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Dream's Shadow

Summary:
This is my take on the over- and usually poorly- done plot. Edward leaves Bella again. She is changed and they meet again in the future. There will be a big twist! Requested by Iris. Banner by Iris!

Notes:
Try it! I know stories like this usually stink, but I thought I'd give it a try. I own nothing. Stephenie Meyer owns all.

30. Chapter 30

Rating 5/5   Word Count 565   Review this Chapter

The moon had set and the sun sparkled crystal in the pink sky before anyone spoke again. Finally, sitting in silence in his arms, I realize we must do something. “Edward, what’s going on?”

“I don’t know, love.”

“Alice? Esme? Emmett? Please, someone tell me. I want to be with my family in our home after all this time.” I am being slightly manipulative, playing off guilt just like that night in the tent. Of course, it isn’t their fault. It isn’t anyone’s fault. But I know they’ll succumb to my manipulation- vampires seem particularly susceptible to guilt trips.

It is Esme who breaks down first. “Carlisle, please tell her. Please.”

And he can’t say no to her… who does that remind us of? “Bella’s right. It’s hard to do, but it isn’t fair to keep our family in the dark. And she’s always been one of us.”

These words are warming. I’ve always seen things that way, I just didn’t know they did.

“The reason we fled our house is because, obviously, we were being chased. The reason we didn’t tell either of you… is because it’s someone we’d never expect. Our own closest friends, leading a vendetta against us? It’s hurtful.”

“Who is it?” I snap, unusually harsh because I’m sick of the stalling.

“You remember Laurent? And Irena. And Tanya…”

A horrible realization begins to dawn. “You mean the other vegetarians…”

“Yes.”

“And that’s why you didn’t want to tell me,” Edward interjects. “Because Tanya attacked because of me, and you didn’t want to say it…”

“Yes.”

“It wasn’t just them, though,” Emmett adds. “Jane was there, and Alec, on Marcus’ orders… otherwise we could’ve taken them.”

“Marcus was never pleased I almost got them to kill me… Aro wouldn’t let him die when he lost his mate.”

I grimace at the pain of that. The idea that Edward almost died, and because of me, no less… it is agonizing. Yet I would not want him to have to feel the pain I know I possess whenever he leaves. “And Irena must have really cared for Laurent if…”

Carlisle nods. “They were our closest friends, almost family. I never considered it. Not so dear Alice watched, but definitely never a threat. I can still hardly believe it. I suppose I should have noticed a change in our relationship when they risked our lives for Irena’s vengeance back in June, but…”

“It was painful to consider. And I suppose I understand. They’re a family, just as we are. If two of us had lost our spouses because of them, I wouldn’t be surprised if we did the same.”

“I never told Tanya…” Edward protests. His words trail off as he realizes what he said didn’t matter. How she perceives him is what motivated this attack. “Will we ever be able to go back?”

“Of course,” I say. “I can sneak us in, make them forget they ever wanted to hurt any of us.”

“Bella, you don’t need to…”

“I’m part of this family now, remember?”

They smile. Despite the fact I’ve never met the Denali clan, I know how my family sees them… yet the most important thing is that we are together and, probably, safe.