SM owns everything. I just borrowed the characters
As always special thanks to my pre-reader In tenebris ambulare.
Chapter 25
EPOV
I wake up just as the sun peeks through the window. I did eventually make good on my promise to worship Bella's body. The memory of how far her blush goes is burned into my memory. I woke her up around three and kept her up until about a half hour ago.
I just couldn't fall fully back to sleep. I smile down at the beautiful women lying next to me. This is what I had always hoped for but never thought I would get. It feels so natural waking up next to Bella.
With her wrapped up in my arms. As I lay looking at my sleeping beauty I think back to the conversation I had with Jake yesterday.
I follow Jake into the living room Leah comes in right behind me.
"Sit Mister" Jake says "So, I hear you say you Love my mommy"
"I do" I say
"What do you plan to do with it?" With what my Love well isn't that obvious?
"I plan to love her, you two as well. That is if you will let me" I see Jake look at Leah and shake his head then nod. It is almost as if they are able to read minds but since I am able to, I can hear as Leah tells Jake I must be lying. I also hear as Jake tells Leah that he thinks I'm 'Cereal' Leah speaks next.
"How do you know you will love us?" She asks shyly
"I understand this may be hard to believe but just seeing how protective you are over your mom proves how much you care for her. I care for her just as much and caring for her also means caring for the two most important things in her life, you two. I plan to spend time with both of you individually or together however you feel more comfortable" I smile at both of them "If it is alright with you two we will spend a special day just us very soon" They both nod.
"Tonight, you take my mom on a date. She smiles with you. It's nice" Leah states firmly. Jake nods
"Yeah what's one more day with Uncle Em?" Jake tells me with a smile
The feel of Bella stirring brings me from my memories. I did end up telling them that I knew they were talking to each other. That I could read minds. That made them happy to know they weren't completely alone. As she snuggles in closer I can't help but think of what we have ahead for us. She wants to learn of her birth parents and I understand that. Today we will talk to her parents and find out what they know. Then it will be on to someone I know can give her answers. My Parents.
"Um...morning" Bella mumbles. I look down at her sleep filled eyes
"Morning, beautiful...How did you sleep?"
"Once I went to sleep...Wonderfully" she giggles
"Good, we should get up soon and head over to your house. Emmett said that we would all have breakfast there today"
"Yeah I haven't even given the kids their gifts yet. I feel kind of selfish having only been back one day and I already went out without the kids" she sighs sadly
"Love, it was their idea. Now let's get ready and go. I know you want to see the kids. I also know there are a few questions you have for your family" I smiled at her. She groaned and relented rising form the bed still gloriously naked. I may have growled when she added an extra sway of the hips while she walked into the bathroom
"Tease" I call after her. When her laughter floats through the door I know I have a new favorite sound. It will be my job to help her make that amazing sound while we deal with all that is sure to come our way.
I try really hard not to think about Bella naked in the other room. I try really really hard. Unfortunately it doesn't work. Five minutes after she gets in the shower I go to join her. I open the shower curtain slowly and marvel in the fact that this gorgeous woman not only is mine but we know for a fact we are soul-mates.
"When you're done starring you can come in. Took you long enough" She laughs as she rinses the shampoo from her hair.
Oh the things this woman does to me. This is only the beginning of a wonderful new life. We may have a few bumps to get through but I have no doubt we will make it.
BPOV
Edward joined me in the shower after what felt like ten minutes of watching me. We both seem to be having a very difficult time keeping our hands off each other, that turned into a very dirty shower and rinsing off in almost freezing water. We are now driving back to my parents' house. For the first time in twenty-seven years I am nervous. I want to not be mad but it's hard. I have so many questions but I know I need to wait until we are alone.
"Bella, we're here" Edward nudges me releasing me from my mind.
"Yeah, I need to go in and find the gifts for the kids" he grabs my hand before I can reach for the handle and squeezes it in his own.
"I am right here with you. Remember that. I am not going anywhere and we will figure this out together. I mean how many people know for a fact that they have found their soul-mate. There is some good that has come from all of this" I smile. He's right. Who knows if we would have met under other circumstances? I can't change the past but I can move forward and find answers.
We exit the car in front of my parents' house. Technically this is my house too. I wrap my hand in Edward's and walk in the front door. Everyone is already here. I can hear Emmett, Jasper and Jake in the living room playing a racing game. I also hear Alice, Rose and Leah making fun of them as they play. We walk towards the kitchen and I hear my mom and Dad followed by two voices I don't recognize. We walk into the kitchen and see a rather lavish breakfast already prepared. I look around and spot the two people I don't recognize.
"Mom, Dad. What are you doing here?" Edwards asks. I look at him in shock. Why are his parents in my house?
"Son" the man I recognize from Edwards memories starts almost choking on the word "Oh, Edward we were so worried. We haven't heard from you. Where have you been? Oh" he stops noticing our intertwined hands.
"Yeah, I met Victoria. She's not really a nice person. Bella here handled her though" He states proudly. The woman whom I assume is his Mother gasps.
"That means your...Oh but how? No one has ever beat her before...Darling, we had no clue" she tears up
"Shh, Mom, I know. It was tense and Not something I would like to do again but it's over" His mother hugs him tightly then turns to me and does the same.
"Esme, dear, I believe we may be scaring everyone" Edwards father states
"Oh, you're right. How rude" she takes me at arm's length "Bella it's so wonderful to finally meet you again. I am Esme and this is my husband and Edwards father, Carlisle" She gestures to Edwards father. They look just like the people in Edwards's memory only slightly older.
"Hello" I state shyly. I was not prepared to meet my new boyfriend's family.
"Not that we're not happy you are here but why are you here?" Edwards takes the words right out of my mouth.
"We knew that Bella had turned Twenty-seven. We also knew what that meant for her. We arranged to be here for her when she returned. It's a welcome surprise to see you here though" Her eyes twinkled. She knew exactly who Victoria was and exactly what that meant for Edward and me.
"We were supposed to be back yesterday though" I comment
"We know" Carlisle laughed "Charlie and Renee informed us you would be here for breakfast this morning and well Esme loves to cook" Ah that explains the large breakfast
"As a matter of fact let's get everyone in here to eat" Esme announced
When everyone had their plates full and was seated around the kitchen the talking began. Everyone was talking at once. Esme was telling me stories of Edward as a kid. In turn Renee was sharing the same about me. Carlisle and Charlie talked fishing. Emmett, Jasper, Alice and Rose were talking about an upcoming event they wanted to attend. Jake and Leah however were silent.
I watched as they would look around at everyone and then to each other. They were in their own little world. I worried they may feel left out. I didn't want them to. I wanted them to interact with Esme, Carlisle and especially Edward. I would catch Edward looking at them.
"Love, what's wrong" Edward whispered in my ear
"I think Leah and Jake feel left out. I think I will go sit with them for a while" he chuckled
"I promise they are not left out. They are enjoying seeing everyone smile" he pointed to his temple. Right I forgot Edward can hear them just not me.
"Huh" Edward mumbled "You should try it Jake"
"Try what?" I ask Edward
"Mom?" Jake said
"Yeah Jake?" I looked at him. He smiled
"Well, Don't you think Uncle Emmett should have worn underwear to breakfast. His zipper is down can you tell him" Jake tells me. I scold him immediately
"Jacob, we don't talk like that at the table. If Uncle Ems zipper is down you politely tell him. Quietly in his ear not announce it to the whole table" I rant. Emmett looks embarrassed as Leah, Jake and Edward are laughing so hard the may pass out "What the hell is so funny?" I grumble
"Um Bells, Jake didn't say anything" Jasper comments shocked at my outburst
"Of course he did, are you telling me he didn't just announce that Emmett wasn't wearing underwear and his zipper was down?" What do they think I'm stupid. This causes the entire table to crack up laughing.
"Mom" Leah states. I looked at her brow raised "Watch my mouth" I look at her confused. "The reason everyone is laughing is because Jake said that just to you. No one else heard" I stare in confusion I heard the words but her mouth stayed tightly sealed
"What? How? Huh?" I mutter
"They can communicate telepathically, looks like you weren't the only one with powers unbound" I stare at Edward shocked. So the whole time I thought they were feeling left out they were talking to each other. I immediately look at Emmett as far as I know he's the only one who doesn't know of this world.
"Damn Cheaters, that's how they always won at cards" Emmett announces. Ok, not the reaction I expected.
"Emmett" Rose calls "Did you know about Bella?" she asks hurt evident in her voice
"What about Bella?" he asks
"You know the whole freaky powers thing?" I watch as his face contorts in displeasure
"No, why did she get powers? I'm the oldest. What kind of powers?" he pouts like a child.
"Um" My dad clears his throat "Emmett, she...Bella...wow this is hard"
"Spit it out old man" Emmett shouts
"Emmett" I scold. Shaking my head "Its ok Dad, I already know. I met Victoria too" he nods
"Emmett, Bella is not biologically your mother and I's child"
"Huh?" Emmett looks at me
"What's Biolotital?" Jake asks
"Biological, Jake. It means that I didn't come from Grandmas tummy. I was given to her and Grandpa by someone else"
"Like a present?" he asks
"Yes, like the most amazing present I could have ever received" My mom answers
"Why are we just now finding out" Emmett sounds almost broken
"Well Em, from what I have learned. They physically were not able to talk about it until my twenty-seventh birthday" I try to calm him
"Is that how Edwards's parents knew about it?" I look at Carlisle and Esme
"We are the ones that brought her here. We are the ones that brought her to your parents and you" Carlisle tells us
"Dad, Are you saying that she's the baby from those pictures hidden in your desk?" Edward asks
"Yes, son"
"I. I always thought that baby died. All the times you thought of her. I assumed she was my sister I never remembered meeting" he looks as shocked as I feel.
"No Edward, Everyone needed to think she was dead. We had no idea what would happen if her Father knew she was alive. We kept her hidden but she had people close at all times. Charlie and Renee are a few of the outsiders our kind trust. We knew she would be safe with them.
Her Mother was the one to bind her powers. She had a sight much more powerful then Alice. She must have felt that twenty-seven would be the best age to find out. I can only assume it had something to do with you. She was always very fond of you. As a baby you were always the happiest in her arms.
We thought it was due to her pregnancy. Now, I think it was due to Bella. You were a little older than one when she was born yet you slept right next to her, either in the crib or beside it. She was only with us a very short time after her birth and when she left you cried for a week straight. We thought something was seriously wrong with you. It never occurred to me that you may have that bond" he stated calmly. Everyone was silent.
"By people you mean my family and I?" Alice asked
"Yes, Also..." he trailed off looking at me with sad eyes
"Who?" I asked not thinking I really wanted to know
"Also, Sam" he sighed. The entire room erupted in chaos. It was apparent that the only ones aware of this were Carlisle and Esme.
"But...But...No that's not possible, Then how could he..." I trail off realizing that the kids are still in the room.
"We know Bella, We also don't think everything was as it seemed" I gasp. My poor children lost their Father. I loved Sam, Not the over powering all-consuming love I have for Edward but I loved Sam. How could anyone take a Father away from his children? A child he never even met. I can't help the broken sob that leaves my chest.
"Shh, Bella I got you" Edward whispers to me "Shh love we will figure this out" He holds me tightly to his chest and hums. That song calms me instantly like a comfort I have always known.
"I think that we should clean up breakfast now. Bella, we are heading home please feel free to call us whenever you would like. I understand you need some time with your family but we are here whenever you are ready" Esme rubs my back affectionately "I would love to have my new grandkids over for a weekend sometime. We should plan something soon" She smiles at them
I have no idea how long Edward and I sit at the kitchen table but when I make a move to stand I notice the kitchen is clean. The house is quiet and it's as if we are the only two still here.
"Where is everyone?" I ask
"They are giving you space love. You have been a little out of it for a couple hours" he tells me
"Oh no, I just got back and already I am letting the kids down"
"No, they understand. It's a lot to take in. I talked to them for a little bit while you were, well shut down. They understand more then you know. When you are feeling better your parents would like to talk. Then we will talk to Jake and Leah" I nod
"Where are Jake and Leah?" I know that my family will care for them but that doesn't stop my worry
"They may be in their room...packing" The last word comes up jumbled
"In their room doing what?" I ask
"Packing" he sighs
"Packing for what?"
"I told them I was going to ask you guys to move in with me. I know it's sudden but I can't stand to be away from you and well I just hoped you would feel the same. They kinda took it as they were moving" he shrugs.
"One thing at a time Edward. Please"
"Of course love" he smiles "That wasn't a no, I'm happy with that" I shake my head and go in search of my parents.
Something tells me by the end of today my head will be overly full with information. The thread of hope I hold onto is that we will all make it through this unscathed and sane but that is growing very thin. On the bright side, although he might not know, I'm moving in with Edward. That will stay a secret just a little while longer.
As always I love to hear your thoughts:)