New moon
Chapter ten, disaster

Persephone Cullen had spent all day decorating the house and helping Esme bake the cake. Since she was the only one with a working tasting bud. While Carlisle was working at the hospital and the others attended school. Expect for Rosalie and Emmett who have graduated the year prior.

Steph set the cake down on the living room table and started to rush to her room to pick up Bella's gift. The blonde vampire had bought the human a gold charm bracelet, along with 3 charms. A heart (representing her love with Edward), a B for Bella, and a blue stone charm (her birthstone).

The blonde knocked on Rosalie's and Emmett's room after placing her gift downstairs. "Come in, you're late!" Rose yelled, knowing it was Steph.

Opening the door, Steph rushed to sit on the vanity chair. "Sorry Rosie, the cake took a bit longer than we expected."

That made both girls chuckle, Steph and Esme went a little overboard with the cake. Making it two layers, even though only Bella and she were going to eat it.

"It's alright." Rosalie says pulling back her sister's hair, "You look beautiful, I love the red on you."

"Thanks, me and Alice saw it and I immediately loved it. Did you get Bella a gift?" Steph asked as Rosalie started to put her hair in a high ponytail with a few hairs staying on the side of her face.

"Yeah I did, Alice picked it out." Steph nodded before Rose started on her makeup. Things have still been a bit tense between Rosalie and Edward. The Cullens have tried hard to stay under the radar to keep Persephone hidden and away from danger. But it seems like Edward was throwing away all their hard work. However, since the pair have been dating for a couple of months now, Rose has decided to keep her thoughts to herself. Quite literally, since Edward could still hear them.

Finishing applying the red lipstick, Rose turns her to the mirror. "Done, you look perfect."

Steph stood to hug and gave her a hug, "Thanks, Rose! Now get ready, they should almost be here." At that moment Emmett walks in holding up a box.

Once he spotted his younger yet older sister, he tossed the box to her. Steph catches it easily and shakes it but throws Emmett a curious look once she realizes it's empty.

"You'll see." He says with a smirk causing both girls to roll their eyes. Emmett immediately cut onto that and crossed his arms, "Oh come on! It'll be funny, just you see!"

"Whatever, just don't ruin Bella's day," Steph says pointing at him as if it was a warning.

"And why exactly should I listen to you?" Emmett adds raising an eyebrow.

"Because if you don't I'll compel you."

Emmett crossed his arms, "Carlisle said you're not allowed to do that anymore." 

It was Persephone turn to smirk, "I don't see him around."

"You wouldn't." Emmett threatened, but he did she would.

"Dad will forgive me right away so yes I would." Knowing her words held no lies, Carlisle would simply tell her not to do it again just like each other time.

"Doesn't matter, I'm taller so I'm in charge here."

Steph gave him a pointed look, "But I'm older! Ha!"

Rosalie rolls her eyes but smiles, "You're both wrong! I'm in charge, now get out of my sight."

Both immediately nodded, knowing it was true. Emmett scrambled to the closet and Steph went downstairs to get a snack, waiting patiently for Bella to arrive since she hadn't seen her earlier at school.

Esme pulled out a place filled with chocolate-covered strawberries. "Here sweetie, I made extra."

Steph's face lit up and she grabbed the plate immediately, it was still a huge wonder how Steph was capable of doing these human things.

For the first couple of years, Carlisle kept a journal and wrote down theories/observations. But it seems like no one knew the answers and he didn't want to risk trusting the wrong person. The only other vampires that knew were their cousins in Alaska. But even they were sworn to secrecy.

Bella's ugly truck pulled up and Steph quickly got off the counter, rushing to great Bella.

The front door opens, scaring Bella a bit but immediately relaxes when she feels Steph's arms around her. "Happy birthday Bella! You look beautiful, I knew you were going to love the dress. I'm so sorry I didn't see you this morning but I had to step up. I hope you love it!"

Bella hugs her back, not as awkwardly as she did when they first met. The hug was comfortable but cold. Persephone showed her affection by touch and was always hugging her. Other than Edward, Steph was the only other person who could hug her and it would make her feel comfortable instead of awkward.

"Steph, let her breathe. Please, she's fragile." Edward says smiling at the pair, making Steph pull away with a blush.

"Sorry bells, I forget sometimes. But come, I want to show you everything" Steph says but before they can walk inside, Bella stops her.

"It's alright," Bella reassured her, grabbing her cold hand, "thank you for the birthday wishes, I missed you in English and algebra. But I think Mike missed you more." The human joked, causing Emmett to burst out as if someone was calling him.

That loud noise made the girls jump and turn around to see a glaring Emmett.

"Edward, I thought I told you to keep boys away from our baby sister."

It was Persephone turn to glare at both her brothers, "Are you both serious right now!"

But both brothers ignored her as if the topic didn't include her.

"I am, do you know how many guys I have to scare off a day! It's exhaustion, especially the freshman guys who think they have a chance."

"Well obviously you're not doing it right, especially if Mike Newton is still pointing around." Emmett criticized, if he was still there this wouldn't be an issue.

"Mike Newton is a leech, no matter how much you shake him off. He doesn't go away," Edward calls back.

Jasper suddenly appears next to them, "Isn't Mike Newton dating that Jessica girl?"

Emmett throws his arms up like a child, "Yep, but does he still back off? Nope,"

"Ohh, Jessica must hate you." Jasper teases Steph who glares at him.

"Don't remind me, I feel that girl's burning glare on me all day." Steph comments which made them all chuckle even Bella.

"You think it's funny now, but I swear she'd kill me if given the opportunity." Edward shuddered at the thought because Jessica's thoughts were intense sometimes.

Before anyone could say anything else, Edward started to pull Bella inside the house. Not wanting to give Jasper and Emmett another reason to 'take care' of the obnoxious human girl.

"Wow, where do you two think they're going? Emmett seriously, even when you're not there you're still a pain in my ass."

Jasper and Emmett share a look before shrugging and smiling innocently. Steph sighed and walked in after the couple, going to complain to Esme about this.

At that moment, their father figure pulled up in his car. When he stepped out, he saw both his sons looking at him cautiously knowing Steph was going to snitch to them later.

——

Alice tugs Bella and Edward to the top of the stairs, then skips down them. They look down into the living room, it's decorated beautifully with hundreds of pink candles and rose-filled crystal bowls.

Persephone, Rosalie, Esme, Emmett, Carlisle, and Jasper look up at her, all of them stunningly beautiful. Now Bella knew why Steph skipped school. She organized everything beautifully and made way too much food for only two people.

Bella would love to disappear, feeling awkward but Edward leads her down to the living room where Esme and Carlisle are the first to hug Bella warmly.
                        
"Sorry about all this. We tried to rein Steph and Alice in." Carlisle says looking at the two girls who looked away.

Esme pulls Carlisle playfully, "Like that's even possible. Happy birthday, Bella."

FLASH! Alice has snapped a picture of Bella with them. Holding up the camera, "Found it in your bag.   Hope you don't mind?"

Bella shook her hand and smiled, it seemed like her parent's gift was really useful after all.

Emmett moves to Edward's side and nudges him. "Dating an older woman. Hot."

Steph noticed Bella caught that, and so did Edward because he elbows Emmett sharply to shut up.

Not getting the hint Emmett asks "What?"

Rosalie steps up first and shoves a silver package at Bella. "It's a necklace. Alice picked it out."

Bella smiles awkwardly at Rose before opening and thanking her.

Rose walks away, bored to stand next to Emmett who wraps an arm around her. Trying to calm her down.

Trying to lighten the environment, Steph steps forward with a small wrapped box. "Me next!"

Bella takes the box and smiles at the blonde, but blinks, surprisingly when she opens it. "Wow, Steph this is beautiful and perfect. Thank you...how did you know I wanted one?"

Bella hugged the blonde, who immediately hugged back. "I saw you eyeing mine. I'm so happy you love it! I figured you can fill it up as time goes on."

Alice snaps a picture of the two and once again aims the camera at Edward and Bella.

"Show me the love!"

Edward pulls Bella into an embrace, they look deeply into one another's eyes. FLASH!

"For your scrapbook. Now open your other presents!" Alice exclaims dragging Bella to a table with more elaborately wrapped gifts, a huge cake, and a tall stack of china plates.

"Steph, we're the only one who even eats cake. This thing could feed fifty." The human says making Steph share a look with Esme.

"I know but it's so pretty! Look at it." No one can deny that, over the years Steph's had a lot of practice at cooking and has gotten really good.

Alice shakes her head, also not seeing an issue, "Hope you're hungry then. But here, this one's from Emmett."

Bella lifted the present up and shook it, feeling how empty it was. She looks at Emmett curiously, "Um... thanks?"

"Already installed it in your truck." He says proudly, "Finally, a decent sound system in that piece of-"

Bella cuts him off right away, "Hey, no hating on the truck. Thank you, Emmett."

Emmett smiles happily, knowing his gift is perfect. Alice then hands Bella another gift, "This one is from Carlisle and Esme."

"Something to brighten up your day, you've been looking a bit pale lately." Esme jokes causing everyone to chuckle.

"Thank you." Bella starts to open it but stops and hisses. "Ouch, paper cut."

A single drop of deep red blood appears and that single drop is what causes chaos among a group of vampires.

Bella thinks little of it but then hears a disturbing, and loud snarl. Bella looks up just as Jaspers lunges toward her! Teeth bared, eyes beyond reason, and looking crazy.

Edward flings Bella behind his own body, causing her to crash into the table, plates shattering Jasper slams into Edward; sounds like boulders colliding.

Persephone stares in horror, the smell of blood lingering in the air. It made her realize, she hadn't hunted in a while sticking with human food.

Edward snaps his gaze to her only for a moment but pushes Jasper hard.

Jasper goes backward, hitting the wall. He tries to come back but Emmet and Carlisle tackle Jasper from the side, grabbing his arms.

Alice holds his face and tries to calm him down, "Jaz...shhh, it's just a little blood." But she stops, her head suddenly jerking toward Bella. Then everybody's eyes snap toward Bella as they catch the overwhelming scent.

Bella is on the floor lying among shards of broken glass. They all looked at her arm, seeing now, it's been slashed by plate shards; bright red blood pulses out of her, pooling.

Bella looked up, All of them now, including Edward (but not Carlisle) stared down at her, at her blood, with fevered eyes. Six suddenly hungry vampires looking at her.

Carlisle jumps into action, appearing at Bella's side. Edward, though white as a bone, snaps out of it and
stands between her and the others.

"Emmett, get Jasper out of here." Carlisle holds Bella's bloody arm but when he hears no response, he repeats his words, "Emmett."

Emmett reins himself in, elbows Rosalie then drags a snarling Jasper out. Persephone and Esme hold their nose and politely exit with the others.

Alice looks at Bella, apologetic, "I'm sorry, I...can't." She slips out the door to join the others.

Edward's still on guard as Carlisle examines Bella's arm. "I'll have to stitch this up." Carlisle words brought him back to reality.

"I'll carry her to the kitchen." He moves to pick her up, but his eyes dart to the blood. Carlisle noticed and shook his head.

"I'll take care of her, Edward." Edward doesn't move, "Check on Jasper, he needs you right now. Go."

Edward looks from him to Bella. Then steps back, allowing Carlisle to lift Bella and carry her away.

Edward runs outside deep in the woods to see his family trying to calm Jasper. Rosalie leaned against a tree, angrily.

"I knew this was going to happen. I don't need Alice's gift to know that girl is nothing but trouble to all of us." Rose snaps causing Steph to touch her arm. "Rose, please. Now is not the time for fighting."

Steph looked at Edward's broken face, he looked miserable. She walks over to him slowly and he opens his arms. The blonde immediately hugged him, both needing comfort.

"Edward, I'm so sorry," Jasper whispers, sadly. "I didn't mean to..."

Edward shook his head, "It's not your fault Jasper. Don't worry about it, this is who we are."

Things were going to change, Edward was going to break up with Bella. Persephone Cullen didn't need his gift to know that.

They all heard a loud wolf howl making them share a look with each other. A couple of months ago, the first shapeshifter made contact with Carlisle. Confirming the treaty. They weren't the only supernatural in forks anymore.

——

Persephone, Jasper, and Emmett had gone hunting that same day. But when they returned, things weren't the same.

There were some boxes piled up by the door, the Cullen's were leaving Forks Washington. Steph closed her eyes for a moment, her sadness overwhelmed her.

Jasper feeling it, grabs her arm to comfort her.

Edward walks out, looking numb and pale. "Steph, can I talk to you?"

The blonde vampire nods, as Emmett and Jasper disappear inside the house.

"We're leaving?" Persephone was conflicted she didn't how to feel, they would be leaving Bella behind. Could the human even survive that? The Cullen's have been a huge part of her life, here at Forks.

Edward nods, "I'm going to go off on my own for a while."

Persephone bit her lip to stop herself from crying, because she knew Edward needed to be alone. Away from all the voices in his head.

"I'll miss you," Steph says softly tears falling from her eyes. Edward pulled her to him and wrapped her in a hug.

"I'll miss you, too." The two stayed there for a while until it was time to leave with her family. And Edward leaves to break the news to Bella.

On the other side of town, the three shapeshifters were overjoyed. The vampire leader had informed Sam about their departure earlier that day. The cold ones were leaving, they felt like celebrating.

——

Author notes: wow, 3 updates in a row and I'm already working on the next one...I'm shocked. This is how you know, I'm done with school.

I hope you all liked this chapter, I've decided that Steph is leaving with her family HOWEVER...she will be back really really soon. I'm so excited to be writing that.

Don't forget to vote, comment, and follow me to stay updated!

Outfit of the chapter:

Word count: 2718