Anna's POV:
"I'm really sorry dad," I repeated while I squeezed his hand as the both of us were sitting at the counter in the nearly empty diner.
"Don't worry kiddo. We can go and have dinner when you are back." He smiled reassuringly at me but I could see the disappointment in his eyes.
I was feeling really bad about having to lie to him and letting him down.
"How about I get you a deluxe pancake plate with a lot of whipped cream? My treat of course." I offered as I jumped off the stool I had been sitting on.
The Chief chuckled at that.
"Remorseful!" He raised an amused eyebrow at me.
I bit the inside of my lip, crossed and interlinked my hands behind my back and shrugged.
"It's really fine kiddo when else will you have the chance to visit London." He said but also frowned a little.
"Yeah, I felt kind of bad too but Esme told me that she had not spend a single penny on my ticket since Carlisle has so many air miles. Is it bad that I am really looking forward to this shopping trip?"
Shopping trip! My subconscious snorted and rolled her eyes. But it was good excuse and even close to the truth at least where my location was concerned. England and Italy were both in Europe.
"Of course your old man does not stand a change against shinny new clothes." He sighed dramatically.
"Dad!" I exclaimed and he laughed at me.
"I understand kiddo really. Don't feel bad and now get me those pancakes." He commanded playfully.
"Yes, sir," I saluted and rushed to place the order in the kitchen.
Once out of Charlie's sight I exhaled in relief. This constant lying was really taking a lot of out of me.
Because there were only a few customers I had time for a nice lazy chat with Charlie as he practically inhaled his pancakes and the whipped cream before duty called.
"Err…Miss!" A bulky man called from the section of the tables near the window and when I turned around to look at him he raised his cup in the air.
"Coming!" I called back and went to get the fresh brewed pot of coffee.
"Can I get you anything else?" I asked as I re-filled his cup.
"Could you get me the check, please?"
"Of course." I smiled at him.
After wishing the man a good day as he was leaving I made to clean the vacated table.
"Can I talk to you?" I heard a very familiar voice that was making my blood boil with anger and hatred behind me.
Whipping around I was faces with a pale, lost and tried looking Isabella Swan.
"What the hell do you want?" I hissed and glared daggers at her.
"Please, can't we just talk?" She was begging me in that whiny, pathetic voice of hers while tears were pooling in her bloodshot eyes that had fat, dark rings under them.
"And why in the worlds would I do that?" I scoffed at her.
I can't believe her nerve! My subconscious huffed outraged.
Suddenly her dull eyes hardened, her jaw clenched while her cheeks filled with a fierce blush and she crossed her arms stubbornly in front of her chest. I rolled my eyes at her in annoyance.
"I'm not leaving until you heard me out."
Shaking my head in utter disbelieve I made to step around her until I felt a cool hand grasping my wrist.
"Do not touch me!" I hissed dangerously at her while I ripped my arm away from her clutches.
"Is everything alright girls?" Deb asked, marching briskly over to us with a concerned look on her face.
"Yes, everything is just peachy," I forced a smile on my face as I answered her, "I'll step out for a minute."
She raised an eyebrow at me but didn't say anything when I past her on my way to the backdoor hearing the family stealing witch following me and nearly killing herself by doing so. I had no idea over what she had managed to trip but when I turned around I saw her leaning over an unoccupied table both of her hands stretched out before her braced against the surface of the table.
She looked up startled and her face glowed bright red with embarrassment. Sighing I rolled my eyes and turned on my heel rushing outside to catch a deep breath to get through the next few minutes.
"What…" I chocked out turning around to face her when I heard the backdoor open and fall shut a few moments later.
"What more do you want from me?" I looked her head in the eye.
"I…I…" she stammered looking like a scared animal as she was shifting her weight from one foot to the other, fumbling around with her hands in front of her.
"I never wanted for this to happen. I have no idea what had gotten into me. Please, I am so sorry for everything. You have to believe me." She cried out in desperation.
"I don't have to do anything." I shot back coolly.
"I…" she sniffed. "I am sorry for what I have done, I really am."
"So what that you are sorry that does not give me my family back." I crossed my arms over my chest and glared at her, feeling rage, hate and pain course through my veins.
"Please….I," she hiccupped, "I know what I did was horrible and unforgivable and I am so sorry, please," she cried while fat tears were running down her red glowing face.
"I know that whatever I say or do will never make up for what I took from you." She dashed the wetness of her skin with the back of her hand while I was growing more and more annoyed with each word that left her mouth.
If she really understood even a little what irreparable damage and agonizing pain she has caused, she wouldn't torture her victim further with her pathetic presence. My subconscious growled in disgust and anger.
I didn't want her apology. She could be sorry all she wanted but if she thought that I would accept her words or further more forgive her for what she had done she was even more delusional than I had ever given her credit for.
"If I could I would undo it in a heart beat."
I snorted and shook my head as a dark smile covered my face.
"Of course you would because without me here everything would go according to the books." I narrowed my eyes at her.
Her bloodshot eyes widened and she slung her arms around her middle.
"I …. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry but " she swallowed hard brushing her right sleeve against her red nose while averting her eyes briefly to the ground before she looked back up at me. "I really am … I," the words stumbled out of her mouth and for a few seconds she looked like there was an internal war raging inside her before suddenly words fell uncontrollably out of her mouth.
They just exploded out of her as if she could not hold them in any longer and they were laced with so much desperation, emotions and hurt that it might have softened me if I wouldn't have hated her that much.
I don't think that the word hate does cover it at all. My subconscious mused.
"I love Edward, so much. I can't live without him…you read the books you know that I barely survived without him the first time around …. Please I can't…..I just can't ….not after I know that he really …..not after I know what could be…"
"You know you've got a lot of nerve ….…" out of frustration I threw my hands in the air. "I can't believe that you are here telling me how much you are suffering, have you any idea how I feel …. How it feels like for me to know that you will never be punished for what you have done to me ….And what about my family? God, alone knows what they are going through. I don't even know if they remember me or not, if I ever existed for them after you destroyed the portal or if they think that I have run away or was kidnapped…..they might have to live in uncertainty for the rest of their life's. Do you have any idea how horrible that is?…. You should rot in jail or worse…. But nooo you get to live on your life but of course that is not enough for you, is it? You actually have got the gall to make demands ….. Just un-fucking-believable!"
"I'm sorry. I am so sorry but I can't live without him." An anguished cry broke from her throat while her frame shook with violent sobs.
"So what you are going to threaten to commit suicide if he doesn't come back to you?" I sneered at her in disgust.
Her red rimmed eyes ripped wide open, her breath got suck in her throat and her already pale face blanched further before she sunk to the ground, shaking her head and started to wail while her arms slung further protectively around her trembling form.
Maybe if I wasn't that pissed off and enraged in that moment I would have actually felt a little bit sorry for that pile of misery in front of me but as it was the only thing I could feel when I looked at her were disgust, hatred, pain and fury.
"What about Jacob?"
Immediately her head snapped up at the mentioning of his name. Guilt craved itself into every feature of her blotchy face and she was nervously rocking herself back and forth. Her swollen eyes were sweeping over everything but me while she was abusing the fabrics of her shirt as she clutched her hands to the hem when her gaze finally landed on the ground in front of her.
"I….I…" She stammered before she looked up at me and her narrowed eyes shot me a heated and hateful glare as she was rising to her feet.
"Oh .. wow ….. let me guess you are blaming me for your sleeping with Jacob." I laughed in disbelieve.
Letting go of her shirt, clenching her fingers into fist at her sides and pressing her lips into a white, thin line she started to tremble harder with suppressed feelings as hot tears were leaking out of her swollen, bloodshot eyes before she looked away from me.
"How much more twisted can you get?" I shook my head in utter lack of understanding and not in the mood to endure that annoying tragedy in front of me any longer.
"You are hopeless." I bit out before I spun around on my heel and stormed off rounding the diner to enter it through the front door as I heard her calling after me.
"Bella, I think it is better when you go now." Deb said when the family stealing witch was trying to follow me inside.
Deb stood in front of the front entrance with her arms crossed over her chest and while I couldn't see it because she was standing with her back to me I knew she was wearing her don't-mess-with-me-expression.
The witch bit her lip in silent frustration while her face was turning a darker shade of red with each second before she forcefully turned around and angrily made her way over to her old beast of a truck.
A heavy and sad sighed behind me startled me and caused my body to whip around to be faced with a resigned looking Sue who shook her head.
"Hi..?" I squeaked in surprise.
"Hello Anna," Sue smiled softly at me.
"Everything OK?" Deb stopped shortly next to me. I nodded and she went back behind the counter.
Looking around my brows screwed up with confusion when I couldn't spot any fur ball in disguise.
"Is no one here with you?"
She chuckled highly amused.
"I'm an adult."
"Guess the guys don't really appreciate girl power?" I quipped.
She laughed heartily at that.
"What they don't know does not get them reeled up."
"Amen." I nodded with a huge smile on my face.
Suddenly her expression sobered up and she gazed at me with cautious and worried eyes.
"What's wrong?" I asked and took a look around seeing only regulars sitting at their usual booths busy with their meals or conversations.
Sue gestured for me to sit down across from her before she answered my question.
"Seth told me about the new development." She whispered and I nodded.
"I just wanted to make sure that you were well taken care of. Charlie loves you very much … even though… he doesn't know…." Sue paused and looked sadly at me. "It would kill him if something would happen to you."
Awww cute… she cares about Charlie. My subconscious giggled amused.
"Don't worry I already survived this once." I smiled at her trying to reassure her.
"Billy robbed Charlie into helping on Friday. I thought maybe you could come as well. Emily, Kim and a few others we will decorate the town hall in La Push for a fundraiser ….." she trailed off.
"I think about it." I murmured while I pulled out my note pad and asked her to write down her telephone number.
I had no idea if I would take her up on her offer but it was always good to have options.
"Thanks." I smiled at her pushing the paper with her number into my pocket before she got up and was on her way back home.
"Quite busy today," Deb raised an eyebrow at me suddenly appearing next to me out of nowhere.
I jumped a little and smiled apologetically at her and she shook her head silently chuckling to herself as she made her way to her office.
(*.*)
"There is something I wanted to ask you…."
"You know you can ask me anything." Edward smiled reassuringly at me while taking me home after my emotionally draining shift at the diner.
Thankfully Alice seemed to have not told him anything about the earlier happening if she had seen them because I was in no mood to discuss them now.
"Didn't any of them wonder why I am staying at you place?"
His body tensed and he grimaced briefly before he sighed heavily.
"They did wonder. It was one of there first questions they asked after they returned…"
"What did you tell them?"
Edward grimaced again. "We told them the truth …. That you had a fall out with Bella and refused to live under one roof with her."
"And they were satisfied with that?"
"Luckily Jane did not want to bother with human drama." He shrugged apologetically.
"Okaaay,…. by the way Sue came by earlier and asked me if I wanted to come to La Push on Friday."
Edward head jerked around sharply and he looked incredulously at me.
"Don't freak," I rolled my eyes," I would be surrounded solidly by humans. They have this fundraiser thing later that day. She asked me to help decorate the town hall." I shrugged.
"Anna what in the world gave you the impression that I would leave you out of my sight on Friday?" The Vampire next to me exclaimed stunned.
"I…what?" I blinked confused at him. I had assumed that I would just stay at home during the fight.
"I have absolutely no intention of leaving you behind."
"B-but Edward they need you." I stated confused. "Now with the Volturi we are horribly outnumbered. You are needed there and not…."
"No," Edward growled interrupting me before he took a deep calming breath as his grip on the steering wheel tightened until it slightly cracked.
"I'm sorry." His remorseful amber pools pleaded briefly with mine before he focused back on the road ahead of him.
"So you will be staying with me at home or what?" I asked in utter disbelieve.
"No, you are going to accompany us."
Blinking at him I opened my mouth but no sound escaped my surprised lips while all the possible ways in which that could go wrong shot through my head.
Exhaling forcefully Edward parked the car at the side of the empty road that was surrounded by the huge old tress, creating walls of green and brown on both sides.
Without even having the chance to ask what he was doing Edward out of the car, had ripped my door open and had me unbuckled, pulling me out of his Volvo, closing the door behind me before his strong, hard, steely body pressed against my front and my back collided with the cool metal of the silver automobile.
Dark, stormy pools of gold burned intensely into my eyes while his palms softly and with most care came up to cup my face.
"I am not taking my chances with your safety Anna." He croaked out in a pained voice before his hands fell from my face and his fingertips slowly brushed down my exposed arms sending pleasurable shivers through my entire body.
"This timeline has changed so much from the one we lived through but despite our best efforts the Volturi still got to know about you and we are being summoned to Italy."
"Speaking off," I interrupted him, "you never answered my question, are you sure they won't screw you over during the fight? I mean in the other timeline and the books they waited for the fight to be over before they had their big entrance in hopes that the newborns will diminish your numbers." Edward shook his head.
"No, Aro specifically ordered them to keep us all alive. In the other timeline as well as in the books Aro had an insight into our family dynamics and had witnessed the bond between Alice and me first-handed coming to the understanding that our entire family was close knitted, too closed knitted to be broken apart easily. But here he does not know that and most likely assumes that he will be able to woo the ones of us that he is interested in away from Carlisle."
"It's kind of shocking if you think about it," I mumbled after a moment of stunned silence.
"What do you mean?" Edward questioned curiously.
"The domino effect of changing the future is more complex than I ever thought it would be but guess you are familiar with it."
"Not really. Alice only sees certain scenes in the future. She does not get a detailed novel of what would happen."
"So you think we overlooked something that could lead Victoria to me?" I raised an eyebrow at him.
"Not necessarily. In the other timeline, according to what you told us, the male newborn was also not meant to turn up at the camp side, it was supposed to be only Victoria and Riley but he was there. I'm just scared out of my mind that such an unpleasant incident will repeat and that this time I won't be there to make sure you are safe."
"Alright I get that but don't you think that in this timeline Victoria will notice that I'm not the one she wants?"
Edward's depths twinkled in amusement.
I don't like the mischief in his eyes and that cocky smile! My subconscious narrowed her eyes dangerously at the smirking Vampire.
"What's with the stupid grin and when exactly did you come up with a plan?" I narrowed my eyes at him.
"I have been thinking about how to deal with the battle and your safety ever since this timeline started but Alice, Jasper and I developed this particular plan shortly before Jane and the others arrived. You were sleeping so…"
"And how does this brilliant plan of yours look like?" I raised my eyebrow at him while crossing my arms over my chest though that was hard to do with so little space between us.
You are loving it. My treacherous subconscious murmured happily.
"Well we will cover your face with a ski mask, which, by the way, will also protect you from the cold, and you will wear one of Emmett's thick winter jackets too, that will hide your body."
My mouth fell open and I blinked at him before my mind pointed out the errors in that plan.
"I am taller than her and my scent is also a dead giveaway does your plan cover that as well?" I looked incredulously at him.
"Yes." He smiled down at me. "Since it will snow that day and it is going to be rather cold on Friday your scent won't be too much of a problem as long as Victoria will not come too close to you which I will make sure of."
"I'm the bait again …" I sighed letting my head fall back against the roof of the car.
"As much as I hate for you to be in the middle of this mess and having to put in that danger," his voice was hard before his eyes flashed up burning into mine with promise, "I rather have you near me to be able to watch over you …. to protect you…. it worked in the other timeline."
"Guess that's the best shot." I shrugged.
"We will be in a little clearing not too far away from the main battle field and the rest will go as it did in the other timeline only that Jane or Demitri will replace Seth this time around." He informed me.
"Did you already hammer out the details with Jane and the others?"
"Yes, we have just discussed it …." He trailed off and shot me an apologetically smile to which I just shook my head.
"But what if Victoria says something that will blow all of our lies and half-truths straight into our faces?" I questioned worriedly.
"Don't worry, Anna, I know exactly how to reel her up so she goes ballistic on us. She is hanging on by a thread as it is."
I wasn't really convinced of this plan but there was not much we could do.
"Anna, I swear I will keep you safe." Edward vowed as he held me firmly in his embrace.
"I know," I sighed, leaned forward and buried my face in the crook of his neck.
Edward placed a small kiss on the side of my head and pressed me further into his hard, well build body rocking us slightly from side to side.
I had no idea how long we remained in that position but suddenly I noticed something hard poke into my belly. It took me a second to realise what that something was and I started to giggle into Edward's shoulder.
"What's so funny?" He asked a little embarrassed, separating our bodies a little.
"Nothing," I choked out.
Edward buried his face in the crook of my neck and mumbled against my skin.
"I know I should say I'm sorry but would you be very upset with me if I told you that I'm not in the least?"
Inhaling a lung full of air my right hand found it's way into his silky hair and I nuzzled my nose against the side of his exposed neck.
"No….. but I do wonder isn't the antique gentleman inside you having a cardiac arrest by now?" I quipped.
Edward just shrugged his shoulders.
"Is that making you uncomfortable?" He asked worriedly while his cool breath was ceasing my skin, making me shiver.
I thought about it for a moment.
"No, not really …. But with everything that is going on and the unknown future that lies in front of us I do realise how hard it must be for you to keep "the we are just friends act" up."
"Anna," he breathed my name when he touched my forehead with his.
His intense golden gaze suddenly captured my eyes before the next words left his mouth.
"I'm just glad to have you in my life any part of you that you are willing to offer …. But that does not mean that I do not hope…..pray that one day….." His depths and voice were filled with such longing and love that it squeezed my heart.
Closing my eyes briefly and taking a shuddering breath I felt cool lips press a gentle kiss against my forehead.
When I opened my eyes again I saw Edward giving me a slightly tortured smile.
Acting purely on instinct my hands reached up to cup his face before I pulled him slightly down and leaned in to place my lips softly, ever so carefully over his.
At first his body froze in shock but after a moment or two he began to carefully respond to my kiss, as if he couldn't believe this was actually happening. His smooth, cool lips moved in sync with mine while his left hand sneaked around the small of my back and his right gently cupped the back of my head, holding me in place.
My hands were placed on his firm, broad chest that trembled slightly underneath my touch. A quiet moan left my lips before I broke the kiss panting from the force of emotions that the close proximity and the feel of his lips on mine evocated in me.
After finally being able to catch my breath I licked my lips, tasting him on my sensitive skin, before my eyes cast up, gazing into his dark amber pools while a dreamy smile tucked on the corners of his mouth.
"You have been honest with me about your feelings and what you want …. About what you want from us…what you want us to be ….. and I think it is only fair to let you in on my opinion."
Suddenly utter nervousness flashed through his eyes and he swallowed hard as his body tensed around mine.
I offered him a reassuring smile.
"Although I still have a long way to go and am not ready to take this step with you now ….. I want you to know that I am falling for you." Pausing briefly I took a shuddering breath feeling strangely relieved about the words that had left my mouth. "I can't tell you when but if you are willing to wait I know that there is a future for us."
My heart was beating like crazy in my chest and I was feeling slightly light-headed after my confession while my cheeks burned fire red. Suddenly I was overwhelmed by the urge to break out of his embrace and run for the hills. But that thought quickly flew out of the window when I felt Edward's cool lips on mine.
"Thank you, thank you," he murmured quietly between soft pecks on my mouth before he pulled slightly back and his right hand cupped my face, making sure I was looking at him as he spoke.
"I will wait for however long you want me to … take as much time as you need ….. I can be your friend, you confident …everything you need …. just please don't shut me out."
A small smile curved my lips before I bobbed my head and buried my face in his shoulder while his strong arms engulfed me, pressing me further into him.
Edward's POV:
"You know if you are going to sport it any longer that silly grin of yours might get stuck for eternity." Anna mumbled while she was making a circular movement with her finger pointing at the area around my mouth.
"It just might." I nodded feeling giddy and couldn't help but to smile wider.
Anna just rolled her eyes and shook her head in mocked sadness and defeat but I caught the faint, satisfied smile that briefly tugged on her kissable lips as we walked down the stairs.
After Anna's confession I left like a huge weight had been lifted off me. I had no idea how much I had needed … craved reassurance until the second she told me that there was a future for us and that I was winning her heart over slowly, step by step.
Just thinking about the precious moment we shared where I got to taste her soft lips again and the promises that we exchanged filled my every cell with delirious happiness and let my heart swell with love.
"Do we still have lemonade in the kitchen?" She suddenly asked when she arrived at the base of the stairs and stopped looking in the direction where the door that led to the basement was.
"Esme fetched some bottles out of the basement a while ago." I informed her after my mothers thoughts echoed in my mind.
Out of the corner of my eye I noticed Jane standing near the huge panorama window as we past the living room entrance on our way to the kitchen.
"It's time." She announced what made Anna stop in her tracks and Carlisle look up curiously at the tiny Volturi member from his position on the couch where he and Esme sat next to Demitri and Alec while Felix was battling Emmett and Jasper on the X-Box.
In her mind I could see what she meant with that statement and I couldn't help but cringle at the images that were passing through her head.
"Time for what?" Emmett wondered out loud when Felix stood up and left the game unfinished.
"Dinner." The other giant smiled darkly.
"We need to keep our strength up for the confrontation." Demitri said as he stood up from the couch.
Carlisle sighed and nodded gravely.
"I understand but I have to ask you not to hunt directly in Forks …. We do not want to take any chances since we are going to leave this town very soon."
Jane rolled her eyes in annoyance but didn't say anything as she breezed past the head of my family.
"We were planning on going to Port Angeles ….. the range is better in bigger cities anyway not that you would know anything about that." Demitir looked with pity and lack of understanding at Carlisle.
Once they left I couldn't help but to notice the thoughtful look on Anna's face as she gazed at the closed front door.
"Are you alright?" I asked her softly not wanting to startle her.
"Well, if I would have landed in "The Vampire Diaries" I probably would have to help to dispose of the corpse." She murmured humourlessly before she glanced up at me and shrugged before she rolled her eyes at my shocked expression.
"It's called black humour."
"Anna…"
"Edward." She bit my name out and shook her head clearly not wanting to talk about it.
"So "The Vampire Diaries"?" I asked changing the topic when she stormed off.
"Another Vampire series only that this one has a lot of spilled blood and many, many corpse in it." Suddenly her head snapped up and she looked curiously at me.
"Is everything set for Friday, I mean with the wolves?" Her brows were screwed together and I could pick up a note of worry in her voice.
"Carlisle called Sam today when he was at the hospital. Jacob and two other mutts will go to the old Hanson timber mill with Bella."
"And Victoria and Riley will not accidentally stumble upon them? Cause that would kind of blow your plan and I am not quite sure the wolves are able to take Victoria on…. And that could end really bad for all of us." Anna said before opening the fridge.
"I'm sure. The timber mill is located in the east and Victoria and Riley came from the west. As long as those mutts do what they had been told everything should go according to the plan." Just as those words left my mouth a memory of the last meeting with them ghosted across my mind.
.
.
"If you are worried about your family and the people in La Push I would suggest that you split in half. Five of you watch over La Push and the others will watch over Bella at the old Hanson timber mil. It's far enough away from the battle scene as well as the town." I offered.
…. as if I would trust your word blood sucker … Jacob spat at me in his mind
.
.
For some reason a dreadful feeling pooled into the pit of my stomach as I thought of his words and the mistrust they were laced in.
"Hey, where did you go?" Anna questioned me as she stepped past me to the counter and started to spread the ingredients she needed for her dinner out in front of her.
"It's nothing," I shook my head before my eyes locked with her hazel pools which were intensely studying me.
"You should go hunting." She suddenly said.
"What?" I chuckled startled.
"I think the last time you guys went was a week ago or so…Your eyes are taking on a dark amber colour and as Demitri said you've got to keep your strength up." She shrugged and my heart swelled as I let the care in her voice wash over me.
My body begged me to step behind her, encircle her feminine frame with my arms, to press her back firmly into my front and to nuzzle my nose in her neck … to press a kiss against her delicate, warm skin.
The image was so real in my minds eye that I could practically feel the warmth of her body seeping into mine, sense the ghost of the pleasurable shiver that ran through my form at the intimate contact and feel the rhythmic beat of her life – my life – drumming under my lips.
My body moved without my permission, taking a step forward as my hands itched to touch the beautiful girl that was standing just a few inches away from me. I was craving, longing to live out the fantasy that played out in my mind but I caught myself, letting reality back in.
I did not have the right to touch her, to kiss her whenever I wanted to, yet, … but soon I would I reminded myself.
Soon I would. Those were the only words that kept me sane when my body cried out in pain.
"Carlisle, Esme and I will go tonight and Emmett, Rosalie, Alice and Jasper will go after we come back." My hands balled into fists at my sides as I struggled for control.
"Babysitting?" Anna raised an eyebrow at me unable to see the evidence of my inner battle as half of my body was covered by the edge of the counter and I pulled myself together to respond with a mockingly stern look.
"Just asking," her sweet laughter rang in my ears as she shook her head.
Soon I would!