Ban Together Chapter 23

Emmett stood on one side of the room while Bella sat on the lone couch with her mates on either side of her. There were another two chairs in the room but Emmett wasn’t sure if he should sit or not. Bella had immediately chosen to sit, so he opted to stand until he was told otherwise. He wasn’t sure where he stood with his old best human friend. She had been like a little sister to him and when he had to leave, it was all he could do to not obey Carlisle and come back, but once he had agreed with Edward, there had been nothing he or Rosalie could do. They had been bound by the maker’s control over them.

Bella sat and studied her old friend. She had really liked Emmett, he was her big brother. She had felt so safe with him, like there was nothing he wouldn’t protect her from. She had been hurt from his leaving the most; aside from Edward until she figured out there was so much better than Edward out there. Rosalie had at least been honest with her from the start about how Bella was messing things up for them and she certainly wasn’t wrong in more ways than one. But Emmett never hid his affections for her, never shied away from her like the others did. Emmett embraced his vampirism and he had embraced Bella; at least she had thought. She wanted to know what part of their relationship was fake or not.

“Did Carlisle make you do everything?” Bella asked with a frown.

“You better be honest with her or there will be consequences.” Jane wanted to promise that she would do something to him if he lied to her mate, but she knew that the moment Sulpicia figured out he lied, Athenodora would find out and then nothing would protect the Cullen, or former Cullen, from the warrior queen’s wrath. No matter how much Jane would love to dole out the punishment herself.

“I have some questions to.” Kate added knowing her sister, her coven leader, would have a lot of answers for their so called ‘cousins’ and since Kate was sitting right next to one, she figured now wouldn’t hurt to get those answers. After her mate though, she wanted to prove to Bella, and Jane because she was there, that she could be patient. Perhaps she could reap a reward for being so patient? “After Bella.” She added to make sure everyone knew she wasn’t trying to take Bella’s thunder. The brunette looked completely hot taking control and questioning, even though it had just started, and she wanted to enjoy it.

Bella smiled at both blondes, happy that they had her back. Bella had nearly forgotten that the Denali’s had been claimed as cousins of the Cullen’s, it was why they had sent Laurent up to them when James and his coven attacked. It would make sense that the Denali’s would want some answers as well, in fact, she was sure her mother’s would want some answers also and were probably doing so right now. Both of her blondes seemed to preen under her smile.

“Was everything we did fake?” Bella elaborated before Emmett answered her question. There was no point in beating around the bush. She knew how impatient Kate could be and honestly, the sooner she had her answers, the better she would be, less anxious.

Emmett looked at her so sadly that she almost felt bad about asking the question, but she had to know. She wouldn’t let herself feel bad until she knew everything. She wanted to know it all.

“I swear Bella, I had nothing to do with Carlisle’s plot or Edward’s sick obsession with you.” Emmett pleaded, he wanted his Bella Bear back. He wanted to be free from Carlisle and he wanted Rosalie and Bella with him; he liked playing family with them and he wanted to continue. “I told Edward to leave you alone, that there was no way you and him were mates. But once he brought you over and I learned you were actually pretty cool, I just told him to break up with you not to leave you.” He explained, hoping they would believe him. Worst case, if they didn’t, he knew at least Sulpicia would believe him because she saw it all.

“You were never forced to hang out with me, to teach me how to play all those video games?” Bella asked with hope, she could perhaps save at least something she had thought she lost.

“You like playing video games?” Kate asked aghast, how had she not known that? She had already been planning on somehow convincing her to play with her in the future once things were all settled, but to find out her mate actually liked playing? How hot was that? “How did I not know?”

“Because there are more important things than video games.” Jane retorted.

“Of course there are, I’m not stupid.” Kate quickly retorted while sending a glare towards the other blonde, to which the shorter woman snorted.

“Did you at least try to say goodbye?” Bella asked, moving on with her questions before her blondes could get carried away with their arguing and taunting.

Emmett moved a few feet closer, feeling like he should probably be on his hands and knees as he answered, “I wanted to so badly, I even fought as much as I could to not leave at all.” Emmett begged, taking another step closer, “I swear I did everything I could until I couldn’t.” Emmett assured.

Bella studied Emmett and while she knew if there had been anything at all sketchy about his answers or even actions and thoughts, Sulpicia would have never allowed him to be anywhere near him. Granted, she didn’t want her alone with him, that didn’t necessarily mean Sulpicia thought Emmett might hurt her. As far as Bella was concerned it just meant her mother, really both of them, were really paranoid; which seemed to be par for the course with vampires.

As far as Bella could tell, Emmett was genuine; she had never pegged him for someone that tried to trick people. Bella slowly smiled, then quickly shot from her seat and tackled Emmett in a hug.

“I’m so glad you’re back.” Bella said into his chest as Emmett hugged her as tightly as he dared to him. “I was really afraid I had meant nothing to you.” She whispered.

“That couldn’t be further from the truth.” Emmett said, “I swear, I won’t abandon you again.” Emmett swore.

“I hope not.” Bella said, more than aware that the chances of seeing her father again, even after everything was taken care with the Cullen’s and Victoria in Italy, she couldn’t see the queens letting her go.

And truthfully, she was starting to not want to leave.

“Well, since that’s all taken care of, what the bonds we supposedly had with you?” Kate asked, not really enjoying watching her mate so freely hug someone that wasn’t her or even Jane. She wasn’t jealous, but it would be cool of Bella wouldn’t mind hanging off of her like that every once in a while.

“After, we shall reconvene with the queens.” Jane said, aware that the conversation her mate had wanted with Emmett was over and her mate received good news.

Emmett pulled away from Bella, but kept his arm around her shoulders. “Carlisle was more interested in using you guys as a cover. More for perpetuating his ideal family life with all of us. I don’t think he had any plans for any of you beyond being able to witness for him if needed that he was a kind man.” Emmett answered. He was never involved in any of their planning that didn’t directly involve him; he would never be able to provide the answers the Denali’s, or Volturi, would want. But he would do his best to help in any way he could, it was the least he could do after hurting those that had fallen prey to Carlisle’s tricks.

He would help the Volturi fight, and then he would ask to join if only to stay with Bella and Rosalie.