|| You, Me and Penny Green ||

| Chapter Sixteen |

"Bells, get up. Someone's been in here." Iris shook her shoulder, her nostrils flaring as the unknown scent practically slapped her in the face. As soon as she smelt it, when she opened her eyes, she was on red alert.

Bella groggily peeled her eyes open, the three large glasses of wine already hitting her. Impatiently, Iris tugged on her arm and threw her on her back like a bag. The Swan yelped in surprise, her face turning bright red in utter embarrassment. It would've been hilarious if Iris wasn't filled with worry. However, she made a mental note to bring it up later. She loved embarrassing Bella any time she could.

Without another word, Iris was flying through the trees. Bella's grip around her neck was steel tight as she screwed her eyelids shut because of the violent wind. Iris carried her as if she weighed nothing at all, her graceful foots steps zooming towards the familiar driveway of the Cullen's. 

As soon as Iris stepped one foot into Edward's vicinity, he heard her wild thoughts. Bella struggled to regain her footing after she slid off of Iris's back, her movements sluggish and more clumsier than usual. When the ginger made her way to the front door, she was stopped before she could even get there – Edward was standing in front of her.

His large hands encompassed her face, holding it as if she was made out of thin glass. His sharp golden eyes searched all around her face and hair, making sure she was all in one piece after hearing what she encountered seconds ago from her thoughts. His eyebrows furrowed in the middle with deep concern, only he could truly pull off as he met her gaze.

"Are you alright? Are you hurt – Did they touch you?" He questioned rapidly, subconsciously tightening his hold on her waist to hold her closer.

"I'm okay, if they touched me – I would've felt it. But it was like they were passing through, because they left us asleep." As stubborn as Iris was, she couldn't help but admit how secure and wholesome she felt in Edward's arms. The worry etched passionately on his features, made her heart soar. It was nice to know he still cared about her even though they had a fight.

Edward further confirmed her thoughts by squeezing her against him, as if to shield her from any possible danger. Her body melded against his out of habit, her hand resting on his chest as he walked the girls towards the front door. "We'll figure it out."

As soon as the news was shared with the others, the continuous and frustrating pacing began. Edward and Alice were the main ones constantly moving around as everyone tried to think about the dire situation. Iris sat on a perfectly white arm chair, Penelope sleeping the night away in her lap to keep her nerves at bay. The little girl was always a remedy to the ginger.

"Who was it? Someone we know?" Alice voiced into the tense silence and Iris perked her head up when she realized the pixie was addressing her.

"Not that I know of – a stranger. I didn't recognize their scent at all." Iris shook her head, biting her lower lip in deep thought.

Esme rested a gentle hand on her daughter-in-laws leg, sending her a reassuring half-smile. "A nomad passing through?" She suggested.

Rosalie immediately shook her blonde waves, standing up straight from the wall she was leaning against. "A passer-by wouldn't have left Bella alive, and Iris would've gone head to head with them." A low growl seemed to verberate from Edward's chest as he thought of the possibility. That was his wife they were talking about, protecting her was his main focus – his whole reason for existing. He be damned if he let anything happen to her.

A shiver went down Bella's back at just the thought of being someone's meal. Esme being the one true comforter at this gathering, wrapped an arm around her. Although, it didn't necessarily help the human with her shaking.

Suddenly the door bursts open. Jasper, Emmett and Colton pile in. All of them wore serious scowls on their faces, and that was a drastic change from Emmett's usual smirk. "His scent disappeared about five miles south of your house," He tipped his head towards the newly wed couple as Colton made his way over to comfort his mate.

Iris sighed under her breath, her fingers wistfully brushing over her daughter's strawberry curls as she thought about what her life had come to. It was too chaotic for her to keep up. She honestly just wanted to pack up everything and move away, but she made the decision to quit running from her problems a long time ago. Edward sat on the armrest of her chair, running his fingers soothingly through her vibrant tresses to calm her down. It was an instant relief as her shoulders loosened.

"Someone's orchestrating this," He spoke with a far away look on his handsome features.

"Victoria?" Carlisle tried and Iris stiffened, thinking the same thing. However, Alice shot the idea down quickly, restating her ability to foresee the nomads actions.

"It has to be the Volturi," Edward changed the subjects' course, to which Iris's face turned incredulous. "For what exactly, I've made a list as they requested. What more could they want?"

"To keep tabs on you. You're the first of your breeding; a powerful alley or a dangerous foe. I'm afraid the Volturi will always have you in the back of their minds." Carlisle sent Iris a sympathetic expression, though it didn't help much with her growing worry. Is no place safe? She thought, tiredly.

"I don't think it's the Volturi either. I've been watching Aro's decisions, too." Iris wanted to voice how unreliable Alice's predictions could be, but she withheld her claim, knowing it would come off the wrong way. She saw Edward subtly nod in her peripheral vision in agreement to her thoughts.

"So we keep looking," Emmett clapped his hands in finality, causing Rosalie to roll her eyes. "First, we have to let the pack know. So they're not running around blind," Iris chimed in, her thoughts bringing her to the reservation with the shape-shifters she's come to think of as family.

"I agree," Bella and Iris shared small smiles, knowing they were on each others side no matter what.

"We also can take shifts, guarding the houses," Colton spoke for the first time as he made eye contact with his sister. Whether he voiced it or not, he wanted his sister and mate safe. It has been shown time and time again that he has a hard time expressing it. Which made him a perfect match for the Swan. Bella smiled lightly towards him, snuggling back into his open embrace.

However, Iris didn't like the idea of being watched by everyone twenty four-seven. She needed her privacy. Her speckled eyes narrowed towards the side of Edward's head and he could practically feel the scorching gaze burning him – when he finally relented. "Eddie, can we talk for a moment. Outside," She said without taking her eyes off him, hearing with her supernatural ears that everyone took it as a strong que to leave them alone. 

The couple walked back towards their house in silence. The chirping of crickets, buzzing fireflies and Penelope's light snoring being the only noise. Iris didn't know where to start as she cradled her child closer to her. Of course she wanted to put it out there, that she didn't mean what she said to come across as offending. That was the furthest thing from her mind in their heated argument. The ginger just didn't know how to put it into words.

"Eddie look, I –"

"I know," He nodded his head, sharing meaningful eye contact with her. Iris shook her head, of course he already knew.

"No, I need to get this out. Your existence, the epidemy of who you are is the reason I married you. I love you; every single part of you. And although I'm still trying to get used to... this new form. I don't want you to think that I regret pledging my eternity with you. Do you hear me?" Iris stopped him from walking, staring between his molten butterscotch eyes. She balanced Penelope in her arms and cupped the side of his face with the other, rubbing her thumb in small circles. "You're right, we are a team. And I can't function without you by my side. One accord."

"There is no moving forward unless were on the same page," He murmured in a subtle plea, to which Iris nodded immediately. She wanted to serve justice to Victoria, but it wouldn't be as gratifying if she didn't have Edward right by her side. The immortal breathed in her lavender, honey scent by pressing his nose into her hand and laid a sweet kiss to her palm. "Let's go home, yeah?"

"Yes Sir. Lead the way." His grin was Iris's favorite thing at the moment because she didn't know if she'd bare witness to it again. She swore her heart beat back to life when he intertwined his fingers through hers, swinging it between them as they padded through the woods. 

The couple also felt like a giant weight was taken off their shoulders simultaneously. They didn't feel like a vital piece of their selves were missing or unraveling. It was official, they didn't like fighting with each other. Not many couples do, but they learned they worked better together rather than on opposing sides. "Riz?"

"Yes, Eddie?"

"Have I told...you lately, that I love you," He sung and Iris had to bite her lip to keep herself from laughing and waking up her daughter. Although his voice was supernaturally melodic, it didn't necessarily mean he had a stellar singing voice.

Rolling her eyes, she nudge his side playfully. "I love you and sadly, I love your corny dad jokes too."

"Would you say they...pop out of nowhere?" 

"Edward!"

Unedited.

Let's just ignore my failure to upload on Saturday and call it a day, yes? Lol anyway, Edris made up – like I said they would of course.