~~~

The two women did not lie when they said they would be in Washington the following morning. For the next morning, Carlisle received a text that they had arrived at the airport and would be in Forks within the next hour and a half. Both women were filled with nerves as they stood inside the Seattle airport waiting for their luggage to arrive, a small bag for each. Luciana anxiously tapped her manicured finger against her arm that was covered in her cream-colored long sleeve button up shirt. The material was soft against her fingertips, the feeling was similar to a sheer top but covered her tanned skin perfectly as she moved her hands to adjust the collar of her shirt. Her jeans were dark-washed accenting her long legs that only appeared longer thanks to her beige-colored heeled boots. The outfit was surprisingly light for Luciana as the Spanish woman almost always wore darker colors but if she were to wear any lighter colored shirt it would still remain nude, hence the cream-colored button down. 

Contrasting her friend Dalila adorned black jeans that led down to her leather grey heeled boots. The Cuban woman opted for a simple fitted grey scoop neck tank top that accented her body but still hung loosely on her torso. Covering her soft caramel colored skin was a light-wash jean jacket that she rolled up around her wrists. The outfit summarized her style pretty well granted over the decades she had been alive Dalila had a broad fashion sense that depended on her moods. Similar to her coven sister, she only wore the gold jewelry gifted to her by Carlisle with a pair of earrings and a simple layered gold necklace. Luciana wore small diamond earrings while Dalila opted for gold studs that accented her other jewelry. 

Once their luggage was in hand they walked over to pick up their rental car. The stammering man behind the desk quickly gave them the keys to the black Mercedes Benz they would be driving to the rainy town of Forks. The Latina women waisted little time in observing the car as they entered the confines of the luxury vehicle before driving out of the airport parking lot.

The tires glided across the damp road as Luciana skillfully drove down the roads.  In the passenger seat, Dalila was scrolling through her phone answering business e-mails although the rapid movement of her leg revealed her emotional distress. Luciana was not better as her manicured black nails tapped the steering wheel rapidly. After around twenty minutes in the car, the women spoke at the same instant, "We need to stop." 

Laughter rang throughout the car at the girl's amusement over their unison thoughts. They shared a caring look before they were both silent once more. Their movements had ceased as both women attempted to clear their thoughts and create a level head. Neither of them would benefit from working themselves up even more than they had, after all, whatever they were to witness at the Cullen's would not change their view of their dear friends. However, worry and concern lingered within their hearts as they neared the Cullen household. After all, the Volturi were the biggest threat to any coven and both women had witnessed the strength of the Volturi and little doubt resided within them that if needed the Volturi would execute the Cullen coven. The closer the car got to the forest path the more the girls had to speak in their native language to calm them. The words they grew up speaking rolled off their tongues both dialects being easily translated within their minds as they had lived side by side since shortly after their transformation. The car was filled with Latin music by the time the car rolled down the path leading to the Cullen drive. 

The trees passed and eventually gave way to the elegant and modern architecture of the Cullen household. The glass house was as beautiful as the women remembered from the time they visited when the house was first built. The non-biological sisters had not returned since the family originally took up residence in the small rainy town, purely for protection reasons as too many vampires in one place always posted a larger threat of exposure or slip-ups.

Peering up at the house caused a range of emotions to strike the Latina women as the familiar scents of the Cullen family hit their nostrils. However, almost right as they exited the car did a flood of new smells bombard their senses. Luciana gagged picking up a disgusting wet and woodsy smell that reminded her of the smell of the outdoors on a dog. The scent was overpowering causing her to cover her nose to block the scent. Her eyes flittered to Dalila who seemed to be hit with a different scent as her reaction was far different from Luciana's. While Luciana's body language showed her disgust, Dalila immediately tensed when catching a strong scent of unfamiliar vampires. The smell was clearly from various covens and immortals as the smells ranged from a deep musky scent to a soft ginger scent to a heavy kushari smell.

Within moments of the women stepping out of their vehicle, the door to the large home had opened revealing the patriarch and matriarch of the Cullen coven. The new scents were now overwashed by the lavender smell of Esme and Carlisle's fresh woodsy scent allowing both women to relax slightly at the familiarity. Smiles tugged at Dalila's soft rose painted lips while Luciana's burgundy painted lips reflected the same expression.

"Luciana, Dalila, I'm so glad you could make it on such short notice. I can not thank you enough for coming to hear our side of the story," Carlisle greeted his friends with open arms and a bright grin. Dalila moved first easily accepting the man's embrace and pressing a gentle kiss to each of his cheeks before stepping back, "We are glad to be here, Carlisle, albeit confused and worried but still happy."

Luciana chuckled softly as Carlisle embraced her before she replied to his greeting, "I agree, we are incredibly curious as to why the Volturi have chosen to actively impose a threat. I believed that since Bella is now an immortal that they would give up their pursuits."

"I'm afraid circumstances have changed and new situations have arisen," Esme interjected after embracing both dark haired women. The matriarch held clear worry on her face at the impending date of the Volturi's arrival for her children and husband were being threatened and that was enough to make any mother frightful. Dalila rubbed Esme's arm in comfort flashing a reassuring smile at the gentlewoman who possesses the kindest soul the Cuban girl had ever seen. Carlisle gave his mate a sympathetic gaze before extending his arm to Luciana, "We better discuss this inside."

The two tan skinned women walked alongside their friends in silence. When they reached the door the wave of immortal scents plagued the girls' senses. Both women coughed softly covering their mouths as they held their breath as to not be overwhelmed.

"Carlisle you didn't tell us you had so many guests," Dalila commented attempting to be polite despite her sudden shift in demeanor. Knowing that other vampires were present in the home unsettled the girl as she was not one to trust strangers. She had spent years creating a new life and she didn't want anyone to ruin that with a slip of the tongue.

Carlisle chuckled weakly attempting to cover up his nerves, "Ah, yes, forgot how intuitive you both are."

"Well the scents are hard to miss, Carlisle, after all, we are immortal beings with incredibly heightened senses," Luciana replied her usually sass and wit interlacing with her words causing both Carlisle and Esme to laugh lightly. Esme patted Luciana's shoulder flashing her kind grin to the woman, "Everything will be explained soon, I promise."

Neither women verbally confirmed her words but instead nodded slowly before continuing into the main floors living room. The two women took a seat side by side their knees touching as they sat sitting angled towards the Cullen leaders. Esme and Carlisle were quiet for a moment as if preparing for what they would be saying next. In the moments of silence, Dalila and Luciana could not help but notice the absence of the Cullen children. Usually, Rosalie would greet the girls almost instantly with Alice towing Jasper along as well. Edward had always been last as he spent the longest greeting the two women but today only Esme and Carlisle came to greet them. Something about the events created an unsettling feeling within their guts.

"Where are Edward, Rosalie, and the other children? Usually, they come to say hello when we visit," Luciana inquired her curiosity getting the best of her. Dalila nudged Luciana shaking her head slightly as a way to reprimand her friend because clearly something was going on with their friends and it was forming an uneasy environment. Carlisle's lips turned up into a bitter smile, "Rosalie and Emmett are upstairs with our guests. The others... Well, that will be revealed once we tell our tale."

"Do tell, at your own pace of course," Dalila replied her voice soft and gentle as she faced forward to pat Carlisle's knee in a reassuring manner. With a smile from Esme, Carlisle began to reveal the events that had taken place since the wedding of Edward and Bella.

"It all started on Edward and Bella honeymoon to Isle Esme. We believed everything was going smoothly until one night Rosalie got a call from Bella. Bella was terrified and ranting to Rosalie about a topic we had yet to know about. All we knew at the time was that something had happened and Edward and Bella were returning immediately. So, Rosalie picked them up from the airport and when they entered everything unraveled," Carlisle pauses to clear his throat as whatever memories he was reliving plagued his mind, "What I am going to say will seem impossible but you must remain with me to the end of the story, I beg you."

With a nod of agreement from both women, Carlisle continued, "On the honeymoon, it seemed that by some twist of fate Edward.. impregnated young Bella," before either woman could protest Carlisle raised his hand to silence them. Remembered their agreement they allowed him to continue, "Yes, I know, impossible but it was true. A fetus was growing inside of Bella. So I monitored the baby and Bella's condition and as time passed, Bella's condition became worse and worse. I feared the worst that this fetus, child, would kill Bella. After many arguments, the decision came to Bella and she is as stubborn as you two I swear because she wasn't allowing anyone to take her baby from her. Luckily, we figured out a way to get nutrients into Bella and she gained some strength. Yet, we hadn't fed in months so myself alongside Esme and Emmett, left to hunt and acquire materials needed to deliver the baby. When we were gone, Bella went into labor. Edward turned Bella as she was dying due to childbirth and the baby was born, a healthy little girl. Now, before you start anything else I simply ask that you allow me to prove to you that my words are valid."

Both women were tense as their hands were interlocked. What Carlisle was saying couldn't possibly be true for vampires were dead, how could Edward even reproduce? Granted both women didn't doubt that Carlisle himself would have posed the same question yet the way the man spoke, it was hard to refute what he was saying even without evidence. Carlisle spoke with such assurance that the sisters were already preparing themselves to meet this child.

Their thoughts came through as seconds within Carlisle calling for Edward to come down, and with him came a dainty and delicious scent that wafted into the room. The smell was interesting to say the least as it heavily had the floral scent of an immortal but with the sweet honey-like scent of human blood. However, neither girl felt a twinge of hunger when the owner of the scent entered the room. Luciana gasped while Dalila's words got caught in her throat as they were met by the warm brown eyes of a child. The girl appeared no more than ten or so but her innocent face seemed to make her look even younger, which if Carlisle words were true would mean this girl was only a few months old. The child stood between her parents both Edward and Bella taking protective stances in front of their daughter.

Their minds whirled with emotions and thoughts that even Edward couldn't read in those moments. However, both women already knew their opinion the moment the child set foot in front of them. Carlisle had to be telling the truth because the small girl before them was the spitting image of her parents in their human years. The girl's brown eyes were just like her mother's while her hair colors was a mixture of both parents but her face had the elegant features of her father intertwined with the gentle human features her mother possessed.

As the silence had overtaken the room for a few minutes Edward and Bella were both clearly on edge. Bella stared at the two strangers she had never met before while Edward watched his friends with caution in his eyes because as much as he cared for the two women on the couch his daughter was his main priority. However, both women had simply been processing the information bestowed on them leaving them little time to consider speaking. When the reality of how long they had been silent set in the women calmed. Their faces became stoic causing the Cullen's to shift around them.

"Would you stop looking at us like we are going to try to eat your daughter?" Luciana finally snapped her nature quickly becoming apparent. Yet, while Edward, Esme, and Carlisle knew the women's words were her way of showing acceptance Bella had other thoughts. The young mother quickly moved forward placing her daughter firmly behind her. Her actions caused Luciana to smirk, not realizing how menacing she appeared to the mother. However, Dalila easily understood Bella's perception of Luciana's words cussing the Cuban to slap the back of the Spanish girls head.

Luciana spun around to face Dalila with a murderous look as her native tongue flowed from her lips, "Why did you just slap me?!"

"Because you just practically insinuated to a young mother that you are going to kill her child!" Dalila responded in English with the same strength in her voice glaring at Luciana. Thr Spanish womans face softened hearing her words, the realization of her appearance becoming clear in her mind. The woman clearly remembered that Bella had not met her before and therefore didn't understand her sarcasm or snark.

"Ay dios mio, I'm so sorry Isabella. I forgot we have not had the pleasure of meeting and that my words may be misinterpreted. I mean no harm to your daughter," Luciana apologized a gentle grin replacing her usual smirk. Bella seemed to still be on the edge as her eyes flashed to her in-laws who are smiling softly. Yet, Edward was the one to intervene as he reached out to pull his wife against him, "Relax, Bella. These are very good friends of my family. They would never harm a Cullen."

Bella relaxed in her mate's arms allowing her to accept his words and judgment. They shared a soft kiss before parting. At this point, Luciana and Dalila had risen alongside Esme and Carlisle.

"So, what no hug or greeting? I see we flew all this way for nothing," Luciana muttered shaking her head dramatically while holding out her hand as if keeping Edward away. However, when the male moved to embrace here the Spanish native quickly accepted the hug squeezing the man tightly. They shared a few kind whispers before Edward was hugging Dalila who congratulated him on the birth of his daughter. The duo kissed each other's cheeks before separating and facing the brunette mother and her child. 

Edward's smile never vanished as he had his hands on the backs of both Latina women, "Bella, this is Luciana Ibarra and Dalila Cordero. They are some of Carlisle's oldest friends and very good friends of myself and the rest of our coven." 

Bella's body remained stiff but upon seeing the way Carlisle exchanged glances with the two women, she relaxed her shoulders, "It's a pleasure to meet you all, sorry for the um-scene." 

It was clear that Bella was flustered after realizing her mistake of intentions regarding the women before her. However, to her surprise, both women simply smiled letting out small laughs, "Oh honey, it's fine you're a new mother and you're protective of your child, it's natural you wouldn't trust strangers. Besides, it appears that you already have dealt with facing many other immortals opinions of your child. Your protectiveness is admirable and natural." 

Dalila nodded her head to finish her words and her words only seemed to make the young vampire smile shyly. Luciana flashed a similar smile before the Cullens were leading them up the stairs to meet the other witnesses. The two Latina women walked side by side as they moved up the pristine staircase behind Carlisle and Esme. 

"I have a feeling you will enjoy a few of our guests," Esme said gently glancing back at the two women behind her and her husband. The women returned her grin praying that she would be right and they would not regret meeting other immortals.