PRAYERS ANSWERED
Disclaimer: The Cullen's, the Swans, and most of the characters mentioned in the story that are known from Stephanie Meyer's beloved Twilight Saga, are all hers and hers alone. I neither have nor wish to pass them off as mine. I do appreciate the fact that she did bring them to life and allows us to play with them in our imaginations. The only thing I will claim is the current storyline.
The awesome and talented dowlingnana searched out my errors and corrected them.
Both looked over to see the resemblance of the young woman that was lying in the bed attached to a breathing apparatus along with all of the other tubing that was currently attached to her body. She wasn't dead, so, why was she here?
CHAPTER 12: CONFIRMATION
The female form smiled a shy smile at both Edward and Michael before she said only one word, "Mine." When she said the word she was looking directly at Edward. This happening had both male spirits completely stunned which is very difficult to do to a spirit.
Michael finally managed to collect himself enough to ask the vital question and then was eager to ask the puzzling question. "Young Isabella, why are you here when you're still alive?"
"I was wandering, searching for 'Mine' when someone explained that I was needed by him. The softly spoken person said 'Mine' needed my help since I was the only one that could lead him in the direction he needed. Then the softly spoken person said that Michael would be able to explain better and to help me with whatever I would need to understand."
"Isabella I'll be happy to explain what Edward needs to find. He's on a mission to find new evidence to prove that he didn't commit the crime of which he was accused and executed. If he's able to do this, then he will have a chance to have time reset so he can have his name cleared." Michael explained, but, left out the main part of what Edward was supposed to achieve to have earned the chance of redemption. He felt that was something that needed to stay strictly with Edward and himself. There wasn't any point in tell her that Edward had been assigned a primary objective that needed to be accomplished as he was looking for new evidence to clear his name as that might influence her approach to helping Edward.
"Okay, I'm willing to help however I can. 'Mine' should be happy in all that he does."
It was then that Michael asked Bella the puzzling question, "Why do you call Edward 'mine'?"
"I don't really know. The only way I can answer that is to say that anything I felt when with him near I had a warm secure feeling. But, he wasn't always close by. That's all I know." As she answered Michael's question she looked over at her form lying in the bed, tilted her head to the side a bit as if listening to something and then a smile appeared on her face.
"You were sent to help me." She said while looking straight at Edward with a gentle smile that was showing complete trust.
"How do you know that? Neither Edward nor I told you." Michael asked and then commented.
"The softly spoken person told me. He said that Edward is earning a second chance to change his way as well as find evidence to prove his innocence by helping me to return to the life I was always meant to have and by being observant while doing so to gather the information needed to return him to the truth of what his life was also meant to be." Bella answered Michael. Then she added, "But, I'm supposed to be ready to help Edward once I'm in a conscious state more than in this situation.
"That I'm only here at the moment to help you two begin in a more direct way rather than the stumbling, bumbling system that you seem to be doing in your search for the truth. Those aren't my words, but, those of the softly spoken person."
"So, you're only with us for a short period of time." Commented Edward with a sense of disappointment sounding in his voice and appearing upon his face.
"Yes, but, I'll be with you for a while. The softly spoken person will tell me each time I need to return to my real self and when I can come back to you. But, it's my understanding that I'll be helping you this way for now, but, will be much more able to help finalize things once I've recovered more fully."
"I'll be looking forward to working with you, Isabella. With the type of people, you've encountered thus far in your life you might indeed be able to lead me to the right information." Edward told her.
"I prefer the name Bella since Isabella sounds so regal and I'm nothing more than just plain and not very useful, really, to anyone. I'm not even sure why I was chosen to aid you since I seem to bring death and destruction to anyone that has anything to do with me." The young lady commented. Then she paused a moment before asking, "Do you know who I really belong to?"
"Yes, and arrangements have already been made to reunite you with your parents; your real parents and they truly love you. They have mourned your loss for many years, and, have never given up on trying to find you. You need to know this, and, to know that even now they have been notified of the fact that you've been found and are on their way to be with you." Edward told her.
"So, you know who I really am? Where I come from and where I belong?" Bella asked quietly.
"Yes, we discovered it as we were looking for new evidence and at the same time trying to found a way to help you that would be of a lasting benefit to you. And, Bella, you seem to have a misconception of yourself; you most definitely don't leave death and destruction behind you where the people you have associated with are concerned." Edward told Bella as he was trying to reassure her and letting her know that she wasn't seeing herself clearly.
At this point Michael felt that he needed to take charge of the situation and bring a few things to the forefront, so, he began to capture their attention by saying that he had a few things to say, "First, I think we all need to have a proper introduction before going any further or discussing anything else. You can't keep calling Edward 'mine' as he does have a proper name as do I. But, I'm most interested also in the fact that you keep referring to someone that is giving you information as 'the softly spoken person', has this individual told you a name?" Michael asked of Bella.
"I don't know. I don't remember one being given that I've heard. Why is it important?"
"I was just curious, that's all." He remarked before continuing with what he had started saying in the beginning, "My name is Michael and I've been assigned to help guide Edward through the process of discovery. And, while you call him 'mine' his name is Edward, Edward Anthony Cullen. His background I'll leave for him to be honest in telling you what his old life was like before he arrived to the point he is at now.
"But, if you could I would be pleased if you could refer to both of us by our proper names and we shall call you by your preference." Michael finished speaking.
"I'll be happy to do as you request." Bella shyly answered with lowered lashes, but, still keeping eyes on Edward.
Michael and Edward smiled at her, then Michael continued speaking, "Secondly, I think we need to tell you what all we know about you and you tell us where you suggest we should look next for information that could help Edward in his quest."
"Again, Michael, I would be happy to help, but, I'm not sure of how much help I'll be to Edward or you."
"It isn't me that you'll be helping, but, Edward. And, believe me, whatever you can tell us will be better than the hop, skip and jumping around that we seem to be doing at the moment. As we go to the different time events we aren't sure of what information we need to collect and what is just part of what is going on and has nothing to do with Edward's situation. You never know what information might take us to the exact spot or information that will be needed to make everything else we've found or seen fall into place." Michael explained to Bella as he saw that she was still a bit hesitant and unconvinced of what help she might be.
Both Edward and Michael saw the different expressions that crossed the young woman's face as she took the time to think about and consider all that Michael had told her about how she could be of help. Edward looked as if he was going to open his mouth to say something to her, but, Michael touched his arm and shook his head at Edward as if telling him to give Bella time to work through everything she had been told and allow her to find the comfort level she needed to accept all that she had been told. So, Edward remained silent.
Suddenly both men noticed a quick change that took place with Bella's position and her expression. She looked at both men as she opened her mouth to speak, but, before any words could be uttered she faded away. And, their attention was drawn towards the door as voices were heard approaching and seemed to be stopping just outside the room while they were still speaking.
XXXXXX
During the long drive to Seattle both Charlie and Renee Swan were afraid to voice any of the emotions that seemed to be swirling around in their minds. After all of this years and no one had been able to find out any information concerning the whereabouts of their daughter. And, it seemed that no one had been able to discover any information as to whether she was alive or dead.
Now, after all of these years a young woman suddenly shows up out of the blue that has caused one of their closest friends to believe that she had been found. And, Carlisle is saying that the information had been given to him from a very reliable source; a source that he would trust with his life. That was a very strong statement to be coming from Carlisle.
But, Charlie was glad that Carlisle had had the forethought of having a DNA test done to make sure that it was indeed Isabella.
Another thing that was concerning Charlie was the fact that Renee hadn't really said a word about what Carlisle had told them except that she would get their bags packed for immediate departure. He kept sending sly looks in her direction as he expected her to express her concerns about the situation and the information Carlisle had told them.
After more time passed and sneaking more looks casted her direction from Charlie Renee finally spoke, "Quit looking at me like you think I'm going to lose it at any moment.
"Yes, Charlie, I'm concerned about whether this is going to be a wild goose chase, or, if after all this time, we've really have found our daughter. I'm almost afraid to believe, but, at the same time I'm open to the fact that it could really be true." She answered him even though he hadn't said a word or asked a question of her. But, Renee knew what his looks that he thought she wasn't aware of meant; after all they had been married for nearly thirty years and that length of time allows you to gain knowledge of your spouse's habits.
Silence continued to reign again in the car as Charlie continued the drive on to Seattle and the hospital where Carlisle was waiting for them.
XXXXXX
Carlisle was in his office looking over the rushed results of the DNA test he had ordered concerning the young woman he had brought in from that dreadful apartment and was comparing the results against the ones he had on file from Charlie and Renee. The results had surprised him the same as did the door being suddenly opened and closed to allow the entrance of one Esme Cullen.
"I told you that I was going to be here to support Charlie and Renee." She told Carlisle before he could question her.
"I know, but, they aren't here yet." He told his wife as he rose and made his way over to her. Once he was close enough he gathered her into his arms for a quick kiss and hug before taking her over to one of the chairs in front of his desk.
"I knew that they probably wouldn't be here as yet, but, I did want to find out before they did about if you've received any word concerning the results of the DNA test you said you'd ordered."
"Yes, I was just looking over the results and comparing them to what I have on file for both Charlie and Renee. I have to say, my Love, is that I'm surprised, pleasantly surprised, but, surprised none the less that the results are conclusive: that young woman is indeed the missing Isabella Swan."
And, even though, Carlisle had told her that his information had come from a very reliable source, she still had some doubts while hoping at the same time that it was true that the missing child of her friends had been found at last.
"Carlisle, I want to see this young - no, I won't refer to her as that - I want to see young Isabella." And with that said she rose and began moving towards the door while expecting her husband to be right behind her. Seeing that he had no choice, but, to allow his wife to see Isabella Swan, Carlisle did make it to the door before Esme and opened it for her to pass through before him and then he followed after.
Leading the way down the hallway towards the private room that he had Isabella set up in he and Esme continued talking and discussing the effects this was going to have upon Charlie and Renee once they arrived and it was confirmed to them that indeed their daughter had been found.
A/N: Okay, now Carlisle knows that what Edward had written in the note was completely truthful and that the young woman is really Isabella Swan. Esme has learned the truth as well and wanting to see the young patient. But, the bigger mystery is what happened to Bella for her fade out of sight?
Let me know your thoughts and ideas.
