Two people meet in unusual circumstances. Edward, a heartbroken and lonely soul, and Bella, this strange and curious creature whose past holds more secrets than Edward might be ready for. But he isn't willing to give her up so easily. Bella finds that the more time she spends with Edward, the more she feels she is destined to be with him. But what she is seems it will only tear them apart. Edward refuses to allow them to not be together and will fight to the death to be with her if that is what it takes.
A/N
So, this is a new idea that I came up with and I wanted to try it out, just to see what people think. I'm curious to see what the reactions will be so don't be afraid to let me know. There will be some different sibling pairings but just go along with it, you may enjoy it : ) Keep in mind, everything isn't what it seems. And there are no vampires in this story, but it isn't all human : )
Today was Alice's birthday. My brother and I were planning to take her to see her favorite play, though I can't exactly remember what it was. I scooped up my gifts for Alice and grabbed my hand bag. I was sure I was forgetting something, but that feeling never seemed to leave me.
"Bella? Are you coming or not? The show will be starting soon."
I ran out of my room in headquarters and down to the lobby where my brother stood by the open door, waiting for me.
"Where's Alice?"
"She is meeting us there, now come on, we're already late." Jasper responded. Alice was Jasper's "case". She was a lovely girl and I couldn't see why she would ever need one of our kind. Jasper never went into detail about what happened with her but I didn't know her circumstances or why we were called to this particular place. Alice is the second human Jasper has had to help, that happens occasionally with our race, but I've never been called to help someone, and I've been around for years. Though you couldn't tell just by looking at me.
Jasper and I ran to his car, his brand new Range Rover. He only got it because Alice talked about always wanting one, so if we ever need to see her, that's what we drove.
"You look nice." I told him sincerely. Back when we were growing up, long before we stopped aging, all the girls seemed attracted to him. It seems that if he allowed himself to be seen by the humans, the girls still were still attracted to him.
"Thank you. You look beautiful, as always." He leaned over and kissed the top of my head, then cranked the car. "Buckle up." He said with a laugh. As if a seat-belt would protect me? We both ignored his comment, neither one of us buckling.
"So what show are we seeing again?"
"Les Miserables." Jasper said matter-of-factly. I groaned.
"Do we really need to see something so depressing?" I complained even though I knew it was useless.
"It's something Alice wants to see. She really needed time out of the house. Who am I to deny her a small request?" In truth, I loved Les Miserables. I remember when Victor Hugo published the play in 1862, and I also remember when he died. But this play, this work of art was something that held a delicate piece of me. I tried, with difficulty, to put the thoughts that were threatening to ruin me out of my head. Jasper must have noticed, he grasped my hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. "I forgot. I'm so sorry Bella. If it's too hard for you, you don't have to stay."
"Don't be silly. I want to help Alice just as much as you do. Besides, there's nothing wrong." Jasper gave me a pointed look but glanced back to the road we were driving on.
We arrived at Alice's house and she ran down the steps of her porch and into Jasper's awaiting arms.
"You are positively stunning." Jasper whispered into her ear. He pulled back to look at her and smiled widely. "Happy birthday!" At that moment, Mrs. Brandon walked out onto the porch. "Evening Mrs. Brandon." Jasper said kindly to Alice's mother.
"Good evening Jasper." I opened the car door and gave Alice a hug and to free the front seat. "It's good to see you too Bella dear."
"Thank you. It's always a pleasure." I responded. Mrs. Brandon was a very kind woman and always treated Alice as if she were glass. I never understood why, but I never questioned it.
"Why don't you three get on your way then, hm? Jason will be home soon, alright?" Jason was Mrs. Brandon's husband. I've yet to meet him, but by the look Alice gave, I wasn't sure I wanted to.
"Bye Mom." Alice gave her mother a kiss on the check then jumped into the car, the door held open by Jasper. "You look so beautiful Bella." Alice said as she turned in her seat to eye my dress.
"And I don't even have to tell you that you do too Alice." She grinned at me and Jasper chuckled. When Jasper first introduced us, we immediately got along and I doted on her and constantly told her how beautiful she was. Eventually she told me I told her enough to last her a lifetime, so instead I would reply as I just did. "Happy birthday." I told her and handed her two packages. "Jasper has the rest of them; he will give them to you later."
Alice tore the wrapping off both boxes and ripped the lids open. She let out a squeak and pulled out the $5,600 designer dress she has wanted but couldn't afford. In the other box were the $785 shoes to match.
"Oh Bella!" She leaned back over the seat and pulled me into a hug. "How did you know?"
"Please, like I didn't see you eyeballing that dress for weeks. And I would be a fool not to know you would adore the shoes." She gave me a huge grin and let me go.
"I'm not sure what to say. Thank you so much Bella."
"You're welcome Alice."
Jasper wanted to give her the other gifts later when they were alone. He got her some jewelry to match the dress, a diamond necklace, bracelet and earrings to match, and a purse that would go perfectly with the outfit.
I was surprised at how well he did at picking them out. He only needed me to narrow down his choices on the purses but the jewelry he picked on his own.
Thirty minutes later and we pulled up at the theater, Jasper opening both mine and Alice's door at the same time, offering us his hands. He was very much a gentleman growing up, and still is. We walked over to the window and Jasper gave the clerk our tickets. He tore off a section and gave them back, his eyes following Alice. Jasper gave him a little glare and wrapped his arm around her waist. I rolled my eyes at the tall man with blond, shaggy, curly hair that was my brother.
"Bella?" Alice pulled me out of my thoughts and I walked towards them after a deep and unnecessary breath. The door was opened by one of the employees and we walked into the extravagant lobby.
We gave the usher our tickets and he led us to our box in the front of the theater on the second story. Jasper paid a lot for these excellent tickets that usually only the celebrities get, but money meant nothing to Jasper and I. Not when we have lived as long as we have.
We took our seats, three large and comfy chairs reserved for us alone. We wouldn't be sharing the box like it normally was. Jasper sat in the middle and pulled Alice down beside him. I stayed standing, looking over the balcony. I spotted some high named people from the government, but they held no interest to me. Jasper and Alice were talking quietly behind me. I gave them their chance to talk about me and pretended I didn't notice. I moved and walked around the room where we would spend the next few hours. Bottled water, some wine, fruits, cookies, and other assortments of finger foods were placed on a table, but again, it held no interest to me. Food was something I couldn't have. Occasionally I wish I could, but I try not to let it bother me. When the whispers in our box died down, I walked back to my seat, gracefully, crossing my ankles.
Alice gave me sympathetic look and I knew Jasper gave her a short version, not half of what really happened, of why I was so antsy, but I ignored the look. The lights dimmed and the crowd throughout the 5,000 seats quieted. The music started in the orchestra and the lights came up on stage.
The first while of the show passed without incident except for when the character Eponine first made her appearance on stage as a child. I winced, Jasper patted my leg, turned his gaze to me but I ignored it. I continued watching, determined not to let this get to me. It has been over a hundred years for goodness sakes. When the older Eponine came out and the song started, that stupid song about him not loving her while she was standing right there waiting, I had to get up and pace the box.
I walked around twice before Alice cleared her throat, letting me know she didn't like my being in the way of her view of the stage. Since she didn't know why I was upset, I settled for giving her a small glare instead of shouting, which I really felt like doing, and felt my body shift to what it normally was, allowing myself to be visible to no one but Jasper, since he is what I am. As if he heard me think his name, which is possible if he was listening, he gave me a sad look and started to stand. I shook my head and continued pacing. Jasper didn't care for me to walk in front of him, blocking the sight of the stage. He wasn't too thrilled about seeing this particular show either but he wouldn't ever tell Alice no. This show didn't hold near the amount of pain to him as it did for me, but it still hurt him. I could see it in his eyes.
The first act finally ended and the lights came up. I darted out of the room and into the balcony lobby. I leaned over the rail and took deep breaths, willing myself to calm. I never realized I had pent up so much of the emotion from the time Jasper and I lived in Paris, but it was apparent that it still harbored within me.
Jasper came out of the box alone, Alice was still inside. He pulled me to him, pressing his cheek to the top of my head.
"Are you alright?" He asked, pulling back to look me in the eye.
"I'm fine." I whispered. Jasper knew better, but didn't comment. He was always so protective over me, so caring and loving. After all these years, nothing has changed that. He rolled his eyes at my obvious lie and placed his cheek against my head again. "What did you tell Alice?"
"I was hoping you didn't notice." He gave me a final squeeze and pulled back, letting his forearms rest on the rail of the balcony. I cocked my eyebrow at him and he gave a short laugh. "Okay, I knew you would, but I hoped you would at least ignore it." I tapped my foot and he smiled, his eyes on the people below us. "You would think after all these years you would have learned patience. But you haven't. You're still the same as you always were."
"So are you, always trying to change the subjects that make you nervous." He laughed again and ran a hand through his hair.
"Some things won't ever change I guess." He paused and let out a sigh. "I just told her that you remember the playwright and that you were fond of him and his family, that you remember his death and that it was still hard for you."
"That's all?" His eyes finally met mine.
"Of course Bella. You know I care for Alice, but I would never explain something like this to someone when it wasn't my story to tell. You should know that." It was me that dropped our gaze first.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't be acting this way; I just never realized this still bothered me. I haven't thought about it in years, and all of a sudden, I'm flooded with the same emotions that ruined me before."
"I know." Jasper kissed my hair. "Don't fret. If you want, we can talk about it after Alice has to go home." I nodded and he took my arm, placing it through his and walked me back to the box.
"Is everything alright?" Alice asked immediately, throwing her arms around me. I laughed and pulled away.
"Yes. Don't worry, I'll be fine."
"If I had known…" Alice searched for words but I stopped her.
"No, I'm glad you chose this. It reminded me of who I am, what I used to be and what parts of me still can be." The lights cut out before she could say anything and we sat back down in our seats.
I lied. I'm not okay, I'm not sure I will be fine and I wish she hadn't chosen this play. But I would deal. I had to. It was time for me to learn how.
The actors walked back onto the stage, opening up with the students getting ready to rebel and Marius sending Eponine with a letter for his lover Cosette. Eponine's character was secretly in love with Marius, he just didn't know it. And Eponine was practically destroying herself for him, to make him happy. Even though he loved someone else.
Finally, Eponine comes out and sings one of her solos, 'On My Own'. I was doing alright at first. I got through the beginning verse and thought I could handle it. Then it went further into the song and the lines seemed to slice through my chest. I stood so abruptly my chair fell back with a clank and I immediately shifted into my normal body again. "I can't do this right now. I'll be back." I whispered to Jasper. Turning him down when he offered to see me out. Alice was so involved with the play she didn't seem to notice my scene. I darted out the door, down the steps of the second story and back into the deserted entrance lobby.
I wandered around for several minutes, allowing myself time to calm. Once I felt I had control of myself, I walked back up the stairs and onto the second level and into the box where Jasper and Alice were.
Jasper immediately looked up as I entered. I took my seat beside him and he patted my hand gently.
"Are you alright?" He asked softly.
"I'm fine." I responded, he seemed to take my answer seriously after eyeing me for several minutes, then after a nod, turned his attention back to the stage. I shifted so I was visible and watched the show without another incident.
The show ended rather quickly. I had been deep in thought and didn't really pay attention to the rest of the show.
"Bella, is it alright if we get Alice something to eat before we take her home?"
"Of course." I replied easily.
We made it to the car, Jasper opening both of our doors once again, and then we were off to a fancy restaurant. When we arrived, Jasper came around to open the door and I stepped out. "Why don't I leave you two some time alone?" Quite honestly, I didn't want to feel like I was crowding them so I asked Jasper for the keys. "Just call me when you're done and I'll come back. There is a store a few blocks away that I've wanted to go to."
"Are you sure?" Alice asked me.
"Yeah. You two have fun; just let me know when you're done." They agreed and I got back in the car, driving around. There actually wasn't a store I wanted to visit, but I just wanted time alone. I drove several blocks away and once I realized, I turned around. I decided I wanted to get out of the car, so I turned the corner, parked two blocks away from the restaurant Jasper and Alice were at and got out.
I needed the fresh air to think so I walked around aimlessly. This part of town was very popular. Stores, restaurants and apartments flitted the streets on each side. I walked down the sidewalk, coming into step with the people around me. I didn't look at any of them; I just kept my eyes on my feet and walked. Once I realized I had walked over nine blocks, I crossed the street and walked back down towards the restaurant. I passed by a bar, 'Masens', that was on the corner of one of the streets. A man was standing on the sidewalk, whistling when women went by.
It made me nervous naturally, even though I really had nothing to fear. So I decided I would just try to ignore him. I continued walking and as soon as I stepped passed him, I felt a hand cup my rear.
A/N
So, please please review. I love hearing from people and as a reward, for the reviews I get, I'll send you a sneak peek of the next chapter. I hope you all enjoyed the first, very confusing, chapter. Things will get clearer as we go along, so just hold on and try to stick with me. Thank you!