Denver Paranormal Society

Chapter Eleven—Even on Vacation


The sound of ocean waves hitting the nearby beach penetrated through my slumber. Tired from our flight the night before, we fell into an exhausted sleep minutes after checking in. It hadn't helped that we slept very little on our wedding night.

The morning light wasn't bright, but enough to infuse Bella's dark hair with red and gold highlights. I was amazed as always by her natural beauty, my fingers running through the silk strands. A cool breeze blew through the open window, eliciting her flesh to pebble slightly along her naked back. My palm pulled her closer as my free hand lifted a blanket over her.

She hummed in her sleep and nuzzled her too cold nose on his chest. I couldn't keep the hiss from escaping, causing her to stir further. Within seconds, big brown eyes fluttered open to meet my own sleepy gaze.

"Hello, husband," she whispered in a voice still thick with sleep. Propped up on one elbow, she pushed up enough to press her lips to mine.

"Good morning, Mrs. Cullen," I murmured, my fingers still in her hair, pulling her mouth back to mine. She didn't open, since she insisted on brushing her teeth before our morning kiss. With a grin, she hopped out of bed and ran naked to the bathroom.

She had no qualms whatsoever on walking around the house in various stages of nudity. It was one of the reasons I had informed everyone that surprise visits were not allowed, they'd have to call first. Emmett, of course, asked why I had made it a requirement and would not back down until I explained, and since Bella didn't mind, I told him.

"It's the artist in her," he had teased me.

I laughed at the memory, but my smile fell as I remembered the quiet reception in our home the night of our wedding. It hadn't gone smoothly as everyone had hoped.

Angela, Bella's agent, had shown up with her fiancé, who was none other than the young man that Bella had helped the night we met at the lecture hall, Ben Cheney. He recognized her instantly when they arrived, taking Bella's hand to thank her. That, of course, had Angela asking how they knew each other, and he explained that she was the woman that helped him find the safe deposit box.

Angela had been understandably upset, since she'd been Bella's friend and agent for almost five years. She also came to another realization after we explained her abilities to speak with the dead. Bella had helped her late twin brothers cross over without letting her know. An angry Angela left with a remorseful Ben in her wake, leaving Bella in tears. It had taken several minutes of coaxing to get her to join the rest of the family for our wedding dinner.

Thankfully, sometime during the meal Bella had received a text from Ben stating that Angela was apologetic, but she needed some time to come to terms with what she'd learned. Bella was hopeful that her friend would eventually come to forgive her. My wife explained that she wanted to keep one friend that didn't see her like she was strange, or with some pity.

I understood her reasoning, but reminded her that true friendship meant honesty. Through the years of their relationship, she had lied to Angela hundreds of times.

"What has you thinking so hard?" she asked, smiling from opened bathroom door. Toothbrush in hand, she turned back to the sink.

"Just remembering our wedding day," I replied honestly.

She grinned over her shoulder, mouthful of paste and the handle of the brush sticking out. It was oddly cute. "Oh goody, I was thinking of our wedding night," she said, waggling her eyebrows. I felt my face warm, even after so much time together, she was capable of making me blush.

"I better take advantage of that," I teased, jumping out of bed to join her. She pouted in the mirror, her eyes following the length of my body. "What's wrong?"

"You have clothes on," she said, almost like a whine. I laughed, kissing her temple and crowding her against the counter. I only had a pair of boxers on but she had made it obvious that she wanted our honeymoon to be spent mostly naked. Who was I to complain about that simple request?

"Not for long," I whispered against her ear, already her breathing was faster. A soft moan escaped her as my hands smoothed over her curves. She bent to cup her hands to rinse her mouth, causing me to groan at the brush of her hips against mine.

She laughed and turned to face me. Happy smile in place, she draped her arms over my shoulders. "I'm glad we decided to do this."

The tips of my fingers drifted slowly down her spine, her lashes fluttering as her mouth fell open. "I have good ideas every now and then," I murmured, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

"They do say with age comes …" she broke off as my fingers tickled her. Mid-laugh, she pressed her lips to mine, ending my torture. I groaned and slid my hands down to the back of her thighs. Only a little hop and she was in my arms, legs wrapped tightly around me.

She gasped, pulling away to breathe as I walked toward the bed. "I love you," she whispered, moaning as my lips swept down a familiar path along her neck.

"And I love you," I murmured and set her on her feet. She smiled at me, still as close as possible. "Wife." She grinned and shook her head, loose curls falling along her shoulders. I bent to kiss her, relishing the way her fingers automatically reached for my hair. I pressed my lips along the inside curves of her breasts, right down the center. She hissed slightly at the gentle bite of my teeth. A giggle escaped her as I whispered to our baby when I reached her stomach, "I hope you're asleep, little one."

My hands spread across her back and then lower, lifting her up once again to lay on her the bed. Naked and beautiful, she watched me from beneath hooded eyes. I slipped out of my boxers and joined her, maneuvering her to the center.

Our hands explored, breathless kisses and whispered words were exchanged until we reached a point that each of our bodies were ready for more. "Edward," she gasped softly, her eyes on me as I slid inside her.

"Bella," I groaned, needing her lips on me.

We moved slowly, there was no need to rush. There were no work related issues, no spirits or angels to force us to stop as it happened on occasion back home. It was just us, in a beautiful hotel room, together.

Alone.

Her body pliant and warm beneath mine, she arched her back, trembling in my arms as she let go after what felt like hours later. Unable to hold back any longer, my thrusts became erratic as I sought the same euphoria that graced her lovely face. I placed my lips along her neck, groaning as white lights infused my vision, as I let go.

Sweat coated my back, her hands gently soothing me and her tiny kisses along my jaw brought me to my senses, and I rolled us until I was on my back. Her hair splayed across my chest, her fingers lightly tapping over my heart. I grabbed her hand and brought them to my lips.

I broke the silence after a few minutes. "Since I'm an old man who needs to eat to keep up with you, maybe we should order room service?"

She looked at me and laughed, jumping out of bed to clean up. "Better grab some protein," she teased. "You're going to need it."

~oOo~

Despite the time of year, it was a sunny afternoon. We walked along the beach later that day, even managed to squeeze in a late lunch at a local seafood restaurant. Bella didn't seem to have any aversions to certain foods, which she pointed out, happened to a lot of pregnant women.

"So, aside from the morning sickness, are there any other symptoms?"

She scowled. "I don't like that term, makes it sound like I have a disease," she said, softly. I kissed the hand she had on the table, lifting it to my mouth by way of apology. She would see something like that differently.

"You're right. What other things do you feel that are changing?"

Something in her eyes gleamed. "Why don't I ask what you've noticed?" she asked. Ah, I understood.

"Fishing for compliments, dear," I teased.

"Always," she said, tossing her hair behind her shoulder in a dramatic fashion. She laughed and shook her head. "I don't need them, though, since you were pretty occupied with the biggest of changes this morning." Her eyes shifted down, her eyebrow cocked.

I coughed. "You are something else," I muttered. "Do you seriously want me to walk around with—"

"A bread stick in your pocket," she giggled and slipped onto my lap. That was not helping the situation. I growled playfully in her ear, biting her softly.

Everyone thought as time passed and we learned each other's faults that we would have our work cut out for us. We were different, and in some areas, completely opposite from each other. With more than ten years separating us, we had little in common…at first.

She fell in love with my favorite music, though she never was one for pop anyway, so I didn't mind her taste, either. We both enjoyed similar movies, action and dramas were my favorites, while she loved comedy. Again, that was an area where we learned to experience together.

We joked about the age difference, where most people would try to ignore it. There were still things we liked that the other didn't. She loved wine, while I could barely stand the stuff. I loved plain black coffee; she had to have it fancy.

Even with all our differences, we loved to spend time together. I was worried about our future, but I was determined to live in the moment for a while longer. For I knew, soon, something would come for me.

~oOo~

It was three days after that first afternoon in Malibu when our bubble burst. Bella handed me a bag full of little souvenirs she wanted for our friends and family back home. I wrapped her in my arms, before tucking her against my side.

"So where would you like to go for lunch today?" I asked, kissing her rosy cheek. The wind was picking up, colder than it had been in days. Suddenly, she stopped and forced me to do the same. I looked to see what the problem was and automatically pushed her behind me.

"We were promised peace," I hissed, my hands balling into fists.

The two overdressed angels bowed their heads. Garrett and one I didn't recognize. "And you will have it, but there is a spirit that insists that he needs to speak with Bella."

"Those are usually the worst kind," I spat, inching away from them. Bella's hand bunched my shirt up in a fist, and I knew she was scared, too.

"Who is it?" she asked.

"Your ancestor from your father's side," Garrett said, he smiled. "He was like you, too. In fact, he was the first."

Bella stepped out from behind me, curiosity in her eyes. I knew then that there would be nothing stopping her. I gently grasped her wrist. "Bella," I pleaded.

She bit her lip, nodding. "Tell him to come to my dream tonight."

They both nodded and disappeared instantly. I released her wrist and walked toward the hotel. Her sigh was loud and clear; she knew I was upset. Side by side, silently we made our way back to our room. She ordered room service while I sought solitude in the shower.

I spent several minutes under the gentle cascade of water, trying to understand where Bella was coming from. The spirit was an ancestor. That alone would make her want to talk to him. If given a chance to talk to my late grandfather or his father, would I pass up the chance?

Honestly, no.

Add the fact that the spirit had her ability when he was alive, and I knew her curiosity would be through the roof, and so was mine.

"Edward," I heard her call out for me as I started to towel dry my hair a few minutes later. "Our food is here."

"I'll be there in a minute."

I slipped into a pair of sweats and t-shirt from one of the drawers and went to go find her. After searching the main room of our suite, I found her on the balcony. She was watching the waves along the shore, sipping on what smelled like hot chocolate. Wrapped up in a blanket, she didn't look at me when I joined her.

"I'm sorry," she whispered, her hand shaking as she moved around her salad around.

"I know you are and I am, too," I stated, taking her hand in mine. "I know exactly what talking to something like this ghost would mean to you, and I shouldn't get in the way of that. The angels probably wouldn't have bothered us, unless it was important."

"I'm worried about Jacob, too," she said softly. "We're not getting answers from the angels, but maybe we can get some from my ancestor."

"Maybe," I sighed. "Look, I know that I was an asshole for just walking away like that. I guess it hurt that even though you promised to be ghost free for a while, you still chose to talk to him."

"In my dream, Edward," she whispered with tears in her eyes. "He wouldn't bother you that way."

I shook my head, taking a sip of a nice beer she had ordered for me. "That's where you're wrong. You have nightmares sometimes when they communicate with you through dreams."

She looked down at her plate again, her tears still falling. I hated the distance between us, so I lifted her and placed her on my lap.

"I also understand that given the opportunity you've been given you couldn't say no."

She shook her head. "I can see if it can wait until we get back at least." I cocked an eyebrow. "It probably can't, from what I could sense, he died nearby."

"You can call Garrett to see if he can visit soon while I'm awake and aware. I'd rather not be taken off guard and awoken in the middle of the night."

She offered me a small smile, my fingers wiping away at her lingering tears. "Thank you," she said. "I know this is hard, I'm trying to make it easier for all of us."

"And I appreciate it," I said, kissing her temple. We started to eat, while she was still perched on my lap. It didn't hinder our meal in any way, she fed me little bites and I did the same for her. At least the method allowed me to monitor how much she was eating; she was too skinny due to the weight loss from the nausea.

"I like it here," she said, laughing when the wind caught her hair. At her shiver, I wrapped her tightly in the discarded blanket on her chair and carried her inside.

A couple of hours later, dressed and cozy after a tender love making session by the fireplace, she called for Garrett. His appearance was immediate, which of course, made me wonder how closely we were watched. That isn't disturbing at all. I grunted when I felt Bella elbow me; apparently, I'd been staring.

I could see his wings for the first time, ever. His wingspan was almost ten feet wide, and in various shades of white and gray.

"Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Cullen," he said, bowing his head slightly. Though he was showing his submission, his presence dominated the room.

That was until Bella started to talk. The few tests I'd run on her showed that when she spoke with the dead, her speech modulated between two distinct frequencies, almost as if she had two voices. It was something we'd never seen before.

"Tell him I can see him now, Garrett," she murmured, her eyes taking a hazy quality as her tone softened even further. She was more open to spirits in the area, and I prayed that it would only be the one.

"As you wish," he said, bowing again. "I must warn you before I go, this visit isn't sanctioned, but Jacob insisted that you meet him."

"Sanctioned?" I repeated. "What does that mean? And where is Jacob? If he's the one insisting, he should be here. Bella has been worried sick about him."

"He took the words right out of my mouth," Bella said, resting her head on my shoulder.

"Jacob has methods to give us instructions, if need be," Garrett replied cryptically. His attention was drawn toward the door for a moment. "Your guest has arrived. You have twenty minutes before we'll be forced to take him."

He disappeared before we could ask him why or how, and what was the rush?

"Damn angels," a gruff voice said from the direction of the door. My wide eyes met Bella's and she looked as if she was about to panic. I knew she'd never want her gift to happen to anyone, especially me. Why could I hear him? "You think they'd be kind enough to at least help me look presentable," he continued.

"Who are you?" Bella asked, her eyes drifting from the door to me.

"I can't see him," I whispered to reassure her, but held her close. She blew out a breath of relief.

"I'm letting you hear me, boy," the ghostly voice said. Bella's gaze moved from me to a chair nearby. Through the occasions that I witnessed her helping spirits cross over, I had never been felt so out of place. Hearing the man's voice coming from seemingly nowhere was unnerving. "I thought it'd make things a bit easier if you can both hear me. My name is Charles William Swan. You're great-great grandfather."

"What does he look like?" I knew Bella hated when ghosts still looked as they did when they died. They scared her.

"He's dressed in simple brown trousers, suspenders, white dress shirt, dust everywhere and a hat. In his late fifties, he looks a little like my father." The description could match a multitude of periods.

"I'm a handsome fella," the voice said, laughing.

"You were like me," Bella murmured, her hands fidgeting on her lap. "You could talk to ghosts like I can."

"That I could, but nowhere near the level you can, and I'm about to tell you why."

"We're listening," I stated, taking one of Bella's hands. It was cold and a little clammy from her nerves.

"Why are we like this?"

"Angel blood," the voice said gruffly. "Well, more like damned angel blood. My grandmother fell in love with an angel and he took the fall from heaven for her. My grandparents lived a long happy life from what I heard, but when my mother gave birth to me, they knew they were in trouble. It's not often that angel blood enhances abilities in their children. I was born and they knew immediately something was different. I can guess you were a quiet baby?"

Bella nodded. "My mother always said I had an old soul," she whispered.

"You were more aware of your surroundings than a normal baby and you had spirits watching you when you were upset. Made you feel better."

"I don't remember seeing spirits very young," she replied.

"That's because your grandmother blocked you," he said. "Which was a mistake, by the time your powers were unleashed, you had years bottled up."

"Enough to kill my mother," she said, as tears started to fall.

"She wasn't the only one," the voice said. Bella stilled, her face losing all its warmth. "Sorry, to tell you, but you needed to know. Two angels were with you that night, trying to keep you from getting hurt. They didn't survive."

"Oh God," Bella gasped, her hand rubbing at her chest. Her breaths were erratic.

"That's enough," I hissed toward the chair the spirit's voice was coming from. "Give her a minute."

"All right."

"You had no control, baby," I whispered, pulling Bella closer. "There was nothing you could do to stop it last week. I can't imagine it being easier as a child."

"I know, I know," she cried softly. "I just hate knowing that I did something like that."

"He's right. Those angels knew exactly what they signed up for, it wasn't your fault."

"Why are you here now?" I asked, directing my question toward him.

"I can travel through heaven and Earth without restrictions. Well, if I'm not caught, at least. We don't have a lot of time, so let me say my piece."

Bella nodded, keeping her head on my chest. "Whatever you can tell us without you getting in trouble."

He started to explain and with every word, my trepidation about the future increased a thousand fold. For more than two centuries, the battle for the most souls had raged between Heaven and Hell. The one with the most will control what happens on Earth. Every time the scales were tipped too much to one side, some kind of disaster occurred. It seemed that Hell decided to go after the souls of the dead still bound to Earth. There are millions of them, according to Bella's ancestor. If they were able to obtain more than twenty percent of the spirits' souls the scales would be tipped to the wrong side.

And that was when something drastic would happen, claiming thousands, possibly millions of lives at once to bring balance. The black plague was one of those events.

"I don't even know what to say," I murmured. "That's a lot to swallow."

"You have little choice, Edward. Bella and others like her are in the middle of this. They have to cross over as many Earth bound spirits as they can. The only way that Hell can claim them is by making these spirits evil. If a spirit gains enough power through their anger, grief or vindictiveness, it can be capable of killing a human, and it if did, Hell had the right to claim that soul. They're doing their damnedest to corrupt these lost spirits. You have to stop them before it's too late. I have to get going before I'm dragged back, but be careful of who you trust."

It was a warning I was well aware of, but from the finality of his words, he didn't have any idea who was against us.

"Can you tell me about Jacob?" Bella asked, her eyes wide, silently imploring for information.

"He's undercover, though I imagine he's a little hot under the collar nowadays." Bella looked ready to faint. "Whoa there, girl. Your momma would have my hide if I make you keel over." His voice was closer, as if he was standing right in front of us. "You take care of that little one and you don't have to worry. The big showdown, if it happens, won't be for a while, after the baby is born."

Bella nodded, her eyes moving along toward the door. "Will I see you again?" she asked.

From the door, his voice called out, "Like I'd miss the birth of my great-great-great granddaughter." His laughter trailed off slowly.

My hand automatically reached for Bella's stomach, and hers joined mine. "It's a girl?" I asked.

"According to him," she whispered. Her tear-filled gaze lifted to mine. "We're going to have a girl."

I kissed her lips softly for a few minutes. "As much as I would love to continue to explore this, we need to let Benjamin in on what we learned." She nodded, squeezing my waist tightly with her arms.

"At least I know where Jacob is and why he hasn't been able to come to see me."

Confused, I asked, "What?" Besides saying he was undercover, and the cryptic message from Garrett, there wasn't enough information to come up his whereabouts.

"Hot under the collar," she said softly. "He's in Hell, Edward."


AN: We're almost to the halfway point, and we're going to hit a few time jumps in the next chapter. If you have any questions let me know and I'll do my best to answer. Also I have a Facebook account under Erica Writes Fiction and a group for my fan fiction called Ericastwilight Fanfiction. I try to post teasers and pictures there. Thank you.