Hey everyone! Thanks for the reviews and sorry to keep you waiting. I've been busy it's homecoming week. Tomorrow I am going to see Dream Girls at the local theatre and then going from there to get ready for the homecoming dance at a friends house. And then I have to get all my homework done on Sunday so forgive me if it takes me a while to write the next chapter.
Here is the playlist for this chapter:
Love for a child by Jason Mraz
Meet Virginia by Train
Because of you by Kelly Clarkson
Beth by Kiss/ Glee cast version
Angels by Within temptation
My life would suck by Kelly Clarkson
So let me know what you think. If you have any ideas for the story or things you want to see happen, or even song recommendations to go into possible playlists let me know. Otherwise please read and review! And enjoy!
Chapter Twelve
Once upon a Memory
Waiting was not Bella's forte. All she could do was wait, and wait, and wait. Today was different, but they were doing their best to keep things normal. Currently she sat in a throne like chair in the Platt's drawing room waiting for Carlisle to come out of his meeting with Mr. Platt. The room was ornate and lovely, but at the same time it was utterly haunting. Pictures of Esme and her family stood and hung in frames along the shelves and walls. She was everywhere in the room watching Bella's every move. Bella had brought articles to over look that were to go in the next issue of the magazine but not even work seemed to distract her from Esme's watch. Normally she would be intimated or feel defeated by the situation, but she knew better. She and Carlisle had talked things out over breakfast and they had come to an agreement. They were not going to let James and the entirety of the situation put their lives on hold. Stopping their normal lives would only let James and whoever else was part of this or even Esme, who was being treated by Eleazar currently, win. Last night had been filled with rough moments in their relationship but they had to look past that. Despite the awkward situation things felt normal, if that was even possible or healthy.
She couldn't help but admit that she felt more accepted and part of his life by going to the warehouse with him last night. She had proven herself to be strong and his equal. He couldn't pick and choose which parts of his life he would allow her to be part of. But now here she was waiting for her love to finish the dreadful meeting with Esme's father. She knew that it was nothing something that Carlisle wanted to do, nor did he have to by the code of his law. He did it out of respect because of the role that Platt family had played in his life and the history of his father with his long time friend.
Her eyes then fell on a series of photos on one of the shelves. Slowly she rose from her seat and smoothed out the skirt of her dress. She crossed the room silently and then came face to face with the row of photographs. Instantly she recognized the young boy as Carlisle. Even as a child his hair was perfect and unmoving even at play. Next to him was a young girl about his age with his arm around her and another boy doing the same to the girl. She realized then that the girl was Esme and the boy was Eleazar. The shelf contained photos of the trio and some of the three families and of the kids as they got older. One photo caught her attention and she found it to be bittersweet. Carlisle stood with Eleazar both robed with diplomas in hand. They had graduated from college. Their fathers' were beside them, Eleazar's father was smiling widely and pride shone in his eyes as he clapped his son on the shoulder. Carlisle's father stood tall, arms behind his back looking utterly serious. Carlisle's smile was forced and joy could not be found in his eyes. He knew his father had other plans for him and college was merely a right of passage or a time filler. Last week Carlisle had told her that he had graduated as an art major with business as his minor. His father strongly disapproved. When he told his father he would major in something else his father told him not to waste the good money he was paying to send Carlisle to school. If he was going to continue going to college he might as well major in something he enjoyed, it wasn't like he was going to anything with art in his life because he'd be a Don one day. That photograph should have been filled with joy and excitement like it was on Eleazar's side of the frame, but on Carlisle's it weighed heavily with disappointment.
Leonardo was Carlisle's father, son of Carlisle Cullen. Carlisle was named after his grandfather, Leonardo's idol. Carlisle's life had never been his own, and in some twisted way his father's death set him free, but he had to let himself be free. Bella never wanted to see the sadness in her love's eyes that seemed to appear again and again in the photographs from the past. There was life in him now, and she wanted it to stay. There had to be something to do for him to bring the art back into his life. He drew for she had seen his sketchbook and there were several drawings of her. But he shouldn't have to hide it. He was quite talented at drawing and painting as well. A few pieces had been torn out of the book and rested on his desk alive with acrylic color. Self-consciously she touched the locket around her neck. Carlisle was the love of her life. And as she looked at the picture of Carlisle and his father she wondered if his mother knew about Carlisle and her. Bella had finally taken the liberty of telling Charlie last week. He of course was wary but he tried to be happy for her. She had not told Renee and Charlie told her that she should, but she didn't want to deal with her mother. She loved Renee dearly but they didn't have the ideal mother daughter relationship.
Bella's attention then fell on a picture of Carlisle and Esme at a formal occasion. They both looked absolutely stunning. She was so absorbed by the picture she didn't even here the door open and shut or sense Mrs. Pratt beside her until she spoke up.
"That was their senior prom. They were king and queen."
Bella turned to face her with a gasp. She really needed to be more aware and not let people sneak up on her.
"I'm not surprised. They're both beautiful people." Bella said with a smile as she tried to compose herself.
Mrs. Platt was a beautiful woman. Esme was the spitting image of her mother. Bella couldn't help but feel threatened as Mrs. Platt walked around her as if she was under inspection.
"So you're the girl." Mrs. Platt scoffed as she stood behind Bella.
"Yes, Ma'am. I'm Isabella Swan, but mostly everyone calls me Bella."
She turned to face the woman and saw a woman full of hatred.
"I don't see what Carlisle sees in you. Surely my daughter was the better choice. I couldn't help but over hear their conversation. He's sending her to Italy and there's nothing I can do. He's so much like his father, biting the hand that feeds him."
"Carlisle is not like his father." Bella argued.
Mrs. Platt actually laughed.
"What do you know, child? You barely know the man."
"Time means nothing. You can look at any one of these photos and see the lack of life in his eyes replaced by the urge to please his father. But you look at him now and you can see how bright his eyes are. There's will to grow and want to learn and love. When I see these photos I see the lost little boy who's father never tells him that he's proud of him and it kills the boy. He might see himself as a monster still, but he knows that his heart isn't cold. He loves, and he loves me. I'm sorry about your daughter, but she put a gun to my head."
"Regardless of what you see now, men get bored. Carlisle will soon regret his decision and he'll want my Esme. He's a smart man and he'll tire of you, his little play thing, and he'll go back to her. We've been hoping for grandchildren for far too long and you will not get in the way of that."
"I'm sorry to disappoint you, but he is not going back to your daughter. I don't mean to disrespect you, but your daughter has a death wish. Carlisle ordered her as her Capo not to harm me and warned her of the consequences. She went against his order and tried to kill me. And truly who are you to judge? People can change. I've changed. Carlisle has changed. We can't all be angels. So I'm sorry about Esme but what's done is done."
"You think I'm ok with all of this. Letting the man I've known since he was born make the same mistakes his father did. Leonardo ran off with Elizabeth because he thought he loved her. Carlisle was meant to be with Esme, but he's repeating the past."
Bella had to do all that she could to hold back her anger, but at the same time she understood Mrs. Pratt's view on the situation. It was a mix of hurt, worry for her daughter, betrayal from Leonardo happening what she thought before her eyes, and the struggle of being a mother when you can't get your child out of certain situations.
And so Bella would kill her with kindness. Sweet words and understanding looks was all she could offer.
"The future is not written in stone, but if you love Carlisle like your own blood then wish him happiness despite the circumstances. Carlisle has the world to offer, whereas my only offering is my heart. I'm sure you're prepared to lecture me about how I'm not good enough for someone like Carlisle, and I'd tell you I'd agree. But he and I love one another and so I'm not going to walk away. I know what you're probably thinking, I'm going to give you some sap story about my life, about how my parents divorced when I was young, about having the worst self-confidence, about having a period of my life where I was someone's property, but I'm not. I'm sorry that Esme isn't with Carlisle, but I don't have to prove myself to you. Carlisle's a grown man and can choose for himself. But before Esme tried to kill me I'm sure she was a lovely woman."
Bella went back to the chair she was sitting in and opened the file with the articles for work. Mrs. Platt left in a hurry not bothering with a goodbye. Bella sighed and began to work, but before she knew it the doors to the drawing room opened once again.
A little while later the doors opened and Bella gathered her things in her bag. Carlisle stood with a tender smile, which was a happy surprise for Bella had expected him to be somber due to the nature of the conversation that she knew he had previously had with Mr. Platt. She crossed the distance between them and he took her in his arms.
"I missed you, Love." He cooed as he nuzzled his nose against her cheek.
"I missed you, as well." She sighed happily at the contact of his skin against hers.
"I see you're keeping the young woman all to yourself, Carlisle." A man laughed.
Carlisle couldn't help but chuckle at Mr. Platt's comment. He drew back slightly enough for the man who was like a father to him and Bella to shake hands and properly greet one another.
"Carlisle was just telling me about you. I told him I had to see it to believe it."
"Do you believe me now?" Carlisle teased as he lowered his lips to Isabella's.
"I do, Son. Bella, you truly are magnificent."
"Thank you." Bella replied softly as Carlisle held her close.
"I'm proud of you, Carlisle. I'm sure your mother will be ecstatic when she meets your beauty."
They hadn't even discussed meeting one another's parents. Bella looked down with a smile on her face as blush flooded her cheeks. Carlisle knew her well enough and so he tilted her chin upward.
"I see those cogs working in your beautiful mind, and I wonder what you are thinking."
"Nothing really. I was just looking at the photos in the room of you when you were young."
It was now Carlisle's turn to blush.
"Aw, come on, Love, you were so adorable when you were little."
Mr. Platt couldn't help but laugh. It was nice to see this side of the man he considered his son, for he had not one of his own, only a daughter who recently brought shame upon his family.
"Just wait until I get to see pictures of you when you were little. Then we'll see who's embarrassed. I bet there are several pictures of you dressed as Belle."
Bella blushed and Mr. Platt looked at the pair curiously.
"She was a Beauty and the Beast fanatic when she was younger. Though I wouldn't go as far to say that she ever grew out of it." Carlisle explained and then smirked at Bella who playfully smacked him on the arm.
"All right, I can play at that game as well."
Carlisle looked at her curiously.
"What do you have planned, my love?" He asked.
She just shook her head and laughed.
"You'll just have to wait and see. I'll talk to Alice later so she can help me."
Sympathetically Mr. Platt patted Carlisle on the shoulder.
"If she needs the help of Alice then there is no help for you, Son. I suggest you guard your manhood even in your sleep."
Bella couldn't help but laugh.
Then Mrs. Platt arrived on the seen in complete dismay at the sight before her.
"You're happy?" She asked her husband.
"Of course, Anna. Dear Carlisle has found someone who can beat him at his games."
"I see." She replied as she eyed Bella. "We met earlier today. I can't say that I have the same feelings."
"Let's not make a big deal of that please." Bella sighed. "I'd really not like to kill the high spirits we are all in."
"How can you all be so cheerful when Esme suffers."
Mr. Platt put his arm around his wife.
"Dear, I think it would be best if you laid down."
Carlisle and Bella said their goodbyes and Mr. Platt took his wife to test as the pair let themselves out of the house.
"How terrible was she?" Carlisle asked once they got in the car.
"No worse than my own mother. Renee is more of a which than she." Bella laughed.
"You never talk about your mother besides what you've told me about the divorce, Arizona, and her remarriage."
She shrugged her shoulders.
"There isn't really much to tell. My mother was a free spirit and I basically raised her and myself. When I was younger I thought all the freedom I had was great until I got to the age where she assumed I could take care of myself. I learned to cook, made sure the bills got paid because my mother would forget if I didn't remind her. I didn't get to do a lot of the things little girls should. I was forced into ballet lessons, but it didn't last long because I was terrible at it. I have no athletic capabilities once so ever. As I got older it seemed she only got younger. And at the same time when she was extremely uninvolved in my life she wanted to control it. She would pick and choose when she would act like my mom. But I loved her. When she married Phil I went to live with Charlie and even though we lived our own lives, we lived them together. He didn't hover and he was a man of few words. But we had our own way of showing that we loved one another. When the James thing happened Charlie was extremely supportive. He came out to visit a lot, but a police chief, but it's not cheap to fly from Washington to New York, but when he couldn't come out as much we always talked on the phone. I told my Mom what happened and she didn't react like I thought she would. We were both older and I thought she would have calmed down. She wasn't there for me. She and Phil were always traveling and she just couldn't stop her life to help her daughter. We don't talk very much. Charlie was a big fan of Rosalie and her family and so he's always been so grateful that I've had her with me. It gave him a piece of mind that I had someone to be there for me when he couldn't reach me. My mom actually called me about a week before I met you. I think she's in denial about the things that happened to me. She's settled down more, but the effort is a little too late. It's hard to talk to her about my life, because I feel like she doesn't really know me. I told her that I was frustrated with the way she walks in and out of my life and just expects me to be all put back together just because she decided to be a part of my life. She told me that it's always been this way and that I shouldn't start saying it's a problem now."
Carlisle took her hand and gave it a squeeze, for it was all he could do while driving.
"I understand. Parents are hard sometimes. She's missing out though. You're a beautiful person and she should be very proud of you. Sometimes you just have to stop trying to make things work and give it time to breath. I'm glad that you had support from your father. I envy that."
She took his hand that rested on hers on the consul and put it to her cheek.
"That photo from graduation…"
"Ah, the day I got my degree as arts major. That pretty much explains the relationship with my father right there. I always tried to make him proud, and never could. I think it's pretty pathetic, spending my life trying to please someone who's never satisfied. And then I don't learn that he was proud of me all along until he's on his deathbed. I try so hard as Don to live up to his legacy, but sometimes I wonder why I want to live up to him. Maybe as a Don there was, but as a father I can't say he was someone to look up to. Emmett agrees completely, but that's because Father always knew what we'd become. He knew I'd choose Emmett as my Sotto Capo. I had to be perfect at everything. I had the best grades, the best friends, won the most awards at school, tried to be the best son, and whatever fucking else I though I had to do to please my father and have him tell me how proud he was. I would get an A on my finals, and practically a perfect score and he would say 'why did you miss a point? Why couldn't you get a hundred?' yet Edward would come home with a B and he would clap Edward on the back and tell him he did a fabulous job."
When they arrived at their destination, which was a small café she took him by the hand and kissed his cheek.
"You know, you don't have to be your father. Actually you can't be your father because you're Carlisle. Even from the small bit I've seen as you being Don I can already see you're a different leader than the man you've described and your family has described. What doesn't kill you is supposed to make you stronger, where that statement is false it's also true. You see, you know what you didn't like about your father and so you do everything possible to make sure you're not like him. I'm the same way. My mother loves me, but she isn't very maternal. I've spent all my life taking care of others and putting myself last. Even when in therapy I was trying to take care of everyone else. But then you came along…"
"Someone has to take care of you, Isabella. And it doesn't always have to be one sided. But look at you. You're a survivor and you are stronger. It's a classic allegory of the cave, something as you've described, your mother can't deal with. You don't know something and then you experience it and you can't pretend it didn't happen. I'm sure before James you could never have imagined going through what you did. But you can't just pretend now that it didn't happen."
She smiled as the sat down across from one another at the table and looked down at their menus.
"Isabella, I didn't understand love before I met you, but now that I do I can never be the same man I was before. I don't want to be the same man I used to be. I like who I am when I'm with you. But you need to accept that I will spoil you with gifts, and I will take care of you. You don't have to go it alone. No one should have to."
"It looks like someone needs to take his own advice." She giggled.
He loved that sound for it made the world right again.
"I am. That's why I sent Esme to Italy. It wasn't that I was weak and couldn't end her. But if I had been my father I would have had her beaten until she died. As I looked at her beaten and broken I knew that it would either be my demise or redemption. The choice I made would send a message not just to my clan or to my enemies, but to myself. I had the opportunity to be a strong leader and stray from the ways my father had drilled into my since youth or I could follow in his footsteps. By no means was I going to set her free, but I would not end her life for if I did I knew I could see the path clearly I would travel on. I had this image in my mind of me looking in a mirror and in it I saw my father and then I looked down at my hands and felt my face and I wasn't myself anymore. I looked exactly like my father. I spoke and I sounded like my father. And then I knew what I had to do. I had to give her the right chance to get better. And then I thought of you and I knew I was doing the right thing. You believe that I don't have to be a monster. And I want you to see me as a man who will always love you."
She reached across the table and took his hand in both of hers.
"You really don't understand how amazing you are, Love." She murmured softly and then kissed the back of his hand.
"So when are you going to admit that you're truly my guardian angel sent from Heaven to set me straight?" Carlisle laughed to lighten the mood.
She smirked.
"I'll admit it when I earn my wings. Apparently the big guy has plans for me so my work isn't done."
"Maybe I should tell your boss that you're over worked and under paid."
"That would be nice. I'm sure Jessica would find that humorous."
They both burst out laughing.
"Yeah, but I'm afraid to go into her office alone." Carlisle admitted. "She'll try to molest me or something."
"I don't doubt that." She giggled as the waiter set their drinks on the table. "They don't call her a bitch for nothing."
"I'll drink to that."
"I'll drink to anything that involves conspiracy theory."
He waggled his eye brow as he laughed.
"Are you sure you're not secretly a mobster?"
"I'm pretty sure because I don't know how to shoot a gun."
"I'll be fixing that in the near future."
"I'm holding you to that."
With a knowing smile he winked and drank from his glass as he laughed at the thought of teaching Isabella to shoot. What had he gotten himself into?
…
Bella sat in the meeting room amongst several other members of Carlisle's clan to discuss James and what they were going to do. Rose was also present because Carlisle felt that she might be at risk as well.
"So what you're saying is that there is absolutely no recordings once so ever of the events that took place in the gallery?" Carlisle asked as he stressfully put his weight on his hands on the table.
"I'm afraid so. At the time stamp on the screen everything goes black and nothing can be heard. Then the sound comes back at what seems too early and there are footsteps and then a click. The camera comes back on and the camera at the entrance to the gallery catches a photo of this man, the exact same one that entered the gallery thirty-seven minutes prior. After being in the gallery for a total of twenty-three seconds the screen goes black on the gallery's camera."
Edward studied the man from both the photos and his eyes widened.
"Demitri, did you get any other footage of him. Did you get a full frontal?"
Demitri nodded and showed the next photo on the overhead projector.
"He was speaking with this woman. The room was so loud because of all the conversations going on at once and the music."
Edward, Carlisle, Bella, Rose, and Alice all gasped and then revealed the identity of the woman in unison.
"Jessica."
"You know her?" Felix asked.
Bella scoffed.
"I work for that bitch."
Edward studied the face of the man and so did Felix.
"I saw him staring at Carlisle and Bella when they were dancing. The way he looked at her, it wasn't innocent. I remember that something didn't sit right with me." Edward spoke out and Carlisle looked at his brother with worry.
"I saw that man as well. When we had Esme in the car and I was going to come tell you and Bella that the car was ready he was rushing down the stairs. I thought there was something odd about him, but I was too focused on getting you and Bella to safety that I didn't even think to consider why he was rushing like a mad man." Carlisle looked at Felix like he was going to be sick.
"Why didn't I see this man?" Carlisle hissed for he was truly angry with himself for being so oblivious to his surroundings.
Demitri put another photograph on the screen.
"You didn't see him because you were a bit occupied."
There was a photo of the man running past the couple as they kissed passionately.
Carlisle couldn't help but be embarrassed.
"I guess you were too caught up in your little make out session." Edward quickly corrected his slip up. "I mean make up session."
Bella couldn't help but giggle. Carlisle looked over at her with a sly smile and ran his fingers through his hair. Then his face turned serious.
"Isabella, does that man look like James? Is that him?"
Rose answered before Bella could.
"That's not his face. The last time either of us saw him he had long blonde hair in a ponytail. He has hazel eyes. Those aren't his features either."
Unconsciously Bella rose from her seat and walked towards the screen. She stopped beside and put her hand on James's face.
"Damn it!" She yelled and turned away to hide her face from everyone. "Even if his face is covered I can't tell if that's his body structure. The suit makes him look just like everyone man that was there that night. That mother fucker!"
Panting and feeling faint she swayed. Carlisle rushed to her side and helped her back to her seat.
"Love." He murmured softly as he tried his best to calm her down. "You're not saying something. What is it?"
She took a deep breath and looked at Rosalie.
"Remember what he wrote, Rose? He told us we wouldn't find him if we tried."
Rose nodded.
"But that doesn't look like him."
Bella sighed and looked at everyone in the room.
"After Rose got me untied and out of the closet we found a note on the counter. All his belongings were gone. I had been knocked out during period he must have packed. Basically in the note he told me no matter how hard we searched no one could possibly find him. The police did all they could. My father is the Chief of Police in a small town called Forks in Washington State. Yes I know the mafia doesn't associate with the police, but it's not like he patrols here. Anyway he even joined in on the search even though Seattle wasn't his district. Rosalie's uncle paid for her and I to flee to New York. And the police couldn't find him. The case isn't closed but I know they haven't searched in a long time. It's like he disappeared off the face of the Earth. There wasn't a record of him leaving the country or traveling. His bank accounts are untouched, no withdrawals or deposits. No new residences. He didn't cancel any credit cards or used the ones he had. Ever since the day he left nothing of his has been touched. James Massacin could be anywhere or anyone. If I were to disappear like that I would have changed my name, and probably several times. I'd also change my appearance, again several times. He has to know what he's doing. If it hadn't been for that flute I wouldn't have thought it to be him at all. I mean when I first moved to New York they still had me cut my hair, dye it and they had me registered under a fake last name for a while to keep James off my trail if he followed after me. But they let it drop after they figured he wasn't coming after me. We're not going to find him as James Massacin, blue eyed with long blonde hair. He's going to be somebody else. He's going to look like somebody else. He'd be stupid to do otherwise."
Carlisle knew that this was too much for her. It was hard and he didn't have to look at her to know. He simply just felt it between them. He rubbed her back and let her head rest on his shoulder.
"Isabella." He whispered softly. "Remember how I told you today that you sometimes you need to let others take care of you and that's what I plan to do?"
She nodded her head in defeat and then he kissed her temple.
"This would be one of those times. I'm going to have some of my agents keep watch over you and Rosalie. She's at risk too because one can only assume that he knows she let you out of the closet and knew she knew. But don't worry, you won't even know that they're there. As much as I wish I could, I can't be with you every hour of the day. We both have to work and now I have a wanted man to track down. I also want you to have a personal body guard, who will be present to your notice." He looked up at two of his most trusted me. "Felix, I'd like you to guard my Isabella. You'll communicate constantly with her surveillance agents, standard procedure you know the drill." He kissed Bella's cheek and then her nose, causing her to smile just a tad. Then he looked over at Emmett. "Emmett, would you be comfortable with Demitri being the present guard for Rosalie. She'll have a surveillance agents as well."
Emmett walked over to Rosalie and kissed her quickly on the lips.
"Anything to keep my girl safe." Emmett murmured.
"It's settled then." Carlisle declared.
Rosalie and Bella went out into the hall accompanied by Jane, Heidi, Chelsea, and Renata to get away from the tension of the room.
"Bella." Rosalie spoke up.
She looked up at her best friend.
"Thanks." She murmured.
Rose just smiled and hugged her.
"Everything is going to be ok. You know that right?" Rosalie tried to comfort her friend.
Bella nodded.
"I just don't want Carlisle to get hurt. I love him, Rose. You know he's so strong but really if you look into his eyes you can see the small little boy who just wants to please his father. But then I also see the strong man who's better than his father and wants to be a better man the legacy he was left to live up to. It will be the end of me if I lost him. When he's not around I feel the absence."
All the girls were listening to what Bella said. Jane was pleased to see Bella's mutual dedication.
Rose and Bella talked quietly until the meeting ended. Bella was feeling much better and she needed to be near Carlisle again, just as Rose needed to be near Emmett. The door opened and Carlisle rushed out, Bella met his halfway. He rested his hand on her neck, tilting her face upward to his as he bent to kiss her while he held her at her hip. He kissed her deeply with a meaning that only they could understand. The girls, besides Rose who was busy with Emmett, stared at the couple. They still weren't used to seeing Carlisle like this.
"I love you." Carlisle whispered.
"I love you, always." Bella replied as his forehead rested against hers.
"I'm never going to get tired of telling you I love you and hearing that you love me too."
"I love you." Bella whispered.
"I love you." Carlisle replied. "Always."
