I have to apologist to you guys, by mistake I placed the wrong chapter. This chapter is supposed to follow chapter 13 sorry about that. This one is pretty long and important chapter (15 pages). Once again sorry about that, after this chapter please read chapter 15 again (if you like).
Love Stephenie Meyer and all these wonder character are hers, except for Simon & Salvador.
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EPOV
Who would have thought my lack of sleep would also present illusions.
As we made our way down the hallway light began to filter in. There were no windows around, but instead several sky lights lined up in a row. I looked above and saw the trees hovering over us. We must be underground sensing by the change in temperature.
As we kept descending down the corridor we stopped in front of pair of double doors. It creaked as Alice opened one followed by the next one. In a distance I saw a familiar figure.
Mom?
No way, what's she doing here?
"Oh shit," I heard Emmett's undertone
Exactly
"Please come in everyone?" A voice spoke a few feet away from us, "My name is Billy Black, please take a sit."
I would describe Billy, but my eyes never left my mother. Her eyes caught mine confirming we were both in sync with the whole situation. She shifted her head towards the empty chairs without saying a word. We each took our sits and I noticed there was another row of empty seats a couple of feet from us elevated on a podium. The platform was small holding six empty chairs.
I looked over to Emmett who sat next to me, "What do you think?"
"I have no idea, but this should be interesting," he whispered as he held Rose's hand.
"So why don't we begin," Billy clapped his hands waking us from our stillness, "I know all of you are overwhelmed from the looks of your faces, but don't worry everything will be explained. How was your trip to our Folks?"
I looked around and no one said anything, not even Emmett which surprised me, "Our trip was great, a bit tiring." I spoke first.
"Yeah, we haven't slept in over 24 hours," Jasper mumbled.
"Sorry to hear that," A tall man wearing a law enforcement uniform approached us from the corner. He had certain distinct features I've seen before.
This must be Bella's father.
Yup, and his gonna to shot you
Why would he do that?
Because you have the hots for his daughter
"Charlie, thank you for joining us," Billy smiled as Bella's father took a sit next to him. My mother greeted him and sat to his right side. Billy continue to direct his words to us, "I would like to start with Edward and Emmett."
This was the first time I noticed Billy. He had long black hair, tan skin, and a warm smile. He seemed friendly as appose to Chief Swan who carried a rigid demeanor.
Billy then shifted his eyes towards Rose and Jasper, "We are still waiting for your uncle."
"Who?" Jasper spoke up, "I'm not sure if you are aware, but we don't have an uncle."
I couldn't have agreed with Jasper more, Rose and Jasper's only family beside us was their parents whom passed away two years ago in a car accident.
"Actually Jasper you do, his name is Simon," My mother said in a calm voice.
"Esme, are you sure?" Rose asked.
"Yes darling, but he's running late. So it'd be best to wait for him so he can explain why you both haven't met him before." My mother held a warm smile towards Rose comforting her.
"Esme, you know you're like a second mother to us, so we'll be patient and wait," Jasper said placing his hand on top of Rose's, calming her moments after. He always seemed to have an ability to calm those around him. I for one was pretty calm, it was probably the chair. It was quite comfortable.
Tell me about it, I'm ready for a nap.
"Edward Emmett, I know you boys have some questions for me," my mother address us, "but before you ask, I would like to tell you about myself and my family."
"Mom, you don't have to explain, I think it's really cool that you fought crime and all." Emmett said stretching his arms. They all laughed at Emmett's reaction, except for me. My brother's lack of anger infuriated me. He was the oldest yet he acted like a child. He didn't care that our mother lied to us. Of course he didn't have any questions all he wanted to do was wear a cape.
"I have a list of questions?" I interrupted. I know it seemed rude but I couldn't control it anymore. All my life my mother and I had shared a strong bond. Although, this past year has been rough for me, my mother was the only person who took the time to listen to my insecurities. I've always believed that just as I held shared my problems with her she would've done the same with me. But, I guess I was wrong, "Does dad know?"
"Dude, stop being so rude," Emmett said pulling me to the side, "Look just go along with it."
"It might be fine for you big brother, but it's not for me." I pulled away from his grasp and kneeled in front of my mother, "Tell me, does dad know?"
"Yes," She said averting her eyes to the ground.
"Would you have told us, if this wasn't happening?"
"No"
"Never?"
"Never."
"Then I don't know why you're here mother." I said calmly, "There no point if you would've kept lying about it," I let go of her hand and walked out the room.
"Edward!" Emmett called for me, but I ignored him.
This is so fucked up
Tell me about it
You need to calm down
I know, but I can't go back inside
I stayed outside and leaned my head against the door. I could clearly hear my mother direct Emmett to let me go. Why? I had no idea. Maybe she knew something about my hearing. I wouldn't be surprised if she knew. Every since I could remember, I had perfect hearing, too perfect at times, especially when you had Emmett and Rose wrestling next door .
At least today it brought you some use.
I sat behind the door and let my back rest on the cool surface. I heard my mother tell Emmett the story of her family the Masen's. How her grand grandfather was a pianist who devoted his life teaching others his love for music. Then there was her grandfather who became a doctor at the age of 25 determined to find a cure for what we now call cancer. Lastly, was her father who was a psychiatrist and a poet. He died at age of 40, just a few days before she her sixth birthday.
No wonder she hates her birthday.
After his death she became rebellious, not even her mother could control her. And once she heard that she would be marrying someone she didn't love, she ran away. She hated herself for leaving her mother and her younger sister, but the anger of her not having any say in who she marries along with the grief she still held for her father's erupt death haunted her.
She blamed herself for his death..
'Why?' I heard Emmett ask her.
'Because son that day, he was supposed to go on a mission and I begged him to stay behind. He could never deny me anything so he stayed. Then a boy I liked called me and asked if I would accompany him and his family to the movies. I immediate put my father on the phone and insisted he let me go, which he abide. When I got back home, he was gone. I stayed waiting for him but he never came home. I called my mother who was visiting her sister, if she knew where my father was, all she told me was to call Mr. Black, Billy's father, which I did. The next morning they found him dead behind an alley a couple blocks away from the same movie theater I was the day before.' At this point I could hear a crack on mother's voice. She was crying.
You bastard, get your ass inside
I dragged myself off the ground and made my way inside. All eyes were on me as I approached my mother.
"I'm sorry." I whispered on her ear, she squeezed my hand reassuring me that it was okay. I was just as stubborn as she was.
I wiped the tears from her eyes and kissed her cheek, "It wasn't your fault."
She stared at Emmett then me, "I know that now, but at the time. I was lost. Your father helped me deal with my pain. I'm sorry if I kept this from both of you."
We both nodded.
"Why didn't you come back after?" I had to ask. Didn't she want to see her family?
"It wasn't safe to come back after I met your father. You see after I left Forks, I went to Chicago. I had a friend who was moving there so I decided to tag along. I began to work for her father and continued to go to school. That's where I met your father as you both know. He was so charming and persisting too. He kept asking me out every time I would see him, it took me a whole year to realize that I fell in love with him the moment I met him."
"A whole year? Dad always said that the minute he saw you he asked you out and never left your side." Emmett alleged.
"Oh that's true he asked me out the same day, but I said no over and over again for the rest of the year," She smiled reminiscing the past, " that thing with your father and the Cullen man is that they don't take no for an answer. So he would always show up where I was and call it a date."
That's my father
"I kept saying no to him because I wasn't ready. I felt so damaged and angry that I couldn't give someone, especially your father, my burden. But, you both know how your father is," Yes, we do. 'The Cullen men are known for their charisma and tenacity', my father's own words not mine, "After a year I gave in. He was so patient and kind. When he asked about my family, I told him that I wasn't ready to share that with him. He understood and never asked again until I was ready."
"When did you tell him?" I asked.
"The day before our wedding, I wanted to come clean. If I was going to be with him for the rest of my life, I needed for him to know who he was marrying."
"How did he take it?" Emmett asked.
"He took it surprising well," my mother giggled, "The first question he asked me was about my attire."
"Ha, that's what Edward asked Bella!" Emmett announced.
"No I didn't" My face was now turning red. Why is Emmett tormenting me when her father is sitting next to our mother.
"Okay fine, I asked, but Jasper heard you ask her in the plane?" Emmett pointed to Jasper who was nodding his head in agreement.
"Bella? Charlie is that your daughter?" my mother looked at Charlie, who didn't had a smile in his face.
I wonder why?
He knows man
"Yes, that's my only daughter," Charlie responded placing his hand on top of his gun.
"I'd love to meet her. I bet she is as beautiful as Rene."
If you only know
She was more like a Goddess
"Do you boys have any more questions?" My mother spoke.
"Yes, you said it wasn't save for you to come back after you met dad, why?" For now it was the only question that came to mind beside where Bella was.
"Your father was adamant in running for public office, so it wasn't safe for us to come back to Forks. If anyone found out about my past and the group, it would not only ruin your father's work, but my family too. So for over twenty years, Billy has been accompanying my mother for our yearly visits. We would meet in a natural site away from Chicago and Forks. My sister no longer lives here, I write to her all the time. She moved to Paris and formed her own group there."
Wow
We had a whole other family in Forks and other parts of the world. Field with aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, but due to their involvement with the group it would've been impossible for us to ever meet them.
"Can we meet her?" Emmett asked my mother she was reluctant to say. I was sure we couldn't see her.
"You boys have a choice," Billy spoke for my mother, "which you don't have to decide today, but you will have to give us an answer my tomorrow."
"What kind of choice?" I asked.
"Well, your grandmother and rest of your mother's family, you can see them, but the only way you'll be able to if you are willing to join our group?"
"What happens if we don't agree?"
"Then you won't." Billy paused turning his direction to me, "You have to understand that our line of work can not be known by anyone."
"Why? I don't understand why all the secrecy. Are you spies for the government? All I've heard was that you deliver items to its rightful owners. Why do you need to hide that?" I just didn't make sense.
"Edward, you have to let Billy speak in order to understand." My mother spoke.
"Fine, but before I choice, I want to know what exactly this is all about."
"Bro chill out, you're going to give yourself a hear attack." Emmett padded me on my back. I shook it his handoff.
"Emmett, let him be, he is exactly like your mother," Billy smirked, "Edward, Alice has probably told you minor things we do and a vague history of this group. I would like to sit here and tell you everything about our history, but we don't have the whole year. So I am going to have to tell you a brief explanation of us. If you want to know more you guys can go to our library and see the type of work we've done afterwards."
"Cool!' Emmett shouted.
Only my moronic brother would be excited
You are too
Maybe just a little
"See our job describe is not to rescue files, like your CD or items such as paintings. Our group is an international organization similar to the FBI or the CIA, with the exception that we don't respond to a country or any headquarter. We are contacted by word of mouth. Sometimes our missions involve simple tasks and times it requires a lot from us. We always decided whether we should take it or not, that choice has always been with us.
"Why the secrecy?" I was losing my patients; Billy was not explaining anything, just giving us the round around.
"That has to do with the Hales?" A tall man spoke from the back of the room. He had sandy curl hair and light blue eyes; he looked identical to Jasper except older, "Sorry I'm late."
"Good, Simon. I'm glad you're here. I was being to-"
"I know Billy, you seemed tongue tied." The man stood in front of Jasper and Rose, "It's a pleasure you met you both, I've been following your careers for some time." He smiled at both of them.
"I, I, Jasper" was all poor Rose could say. Jasper padded her back to calm her down.
"Simon, this is a surprise. Our whole family is basically no longer with us. We are the last remaining Hale's. So pardon our shock." Jasper said in a smooth voice.
"So eloquent and calm, you're clearly a Hale." Simon laughed as he shook Jasper hand. "Let me introduce myself, my name is Simon Sanders. Although my last name is different we are related."
"Please Simon take a seat, its niece to see you again," my mother spoke grabbing Simon's hands.
"Thank you Esme, it's been a while, you're looking lovely as ever. Know I feel horrible not having the courage to ask you out when I had the chance." He laughed as he took a sit next to my mother.
What is he doing?
Is this guy flirting with your mother, in front of you?
Yup and he's good.
"Wait, you know each other?" finally, a reaction from someone either then myself.
"Yes, I left before Esme did. I was as rebellious as she was. I decided to try my luck in Germany. I was tried of this small town. Billy and few others stayed behind of course. So after I settled in Germany, I managed to do well for myself, but I missed the adventure of our group. So I established one in Germany and soon after I had a family of five working with me."
"So you get to travel?" Emmett asked.
Oh boy
You know he is going to join them
"It depends on the mission. But, it's not an easy life; you're constantly protecting your identity and trusting no one. That's one of the reasons why you marry within the group. It's easier that way, not everyone takes the news so easily especially if they are required to change the way they live just to satisfy your job. You also have the choice to leave if you like. It's not like a strict rule that bonds you to this for life."
"Speak for yourself Simon," Charlie spoke.
"Well I guess some take it like it is. Charlie, I see you're still enforcing the law." Simon said dryly. I guess they didn't get along.
I wonder why?
"Twenty-four, seven." Charlie replied.
"Boys," my mother said with a stern voice.
"Sorry Esme," Simon smiled at my mother and continued, "You see we can live a normal life day by day we just can't call attention to ourselves and if we do we have to be extremely careful. Not many are satisfy with this. Some want more freedom and chose to leave. I for one have a small law practice. I plan on maintaining it small for obvious reasons." He smiled at Jasper, "So no, I'm not planning on taking any cases to the Supreme Court."
"So you live here now?" Jasper asked.
"Yes, I moved back when I heard about your parents' death. I'm very sorry for your loss. I've never met them, but I've always kept track of them through the newspapers."
"Thank you," Rose spoke softly.
"Now," Simon stood up stretching his arms in the air, "The secrecy, when did it begin and why we hide ourselves?"
Finally someone was going to answer my question.
"It started in Dec 15, 1946. The day Sarah Hale was murdered."
Bella was right
Of course she was. She's not only beautiful but clever too.
Oh my Bella where are you
BPOV
[I stopped in front of a green door.
The magical green door
The room where all our meetings were held, I sighed as I stepped inside.
I really don't feel like doing this
"So, I thought we weren't coming back Bells," a resentful voice called out across the room.
"Hey Jake."]
"How have you been?" Jake said as he approached me.
"I'm alright, how have you been?" I asked even although my father had called me several times letting me know how miserable Jake was without me.
"I left you a message the other day. Did you get to hear it?"
Shit that was Jake.
You shouldn't have erased it
"No I haven't. What did it say?"
"That I missed you." he grabbed my hand and pulled me closer to him. I felt awkward, I wanted Edward not Jacob. I wasn't sure what to do, "Jake I missed you too. I miss my best friend."
I soon as he heard the word 'best friend' he tighten his grip. It didn't hurt. But I felt like a light burning sensation.
"It's him, isn't?" he confronted me.
He knows
He can't know about Edward… it's your time to act
But he would know just by the sound of your voice, you sound different, happy.
Do I?
"Bells is it him?" He spoke softly.
"Jake your hurting my hand," He loosen his grip and placed his hands inside his pockets, "sorry" he mumble under his breath.
I sighted, "Jake you need to stop being so over protective."
He turned away from me and placed his hands over his hair, "I'm trying Bells, but it's hard."
"Well you're going to have to try harder because I don't want to keep coming back here and have the same argument." It was bad enough having to explain to Charlie how uncomfortable I felt every time I came back to visit.
"I need to brief you before you see the others," he said calmly, "take a seat Bells."
"Where's Angie I thought she did this," I wish she was here instead of Jake. He never did this sort of thing. Angie was in charged of interrogating every mission.
"She's on mission right now, so I was next in line." I nodded my head as I sat down.
"Tell me what happened from the beginning," Jake said as he turned on the tape recorder. I felt hesitant to tell Jake how I came in contact with Edward. I was certain he would notice how the tone of my voice would change every time I said his name.
By the time I mentioned going to his apartment, his hands began to twitch and his eyes got darker. I was no longer concern with my safety, but his. He looked like he was having a stroke.
"Jake, maybe I should wait for Angie?"
"No Bells I can handle it"
I nodded and continued my story. I skipped some parts, okay a lot of parts like when Edward first kiss me. I was certain Jake wouldn't understand that it was just a new year's kiss. I also left out half-naked Edward and our playful moment on the floor or our second kiss in front of the church, even the remark he made about our future wedding. I definitely, stayed silent about the hour we spend alone in the plane talking about ourselves. And lastly I didn't tell him about the last chaste kiss I gave Edward before I blind folded him.
Or how much he meant to me
Those things you should kept to yourself.
"So you didn't tell him about us?" Jake asked raising his eyebrow.
I wasn't sure if he meant us as in the group or us as in our previous relationship. I went with the group, "Alice told him about our group."
"Did you tell him that you're engaged to me?"
Not this again
"Jake that has nothing to do with this briefing" I was no longer calm, but annoyed. We are not engage we only dated for three months that all.
"Just answer the question?" he raised his voice to me.
Why does he keep torturing himself?
"I told him the absurd rule of marriage"
"Absurd," his eyes stared to darken again, I could see the vein from his neck start to pulsate.
"Jake calm down, you know we're not engaged. You have to let this go."
"But I can't Bells, when are you going to see that we're meant to be together. We're supposed to be engage." I sighted, I can't deal with this now I'm tired.
"Jake I can't do this with you. If they need to interrogate me then I'll do it some other time with Angie."
I stared to make my way to the door, but Jake caught my arm," Jake please let go"
"I'm trying to Bells but its hard especially after I saw the way he looked at you"
He was spying on me
"You saw us? When?"
"When you got here, I hid behind the bushes. I only stayed there for a couple of minutes, I was afraid Cullen would see me."
That would have been impossible for Edward to see him since Jake had the ability to sneak behind people without anyone noticing, it had to do with his speed. Not only was he quite good at it, but it was annoying at times too.
"Why would he see you?"
"Because when I stood there watching him, he turned his head towards my direction as if he heard me."
Interesting
What do you make of it?" Jake asked me sensing my curiosity.
"I don't know I haven't witness anything unusual about him."
"Of course not why would you?" Jake accused.
"What is that suppose to mean?"
"Bella it's written all over your face, you're falling for this guy. You don't even know him. I saw the way he kissed you. Don't try to deny it?"
I guess I can't
"I think we're done, Jake" I walked towards the door only to be pulled again by his hands.
"Jake stop! This is not like you." I was trying really hard not to hurt him. I knew with just a twist from my hands, his could permanently be damaged. All I kept thinking about was Mike and how he looked in the hospital covered with bruises and scratches. Alice had the police convinced that someone broke into my house, when Mike and I were inside doing homework. Mike of course didn't remember a thing since he also had a concussion.
Don't hurt him Bella just stay calm.
"I want to prove to you that we belong together, please." He pleaded as he leaned over and forcefully kissed me. I felt his warm lips tightly pressed against mine, I remained motionless until he was done. He gave up when he noticed I didn't response to his kiss. He pulled away and walked out the door without saying a word.
He looked defeated. I remained in the room waiting for Alice. I knew she'd be here soon. I was certain she saw this coming.
"Bell, I'm sorry," Alice rushed inside the room embracing me.
"You should've warned me, Alice"
"I couldn't, once I saw he decide to brief you, I was already inside. I'm sorry"
"No, you had to do your job. You know I could take care of myself."
"I know. I was more worried about Jacob's safety," she giggled.
"Alice you know I wouldn't have hurt him."
"I know. How are you?"
"Sleepy"
"Why don't we get some rest and a shower," she said wrinkling her noise.
"I don't smell that bad?"
She giggled, "No you don't, but I know you want to take one"
"Wait, what about the mission, do we have a plan?" Charlie assured me they had one before leaving Seattle.
"For now we have a team of two under surveillance."
"Who went?"
"Angie and Ben"
"Why would they go?"
"It was Jake's call" Of course, Jake wanted to personally interrogate me.
"Have you heard from them?"
"About an hour ago. Ben said that the car is intact; it's just sitting in the garage. Apparently Salvador is away on a business' trip." Salvador was their head mechanic/engineer. He was in charged of overseeing each car before being traded or sold, "He won't be back until tomorrow morning so I think we have some time."
"You think? Or you've seen it"
"I don't see anything going wrong so far. As long as we get there before he checks the car."
"What if we don't?"
"I can see that see that far, there is too much indecision. But one thing is for sure and remains
the same. Salvador will be here tomorrow in the morning."
"Indecisions?"
"Yeah, it coming all around, my head really hurts. For one, Charlie has not made up his mind if you should lead the mission or have Jake do it. Also Jake is kind of going everywhere, thanks to you." She smirked, "And you."
"What about me?"
"Isabella Marie Swan you're in love and you didn't even tell me!" Alice whispered softy as she held a smirk, "But you will tell me everything on the way to Charlie's house. Come one I want to hear it and don't leave anything behind." She dragged out of the room, "Let go, it time for our girl talk.
"What about –"
"Don't worry about your boy toy." She teased
"Alice, shut up. You know these walls are thin as paper."
"Okay okay. They are still talking to Simon. Once I saw that Jake was going to kiss you. I told Billy you needed me and left the room. I didn't even say bye to Jasper." Alice pouted as we made our way to the van.
"Hold on, Simon? What is he doing here?"
"That hot man is Jasper's uncle, the resemblance in astonishing. Isn't it?" Alice was jumping around everywhere. She had a crush on Simon since she was six. She kept telling me that she would be marrying him before she turned 23. She still had a whole year to plan her suppose wedding.
"So are you still going to be marrying Simon, now that he is back?" I teased Alice.
"No! I mean the man is gorgeous, but Jasper. He's so dreamy. All this time I thought I was seeing Simon in my visions. But it wasn't him."
"What do you mean? You saw Jasper?"
"I'll tell you if you start driving to Charlie's place."
I haven't noticed I still had the car keys in my hand, "Fine." I turned on the ignition and drove on to the road, "you may continue."
"I've been seeing Jasper since I was six. I always thought it was Simon, but it was Jasper all along. No wonder in my vision he never aged."
When did you know it was him?"
"It became so clear when you called me to meet you in our usual spot." Alice was now wired up and beaming. She couldn't stop jittering around the van, "Oh Bell, I'm so happy for the both of us."
"Us?"
"Don't act all innocent Bells. I see that way Edward looked at you and how you act every time he's near you."
Why do people keep saying that?
"I don't know what you're talking about. Tell me about the mission?" I didn't want Alice to get any ideas. It was hard enough dealing with Jake, now I have to deal with her expectations. Later on my father would probably be questioning me about Edward.
"Isabella. Don't you dare deny it?"
"Alice please, this is not the time. We can talk about it once I get some rest."
"Fine, but all I have to tell you is that they have a choice."
"A choice?"
What kind of choice?
"Yes, the choice to be part of our group."
"Why would anyone want to?" I mumbled to myself
"I don't know, but I could think of one reason why he would," Alice stared at me.
"He wouldn't."
"And why not? It only makes sense now that you've found each other."
"Alice, it's not that simple, do you think Jasper will give up his prestigious life for you?" I felt horrible ruining her happy moment, but Bella's rational thinking was starting to settle in.
"I know he will." Alice said smiling.
"Then I am happy for you, but I don't have a vision to guarantee me that Edward will." I opened the car door and pulled the keys from the ignition, "Or even that I want him to."
"Bell, you have to trust your gut feeling and go with that. You're over thinking this. This is not some other mission, this is your life." Alice comforted me with her encouraging words before walking inside my father house.
Would he want to join?
No, he can't.
And why not?
Because you won't let him.