Chapter 20: Plans and Happenstance
[Isa's POV]
At the Mikaelson Mansion, near Richmond: "Why does everyone have to pile up here for graduation?" Isa mutters. "I just want one quiet weekend with my sexy husband." I hear Elijah chuckling from the bed. "Have you seen my car keys? We want to go shopping for the babies and graduation presents." If you can't sway them join them.
"Your car keys are with the rest of the keys, on a rack by the back door."
"Thanks," I bend down to kiss him showing some cleavage. He pulls me down to the bed. I break the kiss before I decide not to leave. "More of that and then some later; I promise." I grin at him as he pouts at me. I bounce off the bed, leaving the room before I change my mind. I hear his sexy laugh from the hallway.
Rebekah, Caroline, Angela, and Freya are waiting for me by the back door. Bekah holding the keys to my SUV, "I'm driving." She smirks at me.
"Fine: What is on the shopping agenda for today?"
Caroline responds, "Angela needs clothes, lingerie, and other fun stuff from all of us as a graduation present. You need to shop for maternity wear. You have a pronounced baby bump now."
Angela pokes Caroline lightly on the arm: "Tact. Find some quickly."
Freya laughs, "The one sure thing, you can count on Caroline to point out the obvious."
I stick my tongue out at Freya.
At the mall Angela and I split off from the girls, they are looking at baby clothes. It is too soon for me to be thinking about their clothes. We haven't decided on baby furniture yet or which rooms to use. We promise to meet up with them at the Maternity shop in a little while. I know that the girls will pick out some maternity items for me to try on.
[Another POV]
Artholus is intrigued by the young pregnant woman. He loves her aura. She is one of his descendants. There is powerful magic with her and her half Elven children. He pops into the shop, catching her eye. She buys his home away from home. He hears Marie's laughter. Silly thing, she would appreciate my alliance with her granddaughter and great grandchildren. Now how do I get Isa to acknowledge me?
[Isa's POV]
Angela is giving me a breather. She wants to look at antiques in one of the little shops at the end of the mall. We wander into the shop that has quaint antiques for sale.
The owner is a kind old lady with poor eyesight. She will never admit that to her granddaughter who really runs the store she tells us.
I am attracted to a marble sphere, about the size of a baseball; it looks to be made of a smoky quartz with a myriad of different colors. I ask the owner "how much for this item?"
"I will sell it to you for ten dollars."
I fork out a ten.
She has a feeling that this stone is special. It called to her. Not so much a voice, but an intense feeling to take it home with her. She says, "Thanks" to the store owner. In her thoughts she hears Marie laughing hysterically. She thinks, "OK Gran you can let me in on the joke." Only silence, Isa sighs.
The owner happily pockets the Ten for the glass ball and heads out the door telling us she is going to go fix lunch. We stay to watch her lock up her store, wishing her a fond goodbye.
[Marie's POV]
She is laughing so hard tears are leaking out of her eyes. The smoky quartz globe Isabella just bought is the home of an Elven prince, who was the consort of an Elven Demi-Goddess. A jealous rival set him up to take a fall for a crime that he didn't commit, his punishment was a body constantly in the throes of death but never dying, thus preventing him from ascending. The goddess took mercy on him and created a crystal home for his consciousness. He sensed Isa and popped into the owners' store. She couldn't have planned this encounter any better.
[Esme's POV]
Jean Claude is asking me to work on a new project. He wants an Art Center to be built next to this Mall. The demographics of this area needs more 'Culture'. I am listening to his ideas for the Museum/Art School/Center. I glance around something seems odd or out of place. I see three girls heading to the back of the Fredericks of Hollywood store. Two of them seem awfully familiar. I must be dreaming, Bella jumped off a cliff and Angela is still in Washington. In the back of my mind is the question, what if Bella survived and Angela is with her now? I don't want to speculate. It would only bring more pain to my family if they knew the possibility of her being alive.
[Freya's POV]
I glance up from looking at a nice item for Angela, there standing next to Jean Claude Dubois, is none other than Esme Cullen. Jean Claude is a well-known philanthropist and patron of the Arts. I snap a quick picture of them and forward it to Elijah and Niklaus. Nik knows this vampire; Jean Claude is one of his sires. I can't let her see Isa or Angela. I hurry them to the back of the store. We need to leave here quickly. I like to know the people that have hurt members of my family. I have a dossier on each one of the Cullens.
[Isa's POV]
We are in Fredericks of Hollywood looking at some of the racier items, making suggestions and innuendos about what Damon would like to see or the lack thereof, Angela's has bright red cheeks.
Freya gets an odd look on her face. "I think we need to head back to the Mansion."
I look at her she is watching something or someone across the way from us. "What's going on?"
"Someone that doesn't need to know about us," she responds. I look to see who she is staring at. I gasp. Esme Cullen is standing talking to a tall dark haired olive skinned man dressed in a grey Armani suit. I feel her guide both Angela and I away from the windows of the store into one of the back changing rooms. I am in shock. I never expected to see any of them again. Angela hugs me. Angela looks at me "they must have relocated to the East Coast." Freya is on the phone to Elijah. Looks like our move to New Orleans will be moved up.
[Esme's POV]
"Carlisle," she calls out as she drops her purse and keys in the entry way. He exits his study. "I was in Richmond meeting with Jean Claude Dubois, for his new art center. I saw two girls that looked familiar, one of them looked like Angela Webber and the other looked like Bella. I know that Bella is missing and Angela is in Forks, but the resemblance is uncanny."
Carlisle blinks. I can always contact Dr. Gerandy. He can confirm whether or not the girls are in Forks. "I'll call him now. It is still at a reasonable hour."
Dr. Gerandy's phone rings a few times, he answers. "Carlisle what can I do for you?"
"I hate to call you on such short notice, but Esme and I were talking about people we knew back in Forks. We were wondering if there were any recent developments concerning the Swan family?"
"There haven't been any developments in Bella's case. Charlie resigned as the Chief of Police after being severely injured on the job. Heard he moved to Virginia or Georgia, something like that. The talk of the town is the tragedy with the Webbers. Ben Cheney was killed in Seattle; the odd part of his death was he was drained of blood. I saw his body before the coroner did the autopsy. It was a shame that the Webbers were killed just after his funeral. Thank god Angela survived. She left the state to live with friends and go to school elsewhere. It was too much for her. How are you doing and the family?"
Carlisle looks at his wife. "We are doing well. The kids are still in school. Esme said that she thought she spotted Angela at the mall today. I just wanted to check to see if it was possible, we are on the same side of the country." The two chat for a while about medical procedures that could be beneficial to some of their patients.
He glances over at his wife. "You may have seen Angela. I don't think we need to mention this to the family. It won't make a difference. Edward and Alice are with the Volturi. Emmett and Rosalie check in every week. We don't need to be chasing shadows right now."
She gives him a sad look. "I wish we could turn back the clock, and stop Edward from leaving Bella. That decision shattered our family."
He hugs her. "What's done is done," he responds unhappily.
A few minutes later Esme's cell chimes; she answers, "What can I help you with Jean Claude?"
"Esme, I am rethinking my Art Center Project. I am going with a different design firm. Thank you for your time on the project, your payment has been forwarded to the bank."
"Jean Claude this is sudden, may I ask what caused you to change your plans?"
"A very influential partner in the Art Center called and asked me to go with the other firm. Goodbye Esme." He hangs up.
Esme is still holding her cell, with a puzzled look on her face. Carlisle asks "what's wrong?"
"One of my best customers switched to another designer for the Art Center."
"I thought Jean Claude was one of your preferential clients?"
"Jean Claude is one of my better clients. He is very informed about environmental concerns, finances, legal ramifications, energy conservation, modern construction, and design. He could teach at any University if he so chooses. We have worked on several projects together. He said that one of his partners for the project wanted to do business with another firm."
"Did he say which partner made the request?"
"No, but I can ask."
She dials Jean Claude's cell. "Jean Claude, I am curious about which partner made the request to switch design firms?" He responds, "Thank you for the information. That's all I needed. I hope to be able to work with you on another project in the future. I see. I wish you the best with you upcoming projects. Thank you again for the information. Good bye."
Carlisle watches her.
"Jean Claude told me that Klaus Mikaelson requested that my firm be removed from all current and future projects funded by his family's investments. Do you know him?" She looks up at Carlisle to find him frozen in place.
"Carlisle, what is going on?"
"Klaus Mikaelson is a well-known and influential patron of the arts. His family is an international corporate presence. He is rumored to be one of the oldest vampires in existence, and a ruler of a different kind of vampire. They are thought to be older than the Volturi. If we have attracted his attention, we need to be very careful to stay out of public view. We need to call the others and warn them to keep a very low profile."
[Isa's POV]
Isa is going through her purchases and putting them away. The globe she purchased was on the dresser. She looks around the room thinking maybe she knocked it over. She would have heard it fall. She sees it sitting on a small pedestal near the window, sitting in direct sunlight so it sparkles. "I got rid of the Cullen sparklers, now I buy a globe that glitters in sunlight. What is wrong with me?" she mutters.
Isa feels small flutters from her stomach. She laughs ok, I'll go get something to eat and drink. Calm down some. She leaves the room to get an afternoon snack. When she opens the refrigerator door, the globe is on the top shelf next to the orange juice bottle she is reaching for, "Ok who in the family is telekinetic now? It better not be one of you three, she rubs her stomach. Elijah and I have enough fun going on without you being this active this early." The sphere rolls off the shelf onto her foot. "Ouch, you sonofabitch;" she kicks the sphere under the table. It rolls back to her foot.
She picks it up intending to throw it like a shot put out of the house. She feels a tingle of warmth from it. Ok, this is an intelligent object? Grams still isn't answering. She inspects the sphere, the swirls are moving.
In her mind she sees an image of a tall, easily six feet tall, blond haired man with sea green eyes. He wears his long hair tied back in a queue. She blinks, he has pointed ears. Orlando Bloom eat your heart out, this dude is more debonair than you will ever be as Legolas. "What am I supposed to call you?"
"Artholus, at your service my lady, he elegantly bows before her."
"Just what I need another charmer. Why did you pick me for your shenanigans?"
Kol is going to laugh his ass off about this.
"Who is Kol?"
"My brother in law, he likes magical objects and tends to collect them. He has a wicked sense of humor. Actually I'll ask him if he actually consults with any of his collection. Hmm better yet I'll let you meet the entire family. Since you seem to have adopted me, it's only fair you meet them too."
"Why did you get my attention in the shop? What is so special about me?" she asks.
"Your aura is intriguing and so are the auras of your little ones. Marie is a powerful Elven seer, you have an amazing mental shield, and all of your children will be talented as well. Let's just say I'm your Elven not 'fairy' godfather. I am rarely so intrigued by another being. You caught my interest and I realized your connection to Marie."
"So that's why Grams was laughing so hard, she saw your interest in me and my babies."
"Yes, Marie has a wicked sense of humor. I found you on my own; she had nothing to do with our meeting. Let me be your guide in Elven matters. You will bumble into Elven law soon enough. It will be entertaining to see some of my peer's reactions to you and your family. Oh don't be offended. I truly find you and your family intriguing. Such a mix mash of different species and talents are included. I am so looking forward to our introduction."
"Well there's no time like the present." I reach for my cell.
"Freya, can you do a family witchy broadcast that they need to meet us at the Townhouse? A development that the family needs to discuss has occurred here. It's not an emergency, but it is an urgent happenstance. Thanks."
"Elijah is calling me just seconds after I hang up with Freya."
"Isa is everything alright with you and the babies? Niklaus and I will be there shortly."
"The babies and I are doing fine, I just called a meeting because something unusual happened and the family needs to know immediately. I am looking forward to being in your arms again. See you soon."
Kol pops in and gives me a hug. "What urgent happenstance this time? Isa you are a magnet for trouble."
"Pot meet the Kettle." Isa laughs. She tosses the globe at Kol. He catches it and then drops it as it shocks the daylights out of his hand. "What the hell Isa? That hurt."
She laughs, "I didn't know that he would do that to you Kol."
"What do you mean by 'he'?" Kol asks.
"You are the expert on magical and/or dark objects. I thought you might know something or get a reading about the sphere." She points out.
"This object is a being? You said he? What's going on Isa? You are a little too calm about this object. It could be dangerous."
The sphere bounces on his left foots toes.
"Ouch, Isa call off your sphere. I didn't do anything to it!"
"You maligned his character. So now you have sore toes."
"Ok so does he have a name?"
"Artholus, if you would please introduce yourself to Kol." We will be here all afternoon at the rate this is going.
Kol jumps back, we both see and hear Artholus, "I am basically a soul or spirit using the spherical object created to house my consciousness so I can move around and interact with other intelligent life forms."
"Kol be polite, I know what is on the tip of your tongue to say. Don't insult our guest."
Kol laughs, "Just wait until Damon meets him."
"Artholus will soon meet the whole family. I called another family meeting."
"You really enjoy making Elijah panic don't you little one."
Isa pops him on the shoulder lightly. "I'll show you 'little one' as soon as these babies are in the world."
Artholus responds to their teasing, "Hmm 'little one' could mean something else entirely."
Isa pretend gasps at him. "Keep it at curb level please, there are children present."
Rebekah enters the kitchen, "Oh are we talking about Kol again?"
"Why is it suddenly pick-on Kol day?"
"We love you anyway Kol," Isa pats him on the back as she places her orange juice glass in the sink.
"So what is this family meeting about this time?" Bekah asks.
"I'll introduce Artholus at the family meeting." Isa responds.
Artholus sphere levitates and follows Isa out of the kitchen.
Bekah looks at her brother, "What has Isa gotten into now?"
He shrugs and laughs, "Well there is never a dull moment with Isa around."
She nods, "True."
Rebekah starts making a large batch of Coffee in the Coffee maker. Kol puts a kettle on the stove for tea. They start pulling food out of the refrigerator to make snack foods. Everyone is a little mellower around food and drink. "Kol pulls out the mini sandwich tray that Isa made earlier. "How does she know to prepare this ahead of time?"
Kol the way this family eats, "Isa likes to be prepared. I know Nik is easier to talk to if there is food involved."
"So you are saying Isa uses food as a subconscious bribe so we stay calmer during family meetings?"
Rebekah looks him in the eyes, "Now you are catching on," as she pulls another tray of prepared vegetables out to add a dip to the center of the tray.
[Artholus POV]
The family is sprawled out on the various couches. Isa and Elijah cuddled up on a love seat. Angela is sitting crosswise in Damon's lap in one of the large reading chairs. Kol, Rebekah and Freya are on the long couch. Niklaus is perched on one of the large chairs by the door with Caroline perched on the arm of the chair sitting next to him. Finn and Sage are sitting on a traveler's trunk in the corner of the room.
Isa starts out by announcing: "Everyone, I would like to introduce you to our guide in all things Elven. Artholus I think you have met everyone except Sage and Niklaus."
He projects so everyone can see his Elven form, while he explains some of the rules they will encounter with the use of Elven magic. "The whole family can dimension shift, but there are Elven rules for your dimension. Kol found out that there are places unoccupied in our dimension but may be occupied in the Elven dimension. It is frowned upon to disturb someone else's privacy. Viewing or dimension shifting into occupied space can have penalties associated with it. If the intrusion is accidental a warning is issued. Kol wasn't reprimanded due to it was his first instance of finding occupied space and he immediately left, also the occupants didn't complain. They never saw him."
"Since your Elven magic has been activated. All of you are considered representatives of the Elven alliance. You have the honor of training, guiding and discipline for others with Elven blood in this dimension in the future. There is a magical imbalance in this dimension. Supernaturals (Werewolves, Vampires, Witches, and Cold Ones) have all but eliminated the Elven full blood representatives. Restoration of Elven magic is required to restore balance to both dimensions since they are connected to one another."
"I am delighted to be your guide while you learn and explore with magic almost forgotten in this dimension. All of you can call on me if you need my assistance. Just say my name and ask for help."
Several conversations followed his introduction. Eventually everyone split up leaving for various activities.
[Isa's POV]
I am coming down from an Elijah sex high: we had the whole weekend to ourselves. It is rare that we get a weekend alone. It helps that everyone is settling down in the townhouses prior to graduation. As a family we are getting to know one another and the trust building is working.
Elijah nuzzles my neck. "I have something I would like to discuss with you. I have been reading about lactation. I would like us to start the process early. I am attracted to the idea of nursing from you, I find the idea arousing. One of the advantages of starting lactation early is in doing so is we can build up a milk supply. Since we are having three little ones, we can freeze milk packets ahead of time. They can keep up to twelve months in a deep freeze. This way the family can bottle feed them and bond with them too once you deliver."
I kiss him. "I like that idea. What do we need to do to get started?"
"Natural lactation can start as early as sixteen weeks. We can speed the process up by using a breast pump and nipple stimulation. But the process needs to be done every one and a half to two hours."
"So we can start after graduation? I don't think I can do a pumping schedule like that in high school."
He pulls me closer to him, "I think we can start right now with the nipple stimulation and work with a breast pump after you graduate."
I shriek as he starts sucking on my right nipple. I am all for practice.