XXXIX. Romantic notion.

I arrived at a very expensive and fancy-looking sushi restaurant. I sat in the car for a moment, preparing myself for what I was about to find out. I didn't feel good about the situation and not being able to share my worries with my husband made it feel worse.

I got out of the car and went inside, approaching the hostess stand where a young Chinese woman stood. I offered her a small smile. "I'm meeting Mr. Jenks," I told her in a somewhat hushed voice.

A look of realization crossed the Chinese woman's face and she nodded. "Right this way," she said, motioning for me to face her. She led me to a quiet table in the back where an older, balding white man sat, dressed in an expensive suit.

"Mrs. Cullen." J greeted as he quickly stood up, holding his hand out to shake mine.

I looked down at his hand before offering him an awkward smile, not shaking his head. "Hi." I greeted before sliding into the chair in front of him, shifting uncomfortably.

"I always meet my private clients here. It's more comfortable than the office." J explained as he sat back down in his chair, nervously folding his hands on top of the table.

I nodded, smiling as I hummed softly. "And it's more public," I added and J chuckled nervously as he lowered his gaze for a moment. "What type of work do you do, J.?" I questioned as I raised my eyebrows.

"Oh, you know, this and that. It's always different, which keeps it interesting." J explained as he shrugged his shoulders, the nervousness seeping deeply into his voice.

"Have you known Alice and Jasper long?" I asked him curiously, my eyebrows remaining raised.

J nodded his head as he spoke. "I've been working with them for more than 20 years. And my late partner knew Jasper 15 years before that," he explained and I made a noise of surprise. 35 years was a long time. "He is, uh, unusually well-preserved," J muttered softly.

I hummed, nodding my head in agreement. "Yes, he is," I replied in a low voice.

"I trust that Mr. Jasper is enjoying his vacation," J spoke and my brows furrowed a little. I wondered if Jasper had mentioned anything of his whereabouts to this man.

"He didn't tell you where he was going, did he?" I questioned curiously as I folded my arms on top of the table, leaning forward.

"No, no, no, he just mentioned that he was leaving when he came by to place his order," J explained as he shook his head and waved his hand across the air.

I let out a soft sigh of disappointment, frowning as I lowered my gaze for a moment. Then my gaze returned to J. "I assume that his order is ready?" I questioned as I raised my eyebrows again.

"Of course. I've never been late with a delivery." J quickly assured as he grabbed a briefcase by his feet. He pulled out a brown envelope and slid it across the table.

I opened the envelope and pulled out the contents. Inside were two birth certificates and passports for Delia and Jacob underneath other names. As well as a fake ID for Jacob. I frowned, my gaze lowering.

"There a problem?" J questioned when he noticed my expression.

"No," I replied softly as I shook my head, shoving everything back into the envelope.

"Jasper said only two were traveling. His instructions were very clear." J explained to me, still seeing my expression was tense and upset.

"That's correct," I whispered as I nodded my head before getting up in a rush and walking out of the restaurant. I got into my car, shoving the envelope into my glove compartment before driving back to Forks.

I spend some time with my mother before getting back on the road. I took Jacob home, where I stayed a few minutes to catch up with the other wolves who weren't completely against me or hated me.

Then I returned home with my daughter. Edward was in the living room, talking with Carlisle and Emmett. The second Delia saw him, she let go of my hand and ran to him. "Daddy!" she called out.

"There's my princess," Edward said as a smile spread across his face and he held his arms open for her. "Come here," he said and Delia ran into his arms. He picked her up, resting her on his hips.

"I spend the whole day with Nana Elle ." Delia informed her father happily as she threw her arms around his neck, smiling brightly.

"And what did you guys get up to?" Edward questioned her as he raised his eyebrows, his smile still spread across his face as he held his little girl.

"We decorated the Christmas tree." She told her father before reaching her arm high up in the air. "She let me put the star at the top," she told him as her eyes widened happily.

"Oh, I'm going to have to go see how pretty that tree is." Edward insisted and Delia giggled in a giddy manner as she rested her head on Edward's shoulder.

"Nana Esme said she'd bake cookies with me today," Delia muttered as she kicked her feet up and down beside Edward's body.

"And she did not forget," Esme spoke up as she walked into the living room and Delia's head shot up from Edward's shoulder. "You ready?" she asked with a smile as she held her hands out to Delia.

Delia reached out and Esme took the little girl from Edward's arms. "Don't bake too much, Esme," I called out as Esme walked away with Delia on her hip. "We don't need another sugar rush," I added and Esme laughed on her way up the stairs.

Edward looked at me, silently studying me for a second. I could mask my face from him and hide my thoughts. But my feelings were an open book to him. He approached me, wrapping his arm around my waist and coming up beside me, taking my hand. Is everything alright? He questioned silently.

I looked up at him, pursing my lips. No. I mumbled silently. I let out an audible sigh and looked away. But for the sake of protecting your thoughts, I can't tell you. I explained softly.

Anastasia. Edward warned in a low voice. Is it about Delia? He questioned me and I could hear he was growing worried.

Just know, she'll be safe. I assured him as I squeezed his hand before pulling away from him.

I grabbed the brown envelope from my car, a few pieces of clean paper, a few pictures of me and Edward as well as our family members, and a bag for Delia for the day we'd meet with the Volturi.

I went up into the room that used to be Edward's and sat down at the table where I began writing a letter for my daughter, my heart heavy as I did so.

My dearest Delia, I thought we would have forever together. But forever isn't as long as I'd hoped. I know now why Alice left me clues. It was to keep you safe. Everything you and Jacob will need is in this pack. Jacob will protect you. And he'll help you learn about the Ticuna legends.

I wrote the letter and folded it neatly. With the letter, the photo's and the brown envelope, I also put a large amount of paper cash into Delia's bag, hiding it underneath the clothes I had packed for her.

"It's a romantic notion, isn't it?" Alistair spoke up from the doorway and I looked up, realizing he saw everything I had just done. "That a righteous few can defy a great evil. I must admit, you even had me believing. For a moment." he told me before letting out a bitter chuckle. "Well, good luck. You're gonna need it. Cheers." he said before walking away.

Alistair left that night without so much as a word, giving no one any explanation. A part of me was thankful because I couldn't even begin to think how I'd explain to my family the things in Delia's bag. I had made such a show that everything would be alright and then turned around and prepared for my daughter to leave.

A week later it was Christmas and me, Edward, Delia, Jacob and Quill spend half of the day with my mother and Charlie. At one point I went outside and sat on the porch railing, staring down at the thick snow covering the ground.

Edward came outside, standing behind me as his arms wrapped around my waist, his chin resting on top of my head. "The snow is sticking," I mumbled softly.

"Hey, we still have today," Edward assured softly as he lifted his head and pressed three soft kisses to my cheek.

I turned my head, looking through the living room window where I could see my mom sitting beside Charlie, playfully trying to feed him cupcakes. His mustache and one side of his cheek were covered in red icing.

I smiled softly at the sigh while leaning back against Edward's chest. "I'm so glad my mom found somebody to take care of her," I muttered softly.

"Ana, no one's giving up here." He assured me softly, moving his hands onto my hips and giving me a soft squeeze.

The door opened and Quill poked his head out. "You're wanted inside." He informed us.

I climbed off the railing and me and Edward followed Quill into the house. Everyone was gathered around the tree, with Delia practically bouncing up and down with excitement. "All right! Present time!" Charlie called out and Delia squealed, digging into her gifts.

I grabbed one of my and Edward's presents to my mom and Charlie. It was a wrapped envelope with two plane tickets and information on arranged accommodation for their planned trip

"Mom," I said as I handed her the wrapped envelope. She opened it with excitement, eyeing the contents of the envelope with curiosity. "It's a 5-day fishing trip to Fraser River. It's for you and Charlie." I told her.

"You leave tomorrow," Edward added while wrapping his arm around my shoulders.

"Wow, that's really nice." My mom gasped as she planted a hand over her mouth. "Thank you." She said sincerely as she looked between me and Edward. Her gaze returned to the plane tickets. She frowned a little disappointed. "Tomorrow? I can't leave tomorrow," she whispered.

"I made arrangements for you at work," Charlie informed my mom, having been in on my and Edward's planned trip for them.

"Sneaky." My mom gasped as her excitement returned and she grinned. "And extravagant." She added as she slapped Charlie's thigh with the envelope.

"And non-refundable, I'm afraid," Edward informed my mother as he offered her a small smile.

"You two trying to get rid of me?" My mother questioned as she looked between me and Edward, and I tensed for a moment before she cackled. "Because it's working!" She said, her voice raising with her excitement. "Fraser River." She sighed before looking at Charlie. "That means we'll be chasing Cutthroat. We might even hook a Rainbow or some Bulls."

I raised my eyebrows in surprise at my mother's knowledge about fish and Charlie chuckled, wrapping his arm around her. "Woman knows her trout," he commented and I laughed softly.

While everyone else continued to exchange and open gifts, which there was a lot to go through, I approached my daughter. She was already surrounded by many toys and still had a lot of unopened gifts. Not to even mention the presents waiting for her back home. Both the Denali clan and the Amazon clan had gone out of their way to get her something as well. It was no secret that my daughter was adored and spoiled.

I sat down beside Delia on the floor, looking at her as she admired a bracelet in her hands. It was very familiar, a simple chain with a little wolf charm on it. Similar to the one the wolves gave me for my graduation, similar to the one I still wear to this day.

"Let me see," I said softly and Delia handed me the bracelet as she smiled. "Jacob make this for you?" I asked with a knowing smile and Delia nodded. "Wanna put it on?" I asked, and she nodded again, and I put the bracelet on for her.

"It's so pretty," Delia commented as she twisted and turned her wrist to get a good look at the bracelet and its charm.

"It is really pretty." I agreed as I nodded my head. I fixed her little red bow in her hair before grabbing one of the gifts I had gotten her recently. "Do you want to open mine and daddy's?" I asked her.

"Please." She said as she excitedly nodded her head and I gave her the small wrapped box. She ripped open the paper and opened the box; her eyes lightened up at the sight of the gold necklace with a heart-shaped pendant. "It's beautiful," she said softly.

"Look, there's a picture of us inside," I told her as I opened the pendant. Inside was a picture of me, Edward, and Delia when she was a bit smaller, having just learned to really walk.

Delia smiled brightly before throwing herself at me, her little arms wrapped tightly around my neck. With a sad smile, I hugged my daughter back, holding her for a minute because I didn't know how much time I had left to hold her.