d-8fd6-6945313a4612" grcontextid="looking:0">looking</span> at a television with bad reception. Everything was fuzzy. A little
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7d65b0d1-7103-46e9-b14f-ab9a45f3f79a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="10004799-0e6b-432f-9301-260cc8b2d954" grcontextid="voice:0">voice</span> in my head whispered, <i>"Sleep Seth, sleep."</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">But my instincts wouldn't let
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="94f5edb0-db6c-4805-9e3e-333ea4e7041a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3a5241cc-b0c2-494a-b629-3ca04c47d12f" grcontextid="me:0">me</span> succumb. Nessie was in danger. I willed myself to phase back, but my body
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="cdb99cfc-687c-44c4-8569-f68bd656268f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c16ec999-5ed3-43c0-8bbf-b7c5f5057918" grcontextid="refused:0">refused</span> to <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="da265086-0c88-4225-a4cd-1e206a9b1b91" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c16ec999-5ed3-43c0-8bbf-b7c5f5057918" grcontextid="co-operate:1">co-operate</span>. I couldn't see what was happening anymore and the red
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ff2eea08-8a08-4d5c-89d4-a93af374b753" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="db24d140-3f28-41fc-ab1a-d5c7289b6765" grcontextid="mist:0">mist</span> turned to pitch black as my vision faded. I heard a faint splash. Then
Nessie's was beside me, stroking my face and crying.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Please Seth don't die,
I love you, I love you, do you hear me? Don't die!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">She loves me, I grinned
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="60d32016-c8f8-47f4-8c1f-b787fe14cd61" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4f90405e-3842-43f6-b9fb-fa630ec28121" grcontextid="widely:0">widely</span> in my head. Three things happened then. One, I faintly heard two sets of
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="037d2aec-9681-4b55-bf76-e2af43207d5a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a5962c50-98f7-4fd6-be5f-b82112323117" grcontextid="paws:0">paws</span> thundering through the trees towards us. Two, I heard another three pairs
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3f961bdf-035d-41af-8ab1-397737cb1052" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7878cc66-a806-415e-a02d-9cc3491de3cf" grcontextid="of:0">of</span> feet crashing through the undergrowth from another direction.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Three, I <i>completely</i> <i><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1da43dad-3652-40f0-be4c-d0970a4fd2ba" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="02d335c3-3bf6-4f3c-98cd-4eecf4495283" grcontextid="blacked:0">blacked</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="48f7c69d-4a5f-43a0-b4c2-85cc4db53a89" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="480d56aa-f4a8-42d8-895a-367636e499f3" grcontextid="out:0">out</span>.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">CHAPTER TWENTY</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Life and Death<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">EDWARD CULLEN:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">As Alice, Jasper and I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="cd3eef37-6a30-4be6-ae22-1b91b6ee5158" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8351d0ec-5b66-4413-a0b1-36f5ebffbd23" grcontextid="crashed:0">crashed</span> through the undergrowth, we came upon a sight which tore my non beating
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ec2b3928-3a7f-4a94-9dc3-0c51adfe0bbc" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7f44e2a5-4c94-4dfd-9fdc-53d84894db7d" grcontextid="heart:0">heart</span> in two. Seth was lying on the ground, blood pooled around his head,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d53facf5-f11f-4dc2-8d9b-8f7326b1c4f8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2177217b-ecab-4ed3-b822-c790536bbbdc" grcontextid="looking:0">looking</span> as pale as a vampire. My daughter was clinging to him, sobbing and
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8526b17d-0d23-499a-9e00-05c0b37adcc9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="622c76af-2f55-405a-933c-50c8e297717c" grcontextid="pleading:0">pleading</span> for him not to leave her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Nessie what happened?
Who hurt you and Seth? I will personally rip them to shreds!" I said
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ca90898d-f763-4195-94c0-371661e89bcd" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="cd7fee31-ffa9-4156-9dda-d4c813678ab0" grcontextid="through:0">through</span> gritted teeth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I pulled my daughter away
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="cdcaebcf-57fa-4ebe-99ca-6b6890724fd3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="626d3a1a-f3e1-4a63-8bf8-3b714f2b7da3" grcontextid="from:0">from</span> Seth. She shivered, looking up at me with huge frightened eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">" Nahuel did it Dad, he
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9ba61584-8bd8-4fa7-8ad9-15fb4ad65e5e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="31be81f2-e21e-4e85-a5cb-4d5fa280bf53" grcontextid="kidnapped:0">kidnapped</span> me, he wanted to take me away from you all, Seth rescued me, but
Nahuel came back and he hit Seth, is Seth <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="68fe0c91-f120-4619-aeb1-02323dcbfbb8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9fa94a5d-858c-473c-a865-04d35891f7ab" grcontextid="going:0">going</span> to die Dad?" her voice
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5a472b79-15d7-4b3b-b8a1-ac282b2649bb" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4251fc28-ff88-447f-a8be-53c314651cb3" grcontextid="rose:0">rose</span> in fear.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">" Where is Nahuel now?
" I asked, just as two wolves bounded up to us, it was Jacob and Leah.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Leah howled when she saw her
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="54359cfa-faaf-43e7-a346-7ec71592b6d7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8f6ba729-53ce-45e3-ba2e-494ca875c0b7" grcontextid="brother:0">brother</span> <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b73ba73b-fb19-48ad-9276-e1e8919ef3a2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8f6ba729-53ce-45e3-ba2e-494ca875c0b7" grcontextid="lying:1">lying</span> on the ground.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">" I attacked him Dad,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c8383f0c-341e-4595-a813-4b3102942cab" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b15b092f-2d56-488a-a93b-b8910231c63c" grcontextid="and:0">and</span> shoved him into the river," Nessie admitted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">" Alice, Jasper <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="922c5d70-d882-4d1a-96ca-f4c1e2b1a9bd" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="439caa72-1ec2-4856-82a0-1bb0d614e3f8" grcontextid="please:0">please</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="14665c20-c2b0-4631-a847-8605aca8a617" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="50a8e85a-453b-46fe-8cb4-1427bb156805" grcontextid="take:0">take</span> Seth back to the house as quick as you can, I'll call Carlisle and let him
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8f06f54d-627a-42c1-b026-5679081528c2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="971cd9a2-3bf9-44f7-b573-a898dbe2e47e" grcontextid="know:0">know</span> <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="55e4d8f2-1c81-4094-bd5e-d16163445c80" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="971cd9a2-3bf9-44f7-b573-a898dbe2e47e" grcontextid="what's:1">what's</span> happened. He'll be ready for you when you return, but hurry, he's
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2f06a5f0-8e86-4f88-945c-58b83c2f6d66" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="dc078ca0-888e-46fa-b7a5-488d99ff3869" grcontextid="lost:0">lost</span> so much blood, too much for him to heal on his own!" I instructed
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="585e50eb-7989-4267-80e1-2a2db001f0d7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f534c00a-495a-434d-910b-ed6987b2cfe3" grcontextid="them:0">them</span> urgently.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I could hear the wolves
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="82bfcc70-b1b0-4a4e-8823-34cc3085fad2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7a9c262c-2e53-4c33-baaa-b909087d63e4" grcontextid="thoughts:0">thoughts</span> <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8f2a7307-fa9d-4b96-8369-413724de6458" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7a9c262c-2e53-4c33-baaa-b909087d63e4" grcontextid="screaming:1">screaming</span> in my head "<i> No, no no, not Seth, save him,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b9887307-20f4-43ac-a5bb-af6ae7b94814" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c04c7785-9d0e-4490-8bcd-6d0992c3cc71" grcontextid="save:0">save</span> him!"</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Run with them Jacob and
Leah, Carlisle will do his best I promise you," I promised. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Nessie started crying once
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ecd57703-cf2b-4c18-b396-b0dd952c1f22" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="80df455a-7143-4599-848c-b9d6134b4a2d" grcontextid="again:0">again</span>, Jacob nudged her hand with his big russet head, quietly whimpering.
"Jacob, please go with them, I'll be okay with Dad, I love you," she
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b0aaa1b2-85e1-4b75-8e07-62f3a047d33d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6477189f-77f7-42ed-bcca-0333546c632e" grcontextid="said:0">said</span> stroking his head.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Leah howled. The little
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d7005ebd-8816-44db-a401-6803b0078782" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2eed4f15-d873-4362-a03d-fe12251df338" grcontextid="rescue party:0">rescue party</span> flew through the forest, Alice and Jasper <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3228fc2b-6f7a-4a53-b07f-bfcec8068d4b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2eed4f15-d873-4362-a03d-fe12251df338" grcontextid="carrying:1">carrying</span> Seth between
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3fb2358d-f1ea-4d80-b777-20ef1fb08c57" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0bd3e449-376b-4979-a7dd-ebc1eb12f055" grcontextid="them:0">them</span>. I took Nessie's hand and led her to the river bank.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Is this where you
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b6cf308d-8649-44cf-b164-eb858cb83a87" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ca508161-7d4c-485c-87dc-6b028c25d9eb" grcontextid="pushed:0">pushed</span> him in love?" I asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Yes Dad."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I listened hard with my mind.
A faint voice came to me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">" Drowning, drowning,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3c6b6cda-2810-4b71-b549-b75e07f62c8b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4fdc4ced-db83-476c-94ff-a8d82771b5d9" grcontextid="falling:0">falling</span>, falling."</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"It's okay Nessie, I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e1afb8e2-4cbd-436e-8a5d-9cb30de9515a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="187e3753-da58-48f2-b2ea-44fa34565559" grcontextid="think:0">think</span> he's fish food! " I said hugging her <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a516472c-cb96-4144-8406-76292ec4b69c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f915c179-d766-4802-9743-8e592d3feee7" grcontextid="tight:0">tight</span> to me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">She turned to me, her <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8341eda0-a8a2-4f39-84e9-1eb35e1bd65a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="32f716c4-48b3-47c6-b100-6bd07297e94a" grcontextid="large:0">large</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f1f4310e-c313-4c38-9d3d-5c0ec13419b1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="621a92ca-9308-4915-b0fd-ad1a5b0023aa" grcontextid="brown:0">brown</span> eyes full of remorse. "Dad, it's my fault, I shouldn't have let him
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="701737f9-b410-4789-a6f0-b38c1d099c3a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a02ae3ec-9acd-4120-aa5c-e49769325d66" grcontextid="bring:0">bring</span> me here. I was upset, something happened with me and Seth, now he's hurt,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a51ced3a-d456-427c-b30a-7d1df4066011" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="aab0d0e0-4035-41ed-970c-e8508f150c1d" grcontextid="it's:0">it's</span> my fault, my fault!" she cried inconsolably.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Come <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a5b87cb0-a999-437b-a9ef-b549c7856b9c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="592adf2e-cb10-463b-b9b6-9ef00e246ebc" grcontextid="on:0">on</span> love, get on my
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3a52842d-f310-499b-b53d-0d02f1d459d8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ee0775e0-5fa1-43f1-8575-4614326d1561" grcontextid="back:0">back</span> and we'll be home in no time at all, Carlisle will know what to do, <i>I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="bbc32ede-256f-411d-988f-d6885b0b6706" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="789df1eb-4a5b-4969-9cc6-f8209d5e55e7" grcontextid="promise:0">promise</span>." </i>I <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3d28bbba-c95c-4e89-9896-8864875cb18d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="789df1eb-4a5b-4969-9cc6-f8209d5e55e7" grcontextid="stated:1">stated</span> with
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3c8711e8-e053-484c-a921-fc3925c29be5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="573a1cf8-1062-4f49-9cd8-b57a6d3313e5" grcontextid="confidence:0">confidence</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">We sped through the forest
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="bd25251e-421f-4b7a-bc48-b751679f5b06" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3a9ad280-0b57-4f47-a8d8-accf21d0a803" grcontextid="back:0">back</span> to the house, my daughter clinging to me like her life depended on it<i>.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">"Hold tight
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5ed792ab-1210-49c8-a7c5-81453a52b08a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="110f6bc8-805b-4dd8-bffe-b82507c3d7c6" grcontextid="spider:0">spider</span>-monkey!"</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">CHAPTER TWENTY ONE</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Decisions<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">JACOB BLACK:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Seth was hooked up to some scary
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f957d227-a919-49cb-9c85-b49b1d64f20c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2909702a-5815-4cc4-bffa-537af381df0a" grcontextid="looking:0">looking</span> machines. Carlisle had shooed us all out of the room, so he could do a
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5684eeec-1047-4d79-a683-36b4855c6821" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0b3ab4f6-8cce-4a28-a9cf-c1412bc40cf5" grcontextid="brain:0">brain</span> <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d933a77d-6be9-402b-8e8a-4b0f7b1856f7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0b3ab4f6-8cce-4a28-a9cf-c1412bc40cf5" grcontextid="scan:1">scan</span> <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="87ab8b25-eda1-4a50-94bb-4ce1bc47e9bb" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0b3ab4f6-8cce-4a28-a9cf-c1412bc40cf5" grcontextid="on:2">on</span> Seth's injured head. I was trying to comfort Leah who was
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="dff4a789-d1fa-4fe7-b3a8-e49896dd3b91" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4ae8d252-ce41-4033-b582-30edfaca7370" grcontextid="inconsolable:0">inconsolable</span>. I pulled my arms tighter around her, trying to hug away her pain.
Esme had given us clothes to wear as ours were left in tatters somewhere in the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c95174da-339b-45e7-8ec5-6d0d06b115dc" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1573d046-5874-4e71-aea7-64ecc4b1b364" grcontextid="forest:0">forest</span>. The glow of the red moon shone into the window as I looked around at us
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e42cf4b0-e3cc-4a3e-8c9a-d39038d9c9f5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="defac7c9-bd23-4091-b2ef-ade57c802d99" grcontextid="all:0">all</span> gathered here in silence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Edward was frowning as Bella
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="23537611-3e97-4d8c-9c14-544cb326b1a8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="16381b3d-2359-4961-a08c-d1065382c858" grcontextid="hugged:0">hugged</span> him close. Alice was staring into space as still as a statue, with
Jasper next to her. Esme gazed out of the window <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0e636544-36b3-4e22-8019-6de7a9032cf1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="419dde7f-06ae-4015-889a-ddc0dc21e8a6" grcontextid="worriedly:0">worriedly</span>. And Nessie. Poor
Nessie, she stood pacing outside the door where Carlisle worked <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c5216b82-5058-4ead-8d05-46cce84590e1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2cb42988-d144-4979-9071-d27cd9c43ada" grcontextid="on:0">on</span> Seth,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="56990942-112b-4155-8d90-42c4626efe92" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="295a5686-efb1-45f8-b0e0-092e653b39b6" grcontextid="wringing:0">wringing</span> her hands and crying silent tears.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Waiting, waiting, waiting. I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3b84cf4b-3c18-4ab3-be69-397af7062f0e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8d587d8e-4502-43d1-85e3-865366e32b25" grcontextid="couldn't:0">couldn't</span> stand the waiting! The door opened as if answering my prayer, but soon
I wished it hadn't. Carlisle's face said it all. It was bad , really bad. Leah
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2db9f4ef-6e1f-4724-879f-1cd30435fcfb" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="36efe14b-e07f-411f-8768-9d6143f7f576" grcontextid="began:0">began</span> to cry again as soon as she saw the doctor's face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Nessie grabbed Carlisle's arm
" Grandpa, what is it? Is Seth okay? Please let him be okay!" she
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1a7f1943-23fe-4f61-bbfb-b3b62f56c9f2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="201ba7eb-bd0e-4a46-93e2-301c32181a1a" grcontextid="wailed:0">wailed</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Carlisle stroked her arm <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ee008952-94b7-4766-af44-fb50a88f4ef6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c5a08b63-8583-4e59-a2f4-f3dba36197ab" grcontextid="to:0">to</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2cb74c8d-1535-4f7f-a8de-9a0e678e0ca6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a89de991-e775-46ab-9399-e0ea8ef4891e" grcontextid="comfort:0">comfort</span> her and turned to the rest of us to deliver the bad news, " I'm
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="bce6b6fd-ee27-4b3e-9eb6-07337ebc11be" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0e739c1f-557a-4b6e-ba80-84252f674532" grcontextid="sorry:0">sorry</span> to say that the head injury Seth received is really severe. He has
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c668887f-ef68-4eaf-88d6-93e3f0138be0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0b4ce9bc-8230-420e-b136-70b5f637526f" grcontextid="sustained:0">sustained</span> a lot of internal bleeding in the brain, causing a lot of irreparable
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fbd5b676-573d-47fe-97f7-2fe79d6ed7c8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="39035c71-f5b8-4c4f-a867-783b6124f928" grcontextid="damage:0">damage</span>. He is in a coma, and I can say with 99.9% certainty that he won't wake
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9c17dbe3-ea10-4cfb-aeb9-35d428a85b5d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6cc88997-c5f1-4ed3-a080-4cf164bac979" grcontextid="up:0">up</span>. We can keep him alive on life support, but I don't think that's fair to him
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6f852578-84e2-4482-8dac-1f29301fba9b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="23bf73fe-4e70-49f7-9e6d-dc4962a75902" grcontextid="or:0">or</span> anyone here," he finished <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8cf6d2d6-20fc-4737-a5a8-2ac96864b0e8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="23bf73fe-4e70-49f7-9e6d-dc4962a75902" grcontextid="sombrely:1">sombrely</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Nessie screamed. Leah howled
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="04180803-888d-4e35-95ff-c9218a023129" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="cf19532c-490f-4274-a3d0-f305ad79d37a" grcontextid="in:0">in</span> pain and anguish. Edward and Bella looked heartbroken. Alice and Jasper held
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="afec507b-e94a-4514-a869-e2894711cd29" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e1fae743-8b69-47af-a6a4-4aca11a2ece9" grcontextid="hands:0">hands</span>. I stood there in shock as Leah sobbed against my chest. No! This can't
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="11aa80b3-314c-4806-8dc1-e699f43c0df1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9aecf73d-43b9-4b2c-bf8c-dd1da83365f4" grcontextid="be:0">be</span> happening! Not Seth, not the kindest, happiest, <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="53da7303-b24d-4545-b5ea-7501a22ac306" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1ee23d1e-3899-404f-a9fa-996ac7c48329" grcontextid="care-free:0">care-free</span> wolf-boy I knew.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Grandpa, you have to
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="609fb9d8-0998-4d5c-9e90-d9b8a8b24e9f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b496843b-eb96-434a-89cf-89cdfa685c5c" grcontextid="change:0">change</span> Seth, you have to!" Nessie screamed pummelling her small fists
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="506a8aef-bc56-4b9c-8c79-d57e5156b45c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="31c9bdfa-ac49-44ad-b51e-014338a8abc2" grcontextid="against:0">against</span> his marble chest.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">We all turned to look at
Carlisle for his reaction. I guess we'd all been thinking the same thing. Bella
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="479a8f84-3171-4b69-b06c-a7ec20baa80c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="15fa9809-22eb-4c79-950d-f76ce038ae98" grcontextid="had:0">had</span> been dying when she'd been changed, and look how strong she was!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Carlisle sighed, "I knew
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="343c85d2-2c65-4337-af61-dbae7fe2bbfb" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1107aa11-6a5d-4e99-8e12-0c925ea49e8c" grcontextid="you:0">you</span> would ask me this Nessie, but I can't change Seth, he's not completely
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="afb3545f-0bb9-410a-9896-ba66413af5f8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="be1c1719-7044-4538-99ed-fb8f128d0533" grcontextid="human:0">human</span>, who knows what the change will do <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="84b36608-7644-487b-a7bd-83ec913b187d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="be1c1719-7044-4538-99ed-fb8f128d0533" grcontextid="to:1">to</span> a shape-shifter?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"But you have to, or
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5d38f526-7e42-4e22-9d1b-91f30589ab03" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f187e66f-5a73-4477-8be1-595c15ee58dd" grcontextid="he:0">he</span>'ll die," Nessie sobbed. " I don't want him to die, please Grandpa,
I love him," she wept.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Carlisle tried to soothe her
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f34bfe9b-c9e5-4d93-b8dc-a442f2f67ede" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="52e0c3f4-5971-4b5a-af8d-3ba6743d41ca" grcontextid="and:0">and</span> calm her down. I could see Jasper's face concentrating on changing the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="cc800af4-988f-4675-886a-afa3cffc5941" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f46f9112-47b7-4d3d-a321-54692fbd60e6" grcontextid="atmosphere:0">atmosphere</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Alice looked upset, " I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7a222b1a-0002-44a5-8a5f-a102fa55afd1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c47ad165-4e37-4b72-b19a-932c59a929ae" grcontextid="can't:0">can't</span> SEE anything when it comes to the wolves, Nessie, so I cannot say what
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="514a147e-c8e0-4869-ad6f-b05476d33c7c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="533a682f-84c5-4bca-a3df-01b7192f4447" grcontextid="the:0">the</span> outcome would be, this sucks!" she exclaimed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Dad, Mom, please,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6a679af6-1b20-41d5-948d-6b7fc02b3e85" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5c08d50d-6b7c-4db5-afd3-e1d2d33c57c6" grcontextid="please:0">please</span> please, we need to do this for Seth. The venom will heal him, his brain
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="096369ad-e5d5-43f7-acb0-d2c67f6c744e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="90e2e98a-da96-48f1-8f94-50d7935c16f6" grcontextid="will:0">will</span> be whole again and he'll wake up! I honestly do love him and he loves me,
I can't live without him!" Nessie sobbed and pleaded with her parents.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Edward looked at Bella,
" I think this is possible you know, <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="66d3f60e-883b-4956-a188-e12f6d40bbfb" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e11473eb-8afe-4caf-933b-491e7f44b0f0" grcontextid="venom:0">venom</span> will heal him as it changes
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="827fda6d-09a5-4282-9bd7-aebea04467f1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e877ee68-a1a9-4584-b868-de891c7cc117" grcontextid="him:0">him</span>. I just don't know what will happen to his wolf side."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Edward, we don't know
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b1ecb49a-8df5-4d69-bc6d-e29189b93049" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1fc8a13a-2299-42b7-b413-1e7da69e8166" grcontextid="anything:0">anything</span>! Only humans have been changed, we do not know what will happen!"
Carlisle stated.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Nessie stood up a determined
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2a1674c5-34d9-4ed4-b25c-11bd86c8fb72" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="cfb944e1-c364-46a4-a4ca-a3a9d506c890" grcontextid="look:0">look</span> on her face, she wiped away her tears and turned to address everyone in
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="cf423b9b-b8ef-40e5-8a1a-eeb5494fbad5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d0fd20d0-9e77-4518-85de-347b99b9b430" grcontextid="the:0">the</span> room.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">" Please listen
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7d8998b2-b239-4a78-9273-61d2c7f2495a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a429d098-a8b7-4ce3-8506-0277ea1d8be6" grcontextid="everyone:0">everyone</span>, I need you all to take me seriously for once! I know for a fact that
Seth will die when Carlisle switches <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="cec86aa3-88da-474f-936b-600b528a9ef8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b3e53670-a7ec-4100-9715-bb4c1dd74efb" grcontextid="of:0">of</span> that damn machine. What have we got to
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="76b1dbef-af38-49ed-b543-a0ea83b19083" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="971dc5e4-9a8d-41ac-adc2-1f1738fdcf2b" grcontextid="lose:0">lose</span> by changing him? If it doesn't work then we've lost him anyway, but what
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0263cee5-2477-45cf-96e4-72ae752d16ae" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e51f4a76-f420-45e1-94ca-b500aa7b68dc" grcontextid="if:0">if</span> it works? He'll be here, with me, with us. Changed, yes but maybe for the better
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e078c955-0b88-48cd-8e93-7c039484d0d9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6fe157bf-4812-44a5-8963-ae3ce37683ad" grcontextid="just:0">just</span> like what happened with Mom," she pleaded looking at Bella.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Leah had been so quiet <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="cf7cd360-ef56-4360-b87b-e2d97c9b0853" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="70555bea-71d0-4e6d-8348-888081e928f2" grcontextid="beside:0">beside</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ca7a8a55-f37c-4153-9ac3-e4bc8b236551" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="020bd862-9356-4f09-8399-f647778317c6" grcontextid="me:0">me</span>, but suddenly she spoke up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">" Nessie has a point.
Now normally I would never want my brother to be bitten by a bloodsucker, but
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8fd643d7-5331-4849-b35b-815c9d91aa5b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ff2d2610-1f8c-4572-a4fa-25991f92a885" grcontextid="hey:0">hey</span> I've mellowed, thanks to Jacob here. I don't want to go home and tell <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2afb672a-293d-426f-b941-4a9bd444cd86" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fec349a8-ecf5-435c-a5f1-0b5412251d8a" grcontextid="my:0">my</span>
Mom she's lost her eldest son. I think she could handle him being changed more
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8a8c2fbe-2999-4334-8f16-07e8c78708ed" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="feec6300-b490-4796-94d6-a72582049038" grcontextid="than:0">than</span> that! I<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b8999997-f8c7-44df-b3f0-8e5285fcdec8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fda52b34-53a1-41e9-81bc-2a77ad983d23" grcontextid="'m:0">'m</span> his next of kin here and I also plead with you Carlisle, Edward,
Bella, please change him, save my brother!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I hugged her tighter than
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9b5e0d18-6ee8-4bb5-9434-a4765e25d58d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f3dbecf0-d7b8-4fea-83ae-c49c1dea26c5" grcontextid="ever:0">ever</span>. My brave girl.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">She looked up at me with her
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="105197e7-9850-44eb-ba79-13a084f5716a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4a7689e1-69f0-4fed-a4df-3bb9efe04673" grcontextid="large:0">large</span> dark eyes " Should we speak to Sam and the others about this
Jake?" she asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I nodded in agreement. I was
Alpha, if I could save Seth I would give my permission for a vampire to give
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f54a6175-a64d-4093-a39f-df280abbc30c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8b5f08c4-d9a3-4197-b5db-ae0a724cae94" grcontextid="him:0">him</span> their venom, no doubt about it. I thought Leah had a point though, we
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a1c3b32d-c337-4075-bd8d-81044fc85007" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c30c9f1b-7e5e-423f-a1ad-0a28600e8f24" grcontextid="should:0">should</span> tell the rest what was happening.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Carlisle sighed, " I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="df91a28d-5f36-4c57-baf0-bf55b9c8423d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="db6fa25c-a2f1-43fb-bd51-eb8788ad3b47" grcontextid="guess:0">guess</span> we should vote then, who is in <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7f2111ab-3922-4305-be29-90c1a0ae58d5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="db6fa25c-a2f1-43fb-bd51-eb8788ad3b47" grcontextid="favour:1">favour</span> of Seth being changed to save his
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2f4cecfc-cd3d-4180-a7b1-d3ad3cbc08cf" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="cd22eb9d-72d2-4349-818f-f249396211df" grcontextid="life:0">life</span> or maybe to end it, that's the chance we would have to take?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I raised my hand, as did
Leah, Nessie, Bella and Edward. Esme couldn't decide, Alice didn't want to <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5684deb7-d3dc-4ad5-b746-d1ff79277237" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="de802d4f-7e57-4158-a942-565bdee49fe1" grcontextid="as:0">as</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5c491b35-c024-4bc2-9390-715f034a6ad5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="689a4d7d-44d9-4e38-a6e8-fb2a814ddb98" grcontextid="she:0">she</span> was scared for Seth and Jasper followed Alice's choice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Carlisle sighed again, "
My vote is to change him too, I can't stand by and watch that boy wither away
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c1805b82-a76f-4487-88b9-973dddb0ba89" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4caf94ca-eb98-49dd-9cc2-b22e376f4c08" grcontextid="and:0">and</span> die whilst hooked up to machines!" he exclaimed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Nessie smiled triumphantly,
" Thanks Grandpa, thanks so much, this will work, we'll all just have to
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="64b6e6d7-ce18-4077-9707-2f8fbbf2591f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="47edb67a-3f8a-44fd-9c52-c970a8a2cf28" grcontextid="have:0">have</span> faith! If Seth could speak I know he'd tell us to do it! "<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I had to agree with her
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3dcdea80-b9f8-4ea1-976d-4e63c0da3cc7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1b0c64e9-91be-4c64-82a0-69415a9a86c7" grcontextid="there:0">there</span>, Seth would say go for it, it's an adventure Jake! I held my breath in
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="cdc1c47f-e76f-4126-8607-0e476d8df964" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9229269d-2385-4494-b965-3cd124c36911" grcontextid="anticipation:0">anticipation</span> of what Carlisle would say next.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Okay then guys,"
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a21b4493-4cfe-4075-9775-d22b86d82efa" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fe7fc435-c247-4ff9-8eef-2b5bdb393bd3" grcontextid="he:0">he</span> started " We'll let Jacob and Leah go explain things to the pack, then
I think it's best if one of us injects the venom into Seth's heart to start the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="04a8d26f-9067-4f29-b3e5-e39f84c1e936" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e468710f-cdb2-49ff-a258-99ec3ea5f24e" grcontextid="process:0">process</span>, then we will inject the venom into his brain. I do not know what the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="958b9347-efb2-40a9-8838-2dd218935859" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="39403d61-5afd-4526-b927-4bbb265fa6da" grcontextid="outcome:0">outcome</span> will be <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ea93e236-0350-466b-ba8b-7b256036c90e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="39403d61-5afd-4526-b927-4bbb265fa6da" grcontextid="though:1">though</span>," he added gravely.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I hugged Leah, kissing the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4bd5fb36-1f88-49a1-9d6d-e43da20c9c81" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="847a9004-6bff-46a9-8bab-df3124aed3b9" grcontextid="top:0">top</span> of her head. We left the house, carefully taking off the clothes Esme had
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7491a66d-1aee-4a55-9dea-8340b2bbcbb2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4cc306ea-01b3-4505-8d3b-1dcde5f51b19" grcontextid="given:0">given</span> us, leaving them under a hedge for retrieval later. We ran swiftly
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="04094ced-2adf-431f-af5b-98fc0d808e85" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="28e14093-60ae-46ce-ab45-337950822d42" grcontextid="through:0">through</span> the night towards La Push, the red moon glowing in the night sky above
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="97b7d83a-cf19-483f-9060-7d6fe3e1c200" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="13083675-6f40-4cd9-8804-588e9d8b32a2" grcontextid="us:0">us</span> like a giant lantern.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"<i>Not a word to my Mom
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8e04c0c8-b3c8-49ad-b244-b6e85a688d28" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="86dc0dba-02d0-4ec4-9b15-3e75e846edfd" grcontextid="and:0">and</span> Charlie, Jacob, they will freak, best to tell them afterwards, when we know
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d0d75319-cc65-416b-bd2f-d0eb1cc84882" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c0b7e0bb-beb5-40f9-aad5-e3a69fde6cc3" grcontextid="what's:0">what's</span> happening."</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"<i>Yes," </i>I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ce4f80ec-8fb8-475a-abf5-34610bf46f66" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f620b467-bf3b-4497-9255-54ca1b1a276a" grcontextid="agreed:0">agreed</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">" <i>Jake, Seth HAS
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="540bd4a3-9a91-444e-934b-e0aace4e14d9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ae2c7b34-2704-4d5e-98ba-f455aeed0f6c" grcontextid="to:0">to</span> be all right, he's going to be an uncle!. He must come back to us," </i>I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e1220eb7-f0d5-43c3-ad18-e8b80ee75c81" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b8e450f4-933f-4717-b8a9-81c245407a87" grcontextid="grinned:0">grinned</span> a wolfish smile at her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">" <i>We'll all be
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0fbddf0b-9b70-4d8f-871c-8151d3a8fae2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d9944eed-0525-4a3a-b3ce-7f5cf64f4cfb" grcontextid="praying:0">praying</span> for him, Leah. The Cullen's won't let Seth die, I'm sure of it!"</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">CHAPTER TWENTY TWO</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Silent prayers<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">RENESMEE CULLEN:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">My heart was in my mouth as I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5f77a400-af83-49b1-8ece-1277c46772d6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5b0a87ae-8ff4-48a2-9541-87b9426bea93" grcontextid="watched:0">watched</span> my Father and Grandfather prepare Seth for what they were about to do.
Change him or kill him, which one would it be? I was so scared I could hardly
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="85b70ec0-294c-4fa2-988d-6bce6567d16f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="be8164c5-47ec-4b55-b10f-0e34253f93c9" grcontextid="think:0">think</span> straight. I was crystal clear on one thing though. I loved Seth
Clearwater. <i>Please, please please let him stay with me, </i>I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="22e3a0c4-548a-4164-a34d-d338cf5836f6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f1348e97-f297-4025-b121-2ff91d97e982" grcontextid="silently:0">silently</span> prayed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">My Mom hugged me, stroking <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="102ebdfb-3023-49a9-866a-e68b08a253d4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ba4c2ae5-78e2-4cc7-82ca-74ce8806f084" grcontextid="my:0">my</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="896883db-ec1f-4634-80cc-b76908fe4229" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0fb73021-f19b-4242-9a1b-474dc65dd773" grcontextid="hair:0">hair</span>," Nessie, you shouldn't watch this, it won't be pleasant."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"I'm not leaving him,
Mom, no way!" I exclaimed indignantly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I didn't want to know the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="01083172-2a18-4aac-9528-6343c6379316" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f23eff02-64bc-4be8-b1e0-fb0f914f9ccd" grcontextid="specific:0">specific</span> details of what they were going to do to him, it was far too scary <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="cb76fc7f-beda-4aec-bc10-88b7d2b53835" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f23eff02-64bc-4be8-b1e0-fb0f914f9ccd" grcontextid="to:1">to</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7fe15d63-a1fe-4753-b1d8-21edbaddaf7b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f62cec71-1204-4e56-8fbd-c41690d53944" grcontextid="think:0">think</span> about. But I knew most of what was involved. They would rip and tear his
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0db6bec7-0c9c-462c-8c78-f70fd1481214" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="427ae8b1-2478-42df-8347-ad1333a75f17" grcontextid="skin:0">skin</span> with their sharp teeth, stick a venom filled syringe into his heart and
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5e17469b-3471-44b7-a8db-4d2ecfdb5919" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="49f00d1f-a7d3-4632-b815-5ae0e0f34c7f" grcontextid="then:0">then</span> a final venom filled syringe into the wound on his head. The wound hadn't
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="62af2322-8b48-4f9e-b83f-384bcf8683a5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b242887d-6f2b-4750-8889-bb4326c235a1" grcontextid="healed:0">healed</span>, Carlisle explained it was most probably due to Seth being in a coma.
His body had basically shut down.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I kept up my <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7ad697ab-cd8d-4757-97b8-7d5ddc22f5a9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e8ed08f1-1bfb-494d-a51c-06e3b5102408" grcontextid="silent:0">silent</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8f1d952e-34bf-481e-b76e-e40a03e4090c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="866fa8a0-2f27-49ed-a7e0-255e3ecb85d3" grcontextid="praying:0">praying</span>. <i>" Please, whoever is listening, help my Seth to come
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9e14021a-82b4-464c-944c-fcc344be6414" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="360b2781-e0b8-4a65-9d58-3edd7d7ae9bb" grcontextid="through:0">through</span> this. I promise to love him every day, please please please bring him
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="880c2665-da87-454a-b913-7405e94208a8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1f56329d-b7bb-4299-a6da-5bf69a6caa70" grcontextid="back:0">back</span>!" </i>Jacob and Leah had returned, with news that the rest of
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ee0a6093-f5d1-488b-a9a6-382b1aa802cb" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="066347c5-7678-4fa3-b6fc-373f049f43f7" grcontextid="the:0">the</span> pack had been heartbroken about Seth, but willing to try anything to help.
Even if it was turning a pack member into a bloodsucker! Jacob was holding
Seth's hand, saying a few words to him before the changing took place.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">" I love you kid, you're
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="be73cc17-b71b-42b7-8157-5d6e4539bade" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3a6aae75-4ee8-4353-a796-9f2ae5b2e1d0" grcontextid="gonna:0">gonna</span> be fine you hear? "<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Then it was Leah's turn,
" Hey, little brother, wake up soon. I love you and miss you. And guess
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="437a5bfb-24be-4e20-89fd-cc91246349d1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8d985360-7aa6-4487-a08a-c9cba01cf805" grcontextid="what:0">what</span> you're <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b6ca3717-be2f-4c5d-87c1-24d973127dea" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8d985360-7aa6-4487-a08a-c9cba01cf805" grcontextid="gonna:1">gonna</span> be an uncle!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">A gasp went around the room.
Jacob looked all shy and embarrassed all of a sudden.
"Congratulations!" we all shouted out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Leah blushed, " Well I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="af654df0-89f7-4e0b-8a47-f826f769b617" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="27fd6618-41e8-421b-9180-665c62c7ab80" grcontextid="never:0">never</span> could keep secrets," she said laughing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Grandpa smiled and addressed
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c98dd977-1419-4be8-9467-1e2ddb27ee4d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5a72c633-6b38-49a1-bf03-b7571a5913e9" grcontextid="both:0">both</span> Leah and Jacob, " I'll be happy to give Leah a scan and do all the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7d9f5134-91c3-400a-8013-b2d18352e2b0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="00348b1c-97bb-408b-9140-58490d3f5293" grcontextid="pre-natal:0">pre-natal</span> care if you'd like."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">They both smiled, "Yeah,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="34354658-55f8-4197-9c8c-73ff84fa2aaa" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2c9255d0-14f3-4375-90a0-e39885b7fb38" grcontextid="we:0">we</span> were <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ab783ed9-ef7b-4be1-8f41-a0052acead35" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2c9255d0-14f3-4375-90a0-e39885b7fb38" grcontextid="kinda:1">kinda</span> counting on it Doc, if you don't mind, it's a bit of a shock for
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="61524587-23ab-4d63-8b4c-7aee575759d2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="946fe9bd-42d5-43e6-ba51-cd949b1ee51f" grcontextid="us:0">us</span> both," Jake replied sheepishly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The room fell silent then,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0eab7c62-d5c7-46e6-8531-bb89a9a65abf" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ebe5db6a-b85d-4dd3-8b41-d058de833cf7" grcontextid="all:0">all</span> eyes on me, " Nessie would you like to say something to Seth now? It's
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="aaa152e5-8159-4e7c-b1b7-db693bf54f5e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3f297ef3-5584-4eaf-9a6c-f995374d4b99" grcontextid="time:0">time</span>, love," said my Dad.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I slowly approached the bed,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e553a5a2-33a0-4942-b3ef-61e2926dd13b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fb0215f2-2a56-470b-9c60-6a5c9cb2955c" grcontextid="to:0">to</span> be beside my poor Seth, lying there so helpless. His tanned skin looked
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8ffe07a5-4530-4ab7-9ea2-3572c55639b6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="50996f55-a634-4840-a093-e98397bf70ef" grcontextid="sallow:0">sallow</span>, his beautiful dark eyes were closed a bluish tint to his eyelids. His
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a2bb2d07-ad1e-45e3-bbf1-0b929de1796d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2ca6bea8-a247-4489-b602-b1df8f5b16bc" grcontextid="full:0">full</span> lips also had a bluish tint. He looked...I struggled for a description
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4f574ae3-a6ef-4ff8-961e-5ddbf9a4307c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="de148fc7-7791-4ea1-89e0-f6c357e37530" grcontextid="…:0">…</span>...<i>"missing".</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I held his hand to my lips,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="741741bf-03b4-465b-a6f3-5903765062bd" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2bcc06a9-4931-4a1c-a223-758c469ef2ad" grcontextid="brushing:0">brushing</span> them over his cool skin, missing how warm he usually felt. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Seth, if you can hear
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2d657347-f86e-4382-8a0c-f1dad9140f28" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f7aa90c5-834c-468f-a8a7-f2cf5f97b370" grcontextid="me:0">me</span>, I want you to know that I love you. When you wake up I'll be here, for <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fe2a7cdf-9cb4-4ef6-bd27-01a41a8cab69" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4b051398-5e55-4d45-8372-19302d9d7700" grcontextid="as:0">as</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="94312b19-da3e-4d98-8032-f54fe5575d93" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3c22f0c1-7fc1-4c8e-9047-caec9b734f26" grcontextid="long:0">long</span> as you want me." I whispered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I let my silent tears fall
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e052fb12-7cd5-4449-8504-70c519252eda" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7a7558d5-4b02-4067-b578-8b5523d864bb" grcontextid="onto:0">onto</span> his chest as I laid my head against his heart. So fragile, like a
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1d597517-6dc8-4e0f-a39d-e81b3640e456" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ed08e360-8190-44ac-8169-cb0600627897" grcontextid="butterfly's:0">butterfly's</span> wing. It was time now, time to change or time to die. I didn't let
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="bc7a99c9-5d2b-482d-9778-e3d71cab0d40" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="cab0566e-6648-4cfc-890f-dbdbfe049872" grcontextid="go:0">go</span> of his hand as the procedure to bring him back to "life" began.
This was <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a4499a6e-4d29-473a-9ef8-fb2104f47982" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="89459ec6-b3b2-403a-a90b-82157a6c6e45" grcontextid="it...no:0">it...no</span> going back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The venom syringe plunged
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a501d6c9-46dc-4b72-94f3-1c076e27039e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="665b9e92-f9a0-4617-8f04-07c7a0b182d7" grcontextid="into:0">into</span> <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="da79b500-c26e-4393-9831-615251de2ae4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="665b9e92-f9a0-4617-8f04-07c7a0b182d7" grcontextid="Seth's heart:1">Seth's heart</span>, and mine felt like it would split wide open with fear and
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2b6d117e-d41c-43bc-8c2f-325e2af9706f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6e470574-7845-4b28-8b9b-a3786641142e" grcontextid="also:0">also</span> <i>love.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">CHAPTER TWENTY THREE</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Changeling<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">SETH CLEARWATER:<br />
Was I dead? What was happening to me? I had lost track of time, so I couldn't
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a05ade8e-94aa-44d0-a7c2-e51103e155db" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f6b5d46b-1455-4124-9b83-a84241d67b48" grcontextid="tell:0">tell</span> you how long this strange feeling had been going on. I will try to
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6d3b8880-f433-4c1f-81b1-f003b6be09ca" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="edb260f7-5ff8-460c-a669-a4bd57fdfef9" grcontextid="describe:0">describe</span> it for you. I felt like I was floating on a shaky, makeshift raft on
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ba7deb9a-df45-421b-81b3-decb50a3c773" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f92092f3-18ec-4722-851b-8b1f5c5721f3" grcontextid="an:0">an</span> ocean of calm, with raging currents underneath me, ready to pull me under <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e3640e88-1e6d-4a96-9e63-ba5a6b6621f8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f92092f3-18ec-4722-851b-8b1f5c5721f3" grcontextid="at:1">at</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f1665de3-3ba2-47bc-a3b3-c389b3af00c4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bd627932-5b47-40ef-8135-0488b6820555" grcontextid="any:0">any</span> moment. I wasn't sure if I could physically see or if this was in my mind,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9af76072-ea6d-4b78-95bc-3f4fa5f39c3c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7e67371f-2137-48f3-bbfa-025be540eb7e" grcontextid="but:0">but</span> everything looked red. It reminded me of something, I couldn't <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="812697d2-b256-4780-9157-2e9495071ce0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d2c1f639-a17c-4722-9a78-f71023bd8d5a" grcontextid="quite:0">quite</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c14f6f3d-3491-4623-b9c6-463529555d09" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="02774488-8e84-4cff-b66c-eb95f5e09666" grcontextid="remember:0">remember</span> what it was. My brain was functioning but in a hazy, disconnected way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I was used to feeling warm,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0be09085-ffbc-4075-bd4f-991a01d3e30b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="164a6ca4-8fea-4e2e-8346-1619346ca420" grcontextid="but:0">but</span> now I felt uncomfortably warm. I could hear voices far away but they sounded
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f0448a7e-7b24-401f-9a07-fedac3cbdbb6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1422ee9e-38e8-4f65-95a6-70161b62256b" grcontextid="like:0">like</span> they were under the ocean I floated on. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="12b5e8e6-aa89-4e22-8b17-943189b70951" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d4d77a1b-1341-42ff-a6e7-bb600ca2ea69" grcontextid="it:0">it</span> was all so bizarre. I'm sure I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="56902b97-3cf9-443b-be1d-53a67f046cdb" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9d61e24f-38d7-49e4-8e70-2a4d01a0288a" grcontextid="must:0">must</span> be dead. I have one coherent thought, which seems to make perfect sense.
"<i>Nessie.</i>" I must get back from wherever I've gone. Dead <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a32a34ec-cf88-427e-976e-019a95768917" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8ea1d39d-9899-4d0d-8254-f62cce3b2d55" grcontextid="or:0">or</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7b18a755-3ebb-4f31-9168-b85604bd3a36" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4004e191-73f4-45b2-a38a-843063a505e2" grcontextid="not:0">not</span>, I WILL make it back. I have to, something or someone is calling to me,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f3340242-c8dc-43ce-98ad-eea6cd41a7df" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="562379d6-52b2-4d41-881c-3047e56500ee" grcontextid="pulling:0">pulling</span> me, whispering to me to please come back. I have no choice, I must obey
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="04cfd57c-2eac-4e9c-9388-75aebf99a66d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e604dfa4-3970-4d32-843c-af84ecae62e5" grcontextid="the:0">the</span> voice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I try to concentrate on the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c6e523a5-0b49-4410-9909-de6981c923e4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="374904ee-8728-4cc5-8a4c-aabe29d0c596" grcontextid="voice:0">voice</span>. It starts to become clearer. As my hearing becomes more acute <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="60c60b3a-cd10-495c-adbb-ebad56d5735a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="50f8a9f4-0a3e-4221-96bb-1ca4da6373e1" grcontextid="so do my:0">so do my</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e3cb28f3-cb76-48fc-9909-7c233b7084a3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="cf823702-0930-4e74-b44b-48323027c536" grcontextid="senses:0">senses</span>. I no longer feel like I am floating, but I feel more solid, more real.
I am scared to open my eyes, even though this could be heaven and the voice may
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="555f799c-7f38-4b4e-9316-1eef448fd944" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3a1e176f-ef83-4bd0-a23e-34ee3de6eccd" grcontextid="be:0">be</span> an angel! Something is niggling at me, something I really should be worrying
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="41a97507-62e2-425d-8938-eaf811c7f622" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="49e42925-6f2a-42a8-8d6e-6404ccb8e5fb" grcontextid="about:0">about</span>. I'm not breathing! I can't feel my heart beating! I'm not worried, it
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9c57373f-4ed1-4d4c-bf4d-ad43a5b4fd41" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d779de9e-2cb8-4bc6-b959-08d33503bf33" grcontextid="feels:0">feels</span> normal. <i>Weird.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I hear the voice <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="03d3be24-f12f-4ba4-b388-48e4f35d2e32" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b2aaee01-4791-419e-8c21-8d57b3edc84f" grcontextid="getting:0">getting</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a3134b40-8aa7-495c-b7dc-5c913fe11898" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a925e64d-b1b2-4173-89c3-9446f7a9151f" grcontextid="louder:0">louder</span>, coming closer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Oh my! I think he is
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="da4dbdd5-170f-4e55-9644-ef72c74ab233" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b6ecf922-65c4-4344-8aee-8ef77d367ecd" grcontextid="waking:0">waking</span> up! Seth, Seth, it's Nessie, I need you, I want you, I love you. Please
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="bfeed3c6-fec2-4ff3-be32-ee79c7d13702" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7cecf212-3a51-4b87-8748-f02d70d5d3ad" grcontextid="open:0">open</span> your eyes!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Nessie!</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I have to obey; this is the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="575bfb65-eb00-48ea-8f7f-c7fcb3e8a4af" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6fa49542-c2db-46e0-929b-6b67d7b588d8" grcontextid="voice:0">voice</span> in my dreams, the voice that saved me from letting my raft float forever
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="dc7c4d55-a6ce-40d2-a599-5bfe85f7645e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="cd5fbd6a-1a90-4bad-ab20-a5be2e9d85ae" grcontextid="in:0">in</span> that ocean of calm. I slowly opened my eyes, all the while unsure of what
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4f712d33-50da-42a1-872d-34a53186dd60" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2f7e282d-7a33-4f84-a5ce-6a5347224b35" grcontextid="would:0">would</span> happen next. I didn't quite expect what did occur when my eyes opened and
I saw a new world through a red haze. <i>Then it came back to me all <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2f59b22c-c1bf-4b01-a978-39da147107d8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c879af01-4c5a-49eb-a5f4-50b54170c287" grcontextid="at:0">at</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="75f35744-ce56-451d-a2f5-550a13137633" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="87884a34-37fc-4f1d-a1d9-57cd1b3baa27" grcontextid="once:0">once</span>.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The red moon, Nessie hurt,
Nahuel evil, lying in the forest dying. I propelled myself from the bed without
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b68f0f1c-7872-4d31-aca8-53d2a972959d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="62c7c266-663f-471b-a27f-77d525aa8910" grcontextid="even:0">even</span> knowing I'd done it. I landed in a defensive crouch in the corner of the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="41b43b5a-3fde-478b-851c-8355f790c6db" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="cf9c762f-5260-4825-b358-4e5f02d05992" grcontextid="room:0">room</span>. I snarled and hissed as a figure came towards me swathed in the <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e15b3fcc-725e-478e-8df5-94c240cc5f59" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3e00b9ed-cb16-407c-bdc8-2d63d08d7d8c" grcontextid="eerie:0">eerie</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="594202fc-f5bb-4661-b64d-885f9d24126b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="659290f1-25c5-4206-9ddf-7df8f7861070" grcontextid="light:0">light</span> of the <i>red moon.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">All you need is love...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">RENESMEE CULLEN:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I had begun to think my
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0139bf68-27da-4a69-a8ab-33cb14cc4aa0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="38499d2f-d1d8-4807-8cc4-9a2ffb3939d6" grcontextid="silent:0">silent</span> prayers had not worked, as I sat beside <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d46b0428-27b1-4860-9419-700eaf83933d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="38499d2f-d1d8-4807-8cc4-9a2ffb3939d6" grcontextid="Seth's bed:1">Seth's bed</span> watching him go
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e6770e4e-e9b2-4532-b721-9f7b369c1d7b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="72f2dfdf-eb3a-4e49-bb7d-4e510c6088c6" grcontextid="through:0">through</span> a horrific time. After the venom injections, I could hardly bear to
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="72a64b9f-5b7c-4b10-b38d-b9e9d79d37b0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fa8af1cb-96f9-4513-9d02-776c476caba9" grcontextid="watch:0">watch</span> as Seth writhed and twisted his body, his breathing ragged and torn. But
I forced myself to be brave, to be brave for my Seth, even though it was so
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2aa7fc76-43c9-47b0-9cd9-0bf9deb93904" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f61cbda2-1cb7-442f-8800-121379481050" grcontextid="hard:0">hard</span> to watch. The weirdest thing that occurred during the whole process was
Seth kept phasing between human and wolf, sometimes so fast he was just a blur.
It was weird but scary, what if he'd stayed a wolf? I'd still have <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="791ec122-73d5-4017-a5d8-b17e3255c7bf" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="be397b23-c4fa-44d0-bb98-060dc77f4aa6" grcontextid="loved him of:0">loved him of</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f35784cc-b9fc-493a-a464-c174e2cdfadc" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="860987e7-d3b3-4775-8c13-a2d5e4fb5153" grcontextid="course:0">course</span>. I was also afraid this phasing wouldn't stop and he'd be <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="06deb2df-514b-4f72-b4e7-13bd4b242a3e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="dd486378-14ff-4061-a478-de5f42d1af6b" grcontextid="constantly:0">constantly</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c0f91318-794a-4742-b07d-feed5f8b2533" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3789afc9-85ba-4a42-a8b9-eee3d6b24224" grcontextid="fluctuating:0">fluctuating</span> between human and animal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Suddenly this strange part of
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0e4458f3-2458-42fb-a766-36a7fbc015ee" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="43e9a234-c1c8-4cd3-bd72-cb507b94daa7" grcontextid="the:0">the</span> changes stopped and he remained human. Seth was normally so warm to the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6a1418d7-e39a-4074-85fc-2e241725c8a5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2ac6fdd1-3a78-4bad-b930-1480f8fc9b36" grcontextid="touch:0">touch</span>, but as he lay on the bed he was like a volcano, a raging inferno of heat
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2ed45383-1e59-4d9c-8262-4c22dfdb1fa7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f4673ef2-a6f4-4155-8629-03c568a3c2aa" grcontextid="and:0">and</span> fire. I mopped his brow with ice wrapped in a towel. I squeezed his hand,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="81aeebb6-f8ba-4f73-8929-dec0898ab269" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b467f64e-ad9d-49f7-b9fe-5f7a9e351963" grcontextid="stroked:0">stroked</span> his soft cheek, and rained kisses all over his face, all the while
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7c596a8e-c856-46d9-8176-da83d8464f79" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="958a9363-d297-4338-bf15-18b01f64cdbb" grcontextid="keeping:0">keeping</span> up my silent prayer, <i>"Please please please let him survive
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="24ef315d-6141-4965-b89c-ceee48ab53cd" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="596e3e62-3e57-45c0-8307-277c70752d49" grcontextid="this:0">this</span>."</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I watched the heart monitor
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="28808877-3b17-438b-9e2b-4c82611739b3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a53ecf88-0cbe-4ac5-bb01-d99fb9ee445f" grcontextid="falter:0">falter</span>, then flat-line. That was the scariest thing for me, to watch <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="eea93c5f-8f69-43ad-940a-1fda4d6e0ad7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4e2e7486-b9cd-473e-b449-c74e595c3b29" grcontextid="his:0">his</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="01f52983-2fc3-4b04-baed-e802193e3865" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="53536a4c-a7b4-4f54-89eb-47da56729021" grcontextid="beautiful:0">beautiful</span> heart <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="43a7fe8c-ecab-4b73-8b68-53cc97f3031f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="53536a4c-a7b4-4f54-89eb-47da56729021" grcontextid="come:1">come</span> to a faltering stop. I cried when that happened, my Mom
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f572fc2f-6719-46ac-9f6a-76ece0eb5d54" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="dcf43a84-84b8-45d7-aa54-4520c9bb0dd3" grcontextid="and:0">and</span> Dad <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2d6c9f1f-8c38-4d06-b752-e78f735e91aa" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="dcf43a84-84b8-45d7-aa54-4520c9bb0dd3" grcontextid="holding:1">holding</span> my hands. I was so scared this was it, the end. I'd watched him
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6c080fad-34ef-419e-aa3a-da3877c82d54" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ae2dab66-517a-4833-ab44-460c12107402" grcontextid="suffer:0">suffer</span> for three days, I couldn't bear it if his suffering was in vain.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">" Seth, please wake up,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="646fc268-92d0-4cd0-9d56-680ef2f53d9c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="35dbdf7b-e640-405f-b991-02f47696179f" grcontextid="please:0">please</span>, I'm here for you," I pleaded. His eyelids fluttered, and his
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0f1e1998-c230-461e-bd9f-84f6b7394f98" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="36ec027b-b6e3-43c8-8b90-2f458cdc3134" grcontextid="fingers:0">fingers</span> squeezed mine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> "Oh my! I think he is waking up! Seth,
Seth, it's Nessie, I need you, I want you, <i>I love you</i>. Please open
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="845bdc3b-301c-4674-a6b5-f10e0ac8af70" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0e6b1016-4205-49b4-bbdc-6dc1237dc82f" grcontextid="your:0">your</span> eyes!" I pleaded impatiently. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">His eyes opened, they were
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="46516ead-0ecc-40d8-8016-c3d9ec347a00" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ea06c2a1-3982-4c0b-8b6d-057bc959bd0b" grcontextid="crimson:0">crimson</span>. I gasped a little in shock. Suddenly my hand was ripped free of his <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="48c592a7-da3f-4a62-9947-80623c068c42" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4c13a3c4-e07e-487e-a9d6-d0544bb726ee" grcontextid="as:0">as</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="671038f2-3afb-4dc0-94a3-a1b02b55479f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e2394879-ac8f-4022-9b40-80dba8a20e1a" grcontextid="he:0">he</span> jumped up so quickly, landing <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="681572b4-858f-4c65-9689-750da5f6cec4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e2394879-ac8f-4022-9b40-80dba8a20e1a" grcontextid="in:1">in</span> the corner of the room in a crouch, a growl
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="61838ffe-00d4-42ed-bc08-4013e09a3773" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f90588af-a5f7-4b69-9065-01079fb1908a" grcontextid="escaping:0">escaping</span> from his bared teeth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I started to walk toward him
"Seth, it's me Nessie!" I exclaimed, holding my hands out to him. As
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b8737fb8-6558-4063-873f-dd220e9d0578" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b2ecf67d-081f-4918-ab16-c8c920670981" grcontextid="quick:0">quick</span> as a flash, arms were around me in a vice like grip. "Dad, you're
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="70f8e007-e021-4d3d-8725-12b4307b6510" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f91b702e-9da5-41d2-bdb8-7a0ba4e6f654" grcontextid="hurting:0">hurting</span> me!" I screamed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Nessie, it's too
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b34d914c-8594-477a-971f-a0fb023e7397" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f4bc29d5-c183-4896-a1c1-363abf2a9db5" grcontextid="dangerous:0">dangerous</span> to approach Seth right now, leave him be until we see <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="bebb3654-69b3-43ee-9304-c38bd849d91c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f4bc29d5-c183-4896-a1c1-363abf2a9db5" grcontextid="what's going to:1">what's going to</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="97c9b893-7bbd-45f0-8597-46816f89a5e0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7730922d-e20d-403b-8b55-5e737db21f55" grcontextid="happen:0">happen</span>," he replied kissing the top of my head.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">We all stood staring at Seth,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a7314250-19b9-4300-ad06-537d629feddc" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e9602979-6b41-4497-8f65-e946d8eee16e" grcontextid="unsure:0">unsure</span> of what to do. He suddenly stopped growling and hissing and stood up
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7f9d028b-6f93-487d-ae24-f0694942e165" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6cf033ac-6398-4df4-9673-2e1e944aae56" grcontextid="straight:0">straight</span>, looking back at us all through crimson eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Hey guys, what's up? I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="52e5f958-cdc7-40f3-aa53-68ab2c98365d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4bd615a6-32af-4d8e-b9f8-ae5bb4656496" grcontextid="don't:0">don't</span> know what happened there, I just felt this urge to jump in the corner,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="59bbe3d3-eb97-4e01-a417-87701c8ff97a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ebac53b2-4f92-47c0-8063-01861a3c8d11" grcontextid="weird:0">weird</span>!" he exclaimed shaking his head. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">His voice was so deep and
multi-layered with many tones.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">"Seth</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">?" I asked.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Nessie, boy am I glad
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ee7abd0d-5b62-4905-b72c-d5f6e85a5e28" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6b85e249-534c-4578-a9fa-a95d35acfa4b" grcontextid="to:0">to</span> see you sweetheart, I dreamt of you, I dreamt of your voice," his voice
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="93894b14-67c0-4a2a-a9a3-36b810cbf506" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e0efef41-af62-4671-a754-ae74b93e2e04" grcontextid="cracked:0">cracked</span> as he looked like he might cry. Of course <i>vampires</i> don't
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8d76cfba-183d-4484-82ac-476e68d2354b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b9933407-3cd1-48c0-ba75-e332778ec6b0" grcontextid="cry:0">cry</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Oh Seth, I'm so glad
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="260e8a01-483e-4cc5-bb9d-fea23258fbae" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a22e7dc6-a4dc-4aa3-93e7-f047dbdb3e15" grcontextid="you:0">you</span> are back, I thought I'd lost you forever!" I moved towards him, but
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6c8b15b6-29e1-4bdc-b6d2-0a05b2a5019a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="74e6b728-0a2d-4ceb-9d2c-7a8800150640" grcontextid="once:0">once</span> again arms restrained me, this time Jake's I think.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Seth's crimson eyes widened
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fa9ddc73-24e2-4faa-9f4e-1d6a65423f62" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="91a6face-a67f-4a54-ab12-9e049330a362" grcontextid="in:0">in</span> shock, " I won't hurt Nessie, how could you all think that!?" he
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9269aeab-0703-4342-ae87-18363bca66dd" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bc145fec-3ef0-41b8-b7b6-26bb18f3f87b" grcontextid="looked:0">looked</span> around <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d75f222d-7ba8-432d-a883-f83916a46b0b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bc145fec-3ef0-41b8-b7b6-26bb18f3f87b" grcontextid="worriedly:1">worriedly</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Carlisle appeared in front of
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d377fd65-8d91-4067-b75d-798e649da72f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="096243ae-89c9-411e-9ac1-b75b09892956" grcontextid="me:0">me</span>, " Seth, we're just taking precautions because we don't know how you
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8f08a8a7-895e-4bb2-b90a-9e591f102571" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8d5c6436-4919-45b7-8ee6-196fc8ea6f38" grcontextid="will:0">will</span> react. Do you remember anything <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0cf6b171-2475-4ef3-8a61-555e2c6f3838" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7559aa67-960f-4a43-bd14-7e38d07c6726" grcontextid="of:0">of</span> the last few days?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Seth shook his head, his long
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2a6f1f0c-2ff0-4b72-9dd1-f4d63b7ea00a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bdf191da-b4e0-43b7-a180-2a7fdba70fdd" grcontextid="black:0">black</span> hair falling perfectly around his face. And oh my! His face! I'd been so
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a9e78026-2095-4249-86c1-0e01bc5ef0d5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="538488c7-58b8-46ce-8b51-dce7bae6a6e7" grcontextid="busy:0">busy</span> <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e454f9de-afb0-4e5d-b844-4110e88ea0aa" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="538488c7-58b8-46ce-8b51-dce7bae6a6e7" grcontextid="wondering:1">wondering</span> if he was <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ef3b3620-c1d4-4b2a-ae15-29e73b6a5e54" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="538488c7-58b8-46ce-8b51-dce7bae6a6e7" grcontextid="okay I hadn't:2">okay I hadn't</span> appreciated just what the change had
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="12f4b780-d283-4bd0-bf9e-87cdc11f197e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="88a2a92f-6617-4b00-94a9-af6258ffaca8" grcontextid="done:0">done</span> to him. He was magnificently beautiful, tall, strong, graceful...I could
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="afc5d1ac-eeba-4880-b053-7e4f6dee83f5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b0502c13-5d70-4804-b692-61f6fb56c06b" grcontextid="go:0">go</span> on and on. He was Seth, but multiplied by a thousand! I broke out of my
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ced0ae45-7705-4ac5-bc3d-ce239a217fca" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8e829e19-183d-4658-b7d1-c9fdf8bb22b8" grcontextid="reverie:0">reverie</span> to listen to Seth's reply.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> " Well Doc, I remember being in the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2c1fac44-b413-4f75-a343-46cf38ef62be" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="cb42219f-092c-424d-b81a-9e9de6bb9b92" grcontextid="woods:0">woods</span>, and all that happened there," he gave a low hiss, " But then I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f47747a8-9d87-41f3-9aa8-b7ce9ae8fc95" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7d9dcfb8-d686-4a65-a2a3-f461db1fa928" grcontextid="only:0">only</span> remember darkness until I started to hear voices, one voice in
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="42f6d26a-f5f7-4104-8e1f-25caf25654cd" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="dcbc3db7-6bf9-4c0b-ae58-aca40e794f22" grcontextid="particular:0">particular</span>," he winked at me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> " I was floating, it was very warm, I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0927acda-d56c-4a6b-8abc-02b45d2a90db" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="290bc1fd-0e83-4615-80ae-1684fd5570a9" grcontextid="felt:0">felt</span> disconnected, I thought I was dead! But then my senses started coming back
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5813266c-fff2-42ec-8225-916416478e9f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9953a407-c6a4-448a-8a38-8ea3cff9bf83" grcontextid="slowly:0">slowly</span>, but I felt different somehow, stronger, I don't know," he
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e5671469-47fb-4d3c-97a5-0176980d749a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2742e0c0-d1fa-4a8e-9073-c89311e32425" grcontextid="shrugged:0">shrugged</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Seth I really need to
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e78ffcce-0648-4748-a3dc-88342c2e1b6c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="177f74bc-7cc8-4b79-96d8-852fe2f2db7f" grcontextid="explain:0">explain</span> to you <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c1a29d23-6ee2-43e8-b86b-e44698fad139" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="177f74bc-7cc8-4b79-96d8-852fe2f2db7f" grcontextid="what's:1">what's</span> happened, please will you sit down with me?"
Carlisle asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"No problem Doc, but can
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="958ef647-ca74-49b8-bb6f-954524715164" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="178a2167-65d6-4da9-829c-04837a0abde4" grcontextid="you:0">you</span> tell everyone else to back off, they are kinda freaking me out! Why's
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e12a409b-cbf1-4e5a-a627-73d892192614" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="cd548eea-baf5-4496-90d4-8ff5d40fc0f6" grcontextid="everyone:0">everyone</span> looking at me?" he queried.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">We all stepped back, but
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="890773de-1733-4c90-95dd-04b8f2864492" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="edd327bf-4cbd-47a9-b28d-84fff5bdf136" grcontextid="stayed:0">stayed</span> close by...just <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b522b655-751c-466e-bd2c-9a933a64aba0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="edd327bf-4cbd-47a9-b28d-84fff5bdf136" grcontextid="in-case:1">in-case</span>. Carlisle sat Seth down on the sofa next to him,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="75a7c3f5-074f-4cd0-bb97-42d53d33aba0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="01858f82-8f91-43df-8787-c3d9779f135a" grcontextid="he:0">he</span> started off the explanation by handing him a mirror. I watched in
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="296bac96-f4ba-4ac1-951c-9ee86c3747d7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6a188274-946c-40af-9cd0-bef20b932e96" grcontextid="fascination:0">fascination</span> as he gazed at his reflection. First he gasped in shock, then he frowned
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="426ccd7a-5032-49a0-a152-8a866808be08" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="371712b8-a831-4477-b99e-424032ed689e" grcontextid="a:0">a</span> lot, then he asked " What the hell...?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Carlisle calmly tried to
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9add1d96-91a3-418b-b6f8-c4f3bf8950e8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="11deb9da-9289-4f19-92df-a62bc0567d5e" grcontextid="explain:0">explain</span> the situation, " Seth, Nahuel injured your head so badly you
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ccae11f2-bece-4191-a24a-3c43dcde17c2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d8eb75ac-f07b-4cfc-92b1-7c840b52529b" grcontextid="slipped:0">slipped</span> into a coma. I did a brain scan on you and the prognosis was not good,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="22a56e90-fd97-4a43-b273-cc4af8ca5bde" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="065c8b50-a982-40bc-8d84-e41c404c9590" grcontextid="you:0">you</span> were basically dead for all intents and purposes. I could do nothing for
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4509dc98-2642-4a9c-9ec9-419f0a3aa5bd" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c18921e8-508c-4230-8be7-e373d30ce209" grcontextid="you:0">you</span>," Seth's crimson eyes widened in shock as the doctor continued,"
But most of us decided to embark upon a course of action which would hopefully
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2307b499-2fa6-4458-a59c-599c971cc2ab" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d0d3ae8c-5554-489a-9f33-e82d267430ab" grcontextid="save:0">save</span> your life. I know we did not ask your consent, but as you must <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6e2b24fe-92da-4609-b203-dc5df9a3feca" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bdbdcd82-f6c3-45aa-93ec-7b26530dfce0" grcontextid="realise:0">realise</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="17ddef99-cffb-436c-96f0-403ef4c222a5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6765617b-0ae4-4794-a448-c291496f4250" grcontextid="that:0">that</span> was impossible. Leah, as your next of kin gave her permission. Nessie
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f0037840-23d6-4e3f-866f-5cf2047d39b1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="744fe850-af6f-4d12-9a97-a915eb6a3fd1" grcontextid="pleaded:0">pleaded</span> and pleaded with me to save you...I had to do it Seth, you are such a
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ebe89b09-86dd-4638-9509-c54f41bd5740" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="651840ee-88b6-4e8f-9890-1d50fbe31146" grcontextid="fine:0">fine</span> young man, I could not let you wither and die on a life support
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3b78a8c6-4dfe-4188-b2ee-ed0f6d46b9be" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="609b9649-ba97-4116-b994-7d12b2c07775" grcontextid="machine:0">machine</span>!" Carlisle's voice rose with passion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Seth looked around at us all
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6eeef5c0-70d5-4a9f-8a15-e9941a7f8ead" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="45d1d30f-2e37-4e92-95de-371805110ba7" grcontextid="in:0">in</span> wonder, but also with fear as his mind frantically sought to process all of
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1b6e02e9-9579-4c5a-900f-d6a698c5789e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3b4908b6-a40f-46d3-b472-ecd766a877d3" grcontextid="the:0">the</span> information given to him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"But I'm not dead Doc,
I'm here, my eyes are <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="caf10b72-274a-4d7f-94ea-930bf0f25fcc" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a0ac84de-0b9f-49f6-bf57-22511cd9a102" grcontextid="kinda:0">kinda</span> funny and I look different," he said shaking
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="48626f91-8cd0-4aa8-9ce2-d02c57100a11" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f95b5e10-ae83-4c43-9c04-45be8493f162" grcontextid="his:0">his</span> head. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I watched fearfully as I saw
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d2ad946e-d86c-48a0-9c5a-39a3322f052b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="886837ae-5230-4461-8f58-783f6276d7bb" grcontextid="the:0">the</span> truth <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2d3e6a33-94f1-4523-a345-29dc4f92523a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="886837ae-5230-4461-8f58-783f6276d7bb" grcontextid="dawn:1">dawn</span> on him, slowly the <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b38275d9-2fa5-415c-9b36-eb54b6850837" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="886837ae-5230-4461-8f58-783f6276d7bb" grcontextid="realisation:2">realisation</span> of what he had become showing in
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1937fa02-4f37-41d3-83ed-e95967feb6f1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="375dda4e-ac06-4e1c-972e-62a3578d7f94" grcontextid="his:0">his</span> crimson eyes. I was scared what his reaction would be. I think the whole
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0fbd0c92-d5d7-4b7c-9349-0d394a797493" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3dae838e-0c9e-417d-a3de-8edcf8eee03b" grcontextid="family:0">family</span> were! Dad held Mom close his eyes never leaving Seth. Jacob stood
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3d53a97b-34f2-4436-984d-00f17bf36bba" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3d508b82-6b96-407b-9b28-ac5caa8b0246" grcontextid="protectively:0">protectively</span> in front of Leah, who was peeking around him to get a better look
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a7c2ef07-23f5-4927-8128-03bdea370eaa" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7ce3c925-b2b3-4575-a702-9ebbf2ec938f" grcontextid="at:0">at</span> her brother. Alice and Jasper, Rosalie and Emmett were all stood in
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="61f1ff80-41bd-43e8-9d6c-e94249d2cad3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="662683a4-e082-4491-82c9-3428c4dff572" grcontextid="strategic:0">strategic</span> positions, ready for action if need be.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">" I am <i>dead</i>,"
Seth exclaimed quietly, "But I'm changed, I'm a vampire. I know I don't
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1b0d57ce-b832-45d3-853d-dd8224b0a349" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c5ceb9a7-d99a-4e96-a283-f61202997208" grcontextid="need:0">need</span> to breathe, I don't have a heartbeat, I have red eyes, I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="02fd495b-e245-4a10-9b17-345b1b7aa765" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5f6e7b87-994a-4a94-9cfe-1de0a594e5fe" grcontextid="look:0">look</span>...different." <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">We all waited anxiously for
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8e135111-beaa-42ca-bd22-21b582d83fe5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1aa3ab10-49a3-4446-9a25-ac470df16ce4" grcontextid="him:0">him</span> to explode with rage and fear. But he simply looked up at us all and
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="47dcdde8-a1fc-4bf7-8d31-3ffb72d6cccc" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bca93270-29d6-4c41-9f1d-99b1facf5886" grcontextid="quietly:0">quietly</span> whispered " Thank you, all of you. I don't need to know the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="791d0fc8-98fc-4694-a8cf-0237ea771ce2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="75cf41f9-a0f0-4baf-a7f9-9bfa93ffbfcb" grcontextid="specific:0">specific</span> details. I'm just so glad to still be here with you all, it's
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="17ce3a3e-2433-434d-915f-d91aaa9aec50" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6f16f0b9-039d-485c-b675-3c2953e46398" grcontextid="overwhelming:0">overwhelming</span>."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Whilst everyone looked on,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="40192140-0d9d-4853-bf30-899edef049ce" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a0e9f5a6-32aa-4dbc-a400-73a4e23feaec" grcontextid="shocked:0">shocked</span> by his unexpected reaction, I quickly ran to him, falling at his feet
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6f443caa-2da4-4d02-b05e-9d3b441ff606" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6039096e-590a-4c01-a0a2-2eb70f148f7e" grcontextid="my:0">my</span> head on his knees.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Oh Seth, I love you and
I'm so sorry you got hurt because of me, but I'm so glad you've survived. I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="30a091bb-5744-4562-849a-e62656ab6c4a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c851942f-1ed6-450e-8b84-c16026cdeaf8" grcontextid="can't:0">can't</span> begin to tell you how happy I am," I gazed up at him with tear
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="788a05d6-6909-4041-b874-37e8d7513f22" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4b3db5dc-c733-4a7e-8b02-c61fd2d837f1" grcontextid="soaked:0">soaked</span> eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I felt the tension in the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="49007bb4-03c0-40d8-8e3e-3991a5d20629" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="538c202b-a2d4-4728-ac99-6f2310583ea7" grcontextid="room:0">room</span> as everyone looked on with trepidation. Seth brushed away my tears with
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b5fa106d-5f16-43d0-8c56-960a62b123b5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="14f3ccd2-425a-4de0-b870-7a0ba0d70799" grcontextid="his:0">his</span> fingertips, so gently, and gazed into my eyes, "Nessie, I love you
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="cd289039-fb24-4467-a8b1-52357d484a22" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="877cc3ce-83fb-42af-9f0a-14ff4f2c4938" grcontextid="too:0">too</span>, I'm sorry I couldn't let you know before. I feel so different, but the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="81d39d5b-18c8-476b-b434-79584d8578c6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="63999966-5d21-4bb0-8564-82495cd99105" grcontextid="same:0">same</span>, can you understand me? I love you more than ever, you look even more
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4de6bfe4-91a6-483d-bdac-e36c8621244d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7a6bb9e1-6285-4067-acd0-6f7674f5113d" grcontextid="wonderful:0">wonderful</span> to me, if that's possible!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Carlisle cleared his throat,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="953b29d8-f499-4a88-888c-bf082ea3d2ed" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1f122c6d-24cb-4651-8df1-dcf9af492e83" grcontextid="and:0">and</span> we both <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f8bf8e61-d179-45b0-8555-aaf51a183ae4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1f122c6d-24cb-4651-8df1-dcf9af492e83" grcontextid="realised:1">realised</span> that we weren't alone in the room. Whoops, I got a bit
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4e5acfd3-1b59-440f-871b-f10e32c20e62" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5f0073c2-2d2d-4438-bf3c-6f9298237168" grcontextid="carried:0">carried</span> away there, I couldn't wait to have Seth alone, to myself, when we
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="694fa9c5-c34f-47a5-bec1-0785a3be03f8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2359d644-12a6-4d09-b8a2-8e518f4eb199" grcontextid="could:0">could</span> really talk! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">" Seth, do you feel any
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f625de1d-4082-4c9e-99a7-6e2948e5c769" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d7b90e99-9465-4aaf-b6a8-272d17ba6653" grcontextid="discomfort:0">discomfort</span>, any burning in the throat, any...thirst?" Carlisle asked <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0d00e09d-dd70-436d-ba05-40f79f54180b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d7b90e99-9465-4aaf-b6a8-272d17ba6653" grcontextid="with:1">with</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0f5023ea-1f24-4ba9-a98a-7b01abd5f8a3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8dfecf95-27e4-4dae-8192-5095de33cedc" grcontextid="trepidation:0">trepidation</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">" I feel great Doc, no
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="de835234-3185-4924-8d13-05f9e8a144fe" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="75ba53b3-c3ea-4d8e-8a19-f8588d217234" grcontextid="burning:0">burning</span>, no thirst, but think about it? I'm used to feeding on animals as a
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1fea6bf2-24cf-47d5-bc9f-2d30a5858ab2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c8961176-1c93-4b8d-b64d-0a4d869a015f" grcontextid="wolf:0">wolf</span>. I don't feel any need whatsoever to drink human blood, I can hear
Nessie's, Jacobs and Leah's hearts beating …... <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="21ccab7e-e28d-49ce-bdb4-caf231104313" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0cb9f0d0-a3f5-4693-bd23-ee35fc9ac9c8" grcontextid="it:0">it</span> does nothing for me, except
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d2c38ae0-2bf9-4fce-bbb9-904179e15f87" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="59b55df3-e411-456c-94f8-65eba718b983" grcontextid="to:0">to</span> be glad to be alive to see you all again,” he said with a warm smile. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">We all gazed at Seth in
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f3e58c49-489d-472e-bdd7-0587512bae6c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6fa6cce0-f8bb-42dd-8b33-c175a68628f5" grcontextid="amazement:0">amazement</span>. Everyone thought Mom had been so different as a newborn. Now Seth,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7eedaa9c-d20c-49d4-92b6-ec514776ba19" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="644475d1-3003-4fcb-9da1-95b816c7adcf" grcontextid="my:0">my</span> Seth was about to prove them wrong again! A shape-shifter, a wolf, a
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="89957794-8d6e-4922-b939-d09366b6bcf3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ff9c27af-1aa6-42c8-840d-fde4e708016c" grcontextid="vampire:0">vampire</span>? I don't care, he's Seth, he's here, and I am going to show him how
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c50c23e6-fa62-4a61-83d6-d511eff905a0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="02e21280-9a5a-4a90-8c3d-4c397aab4440" grcontextid="much:0">much</span> I love him every single day of our existences.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Just you watch me.</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">One of a kind<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">LEAH CLEARWATER:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">It was very strange to say
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="75864b1b-590d-4487-81e2-549ffffd6fc6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f1ef4956-3a1d-4658-891a-52fbae639575" grcontextid="the:0">the</span> <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="833bf370-40a7-4911-b3ce-a7537379e803" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f1ef4956-3a1d-4658-891a-52fbae639575" grcontextid="least:1">least</span> to see my brother become a bloodsucker. But hey who am I to complain?
He's alive, he's here and that's all good as far as I'm concerned. It's been a
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="404afffa-33a5-45b0-a87d-6693c50580ac" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ac5952d5-34d8-4187-b8e5-4d9d237aa3e4" grcontextid="couple:0">couple</span> of weeks now since Seth "died" and returned back to life as a
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6776357f-5dba-4450-97a2-bbb845592abc" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7cc4aeb4-7744-4735-8852-4704fa7f5ddb" grcontextid="vampire:0">vampire</span>. But here's the thing, he's not ONLY a vampire. He's <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d0e82d89-cf1f-4d53-87ed-54f3d0aaab55" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="91c50662-388b-4689-8591-924f279e09cd" grcontextid="half vampire:0">half vampire</span>, half
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6d4e7e0a-9f14-44e4-8a04-c67c716f9720" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4bbed4c2-a32f-4357-91d9-790757059b57" grcontextid="wolf:0">wolf</span>. His wolf half was not lost in the transformation, I was quite surprised
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4592d4f2-4bd2-43c0-a6e7-b45917f167c5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f3772647-c9af-4820-b9ee-ae145d2c5ba9" grcontextid="by:0">by</span> this. I thought the venom would have destroyed everything which previously
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="842aec32-ae7b-405a-94b8-6ba0cda73e59" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ea922597-44a3-4198-bd25-1424ffcda8e7" grcontextid="remained:0">remained</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Seth is more than happy about
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c82e0062-b590-4bdc-9e13-0f34de8254a6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="262bd77e-2c31-4611-9b9d-e30a1d7d38b8" grcontextid="this:0">this</span><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a31c75cc-acf3-49ba-9cba-c70a5704484d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="262bd77e-2c31-4611-9b9d-e30a1d7d38b8" grcontextid=", he loves still:1">, he loves still</span> having the freedom to change into a wolf. He is a much
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0c4f7335-1f7c-450d-88d1-13697d850a4c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1aa5e1ae-9858-4c3b-b5ba-337ef8d0da7b" grcontextid="improved:0">improved</span> super-strength wolf now though! The venom has not destroyed his wolf
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1dc20364-c50f-4922-8c06-0a050fd931aa" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ad51c807-91f1-4ae3-8283-0c400bdce5d2" grcontextid="side:0">side</span> but enhanced it greatly. He also displays none of the newborn tendencies
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5f121e77-50a9-4945-92f6-71edb5662fe2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="11764998-8cf7-489e-a972-48d577593a7e" grcontextid="and:0">and</span> is happy to hunt animals just the same as when he was a wolf only. Except
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3e5856f6-c324-437d-ac94-53ccaa47ae51" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4f6d0aa0-6855-4bbb-a43d-25113ce44147" grcontextid="now:0">now</span> he can hunt both ways which is great fun, in his words! He also seems to
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fa8e995e-64ad-4a8b-99fb-4e7435545785" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b9637d05-551b-4e9b-968c-ada6df56ca19" grcontextid="have:0">have</span> developed a special talent just as most of the rest of the Cullen's have.
Seth's is pretty cool.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">He has the empathic ability
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="02d3047c-e45a-4342-86b4-898beaea283c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="601f349b-07f8-4d5f-bb4a-edf86f58737d" grcontextid="to:0">to</span> sense emotions, psychically and physically. He has the ability to connect to
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="dca3d398-b074-4825-b6fc-6c3b17084d21" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3bd3bf1b-4e58-451c-a796-adb595d81ff0" grcontextid="another:0">another</span> psychic and follow that empathic bond to its source. He can blend in
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="737eec6f-dbfb-441e-ba56-abf016902d23" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4e72a9b2-1583-4953-bde7-02a29b7861cc" grcontextid="with:0">with</span> any surrounding or situation and make it his own. He picks up on subtle
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="bd786d0b-b8af-4ba3-a6d6-1d76945f2d36" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="39db1808-db31-4e5b-8abd-14edc0c963ea" grcontextid="emotions:0">emotions</span> and moods of anyone and any place, becoming more in tune and at one
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1f6140cf-db5c-447a-b4f5-f43873983190" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="61801b3a-6271-45d2-b80c-ac89257faa3a" grcontextid="with:0">with</span> wherever or whomever he's with.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I think he's always been like
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="07ec5a2e-6c76-49dc-8cb0-0d059c4db338" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="da88f375-d32c-4598-ac7c-79a885fef586" grcontextid="this:0">this</span> really, but becoming a half vamp has intensified his talent. Whereas
Jasper can calm down situations, Seth can do so much more. It's also a bit like
Edward's mind reading, but it's more to do with emotions, feelings and nuances.
He has changed in appearance too, my kid brother is what you would call "a
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="625ebf11-1ef0-4fd5-8398-ac5c9c41ff23" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d1e71a83-80c3-4205-8f9f-64ce0f6c82a5" grcontextid="hunk:0">hunk</span>"! He was always tall, good-looking and quite wiry. Now he had defined
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5e239ff1-1218-4eb3-8152-b7ec7829cdf7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="17c4d05b-249f-4263-b8e4-90ae5d0ece8b" grcontextid="muscles:0">muscles</span>, his face was simply stunning, his hair long and dark. His eyes which
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2fd7ec38-e3c1-4e2b-bc94-07fe3c31ddbe" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7ccd3221-972b-49d9-a3bb-2c82ae27474a" grcontextid="had:0">had</span> been crimson had turned very quickly to a dark amber <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f0a37627-1d14-4876-b903-b964441dc96a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7ccd3221-972b-49d9-a3bb-2c82ae27474a" grcontextid="colour:1">colour</span>. Mom has
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="bc2e9aec-afd9-4760-acac-4515f18cc199" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="313adc00-a0b3-4c08-ba3f-c31777380dbd" grcontextid="accepted:0">accepted</span> the changes quite readily. She really is quite open-minded our Mom!
Well she'd have to be with two werewolves in the family wouldn't she?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Charlie is dealing with it
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ebf6997f-af49-4f4f-82e1-58a00ade1724" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="08c354fe-3506-46b6-9937-f13941de1a0d" grcontextid="his:0">his</span> way i.e. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f1bb6824-b551-49f5-946e-72cb40ca731f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ecd9bb78-005f-49f5-8c1b-11beb4a4fe43" grcontextid="on:0">on</span> a "strictly need to know basis"! <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f6976281-2734-41e1-9259-f94e75985e92" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="41472b12-a51b-4ef6-a16d-e2b136c3239a" grcontextid="Main thing:0">Main thing</span> is Seth
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ca50824a-2dfc-497d-8256-ab679f05e9d6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4384c576-c1ad-4e13-804b-5b12156d4518" grcontextid="is:0">is</span> saved, and he's happy. I should have known my kid brother would simply adore
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4ddec61d-dccb-4bfd-bdc0-81add4f84040" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e3967341-8316-42e6-b080-7ac3100b8c77" grcontextid="being:0">being</span> a vampire. He's always loved the Cullen's. Another thing which has made
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="31b23ecb-924d-4f3c-8858-7ca4e6cd93a4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5ccfe37e-b4eb-4372-9c9f-1d5797b4b610" grcontextid="him:0">him</span> smile is the fact he's going to be an uncle. When Jake and I broke the news
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f2d2ad89-d30d-4650-8e3f-5d4a099b93e3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bcc02d75-9a56-4121-9e26-82f2115a80ae" grcontextid="to:0">to</span> him he was overjoyed, and just can't wait to meet his niece or nephew. Mom
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f95d9be3-471c-4a3f-a694-36eeb6480004" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f565cf5b-f395-4d7a-a8cd-a2219a79a2da" grcontextid="wasn't:0">wasn't</span> too pleased with me, ranting on and on about me and Jacob not being
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e4742d9a-8e46-4aa7-b817-b613b923d695" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="649b8550-4004-4394-88ed-f0df97deb835" grcontextid="married:0">married</span>. She should know me by now, I don't WANT to get married. I love Jake,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1ccb5678-1eac-4ac6-9cb0-b31fe1c8356e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0ac541e2-d339-45be-8de9-b1a1eab1f256" grcontextid="he:0">he</span> loves me, why spoil things? We'll be even closer, if that's possible, when
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="39f99610-cbbd-45cd-aa71-6640184b76c7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ae185ce4-996d-4ec2-8d09-194d08cb3323" grcontextid="our:0">our</span> baby <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fb91a359-7a3e-4783-9ff8-16bb0e6ceb4c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ae185ce4-996d-4ec2-8d09-194d08cb3323" grcontextid="arrives:1">arrives</span>. I don't need to make it official with my Jacob. I think he
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c342b345-b131-4bba-872c-5e908c2475f2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="512ca2dc-d219-4dd5-9100-cdf8d41e901a" grcontextid="would:0">would</span> like to though, but understands my feelings on the matter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Talking <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="52af1177-a666-4461-8800-451d9bcfb15f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c5cd6fd3-fe26-4ca8-abe1-def2ec736802" grcontextid="of:0">of</span> the baby, I was so
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c80c53c2-8594-4de9-a2e7-3e743e82148e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6c03725a-3401-4ec4-a79b-483018e532ed" grcontextid="worried:0">worried</span> and scared when we first found out I was pregnant. It was nothing short
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4876083c-0c41-4fd7-b8dc-4cad9642a579" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="13fbe6ff-e91b-4102-ab6b-049e00213710" grcontextid="of:0">of</span> a miracle really. I have come to like Jake's theory – he reckons we
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="14a7ec57-0412-4ea3-b28f-78219b34201d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="dc426179-1ee7-4f80-bb38-ef603d32be54" grcontextid="conceived:0">conceived</span> whilst we were both wolves; the very first time. I freaked out, who
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="66ebfc5c-664f-44c7-a55a-284a4fd0d320" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e39fff77-0582-4761-9a75-55bf3a7cc151" grcontextid="wouldn't:0">wouldn't</span>? Carlisle has helped me tame my fears though. He has been so great,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6e001abd-7806-469f-ae1a-cdd970028835" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b96b8f86-b8a1-4f8e-bdec-d74f9d9e9d0c" grcontextid="giving:0">giving</span> me lots of scans whenever I want them. First time Jake and I saw our
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="db8f9407-bce5-4fa9-a2b1-1587ce4eb1c1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="21e583b5-0f39-40ac-9a0b-57b926632077" grcontextid="little:0">little</span> bean on the screen we both cried. It was truly amazing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">And best of all – everything
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7333cf03-4388-4607-9264-7c83dbafaa3c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a2573bf4-e511-4c41-a7b5-3c0115f27584" grcontextid="seems:0">seems</span> just perfect with our little bean, all is as it should be, for a human
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b9272f3b-2545-4478-ae9c-a0f7d2195f87" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e346d752-9f9d-48bd-ad42-92129dc1ce4a" grcontextid="baby:0">baby</span>. No signs of claws, fur or four legs. I <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ee63258b-72d9-4658-a35e-80f0cdda8a64" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b74f0503-5636-409f-8efc-a25f8db81653" grcontextid="realise:0">realise</span> that even if our baby is a
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ba22fa80-e893-40fa-b682-601b671e84b0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="736c6e19-0790-4a1a-a59e-353ec299084c" grcontextid="perfect:0">perfect</span> human baby, we can't know what will happen in the future, The baby
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="62df13c6-e105-4f8d-9477-6728b60cf476" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="dccf4dee-0a27-4f05-b06b-9de9c7128e97" grcontextid="could:0">could</span> become a shape-shifter like his Mom and Dad. I guess we'll deal with that
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d98997fa-ddbc-4f0d-b8d8-a19580ca3260" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="63c42f4e-e081-42f9-8e6a-41e11f7c21e5" grcontextid="if:0">if</span> it comes up. I know my baby is going to be born into an extraordinary
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="16b9190d-0459-49d5-adbb-b38beac0eb6b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="152e99f8-a034-48cd-931b-442c3e836fd4" grcontextid="family:0">family</span>. I wish I'd <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="20041bc6-aa93-4483-b3d2-aafea8389306" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="899a73d8-d4b8-4b40-87ab-8cbbcf7fa2a2" grcontextid="realised:0">realised</span> all of this five years ago, I could have been happy
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="775b7e38-1ab5-4750-887d-84b3b9736c26" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5584d659-ab9f-43da-8aab-48465fc867f7" grcontextid="then:0">then</span> instead of the miserable, bitter girl I was. Happiness had also engulfed
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fe9d46c1-b068-47b4-a1dd-023e202f70a0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1eaa8de4-ea5b-4eb8-950c-8b2eaebd6fde" grcontextid="my:0">my</span> one of a kind brother. Both hybrids, both different, they had come together
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c2ed61f1-f517-4e1c-a0e7-674a93087644" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fc8817aa-4118-4802-9bb6-44ca0f34b40b" grcontextid="in:0">in</span> love. I could see how special their love was, it was pure and innocent and I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9b1b83c6-d00a-4e24-ab38-70835387805b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ede40128-7db0-4e1d-b303-d291e530a9d1" grcontextid="could:0">could</span> honestly say I was really happy for them both. I can't believe how good
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7d928a8e-89f7-4798-a1d4-2cc6f3f50db3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="90af9a99-6e36-4516-a0dd-47e8110660d0" grcontextid="my:0">my</span> life is now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I have great friends who
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4cbf98f9-c72f-4ba7-819a-bb9f83952ae1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4d890a18-db58-4bd1-a521-dad4caeb6984" grcontextid="saved:0">saved</span> my brother's life, I have THE most gorgeous best boyfriend ever, and now
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="895f7dcf-f0d0-4a16-b844-0734448ee2bd" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e5dccb18-6ad2-49c3-8574-8f503c0080ef" grcontextid="we:0">we</span> are having a family, our little bean, who is coming into this strange and
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e741f0aa-f570-46f6-b754-510bb6e8528f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8d241908-4f9c-4f73-a29b-ccc6d9e4b03b" grcontextid="wonderful:0">wonderful</span> world filled with <i>love, peace and happiness.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">CHAPTER TWENTY SIX</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">A Mothers Love<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">BELLA CULLEN:<br />
From the window of our cottage I watched my daughter and Seth walk hand in hand
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0c29aec9-c0b8-486b-8ead-acff19f2a420" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="53f263bd-cc4b-47d3-9c32-bda7cbade0cf" grcontextid="down:0">down</span> through the garden to the woods beyond. She was so happy and in love, it
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="196971cd-c569-4b43-85ec-0cdd90d460d8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ce0d6961-cb25-4bf6-a688-f6cc10b7f93f" grcontextid="made:0">made</span> me smile. I thought of when I was human and had fallen in love with
Edward, a vampire. I fell in love with him all over again when I opened my eyes
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="90ebeb8e-c6d4-4b6c-a850-190ae783e653" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b85985d3-0269-4fa4-821d-5caf24f94872" grcontextid="to:0">to</span> this new world. Nothing could change how we felt about each other. I could
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="202dcb2c-5901-4dca-bc82-c3954740995c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0f21039a-ccdc-4e31-89ee-dc227a3e1eee" grcontextid="see:0">see</span> the same thing happening to Nessie. She looked at Seth how I looked at
Edward. I was worried. I wasn't sure why exactly. Probably just being a mother.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">They were free to love each
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c9f2513a-a892-42b4-961b-cd63903ee3dd" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8ad79b0e-9f2e-4d87-a114-9227ff353b48" grcontextid="other:0">other</span>, Nessie was half vampire, so there was no need to be careful as Edward
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="872df215-2f85-49ac-8d13-78c69bd6fc3d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ec3958c9-a596-4bb3-a773-aed156782109" grcontextid="and:0">and</span> I had to be. They could share everything without fear of the other one
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c3caa2d9-9007-49e3-a6b2-686096299511" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7f5c09dd-b3cb-4e95-8231-7cbdee73cc20" grcontextid="being:0">being</span> hurt. There was no threat of death looming over them as I had had to deal
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5d963016-f515-4f6b-b341-fd30a135d03d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e69b8904-150b-412b-8204-56a9848277a7" grcontextid="with:0">with</span>, constantly it seemed, throughout my human relationship with Edward.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I couldn't believe we'd
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="09d4b0b7-7497-41c8-99b5-e8a42ff4ee52" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ab84c901-3bff-4fac-a328-251c8e4226e1" grcontextid="actually:0">actually</span> made another one of us. Seth was special to us before the change,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="74101587-2854-4262-aa90-5daa53ff4a39" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a09acf09-9290-4753-962b-f80cc28a81eb" grcontextid="there:0">there</span> was no way we could have let him die. I could totally see why Carlisle
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="08200f3a-b322-49e0-a246-81c60d156b49" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="cc123477-73f3-45ab-acf3-c250018d431e" grcontextid="had:0">had</span> changed Edward and Esme, it was torture watching someone you cared about
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="af28ccd2-3308-41f2-afb6-48cfc6706e2d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0a84bc1b-2290-4672-b81d-28810a696a98" grcontextid="die:0">die</span>. It had all turned out alright in the end, but still it worried me that
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ad31f02a-cee1-4ccf-ac27-c87b994b77c5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e220113e-b39f-4375-a4c7-ab7b5c1c150b" grcontextid="we:0">we</span>'d come close to losing Nessie and Seth. All because of Nahuel, I shuddered
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a66c30cd-f922-4237-bf7b-5d4fae26f2d9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5aada91c-5a6e-4b72-ab13-502a915a6482" grcontextid="at:0">at</span> the thought of him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">My precious daughter could
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="44ee1e74-a9d4-43fa-b095-f99eda5c51d9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="486d9d17-5edf-482c-88d5-b0f1365de239" grcontextid="have:0">have</span> been harmed and taken away from us if Seth hadn't saved her. And she was
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2c9b7b4a-168e-42d3-ac4c-eb60e0b88022" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e4800277-4e05-4f1f-a441-1854e2a79046" grcontextid="oh:0">oh</span> so brave to attack Nahuel and ultimately convince us all to change Seth. I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="12f8f7c4-a444-4e5d-9f9f-0a918fcecddb" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="84994d3f-45ce-4b65-952c-16f3a489f9d1" grcontextid="felt:0">felt</span> Edward's strong arms envelop me, I turned towards him, gazing into his
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="98664297-e3af-4a6a-9dbe-a07c536266d9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="67ce3248-9194-434f-9592-9a9da6ef52d2" grcontextid="golden eyes:0">golden eyes</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">" Bella, love, are you
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ce76ba4f-af97-4c85-a047-3c3a927ce428" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1e32f205-680f-41ee-bbf9-ef74cd1e173b" grcontextid="alright:0">alright</span>?" he asked tenderly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Of course, I was just
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="31c471d1-93bb-4242-afb4-90e85d43bac4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="cfce9443-9c6e-4c33-ac33-8d8fdada62c0" grcontextid="thinking:0">thinking</span> how grown up and in love our daughter is!" I replied.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">He kissed the top of my head,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="eac151a1-0327-4d5b-ae95-2f7cfeaa2edd" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b26c0e96-ec48-4dc5-850b-d1058586b7c4" grcontextid="ruffling:0">ruffling</span> my hair.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"I know, I'm happy for
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ab82f843-313f-4f4c-b04e-1e0f833c4aa1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4b8d92df-b71f-4ffb-b157-f043e8f2e85f" grcontextid="her:0">her</span>, and Seth. They have even more in common now, they've grown up together,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8dc4fbce-7c3e-48ba-b490-b69e5988554b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="967d0146-8a41-42a4-bb93-487814578d7e" grcontextid="they:0">they</span> have no secrets. Yes, I think it's a good match," he mused.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">" I am actually happy
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7fefc18f-d907-483e-ac2c-a35d302c4d03" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="32c1c0af-a030-44e4-bce1-72c549403067" grcontextid="it's:0">it's</span> turned out this way for Nessie and Jacob, they both seem to have found
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="16d33f17-929d-4b37-8257-1dc494eff70c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d2571b36-95d6-4a66-ae43-c7d9bf10c9fa" grcontextid="their:0">their</span> soul-mates," he added with a crooked smile.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"I guess I just feel sad
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="86811ea9-3250-42c5-8f4d-b2c30f80b84d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="45b64e0f-a0ce-4015-8181-14cdfe34604e" grcontextid="that:0">that</span> Nessie no longer relies on us anymore," I reflected sadly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Edward's finger lifted <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="abeee20c-66a0-4cb5-a57b-be44433d5376" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="adec5cce-8ded-4996-85d9-24df70eb08c4" grcontextid="my:0">my</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f13bda1a-fad5-471b-8354-30a2c95f2695" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a73fcfb6-1d98-437a-9196-4428ea546903" grcontextid="chin:0">chin</span> up so he could look me straight in the eye.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"We've got each other
Bella, and that's all I'll ever need. That's all I'll ever want. I thank my
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="beb145a8-671d-4cdf-8778-4e4998fb81f8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="997dc56b-4a3d-4518-802b-77eb165d315b" grcontextid="lucky:0">lucky</span> stars every day for you. For you and our daughter. Thank you for
Renesmee. Thank you for everything. I love you," he whispered his eyes
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6cabae96-8c0c-4570-9b34-b920442895a6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6f822ae8-1690-4a44-9c2c-b4c8e98187e5" grcontextid="never:0">never</span> leaving mine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Our lips met passionately, as
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="bec0aed5-36ca-4736-8c94-7baeb75a49da" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="57be30cd-fed5-4a50-9303-5163d205f448" grcontextid="we:0">we</span> fell onto each other with a hunger that never abated or diminished.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Perfect.</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Forever<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">SETH CLEARWATER:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Life was perfect. Simply
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3552bc09-d986-4f4b-a45b-b85b07ee99ec" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="826f157f-657d-4633-9fe6-dd32b1d5149b" grcontextid="perfect:0">perfect</span>. I had come through death to the other side, where I truly believed <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d1c6fab3-7a52-4e93-bd52-94d66db7833c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="42014610-00a1-49b4-b2d8-01fede84cda3" grcontextid="I:0">I</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4aac7eea-e9c9-41a0-b96a-8610154a5814" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="037a23d8-3ec8-43f3-874a-1c17401040ad" grcontextid="belonged:0">belonged</span>. I had taken <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="faf53cdd-b4c5-4dcc-92b4-7461c322e5a4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b40ff4fa-0796-4d7b-a6f1-71402c96e1e9" grcontextid="to:0">to</span> my new life with an ease I wouldn't have believed
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4433f5ad-ada7-4ae3-8472-35a22cbb3ce5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ecc002d0-4242-4dec-a800-4d3f85aeead4" grcontextid="possible:0">possible</span>. It helped having Nessie with me, I know she <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="553119e7-84d6-4ec0-a26a-3c7fd7b20ee6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="53ab8d96-740e-45fc-8c7a-c5ada5d4e6ed" grcontextid="willed:0">willed</span> me back to life
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7994bde6-16c9-4d7f-9524-4562ebd9afcf" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="782bbce4-1376-40b4-8200-48f43e53fab0" grcontextid="with:0">with</span> her faith in me and her love for me. I couldn't be happier with the way
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="886b15b6-009b-44df-b006-b988927ad08d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="dde5a728-a9c0-4b92-a591-de48409f3717" grcontextid="things:0">things</span> have turned out. I'm a half vampire, half wolf, it's awesome!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Nessie and I are lying
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2abf4ed6-a973-4870-9f16-029bdac0837d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f78925e7-55f5-42c1-b3be-2fc337ea96f2" grcontextid="together:0">together</span> in the meadow, our special place. I can't get enough of her, I could
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ef96b5cb-47c4-4d08-bde1-9a15c0b6c873" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d62a51c8-34d0-4aaf-9c70-e722ea34f53a" grcontextid="stare:0">stare</span> at her beautiful face for hours. I could dive into her deep chocolate
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ed70de8b-d5f3-4a6a-99de-e1f8bff7eb25" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4306d20c-fbad-4028-9f3e-c681dde67188" grcontextid="brown:0">brown</span> eyes and get lost forever, never to <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="dc598b85-2b4e-479e-982a-0c819e43ecef" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4306d20c-fbad-4028-9f3e-c681dde67188" grcontextid="re-surface:1">re-surface</span> again. Luckily she felt
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b856544a-14a6-4d4b-b252-e990a970b6e5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e61c1f48-3e04-407d-914b-589d3c0a36de" grcontextid="the:0">the</span> same way about me. Now I had no worries about imprinting on someone else, I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="aa103e7e-18de-4e39-a50c-731db2a49049" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="53052d98-9be3-405b-b3db-26dcfc4d839a" grcontextid="was:0">was</span> free to give her all my love. It was bliss, we held hands and gazed into
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6e5f6606-9725-4aa4-8b66-4bdbe784d9ab" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="592a0ae2-a029-4ff1-83f3-5f2fa879a441" grcontextid="each:0">each</span> other's eyes, rainbow diamonds glittering on our skin as the sun filtered
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5b4f639b-230f-48da-a7c4-32896485e0bb" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0c34d309-1fcd-4e05-b28f-7aa2c8ac17ee" grcontextid="through:0">through</span> the trees.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Her chocolate brown eyes
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="bd1bb6c9-9bda-45cb-bc5e-23247d9e14c9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7fbc8b6e-889a-4eda-b9ef-ccf23de5877e" grcontextid="looked:0">looked</span> deep into my amber ones, the love I had for her reflected right back at
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9cf687da-2c60-44e0-b8bd-4a34c8f98427" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="06d758ea-aa2b-47bd-ab11-2cc03e75f3cd" grcontextid="me:0">me</span>. I was intoxicated by her very presence, dazzled and bewitched. I moved <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9dda2cf5-031a-43f2-8037-43f25bc96fe8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6e0e2213-538f-45b3-9991-716c9ed92878" grcontextid="my:0">my</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e5ffc80e-e91c-4984-a29e-a696c8a38ed2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="623c6926-58a7-4c65-b719-296ba460ad0f" grcontextid="lips:0">lips</span> to meet hers, soft, warm and moist. Kissing Nessie <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="109e5348-c724-4188-a386-d673ee199ff0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0fefdec6-912e-4e75-8de7-8587b77f819a" grcontextid="was:0">was</span> just about the best
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="42cf6d07-778d-4583-97c9-876f6201f17e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="db755389-3bfe-4a86-911f-52772dcbccca" grcontextid="thing:0">thing</span> in my whole existence. The taste of her was like a drug to me. I loved
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2d14b212-7eb9-4c01-8594-edfe12c7a127" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5f2c5112-ca8e-4aeb-8499-104b9575f249" grcontextid="her:0">her</span> so completely it took me by surprise every time I was near her. Who needs
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="94e5482d-9187-472b-9127-b38fa515ddec" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d2692b81-5dae-4886-a325-eb162e9a7192" grcontextid="imprinting:0">imprinting</span>? This was real. Her soft moans made me gasp as her fingers entwined
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="cdf78d42-0aad-41d5-bbb9-2ddf869a9c77" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="eaaa38e3-394f-4ec9-a0c9-7b054e44b3ca" grcontextid="in:0">in</span> my long hair.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Seth, I love you more
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="daee65f0-cdab-4a75-aff9-a46ec73d1f23" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9108547d-faaa-4643-9750-3e5ca5febd72" grcontextid="than:0">than</span> anything in the universe," she whispered against my lips.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I sighed, " Oh Nessie,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3fa242de-6f37-4eec-b7e3-9d0d3546d821" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d3cee54b-3900-4ce3-a403-1d5e8dbec948" grcontextid="sweet:0">sweet</span> Nessie, I adore you."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Our lips were like magnets,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8df02b0a-3f81-4b82-9661-882327838306" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7d4e33a1-7fa2-48f7-a407-017af8bb245a" grcontextid="some:0">some</span> invisible force pulled them together every time we were alone. I pulled
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8c827fea-3d34-4b71-b3ac-3edfe079fe68" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="781f6b17-2f29-433a-8667-989d8f03fd84" grcontextid="away:0">away</span> just so I could stare at her stunning face some more. Her hair was fanned
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="103dc955-009b-460f-a201-7cc08bace17b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f5bdf458-4798-4224-b678-2ad18fb3b1e2" grcontextid="out:0">out</span> around her head, tickled by the breeze, the sun giving her dark hair red
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4b85827c-a2ef-4406-9297-d7453418e552" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="166e6431-715d-43a2-88d0-457c3d7c4536" grcontextid="highlights:0">highlights</span>. I brushed my fingers along her cheek, marvelling at the softness of
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d6075a60-5d48-4369-b37a-7a5dca431203" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fd626a0e-7cd7-4f7b-9657-f3653400a344" grcontextid="her:0">her</span> skin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Seth," she sighed
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e227ceae-deea-458e-9672-3c8262c6797c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="cd45429c-81f6-4ca1-b9d8-b97450283d41" grcontextid="happily:0">happily</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I could stay here forever, it
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fb211d40-2d63-4366-8bc0-43399fb1e5dd" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="853bd0d7-80bb-4c8c-96b0-346e7126e57c" grcontextid="wouldn't:0">wouldn't</span> be a hardship, to gaze at her face and kiss her sweet lips. But I had
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ab822350-11a5-4d8a-8d9d-aa223e210d2a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fdd0acbc-fd55-4c24-b0ac-77cd0ba31587" grcontextid="brought:0">brought</span> her here today for a special purpose. There was something I needed to
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4fc76907-9aa5-40e5-aec5-5c40c591ae21" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8f2e12a6-1b7d-4346-bc26-8b9dc747c30b" grcontextid="say:0">say</span>. I took her slim little hands in mine and gently pulled her up. She <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a914da04-24d4-44ae-ba70-acd3ea6e2855" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d06c655c-cb8e-41a5-ba6a-78f33ac647ec" grcontextid="gazed:0">gazed</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9eafef70-53c7-4da4-a7ef-7adb3014c061" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bccfc24e-2573-45da-aa63-a93be50999a8" grcontextid="up:0">up</span> at me with such <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b522bab7-4e94-4474-a0d4-a784a14c6c28" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bccfc24e-2573-45da-aa63-a93be50999a8" grcontextid="adoration it:1">adoration it</span> made my resolve even stronger.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">" You know I love you
Nessie, I've always loved you. Being with you is simply where I want to be. I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="46633584-ed81-486a-9b0f-7612e912ca0d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e211bdd7-7a07-4fa9-8a79-c1ed8aef0130" grcontextid="will:0">will</span> always be here for you, I will always look out for you and protect you.
I <i>need </i>you. And if you feel the same way, I would love for you
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="abb3d8f7-33cc-455a-b3dc-df6dcf424a4a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="36a268ec-01cd-4b8f-9d74-9410c8eddf04" grcontextid="to:0">to</span> become my wife," I exclaimed boldly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Her chocolate brown eyes
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="addab879-f54f-44c6-8d2d-1dfb963aaa5a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="baf9f611-4ae4-40a2-8a9a-310da9371553" grcontextid="widened:0">widened</span> and she gasped as I dropped onto one knee.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Renesmee Cullen, I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b2a1bad4-9228-49c1-82b2-d25e0aa36cd9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4b4843b1-932c-4459-8725-b45b3868d39c" grcontextid="promise:0">promise</span> to love you every day of our existence together, I will be your <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="aa1ab8a8-672d-41f2-92bf-ed4feac6787d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4b4843b1-932c-4459-8725-b45b3868d39c" grcontextid="sun:1">sun</span>,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0c73a966-3552-42b6-9db3-03e3a351e8a7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="70e8efb5-43f6-4d91-9b1a-19945f38d5df" grcontextid="moon:0">moon</span> and stars. I will never leave your side or hurt you in any way. I am yours
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="97f80cd0-fc5f-4d39-9182-4fe50fc85b21" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="616ff5f6-cf87-4d02-b57a-3ef145200fea" grcontextid="and:0">and</span> you are mine. Will you marry me, my only love?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Tears sprung to her <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1935a303-e3c3-40e9-a261-89f43b635b34" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d93bc4c2-47bb-4aff-a464-a356382a8c10" grcontextid="beautiful:0">beautiful</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3763463c-48a9-49fb-a48e-d2c3d98e0395" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e510715e-324c-43f9-9f7f-09873d542512" grcontextid="eyes:0">eyes</span> as she gazed into mine, " Oh Seth, yes, yes yes, YES!" she
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="57cf6946-4117-4e55-bce3-6e6e31779cd1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f99f2d36-d7f6-43e1-9974-35633c5bf794" grcontextid="shouted:0">shouted</span> twirling me around and around laughing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">We hugged, our arms tight
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="55c1d623-24bd-483f-94cd-0dc587b87f17" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="812ddc44-b274-421f-9a0a-38fb638a0ae0" grcontextid="around:0">around</span> each other, laughing with such joy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">" You have made me the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e282e017-97ea-4050-95af-37923994a2fd" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="606c7345-6902-4707-9d4c-87a5730562a5" grcontextid="happiest:0">happiest</span> vampire wolf in the history of the world!" I proclaimed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">She laughed, "Silly
Seth, you ARE the only vampire wolf in the world!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I kissed her, crushing her
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0afc2d2b-638e-4c08-9536-5625ea94225f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7c4abe5c-d8f1-4733-a306-77e2f21309a3" grcontextid="lips:0">lips</span> to mine, we fell onto the grass, touching and kissing each other
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1f5218ba-7781-409a-9e80-3df32d53e418" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="25648495-3b0a-4953-a74c-391d3a0bd3b3" grcontextid="passionately:0">passionately</span> and frantically. But it was unspoken between us, we always knew we
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f6c677a4-8ba7-4bbb-9199-d15ed299ef97" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="dbe25279-af8b-4a2f-854e-e043afea3789" grcontextid="would:0">would</span> wait before we gave ourselves fully to each other. We would wait until
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d412a222-8205-40a9-a443-5f15c4f8f76e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ae1262ec-56c5-46a6-983f-8bcf03fac6a7" grcontextid="our:0">our</span> wedding night. <i>Our wedding night. </i>I was so <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8d1c3c9c-b609-483d-8f23-299275fdc9f1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="90b0ca14-3b0f-4aa9-b7ca-01b0545b6987" grcontextid="happy I thought:0">happy I thought</span>
I might explode.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">" Well Mrs soon to be
Clearwater, I guess we had better go break the news to everyone," I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1bb7c90a-5b5f-4fa7-ae13-3bb1f495586b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1b3b96eb-f36c-4b10-8b85-56fd02449e45" grcontextid="whispered:0">whispered</span> softly in her ear. "But first, will you wear my ring?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Nessie's eyes widened,
"Oh Seth," she whispered, tears threatening to fall from those
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="81ef84f9-6ce9-4dcb-8c7d-c8c344ad9fd1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c2f00779-7dfa-46d3-9ba8-07b133f70f92" grcontextid="beautiful:0">beautiful</span> eyes. I place the glittering diamond ring onto her finger, she held
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e57de8c2-b6c7-4f39-bcfa-d238f6f00061" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5a105e06-5c40-4f76-b1bc-b889948f162c" grcontextid="her:0">her</span> hand up gazing at it in wonder.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> " It's perfect Seth, just perfect,"
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ab1f73d2-564a-4e18-a5c7-6b366ca9332d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="cc897b8a-e230-4733-9333-fbdf1ee626fa" grcontextid="she:0">she</span> smiled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">And it was.</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Special Love<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">RENESMEE CULLEN:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Oh. My. God.</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> I am engaged to be married! I am so happy. I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3f211381-9ba5-4712-b758-3722ca144c74" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b88a5eaf-fc1d-4818-95c8-8d9a05339265" grcontextid="love:0">love</span> Seth so much. How could I have overlooked him all of these years, stuck on
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="73976006-9c48-4dc6-b4d5-5d789c4d83d7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9976dcbc-f04b-44c4-b892-f48bec554889" grcontextid="my:0">my</span> crush with Jacob, not <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="248221b8-27f7-4b57-938f-4d96fcfd01f7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9976dcbc-f04b-44c4-b892-f48bec554889" grcontextid="realising:1">realising</span> what was right in front of me. It doesn't
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="86f8d571-bd1f-495a-ab96-292ce01dd529" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d741a598-c72d-4f46-9e6c-32ff5b3090a8" grcontextid="matter:0">matter</span> now we're together and we have a very long time to enjoy a life
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="54393fa4-139c-4689-9f4d-c811df8a727c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="742eb2ba-28c4-4046-a6c8-7717a665fb30" grcontextid="together:0">together</span>. I can't believe he proposed, and <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fe9dc386-345c-4105-ace7-2bf1830d5bad" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="801e1797-5d25-489e-b980-2a42a31c6ea1" grcontextid="ah:0">ah</span> was it ever the sweetest
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="52cbe9a3-d258-4c4c-8d63-ba5e9e2703a1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d0a944a4-a4ce-40d2-9372-2b949fbbcd4e" grcontextid="proposal:0">proposal</span>!? And my ring, gosh! It's unbelievable, I love it so much, it catches
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="58c647c5-afbe-46ce-b9b4-059e7d1b07b6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1f2ce514-68d3-4006-a68e-0e863422fd52" grcontextid="the:0">the</span> sun, sparkling like vampire skin.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">We virtually flew back from
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="06608708-0b7f-4b32-a242-52f09f31a46f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="cc24c9b7-a355-4779-bd39-0efdd103e721" grcontextid="the:0">the</span> meadow to tell everyone. I'd made a quick call to Dad to tell him to gather
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f3788394-0fa0-439e-b5a2-786bac448fe0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5c3481ab-ac58-4c46-832b-5c73cd3694fb" grcontextid="the:0">the</span> whole family together if possible. Of course he was in on the secret,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e31df71f-930c-46f9-a268-b2d49b07ae16" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="de00ef77-a45e-498b-8894-4223aa1d31cd" grcontextid="reading:0">reading</span> Seth's mind was easy for him. Seth had asked my Dad's permission for <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="86a858fa-e61a-469c-b82b-f7f2a484679e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="accf4544-bc5d-45fd-9bd0-c7a4d143f059" grcontextid="my:0">my</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d9e4c106-80af-441f-b844-4f4ba798c2d6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b4f3a4e1-7e89-47a9-9fb8-1b75b7e1a62a" grcontextid="hand:0">hand</span> in marriage before he took me to the meadow, I love that, so sweet and
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="72b0afd0-3afb-4cbf-b920-5a6c15f58842" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="01b484c2-c9ff-422e-b103-1f658fe1124c" grcontextid="old-fashioned:0">old-fashioned</span>! And now Seth and I had arrived back at the house, we smiled at
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ed8c41a1-feea-4a6c-b2b1-2ecaf69e7d86" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2e61146f-33c5-4433-b3a9-f9fd3c41faf7" grcontextid="each:0">each</span> other and held hands as we made our way into the living room where
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c0e8a609-f77f-4014-8db8-34f8c830e7ef" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="643b83bd-f461-4911-8c2c-eb6afe79c0f1" grcontextid="everyone:0">everyone</span> was sat. Even Sue and Charlie were here with little Zack.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Seth cleared his throat
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="22784f27-82a6-4264-b65a-0765d1d7ea58" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c42b3061-ec5d-4faf-898a-676fbdb5af2d" grcontextid="nervously:0">nervously</span>, " Hello everyone, thanks Edward for asking them all here today.
I wanted to make an announcement, I have asked Renesmee to marry me and <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="301efdcc-0c66-4a24-9c09-041b06558189" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3256ce5b-cc6b-41e6-b011-f90b7b198203" grcontextid="lucky:0">lucky</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2558bc5b-211d-4434-95e2-dd3aa8dcc504" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3c908a95-68b3-4085-9fcb-ad759b57e06d" grcontextid="for:0">for</span> me she has agreed, which makes me very happy," he looked down at me,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f66932cf-c637-458f-92d8-1a3a6bbde0e9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e55348f4-de5b-4bdd-be9a-4356cb95da35" grcontextid="his:0">his</span> smile dazzling me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I smiled back at him, then
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="804e71fb-79b4-4059-8cbf-e287a8877c19" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b6448f77-8979-41bf-85af-ec2d5bf35b8b" grcontextid="turned:0">turned</span> to face everyone. There were gasps of surprise, and many congratulations
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2e629ac1-3211-488a-a38e-a35a36f33e4c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7f3ceb2b-2229-47f2-baff-745787408700" grcontextid="and:0">and</span> lots of hugs for both of us from them all. Sue had tears in her eyes, she
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c6de9949-5f7c-46c3-b25b-7174fc69792c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="36388bc8-1d82-49b5-aa38-eefa3af8c147" grcontextid="hugged:0">hugged</span> me close to her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">" I couldn't think of a
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="822973ab-d438-4aec-90c6-f489190ec76b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9eb5d17f-7c1c-4cd8-96a3-307e7fb5953f" grcontextid="better:0">better</span> daughter-in-law to have Nessie, I know you two will be happy together.
Oh, I'm going to cry, first my daughter is making me a Grandma, then my eldest
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="541ad64d-4dbb-4829-98c8-1a8cd9585438" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a9643938-6a1b-4795-bc97-0511dfbf939f" grcontextid="son:0">son</span> is getting married!" she exclaimed, her eyes misting over.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Charlie hugged me, "
Congrats kiddo, pleased for you both, Seth's a great guy," he said in a
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7fd4a42e-36d7-434c-bb29-f3e6a1ad333b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4b56cc01-c010-4602-a819-32d5dd7b70d0" grcontextid="rough:0">rough</span> voice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">" Don't start crying,
Grandpa," I teased.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Alice had already made a
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="42bcdabb-47aa-4650-a103-299179b84f16" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d64e9fd2-7763-4029-80c0-ee510003744c" grcontextid="bee-line:0">bee-line</span> for me and was whispering in my ear, " Do not listen to a word
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="cf5fdeeb-9e27-4418-96c8-54820fe53da7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="38019be5-76b2-41d4-96cf-3fa9d5c7a3de" grcontextid="you:0">you</span> Mother says, darling Nessie, I will sort out all the arrangements for <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="558f3121-230c-4476-8e5c-6e23f5603600" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="38019be5-76b2-41d4-96cf-3fa9d5c7a3de" grcontextid="your:1">your</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c91a8c0d-2a10-4879-9277-32019164d6be" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d8f873a9-1029-47e4-ba36-3cdfb91d6873" grcontextid="dress:0">dress</span> and hair, ooh I'm so excited!" she clapped her hands, an impish
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f86d6ace-1da7-4904-84e2-253472769ed3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="85d6a3d2-3958-45d0-878a-1efb95ee8f21" grcontextid="smile:0">smile</span> on her face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jacob and Leah were next to
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="98f107a2-b573-4f27-a6af-c0f0ddbf33ff" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d12d7cf5-01bb-43df-983e-f78983f7f904" grcontextid="congratulate:0">congratulate</span> us. "Nessie, I'm so happy for you darling," Jake said
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="830741db-bda2-4e6e-857b-dd70eedb6318" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0d72dcc6-8824-4384-9363-5fffd3485843" grcontextid="hugging:0">hugging</span> me and Seth, "This boy here is great husband material, and he
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b2c6312a-5aae-4a1b-a53c-fd00579e3026" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9c4ddcff-96a2-463f-bf83-07f70712ddee" grcontextid="knows:0">knows</span> he's got me to answer <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="84ea97b0-bac5-4667-a349-05a6583051a2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9c4ddcff-96a2-463f-bf83-07f70712ddee" grcontextid="to if he messes:1">to if he messes</span> up," he playfully punched
Seth's arm. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Seth grimaced.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Leah hugged me, " Now
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="cf4dac83-2cfa-49cf-ad9f-100351a71d7f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3269a464-19e2-4b64-9cbf-7e6b7663b462" grcontextid="we:0">we</span>'ll be sisters," she whispered in my ear. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Oh that was a nice thought I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="31128d61-57dd-4935-b9ab-9f27cdad6969" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4bdd3fb2-fdf3-4592-b9bd-a8ff810e8a64" grcontextid="hadn't:0">hadn't</span> even considered! I beamed back at them both, surrounded by such a happy
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="435b9773-7ceb-42a9-b976-999a7c5f72b5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e1cbc93f-7aa9-4375-9657-81d1c2e5ff6f" grcontextid="glow:0">glow</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"This is just perfect
Jake, you, Leah and the baby, me and Seth getting married, I'm just so happy I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="223fde95-a907-4bec-8016-d67e9953b1fe" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a67f63f5-a9c5-49be-b7a2-80af4fdec470" grcontextid="could:0">could</span> burst!" I exclaimed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Everyone had given us hugs
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a9755fa9-cda9-48f5-b2ba-0ac56878c3db" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a0a16b07-52e7-4403-8965-fc5e095ccb56" grcontextid="and:0">and</span> congratulations, all except two. My Mom and Dad, held back until the last.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">They each held one of <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c8201441-579f-41e8-baa3-5385e89606e4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c2b719e2-1611-4233-8725-8ebe0c5181d6" grcontextid="my:0">my</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c2a6b9dd-204e-4616-8922-0654a34b226c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b1bed897-ed11-4e7f-874e-b814adcde50f" grcontextid="hands:0">hands</span>, looking deep into my eyes, " Nessie, we love you so much, we are
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="853a340d-b66f-4af1-830c-92a5df9a494b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e06fd40f-da3e-4484-9033-11ebde224948" grcontextid="both:0">both</span> very happy for you and Seth. I think you two are a match made in heaven,"
Mom said her voice charged with emotion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I kissed her smooth marble
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8227d405-9557-4cf5-8831-a90323b5b079" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="afa28fcb-3a83-4beb-8d50-35888d119155" grcontextid="cheek:0">cheek</span>. Seth had to crouch down so Mom could kiss his cheek. My fiancé was well
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="67bf6a0c-a78d-4f93-b400-f787155f7f8d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7e54c609-841c-4ecc-a9c9-d227e0fa0f70" grcontextid="over:0">over</span> 6' 7"! I gazed up at him with such pride and love in my eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Dad simply smiled his crooked
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="264aa927-1139-415a-980e-32175ef8508d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e6b41110-81d7-4fb5-80c3-af2fe306775d" grcontextid="smile:0">smile</span> at <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6e7df794-2fe6-40b7-8f50-65b76642a050" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e6b41110-81d7-4fb5-80c3-af2fe306775d" grcontextid="as:1">as</span> both, " Be happy," he said his golden eyes burning into
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="001eac64-4820-4f83-81b6-0db023e1e466" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="043859c5-ac3d-4d8e-a4c2-7fa8e1b4d621" grcontextid="mine:0">mine</span>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I put a finger to each of <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a63d4719-d84a-4178-927a-5305fa7c088b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="73433aa3-cce1-40e8-9860-d587936493b6" grcontextid="my:0">my</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f7d3dba3-8afc-4839-a375-16008295b42c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="880195fb-acb4-4742-8148-97cf6012742c" grcontextid="parent's:0">parent's</span> temples, and showed them both my happiest moment, the moment when Seth
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fb74a2ee-ac41-449c-8fd3-c9996e5328e8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b37a410c-b365-4201-942b-9c599fd7df0d" grcontextid="asked:0">asked</span> me to be his forever. They both gasped, and smiled, looking at me and
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ccf3594c-3f0b-45cd-91b4-1b1a650f9a96" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="12f70051-4524-4b57-a770-68350edc5943" grcontextid="each:0">each</span> other with pure joy. I felt tears sliding down my cheeks, Seth brushed
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9baa1fa9-3820-47e1-b1d5-bd2832bbc9a9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2f7122b9-424b-40f7-84fc-e9ad888feff6" grcontextid="them:0">them</span> away with his fingertips, bending down to kiss my mouth ever so softly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">" Don't cry Nessie,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="046b848c-5116-4427-b2bf-3ab9d9da33d6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="aea3997c-e662-458e-8e0b-ddea3bac22d6" grcontextid="love:0">love</span>," he pleaded tenderly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">If I died right now, I would
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="757318b0-5f34-45c3-8aa5-4f21c9066acf" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="08894070-b3a8-4255-aebc-c1c9804c08a1" grcontextid="die:0">die</span> happy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Seth is everything I want and
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="12fe9f23-723f-4c27-9600-7708b8c99b84" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d8f0c82d-29a6-4746-b14c-bbfaa2d59073" grcontextid="need:0">need</span>, I KNOW we'll be great together. I've waited so long for someone to love
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="15e35327-c30a-49ba-a2ba-1f1d55f03a21" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9eb3414e-474e-42e4-9ad3-12d266a39003" grcontextid="me:0">me</span>, for me. Not because of imprinting, not because I am the only one like them,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="cec0b565-f174-43f9-8636-0350dd5b9aa4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="21dbd38a-c969-4918-9f56-489f7831677b" grcontextid="not:0">not</span> because I am their daughter with a special talent, not because I can make
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="68f97281-be26-499d-a97f-d5e9f4b2454d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7171ec1d-a2d3-4798-85b5-5d4cca4a2683" grcontextid="people:0">people</span> see pictures in their heads. Seth loves <i>me.</i> For myself.
And that's what makes me special.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Nothing</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> else, just the fact that he loves me, that's all
I'll ever want or need for the rest of my <i>existence.</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></u></b></span>
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">EPILOGUE</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">6 months later...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">EDWARD CULLEN:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Here at the Cullen home, life
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a19e0477-b4df-42c3-98e8-acad085fda40" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e2130e99-436a-447a-b7c0-857302217c26" grcontextid="is:0">is</span> very hectic and full of the coming excitement of a new baby and a wedding.
Leah is due to give birth any day. The gestation period of her and Jacobs's
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3c78e19d-d2e9-4de8-9e2b-4b22f71d9e96" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="92b19345-43c5-4f90-bb47-e61bce43fb5b" grcontextid="baby:0">baby</span> has been slightly shorter than a normal human baby. Carlisle thinks this
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a6ff3a10-8711-4292-8eae-dccf68306427" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2fb1ea51-245b-4279-86d9-22afc10ef327" grcontextid="is:0">is</span> due to the fact they are both shape-shifters. Leah has calmed down a lot
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1724a7f0-3b7a-4d08-861d-fb72fc5e9b08" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bdad8014-de57-4d1f-bc9e-2758b5e3dc97" grcontextid="about:0">about</span> her pregnancy now, you should see her, she's glowing! And so happy. Jacob
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="83935282-ecae-4989-86bf-3abf773e18b4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="11b3ba1a-0808-433a-86c4-3faf35dfb942" grcontextid="is:0">is</span> the proudest father-to-be you could imagine, his hands are never far from
Leah's bump, he talks to the baby all day! I wished it could've been like that
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="56deac85-23ea-4c86-be5a-42cac3006b14" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b4f8e028-f4c1-45c7-bd94-659fb7866ea0" grcontextid="for:0">for</span> my Bella, she had the worst pregnancy in the history of the world, but then
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ddd234c7-5391-4659-a28f-c8c5be924b5c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="025b4a15-f3e8-4bbf-b8a0-0b2ef7bbe80a" grcontextid="we:0">we</span> did end up with the most special girl in the world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jacob and Leah already know
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="077b12ee-9434-468a-a0b8-db83d5033763" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5a1d9475-ecaf-4ab9-97f5-37452c7d9f8f" grcontextid="the:0">the</span> sex of their baby, but won't tell anyone, keeping it as a nice surprise for
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8e1e09ac-2a52-49b6-8741-788f95ec53ac" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d2fbd6aa-f0c3-4973-bf10-53ff4774ebcb" grcontextid="their:0">their</span> families. Of course I am the only one who knows, Alice can't see the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="759a29c2-4225-4ecd-a94f-ea1f7785e59f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="52930eb1-3116-4b62-a355-4273510f7414" grcontextid="shape:0">shape</span>-shifters futures. But I'm not telling anyone, I can keep a secret …...
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0b04b359-4609-45d4-9af7-84c73803d0ee" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9ab81d1e-d352-4439-a11e-ddec742677e7" grcontextid="wish:0">wish</span> I could say the same about Jacob, he's almost slipped up a few times! So
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3de05df1-c087-4d15-a851-b79255fb31ce" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8b5c4683-99e0-418e-b3c8-2673d6ac8aae" grcontextid="life:0">life</span> is good. We are making plans for our daughter's wedding, with loads of
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f3ac9253-9e82-42ce-8a2d-cf2694b87649" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0ab5126a-a379-42a1-b3b6-1c2436bd4bab" grcontextid="interference:0">interference</span> from Alice, naturally.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Renesmee and Seth are to be
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1da2495d-3f5c-441f-b800-fc760222aab8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a0d6d3e6-f95a-4d82-93f5-d56e22abe7f4" grcontextid="married:0">married</span> next month. Leah is Nessie's bridesmaid, and Jacob is Seth's best man.
Their wedding is going to be gorgeous; we are all going to Isle Esme to have a
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="976e181b-6fa1-4e72-a12d-edde15036222" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1af41657-b74f-4ee2-b527-8fb4de4cbd72" grcontextid="beach:0">beach</span> wedding. The wedding will be in the evening, just as twilight descends,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4d1af47a-1db3-425b-81fd-d0fccf43b450" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b3f51ca4-256b-4323-b6b6-de2135140f93" grcontextid="perfect:0">perfect</span>! Sue and Charlie will be there, so we thought perhaps a traditional
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9d9726fe-9e17-473c-99cf-fc6ef76e082a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="227f54c8-10fa-4c44-93c9-0aa4a589a1e5" grcontextid="beach:0">beach</span> wedding in the brilliant sunshine wasn't exactly the best plan. Bella and
I have secretly made plans to give Nessie and Seth our cottage. We will stay at
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e4e9fde2-65fb-42f6-86b8-bbe92467b449" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="34813884-13df-4330-b0bc-e5d3cf90ba2b" grcontextid="the:0">the</span> main house after they are married; we wanted to give them somewhere private
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d2e21691-dff9-41e6-a281-9b97e13c369f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7ad427e6-2526-48e8-96fa-0cc680338012" grcontextid="and:0">and</span> special, just as Bella and I had.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">We are building an extension
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="de929617-70b1-4467-9a6a-474c2c015a46" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="882fa17d-f45f-468e-aab3-b5d4b5ae1377" grcontextid="to:0">to</span> the main house, for Jacob, Leah and the baby. Yep, we're all one big happy
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3661cee7-7d71-473b-8a51-4f3f9ed598f4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9de704ff-6206-41e2-b70c-c9be1c6b4133" grcontextid="family:0">family</span> now; strange how things turn out isn't it? Five years ago, if someone
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="941b50bc-4349-4b61-8e76-4ec057b63325" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c7bef646-5e7f-4b99-a02c-37bd3fc3cd99" grcontextid="had:0">had</span> told me we'd be best friends with our sworn enemies I would have laughed <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b7d69fba-91ab-44cf-86f2-a3f9e8c0cc6f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c7bef646-5e7f-4b99-a02c-37bd3fc3cd99" grcontextid="in:1">in</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ea112348-99c4-450f-8f4a-6dff44d7494f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="22567f3c-c102-4f38-b365-0c9095de3334" grcontextid="their:0">their</span> face. Ten years ago, if someone had told me I would find my soul mate,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8f77f141-0670-4435-99b0-51c82412f589" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="794bfdc3-87ea-4416-a008-a1cebf98155b" grcontextid="marry:0">marry</span> her and have a daughter, I would simply have not believed them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I love Bella with such an
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fc7cdc10-454d-4c3d-8d1d-e55950a477e9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e26d8215-2359-4e99-9682-7615d29f4949" grcontextid="intensity:0">intensity</span> it is overwhelming. I love her more each day; she is the love of my
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e3c41ce5-444b-473a-aed2-d18879f04e56" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1b804f09-8870-4a47-aad0-323bd8bc5995" grcontextid="existence:0">existence</span>, my only love. I am still in awe of her beauty, even when she was
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="71c182fc-2502-4788-b0b2-e8ebe0ed0b75" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4fa07f72-8130-45b5-8d7a-61621b492968" grcontextid="human:0">human</span> she dazzled me. She is strong and passionate. She also cares so much for
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8814b372-e5ce-4bdf-849e-bbe570f44bc5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="43180f52-d0b0-4fed-840e-e3d3fd120367" grcontextid="others:0">others</span>, much more than herself. She is the least selfish being I have ever
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d1eb9083-e38c-443c-baa1-d5493ba70be1" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e827d6f2-1d5c-41d1-ad92-d2f8d2811c07" grcontextid="known:0">known</span>. I waited <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2617f508-b3c9-4af1-992b-557e4ecf3b62" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="168a451e-5a57-4871-9f3d-2286e8b0a1c5" grcontextid="eighty:0">eighty</span> years for her; it was so worth the wait. I smile
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="855b6afe-9620-4686-98f3-dfaf5ad16256" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="222ed92c-4caf-415f-968d-8f4d001c4271" grcontextid="crookedly:0">crookedly</span>, and begin to play Bella's Lullaby on the piano, the family slowly
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fd71ef13-f2ff-416b-962e-f53a44b52436" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="40e78a08-78a1-4ef1-b445-8c75ec948381" grcontextid="gather:0">gather</span> around to listen. Carlisle and Esme, smile at me lovingly, my parents in
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6dde03e0-7105-41c3-9f1b-d88cb3bc82b7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="19369fd3-bb15-4af4-ac63-dd1ba9ce9635" grcontextid="this:0">this</span> life, the best parents you could wish for. Alice and Jasper hold hands,
Rosalie and Emmett are hugging, Jacob and Leah are smiling, Jacob's big hand
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f3002820-5e75-4066-93a5-1b73d794a244" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5598c8ba-0c3a-4fb0-8a37-8a1ad97cad0b" grcontextid="absent-mindedly:0">absent-mindedly</span> rubbing Leah's belly. Seth and Nessie wander <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7eb459e7-4a74-48a3-a1ea-2734f3c49d66" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1409eab2-4d9c-46f1-a885-5165e999f2fd" grcontextid="in to:0">in to</span> the room,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6a93820e-bfa7-40bc-bd0c-5bce62aeb88a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a0532b20-e6a0-46f0-8e1f-164d436905e3" grcontextid="joyfully:0">joyfully</span> gazing into each other's eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Last of all, I feel Bella's
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9e218084-c8bc-48ec-8824-89025b977996" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="82b13a0a-b69e-4ef9-89f3-882c3f3d3e0a" grcontextid="cool:0">cool</span> hands on my shoulders, as she leans down to brush her lips across my
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fcb632b8-d3bf-4726-9434-05d582c15676" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d2f4cfdd-0d0f-4a24-bf9b-0e7c52d1a482" grcontextid="jaw:0">jaw</span>-line. Her cool breath tickles my ear as she whispers softly to me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">" I am so happy, I love
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="af41dc3a-25ba-453b-8996-73b72fd386ff" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9b127ee5-da4b-439c-85cf-95e15bff789f" grcontextid="you:0">you</span>," I smile crookedly up at her as the song ends, everyone applauds.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Nessie shouts, " Play
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0471f086-d546-4ade-b6b6-b1fdf04f8431" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2e49ce86-de4b-48e9-ae02-eeee388b5325" grcontextid="another:0">another</span> one Dad, please!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Her chocolate brown eyes, so
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9ee6e944-6594-4810-8a66-f52c364305c8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6f15477d-cb00-4e04-a0f9-1f7e97bf7079" grcontextid="like:0">like</span> her mother's used to be, shining with pleasure. I look around at my
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2b8d635c-c60a-4ba9-b52d-e2947f999eac" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0fedf39a-866a-43d9-a48e-7a1d36679fe1" grcontextid="family:0">family</span>, happiness engulfing me, everything is as it should be, everything is
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b31a675b-fbda-40ac-af2b-8a52fbf9159f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="592c49df-7da7-4f5b-940e-8d41e1aaad07" grcontextid="just:0">just</span> perfect. I gaze up into my Bella's beautiful topaz eyes, I reach up to
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f607494b-583f-4495-b6bb-49ceb4fa3e20" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5993af9a-3280-4256-ab66-342ccc6900b9" grcontextid="stroke:0">stroke</span> her smooth marble cheek.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">" I love you too my only
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8093000b-91bc-4673-83fc-d5f36937cb35" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7aaffb4e-ebd9-4446-9f72-46978a59caa6" grcontextid="love:0">love</span>,<i> forever and ever</i>," she whispers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Violet eyes, full of
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="837a7df8-afd7-4be5-9102-541a652e35a7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="cdc25809-da5e-4120-8c79-05985bf37887" grcontextid="jealousy:0">jealousy</span> and revenge, view the scene of family togetherness through the window.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> " I will wipe those disgusting smiles
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f7f41ec8-133d-4073-ba8c-d191c62bac71" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="116ff7fd-da76-4251-bfab-6b67e84d89af" grcontextid="from:0">from</span> all of your faces," he whispers with malicious evil.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> " I am back to claim what is rightfully
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="43ec7f5f-a665-40d2-90a3-e047fc9a2e03" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e85fe969-7168-4c33-8583-c834ebdc9658" grcontextid="mine:0">mine</span>, no-one will stop me. I will wreak havoc on this perfect universe. I ,
Nahuel will not fail this time."</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">THE END</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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kizzymousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12571803064369765958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5913310249853994600.post-25695678552739444932011-07-10T11:15:00.000+01:002013-10-16T19:20:01.416+01:00NEWBORN<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TgggG4pf9bc/Ul7XXOxWAOI/AAAAAAAAAy4/8Z0MQNYd7eA/s1600/tumblr_lyirco4Ve11r2llz5o1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="252" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TgggG4pf9bc/Ul7XXOxWAOI/AAAAAAAAAy4/8Z0MQNYd7eA/s320/tumblr_lyirco4Ve11r2llz5o1_500.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>I wrote this after reading Breaking Dawn for like the
3rd or 4th time and I thought to myself "What if Bella hadn't become such
a great vampire after all?" All characters (apart from Etienne) are
borrowed from Stephenie Meyer. Thank you for Twilight Stephenie, you inspired
me to start writing again! </i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Title: <b>NEWBORN</b><br />
Category: Books » Twilight<br />
Author: kizzymouse<br />
Language: English, Rating: Rated: T<br />
Genre: Supernatural/Fantasy<br />
Published: 10-07-10, Updated: 10-07-10<br />
Chapters: 22, Words: 24,397<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 114%;">NEW BORN</span></b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 114%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Bella has been changed into a vampire by Edward after being
on the brink of death as she gave birth to their daughter. But all has not gone
to plan and she wakes up to her new life a vicious newborn vampire. Full of
blood lust and rage, how will she cope with her new life? This story tells the
tale of what life would have been like if Bella hadn't become such a great
vampire after all. We begin the story with the words of Stephenie Meyer...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u>PROLOGUE</u></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>My heart took off, beating like helicopter blades, the
sound almost a single sustained note; it felt like it would grind through my
ribs. The fire flared up in the center of my chest, sucking the last remnants
of the flames from the rest of my body to fuel the most scorching blaze yet.
The pain was enough to stun me, to break through my iron grip on the stake. My
back arched, bowed as if the fire was dragging me upward by my heart. I allowed
no other piece of my body to break rank as my torso slumped back to the table.
It became a battle inside me—my sprinting heart racing against the attacking
fire. Both were losing. The fire was doomed, having consumed everything that
was combustible; my heart galloped toward its last beat. The fire constricted,
concentrating inside that one remaining human organ with a final, unbearable
surge. The surge was answered by a deep, hollow-sounding thud. My heart
stuttered twice, and then thudded quietly again just once more. There was no
sound. No breathing. Not even mine.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>For a moment, the absence of pain was all I could
comprehend.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>And then I opened my eyes and gazed above me in wonder.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>(Copyright Stephenie Meyer Chapter 19 -
"Burning" Breaking Dawn page 287)</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u>CHAPTER ONE</u></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">THE THIRST<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">BELLA CULLEN:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I could see everything so clearly. It was as if a veil had
been lifted from my eyes. Eyes which were once chocolate brown and human. I now
saw the world through a red haze, my new vampire eyes seeing things in minute
and glorious detail. From my crouched position in the corner, where I had
propelled myself from the bed; I could see every mote of dust, every grain of
wood on the floorboards, each and every detail multiplied a thousand times.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I looked up to see the Cullen's staring at me intently. All
of them poised to see what I would do next. They were even more beautiful,
strange and terrifying than I had previously thought. Edward's face was simply
stunning, how could I have thought he was just beautiful before? He was
perfection, sheer perfection. He kept his steady gaze on me, his topaz eyes
boring into mine. I heard a deep growling snarl and realized it had come from
me; the sound was completely foreign yet felt absolutely natural at the same
time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I heard a thrumming sound coming from another room
downstairs like the delicate beating of butterfly wings. The sound was enticing
and I focused on it entirely, oblivious to Edward softly calling my name,
“Bella, Bella love. How do you feel?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Although I registered his words I could not concentrate on
the syllables. All I could hear was the delicate thrumming noise. Another low
growl issued forth from my clenched jaws as the noise drove into the deepest
center of my brain, making me feel so strange and overcome. It took another
second or two for my new vampire senses to realize that the only sensation I
was feeling so completely was thirst. A deep longing thirst. The beating noise
intensified and I knew I had to find the source of this thing which had become
my universe. The Cullen's, even Edward, meant nothing to me, I only wanted to
quench this burning thirst which tore through my throat and stomach.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I flew through the air in a blur and was out of the room and
downstairs before anyone could stop me in a flash of speed and light. I zoomed
in on the noise which was penetrating my brain so intensely. It came from the
small sleeping form in the wicker basket placed on the floor next to the grand
white piano.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I growled again as my hands flew out and reached into the
basket. I heard Edward scream "No Bella! That's our daughter! Renesmee! “<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But his words meant nothing to me in my quest to cool this
burning thirst and hunger. Before I could reach into the basket and snatch this
warm meal I heard another loud beating sound and smelled something so delicious
I felt venom flood my mouth as I turned around quickly. A very human Jacob
Black was rushing towards me, his face contorted with rage and fear. His arms
were outstretched as he reached out to push me away. I growled and lunged at
him, my new vampire teeth sinking through his neck; feeling the delicious taste
of blood flow down my throat. I gave myself up to the sweet pleasure as Jacob's
body slumped against me in submission. I moaned in pleasure, but it was short
lived as I felt strong arms pulling me away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> “Bella NO!"
Edward screamed his voice full of fear and anguish.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Through my red haze I
saw Jacob on the floor, moaning in pain his hand clutching the wound I had
made. The sight of the luscious scarlet blood was driving me crazy and I used
my new found strength to pull away from Edward's arms. I flew at Jacob again
just as Carlisle frantically sucked at the wound, desperately trying to remove
the venom from Jacob's veins before it reached his heart. This time I was
stopped by four strong arms. Edward, Emmett, Rosalie and Jasper held onto me
tightly. I snarled and growled and tried to wrench myself free. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Jasper, please try to calm her," Alice begged.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> "I'm
trying!" He shouted desperately.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My rage and thirst was all consuming and I did not care if I
hurt these humans or vampires. I felt nothing as I watched Carlisle trying to
save Jacob's life. All I wanted was the blood. The smell of it was driving me
crazy with desire. Carlisle scooped Jacob's lifeless form up into his arms and
flew out of the door disappearing quickly into the night. I howled with
frustration and my intense need which had to be satisfied.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Alice scooped up the infant from the basket and also
disappeared as quickly as a flash. The bundle was my daughter? I could not
comprehend that fact at the moment. I struggled and wrenched myself away from
my captors, their strength proving to be no match for mine. I turned to face
them through the red haze covering my eyes. They looked scared and confused.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> "Why did Alice
not see this happening?" Edward asked, his voice torn with emotion. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I growled at them all and turning quickly I flew out of the
door and into the cold starlit night. Only one thought invaded my brain.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> <i>I must have blood. I must feed. Blood. Blood.
Blood!</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u>CHAPTER TWO</u></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">NO REGRETS<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">EDWARD CULLEN:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I stared out of the window as the sun rose in the deep pink
morning sky. My still heart ached and longed for my love, my wife, my reason
for existing. I knew deep down I should have prepared myself for this outcome;
but I truly believed Bella was special, that she would have made the perfect
vampire straight away. I thought her motherly instincts would take over and she
would only want to care for her daughter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I did not expect this; she desired to kill her own flesh and
blood and physically harm her best friend? Incomprehensible! This was not the
Bella I knew and adored. I totally accept that this is my fault. I stupidly
thought we could have a sexual relationship; I truly didn't believe Bella could
or would get pregnant. Gosh I sound like a silly naive human boy! But I wasn't
human, I was a vampire. And now so was she, thanks to me. I always worried I
would hurt her by being intimate, but I never dreamed she would become
pregnant. At first I was horrified by it all, the baby was killing her and
eventually it did. There was never any choice. I had to change Bella or lose
her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But you have to understand – I couldn't live without her.
She is my life, my soul, my heart. If she had died I would have brought death
upon myself somehow. She had to exist; I had to change her. Now she was a
vicious strong newborn; the very thing we feared for her. Bella and I had talked
about this situation loads and we thought we could cope. But that was before.
Before she became pregnant with our daughter. But how could I have regrets when
my beautiful Bella still lived? And she was stunningly, breathtakingly
beautiful as a fledgling even though she was now a dangerous predator.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">To see Bella lurching towards Renesmee with evil intent was
more than I could bear. My daughter was the most precious beautiful creature
made from the pure love I shared with her Mother. Bella hadn't even gotten a
chance to meet her, to hold her, to see how truly wonderful our little hybrid
was. If I could cry I would be weeping bitter sad tears right now. I feared
what Bella would do out there by herself. Where did she go? What happened last
night when she left? I tried to track her, to follow her scent but I lost it a
few miles past the Canadian border. I howled at the full moon with frustration
when I realized I had lost her. The pain was unbearable and I was at a loss
what to do next.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Renesmee had captured my heart as soon as I had gazed into
her chocolate brown eyes. She was an angel; not the demon I had feared. Even
though her birth had caused Bella's human death, all I could possibly feel for
her was pure love. Bella was going to be changed anyway as we'd decided, it was
just much sooner than I'd expected and under extreme circumstances.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I still hadn't totally come around to that idea as I hated
the thought of taking away my Bella's soul. But I had resigned myself to the
fact that one day she would be like me and my family. All through our honeymoon
I realized that she actually was enjoying being human with all the emotions,
feelings and sensations which accompanied that, especially since we had become
lovers. Now our world had been turned upside down with the appearance of a baby
and Bella becoming a newborn; a terrible, strong vicious newborn.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I paced up and down my thoughts consumed with worry for my
wife. Where was she? What had she done? Why couldn't I track her? Alice
couldn't "see" her either. This was a disaster. I had to find her!
But where to look? She could be anywhere. A newborn relies on instinct only and
is driven by a thirst for human blood. Without guidance she would easily become
a heartless monster, an evil killing machine. I just did not know what to do
and it was tearing me apart, my still heart felt as if it would shatter into a
million pieces.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I heard a soft mewling sound as I turned to find Rosalie
with my daughter in her arms. Renesmee's perfect little face peeped out from
the safety of Rosalie's arms. Even though she was only a few days old she was
already dazzling. I took my baby daughter from Rosalie and held onto her
tightly, whispering words of love against the soft skin of her rosy cheek.
"I love you so much sweet baby," I cooed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She gurgled happily and touched a small finger to my temple.
I gasped as images flooded my mind. I saw the world through my baby's eyes. I
saw how terrifying Bella had appeared as she swooped down to snatch Renesmee; I
saw in horror as Jacob lay bleeding and dying on the floor; I felt all the love
she had for both Bella and I as she watched me struggle to contain her Mother.
I felt her fear, terror and confusion at Bella's behaviour. I felt her deep
sorrow at Jacob's pain. Jacob Black had imprinted on my baby daughter,
something which I wasn't altogether happy about to say the least, but they
seemed to have a strong bond already.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Then she "showed" me Jacob lying in bed upstairs,
although weak he lit up like a candle when Rosalie had taken her to visit him.
Her pure joy at Jacob being alive and unharmed except for a crescent shaped
wound on his neck where Bella had bitten him. Carlisle had saved him by sucking
out the venom, but in doing so Carlisle had also helped Jacob to heal. Venom
was a double edged sword. Jacob had a good immune system anyway being a
shape-shifter. Renesmee showed me other pictures of Jacob and her; Jacob tickles
her, Jacob feeds her a bottle of blood; Jacob is singing her to sleep. It was
amazing: my precious baby had a very special talent. Finally she moved her
finger from my temple and the visions subsided.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Rosalie nodded and
smiled at me, “So, now you know what Renesmee can do. Edward, isn't she
amazing!" Rosalie gushed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> I kissed my
daughter's head and gazed at her in wonder. She was now curled up against my
shoulder sleeping soundly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Oh Rose! If anything good has come out of this then it
must be this amazing creature here! She is the most precious sweet thing! But
Rose, I'd do anything to have Bella back! I'm going crazy here," I wailed
with anguish.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Rosalie sighed and gently took Renesmee from me. She didn't
say anything. I knew she had never wanted Bella to be changed. I also knew she
would do her best to kill Bella if she ever tried to hurt Renesmee again. I
slumped down on the sofa my head in my hands. I wish I knew what to do. I must
speak to Carlisle. He would know what I should do next. I still had no regrets
about saving Bella by changing her. I loved her beyond reason and always would.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> <i>I must find her, bring her home and show her how
much I love and need her. We would get through this. We had to.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u>CHAPTER THREE</u></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">BLOODLUST<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">BELLA CULLEN:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Finally my thirst was sated. I didn't believe this fulfilled
state would last for long though. Without the burning, raging thirst inside me
I had time to reflect on the change I'd gone through. I could think semi
clearly without the all empowering need to feed overwhelming my senses. The
sensible rational part of me which still remained cringed inwardly with horror
when I thought of the terrible things I had done tonight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I was a murderer.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I paced the floorboards of the old abandoned house I'd found
to hide in. Dawn was arriving any minute now and I was frightened of being seen
in the daylight. Could I survive in the light? What if the sun was shining?
Bright red eyes and pale marble skin weren't hard to miss. I would be
discovered in an instant. I needed guidance. I needed my family. That was
impossible though. I was changed beyond all recognition. I was a monster. They
were refined vegetarians. I was an uncouth killer. Who would soon need to do it
all again. I screamed inside as my hands involuntarily clenched into hard fists
and I crushed the table by the window easily; the wood crumbling and
splintering into dust under my immense strength. I marvelled at how strong and
invincible I felt. The blood had made me even stronger and my senses were sharp
and clear. I knew my best plan of action would be to hide here until nightfall.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My thoughts wandered to my daughter. Edward had called her
Renesmee just as I had suggested. I cannot remember her features. All I
remember was honing in on something delicious and warm; something full of blood
with a loud, strong beating heart. I did not connect this to my daughter. But I
knew instinctively this was the reason the Cullen's had tried to restrain me.
To stop me feeding on and killing my own daughter. I remember the taste of
Jacob's blood. The completeness of feeding on him. I should feel horror but I
don't. My human emotions have gone. I'm a killer now. I did hope that Jacob
wasn't dead though. He was my best friend. <i>Was.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I couldn't think clearly, I had to though. I needed a plan.
I couldn't exist here. I would stay here today hidden away from human eyes
until I thought of something. I didn't need sleep now, I was wide awake and
alert. I felt power running through my veins and I liked it very much. I knew I
should go home and talk to my family, but I couldn't. They should not be
harmed, it wasn't right. There were plenty of humans to feed on here in the
city of Vancouver. I knew Edward had tried to follow me. I could smell his
scent as he chased me into the woods to the border. He cried out in pain "<i>Bella!"</i> Over and over again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Somehow I managed to
evade him. I still haven't worked that one out either. He had eighty years’
experience over me, how had I managed to escape him? I did not know the answers
to the questions I posed myself as I sat all alone in the abandoned house. Soon
night would be here. Soon I would need to feed once again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Bella Cullen nee Swan, newborn vampire, ruthless killer,
feeder of human blood. This was my new life, whether I liked it or not.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u>CHAPTER FOUR</u></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">FASCINATION<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> ETIENNE LUCIER:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My name is Etienne. My family emigrated to Canada from
France in 1620. I was eighteen years old and excited to be in a vast new
country. It is now 2008 and I have been on this earth for 406 years. Eighteen
of those years was spent as a human. The long years since then spent as an
Immortal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Yes, I am a vampire. Perhaps one of the oldest ones to live
in Canada. I do not know for sure as I do not seek out vampire company. I
prefer to run solo. It's easier that way, trust me. If a vampire crossed my
path I observed the creature from a distance and soon decided that they were no
threat to me. I enjoyed my life in the old quarter of Vancouver. I liked this
city; it was ethnically diverse so I found it easy to blend in. My family
originally settled in Quebec, where Montreal was now situated. My ancestors
lived there to this day and the name Lucier was not uncommon in Montreal. My Father had been a merchant. Life had been
hard in those early days of French colonization. Many settlers died early,
because of harsh weather and diseases. In 1630, there were only 103 colonists
living in the settlement, but by 1640, the population had reached 355. That
didn't affect me though for obvious reasons.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I was changed into a vampire against my will. I was lured up
a dark alleyway after a night of debauched drinking as I celebrated being a
French-Canadian. She was beautiful, so beautiful. Her hair was a curly mass of
auburn, her face so pale and perfect, and her red eyes boring into mine with
such intensity. I felt light-headed and feverish when she gazed deep into my
soul, her cool lips touching mine as she kissed me passionately. I succumbed
easily. Whilst I was in a drunken state of ecstasy and bliss she bit me. As my
life slipped away I felt her carry me to somewhere safe and warm. I spent what
seemed like weeks in a fever, my skin burned from the inside out. It was hell.
Then I awoke to this life. I was amazed at my new found strength. I was amazed
by the minute detail of the world around me. It wasn't all bad. Except I
couldn't ever go home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I stayed with my maker for 100 years. I didn't know what
else to do. But I found her to be sadistic and cruel and I could not stomach it
any longer. I suspected she wanted to keep me with her always, as a pet, as a
lover, as a companion? I don't know for sure, but I was glad to be on my own
and I swore I would not let anyone else get that close to me again. I ignored
the other vampires who crossed my path. I didn't let myself become attracted or
attached to anyone, whether human or Immortal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>It was easier to be alone.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">That was until last night ...When I saw <i>her.</i> A
beautiful vampire, but so obviously a newborn. I could tell by the way she
carelessly killed innocent humans who happened to cross her path. It was sloppy
to say the least. I was fascinated by her. She was stunning. She was wild and
free. I remembered being that way at first; my maker had encouraged me to be
like that. The wilder and more vicious the better. I gazed down from the bridge
into the river below, the full moon reflected in the dark water. I thought
about the vampire girl from last night and wondered what her name was. Dare I
follow her again tonight? It shouldn't be too hard to find her. Not with my
sharp well-honed senses.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I briefly let my maker cross my mind for a second. Sometimes
I remembered her with fondness, other times I hated her with a passion. Usually
the latter won. I had spotted her a few times in the long years I'd been away
from her. But I'd always avoided her like the plague. She was easy to spot with
her shocking red hair. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>"Ah Victoria, "</i> I thought to myself
with a wry smile.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Tonight I would find the dazzling vampire and watch her.
This was such a new feeling...to be fascinated. I felt happier than I had in a
hundred years.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u>CHAPTER FIVE</u></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">DISCOVERED<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">BELLA CULLEN:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I caught sight of my reflection in a puddle after my third
kill of the night. My mouth was stained with blood and my red eyes were wild
and ferocious. I gasped aloud at my reflection and quickly stood up in disgust.
I gazed at the body slumped on the path and felt truly disgusted at myself. I
dragged the man's body away into the bushes before anyone unsuspectingly
stumbled across it. The horror, the sheer horror gripped me and I howled with
shame and sorrow. This poor man probably had a wife and family, now I had
reduced him to just another victim of this insatiable blood lust. I sped
quickly away from the scene, the blood giving me extra speed and strength. My
body felt glorious, like a well-tuned machine, but my mind and soul – if I
still possessed one – felt soiled. I hated what I had become.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I missed Edward so much, my now still heart ached for him but
I felt disconnected from that life. I knew he would be going out of his mind
with worry and wondering why he couldn't track me. I wondered myself why he
hadn't come. Of course if he did I would hide from him. I couldn't let him take
me home; I didn't want anyone to see me like this. Even though I knew my family
would try and help me; I couldn't take the risk.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I stopped suddenly on the bridge. I could feel a presence;
watching, waiting. I looked behind through my new eyes but could not see
anyone. This feeling wasn't new; I had felt this before on previous night's
hunting trips. I walked slowly back towards the old abandoned house, the
feeling of being followed was intense and I felt scared even though I knew I
was the scary one. I entered the dark house and went to the large windows at
the front to gaze out into the night. No one was out there. I felt tired though
I no longer needed sleep. I was weary from this life of killing and craving
blood. I didn't know how to stop. It had been three weeks now and every night I
had to feed. I tried not to, but I became restless, weak and hungry. It was
hell. Never ending and relentless.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I went upstairs to the room which I had made mine. It was
dark and dusty, but had the most beautiful ornate four poster bed which dominated
the room. I lay down with a sigh as I wondered who had slept in this bed. Who
had owned this house which had once been magnificent? I let my mind wander back
to when I had been human. I thought of Edward and our daughter. A daughter whom
I could not see. I felt horror and disgust when I thought of how close I had
come to killing her. Suddenly my thoughts were interrupted by the feeling of
not being alone again. I sat up quickly and scanned the dark shadows. I gasped
aloud as I saw the door opening and a tall figure entering the room. I swiftly
got to my feet and crouched down defensively a low snarl issuing forth from my
lips.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"I mean you no harm," a deep voice spoke from the
darkness. "My name is Etienne, pleased to meet you," the figure said
as it approached me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My red eyes took in the tall slim form of a very handsome
pale marble face, with deep topaz eyes and rose red full lips. His hair was
shoulder length dark curls and he wore a long black raincoat. Obviously a
vampire. Obviously very dazzling and gorgeous. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Please, don't be afraid," he spoke quietly as he
offered me his hand. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">His hands were perfectly formed with neatly trimmed nails
which were very pink, almost as if he wore nail varnish. I stood up slowly, my
senses still on red alert. I looked at him with a defiant glare; why was he
here? His face was beautiful and he smiled widely at me revealing his perfect
white teeth. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I’m sorry to arrive unannounced. I am ashamed to say I have
been watching you for two weeks now. Tonight I decided to make myself known to
you. I hope I didn't frighten you, young one," he said softly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">His voice was so musical and calming. I shyly extended my
hand which he took in his grasping mine firmly. His skin was even colder than
my own.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> "I'm Bella
Cullen," I said my eyes meeting his.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Pleased to meet you Ms Cullen," he said sweetly
with a bow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> So old fashioned!
"Actually it is Mrs Cullen," I corrected him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> "Ah of course.
One so beautiful must be taken," he exclaimed bringing my hand up to his
lips. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"So, you have been following me?” I asked my eyes
narrowing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He smiled at me, a quite irresistible smile, if I hadn't
already been used to such beauty and perfection I think I would have been
swooning. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"I do apologize for that Bella. You fascinate me. I
have not observed a newborn such as yourself for a while. How long have you
been an Immortal?" <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He guided me towards the bed where we sat down together.
Actually I was pleased to have some company, it was quite nice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> "Three weeks,"
I answered, looking down at the dusty floorboards. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Ah! Yes, makes sense," he observed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"How old are you Etienne? You seem very old fashioned."
I replied with an observation of my own. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He gifted me with one of his dazzling smiles. "Well I'm
eighteen Bella. I have been eighteen for a while though," he chuckled his
topaz eyes shining. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I smiled back, unable to resist. "We are the same age
then. But tell me Etienne, how long have you been eighteen?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> His dark topaz eyes
gazed deep into mine, “I was changed in 1620 Bella. My family and I had just emigrated
from France to start a brand new life. I didn't expect my new life would
involve becoming a vampire. My poor parents thought I'd run away or been
murdered. I never saw them again," he said his voice tinged with sadness
and regret.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> I squeezed his hand,
thoughts of my family flooding my mind. "So you didn't want to be changed
then?" I asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> He looked at me
incredulously, his perfect eyebrows raised in an arch. “Of course not! My dear
Bella who would <i>want</i> to be changed? I've got used to this life
now and yes I quite enjoy Immortality. But it is lonely at times. I try to
avoid other vampires. I wouldn't want to meet anyone like my maker. Are you
telling me you <i>wanted </i>to be a vampire?" He asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> I gazed into his eyes
defiantly, "Yes I did. I couldn't bear to get older whilst my husband
stayed seventeen and beautiful. I love him so much it was the only option. We
weren't going to do it so soon, but I was on the brink of death as I gave birth
to our daughter. Edward had no choice. He had to change me there and then,"
I admitted to this beautiful stranger.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He gasped loudly, his pale marble face full of shock.
"Oh mercy! Bella! You had a relationship with a vampire whilst you were
human? Astounding! And you married him and had a baby? I cannot believe this!
Humans shouldn't know about us let alone marry us!" He said gazing at me
with amazement.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> I sighed, “I fell in
love Etienne. I found out what he was, but I wasn't frightened. I fell
irrevocably in love with him. I wanted to be like him so much, so we could be
together. He didn't want to change me. He wanted me to stay human, but we came
to an agreement. I agreed to marry him if he agreed to change me himself. I got
pregnant on our honeymoon. No one thought it possible, but it happened, “I
sighed wistfully, thinking once again of home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Now it was Etienne's
turn to squeeze my cold hand. "Bella, you poor darling. So you had a
vampire child?" He asked softly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> "I don't know!"
I wailed. If I could have cried my face
would have been wet with tears. "The only glimpse I had of my daughter was
as I tried to snatch her out of her basket to feed on her," I shamefully
admitted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Etienne looked at me
with such kindness and concern I was overwhelmed by it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> "I also attacked
my best friend and for all I know he could be dead. I didn't care at the time,
but lately everything has been bothering me. I'm scared to go home. I live with
a coven Etienne, I have support. But I am frightened of what consequences I
will bring to my family if I stay there. I fled at first in hunger and blood
lust, now I stay away because I'm scared of what I will do, what it will mean
for them!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Etienne put his arm around me and we just sat in silence for
a while. I was dying to ask him a question though and I could not wait anymore.
"Etienne, who was your maker?" I asked quietly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> I felt him sigh
deeply and in his deep voice he replied, “The fiery haired demon that goes by
the name of Victoria."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> My head shot up as I
looked into his eyes the shock on my face evident. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"<i>Victoria!" </i>I uttered my voice breaking.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Victoria!</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u>CHAPTER SIX</u></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">DECISIONS<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">JACOB BLACK:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Thanks to the good doc Carlisle I had recovered after Bella
bit me. That bite was agony, the venom burned in my veins and I passed out from
the pain. I was shocked to the core that she had attacked me. Even more so that
she had first tried to attack Renesmee. I couldn't let that happen, no way. The
first time I saw Renesmee's perfect angelic face my whole world changed in that
instant. I was bound to her in inexplicable ways. I<i> imprinted </i>on
her. Who would have thought that the <i>one</i> would be Bella's
daughter? I certainly didn't. As soon as I heard that Bella had been changed
because the monster baby had ripped its way out of her body, effectively ending
her human life; I was in a rage so intense I was determined to kill the demon
child. That all changed as soon as I looked into her chocolate brown eyes. Now
all I wanted to do was to love her, care for her and protect her. Not that easy
considering her Father was incensed at the thought of me imprinting on his
daughter. But I think Edward could see that I was willing to lay down my life
for her; I'd proved that by trying to stop Bella. I didn't think twice when I
saw my precious Nessie was threatened by her own Mother.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Bella hadn't gone through the change well. She was a red
eyed vicious new born, with a blood lust so terrible she wanted to hurt her
daughter and best friend. What did Edward expect? Bella to be some perfect
newborn vampire? I hated the fact she was out there killing people, all by
herself, lost and confused. But a small part of me was glad that she still
existed. I loved her. Yes, I still loved her, but now my feelings were strictly
friendship. Thanks to Nessie. I rubbed the crescent shaped scar on my neck and
hoped that Bella was okay. I prayed she would return home soon. Edward was out
of his mind with worry and so heartbroken. Of course he blamed himself, though
no one else did. We all wanted Bella around. For her to die was unthinkable.
Now she never would. I still couldn't totally accept my best friend was no
longer human; but as I touched my scar I realized that was so stupid of me. I'd
had first-hand experience of her new life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I walked back into the house from the Cullen's garden. I had
been outside talking to Seth and Leah in wolf form. I had to tell them the
truth. They could read my thoughts anyway so I couldn't hide it. I hoped Sam
was still unable to read our thoughts. Since we'd separated from the main pack
it seemed they could no longer do this. I hoped that was still true as I know
Sam would be over here in an instant to see if the truce had been broken. Of
course he would say it definitely had as I had the scar to prove it. The
Clearwater's and I had both agreed to keep the situation quiet. Leah and Seth
were shocked to find out about my imprinting on Nessie. I thought they took it
quite well, though they did mercilessly tease me about being a bloodsucker
lover now. Not strictly true; Nessie is actually half vampire- half human. At
first she drank the human blood that Carlisle had; then Edward filled her
bottle with animal blood to wean her off the human stuff. I guess that was a
good thing. Nessie was growing so quickly, she was already the size of a one
year old after only three weeks. She ate tiny morsels of raw chicken and rare steak
along with her blood, but she definitely preferred the latter!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I made a beeline for her Moses basket where she lay
sleeping, her long eyelashes curling onto her soft cheek like fragile butterfly
wings. I gently stroked her cheek and whispered sweet nothings to her as she
slept. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Hey dog! The meeting is about to start in the drawing
room. You'd better hurry up!" Rosalie ordered in a harsh tone from behind
me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> I spun round to glare
at her defiantly, “Hey Blondie! What do you call a blonde with half a brain?
Gifted! “I crowed triumphantly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She shot me a look of pure evil and flounced out of the
room, muttering to herself something that sounded like "I wish Bella HAD
killed you dog!" <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Tough luck Blondie I thought to myself with a smirk as I
followed her out of the room. The whole family was gathered in the drawing
room, their faces drawn and sad. Alice looked just as bad as Edward did. I took
a seat next to Alice, and was pleasantly surprised when she didn't move away. I
was getting used to their smell, maybe they were getting used to mine too. I
practically lived here. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Carlisle stood up to address everyone, "So despite
numerous searches from everyone we've uncovered zilch. Bella has disappeared
and left no trace, which I know we'll all agree is most strange. A newborn
would not be so good at covering up their tracks. I am puzzled why this has
occurred. Edward? What are your thoughts son?" He asked softly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Edward's face was so sad I could hardly bear to look at him.
He stood up and gazed around at us all waiting expectantly, “Well, it's a
mystery. I could only track her as far as the Canadian border then her scent
disappears. I have no explanation, except it's Bella, she's stubborn, and she
won't want us to find her!" <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Alice stood up as well, “I can't <i>see</i> her
either. It's so strange. I could always see her before. Maybe she is blocking
us in some way?" She said with sadness in her musical voice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Maybe," Carlisle said with a nod.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Esme put an arm
around Edward, the worry on her face showing clearly. I guess they all <i>did</i> love
Bella.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I stood up, wanting to have my say, “Guys, I told Leah and
Seth; but I know one hundred percent they won't tell anyone. Obviously Sam's
pack cannot hear our thoughts anymore or he would have been here already. They
would not tolerate Bella returning here if they knew she had bitten me. They
would kill her!" I exclaimed as Edward hissed at me. "Sorry Edward,
but you know it's true. The truce forbids it! Even if I am a shape-shifter!
Anyways, the Clearwater's and I have been taking it in shifts to run around the
border looking for clues any of you might have missed. But so far we've had the
same problem. Bella's scent just disappears, “I said with a resigned shrug.
“We’ve searched in every direction to no avail." I added dejectedly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Thanks Jacob," Carlisle smiled. "I think we
should send a search party each night to the main towns. Seattle, Port Angeles,
Spokane and Olympia. Then we can extend our search to Canada. I have alerted
the Denali coven to Bella's disappearance and her state of mind. They will help
in any way they can, “he added.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I looked around the room at the Cullen's. Even Rosalie
looked a little bit sad but in a kind of I told-you-so way. The silence in the
room was palpable, the tension so thick you could slice it with a knife.
Everyone was wondering where Bella was, what she was doing, how she was coping?
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Nessie's small cries broke us out of our reverie and I
jumped up instantly, "I'll go!" I exclaimed, dashing out of the room.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I was glad to be distracted from all the sadness and pain. I
picked up Nessie and held her close to me. Her small finger touched my scar,
her eyes screwed up in concentration.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> "It's okay
darling. Jake is all healed now," I cooed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Even though my body
ran at a higher temperature my scar was always ice cold. Weird huh? Nessie put
her small hands to my temples and began to "show" me in her own
special way exactly what she was thinking. She showed me her and I playing pat
a cake, my face smiling at her with so much love, her Father holding her close
sadness in his eyes, Alice dangling brightly coloured beads above her head.
Then she showed me Bella. Her Mother's face was contorted with rage and hunger.
I gasped as she suddenly moved her hands away. Nessie's chocolate brown eyes
were brimming with tears. Her little face was so sad. She didn't understand why
her Mother had left her. I held her tenderly against my chest and spoke words
of love and comfort.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"<i>I promise you sweet Nessie, we will get your Mom
back because we all love and miss her. She didn't mean to hurt me. She wouldn't
have hurt you. She loves you and your Daddy. She WILL come back. <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>She has to!"</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u>CHAPTER SEVEN</u></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">CONFESSION<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">ETIENNE LUCIER:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I watched Bella Cullen pace up and down the dusty old
floorboards of the master bedroom and couldn't help but be in awe of her
beauty. Even with her red ferocious eyes she was a stunning vision of
loveliness. The poor girl was in torment though. She missed her family, she
missed her husband, she missed her daughter whom she had never held, but most
of all she missed her old life. She wanted to be happy again. She didn't want
to be a vicious killer. If I had been a younger vampire, I would not have been
sitting here. Her newborn rage was quite frightening.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She was now shocked by my revelation. I had answered her
query of whom my maker was, this sent dear Bella into frenzy. Once she calmed
down she revealed that when she was human, Victoria had tried to kill her on
numerous occasions, due to the fact that her husband Edward had killed James. A
mate for a mate. James had previously stalked and tried to kill Bella. She had
almost been turned into a vampire that night, if it hadn't been for Edward
saving her life. She had then taken my hands gently in hers and explained to me
that Victoria was dead. She explained how Victoria had created a new born army
to rise against her and her family, but it had all been in vain and Edward had
dispatched of her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I was not upset by the news. I had avoided Victoria for over
two hundred years. I was actually glad she didn't exist anymore. Another reason
to like this beautiful creature before me. As if I needed another one. I must
confess I was utterly captivated by Bella. I was already a little bit in love
with her. I hated to see her so upset. Now she was calm I needed to explain a few
snippets of information to her. I'd made a discovery whilst I had been
unknowingly watching her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Bella, my dear, please sit down with me. I need to
talk to you," I said with a smile. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She sat down next to me her beautiful face glowing in the
dull lamplight. "What is it Etienne?" She asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I took both her cold pale hands in mine as I began to tell
her what I had discovered. "Bella, when I was following you those two
weeks I noticed something unusual. Maybe you know of this strange occurrence,
but I doubt it because you show no signs of knowing," I paused. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Etienne! Tell me! What is it?" Bella demanded
impatiently, her red eyes glowing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> I gazed deep into
those eyes as I continued, " Sometimes you disappear. You vanish in front
of my eyes. It is utterly strange, but very amusing!" I said with a
chuckle. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Bella's red eyes widened with shock, "I disappear? I
vanish? " She whispered incredulously.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Poof! And you are gone, my sweet," I replied with
a cautious smile. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Her smooth brow furrowed as she digested what I had said.
"How can that be?" She asked me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"I have no idea, my dearest Bella. But let me ask you
this. Have other members of your family ever displayed strange abilities?"
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She looked at me with a small smile on her face, "Well
yes. Edward can read minds, except mine. Alice has visions of the future. You
think this is my special ability?" She asked with a smile. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Looks like it Bella! It's strange that you mention
Edward is unable to read your mind. Maybe you have always had this cloak of
invisibility, even as a human?" I asked with raised eyebrows.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Bella pondered over my thoughts for a minute, her face
unmoving, and her eyes unblinking. She was breathtaking. Utterly breathtaking. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"I wonder what triggers it off Etienne. When did I
disappear? What was I doing?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> I sighed as I gazed
into her eyes, " I noticed it happens when you are feeding or feeling
threatened and scared," I replied with a frown. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Ah," she said with a sad sigh. "So it's
linked directly to my emotions. I can learn to control it though! Oh Etienne! I
could go out in the day if I was invisible! I could go home, make sure everyone
is alright!" They wouldn't need to know I was there!" She said
excitement rising in her voice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I squeezed her hands, "Bella, my dear I do not advise
going home. Not yet," I said quietly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> She spun away from
me, her temper rising so quickly, "Why NOT?" She roared at me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Gosh, she was scary,
but wholly desirable and gorgeous at the same time. "Because my dear, your
special gift isn't the ONLY thing we need to get under control now is it, Hmmm?"
I spoke calmly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Her eyes glittered at me furiously, but then the fight went
out of her and she sat back down beside me on the bed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Oh Etienne! You are right! How can I go home? The mere
whiff of a human scent and I would spiral out of control. Who knows what I
would do? Who knows who I would hurt? I cannot be near my daughter when this
uncontrollable thirst comes over me. Edward would stop me getting near her. We
would fight. I am stronger than he is. It would be a disaster!" She
wailed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I gently stroked her back to calm her. "Bella, do not
despair my dear. I <i>can</i> help you control both your gift and
your thirst," I announced softly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She whipped her head up and stared into my eyes, "
You...Can... Help...Me?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> I beamed at her with
happiness, "Yes," I answered confidently.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The look on her stunning face was priceless. Hope bloomed in
her like a flower. I would do everything in my power to help my beautiful new
friend. She needed me. I was happy to be here for her. I wasn't completely
unselfish in my act of kindness though. This would mean I got to spend more
time in her presence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>How utterly delicious was that?</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><u><br /></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><u>CHAPTER EIGHT</u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">LIES<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">EDWARD CULLEN:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As I sped down the road towards Forks, I couldn't help the
feeling of complete devastation and lonesomeness which engulfed me like a thick
dark cloud. Bella, the love of my existence was still missing. Our searching
had revealed nothing so far, which was so frustrating. I wanted her home with
me. Nessie missed her every day too. I know, because she showed me in her own
special way. My still non beating heart ached for her. I thought of her every
second, there was no respite, no sleep, and no escape. I wondered what she was
doing, where she was, how on earth she was surviving.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I arrived at my destination and knocked on the door. Charlie
Swan's pale and worried face peered out from behind the wooden door.
"Edward! Where is Bella? What happened?" He demanded.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> "Please may I
come in Charlie?" I asked politely. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He ushered me into the room and I sat on the sofa, trying
not to look too worried and alone. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Charlie, remember I told you on the phone that Bella
had contracted some disease whilst we were on honeymoon? Well, her condition is
no better and my Father has moved her to a state of the art hospital in
Washington, where she will receive the best of care. I'm afraid we don't know
how long her recovery will take. The doctors have advised we don't visit as
this tropical disease seems highly contagious and ferocious," I spoke
quietly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Charlie ran his hands through his thick dark hair in
exasperation, " Well Edward, thanks for letting me know. I can't
understand why you kept her at home so long if this disease is so
aggressive?" He questioned me with raised eyebrows.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> I sighed as I began
to tell him another prepared lie, " Carlisle thought he could contain it.
But Bella was getting worse, so we thought it was best to move her to this
private hospital which specializes in tropical diseases. I'm sorry we didn't
consult you first, but we had to move quickly," I said, with what I hoped
was conviction.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> " Well what is
the address? Can't I at least write to her? " Charlie asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'd been dreading this question, but I knew it would
inevitably come. So another lie spewed forth from my lips, " The hospital
don't allow mail or phone calls. It's very private and exclusive. My family is
happy to pay all the bills. Please Charlie, we must let Bella recover in peace,
or it may hamper her chances of a full and complete recovery," I stated. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I caught Charlie's confused thoughts as he stared at
me, <i>Is he telling the truth? Oh God, I hope Bella is okay? He seems
genuine, but this situation is so strange! I haven't seen my daughter since I
waved her off on honeymoon! <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I stared back at him with what I hoped was a sincere smile.
" I know it's frustrating Charlie, but we all want what's best for Bella,
don't we?" I asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Charlie frowned, " Of course!" He stated. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">His thoughts flew into my brain in a flurry, <i>Do I
trust Cullen? What else can I do? I hope Bella is alright! What will I tell
Renee if she calls? She will panic!</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I smiled again with a large dose of sincerity thrown in for
good measure. I hated to do this to Charlie but it was necessary. I stood up
and walked over to him. I placed my hand on his shoulder and stared deep into
his brown eyes, "Charlie, everything will be fine. We will leave Bella to
recover in her own time. I am her next of kin now. I will deal with the
doctors. I promise to phone them every day for an update. I will call you. You
will<i> not </i>call me. You will <i>not</i> try to contact
Bella. You <i>will</i> believe every word I have told you here today,"
I said softly, my topaz eyes gently persuading and glamorizing him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He slowly nodded his head and stared back at me, his
expression blank. I looked away as I removed my hand from his shoulder, and he
smiled at me a little. <i>Phew! Seems to have worked!</i> Charlie saw
me to the door and we shook hands pleasantly as I left. I was sorry for using
vampire glamor on him, but it was necessary. I hoped it would work and he
wouldn't interfere. How could I explain to him what had really happened? There
were no words.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As I drove back towards home, my thoughts once again dwelled
on Bella. I sighed as memories flooded over me. Bella lying in the meadow, wild
flowers surrounding her soft hair like a halo; Bella's human heart pounding a
steady rhythm as I brought my lips softly down on hers; Bella smiles as she
tenderly stroked her pregnant belly; Bella nervously laughs as I sped through
the forest with her clinging to my back. All of these memories were sullied by
the image of her as she awoke to the change. Her wild red eyes, a low snarl
escaping her perfect lips, her hands claw like as she turned on her own
daughter. I sighed and wished I could turn the clock back. Even though I loved
Renesmee completely, part of me wished we had waited until Bella was changed to
give into our desire for each other. But nothing could have stopped us. We were
deeply in love and it had seemed so natural to take her into my arms, and into our
honeymoon bed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Oh how I wished she were by my side right now. All I
could do was wait and hope. That was easier said than done.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I arrived back home, to find Alice anxiously waiting for me.
"Edward! There has been a development! Come on, the family is waiting!"
She exclaimed excitedly, dragging me into the house quickly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Oh please let it be good news I silently prayed. </i>Alice's
thoughts were a jumble, I couldn't focus on a coherent thought. I hurriedly
followed her into the house where my family waited. <i>All eyes were on me
as I entered the room. <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Eyes full of hope and something I couldn't put my finger
on. I sat down and waited for the news; good or bad I was ready.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u>CHAPTER NINE</u></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">LEARNING<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">BELLA CULLEN:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I found Etienne to be extremely pleasant company and I was
happy that he had found me. He was surprisingly easy to get along with
considering he was a loner. The last few weeks had passed in a blur as he
taught me how to control both my special gift and my thirst for blood. It turns
out that Mr Lucier's talent is mind control. He could impart a thought to me
without touch. He could make me believe everything was going to be alright. He
confessed that he no longer needed to kill humans to satisfy his thirst. He
convinced me that topaz eyes were so much prettier than red ones! He made the
transition from human blood to animal blood in an ingenious way. He simply
convinced the nurse who worked in the blood bank to give him a large supply of
human blood. He kept this in his freezer at home and simply defrosted it and
heated to body temperature before consuming.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Using this method he weaned himself of human blood. It had
taken him years and years to find a solution. Victoria had encouraged him to
kill humans for food. This went against Etienne's principles and when he
eventually broke free of Victoria he found out he had a special gift for mind
control and also that he could avoid killing innocent people.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I was now living with Etienne in his large modern house in
central Vancouver. It was a stark contrast to his appearance and manner. He
still retained his old fashioned look and accent. His French tinged voice was
most appealing, as was his old worldly dress sense. His house was lovely, it
reminded me of my home back in Forks. This often made me sad and I would have black
moods, where I could easily leave Etienne and go on a vast murdering spree. He
calmed me with words and his gift. The anger and rage which used to easily
spread through me like a fire were now subsiding. I found I could stand to
drink the re-heated human blood from the little bags Etienne brought me. It
wasn't so bad and at least no one had died for the sole purpose of quenching my
all-consuming thirst.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Etienne would take me on hunting trips into the Vancouver
mountains, where I found I had something in common with my husband. Mountain
lions were my favourite! Etienne told me that soon I would no longer need to
rely on the human blood bags. I hoped that was true. I longed to be a complete
vegetarian vampire, like my family. I was determined. I needed to do this so I
could return to Edward. So I could be around my daughter. It consumed me. Etienne
could not control my mind when I used my own special gift. Now, I could turn my
invisibility on and off with ease. I found all I had to do was imagine myself
invisible and I was. It still scared me slightly though and I was hesitant to
use it. Etienne took me out in the daytime when it was overcast. He checked the
weather religiously on the Internet every day. I wore dark glasses when we went
out, but I still felt conspicuous and people stared at me. Etienne ensured me
it was because I was so beautiful. Indeed I did get a shock the first time I
saw myself properly in a full length mirror. I was spectacular as a vampire. My
hair was lustrous and shiny, my skin was pale and luminous, my eyes, although
red, shone with an inner light. My whole being was luminous and bright. <i>I
wished Edward could see me.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Etienne's house had a library with an enormous amount of
books, I loved reading the old classics deep into the small hours. He had a
very expensive and technical surround sound cinema system with a large 50"
screen on which we watched old films. Etienne may have been from the 17th
century but he loved all the up to date gadgets this century had to offer. His
delight in old classic films was a joy to see. He adored the times we spent on
the large leather sofa watching films all night. I didn't even miss the human
pleasure of sleeping. I had always suffered nightmares in my human life, I
didn't miss them now. Etienne kept my mind of my worries and fears. He made it
easier when I missed home. I knew he was most probably using his mind control
power on me, but I didn't mind. I was surprised how well we got along. I
wondered why Etienne didn't crave the membership of a coven. I hoped he would
come to the Cullen's with me once I was ready.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I was determined that would happen soon. I hoped Edward
would accept Etienne was special to me. I did not want him to be jealous, but I
knew from past experience he most likely would be. I missed my husband so much.
I often sat in a dreamlike state and imagined I could hear his voice, feel his
lips on mine as my hands ran through his bronzed hair. Not being near him was
torture, the absence of his presence tortured me. I needed to see him soon.<i> So
much.</i> That was why I did what I did. I waited until Etienne had gone
out to pick up a new book for his collection. I took some of the rose scented
writing paper and an ink pen from his oak stationary desk and I began to
compose a letter to my darling Edward.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"<i>Dearest Edward,</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I am so sorry for my absence, but you must know it is for
the best. I am learning to control my thirst and every day I grow stronger in
resisting the blood lust. Only today I realized I had not fed in 24 hours and I
still felt good. The urge is waning and very soon I will be in complete control
of my actions.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I have not done this alone. I luckily met another
vampire. His name is Etienne Lucier and he is over 400 years old! Although he
is still eighteen in human terms.. I could not have progressed this far without
him and I hope one day soon you can meet him. I have discovered with Etienne's
help that I have a special gift like you and Alice have. My gift is
invisibility! I did not realize at first that I possessed this gift, until I met
Etienne.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>He has helped me train my talent as well as helping me
overcome the need to kill humans. I feel so ashamed that I did this Edward. I
know I was only displaying typical newborn behaviour, but still I feel sick to
my stomach when I think of the innocent people I killed. I am sure you
understand. You always told me you didn't want to be a monster. Well neither do
I.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I have been using donated human blood which Etienne
picked up from the blood bank. But recently I have hardly needed this at all as
we have been hunting in the mountains. My appetite for mountain lion is vast! I
can just imagine you smiling at that. When I think of your smile my still heart
wants to break in two. I miss you so much. I love you, my dearest husband. My
Edward.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>How is our daughter? Is she normal? I think about her
every day. I remember what it was like to feel her inside me. She knew me, I
knew her. It makes the separation even more unbearable. I am so sorry for what
I tried to do to her. This is why I have not returned. I was frightened for our
baby. Oh Edward! I hope she is doing fine and is too young to understand this.
And Jacob? My dear friend? Please tell me he is alright. I have been out of my
mind worrying over him. I hardly dare ask, did I kill him? Oh please darling, you
must write back to me and tell me everything is fine!</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>When I first opened my eyes to this new life, I did not
have a shred of human emotion left, but with Etienne's help I have regained my
feelings. Sometimes my emotions overwhelm me and I cannot stand it. I want to
run as fast as I can back to Forks, back to you and our daughter. You and I
both must hold our patience for a little time longer my darling. I won't return
until I am sure I am in control. I am hoping and praying that won't be long. I
know you told me it can take years for newborn tendencies to wear off. Maybe
that would have been me. Without Etienne I am sure it would have.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Please Edward, do not fret. I love you for eternity. This
is what I wanted, so please do not let guilt consume you my love. My only love.
I will never regret one minute of each and every day since you came into my
life.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I have enclosed a PO box number for you to reply to. I
cannot risk you coming to find me. I will come home when the time is right.
Please let me know everyone is ok and tell them I love them. I dread to think
what is going through Charlie's mind. Are you still sticking with the tropical
disease story? It's all so complicated! We will have to work out what we will
do when I return. My god! Charlie is a grandfather and he doesn't even know.
Thank you so much for naming our daughter Renesmee, it's perfect. I bet she is
beautiful. I do not remember her features, unfortunately I only remember the
beating heart, the blood running through her veins. Maybe you could send a
photograph?</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I must sign off now, my love. Just know that I miss you
every day and night. I cannot wait to be in your arms again. My love for you
has not changed, it remains the same.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Yours always,</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Bella</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I gently kissed the letter and put it into a white envelope.
I rummaged around in the stationary desk drawer until I found some stamps. I
grabbed my dark glasses and hurried out of the house to the mailbox on the
corner of the street. I hesitated briefly. Was I doing the right thing? I
decided yes and I dropped the letter into the box and quickly hurried back up
the street and into the house. As I closed the heavy door behind me I smiled a
secret smile to myself. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Hopefully I would soon hear from my beloved. That was
exactly what I needed right now. I needed to know Edward still loved me. That
our dazzling love had survived this. I closed my eyes and prayed it had.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u>CHAPTER TEN</u></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">MIXED EMOTIONS<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">EDWARD CULLEN:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Alice handed me the letter which bore Bella's handwriting.
The whole family plus Jacob stared at me with expectant eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> "Oh!" I
stated with happy surprise. I felt joy
flood my still heart at the sight of the address written in Bella's scrawl. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Open it Edward, we're dying of anticipation
here!" Exclaimed Jacob with a wide grin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> I carefully opened the
envelope and slid the letter into my hand. A bouquet of roses assailed my
nostrils, mixed in with Bella's unmistakable scent which was now greatly
enhanced due to the change. As I read her words I felt a mixture of joy, pain
and sadness. Joy that she was coping, pain that she wasn't coming home and
sadness that another vampire, not me, was with her. I sighed deeply and ran my
hand through my hair. I looked up into the eyes of my family. Alice came to
stand by my side, her small hand on my shoulder. She was thinking how sorry she
was for not being able to see what had been happening clearly. I smiled weakly
at her to let her know I was alright. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Bella is okay. She isn't coming home yet. But she is
coping. She has met another vampire, who is helping her. His name is Etienne
Lucier. She has a special gift, like I do. Like Alice and Jasper, except Bella
can make herself invisible! She sends her love to everyone," I stated.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Wow! Bella can go invisible!" Jacob said
incredulously. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Nessie giggled and gazed up at his face with joy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> "Have you heard
of this vampire, Carlisle? Bella said he is over 400 years old?" I asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Carlisle shook his head, "No, son, I haven't. I hope he
really is helping Bella. Vampires are not usually known for their selflessness,"
he mused.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> "Well I think
it's good news!" Stated Esme with a smile.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> "Me too,"
added Jasper. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Rosalie and Emmett both nodded in agreement, but Alice just
stared at me with sad eyes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Alice?" I questioned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She shook her head, her pale face full of sadness, "This
Etienne may not be her Saviour! Oh Edward! I cannot see them clearly, but I did
have a brief vision of Etienne acting most inappropriately!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> I grimaced and nodded
my head. "Thanks Alice. You have just helped me make up my mind! I'm going
to fetch Bella and bring her home! If this other vampire can help her then we
certainly can! We're her family and we love her!" I exclaimed
passionately.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Jealousy boiled up
inside my chest when I thought of Bella with Etienne. I wanted to help her, be
the one who was there for her, not some stranger! She may not have left an
address except for the PO box number, but I would search the whole of Vancouver
if I had to! If she really didn't want to see me she wouldn't have let me know
whereabouts she was living. My heart ached for her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I caught Jake's thoughts as he kissed the top of Nessie's
head. <i>Edward looks so lost. If he brings Bella back and she harms
Nessie, I will HAVE to tell Sam and the others!<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> I growled in his direction. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He quickly looked up, startled by my utterance. <i>Calm
down Edward! You know I'd do anything for Nessie! <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My eyes bored into his until he looked away with a sigh of
exasperation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> "I'm coming with
you!" Alice announced.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> I smiled at her as
she took my hand. Jasper nodded in agreement. Jacob looked like he wanted to
say something, but thought better of it. We talked for another thirty minutes
as we made plans for Bella's return. Alice and I would bring her back as soon
as we found her. Carlisle would obtain more blood bags from the hospital just
in case. Jacob would take Renesmee away with him until we were sure Bella was
alright. I just wanted her home with me, where she should be. We decided I
would leave in the morning. Carlisle was going to ask around, see if anyone had
heard of Etienne Lucier. I was dying to escape, to be on my own, to re-read
every word of Bella's letter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Finally the meeting was over and I was alone. I was so happy
to hear she still felt the same way about me, that she seemed to be like the
old Bella again. Though she couldn't be could she? She was now a vampire. I
couldn't wait to see her again and take her in my arms. I ached for her. I
decided I would write to her, but I would not reveal my plans. She might flee
if she knew I was coming to Vancouver. I took some writing paper and a pen from
my Father's study and sat down to compose a letter to my beloved.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Dearest Bella,</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I was so happy to receive a letter from you. I needed to
know you were alright. I have been worried sick about you! I miss you so much
my love, so even just a few words from you can bring joy to my still heart.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I am glad you are starting to overcome the curses a
newborn has to face, I told you it wouldn't be easy to go through the change. I
am glad you are not alone. But Bella, love, what do you REALLY know about Etienne?
Are you sure he has your best interests at heart? I do hope so. You are
everything to me.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Everyone sends their love. They all miss you
tremendously. Jacob is amazed by your new talent! Yes, Bella, your best friend
is just fine. Still as annoying as ever! Carlisle managed to suck out the venom
from his neck. He has a scar, but naturally he is fine. Renesmee is just
perfect my love. She looks so like you. She has your beautiful chocolate brown
eyes. She is so clever, she can "show" you what she is thinking and
feeling by touch only. She misses you. She tells me every day in her special
way. Don't be alarmed, my darling, but she is growing faster than a human baby.
Carlisle is keeping an eye on her though. I adore her. She is a product of our
immense love. I'm so sorry for the way I acted before she was born. My only
concern was for you. Now she is here, our daughter, I love her totally and
completely. I hope you like the photograph I have enclosed for you.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I hope you are sitting down Bella, I need to explain
something to you. Jacob has imprinted on Renesmee. I'm not completely happy
about it but it's happened and there isn't much I can do! But in his defense,
he is completely amazing with her. She dotes on him too.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I hope you come home to me soon, Bella. I miss you so
badly, my heart hurts with the pain of your absence. We can work all this out
my love. Please try to come home soon.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I love you Mrs Cullen. My heart is yours for all
eternity.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Always,</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Your Edward</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I sighed as I put the letter into an envelope. I knew it was
a low down trick telling Bella about Jacob imprinting on our daughter, but I
hoped it would ignite her newborn rage and bring her flying back into my arms.
Nevertheless, tomorrow I was heading to Vancouver to comb every inch of the
city for my one true love, my wife, my reason for existing. I closed my eyes
and prayed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Please Bella, come home to me safe and sound. I love you
my darling. Can you hear me? Bella can you hear me? I need you so much. Come
back and make my heart whole again, without you it is shattered into tiny
pieces. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Make me whole again, Bella. I beg of you.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u>CHAPTER ELEVEN</u></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">FIRST TIME<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">ETIENNE LUCIER:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When Victoria first changed me, she expected me to fall
completely under her spell. I did a little, maybe for the first few months. But
I soon realized that she was an awful monster, all shreds of humanity had left
her long ago. She was old, I knew that, but quite how old was something she
never revealed. Obviously when you are new to this life, your maker is your
whole universe, but I cannot say I was ever in love with Victoria. I was more
scared than anything else! She was beautiful yes; but only on the outside. A
pretty shell, disguising a soulless deep pit of anger and viciousness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I discovered my talent of mind control by accident. I had
had enough of Victoria luring innocent victims back to our old country mansion
on the outskirts of New Orleans. She found torturing them was an acute
pleasure. Killing them slowly was a divine treat. It was all about HER and what
she wanted. To my shame I went along with her sick games at first. I didn't
know what else to do. The last time she ever commanded me to do something evil
to a poor defenseless young girl, a light went off in my brain and I hardened
my thoughts to Victoria's demands.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I sent out thought waves from my head straight into her evil
mind. I commanded her to stop torturing the young victim and to back away.
Amazingly my thoughts became real and she did indeed back away. I laughed with
glee. I then commanded her to go into the damp dark cellar and lock herself in.
Surprisingly she did exactly that. How fabulous! I untied the young girl, then
took her white scared face in my hands. I gazed intently into her eyes and
directed my thoughts into her mind, <i>You will leave here now. You will
not remember this night. You will forget our faces. You will carry on with your
human life. You will be fine, I promise.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When the girl had left I went down to the cellar and
commanded Victoria to unlock the door with my mind. Her pale scared face
greeted me in the dark cellar. Oh my! The maker was frightened of the
fledgling. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Etienne I do not know how you did that, but please
refrain from using that vile trick on me ever again!" She bellowed, her
red eyes glinting evilly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> I smiled
triumphantly, "Victoria, my dear. You are purely evil. You are a terrible
creature. I could never love you. In fact I despise you! I am leaving now. I am
going home. Well as near to home as possible. But I do not really have a home
anymore thanks to you! You will not follow me. If you ever see me again you
will walk in the other direction.<i> Do you understand
Victoria?" </i>I asked quietly, but firmly with deadly intention in
my once meek voice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She nodded at me, her eyes now glinting with fear and
rejection. I didn't care, I simply turned and walked away. <i>Forever.</i> It
was a good feeling. I was free. I wasn't sure why this talent had suddenly
surfaced but I was glad it had. As I sped through the countryside I realized
with pleasure that I would never again be beholden to anyone. Not if I didn't
want to be. I headed swiftly towards the Canadian border with a smile. I would
never be under anyone's spell ever again. That's what I had reckoned anyway.
Until many, many, many years later. The night I saw Bella Cullen, I knew right
there and then that I was captivated by her. For the first time ever, I Etienne
Lucier was in love. Yes, I loved Bella Cullen. I had to let her know. I had to
make her love me too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">That shouldn't be too difficult. Not to a vampire of my caliber.
I had charm on my side. I had trust on my side. And most of all I had the power
of mind control on my side. I hadn't completely unleashed this on sweet Bella
just yet. Maybe a little here and there to calm her and make her feel safe.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Now was the time to let my full power wash over her. She
would be mine, completely mine. I was in love for the first time in my
existence. Completely and irrevocably in love with Bella Cullen.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u>CHAPTER TWELVE</u></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">QUESTIONS<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">JACOB BLACK:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Almost five minutes after Edward and Alice left for
Vancouver on their quest to bring Bella home, Sam Uley appeared in the Cullen's
garden. He was flanked by Paul and Jared. I hugged Renesmee closer to me as she
sat on my lap. I nodded curtly and said hello. Three pairs of eyes were riveted
on Nessie as she sat sweetly in my arms, her little face full of curiosity for
our visitors.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> "So this is the
vampire child Leah spoke of?" Sam asked his dark eyes glittering.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> I nodded, my heart
full of anger at Leah's betrayal. "This
is Renesmee Cullen. Bella and Edward's child. Obviously you already know she
was conceived whilst Bella was human. I guess the secret is out. Bella has been
changed. But you are wasting your time; she is not here," I said with
steely determination.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">" Leah told us everything Jacob. I guess she is still more
loyal to me than you, " Sam stated.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> I flinched at his
words. I truly had believed Leah would keep our secret. I had never doubted her
and Seth's integrity. Stupid me! I was so angry I could have <i>ripped</i> her
head off. But I tried to reign in my temper whilst Sam's pack were watching me
intently. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He smiled at me, "Jacob, I know things haven't been
good between us, but surely you must see Bella and this child are a danger to
Forks and the treaty." <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I felt my blood boil up and I could not help angry words
spewing forth from my lips, " Sam, look at this precious child! She
wouldn't hurt you or anyone. We have the situation under control. Bella left.
She didn't take to the change well, but she still had the sense to leave!"
I sputtered angrily. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Nessie looked up at me with concern on her small pretty
face. I didn't see her next action coming or I would have tried to prevent it
at all costs. Nessie's small hand reached up and stroked the crescent shaped
pale scar on the side of my neck, I gasped and pulled her hand away softly. It
was too late though. Sam and the others had noticed; their eyes widened in
shock and revulsion. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"She bit you!" Paul shouted in fury, starting
towards us with menacing fury.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> "NO!" I
recoiled, picking Nessie up and holding her closer to me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> "It was Bella. I
thought your little spy would have told you!" I spat out with disgust.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Sam shook his head
and Paul stopped dead in his advance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> "Jacob, this is
serious. If Bella comes back here we must put her on trial. She has broken the
age old treaty between the shifters and vampires. The Cullen's signed it!
" Sam said angrily.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I sighed and ran my hands through my hair as Nessie clung to
me, her small arms clamped tight around my neck. "Sam, please. Edward and
Alice have gone to find Bella. She has been in touch. She is almost cured of
her newborn tendencies. She won't hurt anyone! This happened when she was first
changed! Edward had no choice! She was dying after giving birth to
Renesmee!" I pleaded. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Nessie whimpered at my words and I soothingly stroked her
back. Sam's dark eyes bored into me and I could see there was no way to placate
him. He believed Bella and Nessie were a threat to Forks and there was no way
he would let this lie. I could kill Leah!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> "Jacob, as soon
as Bella returns we'll be holding a trial. There is nothing you can say to
change my mind!" He stared defiantly as the three turned and walked away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">" Sam! You know this will cause a war between the pack
and the Cullen's! I will not be on your side! Do you hear me Sam Uley! Nessie is
everything to me! In fact I have imprinted on her! I'm surprised your spy
didn't tell you that!" I shouted after them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Nessie cooed and stroked my cheek. I smiled down at her
sweet face. Sam stopped but he did not turn around. I could see the tension in
his shoulders, back and clenched fists. After a minute he started walking again
and did not turn around. Paul and Jared were a little ahead of him and they did
not turn around either.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> "Oh well
Nessie", I whispered softly against her hair, "Jacob has really gone
and done it now!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As soon as Nessie went down for her mid-morning nap, I knew
exactly where I was headed. I was going to have this out with Leah, ask her
just what she was playing at! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>No one was going to hurt Nessie or Bella as long as I was
here. Just let them try! Just let them try.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u>CHAPTER THIRTEEN</u></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">STRANGE ATTRACTION<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">BELLA CULLEN:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Edward's letter had arrived this morning and I had read it
over and over, his words now imprinted on my heart. The photograph of our
daughter took my breath away. She was gorgeous. I couldn't stop staring at her
luminescent skin, her large chocolate brown eyes, her rose red full smiling
lips and her general air of beauty and intelligence. She appeared to be a two
year old toddler, how could this be? Edward had explained that her growth was
accelerated. This worried me greatly. Would she speed rapidly into a young
child then into a teenager in just the space of a few months? Would she become
an adult very soon and speed towards old age? Would we lose her? It didn't bear
thinking about. Another reason why I needed to get home. Every day I became
stronger and more able to resist the blood lust.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I ached to see Edward. I hated being apart. I wanted to be a
proper Mother to my daughter. I certainly didn't want Jacob Black being there
for her! Though Edward said he was fantastic with her; I still didn't like the
fact he'd imprinted on her! Why did Jacob have to imprint on her? Was he trying
to get back at me for choosing Edward over him? I loved Jacob but this was too
much! Renesmee was Edward's and mine, not HIS! My newborn fury was just slowly
simmering below the surface, ready to explode at any minute. I tried to reason
with myself, to calm myself down. My rage was unpredictable and I couldn't
afford to let it take a hold. In the deeper recesses of my mind, the small
rational part was speaking to me in a calm manner. <i>Jacob cannot help
who he imprints on. It's an involuntary process and completely irreversible.
It's NOT Jake's fault!</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Still, it was hard for me to take in that Jacob had
imprinted on my daughter. I wanted her to make up her own mind about who she
fell in love with when she was older. I didn't want the choice forced upon her!
Now her future was already mapped out for her. She must bear Jacob's children
to carry on the shape-shifting gene. I clenched my fists with pent up anger. My
child was entitled to have her own life! Now it had been snatched from her by
Jacob Black! I stood up quickly and whirled around, my fists smashing through
Etienne's oak wood coffee table. Books fell to the floor, their pages spinning
around my feet as if a hurricane had descended. I picked up the ruined books
and ripped them to shreds, paper flying around my head like snowflakes. I
snarled and growled and hissed with fury and frustration.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I felt strong arms encircling my waist. Etienne's soft voice
whispered in my ear. "Bella my love. Calm down. Everything is going to be
alright. You'll see. Now let's sit down for a minute and you can tell me what
brought on this little temper tantrum."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> I sagged back into
his embrace, grateful to have him here. We sat on the leather sofa and Etienne
smoothed my hair back from my face. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Now, sweet Bella, tell me what is wrong?" He
asked, his topaz eyes shining. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Oh Etienne! I'm so sorry. I broke your table and I've
ruined your books!" I said my voice full of shame and remorse.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> He lifted my head up
again so he could look into my eyes. "Bella, I can replace those. Tell me
what the matter is?" He asked softly, his cool breath on my face. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"I received a letter from Edward. He misses me so much.
I'm breaking his heart!" I wailed. Etienne stroked my hand and waited for
me to continue. "Our daughter is perfect, look! I have her photo. Isn't
she beautiful? But she is growing too fast. I'm worried. I should be there. I
need to go home soon. We have to make sure I'm ready! I can use my invisibility
if I have to!" I exclaimed excitedly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Etienne's cold hands stroked my cheek as he looked deep into
my eyes. " Bella. Dearest Bella. Only I will know when you are ready. You
will trust my judgment and only mine. I know what's best for you," he
softly spoke as his eyes mesmerized me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I slowly nodded my head in agreement as if I was in a
trance-like state. I felt a calmness wash over me in warm serene waves. I
sighed and put my head on Etienne's shoulder, the spicy scent of him wafting
over me; making me feel safe and protected. I felt his lips brush my hair as he
inhaled me. He softly shivered and put his arm around me drawing our bodies
closer together.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I felt as though I was adrift on a sea of serenity. My
thoughts became hazy and if I was human I think I would have comfortably
drifted off to sleep. Etienne slowly and gently placed me against the large red
velvet cushions, my hair fanning out behind me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Bella, your red eyes are less scarlet now. As soon as
we stop giving you the blood bags they will turn topaz like mine, "
Etienne softly said, his finger tracing my cheekbone gently. "You will be
even more beautiful then, my dearest. If that's possible. You are so stunningly
gorgeous Bella Cullen. You are perfection," Etienne whispered, his eyes
deep pools of mystery and desire.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I felt myself falling into those eyes, deeper and deeper.
His fingertip traced the curve of my lips and I felt myself swoon and sigh.
What was happening to me? Etienne was a handsome man, he was good and kind, and
he was my friend and saviour. But right at this moment he looked so dazzling
and beautiful, sensuous and bewitching, tempting and beguiling. I gently took
his hand and kissed the smooth pale skin, as he sighed most deliciously. What
was happening here? I forgot about Edward, Renesmee and home. All I could think
of was Etienne.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">His lips came closer to mine until they were only mere
inches away. I sighed with longing and anticipation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> "<i>Kiss me,
Bella," </i>he whispered, his cool breath intoxicating me with his
own special scent. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My lips found his quickly and hungrily. With a magnetic
attraction we devoured each other with our mouths. Fireworks went off in my
head and my knees went weak. If my still heart could beat it would be pounding
now as his hands wound through my hair pulling me closer and closer. I was lost
in his kiss, our hunger for each other growing steadily. I was swept away on a
tidal wave of emotions and pure lust for this beautiful vampire. There was no
holding back, no return from the brink<i>.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I let myself fall completely under his spell as we fell
to the floor amongst the ruined books and splintered oak; our arms wrapped
tightly around each other, our lips locked together in passionate desire.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I lost myself wholly in the moment. Lost myself in him. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I was completely lost...Forever?</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u>CHAPTER FOURTEEN</u></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">CONFRONTATION<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">JACOB BLACK:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I had found Leah walking on First Beach in the mid-morning
sunshine. I had roughly grabbed her arm and spun her around to face me. She
struggled to get away from me and avoided my angry blazing dark eyes. I
demanded to know why she had told Sam about Bella and Renesmee. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Why Leah? Why did you betray me? How could you do this
to Nessie? She's only a child?" I spat out angrily shaking her shoulders.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> "Get off me,
Jacob Black!" She demanded.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> "No chance Leah.
You and I are going to sort this out right now!" I stated with steely
determination.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> I dragged her off to
the rock where Bella and I used to sit in the simpler days when she was a
beautiful human girl whom I'd had a massive crush on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Sit!" I commanded Leah and gave her a little
push. She sat down on the rock hard and glared up at me, defiance in her dark
eyes. "Explain yourself miss!" I demanded, my arms folded across my
chest.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> "I thought Sam
should know since he would find out anyway. Did you think you could keep this
from him Jacob? Even though you, Seth and I separated from the pack, Sam would
still find out eventually!" She stated. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I narrowed my eyes at her, still full of rage. " We
would have had time to sort stuff out though Leah. Now Sam knows Bella bit me
and you know how he feels about that! He wants to put her on trial as soon as
she returns! In the treaty it states that no member of the Cullen family must bite
a human or otherwise! This will start a war between the Cullen's and the pack!
Did you even consider that Leah?" I shouted in her face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">To my surprise she started to cry. " I didn't consider
anything Jacob Black! Except for one thing! Something I'll never tell YOU! Now
leave me alone!" She sobbed as she got up and began to run down the beach.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Leah!" I shouted after her as I began to follow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> She was pretty fast
for a girl. But then she was a wolf girl. I caught up with her quickly and
dived on her bringing her to the ground. Her tear stained face looked up into
mine with defiance mixed in with the sadness. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">" Tell me Leah! What did you mean?" I asked, more
gently this time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She bucked and writhed underneath me in her bid to escape. I
loosed my grip on her and she crawled away. I stood up and offered her my hand.
She reluctantly took it and I pulled her up to face me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> "Now, let's just
calm down and talk sensibly shall we Leah?" I asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She wiped the tears from her eyes as I stood in front of her
feeling slightly bad for making her cry. Now she looked angry, not sad. Her
dark eyes glittered, her long dark hair was wild and she stood with her hands
on her hips. In her tight denim cut offs and her red cropped gypsy top which
skimmed her bare tanned midriff, she looked quite beautiful. I tried not to be
distracted by this and instead remembered exactly why we were here.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> "Please, Leah.
We need to talk," I pleaded softly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She nodded and gestured for me to sit down on the sand next
to her. For a few minutes we sat and stared at the sea together whilst we both
gathered our thoughts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Leah, I'm so worried what will happen to Bella and
Nessie. As you know I've imprinted on Nessie. I'll do anything to protect
her. <i>Anything. </i>Even if that means going against Sam and the
others. I need to know if you and Seth are on my side or theirs. Because that's
what it will come down to Leah. Sides, " I stated calmly, not wishing to
make her mad again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She sighed as she turned to look at me, "How could you
imprint on a <i>bloodsucker</i> Jacob? You don't even know if she can have
children? It's all upside down! It's not how it is supposed to be!" She
exclaimed, her dark eyes sad. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Nessie is half human Leah, I'm sure we'll have a
normal relationship when the time is right," I replied. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Her dark eyes were deep pools of mystery as she gazed at me.
"There could have been better choices made Jacob," she said quietly
as she looked at the ground.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> I stared at her,
deeply puzzled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"I am going to tell you this only once Jacob Black. Do not
speak until I have finished," she said quietly still looking at the
ground. "I have feelings for you! I was hoping you would consider a
relationship with me! I was jealous you imprinted on Nessie, that's why I told
Sam! I wanted it to be ME Jacob! I've been avoiding phasing with you for weeks
now so you wouldn't hear my thoughts. It's been torture!" <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I gazed at her open mouthed, totally speechless for once.
Leah jumped up and ran her hands through her tangled hair.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> "I'm sorry
Jacob! I didn't mean to hurt you! I love you, you stupid jerk!" She sobbed
as she once again took off at high speed down the sand, her long brown legs a
blur.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I shook my head to bring myself out of my stupor. She loves
me? Whaaat? Once again I took off after her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Leah! Come back!" I shouted. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She suddenly stopped and turned to face me. I caught up to
her with a smile. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">" I didn't know Leah!" <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She rolled her eyes at me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> "I can't help
this imprinting thing, you know that as well as I do!" I stated. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Suddenly she leaped at me, knocking me to the ground,
pinning my arms behind my head and bringing her lips down onto mine in a
passionate kiss. She tasted of the sea, the sun and strawberries. Her full lips
crushed down onto mine and I couldn't help but respond. No girl had kissed me
like this since Bella had just before all hell broke loose with Victoria and
the newborn army! Who would have thought Leah had such wild passion in her
soul? Not me. Until now. I prised my hands free and placed them around her
waist, feeling the soft skin there. Her hands were in my hair, twisting it
around her fingers roughly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She ground her hips down onto me and I moaned involuntarily
with unbridled passion. Her tongue entwined with mine as our kiss became
deeper. She pulled away from me, both of us breathing heavily. Her dark eyes
were full of passion and her lips were shining lusciously from our kiss. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Something for you to think about Jacob Black!" She
purred as she jumped up and once again took off at full speed up the beach.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This time I didn't follow, but lay on the sand gazing up at
the blue summer sky. My heart was pounding and my blood was burning like fire
in my veins. I felt so good but also so bad. Was this considered cheating in
the world of imprinting or was it fine if the one you have imprinted on was a baby?
In reality, I had years to wait until Nessie was free to love me back. Or did
I? She was growing fast. Leah's kiss had confused me. I had never thought of
her in that way before. But now, especially now, she was a stunning, beautiful
girl who had declared passionate feelings for me. I sat up with my head in my
hands and groaned in frustration.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As if I didn't have enough stuff to deal with! Now Miss
Clearwater had thrown a mighty big spanner in the works! The thing was I had
felt blue sparks of electricity between us, a deeper connection, a passionate
awakening deep inside me. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I guessed I was in deep trouble right?</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u>CHAPTER FIFTEEN</u></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">CONSCIENCE<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">ETIENNE LUCER:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As Bella lay beneath me, her red eyes full of passion, I
should have been ecstatic with joy. But I felt terrible! I had manipulated her
thoughts so she desired me. I couldn't do this to her. As much as I desired and
loved this beautiful creature lying beneath me; I did not want her to want me
this way. I sighed and kissed her ruby lips one more time. A soft kiss full of
longing and need. She sighed and responded to me so sweetly it almost broke my
still heart. I silently commanded her to go back to normality as I swiftly
leaped to my feet. I watched, heartbroken, as her face gazed up at me with
shock and disbelief. She jumped up and slapped me hard across the face. I
reeled from her totally deserved blow. She turned to face me, her red eyes
glittering furiously. She had never looked more deliciously beautiful.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> "How dare you! I
would never...How did I end up on the floor? You kissed me! I kissed you! We
almost...Etienne! What have you done!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I held out my arms, my whole being full of shame. "I'm
so sorry Bella. It seems I have fallen in love with you. Desperately in love!
" I exclaimed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She narrowed her eyes at me suspiciously, "How did you
make me fall under your spell Etienne? I would NEVER be unfaithful to
Edward!" She stated defiantly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> "Dearest Bella,
I am so sorry to say I used my own special talent. You already knew I could
control minds, but you didn't realize quite to what extent! Vampire, human or
animal. It's second nature to me, my love. I wanted you to fall in love with
me. I wanted you. I'm so sorry. I stopped before events went too far. A
thousand apologies Bella," I said meekly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The fury in her red eyes scared me, and I prepared myself
for the onslaught. I hoped I wouldn't have to use my talent again. I could see
by her face that her clever mind was processing all of this information.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> "I thought you
were a friend Etienne. I thought you wanted to help me! You know how much I
love Edward! All I wanted to do was go home to him and my daughter! You had an
ulterior motive all along!" She shrieked at me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> I recoiled from her
anger and her words. "No, Bella! I have always wanted to help you! I couldn't
help falling in love with you. I've never been in love before! I've never let
anyone get so close to me ever! Please forgive me! Say we're still friends, I
beg of you!" I demanded.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Bella's fury hadn't
subsided though and she looked like she may rip my head off. "Etienne, you
have abused my trust in you. How can I believe in you now? You could manipulate
me any time you wanted without warning! Well I cannot let you do that! I have
no choice. I must do this!" She uttered as she completely vanished into thin
air.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> "Bella!
No!" I screamed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> I tried to command
her to reappear but to no avail. My power did not work when she was invisible. I
felt a breeze through my hair, then small hands pushing me firmly in the chest.
I fell to the floor, shocked to my core.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> "Bella please!
Don't do this!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> I saw two large books
hurtling through the air towards me, they landed on my chest pushing down on
me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"No Bella! Stop!" <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I felt a great pressure crushing me. Bella was jumping up
and down on the huge books, crushing my chest and ribs. If I had still breathed
I knew for certain I would have ceased as the weight crushed my lungs. I still
felt pain though and this was immensely painful.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> "Bella, please,"
I wheezed through the pain. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Suddenly the crushing agony was gone. I gasped and held my
hands over my broken ribs. The pain was intense. If I could cry I would cry a
river now. The physical pain was bad enough but the emotional and mental
anguish was so much worse. Bella wanted to hurt me. Sweet Bella! "Bella,
Bella, I'm so sorry!" I whispered hoarsely.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I gasped aloud as I felt a small cold hand caress my cheek
ever so lightly. <i>"Etienne, I could have killed you if I wanted to,
but I spared you because you have, despite everything, helped me. I no longer
need you. I need my family. I am leaving now Etienne. I hope your loneliness
doesn't drive you insane. I was going to take you to Forks with me. You could
have been part of our family. Now you are dead to me! Do you hear me Etienne?
Dead! "</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I felt another cool breeze waft over me as the front door
slammed loudly. Bella was gone. All alone into the dark night. I beat my fists
on my crushed chest and wailed with agonizing heartbreak. I wished I was dead.
I could think of no reason to keep existing. Long centuries stretched out in front
of me. Empty and lonely. I had lost the one thing I had ever loved. I pulled
myself up from the floor clutching my shattered ribs. I needed to lie down. I
needed to heal. What was the point though? Nothing could heal my broken heart.
My body would regain its former strength but my heart would forever be
shattered into a million pieces. All through my own stupidity and vanity. I
crawled up the staircase and into my plush bed, pulling the velvet covers up
over my head. I slid the remote control from the bedside table and pressed
play. Sounds of my favourite song filled the room. Never had the words been
more significant. I pressed repeat and lay in the dark alone with my tortured
thoughts. How I wished I could sleep! I could dream of Bella then.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The music washed over me and I felt a sad loneliness so
profound it almost swept me away. <i>The dark is rising.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"<i>I dreamed of you on my farm<br />
I dreamed of you in my arms<br />
But dreams are always wrong<br />
I never dreamed I'd hurt you<br />
I never dreamed I'd lose you<br />
In my dreams, I'm always strong<br />
And now the creek is rising<br />
And all my bridges burned<br />
I always dreamed of big crowds<br />
Plumes of smoke and high clouds<br />
But dreams don't last for long<br />
I have my suspicions<br />
When the stars are in position<br />
All will be revealed<br />
But I know that until then<br />
Unless the stars surrender<br />
All will be concealed<br />
And now the snow is falling<br />
And all my fences torn<br />
I know you needed someone<br />
And I can hear someone<br />
Somewhere in this song<br />
I dreamed that I was walking<br />
And the two of us were talking<br />
Of all lives mysteries<br />
But words that flow between friends<br />
Winding streams, without end<br />
I wanted you to see<br />
But it can seem surprising<br />
When you find yourself alone<br />
And now the dark is rising<br />
And a brand new moon is born<br />
I always dreamed I'd love you<br />
I never dreamed I'd lose you<br />
In my dreams, I'm always strong"</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>(Copyright Mercury Rev – the Dark Is Rising)</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u>CHAPTER SIXTEEN</u></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">BELLA CULLEN<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">REUNITED<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I flew out of the house and into the street, desperate to be
far away from my traitorous so called friend. I didn't dare make myself visible
again, who knew how far Etienne's power reached? My heart was heavy as I left
the place I'd called home for almost three months. I silently and invisibly
made my way down the wide tree lined avenue, as the moon shone its light down
on the pavement. It was past midnight and the street was quiet. I had to get
home. I knew the general direction which I had to take but I was still scared I
would be lost out here all alone with no one to guide me. As I rounded the
corner a familiar scent greeted me, a scent now magnified multiple times by my
new vampire senses. A scent totally unique and special. <i>Edward.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I gasped with joy and shock. Edward was here? In Vancouver?
I picked up another scent as well as two figures emerged around the next street
corner. Edward was dazzling in the moonlight, Alice by his side. Such beautiful
pale marble creatures, made even more stunning through my vampire eyes. I
stopped abruptly and just stared as they walked gracefully towards me. I
couldn't help myself; I materialized right in front of their shocked topaz
eyes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Bella!" Edward gasped as I appeared. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Wow that's some trick!" Alice stated in awe.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> I smiled tentatively
at them both, my senses overloading on the pair. "Hello," I said
quietly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Edward stepped towards me, his eyes shining with love and
longing. He reached out and pulled me towards him; his strong arms enveloping
me in a loving embrace. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Oh Bella!" He whispered into my hair.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> I breathed in the
intoxicating scent of him and felt the traumas of the past months melt away
instantly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> "Oh Bella, my
love. I have missed you so!" He said with sadness and pain in his voice. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I hugged him tightly to me, his hard marble body my anchor
in the storm. "Edward, you're here. I missed you so much. How did you find
me?" I asked as I gazed up into his eyes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Alice's visions became clearer the closer we got to
Vancouver. She saw the street name clear as day! She also saw what Etienne has
done! I will kill him, Bella!" Edward growled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"No! Please Edward! Despite how he has behaved, Etienne
really has helped me! I was on my way home right this instant!" I
exclaimed, stroking Edward's pale cheek. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Alice's tinkling musical laugh pealed out into the night,
"Bella, from what I can see you have already taken good care of him!"
She trilled as she reached out to give me a welcoming hug.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> I hugged her back,
happy to see my sister in law again. But I sighed softly with sadness at my
treatment of Etienne. "Oh Alice, should I go check on him? I was so angry!
I hurt him both physically and mentally!" I exclaimed in anguish. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Edward's sternly shook his head at me, "Bella, my love.
You have <i>nothing </i>to feel bad about!" He stated, his lips
firmly set.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Edward took my hand and began to walk me away from the
direction of the house. I looked back sadly. I hoped Etienne would be alright.
I had to get home now and that was all that really mattered at this moment. I
needed to see my daughter so badly. Edward kissed the top of my head and
squeezed my hand gently. There were so many things unsaid between us. I needed
to explain everything. I could hardly prise my eyes from his face. He was so
beautiful. Dazzling and stunningly gorgeous. I gasped as I felt such powerful
electricity flow between us. Our eyes locked onto each other's; full of desire
and longing. I could not wait to be alone with him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i> Suddenly that was
all that mattered.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Alice took my other hand as we began to run swiftly towards
the river, towards the forests and home. "Bella, I really recommend that
you and Edward stay in the cottage tonight. I will explain to the family. We
need to discuss how we will proceed. You seem fine, but I saw what you did to
Etienne. I know you still have the newborn rage deep inside you. We will hunt
on the way home. Tomorrow, you can meet Renesmee," she said with a gentle
smile. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I nodded in agreement. As much as I wanted to be reunited
with my daughter, I wanted to be with Edward more. We flew at high speed in the
direction of home, only stopping when we were deep in the mountains to feed. I
killed two elks whilst Edward watched; his pale marble face filled with
fascination. It was so strange to feed in front of my husband. I felt the heat
and desire within him for me and it gave more fuel to the fire I had deep
inside. I <i>wanted </i>him so badly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Disaster nearly struck when I came across the scent of two
humans camping in the forest. My throat began to burn with thirst and venom
pooled in my mouth, despite feeling sated on the animal blood. I growled and my
body tensed. Edward swiftly ran back towards me, his hands cupping my face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> "Bella, my love.
Fight it. Fight the thirst my love. You can do it!" He whispered as his
lips found mine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Another hunger took
over as his cool lips brushed mine. I hungrily devoured his sweet mouth with
mine, all thoughts of human blood gone from my head. This was our first kiss.
Nothing could have prepared me for the intensity of it. Gone was Edward's
gentle kisses, his restrained passion, and his tame embraces. We clung to each
other with fervent abandonment. He broke away first, gasping with joy and
surprise. I gazed into his topaz eyes, filled full of love and desire for me. I
reached out to kiss him again but he gently put a long pale finger to my lips.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> "Let's go home
Bella," he whispered with a seductive smile.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> I nodded and grabbed
his hand as we flew towards home together.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My still heart soared with joy. We were together again. I
promised myself we would never be parted again. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Never, ever.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u>CHAPTER SEVENTEEN</u></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">TRUTH<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">LEAH CLEARWATER:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As I turned back towards Jacob, the tears welled up in my
eyes and I could hold back the flood no longer. His beautiful dark brown eyes
clouded over with sympathy and pity. Two things I'd never wanted from Jacob
Black. I'd wanted his heart. I wanted him to love me back. Now here we were on
First Beach our skin warm and glowing from the fire we'd lit on the beach. He'd
asked to come see me tonight. I couldn't refuse. I had hardly stopped thinking
about him since our passionate encounter a few days ago. Now he was here, but
it wasn't a happy occasion. He told me he was very flattered that I held him in
such high regard. He hadn't expected it, hadn't encouraged it. All this was
true; I hadn't expected to feel this way myself. My feelings for Jacob had
snuck up on me quietly and without warning. I'd known him all my life!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My tears fell silently as Jacob explained why it wasn't a
good idea for us to get involved. He wanted to wait for Renesmee. Even if she
grew up and decided to love someone else. Jacob wanted to keep his heart for
her and her only. Damn this imprinting! Why couldn't he have imprinted on me?
It would have been perfect. Female shape-shifters don't imprint. We have to do
things the normal old-fashioned way. Find a guy to love. Who hopefully will
love us back. I thought I'd found it with Jake. I seriously didn't expect him
to wait for an infant! But that's exactly what he was telling me right now. It
hurt so bad. I knew he'd felt something when I kissed him, it wasn't just
teenage hormones rampaging through our bodies. Was it?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Jacob drew me towards him and enveloped me in his warm arms.
I sighed, hating the moment but loving it so much too. He gently stroked my
back, his touch making me feel warm and secure. "Leah, I think you are
amazing. You know that right? I didn't expect to imprint on anyone, let alone
Renesmee! You know I had that massive crush on Bella?" He asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> I nodded against his
broad muscular chest. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Well I think it's the same for you. You have a crush
on me that's all! You'll be fine Leah, I promise. One day you'll see what I
mean. One day when you truly love someone and would give up your life for them!
That's how I feel about Nessie! " He proclaimed with passion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> I gazed up into his
dark eyes and knew he was telling the truth. He loved her, plain and simple. It
did not matter what age she was right at this moment. I could never compete
with that, I saw that now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I drew away from Jacob and sat back down by the fire. The
sparks from the burning wood flew up and danced into the night sky like
fireflies. Jacob sat down beside me and took my hand in his. I was glad he'd
taken the time to talk to me. He was a nice guy. There was no way he was going
to be mine now. I could live with it, as long as he was still around. I prayed
the Cullen's wouldn't leave. I regretted saying all that stuff to Sam now. Why
couldn't I have kept my big mouth shut? Now I've gotten Jake into trouble as
well as the Cullen's. Sam would love an excuse to start a fight. The pack were
already fuming over the fact that Bella had been changed, despite the
circumstances. I was glad Seth and I were no longer tied to them. As far as I
was concerned Jacob was the rightful Alpha in La Push. I sighed as I laid my
head on his shoulder and gazed up at the dark night sky full of twinkling
stars. Love eh? The songs were right! It is nothing but heartache and pain!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">After we had sat together comfortably in companionable
silence for a while, Jacob suddenly spoke. "I did feel something when you
kissed me Leah. You are very beautiful and desirable you know. I think we are
destined to be great friends! I am glad about that," he stated. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Me too Jacob. I'm not sorry I kissed you! It was
wonderful. You are quite a good kisser you know! But you could be better,"
I replied teasingly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Hey!" He said tweaking my hair. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Cheeky!" I laughed and gazed up into his dark
eyes. "I could help you Jacob Black. Call it a thank you for being so nice
to me tonight," I softly said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He raised his eyebrows at me curiously. "How?" He
asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> I smiled up at him,
"I could show you how to make your first kiss with Nessie the most amazing
kiss ever and she will definitely fall head over heels in love with you!"
I explained. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">His eyes widened and he smiled, "Come on Leah! You
expect me to believe that! You don't want to help me with Nessie, surely?"
He asked quizzically.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> I smiled openly and
honestly at him, "I do want to help you. But there is a selfish reason
too! I get to kiss you one last time! Surely that's not a crime?" I
cheekily asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Jacob grinned down at me, his dark eyes shining. "Okay
then, Miss Clearwater. I gotta hand it to you. You are one cheeky
wolf-girl!" He laughed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I laughed too as I jumped up and held out my hand to him. I
pulled him up to face me and put a finger over his lips to silence him.
"Now listen to me Jacob Black. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity!
After this night, you will be Nessie's forever and I will be your very best
friend forever. I will patiently wait until my Mr Right comes along. And when
he does, boy will he be getting the best chick ever! Me, right? " I
demanded.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Jacob nodded, his
eyes twinkling. "I don't want you to feel sorry for me Jacob! I will be
fine. I'm a professional at this heartbreak thing remember?" I asked. He
nodded again and looked sad. "Don't be sad Jake! We're shape-shifters. We
know what our tribe has to do. Males imprinting is part of that. It didn't
happen to be me you imprinted on. Sam imprinted on Emily. Well that's the past
now. We've got our futures to look forward to. I couldn't come between you and
Nessie, I see that now. I might as well try to freeze hell over than do that.
Imprinting is magical. It's who you are. That's it," I said defiantly and
passionately.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Jake grinned at me, obviously impressed by my little speech.
I was quite impressed myself! "Now time for your one and only
lesson!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> I instructed Jacob to
sweep me into his arms gently but firmly. I told him to gaze directly into my
eyes and gently brush his lips over mine. Then I told him to gently but firmly
tip me over as if I'd swooned in his embrace. Then I instructed him to kiss my
neck gently, move onto my cheek and finally kiss me passionately on the lips. I
told him he must move his mouth in perfect synchronization to mine, letting my
lips dictate the pressure. I told him to kiss me softly and sweetly but firmly.
I told him he must concentrate on my mood exactly. He must be in tune with my
physical and mental state acutely. I demanded that he must not let his passion
overtake mine, he must not get too carried away and become greedy and selfish. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He took all this in with wide eyes, "How did you become
so clever Leah?" He whispered, his lips inches from mine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> "Sam," I
simply stated and tried to put images of my ex-boyfriend and I making out for
hours on end to the back of my mind. It wasn't easy. Sam was my first love.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Now do it Jacob!" I demanded as he brought his
lips onto mine. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He was a quick learner. It was a perfect kiss. A perfect way
to say goodbye to what might have been. His sweet lips molded themselves to
mine in perfect harmony. Nessie was a lucky girl. Her first kiss would not be
disappointing. I sighed as our lips finally parted and I gazed up into Jacob's
dark eyes, my face flushed and warm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i> "Wow," </i>Jake gasped I smiled and
extricated myself from his arms reluctantly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Now it was done. I
had to move on. Not just this minute though, for now I let myself remember
every exquisite detail.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Jacob smiled at me in
amazement. "Thanks Leah. That was like, amazing! I'm really sorry things
turned out this way. I appreciate your friendship, and you know you can always
count on me no matter what," he stated.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> I smiled back, happy
that we'd had this night.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Suddenly my kid brother, Seth, came running down the beach
towards us. "Jacob! Leah! Alice is back! They found Bella! Edward has
taken her to the cottage for the night!" He said breathlessly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Jake and I glanced worriedly at each other. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Does Sam know?" I asked Seth. " <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My brother looked anxiously at us both, "I don't know.
Maybe. I caught the packs sent all around the house, so they might have seen
Alice return." <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Jake and I exchanged another worried glance. "We'll go
to the Cullen's now. See what's happening. Wow! Bella is back!" Jacob
said, his voice full of apprehension and also excitement. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Jacob gave me a serious look. "Leah, you, me and Seth
are going to have to help the Cullen's with this. We can't let Sam punish
Bella! We have to do this for Nessie and her family! Are you both with
me?" He questioned. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Seth and I looked at each other and smiled, "Yes, Jake.
We're with you! Bf f's remember?" I said with a wink.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> "Good, that's
all I need to know," Jacob smiled as he led the way back to the Cullen's
house.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I am not the vampire’s biggest fan, but I wanted Jacob to be
happy. I didn't want Sam and the pack to make a war out of this situation. Who
would have thought I'd be on the blood sucker's side huh? Things change. Deal
with it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This night had been full of strange surprises. I was
absolutely sure there were plenty more to come. That's life. The truth will
always be revealed. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>The truth always wins in the end.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u>CHAPTER EIGHTEEN</u></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">ALONE, AT LAST<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">EDWARD CULLEN:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As soon as we reached the cottage door I scooped Bella up
into my arms and carried her into our new home. Esme had done a great job on
the place for us. This was to be our family home. I hoped we could put all our
troubles behind us and start our life together here, with our daughter. I tried
to put thoughts of Sam and the Quileute tribe out of my mind. All that mattered
right now was that Bella was here, we were together again. I placed her down
and took her into my arms, my lips hungrily finding hers. Now we could kiss
each other with passion and hunger. Now there was no fear of me hurting her or
killing her with love. Her cool lips enthralled me as we held onto each other
frantically as our mouths met in passionate abandonment. Her scent and taste
enveloped me as we kissed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I quickly fell under her spell, my vampire senses
overloading on her. We fell to the floor clinging desperately to each other.
Her beautiful face gazed up into mine, her large eyes glowing crimson in the
lamplight. Eyes which were already starting to lose the bright red colour. Eyes
which would soon be topaz, like mine. I grazed my cool lips along the marble
skin of her smooth pale neck causing her to sigh with pleasure. "I love
you Mrs Cullen. Welcome home , my love."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Words were no longer required as we gave ourselves
wholeheartedly to each other. Much later we stood outside, our arms wrapped
around each other as the dawn broke. "Edward, I need to see our daughter,"
Bella whispered against my chest. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">" I will take you to her now," I replied, kissing
the top of her head.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The house was quiet, the family must have been out hunting.
We found Renesmee curled up on Alice's knee, contented and half asleep. Alice
smiled up at us, and softly shook Nessie to wake her up. My daughter's
beautiful chocolate eyes opened and immediately focused on Bella. Her face lit
up and she held out her small arms to her Mother at once. Bella looked at me in
wonder and smiled, "This beautiful creature is our daughter?" She
asked incredulously. I nodded, smiling.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Bella walked slowly towards Nessie as Alice shot me a
worried look. <i>Edward! Is this safe? </i>Alice asked in her mind. I
nodded and smiled confidently. I <i>knew </i>Bella would rather cease
to exist now than harm her daughter. Bella gently scooped Renesmee into her
arms and held her close. A lump came to my throat as I watched their reunion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> "Sweet daughter,
I am so sorry I left you. I had no choice darling. I am here now though and I
will never leave you again!" Bella promised. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Renesmee put one small hand to her mother’s temple and <i>showed </i>Bella
her special talent. I watched with glee as Bella's beautiful face lit up with
joy and wonder and then sadness. "Oh Edward! I have put you through
hell!" She wailed as I enveloped my little family in my arms. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Alice discreetly left the room.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We spent an enjoyable morning together, talking, laughing
and playing with Renesmee. " I cannot believe how perfect she is
Edward!" Bella gushed. Her face darkened briefly with anger, "But
wait until I see Jacob Black! How dare he imprint on our daughter!" She
raged.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> "Now Bella love,
you know it is involuntary! Don't be too hard on him. He really is good with
Nessie and she adores him!" I stated.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> "<i>Nessie?</i>"
Bella asked with raised eyebrows.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> I laughed, "She
loves her nickname!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> "Hmm,"
Bella replied unconvinced. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Nessie giggled and twirled a lock of Bella's hair around her
little chubby fingers. Bella gazed at her, completely captivated. I explained
to my worried wife about Nessie's growth spurts and how Carlisle was keeping an
eye on things. I explained how Nessie loved to drink animal blood and had never
been tempted by a human. Bella told me she had no feelings of thirst around
Nessie at all, just pure love and astonishment that we'd created such a
beautiful perfect creature together. Her eyes bore into mine with intense
passion and longing. I knew we would have to be alone together soon. Just as I
was about to bring my lips down on hers, the whole family arrived. They all
approached Bella carefully, but soon everything seemed to be as it was before.
Everyone hugged Bella, clearly pleased to have her back home where she belongs.
Nessie giggled and clapped her hands, Bella scooped her up and held her
close. <i>"Welcome home mama!" </i>She trilled sweetly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> I had never witnessed
my whole family's complete silent astonishment before!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Looks like my special little lady had just uttered her
first words!</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u>CHAPTER NINETEEN</u></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">THE TRIAL<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">BELLA CULLEN:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My reunion with Jacob was bittersweet. He was my best friend
and I'd tried to kill him the last time I'd seen him! I hugged him close and
made my apologies. Then I had pushed him in annoyance, forgetting my vampire
strength as he spun away from me ending up a crumpled heap on the floor.
Through gritted teeth I told him under no circumstances was I pleased he had
imprinted on my daughter! But I softened towards him when I saw how much my
Nessie ( Edward has got me calling her that now!) adored and worshipped him.
Jacob promised me he would never hurt her and he would always protect her. He
explained that he would take things slowly and make sure Nessie was completely
happy with the situation before anything happened between them. I hoped they
had years yet, but going by the way she was growing so fast I had a feeling it
wouldn't be long until she was a teenager.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Carlisle had found evidence of one other hybrid. The bad
news was he had shot into teenage years quickly. The good news was he had
stayed eighteen years old for over one hundred years, with no signs of further
aging. This pleased me endlessly. I smiled to myself as I thought of my
daughter. She was progressing so much every day. She was so beautiful,
intelligent and special.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The wind lifted my hair in the clearing as I smelled the
scent of the wolves on the breeze. <i>Today was my trial. </i>I had broken
the treaty by biting Jacob. I had brought shame on my family who had upheld the
Quileute treaty for hundreds of years. I was prepared for my punishment. I had
asked Jacob to arrange this trial with Sam as soon as possible. I needed to
know what they planned to do with me! Edward stood by my side, always my rock,
my love, my husband. He was worried about me. I was worried how my punishment
would affect him and Nessie. What if they banished me from Forks? Edward would
not cope with a separation again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The wolves had changed back to human form when they arrived
at the clearing. Sam eyed me suspiciously. I stared back at him defiantly. Yes,
I had done wrong. I accepted that. But Sam did not understand how it was for a
newborn vampire. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Bella Cullen. You have broken a fundamental part of
the age old treaty made between the Cullen's and the Quileute tribe. You bit
Jacob Black with intention to kill him. The Cullen's saved him, that is
commendable, but we cannot let your deed go unpunished. Do you understand?
" Sam asked me, his voice full of power and authority.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> I felt the love
radiating out from the Cullen's behind me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>My family.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Yes, Sam I understand, " I replied with my head
held high.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> "But I would like
to explain myself please", I added.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He nodded as I began to explain everything that had happened
to me since I was changed. He and the other pack members listened until I had
finished. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sam's dark eyes bore into mine. "Thanks for explaining
Bella, but it still doesn't change the fact that you broke the treaty! And how
do we know that you do not thirst human blood anymore? We have no
evidence!" He stated. "The Cullen's should NOT have changed
you!" He raged. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Suddenly Jacob appeared from nowhere, he flew out from the
bushes, his face like thunder. "Sam Uley! Would you rather she had died?
Would you rather poor Nessie had no Mother? Forget the stupid treaty! I
survived! And if you want evidence I'll get you evidence!" Jake spat out
excitedly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I smiled softly at my best friend. I really didn't deserve
him at all! My feelings towards him soon changed though as he dragged my father
Charlie out into sight. I gasped and hid my head against Edward's chest. Just
what was Jacob playing at! Sam watched the scene unfold incredulously. Jacob
took my hands in his and gazed into my eyes as Edward hissed and growled next
to me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> "Chill
Cullen!" Jacob snapped. "Bella, I have explained everything to
Charlie. He knows about the wolves, he knows about the vampires. He knows you
had to be changed or die. Yes, it was a shock to him, but when I explained he
might never see you again he had to come and let you prove yourself to the
pack! Charlie believes in you Bella! No matter what you are!" Jacob said
his voice charged with emotion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I gazed at my Father standing awkwardly behind Jacob. I
smelled his very human scent, so different to the shape-shifters and vampires.
My throat burned and venom pooled in my mouth. But as I looked into his kind,
loving eyes the ravenous thirst for blood drained away from my body and I fell
into his arms with a strangled cry. I heard Sam and the pack gasp behind me.
Charlie clung to me, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Oh Bella I have missed you sweetheart!" He cried
into my hair. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My still heart seemed to jump in my chest. Charlie was here
and he knew and accepted me for what I was! Edward smiled happily.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He turned to face Sam, "There is your evidence Sam
Uley! Bella has her thirst under control now. Look! Her eyes have turned topaz
now! Our family is no threat to you or the pack," Edward stated
confidently.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> I held Charlie's hand
tightly, trying not to squeeze too hard. Jacob smiled tentatively at me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">" Jacob Black, this is not how I would want me and
Dad's first meeting to happen. But I guess I should thank you! Even though you
did take a big stupid risk!" I scolded. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Come on Dad, there is someone very special you need to
meet," I smiled leading him away from the clearing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"STOP!" Shouted Sam. "The pack deems
punishment must be given! The treaty was broken! Our ancestors did not make
this treaty for YOU to disregard it Bella!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> I turned around in
exasperation. "Sam, please! The treaty is outdated now. There are no
enemies here. Should we not strive for peace now between wolves and
vampires?" I asked him, my palms spread in supplication. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">His face was contorted with rage and confusion. He did not
like to appear weak in front of the pack. "We have decided you must be
locked away securely for five years alone with no company. We will provide food
for you. If you or your family disagree, we will have no choice but to wage war
on you and yours. This includes humans," he said with steely determination
as he looked at Charlie.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> A low hiss escaped my
lips as I instinctively crouched in front of my Father in a defensive pose. The
clearing crackled with electricity and anticipation. Suddenly the atmosphere
was broken by the snapping of twigs and branches. In a whirlwind of speed a
figure in black appeared in the centre of the clearing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>It was Etienne Lucier!</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u>CHAPTER TWENTY</u></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">POWER OF PERSUASION<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">ETIENNE LUCIER:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As I looked around at the vampires and shape-shifters I knew
I had made the right decision in tracking Bella here. She needed me and I had a
lot of making up to do.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> "<i>Etienne?</i>"
Bella whispered with shock. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>"Etienne!" </i>A handsome fellow with
bronzed hair growled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> I guessed this must
be Edward Cullen! "Bella, I am so sorry for my conduct, please forgive me.
Edward, a pleasure to meet you!" I said with flourish and a gentlemanly
bow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The head of the pack stared venomously at me, "We do
not tolerate strangers, especially vampires, on our land!" He said
furiously. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I bowed, my black cloak billowing around me. " Dear
sir, I intend only to help my friend Bella. I do not believe your argument against
her to be solid or true," I said with a devilish grin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> I gave Sam Uley his
due, he acted very bravely as he stepped up close to me. "Leave now
vampire!" He quietly spoke.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> I smiled graciously
as I stared deep into his eyes. " Sam, you will command your pack to
forget the trial, you will finally accept the treaty is outdated and useless.
You will leave Bella be. Let her be with her family in peace. You will not
interfere in the Cullen's business again. Do you understand?" I softly
spoke, as I held his gaze. " Leave now with your pack. Explain to them
this incident is all forgotten about. Go and live your life and be happy!"
I smiled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> The pack stood behind
him looking confused. A beautiful girl with long pleated hair stared at me in
awe. I gazed back, captivated by her dark eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sam Uley turned and walked away from the clearing, the pack
following him. "Sam? Sam!" I heard one of the males ask.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Sam did as I'd asked
him to do. He told the pack that was that. No more. I smiled to myself. Mind
control was such a special gift! And when I can use it to help those dear to
me, even better! The girl with the dark eyes turned back to stare at me. I fell
into those eyes and wished she would stay longer. She smiled shyly as she leapt
into the air, her body becoming a blur of grey fur. I gazed into the woods with
amazement. I'd heard of shape-shifters but never seen them in glorious action!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I felt Bella's hand on my arm, her now topaz eyes gazing up
into mine. "Etienne. How? Why? After what I did to you?" She asked
curiously. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Bella, I behaved despicably towards you! I wanted to
apologise, to make things right. I had to help when I tracked you here and
discovered what was happening! " I explained. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Her strong arms enveloped me in a hug. " I forgive you
Etienne! I couldn't have gotten through the last few months without you! You
helped me get back to my family!" She smiled squeezing me hard.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> "Ouch!" I
exclaimed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Bella pulled away laughing. Edward was staring at me with
less anger now and more curiosity. He shook my hand and smiled crookedly. I
bowed graciously. " Edward, I hope you can forgive me too?" I asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> He smiled and gripped
my hand tighter, " As long as you never touch my wife inappropriately
again, then, of course, no problem I forgive you," he said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I smiled as he released my hand, "You have my utmost
promise to behave myself," I stated seriously. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Suddenly the rest of the Cullen’s surrounded me, full of
curiosity about the vampire they had never met before. I liked them, especially
the serious Doctor Carlisle Cullen. I imagined he would have some stories to
tell. Rosalie and Alice were gorgeous creatures, but sadly attached! Esme was
graceful and gracious. Emmett and Jasper seemed decent fellows. I felt a
strange overwhelming feeling of not being alone anymore and it was very
pleasant. I smiled over at Bella as she led her bewildered Father away from the
clearing. She smiled back sweetly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Everything was right in the world again.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u>CHAPTER TWENTY ONE</u></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">EPILOGUE: FIVE YEARS LATER<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Part One:</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Renesmee Cullen lifts up the long hem of her scarlet red
backless gown and daintily steps out of the front door to the waiting limousine.
The door opens and a handsome man in a tuxedo steps out. He gazes at the vision
of loveliness in front of him in awe. He whistles lightly and breathes <i>wow </i>under
his breath. He takes her arm and lightly kisses the soft pale skin of her
cheek. "You look like an angel, " he softly says, his voice full of
love.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Nessie smiles and blushes prettily. Her hybrid heart pounds
as he takes her hand and helps her into the car. As they speed off into the
night, he turns her face towards him and slowly brings his lips to hers.
"Oh Jacob," she sighs as his fingers trace the outline of her
cheekbone. The beautiful couple grin at each other widely.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> "So how does it
feel to be Mrs Black?" He asks softly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> "It's the most
amazing feeling in the world!" Nessie states throwing her arms around her
new husband's neck excitedly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The driver turns around to smile at them, "Hey guys, it
won't be long until you're alone on your honeymoon! Can you please stop
distracting the chauffeur!" says Carlisle laughing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Sorry Grandfather!" Nessie laughs as she snuggles
into Jacob's chest, happy in the knowledge that they finally belong to each
other forever and ever. Tonight they will become as one. She couldn't be
happier. This was meant to be since the moment she was born.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i> Jacob was her soul
mate, as she was his.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Forever.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Part Two:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">They had long ago sneaked away from Nessie and Jacob's
wedding party. This was the moment they had been waiting for. She was ready to
give herself completely to him and he was ready to take all she had to give.
His cool lips met her warm ones as they kissed gently. She wanted more as she
bit softly on his mouth, causing him to growl uncontrollably. For five years
they had been completely captivated by the other. Their love had grown quickly
and remained steady and true. She was now twenty, he was eternally eighteen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Leah Clearwater could not believe how much she loved and
adored Etienne Lucier. She loved a bloodsucker! How ironic! From the moment
they had met in the clearing that day they had been inseparable. She loved him
beyond reason. He was her everything. He felt the same about her. One problem
though...She was getting older every second. Time stood still for Etienne. They
wanted to be young forever, together. There was only one way and tonight was
the night.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">No more being careful with each other. No risk of Etienne
accidentally killing her with a touch or a kiss on her warm neck. Although he
had been around for centuries so was very controlled. She had never been scared
of him. Even with his special gift. He didn't have to control her, she loved
him at first sight. She knew he was the one for her. Boom! Like a thunderbolt!
She didn't even mind when he'd told her about his infatuation with Bella. She
put it down to his being alone for so long. He'd latched on to the first friend
he'd found. She understood.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">They had fled to Etienne's house in Vancouver. It was
beautiful. Here, tonight he would change her. He would help her with the
changes just as he had helped Bella. She was scared and nervous, but excited too.
This was the only way. She loved and trusted him completely. After she was over
the newborn phase they planned to travel the world together. She felt a pang of
regret when she thought of her poor Mother and brother Seth. She had left a
letter on her bed, telling them not to worry about her, she would be in touch,
but she loved Etienne and had to be with him. Her Mother would be confused, but
Seth would be angry as he knew what her lover really was.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The time had come. Etienne gently lay Leah on the bed, her
dark hair fanning out around her. She was the most beautiful creature and he
loved her insanely. She had changed his whole life for the better. She had
given him love and belief. Now he would take her human life so they could be
together forever. <i>Perfect. </i>They kissed softly, her heart
beating a steady rhythm against his chest. He would miss that sound. He raised
her wrist and brought his lips to the soft skin there. He kissed her pulse. He
listened to her beating heart one more time then quickly bit into the
deliciously soft skin. Her body bucked and writhed as the venom made its deadly
way into her bloodstream where it would finally reach her heart and stop its
beating instantly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">" I love you Leah," he cried as he watched his
love writhe in agony.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> It seemed to take
forever but soon it was over and her beautiful heart came to a standstill.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In a few days she would awake. And like a beautiful
butterfly emerging from its cocoon she would be ready to open her vampire eyes
to this new world. <i>He would be here, right by her side.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Forever.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Part Three:</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Edward and Bella Cullen, father and mother of the beautiful
bride stood in the night forest bathed in moonlight. "It's a beautiful
night, my love," Edward said as he kissed Bella's cheek.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> She turns to gaze at
him sadly, "It is Edward. But I am sad as I have lost my little
girl!" She turns her face away from
him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> "Don't be sad
beautiful Bella. Our daughter is in love, Jacob adores her. It was meant to be.
She will be fine, please don't worry!" Edward takes her hand as they run
into the forest to hunt.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Later, they lay entwined in each other's arms, the moonlight
reflecting off their perfect marble bodies. " I love you Bella, tonight,
tomorrow and for the rest of my existence," Edward whispers against her
skin. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">" I love you too Edward. Until all the stars fade and
the world ends," Bella whispers back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A shooting star falls from the night sky as if swooning at
the sight of the marble creatures below. <i>Their musical voices carry words of
love and sighs on the wind. <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Forever.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">THE END</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span"></span>kizzymousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12571803064369765958noreply@blogger.com0