Disclaimer: All twilight characters belong to the wonderful Stephanie Meyers.
Chapter 13: Ghost…
Bella POV:
It was the night of the century gathering and the Denali household was a hive of activity. The ladies were excited to reunite with old friends and dawning on their finest white outfits as they had coordinated. I was already dressed in a simple mid length white dress and a black lacy vest, just observing the others, as they got ready. When I felt something put on my head. I turned to a smiling Garrett.
"Perfect." said Garrett.
I looked into the mirror across the room and noticed a black fedora now adoring my pin-straightened hair.
" I like it a lot. What do you think ladies?" I asked.
" Garrett, honey if I didn't love you already I would think you played for the other team because of you amazing keen eye for fashion." Kate dead paned and the room broke into laughter.
"Thanks, love" replied Garrett with just as much enthusiasm as Kate had. I laughed along with these crazy fools who I would miss dearly when I departed after the gathering. I couldn't be away from my little one any longer.
Arriving at the castle like structure that was supposed house the gathering, we joined up with Carmen and Eleazear, who had gone earlier to set up with the other committee members. As we approached them, they had strange looks on their faces. I looked at them with concern and asked, " What's going on?" They shared a look and Eleazear turned to me and replied " Bella honey we need to tell you something but you have to promise not to get to upset and we don't want you to leave any sooner then you have…its just that I got off the phone with…?"
What is going, is he okay? Is it Renesmee? Did something happen to Jake, the pack, or his family!
"…Carlisle"
…WHAT?" Wait did you just say…"
"Yes, and he had informed me that they would be attending tonight and wanted to stay with us for sometime after and I know its been a while and…"
What!they would be here tonight. What am I going do? I cannot see them. I don't want to. What would I tell them? Would they hate me or even remember me? No! I can't let this affect me anymore. Come on Bella! You are a strong, powerful witch/vampire, and an amazing mother to the most wonderful little girl. You don't need them. You have families. And they love you and would never abandon you." I don't know if…NO! I will be okay, don't worry about it I'll keep my distant, if that's okay."
"If its what you feel you need to do then its fine by us." Everyone nodded in agreement.
" Thank you. I need you guys to do one more favor, I need you to not say anything about me or even think about me tonight. Please. I'll use my powers to suppress any memories or thoughts of me you might have tonight."
They all looked hurt but solemnly agreed. I had an ability that enhanced my shield and where I can manipulate thoughts and memories. Ill just have to filter out and block any memories and thoughts about me or Ren or anything related to my life in the last 105 years. I hated that I had to upset them to keep myself from panicking. I can't allow the Cullen's to know that I exist or that I am who I am. I'm not ready for them to know. For all they know the human Bella is dead by now.
The gathering always began with a meeting like structure with a long wooden table seating all the members and the committee members at the head. We went around introducing ourselves.
Eleazear had just finished introducing his family and looked at me. I was slightly nervous knowing they were here somewhere.
"Hello, My name is Isabella Halloway and I am a nomad." I felt them before I saw them.
Edwards POV
Can't believe I let Alice talk me into coming tonight. She just glared at me for the thought and I glared right back. However, I couldn't hide for the rest of my existence, I couldn't hurt them any longer. I looked at Carlisle who gave me a reassuring smile, which I returned with a less assurance. Carlisle had spoken to Eleazear earlier and it seems we would be spending some time in Alaska until we figured out where our next move would be. I haven't seen the Denali Coven for a while, but have heard through Alice mostly that they have grown to add several new members. My chest panged thinking they have all found their other half's, when I could never have mine. Jasper placed a hand on my shoulder and sent claim waves towards me.
" Thanks" I smiled at him.
"Anytime Edward." He replied.
As we were seated at the long wooden table, the council had begun its rounds. The Covens and nomads went around introduce themselves. I was lost in my thoughts of her, when I heard that name, her name…
"Hello, My name is Isabella Halloway and I am a nomad."
I looked up to the notice a small statured women standing next to Eleazear. I couldn't see her face which was covered by the fedora that adored her long brown hair, just like hers for a second my heart felt alive but then the pain panged it back down knowing it was impossible, she's no longer a part of this world.
I continued to stare at the young women from what I could tell, but couldn't see anymore do to the way she was angled away from me. I heard Carlisle stand up to introduce the family, when I noticed the women stiffen, or so it seemed. Strange. Alice looked at me, with an eyebrow raised asking me what was so strange. I just shook my head no.
Bella POV
Their here! My mind raced with panic knowing they were close, wanting to turn around to see their faces, to see if he was there, and ask how have they been, what have they been up to since they abandoned me? NO! I stopped myself from letting the pain control me. I promised myself that I wouldn't let them know. They lost the right to know me long ago. I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't even notice when the committee dismissed the meeting, until someone hugged me. I turned around to a beautiful French woman.
"Sienna!" I hugged the women back. I had met Sienna and her husband Charles over when I lived in France. They owned a bar for vampires, and developed special drinks based on blood enhanced with some type of strong alcoholic content. That could get a vampire buzzed.
"Bonsoir, mon amour, comment allez-vous?"
" Je me sens bien mon amour, comment vas-tu?" I answered.
" I am doing wonderful, Charles and I have decided to venture to the western shores to spread our beautiful creation." We laughed together. I looked over to where her eyes were drawn to Charles, who was waving at me and manning the bar to the curious guest gathered around him. I turned back to Sienna, to have Kate and the rest of the Denali coven join us. I introduced them and explained to them how I knew them and about the vampire alcohol drinks, they had created.
"That's sounds amazing I want to try." Tanya exclaimed loudly.
" Me too" Kate and Irena agreed.
Sienna took the girls and the guys over leaving me with Garrett. Who was looking at me with concern? "What?" I exclaimed. "Nothing" he replied. I looked at him and stated "Don't worry about me I will be fine. Want to go grab a drink? I could use one." We headed over to join the rest in sinful indulgence.
Edwards POV
The rest of the night was just a big party where everyone was either dancing, or reuniting with friends. The family had separated and went they own ways, while I stayed in the corner of the bar. Some French couple had evented blood mixed with strong alcohol drinks for vampires to enjoy. I was currently nursing one of them in my hand as I observed to room. My eyes stopped at a figure at the other side of the room. It was that woman again. She was taking and hanging out with the Denali coven. They were laughing and dancing like they knew each other for some time. Maybe she was one of the new additions, no, it couldn't, she couldn't be, and she said she was a nomad. I continued staring at her and didn't notice Kate and her mate slip in next to me until she spoke.
"Edward! Its so nice to she you again."
"Kate it's always good to see you? How are you?" I plastered on a smile and replied.
" I'm great, oh and this is my love Garrett."
Garrett stuck out his hand and gripped mine a little to tight to be friendly. " Nice to meet you and finally put a face to that name." he replied.
I raised my eyebrow in question and looked at Kate who was looking at Garrett with wide eyes.
"Kate, What have you been saying about me?" I laughed but very curious. Her mind was kind of fogging and unclear, that's strange, I tired reading Garrett's and was met with the same fogging thought. I tired again and looked over at the women with her name but couldn't get anything.
I looked down at the drink in my hand and stated, " This is some strong stuff." Kate laughed and agreed. They left to join the others after grabbing some of their own drinks. I continued watch as I noticed her hugging everyone as she was saying goodbye. She began walking towards my direction. I straightened up and finished the rest of my drink. I noticed her step falter. Strange.
-Bella POV
I couldn't stay here any longer. I thought I could get through this night but knowing that they are here, that he is here somewhere. I stated my goodbyes and handed out my hugs to my family.
" We are going miss you so much B." the girls hugged me. "Me to, I'll tell Ren you miss her. I promise to return to see you soon." I hugged back. I was going miss them. "Love you little sis. Take care." Garrett said. Always acting like the big brother. I hugged him back.
I made my way towards the bar to say my goodbyes to Sienna and Charles. I noticed movement towards the end of the bar and stopped. I peeked from under my fedora and noticed him sitting there looking at my directions. I adjusted my fedora to cover my face and continued walk towards Sienna at the opposite end of the bar. My chest felt like it was going crack again with the pang of pain from each step I took in the direction.
"Sienna it was good to see you and Charles again."
"Mon amour, are you leaving already?"
"Yes, I have somewhere I need to be tonight. I made a promise to someone that I couldn't break."
"Mon amour, promise me then you will visit us again soon, Its been far to long. Let me get Charles to say goodbye."
"I promise I will." I replied as I waited for her return with Charles. I wanted to look over to see his face. I know it would hurt but it always hurts. I looked up pretending to look at Charles direction as if waiting for him, but looked over to the other end and noticed he was staring at me. I was shocked that I picked my head up a little to much and noticed his eyes widen, I quickly looked away and sent my goodbyes to Charles since he was busy again and ran out of their as fast as I could and into my car.
Edwards POV
I had been watching her say her goodbyes to the women behind the bar. She was promising to visit. I couldn't stop from being curious about this woman who had her name. I noticed the lady behind the bar walk away towards the man, the woman with her name turn her head towards me and froze. It was her face! My Bella's face! Could it be that she was my Bella, she had her name, her hair, and now her face. It couldn't be, could it? When I looked back, she was gone. I looked around frantically to search for her but I didn't see her. The lady behind the bar was looking at the doors. I rushed outside and looked around frantically there were several people outside, and cars driving away but she was gone. I started panicking and planning on racing after the cars to see if she was in one of them.
I felt a sense of claim all of sudden. I looked over and saw Jasper and Alice with worried looks.
"Edward, are you alright?" Alice asked. "You look like you've seen a ghost man." Jasper asked.
"I think you might be right." I looked around once more and turned back to them. "I just had too much too drink and needed to cool off." I said. Alice just hugged me and took my arm to lead me back to the family.
My head was a mess but Jasper was keeping me claim. As we approached the family, I noticed the Denali Coven had joined us again. Carmen was asking how long we would be staying. Carlisle replied that he was unsure of our next move.
"You are welcome to stay with us as long as you like. We are always happy to have our friends and family stay with us." His smile dropped a little at that. I tired reading his mind but it was foggy as well, frustrating me even more. I hope this so called drinks clear out of my system soon, I don't think I can take the effects it has on me anymore. I don't think my mind can take it anymore. The pain and frustration were getting to be too much.
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