The plan started the next morning. All the Cullen's, apart from Esme, Bella and Ellis left to catch flights to various parts of the globe. Carslie and Esme spent all night on the phone, contacting various friends and associates. The house was a wash of activity. Alice spent most of her time in her room in an effort to gain any visions of the immediate future. Edward and Bella had retreated to their cottage for the night with Nessie. Jasper and Emmet talked over plans and scenarios in the living room with Rosalie. Seth and Leah spent the night in their wolf forms outside, guarding over the place. Jacob had left to talk to Sam about the situation.

Ellis was left to his own devices. Everyone he knew other than in forks, was dead. He would be no help at the moment. The best he could do was keep out of everyone's way. So he spent the night practising. It was only after the fifth rendition of thunderstruck on the electric cello that Rosalie told him to shut up. Ellis counted that as a win.

The first new vampires to arrive were the rest of the Denali coven. They arrived the next day around mid afternoon. Carslie had not yet left to catch his flight and was waiting for them to arrive. Edward had got them and persuaded them to come back. He walked up the drive with four others, two women and two men. Ellis had been briefed on their names by Esme. There was Carmen and her mate Eleazar, then Kate and her mate Garret, and Tanya. He knew that some of them had been at Edward's and Bella's wedding, but he had not met them. He watched as the group walked up the porch and into the living room, silently invisible from his seat in the armchair furthest from the tv. Alice, Jasper, Rosalie and Emmet had already left to bring more witnesses.

Jacob was standing at his side, the wolf fully aware of Ellis' presence. Nessie was hidden behind her mother in front of the sofa, little hands clutching at her tshirt. Jacob crosses his arms as the denali's entered the room. Carslie walking over to greet them.

"Kate, Carmon, Garret, Eleazar, Tanya", he smiled. "We're glad you're here".

"Carslie", the Hispanic looking woman with long black hair replied, shaking his hand. A tall dark featured man stood at her side. Ellis guessed that they were Carmon and Eleazar.

Next to them, a blonde woman with curly hair stepped forwards. From her posture, Ellis guessed that this was the coven leader, Tanya. "Edward explained the situation. We're here to see proof before we make any decisions".

"It stinks of dog", the other blond haired woman, Kate, commented with a sniff. Ellis was glad that Seth and Leah were in the woods at the back of the house. He didn't want his boyfriend anywhere near unfamiliar vampires.

"Bella", Carmon smiled, spotting the woman. "You look delightful. Vampire life suites you".

"Carmon", Bella smiled back. "Tanya, Kate, Garret, Eleazar. Glad to see you. May I introduce my daughter Reneesme". She gently tugged Nessie our from behind her. The little girl peeked around at the new comers anxiously. Jacob took a half protective step towards them.

"I hear a strange heartbeat", Garret muttered in surprise. Carmon stepped closer to Nessie, as if to see her better.

"She is warm and there's blood in her cheeks. Her smell, can you smell it?" Tanya asked.

"We can smell it", Eleazar stated, watching curiously.

"Hello", Nessie whispered shyly. He raised her hand slowly and placed it on Carmon's face. The woman gasped, eyes wide as her head filled with images. After a moment, Nessie pulled away.

"What they said is true", Carmon breathed in surprise. "She is half mortal".

"What?" Tanya asked. She strode forwards and bent down quickly before Nessie. Her little hand cupped the vampire's cheek and she too gasped. When she had backed away, Nessie repeated the process on Garret, Kate and Eleazar one by one.

"She is not an immortal child", Kate said. The blonde smiled at Nessie, defensive attitude melted now that she knew the truth. "It's truly extraordinary".

"Irina must be mistaken", Carmon spoke sincerely. "If she knew, she would never tell the volturi. Our sister is loyal".

"We know that", Carslie agreed. "That's why we wish you will bare witness for our case. We are not asking you to fight but merely speak up on our behalf and validate the Nessie is not a threat".

"We will", Garret answered with a grin.

"It will not do good to abandon our friends now", Tanya added.

Carslie and Edward strode over to them and clasped them each in a hug. "Thank you", Edward said. Bella also walked up and embraced them. Nessie retreated back to Jacob, holding her arms up. Jacob chuckled and obediently picked her up, balancing her on his back.

"You're our cousin Eddie", Kate grinned. "We shall help keep your family safe".

Edward laughed and stepped back. Esme stepped up and hugged each of the denalis. "Speaking of family", she beamed at them. "I don't think you've been introduced to Ellis yet".

"I remember", Carmon stated. "He was at the wedding. The new charge you had taken in?"

"He's our new brother", Edward added.

"My new son", Esme said softly. Ellis tried not to shuffle. "Speaking of which. He should be in earshot somewhere". She began looking around as if to spot Ellis. Next to him, Jacob sniggered. Edward tried to hide his grin. He was probably reading where Ellis was from Jacob.

"Ellis is gifted", he explained to the Denalis. "He can put up a shield which turns him invisible, cutting off my ability to hear him as well as his scent".

"That is a powerful shield", Eleazar commented.

"How old is he again?" Kate asked.

"Fifteen", Esme answered. "He was turned three years ago. He came to us from the newborn army last year, asking for help. We took him in".

"Fifteen?" The denali's were surprised. "It's been a while since I've met someone that young", Garret mumbled, face frowning. "Not since Jane and Alec".

"Ellis come and introduce yourself", Esme instructed loudly. She rarely used the mother tone but it didn't make it any less threatening. Edward crossed over to the armchair and grabbed at the air. He caught Ellis by the hair and playfully tugged him across the room. Jacob was laughing behind them.

"You're a traitor", Ellis grumbled as Edward let him go. Nessie giggled at his side. "Traitors, all of you". Garret snorted at the disembodied voice, Kate grinning. Ellis popped into existence, hands smoothing down his hair. He scowled at them as he stuck out his hand. "Hello, I'm Ellis Hale".

Tanya was the first to take his hand. She shook it with a smile. "Hello Ellis. Welcome to the family".