Honeybee

For The Greater Good

The smell of freshly brewed coffee hung in the air. The sound of coffee machines resounded around the small coffee shop. In the small pockets of silence from the roaring machinery Animals by Neon Trees could be heard playing over the speakers. Aria and Renesmee sat at a small table near the brick wall under a copy of a multicolored painting of some sorts.

Renesmee sipped her iced caramel macchiato and took a bite of her cheesecake with its cherry topping as Aria devoured her slice of red velvet cake and sipped her white chocolate latte. Their immortal companions left them at the local coffee shop to continue their shopping once both girls complained their feet had begun to hurt. The girls promised to stay here until they came back or at least send a text to let their family know where they headed off to if they decided to leave the coffee shop.

Nessie's eyes scanned their surroundings taking notice of the people around them in the café. A single man was sitting typing away on his laptop in the middle of the store, two moms sat at the window while their kids colored at the table behind them, a small line of had formed as more people filed in, waiting for their caffeine fix.

Aria took notice of her cousins attention being diverted and smirked as a thought crossed her mind, "Ren."

"Huh?" Renesmee said not focusing on her cousin as she surveyed the area as she took a sip of her drink.

"I need to tell ya somethin'," Aria spoke softly.

"What?"

"I'm pregnant."

"Cool."

Aria watched, waiting for her little cousin to catch on to what she just said. It took a second as Renesmee processed what came out of her cousins mouth. Soon her head snapped towards her cousin her brown eyes wide with shock.

"OH MY GOD," Renesmee bellowed causing everyone to look at them and Aria to fall into hysterics.

Nessie's face broke out into a deep red blush as she tried to shield her face from the people, as Aria laughed. "You were joking," the hybrid groaned causing more laughter to escape from her cousin.

Aria, while wiping a tear away, composed herself, "Yeah, I just wanted to see if yer payin' attention."

Nessie rolled her eyes and took another sip of her beverage. "You've been hanging out with Alec too much, you're turning evil."

Aria put a hand to her chest in mock hurt, "That hurts."

"You'll live."

Both girls giggled until Nessie's phone went off. Nessie suppressed a groan as she checked the message from Jacob.

"This is the seventh time he's checked up on ya," Aria commented.

"I know," Nessie groaned, "He's worse than dad."

Aria chuckled as she fiddle with charm bracelet Alec gifted her. There sat seven charms on the bracelet, each one representing a different value each member of the Volturi admired about her, and one big V with a small diamond sat nestled at the top of it. Arias eyes drifted to the golden chain on her thin arm and smiled as she heard the familiar jingle of the charms. Demetri has gifted her one that was a compass, symbolizing how she had helped them rediscover their humanity. Felix's charm was a arrow and bow, his way of telling her no matter the set backs she had faced she was always destined to hit her target. Jane has given a dove, telling her she had always enjoyed the peace she brought to each of them. Marcus has given her a set of angel wings and Aro a small guitar charm. Caius gifted her a lotus, a symbol of her ability to rise above the obstacles she had encountered and remain beautiful though it all. But her favorite by far was the bumblebee that Alec had gifted her. It was small and had little diamonds in the wings and made with real gold just like the other charms on her bracelet.

"So when's the wedding?" Nessie asked.

Now it was Aria's turn to be bewildered. "What do ya mean?" Aria questioned, shocked.

"You and Alec," Nessie smiles, "I picture a fall wedding in Tuscan."

Aria rolled her eyes, "Maybe for you and Jacob but I don't think I'm ready for that yet."

Nessie nodded and went back to texting Jacob. Aria told her she was going to head to the bathroom and Renesmee gave a quick nod. Aria navigated past those waiting in line and heading into the restroom.

The lighting was brighter in the restrooms and the smell of coffee was replaced with the smell of brown sugar and vanilla. The floor was a checkered print and the walls a mocha and beige. Aria washed her hands in the sink before she was about to head into one of the stalls when her phone began to ring.

She fished it out of her back pocket and noticed the Seattle area code. It could only be one person.

"Hello?"

"Hello Angel," Elijah cooed into the receiver.

Aria leaned against the wall anger rising through her small body. "What do ya want?"

Elijah replied, "I want you Angel."

"I'm callin' the cops they'll throw ya back into that shithole ya had to call home."

Elijah chuckled, "You wouldn't do that."

"Why not?"

"Because I'll burn your little family right now, including that little sparkly bitch you call a boyfriend."

Aria felt her heart plummet and her breathing hitch. Of course he would threaten those she loves. He knew she would play whatever sick little game he had planned.

"Now that I have your attention," Elijah chuckled, "I want you to come to Fort Casey alone."

Aria saw the tears that filled her eyes, "If I don't?"

"I'll expose the vampire world and kill those bloodsuckers ya love. We both know I don't mind killin'."

"I'll be there."

Elijah disconnected leaving Aria feeling hollow and sinking onto the cold tiled floor. Tears slid down her cheeks as the conversation replayed in her head on loop. She knew if she went Elijah would kill her, but if she didn't she'd lose everything that mattered to her. A new song came on over the speakers in the bathroom.

I like that you're broken, broken like me.
Maybe that makes me a fool.

Aria listened to the opening chorus of Broken by lovelytheband. She stood up and washed her face with cool water. She silently prayed that her family understood why she was doing what she was doing. She threw her phone into the trash knowing her aunt would probably see her decision and try to change her mind. She walked over to the wall of the far left and used the changing table as a a launch pad to help her climb out of the little window.

She flagged down a taxi, fished the emergency hundred dollar bill out of the side of her boot, and handed it over as she gave the driver the directions to her destination. Her hand found her charm bracelet and ran her thumb over the little bee charm. This time she had the power to save those she cared for. Elijah wouldn't get the satisfaction of seeing her battle her way back to being normal.

This was the end, only thing was that Aria hoped Alec would understand she did this to keep him safe. To keep everyone safe, including the world she would never be apart of.

"Forgive me," Aria murmured under her breath, "please forgive me."