Chapter 10
We followed Renesmee out of the woods and into the crowd of people dancing to the newest punk rock song. Bailey rolled his eyes and smiled as girls winked at him before seeing me behind him. "What did I tell you? I knew she would have her teeth into him no matter what he was like. Sadly for us he's beautiful, not very friendly though, he seemed to be looking for someone all day." Meg said downhearted. I tugged on Bailey's hand, as he turned I realized I already knew the answer, so instead of talking I stretched up to kiss his cheek. He smiled and playfully poked the tip of my nose with his finger. The song changed into a slow number and Bailey pulled me into his arms once again. We rotated slowly with the beat of the music, barely aware that anyone was around. Alice snuck up beside us and snapped photos and smiled brightly. Edward and Bella were dancing close to us, laughing as Alice mimicked paparazzi. Bella nodded her head towards Bailey and I smiled and nodded a yes, he was my mate, my other half. The song ended and the group began to dwindle down. "Well, there's always John, Meg, maybe he'll have a change of heart." Lucy said, comforting her single friend.
"Don't worry Ariana, Emmett simply talked some sense into him. I was impressed, he didn't even hurt him. He will not be bothering you again, I believe. Emmett kindly explained that Bailey isn't as forgiving as we are." Edward chuckled and invited Bailey and I to stick around after we helped clean up. I was still in shock that I could have such luck to have both my brother and my love back. Bailey and Emmett made it a competition to see how many tables they could put away and then moved on to chairs. It was quite helpful, leaving only dishes and trash for the rest of us to clean. Carlisle and Esmee smiled as they continued to dance to silent music in the yard.
After the yard was completely back to normal, we entered the house and plopped down on the couches in true human fashion. We looked at one another and laughed, it would seem a little creepy to most people, but we only found it funny that we acted tired when we felt fine. Carlisle and Esmee joined us and sat in his arm chair. I sat on the floor with Bailey with my legs crossed and back pressed against his chest. I had changed out of my fitted dress into a cute pair of sweatpants and a tank top, Bailey simply took off his jacket and shirt, leaving him in a white T-shirt and black dress pants, my family really did look like a page out of a fashion magazine. I looked at Carlisle, whom had been studying Bailey, politely waiting for an explanation. I forgot that I had never had the chance to introduce them. I stood and pulled him up with me, smiling with pride and excitement.
"Everyone, this is Bailey Ross. He is the love of my existence, and we are finally together again. Edward, Carlisle, I wanted to introduce you many many years ago, but I never had the chance. I apologize for letting things get a bit heated tonight with that human boy, but it will not happen again." I smiled looking from one person to the next.
"Ariana, you and Bailey don't have to apologize for that. That kid is mental, Edward and I had already warned him earlier this week. It's nice to have another guy around to even out the numbers." Emmett said winking. I proceeded to introduce Bailey to everyone else, pleased that they were so welcoming. I looked around once again and sat down with a smile.
"Well, this does complicate one thing, Ariana. I was going to offer you a room here, if you wanted, and I still extend that offer to both you and Bailey. However, if you would rather live out on your own in order to bond more and have more alone time, it is completely understood and even expected. I would just like you to know you are both welcome here, whenever you please. Bailey, I only ask that you remember our family's show relations to one another. For the time being, I think it best to leave you out of the Cullen family, for show purposes of course." Carlisle looked up at the ceiling, pondering his words. Everyone laughed at the confusion. "Don't worry Carlisle, I understand what you mean completely. I would never presume to invite myself into a family, real or show." Bailey said with a smile. Carlisle shook his head, "No, son. That's not what I meant you are considered a brother now, just not to humans. There I understand myself again." Jasper chuckled, muttering something about it being about time. "Okay, so any questions?" I asked. Everyone shot up their hands.
Emmett was first. "When were you changed and why, Bailey?" Bailey smiled and responded, "My birthday is January 1st 1880, I was changed on my birthday in 1900. A man had shot me for trying to save a family from a house fire that he had started out of race discrimination. I lay in the road dying and a man named Laurent found me and asked what had happened, so I told him the truth. He thanked me and changed me and taught me what he knew for a few months, but when I did not want to hunt humans, he became angry and left." Bella shared their encounter with Laurent, surprising both Bailey and I.
Rosalie took her turn next. "Bailey, have you ever changed anyone?" Bailey shook his head and smiled, "Luckily, I've never been placed in a position where I've needed to. I would not wish our life upon anyone." Rosalie smiled and cuddled up next to her husband, relaxed by his words. Next was Alice, "So, do you have any extra abilities? Like Ariana's or anyone's or are you lucky enough to be normal?" I laughed and answered for Bailey. "Bailey is lucky and is gifted with the ability to change other people's thoughts about themselves. It's a bit similar to Jaspers. He doesn't like to use it much though, unless he needs to." I smiled and gave him a peck on the lips. "It's not that I think it's wrong, I just don't choose to use it." he corrected me with a smile. Jasper followed Alice, "So, what is the scar above your eye from?" We both laughed and looked at each other and fell silent. "Well," Bailey sighed, "I was trying to show Ariana a new way to fight off a human without breaking their arms and she ended up gashing my forehead. Well, she was all girly and felt bad and, before I could stop her, gave herself a matching gash." I looked sheepish and squirmed a bit on the floor. Everyone laughed at my childish antics from so long ago. Renesmee decided to ask her question next before her father could stop her, "So, are y'all going to get married? Have you already, you know, done it?" Bailey choked on air and looked at me with surprise. Edward kicked the back of her head softly. "Bella, do you want me to answer that or only part of it?" I asked. "Ari, Bailey, believe it or not she is 60 even if she acts 10. You tell what you are comfortable with discussing." Bella smiled.
"Well, I think I'll answer it then." Bailey said. "Rensemee, yes I plan on marrying your aunt, and our decisions in the past were right for us." She scoffed at his answer, earning her a stern look from Esmee. I laughed, waiting for more questions. Bella started the circle back, "How did you try to find her, and when did you know that the Volturi had a hand in her disappearance?" Bailey looked down at his wrist and fiddled with his watch. "I knew as soon as I did not hear from Ariana that something terrible had happened, and knew the Volturi were the only vampires that would dare harm her. I searched Italy and convinced some of the guards into letting me know she was alive and away from Volterra, but that is the only information I had to go on. I searched the beaches and the mountains, as well as everywhere in between. For over 150 years I looked for Ari, but only today did I know that I would see her again. I felt a strange need to come to this town, and learned in the school that Ariana was here. I only hoped she would remember me." Bailey's voice trailed off as he rested his head upon my shoulder. Edward wasted no time with his question, "What on earth got you two surfing?" I laughed at his confusion. "That's how we met brother. I was relaxing on the beach one night and this fool decided to act like he was in danger to get my attention. We surfed all night until the sun began to rise." I smiled fondly at the memories. Jacob had fallen asleep and Carlisle and Esmee decided to let us rest from the night and the questions. "Perhaps, Bailey, a hunt would be a good idea before facing a crowd at the school tomorrow." Esmee said, hugging us both goodbye.