Forks, WA, December 16th, 2006

As the Dupuis coven began to pull in along the driveway of the Cullen home, Estelle could not help the thought that there were far too many shining and clear windows on the property. 

She could admit the property was well kept and attractive to the eye, but it was nothing compared to the standards that their coven had set for themselves over their long years. 

Marion and Hugo had grown with certain clear expectations and their apparent death and revival did not change the standards of their taste. Estelle, of course, had not grown with equal extravagance, but her maman always made sure to provide for her the best. After her own rebirth, she received the world that her family could give to her earnestly. 

Estelle knew the had she truly remained with Emmett as he had at one point originally begged, she would have been settling for a lifestyle that would not make her truly happy. The possibility of love and romance did not automatically assure that she would remain anything further than content. Estelle could not settle for a life where she was simply content. 

Hugo pulled the car to a still beside one equally as expensive with dark tinted windows. Another of Carlisle friends whom he has likely begged to appear as well. He cut the engine and faced his younger sister. 

Her maman gazed up into the window facing them steadily, tracing the figures that stood still as they likely waited for their entry. 

"The Denali are here," she breathes softly.

Estelle wrinkles her nose slightly. Turning to Thomas beside her, she explains, "Sister older than maman and any of the Cullens. Three sisters and another couple who've joined them. Tanya, Kate, and Irina, as well as Carmen and Eleazar." 

"Do we need to worry about them?" he asks softly. 

"No," Marion disagrees instantly, "They were friends once. Besides, Carlisle promised that we are free to leave should we choose to." 

Hugo opens his door. "Let's head inside then, shall we?" 

Marion sighs, rolling her eyes fondly at her brother. "Yes, let's get this over with." 

Estelle follows closely behind them, flexing her fingers twice as she resists the urge to grab onto her maman's sleeve as though she was still a young child. She could not shake the anxious feeling that welled in the pit of her stomach and simmered up her throat that told her they nought to not remain here. 

The urge to lash out at the first of them who looked at any of them the wrong way was hard to ignore. They were the family of Rosalie and Emmett. They would have so many opinions. When Estelle had demanded that Carlisle change the blonde so many years ago, she did not expect that she would go on to break her maman's heart instantly. 

Marion lead them into the home, not bothering to announce herself as they all knew that they knew she was here. 

Following the tense hush that radiated the discomfort of everyone involve, Marion entered into the sitting room with all the grace and confidence of a woman that knew maintained control. Estelle slid in close to her side, followed by Hugo. Thomas, it was decided, would stay behind them. 

The home carried a strange odour. Something revolting like lingering wet dog and stale blood. With it, there was the odd sound like a kept hummingbird and the steady heartbeats that were hiding somewhere nearby. 

Tanya and Kate remained near the windows together. The later of the sister held her hands loosely, as if prepared to attack. Estelle loosened her own stance and held her head high. Carmen and Eleazar were seated on a sofa to the side. They offered welcoming smiles upon their entries. 

The only of the Cullen's present was Edward. 

"Marion, Hugo," Edward speaks their names with such affection, "Estelle, it's so wonderful to see you all again. I cannot thank you enough for coming." 

"Yes, and what exactly is the problem that we needed to arrive with the utmost haste?" her uncle asks. 

"Hugo," maman's tongue is sharp, "What is going on, Edward?" 

"If you could be give me the benefit of the doubt for just a few minutes," he answers. "I have something difficult to explain, and I'll need you to be open-minded until you understand." 

Marion casts a glance around the room. "Carlisle explained that you were in danger from the Volturi when he had tracked us down. Where are the others?" 

Edward did not waver his gaze from her maman. Estelle knew that he was sorting through those surface thoughts, listening to what he could get for the situation. 

"What is that smell?" Estelle demands. "And the heartbeats?" 

Finally, he turns to face someone else. Estelle can see his expression clearly now as he looks at her. There is a haunted glaze to the topaz of his eyes, one that Estelle had sported for years afraid that someone would force her away from her family. A feeling that is buried now in the pit of her stomach, an anxiety that rarely settles. 

"All I ask is that you listen, please, Estelle," he reminds. "The scent is one you might not have encountered before. They are the Quileute people who we have a treaty with. They are werewolves. Shape-shifters." 

Hugo laughs loudly, a boisterous sound that startles a jump from Thomas. "T'es fou!"

Though her uncle is laughing, no one else seems to think him funny. As a matter of fact, they all seem quite serious. 

Estelle could remember a time where Carlisle had explained to her the possible existence of other such creatures, but she could clearly recall him stating that Caius had exterminated all of their kind. 

"Is this why the Volturi are coming for you? Do they not look upon it favourably?" Marion asks. 

"They are unaware of those connections. They're here for the same reason as you hopefully are. To be witnesses," Edward says. 

Each word is intended to sound manipulative. Intended to persuade and convince them to remain for their confrontation that will have them killed otherwise. 

"You can hear their heartbeats steady in the other room. What else do you hear?" 

"The hummingbird," Marion asks. "What is it really?" 

"Remember what you are hearing.  Now, what is it you can smell from the other room? Besides the smell of dog." 

They scent the air once more, with purpose. Estelle can pick up little more than the stale, odd blood scent. It wasn't quite human, but flavoured of it closely. 

"What is it?" Marion repeats her question with greater apprehension. The shift she makes closer to her children is not lost to the rest of the room. 

"Please, please remember,ber that that this is something entirely new to you. Throw away your preconceived notions." 

Estelle grips her maman's hand. "We promised that we would listen. We are here to listen." 

Edward, a once close and dear friend to her, does not look convinced. She could practically read each no-existence hint of anxiety that lingers about him. She does not make the motion to soothe his concerns. 

To her relief, neither does her maman. Marion was weak to those she cared for at any point in her life. It was a trait she often believed would leave her maman open and vulnerable. 

"All right, then. Bella? Bring out Renesmee, please." 

A pretty brunette, a newborn clear by the look of her eyes, took a singe set into the room. Estelle had little time to react before she was shoved back by her mother, colliding against Thomas as they were huddled together. 

Hugo hissed a loud sound of shock, while a growl rattled from Marion that she had never before heard. 

The child in the newborn Bella's arms, shadowed by a giant of a man reeking of wet dog, was the prettiest child she had ever witnessed. That alone was a clear sign to the unnatural. Another was the instant reaction of her mother who adored every child she had ever come across. 

High cheekbones, perfect eyebrows, straight nose, strong jawline, and full lips, as well as Edward's unusual bronze hair colour and deep chocolate brown eyes. 

"Come on," the man beside the pair grumbled. 

Estelle's gaze snapped to him as she bared her teeth. "What is it?" 

"Listen, please. She's not what you think. It has a heartbeat," Tanya finally speaks, imploring Marion to listen. 

"It doesn't matter what it is," Hugo snaps. "The Volturi will kill us all." 

Marion curses in loud French. "Edward, what have you done?" 

"Marion, you can hear her heartbeat," he snaps. "Stop and think about what that means!" 

Estelle rumbles, hand raising slightly at her side. "Do no speak to my mother in that tone again!" 

Thomas seems to come alive beside her, stretching out slightly. The tension dissipates in a second. Evaporating from the air as the charm starts to ooze free and their shield begin to lower. "We just need to take a breath because I don't know what is going on," he smooths. "Mama M. Tell me what's going on." 

Marion does not ease her position, but the rattles stop. Her gaze does not leave the child. "Immortal children are an abomination. It is why I could not change my Estelle no matter how much I wanted or how much easier it would have been." 

"Immortal children cannot control themselves. They rampage and destroy cities in their hunger. It does not ever cease," Eleazar continues. "But this is not the same, Marion. We have not spoken in years, but I would not lie to you." 

"Renesmee is not fully immortal," Tanya says. 

"She is not a full vampire child," Edward explains. "She is half-human. I am her biological father. Bella is her biological mother." 

Estelle recoils from the words. The thought, the terrible implication. The danger that he would put his apparent mate in. 

Her maman easily expresses their shared thought. "You would take such risks with one so precious to you?" Marion seethes, appalled. "I am disgusted by these actions. That you would put her in such danger." 

"I know, Marion. I know. I was hard pressed to get the venom to reach her heart as it was," Edward admits. "I will never forgive myself for nearly losing her." 

"It wasn't his fault. I wanted it. I wanted to be with him and have my daughter," Bella argues, as if her words truly meant anything to Estelle. 

Estelle could remember a time when she had considered but was forced to sit through the warnings that her mother had laid out before her. She had made the risk once and never again. The sheer amount of blood after the one attempt had her begging Marion to move once more. 

Her maman had never questioned her. 

The child reached up to touch Bella's cheek. "Would it be alright if Renesmee showed you herself? She has a talent for explaining." 

"Show how?"Marion asks. 

"She just needs a touch," Edward says. 

Her brother moves before Estelle could grab hold. "Thomas," she cries, held firmly in place by her uncle as her maman follows closely behind.

"It won't hurt him, Marion," Edward soothes. 

"I hardly trust your judgement," Marions snips back. 

Thomas is still as the infant holds out a hand to his cheek for a tense second. One second that takes eternity until he takes a little shocked breath and grins down at the child with true delight. 

"Stelle," he implores, and it's a nasty trick because he knows she would likely listen to him best at this moment. "Come see." 

Despite the plea in his tone, she cannot move. Not as she is witness to her uncle getting a glimpse, finally followed by her maman. 

"If you do not wish to stay still, my little bird, we will leave. There is still danger, I can sense, but your mother asks you to listen, at least," Marion speaks softly, a gentle hand guiding her daughter forward.  

What she sees in a grotesque vision of birth and gore. Blurry faced that pass and move in frantic jerks. Voices in the dark, whispers loving words, and a vision of Bella sickly and frail. The boy, Jacob, and how she yearns at time to be near him. Flashes of aging and growth. A smaller version of the creature jumping for snowflakes with a giant wolf.

It comes ion like a push through her mind, forcing her to witness with a harsh reality that early life of the child. 

Yet still... 

"The Volturi is coming for this." 

"They are all coming. My sister, Alice, has seen it."

Marion gasps. "The entire guard? Why would they bring such a demonstration, put their wives at risk, to bring punishment?" 

Bella held her daughter closer. "They aren't here to punish," she lets the weight of her words rest, "We hoped you could help us. Be witness to prove that we did nothing wrong." 

"If they are all coming here to you, then they will not care for witnesses. They will take eh actions they deem necessary regardless," Marion says softly. "I will not allow my family to die for this, you must understand." 

Bella nods, solemn. "Just being there might make them stop long enough," she says at the same moment Edward argues, "And what about my family? We're not asking you to fight and die, Marion. Carlisle would never allow that. Rose would never allow that. We're just looking for witnesses. They will be forced to stop and see the truth." 

"What is the truth?" Estelle asks. "How can you be sure she will always control herself?" 

They are silent at her question and she is sure that Edward is digging around the top of her thought looking for the right answer to her question, the one that will alleviate the fear for her family. 

Because Estelle would argue and rage and tantrum as a child would if only to make her maman change her mind about staying set that they could be safe. Estelle wasn't opposed to using Marion's love against her to keep them safe. 

She would do anything for her maman. 

"Stay. Watch. You have the time still to make such a decision until they arrive," Edward pleads. "Please, keep an open-mind."

The coven set their gaze upon Marion to wait her response. 

"We will watch. I promise you nothing more, Edward." 

***

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2024-02-11