My hands were shaking slightly as I served up the meal I had made for Charles as an apology. I could tell he was still angry about what I said, so I quietly served him his plate, trying to find the words to apologize.
"Where are the house elves?" He asked me before I could even try.
"I gave them the day off, or more accurately reassigned them for the day," I said softly.
"Why?" He asked tersely grabbing my arm.
I stood beside him in the same spot where I served his food to him, not being able to move before he grabbed my arm and started talking. I looked at the ground as I replied, "I wanted to cook tonight for you. I wanted to do something to apologize for what I said to you."
I could feel Charles' eyes on me as I said those words. I felt tears well up in my eyes as I looked up to meet his and said, "I'm sorry, Charles. I really am. You have every right to act as you feel best to protect our family. I am grateful for all you have done and I shouldn't be arguing with you over how you do something."
Charles stood up and grasped my upper arms, "Thank you Stella, I accept your apology." He kissed the top of my head, "Next time I'll handle the situation differently, I will hear you out. I do value your thoughts and concerns."
I nodded, still looking at the ground. Charles put his index finger on his right hand and lifted my chin upwards until my eyes were level with his. Then he leaned in and kissed my lips, I was surprised but I kissed him back. It felt so right, like I was where I belonged. I didn't love him, but I did care for him and we were married, at least I didn't see him like a brother.
Charles finally broke the kiss, "Wow."
I nodded, trying to catch my breath. I leaned towards him subconsciously and he kissed me again. This time it was a quick peck before he pulled back and turned his attention to his food.
"This looks really good."
I blushed lightly, "I hope it taste as good as it looks," I teased him.
He winked at me and motioned for me to sit down, as I complied he took a bite. "Wow, Stella. This is delicious!" He declared after swallowing.
"Thank you Charles," I told him with a shy smile.
"Ugh." I moaned as I woke up, the dream playing over and over in my mind. I couldn't stop the memories of what happened next, everything that could have been prevented had I not married Charles, had I not left my mother's compound.
I looked around to see what woke me up, hoping to keep the memories at bay. I was in a nondescript hotel room with Niklaus, just like all the countless other ones we have spent our nights at this summer. Niklaus and I couldn't stay in separate rooms because of the spell he and Elijah had placed on me, so he compelled us the nicest room they had with two beds. I sat up on the bed and looked over to the other bed to find Niklaus packing.
"Good, you're awake. Take a shower and get ready, we're leaving soon." He ordered me.
I didn't reply as I walked in to the bathroom with my clothes I had laid out the night before. As I stepped in the shower the last bit of distraction from my memories ceased to exist and I was bombarded with them.
Tears cascades down my face mingling with the water that fell from the shower head. I remembered how Charles and I had slept together that night. Everything seemed perfect, it was my first time and even though he didn't love me he still took his time to make sure it was enjoyable for me. It was what we discovered the next morning that was what I didn't want to remember. Sometime during the night, egged on by his nanny's lies, Andrew ran away and then he was found by my mother.
I turned the shower off and wiped my eyes. Niklaus must have been getting restless because I could feel the spell binding me to him pulling me towards him. I quickly got dressed trying not to remember the panic when Charles and I found out that Andrew was missing or the pain when I found out he ran away because he thought I didn't want him.
I was still feeling a little melancholy as I joined Uncle Nik, he barely even glanced at me before ordering me to grab my stuff we were leaving. I obeyed and we met Stefan in the lobby, Stefan looked at me curiously, I guess he could tell something was bothering me. I sent him a small smile and followed Uncle Nik out of the hotel.
There was no stopping for breakfast or blood this morning, something that had happened quite a bit this summer. We were on Uncle Nik's time frame now, he made the decisions and Stefan and I just followed along. Last night we had stayed the night in s hotel in South Carolina, on our way from Florida to Tennessee, on search for a wolf pack.
As we drove, silence stretched over the car and my memories were no longer kept at bay. The morning we found out Andrew ran away had started out normally enough. Charles and I had woken up, gotten ready and went down to breakfast. Breakfast was a rather bigger spread than normal as the house elves were ecstatic to be cooking again. Charles had teased me about it while we were waiting for Andrew who never showed up. This was super unusual because he always joined us for breakfast, we went looking and found out that he was gone.
We had immediately called the Ministry of Magic who put their best men on it but to no avail. It was actually Septimus who had discovered that the nanny had set Andrew on the path to run away. We discharged her on the spot, and I sent a message to Sanguini and Nadia. It was the first time I had made any contact with them since my marriage and I requested them to pick the nanny up. I was very angry and they was no way I was going to let her off Scott free.
My idea had been to turn her over to my mother, I knew my mother always looked for new people to add to her ranks. I figured the nanny would be perfect and she'd also be miserable working for my mom. She also wouldn't survive longer than a year, my mother killed everyone that served in her army after the first year after they had been changed into Cold Ones was up unless they were useful to her.
Nadia was quick to respond to my message saying she would do as I asked. I waited at home for the Ministry to say they found Andrew; for Nadia to say she found the nanny. The message from Nadia came, the one from the Ministry never came. Charlie was either out looking or he was holed up in his office ignoring me. I took off as soon as Nadia's message came, not bothering to tell Charlie.
I didn't plan to be gone long, but of course nothing ever goes according to plan. I met up with Nadia and took the nanny off her hands and then apparated to my mother's compound. Once there I was met by my mother.
"Finally come to your senses and realize this is where you belong, daughter?" She taunted me.
I shook my head, "My place is with my husband and my stepson; but that's part of the reason I'm here."
"How is that?" She questioned me, not even seeming surprised that I was married. I didn't think much about Italy the time; if only I had thought more about it.
"This woman," I shoved the nanny at my mother's feet, "Told my stepson lies and convinced him to run away. I want her to suffer, I figured you could use another body to fight for you."
Maria nodded, "Suppose I could. Very well, I'll take her." In one quick movement she had bit the nanny and started her change.
"ESTELLE!" I heard my uncle yell at me exasperated, tearing me from my memories.
"Yes, Uncle Nik?" I asked him, not turning away from the window I had been staring out.
"I've been trying to get your attention for 10 minutes!" He fussed at me.
"Really?" I asked turning to look at him.
He stopped the car and turned to me, "Yes! Where has your head been this morning?"
"The early 1800's" I mumbled. He looked at me oddly and I spoke up clearly, "I am sorry. What were you needing?"
"We are at our destination. I need you to come up to the house with me. We're going to pretend our car is broken down. Stefan will follow us once we are inside and get what we need."
I turned around in my seat to glance at Stefan who was sitting in the back seat. He just smirked at me, happy that he wasn't getting fussed at. I ignored him and got out of the car, following Niklaus up to the house, where he had to compel the girl to let us in.
