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EIGHTEEN; GRADUATION

"BELLA AND EDWARD are here," Carlisle informed Amelia, who was laying on her bed, reading the new issue of Vogue. "Will you come out and greet them?"

"Be right there," she murmured, shutting the pages of her magazine shut.

Carlisle sighed, taking a step into her room first. She gazed at him curiously as he took a seat at the edge of her bed. "I understand the situation with the Volturi has gotten worse."

She rolled her eyes. "Who told you?"

"I'm disappointed that you did not want to tell me yourself, Mia."

She frowned at the sadness in Carlisle's expression. She sat up and looked at him. "Carlisle, I did not want you to worry. I can handle this situation, I promise."

"But I know you, Mia, and I know how strong your relationship with Paul is. I know you would sacrifice yourself for his safety, and I'm just not sure I can allow you to run off to Volterra without knowing if you are going to return. It doesn't soothe well with me, and neither with Esme. We're extremely concerned."

She chewed on her lower lip. "I don't know what to do. Aro will hurt Paul, I just know it. And with Demetri being in the same room? It's too much, Carlisle."

"Then let us go with you," he insisted. "As a family."

"You can't," she shook her head as a refusal. "If the rest of you join me, questions about Bella's mortality will arise. Then what? I would be saving myself from one situation just to put our whole family in another."

Both vampires heard Edward's call up the stairs, and Amelia smiled. "We can speak about this later, Carlisle. I'm sure Bella's gotten herself into some trouble again."

He reluctantly nodded. "Alright. I just hope you understand how much we all love you, and how we're willing to go the distance if it ensures your safety."

She grinned. "I'll never forget."

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Amelia had to pick Paul up from Sam's house before her graduation, and she was determined to set Jacob straight in the process. When she entered, she smacked him over the head, angering him quickly.

"Jacob Black! In what universe do you think it's acceptable to kiss my brother's girlfriend and get her hand broken?"

Jacob's temper faded, his frown turning into a smirk. "Don't worry about it, Amelia. That kiss is between me and Bella. I'll see you at graduation."

She rolled her eyes and darted her attention towards Paul, who was wearing a nice button-down shirt and a pair of black pants. She shrieked in happiness at his appearance and walked over to his figure, smiling up at him.

"You look great!"

"Yeah, Paul," Jared smirked from his spot at Emily's table. "You look great."

"Shut up, Cameron," Paul grumbled at him. His face lit up, however, at the sight of his imprint. "Hi, gorgeous. You ready to graduate?"

"I've done it a million times before," she brushed off. "But look at you! You're wearing a shirt and a real pair of pants!"

After hearing the multiple snickers from his pack mates, Paul was quick to escort Amelia out of the premises. "Alright, let's get going before you give them anything else to tease me about."

When they arrived in the Forks High gymnasium, a handful of girls in their caps and gowns began whispering, staring at Paul with a look of wonder. Amelia looped her arm through his and smiled. "Will you be alright sitting with my family and having all of these girls stare at you?"

"Is that jealousy I hear, Mia?"

She scoffed. "Of course not."

She gave him a parting kiss on the lips as he took his seat next to Carlisle and Esme. Amelia plopped down next to Edward, nudging him playfully. "Another four years, another cap and gown."

"Ah, yes. The glory of graduating high school once again."

"Well, at least this is the first graduation with both your soulmate and mine," she chirped. "The first of many."

She could tell Edward was still not pleased with the idea of Bella turning into a vampire, and he nodded ruefully. Amelia tuned in to listen when Eric was giving his valedictorian speech, raising an eyebrow at the way he stuttered halfway through and then began talking in a flurried manner. She offered him a little credit — she had witnessed way worse.

Carlisle and Esme cheered proudly as their children stepped up to receive their diplomas, and Paul had cheered the loudest when Amelia's name was called. Girls began to murmur at his presence, but Paul ignored all of them, snapping pictures of Amelia on his camera as she walked across the stage.

Before she knew it, yellow caps were being thrown in the air and shouts of glee filled the silence. Amelia immediately wrapped her arms around Edward, laughing into his shoulder.

He left abruptly to find Bella while Amelia searched for Paul. He met her in the middle, encompassing her figure and twirling her in the air.

"You did it! You graduated, Mia!"

She giggled at his elation, and kissed him gently. "Thank you, Paul. I think you might be more excited than I am."

He gave her another kiss and chuckled against her lips. "So, what now?"

"Have to go home and help Alice set up for the graduation party," she murmured in between kisses. "She wants everything to be perfect and I volunteered to be her happy helper."

"Am I allowed to come with you and keep you company?"

"Of course. Especially when you look so good in real clothes."

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When Amelia and Paul entered the Cullen home, Amelia chuckled at how Alice had completely transformed the Cullen home. It looked like the inside of a nightclub, and Alice was stressing near the kitchen.

"Mia, can you make sure the food is all ready for the humans to eat at the party?" She asked, her figure fluttering throughout the house in order to make sure everything looked perfect. "And don't let Paul eat all of it!"

Bella and Edward walked in after Paul had finished 'tasting' all of the food, which translated to him eating a bite of everything before declaring it to be edible for the party.

"Edward!" Alice called from beside a gigantic speaker. "I need your advice. Should we give them familiar and comforting? Or educate their taste in music?"

"Keep it comforting," Edward responded. "You can only lead the horse to water."

Bella looked down at her choice in clothing. "I think I'm underdressed."

"You're perfect," Edward disagreed.

"You'll do," Alice countered.

"You look great, Bella!" Amelia shot her a thumbs up while she fed Paul another bite of the cucumber sandwiches.

"Thanks," Bella sighed. "Do you really think people will come?"

Alice narrowed her eyes at the hope in Bella's voice. Amelia understood Bella did not want anyone attending the party, but unfortunately, humans were too curious about the Cullen family to resist the invitation.

"Everyone will come," Edward voiced Amelia's thoughts. "They're all dying to see the inside of the reclusive Cullens' mystery house."

"Fabulous," Bella moaned.

As Alice kept moving around the house, Edward spoke to Bella, Amelia, Jasper and Carlisle privately about the attacks in Seattle. Amelia smiled at Paul when he questioned what was wrong, and gave him a quick kiss on the lips before joining her family.

Jasper informed the family of the current situation. He had not been able to gain contact with anyone except for Tanya's family, who were very reluctant and unwilling to join in. The numbers of the newborns were highly alarming, and Jasper did not hide the worry in his tone.

Suddenly, the doorbell rang and the whole issue was dismissed. Alice turned up the volume of the music and answered the door. Amelia joined Paul's side, stopping him from devouring everything in the kitchen. All of the humans piled in at once, most of them being Bella's friends.

Bella went over to greet them while Mike gazed longingly at Amelia, who was captured by Paul's smile. The werewolf tightened his grip on her once he noticed Mike's gaze.

The party took off without a hitch after everyone had gotten over the initial shock of seeing the Cullen house. Paul was attempting to show off his dance moves to Amelia on the floor, and she laughed at his attempts.

Halfway through the party, Amelia caught sight of Alice, gripping the door frame of the kitchen with an expressionless look on her face. Bella quickly walked over to ask what was wrong, and Amelia excused herself from Paul's embrace.

The doorbell rang as Amelia gripped Alice's waist to hold her steady. "Bella, go answer the door. I can smell that it's Jacob."

"Wait-" Bella insisted, but Amelia and Alice had already rushed off to find Carlisle.

Once they both found him and Edward, Amelia handed off her sister. "I have to find Paul and take care of this Jacob situation. You'll fill me in later," she ordered, glancing at them.

"Hey, Bella!" Amelia heard Jacob's deep voice speak over the music. Embry and Quil were both with him, standing on both sides defensively. She saw the three standing in the doorway as Paul approached the group.

Bella had tried to make a run for it, maneuvering her way through the crowd in an attempt to lose Jacob. Amelia was fast on Paul's heels, following his pack mates.

When Jacob finally caught her, he was not greeted with a nice welcome. "Friendly reception," he noted.

Bella scowled at him and Amelia smiled at her confidence. "What are you doing here?"

"You invited me, remember?"

"In case my right hook was too subtle for you, let me translate: that was me uninviting you."

"Don't be a poor sport. I brought you a graduation present and everything."

Paul turned to face his imprint. "What's going on? Is Alice okay? Are you okay?"

She nodded, but with slight hesitation. "Everything's fine. Jacob's not here to cause any trouble, is he?"

Paul led them to a different section of the house. "I don't believe so. Now, can you please just tell me what's wrong? Remember what I said about protecting you?"

She sighed, shaking her head. "I don't know yet. Alice had a vision, but to be honest, I'm a little scared to ask what she had seen. She looked so shaken up, and I'm worried."

Amelia suddenly heard Bella yell Alice's name, and she left Paul to find out what was going on. Alice stood right next to Bella, arm around her waist as she whispered quietly.

"I need to talk to you."

Bella nodded. "Jake, I'll see you later."

Jacob would not allow them to leave, blocking their way with his arm. Amelia could sense the growing tension and quickly walked forward, Paul quick on her heels.

"Hey, not so fast," Jacob said.

Alice stared up at him, eyes narrowed. "Excuse me?"

"Alice," Amelia warned, joining her side and gripping her arm.

"Tell us what's going on," Jacob demanded in a growl.

Jasper suddenly appeared, grasping Jacob's arm with a threatening look in his eyes. Jacob surrendered and pulled his arm back. Amelia's expression told him that it was a good choice to make.

"We have a right to know," Jacob hissed.

Jasper stepped in between Alice and Jacob, causing all three werewolves to be on high alert. Paul was more concerned about Amelia, who looked conflicted on who she was trying to stop.

"Hey, hey," Bella spoke. "This is a party, remember?"

"Jazz," Amelia said, laying her hand on her brother's shoulder. "Let's be civil."

Jasper's tense posture did not ease, and Amelia sighed at the determination glittering in his eyes.

"What did you see, Alice?" Bella asked.

Alice glared at Jacob again before she turned to Bella to answer her question. "The decision's been made."

"You're going to Seattle?"

"No."

Amelia immediately closed her eyes, hoping the news wasn't true. "They're coming here," Bella choked out.

Amelia gasped, and Jasper held his sister in place. Paul quickly took over, wrapping his arms around his imprint's frame and whispering soothing words in her ear.

"Yes," Alice spoke curtly.

"To Forks," Bella whispered.

"Yes."

"For?"

Alice nodded in understanding. "One carried your red shirt."

"We can't let them come that far. There aren't enough of us to protect the town," Jasper said, despite his persistent glare towards the wolves, except for Paul. It was clearly he did not want anyone else but his family to hear this information.

"I know," Alice replied. "But it doesn't matter where we stop them. There still won't be enough of us, and some of them will come here to search."

"No!" Bella argued. "Alice, I have to go, I have to get away from here."

"That won't help. It's not like we're dealing with a tracker. They'll still come looking here first."

"Then I have to go to meet them!" Bella insisted. "If they find what they're looking for, maybe they'll go away and not hurt anyone else!"

"Bella!" Alice protested.

"Hold it," Jacob ordered, ceasing Bella's arguments. "What is coming?"

Alice decided to answer his question. "Our kind. Lots of them."

"Why?"

"For Bella. That's all we know."

"There are too many for you?" he asked.

Jasper stepped in. "We have a few advantages, dog. It will be an even fight."

"No," Jacob protested with an adamant smile across his face. "It won't be even."

"Excellent!" Alice hissed. Her expression changed and she suddenly grinned at Jacob. Amelia had never wanted Edward's powers more until this moment. "Everything just disappeared, of course. That's inconvenient, but, all things considered, I'll take it."

"We'll have to coordinate," Jacob said. "It won't be easy for us. Still, this is our job more than yours."

"I wouldn't go that far, but we need the help. We aren't going to be picky."

"Wait, wait, wait, wait," Bella interrupted them. Amelia was also high in protest, refusing to let Paul be a part of this. "Coordinate?"

"You didn't honestly think you were going to keep us out of this?" Jacob asked.

"You are staying out of this!" Bella argued.

"Your psychic doesn't think so."

"Alice — tell them no!" Bella insisted. "They'll get killed!"

"Alice, we can't," Amelia sided with Bella. "They'll get hurt."

"If we don't, the whole town will be implicated," Alice spoke with understanding, knowing how much this decision would affect Amelia.

"How many?" Quil asked eagerly. He, Embry and Jacob were laughing at the ordeal, as if they weren't about to get hurt by the current situation. Paul was still whispering softly in Amelia's ear, trying to get her to calm down.

"No!" Bella shouted.

Alice didn't glance at her. "It changes — twenty-one today, but the numbers are going down."

"Why?" Jacob asked curiously.

"Long story," Alice said, suddenly looking around the room. "And this isn't the place for it."

"Later tonight?" Jacob pushed.

"Yes," Jasper answered him. "We were already planning a strategic meeting. If you're going to fight with us, you'll need some instruction."

"Jazz," Amelia hissed. "Stop."

"Mia, it's the only way," he spoke with sorrow in his voice.

"We've got to get back to Sam. What time?" Jacob questioned.

"What's too late for you?"

The shapeshifters rolled their eyes. "What time?" Jacob repeated.

"Three o'clock?"

"Where?"

"About ten miles due north of the Hoh Forest ranger station. Come at it from the west and you'll be able to follow our scent in."

"We'll be there."

They turned to leave and Bella quickly followed, trying to convince Jacob not to go. Amelia turned around, cradling Paul's face in her hands. "Promise me you won't do this."

He frowned. "You're in danger. Remember what I said? I'm protecting you."

"Paul-"

He shushed her, holding her to his chest and kissing the top of her head. "Don't worry. We got this."

Amelia glanced at Alice, who offered her a nod. Amelia convinced herself that everything would be okay, and Paul would be just fine. Hopefully, she would turn out correct.

dangerous woman is my favorite book to update, i love amelia and paul so so much