36. Insanity in the Family

BPOV

Edward decided to take me back to his house, rather than take me home. I didn't mind. I'd had enough couple time with Edward today to be happy about spending time with our family and friends. Esme was delighted he had brought me, and she promptly went into mother hen mode. She was fully in her element, fluffing pillows behind me on the couch, bringing me refreshments, covering me with a soft blanket and tucking me in with a kiss. Renée had never been one to fuss around me when I was sick. I had learned early on to suffer in silence and lean only on my own independence. I felt something snap in my heart, but not in a bad way. I couldn't really explain it, even to myself, but some part of me that had remained unfulfilled was suddenly warm and happy. Intellectually, I could understand it was a result of Esme's love and selfless, concerned mothering, helping me when I was weak and weary, trying to make me feel better, simply because she cared.

I smiled at Esme, allowing my love, hope, and affection display on my face and in my eyes. This woman touched me in a way my own mother never had. She was there for me, not the other way around. It was nice to be the child for once, to release the burden of responsibility to someone else, to allow someone else take the weight off my shoulders for a while. I had been a mother to my mother for too long, taking care of her, sacrificing my own life, pleasure, and happiness for her, losing myself in the process.

"Thanks, Mom," I whispered as I hugged her. Her face lit up like a beacon, like she had just won the lottery. I was happy to see her happy. She became even more flustered than before, practically wringing her hands, while trying to think of other ways to take care of me. I was glad when the others came home from hunting to distract her. Having never been the recipient of such nurturing, it was actually a little overwhelming.

Of course, Esme's presence was immediately replaced by the bouncing pixie. Alice had me in a hug, before I could even greet her.

"So, Bella," she murmured in my ear. "Did you enjoy exploring the meadow with Edward?" I instantly blushed redder than a stop sign, and she snickered.

I grabbed her shoulders and mouthed, "Don't you dare tell Emmett!"

She got an evil grin on her face. "Who's going to stop me?"

I glared at her and growled menacingly, "I'll set all your clothes on fire." She stared at me wide-eyed. I saw her going into vision mode to check the sincerity of my threat. I quickly decided I would use gasoline and matches to torch her entire closet. I pictured myself standing in her room watching as the flames consumed thousands and thousands of dollars' worth of designer clothes and shoes. She came out of her vision staring at me in absolute horror. I smiled smugly.

"Don't try me," I growled. She shook her head, holding her hands up in front of her in an expression of surrender. Ha, ha. It was just too funny. She was scared of me, the fragile human. I was threatening a vampire, and she was afraid of what I might do. I was busy using my brains since I had no brawn.

"Fine," she huffed, seeing my amusement in the situation. Her sly look scared me. Now what? "But I want details later."

"Alice!" I protested. She gave me one of her 'looks', the kind that tell you she is saying you do this or you will regret it for the rest of your life. I scowled back at her. She smirked smugly, knowing she had already won. Grrr.

"So, what did you two do all day today?" Emmett boomed, sweeping me up into a bear hug. "Sit on opposite sides of the couch and make moon eyes at each other?" Edward turned his head away, his smirk still prominently displayed. I tried to hide my face in Emmett's chest. He pulled me away from his body, staring down at my overheated cheeks. He gently set me back down on the couch beside Edward.

"Wow, you mean you actually made it to first base?" Emmett asked in amazement. Edward grinned at whatever Emmett was thinking.

"I don't play baseball," I informed him haughtily.

Emmett chuckled heartily. "By the look on Eddie's face, I'd say you do now. Don't worry, baseball is a Cullen specialty. All Cullens play baseball, so welcome to our team."

I rolled my eyes and heard Jasper laugh. Rose came over to look at us curiously. "So what did you two do today?"

I attempted to gather up the shattered remains of my dignity. "We had a lovely picnic in Edward's meadow, and he showed me why you guys can't go out among humans on sunny days."

"Huh. Sounds boring," Emmett grumbled. "I'm going to go play video games now." He stomped over to the Wii. He turned it on, grabbed one of the controllers and started waving the remote toward the TV, trying to get the little hand to show on the screen.

"Oh, no you don't, Emmett McCarty Cullen!" Esme shrieked. "You put that little wrist strap on right now, young man! If you throw another controller through the TV or through the window or through the wall, I will donate the entire system and all the games to charity, and you'll never get another one. You've already had three strikes, and each time I've had to make the list of don'ts longer. So let me just make this clear once and for all. If you damage anything else by losing control of your remote, it is GAME OVER. Is that clear?"

"Crystal clear, ma'am," Emmett replied sheepishly, attaching the chain to his wrist. Rose had modified the original wrist strap for him, as the fabric would have been virtually useless.

I was hoping this little distraction would move the conversation away from Edward and me, but unfortunately, vampires with perfect memories can always remember what they were talking about before the distraction occurred. I grumbled under my breath about the stupid vampire memories. If it had been humans having the conversation, the previous conversation would have been easily swept aside in favor of discussing Emmett's escapades with the controller.

"Did you do anything else today?" Jasper inquired casually. Edward glared at him, so I knew he must be suspicious.

"No, just exploring in the forest, enjoying each other's company," I stuttered, my heart racing. My cheeks were practically on fire. I saw Esme, Rose, and Jasper examining my face curiously.

"So, why are you so…worked up, Bella?" Rose wondered. "Your heart is about to burst from your chest, and I've never seen you so red before."

"Yeah, I'm about to keel over from embarrassment," Jasper laughed. "Either that or go hide my head in the sand like an ostrich for a week or two. So tell me, Bella, did you enjoy exploring with Edward?" I couldn't help it. It was instinctual, involuntary, over before I could even think about it. When Jasper drawled the word 'exploring', my eyes instantly flew to Edward as his flew to me. Our gazes met, and the knowledge of the secret we shared passed between us, in what is commonly referred to as 'a meaningful look'. Unfortunately, that one look was enough to give the game away.

Jasper started laughing. "I thought so. I noticed a distinct lack of a certain…tension…that has been building for the past several days, and Edward is feeling more satisfied and content than he ever has in the decades I've known him. Who knew our sweet little Edward was adventurous enough to goexploring with Bella out in the wide open meadow, under the clear blue sky, on a picnic blanket no less? Our baby brother is finally coming into his own, Em. He'll finally get to join the rest of us at the grown-up table on holidays." Emmett's head shot up with Jasper's speech.

"No way!" he screeched, bounding back over to us. He peered into my eyes. "There something you'd like to tell us, little sis?"

"No!" I shouted.

"Then why are you redder than a strawberry?"

"None of your business!"

An evil grin spread across his face.

"Emmett," Edward growled warningly. The grin got wider.

"So when are we going to have a little half-vamp baby running around here?" Emmett asked. Rose and Esme gasped in surprise, looking at me more closely, from my eyes down to my abdomen. I buried my head into Edward's chest.

"I'll get you later, Emmett, when you least expect it," Edward promised. "Sorry to disappoint you all, but there is NO possible way there will be any munchkins running around anytime soon. Bella needs to graduate high school before we start a family."

Esme and Rose nodded, but I could tell they were disappointed. Intellectually, they understood why it would be best for us to wait but, emotionally, they were both already in love with a child who didn't even exist yet and couldn't wait for us to bring the little miracle into our lives. Everybody was silent for a few moments, each lost in thoughts of the future.

My stomach chose that moment to rumble.

"Oh! Let me get you a snack, dear!" Esme offered in concern, jumping up from her place on the couch. Just then the door opened, and Jacob, Quil, and Embry strolled inside.

"Did I just hear the word snack?" Jake asked playfully, giving Esme a giant hug. She gave him a brief kiss on the cheek. The other two took turns in her motherly embrace.

"Oh, boys, it's good to see you again! Come on in and make yourselves comfortable. I was just on my way to the kitchen. I baked some cookies earlier, and I made enough for all of you, just in case you came to visit. There are oatmeal raisin, peanut butter, and chocolate chunk."

"Sounds awesome, Mom!" Jake exclaimed eagerly, giving her his best grin. "You're the best!" He gave her another quick hug and dropped a kiss on the top of her head.

"Please let me help you in the kitchen, Esme," Embry begged. "I'd be happy to volunteer myself as your official taste tester."

Esme grinned and ruffled his hair. "Well, come along then. I knew there was some reason we keep you around," she teased.

"So any special reason for your visit, or did you just want to hang out today?" Rose inquired politely. Jake walked over and gave her a brief hug.

"Thanks again for all your help the other day. The car runs like a dream." Rose smiled in pleasure and nodded her head in acknowledgement.

"We're here to beat the pants off of Emmett in Mario Kart," Quil informed us.

"You wish! Like you mutts could possibly beat my super awesome vampire skills!" Emmett rose to the challenge, already loading the appropriate game into the Wii and grabbing three more controllers and the driving wheels.

"By the time we're through with you, you're going to wish you had tears to cry, leech," Jacob returned, grinning in anticipation. I didn't really understand why the boys always had to insult each other when they played together. They all did it, apparently, even Carlisle, when he let himself relax enough to play with them, which wasn't often. They all actually enjoyed the trash talking. Must be a guy thing.

Jasper took the fourth controller and sat beside Emmett.

"Eat my dust, pups," Emmett howled as the game started.

"Eat this!" Quil yelled, firing a turtle shell at Emmett's car.

"Son of a bitch!" Emmett shouted as the shell knocked him into a road sign.

"Nah, I get it from my father's side," Quil drawled, racing past Emmett's accident. We all started laughing. Jasper's motorcycle knocked Jacob's car off a bridge.

"Stupid bloodsucker!" Jacob complained.

"Mangy mongrel!" Jasper replied with a laugh. He was safely in the lead at the moment, but Quil was closing in fast. I was watching Jasper and Alice, chuckling softly. Edward followed my gaze and joined in my amusement. Jasper was moving his whole upper body every time he went around a curve, just like he would if he were riding on a real motorcycle. That was funny enough, but it was even funny to see Alice matching his movements exactly, as if she were riding behind him on the real motorcycle.

I pulled Edward's head down to mine and whispered in his ear, "Why don't you get the video camera and get a recording of Jasper and Alice?"

He grinned and nodded disappearing in a burst of vampire speed. Seconds later, he was back, camera in hand. Hmmm. Maybe it's good that he's capturing Jacob and Quil having a great time playing with Jasper and Emmett on film, in case we ever need to use it as evidence.

Embry and Esme came into the room holding plates of cookies. They set them down on the coffee table, and Embry promptly plopped down beside the cookies. I reached over and snagged one of each kind. Jasper won the first round of Mario Kart, but before they could start a new game, the boys smelled the cookies. Jacob and Quil jumped up and were pushing and shoving each other in their effort to get there first. Jacob won out, but when Embry saw him approaching, he pulled the plate toward him and hunched over it, shoving a cookie in his mouth and grabbing another one. Jacob snarled and snapped at Embry, grabbing the plate and pulling it toward himself. Embry let go of that plate and grabbed the other one. Both boys hunched over their plates eyeing one another suspiciously. Quil knelt between them, quietly whimpering, his eyes going from one plate to the other.

"Boys! Behave yourselves!" Esme commanded. The three of them instantly relaxed into more natural postures, the tension fading from their necks and shoulders. They eyed each other carefully, and suddenly a mad scramble ensued, with all three of them grabbing cookies by the handful. In a matter of minutes, the cookies had been devoured, and only crumbs were left on the plates.

"Ugh!" Rosalie sneered in disgust. "You guys eat like animals!"

"Ya think?" Jacob muttered sarcastically. "I wonder why."

"Woof!" Quil joked, panting and holding his 'paws' in the begging position.

Embry just grinned and began licking the crumbs off the plates without using his hands.

"Boys!" Esme scolded, trying to hold in her laughter. Rosalie's lips twitched, and when the rest of us started laughing, both she and Esme joined in too.

"So, are you officially wolves yet?" Emmett wondered.

Jacob shook his head. "Not yet, but it will probably happen soon. Sam and Paul are going crazy trying to keep track of all three of us. We've actually been having a little fun with them, trying to see how quickly we can get them off our trails."

Carlisle came in then and looked really happy to see all of us interacting peacefully together. Jacob became excited when he saw him.

"Hey, Doc! I got that picture of Emily for you!" he enthused, running over to Carlisle and handing it to him. Carlisle looked it over quickly and frowned, studying it more closely. Jacob's face fell when he saw the frown.

"So what do you think?" Jacob asked flatly, expecting disappointment.

Carlisle's brows drew together, indicating a level of anger and frustration. He struggled to maintain a calm façade. "Did they even sew up the gashes at all or tape them or anything? Or did they just leave them to heal on their own? She has a massive amount of unnecessary scar tissue." He looked up at Jacob then, his eyes demanding answers.

Jacob shuffled his feet nervously. "Well, I believe they took her to a nurse who lives on the reservation. I know they were desperate to have everyone believe it was a bear attack, and they refused to take her to the hospital because you were working there." Jacob rolled his eyes. "They should have sucked it up and brought her to you in the first place, but it's better late than never, right? Can you help her?"

Carlisle nodded thoughtfully. "Yes, of course. There is absolutely no need for her to have such massive scarring. My only regret is that it will be painful for her all over again."

"Well, at least she'll have the option, whichever way she chooses," Jacob conceded.

"How is my little head case this evening?" Carlisle teased, coming over to check on me.

I huffed, pretending to be outraged. "Well, I never!"

"Are you sure?" Emmett taunted. "Not even in the meadow?"

I glared at him for real, and Edward growled. Emmett held his hands up in surrender, but he was still smirking. Carlisle continued his physical exam without comment, though his eyes darted questioningly to Edward's face and seemed surprised by what he saw there.

"Any problems?" Carlisle asked me seriously, looking into my eyes.

"Only one," I mentioned, as seriously as possible. Carlisle looked expectant, and I felt Edward tense beside me, his eyes intent on my face. "I'm afraid that insanity runs in the family. The Cullen family, to be precise. I'm not sure if it's contagious, or if the nutcases just naturally gravitate toward you, though considering present company, I'm leaning toward the latter. I may be a danger magnet, but you, Dr. Cullen, are a nut magnet!"

Carlisle grinned and everybody laughed. He stood up, took my hand, bowed over it, and kissed my knuckles like the gentleman he was raised to be. He looked me in the eye, raised one eyebrow and smirked. "Aren't you glad you fit right in, my dear?"

I grinned back at him. "Absolutely!"

He put his medical bag away and joined Esme on the loveseat.

"So what happened to your head, Bella?" Jacob asked curiously. Edward told them all about Tyler and the accident, without mentioning his own loss of control. By the time he finished, both Jacob and Embry had jumped to their feet and were pacing angrily.

"That stupid idiot!" Jacob yelled. "He could have killed her! What the hell was he thinking to go speeding down an icy hill toward a stop sign? He doesn't deserve to have a license!"

"They should keep idiots like him off the road!" Embry growled.

"He's been telling everyone that he was running late because he was fantasizing about Bella after she

called that morning expressing concern over his well-being," Rose interjected.

"What?" Edward and I both shouted at the same time.

Alice nodded in confirmation. "That's what he told the group who visited him in the hospital."

"You called him?" Jacob asked Bella in disbelief.

"Well, according to the psychic, he was supposed to have an accident in the parking lot. I was trying to prevent it by warning him to drive slowly and carefully. I prevented the parking lot accident, only to have the accident happen elsewhere."

"Some things are just meant to be," Alice warned her. "That's one thing I've learned from my gift. Some things just can't be changed, no matter what you do or how hard you try."

I nodded in reluctant understanding.

"So the idiot was warned to drive slowly and carefully, yet he deliberately did the exact opposite?"

Jacob growled. He was starting to shake.

"He could have killed someone, anyone, not just Bella!" Embry added in a roar, trembling all over.

"I'm going to give him a piece of my mind! And then I'm going to bite his head off, literally!" Jacob screamed, losing control of his temper. His shaking was worse, looking like he was having a seizure.

"What if there had been children playing there! He would have squished them flat!" Embry shouted, vibrating from his tremors.

Before any of us could react, Jasper was beside them, one hand on each of them, pouring calm into their bodies as hard and fast as he could. Their shaking quickly stopped, and when Jasper let go, they both collapsed to the floor. Carlisle was instantly beside Jasper, examining them both.

"Do you need to go outside? It would be safest if you transform outside. That way you wouldn't hurt anybody by accident. None of us need a repeat of the suffering Emily has made it through," Carlisle advised. They both nodded soberly, got up and headed out the back door. To our surprise, they ran to Jacob's car, got in and drove away.

"Where are they going?" Quil asked in confusion. "Why did they leave me behind?"

Everyone was looking at each other, puzzled and concerned. I thought about what I might do if I were in Jacob's shoes.

"The hospital?" I guessed. "To see Tyler?" Several of the others nodded, acknowledging the possibility. They looked at Alice for confirmation.

"Tyler's future just disappeared!" Alice exclaimed in horror. "If they phase inside the hospital, it would be a disaster! We've got to follow them." Everyone began preparing.

"Wait!" Carlisle commanded. "Bella, you take Quil back to La Push. Quil, you try to distract Sam and Paul, try to keep them both in their human form. If Jacob and Embry phase tonight, it would be best if they don't have to deal with Sam and Paul as well. You may be able to get Seth and Leah to help you. The rest of us will head to the hospital and work on damage control. Edward, you, Rosalie, and Jasper run through the woods. Esme, Emmett, and I will take my car. Alice, you stay here and coordinate all the groups. Let us know what is happening with each group and any important visions you have. Any questions? No? Move out."

With that, we were off, each to play our respective roles.

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