Embassy
Betrayal is the only truth that sticks.
Arthur Miller
BELLA'S POV
I groaned, rolling over. I was back in the guestroom at the Cullens. The nightmare was horrible and I was grateful to Edward for taking me to the base. Then it hit me… he knew. How in the world was I supposed to act around him? Did he tell his family? Would he ask me questions? Another groan left me, but I got out a bed and dressed, not really caring what I grabbed.
"Good morning, Bella," Edward greeted, holding out something to me.
"Morning," I said groggily, taking whatever he was offering me. "I feel like I have been run over by a Mack truck."
"That's understandable. You had a rough night," he said, leaning back against the countertop. "You don't have to come with us today. Why don't you stay home and get some more sleep."
I could use more sleep, so I nodded.
"Here," he said, holding at a set of keys. "They're the keys to my car. You can use it to get to rehearsal today. It has a GPS system and I programmed in the school's address already. Just hit the button next to the label 'school' and it will give you directions."
"Thanks," I said, taking the proffered keys. "How will you get to school?"
"I'll ride with Emmett and the others," he replied, picking up his backpack.
Alice came into the kitchen and noticed the keys in my hand. "You're letting Bella drive your car," she said.
Edward shrugged. "It'll save time if I don't have to come home after school lets out to pick her up."
She glared at her brother.
"Let it drop, Alice," Edward said, walking out the garage door.
~~ B3W ~~
Three hours later, and after more sleep, I was sitting at the Cullen's dining room table. My textbooks and notebooks scattered across the shiny surface. I dropped my pencil and let out a frustrated sigh. Why did I think I could handle human anatomy?
"What's wrong?" Esme said, coming into the room while wiping her hands with a dish towel.
"There are too many muscles in the body. I can't remember where the trapezius is located."
"Back of the neck," Carlisle said from somewhere behind me. "It is the muscle that helps us shrug our shoulders."
I turned to find him leaning against a pillar, legs crossed. "Easy for you to say. You're a doctor."
Carlisle laughed. "True. Need help?" he asked.
"Yesssssss," I replied. I was on my own until it was safe for me to go back to the base and my tutoring sessions resumed.
Esme had helped me with English and history already, and with Carlisle being a doctor, he should be an excellent teacher.
Carlisle set his bag on the table before taking a seat next to me. "Knowing and understanding how the different muscles work will help you remember where they're located."
Patiently, I listened as Carlisle broke down the diagram in the textbook said into layman's terms. By the time I had to leave for rehearsal, I could answer questions about various muscles and muscle groups without looking at my notes.
I had been in Edward's car a few times, but it felt weird being behind the wheel. And from Alice's reactions, I took it he didn't let anyone drive it. I felt honored he trusted me to take care of it.
~~ B3W ~~
A month later, I was still staying with the Cullens. Whoever my tormentor was, he or she was out there but had gone silent again. Charlie and Daniela called every day to check on me and tell me that they had no leads. The base IT team was monitoring all my email accounts and another message hadn't been sent.
Edward insisted I use his car to get to rehearsal each afternoon, and no matter what I or Esme said, he wouldn't take the keys back.
He and I fell it a routine, too. We would rehearse with Ms. Cora or with the ensemble, and then he would drive us both home where I would insist we rehearse some more. The truth was I like spending time with him… his family, also. Rosalie usually helped us, but there were some nights she had too much homework. It didn't stop us. We would sing a cappella. I didn't know when Edward found time to do his homework, but he never complained.
When it was time for bed, I didn't lie down but forced myself to stay up until I couldn't stand it any longer and fall into a dreamless sleep. I liked it that way. No nightmares but it also meant no dreams. I was exhausted—physically, emotionally, and mentally. No one seemed to notice.
~~ B3W ~~
It was the night of before the first show, and Grandfather called as Edward and I got into his car to go home.
"Hello, Grandfather," I said, answering my cell.
"Isabella, how are things going?" Grandfather asked in heavily accented English. I had no trouble understanding him, though.
"Okay," I said, slipping easily into the Gaelic language knowing it was way easier for Grandfather. "I'm exhausted though."
"You should be getting more sleep," he said with a little laugh. "Charlie called me after you left with … hmm, what was the boy's name … Edward … Said you had another nightmare and remember something a few weeks ago."
"Yes. A scar the intruder had on his face. I haven't remembered anything else and haven't really tried. But… I stay up until I fall into a dreamless sleep," I replied with a little shiver.
"That's not good for you," Grandfather remarked.
"I know."
Grandfather sighed, as if he were mulling over something. "I want to see you tomorrow, before the performance. I'll send a car for you early tomorrow morning. I want you to be ready by five o'clock."
Grandfather wanting to see me couldn't be good. "I'll be ready," I whispered. "I need to call Ms. Brandt and let her know I'll meet them at the embassy."
"Good."
"Bye, Grandfather," I said, hanging up. I had been on the phone with Grandfather for about ten minutes and we were already pulling up at the house. It takes me twice as long to make the drive to the school. "How did we get here so fast?"
Edward shrugged, running a hand through his hair. "Caught all the lights," he replied. "What language were you speaking?"
"Scottish Gaelic," I answered. "I always speak it when I talk to my grandfather."
"So… was that who you were talking to?" he asked.
"Yes," I answered, opening the door. He followed my lead. "He's in Seattle and will be sending a car to pick me up early tomorrow morning. He'll be attending the festivities at the embassy tomorrow night, but he wants to spend the day with me. Oh! Before I forget, I need to call Ms. Brandt and let her know." I got out my phone again and dial the number she had given me in case I could not make a rehearsal or performance.
Ms. Brandt thanked me for informing her and told me to be sure to be at the embassy an hour before the performance. I ensured her I would.
EDWARD'S POV
The way the Bella spoke the language with such fervor amazed me. I was mesmerized by her command of it even though I didn't recognize it. She must be speaking with the person who taught her.
When she hung up, I asked her what it was. I had heard of Gaelic but had never heard it spoken. She got out her phone again, remembering she needed to let Ms. Brandt know of her plans for tomorrow. After she put her phone away, I continued our conversation as we made our way inside. "Who taught you the language?" I asked, curiosity lacing my voice.
"My mother started my education when I was two. I quickly picked it up. My grandmother finished my education of the dialect when I was five."
"Why didn't your mother?" We were sitting in the rumpus room at this point.
"She passed away when I was three," she said sadly.
Continuing on about her mom could be a dangerous path, so I decided it was best to change subjects. "Do you know any other languages?"
"Many. French, Spanish, Italian, and German to name a few. I love languages and learning one doesn't take me long. All I really need to know is the alphabet and clusters; the rest, like sentence structure, just fall into place. My former high school German teacher didn't like me very much, especially since I knew more than her." I sighed. I missed Sammie and she hadn't emailed or called me in weeks. "I was glad when the teacher recommended I take a placement test. I aced it and the other taught languages with flying colors. I got put in a second study hall after that not having to take a language, but received the credit hours."
I hid my shock, but I was impressed. "I wish I could test out of the language I'm taking. Not that I don't like Spanish. Maybe you could tutor me. I have a test next week, and I don't understand the material," I lied smoothly. All I wanted to do was spend more time with her. Even with her living with us, I still didn't understand why I was so drawn to her.
"Sure, it's not like I have anything better to do. I'm done with all my lessons until after the New Year. We can start Sunday."
I silently whooped when she agreed.
"What will you be starting Sunday?" Emmett asked when he with the others entered the rumpus room.
Jasper approached me and handed me a large envelope at the same time.
"The information you hired my contact for," Jasper thought.
I nodded, taking the envelope while answering Emmett. "Bella will be tutoring me in Spanish. She's fluent in the language."
"Edward, you don't need tutoring," Alice thought.
I grinned at her.
"I know it's early, but I have to be up early tomorrow. I'm turning in for the night," Bella said, moving to toward the stairs.
"Why does she have to be up early?" Rosalie asked once we heard the bedroom door click shut.
"She's spending the morning with her grandfather in Seattle," I replied.
"So, that's what I saw earlier," Alice remarked. "I wondered why she was going to be at the embassy when we arrived."
"What else did you see?" I asked, narrowing my eyes at her.
I usually saw what Alice did unless she blocked me or was too far away.
Alice returned my stare before shrugging. "Nothing will happen to her. She'll be in good hands."
That was good to hear. "Jasper, can you send calming waves toward Bella to help her sleep tonight?"
"Of course," he responded.
I felt the moment he started using he ability. The whole family knew Bella wasn't sleeping well, but she hadn't woken with a nightmare again.
Going into the music room, I sat at my piano before opening the envelope Jasper gave me. Shock and disgust swept through me by the pictures it contained. This was the guy Bella was to marry! Who was the girl that he was groping? I wasn't sure what seeing these images would do to Bella, but I had to send her the information.
After tossing the envelope on the floor, I started playing, contemplating giving the information to her myself.
"Edward, that's not a good idea. It's best to keep with your original plan," Alice thought, showing me once more Bella's possible reactions.
An hour later, I stopped playing and headed upstairs for the night. Slipping into Bella's room, I checked on her, and found her sleeping soundly.
"Edward," she said on a sigh.
Turning to see if she had woken, I found she was asleep. Interesting! I thought as I leaned against the desk, watching as she slept.
BELLA'S POV
I woke feeling refreshed for the first time in weeks. It was a bit strange but with all the sleep I denied myself, it really wasn't a huge surprise. Shortly after I collapsed in bed, I was fast asleep.
Stretching, I got out of bed and dress. Once done, I threw my meager supply of makeup in my backpack along with a book.
I still had an hour to kill before the car would arrive. I wandered into the music room finding Edward there.
"I didn't think anyone else would be up at this hour," I said, glancing around the room.
"I've always been an early riser. Are you nervous about tonight?" he asked after I sat on the piano bench next to him.
"No. At least… not right now." I sighed. "I might get nervous right as we go on, but I'll manage."
Edward and I talked about the show and other things, filling the hour. Alice pranced into the room, letting me know the car was here.
"I'll see you tonight," I said to both Alice and Edward, exiting the room with them following. Picking up my backpack, I left the house.
~~ B3W ~~
[add some more to this scene – serving the homeless]
Spending the day with Grandfather was exactly what I needed. Serving others always made me forget my troubles. When I was dropped off at a homeless shelter I was shocked. There was already a line of women, children, and men, and lunch wouldn't be served for hours yet. It saddened me that in a city as large as Seattle, there were people going hungry.
I smiled at a young girl before walking in the front door. Grandfather was among the volunteers, so I went to stand beside him and waited for instructions.
"How was your trip, lass?" Grandfather said.
"Good," I replied. "It gave me a chance to mull over some things that have been on my mind since I last saw you."
He rubbed his whiskers. "I see. Make any decisions?"
"Yes. I want to be the one to decide of who I love and not forced into marrying someone I may or may not love one day."
Grandfather smiled. "And that's how it should be, lass."
~~ B3W ~~
Six hours later, Grandfather and I arrived at the embassy. The rest of the performers wouldn't arrive for another three hours.
"Lady Isabella," a guard called, walking toward me. He bowed. "My lady, this was delivered for you."
He handed me an envelope. It had my full name written on it in a beautiful calligraphy. I didn't recognize the handwriting, and no one but Charlie, Ms. Brandt, and the Cullens knew I was in Seattle.
"Thank you," I said. "Who delivered it?"
"I believe it was Zen Couriers, my lady," he bowed once more and went on his way.
Confused, I headed up the stairs and to the third floor. I entered the library and set the envelope down on the table before me. Since no one knew I was at the embassy, I was leery of what the envelope contained. Going over to cabinet, I pulled out a pair of rubber gloves, putting them on after washing my hands with antiseptic. Precautions were necessary. I had faith it was scanned and irradiated, but there were substances that could harm me and couldn't be killed by radiation. Slowly and carefully, I opened it, spilling the contents out on the table. Pictures? Picking one up, I noticed immediately it was Garret. The next had me screaming. This was what I had told the council would happen. Garret was shown being intimate with another young lady. I had decided hours ago to again stand up to the council and here was the proof I needed.
Tears streamed down my face and I dashed them away with the back of my hand.
Bella, I berated myself. This is nothing to cry over. You haven't agreed to marry him yet.
But it still hurts to find out he did this to me.
You did want proof to take to the council.
I couldn't refute the thought. Proof I wanted, but I wasn't prepared for the feelings of betrayal. If it wasn't for the show, I would go to Scotland and give Garret a piece of my mind.
Suck it up, Bella. The show must go on. It wouldn't look good if you had red puffy eyes.
I set about calming myself. There would be time later to cry.
~~ B3W ~~
By the time I headed downstairs, I was calm but nervous—not about the show itself, but I was worried about breaking down during the show. Edward was walking through the front doors as I step off the stairs. He smiled when he saw me and beckoned me to join him and his siblings.
Could I? Yes, I should.
The moment I was next to Edward, he put his arm around me, and it felt right.
"You're shaking. Are you okay?" he asked, walking with me toward the hall.
"Yes," I lied. "I'm starting to get a little nervous."
He squeezed me to him. "You're going to be great."
Ms. Brandt handed me a blue and silver velvet dress and Edward a matching suit jacket, and then directed me to wear the other girls were changing… like I didn't know the embassy like the back of my hand.
Twenty minutes later, I peeked through the curtain at the audience. Garret has just entered the hall. I dropped the curtain back in place, clenching and unclenching my hands. What was he doing here? His family rarely traveled to the States.
"Nervous?" Angela asked.
"I' m worried I'll forget the lyrics or fall off the stage," I answered. It was a blatant lie.
"You'll be fine," she said.
I shrugged as we were announced. Edward came up to me. "Ready?"
"Not really, but let's go," I said, walking out on stage.