Bree POV
"Bella would like to meet you," Edward said suddenly.
"Really? Why?" It didn't make sense. Didn't she realize how dangerous that would be for her?
"Despite my objections, she's determined to be changed after our wedding," he explained. "But she's concerned about what she will be like immediately after."
"So, she's not worried about the excruciating three day hell, but what she'll be like after?" Then a thought occurred to me, given their penchant for keeping secrets. "She does know about the transformation, doesn't she?"
I could tell my train of thought surprised him, but he simply replied, "I know it's hard to believe that anyone would choose to go through that, and yes the transformation does concern her, but she sees that as more of a temporary state."
"What can I tell her that any of you can't?" I still didn't know why he would even consider this meeting. It's not like they all couldn't remember being newborns.
"It's not so much what you can tell her; it's more that she wants to see how controlled you are." He actually made this statement with a straight face. I couldn't stop the hard laugh that burst out of my mouth.
"Controlled! You really think I'll be controlled with her up close?" Was he for real?
"Well, you wouldn't have to be that close and it's more the level of control. I fear my attempts to dissuade her have left her with the impression she will be a feral, blood thirsty monster for a year or more." Considering that pretty much summed my last few months, I still didn't know what he was hoping to achieve.
"I must confess I was initially against it, but I find it almost impossible to refuse her anything." A mischievous smile began to form. "So I decided that I would allow her this meeting, but I may be able to get something out of it myself."
Now we were getting to it. What did he really want from me? "What?" I asked suspiciously.
"I was hoping you might be able to convince her rethink her choice. We have all given her our opinion and she knows all of our history." I bit my tongue at his words. I guess it made sense that she knew more about them than I did. No secrets for Bella.
"Not many, no." He responded to my thoughts. That was something I couldn't get used to. Having someone answer both your thoughts and your words made for a weird conversation.
"My apologies; I'll attempt to answer only what you choose to verbalize," he said with a wry smile. "I know your circumstances are not similar, but you are from the same generation; she may listen to you. Can you honestly say you would have chosen this life?" he asked.
"Honestly? I don't know. I hated it at first. Not because I missed my home or family; my life before wasn't all that great you know." I knew he had seen my foggy memories of my life with my dad and on the streets.
"It was the way we existed I didn't like. Living in dingy basements, surrounded by all the violence, around people I felt I couldn't trust. I couldn't even hunt without permission."
"And now?" he prompted.
"Now, I still don't know. It's not as bad as it was before but I still don't know what to do with myself. I don't want my human life back; I want a better human life. Does that make sense?"
He nodded, and I continued. "We can't stay here forever. We need to decide what to do, where to go. That would be easier if I had the human life I want. I'd probably finish school, get a job, go out Friday nights and get drunk. I might have travelled for a bit. Until I ran away, I'd never left my hometown. None of that's an option for me now."
"Well travel isn't out of the question; most of our kind are nomads and move frequently," he informed me. He paused and I had the feeling he wanted to say something else. Eventually he asked. "When you say ‘we', are all of your decisions about your future linked to Fred?"
"Of course, why wouldn't they be?" What was he getting at?
"No reason, I just wondered." His words caused a nagging fear to creep to the surface.
"Has he said or thought something?" I just assumed we would stay together; maybe he didn't want that. "Does he want to take off without me?"
"No, far from it. He's very fond of you. I didn't mean to imply that there was any reason for Fred not to be a consideration in your decision making," he tried to reassure me.
The conversation was starting to unnerve me. I knew Fred and I would have to decide what to do soon, but this was a discussion I should be having with Fred, not Edward. I decided to bring the subject back to Bella. "What's Bella like? Seth said she was cool."
"That's an understatement." His voice had an almost reverent tone as he spoke of her. "She is the most wonderful, bravest, and selfless person I have ever met." Wow, he had it bad.
He chuckled at my thought. "Yeah I guess I do." He then mouthed a quick apology for responding to my thoughts once again.
"Seth's a nice kid," he remarked. "He sees beyond what we are. He's more interested in who we are."
"Do you know him well?" I didn't think they hung out with the wolves as such. Carlisle said they were allies, but they certainly weren't friends.
"No, not well, but I have heard his thoughts. I'm sure he would be a good friend to have."
"For you maybe; world war three would break out if we ever spoke again." Rosalie's tirade played on a loop in my mind.
"Only if Rosalie found out, and you do have a cell phone." I hadn't thought of that, I'd barely used it; I had no one to call, until now.
"Do you think he would want to talk to me again?" I was his natural enemy and he knew I hunted humans, but he had talked to me earlier. From the look on Sam's face, Seth had probably been in a lot of trouble over that. Would it be fair to add him to the list of people I was causing problems for?
"I could ensure he gets your number. Perhaps he could let you know when he will be alone and you could call him back," he suggested. "You really wouldn't want his sister to answer."
His family was another complication I hadn't considered. Maybe they didn't know about us. I didn't ask if that was the case and he didn't clarify so I simply said. "Thanks." It was at that moment I decided I would meet Bella. If he was willing to risk the wrath of Rosalie it was the least I could do.
"Thank you." He answered my thoughts again, but made no apology this time. "We'll speak to Alice when we get back to the house."
--00-MC-00--
"Day after tomorrow about three o'clock," Alice announced as we entered the main house. "I've already made plans."
"How could you make plans, we've only just got back?" I asked, perplexed.
"Oh, I started looking at possibilities as soon as Edward decided to ask you. Once you agreed, everything got so much easier."
"So what are our plans, Alice?" Edwards asked, obviously used to her ways.
"Well, Jasper should be there to track any change in Bree's emotional state. You'll know through him if she's is too thirsty or agitated." Alice led the way towards the dining table as she spoke and the three of us took seats at the end. Jasper, Rosalie and Emmett soon joined us; it was as though Alice had been waiting for them before she continued.
"I'm sure your main focus will be protecting Bella, but I'm not sure Jasper is strong enough to handle Bree on his own if she is overcome." She patted Jasper's hand apologetically as she said this.
"Edward, do you think you would be able to leave Bella and help Jasper restrain Bree if needed?" Alice asked.
"If you come and get Bella to safety, I'll assist Jasper," he affirmed.
"What about Bree?" Rosalie asked.
"What about her?" asked Jasper. "She'll calm down soon enough once Bella's inside and I can help with that."
"Typical," Rosalie said, rolling her eyes. "What about Bree's safety? We've all seen how over-zealous Edward can be when protecting Bella. What if Bree gets hurt?" I hadn't thought about that. They would be pretty mad if I went for her, I might just lose another limb.
"No one is going to hurt her; we're just going to restrain her," Edward dismissed Rosalie's concerns.
"These things can get out of hand," Rosalie insisted. "Emmett should be the one to restrain Bree. He's strong enough and he won't hurt her."
"Nothing will get out of hand. Alice will get Bella and-" Edward started.
"Erm, Edward." Edward stopped and winced as Alice got his attention.
"Oh. Maybe Emmett should be the one to restrain her," he concluded. I dread to think what was in the vision Alice just had.
"Can Fred be there?" I asked. I didn't need to see Alice's vision to know I would be collateral damage when it came to protecting Bella. Fred wouldn't let anything happen to me.
Alice looked distraught then quickly masked her features. "I don't see that working out so well. Fred's control is better than yours, but he just adds too many variables to my outcomes."
"Don't worry Bree, you can trust Emmett. He can easily restrain you and he won't let Edward near you," Rosalie reassured, while Emmett nodded in agreement.
"How can you be so sure it was me?" Edward demanded, knowing that Rosalie couldn't see Alice's visions.
All of them turned to him with knowing looks on their faces. I don't know what they communicated silently, but Edward just snapped. "Fine, Em can be responsible for Bree." He rose from the table and five seconds later the tires of his car could be heard on the driveway as he sped away from the house.
--00-MC-00-
I had hunted the previous evening. I was looking forward to talking to Fred, and finding out what it was he was keeping from me. Unfortunately Rosalie and Emmett had come to the cottage to tell me Fred was busy with Carlisle and they would escort me out of the area. I was disappointed, but I needed to hunt before meeting Bella, so I would have to wait another three or four days to find out.
Leaving Fred, Carlisle and Esme at the cottage, I made my way to the river. Emmett had come out to meet me as I approached the house. The smell of food had wafted out as the door opened. Bella had come over for lunch and Edward had tried out a new recipe for her. I had no idea what it was, but it definitely had melted cheese in it; the worst smelling food ever. The smell almost made me gag. I couldn't believe I used to love pizza.
If Emmett was worried about the outcome of this meeting, he wasn't showing it. He ambled his way across the lawn, flashing his dimpled grin. "Hey, kid," he greeted me. His hand reached up to give me a high five, and as I raised my hand to connect with his, his other hand landed on my head rearranging the hair on top. I scowled at him, but it only made his smile wider.
We heard movement inside the house. This was it. I was about to have my first talk with a human. I'd spoken to Seth, but that was different. His blood didn't have any appeal.
"Don't worry, if it gets too much for you, just leave." Emmett's unusually quiet voice broke into my thoughts. "We'll understand; you won't have to explain yourself."
"Are you ready, love?" Edward asked Bella. They were still in the house near the back door. I didn't hear any response so I guess she must have nodded or something. I stood up, took a deep breath and held it. I tried to ignore the steady beat of her heart that grew louder the minute the door opened. It was slower than I expected. It should have been hammering in her chest as a result of her fear, but it beat slow and steady as if she were just out for a walk in the park.
I'd seen pictures of her so I knew what she looked like and I was familiar with her scent, but seeing her in person was still overwhelming. She was a little taller than me but smaller than I was expecting. Her hair hung loose, framing her pale face and caressing her shoulders. It was beautiful. I could see the subtle shades of brown and the smattering of red strands that ran through it. My hair colour was flatter, with less shades, and black strands here and there. My musings temporarily took my mind off the steady thump of her heart and the fire that was coming to life in my throat.
Edward had his arm around her shoulder and they walked steadily towards the spot where Emmett and I were seated. Jasper came out of the house seconds later and followed them. I could see Alice at the kitchen window; she smiled and gave me a thumbs up with both hands. I would have sighed with relief but I didn't want to let go of the precious breath I had just taken. They came to a stop about fifteen feet away. Bella was the first to speak.
"Hello, Bree."
I nodded a greeting. I figured if I controlled the breath I was holding, I could talk in short bursts for a total of fifteen seconds before taking another one. No point using it up just to say hello. Nothing was said after that for a short while; I guess neither of us knew what to say. Eventually Bella broke the silence. "Seth said to say ‘hello'."
"Oh, is he your friend, like Jacob?" Damn, I'd responded without thinking. Using up almost three seconds of breath already.
"I don't know him very well, but I've met him a few times at barbeques in La Push."
"I've only met him once, well once when I could actually talk to him. He seemed quite nice." Oh crap, I had to learn how to control my mouth, there was virtually no air left in my lungs. Plan A had failed, I was going to have to take a breath and hope I didn't try to kill her.
I looked at Emmett in a silent plea and thankfully he understood. Standing behind me he wrapped his arms around my upper body, pinning my arms to my side. I took a cautious breath. Oh boy that hurt, I knew it would, why didn't I just hold onto that first one? The venom pooled in my mouth, but I swallowed it down; adding fuel to the raging fire in my throat. I locked down all of my muscles and tried to focus on the encouraging words Emmett was whispering.
Bella had taken a few steps back and looked at Edward in confusion. "She's fine, she's just taken a breath that's all," he explained to her.
"Oh, okay." She replied, understanding replacing confusion.
Fine, how could he believe I was fine? I couldn't imagine how I looked to Bella right now. I must be her worst nightmare come true. I was trying to control my features, but it was hard to keep the mask while simultaneously blocking out the steady beat of her heart and taking in Emmett's words.
"You're doing very well, Bree," Jasper said encouragingly. I felt a calming wave, but I kept my muscles locked in place. I needed to concentrate and not waste the tortured breath I'd just taken.
"I think it would be best if you did most of the talking, love," Edward advised.
"Is it very bad?" Bella asked.
"I'm okay." That was better. Keep it short, I reminded myself. Surprisingly it was true. I was in control. I could actually focus on her as a person, not just as a vessel carrying wonderful untainted blood. I couldn't let my thoughts wander like that. Not only would I start to lose control, but Edward was giving me the evil eye. Emmett loosened his hold and moved his hands so that they were resting on my fore-arms.
"How long did it take you to feel in control?"
I thought about the best way to answer without using too many words. "About two months." That wasn't entirely accurate. It was more complicated than that.
"Will you allow me to expand on that for you?" Edward asked.
I nodded an agreement, letting my thoughts flow freely so that Edward could vocalize them.
"The initial confusion combined with the thirst is the hardest to deal with at first. The heightened sense of fear was overwhelming. I was constantly on alert, every sound or movement was a potential threat. I hated not being able to control my movements and I was always breaking things or tearing my clothes. As soon as I returned from a hunt I wanted to go again. It was hard to think of anything but the constant burn in my throat. Just thinking was pretty difficult as well; it still is sometimes. I suddenly had the ability to process so much information but I didn't know how to, so I ended up re-running everything in a loop in my mind. That combined with the enhanced hearing, sight and smell had me believing I would go crazy at one point. I was about two months old before I could read a book. For me, that's when first I considered myself to have any semblance of control. I could turn the pages without tearing them and I could concentrate enough to take in the words."
Edward did a pretty good job interpreting my thoughts. Not word for word exactly and the words were delivered without any real emotion, but it saved me a lot of air. Bella's gaze remained on me the whole time. When Edward stopped speaking she asked, "Are you unhappy with the way you are now?"
Again I tried to find the right few words to convey my feelings. These are the cards I was dealt. It's not all bad. I kinda like to run fast and being able to see everything so clearly is amazing; especially out here. Just watching a sunset or the rain falling through the trees was so beautiful with these eyes. But even with all the Cullens had, the human life I wanted was still preferable.
"If I had known this would be what I'd end up as, I think I would have passed on the burger." I hoped that made sense to her. If she knew how hungry I was, it would.
I guess she knew about my life before I was changed, because her face fell slightly.
"Thank you for agreeing to meet with me," she said softly. "I know it was very difficult for you."
"It's okay," I shrugged.
"If Edward were to give me your number, we could talk some more, if that's alright with you," she said hopefully.
"I'd like that." Those last words used up the remaining air and I didn't want to take another breath.
I threw Edward a silent apology and fled, jumping the river before I started to breathe again. Wow, I'd done it. I'd come face to face with a human and had a conversation, well sort of. Not only that, but I may soon have some new numbers in my phone. I was becoming a regular socialite. I laughed to myself as I headed back to the cottage.
