Chapter 21 – Brothers & Sisters

BPOV

The white foamy bubbles surrounded us. Jacques held my body, motioning mine with his. My head fell backwards, making my hair touch the bubbles. His mouth claimed the soft circle of my chest, moaning against my skin. My eyes opened to the erotic euphoria I was experiencing. Strong arms pulled me into the heavy muscles of his chest, tucking my head underneath his chin, holding me tightly. Our minds, like our bodies, were one. I love you, my angel.

I love you. I'm so sorry, I never should have let them take me.

Jacques's form stiffened, No, you shouldn't have. He said it reaffirming his order. Bubbles burst around us, You are never to allow yourself to be put in that kind of danger again. His eyes held mine and I felt what it did to him when he found that I was gone. Jacques stumbled through the house, stepping over broken furniture in an attempt to find me. Then, he found my ring among broken glass. My body pushed against his, molding to his frame, Jacques, I'm right here. My arms were locked underneath his, beneath the water's surface. Jacques brushed his lips against my temple, And you will stay here with me, where you belong.

His mouth possessed mine, Just stay with me, my love. I felt his explosion within me and I collapsed against him, my face cuddling into his neck. My arms were freed from his hold, to allow Jacques to take hold of my legs and stand up to step out of the bathtub. Water cascaded off our skin as he walked out of the bathroom.

In our bedroom, I was lowered onto the bed. The water on my skin was dampening the sheets. Holding a towel, Jacques rubbed it over my shoulders, down my stomach to my legs. The motion was warming my skin, making me feel better. I was home again. Jacques left me on the bed to go into the closet. My eyes looked around the room, feeling safer than I felt in some time. I hoped beyond hope that this was real. It felt wonderful to be home. To be in my bed, feel the heat of the fire and the scent of the burning herbs; all of it drove away the terrible memories.

"I think you'll look lovely in this." Cotton and silk wrapped itself around me. I looked to see I was now wearing a red dress. The feel of the soft material was soft against my sensitive skin. Was I that lost in my thoughts that I didn't notice that the dress just appeared and I was wearing it? Jacques walked out of the closet, fastening a watched around his wrist, wearing dark jeans and a white button down shirt. The top buttons were open, showing a glimpse of his collarbone. He crossed the room with fluid movement, extending his hands for mine, "Are you ready?" I took his hand, letting him pull me off the bed. Back on my third finger was my emerald ring. I wasn't going to ask when he put it back on. My body was pulled into his chest, feeling his hands drift down my body. I brushed my head against the chest of the one I loved, listening to the sound of his heart; the most beautiful sound in the world.

My face brushed against his chest, inhaling the scent of him. Pulling his fingers through my hair, Jacques let me lean against him, allowing me to enjoy the feel of him against me. I'm sorry, my face brushed at the indentation of his chest, I was scared I would never see you again. Hands held the sides of my face, raising my lips to his, We must go, they are waiting for us. Jacques kept me close to his side, brushing his chin through my hair.

The two of us walked down the tunnel to the stairs in silence. He held the door open for me, leading to the first floor. The antiques his family collected were comforting, seeing my favorite pieces. How are you feeling? My lifemate's voice was a sweet as a breeze. I smiled up at him, I'm just happy to be home.

Voices came down the hall from Mikhail's study; Gregori was still here, along with the one who found me, Aidan. Jacques's hand moved to the nape of my neck as we got closer to the study. I knew that he did this as a gesture of ownership, with there being unattached men in our home. Part of me should feel offended; Jacques did not own me, but I knew it was part of the Carpathian ways. Some things were going to change, but not tonight. Jacques trusted them with his life, but he was still wary. Another Carpathian man found his lifemate and the others must respect our union. Thank you for understanding, angel. I couldn't think ill of Aidan or Gregori. Without them, I don't know if I would be here. Well, I knew where I would be, but I wasn't going to think about it, not even to myself.

Gregori never portrayed himself as one to take what is not his. He would never betray Mikhail and his family, but Aidan; I don't know what he was like. I don't want to think he would save me, only to take me from Jacques. What was I saying; no one could ever take me form Jacques. Aidan seemed so much more honorable than to do something like that.

Entering the study, it was filled with people. Raven stood by Mikhail's desk; his arm around her waist. Raven's eyes met mine and she stepped away from him to hug me. My arms wrapped around her too, You are never to do something like that again. I laughed once and a tear slid down my cheek, I won't. Next time, it's your turn. Her arms tightened around my back, There won't be a next time.

Raven stepped away and I was nearly knocked backwards from an invisible impact. The breath was nearly squeezed out of me when two stone arms held me close. "Alice," I whispered, "can't… breathe." Jacques was preparing to move Alice away when she let me go. He held my shoulders as the painful sting of blood flowed back into my arms. I'm fine, I assured him. His eyes were assessing any damage that she may have inflicted, She won't hurt me. "I'm sorry, I was just," she exhaled. Alice lightly pushed me and I almost fell to the floor again. I forgot how strong she was. Jacques caught my waist, as Alice held my wrists, "Sorry." Compared to Alice, I was still very fragile. Her golden eyes suddenly hardened, "No, I said I was going to yell at you for getting yourself into that kind of trouble." Jacques steadied me as she stepped away, "In the past five years, you've done nothing but been good, then, you do this!"

I couldn't help but smile at her anger. To have Alice yelling at me was a joy. She didn't know how much I missed her. The simple fact that she still had visions of me made me feel better about the past few years. Alice ranted about me being reckless and stupid and questioned why I did it. She stared at me blankly, "Well, are you going to answer me?" I blinked once, "Huh?" My breathing quickened realizing that she was truly here. Alice was there in the lab, bringing me home. Tears streamed down my face, "I'm sorry, Alice." She hugged me gently this time; I didn't mean to make her cry.

My head shook, "No, I'm not crying because you were mad." Jacques's arm curved around my shoulders, Are you hurt? I shook my head, "No, I'm fine, really." Alice's eyes grew larger, "Bella, why are you crying?" "Because you're here," I blurted out, "It's been five years and now, you're here, yelling at me and I couldn't be happier." This was irrational and silly, but true. I missed Alice so much. I know what you mean, Alice hugged me again. "I almost forgot how emotional you can get." Alice laughed, then her happy expression changed, "Now, what the hell were you thinking?!" My lips pursed together tightly, "I had to, okay?" Her eyes widened, like a predator taking in their prey, "You had to? You had to?" She looked back quickly, "Emmett, she said she had to." She gripped my forearms, almost shaking me, "Like when you had to go running to James? You could have died." Jacques pulled me into his side, out of Alice's grasp, "No, she wouldn't have. Bella is stronger than you think. She would have survived." My head spun for a moment as Jacques held me. Alice was much stronger than remembered.

Alice's eyes twitched seeing me Jacques's embrace. She took a step back, taking in his protective hold on me, "Oh, I know," her tone quickly changed, "She was able to hold on when we found her at the ballet studio, but this time I was really scared. What they were doing to her was inhumane." "Alice, don't," I asked quickly. Jacques's arm began to tremble, leading to his entire frame. He and I were seeing Alice's visions; me screaming as a scalpel was being pulled down my torso, attempting to cut me open. My hand rested on his chest quickly, trying to stop his trembling.

His eyes turned to slits, ready to kill those people. Alice watched as I tried to calm, "Jacques, please, it's not worth it. They can't hurt me anymore." Lips pulled back from his teeth, with the urge to take to the sky and hunt down the one that was hurting me. Mikhail took a step toward the door, "Jacques, we will handle it together. But your woman is home now." Alice looked back, "There's nothing to handle. Emmett already took care of everyone in the building." My head turned to see Emmett leaning against the back of the couch. His arms were folded tightly over his chest. I would do it again, dammit. How could they think Bella was a danger to anyone?

My shoulders slumped from horror and remorse. I never wanted so many people to be hurt by my snap decision. Jacques stopped trembling, "Pardon me, Emmett, but how many were there?" Emmett sneered, showing his teeth, "Forty-five claiming to be scientists. They watched as Bella was being dissected like a frog." My eyes closed listening to him. "Well, they knew I wasn't human, but they tried with stakes, guns and crossbows on me." Emmett laughed darkly, "Their terror only made it more fun." I've never heard Emmett sound like this before. When I knew him, Emmett wouldn't hurt a fly. An occasional bear, yes, but he was always so kind. This reminded me of what he really was; a vampire. Emmett continued telling of how he killed every single person in the lab. "Even Bryan and Terry?" he shrugged his bulging shoulders, "If they were there, they're dead now."

While Emmett was on his rampage, Alice wiped their computer systems. She uploaded a virus into their system and it attached itself to emails sent out to other labs. "Once the email is opened, the virus will wipe out the next system. My husband, Jasper developed it himself. The virus will shut down their computers, so whatever information they had, it'll be destroyed." Alice then handed Mikhail a portfolio, "I got that from the 'head surgeon's' office. It has the information of all the other labs testing on your people. The countries, locations, addresses, phone numbers, workers and everything else they had on hand."

Mikhail began going through the forms, flipping the pages quickly, "Thank you, Alice." His voice was awed as he began reading. Gregori took half the forms, looking over the information. Aidan took some for himself as they began planning to visit every single one of those facilities.

Alice pulled me to the chaise, while Jacques went to read the information, "So, now I want to know why they were trying to kill you? They really thought you were a vampire?" My head fell forward, making my hair cover my face, "Yes, they did, but I don't think they were trying to kill me. I was more like bait and an experiment." "Bait?" Raven asked. I shifted myself, pulling my hair away from my face, "They thought I was you," I looked right at Raven. Her hand covered her mouth, muffling her gasp. "So, they took me, hoping to lure in Mikhail. They knew that the men would come for their mate. Which I found it odd that they weren't prepared for some kind of attack. They were petrified when Emmett was attacking. They also had a psychic that hurt me every time my mind drifted out for any of you. I think they wanted to do some experiments before allowing me to call out. But I killed their psychic and that's when I sent my message to anyone who would hear me."

Aidan looked from the papers in his hand. His amber eyes met mine, "Yes, I heard you. I came as quickly as I could. First, I contacted Mikhail to confirm that you were truly Jacques's woman. I hadn't heard that he found his lifemate." Emmett looked perplexed as Aidan spoke. "Hold it!" no one spoke, "What do you mean sent out a message?" Emmett turned to look at me, resting on his stiff arms on the back of the chaise. I bit my lip. "Well, um…" I sighed slowly, "I'm a mind reader." Emmett's head dropped, making his chin touch his chest, "What?" he asked in a flat tone.

Raven watched Emmett, seeing him inhumanly still. She squeezed my fingers and I half-smiled, "I can read minds." His eyes popped, "No, you can't." "Yes, I can." My hand rubbed the back of my neck, "I only really started using my ability after you and your family left." Alice got to her feet slowly, "Umm," she was actually at a loss for words. My eyes fixed with Raven's, A little help here? She shrugged, I don't know how I can be of any help. You know them better than I do. Alice's eyes shot back and forth between us, "You're talking to each other right now, aren't you?" Raven and I looked at her, feeling like we were caught. Alice laughed a shaky laugh, "You look exactly as Edward and I do when we talk like that. I don't believe this. Bella," she looked at me, "you're a ..? Hold on. Then why couldn't Edward hear your thoughts?" My eyes closed in shame. Why I felt shame, I don't know. "I had mental blocks up at all times. I developed and strengthen them for years. I did it to block out the voices of the people around me. When they weren't up, I suffered from the worse migraines because everything was so loud."

Emmett was motionless. She's a mind-reader? A mind-reader? I knew she was perfect for Edward. He is such an ass. Jacques's drew in a sharp breath, "Bella is only perfect for me. That is why she is my woman and not Edward's. He walked away from her." Emmett looked back at him, "I'm not arguing that Bella is yours, but I'm telling you, she was a perfect match for my brother." Jacques's eyes glowered at Emmett. I crossed the room and stood in Jacques's way, wrapping my arms around his waist, Jacques, please don't. His hands easily undid mine, pushing me behind his body, "Your brother was foolish. His loss is my gain." I moaned loudly, pressing my forehead into his back. Why did he say that? Alice stood by Emmett, "Wait one second, Jacques. No one talks about Edward that way. We may not agree with his decisions, but he is still our brother." Tensions were growing between Jacques and Emmett and I knew what both of them could do.

I moved from behind Jacques, "Stop it." Emmett was ready to cross the room and Jacques wasn't going to back down from a challenge. I could hear the thunder crashing above, as the weather was changing from Jacques's mood. Mikhail stood with me, "I will not allow anyone to fight in my home. Anyone," he looked at Jacques, then to Emmett. "Besides," Raven added in a calm tone, "if Bella is your sister, then Jacques your brother in law. It's not good for family to be fighting." Emmett took one step back, glancing at Raven. He exhaled, folded his arms and turned away from everyone. I looked back at Jacques, brushing my hand over his cheek, "And you remember, they helped save my life." Jacques took my hand and pulled me into the crook of his arm, "Of course." His tone changed quickly, "I do owe Alice and Emmett my gratitude for saving you. As well as Aidan for hearing you and bringing you home. "

Mikhail looked back at Emmett and Alice, as they stood by the fireplace. "We all owe you much for destroying that foul place and finding the locations of the others. Many innocent people have fallen in the path of the butchers' pursuit of science. You, along with Aidan saved my sister and brother. If we lost Bella, Jacques would have greeted the sun to join her. So, thank you all so much. Please, if ever a time comes and you need my help, do not hesitate to call upon me." Aidan bowed his head, "If was my duty to help my prince and his family." Aidan looked over to myself and Jacques, "Bella is another miraculous find. How did she handle the conversion?"

Jacques held me closer, brushing his chin through my hair, "Once she was through the worst of it, I made her sleep through it. She handled it very well." Alice was chewing on her fingertip, "So you're really Carpathians? And Bella's one too?" I blinked, "How do you know of them?" Emmett pursed his lips, "Carlisle told us. He learned of the Carpathian race when he lived with the Volturi." Alice watched me for a moment; her gaze was speculative, "It would also explain why your scent is different." I balked, "It is?" She nodded slowly, "Yes. It's still very floral, but there's something else there. It's almost like," she thought for a moment, "peppermint."

I bit my lip and looked up at Jacques. My face turned into his chest, muffling my laugh, I did say to you that it was infused with your skin. He kissed my hair, making me blush even deeper. I can't believe she's with someone else like this, Alice lamented as she watched our embrace. I know that smile, she's really in love. Alice looked away, her thoughts drifting to memories of me and Edward. The same smile I had on my face now was the same as I was looking at Edward. Emmett blew out a breath, bringing us back to the original topic, "And we know about the other vampires. Remember what happened to Esme when Carlisle found her?"

Esme's story was among the saddest of the Cullen family. She escaped from her abusive husband to have her child in safety. But it was in vain, when her baby died when he was only a few days old. Stricken with grief, she attempted to end her suffering and life by jumping off a cliff.

"Yes. Why?" Alice looked up at her brother, while he continued, "A vampire who was once Carpathian found her in her stricken state and convinced her to end her life." I gasped loud, my hand covering my mouth. Esme wasn't ending her life of her own accord. "Why would he do something like that?" Jacques brushed his hand along my arm, "Because they thrive on causing misery in others." I looked up at him, then to Emmett, "Wait, how would she have known this? Wouldn't she have been hypnotized or something?" "He found her again after Carlisle saved her. With our heightened sense, those vampires can't hide the way they look from us. Edward heard his thoughts of telling her to kill herself. And, you know his temper," I nodded once. "So, he killed the vampire for it." Emmett cleared his throat and turned away, looking into the flames. His hands held the mantle, "It's not the first time those damned things interfered in our lives. One of them killed my sister."

Stepping away from Jacques's hold, I went to stand next to Emmett. My hands moved to hold his face, "What happened?" I've never seen Emmett like this and it accorded to me, I never even knew about is family before the Cullens. From the day I met them, it seemed the Cullens away fit together, no matter what. They each shared a pained past, but still came together to be a family. Seeing my hands on Emmett's face, Jacques's anger and jealous hit me, but I found the strength to push it away. Jacques, let me comfort my brother. Emmett's arm went around my shoulder and tussled my hair. "No," I whined, getting out of his hold. He laughed once, "They love making people miserable and my sister was upset with my recent death." I sat on the couch's arm, "The bear." "They never found me; only the tattered remains of my clothes and blood on the grass. Minnie and I were very close. She always called me to protect her before she would call our father."

Emmett turned around, clearly still troubled by his sister's death. Alice held his arm and he smiled at her, "Anyway, a few years after I 'died,' I found out that she went missing too. My parents died when a thief broke into the new house they purchased from the money I secretly left them. So Minnie was all alone. The vampire found her and practically made her his slave."

My eyes closed and I turned my head, "I don't think I want to hear anymore." Raven sat next to me on the couch, taking my hand. Emmett made a face, "Well, that's the reason why I had no hesitation killing all those people when we found you. Alice and I were passing through Budapest, on our way to meet the others in Denmark. She practically collapsed to the ground after the first vision of you being thrown into a coffin. She used the most of her abilities than she ever did to find out where you were." Alice looked at me, "My visions were blurred, but I knew it was you."

Mikhail sat behind his desk, tapping his fingers on the surface, "Alice, Emmett, my brother and I truly thank you for finding Bella. You and your family are welcomed, as they are still important to Bella." Alice smiled brightly at that, "Oh good, because Esme and Carlisle want to see Bella. I called and told them she was alive." Jacques moved across the room, taking my hand into his. Keeping distance between us was a bit difficult now. I wanted to near Jacques as much as he wanted to be near me, "I look forward to meeting the infamous Esme and Carlisle Cullen. The way Bella described them, they sound almost too good to be true." I laughed, thinking about the secondary parents I hadn't seen in years. Parents, my eyes widened, My parents! They must be freaking out; I haven't spoken to them in two weeks.

Raven grimaced as she turned toward me, "Yeah, your mom did email you a couple of times. I emailed back telling her that you were away with Jacques." My heart sank into my stomach, "Oh God, just dig my grave." Raven bit her lip, "No! I'm sorry, I couldn't think of anything else. I kinda told her you were swept up in a whirlwind romance." My eyes closed as I groaned loudly, "I'm dead." My head fell back on the couch, "She's probably told Charlie already." A vision played in Alice's mind; Charlie was on the phone, Renee, she's 23 years old. When you were her age, you were already divorce with a baby. So, Bella's involved with a guy. It's about time, so leave her alone. My head picked up slowly, "Charlie is taking up for me with the fact that I'm in a relationship? Well, he's grown up." Alice laughed, "I know. I would say talk to him first, then call your mother. And be careful, she's going to have claws and fangs." She dipped her head to the side slightly, "Figuratively speaking."

Sighing deeply, I got up from the couch and walked out of the room. Jacques was with me in a moment. "I could get there by myself, you know?" He pulled me into his side, "After what we went through, I'm not letting you out of my sight." My head brushed his shoulder, feeling his pulse beating. Those days we were apart were worse than death. Far worse than when Edward left or Victoria finding me. Death was a welcomed embrace. At least then, in some form, I would see Jacques again.

He swept his arms under my legs, locking me against the stone embrace of his chest. I would have gladly joined you should you have gone to the next world. My arms wrapped around his neck as he settled me on to the couch in our bedroom. I looked into his eyes, "I wouldn't want you to, but I know you would have. Like Romeo & Juliet, this wouldn't have been a tragedy. We would have been together forever no matter what." His lips touched mine. The taste of his warm breath was amazing, "I always believed that about that story." My heart lurched as Jacques kissed me. Anxiety melted away as he kissed me. His tongue, warm and sweet, drifted across my lower lip. I tasted his breath on my tongue as my lips parted. Jacques sat with me as I turned on my laptop and called Charlie. My foot tapped impatiently as I waited for my dad. I'll give you some privacy, Jacques moved to stand but I caught his wrist, No, stay. I want you to meet my dad, in a sense.

He laughed, How things have changed? Your father is in another country and we'll be able to see each other through this device.

I smiled at him, Isn't technology grand? He laughed harder, Indeed.

Charlie's face came on the screen. His eyes closed in relief, "Bells, where the hell have you been?" I smiled, hearing my dad's voice again, "Hi, Dad. How are you?" He pursed his lips, "Oh, busy trying to calm down your mother. Your friend Raven told her you were off with some guy, her brother in law, Jacques or something." "Yes, his name is Jacques and yes, we just got back from Budapest. I'm sorry; it was a spur of the moment thing."

Charlie exhaled and leaned closer to the computer, "Why do I have the feeling there's something you're not telling me?" Do you want to tell him? I glanced at Jacques. "There is, Dad. First," I moved the laptop from my lap to the center table. The camera showed myself and Jacques, "Dad, this is Jacques Dubrinsky." Charlie leaned back, "Oh." He half-smiled for a moment, "Well, nice to meet you." Jacques dipped his head once, "Mr. Swan, Bella's told me a lot about you. I hope you can forgive me for keeping her occupied these past few weeks. We were touring Dracula's Castle and studying with friends of Gregori."

Charlie's features were unreadable; I couldn't tell how he was handling this. "Well, she is back in one piece." Barely, Jacques remembered the way I look when Aidan arrived with me in his arms. I barely looked alive, much worse than he did when I found him. Jacques worked his charm on my dad. Charlie chuckled and introduced Sue to Jacques. I was happy to see they were taking a liking to him. Jacques even invited them to visit our mountains, knowing they would like it and visit me. "Oh, Bella," Sue chimed, "you look wonderful." I smiled at her, brushing my hair out of my face. "And what a lovely ring." I froze, realizing my emerald ring was visible on the camera. Charlie leaned closer again; his face impassive. Oh, boy.

I bit my lip, "That's the second thing. Dad," I spoke up before he did. This wasn't going to be easy, but my dad was the lesser of two evils. I exhaled slowly, "Jacques and I sort of eloped." Jacques's hand caressed my back, "Mr. Swan, I hope you can forgive me." I looked at him and he smiled, "I should have asked your permission first. My brother always accused me of being impulsive." Jacques took my hand in his, "But, you can say that I knew what I wanted and I didn't want to wait. Please believe that I love your daughter very much. You can say that I was bewitched by her." My heart swelled as Jacques spoke. It was me that was bewitched by him.

Charlie was quiet for a long moment, letting Jacques speak, "And I hope you understand that she'll be remaining in the mountains with me and my family, as they are her family now too and they just love her." Sue looked at Charlie as he remained silent, her hands hovered over his shoulders. Charlie shook his head, "Well, history really does repeat itself." I blinked once, not believing what I just heard Charlie say. The blood drained from my face. Charlie smiled, crinkling the skin around his eyes, "Jacques, I was the same way when I met Bella's mother. It was fast and impulsive and we were happy. But we didn't work out, but I know my daughter. She wouldn't have agreed to marry you if she didn't believe it would work. Have you told your mother yet?" I shook my head. Charlie leaned away from his monitor, folding his arms, "I'll say, good luck, kiddo. And Jacques, I hope you like having a hands-on mother in law."