Forever Seventeen: Topaz Birthday

by Psychotic

Loose Ends

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, or any of the characters associated with those books.

It had been almost six months that I was with the Cullens. I had never stayed in one place for so long, and I was beginning to worry about James and his coven finding me. I had expressed my fright to Edward, who told me that if James did come, they would protect me. If I had been able to cry then, I would have.

Andre became great friends with Alice. They were like little partners in crime that were always out to get me. Multiple times they trapped me and gave me makeovers or made me go shopping with them. I hated every minute of it all.

"Bella!" Andre's voice called. I groaned and buried my face into Edward's chest. "Bells! Come on, there's someone here to see you!"

I sat up instantly, looking confused. Someone was here to see me? Edward smiled slightly and nodded, telling me that it was safe to go downstairs. I stood up and flew down the staircase, almost colliding with Andre and Alice, who were both grinning. "Right on the porch."

I followed their directions, exiting the house and looking outside on the porch. Sitting there on the little swing were Sadie and Zena.

"Oh, my God! Sadie! Zena!" I exclaimed. They stood up and each gave me a hug.

"Bella," Sadie said, "we aren't here to visit or for good news." I frowned, and Zena grimaced. "James has tracked you down and the coven is on their way to take you back as we speak. We came to warn you and help you out."

I smiled. "Thank you. I really appreciate you coming to tell us. Alice, did you see James' coven coming?"

"No, not yet!"

"Then it's a very good thing you came. Come on inside. I'll introduce you to the Cullens."

We entered the house, and by this time, Edward, Emmett, Rosalie, Jasper, Esme, and Carlisle had all come into the front room. "This is Sadie and Zena," I said, "my sisters from my human life. Sadie, Zena, this is Edward, Jasper, Alice, Andre, Emmett, Rosalie, Carlisle, and Esme." I pointed them out as I said their names.

"It's nice to meet you," Sadie said, smiling at them all. "But we really need to get ready. The coven will be here in about two hours."

"Two hours?! Already?!" Andre's mouth was hanging wide open as he stared at the two. I rolled my eyes at his drama.

"Andre, shut up and go find something to help with."

"Yes, ma'am!" He saluted, grinning, before skipping after Alice to make plans on fighting them once they got here. Carlisle, Emmett, and Jasper went to find a way to stall and/or distract them, and Rosalie and Esme were the designated watchers. Zena went with Alice and Andre, and Sadie with the men. Edward came over to me, pulling me into a tight hug.

I breathed in his scent, my eyes closing. "I love you so much, Edward. I want you to know that."

"I love you, too, Bella," he answered. "You are my life."

It wasn't long before Alice came rushing downstairs, shouting about how they were coming in ten minutes. Edward sighed. We were now sitting on the couch, just holding each other.

"Alice, be quiet. We can all hear you."

"I know," she stated. "I just wanted to shout!" She grinned and went back upstairs.

Emmett, Jasper, and Carlisle came down soon after, Sadie following. "We're going to go out and meet them halfway. Try and slow them down. Be ready here, okay?"

Rosalie and Esme came back inside, both hugging and kissing their husbands. Rose's kiss was much more passionate and longer than Esme's was, and when Alice came back down to say goodbye to Jasper, hers was very enthusiastic, with a leap into the air and a long, smacking kiss.

The three men left soon after, and Zena and Andre came down to join the women -- and Edward -- standing around. I wouldn't let Edward go with the other guys because I wanted him here with me. Carlisle also said that it would probably be best to have someone here with the girls anyway.

We all stood there in the front room, anxious and worried. Alice suddenly went stiff, having a vision. We held our breath until she came out of her stupor, when she told us what it was. It looked like the outcome of the fight was generally good, but we had better get outside so as not to ruin the house. Esme nodded profusely: "I worked very hard on this house, and it's not going to get destroyed in a fight."

Now everyone was standing around in the yard. A distant yell was heard, and Rosalie exclaimed, "That's Emmett! Get ready!"

The next few moments seemed to go by very slowly. We waited as the sounds of vampires fighting got closer and closer. Then a group of about fifteen burst through the trees in front of the house. Esme's eyes widened, as did mine and Zena's. It was a big group for us to be fighting.

By the time the coven saw us and began to advance, Emmett and Jasper had already plucked off three of them. They weren't the best fighters. If this was James' coven, why was I worried?

We all jumped forward, and into the tussle.

I had been fighting a horrible female vampire with fire-red hair when a familiar voice behind me said, “Bella, dear. How wonderful to see you again.”

The female smirked and backed off to fight someone else. I turned on the spot and came face-to-face with James.

“James,” I hissed. “Go away. I don’t want you here, and I don’t want to go with you. Even if you manage to take me, you won’t get me to do anything for you. I won’t cooperate.”

The vampire smiled evilly. “Oh, but Bella, my dear, I think I could get you to do what I wanted.”

My vision suddenly blurred and my body became relaxed and soft. Colors ran together and they looked just beautiful. Everything was dream-like.

“Isabella Swan.”

The voice was familiar, but it was slow, gentle, and persuasive. “He doesn’t love you, my dear. Edward Cullen never loved you. He is just using you for your powers.”

Wait, what? No, Edward loved me! Or course he did!

“He doesn’t love you. If you come with me, though, I can show you how to gain real power. How to exact revenge on the man who claims love for you.”

I don’t want revenge on Edward. I loved him, and he loved me. I knew that!

… Didn’t I?

“Bella, he doesn’t care for you. Come with me, where you’ll have a home and people to care about you.”

Then another voice broke through the caressing fog. “Bella! Bella, I do love you!” The voice was of an angel, so lovely and soft. I felt myself smile. “Don’t listen to him, Bella! I’ll always love you!”

I tried to answer the angel, but I couldn’t get my mouth to move. I loved him, too, and I wanted to tell him that. I wanted to tell him that I didn’t believe the evil voice.

“No, he doesn’t love you, Bella.”

“Of course I do! What are you saying?!” There was a low, guttural growl that erupted, following by a high-pitched screaming sound. The fog disappeared, and everything returned to normal.

The first thing I saw was Edward. He was ripping James apart and adding him to a pile of other vampire parts. I grimaced.

“He was using another vampire’s power to put you into that state, Bella,” Edward explained. “I’m so sorry.”

I smiled and went over to him. “It’s fine, Edward. It’s not your fault. I love you, and I know you love me.”

An hour and a half later, we watched as Emmett did the honors of lighting the pile of vampire remains. I looked away from the tower of purple smoke, hiding my face in Edward's chest. He put his arms around me, saying, "It's alright, love. It's all over now."

And it was. I realized that I never had to worry about James again. Sadie and Zena were here, alive and safe. The Cullens were whole and together. I was with them all, too.

Maybe now I would finally be able to live in peace.

Right, like that would ever happen.

The End.

A/N: So there it is! The final chapter in Forever Seventeen: Topaz Birthday. I'm so sorry it took so long to get it up. I had horrible writer's block on this story and just recently got inspiration on it. That's not an excuse, though, and I feel horrible letting you all down.

I would really appreciate it if you would all review one last time. I also owe special thanks to my friends Alice, Bella, and Rose. They helped in trying to make me write this. I also want to thank everyone who ever reviewed, and I hope that you all read my other stories. Thank you, everyone!

I had fun writing this story! It was definitely interesting to write. I hope you all enjoyed it as much as I did. :D

For the last time in this story, review and be happy!

Psychotic Female of Many Names

06.10.08