Disclaimer: Stephanie Meyer owns Twilight, but not Merged Souls: Trying for Normal
Author's Note:
Chapter 12
BPOV
What a time for Edward to be out of things. I don't really believe that Wales is unconcerned about the Godard connection to his family. But Reagan didn't look upset just thoughtful as she looked at her husband so maybe I was reading more into it then there was. Edward was nuzzling my ear again but he whispered as he did. "Not a very convincing liar is he my love? I think we better get to Aldrich before he does and find out what's going on."
"I'm sorry Wales but as you can see Edward is easily distracted right now. I think I need to get him back to our room. If you honestly think there's nothing to worry about then great, we can concentrate on getting Donna back."
Edward and I rose as one and left Reagan looking out the windows of the library, Wales was deep in thought.
"Edward what should we do there's something wrong here!"
"It's alright love, let's go find Aldrich. I bet he's in Penny's room."
"Why do you say that?"
"Alastair banished them from his wing of the castle. Penny has a tower room. Come on let's go, while I still can make it there without ravishing you."
We only had to stop once for a little make out session and some heavy petting. It was nice to know that the broom closets in the castle are pretty roomy. Penny's tower room was the only one in this part of the castle in use. We knocked on her door and found them playing chess. Strip chest that is...and I'm not even going to try and explain that to anyone, somehow it just seemed wrong. Fortunately for my eyes they had only just gotten started.
Aldrich looked at Edward. "Bella I didn't realize you were so kinky running about the castle with your husband in such a state!" When I frowned and Edward coughed he stopped smiling. "Oh there's another problem and I assume it's not with Edward at the moment."
"Sorry to bother you Aldrich but I think we may have another problem with the Godard family."
"Oh really?
"Yeah there may be a connection with Wales Uncle Richard.?"
"Hmmh Godard is an old Norman name. They came over with William in 1066, Gideon might know more about the family history than me. The Godard's in my time had fallen on hard times. But they had been granted lands in Wiltshire by William and still retain them though they were never more than landed gentry. They had been very flush at one time. But during the War of the Roses the male line was almost decimated along with their fortune."
"How did they survive for so long and still retain everything?"
"Well you have to remember by the time the War was in full swing I was a vampire and living the high life with Tacitus on the continent. We were waiting for the Princes to reach their majority to return and claim their rightful place but that never happened. So I have no idea unless they had help from the Volturi. Their ancestors did help hunt down the real werewolves the same as Anton did. Too bad Yuri died in Forks he might have been able to tell us more."
"Excuse me Aldrich, this may not be any of my business but why did the Princes not return to claim Edward's throne?"
"They were young when Tacitus took them from the tower and by the time they had reached an age where they would be taken seriously, Henry Tudor was on the throne. For all intents and purposes he was a strong leader, and they felt their people had suffered enough in the War and the ensuing years of stabilization. They did not want to start another war. So when Richard took ill with the Pox Edward decided that both of them should be changed. His only regret was never seeing his mother again. She died without property. In her final years she had lived on the generosity of Henry V1I. She had only few personal possessions of value, that Moon Vase the Prince carries being one of them. Tacitus the old devil stole that vase and a locket for him on the eve of his mother's death, Richard has the locket."
Edward was starting to nuzzle my neck again when Penny spoke up. "Ah Bella I think you need to take care of Edward and I'd really like to finish this game before Carlisle and Esme arrive. I really want to meet them but this game is important too. Besides Edward looks like he's got it bad. I've never seen anyone like this before, heard a lot about it but never seen it and all I've got to say is WOW! Enjoy it girl cause from what I understand it doesn't happen that often."
She was right I needed to take care of Edward. But what was going on with him? Everyone skirts around the issue tells me how lucky I am, that it's rare, just enjoy it. But what the hell is it? We were part way down the stairs, when Edward picked me up bridal style and raced down the rest of the stairs. He kicked open a door on the lower level corridor that seemed to be designated for redecorating there was Venetian Plaster and bolts of material everywhere. Edward's objective was a huge four poster bed in the middle of the room that was covered with the thickest Eiderdown Duvet I had ever seen. Edward informed it was called a feather bed as he tossed me into the middle it was like landing in a cloud.
He moved to rip my clothes off when I yelled "No! We don't have anything else to wear and I'm not wrapping up in the upholstery material or this feather thingy." He grinned and nodded so we undressed quickly. Then he attacked and it was amazing, sensational and so fucking erotic I thought my head would spin. When we were done it was about two hours and forty five minutes later so we had about five minutes by my calculations to get back to our rooms and be presentable for Carlisle, Esme and Seth. Edward was looking very pleased with himself and like he was planning on staying right where he was. He was stretched out naked and glorious, the sun coming through the window didn't quiet reach him but his skin shone with a slight luminescence. I hated to but I had to break the spell. "Edward we have about five minutes to get back to our rooms we have to hurry."
"Actually my love no we don't, their already here, and they got here about forty minutes ago." And before I could ask how he answered. "Alice was driving."
"Damn speed demons! Wait a minute how can you hear them all the way across the castle?"
"It's true that our rooms are on the other side of the castle if you walk through the castle. But if you look you that window, Esme is waving at us from across the courtyard. Our rooms are directly across from here."
I leaned over him and peeked out the window and there was Esme. "Edward she just gave me a thumbs up, your mother ...oh my god!" Then I heard Elizabeth's tinkling laughter and wind chimes outside the window. "Oh you have got to be fucking kidding me!" Edward was lying there naked and laughing his ass off. I pulled the feather thingy over me and my head and just groaned.
Edward got up and drew the drapes over the window. And I spoke from under the blanket. "Okay we aren't going anywhere until you tell me what has been going on with you, people tell me little bits and pieces but no one elaborates! No one tells me what it's called, what triggers it, or what's the cure...well I'm not looking for a cure."
"Bella it's not a disease it's just a part of being us. It's an just something that happens to us and it's different from couple to couple as to what happens and how long it lasts and even that may vary each time it happens. So if you want to give it a label, call it 'The Event'. As to a cure there isn't any. All you can do love is treat the symptoms which you've been doing. And I must say you have been doing a fine job of taking care of me. But I promise you we'll talk to Carlisle maybe he can give us more information."
"Edward how am going to face him after my vampire mother in law just gave me a thumbs up and my deceased mother in law was hanging around outside the bedroom window laughing. And you mister, you should not be taking this so lightly! You with the Victorian code of morals should be mortified or at least angry...a little and you're not! Why is that Edward, hmm, why aren't you upset."
"Dunno and I don't care right now. I just want to enjoy the company and the pleasure of the most beautiful and sensual woman in the world."
"Good answer Edward. But we're going to go across that courtyard and take the heat. I guess everyone is there at least can get it over with all at once."
"Yep even Penny and Aldrich are there."
"What! Wait they had to go right past this room. They must have heard us in here, the least they could have done was knock on the door."
"Ah Bella, they did. But you can be surprisingly focused when in the throes of passion." I didn't say a thing I just wanted to hide here. "Are you going to come out from under there and get dressed? Emmett is prepared to come drag our naked asses out of bed if we aren't there in the next ten minutes."
"Fine but I think we were set up."
"It's alright love I'll protect you. I'm feeling better and a little more like my old self."
That got me to pop my head out and I have to admit I was a little sad that my horny teenager might be going back into moth balls "You mean it's over but I thought it could last for days?"
"It may last for days my love, but right now I feel fine. I shouldn't...we shouldn't even be experiencing this until we've been mated at least a decade. And just because I'm in control right now doesn't mean it's going to last."
"Oh good, I thought I'd done something wrong."
"You like me this way?"
"Well yeah it's like having a honeymoon. After all we never really had one and then suddenly we were parents and I was a newborn vampire. Italy is just so romantic. But it's been one damn thing after another and it's been nice to spend hours in each other's arms. I know I'm rambling and I'm not complaining but can we come back here and have a do over without the family and the kids sometime?
"Have a do over? No. But a do again, definitely, my darling adorable wife. Come on Emmett's on his way."
We dressed then he threw me on his back and jumped out the window. He ran across the courtyard jumping through our bedroom window. He set me down and gave me a deep and meaningful kiss. Then with his arm casually slung around my shoulder we walked into the sitting room to a round of applause. We both smiled and sat on the floor the kids scooted over to us and showed us the presents Grandma Esme and Grandpa Carlisle had bought them.
I shook my head at Esme and Carlisle, "You two spoil these children something awful."
Esme smiled. "Bella they'll be grown up pretty soon so let us spoil them while we can after all this is nothing. You haven't seen the recreational area that Elizabeth and Ed are paying for in Canada it's amazing."
I looked at Edward and then back at Esme, "That sounds bigger than the set of swings and a sand box we had agreed on." I felt Edward chuckle. "Did you know about this?"
"Yes but only after the fact. The construction had already started when they told me."
"What construction?" Jazz was pushing out calm and I was resisting. I gave him an irritated look "Jazz, stop that right now." He sat back and grinned, looking at him I asked, "Why do I get the feeling that you and your evil twin are involved in this." Before he could answer Emmett was flying through the door.
He was grinning from ear to ear. I now he was just waiting for his moment to start in but Rose reached up grabbed him and pulled him down beside her and said. "The gig's up." He looked a little confused until Jasper made a swinging motion with his hands. Then Emmett said "Oh fuck!"
"Well since Mom and Dad Masen can't really speak for themselves, either you or Jasper better start talking. Emmett pointed to Jazz."Go ahead man when she gets like this she scares the hell out of me."
Edward was being really quiet but he wasn't nuzzling my ear like he usually did when he was quiet. Out of my peripheral vision I caught him chewing his lower lip a habit he'd picked up from me. And I did it when I was nervous. "Edward baby are you okay?" He only nodded and kept chewing. Carlisle smiled at his son. "He'll be fine for a while yet Bella."
Jasper took a deep breath. Seth was silently laughing his ass off. I had only just noticed him in the corner. "Wait Jasper before you get started. You come here and give me hug." I pointed at Seth and he got up and came over hugging Edward and I both at the same time. "What's with the hiding in the corner?"
A tear came to his eye and Edward touched my arm. "Beth showed him the vision on the way back from the airport."
I stepped forward and wrapped my arms around Seth. "Oh Seth, you should be happy. You saw her she was smiling, she was glowing Seth, you'll see her again but not for a long while my friend."
He smiled relaxed and then hugged me again. "Thanks Bells, Edward that vision means a lot to me! You won't mind if I ask Beth to play it over a few times while I'm here will you."
"No of course not Seth, Beth won't mind will you sweetie," Beth looked at me and gave a cautious smile. "Mom, Dad the vision changed from what Aunt Alice had and I don't understand it I'm just a video camera not an editor."
"On the way back from Florence Seth asked to see it. Grandpa said it would be okay. It started out just like always but after Leah and the others showed up she stepped forward and spoke. She told Seth. 'Now is not your time little brother, you must not give up. You still have so much to do for yourself and our people. Don't make me come back there and haunt your ass. Listen to the Cullen's they will take of you. And Seth I'm happy for the first time in a long time, I'm genuinely happy. And when your time comes Dad and I will be here.'
I wish I could cry, as it was I was sobbing and holding onto Seth. "But how did it change? Beth can't make up memories or visions, Beth honey can you show me?" She shook her head no. "We tried Mom, Grandma Esme and Aunt Alice, Grandpa Carlisle, Uncle Jazz, Aunt Rose all they see is Leah standing there with the rest she doesn't say anything. Only when I play it just for Seth then she talks."
I looked at Carlisle and Edward they both just shrugged. Edward said, "Bella even with Beth sitting there thinking about, it I still only see Leah sanding there."
Carlisle smiled at me and leaned forward after I sat back down with Edward. "Bella sometimes things just have to be taken on faith. This was obviously a private message for Seth alone. There are lots of things that happen to us that we don't have the answers for in our world, just as in the human world."
"Is that code for what's been happening with Edward?"
"Not code but yes, we don't know what it is that happens or even why it does. There aren't that many of us veggie vamps for me to do a complete study. But I have been tracking our family. So, I do have information to share with you and Edward in private. With only on the condition that you will share with me your experiences so I can add to my body of research. This thing ..."
Carlisle looked like he was grasping for a definition. "'The Event' Carlisle, for the lack of a better name Edward and I are calling it 'The Event'."
He smiled at me. "Very appropriate Bella. So as you say The Event is very personal experience between mates but if we are to understand and plan for it then we must have information. I know you are an intensely private person, so can I count on your cooperation."
"Carlisle I think in this family my attempts at remaining private have failed miserably. I might as well embrace the crazy and turn in my ultra Conservative card. Yes Edward and I will share with you." I looked at Emmett. "But not with anyone else. Have you got that Emmett? And come to think of it Emmett for someone that has such an active and satisfying sex life, why are you such a voyeur? Are you trying to pick up tips from Edward and me to keep it fresh?"
Rose burst out laughing. "Oh you are so busted darling. With Edward being able to mind read everyone for the last ninety plus years and now being able to put it all into practice he's afraid that he's going to lose his self proclaimed title of sexual guru to the family. "She continued to laugh much to Emmett's chagrin.
Seth had sat down with Beth in his lap he had totally blocked us out he was watching the vision again. "Okay well now that that's been taken care of that. You two have some explaining to do." I turned to Jasper and Emmett. Emmett already looked like he had been slapped down so I turned back to Jasper. "Well?"
Jasper looked exasperated and he turned to look imploringly at Alice. "Oh no you don't, I'm not getting involved you, Emmett and the Masen's did this. I didn't even get asked to shop so you're on your own."
Jazz took a deep breath. "Alright, while you were in Chicago, Emmett came across a bookmarked page on Alice's laptop at your house for outdoor playgrounds. Turns out the Masen's had been researching and intending to purchase a modest swing set and slide for the kids. Well Em and I invited them in the cockpit of the plane flying over here and that's when we told them about how fast the kids would mature and outgrow the swings, and how the kids had faster reflexes and greater strength. They seemed to understand and then Emmett wanted to know if we could help them make it more hybrid friendly and I think they agreed."
At this point Edward's hair stood straight up I almost laughed except I think this was Elizabeth calling their bluff. "Um Jazz I think the state of Edward's hair at this moment is Elizabeth calling you on the BS."
"Well we got a little carried away. There are about five acres of land that Em and I have designated for Cullen World."
"What! You could build like twenty houses on five acres, what are you guys doing? "
"Well there's the indoor pool, go karts, full size gym for basketball, volleyball, archery range and batting cage. We thought about weights and treadmills and stair steppers but not much point to them with our advantages. Then there's a home theatre, ballet studio and yoga studio. We thought about a sauna and massage tables but again not much sense with our bodies, well the heat would be weird feeling and the kids don't need it. Then there is the skate board and BMX track, a roller rink and two ice pads one for hockey and one for figure skating. And a greenhouse with hydroponics to grow our own veggies for the kids and Esme can try raising those exotic plants she's always talked about. Carlisle will be able to have the lab he's always wanted. So he can investigate the indigenous plant life and their medicinal properties for humans and hybrids."
"What no football field, motocross or racing track?"
"Well those are on phase two of the development we have to level the ground we've designated first. Bells were in the middle of nowhere we're going to be able to stay in BC a lot longer than anywhere else probably until the kids have fully matured and then we can attend school with them.
Suddenly Emmett jumped in, "Yeah it's going to be a blast Bells!"
I thought back to how poorly I had always received gifts from the Cullens especially Edward as far as I could see the kids weren't the sole beneficiaries of this complex. And I had to get use to the fact we were rich. We were going to be isolated and it would be difficult to get to amusement parks and such from where we would located. They were all looking at me expectantly. "Okay that sounds great, so everybody gets something." And just to twist the knife I thought I add "It's going to be green and environmentally friendly right?"
Jasper took a deep breath and looked much happier."Yep and that was when we got Edward involved. He insisted that it had to be all that stuff and more, including all the materials and building practices. And because our suppliers will have to deliver into the mountains we will fund the improvements needed to two mountain roads that are the only access to us and the smaller mountain communities who are usually isolated all winter. Oh yeah we bought a helicopter for the hospital that Carlisle will be working at to airlift patients in and out. Don't look like that Bells the helipad is already there, it was the funding for the chopper that was falling short."
Seth was looking around the room and no one else said anything so he spoke up. "Okay so is the board meeting for the NorthWest Trust adjourned? Cause I understand that you have an issue with two shapeshifters here and potentially a werewolf of the unfriendly variety."
Rose got up and went to the phone and punched a button. "Can you hold that thought Seth, we just need to get the others here."
Seth grinned widely. "What's with all the Brits, all these ex-royals or nobility? Isn't the blue blood getting a little thick around here? Sorry Aldrich but I think being mated to the metal princess there erases your title."
EPOV
"Seth I'm going to give you the quick and dirty on everyone before they get here. And a word to the wise these Brits may not appreciate your sense of humour they are older than Carlisle in most cases so behave. Wales you already know does not possess a sense of humour and he can be arrogant but his wife is very down to earth. Gideon is very skittish so if he fades out don't be alarmed he's just not use to having people looking at him; his wife Ester is very nice but quiet. Alastair is just a pain so him you can ignore, but he does run the museum or will. And Alger is a hybrid and is Gideon and Ester's son. It's his wife Donna that is the shapeshifter and that you're going to help us find."
"God Edward I need a players line-up card and a gas mask! I'm going to have to sit by the open window the smell is already bad enough in here. I'm sorry but it's been awhile since I've been around you guys for any length of time. And now I'm outnumbered by newbie's...well newbie's to me anyway it's really gross!"
Everyone shrugged he's no bouquet of roses himself but our combined scents tended to mask his. And I was starting to feel a little jittery like an addict looking for his next fix. I didn't dare look at Bella this was important and I needed to keep it together.
When I think about Wales should really come with a warning label that says toxic if listened to. I know that he was still hiding something. And he was nervous about what Aldrich might have told us which wasn't much. I opened the door before he knocked. "Eavesdropping again Cullen." I smiled at him and showed him in, the others were right behind him.
Alger looked forlorn and I was going to ask him a question when there was another tentative knock at the door. I opened it and found the Franks "The missus and I heard you was getting together to talk about Miss Donna and I figured we might be able to help having known her and the Godard's for so long, as well as this region. Mr. Alger I just found out from the cook that you and Miss Donna are married. I'd like to offer you our congratulations she is a fine young lady."
The room was now full to capacity and I handled the introductions and answered any unasked questions. Wales didn't particularly like me in his head or anyone else's but it saved a lot of game playing and useless side stepping. So I brought Seth, Esme and Carlisle up to speed and let them ask any questions they wanted as I went along. By the end of it Seth was sure Donna was a shapeshifter but he didn't know if they would be able to communicate. He was willing to try and hopefully it would work like an alpha to alpha. But both parties have to be agreeable to communicate so that would eliminate conversing with Godard and he wouldn't be able to eavesdropping. Seth turned to Alger. "Hey Alger the last time you saw Donna was she nervous or say anything about visiting an old friend or something?"
Alger looked upset by the question. "Why, you think she went to meet him intentionally?
"Hey man, relax! No, I'm just trying to get a sense for if she's like Bella was or like my sister?"Alger was totally confused so Seth explained. "My sister had no internal filter she said exactly what was on her mind and always told the truth. Bella well she use to lie a lot usually to Edward and told half truths to assuage her conscious." Bella bristled but I wasn't going to argue with Seth he was right.
Alger looked at Bella with his mouth open and she nodded. "I was human Alger and really stupid."
Alger turned back to Seth. "I knew she was hiding something from me but I wasn't sure what it was. We were very happy. But she started acting funny like she was ill and then not ill, she became moody we thought maybe she was pregnant but she wasn't. Then this Godard guy came and she disappeared one morning after I thought she was going to work in the kitchens. She must have planned something because she told the kitchen staff she was going to help me in the library on the other side of the castle and ten she just vanished."
Mrs. Franks was on the edge of her seat. "She came to me that day Mr Alger. Godard was out that day. She wanted to know if the hunting lodge was still habitable. It's not really a lodge, more like a shack in the hills near Volterra." Alger jumped up and Bea put out her hand, "She never went there Mr. Alger Reg has checked several times."
"Seth I don't think there's anything else we can tell you. I told you everything we know about Godard except the werewolf may not be here because of Donna, isn't that right Wales. Wales sat up and rubbed a hand over his face. "Leave it alone Cullen it has nothing to do with you or this."
Alger stood up with closed fists and approached Wales; Gideon rose with him and spoke first. "Godard! You know the Godard werewolf? Are you insane he's a murdering abomination and he's in this country looking for my daughter in law!"
Aldrich had told me that Gideon may know more about the Godard history. I didn't think that would include the current family. "Gideon, how do you know Godard?"
"I know Eric Godard because he and his father came across with William in 1066. He was at the Battle of Hastings."
I could see in his thoughts how vicious Eric was. He protected the King, but William also unleashed him and his father on the retreating army of King Harold they were brutal just ripping and shredding men to pieces to the horror of the troops that witnessed it. Those that saw what took place never felt the same about their King. Gideon shook his head and said. "It was horrific! I was lying on the field dying. But I saw them as they passed taking down not only Harold's men but any of ours that looked like they were retreating. Once William withdrew from the battlefield Caius swept in and gathered those of us that he wanted. He was seething with anger on the trip back to Volterra. I remember him cursing William for using such abominations in battle. Strange as it may seem Caius use to live by a warrior's code in my first days with him before he descended into a power hungry madness. King William rewarded the Godard's with lands and estates but no title. Still they brought their women over from France and settled in Briton. I know nothing else about them."
"How can he still be alive?"
"I don't know in my day we would have said it was by dark magic. Werewolves usually only live the equivalent of ten lifetimes he should have died two hundred years ago. If Eric is here he may not know that the Volturi are no longer in power. But Cullens mark my words he is dangerous."
Wales was paler than usual and if he had been human he would have been sweating. "Anything to add Wales?"
He rose to his full height and came to stand over me. He grabbed me by the collar of my shirt pulling me to my feet. Bella and my brother's rose at the same time as did Carlisle and Seth "You're not going to let this go are you Cullen! No matter how many times I tell you that it's got nothing to do with Donna. So to shut you the hell up I'll tell you. But this is the last time you push me Cullen the next time I push back!"
