AN : hi , please enjoy this short chapter. Things are hotting up for Bella. She's back communicating with the dead, and asking for Divine intervention.
I own my mistakes. Ms. Meyer owns Twilight.
Chapter nine. Catching my breath.
Dear Nan,
It's me your granddaughter,
You probably already know this, but I'm married to Jasper now, and it's great, I have to say that, even after being shacked up together with Jasper for four years, being married somehow changes my whole perspective on things. I am planning and anticipating things a lot more into further into the future.
I can envisage a whole wide vista in front of us, a whole world for us to create together.
I just had to let you know that I found a brilliant place to place Marcus's most treasured art pieces, for public display, but still keeping some control over them.
The twentieth century art, created right here in Taos by contemporaries of Marcus's, are being loaned to a specialist art museum here right in Taos.
I've kept for my own personal display, a few of my favourite Georgia O'Keefes, an Ansell Adams photo, and most of Marcus's conte and pastel studies of this landscape, a number of figure studies and paintings of you Nan, I sometimes still look at those portraits or studies, and momentarily think that they are me, not you.
It's spooky just how alike we look. Like clones or twins. But you are dead, and I am here. I miss you everyday.
I have decided to set up the one of the small wooden altar pieces in my bedroom, where I have a small shrine I light candles to meditate, and remember you Nan.
The only painting that I still have no idea what to do with is the early Italian renaissance portrait of Marcus's ancestor, by Botticelli. There has been a lot of interest in the painting, after it was retrieved as part of the stolen art horde of that dead mafia don.
It came to light with all the other stolen art, because it was placed in a large auction by his family. There were potential buyers from all over the world, institutions and private collectors, who were dying to get their hands on this very piece.
I'm still undecided; I have had a nice offer from a big museum in Italy, which already houses many other Botticelli paintings. They are willing to pay me for the loan of the portrait, so that it can be studied and researched by experts, and then exhibited for five years in their Botticelli gallery.
Other offers for the portrait aren't as good, it's mainly collectors who want to buy the portrait outright, or institutions who want me to give it to them, as a donation.
In cases such as this, I would lose control of Marcus's family heirloom. I'd feel terrible if something bad happened to that painting. It is a treasure, worth far more than money.
I suppose I can send the portrait to Italy, so can be properly studied by specialists in the field, and then I can decide what happens to it after five years, when it comes back here to America.
I'll contact them to ask all about details of packing, transporting, housing the portrait correctly, with humidity and temperature controls, and good security.
I hope Marcus approves from the other side, it's good to have some of his art back up on the walls again. I can look at it every day, rather than having it hiding in the storage facility, locked away from anyone appreciating it.
I'm enjoying spending half an hour every morning doing meditation and a little yoga to start my day. It really assists my peace of mind. I feel closer to you when I meditate.
My catering jobs have dropped right off.
My team aren't as busy as we were before my wedding. I've have to start thinking about laying-off my two assistants; I really don't want to do that. I love Kate and Angela, we work really well together.
I know that the economy is flat, but people have been a bit strange when I contact them on the phone, I'm not sure if there's something else going on.
I hope my business doesn't dry up altogether!
Now that I think about it, it is kinda strange, my last few quotes which were initially happily accepted, were all changed or dropped suddenly, without any real explanation.
My competitor ended up with all of the work I was expecting to cater for.
Actually... it's just plain weird... Like maybe a nasty rumour is circulating or something..?
I have to be careful no to get paranoid.
Jasper had some research papers he had successfully published in a number of academic journals, but when it came for him to speak at the latest history conference, he was turned down sharply.
Another speaker in the same field as Jasper was given the key note address, instead.
There didn't seem to be a reason for it. Previously he's long been a favourite speaker at those conferences.
We had a similar situation happen with our latest textbook combining the amazing geology and history of America; especially the south-west.
Up until now, the publishers have loved our proposals, and given us a lot of support and distributed the books and online learning courses widely.
The history and geology textbook and study modules, were initially accepted and they were excited about us doing another joint publication.
But it's now suddenly been canned!
It's all changed, and neither of us can come up with a good explanation as to why all of this is happening now, it's another mystery to add to the pile of mysteries...!
***Here's a list, (sorry Nan I just love lists)***
*the identity of the mystery woman still a mystery, we only know that she's a friend of Rose's, and possibly Ed knows more than he's letting on.
*my catering business has suddenly had a big loss in booked functions, clients suddenly dropping out and being replaced by my competitor, with no reasons given.
*Jasper seems to be given the cold shoulder at the upcoming history conference, and they have put on someone else as key note speaker, and also denied Jasper any other spots to present his latest research papers. There was also no reason given.
*our joint publication project, has suddenly fallen over, without being given a reason. They have pulled the plug on the whole thing. The editor we used to get along with really well is no longer speaking to us, it's very confusing!
So darling Nan, Esme and Marcus, I'm lighting three candles for you to thank you all for being such wonderful contributions to my and Jasper's lives. Thank you.
I'm asking that whatever is causing the mystery roadblocks, whoever is behind them, and from whatever direction they have come from; that the reasons, causes and people are clearly revealed, and solutions found to dissolve all the stoppages.
Thank you for assisting with your divine intervention.
I really appreciate it!
I'm asking that please, please let all of these current difficulties, be diffused dissolved erased and the highest best solutions be available to us.
I accept the highest best good, the divinely perfect answers to all of the problems facing me and Jasper.
I am open to all the big movers and shakers in Spirit, coming into my life and cleaning up the boulders in my path, thank you one and all.
Thank you Nan.
Much love forever and always, Bella xxx
