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Amy-Nicole xoxo

Chapter Eighteen – Revelations

My mind groggily took in the dimly lit ceiling as I slowly peeled open my eyes. Fear shot through me as I sat up in a panic, afraid that I had dreamed Reid and the others and was still down in Chase's basement. My eyes swept around the unfamiliar room taking in the furniture and decoration only to sweep back as I saw Reid slouched in a wide round arm chair, his feet on the end of the bed as he slept soundly. I couldn't help smiling brightly as I watched him for several long minutes before swinging my legs over the side of the bed frowning as I looked down to find I was in a too big navy t-shirt and slightly too big shorts that were only staying up on my hips thanks to the drawstring tied in a neat bow. I glanced at Reid again as I wondered how I'd gotten changed, the last thing I remembered was trying to dodge how Chase had hit me, everything after that was fuzzy. Did Reid change me? My nose scrunched up at the thought as I remembered I still didn't know which of them was my brother. It would be really awkward if he had and he was my brother, or if any of them had for that matter. Although then again it would be super awkward knowing I'd kissed him then found out he was my brother but it didn't feel wrong or inappropriate when I was with him, when we'd kissed or touched each other. Chewing on my bottom lip I smiled as Reid mumbled something as he shifted in his chair. Should I wake him? Deciding against waking him, he looked far too peaceful to wake, I padded across the soft carpet trying to be as quiet as I could and opened the door enough to squeeze through it. Looking left and right I contemplated which direction to go in before turning left into a hallway I recognized, slowly realising I must be at Caleb's before heading down it to find the stairs.

"Good evening, Belle." I jumped at the gentle voice turning to find Evelyn sitting at the kitchen island as I pushed through the swinging door.

"Hi." I whispered, unsure exactly how to be around her since last time we saw each other she off-loaded a heap of history on me and I ran away. "Where…where is everyone?"

"Most of them are sleeping I think. Tyler and Caleb are still in their rooms, Pogue took Kate to the dorms ten or fifteen minutes ago and Reid was meant to be with you. He was with you, correct?"

"Uh…yeah. He was sleeping. I didn't want to wake him." I smiled awkwardly not sure how she was when it came to girls staying over.

"That was good, he's not slept since you left, unless you count when he dozes of for a few minutes. Are you hungry? I can make you something." She smiled brightly about to get off her stool.

"No…no I'm fine thank you." I rushed to get out before she started to cook something up. "Actually, I wouldn't mind something to drink. My throat is really dry."

"Of course, please sit down."

"Oh, no I can get it…if you just point me to where to go." I glanced around the big kitchen unsure where to begin looking.

"The cupboard up in the corner there, will get you a glass while there are plenty choices in the fridge, I'm sure you'll find something you like." I nodded following the direction her well-manicured finger pointed in, grabbing a glass from the cupboard in the corner next to the sink before tugging open the huge fridge, spying a bottle of fresh orange juice. "Please feel free to treat this place like your own Belle. You're as welcome here as my boys, hence the big fridge." I joined in as she laughed lightly, taking a seat opposite her as I sipped at the cold orange.

"I take it they eat a lot."

"Tons. I think it comes with the energy used with their power, their fathers are the same. So, how are you feeling now? Better I hope."

"Yes, much better thank you. How long have I been asleep?" I asked noticing the dark sky outside. Evelyn turned glancing out at the stormy sky before returning a warm smile.

"Only a few hours. Your body needed time to recuperate."

"Recuperate?" I frowned at her choice of word. I knew my time with Chase was tiring but I'm not sure recuperate would be the word I'd choose.

"You don't remember, well you were very groggy when they took you back here. You were hurt, bleeding. Reid had to heal you." My frown deepened as I tried to remember but even as I pushed my mind back to when the found me and dodging questions about my cheek I couldn't really remember anything more except a flash of something here and there or a sensation of floating. "Don't worry yourself. You're all healed now, that's what matters." I nodded crossing my arms on my lap, my fingers playing with the edge of the t-shirt hem.

"I'm sorry I ran out last time. It was rude."

"Oh. It's all forgotten sweetheart, don't fret so much." Her thin lips pulled into a wide smile as she finished chuckling, her friendly and warm nature easing me into feeling more comfortable.

"Okay. Can…can I ask you a question?"

"Of course, go ahead." She straightened in her seat, her arms folding delicately on the marble countertop.

"Uh…when…when I ran out…you said there was more…more to tell me, to explain to me. What did you mean?" My body was already shifting, tensing up as I nervously waited to hear more information I might regret knowing later.

"Well…" It seemed she was her time to be nervous as she frowned for a moment before taking a deep breath as if it gave her courage to continue. "…you see when I was telling you about the rarity of women in our bloodlines you ran out before I could explain that although the Putnam line was the only one to have a daughter with power, it wasn't the only one to have a daughter." I nodded readying myself for who I could possibly be related to. "In fact, a few generations before Elizabeth Putnam there was a female born without the power…to the Danvers bloodline. The reason I brought up the females of past bloodlines was essentially to transition more easily on to what I really wanted to tell you although now in hindsight I should have probably taken a different route." She sighed bowing her head as she closed her eyes, one hand coming up to play with the ruby necklace hanging around her neck. "My husband William, he was a good man, a good father to Caleb but he…he found it difficult to control his appetite for the power he had. I suppose it is why I sometimes fear how Caleb will turn out with his power…he always believes it's up to him to protect the others, not just because he's the eldest but because that's just him. I think the power is what also increased his attraction to your mother, more so than any of the others."

"Mr Garwin said it was seductive." Evelyn nodded her dark eyes meeting mine as I leaned my arms on the cool marble waiting for her to continue.

"Yes. Incredibly so…I could see them all struggle with the temptation Katherine brought with her, as did all the wives, but their struggle seemed more so if they also had control issues with their power. William, while he was a good father and a good man, we had not really been husband and wife for a quite a time, not since Caleb was born, not properly. I had my suspicions…but they weren't confirmed, not until I confronted him about why he'd been so against one of our families taking you in as a baby, when your mother came to us for help. A few nights after Katherine left I couldn't hold myself back any longer. I couldn't understand how he'd turn you away, it was so out of character for him. That's when he told me…he told me he was…he was your father." I sat there frozen in shock as I stared at her, her words slowly sinking into me and I wondered how she could stand to be pleasant to me, when I was a result of her husband being unfaithful to her. "Belle, please don't think badly off him. I don't. Nor do I blame you or your mother. I hadn't been a proper wife to him for years by then and I had accepted he might go elsewhere and although I hadn't said it I hoped he might, that he might find that aspect of a relationship elsewhere with someone else." Evelyn reached out taking my hand into hers as she gave me a small sad smile. "We once talked what it would be like to have more than one child…he wished so deeply that he could have a daughter to spoil, as did I. William would have loved a daughter, he would have loved to have known you Belle, he truly would have. But I also know he was afraid. He knew more about your mother and her magic than any of the others which is why he was certain you'd have not only the power but your mother's magic too. He was afraid if he allowed one of the others to take you in and raise you as their own that you might end up tempting the boys just like Katherine had tempted him and their fathers. He was afraid that the increase in your power would magnify the effect you had on them, that it would result in them hurting each other…or worse. He genuinely felt it was safer not just for the boys but more so for you. He really thought letting you grow up away from the boys, away from their powers and the influence it itself had on your mother's magic in you would be the best thing for you. He thought letting Katherine raise you was the safest thing for you, at least until you learned to control it. He didn't think John would even be a risk, not to any of you. When he learnt, what happened to Katherine…to you in the fire…he was devastated. It was at least a month or two after the fire that I even received her letter, it was what made me sure you might still be alive and…William…he had retreated from Caleb and I when he'd found out about the two of you and had been using his power without a care. I was afraid to tell him we were looking for you, afraid it might push him even further. So, I thought it best not to tell him until we knew for sure. When we did find you, and saw how happy you were…he told me he wanted you to stay where you were happy, where he thought you were safe. He didn't want to rip you away from the life you'd grown up in and take you here, to a place and people you didn't know or trust. I'm so sorry, Belle." I was in shock, staring at the grey swirls running across the white marble beneath our hands.

"So…so William is…is my dad, and he…he did want me. He really wanted me."

"Of course, he did. William loved you Belle, he would be so proud to see how you've grown up, as would Katherine." I couldn't stop the warm tears as they brimmed my eyes and trailed down my cheeks even as I used my free hand to wipe them away.

"Belle?" I jumped the height of myself as Reid suddenly burst into the kitchen, startling not just myself but Evelyn who widened her eyes at his arrival. "Next time, wake me up before wandering off. I near had a heart attack when I saw the bed empty." Reid sighed coming to wrap his arms around me as I tried to quickly swipe away my tears. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing." I whispered turning to give him a warm smile. Reid ignored me and turned a pointed look on Evelyn.

"We were just discussing what I was unable to tell Belle earlier. She'll be okay. She has you after all." Evelyn patted my hand before sliding off her stool as we heard a door close somewhere in the house. "I think I'm going to head to bed early. Make sure she eats something Reid." I smiled up at him as he nodded behind me watching her leave us.

"You sure you're okay?"

"Yeah. I'm just glad to finally know the truth." I linked my fingers through his squeezing as I kissed his cheek. "And I'm really glad to be back here…with you." Reid's grin spoke volumes as he dipped to kiss me softly.

"Guys!" Reid groaned as I pulled away to see Pogue and Kate in the kitchen doorway smiling widely. "What is it she always tells us? Oh, I got it, get a room already!" I couldn't help laughing as Pogue wrapped an arm round Kate's shoulders as she rolled her eyes.

"Don't tease her or she'll stop being my friend just to spite us." I smiled up to see an irritated Reid glaring at them as Kate swatted Pogue's wide chest.

"Come on already, what's it going to take to get some time with my girl! I just got her back and have barely had a minute with her. Get lost already."

"Reid!" I turned nudging him as he whined trying not to let myself get lost in the fact he'd just called me his girl. "Don't be rude."

"Don't worry, Evelyn said you both were here, we just wanted to give you her things." I frowned as Kate held out a duffle bag with a smile, letting Reid take it before she turned and pulled Pogue from the room. "We'll be up in our room. Night guys."

"Night Belle, glad you're okay."

"Thanks." I called turning to Reid. "What's in the bag?"

"I asked them to go to the dorms and get some of your things. You don't mind, do you? I just thought you'd feel better with some of your things around you."

"No, I don't mind. It was really, really sweet of you." I caught his t-shirt pulling him closer as I leaned up to kiss him deeply. Reid's hand wrapped round my waist pulling me against him as he kissed me back. "So…I'm your girl?" I whispered pulling back a fraction to look up at him.

"Oh yeah. I'm not even giving you a choice at this point." He smirked trying to press our lips back together as I leaned back giggling at his response.

"I think I'm okay with not having that choice…but you don't get to choose everything." I chewed my bottom lip as I teased him, letting my arms move to rest over his shoulders, my fingers playing with the hair at the back of his neck.

"We'll see about that." Without giving me a moment to think he dipped down catching my lips with his.