The Golden Swan // Edward Cullen

Chapter thirty-seven

"You all know what Edward wants. And you know what I want...But I won't force myself on you," Brea said, looking at the Cullen family.

Edward moved away from Brea.

"I think the only fair way to handle this is by voting," Brea smiled.

"You can't be serious!" Edward mumbled.

"This is my meeting, Edward," Brea frowned, turning to look at him.

She faces the family again.

"However this turns out, I'm not letting the Voturi hurt you! I'll go back to Italy alone," Brea sighed.

"The hell you will! I'm not missing another fight," Emmett smirked.

"That's not for a vote, Emmett. I don't want you involved," Brea said.

"Honey, We've always been involved and we're not going to stop," Esme smiled.

"No, please...I want you to seriously think about this. If I join you, you'll be stuck with me for a long time-forever. It's a huge decision! And I want...I need your honesty here," Brea said.

They all nod.

"Then let's take a vote! Alice?" Brea asked.

Alice jumped up and raced towards Brea, pulling her in for a hug.

"Like you're not already my sister. Of course, Yes!" Alice smiled.

Brea smiled, Jasper stood up.

"I vote yes. It'll be a relief not to want to kill you....all the time," Jasper smirked.

"Um. Thanks? Rosalie?" Brea asked.

Rosalie turned to look up at Edward... then to Brea.

"Edward, I'm sorry for what I did. I really am..." Rosalie paused.

"But this isn't the life I'd have chosen for myself. I wish there'd been someone to vote no for me...so I vote no," Rosalie continued.

Brea nodded, then turned towards Emmett....who lifted her up into a bear hug.

"I vote hell yes! We can pick a fight with these Volturi some other way!" Emmett laughed.

Esme approached Brea...pulling her in for a hug.

"I already think of you as part of the family! Yes." Emse smiled.

"Thank you, Esme," Brea said.

Carlisle moved...but not towards Brea.

"Edward?" Carlisle asked.

"You can't go along with this, Carlisle, you know what it means," Edward frowned.

"You've chosen not to live without her, which leaves me no choice. I won't lose my son. Again. But Alice has never turned anyone. It'd be safer If I did it," Carlisle sighed.

Suddenly the front door slammed...Edward was gone. Brea moved towards the door, but stopped.

"Thank you! Thank you all," Brea smiled, quickly disappearing after Edward.

  ****************

"When?" Edward asked.

"After graduation," Brea said.

"Just two months!" Edward frowned.

"It'll be best for Dad and Bella that way. I can pretend to be at college somewhere. Carlisle suggested it. But I'd wish it was you...." Brea sighed.

"Would you be willing to trade for that?" Edward asked.

"Name it," Brea smiled.

"Five more years as human,' Edward said.